Sup everybody new story here and I hope you enjoy. Now I want you to know that this is a side story so I won't update it as much as Magmoria's son so please don't get mad at me. Also I want you all to know I do not own the first three chapters of this story as they belong to Assassin of War.
Disclaimer I don't own the Naruto franchise
Summary: He is the rightful heir to the forest, and one of the hidden leaf's best. However something happens and he goes missing. What happened? Where did he go, and is he okay? All of these will come to light, and the darkness. Naruto x Harem
The Warring States Period,was once an extremely deadly time in history as conflicts perpetually arose between the nations which ruled the lands. Each nation was always fighting for more rights and land, but in order to see their goals accomplished they would need to rent the military might of the various shinobi clans that roamed the war torn , even amongst all of the shinobi clans, there were two that were synonymous with the Warring States Period. These two clans came to be feared far and wide as the two strongest. Senju and Uchiha. The two most powerful clans in all the world only rivaled by the Uzumaki...
Each clan had developed a deep hatred towards the other, and when one nation hired one of them, the rival nation would hire the other. It was a never ending cycle of death, hatred, and revenge that had blossomed between these people. Eventually after countless years of battle, two men arose to the forefront of their respective clans... Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Both were hailed as the strongest by their peers and enemies alike, but even with all of the power at their disposal they still couldn't protect what mattered to them the most; their siblings.
It was through the deaths of their siblings that had prompted a fateful meeting between the two as children, which in turn started a budding friendship. The more frequently they began to meet the more they began to open up to each other, and each explained a dream they wanted to see come to fruition. A world where peace reigned, and children lived full lives instead of losing them prematurely. Unfortunately, a friendship during this era of constant fighting could only last so long. Each boy eventually came to learn that their best friend was their clan's most hated enemy, and before long each boy began to fight one another.
The hope these two had represented was severed, and the cycle began once more as the Senju Clanand the Uchiha Clan began their long standing fighting once more. The fighting had begun to lessen between the two mighty clans after a decade of non-stop battles. Both leaders began to notice that their fellow members were starting to grow weary of spilling any more blood. It was at this point that Hashirama decided to take make the first move, and offered a truce to his longtime friend and rival, stating it was time to end this conflict. The Uchiha patriarch was the only person still pushing for conflict, as he was still bitter about losing his last remaining sibling.
It was only after one more fight between both clan leaders, and a demonstration of Hashirama's will, showing he was willing to kill himself in compensation for Izuna's death, that had finally swayed the Uchiha. A truce was soon signed between both leaders as Senju and Uchiha were now allies. Soon after the initial signing did another take place, as the leaders of the two clans went to meet with the Daimyō of Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire). It was here in this land where the dream of two boys was finally going to see the light of day. All they had ever worked towards, for, had finally come true. Now no more children had to suffer.
Several years after the founding of Konoha
It had finally been accomplished. It was on this day, January 1st, that everything would change for the better. Not only for shinobi clans, but for any who wished to make a home in their new village. Konohagakure no Sato, Village Hidden in the Leaves, the village that would change things. No longer were the two boys turned men chasing a dream, it was a reality. And they were living in it. Senju Hashirama had been chosen to be the Shodai Hokage, First Fire Shadow,by his fellow peers. However even with his selection and the creation of the village he only saw as a child, it paled in comparison to what he had just witnessed and what he was currently feeling. Uzumaki Mito, his wife, soul-mate, best friend, confidant, his other-half had just given birth to his son, his legacy...Senju Naruto. He would get to see his legacy grow alongside his village.
Four Years later
Four years had come and gone since the completion of the village making Konoha four years old, along with one Naruto Senju. He stood at 3ft even, and while anyone with a pair of eyes could easily recognize him for being the son of Mito and Hashirama, there were some differences. He had been born with his father's black hair that was beginning to show signs of growth, but if one looked close enough they could make out a darkish crimson hue as well. No doubt that was inherited from his mother. Another thing he gained from his mother were his violet eyes, but unlike Mito who did not have pupils his eyes did.
A light color adorned his skin which was similar to Mito's as well, and an oval face rounded out his physical traits. Today was the day he would receive the gift his father had been promising him; training. He wanted to be like his father and mother, and today he would be his first step towards that goal. "Naruto." a voice snapped him out of his excited daze.
He turned around to see the face of his father Hashirama walking towards him with a very warm look in his eyes, "Hello tou-chan!" Naruto greeted his father with a smile and bow. "What are you going to teach me?" he asked the man called the God of Shinobi, and father.
Hashirama merely smiled at his overenthusiastic son and ruffled up his hair, "Before we go into that, I need to ask you a question that will shape how I train you." he said to the boy. Naruto scowled at his father for messing up his hair and swatted his hand away. He began to calm himself so as to not get angry, it was a lesson taught to him early on, 'Take control of your emotions, don't let them control you.' it was taught to him by his uncle.
After calming himself he looked his father in the eye... "What is your question tou-chan?" he asked his father.
Hashirama smiled at him "What would you like to learn?" the man asked him.
Hashirama was patiently waiting for his son's response, and while waiting he had noticed how quickly his son had calmed himself, "I'm very proud of you Naruto." he thought to himself.
Finally after a full minute of pondering, Naruto had his answer, "I want to learn a bit of everything." he said honestly.
The answer had honestly surprised him a bit, but he regained his composure and inwardly smiled to himself, "It seems he wants to be like me..." Hashirama thought to himself. "So you want to be like your tou-chan." said Hashirama as ideas were already filling his mind as to what he could teach, along with some other teachers as well, to his son.
"What do you mean 'be like you'?" questioned the young Senju.
