Disclaimer: I do not own ANY Naruto characters, these awesome characters belong to Kishimoto.

(EDITED: 10/17/2021)

The Fourth Hokage's Son

Chapter One

The Council room was filled with tension as Ibiki Morino announced the current issue at hand.

'Itachi Uchiha seems to have kidnapped an Iwa child and is now running at full speed towards Konoha with Iwa shinobi in pursuit. The Tsuchikage is demanding for the child's immediate return, otherwise, Iwa will declare war on Konoha.'

"Who would have thought that he would do such a thing?" one of the civilian council members asked in disbelief, and the rest followed left and right as they voiced out their own protests.

"The boy has gone mad!" the Kurama clan head viciously snarled, and the others from the smaller clans nodded in agreement.

"He kidnapped a child from Iwa and still has the gall to come back here? Is he trying to start another war!?" Koharu, one of the Elder council added in indignation.

"Hokage-sama! We must stop Itachi Uchiha!"

"We must execute him and send the child back to Iwa!"

"Hokage-sama!"

One after another, the civilian council members and the head of the smaller clans protested while the major clans stayed silent, patiently waiting for the Hokage's decision.

Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, pretended not to hear the uproars around him and directed his gaze at Fugaku Uchiha instead.

Onyx's eyes clashed with calm cerulean. One glance was all Minato needed to know that his long-time friend was worried, but he still refrained from defending his son to avoid making the situation worse. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio remained neutral as well. Hiashi and Shibi simply looked contemplative but didn't join the objections– and for that, Minato was grateful.

The other clans though: Kurama, Onikuma, Tenma, the civilian, and Elder council were giving Minato a headache.

"Ibiki..." Minato's voice, calm yet full of authority, rang through the noises, making every single person in the room go still.

"You said that Itachi was reported missing four hours after arriving at your destination," Minato pointed out calmly.

Ibiki cleared his throat as he stood in front of the council. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Everything seemed normal when we left for the recon mission; even as we traveled until we dispersed to conduct our individual investigations," he paused for a second as if reliving the events in his mind again before continuing. "There were three hours allotted for each member to return. However, Itachi Uchiha never came back and the squad began to search for him. A few hours after the search started, a loud explosion was heard in the forest between the borders of the Land of Fire and Earth. Immediately, the squad came to investigate the site but what they saw was only the remnants of the battle that took place. Not long after, another explosion was heard. It was then that we finally saw Itachi Uchiha carrying a bundle in his arms," he reported, his gruff voice resonating around the quiet room.

If Ibiki was being honest with himself, he knew something was up with Itachi Uchiha. The Uchiha was an intelligent Shinobi and Ibiki believed that the teenager was someone who thinks through things before taking an action so it was quite puzzling that Itachi would take a child from Iwa even to the expense of triggering the Fourth War.

Choosing not to voice his opinion, Ibiki continued his report. "We immediately tried to block his way and inquire after him but he fled and we made chase. Itachi did his best to lose us and refused to answer any questions asked – said he would only speak to you, Hokage-sama," Ibiki paused here to lock eyes with their blond leader.

Minato nodded as if understanding what Ibiki was trying to say. He would deal with this incident personally – for Itachi's sake.

Ibiki nodded back and directed his gaze back to the council before continuing, "Finally, our team saw that his charge was in fact, a child around the age of four."

Minato frowned as opinions were voiced once more with renewed vigor.

"Hokage-sama, we must detain him immediately. He will bring war upon us if we don't act now, Iwa will not let this opportunity go. It's an excuse they have been waiting for all this time!" Koharu once again insisted while a few of the council members nodded their agreements as they talked among themselves.

Arguments began anew with angry voices taking over the meeting, each trying to cut off another to be heard.

'So much for defusing the earlier uproar,' Minato refrained from sighing out loud and massaging the bridge of his nose.'Seriously, sometimes I can't believe they are members of the council,' he thought in exasperation. 'Why do they insist on making my job harder?

Kushina, if only you were here...'

Minato raised his hand and everyone quieted down. "You are all jumping to conclusions. From what I know of him, Itachi Uchiha isn't one to act illogically; if he's risking war by taking the child, then he must have a reason for doing so. I refuse to harm one of my most talented shinobi based on conjecture," Minato calmly stated, pausing as he saw the protests coming.

