"The Greatest Idea Ever"
By Quick-n-Popular
Disclaimer: "Naruto" and its characters are not my property.
A/N: I've been absent for quite a while due to family matters but I won't bore you with the details. I'm eternally grateful for the support this story has gotten. I made a choice to create a giant "What if?" story that continues to go into multiple directions. So, I appreciate those who enjoy this crazy adventure. Thank you all again for enjoying what I write.
Now, on with the story.
Chapter Twenty Two: The Wind of Change
When Naruto arrived back at Konoha, he was surprised to see Tsunade already there at the front gate with a small contingent of Jounin. Both she and the others wore smiles. The teen assumed she must have been contacted ahead of time of their possible arrival.
"Well done you three," She didn't glance at Jiraiya at first, but made her final comments to Naruto, Neji, and Shino; "We weren't prepared for Kumo to be there supporting that so called experiment. I'm grateful that you're all okay. So, congrats on a job well done. Now, Miss Honoka was it?"
The blond Godaime walked up to the tall red head, who bowed in respect to the Hokage. "Yes, Hokage-sama, it's an honor to meet you in person."
"You as well," Tsunade said, "The report that came from Jiriaya, said you wanted to learn more about Naruto's mother and my grandmother, correct?" Tsunade asked.
Honoka nodded, "As long as I'm not intruding on anything secret."
Tsunade sighed, "Well, with the kid's mother and my grandmother, they did have something we'd consider secret for the time being. However, if you're willing to let one of our Yamanaka members make sure you are who you say you are, then we'll be able to be a little more flexible." She then turned to Naruto. "How do you feel about letting her know about it?"
Naruto understood the secret question about him and his mother's being Jinchuriki being revealed to the former Taki Kunoichi. He was aware of the risks. However, Naruto trusted his gut instinct.
"I trust Honoka-san will be okay for this information." He said.
Tsunade closed her eyes and nodded, "Alright then. Honoka-san, if you'll come along with us, we'll see about getting this done. Jiraiya, I'd like you to come with if you can."
After finally addressing him, the Super Pervert seemed to not have been hearing her as he was reading from a scroll that one of his summons had delivered to him. After reading it he sighed, "Sorry, Hime, I can't. I need to check on something outside of Konoha."
Tsunade looked at him cautiously, "Send me a summons with the details, okay?"
Jiraiya nodded before turning to Naruto, "I'm going to be away for a while. Try and have that girl Fu continue working with you on using your special chakra."
Naruto grumbled before nodding with reluctance.
Meanwhile, Tenten was meeting with her father as he was asked by someone to meet with her. Much to her surprise it was a heavily bandaged man who was limping on one side.
"You are Tenten?" He asked after giving her a once over with his lone eye.
She nodded before waiting for him or her father to give some sort of introduction.
"I am Danzo Shimura. At one time I was a student of the Nidaime along with the Sandaime. Surely you can grasp why I am making contact with you."
"Because of the Flying Raijin that I learned with Naruto, right?" Tenten answered.
The man nodded solemnly, "It is a momentous feat that you learned one of his jutsus before it became sullied by THAT man."
Tenten frowned slightly by his snub towards of one of the most talented Shinobi the village has ever produced. In a way, since it was Naruto's father, who's notes helped her along with Naruto learn it together; she felt like it was an insult to her and Naruto as well. She decided to get to the point of whatever he was approaching her about.
"Why are you here?"
The man struck his cane against the ground for emphasis, "Because you are wholly unspoiled and would do well in my private division."
Tenten nodded along before giving a resounding, "Thanks, but no thanks."
Danzo's lone eye narrowed, "Why so quick to respond?"
"Because you seem to be doing this while I was away from my team, which would mean I would have to quit them in order to join you. That and it seems you don't operate within the village so who knows what shady missions I'll get sent on with you involved." Tenten then smirked, "Besides, Anko warned me about you."
"Of course SHE would..." Danzo muttered before he lumbered out of her father's shop before pausing and saying over his shoulder, "I don't give many opportunities. Keep that in mind for the future."
Naruto found he had more time on his hands than he thought as he waited for Honoka's interview with the Yamanaka Clan to be over, despite his promise to head to the Aburame Clan Compound to meet with Fu. Despite the over-eagerness of the mint haired girl, Naruto felt strongly that his uncooperative tailed beast would rather have him have a slow and painful death than rather compromise itself by helping him.