The man grinned "Simple really Naruto, I'm skilled in many shinobi aspects. And I'm at least proficient and have an understanding in those I don't." proclaimed the Senju leader with a bit of smugness.
"Wow." was the only word that came to the youngster's mind; he was in awe.
"Since you wish to learn a bit of everything, we will start small and gradually go up. I want you to be the best son, and in order to be the best only the best will teach you." stated the Shodai, and knew the next question his son would ask... It was literally two little words.
"Like who?" Naruto asked his father.
Hashirama grinned "Well your kaa-chan already laid claim to your fuinjutsu training, but in order to know more about that you will need to speak with her. Depending on what your affinities are, either Tobirama or myself will teach you ninjutsu, which might also correspond to either of us teaching you our personal style of taijutsu." he answered the young boy.
"Really? So depending on what affinity I have will determine what taijutsu either of you teach me?" he said eagerly.
Hashirama nodded "That's right, but that won't be for a few years. Genjutsu will be taught by someone who excels in the art even more than me." Hashirama stated, and couldn't blame his son for the look of disbelief.
"Who's better at it than you?" he asked his father with wide eyes.
"My baby sister, Tōka-chan!" he said as he praised his younger sibling.
Naruto was clearly surprised it was his aunt, "She's the best there is in the village?" he asked excitedly.
Hashirama nodded again "That's right." he told the boy.
"Cool." said Naruto as his family was really strong.
"You got that right." grinned Hashirama, "I'm not sure who would be suitable in teaching you kenjutsu, as I don't stick to one particular weapon. We'll just worry about that for later, and focus on what we have at hand." the man stated aloud. That would be a tricky thing to decide as he couldn't think of anyone else to teach him.
"Okay...so what are we going to be doing first?" Naruto asked as he began rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
The older Senju grinned, "Chakra control, Shurikenjutsu, and physical training." he told the boy.
Naruto cocked his head to the side "Eh?" he asked in confusion which earned him a laugh from his dad.
Two years later
Two more years had passed in the blink of an eye for the village. Naruto, who is currently six years old, was awaiting his teacher. Much had been accomplished in the last two years for him in regards to his training with his father, and he was waiting to learn something new today.
– Flashback –
Naruto was absolutely giddy with excitement as today would be the day his father taught him something he had yearned for once he had seen it. Ninjutsu. It was understandable as to why he was so hyped up as doing nothing but chakra control and physical exercises tended to get old fast. Oh he knew those things were important, but he had wished they were like the other art he learned. Shurikenjutsu. His father had actually taught him a few techniques that did not require the use of chakra or elemental chakra, but instead relied more on control and skill. He was satisfied when he learned something, and then applied it to a real life situation.
However right now he was getting annoyed, "What's taking him so long?" Naruto knew how to be patient as his mother had all but ingrained manners into his mind and body. Many had stated that while looking more like his father, he thought more like his mother. It was a perfect balance of mind and power. Finally getting tired of waiting for his father, he got up off the ground, and went to the only place he felt his father would be at. "The Hokage office..."
– Hokage Office –
Hashirama was grinning like a loon while looking at his brother. The reason for this was quite simple, he had somehow won a bet against his brother, and there he was doing his paperwork for him. And the best part was that the bet was for a few years! "Looks like my gambling luck is on the rise." Hashirama said to himself.
"What was that?" Tobirama growled.
"Nothing." Hashirama said innocently.
"Remind me again why I'm doing this for you?" Tobirama asked as he gave his brother the evil eye before looking away and signing a few papers. The older brother just brushed off the glare like it was nothing, and chuckled.
"Simple really Tobi. You lost the bet, and by losing your allowing me time to train my son while spending time with my family. Plus, I'm grooming you to take this position when I step down." he told his brother. Tobirama just sighed in exhaustion, but if one looked close enough they could see the small smile that tugged on his lips. He currently had no children of his own, so his nephew Naruto was like a son to him, and if by doing this would benefit him then he would persevere. Plus it did have it's upside...
"Even I will get to teach him something...depending on how today goes." Tobirama inwardly mused to himself before snapping out of it, and looking down only to start scowling again.
"Shit!" Tobirama cursed extremely loud as he slammed his fist down on the desk in irritation. He absolutely loathed paperwork. "Tobi...you shouldn't curse so loudly. What if there were children around and they started saying that in front of their parents." chastised Hashirama, "We would have to give an explanation as to why they started cursing. And I for one don't wish to see an angry mother." the Shodai shivered at that thought. "Oh kami, what Mito-hime would do to me should she ever hear our son say that...or worse, repeat it in front of her." the Senju leader felt an ominous wind caress his very being at that moment which made him shiver.
"Shit!" screeched out a high pitched voice. Both Senju brothers paled when they heard the tiny voice curse, and started to turn around very slowly while turning even whiter only to see who said it. They knew they were both in deep shit now as Naruto stood there by the door with an innocent grin on his face. Naruto wasn't quite sure what this 'Shit' word meant, but he sure had fun saying it, "Shit shit shit shit shit...SHIT!" Naruto repeated before shouting out the last one as loud as he could. Hashirama had lost all function of his body, and he began to whither away like a ghost who was wailing at the world. Even more so when he just heard his own son repeat the word five times in a row before yelling it out.
Naruto was laughing into his hands as his Tou-chan and Oji-san (Uncle) looked really funny right now, as they both had their mouths agape, and looked like paper floating in the wind. This was the reason his father was late; he was playing a game with his Oji-san. He wanted to play to... "Can I play in your game?" Naruto asked and moved to stand next to his father. He mimicked his father and opened his mouth sideways and slowly started to sway his body from side to side. A few seconds passed before both brothers snapped out of their self induced stupors, and looked to their son and nephew respectively. They were glad the boys mother wasn't there or else they'd be dead.
