Recommended Story: 'Kurenai Chishio Yoroi' by Dreaded Rasengan
Chapter Five
"Naruto?" She asked.
Naruto himself was unsure how to react. Here was the woman who came to him in a strange vision just the other day, calling herself his mother. Part of Naruto wanted to believe this really was his mother returned from wherever she had been, but another part of him was certain this was some kind of trick. That part was the part that was winning in his mental struggle, mostly for one reason.
"If you're my mom, where have you been all this time?" Naruto suddenly asked, sounding a bit harsh but it was understandable. Name one orphan who wouldn't ask that when someone claiming to be their mother suddenly showed up after over a decade of being apart.
Kushina looked sad, not hurt sad but more apologetic sad. "I promise you Naruto I will tell you everything, but right here right now is not the best time."
"Then I'm going to get someone to confirm your identity." Naruto said.
Kushina nodded. "That's fair." Her eyes widened when she saw his new tail. "You've got your tail?" She then smiled. "That's terrific."
Naruto was surprised. "Why is that? And why did you say your tail and not a tail?"
Kushina turned around, suddenly a tail of her own appeared from the end of her spine just like Naruto. The only difference was hers was a little longer and the end was shaped more like a heart than a spearhead. "These are normal for our kind. But more on that later." She turned around and the tail disappeared.
"Our kind?" Naruto asked, still surprised. "What are you? What am I?"
"More on that later Naruto. Now, is something going on here or not?"
Now Naruto remembered what he had been doing. "Oh right. Baa-chan's got a crisis. I should probably get back to her now."
"Is it alright if I come with you?" Kushina asked.
"Right now I'd prefer it." Naruto answered, before both headed towards the hokage tower.
"You can't be serious." Tsume said after Tsunade finished explaining her idea. All of the other ninja looked shocked by it too.
Tsunade nodded. "I know it's a risk, but it's the only way to drive the point across and ensure something like this doesn't happen again. Can anyone think up a better idea?"
"Yes. Remove the civilian council from power and put new members in their place." Shikaku told her.
The hokage shook her head. "There's no way of knowing just how far the influence of the civilian goes. Look outside, some of the shinobi are taking orders from them, and it's likely that's not all. They likely already have a contingency plan for if they ever are removed from power and can influence their replacements. Your suggestion, while fitting, is mostly a band-aid idea, and we need something that does more than soothes the problem."
"Your idea will only make things worse." Inoichi told her.
Tsunade looked undaunted. "Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better."
Shibi spoke up. "Hokage-sama, I will admit that if your idea works, the problem will effectively be eliminated, but how can you ensure it will work? And what do you have planned in case things do not go as expected?"
"I admit this will make Konoha a bit of a target to others, but that is while I will be working on my contingency plan in the meantime. It will take me some time, but during that time Konoha should not ruin itself to the point of destruction. If it does, then as shinobi I hope you do the smart thing. When I have everything set up, I will contact all the clan heads and tell them to begin their part and inform everyone they know who supports our cause."
"This is still risky, but... I can't help but feel you may succeed." Chouza stated, crossing his arms.
"That's the spirit." Tsunade said with a smile.
Hiashi sighed. "Since we apparently cannot change your mind on this, who will accompany you in this endeavor?"
"I'm thinking my apprentice and Naruto for starters to minimize suspicion. Since it is hard to guarantee anyone's loyalty right now, I'm afraid I will not be able to get much more right away."
Kakashi stepped forward. "If I may Hokage-sama, I ask that you consider taking my other student Sakura too."
"Will you not be able to train her yourself Kakashi?" Tsunade asked.
"I could, but I'm concerned that someone is going to try to get Sasuke out of prison and absolve him of anything he's being charged with. Such an event would require my uninterrupted attention so I could take immediate action. Plus, it would help to get Sakura away from her parents. I've heard they are both strong supporters of the civilian council so if things happen as you predict they will try to drag Sakura into the problem."
"Interesting point. I will look into the possibility." Tsunade told him. "Ok everyone, you know your roles in this. Start as soon as possible. Dismissed." Everyone nodded, even if a bit reluctantly, then left the office.
Out in the streets the chaos appeared to have died down and there were no more Naruto clones running around chasing or fighting Anbu nin. Some Anbu ninja were still out but it was impossible to tell what they were doing. They were likely looking for Naruto, but to what end was a mystery to everyone except themselves.
Sakura and Ino were out looking for Naruto too. Actually, Sakura was looking for him and Ino was mostly following Sakura. After Naruto's clone left the Yamanaka shop, the two girls were concerned about what was going on. Ino could have waited for her parents to return home, but Sakura couldn't and wanted to find Naruto to see what was going on and if she could help out. He had to be far from his best given he had been at the hospital only hours ago.
"Sakura stop!" Ino called out, only to be ignored. "Even if you do find Naruto, what do you plan to accomplish?"
"More than I would if I stand around and wait for it to be over." Sakura replied, tears in her eyes. 'As soon as I saw Naruto all bandaged up like that, I promised that no one would have to suffer because I was too weak to contribute anything on my own part. I can't let Naruto get in danger AGAIN while I stand back and just watch. I have to do something.'
