..::..

Well here we are for the next instalment of Konoha's Archer. Several elements to the story have been messing with my ability to write for this story. For instance: the compromising personalities and eventual connection between Gilgamesh and Naruto's characters. I came up with an idea, but I'm not sure how it will be received by you, my dear readers.

Oh well, no use worrying about it now. It'll be out there with the chapter's release and it'll either damn the story, or elevate it.

For better or for worse, please enjoy the chapter.

..::..

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

..::..

"Ramen" – Speech

'Ramen' – Thoughts

"Ramen" – Bijuu/Summon Speech

'Ramen' – Bijuu/Summon Thoughts

"Ramen" – God/Deity Speech

'Ramen' – God/Deity Thoughts

..::..

Mikoto Uchiha woke to the sight of white. Her sense of hearing brought her to the conclusion that she was in Konoha Hospital, and that there was someone silently watching over her form. She couldn't tell who it was, but she managed to croak out a guess.

"N-Naruto?" she croaked tiredly.

"No, I'm not Naruto-san," Itachi's collected voice echoed throughout the room. "I'm sorry that he is not here to welcome you back to the land of the living, but he too, is currently in limbo."

That caused her to startle, and she tried to leap from her bed. "O-Orochimaru … what did he do to my son?"

Mikoto started coughing and Itachi calmly handed his mother a glass of water to relieve her sore throat.

"Be calm, mother," Itachi soothed. "You and he have been unconscious for several weeks."

"W-What?" she stuttered. "I-I remember Orochimaru, and then nothing."

"You see," Itachi started, not sure if he should reveal everything. He cleared his throat and continued. "You were injured by Orochimaru, mother. You awakened the next evolutionary stage of the Sharingan, known as Mangekyo Sharingan in your pain at the thought of losing Naruto-san."

Mikoto went to interrupt, but Itachi hushed her and continued. "Naruto-san saw you and thought you were dead. He too, awakened the Mangekyo. How, I do not know, as he does not use Chakra, but since I have had Mangekyo for quite some time, I intervened and had your eyes and his transplanted into each other. Shisui and I planned to do the same, but it appears that blood relation is required."

Mikoto gasped and brought her shaking hands to her bandaged head. "S-So, I have my S-Sochi's eyes now?"

Itachi grunted but made an affirming sound.

"Wait," Mikoto brought up. "You mentioned that we have both been unconscious for weeks, right? Then why hasn't Naruto woken up yet?"

Itachi hesitated, but spoke. "I am not completely sure of why he has not awoken, mother. He has adapted to the strain of the Mangekyo well, even quicker than you adapted to the strain, but something is keeping him asleep. Namikaze-sama and Hokage-sama visited him, along with his sister, but for some reason, his sister Yumi-san went berserk and tried to kill Naruto-san … all she managed to do was to destroy the room."

Itachi watched his mother struggle with her words, and spared her asking questions by explaining further. "It is Hokage-sama's belief that the Kyuubi is somehow involved with her sudden act of aggression."

"I-I see," Mikoto finally sighed. "In any case, we won't know until he wakes up."

"Yes," Itachi merely agreed. "Yes, all we can do is wait for Naruto-san to wake up."

Their momentary silence was disturbed as the ground suddenly shook with frightful power. Itachi snapped into ANBU mode and ordered his mother to stay in her room until Tsunade arrived. The scene he arrived to was the abandoned section of the hospital in ruins. Smoke, fire and debris filled the immediate area, and located in the centre of the chaos and destruction was Yumi and Naruto.

Minato arrived on the scene a split second later and gasped at the destruction. Yumi was hunched over on herself, with ominous red chakra coating her body, whilst Naruto stood calmly with his hands at his sides. A savage grin was on his face that caused Minato to shiver.

Kushina arrived at the scene, followed by Hiruzen and Kakashi, though before any could speak, Naruto's voice cut through the silence – though to those that knew him … it was more like Gilgamesh's voice.

