What If Konoha Honored the 4th Hokage's Dying Wish
Chapter 7
-October 10th, Naruto's 10th birthday-
Naruto reported in with team Ro to the Hokage's office. Naruto recognized the smell that lingered in the office and smirked beneath his mask.
"Did you get my present from Bachan, GiGi?"
"Yes, yes, I did, Kitsune. It was much appreciated. You may inform Naruto-kun that we are square." Hiruzen took another deep drag in response to Naruto's nod and thought, "Ah, the perks of being Hokage."
Kitsune chimed back, "GiGi, I have one more prank, are you ready for it?
Hiruzen gave Naruto a hesitant nod. Naruto created 5 shadow clones that went over and started doing the paperwork for the Hokage. Repetitive, resounding thuds echoed around the room as Hiruzen dropped his pipe and started beating his head on his desk. Team Ro was shaking in silent fits of laughter. Inu-Taichou wasn't so quiet about it though. Inu-Taichou had really come back to life over the year. He felt like he was finally honoring his sensei's last wish, and this helped bring him a sense of closure. He was still eccentric as hell, and an open perv, but he started showing interest in things again. Naruto lovingly considered Inu-Taichou a work in progress.
After Hiruzen stopped berating himself, he looked at team Ro with a swollen and red forehead.
"Team Ro, your activity and missions over the past year reflect well upon Kistune's progress. I am still hesitant to send him into the field. However, each of his trainers and even Tsunade gave their approval. If this next mission is completed successfully, Kitsune will be a full-fledged member of ANBU and part of team Ro."
All eye looked down upon Kitsune, who stood proudly with his shoulders back. "Hai, Hokage-Sama. Name it and it will be done." The boys confident answer filled Hiruzen with pride. "Naruto is becoming a fine young man and a great shinobi" he thought.
"Okay, team Ro, you are to go to Tonika Village. A group of bandits has been harassing the local population and recently women have started disappearing." Hiruzen confirmed his resolve and his face hardened, "This is a recovery and kill mission. The locals do not have the resources to imprison bandits. Kitsune, you are tasked with completing this mission solo. Team Ro will be there to observe. They will step in if there is any threat to the lives of known civilians or yourself. If they need to interfere, we will delay your entry into ANBU. Am I clear?"
"Hai, Hokage-Sama" said a resolute Kitsune as team Ro flickered out of the Hokage's office.
"Be safe, Naruto-Kun. Show me you are strong enough to bear this burden." Hiruzen needed a couple dabs of the good stuff to calm him nerves down.
-Tonika Town – Bandit Extermination-
Team Ro was out of the village 10minutes after receiving orders from the Hokage. Everyone was worried for their blonde teammate, especially Hibi and Neeko. They knew very well the weight of taking a life. Kitsune had yet to experience that. Honestly, what 10-year-old should be forced to take a life? Anyway, the team bounded through the treetops toward Tonika Town. Kurama had been listening and knew this was an important test for the kid. The test was simple, could he take a life and maintain his purity? Or would he give in to his baser instincts and bloodlust? Breaking from his thoughts, Kurama decided to speak up.
"Hey, Kit. You going to be able to go through with this?"
"What? Oh … yeah. I will be fine Kurama. I knew it was coming sooner or later. Do you have any advice for me?" replied Naruto through a clearly muddled mind.
"Listen, Kit. This world is harsh. These bandits are evil. Didn't you tell me you dislike anything that would remove control from a sentient being? Well, that's what these bandits are doing to those women and villagers." Kyuubi trailed off with that, wanting to see how the boy would take it. Surprisingly, Kurama's words struck a chord with Naruto. An immediate improvement to the weather inside the mindscape let Kurama know that the boy had found his resolve.
Just outside of Tonika Town, team Ro halted. Naruto created 6 clone captains and assigned them search sectors. Then, Naruto henged to look like a civilian and approached his point of contact, the town mayor. The mayor noticed a new unknown civilian approaching his office and was surprised when the civilian walked right in and applied some seal to his office door.
"Sir, I am a shinobi from the Hidden Leaf answering your mission request. Is there any additional information you can provide?"
