Ino's POV (Outside of Hidden Leaf Village - Land of Fire)
Ino held her breath as she watched Naruto's eyes widen. His frame normally bouncing about to work off excess energy was still. Yamanaka were expected to be masters in psychology. Both physical psychology and mental as well. As such, she was inherently aware the panicked reaction seemed to suggest that he was indeed a jinchuriki. In class, they had discussed them several times. The lessons had painted a dark picture. A human being sacrificed to be used as a pawn and/or a weapon. They were known for their unique abilities, absurd durability, and overwhelming destructive power. They tended to be emotional or disturbed in some way. Known for their frequent rampages when driven to rage. Ino back then had felt fearful of the idea. They had supposedly stopped the practice years ago. Though now she could see it had been a cover-up. She as a rule was not a fan of those who kept secrets. She was a gossip at heart and truthfully relied too much on trust to support those who hid in lies. Doubly so once she was informed of psychology. But in this case, she didn't hold it against him. She just needed him to be truthful. So she knew she could trust him.
Naruto had spent all terrified that his loved ones would find him out. Kushina had warned the blonde years ago that people tended to look down on jinchuriki. They were considered dangerous, volatile, and above all… monstrous. Lee had been the first person to discover it. And the blonde was still over the moon he had taken it so well. So there should have been no fear. If Lee could look past it on a first meeting surely Ino could. She was quickly becoming someone important in his life. He found himself assured she would take it well. But dreading the idea of her rejecting him. He… no. He would tell her the truth. He would trust her, and if she broke his trust. Then he would simply carry on. He wouldn't stop here.
"I… I-I" Naruto audibly gulped. "Yes… I have the Nine Tails sealed inside me. Well half of it anyway, Mom has the other half, ya know?"
Ino mentally flinched at his nervous tone and confirmation. But she patiently waited, looking him in the eyes. She wanted to communicate to just tell the truth. That she could look past this. Ultimately though, it would be meaningless if she told him to.
"So I guess I'm half a jinchuriki? Umm… I'm not explaining this well am I?" The blonde asked, rubbing the back of his head.
He was not. But she shook her head no calmly. Inwardly pulling back the smile that had seemed to settle on her face. She had aways found him a little cute when he became bashful after all.
"I guess it might be easier to tell you the story Ma told me." Naruto said nervously. He shifted and sat down on the roof. It would take him a while to tell the story so they might as well get comfy. Ino silently followed his lead sitting next to him. "So it went something like this. Mom was a jinchuriki before I was born. The only one at that. But she had lived a good life, climbed up the ranks, and even fell in love. Believe it! She hasn't told me much about my Father but the little bits she does tell me make him sound like some kinda elite ninja. Potentially Anbu, at least that would explain how no one seems to know him. He was kind and a natural-born leader. From how Ma talks about him he must've been something… But they had become super close. Soon Ma became pregnant."
Ino listened intently, she had always been noisy and keen on information. Yet for once she didn't feel scandalized as she listened. She didn't even ponder who to tell. Naruto had never been so open. Oh, he was friendly, sweet, and funny in a particularly cute/annoying kinda way. Yet he kept his cards close. Information about his mother was easy. Or any of his few friends, but any mention of his early life and he would clam up. But now being confronted he almost seemed… meek. Resigned to what was happening. Perhaps even preparing himself for the blow. There was something about him being open and vulnerable that made her feel protective. She would be there for him. But for now she would listen.
"Ma says she and Father were really excited to have me. That I made their lives better. I don't know if that's true but my arrival into this world brought trouble. See being a female jinchuriki is risky. During childbirth the strain the body is put in allows the seal keeping the beast in to weaken. As such during birth, it is wise to have some Fuijutsu knowledge during the process. Just in case the tailed beast manage to damage the seal or come close to escaping. But Ma and Father had planned for this. They got a trusted medic and powerful shinobi to guard her during this process. The student of the Legendary Sannin Shizune, Copy Cat Ninja Kakashi, and the Toad Sannin Jiraiya. Hirzuen and Danzo had proposed an entire Anbu squad as well but due to the peacetime they had grown complacent. Who would even know of her pregnancy or of her jinchuriki status? They had been wrong… believe it.
