Chapter 26: A Shinobi's greatest art is deception

Naruto and Hinata got up early the next morning to prepare for a crucial day. They prepared a few scrolls and sent them off via crow. They needed to set up a meeting with Danzo, the New Hyuga, and the Aburame. Hopefully they would be their allies.

The four blood clones, cloaked and kneeling, appeared before them and were handed their own scroll. They had an informational mission that would help them make decisions going forward in the immediate future. The margin or error for the clan was small so they had to be a step ahead.

The sun was just peaking over the horizon when they finished preparing for the day. Still, they found half their clan in the main house's kitchen. Rukia, Arashi, Hanabi and Shizuka were attempting to make a large breakfast.

It smelled good but the kitchen was a mess and the young members looked no better. Hinata giggled and it was a sweet tone that seemed to soothe Naruto's soul. She pulled him over to the kitchen table and they sat there for a moment enjoying their struggle.

After a while, they motioned for Shizuka to come over. The young uchiha stood nervously with batter splattered randomly over the front of her body. Naruto even cracked a smile. "Relax, you don't have to be tense around us." Naruto said with amusement in his voice.

Shizuka released a quick breath and took a seat near them. "Sorry for the mess, things got, um , competitive. We're going to clean up." Shizuka said cryptically while sending a glare back to Arashi. Hinata raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"It's fine, this'll be quick anyway. It looks like you're fitting in with the clan well. Did you still want to join the clan?" Hinata asked. "Yes, please. I like it here, everyone works together and you've already done so much for me. I don't have anyone else now and I don't want to be alone.

The people here actually understand the things I've been through and unlike the rest of the village. You've never wanted me around for your own purposes which Is a first.

And they don't really tell me anything but I know people were trying to use the members of my clan for their own gain before and now I'm the last one here. It'll be even worse. I can't do it alone so, If you'd let me join I'd be grateful." Shizuka said sincerely and with a bow.

"You don't have to bow, Shizuka. You're welcome to join the clan, we would've extended an invite before but due to political reasons it would've been futile. Now, with Tsunade Bachan in the seat of Hokage, your willingness, and recent situations, there won't be sufficient opposition in the village to stop it.

Consider yourself one of us from now on, officially. If that's what you wish." Naruto replied smiling as he did. Shizuka's eyes lit up and her sharingan even flashed for a moment before she hugged Hinata and Naruto at the same time while thanking them.

She returned to Hinabi, Rukia and Arashi to deliver the news and they cheered for her. Food went up and Hinata blessed Naruto's soul once again with another wonderful laugh.

When Arashi received a wooden spoon to the head, Naruto thought it was safe to assume he was the one who'd tossed a bowl of eggs in the air.

They were definitely cleaning the kitchen spotlessly but he was content with enjoying Hinata's giggles as more of the clan filed in, drawn the smell of food and noise coming from the little cooks.

Mai came in first and took over directing the little cooks to save what she called "the cutest little kitchen before they tried to use it". Yakumo and Anko came in next just in time for food to be ready to serve.

Despite the way the kitchen looked, the food was edible and the clan made sure to thank the little chefs. Before Naruto could finish his meal, he and other members of the clan received an alert via seal that someone was at the compound gates.

Naruto and Hinata immediately used their abilities to find out who it was. It was Shikamaru and his father Shikaku. "We'll get it," Naruto said and he and Hinata got up to go meet them. "Wait, is anything arranged for us to go to the academy today?" Hinabi asked.

"Not yet, for now don't leave the compound. The four of you should use one of our training grounds and have a sparring day. I'll have more answers soon." Naruto responded.

They didn't seem to care too much and went back to their plates.

Naruto and Hinata made their way to the compound gates and found exactly who they expected. They even had an idea of what they wanted. The two stopped on their side of the gate with stoic expressions while waiting for the Nara to speak.

"Naruto-san, we've come to talk, may we come in." Shikaku asked. "No, you can say what you need to say from there." Naruto responded. "It would be in everyone's interest if our conversations weren't overheard by prying ears." Shikaku said.

"If you want privacy, we can make that work right here." the redhead said before going through a few hand heals and touching one of the trees that hid his clan from the rest of the village.

Foliage grew out and beyond the gates before surrounding the two Nara. It was blocking them from outside view but opening the space between the two parties though still separated by the gates. Naruto placed a palm on the foliage, placing silencing seals and gave a nod to Shikaku and a nervous Shikamaru.

"I'm assuming we can speak freely in this, space, you've created." Shikaku said somewhat disapprovingly. He didn't like being cocooned in a small space by the boy's jutsu, even for a valid purpose.

"Yes, what do you want?" Naruto asked. "I want you to return Ino and Konohamaru. You have to understand that you're only making things worse. The situation will only escalate as they are. You've already killed members of the Sarutobi, the Yamanaka and Ibiki's brother, not to mention the attempt on the third's life. That should be enough." The veteran shinobi said.

My Jinchuriki status should've been enough since my body was sacrificed the day I was born. The bloodlines and assistance I've given to the clans and village should've been enough. It wasn't and members of this village decided to haul me away and try to torture me into compliance.

No, it's not enough and I'm not returning anyone. You're wasting my time." Naruto replied with a glare. "Then what is their condition? Are they still alive? Let me mediate a deal for their return. There has to be ways your clan can benefit from this, peace among them. " Shikaku tried again.

The jounin commander had to try, he thought. The village brass had silently agreed to not intervene once Naruto retaliated for himself but if he killed two clan heirs then even the genius jounin commander couldn't predict the village's reaction.

The redhead before him had gone for the jugular with his retaliation. He hadn't recklessly attacked any and everyone involved but instead went after what was most important to them, killing anyone else in the process.

He took the future heads of two major clans, and with it, the clan's pride. The honorable grandson himself and Inoichi's precious little girl. The boy had killed Ibiki's brother, a man who painted himself to be heartless but loved his brother very much.