"They took three more girls last night. The girls are not even teenagers for Kami sake." Replied a destitute mayor.
"Don't worry, Mayor. Be ready to receive the girls tonight. My team has found the bandit camp, I will recover the women and then destroy the bandit camp."
"Thank you, Shinobi-San. We will be ready for them."
Earlier, clone team 4 had found the bandit camp and one of its members dispelled letting the others know. Now, unbeknownst to the bandits, 120 eyes were watching every move in the camp. The clones found the main tent and noticed a big and burly bandit leader. The clones also noted the tent next to that where the women and children were being kept. With his enhanced eyesight and hearing from Kurama, the clones were having a hard time not charging in right there. The despicable thoughts of the bandits, the sound of slapping and crying all heaped fuel on the fire that was Naruto's resolve.
Kitsune dispelled his clones, then ran over his plan with team Ro and Kurama. Now, it was time to execute. Naruto created 10 clone captains. 2 clone captains were responsible for retrieval of the women. That would mean he could grab 20 women and shunshin out of the camp. He only knew of 12 missing women, so that should be more than enough. Clone squads 3-10 would surround the bandit camp. Once the women are out, it would be time to light it up.
Naruto joined team 1 and 2 clone captains. They killed the sentries on the south side of the camp with kunai. It wasn't hard, they were immobile targets. Naruto and the clone captains hid the bodies and henged into their most recent victims. Then they walked toward the tent that held the women captives. The sounds coming from inside the tent were not pretty. (AN: I abhor rape so I will not elaborate or illustrate this scene). Naruto felt his anger synchronize with Kurama's, the old fox might be a pervert, but it believes rape to be a crime more severe than murder. The three Naruto broke their henge, dashed silently into the tent, the real Naruto slapped a privacy seal on the tent so no sounds could escape. Then Naruto yanked the 5 bandits, that were forcing themselves on the women, off and dragged them to the other side of the tent where he and his clones removed their heads with their wakizashis. The girls screamed for a second, but Naruto was able to hush them.
"I am a ninja from Konoha. I have been sent here to help you. Is this everyone?" he asked when they all calmed down.
"No, no, my friend was taken by the big one not even 20 minutes ago." Cried out a frantic girl in her early teens. All the girls were in rough shape. Dirt covered their knees and hands, and their clothing was ripped.
"Okay, I will go get her. Each of you hold on to one of my clones and they are going to get you out of here." He said as he made the familiar cross shape. 11 clones popped out and grabbed ahold of the women and girls. Naruto removed the privacy seal and then the clones used 'shunshin' to move the women to the casualty collection point.
Naruto crept through the shadows and heard what was happening inside. He could only sense the big man and a girl. He slapped another privacy seal on the tent and snuck in. What he saw made his eyes glow red and turn into feral slits. Kurama's chakra poured out of him and held near his skin in a basic cloak. Naruto's fingernails elongated and his whisker marks darkened. The big bandit felt the ominous shift in the air and turned around. With his pants still down and covered in the girl's blood, the bandit's mini-me was standing up for a few to see.
Naruto blurred forward and separated the twigs and berries from the bandit. The man screamed loudly and fell to his knees. Naruto ripped out the man's tongue and cut off his hands. He zipped behind the man and severed his Achilles tendons so he couldn't move. He didn't finish him off though, he knew the clone's barrage would do the job. Instead, he forcibly calmed himself and approached the crying girl. She reeled back from him, not trusting him. He held up his hands.
"Miss, it's okay. Your mayor sent me, and I am trying to get you out of here. My team has the camp surrounded and is going to destroy it soon. We need to go."
With her consent, he covered her in his ANBU cloak. He was too tiny to scoop her bridal style, so he had her climb on his back. It took her a while to trust him, but she finally climbed on his back and wrapped her legs around his waist. He could feel her shaking from the traumatic experience. He left the privacy seal on the tent as he left. Upon exiting the ten he shunshinned to the casualty collection point and flared his chakra. That was the signal for the clone barrage.
