The White Demon Fox

Kushina tailed by Tobirama arrived at her home, the Hokage residence. She stopped in front of the door, hesitating. She clambered down at her rising heart rate and pushed the door open with her key.

Kushina stopped at the entrance for a moment to take in the home she shared with the only man she ever loved from the moment he was named the Fourth Hokage.

When she arrived to the living room, she was stopped by the pictures of her and Minato. She picked the most recent one, a picture they took when her pregnancy became pronounced by her stomach swelling.

Tobirama stood behind Kushina without saying anything, give her time and observe her. He wanted to confirm how far did the demon brainwash her.

Kushina put the picture in its place and noticed a letter envelope with her name on it, on top of the fireplace. She opened it and found strands of red hair in it attached to a letter and behind it, a different letter addressed to Naruto.

Kushina took both folded letters out, it was clear, they were Minato's will and last letter to both since he was expecting to die in his last stand.

A single tear escaped Kushina's eye, it was the first and only tear she allowed over the loss of her husband. When Tobirama saw the tear, he thought there may be hope for her after all, until he saw Kushina's face return from the moment of sadness to complete indifference. Kushina held both letters and tore them into two halves, letting them fall to the ground, without reading either or sparing the one meant for Naruto.

Tobirama was appalled, "What are you doing? That's your late husband's will and his last memento to his wife and child."

Kushina looked at him impassively, "He made a choice, for the second time, he chose something above Naruto and I'm a woman of my word. He stopped being my husband and any right to be my child's father's the moment he decided to do what he did when I clearly warned him that I won't give him a second chance, he did not even wait long to break my heart and forsake us. He does not have any right to any last word to either of us."

Tobirama looked at her shocked, he never got married, he did not understand a woman's heart when she is betrayed.

"Sit, I will be right back." Said Kushina.

Tobirama sat on the sofa waiting for the woman to return. After 5 minutes Kushina returned and sat on an opposing sofa.

"I have asked ANBU to get me something when they return we will talk." Said Kushina.

Kushina turned her head at the torn letters on the ground and stood up. She picked Naruto's letter that she tore into two halves and put them back in the envelope Minato left. She thought when Naruto is a woman she can decide for herself after she told her everything that happened.

"You were too hasty." Said Tobirama.

"No, I was not. If my daughter is anything like me, she will never read it and turn the two halves into four halves. We are Uzumaki, we don't take family disloyalty lightly when, to us, family is the most important part of us and most sacred." Said Kushina.

"He did not have a choice, he was the Hokage, the village was his family too." Said Tobirama.

"No, they were his only family, he died for them, no? It has nothing to do with me or my daughter. Do you know what is the saddest part? He truly died over nothing, no it is worse than dying for nothing. I told him very clearly the Kyūbi is not the enemy, he is not the one in the wrong, we are. Our true enemy is someone only the Kyūbi can match power for power. I was his wife, I have never once misled him, lied to him or failed him in my council. He never once did anything against my council regarding anything, except when it mattered the most. " Said Kushina.

Kurama was looking at the three corpses wondering what is the first step here. Throw them inside the King of Hell mouth for a bit of chewing or go straight into reviving and see what happens.

Kurama shrugged and whispered,

"Outer Path: Saṃsāra of Heavenly Life Technique."

The statue of the King of Hell emerged from the ground, next to the four corpses. For the first time, the statue did not release the souls of the Jutsu targets but instead released an o.b.s.c.e.n.e amount of life force at the four corpses. Kurama could feel the tug on his life force and chakra, he is probably going to have to pay a couple of hundred years worth of life force, but who cares, it will regenerate back fully sometime later.

Slowly and visibly the four corpses started to be enclosed in a cocoon of life force and green chakra. Minori was the first soul to leave the King of Hell mouth after her body decay was reversed and fully rejuvenated. The first thing Minori saw when she opened her eyes is the beautiful sight of the giant Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, the vixen was mesmerized, he was truly a sight to behold. If only she was younger and was not already attached to a mate, the thought crossed the vixen mind but quickly faded.

