Later.
Interior: Konoha, Hokage tower, council meeting room, early afternoon.
As he walked in with Hiruzen, Naruto casually sat next to the Hokage whilst the village leadership exchanged different expressions, murmured to each other, and stared in disbelief at the little boy's presence.
Others observed that he'd taken out some pens and a notebook.
"What's your name, little one?" asked a beautiful woman with fair skin, shoulder length brown hair, purple facial markings, and brown eyes, who could've been mistaken for an Inuzuka.
"I'm Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki," answered the whiskered blonde, "It's nice to meet you, Ms,"
"It's nice to meet you too, Naruto.
My name's Rin Nohara,"
"You're very pretty, Ms Rin,"
"Thank you, and did you say Uzumaki as in Kushina?"
"Yep, she's my mum." answered Naruto, "Do you know her?"
"Kushina was practically my co-Sensei, and treated me like a daughter, along with treating Kakashi and Obito like sons," reminisced Rin who walked over, knelt down, and hugged Naruto.
"Lord Hokage, what is that beast doing here?" demanded one of the civilian council members as they entered, "I refuse to endure being in the same room as the demon!"
Raising an eyebrow, Naruto asked, "If I'm a demon, what does that make someone like you?"
"Excuse me?"
"You and others on this council have been helping organise for numerous attempts on my life.
Mostly sending angry mobs to hunt down, torture, and try to kill me for at least three years.
With the occasional assassin of Chunin, Jonin, or even Root skill level.
Who's the real demon here?" questioned Uzumaki, sparking outraged conversation between the councillors.
"Has this really been happening to you?" asked Choza Akimichi, aghast upon receiving a nod.
"I can personally confirm this," added Hiashi.
"As can multiple members of the police force." interjected Fugaku Uchiha.
"And myself," said Hiruzen, "one such incident was in the aftermath of an abduction attempt on Lady Hinata Hyuga which Naruto single-handedly prevented."
"Naruto, you saved my niece?" inquired Hizashi Hyuga as he looked at the child.
"Yes, Sir, and I'd do the same for pretty much anyone in a flash." answered Naruto, causing everyone to have flashbacks of Minato.
One of the civilians scoffed, "We can't believe him, he's a thief,"
"You want to discuss theft?" scoffed Naruto, "That makes sense, since that's the stock and trade of civilian politicians like you." earning amused but muffled gasps from the shinobi council members who covered their mouths.
"Why you-"
"Before you accuse me of being a thief, try being forced to pay 4x the full price for the most basic necessities, only to have them stolen from you by the people who sold them to you in the first place, before they proceed to torture you until you're within an inch of your life.
That was almost daily for me prior to my adoption."
"I wouldn't be surprised if others like me had to deal with similar crap growing up.
Pretty stupid way to treat someone you'll all want on your side during a war." scoffed Uzumaki, "After all, who'd fight to protect the people who constantly make their entire life hell?
Either the most compassionate and forgiving person ever, someone who uses their hatred to grow stronger, or someone completely insane."
As he felt an approaching presence, Naruto quipped, "A great evil draws near…" earning strange looks before the door opened, revealing Danzo Shimura, "Cue the lightning, and the ominous music."
"Now that everyone is here, the meeting can begin." stated Hiruzen, "However, I want those of you who've been involved in harming this fine young boy to hand in your resignations by the end of the day."
As Shikaku Nara checked his bag, he groaned, "I forgot my own pen after reminding Shikamaru to remember his.
What a drag."
Without hesitation, Naruto walked over to Nara, and held out a multi-coloured pen, "You can borrow one of mine."
Shikaku smiled, "Thank you, Naruto."
"You're welcome."
As Naruto returned to his seat, Danzo asked, "You have much potential. Would you like a place in my-"
"I know you've tried to assassinate Lord Hiruzen, and my late parents, in the past.
I stand by my family, and that's against you if necessary, Danzo," bluntly refused Naruto, "Besides, you're just some creepy, sociopathic, war and fear mongering, child kidnapping, paedophile who's buddies with Orochimaru." earning shocked expressions.
