Four months before the expected birth.

  Konohagakure felt calm. It was peaceful and seemed that all was at ease. The shinobi of the village remained in it, departing rarely as the whole of the Fire Country wound down at the horrors of the third war.

  That was what made it dangerous.

  The summer air carried the scent of cut timber and distant rain. Training grounds rang with the sound of clashing kunai. Children ran through the streets unaware of the trails beyond the village’s walls. The various shrines to gods and honored ancestors were preparing for festivals and parades, lanterns and stalls being erected around them. The joy of summer stuck in the air.

  Inside the Hokage Tower, the air was heavier and far colder.

  The council chamber had been prepared in advance, no scribes, no unnecessary attendants. ANBU guards stood beyond sliding doors. Seals layered the walls to prevent sound from traveling beyond the now packed chamber.

  Present were the clan heads and senior representatives: the Hyūga, Aburame, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Uchiha and several civilian council elders.

  At the head of the chamber sat Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage To his right, seated slightly behind him, was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage retired but only in title, not in political and personal gravity.

  Across from them sat the leadership of the Hanagashi clan, newly inducted into the village. Some of the Clan heads and Representatives glanced in curiosity to the new clan, others in welcome and others in quiet suspicion.

  Kurogane wore a formal black kimono patterned subtly with steel-thread embroidery with faint stitching of bright red of her husband’s clan colors. The symbol of her clan proudly displayed in stitches and jewelry. Her hair was bound high, silver ornaments resting still. A small Tonto blade sitting behind her back, though it’s ornateness was stalled out by the blade’s charcoal and crimson silk cord tying the blade into the sheath, unable to be drawn.

  Behind her stood Arata, dressed in a similar colored Montsuki, the Hanagashi symbol of the lightning struck anvil working seamlessly into the center of the Uzumaki symbol. His birth Clan and the Clan he married into represented intertwined. He looked entirely too relaxed for the weight of the meeting, arms loosely folded inside his sleeves, eyes half-lidded in quiet amusement.

  To Kurogane’s left sat Elder Jinzo, back straight despite his age, His robes similar to Arata though lacking any Uzumaki elements, he brought no visible weapons but his cane. Elder Yuki’s posture was serene, hands folded calmly into her Kimono, the mirror of Kurogane’s.

  Elder Daizen remained back at the compound teaching the next generation his craft. The man’s loud and open disdain for politics and most of the men in this room leaving no question on who should stay behind with the clan’s various orphans and non-shinobi members.

  The room was silent until Minato stood to speak. Lifting a hand to call them all to attention he announces. “Kushina’s delivery is expected within four months.”

  Every eye in the chamber sharpened. They had known the Hokage’s wife had been wandering the markets more often for various supplies that new mothers often purchase. Rumors about the Hokage's, especially their families, always made the rounds. When the Hokage’s wife is also the village’s Jinchuriki even more so. Though anyone out of the loop might’ve been more concerned why a poor red haired woman was being silently followed by two squads of the Hokage’s personal guard if they hadn’t known already.

  Minato continued evenly. “The sealing of the Nine-Tails may weaken during childbirth.”

  The Hyūga clan head nodded faintly, squinting at the Fourth Hokage. The Nara representative folded his hands, thoughtful. Aburame’s clan elder stared into the space next to the Hokage in an unsettling manner if one wasn’t aware that the man’s eye sight was nearly gone.

  While the Yamanaka silently passed the Akimichi the plate of refreshment so the older man would stop reaching in front of him. Akimichi continued to silently crunch on the small cakes, maintaining eye contact with the Fourth Hokage. The Inuzuka elder silently patted a large and old hound next to her, the soft pets sending blooms of shed fur into the air. The Uchiha sat at the table silently staring at the Fourth Hokage, his black eyes unmoving. Hiruzen representing Sarutobi sat by Minato silently tapping his pipe to his lips. Shimura Danzo sat with the two Civilian council representatives to either side of him.

