The intricate nature of formal tea ceremonies was always a balm to Danzo, a method by which he was able to practice isolating and formulating his emotions. While some no doubt saw them as needless formalism better suited to the nobility and the samurai, Danzo took a longer view. Ceremony and ritual were reinforcements of the mind, bastions one could draw upon when dealing with emotions.

The pain of losing his own family in the Kyuubi's rampage was something he had managed to bury deeply within him, but it never left. He knew that most people, with no real emotional control, liked to believe they acted rationally, but few actually managed to keep their emotions from determining their actual course in life. Strong beliefs founded on what people wished for or believed in colored almost every act, and people would ignore facts in favor of clinging desperately to fantasy when that is what they built their life around.

Ceremony sometimes fell into that flaw as well, but the calming nature of it, the simplicity mixed with the complexity, always made him feel more in control. And as he considered the very slight flaws in the tea setting before him, in the gleaming white hall of the Hyuuga, he reflected for a few moments on how often people forgot one simple rule about emotions and control.

They can be suppressed, or hidden, but never removed, and rarely fully controlled.

He sipped the tea – an exquisite mixture from the aptly named Tea Country, which probably cost enough to feed a family of four for a year – from the cups made of glazed faintly-blue china with wooden rims grown by the First Hokage himself. Each one was a priceless work of unmatched and unreplicatable art – the clay hand molded by the Nidaime and polished by his water jutsu, with delicate fuinjutsu seals to keep contents hot or cold. The single cup he held was worth hundreds of thousands of koku, the entire set nearly as expensive as the First Hokage's famed necklace.

A faint expression of pleasure crossed his battered features as he set the cup down just so, before wiping his fingers ritualistically on the provided cloth. He was, despite himself, impressed by the reception.

"As expected, Hyuuga-sama, excellent. Honors to your house." He made sure to pitch his voice in a respectful manner, keenly aware of the power of the figure facing him, even if his companion in the ceremony was still young and unsure.

The hard, cool features of Hiashi Hyuuga flickered not a bit, his pale eyes merely moving over the forms of the service as one of his clansmen began moving the ritual tea setting to one side on a carven, pale white wooden tray, inset with inky black kanji – a poem about the purity of driven snow, and the icy bite of the winds. It was a good match for the two hanging simple watercolors flanking them, both of a lone mountain above a forest line – one set in winter, with stylized empty branches and simple strokes indicating ice and snow, the other in spring, wild with greens and sakura pink against a crisp blue sky.

A moment later the Hyuuga spoke, his voice still growing into the register of a man but steady nonetheless. "I am equally gratified you would grace us with your presence, Hokage-dono. While it is always a pleasure to be of service to the Fire Shadow, I must admit your visit and consultation is reassuring. The Yondaime's death comes as a bitter price to pay, and the loss of elders such as that of my father have left us with many wounds, both mental and … emotional." He paused, sipping the tea. "These are unsettled times... and I find it difficult to proceed with the plans of the House without a better understanding of the changes that will no doubt be occurring."

Danzo wished he could snort, but that would be unacceptable in the rigorous decorum of the tea ceremony. The boy – and despite being twenty years of age, Danzo saw him as a boy – was certainly blunt enough. With an inclination of his head, he spoke in a relaxed tone. "As the situation now stand, Hyuuga-sama, I am afraid there is very little I can tell you that is set in stone."

He paused, then continued in a slightly louder voice. "While we have mostly made preparations for defense of our home, we still have other issues that must be touched upon. The past two months since the attack of the Kyuubi and the wake of its destruction have been somewhat tumultuous, both due to probing forces from Iwa and Kumo as well as the political fallout of … other issues, more delicate issues, so to speak."

Hiashi's nostrils flared ever so slightly. "I presume you mean the container. That is the pressing problem at the moment...and one you said you would impact upon our clan."

