Island of Uzu

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Naruto slammed his hands into the ground, summoning the remaining half of the nine-tailed beast.

The monstrous Bijuu appeared in a large puff of smoke.

Upon his appearance, Kurama breathed in the air.

He could smell the sea from where he stood.

The Bijuu looked to the side. He was indeed closer to the sea. He looked down at the small form of Uzumaki Naruto. "Where are we?"

"Island of Uzu…This is just away from the village." Naruto responded. "At least for now, you can live here without anyone disturbing your peace. Few humans here take care of my farms and properties…I would appreciate it if you did not scare them. There will be a barrier around this location and I will build a large wall to make sure nothing stray comes this way."

"That wasn't part of the agreement." Kurama said with narrowed eyes.

"I don't remember going into those finer details with you. I will release you from our contract and you are free to do as you please in this limited space. Once things change in the Elemental Nations, I will move you. But for now, you will remain here. This is my way of protecting you." Naruto said. "I lost control back then…"

Not a good moment that made him proud. It shouldn't have happened. Well, at least the shinobi population didn't seem to have been surprised about it. Even though his father passed a law, it was something that was still spoken about in the dark alleys. It was something that people went like, 'oh, he finally snapped.'

Kurama settled down, resting on his paws and stared deep into the Rinnegan. "I was certain something like that would happen. It has nothing to do with the Rinnegan, but with your own darkness. I'd say you just wanted to do what you normally do in a battlefield...But this time the lust was too great because of the overwhelming emotions and hatred."

Naruto adopted a thoughtful look on his face for a couple of moments before responding.

"I see." He said. "Tell me more about what this means. My father has been pressing me over the details, but I have been busy at home trying to rebuild my compound and helping in the village to worry about the finer details."

It has been work after work in the Hidden Leaf. He had hired experts in building and then summoned hundreds of clones. he had the experts direct the clones on what to do and the Uzumaki compound was quickly rebuilt and once more again fortified, but this time it wasn't hidden away from the public eye. There were still sections that were hidden, but it was a lot more open.

It had to do with the fact that they were continuing with the academy and other clans had decided to dump war orphans in his backyard. Well, Naruto wasn't complaining. He had built the buildings for that purpose and Konoha was paying for everything, he could not complain.

"I told you that you were going to protect me for the rest of your life, and I meant that. You have my life force, so as long as I live, you will also live. At the moment, you're like a Bijuu. You're immortal. If you get killed, you will just reform again in a couple of years or months…" Kurama said with a grin. "The curse for that power is that you get to watch your loved ones die…Your sister, your children, your parents, they will all grow old and die whilst you remain as you are. But of course, if you get tired of living, you can always enter a long deep sleep. But if something happens, I will wake you up to keep your end of the bargain."

Naruto wasn't smiling upon learning this. "You knew this but did not tell me."

"You wouldn't have been quick to jump to the offer…" Kurama said indifferently. "What do you humans say? Don't make a deal with the devil…" Kurama laughed before growing serious. "If you try anything, I can end the life I gave you in an instant…"

"Perhaps, but you told me that the 'conscious' of the half of you no longer exists, My guess is that it has become a part of me, isn't it, Kurama?"

Kurama glared. "Don't call me by my name, human."

"I have all the juices of a human, but I am not really human, am I?" Naruto said smiling. "When I want to end my existence, I will. Besides, with all this power, even I can temporarily end your existence. But let us not make threats. Despite how devious your ploy is, I must still thank you for giving me this chance to live…" Naruto said turning away from the Bijuu.

"Where are you going?"

"Iwagakure: I have a message from Minato that I must deliver to the Tsuchikage." Naruto said with a wave of his right hand.

Kurama watched as the redhead walk away before vanishing.

Iwagakure

Naruto looked through the view of the Rinnegan as he arrived at the Village Hidden in Rock. It was his first visit in the village since the war–he has visited other villages running on diplomatic missions for the Hidden Leaf.

If anyone had told him that after the war, he would be doing this, Naruto would have been massively amused at the joke. At that time, it would have taken a miracle for him to act in that role.

It wasn't just his displeasure in the role but his reputation didn't do him any favours. Most people had always been on the edge when talking to him, even though he wasn't making any threats. It only came with being Uzumaki Naruto and the bloody trail he left in his wake whenever he graced a battlefield.

Well, that was out-dated. He wasn't looking forward to shedding more blood needlessly, and his father has been on his case about it. The talks about 'looking' good were annoying and he could never get away from them. Since the war, his father has taken a firm stand in delivering the lectures he used to give him when he was younger.

Naruto shook his head and looked at crowded streets of the Hidden Rock.

There was no love lost from the shinobi who were staring at him in hidden corners. Well, to be honest, Naruto really didn't care about it. He would even be willing to go as far as to give the Tsuchikage the middle finger if there were some disagreements. Iwagakure had lost the war it had started, Konoha had to deal with the situation and he would do it.

Well, the fact that he was the son of the Yondaime Hokage and his own actions had been detrimental to Iwa's cause didn't do any favours.

But it was to be expected, he simply could not allow them to do as they pleased. When enemies wanted to kill you, you could not just sit back and allow them to do as they please. You had to stop them for your own survival.

Shaking his head, Naruto took the direction of the Tsuchikage tower.

There was no one to lead him towards the tower or even welcome him. He really wasn't loved in this village, was he? Kurotsuchi was perhaps thinking that one of the villagers would just hit him with a rock and then he would drop dead. The woman would really laugh in joy if something like that happened.

It was a pity that even though he could be 'killed' the death was temporary and he would come back and get his revenge who on whoever felt they had a right to end his life.

Kurotsuchi looked up from the mountain of paperwork on her desk. She glared at the Uzumaki for a long minute. She had known he was in the village. Konoha had sent a message saying that he was coming to see her. But she hadn't felt like giving him special treatment. This was the man who killed her grandfather; he did not deserve anything from her.

"What do you want, Uzumaki?" Kurotsuchi demanded. "As you can see. I have a lot of paperwork to do. If you can get to your business quickly, I will appreciate it."

