1,72125th Legacy : A Hint of Storm
"We want you to make this problem disappear ."
That sounded like the unfunniest joke he had ever heard, his lips pulled to a sneer. "Aha ha ha… I see." He knew what they wanted from him and he wished he was deaf at the moment.
Tatara could read conflicting emotion in his face and said. "Once you succeed, your engagement will be formalized to the public."
It was already on paper but when your in-law was a royalty it didn't mean anything until it was announced to their people. He had not met his fiance yet but being the sole blood sister of the crown prince meant her position was favorable and there was no shortage of suitors for her. If today her hands were promised to Naruto, Ieyasu could change that with a flick of his finger by the next day.
He gave Tatara a wan smile, "And paint a bigger target mark on my back?" It wasn't worth it unless-
"And you would be given both power and honor." The older shinobi gave the last push.
That gave Naruto a pause, "Ah?" Exactly what he needed now to fend his people from internal strife in Konoha. Naruto coughed, since the very start he was not given any choice to refuse and it was hard to refuse in this desperate situation of his. "Very well." He inhaled deeply, keeping his voice even. "How many people can I take with me?"
That surprised Tatara, "Eh? Won't it be fine as long as you bring your prized Uchiha teammates?"
How optimistic of Tatara to think they could be the solution of all problems, but Naruto was not willing to leave the Uchiha clan on their own for an extended period of time on this mission when their situation was still so delicate. The clan was not a monolith, the majority had now sided with the Sealing Tower to be unified with their latest threat but there were some still bitching about the village's lack of respect.
Uncle Fugaku was doing his best, but Sage knew there was only so much he could do to appease his entire clan. Madara's defection ensured the elders collectively had more say than their clan head, he couldn't disagree with them too strongly or risked being alienated. Both Itachi and Shisui were rallying the younger generation of the clan in opposition of the faction supporting the coup, and drawing their hostility so Uncle Fugaku can play the fair clan's head safely. That way, he could prevent his clansmen from doing something rash and simultaneously keeping them occupied. That was Naruto's idea because the coup faction consisted of the older generation and nothing could make them forget like the youngsters telling them no.
So Naruto had his teammates occupied as a deterrent to their own clan, "I can't bring them along this time…" Naruto replied curtly, sensing a skeptical look sent his way Naruto added. "I can manage without them for this, and my peoples aren't incompetent." While he relied a lot on his teammates, he was not helpless without them.
He shrugged, "Fine, then… bring as many people as you want."
"When should we depart?" Naruto asked.
Tatara smirked, "The timing is the essence, the founding day is in a month… you shall depart in three days."
Three days of preparation for a month-long mission was cutting it really close for regular shinobi. He was a seal master, so he just had to eat his loses to change his schedule for the next few weeks. Also the 'founding day' was the highlight of this mission, the peak day and it gave Naruto so many ideas. It brought the twinkle in his eyes for the first time since they ran into masked Uchiha, and speaking of Uchiha…
"Sir, aside from my subordinates from the tower… can I bring escorts I want?"
"Feel free." Tatara shrugged, "They will need to pass background and security check before they're given permission to enter noble district, take your pick."
"Yes, Sir."
"And… "How many people do you want to bring?"
Naruto pondered before he decided, "...The seal created by Uzumaki MIto to protect the noble district of the capital, a dozen seal masters should be needed for inspection and maintenance work."
"Hm, is that so? The capital is quite peaceful so the seal didn't really do much work…"
Naruto resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "I wonder why." The Tokugawa clan did a magnificent job keeping their vassals in line and maneuvering against their enemies before they could reach the capital. "Tatara-san, since the founding day is in a month… please prepare our accommodation accordingly."
"My-my… did you forget you're grounded?" Tatara teased, "Shall I put a few words for you?"
"I am confined for my safety, I can speak for myself…" He had been behaving very well for a month, it ought to be enough.
Hokage Office
His argument naturally was not so eloquent when he informed Sandaime why he had to go to Capital for clan business. Perhaps it was his stress catching up with him but for Naruto, there was no more time dancing with words against the old kage and his old companions.
"Staying in Konoha is not going to protect me, I am not an invalid and still have to fulfill my duties." He told them plainly, the village had zero defense against someone with time space technique. Not a single one, the guy got into Konoha nine years ago and again recently.
Utatane hollered, "Your life is not yours alone, boy!"
It was rich for Utatane Koharu to remind a jinchuuriki about not having sole ownership of their life. Naruto knew that right was forfeit by the first day of his life even if he was six years too late to realize it. "I am under order of the royal family, if honorable elders are unsatisfied… please take it up to the lord."
Sandaime looked calm but he could almost hear barely suppressed 'Urk' from Koharu and Homura. This was the problem when the military and monarchy were separated but the royalties still had authority over them. Konoha was a military organization and a village, they had autonomous right to certain extent but to preserve delicate balance in the country they couldn't go over the 'vague' line of authority between Hokage and Daimyou. Especially when the one sitting on the other throne was just a decoration, the one ruling their country was in the shadows.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was a dangerous existence to provoke, and Naruto had caught his attention. What Naruto wouldn't give to have the Hokage and royal family to fight it out over him and slowly clap in the background. Shisui would pay to watch that crap, if only it didn't involve a civil war. But that was the idea wasn't it? Distract the Hokage and council by the possibility Naruto was going to sell himself to the Tokugawa, with Kurama neatly wrapped in a bow as a bonus. Or was Naruto the bonus to the strongest bijuu?
Nah- we come as a set. Buy one get one free~ Naruto was pleased to hear Kurama's chuckle at the back of his mind. Perhaps one of these days he would snap and give Kurama a go in joining the discussion, potentially giving Elder Utatane or MIkado aneurysm. Kurama deserved to be heard, especially by the village that forcibly recruited him against his will for a century.
Sandaime was reluctant but he couldn't deny Naruto's words. Keeping him in Konoha was pointless if to that masked man their defence was paper-thin. It was pathetic of him, who had comforted himself for years that he at least could protect Naruto from physical harm, in reality? He was powerless.
"You may go." Sandaime said with a glint in his eyes, "But we're assigning you a 'new' ANBU squad to protect you and that's final. Not even the lord can forbid protection details for you knowing how precious you are."
How flattering, Naruto was almost touched. "Of course, Sandaime-sama..."
