The Devil, The Angel and The Ninja

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked over the fires that still raged into the deep night. It was early, or late depending on who you asked. But one thing was certain, Konoha would never be the same ever again. Hours earlier, the Kyuubi had somehow gotten loose from its jinchuuriki and then appeared in the middle of the village. 

Everything so far pointed to foul play, and it left several dozen ninja dead. Including Minato Namikaze, the fourth Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki. The previous Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. 

It also left the seat of the Hokage vacant, though the old man was certain that the duty would fall upon him once more come morning. Something he wasn’t looking forward to doing again. He had crowned Minato in his place precisely because he was getting up in age, and had grown vastly unpopular with the citizenry. 

Yet here he was, in an office he had left not even one year prior. Signing away paperwork he had long thought left behind, nursing a headache he had hoped never to nurse again. It was all a mess. 

And he wouldn’t even get the time to mourn his now dead wife. He would have to once again be the wise and politicking professor who had guided Konoha since the closing days of the first great ninja war. 

Orders were being given at every minute of every night. Those civilians who could return home were to vacate the evacuation shelters, and those who couldn’t would have to spend a number of months in camps until their homes could be restored. 

Letters were sent to the capital to secure funding, ninja were sent out on missions to keep up appearances. The ANBU were now working around the clock to lock down the village and prevent any spies from getting in or getting out.

The Uchiha Police patrolled the street and began distributing whatever relief could be dispersed throughout the village and erecting camps for the displaced, and Genin and recently promoted Chunin were clearing the streets of corpses to be burned and prepared for interment. 

And it wasn’t even two o'clock in the morning. 

One thing was certain to the Third Hokage. Nobody would be getting any sleep tonight. 

Well, almost nobody. 

On a small rocking crib beside him hidden by the desk, laid a newborn baby. In a small way, the cause of so much pain and heartache amidst the catastrophe. Though Hiruzen wouldn’t hold it against such a newborn and blameless child. 

Nor would he blame his parents, who were young and eager for life after two wars and much tragedy in their own days. Rather he blamed whoever had sabotaged the birth of Uzumaki Naruto. 

And as much as the child’s birth had been the catalyst. In a cynical and cruel way, the boy was also the tool for the village’s salvation. 

As like his mother before him, Naruto was now the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, a burden he wouldn’t wish upon his own child. Much less a newborn who just lost both his parents.

But that same sacrifice his parents had made him would be the source of Hiruzen’s current headache. 

So far, only two of his ANBU and one Hatake Kakashi, was aware of the child’s existence much less his status. 

And he needed to make the child disappear, before anyone found out about him. Much less his… pragmatic and warlike advisor Shimura Danzo. 

Thankfully, he had his solution. He had sent his ANBU for two individuals, two people that he knew held the well being of the village and its people truly within their heart. Afterall, they had been residing in the land since his sensei Hashirama Senju had founded the village all of eighty years prior. 

The ladies walked through the door, ageless in beauty and older than even him. The first was a blonde haired woman, with striking blue eyes and a large bust which could only be described as the most perfect breast any man could lay their eyes on. 

She wore simple white robes with cross shaped stitches, and walked barefoot. She was quite short, only reaching up to his chest. 

Her name was Gabriel, and she was known as Konoha’s bishop, or the spiritual leader of the leaf. She led a Cathedral, which she called the church, which was next to the Hokage building in the village center. 

This temple also doubled as an orphanage, though one not associated with the state, as the children there did not enroll in the ninja academy. 

Which made sense, its priestess and his sensei created the village so that children wouldn’t have to die in war and so the ninja families could live in peace. 

And it was the only institution in Konoha which still honored that dream. 

The woman beside her, Rias Gremory, was her wife. Like Gabriel, Rias was also rather immortal, at least in the sense that she simply did not age, as she had been with the priestess since the founding of the village. Though she also ran a boutique on the side for the ladies of the village. 

Rias was a beautiful redhead woman, similarly with large breasts which though smaller than Gabriel’s were also just as perfect. 

