Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.-Kahlil Gibran.
For the next five days, Sai and TenTen had to watch over their teams. As soon as they had returned to the room, they had all dropped. Tazuna had helped carry the men inside and Sai and TenTen had to haul the other Genin in by themselves.
Naruko had woken up the next day and had insisted that she go help repair the now destroyed bridge. Everyday, she would leave with Tazuna and return with Tazuna. With the help of her Kage Bunshin, the repairs were taken care of in a few days. Then, they really cracked down to get the enormous structure finished in time.
Naruko was praising Kami after Kami that Tazuna had been three quarters finished before they had showed up for the mission. With the help of the newly invigorated villagers and a couple hundred Kage Bunshin, the bridge building went by a lot faster.
Once everyone was finally awake, they got back to training. Since not everyone was needed to guard Tazuna at once. Kakashi and Gai were still pretty out of it though. Kakashi having used his Sharingan for a very prolonged period and using his Raikiri twice, was drained! Then Gai, who had opened six of the Hachimon and had worn himself out as well as overusing some muscles.
Naruko herself had some lingering pain. TenTen explained that it was from her fight with Zabuza. Since she wasn't used to Kenjutsu and swinging such large swords all the time, her muscles were overworked. Naruko had been lost, because she was pretty sure that her training was strict enough to keep her in top form. But, TenTen insisted that when using Kenjutsu, one uses a whole new level of skills and muscle mass. That was why her shoulders and back hurt so damn much!
TenTen taught Naruko the basic katas for Kenjutsu, so that she could practice and not have the same pain again if the situation ever came for it. She then told Naruko to look for a Kenjutsu specialist named Hayate Gekko when they returned to the village. Apparently, he was the best in the village and came to TenTen's family's shop every month to get his sword cleaned and buffed.
Haku had decided to take TenTen and Naruko aside and teach them basic Medical Jutsu. Something bout just incase you need it. He had said that emergency first aid could save a life. When Naruko heard about what he could do with senbon, she had begged him to teach her. Learning about killing an enemy with one senbon before they even know they're dead, was just too awesome to pass up!
TenTen had jumped on the wagon, wanting to become a better kunoichi. So, in their spare time, they got to learn about the pressure points and the chakra points in the body. Haku demonstrated by using Naruko's hand as his test subject. He showed them how to disrupt chakra flow and how to strike a pressure point, to either cause pain, or make your opponent lose all feeling in that area.
Naruko recognized some of what he was saying and had asked if she could incorporate it into her Jinsokuna Ken. Haku was shocked to hear that she knew such an advanced fighting style but had nodded nonetheless. If she could learn to fully understand the human anatomy, them she could learn how to make her Taijutsu more effective without so much chakra.
With the prospect of getting stronger in mind, Naruko gladly let herself be used to demonstrate the many different actions one could take in order to defeat their enemy. Naruko found a new love for senbon after that.
When the bridge was finally finished, Naruko pulled Tazuna aside and told him that the mission was elevated to an S class which was a lot of money that a barely standing country, that was just getting back on its feet could pay for. She then pulled out a scroll and released the contents, telling him to sell everything for the best possible price when he got the chance. Finally, she told him that she would be paying for the mission in order to help Nami no Kuni out.
The man had cried as he thanked her, but she just shrugged. "You need the help."
The day they had left, Naruko was shocked into speechlessness by Tazuna naming his bridge after her. The Great Naruko Uzumaki Bridge, was to remind the people of Nami no Kuni of the girl that helped their country. He even asked for a quote to put under the name of the large structure.
So, Naruko chose one that the Hokage had always loved. One that inspired her. Under her name lay a quote that inspired her.
When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fires shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew.- Hiruzen Sarutobi, Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato.
"A very good quote Naruko," Kakashi complimented as they went on their way.
"Jiji can be very inspirational when he wants to be," she shrugged. "Now," she started. "Onward to Tanzaku Town! Jiji's okay with it! Besides, I'm paying for it."
There was a simultaneous, "Yay!" from everyone and she just rolled her eyes.
All she had to do was sell all of the objects she had taken from Gato's mansion and there would definitely worth a lot of money. Since Tanzaku was such a big gambling attraction, they had a lot of money and Naruko was positive she'd get a good price for her items.
