Five months later, Shibuki is beginning to regret his decision to allow Naruto and Fuu to train together. Although the two of them have made immense progress, they seem to get into trouble more than they train. Half the time, their jounin-sensei can't even find them. Shibuki had wanted the village's two (two!) jinchuuriki to learn to work together to gain greater control over their bijuu. That, unfortunately, had not happened, but luckily only Shibuki's emotions have been out of control.
He sighs when he hears them barreling down the hall to his office. The door bursts open to reveal two soaked and laughing genin.
"Fuu, Naruto, what have you done?"
"Hi Shibuki!" Naruto chirps as a response. Shibuki sighs.
"Shibuki, we have a question for you," Fuu says much more carefully.
"And what's that?"
"So you know how Konoha's hosting chuunin exams next month?"
Shibuki sighs again. He knows exact where this is going. "Yes, I do."
"Can Naruto and I please go?" Before Shibuki can answer, Fuu begins rattling off all of the reasons that they should participate. "We've both been working really hard, and we've gotten super strong. We have to prove ourselves against other genin to know how we compare to other villages. We've been genin forever. Did you see how we managed to turn the whole river purple and none of the jounin noticed until we finished? That's proof we should be chuunin!"
"Fuu," Shibuki says sharply, interrupting her chatter. "You know how I feel about you leaving the village. It's dangerous for you."
"But Naruto will be with me! We've been training really, really hard together," Shibuki could beg to differ there. "And we've gotten super powerful as a team. Plus, you'll send Kegon-sensei with us, right?"
"And what about during the exams? Kegon won't be able to protect you there."
"Do you really think some genin can kill us?"
"It's not the genin I'm worried about," Shibuki mutters, but he still considers the request. He hates having Fuu out of his sight. She's a target, especially when she is out of the village where Taki cannot protect her. Yet, sending both Naruto and Fuu—who, despite their goofing off, have progressed extremely fast due to their friendly competitiveness—would be a show of power. Not only would it display the talents of Taki's genin but also show off that tiny Takigakure now has two bijuu, more than some of the Five Great Nations.
Over the past few months, Shibuki has pondered when he should let the world know about Naruto. If Konoha, Iwa, or Kiri decide to steal him back, Taki is, for lack of a better word, fucked. But at this point, he still doesn't know which bijuu Naruto holds, and neither would any of the other villages. While he can think of techniques that might be used to determine that Naruto is a jinchuuriki, after five months of research, he has found no documentation of any techniques that will allow them to determine which bijuu Naruto holds unless they are already familiar with the bijuu's chakra. Plus, from his research on the jinchuuriki themselves and spying within the other villages, he's found no indication that any of the other villages claim a little boy jinchuuriki. As far as he knows, their reports match his.
No village would attack unless they are absolutely certain that he holds their missing bijuu, and even then, Konoha's self-proclaimed pacifist Hokage is probably more likely to attempt diplomacy. The fact that none of the countries communicate with the others could also play to his advantage.
Meanwhile, the period of uncertainty that would develop as each village struggles to learn more about his newly-acquired asset would put him in a leveraged position which would allow him to establish new trade agreements and develop better alliances.
It would be a gamble but likely a worthwhile one.
Every way that Shibuki has approached the problem of his new asset, it all comes back to the fact that, although Naruto is proving to be an extremely talented shinobi, he is most valuable if other villages know of his existence. And to achieve that, Shibuki will need to take a few risks.
Maybe the Chuunin Exams are the perfect opportunity to announce Naruto's existence to the world.
"Fine, you can go."
Fuu who had resumed her chattering as Shibuki thought, abruptly stops talking. "Really?"
"Yes, you can go. On the condition that Yooroo comes with you as your sensei and Kegon serves as your third team member. You must never ditch him. He will protect you during the exam."
"You'll really let us go?"
He almost wants to laugh at how incredulous Fuu is. "Yes."
"Woohoo! We're going to make so many friends!" Without waiting for another word from him, the two of them bounce from the hall, leaving a puddle and wet footprints behind them.
Shibuki sighs. Even if everything goes horribly wrong, at least he'll have some peace and quiet.
Minato runs his hands through his hair. It is unruly as ever, but he disregards the way it stands on end. It's been like that for nearly 13 years.
On his desk in front of him is a long list of candidates. He scans the list to see which teams have arrived today. Four teams from Sand and the one from Taki. Honestly, Minato was surprised when he learned that Taki was sending a team. Konoha and Taki aren't on the best terms, so it's unusual to see them risk sending their youth to Konoha territory.