What surprised Shikaku the most was the boy finding a way to remove Jiraiya from the toad summoning contract. Brave, and some would say stupid but effective nonetheless. This boy had pissed a lot of people off by hitting them where it hurts.

When other clans are inevitably involved, the fallout could be tremendously harmful to the village, maybe even worse if the village government itself had to intervene. Shikaku knew finding a peaceful solution was by far the least damaging route for the village.

"No deals, no confirmations, no discussions. I was offered none of that when Naruto disappeared for months. Just like my clan, they'll just have to see what happens and hopefully they'll think about the consequences of their actions going forward.

As far as I'm concerned, you're lucky Shikamaru or his little cousin Shikadai haven't disappeared as well. I hope the Nara remember that, should they feel the need to get involved more than just, meditations or any more of your plans." Hinata replied sharply.

Shikaku and his son's eyes narrowed at her words noting the steal in her voice that matched the red heads. They were on the same page which meant they couldn't appeal to one or the other's reluctance to involve the blameless clan heirs. The faintly veiled threat didn't go over their heads either.

"Look no one's saying it's wrong to retaliate even though there are better ways to go about it but leave Ino and Konohamaru out of it, they're innocent. They had nothing to do with it." Shikamaru fumed.

Naruto laughed a short genuine laugh, it seemed to anger the usually calm Shikamaru. "'Innocent,' is a funny word, especially from the mouth of a shinobi. I think it's even funnier that you of all people are still so naive at this point after all that has happened since we received our headbands.

You haven't learned anything from the forest of death, nothing from the uchiha incidents, nothing from the current hostility between Konoha and Iwa, and nothing from my own circumstances. In the shinobi world, no one's innocent.

There's simply the strong, and the weak. Konoha's own moments of peace were built with the blood of 'innocents'. Time to grow up, Shikamaru.

The stakes are higher than when we were in the academy. In the shinobi world, everything is on the line and you have to be willing to do anything to protect it. I am and if they weren't, they should've let me be." Naruto said.

"Dammit she was our friend! We were in the same class in the academy for the last 3 years. She was never one of the people who hated or judged you, she just talked too much. She'd even begun telling everyone how you weren't the demon everyone thought you were.

She's our comrade and she's one of my best friends. Just let her go." Shikamaru screamed, losing his composure until his father placed a hand on his shoulder.

Naruto and Hinata didn't answer. They just gave him a blank stare. "You realize, they'll be coming after you. They won't be able to wait around and see what happens." Shikaku said firmly.

"I know, but like I said, there are consequences to their actions. Everyone in my clan has lost it all before so we're prepared for the worst. Can they say the same? No. Atleast, not yet. ." Naruto said before removing the foliage blocking them in and the seals keeping their conversation quiet.

Shikamaru looked as if he was fighting with himself to say something but was led away by his clan head. As they were walking, Shikaku turned to his son to see what he was making of the situation.

"What are you making of the situation?" He asked. "Shikamaru couldn't help but scowl as he tried to organize his thoughts. "He's blinded by anger and a need for revenge, involving people who have nothing to do with it." Shikamaru responded after a moment.

"Are you sure he's the one blinded by his emotions? While Ino and Konohomaru hadn't done anything themselves, their clan's certainly had their hand in holding and torturing Naruto. Ibiki and Inoichi themselves spent significant time working on him.

The Sarutobi were just as involved and Hiruzen has crossed the line with Naruto many times. More than you know and more than I'll tell you, for now.

Naruto did what was most effective out of what he could do, gaining significant leverage at minimum risk. They couldn't even prove it was him if they wanted to either. That shows he's truly dangerous. Was it underhanded? Definitely, but so was what they did to him."

"So you're saying what he did and anything he does from now on is justified?" Shikamaru snapped back. "No, and that's what he meant by you needing to grow up. We're shinobi, we use underhanded tactics, we're ruthless.

We do anything to complete the mission and veil it under the cause of fighting for peace yet that peace only extends to our people. Even with our own people as seen with Naruto, it's conditional.

In the end they took him because they were scared of what could befall konoha in the future should he not be loyal. Also, he had an ability that they rationalized as necessary for the village's strength. In the same sense, Naruto was innocent too. He just hadn't given them what they wanted."

"How was he innocent when this war is on his hands. What he did in the forest and to Iwa's princess started all of this." Shikamaru argued. "Shikamaru, you know better than to think it's that simple.

That's your emotions clouding your thought process. "There was a reason Iwa sent so many teams and it wasn't just to show their strength. All of their teams in the forest had illegal means to find and regroup with each other in order to gang up on other villages.

They were killing konoha teams in the forest before encountering Naruto's team. Imagine the fallout if they were able to continue. It would've been no better a situation except konoha would've taken more losses.

The tsuna genin, gaara, was wreaking havoc in the forest too. These exams were going to be bloody regardless of if Naruto and his team used restraint.

The Iwa kunoichi had said her intentions were to kill Naruto on multiple occasions. Everyone could tell that one of them would die and the result would be high tensions in the village regardless of the outcome.

We would just be using the boy as a scapegoat to put it all on him. The boy has done nothing but be a shinobi and the village's clans know it. The Sarutobi and Yamanaka started a conflict with the Namiuzu which involved Ino and Konohamaru.

While they haven't done anything personally, their clan isn't innocent which includes them. That being said, The Nara are remaining out of it." Shikaku finished and gave his son a deadly serious look.

"Even though the Yamanaka are our allies, we're going to do nothing? Not even to save Ino?" Shikamaru asked incredulously. "Yes, the Nara will do nothing for now and you're going to do nothing.

This isn't our fight and the last thing we need are internal enemies when a war's approaching. As you'll soon see, the Namiuzu clan isn't as alone as they seem. They have support from powerful places.

We took heavy losses in the last war and we don't need to be looking over our backs during the war or while we repair. Inoichi and the Sarutobi made their decision. They gambled and it didn't pay off.

