Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Preview

It was over. She could feel nothing for miles; not a shinobi, a civilian, an animal, not even a single insect could be found. The villages had been decimated and nations burned from the coast of the Fire Country to even the mountains surrounding the land of Iron. Kaguya had spared nothing when she rampaged against them. 

Beside her was the only other thing left in this wasteland with her - was her father. He wouldn’t be able to stay much longer she knew, the Edo Tensei reanimating him would fade sooner or later. That fact was the only thing occupying her mind for the past two days since they finally managed to seal away Kaguya. 

“Naruto,” she turned to her father, “Do you want to fix this?” Fix this? What was there left to fix? Everyone was dead. Sasuke had been cut down a week ago leaving her with both the Yin and Yang power. She couldn’t help but laugh, it was official her father had lost his mind. 

“Fix this?” She breathed her words were barely a whisper. She whirled around to look with wide eyes at her father. “How could I even begin to fix this? Look around! Everyone is dead! There’s nothing to be fixed.” She let herself collapse, her eyes were glued to the sunrise. “I’ll lay here till my body gives out and I can finally die.”

Minato sighed, running his arm through his hair. He watched her, his daughter, give in to grief and, oh, how he couldn't even blame her. He couldn’t let her though, she could fix this he knew it. Unlike most of the shinobi, Minato knew long ago right around when the third great village fell, that they would not win this war in the favor of the living. Ever since then he and Kurama have worked on a seal that could fix this. “No Naruto, you will fix this and I’ll help you.”

Naruto sighed and rolled her head around to look him in the eyes. “How?” Her voice was defeated when the question was asked. 

“Simple!” Minato replied he was beaming now, practically joyful in his response. “Time Travel!” 

“Fucking what?”

“Holy shit this might actually work..” Naruto’s voice rang through the clearing. She was filled with hope so deep she could feel it in her bones and the emotions bleed into her voice. “We might actually be able to get this seal to function! We could- can fix this!” She whirled around searching for her father, he was somewhere in the ruins of the ancient city they had taken shelter in. After months of working on the seal, she still couldn’t believe, even fathom, how far it had come along.

“ I told you, didn't I? You should trust more in my might kit. ” Naruto rolled her eyes when the voice grumbled to her from inside her head. Despite all the loss, Kurama was as conceited as always. “ I do! It’s just… after everything I..” She couldn't find the words to express herself. There was no need apparently. Kurama huffed, glowering at her, he knew what she meant.

Ignoring her partner she continues searching for her father amongst the ruins of Uzushio. They’d come here about four months ago in hopes of finding anything in the ruined city that could be helpful to their seal. 

While Minato had been working on it for the better part of two years he hadn’t been able to make much progress considering the war they were fighting. Now though all their time was spent on puzzling the pieces of the most complex and intricate time-space seal to be made. 

Turning the corner on the well-ridden cobblestone streets she can feel his Edo Tensei form in the crumbling library. She takes off towards him flying down the streets jumping over piles of rubble left to rot. Naruto doesn’t bother to slow down as she bulldozes her way through the entrance, her grip never loosening on the book in her hand. 

She spots him sitting at a table with loose papers and open books surrounding him. “Dad! I think I figured it out!” Minato snaps his head towards his daughter at the sound of her voice. She’s rushing towards him barely contained glee radiating from her. God, she’s so much like Kushina that it aches to look at her sometimes. Nonetheless, he smiles at his daughter and her hope.

“Oh really?” She nodded in response, her eyes twinkling, Minato smiled in turn, “Show me.”

They worked seamlessly in silence, side by side pouring over page after page of theory and knowledge. The Uzumaki’s were infamous for their fuinjutsu and the proof was written in these books - etched into the very city they were staying in. 

It was just shy of the six-month mark of when they arrived at the sparkling island. They spent their entire time slaving away to make a seal only ever theorized of. It was clear when the further they got into chipping their way through the library that while many had fantasized about a seal that could turn back time no one, not even the Uzumaki with their whirlwind chakra and chaos in their bones, had dared attempt such a feat. They had, however, theorized. They found twenty books on the ideal alone that they were currently rummaging through. 

When the two blondes weren’t neck deep in sealing books they talked and trained. If it were up to Naruto she would much rather spend the limited time she had left with her father talking; hearing stories about him and her mom were like a healing balm she didn’t know she needed. She didn’t argue though when Minato asked to see her progress on her training. She knew the journey she was about to set out on would be dangerous and difficult. And she would do it alone - physically at least, Kurama would always be there. 

“ Damn right, I will be. However, if you and that fleshbag are correct this seal of yours will most likely leave me comatose for a few years .” Kurama's voice rang through her head, easing her heartache at what she would once again be losing soon. 

She heaved a sigh at the reminder that while not truly alone she would most likely be on her own for a few years once she jumped. “ Yea I know, it won’t be easy to go without your whining, dattebayo.” She laughed at the answering growl from Kurama at her response. 

She focused her attention back to the pages in front of her. She could tell they were almost done with the seal, their progress picking up tremendously after she found the late Uzukages’ book on time seals. 

Naruto wasn’t really sure how she should be feeling knowing the seal was almost complete. Part of her was bursting with hope and absolutely burning with the itch to move and run and fight . Another part of her was so deeply drowned in the grief of knowing she’d be leaving everyone and everything behind again. Leaving her father behind.

Almost as if he could sense her feelings, Minato reached out putting his hand on her head. “Don’t worry Naruto, it’ll be okay.” His words didn’t reassure her as much as she wished but he was right. There was no point dwelling on it, they had bigger problems to work on. Like why the fuck did they need elemental chakra in a time-space seal. It didn’t make sense but she knew seals rarely did.

“Hey, Dad? What’s uh - what’s gonna happen to this time when I travel back? Is it going to disappear or, like, not exist?” She murmured not taking her attention away from the night sky. 

“Hmm,” Minato hummed thinking about his response before answering, “I suppose this time will no longer exist.”

He sat up reaching out blindly in the night sky for the papers containing the mock-up of their seal. He dragged it towards him and placed the papers in between them using the nearby candlelight of the candle he started pointing. Naruto pulled herself onto her elbows leaning over to see what he was trying to show her.

“You see here? While the seal is made of components for both time and space it is primarily made with time seals. Look - here at the bottom the base matrix is focused on time. If we’ve done this correctly then this seal will rewind time, erasing our own time from existence.”

Naruto watched carefully as her father pointed out different aspects of the seal. She wanted to commit it to memory - her saving grace. She had to know every inch and stroke of the brush just in case. 

She breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders dropping just slightly. While it was daunting it was as equally as relieving to know this hellscape wouldn't go on forever. She would fix things, hell she would fight fate itself if that’s what it would take to keep everyone alive.

“Will I, like, kill myself or something by going back? You know, since like I am going back to a time before I existed, what happens when-” She huffed her mind speeding past her mouth's ability to translate her thoughts. It took a moment but when she finished her question it was breathless, “Will I kill myself?”

Oh god, her pulse was rising she could feel it hammering against her skin. Will I kill myself by going back? She couldn't breathe, why couldn't she breathe? Was it Kaguya? Was she back? Her panic was rising up her throat and she could taste it on her tongue; it tasted like death. 

“Naruto. Brat. Breathe. You are having a panic attack.” 

“What?” A panic attack? No - no, she couldn’t get those. She was going to be traveling back in time soon; facing everything and everyone she lost. Having panic attacks would severely limit her ability to function if they were like this. If they made her hands tremble and her shoulders hunch with the weight of the lives she's lost. This is stupid! I’ve fought a chakra goddess and didn’t blink so why can’t I breathe? I need -

“Kit.” Kurama softened, unable to keep back the gentle rumble of concern in his voice. His chakra melted into her system coiling around her in the same way a parent would soothe their baby. “Remember what Tsunade taught you. Breathe in and breathe out. This shall pass kit.”

It took a bit longer than she would have liked it to, three full minutes before she could manage a full inhale but her hands still shook. It bothered her more than she would like to let herself believe. It took another two minutes before she could sense her father kneeling in front of her. His chakra brimming with unconcealed worry and concern.

“I’m alright dad, sorry to scare you. I, uh, don’t know what happ-” Her words were choked, she was forcing them out of her mouth doing her best to reassure her father that she was fine.

“Oh, Naruto, you don’t need to apologize for this.”

“But I - “ 

“No.” Minato was firm, his voice strong yet soft in the way only a parent could be with their child. “You don’t have to be strong right now Naruto. You are always so unwaveringly strong and kind. You don’t have to be strong right now though. While we are here together you can be just as you are and I will help you carry that burden. So, please Naruto, you don’t have to be strong for me.”

And that was all it took. Naruto flung herself head-first into her father's arm. Sure he wasn’t warm like the living and his chakra felt like a dull impression long fizzled out. But, for now, it was enough. With her father holding her like she always longed for, his hands combing through her hair, and Kurama’s chakra filled with warmth pulsing under her skin - she let herself break. She mourned as best she could over what she’d lost and knows she will never have again. She shook and trembled and gasped.

It was okay, she would wake up stronger for it tomorrow. 

The seal was coming along smoothly. Minato told her he thinks it could only be a few more weeks before it’s finished. Even though it was his idea she can tell it scares him. Every time they discuss her traveling his movements evolve into jerking back and forth instead of the usual fluidity of a lifelong shinobi. He goes silent occasionally like the life is draining out of him almost. 

She can’t blame him, she understands that to him he’s basically sending his daughter on a lone mission to face their worst enemies in a time where there will be no one to support her.

“Gah! I need a break! I feel like I’ve been staring at this book all day!” She exclaims throwing herself back into the grass. She exhales harshly, staring at the sky letting her limbs starfish out to grasp at the land below her. 

It’s a beautiful day, Uzushio was the only place left untouched by the war. Here the grass still grows, the flowers still bloom, and foxes run through the sand just barely dodging the waves. She sighs, tugging harshly at a fistful of her; steadfastly ignoring the ache echoing around her heart.

Shikamaru would’ve loved this place. Shino as well, she imagines her eyes catching sight of the bees surrounding a cropping of flowers a little further down the hill from her. They all would’ve loved it. Hell, this place could’ve easily been home for them - an escape from Kaguya and her army.

She can picture it vividly. Shika watching the clouds and Shino silently observing the bees. Choji between them making small talk. Kiba and Lee would be down on the shore trying to fight the waves themselves. Tenten and Neji sparring while trying not to step on any of the flowers. Ino, Sakura, and Hinata would likely be on the beach with the boys suntanning or swimming. She and Sasuke would be fighting, she's sure. The thought yanks a laugh out of her. Short and bittersweet.

It won’t happen. The thought pops into her head with a vengeance, it’s violent and unwelcome. She chokes and yanks herself back up curling into a ball - she’s trying to physically hold herself together. It won’t work. She knows she’s going to start crying again by the way her breathing starts to pick up and how her vision blurs. They’re all dead .

The memories flood into the front of her mind again. They’re like snapshots in her memory. Her family and people, precious ones, slaughtered and maimed laying at her feet. God, there was always so much blood. And people weren’t supposed to bend like that why- 

She gasped. Roughly dragging her hands through her hair, grasping and yanking at it. Pain is grounding, it’s a bad habit yes she knows but, fuck it, it works. She’s about to go back and see many of these people again, alive . She can’t lose her shit when she faces them, she can’t. If a little bit of pain keeps her together then she’ll deal with it.

Resutlity she looks at the ocean, she’ll fix herself later. She has to fix the world first. 

“Hey, Dad? Could you maybe tell me about Mom? And yourself?” Naruto muttered she’d wanted to ask for ages but the timing never felt right. 

They were putting the final touches on the seal at this point. A swirl here and a dot there, everything seemed to be in place. They’d combed it over a thousand times now at least. Neither could find anything else that could be improved upon. If they kept looking at it they would start second-guessing themselves.

Minato smiled softly, his nerves had been frayed for the past few days. It goes against everything he’s ever learned when making seals to just blindly trust in one to work as intended without testing. He can’t test this seal though, a seal he’s betting everything on and entrusting with his daughter's life. 

“Well, what do you want to know?” 

“Anything,” She whispered. “Anything you can tell me.”

He softened, his entire face opening a smile sliding up the sides of his cheeks and his eyes glazing over like he was elsewhere.

“Well, Naruto, your mother was a firecracker - much like yourself. She lit up a room the second she walked into it. She was loud brash and kind. Being an Uzumaki was in her blood; you could see it in how she lived and fought. It was like you were sitting watching life go by and she came in like a storm showering everyone in love and chaos wherever she ventured.”

He paused for a minute finding Naruto's eyes that reflected the fading firelight. “You got all the of the best parts of her. You’re fierce, loyal, and kind. Uzumaki’s are chaos, storms, and love wrapped in human bones. That is, at least, how Kushina always described it and I’m inclined to agree with her.”

“And you Dad? What about you?” She prodded and her eyes were sparkling listening to her father, she wanted to know everything about the both of them.

“Oh, me? Compared to your Mother I was dull.” He admitted with a pout, the humor shown through in his eyes gave him away causing Naruto to giggle. “She taught me to seal, you know? I wouldn’t be the Yellow Flash without her - and let me tell you she never let me forget it either.”

That was it, Naruto couldn’t keep her shoulders from shaking or her laughing in check after that. She spilled over onto her sides cackling all the way down imagining her mother nagging at her father. Minato followed her not long after, unable to keep a straight face himself.

“Tell me more Dad.”

They spent their night exchanging stories, both good and sad. This was a moment they would never have again and they both wanted to cherish it.

Naruto stared; her eyes never wavering from the massive seal that was painstakingly inked into the cobblestone center of Uzushio. They finished the seal a week ago, it took them six more days to ink it into the ground. She was lingering now not quite ready to face the ghost of her past.

Minato stopped next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder in what she supposed was meant to be a show of silent support. It made her heart twinge, soon she wouldn’t have that anymore. Sure, if everything went to plan she would see him again but it wouldn’t be her Minato, her father. The past would have no recollection of her. Naruto would have to carve out a name and place for herself, again.

“Let’s go over the plans one more time, yeah? Just to make sure we’ve covered all of our bases.”

“Yea that-” She hesitated turning to face him, her voice shaking. “That, uh, sounds like a good idea. Once more from the top won't hurt anything.”

Minato grimaced, squeezing her shoulder once more before turning around and walking towards their makeshift camp. It had served them well these past few months while they made the seal. His shoulders were hunched in and there was no confidence in the way he carried himself - hadn’t been for a long time really.

He knew she could do this but that didn’t keep him from worrying. He felt like someone dropped ice-cold water down his shirt while his insides were trying to eat him from the inside out. She’s ready, as prepared as I could make her. His gaze wandered to his daughter trailing behind him watching as her eyes turned distant and downcast. But she’s still just a child, barely nineteen.  

“So!” He exclaimed, clapping his hands together with a resounding clap spinning on his feet to meet Naruto’s startled eyes. He smiled, “Do you remember the plan?”

Naruto laughed, her eyes lighting up with mournful humor at her father's blatant attempt at cheering her up.

“Yes, Dad I remember!” She teased. “Go back, kill Madara, Kill Zetsu, fix this, fix that, blah, blah, blah! Of course, I remember the plan! We made it together remember, even Kurama memorized it so I definitely won’t be forgetting anything.”

“Humor me then, explain it to me once more.” He inquired, he was teasing her only just a little.

“Hmph, if I must,” She groaned before launching into their carefully concocted plan that covered everything from her backstory to committing war crimes by killing a fake Kage. They had made sure to cover everything their brains could scrape together. They had decided to take full advantage of the situation and change as many things as they could. Fate could go get fucked as much as they were concerned. 

Fate had destroyed their world, taking everything from them time and time again. They weren’t too concerned about it anymore at this point.

Seven months. That’s how much time Naruto had with her father while they were making the seal. It’d been seven months since their world had been destroyed too and the reminder that everyone was gone made her guilty for treasuring these past months. She couldn’t linger anymore though, Minato had taught her everything he knew, they’ve scoured every inch of the ruins of Uzushio learning whatever the clan left behind.

