Cherreads

Chapter 25 - Chapter 19: Gathering of the Kage

Shy Fox Chronicles

We do not own Naruto or any copyright content. All copyright content goes to their respective owners. We own all OCs.

Chapter 19: Gathering of the Kage

Bolded Italicized is used for descriptive actions.

Italicized is used for internal thoughts/flashbacks.

Bold is for emphasis.

"Underlined Bold" is for dialogue/internal thoughts concerning otherworldly beings.

 

"Are we there yet?" Naruto groaned out from the back of Kushina.

"No, Naruto." Kushina told her son as she walked, carrying him on her back.

"Okay… So now are we there yet?" Naruto asked, trying to be clever.

"No, kid." Tsunade told him from Kushina's left side.

"You know, for being super powerful ninja, you guys are really slow." Naruto replied, rolling his eyes at the grownups.

"So, you've said, brat. For the fifth time on this trip." Jiraiya sighed, rolling his eyes.

"So, why can't we pick up the pace then?" Naruto asked.

"Because mama doesn't wanna risk her little baby boy falling off while we go at a proper ninja pace." Kushina told her son, looking back at him with a smile.

"I'm bored." Naruto groaned, throwing his head back and looking at the sky.

"Why don't you just read a book or something, kid?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The only book I brought with me is Grandpa Pervy Sage's first book. And I've read that one, like, six times already." Naruto groaned.

"I'm touched you like it so much, brat." Jiraiya replied, tearing up a bit in joy.

"Of course I do. Mama and papa named me after the main character. Plus, it's a great book. Why didn't it sell well again?" Naruto replied, adding a question at the end out of curiosity.

"We'll explain when you're older." Tsunade sighed, rolling her eyes as she cradled the little horned baby. Who thankfully was fast asleep.

"Why do you guys always say that when I ask that?" Naruto groaned in frustration.

"Cousin, didn't you bring anything else to keep him busy?" Kushina groaned, looking at her cousin with eyes like daggers.

Rea shrugged. "I thought the book would keep him occupied. He really likes it. The only other thing I have is the keys to my house." He replied, pulling out his house keys.

"Ooooohhhh!!" Naruto said excitedly, immediately enthralled by the keys.

"Do it." Kushina said sternly, looking at her cousin with a glare of desperation.

Sighing, Rea began jingling the keys to keep Naruto occupied. With a heavy sigh of relief, they finally got some peace among the small group. To say Naruto was… distracting… was an understatement. And getting the baby to take a nap was its own headache.

After finally leaving the cover of the near endless forests of the Land of Fire, they finally reached the great plains of the Land of Grass. All around them were great pastures for innumerable livestock, vast fields of wheat, bountiful orchids, and fertile rice paddies. Even Naruto stopped looking at the keys for a moment to observe his new surroundings. His attention did not last long, however, and he returned to looking at the keys. Yet in the distance, they saw their destination, Kusagakure. Kushina gave a smile, as she got an idea.

"Hold on tight, Naruto." Kushina said cheekily.

"Why, mama?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Oh, nothing. You're just going to see how fast mama can really go." She replied cryptically.

With his confusion increasing, Naruto held on tight to his mother. Then, to the surprise of everyone, she bolted into a full sprint as Naruto screamed in joy and excitement. Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Tsunade, along with the rest of the contingent, looked on in shock.

"... That woman will never change." Hiruzen spoke up for the first time since Naruto started asking if they were there yet.

"Goo." Replied the baby, awoken from his nap time by the sudden jolt of Kushina's sprint.

"And now the baby's awake. Great…" Tsunade sighed as the rest of them began speed walking to catch up to their Kage.

"Hey, kid. Look at the keys." Rea said, jingling the keys in front of the mysterious small child.

"Gee hee hee!" the baby giggled, clapping his pudgy little baby hands together.