On the night of my birth, an unknown assailant launched an assault on the Leaf. He had led an army of bleach-white men. My father, hearing of the assault, went to help repel it. Leaving the others to protect my mother. After all, I was born, he had thought it safe. Shortly after he left, the leader of the assault attacked them. The unknown man had been absurdly powerful, easily managing to overwhelm the experienced and powerful shinobi guarding her. Even Jiraiya had seemed helpless to stop him. Once they had been defeated the man attacked my helpless mother. Managing to unseal the Nine Tails in the process. My father and the counterattack forces had replied to the army after a pitched battle. Just for the Nine-Tails to attack the already hurt village. Father raced back to me to confirm Ma and mine fates. When he arrived Ma says he and the criminal fought. It was a long and pitched battle for my father. He was desperate to win as he witnessed the rest of the Leaf's forces begin to be overwhelmed by the Nine Tails' absurd strength. Somehow my father won the battle. The man perished cursing my father's name before promising there would be another.
My old man took off and launched an assault on the beast. He and the village fearlessly clashed with it. But the beast was immortal it seemed. They needed to reseal it. Another little-known fact about jinchuriki is just how hard it is to meet the requirements. To survive the process of having one sealed into you your body must be durable. Uzumaki are some of the few to meet that standard. The Sealing Corps was unable to seal it into a single being so they sealed it into my mother and myself. My father died as he held it back. Somehow managing to hold it back with the help of the Fourth Hokage. " Naruto finished with sadness ringing in his tone. "I understand if you hate me for being a monster. I hate that I was born into this. I hate that my father decided this not only for me but for my own mother as well. Did he not care about the burden he had placed on us? I feel so angry at him for that. Yet sometimes I just wish I could've talked to him just once. Hell, at the very least I wish I could find his name…"
Ino held the silence for a moment as her mind raced. She had known he was a jinchuriki with the battle of that crazy sword guy… guys. But to hear the tragedy of his birth. To hear the pain in his voice the uncertainty. Well, she wasn't sure what to say but she would help in her own way. Naruto gasped as Ino laid her head on her shoulder. She was often labeled a flirt because she was so often physically affectionate. But that's just the way it was for her. But Naruto deserved it much more. And she did it purely for the sake of supporting him. But there was no denying the context made it feel more intimate. But she minded little. He needed some comfort. And to be honest, she wanted to be close to him at the moment. Naruto seemed to finally relax and she laid against him. He didn't say a word but slowly wrapped an arm around Ino's shoulders. She sent him a smile and his eyes widened as he looked away. Ino chuckled at the shy vulnerable side Naruto showed. But in truth, she was a little concerned. She thinks she might be actually interested in the fellow blonde. The old her would've dived in. Enjoying the easily earned attention from most men. But here she was just happy to be next to him.
"Naruto, I forgive you of course. You should tell Neji as well… Team Seven has to stick together, ya know?" Ino said with a smirk copying the blonde's verbal tic. "There is a condition though, Blondie."
Naruto's forehead creased at the insult but seemingly focused on ensuring he and Ino were cool nodded his head frantically.
"No more secrets. At least not between you and me. I got your back, and so does Neji in his own weird way. So you don't need to suffer alone. I'm your… comrade. It's important for us to trust each other." Ino explained.
Naruto seemed to beam at this immediately. "Sure thing! You're in the know from now on! Believe it!" He cried joyously. Normally she was trained to look into statements like that and discard them as the empty promise they were. Yet somehow just by looking into his eyes, Ino could tell he was being truthful. There was something incredibly enduring about Blondie when he got fired up. She would have to keep an eye on him. Because they were… something.
