Chapter 13

Hours. Hours Shino was there as one by one each bug user in Konoha had their minds being looked through. Shino kept calm as he watched the others there. Those there ranged from as calm as him to trying to hide the panic.

Since Shino was there for so long, he had time to think and in that time to think, he pieced together what was going on. A bug user was the one making Naruto go crazy. It really was a brilliant plan, only a genius could have thought of it.

It took a full three hours for everyone's mind to be looked through but when they were done, Minato stood before them once more. Shino noticed Minato had a frustrated look on his face. "I would like to announce that everyone here is clean, and I would like to apologize for the accusations and inconvenience of your time. But you must understand that we are trying to take every precaution. As consolation for this incident, the Aburame compound will be the first clan compound to be rebuilt. You are all free to go."

The Aburame clan was a clan of very intellectual people and therefore they understood the Hokage's dilemma. They held no resentment toward the Hokage as they left the only finished building. All but Shino of course, who stayed behind.

"Minato rubbed the bridge of his nose as he turned to Inoichi. "Well that was a disaster."

Inoichi placed a hand on Minato's shoulder. "The Aburame clan are a group of very understanding people. I'm sure they won't hold any resentment toward you."

"Hokage Sama."

Minato turned around to find one of the clansmen still there. Shino, he thought his name was. "Yes. Is there something I can help you with?" Minato was nervous that this one would hold some kind of grudge against him and that's why he was still here.

"There's no need to fret, Hokage Sama. Why? I bear no grudge against you. I understand your intentions. I would like to speak to you about your thought process that led to the theory of an Aburame committing this crime against Naruto."

Minato nodded. "Go ahead."

"I do believe that an Aburame has committed this crime as well. But I believe they are one that is not easy to find."

Minato was intrigued. He nodded for Shino to continue.

"I believe they are ones that are kept secret, even from the Hokage. So of course that rules out ANBU. The only group that is kept from the Hokage is the organization Root. I believe you will find your bug user there." Shino paused to let that sink in. "It would make the most sense too. Root is run by Danzo and from what I have heard, Danzo has been after the seat for Hokage for quite a while."

"That is brilliant, Shino." Minato praised. "But I must ask how you know all of this."

Though his high collar covered that part of his face so Minato couldn't see, Shino smirked. "I am a very observant shinobi, Hokage Sama. No need to worry. I will keep this information to myself when I leave these walls."

Minato didn't know what to say. But he smiled nevertheless. This generation of shinobi was sure to be outstanding. "Thank you for the input. We will defiantly be taking it into consideration."

Shino bowed his head before turning and leaving the building.

"Root." Minato said, crossing his arms. "It had to be Root."

Instead of heading back to the training field, Shino started walking to the dining hall, sure that it was lunch time by now. As he entered the tent, he found that he was correct. As he took his seat, he noticed that neither Naruto nor Naruto's mother was there.

"Yo, Shino." Kiba said. "So what were you called for?"

Shino started putting food on his plate. "I'm afraid that information is classified. Has Naruto and his mother elected not to have lunch?"

"They stayed behind at the training field." Sakura explained. "They said that none of them were hungry."

Shino pulled apart a pair of chopsticks. "Seems like a reasonable response."

"Mom." Naruto said. He was now leaning against a stump and Kushina was leaning against the one next to him. Kushina didn't respond but she knew Naruto knew she was listening. "Do you think this will all end on a good note? I just got you and Dad back and… I don't know what I'd do if I lost you guys again. I don't know what I'd do if I lost any of the people I care about. And I'm afraid I'm going to hurt them… or worse. I almost killed Bushy Brows today. What if I do something like that again?"

"Look at me." Kushina said. She had a determined look in her eyes. Naruto lifted his head and looked at his mother. "You are Uzumaki Naruto. You take after both me and your father. Do you know what that means?" Naruto shook his head. "It means you're an unstoppable force, ya know. It means that you can get through anything. Things may be bad right now but they're not going to be forever. Even if you lose your friends or your father or me. You will be okay, and you will overcome anything and everything. You've made it this far, there's nothing in the universe that will stop you now. Not even this."

Naruto smiled. A genuine one. He's only known his mother for a few days but… I feels like she's been with him his whole life and truthfully, she probably has.