Chapter 2: The Cloned Children

For a long time, they hugged. Kushina sensed Minato's chakra presence behind her, but ignored it. The ambiance she felt could not be explained. Kushina felt like she was in heaven for the first time before giving birth to Naruto, or it was years that Kushina never felt more alive. Reunited with her son had buried the agonizing past that haunted her dreams. Her family, friends, and village had been destroyed during the Second Ninja Wars, while she was in Konoha and had been chosen to host the Kyuubi. From that point on her, had befriended Minato after being rescued from her Kumo captors. Over the years, friendship had turned into love as they became couples.

Then after the Third Great Ninja Wars with Iwa. Minato had already lost two pupils, and she had lost a teacher during that war, which strengthened their bond afterward. Minato proposed to Kushina as she accepted. They would get to marry a year later, and that was when the greatest moments of her life began. All pain was lost until that night four years ago when she'd forfeit her son to Konoha and was banished by her husband.

Naruto, on the other hand, could not explain this feeling. Love, He'd watched the children at parks, walking away holding their parents' hands. How Naruto wished he could be one of those children. Today, Kami had answered his prayers. He wanted to have parents on his birthday. The wish came true. Without his parents, Naruto first four years had been a living nightmare. He was treated like a scapegoat with no friends whatsoever to back him up. Fortunately, at the orphanage, the children treated Naruto differently. He was treated with respect. They were like his siblings.

The caretakers were usually attentive to the children, but in the presence of a civilian council member, Shinobi, and the Hakage. Naruto, and along with the five household clans' children was treated like trash, or being severely beaten up if have to do. Out of the six, Naruto was treated worse than any or the five children because they all knew what resides inside him. When the caretakers had been spare from the confrontation, they would apologize to the children.

The six grew closer like family. Naruto and Ino were very close as brother and sister. Naruto and Ino had no shame what people around them thought them to be—expressing their affection for one another. They were teased between the children calling them "love birds." Naruto and Ino only laughed at their antics. The pestering lasted until six months ago. Uchiha Mikoto had visited the orphanage with her son Uchiha Sasuke, when both her husband and elder son Uchiha Itachi were out on a mission. The war with Iwa had dispatched both. Mikoto had been visiting the orphanage reluctantly. Apparently, all the caretakers were her closes friends.

The girls would go wild. Their infatuation with Sasuke was, so excruciating that it made him want to scream. Naruto could not help but feel jealous, but meeting Itachi was pleasant. The kindness Itachi bestowed upon Naruto, never happen with Sasuke. He too would become jealous. Both would get into small scuffles that had to be broken up by Mikoto and the caretakers.

Two months ago traveling to the Land of Earth, it was by far the worst experience. He would rather put in deleterious situations and to be beaten than experiencing this trip to Iwa again. The climate was scorching hot during the day, but he was fortunate to be hydrated with fluids. At night, it was freezing like the Antarctic. The worst thing about it that he never wore any pajamas and blankets to warm him in the night, all he could do was cuddled into a ball and hugged his legs. Miraculously, he didn't get sick once during the trip. During the travel, Naruto was shackled into a galvanize animal cage—a cube shape cage.

He was not fed well. The slops they throw in his cage tasted like spoiled cheese. His stomach churned with each gulping, but in due time, his digestive system would grow accustom to it. The taste lingered within his taste buds for the day. Foul breath of sewage was what people would describe Naruto's breath if they inhaled it. On the bright side of eating slops, it was packed with nutrition and minerals that would keep Naruto healthy, but if needed to use the bathroom. He either would have to crap and piss his pants if shinobi were not by his side.

Urinating was hardly an issue, but the problem was the stench escalating when pissing more than once in the same spot emitting an acerbic tang like a sour pickle's stench. Trade winds would usually blow in from the eastern mountain range sweeping the odor away for an expanded duration. Furthermore, they did not stay in one spot for too long. As for taking a dump, it was never the issue.

They would attentively escort him in the bushes. A platoon order by the Godaime Hokage must escort Naruto if he has the use the restroom. Here in the wilderness was either the bushes, or he had to dig a hole a crap into it. Naruto was then forced to bury his own droppings. Normally, the Anbu would pester about it. He was old enough, despite being four years old to understand that he was being teased about the crap into a hole. Sometimes, the ninjas would make the blond toddler walked to the cage with Naruto's pants down.

Then they kicked him in the ass as Naruto fell, squirming back to his cage frightened. He pulled his pants up and zipped it. Naruto shuddered as the ninjas taunted him from beyond the cage and rattled it. The dirt stained his tunics as he brushed the remnants of dry twigs and rocks off him.

There was one moment, even worse than his previous trips to the bushes. The Anbu drank Sake as if there were no tomorrow. They were drunk, that they never heard Naruto screaming that he had to take a dump. He had no choice but to crouch in the corner. Being shackled, had made things difficult for Naruto to maneuver his hands to reach down near his grown to zip down and yanked the pants where the buttons at an ankle level.

He then crouched low as he could have and released his wastes. Naruto had nothing to wipe his ass. He was about to pull his pant's up when someone tossed him a roll of toilet paper. He locked up at the Leaf Jonin that was not part of the Anbu. Something was off about this man. He had dark plastered black hair that seemed familiar to auntie Mikoto's. The ghostly white skin, got Naruto shivering with chicken skin. The eyes of a snake tormented Naruto sight as if he were staring death straight in the face. The man said his name was Orochimaru one of the Three Legendary Sannin. Even his voice and the way he moved was inhuman, Naruto was sure of it.

Naruto wiped his behind as he watched Orochimaru approached the drunken Anbu Shinobi and one by one mutilated them before finally killing them. Naruto was scared as he heard Orochimaru said, "That's what happens when you don't follow orders given from Danzo-sama." Then he laughed. The sinister laughter churned Naruto belly. It was not the odor his feces were emitting. The massacre had gotten Naruto puking. Orochimaru apologized rather if it were intentional or not.

In the company of Orochimaru, Naruto was never treated like a scapegoat or accosted. Orochimaru fed him well and spoiled him like a gaki. Naruto was starting to have doubts that Orochimaru was a sinister man. That would last until they made it on the outskirts of Iwakagure no Sato. Orochimaru promised him that if Naruto helped put an end to the war. He would be treated as a hero. So there was one last thing to do before, or more accurate Naruto entered the fray as the Sannin held out an insect by its tail. Naruto was afraid of insects. This one looked like an exoskeleton scarab that seeped within his back.