"B-but Hokage-sama—"

"No," Minato interrupted the elder Koharu in a firm tone. "I refuse to cower like a terrified dog to Iwa. If they threaten us with war, I will deal with their army myself," he declared with a deadly glint in his eyes, making the council shiver in fear despite themselves.

They all clamped down, afraid to oppose their Hokage. Minato wasn't like his predecessor. The Third had tolerated complaints from the council and could be easily swayed by sentiments. The Fourth Hokage on the other hand didn't take kindly to their mind games. They'd had to learn that the hard way. Minato Namikaze was a sleeping dragon. A quiet but deadly shinobi who hid behind the veil of a calm and cheerful personality. He wasn't afraid to take drastic measures. He had the power to do whatever he wanted and the council could do nothing but try to reason with him if they wanted something to go their way, and even then, when he had already made up his mind – there was nothing they could do to change it.

His reputation was known all over the elemental nations and had the highest bounty in the Bingo book with a 'Flee on sight' order. He had single-handedly destroyed Iwa and claimed victory in the Third Shinobi War; and until now, Iwa was still recovering from their many losses. Although that resulted in them harboring great resentment towards the blond Hokage. Minato was also infamous in Kumo when he bested A in a battle of speed in an encounter with his brother, Bee – the Jinchuriki of the Hachibi.

The bottom line was that Iwa knew better than anyone that they could not match Konohagakure's military might as long as the Yellow Flash was still alive. So it was amusing how Iwa still had the gall to pull a 'war threat' that both villages knew they currently couldn't pull.

The council members may have their own opinions, but they know better to demand more when the Hokage had that glint in his eyes so they decided to wait and try to voice out their opinions later.

'It looks like you have gone senile in your old age Onoki. Iwa declaring war on Konoha was suicide. You can't handle our forces yet,' Minato thought amusedly.

It was unfortunate that his own personal advisers were not present: Tsunade was currently stuck in the hospital with an important surgery, Jiraiya had asked for a couple of months left to do his important 'research'; and the Third was in an extended anniversary celebration with his wife, Biwako. Well, at least Minato still had Shikaku. He exchanged a meaningful glance with the Jounin commander before his thoughts went to his students. His three students: Obito, Kakashi, and Rin went on a week-long mission away from the village; and they were supposed to be back today.

"That's all for now. You are dismissed." Minato leaned back on his chair as he watched the displeased expression on the Elder council. The council and the clan heads stared at each other doubtfully; silently debating whether they should protest or just leave the council room for now. Most decided that it was too troublesome to argue with the Hokage and went out of the door, while few still hesitated.

"Fugaku, can I speak with you?" The remaining people watched the Uchiha Clan head with a raised brow as Minato addressed him.

Fugaku stood up with a serious look on his face and bowed. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

Minato stared pointedly at the remaining people, which consisted of the two council elders and Danzo Shimura. The three thorns in his side.

He really wanted to get rid of them but everything was hectic for him for the past four years to actually focus on them, and until now, Minato still hadn't found any evidence to punish them. The old bats know how to hide their tracks well. It was not that he was plotting an assassination to murder the three elders, but he did his best to try and remove the power that fell on their hands since Hiruzen's sentiments had given them more influence than Minato was comfortable with.

Those three were a much bigger headache than newly minted Genins. It was a good thing that he had managed to take care of their unreasonable amount of power in the council earlier in his appointment. If he hadn't, who knows how far these elders would wield their power to carry out their own agenda?

Minato repressed the urge to sigh and instead raised a delicate, blond eyebrow at them as the three stared at each other.

Koharu Utatane, finally decided to boldly step forward. "We are not yet done, Minato; we think you're being too reckless. We need to deal with this matter immediately and stop an in—" she abruptly stopped talking when Minato cut her off.

"Hokage-sama."

Opening and closing her mouth like a fish, Koharu flushed in embarrassment and anger at being reprimanded like a child by the young Hokage.

"You will call me Hokage-sama. That is only proper don't you think? You are only a member of my council, not my parents. Do remember that you hold no authority over me."

The elders trembled in fury at Minato's chastising as if they were mere children in his eyes.

"Watch how you speak, boy! We are the elders and—" Danzo started with a cold tone, only to received the same treatment as Koharu.

"–And I am your Hokage. You should know your place. Maybe you've forgotten that you're no longer my personal advisers. I may have given you enough privilege to voice out your opinions here and there, but that is no invitation to disrespect me and question my authority." Minato's eyes gleamed dangerously as he stared at the sour faces of the three elders.

