Tsunade's coronation day was a date to remember, no doubt. Her speech about rising up against life's challenges and standing tall even after defeat was both emotive and fitting for the current state of Konoha. Her words about cooperation with other villages, however, while endearing to the populace, were not so warmly received by the hardliners of the civilian council… But the new Hokage didn't give a flying shit about them.
The first council meeting was a show. Everyone bootlicked the Senju name to gain her favor, when some booze would have done the trick more easily. Then Tsunade pushed forward a reevaluation of the Shinobi programs altogether, especially the academy standards, as well as the inclusion of a new, more specialized combat medic program.
"There is no need," they said. "There is no money," they said.
So Tsunade told them that in that case, only the non-clan ninja and hospital staff would work against her designs.
"You can't do that! That's discrimination!"
"Yet I am the head of a military dictatorship, and you refuse to obey me…" Tsunade never finished her threat. There was no need. Her rulings were either accepted or imposed. As Hinata liked to joke,
"Semantics! That is the key to ruling those idiots. Ask when you order, and say please instead of or else…"
But all those matters, as interesting as they were, paled in comparison to what awaited at the next meeting… After enforcing some new changes—adding Sarutobi as one of the elders, for example—Tsunade allowed the rest of the council to voice concerns or suggestions before dropping the serious stuff on them.
"Senju-sama, this council is concerned with Konoha's current state! We cannot allow Kumo, ally or not, to keep the Uzumaki from us! They belong to us—always have! They must be returned, along with their riches…"
"You mean the riches you haven't already stolen, right?" interrupted Tsunade.
"Senju-sama, I am sure you understand the need to relieve them of their material possessions in order to rebuild! It was done to reconstruct Konoha after the Kyubi attack and shall be done again! If they are the loyal allies they claim to be, they must do their duty—willingly or not!"
Tsunade laughed. Hard. As she continued laughing, the civilian council and some of the minor clans grinned. This Hokage would agree with them, unlike the demon-loving old monkey.
"It's clear to me you've done your job quite diligently. You ransacked the Uzumaki accounts as soon as you heard Kushina was reported dead. You also plundered all Uzumaki properties except the clan compound and have tried to gain access to it for years… Very well done," said a grinning Tsunade.
"Now, being the generous Hokage that I am…" Tsunade began, to the elation of the council. Yet some of the older ninjas were quite aware that the shit was about to hit the fan.
"… I am going to track the money and properties taken, do a follow-up, and decide how much money some of this council owes me. As I am magnanimous and benevolent like no one else, I will probably forgive part of that debt or organize some kind of plan to not ruin you too much…" Her smile was feral.
"Bu-but Tsunade…"
"That is Hokage-sama, you buffoon!" Tsunade rose from her chair and, crossing her arms, started pacing around her desk—all while glaring at the greedy idiots around her.
"Have you forgotten who I am? Who my ancestors are?"
"You are the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the last Senju!" started elder Koharu Utatane.
"Yes, and also the granddaughter of his wife—Mito Senju-Uzumaki, first Jinchūriki of the Kyubi no Yōko. The clan you plundered is my clan. The home you burned was my niece's. The very child you abused is my goddaughter. So NO. The Uzumaki will not pay for your debauchery any longer. You owe a massive debt to the royal family of Whirlpool Country. Personally, I prefer to solve this without ruining anyone, as the Uzumaki don't need the money right this instant… but hear me and hear me well: my goddaughter owns you. She can ruin this village just by claiming your debts. And don't make me start on the consequences of involving the Daimyōs," Tsunade snorted.
"Henceforth, all of you will be at your best. I don't care who you are or your previous achievements. As I study the finances of this village, I will prepare a way to return the owed money without ruining us. But you can forget about your lavish lifestyles. Most of the properties the clan has no interest in, but money, scrolls, and heirlooms will be tracked and taken back. Don't force me to get T&I involved, because I will!" promised the blonde.
"Now! On other pressing matters! It has been decided that a squad consisting of Konohamaru Sarutobi, Moegi Utatane, Udon Mitokado, and Hanabi Hyuga will be our test-run team for the elite Genin program we are adapting from Kumo's. Ebisu will be their sensei." Tsunade returned to her chair and pulled some papers from the desk.