"Oh, do you think that hiding behind the body of my sister will deter my wrath?" his voice called to Yumi. Yumi's form growled in a feral manner and lunged at Naruto, who dodged gracefully and grinned darkly.

"Then come at me, Kyuubi," Gilgamesh cheered. "Come at me and together, we shall recreate the great battle we once waged against each other!"

"I know not how you managed to survive, King of the Uzumaki," a voice definitely not Yumi's growled from her mouth. "But I will rip you to pieces!"

Kyuubi-Yumi charged, only to be impaled by several swords and spears that appeared from several golden portals. Kyuubi-Yumi howled in hatred and despite the weapons, charged viciously at Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh's savage grin widened and instantly, several new portals opened behind him – unleashing even more ornate weapons than before. They too impaled into Kyuubi-Yumi's body, and she fell lifelessly to the ground. Gilgamesh clicked his tongue in disappointment, only to grit his teeth in surprise as Kyuubi-Yumi lunged and almost slashed his stomach open.

"Then, I guess you require more exquisite pieces to bring you to your knees before me, Kyuubi," Gilgamesh snarled excitedly.

This time, only a dozen portals appeared, but the weapons that revealed themselves were older and more beautiful than the others. They sped through the air and sliced into Kyuubi-Yumi's body even easier than the previous weapons. This time, Kyuubi-Yumi stayed down for longer, but when she did get back up and charge – she surprised those watching when instead of finishing her mad charge, she jumped back as quickly as possible, and they soon realised why – much to Kushina's surprise.

Large golden chains, inscribed with blue markings wrapped themselves around Kyuubi-Yumi's body. They watched in awed shock as Kyuubi-Yumi's body started to come to a complete stop as Kyuubi's chakra was forced to dissipate.

"Remember these, Kyuubi?" Gilgamesh taunted playfully.

"E-Enkidu," Kyuubi-Yumi whimpered. "I-I thought you lacked the Mana to bring these back to existence."

Gilgamesh gained an insane glint in his eyes as he snarled at the Kyuubi-Yumi. "You do not get the right to say her name Kurama. YOU killed my beloved Enkidu, and YOU DO NOT GET THE RIGHT TO SAY HER NAME YOU FILTHY BEAST!"

Kyuubi-Yumi actually gulped at the look in Gilgamesh's eyes – even the mention of his real name didn't diminish the fear evident in his gaze. The insanity in Gilgamesh's eyes died though, as he realised he had lost his composure and continued as if he hadn't blown up in anger.

"I did lack the Mana, Kyuubi," Gilgamesh snickered. "Until that Orochimaru gave the Copycat the Fourth Heaven's Feel Sealing Mark."

Kyuubi-Yumi's eyes widened. "I-Impossible, that man – how did he learn an Uzumaki Technique?"

"I assume he has an Uzumaki unknowingly helping him," Gilgamesh shrugged. "That doesn't matter though … you will die here, and this time … no Madara Uchiha will be here to deny me your life by ensnaring you with his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."

Kyuubi-Yumi growled at the mention of Madara as a giant spear of gold with the same blue inscriptions appeared above Gilgamesh's head – but instead of launching, it merely hovered as Gilgamesh gripped his head and snarled. "How are you seizing control, Copycat?"

..::..

-Naruto's Mind-

"STOP," Naruto shouted as he thrashed against the invisible chains holding him down. "This is my body, Gilgamesh!"

Naruto screamed in anger and even tried ripping the chains apart with his teeth. When that didn't work, he released more Mana than he had ever released before in his life and even though he cracked his teeth, he managed to break free from the chains holding him down.

"Reveal yourself, Gilgamesh," Naruto demanded – fury etched in every part of his tone.

Gilgamesh did as commanded – though to the outside world, he was still struggling with himself.

"You dare to interrupt my vengeance, Copycat?" Gilgamesh hissed. "His life is mine to claim."

