Author's Note: Okay guys this is my first time writing something at all really, like a lengthy story anyway. Love Naruto Fanfics specially Kenchi618s who was probably the main inspiration for me writing this at all. That and no one had updated in ages, and I was itching for some Naruto action! Anyway enough rambling. So pretense is that Naruto's parents left him a fair amount of stuff, money, a small clan compound, etc. Because you know his father was the Hokage, I always wondered why in the show nothing was ever said about inheritance. Naruto also isn't as obnoxious and dimwitted, so I'll say that he has his fathers smarts, rather than his mothers. He's still Naruto but a lot less thick. Anyway if I think of anything else to add I'll let you know :P and review, criticise and what not, it's the only way I'm going to get better :) My writing will most definitely improve over time I believe, and I'm not in any way japanese, so if I get stuff wrong just point it out in a review nicely if it's not too much trouble :P
ANOTHER NOTE (Added 3/12/2012): Will be changing the first few chapters slightly (not sure when but it will happen), only to fix up some problems and make it easier to read in some places. That being said until I do I urge you to give the rest a chance :) and if it's still not something you enjoy reading then that's fine, I can't please everyone :) ... I'll admit my first two chapters aren't my finest work bahahah :P
NOTE (Added 11/01/2013): Have been able to go through and revise a few things in the first two chapters, so you can disregard the above note. Also before you begin reading this story I just want to say that until I completely finish the tale I am treating this story kind of as an open beta. It is more than likely that once I finish and I have the time I'll go back and from the start revise chapters as I re-read it. This is clear up any inconsistencies that might form over the large amount of time it takes to finish and improve the flow and pacing so that it's easier to read from start to finish. Anyway enough rambling.
Enjoy
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The Champion of Clan Namikaze
Chapter 1: Revelations
Hokage's Office
"I think it's about time you went and saw him Jiraiya." Sarutobi said to his former student as he looked out over Konoha.
"Are you sure he's ready? I mean he's already had one shock to the system, he doesn't need another."
"Actually I think that's exactly what he needs. He needs to know that someone other than myself is going to be there for him when things get tough, and with his life as a Jinchuuriki there's no doubt things are going to get much tougher, just look at all abuse he's taken from the village so far. He wants to be real ninja and earn the respect of the village, show him what it means to truly be a Ninja of Konoha Jiraiya, to carry the will of fire, sadly the people of this village haven't done much to set an example for the boy."
Jiraiya stood, rubbing the back of his monstrous white mane, thinking about what he was even going to say to the kid if he agreed.
"Do you really think he can handle it?"
"Jiraiya, as much as we want to protect him, he's about to go out and face the world as a genin, even as a genin things can go wrong. He needs every advantage we can give him, he needs his god-father, and he needs to know about his heritage. After this recent incident with Mizuki, I think he needs to know everything. We can't have this happen again, we, or more frankly, you need to prepare him. If you won't do it for me, do it for Minato."
Looks like I don't have a choice.
With that last sentence the Sandaime Hokage had put the final nail in Jiraiya's coffin, there was no way that Jiraiya could shirk his duty to Naruto any longer. The boy needed a father figure, even if Jiraiya wasn't always around.
"I knew I'd have to get around to telling him everything, I guess now is as good a time as any," Jiraiya said, resigned to the situation, "When you are ready to introduce me to the boy let me know. I'll be doing some 'research' in the meantime," both men sniggered despite the seriousness of the situation and with that Jiraiya jumped out of the window and disappeared, "Seeya old man!"
Good, the boy needs to know he has someone other than Iruka or myself, hey wait! WHAT DID HE JUST CALL ME!
"YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER!" he screamed out after one of the three Legendary Sannin.
xXx
Jiraiya quickly made his way through the village, roof hopping over to a small fence beside the natural springs to catch a quick glimpse at his afternoon delight, the ladies section. Oh they were al naturale, all as naked as the days that they were born and each of them gorgeous.
Man it's good to be back in Konoha, the women don't disappoint! He though as a blush crept up his features and he sniggered while writing in a book, a gleeful expression on his face.
Little did Jiraiya know his sniggering had attracted the attention of a small boy who had been wandering the village, head down as he contemplated everything he had recently learnt about himself and the people of his hometown. He finally knew why everyone hated him, but it didn't make it hurt any less.