"The Genin known as Konoha 12, including Chunin Shikamaru Nara, will train with the Kumo team under the supervision of Jonin Mitarashi. They will also take missions together. I will have them learning under all their sensei, not just their team captains. I strongly recommend all our teams start training together to avoid overspecialization."
"The treaties with the Sand are ready. I'll let you review them and make suggestions. The decisions, however, are mine to make." The new Hokage dropped her documents, sighing.
"Any other matters you wish to address?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama. We need to address the fact that we lack a Bijū of our own. I have some suggestions for that…" Danzo never finished his sentence. The new Hokage's glare shut him up. She was clearly not Hiruzen.
"As you well know, adviser Shimura, that matter is already being taken care of," hissed Tsunade.
"We don't need a lesser demon! The Uzumaki child is ours by right!" shouted a minor clan ninja.
"Consider yourself demoted for your stupidity," said Tsunade, as if it were nothing.
"Do you consider it wise to trust another village to procure us a Jinchūriki? Kumo may be our ally… for now… but to trust them with something so sensitive is…"
"Advisor Shimura…" interrupted the blonde again. "It is in our shared interest to acquire that Jinchūriki for Konoha. As you well know, we can do it with no bloodshed, underhanded tactics, or even paying money. You have been personally made privy to the situation, as well as the reasons why you can't train her. So keep your ROOTs out of this matter or there will be hell to pay."
"What are you saying, Tsunade? ROOT was disbanded!" yelled Elder Mitokado.
"Are you purposely trying to make me strip you of your position as one of the elders, Homura? No? Then kindly shut the fuck up if all you're going to do is spew useless shit in this chamber! I know perfectly well that ROOT is still active. Danzo has been debriefed on the whole Jinchūriki situation, and his ANBU will now be co-managed by Elder Sarutobi."
Tsunade was not taking any more shit. One of the ninja commanders asked about the Hyūga clan's situation. Hiashi told them everything was under control and that the traitors would be properly interrogated and executed—no exceptions. Some council members were beginning to realize that while Tsunade cared more about the lives of Konoha's citizens than any Hokage before her, she had no problem disposing of those who endangered the village.
"Tsunade-sama, will you inform us about the Jinchūriki matter today, or at a later date?" asked Shikaku Nara, his head resting on his desk.
"There are still a few things to finalize, but since the subject has already been brought up, I'll debrief you now." Opening a folder, Tsunade addressed the council. "Kumo has informed us that the Village Hidden in the Waterfall is treating their Jinchūriki much like you treated Uzumaki-san. Except for their leader Shibuki, the entire village is against her. She's a young Genin named Fū. Since they are not one of the great villages, their bijū is less protected—and as they despise it, it's an easy target for those hunting tailed beasts. We're going to offer asylum to young Fū. Just like that."
Hiruzen continued: "Jinchūriki rely on their emotional state to control the bijū's chakra. That's why you are going to treat her like a normal Genin. We don't want to repeat the incident that put us in this situation, right?" Venom laced his voice, the threat in his words not subtle at all.
"As she is the container of the Seven-Tailed Beetle, we plan to ask the Aburame clan to house her when she arrives. Further accommodations will be discussed later," Tsunade added. Shibi Aburame nodded in agreement. "We will send a team along with the Kumo squad in two weeks to retrieve her. Uzumaki-san will reinforce her seal and begin teaching her the basics of bijū taming. If that is all, this meeting is adjourned."
Meanwhile, in the Hyūga estate.
Hanabi Hyūga, now officially the heiress, had called for a full clan meeting. Sitting in her father's place, she prepared to address a fractured clan with only Neji Hyūga at her side.
After several minutes of murmuring and questions about Hiashi's absence, the room quieted as Hanabi stood to speak.
"Please listen. I will be leading this meeting, as my father is attending the Konoha Council," she said clearly.
"We are entering a new age for the Hyūga clan, and much must change. We've just declared the end of the branch family separation and banned the use of the Caged Bird Seal. But that is not enough. For real progress, more changes must follow—and better to change now than grow stagnant."
Taking a breath, she continued, "That's why, with my father's permission, I've called this meeting to introduce reforms that I, as heiress, have the authority to implement—to prove to the former branch families that we are serious about unity!"