"And you will allow them into your workshop."
That startled Naruto, and he couldn't believe Sandaime asked that from him! Seal Master was protective of their workshop, the sanctuary of their pursuit of knowledge. Some seal masters didn't even let their spouse intrude. He had heard a story from Hakurei that Sandaime almost had his head caved in for entering Tsunade's workshop in a rush once during her genin days.
On the other hand, Naruto could see the reasoning. Even if Konoha had no defense against time space technique, they at least wanted to prevent his abduction or have someone there to report it immediately.
Naruto gritted his teeth and made a compromise. "Is it Team Ro?" Sandaime nodded, confirming his guess. "I guess only Itachi and Shisui allowed would not work…"
"At least two more members to work in shifts with them." Sandaime proposed. "And you may 'choose' them, that's the least I can allow."
So his good behavior rewarded him this much, he can pick a pair of ANBU he can tolerate invading his privacy. "Alright." Naruto excused himself before the old kage and his teammates changed their mind.
The Sealing Tower
Hakurei had been given a list of members he wanted to bring with him so they had been informed, so by the time he returned they had been ready. It was nice to see the bright and excited faces of his people, they had been cooped up for a while and a trip to the capital was always exciting.
"Naruto-sama, it's been awhile since we went on a mission together!" Tokusa beamed as he welcomed Naruto back from Hokage Tower.
Yuzuriha on the other hand had gloomy air around her, even her smile was stiff. "I am looking forward to seeing the capital." This mission was important for their clan, especially for Naruto-sama's claim for a princess' hand. "I will do my best to support you, young master." Even if he would never be hers, she was just a vassal.
Naruto wondered why since this mission was announced to seal masters he wanted to bring along, Yuzuriha looked downcast. He didn't tell them the real mission, so there was no reason for her to react like this. "Yuzuriha." He called her out, making her jump out of whatever reverie she was immersed in. "This is your first time in the capital, and in the imperial palace no less but there's no need to feel so nervous." He patted her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I chose you to come with me because you're a very reliable kunoichi and seal mistress, so you should have more confidence."
"Hai!"
Naruto never saw the disappointed and resigned look Tokusa shot at Yuzuriha, and left the Shiomitsu sibling straight to medic's quarter of sealing Tower.
Nara Compound
"Homra hm…" Nara Shikaku murmured to himself as he waited for Inoichi to make a move, a shogi board with ongoing battle that was seemingly in Yamanaka clan leader's favor.
Inoichi nodded as he moved his pawn forward. "For one of them to come to Konoha openly and become the guest of Sealing Tower, it can't be just a regular visit.
Clack! the sound of wooden piece hitting the board was clear to their ears.
Homra was shadow Twelve Guardians of Hi no Kuni, serving Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the real ruler of this country. It was a common knowledge to high ranked shinobi like them, Takechiyo, their official daimyou was just a figurehead.
Clack!
"What kind of relationship does Sealing Tower has with Ieyasu-dono?" Wondered Chouza who was sitting on the side, watching his teammates and vassals playing shogi.
Shikaku exhaled softly as he promoted his piece that invaded Inoichi's territory. "Do you remember a famous blacksmith that was also the father of our old friend?" He gave a cursory glance towards Hokage monument, at the last head carving of Yondaime. "Royal family owes him a life debt, and even after his passing… he is still the paragon for court shinobi."
Namikaze Muramasa was a respectable shinobi with a sharp mind, unflinching courage and unquestionable loyalty to his country. He was also famous for his humble personality and soft spoken even to subordinates. His strength was also unquestionable as shinobi, and he was also a talented blacksmith seal master who created Shiseiten swords. What was so remarkable about him was also his versatility in politics and wise insight, making him an irreplaceable paragon for shinobi serving the court.
However his fame was limited to capital and Konoha, and the latter half of his life was spent in secluded corner of Konoha with his little family. He was also uninvolved with big wars, so his name was not mentioned in historical records. It did not help that he was greatly overshadowed by his own son, Namikaze Minato. The family name Namikaze became synonymous with Minato and not Muramasa. Nowadays only Minato's generation still remembered him.
"From what I can gather, a certain young seal master is paving a similar path."
Uzumaki Naruto.
Inoichi frowned, their game was long forgotten. "He is young and considering his status, there's no way Hokage-sama will let him go to serve as Guardian Shinobi."
Nara Shikaku scoffed, "That sly shadow daimyou wouldn't incite such a thing, not only Hokage-sama, but Danzou-sama won't be quiet if that's the case."
"So what's the purpose of forming any relationship with the boy?" Chouza asked, "Meddling with him will just bring trouble to the boy." Konoha was part of Hi no Kuni, but their military power was their own. Jinchuuriki like Naruto was someone they couldn't afford to lose to protect the balance of five Great Hidden Village, unlike what most people believe jinchuuriki worth more as a leverage than a weapon.
So making a move on the boy was the same as threatening Konoha's interest. It won't surprise him if even their soft-hearted Hokage sent assassins to eliminate Ieyasu for this.
Shikaku smirked, it was no wonder his friends didn't see through Ieyasu's intention. If he never met the boy personally he won't be able to guess either, after all Minato's son was supposedly just a little boy of their children's age. "Our daimyou have no children, and the crown prince is from Ieyasu-sama's line… I believe there are several princesses in the court now." One was the blood sister of the crown prince and the others were from different mothers.
Their bumbling daimyou was a wise man when it came to his survival, he knew he was just a stand-in for his much more competent brother. If the third war went on longer, a different man would be wearing the crown but alas in peace period the royal family knew better placing a competent prince with brilliant military mind in power. That was why Ieyasu was the one who had the royal branches full of jade leaves and gold flowers, concubines and children. The daimyou, Takechiyo only had Madame Shijimi, whose only child was her furry baby by the name Tora.
Was it any coincidence the crown prince's childhood nickname was Benitora? It was quite blatant from the get go that Ieyasu's favorite child was equally favored by his royal uncle and aunt to be heir. Shikaku shuddered, thinking about the sons pushed away in favor of the incumbent crown prince. He was ideal for an heir and it wasn't just blatant favoritism he was chosen, but it was still chilling to Shikaku what happened to children who didn't fall in line with Ieyasu's design for their country's future.