He looked up, wondering where the noise was coming from, and saw a largely built man squatting next to what appeared to be the boundary fence of the women's bath section of the hot springs. He had crazy white hair and was wearing a strange outfit.
Pervert Naruto thought as he watched the man snigger and write in his notebook. Picking up a rock he threw it at the man, hoping to distract him from his perverted activities. When it didn't seem to do anything he continued around the corner of a building and headed home.
Due to his rigorous and fantastic research, Jiraiya didn't bother turning straight away when he felt the rock hit him in the head; he was too busy getting an eyeful. By the time he had turned around all he saw was a small boy in an orange jumpsuit rounding a corner.
Goddamn kid he thought. The rock had barely registered, and his annoyance was soon forgotten as he turned back to scene of a naked full chested woman giving her friend a back rub in the spring. Ohhhh yeah, just like that.
xXx
Naruto awoke the next morning to knocking at his door. He quickly jumped out of his pyjamas and into his orange jumpsuit, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he opened the door. He was greeted by Sarutobi and a strange man with waist length white hair and a hitai with the kanji for oil on it.
"Hey ojii-san," Naruto yawned, turning to the other man, "Hey, wait a minute, YOU'RE THAT PERVERT THAT WAS HANGING AROUND THE SPRINGS YESTERDAY!"
"AND YOU'RE THAT KID THAT THREW A ROCK AT ME, I MEAN COME ON, WHO DOES THAT!" Jiraiya replied just as heatedly upon seeing the orange jumpsuit and putting two and two together.
"PERVERT!" Naruto yelled.
"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT! I'M A SUPER PERVERT!" Jiraiya exclaimed, sounding offended someone would underestimate his perverted nature.
"Weirdo." Naruto said while making a mental note that that move might be super handy with dealing with this guy.
Sarutobi could only stand there laughing.
"Okay Naruto calm down, I came to introduce you to this man, he knew your father and has a few things to tell you that I think you should know after your last escapade, which we know wasn't your fault." Sarutobi added to make sure Naruto didn't get too defensive.
This man knew his father? Sarutobi seemed pretty friendly with him too. Despite the man being a complete pervert Naruto was interested.
"So who are you?"
"This Naruto, is one of my former students, his name is Jira-"
"I am the almighty Toad Sage, the ferocious, the fearsome, the deadly, the magnificent Jiraiya of the Sannin!" He stopped dramatically every few words to change his pose as he went through his introduction. He cursed himself for the lack of room outside Naruto's apartment else he would have summoned one of his toads for dramatic effect.
Sarutobi and Naruto could only face-fault at the rather pointless introduction.
"Yes as I was saying Naruto, this is a former student of mine, Jiraiya. He is also your god father."
At this Naruto could only stand with his jaw dropped. His godfather was one of the three Legendary Sannin of Konoha? More importantly how was it that one of the Legendary Sannin and HIS godfather happened to be a massive pervert!
"Well I'm glad I could at least do the introduction, sort of, but I have things to do and it's likely that you two will want to get acquainted." Sarutobi said as he turned to leave.
"Hey wait, you're leaving me alone with 'the kid'/ 'ero-sennin' here!" Naruto and Jiraiya both exclaimed in unison. At that Sarutobi could only tilt his head back and roar with laughter at the two of them, yes they'll get along fine, he thought as he recomposed himself and began to stroll down the street, leaving the two alone.
"Hmph, well come in, you might be a massive pervert but apparently you are my god father, and have some things to tell me." Naruto said to Jiraiya.
"Well actually I thought we could take a walk, looks like you only just got up, bring your wallet, we should get something to eat before we sit down and have a chat."
"What? You're not paying!"
"Pfft, no kid that's what you're here for."
"Some god father you are," Naruto mumbled under his breath.
"Hey I heard that you little snot, now come on, let's go," he said as he walked a distance away, and stopped, turning back and waiting for Naruto to follow.
xXx
As much as Naruto begrudged paying for his food when he had what was as close to a guardian as he would ever have sitting next to him, the ramen he was downing certainly cheered him up.
"Alright kid, let's go for a walk, then I'll tell you everything that you need to know. Okay?"
"Okay," Naruto said as he finished up his meal and they stood, the small orange clad boy walking out of the village with his strange god father.
As much as he thought the man was strange, it was nice having someone to just walk with that wasn't Iruka.
xXx
The spot they had chosen was one of the training grounds for beginner genin, it was peaceful and quiet and they both sat beneath a large tree, sheltering them from the heat of the mid-morning sun.
