New AN:
Alright, here it is, Chapter I, completely re-written.
Original AN
I've always wanted to do a typical "Naruto leaves Konoha and returns after a while" fanfic. And here it is. Although I really have to stop thinking of story ideas, or I'll never get them all finished.
Chapter I: Dealings With Death
The world is yet again, changing. A long forgotten power was awoken. And with power, comes great danger. The world lies on the brink of death and devastation. And few know this. For things that should have been remembered were forgotten. And things that that should have been protected were lost.
Some of us believe in fate and destiny, that our lives are ruled out for us.
The man who is at the centrefold of this intricate web of destruction does not believe so.
These events began many years ago, in the Land of Fire. The Kyuubi no Yoko was sealed into the body of a newborn, preventing its rampage, at the cost of the Yondaime Hokage's life. Yet few villagers heeded his words, and the boy was feared, and hated.
Creating bonds with people had kept him sane. It was when one of those he was closest to, attempted to snap that bond. And he lost his mind. And the village seized this chance, and had him tried under charges of failure, abandoning teammates, and of course, clearly incapable of holding back the powerful demon, and was sentenced to execution.
The sky was darkened, surprising for midday. Thunder rumbled angrily, and rain fell indignantly, as if the skies themselves were screaming out at this injustice.
And as for the boy, or Naruto's other bonds? They had not even attempted to help him. Naruto sat silently in his cell, awaiting the guards who would take him for his execution.
"What a waste," commented the voice of the leader of the "disbanded" Root forces. Danzo. "You could have made such a fine weapon of the Leaf."
Naruto was silent.
"I could save your life, did you know? Simply pledge your power, and take my hand, and join me."
Naruto was silent.
"I gave you a chance," sneered Danzo, before he left.
Heavy drums sounded, and Naruto knew. His time had come.
The executioners lead him to the scaffold, and the crowd roared in anticipation, lusting for blood. Any foreign onlooker would not have seen the boy as the demon, yet the people, who seemed to be a creature of many bodies, and their individual faces could not be seen, all loud, mad.
The executioner began to taunt Naruto on the scaffold, yet Naruto was unresponsive. Finally, he gave up, ready to perform his task.
"Any last words, demon brat?" sneered the executioner.
Yet again, Naruto did not respond, and the executioner looked mildly disappointed, most likely thinking that the villagers would have thought it a better "show" if the brat had pleaded and begged.
Naruto had been abandoned by his own village… people he had wanted to protect. His cold, empty eyes were visible, yet looked as if they had been painted on for all their emptiness. And no tears leaked from those cold eyes. As cold like the deepest winter nights.
His friends had protested the sentence, but done little else. Tsunade was powerful yes, but had nowhere the political influence her predecessor had had, and was easily overruled. Naruto suddenly broke out of his trance to listen to the executioner's words.
"-something we should have done long ago!" roared the executioner. "Die!" he screamed, bringing his sword down.
'It's true,' thought Naruto. 'Your life really does flash before your eyes...goodbye...'
And suddenly, the executioner flew back into the crowd, his sword span in the air, before it embedded itself into the ground, threateningly by his head.
A giant studded tongue was now wrapped around the blond ninja. It pulled Naruto up, and its owner was revealed. Gamabunta, Toad Boss Summon. Jiraiya, Toad Hermit, and Summoner.
The toad placed Naruto carefully on his head, and Jiraiya cast a quick examining eye to check his condition, before glaring at the speechless crowd.
"Why isn't loyalty rewarded with loyalty?" Jiraiya said to himself, before addressing the crowd. "You ...you all disgust me. You have made the greatest mistake you have ever made, and I assure you, you will regret it. It may not be tomorrow. It may not be in a year. It may not be in six years, but I assure you, you'll regret it. 'bunta, let's go."
"Try to kill one of my sub-ordinates, huh?" growled Gamabunta. "Can't we just burn a few buildings down, eh Jiraiya?"
"Speed is of the essence."
"As a ninja of Konoha, you are ordered to hand it over, or face the consequences!" shouted someone, most likely a council member, possibly Koharu.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "First of all, he has a name. It's Uzumaki Naruto. Second, I don't see why I should also risk my life for this bigoted village. So, I suppose this is like spitting in your face and saying I quit."
"You wouldn't dare!" shouted another council member, possibly Homura.
"Go!"
