The White Demon Fox

OCT 17, 1000.

"Why have we not moved yet?Dattebane." Asked Kushina.

"I need time to think, shoo, go away." Said Kurama.

Kushina got a tick mark on her head and looked at Gyūki for support.

"Three heads are better than one brother." Said Gyūki.

"I can't anticipate that blonde bastard next move." Said Kurama.

"What's wrong? Did you not gruel them for hours last night? They delivered everything you asked for." Said Kushina.

"This is the problem, they are Shinobi, it is in their blood not to do anything straight forward, always look underneath the underneath. Yet they did nothing so far, no marking on my money for tracking, no hidden seals to destroy anything dangerous or of value from the Uzumaki inheritance. No tricks, no traps, nothing, not even an attempt." Said Kurama.

"Did you not warn them repeatedly that their lives are on the line? Why would they take any unnecessary risk." Said Gyūki.

"There is a way around it. All they had to do is try, if they get caught in the questioning they would just confess the truth and there would not be any risk to their lives. For example, they could have marked my 30 million Ryo for tracking purposes, if I ask about it they confess, if I didn't ask then they got something in. To them 30 million Ryo is chump change, they could have prepared unmarked 30 million nearby in case they get caught and replace the money when I demand so." Said Kurama as he dug his claws into the ground.

"Then there is my eight tentacles political problem." Said Kurama as he looked at his brother.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Asked Gyūki.

"Before you joined me, it was easy to figure out what Konoha first priority is when I get out of their backyard, get a new Jinchūriki. Which is why I planned to immediately search for our sisters, Chōmei and Saiken. They are the only two I figured would be easy, relatively, for Konoha to acquire. The others are under either an ally or a major enemy. However, you added another variable, my intentions to free our siblings are clear to them now. What will the blonde bastard do now? Go for it anyway and keep it a top hidden secret? Approach me for a deal to be Konoha pseudo weapon against other villages Jinchūriki?" Said Kurama.

"Hmm, I see, you don't want to be passive but be proactive to corner Konoha further to your side. The way I see it, if you know where Chōmei and Saiken are then go for them anyway, if you don't then you are wasting the little brain cells you got thinking about something out of your control." Said Gyūki.

"You got your priorities wrong. You need a spy network first and foremost." Said Kushina.

"Sigh, it is not easy, I only know three spymasters, the one we talked about in my mindscape, Jiraiya and Sasori of the Red Sand. I can't entice Sasori to work for me, loyally, without a key jutsu I currently do not know how to perform. Nor will I unless I get my hands on either Orochimaru or…" Said Kurama.

"We are wasting time, let us move and you can think on the way." Said Gyūki.

The party of two giants, two females and three children took their first steps towards their unknown future, toward Uzushiogakure.

"Kushina, out of curiosity, did you name Tsunade to be Naruto's godmother?" Asked Kurama.

"If she was in the village, I would have, but I never got the chance. Why do you ask?" Said Kushina.

"If you did name her so, then I will have a valid reason to drag her a.s.s to Uzushiogakure, she is part Uzumaki too. Tsunade medical skill's reputation would bring us a constant flood of people to get treated by her in a hospital she runs. It will help us get over the giant stigma of two mindless monsters living in Uzushiogakure. Although if I knew her location I would just make a bet with her. You are right, a spymaster should be my priority." Said Kurama.

"Who do you plan to hire for rebuilding Uzushiogakure?" Asked Kushina.

"The people of Wave country. There is a man named Tazuna who can take over this endeavor. Once we get close to his city you will have to go solo and strike a deal with him before he knows that you are accompanied by us. Make sure that you also get the workers enticed not just Tazuna. You have my permission to pretend that you have both me and my brother under your control. We will play along." Said Kurama.

"Can I get you a collar?Dattebane." Said Kushina.

"Gyūki, drop the bitch and have her walk the rest of the way." Said Kurama.

Gyūki picked Kushina from the top of his head, made sure Naruto was in her basket on his head, and flung Kushina behind him.

Kushina landed on her feet and yelled, "Hey! I thought you are on my side!"

Shisui was amazed watching the three interact from on top of Gyūki's head. He managed to gather his courage and said, "Kyūbi-sama, may I ask why did you request for me to join Uzushiogakure?"

"Why do you think I asked for you? Same question for you Itachi." Asked Kurama back.

