Chapter One
"MIZUKI NO!"
"YOU ARE THE NINE TAILED FOX!"
Naruto Uzumaki stood stock still as it made sense. The glares, the looks, the bullying, the isolation, the mocking...all of it made sense to him now. He was the Nine tails. Everyone hated him because he was the Nine tailed fox! It...it wasn't fair! Why him? Why did it have to be him?!
SCCHHHLLKK!
"W-what the?" Naruto whispered in complete shock and confusion, finding himself on the ground with an injured Iruka hovering above him with a pained grimace. Naruto's eyes were wide as he realized that Iruka had protected him from Mizuki's shuriken. "W-why?" Naruto questioned quietly, and was stunned when tears fell from Iruka's eyes as he gazed down at him.
"Because Naruto...you also have been in a lot of pain," Iruka answered tiredly with Naruto confused. "I'm sorry Naruto, if I only did a better job, you wouldn't have to feel like this," Iruka apologized and Naruto's eyes hardened. In a moment's notice, Naruto bolted off, "Naruto!" Iruka called after him. But Naruto didn't respond, he didn't look back, he just ran and ran, tears of anger and hate running down his face.
Everyone hated him, how could he believe anything Iruka said? He was the nine tails! His idol, his hero, the Fourth Hokage, sealed the Nine tailed fox into him! It was his fault! His fault why everyone mistreated him! Why no one wanted to be his friend! It was all him!
'Yes...give into your anger…"
Naruto immediately stopped his running upon hearing such a strange voice come from seemingly nowhere. He looked around to see if anyone was near him, if Mizuki had caught up to him. But he couldn't feel anyone nearby. Plus that voice didn't sound present. What the hell, was he just imagining things now?
Naruto took a deep breath, closing his eyes to calm himself. He couldn't believe this. This day had gone to complete shit. First he couldn't pass the damn graduation exam, and now it turns out he was the Nine tails! The very thought pissed him off, which was evident as his fist balled tight. He was the Nine tails and everyone knew but him! Teachers, Merchants, Drug dealers even the damn Hokage! But it was kept a secret from him! His identity and the reason why everyone hated his existence was kept from him! Truth be told, he was more furious about the secret being kept away from him. He was furious about the lies that had been told to his face on a constant basis!
For years he had gone days without food. He was stuck wearing the same funky clothes. The place he lived in is complete shit in one of the worst neighborhoods in Konoha. Why? Why did it have to be kept from him? Why did everyone get to know beside him? "Damn it!" Naruto roared as he punched a nearby tree, completely shattering it. Naruto didn't even pay attention to the damage he did, to livid about the truth coming out.
If the Hokage lied to him about this, what else could he be lying about? Does he really not have any family? Does he really not know who his parents are? There were so many questions that he had that he needed to get the truth about. But who said he would receive the truth? That question pissed him off even more.
Naruto's ears twitched and he quickly dove for some bushes as he heard a few thuds. Sneaking out a bit, he saw Mizuki and Iruka both drop their transformations. "Heh, you'd even transform into what killed your parents to protect him eh?" Mizuki sneered with Naruto frowning as he looked for a way out before they spotted him. "You're an idiot, you know that Iruka? You protect the scroll from me, but Naruto and I are the same." hearing this gained Naruto's attention as he focused on the two chunin. "If you use the skills in that scroll, you can do whatever you want." Mizuki smirked. "There's no way the kyuubi wouldn't try to use the power of that scroll. Not like what you are assuming,"
"Yeah," Iruka agreed softly after a moment or two. Naruto's frowned deepened as he focused a glare on Iruka. Even Iruka, deep down, doesn't acknowledge him. "The Kyuubi would do that, but Naruto is different. I've acknowledge him as one of my excellent students!" Iruka proclaimed which earned a surprise look from Naruto, speechless. "He may not be the hardest worker, he is clumsy and none accepts him. He already knows what it is to feel pain inside your heart. He isn't the demon fox. Naruto Uzumaki...is a member of the Hidden Leaf Village!"