Naruto raised an eyebrow at this hostile treatment. He shook his head before sitting down.

"Is that how you treat someone who spared your life Kurotsuchi?"

He had not killed her. He could have but in the end, he chose to leave her alive because he knew that the Tsuchikage was going to die.

Even though she had been a twisted little thing that had to be removed to do Konoha a favour, he had felt that Iwagakure would collapse without someone strong enough to lead it. Maybe that wouldn't have been so bad as a consequence for starting a war, but Naruto felt that it was fine to let her live.

She was still young and if she lived differently, she could correct the mistakes of her grandfather. But Naruto doubted that something like that could happen. With the ways he was looking at him, it was apparent that she saw no wrong in what her grandfather did, but only saw the wrong in his actions.

"I didn't beg you to keep me alive." She said distastefully.

Naruto held out his right hand, the Rinnegan flicking lightly as a small tailed beast bomb formed on the palm of his right hand.

"If you're saying you're not thankful for the life I gave you, you can die now. I have no problem in killing you. And no one will even be able to do anything about it. If this village feels it needs to retaliate, I will be given an excuse to wipe it clean from the map of the Elemental Nations."

Kurotsuchi was reminded of why she really hated the Uzumaki. He was deadly, dangerous, and seemed to do things when he saw fit. She didn't like that there was someone as powerful as him who could do anything and get away with it. It wasn't fair to the other nations.

Where was the balance?

The black haired sighed deeply, but still kept her glare on Naruto as she leaned back to her chair. "If I die, this village will be lost. I can't die. Not until I get this village out of this mess."

Their allies had deserted them. The Feudal Lord wasn't giving them a damn thing and missions requests were going outside to smaller villages. The village was in dire situation all because of the stupid war.

She was willing to admit that it was stupid, but killing Iwa's enemies wasn't stupid. Perhaps her grandfather could've taken a different route to manage things, but they happened in the way they did and she could not change that.

"For this village's future, I must live."

Naruto nodded, smiling. He cancelled his jutsu before speaking. "Good. Now, if you could change a few things, we can get by fine without any need to glare at me like that. I'm hoping that you won't be like your grandfather. But that isn't the reason I am here: I was sent by the Yondaime Hokage to discuss the terms of your surrendering and punishment for starting the war."

"Isn't it punishment enough that we lost many men and my grandfather? Our allies have also deserted us for our actions; don't you think that is enough?"

Naruto shook his head. "Kurotsuchi, up until now, you have not admitted that your village was in the wrong to start the war and there was no reason to start it in the first place. We were innocent but yet you chose to start war with us with sinister motives. We cannot simply let that slip through. We need to show an example and leave a mark that such actions cannot go unpunished. This will be Konoha's justice."

Kurotsuchi frowned. She was still not planning to admit to the Uzumaki that Iwagakure had been on the wrong. But if their allies were willing to abandon them in their time of need, it had to mean that they had done something unforgivable.

She had done an investigation into whether Konoha was responsible for the actions of Iwa's allies, but they were choosing to do something different because they had been disturbed by their actions.

There was nowhere to hide and she could not say that they were wrong and she was right. The whole world could not be wrong and just one person right. There was something that had been wrong somewhere and until things changed, Iwagakure would not be able to continue like this.

The Raikage had refused to give a helping hand. She was struggling to come up with ways to manage things. If this village had gone through what the Hidden Leaf did, she would have given up on it long ago because she would have been incapable of rebuilding it.

"What does the Yondaime Hokage want as his justice?"

"First: we finish up the simple things. You will go to Konoha, offer your apologies for your village's actions in the war, and condolences to the shinobi who died in the war. You will build an orphanage to address issues in Konoha and fund it. You will gather your people and condemn your grandfather's decision as passionately as you can whilst pointing out everything that was wrong with the decision to go to war.

The little hard things; for the next five years, Iwa will stop military recruitment. That means a total freeze in expanding your village's military. To promote future good relationship between Iwa and Konoha, we will decide whether to get you married to either Itachi or me. Even though the marriage is political, you will be expected to give birth to a child, no later than two years into the marriage. Once that child is able, he/she will live in Konoha."

Kurotsuchi thought of spitting at the redhead, but she just exploded.

"You're crazy! Your father is crazy! I will not subject myself to that humiliation nor will a prostitute myself to you!" The woman said, slamming her fists into the desk.

"If you do not agree to the terms…I've been given the order by Konoha's Council to execute you and everyone who took part in the war."

Kurotsuchi settled down and stared. She wasn't going to call Naruto's bluff. She was told that Uchiha Itachi had stopped him from slaughtering the survivors. He had no problem in killing people. But the terms were something that she could not swallow that easily.

"I need time to think about this."

Naruto shrugged.

"A week and then you send a letter to Konoha with a schedule on how you plan to proceed with the terms. Within a month from today, formal arrangements for the marriage should have started and your appearance to Konoha should be confirmed by then."

Kurotsuchi swallowed bitterly. "It appears that your father has changed drastically. I never thought that he would use your power to hold us hostage into agreeing to your ridiculous demands."

Naruto shrugged once more. "I forgot to mention that we have sealed the chakra of your Jinchurikis…"

"What of Kumo?"

"More or less the same terms, Yugito is to be married to me. She will no longer be a Kumo kunoichi but a Konoha shinobi. We have demanded that A select someone to succeed him and he has agreed to it. Even though we did have to make some threats, things have progressed smoothly."

Kurotsuchi was silent for a few moments before speaking. "Let me get this straight. I will not become your whore. I've heard stories about you…" The woman said in disgust.

"I'd rather prostitute myself to the Uchiha. At least I have heard he is a good person. Besides, Iwa can gain the Sharingan."

Naruto was amused. "Do you really think that Konoha would give up something like that?" The redhead asked. "I told you, once the child is able, it will live in Konoha with its father. It will grow and die as a Leaf…It will be your choice whether you want to follow your child or not."

Konoha

The Following Day

Naruto walked through the streets of the Hidden in Leaf, coming back from his week-long absence.

Iwa wasn't the only village he had visited.

