He was apprehensive after a long day. He stared out his window in the Genin apartments. Subsidized housing for orphaned Genin or those who simply wanted or needed to get away from their families. Yamato was worried for little Naruto. After clearing things up with the convenience store clerk things had been mostly smooth sailing. At least until nearly two weeks ago…
It was all he could do not to flunk out of medic training he was so distracted by it. It was like the light in the little chaotic ball of joy had dimmed tremendously. When he asked after it to sensei she only said it was Naruto's story to tell. He had very few friends as he was picked on in the academy due to his weight. While he would dare to call Aia a friend now the people he could call friend could be counted on 4 fingers. He wanted to ask but was desperate not to lose the younger boy.
The Yamanaka he occasionally saw said it was all in his head and talked him through it but he still worried. Now the other boy was gone for two weeks to the capital. He was finishing his own non-combat specialization earlier than both he and Aia. He really should be focused on his own course as the qualifying exam was in two weeks right before Naruto would come back.
He also wanted to see that Choji boy Naruto was friends with again. He felt an uncanny connection with the other boy that he wanted to investigate and enjoy. Finally someone as serious about food as he was.
While you needed to finish the full six months to be considered a field medic this one would decide whether you stayed in the program at all and would give you the right to practice medicine in an emergency without too much investigation. In the field he would be cleared to treat poison and most minor injuries. He decided to sleep it off and shut off his light.
The next day both he and Aia were sparring under Kumiko sensei's watchful eye. His heavy handed adaptation of the Konoha medic nin taijutsu style which normally included poisons and chakra scalpels was mixed with the academy advanced style to make use of his bulk. His fists made small craters when he missed. Aia was like the water she controlled bobbing and weaving through his blows and scoring her own hits but his bulk and strength made the blows basically useless and painless.
"Yamato faster, channel chakra in the tenketsu by the elbow… Yeah like that, you want explosive power to make up for your speed."
He did as she said and scored his first hit eliciting a wince. Had this been a real fight and he used chakra scalpels her right kidney would now be bleeding. As it was that would leave a bruise he was not yet allowed to heal.
"Aia harder, you're not even tickling him. Release your chakra in a burst through your fist and through your muscles. Yeah that's the way."
He winced as she slid through his guard pummeling his right breast. That one smarted a little so he endeavored to make her pay for it. They continued until Yamato was ready to drop from exhaustion.
That was one thing that sucked, both his teammates were chakra monsters. While he could confidently say he had the third highest chakra capacity in his graduating class the other two were on a team with him and dwarfed his reserves massively. It still barely put him in league with Aia who easily had at least twice if not three times his reserves. And Naruto? Little boy may as well as have been made of the stuff. He rested and recovered a little while he mused.
Next came the break and the next chakra control exercise she had for them. Naruto was apparently given a different one as he needed something harder and he would be taught this later.
Chakra breathing.
The technique relied on a special breathing technique that cycled your whole chakra system and brought more control and efficiency. It also helped recovery too. They would do this every day he was told. She went into the nuances of it. With every breathe in you brought your chakra to your core. Tending it like a flame. Then on the exhale you pushed all the chakra back to where it come from.
Empirically they were told, this led to a minimum 12% increase in efficiency by the numbers and at least a 30% increase in reserves for the average shinobi when practiced over time.
They would need to practice this to the point they could do it in combat. Which would admittedly take a while. They would be moving on from chakra control soon as she had admitted that she could not think of anything else she could improve other than this exercise that was not a specialty chakra control technique like he was learning for his medic training. Kabuto sensei while kind was a harsh taskmaster.
"While this technique has a second level it just involves elemental chakra so once you master this and your element it should be much easier to do both. If you want to learn more you will have to look for it yourself in the library. Other than a few fine exercises I am sure you are already learning Yamato I have already taught you everything I know about control."
That was fine. He thought. Already he had the best control and reserves out of his whole medic cohort. The waterfall exercise was no joke and had more than tripled his reserves. One of the additional fine control exercises assigned by Kabuto sensei, Chakra suturing was a particular favorite as he was able to use it to help knit his clothes and save on repairs.
"Once Naruto is back and hopefully having made headway on his assigned exercise we will start Genjutsu training. First breaking out of it. Then breaking others out of it. Finally if you manage it, casting them."
Finally. Some useful techniques. It had been nothing but the basics and chakra control exercises for three months.
"What about elemental training sensei?"
He asked.
She puffed away a lock of hair out of her eyes.
"If you want. It will be more work and you will have to practice on your own time. Typically elemental training is undertaken once you make Chunin and can take years."
He gulped. More work, he and his big mouth.
"We will also be performing individual training on a subject of each of your choosing. Based on the gift I gave him for his birthday I can already guess Naruto is going to buy a sword. 10 year olds are predictable that way so he will have weapon training. What about you Yamato? Have you given any thought to what you want to learn? We will be practicing it until we start C-ranks this January so think carefully. You too Aia."
She directed lastly to the drowned hair girl.
He thought hard about it. He wanted to be complementary to his team but he also wanted to advance on his own. Oh well in for a penny in for a pound.
"I think I want to learn more earth techniques and get better at them sensei."
Earth techniques were mostly defensive and tertiary such as the headhunter. If he was going to be the team medic he needed a fall back and the ability to escape quickly and maybe do some damage.
Sensei nodded. She looked at Aia.
The blank faced girl pondered the question. He hair swaying in an invisible wind.
"Taijutsu sensei. While my families style is good enough I cannot seem to hit hard enough."
Sensei pondered this and smiled.
"Sensible, bring up where you are weak so it does not hold you back. Alright I will prepare."
She pulled a leaf from behind her back. Handing it to Yamato she said.
"Might as well give you a head start. We can find out your proper element later but in the meantime since you already know several earth techniques try turning this to dust with your chakra alone. That's the first step for earth. Wind is cutting it in half, lightning is crinkling it, fire is burning it and water is drawing the moisture out."
Yamato channeled chakra into the leaf only managing to make it a little dry. He pouted.
"Wow! That's amazing for a first try Yamato, that medic training is really paying dividends. Or your earth natured by birth which saves us some time. In any case keep practicing and let me know when you manage it. Don't be frustrated if it takes a while."
Aia looked a little dejected as she was unable to learn other chakra natures. She had explained her chakra was naturally water natured so the first step was redundant something she did as a game when she was 5. Yamato felt for her.
"I am fire natured with an earth and wind secondary, so I have nothing really to teach you on this front Aia but I know from when I learned this that the second step for water natures is to pull water from the air with just your chakra. Has your family taught you that yet?"
While her gaze darkened at her family being mentioned, she shook her head.
"I will ask around about that, but in the meantime try doing that when you have time. Might even help you practice shape manipulation."
Sensei mused at the end.
"Was going to save this for later but now that you have me started on the subject I might as well demonstrate it for you."
Sensei closed her eyes and began demonstrating the breathing technique from earlier but something was different…
A red haze seemed to surround her, and his limited sensor abilities let him know something was up so he closed his eyes and cast his senses outward. He was not a natural sensor by any means but medic training conferred certain techniques…
Her core was like a furnace. He began gaping like a fish.
