And here we are with the newest installment of Haiburiddo Shinobi!

First I am sorry it took so long, just really fought me on this with trying to get the right stuff here. Fair warning, this is an exposition chapter mostly to set some foundations for the lore of this world and for how the story will progress.

You have been notified.

Still I hope it'll be worth the read for at least some of y'all.

Buuuuuuuuuuut I don't have anything to add up here so for now I'll just say On With the Chapter!

Chapter Three: Preparing for the Future.

Hiruzen could not help but consider the study of opposites that was presented at this moment. Two women stood before his desk at the answering of his summons.

Tsume Inuzuka stood with arms crossed, a cocked hip and feral grin. The wild woman sported an equally wild mane of rich brown hair cut so none of it reached her shoulders, instead arching out as if she had just stepped out of bed. The twin fang marks that were a staple of her clan were proudly displayed on her cheeks while her trim frame was clothed in what had become the usual jounin attire of dark blue shirt and pants combined with a dark green flak jacket, though her arms were left bare to show the toned muscles of someone who trained constantly. Though the fur marking its collar was a little flair almost all in the Inuzuka clan tended to use.

Next to her stood a woman whose graduation to chunin was fairly recent, yet she was already making a name for herself in certain circles. Long hair dark as ebony tumbled down to mid-back, eyes that seemed to almost glow with the bright red of their iris cautiously matching his own curious gaze. She was dressed in that style she had come to favor, a dress made of long strips of fabric to appear simply wrapped around herself like bandages and embroidered thorns standing out against the pale white of the material. The décolletage of her dress would have given a nice glimpse at what lay beneath for the elder shinobi if not for the armored mesh shirt worn underneath, a red sleeve attached to the right arm of said shirt covered down just past the hand of that arm.

One wild, the other the picture of elegance. One a veteran jonin, the other a chunin for only a few months. One relished in the physical combat, the other chose genjutsu and misdirection as her modus operandi. Yes, as he leaned forward to place elbows on his desk, linking hands before his face he thought that an apt description. 'A study of opposites if one were to only consider the aesthetics. But I know quite a bit more than that.'

Both were incredibly beautiful, if in their own way. But they were fiercely loyal to the village, as their families had always been. 'And it's those same families that are the reason they can both provide aid now.' Unfortunately, he could not keep them standing there as time waits for no man and business needed done. Thus he breathed deeply, centered his thoughts and began what was guaranteed to be an interesting conversation.

"Thank you both for coming. I realize the message was lacking in terms of details. However it was necessary in order to preserve the nature of our meeting."

"That's kinda normal given shinobi business Hokage-sama," Tsume quipped, cocking a hip and placing a hand on it. "Just tell us what's going on already."

The elder nodded. "The matter I must bring up regards agreements made many years ago. For the Inuzuka Clan, this agreement was made between it and the Senju long before the founding of Konoha." The clan head tensed, eyes widening. "For you Kurenai, it was an agreement made with your grandmother when she sought asylum after certain events caused her family's home to be uninhabitable." It was the red-eyed woman's turn to become uneasy, those very eyes darting to meet those of her fellow female.

Before they could move to respond there was a knock on the door. At Hiruzen's order to enter the women forced themselves to relax once again. The door opened just far enough for Raido to stick his head through, the guard sparing both women but a glance before focusing on his leader. "I've done as instructed Hokage-sama," he informed. "All valuables are sealed in a scroll kept on his person. His house plants, however, we decided to just bring the window box he was keeping them in."

"A good decision, sealing has always been problematic with plants that haven't been picked. Wait a moment before sending him in, this meeting involves him but I need to settle a few things first."

The stoic man nodded and drew back, but the closing door wafted some of the air in the room beyond into the office, the air that carried scents of those in said room. A sudden growl pulled all attention from said doorway to the large hound at the Inuzuka matriarch's side. The ninken had crouched low, hackles rising as his one good eye glared at the door and the room beyond. Hiruzen's eyes widened and he cursed while Tsume frowned at her partner.

"Kuromaru what the hell's got you so riled?"

"Predator," was the one-word reply. The Inuzuka's frown deepened and curiosity got the better of her before the Hokage could order her to stop or even explain she took a hefty sniff. She immediately tenses, her shoulders hunching and her stance turning combative. Feet moved to shoulder width while her knees bent prepared to spring forward or back depending on the need while her clawed fingers curled ready to strike. It was when he saw Kurenai beginning to take a more combative stance in reaction to the other two that the man in the room managed to get ahold of himself.

