Overcoming Destiny with Chance
Chapter 1
Ripples
Today is the day for the graduation exam to become a proper shinobi of the Village Hidden in the Leaves- or simply Konoha. A young boy was sleeping in his bed half-awake mentally preparing for everything he would do that day. Despite it being the day he is destined to become a true ninja, it was cumbersome with fears, doubt, and a dreaded laziness. For now was a momentary bliss of being overslept inside his blanketed cocoon of warmth while the cold exterior kept the room from being overheated. But the young boy caught up in comfort heard the door slowly crack open.
"Wake up, Hiro!"
A flash shivered through Hiro's face and into his spine. He sat up and rubbed his dark blue eyes, bloodshot with nonchalant rage. Opposing him was a short middle-aged woman with matching eyes and neck-length brown hair.
"Get ready for school", she said. Pulling on his arm, she forced the boy out of bed and threw him in the bathroom. "Remember to brush your teeth and comb your hair!" A few minutes went by before the boy stepped out again.
"I'm ready", Hiro said. "Happy?" His mother analyzed him with all the senses of a shinobi.
"Did you even shower?" she asked.
"You said to brush my teeth and comb my hair." She looked at his teeth, sparkling white. However, his hair remained the same with slight differences in direction.
"I have no idea who you get this attitude from", she said. "Get dressed, please." Like most days, he wore a green and black jacket with a green shirt underneath and black pants. After getting dressed, they walked outside of their quaint home. "Take your lunch and hurry to school! You cannot afford to fail to the graduation exam."
The exam was not something Hiro worried about. He was far from the best in any particular subject, but his inherent memory exceeded any of his class or most human beings for that matter. Real weakness tied itself to the lack of application of knowledge. The proper angle and force of a kunai throw fifty feet away while running parallel to a target at different speeds was incredibly difficult math- even more simple was its memorization. But Hiro wasn't fast, nor did he have the indomitable will his mother claimed. Let alone his raw accuracy in throwing a kunai was awful. Taijutsu grades weren't atrocious simply because what he lacked in speed, Hiro made up in brute strength. Why dodge and wait for an opening when you can repeatedly punch an arm until the block gives way? Although it was genetics which gave him the raw power. His father, who passed away when he was younger, was much larger than average- although nothing compared to an Akimichi. In terms of ninjutsu, he knew how to perform the basics up to par: clones, substitution, transformations, and the use of basic ninja gear. Being Hiro's staple, it was neither a strength or a weakness. Sadly, Hiro's greatest mixture of disappointment lied in genjutsu. He remembered the details of finely picking out an illusion, but it is incredibly difficult for him to break out of it. Forcing all of his chakras into a fine point like a bomb waiting to burst in the perfect execution and coordination it required was easier said than done.
"I know, mom", Hiro said. "I need to become a ninja and the hokage one day."
"Hiro, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. You have your father's heart and-"
"And your stubborn will." Hiro's mother sighed. She began pushing him towards the academy while incapable of keeping up the pace.
The dust behind his steps barely settled before he arrived at his class door. Room 1C was written in big bold letters on it. Holding his breath, he opened the door to see faces down and pencils at hurricane speed.
"You're late, Hiro", his teacher Iruka said. Iruka was a fairly average sized man. To most of the class, he was as kind as could be- with the exception of Hiro and trouble makers such as Choji Akimichi. Why Iruka always lumped Hiro in with the more troubled children he had no idea. No matter how many times he asked his mother about the circumstances of Iruka's insubstantial cruelties she had no clue in the matter. Outside of an increased sense of attitude from the beginning stages of puberty Hiro was a well behaved young boy.
"Good morning, Iruka-sensei", Hiro said. "Do you need something?"
"Just take your seat, smart aleck." Taking the test in hand, Hiro walked over to his seat- right next to Sakura Haruno. He looked down and saw all the problems. He quickly scrambled down the answers, showing as little work as possible. Hiro stood up with a finished test what seemed only a few minutes later. He walked up to Iruka. No one else turned their test in yet.
"Sit down beside me, Hiro", Iruka said. "You're not allowed to leave until everyone else is finished." Seconds later, Sakura Haruno turned her test in with Naruto Namikaze soon after. Time moved at a snail pace as he continued to watch everyone else finish their tests. Years passed before the last test was turned in by the napping Shikamaru Nara. The classroom was finally empty.