Of course, Minato would never hurt children, but his reputation implies otherwise.
He freezes as he reads the names of the members that I have already arrived. Not only has Taki sent a girl that Minato knows to be its jinchuuriki, but it's also sent a boy named Kyuuryuu Naruto.
Naruto.
Minato shakes his head. It has to be a coincidence. Even though The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja didn't sell out like the Icha Icha series, it was still a good book that probably inspired people elsewhere.
"Lord Hokage."
Minato looks up to see Itachi standing in his doorway, passive as ever. "My mother will be furious to learn that you're still working. You had better not miss dinner."
Minato clears his throat sheepishly. "Of course not, Itachi. I'll be there as soon as I finish final preparations for the Chuunin exams." At a raised eyebrow from Itachi, Minato laughs, "I promise it won't be long."
True to his promise, Minato quickly finishes up his scan of the scroll of arrivals and assures that they all received proper accommodations. He then organizes his desk before using a Hiraishin to teleport to just outside of the Uchiha compound. He takes his time walking through the compound, greeting those who are outside of their homes.
He prefers to avoid risking upsetting the Uchiha by invading their privacy and teleporting directly into their compound, and though relations between the Uchiha and Konoha are strong, the early years of his tenure as Hokage still haunt him. Danzo had been working behind his back to manipulate the Uchiha into starting a coup. Minato still shudders to think what might have happened if Mikoto hadn't trusted him enough to bring up the issue. Thanks to her, Minato had been able to work with the Uchiha to imprison Danzo and dismantle Root.
He arrives at the clan head's house just as Itachi is taking off his shoes.
"Hokage-sama," Itachi greets, "as fast as ever."
"I could never miss your mother's dinner."
Almost a year after Kushina left, when it became obvious that she wasn't coming back, Mikoto—who was nearly as heartbroken as Minato—invited him over to dinner on a Friday night. She insisted that he needed to do something besides work and mope over Kushina, but Minato knew that it was also a selfish offer. They both needed a distraction. Mikoto was home all day with her baby boy, forced to remember the shared promises between her and Kushina that they would raise their children together. With no one else to talk to, the memories must have plagued her.
Minato was adverse to the idea at first. He didn't want to have fun with Kushina's best friend without Kushina. He didn't want to have any fun without Kushina. But Mikoto seemed desperate for his company. They spent that first night reminiscing together, and by doing so, it seemed like Kushina was there with them.
Friday night dinners quickly became a ritual. Once or twice, he tried canceling simply because he didn't feel like going, but Mikoto always gave him hell when he did. So Minato was careful to attend unless there was a meeting or some other unavoidable work that necessitated his presence. Even then, Itachi would be sent to check his schedule with his receptionist to verify that Minato wasn't lying.
So now, even thirteen later, Friday night dinners remain an obligation. Most weeks, although he is generally looking forward to a bout of socializing and the short break from work, he struggles to tear himself away from his desk.
This week, though, he's actually excited to attend. He knows the genin have run into each other as they've gone about their preparations for the exams. It happens at every exam, the petty arguments that arise between cocky teenagers. He usually follows their spats with idle amusement, but this year, Minato is curious.
"So Sasuke, have you met any of the genin teams from other countries?" Minato asks as they sit down to dinner.
"Just one," Sasuke says. "One of the teams from Suna."
"Oh?"
"There's creepy kid on it. He tried to attack me."
"Did he?" Minato furrows his brows as he contemplates this news. He knew Rasa was sending his unstable jinchuuriki son. As Suna's ally, he chose not to protest. He is confident that with 24-hour surveillance and his own sealing skills, the Ichibi can easily be contained if necessary. He does have an entire shelf of seals that he designed to contain the Kyuubi. The Ichibi would be too easy to contain after so many years of preparation.
Minato is also secretly hoping that the opportunity to be closer to the boy will also allow him to learn more about his faulty seal. If he can learn enough about it, he may be able to find a way to seal off the connection between the bijuu and his host. He's offered to Rasa to take a look at it countless times, but the Kazekage is too proud to admit that Minato is a better sealer than the best in Kaze no Huni.
No child should have to suffer as much as Rasa's child has suffered.
"Yeah, he has a crazy ability to control the sand in this gourd on his back. But his siblings stopped him before he could do anything. I—" Sasuke hesitates and glances around the dining room. Seeing no one else there, he drops his voice and continues. "I don't think I could have beaten him if he'd attacked."
