Sasuke didn't much feel like sparring anymore after Naruto whipped out six arms equipped with metal praying-mantis-like blades, all sparking with the Chidori Jutsu that he'd copied from him years ago in the exams. And thankfully, Naruto quickly gave up his typical beating of Sasuke for fun(at least, that's how Sasuke perceived it) and set to talking about the future of their home.
"I think we need to do something about our compound." Naruto reveals. "We should search all of the houses and seal everything away in the shrine."
Sasuke nods in agreement. The dilapidated state of the Uchiha Compound makes it an unworthy eyesore, and that's just the exterior. Roots growing under the walls from unmanaged foliage have lifted them and caused imbalances and cracks in the roads. Shrubbery has invasively climbed the homes and feral fauna seem to be the only thing giving the abandoned homes some life. Dust cakes the inside of the windows and rain and storm damage have been left unmanaged, causing all kinds of paints to fade. The once bustling little corner of the village has become nothing more than a secret hideaway for vagrants to commit acts of vandalism and exchange illicit goods.
Tsunade-sama once told him that she'd seen to it personally that anything of sentimental or secret value is now under lock and key in the Senju Compound. Very few Senju still live. About as many as there are Uchiha now, and Naruto seems to find that as tragic as he does. So while the Jutsu and memories of the fallen are safe, anything else has been left as free game. Doors ripped off their hinges by looters have littered the porches of these homes. Sasuke seethes at the disrespect.
"It'll take a while to clean up. Maybe even too long for the two of us." Sasuke doesn't trust anyone with handling Uchiha property. Yes, he's loyal to the population as a whole but the remains of the Uchiha Compound are far too close to his heart to let anyone but Naruto and himself to handle.
"It might be easier to just dismantle everything and start from scratch. I can rebuild what we need but the maintenance costs will only continue to go up. This way I can find anything that might have been sealed and dispose of the rest."
Sasuke hesitates. He doesn't like the idea of everything being discarded like that but he knows that Naruto has a point. It would be expensive to try and maintain the compound with just the two of them, and these grounds are hallowed. Allowing non-Uchiha to live here will only invite difficulties once Naruto inevitably kicks them out to make room for future generations of Uchiha families.
"It can wait a while." Naruto catches on to what is probably blatant on his face. "But you should still look through everything."
Sasuke nods slowly. It's a surreal experience, walking through this compound after everything that's happened. He has scarcely been here after the incident. Most of his memories in this place are of people who aren't around to share the creepy aura that empty and abandoned space gives off.
"How was your training trip?" Naruto asks suddenly, dragging him away from doomed thoughts.
"Not as eventful as yours, clearly." Sasuke sends back dryly. "I, for one, didn't kill a renowned traitor to Konoha or awaken a new Dojutsu form."
Naruto lays back into the long and wavy grass. "Yes, I should have expected that your efforts would pale in comparison to my accomplishments. How silly of me."
Sasuke's brow twitches at the teasing. Naruto states it as an absolute fact, which is even more annoying.
"I've come far using Matatabi's chakra. I think in ways that would surprise you."
"The creature gave itself a name? How cute. And it's only natural that the seal allows you better control over its power. That's what it's designed for, after all. Anything else would restrict its power."
Sasuke isn't comfortable with the callous way Naruto refers to Bijuu. After training and speaking with the cooperative Nibi, he sees that the Bijuu are more than just weapons to be pointed in the direction of an enemy. Matatabi cherishes her name, despite deviating from the path that the Rikudo Sennin put her on.
"The Rikudo gave her that name, she didn't pick it." Sasuke states with some annoyance on her behalf. "And the Bijuu are misunderstood. They aren't just monsters that we can use at our whims."
"Bijuu have historically aligned with humans to achieve feats that aren't normally possible, with the exception of the Ichibi and the Kyuubi. I will admit fault on the behalf of humans for inspiring the world to attempt to control that power, especially in the case of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, but it is ultimately the choice of the Bijuu that leads them to facilitating that fear against them. For what reason other than pride or stupidity would they continue to align with human beings? In that way, mankind and Bijuu are alike. Always wanting to prove themselves superior."
Naruto stands up and shakes off the bugs and grass, looking to make himself busy elsewhere.
"Don't take it as too disparaging of me to assume the worst of anyone or anything that I do not implicitly trust. There are too few people that can earn it. But Bijuu are just as accountable for their actions as humans are. If they're truly sentient, that is."
Ringed eyes gaze down at Sasuke's dark ones, curling up with his smile.
"But maybe your naivety will help the Bijuu understand that. Maybe they can learn from an Uchiha who hasn't been taught how to hate yet. Don't forget however, that even if they speak like humans or help humans on their path, the Bijuu are not humans and their motivations are beyond our understanding. Look out for yourself, Sasuke."
Sasuke's lips pursed in discontent. "You think I haven't learned to hate?"
"Not in a way that gives you power."
Naruto vanishes, and Sasuke is left with only his thoughts and his partner in crime.
"For all his quips and jokes, there is an unusual wisdom in Naruto-dono."
"Really? After he just trash-talked you and your siblings?"