Both kunoichi had to stop and catch their breaths, leaning against a building as they did so. "Do you have any... idea where he even is?" Ino asked as she panted.
"I think the hospital is a good place to start, and if he's not there we can find Hinata. She should find him quicker then we ever could." Sakura answered.
"Then why not go to her first?" Ino asked.
"No need to worry her until we know whether or not Naruto's at the hospital." The pinkette answered before running out again. Ino groaned and followed again.
Ironically, when they turned a corner, they saw Hinata out heading towards the hokage tower. "Hinata?" Sakura called out.
The Hyuuga heiress turned to face the other two girls but didn't stop moving. "Sakura? Ino? What are you two doing?"
"The same thing you likely are. Looking for Naruto." Sakura answered.
Hinata nodded, and now Sakura and Ino could see her byakugan was active. "I'm concerned too. A clone of his came by to warn me, but I couldn't stay away knowing he'd be in danger. Right now he's heading towards the hokage and there's a woman I've never seen before accompanying him."
"So Hinata, is it true you and Naruto are-?" Ino started.
"Now's not the time Ino." Sakura cut her off.
Kakashi went out to find Naruto and bring him to Tsunade. Fortunately, Naruto ended up inadvertently coming to him. "Kakashi-sensei!"
The cycloptic jounin stopped in front of his student. "Naruto, Hokage-sama needs-" He stopped when he saw the woman behind the whiskered blonde. "Ku-Kushina? Is that really you?"
"Hey Kakashi, it's been a while." The red-haired woman told her husband's student.
"So you really did contact Naruto earlier when he said you did?"
Kushina nodded. "I would have been here sooner, but I misjudged the distance to Konoha. Also I found something that briefly tied me up. Anyway, wasn't there something you were trying to tell my son?"
"Kakashi-sensei, is she really my mom?" Naruto asked, sounding desperate for an answer.
Kakashi looked at Kushina, looking for any indication that she was not the real deal. Kushina smiled. "I caught you kissing Rin-chan without your mask in the alley behind the theater one night in the summer while you two were still chuunin."
"Ok, you're the real Kushina." Kakashi stated. "So Naruto, that means that she really is your mother." Naruto looked up at the woman in wonder and uncertainly, like he didn't know what really to feel right now. "But we've cover that later. Naruto, Hokage-sama really needs to see you now. Are you the real Naruto?" The blonde nodded. "Good. Follow me back to her. Kushina, please come along."
Kushina and Naruto then followed Kakashi, but he wasn't taking them to the hokage tower.
"Hey Kakashi-sensei where are you going?" Naruto asked.
"I'm taking you to the hokage Naruto. I never said where she was, did I?"
Hinata suddenly changed directions. "Now he's going this way. This is good. We can catch up to him sooner like this."
This direction took them to outside the Forest of Death, where Tsunade, Shizune, and Tonton were waiting. Standing back being covered in the foliage, they saw Naruto, Kakashi, and a woman they never saw before appear before them.
Tsunade faltered when she saw the redhead. "Kushina? Impossible."
"Hi you old bat. The years have not been kind to you." Kushina greeted with a grin and teasing tone but a friendly wave.
Tsunade got mad and reflexively threw a punch. Completely calm, Kushina kept her waving hand up and blocked the hit, looking and acting like she was catching a ball being tossed to her. Naruto and Shizune dropped their jaws at this sight.
Tsunade pulled her fist back. "Only one person has ever been able to block me like that. You are Kushina. Where have you been you teasing tomboy?"
"I've been fighting a war just to gain the right to come back here, among other reasons. But more on that later. What's going on here tonight?"
"A war?" Tsunade repeated, then frowned. "You're lying. Such news could not possibly be kept secret. Tell me the truth Kushina."
"I'm not lying. I was in a war. Just not here in the Elemental Nations. I was in another kingdom fighting to get the tyrant out of power. I'm only able to be here now because the fighting is over and I want to see my son." Kushina defended.
"Well fighting just started up here and we better get Naruto out of the danger zone." The slug sannin told her.
"What? But I can help out." Naruto stated.
"Naruto, the best way you can help out is to not get involved." Shizune told the young boy. Tonton oinked in agreement.
"You will have to explain yourself Kushina, but for now, Kakashi, go find Sakura and bring her here if you want her to be a part of this." Tsunade said.
Before Kakashi could move, Sakura emerged from her hiding spot. "I'm here! What do you need me for?" She called out.
"Sakura? What are you doing here? And how did you find us?" Kakashi asked.
"I was concerned about what Naruto was getting involved in." Sakura answered.
Hinata stepped out too. "M-me too. And I... I led her to Naruto-kun." She looked like she was expecting to be punished for this.
"Anyone else with you?" Kakashi asked, eyeing the bushes.
Ino came out. "Just me. I tagged along."
"You and Hinata should go home right now." Kakashi ordered.
"Why?" Ino asked.