  Minato’s gaze swept the room. “I do not expect complications but preparation is not pessimism. It is my duty.”

  Hiruzen’s pipe rested unlit in his hand.

  “We have protocols made,” he added calmly. “Isolation in a sealed and fortified place. ANBU perimeter, all trusted members. Medical specialists will be pre-positioned.”

  Minato nodded. “On the night Kushina goes into labor, I will inform selective members of the village, ANBU, designated Jōnin, and clan leaders present here.”

  There was a murmur of acknowledgement rippled through the gathered members of the village’s leadership.

  “I will not make the event public knowledge,” Minato continued. He looked to each and every person as he continued “But in light of recent developments, I believe it prudent to establish a secondary, more visible contingency.”

  “Kurogane-dono.” Minato gestured for her to stand. His lifting gently. “Please.”

  Kurogane rose smoothly, keeping her posture as smooth and calm as it was required to be. She bowed first to the Hokage, then turned and bowed to the assembled clan heads and elders. Her voice, when she spoke, was calm and cut meant to recognize the importance of those assembled and the possible events to happen in the future.

  “The Hanagashi clan recognizes the gravity of this moment.”

  Arata smirked faintly behind her but remained silent.

  “Our clan and the Fourth Hokage have reached an agreement.”

  A ripple of interest moved through the chamber. More eyes changed from curiosity and welcome to paranoia and low level hostility.

  “We will enter a copy of our forbidden technique, the Forge Goddess’ Nails, into the village’s Forbidden Scroll.”

  Silence deepened instantly. The Yamanaka elder leaned forward slightly. Asking for the benefit of the surrounding elders. “Would this be a bijū suppression or sealing technique?”

  Kurogane inclined her head. “Yes.”

  A faint stir of whispers. Danzo’s visible eye narrowed almost imperceptibly.

  Kurogane continued, explaining the plan that Minato, Kushina and herself had agreed on as a public secondary to the pair's original plan of a secret birth.“One month prior to the expected birth, the technique will be unsealed for instruction. A selection of village elders will be chosen at random to learn its activation.”

  The Aburame representative’s voice emerged quietly. “You offer this freely? With no condition or exchange between your clan and the village.”

  “Yes. Kushina and her child are important to our clan.”

  There was weight behind the word, the cold calm slipping slightly from Kurogane’s voice. One of the civilian elders cleared his throat. “And the cost?”

  Kurogane opened her mouth to answer. Minato spoke first drawing the eyes of those gathered back to himself. “The life span of those who operate the jutsu mantra will be shortened.”

  The chamber stilled completely. More squinting and lidded gazes being exchanged by the clan leaders and representatives.

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  “If an operator possesses only a few years remaining,” Minato continued evenly, “and those years are consumed during activation, their body will disintegrate into dust.”

  A heavy silence fell. Some of those gathered seemed entirely baffled by the suddenness of this plan and that Minato seemed to be telling them that they will be going along with it. Minato did not soften the truth, like hammering a nail home he simply continued.

  “The technique is powerful enough to force a bijū to retreat, according to the Third Hokage.”

  All eyes shifted toward Hiruzen. Who nodded slowly. “I have witnessed its use.”

  His voice carried no embellishment, only knowledge. “It is not a sealing technique. It is suppressed by burden. It drains the beast’s will to continue.”

  The Nara clan head frowned thoughtfully. “And the cost, was it real?”

  Hiruzen’s gaze did not waver from looking at those selected to be here. “I watched the elders of the Hanagashi age in minutes. Like grains of sand in an hour glass.”

  A murmur rippled through the chamber again.

  The Akimichi representative crossed his arms. “A random selection, you say? From all clans of the village or just those gathered here.”

  Kurogane nodded, giving her agreement only to expand. “Yes. Random among qualified elders. It will not only be useful for those elders to know for this case but for any future incidents of the village facing tailed beasts.”