Minori looked around her and noticed the king's attention was not at her but rather at three glowing green cocoons. Three souls left the King of Hell mouths together and entered their bodies together.

The green light died down, Mikoto, Asami, and Shisui together drew their first breath into their lungs. They were confused, looking around until they noticed each other and instantly six eyes glowed red, spinning widely with three different Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kurama internally winced when he saw the three sets of Mangekyō Sharingan, it most likely means Shisui was the first to die, and they all witnessed it. One of his tails wrapped around Itachi and the two babies in his arms, he was lifted and put right in front of the three confused humans.

Itachi knew this was coming, he was not a dense child or did not understand Kurama by now. He knew the moment he asked him to go behind him that Kurama was about to deal with his family corpses and did not want him to see them again in that horrid state. After all his aunt told him his family bodies were within Kurama's stomach.

Itachi quavered, he did his best not to drop his siblings but his legs were not able to carry him anymore. He dropped down and started sobbing in a muffled voice. He managed to catch the attention of three humans who just came back to life. Without a word, Mikoto shot like a missile towards Itachi and Asami towards Shisui, an overdue reunion.

Mikoto did not know what to do with herself, she was crying a river remembering everything that happened. Itachi has been through so much, and she was not sure if she will ever be able to help him heal.

"It is good to have you back mother, my brother and sister missed you too." Said Itachi with a very wide smile.

Mikoto returned the smile and took the babies from Itachi's arm, "My babies." She hugged the three of them and continued to whisper her apologies to the three.

Kurama heard it all, and although he would never admit it out loud it did hurt him that Mikoto was apologizing, it was not her fault but his own he thought. He was the one who promised to shield them away from everything.

Shisui and Asami walked towards Kurama, they wanted to bow down in thanks but were instantly stopped by Kurama's tail and a shake of his head at them.

Itachi stood up and walked towards his best friend and enveloped him in a tight hug. The two sworn brothers separated and exchanged a faint smile.

Mikoto walked over and spoke, "Where is Fugaku?" There were no emotions in her voice.

"Vaporized into his most basic components with the rest of Konoha's invading forces." Said Kurama.

Mikoto nodded and sat down.

"What happened…after?" Asked Asami.

Kurama sighed and proceeded to tell them everything that happened so far.

"Minori, you have my thanks. When I learn how to I will return your youth to you and your mate. You could have run but you did not and stood your ground, for that you have my gratitude." Said Kurama.

Minori huffed, "What choice did I have? If I ran away you would have taken it on my clan."

Kurama chuckled, "True. Speaking of my wayward subjects, you should go ahead and catch up to them, lead them to Konoha. Uzushiogakure is no more and I made Konoha my new seat of power.

Minori growled, "You still won't leave us alone? After everything that happened?"

A girly shriek echoed throughout all of Konoha, it was really loud and disturbing. Kurama turned his head at the source of the screech and had a puzzled look on his face. Kurama suddenly growled and dug his claws into the ground restraining his disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e and anger.

10 minutes ago, at the Hokage residence.

A knock on the door reverberated in the house. Kushina stood up, "I will be right back, must be ANBU with what I asked for." Said Kushina to her only guest.

Tobirama sat in waiting, thinking about how to deal with the redhead and her, in his mind, master.

A few minutes passed and Tobirama heard a woman crying, sobbing just right outside the Hokage residence. The wailing touched him and broke his heart. He did recognize the woman's voice, 'Kushina? Did she finally break down from Minato's death? Was all she said just a tough, hurt woman act?' Thought Tobirama.

Tobirama stood up and walked towards the front exit. When he opened the door and walked two steps out, he saw Kushina sitting on the ground wailing like a child next to a vertical casket.

The casket cover fell on the ground and a graceful woman, the peak of beauty and elegance walked out of it. The woman opened her eyes and saw Tobirama but paid him no mind, the heartbreaking wailing she heard was what caught her attention.

"What is wrong child?"

Kushina pointed at Tobirama and said with a stuttering weeping voice, "He called me a demon whore."