"Alright kid, I have to warn you that you may not like what I'm about to tell you, but you need to know. You need to grow as a shinobi and a man, and some of this might be a shock to your system but I think it's best if you know now. You know who the Yondaime Hokage is right?"
"Yeah, he was the last Hokage, and he saved the village by sealing this monster inside of me. And since then everybody has hated me! Why do I need to know who he is! He made my life miserable." Naruto could see where this was going, and his anguish was already showing on his face.
"Naruto, he wasn't the only person who saved the village that night. You saved the village. By having the Kyubbi sealed inside of you, you prevented the destruction of the village. The people of this village should see you as their saviour. But they are afraid of you. Fear rules their hearts and they can't see you for you who really are. All they see is the fox that went on a rampage. For that I'm sorry, and for that I bet your father is sorry too. He did the only thing he could to save the village in sealing the kyuubi into you kid. Your father was the Yondaime Hokage Minato Namikaze.
"But WHY WOULD HE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO ME! HIS OWN SON!" Naruto asked as he looked up, tears streaming down his face at what he was learning.
"Because he knew that one day you would make him proud. That you would bear the burden he placed on you and become a saviour of the village. It seemed he had confidence that you, the saviour of the village would grow up to do great things and people wouldn't know you for what is sealed inside you, but for who you really are." Naruto broke down as he came to terms with why he had such a hard childhood. All Jiraiya could do was sit and wait for the kid to calm down.
"Kid, I was once told a prophecy that one day I would have a student and a decision that I made would mean the difference between that person bringing peace to the shinobi world, or casting it into darkness forever. For a while I thought that would be your father. But now I think that your Father always thought that it would be you, his son. I know it's hard, but you have to understand that your father loved you, and he wouldn't have done something like this unless he truly believed in you. Your father believed that you would become a great shinobi, he had faith in you before you were even born kid."
"BUT I'M NOT A GREAT SHINOBI! MY FATHER PUT ME THROUGH HELL!" Naruto was on the verge of losing it. To find out that your father was the Yondaime Hokage would have been fantastic, if it didn't mean that all the pain and misery you'd suffered your whole life was because of him.
"Your dad believed in you Naruto, he believed that whatever hardships you face, you'd overcome them, and I believe that you will. Great shinobi aren't made overnight. You have a lot of hard work cut out for you, but I believe you can make your dad proud."
"WHY? HE WAS MY DAD! HE WAS MY DAD!" as Naruto screamed, breaking down, Jiraiya pulled the young kid who'd already had to suffer so much into a hug.
"He had to save the village, and you were the one he chose to carry his dream of peace into the future, his own son. And I'm sorry too kid," Jiraiya muttered when Naruto had stopped the worst of his outpour.
"What do you have to be sorry for?" Naruto asked, leaning back and wiping tears from his face. He understood what his father had done to save the village, but it didn't make it any easier for Naruto, and it didn't make him any less angry at him or hurt that he would do such a thing.
"Because I've heard how hard it's been for you, and I should have been there for you too, Minato was like a son to me, and I should have been there for his son. I've been busy working for Konoha gathering intelligence, but it didn't mean I shouldn't have been there for you too when I could." Jiraiya said while Naruto gave him a weary punch to the side, "Yeah I know kid, I'm sorry. But I'm here now. I won't be here all the time for you, but when I am you'll know about it. I'm gonna turn you into a shinobi who inspires courage in comrades and instills fear in enemies. Got it!" This got a slight nod from the still very upset Naruto, "good, now anything else you'd like to know."
"What was my mother like?" he asked meekly.
"Hah, Kushina Uzumaki, the red devil. Man that woman was feisty, but she was also a beautiful, caring, loving woman, and I wouldn't have had Minato with anybody else Naruto. Both your parents were amazing people Naruto and they cared about you immensely, as hard as it might be to believe. Meet me here tomorrow morning if you want to start your training with me. Okay?"
"We'll see," Naruto said as he got up and walked home, not sure how to feel.