She was right. With some fancy wording and swift thinking that would have even the best con man groveling at her feet, Naruko sold everything in her scrolls. By the time she was empty of things to sell, she had made over twenty million Ryo. Enough to pay for Nami's mission and for several nights stay at the best resort in Tanzaku Town. Plus extra.
When the day of her meeting with Gato's V.P. came, she had dragged Kakashi with her as, 'hired muscle'. She had also seen him talk circles around one of their missions once. A man with a bad attitude had insulted their team and Kakashi somehow put the man in his place in such a way, that he felt proud, important, remorseful and apologetic all in one. He was definitely someone to take along, just incase.
The V.P. was a tall man, with long black hair that was pulled into a low ponytail and bright green eyes. He seemed to be the quiet type, but as soon as he spoke, it was hard to shut him up.
"Okay, here it is. We are stopping all illegal trading."
The man gaped at her statement. "But!"
She held up a hand, "No! I plan to be powerful. The strongest ninja to ever exist to be exact. Somewhere along the way, I may have to take the seat of Hokage, and I refuse to have anything illegal tied to my name. You will stop all illegal action, and we are going to spread this company across the nations in a respectable way. I have a meeting with the Fire Daimyo when I return to Konoha and since he is good friends with the other Daimyo, I will be trying to get him to put in a good word for Gato Company and Holdings."
She then looked him in the eye, "I am also changing the name of the company to something better. Shadow's Fire will be the new name. I trust you can handle all of this as well as you did when Gato was in charge?"
The V.P., Hitoshi Magaru, gaped in silence, but he did nod.
She nodded, "Very good then. I'll contact you once I have met the Fire Daimyo and we will discuss the new objective of Shadow's Fire then." She stood and walked to the door, "It was nice to meet you Hitoshi!"
"You as well…..Naruko-sama," the man stuttered out as she and Kakashi left.
"Well, you are going to be quite the boss aren't you?" Kakashi asked as they left the building where the meeting had taken place.
"Yep! I don't know why, but I have a feeling that this is going to be a lot of fun!" She cheered, making him laugh.
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Naruko and Kakashi returned to the Moeru Ryu in good spirits. Kakashi left for his, Gai's and Haku's room and Naruko went to hers and TenTen's.
She removed her breastplate and her swords that she had brought along as a show of strength for Hitoshi. A sign to not mess with her.
TenTen came in and announced that she and her team were going out to check the town.
Naruko waved and told her to have fun. She then set off to find Sasuke and Sai's room.
Their room wasn't too far down the hall from hers and she was glad she didn't have to hunt them down. Both were just sitting there, not doing anything!
"Come on! You guys want to go and do something?!" she asked as she plopped on Sasuke's bed.
Said Uchiha looked away and mumbled something incoherent.
"How about we talk?" she suggested.
Sai paused in his sketching and looked up, "What about?"
"I said I would explain what a Jinchuuriki is. I think this is a good time," she replied, rolling over, onto her stomach.
"Oh. I already knew. But Sasuke doesn't," Sai informed her as he went back to drawing.
Naruko gave him a confused look, "They teach you about Jinchuuriki in Root? You know about me?"
Sai looked at her and nodded slowly. "I cannot give you much information because I have been restricted like all the others to not really speak of it. We each have a cursed seal that keeps us from saying much. Since you already know about Root, I didn't break any rules," Sai explained, before sticking his tongue out, showing them the seal on it. "I cannot explain anything further, my apologies."
She waved it off, "Not your fault. But thank you for telling us that."
She then looked at Sasuke, "Okay. You've heard of the Biju, correct?"
He nodded, "The Kyuubi was one. The strongest if I recall, since there are only nine."
"Exactly. Well, the Biju aren't actual beings. They were created from high amounts of chakra. They can't be killed, because they are chakra itself.
Sasuke frowned, "But we were told that the Yondaime killed the Kyuubi?"
Naruko shook her head, "That was a lie. Biju can't be killed. And the Kyuubi is the strongest of all Biju, so a human wouldn't be able to kill something that can't be killed. They can, however, be sealed."
Sasuke watched as she spoke, waving her hands about to get her point across. Where was this going?