Potential civil war squashed just like that without mercy, even if they were his flesh and blood.
"I have met the prince once, and while he wear a hat… I still see the shade of 'red' we are all familiar with."
Red and familiar, they could only think of the beautiful and deadly wife of their old friend.
"Uzumaki might bear the surname, and technically the only heir of the main house… but he doesn't have the red hair. So… if he wants to lay stronger claim and revive the clan he had to marry within his clan." Shikaku whipped out three fingers, "A daughter in law with far more powerful parent, distant enough from Konoha's political influence, and not even Hokage and his advisors could say no."
Their eyes widened at the implication. "That's… a clan affair not even our Hokage could meddle with." Chouza conceded. "But he is just a nine years old boy and parentless!" It was not odd for marriage to be arranged since the child was born, but a parentless heir like Naruto usually wouldn't be considered for political marriage, and one to the royal family no less.
"That's where you're wrong." Shikaku sighed, "Uzumaki is an ancient shinobi family but their standing fell after Uzushio's downfall, so I imagine the crown prince and his sister have that as weakness. Not enough to disqualify them from succession, but still a thorn on their side."
"And how does Naruto-kun fit in any of this? He is the only Uzumaki in Konoha, not a clan…"
He had vassals of Uzumaki the Shodaime's wife brought with her but not his own clansmen. He didn't even have a seat in the council due to this, even though as Chuunin and heir he would have been given one. The Uzumaki were a noble shinobi clan but they had fallen hard from grace due to the destruction of their hidden village. Sandaime wouldn't support it, because that was painting a big target on Naruto's back. The surname wasn't given to Naruto just to hide his paternity, but also because Uzumaki was of higher status than Namikaze and it was a matrilineal clan in the first place. From what Shikaku understand, the plan was always for Kushina to have at least two children with two surnames to continue hers and Minato's family line. Alas, they only had Naruto.
Shikaku answered his friend, "Chouza, that's where Naruto's likeness to our old friend came to his favor for once… Muramasa still has great influence as a legend in the capital. He was once offered to marry into the collateral branch of the royal family… and it's a long standing wish of our royal family." They got the grandson instead, with the bonus of the boy being a jinchuuriki and strong Uzumaki bloodline.
"Is that boy forced into this?" Inoichi wondered, he couldn't imagine his sweet daughter at her age would take on political marriage on her own free will.
Shikaku scoffed, "Well… it's hard to say, but the current political climate is tense especially towards the Uchiha clan and Sealing Tower… Barrier Division pressuring them lately makes it even worse." He concluded, "I imagine for that child the missing opportunity in the distant future for love didn't even enter his political equation."
They became quiet and Inoichi looked at their forgotten game, "That boy is young but crafty… Uchiha clan and Sealing Tower won't stay idle either, yet… it seems to be rather quiet lately on their side." The recruitment was still ongoing but he didn't see them putting more effort at it.
"Who says they're quiet?" Shikaku played a shogi piece idly between his fingers. "Tying a knot with the royal family means that boy will gain certain immunity against authority in Konoha and some political clout."
Chousa frowned at that, "The elder council won't be happy about that."
"Also… Hokage-sama mentioned about renewing the Fuuinjutsu based internal security system in Konoha." That had never been done since the founding era because the system had never failed, an absolute defense that allowed Konoha to be not so 'hidden' like other hidden villages. Giving them a bigger prospect in business with their openness.
Chouza frowned, "That's strange… our defensive system is already impeccable." Out of all hidden village, theirs had not been breached since the founder's era.
Inoichi nodded in agreement, "For what reason do they go through trouble to change it? Such a large scale project might expose our weakness." Especially if they had to dismantle the current system, "Not to mention if the result is lackluster in comparison, their-" Looking at the grim expression on Shikaku's face, Chouza and Inoichi tensed as realization dawned on them.
Chouza trembled, "It's… Hakurei-dono's idea, isn't it?"
"He is the leader of Sealing Tower but the highest authority isn't his." Shikaku pointed out calmly. "Kushina-san didn't hold the post herself either, but in that very tower she could declare black is white if she wished." That kind of authority was no longer present for Akimichi, they were Chouzan's vassals but also friends. The poor boy wasn't alone in the tower, but his vassals would never be friends or family.
Inoichi gritted his teeth, "He is their son!" Inoichi's clan owed that boy for rooting out traitors in his clan! "This simply cannot be!"
Shikaku downed remaining tea in his cup to create a pause before answering. "It's exactly because he is their son… have you forgotten what Minato did to end the war? I don't know the boy well but if there's one thing I am sure he got from Minato, it's his resolve to fulfill his goal." Minato was always a good shinobi but he became great when he decided to create a way to slay hundreds in a flash so war ended as soon as possible.
"Still… he is too young-"
"It's too late to be concerned about his age, it's just a trivial number." Inoichi murmured, he was the one who was personally requested to give the boy some counseling by Hakurei. It yielded him nothing but hatred for himself and the rest of Konoha when he found the boy's rapid aging mentality. "So, Shikaku… why are you speaking in a circle like this? What do you want to say?"
At that question Shikaku turned to Chouza, "We're teammates, friends and brothers… but by pact of our blood we're the vassals of your clan Chouza."
"...Shikaku…"
"The wind of change is coming, what shall be our stand then?"
Chouza began to sweat, this was indeed a dilemma. "What do you suggest?" He asked back.
"I can't decide this for you… there's no advice I can give." He glanced at Inoichi who nodded. "We will follow your decision, Chouza."
The Akimichi clan's head bit his lip before declaring, "I respected Sandaime-sama, but… his tolerance for Danzo has gone too far as of late." They all already knew what their clans wanted.
That was an understatement, Danzo was pardoned after attempting an assasination on Hokage a few years ago and recently was a kidnapping attempt on Kyuubi's jinchuuriki. The latter turned out well to help several clans who had their members 'corrupted' by Danzo's ideal, but the good didn't outweigh the bad. In some way, trying to monopolize the jinchuuriki was far more sinister than assassination attempt on your kage.
It was a silent declaration that you were preparing for war, and went against Konoha's policy regarding their jinchuuriki. Uzumaki Mito made it clear after her husband's death, she was not going to repeat Madara's mistake by bringing the Kyuubi to the battlefield as a weapon of destruction. Kushina too was no different, she was in the frontline as seal master and Kunoichi but never as a jinchuuriki.
