Birth of a Prince (P.2)

This question was one that Hiruzen was asking himself. Could Ren handle his grief? Would he not take this opportunity to turn on Konoha?

" I do trust the boy. I do not however trust the land of water to not influence him. Which is why Tsunade will accompany him."

" Why is she required if he's so trustworthy?"

" He's a nine year old young man. Can anyone here say they wouldn't be enticed by women? With his background its possible. Especially now that he lost his new family."

" …very well I will approve this. I hope I can count on all of you to make this flawless."

" As long as Lady Mito agrees we'll start immediately."

Hiruzen and Yoshi had cold sweat running down their back. Even Danzo had some. It's not that they feared the woman herself, at least now that her age was a limiting factor. She was once an accomplished Kunoichi and Fuinjutsu master, sure. Yet that was a long time ago, old age was a great equalizer. No, what they feared was her live in guest, they wanted to maintain her as calm as possible. Lady Mito loved to threaten them with the nine tails and on a few occasions she almost let it loose too. The prospect of the nine tails going on a rampage was terrifying.

It was a little sad they all walked eggshells around an old lady especially when they themselves were in their prime. The nine tails had clearly left some mental scars that would never really heal. The news of Lady Mito and her upcoming death was a strange pair of relief and nervousness. If she died they wouldn't fear the blackmail that came with having her be the host. On the other hand could her successor truly control the nine tails the way she does? The fact she could threaten them at will was the proof of her control, could a child really do the same?

As she entered the room the pressure they felt was truly suffocating. Whenever she was around they felt all their secrets were being seen. It was uncomfortable.

" Lady Mito our condolences."

" I'll be with them soon. Now what do you want from me?"

"…."

The poor Anbu who had to escort her could only feel like his superiors were a little rude. If they wanted to die they should give him a heads up.

" Haa… please leave the room Taka. We have much to discuss with Lady Mito."

" Understood Lord Hokage."

Soon the details of the poorly formed plan came to light. Poorly formed because Lady Mito thought the kid would jump at this chance to not be involved in Konohas affairs anymore. Her little son in law was becoming a pain. For someone who could be said to be hidden from Fate, he was always involved in things like this. It was a kindness she was keeping the kid from wiping out several of the people in this room and now they would ask this of them? Had they lost their minds? Well it didn't matter anymore she didn't have long.

She had already set her rules with Ren. As long as he didn't mess with the birth and actions of the children of prophecy she could care less about everything else.

" Very well. I do suggest you ask him first, as long as he consents it's fine. I do stress he must be accompanied by Tsunade if he agrees. The hate that boy carries makes even my puppy a bit apprehensive. There may not be a country to take over if you send him alone."

As soon as she finished talking a wisp of red chakra exited her body. Immediately everyone was on full alert with Danzo and Hiruzen even readying their chakra and hand seals.

" Calm down kids the puppy just gets a bit moody."

"…." Everyone had one united thought. [She's insane. Absolutely insane.]

As she was walking to leave Hiruzen stopped her with a question.

" Lady Mito can your successor really handle it the way you do?"

" Don't worry kids. That girl may even be more capable than I am."

With those words everyone once again didn't know what to make of the conversation. If that girl was just as bad wouldn't they be at a child's mercy?

While everyone else was concerned about the next Jinchuriki. One man was more concerned about the new prince. Danzos promise of new wealth was really the nail in the coffin for him today.

Madoka knew one of the Daimyo's few vices was wealth. He already had more than he would ever need, but he had expensive tastes. With expensive tastes came expensive purchases. While the mans wealth was limitless he wasn't exactly always liquid. Madokas own wealth is actually how he planned to entice the Daimyo to marry his daughter. So after Danzo mentioned the riches to be gained, Madoka foresaw this outcome. His only hope was to use the time it took for the child to arrive and change the Daimyo's mind.

( 2 weeks had passed)

When Ren and Tsunade arrived at the breakfast table Lady Mito seemed to be in a weird mood. She made it distinctly clear they had an interesting day ahead of them. As if on cue they were immediately summoned to the Hokages office.

Ren and Tsunade were bewildered as to why they were asked to see the Hokage. He had already notified the Hokage they had returned a week ago what more did the old guy want? Considering what the old lady said they were kind of worried.

As he entered the room with Tsunade, he noticed a few faces on a video call. Well this was new. He knew telecommunications were advanced enough for this to occur but it was interesting to see it's applications in a world that was often like the Sengoku period of Japan. I mean the term Daimyo was a dead give away but he was curious if this was the result of science or chakra.

" Hello you two. I hope you've had enough time to grieve. Please be aware the mission I am presenting you today can be rejected. We are all being considerate of your current situation."

" Sensei what mission requires the presence of the Daimyo and his aides?"

" The mission is to become the Lord Daimyo's son and daughter in law."

" Uhh the Daimyo's son is married? Shouldn't the woman be on our list of protected individuals?"

" Rens right why have I never heard of this woman before. I also don't recall any wedding announcements that have been made recently."

" We mean you two. This is an infiltration mission to the Land Of Water. Specifically you will assume the role of the Daimyo's son and daughter-in-law."

" Well the files on the Daimyo's son don't have a recent image, do I just transform at random or do I meet him first?"

" Seems your accepting the mission but you're assuming the details. Please just stop and listen."

"… mean old man."

" Young man if I may ask, why are you so ready to go on this mission? In such a difficult time no one here would blame you if you chose not to proceed."

" Lord Daimyo (bows). Father in law said shinobi die almost every day. We can not lay paralyzed in grief, we must move on by protecting the village and the people he loved so much.

… Plus if we stay on leave any longer Grandma may kill us. You may not believe me but I'd rather be on a mission if you don't mind."

" We understand more than you think. Now the mission is to assume the role of Prince Zuko and his young wife to infiltrate Kirigakure and the Land of Water."

At this moment Tsunade look confused but Ren seemed stupefied. Did he just say Prince Zuko? Surely he must have misheard.

" Umm whose identity am I taking?"

" Prince Zuko."

" I don't remember any prince by that name Sensei."

" What she said."

" He was an unknown man that appeared at Uzushiogakure claiming to be Daimyo's exiled son. Kirigakure wants him returned to their lands."

" Wait you're sending us to be executed? We reject. No thank you. Remember you said we can say no."

" Ren stop being a child. We are sending you as an officially recognized son of the Daimyo. You will not be executed."

" Okay so who am I transforming into when the guy doesn't exist?"

" You will go as yourself."

" I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble but our eyes are kind of noticeable."

" Did I let you graduate the academy to early? Use a transformation jutsu you fool!"

Tsunade immediately transformed to a younger version of herself with her original eye color.

" Uhhh right I'll figure it out."