For the disclaimer, please look to my profile. I have extensively outlined what I do and do not take credit for.

This is indeed my first fanfiction. Also, I currently do not have a Beta editor. This isn't an advertisement for one, but rather a humble warning. My grammar is not impeccable, and although I do edit it a couple times before submitting my story, errors always seem to leak through -- despite Microsoft's best efforts.

For the reviews (if you choose to submit one,) please keep it to constructive criticism. Although I do not mind flames (hey, freedom of speech, right) they really do not help me improve as a writer. Lastly, any commentary on race/gender/etc that may be implicitly or explicitly said in this fanfiction, is NOT intended to upset anyone. It certainly does not reflect my personal views, and I try to keep those issues out of my writing. If someone is truly insulted, pleace just e-mail/PM/review and let me know.

Lastly, up here is the section you can look to for all future review-replies. I'll pick out the interesting ones and reply to them once in a while. As for chapter length, the intro is a little shorter than what I'll normally have it. This particular chapter is about eight pages, but I plan on having most chapters around 20. (This compensates for my insanely slow updating... I hope.)

Well, enjoy!

EDIT (April 17, 2009): I added another scene regarding the actual negotiation process to make the plot smoother and help readers understand what exactly was going on.

For every shadow there is a light. For every war there has been an era of peace. For every force there is an opposing one. The lines between one and the other have always been solid. And then there came a legacy which blurred every pre-existing boundary.

The Great Council of Kages met once more – the final time before drawing the peace settlements after the Second Great Ninja War had exhausted itself. There were bitter memories amongst the kages as the rivals bickered immaturely. But the gravity of the situation soon ended all chatter. The Sandaime was back on his throne, tragically, and Konoha had the greatest weapon – at what could possibly be the greatest cost. Uzumaki Naruto's special conditions mandated this emergency meeting. They had previously agreed to a balance of powers amongst the five great nations, thereby assuring that mutual deterrence would prevent any possibility of war.

"Uzumaki Naruto must be treated like an ordinary child. He needs to be nurtured and – "

"Hokage-dono, regardless of what he needs, it is in the best interests of the world to do so otherwise. I believe it is most utilitarian to reach a said compromise." The Mizukage commented wisely. "After all, what the Tsuchi are asking for is not entirely unreasonable."

The Tsuchikage chimed in. "We just want assurance that our nations will not be attacked. With his… conditions, there is almost a guarantee that he will become a shinobi, and a powerful one. We don't need another Yellow Flash." She quietly reminded the Sandaime Hokage.

"So what sort of compromise is this? We cannot split a boy." The Raikage furiously crossed his arms. Why wasn't his nation receiving any compensations? Although, he supposed, the eight-tailed ox was more than enough.

"But we can." The Tsuchikage calmly smiled. "Not at once, but, we can… I move that Uzumaki Naruto should fall under Tsuchi jurisdiction for the first thirteen years of his life. All the sciences prove that these are the most formative in developmental stages, and with this Naruto will be allied – at least subconsciously – to the Stone. He will certainly not attack us. It is in our best interest to take care of him well, leaving a good impression on the boy. This is your primary concern, Hokage-dono, so it appears we have a mutual desire."

The Hokage was not so naïve. If there was anything his years of experience had taught him, it was that trust had to be earned – especially with the Stone. "And should Uzumaki Naruto… for some strange reason, which might coincidentally have nothing to do with you," the Hokage continued, sarcastically, "disappear? Or die? Why should we trust you? His lineage entitles him to the Leaf."

The Raikage stepped in again. Why was the bastard always poking in anyways? "His lineage makes him a threat to the rest of us! If you can't trust a simple deal like that, then these negotiations are doomed from the start!"

"And after thirteen?"

"He returns to Konoha, ready and willing to be a ninja and serve the Hokage-dono." She calmly smiled.

The old man looked around the table. No one was supporting him – he was automatically overruled and the negotiations had been deemed a success. A success for the world – at the simple expense… of one boy's soul.