"That is quite the accusation."
"Prior to my adoption, I was almost abducted by your Root agents several times," stated Uzumaki who turned and smiled at Fugaku, "but thankfully Itachi, Izumi, Kakashi and Shisui Uchiha came to my rescue."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow, "Kakashi isn't an Uchiha,"
"My mistake, Sir.
I thought he was because of his Sharingan,"
"Understandable, young one."
Rin asked, "All those in favour of permanently disbanding the Root sect of the Anbu, effective immediately?" before everyone raised their hands, except Danzo.
A couple of Councillors stifled chuckles upon noticing Naruto had also raised his hand.
"What's going to happen to the operatives and trainees already in Root?" inquired Naruto, "they'll need a safe way to reintegrate into society, help opening up to people and expressing themselves, and need each form of their health assessed,"
"These are quite valid concerns." agreed Inoichi Yamanaka.
As they moved on, Danzo suggested, "In regards to our recently resolved issues with public relations in Suna, perhaps we can arrange a political marriage between the Kazekage's daughter and-" before Naruto raised his hand, "you have a question?"
"What message will this send to the Kazekage?" asked Uzumaki.
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Having kept up to date on who the Kage and their families are, I'm aware that the Kazekage's daughter isn't much older than I am.
Are you planning on telling Lord Kazekage, to his face, that you want to take his little Princess from him?
And not only that, but force her to marry a stranger because our villages recently had some heated disagreements?"
"Political marriages have happened in the past, young one," interjected an elder.
"If the point's to improve public relations, making sure the arranged couple isn't trapped in a toxic or loveless relationship, on either side, because of power plays and politics is the least you can do for them." stated Naruto, "also, it would be wise to set some age gap guidelines and a suitable minimum age for participants."
"Is this really the boy accused of being a demon?" asked one of the Council members, "He's shown nothing but kindness and concern for others.
And he's showing great maturity for his age."
"Which one of you is the Hokage, again?" asked a stunned council member as they looked at Naruto and Hiruzen, "and why does that boy have a voice in these matters?"
Hiruzen patted Naruto on the shoulder, "I am still the Hokage.
As for his having a voice in Council matters, Naruto legally has a seat representing the Uzumaki clan though he is not yet of age.
He has therefore given me authority to vote on his behalf until he's the legal age of sixteen.
He's brought some matters to the table, however it was the Council's decision to pay attention, acknowledge them, and further discuss them."
Shikaku thought, "It's worth it, but the paperwork is going to be such a drag."
"Oh, for the love of," muttered a council member, "What now, Uzumaki?"
"If you want to further develop public relations between villages, have you considered a wider variety of events and competitions between them?
Like sports or game tournaments?" asked Naruto, earning bewildered expressions.
"Games?" asked Shikaku, curious.
"Strategy games like Shogi and Chess, for example, are known to have tournaments.
The last thing we want is to be outdone by sticking to repetitive and predictable tactics.
Playing against strategic minds from other villages gives our strategists the opportunity to learn new ones, adapt their own to overcome flaws, and think outside the box."
"It'll be a good chance for Shikamaru to learn,"
"If he finds out it was my idea, I know exactly what he'll say," chuckled Naruto who air quoted, "Troublesome blonde… aww man, this is gonna be such a drag."
Ino-Shika-Cho laughed while the other councillors exchanged mixed expressions.
"All in favour of getting a suggestion box for the brat, so he doesn't constantly interrupt and hijack our meetings?" asked Mrs Haruno, earning frowns from their peers.
"Stop it!" scolded Rin, "and this has been one of the most productive meetings since my late Sensei, Minato Namikaze, was the Hokage."
"From time to time, our clan heirs attending these meetings, as rare as they are, would be beneficial for their education in politics," proposed another clan's head, "If one as young as Naruto Uzumaki has so much to contribute to our meetings as he has today, our future replacements may have much to share as well."