Danzo was always dissatisfied by this because other villages had no restraint when it comes to their bijuu, but he never acted on it until Naruto.
"...So I believe to maintain the peace we fought so hard for, we will side with whoever is opposing Danzo." Chouza declared. "As if it's up to me, I don't want Chouji to see war anytime soon… and I don't want Minato's son to follow his footsteps."
They all winced in unison, thinking of their late kage. Minato as the strongest in their generation was pushed especially hard during the war, and their friend didn't devise the best strategy for mass genocide to force the war to end quicker because he wanted to be the butcher of battlefield. Minato was the hero of Konoha, but on the flip side he spilled more blood than anyone else in that battlefield.
He also lost his genin team, after the war ended one could argue if he had a surviving student at all in Hatake Kakashi. The kid was the poster child of his subordinates in T&I division handling the yearly psychological avaluation for a reason. God knows how much that part of his division gets ignored to the point even Tsunade-sama had given up on them. Inoichi tried, but the kid was one of their best shinobi to the point nobody wanted to acknowledge his problem. Inoichi until this day was still haunted by the conclusion that Hatake was doing his best to keep living mostly to ensure the gift of his friend didn't rot like the rest of his body.
And there's Minato's son. Inoichi would like to think the boy was nowhere as bad as Kakashi, even though his crazy brilliant side from both parents was a bit too strong at times. The boy had ADHD, which was normal for Uzumaki's main line but keeping it in control with kage bunshin. Who knows being a workaholic who kept his mind occupied 24/7 could spend all that excess energy he had.
Counseling didn't really work out though- the boy compartmentalized his issues too well for shinobi his age. Apparently being a jinchuuriki, having a tenant meant compartmentalizing came naturally for him. Inoichi didn't think this was what Minato ever had in mind for his son. Chouza's fear was not unwarranted, in fact Inoichi could already see the boy going down the same path as Minato if war ever graced their border once more.
Then again… perhaps the boy was already in war all his life.
Hidden Dimension, Kamui
It was hard to keep his emotion in check nowadays, few 'real' people in this doomed world he treasured seemed to be doing their best to destroy themselves.
While he did unleash the Kyuubi and caused suspicion upon the Uchiha clan, he didn't expect Konoha to be this… self-destructive after Yondaime's death. It took time but the destruction Uchiha clan was heading to was obvious to all, because the clan couldn't stand being a caged beast eyed by the upper echelon as a dangerous entity within their own village. It was bound to blow over sooner or later.
The Uchihas were also stupid enough to not have the brain to set their pride aside, too blind in spite of their so-called all seeing eye. Worst of all, they relied heavily on prodigies from the younger generation to uphold the clan's reputation, as if producing better shinobi for Konoha could help their standing now. The plan was always to get rid of the clan that could get in the way of their 'plan' for peace, but he had delayed… for years. He could make do by sparing a few contingency plans… Zetsu had approved.
Shisui…
Itachi…
He had doomed them with ideals for peace, Itachi even carried his old dream that would never be fulfilled. 'Uchiha for a Hokage… you're not even part of that teaching lineage.' These kids were never easy even since they were young, too smart and kind with talent that doomed them. He couldn't be there anymore for them to be kids, give them candies, poke their foreheads and cheeks, couldn't shield them from the clan's expectation and ambition.
So the kids grew up and became the prodigy the clan wanted, doing their best to appease the growing resentment of their family. He was especially furious to know the kids had been brought to the battlefield for practical lessons as soon as 'he' was no longer there to make a stink out of it, no student of Yellow Flash that could tattle to his sensei. The fury he felt back then was incomparable, because now… the same stupidly genius kids decided to rally and provoke the stuffy traditionalist elders of the clan to distract them from rebellion.
While Danzo lurked in the darkness, eyeing them and the clan hungrily. If only 'he' could be there all the time… "Urk." He grasped his chest, feeling the jolt of pain that diverted him to not be distracted from 'the plan' and returned to Kiri and played Mizukage.
Please… please don't be like 'her' and become the martyr for that worthless village. Survive and greet the dream world where peace truly exists, please...
Nobody heard the prayer of a man almost completely engulfed in darkness, in that world of infinity.
Sealing Tower, Medical Workshop 013
Unlike the hospital, the medic quarter was a cluster of workshops for seal masters whose focus of their research was body enhancement sealing arts. It was not limited to the medical field alone. Like a generalist, the seal master specializing in this was a minority in the tower. Something Naruto would like to change in the future.
"Naruto-sama! Welcome to my workshop."
Akari was a fair skinned seal master, with rose colored hair tied in a ponytail. The coloring according to Akari was because of thin Uzumaki blood running through his vein. Wearing one sleeved white kimono, black gloves and elegant geta. This medic painted a very flamboyant character, especially with half-lidded eyes.
"Have you finished studying Uchiha records on their doujutsu anatomy?"
Akari nodded, "Yes, Mikoto-sama is a very resourceful kunoichi with expertise in her clan's doujutsu even after retirement so there's no trouble for me to learn from the record with her assistance."
Naruto smiled, "Thank you, Akari. You're as reliable as ever." Such a competent subordinate, as a leader he couldn't be happier with someone like this in his command. However…
As swift as a wind Naruto pushed away the face with puckered lips that got too close for comfort. "Akari-san, please restrain yourself."
Akari harrumphed, "I just want a little reward, Naruto-sama."
"I will reward you in any way I can accept that because I don't have that kind of interest." He pressed his hand on Akari's forehead and since the medic didn't bulge, Naruto reached out blindly and pushed Akari's chest with his other hand.
"Kya! Naruto-sama!"
Naruto was ticked, "Akari… I won't comment on your hobby, but can you please stop stuffing your chest? You're a man after all."
Akari stiffened, "Naruto-sama! I am a genuine lady at heart, even if my body betrays my womanly soul!"
Aah… no good, there was no room to argue with this ' guy' on his supposed femininity or how he was born in the wrong body. That's right… 'Akari' one of their best medic seal masters, was a trans, and a beautiful one with no slightest hint of his real gender. If one didn't look closely at his Adam apple that was covered by a turtleneck shirt and the bulge on his chest was padded. He also had a bad habit chasing cute guys and asking for kisses as payment for his medical service.