"Don't always take what someone says at face-value. Your Sensei told you as much long ago. Remember? 'Look underneath the underneath'. On the surface indeed, he did make a crude assessment of us regarding our power. But what if he's right? The weak look at us in fear and the strong think on how to use us. Humans do the same with each other. It's up to your sensibilities to think critically about whether or not you trust us in the same way. But I will say one thing. My behavior reflects how I wish to be seen. Always."
Sasuke ponders that. Is he being too idealistic?
"And besides... sealing a Bijuu and using its power is far, far more benevolent compared to the atrocities committed by Shinobi over the centuries. Your village is quite a bit more benign compared to where I was before. It is my choice to give you my power. Know that you are worthy of it."
Naruto is perusing jewelry stores when a purple-haired ANBU drops in to relay a message.
"Naruto-sama, Hokage-sama wishes to see you."
"Very well. I'll find her shortly."
The ANBU nods and flitters away.
Naruto reaches out with his Mind's Eye of the Kagura. Tsunade isn't in the Hokage Tower, that much is evident. It's not too difficult to find her however. There are very few people in the village with chakra as strong as hers. Curiously, her chakra feels 'fogged'. Perhaps there's a barrier designed to interfere with sensing abilities where she is, but evidently she knows that he's adept enough to find her if she didn't make the ANBU escort him there.
He slowly makes his way through an unfamiliar part of the village. There doesn't appear to be any markets, and the only shops appear to be minor convenience stores. The homes aren't derelict by any means, but the absence of much activity makes Naruto think that this area may be something of a retirement plaza for Shinobi who lived long enough to tell the tale or simply couldn't go on with the life and desired some separation from the rest of the village bustle.
The beginnings of Konoha's signature architecture can be seen as a prototype or origin point here. Strange bright paints and near-vertical boards of wood acting as spillways for rain. The streets fluctuate up and down through compressed streets like a maze of a rabbit warren.
His eyes fall upon something curious. A great red Torii gate, leading into an estate with walls that are nearly as high as it. It appears to be a heavily private villa with very, very few active homes in it.
'One of Hashirama's Sealing Jutsu?' Naruto speculates to himself. It would explain the heavily muted sensation of chakra from within the compound. It's not applied to anything, but even being present would be good at fogging anyone's sensing Jutsu. Given their suppressive nature, it would be a surprise if even a Dojutsu could see into this compound without getting blurry vision. The Rinnegan is a different matter entirely, the core purpose of it being complete control over chakra of any kind.
On entering through the gate, Naruto can feel more ambient Senju chakra coming from merely four people. Tsunade stands out distinctly but the others are weak. Or rather, untested by training and battle.
He takes in the surroundings with keen eyes, seeing how it has changed since Madara's snooping around the village back in his day. The homes are of a traditional variety, well-kept but cold and quiet. The sounds of chirping birds nesting in the gutters is prominent, along with some of the soft splashing of a fountain.
Naruto's languid walk through the main path of the compound takes him to a small lake, with a quaint gazebo and a small jetty halfway to the other side. He sees Tsunade resting on a wooden rail under the shade, resting her bare feet up on it and seemingly at peace with the environment around her. The usually overt and testy woman is relaxed, even sipping away at a small jug of sake as she looks over the sun-reflective pond.
Placing his Gunbai against a wooden support, he approaches the Hokage. Her gaze is set on a young boy, sitting on the jetty and splashing his feet in the water and looking rather sad.
"The last of the Senju." Tsunade says without looking back at him. "This is what we have been reduced to. An old woman, two cowards and a child."
"An S-Rank missing-nin problem child, a hard-liner loyalist Jinchuuriki and I can think of a bunch of nasty things to describe myself. The Uchiha aren't in a place to judge what has become of our rival clan. And that's not to mention that there may be a fourth."
"Hmm." Tsunade hums dully. "Two missing-nin? You failed to mention that on your return."
"I don't know if he's alive." Naruto admits readily.
Tsunade turns to him, more alert although her head now rests on her propped-up knee.
"You know things. Things that I should know."
"Yes. This information needs to be handled with more care than I can trust Jiraiya or Kakashi with."
"So they have personal stakes in the identities of these menaces." Tsunade reads through the lines quickly.
She is quiet for a moment. She takes another pensive glance at the lonely boy on the jetty, who is gazing down at the fish swimming under him. Tsunade seems to be in deep contemplation.
Naruto waits and simply watches alongside her as the boy picks himself up at the behest of his parents, before they walk out of the compound the way that Naruto had come in.
"I don't know everything," She says after a while. "But I can tell you some truths about the Uchiha Incident."
"Why tell me anything at all?" Naruto's curiosity peaks, but he knows that knowledge can be a double-edged sword.
"Because it may pertain to the downfall of my clan as well."
Now that surprised him enough to turn him silent.
"You are too young to remember this obviously, but don't you find it odd that the two premier clans of Konoha are now nearly extinct? The Uchiha Clan disappears in a single night, and the Senju Clan are slowly whittled away until we're in the same position. At first, I thought it had been the wars. The Senju were steadfast and always on the battlefield. But then I started looking into the deaths of the Senju who were getting sent out to the battlefields over the past two wars. Seventy-percent of them died before their sixteenth birthday. The average age of a non-Senju on any battlefield was twenty."
