Naruto: The Samurai

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

AN: SAJ here. I am trying my hand at another fanfic. No this does not mean I am stopping "Sands of Change". I will be working on this one on the side and will update it a lot slower than my other story. Hope you like it.

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The Land of Fire. The largest organized nation of civilian and military forces as far as the eye could see. In the center of the lush country was Konoha, the crowned jewel of Hyuuga Empire that stretchered and encompassed every inch of the Land of Fire. "The City of Paradise" is what many called Konoha.

And in truth it truly was. The city was beautifully dressed in remarkable white painting with gold trimmings on the buildings. The red roofs where stark but needed contrast from the paler colors below. The jade statues around Konoha stood as reminders of the wealth of the city.

In the very center of the stunning city was the Hyuuga Palace. It was easily identifiable by the sheer size of the place and the lavender tinted roofing. This Palace was home to the illustrious and mysterious Hyuuga Clan with Emperor Hiashi as the head.

With Hiashi as the Emperor the Hyuuga Clan flourish and grew to the powerful force it was today. The Hyuuga Clan were supremely feared for their sword style of the "Gentle Swing" and their pale, cold and unfeeling eyes. It was with this force and power that they had conquered every inch of the Land of Fire and were the unquestioned leaders of such land.

But they were not the only ones in the Land of Fire. To the North, just over the Iwa Mountains were the Uchiha Clan. These iron mongers were the pinnacle of fighting prowess. With their "Sharingan" stance they were able to counter most strikes and predict attacks from slight muscle movement. They maintained a small civilian population for the basic supplies such as food and clean water. For the most part their attention was focused on their military.

The Uchiha were lead by Itachi Uchiha. The eldest son of their late leader. The details surrounding the death of Fugaku Uchiha, the previous leader, were shady at best. Some believe Itachi killed him while others preferred not to know. Itachi lead with a more gentle fist than his father but still upheld the Uchiha way of life.

The Uchiha were long time rivals of the Hyuuga and while their land is not as big as the Hyuuga they still held their own. The Hyuuga have tried on many occasions to rid the Land of the Uchiha only to end in a stalemate each and every time. Some would even go as far to say as the two clans were evenly matched in fighting strength.

Little did they both know that a new Clan would be arriving on the shores. To the South several boats were landing with foreigners of the like which know one had ever seen before.

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[The Shore to the South]

The Namikaze Clan were always a rather strange bunch. They were very well known in the Land of Whirlpool, to which they originate from, for being fair and kind hearted to their people and the Samurai that were with them. The Namikaze Clan was tied to the Uzumaki Clan by marriage of the two leaders of the Clan. Minato Namikaze, Head of the Namikaze Clan, and Kushina Uzumaki, Head of the Uzumaki Clan, were the two wed. The union of these two formed a rather sizable Clan worthy of any war.

The two of them had a son first. The boy's name was Naruto and he was the heir to both Clans making him especially important to both of them. He was currently Eighteen years old and was a fine swordsmen. His blade had become almost as famous as he was. His blade was the almighty 'The Kyuubi'. Quite the blade indeed.

The next born was his sister Karin, younger by two years. She took after her mother strongly. He fiery attitude and anger were testament to compliment her. Being an Uzumaki, Karin had to learn to wield a blade and to practice with it often. In truth she didn't really enjoy it. She liked to study and learn new things about the world around here. That is what drew her to go on this trip.

When they had finally arrived it was Naruto who wanted to go and get the exploration under way.

"Land! Woohoo! Let's go and see what we can find!" Naruto said as he carelessly jumped off the boat and onto the white sand that covered the beaches. His parents and sister chuckling at him.

"We he seems eager." Karin and Kushina nodded at Minato. He pointed to three other armed samurai "Could you three go with him and make sure he doesn't hurt himself?" Minato asked with a smile. The three looked to each other and chuckled. Lord Naruto was a strange person sometimes.

The three hopped off the boat and followed Naruto, who was currently picking a fight with a rather sizable crab.

Back on the boats the workers were gathering up supplies to being building a small encampment suitable for living. In the mean time, Kushina and Karin were walking along the beach.

"What do you think Karin? Does this water look like it might have a high amount of fish?" Kushina asked with a small smile on her face. Karin looked down at the water and ran her hand through it.

"I believe so Mother. It looks so beautiful here. Kind of like home." She commented quietly. Kushina frowned a bit. They had to leave Whirlpool due to a Hurricane that wiped out a large amount of everything the Clans had. The remaining force, while large, had to leave for newer lands.