Granted, what they just heard him say did not sit well with them for obvious reasons, but Naruto's current form managed to make them crack a small smile. Feeling his son had played enough, Hashirama snapped his son out of it, "Naruto, my son, what are you doing here?" he asked the boy.
The young Senju heir blinked at his father while looking up, "I came to get you so we could begin our training." he told his father.
"I see...listen up Naruto, I don't ever want you to repeat the word you heard here today." spoke the father in an authoritative tone.
"Why?" he asked innocently.
"Because it's a bad word." his father told him seriously. That and he didn't want his wife to find out.
As soon as Naruto had heard the word 'bad', he knew he did something bad, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was a bad word." he apologized.
"That's okay son, just don't ever use that word in front of me or your Oji-chan again." he instructed.
Naruto nodded his head, "What about Kaa-chan or Tōka-oba-chan (Aunt)? Can I say it in front of them?" he asked.
If it was at all possible both men paled even further than before, "No!" both brothers answered quickly, hoping to diffuse the situation. They would get a beating from both women if they ever heard Naruto say that. They would no doubt ask him where he heard it, and he would name them the culprits.
"Why?" he asked again. Tobirama was seriously starting to get annoyed by all the 'Why's', but held himself in check.
"That's what a child does Tobirama." he told himself, glad he didn't snap. "Listen Naruto, you just can't say that word to anyone...ever." he told the boy.
"Why?" he asked a third time. Both of these men had fought in countless battles in their time, and had always come back exhausted every single time. But trying to explain to a five year old why he shouldn't say bad words was clearly much more exhausting by far. It was an uphill battle. "Look...how about I offer you one favor." the Senju leader offered, not only gaining his son's attention, but Tobirama's as well.
"What kind of favor?" Naruto asked.
"Hmm..." Hashirama thought about this for a moment before coming up with something he felt was adequate, "You can ask me for one favor, and it can be anything. It doesn't matter how ridiculous it sounds, I will try to accomplish it to the best of my ability." he explained, "How does that sound?" he asked the boy.
Naruto thought about it. It did sound like a good deal and he could ask for anything he wanted, "You got yourself a deal tou-chan." he said happily. Hashirama breathed out a sigh of relief, and was about to take his son away to start on his training, but then he heard Naruto speak up, "What about you?" Naruto asked his uncle.
Quickly turning around, Hashirama saw his son staring at his brother. "Are you going to offer me a favor to?" he asked the man.
"Whoa...where is this coming from. I know he didn't get this from me." thought the Shodai in surprise as his son was blackmailing Tobirama, "Must have gotten it from Mito-hime." he thought to himself.
"Why you little..." Tobirama inwardly stopped himself, and regained his composure. It seemed his nephew was the only person besides his brother who could get under his skin. He looked directly into Naruto's eyes and found no form of greed but of curiousness. Huh well that was a surprise to say the least.
"Little brat doesn't even know he's extorting me..." Tobi muttered to himself. "What do you want from me? A favor as well?" he asked and Naruto nodded to him, "Another favor would be good." he told Tobirama. Tobirama sighed but nodded his head in his nephew's direction telling him he would owe him one. Both father and son soon left the office, and went back to their training ground. "Ah man...I have so much work to do, and then I have to go and train those other brats as well." Tobirama grumbled to himself before a smirk made it's way to his face, "Ah the wonders of shadow clones." he sighed in relief, it was good to have those thing around.
He performed the seal and made one copy of himself to stay in the office while he went to meet his students. "Maybe I can introduce them to Naruto at some point in the future..." he mused to himself. Life was good indeed with the shadow clones. However Tobirama learned something... he got all the knowledge they did when they dispelled.
xxx
Naruto and his father had finally made it back to their training ground, "So...do you remember what I was going to teach you today?" Hashirama asked the boy.
"Ninjutsu!" Naruto shouted excitedly.
"Ah yes, ninjutsu. Take this then." the older Senju said as he gave his son a piece of paper, and explained just what would happen once he applied his chakra. "Go on son, apply some chakra." he said to the boy. Naruto nodded his head while completely focusing on the small paper in front of him. He applied some chakra and took notice as the paper immediately started to turn soggy but just as quickly started to turn to dust. He dropped the paper as something he wasn't expecting started to happen.
From the wet and earthen piece of paper, a small sapling began to take root signifying that Naruto not only had a very strong affinity towards Suiton and Doton, but Mokuton. It was through the Mokuton Kekkei Genkai wielded by Senju Hashirama that the foundations of Konoha had been built on. And it was a strong factor as to why he gained the title of Shodai along with the Kami no Shinobi (God of Shinobi). Naruto turned his head in a robotic fashion to look at his father who also had a look of surprise, "I can't believe I have the same bloodline as you tou-chan!" he said excitedly.
"I-I can see that... well aren't you full of surprises." Hashirama said shocked.
"Tou-chan!" roared Naruto as he looked at his father, "I know what I want that favor to be!" Naruto said as he looked to his father.
The Senju patriarch arched an eyebrow, and already had a feeling as to what his child wanted to ask, "And that would be...?" he asked the boy.
"I want to learn Mokuton ninjutsu!" Naruto shouted out.
Hashirama chuckled as he saw that one coming a mile away. "Sorry Naruto, but those techniques would require you to have some serious chakra control and lots of chakra." he told his son who got depressed, kinda like him when was a boy. "
Aw..." Naruto pouted at this, and opened his mouth, "Shi-" he started to say.