When Tobirama heard that, he shrieked in a high pitch, his soul almost left his impure body on its own. There was one thing that crossed his mind, run, now!

His right-hand shot into the Snake Hand seal and he shouted "K..."

A chain pierced his mouth and exited from the back of his neck, it wrapped itself around his neck. Four more chains pierced his shoulders and calves. Tobirama was lifted and dragged towards a woman radiating righteous feminine fury.

"Little Tobi has now become so big and started profaning my little Kushina-Chan. It seems you have forgotten all your manners and your station in life. Your sister will be removing the excess limbs you no longer want, evident by your actions. Come, child, tell your aunty everything that happened since we parted ways." Mito picked up Kushina and hugged her to herself, they walked together back inside the Hokage residence with Tobirama being dragged behind them through the ground by Mito's chains.

Kushina sat on Mito's l.a.p with her head on her shoulder and told her everything in great detail since the moment she ran after Gyūki.

"And then he looked at me for support but I did not agree with him and told him my opinion... He then said what amount to 'Demon whore'."

"It is alright child, aunty will deal with the little boy that gave up his honor. Why don't you go ahead and bring Naruto over? I would love to see her before I return to the Pureland." Said Mito.

Kushina nodded, kissed Mito on the cheek and looked at Tobirama. She could not hide the evil, wicked smile that surfaced on her face, she winked at him and started skipping towards the exit.

Mito removed her chain from Tobirama's mouth and neck.

"I'm disappointed in you and Hashirama. I expected better from you both, to know when you are wrong and admit it. Instead, you attack my Kushina for no other reason but your inability to see past your pride." Said Mito.

"Sister, you can't be serious! You are not taking the demon side too!?" Said Tobirama.

Mito shook her head, "You have lost your edge. There are no sides, only right and wrong. Kushina has told me everything she learned from Kurama and our common ancestor, the Sage of Six Paths. It was clear to me that I have committed a cruel and inexcusable crime. I have dammed an innocent soul for no other reason but my prejudice against something I did not understand at all."

"I don't know what she has told you, but how could you believe anything coming from that cruel demon? Has she just not told you what he did at Konoha's square? He is evil incarnate and can't be trusted at all, he whispered lies to Kushina and you bought it all." Said an angry Tobirama.

"Who is lying? Is it my Kushina who never told me a lie in her life? Is it the fox who we never experienced a lie from? Or is it our ancestor, the savior of our world? Tell me Tobirama Senju, did you not stand before the spirit of the Sage of Six Paths? Was he a fake? An impostor? Or was he the mortal God we all read about in the history books? He rendered the Shinobi hailed as the strongest in our recorded history into a useless puppet with its strings cut; if that was not the Sage of Six Paths who was he then? Or are you saying he is the Sage, but he is a liar?" Said Mito.

Tobirama said nothing back.

"You are not blind to the truth, you just don't want to accept it. To accept it is to admit a hundred years of wrongdoing not by your hands but by the one you loved and admired the most, my husband.

When Kushina told me everything, the first thing that came to my mind is how could his father watch it all happen and let it be just for the sake of a prophecy. I do not doubt that it is a black mark in the Sage's heart, a shame he might never be able to wash away for watching his children being sold like a common commodity.

I feared his reaction if he once more laid eyes upon me or Hashirama. Kushina told me what his mother did to her husband and I dreaded he would do the same to me and Hashirama. Thankfully, the man is truly generous, he only released Hashirama instead of destroying his soul." Said Mito.

Mito looked down then sighed.

"Return to the Pureland, you have no place here. You have already destroyed my home beyond hope and keep pushing Kurama into a darker retaliation. You stay here anymore and I do not doubt you will destroy this village my husband gave everything to." Said Mito.

"I can't, the village needs me, there is no one alive that can stand up to the demon, he is too strong and too cruel." Pleaded Tobirama.

"I do not know how to release you myself yet but do not push me into sealing you until I find out how or develop a method Tobirama." Warned Mito.

"There is no need to get worked up little Mito."