"A Jinchuuriki is a vessel. A person chosen by another to be the host for a Biju. The Biju is then sealed within that chosen person, making them a Jinchuuriki."
So they couldn't be killed, but they could be sealed?
"A Jinchuuriki tends to have abnormal reserves of chakra and extra abilities given to them due to the Biju sealed within. People tend to have a dislike for Jinchuuriki and treat them as if they are monsters with no right to live. They are hated and persecuted for just existing."
The men from the bridge had called Naruko a Jinchuuriki. They wanted her for something. The only Biju to ever be around Hi no Kuni, was the Kyuubi.
Sasuke understood so many things in that moment. Why the villagers looked at Naruko in such a way. Why they insulted her even when she did well. She was a Jinchuuriki. The holder of the Kyuubi. People hated her because they thought that she was the fox in disguise!
"I see you get it. I am the Jinchuuriki for the Kyuubi. That is why I'm hated so much. I'll understand if you're hesitant about being around me from now on."
Sasuke frowned, "All the adults know, right?"
She nodded.
"And my family is okay with you even though they know. Which means that you aren't bad. Besides, I've known you for five years and a little thing such as this wouldn't change how I feel about you. You are Naruko Uzumaki, and that's all." Sasuke folded his arms, looking away. You are also mine. End of story.
Naruko for once wished that she wasn't wearing a mask so that he could see her beaming.
She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Thanks Ducky!"
Sasuke fell off the bed, with Naruko landing on top of him. On top of him!
"Okay, okay. You're welcome! Can you get off now?!" he panicked slightly. Especially since she wasn't wearing her breastplate, so he could feel everything under her dress. Everything!
She snorted, "I'm not that heavy Ducky."
"Trust me, you aren't," he mumbled, while sitting up.
Naruko was in a considerably better mood now. "Do you guys want to go and do something?"
Sai declined politely and she promised to bring him some Tofu later on. She had found out that he liked Tofu and would use it as a way to get him to open up, even a little.
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"I need more sake."
"Lady Tsunade, don't you think you've had enough tonight?"
Tsunade looked at her apprentice Shizune and frowned. "There is no such thing as 'enough' Shizune. More sake!"
The brunette sighed and ordered another bottle for Tsunade.
"Shit!" Tsunade hissed. "Konoha shinobi!"
Shizune looked up to see two young looking ninja approaching the bar.
"Maybe they aren't here for you. Can we at least wait before we leave? Please?" Shizune begged with puppy eyes.
Tsunade sighed, "Fine. We'll see."
Shizune was practically praying to every Kami she knew of. Praying that the children weren't there for them.
The two women watched as the kids sat two seats away from them. A boy with dark spiky hair that seemed to defy gravity and a girl with sunny blonde hair done in a high ponytail. The weird thing was, she was wearing a mask over her face, so they could only see her blue eyes.
Tsunade found herself intrigued with how they walked. Their gait spoke of experience. Meaning that they had already had their first kill.
Both women decided to listen in on what the kids were saying.
"Are we even allowed to be in here?" the boy asked with apparent worry on his face.
The blonde snorted, "Is the almighty Uchiha scared?"
The Uchiha scoffed, "Of course not. I do however, have a high respect for the law. In case you didn't know, my father is the head of Konoha's Military Police Force."
Tsunade and Shizune looked at each other. He was part of the Head Uchiha family. Son of Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha.
"Really? I wondered why your family's clan symbol was on the building. Well, anyway, we are allowed to be in here. We're Genin and there's like this, unspoken rule. If you're old enough to kill, which we both have, then you're old enough to drink, gamble and many other things," the girl explained.
Tsunade had to hold back a giggle at the simple explanation. Sure, she hit it right on the head, but it was funny how she skipped the other parts of the 'rule'.
The Uchiha sighed, "Fine. But I want no part in whatever it is that you are doing."
The blonde shrugged, "If you miss out, it's on your head. Hey, can I get a bottle of Tanzaku's Famous Fire Sake?"
The bartender froze and gave the girl a look. Tsunade and Shizune were in a similar state. Both wondering if she was going to remove her mask.
"Are-are you sure you can pay for it?" the bartender asked hesitantly.
The girl nodded and slapped the money down, nearly giving the man a heart attack. "Yep!"