Minato is surprised by the boy's honesty. He has always been a child trying to live up to the high standard that his older brother sets, always trying to appear better than he is in hopes that his brother will spend more time with him or that his father will recognize his skills. The situation has always saddened Minato, and he seeks to praise Sasuke whenever possible, showing him the love and confidence that Sasuke doesn't receive from his own father.
He can't help the satisfaction that surfaces as he realizes his efforts have paid off and Sasuke is willing to confide in him.
"That's an adept and very mature observation. He is certainly unstable and extremely dangerous. Have you determined how you would have beaten him if it came to a fight?"
The startled jerk of Sasuke's head suggests that he has not.
"You should do that with everyone who is participating in the exam. You never know who you'll end up fighting in the finals."
Sasuke nods with a determined glint in his eyes, and at that moment, Mikoto enters the room and sets their meal on the table. "Sasuke, please remind your father and brother that it's dinnertime."
As Sasuke skulks off, Minato switches to more appropriate dinner talk. While he knows Mikoto will never lose her temper on him as Kushina would, he can't bear the disappointment he knows she'll feel if he is too fixated on work.
Yet, when the entire family is settled at the table, Fugaku brings it up anyway.
"So do you think any of the Konoha genin have a chance in this year's exams?"
Minato contemplates those who have been entered into the exams. "Yes, I believe we have several who are likely to be promoted. Hyuuga Neji is certainly a front runner. He's one of our best genin. Nara Shikamaru may also have a chance if he decides to put in the effort. I also think both Sai and Sasuke have a good chance."
Sasuke carefully hides a satisfied smile, but Minato sees him make eye contact with a very proud-looking Itachi.
Minato grins at the two brothers.
"His team is quite strong," Minato continues. "which will get them through the first two rounds. Then, as long as Sasuke can demonstrate his skills in the one-on-one fights in final round, I think he has a good chance of being promoted, regardless of the outcome."
"How is the competition from the other villages?" Fugaku asks.
"Sound is a wildcard, but otherwise, the competition is tough. Suna has sent as least one team that will do quite well. It has all three of Rasa's children on it, including his jinchuuriki son. Taki too has sent it's jinchuuriki."
Fugaku raises his eyebrows. "Has it now."
"I was as surprised as you are to see her name on the list. But it seems they have also disguised a jounin as a genin to keep her safe during the exam."
"And you're allowing that?"
Minato shrugs. "We'll surveil him, and as long as he doesn't hurt any of the genin, I won't complain. I don't want to worsen our relations. And knowing Shibuki, he's only worried for the well-being of his jinchuuriki"
"Two jinchuuriki, though," Itachi says. "This will be a challenging year."
Minato wonders if Itachi is referring to the challenge other genin will have when facing the jinchuuriki or if he is referring to Minato's own security efforts.
He swallows the groan that threatens to escape as he thinks of the busy month ahead. "It certainly will be." At least it will give him plenty of distractions from his personal life.
Naruto has never seen such a huge village. He feels lost in a forest of buildings, unable to keep track of their path as he and Fuu wander the streets with their jounin escorts. Throngs of people press around them. There are so many people.
Still, even surrounded by his allies, swimming in a sea of strangers, he can't help but feel nervous. The faces of the four Hokage watch over the city, and it feels like they can see everything that happens.
He hasn't forgotten baa-chan and Tobi-nii's warnings.
He pats his hair. Of course he can't see it, but it's a good reminder that it's newly dyed. Maybe with his blonde hair so well hidden, he won't draw the attention of the Hokage. Sure, Konoha is way nicer than he expected, but he really doesn't want to be a prisoner here. He really likes working with Fuu and being a ninja for Taki. Shibuki isn't a bad guy, and Naruto gets personalized ninja training every day. It's awesome!
Plus, he gets all that while working his way to someday find Tobi-nii. Sharkface is such a good ninja that he found Naruto in the evening after he received his genin headband. After chewing him out for not listening, Sharkface reluctantly commended Naruto for so quickly settling into Takigakure. He then approved Naruto's plans as long as Naruto gave Sharkface any information that he learned about Fuu or the village and did not give away his true identity.
Since then, Sharkface has stopped by Taki a few times. It's always when Naruto is exploring on his own so that the Taki ninjas don't see them. Naruto tells Sharkface what he's been up to, all about the village workings, and about Fuu. Sharkface is really curious about her powers and the things she does throughout the day. Naruto thinks that it's really sweet that her personality is so important to Sharkface, so he shares everything. He hopes that means that Sharkface and Tobi-nii will be extra welcoming when they finally get Fuu out of the village!
