The Rebirth of the Uzumaki Clan

By FeaganofLegends

Chapter V: Forming New Alliances

Part III: A Chance Meeting with the Hokage

The two ANBU guards saluted the Uzumaki clan and Hinata as they entered, then closed the doors behind them.

Tsunade smiled warmly at the three of them. "Naruto…Minato…Kushina...thank you all for coming on such short notice. Naruto just bowed, "Of course, Lady Hokage."

Tsunade and Shizune exchanged smirks as they smiled at him.

Tsunade sat down in her seat." She then noticed Hinata. "Hinata…I'm surprised to see you here." Hinata smiled and bowed, "Well...Naruto and I have signed a Clan Alliance scroll. We're officially a couple by Konoha law. I'm required by tradition to be here."

Tsunade's eyes widened as she met Naruto's eyes. She smirked playfully. "So…you finally made it official, huh, Naruto?"

Naruto blinked, turned red, and coughed, "In a matter of speaking."

Tsunade smirked back, "What? No quips? No talking back?" She smiled. She had always had a soft spot for Naruto..even when he pushed her buttons to no end. She found that the soft spot was still there, but there was respect where there once was contempt for the young shinobi. " You used to be such a pain in my ass. What happened to the knucklehead ninja I knew and adored then?"

Naruto blinked and crossed his arms at her, "Well…I could go back to being that knucklehead ninja…but seeing as I currently have a vengeful blood cousin who wants to kill me…I've chosen to calm down."

She put her hands together. "I'm glad to hear it. And I'm glad you ultimately sided with the village." Her smirk grew even more expansive, "I'd hate to have to kill my flesh and blood. I'm unsure if Minato told you, but we are distant relatives."

Naruto blinked with widened eyes, "You're…kidding me."

Tsunade laughed as she downed her sake. "Oh, come on, brat. Didn't you ever wonder why I gave you my grandfather's necklace? Why did I kiss you on the forehead after you landed that Rasengan on me? Despite how much you drive me crazy…you are important to me. Don't tell anyone, but I've adopted you as my grandson over the past few years." She chuckled, "You should feel honored. The only other people who can consider themselves important to me…" She jerked a thumb towards Shizune. "...are Shizune." She smirked again. "And Sakura. That girl is a prodigy at medical ninjutsu." She smirked at Minato and Kushina, "Unless you two have an issue with that?"

Kushina smiled sweetly, "Nope. No problem here. You've been good to Naruto. We'd be honored to include you as part of the clan."

Minato nodded, "Indeed. You honor us, Tsunade. We'd be glad to have you in the family."

Tsunade then turned to Hinata with a smile, "Hinata?"

Hinata smiled eagerly, "I've got no issue. You have Naruto's best interests at heart."

Tsunade put her hands together and smirked, "Good. Glad to clear that up." She then stood up from her seat and hugged Naruto.

"So from now on…when we're in private or amongst your clan…you are ordered to call me Grandma.

Naruto blinked in shock. "From now on…when we're among family or in private...You are to call me Grandma. Are we clear on that?"

Naruto nodded blankly, "Of course…Grandma."

She felt her heart warm as the hug deepened. Shizune just smiled. Does that make me Aunt Shizune, then?

Naruto just blinked. He wasn't always on bad terms with Tsunade, but he hadn't expected her to open up to him like she did. She was usually so closed off and cold.

Tsunade broke the hug and kissed Naruto on the forehead, smiling. "Alright, enough of that. I have questions for you. And you better answer them honestly. You understand? You mean something to me, and I take your safety very seriously."

Naruto nodded, gathering himself, "O-Of course."

Tsunade blinked as she listened, "So…you are saying that another Uzumaki descendent is leading the Akatsuki?"

Naruto nodded, "That's correct. Her name is Karin. Karin Uzumaki."

Minato added, "She has a definite grudge against all the villages…not just Konoha."

Tsunade met his gaze. "What's the reason?"

Kushina touched Naruto's shoulder, saying, "I can answer that Tsunade." She sighed, "Karin's mother fled to Kusagakure after our clan was decimated... The elders there…abused her gifts and worked her to death." She sighed as she shook her head, "Karin holds a grudge against Kusagakure and all other villages. She means to bring our very way of life down."

Tsunade nodded, "And what part does Naruto play in all this?"

Hinata then walked up, her lavender eyes narrowing as she put her arm around Naruto, pulling him into her embrace, "She wants to extract the Nine-Tails from him. It's part of some plot they are cooking up."

Naruto blinked, "Yeah...she explicitly told me she'd find a way to do it without killing me. I don't trust her at her word."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, "As you shouldn't. Having the Nine Tails extracted from you would result in your death. As I'm sure your mother has told you." She then eyed Kushina.

The redhead gave her a nod.

Tsunade sighed, "Well…it makes sense. They targeted Gaara, after all." She then sighed as she met Minato's eyes. "I would like it if either of you would accompany Naruto on his missions from now on. Consider it an important duty. If he gets captured or they manage to extract the Nine Tails from him….it won't go well for us."

Minato chuckled as he ruffled Naruto's hair. "Don't worry, Tsunade. I plan to defend him with my life. They won't know what hit them."

Kushina smirked as she kissed Naruto on the cheek. She put a hand on his other shoulder. "I'd die before I'd let them have my precious baby."
Naruto turned red, "Mom! Stop embarrassing me!"

Kushina laughed as she ruffled his hair, "Hah. Fat chance of that. Seeing you turn red only makes you more adorable in my eyes."

Hinata then stood up at attention, "Tsunade! I..I want also to be included as a part of Naruto's guard!" She stammered a bit, "I..I know I'm not as experienced as Minato or Kushina, but he's the man I want to marry! I love him! I'd die for him if I had to! I know I lack seniority, but this is something I dearly wish for! I implore you to grant my request!"

Naruto turned to her and blinked, turning red, "H-Hinata?"

Kushina and Minato smiled at each other and then at Hinata.

She smirked at Minato, "He chose well. I said the same about you years ago." Minato nodded with a half-smirk, "Indeed. She's something. A fighter…a lover, and a kind-hearted woman…just like you."

Tsunade smirked, crossing her arms at the brunette, "Well…who am I to separate two young lovers from one another! Alright! Keep him safe, Hinata! I'll give you hell if you don't!"

Hinata smiled and nodded, "I hear you loud and clear, Tsunade."

I know this part was shorter!

I have more coming up!

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