It's their responsibility to deal with the consequences. At most we'll continue to try and mediate a peaceful solution. Do you understand?" Shikaku gave Shikamaru a war hardened glare this time that wouldn't take any dissension.

"Yea yea I get it. Still, If he hurts her, I'll have to make my own decisions as a shinobi, regardless of the consequences. This whole situation is such a drag." Shikamaru responded while deep in thought about everything that had been said.

Shikaku sighed and muttered, "troublesome," before continuing the walk back to his compound with his son.

Naruto and Hinata returned to their meals and a kitchen being cleaned spotless under Mai's watchful eye. It was much appreciated.

They finished their breakfast just in time for two crows to return, the ones sent to the Aburame and New Hyuga. The crows dropped off a scroll each and Hinata gave them the rest of her rice as a treat.

The two took the scrolls to the study because they had work to do. They unrolled the two scrolls and took turns reading them. Both clan heads had agreed to meet and would be visiting the clan soon that morning.

Until then, they set upon rifling through thousands of seals to put together their clan sealing array. They could only add so many and the more they added the more complicated they'd be to use in an emergency so it was a delicate and intricate task.

Nearly an hour later, they took a break to escort the New Hyuga clan head, Hashigi Hyuga and their clan heir, Neji, to the clan's now, spotless dining room. They didn't have an official clan building to take guests so they settled.

After greetings and making tea for their guests the Namiuzu sat across from the New hyuga to begin the discussion. "Hashigi-san, thank you for coming so soon, you as well, Neji." Naruto started.

"Of course, we were looking forward to building relations with the Namiuzu clan. We appreciate the courtesy of allowing us to see the inside of your compound as well. It's an honor bestowed upon very few and has become somewhat one of konoha's mysteries." Hashigi replied, showing the best of his political acumen as befitting a new hyuga.

Naruto almost rolled his eyes but let it go and kept a stoic expression. "Naruto, Hinata." Neji said proudly in acknowledgement. "We value privacy highly in the Namiuzu clan but there isn't much special here as you can see.

As for the reason we asked you to meet us; we'd like to come to an agreement regarding New Hyuga personnel recruitment to a private security detail created to protect our clan. I'm sure the Namiuzu has a means to provide a suitable offer for such a proposition. Your thoughts?" Hinata replied, matching the stuck up political discourse.

Hashigi smiled. It was short and prompt yet a smile indeed, unusual for the typical Hyuga representative. "I see you still have your Hyuga training, your clan will do just fine in the political atmosphere but I can see there isn't a need for such proper edicate at the moment.

I do think we can come to an agreement for your proposal but before that there is more I'd like to speak to you about." Hashigi said. "Ask your questions," Naruto responded plainly. "What truly happened to you after your encounters at the valley of the end?"

"I was abducted and tortured by Jiraiya and a konoha based group until I was able to escape and return to my clan compound." Naruto replied just as plainly. Neji, very slightly, seemed to be taken aback at the bluntness of the explanation.

"What is it that they wanted? Did they achieve their goals?" Hashigi asked, he thought it was rather callous of him but Naruto came across as a straight forward shinobi and the approach wouldn't be offensive, he hoped.

"They wanted to know the secrets of my abilities, about my clan and to torture me into compliance. If you're wondering if I broke, I didn't. They failed. Since you're going to ask how I escaped, I'll just say that with my abilities it was only a matter of time.

They went to great lengths to keep me restrained and powerless and they were smart to do so. Still, it wasn't enough and here I am." Naruto said without missing a beat. "The Yamanaka, Sarutobi, and even Ibiki had something to do with it as well, didn't they?" Neji asked.

Naruto nodded in silent confirmation. Neji found it hard to hold back his own anger at the situation. They'd done something he'd expect from the former main house.

As he looked at Naruto he saw him in a new light. If it was all true, the guy had gone through hell and came back out swinging, much like the New Hyuga after finally being freed of their bonds.

Hashigi on the other hand was in deep thought. Prominent members of the village had gone so far as to abduct and attempt to torture a council seat holder into compliance. Something of the sort was unacceptable.

He thought about reporting it to the Hokage but remembered what she said in the council meeting. She'd implied that she already knew and he was sure she did with her relationship to the clan being so well.

Hashigi wouldn't let the village attempt to manipulate clans now after leaving the branch house to rot for so long. Even if Naruto was generally uncooperative with village efforts, he had that right since he'd been doing his part since birth.

Problem was, they couldn't exactly call out those responsible to the council without proof. Even with proof, the village would undoubtedly be segmented at the revelation with clans and villagers taking sides on the issue. The village couldn't afford something like that at a time like this, no wonder the boy and his clan chose to act alone and secretly, Hashigi thought.

"This security detail, you aren't intending on using it as your personal attack force are you?" The clan head inquired seriously.

"No, I plan on fighting my own battles. As of now though, most of my clan isn't strong enough to defend themselves against certain enemies. That's what the protection detail will be for."

That is acceptable. I do have another topic to discuss before we get to details of the agreement if that's fine." Hashigi said before he was motioned to ask his question and continued.

"I'd like to start by saying the New Hyuga are glad to see you well again, Hinata-san. As you might know, you're the only confirmed member of the hyuga lineage to survive the disease. There is a legend of one but for all we truly know it was simply a story.

What I'm wondering is how. Did the brilliant Tsunade-sama develop a cure? Was Naruto's abilities able to help your condition? Though it only affects one or two hyuga's every generation, it's so far been an assured death. I'm sure you can forgive my curiosity."

"It's fine. I figured your clan would want to know. Before I tell you though, do you mind recounting that legend for me? I've never heard of it and it may be useful to me in the future." Hinata replied.

Hashigi didn't exactly know what she meant by that but had no issue recalling what he knew of the legend. "You may be disappointed since the legend is a very short story but I'll recall what I can.

The legend has been passed down by branch house members for generations. They say that there was a branch house hyuga who's talent far surpassed any that of his peers or the main family.