As soon as the baby started giggling, flowers started blooming around them. Not to mention that Tsunade noticed something…

"Hey, my liver feels better all of a sudden. Ooh, twenty ryo on the ground too!" Tsunade said with a smile, picking up a bill of money and stuffing it down between her breasts.

The gate guards were surprised as Kushina ground to a halt, leaving a very windblown and dizzy Naruto flopping over her shoulder. She soon took him off her back and dusted him off, before shaking him a bit.

"And here we are, sweetie." Kushina said after she fixed his hair up a bit.

"That was awesome! Do it again!" Naruto called out in joy.

"We can do it on the way back if you're good." Kushina countered with a devilish smirk.

"Yes, mama!" Naruto replied, saluting her.

"Lady Hokage! We did not expect to see you so early." one of the gate guards said as she stood to attention.

Kushina waved the guard off. "It's fine. I was just making the trip a little more exciting for my son here. He's been bored because of the slow pace we had to go at." she explained, motioning to Naruto.

"I wasn't bored. I was destination deprived." Naruto corrected, trying to sound smart.

"'Destination deprived?' Wow, those vocabulary lessons really are paying off." Kushina replied playfully.

"Wait… I got it right? I mean, of course they are." Naruto said in confusion, before composing himself.

"Greetings, Lady Hokage and young lord Naruto." A voice called out lightly, drawing the two's attention.

Turning, they all saw a man who barely reached five feet before them. He was bald on top, revealing a sun scorched head, scarred and wrinkled from years of exposure. Wearing brightly colored robes with many intricate designs of nature, his brown eyes looked over the rapidly coalescing party before him, his bushy eyebrows only somewhat getting in the way. Naruto cocked his head to his side as he could hardly see the man's lips through an equally thick white mustache.

"I say, is that Hiruzen I see? Who let you out of the doghouse you old scoundrel?" The man asked in ecstatic shock.

Hiruzen smiled a bit. "Greetings, Lord Zassō. It's been far too long." he replied, greeting the man.

"Who's Lord Lasslo?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"That's 'Lord Zassō,' Naruto. He's the leader of the Hidden Grass Village." Kushina corrected her son.

"Can't help but wonder if he's got some extra 'grass' for sale…" Jiraiya jokingly muttered only to grunt in pain as he felt Tsunade elbow him in the ribs.

"Not another word, if you know what's good for you." Tsunade growled.

"... I'll be good." Jiraiya replied, a bit afraid.

"How long will it last, my friend?" Orochimaru asked with a snicker.

"Thank you again for volunteering to host the Kage Summit old friend. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find someone on such short notice." Hiruzen said, bowing his head respectfully.

"Not at all, Lord Third. It is an honor for my village and I to host the first peaceful Five Kage Summit to be held since the founding of the Hidden Village system." Zassō replied with a smile as he bowed back.

"Shall I lead the Hokage and her entourage to the meeting hall, sir?" A tall and powerfully built shinobi asked from behind the short village leader.

"That would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Captain Renga." Zassō replied to the man.

"Come with me, everyone." Renga said dryly, motioning to the group to follow him.

As they walked into the village, they quickly were greeted by richly laid tiles of many shades of blue. Naruto quickly realized the blue formed a walkway, as the rest of the street was paved in dark green colored tiles. All around him he saw brightly colored buildings with tiled roofs, statues and other ornamentation covering them. Shops and stalls lined the streets, many of which selling food laden with spices. It instantly got Naruto's stomach growling as they made a swift journey to a red, gold, and blue painted building, longer than it was tall. Great statues of gods, beasts and great shinobi heroes were arrayed like a tapestry, depicting great scenes of legend and history alike.

"Look, there's daddy!" Naruto cried out as he rushed to a statue of his father, fighting two shinobi from the Hidden Cloud.

"I remember that battle well. Namikaze nearly killed Bee in that fight. I take it you're his and Kushina's boy?" A gruff, strong voice asked from nearby.

"Hey come on, bro. Are you still on about that fight, yo?" Another voice, more upbeat and friendly sounding asked the first.