The sun gently caressed the Tsuchigakure's earth. The air was a crisp, fresh morning air only available here. The unique surroundings of the village held home to some of the rarest flora and fona. As a breeze blew, the air followed through undisturbed by any trees or shrubbery. This village was… special. Unique, to say the very least. It held no magnificent trees such as the Leaf, nor the large, beautiful waterfalls which surrounded the ninja village of Kirigakure. Unlike the Cloud, it was not built on spectacular technologies and beautiful holograms. It was very much a strange place to a newcomer. Naruto wondered, as he sat on his balcony underneath his sunroof, just what was it about this village he loved so much. He smiled, trying to image just what would a newcomer say had they approached this natural marvel. Indeed, no one less than a Jounin could even tell a soul even lived here, and only an ANBU Black Ops or above could tell it was a village. The nature of the very earth was invisible. It was built on the great legacy of the Shodaime Tsuchikage. He snorted, thinking about Konoha – with huge gates, at least two stories tall, as if crying 'Here I am, invade me!' He wondered, truly, how it was that the world thought Konoha of all places was the strongest place. Gently grasping his balcony, he smiled. It was a marvel. The earth. The entire village was invisible to any outsider. The nature of the very earth was transparent. Furthermore, all buildings were founded from the hardest earth channeled from the very core of the planet. And yet, there was beauty in it all.

Uzumaki Naruto – like all Stone ninjas – was proud of his upbringing… It took thirteen, long years for this day, but it came nonetheless. It was the day before his ninja career finally began. Tomorrow, he was to become a genin of the village Tsuchikagure. Their lessons at the academy had become quite interesting. Well, lessons were always interesting, but recently they had become even more so. As the day of graduation approached, he figured the teachers wanted it a bit more lax… Perhaps that explained the no homework? He never could quite understand it. No doubt he was grateful… It was just… Why? It was then that the Tsuchikage stepped in, smiling.

"Naruto-kun, do you have a minute?"

He smiled and nodded. It was always the how she addressed him whenever it was an important talk. He had a minute, no doubt, but he was sure the conversation was going to take up the whole day. Perhaps even several. But he went along, nonetheless. Perhaps it was something inside of him, but he was happy whenever he looked at her. Indeed, she was his safe haven. It was about ten years ago when she adopted him formally, but ever since the beginning he'd grown up in her arms. She forbade her to formally call her 'Kaka-chan', but Naruto did anyways. She was his equivalent of a mother regardless. The village was split between a hatred and an adoration for him. The part that adored him? Well that was simple enough. He held the demon which had done so much damage to Konohagakure no Soto. It was the demon inside of him the worshipped, thanking it for every soul it killed. He also served as the protection between the demon and themselves, and for that he was a hero as well. While this was true, it was the other part of the village which he consciously received. The majority, that is. While he holding the demon was a fact, it was only the shinobi portion of the village which knew this. The civilians were not up to date on shinobi tactics, and they certainly knew even less of jutsus. They cared very little for the feats of shinobis – this wasn't to say that they weren't grateful, no. It was just that it was something beyond them, something that they simply accepted without care. But what they did know was pain. Their hard-earned fields burned to ashes during the Third Great Ninja War. They knew the pain of their family members dying. They knew the pain that was caused by Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime Hokage. He remembered the day he had found out… He remembered the anger he experienced. It was also the first time he had come face to face with the demon.

'The Third Great Ninja War – Lesson Fifteen: The Legends and Stories.'

It was cleanly written on the board. A brown-vested Chuunin came up and smiled. "My favorite topic. But before we begin, we're going to have a one-week lesson. It's a lesson on, many things. What being a shinobi means… What it means to live. Anything and let's being."