"How did you cheat?" Iruka asked. Hiro met Iruka's eyes in horror. Anxiety and the basic tremblings of a potential punishment- outside of not even being given the chance of becoming a genin- stitched to Hiro's heart. Luckily, a forgetful heart was a quality of the boy.
"I didn't cheat, Iruka-sensei", Hiro said. "I've never cheated any of the times you've claimed before. I have a good memory."
"I find that hard to believe", Iruka said. Hiro shook his head and looked away. They walked to the next class together in lethal silence. Iruka pointed to a chair for Hiro to sit down in before entering one of the many pointless doors. Hiro was last in a large line waiting to be tested on a random genin-level ninjutsu. The entire class was there.
"What do you think they'll test us on, Hiro?" The voice came from Shino Aburame- Hiro's long time best friend. Thankfully, he did not draw attention to coming last like he easily could have. Enough sweat had already been painfully dropped from his forehead.
"Does it really matter?" Naruto piped in. "We need to know our fundamentals no matter what."
"Like Hiro knows fundamentals", Ino said. "He doesn't show up to class half the time." She wasn't wrong. When Hiro was convinced he need not attend a particular lesson his solution to potential boredom was to not attend said lesson. Ino herself typically gave him an earful whenever possible. Despite every indication of her personal disdain towards Hiro, she seemed to have a hobby of frustrating him when possible.
"No wonder guys don't like you", Hiro said. "I almost forgot you're a bitch."
"Don't talk to women that way", Naruto said. Of course, Naruto would say that. He was a short blonde wearing an orange jumpsuit unbefitting of a ninja. Yet, he was the gifted genius of the class, scoring top marks in nearly every subject. He lacked brains and critical thinking in individual moments. Instead, speaking his mind endeared others to him. Instead of finding the exact right words, Naruto went with his gut. Being the son of the passed away 4th Hokage- one of the strongest ninja and noblest leaders the village ever had- aided him greatly with both opinions and natural talent. Even at occasional odds, Hiro knew Naruto was good at heart. Compassion and self-sacrifice came easily to Naruto. Being raised by a single mother with a dead dad led them both to similar self-expectations of selfless actions. Social pressures from being the son of a kage definitely forced Naruto to groom in his moral he
"You're certainly a jerk, Hiro", Ino said. "You're nowhere near as great as Naruto! He's going to be the future Hokage one day!" At the mentioning of the name, nearly every girl turned to Hiro with glares. What will he say about the son of the legendary fourth Hokage?
"I don't care what you think", Hiro said. "I will become Hokage in order to help everyone."
"How many times have you said that now?" Sakura asked. "Stop talking like people need saving." Sakura was a gentle, natural thinker with a fierce attitude with a peculiarly rare natural pink hair. A subtle truth relayed itself in Sakura's words. Who was Hiro to claim to help everyone? Who was even "everyone"? The wise words of his father echoed into his heart. A lot of people on this earth does not have the strength to protect themselves, therefore it his natural responsibility to protect those incapable of protecting themselves.
"Some people do need saving, Sakura", Sasuke said. "Everyone needs help at some point."
"Shut up, Uchiha!" The fattest man in the class stood up. "You're a wannabe. It will be a miracle for you to pass without divine help."
"Choji, you're a bigger ass than Hiro", Shino said. Hiro was snickering, muttering out thanks to his best friend.
"He has one too."
"Who said that?!" Choji roared into the crowded seats. That particular voice was dramatically unfamiliar- almost sounding like the shy Hinata Hyuga in his class. Iruka finally opened the door and stared at the suddenly quiet class.
"Come in the order you're seating", Iruka said. "This will be your last test to graduate. Do your best." A quiet, unknown boy by the name of Iroas stepped in first. After a couple minutes, he exited with a smile. A gentle ease came in the waiting area. It was near the end of the day before Hiro's name finally got called in. Upon entering, it was a cramped room with four judges. Iruka-sensei was among them. Rin-sensei, one of Hiro's main instructors, was also there.
"Hiro Okada", Rin said. "Do you wish to become a ninja?"
"I wish to become the Hokage", Hiro said.
"Aiming for the top?" Rin said. A gentle smile of hers reached Hiro's heart. "Good luck, Hiro."
"He won't make it if he doesn't pass", Iruka said. "For you to graduate, you need to show basic mastery over the clone jutsu. Good luck." Hiro nodded. For once, Iruka said something genuinely kind to Hiro.
