15 Aftermath

Hizuren dodged Hiroto's attacks and managed to knock him out. "Take the kids to the hospital and inform everyone of a meeting."

Hokage building

It took a few hours for all the main figures and representatives of Konohagakure to arrive at the Hokage building for an emergency meeting.

There is a solemn atmosphere looming over everyone as many lost their clan members, relatives, or some of their loved ones too. Hizuren entered last followed by his former teammates who are Konoha's council members. Kakashi also followed Lord third with red eyes and an absent-minded look on his face.

A clamor has started seeing Lord third in Hokage robes again. Hizuren raised his hand and silence followed the room.

"The Yondaime Hokage Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina died protecting the village from the Kyuubi. Minato dealt with it and sealed the tailed beast in a new container. I will take the role of Hokage again." the third Hokage who took the hat again announced and all faces around the room expressed dejection.

"Konoha jonin please take your leave and aid in helping civilians," Hokage ordered and a few minutes later only clan heads and council members remained in the room.

"Now what I am sharing with you is an S-rank secret and you know the consequences that will follow if the secret is compromised. Minato sealed the tailed beast in his son and the seal is currently stable, Jiraiya is on his way to check the seal for any complications." said the teacher of legendary sannin.

"Who will take care of the kid ?" Shikaku asked everyone's thoughts.

"He will be under my program" Danzo announced.

As soon as the Konoha's darkness made that statement the room is filled with a suffocating killing intent from everyone who knew Minato and Minato's friends just a step away from attacking with Danzo taking the brunt of it.

"Danzo I told you it won't happen" the Hokage reprimanded his former teammate. "The kid will be named Uzumaki Naruto to protect him from Minato's enemies and he will be admitted to an orphanage" Hizuren announced to the room.

"How dare you, Hizuren? If you can't take care of the kid I will raise him alongside my sons, as my family is very close to the boy's parents" Fugaku said standing up with anger towards their incompetence.

"Heh!, Fugaku your clan is the prime suspect in unleashing that tailed beast. You should already be happy that your clan members aren't in T&I," Danzo said with contempt. Hizuren ignored the rantings of his friend and said "Fugaku everyone clan will want the same thing, so it's better this way".

Fugaku eyes turned red with three tomoes glaring at the council, he quickly closed his eyes and composed his mental state to keep his Mangekyō Sharingan eyes hidden. A few seconds later Fugaku's eyes returned to normal and noticed every clan head's wary eyes directed at him, doubting his clan behind this catastrophe.

Fugaku closed his eyes and kept his grievances in his heart and asked Hokage "Will Hiroto accompany his younger brother in staying at the orphanage ?". Hizuren shook his head in refusal and said "No Hiroto was seen many times together with Yondaime, Naruto will be in danger if anybody saw him close to Naruto and can easily connect the dots. Hiroto will live by himself and I will provide aid if needed."

"I don't know what you wish to accomplish with this Hizuren but you are severing the only blood-related family they had." saying this Fugaku left angrily and closed the door with a bang.

"The joint funeral will be held in a few days once all the debris is cleared." the third Hokage announced to end the meeting.

"Forgive me Hiroto, Naruto this is the only way the council agreed on so that I can protect you from Danzo's hands," Hizuren thought to himself in sadness, sighed about his wife's death, and took out a bottle to drink to his woes.

Kakashi spent his days in the hospital looking over Hiroto or Naruto's crib. He kept moving from one brother to another brother, his body is forcing him to sleep but he is trying to make do with short naps. Today is the day Jiraiya-sama is arriving to check on Naruto's seal and Hiroto still hadn't woken up.

Hiroto slowly woke up hoping it was a nightmare but reality slapped him hard. Seeing him wake up word was sent to Hokage on his previous instructions. Hiroto was made to sit and wait till the Hokage arrived.

Hizuren quickly arrived at Hiroto's room in the hospital and saw Hiroto sitting on the bed in a daze, when we has asking about his condition also he didn't speak at all only nodding now and then.

Sandaime can only sigh, and say "Hiroto come with me to see Naruto." only then Hiroto reacted with surprise followed by a determined expression.

They quickly reached the room Naruto's crib is in and saw Kakashi by the side mirroring Hiroto's look. "Hokage-sama" Kakashi greeted and saw Hiroto he don't know what to say to the kid so he can only stay silent.

Hiroto went forward and saw the boy in the crib, for the first time he carefully observed his features. "We registered his name as Uzumaki Naruto to hide his relation because of your father's enemies". Hiroto made a mental note to ask about this in detail later and saw his father's reflection in the boy except for three marks on both sides of his cheek, he thought his brother must've inherited his mother's personality.

Hiroto spent nearly five minutes looking at the kid and stretched his finger which was held by his brother's hand. Hiroto overcame with feelings of love which he thought won't happen anytime soon. At that moment the clouds which enveloped Konoha slowly cleared. Hiroto turned his head to see Jiraiya come into the room.

Jiraiya received a message about what happened in Konoha these past days and was devastated at what transpired. Jiraiya quickly made his way toward Konoha and got the message to see him in the children's ward at Konoha hospital as soon as he reached the village. Jiraiya entered the room to see Hiroto smiling at Naruto his godson, he felt very happy for the older kid and saw Kakashi so he can only pray for the jonin.

Jiraiya examined the seal and gave a nod to his sensei. "When can Naruto go home gramps ?" Hiroto asked his grandpa figure who he met many times courtesy of Minato.

"Let's talk somewhere else," Hizuren said and motioned everyone to an empty room. After the four of them entered the room the door was closed and Hizuren took a deep breath to inform the council's decision.

"Hiroto you can't take care of Naruto you are a kid yourself, you had to at least reach elite jonin level to protect against threats that might come after you. Soon you will join the ninja academy that's why you've to take good care of yourself" Sandaime said.

Hiroto was distraught hearing this "But I can take care of Naruto even aunt Mikoto can help." Hizuren shook his head and said "Mikoto herself has a newborn to take care of. even then the council didn't agree."

"Gramps then I can join the orphanage along with him" Hiroto desperately said.

"Sorry Hiroto you are known around Konoha if you are seen close with Naruto they might figure it out, then his jinchuriki status might also be revealed," Sarutobi Hizuren said with a sad face.

"Hokage-sama then if anything happened to my brother I will fight with everything I have even I if had to die" Hiroto angrily said gritting his teeth and heading out. Kakashi looked at Hokage and followed Hiroto.

"I don't want to deal with those politics sensei but if their lives are threatened even Danzo will not find where I will take them" Jiraiya said without a hint of respect.

Hizuren nodded and gave Jiraiya to keep an eye on movement from other nations, and they spoke for a few hours about what transpired with the meeting.