With every breath in the fire seemed to wane with potential energy before the exhale stoked the flames to new heights. It was mesmerizing like that time he had watched the forges where they made kunai.
He was shocked out of his revery by her speaking.
Opening his eyes he could see her visible chakra aura and shied away from the heat.
"In this state fire techniques cost a lot less chakra and are far more potent. You can regulate your temperature to survive in extreme conditions, true masters are even said to be able to walk on lava. You can channel fire natured chakra when engaging in taijutsu and kenjutsu as well. Producing flames without techniques to burn your opponent. Can either of you think of any downsides?"
Yamato was stumped he could not think of any and wondered why everyone did not just do this.
But Aia surprised him again.
"It makes you like me…"
Sensei was attentive and prodded her. Making her uncharacteristically shy about herself.
"Go on."
She seemed to master herself.
"Making your chakra so attuned to fire nature must make performing any other elemental technique difficult if not impossible. Also the chakra drain must be a strain. If the normal technique is difficult to maintain without focus this must be even harder."
Sensei clapped.
"Exactly, you are trading versatility for raw power. To my knowledge each person is only able to do this with the chakra nature they were born with. Also each element has a different benefit and downside."
She took a swig from a previously hidden canteen.
"Fire nature gives you perfect temperature control, but lose focus and you will burn on the inside. Also you dehydrate rapidly. Yamato for you earth chakra would have the benefit of hardening your body, greatly increasing your defense and stopping power. But it will also slow and weigh you down. Continued use will stiffen your joints if you are not careful. Iwa nin used this technique to great effect in the third war but overuse can lead to injuries not easily fixed, I saw one ninja whose arm shattered like glass when struck after using the technique for so long. As for water, you gain complete control of your bodies circulatory system. You can prevent injuries from bleeding allowing otherwise fatal injuries to be healed as long as you still have chakra. You can direct blood to your brain and lungs allowing you increase your blood oxygen, equivalent to some combat drugs. You can also prevent most poisons from taking root by preventing it from entering circulation by expelling it. However the downside can be deadly, water hypernatremia is a very unpleasant way to die. If you direct too much water to an area you can cause your cells to burst or shrivel if you move it away. But with your bloodline Aia I have no idea if this even applies to you…"
She took another swig.
"As for wind, I am unsure but I know it has something to do with the lungs and body oxygenation similar to water but from the opposite end. You are lighter on your feet able to almost fly. Rumors about ninja in grass and sketchy sightings in wind say they actually can. But I have never seen it. Downsides in the book mentioned temperature problems like frostbite as well as a risk of narcosis due to internal gas pressure. Will have to verify by reading the book again so take this with a grain of salt. Lightning supercharges the nervous system increasing reflexes to the n'th degree. Village research is relatively certain this is step one of Kumo's lightning cloak but no one has been able to replicate further steps with any success. And no one's been able to get close enough to steal the secret either. Downside is naturally electrocuting yourself with your own bodies electricity, nasty way to go."
That was all a lot to take in but the prospect excited him.
"Let's go get a mission."
Suffice it to say yard work without the orange spaz was a pain and a half but the pay was nice, they got more with one less teammate. He shoved more Nori Senbei crackers in his mouth. Hungry after a long day before he headed in for medic training.
Next scene:
Aia walked home for an early dinner, her steps heavy yet resolute. She once hated returning to the family compound, but her time with the psych corps had alchemized that hate into something sharper.
Determination.
Determination to forge her own path, to defy the tides that sought to drown her. Determination to say no.
The compound loomed ahead, a gated apartment complex arranged around a courtyard. A faded emblem of a water lily hung by the entrance, a muted symbol of fleeting beauty and submerged strength. Their clan had always been small—once powerful wanderers who claimed kinship with the river kami, they were swept into Konoha as vassals to the Aburame some seventy years prior. Aia nodded to her younger cousins practicing water manipulation in the yard, their chakras flickering like ripples on a pond.
Crossing the threshold of the main house, she removed her shinobi sandals, the act as automatic as breathing. She ignored the family's traditional robe, opting instead to stay in her shinobi garments—a deliberate affront, thinly veiled as practicality. She would return to the psych division shortly, and time was not on her side.
Her chakra hummed within her as she padded through the halls. But she did not mask it. No, she let it radiate, a growing wave that reverberated through the walls. Every step was a silent challenge. This was a game—a ritual of dominance, unspoken but well understood. Chakra, after all, was the language of power here.
The dining room awaited her, unchanged in its hierarchy. Her father and mother sat elevated on their cushions, framed by the open balcony that overlooked their koi-filled garden. Aia's place, low and central, was set facing them. It was a calculated position of powerlessness—meant to remind her that she was beneath them, forever looking up.
Her mother was a vision of composed elegance, her long hair gleaming like polished obsidian as it swayed in an invisible current of chakra. But beneath the veneer was a chill, the deep stillness of a mountain lake concealing crushing, icy depths. Her father, by contrast, was all sharp edges—prim and disciplined, his scarred face a testament to battles survived. His chakra was a typhoon waiting to unleash devastation.
Aia took her seat and began eating, offering only the barest modicum of reverence. As she exhaled, she expanded her chakra further, practicing the breathing technique her sensei had drilled into her. The surge was met with surprise, her parents' faint chakra signatures flexing instinctively in response. She was no match for them—not yet—but the distance between them was no longer insurmountable.
One to her.
The silence shattered as her father, ever the tyrant, spoke first. "Your training has yielded results. I had feared our sacrifices were wasted on you, especially with that…"
Her mother's eyes snapped to him—cold, unblinking. It wasn't a reprimand; it was a warning. Odd. Her mother never disputed him.
"...that troublesome younger teammate of yours," he corrected, his tone dismissive. "Bad blood, that one. Aia, you would do well to distance yourself. He is a tool, nothing more, and tools are discarded when their purpose is fulfilled. Your destiny lies beyond such distractions."
Her mother inclined her head, faintly pleased, though her approval only served to cheapen her in Aia's eyes.
Aia's voice cut through the air like a blade. "And is it not the duty of those in the heavens to raise up those below, if only so they might glimpse the depths they cannot reach?"
The words were deliberate—a quote from their family's scripture, the very verses her grandmother had once drilled into her. The old woman cackled from her corner of the room, her laughter brittle as dry reeds but no less defiant.
Her mother's reply was immediate, her voice smooth and venomous. "Ah, but the fisherman who dares to draw a star from the waters risks stealing its heavenly mantle. One must inspire awe, not familiarity, Aia. Do not lower yourself to his level."
Point for her.
Aia inhaled deeply, meeting her mother's gaze without flinching. "Perhaps that fisherman is more than he seems. His depths conceal power beyond your imagination. He could become a benefactor, a protector, if only given time and kindness."
Her father snorted, abandoning any pretense of subtlety. "What could a mere fisherman offer us? He is a beggar trading scraps for fish. No, you are the hope of this family, and you will rise to fulfill it."