"Clone Jutsu!" Three direct copies of Hiro appeared, before disappearing after a short while.
"Excellent, Hiro", Rin said. "You-"
"Fail", Iruka said. Hiro's heart sunk. An unrecognizable teacher spoke up next.
"We have proof that you cheated on your written test. Not to mention, three copies fails to reach the amount of a ninja with kage-level potential. Naruto managed over ten solid shadow clones." Hiro knew didn't cheat- he was simply lucky. Teachers give out practice exams with similar questions the weeks before the graduation exam. Although, if more than one teacher thought Hiro cheated, what could he do?
"I can't compete with solid clones," Hiro mumbled.
"I know you can't", Iruka said. "You fail. Truly, I'm sorry, Hiro." Hiro left and slammed the door behind him.
Hiro was standing against the wall outside the academy with a sullen head. Everyone's family was surrounding the newly graduated genin. What was he going to do? "Son!" was all Hiro heard before a near overwhelming shadow covered his body. His mother's eyes reached and asked the only question on her mind.
"Did you graduate?"
"I was 'caught' cheating on a test", Hiro said. "I was failed. I'm sorry, mom." Hiro's mother didn't say another word. She rushed over to Iruka, towing Hiro along.
"What proof do you have my son was cheating?!" she asked. "Why didn't he graduate?"
"I saw him with my own eyes", Iruka said. "He cheated. He failed with reason, Gail. Trust me. I wouldn't lie." Iruka took a bow.
"My son doesn't need to cheat", Gail said. "I make him study every day. He may not be the smartest, but he has an exceptional memory."
"It's too late now", Iruka said. "He will have to retake the test in several months."
"Bull shit it's too late!" she said. "Stop being prejudice for once. Give my son a chance. He's a good kid. AND I WILL RAISE HELL UNTIL YOU FIX THIS."
"Gail, calm down." Rin Nohara approached the struggling mother. Everyone's eyes were fixed on their fight. "Hiro already left with Shino like every other day. He can pass next time." Gail looked at Iruka.
"A crappy student like him?", Iruka questioned. "He will never pass unless he changes his attitude." Gail pointed to Iruka. A mother's innate wrath was stored and building up inside in her eyes.
"You will fix this", Gail said. "I will do whatever it takes to my him a proper shinobi."
Aburame's clan house was always nice for Hiro to go to in the afternoons. It was much larger than his own, filled with nice decorations and appliances his mother couldn't afford. Shino's own room was covered with pristine condition toys and rare insects. As with most days, Shino and Hiro did whatever came to mind. Shogi was often their game of choice, but Hiro lost nearly every time. Today was no different.
"How can you remember what you had for breakfast two years ago, but not figure out how to win?" Shino asked. They reset the board and Hiro made the first move. Shino had a point.
"Don't over exaggerate my memory", Hiro said. "It's not that good. I only remember what I think is important." Banging sounds came from the front door. Shino and Hiro answered to the surprised face of Iruka. His face had softened with worry, and he wished to speak to Hiro alone. As much as Shino would love to hear Iruka apologize, he didn't pursue the issue past Iruka's request.
"I'm sorry for what I did today, Hiro", Iruka said. "I wish I could pass you, but I already submitted the results."
"I understand, Iruka-sensei", Hiro said, voice cracking. "I really wanted to graduate, though. My mom is probably furious with me." Iruka placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I guess I have to tell you", Iruka said, "about the secret graduation test. If you do what I say, you can still graduate." Hiro's eyes widened. Hope lessened the burden on the boy's heart.
Night covered the skies as the third Hokage dispatched the orders to find Hiro Okada and take back the scroll of sealing. Nearly every shinobi in the village was stirred up. An all too familiar feeling was in the hearts of the shinobis on the lurk for the young boy.
"Lord Kagami", a chunin said, "This isn't a joke. This is a serious crime! He should be executed on the spot!"
"Don't be rash", Kagami said. "He doesn't know better. Bring him back alive at all costs. He is a part of Konoha's family."
In the woods surrounding Konoha, Hiro had managed to finally rest at ease next to a log cabin and opened the legendary scroll. Iruka's orders were that he had to learn one jutsu from the scroll after he escaped with it. Scrambling through the list were plenty of advanced techniques. Shadow Clones were first followed by many nature-release techniques. He studied what he could. Was there a single jutsu he could realistically learn and not be overwhelmingly difficult? "Sensing with your gut" was the next title.