Naruto's eyes lock on to hers. "Senju died younger before the founding of Konoha. The entire point of founding this village was to allow Uchiha and Senju children to grow into adults. Why were they getting sent out that early?"
Tsunade looks back, mouth twiddling in a gesture that shows her discomfort in talking about it.
"At first, I thought it might have been hero-worship on the part of Sarutobi-sensei. He fought alongside Senju Tobirama who was his Sensei. He knew first hand what kind of potential is in the Senju bloodline, and he saw how quickly I excelled as his student as well. And as stupid and misguided that naive mistake could be, Sarutobi-Sensei wasn't the only one drafting missions in wartime. All requests went through him though, and he had to approve them. The mission archive shows that every member of Tobirama's personal detail was responsible for drafting those missions with only one exception. Uchiha Kagami. The only Uchiha on the team."
"Nothing concrete. Coincidence at first glance." Naruto nods along anyway, waiting for anything else.
"The Second Shinobi World War is in progress. Senju Tsunade is recommended by Hatake Sakumo to be dispatched with Orochimaru to the battlefield against Iwagakure Shinobi through Takigakure, stating that the more attritious nature of that front would require skilled Medical-nin. The request is unanimously denied by the War Council consisting of the Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Hyuuga Akikazu and Shimura Danzo, despite the tactical advantage of it and Senju Nawaki is sent in her place. A twelve-year-old boy who struggled with any kind of Ninjutsu is sent to replace the most skilled Medical-nin in Konoha. He dies on the battlefield to an explosive trap."
Naruto doesn't say a word about her quivering voice, but he is still failing to see how exactly this pertains to the Uchiha; his main concern.
"This is a rather tragic set of circumstances but I want to hear about the Uchiha Clan first before we continue. Why do you think these incidents are tied together?" Naruto goes straight to the point, not unconcerned with the current fate of the Senju but he has his priority set.
Tsunade exhales something of a frustrated sigh.
"The date of your birth, reports come in that some Shinobi had seen the Sharingan in the eyes of the Kyuubi when it was released from your mother. Subsequently after the Kyuubi Incident is resolved, the Uchiha Clan are placed on the border of the village where they are easily monitored and controlled. This decision was made by the ruling council of Konoha at the time."
Naruto nods along, motioning for her to proceed. This isn't surprising news and it would be logical to an untrained ear.
"Six years after the Kyuubi Incident, Uchiha Itachi is recommended for ANBU instatement by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo. It was refused once by Team Captain Hatake Kakashi on the grounds of poor mental health, before later being accepted once that improved."
Naruto's head tilts while his eyes narrow on Tsunade. "Sasuke is under the impression that his father wanted Itachi in ANBU."
"And Fugaku being a parent, merely congratulates his son on his 'feat' of achieving ANBU status of his own merits and desire, all the while unaware that someone behind the scenes wanted Itachi. Fugaku had been against the idea of the Uchiha Clan being in ANBU, citing that it would make it more difficult to protect the Sharingan if the clan isn't aware where the clanmates are during deployment, given the clandestine nature of the missions."
Dark clouds roll overhead, casting the compound into shadow.
"One year after Itachi's induction into ANBU, he brings forward news that the Uchiha Clan is planning to revolt and stage a coup. The Uchiha Clan believed that it had been the victims of unjust discrimination by the higher-ups, and plans to take control of their village back. Diplomatic attempts by myself to prevent this from occurring ended up in failure. Uchiha Fugaku claims that this had been happening since before his time, and increasing as time went on. If they abandoned the village, they would be hunted down as traitors. If they stay and don't do anything, they face more isolation and propaganda against them. If they fight, there may be a few of them alive to take what belongs to them back. Two of these scenario's end up with the same result."
"The extinction of the Uchiha Clan." Naruto hums, unintentionally clenching a fist. "So Itachi takes the initiative and strikes at the Uchiha Clan before they can make a move either way. On orders of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo."
He hadn't been a part of that sect of the clan, being raised in his own isolation compared to them. But they had spawned Sasuke, so they couldn't all be as bad as Madara wanted him to believe. And who's to say such an event wouldn't be attempted again?
"That's right. After the incident, I put Danzo under permanent house-arrest and stripped Sarutobi of all political power and official influence that he held over my Shinobi. However, that's where more problems start. Some of my ANBU must have been collaborating with those two because it was made clear during the Chuunin Exam Invasion that Danzo had still been operating a private division without me finding out about it. Two elderly Shinobi still being helped by members of my forces despite having all official power stripped from them. Don't you find that as strange as I do?"
'Presuming that you're telling the truth, yes.' Naruto hasn't decided if he actually believes her yet. He still needs to fish for more information.
"He couldn't have done it alone." Naruto shakes his head. "Itachi is considered a prodigy by everyone in this village but even he wouldn't be able to wipe out the Uchiha Clan on his own as a child. Even if he was groomed from the start."