Gamabunta launched himself into the air, and landed a great distance away, before hopping away at incredible speed. None of the three would be seen in Konoha for many years.
And several days, in a place far away, located in the Hidden Village of Rain.
A man bowed to his leader before saying: "They drove the jinchurriku out. Jiraiya of the Sannin went with him."
"Interesting...focus on capturing the other demons for now. This intrigues me..."
Seven years passed slowly, and Jiraiya and Naruto had disappeared. They were named at S-rank missing ninja, but were removed due to the fact they vanished completely. The only evidence they still lived- or at least, Jiraiya still lived- was because his "romance" novels still continued, as ever, as if nothing was wrong.
Konohagakure had changed little. A typical day, and Tsunade was seated in the Hokage Tower, assigning missions with Shizune, or more precisely, Shizune assigning the missions, while Tsunade just sat there, itching to visit a bar or casino. She turned away from all the monotony, and gazed out of the windows, and she watched the morning sun and clouds, before she turned her gaze at the Hokage mountain, hoping to avoid acting like Shikamaru.
A person cleared their through behind her, and Tsunade turned again to see her assistant standing.
"Tsunade-sama, I'm going for my break now," said Shizune. "And no sake!" she added, eyeing Tsunade, who looked on the verge of leaving as well.
Tsunade grumbled a fair deal about ungrateful apprentices as Shizune left the room, but the door opened again, this time opened by Jounin Team 7, Hatake Kakashi, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke –who had returned to the village sometime after the apparent "death" of Orochimaru. He was hit with several penalties, but as of a year ago, he was free again.
"We're here for our mission, Tsunade-sama," said her former apprentice Sakura.
Tsunade opened the scrolls for the B-rank and higher missions, only to discover there was only one task left, a B-rank.
"It's the last B-rank left," said Tsunade in a clearly bored tone. "Support the ninja growth of the Land of Waves. Risks: Possible attacks by raiding ninja, bandits and missing-nin."
The Uchiha scoffed. "I hardly doubt bandits warrant a B-rank mission."
"Be quiet, I'm trying to figure that one out myself," snapped Tsunade, as she continued to read the mission scroll, before her eyes noticeably widened.
"Something wrong?" asked Kakashi, but more for courtesy's sake than anything.
"There have been sightings of a mysterious cloaked man in the area," read Tsunade. "Believed to be the Reaper of Death, check the last page of any bingo book for further reference."
"The Reaper of Death..." repeated Kakashi and Sakura, a slight unease growing in them.
"The Reaper of Death," also said Sasuke, but a tone of eagerness was in his voice, for people like him crave strong opponents to battle.
Tsunade stared down the three. "Do not attempt to attack this person unless in self-defence. The Reaper is a killer like no other. I intend for this mission to have no casualties. Got that?"
The three nodded.
The journey to the Land of Waves was fairly uneventful, and before long, the three were within view of its blue-tiled rooftops.
The Wave, several years ago, had requested aid from the Leaf to convert their small fishing town into a ninja village, as they were now vulnerable to the outside forces they had hidden from. They were now practically an outpost of Konoha, but also a ninja village, as small as the other minor villages, such as Grass or Waterfall, and the Wave wore unusual navy blue outfits and tidal-wave designs engraved into their headbands.
At a small house, near the outskirts of the village, a cloaked man stood on a doorway, a middle-aged woman in the door.
"You have my thanks, Tsunami-san. And tell Inari-kun and Tazuna-san I am sorry I could not say goodbye in person," said the Reaper, and he bowed after his words.
"Don't act like such a stranger. You're always welcome here," said Tsunami.
The Reaper's white face broke into what appeared to be an attempt at a smile, emotion visible in his cold eyes.
'I tried all the time when he was staying here to make him act human, and now he looks like he might cry at the goodbye,' thought an exasperated Tsunami, before she said: "Visit again sometime."
"Of course," nodded the Reaper, and he reached for the skull-like mask which he put on, before he raised his hood. He raised his right hand, and in a flash of purple light, a scythe appeared. The Reaper attached his weapon to his back, before he vanished into black mist.
The team of Konoha had arrived at the final gate- the way the village was structured was very intricate, a gate on both side of the bridge, and a final gate just before the person got into the village.
Kakashi handed over his papers, as well as the mission slip to the guard, who opened a small record book, and he flicked through it until he raised his head to face the three.