There it was—the unvarnished ambition of a man who had demanded everything and had given nothing in return. Aia's stomach churned. She had once believed his words, back when her hair, sacred to their clan, had been shorn for defiance. She had cried herself hollow then, nearly succumbing to the pond's call in her despair. But that was before. Before the psych corps. Before she met that silly little boy who would chatter her ear off during and say just the sweetest things in innocence. He would weave the wild dandelions into her tangled drowned locks and encourage her with how strong she was, how he hoped to be just as strong as her one day. Words that she had seldom heard from someone without an agenda.
Hope was a dangerous thing, but it lived within her now. And like the rivers her ancestors had worshipped, she would erode the stone walls of this family, grain by grain, until they either changed or crumbled.
The pond she was certain she would one day enter and never leave was not as appealing as it once had been.
For now, she ate in silence, her gaze unwavering. Someday, she would tear down the masks they wore—strip them to their cores and make them whole. The boy, her fisherman, would remain in her prayers. The waters, after all, were patient.
Next scene:
After team training for the day and for once not having the blonde menace to worry about. (The paperwork for his latest prank sucked even if officially he did not do it.) So she decided to splurge and book a last minute spa visit before her 9-tails contingency training tonight. While horrifying she could honestly claim to be stronger than she had ever been before. Her latest attempt had succeeded in subduing the faux Naruto with only minimal maiming. And the nine tails chakra no longer caused her to freeze in fear. Based on data from encounters with other village Jinchuriki next step would be adding tails. All simulated of course as Konoha had never used its Jinchuriki so true outcomes were unknown.
She finished her musing walking into the golden lotus flashing her platinum member card. Allowing her to be seen immediately. Before she knew it she was in a waiting room sipping fine tea getting her feet washed and massaged which was heavenly. And her visit had not even truly begun yet! She browsed the treatment card performatively.
"I will start with the exotic facial."
She intoned sipping her tea.
"Yes. We will get that ready for you please enjoy yourself."
She would.
She was brought into the jade room. Rich with nature facsimile all carved from chakra infused jade of all colors. Which evoked a wonderful sensation. It was like she was in a forest of gemstones. Water and fog rolling down the curves made her feel like she was in a heavenly realm. The glow being greatly pleasant. While the purported health benefits of chakra stones were dubious at best. (None coming close to the legendary Senju healing stones, a couple karats of which could by you a manor and a great deal of land.) It sure did feel nice. She laid back on the silk bed as the attendants continued to pamper her.
Speaking of which that brought her back to her youngest charge. Iruka had pulled her aside that morning and asked some hard hitting questions. She recalled as she descended into her own thoughts.
She had simply been walking from her favorite morning café. A really pleasant old woman that made a traditional breakfast and was wonderful conversation. She had a steaming mug of coffee to go.
Iruka came upon her on his way to the academy. Apparently having dropped Naruto off at the gate. He had a determined look on his face.
"Ahh Kumiko-san Ohayo."
She regarded him thoughtfully.
"Ohayo."
She would let the man tell her what he wanted.
"First, thank you for helping me put together Naruto's birthday. It means a lot. It's gone a long way to help him forget."
She nodded and smiled, privileged or not the man was respectable.
"I asked him to come live with me you know? When all is said and done."
That floored her. As she blanched, would that even be allowed to? Her estimation of the man or at least his audacity went up several notches.
"But you know something? He was understandably defensive and he demanded I be honest with him about something. Something serious that all the adults in Konoha had kept from him."
She could tell this would be heavy so she subtly moved them to an alley.
"I was honestly terrified someone had told him about the fox. What a nightmare that would be, I was even considering how I would beg Hokage-sama for my life."
She could understand the feeling. Favorite or no she could not see this man walking away from breaking an s-rank law. He was too close to the boy so she could not see him being executed to spare the boys mental stability but prison was a definite. Or he would be sent on a suicide mission.
"But the darndest thing, he pulls out some fabric swatches and starts crying about how I could keep his family from him. I was baffled. I barely remember learning about the Uzumaki…"
She interjected fearing for her own life now.
"Perhaps when something has been buried in a shinobi village one should avoid looking for it to spare ones own neck."
She hurriedly said as cryptically and blatantly as she could.
He seemed to get the memo as he suddenly clapped his hands together performing a masterful barrier technique. She was definitely impressed, she felt with her chakra they were truly safe from outside listeners.
"What do you know?!"
The man had the balls to demand.
"Enough."
She clipped.
"I looked through the whole academy curriculum since I have been a teacher. Not even a whisper of the Uzumaki. They have disappeared without a trace. I am going to ask around and see if I can get a hold of older curriculums."
She was decidedly unsurprised, information control was a villages bread and butter. When it was decided something would be forgotten it would.
"Even the explanation about the spiral is just hand-waved away as just to honor an ally of the Senju. Mito's maiden name is not mentioned. I have not checked the library yet but I do not expect to have any more luck. I expect Naruto will look in the Capital, no clue if he will have any luck himself I pray he does. What do you know?"
She was understandably nervous about answering. She had no great political capital to expend, even her forwardness with the Hokage came only from a fit of madness and the fact her position as Naruto's Sensei meant she had a mandate to. But that mandate and its privilege started and ended at Naruto's health and safety and by extension the villages as it was ultimately up to her to prevent the fox from destroying them again.
"Enough. But Iruka I caution you against looking too deeply. From what I know you are important. Why? I have yet to figure out…"
Iruka seemed shocked at the implication and was suddenly thoughtful.
"But I don't think you are that important. Only enough to spare your life."
Suddenly Iruka seemed hyper-aware of his surroundings aware that he may have poked a hornets nest.
"What do you mean?"
Iruka asked.
"You are getting perilously close to violating an S-rank law."
She finally decided to just be out with it. Technically breaking the law as under S-rank status you could not even confirm its existence, but just within the point she could hand-wave away as protecting it and safeguarding Naruto's mental wellbeing
Iruka had an 'Oh' look on his face. And suddenly was very afraid. But then he took a breath and his gaze firmed.
Hmm respectable. If only he were 5 or so years older… Oh well.
"A little boy desperate for any trace of his past, that he was someone, that he came from someone, bore his soul to me. I told him I would not betray the village for him. But swore to keep whatever he told me secret. He was so terrified of giving any trace of what he knew that he made me swear. Can you imagine. I thought that was just paranoia you taught him. Come to find out it was justified."
He pulled out a beautiful fabric swatch of pooling eddies and whirling tides.
"So little… Basically nothing. And he had so much hope in his eyes. The hunger in them. What little I could tell him. Scraps really. Was like I had handed him mounds of gold. That's not right. Nothing the village could be trying to hide is worth that pain and suffering I saw. I said I would not betray the village. And… I don't consider this doing so. Thank you for the warning. But I choose him."
He clapped his hands collapsing the barrier. And began walking away. Before stopping and turning his head and saying.
"He said yes by the way."
He began walking away.
"Iruka."
She began. He stopped.
"Check the archives under census and properties."
He made no indication he heard her as he began walking away once more.
She gave the hint she could. More than she should have.
