Chapter 1
Jiraiya “The Legendary Toad Sage” was headed to the Village of Uzu. He made the trip twice a year if his spy network or other duties allowed. He was a ninja of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. He was headed to see his old friend and mentor Seto Uzumaki. He was the Kage of the Village Hidden in the Eddys. He was also the Father of his student Minato Namikaze’s wife Kushina. Minato was now the Hokage, which freed Jiraiya up easier, Minato would handle the spy network for him in his absence.
Jiraiya was just heading over the last hill when he heard and felt something truly frightening. He saw a giant burnt orange colored fox. It was the Nine tailed demon of legend. Quickly pushing chakra into his legs he ran toward the village which is destroyed and burning. Just before he made it to the village center the demon disappeared. He ran to find Kushina’s brother holding an infant child, his wife lay dead in the court yard that was little more than a battle ground.
“Master Jiraiya.. I don’t not have much time… Take my son Naruto with you…. Hurry” Jiraiya went to his side.
“Miko. What happened? Where is Seto?"
Miko looked at him. The light in his eyes was slowly fading. “Dead in the first attack. Someone set that demon lose on us. I was able to seal it away. Inside Naruto, but the cost was my life. Take him to Kushina please.” As Jiraiya took the child from him. Miko smiled and handed him a scroll. “This is the key to the seal used, there is also a letter that will explain everything. Watch over him for me.” Jiraiya looked at redheaded child how’s hair was now turning an orange/red color
. “I will. You have my word.” That was the last thing Miko heard before he dropped to the ground dead. Jiraiya quickly left the village. Once outside he summons Gamabunta.
“Jiraiya? What happened here?” Bunta asked.
“Someone attacked Uzu with a tailed beast. The demon killed everyone, expect this child. I need to get back to the village fast, can you help me?”
“Of course I can. Climb on.” With that Bunta took Jiraiya and Naruto back to the village.
Izumo and Kotetsu were at their station as the front gate guards. At this time of day it was peaceful. There were just teams returning from missions and supplies coming and going. That was all about to change, as a giant toad landed in front of the gate and a white haired man quickly moved through as the toad vanished in a puff of smoke.
“Quickly you two, find Tsunade and have her meet me at the Hokage residents.” Jiraiya ordered.
. “Of course Lord Jiraiya!” Izumo said as he leapt away.
“And you send some Anbu to Uzu. Tell them they are to guard the village and not to touch anything until they hear from me or the Hokage.” Kotetsu nods and signals for the Anbu and relays the orders. With that Jiraiya heads to the Hokage’s home.
“What do you mean my family is dead and the village is destroyed!” Kushina yells, tears in her eyes she had lost her entire family all but her nephew Naruto which she was holding.
“That is what I saw when I got there. Uzu was a blaze and the Nine Tailed Demon Fox was in the center bigger than life. Miko gave me Naruto and and told me what happened. Scroll has the key to the seal and also a letter to you.” Jiraiya said as he downed more sake. Minato looked at the scroll, he understood some of how the seal worked right away. It was solid and would let Naruto adjust to tailed beast chakra as he aged, adding it to his own. The boy would be a powerhouse when he was older.
“I have to bring this up to the council in the morning. I will also send more men to Uzu to see if anyone else survived.” He added. “Also we need to secure the Uzumaki Clan scrolls and sealing arts. As it stands now Kushina and Naruto are the last of that Clan.”
Kushina looked down at her nephew. “Minato. We are keeping him. We are the only family he has in this world. I am not going to let Danzo or the village decide his fate!”
Minato knew that once Kushina made up her mind there was no changing it. “I agree. Naruto will be raised by us as part of our family.”
About that time a very sleepy red haired girl came down the stairs. “Mom, Dad what’s going on?” Little Tayuya asked. Kushina looks at her daughter.
“Everything is fine honey. This is your cousin Naruto he is coming to live here with us.” Kushina leaned down to let Tayuya see him. Her eyes lit up.
