Chapter 25
Naruto walked out into the central garden as the sun set, Sasuke had excused himself soon after supper and having the seal placed on him to go think about what he had learned, that was three hours ago. Walking around the porch he spotted a shadow near the meditation garden leaning up against the boulder, moving over he sat down across form Sasuke and got comfortable.
After several minutes Sasuke took in a deep breath and sighed, “I know what you told me makes sense, and for the most part I understand why you are doing things.” Looking up with haunted eyes Sasuke pleaded with Naruto, “how are what you allowing to happen any different from what Itachi did to my family?”
Naruto wondered if that was the problem, looking up at the moon he tried to think about what to say, he needed to be precise. “When Taidachi informed me this morning what the Hyuuga was planning I had to control my horror when he told me his response and then asked me of his options under whirlpool law.” Looking at Sasuke he let his emotions show, “At first the horror of being betrayed led me to rage, but then as Taidachi went through the options available I was disgusted. I had to decide if there was a way to keep those who would betray us and Konoha be taken care of while the innocent did not suffer or be hurt.” Thinking back to the massacre he shuddered, “the first thing you have to compare is was Taidachi doing this so his family was the absolute rulers of their bloodline. I think the mind walker who he brought with him assuring me he was not, and sickened by the thought allowed me to think clearly.”
“Itachi on the other had wanted all your family dead except you so no one else would ever gain what he hoped to and challenge him,” Naruto was sure of that and it showed in his face, “Itachi felt no remorse for killing off your family. Taidachi one the other hand will step down as head of the clan because of what he is about to do, he doesn’t want to be put in that position ever again to have to decide the fate of part of his family, splinter group or not.”
“Itachi killed everyone he encountered,” Naruto saw the raw pain in Sasuke’s eyes as the conversation dragged up memories. “Taidachi is only going to kill those that attack him and mind seal the rest, he wants this done with minimal bloodshed, and he understand that children will try to protect their parents and will not kill them unless he can’t find another way. I think that is the biggest reason Taidachi will be retiring, he knows some kids will be killed by his hand or orders and its eating a hole into his heart. But he will do what he has to, to protect the clan.”
Leaning forward Naruto stared into Sasuke’s eyes, noses touching, “He is doing this to protect the clan. Itachi wanted everyone dead except for you, and eventually you to he could care less about saving anyone but himself.”
Shaking as he sat back Naruto closed his eyes, “I had many things go through my mind when Taidachi reported his options and asked me to help him decide what would be the best move for Whirlpool. One of the things you will have to deal with when you become head of your clan full time is decisions like this. Maybe not on this level but all the same things that tear you up inside to hear and then you have to make a decision on how to handle it or deal with the problem. Knowing what you know now if it came to your attention back before the massacre that you could kill of a dozen people, your brother and a few other family members and everyone else would survive would you do it, or allow the person who came to you with the problem and solution handle it?”
“I…I…” Sasuke struggled with the answer looked down in shame, “I don’t…I would…” looking up with unshed tears in his eyes, “How can you do it? I would never be able to do your job.”
“Because someone has to, and they are my people to protect,” Naruto tilted his head slightly, “Even though I do not like most of Konoha, it was my father’s home, and my father’s people. So if allowing a dozen or couple of dozen people to die will save the rest form a civil war, or from me doing something I am not sure I would regret.” Standing up and pulling Sasuke to his feet Naruto grinned, “Come on we can soak for a little while in the Onsen, after all you need to be good and relaxed tonight when you make babies with Yumi.” Stopping suddenly as Sasuke dug in due to shock, Naruto jerked his arm to start him moving again while chuckling after all how hard is it to insert part A into part B.
Early the next morning Sasuke looked in the mirror as he pulled his ear lobe out of the way and studied the small seal, it was hard to believe this little think could protect his mind from all except from a member of the Wookaa clan, Naruto's mind walkers. Thinking on what he had been told and the fact he was going to be a father in nine months he frowned as he stared at his face in the mirror, he was glad Aki would be safe because he would not be able to spill any of the secrets of Whirlpool. Safe he thought ash he moved to get dressed; stopping to stare at the empty bed for several moments…Itachi was still out there.