After the first meeting with Akari, neither Itachi nor Shisui dared to come anywhere near his quarter. There was even one time Shisui and Itachi jumped off of the window when they sensed Akari's chakra signature approaching Naruto's office. It was not like Naruto couldn't understand their fear for their chastity, and Akari really need to be reminded that shinobi or not… his teammates were minors. He shouldn't go overboard with the teasing.
"Whatever you say… after we finish this seal, there will be a line of Uchiha clansmen to have this seal engraved in them. Shisui included…" Akari's eyes were sparkling as he licked his lips.
Naruto gave the medic a warning glare, "Don't do that."
"Naruto-kun!" He turned his attention from daydreaming transvestite, and was faced by smiling Uchiha Mikoto. "You're back… did Hokage-sama give you a hard time?"
He shook his head, "No, he is always lenient when it comes to me." Naruto said, his lips formed a restrained smile. "It's alright."
Mikoto glanced at Akari who was shaking his head and sighing. "Yes, it's alright…" She agreed, keeping her reluctance to herself. "We just have to be more patient…"
"How is Shia-obasan?" Naruto asked about Mikoto's aunt that would be a temporary patient in their infirmary. "If there's anything she needs she can ask Akari or another medic in the tower."
The Uchiha matriarch laughed softly, "Naruto-kun… my aunt is very comfortable in her room especially with so many people taking care of her, she is almost afraid she would be spoiled rotten during her stay."
"Is that so?" Naruto was slightly relieved to hear that, even if it was just lip service. "I am glad to hear that."
No matter how they put it, this Uchiha elder had volunteered herself for their experiment. She was the first sacrifice to pave the path to the future. This was why he hesitated so much to start this project for real since he got the idea, because it requires a human subject.
Mikoto just nodded, his aunt was prepared and even overjoyed when she was told about this experiment. "Naruto-kun… it's getting restless in Konoha now. It's just a small ripple… but some members of Konoha upper echelon have been told about Sealing Tower's intention to renew the internal security system." She relayed her husband's message, as lately their interaction with the sealing tower had to be limited and careful.
Akari, who had adopted a serious look, scoffed, "The smart ones would realize our intention quickly and make their stand known soon."
The mother of Itachi smiled at that, she was getting increasingly fond of the eccentric medic. "I am sure the Hyuuga clan would be as aloof as ever." They distanced themselves from political matters in Konoha as if it was beneath them while keeping a close eye, that was Hyuuga's policy. "I am not sure of Aburame and Akimichi." The four noble clans of Konoha held sizable political power in this village, while they had to go through Hokage, their sway wasn't insignificant. "But since they owe Sealing Tower…" Akimichi owed them as an extension of the Yamanaka clan.
They should have sided with Sealing Tower, that was what everyone hoped.
Naruto hated the contingency plan, even more so since the Uchiha clan's leader lowered his head to ask for it from him.
The next day
Team Ro would take over his guard duty and Hakurei's son, Shion arranged an introduction. Unlike in his childhood, Naruto had to be aware of his protection due to threat from rogue Uchiha. Preferably they could guard him from the shadow while he went on with his days in bliss, but alas the rogue Uchiha was perhaps the greatest kidnapper in the world so they need to work together to face this threat. Also, while Sandaime give him the choice it was obvious he know who Naruto could trust to invade his personal space, the workshop.
Naruto knew right away it wasn't just because of Itachi and Shisui, the two had long been 'floating' in ANBU because Sandaime dawdled putting them in ANBU team after Team To. The latter was in charge of a delicate mission internally, which would satisfy the Uchiha clan's ego but at the same time less stressful to shinobi as young as Itachi and Shisui. Team Ro was perfect because the captain was… a 'honorary' Uchiha and student of Yondaime, but his team was assigned to the fiercest mission being a heavy hitter team.
That changed when Sandaime decisively assigned them to Naruto due to the active threat of a rogue Uchiha. No mission could be more important than protecting their jinchuuriki and the village from the man who can just waltz in and cause untold amounts of destruction. He was also a nice bait so he was put with one of the strongest team against the rogue Uchiha.
"Damn, the ego boost is really nice~ Hokage-sama changed his schedule and plan drastically just for my sake." There was certainly no plan before to put Hatake Kakashi anywhere in Naruto's vicinity. Even if it was as an ANBU.
Shisui grimaced, "You're not in a good mood."
Unlike Shisui's understatement, Itachi looked at him with obvious worry in his dark eyes. Naruto was very regretful that the line in Itachi's face deepened again, and here he thought their friendship and fun time together managed to ease it. "Are you alright, Naruto? We can… still ask for a different team."
"Do you trust another team that's not team Ro?"
Itachi looked down, "...I know team Ro, I know Captain Hound."
"Exactly." Naruto shook his head, "I am not unhappy with Hokage's choice of team, I just realize I don't have privacy… anymore." And he was no longer a kid who didn't feel the need for it yet, "What's left of my privacy is inside my head." With Kurama's company.
"...Did I imagine those tantrums you throw in front of my cage for the last few weeks?"
"Is that even privacy?" Shisui wondered out loud.
Naruto gave him a look, "Kurama is my precious friend, but since he has been 'there' all my life I kinda forget there's even a boundary of privacy with him."
"Screw you, brat."
"...Eh- maybe I will get used to them sooner than later." He could always live and adapt.
Half an hour later, they held a meeting with all seal masters who would follow him to the capital. An ANBU with a canine mask and another with a feline mask entered the meeting room, they knelt before him reverently. Naruto thought he was used to the formality, but it was still uncomfortable when he knew the identity behind the mask. Still, this was someone precious to his father and came for his protection.
So Naruto did his best to welcome this person to his life. "Hello, I am Uzumaki Naruto. I will be in your care from now on." His jika tabi felt oddly stuffy today, and he resisted the urge to fidget under their stare. Naruto shouldn't have but he felt the seal of satori loosened, his control faltered for a moment and he felt the brush of chakra from the two ANBU.
Hound's thought drowned every noise in the room, and Naruto was quite bemused by how unsettled the ANBU captain when all Naruto had done was just… introducing himself. That was a terrible cocktail of nostalgia, guilt, anxiety and also… horror. The last one was really hurtful, the ANBU had not said a thing but Naruto was already offended.