"Have you ever felt someone watching you when no one was around? Have you ever felt something deep in your gut about to happen and it does? Among the world's ninja, there is a unique sensory ability that cannot be explained except through listening to your gut. By combining chakra with your instincts you gain the ability to slowly sense your surroundings. Through your own chakra reaching out and tugging on others, you gain a mental image. You must be still, calm, and a capable at introspection. Don't worry if other's think you're crazy." -Hashirama
What else is new? No directions were even actually given- just a convoluted explanation. Yet still, Hiro understood what Hashirama was talking about. He calmed his breathing and meditated. Gathering the chakra in his gut, he felt an overwhelmingly dangerous presence coming. His stomach was in knots. After continual build up, he could feel his intestines ripping apart. Finally, the chakra was imploded and his stomach was at ease. Hiro had farted.
"What the hell?" Hiro asked. "Did the God of Shinobi put a technique in this to make someone fart?" A brief moment passed and he suddenly felt another raging feeling in his gut. It spread through his entire body like a cramp. In an instant, the pain faded. Hiro smiled in relief. Images of the surrounding area slowly began to form in his mind. Both of his eyebrows were raised. His voice cracked as he tried to formulate words.
"Iruka's coming", "I guess it's time I show him what I'm made of." Hiro stood up and center, waiting patiently for the chunin.
"I'm surprised you made it here on your own", Iruka said. Something was off. "Now it's time to be arrested."
"What?"
"I lied", Iruka said. "You can't graduate. I convinced you to commit treason." Iruka placed his hand on his face and laughed. "You'll be executed when I take you back to the village. Of course, the 3rd won't want it to happen, but with enough push, he will have no choice."
"Why, Iruka-sensei? What did I do to make you hate me?!"
"You have a good memory", Iruka replied. "Do you remember what happened thirteen years ago? The incident that killed hundreds in the village?"
"The Nine-tailed fox attacked. Why does that matter?"
"He has been sealed away inside you", Iruka said. You are the nine-tailed fox. You are the one who killed my parents, and I will have my revenge! You and your mother deserve to suffer like I did!" Iruka charged forward with a kunai. Hiro pulled out his own and managed to block it, albeit barely.
"If he's sealed inside me why do you blame me?" Hiro asked.
"You're the monster everyone wants to kill", Iruka said. "Don't you feel it? The village's people hate you for just being alive?" Hiro calmed his breath. A certain element of truth was in his words. Other villagers always treated his family horrible- not necessarily from active anger. Instead, a lot of people would ignore his mother or him, pretending they simply were not there. Some restaurants or grocery stores even denied them business, although why someone would refuse perfectly good money is beyond him.
"No", Hiro said. "Do people feel that way?" Iruka twitched at the question. For the times he had been mocked, a sudden wit was the instinctual reply from his mouth that grated the words in his chest. Thankfully, Hiro sensed one other person.
"I will murder you!" Iruka thrust forward.
"Iruka-sensei", a voice called out. "Stop attacking Hiro, or I will tell everyone you're the one who ordered him to commit treason. I've been tracking both of you for a while now." Iruka looked around for the source of the voice.
"You're trapped now, Iruka-sensei", Hiro said. "You can't kill both of us." Shino stepped out from the bushes.
"How can you blame Hiro for killing your parents?" Shino asked. "He hasn't done anything wrong."
"He's a demon who needs to die", Iruka said. "Now so do you." At a moment's notice, Iruka plunged his kunai through Shino's heart. Blood was pouring out from him. Hiro stood still, incapable of moving. "Now it's your turn, brat." Iruka was stopped. Shino's blood stained hands were grabbing on to Iruka's feet.
"Run, Hiro", were Shino's last words. Iruka pushed forward with grief and rage filled his eyes and despairing smile. Each of his movements was a craze. Hiro did the only thing he could do- run like his life depended on it. Each stride compacted with fear and rage, tensing the next. When escape finally became apparent, an arm had been stuck out in front of him, crossing over his neck and stopping him instantly. Hiro could hear voices. One was Iruka's. The other was… Rin-sensei? Hiro could still smell Shino's blood. Groggy eyed, he noticed the corpse several feet away.
"I can't let you kill him, Iruka", Rin said. "We were ordered to bring Hiro back alive."
