My first publically posted fic! Feel free to be critical. There's always something awkward about my writing but I do honestly want to improve:D

This fic will eventually be SasuNaru, but that's a long, long way off yet.
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There was an eerie quiet over the village, unnatural and tense. Its residents were aware that the worst was over, but with injuries to be tended and the dead still to recover there was no cause for celebration.

Sarutobi looked out over the village towards the devastated East wall; hand tight on the windowsill for support. He hadn't been expected to fight, of course, but of course he had – only to be taken out with three broken ribs early on. The Yondaime had been the one to insist on medical treatment, with an unwavering smile – what are you doing, old man? Leave this to us brats, will you? He hadn't been there for the end of the battle, but he had his suspicions.

You always were far too reckless, Yellow Flash.

The way his thoughts settled into past tense did not go unnoticed, and he welcomed the distraction of an approaching presence. He turned at the sound of a knock on his door. "Come in."

An ANBU solider entered the room swiftly and silently, standing to attention as the door swung closed behind him. A captain, Sarutobi recalled immediately upon seeing the ears and fangs that denoted the red hound mask. The name took a slightly longer time to find, but he eventually produced Takahashi Hiroshi.

"Takahashi. Please report."

The ANBU lifted his chin. "The Kyuubi has been defeated, sir," apparently choosing to state the obvious before continuing. "Recovery procedures are being implemented. Current death toll is around the seven hundreds, though expected to rise through fatal injuries and discovered…bodies. Shinobi lost are as follows: Genin, thirty-two. Chuunin, twenty-six. Jounin -"

Both men were aware that the captain was circling around a looming thundercloud of information. Even though Sarutobi knew – in his gut, and in the fact that ANBU was reporting to him as their senior – he needed to know.

"- damage to the village buildings away from the East wall is minimal, due to –"

"Takahashi. You are a shinobi."

There was a short pause, and the captain visibly collected himself. "Konoha is reluctant to disrupt your retirement; however it requires you to return to your previous position, sir. As…as Hokage."

Sarutobi's hand tightened on the windowsill, knuckles turning white. "Yondaime."

"Has passed away, sir. In duty," Takahashi added, as if it were necessary.

Sarutobi felt a heavy weight settle in his chest and thought fleetingly of young Kakashi, as he knew the Yondaime to be the last of the boy's close companions. Turning his gaze to the tiles, he suppressed the display of any other outward emotion. "Very well. I shall address the village at dawn. Return to the recovery efforts, you are dismissed."

Takahashi gave a short nod. "Sir." He lifted his hands to form the seals for a teleportation jutsu, then paused. "Sir…what about the demon boy?"

Momentarily confused, the Sandaime raised his head to look directly at the dark shadows that hid the younger shinobi's eyes. Of course. That's why he waited for his son to be born… young Naruto. "Bring him here. I will see to him."

"Immediately, sir."

"And captain?"

"Sir?"

"He may have a demon inside of him, but he is still just a boy. Remember that."

The ANBU paused as if to speak, and then raised his hands again. "Sir."

Confronted with a suddenly empty room, the Sandaime finally allowed his emotions to flood his expression before stumbling to a nearby chair. He lowered his face into his hands. "He is still just a boy."

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"No. No. Don't be ridiculous. Who will look after him? You can't just throw him into an apartment and expect him to fend for himself!"

Sarutobi would have smiled at the enraged face of his former pupil, but he was painfully aware of the abilities behind the fist currently being shaken in his face. "Tsunade, please. I simply think that the Yondaime would have liked Naruto to lead a normal life in the village."

"Normal? Normal? Both of his parents died yesterday! How is that in anyway normal?"

"He will be placed under nursing care, then –"

"Then what? Adoption? You and the Yondaime might have an excessively optimistic outlook on everything – hero, honestly – but I'm being realistic! No one will adopt that child!" She flung out a hand to indicate the blonde infant in the cot in the corner, somehow sleeping peacefully through the tirade. "They're going to see him as a monster!" As if to emphasis her point, she brought her fist down on the wooden Hokage desk, breaking it clean in two. No one flinched.

"Oi, Tsunade. The brat will be fine on his own. It ain't that hard."

Tsunade rounded on the speaker, eyes flashing dangerously as she approached the white-haired figure leaning against the wall. The man at least had the sense to cringe under the glare.

Sarutobi raised his hands. "Tsunade, Jiraiya, please. This isn't helping matters."

The blonde woman paused with her fist raised. "So what will?" Her tone was dark and low, causing something instinctive within the Sandaime to want to run for cover.

"If I may make a suggestion?"

All three turned towards the ANBU captain that had spoken. Takahashi swallowed. "Simply put, sir, most orphans go to the same place – Root, sir."

