Naruto's POV (Rooftops of Residential Area - Hidden Leaf Village)

  Ino held her breath as she watched Naruto's eyes widen. His frame was still, an odd sight for the energetic stamina freak. Yamanaka were expected to be masters in psychology. Able to pick information from the words and body language of the targets. 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. Back then, Ino felt fearful of the idea. They had supposedly stopped the practice years ago. Though now she could see it had been a cover-up.

  As a rule, she 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. Was harder to forgive such, when you knew just how the person arrived at that conclusion. But in this case, she didn't hold it against him or anyone. She just needed him to be truthful. So she knew she could trust him, Naruto had been nothing but reliable thus far.

  Naruto had spent years of his life now worried over this very moment. The idea of being discovered as a jinchuriki was one he feared often. 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 during their very first meeting, surely his own teammate could be supportive. 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, regardless of where she lied.

  "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 as she did. She wanted to communicate that he could just tell the truth and they would 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 always found him a little cute when he became bashful after all. But if she wanted him to open up, being gentle would be a must.

  "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 Leaf Village had a deal with the Uzumaki, apparently my old clan were good at making hosts. In exchange for protection for the Leaf, the Uzumaki gave up one of their own to hold the Kyuubi. She only one at that. But she had lived a good life, climbed the ranks, and even fell in love. Believe it! She hasn't told me much about my father, but the little bits she tells me make him sound like an elite ninja, a really impressive kind of man... Potentially, he could be Anbu, or at least that would explain why 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. Of course Ma became pregnant shortly after.

  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. And strangely enough Ino felt the need to preserve this. She liked that he opened up to her…He was friendly, sweet, and funny in a particularly cute/annoying way. Yet he kept his cards close. Information about his mother was easy. Or any of his few friends, but if there was any mention of his early life, he would clam right up. But now, being confronted, he almost seemed… meek. Resigned to what was happening. Perhaps even preparing himself for some powerful blow. Something about him being open and vulnerable 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 just by showing up. I don't know if that's true, it seems to me 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 Master during the process. Just in case the tailed beast manages 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 also proposed an entire Anbu squad, 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 of the bloodshed, I was born, and he thought I and his home were safe. Shortly after he left, the leader of the assault attacked them directly however.

  The unknown man had been absurdly powerful, efficiently managing to overwhelm the experienced and powerful shinobi guarding her. Even Jiraiya of the Sannin seemed helpless in stopping him. Once they had been defeated, the man attacked my helpless mother. Managing to unseal the Nine Tails in the process. After a pitched battle, my father and the counterattack forces replied to the army and their leader. 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 said he and the criminal had 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 how hard it is to meet the requirements. To survive having one sealed into you, your body must be durable. Uzumaki are some of the few that 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, I am holding 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. 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. 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 honestly, she wanted to be close to him at the moment. Naruto seemed to finally relax, and she lay against him. He said nothing 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 actually be interested in the fellow blonde. The old her would've dived in. Enjoying the quickly 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 he seemed focused on ensuring he and Ino were cool and 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. We need 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. Usually, she was trained to look into statements like that and discard them as the empty promises 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.

  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 dutiful shinobi, these feelings were absent 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. This meeting was a rare but important occurrence in his life. A meeting with his most trusted comrades, ones trusted enough for most of the village's secrets. "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 room's roof before glowing and disappearing. With a nod to him, 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. Two cloaked and masked men arrived before they could question the odd action. 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 typical 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.

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  "STOP THAT DAMN JOKE! I'M NOT GAI!" Obito hollered towards the Cyclops.

  "Unfortunately, it is so easy to mistake you two, though it is nice to see you," Kakashi said with his usual eye smile.

  "Give a guy an eye, and he will act like he doesn't remember," Obito muttered, pouting in the corner.

  "Thank you for the tips on dealing with him, Kakashi-sama," Itachi states simply, the slightest smile gracing his face. "His antics are distracting, yet he is as reliable as you have claimed."