"By the way, how many of you know the difference between a storage scroll and its contents?
Do you blame a prison warden for the actions of an inmate prior to their incarceration?" asked Tsume, "What do you think will happen if the prison's destroyed?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" asked a civilian council member whose face paled upon turning to Naruto, "Oh…"
Naruto bluntly mentioned, "If my situation is supposed to be a secret, people have gone out of their way to make sure everyone knows.
The identity of a village's Jinchuriki is something a hostile party could use to their advantage.
Like kidnapping then turning me against this village, which wouldn't exactly be difficult with how Jinchuriki are treated, would it?"
"Wait, how did you find out?" panicked a council member.
"Oh, gee, how could that have possibly happened?
Maybe it's because October 10th, the day I was born by the way, is the day people try their hardest to kill me?
And how I can't go out anywhere to celebrate my birthday without nearly being murdered?" asked Naruto, "Or maybe it's the part where people call me things like the demon, kyuubi brat, demon brat, kyuubi reborn, or the nine-tails brat while torturing and trying to kill me, or when they think I'm out of earshot?"
Leaping out of his chair, Naruto evaded several kunai.
Charging at Uzumaki with a tanto, a black-clad figure shouted, "Die, kyuubi!"
Parrying several attacks, Naruto leapt into the air, kicked them in the chest, knocked them onto their back, then restrained them with adamantine chains, and hit them with a Rasengan, making the council turn pale as Anbu dragged away the assailant.
Uzumaki deadpanned, "See what I mean? And they just broke a law that bears the death penalty, yet I only knocked them out.
Also, that was one of Danzo's men."
"Are you willing to forgive the village for hurting you, sweetie?" asked Rin, with the most adorable expression as she hugged the boy.
"Why should I forgive people who aren't sorry or remorseful in the first place?
Especially when they'll most likely continue to hurt me anyway?" replied Naruto, "Hashirama Senju and his wife, Mito Uzumaki-Senju aka the first Kyuubi Jinchuriki, would be disgusted by the way I've been treated by the village they built.
Tobirama Senju would give righteous fury a whole new definition if he were here.
Hiruzen Sarutobi has no doubt made his thoughts on the matter clear more often than you change your bedsheets.
Minato Namikaze would be utterly disappointed and monumentally pissed off.
And I'm sure you can all imagine the vengeful wrath and fury my mother, Kushina Uzumaki-Senju, would unleash upon you all for hurting her baby.
She wasn't called the Red Hot Habanero and the Red Death for nothing, ya know?"
"Is there anything we can do to start down the road of earning your forgiveness, Naruto?" asked Tsume Inuzuka.
With a frown, Naruto pointed directly at Danzo, "He's more evil than my mountain sized Pokemon will ever be.
The village's people, especially the children, aren't safe with Danzo in a position of power."
"I couldn't agree more on that."
"He's too focused on obtaining more personal power.
He's constantly doing things behind the Hokage and the council's back.
He leaked village secrets to the public, and he's broken multiple S-rank laws, treaties and decrees.
He's the one who outed me as a Jinchuriki in the first place, which led to all of my pain, misery and suffering.
Then there's what happened to the Uzumaki clan… my clan."
"What did he do?" asked Rin.
"He gave intel on Uzu to multiple hostile factions and their allies, and delayed the delivery of Uzu's call for support.
He gave the reinforcements we were sending orders to stand down and return to the village the day before they would've arrived.
The Uzumaki clan received no support, and were all but wiped out when MADARA UCHIHA joined the battle," answered Naruto, "These actions have made the Uzumaki clan's scattered survivors believe Konoha abandoned and betrayed them.
Not just because of Madara's involvement, but because of Danzo's actions.
And there's more."
"What more could there be?" asked Tsume.
"He and his Root allied themselves with Hanzo of the Salamander in an effort to wipe out a community of war orphans and refugees who were trying to rebuild their home and restore peace to the Land of Rain.
They weren't soldiers and warriors, just civilians and children with a dream of a brighter future.