Naruto cried out. It felt like as if something were drilling into him. The procedure lasted only twenty seconds. He panted. The last thing he remembered before passing out was an immense head a fearsome creature glaring at him when he had woken up. Iwa was never the same. Buildings were crumbled like dry clay. The smell of searing corpses caught Naruto's glance. As he glanced at the stack of bodies and remains. Naruto asked what had happened. Orochimaru chuckled and told Naruto he tapped into the Kyuubi's power and killed a lot of people.

Naruto felt guilty. He'd just killed over 5,000 people. There were among the civilian casualties. Naruto never thought. He was not mad, but sad. He then ran up to a nearby Konoha Kunoichi and wrested a kunai from her holster. The Kyuubi was inside of him. Naruto held out the kunai with two hands and pointed the tip toward him. Naruto attempted Harakiri. Orochimaru intercepted the kunai with his long outstretched pink tongue, and then, someone appeared behind Naruto and muttered into his ear, "Naruto. We're all victims of Danzo's tyranny. What just happened here was not your fault.

"... no matter what people will say from this point on, you will always be a hero in my heart." Naruto received a hand-knife, chop to the back of his neck, knocking him down unconscious, but not before heard Orochimaru addressed the man as Hatake Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye.

Now two months later.

Naruto's mother was here within his outstretched arms. The wind blew in from the screen shades. Naruto felt Kushina's hair trickled down the back of his next. He breathed in Kushina fresh aroma of cosmetic strawberries. It was not just his mother was beautiful, but she smelt damn good. No wonder his Dad fell in love with her. Naruto chuckled as he lifted his head away from Kushina cleavage and glanced up meeting that mournful blue, jaded orbs. He was lost within those eyes. It was mesmerizing. Naruto could stare into her eyes all day. Those eyes fill with sadness, but it, for some reason. It was like heaven. Those eyes of his mother were comforting him, and he didn't know why, but deep down, from the depths of his soul. He could feel all the anguish being cleansed from his soul. It was now filled with happiness. Naruto began to smile briefly before his face fell into a frown.

"M-mommy... where have you been?"

She knew this was the hardest off all questions. Her heart was racing. Kushina could hear her heart beat beeping in her ears. Her hand caressed Naruto's cheek.

"I-I h-have been a-away." She frowned.

"Why mommy?" Naruto pouted.

"Child, actually I was never away from you. Almost every night when you were tucked away in bed. Me and your father never abandon you. We were forced to leave you behind. Or a part of you to fool the Godaime."

Naruto gave her a calculating glance. Was she telling Naruto the truth? But what did she mean "part of me"?

"It's not what it seems, sweetheart. You children are Mokuton Bunshins. The main you and the children are back home in Uzushio. When that body of yours expires, you will return to your original body," she cried. "I'm so sorry. I-I never meant for this to happen to you. This was by last choice."

"How come?"

"Because your Hokage would arrest us if we did not give you up. Then after the trial, we were banished from Konoha. Never to set foot on Konoha soil ever again. That is why you children exists as clones."

Naruto cerulean orbs sailed over Kushina's shoulders there stood a tall, blond hair man. The hairs on Naruto's neck stood up. This was the same man who killed the villagers who were about to pummel Naruto into a bloody pulp.

"You're that guy!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing fingers at Minato.

Minato sighed and shook his head disappointingly. Kushina, on the other hand, had fought off the urge to berate her son. It would be disastrous if she did. The last thing Kushina needed was giving Naruto the wrong impression that she's an abusive uncaring mother. There might be a time Kushina would need to use excessive force to discipline her son if he stepped out of line. She knew it was in her own right.

"Sweetie, that's not how you properly address your father."

Naruto for a second was dumbfounded. Minato and Kushina looked at each other with curiosity, then they shrugged. Then they glanced down and seen their son full of tears of tears. Naruto dismounted from Kushina's grasped and embraced his father, "Daddy!" Naruto stiffened.

"I'm here for you, son." Minato patted his son's back.

"Dad! You no need to kill them!" Naruto backed away.

"Son, I'm sorry for scaring you earlier. Rest assured. I did not kill them, but put them to sleep. I can't help but eavesdrop on your conversation with your new friend." Dad snickered as he was cogent.

Naruto cheeks had several streaks of red. Kushina cupped her chin, studying Naruto's body language. She then snapped her head to her husband and chuckled. Naruto nudged on her Cape. He got her attention.

"Her name... Sakura-chan," he grinned

"Oh my," Kushina slapped her cheeks, but with a soft stroke and snickered. "What a lovely name... I want to me this Sakura someday, but we have important business to attend to."

"Business like your dream to become Hokage." Minato retorted, "You wish to become Hokage?" Minato glanced down upon him with curiosity.

"Yeah... believe it! I'm going to be the best Hokage that ever lived!"

His parents could not help but smiled, "Very well."

The climate at this time of the year would dramatically reduce in the fall season preparing for winter. It was what most villagers were about to look forward to after suffering the scorching spring and summer time in Konoha. They were lucky to live here instead of Suna in the hot baked desert. Konoha was a tropical village, tourist sky rocketed until Danzo's reign. Financially, the stocks dropped the bellow average, mainly because of the Great Defection and fewer tourist attractions.

The Godaime decided to leech off Iwa budget sucking them almost dry. Iwa remained to enslave to the Konoha Empire. That was Iwa's fault. Luckily, for the Sandaime Tsuchikage, he was still in office. Naruto and the Kyuubi had literally wiped out Iwa's Shinobi Council and Civilian Council. There was no one to replace him, Danzo knew. Onoki was starting to show signs of senility, and it would be easier to manipulate Onoki by the thread of Danzo's fingers, and possibly, avoid the younger generation to organize a coup.