Danzo nodded, watching as the last of the branch house members departed the formal tea room the two sat in. "Yes. You of course remember the lively discussion on the night after the attack, and the concerns of both the Civilian and Ninja council?"

Hiashi nodded solemnly. "Concerns I think are well founded. The Kyuubi did not simply appear out of nowhere – Kushina's seal failed, and it was crafted by Mito Uzumaki herself. If such a person with decades of experience was unable to craft a fail-safe seal, then the hurried construction performed by Minato-dono must be much weaker. There is also the fact that neither Kushina nor Mito-sama were actual jinchuriki, but rather merely contained the beast. We are therefore faced with the ugly possibility that the seal could fail and unleash the Kyuubi once more, or that using its powers are impossible..."

Danzo smiled faintly. "Some would suggest trusting in the Yondaime's sealwork. He was well trained, by both Jiraya – who learned the arts from Mito – and his wife."

Hiashi's already grim expression hardened further. "Trust is something no shinobi should have a surfeit of. As the Sage said, 'Only a fool trusts in an untested bridge'. I do not doubt the seal will hold for now, but the Kyuubi is no normal bijuu. If the tales are correct, he is the mightiest of the Nine."

Danzo nodded. "The ancient tales say that half of the strength of the ancient demon the Sage slew went into the Kyuubi, and then half of that into the Eight Tails, half of that into the Seven, and so forth. Certainly the beast managed to inflict horrific casualties upon the village with barely fifteen minutes of exposure. But that is far afield from the point." He sipped his own tea. "Regardless of the strength of the seal, a jinchuriki is always going to be liable to lose control during the stress of pregnancy. As the current container is a male, that is not a concern – it might even be why the previous seal failed when prior to that it had held steady."

The Hyuuga frowned. "That may be so, but it remains a heavy risk. There are seals that can overload and counter seals, and there is also the concern that both Kushina and Mito-sama were functional adults by the time the Kyuubi was sealed into them – the current container's identity is unknown but you informed my clan and several others that it was a baby."

Danzo nodded. "I will admit to some concerns about that. The initial mind scan by the Yamanaka implies that the beast is in torpor, unconscious from the sealing – it may not awaken. Even if it does, it may not affect the child – Jiraya has put forth the argument about a kunai and a sealing scroll being two very different things."

The iron control of discipline in the Hyuuga's face flickered for an instant, a faint sneer. "Yes, because all kunai are actually mountain-tall demonic monsters. With all due respect to the Sannin, I do not think such a spurious argument will convince anyone that there is no danger."

Danzo gave a wider smile. "Hyuuga-sama, surely you understand that any weapon has risks. Even the finest sword may shatter in combat, blinding its wielder. I am not unaware of the risks we have by containing such a creature, but the power it offers us, and the ends it can be put to, outweigh the risk."

He sipped the tea again – it really was excellent, he would have to have some of his men steal some for his own use. "That is not, I assure you, why I implied your clan would have a role to play."

Hiashi nodded. "I had anticipated as much. The beast's sealing is much more complex and given your warning to our clan and the Uchiha, I can only surmise that there is some chakra leakage that would be detectable." Hiashi paused. "I presume that there is a reason for the delay between your announcement of such and this action?"

Danzo nodded. "Politics. As you know, there was some contention for the post of Hokage. Fugaku Uchiha managed to convince a majority of his clan to replace Kagami as clan head, and felt he was the best choice. I disagreed. While the civilian council normally would have no say on the issue, it was seen as … expedient to allow the Daimyo to make the choice, a process that has taken time."

He exhaled. "Thus, for two months I have waited, for both the Fire Daimyo and the Council to formally confirm me as Godaime. Fugaku, in his arrogance, alienated the Daimyo's representative, and was discarded as a candidate. Now that has completed, I can begin to move with the legalities – and plans – to secure Kohona. These begin with your clan, Hyuuga-sama, hence my visit today."