A floating old man appeared in the living room, he gave a gentle smile to Mito then turned his head towards Tobirama.

Four dark, black spears shot toward Tobirama and tore him asunder, a chakra pulse followed and Tobirama soul returned to where it belonged.

"You do not need to fear me, my descendant, you have admitted your shortcomings and showed clear remorse, there is nothing else I could ask for except apologizing to my son and asking for his forgiveness. However, that's not possible since he won't give you the chance, not the way he is at the moment I'm afraid." Said the Sage.

Kushina arrived at the top of the Hokage mountain to find her favorite people alive and well. She could not believe it and rushed to envelop them all in hugs and kisses.

"Was summoning her necessary?" Asked Kurama.

"Yes, I did not know if Jiji will do anything about him so I had to get someone who can. You are too destructive for me to count on, and I needed a responsible a.d.u.l.t." Said Kushina.

"Fine, all of you should leave, take a week to sort your affairs out. Mikoto and Asami do not return to the Uchiha compound, stay with your Queen. I will have the acting Hokage deal with what was left of them tomorrow. Minori, off with you too, get the fox clan to relocate to Konoha, I will have a district built just for them." Ordered Kurama

The next day arrived, Jiraiya announced Hizashi Hyūga to be his replacement and the acting Hokage until the Queen names him or someone else as the 5th Hokage. Jiraiya did not wait long after to leave the village to complete the tasks Kurama trusted with him.

The twins, Hizashi and Hiashi walked leisurely, accompanied by the Hokages personal guards, towards the top of the Hokage Mountain.

"A Hyūga Hokage, and me of all people. It has always been both our wish to find a way to rid our clan of the cagebird seal but you were powerless in front of father and the rest of the elders. In one day all our elders are gone and in the dead of night the seal is removed from me and my child will never have the seal placed on him. Tell me, brother, is it selfish of me to think Konoha misfortune is our clan greatest fortune?" Said Hizashi.

"I'm your twin and I can't relate to what you feel even after we spent our whole lives together, we were so close yet separate, two different circ.u.mstances under the same clan. I can't deny that I'm happy for you and little Neji. However..."

Hiashi stopped walking and looked at his twin, "Do not forget who we are dealing with, he is not our ally, he is, in short, this village greatest trial, one that will determine our survival. Keep your wits about you, never forget, a Hokage duty is to his village and no one else even if you have to pretend otherwise."

Hizashi nodded to his brother with a resolute look on his face. They continued walking until they reached the sleeping Kyūbi.

They both bowed then sat on their knees without uttering a word.

Kurama opened his eyes lazily and yawned mightily, the sight of his white razor sharp naps were hair-raising but the twins held strong and kept their faces stoic.

"Tell me, Hizashi, how does freedom taste? I have personally found it…" Kurama scratched his bottom jaw and said "Exhilarating."

"I still have not come to terms with it yet, part of me still thinks last night events are a fantasy. I have not slept at all and kept staring at my wife's sleeping face, overwhelmed, to say the least with my son's freedom from my fate." Said Hizashi who stood up and bowed deeply to Kurama.

"Kyūbi-Sama, I don't know why, how, or what, but no matter the reasons, you have saved my son from his fate and for that, I'm truly grateful." Said Hizashi.

"Is it not obvious? A creature who tasted slavery for close to 120 years will most definitely have a clear contempt for any form of the practice under any reason. I believe it is not a valid punishment to the most severe of crimes, yet it was given to both of us for no other reasons but existing." Said Kurama.

The twins were taken aback, this means, Hizashi's freedom has nothing to do with naming him acting Hokage.

"Then may I ask, Kyūbi-Sama, why name me acting Hokage? I'm of no consequence to anyone." Asked Hizashi.

"Sit. You are asking the wrong question. The correct one should be why acting Hokage and not the 5th. In turn, I shall ask you, and think carefully before you answer, aside from Jirayia who is left alive who qualify for the position?" Asked Kurama.

Hizashi sat down again and started thinking deeply about it.