It expressed as much the last time he went inside himself to approach the fox in making some sort of agreement for a mutual interest.
Baring its fangs it said, 'My hatred for you and all those who came before you is everlasting. Give up and die, human so I can be free from your pitiful existence.'
Thus Naruto was still unable to find the means to do what Jiraiya and Fu wanted of him.
'To tell the truth, my heart's not really into it.' He reflected.
What he really wanted to do, since coming back, was learn what happened with the mission to retrieve Sasuke since he didn't hear anything from Tsunade at the gates.
Figuring the fastest way, outside of asking the Godaime, was trying to find someone attached to the mission, which meant trying to find Tenten or Sakura.
Finding his teammate took the less amount of time as he soon found her with Ino Yamanaka outside of Ino's family's flower shop, which was along the direction he was walking.
"Hey Sakura-chan, Hey Ino." He said in greeting before he found Sakura with a pensive look on her face while Ino greeted cheerily.
"Hey Naruto. Sakura, I'll talk to you later. I know you two need to talk."
Sakura nodded in thanks before turning to Naruto,"Hey."
Naruto lost some of his zazz as he saw the lack of a warm greeting probably in anticipation of his approaching her.
"What happened?" He asked.
Sakura looked down in frustration, "While Tenten killed Tayuya, Orochimaru still got Sasuke-kun. I'm sorry, we failed in getting him back."
Naruto stumbled a bit but then gave a grim smile, "Well, we're still going to get him back, right? Tsunade-"
"Hokage-sama, you idiot." Sakura corrected him smiling, despite herself.
"Yeah," He said, "She's gotta have a plan to get him back, right?"
Sakura nodded, "Yeah. But for now they're trying to gather information. With Jiraiya-sama they'll find something."
Then seeing someone approach, Sakura took her quick leave, "Someone is here for you, so I'll catch you later, Naruto."
Watching her leave before turning to see Tenten approaching with her usual sack of dango, Naruto gave a lazy wave in greeting.
"Hey."
"Hey." She returned. "I guess you heard about your teammate. I'm sorry."
Naruto looked off to the side in frustration which mirrored Sakura's from earlier. He then took a deep breath before he looked at Tenten in affirmation, "You at least got back at HER, right?"
Tenten nodded, "For damn sure."
Naruto then took her hand and squeezed it, saying, "You all got back safely. Can't complain too much about that."
Tenten smiled at the gesture, squeezing his hand back before they let go and the two walked next to each other heading aimlessly to the commercial district.
"So, what was your mission like?" She asked as they went to a place that had a table to sit down at.
"Well. It turns out Shino and your teammate, Neji, know about the Kyuubi inside me." Naruto began.
Tenten, surprised by both, asked. "How do you feel about that?"
Naruto smiled, "I guess it makes me feel good about it. But Shino was a little more obvious about his thoughts on it. Whereas Neji just told me bluntly."
Tenten chuckled about that. She knew her teammate, Neji, struggled with social interaction especially since coming out of his shell recently. Shino, she didn't have much interaction with him or his team but he seemed with good sense so she didn't foresee him having any prejudices either.
"What happened after that?" She asked sticking another dango skewer in her mouth.
Naruto paused before giving her a devious grin, "I have a bridge named after me."
Tenten stared at him in confusion for a second before asking, "What?"
"The Great Naruto Bridge," is what it's called apparently. That old drunk Tazuna decided to call it that after me and my team left. I think Inari had a hand in it too, come to think of it." Naruto said the last part in amusement.
Tenten smiled at how happy he looked. "That's great, Naruto. I see you're making a name for yourself already." She half-joked.
Naruto grinned sheepishly before he went serious again. He told her about the shady summoning project and meeting the men who ultimately got killed in what they were trying to summon. But he smiled again as he talked about Honoka who they met there. How apparently she could use the same Uzumaki chakra chains he could. He paused his tale after mentioning that their group brought Honoka back with them.
Tenten, after a moment of absorbing what he told her, decided to tease him a bit. "Bringing MORE strange women home, Naruto? Honestly, you're becoming quite the pick up artist."
Naruto blushed before he grinned cheekily at her. Standing up he walked around and came up from behind her, lifting Tenten out of her seat. "Then how about I pick YOU up, Tenten. Would that make you happier?"