Naruto couldn't help but bow his head as tears rolled down his cheeks, his eyes shut tight. There was still pain in his heart, but it eased up a bit from hearing Iruka's words. Knowing they ring true. The darkness and red that slowly clouded his vision was receding a bit as well. "Tch, well whatever," Mizuki voiced irritated as Iruka gave a grunt of pain, his wound throbbing. "Iruka, I said I would take care of you later. But I changed my mind," Mizuki sneered as he pulled off his shuriken. "HURRY UP AND DIE!" Mizuki roared as he spun the blade and threw it at Iruka.
Iruka waited for his invetible death, but much to his and Mizuki's surprise and confusion, the shurken suddenly flew in a completely different direction, hitting a tree yards away. "What the-urk!" Mizuki grunted as he suddenly fell to a knee, the gravity and pressure drastically increasing. But not only that he couldn't breathe very well! As if someone was choking him. He pried at his neck to release whatever invisible hand gripped his throat and he looked up to see Naruto standing before him with a deathly glare. But what confused Mizuki was the golden amber eyes that replaced the sapphire the brat was known for.
"You touch my sensei, and I'll kill you," Naruto snarled with Iruka surprised that Naruto had appeared.
'Yes...Yes...now finish him. Kill him!"
"Y-you and what a-army brat?" Mizuki managed to choke out, trying to stand up. Naruto's eyes darkened as he raised his hands. All he could feel was anger, no...pure hate running through his veins. He wanted Mizuki dead…
Both Iruka and Mizuki were appalled when in a mere instant, there were thousands of Naruto's surrounding them, all with the murderous look in their eyes. Iruka was amazed, he was proud, but he felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he focused his eyes on the blond boy. It was as if a dark aura had surrounded Naruto, influencing him. If he didn't know any better, he could feel murderous intent dripping off the boy.
"This one."
He wanted answers…
But what was the point? He had no doubts the old man would just lie to him some more. Naruto gave a soft sigh as he walked the streets of Konoha in the dead of night. After handing over the scroll to the Anbu who showed up and making sure Iruka was taken to the infirmary, he had nowhere else to really go. He really didn't feel like staying in his apartment, so why not walk around a bit? Attempt to clear his head, even though he wasn't making any progress.
With a frown on his lips he sat down on a nearby bench and gazed at the ground. The only piece of light in this overall dark day was he had graduated, though it took beating Mizuki into a straight pulp and stressful drama...but he graduated. Now next week, he could pull up to the classroom and sit among the graduating students and be assigned to a genin team. Part of him wondered who would be his teammates. But knowing his luck, he would be paired with both Sasuke and Sakura. That would really tick him off, considering that while having his crush on his team would rule, it wouldn't matter because she would be so focused on that asshole Sasuke.
At that rate, having them as teammates made it a negative and not a positive. That would be just great. Always feeling the need to compete with Sasuke and get insulted by Sakura in the process, plus make himself look more like a loser. He hated looking like a loser, but at the same time he couldn't win against Sasuke. It was so stupid!
"Damn it," Naruto sighed as he closed his eyes, taking deep breaths. He looked up to the full moon with a blank expression, wondering why the gods were against him. Did he shit on them in another life or something? Because he felt that nothing good seemed to ever come his way. With that thought he slowly stood, stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to head to his shitty apartment. As he began walking, he stopped suddenly and a moment later, felt a shiver run through his body.
He gained a curious frown as he felt...something. Something odd, strange...it felt as something was calling for him. But he wasn't quite sure what it was but out of curiosity, he began to head towards it. Naruto wondered just where he was going because he soon found himself leaving the Konoha gates. He saw Izumo and Kotetsu were sound sleep, snoring and such. Lazy bums. But it was because of this laziness that allowed him to sneak by and continue on.
