Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

"Tsu-chan! Let's go fishing!", Naruto is eager for his little sister to join him.

'I am not interested', Tanya said casually while flicking her book.

"Come onnn! It will be so much fun I promise!".

'... Fine', Tanya closed her book. She counted that she had rejected Naruto's invitation a few times before so she suppose she could accompany him today to make it up to him. She is aware Naruto is feeling lonely inside and so she tries to fulfill her duty while ensuring her brother does not become too reliant on her either. 

Naruto's eyes brighten, feeling happy inside. 

"We're gonna catch a lot of big fish-ttebayo!".

'I suppose it's been awhile since we had freshwater fish. It would be a nice change', Tanya said with a slight smile.

"Ahaa! See? I know it would be fun!".

Tanya followed Naruto into the forest at the edge of Konoha. After weeks, the two are used to the treatment of the villagers towards them and do not mention them. Following Naruto, they soon reached a clearing with a clear river flowing.

'It's a nice place'. Tanya breathes in the clear air and hints of nature and freshwater. The sound of the river flowing gives a serene vibe to it. This is a nice change of scenery. If there's hot coffee it would be perfect. Perhaps I should bring one next time.

Naruto is fumbling with the stick and tied the thread and hook to it; then placed the bait. He went to make a fishing rod for his sister as well.

"Come on! Let's compete to see who gets more fish!".

'If you want to catch one you better stay quiet', Tanya said in amusement, taking the fishing rod and throwing them into the clear river.

Sitting on the flat rock, she placed the rod next to her, opening the book 'Journal of A Wandering Shinobi Mikamoto', flipping through them. 

The sounds of the river, the birds, the insects, the rustling leaves and the cool wind…

Leisurely life... If only days like this can last forever. Should have brought coffee.

…

Tch.

Tanya bit his lip, remembering Being X for a second. She's certain her life would be upside down again at some point; probably once she gets into the ninja academy next year.

'Hm? What is it Tsu-chan'.

"Nothing. Just got reminded of someone who's a complete a**h*le".

'Tsu-chan bad words! But there's a lot of jerks here alright! Hmph!', Naruto followed suit, grumpily moving his rod trying to attract some fishes.

'But you know, I will prove them wrong about me! Once I become Hokage, hehe… they would see how great Naruto Uzumaki is! Believe it!'.

Tanya let out an amused low chuckle.

"It is not easy to become Hokage Naruto. From the 1st Hokage to the late 4th, all of them had merits in their name as well as connections. And besides, are you sure you want to become a Shinobi to begin with. Being a soldier is not as bright or heroic as they make it out to be".

'I am sure alright! When I am Hokage, I will be super strong and everyone will look up to me!'.

"You can always choose a more peaceful life. And at some point, people's opinions wouldn't matter to you", Tanya said; but in her mind she knows fate wouldn't let them. They had monsters inside their body after all…

'You wouldn't understand! You… you wouldn't get it…'.

Naruto had his voice lowered, his eyes looking down at his reflection in the water.

'They didn't hate you… they never pushed you away or avoided you…'.

…

'And you are always… always… it's as if you don't care about anything…' 

…

"Nii-san. I do care about, few things".

Naruto is still looking at his own reflection.

"First, my own peace... And as for others - it can be summarised under that as well".

Naruto looked away after hearing the answer, feeling a little heartbroken. She doesn't care about me…

"But…"

"I cannot truly feel at peace if you are not. I am your sister, after all". 

Tanya spoke from her heart. When it comes to people who mean something to her and have value in her life; she can count within 10 fingers. And right now, Naruto is the second having significance after herself. Although, logically speaking Naruto does not bring her anything to the table, and is a burden and just extra responsibility. But somehow his presence is something. Perhaps not needed, but she can appreciate him. Besides, there's a sense of achievement when Naruto gets it right, like she had done a good job. She wants Naruto to be independent, strong, and become a successful person.

'Tsu-chan…', Naruto felt a sense of warmth in his chest. He knows his sister would always support him.

"However, I have to tell you again that the path to become Hokage is not beautiful. Shinobi are soldiers who will hurt others and may even kill people. You are too… innocent to do such things".

'I… well… I- I am not that innocent! I can do it if it's the enemy! It's to protect the village!'.

"Enemy huh…". There is no enemy or allies, evil or justice. Only interests aligning or opposing. That's what determines it. Though, the idea that this brat can kill someone doesn't seem real.

"If you are really sure then...".

Plop!

"Wa!!! I got it!!!", Naruto jumped in joy as he reeled in.

…

Hokage Office

Hiruzen watches over the siblings through his crystal ball. He occasionally would check on them to see how they are doing. He felt guilty for being unable to stop the rumors about Naruto from going out of control. But what's done is done.

He's worried for Naruto - however, from his observation, he feels worried for Tsuyu as well. 

Too mature for her age. Danzo even asks Hiruzen to let him be in charge of training Tsuyu in the future - that in his words; he can see Tsuyu is an extremely gifted talent.