Standing on the steps of the dojo looking at the training ground and his cousin Aki trying his hardest to master the move Miyuki was showing him Sasuke smiled, as he looked at Miyuki and Yumi this morning knowing beyond a doubt that they carried his children and the innocent happy smile on his cousins face he knew the answer to Naruto's question last night. Not turning, “Senpai…the answer to last night’s question I found so hard to wrap my mind around is I would.” Looking back over his shoulder at Naruto he nodded, “I understand that we are NOTHING like Itachi and what will happen to the Hyuuga is NOTHING like what happened to my family.” Looking back at the three practicing he smiled, “I have the perspective I was missing last night.”
Turning to face Naruto he nodded once, “Senpai I know we should be practicing control, but this is more important, I need to talk to you this morning, not as student to master, but as one clan leader to another.”
Smiling proudly Naruto thought it was about time, “Let’s go to my office where we can sit in privacy.” Making a few subtle hand signs at Haku telling him Sasuke finally had a breakthrough and where they were going he grinned when he saw the Haku sign back ‘about damn time’.
Deciding not to sit behind his desk Naruto turned one of the two chairs in front of his desk so he was facing Sasuke and sat down, he did not have to wait long before Sasuke opened up.
“Itachi is still out there,” holding up a hand when he saw Naruto open his mouth, “No I don’t want to go after him, and I’m not anywhere close to being ready. But there are things that need to be done to protect Aki and my unborn children, if Itachi even gets the hint they are out there he will go after them to try to push me back on the path he set me down.” Seeing the slow nod of agreement he would have winced if he did not know why Naruto was agreeing with him, it was not about not being ready it was all about protecting his family which to Naruto was more important than, as he put it some jerk-wad with delusions of immortality and grandeur walking around somewhere acting all stuck up.
“Shibi-san reminded me of something I had forgotten for years, my family has a vault where they documented every technique and Jutsu they had copied using the Sharingan,” Sasuke smiled at the eagerness that crossed Naruto’s face when he mentioned a vault full of Jutsu’s. “I need to secure it and bring it here to the Uchiha estates so Itachi cannot get his hands on it, that is if he hasn’t already destroyed it.”
Good Naruto thought he is starting to think like a Chuunin and clan leader finally.
“I also need your permission and help in covering for my reason of not allowing Yumi and Miyuki to go back to Konoha with me. I don’t want to give that bastard any chance at my future children.” Grinning in relief at Naruto’s smile and nod Sasuke relaxed back in the chair. “I am also going to transfer around three quarters of the Uchiha fortune into the bank here, that and I’m going to sell off most of the Uchiha district back in Konoha and send the money here.”
“I think I might raise the Hokage’s suspicion by doing this, but I am going to tell him somewhat the truth. I am going to go to him and tell him upfront before I do start all the sales and such why I need to and ask for his discreet help.” Sasuke smiled, “I think he will agree with me that I have the right to protect my unborn children from Itachi.”
“If you ask him to help in finding the other two suitable mothers for your children it will help ease his mind,” Naruto pointed out as Sasuke started to use his brain for something other than revenge.
“A very good idea,” Sasuke nodded as he hesitated, “I did want to ask one thing though,” biting his lower lip he struggled for a moment for the words, “When it comes time for me to start my apprenticeship with you I am going to ask for a transfer to Whirlpool…maybe I should wait until I am well into my apprenticeship though…”
Nodding Naruto smiled, so Sasuke grew up and is not the same brooding idiot he used to be, “I think it would be best if you do it during your apprenticeship, there is a lot of tradition around doing exactly that if the apprentices master is not part of the original village, most of the time it is expected as while there the apprentice usually falls in love and gets married to one of the locals.”
“I’m going to need some help then, the least of which is a large amount of sealing scrolls to bring everything I need to furnish the estate here, not to mention the Jutsu library and hidden vault will take a lot of scrolls,” Sasuke frowned, “it’s going to take weeks if not months to get everything packed up by myself.”
“Maybe not,” Naruto's face broke into one of his pranking grins, “I have the perfect solution and it will help them out at the same time.” Seeing the eager look on Sasuke’s face he rubbed his hands together. “Team eight is not more, because they are going to be down on member, instead of letting Sakura if she is still floating around without a team fill the spot you take it. Make a case for it now to Kakashi and Kurenai, with Kiba and Shino at your side. Then let them do the convincing, and if you came together as a team it would not be unusual to be seen together after training or missions, and they can help you pack up your estate.”