"Good luck Umino Iruka. I told you nothing."
She knows he heard her.
She began making her way to the team training grounds.
That had been this morning.
She was shocked to realize that the facial was already half over as she decided to simply lean into the remaining treatment moaning a little at the foot massage.
Next Scene:
"Iruka the Hokage will see you now."
The hokage's secretary let him know. He was understandably nervous but he understood from his time previously being around Naruto required a lot of paperwork and he could not just have the boy live with him on a dime. The village bureaucracy moved slowly on these things. But maybe three months should be enough.
He walked in to the old man teething his pipe spewing smoke occasionally as he shuffled paperwork. His not so secret secret Crystal ball was active in the background. The telescope technique he was certain, Naruto for some reason was on one of his groupmates backs being carried but otherwise showed nothing of note just jumping through indistinct canopies. Iruka hoped he was alright.
"You wished to see me Iruka?"
The old man said not looking up from his papers.
He had a flash of insight. The Hokage obviously had no time to see him but he made time anyway. He could see Kumiko's point on his privileged position.
"Yes Hokage sama. I wanted to ask your permission for something."
The man looked up from his papers, eyebrow cocked in a quizzical expression. Very few things required the Hokage's permission outside official business.
"It was spur of the moment, but I made Naruto an offer to live with me after our lessons have concluded."
The expression on the man's face was unreadable. So Iruka forged on.
"After I get my pay and renewal bonus I am going to look for better accommodations."
The man whispered.
"Now why would you go and do something like that Iruka?"
The way it was said made him pause.
He took a breathe and forged on.
"Because I don't believe any child especially Naruto should have to live alone and unwanted."
The mans gaze was hard as he searched him up and down, Iruka felt as if his very soul was being examined. But he was determined not to flinch. The third turned away to his window overlooking the village seeming to narrow in on some area on the outskirts of the village.
"Are you certain you do not have any ulterior motives? No desire for power or influence? Many would kill to have someone of Naruto's standing under their sphere of influence. Many have… And faced the consequences…. There is a reason no one to this point has been allowed to foster him. What makes you the exception?"
The insinuation while justified, rankled Iruka and besmirched his honor. But this situation required humility. For Naruto's sake he must show humility. He thought hard about his answer.
"Nothing does Hokage sama, this is simply an orphan reaching out to another orphan hoping to dull the pain of the long lonely nights. I have no family to appease. No other goal than to see my students successful and safe. I do not see the fox Hokage sama. No. I see a desperate lonely little boy cut loose far too soon. He needs guidance and care Hokage sama. And I would like to offer it."
The man had a thoughtful look on his face as he turned back. Iruka took note he had been looking at the now overgrown former Uchiha district. The dregs of the clan having moved to a compound closer to the Hyuga.
Considering the wizened leaders early words that had ominous implications he was not certain he wanted to probe for his own sanity.
"Interesting. You propose something very interesting Iruka."
He breathed an internal sigh of relief at the familiarity being used. It was Iruka and not Chunin Umino that would have been bad.
"And what does Naruto think of this? What was his reply?"
Iruka winced hoping the Hokage had not been spying the night before.
"He was hesitant, and hostile at first Hokage sama. He wanted to know if I was serious and not taking advantage of him. So he told me a secret and asked I also keep it secret."
Iruka told a half truth understanding that a full lie before the god of shinobi was a bad idea.
"And will you? Is it dire?"
Iruka shook his head honestly believing his answer.
"I do not think so Hokage sama. Nothing that could endanger the village in any case."
And that was true he was sure of it.
"And I said unequivocally yes. So he also said he would love to live with me."
The old man smiled.
"Then I am glad he has someone like you in his corner. It is a testament to the will of fire that you were able to overcome your reticence towards the boy. If only others could be as noble as you. I hope you have a good day Iruka."
The dismissal was jarring but he knew he could not expect an answer now it seemed.
It was not a no though which was hopeful.
"Hai Hokage sama."
He walked out far more confused than when he went in.
Next scene:
The clones of Umino Iruka went about their business. Some grading papers ahead of time so the main body could simply rest. But two made their way to begin their investigation. One went to the village library. The multi-story compound open to all Konoha citizens, though beyond the first floor required clearance.
Konoha had two libraries, the academy library where aspiring ninja could read on subjects that interested them and prepared them to begin shinobi life, open to all shinobi whether in the academy or not though only frequented by academy students and Genin. And the main library where all subjects were broached. All had access to the main floor where subjects from poetry to carpentry were available. Genin could access the second floor. Where more advanced treatises on a variety of ninja arts were available. Nothing classified, but things better kept out of non-shinobi hands. The third floor was open to Chunin and Genin with special permission and dealt with more advanced subject matter. Some knowledge esoteric and useless to those without the required bedrock knowledge. Others being advanced treatises on Chakra control and sealing work.
These subjects were open and not hidden away because otherwise there is a chance expertise on the subjects held within would die out. A ninja village required secrecy, but too much secrecy would be detrimental to a villages strengths. All truly secret techniques and precious abilities were locked away in the Hokage vault and only doled out on a need to know basis.
The 4th and final floor was open to Tokubetsu Jonin and above. Chunin only with special permission. This was home to stolen and advanced techniques and chakra theory that could be very dangerous in unvetted hands. This is where a shinobi could learn the techniques needed to acquire mastery.
No weapons or bags were allowed above the second floor. Only pen and paper could be taken in to take notes and no books could taken out.
The other clone made his way to the Konoha Archives. Not a library but a repository of old bureaucracy and the logistics that ran the village. Who owned what? Which grain went to which silo? Old maps and defunct info. All were located here. Like the main library certain sections of the archives required escalating levels of clearance. Unlike the library which was open at the whims of the shinobi of the village the archives required a reason to access the deeper parts which made accessing certain documents troublesome. Thankfully the section Kumiko recommended him towards was in the public section.
Census and properties was a dusty hallway off the main path lined with towering filing cabinets of various ages. Some cabinets appeared to be made of the Shodaime's wood release indicating it went back to the founding of the village. The newest metal cabinets were further down the hallway which showed signs of recent excavation.
They must expand the archives as necessary. Iruka thought to himself.
Opening a cabinet he found each cabinet was alphabetically sorted.
"This will take a while."
Iruka murmured to himself.
Time passed as both clones worked diligently running through the available works. The main floor of the library was a bust. Nothing in any section of the civilian part of the library. Not even a reference to the land of whirlpools which was conspicuously absent in several atlases. Maps carefully edited. Pages removed. His only luck was a single book on historical cooking methods that fell behind a shelf many years ago by the amount of dust that had built up. There was a chapter on the tribal cooking methods of the ancient Uzumaki indigenous to the island of whirlpools.
With his gathered paper he set to work copying everything. Not trusting the book would not be vandalized if he tried to check it out as is. He would still make the attempt but fortune favored the paranoid in their line of work.