"Yes, Bee. I'm still not happy about losing that fight. But I do respect the kid's father for defeating us." the first voice replied as Naruto turned to look at the sources of the two voices.

Having to look up, he saw two dark-skinned, powerfully built men looking down at him. Both had their hair pulled back, though one was covered in a handkerchief and scarf. Yet one had a sharp beard and stared down at him with a sternness that made the boy gulp. The other, however, had a far more laid back, and even friendly demeanor to him with sunglasses obscuring his eyes. Behind them was a crowd of Hidden Cloud shinobi.

"Yo, little man. What's ya' name? I'll bet you know mine, due to my fame." The friendly looking one with the sunglasses said.

"Not really, no. I-I'm Uzumaki Naruto, though…" Naruto said nervously, as he trembled under the gaze of the two giants.

The sunglass-wearing one gave a smile. "Not a bad rhyme, little guy. If you want some tips, come to me sometime." the man replied, kneeling down and putting his fist out.

"Why are you failing to punch me?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Nah, man. Meet ma' beat. Bump my fist, it's how I greet." the man explained.

Still a bit confused, Naruto put his fist out and pressed it against the man's. As soon as he did, his eyes widened before he gave a small, shy smile. The man, seeing it, gave a smile of his own.

"I see now, so that's the drill. Number Nine, you fit the bill." the man told him with a smile.

"A. I recommend you remind your brother of etiquette while at this meeting." came the voice of Hiruzen.

"I understand, Lord Hiruzen. Bee, keep it on the down low for now." the man now identified as the Fourth Raikage, A the Fourth, told his little brother.

"And everyone now has to ruin my flow, yo." Bee replied with a sigh.

"I don't mind, Grandpa Third. Mr. Bee seems really nice." Naruto shyly told the old man.

"Naruto. Please don't go running off on your own like that. We aren't in Konoha." Hiruzen explained. 

"Sorry…" Naruto said sheepishly.

"Please don't be so uptight, Lord Third. The kid's got the free spirit of a bird." Bee replied, trying to be a bit polite.

"Now is not the time, Bee." A said firmly, clearly siding with the former Hokage.

"Right. Sorry, bro. Since it's time for the meetin', we gotta go." Bee replied, backing down for the moment.

"It's okay, Mr. Bee. We can catch up after, ya' see?" Naruto answered with a smile, getting one from Bee as well.

"... Your brother had better not corrupt my son." Kushina whispered to A.

"For once, we are in agreement." A whispered back.

With that, the Hidden Cloud entourage joined the Leaf's as the great doors to the hall were swung open. It took a full six shinobi on each door to open them, as they entered a great vaulted hall, made of lacquered timber and fine stone. A massive concave table was set up at its center, with enough chairs for the important visitors. At its head was a chair for the host, with the flags of each of the villages displayed behind him.

As Kushina and A took their seats, their entourages standing behind them, the other Kage began to filter in. The first was from the Hidden Sand, Rasa led his bizarre entourage in, with a trio of children taking up the rear. Behind him was the familiar sight of Ōnoki, with a full unit of some of the largest and most imposing earth release users any of them had ever seen. One would make a comment about compensating, but those who thought that refrained. Taking up the rear of this cavalcade of titans was a fairly short man with a stitched, scarred face and short messy gray hair. He wore a striking green cloak, with a great hooked club in hand. Behind him walked the vaunted Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, with eyes peering at everyone as sharply as their blades could cut them. Seeing the looks from those seven, Naruto hid behind his mother in fear, making sure he stood close to Killer Bee in case a fight broke out.

"Who invited the insane asylum again?" Orochimaru whispered amongst his fellow Sannin.

"Show some respect, Orochimaru! He's the Fourth Mizukage!" Tsunade whispered harshly.

"Have you heard of the purges in the Hidden Mist?" Orochimaru whispered back.

"As much as I agree with you, Orochimaru, we should avoid starting a fight. Please try to be civil." Jiraiya whispered to his old friend

"I am…" Orochimaru hissed as his eyes locked with one of the swordsmen. 