Nodding as the idea firmed up in his head Naruto looked back at Sasuke, “now if as part of my new resolve to stay in touch with Konoha because of the tentative alliance I happened to make sure that once a week I send a representative to meet with the Hokage, and if said representative would happen to be charged with checking up on my future apprentices progress in their training and dropping off new instructions…”
“And if we happen to exchange scrolls,” Sasuke grinned.
“Well that would be perfectly understandable after all,” Naruto finished for him.”I’ll get you a couple hundred sealing scrolls to take back with you sealed into a onetime use scroll, and have the Jounin messenger bring with him several of the special scrolls we use to allow you to seal sealing scrolls into sealing scrolls.” Thinking about it further Naruto tapped his chin as he stared at the wall behind Sasuke, “After breakfast you need to go to the mission office and set up several missions to clean up your estate, I’ll front the money until you get back to Konoha and go to the bank, you probably should go to the back here first to see if they can set up an account and transfer the money from your other one…”
Nodding Naruto focused once more on Sasuke, “Ask Haku to take you to the bank right after breakfast, then meet me in my office once you’ve set up the missions to clean your estate, by the I should have met with Hinata.” Mind racing with possibilities and the best way to do things Naruto nodded team Kodochi would be perfect, as it gave him the perfect excuse and would fill out Kiba’s team back in Konoha nicely so he would pass the Chuunin exam. “Alright you’re going to cut your stay short, leaving to go back to Konoha day after tomorrow, I have a few things to set up, but you can count on my help, if you’re quick you can catch up with Shino before breakfast.”
When Naruto stood up to grab some paper Sasuke nodded, “Thank you Naruto, I do appreciate it.” Bowing slightly he grinned at the smile he got in return, he was one of the few from Konoha that had seen Naruto's true smiles and they were precious in a way, “I will see you at breakfast Senpai.”
Waving Sasuke off Naruto started to quickly jot down notes on what needed to happen, and he needed to get with Taidachi to push back the day of the Hyuuga’s reckoning to after the Chuunin exam.
Finishing up the mornings paperwork quickly Naruto stared at the assignment board as he mentally juggled how to assign missions for the next month.
“Naruto-sama, here is the updated team bio now that we have added sixteen new teams,” Jiga placed the booklet down on Naruto's desk in front of the paperwork, glancing at the empty mission basket questioningly.
‘I’ll have them assigned and ready in a minute Jiga,” Naruto didn’t bother to look up but did smile, “I need to rearrange my morning. So if you can get Mika Taidachi, the team Kodochi, what is left of the team that is to my office by the time I am finished with Hinata-chan this morning I need to a have a word with Mika-san, then Kodochi’s team before Sasuke-kun shows up.” Pointing to the empty basket he looked up, “Once you get those messages sent off I should have the missions assigned by the time your return.”
“Hai,” Jiga stared at Naruto-sama, but he was not really letting much out. Something was up, and it was either important or big. Snorting as he entered the hallway at a fast pace he decided it was probably both.
Hearing footsteps Naruto looked up to see his advisory council standing in the doorway, glancing at the clock he shook his head, “Three hours guys, I won’t be ready for another three hours, something has come up and I need to get a handle on it before I can sit down and do our normal update.” Scrunching up his face he stared at them “Unless it is an emergency that is?”
Frozen half in and out of the office Ayako carefully looked around the room, not seeing evidence of large scale destruction or blood from a returning team she cocked her head to see Naruto-sama’s eyes narrowed and a serious look on his face, “Is there anything we can do to help?”
“N…”Naruto stopped as he thought about the possibility of a civil war again, it must be a lot worse than he thought if what Tsume and Shibi let slip last night, almost all of their clans were being moved here, only holding back the active Kohona Shinobi. “Be back here in three hours, make sure you’ve eaten and bring all the contingency plans that we went over in case Konoha evacuated unexpectedly. Clear your afternoons without telling anyone anything and be prepared to work through lunch.” Seeing their shocked frozen expression he barked out, “GO…”
Passing the three advisors in the hall rushing past as if someone had cast a Katon Jutsu on their asses, Jiga walked into the office expecting the worst. Glancing around and not seeing the telltale sign of a prank he watched the last scroll be deposited in the mission basket, not sure what was going on he walked over to the basket spotting the serious frown on Naruto-sama’s face. “Hinata-san is waiting for you; do you want me to send her in?”