"I won't let that brat live another day", Iruka said. For the first time in his life, Hiro was witnessing a battle between matured ninja. They appeared even. Iruka's stance and movements were filled with a blinding rage. Sloppy and disconnected, yet filled with speed and ferocity. Hiro began getting up. Noticing him, Iruka charged past Rin to stab the boy.
Hiro flinched.
Opening his eyes, Rin was in front of him. Blood was trickling down her shirt. She took the hit. "Hiro, I'm sorry for hitting you", Rin said. "If I had known, I would have let you go. Don't listen to Iruka. You're a kind boy. You can be harsh, but I know you deeply care about the village. Now run! Run as far as you can!" Everything was moving too fast for Hiro.
"No", Hiro said. Iruka's inner evil laugh began to muster itself with fearful courage.
"See where sentimentality gets you with a demon?" Iruka mocked.
"I promised my dad I would help protect the village", Hiro said. "Now that someone actually needs my help, do you think I will run away?"
"You can't win, Hiro", Rin said. "RUN!"
"You need years of practice before you can defeat me", Iruka said. "Your cockiness will get you killed!" Rin blocked another lethal blow, although taking multiple slices in her arms. Several shadow clones of Iruka popped out of nowhere. Rin and Hiro cringed in fear.
"You can't possibly defeat me", Iruka said.
Hiro froze. A second ago he was determined to help his wounded teacher, but nothing he could do would really be of any help. A transformation or substitution would be meaningless to someone who completely outclassed him. Not to mention, he couldn't let Rin fight Iruka alone. Hiro was out of options.
"I can." Insects swarmed each of the clones and the original Iruka- defeating the shadow clones were defeated instantaneously. Iruka lied on the ground screaming in agony. Shibi Aburame came out from the shadows- a master of insect ninjutsu and a powerful jonin of Konoha who came looking for his disappeared son who attempted to sneak outside of the house.
Hiro didn't know what to say, nor did he need to right now. A strange dizziness leached its way into him. Hiro looked down to see blood dripping from his stomach and trickling down his body. The blood was dark and warm, but Hiro was growing colder. A kunai's tip was pushed through that he could see. Hiro fell.
Hiro woke up in his room. His hair was a mess, and his mouth was dry. All wounds seemed perfectly healed, although sore. Sunlight was shining through the window. It was the next morning; he didn't graduate. Memories of Shino flooded up to his mind. His best friend was killed the night before. Tears swelled his eyes. Hiro grabbed his hair and rubbed it fervently. What happened to Iruka, Rin, and Shibi he wondered?
Shouts started coming from outside his house. He walked to the front door. An angry mob was gathered and screaming at his mother. "Is this my fault?" Several shinobi grabbed his mother and took her away, walking to the hokage's office. The angry mob began to disperse into the sunlight of the afternoon. Hiro opened the door. This couldn't be happening. His mother was being taken away. In a moment like this, there are no words.
"It's her kid", one man said. He was their neighbor- Mr. Hisen. A tall and burly man.
"What happened to my mom?!" He screamed. "Why is everyone here?! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it!" Mr. Hisen's head tilted to the side.
"What are you talking about?" Mr. Hisen asked. "You're safe now, Hiro. Your mom is being arrested for her crimes. I know it's hard to hear, but the Anbu found proof she was plotting to betray the village." Hiro's eyes bulged. Did she take the blame for what happened?
"She wouldn't do that!" Hiro yelled.
"Calm down, young man." This voice was unfamiliar. It came from an old man with a goatee. He dressed in white robes and had faded brownish-gray hair. "Everything will be alright. If your mother isn't guilty, she will be released."
"Who the hell are you?" Hiro asked. Remaining crowd members flinched at his words.
"I'm Hiruzen Sarutobi", the man said. "I'm the leader of the Anbu black ops. I heard you are aspiring to become a ninja. Is that true?" Hiro looked back at his mother and nodded his head. "If you still wish to become a ninja, I can help you. I know it's a bit sudden. Before you give chase, be sure to think about it." Hiro finally looked back at Hiruzen. Biting his cheek, he ran after his mom.
"Sorry, but my mom is more important", Hiro said. Hiruzen waved a friendly goodbye. "I'll give you an answer later!"
Hiro followed the crowd all the way to the Hokage's office. When everyone else was dispersed and the hearing started with the elders, Hiro did his best to listen in. Noises from the other side the Hokage's office door were vague whispers at best. Hiro kept pushing his ear closer to the door.