“Are you sure I’m ready?” She locked eyes with her father from where he stood just outside the matrix of the seal. She didn’t feel ready, if anything she felt like a child. Like she would shrivel up and disappear with the next storm that ragged against the island. Her eyes stung as she watched her father needing to hear him say she could do this.

“Of course you are, you’re Naruto are you not? The daughter of the Yellow Flash and the Red Hot Habanero,” he asserted, meeting her gaze head-on, Minato refused to have anything but faith in her. “You are Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto - and you will save the world.”

God, she can’t believe she’s about to be alone again. She could feel her chest constricting just thinking about it. She’d be surrounded by everyone she ever loved and they would have no idea who she was.

“Oi! Do I mean nothing to you now brat? Or did you just forget about me?” A rumbling response met her rising panic. That’s right, I’ll never be truly alone . She sent Kurama a silent thanks through the seal, her panic all but vanishing at the reminder. Kurama rolled his eyes, huffing out words that sounded a lot like ‘blondes’ and ‘idiotic’.

When she opened her eyes next Minato could see the fire in them that had started dying out two years ago. He smirked knowing she was ready to take on the world once again. 

“I’m ready, Dad.” Her words echoed around the cathedral they set their base in. The moon was at its peak casting light down from the long broken skylight. She lay splayed in the center of the seal; ink that looked more like artwork swirling up down and around her body.

Without a sound she started pouring her chakra into the seal, she could feel Kurama doing the same. Underneath her it lit up - shining colors glowing soft and bright in blues, purples, reds, and greens danced along the walls. She could tell the moment the seal worked it latched onto her chakra the ink on her body solidifying her in place. She felt herself being pulled down, down, down.

From the activation of the seal to the completion she kept her eyes locked on her fathers. He smiled at her waiting for the seal to finish. As soon as it was done he would be activating his own seal that would reverse the effects Edo Tensei had on his soul. He just wanted to see his daughter off first.

Finally, Naruto closed her eyes, the feeling of being drugged down so deeply weighed on her limbs. Until it snapped; she couldn’t feel anymore.

Chapter Text

Fuuuuuucckk. Everything hurts. Why does everything hurt so bad? Naruto wondered to herself, she hasn’t even bothered to risk moving given the pain she feels radiating from every inch of her body. She could just barely make out the feeling of warm sunshine running across her skin.

“Kurama? Have you passed out on me already?” She wasn’t really expecting a response and wasn’t too terribly disappointed when she didn’t get a response. Not even bothering to try opening her eyes yet she let herself slip further into her mind. Poking and prodding at the area that Kurama normally takes up, she finds him curled up and deep asleep. 

He won’t be up and about for a while, she concludes after trying all her tricks to get a response from him. The fox hadn’t so much as twitched at her tactics. At least he’s still her, she tells herself, the seal didn’t completely drain him of everything like she feared it would.

Coming back into the front of her mind she figures it’s time to finally at least, you know, try to open her eyes and gather her bearings. There’s no telling when or where she managed to end up. If Minato was right with his theories, and Naruto was willing to bet he was, she should have arrived earlier enough to keep Obito from dying. 

She barely managed to crack her eyes open, using a force of will she wasn’t sure she still had. Above her stood the same remains of the cathedral where she and Minato drew the seal. Good, she was still in Uzushio and hadn’t managed to drop herself in the middle of Suna. Tying the seal to her physical body was a stroke of genius on her part she supposes; it’s likely what managed to keep her in place.

“Uuggh,” she groaned heaving herself off the ground and toppling over before she could even get her feet underneath her. “Wha-” She miscalculated while trying to coordinate her limbs to catch her and landed in a heap on the floor once again.

Now she’s never been the tallest of her friends but Naruto’s pretty sure she’s grown since her academy days. She doesn’t bother trying to get up, she already knows she’s in Uzushio, there’s no rush to venture into the countries that are likely deep into the third shinobi war at the moment. 

Her eyes are roaming around the cathedral when she happens to spot a mirror in the far corner. Oh god, is that her? Did she shrink? She hasn’t been this small in years! With a newfound strength she all but dragged herself over to the mirror that had long since past its prime. It was caked in layers of grime and dirt just enough of the reflection still visible for her to see herself.

She locked eyes with her reflection - crystal blue that reflected the depths of the ocean matching her wide gaze. She looked like a child, barely older than eight years old. Was I really this small once? Her mind was racing thoughts bouncing back and forth trying to figure out how in the hell she managed to de-age herself and-. 

It had to have been the seal she finally concluded. This could be a problem, they hadn’t accounted for this possibility. Who’s going to take a child seriously? Even worse, she can feel how her body isn’t at the same strength it was at not even a day ago. The burning soreness and dull throbbing pulsing through her body clued her into her disappointing lack of muscle mass.

Well fuck, she worked hard for those muscles and lightening fast reflexes. Now, she’s gonna have to start all over from scratch. She dropped her head into her hands, rubbing at her temples and groaning at herself trying to stave off the incoming headache.

Alright, okay, alright. She reasoned with herself at least she made it to the past. Her younger appearance and a lack of a couple of decades worth of dirt caked onto the inside of the cathedral confirmed it for her. She can deal with rebuilding her strength; it’d be a pain in the ass but if she did it once she can do it again.

First things first set up a camp and rest for a couple days to regain her chakra and adjust to her new body. Next was to figure out when exactly she was. There was no point crying over her lack of height and coordination; it would come back to her with time. Naruto had bigger problems to deal with anyway. Crying wasn’t going to fix anything.

It took a week before Naruto finally felt strong enough to risk venturing off the island. She’d regained enough chakra and coordination in her body to feel assured in her ability to defend herself. 

According to Minato, there should be a village along the coast of fire country that faces Uzushio. He had told her how it used to be a port city when Uzushio was still strong and populated, the village used primarily as a go-between and rest point. When Uzushio fell, however, most of the village's inhabitants left as well, no longer having a reliable income from travelers passing through.

Naruto stumbled onto her hands and knees, melting into the sand once she had finally made it back to solid ground. Water walking was harder than she remembered it being and made a mental note to start doing chakra exercises immediately when she had the chance. 

From what she had gathered she had retained the majority of chakra levels from when she was an adult however what little control she did have was all but gone. Her body was much too small to properly use or maintain her chakra reserves and she’d have to put in serious training to gain that control back. Oh well, just another thing to work on, at least this time she could utilize Uzumaki techniques.

She hauled herself back to her feet pushing strands of blonde hair out of her face as she did. She almost cried having to leave behind the softness of the sand while pushing her spent muscles to move forward. The noises of day-to-day life reached her ears and she could sense a small village bustling with life and people just a little further down the coast. 

Stumbling her way through the sand she followed the coastline, stretching out her senses to pinpoint the town. She didn’t want to just bump into the villagers; if she was right the five major countries should be in the middle of war. Everyone, even civilians, would be wary of new faces - you never know who could be an enemy wearing a disguise. 

Changing her direction she started through the trees pushing herself through the undergrowth trying to locate a road. It would be less suspicious if she appeared to be a civilian passing through rather than an unknown shinobi coming from the ocean. 

She was exhausted once she finally reached the outskirts of the small village. There were scratches from pushing past bushes and low-hanging branches, she couldn’t be bothered to push them away from herself more than just moving past. Plus it helped with her appearance any shinobi worth their salt would be able to make it through rough terrain without a scratch; a little civilian girl on the other hand would not.

It was mid-morning by the time she walked down the main street and people were already moving about, completing their day-to-day chores and errands. With a well-practiced ease, she ignored the stares and whispers that followed her down the street. With her golden hair spun from strands of sunshine and ocean-like eyes, she stood out easily in the crowd of people. She was incredibly aware that her coloring resembled the people of lighting compared to the dark hair and eyes that most of fire country sported. 

“You there, little girl, c’mere!” She turned on her toes looking for the rough voice she assumed called after her. An older lady well past her prime was gesturing towards her. From the distance, Naruto could tell the lady had wrinkles around her eyes and laugh lines well worn on her cheeks. Her hair was a deep red. It appeared close to brown in the shade and her eyes were a warm chocolate brown. The old lady was hunched over, unable to bring herself to full height anymore.

“Yes, ba-chan?” Naruto bristled at the title, she wasn’t little ! Weaving through the lackluster crowd she approached the lady. “What do you want?”

The old lady reached out combing leaves out of her hair before wiping at her face. Naruto squawked at being manhandled like a child trying to pull back from the offending hands only for the old lady to yank her back in.

“What have you done to yourself, hmm? A little girl such as yourself should be much more proper, why do you look like you’ve been out on the battlefield!” The old lady scolded her, not once letting up in her unwanted grooming. “You’re covered in dirt and scratches! Come, we must get you cleaned up.”

The old woman latched onto her arm dragging her through the streets of onlookers grumbling about her appearance the whole way. Her grip didn’t ease until they approached a small home closer to the shore. Naruto could tell it was well lived in when the door groaned at being pulled open.

“Maa, ba-chan, why are you cleaning me? You haven’t even told me your name! Do you always steal away children?” Her tone was accusing eyes narrowing and searching the house for anything that could look amiss. 

The old woman sighed, her face dropping into a frown grief overtaking her features for a moment. She shuffled Naruto through the house into a small bathroom. “No child, I am simply tired of watching children die fighting in a war they never started.”

The words were uttered with a grief that came from old age, from watching wars rage for years and loved ones die. Naruto could relate to the sentiment at the very least. So she let herself be maneuvered around the bathroom and scrubbed down. 

The older woman finally breaks the silence as she scrubs her hands through Naruto’s hair, doing her damndest to wash out all the dirt that’s accumulated. “My name is Ayaka, little one. What do your parents call you?”

“They called me Naruto,” her response came softly, not wanting to break the calm atmosphere that’s formed. Ayaka paused briefly in her movements, processing the words and coming to the realization that this was yet another orphaned child among the many.

“Oh? Where are your parents now? Surely they haven’t left you alone - it’s dangerous to be traveling alone so young, as a girl nonetheless.” Ayake inquired using a wooden bowl to rinse the girl's hair.

Naruto sucked in a breath, hissing through her teeth. Yes, she’s been an orphan her whole life; yes, she’s already processed this grief before. But that doesn’t stop the fresh ache that burns through her chest and rises up her throat hitching her breath. Even though her parents are alive in this time - and will remain so until they’re old and grey if she has a say in it - they’ll never be her parents. 

Apparently, her hesitation and trembling shoulders were all the confirmation Ayaka needed. “I’m sorry little one, that you must go through such loss so young. This war has taken someone from us all, hasn’t it?” 

Deeming her clean enough Ayaka helped her dry herself down and left to find her some proper clothing. She all but balked at the state of her original outfit. It was filthy and covered in tears that barely covered her smaller frame at all. She couldn’t fault Ayaka for refusing to let her try to salvage it.

Finally after being swamped in a shirt a size too big and pants that run three inches too long they both curled up on the couch. “Thank you for helping me,” Naruto mumbled. “I’ve been traveling for a few weeks now after my parents…” 

“Uh, they told me to go to Ame. I have a cousin there who should be willing to take me in.” She finished after a few moments of finding her words.

“It’s no trouble child, you may stay here for a couple of weeks and gather your bearings. The war is starting to hit its peak so there’s been battles breaking out all over Fire Country recently. You can help me around the house until you’ve rested enough to continue your travels.”

“Are you sure? I don’t wanna impose!” Naruto was quick to respond. She really didn’t want to bother Ayaka, she seemed nice, if a little lonely.

“Nonsense little one, I offered, besides it will be nice to have some company.” Ayaka insisted. She had more than enough to spare for a little while. At the very least she will insist the child stay until the battlefields move back out of the country. If opening her house up will spare the death of another child she will do so gladly.

“Thank you ba-chan,” her response being agreement enough. At least this way it will be easy to blend in with the villagers for a week or two to gather my bearings. She needs more information before she’s able to make any decisive moves. It would do her no good to start wandering the country blindly with little direction.

“Ay! Ba-chan! What are these?” Naruto hollered towards Ayaka from up in the attic. It’s been just a little over a week since the old lady took her in and she was doing her part in pitching in around the house. Currently, they are cleaning out the attic. It was something Ayaka had meant to get around to but struggled with during her older age.

“What is what child, bring it down here for me to see,” Ayaka responded from where she was reorganizing the parts of the kitchen. Turning her attention back to her task she listened as she heard something being dragged above her and the expected thuds of the child coming down the stairs with her treasure.

Placing the box of what Naruto was pretty sure were jutsu scrolls on the table. Grabbing one out of the box and turning towards Ayaka she gestured with her eyebrows drawn together towards the box.

She wasn’t expecting to find anything shinobi related in the home. In the short time she’d been there it was easy to see that her benefactor detested everything about shinobi’s and their way of life. So it made no sense for her to have a box full of jutsu scrolls in her attic gathering dust. Jutsu scrolls were expensive and hard to come by for civilians so it was weird to find a box containing what she guessed to easily be dozens.

“Oh, those old things? They’re mementos now, mostly. I should sell those actually - they’d probably go for a good price.” Ayaka responded casually; as if it was perfectly normal for a civilian to have so many laying around gathering dust.

Naruto narrowed her eyes and her lips pierced together. She swept her eyes over Ayaka trying to view her in a different light and find any signs of a lifelong shinobi. “Only a shinobi would have so many Jutsu scrolls ba-chan. Don’t lie to me.”

The sigh that came from Ayaka was deep, wary. Putting the plate down she turned her head towards the girl, her eyes catching Naruto's gaze; the accusation was clear. At this moment, Ayaka looked all her years and then some.

“I am not a spy, I’m not even a shinobi. Those things are nothing but old relics that should be thrown out.”

Her words did nothing to settle the child in front of her. Naruto’s bullheadedness was shining through and it was clear she wouldn’t let the issue rest until she received answers. Steeling herself for the coming conversation Ayaka guestered for Naruto to follow her as she made her way into the living room. Falling into the seat she dropped her head into her hands.

Naruto followed, moving at a slower pace. Her guard had been thrown up again; just because she’d never lived through a war between villages she knew a lot of the tactics used. Despite her age, Ayaka could easily be an enemy shinobi. She really hoped she wasn’t - she’d grown rather fond of her in the past few days, it would be hard to kill her.

“Those scrolls they-'' Ayaka confessed, her voice growing quiet and distant. “They were mine. I was raised in Uzushio you see, my parents were shinobi. We were Uzumaki so being a shinobi was hard-wired into my blood. I was so ambitious as a kid; I wanted to be the best fuinjutsu master. That dream died long before Uzushio fell though. I lost so many during the second shinobi war a part of me broke I believe. I never could quite piece myself back together so I left Uzushio.”

With every word Ayaka spoke Naruto could feel her world tilting. She had somehow managed to find another Uzumaki - a piece of her family. Her mouth had dropped open and she knew her eyes had to be the size of dinner plates with how much they had widened. A soft breeze could probably knock her over with how slack she had grown listening to Ayaka’s story.

“You’re an Uzumaki?! Does that make us family then? You have to tell me about Uzushio! I want to hear all of your stories, what was it like?” Naruto started rambling her excitement building with each word. She had hundreds of questions for Ayaka and she would get them answered.

Ayaka was frozen where she sat, unable to process all the questions being thrown at her. Her mind had come to a standstill once she processed Naruto’s words. The girl had called them family . It was almost unbelievable that this child with sunshine hair she had happened upon wobbling her way through town was an Uzumaki. She couldn’t fathom her luck; she thought everyone but a handful of lucky survivors were dead and that she would never find any living as close to Uzushio as she was.

“Hush child, do not speak so loudly of such things. These are times of war; anyone could be listening.” She scolded quickly once she had finally calmed enough to gather her bearings.

“I know ba-chan but we’re family! I haven’t seen another Uzumaki since my mo-”

Not letting her finish her sentence Ayaka shushed her. Quickly the old lady made her way around the house; peeking out of windows before pulling the curtains shut. If they were going to discuss this they would do it safely. While Ayaka had little concern about herself - she was already far too old for any shinobi to bother with - Naruto would be a prime target if anyone found out.

When she was satisfied with her work, feeling no one would be her little house any mind, she ambled back over to her seat. Smiling gently to herself she knew things in her life were about to get more exciting she decided eyeing Naruto and nodding to herself.