He set the book aside for check out, and made his way to the second floor. Here he only had luck in the sealing section with basic sealing treatises at last making reference to the clan but nothing of substance about them. Only sealing theory. He made notes on the titles, maybe Naruto would find them interesting. Internally though he laughed at the idea of Naruto being studious. While he certainly put effort in now he required frequent correction to stay on task and needed to be gently reminded (read; giant head no jutsu) to pay attention. Advanced sealing theory beyond the bare bones basics the academy taught? He would quite literally pay to see the boy doing that on his own. But maybe his desperation to learn about his family could be harnessed? A messed up thought for later.
Finally the third floor as he was getting close to closing time. The library was pyramidal so each floor was smaller than the last so he only had so much to look through. Again more sealing theory, though this time there was poetry mixed in. This made more substantial reference but again all in reference to sealing theory. There was a tome or two referencing Chakra Nagashi, or Chakra flow and how Uzumaki are uniquely suited to the technique due to their chakra thickness. A few Chakra control scrolls for those with high chakra capacities, but again only theory with an Uzumaki author. But this one seemed very relevant to Naruto. Kumiko had complained the night before that she had to actually invent a seemingly impossible Chakra control exercise for Naruto because she had already taught them waterfall walking. And wasn't that a shock? Iruka himself still had not learned it due to its difficulty and the time sink. So he had a new respect for the woman and her teaching abilities. A control exercise or two made by an Uzumaki? Right up Naruto's alley.
After skimming the rest he only found a few more Uzumaki authors which only spoke about their subject matter. Poisons, barriers (He made a note of that for himself.), herbal remedies, Yin Yang release. Nothing relevant beyond a name. And the Big Atlas Chunin used to plan their C and B rank missions finally showed the land of whirlpools. But that was the end of it. No mention of the Uzumaki. So taking the chakra control tomes he took notes and copied down everything relevant. Finishing writing the last name just as the library closed for the evening and the Jonin guards made their sweeps to kick out any stragglers. He left for home with a book on cooking and a full sheef of notes.
It was a shame he was unable to access the final floor, but no use crying over spilled milk…
Unless… Maybe he would go back for that book on barriers. Tokubetsu Jonin was a rank between Jonin and Chunin. It fundamentally meant you could call yourself a master of a shinobi art and could be called on as an expert in your field. It was just a simple 1 day affair but it required demonstration of true mastery. Perhaps a side goal? He smiled in determination.
As for info on the Uzumaki, nothing of substance other than confirmation of their existence, but perhaps at least what little he found would make Naruto happy. At least he could learn something from his clan members should he find the inclination. Kumiko would be happy about the control exercises in any case, something to keep the boy busy. The main body nodded at him as he set down his items and dispelled.
The archives however…
Jackpot.
In the oldest cabinets made from dusty wood cabinets he finally found something. A deed to a property just within the village proper outside the Nara deer forest. Its zoning use was religious in nature. Owned by the Uzumaki clan and stewarded by the Senju. While the Senju had nominally ceased to exist as a major shinobi clan the bloodline and surname still existed. They had "become the village" as the first had put it. But that does not mean some in the clan had not held out so the "clan" nominally still existed. He would have to ask around. But for now he marked the location on a village map he carried and jotted down the relevant details. He would look into some old treaty documents soon. But that was in another section and it was getting late. He was puzzled at the poorly censored name listed as previous owner. He could only make out the characters spelling "-shina" But it was only part of a name and thus useless. As for the property, as a Genin Naruto actually already technically owned whatever this was. So the Hokage on paper could not stop him from visiting whatever it was. On paper at least.
The reality Iruka knew was that Hiruzen Sarutobi could do anything to anyone except the major clans. And even that was not a definite. He gulped thinking back to the look the man had given the former Uchiha clan grounds. That was better forgotten.
He packed up and went home before dispelling.
Next scene:
Ahh Kabuki.
Kumiko quite enjoyed the raucous display of debauchery as she nursed her drink after her training with the Anbu. Wanting to forget what she had seen. She was joined by Tokubetsu Jonin Yuhi Kurenai Konoha's Genjutsu Mistress. She was a shoe in for promotion at the next Jonin exams. What few knew about her was she was an alcoholic party animal. This surprised many to be sure. Assuming her friend Mitarashi Anko to be the party animal. But no. In private their personalities seemed to switch with Anko being reserved and enjoying Tea ceremony and Kurenai enjoying guzzling bottles of Shochu…
She did not get it either.
But she made excellent conversation and company.
The audience applauded as a rather humorous scene played out on stage.
Amid the hoots and hollers she turned to her tipsy company.
"So whats been going on in your life? Thanks for the treatise by the way. I had no clue Genjutsu could even be used that way."
The other woman blushed more than the liquor could have been responsible for.
"Ahh well, its 'hic' nothing. Just making my way in the world and teaching a budding student on the side."
Kumiko hmm'd.
"The Hyuga girl right? You must be very well trusted to be let near the heiress."
The laugh she received was bitter in return and filled with a dark mirth.
"Hah. Trusted? They are throwing that poor sweet girl away. She is more suited to being a healer but that bastard.."
She caught herself.
"But Hiashi dono-"
She spit that part out like it was diseased.
"-has decided she needs a "womans touch", he beats her black and blue during training and forces her to fight her younger sister. She is a nervous wreck and its all I can do to get her to harm a fly. And when she is not with me she is spying on that Naruto brat. I keep trying to get her to approach the boy to get it out of her system but she faints every time I bring it up."
Kumiko giggled.
"You know she skips the academy sometimes to spy on us during training right? It's a little creepy honestly. If she was not untouchable I would have marched her right up to Naruto and forced them to be in a room together until she was sick of him"
Kurenai groaned.
"Please tell me you have not told Hiashi?"
Kumiko laughed.
"Hah, I would never go near that prick. He is just as much an ass now as he was in the academy. In any case if the Anbu assigned to Naruto at all times have said nothing they are not going to. Or as you said he truly does not care."
Kurenai huffed.
"True. What's it like having the spooks around at all hours of the day."
Kumiko sighed.
"You get used to them. At the very least they only assign women to my apartment so no peeping toms and they don't go through my things but you would not believe the amount of security and red tape around him and he still manages to get kidnapped."
Kurenai snorted.
"That's Konoha for you. Long may it last."
They raised their glasses. Well… Kumiko's glass to Kurenai's full bottle.
Sage that woman had a high alcohol tolerance.
"Say."
Kumiko began.
"How about we arrange a play date? We are both glorified baby-sitters after all. I was only in the psych division for a brief period but I know the best thing is exposure therapy…"
Kurenai spewed shochu in shock on the man in front of them who, almost got up to start a scene but a quick Genjutsu had the man loopy and happy again. Some freaky men would pay good money for that even.
Degenerates.
"Are you crazy? Hiashi will have both of our heads. The Hokage might be able to protect you but they can find you anywhere."
She pondered it some more her head lolling a little to the side.
"Maybe we can give it a shot. Sage knows she needs a friend and to get over her crush. Its hampering her development."
She took another swig and realized she had drank the last of the bottle. She waved a terrified server over asking for another.
"What's it like having a team?"
Kumiko looked at her curiously.
"Why? You want one?"
Kurenai showed her first sign of bashfulness. Aping her student putting her fingers together.