"I don't know, I'm nothing special." Said Shisui.

Itachi on the other hand was just looking at the sky and was not paying any attention to anything being said. Shisui looked at him and shook him a little. Itachi looked at him with a questioning look.

"Kyūbi-sama asked you, why do you think he requested you?" Said Shisui.

"He knows something we don't." Said Itachi.

"Like what?" Asked Shisui.

Itachi just shrugged and went back to sky watching.

Asami looked at her son and just shook her head at him. They will find out eventually she thought.

The trip continued, until night arrived and the party stopped moving and camped away from the opened road.

Kurama was lying down, eyes closed, trying to organize all that he needed to do into priorities.

"Gyūki, have you ever figured out the link between us that father talked about when we were little?" Asked Kurama.

"I can link with Matatabi and have a telepathic conversation with her if we were both within Kumo walls, that was our maximum range. We never told anyone about that bit of connection we had, keep something to ourselves. However, I have been trying to connect with you all day today but you obviously did not even notice." Said Gyūki.

The party went to sleep without the need for any lookouts. Past midnight, purple eyes shot open. Kurama moved his head to the direction of Konoha and growled.

"You know who is heading our way?" Asked Gyūki.

"Yes." Said Kurama.

A single masked figure carrying two wrapped bundles with them approached what no one else would dare to approach. They slowed down when they got near and removed their mask. The figure stood right in front of the giant fox and bowed slightly in greetings.

"What are you doing here?" Asked Kurama.

Kushina walked over from her tent, hugged her friend and said, "You are late, I was starting to get worried."

Kurama just g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

"I got delayed, Fugaku was too agitated to eat or drink anything. I had to wait for him to consume the poison I made for him. How is Ita-kun?" Said Mikoto.

"You did not murder the Uchiha clan head and run away, did you?" Asked Kurama.

"Of course not, the poison won't kill him, just keep him bedridden for a week at least. It will clear out of his system on its own." Said Mikoto with a sweet smile.

"Itachi-kun is fine, he is sleeping in the boys tent. He has been worried about you and little Sasuke since I told him you will be following us soon to settle his restless heart." Said Kushina.

"You just became a missing nin who kidnapped the Uchiha clan new heir. Not that I care, but why?" Asked Kurama.

"You were right, the Uchiha clan is no good for my boys. I can't allow Sasuke to go through what Itachi went through or worse. I will do what I have to do for my boys." Said Mikoto.

"Good luck. Not sure where will you be able to hide or run to, but good luck." Kurama closed his eyes to go back to sleep.

"She is coming with us." Said Kushina.

Kurama opened his eyes to say no but Mikoto removed the package behind her back and revealed it to be a large scroll covered with explosive tags.

"Perfect copy. You agree to protect me and my boys like you would protect Naruto and it's yours." Said Mikoto.

Kurama looked at the scroll, it was an unassuming, yet he did not need to be told of it content.

"This is your doing, you even told her exactly what to say. I'm very certain that you are the one who made the copy and gave it to her. No one else, aside from the Hokage, can get to it. I do not like being played like this." Said Kurama.

Kushina just shrugged and said, "My sister asked for my help and I gave it to her. You would have driven her away to avoid dealing with the aftermath if she did not have something of extreme value. There is also the fact that you hate everything Indra."

"Who is Indra?" Asked Mikoto.

"Your clan ancestor." Said Kushina.

"What is in the scroll?" Asked Gyūki.

"It is a copy of Konoha Scroll of Seals, the forbidden scroll. It contains Konoha most valuable and forbidden Jutsu, only a Hokage is allowed to read it content and add to it." Said Kushina.

"Did not think you had it in you to do your previous home like this even for a friend." Said Gyūki.

"Whatever advantage I can secure for my Naruto, even if it involves stabbing my husband in his sleep I will do without hesitation. This is not just for Mikoto, it is for Naruto, I just had Mikoto be the one to deliver it." Said Kushina.

Kurama closed his eyes to think of the pros and cons of this situation. Edo Tensei will allow him to recruit immortality nut jobs like Sasori, provided he can master the Jutsu or at least have Kushina master it. He will be able to keep their loyalty since it will only be pseudo immortality for as long as he is willing to perform Edo Tensei to bring them back to their prime age then follow it with Saṃsāra of Heavenly Life.

