There was a tense atmosphere permeating Taki as the village hidden in the waterfall played host to the peace talks between Iwa and Konoha. Chief Jonin Shibuma sat at the negotiation table with the Sandaime Tuschikage sitting to his left and the newly appointed Yondaime Hokage sitting to his right. Observing the three were aids from all three countries. Theoretically Shibuma was supposed to be an unbiased mediator, but in actuality he wanted to cut whatever deal he could to end the war. Waterfall Country had been caught in the crossfire of the Third Shinobi War, although not as badly as other countries like Rain, and needed the peace.

Shibuma glanced at both kages and then began to summarize the current draft of the peace treaty. "Currently, the terms of the treaty are as follows: Earth Country will pull back from the areas of Grass Country and Waterfall Country except for those lands that were once part of Ash Country satisfying Earth Country's claim to the lands of that defunct country. In return, Earth Country agrees that all lands that once made up Ash Country, including the lands they held before hostilities began are to be demilitarized for 30 years. For your villages specifically, you've agree to each recognize a zone of avoidance. Unless on official diplomatic missions or by approval of village Kage, no Iwa shinobi is to come within 40 km of Konoha and no Konoha shinobi is to come with 20 km of Konoha." There were further stipulations in the treaty-in-progress, but they were technical points that most people, including both kages, wouldn't pay much attention to.

Oonoki frowned as he listened to Shibuma continue to drone on about minor points in the treaty. At first glance the treaty seemed to give Earth Country, and therefore Iwa, many improvements over their prewar situation. However, such a view did not factor in the power Iwa had during its highpoint in the war. Just a year ago, all of Waterfall and Grass along with significant sections of Fire had been occupied by Earth. But then, Minato Namikaze developed his Hiraishin and proceeded to slaughter Iwa shinobis and Earth country soldiers. The newly instated Yondaime Hokage was the sole man responsible for reversing Iwa's early victories in the war.

Although Oonoki didn't want to admit it, the only reason why he was able to extract so much from the peace talks was because Minato was only one man and Iwa still had more soldiers than Konoha. But, that would change in the future as Iwa's spy rings had discovered that Minato was secretly married to Kushina Uzumaki, a formidable shinobi in her own right. Minato probably had kept his marriage a secret in order to prevent Oonoki from finding out about it. The Sandaime Tsuchikage could appreciate the sentiment, but the possibility of Minato founding a clan of shinobi of his caliber was frightening to Oonoki.

Something needed to be done to neutralize such a threat and that something had to be something that would not lead to further troubles for Iwa. Assassination of either Minato or Kushina was out of the question. Trying to get to either would be risky even under ideal circumstances and that wasn't considering how difficult taking either of them out would be. Furthermore, the fact that Kushina was supposed to be pregnant meant that both ninjas would be on high alert and that the Namikaze family's rise as a prominent ninja clan was close at hand.

Suddenly an idea came to Oonoki causing him to grin. "I have a new condition to add to the treaty." Both Minato and Shibuma wearily turned to look at the grinning Tsuchikage who started to explain his proposal. "These current arrangements in the treaty are all very good. However, the treaties ending the First and Second Great Shinobi Wars were also very good for everyone. Paper isn't that strong of a binder when something new pops up and then we all go to war again leaving our families venerable."

Minato's eyes narrowed in response to how Oonoki emphasized families and looked at him. The Hokage instantly knew that the Tsuchikage was stating that he knew about Kushina and the child Minato's wife was carrying. Two questions immediately came to Minato's mind: how did Iwa find out and why was Oonoki letting slip this valuable information? The Tsuchikage had to know that Minato would redouble security in Konoha to root out Iwa's spy ring now that he knew how serious it was. There was no reason for Oonoki to risk something as valuable as a competent spy ring unless he was going to get something extremely valuable in return. The only question was: what was Oonoki after?