Naruto continued to walk deeper and deeper into the forest, as if he knew perfectly where he was going. However in reality, he had no clue to where he was headed. He had never been past the village gates before, but right now he didn't care about that. What he cared about was this feeling felt very familiar to that voice he heard earlier, except it didn't hold so much...malice. Naruto soon moved past some bushes and shrubs to see what looked to be a house, but he quickly recognized it as a temple. But what surprised him was the fact at the entrance was the familiar spiral symbol. The temple looked intact but looked rather old as if it was not made in modern times.
The blond walked forward, stepping on the staircase and walked inside, surrounded by darkness. As he walked further inside, suddenly the doors behind him closed and the room was lit with blue flames. He was surprised to see the wall right in front of him was littered with different kinds of masks, but there were shelves that were complete full with books and scrolls.
"It has been some time since anybody took interest in this temple," he suddenly heard and he jumped a bit and turned around to see a beautiful woman standing before him, however she looked a bit...transparent. "You have nothing to fear from me child, I will not hurt you. I led you here after all," she smiled softly.
"You lead me here?" Naruto blinked as he studied her, "What are you, some kind of ghost?" He questioned with the woman humming in thought,
"More like a spirit," and hearing that, Naruto paled a bit.
"Oh shit…" Naruto felt like panicking...he didn't like ghosts! "Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! YOU'RE A GHOST!"
"Calm yourself Naruto Uzumaki!" The woman snapped at him lightly, and he shut his yap. "Thank you. I told you, I have no intentions of harming you. Quite the opposite in fact, I wish to help you," the spirit expressed with Naruto narrowing his eyes at her, confused.
"Help me? Who are you anyway ghost lady? And how do you know my name?!" Naruto questioned and she gave a small smile.
"I guess introductions are in order. I am Mito Uzumaki," The woman bowed respectfully and Naruto felt the need to bow as well. "I know your name because I have been watching you Naruto, ever since you were born," she stated with Naruto looking quite surprised. "However it wasn't until earlier today, I finally decided to contact you."
"Why? What made you?" he muttered.
"You awakened a power that hasn't been seen in almost a century on this planet," Mito smiled with Naruto raising a brow. "You my dear child, are the first person since the fall of the First Hokage to use the Force."
"The what's it now?" Naruto questioned with Mito chuckling as she gestured with her hand for him to sit and without even realizing it, a chair had pulled up behind him. "Whoa! How'd you do that?!" Naruto questioned and Mito gave a knowing smirk as it kind of clicked for him. "Wait, is that the Force thing you are talking about."
"Telekinesis, one of the abilities granted by the Force," Mito answered with Naruto taking the seat. "The Force is an energy that surrounds the entire universe. It surrounds, binds, and penetrates every living thing. The Force is powerful like chakra, but it is external instead of internal. Only those with a high midichlorian count are able to connect with it on a...spiritual level and use it as they will," Mito explained, smiling that Naruto was paying rapt attention. "And you, Naruto are the first in long time to use it."
"That sounds awesome and all spirit lady," Naruto started with Mito raising a brow. "But what does this have to do with helping me? Why am I here?" Naruto wondered truly with Mito humming, nodding in understanding.
"The Force brought you to me Naruto. I have been waiting for a long time for this very moment," Mito answered. "The reason I still have not given myself completely to the Force just yet, is because I am to be your Master," Mito went on, confusing Naruto a bit. "You have a destiny Naruto. It is not set, there are many paths set before you that the Force has allowed me to foresee." Mito sighed softly. "They are different every single time. But one thing is for sure, I am to train you, to pass down my knowledge to you, so you can pass it down to the next generation and so on."
"You want to teach me?" a nod was his answer. "Well, I'm flattered, I really am. But I'm supposed to have a trainer in another week. A jounin sensei! So I don't think…"
"Ah yes," Mito interrupted him with a nod. "You speak of Kakashi Hatake. Well, let me save you the trouble Naruto-kun. Kakashi Hatake will not teach you much, he will be too concerned with the Uchiha child," Mito shrugged and Naruto's eyes widened.
"Fucking Sasuke?! H-how do you know this?!"