The higher ups know Tanya is a genius that can speak, write, count, at such an early age. Her ways of interacting with others are also way ahead of her peers, like an adult. They all agree it's almost like a second-coming of Minato Namikaze.

Danzo especially appreciates the look in Tanya's eyes. He can see the type of 'darkness' suitable for the root - a natural at that. He is certain, under his guidance he can bring out Tanya's full potential, and he can use Tanya much better for Konoha compared to others.

Hiruzen naturally denied him instantly. As if Hiruzen does not know what he is scheming? And letting Danzo control one of the jinchuriki is something Hiruzen does not want to risk.

A child of her age isn't supposed to act so mature. Perhaps, living without a parent forced her to grow up into an adult far too early, before she can even experience a proper childhood.

This is not what he wanted to see… children should be happy and have smiles on their faces.

Hiruzen looked at the picture of Minato in his office.

"Sigh… I failed you, Minato. I wonder if you are seeing how your children grow up without you and Kushina from up there...".

Hiruzen let out another puff of smoke. He sees Tsuyu and Naruto grilling fish by the river. He had this idea to go speak to them, and maybe act like a grandpa to them. Thinking about it… Tsuyu's maturity is probably due to having no one she can be dependent on. As for Naruto, he had his sister to depend on even if the villagers isolated him. But how could a child depends on another child?

Hiruzen stood from his seat and take off his Hokage hat, wanting to see the kids.

…

Crackle, crackle.

Naruto is restless as usual, throwing stones into the river and coming back asking over and over again if the fishes are cooked. His mouth is already watering.

"Another minute". Tanya said as he tore the flesh open with a knife to look.

Suddenly, a weight seemingly pricked at Tanya's senses.

Tanya's ears twitched, and she felt someone was spying on them behind her.

Someone is sneaking up on me!

"Show yourself!".

Tanya quickly stood on guard, holding the knife in her hand in a defensive stance.

'T-Tsu-chan! W-what is it', Naruto felt scared seeing Tanya's reaction and hid behind her.

Hiruzen is surprised, even shocked at how sharp Tanya is. And the defensive stance she took, it's as if she's a born shinobi.

A genius!

He is casually hiding trying to find the right time and preparing the right words to introduce himself. But even then, ordinary genin shouldn't be able to notice. 

Hiruzen came out from behind the tree, raising his hands. "Ahaha… I just smell something really good and feel hungry…".

'W-Who are you-ttebayo?', Naruto looks warily at the old man.

Hmm? Why does this guy look familiar… the 3rd!?

Tanya quickly withdrew her knife. 

Cursed Being X! I just offended the last person I should offend! What do I do to fix my image? Think! Think!

'I am just an old man passing by'. Hiruzen said sheepishly.

Suddenly a grumbling noise came out from Hiruzen.

…

'Hn..? Haha… haha!', Naruto chuckled hearing the sound from the old man. Hiruzen's face blushed a little, seemingly embarrassed.

'Jii-chan! Here! Come eat!'.

'O-Oh! Thank you! I am really hungry!'.

***

'So Tsuyu-kun is the little sister you say? But she really seems like the older one!'. Hiruzen said jokingly

"Eh! I suppose... but it doesn't count! We are twins. And also she's boring-ttebayo! She only likes reading books!".

'I just have a different interest than you nii-san…'. 

Tanya is having a hard time trying to form a proper conversation like a child supposed to. She can tell Hiruzen is acting like some normal grandpa and unable to grasp the exact way she should act in this situation.

'Ne, Tsuyu-kun'. Hiruzen called out.

"Yes jii-san", Tanya replied politely. 

Hiruzen felt a little sad seeing up close how mature Tanya is.

'What is your dream? You brother wants to be Hokage, what about you then?'.

"My dream…"

Tanya takes a deeper breath, forming her words.

"My dream is to live in peace and prosperity, with those dear to me". A textbook answer that fits Tanya's own goal to live a life of leisure.

Hiruzen felt it's a little too... general for a child to claim as a 'dream'.

'Peace and prosperity huh…? Then… what do you want to do to achieve that?'.

This is it! My chance to make an impression on the person with the highest status in the village!

"I want to become a shinobi so that I can ensure that peace, and protect those dear to me. Konoha is my home and the place where my family and friends are. I want to protect and fight for them with my own hands".

Her voice are clear and certain, her eyes gaze fierce into Hiruzen's eyes, trying to embody the so-called 'Will of Fire' she had read about.

Hiruzen nods, feeling happy that both of Minato's children inherit the will of the fire. Although he might not have realized he had been dupped.

Naruto made some weird faces after hearing Tanya's words.

'Huh? You have friends? And you said y- mmmhh-!!'.

Tanya quickly shut Naruto's mouth from revealing her true thoughts of gaining merits to eventually sit at the seats of advisors and have a leisurely time. Hiruzen laughed at the scene, finding the siblings amusing.

"Then, next year you two can enroll in the Ninja Academy. I am sure you two can become excellent shinobi".

'Yea! Jii-chan, just you wait! I will become Hokage! Believe it!'.

"Hahaha. Of course of course!", Hiruzen laughed at Naruto's spirit.

***