"Yeah I guess it kind of does. A little bit more blue and a little less green." Kushina finally said. Karin looked at the water curiously.

"Yeah I guess...I guess it does. " Karin stared at the water with focus.

"I wonder why that it is." Kushina said with a smile knowing it would spark the girls curiosity.

"I hope to find out." Karin said offhandedly while walking around in the water. Kushina smiled again and looked over to an amusing sight.

Maito Guy and Rock Lee of the Namikaze Clan were currently having a contest against each other. Each were trying to do more push ups than the other could. These two were a rather new addition to the Clan but not an welcomed one. They were energetic fighters that were masters of the "Eight Gates" fighting style. A rather draining and strong style of fighting.

Soon the two were up and were racing around the beach doing laps. Carefully and skillfully bobbing through the workers and the supplies so as to not slow down the process. Kushina sighed and looked towards the sky with a hand providing shade for her eyes.

The blue sky here was something to behold. The clear sky and crystal clear water made this land beautiful and they had only been here a few minutes at the most. It made her wonder. Who else could be here?

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Naruto could hardly contain his excitement and for good reason. Spending the last few months on the boat had nearly driven him to the point of insanity. He contemplated telling his parents that he was just going to swim the rest of the way. He certainly had the energy for it.

He brushed another low branch out of his way, his armor jingling with the movement of his arm. He pushed his way past the shrubbery and stood tall on the hill after it. His right had lay limp on his side while his left hand rested on his sword. His orange armor glistened in the sun.

The three behind him came to the hill and looked out over the vast amount of plains that were present. This land would make for good farming land provided that no one was around here. They were really not looking for a fight with another force. They were exhausted plus they respected the rights of others. If they were there first then they would leave them be.

Naruto searched around, looking for others that may be inhabiting the place. When he saw nothing in sight he smiled and nodded to the land, proud of his find. He was just about to turn around when he noted that a small group of people were coming towards him. He smiled and began to walk towards them.

"Lord Naruto wait! They could be dangerous." One of the Clan Samurai said with caution in his voice. Naruto kept walking and simply waved his hand.

"I'm sure they aren't. Plus I can handle a few bandits." Naruto said with a smile, the guards stood close by and walked. They trust their lord but they would never leave him unprotected like that in front of strangers.

"Hello Lord Samurai." One of the villagers said with a bow. Naruto returned the bow.

"Hello to you as well. Can you tell me what you are doing out here?" He asked calmly. The villagers looked nervously at each other. Each weary of the possible outcome of the situation.

"We saw ships on the horizon and came to check it out." Naruto's eyes narrowed in on the man that spoke. He was big and well filled out. Much better off than you would expect a villager with no farm land to be. Still he kept on his false smile.

"Oh that makes sense. Sorry if we frightened you. We mean no harm. Me and my men will be on our way now." Naruto said and began to bow deeply. This is when his warrior instincts kicked in and everything slowed down.

The big man from before pulled out a small hammer and charged through the crowd, knocking a few others off guard. Naruto mentally sighed. Why did situations always have to come to violence like this? With a swift movement of his right hand he branded his Katana 'Kyuubi'. The red steel of the weapon seemed to burn in the daylight.

Slash

One moment Naruto was bowing and the next he was standing with his sword in his right hand, dripping blood. The big man had fallen headless and his body lay on the ground next to Naruto. Naruto's expression had gone from happy an inviting to hostile in a matter of seconds.

"So, do you all plan on attacking me?" Naruto asked seriously. The rest of the group paled and began to shiver except for and older man in the back.

"Forgive these people Lord. They are extremely skittish and nervous around your type." Naruto turned his eyes to the old man. He studied him for a moment before nodding.

"All is forgiven. Can you tell me your name?" Naruto asked in a neutral tone.

"My name is Tazuna and I believe we can help each other."

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[Several Hours later]

Minato was not the type to coddle his son. When he was little he let him figure things out for himself. When he had problems and got into fights he would offer advice and let the boy handle his own problems. It was a simple method and had worked wonders so far.

But when his son is gone for a few hours without sending anyone back to explain the situation he would get a pinch worried.

Okay maybe very worried. A Father has a right to worry right?

Kushina on the other hand was a different story. As a mother she felt the need to care for her children with love and comfort when they needed it. And swift punishment when they needed it as well. She, as a mother, always worried for her children. It could not be helped. So when her son is gone and there is no trace of him she loses her mind and sanity.

"Where is Naruto?!" She hollers out, concerned for the lost of his eldest child.

"Mom please relax. I'm sure brother is fine." Karin says calmly trying to relax her panic stricken mother. Karin was of course worried for her brother but this was not the time to panic about it.