"Its just… Yeah. I want a team. I have always wanted to be a teacher and pass on my knowledge as a Genjutsu mistress. There are not many of us."
The actors on stage set up the next act.
"Well, you know I do it for money but its not all sunshine and roses. You are the Genin's surrogate parent. You guide them through their first kill. You are responsible for their safety and if it comes down to it you need to be prepared to be the one who does not come home."
She took a long final swig, feeling tipsy herself finally.
"But there are also the magic moments where everything comes together and they feel like family on their own."
Kurenai had not yet taken a swig of the fresh bottle as she took what she said in.
Their companionship lasted the night.
Next scene:
Konoha's rumor network was a funny thing. Secrets to shinobi were everything. To a ninja village doubly so.
So naturally everyone and their mother gossiped like the fish mongers wives. Every secret below A rank was pretty much known by everyone. Even the thirds telescope technique which was supposed to be a secret, naturally everyone knew and speculated he used it to peep on women in the Hot Springs like his degenerate student.
It was disturbingly easy to turn it to your favor and run any narrative that you wanted and people would believe it. So she took ruthless advantage of it. She softened rhetoric towards Naruto wherever she could, she created the narrative that he was just a poor misunderstood child desperate for affection and she was the valiant motherly figure coming in to selflessly save the village. Naruto's most recent prank was a blessing in disguise, it was harmless with no lasting property damage and it deflated the pressure that had been building up allowing her to reach people who would otherwise only be further on edge with sweet nothing promises of curtailment.
See? Already the child is improving. See?
She was changing, ever so slowly peoples perspective of Naruto as the fox. To Naruto as one of the foxes victims. A little scamp that just needed a parent. This was especially effective to most. It even got her perks like discounts in stores and people bought her drinks at the bar. It would take time but within maybe a year she figured as long as she followed through on her whispered stories and rumor she could all but eliminate the hatred directed towards the boy. Would he be viewed as a hero by many as the third naively wished? Most definitely not. But a victim? Why that would be child's play. Perhaps there would still be some holdouts but no strategy was perfect.
Does she feel bad about taking advantage of the situation?
Hell no. Money is Money.
It would change from fear and avoidance to outright aggrandizement as many changed their view and gossiped how the boy just 'needed a firm hand'. How revolting.
Naruto may not like being pitied but it was a whole hell of a lot better than being hated at all times. He would have these episodes and outbursts occasionally, seeming to not even realize he was doing it and that was not good but this was all she could do to help. He would just have to learn to deal with it.
A messenger hawk flew down and landed on her outstretched arm.
Speak of the devil…
Unrolling the scroll she saw it was a report on Naruto and how he fared the night before. Small incident on the way, possible compromise of the information embargo around the fox from Naruto of all people. Situation nominal. Possible power play by Daimyo. Compromise of information embargo on the Uzumaki. Potential clan member found? Spare? Spare for what? The way it was written in different color ink she does not think the last two parts were meant for her. Or were they only meant for her? How did things manage to go so Fubar in only 24 hours? She dreaded the first C-rank curse that was rumored and was the reason she always waited 6 months. She filed it away for contemplation in her walk-in… er her inner sanctum. Perhaps, Hound who she knew was the one who sent this message was not as loyal of a dog as many were led to believe. Hell, even she was almost fooled and she had infiltrated some of the tightest security places in the elemental nations. But working with him and being trained by him these past nearly 3 months had been eye opening.
"Well that's just wonderful."
She said sarcastically aloud.
She would have not one but two people who could execute her possibly breathing down her neck. And on top of that she was given even more definitely classified information that would justify the removal of her head.
"Whatever."
She burned the note and evidence knowing the Hokage would have received his own more detailed scroll.
Next scene:
Becoming Kenta was often times both the hardest and easiest things he had ever done.
The next two weeks he would perhaps be Kenta for the last time.
He applied the temporary hair die and applied his special latex mask that did not look like a mask. No he would not refer to it by its real name thank you very much.
He applied the special sealed eyepatch he had made for this, already missing his Hitaiite.
This was almost the longest he had gone without killing anything. Barring that incident two weeks ago this was the greatest breath of fresh air he had ever had. And it was almost over. Part of him screamed that he did not deserve it. That he should be repenting at the stone as usual but duty did not care for his demons.
Part of him screamed that he never wanted this to end. He had been honest with Naruto about that at least.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi would never let him go. Perhaps when he finally stepped down (or croaked he honestly cared little at this point) he would beg the new Hokage for relief. If his vain hope for peace lasted perhaps it would even be granted.
He looked at the armband on his disguise.
Perhaps he could even become Kenta truly. One day when Naruto could understand he would beg his forgiveness. If the worst came to pass and Sarutobi hung on to the bitter end it would be Naruto himself he would be begging for his relief.
It was with the greatest sadness that he missed his chance to be Naruto's Genin sensei and carry on the legacy of team 7. But he was grateful he could be around the boy in other ways.
Kakashi effectively shed his identity for perhaps the final time in peaceful circumstances. Save perhaps the out that all Hatake males had. The mask.
If he were truly ever so desperate to leave he would remove his mask and leave with none ever able to find him. For no one save Minato and his own father had ever seen his full face. (Gai had… a quiet part of him whispered) He would leave his headband and never look back and leave the life of shinobi behind, with his skills and anonymity no one would ever be able to find him he was certain.
If Naruto were to ever perish, he would do this.
If Naruto were to perish by his own hands if the worst were to occur, per his orders, he would take his fathers sabre and cut open his own stomach in front of the accursed monkey. Let this accursed bloodline end. Let the damned monkey clean his own carpet for this hound was done serving him.
Let his curse end.
Pakun jumped onto his head sensing his distress. He whispered sweet assurances he would only ever accept from his pack.
He gradually became what passed for human again and gently pet the small dog who had been with him since the beginning.
He went about the rest of his business and finished packing for the capital.
He stood in front of the monument in the early morning in companionable silence with Might Gai who always seemed to be able to find him. Though he gave no indication as to his identity with only a small nod and a smile as goodbye before going back to his boisterous self. He walked to the gate with his duffle bag. This time only fashionably late.
He smiled at the jeers he got for being late and the exasperated Tanaka. He nodded to other members of Naruto's Anbu guard. Each of the 5 groups had one. An expensive addition as this took a spot from other hopeful diplomats but Naruto's importance as an asset (he vomited a little in his mouth) took precedence. The rest of the 10 member cadre of Fox guards as their classified designation was distastefully named, would be temporarily reassigned. (Perhaps permanently if Kakashi had his way. Some of the members were compromised.) Tenzo was also in this course and confided in Kakashi he also enjoyed it greatly. But alas duty called.
They went on their way with Naruto showing off as usual this time not even vying for attention as the ran what Kakashi considered a leisurely stroll. He was intrigued by the chakra control exercise Naruto was trying to perform to keep himself busy. He kept smarting at several near misses as the distracted boy kept pace.