“What do you wish to know about Uzushio child?” She inquired with her full attention on the little girl across from her. Naruto had stars in her eyes as she looked at Ayaka with a new sort of understanding. 

“Everything ba-chan!”

Their days had fallen into routine at this point. It was soothing, to say the least. Wake up, have breakfast with Ayaka, then travel into the forest behind the house for some training. Come back and help Ayaka with lunch, do some chores, and then settle down to listen to Ayaka teach her about Uzushio.

Learning about Uzushio and the Uzumaki clan was her favorite part of the day. It was one of the few things she was never able to learn about before she came back. Not only was there never any time, there was never a person who had lived there while the village was still standing. It felt like a reward for everything she’d suffered through almost.

While it was peaceful to be here with Ayaka, Naruto was starting to grow restless with herself. There was nothing she could do right now though and it was frustrating. There was no way for her to get into Konoha - landing in the middle of the war took that option off the table. If she showed up to the front gates demanding to be let in and calling herself an Uzumaki they would likely kill her on site. 

She wasn’t strong enough to start hunting the to-be members of the Akatsuki yet, she also had no idea where they were either. It would be a death wish to wander into Ame with most of its land being used as battlefields for the war so trying to find the trio was also out of the question. 

After going through her options two weeks into her stay she had concluded that most of the plans she and Minato had made would have to wait. Her best course of action would be to wait until the war was over before trying to claim shelter in Konoha using the Uzumaki name. At the moment she only had two real objects until the war ended. Start collecting Uzumaki; she was planning to leave shortly to gather the handful she knew about. Keep Obito out of Madaras’ hands. 

She had spent the night mumbling out plans and strategies to herself; discarding some and trying to rework others. She knew the failed mission was coming up soon but she couldn’t very well loiter around the borders of Iwa waiting for them to come. That would just be asking for trouble with her carbon copy coloring of the Yellow Flash. 

Playing the long game was all she could. She would have to wait till the mission failed and then go retrieve Obito. Back when she last spoke with him he had told her how his first few weeks had been spent with him in the equivalent of a coma while healing. That would give her more than enough time to sneak in, kill Madara, seal Zetsu, and seal the Gedo statue. 

If she was lucky she’d even be able to get him to Konoha while he was still out of it. By the time she rescued him, it would be too soon for her to try to get into the village herself. Her best course of action would be to leave him by the village gates and let the Hokage deal with him. Then high tail it all the way back to Ayaka.

In the meantime, she’d just have to keep her ear out for any whispering about the Kannabi bridge. Minato hadn’t given her an exact date for the mission because she should have already been in Konoha according to their plans.

Oh well, if anything the war had taught her patience. She was good at waiting and biding her time. She’s pretty sure the mission should be happening soon as it happened in the last two years before the war ended so any month now it could happen. At least until then, she could learn more about her clan and her family's history. It will be helpful when she needs to convince Konoha to take her in.

“Did you hear about what happened in Iwa?” The whispered conversation caught Naruto’s ears. At the moment she was running into town to grab some groceries for dinner Ayaka had forgotten to grab earlier. She tipped her head towards the men walking past her - sharpening her senses and focusing on their conversation.

“Yea, apparently Iwa’s been scrambling since Konoha managed to blow the Kannabi bridge! It’s great news for -” The men carried on talking, walking out of her range of hearing. She wasn’t listening anyway. 

Continuing down the road she tried not to let any outward sign show how the conversation affected her. Drawing her shoulders higher she finished her shopping and headed back to her makeshift home.

“Ba-chan, I have to leave tomorrow,” Naruto announced the second she stepped through the threshold. There was steel in her eyes even at the young age of eight years old Ayaka could see something fierce in how she held herself. There would be no discussion on this; it was obvious that her voice left no room for questions.

“Alright then child, let’s get you fed and packed.”

Chapter Text

The feeling of tree bark under her feet nearly brought her to tears when she first started jumping through the trees that invaded fire country. It had been years since Hashirama's forest stood tall and proud. It was a painful reminder of what she stood to lose again. 

She was traveling as quickly as her new body would allow her to. It had likely already been a week or two since Kannabi Bridge was destroyed and it was a fight against the clock to get to Obito while he was still mostly out of it. She knew she wasn’t ready to reintegrate into the village and needed to keep the knowledge of her involvement minimal. 

The sun flickering in and out of the branches was blaring in her eyes, throwing her vision off as she jumped. It was as irritating as it was reassuring, though in this moment irritation was winning out between the two.

Pausing, she quickly plastered herself onto the tree she had landed on. ANBU and Jonin teams were patrolling the area. It was annoying because it made her trip longer. She had to constantly keep her sensing as high as she could without overextending herself to make it by them. 

The first team she came across earlier in her trip had almost spotted her. She hadn’t been expecting to see any patrols as far from the village as she was. Hell, she was basically traveling along the country’s border not wanting to risk getting too close to the village. At the least she was grateful she hadn’t come across any battles and if she was lucky it would stay that way.

Honing in on the passing team of ANBU she pulled all of her chakra into her and channeled the smallest amount of nature chakra she could manage. Her younger body wasn’t ready to use fuinjutsu yet but she could run it through her systems basically making herself invisible to passing shinobi. 

When they had made it out of range she resumed on her way, trying to pick up the pace. She wanted to be out of fire country by nightfall - it would be easier to make camp in no man's land.

She sighed to herself, she knew this self-appointed mission wasn’t going to be easy but she had severely overestimated her smaller body’s physical abilities. Back in the war she had gone days, even weeks at one point, without rest and nothing but food pills to keep her going. It was throwing her off balance having to readjust to such a major difference.

“Alright come on legs! We’re two hours away from the border and then we only need to make it ten miles in and we can rest okay? I can do this.” Naruto whispered to herself, trying to find the motivation to convince her body to keep going. She was close, she was just barely starting to get wisps of Obito’s chakra on the far end of her range - hold on Obito I’m almost there!  

It had taken her five days of non-stop travel with a handful of hours to rest in between sprints to make it to the mountain graveyards. She was currently resting just outside of one of the entrances to the cave systems - she wanted to recharge before heading in.

Slowly she reached her senses down, wanting to pinpoint where exactly in the cave they were. Her breath caught in her throat and her concentration wavered before snapping back into place. Obito’s chakra... It was smaller than she had ever felt it. 

I should’ve prevented this! - she scolded herself, feeling guilty for letting him come so close to death. Dammit, she was supposed to fix things not let her loved ones, even unknowingly, suffer. Her guilt was bubbling up inside of her and she felt her concentration snap.

Growling to herself she dropped to the ground in a huff, yanking at a first full of hair just enough to get herself back into control. It was frustrating, nearly infuriating, that she couldn’t sense them with the ease she was used to. It had been years since she truly had to focus on finding anyone with her sensing.

“Alright, Naruto, just.. Breathe in and out like Ba-chan and Sakura-chan taught you! It’s easy - just breathing.” She reasoned with herself; in and out till her heart rate was back under control.

Once she had calmed down she started channeling nature chakra. Dragging it in and slowly with practice and patience pushing it through her systems until it settled in all of her chakra coils. She knew it would be a gamble, and foolish, to fight with fuinjutsu but she could at least use it to enhance her senses. All she needed to do was latch onto Obito’s chakra signature again and she could find him.

The cave system went on for miles - stretching far underneath and around her. It wouldn’t do any good to go in head first and search blindly. It took several long agonizing minutes until she managed to get a wisp of Obito’s chakra. He was hidden behind a seal but she could also feel Madara and three Zetsu’s in there with him.

Lifting herself from the ground she stretched, reaching her arms above her head and then below her back. Taking stock of her weapons she traced her fingers over the two kunai, replicas of her fathers, strapped to each thigh. She also knew she had ten shurikens in the pouch hanging off her hip and her tanto, Kakashi-sensies old one, strapped horizontally on her back along her hips. 

Glancing over her arms she double-checked all of her suppression and concealment seals were still in place before creeping forward into the caves. She was locked onto Obito’s faint, alive pure fresh , chakra signature. She was silent as she moved, the embodiment of a perfect shinobi and utilizing every trick she had ever been taught to not make a sound.

Given her current strength level, a surprise attack was her best chance to throw Madara and the Zetsu’s off balance and she’d be damned if she didn’t abuse the opportunity. She had the advantage at this moment - knowing their fighting style and location while they were believed to be thought dead to the world.

She took her time traveling through the cave, being careful in her approach. Making it to the door, which was unsurprisingly a giant boulder, she reached out pushing the barest amount of chakra out of her hands. 

The seal on the boulder lit up illuminating the dark space, it glowed mostly gold with hints of green on the edges. With the seal visible she got to work dismantling it without taking it apart. This way she could bypass it without destroying it - leaving the chakra in place and her arrival a surprise.

It was child's play for her to manipulate the seal, allowing her to bypass it making the boulder intangible. She’d actually gotten the idea from future Obito’s Kamui, though the modification she made was simpler than she usually made. In the future, she had made it to allow civilians and shinobi to pass through with ease but it would block Zetsu’s out by reading chakra signatures. 

Feeling satisfied with her work she summoned seven clones with a barely there flicker of her chakra; creating shadow clones was instinctual at this point for her. The clones came into existence with a sizzle of smoke, all of them sporting matching seals to the original. Their expressions matching hers, their mouths set in grime determinations. Failure was not an option here.

Naruto would be successful here. By taking care of Madara and the Zetsu’s she would ultimately fix the biggest problem, and pain in her ass, that this timeline could offer. Nothing else would be nearly as big of a problem once she had taken care of this. She could rest easier knowing no one would be manipulating events from the shadows.

Sweeping her eyes over the gathering of clones she met each of their eyes before nodding - steeling herself for the fight to come. It’s going to be difficult having to keep damage to a minimum due to their location while also protecting Obito. Reaching towards the seal on the outside of her right thigh she shoved some chakra into it causing papers with seals scrawled onto them to pop into existence.

She handed the seals over, one for each clone and two for herself. These were seals she had designed with her father in the first few months of the war. They were specially made to hold Zetsu’s and massive amounts of chakra. They were the perfect way to capture Zetsu and hold the Gedo statue. 

Turning back to the boulder Naruto took a moment to ready herself for the battle. With his age, Madara wouldn’t be much of a problem and neither would the Gedo statue with it being still dormant. Zetsu was her biggest concern behind the seal. Bracing herself she let the cold feeling of determination mingle with adrenaline flow through her body. 

Between one second and the next she was moving. The clones behind her following without hesitation. She shot through the boulder immediately heading directly towards the largest chakra signature she could feel. Black Zetsu. Behind her she could feel her clones moving - one Zetsu’s down and Obito’s been covered. Good. She can feel as three clones are engaged with Madara while another moves behind him towards the Gedo statue.

Her arm was out straight in front of her, seal at the ready and chakra already seeping into it to activate it. There would be no fighting if she had it her way. Black Zetsu had spun around only a half moment after she burst through the seal, eyes blown open in surprise and mouth agape. 

He jumped throwing himself backwards towards the wall just barely avoiding whatever seal the blonde child had in her hands. His eyes swept over the cave taking catalog of the room - cussing to himself when he noticed the multiples of the child - two had already taken down one of the other Zetsu’s and another appeared almost done with the other.

“Fuck,” Naruto muttered under her breath, black Zetsu had dodged her - unsurprising but annoying all the same. Alright, plan B it is . Incapacitate and then seal him. She repositioned, dropping her center down low and charging at him, one hand outstretched with the activated seal and a kunai armed in the other. 

She lashes out at Black Zetsu forcing her chakra to coat the blade with razor-sharp wind chakra. She manages to make a small gash in his thigh before jumping back when he reaches out to grab at her. Landing in a defensive position arms in front of her body as she watches him.

“Tell me little girl - who are you? How did you find this place?” Zetsu spat, stretching up to his full height. His chakra was fluctuating, and Naruto watched as his arm started growing out pooling by his feet on the floor. Her silence must have been answer enough for him. Throwing his arm out he attacked her, using his elongated arm as a whip.

Naruto blocked bringing her kunai up in front of her and reinforcing her arms with chakra. It was a technique she learned from Tsunade Baa-chan's fighting style. Using her chakra and brute strength to reinforce and strengthen her taijutsu attacks. While it hadn’t put a dent in Kaguya’s offenses it worked marvels on regular shinobi.

Angling her kunai down and into Zetsus’ arm she slashed her way up while charging up the length of the arm. Zetsu moved backwards avoiding rocks and supplies on the floor - he wasn’t expecting such speed from a child.

Barely a foot from him she pivoted, jumping into the air and turning her body sideways. Kicking out with her foot it collided with the side of his head. Having no time to react, Zetsu rocketed back into the far wall. Naruto felt as his chakra slowed - he was out. 

She watched as he slumped over, frozen to the spot where she landed crouched on to the ground with her kunai still armed. Huh , he must be weakened without Kaguya around constantly feeding him chakra. Her Black Zetsu had torn through legions of shinobi when he wasn’t attached to his mother.

The seal! Her hands were flying over her pouches searching for it. Whirling around she spotted it on the ground where she had first attacked him. It must have been dropped and deactivated while she was fighting. Moving quickly she went to retrieve it. Black Zetsu might be out of commission for the moment but he’d be up again soon.

Moving quickly she retreated backwards to grab it, snatching it off the ground she started inspecting it. It would do no good to slap a disabled seal on him. After checking over the parts and feeling satisfied that it would hold she risked a glance over to the rest of the room. Madara lay dead on the floor before his ‘throne’. Two of the clones were halfway through inking the Gedo statue to tie it to the holding seal. 

Tilting her head the other war she saw the two other Zetsus on the ground, neither had all of their limbs. Finally, she let her eyes sweep over Obito. God, he looked so small . How was she going to manage to carry him all the way back to Konoha? He was pale, completely out of it, and she was pretty sure he would fall apart the moment she touched him. 

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts clouding her mind. Obito would be fine! He’d survived this once before he would survive it again, hell his chances would even be better once she got him to Konoha. She just had to have faith in him.

All at once the ground started shaking. The sound of crumbling rock and boulders sliding against each other invaded the cave. She was shooting to her feet before she recognized what was happening molding her chakra to perform a jutsu she shouted “Doton: Doryūheki” turning around and slamming her hands into the nearest wall of the cave. Breathing a sigh of relief she could feel as two other clones mimicked her. At the very least they wouldn’t be dying in another cave in.

The sound of cackling, crazed and manic, meet her ears making her heart drop. Her head snapped around so fast she worried it might have actually broken. Cradling his head where she had managed to kick him, he was standing on his feet hunched over with one hand on the cave wall. Chakra absolutely pouring out of him.

She had gotten distracted. The handful of seconds she used to retrieve the dropped seal and then scan the room had allowed him to gather himself. He wasn’t going to underestimate her anymore either. Her and the clones in the room tensed; preparing themselves to launch at Zetsu to put him back out of commission. 

“Decades of work torn apart in less than five minutes all because of a nosy brat,” Zetsu spat, his voice rising with every word. Naruto thought he sounded almost delusional, huh she could’ve sworn Black Zetsu was the more mentally stable of the two - guess not if this display he’s putting on means anything. 

Subtly repositioning her feet she threw herself at him, the seal once again outstretched to slap against his skin. She never made contact with him because the second she had started moving she watched, her eyes widening with disbelief and fury, as he began fading through the wall he was pumping chakra into. 

“No!” She screamed, slamming into the wall behind him. She had to seal him, she had already shown her hand and it would be a fucking tragedy waiting to happen if he got away now. Barely she could hear him cackling through the wall, feeling as his chakra signature started moving further and further away. She raged against the cave wall - using every jutsu in her arsenal to get it to just move . Too blinded by panic to even look for a seal to disassemble. 

“Boss.. boss! He’s gone, boss!” One of the clones was telling her frantically pulling her from the wall in hopes to keep from injuring herself further or bringing the cave down on them. Like a switch being flipped inside her, all of the panic and rage drains out of her body. She drops to the ground, her knees slamming painfully into the rocks of the floor. 

The icy feeling of dread and the crushing weight of failure crashed over her. Invading all of her senses from her ears to her feet. She had let him get away, he’d go into hiding now and she’d have to wait till he reappeared. With how long he’d been running around the continents there was no doubt he had multiple hiding holes to isolate himself in.

