naruto ch 06

 

                                                                                                Chapter 06

 

 

Three days, three days to finish the bridge and another two days to return to the Leaf. In that time he had gotten to know Haku quite well, he had even sparred several times with him to test his abilities and figured he was close to being Jonin level; even Sasuke had joined in the sparring and nightly conversations.

Sakura walked besides her Sensei throwing the occasional glare behind her at the strange boy, remembering how she had made a fool of herself screaming at Naruto and how he was perverting her Sasuke-kun by taking a girl into the Furo where they held their nightly conversations. The other thing that was pissing her off was the new training techniques Naruto had shared with Sasuke and both of their refusals to show them to her. Telling her they were a clan secret and a gift from one clan to the other as part of their new understanding. The dressing down she got from Kakashi-sensei when she threw a fit still hurt.

Slowing down as they approached the gate, Naruto glanced sideways at Haku proudly wearing the symbol of his village, a symbol that had not been seen in this village since his mother arrived. Smiling as he saw him straighten up the rank symbol on his collar, he actually felt excited to be reaching the gates of Konoha; soon they would be home and would be free.

Kakashi halted outside the gate and nodded at the gate guards, “Team seven and one diplomat we met on the way home reporting. I’ll volunteer to escort him to the Hokage’s office personally.”

“Welcome back team seven,” Hiroto smiled at the returning Genin team before looking at the visitor. Not recognizing the symbol Hiroto sent a questioning look towards Kakashi.

“All will be explained later I’m sure,” Kakashi smiled, “Though I can tell you he wears the symbol of an ally long thought to be lost.”

Nodding, Hiroto waved them in, he could find out what was going on later after his shift was over.

The walk to the Hokage tower was quiet, Haku spent part of the time glancing around taking in the sights. Noticing the glares of hatred being shot Naruto’s way he started to wonder if there would be another of the assassination attempts he heard about here and now. Luckily for the group no one tried anything, more than likely to intimidated by the two Jonin and the other two Genin.

Sasuke was paying more attention to his surroundings now and frowned as he noticed the hatred being sent Naruto’s way, he was beginning to think Naruto had understated the problem by a large margin. “Hey Naruto, with what you told me the other day and all…I was wondering where have you been staying since that morning?”

Well that is very cryptic and unhelpful Kakashi thought as he started to climb the steps of the Hokage tower.

“Mostly I camped in different spots in the woods, I would go to sleep for four hours then wake up and move camp before going back to bed,” Naruto shrugged as they approached the doors to the Hokage’s office.

Sasuke screeched to a halt and looked at the unconcerned back of the person who was starting to be a good friend in shock, he slept in the woods. He just could not imagine it, and only sleeping for four hours at a time before breaking camp and moving only to have to set up camp so he could finish sleeping. No wonder he held so many people in contempt, this village caused him to live the life of a missing-non. Quickly catching up he sauntered into the office on the tail end of Kakashi saying, “Teams Seven reporting back, mission accomplished with success.”

Sarutobi looked up from behind the mounds of paperwork he used to hide the fact he was not as busy as everyone thought he was, most of it was issues or requests that would never get approved. But if asked by some simpering toady he could point to the stack and shuffle the paper around to show how far down in the stack there request was. A pretty cool defense he thought. “Ah…Team Seven, welcome back.”

Eyes glued to Naruto as he spoke the Third sighed as he watched him pull of the Leaf Hitate and pull the I.D. card out of his pocket and put it on his desk.

“I’m holding you to your word Hokage,” Naruto had no expression on his face as he placed the two items on the desk.

Kakashi stiffened as he heard the coldness in Naruto’s voice, the same coldness he used when he interrogated, then what amounted to executing the two demon brothers. This was not going to go well he thought as he quickly covered Sakura’s mouth to keep her quiet.

Looking on the Fourths son sadly the Third sat back, had it become so intolerable…all of his plans to keep the boy safe and happy turned out exactly opposite of his intentions, “I gave you my word and I intend to keep it.” Looking over to the wall with the pictures of the former Hokage’s on it he shook his head, ‘Minato I failed you, and I failed your son’.