Kumiko sensei had truly worked miracles with Naruto so far as even with as little as he was using Kakashi could literally feel the monstrous amount of chakra Naruto could bring to bear. He was taking only tiny slivers and Kakashi could feel even that was too much as he entertained himself enraptured with what the boy was trying to do.
After some time.
He jolted a little seeing the boy create chakra strings. A profound effort of control. Even if it was really Chakra yarn. Then…
The string started feeling the knife all over looking for what? Kakashi did not know. Chakra dampening iron was the polar opposite of Chakra metal. They were briefed on everything Naruto was taught and received. Kumiko had created a seemingly impossible chakra control exercise but she could not file for credit until someone succeeded in the exercise and demonstrated improvement.
Then he saw the string become smaller than a normal chakra string as Naruto demonstrated inhuman control as his face contorted in pain. He was just about to intervene when he heard a…
"Yattaa!"
The kunai was sticking to his open outstretched palm. Naruto had performed the impossible and he was so proud of the boy and he knew Minato would be proud too.
"Naruto look out!"
He had completely missed the tree Naruto was on a collision course with as Naruto made like a human cannon ball and imprinted into the side of the tree.
He knew it was inappropriate but still.
"Hahahahahahahhah!"
He burst out laughing getting a scared look from the rest of his group as they frantically checked the boy to make sure he had not died.
He took out his spy camera and took a few snapshots bewildering his companions.
The boy had survived far, far worse. He should know he was there for most of them. The worst incident had him crashing out and waking up in a mental institution some two months later. He had been the one to discover the corpselike boy in the orphanage some 4 years previous. He did not remember what he did to those women in retribution, all he knew was that Gai had been unable to look him in the eye for a couple months and then senior torturer Morino Ibiki had looked at him with awe and naked fear. So perhaps it was for the best he did not remember.
He would be the first to admit he was not mentally all there.
This? Naruto had hurt himself worse committing some of his absurd pranks. He had subtly egged him on for the sheer joy of trolling.
He waved the distraught children and alarmed older Jonin away letting them know.
"Mah, Mah don't you know this little prankster has hurt himself far worse in his antics? He is fine see?"
Already the scrapes and broken nose had healed itself. Kakashi quickly rebreaking and setting the nose right as it almost instantly healed causing Hiro to rush off to vomit and Kitagawa looked positively green. Tanaka sensei looked at him questioningly and in concern.
"Kaka… Kenta it might be better if we returned to the village to get that checked out."
The man was gazing pointedly at the boys navel.
He shook his head in denial.
"Its fine, we would already know if it wasn't. Without Jiraiya I am the foremost expert on the matter here and I barely classify as a journeyman. But I tell you, we would know."
The older Jonin nodded uncertainly.
He secured the boy to his back, pocketing his belongings and after Hiro had some water they were off once more.
The silence was glorious. For all of two hours as Kakashi monitored the fluctuations of the foxes chakra with his own. Something was different.
Two hours later he had his answer as Naruto groggily came back to consciousness.
"Wha- What?"
He chuckled.
"You gave us quite a scare back there you know? Tanaka sensei almost turned us right around back to the village."
The boy blushed embarrassed.
"Ah well…"
He continued.
"And I was sure to get a picture of the you sized imprint in the tree. Blackmail material you understand."
Naruto gasped.
"What!?"
Before he got dizzy and slumped once more onto his shoulder.
He chuckled.
"Ahh good to see you are not concussed just messing with you."
The boy sighed in relief.
"Or am I?"
He trolled.
Things were silent for a time once more.
"Kenta?"
Naruto asked quietly after a time. A twitch developed in his forehead in annoyance.
"Have you ever had weird dreams?"
He eye smiled for effect.
"Mah Mah, more often than I would like. Why? Did you have one?"
The boy seemed to gather his courage.
"I woke up in what looked like the Konoha sewers. But… not. I followed a blue glow and found myself in a weird room with a blue pool. It had hallways going everywhere. I went down one."
Ah.
Ah damn.
Ah shit. He was not ready or authorized to have this conversation, but he had to weasel out what the boy had found out in the meantime. That's what that Fox Chakra fluctuation had been.
He could only remain silent in the meantime.
After a time where Naruto seemed to be focusing and Kakashi could feel the boys leviathan chakra reaching out. Almost… watching him?
"Did you find anything?"
He prompted seemingly having lost the nonexistent mental battle.
"Just a woman with red hair she…"
His insides tried to tear themselves asunder as he barely caught his foot from making both of them crash.
No…
Sensei… You really were something. Was a piece of her left behind? Or did Minato leave his son a gift?
His thoughts darkened.
Or maybe the fox had gotten crafty. He desperately wished to sob and hug the boy and tell him everything about the wonderful people that had been his parents to see the joy in his eyes as he realized that, yes people cared about him and he was not some whores throw away orphan. He cursed the third for only allowing him to interact with him in the guise of a disguise. He cursed himself for knowing that even if he was allowed to be involved he would be the same aloof asshole he knew he was.
He needed to read Icha Icha again. Needed to lose himself in Jiraiya's poetry and drown out these thoughts.
But…
"You know."
The pit of his stomach froze over like the deepest crevice's of Snow country. The boy was far more perceptive than he let on to be able to tell just from the feel of his chakra as he guessed that was what the boy was doing.
What to do? What to do?
Silence was unacceptable it would be taken as a sign of admission which he was not allowed. But he was not allowed to outright tell the boy either as much as he wished he could.
Wait…
He could give a hint, praying that echo was a fragment of Kushina and not the fox. The living could be punished but how could the dead? A gambit then, hopefully the boy understood his hint eventually and not just surface level. But he was a 10 year old. Nothing for it.
"Naruto…"
He began.
"Look inside yourself for the answers. Always look underneath the underneath."
There, he could not be blamed if the boy found it himself. Always follow the letter if not the spirit of the law. He may be trash but was not less than trash.
The boy seemed to think it over as his head lolled to the side on his shoulder still too dizzy to stand.
Next Scene:
He would never get used to the smells of large cities. He remembered vomiting the first time Minato had brought him to one. Konoha was positioned in a valley with a wind that always blew towards the monument. Not only was this a defensive boon as any invading army would be immediately sniffed out by the myriad of tracking clans and families. But it also served to lift the smells of village life up and away. The Shodaimes massive trees also served to purify the air.
Here? The smell hung like a miasma. Both sewage, food, smog and the stink of humans mingled in a hodge podge of rot.
He chuckled along with Tanaka as the younger students, two of whom had never even left the village before began gagging and retching. The slightly older Kitagawa wrinkled her nose and covered it with a cloth.
"You get used to it."
Tanaka sensei remarked.
"Have any of you ever seen anything like this before?"
He remarked beyond his disguises usually reserved manner of speaking.
"No."
Naruto said breathlessly.
"Then let's not waste any time."
The feast was rather soon. And they needed to check in. The Jade orchid was one of the most exclusive Ryokans in the land of fire and guests of the Daimyo or not, no late check ins.
After being let in the gate he desperately began reading Icha Icha once more uncaring if it exposed his disguise. Ahh Sayuri-chan your lovely bodice makes a lovely mental image. He had the special edition with the included exclusive pinup photoshoots with models Jiraiya hand-picked to match the characters.