"Bullshit," Naruto snarled. "I don't care what you did to each other in another life – this is MY body you damn parasite, and I will not let you do as you please."

"A parasite, am I?" Gilgamesh growled. "I've saved your pathetic body with my Mana and Magic and you dare to call me a parasite … I AM YOUR KING."

"You are a remnant of a lost Kingdom," Naruto countered. "You may have saved me before, but you only live because of my body. You, a king … don't make me laugh – you are no one's king now. Face it Gilgamesh, you are a parasite."

"Then perhaps it's time I take your body as body as mine," Gilgamesh spoke.

"You can try," Naruto hissed.

And then the battle for Naruto's body began.

-Real World-

Despite the fact that Gilgamesh and Naruto were fighting in Naruto's mind, Naruto seized enough control of his physical body to quickly dash forward and slap a Jinchūriki Suppression Seal on Yumi. Kyuubi howled in anger, but returned to his seal within his host. Naruto turned to Minato and shoved Yumi's body far away enough for Minato to flash in and take her, but close enough for him to hear his estranged son.

"Seal t-the area," Naruto begged. "Use a Namikaze Seal, not U-Uzumaki. Then only you can release it."

Minato blinked but nodded numbly and did as asked – he sealed the area and flashed back to the others. "I don't think it's over."

And he was right … it wasn't. The moment that Minato sealed the area, a strange flutter of Mana filled the area and everyone got to see the once great Uzumaki King in his glory. They saw the young man with red eyes and golden hair staring down Naruto with sheer hatred rolling off of him. Minato was glad that he used a powerful seal that allowed them to see and hear what was happening inside it.

"Clever Copycat, very clever," Gilgamesh grinned. "Use the corporeal world to fight – where my connection to Mana is limited due to it residing in your body … well, soon to be my body, but semantics."

Naruto managed a smile, but remained focussed on Gilgamesh. Then, after almost ten minutes, they moved.

Gilgamesh unleashed a barrage of weapons from all eras, it didn't matter the quality, as he rained down destruction on the sealed battlefield. Naruto gasped tiredly as he dodged the weapons, his ability to replicate them wasn't doing much to counter the battle, and he knew that if it continued at the pace that Gilgamesh had set, then he'd lose.

And then there was something wrong with his eyes. He didn't know why, but sending Mana to his eyes really hurt – so he reluctantly decided to continue without his Sharingan.

"What's the matter, Copycat," crowed Gilgamesh. "No Sharingan and … aww … having trouble with my gifts?"

Naruto almost smacked his head. 'Of course, I'm fighting him with his power … I need to use my own. How though – I foolishly trained his skills as much as my own, but his are more dangerous … wait a minute! I can use that … it was only a model that I never truly got around to training due to the Council Incident when I first encountered Gilgamesh, but he won't know about it since he wasn't awake when I thought it up … it's my only chance!'

"Silently accepting defeat, Copycat?" Gilgamesh yelled at him. He dodged the projectiles that Naruto threw at him in response before creating a Mana Seal around Naruto's body. "It's over Copycat – your body is mine!"

Whatever Naruto said, couldn't be heard from within the Mana Seal, so Gilgamesh dropped it and taunted Naruto. "Final words Copycat, really? I thought you had more pride than that."

"Shut the fuck up," Naruto cursed loudly – shocking even himself with his language – though he blamed the Blacksmith for teaching him those words. "I said: Dodge this, you damn Parasite."

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow in accusation. "Dodge what, are you delirious?"

His words were cut off as two swords – one black coloured and one cloudy coloured – spun at him from behind and sliced both arms nearly completely off. "What are those … Kanshou and Bakuya?"

Gilgamesh saw the two blades return to their master and snarled as he attempted to heal his arms. "You would use those pathetic weapons against my lovely treasures?"

Gilgamesh suddenly felt more Mana than he had ever sensed from Naruto and snapped his gaze back to him, only to see that the swords had become a bow and an ornate arrow. He also noticed that both the Sealing Mark from Orochimaru and the Infūin diamond seal were active as well.