Danzo straightened his head towards the Hokage Monument. His enigmatic glance to his predecessor Namikaze Minato, Danzo's eyebrows furrowed to that thought. His non bandaged hand tightened. His knuckles whitened, and there hasn't been any report about Minato and his wife's whereabouts. He'd sent a hunter ninja platoon to the Land of Waves where the last contact with the rebels was last spotted. The ninjas scoured over the seas where the island that was once Uzushikagure no Sato was gone. There was no island. Danzo had never heard of this, the report he received decades ago stating the island was intact.

There was no foul play of Gen-jutsu. He would need more time to investigate that area, but without clearance. His men would be trespassing on Kirikagure's territory that they were. Kirikagure will be the Godaime's next course of action. With Kiri under his belt, he could control the Land of Wave in which it controlled the seas. With that territory, Konoha could conduct an investigation on the missing island. His men need to be healed.

That will not be a problem. It would take months of plotting and preparations. The goal of every operation is to catch their adversary by the element of surprise, which Iwa failed to do. Iwa thought they could waltz in Konoha because of the Great Defection and Konoha's low budget and the lack of provisions. Danzo may be an old fart, but even he was wise enough not to underestimate his opponents regardless of their status.

If Onoki were in the shoes as the Godaime Hokage, he would have sent out a battalion, and only Kami knows what would become of them. Onoki's thinking that he and his village are superior to all Five Great Shinobi Nations has warped his mind. First, he thought he could overrun Konoha in the Third Ninja Wars that was spoiled by Minato when his Hiraishin had helped him slaughtered battalions in seconds. Obviously, he did not learn from the first time.

You must know your enemy aces to determine the outcome of victory. Onoki had not known Minato was Konoha's ace, and he never knew about Orochimaru's chimeras and Onoki never in his wildest dreams thought Danzo would never use his toddler Jinchuuriki.

Onoki had two aces and hardly used them in the past two years. Speaking of the two aces, Danzo thought. Iwa's two Jinchuurikis mysteriously vanished at the beginning of the war never to be heard or seen again. This was another thorn in his back he needed to be extracted, but without a hunch or a clue to where those Jinchuurikis are located. It is something that needed to be worried about. Those Jinchuuriki in which Danzo presumed that they had defected.

They could strike the very soul of Konoha with resistance. The worst-case scenario, they could be within the Konoha rebels' hands. The fact that Minato could possibly have apprehended those Jinchuuriki sent a bolt of shiver down the Godaime's spine with a snarl to follow. He must assume that Minato has the two Jinchuurikis in his possession. The thing that worries him the most, why hasn't Minato or Kushina try to invade Konoha to reclaim their son?

For four years, he had been trying to anticipate Minato's moves knowing that he was well behind. It was like a game of Chess and Shogi. He must think several hundred steps ahead, but knowing Minato. He was probably at least a thousand steps ahead of Danzo. What are his pawns? Danzo thought the children that Kakashi kidnapped were the pawns. The more he thought about it. They were not expendable.

Maybe that was what Minato wanted him to think. Danzo believed the best chance Minato had to reclaim Naruto was the campaign to Iwa. It never happened, which got the old War-hawk pondering. Minato and his rebels could have to reclaim the orphans during the war with fewer troops stationed here in Konoha and made his way toward the Land of Earth. It never happened. Minato must have anticipated the possible threat that he could stumble upon an ambush. Minato may be a younger and a leader, but compare to Onoki the Sandaime Tsuchikage. Minato was eminent and wiser.

Onoki was easy to predict, and Minato is not knowing it's just an abstract idea.

It was why an adamant Onoki was not just the oldest, but the boldest kage to lose most wars in history. Just because the odds were against the former Hokage's enemies. Danzo knew never to underestimate the underdog or the adverse side. It was just like a David and Goliath. A cornered cat could turn the odds against their adversaries. Surely enough, Onoki never learned from his first attempt to conquer Konoha. On the other hand, Minato was cleverer. He knew pass up a chance during the war was going to be the best attempt to mount a rescue operation. He didn't as Danzo reminded himself repeatedly.

To most, it would seem like a missed opportunity, but he knew better. It was brilliant thinking and perfect tactics to avoid an ambush. Danzo finally acknowledged Minato foreseen the ambush Danzo had in waiting. Unlike Onoki, Minato planned to keep his intuition in secrecy, that was how a leader should act, regardless how puny, weak, and pathetic an enemy could be. The key was not if, but when Minato and the rebels will come for their children. That's the most vital move Danzo must anticipate them all, but when. At the least, he expected.

Danzo took a moment or two to sigh. He then glared at the Hokage Monument. He tried his best not to be diffident. You think you're very clever. Wait until I get my hands on you. Danzo's hands stiffened from a close grip. Danzo's knuckles whitened. Then he'd let out a muttering, choking laughter. An anbu shinbi knocked on the door. Danzo watched the golden door knob twirled counter clockwise. The door slowly opened as the Anbu ushered himself and his team in before closings the door behind him. He was wearing a white dog masked. He bowed his respects. Danzo beckoned him to come closer.

"What to report?"

"They somehow disappeared during the second wave."

Danzo was dismal, "Carry on," he mused.

"According to one of the jonin we'd interrogated. He said that the two had pursued an unknown shinobi... Couldn't tell which village that Shinobi was from. The Jinchuurikis lead, of course, by this ninja and suddenly vanished into swirls of gusty winds."

Danzo rubbed his chin with interest as he glanced up with his famous trademark squinted smile, "Any description?" He shrugged, "Any details concerning this 'unknown ninja' and what about the whereabouts?"

"Unfortunately, information on the ninja's whereabouts is not available at the moment," an Anbu kunoichi said. "However, the jonin did leave a description of the ninja's appearance. The shinobi was dressed in blacklist robes with a hood over his head concealing it. The shinbi wore an 'orange mask with black swirling designs with a one eye socket."

Danzo nodded with a frown. Could it be you? "A man with orange mask." Danzo cupped his chin, "That will be all for today. You all are dismissed."

The three Leaf Anbu escorted themselves out of the Hokage's Tower. Danzo leaned into his chair gathering his thoughts. He hadn't seen that person for four-years. His sudden thoughts were interrupted by another knock on the door. Whoever he'd called in nearly had a kunai plunged into his head. Another anbu, but he'd grown accumulated to those spontaneous attacks from the Godaime. He normally does that if he were not in a good mood. The last time was four years ago. Danzo rarely showed his expression to the public.

