Kabuto entered the lab to find Orochimaru preparing his tools for his next experiment, "Kabuto. You're back early."
"Konoha was becoming too paranoid and I believe they were starting to suspect me," Kabuto said with a small bow, "As such I felt it wise to pull out when I had the chance."
Orochimaru nodded. Kabuto was one of the few people who had any sort of respectable qualities in the Snake Sannin's eyes. His intelligence being one of his best aspects with his sharp instincts being another, "Very well. I assume you've already written down your report?"
"Yes sir," Kabuto replied as he adjusted his glasses, "One of main points of interest is the daughter of one of your spies, young Sakura Haruno has discovered she's able to use the Mokuton and has been training with the sole survival of that particular experiment."
"Oh?" Orochimaru inquired his interest peaked, "Someone's able to use the Mokuton without being infused with Hashirama's DNA?"
"As far as I could find. Yes," Kabuto replied, "In fact Konoha has also recently acquired two Hyoton users."
"Two?" Orochimaru asked, "I could have sworn I found the only Yuki Clan survivor. Who are they?"
"Zabuza Momochi and his adopted daughter Haku," Kabuto explained, "He is the bastard son of the Yuki Clan and hid his abilities his entire life. He is currently the Proxy for the Clan on the Council until Haku becomes a Jonin."
"Interesting. I'll move our Yuki friend's appointment up," Orochimaru chuckled, "If he's not able to withstand a few tests, then we'll have to acquire Haku along with Sasuke."
"What about Sakura Haruno?" Kabuto asked.
"Hmm… I'll have a clone monitor her during the Second Exam," Orochimaru decided, "If she proves interesting enough… and survives. I'll inform the men she's to be captured during the invasion. Anything else that can't wait for later?"
"Tsunade has most likely returned to Konoha by now," Kabuto reported, "Hiruzen sent Jiraiya to get her a couple months ago."
"She has? And here I thought her spirit was completely broken. Ah well. It'll just make my return that much more entertaining," Orochimaru grinned. Perhaps he should prepare something special just for Tsunade. Decisions, decisions, "Oh and go see to Kimimaro. Due to Tayuya leaving us we'll need to do something... drastic to get him back on his feet."
Neji sat alone in his room. His quiet rage against his clan and Konoha now fully solidified into Hate. He knew that 'Hinata-Sama' and the other Genin of her year along with Tenten and Lee had met at that Failure Naruto's place. He honestly didn't care what they were talking about. Fate would show that no matter what they did it would be pointless. Fate would show that natural talent just couldn't be defeated.
The Uchiha was talented yes but no where near the level his brother was at his age and so he too would fail. All would be as Fate decreed and nothing could change it.
After everyone left and the sun started to set, Naruto sat in his room carefully applying seals to his new Chakra Metal wakizashi. He'd already applied the same ever clean and ever sharp seals his mother katana had. However, instead of seals designed to become a focus for his Wind Jutsu even if he hadn't used those seals on his mother's katana yet, his wakizashi would have seals that let him focus his Water Jutsu though it. He smiled as he ever so carefully applied the next part of the water chakra focusing seal, his thought briefly flashing back to everyone who'd helped his Fuinjutsu skills bloom both from in the Realm of the Dragons, the few Seal Masters in the Fox Clan, and his mothers notes.
He was still wondering if he could make his wakizashi move through the air as easily as his mother's katana could when wind chakra was channeled through it. He knew Ino was working on figuring out how to extend her rapier's reach with her Water Chakra and the most obvious solution to that was the Water Whip Jutsu she'd become so proficient with but he wasn't sure if she'd use something so obvious. He was curious what she'd come up with.
As he completed one of the seals needed for his sword to channel Chakra correctly for Jutsu he paused as he remembered the technique Yūgao had used on Zabuza in their first encounter. The Tempest Serpent Cleaver and wondered if he could make something similar with seals.
"It is possible though far more advanced than anything you can currently produce," The Kyubi said, "I must admit it's interesting being in an Uzumaki again. Especially one who's so creative with Seals."
Naruto paused, "You know about Seals? Wait… you were in Great-Great Aunt Mito and Mom of course you do, dattebayo!" Huh. It's been a while since he's said that.
