Naruto teleported a little farther away from the Ichiraku restaurant and observed Konoha as she walked to the Hokage tower which was close by. She announced her official return to the two Hokages in the office, effectively waking up the younger of the two.
She then went to her ANBU Commander who had dismissed her soon as he had work, before meeting her ANBU teammates. She spent some time with them as they were off duty for a few hours. She decided she would partly reveal herself to the rest of ANBU. Minus the recruits obviously.
When the announcement had been made that the Assistant Commander Yokaze Akira was actually Uzumaki Naruto (the once loudmouth, but still male), many were surprised, but not by much since the power was to be expected from one who had defeated an Akatsuki member.
Few older misguided souls, however, had raised concern at the power of the demon brat. Naruto simply answered that as long as she had been Akira, they didn't have any problem with her and had actually praised her; It was also mentioned that since she had been a kid, she had done nothing offensive towards the village.
The argument of the accusing ANBU were weak since they themselves didn't seem to believe their own accusations and were simply stating due to old, fading prejudice. Naruto was accepted by her large 'second family' without any further hitches. That is if you exclude two certain Uchihas. Naruto had avoided meeting their eyes throughout the meeting. After that, she gave them a cheeky smirk before using the Body Flicker technique at its best to vanish away.
Itachi glared at Shisui who innocently asked, "What?" "What was the need of teaching her that jutsu?" Itachi snapped. "My jutsu, my wish." the older man answered casually with his hands behind his head. It was a lot of fun riling up a stoic Itachi who was worse than Sasuke. The 19-year-old at least showed it when he was upset.
Itachi shook his head. "You two are going to be the death of me." Shisui cooed, "Aww, but you love us as we love you."
What he didn't expect was a slight pink blush on Itachi's cheeks as he turned away. "Is that why you refused to marry Izumi?" Shisui asked simply without showing his surprise. No matter what his best friend and sister say, he was a Shinobi and knew how to control his emotions. "I don't know what you are talking about." Itachi answered normally- the usual cold tone with the hint of softness he reserved for his friends.
Shisui smirked before following him. Oh this was fun! But was it worth at the cost of his little sister? He shrugged. Well, Itachi was a good person at heart, and better him than a stranger. But the weasel needed to loosen up and relax a bit.
Fun indeed!
Naruto transformed into Mina as she visited Uchiha Fugaku and his wife Mikoto in the privacy of their house and privacy seals. They exchanged pleasantries and talked casually till Mina said with a solemn expression, "I believe I owe the two of you an explanation, especially you, Fugaku-sama." Said man raised a brow in question. "I'm not exactly who you think you are." She said as she transformed into the male Naruto. Mikoto was shocked while Fugaku had a blank face, expression unreadable.
That was until she noticed the tiny upturn of a corner of his lips forming a barely noticeable smirk that confirmed her fears. "You knew?" She blurted and the smirk grew. "The first time you had met me, the Kyuubi chakra hadn't been completely concealed as it had been in all the other times. But it was understandable seeing that you were a child then. But a superb feat nonetheless at that age."
Naruto paled as she remembered what Kurama had alerted her of after her first meet the Uchiha clan leader all those years ago. "Then why did you agree? Why not confront me?" She asked in a low voice. "At first I wanted to know your true intentions. I found them noble and followed along with your little act. I was almost fooled many times, had my mind not reminded me of the discovery I had made in our first meeting.
You must've also noticed that the rise of voices among the Uchiha escalated only after Minato's death. The clan likes him and he's my best friend. So for his sake, I had held my horses without lashing out and it turned out to be a good decision as well."
Naruto nodded, a little relieved. "So, the 'return of a favour'. Was it about the Kyuubi?" Fugaku asked. Naruto paused a moment before deciding on the truth. "Well, more or less so." She said as she transformed to her real self. "I am a girl." She simply said, revealing her true self.
Fugaku's eyes widened as the gears of their brains turned and gave them a possible revelation. "Were you forced upon?" Mikoto asked slowly. "Almost." Naruto admitted. "We are sorry." Fugaku said. Naruto chuckled lightly. "It's alright. No need to be. Besides, I don't think my saviour remembers it as well as I do. If he does, I don't think he understands the danger to its full extent." "Who was it?" Naruto paused too long before answering, "Itachi-kun."
Fugaku smirked as Mikoto cooed. Naruto pouted slightly at the thoughts that were running through the heads of the couple involving non-existent romance. Fugaku asked after a few moments, "You do remember the 'last resort' you had proposed that night, 'if all else fails', don't you?" Naruto nodded. It was the night she had discussed the propositions on behalf of the village for compensating the misery of the clan- a.k.a. their first meet.