"You're right." Tsunade confirms grimly. "Itachi came into contact with a masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara, who told him that he would assist in the Uchiha Massacre and leave Konoha alone in exchange for joining his organisation."
Naruto stares into Tsunade's eyes and he knows that the answer is also a question. She is providing sensitive information for equally sensitive information about the Uchiha Clan.
"It's not Madara." Naruto denies quickly. "The old man died in his sleep and I incinerated his corpse."
"This man is still strong enough for Itachi to think that he is Madara."
"No surprises there. He is Madara's apprentice. Uchiha Obito."
"Obito?" Tsunade struggles to remember the name. "I don't believe I'm familiar with him."
"You weren't in the village as I recall. He allegedly died while on a mission, but not before giving Kakashi his Sharingan. Madara found him and put him back together to achieve his goal posthumously. Obito was the one responsible for releasing the Kyuubi, I just didn't know for sure if he managed to survive my father."
"His goal?"
Naruto doesn't even know how to begin to explain the convoluted plan.
"Look, you're already aware that the Akatsuki is hunting down the Bijuu. The Eye of the Moon Plan is based on an Uchiha relic that explains the history of the Uchiha and Senju. The ultimate endgame of the plan is to merge all of the Bijuu into the husk of the Juubi that the Rikudo Sennin sealed in the moon before he split it into nine separate beasts. The Jinchuuriki of the Juubi is said to be able to reflect a powerful Genjutsu off the moon that would capture the entire world, and place every last soul in it in an eternal illusion of catered happiness. There would be no more winners or losers, and the world would be at peace. A tempting idea."
"That's insane!" Tsunade blurts out with wide eyes. "I can't even begin to describe-"
"I know, and that's why it complicates things to know that Obito is still alive and working towards that goal, with the help of several S-Rank missing-nin and a wielder of the Rinnegan. The downfall of our clans is tragic but there will be nothing left if we don't stop this plan."
Tsunade looks pitying. "Kakashi's teammate. No wonder that you don't want him to find out. I know you probably don't want to face him battle-"
"No." Naruto cuts her off. "Obito has to die. If he succeeds, the entire world as we know it will cease to exist. There will be no winners or losers, there will be only flat, colourless, lifeless existence that is worse than death. He's a member of my clan and another of my grandfather's mistakes, it's now my responsibility to put him back in the grave. Also... he killed my parents."
"We both have a lot on our plates right now." Something in Tsunade's eyes seems to glimmer approvingly, like she has discovered something about him that she didn't know for sure. "But I still don't understand. If Madara had enough love and compassion in him to raise you, then why would he groom an apprentice to kill his daughter and steal the Kyuubi?"
"A person who possesses the Rinnegan is capable of bringing the dead back to life at the cost of their own lifeforce, and when that person has eternity at their fingertips, the dead are theirs to do with as they please. Madara believed so much in this plan that it never mattered what got in his way. He never learned to accept death until he finally realised that his way of doing things had killed his daughter and orphaned his grandson. He understood that he had the chance to make peace with reality and he had squandered it, so he took a page out of your grandfather's book and left the future to those who are here now."
He leans against the wooden rail once more.
"Right now, it doesn't matter if the Uchiha Clan revolted on their own or if it's an active conspiracy against us. I could have handled the Akatsuki alone but Obito is on a different level to the rest. Conventional tactics and Ninjutsu will not be enough, I need time to prepare and the status of all Jinchuuriki and Bijuu in the world will need to be assessed to make sure that they aren't stolen in one fell swoop. I have a few ideas."
"Go on." Tsunade gestures to him, leaving the jug of sake she'd been nursing forgotten.
"You could call for a Gokage Summit. The first since Hashirama's time, but it would absolve Konoha of some of the responsibility if the nations are warned beforehand about the impending threat. And if we publicly announce that the Uchiha and Senju alliance is still going strong, it might be enough to dissuade certain factions in the village from moving. Mobilizing Shinobi of all backgrounds in Konoha may stir enough chaos that they'll put the welfare and continued existence of the village first. The first sign of any Akatsuki members will need to be dealt with swiftly, and we need to weaken them as much as conceivably possible. They'll go for the Ichibi first, and then Sasuke if they don't decide to capture a stronger Bijuu and rend it under the Genjutsu of the Sharingan."
"I'll summon the council." Tsunade bounds to her feet. "You'll need to be present as well."
Tsunade whistles loudly, an unfamiliar tune and sound amplified with chakra. Naruto can feel it resonate over a long distance before the cat-masked ANBU who'd been absent since informing Naruto of his little meeting appears before them in a flitter of motion.
"Yugao, I need you to gather the council for me. Tell them it's an emergency meeting. Two hours."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Yugao nods professionally, before presenting a small box. "And your previous request."
Tsunade takes it from Yugao before the purple-haired woman flitters away again.
"I know this might not be the ideal time now for what you were planning, but..."
She puts the box in his hand and opens the lid.
A glimmering ring shines from its decorative casing.
"It doesn't take a genius to know what you were looking for when Yugao told me where you were. You're young but if things get too busy, you might not get the chance to ask again for a long while."