"That will do," and the pressure of Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention fell like a ton of bricks onto the shoulders of the kunoichi standing before him. There was an immediate shift from them, Tsume and Kuromaru tilted their heads down in a sign of submission ingrained into them while the younger Kurenai's hands went slack, dropping the kunai she had drawn, and her red eyes had gone wide as she stared at her commander. "Good," he relaxed his intent with a sigh. He'd been forced to do this more often lately, had things deteriorated so much that he had to use force of will just to get things done? He shook it off, it was just one of the reasons he had so many things planned after all, best not to dwell on it now.

"What you two smelled is the cause of this meeting, but before we continue I will state right now that what you are about to hear I have given the Priority Level of Biju and should you breach the trust given it will end in the death of you and whoever you told."

Both women flinched at that statement. Priority Level referred to the affect information can have on the populace of the village or even the country. Civilian, Genin, Chunin, Jonin, Anbu, Kage and finally…Biju. The only information usually worthy of this last label was the identity of a Biju host or location of an actual beast should they not be sealed at the time. Biju were the most powerful natural beings known to man, and though there existed some individuals capable of fighting such a creature there were not enough to make the practice an easy one. Such beasts could affect entire countries should they choose to go on a rampage. One of the only other secrets given the designation of Biju Priority was one both women were, due to circumstances, aware of.

"Unfortunately, I am going to ask for the permission to reveal to each of you the Biju Level information you both hold. The reasons will be explained shortly afterward, and I swear on my status as Hokage and the Sage title I was awarded by King Enma and the elders of the tribe I am contracted to that it is of the utmost importance.

Silence hung between them, Hiruzen's expression showing only his solemn and complete belief in the statement he had just made while the women and ninken searched it for any sign of deceit. Then they looked at each other, wild black and blood red silently asking for answers, though the suspicion buried within also spoke to their intelligence since they had no doubt begun to guess what he was talking about.

It was Tsume who broke the silence first, sighing as she crossed her arms again and glared at the man who earned her loyalty long ago. "Very well," she said. "The Inuzuka Clan grants permission to disclose our history."

"Then the Yuhi family also grants permission to discuss the terms of our sanctuary," Kurenai followed the veteran's lead, nodding to the Hokage even if her expression was one of unease.

He gave them both a grateful smile before returning to his stern expression. "Then in that case, we must bring in the final member to be attending this meeting." He reached to the intercom on his desk and pressed the call button. "Send him in please."

A moment later the door opened and both Inuzukas had to fight their bristling instincts as Naruto Uzumaki stepped through. All shinobi in the village older than the graduating class knew about the infamous reigning prankster prince of Konohagakure. Host to the most powerful of Biju, a bundle of energy who forced the world to see him clad in bright orange while pulling off acts of vandalism that made him a nightmare for cleaning crews.

Many a young member of both the Inuzuka and Aburame clans had been tasked with hunting the boy after one of his escapades, treating it as a kind of D-Rank mission on the level of catching Tora, the runaway cat of the Daimyo's wife. Though if a poll were to be taken most of them would prefer tracking the demon cat instead. A cat doesn't know how to use chilli powder, itching powder, various types of glue and other traps...some of them actually needed counselling after one particular hunt forced the stoic insect users into a cloud of laughing gas. Apparently the sight of the group laughing like civilians in a comedy club was considered a sign of the apocalypse.

Naruto's scent, like every person, was unique to himself. A scent Tsume was familiar with, given she knew another with a similar one while growing up. A constant aroma of ramen mixed with the smell of a deep forest and a fox's den. But that scent was now mixed with something else, a smell that speared into her senses, past her mind to the instincts built into her subconscious. She was an Alpha, in the presence of an adolescent apex. The smell was new and yet spoke of old memories at the same time, a musk that was mixed with the last traces of bloodshed and the bland shampoo the hospital offered their guests.

Both women noted his change in height, where before the crown of his head didn't even reach their waists it was now level with their shoulders. He was also dressed in a simple pair of dark green sweatpants and a short-sleeved shirt with the sandals worn by most shinobi and students of the academy. The wild mane his now-red-highlighted hair grew into was pulled back and bound with a strip of cloth that looked like it had formerly served as a sleeve in the recent past.