His father was still continuing to pile more work over his shoulders than doing the work himself. Well, at least this time he could understand a bit. With everything going around the village, the man was having too much work to do. He was barely even present at home. Naruto could even count the number of days the man slept within the home he had rebuilt.

Yes, the Uzumaki compound was the first home that was concluded. There were so many things that needed to be kept hidden within the grounds of the compound. Naruto had only needed an experienced builder to show him the way whilst his army of clones rebuilt the compound in a short space of time. He had even helped rebuild the new Hokage tower, Hospital and academy.

Most of the village had been rebuilt. It had worked quickly with shinobi and allies pulling their weight to help the builders rebuilt everything. Funds for the construction hadn't been an issue. With the large sums they received from Kumo and Iwa, and the Fire Lord, they were able to get things done quickly.

"Uzumaki-sama."

It was the kind of greeting the redhead received whenever he graced the streets of the Hidden Leaf. When you did something nice for people, they recognized your efforts.

Uzumaki Naruto was a respected leader of Konohagakure. He had saved the lives of many by restoring the people who had been killed by Pain and whenever he was around; his clones were always helping with rebuilding the village.

It was a nice change that Naruto welcomed. It might not be much fame that got people to worship him but it was something else. He was still alive and with many more years to follow him and with all the power he possessed, there were still many great things he could do. It was so that Naruto felt no need to rush things.

Before he went home, Naruto went to see his father in the Hokage tower.

Minato was buried behind a couple of mountains of paperwork. There was a lot; the man was even hardly home these days. When you wanted to see him, you had to come to the office.

Some other days, he had the Third helping him out, some other days, most of the days he was alone.

Naruto took out a scroll with the report of his travels and placed it on the Yondaime's desk.

"Everything is in here. We ought to have sorted things with those two for now at least. I will retreat to clan grounds to focus on the clan. Once the time limit runs out, I will move again."

Minato looked up from his paperwork.

"Thanks." He said. "I will schedule another Kage meeting in two months to check on the progress report. I will also honour Kumo's request to classify the Hiraishin as Kinjutsu and stop using. You also have to do the same with your jutsu."

Naruto shrugged. "My jutsu is no longer a necessity to decimate enemies in my current form. I just have to weave a few hand signs and everything will disappear." The Uzumaki stated calmly.

"But, are you sure about your jutsu? It is everything you have and you protect your family with it."

"I can still use it, but there are some areas I have agreed not to use it… If we get past the next two months without any troubles and still manage to talk fairly with the new Kages, we should be able to leave this fragile stability. Maybe then, we can focus on trying to change the system."

On that, Naruto shook his head. "That is your dream, father. I will be focusing on making the Uzumaki great again. I'm not saying I won't help you, but don't say 'we.'" The Uzumaki clan head said. "I have my troubles with the other clan heads. I didn't think Itachi's entrance would change so many things."

Since Itachi became clan head, it has been a completely new different ball game. It has always been Uzumaki against the world, but that was because he was hated for what he knew, but the destruction of the Leaf and the war has given a chance for new changes and different sets of players.

Fugaku used to back him up when the others were against him, but things have changed. It wasn't because Itachi had become traitor, it was because the others actually got along with the Uchiha, even the damn Hyugas.

Before, even though they hadn't been actively going against the Uchiha, they hadn't liked Fugaku, but now they liked Itachi and things were still the same with him.

It was because even though there have been changes, he had only become even more powerful. The Uzumaki secret service still worked, but they had to go around things themselves.

However, things had become difficult now with an oversight agency now created. Minato said this was for transparency and so that nothing in the village's structure was used for other means, but everything worked within its scope of duty.

The oversight agency reported to the council and to the council alone.

It had oversight duties over the Military Police Force, Uzumaki secret service, Intel division, and the Jonin forces. Minato still controlled the Anbu but he was helped by Itachi who was made commander of the Anbu forces a couple of weeks ago. There had been some concerns raised over the Uchihas growth in power as they controlled the Military Police and now would in charge of Anbu.

But a witness had come in to vouch for Itachi's personality and character. Naruto could not forget how the Sandaime Hokage had spoken in glowing terms when he spoke of the Uchiha's love for the Hidden Leaf.

Even his father had joined in the party as well.

"It can't be helped. Itachi's conduct has always been exemplary in character and no one can question his love for Konoha. You did save the villagers and technically ended the war, but your conduct towards the other clan heads has been dismissive of late."

Naruto shrugged. "It can't be helped when they say the wrong things."

"If you don't try to change your attitude, I will be forced to select Itachi as my successor."

Naruto shrugged. "I have never been interested in becoming Hokage. Besides, in my condition, do you think it is safe to have me in this office?" The redhead paused, and stared into the ceiling for a moment. "Once we finish rebuilding, I must leave the village and stay in my farm until I can control myself. These seals cannot hold on forever. I need to learn how to control myself."

"I understand that." Minato said. "Then did you talk to the Kyubi about the developments in your body?"

Naruto frowned visibly.

"Kurama." He said.

Minato tilted his head to the side. "Kurama?"

"That is apparently the Kyubi's name. Each Bijuu has a name and they were given their names by the Sage of Six paths. In any case, there is nothing wrong with me. However, I will have a choice when I wish to stop living in this world."

Minato was silent for a couple of seconds as he pondered on what Naruto had said. "Does that mean you can't die? I figured it was something like that when we confirmed that you only had one chakra source not two. Your life had ended and regardless of how immense the Kyubi's chakra is, it could not have saved your life…"

The Yondaime Hokage paused.

"Does that mean...?"

"It means nothing, father. We never had this conversation and we never will. I will figure a way to answer the questions when people start noticing that I'm not aging any more…" Naruto stated.

"I think I will age a bit more until I become like you and once that has ended, I will stop."

Uzumaki Compound

"Naruto-sama!"

A shout welcomed Naruto as soon as he entered the guarded gates of the Uzumaki compound.

They now had guards protecting the compound just to make sure everyone who went in and out was counted for. Before the Leaf's destruction, they didn't allow outsiders to get in, only on a few occasions and some people got into the compound grounds.