It was said that this hyuga was able to contend with even the second hokage in a one on one battle. During the first shinobi world war, this shinobi was said to have single handedly placed the fear of kami into anyone foolish enough to fight a hyuga in hand to hand combat.

It was said that he was the one who began the legend of our taijutsu abilities and created our ultimate defense that the main family claimed as their own. As you can imagine with the main house's fragile egos, they didn't take a branch house member gaining more respect than the main house itself very well at all.

As a result, they volunteered him for the most dangerous and improbable missions hoping he wouldn't make it back but he always did. Not only did he return, but in his success he grew stronger, much stronger.

Unfortunately, before he could solidify a name for himself, he became deadly ill and was bedridden in a medical outpost near the frontlines. The main family refused to allow him to be transferred back home even while he was dying from the unique disease, Hyuga's Judgment.

The battlefront he was on took a turn for the worst. The shinobi in the area were forced to evacuate in an emergency. They say there were a high number of hyuga fighting in the battalion.

To protect the byakugan, all branch members were ordered, by the main house, to stay and fight to the death in an effort to buy time for everyone else to escape. The order even included the hyuga of legend who was still bedridden.

As enemy forces started to slaughter the branch members left behind, It was said that he awoke as a new man, stronger in every sense. The legend says his eyes had become the true form of the byakugan. A byakugan evolved into the very eyes worn by our founder, Hamura Otsutsuki.

The legend ends with him saving the branch house to live another day with extraordinary abilities until he was killed in battle. Luckily, if the legend is true, he saved the branch house that day.

Of course nothing of the sort would ever be recorded into hyuga history by the main family but we believe it's highly plausible." Hashigi said, remembering the childhood legend with fondness.

Naruto and Hinata listened intently and when he finished they gave each other a look that silently conveyed a question, "Should she show them?" In the end, they silently agreed to trust the two before them to keep their mouths shut. If they didn't, there were ways to silence them.

Hinata formed a half-ram seal while focusing chakra to her eyes. First, she manifested her byakugan and began to push it to its limits, veins multiplying on the side of her face, trailing from her eyes.

She seemed to struggle for a moment, forcing more and more chakra to her eyes until the veins faded and her eyes glowed. Blue pupils formed with a white flowering pattern while her eyes seemed to assert a light pressure upon the room.

Neji and Hashigi had unconsciously activated their byakugan to see the process and were visibly stunned. It was a rare sight to see such a reaction from a hyuga, even the New Hyuga who seemed to be trying to take on their own identity.

"I think it might be a bit more than just a legend. No one was able to find a cure, not even Tsunade-sama and Naruto-kun didn't work his chakra magic this time either. My body was able to overcome the changes these eyes were making to it and I survived.

I'm not sure how I did but here I am. I'm also not sure why it happened to me but I believe it had something to do with the chakra forced into my body from the demon Miryo. Maybe its potency allowed my doujutsu to evolve or maybe it could've even been Naruto's chakra, which is pretty unique on its own.

I don't have many answers but that's what I know for now. I hope you can be satisfied with such little information." Hinata finished and deactivated her Tenseigan. The doujutsu was extremely taxing and her body had still been inactive for an extended period of time, despite the changes.

Hashigi hurried to gather himself but still held a light smile. "So it was true. I appreciate you showing us this, it'll be a secret held solely between the two of us. I'd love to know more and even work with you to test it's abilities but that discussion can be held another time, I've already taken up much of yours.

What detail did you have in mind regarding to your proposal," Hashigi said politely. Neji was still taken aback and looked at Hinata curiously. "I'd like volunteers from the New Hyuga clan to join a group we're creating for the protection of our clan.

We're willing to give more of your members the same bloodline thought they'll have to be compatible. Since we want this agreement to be lasting we'll give the ability to 1 member every two months.

They'll have to be vetted by one of our own and fitted with a seal to prevent them from leaking any of our confidential information or betraying us with malicious actions. We'll need at least 16 at our disposal at all times and they'll be paid well according to their rank. We're only accepting chuunin and above.

How do those terms sound Hashigi-san?" Naruto proposed. The elder Hyuga took a moment to think over the terms before responding. It wasn't a bad deal especially for a clan with nearly 2 thousand members but there were some things that needed to be discussed.

"This seal, as you can expect, the New Hyuga are a bit, reluctant, at the idea of being burdened or controlled by more seals.

What assurances can you give me that the seals won't be used to control and force members of our clan to do anything you wish." "The seal will be simple, a function for withholding sensitive information, and a function to safeguard actions carried out with malicious intent against members of my clan.

Activation will simply restrain and silence the affected shinobi while leaving them unharmed until further information is gathered. There won't be any part of the seal used to cause pain or control whoever it is placed on.

I'll provide you with the direct sources of the seals and explain it to a sealing professional of your choosing. In addition, I'll remove all seals and completely untether any of your shinobi immediately upon request so that you may question them about any concerns.

Do you find that acceptable, Hashigi-san?" Naruto responded. "Yes, that's agreeable, my council won't have an issue with those terms especially since it will be mainly voluntary, given you have the required shinobi.

I must ask one more thing though before we seal the agreement. Can you give the bloodline to the first four or our members as a measure of good faith? I'm sure it will help garner enthusiastic recruitment." Naruto thought about the last caveat and after a nod from Hinata, agreed.

"It seems like this will be beneficial to us all. The New Hyuga appreciate the offer and would like our clans to maintain a strong relationship going forward, if there's anything, feel free to contact us.

Until then, Neji and I have much to discuss. As the future leader of the New Hyuga, I want him to have an input on clan business so we'll take our leave." Hashigi said formally.

Neji, Naruto and Hinata exchanged pleasantries as well until a clone walked the hyuga out of the compound.

Hashigi Hyuga left very impressed and satisfied with the gains to his clan. They passed another clan head after leaving the compound gates and greeted each other politely before continuing on their way.

Hashigi couldn't help but look at Neji as they went. They had much to discuss indeed, the boy had high hopes and expectations to live up to and maybe there was a way to surpass them all.