Curious Sasuke moved to the side so he could see both the Hokage and Naruto’s faces, “Naruto, you almost act as if Hokage-sama did not keep his word to you.”

Standing up stiffly anger radiated in waves with a small amount of killing intent for good measure Naruto looked up at the ceiling before got himself under control, “That is exactly what he did.” Waving his hand as the others started to protest and the Third jumped in his chair, “He gave his word to my father to take me to my parent’s estate before my ninth birthday. The only thing that has saved this god forsaken village was me stumbling across my parent’s house when I was six.”

Pieces started to fall into place finally in the puzzle that was Naruto, the Third sighed as he set his pipe down on his desk, “You have to understand Naruto, I had hoped the villagers would come to accept you and the burden you carry. But as time went on and the hatred and attempts on your life escalated I feared what would happen if I did as Minato asked me to do. The fallout and ramifications were terrible in my mind.”

Stepping back from the desk Naruto almost lost control of his temper, wrapping his Shinobi persona around him he glared steely at the Hokage, “You did not trust in my father did you, you did not truly trust he knew what he was doing. If you did you would have not almost caused this village’s destruction by breaking your word.” Stepping forward and slamming his hand down on the desk causing the Anbu guards to appear, “The god forsaken seal he used was and is a three part seal and he died after emplacing the first part. HE TRUSTED YOU TO FOLLOW HIS WISHES SO THE SECOND SEAL COULD BE PLACED BEFORE IT COULD ESCAPE.” Huffing as his temper frayed Naruto stepped away from the desk ignoring everyone in the room by walking to the window and controlling his breathing to lessen his temper.

Sarutobi clutched his chest in pain as Naruto’s words filtered into his mind, fear it was fear clutching his heart not a heart attack he noted with a small part of his mind as he sat there. “Is it…Is it…” he could not get the words out.

“Don’t worry old man,” Naruto sighed as he felt Haku move closer to lend him his strength, turning to face the Hokage once more. “It is a very good thing my father lived his motto, if not I would not have known to apply the second part of the seal on my ninth birthday, or how.” Moving away from the window Naruto noticed how tense everyone was in the room, especially the Anbu, facing Sasuke who was shocked and confused he shook his head after rubbing his face tiredly. “It is because he decided to break his word back then to take the easy way out of possible problems later that I will never trust the Hokage ever again.”

Seeing the worry was still on the Thirds face Naruto pulled a small scroll along with the tape that he had placed in his pocket this morning when they got up and tossed them to the desk, “I can see you are not going to take my word for it, maybe you’ll take my father’s word over my own. And if you need further proof watch the tape, you can hear it from his own lips.”

Unrolling the scroll Sarutobi quickly scanned the paper, reading what was written with tears in his eyes.

“I don’t understand what are we…you talking about…What seal,” Sakura finally found her voice as she looked up at Kakashi, “Kakashi-sensei?”

“You’re taught in class that when the Kyuubi attacked twelve years ago, that the Yondaime killed the demon,” Naruto glared at her, only answering because Haku needed to know. “The truth of the matter is that no one has ever been able to kill a demon before, not to mention the Kyuubi was the most powerful of all the demons.”

Moving so he was speaking to Haku directly Naruto ignored the gasps from the older Shinobi in the room as the Thirds law as being broken by the only one able to do so without repercussions; “Word reached Konoha months before the Kyuubi actually arrived that it was coming intent on wiping the village. My parents were both geniuses when it came to combining different fields, and together they came up with a way to completely destroy one of the demons, but it would come at a high cost…my father’s life.” Stiffening as his mind went back to the day he watched the tape he looked wistful for a moment before continuing, “My father thought this village was worth the sacrifice, worthy enough that they would follow his requests, plus he knew my mother would be able to raise me with love and show me how to apply the two other seals when it was time. The second seal removes the Kyuubi’s chakra forever and merges it with the jailers over the course of almost four years. Then the third seal is designed to destroy the last remnants of the Kyuubi, thus completely destroying the Kyuubi forever.”