Things called for a change since they were offering services to the villagers. It wasn't only the orphanage that they ran but also their own academy. Of course, it was still going through some processes, but it would soon be open for children to enrol and start learning things about what being shinobi means.

The Uzumaki looked down at the child calling his name. He didn't know the name. There were not many running loose around the compound, but Naruto didn't feel it was necessary to know all their names. He was feeding them on the very grounds he had built.

No one could lay claim to anything that was within the clan compounds. He had built everything with his hands and efforts. No one could dispute that. It felt somewhat joyous to know that even the buildings that would stand in the village had his hand on them. He would not enjoy the feeling for far too long though.

The redhead smiled at the child and offered his kind greetings. It was something else for him, but he had to keep the mask for his reputation. Whilst he may not be well liked by the political power houses of the Hidden Leaf, he was still a darling to the villagers.

Without wasting too much time in the streets, Naruto made his way to the main house. He went straight to his favoured room – the room used for welcoming guests also his working station.

There was an office, but Naruto preferred the large space around here.

He usually had a small table prepared and then would sit on a cushion while doing his work. As usual, it was already prepared for him.

Naruto let out a long breath as his masked slipped to an expressionless one before he settled down. The clan head stared into his papers for a moment before he started writing.

Azumi walked into the room moments later.

She didn't say anything until she settled in front of the Uzumaki.

"We are going not getting fair treatment."

"What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked without looking up to the woman.

"You're all nice and smiles with the villagers, even though they are fake, but when you come back home it is all a flat look." Azumi stated calmly.

"You're my family, you know me." Naruto responded with a glance over to Azumi.

"In any case, how was your trip to Iwa?"

"I had no one lying along the way waiting to murder me." Naruto responded calmly. "But Kurotsuchi was still being difficult. I don't understand people like her who cannot see reason or even trace a sense of logic even when it hits them right in front of their face. Perhaps it is the lack of emotional control that makes them irrational. In any case, I expect things to go well soon."

It wasn't to say that she would suddenly start liking him, not the least. There was some reason to believe that she would continue to resent his very existence for the rest of his life…Well for the rest of her life considering that he was going to outlive her. He had been trapped in a devious trap by the Kyubi and an exit meant death.

Azumi shook her head. "You don't have to put it like that you know." She said but didn't think he would take her word for it. "Who did she decide to marry?"

Azumi was asking because she knew what the Yondaime and his Council had decided on what was the solution to ensure that Iwagakure never betrayed them again. It was perhaps something out of her taste, but it was going to be done for the sake of better relations in the future.

"You know the only reason she would decide to marry me is if she planned on killing me in my sleep." Naruto said in a matter of fact tone.

There really was no doubt about that.

She had said it herself. If it was going to happen, Naruto would not have worried about it because unless the woman was working with 'gods' there was nothing she could do other than make him feel pain.

"I know." Azumi nodded. "But, given the look she had on her face when you decided that she was best suited to become a slave of the Uzumaki, I would think she would be willing to go that far as long as it took her closer to you."

Naruto shook his head, but the thought wasn't out of the question. It was possible for the woman to do so. When going there, he had considered the thought and made sure that he would do anything to ensure that she was going to end up picking Itachi just to stay away from him.

He would have considered just working her as a slave until he was satisfied, but his mother had said it was better to allow her to return to Iwa and act as its Kage since Onoki was dead. Naruto wanted to keep her as his pet but other people had come in with their ultimate thoughts upon learning about the survival

"I have often depended on your abilities to lead the clan in case of my absence but since both of us are going to be absent, I must at least push the responsibilities to someone else. Mother will handle some matters even though she dislikes the formality of it all."

They were going away for a weeklong stay in Uzushiogakure as a family. He had made a promise to his sister that he would take her to the island once the war was over. She has been bugging him for some time about it, but it was around time he delivered on the promise or else his sister would start being a problem.

The clan was moving along just fine and his fame within the Hidden Leaf made it easier for the clan to grow powerfully. The other clans could not simply dismiss their power. Alone, he was a one-man army and not to mention that the Yondaime Hokage was also married to the clan. The only irritation to the growth was that he was rather infamous to the many who saw him as an enemy.

Naruto really didn't concern himself with those worthless humans who had nothing better to do than hate.

People could hate all they want, as long as they didn't try to take any action on him, he would not have any problem. If they tried something, he would not have any problems in eradicating them, but the problem with that was that he needed his father's 'peace' to work out. It would not be a pleasant thing if he was the one sabotaging it.

He didn't even want the Uzumaki to have that many enemies. If it had enemies, Uzu would not be allowed to rest, his trade routes would be attacked regularly and he would fail to deliver as a result thereof. Stability would not benefit just Hidden Leaf alone, it would also benefit him and the clan massively.

"Is it going to be fine leaving the village when other clan leaders are threatened by your existence?" Azumi asked quietly.

Naruto might be doing his duties as clan head at full capacity now since he no longer did missions, but she knew the politics. She might not be playing them, but they were around and she had taken notice of it. Most clan heads really thought about their clans first and when Naruto was coming out dwarfing their power and influence, they would be threatened.

The Uzumaki clan head didn't help matters in any way because he didn't sympathise. He was hearing none of it and treated the clan heads like commoners who were greedy. At least the relations with the Uchiha clan have not in any way been crippled. They were still people who spoke in the same room without any conflict crossing the borders of insults and threats.

"It will be good to give them a breathing space." The redhead said calmly. "We still have to think about the wedding when we come back."

Those words brought a smile on Azumi's lips. "Yes." She nodded a bit enthusiastically. "Are you still hell bent on inviting only a few people?"

Naruto nodded. "We don't need the whole world to see it. It would be better not to even do it here in this village. Far away in the island on Uzu where the land has not seen much blood, but has experienced peace in abundance. It will be significant that way."

"Are you choosing Uzu because of its sentimental value?" Azumi asked.

She didn't have a problem with going to Uzu for the marriage. It was no problem for her because she really didn't have any relationship with Konoha. For all her life, she has been an Uzumaki through and through. She didn't even have a friend outside the Uzumaki clan.