Conveniently, Shibi and Shino Aburame were there at the gates moments later with the clone waiting. They were led to the Namiuzu clan leaders impromptu meeting room.

The Aburame too were given hot tea before exchanging greetings and getting to business. Shino was formal but it was expected while visiting as a representative of his clan.

"Naruto-san, it was most logical of you to seek us out in a time like this. From what we can see, it is a trying period of time for your clan. I'm hoping we can discuss matters freely before refining the details of your proposed deal." Shibi said.

"I figured you would want the details I refused to give to the council. I understand and I'll explain. Maybe it will shed more light on why I retaliated the way I did." Naruto responded. "Yes, that would be appreciated."

Naruto told Shibi a more detailed version of the one given to Hashisgi. The Aburame clan head was reserved in his reaction though Shino had let anger slip through his stoic expression.

They moved straight to hashing out the details of the Namiuzu's proposition that was identical to the one they'd given to the New Hyuga, Naruto even added in the New Hyugas caveat of four bloodlines upfront as a measure of goodwill.

Shibi asked similar questions regarding the seal and the use of the group they were creating. Much like with Hashigi, the clan head's concerns were easily abated and the deal was struck. Once business was done, Shibi and Shino relaxed slightly but continued the conversation.

"Naruto-san, If you don't mind me asking, what do you intend to do with the Yamanaka and Sarutobi heirs?" Shibi asked. "For now, nothing. I've been trying to find an answer to that question myself but I know that they won't be returning to their clan anytime soon. " Naruto responded.

"I see, well you should know that it's most logical to assume Inoichi and the Sarutobi will be willing to go to almost any means to have their heirs returned. The Yamanaka will be particularly troublesome I suspect.

It's perhaps too well known that Inoichi adores his daughter. You've taken possibly the one thing he holds most precious in the world. As you can imagine, this was a dangerous endeavor.

The Yamanaka aren't like other clans who's tactics will mainly use force and coercion. They'll come at you and your clan in ways you wouldn't expect. They'll use manipulation, information, surveillance, and subtle mind techniques.

Not only will they target you and your clan, they'll target those close to you and those close to them. Any of your clan's teammates, classmates, co-workers, superiors, subordinates, and friends can turn into an enemy or unwilling spy at any moment.

Even the most experienced and powerful shinobi in the world could be bested by their machinations. As an experienced clan head, I suggest you make attempts to de-escalate the conflict or remove yourself from the equation.

Anbu or a long term undercover mission would suffice." Shibi said. Naruto gritted his teeth, he was tired of hearing that. "Why is it that everyone insists that I hide and run from my enemies?" Naruto said in a measured tone.

Shibi began to answer but Anko stepped into the room apologetically but had a serious look on her face. She had just finished the paperwork to return to anbu when one returned to the headquarters with a new report. Since it involved her clan, she was briefed and returned to the compound right away.

Attention was placed solely on her and she passed her message quickly. "Hey sorry to interrupt your super important kitchen meeting but it looks like they've already made their move. The gaki's were abducted from the academy after being led away by that chunin instructor Mizuki.

Here, I found this right outside the compound gates when I arrived. I thought they weren't supposed to go to the academy today but I guess the gaki's didn't listen. I'll start searching for them" Anko tossed Naruto a scroll when she finished speaking and was about to leave when Naruto caught her.

"Wait, Anko, let me handle this. I may need your assistance later but for now I have it covered. If possible, I'd like you to stick around at the compound for a while just in case." Naruto replied.

"What the fuck? Why? Why are we waiting? That doesn't make sense." Anko questioned. She silently wondered if they just didn't trust her at the moment. "Anko, we have a plan and the situation isn't as dire as it seems." Hinata said.

Anko just looked confused and she was. What weren't they telling her, and why weren't they. Hinata could obviously see that she didn't like being left in the dark so she summoned gamakichi.

"Hey kichi, can you take Anko to the T2 compound training grounds? I think she'll find something interesting there." Hinata asked the toad politely. "Yeah no problem. I hope she has snacks."

The toad hopped onto Anko's shoulder and the snake mistress shrugged before turning to leave again. Naruto unrolled the scroll and began reading. The toad remembered something and stopped Anko with a tug on her trench coat. "Oh wait, Naruto, the geezers aren't happy with you.

We're supposed to tell you that old man Fukusaku and Mrs. Shima aren't happy with you and will be visiting later tonight. They'll send a toad ahead of time to let you know they're coming. That's all, see ya." The toad waved and left with Anko while pestering her for snacks.

"It appears we'll have to finish this discussion later, you have more pressing matters to attend to. Do you need assistance? It would be most logical to assume they'll be well protected." Shibi inquired.

"It's fine Shibi-san, We have a plan in place. We can finish before we attend to the matter. Please continue." Hinata said. Shibi and Shino looked a bit put off by their casual demeanor in such circumstances but figured they must have a very logical plan.

"Well, as I was saying, I mentioned removing yourself from the equation because you're at the center of it all. If your location was unknown even to your own clan, no-one could use your clan to get to you or your hostages, assuming the heirs stay with you.

Hinata-san will be around the Hokage majority of the time as one of her apprentices and will be protected which allows her to continue running clan affairs. You on the other hand will place everyone around you in danger.

Even if the threat of harm to your hostages keeps most of your enemies from acting openly, Jiraiya seems intent on getting his hands on you. Admittedly, I'm surprised at the turn of events. His actions were something I would more logically assume to come from Danzo though it appears times change and so do shinobi.

That being said, a man as one-track minded as Jiraiya can easily have his attention directed in strategic places. In this case, that being yourself. I'm not asking you to run, Naruto-san. Shino has assured me you'd do no such thing.

Instead I'm asking you to use yourself as bait. For the protection of your clan and for the better of Konoha, I'm asking you to lure their attention elsewhere until you're better able to manage the conflict.

If you succeed, and survive, I believe you'll find it to have been the most logical option as well." Shibi said, saying more than most Aburame ever do in one conversation which indicated the amount of thought he'd put into the topic.