"Bring the boy in, Hayate", a voice said. The door opened and Hiro was dragged in before the gathering of old men. The voice came from the third hokage, Kagami Uchiha. He was wearing long white and red robes, with the hokage hat. The hair and eyes were both black and covered with grieving stress. Kagami was a tired and kind old man. His famous council sat next to him; Torifu Akimichi, Danzo Shimura, and Koharu Utatane.
"We've already covered the evidence", Torifu said graciously. "Your mother stands on trial for treason. We have the proof she was planning on kidnapping you and taking you to the Hidden Cloud." In no world under the sun does the circumstance sound right, but Hiro knew it to be technically true at a time. When he was younger, his family was moving to the Hidden Cloud but Hiro and his mother agreed to stay in the Leaf after their father was killed during the trip by one of the very Cloud ninja she knew.
"Enough jabber", Danzo said. "Gail Okada, how do you plea?"
"I'm guilty."
"Mother!" Hiro rushed to her side.
"The will of fire has failed to love my son", Gail said. "I thought the Hidden Cloud may offer more support and provide a better life. I tried convincing my husband long ago, but he loved Konoha too much. He died for your freedom and ours, but his name is spat on because of your hatred for Hiro!"
"They… hate me?"
"Yes", she said. Hiro noticed the pain in his mother's face. She was lying. "I tried to get us to leave because of it, but your father was too proud. He genuinely believed he was a descendant of Hashirama's youngest brother. 'We can't leave the village. My family helped found it', he would say." She looked at the village elders. "I don't care if you hate me. I will not let you hate my son or the man I loved."
"I guess it's settled then", Kagami said. "Gail, for openly admitting to treason, you are hereby sentenced to death." Hours of deliberation happened in a few minutes. Everything was rushed. Chaos was confidently nurtured in the faces of everyone at the trial besides the third Hokage. Gail was being taken out of the room, along with everyone else accompanying her.
"Let me say one last thing to my son", Gail said. Kagami nodded in agreement. For the first time since he was brought in, Gail looked at her son in the eyes. "Do you remember what your father always told you?"
Hiro nodded.
"For so long you've lived to fulfill your father's dream", Gail said. "It may be difficult, but I know you can succeed in becoming the protector of this village." Hiro found himself unable to move. His breath was faint with an uncountable heartbeat. Gail leaned down and embraced her son.
"Momma…"
"Your father and I will live as long as you remember us", Gail whispered. "We will always love you and believe in you." She kissed her son on his cheek before being forced up by the guards and escorted out.
After a couple minutes of static living, everyone had left Hiro alone in the room with Kagami. The Hokage placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. Hiro looked over to meet the Hokage's gaze.
"She wouldn't do this", Hiro mumbled and wiped his eyes. Kagami moved onto a chair and motioned for Hiro to sit beside him.
"I know how you feel about having loved ones betray the village", Kagami said. "I know your mother's a kind woman. She loved your father dearly, and wouldn't betray him. Sadly, the evidence forced our hand."
"That's bullshit!" Hiro exploded. "Even if my mom actually did anything she was accused of, there is nothing wrong with it! People treat us like crap here! All she wanted was to move! How is that treason?!" The third hokage lit his pipe.
"I already heard from Rin and Shibi about what happened last night", Kagami said. "I'm sorry about Shino… We interrogated Iruka in the aftermath. It was reported you were informed of your status as a container for a tailed-beast. Do you know what that means?" Iruka's condemnation echoed back to the forefront of Hiro's mind.
"I'm a monster?" Hiro said.
"No", Kagami laughed. "You're not a monster; you're a jinchuriki. You hold a creature called a tailed beast inside you. As a jinchuriki, you stop tailed beasts from running rampant. In times of war, you serve as a deterrent and a hero."
"How am I a deterrent of war?" Hiro asked. "How am I a hero?" Those were words he unknowingly longed to hear.
"If your seal is undone in a foreign land, the tailed beast could kill thousands", Kagami said. "If you managed to control the tailed beasts that danger increases dramatically." As far as any shinobi commander is concerned, Hiro is a living weapon of mass destruction according to the Third Hokage.
"Is that why most people seem afraid of me?" Hiro asked. "Is that why my mom will be executed?! Are you afraid of losing a weapon? I don't understand!" Kagami exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Simply put, yes", the hokage said. "The answer doesn't come with great sorrow." Hiro looked up to the hokage teary eyed. There existed a connection between his mother's threat of taking him and the Leaf losing an unknowing protector of its people. "As our jinchuriki, I can't allow teachers to fail you unjustly when you can become a powerful shinobi. Hiro Okada, you hereby promoted to the rank of genin- if you accept."