“But your mother died in child birth, surely Minato would have shared this with someone, so we knew how important it was,” the Third pleaded, not liking the way the conversation was heading.

Broken laughter rang throughout the room, laughter choked back by sobs, “Another lie. I was four days old when my father finished the preparations for the seal and went off to battle the Kyuubi and to activate the first seal set. I have video of my parent’s playing with me and showing their love to each other as they told me of their dreams for my future, before…my mother was healthy without signs of any birth trauma when my father left to initiate the plan.”

“But that means…” Kakashi looked around frantically eyes narrowed at the Anbu standing around the office.

“My mother was murdered,” Naruto looked over his shoulder, before tilting his head and making a small sign that Haku and Sasuke picked up on. Prepare for battle, he then looked deep into the body language of those in the room.

Calculating the options Kakashi barked out as he slowly pulled a Kunai out, “All Anbu are to immediately show us their right shoulders or die.”

‘Root’ Sarutobi glanced around as he calculated which of his guards in the room could be compromised, reaching into a drawer for his favorite weapon as he calculated which could be the traitor.

Naruto noticed all the Anbu make motions to pull their shirts down but one, twisting his leg so the heel of his shoe was in line with the Anbu’s leg he curled his big toe activating the spring launcher, smirking in satisfaction when he heard the sound of a body hitting the floor he laughed at the shocked expression of everyone in the room, “What you think I am defenseless….PBBHHHTTTT.”

Dragging the unconscious Anbu to the wall and propping him up on it Naruto quickly sliced the right sleeve off of the man’s arm. Growling at seeing the Root symbol tattooed there he stepped back frowning, “Well since I have questions that need answering, Haku gets some field training…”

Kakashi rushed over in the blink of an eye, and had the traitor on his shoulder and behind the Third before Naruto could pull his kit out of his pocket. Seeing the looks of disbelief on everyone’s faces he snorted, “I’ve seen what happens when Naruto has questions he wants answers to.” Wincing he then grimaced, “it’s messy.”

Remembering back to the Anbu found in the Academy Bathroom Sarutobi nodded, “Kakashi take him to Ibiki with my regards.” Blinking as Kakashi jumped out of the window he glanced sideways at the growling Naruto. “I will get to the bottom of this Naruto…I promise you this.”

Relaxing his stance Naruto shook his head, “Danzou as the head of Root ordered my mother’s death, if you don’t plan to turn him over to me for questioning I expect him to be turned over to me after you finished with him.” Looking out the window he tried to come up with a way to rebuild the trust between the two of them and for the life of him, he could not think of one, not yet.

Sarutobi scowled as he looked at the door leading to the council chambers, he knew most of the council was waiting for him and he was more than surprised when Naruto motioned for the Whirlpool Jonin to follow him as he walked towards the door. He wouldn’t would he?

Naruto had one last job to do before they could leave; he needed to remove the map to the locations to the reverse summoning evacuation points. Motioning for Haku to follow he strode to the council chamber and threw open the door, staring at the seated individuals he scowled before ignoring their cries of outrage. Counting his steps as he walked into the room Naruto stared at the wall counting leaf symbols before stopping at the ninth one before stepping two steps to the side.

Shibi Aburame started to get nervous as the blond demon container started to count his steps as he looked at the wall ignoring all of them, suddenly his mouth went dry as he realized what he was doing, and if he was doing what he thought he was it could only mean, “NO…Naruto, please do not punish all of the village for the actions of a portion.”

Cutting his finger with a Kunai before he ran it across the blank spot on the wall while channeling chakra Naruto was rewarded with his prize, a large scroll popped out of the hidden seal. Catching it he faced the person who reminded him of Shino, he looked down at the scroll in his hands ignoring the rest of the people in the room.

