He woke up to cheering, he groaned and frowned on Kakashi's shoulder as the light from the sun roused him. They'd come out from the edge of the forest. Opening his eyes he was met with what seemed to be the entire village cheering and clapping. He tensed and immediately was wide awake again. Kakashi's arms tightened on his legs
"It's okay" he assured him letting him down gently. He didn't move and he stayed behind Kakashi, the village was cheering, they were happy to be saved and alive despite losing their homes.
"Tori?!" A familiar voice cried and Naruto immediately forgot his panic about thr crowd. He stepped out and looked around as she burst forward from the right tears streaming down her face
"Nohime!" He called crouching down and opening his arms. He felt immediately guilty, in all the chaos he hadn't once thought about their safety, if they had made it to the shelters or were even still in the village. He lifted her up and she wailed again his neck ad she clung to him
"Where are the others?" He asked but she was too upset to talk. He looked to Kakashi who only looked at him with clear curiosity. He pressed his lips into a line and shook his head.
A ninja approached he was a younger ninja, with brown hair and blue eyes. Likely not long from the academy. He smiled kindly tilting his head
"Hey, remember me?" He asked and Nohime only held Naruto tighter refusing to lift her head.
"You know her?" Naruto asked
"I escorted her family to the shelters with my cousin and Aunt. She got separated"
"Konahamaru can you take her to her family?" Kakashi asked but she only cried and clung to Naruto tighter. The name sounded familiar but he didn't have time.
"It's okay" Naruto said "I'll take her soon, I assume you need me to answer some stuff before I wonder off?" Kakashi nodded so Naruto looked to Konahamaru "Can you tell her family she's with Hattori and she's fine, If they can get to the Nara compound I'll meet them near the gates"
Konahamaru looked to Kakashi who nodded and he took off.
"We need to report to the Hokage" he said and Itachi landed next to Naruto leaning down to catch Nohime's attention, he had at some point between Naruto passing out and reaching the edge of the trees discarded the cloak.
"Don't you worry, Tori stopped the bad guys"
She hiccupped and looked to Itachi cautiously
"Tori did?" She asked
"Yes, and you're safe now, no more attacks are happening"
She smiled at him and Naruto was surprised at how quickly Itachi fell back into being the kind man who seemed to have a way with kids. Think it's his voice, Naruto thought.
"You should sleep, you're exhausted" he told her and before she could react a flare of Chakra came from him and her head fell softly onto Naruto's shoulder. The villagers were still cheering but nobody was coming close.
"Tachi!" A voice yelled and Naruto smiled looking over to Sasuke coming over... his smile vanished when Sasuke punched him
"Asshole!" He roared. Itachi didn't even blink he just flicked Sasuke on the head
"I had to try and help Naruto. But I wasn't needed" he nodded and Sasuke turned to look at Naruto. More Ninja were showing up and Naruto was starting to feel anxious. Sakura landed next to him and held her hands up with chakra, offering to check him over. He shook his head, she smiled softly and let them fall.
"You did it?"
"Yeah... Pain is dead"
The ninja all looked to him wide eyed and then to Itachi next to him
"Kakashi?" A dark haired man in a awful green jumpsuit asked cautiously not taking his eyes from Itachi
"It's okay, Guy" Kakashi reassured stepping forward and placing his hand on Itachi and Naruto's shoulders "They're no danger. Tsunade will explain when things calm down"
That seemed to be all they needed before they relaxed. Naruto spotted Gamakichi and pointed to him
"She'll be up there with the orange toad" Naruto said and Sakura was gone immediately
"Okay, let's head over. Will you be okay?" He asked
"Think Itachi is repellant enough, no offence"
"Non taken" he looked down to Naruto "happy to help you"
Tsunade was not waking, the Hokage was in a Coma and they needed to name a new one. To Kakashi's dismay the council could only name him. Shikamaru and Shikaku were in the private tent and it took all Naruto had not to go check over him. There was a lot to talk about and the main issue at the moment was Itachi. Who had stood at the back with Naruto in silence. Kakashi looked to Naruto and Itachi
"If I'm Hokage will you stay for a while?" He asked and Naruto nodded. They needed to talk anyway, and no way was he ready to leave Kakashi after he had died not two hours ago.
"What's the status of the outer village?" Kakashi asked
"The Nara compound is untouched" he glance at Naruto then back to Kakashi "I plan to open our meeting hall and larger homes for as many as we can fit, the Uchiha compound is also unaffected"
"You can use it to house people until the rebuild is complete" Itachi said and Shikaku bowed his head in thanks
"The outskirts are mostly in tact except for the pieces of the broken homes and buildings. The Hokage tower is also in tact thanks to it position next to the monument. Shizune is setting up a medical area there"
Naruto drowned out the conversation and looked down to Nohime. How had he not even thought about them? They'd welcomed him onto their home, considered him family. A hand came to his shoulder causing him to jump and look up to see Shikaku
"Thank you. For all you did for us" he bowed his head and left the tent.