"Chakra crystal?" Naruto looks closely at the shining teal gem. "This is no cheap item to come by. Thank you."
"Price matters very little when it comes to my family, Naruto."
"I wasn't sure if you were aware, cousin mine."
Tsunade winks. "Don't be late."
"Tsunade." Naruto calls out, to get one last word in. "Why did you tell me this about the Uchiha Clan? Do you not fear retribution from me?"
"Because you've never given me a reason to doubt your ability to view everything as objectively as you have. I've watched you from the start of your career, Naruto. I know that you give everyone a fair chance. I know that you don't hide things without a good reason, and I know that you'll want the complete truth before you act impulsively. Just because others in the village don't trust you, does not mean that I don't. I wanted to tell Sasuke but for all the progress he has made, he doesn't see things the same way that you do."
Naruto stares deeply into her eyes, her own amber orbs not flinching at his eerie gaze.
"I'll train the boy."
Her eyes widen a bit in surprise before she smiles again.
"And I'll hold you to it."
He's still reeling a bit from his newfound knowledge when he finally returns home.
"You might not get the chance to ask again for a long while."
Naruto ponders Tsunade's words as he enters his apartment. He doesn't want to do it right away, he wants it to be special for Karin. For him, he could just sign a piece of paper and be done with it, but...
"Naru, welcome home." Karin wraps her arms around his waist.
He responds in kind and hugs her tighter than he usually does. She sinks into it expectedly, letting out a content hum that practically sings and gives him an emotional reaction that he just can't find anywhere else.
"Hmmm, you're cuddly." Karin snuggles in more. "Unusually so. Have I finally broken through that cold exterior?"
Naruto's lips twitch up. The 'cold exterior' had been a running joke between them after eavesdropping on some of Sasuke's fangirls that were gushing about how 'dreamy' he is.
"'Finally?' My heart has been yours for a long time now." Naruto speaks out with something intense in his voice.
She looks up at him, scarlet eyes shining with what he understands now as love. He didn't really know what it was like to be on the receiving end of it until he met her. Everything about her is addicting. Those precious, big eyes. The beautiful hair that frames her fair-skinned face. Every movement, every smile and gesture.
"I love you."
She goes red, and conquers her embarrassment with an overt display of affection. Karin leaps onto him and wraps her legs around his waist. She pushes his hair out of his face and gives him a tender, long-lasting kiss. He continues to hold her up by her hips after their lips separate.
"I love you!" She gives him another kiss, fueled by emotion.
"I really wish we could continue." Naruto bemoans, dragging Karin to the couch and trailing his lips up her neck, making her gasp in desire.
"You better come back from whatever you're doing quickly!" Karin whimpers as his hand crawls up her blouse, fingers rubbing her nipple teasingly. "Oh- OH!"
"I will." Naruto kisses her again.
He would always return to her. The love of his life.
Naruto is pleasantly surprised when there is a seat next to Tsunade's with the Uchiha Crest painted caringly on it. So he sits next to her, but understands that this is already a non-verbal statement to anyone in the room.
Soon enough the other clan-heads and advisors trudge into the room, seemingly not understanding what an emergency meeting is. If Naruto can be here on time, then they can too. At least the ANBU Commander got here early, before he did even.
"Thank you to those who arrived on time." Tsunade's words are biting and it's nearly enough to make Naruto grin.
"Tsunade-sama, may I ask why Naruto-dono is present?" Homura questions immediately, stern and dignified.
"The purpose of this meeting is not to discuss the Leader of the Uchiha Clan's presence on this council. I will be sending qualified members of the Shinobi Corps to deliver a request for a Gokage Summit. We'll be assessing any neutral territory that may be used to convene everyone, so that we can play fairly by their rules and keep the five greater nations civilized through diplomatic negotiation."
"For what purpose?" Koharu asks, experienced in getting to the point rather than wading through veiled insults or posturing.
"The ongoing threat of the Akatsuki and the repercussions it poses to all human life and free will." Tsunade states bluntly. "I have conferred with Naruto-dono regarding intel Konoha has uncovered since the Kyuubi Incident, and Naruto-dono believes he knows what the ultimate goal of the Akatsuki is."
"And why were we not informed beforehand?" Koharu asks crossly, narrow eyes sparking with unease.
"Because the man with the master plan is an Uchiha." Naruto speaks up before Tsunade can give a half-truth answer. "Tsunade conferred with me due to the sensitive nature of the situation. We pieced together what we know to uncover the identity of the leader of the Akatsuki and have determined that-"
"An Uchiha!" Hiashi spits out, cutting Naruto off and evidently seeing it as a political opportunity. "That makes two Missing-nin Uchiha criminals, this is not a matter of Konoha but whether or not the Uchiha Clan will continue to defect!"
Naruto stays silent and calm as several voices expressing the same sentiment pipe up unsolicited. His face is set in stone while insults are thrown by the less than tactful representatives of smaller clans. It's certainly different to the grateful well-wishers that he is exposed to in the streets. It seems the common folk like him a bit more than some rotten politicians. Go figure.