“Your father would not have wanted you to punish those that still honor him, his battle comrades, those that worked side by side with your parents to prepare a safe place to fall back to if the village was overrun,” Shibi pleaded as he moved around the small desk he was sitting at. “I know most of your life you have been shown nothing but contempt and hatred…BUT THERE ARE STILL GOOD PEOPLE HERE.”

Mind racing over his father’s journal Naruto placed the Aburame clan leader, he was one of the few his father trusted to help rebuild Whirlpool and scribe parts of the transport seal. “I need to ensure my safety and my duty as clan leader leaves me little choice. Most of the villager’s have proven time and again they cannot be trusted.” Seeing the man looked beaten Naruto opened the scroll to glance inside it. It was a copy of the directions to build the transport seals not the locations to where they were placed. Nodding his head he quickly burned it with a katon Jutsu.

“Anbu arrest that thing,” one of the female council members screamed out after watching Naruto burn the scroll, “how dare you burn up something important to Konoha.”

“Anbu stop,” Sarutobi moved to his chair and sat down. “Naruto was retrieving something his father left here for him. As it was his, he is allowed to do with it what he wishes.”

“Really…Hokage, are you trying to convince us this no name mongrel’s father was important enough to be allowed access to the council chambers,” The large Female sneered.

“Be quiet bitch,” Shibi growled out as he pulled a Kunai and his Kekaichu bugs swarmed from his body preparing to attack. “You will not dishonor the son of the Yondaime in my presence again.”

Silence reined over the chamber the shocking news filtered through their brains, whispers grew as eyes compared the picture of the Fourth with the young blond standing in front of them.

Hiashi stood as he examined Naruto with care, activating his bloodline limit, the Byakugan eyes, he examined Naruto’s chakra pathways looking for any trace of the Kyuubi’s chakra. Falling back into his chair in shock he did not find a single trace of the red chakra, and he knew it should be there, he had seen it when the boy had been in the hospital and he had been called in by the Sandaime to make sure the seal had not been broken. “HOW…How is this possible? The Kyuubi is not…”

Silence once again as those in the council chamber suffered another shock.

Naruto smirked playfully, “What, it’s not like my father was not the master of Fuuinjutso, seal master second to none, for nothing. He created a triple layer seal to kill the Kyuubi for all time. In two months give or take it will be over for good the Kyuubi will be no more.”

Gleeful shouts could be heard amongst the civilian side of the council, “This is perfect. We will be the most powerful of all the hidden villages once it gets out the Namikaze heir is alive and one of our Shinobi.”

“UZUMAKI…” Naruto shouted in anger, “I am The Uzumaki of clan Uzumaki. As such I will be leaving now that I have accomplished my goals and I am no longer trapped as a Shinobi of the Leaf.” Growling out eyes flashing dangerously, “I am NO ONES PAWN.”

Turning his back on the village council Naruto saw the amused smirk on Sasuke’s face, and snorted, that face alone calmed him down enough to shrug, it’s not like he was planning on staying anyway. Spotting Shoji and his Samurai guards Naruto smiled, a true one, not one of the ones he used as part of his public persona’s, nodding once he turned back to face the council of Konoha and it’s Hokage. Seeing the dejected and broken look on the Aburame’s face Naruto stepped forward taking attention away from the door so Shoji could slip in, “I have read through my father’s journals many times over the years and your name was mentioned many times Aburame Shibi. I’m not totally heartless, not yet, no thanks to the villager’s attempts, I have read with interest more times that I can count about the question he asked way back then. I tried to put myself in your place and I always wondered what your answer would be, I’m positive if you had given an answer father would have recorded it.”

Shibi looked up with a smile as the memory came back to him, those were dangerous times, and yet those were some of the best times in his life. He had never given Minato an answer because the war ended so there was no need.