Well sensei, this is either going to make or break him, we can only hope for the best now.
xXx
That night Naruto lay awake in bed, hundreds of thoughts crossing his mind. After everything he'd learnt about the creature that was inside of him and who sealed it inside of him he was angry. But he couldn't stay angry, he knew that. From what the villagers had always said of the Yondaime, his father had done everything he could to save the village. I guess I was his last resort huh. Well it didn't matter now. All I can do is progress forward. I have to become a great shinobi so that everyone in the village understands that I'll protect them like my father did, and I'll be respected. I'll be Hokage one day. And the only way I'm going to do that is through hard work. Not staying angry at my past. He was relieved though. For so long he'd never known, and now he did. It felt like a part of him had been completed, that uncertainty gone now that he knew who his parents were and that he had a god father that cared about him, even if he is a pervert. And with a final thought about how he had one more person that was going to look out for him when things got tough the Jinchuuriki of Konoha went to sleep with a smile on his face.
xXx
Good at least he came, that's a start Jiraiya thought as he watched Naruto walk over to him from the opposite side of the field.
"How about you test your skills against this old man huh? I need to find out exactly what I'm working with if I'm going to turn you into a master shinobi, they told me you didn't too well in the academy, but that can't be right, not about someone like you can it?" Jiraiya said to Naruto after the kid arrived at the training ground, trying to fire Naruto back up after yesterday. He could see the fight creep back up into the kid's eyes as his resolve steeled.
"No, they've got it dead wrong, I'm going to be Hokage, Dattebayo!," Naruto replied with a smile, and with that he jumped up, the spar already taking his mind off of the angering revelations for now.
"Good, well let's see just what you've got, I want to see if you can hit me. When you can hit me once, I'll teach you an A ranked secret ninjutsu that only I know how to do. How does that sound?"
"You've got it ero-sennin, be prepared to cough up a secret technique." And with that Naruto crossed his fingers in a seal and shouted, "Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu)," creating over 150 clones; Jiraiya found himself in a sea of orange.
"Well would you look at that, huh, well COME GET SOME!" The legendary toad sage shouted in challenge at the crowd of Narutos.
20 Narutos charged in at Jiraiya as he stood in the middle of the clones. They were attacking from all sides, Naruto smirked, getting a new technique is going to be easy. He obviously didn't know what it meant to be a Sannin.
Jiraiya lashed out at the first clone to approach him with a hard right, dispelling it, while simultaneously dropping into a crouch and following with a low sweep that knocked the legs out from beneath a bunch of clones dispelling four more. In a flurry of taijutsu the remaining fifteen clones were destroyed by horrifically powerful blows.
Well crap Naruto thought. All he could do was stand and watch as his clones futilely attacked the legendary shinobi, getting cut down by vicious strikes. Standing and watching as Jiraiya cut through the numerous Narutos the original had an idea. It was a long shot and he had no idea if it was going to work. First he needed to test this guy's defences and for that he needed a better assault. He started coordinating groups of clones to attack from certain angles while others converged on Jiraiya from opposing sides, attempting to catch him off guard.
It didn't matter though, no matter what angle he attacked from or how many clones he used they were all cut down. Even when it looked like Jiraiya was about to be overwhelmed he simply performed a jutsu that caused him to be surrounded by his hair. HIS HAIR! It then proceeded to turn razor sharp and cause all of the attacking clones to be destroyed. Naruto was starting to see why this guy was a Sannin.
It didn't even look like he was trying. I mean sure, Naruto understood that he wasn't much of a challenge to any shinobi yet, but the sheer numbers he was throwing at this guy should have fazed him a little bit, shouldn't it? He had to learn that technique to become stronger. He had to gain respect from the village.
Naruto made a clone to stand in his place and rushed in with a group of clones attacking the Sannin, his hair now receded. Jiraiya was shredding the clones and Naruto could only wonder what those punches and kicks felt like. He got right up next to Jiraiya only for him to lash out with an incredibly fast punch. Naruto was ready, he shifted slightly to the side as he tried to step past the punch, but it clipped him in the shoulder. The force was enough that it would have wiped out a clone and Naruto cried out with tears in his eyes from the pain. He desperately tried to lash out with a punch that would land, but Jiraiya smiled and quickly followed up with a second punch that launched Naruto out of the fray, slamming into a nearby tree. Darkness enveloped his senses as a he fell unconscious.
xXx
When Naruto came too it looked like it was mid-afternoon. Had it been that long already?
"Ahh kid, hah, I see you've woken up." Jiraiya said as he offered the boy what looked to be an ice-block.
"That hit, damn. You are so strong, and you want to train me? Thanks," he said as he took the iced treat.