She could even say it without doubt that some members of the clan were like that as well. Most of them were taught within the compound and when they went out, they went out as Uzumaki.

Naruto had gone to the village's academy because he was the son of the Hokage and the same for Karin as well. They didn't need to go to the academy because they could have received the best education they needed here at home.

"Perhaps…" Naruto adopted a thoughtful look on his face before shaking his head. "If Minato wasn't the Yondaime Hokage, I'd move the clan back to its home. Gradually, as we expand, some of us will have to stay in Uzu. No matter, the project is not mine, but a legacy for the clan. I don't care about getting rich, that is why everything we will make from the business, will be used to grow the clan and support those who can't."

Azumi smiled.

She wasn't surprised by those words. There were two things that Naruto loved dearly: himself and his clan… on the selfish side of things. She still couldn't believe that he had sacrificed himself for the sake of the village. Well, even though he tried to say that he did it for his family, he had included the village and that was something that would always be treasured by the villagers and her.

Azumi opened her mouth to say something, but she didn't get to speak her words as Karin burst through the room.

"Oni-sama!" The young girl more or less shouted with a glare. "You have been ignoring me lately in favour of smiling at the other kids." She accused as she strolled towards the two adults.

Shion and the other Karin followed behind shortly.

Naruto merely shook his head at his sister's antics. But it was true that he hasn't been giving her as much attention as he had before. He been much busier than before and he no longer took her for walks.

He did really like how she wasn't afraid to express herself in any situation. He hadn't been like her when growing up. Then again, circumstances were different. Still, he had adopted a more 'joyful' life during his days at the Military Police Force. There were so many things he had learned from the environment.

It was a pity he had chosen to throw away those values in favour of being a bloody murderer.

Killing had become so simple for him, it still was. He had gotten used to doing it that he no longer felt as it was something fundamentally wrong. Life was precious. He had come to learn that…

But it was still simple to take away and in so many methods.

He wouldn't say that people have become used to it. Only those who kill brutally and without hearts were used to it, but even a heartless killer like him felt pain when someone they loved was killed.

He had felt despair knowing that his sister had been killed. So many people have felt the same pain as him when they have lost their loved ones.

"I'm sure you're more than happy to avoid getting your lessons, dear sister…" Naruto said, knowing that his sister didn't really enjoy being educated. It wasn't to say she was stupid. She just didn't want to learn all the time. She had her moments when she could focus on learning.

But on other days, her more energetic personality took over and she just wanted to have fun.

Troublesome days those were… Naruto thought with a shake of his head.

Rin grinned sheepishly. "Well…"

"That reminds me…" Naruto said looking over to Shion. "You also need to get trained as well. Your mother says she has taught you everything you need to know about your future role as a Priestess, but you don't know how to fight."

"I don't need to fight." Shion was quick to say.

She would have people protecting her back at home. She just needed to use her powers and the rest would be left for her guards. Besides, a Priestess was a noble person. She didn't have to do anything demeaning as to get her hands dirty by hitting someone. That was for the shinobi to do.

Naruto tilted his head to the side and turned to Azumi for an explanation.

The redhead shrugged. "She is the only child and her mother loves her dearly."

Naruto turned his eyes towards Shion: he gave her a sharp look before speaking. "There are murderous and rapists everywhere. You need to be careful. A leader needs to be strong both mentally and physically. Whether you like it or not, I will train you…Your mother left you in my care, not just to experience life, but to make sure you're ready for your future roles. I will not send you back to your mother as a spoiled brat."

"I-"

"Wait!" Rin quickly butted in before Shion could finish speaking. There were stars in her eyes when she spoke. "Are you going to train us, Oni-sama? You train us? Not a clone, but you?" The girl enquired in a very slow tone just so her brother could understand what she was saying.

Naruto nodded. "Yes." He said. Before Rin could explode in joy, he added. "It won't be anything brutal but I need to make sure you can protect yourselves against danger. Besides, being physically strong makes life a lot easier. You don't need anyone to do anything for you and you don't have to feel weak…" He paused for a moment and waved his hands. "I need to finish things with Azumi…Can you give us time?"

Rin stared for a moment before nodding. "The day after tomorrow. Uzu and training." She said those words in a very firm tone.

"I won't forget."

Rin nodded and twisted around.

Her gang followed her shortly.

Once the kids were all gone, Azumi turned to Naruto–giving him a stern look. "You are very indulgent with your sister. At this rate, she won't excel in Fuinjutsu and will not be a good 'leader' for the clan."

Naruto shrugged.

"I'm not her father or mother. Besides, I want her to live normally. She doesn't have to go through the harsh training Yoshino made me go through…" He paused. "Well, it was useful."

"I understand you want her to live a normal life but you mustn't forget that we are Uzumaki…"

The redhead sighed.

"I will encourage her to study Fuinjutsu a bit more than she does. We are all good at it, and although I'm not an expect, I make my seals in a unique way and that is because I learned the complex things from a young age."

Later that day

Hokage Monument

"People say that experiences make a person grow. You can be told of many things, but if you have not experienced them, you can never really change." Naruto said to Itachi–who was sitting on his right side, overlooking at the bright streets of the Hidden Leaf.

He has experienced many things in his life and he was still going to experience so many things. His life span would not end unless he decided that he needed to stop living and even then, he could not really kill himself. His chakra would always regenerate after a couple of years and he would come back to life.

His only companion would be the Kyubi and the many generations that would come and go within the Uzumaki clan. Still, Naruto didn't think that he would allow his life to go like that though. Once he was tired of living, he would have someone seal him away in a seal he could not break.

He had yet to tell Azumi about the Kyubi's actions, but he would tell her one day and then she would have to create a seal for him. He had so much power that he didn't think that a seal created by his hands would be able to hold him for all eternity.

"You are changing." Itachi said to Naruto. "I'm glad for it though."

The Uchiha managed a small smile.