He placed a fancy bottle and a small saucer in front of her as he took the money. "Here you go."
"Thanks!" she cheered, grabbing the bottle and popping the top. She poured a little in the saucer and pushing it toward the Uchiha. "This is incase you want to try it. I'm drinking from the bottle, and once I've put my mouth on it, you won't be getting any. I'm really big on spreading germs."
Tsunade watched as the girl made something that looked like a hand sign. She then grabbed the bottle and took a large drink. With the mask on! But it looked like the bottle had passed through it! Strange.
"Woo! That is great!" the girl said as she shook her head back and forth.
Shizune snickered at the reaction. It was always fun to watch someone taste the Fire Sake for the first time!
"Sasuke, I've decided to do something," the blonde said as she patted her friends arm.
The Uchiha, which was revealed to be Sasuke Uchiha, gave her an odd look. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to paint the Hokage Monument!"
Sasuke's mouth dropped, "You can't! You'll get in so much trouble! Then you'll be taken to my father, and everything will go down the drain."
"I won't get caught."
"Yes you will!"
The blonde looked at Sasuke, "Want to make a bet?"
He leaned away and looked at the bartender who was listening to the conversation. The man had on a large smirk. As if challenging him to back down.
Sasuke looked at his friend, "What kind of bet?"
"Heh heh heh! I bet that I can paint the Hokage Monument in great detail within an hour, without using Genjutsu, and never get caught! If I win, you have to do me a favor. Same the other way around. And we can't back out, no matter what it is."
There was silence. She looked at him, waiting for a response.
"Naruko, you're really sure you can do it?" Sasuke asked.
Naruko nodded, "Don't tell me the almighty Ducky is scared?"
Sasuke growled and clasped her outstretched hand, "Fine!"
"Yes! You are going to owe me a favor soon!" Naruko said, throwing her hands up in excitement.
Sasuke smirked, unable to help himself. Her cheerful disposition was just so captivating. "What makes you so positive that you'll win?" he asked with a sparkle in his eyes.
Tsunade elbowed Shizune, who was giggling silently. The way he was looking at his friend, was definitely more than friend would normally look at someone they considered a friend.
Naruko sighed and leaned on the bar. "Remember two years ago, when someone rigged the Hyuga Compound with all sorts of paper bombs and flash bombs?"
Sasuke nodded.
"That was me. I was still in the main building when they went off. I even put them all over, with people in the room with me and they never knew!"
Silence once more.
Tsunade and Shizune couldn't hold it in and began laughing so hard, it hurt. The bartender even gave a low chuckle.
Sasuke was gaping and Naruko was looking at them oddly.
"I'm sorry for listening in." Tsunade smiled at the children. "I used to be a Konoha shinobi and I was trying to make sure that the Hokage didn't send you to bring me back."
The Genin looked at her and Naruko's eyes immediately went wide. "You're Tsunade of the Sannin!"
The busty blonde nodded with a smile. "And you are?"
"Naruko Uzumaki!"
Tsunade looked at Shizune. Both knew who she was. Minato and Kushina's daughter.
Tsunade looked to the Uchiha, who had finally regained control of his facial muscles. "Sasuke Uchiha."
"I'm Shizune and this is Tonton," the brown haired woman smiled, gesturing to the pig in her arms.
"Nice to meet you!" Naruko said, shaking Tsunade's hand.
"So, what brings two Genin to Tanzaku?" Shizune asked with a smile.
Naruko looked at Sasuke who just shrugged. "Well, we just got over a S rank mission and needed a break."
Tsunade's head whipped to the side so fast, she almost got whiplash! "S rank?! You're only Genin!"
Naruko nodded, "Yeah, but, S rank missing ninja were hired to kill our charge, so the C rank escalated."
"H-how did you survive?" Shizune asked, completely baffled.
"We were the back up for another team. Zabuza and his group were after the mission under orders from Gato and we were were sent to assist Gai-sensei's team. Jiji said that because Kakashi-sensei and Gai-sensei worked so well together, it was best to send us to help. But then, Gato, hired more S class ninja to take care of Zabuza, our mission and us altogether. It was all a big mess," the younger blonde sighed, remembering all the crap that went on in the past month.
"Kakashi actually took on a Genin team? I heard that he never passed anyone," Tsunade remarked as she drank her sake.