"Yes my love. I am sure Naruto is fine." Minato said as he looked up to the now bright full moon. He had to be strong for his family but even he could not hide the fear in his voice. The fire place around him crackled loudly as the flames licked the cool air.

Everyone else from the journey was either quiet or asleep. Minato couldn't blame them for sleeping. The trip was not only mentally exhausting but emotionally. For many they were leaving the home they had always called theirs. They were leaving behind years of heritage.

"Well I have given Naruto all the time I am willing to spare. I am asking for a search party. Only if you are ready to go." Minato asked his group knowing a few people would not be up to the task quite yet.

"Yosh! I'll go!" Both Guy and Lee called out in unison, their green and orange armor clanking around as they jumped up. Minato nodded as a few others rose to their feet. He strapped on his blade 'Hiraishin' and together they went.

Or at least were about to go.

Naruto decided at that very moment to come walking causally to the camp. His face was not all bright and joyous. He looked hollow but he had no wounds on his. The three men behind him looked relatively close to the same.

Minato stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder "Son what's wrong?" His father's voice seemed to bring him back to reality.

"I went out to explore like I said right?" Minato nodded and the two began to walk the very short distance back to camp. "Well we came across an elderly man by the name of Tazuna. He is a local here. He showed me the village he is from. Not far from here at all. It is being run into the ground by a samurai by the name of Zabuza Momochi and his assistant Haku. These two are sucking the life out of the village by controlling everything that goes on in the village to ensure they get the most resources and supplies. They asked me to get rid of them. In return they will work with us and help us. I figured it would be a good start for a village and city of our own." Naruto finished gaining his fire and will back with each word.

It was easy to see that Naruto was not one for injustice and could not stand to see people so down and crushed by others. He wanted to help these people but he could not do it alone. He could only hope that his family agreed with him and agreed to help them.

Minato looked at his son with a small smile. He was much like him when he was that age. He truly could not stand the evil that plagued the land and the people. It seemed everywhere they went more and more people were forced to do things they didn't want to. And all because someone said they had to.

Kushina smiled widely at her son. She had raised him right to know what is right and what is wrong. Karin smiled in the same manner her mother did.

"Alright Naruto. I want to hear the whole story in the morning then we will decide if we should interfere or not. For now get some sleep. You look like you could use it." Minato said before laying down next to the fire.

Naruto looked across the beach. There were a lot of fires going on. Not as many as he thought but then again some people were probably still sleeping on the boat. Naruto slowly took off his armor and sword and laid down in his shirt and pants next to it. He sighed to himself as he looked up at the moon.

It really is beautiful.

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Hinata sighed as she looked at the moon. Another night locked in her room, forbidden to leave by her ever loving father and Emperor. Hinata didn't really care for Hiashi all that much. He was cold and mean to her constantly. He would label her as a failure all the time even though she was trying to do her best to keep him happy.

He tried to get her to master the "Gentle Swing" sword fighting style but it was just not happening. To be good at that stance you needed to have a good strong base and a need to stay grounded. Hinata did not like feeling trapped and preferred to have motion when she fought.

But yet again it was enough for the "Daughter of the most Powerful man alive." She could barely stand his arrogance but she had to. She had nowhere to go, no place to escape to. But at least she had a friend. Sure he was her cousin but he was a friend none the less. Her cousin Neji always provided the love she never got.

A knock on the door drew her out of her thoughts and into the realm of reality.

"Come in." She says quietly and calmly, prepared for her father in case he was not happy with her again. Her hand raised up to a pale cheek where a bruise used to be. She shuddered and nearly cried but held herself together.

"Lady Hinata?" Hinata looked through the door and smiled. It was her cousin Neji. She was seldom allowed to see him anymore. Neji was the Clan prodigy. He was the most skilled master of the family style that they had ever seen.

"Neji!" She ran over over and hugged him. He flowing white and lavender Kimono following her. Neji received and hugged his cousin back. He was rarely allowed to do anything that would merit free time of any sort. He had to keep training to that one day, he could defeat the Uchiha.

"What are you doing here?" Hinata asked while letting go of her cousin.

"I came to get you. Your father requires an audience with you." He said quietly. In truth he didn't like Hiashi either but he would do what he must to keep Hinata safe from harm. Hinata's face took on a much darker and more saddened look to it.

"Oh I see. When is he expecting me?" Hinata asked with a voice that reeked of Imperial authority that she would need to face her father. Neji's hand went up to his head where a cursed tattoo was. He could feel the very magic in the ink. He sighed.