"Well, I know why people get angry and hate when their loved ones have been killed. I was a little angry, but I don't think that I would have chosen to live my life in hatred over it. I'm simple that way. For someone like me with issues, it would have been easy to turn 'evil' from it. I can even say that I don't have the capacity to eternally hate someone.

But I have come to understand why Nagato believed that Pain could unite this world. I have experienced loss, so I can understand why people resent my existence. I can understand it, doesn't mean I can empathise with them. Even so, if we are talking about trying to end things with just talks rather than someone dying, then because I understand their language, we can work something out."

Itachi knew this language of peace through understanding. It was something that the Sandaime Hokage spoke about. The old man believed that true peace would only be achieved if people came to an understanding and united. But the peace before was only achieved through cease-fires and the balancing of powers.

Had the other villages been in understanding with Konoha, they wouldn't have started with the war. Things were different because there had been no dialogue.

Itachi really hoped that the Kages would be open to start more dialogues for better understanding and cooperation in dealing with their problems. It would even be better when the Kages were helping each other solve problems that didn't even include their own villages.

"If you understand that, do you really think that your ways will bring true peace?" Itachi knew how Naruto was working.

"I'm just following orders of the Yondaime Hokage." Naruto said with a shrug. "But this is something that even my father understands. Unless we take a firm hand, nothing will change. We only want to stabilise things before settling down to open dialogues. Even in a world where we want to understand each other, those guilty of crimes have to be punished.

"If we leave things as they are, these people won't know they have done wrong. We are not just beating them without telling them where they went wrong, we are also trying to show them that they have done something wrong. When you don't show them, they are only going to resent you for bullying them."

Itachi's Sharingan looked up for a moment as he pondered on what Naruto had said. "Let us hope that it will work for the better. I cannot really see a better way out of this. At least we acknowledge that we see what we are doing can have negative consequences." The Uchiha said. "I heard you were leaving the village for Uzu… how long will it be for?"

"About a week to three weeks." Naruto responded calmly.

Itachi raised an eye brow: this was far longer than what he had expected. He thought a week would do but the redhead was planning to leave for that long? It was somehow since he wasn't just leaving with his 'sisters' but with Azumi as well.

"That long...?"

"Yes." Naruto said with a slight nod. "The village is doing just fine and my clones are no longer needed for construction. Although the clan is heavily burdened by doing services for the Leaf, I think it will manage without me for a little while."

Itachi could not offer his assistance, he had the Uchiha clan to worry about, and besides that, he was the commander of Anbu. His responsibilities were many and they required him to be around the Leaf at most times. When he was offered a chance to leave, it was only for some moments and special occasions.

"Are you satisfied with your current role in the village?" Itachi asked. With these talks done, Naruto would no longer have a role to play. He would be on the side, with no important role to play in the Hidden Leaf.

"You have been promoted to Anbu commander and I am me…It is no problem. I already have a lot of work in my hands. Very soon, I will to start travel around the Elemental Nations negotiating for trade and partners. My project requires me to relate to many people to sell. Without connections, my business will not be a success.

"I played my role excellently during my days in Military Police when it came to dealing with both shinobi and civilians. In my role with the Uzu businesses, I have to pull out that mask…" The redhead paused for a moment.

"That reminds me, I need a loan from the Uchiha clan. I need to pay the lease for the ships I leased from Kiri. Although the Mizukage has understood the situation, I would rather pay my debts."

"By making another debt?" Itachi asked with a look on his face.

"Don't question the logic in it." Naruto was quick to say. "I wanted to get it from Konoha, but the village is still going through its troubles."

"I consider us friends; loaning you money won't make me feel happy." The Uchiha said. "Of course, I will still have to pass it through the elders, but it shouldn't be a problem…You still don't want me to buy into it? The Uchiha can be a silent partner."

Naruto shook his head. "I will give it thought."

Itachi nodded. "It would be good for our clans' relationship. My father has fought for the clans to be in friendly terms. Your disagreements with him might have caused things to stall, but we are still your one true ally and supporter."

Just thinking about the village's politics made Naruto sigh: he really hated the 'art'. It was bothersome and seriously a deadly thing. It wasn't just physical prowess that influenced people, but the 'art' of politics could get the job done.

Naruto wasn't winning the political battle, but he had the physical might and the villagers support. Yet, that could be changed by some smooth words from some manipulative people.

"Maybe I will give a small percentage at a price…It would make more sense…" Naruto said in thought. "What is the agenda on tomorrow's meeting?"

"Control measures and your father's plans for redrawing the village's 'rule book' as well as its structure. The marriage between Iwa and Konoha will also be discussed. It was scheduled for next month, but due to your pending leave, it was pushed back as it couldn't be held without you."

Naruto wasn't surprised: he was the village's 'chief' Intel source and not to mention as things stood, he held more interests in the village's security than anyone else. Well, he could understand why he was becoming enemies with the Hyuga.

They had been behind just the Uchiha, and now with Itachi in play and his role as Anbu commander as well as the Uchiha's monopoly over the Military Police force; they have become slightly normal with less to do within the village. The Uzumaki may not hold much power within the village, but they were still powerful.

"I hope it isn't going to be one of those meetings where we will have insults crossing over the table…" Naruto said with a sigh.

"You don't help matters…" Itachi said.

He only started council meetings now, but he got the feeling that Naruto has not always gotten along with the other clan heads.

"Eh…" Naruto shrugged with indifference. "It has always been how things are. Because of what we know, we have not always been the most favoured clan. Our secret ways of doing things has also been an obstacle to things. But I don't generally speak during meetings."

The Following Day

Itachi was sitting just beside Tsume on his Third Council Meeting since he assumed the role of clan head for the Uchiha. It hadn't been easy change for him. Of course, there were some 'naughty' people who had questioned his commitment to the clan, but there was really no one who could doubt his wisdom and strength or even question it.

He had been attending clan meetings for a long time, so he knew what went around in those meetings.

Dealing with people who sought to gain control of the clan had been easy.

The Inuzuka matriarch spoke well with him but when it came to Naruto, it was a different matter. He gathered that it had something to do with Naruto sleeping with her daughter.