"Yeah, Kaka-sensei said that he only passed us because Sasuke and I worked together. Our old teammate was the most pathetic kunoichi ever and she ended up being removed. Our new teammate is so much better!" Naruko explained as Sasuke nodded vehemently.
Tsunade whistled, "She was that bad?"
Sasuke and Naruko gave her blank looks. No joking whatsoever!
"How did the council take it?" Shizune asked in worry.
Naruko began laughing, "Pretty much, after all evidence was given, only her father wanted her to remain a ninja. But, she was a stalker, whiner and lazy as all hell. No one wanted her to be a ninja. Even that Danzo guy was repulsed by her."
Tsunade looked at Naruko closely. This was the Jinchuuriki of Konoha. Minato and Kushina's daughter, and distantly, her relative. The girl seemed to be in good spirits, but Tsunade could tell that something more was there. Something that she was hiding very well.
Naruko looked around the room and then to Sasuke, "I'll be right back. Try some sake while I'm gone."
Sasuke watched as she walked away and sighed.
"You've got it really bad kid."
He looked over at the blonde woman. "I know," he said softly.
Her eyes widened. He actually admitted it! She decided to fish, "How long have you liked her?"
Sasuke sighed again. "Since the first day at the Academy. She was the only girl, other than the Hyuga, that wasn't begging me to sit next to her. She wasn't screaming my name over and over and batting her eyelashes. In fact, she never even looked my way until I sat next to her. The first year, I teased her in an attempt to get her attention and then she joined in. We still tease each other, but it isn't the kind where we're trying to hurt each others feelings." He looked down at his hands. "It's fun talking to her, because she's different. She studied and trained. She was Rookie of the Year. Naruko has always been the one I notice. She doesn't wear makeup, because she doesn't care, nor do I think she needs to, even though I've never seen her whole face. She treats me like a person and not the son of the Uchiha Head. And she knows more about me than anyone! My family even likes her! She's my first friend. The only problem is, she's a little slow in the relationship department. And she doesn't seem to understand comments I make every now and then. How can I confess when she wouldn't understand? That would break my heart and I know I wouldn't be able to handle it."
Tsunade and Shizune gaped. This young Genin was head over heels, in love with his blonde teammate. He didn't deny anything and blatantly admitted his feelings. But he also admitted how he couldn't work up the courage to tell her how he felt, because he knew she wouldn't understand what he was talking about. The thought of spilling your heart to the person you love most, only to have them not understand, would be shattering. Because then you would then know, that they didn't feel the same way.
Shizune had tears in her eyes, that she dabbed away with the sleeve of her kimono. Tsunade smiled at the Uchiha boy. He was alright.
"The soaps in the bathroom are shaped like poker chips," Naruko said as she sat in her seat.
Sasuke stood, "Where is the bathroom? I drank some of that sake and I think I'm going to lose my dinner!"
Naruko pointed , "Over there, you lightweight."
She watched as he left, he eyes shifting toward his saucer. "He never drank it," she said quietly.
"So Naruko," a voice caught her attention.
She turned to Tsunade. "Yes?"
"What is your goal in life?"
Naruko's eyes glittered with happiness. "I plan on being the most powerful ninja ever. Also I want to create a better way to use the Hiraishin without seals. Having to slap a seal on my opponent is really difficult, so a sealless Hiraishin would benefit so many people!"
Tsunade choked on her sake, "You can do the Hiraishin?"
Naruko shook her head, "Yep! I finally got it down. Before I would get sick from using it, but now, I can do it just fine."
"Impressive. Why do you want to be the most powerful ninja ever Naruko?" Shizune asked with interest.
Naruko looked away for a second, and both women could see a pain enter her eyes, before it disappeared.
"Something bad happened when I was little. I was left severely injured and scarred from it. In many ways. I realized that no one would ever like me, in that way, especially with who I am. So, I dedicated my life to becoming stronger. This mask gives me strength in many ways, so I wear it all the time. It's also my cover. A way for me to hide while in plain sight. I trained to become stronger, because I thought strength and power was all that I needed, in my situation. Later, I made a couple of friends, and I decided, that I'm going to change things. To protect my friends and change the world from what it is, into something better. To change my village. I can't hate them even though they hate me, because I know they don't understand me. So, I'll change it all and make Konoha a better place. That is why I want to become strong," Naruko said with such conviction, it shook Tsunade to her core.