One thing for sure, this person had not moved on. He had some of his father's memories, from the seal malfunction- he barely had new ones nowadays but when it comes to Hatake Kakashi it was… relatively the same. Namikaze Minato was always worried for the boy, from six to fourteen that never ceased because the broken boy he cared for was shattering and he couldn't keep Kakashi whole. Even now, it was Naruto not Minato looking at ANBU who was no longer a teenager, the memory of worry and sadness echoed strongly in him.
"How sad…" He blurted out and the ANBU 'jolted' as if Naruto had struck him with Raiton when all he did was 'look' but it was enough. "Are you… alright?" He shouldn't have, but that line was sparsely used by his father (because Hatake was allergic to it) but kept playing on repeat for Hatake Kakashi.
It was quite an awful start and Naruto didn't think they would ever get used to each other anytime soon.
The ANBU straightened up but didn't answer his question, "I'm Hound, captain of Team Ro. We will be protecting you under the order of Sandaime Hokage from now on." He introduced himself.
Well, he supposed nothing had changed from what his father last remembered of his only surviving student. He had met the guy before but not as Yondaime's son, how differently the man acted was concerning. He almost missed cat's introduction, and how the man revealed he had Mokuton and Sandaime specifically ordered him to inform Naruto. Perhaps another olive branch, the man was openly putting another person as a leash and protection for Naruto from his prisoner.
"Shodai's… I see, that's reassuring." Naruto responded to Cat, the vice captain.
"Do you have any questions?" Cat asked.
Hakurei sighed, "...Nobody from that wretched experiment from the beginning of the second war survived so… it must be Hiruzen's wayward stripling." Both ANBU coughed, masked elite of Konoha or not they were caught off guard by how Hakurei addressed Orochimaru of Sannin. Hakurei ignored them all and pushed some coins to Shisui who was watching the spectacle beside Naruto and Itachi with glee. "There."
"Erm, why the money?"
"I owe Kagami money every time Niidaime's irresponsible project comes back to bite us in the future, and since he believes I will outlive them all… the money goes to his kids." So Shisui got it.
Shisui with all the grace of an Uchiha grinned, "Sweet!"
"Laugh it out brat. I am in my sixties and we still don't have undead apocalypse because of Edo Tensei. If by my eighties we still don't have any, I win and your entire bloodline would be in debt for that one." Hakurei shot back.
Itachi looked confused, "...What's undead apocalypse?"
"Hell if I know, Kagami said someone might declare a war with the dead as their army because of Edo Tensei. Tobirama-sama was not amused." He smiled at the memory. "Silly Kagami… The harebrained ones of your clan have great imagination, and I suspect that's why they're so good at Genjutsu, sharingan or not. Aside from the pushover Yondaime took as his student." Naruto noted Hound tensed again. "A good kid, but damn- he was dim."
Shisui came to his cousin's defense, "He wasn't bad at it, he just doesn't like it. He is actually better at it than Katon actually."
"What?" That was Hound.
"What?" Itachi echoed back. "Is that… a secret?" He asked Shisui.
Shisui shrugged, "Yeah, you're too little to remember but we promise not tattling how he ace every animal related mission like dog walking and cat searching."
They ignored how Hound had leaned forward and there was a small scowl before he regained his composure. Naruto supposed there was an old grudge over certain Uchiha cheating with genjutsu on those D rank and never tell his secret.
Itachi's eyes widened "...Ah, so… I wasn't dreaming that one time he made that cat stand on their forelegs and dance." Some of the best memories about his cousin felt like a dream.
"That one is real." Shisui confirmed with a frown, "Now I think of it… Nii-san was quite scary, I can never really figure out the genjutsu that makes people do crazy stuff to that degree, and that's without sharingan."
Naruto cleared his throat, "Ahem… Shisui, Itachi… we can talk about that later."
They were distracted by nostalgia and Naruto was happy for them but Hound looked like he was going to get a seizure from information overload. Naruto figured the man was shocked how much he didn't know about the boy whose eye was on his skull. Then again… his own father had kept that to himself because Uchiha Obito was weirdly aversive about his genjutsu talent and had been the one giving tips to Shisui when he was younger.
They were all sitting in chairs, but those in guard duty would be standing. Naruto gestured to them to stand behind him with Itachi and Shisui, and they readily followed. He felt their relief, while he did his best to not fidget over having unfamiliar people guarding his back. He began briefing his team about their mission to the capital.
"As you all know… we're going to be under the employment of the royal family for one or two weeks depending on the condition of the seal system our ancestors left in the capital." Naruto began with a smile on his lips, "Your good work in this mission would be a lifelong debt for me." Naruto placed a hand on his chest in dramatic fashion. "Because I have to make a good impression on my future in-laws."
At that the seal masters in attendance laughed in response.
Naruto grinned at them, inwardly complimenting his subordinates for playing along with his joke. "Truly… for this young master to marry above his station, he has to trouble his people. His future in-laws are also so… demanding!" He mused on, pacing back and forth on the podium as the two four man team watched him with rapt attention. "Because before getting married to the family I have to work like a draft horse but I don't see the carrot yet."
Tatara who was watching on the side raised an eyebrow, 'He knew his place but must he say it out loud like this?'
"I don't even know what the princess looks like, so I have to suck it up even if she has thick lips or a large mole."
"Your grievance is noted, Naruto-kun." Tatara chimed in, "But believe me...our princess has outstanding looks."
"Or even if she screeches like a banshee…"
"I have never heard milady screech."
"Which means, you have no idea how she sounds when she does."
"True, but…"
The back and forth loosened the tension, and Naruto continued the briefing with the logistics of their mission. Where they would be staying in the capital, the expected schedule, and also side duties of attending social function and expanding their social network.
All in all, it was not a bad first day for the new bodyguards. After the meeting end, Naruto let everyone but his team and bodyguards left the room first before he addressed them again. "...Your hands please, you need my chakra trace to access my workshop."
Cat readily gave his left hand and Naruto just tapped his palm, leaving red spiral mark. Hound however… he reached out but Naruto had to held back a wince with how the man almost jolted with slightest physical contact. The deliberate slowness when withdrawing his hand was not helping either.