"You share her verbal tick too huh?" Kyubi chuckled, "I may not use the knowledge but I did witness every lesson that bitch Mito gave Kushina. Even if Mito tried to keep me from accessing her senses I found ways around that. While I do respect Kushina's skill in the art of Seals. She paled in comparison to Mito's skill," Kyubi chuckled darkly, "Then again even Mito's skills were pitiful in comparison to the Blind Master's."
"...Who?" Naruto asked, "I hadn't found anything about the Blind Master yet in my mother's notes or journals."
"I doubt you would," Kyubi replied, "Mito never mentioned him to your mother wanting to be known as the best Fuinjutsu user to ever live. The Blind Master previously known as Susanoo Uzumaki was the oldest Uzumaki to ever live. Most Uzumaki reach almost two hundred years old but Susanoo was over four hundred when he died and it wasn't old age that killed him."
"What did?" Naruto asked as he put his sealing pen down.
"A small mistake on a new seal," Kyubi replied, "He lost his sight when he was two hundred and eighty five years old but that didn't stop him from doing Fuinjutsu. By the time he was three hundred he'd gained the moniker The Blind Master. In fact a good portion of the defenses on Uzushio was created by the Blind Master."
"Really? Wish I could have met him," Naruto sighed.
"I only met him a couple of times," Kyubi said, "But he was definitely one of the most chaotic Uzumaki to ever live. His age alone proved that. Damn bony bastard was just too stubborn to die."
"Perhaps once we have more time you could teach me some more Fuinjutsu?" Naruto asked.
"You'd really trust me not to screw you over?" Kyubi asked, shocked. Mito had hated him with every fiber of her being. Doing her best to make sure he had as little freedom as possible even if by her nature as a jinchūriki his Chakra circulated through her system. With time he'd learned how to use those trace amounts of Chakra to bypass Mito's seal and hijack her senses. Kushina hadn't trusted him at first but after returning to Uzushio to visit her family she'd been allowed to read some family Scrolls only the Main Branch had access to once they were old enough. Mito could have read them if she wanted but wanted nothing to do with the Biju.
"I don't see why not," Naruto said, "I learned a lot about the Biju from Tamamo and the Dragons. Plus I can't blame you for being pissed at being turned into a prisoner… fear… hated and everything else that's happened to you. My life as a jinchūriki is just a fraction of all the bullshit you've gone through."
Kyubi was shocked for a few moments before gaining a small grin, "I'll think about it brat," His voice then faded.
Naruto sat back in thought. He was happy to learn more about his family, but it still did nothing to solve the problem of how to complete his sword's upgrade.
"Sasuke, what can I do for you?" Hiruzen asked the young Uchiha even as the sun continued to sink below the horizon.
"Can you call Kakashi here?" Sasuke asked, "He should be here for this."
Hiruzen lifted an eyebrow wondering what the young man had to say but with a small motion sent one of his Anbu off to fetch the Jonin. Less than a minute later and the white haired man had arrived. Seeing this Sasuke nods, "What I have to say has to do with the S-Rank Secret regarding Naruto. Do I have permission to speak freely?"
Hiruzen and Kakashi glanced at each other, both in surprise and curiosity, "You do," Hiruzen said.
"I believe I know who released the Kyubi from Naruto's mother," Sasuke said, making the Hokage's and Kakashi's eyes go wide, "The only Uchiha who 'died' and wasn't incinerated as per Uchiha Law."
"That's impossible!" Kakashi said, "Obito's dead!"
"Yet you left him buried under a boulder, while he was alive," Sasuke countered as he glared at the man, "And you knew about that law as all Jonin who work with Uchiha are informed," Kakashi wilted under that as he knew Sasuke was correct. Only now remembering Fugaku's father telling him the law when he made Jonin.
"Yes… I'd forgotten about that," Hiruzen said as he ran his fingers through his beard, "Are you sure Obito is the only one who wasn't incinerated?"
"Positive," Sasuke replied, turning back to the Hokage, "The Uchiha take great care in making sure our eyes do not fall into the hands of those who'd misuse them. I also believe Obito or whoever has his other eye has unlocked the Mangekyou Sharingan, and I think I know how."