This little Genin, who obviously had a terrible past, was aiming high. Even though she had suffered something that quite possibly ruined her life, she was still fighting for her dream. She was doing it for her friends. The people that mattered to her. She was doing it for her village. The village that most likely gave he hell since day one. She didn't run and drink her worries into oblivion. She didn't try to brush everything aside and pretend that everything was okay. She faced her problems head on, and decided to get over them by becoming stronger.
Tsunade could feel something building in her chest. It was heavy and her eyes began to tear as her throat closed up. One little Genin, who had suffered horribly was doing better than she was. She had lost two people very close to her, but this little girl, was abused, whether it be physically, emotionally or both and had lost more than Tsunade ever would. But, even though all of this happened, she was taking it like a grownup and not blaming anyone for her problems.
Tsunade took a deep breath, "You'll do it kid. You'll be the best, I can tell." She grasped her Grandfathers necklace, before pulling it off.
Naruko blinked in shock as the Slug Sannin placed the beautiful necklace over her head. "Good luck kid."
Tsunade picked up her bag and hightailed it out of there, before she bawled in front of everyone.
Shizune smile at Naruko, "You made her realize something very important Naruko-san. That necklace belonged to the Shodaime, and it's Tsunade-sama's ultimate way of saying, 'I believe in you'."
She stood slowly, "Where are you staying, if I may ask?"
"Uh….The Moeru Ryu." the girl mumbled, still in shock.
Shizune patted her head, "So are we. Maybe we'll see each other before you leave then! Thank you for sharing your good spirit with us Naruko-san!"
Shizune left quickly as well, after placing the money for the sake on the table.
Sasuke returned a moment later, and his eyes immediately locked onto the necklace. "What happened?"
"She wished me good luck," Naruko said casually. "Nothing big."
He nodded, and sat down.
"What should we do now?"
Naruko drank the rest of her sake in one shot and motioned for Sasuke to drink his, "I'm going to do some gambling."
Sasuke steeled himself and swallowed the drink. He began coughing, which made Naruko and the bartender laugh. "You really can't handle alcohol."
Naruko, having already gotten her chips, found something to play.
The game they went to, Naruko had to pick a number and hope the ball landed on it. So, she chose, "9 Red." and placed all of her money on it.
Good choice Kit!
Oh shut it!
"9 Red."
The people who had gathered around in hopes of winning all gave a simultaneous, "Shit!"
Naruko laughed as all the money on the table, went to her. So, to be a prick, she placed all of the money of the same number again, spurring people on to bet more.
She won again. She snickered as people began to curse. Winning two times in a row with the same number, was unheard of! So, she did it again.
After winning nine times in a row, Naruko had already more than quadrupled what she had come in with and left, happy with her winnings.
Sasuke shook his head, "Wow. You must have the best luck ever."
Naruko nodded, "Apparently, I do. I'll cash this in. Then we'll go outside. I need to get Sai some Tofu and you some tomatos."
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The next morning, The group left the resort in high spirits. They got to rest in a relaxing place for a couple of days, and were finally going home!
"Wait!"
The group turned to see Shizune running up. She was holding a large bag in one hand, and Tonton in the other. "Tsunade-sama asked for you to wait a moment," she said to Naruko.
Said woman appeared a moment later, holding two bags herself. "Well, let's get going!"
They all watched as she walked on ahead of them, back straight and head held high.
Naruko turned toward Shizune, "She's coming back?"
The apprentice nodded, "You inspired her. And rekindled an old flame she once had. Quite an amazing feat Naruko-san."
"Just Naruko."
Shizune giggled, "Okay then, Naruko."
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Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed as he gazed at his council. He adamantly hated meetings of any kind, because they took forever! And, there was always some kind of drama involved!
Naruko's recent adventure in Nami no Kuni, had to be brought to the council's attention. Because the mission was an S rank, the council became involved. Something that he completely detested. Then, Tsunade's sudden announcement of her return all because she met Naruko, and had a change of heart. It was better to inform them all now, instead of waiting and having it bite him in the ass later. He was just dreading the reactions to Naruko's little Mission.