However the young Senju's father blurred from his spot and appeared in front of his son with his hand over his mouth, "Now, now, no need to say that. You didn't let me finish, I said it would require those things, but I can teach you a technique in a few years." he offered hoping it would appease his son, and not earn the wrath of his wife... hopefully.
"How many years?" Naruto asked his father.
Hashirama held up four fingers, "Four years! I don't want to have to wait that long!" Naruto shouted.
Hashirama grinned "Ah, but there is a very good reason for waiting. By the time those four years come around, your chakra control and chakra pool will have increased exponentially." Hashirama said.
"And I will be able to teach you whole lots of Mokuton techniques!" Hashirama exclaimed waving his hands around crazily.
"Lots of techniques..." Naruto hummed at this. On the one hand he would need to wait, but when the waiting was done he would learn everything about this bloodline. He came to a decision, "I accept, and will wait four years." he told his father.
"Good good. Which affinity would you like to learn?" Hashirama said as he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard his son accept.
"Suiton." Naruto told his father.
"Suiton huh? Well Tobi is much better at it then I am, but he's currently busy at the moment." Hashirama muttered to himself.
"Aw..." Naruto had caught what his father said, and was a bit sad he wouldn't learn his Suiton affinity yet.
Hashirama saw this and quickly spoke up, "I know I'm nowhere near Tobi's mastery of that affinity, but I wouldn't call myself a slouch in that department either you know." he said to the dark haired boy.
"Then you can teach me this affinity?" he asked his father hopefully.
Hashirama nodded his head "Sure can." he told his son.
Naruto grinned "Alright! Let's not waste anymore time tou-chan!" Naruto shouted out towards his father as he ran off further into the woods, and towards a lake. "
Hey! Wait for me!" he quickly ran to catch up to his son so they could finally get this underway.
– Flashback End –
"Those were some good times..." Naruto inwardly smiled to himself.
The six year old's concentration was cut short as someone approached him. "Oh Naruto, I'm sorry that I've kept you waiting. Shall we begin our lesson." said is uncle Tobirama as the favor had been called in by Naruto. Tobirama was tasked with teaching Naruto his own style of taijutsu while his older brother would teach his own students. He just prayed that his brother's aloof attitude wouldn't rub off on his students. "It's only for a year..." he told himself. "By what your father relayed to me, your very proficient in your water affinity. Is this true?" he asked the young child.
"Hai!" Naruto said as he gave his uncle a nod of the head.
"Good then your transition to my style of taijutsu will go that much more smoothly." Tobirama stated.
"What's the style called. If you don't mind me asking?" Naruto said more as a statement than a question.
"No, no problem asking. The master I had studied under for a short time gave it this name...Tai Chi." Tobirama said as he told his nephew about the style he would teach him in.
To Naruto the word was foreign, "Tai...Chi?" he sounded it out. Weird, but ok.
"That is correct. This style was taught to me a few years after your father became clan head, and I began to use it in conjunction with my water affinity." Tobirama said.
The young raven haired youth nodded his head, and stayed silent waiting for his uncle/teacher to continue, "It is considered a mix of soft and hard strikes. The soft side is called 'Pushing Hands'." Tobirama explained.
"Pushing hands?" asked Naruto eyeing his own hands.
Tobirama nodded his head "Yes, this form will allow you to understand the internal aspect of taijutsu as well as teaching you other things such as, leverage, reflex, sensitivity, timing, coordination, and positioning." explained Tobirama before once more continuing. "This particular style works to undo a person's natural instinct, to resist force with force. It instead teaches the body to yield to force and redirect it." he told Naruto.
"Whoa, sounds like a very useful style." complimented Naruto, "What about the hard style? What does that entail?" he asked his uncle curiously.
"That is with like all other forms of hard contact; strikes, kicks, and throws etc." Tobirama said to the boy.
"I see, so only the hard style uses some form of physical contact." Naruto said in thought.
"Correct. I'm going to teach you this, but with what I've added to this style as well. Watch me." said Tobirama as he began his demonstration. Naruto watched his uncle move closer and closer to the edge of the lake that was near their location, and began to breathe very slowly while relaxing his body.
Tobirama suddenly took a step forward with his right leg while his other stayed behind. The right leg bent at the knee while the other was stretched. Both of his arms had followed the same motion as his legs until his right arm moved forward. Naruto wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it. His uncle was calling upon the water, and it suddenly answered his call as it coiled around his arm. The white haired Senju moved from his position and while to the untrained eye looked like he was moving in slow steps, but he was actually performing a kata. And then he attacked. The sound was that of like a whip. The water whip cut cleanly through some of the tree's that were behind them.
It was hard to believe that something as soft and flexible as water could inflict such damage when it was concentrated. "What did you think of that?" Tobirama asked his nephew.
Naruto was snapped out of his amazement. "That. Was. Amazing!" he shouted out.
"I'm glad you think so. Now I want you to remember these things while you train in this. Alignment, breath, visualization, and body structure are important if you wish to use this style to it's highest form. And remember the these ideals I'm about to tell you; softness and breath are more powerful when using water than aggression." Tobirama told the boy seriously for once.
"Hai!" Naruto said to his uncle.
"Good, let's begin. We've only got one year." Tobirama said.
Three Years Later
This was it! Today was the day that nine year old Senju Naruto had been waiting for, for the past four years. Today his father would begin to teach him Mokuton ninjutsu. He just couldn't wait to get stronger. And to especially prove someone wrong. His eyes had been opened on that day as he had faced an opponent who told him that those outside of these would would kill him in an instant. He hadn't taken those words well, and had challenged the man.