"Naruto, I have to agree. I plan on joining Anbu soon and I'm sure Tsunade-sama could place us on a long-term assignment. I would be your most logical partner for such a task. At least consider it." Shino added.

Naruto took a moment to think about their words. Regardless of how they spun it, it still felt like running. He wouldn't run. "I appreciate the advice, though If I don't take it, I mean no offense. I haven't made my decision yet but I will soon.

I'll send Shino a crow when I do but until then, I have some clan business to attend to. I'll have a clone walk you out. Thanks for coming and it was nice seeing you Shino, we'll catch up real soon." Naruto said before the rest exchanged greetings and the Aburame left.

Naruto and Hinata stayed there in silence contemplating the future of their clan. They were up against heavy odds but there was a way through. "So they acted immediately just like we thought huh." Naruto said.

"It's a good thing the kids never actually went to the academy. Now we just need to know exactly what they want now." Hinata said, looking at Naruto knowingly.

"If they just want me, and are willing to give up Ino and Konohamaru, then me staying really will place everyone else in more danger. Especially if they're willing to torture kids which we'll find out soon.

But If they're willing to trade the two heirs for Hinabi, Shizuka, Arashi, and Rukia, then we can't say for sure things would be any better off with me gone. Either way, It'll reveal their intentions and tell us how bad they want me. Naruto said.

"We're all ready for whatever comes our way regardless." Hinata said back. "But if it's the first scenario and they're willing to go to absolutely any lengths to get their hands on me, then it would be better for the clan if I left until I'm stronger." Naruto said, knowing it was on Hinata's mind.

"Yes, it would." Hinata said with an apologetic look in her eyes. She hated to say it, but she herself wasn't strong enough to protect him or the rest of the clan either. She needed time to train and grow stronger but she wouldn't have it if one or both of them died.

They'd been pushed in the corner and It was either go down fighting or prolong the fight to a time where they can win. They weren't alone anymore and had to think of the futures of others. It'd tear her heart to see him go but It might be the only way.

Naruto could see the conflict in her eyes and didn't want to argue. He just nodded and gave her a hug. "I'm going to go spring our plan, If I can't get away, I'll send a crow but I'm sure I can do it." Naruto said softly.

"I'll be watching, I'll bring Anko and come help the moment it looks like you need it so hurry and get out of there ok?" Hinata said. "I promise Hina-hime." Naruto gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and was gone in a wind shunshin.

His exit made the scroll he'd left on the table fly into the air, Hinata caught it and it read, 'We know you'll be able to find them. Come alone or they will disappear.' The scroll was burned to ashes in Hinata's hand with a small fire jutsu used to destroy documents.

It was so simple that the shinobi's chakra nature didn't matter. It was how she felt about the situation. They hadn't even asked for the two clan heirs to be returned. They just asked for Naruto. She was already having a bad feeling and hoped he was ready.

Naruto went straight to the academy and started tracking there. It took him a while to shuffle through minute traces of chakra until he found traces of the ones he was looking for. He tracked them all the way to the southern side of the village gates and over the wall, not far from the guard tower.

The fact that they could pass here meant the guards were working with them or incapacitated. Naruto ran up the wall and spread out his senses. The guard was knocked out and the other guard supposed to be there was gone.

Naruto activated his seigan and the ball of energy rolled as he scanned ahead. He found them almost 4 kilometers away in a forest clearing. Of course there were at least a couple dozen chakra signatures.

He sped to the location making out the chakra signatures he knew as he closed the distance. He didn't identify any Yamanaka but there were definitely Sarutobi mixed in with the shinobi.

One signature he did feel for sure was Ibiki' surprised Naruto was one he didn't find, Jiraiyas. When Naruto was nearly there,something didn't feel right so he stopped to expand his senses to a wider range.
Just as he suspected, Jiraiya wasn't too far away, a couple kilometers at most. He was most likely waiting for Naruto to appear so the redhead knew he had to be fast. Naruto sensed two more chakra signatures and he was sure that they shouldn't be anywhere close to the village.

They could make his life troublesome depending on their intentions but Naruto would at least be a step ahead. He'd found them before they found him. Still, he had a more immediate problem at hand.

Ibiki and his people were surrounding the captives and waiting for his arrival in a small clearing. Ibiki stood in front, acting as a last line of defense in Naruto's path.

Some of the shinobi were scattered in the trees around the area, a typical approach. Naruto decided to get it over with. He used a shunshin to appear in the small clearing full of masked shinobi with a dark green theme.

Naruto flashed a look at his supposed clan members and saw that Arashi and

Rukia were a bit roughed up. It wasn't enough to break their transformation so they must've been mouthing off to keep up the act.

As far as Naruto could see, they had no seals on them which was stupid. Even if their captives were kids, kids can be dangerous too. They were heavily bound and guarded which would normally be enough for academy students, normally.

So far so good, Naruto thought. "What are your terms?" Naruto said plainly. "You are to surrender yourself to us and these children will be released safely after the return of the Yamanaka and Sarutobi Clan heirs. That's the deal, non-negotiable." Ibiki Morino said

Naruto smiled, "Now Ibiki, I thought I made it clear you'd never get your hands on me again. I also made it clear that you and your accomplices had hell to pay." Naruto mused.

"Allow me to be clear now, give yourself up quietly and they won't be harmed. They'll be returned in exchange for the two clan heirs. Make your decision now before it's off the table." Ibiki responded coldly.

"I'll give you and these shinobi once chance to live, take the clan heirs and return my people, now Ibiki." Naruto responded, his expression turning serious. "You're a bit outnumbered to be making demands." Ibiki said before motioning to his men, "Take him."

"Multi-shadow clone Jutsu," Naruto said under his breath while weaving the quick hand seal before over 600 clones began appearing in the forest around them. The masked shinobi in dark green anbu gear paused for a moment in shock before attacking clones at random.