Tenten made a little shout of surprise before she rapt her knuckles on the side of Naruto's head "You baka, put me down."
Naruto did so but not before giving her a subtle hug from behind before letting go of her.
Tenten, strangely enough, didn't feel the need to call him out on it and just smiled. After their time away from each other, with Tenten going after Tayuya, not knowing WHAT might happen, and after hearing the experience Naruto had dealing with a deadly abomination; she DID feel relieved about the two of them being able to be together like this.
Tenten sighed, she knew missing someone was normal and feeling comfort in being reunited with them wasn't all that out of the ordinary.
'It's just with him. It feels even more...special.' Tenten's eyes widened as she thought that, she felt she was starting to understand something important. But what?
"Tenten? Do you want to hear the rest?" Naruto asked as he looked at her.
The Bun haired Kunoichi snapped out of her thoughts but not before she had one last one.
'I should ask Dad about what this is and what I am feeling.' Nodding internally to her decision, she smiled pleasantly at her friend before nodding to him to continue.
"Yes, please. I'd like to hear all about it."
The Blond swordsman nodded and started where he let off.
"Anyway, that's about how the mission went. Kumo's forces were there because they were funding the project but they had been killed by more of those Akastuki bastards, who left quickly. Luckily we didn't run into them. It was a real blood bath."
Tenten shivered at the image and nodded, "I'm glad you're okay."
Naruto smiled, "Thanks."
"So," Tenten began, "Is this Honoka woman related to you, by any chance?"
Naruto shrugged, "She is an Uzumaki but whether or not she is related to Mom, Ero-sensei and Honoka can't say." He then looked off into the distance. "I hope we are though. I never thought I'd meet another Uzumaki."
Tenten nodded, knowing how rare and important it was for him to have connections and possibly in this case it could be a blood relation. Tenten reached out and squeezed his hand.
Naruto, surprised, looked to her.
"I hope she is. Naruto."
The blond teen grinned and nodded.
The two then sat in silence with Tenten resuming her dango snacks while Naruto just leaned back and relaxed.
"Tenten, can I ask you if you can meet with Honoka? She doesn't know anyone else in the village, after all." Naruto looked to her with an eager look.
Tenten nodded, "Sure, I guess. How about you introduce me to her?"
Naruto grinned, "Great. As soon as Ino's family's done with her-" Naruto then froze as he looked at someone who was approaching his and Tenten's table.
Tenten noticed his change and soon saw what had caught his attention as a familiar young man wearing ear muffs and holding a unique double handled sword on his back was making his way to their table.
"Naruto-san. It's a pleasure again." Chojuro greeted.
Tsunade was reading the results of Inoichi's walk-through of Honoka's mind when there came a knock at the door of the Hokage's office. Shizune was away so Tsunade called to the person on the other side of the door.
"Come in."
An ANBU wearing a cat's mask bowed in front of her.
"Godaime-sama, "She" is here. What will you have us do?"
Tsunade set aside the report and folded her hands in front of her. "How many did she bring with her?"
The ANBU member answered, "Just two."
Tsunade's eyebrow lifted in surprise before an amused smile graced her lips. "Either we're being taken too lightly or she feels really unconcerned."
The ANBU person nodded in agreement.
Tsunade thought for a moment before she finally asked, "Where in the village is she now?"
"So, you're currently single now, Hatake-san?" Asked a woman in a flirtatious voice.
Kakashi Hatake nodded while conveniently hiding his Icha Icha book from this woman's gaze. Team Seven's Sensei still wasn't sure why he was being hit on right now especially since the man accompanying the woman was giving him a not too subtle glare in his direction with his lone eye. Konoha's famous copy nin felt like he should know him too but couldn't place him at the moment with this woman closing in on him with hopeful eyes.
"Am I interrupting anything?"
Luckily before anything more could escalate, Tsunade arrived and made a nod to the woman.
"You seem to be having fun, Mizukage-sama."
Everyone outside in the shopping district froze at the name given to the woman. Said woman smiled warmly as she nodded back to Tsunade, "Indeed I am, Hokage-sama." She then turned back to Kakashi, who went a little more rigid at the information on who exactly it was that was hitting on him, and blew a kiss in his direction, "I hope we can talk again, soon." Turning back to the man behind her she introduced him to the others.