"Hokage-sama! We have reports confirming a mob of villagers were pursing the Nine-tails, chasing him through the alley," the anbu man was rigid.

Danzo sighed.

"This better be good." Danzo snorted. "What is the current status on the Jinchuuriki'?"

"We believed he escaped with no harm, but the mob was found unconscious. We believe someone or a 'third party' must have intervened by the looks of it. We've found these at the scene." The anbu held out some marble size smoke bombs. "This is a tranquilizer bomb, Hokage-sama

A light bulb lit up within his subconscious, "Sound the alarm! Get all off-duty and send them to the orphanage on the double! Tightened security and alert the village on lock down, but let this be a drill for those who are not participating in the raid."

"Your wish is my command sire." The anbu squad bowed.

Danzo didn't have time to gather his thoughts as Kakashi appeared to be standing affront—using a basic Shunshin—of the Godaime's desk with a puppy smile. "Danzo-sama, I'd completed my reconnaissance in the..."

Danzo tugged on his vest. Kakashi knew that glare well enough no to double cross Danzo. Kakashi's sudden grin was replaced with trepidation, but he'd done his best to conceal it with a light chuckle. "Godaime-sama, what seems to be the problem?" Kakashi tried to be casual as he could do

"Possible invasion, you're coming with me Hatake.

Yamanka Ino lined up in the middle of the boys dressed in a skirt purple outing dress for occasions. She had two gold rings and earrings that somehow were passed down to her from her mother who'd forsake Ino in the year she was born. That's what she was told, but none of these children knew they were kidnapped. Looking to her right, she'd seen Nara Shikamaru from the defected Nara clan stood beside her.

She saw him as nothing but an indolent bastard of a nuisance. She wondered how boys or just this boy could be this lazy, do nothing but sit up on the hill in Konoha's National Park and glanced up at the clouds day in and day out. Occasionally, her so called brother figure Naruto would join him. Unlike Shikamaru, Naruto was never "this lazy" and "troublesome" Shikamaru's favorite cache phrase. Ino chuckled, which got Shikamaru's attention in the corner of her eye.

Ino crooked her head in Shikamaru's direction, but caught the Nara boy straightening his head at the very last moment. She did not know when but at the age of three. Shikamaru had been avoiding eye contact with him. Definitely, there was something wrong with him. Ino could not recall what she had done to upset him if they were the case. He was dressed in a brown tiger skin kimono.

She glanced at the obese boy on Shikamaru's right. He was wearing a large size white T-shirt with an orange Uzushio Emblem enlarged on the back of the shirt with the word Happy Birthday Naruto written small in Kanji and blue jean shorts. This boy was born into the defected Akimichi Clan. Akimichi Choji like his predecessors is known for their enlarge state from birth. He has an immense appetite and rapid hunger for food. Choji is typical as ever, munching on a bag of potato chips. This was another boy who she could mark of her most-wanted affection list.

Then Ino looked to the left at the two boys. She does develop a relationship whatsoever. Mainly, Inuzuka Kiba from the defected Inuzuka Clan sometimes would get into little scuffles with Naruto. Ino saw Kiba was still wearing his silver baggy coat with a wool collar. She snarled. This is Naruto's birthday after all... how could he...And lastly, Aburame Shino from the defected Aburame Clan. Shino still remained a mystery to everyone. He always kept to himself and rarely engaged in conversation. Some think that he's a mute. Nope, she thought. This boy doesn't have a place on her boys list. Shino was dressed in an olive, black kimono.

The children straightened their heads as they watch the double doors flung open. The two doors opened. The two care takers ushered Naruto inside. He was dressed in his famous orange jumpsuit. To Ino's surprise, Naruto never came in alone. Standing behind him was a man who had betrayed Konoha, a wanted rogue ninja and a former Hokage Namikaze Minato. There is no soul in this village that does not know Minato is Naruto's father. Ino noticed Minato had looked in her direction momentarily. What she suddenly felt ten thousand volts of electricity coursing through her body mentally.

She shuddered. This man here could kill everyone in this faster than the speed of light. The bedtime stories of the Hiraishin no Jutsu the caretakers told her, but what felt inspired was Minato slightly winked indicating everything would be alright by his body language, and he grinned just like Naruto. Ino was dumbstruck. She sighed, shaking her head. Then a woman, not just any women, but beautiful red hair women flanked Minato to the left and placed both hands-on Naruto's shoulders. Naruto seemed to be in a world of blissfulness. Then her brainwaves felt like it malfunction for several seconds. This could be Naruto's mother. Naruto seemed happy so does his parents; Ino thought.

The caretakers exited the room after closing the door. Minato approached them while Kushina held Naruto against her hips with the back of his head resting against her lower abdominal. Kushina glanced at the children, and she then perhaps spotted the only girl in that line. She knew it must have been hectic just being the only female among males.

It just reminded Kushina of the good old days in Uzushio when she played and hang out with boys. Ever since living in the Whirlpool Country, she hadn't befriended a single girl or female companion. Her father thought Kushina had undergone a sex change. Her tomboy status was carried over to Konoha where she was being pestered about her boyish appearance and attitude excluding her round head and tomato hair. No matter how she tried to be a woman, it was futile even dressed like a girl. Her mother passed away from giving birth, and she could not learn the proper feminine way.

That was not until she befriended Minato, and she was introduced to Uchiha Mikoto. It was embarrassing, but she learned a great deal about being a woman, clean and took care-of her fingernails, brushing her hair, applying cosmetics to her skin, etc.

Kushina observed Ino from head to toe. Kushina chuckled softly. It seems she doesn't need to go through that great ordeal, Inoichi. Kushina was brought out of her thoughts as she felt Naruto's body slightly tugging her arms.

"Guys, look who came," Naruto flailed his arms out blissfully.

It was the children turn to grimace. They all knew from the photo's and stories about the blond ex-Kage that stood before them in awe. Ino mouth dropped into a frown as she pointed directly at Minato with such bitterness.

"Y-You are Naruto's father," she gritted her teeth, "The Yondaime Hokage."

Minato azure orbs travel as it met the young Yamanaka toddlers gaze, "Yes. I know you are Yamanaka Ino."

Ino was awestruck, "H-how you know me?"

