Inheritance

The Chunin Exams I

"Naruto-kun! It's wonderful to see back in the village safe and sound finally." Naruto grinned widely and warmly in response to the Hokage's enthusiastic greeting as he entered the old man's office along with Jiraiya. "And it's good to see you using the front door like everybody else," the elderly Kage added, wry smile on his face as he began to prepare his pipe.

"I gotta say old man, it's good to be back." Naruto answered, the earnest grin never faltering as he replied.

And he really was glad to be back, too. Of course, his time with the toads had been brilliant, and he had learned more than he had ever thought was possible in two weeks; but this had been the longest time he had ever been away from the village, and he had really started to miss the place.

And then there was the fact that the competitors for the Chunin exams had already arrived, something Jiraiya had informed him two days ago. From that moment on, Naruto had been desperate to leave for Konoha, but Fukasaku had been adamant that he stayed and made as much progress as possible in the time he had. But try as he might, Naruto couldn't shake the fear that Gaara would attack somebody whilst he wasn't there.

Being rational, it was a ridiculous thing to fear. ANBU would be monitoring all foreign shinobi, and there was nothing he could do to stop Gaara, that the ANBU squad that would likely be assigned to monitor a foreign Jinchuuriki couldn't. But the worry ate away at him still. He just had to be there for his friends. It was who he was, he supposed.

The Hokage smiled in response, before schooling his features into what Naruto liked to call his 'Hokage-face'. It was the face he put on during mission briefings and meeting, the face of a strong and wise leader; and Naruto immediately straightened up, knowing that the pleasantries were officially done with.

"Now, Jiraiya has already provided me with full mission reports from the both of you, and I congratulate you on the completion of your missions, Naruto. You have gone further for this village than anybody should have the right to, and performed exceptionally to boot. You should know, that as of yesterday morning, our shinobi struck at all the major bases from which Gatou Corporation operated across the elemental nations - the locations of which your intel provided us with. The company's illegal operations have been decimated, and for all intents and purposes are no more."

Naruto bowed his head slightly to acknowledge the praise, but didn't allow himself a smile, or to interrupt. This was obviously not the main piece of information the Hokage was about to impart.

"However," Sarutobi started, exhaling a steady stream of pipe smoke before pressing on. "Given how your mission finished, and since that you have been highlighted as a potential target, I feel you deserve an explanation - and an opportunity to take part in something which at this point involves only those that I trust beyond all others." Naruto couldn't help but widen his eyes at the implications of those words, and how they related to their conversation during the mission briefing the last time he saw the old man.

The threat from within.

"Jiraiya has told you nothing at my request, but the truth is, we know precisely who attacked you - and he resides within this very village. In fact, he is a prominent member on the civilian council, as well as a former shinobi and a very influential figure amongst Konoha's military forces. His name is Shimura Danzou."

Naruto's breath caught. He knew that name. Obviously, the man wasn't legendary in the same way as the Sandaime is, or the Sannin, or even Hatake Kakashi - but he was still a prominent figure in Konoha's history. Rival to Sarutobi, and a shinobi that worked under the Nidaime Hokage and had influential roles in several of the most prominent battles in two different shinobi world wars.

More recently, Naruto knew his as someone he had often seen going into Sarutobi's offices for meetings and discussions. He was seriously important within the village, and held an enormous amount of sway.