As the kunoichi and ninken observed these changes the boy's own bright blue gaze darted over all of them in turn. The distrust was palpable like its own miasma around him and Tsume couldn't help but compare him to a cornered animal searching for possible escape routes. Still, none of them said a word and so he turned to face the Hokage who had chosen to take this all in before making any move. He gave a nod to the blonde then, waving with one hand as an invitation to stand off to the side of his desk which he obeyed quickly.

"Thirteen minutes after midnight a kunoichi that was part of the delegation from Kumogakure was brought into our hospital by a team of Anbu. After some time she regained consciousness, reporting an attack on herself by masked individuals." The lack of segue and abrupt shifting back into business snapped all attention from Naruto back to Hiruzen. "The report was passed to an investigation team who collaborated the story and both the Raikage and myself were notified. An Anbu specialized in tracking was assigned to investigate further and discovered a trail leading out of the village into the forest where Naruto was found unconscious with traces of blood on his person and looking to have advanced in age slightly as you see now.

"After a quick check for any wounds requiring immediate attention and finding none, the operative transported Naruto to the hospital where I waited with the Raikage until he regained consciousness." He paused there, trying hard not to glance at the boy he saw almost like an unofficial second grandson. "Once he did it was revealed that he had made mental contact with the Kyuubi...and that the entity in question had asked him to pass on a desire to speak with me."

Naruto hadn't moved, his hands at his sides as he stared straight ahead, never daring to meet the glances he knew shot his way at the mention of the fox. Instead, he kept his eyes riveted on the windows wrapping around one side of the office and the woman gardening on the rooftop a few buildings over. He had noticed his eyesight was enhanced a great deal, he was actually able to see the slight breeze ruffling her sundress and the flowers she was caring for.

"I was intrigued, of course," Hiruzen continued. "To my knowledge there has never been any kind of communication with one of these entities, merely violent conflict, so to have a chance to do so was something I couldn't just refuse out of turn. With the help of a member of the Yamanaka Clan I was able to have that meeting. What I learned was...intriguing. I will leave the details out but what is pertinent to this conversation, and the reason behind your presence, is that in an act of self preservation the Kyuubi used his power to engineer a strain of genetics in the form of a virus that has gifted Naruto with a new bloodline."

Both women gasped, breaking the discipline they had tried to show up until that moment. New bloodlines were always sought after by shinobi. A chance to improve either fighting strength or standing in the world was a great opportunity. Not to mention existing families could observe such and wonder at the compatibility of their own abilities carried by blood and experience. They looked to Naruto, staring openly now as they tried to somehow deduce what it might be, and why they would be here...there eyes shot back to their commander who met the silent question with a nod.

"Naruto, do you think you could use it?"

The shinobi-to-be frowned and shrugged. "I'm not sure," he said. "I haven't really talked much with him and I've got no idea how it works."

"Knowing the self preservation angle his thoughts were taking it makes sense to believe it was set to have a trigger easy enough to use...maybe he gave it a connection to your chakra? Try focusing on the flow like the leaf exercise and see if anything feels different."

Not having any better ideas to work from, Naruto did as instructed. He closed his eyes and mentally reached for his chakra. Training with the leaf exercise had made it easier to feel the chakra, flowing like a wild river throughout his body. His short venture into gaining control of this energy had increased his sensitivity a mild amount, but influencing it was still difficult. He tried using it like the leaf exercise, pushing to the surface of his skin at points along his torso and even his forehead only to feel nothing changing. When several minutes had gone by he began to feel desperate and without thinking sent a plea in the back of his mind, hoping it would be heard.

...

…

'Pulse it all out, like you are trying to make it grow beyond your skin at all points. And brace yourself.'

Relief flooded him in that moment, followed by his chakra swelling like a rising tide. From the canals formed naturally to allow for the flow, his chakra grew like a river in the rainy season to first fill his muscles, spilling into the bones and then with nowhere else to go it moved outward. As they moved, new systems built into his genetics flared and activated. Bones began to elongate, muscles tripled in size, and joints shifted to accommodate the new mass.

For the observers the change was incredible to witness, yet also disturbing. The first they knew of something happening was Naruto grunting as if he'd been punched. His torso leaned forward as if curling around the invisible fist pushing into his abdomen, but then came the sound of cracking. Humans and hound watched transfixed as his shoulders began to widen, his arms visibly growing in length and width, and he began to grow taller. The clothes given to him by the hospital strained to confine this new mass but it quickly proved futile and the macabre symphony of bone and muscle gained the accompaniment of tearing fabric.