– Flashback –
Naruto was in the personal training ground of the Senju clan, and was currently awaiting his uncle so they could continue their taijutsu training. He spotted a figure off in the distance and assumed it was his family. "Hello Tobirama-sensei." he said as he bowed.
"Hn...what makes you think I'm Hashirama's younger brat of a brother, boy." spoke a voice that did not belong to Tobirama.
This made the young Senju bolt upright immediately, and knew this was someone different, "I'm sorry..." he started to say but since he didn't know who the man was he trailed off.
"Uchiha Madara." the man introduced himself to the boy.
Naruto's blood froze and his heart began to beat faster and faster. He was standing in front of a man who could rival his own father in a fight. "N-nice to meet you, I am Senju Naruto." he shakily introduced himself. This was his father's best friend and rival.
"Hn...so your 'his' son." spat Madara as he was eying the boy in front of him. "I'm not impressed, your father was much stronger at your age. You don't deserve to use the Senju name, let alone be 'his' son. I will refer to you as boy for the duration of our time, and nothing more." Madara turned to leave, but halted when he felt killer intent directed towards his person. Oh this was interesting.
"What's this...a Senju with some backbone?" Madara said as he was amused by this but also somewhat intrigued, he would humor the child.
"Shut up!" snarled Naruto, "I don't deserve to be a Senju or my father's son?! How about I show you just how much I do!" Naruto roared while getting into his Tai Chi stance.
It seemed him coming here looking for this boy's father wasn't a total waste of time "How about a wager, boy?" he asked the child mockingly.
Naruto eyed him suspiciously, "What kind of wager?" he asked Madara warily.
"If you can make me move both of my feet from this spot at the same time, then I will call you a Senju, acknowledge that you are 'his' son." Madara said.
Naruto stayed quiet as he thought about what Madara had said. Where was he going with this? Madara continued "And just to add a little more incentive, I will teach you one of my signature techniques." Madara offered and knew the boy wouldn't pass up this opportunity.
"And if you win?" Naruto asked him. Madara inwardly praised the boy for not just agreeing right away, "You denounce your heritage as a Senju, and become my apprentice." he told the boy seriously.
Naruto was blindsided by the odd request, "But I'm not even an Uchiha!" he said to the man.
"Mere details boy." Madara honestly didn't care if he could get the boy, as just leaving the Senju name and family would undoubtedly hurt 'him'.
It would hurt on a level so deep that he may not come back from. It was a devious plan. "So what say you?" he asked the boy. Naruto looked directly at the man's eyes, and could see no Sharingan, "I don't plan on using my Dōjutsu. If you were worried about that." Madara told him.
Naruto looked at him, and nodded. He already had a plan as to how he was going to make the Uchiha move, "Deal." he told Madara. With that Naruto shot off from his spot with water already swirling around his arms. He thrust his arm forward and the water snaked out like a whip aimed directly towards Madara's face. The Uchiha simply moved his head to the side, completely avoiding the the attack.
"Tch..." Naruto would need to try something else. He quickly moved out of the way from an incoming fireball, and glared at the Uchiha.
"I never said anything about not using ninjutsu, you just assumed it." Madara told him, and was glad he was able to get a rise out of the boy. "Always heed caution towards the words your enemies tell you, they usually always hold something devious." he told the young Senju. Naruto snarled at the man for his underhanded use of words, and was about to charge. He stopped and began to calm himself as reckless fighting was stupid fighting. Once settled, he went for the Uchiha once more.
He swept low, but the man simply raised his leg avoiding his kick. Naruto ran to the tree closest to him, jumped off of it and brought his leg down overhead. He missed as the Uchiha bent his sideways. "This is getting me nowhere!" Naruto said as he scratched his head in frustration. He was going to try something once more, and hoped it worked. Naruto gathered water in his palms and shot off two orbs towards his stationary enemy. The young Senju arrived exactly as the orbs were dismissed with relative ease, he threw a water encased strike which was blocked by Madara's arm guard. Naruto jumped back a bit and once again went low, but this time with water at the tip of his foot.
Even with the longer reach, Madara simply dismissed it. "It seems you can't dance anymore, boy." sneered Madara. Naruto just gave him a smirk, and as soon as he got up he moved far faster than Madara had anticipated. The Uchiha took a high kick to his upper arm, but only his upper body had moved because of the force behind the kick. "Hn...impressive show of skill and strength, boy. You actually managed to tag me in a non-moving state." Madara praised him mockingly, and very slowly a tiny form of respect was forming for this boy. "Show me what else you're capable of..." thought Madara. Truth be told he was a prodigy in the making.
Naruto growled at the backhanded compliment, "Try this out!" Naruto said as he was done trying to use his taijutsu, he just didn't have the strength to physically move him. He was now going to resort to using his ninjutsu. 'Boar...Tiger...' he started to form seals. "Suiton: Mizuame Nabara (Water Style: Starch Syrup Capturing Field)" he called out. Naruto spat out high viscosity water infused chakra onto the surface of the ground the Uchiha was standing on. He was planning on immobilizing the man further with this, and then blasting him away with this next one. '...Tiger...' and formed another seal to try and beat the man he was fighting.
"Suiton: Suidanha (Water Style: Water Severing Wave)" the boy called out. The raven haired youth kneaded his chakra inside of his stomach and turned it into water. His cheeks bulged to a ridiculous proportion, and he spewed out a highly pressurized stream of water towards the Uchiha. Said Uchiha saw the technique coming at him, and he was mildly impressed. Naruto saw the man standing there and took the attack head on. After a few seconds he stopped applying chakra, and cut off the stream. He was a bit tired after using that technique, but shrugged it off and walked over to where his opponent used to be.