There was a pause.

"You're a moron," Tsunade said, with passion. Sarutobi had to agree. Unfortunately, he couldn't be quite so crass.

"That department was disbanded years ago, Takahashi. Their loyalty was misplaced."

"Officially speaking, yes. But intelligence had recently discovered that its existence may have continued on without approval." At Sarutobi's raised brow, he went on. "The Yondaime was aware – he had been preparing for action before…all this."

The Sandaime's jaw tightened. "And I will continue that action. I will not allow such a corrupt organisation to remain and I certainly refuse place the Yondaime's son under the influence of such a man as Danzou."

There was a pause. "Danzou was killed in the battle, sir."

"Nonetheless."

"But perhaps it is time for its reinstatement? Under a new leader – someone you can trust? Because…I hate to put it this way, but there's likely to be a number of orphans needing a home."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "You…you insensitive bastard. You're talking about taking advantage of hundreds of deaths just so you can build an army!" Her voice was loud and shrill, probably carrying through half the building.

The captain flinched, but stood firm. "I'm merely pointing out an option. We are severely weakened, we are vulnerable and we have a number of children needing a home."

"I've heard about that place," Tsunade's voice had lowered dangerously. "No names, no feelings, no past, no future. I will be damned if the Yondaime's child is raised in such a way."

Sarutobi, however, was thoughtful. "Tsunade…"

Tsunade swung around, expression surprised but fierce. "No. I can't believe you would -" she clenched her teeth and glared. "He wouldn't have wanted this."

"He wouldn't have wanted his son to be raised under the old principles of Root, no. But perhaps if we made a few changes…" Sarutobi trailed off, the famous mind of the Professor already working quickly ahead.

"Like what?" Her tone indicated that imminent and gruesome deaths were balanced on the answers she received.

"The members would still have no past, no ties, but if we open it only to orphans that may well be best for them. As an elite force they would still be trained towards a stoic and emotionless existence -" Tsunade opened her mouth, but the Sandaime cut her off before she could begin. "Tsunade, don't be unreasonable. You know as well as I do that this is the goal for all shinobi." He sighed. "That said, I see no reason why we should repress personality and identity. They will be allowed names, they will be allowed to develop and they will be allowed to construct bonds with their fellow members, should they wish."

The blonde kunoichi was still. "I don't like it," she stated, but much of the raw anger had dissolved out of her voice.

Sarutobi sighed, suddenly aware of the return of the Hokage's responsibility – borne like a heavy yoke across the shoulders. "I know. But we may well have no other choice." He paused, searching through pockets before finding his pipe and a tin of tobacco. "Even with this, there is an obstacle. There are very few I would trust with such a role."

The room was quiet as he prepared his pipe. Lighting it, he raised his eyes thoughtfully, fixing them on the lounging figure near the door.

Jiraiya, who up until that point had remained silent due to an enormous and glaring lack of opinion, was suddenly aware of being scrutinized. Meeting the Sandaime's eyes, he instantly recognised the intent behind them.

"Oh, no. No no no no no. I'm a free spirit, me. Travel with the wind and all that. There's no way."

Tsunade's gaze snapped between the two. "Him? Oh god, tell me you're joking."

The room fell silent again, save for the gentle puffs of the pipe.

Takahashi was the first to speak. "Hokage-sama," he began, turning to face the older man directly. "I – it would be an honour to offer you my services."

Meeting the blank gaze of the mask, Sarutobi began to run through everything he knew about Takahashi Hiroshi. There have never been any complaints from his subordinates, so he must be a reasonable leader. Not from a major clan, no bloodline limits. ANBU captain for four years, so experienced and obviously skilled. He has never shown disloyalty of any kind, as far as we know. Occasionally high-strung, but steadfast and reliable. Not to mention, there isn't much choice.

Reaching a conclusion, he nodded. "Konoha is grateful to you, Takahashi. I'm sure you understand the importance and responsibility of this position. Please make your village proud."

The captain bowed. "I will do my best."

Sarutobi turned to Jiraiya, who was looking distinctly relieved. "Jiraiya, I would appreciate it if you still visited the department every once in awhile," he phrased the statement politely, but injected enough steel into his tone for the younger man to be aware that it was not a request. "Your opinion is valuable to me."

Swallowing, Jiraiya nodded.

"I still don't like it," Tsunade muttered, now sounding distinctly sulky.

The Hokage moved to the window and looked out over the village. People swarmed in the East, beginning to repair the immense damage caused by the nine-tailed demon - now sealed in the boy beside him. He sighed.

"I'm not sure I do either. All we can do is hope it was the right decision."