Naruto Karyuden

Chapter 23: Hidden Stone Secrets I

HIDDEN STONE SECRETS I

Onoki hands Akatsuchi a scroll to be stored away. "Hrmm..." The Tsuchikage looks up to Naruto and Hinata and their 3 apprentices. "A Teshin, huh? I'd hoped if the Teshin clan decided to produce shinobi once more it'd be for the Hidden Stone, but..."

Hinata eyes the Tsuchikage. "But wasn't it the Hidden Stone who exiled them, years ago?"

"It was... a mutual disagreement. When they began parading around and acting superior to the other clans, Lord Mu had a... conversation with them that did not go well, as I can remember. Both Lord Mu and the clan leader at the time had strong beliefs and values. But. When they started continuously losing fights against the Hyuga, they began lowering their head more until their pride could no longer take it, and they stopped being shinobi by their own volition."

"That's... really sad, y'know? Even though they were that strong, they gave it up. Couldn't you just invite 'em back or something?"

"It is sad, but that's how it is. It was their choice to remain isolated, just as it was their choice to become a dojo." The old man looks to Shoto. "And you're sure you want to be an apprentice to a Hyuga, your clan's old rivals?"

"Hey, Gramps, you trying to change his mind?" Naruto crosses his arms, a playful frown on his face. He knows the Tsuchikage wouldn't actually do anything malicious.

Okoni chuckles. "I had to try."

Shoto looks between Onoki and Hinata. "There's no one else who could be my teacher."

The elder leans back in his chair. "A shame, indeed, but if that is your decision, I won't fight you on it."

"And this won't cause any issues, seeing as he's from the Land of Earth?" Hinata places a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I've already received Kurotsuchi's opinion on the matter." He wags a scroll that was arrived via carrier hawk not long ago. "And I agree with her. This little exchange that you're a part of is the first step in the Shinobi Alliance, but it's just that- the first step. We've thought long and hard how to facilitate the changing times and I see this as a good start."

"So, he's good to become a citizen of the Land of Fire?"

"Hm, well, just because I agree to it doesn't mean it's going to happen right away. It's going to take some bureaucracy, but it should be done by the time you leave for the next Village." He gives an affirmative nod.

Naruto grins to Shoto. "Ya hear that? You're basically all set to be a shinobi!"

The boy tries his best to hold his excitement. He bows to the Tsuchikage. "Thank you greatly."

Everyone smiles at Shoto's dream being on its way to become true.

Hinata turns to Onoki. "Speaking of our mission here, what is it about the Uzumaki clan that you were able to discover."

Naruto grabs his head in shock. "Oh man! I completely forgot about that!"

Onoki raises a brow. "You ought to remember these things, it's your clan, after all."

"Look, a lot happened in the meantime, okay?" The blonde grumbles. "It's been a while."

"Hrm, right." Onoki begins rummaging through some papers and scrolls, looking for something. "I knew I put it somewhere here." He throws scrolls behind his back that Akatsuchi swiftly catches and orders them. The man is plump but he's still a shinobi of the highest order.

"Um, Lord Tsuchikage?" The man tries to grab his leader's attention.

"Not now."

"But-"