"Nothing left..." he muttered.
"Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions, Senju." spoke Madara as he was behind Naruto, blade on his neck, with an impassive face.
Naruto who was about to retort had taken notice at what he was just called, "You called me Senju." he said in disbelief.
Madara nodded his head "I did as you made me move from my location with a sub-par technique. I honored the deal, and thus I called you Senju." Madara said as he nodded his head.
The boy was better than he thought. "What about me being my father's son?" Naruto asked.
"Hn...that as well. I can see he's trained you somewhat decently." Madara said in a condescending tone.
Something else clicked in Naruto's mind, "Why don't you call me by my first name then? Have I not earned your respect here, today?" he asked Madara.
"You will have to do much more than just make me move from a single spot to earn my respect. Respect is earned, not given." Madara told the boy.
Naruto took a moment to process his words, and he had to agree with him, "What about that technique you offered?" Naruto asked and he couldn't help but rub his hands together, it was always fun learning something new.
"What is it with you Senju and learning different techniques?" Madara muttered to himself, as the young Senju was showing a part of his father's personality right now.
"Hn...watch the hand-seals and listen carefully as I hate doing things twice. I'm going to teach you a Katon technique." Madara told the boy.
Naruto cocked his head confused "Why? I don't have a fire affinity." he said.
Madara rolled his eyes "Senju, just because you don't have a natural affinity towards something doesn't mean you can't learn it. It just takes more control and chakra. Now be silent and watch..." Madara chided the young heir of his rival clan. 'Rat...Ox...Dog...Monkey...Boar...Tiger...' Madara formed the necessary hand-seals for the powerful technique. "Katon-" Madara called out loudly as he drew his head back while taking a very deep breath.
– Flashback End –
Naruto chuckled as that had by far been the most interesting thing he had ever experienced, and he got a new technique out of it as well. He was still in awe at the sheer volume of fire the technique produced. Practice was all he needed for it. He had also decided to keep quiet about that spar as his family would no doubt scold and beat him for being reckless. Not much else to note aside from the kids he had met. He was training with his father that day, when his uncle had brought along six kids his age. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, Akimichi Torifu, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
– Flashback –
Tobirama had decided to bring his team and subordinates over to his brother's home, and introduce them to his nephew. It would do the children some good to interact with others instead of always training. "Where are we going Tobirama-sensei?" asked Hiruzen as not only he wanted to know, but the others as well.
"We're going over to my brothers home as I wish to introduce you all to someone." Tobirama told Hiruzen. "
The Shodai!" thought Danzō, Kagami, and Torifu. Hiruzen and his two teammates wondered why as they had already met the Shodai. Perhaps there was another reason for going there. Tobirama opened the gate towards the backyard as he could sense his brother and nephew in the back training.
"C'mon Naruto!" urged Hashirama, "I know you can do better than this, again!" Hashirama urged out.
Every member of the small group that was with Tobirama heard this and wondered what was going on; or who this Naruto person was. "Who's this Naruto person, Tobirama-sensei?" asked the seven year old Hiruzen. It seemed to Tobirama that his brother had forgotten to mention his offspring to his students. How was he supposed to know he hadn't done it! Well they were going to find out now.
"Just watch my students." he told them as each person took a different interest as to who this other boy was.
"Hai!" called out Naruto. 'Rat...Snake...Tiger...' the boy began forming hand seals. "Doton: Doryūha (Earth Style: Earth Flow Wave)" he called out.
Naruto stood stock still as he manipulated his chakra into the very earth itself, and no sooner did the earth rise up underneath him. It rose up about 12 feet with Naruto on top, and he willed the earth to follow his guidance. The earthen wave moved at his call before he decided to enact the second part of the technique... Naruto then formed another seal.'...Snake...' and called out "Retsudo Tenshin (Violent Heavenly Earth Needle)" very loudly. Naruto once again manipulated the earth below his feet and the beginning of the rock wave started to thin out to a fine point. It was a needle that had been created in a matter of mere moments, and it launched itself towards the dummies that had been set up.
The needle completely tore through the front of the chest cavity and came out of the back. It was an instant kill if used correctly. Naruto breathed out a tired sigh and jumped off of his rock which allowed the earth to flow back into the earth. "How was that?...Hm?" Naruto had asked his father, but his eyes drifted towards the group of people standing behind his uncle. "Who are they, Oji-san?" he asked his uncle as he laid eyes on the group of young kids with his uncle.
"Oji-san? Why is he calling you uncle, Tobirama-sensei?" Kagami asked his teacher.
"Because he is my nephew, and the son of my brother." revealed the white haired Senju.
"Wha?" the kids shouted in disbelief.
"Senju Naruto." he greeted them each with a handshake. As he passed by each and every one of them, he could tell they were trained. But only three of them really caught his attention.
"Why don't you guys introduce yourselves." stated Tobirama. "
Hai!" the group chorused. "Sarutobi Hiruzen." greeted the first boy. Naruto could see he was the shortest one amongst the group, but clearly one of the more talented ones. He had dark brown hair and tan skin.
Danzō was about to greet the boy, and make a good impression on the Senju heir but got cut off, "Hi, my name is Uchiha Kagami." greeted the second boy oblivious to the glare from his own teammate.
Naruto's actually stopped when he heard the name Uchiha, and looked towards the boy. Said Uchiha had short, black, unkempt hair and stood a head taller than Hiruzen. Naruto nodded at him and moved on.