“Does that mean Uncle Miko is here?” The tears that had been drying up in Kushina’s eye now started again. Minato went to her side.
“No Tayuya. Your Uncle, Aunt and Grandfather are gone.”As the family was dealing with their lose, Tsunade comes into check over Naruto and help in anyway she could.
Sixteen years later.
A blond ponytail swung back and forth as Ino Yamanaka was walking to get a certain carrot top before heading to the academy for the graduation tests. She also had something she wanted to tell him, but that would wait until later. She had convinced her father to let her have a party to celebrate her class graduating and becoming Ninja. The certain redhead was Naruto Namikaze. He was the adopted son of Minato Namikaze the current Hokage. He was also her best friend and she hoped more. She had fallen hard for the entrujetic redhead with a smile as bright as the sun. Of course her other friends either didn’t care or happy for her. The one that kind of didn’t get it was Sakura. She was into the emo prince known as Sasuke Uchiha. As far as she was concerned no one measured up to him, but Naruto was holding back when the two would spar. Naruto was taught both of his parents styles of Taijutsu. Which were both devastating. If he didn’t hold back he could cripple his opponents. Of course this did not set well with the Uchiha. He wanted to prove he was better and grab as much power as he could to reach his goal. Avenging his family. His brother Itachi had killed them all. Leaving only Sasuke. Which had made him damaged goods. Sakura would figure that out eventually. She turned on to the lane that lead to the Namikaze’s home. Unlike most Hokage that lived in large compounds, Minato had a modest house in one of the older parts of the village. He wasn’t like most of the Kage before him, he didn’t come from a famous clan or family, no he was an orphan. He also was bring real change to how things worked in the village. One of his experiments was to have academy classes graduate at 16 as opposed to 13. This did not go over well with old guard like Elder Danzo. He was a believer in the old ways and that strength was everything, you must appear strong to others to keep them in line. This idea is what lead to many of the wars that had happened. Minato wanted to stop the cycle of violence that plagued the shinobi world. Ino didn’t really mind the longer wait. They still work missions and trained like any other ninja They came out better prepared. Also meant she could be around her favorite carrot top more.
As she reached the house she knocked and went in. Kushina, Naruto’s mother was in the kitchen making breakfast.
“Hey Mrs. Namikaze. Is he up yet?” Ino asked her. The redhead said over her shoulder.
“No Ino he isn’t. Must have been up late studying. Could you get him up for me, I’ll have his breakfast ready in a minute.”
“Ok.” The blond smiled and ran up the stairs to Naruto’s room, where she ran into Tayuya on her way down.
“Hey Tayu. Headed out?”
“Ya. Got a mission today. Be gone for a few days, keep an eye on my brother for me.”
“Will do.” Ino answered. Tayuya just shook her head and went to grab breakfast and head out. She wondered to herself if her little brother would figure out that a certain blond she just passed liked him more than in a friend kind of way. Ino got to the top of the stairs, and just walked into his room like she always did. And stopped at the site before her. He was sprawled out on his bed in nothing but his boxers, and she liked what she saw. He was laying in the middle of a rats nest of books and scrolls.
“Hey Ino. Like what you see?” He said to her, his eyes still shut. She nodded her head. A smile came to his face as a blue eye popped open.
“Looking good blondie.” He joked with her as he sat up.
“Could say the same thing about you.” She thought to herself.
“Get that toned butt up, your moms got breakfast ready.” He smiled at her.
“Ok, ok. I’ll get up.”
“So daddy is let me throw a party tonight. It'll be the last time we get to have fun before the seriousness of the Ninja life.” She told him as they walked to the Academy.
“Sounds fun.” He replied. She nodded her head.
“You got to come. Need to talk to you about something.” She playfully bumped into him.
“Cool. Have something to do for dad, but I will try to make it. An Ino party is not to be missed after all.” She smiled.