She wore a pair of jeans, a shirt and a jacket, as well as sneakers, and was a head taller than the priestess. The two women walked, escorted by the ANBU who shushin’d out of view, and greeted him with a small head bow each along with, “Greetings Hokage-sama.” 

“Gabriel, Rias,” The aging hokage greeted with a sigh, “What a sight to these old bones you are, I wish I could greet you under better circumstances. But as you both know, at midnight, the Kyuubi appeared in the middle of the village.” 

“Of course young Saru,” Gabriel acknowledged, adding, “The Church is ready to help in any way we can. Whether it be taking in orphans, those left homeless and giving meals to anyone who needs a hot plate of food.” 

“I'm glad to hear, but i have something more urgent to ask of you at the moment,” Hiruzen stated as he reached down to grab the crib holding the sleeping baby carefully and stood up to place it softly on the desk, “This child, Naruto, He’s the hero who allowed the village to survive.”

“Little Kushina’s son,” Gabriel said as she immediately recognized the child in the crib, “So he’s the new jinchuuriki?” 

“Yes,” Hiruzen stated as he sat down and stated, “Unfortunately, due to the need to keep a careful balance of power both within the village politics and the shinobi nations. Naruto cannot be given to any one family, and I would prefer it if we could keep his existence and status under wraps.”

“Understood,” the two women replied simultaneously, however Rias Gremory frowned , “I don’t like where this is going.” 

“Indeed,” Hiruzen agreed, “The church is the only place in the village that still honors my sensei’s dream when founding this village. And as much as I can, I aim to protect the sanctity of your institution. But Naruto has to be enrolled into the academy at the age of six.”

The old man’s shoulders sagged, “I wish for him to have a happy childhood, but for one reason we all know. He realistically doesn’t have any other choice but to become a ninja. Not just because of his status, but his parentage. I don’t doubt the day the world is able to connect the dots he will have enemies.” 

“Unfortunately,” Gabriel admitted as she stepped close to the Hokage’s desk and took the child into her arms, “He’s a cutie, it’s sad he had to be baptized in the blood of sacrifice at merely a day old.”

“Once he is six,” the Hokage continued, “He will be moved to an apartment to focus on his studies, but that doesn’t mean you will not be allowed to interact with him. If anything, I hope you can be the family he lacks.” 

“Why would he have to be moved?” Rias asked, “We wouldn’t mind hosting him until he’s old enough to find his own place.” 

“Politics dear,” Hiruzen answered, “If he entered the academy while under your roof, there could be pressure to force your institution to send more children to the academy, especially since the church enjoys tax exemption and non-profit status.” 

“Right,” Rias said as she sighed, “He’s so cute I almost want to adopt him myself. But it can’t be helped. The church having him would be as bad as any of the families.”

“Rest assured Saru, he will always have a home with the church,” Gabriel promised, “No matter how old he gets.” 

“His name will be Uzumaki Naruto,” Hiruzen proclaimed, “And until he’s at least at the rank of chunin, he should remain ignorant of his parents. Either that or till the age of sixteen, whichever comes first. And of course, I will personally handle his monthly stipend.” 

“You seem invested in this child Saru,” Gabriel pointed out. 

“I promised Kushina in her last words that I will look out for him,” The Third Hokage replied, “I don’t intend to go back on my words.”

Following that fateful night. Gabriel and Riss made good on their promise, and gave the little jinchuuriki a home to call his own. He was raised within the walls of the church, and dotted and loved on just as much as the rest of the orphans there.

He learned to speak, read and write within that church. He learned to walk, and run and play between the loving and caring arms of the priestess and the red haired shop owner. And though neither would admit to the fact that they had their favorites, if asked. But Naruto was definitely a child they took a shine on. 

And of course, the third Hokage came by the church every once in a while- under the guise of coming to speak with and check up on the children, and he did just that when he came by. Reading them poems, talking to them, telling them stories of the previous Hokage. 

But the ladies could tell he was also here to check on little Naruto. He took special care to talk with the boy and began to plant the seeds of a ninja into the boy. 

