Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

9

Chapter 8 – Hello Waterfall!

"Ah Team 7 this is Shibuki. He is the present Leader of Takigakure no Sato." Hiruzen said as Team 7 and their Jōnin Captain walked into the room. Inside, Hiruzen was sitting on the couch that was placed in one side with a small coffee table in front of it. Sitting on the couch placed at a right-angle to the one Hiruzen was sitting was a black haired man about Kakashi's age wearing the uniform of a Taki Ninja.

All members of Team 7 nodded their heads to Shibuki before turning their attention towards Hiruzen. The aged Hokage took a sip from his teacup before speaking, "Shibuki came here with an interesting proposal. I don't know if you are aware, but the Nanabi no Kabutomushi is in Taki. Ever since Hashirama-sensei spread out the Bijū among the nations, it has been there. Until now, none of the Jinchūriki have ever been treated well, even though Taki has never faced the wrath of one."

"So let me guess Jiji, the present Jinchūriki is ostracized for a burden they didn't want?" Naruto asked with a cold tone causing a shiver to run down Shibuki's spine.

"That's right Naruto-kun. Young Fū is somewhat like a surrogate sister to Shibuki. He came to us with hopes that you can help her overcome some issues she has been having after mastering the third tail. That is a mission for Konoha. He also wishes to speak with you privately as the Uzumaki Clan Head. From what I could gather, he wishes to procure the skills of the Uzumaki. If Naruto accept Shibuki's request, then the parameters of the Mission will change from Escort Shibuki back to Taki and help young Fū to include protection detail for Naruto while he does the second mission. Naruto please remain behind, the rest of Team 7 accompany me to the adjacent room while Shibuki and Naruto talks over the details of the second mission." Hiruzen said standing up with an imperious demeanour before walking out of the room with the rest of Team 7 walking behind him.

Naruto and Shibuki stared at each other for a few moments before Naurto occupied the recently vacated couch. With a nod, Naruto motioned for Shibuki to speak.

"A good day to you Naruto-sama. I wish to procure your clans skills in Fūinjutsu to check the seal on Fū. The last of Taki's Fūinjutsu Masters were killed on a mission recently. I need someone to check her seal, as I fear that the last use of four tails worth of Nanabi's chakra may have corroded it. Along with that, I would like you to check the seals that help us maintain our secrecy. Taki would be happy to pay whatever you want for the job!"

Naruto silently pondered for a moment before speaking, "So let me get this straight, you want me to check her seal along with the seals Senju Mito gifted your village as you fear that they may have been damaged and you have no Fūinjutsu experts at the moment, and you are willing to pay any price I would declare?"

Shibuki nodded in agreement with everything Naruto said until the price for the job came up. With how Naruto stated it, Shibuki realized the major loophole he left. With an embarrassed smile Shibuki corrected, "Any price within reason."

Naruto nodded with a grin, "New to politics?"

"Yeah, I became the leader a couple of months ago. I had trained for a long time under father, but taking the seat is still difficult, especially since I don't have the active experience in politics and business deals."

"Lucky for you, I am not a malicious person. With the loophole you left, I could have asked for the destruction of Taki and you would be honour bound to follow through or be branded as honourless fools. Anyway, I accept the job. The standard price we asked for routine maintenance of a single seal of the calibre you want me to check is equivalent to an S-Ranked Mission price, though it may increase if you want changes done to the seals. Though I am willing to give you a discount as the first customer since the re-emergence of the clan. You will only have to pay the cost of an A-Ranked mission per seal. Though the Jinchūriki's seal will still need SS-Rank pay as is the price."