"It is not qualifications as much as it is personality. Shikaku Nara is qualified but Jonin Commander is the highest position one could afford to give him knowing his personality traits regardless of his distinguished brilliance." Said Hizashi.

"Even if his character was clear for the Hokage position he and you share a glaring problem, one that forces me to only name you as acting Hokage." Said Kurama.

The twins stayed quiet, waiting for the natural disaster to continue.

"Weak. Problematically weak. You have all the quality and qualifications for a good Hokage but not the power needed behind it. To think the Hyūga, Hamura Ōtsutsuki descendants are so pathetically weak." Sneered Kurama.

The twins' brows were twitching at the insults, the stick up their butts is getting a bit too uncomfortable at the moment.

"Since you two are not happy with my assessment of your clan, then enlighten me, name one S, SS or SSS rank Shinobi your clan has produced. I'm waiting..., nothing? Not one? How peculiar! I could have sworn your rivals, the Uchiha, have already produced numerous S rank Shinobis and an actual SSS rank Shinobi. This needs to change now! Your first step is to admit you have a problem with your fighting style traditions and work to improve them. Your ancestor was the third strongest person to walk on two legs in the history of this planet and his eyes, which you inherited from were only part of his arsenal.

He was a Sage, a medic, a crafter, a master in hand to hand combat and a master of the five basic nature releases in addition to Yin-Yang release, although to a much lesser extent compared to his twin when it comes to chakra releases. The point is, if you did not get it already, he has never limited himself to one style or any traditions. He used his Byakugan in all fields, not limited by anything but his imagination and skill level." Finished Kurama.

"You want the Hyūga clan to abandon their traditions?" Asked a perplexed Hiashi.

"Yes, but not you or your entire generation. Change is hard for the old but for the next generation, you are to encourage them to expand and not limit themselves to the Gentle Fist. Any new idea is welcomed and any Hyūga who wishes to follow a new path should not be stopped or discouraged. The Byakugan dominance in any mastered field should be obvious, I have no idea how could an entire clan come together to undermine their own growth, their chances to absolutely dominate any field they wish to master. Maybe it was Kami mercy for the rest of the Shinobi's world that the Hyūga themselves chose to stab themselves in the foot by clinging to useless traditions. Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and Mito Uzumaki should have been joined by a 4th name, a Hyūga." Said Kurama.

The fox gave the two Hyūga a lot to think about and consider. Hizashi is more inclined to change his ways since his clan traditions enslaved him but Hiashi still had a bit of resistance in him not that he had any way to say no to their overlord.

"Hizashi, if you can add a chakra release to your Gentle Fist I will name you the 5th Hokage, you are already at the peak of A-rank and only need a push towards S-Rank to become a kage level Shinobi who can stand up to the other 4 villages Kage's. Otherwise, we are stuck with each other until Tsunade Senju shows her face and gets her act together which might take many years to come." Said Kurama.

Hizashi understood and knew what he is asked to accomplish while performing his duty as acting Hokage will be a true testament to his will and skills.

"You have a lot on your plate to sort out the mess your predecessors left you. Start with what was left of the Uchiha clan, put your foot down there and reorganize them after what they did to themselves by constantly standing in my way. Besides, they no longer have the numbers or the power to be the clan responsible for policing Konoha. Contact the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Hyūga to form a new force in addition to what is left of the Uchiha to be Konoha's new police force. The details will be left to your discretion. After that provide your complete support to Shikaku, he is about to lead the war efforts in securing the rest of the Land of Fire for his Queen. You may seek my counsel for anything at any time but starting next week you report directly to Kushina, are we clear?"

The twins stood up and bowed to Kurama, they immediately left.

'Hmm, now I only need to plan and design the new capital city out of Konoha. If only I was a Fūinjutsu master I would not have to wait for Kushina and Tazuna to put something in front of me that I can build on. Nothing I could do about it, I will spend my free time doing something else, pure Yin and Yang releases sounds about right to me, which clan should I order to hand their Jutsu to me for reference? Nara!' Thought Kurama in glee for finally getting the chance to learn and study.

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