Another man now stepped up. "We're going to start with a little pre-cursor and our academy scheduling and the path to being a ninja for the Stone, as compared to other villages." The eight-year olds stared up in awe. It was their second year of ninja training, and this year sounded like it was fun already. "Our particular academy, after being reformed by the Sandaime Tsuchikage, has altered its lesson training. While most villages will teach you the basics of fighting – taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu… We will not learn that until you become genin." The kids all sighed, dissappointedly. "Rather, we teach you something far more important in life. What it means to be a ninja: it's hard going out there into battle. It's hard for small kids, just genin, trying to do real missions and tryin to face the world. We teach you what it really means to kill… We have moral debates on killing, and philosophy lessons about life. This is all to help you cope with the ability to kill. It's to help you make your own nindo, your own ninja way. So when you really do go out there, when you go out on a mission and it's a question of your friends or the success of the mission, you know what to do. So when one person is holding your teammate hostage and saying he'll kill him unless you kill your other teammate, you can make a choice. We teach you how to live. How to face such terrors, because the burden you carry is insurmountable. It's insane to expect a child to go out there and give his all… and kill someone. It's hard. Losing one's innocence is something time is responsible for, and it happens in its own good time. Speeding it up is like having your hair ripped off instead of waiting to grow bald. This is the fundamental difference between us and them – that by the time you guys go out, you will know what you're doing! There are no Iwa genins, scared out there, unnerved… Waiting for something to happen. No. We are not helpless. Few in number we are. Few in missions we are. But we are not helpless. Every genin out there is just as capable as any other ninja. The only difference is experience. Our genin are not to be trifled with. Our ninja are not to be trifled with. Providing the background for your knowledge and true essence of spirit is what the academy is for. It's a cushion for the fall that all ninja take later on. At any point if you want to quit, you may do so. It is our own humanity we try to preserve. We teach you what you're really getting yourselves into. So, without further ado, let us begin…"

"During war, we must realize that atrocities as well as the greatest acts of compassion occur – from both sides. We are all one and the same. The depictions of heroes and villains… These are all simply greys that we ourselves construct. There is no black and white. There is no absolute truth. The Yondaime Hokage, our greatest villain and foe, is the Leaf Village's greatest hero. The Shodaime Tsuchikage, our greatest hero, is the Kiri's greatest villain and ciminal. Atrocities of the same kind have been committed on both sides. During the Third Great War, when we fell at the banks of Hana, the villages were left undefended… The Leaf stormed in, killing all the men and children first… After that, the women were all bound together and raped, one by one… The Leaf's most famous motto during that week was 'take a whore and give her more.' It's what they said while they were drunk. Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime, raped a village girl by the name of Kushina. We are not sure if her child survived, but after the rapings were done, she along with all the women likewise were burned. This, of course, was never documented. If you go to the Leaf village today, the Yondaime Hokage is a hero. He was compassionate, he was an ethical man who lived by great standards… What we have to remember is that these same atrocities are committed by both the lowest of the mercenaries, to the highest of the kages themselves. By both the Iwa, as well as the Leaf. War is war, my friends. And we are all just pawns in the greater picture. Essentially, we are all the same. The Kami's above do not declare a good side and a bad side. We are nin… all simply humans trying to survive. It is the nature of our destinies as shinobi which is the greatest tragedy of all.'

The Tsuchikage had called him in that day, right after the lesson. His father was one of those many shinobi who had… one of those rape fests… and he was the product of that accident.

"Minato had a confirmed success of your mother's pregnancy. He was planning on fully killing her. After all, he was a Leaf kage. News that he impregnated a foreign peasant girl would be devastating. However, the Kyuubi no Yoko's attack on Konoha made him change his mind. We all know the rest of the story, Naruto." He was now in a large embrace courtesy of the Tsuchikage.

Naruto's voice was dangerously quiet. "What happened to Kushina?"

"In light of the Kyuubi, he took her immediately. She was approximately four months pregnant at that point, and he kept her secret. Away from the rest of Konoha… in his own house. I have a pretty good idea of what went on in that house, but… Well, it's not very pretty."

"I… Want. To know."

"He did as every other unmarried, ex-ANBU Captain did. Suffice it to say that he indulged himself in carnal pleasures every night. In terms of her pregnancy, he treated her well. There were four doctors at her side every waking minute. After her pregnancy, she was found dead. There is no evidence that the Yondaime himself killed her, or if he gave orders to anyone to kill her… But it is very likely."