“That’s right! So you better be there.” She told him. He smiled shook his head. He was wearing tan cargo pants stopped just above his ankle, black t-shirt and an orange hoodie and black sandals. She was wearing a purple mini skirt the stopped before her knees, black spandex shorts, purple crop top, mesh covering both knees and elbows and black sandals. Of course there were people staring at them. The looks ranged from, why would she be with him, to pretty much a death stare. For the most part they ignored them. They were both used to it. They continued on there way to the academy.
She was worried. Everything went fine, or so she thought. She didn’t see him outside with everyone else. When she asked Iruka, he told her he hadn’t passed. That was crazy! He was one of the top two in the class. He couldn’t fail. So here she was speeding through the trees trying to locate him. One of the things they had in common was they were both sensor types. Naruto was better at it than her, but she could find his chakra signature easily. He wasn’t trying to hide. She found him and made a beeline right for him. She came to a stop just before the clearing he was in. He must have been waiting for someone, and he was talking to them now.
“I am impressed Naruto. You pulled that off nicely.” Mizuki told him. “Now hand over the scroll and I take it care of it from here.”
“But, I haven’t showed you the jutsu I learned from it yet.” He weaved a sign, “Shadow Clone Jutsu!” He made ten copies of himself.
“Very good, but I need you to give me the scroll now.” Mizuki was starting to get upset, he wanted to get the scroll kill Naruto and gone before anyone was the wiser.
“I don’t know, Dad seemed pretty upset when I took this. I think I should take it back now.” Naruto told him. Turning around to leave. Mizuki pulled one of the large shurikens he had on his back and threw it.
“I need that scroll to gain power and wealth. NOW DIE DEMON!!” Naruto spun around, Kodachi ready and deflected the incoming shuriken. “Why won’t you die demon. You know what you are right? You are the Nine tailed demon fox that destroyed Uzu wiping out the Uzumzki clan.” Naruto seemed unfazed by this news.
“I contain it. I am not it. You should know how sealing works, also I’ve known of it sense I was five.” Ino was in shock, but it did explain a lot. Most of the village hated him. When they were kids he had very few friends, most parents would grab their child and leave when he would show up. But, he was so kind, sweet, her heart always auged for him, and then over time she had fallen for him. He wasn’t a demon. “You know, Dad knows why you want this and who you are trying to deliver it to. So if you don’t mind, I think I will leave the rest to Inu and Bear.” Two Anbu appeared next to Mizuki. Bear slapped a restriction seal on him. Inu walked up to Naruto, he handed over the Scroll of Sealing and Inu mushed up his hair affectionately.
After the Anbu left with Mizuki in tow, Naruto was setting on fallen tree. He was calming himself some before he headed out. Ino landed in front of him.
“So you heard all of that?” He asked. She nodded her head. He could see worry and sorrow in her eyes. “I suppose you don’t want to be around me anymore.” He stood dusting himself off. “I can’t blame you. Who wants to be around a guy who has a demon sealed in him.” That was when her hand flew, a slap was heard echoing in the clearing.
“You idiot! I have been worried sick about you! And don’t think for a minute, I am just going to abandon you. Not after all this time.” Her tone was like that of a mother scolding a child. She looked like she was going to cry. He held his cheek, looking down as if taking a scolding.
“You know son. I think she is trying to tell you something. Aren’t you Ino?” Naruto’s father came out of the tree line. She moved towards him, her hand touched his cheek. He looked up at her, there was something else in those pale blue eyes, something he had only seen in his mother’s eyes. Love, he saw love.
“I have been in love with you for awhile now, so I don’t care about whatever is sealed in you. You are not that demon, you are the man I love.” With that she kissed him.
The Next day.