There was silence for a few seconds as Oonoki allowed Minato to stew over what he had said so far. Once the information had its desired effect Onoki continued. "We need something more permanent then paper to solidify this peace treaty and insure that bad blood does not fester between Iwa and Konoha. After all, this whole war was only business. Therefore, I propose a standard marriage agreement between the yet to be born child of the Yondaime Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki with one of the heirs of the Tenjouin Clan. Such a union would be an enduring symbol of the past being left in the past would it not?"

It took a supreme effort of will on Oonoki's part to keep from grinning like a mad man at Minato. At the same time, Minato was using all of his willpower to keep from lashing out at Oonoki. Both kages knew that Oonoki had Minato where he wanted him. If this agreement went through and Kushina had a daughter, then Minato wouldn't be able to fight Iwa with his daughter being on the opposite side. If this agreement went through and Kushina had a son, the boy's wife would effectively keep him from raising his hand against Iwa. If Minato refused the agreement he made Konoha look unreasonable which would cost the village prominent customers. If Minato tried to get Oonoki to table that idea by offering concessions in other areas of the treaty he not only made Konoha look bad, but also increased Iwa's power. No matter what happened, Konoha was put in a tight spot.

Minato closed his eyes for a minute as he carefully weighted each and every option available to him. Finally, the Hokage opened his eyes and said, "I am willing to agree to you condition Tsuchikage. However, I want a provision in the treaty to insure the safety those involved in this marriage agreement. Collateral, if you will, incase disgruntled elements of our villages try to take matters into their own hands. I know that there are many in Iwa would like nothing more than to attack my child and I also know that there are those in Konoha who do not like the main founding clan of Iwa. Therefore, both Iwa and Konoha should hold up their Scrolls of Forbidden Jutsus to insure the couple's safety. Should ninjas from one village attack the other village's member in this marriage union, the offending village will forfeit their scroll in recompense. Do you find this agreeable Tsuchikage?"

Oonoki frowned and considered his options for dealing with Minato's unexpected comeback. Either he could reject Minato's stipulation which would lead to the whole arraigned marriage plan being scrapped or he could agree and put his village's most valuable jutsus on the line. "I accept the conditions to the marriage agreement between the future Namikaze child and either Asuka or Fubuki Tenjounin that the honorable Hokage has requested." Effectively neutralizing the future Namikaze threat was much more important to Oonoki then worrying about the risk to jutsus he wasn't about to endanger by breaking the treaty and could be stolen by Konoha via the Uchihas.

Minato bowed his head and softly said, "Make the addition to treaty Shibuma." The Hokage knew that the Tsuchikage had called his bluff to try and get out of the marriage contract. But, Minato took comfort in the fact that at least his child would not have to worry about threats from Iwa thanks to the collateral and the marriage agreement. Minato only half focused on the wrap up of the discussion as he mentally composed two letters. One letter was for Kushina so that she could blow off some steam before he got back to Konoha and thus wouldn't kill him. The second letter was for his child explaining why he had stuck the child into an arranged marriage.

Kushina Namikaze, it made no sense to keep the illusion that was still an Uzumaki, stood in her kitchen making carrot with some saffron seasoning ramen. As she was stirring the pot, Kushina looked down at her bulging stomach. "What is it with you and ramen Little One? I get that you like ramen, but please, can't you let mommy eat something besides these noodles?"

The Namikaze matriarch felt her unborn child gently kick her side. She quickly rolled her eyes and then sighed. "I guess I should take that as a no. Oh all right Little One; I'll let you pick the menu for now. However, don't get used to it." Overall, Kushina was extremely happy with how things were going in her life. The war was over, she had a great husband that she could publicly admit to having, and her first child according to the doctors was growing healthily. Nothing, not even the looming arraigned marriage for her child, could dampen Kushina's mood.