"Before you start getting angry, please realize that there is more to the story than we know. Kushina went to the Leaf of her own will. She knew what she was getting into – and I don't think he forced her into this. Furthermore, you are not the only one. This story is shared with the whole host of war orphans. The Yondaime was one of numerous shinobi who partook in such actions. We have generals who committed the exact same acts." This was of virtually no consolation. "Also, he was of the hokage bloodline. Distant newphew to Tsunade, who was the grandaughter of the Shodaime Hokage. Unlike anyone else, his childhood was the definition of pressure. He was forced to succeed. At five he was in ANBU roots, rather than the Academy – which is where he should have gotten his preliminary training. By eight he had learned to kill. Each time we kill it tears a way at a little more of our humanity. You know this. He had no stable method to keep that sustaining. Drunken nights, strip clubs… these were all a shinobi had in those days. Kill a guy, go get booze. Your friend dies? Go get booze… It was an era of irresponsibility. The fundamental messages that we have in our academy today was lacking for him. I know it isn't of much consolation, but before you judge him… Try placing yourself in his shoes… Kushina was where he just cracked. The stress of the ANBU own parents dying. All the emotions were kept inside for so long. That is what we are trying to prevent in our education with the Academy. You have to realize, that your father was just as human – despite you believing otherwise – as anyone else. The Shodaime Tsuchikage, just like any other human, sinned. The bastard Yondaime Hokage, sinned as well."

Naruto's fists were still clenched. His teeth gritted. "Why did he treat her like that?"

The Tsuchikage knew this was coming. She had anticipated and prepared what she thought was an honest enough response. "To be truthful Naruto, I don't know. And for her death? I don't know. We have no evidence of who killed her. All we know is that it was not a natural death. But, towards the end… I do believe they started to have feelings for each other."

Naruto's head shot up, in more anger than in wonderment.

"All actions, regardless of intention, have consequences. You were the product of an accident, but even still, I do believe you brought them together. We have testimony's from few people saying they had seen the two together once in a while. Simply walking next to each other. He started taking her out more. Naruto forgiveness is God's greatest gift to us. I'm not here to preach to you, but you must realize this. A shinobi's life is far too short to hold grudges. Terrible things happen in the battlefield, and it's what makes us human. It's those tragedies that help us see who we really are. It's this irony that we try to teach you at the academy. That's why we learn about the other villages from our nuetral perspective."

Naruto remembered that night clearly. It explained a lot, really. Why so many of the villages hated him. Even he looked at himself in disgust. The blood that flowed in his veins… It was the blood of an ANBU officer too weak to be a man. Too weak to be decent person. His father was a monster. Naruto couldn't accept it. There had to be a better reason – and yet there wasn't. He was human… Humans make mistakes. Was that really all there was to it? It was so hard to forgive his father for such a huge mistake. He could picture his arrogant bastard of a father boasting to his friends. Top of his class… First to become Jounin… Promoted to special Jounin… ANBU Captain… Hokage. And all of that for what… For this? To make a son he regretted. To rape an innocent woman. To seal a fucking demon into that son he didn't even want. Naruto grimaced. He couldn't even look at himself in the mirror. Half of his blood was that of a monster. Inside, he did hold a moster. The greatest monster that ever lived. His mother, on the other hand, was truly something. Even despite his father's actions, she still went to him for delivery. Probably for Naruto. Of all the people in the world, his mother probably truly, deeply loved him. At least, that's what he thought then.

The truth? It was far different. If his father was the epitome of weakness, his mother was the living incarnation of disgust. She didn't love Naruto – and it didn't take more than five minutes of talking to an ordinary citizen to figure that out. He was walking through the shopping complex one day as usual, when the owner kindly refused to sell him anything. He inquired why, but she refused to say anything. It was then he heard an old woman laughing behind him.

"You want to know why we hate you?"

"Mother! Stop!" The other lady tried to shush her mother, but the elder woman didn't heed her daughter's words.

"Hahahaha. My daughter is afraid because you are the Tsuchikage's adopted son. Too bad that doesn't stop the truth, does it."

Naruto nodded, innocently.