The shirt ripped in several places, its fabric barely managing to hold enough shape to continue clinging to his body. The legs of his sweatpants became ragged, quickly reduced to a pair of shorts barely long enough to reach the mid-thigh region. They had a moment to watch as his skin rippled, an effect of the muscles underneath changing and rearranging, before russet fur sprouted to cover it. A faint dusting of peach-fuzz length hair turned into a thick fur coat in moments. Then the bones in his face began to shift. His faw lengthened, nose and mouth fuzeing into a muzzle, but unlike the wider wolf this one seemed a bit thinner, and his ears which had shifted to rest higher on his head seemed a might wider than one would expect on a wolf's head. The final act was the wings and tail, the flesh along the inner edge of his shoulder blades and at the base of his spine swelled and burst with a faint spray of blood as the new appendages took form, scattering the remains of his shirt and leaving the new beast's transformation complete.

For a time after things finished the only sound in the office was the heavy breathing of the hybrid. He remained bent forward, pulling great heaves of air into his lungs, trying to center himself after such a dramatic shift. When he felt capable of focussing back on the world around him, Naruto straightened his spine and took stock of himself. He felt...powerful. Muscles loaded with unbelievable energy he felt like he could sprint for hours without rest, leap higher and farther than ever before, and rip trees from the ground with but a flex of the arms he now possessed.

"Naruto." Deep blue eyes turned slitted pupils onto the speaker to find Hiruzen staring at him with a stern expression. "I can tell how much of a change this must be, but you can't lose yourself to excitement right now." That stern look grew harsher when a growl involuntarily rumbled in the back of the boy-turned-beast's throat. Suddenly he was in front of the taller student, hands clasped behind his back and staring up into those blue orbs with his own black unflinching. A brief contest of wills followed, cold experience meeting the heat of newborn feral instinct and studied stubbornness...and Naruto bowed his head, his ears flattening against his skull in a show of surrender.

"Something we will address later," the Hokage declared and then turned his back on the wolf-man to once again take up the conversation. "The most obvious source you can most likely guess is that of the werewolf. But what is less obvious are the sources I believe Naruto will have greater access to in his human form, given that the feral mind of the wolf form will draw a lot of his attention at the time. The Kyuubi has done something beyond belief, and managed to recreate and then merge the genetic coding of the werewolf, vampire and incubus to create what you see here."

They cut an impressive picture for the women. Hiruzen was never the tallest of men but that had never mattered in the battles he fought, nor did it matter here. The man was standing straight, hands behind his back and expression serious as the coat and hat of his office added a bit of extra flare...while a six-foot wolfman with wings big enough to fit a gargoyle watched them from over said hat. The Hokage looked over his shoulder to address his surrogate grandson again. "Do you think you can shift back? Perhaps doing the opposite of whatever you used to trigger the change?"

Naruto shrugged, not yet sure if he could talk in this form, and concentrated on his chakra again. It did more than flow through him now, it was more like he was a vessel for a great lake now, his body positively brimming with force just waiting to be unleashed. Grinding his teeth and screwing his eyes tight he forced his will into the chakra, picturing the normal pathways they had followed and changing them to dark, deep trenches in his mind's eye. These trenches were thirsty and soon began drawing in the power, and as the levels shrank so too did his body.

Once again the others in the office stared transfixed. The rust-colored fur began to fall, shed in even less time than it took to grow to form a small carpet at the boy's feet. Muscles that had only a brief time to feel their new strength coiled back on themselves like a multitude of serpents winding back preparing for the next time they needed to lash out. Bones and joints shifted and withdrew, returning him to his new height. Naruto was back, stumbling slightly with an unfocused expression and Hiruzen quickly stepped up to catch him before he could tumble to the floor. "Easy my boy," he comforted the blonde who now clutched to him like a lifeline. "Easy does it, catch your breath and get your bearings. You can sit for this next part." He looked to the others. "In fact, perhaps we should all sit. Follow me."

He began to guide Naruto and the others to the far wall where he placed a palm against the seemingly normal wooden panels. There was a flare of chakra and a small line of kanji appeared only to fade before anyone could read it. The wood groaned as if waking from some old slumber before a seam opened at the point where his palm had rested. In seconds what had seemed like an ordinary wall now sported an open door which he lead the others through.