On the other hand, he will have to bend backward for Konoha to keep Mikoto off the bingo book. In addition, he will have to protect Mikoto, Itachi and Sasuke the way he would protect Naruto and by extension Kushina. If Kurama had an a.s.s hole, Minato would have a field day in it when he comes to the negotiation table over Mikoto's fate. The Uchiha clan won't back off unless they gain something massive from Konoha and the payment will be relegated to Kurama.

"Hachibi, this scroll contains something that will entice powerful people to our side. However, the price is that you and I will be Minato's personal toys on the negotiation table for Mikoto's fate if we don't want to go to war with Konoha. If it was not clear before, I do not wish to go to war with Konoha for as long as I can." Said Kurama.

"What do you think he will ask for?" Asked the Ox.

"It is highly dependent on whether he knows Kushina copied the scroll or not. The man is crafty, he could have let it happen under his nose for us to dig our own graves. He will ask for the entire starry sky if he is aware and if he is not by a stroke of luck then he will ask for the moon. I will have to find a very good reason for why I'm protecting Mikoto to mask the fact she gave us something of extreme value if Konoha is not aware. I imagine at b.a.r.e minimum we will both have to be Konoha's guardians, something I wanted to exchange for full alliance with Uzu. Minato will get it for 'free' now in addition to whatever he asks for." Said Kurama.

"No one knows, I was very careful." Said Kushina.

"Can a summoning contract be made for us?" Asked Gyūki.

"What?" Kushina and Kurama asked in unison.

"If it is possible to create a summoning contract for each of us then we have something to trade with Konoha that will tip the scales in our favor." Said Gyūki.

"I don't know if it is possible, we would have to ask one of the summoning clans for help. Even if it is possible the sheer amount of chakra to summon either of us might render the contract useless." Said Kurama.

"We can seal a bit of your chakra in a container and have the summoner use it as a catalyst. I can make them with the right materials." Said Kushina.

"We can't assume it is possible before we ask one of the animals clans. Kushina did you sign the Slugs contract?" Said and asked Kurama.

"No, none of us in Tsunade-sensei Genin team signed the contract she carries." Said Kushina.

"So, we have nothing to go by, just an idea that might work. Hachibi, what is your vote on Mikoto's matter?" Said Kurama.

Gyūki went silent, then said, "You already made half the decision for us by taking her five-year-old child. We can't back off now, we will move forward and deal with it. Eyes on the road ahead, like you said."

"Very well, Mikoto, you have my and my brother's promise." Said Kurama.

Kushina pumped her fist in the air and hugged Mikoto while squealing like a little girl. Mikoto could not contain her happiness and hugged Kushina back fiercely. After they broke the hug, Mikoto removed the explosive tags from the scroll and tried to hand it to Kurama who just pointed at Kushina and went back to sleep.

Itachi had a very pleasant surprise in the morning, he could not contain his joy at seeing his mother and brother safe and sound. He bowed deeply to the sleeping Kurama, knowing she is only here because he has allowed it.

The trip continued in peace. Several Konoha hunter nin came close to the two giants to check if Mikoto was with them, but she was hidden inside Kurama's stomach while Sasuke just shared Naruto's basket with her under Asami and Kushina's care.

On the 19th the humans celebrated Shisui's birthday. It was nothing major and without a cake, but they all tried to work it out on top of Gyūki's head.

On the second of November the party reached the Land of Fire shores, Wave country was just a short boat trip away.

"We will wait nearby Kushina, go make the necessary arrangements. The exact details can be worked on after we reach Uzu and check its current condition." Kushina jumped down and went alone to find Tazuna.

"So what's next, we start getting our new home fixed then what?" Asked Gyūki.

"I want to settle down for a bit after we deal with Mikoto's issues. I will see if it is possible for us to use human made Jutsu, learn what I can about Sealing arts from Kushina, at least a general understanding of the basics will do for now, so much more I would like to try to learn. However, eventually I will have to move and start hunting. I will need to get in touch with some missing nin, find any Uzumaki survivors, search for our sisters, find Mount Myōboku if possible, and get my hands on my unloyal subjects." Said Kurama.

"You have subjects!? Who are the poor bastards?" Asked Gyūki.

"The Foxes of course. They will bow to me or I will start using their kits as chewing toys and use the a.d.u.l.ts fur for my new royal bed in Uzu. A nice carpet too." Said Kurama.