From both sides of the bandit encampment, clone teams launched great fireballs enhanced by wind jutsu. The clones kept the barrage up for 3 minutes. The firestorm that ensued made sure there were no survivors. Just flaming carcasses, melted sword and ashes of belongings. After their job was done, the clones dispelled. The backlash and visuals of the bandits burning alive hit Kitsune. The whole mission hit Kitsune all at once. He fell onto his knees and puked his guts out. He held it together and didn't freeze. However, as soon as the adrenaline left him, it all came into focus. He had just killed 152 men. It was all him. He eyes went out of focus and he looked off into the woods. The last girl he saved came around to his front, looked him in the eyes and then pulled him into a hug. Two words pulled Naruto back from the brink, "Thank you."
"You … you're … you're welcome." He replied in a whisper. He gathered himself together and noticed the bruising and light bleeding that marred the girl's gentle features. He used some basic healing jutsu on the girl. The fresh marks on her face and abdomen faded and she smiled at him. She thanked him again and ran back to the other girls.
Hibi and Neeko came over and rubbed his back, "You did good, gaki. I know it's hard, killing should always be hard. It means you're still human." Intoned Hibi in a gentle and knowing tone.
"We are here for you, Kitsune-kun." Said Neeko, backing up Hibi.
Kurama had watched his container. He thought he might lose it there when he went into the last tent, but he brought it under control to help that poor girl. "The kit did well, as always, he exceeded my expectations. And he even honored me by incinerating them. Ah, nothing like burning the evil out of this world. It is what the Sage made me for." Kurama felt proud when reflecting on his container's actions.
He reaches out to his container, "Kit, you did well. You didn't hesitate, you didn't lose yourself in the bloodlust, you controlled my power. Most importantly, look at those 12 girls. You saved them and gave them another chance at life. You did that, Kit. This means you also passed my test to work on controlling the second tail. I will leave you with that, good night, Kit."
"Thanks Kyu, I appreciate it. Get some rest, I will finish up here." Even Naruto's thoughts carried a weak tone with them.
Later, in the Hokage's office, Naruto gave the Hokage his mission report. Hiruzen winced when he heard the estimated number of bandits. "150 of them and he doesn't have a scratch on him, this kid is unbelievable." Thought Hiruzen. "I guess this means I will have to make him a full ANBU for a while. I still plan on graduating him with the other clan children. That will be a great year for him to make his public introduction. Okay then, I just have to make sure he survives two years of ANBU, easy, right?" Hiruzen was completely lost in his train of thought.
Kitsune has watched the Hokage's eyes go blank there for a bit. He knew his GiGi didn't want him working in ANBU for real. "But I want to protect. I am strong enough, so he needs to let me protect my home." Thought Naruto.
Team Ro looked on patiently as their Hokage and youngest member lost themselves in thought. Finally, Inu made a coughing sound and brought both of them back to the office.
"Oh, yes. Kitsune-Kun. You are now an official member of team Ro. You may collect your mission reward and your reward money at the bank. I told them it was pay for an extended mission, do enjoy. You have the next three days off and then team Ro will commence working as a full-time ANBU squad again."
"Hai, Hokage-Sama." Replied team Ro confirming their orders.
- The Uchiha Incident -
For the last two years, Fugaku, Mikoto, Shisui, and eventually Itachi, were looking into the Uchiha clan. It was slow progress because Fugaku had to handle this matter very delicately. He started by gathering the clan to the shrine and activating his Mangekyou Sharingan to demonstrate his power to his clan.
"My brethren, we of the proud and mighty Uchiha clan, represent the might of Konohagakore! I call upon my clan to help me demonstrate our might. I have two here, Shisui Uchiha and Utate Uchiha that have reached my level and activated their MS. Are there any others? Will any of you stand up and make the Uchiha rise to the pinnacle of our village's ninja forces? Will any more of my brothers rise to the challenge and reach my level?"
There was a cheer for the three Uchiha standing up front with the MS activated for the whole clan to see. This was Mikoto's idea, play to the pride and power of the Uchiha and get the potential culprit to reveal himself. Nothing happened that meeting. Nothing happened for the next 3 months. Then, an elder approached him with something new.