"Itachi, why don't you go reunite with Sasuke properly" Kakashi said and the elder Uchiha nodded smiled down to Naruto and left. Kakashi came over and took Nohime from Naruto
"I'll watch her, will be just in the trees" he nodded and swiftly left the tent. Leaving him with Shikamaru. Was it that obvious? He wondered he didn't dwell on it, he closed the space between them and hugged Shikamaru tightly.
"Thank you" he breathed burying his head into Shikamaru's shoulder
"What for?" He asked confused
"For summoning me, trusting me. Saving me" he admitted. He couldn't even be angry that he put himself in danger and a target on himself to help cut him loose of the Chakra rods.
"Well... it was hard" he admitted "not to mention terrifying"
He felt Shikamaru press his lips to his head and a sense of calm came over him. The unease, all the tension washed away.
"Is it over now?" Shikamaru asked
With Tsunade being in a Coma and Kakashi needing to be officially named Interim Hokage Naruto hadn't actually given them answers "Are you safe?"
Naruto didn't think so, in fact he felt like worse was coming.
"I don't think so" he whispered and Shikamaru felt like he had gotten heavier before he stood up making Naruto have to take his head from his shoulder.
"Pain is dead right?"
Naruto nodded and took his hand in his own. He wasn't a ninja of the leaf, nothing was binding him from keeping what happened from anyone before telling the Hokage. And he knew Kakashi expected it would likely be told to Shikamaru, he wasn't stupid.
"He is... but, the woman told me some things. This wasn't their doing, someone else is pulling strings from the background... and I don't think he is done. He wants Kurama. And if I'm right... he's far from ready to give up"
"You have an idea who it is?" He asked
"Not hus identity. But I've been next to him before" he admitted. Saying met wouldn't be right given he wasn't even a minute old before having his life threatened. Naruto wasn't sure he truly hated anyone. He had lots of anger and resentment of course, but this man... this monster was now becoming a reason for Naruto hunt him down and kill him where he was found. The idea to just go off and use everything he knew was very tempting, even so much as to leak put Kurama's chakra to make a trail.
"How?" Shikamaru asked pulling Naruto from his dark thoughts. But he couldn't, it would hurt the few he cared for.
"When I was born, the man who caused it all. I think it's him the woman told me about. Pretty sure of it in fact"
"Does anyone else know this?"
"Not yet. I'll tell Kakashi when he asks"
"And you're going to stay?" He asked
"Well, the village is pretty vulnerable right now. Kakashi died... I'm no where near calm enough to leave without being here to make sure you're both okay"
Shikamaru relaxed and smiled down to him
"Good, I want to finish what we started"
Naruto felt his insides turn to mush at the implication of those words. Not that Naruto wasn't... up for that but he was still technically a virgin. He'd never gone all the way and suddenly he was thinking that was a mistake. Clearing his throat and trying not to get turned on he nodded and smiled up to the Nara.
"Things to do first" he said
"The kid. Right" he nodded and they left the tent not bothering release their hands. Kakashi as promised was in the tree cradling Nohime on his lap with one arm, a scroll in his free hand. Rolling it up he put it in his pocket before picking up Nohime and handing her back to Naruto.
"It's been a few hours, she should wake up soon" Kakashi nodded "I have to go sort things where I can and Yamato has made as many supplies as he can today so rebuilding will start tomorrow. Come to the Hokage tower in an hour?" He asked
"Sure. I'll be there" he agreed and Kakashi shishuned away.
-
Reaching the Nara compound had Naruto feeling more than a little anxious. There were hundreds of people here. Would Hasagawa be here?
"Hattori!" Kiki yelled and he looked to the direction of the voice. They were at the edge of the forest with a Nara. Likely warning them they couldn't enter.
"Nohime!" Hasagawa cried and his own anxiety was forgotten. He walked over and handed her to her Mother. Azai and Takeda ran up and held onto each of Naruto's legs shaking slightly. He smiled down to them putting his hands on their heads.
"Is she okay? Are you okay?" She asked panicked
"She's just sleeping. And I'm fine don't worry"
"What are you doing here?" Kiki asked
"Saving the village" he shrugged cockily and she smacked him behind the head. He laughed "just came to help..."
"He did save the village" Konahamaru said "right?"