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Hiruzen's POV (Hokage Manor - Hidden Leaf Village)
Hiruzen took a heavy drag from his pipe. Exhaled it with practiced smoothness and silently pondered to Kami why he must deal with this. But ever the shinobi, these feelings were missing from his face. For all purposes, the room saw an older man enjoying a smoke in light of the bad news delivered. He glanced at each of them slowly. Using the time to formulate his words. "Safe to assume this report is confirmed?" Hiruzen asked the group. Tsunade and Kakashi merely nodded silently. While Tsunade's lieutenant gave an odd thumbs up. He sighed heavily at this news. "Horse, Deer, and Bear leave us for now. Ensure the area is clear on your way out."
Quickly from three corners of the room, the Anbu in question left. The one with the Bear mask stopped to weave hand signs quietly. "Four Point Seal: Sound Suppression!" Various kanji climbed up the walls and spread on the roof of the room before glowing and disappearing. With a nod, Bear left. Hiruzen sat for a bit as the three other people sat quietly. Patiently awaiting his words. Hiruzen raised a hand sign, and suddenly the room was flooded with chakra for an instant. Before any of them could question the odd action, two cloaked and masked men arrived. The men were hard to distinguish. They both were standard blackened Anbu gear and strange spiral pattern masks. One was white while the other was black. The three shinobi before the Kage flinched as they felt the powerful chakra the two contained. "Remove your mask. These are some of my most trusted." He ordered. The two men offered no response merely removing the mask as asked. Tsunade and Dez both gasped at the reveal.
"Is that?" Tsunade called out in shock.
"This doesn't make any sense. These bastards are supposed to be gone…" Dez added.
Before the three stood the impassive face of the prodigy of the Uchiha and the accused number two of the uprising, Itachi Uchiha. On the other side stood a man long thought to be dead. Smiling as if it was a normal day. Labeled the Spirit of the Uchiha Obito Uchiha.
"Sensei, what the hell is this? Last I heard Itachi had been executed for treason. Obito has been dead for years now. What the hell?" Tsunade stated accusingly.
"Our deaths were greatly exaggerated. Kinda like Kakashi's bounty." Obito stated cheerfully.
"Hm? You say something Obito?" Kakashi asked innocently, looking up from his book.
"STOP THAT DAMN JOKE! I'M NOT GAI!" Obito hollered towards the Cyclops.
"It is so easy to mistake you two, unfortunately. Though it is nice to see you." Kakashi said with his normal eye smile.
"Give a guy an eye and he acts like he doesn't remember." Obito muttered pouting in the corner.
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"Thank you for the tips on dealing with him Kakashi-sama." Itachi states simply. With the smallest of smiles gracing his face.
"Sama? I haven't been your captain in ages." Kakashi replies simply.
"You taught me more than most." Itachi responded simply.
"Sir, I'm here! I have letters from the five villages regarding the Exams!" A voice called out. A lithe woman burst through the door to the office. She had fair skin and dark shoulder-length hair. With black eyes that held nervous energy in them. She held several envelopes against her black and white kimono. A fishnet bodysuit beneath. Holding up some kinda paper seal in her other hand, that allowed her entry. She froze as she saw the guess. She ran to Tsunade with an excited squeal and hugged her happily. The normally prickly Tsunade met this energy and picked her student up excitedly spinning around as the two excited traded stories at a ludicrous pace.
Dez gave a goofy smile and ran forward with his arms open. "The absolute dame Shizune! Come here ya bastard." Before he could even get close both women kicked out simultaneously, sending the poor "bastard" flying back into the wall with a painful crack. "Why do I never get any love?" He muttered pitifully as he slowly attempted to crawl to his feet.