The elder was MiDeku Uchiha. He approached Fugaku in a very cautious manner.
"Good evening, Fugaku-Sama. I was moved by your demonstration at the shrine a while back."
Fugaku kept a blank face and replied, "Thank you, MiDeku-San. It is an honor to lead the Uchiha clan to glory. I hope for your continued support."
MiDeku gave a small, brief smile and replied, "Of course, Fugaku-Sama. I wish to aid you in restoring our clan to its deserved glory. Please meet me at the shrine on the next full moon. There is someone I wish you to meet."
"I would be honored, Mideku-San. I will be there." Said Fugaku in a neutral voice. He gave the elder a nod and walked home.
When Fugaku discussed this with Mikoto and Shisui, they decided that Fugaku should attend the meeting. He would need to keep his guard up, but if he flared his chakra, they would be there to back him up.
Three weeks later, at midnight on the full moon, Fugaku appeared in the Uchiha Clan shrine. Mideku was waiting there for him with two other others. They exchanged greetings. Fugaku was surprised, he wasn't expecting two more elders to be here. Then, behind the Uchiha tablet a swirl began to appear. It was like a hole in space had just opened up. Out of this swirl stood a man, about 5' 10", in a dark black cloak with the Uchiha crest. He wore an orange swirl mask with an eye hole on the right side. Fugaku had unexpectedly activated his own MS in response to his arrival.
The man in the orange mask then spoke, "Ah, it is good to see that at least one of my progeny has reached the next level of the Sharingan. My name is Madara Uchiha, and I have come to reclaim my clan and my village."
Fugaku was floored, he saw this man, felt his power and now was looking at a MS hidden behind the eye hole on the right side of the man's orange mask. Then said man claims to be Madara Uchiha, the same Madara Uchiha that was beaten and supposedly killed by the first Hokage.
"Forgive me, Madara-San. You claim to be Madara Uchiha, but history claims he was killed nearly 80 years ago. That would mean you are about 120 years old. Am I about right on that?"
The man in the mask chuckled darkly, "Ah, Fugaku. MiDeku told me that you were a smart one. Alas, I am that Madara. It took me quite some time to heal from those wounds that Hashirama gave me. However, from those wounds I rose with an even greater doujutsu and a mission from the rabbit goddess. I will lead the Uchiha clan again to glory and unite the nations under the Infinite Tsukuyomi. You need make but one choice, will you join me or die here."
Fugaku bowed his head, "Madara-Sama, you are a legend among shinobi. However, I am the leader of my clan, and I cannot hand over the reins to an unknown. I ask that you show me undeniable proof that you are who you claim. If so, I will follow you."
"Very well" said the man claiming to be Madara in a low tone. He then used Madara's eye to force Fugaku into the Tsukuyomi and he showed him his meeting with black zetsu, the will of the rabbit goddess as well as memories from Madara's life.
Fugaku was very disturbed by what he saw and felt in Madara's world. It was dark and hopeless, like all of the color had been drained out of life. That zetsu creature is surely evil. Nothing good will come of allowing it to influence the Uchiha clan, but I cannot beat him right now, not alone. I need to buy time and gain his trust. Fugaku bended down on one knee, followed by the other clan elders, "What would you have us do, Madara-Sama?"
After that night, Fugaku had several meetings with the Madara. He was also forced to act as an agent of Madara. Fugaku used Shisui to pass messages to the Hokage, since he was in ANBU. The Hokage was very wary of acting too hastily. He wanted to know how deep this ran. There would only be one shot at removing Madara's influence from the Uchiha clan. This same damned Madara killed his successor, used the Kyuubi to attack the village and was now corrupting his village through the shadows. Hiruzen knew that this needed to stay quiet, and it required decisive action.