Staring at the map one the wall Naruto ran through different scenarios in his mind, he most likely was overreacting, on the other hand the clans were sending him their children and non combatants, all except eth Hyuuga. Turning to stare at his nervous aide without any emotion on his face Naruto prayed with all he was worth that they we wrong, but he would be prepared, “I want lunch for eight here in three and a half hours, and I also want the white dragon in my office in three hours, inform the dragon to expect to be here all afternoon.”
Gulping as Jiga felt fear descend on him like a house falling down around him nodded silently as he grasped the basket of scrolls and pulled it tight to his chest, he finally found his voice and in the back part of his mind he found it sounded very quiet and sounded as if someone else was using it, “Right away Uzumaki-sama.”
Seeing Jiga turn smartly and heads towards the door Naruto called out after him, “Send in Hinata-san please.”
Staring out the door as Hinata walked in he shrugged the pensive expression and donned one of his everything is all right in the world smiles, “Good morning Hinata-chan, please have a seat we have several things to go over and while not the best solution I did come up with a way for you to stay here permanently.”
Blushing at being referred to as Hinata-chan she gracefully sat down and looked at the floor before looking up, reminding herself that she was strong and would not look down when Naruto-sama wished her to be strong and stand up for herself. Picking up the paper that Naruto-kun slid across his desk towards her she blanched in disbelief.
Giving her a moment to read through the treaty Naruto looked at her sadly, “I know it is not what you want or expected.” Frowning he sighed, “Look Hinata, your father does not intend to honor that treaty with the main family. He is planning on betraying the Mika clan and in a sense me since I agreed to the terms outlined here as Daimyo.”
“WHAT…” Hinata came up out of the chair before she realized what she had done and how disrespectful she was being.
“Please Hinata-chan sit and let me explain your options,” Naruto tried to ooze patience so she would calm down. “This is not what you want, and not what I want to do to you, but sometimes we have to do things neither party wants to do.”
“As long as your father does not to what he intends to do that treaty is in effect. Once he betrays the main family as he intends to do you will be released from that contract,” Naruto's calm manor seemed to calm her down some. “I talked with Sandaime Hokage yesterday and he agreed to your transfer due to that document, so at this moment you’re a Whirlpool Shinobi.” He smiled as he pushed over one of his countries rank pins, “I think this is more appropriate than the one I gave you yesterday.”
Looking down t the pin Hinata blushed, which looked terrible because she was so pale from the shock of her father’s actions, “Thank you Uzumaki-sama.”
Nodding in understanding Naruto looked at her as she exchanged the rank pins, “I have a meeting in a few minutes with Mika Taidachi, the Mika clan head. He will escort you back to the clan estate and get you set up in the unwed women’s section, I promise you this Hinata, and you will not be pressured into doing anything you do not want to do. This is your life we are talking about and frankly you are not some tool or bargaining chip your father can use on a whim.” Waiting for her to nod he noticed the unshed teas in her eyes, “Taidachi-san has promised me that you will be treated like a daughter, and you will be properly taught the female form of the Juuken, a form more suited to you. You will also be free to strike up any friendship with whomever you chose to, if you find you do not wish to marry Seiba you may chose who you wish to marry…within reason.”
“A…And, W…When my father break his sword?” Hinata stammered out quietly.
“You will still be treated like Taidachi’s daughter, you will still be trained in the main families techniques and you will still have the freedom to marry who you wish,” Naruto grinned slightly, “I think you will find you will be courted by all the appropriate Mika clan males, but first and foremost they will be your friends.”
Nodding in understanding Hinata stared out the window, she could easily see her father doing what Naruto claimed, but still she had hope that he was wrong, in a resigned voice that had no stutter she asked, “You’re sure?”
“During the meeting where that treaty was brokered we had a Mind Walker read your father,” Naruto watched her wince. “I am going to keep Taidachi-san busy until after Konoha holds their Chunin exam to give your father and the clan elders a chance to change their mind, after the exam Taidachi-san will go to Konoha for the final treaty signing.”