"If I may be allowed to speak again?" Naruto's voice is quiet but not unconfident, and it carries over the room using the same technique he'd witnessed Tsunade use earlier to amplify her whistle.
His ringed gaze goes from person to person. Some flinch at the eyes, but the most indignant see them as nothing more than another Shinobi parlor trick. He wonders how confident they would be if they knew just how much the eyes are capable of.
"I will spare you the legends and historic conjecture and give you the quick and easy rundown of why all of Konoha must band together. Firstly, the Akatsuki is composed exclusively of S-Rank missing-nin, two of which are Uchiha with an advanced form of the Sharingan and another who possesses the Rinnegan."
"A myth surrounding the Uchiha and Senju and exemplify their own sense of self-importance." Hiashi interrupts again. Part of Naruto wants to roll his eyes. Are these people even looking at him right now? They can quite clearly see that he isn't parrading the Sharingan around anymore. He knows that Tsunade won't be too pleased either but she has literal decades of experience in controlling a temper tantrum.
"Secondly," Naruto continues as if uninterrupted. "The surface goal of the Akatsuki is to acquire all nine Bijuu. The Bijuu are historically used as weapons by the nations who control them, and in doing so maintain a geopolitical balance of deterrence. If one organisation or nation came into the possession of several Bijuu, let alone all nine, they could either seal them into more cooperative hosts or use them as immediate weapons of destruction. With the Sharingan and Rinnegan capable of manipulating and controlling a Bijuu respectively, you may be able to see the issue approaching. This is a tangible threat that cannot be ignored, seeing as the existence of the Akatsuki has already been proven."
Naruto is careful with his words, using half-truths of his own instead of giving them a lecture on unproven history that has been forgotten by nearly all common folk and clans. He idly wonders how Nagato learned to believe it, or if he even believes it at all and is instead working towards a different endgame than Obito.
"And the Uchiha Clan's role in this threat?"
Shikaku's question cuts across the room like a knife. His narrow and dark eyes are focused and his posture is upright. It seems if nothing else, he is willing to listen and ask hard questions, not what takes him up the ladder to a higher position in Konoha's control hierarchy.
"I take responsibility for the wrongdoings of my clanmates." Naruto states stoically. "But do not mistake this as any more than what the average Shinobi does for Konoha."
"It was always the responsibility of the Uchiha Clan to handle these messes!" Another member of a small clan erupts.
Jeers and revolting comments make Naruto disappointed with the proceedings of the council.
He'd tried to do things their way, but he is so utterly above their level that he can feel his brain cells dying to even attempt reaching that low.
"You are, of course, correct. The Uchiha and Senju have traditionally been the most powerful clans in Konoha based on Shinobi skill, and there are no others capable of handling a threat like this within Konoha. So naturally, the continued existence of the village is dependent on our actions as per usual. It is unsurprising that two of the greatest threats from the Akatsuki are Uchiha; there are too few others to pick from in Konoha."
Tsunade's lips twitch behind crossed fingers.
"And as I recall-" Naruto speaks up again before any dissenters can interrupt. "-the actions of these few criminal outliers have impacted the Uchiha Clan most of all. Do you know how old the youngest person killed by Uchiha Itachi was? He was a six-month-old Uchiha boy."
Naruto takes in a breath while council members look at eachother unsurely.
"So yes, I will be taking a direct hand in this situation in order to protect future generations. I know that many of you are living in your own little bubbles of safety, turning against each other and vying for imaginary political power, but dedicated Konoha Shinobi are out there in the wilds gathering intel on threats like this and to waste time as pathetically as you have tonight is a disgrace to their sacrifices. While you are squabbling, an ANBU dies to send word of the identity of an Akatsuki member. While you argued who's daughter will marry who, I killed Orochimaru, a long-standing traitor to this village."
There is stillness in the chambers, but Naruto isn't done yet.
"This is why this is all you will ever be, snivelling politicians incapable of seeing the big picture. But do not forget, you obey the Hokage under all circumstances. Shinobi Culture doesn't work as democratically as you may naively think, it is based on the tangible conception of physical power through Chakra and Shinobi arts, and nothing will change that. You will obey the Hokage, or you will be left to the wastes that exist outside of this village. If you are lucky."
His chakra unintentionally permeates the chambers, leaving everyone sweating and struggling to take in air.
"We are not here to talk about the Uchiha Clan, because these menaces will be handled as all Konoha traitors are, irrespective of clan or creed. We aren't here to talk about how a vaunted council member only three years ago was found dead with Senju cells and eleven implanted Sharingan. We are here to stay alive."
Naruto stands up, not bothering to reel in his chakra and simply flexes it some more to compound the issue.
"In one month, I'll be heading to Kirigakure to assess the status of the Sanbi and Rokubi Jinchuuriki. I hope that you don't disappoint as you already have by not making yourselves useful."
In a control hierarchy that isn't based on strength, Naruto would be reprimanded for disobedience, making thinly veiled threats and making his own decisions. But this is the way of Shinobi, so Tsunade nods and bids him good luck.
"Politics." Naruto spits out spitefully.