"I have foreseen it...in every vision I have concerning you. Kakashi Hatake will be no help to you now, later, yes. But within the next three years? It's not likely." Mito then thought about it and gave a shrug, "But then again, nothing is truly set. I might be wrong," Mito informed and Naruto gave a grumble. Mito waited patiently as Naruto thought it over, though as he did so she spoke. "You wish for people to acknowledge you, yes?" hearing her speak, gained his attention and he slowly nodded his head. "You desire strength, praise, respect. I can help you Naruto-kun." Mito offered.
Naruto held her gaze as Mito went on, "I spent years as a student, and I spent decades honing my power. Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, White Magic, Black Magic…" Mito then snapped her fingers and more blue flames flickered on around the shrine showing Naruto just how many books and scrolls there actually was. "And so much more. Placed on paper, waiting to be taught. Waiting to be passed down," Mito smiled down at him as he looked amazed. "You wish for strength? I can train you to have it. You wish for praise? I can help you receive it. You wish for respect? I can help you earn it. The fox that is sealed in your stomach? I can help you work with it and around it. The power of Uzumaki that runs through your veins? I can teach you to hone it. Besides a God, there is no one better suited to help you Naruto Uzumaki," she then extended her hand. "Take the first step of shaping your own destiny."
"I am so in!"
"Okay let's see, what next?"
Naruto was currently gazing down at his list of things to do as he walked almost aimlessly down the streets of Konoha in broad daylight. People ignored him, and he ignored them. He didn't have the patience to care anymore, his days of pulling pranks and acting like a fool were over! He had more important things to worry about then gaining their attention. Important things like understanding Mito's lessons and passing her tests.
It's been five days since he stumbled upon the Uzumaki shrine, and he hadn't left till several hours ago to get some sleep. That lady apparently wanted him to forget everything he knew about being a ninja, and everything that the academy taught him since he was eight years old. He figured it was impossible, but nope, she actually managed to do it. What did she call that technique? Force wipe?
Basically, after a few hours of meditation, she managed to hand pluck every single thing that the academy taught him and erase it from his memory. She then started from scratch, by sharing her knowledge with him. So basically she basically replaced his broken and misinformed understandings with her own complete, full concepts. Honestly, he knew way more than he did before! He wondered why she just didn't do that with everything else she knew instead of taking the time to teach him. Her answer was, she didn't want to make his brain shut down from the overload of knowledge. Besides, what would work for her, probably wouldn't work for him. That's why it's called individuality. So in a day in a half, he had a nearly perfect understanding of chakra the theories of Ninjusu, Genjutsu and Taijutsu, and history.
The next day, Mito shared her knowledge on the concept of magic, or Spirit arts, with him. He learned that Magic was used powered by a spiritual energy that has no limit, Chi. Mito also shared her thoughts on that she felt the Spiritual Arts was simply the Force in a physical form, and that the Uzumaki Clan was well known for using Fuinjutsu, but also the Spirit Arts over Ninjutsu. So by the end of the second day, he had knowledge of the Spirit Arts.
The third day, Mito shared her knowledge of the Force with him. Just information though, as she wanted to actually work on his training rather than pass down her knowledge through a technique. Naruto understood it. So by the end of the third day, he knew about the different 'types' of the Force, such as the Living Force, Unifying Force, Cosmic Force and the Physical Force. But most importantly he learned about the Light Side of the Force, and the Dark Side of the Force. Once that lesson was over, the rest of the time and the next day he spent unconscious as it drained his energy.
But now was the fifth day, and Mito had been so kind enough to make him a list of what he would need to...change his life so to speak. The list included food both for nutrition and medical purposes, supplies, wardrobe, and weaponry. He had been shopping all day at all the high end stores, under a practically perfect henge even using his clones to help out with the shopping. Where did he get the money to pay for all this stuff? Mito gave it to him. He didn't know how she got it, where she got it, but he didn't really care and asked no questions. He just thanked her and went about his business. So his shopping has been pretty seamless so far, and it was almost over. All he had to do was head to a weapon shop and buy what he needed. That was shuriken, kunai, ninja wire, windmill shuriken, and a katana. He would also get some shinobi gear as well, then once he was done he could head back to Mito to continue training.