On instinct her hands started threading through her hair, pulling on fistfuls of her locks. She could sense her clones moving around her - finishing up sealing their other objectives. The silence in the cave was deafening; she and her clones were almost never silent but the moment was too heavy to break with laughter. All of her plans were reworking themselves inside her head and she sat curled in a ball, pulling on her hair.

It felt like an eternity had passed when she finally lifted her head up; the weight of the world rebalancing on her shoulders. Rising to her feet she found her clones waiting for her. She braced herself taking a steadying breath - yes Black Zetsu had gotten away. But Madara was dead, Obito was going back to Konoha where she doubted any members of team 7 would let him out of their sight, and she had the Gedo statue. If Zetsu wanted to revive Kaguya he’d have to come to her. The smile overtaking her face was vicious and bloodthirsty - she could wait for Zetsu.

Feeling more secure with the realization she started making her way over to her clones and Obito. Stepping up to one of the clones she grinned, taking the offering of sealed scrolls that contained the bodies. She shucked her jacket off her right shoulder placing the scrolls in a holding seal directly above her heart. No one was getting them without her noticing.

“Sooooo,” One of the clones further back drawed out her arms crossed and a hip cocked to the side. The clone pointed down to the, still unconscious, Obito. “How exactly are you gonna get Obito here all the way back to Konoha? Like, I know you have some ideas but there was never a solid plane. Your chakra isn’t strong enough yet to maintain all of us to help you for three days straight either.”

The mischievous grin spreading across her face instilled zero confidence in her clones. “Simple! I’ll just have to carry him the old-fashioned way!” Naruto's response was met with silence. Oh well, their opinions didn’t matter to her. They weren’t gonna have to carry him anyway. 

Jumping through the trees was a lot more challenging with Obito strapped to her back. She really needs to start remembering that she’s in an eight-year-old body. Originally she had hoped to make good time getting Obito back to Konoha - it wasn’t smart to be alone with an injured shinobi out in the open in wartime. After the first couple of hours though she had to reevaluate her timeframe.

Sighing to herself she watched as the forest got darker and the rays of sun started fading out of sight. It was likely gonna take an extra day, give or take, to make it back to Konoha at this rate. 

Carefully she made her way to the ground, might as well set up camp for the night and rest. When her feet touched the ground there was the immediate pop and smoke of a handful of clones coming into existence. 

“Go ahead and make camp here yea?” Naruto ordered the clones, turning to deal with Obito when she saw them move to make camp. Gently she kneeled down and maneuvered him onto forest ground, some leaves crunching as he sprawled over them. Rubbing a hand over her face she glanced at him through her fingers. It was pure luck that he’d only woken up once so far and even then he was barely coherent.

Letting herself relax she slouched backwards into the tree behind her keeping her eyes on Obito. This mission had been exhausting and it wasn’t even over yet. For the past day of travel she’d been on high alert for shinobi patrols and Black Zetsu while she traveled through fire country. All she really wanted to do was go back to Ayaka and sleep . 

“What have I gotten myself into, huh Obito?” She questioned, not expecting an answer but asking nonetheless. Her eyes were starting to droop while her breathing evened out. Feeling her clones working around her setting up seals and traps was calming; peaceful even. She was asleep before the makeshift camp was even finished. 

It had taken four days of travel but she had finally made it to the outskirts of the village. Sweeping her eyes over the massive walls encircling the village made them burn and the feeling of thousands of chakra signatures hiding behind the walls made her heart burn. 

Her sensing wasn’t good enough to identify any individual signature anymore but she could feel the chakra of the clans. The fire smoke warm she could feel made her lose her footing once on the way in - it was the Uchiha clan and she never felt so many. It was a harsh reminder of what else she had to fix. 

Turning back to the task at hand she focused her senses trying to locate all the nearby patrols and shinobi standing guard. There, two groups were running the perimeter heading away from her. Two guards were stationed at the gate, a Hyuuga and Auburame if she had to guess. On top of the walls there were a handful of shinobi walking around up there. Pulling at her hair she went over her options.

She couldn’t just walk up to the gate and dump him - they’d have too many questions that she didn’t have answers for. Leaving him in the forest to be found by passing patrols was out too - with how weak his chakra signature was she had no way of knowing how long it’d take for them to find him. Sighing to herself she scanned her surroundings again, a plan formulating in her head, a smile creeping up her face. 

With a flick of chakra, she made two clones. Both of them immediately crouched down and hid themselves as best they could, mimicking her. Mischievous smiles were growing on their faces with the knowledge of what their task was about to be.

“Alright you two, you know the plan right?” With an answering nod, all three of their smiles turned nearly devilish. Handing over seals pulled from her arm she continued, “Biggest, flashiest, harmless distraction you can make okay? Nothing will top this!”

With a giggle and a wink, the clones were gone, taking the harmless explosion seals with them. The seals wouldn’t cause too much damage - they were mostly filled with glitter and smoke, made specifically to cause chaos and distractions. 

Naruto prepared herself to run and drop Obito at the gate as she felt her clones moving into position before hightailing it all the way back to Ayaka. Swirling her chakra and pumping it into her legs she waited. A rush of memories assaulted her and a countdown popped into her head. 

A boom erupted from the right side of the village. The ground shook slightly with the force and smoke filled the air. She could feel the chaos in the village. The smoke bomb had without a doubt gathered everyone’s attention. Perfect.

“Okay Obito, you’re gonna be home real soon!” Naruto whispered to her still unconscious charge. She watched as the guards at the gate started moving; one towards the Hokage's office the other towards the explosion. The guards on top of the walls were swarming to the other side of the village and the patrols had already been redirected to the explosion as well.

Like a shot she took off out of her hiding space, only slowing down to deposit Obito in front of the gate. After taking one last glance at the village and soaking in the chakra signatures she pivoted on her feet and ran towards the coast.

Chapter Text

Minato blinked. He couldn’t have possibly heard the Sandaime correctly. Obito had been declared dead three weeks ago, his body was left in Iwa territory so it wasn’t retrievable at the moment. He highly doubted Iwakagura would have returned him dead or alive. 

“Hokage-sama -”

“Believe me, Minato I know.” Hiruzen asserted to a speechless Minato, he blew on his pipe before continuing. “It seems impossible but Obito-kun is alive . It is him, not an imposter trying to get into the village; we’ve checked. He was left at the gate two days ago when an explosion or bomb or whatever it was was set off. Whoever left him also left a note.”

Reaching over the desk he offered Minato a small note. The writing was smooth looking as if it was practiced thousands of times. Glancing at the Sandaime one last time for assurance he read through the note. It was simple and to the point. An apology for the chaos of the bomb as well as not properly handing over their injured shinobi.

“But why? A civilian wouldn’t have been able to find him let alone cross borders, or get this close to the village so it had to be a shinobi. We’re at war with practically every other village in the continent and a Konoha shinobi would have just gone straight to the hospital…” Minato trailed off, his mind running trying to find a solution while also wrapping around the fact that Obito was alive . Injured yes but alive. 

“We’re hoping Obito will be able to tell us when he wakes up. Besides from that note there’s been no sign of foreign shinobi anywhere near the village.” Shikaku added with a groan having stayed silent up to this point. “Whoever it was can be a problem - they’d have to be strong and smart to get so close to the village without being spotted.”

“Hmm, yes it is concerning, however-” Hiruzen turned to Minato, a small smile taking over his aging face. The war had really worn him down recently. “If we do find them we should at the very least give them a thank you. Congratulations Minato-kun, you have your whole team back.”

Not having moved from his spot since being told the news of Obito's return, Minato collapsed backwards into the chair behind him. It felt like he could breathe again, a weight being lifted off his shoulders. These past few weeks had been hell trying to deal with losing one of his kids and helping the other two process. 

“Have Kakashi and Rin been told yet?” His voice shook a little around his words, his questions being directed at both of the other men in the room. He hoped not; he wanted to be there when they were told. Kakashi probably wouldn’t believe it unless Minato told him himself.

“No, they were supposed to be on a mission to Kirigakure but I’ve had them recalled. Luckily they haven’t gotten too far and should be here-” Hiruzen was cut off by a knock at the door. Minato tensed trying to brace himself for the conversation he was no doubt about to have. Now that they were close enough he could feel Rin and Kakashi’s chakra on the other side of the door. Worry and confusion swirling around a small amount of agitation.

“Come in,” Hirzun called, beckoning the kids he could feel waiting on the other side of the door. Coming through the door, basically falling over their feet in a mixture of exhaustion and unconcealed grief, they went to stand by Minato. Murmuring greetings to their sensei before bowing to the Hokage and Shikaku. If one could even call the slumping shoulder sagging movement Kakashi gave a bow.

“Hokage-sama, did something change with the mission?” Rin inquired gently after a few moments of silence. It made her skin itch the way they were pulled from their mission barely a day outside of Konoha. She was grateful for it honestly, not that she would tell anyone but the entire mission gave her the same sinking feeling she had with Kannabi Bridge. Any excuse not to go was a relief.

“Yes, actually,” Hiruzen started gesturing to the chairs beside Minato silently asking them to sit. “I do apologize for pulling you both so abruptly from your mission, however, there have been some developments. I thought it best to inform you three immediately rather than wait. Please get comfortable, this will take a minute.”

Nothing had changed in the tiny coastal village in the two weeks she’d been gone. Slowly she walked down the main street, the sun was setting out over the ocean casting shadows across the buildings. The sky was lit up in mesmerizing shades of orange and pink and blue. Watching the sun rise and set over the ocean always brought her a calmness she couldn’t find anywhere else.

It must have been the Uzumaki in her blood but the ocean always settled an ache in her bones she never knew she had. Even watching a storm rage she would think that the roaring waves were beautiful. Naruto supposes this is why Ayaka settled down here even after leaving Uzushio. The ocean was home, it was wild and dangerous in a way only Uzumaki’s could be.

Taking her time getting back to her makeshift home she watched as the villagers settled down for the note. Smiling gently to the handful who noticed and recognized her. It was nice to be back. Sure, it wasn’t home, nothing but Konoha could ever be home but it was close. It would have to do for a couple of more years anyway.

Taking a sharp right at the end of the road she was finally face to face with the tiny house Ayaka owned. The outdoor light was on but the curtains had been drawn shut. Stretching out her senses she could easily identify Ayaka bustling around the kitchen. Naruto's stomach growled, loud and rude, at the reminder that she hadn’t eaten much on her trip across fire country. 

With the full force of two weeks of exhaustion finally hitting her she stepped up to the front door. Turning the handle Naruto let herself in, taking care to make enough noise not to sneak up on Ayaka; retired or not shinobi always had instinct. 

She hadn’t even made it two feet through the door before Ayaka was moving out of the kitchen to investigate the noise she had made. Ayaka’s face was slack with shock when Naruto finally managed to look her in the eyes. Ah, yes, she probably didn’t look all that great. Dirt was caked on every available surface of skin she had, her hair was a rat's nest, and she had no doubt her eyes were bloodshot.

“Hi ba-chan.”

“My kami child you almost gave me a heartache!” Quickly smoothing over her features into a face of acquisition she rushed forward to support the child swaying on her feet in front of her. “Look at you, you’re a mess! I thought we had moved past this the first time! Come, now let’s get you cleaned up and fed. After that it’s straight to sleep.”

“Ba-chan, I have to tell you something! It’s -” Naruto pleads, her voice filled with relief that Ayaka hadn’t thrown her out. No one would have blamed her for how she left without even giving an explanation. 

“Nonsense. You are much too exhausted. Clean, eat, and rest. Whatever it is you feel you must say can wait.” Ayaka interrupted her, once again guiding her towards the bathroom and starting the shower. “Get yourself clean, I’ll put together a meal for you.”

With those parting words Naruto was left alone in the bathroom. The heat wafting off the shower was too inviting to her exhausted mind to turn down and she hoped in. Meticulously cleaning herself from top to bottom. For the first time since she left two weeks ago her mind was calm, a mixture of hunger, exhaustion, and a sense of accomplishment knowing Obito was home.

Reluctantly she dragged herself out of the shower, finding a pair of clean clothes she hadn’t noticed Ayaka bring in. She dressed quickly. Moving through the house she found Ayaka in the kitchen a simple meal spread across the table. Letting herself drop in the chair she devoured the food in front of her barely stopping to breathe before shoveling more into her mouth.

When she was finished she sat for a moment, finally feeling full and clean and satisfied. Grabbing the dishes she started on helping Ayaka clean the table. They worked together in silence; the two weeks spent apart not putting a dent in how they operated together.

“Ba-chan, I really need to tell you something! It’s the least you deserve-” Naruto started, absolutely ready to spill her guts to the one person she had in this new timeline. 

“In the morning child.” Ayaka interrupted her and put the last dish on the rack to dry. Naruto was still stumbling over her words a bit puffed to be silenced but too tired to really fight against her. Gently she grabbed at the younger's shoulders, guiding her to the room she’d been staying in. 

“Get some sleep Naruto, you can tell me all you need to in the morning. We have plenty of time.”

Naruto grumbled in response, not coherent enough to formulate a response. Between the shower, the food, and the soft sheets around her she was rapidly losing the battle against staying awake. Her thoughts were drifting away from her and her eyes were too heavy to keep open. Within one moment and the next she was asleep.

It was two days later when Naruto finally worked the courage backup to tell Ayaka. She was forever grateful that during those two days Ayaka didn’t once pressure her into talking. So halfway through their daily routine they had easily fallen back into, Naruto sat Ayaka down.

“I’m from the future ba-chan,” Naruto stated simply as if she hadn’t just made Ayaka rethink everything she knew. Not giving her a chance to interpret Naruto carried on acting like she couldn’t see the questions and shock in Ayaka’s eyes. “Twenty-two years in the future the fourth shinobi war will take place. No one will be left. All of the villages will be burned to the ground and Kaguya will reign over the land again.”

Honestly, Ayaka didn’t want to believe her. She wanted nothing more than for every word out of the child's mouth, and yes even if she was nineteen she was still a child, to be a joke. A poorly thought-out and cruel joke but a joke nonetheless. It would be easier to believe Naruto had a horrible sense of humor than to know of the burden she carried, heavy and heroic, on her shoulders. The truth was obvious to her, not for a second did she doubt Naruto, how could she really? When the truth gleamed in her eyes and her voice all but trembled and begged to be believed as she told her story in a trance.

It took the better part of two hours and while her voice shook and her throat choked she told Ayaka the future. She spared no detail and didn’t bother to sugarcoat it. If she wanted Ayaka to believe her she would have to be honest and brutal. The end of the world had no place for kindness. When she was done she waited with her eyes laser-focused on Ayaka waiting for her to speak even if it was to laugh at her.

“Well then child,” Her voice was soft but it couldn’t hide the gleam of steel in her eyes. “That sounds horrendous. What exactly do you plan to do about it, hmm? Surely, we won’t simply sit here playing house and wait?”

She believed her. It was like a weight lifting off her shoulders and a sureness resulting inside her. Locking eyes with her ba-chan she let a grin spread across her face; ferocious and lethal. Maybe she wouldn’t have to be as alone as she feared. She never noticed before but it was looking her in the face now - much like foxes Uzumakis were tricksters too.

“Well,” Naruto's voice sing songed through the space, her grin never once dropping, “I think it’s time for the Uzumaki’s to regroup don’t you? Once there’s a few more of us it would be downright disrespectful not to take Konoha up on their gracious offer to shelter refugees. Don’t you agree ba-chan?”

Understanding crept into Ayaka’s eyes, her grin morphing to match Naruto’s. An easy way to rebuild the clan from near annihilation while also gaining easy access to Konoha. It was a good starting point and knocked off two objectives in one move. Listening as Naruto started outlining some of her plans Ayaka knew the next few years would be hard and messy, she couldn’t wait for it. 

She was cautious in her approach to the small building, she refused to call it a home with how run down it appeared. It looked like she could poke it and it would fall apart on her. The sun had set hours ago yet there were faint glows of light peeking through the curtains on the windows. Naruto hoped that meant the occupants, or one anyway, were still awake. She hadn’t wanted to risk being seen approaching them during the day.