  "Obito is reliable, merely annoying. And Sama? I haven't been your captain in ages." Kakashi replied simply with a single raised brow.

  "You taught me more than most," Itachi responded simply. "One should always remember their roots."

  The group was interrupted from introductions as another emerged from the room. Hiruzen knew it must be important for his guards to allow this meager person through.

  "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, dark shoulder-length hair, and black eyes that held nervous energy. She held several envelopes against her black and white kimono. A fishnet bodysuit beneath. Holding up some paper seal in her other hand allowed her entry. She froze as she saw the guess. She ran to Tsunade with an excited squeal and hugged her happily. The usually prickly Tsunade met this energy and picked her student up excitedly, spinning around as the two excited stories traded 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 his life, 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 pipe's condition, he set it down with a content sigh.

  Hiruzen now done with waiting merely flexed as killing intent, the potent feeling flooded the room in an instant. As powerful as the people in this room were, they all instantly froze at the intent. Obito, Itachi, and Tsunade seemed surprised, stopping to see the issue. Kakashi seemed nervous but held somewhat firm. Shizune fell to a knee due to it, while Dez seemed entirely unconscious from it. "Lovely, I 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 shadows. 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 completing his own mission. He'll return shortly; once he does, I'll catch him up myself... Firstly, 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 said.

  "You don't mean?" Kakashi interjected worriedly.

  "Yes, I do. For the first time in years, all five villages—Leaf, Stone, Mist, Sand, and Cloud—will be present in the Chunin Exams. 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 in tow." 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 fresh 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 the villages attending, we must ensure it goes well. Preferably with our shinobi coming out on top… Kakashi gives the report again. It's time to discuss the next topic."

  "Sir, my Genin team, Team Seven, was sent on a mission to remove a recently formed bandit camp. It was scheduled to be a C-rank mission. It 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 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 our presence and who was sent. With that in mind, it's my personal theory that 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, but 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 doubt I could 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 back foot. 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 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 that the Genin was 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 could beat him around. When I arrived, he retreated to his comrade, and we all faced off. Honestly, it was going to be a tough battle. But suddenly, they choose to retreat. I healed the bunch, and then Dez and Katsuyu arrived, allowing me to transport them to the Leaf and 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, they only aim to collect money or power. Even their members find it hard to get information. So far, we know they have Kisame Hogaki, Jozu Bawi, a recently identified shinobi named Zombie Hidan, and 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. All ten are S-rank missing ninjas if rumors are to be believed." 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. You could get some money or political sway with a jinchuriki. Hell, even if they 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. I could not determine their membership or power, but reports suggest, at the very least, they are an A-r, the yank threat. They are responsible for various thefts, assassinations, 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, we can confirm that Orochimaru is working with him due to the Mizuki incident," Obito said with a frown.

  "Um, yes, they both used the compound. My medical team hypothesizes that it's some kind of chakra steroid." Shizune said while reading through some notes. We can be sure 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 at an advanced age. I was certain that I could see the tre, lecherous Snake in the one-on-one 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 must perform well. We must consolidate our power because it is so close. With all five of the hidden villages coming and 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. You will both maintain around-the-clock surveillance on Kushina and Naruto Uzumaki. Since both groups are targeting them, it is wise to have a guard. I can think of no one else. Shizune, see if the science and medical corporations can create a drug similar 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. 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 away the peace he had worked for. He would not let it. He was the God of Shinobi, after all.

  Realizing tension was filling his frame, he slowly packed another tobacco bowl 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 happiness. Now Hiruzen, at 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 before. And he would eventually find out regardless. That is what he had told Shizune and his advisors. But 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 correct. 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 let the man roam free. He had worked with enemies and disobeyed orders, which 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. If pleased, he could keep him there for the rest of his natural life. 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.

  AN

  Remastered: Hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading, offer some love if you care to, and Peace~!