Naruto hummed to himself as he walked inside of the Hirugashi weapon shop. "Welcome to the Hirugashi weapon shop, if you need anything just ask," he heard a bored voice say from the counter and looked to see a teenage girl sitting at the counter flipping a magazine with a bored expression. She was quite pretty in Naruto's opinion, and he dug the twin buns on her head, kind of reminded him of Mito.
The blond then looked around the shop and frowned, noticing they had a lot of weapons. This was his first time in this store, so he wasn't exactly sure where to start looking. So he turned his head to the girl at the counter and walked up to her, "Um, Hi," Naruto called and she blinked looking up from her magazine.
"Hey...I know you!" the girl pointed out and Naruto raised a brow. "You're that blond kid who goes around pranking people! Naruto right?" She smirked and he scratched his cheek a bit. "Of course you are! Only kid I know with whiskers and gold hair. I'm TenTen, I graduated last year from the academy," she smiled.
"Oh cool! Nice to meet you Tenten!" Naruto greeted with a grin. "You're an active kunoichi and you work here, so you definitely can help me," and Tenten nodded her head, taking note of his list. "I've never been here and I've never bought weapons before, so I was wondering if you could help me pick out the best Shuriken, Kunai, Windmill shuriken and ninja wire you have," Naruto listed with Tenten blinking a bit.
"Wait, you want high grade weaponry?" she questioned with Naruto nodding his head. "Well we have some, we keep it in the back though. It's hella expensive though, are you sure? We got affordable weapons out on the floor, and nearly just as good as…"
"Nearly isn't good enough," Naruto shook his head. "I'll take the high grade please! I can afford it," Naruto grinned. Tenten raised a brow but gave a shrug.
"If you say so dude," Tenten muttered as she put away her magazine. "I'll be right back." Tenten then walked from the counter and headed to the back, passing Naruto as she did so. Naruto watched Tenten and blushed lightly as he took notice how toned yet developed she was. She seemed to be moderate in the chest region but she had a very nice sizeable ass that jiggled as she took a step. Naruto then blinked a bit as he realized this was the first time he noticed a girl besides Sakura! He wondered just why that was. Hm, something to think about at a later date he guessed.
"Alright," Tenten said as she came back out carry two decent sized cases and set them on the counter. She then opened them up revealing the contents inside and he paid close attention. Naruto had an impressed look as he gazed at the pitch black perfectly sharp projectiles. "These are our top notch kunai and shuriken,"
"What makes them top notch?" Tenten blinked as she looked at Naruto who glanced up to her. "What? I want to know what I'm buying. Money doesn't grow on trees ya know."
Tenten could only smirk, "I like you." Naruto gave a small sheepish chuckle while she cleared her throat. "So the blades are made out of different metal from regular blades. The metal is an actual chakra conductor,"
"What do you mean by that?" Naruto wondered. "Don't kunai and shuriken already conduct chakra?"
"More like being forced," Tenten answered. "When regular kunai and shuriken take chakra it strains the metal and actually makes its use less effective. The chakra flow in the metal is rigid and tough," Tenten explained. "You're better off not running chakra through it."
"So these kunai make up those differences?"
"Definitely. Here," Tenten offered him a kunai. He took it and he hummed. "Feel the difference huh?" Naruto nodded. "The kunai and shuriken is lighter, however they are particularly sharp with each edge and point," Naruto inspected this as he slowly slide his finger against the edge of the kunai, leading to the point. Taking away his finger he saw a slight cut, which was cool because he barely applied any pressure. "Another thing that make these badboys so awesome is that the metal is also a chakra magnet so to speak."
"Chakra magnet?"
"Yup. Let's say you throw the kunai at an enemy ninja; there is a 89% chance it will hone in on the enemy chakra," Tenten informed with Naruto humming as he basically got the gist of her explanation. "Oh and though the kunai is lighter, the impact they have once used with chakra greatly outweighs a normal kunai."