Naruto choked briefly catching his attention as he noticed the Uzumaki memorabilia in the window knowing exactly why Naruto had the reaction. He was under no orders to prevent the boy from finding anything on his own as such, so officially he noticed nothing.
He went back to his book, paying no real attention coming on his favorite sex scene and imagining himself in the protagonists place plowing right into Sayuri until…
"…Kenta and I will sleep together."
It was all he could do not to choke, as Sayuri was replaced with older Jonin in his imagination who even blew him a kiss before he mentally torched the image and struggled mightily not to do the same to the man himself.
The boys started giggling like the juveniles they were as he waved his hands subtly signing to the man that he would pay…
"Maa Maa, phrasing Tanaka sensei you have virgin ears before you."
The man groveled of course but no matter.
Next Scene:
He did up his formal wear after a relaxing soak in the tub. Tanaka-san trussed up like a roast pheasant as Kakashi luxuriously ate both meal sets the servants had brought.
The man looked at him resentfully but to Kakashi he had been let off easy. Besides they had two weeks for him to enjoy the amenities.
He made a note that Naruto appeared to have made a clone to leave behind. He made one himself just to keep an eye on him and curious as to what he would accomplish.
It was all he could do not to coo at both boys as the ridiculous traditional hair style made them look so prim, proper. And stupid.
They made their way to the palace where Kakashi was actually looking forward to possibly seeing Asuma again. He was due back to the village soon anyway so it was possible he would return with them.
His and Naruto's seats should have been obvious in hindsight as the man buttered both him and Naruto up. He was heaped with gold and the deed to a property in the city as the Daimyo flagrantly showed how little he thought of his disguise as he heaped praise upon his father and himself. His token attempt to deny and keep his disguise was met only with the derision of an aristocrat as the look said.
'Do you believe I am stupid?'
Naruto made fast friends with the heir and his retainers, The gold made sense, the invitation to the capital academy while a princely gift was only mildly concerning as it was unlikely the boy would be allowed to leave the village for that long. But the sword he was given…
Such blades were common during the warring clans period. It was a sign of alliance and the esteem of the clan that gave it. It was meant to be a masterwork to secure further employment as it demonstrated the clans skill. His own family had given many such blades.
To return such a thing… And from the lack of glint on the blade it was 100% chakra metal. Forget princely this was worthy of an emperor.
Chakra metal was precious. Most chakra blades only had the edge of the blades made from it like the steel tip of an iron axe to save on cost and limited supply. His own fathers blade the White Chakra saber was made of 100% chakra metal, a rarity, but it was a family heirloom and the work of generations of savings as an investment which yielded a very short dagger really that was then imbued with his families special chakra for many generations. To make a full size blade and simply give it away? Likely with additional Uzumaki sealing script? Nations would wage wars for such a thing back in the old days. Chakra metal was less precious now due to more advanced smelting methods and literal centuries of stockpiled slag but even still it was a very dear gift of a style that went back to the days of the clan wars.
And to simply give it away to a 10 year old? Deserving or not, member of the family that gave it or not.
He looked the Daimyo in the eye in disregard of protocol, garnering scandal from those who saw and agitation from the mans shinobi guards. Asuma unfortunately not here.
But the man himself?
He was looking right back into Kakashi's eyes dead on. He knew that he knew. And he smiled mightily and toothily. There was zero ambiguity.
This was a power play and whatever agreement regarding Naruto that existed between the two old men he theoretically owed his allegiance to was clearly not worth whatever it was written on as they both turned their gaze to the boy as a naked look of hunger and gratefulness emanated out in waves from the boy who looked towards the Daimyo in poorly concealed awe. The boy's chakra was so thick those attuned to it could literally feel his strong emotions.
The man had struck and scored a blow before Kakashi knew a game was even being played.
The expensive liquor turned to vinegar in his mouth as he fell into the motion of entertaining his 'lord' and retainers on the back foot.
He had forced Hiruzen's hand. The man would have to say something about the Uzumaki now. Otherwise Naruto would jump right into the lord of fire's clutches willingly uncaring of whatever was at stake. Uncaring of whatever strings that may come with this beneficence. After all why would a dog serve a master that only gave beatings and vinegar when a new one came along providing steak and honey? And swords were a traditional gift at these gatherings to boot so nothing could be said.
He smiled and toasted Kakashi who only played along until his clone popped and he about had an aneurysm.
Next Scene:
It was 3 in the morning. He and Naruto were the only two not completely wasted as they half carried their companions to their rooms. For Kakashi the trick was constant chakra channeled to the liver. For Naruto it was simply that alcohol had no effect on him. Naruto's clones carried Kita and Hiro as the exhausted boy seemed to age a decade as he hugged the sword he was given for dear life. Looking for all the world like he wanted to cry. And Kakashi could not blame him. A woman that nominally appeared to be an Uzumaki. Just right there. Potentially all the answers to his questions. Just. Right. There.
Convenient, almost too convenient. But there was one fact that put the kibosh on his paranoia.
She was a prostitute. With an inactive chakra network to boot. The size of a Chunin as befitting an Uzumaki but clearly without use. According to the locals she was an exotic piece that had been a part of the district for a good 20 years now. Since Uzushio fell. In his spying he noticed also a young red haired boy younger than Naruto, perhaps 5-6 years old. After she turned off her red light for the night she cared for the small boy.
His own chakra had run low by that point so he simply dispelled.
Now he was writing his reports to send in the morning.
He was afraid. Afraid he would be ordered to keep Naruto away from the first sign of his family he had ever seen.
He was afraid he would be ordered to silence the loose end and kill part of Naruto's family.
And worse of all he was afraid he would be ordered to kidnap the small child as a potential replacement should their current Uzumaki fail. They did not grow on trees and only they could hold the fox.
All of these and more went through his mind.
The mere thought of being the cause of the spark of hope in Naruto dying was enough to make a man want to spill out his own entrails.
No. Treason it was.
He prepared two reports. One for Kumiko, and a much longer one for the Hokage. He detailed the breakdown of the information embargo by the Daimyo, and Naruto's concerning behavior with what was likely the seal. He left the mention of Kushina out, as far as anyone was concerned he had not discovered a spare pair of Uzumaki. He stared at his note to Kumiko knowing she had been snooping where she did not belong. Taking out his red ink he added an addendum knowing she burned her missives shortly after reading. He detailed the possibility of a clan member being found and the discovery of a spare host. She would keep it quiet if she valued their skins and perhaps teach Naruto how to be discrete as well.
What was a little treason between friends?
He ignored that they were not really friends.
He turned in for the night honestly bone tired.
AN: Sorry this took awhile. I would have gotten done sooner but I was focused on a Naruto section I would have included but I was unsatisfied with it. You get an idea about how things are going behind the scenes. Also obligatory ("Watch out for that tree!") Go back and re-read the first chapter soon (not yet) I will add an introduction showing how Naruto graduated. I am setting things up for the next arc and experimenting with giving other POVs. Thank you for reading.