Hiruzen sighed as the group of adults all socialized like children. For the life of him, he never found out why competent shinobi often behaved oddly. He was no better himself being a chain-smoking pervert on top of all his other titles. His best theory was that the stress of the job in question often led to the behavior. Some sort of coping mechanism he would assume. He calmly emptied his now spent pipe. Cleaning it patiently as the group continued to babble. Once he was happy with the condition of the pipe he set it down with a content sigh. He then merely flexed as killing intent filled the room. As powerful as the people in this room were, they all instantly froze at the intent. Obito, Itachi, and Tsunade merely seemed surprised, stopping to see the issue. Kakashi seemed nervous but held somewhat strong. Shizune fell to a knee due to it while Dez seemed fully unconscious from it. "Lovely, I do enjoy people who know when to pay attention." He said sweetly as he stood and walked to the window overlooking the village.
"There are various topics we need to discuss. Obito and Itachi were both pulled by myself as my own personal soldiers. They do whatever the village needs from the shadow. After the Chunin Exams I intend to introduce them to the world. They have lived in the shadows long enough. Things are becoming more and more complicated. Threats seem to loom in every corner or crevice. As such you are my most trusted soldiers at the moment. We're missing Jiraiya but he's in the process of the mission. He'll return shortly and once he does I'll catch him up. Firstly, as I'm sure most of you are aware, the Chunin Exams are merely four months away. And if my intuition is correct, Shizune has news that makes this an even bigger situation than usual. Shizune if you will?"
"Of course sir, these letters are the messages from all five of the main villages." Shizune started.
"You don't mean?" Kakashi interjected.
"Yes I do, for the first time in years, all five villages will be present in the Chunin Exams. Leaf, Stone, Mist, Sand, and Cloud. All of them are sending at least one team. Even more troubling is the fact that all five Kage will attend of course with their guards." Shizune finished.
"Holy crap! We only had two when I went!" Obito exclaims.
"I suppose it makes sense. With Sensei's agreement with the others we all have a crop of Genin now all raring to go. With our new standard of keeping them in the oven, there would be no reason to wait." Tsunade offered.
"Indeed with all of the villages attending, we need to ensure it goes off well. Preferably with our shinobi coming out on top… Kakashi give the report again. It's time to discuss the next topic."
"Sir, my Genin team, Team Seven were sent on a mission to remove a recently formed bandit camp. It was scheduled to be a C-rank mission. Should've been simple. Earnestly I intended to see how sharp they were and blood them. But things as always seemed to go sideways. Firstly we were ambushed by a group of foreign shinobi."
"Not many villages even have shinobi capable of standing up to someone of Kakashi-sama's level." Itachi added. "The only ones that come to mind are the whispers of a new one forming somewhere in the Land of Fire. They are new but secretive so perhaps they could have the manpower. I believe it's referred to as the Sound?"
"Correct! Oh, they grow up so fast." Kakashi jokes. "But I believe they were marked with snake scale clothing. And they weren't quite at the level of Jounin I'm used to. Earnestly they seemed like newbies. Even with numbers I carved through them. It was really targeted as well. Each of us was attacked as soon as we separated. It suggested they had insider info on the fact we were there and who was sent. With that in mind it's my own personal theory they are somehow related. Luckily we had all managed to overcome them. I met with Ino Yamanaka and Neji Hyuga to check on them. They were a bit shaken up but mostly unharmed. I had intended to grab Naruto Uzumaki and then we would pull back. But I was interrupted by a shinobi. Kisame Hogaki was garbed in a red and black cloak and claimed he was after Naruto. I told the other two to extract Naruto and escape." Kakashi continued.
"Kakashi you dumbass!" Obito roared angrily.
"I know how you feel, old friend but I had doubts I could even survive against Kisame. I had intended to do what I could but was prepared for the worst. The other two headed off as I fought him. The entire time he seemed to be playing around. He consistently had me on the backfoot. Before he attempted to finish me off with a drowning/shark attack. In desperation, I activated my Kamui. It managed to wound the man severing an arm. But in the process passed out from the wounds I had received."
"I can come in from there." Tsunade called. "I was in my lovely town enjoying some great company. It was a rather lucky day all in all."
"She was gambling and she lost often." Dez whimpered from the wall.
Failing to even cry out in pain when Tsunade kicked him again. Merely fading back unconscious.