  The Hyūga head’s eyes narrowed slightly before looking at those gathered. “Random ensures fairness.”

  “Yes,” Hiruzen agreed. “No single clan bears an exclusive burden.”

  For a moment, the idea seemed to settle, like a seed in soil. Before it could take root however Danzo’s voice cut through the chamber. “I agree with handing over the jutsu to the village. Allowing the Village to decide the fate of it is for the best.”

  Several heads turned.

  He sat rigid, hands folded within his sleeves. He continued evenly. “However, a copy is insufficient.”

  Kurogane’s gaze sharpened subtly.

  “The original scroll and any information regarding it should be transferred to village custody as well.”

  The room tensed at the demand and unwillingness to compromise on this tainted the words that Danzo spoke. Arata’s smile thinned slightly behind Kurogane. Jinzo’s posture stiffened and he gripped his cane tighter.

  Kurogane answered carefully. “The original remains within our Clan.”

  Danzo’s expression did not change. “Which places a village-level weapon outside direct village oversight.”

  The Nara representative frowned faintly. “It is not a weapon intended for daily use. If it’s cost is accurate it couldn’t be. It would fall more under a Clan’s secret technique.”

  Danzo did not look at him. “It is a bijū-level contingency.”

  His gaze locked onto Kurogane as he continued. “This and any future uses would be a bijū-level situation.”

  A silence followed. Those gathered watched as the Elder of Shimura fought a battle of silent wills with the Young Clan Head of the Hanagashi. Minato’s eyes flickered thoughtfully but he did not immediately intervene, simply waiting silently interlocking his fingers.

  Kurogane responded evenly. “The Hanagashi have not refused to share the technique. We’re willingly and openly sharing it with the village.”

  “You refuse to relinquish the original and any necessary details and research in its creation.”

  Her voice cooled slightly. “It is part of our religious rites and history.”

  Danzo’s tone sharpened just enough to press a faint laugh hidden underneath his voice. “Religion and Superstitions do not supersede village security.”

  A low hum of tension filled the chamber. Arata shifted slightly behind Kurogane, his one arm on his knee ready to stand, his smirk returning, but it was no longer playful or kind.

  Jinzo spoke, tapping his cane against the ground. “The Nails were forged with the shrine’s altar fire.”

  Danzo replied immediately. “And the Hokage’s monument was carved with blood.”

  Silence at the two Elder’s words, many faces seemed to stare at Danzo comparing the two things.

  Minato finally lifted a hand slightly, his voice containing faint warning. “Danzo.”

  Danzo continued smoothly as if to parry the Fourth Hokage’s objection before they could land. Looking at the Hokage and the other elders, his voice sounded reasonable. “I will relent on the matter of the original scroll.”

  A pause as he looked back into Kurogane’s eyes.

  “However. I propose that all three Hanagashi elders participate in the training and activation rotation.”

  Kurogane turned fully toward him now. A faint tremor entering her voice at the possibility of her clan losing their remaining elders. “That is unacceptable.”

  Schooling her tone for a moment she takes a breath long enough to breath but not to be interrupted. Her voice now again controlled. “Our clan has only three remaining elders.”

  Danzo’s gaze was steady. “All the more reason they understand the technique intimately.”

  “The random selection—”

  “—is arbitrary and childish.”

  His voice sharpened slightly, stamping his cane slightly. “Your elders possess direct experience and lineage knowledge. They are optimal operators.”

  The Aburame representative murmured thoughtfully. “He is not incorrect.”

  The Hyūga clan head spoke next. “If the technique must be used, we would prefer experienced operators. A failure at a critical juncture would bring doom to many in the village.”

  The Nara representative sighed faintly. “Logic favors proficiency.”

  Kurogane felt the ground shifting. “Our elders are not expendable.”

  “No one’s elders are expendable,” Danzo replied smoothly, a faint thrum of pity. “But some are more prepared.”