Danzo framed them for various war crimes, and the murder of Iwa shinobi using Root forces in disguise during times of peace negotiations."
"What was this group called?" asked Shikaku.
"Before the formation of a mercenary group of the same name, they were originally known as the AKATSUKI.
Also, I'm certain Danzo's still working with Orochimaru.
He also allowed the kyuubi attack to go so far by making sure none of his people helped.
He had Genin and Chunin level shinobi on the front lines of the attack.
Leaving the Uchiha clan, as a whole, to handle civilian evacuation.
Only someone monumentally stupid, or someone with an agenda and ulterior motive wouldn't have it the other way around."
"There were reports of seeing the Sharingan in the fox's eyes," said Danzo, "that alone-"
"Is why the Uchiha should've been the first ones on the scene to handle the situation.
They could've identified then recognised which Sharingan ability was behind Kyuubi's actions, and countered them.
By keeping them away from where they would've been invaluable, thereby sabotaging the defences of the village and its people, you, Danzo Shimura, caused most of the death and destruction that occurred during the attack." lectured Naruto, earning stunned expressions and nods of agreement.
"All in favour of permanently throwing Danzo off the Council, and revoking all of his power, and having him investigated and charged for any and all relevant crimes against the village and its allies, their infrastructures, and their people, effective immediately?" asked Fugaku before every hand except Danzo's was raised in a flash.
"Anbu, remove this criminal from the premises, and take him for interrogation." ordered Hiruzen as a pair of operatives stepped into view.
As the civilian council, most of whom were taken into custody by the Anbu, departed, Tsume asked, "Lord Hokage, may we be made aware of the identity of Naruto's father?
Some of us have a pretty good idea who it is.
And unlike the civilians and Danzo, we know the meaning of confidentiality."
Hiruzen turned to Naruto, "Are you comfortable with telling them?"
Uzumaki nodded, "Yes, but I'm not ready for it to become public knowledge.
Until I am, I'd like this information to be kept confidential.
You may tell the leadership of your respective clans and your families, but only if you truly trust them with this information, and trust them not to make it the talk of the town."
"Go on, pup." invited Tsume.
Facing the remaining council members, Naruto informed, "In addition to Kushina Uzumaki-Senju being my mother, my father is Minato Namikaze." earning mixed reactions.
"I knew as soon as you said Kushina was your mother." admitted Rin and Fugaku.
As Hiruzen brought his crystal ball into the centre of the table, Naruto focused some chakra into it, "Memory projection jutsu!" before showing the events of the kyuubi attack from Kushina and the Kyuubi's points of view.
"So there was an Uchiha, or at least a Sharingan wielder involved." grimly stated Fugaku, "Yet I had confirmation all Uchiha presently living in the village were at our compound or on police patrol when this masked man showed up."
"Perhaps it was an Uchiha who wasn't living in the village, or a dojutsu thief." suggested one of the clan heads in charge of security, "Prior to the attack, there were breaches in our sealing defences by an unrecognised chakra signature."
"Kyuubi says it was Madara Uchiha, or someone with a similar aura." informed Naruto.
"The fight between the masked man and Minato seemed too personal for it to be Madara," observed Hiashi, "and he would be an old man by now.
This masked man looks too young to be him."
"Maybe so, but he did have the Mangekyo Sharingan," agreed Fugaku, "I would be interested in capturing this man to learn the secrets of the Mangekyo, and if there's more than one way to unlock it."
"I read that some of the evolved versions of dojutsu cause internal damage, and eventual blindness with each use accelerating the ocular deterioration," stated Naruto, "and please be careful how you would go about studying mangekyo if you ever have the opportunity to do so."
Fugaku blinked, "You must be reading some advanced subjects. And careful in what way?"
"I mean no disrespect, but such research in pursuit of power could lead to the rise of another Orochimaru, or a scientifically minded Madara."
"I see your concerns are well warranted, and will be taken into account if such research is approved."