The room on the other side was a combination of a bedroom and lounge. Four large, plush sofas surrounded a wooden coffee table while a king-sized bed rested in the far corner. There were no windows but a bulb set into the ceiling provided ample light. He guided Naruto to sit in one of those sofas, waving his other guests to another while he claimed a third across from the women for himself after closing the door.

"Very few know of this room," he informed his small audience. "I would prefer to keep it that way." He gave them a moment to nod before moving on. "Now, we come to the subject I was discussing with you both before Naruto arrived. I am assigning you both a task. The training and oversight of Naruto Uzumaki in the use of his new skills. Am I understood?"

They nodded, now more sure than ever in why they were called here.

"Good, then I will now explain to Naruto and both of you the reasons behind why I think you are perfect for this role. With your permission Tsume, I will first begin by explaining the origin of the Inuzuka Clan." The matriarch nodded and the old man continued. "As you both are aware, there exists a great many species the general public only believe to exist within the bounds of fairy tales and legends. What you also know is that this belief has been cultivated over many generations and only a select few are aware of the truth, those holding the position of Kage being counted among the privileged few.

"Another piece of history that is common knowledge even at the civilian level is the founding of our home, the first shinobi village. The village was founded by two clans during the Warring States Era who had been bitter enemies for what seemed like forever. The Senju, headed by Hashirama, and the Uchiha with Madara as its leader. With permission sought and granted from the Daimyo they established Konohagakure, inviting other shinobi clans they had been allied with in the past to gather beneath their banner. The Inuzuka are one such clan."

He paused here and looked to Tsume. It was an invitation to take the helm, in a manner of speaking, and she nodded. "The common story our clan passes on to the majority of our own and the village at large is that we were once a family of hunters," she began to explain. "We learned the ways of chakra and began to use it for our own purposes, mostly geared toward the hunt. Increasing our smell and hearing to better track the prey, strengthening our muscles to run our targets down. The story goes that we began sharing our chakra with our hounds, helping them grow stronger, live longer and become even more intelligent while we took on traits from them in turn." She paused, a hand falling to Kuromaru's head as if seeking solace in his company. The ninken leaned into the contact, quietly reassuring her of his presence and trust.

"The true past, however, is a bit…different. Our family is one of the oldest lines descended from the ancient werewolves." She watched Kurenai's expression as she dropped this bomb, watching the surprise she expected in her dropped jaw and widened eyes. There was even a hint of almost instinctual fear before it was quickly replaced with understanding. "When humans began to spread so prolifically and the introduction of chakra and all its uses our clan saw the writing on the wall as it were and chose to adapt. We remained in our human forms, passing on the transformations as nothing but a technique we developed with our hounds. Though even they were special, having the blood of dire wolves in their veins. Over time we interbred with humans, diluting our bloodline over the centuries until we become what you see now. Humans with above average strength, senses and bonds with our ninken. We became one of the greatest tracking clans in the era, great guides and hunters for armies and the like."

"And they have been a great asset to the village since joining," Hiruzen cut in. "Now the next bit of information to share is one I have experience with. After all, it was my predecessor who made the first agreement with your grandmother, Kurenai."

The raven-haired chunin shifted uncomfortably, but nodded her assent for the man to continue.

"There are a few hidden settlements of the supernatural variety all over the continent," he explained. "I can't speak for the other hidden villages but Hashirama and Tobirama-sensei made a practice of forging friendships with those in our country. One of them was an enclave of Succubi and Incubi that hid there...feedings in various manners. However, during the last war there was combat that spilled over into their homes and many lives were lost. We offered the survivors, one of whom happened to be Kurenai's grandmother, sanctuary after we learned of the events. Most of them chose to act as a singular clan, but a few chose to remain independent. Kurenai's grandmother was one of these and I think she would be a perfect instructor for you abilities Naruto."

The others turned to Kurenai, who met their questioning gazes with a soft smile. Her audience noticed a shimmer about her waist and before their eyes the air seemed to melt and shift, seeming to wash off leathery skin suddenly appearing before them. The skin flexed and unfurled into a pair of wings twice the length of her arms and resembling a bat's in form. Next to reveal itself was a smooth tail, long, sinuous and tipped with flat barb in the shape of an arrowhead. "It helps to keep a little distance when we don't resemble each other," she explained before turning to Hiruzen. "Although I will have to report this to the clan. While I may not carry the name I share the same heritage."