He straightened again, allowing himself a faint smile. "As matters relate to the container, I was not … entirely … truthful with the Civilian and Ninja council. I fail to see the reason we need civilians being advised on clan or ninja matters, and the security of the container is of primary importance for several reasons. And the majority of the clans do not understand the need for the primacy of Kohona."

The Hyuuga lord nodded almost dismissively, and Danzo concealed his mirth. Along with the Aburame and the long-reviled and hunted Yamanaka, the Hyuuga were the clan that most closely mirrored his own beliefs about emotional control and the place of Kohona.

Of course, each had its reasons. Aburame prized logic and hive mentalities, and could not bond with their alien kikachu if they were strongly emotional. Outcast and seen as freaks by most, only Kohona had accepted them with open arms, and their rationality did not mean they did not seek revenge on Kumo, who had hunted them, and Iwa, who had exiled them.

Likewise, the Yamanaka needed iron-like emotional control to prevent losing control of their mentalist abilities, and to stop powerful clan members from becoming corrupted by their power. Having seen into the minds of many enemies, they felt only Kohona had the right mindset to lead the ninja world.

For the Hyuuga, it was much simpler. They were descended from the most ancient of true royalty, higher even than the Daimyo, and had a bloodline that was of vast utility and power. Kohona was their only refuge from both political forces that would cast them down or puppet them in attempting to unite the Elemental Nations, or to steal their bloodlines. Or worse. The Hyuuga were obsessed with purity, with strength, with power and elegance, and Kohona was where they would stand or fall.

After a long moment, Danzo merely nodded. "As far as the issue goes, there are problems with how the container should be raised. There are … certain issues with his heritage that make him unique and valuable, as well as an incredible target for others."

Hiashi arched an eyebrow. "And what are those?"

Danzo's expression hardened. "Before I inform you, you will need to swear an oath to Kami and Shingami upon the souls of your entire clan that you will not divulge the information to anyone I do not designate."

The Hyuuga's eyes widened. That was the most powerful and restrictive of oaths, one that would see a person's soul destroyed instead of reincarnated in the Great Wheel. "What … " With a inhaled breath he mastered his shock. His father would be filled with disappointment in such a lapse. "Very well, Hokage-dono, I do so swear upon the names and souls of the Hyuuga of House Ōtsutsuki that I will never divulge what you tell me of the container or his heritage without your prior permission."

Danzo nodded. "Thank you, Hyuuga-sama. I would not normally ask, but..." He gave a rueful smile. "The container is Minato's son, the child of him and Kushina. Given that Kushina's aunt was Mito, he is also technically related to the Senju. Based on what we have seen so far from chakra scans, there is a very slight possibility he may manifest the Mokuton."

Hiashi paled. "The last of the Uzumaki, and Minato-dono's son...and the host of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. Related to the Senju...Mokuton? Kami above."

Danzo grimaced. "There is more. Both Jiraya and Tsunade have had contact with the highest sages of their summon clans, both who claim this child will one day become the savior of the entire world … or its utter and complete destruction." He exhaled. "I do not need to explain to you how utterly critical it is that this remains secret."

Hiashi nodded rapidly. "How … have you ensured this?"

Danzo shifted slightly. "I had my agents capture and seal much of the loose, ambient chakra of the Kyuubi in massive amounts, and with the assistance of Homura, was able to seal the vast majority of it into a child – an orphan. The chakra is mindless but highly visible. This child will be trained heavily and publicly presented as the jinchuriki."

"The actual container has already had several chakra suppressant seals placed on him, as well as a genjutsu array that should prevent sensors from picking up on his unique nature. Obviously, such methods will not fool the Byukugan, nor the Sharingan, nor the Aburame's insect jutsu. And the Yamanaka mind techniques will instantly detect the boy is a host."

Danzo adjusted his position on the tatami matting and picked up his tea once more, sipping, allowing Hiashi to process his thoughts. After almost thirty seconds of silence, the young man nodded. "I see. Where is the container now?"