Ino had been very reluctant to leave Naruto’s side. The news about what he was, was unimportant to her. They had returned to the party and enjoyed themselves. Of course she spent most of her time with him. But now was the time for team placement. She would love to be on the same team as Naruto, that wouldn’t happen. She would be teamed with Shikamaru and Choji. Their families had been friends and allies for what seemed like forever. The Ino-Shika- Cho trio was always something, and would always be, and she was fine with that, but being with him would be great as well. He would more likely with Sasuke and Sakura. His team would be stacked from the top level genin of their year.
So it was that her and Shikamaru and Choji were at one of the training grounds Getting to know their sensei Asuma Sarutobi. He was the son of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. They would be tested again of course, but these nine rookies would pass.
In another training field, Elder Danzo stood , hidden away from site. Watching Team Seven. Two of the three interested him, the third if she continued her studies in the Medical Ninjutsu, might be of use someday. Danzo was a man that valued power and strength above all else. So the last Uchiha and the Ninetails container were just what he was looking for.
“Elder Danzo is there something I can do for you?” A lazy voice sounded from behind him.
“You know what one of your students hold? He should have been mine to mold into a weapon of great power. Now ...” Danzo didn’t even turn around.
“Naruto? Yes, I do know what he holds, and last I heard you were ordered to stay clear of him. If Sensei and Lady Kushina find out you have been spying on him…” He let the threat hang there.
“Minato would not dare make a move against me, he doesn’t have the stomach for that kind of play.” Danzo said, knowing that Kakashi might be angered by it. But he was to be disappointed today.
“Actually you might be surprised about what would happen. The last person that threatened Naruto… Well let’s just say it wasn't pretty, and leave it at that.” Kakashi sighed looking over at his team. Sakura was in the middle of her other teammates keeping them from killing each other.
“I also know that you might have had something to do with what happened to Sasuke’s family and left him damaged goods. So if you would be so kind as to leave my students alone, so what happened to the men you had watching them, won’t happen to you.” With that Kakashi disappeared leaving four Root Anbu in twitching pile where he stood.Danzo just sighed and left his men where they lay.
In the center of the village was the Hokage tower. Inside the uppermost office was one Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. He was currently working on the bain of people in his position, paperwork. But like the man that was setting on the couch by the window, he had a secret to getting done quicker. Shadow Clones. Shadow Clone Jutsu was used mainly for recon, and information gathering. It also worked great for paperwork. Currently there were five Minato’s setting at desks working on this or that.
“So Elder Danzo is at it again?” Minato asked the small brown pug that was setting on desk in front of him.
“Ya, Kakashi noticed him and four of his Root Anbu. He pressed the point to stay away but…”
“Doubt he would. Thank you Pukun. Tell Kakashi to keep an eye out.” He told the Pukun, who bowed and disappeared in a puff of smoke to relay the message.
“So he is up to his old tricks again?” Lord Third said looking at the a small orange book he was read half reading.
“Ya.If Kushina found out I would have to send Anbu to protect him.” Minato said with a bit of a chuckle. Lord Third also laughed at the thought as well. “Going to have to do something sooner than later I guess.”
“I tried to disawy him from his actions, but it has gotten me nowhere, and those other two busy bodies. Tobirama-sensei would be ashamed of how they have handled their positions.”
“I don’t blame you Hirazen. As far as the other two advisor, they are easily dealt with. Danzo has a private army loyal only to him. He might have to be retired as they say.” Minato did like this course of action, but Danzo had been trying to undermine his authority for sometime now. Yes he would have to element the problem, before it causes more issues than it already has.
“So how did everything go with your team today?” Kushina asked her son. He had pretty much just walked into the kitchen and plopped down in a chair at the table.
“Would have gone smoother if the mighty Uchiha hadn’t tried to do everything on his own. I swear he doesn’t know the first thing about what being on a team means.” Naruto and Sasuke were oil and water, they didn’t mix well. There was the potential for them to be a powerful team if he could get his act together and stop worrying about gaining power.