"Let's just say. Your parents or more precisely your father is a good friend of mine, not just you, but all your fathers." He motioned at his finger at the children.

"But why are you here? You're wanted," Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at the former Hokage not letting Minato out of his sight.

"I don't have time to explain as of now, but listen up." The children stiffened. "You want to know the truth about your parents?" Minato waited until they gave a nod. "They did not intentionally abandon you. I had arranged for you guys to be kidnapped by my former student. I did not separate you from your parents to do any harm."

Shikamaru maybe four years old, but he has an IQ ranging from between eight to tens of age. It had not taken him long to pinpoint the "flaw" of having parents abandoned their own child. What good parent be so inhuman to leave a child in a hostile country? Where within the walls was like a living hell since, Danzo took office.

"But sir, why kidnapping us—harmless?"

"Four years ago, the Kyuubi had attacked this village, killing lots of people. They told you that I sealed the Kyuubi inside Naruto. The truth is that was so post to happen. The Sandaime Hokage was attached to the Kyuubi when I sent my-our old house. The sealing justu that I was to perform is called the Shiiki Fuujin. You can only use this jutsu once in a lifetime because the user of this jutsu will have to sacrifice his or her soul. Nothing can't live without the soul."

Minato grinned at the death grim expression written over the faces of the children, especially his son. Minato could only imagine at the moment what must be going through Naruto's mind as he quickly glanced over his shoulder, catching Naruto cursing while Kushina was ruffling with his hair trying to ease him. Minato grimaced, but put a fake smile in his son's direction. Minato then dragged his head lazily to the children once again.

"Sir, why-you-alive?" Kiba muttered, but he intentionally wanted to keep it to himself, not draw any attention to himself.

"I never got a chance use 'that jutsu'. Sandaime Hokage-sama had done the sealing for me. The Shiiki Fuujin can only seal half of the Kyuubi's Chakra at a time. The Sadaime sealed the first half the Yin Chakra and its soul into my wife, and the second half the Yang Chakra and the Kyuubi into my son."

Naruto momentarily broke his embrace with Kushina, "Dad, so mommy is..."

"Yes, dear, I'm a Jinchuuriki like you. In fact, I'm its former host, but we will save that story for later."

Naruto gave Kushina a smug look before snaking under his arms around her waist again. Kushina grinned as she patted Naruto on the cranium.

"Now where was I-oh the sealing? After the sealing, me and Kushina were exiled from this village because people were infuriated that Kushina's Jinchuuriki status was kept a secret until the night, she conceived Naruto. All I can tell you that your Godaime committed mutiny and overthrown my authority as Hokage when failing to assassinate me and my wife on our premises with his Anbu ROOT Division. We failed to prove an attempted assassination from ROOT and was charged with manslaughter of the Second Anbu Regiment Division instead."

"But your parents wanted to leave with us. They did not want to live under the madman's ruling and decided to come with us. Minato and your parents decided to leave you guys behind for four years until we reconstructed your new homes in a new village," Kushina said.

Kushina chuckled at the awestruck children.

"Eh... it's not the main reason why each, and every one of you was left behind. I had my former apprentice Hatake Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye kidnapped all of you.

Ino's blood was boiling as her forehead displayed veins bursting, "How could y-you-they want that—"

"After removing me from office, Danzo's obsession never dims. He's hungry for more power and territory, which he will invade other nations to conquer them. He will enslave the world, and all will suffer under his wrath. You were all chosen—it will be up to you five to become Naruto's comrades, subordinate to help restore the lost Will of Fire. In other words, help my son achieve his goals become the future Rokudaime Hokage.

The children deadpanned.

"It will be extremely difficult tasks to accomplish, but you five have a choice not to accept. We will understand, but we can't leave you all here anymore," he continued.

"Excuse me, sir," he scoffed. "Then why didn't you fight to get back into office, Yandaime-sama? You could save the trouble leave us behind in an orphanage."

Minato gave another of his trademark goofy that was all too familiar and similar to Naruto's. "You have your father's keen mind."

Minato explained to the children that they were Mokuton clones. Nevertheless, their reactions were that of the same as Naruto's.

"The reasons were that we did not want to spill the blood of innocent people were going to be used against us under Danzo's orders," he continued. "You six with Kakashi have the element of surprise. Danzo won't suspect a coup d'état."

Naruto looked over in Shikamaru's direction. Even he was baffled and didn't know what a coup was. He dragged his eyes to Minato's back observing the gust swaying his cloak in a fascinating fashion.

"Dad, what's coup day-t-tat?

"It means you will rebel against Danzo's authority and apprehend his authority as Hokage-waging warfare, the similar thing that happened to me. It job to do everything in your power to remove or eliminate him son. Your mother and I will do the best in our power to fill you almost every skill and jutsu you will need. Now, since much of everything is said and done. Do you have any questions?

"Dad, you won't help fight?" Naruto frowned.

"No, no son, we will be right behind you when the operation commences, any questions?" The children shook their heads. "Good, now we move on to the finale. Any who doesn't wish to take part in this operation?" there was a long pause in between. "I must know as of now. All will return to your original bodies if one of you declines. However, we will lose the element of surprise and its going to cost us more lives, but we 'adults' are will go the distance."

There was another moment of silence. The children began muttering.

"Do you all accept your mission to fight along side with Naruto?"

"Can't leave Naruto nii-chan behind!" Ino curled her bicep while her other hand gripped her wrist above.

A world without Naruto... troublesome, "Troublesome... I'm with Naruto all... way."

Shikamaru put on his sarcastic "I don't give a shit" facade crossing his arms in annoyance portraying his laziness. Truly, Naruto is one of his best friends, and won't live well if Naruto dies.

"This sounds interesting," Kiba murmured. "I want to join him," Kiba pointed at Naruto.

"Same here," Shino nodded.

Minato began rummaging through his cloak and pulled a flat wooden jury box. Minato slowly paced up to Naruto and review six macadamia shape nuts in a form of seeds. "Now, will you swallow this?" Naruto gaped as he reluctantly gulped his saliva. He then reached out and plucked one of the seeds the box has he juggled it in the palm of his hand glancing down in discuss. The seed felt rough as if someone's calloused hand graced the inside of his palm. Looking at it, the feeling was like starring at vegetables. Something most children abhorred at a certain age until they reached teenage.