"Hatake Kakashi, jounin, 34? Uchiha Sasuke, jounin, 20? Haruno Sakura, medic-nin and jounin, 20?"
After answering in the affirmative, the guard directed them to the buildings that were the headquarters of the ninja village.
As they approached the headquarters, they were unaware of a pair of cold eyes that was fixed on them.
'Interesting,' thought the Reaper. 'But I was meaning to go back...how nostalgic...'
As they entered the building, they were immediately hailed by a Wave ninja. "Welcome- wait, you guys?" It was Inari, the boy now aged to the status of young adult, fully-fledged ninja.
"Ah! Inari! It's good to see you after all these years!" greeted Sakura enthusiastically.
"Good to see you all again," he greeted politely. 'Curses. Oh well, I suppose he'll already have noticed they've arrived. He probably has a plan already-'
"So, where will be de-briefed on our mission?" asked Kakashi.
"What?" he said, and he snapped out of his trail of thoughts. "Oh, er, through that corridor, one floor up and the door to your right.
Kakashi thanked him and walked away with his sub-ordinates. Inari carefully turned around to ensure none were watching him, before he disappeared.
The Reaper was on the verge of entering a bar, when the Wave shinobi appeared by the door.
"Something wrong?" the former asked.
"They're here," replied the latter.
"I am aware of it," said the Reaper. "And I do not care. You have a family to care for, and a possible spouse. This will not affect anything, I am sure of it."
"...well, be careful. Hang on, what did you mean about a possible spouse?!" demanded Inari, but the Reaper had already entered.
Meanwhile, Jounin Team 7 had finished receiving instructions. The younger two of the team would help train some of the village's ninja, while Kakashi would act in active battle duty, mostly patrols.
After checking into their rooms at a small hotel near the headquarters, the three unpacked, and began to explore the area- or more precisely, Sakura explored the area, Sasuke looked for signs of the Reaper, and Kakashi just read his favourite book in broad daylight, ignoring, or perhaps oblivious to the shocked gasps and pointing.
"I wonder where you can find good restaurants around here?" asked Sakura, looking over a small map.
"Ask around," suggested Kakashi, as he looked up from his book for a few moments.
"I'm not hungry," said Sasuke.
"That place looks good," said Sakura, as she noticed a good-sized bar. "Does anyone want to come then?"
Kakashi followed her, perhaps not noticing, his head still stuck in a book, while Sasuke followed reluctantly, muttering about it being a "waste of time" and "pointless."
The bar was well-lit, but somewhat empty, perhaps due to the fact it was still day. There was only one man at the counter besides the bartended. He wore a black robe, with a hood that masked his face. A gigantic scythe hung on his back.
As they approached, he placed some money onto the counter, and swept past them, the three glimpsing into the darkness of the hood, noticing something white.
Sasuke whirled around, his face in a twisted grin. "That was definitely the Reaper of Death."
Sakura immediately paled at the thought of that crazed killer just passing by her.
"What are we waiting for?" hissed Sasuke. "Let's go after him!"
Kakashi paused. "This is not just an ordinary ninja, if that was the Reaper of Death. He's dangerous, far more dangerous than most of the Akatsuki."
Sasuke smirked at the older man. "True, but our duty is to investigate suspicious characters. So...are you coming?" he asked, as he left the bar.
Kakashi sighed, before nodding at Sakura to follow him. She gulped, and went after the two.
The Reaper stole down several alleys, and they followed from the rooftops. Eventually, they were out of the main city, and were now in the forest, Sakura absent-mindedly noticed that this was the same forest that the old Team 7 had practised tree-climbing all those long years ago.
The Reaper halted, before turning to confront his pursuers.
"Are you ...the Reaper of Death?" asked Sasuke.
He did not respond.
"I asked you a question! Respond!" said Sasuke, now louder than before.
He raised his head, so the three could see clearly a skull under his hood. On closer inspection, they realised it was not actual bone, but some other material fashioned to look so.
His robe was loose from the neck, and they saw the bones of his neck, and visible ribs, before reminding themselves it was fake.
'The way he looks,' thought Sakura, inwardly panicking. 'I'm sure in battle the bones would look real...and I bet that he's much stronger than any of us three...'
"Yes, Uchiha. I am the Reaper of Death, the Grim Reaper, the Wielder of Blood and Shadow, the Final Judgement."