Kakashi felt dread shoot down his spine, "H…how?"
"The only scroll I found that said any Uchiha who has a fully mature Sharingan and kills their best friend can unlock it," Sasuke explained, "I think when Kakashi killed Rin his eye evolved into the Mangekyou and Obito's other eye evolved at the same time. However I don't know what ability Obito's Mangekyou abilities are if they're different from Itachi's. The only ability I know is Tsukuyomi which is a powerful Genjutsu."
"One powerful enough to control a Biju," Hiruzen sighed as Kakashi almost began hyperventilating, "Kakashi!" Snapping back to attention Kakashi looked at his leader, "Mistakes have been made. Damning mistakes, but mistakes nonetheless. For now focus on getting back to your previous level if not surpassing it. When the time comes you will be best suited to getting Obito's other eye back if someone has stolen it or defeating Obito if he's still alive."
"And that is the only reason I'm not demanding the return of your Sharingan," Sasuke said completely seriously, "I still might once Obito or whoever has his other eye is dealt with but for now it's better you hold onto it."
Kakashi nodded as his only visible eye became deadly serious, "Even if it kills me I'll make sure Obito is stopped. Hokage-Sama by your leave?"
"Go. Prepare yourself Kakashi for tomorrow you must start training like never before," The Hokage said and the moment he finished Kakashi was gone. He had to see Guy and Yūgao. If anyone could get him up to S-Rank quickly it would be them.
Hiashi was doing paperwork with only the slightest of change in the air alerting him to a visitor, "You know I hate it when you do that," Hiarshi said looking up to see Shibi.
"I have found something you are not going to like," Shibi stated, ignoring his friend's annoyance and handed over a piece of paper.
Hiashi slightly raised an eyebrow as he took the paper. Unfolding it he began to read and went stiff. Shibi placed a security seal down and waited. Hiashi went over the note again before putting it down, "The source of this information?"
"Torune," Shibi said and Hiashi nodded.
"I will need to find more proof just to make sure they don't wriggle free," Hiashi stated.
"My Kikaichu believe they have found something in Elder Taiyō's room," Shibi replied, "Under the floorboards bed," while most of the Hyuga still used futon rolls, the elders had beds so they didn't have to kneel down too often.
Hiashi shook his head. Elder Taiyō was one of the Hyuga Elders who argued with Hiashi the most. To learn that the old fool might have had something to do with the death of Hiashi's wife was not all that surprising. What did surprise him was the connection to one of the most infamous members of the Black Market and someone who had connections all over the Elemental Nations. A person simply known as The Death Dealer.
A clone of Hiruzen walked down a road along with his two students on a warm Sunday morning. The three were on their way to the Uzumaki Household, "You sure it's a good idea to just drop this on them?" Tsunade asked.
"How else do you expect to meet them?" Jiraiya asked, "Especially with how Naruto isn't speaking to Sensei," Tsunade frowned as she was reminded of her cousin's mistreatment but put it to the side for now, but at the first chance she got she'd be returning to grill Naruto to learn everything.
"Sadly I agree," Hiruzen sighed. The next couple minutes were in silence before the three stopped before the front gates of the Uzumaki Household. Putting his hand on one of the stone pillars that held the gate he waited for a few moments until the block he'd put his hands on started glowing slightly, "It is Hiruzen Sarutobi. I have two people who would like to meet Naruto Uzumaki. May we enter?"
Nothing happened for a few moments before the gate slowly opened allowing the three in. Opening the door was a young woman with crimson hair that went to mid back wearing an open tan vest over a fishnet body suit, black shorts and red sandals. Looking at the three people at the door, Tayuya's eyes narrowed, "For the two who don't know me, I'm Tayuya Uzumaki and I don't give a fuck what rank you have. My little brother's been through enough bullshit and I won't have anyone piling more on his plate. Got it?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow but her small smile gave her away. She approved of this young woman. Jiraiya on the other hand… "Bold words to say to the Hokage and his students brat. You're close to risking insubordination. Guess there's a reason you joined…"
Before he could finish the sentence the four heard, "Finish that sentence and I'll retract allowing you to enter Ero-Sannin, and you know what Mother's seals do to intruders," Jiraiya paled at Naruto's threat the young man now standing behind Tayuya glaring at the white haired man.