"Now that everyone is present, I hereby call this Five Kage Summit meeting to order." Zassō announced to the present entourages.

"Let's make this quick." Yagura said coldly, leaning back in his chair.

"It would be best to send the children off to a different room." Rasa said, trying to avoid giving Yagura a glare.

"Agreed. Bee, go with the kids and keep them out of trouble." A told his brother.

"But I…" Bee tried to say, only to get cut off.

"Go with them. And keep them out of trouble. Understand?" A said again, giving his little brother a stern glare while flexing his hand for an Iron Claw.

"Alright, kids. Come along with Uncle Bee. Maybe we can look at some sights, see?" Bee answered in a far more chipper tone, swiftly getting to work rounding up the several groups of children.

"Should we take the tiny one with us too?" Naruto asked, motioning to the baby in Tsunade's arms.

"It's okay Naruto. The baby will be fine." Tsunade answered encouragingly.

"Okay. Be good, Kumori. You do and I'll bring you back something." Naruto told the baby.

"Gee!!" the baby gurgled happily, waving his little baby arms happily.

"I knew there was something we were forgetting…" Jiraiya muttered.

"I wanted to name him Yamato…" Orochimaru whispered mournfully.

"... You didn't name the baby? Also, who are its parents?" Rasa asked in confusion.

"That's… kind of a long story, Lord Kazekage…" Kushina told her fellow Kage.

"Well, get on with it! Get on with it!" Ōnoki roared, which then caused Kumori to get startled and start to cry. As soon as Kumori started to cry, the building began to shake.

"It's okay, baby Kumori! Look, keys! Jingle keys!" Rea said, jingling his keys in front of the baby.

"Goooooh…" Kumori gurgled happily, stopping crying to look at the wonderful keys in front of him. As soon as he calmed down, the quaking soon stopped. All the other Kage and entourages looked at the Hokage and her entourage in utter disbelief.

"... Lady Hokage. What the hell was that? Please explain…" Rasa said, trying to remain as calm as possible.

"I will, but I will need everyone to use their best inside voices from now on." Kushina replied firmly. "I don't want to scare the baby again."

"... That happened because we scared this kid?" A asked in sheer disbelief.

"Yes. I'm afraid so." Hiruzen answered simply.

"I believe the rest of us are missing some context." Yagura coldly said, raising an eyebrow.

With a deep breath to calm herself, Kushina began. It took a full hour to explain the visions the boys and some of their friends had, the expansive trip the boys took to Seaheart, and the baby's supposed origins and abilities. For the other Kage, however, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. It seemed impossible, no, inconceivable that a mere baby could have such power, let alone needed to be sealed by a people with greater power than their own or even the Kamishini. Yet, as they watched the baby, through its happy and sad moods, and the many occurrences that happened during the explanation… it did not sound so farfetched.

"And that is all we currently know currently. From everything we can tell, this baby's people have been lost to time." Kushina concluded, leaving a stunned table of her peers.

"If this kid-" A began to say only to be cut off by the baby.

"Mo Mo!" Kumori blurted out suddenly.

"... Right. Apologies. If Kumori here is really supposed to be so deeply tied to the fate of our world, then we need to keep a close eye on him. And make sure he learns to use this power properly." A continued, looking at the kid with a mix of concern and caution.

"This is a level and type of power we are not equipped to handle. How can we teach this boy to control his powers?" Ōnoki asked, bewildered at the prospects before them.

"It seems to me that, like a Jinchūriki, his power is triggered by emotion. Teaching him to control his emotions would be a good starting point." Rasa noted, thinking of his son at that moment.

"Attempting to teach it at this time would be dangerous and pointless. We should securely lock the boy up until it is of an age where we can. To do so before would be the height of folly." Yagura piped up with, getting immediate glares from his peers.