'Please work, please work, please work!' Naruto chanted in his mind.

All anyone heard was something that would become words to remember from Naruto from that moment on …

"I am, the bone of my sword," Naruto hissed with power.

The arrow became super charged with Mana – too much Mana, and as he released it he snarled. "DIE, YOU PARASITE – DIE!"

Gilgamesh knew he couldn't dodge. He couldn't use his arms, and since his Mana was in Naruto's body … he couldn't use any attacks without charging them first … he was going to …

Gilgamesh never finished the thought as he was erased from existence – with his death by the hands of his approved heir and host – his cycle of rebirth was also stopped. As the winner – all the spoils went to Naruto. He already had Gilgamesh's knowledge and memories, but now he had complete control over their combined … no his Mana.

Still, he had used too much Mana, and had even used both seals, though he didn't realise that he'd used the seal from Orochimaru.

Naruto saw Minato drop the area seal, he grinned victoriously at Hiruzen and Itachi and then passed out from overusing his power.

"That boy is always going to be a regular at the hospital," Hiruzen muttered – though you could see the relief at his victory and worry at his condition. He remembered Naruto describing Gilgamesh to him and his adopted family, so he knew it was Gilgamesh that he was fighting – but it still seemed unreal to think that he was witness to them fighting.

Minato and Kushina stared in shock at their unconscious ex-son. He was so young and so very powerful, as well. Before they could go too close to him, Tsunade appeared and scanned him.

"Jiraiya, have Shizune prepare the recovery room," Tsunade barked. Minato was startled to realise that his sensei had returned – but smiled at the man as he moved to follow Tsunade's instructions.

"Tsunade, will he be okay?" Kushina asked as she tightened her hold on her daughter. "I-I mean, is he s-still dangerous?"

Tsunade growled at Kushina, and she winced. 'Wrong thing to say Kushina – Naruto is still the King of Uzu.'

"He's dangerous? Your daughter was the one that attacked him!" Tsunade screamed in fury. "The Security Footage shows your daughter marching into Naruto's recovery room and attempting to kill him."

Kushina gasped and Minato looked pensive. "Her seal is degrading quicker than we thought … she will need to be observed for a while."

"That's not all though, Hokage-sama," Kakashi hesitated to add, but he soldiered on. "Several civilians witnessed the footage and saw her attack Naruto."

Minato grit his teeth, he wasn't surprised that people had witnessed the attack, but he was concerned about what the ramifications would be if Naruto decided to push for a severe punishment. It was his right, of course, but the damning thing about it was that Naruto was the King of Uzu – the Head of the Uzumaki Clan. By attacking him, Yumi had committed treason against her King and a much beloved member of the Fire Daimyo's Courts.

"This is bad," Minato muttered. "But we cannot do anything to punish Yumi until Naruto awakens and punishes her."

"M-Minato-kun, what are you saying?" Kushina stuttered. "Yumi is our daughter, Minato. If Naruto decides to push for a severe punishment, she could be executed!"

Minato actually growled at Kushina – silencing any further comments from the red head. "I may not be the best father, but lest you forget Kushi-chan – Naruto is our child too. Yumi is completely aware of the Clan Laws. She has been educated in them since Naruto's departure, and she still openly attacked him. I can only delay his judgement on the matter as the father of Yumi, but he has the power to decide her fate."

Kushina opened her mouth to retort, but she knew he was right. She wept as she caressed her daughter's hair. 'Please Naruto … please don't take my daughter from me.'

..::..

Naruto silently woke from his ordeal but upon sensing that he was not alone in the room, he remained as though he was still asleep. Extending his senses, he picked up the slight tug of his summons and they responded instantly, alerting him to the fact that they were the ones in the room with him – they used their link to notify him that they were alone with him and he opened his eyes.

Naruto could sense the curiosity in their gaze, even with their masked faces as they most likely sensed that Gilgamesh's essence had ceased to exist, and he narrowed his eyes at Skull.