Danzo set down the cup just so. "Currently, the container is in a secure location outside of Kohona, guarded by my elite ANBU. And this brings me to the … crux of the reason why I am here today. "

He exhaled slowly. "Keeping his existence and status a secret will become more difficult as he grows and matures. Thus, we must begin planning now both for his future training, and his future housing and growth. Kohona has never used or trained jinchuriki before, and quite frankly given the – as you put it – hasty nature of the seal, and the power of the beast, we are reluctant to experiment wildly."

"Normally, I would train the boy myself, focusing on emotion suppression and forging him into a weapon for the village. Indeed, that is most likely what I will do with the fake jinchuriki. But we simply do not know enough about how jinchuriki function to be sure such an approach would work, so before implementing that we conducted some research while waiting for the political fallout I mentioned earlier to settle."

He reached to the small pouch on his waist, pulling out a small scroll. "My ANBU have been searching for known methods of the control of bijuu and the training of jinchuriki, and from what we have found a jinchuriki is most stable and capable of containing the bijuu when they are well balanced and have strong emotional bonds to loved ones. While this is certainly a liability in normal shinobi, it has several advantages with a jinchuriki."

Hiashi considered this. "Yes, I can see that. Using the loved ones to control the container, as well as ensure its loyalty. Most people would be … uneasy around such a person, however. And the stability issue, even if it reduced by having strong bonds, would still remain."

Danzo nodded again. "True. However, it occurs to me that what is needed is a series of interconnected measures. The container must be trained to control – not destroy – their emotions, and should be trained as a normal shinobi alongside their jinchuriki powers. I do not want the container to stand out among other ninja, nor do I feel it is useful for him to be limited to the powers of the bijuu. I want a weapon that is multifunctional, not a single use kunai."

"A ninja who can pass as merely another jonin, until the time comes to use his bijuu powers, would be a devastating weapon on the battlefield. Most other nations do not bother, because their sealing methods are crude and ineffective, and because they fear the beast's power. Fear is weakness. Control is strength."

The Hyuuga lord nodded. "And thus, a stable environment when the container is growing up is desirable."

The old ninja's voice did not waver as he continued. "Yes, precisely. An environment where he can experience both bonds – to the village and to a family – and yet have some semblance of emotional control. Being able to function socially and at many levels of society, including the highest, would also be important. After all, once he comes of an age to defend himself, announcing his linage will strike utter fear in the ranks of other villages, especially if he can master the Hirashin and combine it with the power of a bijuu."

Danzo grinned ferally as he spoke this, and Hiashi almost felt sorry for the other villages. "A masterful concept. However, not to be rude, Hokage-dono, but what role would my clan play in this...scenario?"

Danzo folded his arms. "Simple. While I want him to grow up and be trained as a weapon of war, at the same time, I need to have the container in an area where he is constantly monitored for both emotional instability and seal instability, and with limited civilian contact. I need him to be exposed to the highest level of shinobi skill and to master both his mind and body. Finally, he would need to be raised in an environment that would promote a sense of duty and loyalty to the village."

Danzo looked at Hiashi. "In short, the container would be placed in the care of one of only a few clans. Either your clan, the Aburame, or the Yamanaka."

Hiashi's eyebrow arched. "Not the Uchiha?"

Danzo again almost snorted. "With two exceptions I do not trust the Uchiha, and plan to reduce their influence in the village by some amount in the short term." He did not miss the satisfied look in the other man's eyes, instead continuing smoothly.

"And even aside from that, I can disguise the container as a Yamanaka with extreme ease. I could conceivably pass them off as a Hyuuga with cosmetic alterations and contact lenses of the appropriate style. The very nature of Aburame dress makes disguising him a matter of simplicity itself. But his likely bone structure – and body type – are likely to be too different from the Uchiha to pass."

Hiashi leaned back slightly. "I see. I presume the clan that is chosen would be … re-compensated in some manner?"