"... Lord Mizukage. We are dealing with a baby who potentially has enough power to destroy an entire village in one attack if we make him cry. Upsetting him would be a far greater height of folly." Rasa explained.

"I have learned the best way to deal with troublesome aspects is to handle it with a firm grasp, Kazekage." Yagura replied simply.

"All in favor of locking the baby away somewhere?" Zassō called, trying to get the meeting back on track.

Only one hand was raised to that vote, predictably from the Mizukage. Upon seeing he was the only one, and the intense glares he was getting, he hastily put his hand back down. The Lord of the Grass then cleared his throat to continue the meeting.

"The motion is denied." Zassō announced as the meeting continued.

"Perhaps we then attempt to raise the boy in a civil and polite manner." Kushina proposed.

"That will definitely help with teaching him to use his power later. Since we're dealing with a child whose power rivals if not far surpasses any jinchūriki's, we need to handle this with the utmost care and caution." Rasa explained.

"All in favor of raising the boy in a civil and polite manner?" Zassō called out.

All five hands were raised to the motion. While the other four were surprised by the quick turnaround from Yagura, they were not complaining. However, their surprise did not go unnoticed by the Fourth Mizukage.

"What? I know when I've lost an argument. Besides, the boy will need to have a proper upbringing and emotional control when the time comes to turn him loose on the enemies of humanity." Yagura said curtly.

"That is refreshingly insightful from you, Mizukage." Ōnoki replied.

"I believe it would be wisest for Konoha to raise the boy. Not only did they discover him, but any form of relocation would probably cause undesirable consequences for the host village." A proposed, getting nods and murmurs from all present.

"Not to mention that, with a female jinchūriki, a female former jinchūriki, and a jinchūriki his own age around, they would be able to connect with him and help him eventually control his volatile powers." Yagura commented, surprising Kushina with his words.

"How could you tell that my son is one too?" Kushina asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Did you forget that our Tailed Beasts can sense each other within hosts? Though it is curious how the Three Tails is sensing two Nine Tails." Yagura explained.

"Would you care to find out?" Kushina asked, with venom leaking through in her tone.

"I would rather not at the moment." Yagura simply replied.

"I propose a motion to have Kumori raised and trained in the Hidden Leaf Village." Kushina said to their host.

"All in favor, raise your hands." Zassō called out.

All five hands were raised in unison, causing everyone in the Konoha camp to sigh in relief. Kumori raised his hand excitedly as well, getting some giggles from across the room.

"The motion is passed. We will also need to bring the other minor nations into a further discussion on this greater threat. For, if it is a threat to all of us, then we will need every shinobi in the region to potentially stop it." Zassō said with concern.

"All in due time." Kushina calmly replied.

As the Five Kage and their entourages stood up and began to mingle, Yagura slipped out to a nearby alleyway. Once in private, he turned to look at a shadowy patch deeper in the alley. As a man with a cloak, a mask, and a sickly green lizard tattoo walked out.

"You're late. Report." Madara said with Yagura feeling his scowl behind the mask.

"The other Kage wanted to meet about a mysterious child the Leaf's Hokage and his friends discovered within the Mountain of Death. Inside, the children discovered not only the child, but a lost civilization still alive within the mountain in some kind of state of suspended animation. Supposedly, this child is to help decide the fate of our entire world against incoming threats to humanity." Yagura coldly and robotically explained.

"... Then it appears plans will have to change, then." Madara growled, clenching his fist in frustration

"Do you want me to keep a close eye on the child so that he can be bent to your will…?" the Fourth Mizukage robotically asked.

"The child is a distraction. Focus on getting inside that mountain." Madara replied dismissively, cutting him off.

"As you command, Lord Madara…" Yagura robotically told him before leaving to slip back into the meeting hall.

"Let them have the boy. Whereas they play with the scraps, I will make off with their hoard. And then true power will be at my command to enforce peace." Madara chuckled, as the lizard tattoo scurried up his arm to his shoulder, nodding in agreement.

To Be Continued…

More Chapters