"Thank you." said Naruto whose eyes widened, "Are there any known missing-nins or presumed KIA shinobi of Uchiha heritage whose bodies were never recovered?
One such shinobi could also be this masked man, if he's not really Madara,"
"None that I'm aware of, but I will be checking our archives."
Turning his gaze to Rin, Naruto asked, "I know it's a longshot, but could this masked man be your old teammate, Obito?"
"If it is, I'm pretty sure Kushina will come back from the grave to yell at him and beat him senseless."
When the meeting finished, Naruto ran up to Shikaku, "Mr Nara, I have a request if it's not too troublesome."
Stroking his goatee, Shikaku asked, "Is that so?"
"Will you please help me train by teaching me more about tactics and strategies?"
"Go on, Shika, it's not every day the younger generation asks you for help," encouraged Choza, "Especially of their own free will, and with such nice manners.
You gotta admit Shikaku Sensei has a nice ring to it."
"Mr Shikaku, I've been working on a pretty difficult project.
Would you be willing to help me finish it?" innocently asked Uzumaki.
"And would this project be mastering another extremely advanced jutsu?"
"Yep, one of my dad's signature moves,"
Shikaku's eyes widened, "You don't mean?"
"The Hiraishin," enthusiastically answered Naruto, "I've been using shadow clones for the test runs.
I was hoping for your opinion on my progress.
And whether I'm actually using Hiraishin, or if I've developed a similar but simpler technique based upon the same principles."
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and Rin who'd overheard, looked at the whiskered blonde with wonder.
Later.
Exterior: Konoha, training ground, afternoon.
Under close instruction by Jiraiya, Tsunade, Yahiko, Konan, Anko, Kurenai, Nagato, Yugao, Shisui, Kakashi, Asuma, Maito "Might Guy," Gai, Shikaku, Itachi, and Tenzo, an army of Naruto's shadow clones practised their aim, jutsu styles, skills with various weapons, and chakra control while others studied, played various strategy games, and meditated.
"Using Shadow clones to help you train," chuckled Shisui, "if only I had enough chakra for it too,"
"I'm not even using the secondary chakra," mentioned Naruto, "this is purely Uzumaki chakra.
And I haven't even scratched the surface of it," earning stunned expressions.
Whilst sparring with Gai, Naruto suddenly asked, "Do you think I could learn the hidden lotus technique?
As you know, I have a pretty strong healing factor which should counteract the physical toll the technique takes."
"Maybe when you're older, we'll decide if you're ready.
But we'll be putting in a lot of hard work."
"He can already handle my chakra cloaks, so he can handle the hidden lotus and the eight gates." said a deep voice as everyone stopped.
Naruto chuckled, "He's got a point, ya know."
"Is anyone else in there, or is it just the two of you?" wondered Gai.
"I'm not sure, but if there is, I hope it's my parents in some form."
Later.
Exterior: Konoha, bathhouse, hot springs, women's section.
As he found himself caught between Jiraiya, half over a high fence, and a dozen or so naked and towel-clad women, in the water, who were furious and startled, Naruto, on the women's side of the fence, interjected, "A pervert? How could you say such a thing?" earning stunned looks as everyone looked at him.
Naruto innocently informed, "With all due respect, he's no common pervert," and gave a foxy grin, "He's the Pervy Sage."
As the ladies erupted into laughter, Jiraiya fell back onto his side of the fence with a loud splash, and made a hasty getaway.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, everyone," apologised Uzumaki as the laughter died down.
"Not to worry, it wasn't your fault, little one.
And do you know why it upset us that he was trying to see our bodies?" asked a beautiful, busty, perky, voluptuous woman with fair skin, shoulder length caramel hair, and hazel eyes.
"Is it because he didn't have Kami's permission to lay his unworthy eyes upon blessed, graceful, and beautiful Angels such as yourselves?" sweetly asked Uzumaki, earning adoring smiles and flushed cheeks.
"Awww, you're a cute little charmer, aren't you?"