"The kid's right Jiraiya," Tsunade said as she glared at her old teammate, "You were out of line. Doubly so since Sensei already told you why Tayuya joined the bastard," Turning to Tayuya Tsunade held out her hand, "Sorry about him. He's always been an idiot," Tayuya gave Tsunade a calculating look before shaking the woman's hand.
"You might as well come in," Naruto said, "I'm sure there's a lot to talk about," Moving into the house the adult saw the younger female Uzumaki sitting on a chair obviously trying to keep calm, "Karin these are my Godparents Tsunade and Jiraiya… or as I prefer to call him Ero-Sannin."
"... of course Kushina would put that in her journal or whatever it was she wrote that in," Jiraiya grumbled, "So much for my big reveal."
"Not much of a reveal when you've been absent for my entire life," Naruto said without turning around, "I don't know Tsunade's reason for not being around but you have no excuse. Are you honestly going to say there was no one you could train up to take over whatever job you have outside of Konoha?"
"He… has a point," Hiruzen said slowly, shocked he'd never thought of that.
"Of course he does," Karin said, finally getting the courage to speak as Jiraiya and Hiruzen on the couch while Tsunade leaned against the wall, "How card could it be to find a successor to whatever job the Toad Sage has?"
Jiraiya stuttered for a few moments before he grunted, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find someone with just the right traits to be a Spy Master brat?"
"Can't say I do," Naruto said, turning around to glare at the Sannin, "I do know a lot of other things though. Like how it feels to have doctors and med-nin try to poison me since I'm a jinchūriki and they didn't have the slightest clue about Fuinjutsu."
"Couldn't even be bothered to hold a single seminar about Fuinjutsu so the Shinobi would know the Kyubi would be free if Naruto died huh?" Tayuya scowled before a sadistic smirk appeared as she looked at Tsunade, "You sure he deserves the title of Sannin? I thought sages were meant to be wise."
Tsunade let out a bark of laughter as Jiraiya grew red in the face, "Alright. I think I like you!"
"Keep this up brats and I won't let any of you sign the Toad Contract!" Jiraiya grumbled.
"Why would we want to?" Naruto asked with a smirk, "We've all signed the Dragon Contract, and I've also signed the Fox Contract."
"YOU'VE WHAT?!" Jiraiya roared as he shot to his feet, "The Toad Contract is part of your inheritance! Why would you do that?! If you have contracts you must know that each Shinobi can only sign two contracts!"
"Why would I want to sign the Toad Contract when both of their summoners have failed me?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow making Tayuya and surprisingly Tsunade smirk. As Jiraiya sank back to the couch looking as if he'd just been kicked in the dick, "If my dear father hadn't made his last wish known that I was a 'hero' for having the Kyubi sealed in me then I could have had a normal childhood. Did the village know that Mom was a jinchūriki? That Great-Great Aunt Mito was a jinchūriki? No."
"He's right," Tsunade said, surprising the three Uzumaki, "Minato really dropped the ball with letting it be known that Naruto has the Fox sealed in him," She then looked at Naruto, "After I heard that the Kyubi attacked Konoha, my student Shizune and I were on my way back to Konoha so I could fulfill my duty as your Godmother despite my feelings towards the village at the time. However the Anbu, Snake appeared and told me you'd died along with Minato and Kushina. At the time I didn't question it already so emotionally damaged from the death of my brother and fiance. A couple months ago Jiraiya tracked me down with a note from Sensei releveling you were alive."
Tayuya tilted her head, "So… you think that bastard Orochimaru had something to do with the Anbu lying to you?"
"He's the most likely option," Tsunade growled, "Though Danzo is also a candidate. Considering Orochimaru's was already heading towards turning traitor even then, keeping me away from the village keeps the village weaker then it could be. Danzo… he's obsessed with making Konoha the strongest village so one one hand he'd want me here as I'm not just an S-Rank Kunoichi but the most powerful Med-Nin on the planet. On the other hand he has a…" Tsunade paused as she tried to find the right word.
"Twisted?" Tayuya asked with a smirk.
"That works," Tsunade nodded, "A twisted view on how he wants Konoha to be the strongest. He's not called a War Hawk for no reason."