He continued, "Were you planning to involve yourself as one of the two involved in it?" Naruto paled, then flushed. Fugaku was still smirking. "What are you talking about?" Mikoto asked. "Well, Mina, or Naruto had put forward a proposal, a 'last resort' in case the elders refused to accept the terms she had already put forward. A marriage between an Uchiha and a relative of a Hokage. She is Minato's daughter after all."
Mikoto shouted in glee. However, before she could say anything, Naruto cut her off. "Mikoto-san! Please control yourself. I was only doing my best to keep Konoha together, I probably didn't know what I was doing. Moreover, I am trying my best to stay away from marital alliances and love as much as possible." Mikoto was shocked. "Why?" She asked.
"After learning how my parents had died, I do not wish for it to repeat it in the future. My mother had been the vessel before me. I think you know about it, Mikoto-san." They nodded in understanding, not prying too much.
Fugaku sighed, suddenly looking much older. "Naruto, I am terribly sorry for not taking care of you. But with how the clan had been unstable, more since your birth, I didn't want to jeopardize your safety more. I know I am making flimsy excuses. But when you had approached me as Mina and I recognized you and settled things with you, I thought I could observe you from afar.
Being that blonde fool's best friend, I should've taken care or do something for you. Mikoto, being that Habanero's best friend, was able to express the same wish many a time, unlike me. (sigh) Well, planning a coup had been a good thing." He joked and chuckled.
Mikoto looked at her husband with soft eyes. "Dear, the last time you talked and showed so many emotions was with Minato. Naruto seems to have the good qualities of Minato and Kushina." "And some bad ones too." Fugaku added smirking. "Like the scratching of his head when nervous."
Naruto was stunned at the words coming from of the stoic clan leader. "I don't know what to say. I feel happy and honoured. If I had known this would be your response, I would've revealed myself sooner. Nevertheless, um, can I get a hug?" She asked softly. "Of course!" Mikoto said as Fugaku grunted in approval and they embraced her.
"So, are you really in ANBU?" Mikoto asked. "Yes, but when I was 14. I'm the Assistant Commander and have revealed myself as Uzumaki Naruto to the ANBU a few hours ago." Naruto replied. "Speaking of which, Itachi and Shisui must be fuming now, well, maybe not Anija." She pondered aloud. "And why is that?" Mikoto asked. "They hadn't known about me being ANBU or being their superior until few hours ago, and that I was the one who had treated Itachi's disease."
Fugaku nodded, remembering his son's confession about suffering from a disease and getting cured by his superior. "Is that so? Well, thank you for saving my son. It seems the Uchiha clan owes you a lot."
Naruto waved her hand. "No no. I'm just helping out fellow comrades. Besides I do care a lot about the two of you, Itachi-kun and Shisui Anija." Mikoto hummed. "What about Sasuke?" Naruto pondered. "Well, I see him just like the others in Konoha 12, which is not as much as what I feel for my ANBU team. Team 7 wasn't exactly the best team in camaraderie."
They had tea and snacks as they talked. Naruto said with a smirk, "Please don't tell Itachi-kun that I was here. I will be taking your leave now." They nodded and Mikoto called back. "Do come again for tea." Naruto nodded and left.
Mikoto clung to her husband's arm, resting her head on his shoulder, as they looked at a photo on a rack nearby. Fugaku muttered with a once-in-a-blue-moon softness in his voice, "Minato, Kushina, I hope you find it in you to forgive me."
Mikoto sighed. "Knowing them, they will do it in a blink of an eye. They are too kind and that is evident in their child as well."
Fugaku chuckled, "Even after death, that fool is playing tricks. He'd go so far as to disguise his daughter." Mikoto mused, "Well, it's a good thing he did. She's quite a looker and would attract many guys."
Fugaku's eyes turned sharp, "They have to go through me before even thinking of taking her hand."
Mikoto gasped as she clapped once. Her husband turned warily towards her. "Stop thinking whatever you are thinking." He warned. She pouted, "But you don't even know what it is!"
Fugaku deadpanned. "I have a guess and I'm pretty sure it is correct. You want to hook her up with Itachi."
Mikoto smiled far too innocently. "But I feel they are perfect for each other! Even Kushina would agree with me. Don't you remember, we once thought of our children marrying and combining our families?" She pointed to the photo.
Fugaku sighed at the stars in his wife's eyes, recognizing that he was fighting a battle lost. "I only hope Minato would not kill my son from after-life."