"When one of my men reported to me informing me of a fight spotted nearby just minutes ago. I debated if this was truly my problem." Shizune gasped shamefully at that. "And decided it was." Shizune visibly relaxed. "I raced forward and could feel them in the distance due to chakra. I decided to go to the signatures that were fading fast. Likely they would need the help first. When I did I saw the Genin were engaged with one Juzo Biwa. Well the result of it anyway. He had defeated them by then. So I stealthily approached and struck him hard attempting to take him out at once. Somehow the freak survived and we engaged briefly. He seemed somewhat spent though since I was able to beat him around. He retreated to his comrade when I arrived and we all faced off. Honestly, it was going to be a tough battle. But suddenly they choose to retreat. I healed the bunch then Dez and Katsuyu arrived allowing me to transport them to the Leaf as well as back up if they returned. They did follow us for a bit but fell back once it was clear we were heading home." Tsunade informed the group.
"I'm assuming the Akatsuki?" Itachi asked politely. Tsunade nodded at this with a frown.
"The Akatsuki?" Kakashi and Shizune both echoed at once.
"Tsunade." Hiruzen stated.
"The Akatsuki is a mysterious and powerful group of missing ninjas. No one seems quite sure of their motives or operations. But in the criminal world, they are quickly rising to the top. They are known for taking any S-rank missions and completing them all. But even more than that they are known for their secrecy. So much so that even the underworld discusses them hush-hush. It's made getting info difficult. As far as we know at the moment, their only goal is to collect money or power. Even their members are hard to get info on. So far we know they have Kisame Hogaki, Jozu Bawi, and a recently identified shinobi by the name of Zombie Hidan as well as his partner Zombie Kakuzu. There is a fair bit of info on Kisame and Juzo due to their bingo book entries but the other two are a mystery. Even more concerning is supposedly they have at least ten members. If rumors are to be believed all ten are S-rank missing ninja." Tsunade finished.
"Ten? There's no way that's accurate! Ten guys on Itachi, Tsunade, and I's level? They'd be a threat to even the major villages!" Obito exclaimed.
"That is indeed troubling." Itachi said with narrowed eyes.
"They were after Naruto. I suppose you could get a decent bit of money or political sway with a jinchuriki. Hell even if they just wanted to use him as a weapon he'd be invaluable. I doubt this is the last we see of them." Kakashi reasons. 'I need to get stronger. Fast, without Tsunade… no never again!'
"Yes, but that is not all Itachi if you would like to go next." Hiruzen interjected politely.
"It seems the group responsible for the theft of the Five Masks of the Uzumaki are, interestingly enough, Uzumaki themselves. I was unable to determine what their membership or power is but reports suggest at the very least are an A-rank threat. They are responsible for various theft, assassination, terrorism, vandalism, and all sorts of despicable acts. They seem to have a proclivity towards Uzumaki items and or people." Itachi lectures. "They have been reported to seem to hate their own heritage. Often killing Uzumaki or stealing and destroying artifacts."
"This means Mizuki's attempt on my cute little Genin's life was due to Ikam wanting him dead. Mutual interest and such." Kakashi added.
"Indeed, they are wanted by the Sand, Cloud, and Rain. For various crimes. The Uzumaki have spread rather far after all. We had pursued a trail with the device the science corp had provided." Itachi acknowledged.
"Even worse yet is that we can confirm that Orochimaru is working with him due to the Mizuki incident." Obito said with a frown.
"Um, yes the compound they both used. My medical team's hypothesis is that it's some kinda chakra steroid." Shizune said while reading through some notes. We can be certain it works through the bloodstream and activates immediately. It allows the user more chakra, more potent chakra, better chakra control, and your physicality goes through the roof."
Tsunade snorts at this dismissively. "Quite the boost but surely the strain on the user is incredible." She remarks.
"Certainly, Lady Tsunade. But it also has various drugs to produce intense euphoria. It's a wonder the user can feel anything. Yet alone complex thinking that would be required for combat." Shizune agreed.