"I try, although I'd better go since I'm not meant to be on this side of the fence either." said Naruto, who vanished… it was just a shadow clone.
Later.
Exterior: Konoha, Anko's house, backyard.
Having found Kurenai and Anko taking a dip, Naruto joined them in the pool, "I'm not third wheeling am I?"
"Not at all, sweetie." assured Kurenai.
3 years later.
Interior: Konoha, Chunin exam classroom, morning.
Having convinced Ibiki to let him help watch the maggots, 9 year old Naruto, with a sword sheathed across his right shoulder, wore a standard issue Anbu uniform and a Fox mask with orange markings.
Behind his mask, Uzumaki grinned, and thought, "Maybe I should consider getting a Batman style cowl, but in the shape of a fox.
As a sign of our friendship, and for my personal protection,"
"Or maybe something a little more subtle and discreet, like a ring or necklace." telepathically suggested Kurama.
"I think we could also do with some help understanding our connection, how it works, and improve my control when using your chakra.
But I have a feeling we'd need to speak to another Jinchuriki.
One who's also friends with his spirit, and more experienced working with them.
One willing to help another of the nine.
There are only nine Jinchuriki, right?"
"Nine Jinchuriki for nine tailed spirits.
Also, not all Jinchuriki have my siblings sealed away inside them." telepathically informed Kurama.
Noticing the eyes of one hopeful turning red within moments of the written exam beginning, Naruto threw a pair of extra sharp senbon into a vein and nerve in the back of their writing hand.
With a shriek of pain, the hopeful looked at him in disbelief, eyes red with a tomoe, "What the hell?"
"Are you really using the Sharingan to cheat on a test?" asked Naruto, in a distorted voice, as he ripped out the needles, "that's a poor choice."
"How did you know?"
"Aside from black eyes turning bright red?
You're copying personal writing habits, ticks, patterns, spelling, grammar, text size, writing font preferences, etc, in the same way you'd copy the hand signs of a Jutsu."
"Damn it," groaned the hopeful whilst massaging his sore hand before trembling as Naruto's eyes became bright red with thin slits, "what are you?"
"We are Venom." snarled Naruto and Kyuubi with their voices synced, causing several applicants to wet themselves whilst the masked overseers sweatdropped.
"Leave with your squad, or it's back to the academy." ordered Ibiki, earning groans of annoyance from the disqualified squad.
Next to Nagato and Naruto, Yahiko gently patted the blonde on the back, smiled behind his mask, and discreetly handed a ramen coupon to him.
Ibiki sent Naruto a discreet look of approval.
"Tenth question, you sorry maggots!" bellowed Ibiki.
"Allow me, Sir," insisted Nagato who stepped into the front of the room, "You, your best friend, and your lover have been ambushed by enemy shinobi who outnumber and outclass you.
After a drawn out fight, your lover's taken hostage.
The opposition's squad leader offers to let you and them go, but you have to kill your best friend first.
What do you do?"
One of the hopefuls answered, "Sacrifice my best friend to save my lover."
"You fail, and you die without honour."
"What?"
"The enemy was never going to let you go free.
They were toying with you from the beginning.
The death of your best friend, and your betrayal of them, leaves you emotionally compromised, and you're killed anyway."
Ibiki snarled, "You can fill in the blanks of what awaits your lover now they're alone, outnumbered, outmatched, helpless, and at the mercy of enemies."
The entire room scowled at the hopeful who'd answered the question before they were thrown out by the collar.
Later.
Exterior: Konoha, ninja academy, rooftop terrace, early afternoon.
Ino fell off the roof, plummeting down, screaming with her eyes closed in fright.
Catching her in his arms as he ran up the side of the building in an orange flash, Naruto carried her safely back onto the rooftop.
"Are you okay?" asked Naruto, concerned, as he held her bridal style.
As she opened her eyes to see Uzumaki's reassuring smile, Ino smiled back, "Naruto? You… you saved me,"
As he gently set her down, she hugged him, "Thank you,"
"Anytime."