Initially they were successful and clones were dispelled in hordes cloaking the area in smoke for a brief moment. When the smoke cleared, the clones were all running away. Ibiki was watching the turn of events carefully and immediately figured Naruto was trying to escape.

"Don't let him get away!" Ibiki ordered as he turned around to check on the captives. When he looked back he saw the kids transform into copies of Naruto. Something that shouldn't be possible because they'd roughed them up to dispel any clones or transformations.

"Shinobi's greatest art is deception." A blood clone chided. Ibiki cursed under his breath, he knew he should've made one of the Yamanaka's sensors come along but they had been too reluctant to act directly.

Ibiki didn't have time to fully process the situation, he was forced to dodge a horizontal cut aimed at his neck. Ibiki ducked under the slash, rolled away from the follow up, and jumped further away to create distance.

By the time he settled he was weaving hand seals. Naruto appeared behind him in a burst of speed and shoved furaijin through his back the moment Ibiki landed.

In another puff of smoke, Ibiki was replaced with a log covered in explosive tags. Naruto cut the log in half with the strike meant to hit Ibiki yet recognized the substitution before it happened.

He used his heads up to materialize chains that grabbed both pieces of the log and slung them towards the T head, standing in a tree not far behind Naruto, performing a jutsu.

The log exploded but the special jounin was quick enough to abandon his position before being caught in the explosion. Naruto was planning to push the attack when he was surrounded by masked ninja.

Naruto smiled as his blood clones blurred behind them just as quickly as they'd appeared unbeknownst to his opponents. Naruto released a barrage of chains to momentarily catch their attention and a second later the 6 surrounding him had been fatally slashed from behind.

Naruto nodded to the blood clones in appreciation for putting up such a convincing act as his clan's academy students. Luckily Ibiki hadn't brought a sensor which meant the Yamanaka weren't involved, at least not openly.

Naruto was signaling his clones their next move when a sealing circle appeared around him. A split second later, two halves of a giant iron cat appeared and tried to close them in. Luckily they hadn't dropped their guard.

Naruto immediately set to dispeling the summoning circle by slamming a palm on the ground and using his seigan. His blood clones released dozens of thick chains that darted out of the openings to prevent the Iron prison from closing completely leaving only a handful of inches of space.

"It's no use, no one has broken free of my iron Maiden once it's reached this point. Even so, I'll admit, your shadow clones are formidable to trick us like they did but we've achieved our goal." Ibiki was right outside of the Iron Maiden using his control over it to force it close.

Naruto's clones struggled to keep the Iron tomb from sealing their fate but were unyielding even if they weren't making progress prying it open. Naruto could feel a genjutsu trying to take effect but with a pulse of his seigan, it was shattered.

"It's no use, you've been caught and Jiraiya should be here at any moment. Stop fighting. I would say this isn't personal, and initially it wasn't. That was until you killed Idate. This time we'll torture everything out of you, even your very personality, your humanity." Ibiki growled out.

Naruto knew the man was a sadist and he'd never give him the satisfaction again. It was going to be a long, painful punishment for Ibiki. Naruto flew through hand seals before slamming his palm on the ground again.

Giant roots and tree trunks sprouted up and around the Iron maiden before completely encasing it and spreading inside. With his wood having a firm hold, Naruto used his mokuton to pry open his prison to be.

As the Iron maiden was pried free and dispelled, Naruto gave Ibiki a challenging glare. The rest of Ibiki's men had gathered around them and were waiting to attack, or just waiting for Jiraiya, it didn't matter to Naruto. .

Naruto's blood clones immediately took the opportunity to carry out Naruto's last orders and created 100 clones each that ran off like the clones before. Just like before, the clones created enough confusion for Naruto and his blood clones to act. They even took out a couple more of Ibiki's men.

Naruto and his clones stood back to back and blurred through hand seals before performing katon, burning fountain. Naruto and his clones released a thick blanket of flames that quickly engulfed the clearing and raged into the tree line.

The flames burned for a moment and the screams that followed were a good indicator that they'd caught some more of those shinobi. Naruto felt a genjutsu trying to penetrate his chakra system again and followed the chakra back to Ibiki.

The man was behind a thick mud wall that was beginning to crumble. Naruto hadn't taken him for a genjutsu guy but the man was definitely proficient. He was using another impressive genjutsu but Naruto shattered the illusion, his seigan blaring in defiance.

His blood clones disappeared from his side, working as a team in an attempt to pick off the masked shinobi that remained. Naruto didn't even have to deliver the order. As they disappeared, A masked shinobi appeared above Naruto wielding a bo staff.

He was coming down with a downward strike that no doubt held crushing force. Naruto held his ground with furaijin held upward in a defensive position. On impact he sliced forward. Furaijin's chakra flared and the blade cut cleanly through the staff and through the incoming shinobi.

Naruto sensed Ibiki quickly approaching behind him and formed a chain shield at the last moment to block a crushing punch to his back. The Redhead was still sent flying from the force of the punch but righted himself in the air and landed on his feet.

The moment his feet landed, he enacted a series of jumps to deflect a barrage of shuriken and kunai from Ibiki. Naruto heard a sizzle from one of the kunai thrown and jumped away right as the explosion tore through a burning tree behind him.

Ibiki blurred through hand seals while using his top speed to appear beside Naruto as the redhead landed roughly, the T specialist thrust out a palm towards Naruto to force the boy into a torturous sleep using his , Hidden art, Demon Palm Ilusion jutsu.

The palm struck cleanly on Naruto's side forcing chakra directly into the boy's system. Naruto's seigan faded and his eyes rolled back. Ibiki caught him and began pulling out seals from his pouch when his shinobi senses sounded a blaring alarm.

Ibiki jumped away but it was too late when Naruto exploded. The special jounin was rocketed through a tree before he was able to catch himself in the branches of another.

A searing pain ran through his back from the embers of the tree his body had gone through but he instantly pushed it to the back of his mind. Ibiki frantically searched for Naruto and found him when a blade cut through his back.

