AN: The first update of 2017! This is a short chapter that was meant to be longer. On a personal note, due to a family members bad health I was unable to finish what I had planned. But I did promise to update soon so I'm putting this out now. This is fresh right off the bat, enjoy

Chapter 8 The Smuggler

Naruto grunted as he struck the training post with his left fist and followed up with a high right kick. His hands and legs were bruised from hitting the post for long hours, but he didn't let that deter him. Taijutsu was best trained with a sparring partner so one could actually experience the counter attacks of a real opponent. But he didn't have anyone to spar with at the moment. Shisui had left for a mission a few days ago and he wasn't sure when he would return.

He hadn't seen Itachi either and had no idea where he was. They were the only two people who he knew and was comfortable asking, so he was out of luck. He actually thought about asking Itachi little brother Sasuke even though they weren't actually friends. He scraped that idea though. Skilled as he was, he doubted the young Uchiha would offer him a challenge that would improve his skills, as he was right now...one day perhaps.

He wanted to continue to train in the Uchiha taijutsu style that Shisui began to teach him. It relied on the ability of the sharingan to anticipate an opponents movements, aiding them in dodging or parrying an attack. The user would then counter attack when an opening appeared.

He couldn't practice this though without a sparring partner, so he instead decided to practice the katas of the Uzumaki taijutsu style he had learned through the scroll Musashi had left him. This style was composed of quick, precise movements and unlike the Uchiha taijutsu style which focused on counter attacking, this style was more direct and designed to overwhelm an opponent with a continuous attack pattern.

His goal was to master both of these taijutsu styles and incorporate both of them into his own unique style that had precision and speed and balanced offensive and defensive combat. His sharingan would make his taijutsu that much more formidable once he mastered it. But for now he focused on getting his form correct.

The last few days were repetitive, he went to academy then trained the rest of the day. But since his talk with Fugaku, he expected that things would change soon.

Flashback

Fugaku's expecting gaze bore into him. He wanted an answer now and he made it clear that wasn't going to get this offer again. Fugaku wanted him to pledge his loyalty to the Uchiha. Something he definitely did not want to do. He was an Uchiha, but that didn't mean he would just fall in line with the clan's wishes.

He didn't feel he owed them anything. They weren't there for him when he needed them, so why should he feel obligated to join them?

But it was different now. He had incentive, In exchange he would get Fugaku's pledge to help him find Musashi's killer. That was the goal that he swore himself to. It's what mattered more to him than anything else. So the answer was simple to him. He would give his aid to Fugaku if it increased his change of getting his vengeance.

He imagined if Shisui was here he would have probably strangled him if he accepted. No doubt he would definitely not approve. Shisui wanted to shield him from getting involved with the clan's affairs. But Shisui wasn't here and it wasn't his choice to make. As much as he respected Shisui as his older brother figure, this was something he had to decide on his own.

"If you can truly help me find my uncle's killer then I'll give my loyalty to the Uchiha" Naruto said with resolve in his voice.

Fugaku smiled, that was the answer he wanted to hear. He had pressured Naruto into answering now in hopes that he would answer based on his desires and the boy had done just that.

"However if you lie to me or don't prove to be of any help then the deal is over," Naruto said seriously.

"Of course I give you my word that I will do everything in my power to help you. You made right choice" Fugaku assured him.

He held out his hand. Naruto stared at him for a moment before shaking his hand.

Flashback end

He was told to keep a low profile and continue with his normal routine. He knew Fugaku wanted him to keep a low profile in order to avoid raising suspicion from the council. He understood, it made sense sure, but he was getting impatient. It had been a week since he had spoken to Fugaku, and he had yet to hear back from him.

It unnerved him. Truth be told, a small part of him was starting to question if he was too quick in accepting Fugaku's terms. He wasn't told specifically what they planned for him to do. He told himself that it didn't matter as long as it didn't interfere with his goal. But still he was curious…

He sighed, waiting was making him anxious. He decided that today he would pay Fugaku a visit and demand that he honor his end of the deal.

His attention was diverted from the training post when he felt a presence nearby. He threw a kunai towards the top of the tree he felt the presence from. It hit the wood flush, strange...he was sure he felt like someone was there. He shunshined to the tree and removed his kunai from the bark. He shook his head, no need to get distracted. He needed to get back to training.

Mikoto opened her dresser and stared at the hanging kimono. It was dark blue and decorated with an elegant blend of white and red flowers petals. The surrounding obi was a white cream color. She let out a sigh, it was a beautiful kimono really but she was not in the mood to dress up despite the occasion calling for it.

She was going to meet with the leaders of the Kurosa clan for a business meeting. Normally Fugaku would be the one to lead these meetings as he was the clan head, but he said he had an important mission that took precedence. She would be representing the Uchiha in his place. She held enough respect that her leadership would not be questioned by either party.

The Uchiha held a contract with the Kurosa clan of the land of Iron to provide premium kunai and shuriken for the clan. Being a clan that incorporated shuriken and kunai in many of their techniques, premium weaponry was a valuable asset. The unique design of their projectiles had superior aerodynamics that allowed for more precise accuracy. And the special metal they used to craft their weapons allowed user to channel their chakra easily through the weapon.

She would have been more comfortable wearing her usual clan attire but knowing the importance of this meeting and being the lead dignitary, she decided to stick with normal formality.