Naruto pondered, "Eh Dad, what's this stuff, so post to do?"

"This seed contains memories from your original and it will prolong your life span."

Naruto with one swift motion swallowed the pellet down his throat. At first, nothing out of the ordinary happened as he watched Minato presented the remaining seeds. Suddenly, he felt a clank building up in his neck. And at the same time, he felt his guts exploded. The pain subsided once the expansion seized. Now he had the urged to empty deposit whatever he ate this morning slouching over as he grabbed both knees. Naruto screeched.

Gripping his knees, the knuckles on his hands began to whiten. The hue on his face was drastically changing to blueberry. Floods of memories came pouring into his mind like pour tea in a cup. He faltered to his knees, crying with joy. His parents loved him. The other children were wailing before smiling blissfully.

A series of sirens buzzed throughout the Leaf Village that sent bolts of fear, trepidation down the kids' spines. Their stomach tight with the apprehensive expression on Kushina's face, while Minato remained calm as if the situation were under control. However, the loud ruckus broke the silence as Danzo's men approached the orphanage. The sensor jammers must have malfunctioned.

"This is where we take our leave. Son, be very casual when the Godaime questions you about the smoke bombs. Tell him that you've got it from a perverted hermit at the women hotspring. And that's goes for each and one of you each and one of you. Until than."

Minato used Hiraishin and he and his wife were gone in a blink of an eye. Time expired as they watched the door to the room they occupied kicked off its hinges. Kakashi was the first to enter. In the corner of his eyes, Kakashi saw it... the hidden Shiki at the last moment before it was erased. He managed to hide a smirk from his fellow shinobi. He saw fear within Naruto's eyes anticipating what could have to be running through the boy's mind. Then suddenly, Yamanaka Fu and Aburami Torune flanked him leaving little less on the Copy Cat Ninja to assess Naruto's reaction. His cyclopes eye trailed and landed upon the platinum blond toddlers frowning.

"What's happening!" Ino screamed.

"Remain silent until you're instructed!" Kakashi then dragged his eyes from the startled Ino to one on the caretakers giving her a stern look. "Explain!"

"Sir, we were celebrating Naruto's birthday until the siren rung. We panic at first, and we were about to evacuate when you, and your people brought madness. What is it that you want? Take the fucking children—I don't care. Please, don't burn this orphanage. It is all I've got left."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes away from the caretaker and officiated on the children as he cupped his chin, "That will be all." He then counted the six children. "Hokage-sama, all children are in counted for."

Kakashi backed away as the Godaime was making his way toward Naruto, "Good!" his eyes filled with malice, "boy, I'm going to ask you a very simple question. Where did you get these?"

Danzo's palm what it seemed like forever hung everlasting into those cerulean orbs. Naruto shuddered. He knew what those were. Those were sleeping bombs that looked like a violet cracker-bomb without any fuse attached to it. Minato warned Naruto that he would be questioned about the sleeping bombs, and he must be haste in reply.

"U-Um a-ah t-he... at the women hot spring."

Danzo smugly glared as he gestured at hand. Suddenly, Naruto was hit with a hook punch by the Copy Cat Ninja as he fell hard on his butt. Ino became despondent and immediately wanted to retaliate with verbal assault, but Shikamaru behind her snaked under his arms underneath her arm pit, so he could cap Ino's mouth with his hand. Naruto's head ache abated to see the horrific grim Shikamaru was expressing to Ino as he muttered something into her ears.

Ino seemed to have settled down. Naruto looked sharply at Kakashi with a smug. He could taste the metallic blood on his busted lips. Naruto's jaw pain finally subsided, but he could not see the leakage of crimson chakra oozing out from his lip wound. He glanced up at the old War-hawk. His expression was somewhat pleased than moments ago. Naruto knew from within his gut that Danzo mood had changed. Was he proud to see Naruto in agony, he thought? They waited until Naruto gathered himself to his feet.

"Brat, if you wished to be treated to well in the future, then tell me exactly were and who you got these smoke bombs from?"

Naruto shivered, "S-sir, s-some perverted guy who has long silver hair dropped it when he was being chased by ladies."

Both the Danzo and Kakashi suddenly murmured to each other. All he could hear was a mention of Jiraiya. Shortly after their discussion, their cold gaze met Naruto's.

"Very well, now explained to me. How learn to use these bombs?"

Naruto stiffened, realizing what the out come of his future would come to, or he was just being daunted. It didn't matter. Naruto knew he would lose both ways. They would be debilitated, and if he told them. He could be punished for attacking villagers. The drumming of Naruto's heart had instantaneously overdrive, but was short lived after he felt a hand patting him on the back. Naruto's breathing pattern was stabilizing.

"Take a deep breath." Kakashi grinned. "Everything is going to be alright."

Was he telling the truth? Kakashi like Danzo mood had dramatically changed for the good as if Naruto pleased them in a way without him knowing. Naruto did as what Kakashi said.

Gathering his thoughts, "I u-um w-was making trouble." Naruto cursed himself. "I'll just throw the thing at people. I never know it can blow up after throw it at someone."

Naruto hoped his statement was delineated.

Danzo's eye lowered upon Naruto with such boredom knowing it was just Naruto's pranks. He'd mentally cursed himself from coming... for making such a only to discover Naruto defended himself in self-defense. He did learn one thing that was worth all the effort. Naruto's parents had finally made contact with Naruto through the eyes of Jiraiya, knowing that the Namikaze couples honored their banishment.

The rebels displayed that they could easily penetrate the barrier without detection. Knowing the Toad Sennin, his main objective was to spy here in. He assumed Naruto's parents were on the lookout for their child, but the question remained. How long did have come in and out of this village without a soul knowing about it? It would make sense that they knew the treatment Konoha was bestowing upon Naruto. He knew it would only be a matter of time until the Namikaze couple, and the rebels make their move.

He chuckled as he then began to stumble towards the door.

"That will be all."

