Of Bloodlines and Betrayals

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, 'nuff said

"Regular Speech"

'Thinking'

"Demon Speech"

'Demon Thinking'

Jutsu

Yo! This is my first story ever, so be warned. However, this should be better than a lot of the crap I've run into on this site, so there's that. Anyway, this is a learning experience for me, and really an experiment in just how good I am. Wish me luck, and hope you enjoy it.

Now, this is a divergence/AU fic. There are a few things different from canon. First and foremost, some of the newer canon episodes/manga can go and fuck themselves. Secondly, Yagura (fourth Mizukage) is not controlled by Madara. Thirdly, I may have some of the facts about the seven swordsmen wrong. However, as I don't believe anything I say directly contradicts canon, and everything I do is what's best for the story, I don't think it will matter.

Chapter 1: A Single Conversation

"They say that the littlest things can cause a world of change. They say that there are key moments in a person's life that determines the path that they're going to take. They say that one detail can make or break your very soul. I think that's bullshit. Except, that is, for the very rare occasion where Fate decides to step in a change a little bit here, nudge something there, and nothing is the same. That .1% of people who interest Destiny, intrigue Fortune, and bewilder Fate. How do I know of this you say? Well, let me tell you a story. A tale of how an orphan boy with nothing to his name became the legend to trump all legends. It's not the happiest one, but it's the truest one. The only one. Mine. My name is Naruto Uzamaki-Namikaze, and though my story is a lonely one. it sure was one hell of a ride."

XXX

(October 10, 804 ARE*)

Konohagakure, The Village Hidden in the Leaves, is regarded as the most peaceful of the Great Shinobi Nations, and for good reason. Sunagakure is a desolate place in a barren wasteland, Kirigakure has been in a civil war for the past four years, Kumogakure is extremely militaristic, and Iwagakure is nearly as barren as Suna, and twice as dangerous. For the average citizen, this village would clearly be the best choice to live in. But for four year-old Naruto Uzumaki, it's hell on earth.

To understand why young Naruto feels this way, you need look no further than how the villagers treat him. Regularly overcharged on everything from food to kunai, kicked out of the orphanage at age three, he is treated worse than the dirt on their shoes. The only person in the village who actually cares about our young protagonist is the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, but due to his immense workload, Naruto is often left alone.

However, occasionally Naruto is allowed into the Hokage office, so Sarutobi can be near him and still be able to do his work. It is on one such occasion that this young boy's life was changed.

"Hey jiji, do you wanna play with me? I'm sooooo bored!" Asked Naruto while lying down on the small couch typically used for less formal visits. At four, he was tall for his age, but rather skinny. His spiky blonde hair was partially covered by his goggles. He was wearing a blue shirt and orange shorts. Since he had first seen the pants, he had fallen in love with the color, but he had yet to find any more clothing in that perfect shade.

The aforementioned 'jiji' chuckled. 'O to be young and carefree, with nary a fear or worry.' He thought. Out loud, he said "I'm sorry Naruto, but I have to take care of this paperwork. Maybe someone else with play with you though." Even at sixty-five, the Hokage still made a striking figure. Wearing the red and white Hokage robes and hat, everyone in the village knew to take him seriously. Everyone that is, except for Naruto.

Naruto looked at him disbelievingly. "But you're the Hokage jiji! Can't you just beat up everyone and have someone else do your paperwork?"

The aged Kage raised a single grey eyebrow. "What does being the Hokage mean to you Naruto?"

"That's an easy one, they're the strongest ever and they kick everyone else's ass!"

"Not quite." Sarutobi said with a chuckle. "The Hokage does have to be the best fighter, but he also has to be intelligent, charismatic, and reasonable. The Hokage has to be the best on the battlefield, in the classroom, and in his office. He is the one who excels at all shinobi arts, who knows the machinations of politics. Nothing is unknown to him; nothing is too difficult for him. He is the leader of Konoha, both the shinobi, and the civilians. And above all, he knows himself, his enemies, and his allies. That is who the Hokage is."

Sarutobi then looked over at Naruto, proud to see him actually thinking about what he said, rather than disregarding it as he is prone to do. Admittedly, Naruto's thinking expression resembled a constipated horse's, and he was currently lying with only his lower body on the couch, and his goggles were over his eyes, but he was talking it seriously. Or at least as seriously as any four year-old Jinchūriki can.

It was at that exact moment that a messenger arrived. However, this was no ordinary messenger. First, this one was a member of the scouting team sent to Kiri, to determine what exactly was happening. Second, this was the only messenger, of a team originally six strong. Third, the messenger's Anbu clothes had been ripped in multiple places, and blood spotted the rest of his clothing. Fourth, the messenger arrived ten minutes earlier than he should have.

Sarutobi glanced at Naruto. 'This is obviously incredibly urgent, or Rat would have waited until the scheduled time. I had planned to have Naruto gone before the debriefing, but it seems that won't happen. O well, he doesn't appear to be paying any attention anyways.' "Report." he said, turning to Rat.