"So, you want to know the truth about your mother? I know her very well, very well indeed… You want to know how? Because I owned was quite famous, actually. Renowned for her actions, actually. Wars brought bad times, economically speaking. She needed a way to live. And she chose the easiest, least honorable method – one that fed right into human weakness: prostitution. In the red light districts, she was one of the most expensive. She didn't have any family or anything. No, she chose prostitution because she lusted. She fucked people and she liked it. And any reputation she had, even as a prostitute, was lost when she did the unthinkable – she served a certain ANBU captain. So it wasn't exactly rape. It was more of a quick fuck… for money. He was the enemy, but he was rich. And that was all that mattered to her. She came back with a fortune. Word soon got out, and she fled. Fled like the little whore she was. What a bitch. She did something unforgivable, and then was too cowardly to face the consequences of her actions. Ah, but where did she have to go? No where but back to the father's house, especially with you in her stomach getting bigger every day. That was something unexpected by both of them, wasn't it. It was just supposed to be a quicky. But all sins seep out eventually. Doesn't matter who, where, when, or why. All sins come out into the open, and in her case, it was coming out. You, child, are the product of a sin. A product of a crime. It is for this reason that so many of us despise you. It is the same weakness you were created by which fuels our hatred for you. Because we cannot bring ourselves to face one of our own member's actions. So we shun you. We cannot bring ourselves to forgive her, so we monsterize you. We are too weak to appreciate the ironic tragedy that is a shinobi's life… So we hate you. You are too young to understand something like this… But when you're outside of it all, the right path seems so easy doesn't it. But when war came, it was I who started the whore shop. I owned and traded sluts just like all of them. But what could I do? I, too had a family to feed. When that weakness finally comes upon you… You don't realize it until it's too late. Until it feeds off of you and you no longer have freedom. It gives you intial happiness – in the short term – and you're happy. But when it's all said and done, you are robbed of your strength. After that there's only one place to go… And that's for Kami to decide. Even until then, the guilt of your weakness haunts you."

Naruto remembered that day all too well. And in a way he was grateful for finding out. It made him who he was. It was his hatred which fueled him. He couldn't handle that sort of weakness. So he heeded to the old woman's words and did the first and most obvious thing to get out of that path – he vowed to stop hating his father and mother. They both portrayed weakness, yes. But that didn't mean he could as well. He wasn't quite ready to forgive yet, no. That only time could bring. But he wouldn't let his heritage bring him down in every aspect. At least, that's what he told himself.

In reality, it constantly haunted him. Behind his mask, he was full of anger. Anger at himself mainly. Anger at his past. Naruto didn't want that same weakness to haunt him. The vengeance. The anger. The blind hatred. He tried, so, so hard not to fall into them. And yet, it was as though all his efforts only sucked him into it further. He couldn't simply couldn't accept his parents actions. And it was thus that he found his own weakness – anger. It was a consolation – a small one, to be sure, but a consolation nonetheless. Just as he couldn't help but get angry, it was in his mother's nature to… well. Lust. It was his father's weakness from war to seek an escapist route. They all had their share of weaknesses – just as all people did. It was this realization that hit it home. That was why the academy was there. It all started to make sense now. It was these small little things that welled up when you put innocent kids in battle fields and asked them to kill. It was these small things that exploded. And that's why the Tsuchi Academy made sure everyone had their basics. It was to prevent future incidents like that. With that, Naruto vowed that someday, he wasn't sure when or how, but someday, he would forgive his parents.

The Tsuchikage tapped him again back to reality. He was dazed by the view, once again. "Gomen, Kaka-chan."

She simply smiled and paused, as if choosing her words very carefully. "You are a very special boy." Naruto began to panic. Those words were never good. Ever. "In approximately a month, Jiraiya the Toad Sannin from the Hidden Leaf village will be coming." Naruto involuntarily gagged. Perhaps it was his childish-ness, reacting to virtually every sentence. Regardless, a myriad of emotions were going through him, plainly visible on his countenance. She smiled.

"No, there is no war nor fight. This is a peaceful escort. Naruto, before you react… I want you to listen very carefully to everything… And when I am done, if you so choose, you may release your emotions…" She said this all rather slowly, emphasizing each and every word. Naruto's eyes widened. He was known to react. Compared to many of the other Stone residents, he was… a maelstrom of sorts. He was wild, untamed, even primordial. But she had never asked him to be quiet (this was her polite version, of course.) Even when the damiyo came for dinner, and he was talking his mouth to the ceiling, she simply chuckled and hugged him. This was… He shut his brain and just listened. "He is coming to take you… To take you home. You have been told about your heritage, so this shouldn't be that great of a surprise. But when you were born, there was a treaty to maintain the balance of power among the great ninja nations."

'Power? Oh Kami-sama…' Naruto instinctively grabbed his stomach. That was the power people were after.

"Yes. The Leaf couldn't become too powerful, so to counter-act that, they let you grow up in Tsuchikagure. So that, if you grew up, perhaps you'd be more hesitant to attack us. And so… in one month, approximately, you'll be leaving."