"What makes you say that?" Naruto asked
"You're the one who saved Uncle Asuma, right?" He asked brushing his fingers over his own cheeks "just a guess"
Uncle Asuma? Right, that's why he was familiar, the Old Mans grandson, he saw the toddler a few times.
"It was no big deal" Naruto shrugged
"Sorry" Shikamaru interrupted "but who are you to uh... Hattori?"
"Oh right" Naruto blinked "remember the family I told you about who took me in for a few years?" Shikamaru nodded "this is them, they moved to the leaf a while ago"
"You're Hasagawa?" He asked and she smiled at him nodding. He looked to the family and then Naruto "was your home affected?" He asked and her smile faltered
"Yes, but that doesn't matter" she looked at her kids and then Naruto "my family is safe, thats all that matter to me"
Nohime woke up and began crying as she clung to her mum. The boys let Naruto go to go hug her too.
"We will have space at my house, it's big and we have extra rooms" Shikamaru said and Naruto looked to him so fast pain shot up his neck
"Oh you don't ha-" Hasagawa started
"I insist. You took in Hattori and I can at least return the favour"
"Shikamaru" Naruto breathed
"Come on" he turned and the family followed him while Naruto and Kiki stood there dumbfounded
"Thought you didn't have someone?" She smirked and he pushed her arm lightly
"Shut up" he hissed "come on" and they went to catch up. Once in the house and settled into rooms the boys sharing, Hasagawa and Nohime sharing while Kiki was given her own Naruto had some questions to answer. Starting with his real name. They accepted it fine and it was getting close to his meet up with Kakashi.
"I should head off. I have to go give details details of the fight to the new Hokage" they nodded. He went to turn to kiss Shikamaru but halted given his mother was there and made a awkward step and stop before whirling around and practically fleeing the house. They hadn't talked and given Shikamaru wasn't much of a talker usually he wasn't sure if people even knew he was... into guys. The last thing he heard from the house was Shikamaru's chuckle and Kiki's giggle.
-
It was official, Kakashi was Hokage. He entered the office and stood next to him was the jumpsuit guy and Shikaku. He smiled at the sight and found, he liked it. Kakashi, the Hokage. Not to say that he hadn't liked Tsunade, she was good and he had found respect for his Godfathers life long love. But Kakashi was different and he found himself wanting to be there for Kakashi as he was for Gaara.
"Lord Kakashi" he bowed and smirked at the clear uncomfort in his eye
"Just Kakashi is fine..." he said awkwardly and the jumpsuit guy laughed loudly
"So this is Naruto?" He asked and gave him a obnoxiously enthusiastic thumbs up "I like you, kid. Names Might Gai" he introduced himself
"Uh... thanks" he frowned not sure how he felt about this guy knowing who he is. But his voice sounded familiar some how. He looked to Kakashi who sat back relaxed in his chair.
"Gai is a... Really good friend. I trust him with my life so you don't have to worry" Kakashi assured him. Naruto couldn't help but remember all those who were supposed to protect Gaara and had turned against him. Granted in the two brief moments he had seen the man he didn't get that impression he still worried. Plus he was just a little weird. And didn't seem like the type to take things seriously. But he nodded and stepped up to the desk.
"Is the threat over?" Kakashi began and Naruto told him everything about his interaction with Nagato and Konan.
"You let her take the bodies?" Shikaku asked
"I am not bound by the rules you are. They were her teammates and it was her right to take them. She left the others" Naruto shrugged
"Naruto the Rennigan is powerful, they should have been confiscated and destroyed"
"I know that. I'm not stupid. But they were her family. I gave her seals to prevent anyone stealing them, but advised her to destroy them"
All three men clearly were surprised by this
"Seals"
"Yes, only me or the owner can get through it so unless he is some how brought back to life nobody is getting them"
"You do kno-" Naruto held up his hand
"The Reanimation won't work" he stated "I heard about the Chunin. That precaution is put in too, soul and body, the reanimation uses a different body"
"Alright" Kakashi nodded and they all relaxed "but you said the woman mentioned a masked man approaching them with the plan?" He asked
"Yeah, he was the true leader, Nagato was taking his orders..."
"And?" Shikaku prompted
"Well I could definetely be wrong but... Kurama said it was a masked man who stole him from my mother... threatening my life to get my father away from her. Its just a hunch but... think it's the same guy"
"If that's true this definitely isn't over. I haven't had a chance to speak to Itachi properly but someone approached him and brought him to the Akatsuki. Perhaps he knows who the masked man is and if he is one in the same"
"I believe so" Itachi's voice came you have actually met him. He worked with Deidara for a while"
"Tobi?" Kakashi asked his voice raised slightly in surprise
"Don't be fooled. He is stronger than you might think, and far more deadly. He too is an Uchiha and I suspect Tobi is not his true identity"
They all nodded not surprised or in disagreement of theory.