~~Clone Naruto's Dream~~

The Uzu Fields were magnificent scenery that surrounded the origin of Uzu no Kuni (Land of Whirlpools) that held Uzushiokagure no Sato. It was said that the main island Nami no Kun (Land of Waves), was once a part of Uzu no Kuni until Uzushio's destruction had granted that nation independent. Many older generations had not forgotten Uzushio. Many wanted to rebuild the lost village, but the Uzumaki Clan had been wiped clean off the face of the earth. There was only a hand full of Uzumaki in existence today.

Without the Uzumaki, Uzushio was good as dead. That village represents the affinity life of the Uzumaki. There was no such thing as Uzushio without an Uzumaki. Only those with Uzumaki bloodline could run the village and on top of that. They did not want another repeat what happen during the Second Great Shinobi Wars.

Since the Great Defection, there were rumors that Uzushio was under construction by the rebels. If that were the case, there was no way that they could control the sea without the Uzumaki Clan's Special Chakra. There were rumors that the Yondaime Hokage, and his wife had been visiting Nami no Kuni a lot. There was no soul on this island did not know a damn thing about Minato's wife Namikaze Uzumaki Kushina.

It would make sense restoring the great village to its former glory, so that way they won't be under Kirikagure no Sato's laws, but with just one Uzumaki to spare. It will be difficult for Kushina to maintain the Uzu Fields by herself, even if she's a Jinchuuriki. The Namikaze couple purchased a ferry that looks like a miniature cruise ship that size of a tug boat. It had Titanic's colors, but with a denser hull enough to sustain iceberg and reef scrapes. The couples watched the kids gathered to the bow.

This was the first time the children as seen the sea. There were dolphins swimming on the starboard side of the ferry. Dolphins began flapping their fins as one tried to vault over the boat, but high enough for it to reach the railing, so Naruto could pat its head. A splash of salt water sprinkled the crew. The children clapped. Naruto waved as the dolphins swam. He then turned to lay beside Shikamaru on the bridge, and they glance into the sky.

Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji are the best of friends, while Shino and Kiba were more distance than any of the three boys. Like most time, the three boys would pass out under the gaze of the clouds. Most cases, Ino would always scream at them for sleeping outdoors and told them. It was not safe at night time. Shikamaru had sworn how much Ino wanted to play the mother, which irritated the hell out of him.

Turning so his eyes met hers, he saw Ino cuddled into a ball. Shikamaru got up from his sitting position and approached Ino. Shikamaru wrapped his Akasuki robes around Ino. Ino snarled much to her chagrin. She just gave him a hiss telling to back away from as if he were going to violate her or something. Shikamaru shrugged it off and mutter "troublesome girl." Ino wanted to knock his blocks off, but every inch she'd moved. The warmth decimated, even with the Shikamaru's robes.

Glancing back at him, Shikamaru hugged his chest. How does he do it? His mouth straightened. Shikamaru dragged his head back in her direction. Shikamaru cursed and found himself to be staring the platinum blond hair, she devil in the eye. Why can't he looked her in the eye just for once? Why was she cursing him all the time? Sure, his laziness was what set her off every time. That was all she hated about him. As for his altruistic nature, Ino could not appreciate his generosity.

Maybe it's because of his cache phrase "troublesome" or "a drag," he always inputs after helping out her out of troublesome situations. To her intuition, Shikamaru does not seem motivated to what he does. She could never like a slothful boy like that.

However, having two Akatsuki robes draped around her body, Ino shivering seemed to reduce gradually. It was far from being conformable. "I'm cold," she murmured. Watching the wave banged against the hull crushed into a white mist, she noticed the ocean began to get rougher as the journey deepened. The ferry would bob. Ino felt her stomach churning for the first ten minutes as it took ten whole minutes for the capsule, tablet, she swallowed that prevented sea sickness had started working its magic. Ino backed away from the starboard side as she was embraced from behind. She glanced up, and it was Naruto's redhead mother.

"Sweetie, hugged your chest. It will keep you warm." She grinned. Ino did what she said, but never got a chance to enjoy the warmth as Kushina muttered, "Look we're here."

Ino straightened her head to the bow as she spotted a colossal whirlpool. The boat was suddenly picking up speeds. The ferry was being drawn towards the whirlpool. Naruto beside her was also amused as he began tugging at Kushina's robes from her behind. Kushina then playfully snaked under her arms around Naruto's neck into a choke-hold with her free hand ruffling with his hair. Ino giggled. The sight was cute indeed. She wondered if her mother would do the same with her. She watched Naruto pointing at the swirling tide.

"Mommy, why is that water spinning?

Kushina chuckled, "That my boy is a whirling tide named after our surname Uzumaki. It is also called a whirlpool." Kushina laughed at the two dumbfounded blond toddler. Now her eyes were set on the whirlpool as her husband was undergoing multiple hand-seal. "Everyone! Hold hands!"

Minato's body was rigged with formula seals at it slithered down his body like a snake. It leaped onto the surface of the sea slingshot its way into the whirlpool in a matter of seconds. Nothing happened for three seconds until the children were getting sleeping as the boat rumbled with numerous tremors. It lasted about a good fifteen seconds. The whirlpool spun out of control into a gargantuan water fountain that stretched exceedingly to the sky.

Then a white shimmering in the center caught the children in an awe as it displayed a boat dock and an island inside the whirlpool. Naruto and the rest of his orphanage mates could see people gathering at the end of the boat dock as if awaiting their arrival.

"Wow!" Naruto grinned with thumbs up mesmerized by the people who are waiting for them. It felt peculiar. So this is mommy's homeland. Naruto grinned zealously as he caught a smirk written over his parents' face...

"Cool!" Kiba exclaimed as they passed through the fountain. As for anyone who was watching from the outside said the fountain collapse into a title wave. Then the whirlpool began to retake its appearance once again, leaving no trace of the ferry whatsoever.

The ferry docked near the boat ramp. There were people shoving each other. There was a minimum scuffle that broke out were some people were pushed of the docs into the ice freezing salt water. Shikamaru's sweat dropped as the ferry they rode on was an awaiting an amusing parade. He felt virtuous, deeper down, inside than his entire existence, no more Konoha harsh treatments that would render him like a coward, not for a long time, too bad for his counter half.

He chuckled. For once, the "troublesome" chase phrase was useless as he watched the ramp to lower onto the dock. From a distance, he heard Minato shouted, "Stay close; your parents are here," as he lined up behind Ino. "Go on," Minato beckoned them as Ino was the first to walk down the ramp.