Seeing the smile of memory Naruto nodded, “Sasuke is the only one from Leaf with a pass past my borders, so far only he knows the way past the dangers to arrive to Whirlpool safely,” Glancing at the Hokage, Naruto bowed his head slightly. “My father and his comrades and the last of my clan built new defenses that will assure that Whirlpool will not fall to invaders like last time.” It was time to leave, “Aburame Shibi, would you honor me by walking with me to the gate?”

Nodding his head with a pleased smile Shibi so unlike one of the stoic Aburame’s quickly followed, slowing down as he caught sight of the Fire lords son share a knowing look with Naruto before he walked out.

Holding up his hand to silence the questions being yelled the Third was getting a headache, “Please one at a time.”

“How can you let Yondaime’s legacy walk away, he’s a Shinobi of the Leaf, he can’t just leave the village.”

‘Naruto, I was wrong in a way, yet right in thinking the fallout would get nasty’, Sarutobi sighed as he tilted his head to frown at the speaker, “Naruto is NOT a Shinobi of the Leaf, he resigned from our service and village as the law allows after the completion of at least one C-Rank mission, the mission they returned from in Wave actually turned into an A-Rank mission.”

“We can change the law, so he has no choice but to come back.”

‘I’m sure that will go over well,” Tsume snorted in derision, the Inuzuka representative to the council chuckled, “we can overturn his father’s law and bring him back. I’m sure his respect for the way this village has honored his father’s requests and actions will go up after that.”

“Naruto has legally been removed from our rolls of active Shinobi and nothing anyone can do will change that,” The Third growled out, “Besides with the agreement between Kashina and Minato, Naruto is and was supposed to be the heir to the Uzumaki clan. To try to do something about him leaving would cause a war we are not able to fight.”

Scoffing could be heard from the back of the chamber, “Surely you don’t think that country is any danger to US, surely Hokage your age is not showing.”

Narrowing his eyes in anger the Third made a small motion to his Anbu guards, “As you are more than aware from all your attempts to gain entrance to Whirlpool to get to their secrets, if you do not know the proper way in you die…how many teams have you sent over the years on a suicide mission Danzou-san?”

The Anbu moved as one and quickly captured Danzou, Kunai to the throat and most of his Tenketsu points closed off, disrupting his ability to use his chakra they dragged him to the center of the chamber.

“You will be handed over to Ibiki to find out how far your treason has spread, you will also answer for ordering the killing Uzumaki Kashina, wife of Namikaze Minato,” the Third flicked a finger, “Take him away from here. Tell Ibiki I want a preliminary report by sunset.”

“Hai, Hokage-sama,” the Anbu in the dog mask bowed before disappearing in a twirl of leaves as Kakashi walked in.

“Hokage-sama with all due respects we cannot afford to let the last Namikaze heir leave the village, for his safety if nothing else, when Iwa learns the son of the yellow flash is unprotected they will send team after team after him.”

Shoji heard enough, he would be damned if he let this gaggle of self serving idiots try to lock up his friend, stepping out into the light he shouted, “ENOUGH. I have heard enough,” taking more satisfaction out of scarring the council than he probably should he glared at them. “I am very unhappy with this council and most of the villagers of Konoha, and if I am unhappy my father is furious.”

Letting his eyes roam around the assembled council Shoji spotted several die hard Danzou supports near the corner, they were glaring at him hatefully, “Hokage-sama, neither my father or I could prove that the kidnapping attempt that my best friend saved me from was ordered by Danzou, but we have learned enough to make us think he was behind it. If it was not for a curious eight year old who stopped to see what was going on before jumping in and rescuing me the kidnapping would have succeeded. This same eight year then took me through an amazing maze of tunnels and over rooftops, before escorting me to the home of his parent’s. A home I understand you have never been able to find after six years of searching.” Chuckling as he saw the wistful smile cross the Hokage’s face he leaned forward, “I can assure you it has given him years worth of enjoyment and laughter.”

“You know,” the Third got a contemplative look on his face, “I never considered he would find Minato’s estate.” Chuckling in amusement, “not that it would have mattered, the sealing techniques Minato placed his estate under to protect it needed someone of his blood to enter.”