Still, he didn't tell Sharkface about coming to Konoha. He's pretty sure the guy would flip if he found out and then probably take him away from Taki. Naruto doesn't want to leave. He really likes being a Taki ninja and hanging out with Fuu! A little trip to Konoha shouldn't be a big deal…as long as he makes it back to Taki.
That's why knowing the Hokage is somewhere in the town and could at any moment kidnap him really stresses him out.
"What's up, Naruto? This place is so cool! Cheer up!"
He gives Fuu a bright smile, trying to push his worries to the back of his mind. He doesn't want to ruin this experience for her. She's so excited. It's her first time away from Taki, and her eyes visibly glisten with excitement. All the way to Konoha, she lagged behind, occasionally stumbling because she was so busy looking around her. Naruto found it really endearing, and he wondered how she would react if he were ever able to take her to Uzushio to see the ocean for the first time.
"Wanna get some dango? There's a place just ahead!"
Fuu takes his hand and doesn't wait for an answer. Naruto doesn't mind. It's been really cool traveling with Kegon-sensei and Yooroo because they got a whole bunch of money from Shibuki for the trip, and they buy the genin anything they want.
But as they're dashing through the streets he smells something that makes him dig his heels into the ground. It smells just like Baa-chan's ramen. Like some guy in Konoha managed to sneak a generations-old recipe out of Uzushio. He glances around and identifies a small, inconspicuous stand called Ichiraku. His mouth waters from the smell.
"Can we get ramen instead?"
"We just ate lunch," Fuu whines. "Let's save it for dinner!"
"But it smells so good! I'll just grab some and meet you at the dango place."
"I want to eat it too though!" Fuu whines.
"How about I have one bowl now, and then we come back for dinner?" Fuu sighs, but Naruto knows from the look on her face that it's all for show. She can't hold back her smile. "As long as you promise that we can come back tonight. I think I'll finish first. So I'll come find you."
He laughs, snatches up the coins already waiting in Yooroo's outstretched hand, and turns to dash away from them, waving goodbye over his shoulder.
Thump.
Naruto bumps into what looks like a body wrapped in cloth. A mummy, maybe? It's definitely person-shaped. He would like to say that he doesn't scream. He really doesn't. But it's sitting in his throat, ready to escape, until the body shifts to reveal a sneering face decorated in purple paint that's almost just as creepy. "Watch where you're going, jerk."
"Look who's talking," Naruto sneers back, all fear dripping out of him as his instincts kick in.
"I was standing still, you idiot. Or is that too complicated for your dumb brain to understand? Should I bash it into your skull?"
"Kankuro," a blond girl beside him warns.
"Naruto!" At the same time Fuu pulls up beside him, warily eyeing their antagonists. "Who are these freaks?"
"If it isn't the jinchuuriki from the backwoods," Kankuro laughs, eyeing Fuu. Then he turns to the blonde girl. "You'd think someone would have warned her who she's up against. But then again, there's a reason her village is so small."
"You take that back," Fuu growls, baring her teeth at the boy. Naruto has never seen her like this. She's dangerous, lethal even. Power seems to thrum under her skin, and anger pours from her body.
"I don't see any reason to take back the truth." The creepy kid shrugs nonchalantly and casually turns as if ready to walk away.
Fuu launches herself at him, all flying limbs and whipping hair. But before her fists can come into contact with him, they meet a thin sheet of sand. At the same moment, Kegon-sensei is behind her and throws his arms around her to hold her back. She screams at him, to let her go, to let her fight, that he's a traitor if he doesn't. When he doesn't listen, she let's out her wings and throws punches towards him. None of them land of course, and somehow, through it all, Kegon-sensei is able to get a better hold on her.
Naruto knows he should go help her. They're teammates. They need to support each other! But he's frozen in place. There's a feel in the air, crackling like electricity, a power even stronger and more malicious than Fuu's. The wall of sand dissolves to reveal a third face transfixed on Fuu.
"Don't waste your time, Kankuro. These idiots aren't worth the effort to kill."
Fuu lets out a new tirade of insults, and Kegon-sensei grunts as he holds her back. But Naruto can't bring himself to be angry.
Dead seafoam eyes, ringed with exhaustion, filled only with apathy, meet his. But he swears he saw them flash black and gold for just a moment.
Something stirs within him.