Shaking her head sadly Hinata let the tears fall down her face, her mother was lost to her when her sister was born, her father was lost to them soon after. Replaced by a harsh taskmaster that wanted to mold them into perfect Hyuuga ideals, “He will not change his mind, giving him extra time will only allow him to prepare.”
“Too many things are happening right now for us to focus on speeding this up, not only that we have an uneasy alliance right now with Konoha,” Naruto shook his head, “no we have to wait, and we will go in with several Mind Walkers and a squad of Dragons if need be.” Seeing he horror cross Hinata’s face Naruto leaned forward, “This is not a case of where we are going in to Massacre your clan, the only ones who will be hurt are those that willingly betray the treaty. You sister should be safe, and I only say that because I can’t guarantee what your clan will do to her, not my people. I truly am sorry Hinata, but at least once it is over most of your clan will be alive and all the branch family members will have that slave seal removed from them. Beyond that I can’t promise much more than that so I am sorry.”
Nodding her understanding Hinata looked down, “I…I understand, and I thank you for what you can do to save my family.”
Naruto nodded, “Taidachi-san should be here so if you will wait outside for a moment I can have a quick word with him before…”
Walking in from where he was standing next to the door Taidachi moved over to Hinata, “I heard my lord, and I understand. With your permission I will show my new daughter home,” holding Hinata close as he hugged her he whispered in her ear, “let it out child, let it all out.”
Nodding with a dry mouth Naruto watched as Taidachi led the broken Hinata out of his office and he cursed her father to the nine levels of hell for putting her through all those years of pain. He closed the medic-nin’s report on the years of mental abuse they had confirmed she had suffered under her father’s campaign to perfect the ideal clan head.
Half an hour later Kiba and Shino walked into Naruto's office joking around with each other.
Spotting Naruto standing in from of the window Kiba yelled out, “Hey Naruto-senpai guess who they released from the hospital?”
Pushing his dark thought away Naruto grinned as he turned around, “Hey Akamaru, I see you dragged ride out of bed, did you get tired of walking around all by yourself?”
“Yip…bark,” Akamaru sounded smug as he looked up at his partner from inside his jacket.
“HEY…” Kiba started before looking down at Akamaru, “What do you mean of course, the floor is too cold for your feet?”
Naruto broke into laughter as Shino eyed Kiba as he steeped several steps away as if the insanity might be contagious, “I needed a good laugh after the stress of the morning, come on in and sit down.”
Taking a seat Shino glanced at Kiba who instead of fuming was trying to hide a smile, “We passed Sasuke in the mission office, we had just completed scheduling the missions our parents tasked us to do when he came in.”
“Yeah, and not just us for the other clans that are coming to,” Kiba kept his voice low, as he looked worried, “My mother talked to me last night before she left, so I know what is going on.”
Nodding in understanding Naruto tried to cheer him up, “Well let’s hope in the end it is not needed, that after everything is said and done next summer some of your clan can go back home to Konoha.”
“It is strange how deceitful the council has become since the days of your father,” Shino stared at Naruto wondering if he knew more than he was telling them, then again he of course would know more. But he might have shared it with his Father and Kiba’s mother; after all they did spend a lot of time in meetings with each other.
Changing the subject before they started thinking things he would rather not have them doing right now Naruto looked at Kiba, “Before you say anything hear me out. I’m modifying my promise to help you through the Chuunin exam, instead of letting you try to gather a team I will be providing two Genin to work with you as teammates for the exam. They recently lost a member of their team to a career ending injury so were not able to take the exam, and instead of making them wait a year I thought you would not mind helping them out by agreeing to be teammates.”
Smiling in pleasure Kiba hurriedly agreed, “Of course I will, I’d be stupid not to accept.”
Watching Shino put puzzle pieces together Naruto sat back grinning at Kiba’s enthusiasm as he watched Shino out of the corner of his eye, “Good because I invited team Kodochi to my office so they can meet you and you can begin to get to know each other. I’ll send them on the escort mission to Konoha with you so the three of you can start to work together; when you get back I was hoping the two of you could have convinced Kurenai and Kakashi to agree with Sasuke being your new teammate to replace Hinata. I think the three of you will work well together as a team.”