"This is Ao, one of my advisors. One of the others that came with me should be arriving shortly. I had him meet with young Uzumaki-san and bring him, so we all can talk together. Is that alright with you, Hokage-sama?" The Godaime Mizukage asked as she turned back to Tsunade for confirmation.
Tsunade sighed deeply but shrugged, "We were expecting this meeting between the two of you but THOUGHT you would invite him to Kiri."
The Mizukage shrugged too but smiled, "We're still in the process of cleaning up the mess of my predecessor, otherwise I wouldn't be opposed to it. After our discussion with Uzumaki-san perhaps you and I can begin talks of that effect?" Her attention was diverted as she nodded to behind Tsunade.
"Looks like they're here."
Tsunade turned and saw Naruto being led by a boy with spiky blue hair wearing earmuffs and carrying a concealed double handled sword. Naruto, in the meantime, had a conflicted look on his face as he came and stood next to Tsunade while the other boy bowed to his Mizukage.
"Well done, Chojuro." The Mizukage cooed before looking at Naruto in silent thought.
"Naruto, this is the Mizukage, Mei Terumi-sama." Tsunade said.
Naruto nodded, "Chojuro told me about her." He then gave a slight bow to the woman and did what Tenten told him to do before he left her to go with Chojuro.
"Nice to meet you, Mizukage-sama. I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
Tsunade stared at him, surprised, as did Kakashi who decided to remain in the area. Meanwhile, Ao nodded in satisfaction at the proper respect being given to his Mizukage.
Mei, however looked at him curiously before stating. "Odd...THIS wasn't in our intel on you. Chojuro?"
The boy jumped a little before he replied quickly, "Uzumaki-san got some advise on how to greet you from the girl who was with him when I met with him, Mizukage-sama."
Mei nodded, "His teammate?"
Chojuro shook his head.
Before Mei could ask inquire anything more and because Tsunade wanted to speed things along , as well as knowing full well WHO could get Naruto to behave; she held up her hand to stop the discussion.
"My apologies but let's bring this to my office. There's someone else I want to introduce you to, Mizukage-sama, and I know, like me, you keep a busy schedule."
Mei smirked at Tsunade's diplomatic handling of the situation to stop her from finding out more on who could change such a brash young man that, at least in Mei's intel, hardly listened or showed respect to authority. Still, she smiled and nodded and the party moved toward the Hokage Tower.
Tenten arrived at her home just as it was starting to get dark and saw that at least her father had kept the lights on, awaiting her return. Getting inside she heard the familiar sound of her dad pounding away at either a weapon or some broken tool that he also fixed for the non-shinobi clientele. Knowing her father's work style and knew he took breaks at certain periods, she leaned against the counter waiting for him.
As he entered, Shin grumbled before wiping away his residual sweat with a rag as he came out and noticed his teenage daughter had returned.
"You're back." He stated before nodding to the door, "I'm thinking of closing early tonight so flip the sign and lock the door, Ten-chan."
Tenten nodded and did as he asked before coming back around the counter as Shin began to open the till and start their routine closing procedure. However, he stopped suddenly by Tenten's abrupt question.
"Dad, can you tell me how mom fell for you?"
After a brief pause he resumed counting the money in the register before sighing.
"NOT something I'd expect to be asked by you."
Tenten nodded grinning, "Yeah, normally not."
Shin gave a bemused smile before he closed his eyes, "Well, Ten-chan, as you know, your mother and I met during a business trip I made selling tanto parts to Kumogakure when I was working freelance with your uncle at the time."
Tenten nodded, "She had failed her Genin Exam there right?"
Shin nodded, "Yeah. She was working with the Raikage to be an intermediary for the merchants and the Raikage's office, after that. Anyway, when I along with the other merchants came to do business, she met with each of us."
Tenten had heard bits and parts of this but was happy to hear this in its entirety. She nodded to her father to continue.
Shin smirked, "As soon as she saw me and read my paperwork, she grinned and asked, "How did someone as puny and scrawny as you become a blacksmith?""
Tenten blinked at what was supposed to be a sort of romantic first meeting between her parents and seemed to be instead to be her future mother insulting her father. However, she quickly realized why her father found it amusing and gave a soft smile.