"First, I will ask my sister to recreate the original seal our ancestors corrupted into the atrocity known as the Caged Bird. Every unsealed Hyūga will bear it—including me. I will be the first. We will all be equal!" Gasps spread through the crowd. Branch family members looked astonished. The former main house looked scandalized.
"From now on, skill will determine your training—not your bloodline. Also, with the branch system abolished, no Hyūga should fear forming a relationship outside the clan. Any partner of a Hyūga will be welcomed. If a Hyūga chooses to leave the clan, they will be sealed only to prevent the Byakugan from passing on—nothing more. Which brings me to the next point."
She motioned for Neji to step forward.
"To form an alliance with the Sarutobi clan and improve our public image, I am currently beginning a relationship with Konohamaru Sarutobi. We are still young and cannot promise anything, but we are both aware of our roles as heirs. Should we marry, one of us will choose a new surname for our child. And if I must leave the clan or something happens to me, I name Neji Hyūga as my successor."
Silence. Shock. Neji looked completely floored.
"WE ARE ONE CLAN! NO MORE SEPARATION! NO MORE CURSED SEALS! TOGETHER, OR NOT AT ALL!"
Three days later, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the two loyal Sannin, the Hyūga clan head, his heirs Hanabi and Neji, and the Uzumakis assembled in a forest within Konoha's walls—accompanied by a platoon of ANBU and a dozen prisoners, including Hiroshi Hyūga and three former elders. Karui brought up the rear.
The Uzumakis led them to a secluded location hidden by a powerful barrier.
"Is it here, Mom?"
"Yes, kit. This is it. The Uzumaki Shrine."
"N-chan and I will go inside to retrieve what we need. If you must enter, don't touch anything," Hinata warned.
The shrine appeared run-down, unremarkable—yet an ominous aura seeped from it. Only the Sannin and ANBU Cat dared to follow inside. Minutes later, they returned carrying a scroll and a haunting mask.
"Daughters," said the mighty vixen. "The ANBU with the rabbit mask has no emotions. He's completely blank. I suspect ROOT."
Hinata whispered the concern to Lady Hokage. Tsunade immediately slammed the ANBU to the ground and applied a paralysis seal.
"Yep, he's ROOT," Jiraiya confirmed, inspecting the unmasked ninja's seals. "Guess someone didn't understand what don't interfere means."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "Well, we're going to execute everyone here. What's one more? Let's leave his corpse on the Hokage Tower steps."
"Tsunade-sama, may I suggest something?" Karui asked. When the older woman nodded, Karui continued, "Wouldn't it be hot to carve a message into him? Something like 'ROOT traitor'?"
The Hokage grinned like a shark.
"ANBU, remove the prisoners' gags and line them up," Sarutobi ordered.
Naruko stepped toward the ROOT agent, holding the mask with reverence. Meanwhile, the prisoners were panicking, offering anything to save their lives.
"We're ready to begin. If anyone has anything relevant to say, now's the time," Naruko said calmly.
She carefully placed the mask on the fake ANBU. The air turned frigid. The possessed ninja rose and began to float. A translucent robe materialized around his body. The Shinigami had arrived—its dread aura chilling everyone to the bone.
Hiashi stepped in front of Hanabi protectively.
"U… ZU… MA… KI…"
A voice whispered, echoing like the desert winds. The Death God's pupil-less eyes somehow stared at everyone present.
"Shinigami-sama. We are here to bargain. We do not expect you to revive anyone, as that is something you will never do. We offer you the souls of these sinners in exchange for the release of our loved ones," proclaimed Naruko.
"WHO…? U… ZU… MA… KI…"
"My father, and my mother's other half," Naruko replied, unsealing Kubikiribōchō and, in one swift movement, slashing open the spirit's gut.
"Any last words, Hiroshi?" Hinata asked, taking one of Naruko's short swords.
"All I did, I did for the clan, you foolish child. The Hyūga have always done what was necessary to survive! You have no right!"
"We have every right," Hinata interrupted coldly.
"When the Hyūga joined the village, they swore sacred oaths. You betrayed those oaths, and you betrayed me. But your death will release the Fourth Hokage from the Shinigami's grasp into the pure world."