Hearing a knock on the doorframe Naruto waved the group in, “Kodochi-san I would like to introduce Inuzuka Kiba, Genin from Konoha. He was injured in the Chuunin exam and was pulled and not able to complete the exam, since your team also suffered an injured member and missed the exam I thought if the three of you,” Naruto looked at Tora and Hishi before looking back at Kiba. “Could enter Kohona’s Chuunin exam with Kiba here.” Pointing to the two Genin standing near their sensei, “Kiba-san I would like you to meet Hishi-san and Tora-san.”
“Now,” Naruto stared up at Mitzu their Jounin sensei, “The only way you will be able to work well enough as a team to succeed in the exam in six weeks time is if team Kodochi accepts a C-Class message mission and travels along with Kohona’s team eight when they leave to go back to their village tomorrow. That gives you a week traveling together to train and get to know one another, and a week of downtime in Kohona while you wait for an answer from their Hokage to my message, I’m sure I can send you early to Kohona to practice some more before the exam starts.”
“Thank you Uzumaki-sama,” both teens bowed as they walked over to Kiba’s side to look at him, spotting the pup peeking out from the jacket collar at them.
Spotting Sasuke standing in the doorway Naruto waved at them, “Why don’t all of you go get something to eat and get to know each other, I just need a word with your sensei and I’m sure he’ll be able to find you when I’m done.” Looking at Sasuke he waved at him at the same time he sent him a message, ‘go with and talk later’, smiling at the nod Naruto watched them walk out chatting away as they got to know each other.
Elbows now on his desk Naruto rubbed his face without looking at the Jounin, “Close the door please, Kodochi-san.”
Intrigued with the unique way of letting his team not have to wait a full year for the next exam Mitzu did as he was asked before coming back and taking a seat, looking at Uzumaki-sama’s posture and expression he realized there was so much more to this than just letting his team take the exam.
Looking up Naruto stared at the obviously controlled expression on Mitzu’s face, “The trip to Kohona and the week layover you and your team will undertake to deliver my simple message of letting the Hokage know for sure about the two and a half teams I am sending for the Chuunin exam while important is not the true mission, in fact it is a cover. While there I’m sure that Sasuke will invite you to stay at the Uchiha district, part of your mission is to help him pack up all the contents of the houses and shops into sealing scrolls to be brought back here to furnish his new estate. And I want you to be on guard, even though we are acting like allies, I do not trust the civilian council. Even with them supposedly removed from power, they have been entrenched into the power structure to long to be marginalized so quickly. If you here things keep them very close to your chest until you get home, in fact one of the Dragon’s will meet you on your return journey outside Kohona to send you back through the summoning system.”
Seeing the quiet acceptance so far Naruto sat back as he finished up, “I will brief you and the other sensei’s closer to the exam date but with all the foreign Shinobi present in Kohona for the exam I expect all of the teams to be on high alert and ready to summon the dragon squadron for extrication if needed.” Seeing the bug eyed look Mitzu was sending his way he nodded, “it could end up being that serious. I will have observers in Kohona to tape the test so we can assure ourselves that any part of the regular exam that is not part of the Kohona test can be done. It is possible since the Kohona Jounin have told me that the second and third parts of the exam can and usually do include death they may showcase their skills enough that we don’t need to test them further.”
“They allow deaths?” Mitzu frowned as he took that in bit of information.
“From what I have heard it is encouraged as a way to thin down the competition,” Naruto shook his head, “there are too many things going on outside Whirlpool that is troubling, Iwa will probably send Genin to the test in hopes of getting information about Kohona and us, most of the other countries and hidden villages will be studying us, looking for our weakness’s. I expect the Daimyo of Kiri will probably show up, though I don’t think Zabuza will send any Genin to the exam, not until he finishes cleaning house. I expect his to ask if his Genin can enter our exam next year truthfully.”
“The land of wave is embroiled in a civil war right now, even with the replacement of the Mizukage and the ceasefire I’ve heard about I agree there probably won’t be any candidates sent,” Mitzu frowned as he pieces rumors together, “officially sanctioned ones by the present Mizukage that is. And now you are hinting at a possible civil war in Kohona,” shaking his head he stared straight at Naruto, “Two coincidences to many.”
“We are not the only ones who think so; the major clans in Kohona are accepting my father’s contingency plan.” Naruto sighed as he looked at the map, “The first wave will reach us this weekend.”
Eyes wide in shock Mitzu practically fell out of his chair to turn to stare at the wall Naruto-sama was staring at so intently.