The always happy Shisui's mood had darkened since hearing of his clan's dilemma. If this goes too far, we will not be able to bring the clan back from the precipice. For the past year, he had watched more and more of his clan's warriors fall to the delusions of this "Madara". That name inspired so much fear in the clan and fear motivated people in the worst way. He was happy he had Itachi. Itachi was his best friend and fellow ANBU. They were the Hokage's link to Fugaku throughout this mess in the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku let him know that a revolt was coming soon, he could no longer hold back the tides of betrayal. The coup-de-tat was supposed to take place over the New Year holiday, when Konoha's shinobi would be at their most vulnerable. It was now mid-October, so that gave the Hokage two months to act. These heavy thoughts kept Shisui down. The weight of this secret dragged on him. The four loyal Uchiha were the only support that could be relied upon.
Finally, Hiruzen called all four of them into his office. Inside were Danzo, Koharu and Jiraiya. Every member present held Hiruzen's trust, and their input was needed throughout this whole debacle.
Hiruzen gave a weary look around the room. When he was in this mood, the years caught up to him and showed upon his wrinkled and aged face.
"The time has come to act. We cannot let the rot spread even more. We will do it all at once and try to remove this tumor before it gets the chance to spread."
Fugaku knew his clan messed up. He had nearly given in to the tidings of the mad man himself, but Mikoto kept him anchored. Thank Kami for that woman. Their relationship had improved since they took time training Naruto. That little kid really had a way of rubbing off on people. The light he brought back to Fugaku allowed Fugaku the humility to apologize to Mikoto for treating her as subservient. He had changed and she had reciprocated. The two started fresh and Mikoto was allowed out of the compound as a part time teacher at the academy. Teaching Naruto had inspired her, and she wanted to continue teaching the youth, the future of Konoha. Fugaku was so lost in his thoughts that he barely heard the Hokage's plan.
"Hokage-Sama and honorable elders, if I may. This was a problem created by my clan. I have talked with those present and we will be the ones to handle the rebellion. I ask that you respect my decision as a clan head."
The room, aside from the Uchihas, was taken aback. Hiruzen never intended on making them shoulder that burden. Hell, even Danzo just thought of overwhelming them with the numbers and strength of Konoha.
Fugaku continued, "Hokage-Sama, this is an Uchiha problem. If we allow other clans and shinobi of Konoha to fix it for us, then the clan will lose much more honor and standing than if we handle it ourselves. For the sake of the future Uchiha, I ask you to let us handle this." As he concluded, Fugaku and the three other Uchiha bowed their heads low. A sign of trust that the Hokage did not miss.
"Very well, what is your plan, Fugaku?" Hiruzen replied tentatively.
"The next clan meeting is in three days at the shrine. All those involved in the planned coup should be there. I ask for your discretion, cordon off the Uchiha clan district with ANBU. Give them standing orders that they are not to intervene until we have cleansed the clan of traitors or died trying." Fugaku said this with his head still bowed. Hiruzen knew these were the words of a man at peace with his decision.
"Shisui, Itachi, how do you two feel about this?" the Hokage didn't want two of his star ANBU to crack from something as dark as this.
"Our loyalty is to you, Hokage-Sama, and to the village of Konohagakore no Sato. We will do what must be done." Replied the boys with a bow and salute.
Hiruzen let out a deep sigh, not even his pipe could make this feel better, "Very well, you will have ANBU support should you need it. Unless the signal is given, they will remain on support at the edge of the Uchiha compound. I pray for your success."
-Nighttime – October 25th on the Outskirts of the Uchiha Compound -
Kitsune was agitated. Kitsune was pissed. Kitsune needed somebody to shove a chill-pill down his fucking throat. Inu watched as Kitsune fidgeted in his position. The normally well behaved and positive boy emanated a chilling aura. Ever since the details of the mission tonight were given to team Ro, Kitsune had been this way. Inu flashed behind Kitsune and put a hand on his shoulder,
"I know this is hard for you, but our orders are to wait for the signal. They will be okay."
All he received in response was a nearly imperceptible nod. Inside, Naruto was a mess. He could feel the negative emotions pouring out of the Uchiha compound. He could feel the clash of chakra and the agitated spikes. The only thing that kept him rooted was being able to feel those five chakra signatures. If he felt them in trouble, Kitsune would go, consequences be damned.
Kurama drew Naruto into the mindscape and forced him to calm down. He flashed Naruto a memory that would distract him for the time being. Kurama liked this memory because it demonstrated Naruto's ability to change others and bring light to the world.