He frowned. "I will address the clan's head myself," he said. "I need to explain my reasoning to him about not coming to the clan anyhow so this will be two birds with one kunai as it were." He leaned back, giving a sigh as he sank further into the sofa's plush cushions. "Still, with all the exposition done and allowing us a basic understanding of the situation...we can move on to the next order of business. Do I have the agreement of you both to provide instruction to Naruto on the manner of harnessing his new abilities?"

The kunoichi looked to Naruto. The boy met their gazes with his own and they could see plain as day the unease he was feeling. It was understandable given past experience that he would be expecting a refusal. They looked to each other, both asking the question and finding their own answers reflected back. As one they looked back to their leader, a man who earned their respect long ago, and spoke their answer. "We accept the task Hokage-sama."

"Excellent," he clapped his hands together, a sharp sound that rang in the room with a sense of finality. "Then I'll be needing to know who you plan to assign the task Tsume by tonight Tsume." At her questioning frown he chuckled. "Come now, did you think I would let you get out of your matriarch duties just for this?"

Her eyes widened, as if just realizing that sort of possibilities...and then she cursed. "Damnit old man, couldn't you have let me dream for just a moment?"

He laughed, a hearty laugh instead of some controlled chuckle, even slapping his knee. "If I have to deal with the council and my paperwork there isn't a chance I'm letting you get away from it girl." The atmosphere of the room lightened almost instantly and he managed to compose himself somewhat. "I do want you to be able to teach him and check on his progress occasionally but you're going to have to assign someone to handle the times you can't devote your full attention."

"Where will Naruto be staying for the duration of his teachings?" Kurenai interjected.

"I haven't decided yet," was the reply. "My first impulse was to question if he could stay with the Inuzuka's but we must consider the perception that will give the clueless masses. Unfortunately politics still must play a role and someone with Naruto's known potential power could be seen as me playing favorites if I allow such a thing."

"It would need to be somewhere we can teach him to hunt," Tsume instructed, folding her arms and adopting her own thoughtful expression as she turned to Naruto. "Your brain is now hardwired with a lot of feral instinct if your furry friend did his little experiment like it sounds he did. Meaning we're going to need to teach you how to stalk and take your prey." She looked to Kurenai who moved to provide her own input.

"Definitely should be a place that can get you away from people if we need to. Your feeding instincts aren't just going to be for meat, but most likely blood and sexual energy from your other sources. Assimilating you to these new urges in a safe environment will be a high priority."

"That rules out suggesting the tower in the Forty-Fourth Training Ground then," Hiruzen grumbled.

"It's not like we can't come up with another place for the exams sir," Tsume cut in before he could suggest something else. "We've got a few options for that still, not to mention the original test grounds."

Kurenai felt her natural curiosity rising at that little tidbit but shook it off. "It'll break poor Anko's heart not to share her playground with the genin but needs must and all that."

"The problem is if you end up letting Naruto create an actual clan would they be given the training ground altogether? If so the tower could be a great starting point for them, the little arena makes a good training ground, there's an office for the Hokage that can become the head's personal study, medical facilities, a large kitchen and dining hall, rooms for him and his teachers to stay in."

Hiruzen was nodding, they were good arguments. Plus, a little voice in the back of his mind threw in, it has been some time since we changed up the exams...wouldn't want your forces getting complacent now would we? He smiled. "Very well, I'll prepare orders to clear out the tower and turn the ground into a protected area."

"What story will you give the shinobi?"

"Years of shinobi taking the exams have led to a population issue of the natural inhabitants," he spun off the top of his head. "The area is restricted to a certain list of personnel to monitor the ecosystem until such time as I decide it suitable for use again." They looked to him with wide eyes and his smirk widened. "I am called the Professor for a reason. So, Naruto you will be staying here for tonight. By tomorrow morning the preparations should be finished and you will have a new home. Is that clear?"

Naruto nodded, but then a thought occurred and he found himself asking a new question. "Am I living alone in this place?"

"Of course not," Kurenai was quick to interject. "Even with that hybrid form you'd die pretty quickly without training in that forest. Anko practically lives there anyway and if I'm teaching you I'll be moving into the tower so we have better access to each other."

"Same with who I'm assigning to teach you as well," Tsume threw her two cents in the pot. "I've a good idea who that should be already but I'll have to talk to her about it."

"Her?" Kurenai repeated, one eyebrow rising.