It happened almost too fast, from the Uzumaki Naruto was brought into the church until, and now soon his sixth birthday would be arriving within weeks. 

Gabriel shrugged off her robes after morning mass, and went directly to her office and sat down on her desk to rest her head in it. 

Soon after her wife appeared and walked behind her, massaging her shoulders, as Rias asked, “What’s wrong my dear?” 

“Naruto,” Gabriel replied in a skulking manner, “He’s going to be leaving next week.” 

“You really took a shine to our little blonde huh?” The red haired devil said teasingly, “Was it the fact you two look so alike?” 

“I wish we could just adopt him,” Gabriel admitted, “I don’t like that we’re going to let him become a child soldier, where did this world go so wrong?” 

“That was long before us,” Rias reminded the angel as she took a seat opposite from her, “This world has always been messed up, I think. Long before we arrived. Do you remember?” 

“Pain and suffering everywhere? Yes,” the angel replied, lifting her head up, “This village was supposed to mark a changing point, but instead we got more of what the humans back home did.” 

“You know, sometimes things don’t pan out like we hope it does,” Rias reminded her wife, “Otherwise we wouldn’t even be here would we?” 

“I guess you’re right,” Gabriel replied, sighing in defeat as she got up gloomily, “But I still don’t like it.”

“Oh your poor angel.”  

Umino Iruka walked into the Hokage’s office, wondering why Lord Third had called him in. He was a new teacher with little experience, he only had a small couple of weeks of practical experience teaching student hopefuls how to become ninja of the leaf. 

That didn’t leave a lot of room for mistakes large enough to see him being called up to the Hokage’s office. 

It did have him feeling nervous as he stepped through the double doors, and saw the Hokage standing in front of the windows looking out into the village. 

Hiruzen spoke then, welcoming the chunin with, “Iruka, thank you for coming.” 

“I’m answering your summons, Lord Hokage,” the academy instructor said, before lapsing into an uncomfortable silence until he spoke again asking, “Um, why am I here?” 

“Uzumaki Naruto,” The Hokage answered, which immediately caused the chunin to freeze momentarily at the name. 

Of course he knew who that was, the person, or rather child whose name the Hokage had mentioned was the now infamous Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. A taboo name, one that was whispered within the village with disdain and fear. 

Also colloquially known as the Kyuubi brat. 

Though it was also thought that the Kyuubi brat was kept in some cell of sorts, considering he was never seen within the village. The name itself was more of a myth within the two years the name had been in circulation due to the absence of the face that was expected to match the name. 

“I see that you also recognize the name, Iruka-sensei,” The Hokage continued, giving the chunin an over the shoulder’s look, “That’s good, he will soon be joining the Academy, and most likely he will be placed under your class.” 

“Lord Hokage,” Iruka said nervously, sweat beginning to form on his forehead, “I thought that… Uzumaki Naruto was a myth, though as much as i could i have crowded his existence in a veil of secrecy” 

“I can assure you, he is not a myth,” Hiruzen assured, adding, “Honestly, if I had it my way. Nobody would know of his burden, it was a promise I made as his mother died of a wound inflicted by the Kyuubi, that I would take care of her child. She jumped between the beast and her son to protect him, and in turn my predecessor, Lord Fourth chose the child to seal the beast away for good. She died soon after we found her and Minato at the site where Kyuubi finally met his fate. Her last words were her giving me his name.”  

The old man paused his speech, as he finally moved from the window and sat at his chair, as the chunin noticed a crystal ball resting atop a purple pillow. 

The Hokage motioned for Iruka to take a seat, which the chunin did. Then Hiruzen continued, “Even if someone hadn’t leaked his name or burden, unfortunately, Naruto isn’t destined to lead a quiet or normal life. The Fourth chose him for his Uzumaki Heritage, as they are the only one of all the ninja families on this earth that are able to contain the Kyuubi within them.” 

That bit of information caused the Iruka to pause for one moment as he processed that sentence, and then he carefully asked, “Lord Hokage, forgive me if I am overstepping my boundaries. But how do we know only an Uzumaki can contain the Kyuubi? How did we…” 

As he looked at the Hokage he trailed off and then, he thought back to the Kyuubi attack. The beast had appeared within the village in a cloud of smoke. 