It was some time ago. He would have thought that she has dealt with it all. Perhaps there was something else to it.

Aburame, Nara, and Akimichi clans kept things fair. They didn't show favour in anyone and stayed with the facts not fiction; These were the people that Itachi had come to respect since he joined their league.

Naruto was sitting across the table, Hiashi and the Sandaime Hokage flanking both his sides. The Uzumaki had his head resting on his right side, eyes closed. Itachi didn't find it odd, it was his usual behaviour. Those closed eyes and relaxed body structure didn't mean that he wasn't alert on what was happening around him.

The Yondaime Hokage finally walked into the room. Before taking his seat, the man said his apologies for being slightly late.

"Sorry, I'm late…I had something to deal with." He said.

His apology was met with a few grunts, silence and a few nods.

The blond Kage sat down and placed his hands on top of the table before starting to speak. "I'm glad all of you came out for this meeting, even though it was pushed back." He said with a smile.

"I'll get to it: starting with Iwagakure; Kurotsuchi has decided to that she will marry Itachi. We will begin formal negotiations soon. Itachi will have to handle most of it himself. I want to have things sorted out before the Kage summit."

"Is there any particular reason you chose, Itachi?" Hiashi asked calmly.

He didn't mention Naruto but he knew the redhead been in the picture. From the onset, given everything the redhead has done, he had known that the woman wouldn't choose the Uzumaki and Minato must have known that, yet he presented the redhead as an option.

"Who do you think could have been the right candidate for the marriage?" Minato asked the Hyuga.

They didn't have to forget that Kurotsuchi was a Kage.

Just because they were forcing the marriage on her didn't mean that they had do diminish her position of power and humiliate her. An action like that would have much more negative consequences to the marriage and to future relations.

Kurotsuchi may hate them for the choice they had forced on her, Minato was willing to live with that, but humiliating her would not achieve anything good. They had to be smart in the decisions they took or else everything else would fall apart and peace will never be achieved.

His generation had to work hard to push the Elemental Nations into a position of openness. If they could not work toward that goal, the dream was as good as dead. For peace to be achieved, therefore, they had to come into decisions that would not only bring stability for now, but have a positive influence to the future.

"I'm not saying there was anyone better." Hiashi emphasised the words 'anyone better.' One didn't have to be a genius to know that it was a dig on someone not so far away from the man. "I just want to know the reason behind that decision."

Minato sighed before leaning on his chair.

There were varying reasons for the decision and he had discussed it at length with the Sandaime. Itachi was just the best candidate for the position. He could not compare the Uchiha to his beloved son; they were two different personalities.

"Given Itachi's personality, character and views, with the focus not just on the present but the future as well, he was the best candidate." Minato said.

Shikaku explained in detail. "Let us look at this in all angles: there is no way that Kurotsuchi will not hold some resentment towards the Leaf for this choice we are forcing on her and considering that she already hates us, it was therefore fundamentally important, for the present and future relations, to elect someone who could handle the situation.

We have forced this decision with power, we will not hide this fact, but we are hoping that a person like Itachi will be able to shed light into Kurotsuchi. I find that she would be a remarkable person, who is dead to all that is morally right if, in duration of her marriage to Itachi, she cannot see just how wrong her grandfather was in starting the war.

A person like Itachi would, therefore, be in a good position to make her understand the difficulty in the choice Konoha had to make for the sake of a better future. Maybe she might not understand it, but we hope to form a relationship with Iwa that will be strong, and of course, the 'child' in the equation will be insurance."

"There you have it." Minato said to Hiashi before looking around the table. "Does anyone still have a question about the reasoning behind the decision?"

Everyone shook his or her heads.

"I'm still surprised that you'd be willing to do this, though." Inoichi said to Itachi. "Bloodline wielders have always been protective of their bloodlines. Before the war, the Uzumaki's skills were used excessively to protect the bloodlines. There is a chance that Kurotsuchi will refuse to give away the child once she has given birth. I don't think any mother would be willing to give away her child like that."

"The protection to guard our bloodline has not been removed. Besides, this matter is much bigger than the Uchiha. If this will bring be a step to ensuring Konoha's future and peace, I have no logical reason to stop this from happening." Itachi responded calmly.

The Sandaime smiled with a nod. It was refreshing hearing the Uchiha speak.

The Nidaime would have been surprised to see that an Uchiha like Itachi existed.

"That is much better than some people who are willing to put the village above their clans." Tsume said.

Naruto's eyes snapped open when the woman said those words. He knew the woman was talking to him, but he was tired of this talk. He decided against responding to it; it was not worth the effort and energy anyway.

Tsume's comments were just petty, that did not achieve anything good. He was just going to end up insulting the woman if he entertained her.

"What, now I'm not worth your time?" Tsume demanded from Naruto.

"Your attitude is the reason we all know who is going to succeed your father is the Godaime Hokage. Even though the villagers love you and show respect for what you did during the war, they still prefer Itachi over you…The same can be said about most shinobi population."

Naruto merely shrugged nonchalantly.

He had never shown any interest in becoming Hokage. Besides, if he so wished, he could still become Rokudaime Hokage after Itachi. He had a long life ahead of him. Tsume didn't know, but he couldn't fault her ignorance.

The Sandaime surprisingly stood up for the Uzumaki. "Now, now… after everything that Naruto has given for the village, I don't think we should say such things. Tsume-san, you and I are alive because of him, not just us, but our families as well. Can, we really ask for more? Besides that, Naruto has never really shown any interest in becoming Hokage. Even if Minato were to choose him as his successor, you should know that he would refuse that offer."

Tsume had nothing to say to that because she knew the Sandaime spoke the hard truth that no one this room could refute.

"With that out of the way, can we get back to discuss important matters?" Minato said with a smile.

Minato has never felt the need to intervene with a firm hand on the politics, he usually played a bystander when things likes this happened. Naruto was his son, so to be impartial; he stood back and allowed them to do their talking.

Besides, he never worried that it would get to a point where it would affect the decisions they had to make about the village.

They will argue, but when important matters had to be considered, they all gave it their all.