Danzo nodded. "As you know, the Advisory Council is almost empty. I have chosen Kagami Uchiha as one of them. The other would be designated by the clan who hosts the container. Additionally, this would qualify as a series of long-term, S-rank missions, and paid accordingly."

"Finally, given the … seriousness of the situation, I believe I an convince Jiraya to provide some fuinjutsu instruction to the clan, in the creation of suppression and control seals."

The Hyuuga Clan Head merely nodded thoughtfully, and Danzo slowly stood. "Of course, right now such things are still premature. I would prefer the container remain in the current location for additional testing and other prep work, and chakra examinations. And of course, I would seek for both the Aburame and the Yamanaka clans to have a hand in the container's upbringing to some degree."

He narrowed his good eye. "But ultimately, Hyuuga-sama, I do not trust any clan with the future of Kohona aside from yours, and it is my ultimate hope you will agree to raise the container within the strictures of your clan – without, of course, attempting to apply the Caged Bird Seal or any other such nonsense to the container."

Hiashi thought for several long seconds, and then set his cup aside and stood as well. He gave a moderate bow, to a near-equal. "I will of course need to consult in general terms with the Elders of my Clan, although they do not need to know the details you swore me to secrecy about. But … unless something changes, Hokage-dono, the Hyuuga clan would be honored to discharge this obligation to Kohona.

Danzo did not show his satisfaction save in the depth of his bow. "May the Will of Fire burn forever, in the light of those who uphold its ways."

O-DANZOSAMA-O

"Well?"

Danzo shot an irritable look at Jiraya, who lounged almost indolently along a wall in the Hokage's office. "I do not recall summoning you, Jiraya."

The Sannin gave a tight, ugly smile. "Yeah, well. I don't work for you."

Danzo walked past him, leaning on the cane he was now forced to use, and sat down heavily behind the Hokage's desk, before setting aside the hat of the Hokage to one side. "I have little time nor patience for your truculence, Jiraya. Hiruzen indulged in such because he was an overly sentimental fool, who would still be alive and enjoying retirement if he had bothered to listen to me rather than you about Orochimaru."

Jiraya grimaced at that. "You think I don't beat myself up enough over that?"

Danzo placidly flipped open a folder and began inscribing something into the records within. "Not enough to alter your lifestyle, your ignorant wanderings, or your careless behavior. I have not forgotten your foolishness with the Rinnegan user."

Jiraya's face flickered with pain. "Yeah, well. They're dead now."

Danzo exhaled. "Another regret, then? A more wise man would begin to see a pattern and change their lifestyle, but then again you are the great Sannin Sage, and no doubt have no use for the wisdom of a crippled old war-hawk. That is what you called me, yes?"

Jiraya, interestingly, mastered his expression. "I am not perfect, Danzo. I have given much to this village already. All I want is to be able to discharge my duty to Minato and Kushina."

Danzo's eye narrowed. "Ah, yes. They named you as the container's godfather. How … domestic."

Jiraya growled, his chakra spiking. "The container? He has a name, Danzo! It's Naruto!"

Danzo nodded smoothly. "I was not unaware of that. Hardly the sort of name to strike fear into the hearts of enemies...but then again, Kushina was never serious." He paused. "What do you expect me to do about it? You have a spy network to manage. You have no home, you wander constantly, and Iwa hates you almost as much as they did Minato. To send a two month old child with you would be utterly reckless, much less given the … Naruto's heritage and contents."

Jiraya's eyes narrowed. "He's a person, not a sack, you evil old fuck. And I don't give a damn about what you think. I failed Nagato, Konan and Yahiko. I failed Orochimaru, and then I failed sensei. I failed Minato when it counted, and I failed Tsunade. I am not going to fail Naruto, and I'm not going to let you raise him as an emotionless drone weapon!" His voice thundered at the end, and his chakra rose to battle levels.