It would be too soon the next time he is forced to sit through this nonsense. The Uchiha Clan status can come after this threat is dealt with for good.
One Week Later
"How much will the world take from you before you're willing to give it your lives too?"
Senju Takehito and his wife Mika are startled when Tsunade barges into their little part of the Senju Villa with a giant of a man in tow. She demands of them an answer, not asks for one.
He knew that a confrontation would be inevitable after Fujita's birth. Tsunade had been patient for eight years, letting them raise their boy in peace and by their own desires while keeping them out of political affairs. Fujita's civilian school teachers had been warned extensively that the boy's surname is not to reach the ears of other children or parents. Strictly.
But their clan had dwindled away. Takehito had been too fearful of Shinobi life to continue past his Genin days, when his family had been cut down before his eyes during the Third Great Shinobi War, taking up work as a carpenter instead. There had only been three of them left after the war, but the unease he felt at being the last of Senju Tobirama's descendents had never left him. His childhood had been lecture upon lecture of Shinobi arts and studies and the importance of the continuation of the clan.
He doesn't want that life for his boy. As much as Fujita had cried and begged to go to the Shinobi Academy, both Takehito and Mika had been too scared that they would lose their only child to the tumultuous nature of Shinobi life and refuse, letting him go to civilian school instead.
"Please, Tsunade-" Takehito lets out a weary sigh with his request. Mika gives off a little noise of distress too, looking like she's fighting the urge to run up the stairs and run away with their son.
"I understand," Tsunade nods but does not break her posture. She is a woman on a mission and would not be dissuaded, it seems. "But this is the future of our clan. I cannot and will not let us go quietly in the night. I will fight for our survival, and it's more important now than ever before that the boy becomes capable of defending himself."
Mika shrinks into herself as she realises the determined nature of Tsunade's spiel.
Indignant aggression wells up in his chest.
"You should have thought about that before abandoning us!" Takehito hisses, spittle flying from clenched teeth. "We were dying! My brothers were getting killed before my eyes while you ran off and drank away your sorrows! You had the chance to spawn your own progeny and you didn't!"
Tsunade is famously an aggressive woman, but she has a unique patience with her family that she does not exercise anywhere else. So she merely puts up her hand as a polite gesture to make him stop.
"I am taking my own measures to ensure the continuation of our clan." Tsunade subconsciously rubs the waistband over her stomach and both Takehito and his wife's breaths shorten. "So I'm catching up on my part. Even at my age, a Senju can still continue the legacy."
They're speechless and can't respond to that bombshell.
"I'm not pushing this lightly." Tsunade goes on tiredly. "But the world is about to become a dangerous place. I've uncovered something that might not end until certain people are convinced that the Senju will not be an entity in Konoha any longer, and there are madmen preparing to assault the entire world to achieve their own lunatic goals. What I need you to do right now is trust me. It will be all of our lives if you don't. We have a wealth of resources to help begin anew. I suggest you read up and practice a bit to pass anything on to your son while you can to make his new apprenticeship easier."
"This is too much, Tsunade-sama!" Mika looks on the brink of tears.
Mika had always been a shy woman since Takehito had first started interacting with her. Born as the bastard daughter of a wealthy family years ago, her noble blood had meant little to a clan that sought to sell her off as 'good stock' and be rid of her and keep her distant from their name. Takehito met her once when he'd still been a Genin, his Jounin-sensei unintentionally interrupted her transport to the family she was to be wed into while fighting off a Suna-Jounin. The escorts had been killed in the process and feeling responsible, his Sensei had offered her safe passage to Konoha.
Takehito offered her a place to stay. After-all, there weren't any people around that really cared what the Senju had been up to after the death of Senju Tobirama, so the clan welcomed her in with open arms and after a decade of getting to know each other and helping her feel like she had some control and order in her life, she leapt into his arms after he'd asked her to marry him. Her existence had been swept under the rug by those close to the Senju Clan in order to prevent her former family from collecting some good Senju stock, blood with a prestigious name.
And with that control rapidly depleting, Mika becomes increasingly distressed.
Tsunade stands up straight, and Takehito knows that 'no' will not suffice as an answer. This is happening regardless of what they want.
"You won't get to choose your destiny without strength on your side, because conflict is gonna come knocking regardless of how low you keep to the ground. The best chances for your and the boys' survival has already been organised. Uchiha Naruto will be his Sensei when he is ready."
"Uchiha Naruto..." Takehito whispers. He doesn't keep up to date much on Shinobi names but even he'd heard about the rising star. S-Rank war-machine as the stories go, whose every Jutsu was another Shinobi's final trump card.
Tsunade turns to leave. "I'm not taking chances that I don't have to, and I know that Naruto values the Senju for his own selfish reasons, but those reasons will see to it that we stay alive and we can build our legacy again. If it really turns out that it had never been our fault from the beginning for the decline of our clans, I will be the first to demand answers."
Naruto and Karin are laying in bed, not eager to get up and make the day theirs just yet.
She preens as his hand snakes through her hair, and he just admires the little grin on her face as she rests against his bare chest.
"Wanna go out tonight?" Naruto asks candidly.