"Anyway, as I was heading back to Konoha I got stopped by a Kumo Kunoichi who said that I had given a false account on my forms and that I was to be arrested on suspicion of being a spy." Shin stopped for a moment before smiling in reminiscence, "It was actually your mother. Who decided put in for a removal of service and go be with what she called, "The most unassuming, yet most interesting man I had ever met.""
Tenten sat in silence as she thought about that while still looking at her father to continue, if he would. Shin dutifully resumed his work for the pause in his story before sighing.
"Well, that's the gist of it at least. Now, Ten-chan, why are you asking me about this?"
Tenten looked down at the floor in thought before sighing. "Dad…" Her words caught in her chest before she sighed and shrugged. "I think I'm having thoughts on someone I'm close to and I don't know what to do about them."
Shin looked at her before nodding. "I see." He gave a thoughtful look before looking at her, determined. "Well, have him come to the store and work here. We need the help."
Tenten laughed.
In the Hokage's office, some more chairs were brought in for the their VIP guests, though with the exception of the Mizukage, the other two chose to stand at her side.
Naruto occupied one of the chairs along with, much to his surprise, Honoka, who was called prior to their arrival to Tsunade's office. Honoka looked bewildered and uncomfortable being at this meeting but was pleasant when greeting the Mei and the others.
Mei, upon meeting another Uzumaki member acted surprised but whether or not she already knew about her was unknown. Still, Mei was warm with her as well. As soon as the tea was distributed, the meeting commenced.
Mei looked to Tsunade to see if it was okay for her to begin and seeing the nod, she looked to Naruto while nodding to Honoka as well.
"While we made no contact with you, Honoka-san, we're grateful we're being able to meet you like this."
Honoka nodded, "Thank you, Mizukage-sama. Does what you're about to tell Naruto-san here have to do with the Uzumaki Clan?"
Mei nodded and looked to Ao who took out a scroll and unsealed several other seals.
"What are those?" Naruto asked.
"They're some of the documents pilfered by Kiri from Uzushiogakure during its destruction in the Second Shinobi War." the Godaime Mizukage said.
Naruto's eyes widened. He remembered Kakashi mentioning of his mother's village's demise and when Jiraiya told him about Kirigakure having a hand in it.
Honoka's eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed a couple of times but she made no comment.
Mei nodded before looking at both Naruto and Honoka. "Now, the most interesting thing is that , besides Tsunade-sama's grandmother, both of yours are mentioned as well in one of these scrolls."
"Mine is?" Honoka, finally speaking asked as she stood up from her chair in surprise.
Mei nodded, "It's a scroll recording the family record of one branch of the Uzumaki Family. Both your grandmother and Naruto-san's grandmother were actually cousins."
Honoka and Naruto looked at each other, speechless.
Tsunade made a fake cough, gaining everyone's attention. "If it's okay with you two, do you mind if some of our experts verify it's contents?"
"Oh?" Mei asked amused, "You doubt what I'm telling you and what I'm bring them, Hokage-sama?"
Before Tsunade could respond, Naruto asked a question, "Is my mother, Kushina, listed there? Is that how you knew about my mother?"
Mei nodded, "Of course. Once Yagura's tyranny was ended and we had found these, we went through an exhaustive investigation to verify them ourselves. Yes, Naruto-san, Kushina Uzumaki was listed as one of the last two entries on that scroll. Considering the infamy of the name with the girl who got abducted by Kumo, her red hair, and our intel on her; it was more than likely she was the same person."
She smiled at Honoka, "Your father was the other. Kanta Uzumaki, am I right?"
Honoka nodded, "Tsubame Uzumaki was my mother but she came from a different branch of the family."
Mei nodded and she then addressed both of the Uzumaki, "While I am sorry for the actions of my predecessors, I hope these documents, while not much, might make up for it."
"What's in the other scrolls?" Naruto asked, curiously.
"Before that," Tsunade interjected for a second time, "What I want to know is was this all you wanted to come here for, Mizukage-sama?"
Mei smirked and shook her head, "It's as you see it. I DO have other objectives in mind. Naruto-san?"
Naruto looked to her.
"In addition, we would like to extend to you an opportunity. You and that girl... Tenten, was it?"
To be continued…
A/N II: I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up so I don't want to give any misleading promises. So, I apologize for any more lengthy absences. In the meantime, please review and tell me how I did with this chapter. I'll make my triumphant return soon.
Thank you for reading.
Q-n-P