Naruto's eyes shot open under his goggles. 'Why didn't the old man send me out? Jiji's never let me stay whenever those masked people are here. And report? I get it! Jiji wants to know if I'll actually try to get more information, so he's letting me listen in. Maybe if I do this well enough, he'll just give me the hat now!' That thought made his eyes light up, but he remained quiet and continued to listen.

Rat's eyes darted to Naruto for a millisecond, but he obeyed the Hokage. "Rat reporting Hokage-sama. I am the sole surviving member of joint squad 4, from a reconnaissance mission to Kirigakure."

"What of the other five members, Tiger, Wombat, Crow, Eel, and Badger?" Interrupted the Hokage.

"Tiger, Eel, and Badger were killed in an ambush immideately after entering the country. Wombat, Crow and I fought and killed our attackers. After, we moved rapidly and managed to obtain the relevant information. However, Wombat and Crow were forced to sacrifice themselves so one of us could return and complete the mission."

The grizzled Kage raised an eyebrow, giving a clear message: "And"

"It is as you feared Hokage-sama. The Yondaime Mizukage has declared a purge of all bloodlines. All who possess one, may possess one, or have helped the 'rebels', as they are called, are killed. The country is divided, but the bloodline users and supporters are outnumbered four to one. This is due to the initial surprise attacks, and that the Mizukage is against them, along with most of the Seven Swordsmen."

"Which ones are on which side?"

"Kisame and Zabuza both left the village; they are on neither side. Mangetsu was killed by the Mizukage, but the bloodline users have Hiramekarei. The remaining four are all on the Mizukage's side. However, Mei Terumi is the leader of the rebels, and she has both the Boil and Lava release, and is bordering on S level strength. Also, the majority of their ANBU appears to support the rebels."

The Hokage closed his eyes and thought on the information. 'I wonder…' "Did you make contact with either force?"

Rat shook his head. "We only observed aside from the one ambush. All information was gained through careful observation over the two weeks."

The Hokage held in a sigh. "You're dismissed Rat. Thank you." As soon as Rat left the room with a single hand seal and a small puff of smoke, Hiruzen allowed himself to sigh out loud. 'To think that someone like Yagura could cause something like that. Its times like this that make me wonder why I ever took this job.'

"Hey jiji, why would someone do something like that?" Naruto innocently asked. "Isn't it the Kage's job to protect all of his shinobi?"

The old man frowned. "I don't know why the Mizukage started the Bloodline War, or what purpose it could serve. Bloodlines are very valuable and even if one clan had done something heinous, it wouldn't have been enough to incite a war."

Naruto interrupted him. "But you're the Hokage, can't you stop all of this?"

The grizzled old man sighed. "Even though I'm the Hokage, even I am not all-powerful; I cannot singlehandedly stop all of the fight-"

"Then I will!" Naruto shouted. "Even if I have to become the greatest Hokage ever, and take that hat right off your head, one day I will! No one should be allowed to do bad things like that. One day I will change that." Looking at the young boy's eyes, the aged Kage could see a fire burning there, a dream that Naruto would achieve, no matter the cost. The Will of Fire, as he would call it.

Sarutobi chuckled. "If that is something you want so badly, then allow me to help you. If you truly desire to be a ninja that much, I can let you enter the Academy when you're six, instead of eight. However, I want you to be sure that this is what you want to do before you do this. The library has books on what it means to be a shinobi. Use those to widen your knowledge, and decide your path. If you do decide to be a ninja, you will join the Academy in two years."

An enormous smile appeared on Naruto's face at hearing that. "Yahoo! Thanks jiji! I promise to be the best ninja ever! That hat is as good as mine!" With that last comment, Naruto bolted out of the room, intent on learning about ninjas as soon as possible. Even after the door had closed behind him, his shouts of joy could be heard while he was running down the halls.

Once he was sure Naruto was long gone, the Hokage allowed himself a somber smile. Looking at the picture of a blonde man in Hokage robes, standing atop the Hokage Mountain, his smile turned proud. "You and Kushina would be proud of him, wouldn't you? Minato."

*After Rikudo Era (Originally After Rikudo Sennin Era, but changed after I realized ARSE may not be the best choice)

Now I'm not completely sure that everyone will understand the change, so I'll spell it out for you. The messenger arriving early caused Naruto to learn about Kiri, and to have a new goal to work to. That's the main thing. I think the Academy is four years (normally age eight to twelve) and Naruto failed twice, so he joined two years early (at six). If you have any other questions ask them in a review or PM me. 9 out.

Update 12/9/12: I know that I promised a chapter this week, but finals are draining me of any and all free time. In return though, one week during the holiday break I will post an extra chapter. Also, are there really no reviews? They are the sustenance that all writers need, and I know that some of you enjoy this story. I wouldn't have favs and follows otherwise. Seriously, more reviews equals more motivation equals quicker updates equals more story for you. It's that simple. Anyways, see you in a week. 9 out.