Naruto didn't say anything. In fact, he didn't even react… physically. Inside, however, there was a tornado. The Leaf. Where his mother and father had both died. Had they left secret diaries? He was the Hokage, they had to have. Would they perhaps somehow reveal another reason for their actions? He stopped himself there. He knew that was just another escapist route he was taking. Hoping, praying that perhaps there was a way out. But that was just it: there was no other way out. He either had to be man enough to face his past before looking to the future, or simply be caught up in it day after day. As she said, 'all sins come out some day.' And his parents were coming out in his life. He'd just have to be strong enough to face it. Yes, he couldn't afford to be weak. There was enough weakness to end world hunger… He'd be different. He'd be one of the strong. He would change his destiny. He looked up at his foster mother and smiled. "Kaka-chan, I'll miss you."

She embraced him. Not as the Godaime Tsuchikage, but as his 'Kaka-chan.' She pulled him in tightly and simply let her tears flow. But the fuzzy moments were easily cut away by her Tsuchikage hat. Putting it on, she quickly returned to her 'busy' mode. Clearing her throat, she continued. "So, in light of this, we're going to have to start training. You're going to be growing up among Leaf shinobi with Leaf standards. In the academy we train to you make sure you know what you're getting into, but we don't actually start fighting. The Leaf will be a little differently. In training and sparring, they'll be far ahead of you. So we've got to get you caught up. And to fix this, who better to train you than you're mother, ne? So, for the next month, for eight hours a day, we're going to be training. I've cleared all engagements for this, and my clones can take care of paperwork. In other words, it's going to be you and me for the next month."

Naruto smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Her 'ero' side, had he been a little older, would've interpretted it a little differently, but she brushed it off. He was thirteen. It didn't count.

Jiraiya frowned. How would this kid be. Would he know about his heritage? Would he hate his father? He sighed. This terrible. And even worse, there were no bloody hotsprings in this god-forsaken village. What was he going to spy on? Jeez. It was all underground. Stupid village. And Tsuchi operated on a matriarchy. Like the Inuzaku clan… That scared him further. Would Naruto be… gay!!! Jiraiya almost shivered. How was he going to share the wonders of girls with him then? Gah. And he wouldn't know any jutsu either. Stupid schedule those Stone ninjas had. Although, truly, their schedule was rather ingenious. Naruto could catch up on jutsus later. But the foundation he received was priceless. So there was a plus, afterall. Now he just needed to figure out if it outweighed the costs. He would have no idea of his heritage, or if he did, he'd hate it. He'd hate the village and be rather hesitant of coming here. And he'd be hated in the village. 'You've done it again, Jiraiya. You've gotten yourself into another impossible mission.' He sighed once again. And the Sandaime vowed to destroy his entire notes for Icha Icha Paradise if he didn't bring the kid back. That kid better be damned happy he showed up.

With one last heave, he threw the boulder away. 'Why the hell do they conceal this village so much? Anyone less than a Jounin would never be able to enter. How do they trade? Jeez these people…' He came in, immediately being found by four Stone ninjas. "Name and purpose."

"I am Jiraiya the Toad Sage from Konohagakure no Soto. I am here to escort Uzumaki Naruto back to the Leaf village, with the permission of the Godaime Tsuchikage, of course."

"Hai. We've been expecting you. All weapons please."

"I carry none with me."

"Whatever is in your pockets will do then."

Jiraiya sheepishly tookout his notepad full of new ideas for Icha Icha Paradise and handed that over. The guard simply raised an eyebrow and continued. "Follow me."

The door opened and a large man, six foot three-inch tall man with long, gray hair up to his knees stepped in, wearing sandals. 'What a strange fashion sense.'

"Jiraiya-san. Welcome to my humble village."

"Godaime-sama. The pleasure is all mine."

"I hope you didn't find it too difficult to come in."

"Not at all, not at all." 'Bullshit! Stupid village... And to think I could've been completing my next Icha Icha sequel.'

"Could I invite you for some tea?"

"No, I'm afraid the Sandaime wants me back rather quickly. Thank you, though." He turned around to look upon a 4' 9'' kid with blond spiky hair which came a until his eyebrows, slightly hiding the Stone symbol on his forehead protector. He wore a dark maroon shirt with black pants. "And this must be Naruto!" 'Jeez, it's like Minato's back from the dead.'