She narrowed her eyes—and mercilessly slit her grandfather's throat.
"In death, fulfill your duty."
Hiroshi's soul became visible as life fled his body. The Shinigami devoured it with an ominous chuckle.
"Well—let's get this show rolling!" said Naruko, approaching the terrified prisoners, Kubikiribōchō in hand.
"How? How can you take a life so easily, H-oneechan?" asked Hanabi, while Naruko beheaded a Sound ninja.
"It's not easy. But I've seen humanity at its worst. Taking a life to stop that darkness from spreading… it's something I can do now. It's also easier for Kurama-okaasama and N-chan. Since we're linked, it becomes easier for me, too."
Chop! Another head fell.
As the fourth prisoner died, Minato Namikaze's spirit emerged from the opened belly of the Shinigami. The blond Hokage smiled and nodded to his daughter and in-laws before dissipating into a thousand glowing motes.
"Goodbye, Father. Rest in peace."
Naruko's tears streamed down her sun-kissed face.
"No. NO! It's impossible! Namikaze-sama can't be the father of the demon child! It can't be!"
As soon as he spoke, Hinata turned to the Hyūga captive.
"But it is. He truly was an honorable leader—unlike you. He wasn't going to ask the village to sacrifice a newborn. He wouldn't let another die in his place when it was his responsibility."
Hinata huffed with disdain.
"Rejoice. In death, you'll wash your shame."
Her hand slammed against his chest—and he was no more.
Hanabi watched in morbid fascination as her sister-in-law executed the condemned without hesitation. Her father knelt beside her and, embracing her, offered to show her the confessions Ibiki had extracted from the prisoners.
"It's a dark duty, being an executioner," he said gently.
"But there are people who can't be forgiven. People who never learn, no matter the punishment. For military leaders—Hokage or clan heads alike—condemning others to death is often part of the burden. It's never easy… but it must be done."
When the Death God swallowed the final soul, a torrent of blood-like chakra erupted from its opened gut. It began to dissipate—its corrosive power withering nearby vegetation. The ninja stepped back—all but the Uzumaki girls.
Naruko stepped forward and embraced the torrent of malevolent chakra. Her body absorbed it, and her Full Henge puffed away. A Biju cloak began to form—two tails, then four… Then the second stage arrived with a pulse of raw chakra, blasting everyone back—except Hinata.
The chakra leaking from Naruko enveloped her life-mate, and Hinata's own cloak flared to life—three proud tails dancing behind her. Naruko's cloak surged, a skeletal structure forming as six fiery tails thrashed with fury.
Hinata walked beside her and interlocked her clawed hand with the mini-Bijū next to her.
The Konoha shinobi and Karui watched as the two floated within an angry maelstrom of red chakra.
"Is… is this the power of Jinchūriki?" whispered Hiashi, afraid to activate his Byakugan for fear of blindness.
"Why is it also affecting my daughter?"
"When H-chan opened the seal to save N-chan, undiluted, unpurified Biju chakra flooded her network," Karui explained.
"Kyūbi-sama had two options: save the girl who risked her life for her child—turning her into a pseudo-Jinchūriki—or let her be obliterated. Now Hinata has a Kyūbi chakra pool inside her that fills just by being near the real Jinchūriki. As long as she doesn't drain it completely, it self-replicates. But N-chan speeds up the refill just by being close. That's unique to the Nine-Tails."
Even the ANBU lost their composure.
"It's… so beautiful. And yet so terrifying," whispered Cat.
"Each Bijū has its own power," Karui continued.
"The Ichibi manipulates sand. The Nibi has blue fire. The Yonbi controls lava and memory. But Kyūbi-sama's only 'unique' ability is negative emotion sensing. What makes her truly terrifying isn't a fancy jutsu—it's her raw, untamable power. And what you're witnessing right now? That's only half of it. You're not sick because N-chan is protecting you. If not for the Uzumaki barriers around this place, every ninja in the area would already be rushing here."
She paused.
"One more thing: don't try to sense it with any technique. It'll overload you."
A few minutes later, the Shinigami stopped leaking chakra and vanished, laughing. With no more energy to absorb, the cloaks around Naruko and Hinata slowly faded. Still bearing feral traits, they turned to the group.