She removed her long sleeve shirt and felt the cool air on her bare skin. It was an unusually colder day in the Land of Fire. She continued to undress herself and slipped into the kimono. She stepped in front of a large mirror and took in her appearance. The elegant fabric hugged her slim figure. The dark blues and reds contrasted nicely with her raven hair and black eyes. Her fair skin completed her beauty. Despite her complaints she did rather enjoy the elegant look.

Taking a seat in front of the mirror she reach for a brush and began straightening her hair. She heard a knock on the door causing her to sigh. She had asked that no one disturb her. She continued running the brush through her hair, opting to ignore it. She hoped they would just go away but the knocking just continued causing her to sigh.

"Come in" she called out.

The door creaked open and Kito walked in and shut the door behind him.

"I asked that no one disturb me, what do you want?" Mikoto asked irritably, still facing the mirror.

"Believe me I know, your attendants were adamant in trying to keep me away." Kito said amusingly.

"You should have listened" Mikoto said flatly.

"I heard you are heading the negotiation with the Kurosa," Kito said, ignoring her remark.

"Yes, as you can see I was preparing…"

Kito smiled, "I can see that, you look breathtakingly beautiful"

"Well I would, hope so, they say negotiations are all about appearances." Mikoto replied smoothly.

Kito frowned, he hoping to get a different response from her. Mikoto was never the most social of people, but these days she seemed more closed off and evasive.

"Mikoto the reason I came here is to see how your holding up. You seem very stressed, perhaps at the meeting I should-"

"Kito, this not the first negotiations I had led, don't insult me with the idea that I need help." She said icily.

Kito seeing her glare through the mirror, held his hands up disarmingly, "I'm not doubting you believe me! No one is as capable as our matriarch."

"What I mean is, with all that going on with the clan...tensions are high, everyone is anxious. I merely want to offer you some breathing room."

Mikoto eyed him through the mirror. "You should be worried about the others not me, I can take care of myself.

Kito smiled, "It's my job, as an elder to worry about everyone."

"Look I know Fugaku has given you many duties for the clan and I just don't want you to burn yourself out."

Mikoto put the brush down and turned and faced him. She could tell he was being sincere. She also didn't miss the slightly bitter tone when he said Fugaku's name. The strained relationship between Fugaku and Kito had yet to heal. Although, she noticed that for most part, their relationship has been cordial as of late...

Well, that was a bit of a stretch but, at least professional. She was honestly surprised that Kito had not been challenging Fugaku recently. It was not so long ago that they were at each others throats every time Kito didn't see eye to eye with him. Unity within the clan was important as ever right now, they couldn't afford to fight among themselves right now.

Perhaps Kito had finally realized that a united clan was above his personal vendettas. Still, she couldn't help but feel something off about his behavior. It was something she would have to look into.

She gave him a small smile, that made his heart beat a little faster. "I appreciate your concern but like I said, I can take of myself. We all have our duties and I have never been one to back out just because things have gotten difficult."

He loved that smile. Her smiles were harder to come by now, and they were rarely ever directed at him. So no matter how small, he cherished them when ever he received them.

'We all have our duties and I have never been one to back down'

Her words seeped deep into his heart, and reinforced his resolve of the abstract view of his duty that had emerged from his painful plights.

Mikoto, seeing her stand before him reminded him of what could have been his. Should have been...

Still, soon it would be his time to rise, to lead and show her what he was capable of. Show her what he could do for the clan. He would make her worries disappear.

A knock on the door brought them both out of their thoughts.

"Mikoto-sama, The Kurosa family has arrived," called out one of the Uchiha guards.

"Thank you, I be right there" she responded.

Kito walk over to the door and held it open for her,

"Good luck"

Mikoto merely smirked as she walked out. She didn't need luck.

It turned out he didn't need to track down Fugaku, the clan head had sent someone to call for him instead. He was currently sitting across from him in his office.

"I waited long enough, you better have something for me" Naruto said bluntly

"It was necessary, on the side of caution, but yes we are ready to begin. You will be accompanying my squad on mission to shut down a drug ring that has been moving narcotics into the village" Fugaku replied.

"How does that help me? That sounds like a mission for the police force?" Naruto said unimpressed.

"From the information we know so far about your uncle's killer, it is highly likely that the assassin was a missing ninja. Most missing ninja carry out assassinations for profit. Although Musashi was not in the bingo book, it quite possible could have been a discreet bounty for him from someone who knew him personally.

"Our drug smuggler, was under surveillance by the police force in order to get information that would help us find and take out the drug ring. We caught him contacting an informant and learned that this drug ring was connected to a bigger criminal organization. The smuggler is set to met up with someone at one of the illegal bounty collection stations. These black market stations are well hidden and we get quite lucky if the smuggler leads us to one of them."

"There we can possible find information about bounties placed in the Land of Fire and potential find information about Musashi."

Naruto thought it over in his head. This wasn't actually a strong lead. They didn't know for sure that a missing ninja was involved. The chances of anything turning up were slim. But they didn't have much information to go on.

"When do we leave."

END

Next chapter we will see Mikoto's meeting with the Kurosa, which will play an important part of the story. And of course more of the smuggler mission.

Reviews are apperciated

Till Next time.