"Because you wouldn't have any role here." The cycloptic jounin told the blonde mindwalker.
"You girls better say goodbye to Naruto now because this will be the last time you'll see him for a long time." Tsunade told the two heiresses, trying to be considerate.
Hinata looked shocked. "No!" She shouted as she lunged at Naruto, engulfing him in a hug. "I just got him! You can't take him away so soon like this!"
"Hinata-chan-" Naruto started, but stopped when she tearfully gazed at him.
"Take me with you Naruto-kun. Please?" She asked in a way that would break most people's resolve and with eyes that would even make the Puppy Eye Jutsu cave in.
Naruto looked at Tsunade, who sighed. "Hinata, I haven't even told Naruto about this mission. Sakura can go because of certain circumstances, but those don't apply to you." She looked at Ino. "Ino Yamanaka, please return home."
Ino left, albeit reluctantly, but Hinata refused to budge. Kushina smiled and stepped up to the bluenette. "Hi there little lady. Are you my future daughter-in-law?" Hinata blushed so much you'd swear every drop of blood in her body was in her face. Kushina laughed lightly as the Hyuuga fainted in Naruto's arms. "She must really like you to react like that son. Most girls would deny it."
Sakura turned to Tsunade. "Hokage-sama, what's going on?"
"Listen everyone, because I don't want to repeat myself and we need to get out of here as soon as possible." Tsunade said, gaining everyone's attention. Hinata subconsciously snuggled closer into Naruto's chest, looking quite comfortable. "Naruto, you're in danger here in Konoha, and this time the ones behind it are not stopping until they get what they want. I'm going to get you out of Konoha until they lose some steam. This may take a while though, so you better go pack for a long trip."
Naruto shrugged. "No need. My house was burned down apparently while I was heading to yours. My clones found out while they were running around."
Tsunade arched an eyebrow. 'That could explain why the Anbu didn't immediately come to my aid, but that can't be the entire reason.' "So all you have left is on your person?"
Naruto shook his head. "I've been prepared for a long time for the day I ever had to leave Konoha like this. I've got supplies hidden around in case my home was ever destroyed like this. I'll be fine."
Tsunade smiled. "Nice thinking gaki."
Sakura was surprised. "For years you thought you might be forced out of Konoha Naruto?"
"Sakura, even you must know I'm not exactly the most liked person in town. I hoped they would learn to get over it and accept me, but I was prepared for the possibility they wouldn't and I would have to run or die. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst like Iruka-sensei said in class." The whiskered blonde told his teammate.
Kushina looked confused. "What do you mean Son?"
"More on that later Kushina. For now, let's get going. Kakashi, you know what to do. Sakura, you wish to come and learn under us?" Tsunade said.
The pinkette was surprised. "Me? But why? Am I in danger too?"
Kakashi nodded. "In a way you are Sakura. You are his teammate so the ones after him may target you as a means to get to him. If you go with them you cannot be targeted and you can learn under Tsunade-sama at the same time."
Sakura turned to the blonde hokage. "But who will watch over Konoha while you're gone?"
"I'll tell you after we're away from prying ears. Do you accept?" Tsunade told the young girl.
Sakura thought it over for a moment, looking at Naruto as she did. "Alright, I will, but on one condition. Hinata goes with Naruto." The adults and even Naruto gave her a questioning look. "You said I'd be in danger because I'm his teammate. Wouldn't his girlfriend be an even bigger target?"
"She's got a point Baa-chan." Naruto stated.
Kushina smiled. "I don't mind my son's girlfriend being with him. It could make things easier for him to understand."
"Understand what?" Tsunade and Naruto asked.
"Away from prying ears." Kushina said, using Tsunade's excuse.
Tsunade sighed. "Fine. We'll wait to hear from Kushina and we'll take Hinata along. Kakashi, go inform Hiashi about this. When I find a stable location, I'll send word to you so you will be able to correspond. Any questions?"
"What do we do if we need you immediately?" Kakashi asked.
"An immediate return would be impossible for me, so delay the issue as much as possible and improvise if you have to." The slug sannin told the jounin. Kakashi nodded and left.
"So where are we going?" Naruto asked.
"Go get your provisions, then we'll talk." Tsuande told him.
"I know a good place you can hide." Kushina offered.
"My idea first. You still have to explain yourself before we go anywhere you recommend Kushina." Tsunade claimed forcefully.
"Fair enough."
"Should I go home and get some stuff?" Sakura asked.
Tsunade shook her head. "Probably not a good idea, unless there's something there you have to have or can't do without." She then faced Naruto. "Naruto, how much did you stash away?"
"Enough to feed and help myself for six months. Maybe a month or two for all of us if we use it carefully."
"Good. Sakura, if you can, be discreet about it. Shizune, accompany her and bring her to the top of the monument when you're done. We'll be there waiting."
"Yes M'lady." Shizune told her mentor.
With that, Tsunade, Kushina, Naruto, and a still unconscious Hinata heading to Naruto's secret stash while Shizune, Sakura, and Tonton headed to the pinkette's home.