"Speak," Naruto ordered – he was in no mood for games or hidden agendas.

Skull approached and bowed. "I sense that our lord Gilgamesh has faded into the shadow of nothing."

"I'm certain that you'll eventually make your point – what are you trying to say Skull?" Naruto sighed tiredly.

"Our true Master is dead," Skull answered plainly. "But our contract is still in effect."

"I see," Naruto responded. "You want to fade as well, or do you wish to remain in my service?"

Skull croaked out a laugh – it was the first time Naruto had heard one of the [BMD] show any emotion. "King Gilgamesh used our abilities incorrectly – he sought to use us as mere servants. We, the Assassins of the once great nation of Uzu, were delegated to tasks unsuited to our training. Our once feared squadron became thugs to that man – we would not see this occur again."

"And there we are," Naruto hummed. "Do you want to kill me, Skull – is that what you want?"

"Our contract is still in effect," Skull repeated. "We are incapable of slaying our contract holder."

"Then please get to the point, Skull," Naruto sighed again.

"If we must remain in your service, then we ask that you no longer shame us by demeaning our skills," Skull continued. "You once sought to learn our ways; we cannot teach what you are ill-suited to learn, Master."

"And that means what, exactly?" Naruto asked whilst rubbing his head to alleviate the pain he was starting to feel. "Please Skull; you may speak freely if you wish to."

"We are Assassin," Skull intoned – causing a shiver to go down Naruto's spine. "We are not suited to frontline combat. You, Master, are a combat specialist and we remain to shadow you in the dark places of the world. We are Assassin, we are your eyes, we are your ears and we are your hand in this world in which only we can navigate."

Naruto understood. "Very well, you wish to remain in service to your master, but you cannot act as you once did … then as your Master – I order you to spread into your world and listen. You will be my eyes and ears and spy for me – to kill for me. Is this acceptable to you and your ways?"

"We will do as you command, my liege," Skull bowed in respect. "We shall always be a mere whisper away from you – our master. We shall learn and document your enemies and kill those you wish us to kill – so our contract is renewed. We thank you for returning our true purpose to us, Naruto-sama."

Skull and his brethren melted back into the shadows, and left Naruto to ponder his new memories and power. 'I knew that Gilgamesh was holding back on all of his memories, but how did I not know about him hating the Kyuubi? I remember talking to my ex-parents about how he often sought the Kyuubi out to garner wisdom from him, but now I know the whole story.'

'Though he married the Kaguya woman,' Naruto thought. 'He only ever loved one person – a young woman that somehow managed to get under his skin and through his defences. Her name was Enkidu, and she had the ability to materialize her Mana into chains. I guess I know how the first Uzumaki Chakra Users got their Kekkei Genkai.'

His musing was cut short by his hospital door rattling open, there stood a tearful but surprised Sakura Haruno. She looked stunned to see him awake and instantly turned and called to someone from down the hall.

"Naruto-kun is awake," Sakura shouted. "Get Tsunade-sama at once!"

By the time Naruto blinked, Sakura was beside his bedside with a glowing hand. "Please remain still, Naruto-kun – you've been unconscious for almost a month now. Tsunade-sama is on her way, but I will be now performing a scanning jutsu on your body."

The way she said 'your body' made him feel nervous, though the look of scary determination on her face could've added to that nervousness. She took his medical chart and wrote down her findings and took a practised step to her left as Tsunade charged into the room – a truly intimidating look on her face.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Tsunade hissed. "Why do you insist on causing me grief and pain by getting yourself placed in hospital so often?"

Naruto blinked, but couldn't respond as Tsunade continued. "Don't make excuses, Naruto-kun – your family was worried sick about you!"

By family, Naruto knew she wasn't including the Namikaze Family, but he still smiled softly. "I'm truly sorry, Tsunade-kaa-chan."

Tsunade calmed her temper and hugged Naruto. "I'm glad that you're okay, Naruto."