"Why are we here Hokage-sama?" Fugaku Uchiha in a respectful tone.
The room silenced and Hiruzen looked them over. Well, it was now or never.
"Recently, Team seven, consisting of Naruko Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sai, under the teaching of Kakashi Hatake, went as a back up team to Nami no Kuni, where they were to assist Team Gai in the protection of the Master Bridge Builder Tazuna. Team Gai encountered Momochi Zabuza, the Demon Brothers of the Mist and Aoi Rokusho. Their appearance, elevated a simple C ranked mission to a high A, low S rank mission. These missing ninja were hired by Gato, to kill Tazuna, and stop him from building a bridge that would free Nami from Gato's clutches. Team Gai was overwhelmed by Zabuza and his men and had to rush ahead while sending for backup. Zabuza, was interested in seeing what backup we'd send, and let them go. Team seven had the same encounter as Team Gai, but Naruko, Sasuke and Sai had managed to kill the Demon brothers and Aoi. Zabuza decided to return later to have a real battle."
The council burst into conversation.
"Of course the Uchiha did well."
"We wouldn't expect less from Sasuke-sama."
"That damn brat probably got in his way."
The shinobi part of the council stayed silent as the praises for Sasuke kept flying around. Fugaku was staring at the Hokage, waiting for the rest of what he was saying.
"SILENCE!"
The room calmed down immediately.
"As I was saying, Sasuke and Sai each killed one of the Demon Brothers, while Naruko killed Aoi Rokusho."
"WHAT?!"
"There's no way the Kyuubi brat could do that!"
"That monster isn't good enough!"
On and on the insults went. Hiruzen sighed and motioned for an Anbu, "Take Hidei to Ibiki."
"What?! Why?!" the man demanded as Neko grabbed his arm and towed him away.
"For breaking my law," was the answer. "Anyone else want to go and see Ibiki?"
The civilians were quiet.
"Now," he continued. "Kakashi collapsed after his fight with Zabuza, because he used his Sharingan for too long. Naruko took charge and led the team the rest of the way to Nami. Once there, they joined Gai's team in training and guarding Tazuna until Kakashi awoke three days later." He then sighed, "The day after Kakashi awoke, Naruko took a walk around the village and after seeing the state of everything, she made a decision. With the help of Sai, who transported her to where she needed to go, she went to Gato in person and scared him into signing everything he owns, over to her. When everything was taken care of, between telling me, and Gato's Vice President, she returned to Tazuna's place, which was the next evening, with Gato as a prisoner. The people of Nami no Kuni are putting him to work as retribution for what he put them through."
He shuffled through the letters he had received, "Naruko, is now in Tanzaku Town, talking with the V.P. of Gato Company and Holdings about the future and she will be speaking with the Fire Daimyo when she returns. She expects the council to keep their noses out of her business when it comes to running her new company, and suggested that you don't attempt to remove anything from her possession. Or else, she will hire the best lawyer in the world and claim your meddling is a 'hostile takeover'."
Before anyone could speak, he also added, "Naruko is also paying for Nami no Kuni's mission as a way to help them get back on their feet."
When he was finished, the insults began to fly.
"How dare that fucking brat threaten us!"
"She doesn't deserve such financial prosperity!"
"Monsters aren't worthy of such wealth!"
On and on. The shinobi were shocked. Naruko had gotten the richest and most feared man in the world to give her everything he owned? She then, gave him over to a land of people he had wronged as punishment for his crimes?
She was now, the richest person in the village. In the world!
The civilians weren't thrilled with the news.
"She in not mentally mature enough to handle such a high position! I say that the control of the company is given to us as a council until it is proven that she can handle it!" Sakuro Haruno demanded, many people nodding along with him.
Shikaku Nara spoke in her defence, "She's put up with you people her whole life and has never retaliated against you for what you have done, when she very well could have. She graduated this year as Rookie of the Year and ultimately proved that she is intelligent enough with her advanced grades. She was kidnapped and tortured when she was six, but her test results from when Inoichi took a tour through her mind, say that she is mentally fine and has no issues with her sanity. She is mature enough in all ways, to handle such a job. Try again."