Danzo merely gazed at him calmly. "Then you have nothing to fear. The boy will be sent to live with the Hyuuga, who will raise him, protect him, and watch over him. He will be trained alongside the heirs of the Hyuuga, the Aburame, and the Yamanaka. He will not be placed into ROOT, nor will he even be trained primarily by me. He will certainly not have his true heritage announced, but he will not be mistreated."

Jiraya snorted. "And people won't find out he's the fucking jinchuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune?!"

Danzo sighed. He once again wished Hiru had trained his students properly. "No, they will not. We gathered enough ambient chakra from the beast to seal it into another orphan. The fake jinchuriki's identity will be leaked, and he will be the public face the villagers and other shinobi will know about. Naruto himself has already had a number of chakra suppression seals and other methods and will be isolated on the Hyuuga compound."

He returned his gaze to his writing. "Ultimately, the...boy...will grow up fairly normally, surrounded by luxury and yet held to high standards of the Hyuuga. We have already planned his training and when the time is right, his heritage will be revealed to him – and the world."

Jiraya gave him a disbelieving look. "You expect me to believe you won't train him as a weapon?"

Danzo snorted. "I do not care if you believe me or not. From the studies we have done, putting the boy in ROOT would damage him and probably result in him being unable to control the bijuu. Furthermore, it struck me that while the powers he would have as a host are formidable, they would be even more formidable if he could function as a normal ninja and only use them when needed. Such a massive amount of chakra would allow him to do things other shinobi simply could not."

Danzo smiled. "In time, he could surpass his father, or even Hashirama." He looked back up at the Sannin. "Believe it or not, Jiraya, I do understand the concept of you wishing to discharge your familial duties. When the time is right I have no objection to you teaching the boy his mother's and father's jutsus and sword styles."

The old man's voice hardened. "But I am not going to allow you to remove him from the village and traipse all over the world with him."

Jiraya fixed him with a glare. "If I come back and he is not treated well, Danzo..."

Danzo merely shrugged. "The village is more important than him, or me, or you. Minato, surprisingly enough, understood that. He sacrificed his very soul, his life, and the life of his wife, and the future of his son for the security of this village. You know enough of my past and my goals to realize I will do no less to ensure Kohona remains safe and that the Will of Fire is supreme."

Jiraya shook his head in disgust. "You think force, power, military conquest and black ops are the strengths of Kohona."

Danzo gave a rusty chuckle. "I do not. I believe in the Will of Fire, as exemplified by Tobirama-sensei and Hashirama-Sensei. I simply believe that where there is light, there must also be shadow, and if we pretend the world is a kind place and ignore the darkness we are only going to make the Great Tree weak."

The Hokage's voice firmed. "He will not have the life of a normal child. But he will not be, as you put it, an emotionless drone. You can either agree to that … or you can defy the will of the Hokage, the Daimyo, and turn your back on this village, and probably get the boy killed before he sees his first birthday. You are already full of regrets, Jiraya."

With an irritated motion, he gestured to the door. "Don't add this one to your list."

A/N:

I'm not very familiar with tea ceremony, so forgive the vagueness.

Sora is not the fake jinchurki, and still exists along with his father and their stupid plans. He'll come up at a later time.

The person the charka will be sealed into will be a canon character. Not sure if Tenten, Sakura, Shin, Sai, or someone else.

The Nine are ranked according to strength. Assume the Juubi had a strength of 1000 units. Kyuubi has half , or 500. The eight tailed has 250. The Seven Tailed has 125. The Six Tailed has 62, the five tailed 31, the four tailed 16, the three tailed 8, the two tailed 4, and the one tail has 2.

Each unit is roughly as powerful as five Kage level shinobi in terms of chakra capacity, as powerful as twenty in chakra reserves. Of course, sheer power is not the only measure - the stronger the bijuu, the less impressive its special abilities are because there is simply too much power to channel into a mortal form.

Given that half the Kyuubi is gone, the Nine-Tails and Eight Tails are actually roughly the same strength.