The three stiffened. They'd thought him the Reaper, but to hear it from his hoarse voice...it was another thing entirely. Sasuke activated his kekkai genkai, the blood red eyes of the Sharingan glaring at the Reaper. A green glow appeared around Sakura's hands as she activated her chakra scalpels. And to top it off, Kakashi raised his headband, revealing the Sharingan eye of the deceased Uchiha Obito.
"Now, now, I'm sure there's no need for that," said the Reaper, clearly amused.
The team froze, but not due to their own actions. Their feet were trapped with pitch-black shadows.
A tendril of the shadow lowered Kakashi's headband, while the other two were forced to watch shadows de-activate their chakra scalpels/Sharingan.
"I have been intended to take a trip to Konohagakure," said the Reaper, releasing the shadows from the ninjas' feet. "You can allow me passage, I know that. And you shall."
Kakashi spat. "We would rather die than betray Konoha!"
"Did I say that? No, I said I wished to take a trip."
"So you want to destroy the village?" demanded Kakashi, his voice firm.
"As I have said on numerous occasions-usually to those I kill, I admit- I only kill those who have not passed the judgement. Admittedly, blood will flow, and it will be Konoha blood when I arrive."
"Who are you to judge people's lives?" said Sakura angrily.
The Reaper sighed. "The Reaper of Death is not a mere title. It is my life, my very purpose of existence. To my enemies, I am their judge, jury and executioner. I do not wish to kill you three, nor have any need to. Stand down."
Sasuke very discreetly began to slip into a stance, when suddenly the Reaper appeared in front of them, and punched him hard in the stomach. Kakashi and Sakura made to move, but he whirled around, first upper cutting Kakashi in the chin, before kicking Sakura away.
"Damn you…" hissed Sasuke, crawling up, one hand resting on his stomach.
"I defeated you without even using my scythe. Now, I will make you a proposition, as it were. I am aware of your mission, and that you are staying here for two weeks. After you have finished, you will take me to Konoha with you, and let me enter."
"And if we refuse?" asked Kakashi coldly.
"Then, most regretfully, I will force my way in. And I assure you, that will ensure even more death."
Kakashi's eye widened. He knew the Reaper was strong, but forcibly break into a village on his own? Yet, if he did not agree, he and his team would certainly die.
"Alright. It's a deal."
"Excellent," said the Reaper. "I have some...business to attend to, and will meet you outside the village at the end of your mission. And I warn you, those who double-cross me do not live to tell the tale."
"Ah, you're here," said the hoarse voice behind them, and they spun to see the Reaper, shocked how they did not notice them. "Let us go."
They found him to be a quiet and logical travelling companion, and mostly did not even notice him. But they were all gripped with a great fear of what would happen once they reached Konoha.
Eventually the day came, and they reluctantly let the Reaper into the village.
"You have my heartfelt thanks," the Reaper said, in a slight mocking tone.
Kakashi hissed: "This isn't over yet." The three of them Body Flickered away, clearly so they could alert other ninja.
"That was foolish… Fell Herald, there may be blood for you tonight..."
Several minutes later, several jounins appeared, only to see a message written in blood.
"NONE CAN KILL THE GRIM REAPER."
The shinobi stared at the message, but were even more shocked as the blood began to trickle away, entirely on its own.
It was only a matter of time, when the Reaper not using fatal attacks, it was only expected he would be surrounded.
Strangely enough, the ANBU had not yet arrived, but countless jounin and chunnin were encircling him, with the newfound assistance in the Godaime.
He looked again, and saw members of the village council accompanying her.
"As an intruder to Konohagakure, you are ordered to surrender!" shouted the Hokage.
"An intruder? As I believe, I was let in here, before cruelly persecuted in this manner. I believe I should require an apology."
"Very well then, how about threats and blackmail, as well as not presenting any papers or passport, which is practically an equivalent to sneaking in."
The Reaper ignored her. "I am the Reaper of Death," he said, firmness in his hoarse voice. "I shall never surrender, for I am never defeated."
"Shinobi, fire!" commanded a jounin captain.
A barrage of weapons flew at him from all sides, and jutsus of fire and earth and air accompanied them.
The Reaper lifted his scythe in two hands, before he was covered by the attacks.
"That's it?" said someone, stunned.
The smoke cleared, and all were shocked to see the Reaper stand unharmed in the clearing, while the ground was cracked and darkened.