Flashback. Naruto was eight years old and Mikoto had invited him over to celebrate Sasuke's birthday during one of their training sessions. Unlike his other friend, Sasuke stayed within the Uchiha compound most of the time. He didn't put much effort into hanging out with his classmates and developing those bonds. Thanks to the training sessions, Naruto was the closest thing Sasuke had to a best friend. Naruto showed up to Sasuke's birthday and noticed that all in attendance were from the Uchiha clan.
The party was a pretty standard affair, and it was far less lively than most parties Naruto had attended. The only real interaction with Sasuke was when he gave him a set of training weights that he had made personally. He knew that all Sasuke cared about was getting stronger to make his father proud, so he figured a training related present would make Sasuke happy. Sasuke had given him a genuine smile and thank you.
No, the party wasn't what made this day memorable. It was his interaction with Fugaku that made this day worth remembering. Naruto had noticed throughout the party that Fugaku rarely paid any attention to Mikoto aside from giving her commands. He had noticed this during training and other time as well. However, it seemed even more rigid today which ticked the blonde 8-year-old off. Nobody talked down to his Mikoto-Sensei and got away with it, especially since he found out Mikoto was his mom's best friend.
After Fugaku had barked at Mikoto for something trivial, like running out of drinks or something stupid, Naruto had reached his limit. He marched over to Fugaku, grabbed his wrist with his tiny hand, and dragged him out back. Fugaku had initially been angry, but that changed to confusion when he saw the look on Naruto's face. He had come to understand and respect the kid after years of training him. Hell, he even went as far as letting Itachi make an oath of brotherhood with him. However, he had never seen Naruto look at his like this.
"Fugaku-Sensei, what did Kami stick up your ass to make you think it is okay to talk to Mikoto-Bachan like that?" The anger was radiating off of Naruto and made his voice sound gruffer than usual.
"Umm, what do you mean, Naruto-Kun? Mikoto is my wife, the Uchiha are a patriarchal clan, therefore she must listen to me and follow my orders."
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Fugaku-San? You think it is okay to treat somebody you are supposed to love like that? If so, then I no longer wish to study under you." Naruto's voice shook and the extra emphasis he put on 'San' really hurt Fugaku.
"Look here, Naruto-Kun. I wouldn't expect you to understand…" Fugaku was startled when Naruto cut him off.
"No, you look here, Fugaku-San. I may not be married but I know what love is. The way you treat Mikoto, Itachi and Sasuke is not love. It is a perversion of your pride. Its disgusting. And don't try to lie to me or beat around the bush, you know about my sensory ability." Now Naruto's whole body was shaking. His features were turning feral, and an aura was materializing around him.
"Okay, Naruto, calm down. Now is not the time or place for the Kyuubi's chakra. Let me ask you this, what have I done to upset you so much? I have spent years training you alongside my sons. I have brought you into my family…" Once again Fugaku was cut off.
"That. You do that. You call them your family but treat them like your soldiers. You do everything in the name of your clan and because of that you lost your way. You used to smile a lot more, laugh even. You would ruffle Itachi's hair and took pride in him. Some time ago, I don't know exactly when, but you stopped doing that. You started talking in commands and orders like some emotionless military drone. The love that filled your heart gave way to pride and your started scrutinizing your family instead of loving them. Do you know what Sasuke wants the most from you on a day like today?" Naruto challenged Fugaku and got silence in return. "All he ever wanted was to spend a day with you. All he ever wanted to hear you say you are proud of him. All Itachi ever wanted was for you to see him as a son rather than an Uchiha or a shinobi. All Mikoto ever wants anymore is to catch a glimpse of the man she fell in love with. If you can't figure that much out, then don't bother to come and teach me anymore. I have no need for a blind instructor."
Naruto left the broken Uchiha patriarch and said his goodbyes before leaving the Uchiha district. He needed to get away from all that negativity. Mikoto later told Naruto that she had found Fugaku sitting and crying where Naruto had left him. She told him about Fugaku's apology and the changes that all started that day. She thanked him for bringing her husband back to her. Flashback End.