An awkward cough alerted them to the fact that Sakura was still there, and not-so-subtle in eyeing Naruto's exposed skin. At being caught, she didn't even blink in her defence and shrugged. Tsunade grinned and spoke. "By the way, Naruto … thank you for finding me my protégé Sakura. She has the perfect talents I look for, and it was only yesterday, in fact, that she became my official apprentice."

"Did Shizune pass your final test then?" he asked.

"Yes, she passed," Tsunade nodded. "But she wasn't chosen by the Slug Clan."

"I-I see," Naruto replied.

"Don't worry," Tsunade soothed. "Shizune knew she wouldn't be chosen, as she just doesn't have the type of Chakra, nor the requisite capacity or potency to be accepted by the Slug Clan."

Naruto nodded grimly at the news, Summoning Clans could be ruthless in picking summoners – it reminded him to summon a Jackal and speak to their clan. Tsunade scanned him and compared her results with Sakura's and nodded to her new apprentice – showing her the potential flaws in her technique. Whilst Tsunade was distracted, Itachi walked in while pushing a wheelchair with Mikoto in it.

"Kaa-chan!" he exclaimed in shock. "W-What happened – I mean, are you alright?"

Mikoto opened her eyes and smiled at her son, and Naruto gasped as his crimson orbs looked at him. It was then that he snatched a mirror from the side of his bed and looked into his own, now charcoal black eyes.

"It seems that the even your Mana can't overwrite pure Uchiha DNA," Mikoto spoke. "I was shocked when I looked into a mirror to see your eyes looking at me too, Naruto."

Naruto stared at his face with his new eyes. He didn't understand why he had his mother's eyes, but it made him feel oddly complete. He truly looked completely like an Uchiha – at least, if it wasn't for the red and blonde streaks of hair on his fringe. He smiled after getting over his shock and nodded.

"I-It is a shock," Naruto agreed. "B-But I like my new eyes – I feel closer to you now."

At her insistence, Itachi moved her wheelchair closer to the bed so Mikoto could place a gentle hand on Naruto's own. "I'm pleased to know that you feel that way, Sochi."

The group of people spent an hour chatting – mostly catching him up on the events that he'd missed before Naruto was ordered to stay in bed. As everyone turned to leave, Itachi turned to Naruto. "I have been granted leave to train you, Naruto-san. I shall be travelling with you to the Capital when you are able – though you will have to deliver judgement on your sister tomorrow."

Naruto merely sighed as they left and slumped into his bed. "Yumi … I know it was Kyuubi, but I need to render some sort of punishment."

..::..

Naruto grit his teeth as he glared at the Council Chamber's ornate doors. The last time he'd been there, he'd become infused with Gilgamesh. His annoyance promptly disappeared when a brown haired missile collided into him – knocking him to the ground. Naruto blinked as he heard chuckling and sobbing in equal measure, so he turned to see the Fire Daimyo chuckling at his ordeal – but if the Fire Daimyo was here, then that meant that the brown haired sobbing mess was … Haku!

Haku had never felt so scared when Naruto's clone stood quickly and fled their quarters. She followed as quickly as she could, and only arrived to see the clone of her Naruto-kun hastily talking to the Fire Daimyo. Then the clone dispelled and the Fire Daimyo told her what was happening in Konoha. Haku screamed murder and begged the man profusely to allow her to accompany him to the Hidden Village of Konoha.

Never accuse the Fire Daimyo of not having a sense of humour – so he agreed to allow Haku to go with him … even if only to see her reaction to Naruto in person. His laughter was what brought them to their current situation – with Haku squeezing Naruto tightly in relief and fear – fear that he would vanish again, like his clone.

Without Gilgamesh influencing his actions or personality, Naruto was stunned when he found himself slowly rubbing soothing circles on Haku's back. She looked much healthier than the last time he'd seen her, and clean clothes and hair made her look positively angelic, though he was still against having a relationship with anyone at that time, he still couldn't stop the dusting of pink that crossed his cheeks.