"Kunai? And C to B-rank ninjutsu? Who do you think I am to be harmed by such insignificant attacks?" said the Reaper, before jumping- but the way he jumped, it made it seem like he was flying- onto a rooftop, staring down at the ninja.
"Are you now willing to listen to my wor-"
He was cut off as more powerful attacks this time flew at him, and he sighed, before he disappeared into black mist. He reappeared behind Tsunade, his sickle's blade resting on her shoulder.
"I have not commit any crime that could have endangered the life of your citizens. I suggest you take firmer control of your village, Hokage-sama," the Reaper said, and he mocked the word "sama", in clear disrespect. "Farewell then."
"What do- what did you want when you said you'd come here?" asked Tsunade.
"I had only intended to ask if I could temporarily join Konoha -for about three weeks- as a mercenary, but the hostile action has forced me to reconsider. Farewell," said the Reaper, seeming to glide away over the ground.
If the people had been shocked from what had previously occurred, then now was a completely new level. They were completely flabbergasted. The Reaper of Death, Grim Reaper, killer extraordinaire, the man who pledged no alliance, the man who was completely shrouded in fear and rumours- had wanted to join their village.
"Wait! Please re-reconsider!" said another panicky voice, possibly Koharu, an influential person on the council, and old teammate of the Sandaime Hokage.
"I have made my decision now," said the Reaper. "And I...I have fooled myself into thinking I could atone. Nay, I have yet to forgive this village. And if I joined now, I would only bring ruin to all, including myself."
"Forgive?" asked the Godaime, now more relaxed due to the lack of the scythe on her shoulder, "What do you mean by forgive this village? Are you... are you a missing-ninja, or..." She stopped as the Reaper turned around.
He sighed, before saying: "Yes." The Reaper first lowered his hood, exposing the great skull-like mask and then brought his hands to the object. He slipped his finger under his chin, and it seemed to press a button or hidden mechanism somewhere, and the mask revealed hinges on the sides. He removed the mask, letting to fall to the ground.
In the silence that had followed, the noise broke all of the people out of their shock.
Tsunade simply stared, eyes misty.
The Reaper turned his head slightly so everyone could see his drooping blonde hair, his emotionless blue eyes, and the whiskers on his face.
"N-Naruto," Tsunade finally managed. "You-you came back."
Naruto picked up his mask, and turned away again. "I do not expose this face many times now. It seems to be nothing but a reminder. I am not the Uzumaki Naruto you once knew. I take it you still extend your invitation to join?"
He took her silence as a positive answer.
"I will...consider it. I assure you that whether I chose to be hired or not, I will stay in Konoha for three weeks. I have some...very important business to attend to, and a new parasite to deal with."
"Hold on," Tsunade half-shouted, as she noticed Naruto was about to leave. "You have to apply for citizenship after staying as a missing-nin..."
"Very well," said Naruto. "I shall arrive to see the council in two hours. Ninja council, of course."
Meanwhile, from some distance away, Danzo glared down at Naruto. Accursed boy, but there was still hope to salvage the situation, he thought, before signalling his Root ANBU to track the Reaper.
Little did he know, was that Naruto had noticed him from the beginning of the confrontation, and disappeared into black mist.
It was unknown where Naruto had got to, or what he was doing, so the shinobi council had arrived somewhat early. They were waiting for the missing-nin for some time until it was two hours on the dot, when Naruto materialised out of black mist in front of their very eyes.
He was offered a chair, which he refused, and opted to stand, and he looked at the shinobi council, searching the clan heads and influential ninja for familiar faces, which he saw in Tsunade, the Clan Heads of Aburame, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Hyuuga, Hatake, and several others.
"The Shinobi Council is gathered here today for two purposes, one, to either permit or decline the person's application for temporary citizenship, and two, to hire said person's skills as a mercenary. If person accepts the proposition, temporary citizenship is immediately given. Person, please introduce yourself to the Council."
"Uzumaki Naruto, also known as The Reaper of Death, but also called Grim Reaper. My...purpose is to live in Konoha temporarily for three weeks, in a group of five, the other four yet to arrive."
"The other four? Who are they?" asked Kakashi.
"Jiraiya, former ninja of this village. Three others as well, Ren...Itachi...and Kisame."