Without warning, Kushina's finely honed danger sense went off causing her to dive away from the pot toward the kitchen knives taking care to insure that her child was protected during the dive. It was a good thing that Kushina dived when she did because seven shirikens came flying where she had been standing. Training kicked in for Kushina as she automatically grabbed the knives were waiting to be cleaned, pumped as much wind chakra as she could into the knives, and threw them at the wall. The chakra enhanced cooking utensils cut right through the wall headed strait towards where the shiriken came from.

As the knives were flying, Kushina pulled out the biggest knives in the kitchen taking care to ever so slightly slice the tip of her pinky on one of the knife edges. She then wiped the bleeding digit across an inconspicuous seal on her belt to alert Minato. That done, Kushina hurriedly dashed towards the other side of the kitchen towards the pantry. The firey kunoichi hurriedly opened the pantry and hit a hidden switch activating a hidden rotating door that carried her into a small room no bigger then a small closet.

This secure room was one of several that had been secretly added to the Namikaze house by Minato when he found out that Kushina was expecting. These secure rooms were so small inside that Kushina could only stand; however, they covered in seals enhancing their durability to the point where ever young Kakashi's Chidori or Minato's Rasengan couldn't cut them. Now that Kushina was inside, she didn't have to worry about her or the child's safety and could just wait until Minato let her out once the threat was taken care of. Hiding like some cowardly princess while her man took care of whoever was attacking her, frustrated Kushina to no end as she was not that kind of woman. But, for her child's sake Kushina was glad to be out of the fight.

Soon enough, the door to the safe room was opened by Minato standing in the doorway with his eyes radiating concern. "Are you okay Kushina? Is our child safe?"

Kushina nodded her head and practically threw herself into Minato as she started crying. "We're fine. It's just that, I've never been so scared in all my life. Why would anyone attack me? Iwa wouldn't risk their scrolls and they already have our child's hand given to a lead clan." At this point, Kushina devolved into a sobbing mess. She was a highly trained kunoichi, but she was also an expecting mother who just had an attempt on her and her child's life.

Minato carefully hugged Kushina and softly whispered into her. "Everything is alright dear. You and our child are safe. Heck, you killed three of the six attackers with those kitchen knives you threw. Everything is alright. I promise you dear, I'll get the one I left alive for questioning to tell me who instigated this attack." Minato's eyes hardened as a deadly edge came to his voice. "I'll then find who's ever responsible and make sure they die in the most painful way I can find or invent."

All the clan heads of Konoha's main ninja clans and representatives of the civilian guilds were gossiping among themselves wondering why the Hokage had called for a full court assembly. As a feudal lord under the Fire Daimyo, the Hokage ruled Konoha with absolute authority. If he felt like getting advice on an issue, he'd hold a council session with representatives that he felt would give him useful advice. Assembling the full court of Konoha rarely happened and only on matters of extreme importance. Most edicts or rulings that the Hokage made were made known to the public through the newspapers. The last time a full court had been held was when Minato ascended to the position of Yondaime Hokage so that everyone could make their oaths of allegiance to him.

The murmuring abruptly ended when Minato walked into the room wearing his full Hokage regalia and sat down on the chair prepared for him. Everyone assembled in the great meeting hall shivered slightly as they sensed the barely contained raged within Minato. Those who personally knew the usually calm and cheerful man wondered what could have enraged Minato so.

Minato looked down upon his assembled subjects and solemnly spoke up. "To Konoha I swear my loyalty and service. To the Hokage I vow obedience to serve Konoha. May my life be forfeit if I so break this oath. That is what each and every one of you swore when you became adults and which you reaffirmed upon my taking Hirashirama's chair. I have summoned you all here today because there are those among you who have broken this oath. Bring out the condemned!"

A side door opened and a troop of ANBU dragged out four bound and gagged people. The ANBU lead the prisoners to the middle of the room so that all could see them. Minato then stood up and announced the condemned's crimes. "Hanzo Uchiha and Mokoba Huyga from the ninja clans and Kunijirou Kura from the jewelers' guild are all guilty of the following crimes. They have aided the seditious organization known as NE and are accessories to a plot to murder a ninja of this village. For their crimes, all three are to be executed via immediate decapitation. ANBU, execute the sentence."