Minato cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. Once all eyes were on him, the Hokage spoke. "The Village's structure is going to take a few tweaks. Clans will be responsible for specific duties within the village based on capabilities.

The Uchiha's role hasn't changed. The Uzumaki will take over the village's Intel and Torture division. I know I didn't speak to you about this, but this is for Konoha and I figured you'd try to refuse if I gave you the job with just the two of us. I'm going to propose a joint Intel operation with the other Kages in the summit. The Uzumaki will have to connect all these nations in the sharing of information.

The Inuzuka will head the Hunter-nin division. I'm still discussing specifics with Hiashi, but we have so far agreed that the Hyuga's jurisdiction be from outside the village's walls. I mean that whatever happens with our shinobi outside the village walls, it will be the Hyuga's problems to deal with – specifically, I want them to be the oversight body of our shinobi from Genin to Jonin.

They will deal with Shikaku as he will still serve as the Jonin commander. The Nara will deal with strategy as well as advisors to the Hokage. Aburame will assist the Uchiha, Hyuga and Inuzuka in their duties. Akimichi have agreed to be first point of defence for the village as well as the intermediary between all clans–more like peacekeepers. This Council will have oversight over all the duties of each clan.

Once we have agreed all the terms, we will build three towers: for Military Police Force, Hyuga operations, and one for Akimichi and Inuzuka. I will also establish my own oversight 'agency', which will report only to me. This 'agency' will have 'rights' to all your duties to make sure that you are not abusing your powers. Kakashi will lead this agency. Are there any complaints?"

Inoichi was the first to complain. "This is ridiculous!" He shouted. "What about my clan?"

Minato blinked a couple of times before he smiled. "It might have slipped my mind, but Inoichi, you will head another branch of T & I. You will still work with Ibiki. While the Uzumaki will be responsible for gathering Intel from within and outside the village, it will be up to your division to handle interrogations and supplying Intel to other clans. Due to the nature of the Uzumaki's work, they won't be able to meet with all clans, so, one of them will be in contact with you."

"Oh…" Inoichi said as he calmed down.

He turned to Naruto. "Looks like we will continue working together."

Naruto merely nodded in response.

But he didn't like his father's plans.

It was like his father felt that he might one day feel the need to move his clan back to Uzu. The man was purposefully giving them a huge task to keep them grounded. Everyone clan would be fighting for the village.

"The issue of who will succeed me…" Minato started.

"I will still hold the final say on who succeeds me, but if the council is unanimous in disagreeing with me, I will have to pick another successor. In times we get a dictator as a Kage, and when the Council is unanimous in its decision that this person is a dictator, it shall have the power to remove the Hokage and elect another one.

"I will announce my successor to the council in due time and my advisors as well as the Sandaime, who will take the responsibility of grooming that person for the job."

Days Later

Uzushiogakure

"Home…" Rin said with a wide smile as she looked at the green plants rooted through the ground, stretching as far as her eyes could see. This was what a farm looked like and this was her home.

The air was different; it was refreshing and felt natural.

It wasn't polluted by anything.

It has only been a few minutes since she came to this place and yet, Rin as if she was at home. Naruto had yet to even show her the ruins that her mother had lived within before they became ruins. This was truly her ancestral home. It felt natural being here. Konoha was okay, but even though this place wasn't surrounded by the noises of people, Rin thought she could still live here.

Azumi was quick to say something before the girl allowed her thoughts to drift.

"Home is Konoha, Rin." She said firmly. "Don't let your brother's thoughts get into your head."

This was their home, but breaking away from Konoha wasn't going to do them any good. Azumi loved her clan, and she was certain that if Naruto proposed they move back to this place, the Uzumaki would listen to him. He had the total command of the clan and none doubted his power to think that they would suffer the same fate as their ancestors if they came back.

"You say that, yet outside the Uzumaki, you don't have any friends." Rin pointed out.

Azumi blinked.

She couldn't give a compelling reason as to why Konoha was home. What the girl was saying was indeed the truth. It was the same case for most Uzumaki anyway. The clan was secluded from the rest of the village. It was only now that they were opening up their gates.

There had been times they used to call the streets of the Hidden Leaf 'the outside.'

She woman shook her head but offered nothing in response to Rin. She looked at the other girls and spoke.

"I didn't welcome you, but welcome to Uzu. This Island once housed the almighty Uzumaki clan. Karin, you must be proud of being Uzumaki. Your blood is precious. We are not called one of the prestigious clans for nothing. Our history is vast, but the years have not been good on us. Since we faced destruction, fate has not smiled upon us."

"But Oni-sama is changing things!" Rin was quick to exclaim.

Karin rolled her eyes. "You really worship your brother." She said with a shake of her head. "You have an internationally famous father and there is never a day you speak highly of him. It is all your brother."

Rin stopped moving as she thought deep.

She then shrugged. "My father does all the great things outside home. When you look at his stupid smile and when mom yells at him, you really can't praise him too much…" It was almost laughable how her father could shrink so tiny that he could hide behind her shadow when faced off with her mother's righteous fury.

Karin had no response for it. She merely shook her head.

Azumi looked to the side as she sensed the real Naruto's presence. The redhead was walking along Yugito. The blonde Jinchuriki was saying something to him.

Azumi didn't try to figure out what they were talking about. "You done on your side?"

He nodded. "Yes." He said.

"Karin, Shion…" He said to the two girls. "This is Yugito… a former Kumo Kunoichi. She is now a resident of Uzu…" He turned and looked towards another direction where there was nothing but trees.

"The Village is on the other side of the forest…Let us…"

The moment he said those words, Rin was upon him, her left hand grabbed his. She wanted to be on his shoulders.

"Who is going to carry the others?"

"Azumi can carry Karin and Yugito can carry Shion…" Rin was quick to say.

This might not be the kind of ending many were looking for. But this was the best I could do. Maybe someday I will add another chapter that goes like after a five-year time skip, for now, I will mark it as complete.

Thanks for the support throughout the story.

I must thank Freestyle 763 for helping me edit this one.

The Omnipresent Sage