Finishing her trek up the hill she stopped directly in front of the door. Raising her hand she tapped gently against the front door, not wanting to frighten the occupants of the house or wake the small child she could feel sleeping upstairs now that she was closer. 

The chakra of the other person still awake within the house spiked with a mixture of fear and dread. It calmed almost instantly though, smoothed over with raw terrified determination as it moved towards the door. She felt a bit guilty for scaring them so much.

With a groan the door pulled open just a big enough crack for her to squeeze her foot through if need be. Moving her gaze up her blue eyes locked with a set of carmine red eyes and a nose that scrunched with confusion. 

Naruto guessed her confusion was fair. She’d probably react the same way if she was greeted by a random child on her doorstep in the middle of the night with coloring that matched lighting country. Not that the woman in front of her was much better with her fair skin that had seen too little sunshine and red hair that matched her carmine eyes.

“Uh, can I help you?” The woman asked confusion and worry lacing her voice. The woman pulled the door open a bit wider, her panic from earlier fully fading away and forgotten. She had treated just about every shinobi in this village at this point and this child with sunshine hair and ocean blue eyes was not from here.

“Actually, it’s me who wants to help you!” The child answered her in a voice too bright and happy for the middle of the night. There was something sparkling in her eyes. “You see I’m Naruto Uzumaki and I’m getting the family back together! Mind if I come inside?”

“What?”

It had taken Naruto the better part of two years, nineteen months but she wasn’t counting, to gather nine Uzumaki. Including herself and Ayaka that was eleven Uzumaki. Thirteen if one counted Kushina and Nagato. Naruto honestly hadn’t expected to find as many as she had. 

She had also managed through pure luck to run into the Ame three during her hunt for Uzumakis. Not to mention she had the perfect excuse to approach them as well. It was incredibly relieving to see all three of them alive and not actively being terrorists. With Madara dead and Zetsu in hiding Danzo had no way to or reason to intervene with them leaving them alive and relatively well.

She had been hopeful she would be able to manage them to join her and eventually Konoha during her weeks stay with them - family bonding and all. Unsurprisingly they had decided to stay in Ame but Naruto had made it clear they were always welcome to come to her. So after a week with them they had parted ways and she had left feeling more secure in the warnings she left them and an emergency transportation seal.

While the two years she spent traveling were long, they were also enlightening and useful. After all, she was hunting more than just Uzumaki. Ayaka had suggested she start bounty hunting and make a name for herself as Kunoichi while she was out. It would give them more say in Konoha to have a well-known shinobi with them.

Not too long after Naruto had told Ayaka the truth they had relocated back to the island of Uzushio. The move was difficult at first for more than just having to traverse the ocean to reach it. Ayaka had struggled through grief and guilt and a misplaced sense of shame from how she left all those years ago. While Naruto was assaulted by memories of the short time she spent with her father. It was a very quiet and somber first few days while they worked to put together a working home that would last longer than Naruto's previous tent.

Soon after they had got the place livable Naruto had left; venturing across the countries to find lost Uzumakis willing to come with her. Her first stop had been Karin and Shimizu, Karin's mother - she was eternally grateful she had gotten to them before Shimizu’s death and could spare Karin the heartache.

A few months after finding Karin and her mother she had, quite literally, stumbled upon a family of six Uzumaki’s hiding in a small village on the border of wind country. It was completely by accident when she was passing through the village and felt a wave of Uzumaki chakra. In her daze she tripped and fell directly into Raijin who, after talking his ear off, led her back to their house.

They were a lovely family and she knew then and there they would be coming back to Uzushio, and eventually Konoha, with her. She couldn’t have left them to fend for themselves! Sora was just a toddler at that point and the twins, Raijin and Himiko were her age they would make a perfect team. Their parents, Kenzo and Satsuki were easy to convince - they seemed almost desperate to get away from the war. Sora’s father Toshiro, Kenzo’s brother Naruto would learn later while traveling back to Uzushio with them, was harder to convince.

The final Uzumaki of their rebuilt clan was one Naruto knew of ahead of time. Minato had told her about Ahma, her mothers' cousin, who had been hiding in lighting country. According to Minato she had died during Kushina's pregnancy with her, trying to escape slave traders hunting down Uzumakis’. It was easy to get Ahma to go with her especially once she mentioned they planned to go to Konoha after the war ended. 

Naruto is pulled from her thoughts of reminiscing on the past few years by a shout of her name. Scooting herself a little to the right she leans over the edge of the roof she’d been perched on. A flash of blonde hair, even more golden than her own, comes into view accompanied by the wide toothy smile of the youngest of their group.

“Naru-nee! Is dinner time, dinner!” He yelled at her from the ground, summoning her down and home with the promise of food. “Ayaka ba-chan and Ahma-Oba made it so is gonna be really good! Come on!”

The excitement and bubbly air about the child was contagious and had Naruto launching herself off the roof at record speed. With ease she lifted the five-year-old off his feet listening to him giggle as she spun him around.

“Well, we certainly can’t be late then!” She cheered, taking off towards the house they’d fixed up with Sora still in her arms. Using chakra to aid her she easily leapt over piles of rocks and rubble littering the cobbled streets. It didn’t take long for the lone building with lights streaming out of it to come into view and Sora’s giggles heightened knowing they’d be fed soon.

Too caught up in Sora’s excitement, Naruto didn’t bother using the front door, opting instead to vault over the porch and straight through the open window. She landed in a crouch immediately moving to roll forward Sora safely tucked into her arms cackling the entire trip. Jumping up she tossed the little boy in the air with a smile on her face; it was nice to be around children again. She missed Konohamaru. 

“Naruto!” Raijin shouted at her as she came tumbling in, he was always grumbling at her for something - she was pretty sure he hasn’t forgiven her for dropping him in the ocean that one time. “What have I told you about using windows? And you’re gonna get Sora hurt if you’re not careful! Honestly-”

Tunning him out she cheerfully marched over to Toshiro and dropped his still giggling son on his lap. Toshiro himself was smiling, amused at the over the top display, he seemed more peaceful in Uzushio compared to where she had found them.

“I believe this troublemaker is yours!” Naruto declared, effectively cutting off the rest of Raijin's rant and pulling a laugh from the people in the room. It was warm, this small makeshift home they’d built together; she could smell the food being cooked in the kitchen wafting in through the open doorway. 

“Ah, Sora you found Naruto, good! You’re both just in time for dinner, now hurry and go wash up.” Satsuki’s voice carried over from where she poked her head out of the door, likely to see what all the commotion was about. Not wanting to miss Ayaka’s cooking, Naruto hurried to do as told.

Soon she found herself sitting at a table that was quickly growing familiar, surrounded by chakra signatures that radiated warmth sunshine chaos family. The conversation around the table was steady with the adults murmuring amongst themselves. Naruto winked at Ahma when she caught her eye watching on as her and Toshiro laughed together. Those two would be a couple soon enough she’s sure of it.

Himiko was quick to notice her silence and drew into a conversation about some sealing techniques she was interested in. The conversation was easy and light; Naruto smiled to herself, something soft and kind. It had been too long since she’d had this kind of peace.

“Naru-chan,” It was Kenzo’s voice that had pulled her from her thoughts, she met his eyes before he continued. “When you gathered us all here you spoke of rebuilding the Uzumaki. You also spoke about finding shelter and home in Konoha.”

Naruto watched on as Kenzo took a breath, he was organizing his thoughts before continuing. Everyone around the table had grown silent listening in, they were eager to get to Konoha and start rebuilding. While they all loved Uzushio the island was dead and gone; their best hope to rebuild the Uzumaki was to settle in Konoha which offered supplies and protection.

“The third war has been over for nearly a year now, surely this has been enough time?” His question was no surprise, Naruto herself had been yearning to return home. It had taken all her willpower and the anxiety of seeing her dead loved ones alive that kept her from returning. 

She hummed, taking a moment before responding to Kenzo. “Yes, I do think it’s been plenty of time. Konoha has had enough time to rest and settle. It’d be rude of us to make them wait any longer to repay their debts to Uzushio and our clan. It’s time we Uzumaki’s settled in our new home.” Naruto's smile got sharper with each word she spoke. She could feel the matching grins growing on everyone's faces. Yes, Konoha would be their new home and for the sanctuary it offered they were grateful but, they were still Uzumaki, and Uzumaki’s were always chaos.

Konoha only had one Uzumaki at the moment, the arrival of eleven more would surely turn the village upside down. Naruto could practically taste the chaos singing in her bones. This was going to be fun.

Chapter Text

The morning after Naruto’s declaration has found all eleven of the Uzumaki gathered around Shimizu who was leading the charge - pen in hand and paper in front of her. Her handwriting was the most elegant and official looking out of all of them so she had been chosen to write the letter. It had been unanimously decided that it would be best to reach out to Konoha and give warning of their intentions rather than showing up at the gate and demanding refuge.

All of the Uzumaki’s gathered closely, even Sora and Karin despite being a bit too young to fully understand what was happening. Being so closely huddled together they looked as if they were one of the sunsets Uzushio was famed for. A mixture of sunshine and golden hair swimming through a sea of burgundy and blood red. 

Their more traditional Uzushio clothes reflecting the ocean itself dripping in blues and greens and yellows, with pops of purple pink and orange. Their clothes and hair glittering with gems and pearls and sea glass scavenged off the nearby shore. Once they were surrounded by the safety of Uzushio, Satsuki and Ahma all but demanded everyone return to their traditional colors and hairstyles. If they were to rebuild they would rebuild proudly . 

“Okay, Alright, Okay! Everyone quiet down!” Ayaka demanded pushing her way through to sit by Shimizu's side. “We can’t all be blabbering to Shimizu all at once. We need this letter to be official and sound like it . So no, Himiko, we will not be demanding a clan dwelling by water - we shall ask.”

Being the eldest of the group Ayaka’s declaration was quick to hoard in the rowdy group. Even the adults were getting antsy and excited, Naruto snorted quietly to herself remembering how, not even two months ago, Kenzo had declared himself to be sophisticated. Naruto highly doubted anyone in politics would be eager to start mingling with any of them.

“We need to be organized! We have to declare a clan head, write out our intentions and demands, and inform them of our plans.” Toshiro’s mumbling was little more than a whisper, mainly talking to himself. His words, however, managed to capture everyone's attention and all at once their heads whipped around in search of Naruto. Even Raijin with his pride and stubbornness knew exactly who their clan head had to be.

Naruto blinked, her face blank except her eyebrows scrunching together obvious confusion in her eyes. “What? Why y’all looking at me like that?”

Kenzo turned back around rolling his eyes in fond amusement at the, occasionally, air-headed blonde. “Naruto will be the clan head, Shimizu.” He directed his answer towards Shimizu; it was clear in his tone that he would not accept anyone’s disagreement. Raijin glowered at his father in response even if he agreed he was still upset on principle alone.

Naruto’s confusion cleared up when she heard Kenzo directing Shimizu. Her eyes bulged and her mouth dropped open. Himiko and Karin giggled at her, clearly finding her bewilderment and shock humorous.

“Clan head?! I can't be clan head!” Naruto protested her voice just barely under what would be considered yelling. She jumped to her feet, eyes darting between the amused faces of her clan members. She couldn’t be clan head that meant dealing with, bleh, politics; she would much rather deal with problems like a shinobi.

Her eyes finally landed on Ayaka who had been silent since her outburst earlier, she was smiling a look of fondness in her eyes. “You! Ba-chan! Ayaka should be clan head she’s the oldest and-” Naruto was almost desperate at this point trying to find reasons, “And you’ve actually spent time in Uzushio you know the Uzumaki! I can’t be clan head, I'm too young!”

Ayaka smiled to herself, having expected this exact reaction from the girl. Having lived in close quarters with the girl for some years now she knew exactly what she was like. Which is why she knew, just like the rest of their family, that only Naruto could be their clan head.

“Naruto,” there was laughter in her voice while she tried to reassure her, Naruto bristled at the implications. “You know very well that you are the only one that can be clan head. You brought us together and you are going to make a new home for the Uzumaki in Konoha. It is only right that you lead us as well, don’t you think?”

Himiko popped up at this point from beside her mother wanting to voice her own opinion and encouragement. “Yea Naru-chan! You’re already incredibly strong and you’re only gonna get better! We need a strong head for the clan to be taken seriously.”

“Despite your.. Distaste for it, you are a good mediator and have a smart head on your shoulders. Being clan head will suit you.” Toshiro added in afterwards. The ‘ even if you don’t use it’ mumble underneath his breath went blatantly ignored.

This.. was not what she was expecting. Sweeping her eyes over the room she took her time locking eyes with each member of her new family - if she was going to put herself through the hell of being clan head each one of them here would have to reassure her. What she found looking back at her was hard to say no to. The adults looked at her with hope; it was like they could finally see a future going forward and that - that scared her. The kids just looked excited, even Raijin. She bets their thinking of all the pranks they can get away with if she’s clan head.

Sighing loudly she drops back down to join the circle. Trying her best to rub away the appending headache to the sounds of cheers going around the room. They know they’ve won. “Alright fine,” She smiles a bit reluctant, “I won’t go easy on the other clan heads though!”

“We wouldn’t expect anything less, Naru.” Satsuki, bless her, consoles her from across the table. Karin’s beside her being sarcastically sympathetic in the way she tries to pat her back encouragingly. Sora pushes into her other side and Naruto breathes easier knowing she won’t be facing Konoha alone.

Shimizu smiles at her, gently and maternal, before quickly writing down the decision on the paper. Naruto closes her eyes shifting her weight to take more of Karin and Sora’s as they lean against her. Her mind drifts to everything she still has to do while she listens to the conversation flowing through the room. They don’t need her help to write the letter right now.

It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since they’ve written and sent off the letter to the Hokage and yet Naruto’s nerves were on fire. She couldn't stop her mind from playing the future behind her eyes over and over again. So when Satsuki suggested her, Himiko, and Karin go with her to practice their Chakra Chains she jumped at the chance for a distraction. Anything, even exhaustion, was better than the dread and grief clawing at her throat.

About a month after Naruto had come back from saving Obito, Ayaka had explained the Uzumaki clan's fighting style. It had been a whole week's worth of history and technique - information she hadn’t been able to gain from scouring Uzushio with her father. It was truly fascinating. She had learned that while chakra chains and healing chakra were kekkei genkai that not everyone was guaranteed to have - sealing was their birthright as Uzumaki’s. Many could even argue it was in their blood with how well Uzumaki blood was at conducting seal as a replacement for chakra ink.

Back before she jumped through time she had been working on mastering chakra chains with the help of her father. Her progress was slow because neither of them had any real idea of how they worked; she had only learned she could use them because of her mother's chakra impression. So when Satsuki offered to help train her along with Karin and Himiko she jumped at the opportunity. 

Everyone in their group had actually taken the opportunity and safety Uzushio offered them to train and expand on their abilities. Honestly, she was pretty sure Himiko and Raijin would both rank as high-level chunin with their skills - both were planning to join the shinobi ranks along with Toshiro and Ahma when they got to Konoha. Shimizu and Satsuki were planning on finding work in the hospital. Neither were too keen on seeing any more bloodshed while Kenzo and Ayaka wanted to open a store for selling seals. The two youngest of their group would likely have to join the academy.

Naruto was just grateful everyone had a plan or goal when they joined Konoha. In the beginning, she was worried they’d have trouble integrating into the village.

“Naruto pay attention,” Himiko called to her, dragging her focus back to training. They were out on the beach. The sand rolled under their feet forcing her to use her still shaky, chakra control to stay upright. The sun was high in the sky and the waves were calm. The island gave off wisps of chakra that curled around her bones and called her home to the sea.

Looking to her right she sees Himiko has already manifested her chakra chains. Naruto had been fascinated by everyone’s chakra chains. It still made her heart swell with pride knowing that she had a kekkei genkai renowned to her clan . Himiko’s chains were bright cherry red and small . She produced dozens at a time that were fast and strong. 

The few times Karin had manifested her chains they came out a blazing red matching her hair and were numerous. Satsuki's chains were massive and Naruto was honestly speechless the first couple of times she’d seen them pop out of her back. Their color was almost the same as her daughters but matched closer to a sunset than a cherry in Naruto’s opinion.