The clan heads and guild representatives watched as ANBU quickly grabbed the condemned by their hair, pulled out their ninjatos, and swiftly cut off the trio's heads. Many of the more sheltered guild representatives' faces started turning green at the sight of the triple execution. However, the ninja clan heads all nodded their heads in approval. They all knew that treason was one of the highest crimes that a person could commit.

Minato then turned to the final traitor and the ringleader of this band of traitors. "Danzo you are a worm whose depravity exceeds even Orochimaru. You dare to think yourself Hokage by your actions. I, not you, decide what is best for Konoha. Only I as the lawful successor of the first three Hokages may organize a shinobi force in Konoha. Your crimes are as follows: organizing an illegal shinobi force known as NE, continuing to command NE when my predecessor gave you clemency by ordering NE disbanded instead of your head, embezzling funds from Konoha to fund your illegal group, kidnapping my wards the orphans of Konoha to be indoctrinated into your illegal group as your servants, conducting illegal missions both within Fire Country and in neighboring countries, and forging connections with illegal organizations when it suited your purpose."

"However, your greatest crime was to try and kill MY WIFE AND UNBORN CHILD! Did you really think that could get away with this? You've been bound and gagged because your own actions have made your thoughts crystal clear to me by having your forces pose as Iwa shinobi. This was all about Iwa's Scroll of Forbidden Jutsus as having it look like Iwa killed my family would cause Iwa to forfeit their scroll to us."

Minato walked closer to Danzo and looked him strait in the eyes before he continued to speak. "Even now, I see no remorse in your eyes over what you did. In your mind my wife and unborn child's lives are of lesser value when compared to the value of the most powerful jutsus known to Iwa and thus a fair trade. You, Danzo are more of a monster then the Bijuu. For all their power and the suffering they inflict, the Bijuu are but animals that can neither think nor reason on their own and thus must follow their instincts. However, you have consciously killed your humanity completely. I am held as a butcher of men by Iwa, but I at least am a human to my friends, family, and can weep for the loss of life caused by my hand. You cannot do that and I honestly doubt that you could even understand such a thing."

Backing away from the traitor, the Hokage pulled out a scroll from his coat pocket. "The numerous crimes that you have committed Danzo, both those currently known and those yet to be discovered as ANBU deprograms NE operatives, have made you an inhuman monster unfit for a normal execution. To simply behead you would be an insult to the three traitors who have just been executed. They, even with their grave crimes, still retained some humanity. Fairness demands that just as a human be killed in a human manner, so should a monster be killed in a monstrous manner."

There was a large cloud of smoke as Minato activated the storage seal on the scroll he was carrying. The smoke soon cleared allowing the crowds to see a large stone box about the size of a coffin with a pad coming out of the 'head' of the coffin and a frog with an open mouth standing at the foot of the coffin. All over the coffin were complex seals connected to each other and that lead to the pad where there were to depressions shaped like hands.

Minato's face hardened as he reaffirmed what he was about to do in his mind. This ghastly invention of his, which was honestly shocked that he could even dream let alone actually build, was to serve three purposes. First it would both make Danzo feel the pain that Minato felt at the threat to his family and would discourage future attacks on his family. Secondly, this would show both guilds and uppity clans that he was not a wet noodle who would give into their requests just because they were from Konoha. Despite his prowess on the battlefield, many within Konoha thought that they could run rings around him in politics and administration of Konoha. Finally, Danzo's horrifying execution should serve as a deterrent against treason for years to come.

In a tone that was both heavy with shame for himself and absolute rage towards Danzo, Minato pronounced the ringleader's sentence. "Your manner of execution will be as follows Danzo. You shall be placed in this coffin and then the seals on it will activate forcibly extracting every last bit of water within your body. ANBU, place him in the coffin."