"Yes, but it would seem it has been improved. If not for Danzo's quick thinking he and I would've been slain." Hiruzen countered. "Before I was confident even in my advanced age. I was certain in one on one battle I could slay the treacherous Snake. But now with his new drug, he crushed Danzo and me at once." The group grew silent as they awaited his thoughts. He allowed himself a minute or two to consider his options. "I'm certain now you all realize the situation we have found ourselves in. I know having it all laid out like that can make it seem overwhelming but remember who we are. The Village Hidden in the Leaves has long stood as a proud nation. We have had generation after generation of shinobi passing on their will, dreams, and determination. This has led to us having formidable willpower that supplements our strength. This is what we call the Will of Fire. Using our fiery will, we will face our problems knowing that we will not fall or give up. Understood?"
"YES! SIR!" The rest called back.
"Firstly, Kakashi, you are to inform the Jounin sensei that I want those Genin in peak form. The Chunin Exam is in four months and we need a great performance. Now due to it being so close, we must consolidate our power. With all five of the hidden villages coming as well as their Kage, we cannot afford an incident here. As such Tsunade you and your men are to come back. You all will serve as a new police force. With my own approval you are to ensure things are peaceful. Itachi and Obito are to keep track of various high-value targets during the exams. For now, you both will maintain around-the-clock surveillance on Kushina and Naruto Uzumaki. Since both groups seem to be targeting them it would be wise to have a guard. I can think of no one esle. Shizune see if the science corp and medical corp can create a similar drug to the one Orochimaru made. Understood?"
"YES SIR!"
"Dismissed." He said with finality. Turning his back to look at his village. He heard a cacophony of body flickers confirming their exit. It was good he maintained his cool during the meeting. The room had been full of some of the sharpest minds. Many of them were candidates for Hokage once he hung his hat. Yet they realized not how shaken Hiruzen was. Orochimaru had very nearly killed him and his best friend. His best friend had saved his life and he responded by throwing him in chains. The mantle he held grew heavier by the day it seemed. But he would hold out yet. He saw the villagers as his children in a way. As such he merely wanted to ensure it prospered. Even long after his death. It had been the motivation behind the academy curriculum change. In many ways his crowning achievement. It had brought peace in a way he hadn't seen in years! But now it seemed the winds of change wanted to blow the peace he had worked for away. He would not let it. He was the God of Shinobi after all.
Realizing tension was filling his frame he slowly packed another bowl of tobacco, and sat in his large chair. He ignored the painful creaking of his old bones with practiced ease. Well, life was never only dread, it was merely up to a man to find his happiness. Now Hiruzen in his age had matured a great bit. Such was required to become Hokage. But for this once he had indulged in pettiness. Orochimaru would not get another chance to launch a sneak attack like he had before. And he would eventually find out regardless. That is what he had told Shizune and his advisors. But in truth, this was merely his way of teaching students yet another lesson. Never do sloppy work. He looked at the article with a shit-eating grin. Its label was sure to infuriate his former student. "Snake Sannin Attempts Assassination but Fails!" His smile grew further at the shot of Danzo and him standing tall after the battle. Danzo had even warned him he would seem like a fool.
Hiruzen frowned as he remembered Danzo. In truth, he could execute him for the crimes. Despite Danzo's earnest intention, it did fit the bill of treason. But Danzo had always called him soft and he was somewhat right. He would not allow his friend to be killed when he had acted as he should when it came down to it. But he could not allow the man to roam free. He had worked with enemies, he had disobeyed orders, and it had led to the brush with death they had faced. Eight shinobi had died as well attempting to get into the barrier. So for now he had him imprisoned in a secret cell. He could keep him there for the rest of his natural life if he so pleased. He did not though, despite Danzo's behavior Hiruzen understood his mind. He was loyal to the Leaf, more so than many. But for now, he would pay for his various sins. Until Hirzuen could find a better idea.