Sakuro growled and glared at the Nara clan head. "She's too young to handle such things and since she has no family to take care of such for her, the right immediately falls to the council."
"Actually," Shikaku began. "She is a Genin. In our world, the laws for ninja are different. If she wasn't a Genin and was just a normal, thirteen year old, then yes, it would probably fall to us. But in the ninja world, once someone becomes a Genin, they are considered an adult and are free to handle their own affairs. She is legally in the right to keep her business away from the council. And even if she was a normal teen, the right of all her belongings, would go to Hokage-sama first, before anyone else. Want to try again?"
By now, Sakuro was burning holes into Shikaku with his eyes. His points were being shot down like they were nothing! Damn the Nara and their intelligence!
"The Kyuubi can take over and ultimately ruin the world," he said, trying to come up with a good reason to take everything from the brat.
The Hokage actually stepped in for this. "Jiraiya, informs me, that the seal the Yondaime made, is special. It allows Naruko to use the Kyuubi's chakra and power whenever she so chooses. But the fox cannot escape ever or even take over Naruko's mind. Also, Naruko has been in contact with the Kyuubi for years and has never shown any signs for loss of control. Inoichi gave her another test under my orders and even spoke to the fox itself."
Inoichi nodded and took that as his turn to speak, "Yes. I entered Uzumaki's mind to see if she was mentally stable, a year back and I encountered the fox. It was locked away in a red cge, covered by a large seal. The fox warned me about roaming around Naruko's mind and that I better not damage anything while I was there. She also told me that Uzumaki was a good child and that if she found out that Naruko was ever injured like she was when she was six, she'd find some way to make the village pay for it. Of course she admitted to not being able to leave because of the seal, but she stated that an almighty Biju could find a way."
The councils was left in shock once more. Naruko Uzumaki had been in contact with the demon that was sealed within her? For such a long time?! The horror some of them felt, was terrifying. She hadn't done anything to them yet, when she had the power to all along? Crap!
Hiruzen cleared his throat, "Well then, now that that is taken care of, I have to say that I agree with Naruko's decision. You all will keep away from her and anything that has to do with her company. Now, onto another matter of business. Toward the end of their mission, Naruko fought Zabuza, because he wanted to battle her in a Kenjutsu spar. During their fight, two more S ranked missing ninja joined the fight. Kakuzu from Takigakure and Kisame Hoshigaki. Their bodies will be brought back to Konoha for testing. Naruko is also bringing Zabuza's apprentice/son back. The boys name is Haku and he was an orphan from the persecution of the Kekkei Genkai several year back. He isn't listed anywhere in the Bingo Book and was never a registered shinobi, so he isn't an enemy. He also, has a Kekkei Genkai."
He couldn't help but be proud of Naruko for adding that to the list. That would mostly ensure that the boy would be allowed admittance into Konoha.
The council ate it up too. "What Type of Kekkei Genkai, Hokage-sama?" Danzo asked.
Hiruzen smiled, "Haku is the last survivor of the Yuki clan, and can utilize Hyoton."
The council was abuzz, completely forgetting about Naruko for the moment. The thought of adding another powerful bloodline to Konoha was just too good to pass up!
"We would only need to put the boy on a probation to make sure he is loyal to the village. I propose a month," Danzo said.
The whole council agreed and looked to Hiruzen who nodded, "Then that is what we shall do. Eventually, he will have the C.R.A. placed on him, but that can come later."
He lifted a piece of paper, "I received some shocking news. Team seven and Team Gai are on their way back from Tanzaku. But it turns out, that Naruko and Sasuke met someone while there. The way Naruko spoke of the village, inspired this person to return and take up their old post. They will be coming back with the teams."
Everyone looked confused and wondered who it was.
"Tsunade says that Naruko's goals for her life and how she feels about the village, inspired her to return and take over as the head of the hospital once more."
The shinobi were awestruck that Naruko could pull off such a thing! The civilians were elated that the power was returning to the village!
"Now that I have informed you of everything, this meeting is adjourned."
Hiruzen smiled to himself. Thanks to Naruko, the village would gain another Kekkei Genkai. She had also managed to change Tsunade, to the point where she was coming back after so long!
He stood and left for his office. For once, all the paperwork that he had ahead of him, wasn't such an unwanted thing.