Naruto cursed inwardly, 'Father , your student is not fine and I don't know what in the world would make it better for him.' Namikaze Minato's idea to place Hatake in ANBU was not without reason, he wanted to have full control of the boy's mission and kept him close. He also wanted to validate the boy's diminishing self worth, but it all backfire and the Yondaime was not even alive anymore to force the boy out of ANBU.
As it was, unless something drastic happen, his father's remaining student was not going anywhere. He supposed the best he could do now was keeping team RO in this guard duty as long as possible.
"What happened to not liking ANBU on your back 24/7?" Kurama asked, "One look at your father's puppy of a student and you surrender your privacy? This brat is older by thirteen years than you! You shouldn't worry about him!"
What happened indeed… Naruto just discovered he wasn't as indifferent as he thought. It was his father's influence, he knew- but Naruto was never good in being cruel to anyone.
The day of departure
Tatara never protested the new security detail Naruto got from Sandaime, if anything he approved. "It's warranted, however… there would be issues if all of your members are in the shadows."
There was a growing tension with court shinobi and Konoha shinobi lately, simply because ninja could be very territorial. Konoha shinobi were loyal to their village and Hokage first, but the court Shinobu was loyal to their lord and second to their country.
Naruto's lips curled, "Ah right… I suppose that would be an issue." The court shinobi despise having ANBU in their territory, especially since just recently Danzou sent his ROOT to the capital. "What should we do, then?"
Tatara's suggestion was simple, have the captain and vice captain out of their mask and be regular shinobi for duration of this mission. Being seen would be a deterrent for Team Ro to try anything like… secret mission if Konoha assigned any. There was none of course, but the point was- to pass Team Ro as painlessly as possible to roam the capital while guarding Naruto.
Naruto shrugged, "I don't mind, the decision would be on Captain Hound and Hokage."
Hound was obviously reluctant but he sent a summon and the dog returned with Hokage's approval. It was very cunning of Tatara to bring this concern up last minute, he forced the Hokage to make the decision that appease the court and keep his people around Naruto. Having this done so close to departure meant there was no time for the council to argue keeping the ANBU in mask. Naruto had the direct order from the lord to fulfill, he could leave Konoha without them to follow his tight schedule.
Half an hour before departure, Hound and Cat returned and now dressed in Konoha's standard uniform with green vest and headband. Naruto felt sorry for Hatake because the man felt even more anxious without his mask, which was… weird because he was still wearing a cloth mask anyway and with that slanted headband, they could only see his right eye. He was more exposed by fifteen percent at best.
Cat, the vice-captain had borrowed Hatake's cloth mask so only his dark eyes could be seen.
"That works." Tatara beamed, "Let's depart!"
They made their way to the gate and Naruto was not surprised to see them waiting at the main gate, or rather sensing them hidden beneath genjutsu. The chuunin in charge of gate duty didn't even notice, then again the two of them were genjutsu user of highest caliber in Konoha. It had been a while since they decided on this desperate measure, even going as far as keeping distance with each other.
"Naruto-sama." Tokusa called him who had stopped walking.
Naruto craned his neck towards the gate, "Go ahead, I will catch up soon."
The seal masters exchanged glance before nodding and wordlessly went ahead to process their pass to the chuunin in charge of gate duty. Naruto stayed still, his lips moved silently, forming parting words to his friends. Then he followed his subordinates out of Konoha and disappeared amongst the lush forest surrounding Konoha.
Two pairs of sharingan eyes memorized that last word and nodded to themselves.
"Live."
He didn't ask them to be careful or to make sure to succeed, it was just one simple word. Above everything, he wanted them to live. Such a tall order from their young friend.
The capital was a day of walking distance by shinobi standard, it didn't mean they wanted to rush non-stop. They were not bound by deadline anyway and reaching the capital at night would be undesirable. So the plan was to camp at night and continue the journey so they reached the capital the next day before lunch.
"This is fun, I am so glad my skill in camping food has not been lost." The retired kunoichi beamed, "Squirrel is as good as I remember, even if they're small they're fat with nuts so their meat is sweet."
"It's good." Naruto agreed with a smile, "The herbs works so well."
"Naruto-kun, please give me the sapling next time." Her dark eyes glinted with mirth, "The ones I grow taste blander than one you keep."
"Of course Mikoto-baasan."
"Anoo…" Cat spoke up, his eye twitching. "...I don't remember left with us."
It was not just her, Uchiha Sasuke- an academy student was also stuffing his cheek happily beside his mother. There was also Uchiha Teyaki and Uchiha Urushi, spooning up food for the rest of the team. There were other Uchiha, civilians and retired shinobi. Not many, but they made up about a dozen.
"Maa, don't think too much about us. Eat up our senbei, it's good!" Offered Teyaki-san.
Hatake Kakashi hid it better but the thousand yard stare spoke so much. "Does the Hokage know of this?" He asked Mikoto.
The Uchiha matrich's smile was beautiful, "I am on reserve, Hatake-kun! I only have to report if I leave the country, a trip to capital to accompany Teyaki-san and Uruchi-san start branch store of Uchiha Senbei is hardly something I should trouble the administration office with!"
Naruto hid his laughter by tipping his bowl up.
"Our dango is good too, so Ujimi-san is also opening a branch in the capital."
Hatake Kakashi turned to Tatara, lone eye narrowed. "They're civilians, are they not? What's with the look, Hatake-san~ the crown prince likes the senbei and dango Uzumaki-kun sent so here we are."
Naruto pointedly didn't meet Hatake's lone eye, because he knew he was not getting away with this afte the mission was over. But that would be future Naruto's problem and it was a good move. Besides… he behaved for a months and a half and comply with the house arrest, if the Hokage and his advisors couldn't be happy with that he would give them legit reasons.
It was a good motivation to not fail the mission from his father in law, he had made his move so he couldn't back down.
The next day (Hi no Kuni's capital, Houou)
"Oof!"
As soon as he stepped inside the capital, Naruto was assaulted. His subordinates twitched, their hands hovered dangerously over their weapon pouch before stilling as they took a good look at the one who attacked their young master in an affectionate back pat that was a little rough.
"Yo! What's with the stiff face as soon as you arrive in this bustling capital?"
Naruto rubbed his sore back bemusedly, "It's been a while your-" He stopped when he saw a panicked look on the crown prince's face.