"Damn, Kyu. I don't know if that was the memory that I would have chosen to calm me down."
"Relax, Kit. I have no love for the Sharingan, but they are the only Uchiha to have earned a modicum of my respect. You changed that prideful ningen that day and he has redeemed his family. Have faith, Kit, they will be okay." Kurama said softly in the back of Naruto's mind.
"Kyu, I can't help it. I have a terrible feeling and I can basically sense the whole damned battle. We set up this barrier so others couldn't feel the chakra, but I can. I can feel the fighting. It started one-sided because they had the element of surprise, but now it is an all-out brawl."
"Yeah, Kit. I can feel it too. Their chakra is still strong though they will be fine."
10 minutes of heavy fighting later, four beaten, bruised and bloody figures stood over the rest. Itachi sent the signal flare into the ANBU tattoo and the support squads were moving in. The first to respond was Naruto. He saw the bodies of nearly 50 Uchiha warriors, dead in one-way or another. The remnants of chakra and fire flickered around the battlefield. Naruto walked carefully through the bodies and approached Itachi. He noticed immediately the difference in Itachi's eyes. In fact, while Kitsune looked them over for injuries, he noticed that all four Uchiha were looking at him with some form of the Mangekyou Sharingan. A chill ran down Kurama's spine when he saw this.
Just as Kitsune was opening his mouth his mouth to ask if they were okay, a swirl appeared behind Fugaku. Naruto channeled as much chakra to his feet as he could, but he wasn't fast enough to stop the katana that pierced through Fugaku's back. He was only fast enough to catch his falling form.
Kitsune's chakra exploded. A shroud appeared around his body with two full tails and fox ears. Kitsune was good when it came to fighting the Sharingan due to all of his spars, so he kept his eyes on the cloaked torso of the man. He launched himself at the man in the orange mask. He was baffled when his punch phased right through the man, as if he were an illusion. And Naruto might have thought he were an illusion, if the man didn't mule-kick him in the chest and send him flying into the Uchiha tablet. The crunch of bone everyone heard didn't seem to bother Naruto because he got right back up.
In a crouched posture, the start of his father's hummingbird fist, Naruto attacked in a more controlled manner this time. He watched his fist phase into the man. As he pulled it back, he was forced to block a strong counter from the bastard Uchiha. Naruto flipped back and watched as Shisui and Itachi tried their own attacks. The man just stood still and let everything phase through him. Once the group had reformed and taken a defensive posture, the man spoke.
"Ah, I was beginning to believe that the Fourth really had killed the Kyuubi. Imagine my surprise to find you here." After Naruto snarled at him, he continued, "I am not here for you today, Kyuubi Jinchuriki. I came today to measure out punishment for betrayal. It seems that he underestimated the price of betraying Madara Uchiha. Farewell for today, know that this is just getting started, Kyuubi." The man then phased back out in the shimmer of a spiral. Just like that, his presence was gone.
All attention shifted to Fugaku who was on his last leg. A couple of ANBU medics had arrived, but there was very little they could do.
"Itachi, take care of your mother and brother. I am sorry it took me so long to be a father to you. Know that I am proud of you." Fugaku was wracked with a fit of coughs and spit out a sizeable quantity of blood. "Mikoto, my love, know that I will wait for you in the pure world. I thank you for your forgiveness and patience. I leave the clan to you until Itachi is old enough. You are the light that brought me out of the darkness. I will always love you…" At this point he was fading out and closed his eyes, but he continued whispering, "Tell … Sasuke … that I …" With that incomplete thought, the Uchiha and Naruto broke down. They were huddled together over Fugaku's body trying to comfort each other in any way they could. Itachi was hunched down and crying into Naruto's shoulder while Shisui was holding the quivering form of Mikoto close to his chest.
The Hokage showed up and organized the clean-up operation. All deceased Uchiha were taken to the morgue and watched by two loyal Uchiha guards. Those that took part in the operation were taken to the hospital to have the wounds tended to.