  Arata straightened to stand and step forward slightly, but Jinzo’s hand lifted subtly behind Kurogane, signaling restraint. Arata scowled at the man, his smile leaving his face.

  Kurogane’s jaw tightened as she looked to Minato for any help. Through either inexperienced or misplaced trust she found none from Minato “We had agreed to a random selection for those to perform it. As to not bleed the clans dry.”

  The civilian council elder spoke. “The village cannot afford inefficiency during a bijū crisis.”

  Hiruzen’s gaze shifted toward Kurogane. He did not speak. He did not immediately oppose the tide either.

  The vote was called by Danzo and seconded by one of the Civilian Council. One by one, clan representatives raised their hands. Raising their hands for Nay or Yay if the Hanagashi are to have all three elders as users of the Jutsu.

  Hyūga. Nay

  Uchiha. Nay

  Hanagashi. Nay

  Senju. Abstain due to Absence

  Serutobi. Yay

  Shimura. Yay

  Aburame. Yay

  Akimichi. Yay

  Yamanaka. Yay

  Nara—after a brief hesitation. Yay

  Civilian council. Two for Yay

  The majority was clear. The fate of the Hanagashi clan elders was sealed. Kurogane’s shoulders remained straight. Though she wished her sword wasn’t sealed with the silken cord. Kurogane thought to herself as she closed her eyes. ‘If the nails are required and my clan elders perish. I would see Danzo dead for this.’

  As she opened her eyes, she looked up and Minato’s eyes met hers. There was an apology there. The decision had been made and sealed. Those amongst the Yay and Nay parties looked to Kurogane as if waiting for something.

  She bowed stiffly as etiquette dictated. “The Hanagashi will comply.”

  Arata’s fingers curled into a fist, his eye stormy in thought as he studied the faces of those gathered here.

  Jinzo’s eyes remained calm, a lifetime as a shinobi had numbed him to those above him seemingly sentencing those they could to death to save their own.

  Elder Yuki’s expression did not change. She simply tugged at the symbol of her goddess and muttered a small mantra of condolence to her husband and Daizen.

  Something in the air shifted permanently between the Nays, Yays and the Hanagashi. Minato cleared his throat speaking aloud in a more jovial tone he says. “It will hopefully not be necessary.”

  The words felt thin in the chamber. The meeting adjourned shortly after. Clan heads departed in measured silence. Danzo lingered only long enough to give Kurogane a final, unreadable glance before leaving. When the chamber finally emptied, only a handful remained.

  Minato stood slowly maintaining a calm look on his face though a faint amount of guilt was in his eyes. “I am sorry.”

  Kurogane did not look away. Her voice held both accusation and fact. “You are Hokage.”

  Jinzo rose carefully. He reached out and put a calming hand on Kurogane’s shoulder “If it must be done, we will do it. Our children are now one with this village.”

  Hiruzen stepped forward. “I would not have allowed this lightly. Even the Hokage can not order the Clans to do as he commands sometimes.”

  Kurogane met his gaze unflinching under the Third Hokage’s stare. “I know.”

  Arata finally spoke. Stepping up to be on the other side of Kurogane. “If the technique is activated, the operators will not be the only ones fighting. I would like it if I or my lovely wife could be part of the guarding force for my cousin.”

  Minato’s expression softened slightly. “I wouldn’t mind that. I’m sure Kushina wouldn’t mind knowing her cousin is nearby. Though I still believe that the Nails will be unnecessary.”

  Kurogane inclined her head once. “Then let us pray it never comes to that.”

  All four of the Hanagashi bow before leaving the council chambers to return to their compound. Outside the Hokage Tower, the village continued its quiet evening rhythm.

  The children laughed.

  Lanterns flickered.

  Stall awnings flapped in the breeze.

  Kushina walked through the market streets unaware that the shape of her future had just shifted slightly.