"Beni-kun! Come over, I have a new flavored dango on sale today!" A middle aged dango seller woman called out from her stall.
"Tora-chan!" A group of little children ran over, "Don't forget your promise to come with us tomorrow to fish crayfish!"
"Tora-kun… can you help me hang my shop sign? It fell down again!"
Naruto watched the supposed crown prince dart from one place to another like a busy bee, sending a brilliant smile that shut his eyes closed to the crescent moon. "Aah, not again." His teachers back at the palace must have had a fit that their prince was mingling with peasants and playing around.
"That person is…" Yuzuriha trailed off. "Why is he here?" The crown prince wandering around the outskirts of capital, what a strange sight.
Naruto nodded to confirm Benitora's identity, "I'd say he is playing around as usual but who knows." Anyone with a drop of royal family in them couldn't be a simpleton, though the one sitting on the throne now was a simple man Ieyasu controlled from the shadows. Then again in the era of peace, someone like Ieyasu knew better than to stand in the spotlight and incite conflict. The Daimyou himself was also aware that was his value, playing a good seat warmer to protect the peace.
Nobody in that family was simple, even the scaredy cat wearing the crown.
"...That was the crown prince?" His father's student asked thoughtfully.
Apparently the man would talk voluntarily in the name of gathering intel. Benitora or more commonly known as Tokugawa Hidetada was the crown prince, he was politically active in assisting his uncle in governing but he was socially absent. He avoided noble gatherings and showed his face in public, so even Konoha was not that well informed about the heir to the throne.
Konoha stayed out of succession battle in court, but they couldn't just stand on the sideline without a clue either. So it must be frustrating to have someone so accomplished but also low key as the heir like Hidetada. The most important to Konoha was to know about the temperament of their next ruler, a laidback and submissive one like Takechiyo the current Daimyou was easy to serve, but they had to adjust for the next generation.
"Yes, he is…" Naruto confirmed. "He goes by Benitora, he acts like that but very serious about his duty when he has to."
"I see."
"...I think Hokage-sama's son can tell you more."
They were penpals, but Naruto wouldn't claim he knew Benitora more than Sarutobi Asuma. Or perhaps not… history said the Sarutobi used to serve rival clan of Tokugawa, even if that was forever ago, they could distant Asuma from directly working for the heir. Naruto supposed it was also why the royal family while cordial was not very close to Sandaime, he imagined the royal family didn't really agree with Nidaime's choice.
"...I am on duty."
Naruto huffed, "I won't die if you step away for an hour." That was the wrong thing to say, the ANBU went stiff and his lone eye narrowed. "...let's go." He wondered if he should curse his father for dying before sorting out this kid out of his depression spiral.
Later…
It was easy to enter the palace for him with basic inspection as usual, the same couldn't be said to his first-time visitor team. They had to go through troublesome procedures on identity check, weapon check and health check. The last one was especially important, as apparently during his grandfather's era there was a plague that broke into the palace unchecked. In his case though, it was quite pointless because he never got sick aside from occasional headaches from memory overload.
Uzumaki in general was a very healthy clan even without Jinchuuriki status boost, they were a clan of longevity and vitality after all. Which explained why Ieyasu took in an Uzumaki woman as his consort. He didn't like to think his clansmen as top breed stock, but to royalty their genetic make up was ideal. Naruto couldn't begrudge his mother's third cousin who entered Ieyasu's harem, because it was her marriage that gave shelter to several members of Uzumaki clan. Not to mention her son was the crown prince now, politically speaking this was an ideal situation for his clan to get a stronger hold in Hi no Kuni.
Another reason why this engagement should be formalized at all cost. Currently Ieyasu held the position as proxy leader in place of his deceased consort of Uzumaki clan in the capital. He couldn't even see his clansmen until he was formally acknowledged as the official leader of the Uzumaki clan.
'Imagining just how much stake this arranged marriage holds is just depressing.' Naruto couldn't help but think bemusedly. 'This proves just how powerless I am, outside of the Sealing Tower I have zero political power…' Forget capital, in Konoha he was still a pariah. His Uzumaki ancestors must be rolling in their grave if they knew what became of the sole heir of the main branch.
"Doesn't waiting suck?" Benitora asked, grinning from ear to ear. "Your face is so gloomy."
"Hidetada- denka. .." Naruto began.
"We're alone, so it's Benitora." He corrected Naruto.
Naruto glanced to the side, in his room the two ANBU were standing at the back with eyes unmoving from him. And then at Mahiro, the kunoichi who was in charge of Benitora's safety. In the room it seemed like there was only Naruto, his two ANBU, Benitora and Mahiro, but… this room was actually quite crowded with the combined number of their bodyguards in the shadow.
Naruto sighed, giving Benitora who for once dressing like a prince he was in dark red hakama. The traditional color of Hi no Kuni and his Uzumaki clan's signature coloring made him very… very red. Unlike most nobles, Benitora wasn't as pale so the excess of red wasn't so bad.
"Right… Benitora." He gave in, "I don't mind waiting, but delaying work makes me restless."
He snorted, "I see, you have all the right to feel restless."
"Yeah."
Benitora's slit-like eyes opened, "Well, all I could say is good luck and get along well with them, will you?"
"Who?"
"The twelve guardians." Benitora's smile was all teeth, "That would be part of your job."
He was right all along, Uzumaki blood or not Benitora was a royal through and through. Getting along with the twelve guardians was cruel and underhanded considering the mission the prince's father hoisted upon him.
There was a storm brewing in the capital.
"There you go... Naruto exploit the loophole about civilians and tried to move Uchiha clan members OUT- the civilians, those he know aren't danger enough for Danzo to convince Sandaime to lost his shit over.
They're basically laying down groundworks. Reason why Kakashi and his team didn't notice is because Mikoto is a genjutsu specialist and they have no bad intention/killing intent to set any alarm. Also for people who want to move, they hardly carry luggage= all in sealing scroll so it's easy.
I imagine the Hokage have supreme control on whereabouts of his shinobi but not the civilian. The village is safe for civilian during wartime, so they don't have any reason to flee the village- it never happen... so well- there's no law that prevent civilian from skipping town.
Naruto is basically putting up more on the table.
Next chap : The Twelve Guardians of Fire!
Update next month XD well- happy new year XD