"Not for a few more minutes. But I wanted to talk to you." Hinata eyed him carefully but nodded regardless.

"About what cousin?" Neji looked around signaling that he did not want to mention this in open halls. Hinata moved out of the doorway and shut the door behind him. The two of them walked over and sat down on her large oval shaped bed. The lavender sheets bending under their weight.

"About what you're practicing in here." Hinata frowned at his words. She needed to do this. It was something she was actually good at.

"I have to Neji. How else will I get that thing off your head?" She gestured up to the mark on his forehead. Neji sighed at her.

"I get that but you are starting to scare the maids and other members of the family." Hinata huffed at the remark.

"If they knew what I was doing they would be thanking me!" She protested. Neji nodded to her.

"That is very true. I just...I just don't want to see you hurt is all." Neji placed a hand on her shoulder. She placed a soft hand over his rougher hand.

"I know. Father is probably expecting me. I should get going." They both rose and left the room without another word. They had to play it safe.

Hinata turned and began her way to her Father. She donned her Imperial walk and air of authority as she moved. She would need it. She watched around as the halls grew more and more detailed as she approached the throne room. Just another sign her father had a large ego.

She eventually came to the doors and took in a deep breath. She pushed open the doors and began to walk to the throne. She stopped a good distance away from the seat. She bowed. The wooden pillars on the sides of her were already committed to memory. She did not need to seem them anymore.

"You sent for me Father?" She asked getting up and looking him in the eye.

"I did. There have been rumors." He let the sentence linger in the air a moment. "Of you doing things you shouldn't." He knew that she understood what he was talking about.

"I assure you father that they were just rumors." Hinata replied quickly, he eyes threatened to lower themselves from his gaze onto the red and gold carpet below them.

"I certainly hope they are. If I hear such rumors again I will punish you for it, False or not." Hiashi stated calmly.

"Of course Father."

"Now I want you to go and get ready for tonight. We have a suitor for you coming and I want you to do your best to not embarrass the Clan and Hyuuga name. Now remove yourself from my sight." Hiashi said with a wave of his hand.

Hinata bowed and turned to leave. She had to focus to not let her anger get the better of her. She had to maintain her 'Hyuuga Calm' as her father had put it. She struggled to fight back tears that threatened to wet her cheeks with their presence.

She made her way back to her room before anyone could call for her or even see her. She hated the way her father treated her. The way he looked at her with such disgust and such fury. It was sickening to Hinata but such was the way of the family.

As she sat on her bed she wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. She had to get ready. A suitor was coming to see her soon and she couldn't let father be disappointed. She wouldn't let him be disappointed. It was sad to think of such things this way but Hinata enjoyed when suitors came. It's true they wanted her for a baby machine but for at least one night. They would pay attention to her and not judge her.

She sighed and looked out the window. The moonlight lighting up the city along with the various lanterns.

The Moon certainly looked beautiful tonight.

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Itachi sat back in his chair and looked out over the village. All of them were his people and were eager to get back to what they knew best. To get back to war and to fight. To make the Uchiha name feared and strong again. It was this line of thought that caused them this problem in the first place. The constant fighting and his father had caused a fundamental problem that they were lucky to avoid thus far.

The Uchiha were so focused on being the best fighters they often forgot about the other aspects of life. When Itachi put them into a peacetime mode many forgot how to do simple things. Farming was a hard fought battle for the seasons. But slowly the people learned and they grew from this. Many thought Itachi to be weak but he was not ever called stupid.

But the people were getting restless and the time to strike would be soon at hand. There was a small town just over the mountain that could be used as a foothold in the Land of Fire. Itachi stood out of his chair and looked towards the mountains.

These mountains were possibly the only reason the Hyuuga had not wiped them out before. The mountains were tall and sturdy figures that were hazardous to anyone who would attempt to climb them. It would be nearly impossible to move and army through there.

Not to mention the sheer amount of cannons that the Uchiha possessed. Among their army they had skilled men who could fire these cannons which such accuracy that it would incinerate armies before they even got close. Truly the Uchiha fighting force was like nothing the world had seen.

Itachi sighed at the mountains. In the moonlight he could almost see the Iron in them. With the size of them he could almost reach out and touch their rocky surface. He tuned his gazes towards the mountain tops. The snow was beginning to melt. His peacetime plea ended when the snow was gone. Soon..

...The Uchiha would strike once again...

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AN: Hey there all. Hoped you liked it. Please let me know what you think of it! Hopefully you enjoy it. Like I said I will update this slower as my main focus will be on my other story "The Sands of Change". Till next time!