Nodding Shoji laughed, “Yes it was very amusing when we were younger to race through the streets and through the special Genjutsu around the walls of his estate and watch everyone hunting for us in a state of panic.”

Filling his pipe with tobacco and lighting it Sarutobi smiled, “I am glad Naruto found a true friend in you Shoji-dono. It lightens an old man’s heart to know Naruto had a friend and found some happiness in what he had to put up with.”

“Yes…Which is why my father has given the order to not interfere in Naruto-dono’s life any longer, he wished to make it clear he is not willing to go to war with a neighboring country that he has no clue of their true strength. The last time Naruto took me to visit Whirlpool, the hidden village was easily twice the size of Konoha.”

The sound of the Third dropping his pipe to the floor, all thoughts of relaxing forgotten as he looked at the fire lords son before shouting, “WHAT???”

 

Shibi followed Naruto and the Whirlpool Jonin towards the east side of the village in silence, instead thinking about possible destinations and getting lost in memories of the past. Stopping suddenly at a place he had been by many times before he wondered when the gate had been put into the wall.

Giggling quietly at the confused look on the stoic face of the Aburame clan leader, he felt joy in being able to flap the unflappable logical clan leader. “Shibi-san, after I used the transport seals to move my parent’s home to a place I think you are familiar with, the Genjutsu that hid the property failed.” Looking up at the bug user with a grin Naruto dropped his mask, “I want you to use the grounds now, there are a lot of neat bugs in there.” Giggling as he let the other two in through the gate he pointed to a small seal on the wall, “Spread some of your blood on the seal and you and those you allow to do the same can enter the grounds.”

Now that they were behind the walls and assured privacy Naruto looked at the man, studying him for flaws and deceit, not finding any he let out the breath he was unconsciously holding, “I know you know about the transport seals my father came up with. I also know you know about rebuilding the hidden village amongst the Whirlpools, and how my parent’s planned to use the transport seals they created in the hidden escape tunnels if the worst happened and Konoha fell.”

Shrugging his shoulders Naruto gazed out over the wall to the villagers going about their business on the other side, “Maybe knowing for a fact that the Kyuubi is dead and truly gone and who my father was will change some people…maybe not. But I’m not a monster either, you are now the keeper of the Konoha seals,” pulling a scroll out of his Kunai pouch he handed it over. “The list and location of all the evacuation seals around the village, along with the locations they will dump the people at.” Grinning as he thought about the first time he had used one of the transport seals and how it did that very thing, dumped him on his ass on the other end because he was moving.

“I see you know about that too,” Naruto noticed the chuckling from Shibi. “Your son Shino is trustworthy to know the secrets on that scroll, chose the others in your clan wisely. And if the worst happens I will leave you the option…both options my parents let you know about.” Waving as he took Haku’s hand and led him towards the forest and the transport seal hidden there Naruto’s called over his shoulder, “If it was up to me, I think I would have answered my father’s question with a yes. After all it is a very good idea not to keep all your eggs in one basket in case something falls on it.”

Trained eyes roaming the grounds cataloging the insect life automatically, Shibi smiled as he watched the couple walk away, Naruto had made a good choice in girlfriends it seems, she was a very beautiful young lady.

Appearing in a stone room with a flash Haku looked around and smiled as he squeezed Naruto’s hand before dropping it, he was surprised to see him take out a small knife and make a shallow cut along his index finger and run it across the wall in front of him with a glowing hand of molded chakra. What was more surprising was that the stone melted away allowing them out of the small room, glancing around Haku was drawn to the circular wall of windows overlooking the busy town.

Naruto moved next to Haku, putting his arm around his shoulders, “Welcome to our new home Haku. Tomorrow we can go down and walk around the village so you can get your bearings. Besides which,” Naruto grinned, “we have to go to the bank and deposit all that illegal money and make sure the rest of it was transferred properly.”

Gazing out at the peaceful village Haku smiled, he was home.