“Did I hear something about my pest of a cousin.” Obito Uchiha was different then most Uchiha, well considering that he, Itachi and Sasuke were all that was left of the Clan, he was still the odd one.
“Hey Uncle Obito. How’s Aunt Rin?” Naruto asked. Minato had managed to save Obito and Rin just before things got worse. Rin now had the Three Tails sealed inside her, and like Naruto was learning to work with the “demons” as most call them. But she was further along than Naruto was. The Ninetails was uncooperative to say the least.
“She’s fine. She was going to stop by, but got tied up with work at the hospital.” He told his adoptive nephew, musing his hair. Naruto swatted his hand away.
“So how are things going between you and that blond I saw you hanging around.” He asked the goofy grin that he always seemed to wear.
Naruto just glared at adoptive uncle. “Everythings going fine. We have been best friends forever, so being together is easy.” Naruto knew Obito was teasing him about Ino.
Kushina set a cup of tea in front of Naruto tormentor, then bonked him on the head. “Leave the boy alone Obito. What goes on between him and Ino is his business.” Obito rubbed the top off his head.
“Hey! That hurt!” He whined. Naruto laughed. His family was a lot of things, but boring was not one of them.
Hokage Tower.
Minato hated to do what he had to do. Danzo was making things difficult to say the least. The young boy named Sai that he sent to befriend Naruto and keep tabs on him, was a mess. The tongue seal alone was bad enough, but the conditioning the boy had undergone to make him in to little more than a puppet is what did it for him. He would have to retire the aged advisor and make sure he couldn’t interfere anymore. That was a simple matter thanks to his son. Naruto had created a seal that would help with that. It actually was already in place. With Hiruzen and others in place, things would go smoothly.
About this time Danzo entered the office looking like he ran the place. Which in his mind, he did.
“You have need of me Lord Hokage?” Aged and crippled shinobi asked. The bandages and the cane were all for show. He was still very capable.
Minato put on his best poker face. “Yes, Lord Danzo I have some matters to discuss with you.” Minato made it look as though it was business as usual. But the trap was sprung and and there was little the rat could do, but wait for the end.
“And what matters would these be? I will try to advise you as best I can.” Things were always a game of tit for tat with this man. But Minato was holding all the cards.
“I understand you have taken an interest in my son and Sasuke Uchiha. You were ordered to stay away from them.” Minato let a little anger slip on the matter of his son.
“They powerful shinobi, why should I not be interested in their training and…” He started to feel light headed.
“Is there something wrong Lord Danzo?” Minato asked out of false concern.
“Just feeling a little under the weather is all.” But the feeling was getting worse. He needed to excuse himself or this could be bad. “If you will excuse me Lord Minato. Maybe we can pick this up later.” As he went to turn to leave, he felt himself unable to move. He looked down and his shadow was darker than normal.
“Leaving so soon Danzo?” The voice was that of Shikaku Nara, Head of the Nara clan. Shikaku seem to meld out of the shadows.
“Root! To me!” Danzo ordered. But all he heard was two thuds hit the floor beside him.
“Need to train them better. Sneaking up to kill them wasn’t even that hard.” Kakashi said coming up behind him.
Inoichi used his sensory abilities to check around for anymore Root. There weren’t anymore.
“All clear.” He reported.
Minato nodded. “So. It just had to come to this. Couldn’t just listen, maybe I or Hiruzen knew what we were doing. Danzo, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Danzo looked at the Hokage and others with disdain. “Your way will lead this village to ruin! We must be strong! Shisui’s plan would have been only temporary. We would have had to eliminate them later rather than sooner. Your adopted son should have been mine to forge into a weapon of great power!”
That was about as far as he got before Minato teleported across the room and removed Danzo’s head from his body. Kakashi had only seen that look in his sensei’s eyes. Danzo had found the right button. Tsunade was called in soon after with Rin and Jiriaya to help secure the body and make sure there was no surprises of which there was one nasty seal that thankfully didn’t go off.