"WE ARE COMPLETE."
Three voices echoed as one.
"Enemies of the Uzumaki—beware!"
Streets of Konoha – Near Ichiraku Ramen, Later That Afternoon
Hiashi Hyūga found himself dragged to Ichiraku Ramen, reminiscing that history truly did repeat itself. Worst of all—the ramen chef was smirking.
Damn that man. He knew more than the intelligence division and the gossip mill combined. It was obvious he knew exactly who N. Uzumaki was—and who her parents had been. Those two were clearly his best customers: the blonde, "teleport-me-some-ramen" menace and her ramen-obsessed redheaded wife. Good times indeed.
"H-oneechan, what was that mask?"
"Call me H-chan in public, please," Hinata said, half-hugging Hanabi.
"That was one of the Uzumaki masks—some of the most dangerous treasures of our clan. According to Kurama-okaasama, the Uzumaki of old developed their sealing arts to such an extent that people called them witches and sorcerers. In their quest for knowledge, they created the masks. When activated, they grant otherworldly power—at a price. Most of them take the wearer's life. Mother only knows about the Shinigami mask. It was used to create the dreaded Shiki Fūjin. As for the rest… few have enough chakra to even survive activation."
"Wooo. Scary… wait! How does Ky—err, Kurama-sama—know all that?"
"Before the age of the Jinchūriki, Kurama used to lounge around Uzushiogakure. Then she was sealed inside Mito Senju-Uzumaki-sama, the greatest seal mistress of her time. So… she picked up some things."
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised," said a man entering the stall with Tenten.
"Hi girls!" Tenten froze, spotting the Hyūga clan head in a place "too cheap" for his status.
"Er… greetings, Hyūga-sama." He nodded.
"Yes… no doubt about it. You're Kushina-san's…" The man's eyes grew misty.
"Oh Kami… you really are hers."
"I didn't say anything! He figured it out himself! Don't chop-chop me!" pleaded Tenten, shielding her neck.
"She didn't tell me a thing. She didn't need to."
The man placed his hand on Naruko's shoulder.
"I'm Tetsuo Higuarshi. You already know my daughter."
"Call him Te-san!" shouted old man Ichiraku from the kitchen.
"Te-san, right," Naruko said.
"I was your mother's friend. As her blacksmith, I maintained her gear."
He took a deep breath, then knelt.
"I was told you died that night… that horrible night. Yet here you are…"
He bowed, forehead to the ground.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, child."
Hiashi helped him up and reassured him he wasn't alone in his failure. Lies and inaction had caused many to betray their friends.
Tenten's father then presented Naruko a long, sheathed blade within a wooden box.
"This is your mother's blade—The Uzumaki Red," he said with reverence.
"It's the clan head's weapon, a legacy of Uzushio. This blade… chooses its owner. The moment you arrived, I felt her stir. She wants you to have her."
Naruko drew the blade—a deep blood-red with a hypnotic, lethal beauty. The swirl-shaped guard was elegant, its simple craftsmanship speaking volumes.
"Ah… Benihime, the Crimson Princess," said Kurama.
"That was the name Kushina gave her. This blade rivals the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist. It's like an extension of your body—even your tenketsu. It conducts chakra like no other. And it may even be indestructible."
Naruko sheathed the blade and looked into the blacksmith's eyes.
"I… I don't know what to say. Thank you for keeping her safe."
"She. Don't forget—treat her like a lady or she'll find ways to punish you. She tripped me every day until I learned that. Once, she even slammed her scabbard into my brother's and my… well… testicles when we flirted with your mother."
Hiashi coughed.
"If I'd known you were alive, I'd have adopted you with Tenten!"
"Old Hiruzen will be nursing his bruises for weeks. Just… thank you. Thank you for being alive."
"Weeeell… I guess I can call you 'sister' from now on!" said Tenten, trying to lift the mood.
"Oh! OH! I get it!" cried Hanabi, clapping her hands.
"You're Neji's teammate, right? And Neji's practically my brother! If you marry him, you'll really be my sister!"
She mumbled "in-law", cheeks flushed. Everyone laughed.