"I've heard more than one person who works in T&I say something along those lines," Tayuya muttered.
"I've heard a few similar things with the Med-Nin," Karin said, "It's honestly a little disturbing how how far spread the same opinions on this man are… reminds me a lot of a few members of Kusa's Council."
After a few moments of silence Naruto took a deep breath, "I'm willing to give Tsunade and the Old Man a second chance," Hiruzen looked at him shocked before he relaxed with a small smile as he almost looked as if he regained a few years, "Ero-Sannin though… that'll take longer."
"Fine. See if I help you with your Fuinjutsu projects," Jiriay huffed pouting like a child who didn't get a pet dog.
"You'll help with the Cursed Seals from the old man ordering you," Tayuya smirked, "Or do you want Orochimaru taking two Tokubetsu Jonin out of any fight against him from the get go? Not to mention you do owe the Uzumaki Clan from leaving our Clan Heir all alone when you're meant to take care of him. Personally I'd say that's grounds… for a Blood Debt."
Jiraiya flinched even as he went bone white while Tsunade looked thoughtful. Hiruzen coughed, "I… regret to say I agree though I hope you don't go that far," Jiraiya shot a betrayed look at his Sensei. Blood Debts were not a joking matter.
"Ero-Sannin was chosen to be my parents first choice at Godfather," Naruto stated keeping his voice neutral, "Tsunade was tricked so she couldn't take her role as Godmother and.."
"And I failed to follow through with Kushina's wish to allow Shibi to raise you," Hiruzen said, lowering his head, "I promise to do my best not to fail you again."
"Now then!" Karin said suddenly full of energy, her eyes blazing, "Let's move on and see about getting that seal off Tayuya shall we?"
Tsunade smirked and cricked her neck, "First thing first. Let's go over how you plan to cause this self destruction of the seal. Then we move onto the medical sides of things. Karin you're working on becoming a Med-Nin you need to pay attention when we get to that part. Impress me and I might let Shizune begin teaching you more advanced medical skills."
"Yes ma'am!" Karin said as Tayuya smirked. Glad her younger sister was finally getting the attention she deserved for her hard work. Too many Med-Nin treated her like garbage just because of her connection to Naruto. Karin hadn't said anything about it yet but… Well Naruto had taught them the Shadow Clone Jutsu for a reason wasn't there?
"Before we start," Tayuya said, her smirk growing slightly as she looked at Tsunade, "Once we're done and this thing is off… there's something I think you'll want to know."
Yūgao smiled as she ducked under Gekkō's sword. He was finally able to train again after Tsunade treated his old lung wounds which had hit his stamina and ability to breath to the point he'd been bed ridden for the past couple months, "Glad to see you out of that bed Gekkō. I think the last time we've been able to train was…"
"About a week or two after you got your Genin Team," Gekkō chuckled, "I'm grateful to Tsunade-Sama for healing my lungs. Hopefully those old wounds won't flare up again for some time."
"I agree," Yūgao replied as she replaced herself with two logs in rapid succession to avoid his Dance of the Crescent Moon technique which was using two Shadow Clones to attack the enemy while the original leaps high in the air in an arc similar to that of a crescent moon with all three attacks striking simultaneously from the opponent's blind spots.
"Have you had any luck combining the higher level techniques of the Konoha-Ryu style with any of the Surging Serpent's techniques?" Gekkō inquired.
"Not yet," Yūgao sighed as the two Jonin lowered their blades, "The high level Surging Serpent's techniques are monsters when it comes to Chakra Consumption. To the point that after making a single Shadow Clone I'm only able to use one maybe two B-Rank techniques," Yūgao sighed, shaking her head, "Even now it amazes me how power's the Uzumaki's Chakra was and the techniques they were able to make."
"And now you're guiding the next leader of the Uzumaki," Gekkō smiled, "Kushina would be proud of you. For everything you've done for her son."
Yūgao gave her boyfriend a coy smile, "What do you mean by that?"
Gekkō just gave his own coy grin and the two retook their stances to resume their training.
Author's Notes:
… ya not gonna lie. I just forgot about Hayate Gekkō partly because of everything else that's happened!