"Hahahaha you've got spirit, and you've got guts, what were you thinking trying to attack yourself?" Jiraiya asked.
"Well I noticed that you were attacking my clones and it seemed that after a while you got so used to them being clones that you never bothered to check whether or not they dispelled."
Good, the kid's observant.
"Hahahaha, well you were good to pick up on that. I decided to make it look that way to see if you'd pick up on it, and to see how you'd react. I liked that you noticed, but your plan of attack was a bit brash. How are you feeling?"
"A bit sore, but overall I'm fine," Naruto said as he rolled out his left arm, and then his right, switching the hand holding the ice-block.
"You're pretty durable kid to take a hit like that, and those chakra reserves, geez, no wonder you could never do a regular bunshin, you have way too much chakra. Probably thanks to your resident fox. Kage Bunshin are better than regular bunshin anyway. Do you know why? Not only are they solid, but have you noticed a special trait they have."
"Hmmm I haven't been using them that long. But the more I fought you the more I understood about how you fought. Understanding that wasn't coming straight from me looking at them get demolished. So I'd say that whatever they learn or see, when they get dispelled their knowledge gets passed to me?"
"Bingo kid. Here let's do a demonstration, make a clone." Jiraiya said, and with a poof a perfect copy of Naruto was now standing next to him. "Okay, get that clone to stand behind me and look at my hand," He said as he put a hand behind his back and Naruto's clone followed the instruction. "Now tell me how many fingers I'm holding up."
Naruto's clone looked down at Jiraiya's hand as they both sat eating ice-blocks and dispelled.
"3," Naruto said after a flash of memories returned to him, "Wow that was cool, I guess I never noticed during the rush of battle."
"Now what can you use this to help you with Naruto?" Jiraiya asked seriously.
"Hmmmm, training, oh wow, I'm gonna be awesome in no time with the amount of clones I can make! Dattebayo!"
"Hahahaha calm down kid, it is true that you can accelerate your training, but you need to have something to train at first."
"Right, so are you going to teach me anything?" Naruto asked eagerly.
Man is this what it is like to have a clan, to have someone to teach you? It's great! I'm going to catch up to all the others in no time!
"For now, no," Naruto's heart sank, "Haha get that stupid look off your face kid, of course I'm going to teach you, but for now I want you to work on some basics."
"What like in the academy! Man not that stuff," Naruto said crestfallen.
"Naruto let me finish. I want to teach you some basic chakra manipulation, and I want you to practice on your taijutsu, because that is what can be a life saver in fights. Of course as you get better I'll teach you more and more, but I also want you teaching yourself. Go to the library when you can and pick up some scrolls. You have a headband now so you can visit the low level restricted section being a graduate of the academy. Go in there and try and find some scrolls on anything about the shinobi art that interests you. You might even find some scrolls on your taijutsu technique. It's great to be versatile and a brawler, it can really throw an opponent off. But there are times when you need the power and precision of a real taijutsu form, got it kid?"
"Hai, ero-sennin,"
"Hahahaha righto you little snot, anyway if you keep up training with those clones of yours and keep at it, you'll be great in no time. You have stupid amounts of chakra; use it to your advantage with these clones. Now what I want to teach you today is wall walking."
"Say what?"
"Wall walking is the when you use chakra manipulation to stick to surfaces, there are other applications for using chakra to stick to things, but most people use it on their feet and hands to stick to walls or stand on water, here like this," Jiraiya explained as stood up and walked over to the nearest tree, walking straight up the side.
"WOW! That's so cool, if only I knew how to do that when I was painting the Hokage monument!" Jiraiya just laughed at that.
"What you want to do Naruto is focus your chakra to your feet in an even layer and use that to stick to the tree. You have a lot of chakra so the chakra control won't be as easy for you, but with those clones you should get it in no time. Now you have a go. Try to do it without using seals to focus your chakra; you'll get a better hang for it that way."
"Okay, 'Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu)'" 100 clones sprang into existence all with wall walking on their minds. They all sprinted up the nearest unoccupied tree attempting to use their chakra to stick while the original just stood and watched. Every single clone fell to the ground, dispelling on impact. The influx of memories dazed the young shinobi a little, not quite used to having 100 memories enter his mind at once, but it didn't deter him from trying again. This time he created only twenty, and had each of them run up the tree. They made it slightly further before losing control and falling. Determined to succeed Naruto tried again and again, ann within an hour they made it. He had gleaned enough of the technique from the previous waves that all of them were now standing perpendicular to the bark on the trees in the training ground. The look on his face was priceless. Jiraiya himself was proud of the kid.