Naruto immediately jumped to a tree six meters to his west, ignoring the Ibiki he'd just slashed as it faded into nothingness. It had been a genjutsu substitution executed perfectly. Naruto spotted Ibiki running through more hand seal's from another tree.

The man spat out a decent sized fireball he'd obviously rushed. Naruto could tell ninjutsu wasn't his specialty and sent a bolt of lighting from furaijin to cancel it out. Naruto dashed through the remaining flames to another branch, slashing at Ibiki who once again tried using a genjutsu substitution.

The man appeared behind Naruto, delivering a kick to the redhead's back. Naruto was ejected off the branch from the force of the kick. He landed on the ground harshly but looked up at Ibiki smirking.

Ibiki had seemingly just noticed a blue chain wrapped around the foot that had just kicked Naruto. In just a couple seconds, Naruto had taken a third of the man's remaining chakra and was still going. He'd even tightened his chains hold until it was a crushing grip that wasn't going to let go.

Naruto yanked back with his chain to bring the man to him but surprisingly, he'd only gotten a foot. He looked back and saw Ibiki with a kunai in his hand, glaring at him with a controlled furry.

Naruto smiled, picked up the foot, and held it up to Ibiki tauntingly. "What's wrong Ibiki? Did you think Jiraiya would be here to save you by now?" A masked shinobi Interrupted Naruto's taunts with a barrage of kunai.

Naruto prepared to parry them but they were intercepted by kunai thrown by his blood clones. He watched as they surrounded the shinobi and dismantled him with chains coming from every direction.

While they weren't as strong as Naruto, they were easily as strong as the average chuunin and would continue to train and grow stronger by the day. When they worked together using his diverse skill set, they were scary. Naruto's smile grew to a shit eating grin.

He turned back to Ibiki who'd just finished hand seals for another genjutsu, a strong one.

Naruto allowed it to take hold, willing to bet his Seigan could break it.

He appeared in an empty black space and it was cold. Then, steel bars for a perfectly symmetrical cube materialized around him.

It appeared as if he was closed in. Next, Ibiki appeared right in front of him and wires started to wrap around his limbs and torso. Ibiki stepped closer before he spoke. "Like, I said. This time, it's personal." Then, the wires started to tighten around Naruto.

Naruto flared his seigan and it rolled in his eyes, flaring dangerously. The wires snapped and the bars fell apart disappearing into nothing along with the genjutsu.

He wondered when Ibiki realized he had a better chance putting an Uchiha in a genjutsu. His seigan couldn't compare in performing genjutsu but it might be even better in dispelling them. In the real world, Ibiki stood on one foot, stunned, in front of Naruto.

The boy had taken on some of his best genjutsu, his specialty and had shrugged them all off as if he, the seasoned shinobi, was a genin. The T specialist reminded himself right then and there why it was so important the boy be loyal to konoha, regardless of the means.

His power couldn't be left in untrusted hands, it wouldn't be long until the boy was a match for even Jiraiya. He hoped the sannin would be arriving soon. He didn't have the required skill to win such a fight, Ibiki thought.

Naruto grabbed Ibiki with his chains, quicker than the surprised sadist could react at such a distance. The redhead then molded the most tainted chakra he could imagine.

He took hints of miryo's and kurama's chakra and created a polluted rasengan in his hand. Simultaneously releasing his hold with his chains, Naruto shoved a purple rasengan into his stomach and let it explode. The swirling mass of dark chakra sinking deep into the man before being destabilized.

Ibiki was sent flying, spiraling like a ragdoll until Jiraiya caught him. "You think a few clones would be enough to slow me? Jiraiya asked. "You obviously didn't get here in time. Ibiki's near death, all his men are dead, and my whole clan got away safe.

"Not your whole clan, you're still right here gaki. I'll make sure Ibiki lives to see you be the, mindless, but good little shinobi you were meant to be." Jiraiya retorted. Naruto's blood clones were gone leaving Naruto alone with his new opponent.

"Tell me, how do you plan on catching me, and saving Ibiki. You gonna summon a toad to transport him safely?" Naruto replied, chuckling. The tense situation seemed to tickle him

"Yea alright, laugh it up. We'll see who's laughing in a moment." Jiraiya said as he created a clone to take Ibiki. "Don't forget his foot," Naruto said in jest while pointing at the man's foot on the ground where he'd dropped it during the genjutsu.

The elder sannin was thoroughly prodded and Jiraiya blurred from his position charging Naruto. The redhead took up a defensive position openly challenging Jiraiya. His seigan was started to glow with burning intensity.

When Jiraiya attacked, Naruto made no move to defend himself and was just dispelled. Jiraiya cursed, the boy was gone. He figured that Naruto must've left the moment the boy finished Ibiki. It meant that the boy had a head start, not that he couldn't be caught, Jiraiya thought.

Jiraiya's clone appeared next to the sannin holding Ibiki and the real Jiraiya grabbed Ibiki's separated foot before sitting it on the man's body. If they were quick they could get the foot put back on so he hurriedly ushered his clone off.

Right before the clone and Jiraiya set off, a seal appeared on the foot and a moment later it exploded. A shadow clone of a certain red haired shinobi smirked in the trees before dispelling himself.

Naruto smirked at his clone's memories. He'd created enough distance that he was sure he could make it back to his clan compound without being intercepted. Still, though he could've gone for safety, he wanted to check something out first. If he played it right, he could even keep Jiraiya off his back, just for the moment.

Naruto tracked two powerful chakra signatures moving slowly on a path towards Konoha. He confirmed the Identity of one of them and had a decent guess on the other based on a shinobi's entry in the bingo book.

The red head could also sense Jiraiya setting off in his direction. His blood clones were supposed to act as decoys because their chakra signatures were almost exactly like his own.

Unfortunately, their chakra pool was less than half of his. They had a massive amount of chakra but it was still distinguishable from his own which was probably why Jiraiya wasn't fooled by them playing decoy. Naruto knew he had to be quick.