As she exited, a man strolled up to her with open arms. She trembled. Glancing up, he'd seen the man had worn the same Akasuki Cape as her. She would have misjudged this man for a Naruto relative if not for his eyes, and hair was the same color as her. His spiky dreads were similar that of Naruto's, but he had a long ponytail reached down to waist level if she were at least a decade older. She would have got a nose bleed. The man smiled as his eyes widen with excitement beckoning for her to come to him. "I-It's my baby girl!" Inoichi shouted with glee. "Come here!"

Ino looked at him. She was stunned out of her panties. How could she be attracted to this man? Her father too, was only momentarily as she felt delirious. "D-Dad-Daddy!" she squealed and crashed into Inochi's arms, crying, "Where's mommy?" She was her father's face fell into a pout.

There was no walking down the boat ramp for both Kiba and Shino as they were obstructed by their parents. A pair or arms plucked the Inuzuka toddler of his feet yelping like a pup. He then was assaulted with an onslaught of kisses to his face. He groaned as he breathed in the lady's cosmetics. As she was done, it was then he got a good look at her. The lady also appeared to be wearing the Akatsuki cloak. She had long, spiky dark, amber hair.

She has similar vertical dog, slit pupils that of Kiba's also has a dark shaded red lipstick clang from beneath her eyes to her cheeks. She also appeared to be in her late twenties about the same age as Inoichi. Kiba had to at mid even with all the markings, claws, and fangs. This lady was still attractive. With her free hand, Tsume stroked her son's spiky hair as she muttered, "Looked at you. You've been sure grown my little 'Cutie Pup'." She patted Kiba on the head.

Kiba could not believe it that he finally has a mother, "M-Mom," he cried as Tsume nodded.

"Hello big brother," the sound of a girl's voice called out from behind him as he was gentle snatched out of his mother's loving arm. "You are cute. It makes me happy," his older sister gave him a peck on the forehead.

This just got better he thought. He was still shy. His sister dressed exactly like their mother and almost all of Tsume's features without the canine slits and had long straight, dark, amber hair.

"By the way, little brother, I am Inuzuka Hana, and our mother's name is Inuzuka Tsume.

Kiba nodded, "I have a sister. A pretty one," he snickered. Then he looked, in the distance, "Where's Dad?" Like Inoichi, both his mother and sister pouted. He was old enough to understand their expression. He looked to where Shino was. Where did you go?

Shikamaru just like Kiba was plucked from the ground, but the difference was that Nara Yoshino tossed him frantically in the air like a beach ball. Skikamaru frowned as he muttered, "Troublesome woman," with annoyance just fainted enough for his voice to evade the outstretched ears of Yoshino. Shikamaru glanced up. Unlike the other mothers, he had seen, this woman was just wearing a scarlet traditional kimono. She had long dark plastered hair was the same color of Shikamaru's.

"Ohhh... MY KAMI!" Yoshino exclaimed, "I can't believe he looks like you," it took no rocket scientist to whom she was referring to someone apparently was standing out of his sight, "Shikamaru-kun I missed you." Her arms clutched Shikamaru's waist and pulled into a hug, but he was still being carried. Shikamaru's head rested on her chest, listening to the heartbeat of Yoshino drumming, and her breathing began to hasten. "I love you son," she cried.

His heart was also racing. He always found females' strange creatures. Troublesome to deal with because basically. He could never understand any of them. A mother is indeed a female, but a totally different animal. When they suffered, the son must also take the burden, as well. For a son to see his mother in pain, anguish, and sorrow was enough to tear a son's heart out of his chest because the heart held affection.

Even just knowing Yoshino for several minutes, her crying and suffering was starting to have a significant impact. Shikamaru knew he was not the only one who was suffering. His mother missed his entire existence for the first four years of his life. A mother's affection. It was magnificence... breathtaking; she never dreamed of. For once in his life, he was glad to be in the presence of a female. Hopefully, Yoshino would change his intuition about girls and women in the future.

Someone then patted his cranium. Shikamaru then tilted his head to the left, glancing at another man dressed in Akatsuki robes. This man had potato, brown skin. Gazing at his face, Shikamaru shuddered. He nearly shitted his pants. This man was intimidating just glancing at his dismal distinctive scars slashed above by the man's right eye down to the ear, and another grazed on one just beneath that eye all the way down his chin. Wonder what happened to him? He thought. Then his eyes landed on the man's pineapple, spiky black hair.

He pointed.

He smiled.

"Mom! Mom, is that..."

"Look at you! You have my hair and your mother's face, dear boy!"

"Shikamaru, this is your father."

The boy nodded as he was on his feet. Someone shouted from the distance. Through the crowds, he saw a yellow streak approaching at high speed. It took him moments to distinguish the yellow streak from Ino's hair. He cursed. The speed she was approaching, head on collision was what ran through the Nara boy's mind.

"Oi! Slow down!"

As he wished, Ino came to a complete stop just half a feet away from him. Shikamaru again avoided eye contact, looking down to his sandals. He never saw Ino's acrimonious glare, but she reached out with his robe in her hands. "Shika-kun," Shikamaru reclaimed his robes. His cheeks were on fire just as much as Ino. "T-thank you," she bowed.

She ran off, leaving before a blushing Shikamaru could retort. He heard Shikaku chuckled beside him, "You have grown up quickly," tapping his unconformable on the back.

Yoshino snarled, "Baka!"

Poor Shikaku got his ass whipped.

Shikamaru sweat-dropped.

The Namikaze family were the only remaining occupants on the ferry. Naruto was sitting on his father's shoulders watching his friends being reunited with their parents. He clapped while his parents having a silent conversation. His eyes trailed to the sound of his mother giggling. Her cheeks flared. Kushina grinned at him.

"You're enjoying yourself baby?" Kushina asked.

Naruto nodded.

"Well anyways, So before we head to you're birthday part, how about a tour?"

TBC

Author's Note: I'm sorry for the late update. I was very ill for several weeks. Anyways, I know how bad the grammar this story has. Still in the process of trying to get a beta reader. Think as if you are reading a Japanese translated light novel off of Baka-Tsuki. Have any questions, leave an review or PM me.