“I see you are beginning to Understand,” Hiruzen stated as he gave a firm nod once, “The Kyuubi has always been in the Leaf, contained by an Uzumaki ever since my sensei, Lord First, defeated Madara in battle, the Kyuubi was first sealed into his wife, and following the destruction of Uzushio over twenty years ago now, we found a survivor and transferred into her.”

Hiruzen paused to allow his words to sink in, before further explaining, “However, female jinchuuriki have a weakness, as the seal is vulnerable during birth. Somehow, despite Minato himself being present to ensure the seal wouldn’t fail, even my own wife serving as a midwife, to ensure little Naruto’s birth would be as safe as possible, going as far as to transport Lady Kushina outside of the village. Something, or rather someone was able to sabotage Naruto’s birth, and distract the fourth Hokage long enough to extract the kyuubi and then set it loose within our walls.” 

“That’s,” Iruka started suddenly feeling guilty, like many others when news of the fate of the Kyuubi had spread out two years ago and had already misjudged the mere idea that a child would be the container of the beast, and on top of that. 

Now he had to process the fact that the Kyuubi attack was a deliberate attempt. 

“However, I recommend that you do not blame Naruto or his parents for wanting to have a child. They grew up in an era were suffering was rampant, they lived through the second ninja war, and fought in the third with distinction,” Hiruzen reminded the chunin, more out of an abundance of caution rather than believing the person he had hand picked to oversee the education of the son of the Fourth Hokage would blatantly fall into such discrimination. 

“I wasn’t going to, Lord Hokage, forgive me if it looks like that,” Iruka apologized sheepishly as he explained, “It’s just, whoever could do something so barbaric as to carry out an attack on what’s supposed to be a day of celebration. If the First Lady of the village could be a jinchuuriki and still have children safely, then nothing should have stopped Lady Kushina from doing the same. But October tenth is just a reminder of what we all lost. To turn a child’s birth into suffering for thousands is the act of a demon.” 

“Indeed,” Hiruzen agreed, adding, “Just remember, that this tragedy doesn’t just include all of us, Naruto was just born, and he was sacrificed for the survival of our village. That’s why I called you today Iruka-sensei. To maintain the balance of power between the great five, we all have jinchuuriki. I will not have him turned into a weapon, but regardless he must become a ninja of the leaf, and given his parents, I expect him to become a splendid ninja of his own.”

“You said that his mother was Lady Kushina,” Iruka mentioned, “I know she was one of the last survivors of the destruction of Uzushiogakure, she taught some classes in the academy during the last year of the war, I remember her. She taught Taijutsu and even how to make explosive tags in a pinch. But who was his father?” 

“I can’t say,” Hiruzen stated, “I can’t stop you from speculating, but remember that whatever conclusion you arrive at, it is a top guarded secret until Naruto turns sixteen or becomes a chunin.” 

Then Hiruzen put one hand above the crystal ball, as a little boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, along with three whisker marks came into focus. The boy was wearing a white shirt and black cargo pants, and was sitting on the laps of a blonde haired beauty in white robes reading a book. 

The Hokage then told Iruka, “I gave Naruto over to an old friend, the priestess of the church. To Look after him until he was old enough to join the academy. Where he has grown up with other orphans, surrounded by love and many siblings. However, due to the status of the church within the village, Naruto will not be able to remain with them once he joins the academy. I fear he will have to learn to adjust at being without them,” 

Then he looked Iruka in the eyes, “I didn’t bring you here to tell you to give Uzumaki Naruto special treatment, but what I do need from you is despite everything that might happen once he leaves the church. Make sure he becomes a proficient ninja.” 

Iruka nodded and with the meeting soon coming to a close after some more discussion, the chunin stood up. The image of the child was still fresh in his mind, and as he turned to leave he caught sight of the portrait of the Fourth Hokage. 

Then Hiruzen spoke, “Remember, what we discussed here, don't leave his room.”