"Hell Naruto, I'm going to be teaching you a lot if you learn that fast!" Jiraiya said in praise.
"Damn straight ero-sennin, Dattebayo!"
"Hahahaha okay you little snot let's get out of here, it's getting late and I've got stuff to do."
As they were walking back to Naruto's apartment Jiraiya turned to Naruto, "Hey kid, I'll be heading away for about a week so keep up the training and get better with that chakra manipulation. I want you to start using it whenever it's convenient to stick to anything with any part of your body got it? That kind of manipulation can come in very useful in fights. Try a bit of water walking if you feel up to it. It's a more advanced technique that's a little harder. If you manage to do that and all of your other stuff practice your taijutsu while water walking and wall walking. In no time you'll be a master of the stuff."
"Hai ero-sennin" Naruto was already keen to start his training. He couldn't wait to get down all these new techniques he was going to learn.
"Okay good, now I'll see you next week back at that training ground," And without so much as a sound Naruto's god father was gone, and Naruto was left to walk home in silence.
xXx
After getting up and eating some instant ramen Naruto was about to head out when he heard a knock at the door. Opening it he found once again the Sandaime Hokage standing in front of him, a genuine smile on his face as he looked at Naruto.
"Hey ojii-san," Naruto said before the old man could get anything out, "You could have told me about my parents, but I guess you didn't know how I'd react. Thanks for introducing me to ero-sennin, as pervy as he is he's a really great guy, he even taught me some cool stuff!"
"That's great Naruto," the relief and happiness spread across his face at how well Naruto was taking everything now, "Now that you know who your parents are I think it's about time you moved house. How would you like to live in your parents' old place, it is after all, rightfully yours."
"I'd love it!" Naruto said his eyes lighting up as he rushed out of the house to follow Sarutobi.
xXx
They walked through the city for some time, heading over to where the major clan compounds were, passing the Uchiha, Hyuuga, and Nara compounds. They reached the end of a small street, walked through a small gate and Naruto was granted with an amazing sight.
"This Naruto is the Namikaze compound. It's been deserted since the unfortunate passing of your parents but now that you know your heritage you are free to live in here. I'm sure there are still belongings sitting in that building ready to be yours, no one has yet been able to get in, but I have a feeling you'll be fine. As for money, your father was a stickler for seals. I guess anything of value is kept in summoning scrolls and I bet that they'll only open for you. Any food that was in there would be rotten and it's probably incredibly dusty, so you might want to go shopping. You also might want to think about getting some new clothes if you want to be taken seriously as a shinobi Naruto, orange might be a great colour for grabbing attention, but attention isn't what you want from your enemies. Anyway I'm glad I could finally give you this place, I'll see you around." The Hokage went to leave before turning around, "And one more thing,"
"Yeah jiji?"
"Try not to let too many people know your heritage. It may be hard now that you live here, but not many people come around this way, so you should be fine."
"But why wouldn't I want people to know my dad was the Hokage? They might respect me then?"
"Your father had a lot of enemies Naruto. For now, until you get stronger it would be best if people didn't know. Maybe when you get a genin team you can tell them, if you really must, but keep the information to yourself for now okay?"
"Okay." The boy smiled, "thanks Ojii-san," Naruto said, tears coming to his eyes. Looking back to the house for a second before turning back he found the Hokage had already used Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) and was nowhere to be seen, "Man I need to learn how to use that."
The compound wasn't nearly as large as any of the other clan compounds, as there had only been his father and his mother. But it was still beautiful, if a little overgrown. There was a main building in the centre of the rectangular compound that was 3 stories tall, it was ringed by balconies on each floor and had a pointed shingled roof. Being the only building in the compound Naruto assumed that this would now be his house; the house that his parents had lived in. What amazed him though was the surrounding woodland. The compound wasn't huge by any means but with the house being only building the amount of woodland that surrounded it was awesome. There were gardens and ponds, trees and hedges, everything was overgrown but it was still great! There were even dirt areas that were now covered in weeds that were obviously training grounds with their wooden dummies having fallen apart. It needed a lot of work but that's what shadow clones were for; he didn't envy his copies.