"Top notch indeed," Naruto grinned as he set the kunai away. "How many comes in a set?"
"Two hundred kunai, four hundred shuriken, ten windmills," Tenten listed with Naruto humming to himself as he gave it thought. "Each set is fifty thousand ryo," she added the price with Naruto remaining silent, still in thought. "Interested or too rich for your blood?"
"No," Naruto shook his head. "I'll take four sets of each," Naruto stated calmly and Tenten's eyes widened. "Add it to my cart, I still have a bit of shopping to do," Naruto said as he looked at his list. "Oh I need to see your swords, and do you know if there is an actual armory somewhere in the village? I need to reinforce my clothes," Naruto muttered mostly to himself.
"I uh um…"
"Tenten close your mouth, you'll attract flies dear," they heard a voice speak and Naruto looked to see a pretty woman walk from the back wearing a blue chinese dress with dark red pants underneath. Naruto also took note of the bun she had in the back, two bangs framing the side of her pretty face. Honestly she simply looked like an older Tenten. Speaking of…
"Mom! Guess what!" Tenten turned to her mother excitedly and the girl's mother jumped a bit from her daughter's excitement. "This kid wants to buy four sets of the chakra projectiles," she pointed at Naruto and her mother smacked her hand. "Ow!"
"Don't point, it's rude dear," Her mother scolded lightly and Tenten gave a light grumble. She then turned to Naruto, "Is this true mister…"
"Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto greeted shaking her hand and the woman smiled, upon hearing his name.
"Oh yes, I thought you looked familiar. You're the cute little boy whose been giving those gossipers and stuck ups such a hard time," the woman smiled with Naruto trying to keep his smile small. "I enjoy your work, I have a good laugh every time I hear about something new."
"Thank you, you're the first person whose praised my pranks. I really appreciate it Miss…"
"Miyabi," the woman bowed her head lightly. "I appreciate talent Naruto-chan. And I also appreciate those who can take interest in my own work," Miyabi smirked with Naruto nodding as he looked to the set of kunai.
"Yeah, Tenten was explaining to me exactly why they are high grade weapons. I'm surprised there are any stock," Naruto mentioned. "I would think that shinobi would be all over something like these," Naruto figured and Miyabi simply gave a light scoff.
"Yes, you would think. However people are cheap. They love the idea, however when the price is mentioned they flinch," Miyabi grumbled. "They don't believe in paying so much money for a weapon they are not going to keep." she explained with Naruto nodding in understanding. "I've had many people try to haggle and bargain down the price by half. It's quite annoying."
"So annoying, that we don't even keep it on the floor anymore," Tenten muttered.
"Well it sucks to be them," Naruto shrugged, both women looking at him with raised brows. "Shinobi die everyday because of many reasons. If I die, I wouldn't want it to because my tools weren't good enough," Naruto shook his head. "As I said, I'll take four sets, full price," Naruto smirked and Miyabi grinned, looking as if dollar signs became her eyes. "Now about those swords…"
"Right! I'll go get them for you!" Tenten ran off quickly, leaving Miyabi and Naruto alone. Miyabi gave a soft smile as she looked Naruto over, and gave a hum.
"So tell me Naruto-chan, why the interest?" she questioned and Naruto glanced to her with a curious brow. "I heard through the grapevine you graduated, congratulations," Miyabi praised, Naruto thanking her with a nod and smile. "But usually when graduated genin come to the shop it's to stock up or even pick up an art of sorts. You went after high grade weaponry, swords and from what I hear reinforced armor? Sounds like your preparing for a tough battle,"
"Hm, nothing like that," Naruto shook his head. "I'm just trying to be the shinobi that everyone else isn't," Naruto shrugged with Miyabi now looking at him curiously.
"The best."
Alright so I decided to re-write the story way early before it got to into it. I feel with this one, I can continue on since I feel I placed things in the right places ya know?
Hope you enjoyed.