Pulling her eyes away from Himiko she let a smile pull at her lips focusing on pulling out her chains. It had taken a year of training with the other girls before she had managed to successfully pull on her chains on demand. The first time she laid eyes on them she was speechless. They were the same size as her mother's but their color resembled the embers of a campfire; molten gold. 

Her chains poured from her with ease. Just like clones and sealing her chains came to her like breathing - an itch always directly under her skin that flickered to life with a thought. It was entrancing to watch as they pooled in coils around her feet, slowly lifting ready to defend her as if they had a mind of their own.

“Very good Naru-chan,” Satsuki commended her from where she stood between her and Himiko. Karin was besides her working on chakra exercises her body wasn’t quite ready to form and maintain chains just yet. Her senses also picked up on their little spy hiding between some rocks a little further up the beach. Satsuki seemed to notice as well if the fond exasperated sigh she let out said anything.

“Alright girls, we’ll do the basic training today,” Satsuki announced once both girls were ready. Both girls swallowed their groans at her declaration knowing Satsukis’ ideal of basic training was a lot more intense than most. Naruto guessed this was probably why she favored training on the beach; the rough terrain made it more difficult to keep your footing between the sand and the waves and the occasional burst of wind. Training on the beach was always a mixture of keeping yourself stable and balanced on top of the actual training.

As if sensing their complaints Satsuki shot them both a look before motioning them to get started. Basic training was really just them getting used to their chains more so than fighting with them. On cue, both girls started lifting their chains, spinning them around then moving just the tips. Himiko reached her out as far over the ocean as she could while Naruto attempted to braid hers both in front and behind herself. 

This was how they spent their day, on the beach sweaty and short of breath with glowing chains weaving themselves around them. Their only reprieve being the gusts of wind coming in from the ocean that cooled their skin and threatened to throw their chains around. They were both so focused on their control that neither noticed when Toshiro came down to watch and collect his curious son from the rocks.

By the end of the day they were exhausted, even Karin was slumping over from her exercises. Stumbling their way back to the house took longer than it should have and both mumbled curses at Satsuki and her amusement at their situation the entire way back. It was, however, pleasing to see Raijin in a similar condition spread across the couch upon their return.

Like the day before the three banded together to wash their hands and tumble over one another to the table for dinner. Naruto smiled at everyone waiting for them. It was a hard day but it was nice coming home to family.

“Has there been a response yet?” Naruto asked as she walked into the room. Covered head to toe in mud from wrestling with Raijin earlier after a storm had passed through late even yesterday. Uzushio had many storms; lightning brightening the sky and rain bombarding the roof yet, all the Uzumaki slept easier. 

“It has barely been five days child,” Ayaka responded, side-eyeing the dirt-covered child stumbling into her kitchen before sunrise. “It will take your summons four and a half to make it if all goes well - six if it doesn’t. Konoha will then have to make a response which will likely require all of the clan heads. Give it another week or two then ask me again.” 

Ayaka’s sigh was heartfelt and exasperated, the child had been nothing but anxious since the letter had been completed and sent. Ayaka tried to be as understanding as she could, she knew this couldn’t be easy on the girl. However, her emotions were starting to be felt by the rest of the group. It was doing no one any good to be so anxious and fidgety. 

“Sit down child, come help me with these.” Ayaka gestured for the girl to join her, waving her hand towards the cushion beside her. The table was facing the open window and salty ocean-soaked wind was blowing in to help ease the heat. Spread before her were chunks of driftwood Kenzo had brought her and pieces of sea glass and shells Shimizu had gathered.

Trotting forward Naruto plopped into the offered cushion, immediately leaning all of her weight into Ayaka. “What are you making ba-chan?” Her hands reaching out to grab at the material attempting to piece it together.

“They’re talismans,” Ayaka answered, swatting at wandering hands moving her work around. “It is Uzumaki tradition from before the founding of Uzushio to make loved one's talisman for protection and strength.”

“But it’s just wood and shells - how does that protect someone?” Naruto wrinkled her nose not understanding how something so fickle could protect against kunai, or heaven forbid a Bijui. 

“It’s not just wood and shells, child! Look again!” Complying with the demand Naruto reached out more with her chakra than her hands. Within moments she could feel the faint wafts of chakra coming off the items. The chakra felt like Uzushio, like ocean sun sand .

“See now hmm? This wood is driftwood washed ashore that has soaked for years in waters around Uzushio. Same with the shells and sea glass. Why do you think we sow the pearls and glass into our clothes? Braid into our hair?” Ayaka explained her tone fond and kind. Reaching out a hand to gently tug at one of Naruto’s many braids filled with pearls. “Uzushio has always loved the Uzumaki, child.”
When Ayaka was done fixing her braid she returned to her work. Carefully and expertly carving the wood and breading the leather. Naruto watched her work more than happy to simply sit and enjoy her presence. Allowing herself to relax she could easily feel the traces of chakra coming off the items in her clothes and hair. It was nice to constantly feel the presence of Uzushio.

It was trance-like watching Ayaka make the talisman she assumed each of their clan would soon carry. She had spent her previous life wondering and dreaming about who the Uzumaki were and having the opportunity to know in this lifetime pushed her to soak it all up like a sponge. Committing everything she learned even in passing to memory. 

“Can you teach me ba-chan?”

It had been six days since they had sent their letter to Konoha. Late evening yesterday one of Naruto’s foxes had reversed summoned herself into the middle of the dining table to announce that the Hokage had received their letter. It was quite the scene - not often did someone manage to render an entire room of Uzumaki silent but at dinner no less. 

Naruto had been listless since receiving the news and it was putting everyone on edge. No one was used to seeing the girl so silent. That’s why Himiko, being the wonderful cousin she was, decided to drag a still doll like Naruto and complaining Raijin into the ruins of the village. They should explore while they still have the chance in her opinion.

“We shouldn’t be here Himiko, it’s disrespectful to our clan and Mom would be upset we’re wandering around the ruins!” Raijins complaints fell on deaf ears as Himiko continued to march forward. Jumping and tumbling across piles of fallen buildings and broken-up cobblestone. She could feel Naruto following her lead, her chakra spiking with energy with every step she made. Her plan was working so she was happy to ignore her brother.

“Relax Raijin! It’s fine! We’re Uzumaki, these ruins are as much our home as they were everyone else's,” Himiko’s response was breathless; she found the ruins of Uzushio as fascinating as she did mournful. It was as if she could see their history written in the lumber that framed the once houses; like the stone beneath her feet whispered their stories to her and the wind guided her to secret treasure. “Besides the adults have already checked everything out and I got permission from ba-chan. We’re perfectly safe!”

Raijin huffed, grumbling to himself about the reminder but ultimately gave up fighting his sister. He could see she was trying to cheer Naruto up and if her chakra was any indication it was starting to work. Cautiously he followed the two girls stepping in the path they made before him. His eyes tracked every piece of damage and destruction he could find. The city resembled a tomb in his opinion and he wanted to remember it when they left.

Himiko was right, getting out of the house was making her feel better. The breeze through her hair and salt in the air was doing wonders for her mood. Bolting over a misplaced rock she ran ahead of Himiko laughing at the girl's affronted expression. “Better keep up Himi!” She called behind her taking off to the spot she found during her time with her father.

Feeling the two behind her pick up their speed she continued on, not worrying about them not being able to find her - it would be good sensing practice anyway if they lost sight of her. She was heading directly to the vault her and Minato had found in their last week together.

At the time neither had the heart or the energy to go through their find but from what she had managed to glance it was an absolute gold mine of artifacts and scrolls. There hadn’t been a chance since she’d gone back to ‘rediscover’ it yet but wondering with the twins would be the perfect cover. Naruto’s hands were itching at the prospect of what the vault could hold.

Their race continued down the torn-up streets, each one trying to get into the lead. It was playful and exhilarating and they were all starting to get winded. Raijin was even letting loose at one point, throwing himself through a broken window and coming back out at the end of the house to overtake Himiko. Naruto laid quick seal traps that exploded glitter and Himiko bolted across roofs. It was nice to just be children for once.

Seeing her opportunity Naruto quickly turned on her feet, reaching her arm out as if to place a seal on the wall next to her. The wall looked exactly like the building only the smallest hints of even brick giving away the door. As soon as her chakra-covered hand made contact with the door it gave away. A seal lighting up in shades of sunset red and ocean blue glowing along the building. 

Knowing exactly what would happen Naruto locked eyes with Raijin widening her eyes and opening her mouth to imitate a scream. She allowed herself to tumble and fall down a set of dingy stairs as the wall vanished beneath her hand. The look of horror and shock on Raijin's face would be seared into her memory for the rest of her years. 

Suppressing her laughter as she tumbled down the stairs she took care to not bump her head on anything during the fall. Above her, she could hear the twins yell out her name, panic laced into their voices along with the sound of footsteps approaching the opening above her. When she met the bottom she allowed herself a moment to lay there taking account of all of her new bruises.

The sight of the twins rushing down the stairs towards her greeted her when she pulled herself up. “Naru-chan! Are you okay, what happened?” Himiko reached her first, her panic drowning her curiosity over the room they found. Raijin was a step behind his eyes tracking over Naruto and not seeing any blood immediately moved to examine the room they were in. 

The room was massive; his eyes could barely make out the back wall behind rows of bookshelves. Each was filled to the brim with scrolls and pots and artifacts. The walls and floors were made of rocks and stone patterned in such a way that even water wouldn’t be able to seep through. Faint lights light up the area from candles hanging along the walls. It looked like this place hadn’t been touched in centuries let alone decades.

“This..” Raijins mind was whirling, filled with excitement at the realization of their findings. “This is the Uzushio vault! Father spoke of it before but we all assumed it was a myth or raided! This is Uzumaki history and clan techniques and Uzushio!”

After assuring Naruto was okay, Himiko turned around to see what Raijin was going on about. Her jaw dropped when she noted that Raijin was, in fact, correct in his observations. “Holy shit..” Himiko's mind was working overtime trying to sort out all of the different sealing scrolls she could see. 

Naruto sat all but forgotten on the ground behind them. She watched as the twins collectively lost their minds over the fast treasure trove of techniques and history they had managed to stumble upon. At least in this time, she would have some extra help cleaning and sorting through all of this stuff.

“Hey guys,” Naruto called trying to get their attention. Neither twin showed any kind of outward response to having heard her. “Guys… Guys!” Her yelling finally managed to capture the twins' attention. Both turned around matching sets of green and blue eyes locking on hers. They were positively vicious in their joy and Naruto took a step back on instinct at the gleam she saw in their eyes.

“I, uh, think we should go get the others to help us yea?” Naruto mentioned to them her statement coming out as more of a question. 

“Right, yes, we should! Himiko, come on, we'll be back.” Raijin finally managed to press out of his teeth. He was having a hard time tearing his eyes away from the scrolls and making his feet move up the stairs. Right now Naruto was the only thing keeping him and Himiko moving.

Naruto sighed as she practically hauled the two out of the room and up the stairs. If the twins were this bad she couldn’t imagine how bad Kenzo and Toshiro would be. Ayaka would have to deal with the adults Naruto decided she'd already have her hands full with the twins while they were clearing this out. At the very least their last week here in Uzushio would be very busy.

Chapter Text

“Hokage-sama?” A knock at the door interrupted his readings. He honestly didn’t know whether or not to take the letter in front of him seriously or not. If it was true it would be a massive boon for the village. Adding an additional clan would give the leaf another leg up against the other villages. That wasn’t even touching on the techniques and seals they could potentially offer other shinobi.

“Come in,” Minato cleared his throat as the door opened and an anbu team of four filled through the doors. The team fell into formation in front of his desk effortlessly as if they’d been doing this their whole lifes. Minato swept his eyes over the gathered group that consisted of his former student, two uchiha, and a clanless shinobi. 

Hound standing at the front of the formation started on recapping their most recent mission. The hokage listened without interrupting, looking for all the world that he was paying attention. Hound could see the markers that showed his former sensis’ mind was elsewhere. Regardless he finished his report stating that the mission had been successful and waited for their dismissal. 

With a cautious excitement Minato stood turning to face out of the windows and watch the village below him. He felt a bit guilty that he was unable to focus on the report of one his top anbu teams yet his mind was racing with the possibilities the letter had presented him.

“Hound, I apologize but I must ask one more thing of your team before I dismiss you,” Minato spoke lightly while turning to face the group with a hopeful smile growing on his face. “If you all would be so kind as to send word to the council that an emergency meeting will be held in two hours I would appreciate it.”

“Is everything all right Hokage sama?”

“Yes, Weasel,” His reply came softly, having already turned back around to face the window overlooking the village. His mind raced through the possibilities this letter had presented him. Thoughts straying to Kushina after a while. “If all goes well, I believe we are going to have some interesting additions to the village soon!”

“Hai, Hokage-sama.” Hound responded, ignoring Owls' confused reputation of ‘additions’. Being curious wouldn’t get his job done. Taking the dismissal the team left, no doubt regrouping on the roof to discuss which member would inform which council members. 

Minato took his time organizing and gathering his thoughts after they had left. He had already landed on a decision before he had finished the letter. However being hokage demanded he think through the situation at hand and work towards the best possible outcome for the leaf village. Blindly trusting strangers, sister village or not, would do him no good in the shinobi world.

Turning on his feet he headed towards the door on his way to the meeting room. He could already feel several of the council members making their way towards the tower despite having received his summons less than an hour ago. Wincing when he felt his wifes whirlwind chakra coming closer, he sent a quick prayer in hopes that she would forgive him for not telling her beforehand. 

It would be impossible for one not to detect the tension suffocating the room where Konoha’s council gathers. Minato held himself back from sighing at the sight of the elders glaring down at the clan heads. The ongoing power struggle has been a real pain in his side since he took office. He knows that the elders are mostly to blame, they’ve been dissatisfied since he took the hat and chooses more often than not to take the advice of the clan heads than theirs.

Taking his seat at the head of the table he could feel as the Anbu started to get into place around the room. To his annoyance he could also feel ROOT agents taking place nearby; Danzo has been on high alert since he took office. The mumbling around the table lessened into nothing when he took his seat. The attention of those seated at the table falling solely onto him.

“I apologize for the last minute rush and thank you all for coming regardless of the late hour,” Minato began addressing the table. “I’ve received an interesting letter recently that I would like to discuss with everyone before taking steps to move forward.”

This seems to have finally caught everyone's attention. No doubt they were trying to piece together what village had reached out in attempted conversation so soon after the ending of the war. Despite their strict rules of professionalism Minato could sense the ANBU leaning to eavesdrop as well.

Danzo's voice rang out amongst the muttering, “And from whom exactly is the letter, Minato-san?” 

“Surely you’ve learned the proper way to address your Hokage by now, hmm, Danzo?” Inoichi interrupted, turning his disapproving look to the unwanted elder. 

“Thank you Inoichi-san,” Minato smoothly intercepted the conversation before it could grow into an argument. He had found it dishearteningly surprising how quickly the council could fall into childish scwabbles. “I appreciate it however, I would much rather discuss how we may best manage to integrate the newly reformed Uzumaki clan into Konoha.”

Minato watched on in silent amusement as the group around him processed his words and their meanings. Using the momentary lapse of blessed silence to memorize the faces of open shock that overtook his council. He could even feel the jump of surprise in the chakra of the ABNU surrounding the room. There was no doubt by this evening the news would be circulating all across the village. 

“What?” Steeling himself Minato turned his head to make eye contact with his wife, the last remaining Uzumaki in the village. Kushina's voice had been breathless with her question. Minato watched as hope and longing mixed with surprise in her eyes. “When? How many? Are they really Uzumaki?” Kushina's voice echoed the room, her tone demanding her husband answer.

“Are you certain of this Hokage-sama?” Shikaku questioned his tone soft but curious. The Nara could never help their curiosity. 

As if the dam had broken, everyone began asking questions. It had been decades since any village had seen a clan integration. Uzushio had been demolished and abandoned for over a decade at this point - why now were the supposed survivors trying to gain entrance into Konoha?

Not daring to tear his eyes away from his wifes gaze Minato began speaking, “I received a letter from a fox summons roughly five hours ago claiming to be from a group of Uzumaki survivors. It claims they have been hiding out in secret throughout the war as there are young among them and finally feel there is enough peace to make the journey to seek protection in Konoha.”