"Yes. Somewhere nice." Her body arches in a stretch as the sun peers through the bedroom window.
"Good thing I made reservations for somewhere nice then. I was worried I might have to ask my side-bitch."
Naruto hisses as Karin pinches his nipple for the teasing. She wriggles on top of him to a straddling-position, letting the sheet fall from her shoulders with little regard for modesty in the privacy of their home. Karin is thin, with defined abdominals as the visible merit of her hard work. Her breasts are inviting, but no more than the hips spread across his own with the visible, tidy red strip drawing his attention. His hands move of their own accord, scaling up her smooth and flawless skin. He subtly uses the Asura Path to make two arms under his shoulders, pushing them both into a more upright sitting position, and they're quickly face-to-face.
Love. Devotion. Honesty. Hope. Legacy. There is so much in this woman, so much that exists and so much of a future that he can see having with her.
And he hardens his resolve. Tonight is the night.
"Very funny." She whispers huskily. "Now, get in the shower."
Can't forget that she's a total babe either. Naruto really does think he's the luckiest man around.
"Tonight. I'm doing it tonight." Naruto pulls his hair back into a low ponytail not unlike Jiraiya's, with his hair parted to the sides of his face similarly. Not for the first time, seeing as he keeps pulling off the hairband and messing it up in nervousness.
"Yes Naruto, I got that after the fifth time you said it."
Kakashi and Jiraiya watch in amusement as Naruto paces back and forth and Sasuke tries to calm him down.
"What if she says no?"
"Oh for-!"
"Sounds like you're going to have a wonderful night."
Shizune spends an inordinate amount of time styling Karin's hair. It takes more willpower than she cares to admit in order to stop herself from even dropping a hint.
"Shizune!" Karin laughs it off. "C'mon, you're not usually this hennish."
"Karin-chan, I want to help you out sometimes too. I can't trust girls your age to teach you everything about fixing your hair." Shizune plays it as well as she can.
Minako looks on in awe. "Karin-nee, you're so pretty!"
"Naww, thank you sweety." Karin tugs her into a mini-hug. "You're hair's next, you know that right? Does your Tou-san know how many boys he's gonna have to scare away?"
"Karin-nee..." Minako turns red.
Shizune hides her sly smile and the two babble on.
"Alright, I'm fairly convinced that he's actually gonna go through with it." Jiraiya tells Tsunade readily.
"He damn well better! I didn't commission that ring for nothing."
"Then I suppose it's high-time that I get one for you."
The slight pause before Tsunade's answer made his heart thump in his chest in fear of her response.
"...You damn well better."
She shuffles into his side without turning to look at him.
Jiraiya grins, heart rate slowing. Turns out he'd been right all along. Senju and Uzumaki simply view relationships very differently to the average person. But one thing is consistent. They find someone, get glued to them and refuse to part ways until something catastrophic happens, and the grief that overwhelms them. Tsunade's life has been wrought with tragedy, but she is a strong woman that can bounce back and find motivation and meaning in her life. Age and time matter little to these peculiar specimens.
He just counts his lucky stars that she chose him after all this time. Even if it's not normally viable to have kids at their age, Tsunade is equipped with the knowledge and genes to make things work. It takes many nails to build a crib... but only one screw to fill it.
It's a hard time for Konoha right now. Their relationship has been on the down-low for a long time but the world has gotten to the point that Konoha doesn't need one Grand Spymaster to do all the work for them. It's time to guide the next generations, not do everything for them. The coming battles will be hard fought, but Konoha will pull through. Such is the Will of Fire.
"Shame you have to quit drinking too." Jiraiya tacks on unhelpfully.
Tsunade's groan tells him that she's already aware.
"It's happening!" Sakura hushes the hiding crowd outside, many of them are transformed into pot plants and tables while the others hide behind cover and observe impatiently.
The darkness in the street is but a weak background to the bright and decorative lamp-lights of the restaurant. It's not even near closing time but the restaurant staff appear to wait with baited breath, subtly moving over to various tables and asking for a minute of quiet.
They can practically hear Naruto's heart thudding in his chest. He looks ever-so handsome in his indigo yukata, and Karin is unimaginably beautiful with her flowery-patterned one of her own.
Naruto and Karin stand up, giggling and practically all over each other already.
"C'mon, Naruto." Sasuke quietly cheers on his friend and Sakura feels much the same.
Kakashi and Shizune look on with delight, already knowing what's going to happen.
As Karin begins to peel away to the door, Naruto drops to one knee and grabs her hand, making her turn-on-heel.
He pulls out a small box and presents it to her. Karin's hands fly up to cover her mouth, and her knees grow weak.
Naruto's mouth moves wordlessly to them through the windows of the restaurant.
Karin's head bobs rapidly three times.
She leaps into his arms with a screaming 'yes' that can be heard far outside.
Every single person hiding and in the restaurant leaps to their feet with crying cheers.
----------
Summoning Contract: Naruto will not be using one.
Obito: Will be the primary villain of this series. He will be very powerful.
To reiterate: Naruto and Karin are the main pairing, that will not be changing nor will affairs or other such revolting content feature in this story.