"I see," said the Hokage. "What is your dragon-form like?"
"Big," said Keritrasza. "There was a translation function involved as I understand it. When I take my full-size dragon-form, I'm over a kilometer in length. Shapechanging into a human form is much easier on the surroundings."
"Also less likely to promote panic among the civilian populace," noted the Hokage.
"That too," agreed Keri.
The Hokage looked back and forth amongst the squad of ANBU he'd hand picked for this. They were a small group, of whose loyalty he could be sure of. Added to this select group for sharing this secret were two others. As with the ANBU, their loyalty was such it was unquestionable. Unlike with ANBU, they being brought in on this secret was because the Hokage believed in back-up plans and having someone outside his normal chain-of-command and channels would be useful in a pinch.
Inoichi Yamanaka met the Hokage's eyes and gave a slight nod. With a connection, even tenuous as this was, he could tell if someone was speaking falsehoods.
Ibiki Morino, head of Torture and Interrogation, also inclined his head slightly.
"If you would transform briefly," said the Hokage. "Here you are outside the village but nearby. We'll simply explain the dragon appearance as a boss summons, Naruto's form as a secondary summons. That way any time you do show up -"
"It'll be seen as remarkable but give them an explanation they can accept within their current worldview," noted Keritrasza. "Very well then. For references. I can adjust the form's size through my shapechanging ability, but this is my natural form within your world."
One moment the woman was there, then a blur that expanded and kept expanding. When she was done there was a dragon.
"She's bigger than the Nine-tails," noted Cat.
"More massive, better armored," noted Ibiki.
"What did you say her cover identity would be?" asked Wolf.
"She's indicated a desire for her cover identity to be that of a shrine priestess," said the Hokage as the dragon lifted onto her hind legs and spread wings - looking even more impressive.
Then she sent a beam of violet energy heavenwards and impressive ceased to be an adequate term.
"She's going to help defend the village if we're ever attacked, right?" said Inoichi.
The dragonform shifted back to the human woman from earlier.
"That's right," said the Hokage. "Part of the agreement was for assistance in such disasters - so long as Naruto is part of the village and treated as such by those in authority."
"From what I've seen you are as fair as circumstances allow you," said Keri.
"You said Naruto will be engaged to you in several hundred years," said Inoichi. "Does that mean he will be alive centuries from now?"
"Yes, dragons such as we can live for millenia," answered the dragon. "And if you are thinking about your daughter, that would be no problem at all."
"Eh?" asked Inoichi. "Well, actually I hadn't. It wouldn't work anyway as she's the heir of my clan. Necessary for children to eventually inherit the mantle and such."
"Again, it would be no problem at all," the dragon assured him. "It might actually be fun to watch over a clan or two for a few millenia."
Inoichi stared, his mind trying to grasp the implications of what was being said.
"So, Naruto Uzumaki can still have human children?" asked Ibiki, having grasped certain concepts and coming to consider them in a thoughtful manner.
"Oh yes," said Keri, acknowledging the scarred man with an inclination of her head. "That would actually start a bloodline with enhanced abilities. I don't understand the equations completely myself, but it looks as if the mother's abilities would be enhanced with a minor longevity trait and exceptional physical resilience thrown in."
Everyone present was a ninja. Everyone present grasped the potential implications of that.
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(Posted Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:52)
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