For the first time in his life, Danzo truly felt terror. He had been prepared to be executed by this foolish upstart. However, never had Danzo imagined a student of that moron Jiraiya to come up with such a manner of execution. Hell, he doubted that even Orochimaru could come up with something like this. Danzo immediately began to struggle and tried to break freed hoping that he could force the Hokage's ANBU or the Hokage himself to kill him in self-defense.

The ANBU operatives had been expecting this and held on tightly to Danzo as they dragged him to the coffin. One of them punched Danzo in the stomach when they held heaved him into coffin so that the lid could be closed. The ANBU hurriedly locked the lid into place so that Minato could activate the seals by placing his hands on the hand depressions and channeling his chakra into the seal. No sound was heard from the coffin and none was needed as the frog spout started to pour out water. 10 seconds later the stream of water ended signaling that every last bit of water had been extracted.

Minato quietly spoke to the ANBU standing near him. "Take that coffin away from Konoha and incinerate it. I don't want so much as a splinter left of it." Immediately after constructing the coffin, Minato had burned all plans and notes for the seals used to extract the water from Danzo. Furthermore, Minato had placed a seal on himself to destroy his memory of how to make those seals. Even in the depths of his pain and desire for revenge, Minato knew that his means of vengeance could used for ways more terrible then he could imagine if he didn't take steps to keep his revenge just on Danzo.

Summoning the last of his willpower, Minato turned to the spooked out crowd. "Court is now ended. Everyone go back and spend time with your families. The only way to move past dealing with such treachery is to spend time with family." Minato made his way out of the assembly room as fast as his position would admit. Once alone, Minato fell to his knees in tears as his rage and desire for vengeance, though 'satisfied', left him feeling only broken and empty.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, previously retired Sandaime Hokage, sat back down in the chair he had left to Minato. Minato, per his last instructions before heading out to seal the Kyuubi, declared that Hiruzen would fill the position of Hokage until such time as "a suitable person from the younger generations could be found to take the position". Damn it, the newly reinstated Hokage thought. He had already put his 30 years in for this torture, why the hell couldn't Minato find someone else to take this position?

As Hiruzen was mentally gripping over the unfairness of it all, Jiraiya walked in with a newly born Naruto in his arms. The Sandaime looked up and calmly asked, "Is this the boy?"

Jiraiya nodded his head and quickly replied, "Yes. This is Minato and Kushina's little boy Naruto. The kid is fine from the sealing and the fox is securely locked away. I've triple checked the seal and can say that there is absolutely no way the fox can escape on its own and it would take a seal master of at least Minato's level to hope to weaken the seal enough so that the fox could try to escape. However, I would like to mention that the seal is set up so that Naruto should be able to summon a portion of the demon's power at will when he gets older."

The Sandaime nodded his head and then asked, "Good. Please give Naruto back to his mother. I'm sure Kushina is distressed enough about losing her husband without worrying about where Naruto is."

Jiraiya winced and solemnly said, "That won't be possible sensei. Kushina had some complications with the birth and well." The toad sage's eyes started to water up as he fought back the emotions he was feeling so that he could explain things to Hiruzen. "According to the doctor I spoke to, Kushina's complications were deemed a low priority with all of the wounded coming in from the battle and a stasis seal was place on her. However, whoever was supposed to place the seal didn't do a very good job causing her to bleed to death."

Both men looked at Naruto and couldn't help but feel sorry for the babe. Naruto was less then a day old and yet he had lost both parents, had the most powerful demon known sealed into him, and the only thing keeping in from being on the top of Iwa's hit list was a marriage contract. Hiruzen sighed and asked, "Do you know who the Namikazes had designated to take care of Naruto if anything should happen to them?"

