The Child Of Prophecy (A Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

Naruto froze as he looked at the man in the room, anger rising within him. What the hell is he doing here? His thoughts were overflowing with questions and ways to leave, but before he could so much as move an inch, Minato spoke up, his voice tense. "Apologies everyone. Lord Danzo has been waiting to speak with everyone."

"Yes. It has come to my attention that during your mission to save the Sand's jinchuriki, you encountered the terrorist organization known as the Akatsuki." Danzo's voice was flat and emotionless, but held a certain amount of arrogance to it. Kakashi, for his part, didn't miss a beat before he replied.

"Yes, we were able to locate them quickly. There were two of them when we arrived and we were able to take care of them and retrieve Gaara and return him home."

"I see." Danzo's voice was tense as he tried to keep his voice steady and even, the near monotonous tone never shifting. "Well regardless, I think it best that we keep our own jinchuriki safe within the village. Having him rushing off will only make him an easier target."

What?... Naruto was staring at Danzo with wide eyes, anger filling him. Not again... not this time. "Now listen here you–" He was cut off as Minato spoke up suddenly from where he was still seated at his desk.

"On the contrary, Lord Danzo." His voice was even but there was a cold undertone that sent shivers down everyone's spine. "Young Gaara was at his village when he was taken, they managed that easily. Who's to say that they wouldn't just come here and do the same? Knowing that Naruto would be here? It would be best if we kept him away from the village and on the move so that the Akatsuki cannot pinpoint his location."

Danzo was barely able to hold back a sneer as he turned his attention away from the three-man team and back towards Minato. "You would leave this village defenseless if you were to make that choice, Lord Hokage." Even with the honorifics, there was nothing but contempt in his tone.

"Are you saying that the Leaf Shinobi and the Uchiha police force are inadequate? I would hate for them to hear that you have such little faith in their hard work and devotion." Minato wanted to smirk at the look of utter hate in Danzo's face. The man had backed himself into a corner and he knew it.

"My apologies, Lord Hokage. It seems I may have spoken rather rashly. I only wish to ensure the safety and prosperity of the Leaf Village."

Minato kept his voice almost sickly sweet and calm as he spoke once more. "It's alright. No harm was done and we can all agree we wish for the safety of the village. Now, I'd like to hear their full report of the mission."

Danzo huffed as he turned to leave, the blatant dismissal making him angry. He didn't even respond as he left the room in feigned disinterest, leaving Minato, Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura together in the office.

"So..." Minato's victorious smirk fell from his face as his voice turned serious once more. "What exactly happened on this mission? I assume it wasn't as easy going as you said."

"No, Sensei, it wasn't." Kakashi was once again the one to speak up as he retold the story of everything that had happened since they had left the Leaf Village. It was when he got to the part when Naruto had taken down both enemies in no time that he paused. "I think... I think Naruto needs to be the one to tell this part. Neither I nor Sakura could tell what was going on."

"What?" Minato looked at Naruto in worry, the latter looking towards the wall in obvious discomfort. "Naruto, what happened?" He waited for a response, but Naruto continued to just stare out at nothing. "Naruto?"

"H-Huh? Oh, sorry." Naruto seemed startled as he rejoined the conversation, scratching his neck in embarrassment. "What did you say?"

"What happened during the fight? Kakashi said you would know."