"Well I don't think little Naruto here is inclined toward his own gender given that anti-pervert technique he's so proud of," the matriarch quipped. "And from what I know of him he could be a good match." She didn't elaborate, but Hiruzen knew where some of that reasoning came from and nodded.

"Well there's plenty to do still, preparations and such. I have no further business for now, Naruto you should get changed and get some rest. I'll have some food delivered soon. Ladies?"

They both shared a nod with the boy before leaving with the Hokage. Naruto watched them leave, still a bit lost with how fast everything moved all of a sudden. He pinched his nose, attempting to stave off the headache the transformation had left behind compacted with just all the emotional baggage this day had dumped onto him.

'Life is like that boy,' the Kyuubi declared from deep in his mind, startling him with its rumbling voice. With the voice came a warm, uncomfortably so, sensation at the back of his skull. 'Stop complaining about it.'

'Oh? And I guess you just instantly accepted being locked in my gut big guy.' He shifted, rubbing a hand against his head as if trying to grab at the heat, it was like he had a fire burning right behind him just close enough to feel the heat but not enough to actually catch his hair on fire. Frankly it was making his headache worse and thus his irritation more pronounced.

'Watch yourself,' that voice took a threatening timbre. 'I only provided the changes to protect myself, I care not for you and could just as easily withdraw my further aid.'

'What are you talking about?'

'You haven't felt the need to feed yet have you? Have you just not realized this whole time?'

His brow furrowed. 'Feed? But I ate this morning what are you talking about?'

'Not just food you ingrate! I'm talking about your vampiric and incubus needs, blood and energy!'

'Seriously!? You're bringing that up now!?'

'Of course I am, if I don't make sure your empty little head has all the facts it will just get us both killed sooner!'

'Then just tell me what you want and let me think in peace already.'

'Hmph and you were thanking me just a short while ago. I see the gratitude of you humans is as quick to run out as ever. Fine then, I am supplying you with chakra to slake the needs of your instincts. You have until the preparations for your new den are complete and then I will stop doing so. I have no intention of wasting my chakra on someone undeserving as a human further than is necessary. You have all the tools you will need to survive, learn to use them.'

He felt the heat drawing itself back, and with it he could tell the fox had withdrawn now that his piece was said. "Yeah...I'm going to bed screw this crap for right now." When Hiruzen returned a few hours later it was to find Naruto having fallen asleep in the bed, the book that started it all open and having fallen after he'd managed to drift off. With a kind smile he set the delivery box from Ichiraku on the coffee table and approached his sleeping grandson.

Gentle as he could manage he extracted the book, straightening the few bent pages from the short fall and laying it on the nightstand. "I have no idea just how much the world intends to drop on your shoulders my boy," he whispered while pulling the blanket up to cover him. "But I promise you this, as long as I have the strength in my body to do this job I will do everything I can to make sure you'll be strong enough to face it."

He turned to leave, flicking the lights off and pausing in the door to glance at the sleeping boy one last time. "I owe that much to you, Minato and Kushina at least."

Back at his desk he took up his pen and went over the document he had been crafting since that meeting was finished. "Konoha Academy Curriculum Reformation," it proudly declared as its header. "I also owe it to the village to give it the best chance to grow," he added. He had already made changes for the length of education, now he just needed to see what classes required...fine tuning. It would be a long night for Hiruzen, one of several in the next week as his plans began coming together. He would call it all worth it, something his future self in years to come would look back and agree on.

XXXXX-And Cut-XXXXX

And that's another chapter y'all...finally!

I struggled with this one I'm gonna be honest. How much to reveal, should I keep the Forest of Death like I planned for the original, the idea of Kurenai as a succubus and whether to go with that or not. There was a lot of tossing around in my head about this one.

I'm trying to expand on the lore a bit and make the world a little of my own. Well, our own I should probably say since the organization of thoughts that allow me to do this probably wouldn't be possible without the help of my fellow lunatic Kamen Rider Arashi. Many thanks to him.

But we are a step closer to normal events, I think maybe one or two chapters getting everything set.

I pose this question to all readers...do you want to see some of the training or should I timeskip to the 'canon era' to get things started and have flashbacks to lessons?

I've had ideas for either scenario but I just want opinions of the readers to see what the most optimal choice would be so don't hold back on the feedback.

Be sure to tell me what you think, what was good, what needed improving, just overall. I hope you enjoyed and good luck on your own endeavors.

Until next time this is Yurei King signing off!