Blinking his gaze away from Kushina he swept his eyes along the clan heads gathering their reactions. Most, he noted, were stealing discrete glances at Kushina. Much like him they knew what this could mean for her. Family of her own and the survival of her clan. 

“The letter claims the group to be eleven, soon to be twelve, strong. Two children of academy age, five adults, one elderly, and three roughly around the age of fourteen and thirteen. One of the adults is with child and it was expressed in their letter that they hoped to arrive before her due date.”

“I imagine they would feel much better if she could have the child in a shinobi hospital compared to on the road or a civilian hospital.” Fugaku acknowledged his eyes set on the table. He let his mind wonder about the possibilities and opportunities a clan of Uzumaki could have for the Uchiha. Kushina and Mikoto were dear friends and allying with the Uzumaki could help ease tensions between the clan and villagers. “I believe it would be beneficial to allow them protection and refuge.”

Moving to rest his elbows on the table Choza agreed, “Do you know Minato-sama if any of the Uzumaki are shinobi? It would do some good to introduce new techniques to our numbers. I also would not want to deny the survivors of our sister village safety.”

“While I do agree it would be in our best interest to offer them refuge I do have concerns about the baby,” Hizashi’s words were blunt and were immediately met with a nasty glare from Kushina. “I mean no offense but given the timing that child will likely be in the same generation as all of our heirs. I want to be assured of their safety.”

“Kushina,” Shikaku called his eyes meeting her gaze and holding, “ if this clan joins they will likely already have a clan head and if you join their ranks you will have to relinquish this title. Would this be something you are amendable to?”

“Of course! I was never meant to be a clan head. I’d be happy to hand over the responsibility, I’m much better suited for a battlefield Shikuka.”

Minato watched on as the clan heads began discussing security measures and how best to integrate this new group into the village. There was still some tension to everyone's shoulders. Adding a new group, sister village or not, was never an easy process and it would take some time and effort before trust would fully develop between the groups. Regardless, he was happy with the current outcome of the announcement. Some new blood would do the village well.

“Are we sure this is wise Hokage-sama? We have just ended the third shinobi war. It might be unwise to allow outsiders in so soon. We can never be too cautious.” Danzo silenced the conversation bringing everyone's attention to him and the two elders on his sides. 

“And why not? It is our responsibility to offer them refuge.” Minato announced, his eyes level with Danzo at the other end of the table. Daring him to counter his decision in front of the full council. “Was it not you Danzo-san who four months ago propositioned the council to encourage civilians to become shinobi in order to boost our numbers? Certainly you would find this favorably if there are shinobi among their ranks.”

Gritting his teeth with tense shoulders Danzo exhaled his response, “Of course Hokage-sama. I simply worry for Konoha.”

“Yea,” Tsume snorted her expression mocking, “I’m sure you’re real concerned.”

“How dare-” 

“Now, now,” Minato reprimanded once again cutting off another squabble before it could manifest. “There is no need Tsume, Danzo. It’s already been decided that they will accept them with open arms.”

“Hokage-sama, surely we will take some security measures?” Shikaku objected. He was happy to welcome the clan and allow them the protection they needed to regrow. However he was a shinobi and you didn’t live long without a healthy amount of suspicion.

“Yes, Shikaku-san, we will indeed have security protocols in place to ensure they’re trustworthy. But, I want them welcomed with open arms as much as we can manage.”

The clan heads nodded their agreement and Minato breathed a small unseen sigh of relief. It was reassuring to know that on some level the clans would welcome the Uzumaki amongst them. He was sure that with Kushina leading the charge it wouldn’t take long at all for them to integrate into the village and start building a home. His feelings swelled when his eyes landed on Kushina seeing the hope and longing growing in her eyes. Their child would have a clan behind them.

“We will reconvene in a few days to discuss security measures and where we might house them. Please if you have any concerns or suggestions bring them up in the next meeting. Until then I wish you all a good night.” Minato moved to stand more than ready to head home and discuss this with Kushina.

“One more thing Hokage-sama,” Homura called, stalling everyone from further leaving the room. “You called them a clan, not a group. Have they declared a clan head by chance? A shinobi we may know of?”

Ah yes, it makes sense that the three elders would be fishing for information. It is likely they will spend the next few days attempting to deter people from rejoicing in the news. He would likely have to do something about those three soon, they were more trouble to keep around then they were worth. 

“Yes Homura-kun, they claimed their clan head to be a kunoichi named Uzumaki Naruto,” Minato answered continuing on his way out of the room. A small smirk overtaking his face going unnoticed by the table, “I believe you might have heard of her actually! She’s more well known as ‘The Golden Fox’.”

It hadn’t even been twenty four full hours since they had received a reply from Konoha and yet everything was very nearly completely packed. They had spent the remaining time waiting on the response to comb through the vault they had found. Kenzo had been meticulous with every scroll or object that they pulled out. He’d worked the three of them mercilessly till everything had been sorted, categorized, and put away into a stasis seal.

Naruto inhaled the salty air of the ocean spray, letting her eyes drag along the sun that was slowly disappearing below the ocean. Her feet burrowed into the sand and she didn't bother moving as the shallow waves washed over her ankles. The waves crashed softly against one another and lulled her into her mind. She could feel Kurama hiding, his chakra the familiar and comforting burn but still deeply asleep.

In seven days she would be back home, in Konoha. This was one of the most important steps in her and her fathers plans. But, there would be no more waves or salt in the air. She would no longer be able to bring Sora and Karin down to the seashore and hunt for treasures. Himiko wouldn’t drag her and Raijin through the ruins. Everything she had managed to build her would change. It was a bittersweet goodbye to Uzushio.

“Hello child,” Ayakas voice was soft as she called out, barely louder than the crashing of the waves. “Mind if I join you?”

Naruto didn’t bother responding, instead choosing to reach out and grab hold of Ayakas hand. She could feel as Ayakas warm bright yellow chakra swirled around her and pushed into the sand. Ayakas unoccupied hand immediately went to straighten the braids mixed with her flowing hair. The sunshine blonde locks had gotten long enough to reach her hips and Shimizu had nearly fainted when she mentioned cutting it. Apparently long free flowing hair with braids woven in with sea glass and shells was the traditional Uzumaki way of wearing hair.

Naruto hadn’t had the heart to cut it short after learning that fact. Her and Himiko had been inspired to grow out their hair as long as they could and often enlisted the other children to help them braid it in the mornings. 

“Everythings going to change again ba-chan..” 

“It is.” Ayaka agreed, unsurprised this was hard for Naruto. “This was the goal though child. You know we have to get into Konoha in order to fix things.”

“I know ba-chan! And I’m ready but,” Naruto paused. It was hard to admit that she was scared. Scared of failing, of seeing her now alive loved ones again, seeing her parents. She whispered her confession, “I’m scared.”

Ayaka slowly wrapped her arm around Naruto’s shoulders, bringing her in to lean against one another. She let her eyes be dragged out to sea and catch on the last rays of sun gleaming off the water. For a moment all they did was sit there silently leaning on each other watching the sun disappear.

“Naruto,” Ayaka whispered she didn’t dare to disturb the peace of the moment. “You are allowed to be scared. It is a massive burden you carry on your shoulders and it saddens me I cannot take more of it for you. I have complete faith in your ability to fix things. You will always have me and the rest of our clan at your side. You are no longer alone in this and soon you will have Konoha behind you as well, child. Believe in yourself.”

That’s right . She might not have her friends anymore but she does still have Kurama, even if he is still asleep. She has her clan , she has Ayaka. She’s not alone. “Thank you ba-chan.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this beforehand, Minato!” The exclamation from Kushina rang out amongst the bangs of pots and pans in the kitchen. Minato sat patiently holding their infant son, Menma, while Kushina ranted at him. “My clan is rebuilding - coming here to start again - and you let me find out at a council meeting?!”

“Kushina, dear-”

“Oh don't you start with me Minato! Hokage or not I am your wife and you should have told me!” Kushina whirled around branding the frying pan with terrifying accuracy on her husband. “Do you understand what this could mean for me? For Menma? He’ll have a family, clan to grow up around. The Uzumaki could rebuild in Konoha.”

He waited patiently through Kushina’s ranting knowing this would be the response once they got home and away from prying ears. Their infant son was still fast asleep in his arms - he had long since gotten used to his mothers outburst. Minato watched as she all but danced around the kitchen in her quest to make dinner for the family and the trio of teenagers that would no doubt intervene. Allowing her the time to get it out of her system before interrupting.

“Kushina,” She paused at the gentle calling of her name. “I am sorry I didn’t inform you sooner or privately. I didn’t wish to waste time in bringing the matter of a new clans integration to the council. The sooner we have it established the harder it will be for certain parties to oppose.” 

She hummed in response to his answer. Letting the silence settle over them she resumed dinner while both of their thoughts drifted towards the possible problems the elders might raise in the next few days. “You think Danzo will try to oppose you on this? Is it not Konoha’s obligation as their sister village to house the last of the Uzumaki?”

“I’m not sure.” His admittance hung heavy between the two, Danzo still had strong sway over the civilians in the village and it would be difficult if he opposed. “I don’t think he’ll try to stop them relocating to the village and that’s part of what makes me nervous, Kushina. He’s met a full blooded Uzumaki - knows what they're capable of and what they can do. I’m more worried about what he’ll do to them.”

“He will do nothing if he knows what’s good for him!” Kushina’s temper once again raged against the possible threat Danzo could impose on her clan. There would be little hope in calming her down again anytime soon. Neither of them had any trust for the old war mongerer. Minato watched as fiery wife raged - not daring to interrupt lest her attention fall to him. His mind hummed with plans and ideas, friends and foe that would impede or help the incoming Uzumakis. 

“Kushina, dear,” She turned towards her husband more than willing to tear into him, hokage or not, if he opposed her on this. On her newfound family. Holding his hand up placatingly he continued, “I swear to you, not as hokage, but as your husband that I will do all that I can to keep them safe and let the Uzumaki rebuild here in Konoha.”

Not daring to break their eye contact Kushina breathed - in through the nose out through the mouth. Minato’s eyes held that promise and hope. He wanted this as much as she did. A clan and family for their son. Her eyes drifted down to the bundle in his arms. She never imagined, didn’t dare hope , that she would be able to give her son the one thing she had and had lost so young. A clan and family. Danzo would have to answer to her if he so dared touch one of them. 

“Yes, you’re right, I should calm down. Nothing yet has happened. Besides we have allies in this I’m sure.”

“That we do my dear. The civilians might not be so keen at first but the clans understand what a loss the Uzumakis were. They will surely support their welcome.”

The village was bustling with activity. Shinobi and civilians alike running around with excitement. An air of trepidation and hope settling over the village and steadily growing in tension. It hadn’t taken long for the news of the incoming Uzumakis to spread like wildfire among the masses. Everyone had their opinion - some cautious, some curious, but most were hopeful. An empty lot not even ten minutes from the now abandoned Senju compound was being worked on to house the Uzumaki. Kushina had insisted that it be near the water and large enough to house growth and expansion.

Sitting apart from the chaos around them Mikoto and Kushina conversed eagerly. Both were anxious about the upcoming arrival. The Uzumaki were expected any day now and the preparations were nearly done. Both of the Kunochi had volunteered to help the set up in anticipation of their arrival. Many shinobi were currently on standby waiting to join the greeting party. 

“How’s Fuguka holding up with this chaos?” Kushina leaned in over her coffee, her eyes alight with animation. “Minato had been stressed about getting everything together while also dealing with security measures!”

Mikoto hummed turning her attention away from the infant in her arms to answer her closest friend. “As well as can be expected, I suppose. All of the clans have been fully hands on since the announcement.”

Kushina hummed in understanding. All of the shinobi had been running around like children. She herself had been plenty busy being the only Uzumaki in Konoha. It had been her responsibility to get the residence in place for them. Many of the clans, especially the Hyuga, had balked at the vibrant colors she had painted the Uzumaki compound. It was unheard of in Konoha to use such bright and glaring colors. Her insistence won out in the end. The small compound was alight in yellows, blues, oranges, and reds. Flowers were blooming along the houses and a small fountain fed by the nearby river flowed with water.

Just this morning she had strolled between the houses, her mind retreating back to earlier times in Uzushio. Menma was alight with smiles at taking in all the colors and watching how the sun bounced off the gleaming windows. This is what Kushina had wanted for her son. 

“I’ve not seen the village this active in awhile. It will be good to have them here if they’re anything like you, Kushina.”

“I hope so. I haven’t had a clan or seen another Uzumaki since before the war.”

They sat in silence enjoying their meal and basking together in the energy of the village. Yes, this will be good for the village. It’s as if there’s been a second wind sweeping through everyone.

Out of nowhere the activity of the shinobi ramped up. There are twice as many figures bounding over the rooftops than ten minutes ago. Watchful the women started gathering their children.

“Kushina, Mikoto,” An anbu operative appeared by their table addressing them. “Hokage-sama has requested your presence at the tower immediately. A scouting party has spotted the incoming Uzumaki.”

Without wasting another moment the women hurried down to the hokage tower. Their infants securely strapped on their backs. There was no time to take them home, this is what they had been preparing eagerly for for weeks now. The Uzumaki would be here shortly. 

Chapter Text

The Sun was rising. Normally, when you come to a close, it’s at sunset. Yet Naruto watched as the sun rose, standing on the deep blue shores of Uzushio, knowing within the hour she would and the last of the Uzumaki's would leave this tomb-turned-sanctuary. She had delayed their leaving last night to see this one last time, using the excuse of safety by daylight. One last time to see the sunrise on the home of her people that would once again become empty. A dream she once longed for was forgotten and unfinished. 

They had taken their time packing to leave for Konoha. It was a bittersweet moment to be leaving. None of the Uzumaki’s were overly joyful in their packing. Slowly, they gathered their things and their keepsakes. Mementos of times long lost but not forgotten. Naruto had watched, hidden in the house, as the adults carefully packed away relics of their dead clan. 

“Child,” Ayaka’s voice was soft and careful as it carried across the sand, “It is time to say goodbye. "We must start anew.”

With a sigh that Ayaka showed her age, Naruto grabbed her honorary grandmother's hand and dragged herself upright. Her eyes strayed to the horizon, the sun having weaved oranges and pinks across the deep ocean blue already. “I know.”

“Then come,” the older woman leaned down to whisper in her hair, and her arm bracing her growing shoulders. “Between me, your father, Karuma, and yourself, you are more than ready to face this next step of change.”

With a final glance at the rising sun, Naruto turned a grin towards Ayaka. God, she would’ve been lost without Ayaka’s belief and support. 

She leaned into the warmth of the first rays of sunshine, the braids in her hair glimmering with pearls and sea glass. A smile, warm and giddy, stretched across her cheeks as she stood with Ayaka. “Then what am I waiting for?”

Her hand slipped into Ayaka's, pulling herself up. In the distance, she caught a glimpse of Sora bounding towards them, unable to control that toddler energy. The waves licked at her ankles as she moved away. The sand was clinging to her skin as they moved further from one shore to another.

A few breaths later and she was surrounded by her remaining clan, all of their things secured on a small boat. It was covered in seals, yellow green blue, to assure the safe transport of their scrolls and valuables across the ocean. With a stretch of her hand, she pushes another whisper of her chakra, orange warm , into the seals. A little extra protection never hurt. Her eyes scanning her clan, her family , to ensure everyone was accounted for and prepared.

“Well then,” Her voice snags in her throat, “If everyone’s ready?”

The question is met with excited affirmatives from her age mates and cheers from the younger two. The adults, however, smile encouragingly and sorrowfully. Happy and hopeful. “Then we should hit the road - it’s a long journey ahead of us.” Unknowingly holds more than one meaning to the gathered few.

The group moves as one, Toshiro and Kenzu using chakra to easily pull the cart full of their heritage forward. Once they’re a few yards into the water, Shimizu and Satsuki drag Naruto backwards towards the island. With a reverence reserved for the dead their fingertips glow and trace unseen lines. Between them, their chakra flows freely - it pulls and tugs from the remaining Uzumaki behind them, blending into a brilliant seal. Purple red vibrant green, it blends together underneath their hands. Encasing the once again lost land of Uzushio, it seals.