"Shimura Danzō." he greeted the Senju heir tersely. Naruto merely nodded his head, and took in the boy's appearance. Just a bit taller than Hiruzen but shorter than Kagami, this one had shaggy black hair but his most discerning feature was the x shaped scar on his chin.
"Akimichi Torifu." Naruto knew of the Akimichi clan, and just what they could do. This one was definitely the biggest of the group. That was saying something.
"Mitokado Homura." Naruto knew there was no clan with that surname so it was a possibility that this one was from a civilian family. He was impressed that he gained the eye of his uncle and had decided to train him.
"Utatane Koharu." greeted the only girl of the group, as she blushed a bit at seeing the young Senju heir. She blushed even harder as he grabbed her hand and placed a kiss there. Naruto had been drilled about etiquette from his mother and Tōka-oba-chan regarding girls. He was supposed to be really nice to the ones he knew, and even those he didn't. It just confused him as to why he had to be nice to girls that were going to try and kill him.
"Mom's are just weird like that I guess." he told himself, and shrugged. He faced his uncle, "So why are you guys here today? Are you here to see my Tou-chan?" he asked his uncle.
Tobirama shook his head, "No, we aren't here for my brother. We came to see you." he told his nephew.
"Me?" Naruto asked curiously.
Tobirama nodded his head "Yes, I wanted you to meet my students and subordinates. You know, get to know each other and so on..." he told the boy.
"Oh, okay I guess. Follow me then guys." he called over to them. Hashirama saw his son leading the group over to the lake, and went over to his brother.
"I'm glad the kids can be just that, kids. We've been pushing them for a while now, and it's good to just let them relax." he said honestly.
"Indeed, and hopefully they become friends." Tobirama said to his brother in agreement.
"We can only hope my dear brother." Hashirama told Tobirama as both men soon followed after the children. What was a group session without the group, might as well join in on the fun neh?
– Flashback End –
Naruto had hit it off with the group overall, but more so with Hiruzen and Kagami. Both boys were full of life and each loved the village just as much as he did. It's too bad he hadn't been placed on a team as the three of them could have done some serious damage. But then again being apprenticed to the first Hokage wasn't so bad either. It was rather unfortunate that he only had one or two more years to study under his father as the deal with his uncle would soon be ending. He would need to try even harder. The last year before this current one had been solely focused on learning genjutsu from his aunt; Senju Tōka. She was a slave driver when it came to training.
If he had to rate who the hardest person he's had to learn under she easily took the top spot. She would bonk him over the head every time he did something wrong or if he was getting distracted. Illusions were a bit different for him as even with his great chakra control it still took him quite a bit to cast one. But when he did they were pretty powerful if he did say so himself. She taught him quite a few techniques that he couldn't wait to use later on. His musing over the past three years had been cut short as a lone figure walked into Senju clan training ground. However today was a new day "So Naruto, are you ready to learn Mokuton from me?" his father asked.
"Hai!" Naruto said nodding his head.
"Good, then I am going to teach you a technique that will benefit you in the long run. Watch this." Hashirama instructed his son. He began to form seals 'Tiger...Dog...Snake...' and then clasps his hands together. "Mokuton: Moku Bunshin no Jutsu (Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique)" Hashirama called out. A wooden clone sprouted out from Hashirama's back. The young Senju wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't of just seen it. And he was going to learn this!
"Let me try! Let me try!" Naruto really wanted to try this one.
"Hold on there Naruto. I need to explain something about this particular technique." Hashirama told him.
Naruto controlled himself as his father usually never used his serious voice with him, "Sorry, go ahead." he said calmly as he could.
Hashirama nodded his head, "This is a variant that I created after seeing your uncle's own clone technique. However where his single clone sends info back to the user, mine can send back twice as much, and they last longer." he told his son.
"Can you explain?" Naruto asked as his uncle had shown him the Kage Bunshin before but said there was no point in teaching it to him since he would learn something about it later. "Guess this is what he meant." he told himself, it would have been nice to know right about now actually.
"As you know our Mokuton bloodline creates life through our trees and other various things we can grow. This applies to our wood clones as well, just the sheer life force one of these clones has equals five of Tobirama's shadow clones." Hashirama told his son.
"Seriously!?" the boy exclaimed.
Hashirama nodded his head "Yes, so you can see why I stopped you. If you had created twenty five it would have been the equivalent of you creating one hundred and twenty five shadow clones." he said to his son. Naruto blanched at hearing the number, his uncle had told him the specifics of the shadow clone and he didn't feel like going brain dead anytime soon. He would need to regulate the amount of chakra he pumped into this.
"I understand. Can I give it a shot?" he asked his dad.
"Go ahead." Hashirama told him.
Naruto weaved through the required hand-seals, "Mokuton: Moku Bunshin no Jutsu (Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique)" Naruto called out. And exactly mimicking his father two clones surfaced from his back, "Do they always come out of our body or can they manifest from different trees?" he asked curiously.
"A good question, and one I didn't figure out until I was much older than you. But yes they can manifest out of trees if you wish." Hashirama told him.
"Good to know." Naruto said nodding.
Hashirama nodded, "Yes it is, now let's continue." Hashirama said.
"Hai!" Naruto said.
– One Year Later –
A full decade has come to pass as the village was now ten years, along with one Senju Naruto. Said boy now stood at 4 foot 3 inches and came in at around 72.5 pounds. His hair had grown out exponentially enough that he was a miniature version of his father. His oval face made him look perfect in the eyes of many of the females of the village. The only reason they hadn't tried to make a move on him was for two very simple reasons. He was the son of the current Kage, and his mother was extremely protective. Naruto was currently walking the streets but stopped when something caught his eye. It was a weapons shop, and in front of the store laid a katana.