"Shhh, Haku-chan," Naruto soothed. "It's all okay, I'm right here."

Haku sobbed a little longer but nodded into his shoulder. "I-I was so scared, Naruto-kun. Y-Your clone vanished and I was all alone without you to keep me c-company."

Naruto didn't respond, instead he just soothed the gentle girl calmly until she calmed down completely. "I have to go into a Council Meeting, Haku-chan. You may observe if you like, but you can also wander around with a clone if you like."

Haku finally dragged her line of sight into Naruto's eyes and gasped. "N-Naruto-kun … your eyes – what happened to your eyes?"

The Fire Daimyo also blinked at the change and glanced at Naruto closer. "I see … that is why Itachi Uchiha will be replacing your mother in the Capital to assist in training you … your eyes look stronger."

"I will explain everything as soon as I can," Naruto promised sincerely. "Let's just say that I'm free from a lot of burdens now."

The Daimyo raised a brow but otherwise nodded. "Very well, I shall let you explain when you are ready, Uzumaki-sama."

Naruto smiled in thanks and looked to a slightly flushed Haku – who was still staring at his new eyes. Naruto sighed and created a Shadow Clone – startling himself at the ease in which he did so – it was as if he was no longer fighting to control his Mana – it just obeyed.

"Please take Haku-chan to get some fresh air," Naruto ordered the clone. "Take her to get something to eat as well; I'm guessing that she hasn't eaten all day."

The Clone nodded and gently led Haku away – and judging from how she held desperately on his clone's arm – she was still shaken up. Meanwhile the Fire Daimyo just looked at Naruto with an odd expression on his face, before walking to the entrance to the Council Chambers.

"Ready, Uzumaki-sama?" the man questioned.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Naruto replied with a tired expression on his face.

They opened the doors together and walked calmly into the Council Chambers. This time, the Council didn't curse nor spit in Naruto's direction and Naruto knew it had little to do with the Fire Daimyo's presence beside him. Several of the Council Members were looking curiously at him – as if trying to discern some great mystery from his appearance … it unnerved Naruto.

"It's the stories from the Imperial City," the Fire Daimyo whispered to him. "They've reached Konoha and your actions in the Uchiha Massacre has likely fuelled their journey. There were some that are privy to the report on what happened at the Hospital – so they likely know that their assumptions of you are wrong … so they are trying to – "

"They're trying to see how they can get in my good graces," Naruto finished – earning him a subtle nod.

"L-Lord Daimyo," Koharu stuttered. "We were not aware that you'd be in attendance this day."

"Uzumaki-sama is my guest and under my tutelage," the Fire Daimyo retorted. "I was concerned at how this governing body would treat my guest, as this body has proven to have mistreated him in the past."

"M-My lord, w-we would never," replied a Council Member from the Civilian side.

"And now you have attempted to deceive me," the Fire Daimyo growled. "I am well aware of what has happened to Naruto-sama in this village, and I am not amused in the slightest."

The man shrunk under the Fire Daimyo's gaze and went silent. Homura sighed at the man and glanced at Koharu. They both nodded in perfect sync and stood.

"As Hokage-sama's child Yumi Uzumaki-Namikaze is the one being sentenced this day," Homura started, whilst Koharu finished with: "He has not been allowed to cast a vote, but is here to defend her actions."

"Furthermore, any punishment or statement during this time cannot be used outside this sentencing, lest the guilty parties be relieved of their positions … so this sentencing has begun," Homura ended.

"They're like twins," Naruto muttered to the Daimyo, who chuckled. "Yes, when they were younger, everyone thought they were mind readers."

Naruto grinned at the Daimyo, but straightened himself as everyone looked to him. He followed protocol and seated himself at the chair that the judge would sit and looked across to his ex-parents.

"You may begin your defence, Namikaze-sama," Naruto intoned officially.