"I have been out of the loop for a while. How many tailed beasts did you manage to collect?" Naruto asked
"Seven. We were going for Eight after you because of the opening Jiyraiya's death had given"
Naruto sighed and scratched the back of his head
"Bee will be fine for a bit, he's not pushover and Raikage A isn't about to let anything happen to his little brother"
"Right, you were coming from the hidden cloud" Kakashi said "you never did explain"
Naruto wondered how much he could say without implicating Gaara.
"I made friends along my travels" he shrugged "and if I focused on the other Jinchurichi after hearing about Gaara and Yugito, well are you surprised?" He asked
"Not at all" Kakashi chuckled shaking his head. "Do you think you could get word to him?" He asked
"Well given the attack on the leaf, Raikage is no doubt going to reign in Bee's leash. He already can't leave the village, especially after Yugito"
He couldn't just send word
"You need to make sure he doesn't get all the Bijuu" Itachi said "We weren't told the specifics but we know once they are put in that statue"
"The Ten Tails will be reformed?" Naruto asked. Kurama wasn't certain but it was the only conclusion he could come up with. He remembered he was a part of it. He remembered the Sage talking about a husk but the details were fuzzy because he wasn't paying full attention.
"I supposed the Kyuubi has been forthcoming with information" Itachi said
"He's never held things from me if it's relevant" Naruto shrugged
"Well yes. That was the goal. And Tobi was going to become it Jinchurichi to end the world as we know it. He never explained how so we assumed destruction"
"We will have to let the other Kage and tge Fuedal Lords know" Kakashi nodded "make sure we are all on the same page to fight this threat"
Everyone nodded.
"I will send word for a summit" Shikaku nodded and Kakashi nodded. "You'll have to take two guards with you, but it means the village will be more vulnerable than it already is"
"It's a risk we will have to take, unfortunately"
"I can try to fortify the perimeter but it's so big, it won't be very strong" Naruto offered.
"What about sections, creating safety zones?" Shikaku asked. As he had done for the Nara compound, he meant.
"That I can do"
"If you wouldn't mind" Kakashi nodded
"I'll get the shelters, the Uchiha compound and this building done then. Any other larger places still standing?"
"Not like the compounds. The Intel building survived with some minor damage but it does have important documents" Shikaku explained
"Done. Mark some spaces that can be used for people to go and I'll set it up so the shelters and compounds aren't overcrowded" Naruto waved. Gai and Shikaku left leaving only Naruto and Itachi. None of them spoke. Naruto only looked at them and it felt a little odd without their masks. But it felt familiar. His two assassin guardians silent, waiting on him to make noise and ask questions they mostly evaded.
"What's your plan now?" Kakashi asked
"For now I'm staying put. Then I'm going to deal with this Tobi, if he thinks he can just, destroy the world, imprison Kurama cause he has a problem with his life he has another thing coming. Even if I have to undo the seal and let Kurama have at him unrestrained. He's not taking anything else from me"
Itachi gave a half smile, pride clear on his face while Kakashi nodded raising his one brow.
"Pretty sure that breaks your promise" Shikamaru said his voice was sharp and angry that Naruto felt the goosebumps raise over his skin. Shit.
"I came ba-" he cut off because if looks could kill... well he'd be a corpse before he hit the ground. The technicality didn't matter he knew that and Shikamaru was making it clear.
"And you said you'd need the key" Shikamaru pointed out trying to calm himself. Naruto nodded and wondered if he should tell him now or later.
"Even if I broke the seal I'd only die if Kurama left me. He can still fight through me. That's what I meant" he explained
"You've mastered the-" Kakashi started cutting off at Narutos quick shake of his head
"No. That would require things I'm not ready for. Maybe soon"
If he could heal some of his trauma some he supposed it'd be possible. He hoped so, Bee and Gyuki had a great relationship, and their power was amazing.
"Your almost free" Kakashi assures him. Naruto nodded but he wasn't sure if that would be true... he hoped so. Which surprised him, he had never been bothered by that idea before, but he wanted it. Kurama chuckled
Welcome to wanting to live.
Naruto smiled at that a little and supposed that was improvement, maybe he could do it, have a life, allow the connections he had to people he loved to solidify.
Got to make us safe first he thought
We've got it. Time to stop hiding, yeah?
Naruto agreed. Tobi wanted him, well... he better be ready for a world of hurt. Naruto just had to stay put and work with people. There were smarter people than him here, maybe they could help him better than if he went at this alone.