"Wait," suddenly said Tsunade. "Itachi and Kisame? As in Uchiha Itachi, the Leaf traitor who massacred his Clan, before joining Akatsuki? And Hoshigaki Kisame, the Mist traitor, formerly of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, and was guilty of plotting against the government and being involved in several assassinations, before joining Akatsuki?"
Naruto nodded. "Right on both counts. Save you forgot they are no longer loyal Akatsuki, or at least are not for the moment."
"...who's Ren?" asked Tsume, Head of Clan Inuzuka.
"My daughter."
For a split-second, Naruto truly wished he had a camera after seeing the faces of the Shinobi Council.
"Your...your daughter?" spluttered a dumbstruck Tsunade.
"Adopted daughter, to be precise. But Uzumaki Ren is what she is called now, and in all matters my daughter."
Shikaku yawned loudly before asking: "So, uh, when will your company arrive?"
"Most likely, they will arrive in minutes. I will go to pick them up, while you consider the application. And I will return with them. Good day, honoured council members."
He stood and turned to go, leaving the council in stunned silence, and it would have remained that way, had it not been from the intervention of the Aburame Clan Head.
"Please a wait a few moments, Naruto," said Shibi.
"Yes?"
Hiashi regained his confidence and formality and asked the question. "We wish for you to decide to join us. Will you?"
"I said I would consider it, Hyuuga-sama. The true reason was simply to help you so I may find some task to do in the boredom of living here. As well as that, I hear that the Leaf's relations with the Stone is...very, very shaky. War approaches, you know that as well as I do."
"But-" started Yamanaka Inoichi, but was interrupted by Naruto.
"I said I would reconsider, and my final decision will be influenced by my company."
"And how would you consider full-time employment by the Leaf?" asked Kakashi.
"If I did, wouldn't you just try to use me?" asked Naruto, rather bluntly. "Besides, I doubt much will happen to me after these three weeks."
"What does that mean?" asked Tsunade.
The Reaper was silent, before responding. "It is best not to speak of it. Now, good day," he said, as he disappeared into black mist.
"Onii-chan, is that Konoha?" asked Ren.
"Yes," replied Itachi.
"Is daddy there?"
"Yes."
"Will you train me when we get there?"
"Can't you ever ask Jiraiya or Kisame something?"
"But Kisame is just a Fish-Faced Freak and Jiraiya is a Womanising Ero-Sennin."
The two thundered at the girl to call them by their proper names, also using several threats.
Itachi sighed, hoping for some peace and tranquillity once he arrived with the three. Although he knew that was hardly likely, what with the information Naruto had given them...
"Welcome to Konohagakure. Please state your names," said a bored guard.
"Uchiha Itachi," said Itachi, before he gestured to to the others, "Hoshigake Kisame, Jiraiya and Uzumaki Ren."
The guard's widened suddenly as he recognised those names, and his hand slipped into his kunai pouch.
"Um… could you repeat that?"
"Uchiha Itachi-"
The guard quickly pulled out a kunai and charged, but Itachi stopped him with ease by grabbing his throat and Itachi lifted the guard into the air.
"You realise I can kill you with ease?"
The guard nodded, as he struggled frantically, beginning to turn blue in the face.
"Good," said Itachi, before he hurled the guard into the wall.
"Inconspicuous, as usual," commented someone and Naruto came into their view.
Ren's face lit up, and with a cry of "Daddy!" she jump into Naruto's arms. Naruto whirled her in the air slightly before setting her down again.
"Do we have legitimate applications?" asked Jiraiya, ignoring Ren.
"We should be returning," said Naruto.
"Black mist? Please? P-l-e-a-s-e???" asked Ren.
Naruto smiled slightly, before black mist flowed out of his robes and surrounded the five of them, and when it vanished, they had disappeared.
The five reappeared in the council room, the members hurrying to look presentable, as Chouza hurriedly ate his last riceball, and Kakashi hid his Icha Icha book.
"Members of the Shinobi Council, we are now in session," said Tsunade, clearly bored with all the legal matters.
"Daddy, who's that blonde women?" asked Ren.
"That is the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade," Naruto answered, before giving a brief overview of the woman. "She looks about twenty, but it's just a genjutsu - she's actually old enough to be your grandmother. She also is intolerably lazy, an alcoholic and has very, very bad gambling skills."