Although it took a minute, Hiro coughed out a response. "Wouldn't anyone question my loyalties after what happened with my mom?" Kagami smiled at the young boy.
"For a young man, you're quite bright", Kagami said. "I'm sure Iruka lied about your test. No one will question your loyalties as long as I lead the ninja here. If I say you are a Leaf shinobi, you will be treated like one." Among the benefits, the Third already had his friend Hiruzen dispatch several shinobi to investigate the circumstances behind Hiro's mother's trial. Since she already pleaded guilty there's little I can do. He inhaled the fumes of his pipe, relaxing his bones. "Do you know what the will of fire is, Hiro?"
"My dad told me it is the desire to protect the village", Hiro said.
"He was right", Kagami said. "Sometime during my leadership, the will of fire has wavered slightly. This weakened resolve worries me greatly. As hokage, it pains me to think our shinobi fight for the wrong reason." Hiro experienced this first hand. Fighting for loved ones is a valid reason, but it prevented Iruka from reaching out to another member of Konoha's own. "How would you fight to fix what's wrong?" More than anything, this truth settled in his soul: Hiro realized something was broken in the village Hidden in the Leaves. Not the system or structure, but the people were broken. Human's weren't perfect, and if one shinobi decides to abandon the will of fire it will affect others. Someone blew Iruka's own fire out and lessened the collective energy. Iruka was hurting inside- he couldn't protect himself.
"I don't know", Hiro puzzled. "Is that your dream, Lord Hokage?" Kagami laughed.
"Yes, but I'm getting far too old", Kagami said. "You have a chance to strengthen the bond between people by loving others. Your mother is right. You can do anything if you set your mind to it." The window of the hokage's office opened slightly and a breeze settled in.
"You've started on the right path", Kagami said. Hiro noticed the hokage fiddling with his robes. Kagami pulled a black leaf headband out from his robe. "Wear it with pride. You carry your father's will of fire. Be protective and loving like he was." Hiro put on the headband securely. The hokage stood up to gazed out the office windows. "It's getting late. Can I trust you to carry out my orders? Go home and rest up. Come by tomorrow and I'm certain we will have something to stay your mother's execution."
"I will obey, Lord hokage", Hiro said. "If you don't mind my asking, why was I chosen to be the container?"
"I don't know", Kagami said. "You will find the answer as you continue to live."
Far away in a tiny but sturdy prison, deep inside the spirit of Hiro was a large blue beast, with a green and a yellow eye, and two-tails. Matatabi, the beast within Hiro, was watching the past two days closely. Emotions were heavy today, but he withheld from pouring his power into the boy. Breaking out of the seal wasn't the smartest option yet. Besides, compromising his presence could potentially bring more harm than good to the boy and himself. Unlike most tailed-beasts, not all of his jinchuriki have been cruel. There's no point in damaging the relationship before it began. Still, he did wish to meet Hiro. Many jinchuriki are treated horribly, yet Hiro has lived one of the most loved childhood's he has ever seen amongst his containers. Who knows? Hiro might be different when faced with trials. Perhaps arranging one meeting wouldn't be the worst decision.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed my little story. There will be plenty of more chapters for this. I appreciate any criticism or praise in reviews or messages! If there's something in the actual story content you don't like or have interesting ideas, you can share them as well. Feel free to talk about the characters and what you like/dislike about the characters- especially the main character, Hiro.
This story is one that has hundreds of changes to the canon Narutoverse, for better or worse, in order to spice things up and provide a similar but different feel. Who knows? Maybe Kagami isn't all he says he is.
Edit: I rewrote the first chapter. Took away some things with how I've decided to shape future chapters and added other details. I also changed up the dialogue and added the two-tails scene to feel less of a canon rehash. I'm editing the other three chapters before I finish 5 and will continue to edit them in minor ways when as I develop my skills.
I've originally planned on deleting all my fanfiction stories. Like my two others, they are discontinued until further notice. The story may not make complete sense either since only two chapters are edited and the others aren't. This is the story I've enjoyed writing the most, so if enough people were to want me to continue, I gladly will. I've just been focusing on writing a self-insert Kiba fic. Have a nice day.