He walked up to the main entrance and tried to get inside. The door wouldn't budge. There didn't seem to be any obvious way to get in. Well this is great, why would ojii-san give me a house I can't get into. As he turned around and sat down on the ground to think he let his head fall back and hit the door. A thin cloud of dust fell from the painted surface. Looking up he could see what appeared to be the faint outline of a seal underneath the dust on the door. He walked up to it and did the only thing he could think of. He applied a small amount of chakra to the seal. It flashed and the door swung open.
There were a tonne of rooms in the house and he could just imagine what it would be like living here all his life. The thought brought tears to his eyes, as he thought about the life that could have been, had the attack on Konoha never come.
Naruto explored the first floor. The house was large, but it didn't feel too big or empty. It did however feel old, but Naruto just put that down to the extreme amount of dust. The first floor contained a main living area, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Most of the floor was dominated by the living area that joined straight onto the kitchen. The Dining room was tucked away, and although still large looked like it was only used for special occasions.
The second floor had a few rooms, a study, armoury, bathroom and a guest bedroom. The two most noticeable rooms were the study and the small armoury. The armoury was no doubt small because of his father's notable use of seals, and he likely stored his equipment in the numerous scrolls his Father had stored in a chest sitting flush against the far wall. Naruto tried opening a scroll but it was sealed shut. He couldn't even unroll one of them. They had the strange seal that was on the front door sitting on the seam of the scroll. Applying a small amount chakra to the seal, it flashed, and the scroll unlocked. Opening it up, it had a number of storage arrays on it. Each had a different word written underneath, whether it was shuriken, kunai, hiraishin or a number of others. He didn't know what a hiraishin was, but he'd look into that later. For now he placed his hand on the shuriken one and channelled a small amount of chakra again. In a puff of smoke, a small pile of shuriken appeared on the scroll in front of him, all in perfect condition. Huh I guess things don't rust in a storage scroll, this is great, I have my own freaking arsenal! Dattebayo! I can go through all of this stuff later, I should keep exploring the house.
Naruto went into the study to find an extravagant room with a large desk, no doubt used by his father when writing out seals. There was an ink pot filled with dry ink and a few brushes. The walls of the room were covered in bookshelves with each and every one of them covered in books. They were dusty, but over the years no one had stolen them, they couldn't have, and they didn't look damaged.
Naruto ran a finger over a few books as they sat on the shelf. Maybe I can learn some new techniques from my parents' collections.
He'd have a look later; or rather he'd get some clones to go through them.
Excited to finish exploring the house Naruto continued up to the final floor. He went through a number of rooms; mainly a bunch of bedrooms. He opened one door and couldn't help but fall to the floor as he went weak in the knees.
It was his room. It had been set up as a nursery. All Naruto could do was sit and cry as he thought about the life he could have had in this room; the memories that might have been. He got up after a while, he didn't know how long had passed, and walked over to the crib, his crib. The crib his parents had made for him in the room that his parents had made for him, it was perfect. It was all he could do not to break down again as he stood there looking around that room. After a time standing and looking out the window that looked onto the beautiful yet currently overgrown grounds he turned and left, closing the door on the life he never had.
The final room was one that he figured was the master bedroom, it also had a massive seal in the centre of it, and he pulsed some of his chakra through it in order to open the door. Inside was a massive room, with a giant four poster against the wall opposite the door. It was a gorgeous bed, hell the whole room looked magnificent. In the centre of the room was a giant rug over a hard wood floor, two small dressers sat on each side of the bed, and over on the left side of the room was what looked to be a walk in wardrobe. An ensuite opened onto both the bedroom and the wardrobe, while a large couch, coffee table and another bookshelf sat to the right of the bed, before doors opened onto the balcony.
Naruto walked over to the dresser and saw something that sent pangs of pain through his chest once again. There was a picture of his father and mother. His mother was clearly pregnant, and they were both smiling happily at whoever was taking the photo, his father with his hand on his mother's stomach. He couldn't stay angry at his father. All the resentment melted away, after seeing this house, his room, and now this photo, Naruto knew what kind of man his father was. The fact that he had to seal the kyuubi into Naruto to save the village obviously meant it was a last resort and even though Naruto had suffered for it, he couldn't stay angry, not at this man, smiling so happily in this photo of his family.
As Naruto sat down on the bed and stared at the beautiful picture of his parents a single tear fell from his face and landed on the photo.
"I'll make you proud mum and dad. Wherever you are, I'll make you proud."