"Let me remind you once again. You give your opinions for the sake of the village, but the final decision is still mine to make – whether I follow through with your demands or not, You. Do. NOT. Have a say in it." Minato spat, adding more conviction with each word, "If you wish to still sit at the positions you have grown so fond of over the years, I suggest you make your way out the door before I make the ANBU drag you out." The warning was loud and clear.

The elders sputtered and were about to protest again when four ANBU suddenly dropped down in front of the Fourth Hokage in a protective, yet threatening manner. Koharu, Homura, and Danzo clenched their teeth and quietly made their way outside the room.

Minato signed for his ANBU to guard the door before he looked back at Fugaku with a small, calm smile, "Now where were we?"

Fugaku bowed respectfully towards Minato, "I believe you wanted to talk to me about my son," the Uchiha clan head answered, directly to the point, as expected.

Minato clamped a hand on his shoulder. "Straight forward as always," he said with the ghost of an amused smile on his lips before his face became serious again. "What do you think?" He sat on his seat and propped his elbows on the desk, lacing his fingers together in front of him as he looked expectantly at the Uchiha clan head.

Fugaku stayed quiet for a minute, contemplating what to say. "I believe...that my son is not an irrational person. He has never done something without considering the consequences of the decisions he's made. He isn't impulsive and he always has the village's well-being in mind. He's a loyal Konoha shinobi. However, if he really did snap, I am prepared to surrender him to the T&I. As the Uchiha clan head, that is my duty, even though he's my son."

Minato smiled upon hearing Fugaku's answer. "I believe the same thing as well. I have faith in Itachi. He must've discovered something big out there if he's emphasizing the need to only speak to me."

Fugaku solemnly agreed. His shoulder relaxed a bit as he was finally assured that his son wouldn't be executed on the spot.

"Fugaku," Minato calmly said, catching the Uchiha's attention back to him.

The older Uchiha stared directly at the cerulean eyes of the Hokage and he couldn't help but straighten up upon seeing the commanding air surrounding their young leader.

Fugaku himself wanted to become Hokage before Minato was elected as the Fourth, he was bitter for a while when he wasn't chosen to be the Third Hokage's successor, and yet, as time went by and he watched Konoha prosper remarkably under Minato's reign, Fugaku finally threw away his pride.

Minato really deserved the position, coming from Fugaku himself, which could possibly be the best compliment he had ever said to someone outside their clan. He believed in Minato's decisions. Time and time again, he proved that there were other options to choose from than the ones laid out in front of you.

If there are two options, yet both seem too negative and have potential backlashes that could be worse than the current problem at hand, then create a new option that will lead towards the favored outcome rather than making unnecessary sacrifices. That was how Minato Namikaze played his game.

Many international incidents had been amazingly avoided with his quick thinking and sharp mind. The Yellow Flash of Konoha was really a force to be reckoned with, and Fugaku acknowledged Minato's power and authority as a Hokage. So he silently supported Minato in all of his decisions, and so far, the Fourth hadn't disappointed the Uchiha Clan Head yet. That was why Fugaku would follow through with his Hokage's decisions until the very end.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Fugaku answered, his face solemn.

"I want you and your chosen shinobi to escort Itachi to Konoha and bring him directly to me. He will answer to no one's inquiry but mine. Understood?" Minato ordered. His voice was laced with silent authority, conveying the importance of the mission to the Uchiha clan head.

Fugaku stood in attention and answered the order. "Understood Hokage-sama."

Minato smiled as he stood up, walking around his desk to his friend, and clamped a hand on the Uchiha's shoulder.

"Then I trust you to deliver Itachi Uchiha directly to me, alive with the child he rescued." Minato tightened his grip on the Uchiha's shoulder once more before dropping his hand back to his side as Fugaku bowed in respect before leaving the council room.

Minato let out a tired sigh as he gazed outside the large window of the Hokage Tower.

"What could have pushed you to make such a drastic decision, Itachi-kun?" The blond leader whispered to the wind as he looked down at the buzzing streets of the Village Hidden in the Leaf.

*END OF CHAPTER ONE*

A/N: Special thanks to my betas! This wouldn't be possible without your awesome help.

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Roseeye (My former beta, she helped me until Chapter One but she had urgent matters to attend to, thank you so much for all your hard work.)

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NeatStuff

Nedoko-maki

hakon2feb

13talos

ProngIsABadger

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