Mikoto was too lost in her thoughts to observe what Fugaku was thinking. He was staring at the photo for a while before turning to her. He held her chin gently. Mikoto's breath hitched in a way she hadn't done in a long while.
He spoke softly to his wife, "There seems to be a festival in the Akimichi Compound and we all know how they are with occasions. What do you say we go join the festivities tonight? Just the two of us?"
Naruto spent the rest of the day helping in the reconstruction of the village. The villagers found someone helping them. When they turned to thank the person, they only saw a smiling blonde man who disappeared instantly before they realized that it was Naruto.
The next day, Naruto gave the Hyuuga compound a visit. Hiashi was pleasantly surprised when he heard that the 19 year old blonde was waiting outside to visit him. When they settled, Naruto greeted him. "Greetings, Hyuuga-sama." "Please call me Hiashi, Naruto-kun." Naruto nodded with a smile. "I hope I am not imposing on you, Hiashi-sama." The clan head shook his head. "Of course not. Even if I had been busy, I'd have called you in. It's not everyday you get to meet one who defeated an Akatsuki member with Rinnegan."
Naruto shook her head. "Please, Hiashi-sama. As much as I appreciate the thought, I would like to be known on good terms as a friend rather than someone powerful." Hiashi smiled. "That's even better. The one who helped change my clan for the better is appropriate too. How was your trip outside Konoha?" "Eventful. It was mostly training." She replied. "Well, what brings you here?" He asked.
"It's about the Caged Bird Curse Seal." Naruto said and Hiashi perked up at that. "What about it?" He asked. Naruto took out a scroll from a pocket and answered. "I have visited Uzu no Kuni and found some interesting things. It seems the seal once belonged to Uzumaki Clan. It was their creation. How the Hyuuga had it, I do not know. The documents related to the possession were missing under all the rubble.
Anyway, there was a prototype of the counter seal and I perfected it. Also, I have an alternate seal that would protect your Kekkei Genkai and not control the branch family." She gave him the scroll. "Are the elders still of the opinion that the Branch Family must be controlled my the Main Family?"
Hiashi was joyous as he read the scroll and he did nothing to keep his face from showing it. He smiled softly and said. "I'm glad. I'll give all the scrolls in the clan compound related to the Caged Bird Seal to you. It belongs to your clan anyway. It's a curse best to get rid off. As for the elders, it's only a couple of them with the problem of authority, one being my own father. They are too old now and my authority is stronger over theirs, they won't be causing too much trouble."
Naruto nodded. "So do I get the permission to replace the seals on the branch family? I can place the new Hogo seal (Protection seal) on the main family too, if you want." Hiashi nodded. "How long does the process take?"
"Removing the Caged Bird Seal will take 1-2 hours, no less, since the human brain is involved. The placing of the Hogo seal will take around half an hour. My clones can work on numerous people at a time." Naruto replied. Hiashi looked pleased and grateful and offered a hand. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Naruto-kun. I look forward to get acquainted with you."
Naruto chuckled and played along. "Likewise Hiashi-sama." As they pulled their hands back, she asked, "Why this all of a sudden? We have known each other for a long time before I left the village. And you are being rather too formal with me." Hiashi shrugged, repressing a chuckle. "I've got to keep my reputation as the Hyuuga clan head. Anyway, I'd like to know if you would be able to start tomorrow."
"Of course. A minimum of 2 hours of rest would be required for a main family member and at least the double of that for one from the branch family, because a seal attached the brain is being removed." They discussed about the seal for some time more before they moved to other topics like clan matters, village and land politics, and casual things.
Naruto had spent the rest of the day helping the village like previous day. At night, she looked over the counter seal and the replacement seal she had prepared solely for the Hyuuga clan.
'Neji-san, I will be fulfilling my promise to you soon enough. Like I said, I never go back on my word.'
Forgive me for the lame names
ST: You are worse than Anija.
What about Minato-san?
NN: (brandishing a kunai) Did someone say something about my father?
You should be thinking more about Itachi. He seems to like you.
ST: What is this about my granddaughter and romance?
NN: Don't look at me! Author is the cause of this.
ST: What do you plan to do with my baby girl. (cue NN blushing)
I don't plan anything other than shipping two certain characters. Even the in-laws are in this!
NN: (mutters under breath) By in-laws, you mean only the mothers...
ST: (cracking knuckles) If you plan on escaping using wordplay and the cover of other people, you are wasting brain-power.
NN: Don't look at me. You are alone in facing Ojii-sama. I'm on his side. Be grateful I'm not aiding him.
(mutters) God help me survive this.