Jiraiya nodded and replied, "Minato and Kushina entrusted me and six others as potential guardians of Naruto if they died. Unfortunately, I'm the only one from that list that's still alive. I'd like to take care of Naruto as the boy is my godson but,"

The Hokage nodded his head and continued Jiraiya's thought. "You're the head of our main spy rings. Such a position requires too much time outside of the village to properly raise a young child and you cannot just resign your position because it would be almost impossible to replace you."

Silence descended on the room as the two men each thought about what to do about Naruto. Finally, the Sandaime broke the silence. "With you permission Jiraiya, I could have Asuma's old nurse Kasumi care for Naruto while your outside the village. At the very least, she could look after the boy until he is old enough that he can be left alone while you go out on your missions."

Jiraiya nodded and quickly agreed with Hiruzen. "That would be acceptable to me. Now, there is just one thing I need to know sensei. What are you planning to do about the sealing with the village? We both know that there is no way that we can just pretend that the sealing never happened. The villagers will demand an explanation."

Hiruzen pulled out his pipe and took a few puffs as he thought about the situation. "We'll let it be known that the Kyuubi was sealed away in a secure location using a divine seal to insure that the demon can never escape. This announcement will be worded in such a way so that the villagers make the assumption that the Kyuubi is sealed in a place or object and not in a person. Furthermore, the villagers will be informed that the location of the Kyuubi's imprisonment is a top secret will severe penalties up to the death sentence for who ever attempts to discover the seal's location."

Sarutobi closed his eyes and then continued on. "Only you, I and the Tsuchikage are to know that Naruto holds the Kyuubi until Naruto is at least a genin."

Jiraiya quickly lost his cool when he heard the third person who would know about Naruto's condition. "What! Why the hell should the Tusuchikage know that?! What reason should someone in another village, let along another country know a secret like that?"

The Hokage's eyes narrowed freezing the Toad Sage in mid-rant. "Think Jiraiya think, this deception I'm planning won't hold forever. Eventually, people will discover that Naruto holds the Kyuubi whether by someone figuring out what happened or Naruto displaying the Kyuubi's power. This deception is merely to buy Naruto time so that negative perceptions of the villagers from the Kyuubi's attack have a chance to dissipate. Even if the deception holds for only a few months, people will at least have a chance to greave and move on. My hope is that this deception will last long enough so that Naruto can begin to make a name for himself before this is revealed to the public."

"However, Naruto's betrothal to Asuka Tenjouin complicates matters. Oonoki or possibly his successor could use Naruto's status as the jailor of the Kyuubi against us diplomatically if he is not informed immediately. Never doubt a politician's ability to twist things around if it so suits them. That's how young Naruto ended up engaged in the first place. If we inform Oonoki now, we remove the possibility that Iwa could accuse us of hiding a 'condition' of this magnitude from them for our participant in the treaty marriage."

Jiraiya started to scratch his chin as he thought over what Sarutobi told him. "But," the concerned godfather started to ask, "What of the risk of Oonoki publically releasing this information? How can you be sure that he won't just destroy your plan to spite you?"

Hiruzen chuckled and then said, "You do not know the Tsuchikage very well do you Jiraiya. Oonoki doesn't care about things like bloodlines, clans, nor in Naruto's case having a demon sealed into a person. Power and potential are what matters to that man. Why do you think he insisted on the engagement? It was an attempt to gain a new source of power for his village at best and neutralize a source of power in another village from being used against Iwa. Oonoki will not only keep our little secret, he will probably insure that Naruto is well treated by the people of Iwa when he goes to claim his bride. Think for a moment and put yourself in Oonoki's shoes. He has a solid link between Iwa and the Namikazes who gave Naruto extremely powerful clan jutsus and a solid ninja pedigree. He has an ally who should be able to call upon the power of the strongest demon ever known. If things go badly here in Konoha he can turn that ally into a subordinate. All of this Oonoki gets by keeping the marriage and he gets our Forbidden Scroll if we break the deal. The Tsuchikage is too intelligent to discard a hand like that."