Naruto watches holding her breath as the seal settles over the land, shimmering before it disappears, leaving waves and ocean blue in its place. She releases a sigh, knowing that her home will be hidden and protected, to rest easy once they are gone. 

With one last glance, the Uzumaki leave. The island their ancestors called home is hidden and lost beneath the waves.

Their footsteps whispered in the sand at their arrival. The jewels weaved into their hair clinked in the restless. Not a soul around to witness the last of the Uzumaki’s returning from the sea. Their arrival was lighthearted but somber - even the children seemed to grasp the sorrow of their departure. Despite this, Naruto felt a silent joy spreading through her limbs. Konoha was on the horizon. 

With a practiced grace, they unloaded the boat. Carefully and specifically reloading meter-long storage scrolls for easy travel. The scrolls were easily divided between the adults to carry. Naruto herself was packed down with smaller scrolls in order to allow more freedom of movement. Being one of their strongest and clanhead she was expected to defend them at a moment's notice.

“Alright!” Her voice carried across the empty beach calling the attention of her clan. “Here’s the plan: we’ll travel for two days and then rest for half a day before moving again for two days. We’ll repeat this until we reach Konoha. I know it’s not ideal, but it's been less than two years since last year, and I’d much rather play it safe. So hard travel is best.” The announcement was met with easy, yet tired, agreement. The adults were keen to get out of the wilderness as soon as possible. Not even Karin or Sora, with their endless energy, disagreed with her plan.

With a caution and care not often associated with the Uzumaki, their group made their way through the nearby brush. Slowly, they pushed their way through the undergrowth that steadily grew into the trees that the land of fire was famous for. Chakra burning their feet, they threw themselves onto the branches of the trees.

Naruto was the only member of the group who easily adjusted from ground level to the trees. She watched, amused, as the others learned to distribute their weight among the branches. It would take work, but she had no doubt her clan would adjust from sandy beaches to thick lumber branches.

As predicted, the younger of the group adjusted much more quickly to hopping through the trees than the adults. However, by the end of the day, all of the Uzumaki were traveling the treetops with minimal incident. Ayaka and Sora were the only two still showing signs of slight struggling - the eldest and youngest having difficulties grasping the chakra to jump between branches.

They traveled hard for the rest of the sunlight day. Finally, making camp was the sun had set over the treetops and the shaded ground beneath had started to grow dark.

Lying in her sparse sleeping bag sandwiched between the twins, Naruto gazed at the sky. Her sight was hindered by the dark green leaves of the trees, and she was never more thankful to lose sight of the stars. Memories of the first hokage's forest burning to the ground flashed through her eyes. The screams of trapped and choking civilians burned her ears as the stars blinked in and out of the leaves. 

“Naru?” Himiko whispered - sleep drunk and half awake. Her eyes were bleary and unfocused, likely detecting the upheaval in her chakra more than anything. 

Naruto’s voice was soft as she whispered back, “Go back to sleep, Himi - There’s nothing to worry about, just bad memories.”

With a trust she hadn’t felt she earned yet, she watched as Himiko rolled back over and snuggled closer to her mother's warmth before falling back into a sound slumber. Once again being the only one awake for miles, Naruto turned her attention back to the sky. She hummed prayers and forgiveness to the gods and the lost souls of her friends before finally allowing her eyes to drift shut. She embraced her nightmares like old friends - the dead taking up every inch of her mind.

“CHOJI”, Naruto screamed against the landscape, her voice grating painfully against her throat. “Answer me! Where are you? CHOJI!” 

Her screams were furious. Anguish filling every sound. She couldn't lose another - was her mantra after losing Kiba four months ago against Madara. She wouldn’t. Numerous warriors littered the war-torn land - Leaf shinobi and shinobi from all the villages littered the land - she searched each one looking for the face of her friend - her brother. 

She knew Shikamaru and Ino were awaiting her back at the base they had established in Suna. Expecting her to come home, maybe not victorious, but with Choji by her side at the very least.

“Hokage-sama, please-” A faceless anbu begged her. Wanting her to return to the relative safety of their makeshift home. Where she may be ‘guarded’ during rest. She pulled herself from the grip on her shoulder, continuing her search unheeded. Either she would bring him back alive or bring back confirmation of his death. Anything less would be unacceptable.

For minutes - hours, days, she lost track of time - she searched for her friend. Unwilling to leave without being able to give the others unnecessary confirmation. Until she stumbled upon him.

Choji was nothing more than the vague shape of an Akimichi chakra-exhausted youth. Nearly skin and bones from overuse of chakra in the raging battle of war. The only shining identifying mark is the whirlpool symbol of the Uzumaki tattooed into the unblemished skin underneath his jaw. An undying symbol of his love and loyalty to his Hokage - forever and always. Naruto Uzumaki.

Blankly, her eyes roamed his form. She knew before her knees hit the blood-soaked ground by his side that another of her brothers was dead. Ripped from her side much too soon. Chakra exhaustion - her mind supplied her when no obvious fatal wounds jumped out to her - much like the other numerous shinobi around him. He died fighting with every fiber of his will. 

“Hokage-sama..” a shinobi with ash blonde hair pulled at her, one of the hundreds left from the land of lightnings fall. “We cannot stay here.”

A breath. A cough. Choking on the stained air saturated with death around her, she breathed. Gathering herself as best she could before laying a much too thin hand on Choji's chest. With a whispered word, she stored his remains into a seal, tucking it safely into her belt, and she moved.

“Gather-” Her voice trembled then steeled. The shinobi surrounding her needed her to be steady and to lead. Deep breath. “Gather what you can. Supplies, weapons, the injured, and the dead. Whatever is salvageable, we will bring home.”

She turned before anyone else. Leaning down to seal the next body into a scroll. She hoped that at the very least, she could give these shinobi some rest, even if in a bonfire.

The days bleed into a week before the blink of an eye. The Uzumaki traveled hard and fast, but no speed could account for the rest needed for Ayaka and Satsuki. Naruto couldn’t blame them either. She could practically hear Ayaka’s bones creaking, and Satsuki was close to delivering their newest family member. 

They took as many rest as they could afford. Which was enough to make them both grateful and restless. Yes - they were in the middle of the Fire Nation, which had yet to see the worst effects of the recent war. Despite this, they were still a group of yet , unaffiliated Shinobi running through a forest. It was bound to bring trouble if not quick and efficient.

About five days' travel outside of Konoha, Naruto could feel visitors starting to tail them. She hid her smile as best she could from their extra audience. Slowly, she let her family in on the secret. The ones who couldn’t sense them for themselves at least. 

Despite their ‘hidden’ companions, the Uzumaki continued to travel as they had. As hard and fast as they could manage. Never once did they acknowledge the tagalongs that had started to accompany them. Naruto was simply grateful that she hadn’t yet felt a familiar chakra among them. Feeling her old and long-dead sensei so abruptly might’ve broken her, she fears. The anbu trailing them had done well to hide themselves and their chakra from regular shinobi sensors, but failed to account for the Uzumaki’s sensitivity.

Naruto was, frankly, disappointed in their lack of skills and knowledge.

The rest of the Ukumaki’s were equally disappointed in their choice of ‘guardians’ the last few days. It hadn’t been a century without them, and already the shinobi of their sister village were lacking already. The anbu following them were leaking chakra and emotions in every step. 

Slowly, they moved through the forest left by Hishirama. Their every step cemented chakra into the giant trees that protected the nation - the people that dwelled within. Excitement grew with every campfire started and sunrise welcomed. Nerves bundled and swelled in the bones of the older generation while adventures grew in those of the younger.

“Have you heard?” The whispers followed Shisui as he made his way through the village. Everyone was excited and hesitant about the incoming Uzumaki. Like him, many of the younger generation wore their excitement on their sleeves. Eager for new blood to integrate with the village after the war. It had been a long while since they’ve had outside shinobi within the walls, and outsiders were always fun . 

Despite his excitement, he could tell many of the elders of their village were wary. He didn’t disagree with their points - many were actually understandable and held merit. The Uzumakis could be imposters seeking asylum under a false name. They could harbor bad intentions towards the war. Kumo and Iwa were both particularly hostile and upset about the way the war ended. Any attempt at infiltration would not be surprising.

Regardless, Shisui wanted to remain optimistic. After all, war brought out the best and the worst in people. His squad had been reassigned along with a dozen other anbu teams to the Uzumaki detail. As soon as the clan stepped within a hundred feet of Konoha, they would be tracked, watched, and monitored until their trustworthiness had been established.

He was eager, unlike his cousin, because his team was one of the handful chosen to be the ‘inner circle’ meaning they would be allowed to show their presence and interact with the Uzumaki. It was exhilarating. He’s had very little chance in his shinobi career to peacefully interact with foreign shinobi. 

Shisui rushed towards the hokage tower. His team had been summoned for immediate summons twenty minutes ago. It had been a few weeks since the news had spread, and he was hopeful that this summons meant the Uzumaki had been spotted. He watched as teams of scavenger scouts moved through the village. Their marks of identification are subtle to the unknowing eye. His suspicion grew with each shinobi he passed. 

A low pulse of chakra pulsed through his body. A warning signal announcing arrival. He grinned. His speed ramped up with his excitement. The signal confirmed it - the new clan had been spotted within a hundred miles of Konoha. Groups of shinobi and civilians were forming to prepare the final touches for their arrival. His next steps were giddy, filled with extra chakra to make him faster. He touched down before the tower doors.

“The Uzumaki will arrive any day now,” Minato had his back turned towards the partially hastily assembled council. The elders were missing. This room contained only a trusted few anbu, along with the clan heads. “I hope all of the preparations are ready?”

Shikuaku leaned forward. “Of course, Hokage-sama,” His voice echoed across the small dining room they gathered in. This meeting was for the trusted and privileged few of the village's hierarchy. “Now we only wait for the Uzumaki to arrive.”

A hum of agreement swept through the gathered clan heads and shinobi present. It had been weeks of grueling work to prepare for the new, untested clan. Countless precautions put into place and predetermined answers discussed had led to this moment. The village was as prepared for the integration of a new clan as it could be.

“I must admit that I am very excited for their arrival.” Kushina voiced her opinion loud and proud. “I think this new introduction will be good for us - both the younger and older generations.”

All of the people gathered knew how much this integration meant to her. Tsume eyed her. If this were to go well, Kushina would lose her status as clan head - her vote would be meaningless to the village. Yet she would regain her clan and a family for her son, and his future children, to grow in. Everyone was very aware of what she had put on the line in support of the new clan.

“I, for one, agree with Kushina,” Aubaruama head nodded, “a new clan will do us well.” 

Agreements rang out among the gathered few. Excitement and anticipation hung throughout the air. Everyone was on edge. Kushina was the only Uzumaki the younger of the shinobi had encountered. A small few of the elders were able to recount vague memories of Mito-sama before her death.

“Good, I am hopeful, like many of you, that our precautions will be in vain,” Minato stated as he turned around to gaze at his council - his friends. “Patrols have placed the Uzumakis' arrival at any moment now, depending on their continued speed. I believe they will likely bid their time to approach during the next day or so. Alert your people to be welcoming but cautious.”

He paused, taking a moment to make eye contact with those gathered before him. He hoped, he prayed , that allowing this clan sanctuary in Konoha was the right choice. “Let’s go over the safety measures put in place one last time.”

She had waited years for this moment. Just vaguely on the edge of her senses, she could sense the beginning of Konoha. Her village, her home . The anxiety was eating at her, and she had no doubts her family could tell. “Naruto, come here, child.”

Slowly, she made her way over to Ayaka a few yards away from the main fire Toshiro had built for their camp that night.

“You worry too much, my child.”

Blowing air out of her puffed-up cheeks, she responded, “It’s hard not to be Ba-chan, you know what I will be faced with tomorrow.” Her eyes drifted through the forest and across the stream they were crouched beside. “It’s not an easy thing to forget…”

“No - I do not imagine it is.”

Naruto let the conversation fade. Her silence is enough to convey the entirety of her thoughts and emotions to her closest friend. The only one aware of what rested on her shoulders should this integration go awry. 

Akaya clicked her teeth. “Have faith!”

Naruto whipped her head around. Alyaka’s tone taking her off guard, “Ba-chan what-”

“For years, you have told me nothing but stories about these shinobis.” Ayaka interrupted, her hands gently brushing through Naruto's hair. “I find it unlikely that, after time, they will not accept us into their numbers. Have faith, child, in these shinobi you’ve fought beside before.”

Slowly, Naruto released the air trapped beneath her teeth. Akaya was right and she knew it. She herself had watched the leaf shinobi welcome outsider after outsider during the war. She knew the Uzumaki wouldn’t be ostracized on their status alone. Despite this, it was hard knowing her home wouldn’t be the same home she left. The shinobi wouldn’t all be the same, the stores would be different, and the soil itself wouldn’t have the right chakra embedded into it quite yet either. 

“I know ba-chan…” She released a breath, her eyes drifting across the leaves swaying along the branches. “I just - if anything goes even the slightest bit wrong, the future could be lost, and I can’t stand for that.”

“Have faith, my child.”

For a moment, they sat in silence. Both of them were enjoying the forest around them, alive and vibrant with the noises of nature. Neither acknowledged the hidden ANBU they could feel in the trees surrounding the campsite. 

“You must believe in the good of the world. Without it -” Ayaka’s voice stuttered to a stop. A far away look overtaking her eyes before she blinked it away, “Without it, there is no hope for us. You and me, Naruto - only we know what lies before us, and we must fight it.”

Naruto nodded her agreement. She had no more words that would alleviate the moment they found themselves in. Gently, she leaned her head over to rest on Akaya’s shoulder. A silent physical touch of understanding that passed between them.

They were the only two aware of what rested on her shoulders. No one else knew of the weight held on her shoulders. Of what was riding on this integration going well. Sucking a breath between her teeth she responded, “It will go ba-chan. I feel it.”

Mianto stood solidly in front of them. Shisui quickly looked around him, amazed at the number of shinobi that had managed to gather in the room. Hundreds, if not thousands, by his count, surrounded him. He had been summoned thirty minutes ago with orders to dress and gather at the stadium within an hour's notice. He wouldn't be surprised to find all non-active shinobi within the village had been gathered, given the size of the group. 

“As I’m sure you’re all aware, we are to be expecting a new clan to join our ranks.” Minato’s words were greeted with cautious murmurs rising from the crowd. For weeks, the village had been bubbling with rumors of an incoming clan from a sister village. The excitement and anxiety was impossible to miss among the inhabitants. 

Eyeing the crowd of ninjas before him, he waited until they were silenced. With one last look, he continued his speech, “I have received notice that the incoming Uzumaki are less than five hours away. We have taken precautions to ensure the remaining clan of our sister village, lost in the third war, is welcomed appropriately.”

Pausing in his speech, he looked over the crowd of shinobi again. He took a moment to breathe and soak up their excitement. “Soon we’ll welcome them into our home. Our sanctuary.” Shisui processed these words as they were meant to be. Sister village or not. Obligation or not. This clan was untested and unknown, and therefore, they could be a threat. 

“I urge each and every one of you to welcome this new clan.” Minato paced the stage as he began talking once more. His hands were stationed behind his back as his eyes swept across the gathered shinobi. “I also expect each and every one of you to examine these people and determine for yourself whether or not they are trustworthy of a place in our home .”

“Much like many of you, I hope they can pass our test of loyalty.” He paused to take in a breath before turning to fully face the gathered group before him, “I want to make this clan a part of Konoha as much as any of you. We must all ensure they carry the will of fire in them. For this, I ask of you to be observant but not intrusive. Be the shinobi of the leaf that you are renowned for being.” 

The room was silent as they listened to the Hokage speak. This moment was a making in history, and they understood it. It was unheard of for a clan to willingly join an established major village. The shinobi understood that they had to welcome the newcomers while observing them simultaneously. 

His eyes flickered between every shinobi gathered in the room before him. He was asking for a difficult task. Shisui watched as he took a measured breath before continuing his speech, “With a will of fire, we will welcome our sisters and brothers. Dismissed!”

“With a will of fire, Hia Hokage-sama!”