Naruto said nothing. Turning to the Tsuchikage, "Kaka-chan is this that pervert who's coming to take me back?"

Jiraiya almost threw up. 'Why is it always me?'

The Godaime quickly shhh-ed Naruto and embarassingly laughed. "Of course not! Na-naruto-kun, why would you say that?"

"Yeah, he's the one, Kid." Jiraiya smiled.

"Kaka-chan you said he's gonna protect me… He doesn't look that tough."

'Still won't talk to me, huh…' "Neither do you, Kid."

The Godaime wisely remained quiet. She silently smiled at Naruto.

Suddenly, Jiraiya stood up. "Well, Godaime-sama, I don't want to get between the monumental work you kages have to do."

"Oh yes, and you are in a hurry as well, arent' you. Well, I wish you both a safe journey." She hugged Naruto kissed him on the head.

Naruto knew why she wanted him to leave: the sooner he left, the sooner she could cry. She was his mother for the past thirteen years. He had accompanied her everywhere. She had raised him. She had witnessed his first word (Kaka-chan, actually – no, not ramen), his first steps, his first everything. And now, it was the first time he was going away from her. He himself wanted to cry, but he forced himself not to. He gritted his teeth and bravely stepped on. That was the thing about women – they weren't afraid to cry. Unlike men, for them, crying and strength weren't opposite. Rather, they were synonymous.

As the two walked away into the distance, the Godaime Tsuchikage smiled. Naruto was the spawn of two sinners. But in the ashes of his guilty past his true strength blossomed. The chuckled as another tear fell. That boy... He was going to make something of himself, that much was certain. All that remained was for Kami to reveal how.

All throughout the journey, Jiraiya tried to initiate conversation. Naruto politely declined the attempts, until he finally broke out. It was during the borders of Grass country – one of the satellite nations outside of the Fire country. "Jiraiya-san, I appreciate you coming to get me. And I appreciate you trying to intiate peaceful conversation with me. But right now, I really just need to think. Perhaps you thought I didn't know? I know about my heritage. I know about you. I know about Orochimaru. I know more about your country's history than half your genins. So please, just stop… I just want to think." Jiraiya caught the emphasis on 'your' country and 'your' genins. With that, Jiraiya stopped. It was just another day regardless. He just couldn't tolerate Minato's own son not being proud of his heritage. The blood of the very Kages flowed in his veins. The Shodaime, the Yondaime… perhaps, one day Tsunade the Godaime. If she ever comes back, that is. Tomorrow they'd be back…

"Listen up everyone." Iruka called out. "Tomorrow, we're going to make teams. But there's one quick announcement. As you all know, we have an inequal number of people, so it's going to be rather difficult to divide up into teams of three."

This was on the minds of a lot of genins, and so they all paid attentions.

"We're going to be getting one more genin from Tsuchikagure."

There was absolute silence. The Leaf's longest-lasting enemy? Here?

"He arrives tomorrow. Please, I understand his background is going to have an effect on you. But we must do all we can to make him accepted. Yesterday's greatest foe can be tomorrow's greatest ally. From tomorrow on, he is one of us. I expect you all to represent our village and make sure he feels welcome. And with that, you are all dismissed." Iruka poofed away.

There was a mixed reaction among the crowd of Leaf genins. Some were rather excited that a foreigner was coming. They could use a new face around. Others were rather indifferent. It didn't really bother them, and new citizens came and left every day. Didn't really make that much of a difference. Some of the rather more patriotic children were enraged. Their parents had ranted to them about how much damage the Tsuchi had caused. How many shinobi died because of them. They hated the Tsuchi as much as they venerated the Yondaime.

Nevertheless, to all of them, tomorrow would prove to be an exciting day. It would begin their career as shinobi. Curious how eager people were to give their lives away for what they loved. Perhaps it was that kind of death which makes everything worth it. A pity how few civilians knew the kinds of sacrifices shinobi made on a daily basis... But that's the nature of the work, isn't it. A tragedy, truly.

Well, I hope it wasn't too bad.

Anyways, here is the section you can look to for notices, comments, etc about the future chapters or announcements for any major decisions I may or may not have. As for now, there's not much. Just hope you enjoyed the story and I'm glad you took the time to read it.

-- Haitorei