Naruto was distraught. He had to watch one of his father figures die at the hands of the same man that took his family from him. The pressure of his chakra had cracked his ANBU Kitsune mask down the middle, but he still had it strapped to cover the tears that were falling freely. Kurama was working extra hard to hold back his chakra so the child wouldn't snap and lose it. The Kyuubi's chakra was naturally drawn to emotions like the ones Naruto was putting off in spades. Team Ro was huddled around him in the ANBU HQ. They remained silent, but present. They all felt like the owed the energetic young ANBU in some way. They knew they couldn't leave him alone, but they also knew he had to be the one to speak.
Naruto retreated to the comfort of his mindscape and opened the door that took him to Fugaku. All of the time that he had invested into Naruto flashed into Naruto's mind. Naruto owed that man a great debt. He felt the pull from the Kyuubi as he was watching various memories play out. After Kami knows how long, Naruto pulled himself out of the memories and went to see what the fox wanted.
Kurama looked down on the boy, his tear-stained face, sobs wracking his form and the slumped shoulders. He knew that this was another hurdle that the child needed to overcome, but he needed the child to calm down. His chakra was leaking out and he needed the boy to get it under control.
"Kit, I am sorry for your loss. That Uchiha was slightly better than most. I am not poking fun at him. I was beginning to respect him, and I acknowledge the debt you owe him."
Naruto looked up, barely able to make eye contact with the fox, "Kyu, I don't know what to do. I am not strong enough to fight Madara. Whatever we threw at him just went right through him and then 'Wham!' he just clocks me. Itachi and Shisui too. I am so frustrated, I am so angry, my heart hurts so bad…"
As he was speaking the Kyuubi's chakra was taking for around him.
"Kit, come here and sit. Come into the seal, it will be easier for me to control my chakra. Right now, you are entering level one in the real world. You need to reign it in. Tell me, kit, what did you say to me the second time we met?"
This question caught Naruto off-guard. It made all the chaos in his mind and heart pause as he tried to remember what Kurama was talking about.
"I … I am Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze. I will become the Hokage … I will never give up … I will never go back on my word..." mumbled Naruto through the raging storm that was his mind.
"Yes, yes, Kit. That is what you said to me. That is the standard I am holding you to. Do not give up. The first loss is hard, I still feel the pain from when the Sage left us. But what did your Hokage tell you that a Shinobi is? What does it mean to be a Shinobi?"
Realization dawned on Naruto. The storm that filled the sky over the seal dissipated into a cloudy sky.
"A shinobi is one who endures. A shinobi is the one that can move past pain and hardship to accomplish his mission."
"That's right, Kit. I don't agree with a lot of your human ways, but that is a way I can respect. Now, Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, are you a shinobi? Are you going to become the Hokage or are you going to disrespect all the effort that ningen put int you? Are you going to bring peace to the Shinobi world or are you going to give up, go back on your word and let me eat you?"
Kurama never thought that he was any good at this sort of crap. "I mean, I am a biju created to absorb human hatred and cleanse evil from the Land. Yet here I am helping this human, my jailor. Father, please let this boy be the one." Thought the Kyuubi as he watched the life return to Naruto's eyes. The deep, dull blue brightened into their normal azure color.
"Thanks, Kurama. Thanks for being my partner, I don't know what I would do without you. I can feel team Ro freaking out, so I am going to go deal with that. Thanks again." Naruto fist bumped Kurama's paw a left the mindscape.
Outside, team Ro was looking at Naruto and they were in battle postures. They had seen the Kyuubi cloak sprout up out of nowhere and they were concerned. Hell, they were terrified. They didn't want to fight the Kyuubi inside ANBU HQ. The chakra spike had drawn the attention of a couple more ANBU teams, so Naruto realized he was surrounded.
"Kitsune, is that you?" asked a hesitant Inu.
"Hai, Inu-Taichou. I was losing my shit in front of the fox, and he helped me calm down. His chakra is naturally drawn to those kinds of emotions, and he couldn't stop it from getting out. He talked to me, and I feel better now. I am going to go lay down."
The whole room watched the boy get up and casually walk out of the room like nothing special happened. Nobody knew what the fuck just happened or what they should do. So, they all collapsed on the couch before deciding to just get on with their day.