章 24: Reveal & Backup plans

Kakashi after his meeting with Nara Shikaku went to the Konoha graveyard to figure out his next move. Kakashi stood in front of his sensei's grave pondering for a few hours.

The teenage white-haired jonin figured out his next move and went towards the Hokage office, requested for a meeting.

"Lord Hokage" Kakashi greeted the Sandaime who looked up from his paperwork.

"Hokage-sama Can we talk privately?" Kakashi asked and after a few minutes, his request has been granted by Hokage and soon all the Anbu hid in the room left.

"What do you want to talk about Kakashi?" Hizuren asked the son of white fang.

...

Hiroto's home

"Uzumaki Kushina is the name of your mother, if you want the name of your father you've to prove you're strong enough. Don't let anyone know that you know your mother's name, keep it a secret." Mikoto answered Naruto before Hiroto could and the last statement was directed at Naruto and her younger son.

Hiroto looked at his aunt in shock for hiding away details from Naruto, he saw his little brother, and the younger kid is ecstatic about knowing about his mother's name.

Hiroto is approached by Mikoto and asked to move away from Naruto so they can talk. "Why are you doing this Aunt Mikoto?" Hiroto asked hoping for a reasonable explanation.

"It's for his own good Hiroto. You aren't dealing with Naruto alone you are forgetting the beast sealed in him. How do you think he is gonna react when he hears civilians talking he is responsible for his parents' death. Luckily for us, not many knew about Minato's personal life" Mikoto said to make Hiroto see the other side of this.

Hiroto could only look down accepting the reality, 'Kyuubi you destroyed my family, I will try everything to make sure you won't harm my family again' he made a vow mentally and looked at Naruto in concern thinking if the current situation can be permanent.

...

"Hokage-sama have you heard about rumors in the village about Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

Kakashi watched as the Hokage shift in his seat as if he was sitting on nails, a few moments later the Hokage nodded.

"Can I ask why didn't you do anything to curb those Lord Hokage?" Kakashi asked hoping for a good reason from the Sandaime.

"It's not that I don't want to Kakashi. You know people always need a target to blame for their negative emotions. In the current situation if I came out with people admonishing the citizens for Naruto they will resort to very drastic situations but if I feign ignorance very few might attack in the shadows, I can protect the kid from one direction with the help of Anbu. Humans have pretty volatile emotions Kakashi, so I am betting on it." said Hizuren standing before a window looking at the Hokage mountain while he mentally continued "I'm sorry Minato, Kushina".

Kakashi took a few minutes to control his raging desire to punch the Hokage, after thinking for a few minutes he replied "I hope what you believe will happen Hokage-sama, but I have a few conditions I hope you accept".

Hizuren can understand what the teenager is going through, he doesn't want to lose a promising shinobi so he nodded to Kakashi to say his conditions.

"One of my team members will be on Naruto's Anbu security detail," Kakashi said.

Sarutobi Hizuren accepted this condition readily as he got no problem with it.

"Hokage-sama the only reason I agreed to compromise is I am not yet strong enough to protect both Hiroto and Naruto on my own. I am also doing this for the village my father, Hiroko-san, Minato-sensei and Kushina-nee sacrificed their lives to protect" Kakashi explained guessing the Hokage's expression.

Hizuren nodded in glee as even after all this Kakashi's will of fire is still very strong.

"Hokage-sama I might've readily accepted but Hiroto and Fugaku-san aren't ones to easily pacify. In fact, as we are speaking the Uchiha clan and ROOT might be fighting." Kakashi said making the professor curse internally.

"Bear get everyone, we need to leave now" Hizuren said after opening his office door and looking back at Kakashi "Kakashi follow me".

...

ROOT base

HIzuren summoned his friend 'The Monkey King' Enma and transformed him into an adamantine staff pushing both Fugaku and Danzo making both the parties stop the fight, followed by the Uchiha clansmen and ROOT Anbu.

Danzo tried to shift the narrative to his side so he said "Hizu.."

"Danzo shut it. We will talk later, Fugaku follow me to the Hokage office and make everyone disperse." Hizuren said leaving no path for leeway.

Hizuren observed as Fugaku gave the command and stand by his side ready to follow, he looked at his other side "Kakashi bring Hiroto to the Hokage office too" ordered Kakashi. The Professor noticed the Uchiha patriarch giving the teenage jonin an intense look.

...

Hokage office

"Fugaku wanna enlighten on what the Uchiha clan is planning by attacking an elder of a village" Hizuren asked hoping to play a long game after only the two of them are present in the room.

"Hizuren first we are doing the duties that fall on us as Konoha Military police force, second we are well within our authority to try and capture a criminal for leaking an S-rank secret of the village and trying to disrupt peace in the village, along with undermining Hokage's authority in the village with the intention to rebel" Fugaku replied stating it.

Hizuren sighed as Fugaku countered his mind game and replied "Why don't we stop this farce Fugaku? and state what we truly want".

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door by Kakashi who was accompanied by Hiroto.

"Kakashi wait for a few.." Hizuren wanted to say.

"I don't have any problem with them listening in Hokage-sama" Fugaku interrupted.

Hizuren could only nod and allow them entry, "So Fugaku want to explain why you've done it?" Hizuren asked.

"Hokage-sama personal feelings aside we got proof that Danzo is the one that spread rumors about jinchuuriki as the suspect is in a high position we had to carry the arrest covertly else some may interfere with our responsibilities. So we attacked the ROOT base located southwest of the village" Fugaku answered with a smirk.

Hizuren now regretted making Fugaku open his mouth, he saw Hiroto shaking in anger and Kakashi holding him unbeknownst to them thunder struck near the approximate location of the ROOT base.

A few moments later Hizuren gritted his teeth and asked "Fugaku you know Danzo is a very important asset for the village I will personally warn him not to interfere with Naruto again forgive this matter and I will do a favor" hoping to make the other party concede.

"As you order Lord Hokage, Hiroto can do it in my stead" Fugaku answered making the old monkey stutter.

Hizuren looked at Hiroto and said "Hiroto I've received word Naruto was taken away from the orphanage and is currently at your home. You've to drop off Naruto by the end of the day. I promise to take care of Naruto even one of Kakashi's team will always protect him" hoping for a speck of positive opinion.

"Yes, Hokage-sama but I hope you will agree to a few of my conditions" Hiroto said as he had no other way.

Hiroto got Hizuren's nod so he said "I can meet Naruto, I will make sure no one finds out about it" he took out his FTG kunai to reassure his claim.

"Ok just send a word to me beforehand" Hizuren agreed.

Hiroto smiled and continued "Uchiha clan moves back to their old clan residence".

Hizuren seeing the stubbornness of Hiroto which reminded him of Kushina can only agree and prepare himself to spend the next few days convincing his former teammates.

Hizuren's acceptance made Fugaku look gratefully at Hiroto and soon everyone left leaving the Sandaime alone in his office.