What occurred for the next four hours was witness reports, official reports, reports on damages, and so on and so forth. Naruto had to constantly silence the Civilian Council to continue with the proceedings. He was surprised that the damages cost so little, but he had been pondering the right course of action since Itachi had let it slip the day prior.

"Enough," Naruto ordered over the noise – silencing the room. "I have heard enough and we are drifting off topic. You have been repeating the very same data for the last hour, and it is wearing my patience thin."

"Therefore, I have decided on your punishment, Yumi Uzumaki-Namikaze," Naruto spoke loudly.

"I, Uzumaki Naruto: King of Uzu, do hereby strip you of your status as an Uzumaki," Naruto ordered – causing gasps to sound throughout the room. "What dowry you would have received from the Uzumaki Clan will be used to pay for the damages, and your name is no longer Uzumaki – you are now Yumi Namikaze in name only."

Naruto sipped at some water and continued. "Furthermore, I have decided that since Kushina Namikaze has relinquished her Uzumaki Name, she too shall be stripped of her Clan name, but as she followed protocol, she may be granted any dowry that she has not received."

"Minato Namikaze," Naruto continued. "From this moment forward, you are solely responsible for their fate, as the Uzumaki Clan no longer recognises them as Clan Members. If you understand these rulings, then acknowledge."

"I-I acknowledge your ruling, Uzumaki-sama," Minato responded, whilst Kushina and Yumi were frozen in shock. "May I petition you for continued access to the Uzumaki Fūinjutsu Archives?"

"You may," Naruto replied. "I shall grant limited access if it is appropriate. I will not suffer my Clan's Sacred Fūinjutsu to be known by those not aligned to the Uzumaki's interests."

Minato sighed – limited access was better than no access. "And may I ask what will become of the Land that the Namikaze Family has been using?"

Naruto blinked. "Consider it a gift then, for your years of friendship to the current King of Uzu."

Minato winced at the hidden jab – Friendship and not Family. "Thank you, my Lord Uzumaki."

"Then if there are no other proceedings or petitions?" Naruto enquired – but the room remained silent.

"Then my ruling is complete," Naruto stood. "Good day, Council Members."

..::..

Kushina carefully approached Naruto's seated form. They were on the roof of the Hokage Building, looking out over Konoha.

"Why did you banish us?" Kushina finally asked.

"I gave you freedom," Naruto retorted – surprising Kushina, and Yumi, who was eavesdropping. "If you and Yumi had remained in the Uzumaki Clan for my punishment then my hands would have been tied, Namikaze-san."

"B-But," Kushina started, only to be silenced by Naruto's hand.

"You really don't get it, do you?" Naruto sighed. "If you and she had remained in the Uzumaki Clan, then I would have had to order her execution for treason!"

Yumi gasped and Kushina blinked tears, but Naruto continued. "All of you are guilty in my suffering, but I will not have Yumi's death on my soul. Despite your behaviour and indifference to me, I will not be the reason for my sister's death."

"N-Naruto-nii-chan," Yumi whispered sadly.

"The dowry she would have received is a small price to pay; in comparison to your dowry that you never accessed since you were Steward. Her dowry can pay for the Hospital repairs tenfold, and Tsunade-kaa-chan gets her extra funding as well."

"And with this mercy," Naruto stood and levelled a glare at Kushina. "I will simply say good day – we have no need to address each other unless we must from this moment onwards … farewell Namikaze Kushina."

And with that Naruto turned and hopped off of the roof and calmly walked away – he wanted to see if Haku was feeling better.

..::..

There we go – all finished for the latest chapter. Hopefully I did the previous chapters justice, and I hope I haven't done irreparable damage to the story. I can't seem to access my reviews still, so please forgive me for not replying to any PMs or reviews. I promise to get to them once I get access back.

Other than that … it was either what happened in this chapter – or a complete rewrite. Either way, I wasn't happy with how the story was heading … so please tell me what you thought.

..::..

AS ALWAYS: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!

..::..

\^o^/