"Sensei," Naruto said in an unnaturally soft voice, getting the attention of the Cyclopean Jonin. "Can I go with you… I need to talk to Ojisan."
I see, he still doesn't quite trust me,Kakashi thought with a sigh. He should have known that Naruto would want to talk with the Hokage about what happened in Nami, given how close the two were it was only natural.
Kakashi had tried to talk to Naruto about it, but the Genin had rebuffed his advances with what Kakashi now recognized as his old mask, that cheerful smile he always gave, I guess it will take a bit more to get him to open up to me.
"Sure Naruto, let's go," Kakashi said, turning around and walking off. A few seconds later Naruto caught up and walked by his side.
Sarutobi giggled perversely as he sat on the couch next to the pictures of the four Hokages and read his book. Over at his desk were two KageBunshins diligently working on the paperwork that he had. He really did have to thank Naruto for finding out such an ingenious use for the jutsu. Truly the boy was a genius like his father was.
He was knocked out of his thoughts when a knock came at his door, "Hokage-sama, Kakashi and…Naruto of Team Seven are here to see you."
Sarutobi sighed as he heard both the hesitation and the disgust that his aide had when she said Naruto's name, he was going to have a talk with her.
And if she can't change her opinions about him, I guess I'll just have to fire her. Standing up as his clones dispelled Sarutobi sat down in his chair and addressed his aid, "Send them in!"
The two opened and Kakashi walked in with an unusually subdued Naruto. Sarutobi quirked an eyebrow as he saw the boy's solemn and…fearful expression? He shook his curiosity off and looked over at Kakashi, "Ah! Kakashi, Naruto-kun, it is good to see you two back from your mission. However I must ask, where are Sasuke and Sakura?"
"The mission was a little more than we anticipated Hokage-sama, so I sent them home to get some rest," Kakashi answered, giving the aging Sandaime a meaningful glance as he snapped his book shut, "Naruto here came because he wanted to talk to you."
Understanding the look Sarutobi held up a hand, the ANBU who were hiding in the corner of the room appeared and then walked out of the door. Sarutobi used some chakra to activate the silencing seal that Minato had created when he had been Hokage. There was a soft glow that filled the room for a second before going back to normal.
"I take it there was a lot more to this mission than simply an escort and protection detail," Sarutobi said, gesturing for Kakashi to give his report.
"Hai Hokage-sama. The mission was much more than we expected. It started on our way to Nami, when we ran into two Chunin-level missing ninja from Kiri…" Kakashi began explaining what had happened on the mission, making sure to be concise and to the point. When he got to the part where Naruto had used the Kyuubi's chakra, Sarutobi stiffened and Naruto flinched. "Afterwards we left Nami and headed straight here," Kakashi finished.
"I see…" Sarutobi said, puffing on the pipe he had gotten out some time during the report. To think that such a thing could happen on a mission that was supposed to be a simple C-rank. This is what we get when we have a bad case of misinformation, both from our client and apparently our network outside of the village. Still to hear that a squad of genin were able to complete a mission that was easily A-ranked is astounding to say the least, even if the Jonin with them was a ninja of Kakashi's caliber.
Sarutobi looked at Naruto who was emitting so many emotions it was hard to tell what the boy was thinking. "Thank you Kakashi-kun, you may go now," Sarutobi said, knowing that Naruto would want to speak with him alone.
"Hai Hokage-sama," Kakashi bowed a bit. He briefly put a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder before leaving.
When the door shut again, Sarutobi left the silencing seals on as he stood up and moved over to the couch, gesturing for Naruto to follow him. Sarutobi said nothing as the boy sat next to him, knowing the boy would speak when ready.
"You already know I used the fox's chakra," Naruto began, "I…"
"Why don't you start at the beginning," Sarutobi said in a kind voice after Naruto stopped speaking.
The boy nodded before beginning again, "It started when I met a girl in the woods… her name was Haku…"
As Naruto started his own story Sarutobi paid close attention to the boy's emotions. It was obvious this was a painful experience for him, even more so than learning about the fox. As the Sandaime listened he found himself surprised again. He had never heard of two enemy ninja falling in love while on opposing missions, and he had experienced and heard a lot of things in his life. It seemed that boy would always be able with to find some way to surprise Sarutobi. However as the boy reached the part where the girl had died, Sarutobi knew, at least partly, just how hurt the boy still was.
"…And then Gato showed," Naruto began, his fists clenching as he thought of the man. "I can't remember all that was said, I wasn't really paying attention. However when he started talking about Haku-chan, and how he was going to desecrate her body…I…" He choked a bit on the words but forced them out. "I got so angry, and then a voice came inside my head."
Sarutobi stiffened at that as Naruto looked at him, "Kill, it said. It told me to kill, to take revenge on those who had forced Haku-chan to fight and those who would...I remember being overcome by rage after that, of slaughtering all those Gato had brought with him, and Gato himself…I had literally squeezed his head hard enough that it exploded."
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