Ren giggled slightly at Naruto's description of the Tsunade, who turned her eyes at the small girl. Her hair was black, reaching slightly lower than her shoulders, and her eyes were as bright and blue as Naruto's- or at least, as bright as they had been. She wore an open white coat with a blue trim, and a dark top underneath. She also wore a longish blue skirt and black sandals. Finally, she had an orange scarf wrapped around her shoulders, said scarf shaped like...a tail?
"How do you actually earn income?" asked Kakashi.
"Mostly by letting Jiraiya write his book."
"That reminds me," said Jiraiya, scratching his chin. "I got your subscription Kakashi, and here is the new edition, which will be in stores tomorrow." He threw a book over to Kakashi, who eagerly took it and looked very keen to read it.
"Well Naruto, will you join us?" asked Tsunade hopefully, as she ignored what appeared to be Kakashi embracing the book.
"Well?" Naruto asked his team.
"We can't exactly sit around all day, Naruto-sama," said Kisame respectfully.
"I suppose so, we have to find some way to delay them as well..." Naruto replied, before turning back to the Godaime. "Very well, we accept. All five of us will temporarily join your ninja ranks."
"Five...? Even your daughter?" asked Shibi.
"Ren is only ten, but she is probably chunnin level." Naruto smirked slightly at seeing the council's expressions. "As well as that, she also has an ability not seen since the Nidaime Hokage."
"The Nidaime- do you mean she can use water jutsus without a source of water?" asked an amazed Kakashi.
"Correct," this time the word was said by Itachi.
"But then surely, she must be related to the Nidaime?" asked Hiashi.
"That is correct. She is the only direct descendant of the Nidaime."
"Is she related to me?" asked Tsunade.
"Your niece," answered Jiraiya.
"But the Nidaime never had childr-" began Homura.
"I will explain that some other time," said Naruto.
"So that's all settled," said Jiraiya. "We'll just live uh...where are we living?"
"Someone give them the list of properties," said Hiashi.
Naruto smirked. "Never mind that. I saw a particularly nice mansion which I happened to purchase in those two hours. We will start taking mission from tomorrow onwards," he said, before a black mist surrounded the five and they vanished.
They appeared in front of a hidden mansion, where no one had taken foot in for many years...
"Welcome to my house," said Naruto to his companions.
"Daddy, this is your house?!" asked Ren. "It's huge!"
"Yes, I know," said Naruto. "And as you bear the name Uzumaki, the house will be yours once."
Ren blinked several times, began she stuttered her thanks, but suddenly fainted.
"Pick her up," instructed Itachi to Kisame.
The Shinobi Council had not left, still debating the situation about the Reaper. After all, he was an incredibly powerful person, some said on the level of the Akatsuki leader himself.
"What are we to do Godaime?" asked Inoichi.
"He will become a threat if he let him leave," said Chouza.
Kakashi laughed, and all the council members stared at him. "He became a threat the second you sentenced him to execution. He's not going to forgive you for what you did to him."
"Perhaps we could get to him through the girl…" began Danzo.
"Don't be ridiculous," scoffed Kakashi. "That would surely result in him attacking us. Taking a hostage is an appallingly bad idea.
Danzo's one eye narrowed. "Surely you cannot believe he is strong enough to defeat this entire village, Hatake."
"True, but he has the aid of three other S-class ninja," said Shibi.
"He stood against all those attacks earlier and was unharmed," said Tsunade. "I would not like to see him fight us with his maximum skill."
"But there is a slight point," said Hiashi. Everyone looked at him. "The boy will remain with those close to him, friends, family."
"True," said Kakashi, picking up his new Icha Icha book and opening it. "And he has all that with him."
Original AN
This is the longest ever first chapter I have so far written. Please review it - with any ideas, I'm not all sure what to put next. Preferably put ideas for missions, and what the council might do to try to keep Naruto in Konoha.
LightningHunter
NOTE: You may have noticed I didn't put much funny stuff, like I usually put in stories. Well, this is more of a "dramatic story", I guess, and will be have considerably less laughter then my other stories. That, and I often run out of ideas what joke to crack next in funny stories, which results in longer intervals between chapter updates.
New AN
I just didn't have the heart to make Ren say Tousan instead of Daddy. If you're wondering why I've switched to the Japanese way, well, I've started watching so much fansubbed anime and translated manga that now saying their names the English way feels weird.
You may have noticed I've changed a lot. That was to deal with revealed canon and to fix plot holes.