His gaze never left the weapon, "I wonder when Tou-chan will teach me kenjutsu?" he thought to himself. Why hadn't his father ever tried to approach the subject, maybe he should try and find out. He decided to head on home. It wouldn't hurt to ask right?
– Senju Compound –
Naruto walked through the gates of his family compound, greeted the two guards and went directly towards his home. Finally reaching his home, he unlocked the front door and entered. "I'm home!" he hollered.
Just as he was about to take a step his mother, Uzumaki Mito, stepped in from a different room, "Welcome home." she greeted. To Naruto she was the most beautiful woman on the planet, and one day wished to marry someone as beautiful as her; with red hair to.
"Thanks Kaa-chan. Is Tou-chan home?" he asked her.
Mito nodded her head and directed him towards the area he was at, "He's in the den, I'll show you to him as I need to discuss something with the both of you." she said.
Naruto raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off as he would soon find out what she wanted with him. Both finally reached the door as Mito knocked. Both could hear some papers being shuffled from their side of the door, but neither commented on it and just went about their business, "Come in." called out Hashirama. In walked mother and son to see Hashirama sitting behind a desk with a mess of papers littered around in an unorganized fashion, "Oh, Mito-hime and Naruto. What can I do for the two of you?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Go ahead Naruto-kun, I can wait." Mito told her son.
The young Senju nodded, "I want to start learning kenjutsu Tou-chan, can you teach me?" he asked.
Hashirama nodded as he knew it was one of the arts he hadn't taught to his son yet. He briefly looked to his wife, and she gave him a subtle nod. "You remember the deal I had with your uncle?" Hashirama asked his son and got a nod from him. It was a rhetorical question, of course he would know.
"I do." he answered. "Then you do realize I have only one year left, and would you rather I spend that teaching you kenjutsu or more Mokuton techniques?" Hashirama asked his son.
It wasn't a hard question for Naruto to answer, "Mokuton." Naruto answered his father.
The Shodai nodded at this as well, "I figured you'd go down that path. Right now I can't teach you as I need to get back to my duties for two years." he said.
"What! Two years, but what am I going to be doing for two years?" Naruto was hysterical and didn't know what he was going to do.
His mother smiled "I think I may have a solution to your problem, Naruto-kun." Mito spoke for the first time since entering the room.
"Kaa-chan?" Naruto asked curiously. "I'm going to go on a trip to Uzu for a couple of years, and I wanted to take you along with me." she told him her idea.
"Uzu! Really, but what can you teach me over there that you wouldn't be able to over here?" he asked her.
"Well fūinjutsu for one as I need some scrolls from my former village, and the Uzumaki clan are some of the best when it comes to kenjutsu. So maybe I could find you a teacher there." Mito offered.
"Really?! I'd love to go with you Kaa-chan." he said excitedly.
Mito nodded as a smile graced her features, and she turned to her husband, "Then it seems both of us will be going. Then please approve it Hashirama-kun." she said hopefully to her husband.
Hashirama grinned "You got it honey." he said to the redhead.
Naruto looked at his mother "So when are we going to leave?" he asked his mother.
Mito looked at her son "In a few days, get your things ready." Mito informed him.
"Hai!" And off he went to gather his belongings. This was going to be one heck of a training trip he would not forget anytime soon.
– Uzushiogakure –
Both mother and son had arrived in the village that housed the Uzumaki clan. Mito was wearing a simple white kimono with two tags pinned in her hair buns. Naruto was wearing something his father and uncle had designed as a prototype. Black gloves were around his hands along with tighter fitting pants that still felt loose. He wore a mesh shirt with a black shit that felt like it had a metal plate in it. Over his clothes he had a crimson chest guard, shoulder guards, leg guards, and arm guards along with black sandals with tiny spikes underneath. The last remaining piece was the kunai and shuriken holster on his right leg.
"Everything feels snug on me." Naruto was impressed since it didn't feel loose, but it didn't restrict his movements. "I wonder what they are going to use this for?" he wondered to himself. His father and uncle were even going to give him a mask, but had decided against it. The armor he wore was reminiscent of the times Hashirama was in, but with a new edge. Naruto's armor had the Senju and Konoha symbols emblazoned on the armor. He would need to thank his father and uncle when he saw them again, as he loved it. He had been in awe of it when he had first seen it, but right now he was staring at something equally in awe.
Naruto was in awe at the village standing before him, and one thing came to mind, "It looks really similar to Konoha." he thought to himself as he looked at the village his mother hailed from. And he was right as some of the buildings here looked like exact copies, but there were stark differences. The Uzumaki swirl was imprinted on many of the buildings along with some of the local shops. This village had multiple bodies of water running through it with many bridges that allowed shinobi and citizen alike to cross at their leisure. He felt at home here for some reason even though it was his first time here. Perhaps it was the people who showered him and his mother with kindness and respect.
Well respect towards his mother, but kindness nonetheless. His mother told him they were going to meet the leader of the village to inform her that they had arrived. Naruto said nothing but gave her a nod, and continued to gaze at the village.
– Uzukage Tower –
'Knock' 'Knock' "Enter!" hollered the woman who sat behind her desk. She hated doing damn paperwork and hoped something interesting happened today to lighten her mood. And in walked that something interesting as she saw a woman with buns and a young man dressed in some interesting crimson armor, "Mito!" the Uzukage stood up and rushed towards the familiar woman.
Mito opened up her arms and welcomed the hug, "It's nice to see you to Karin." she said smiling happily.
"You as well Mito." responds Karin before spotting a miniature clone of Mito's husband, "And who is this cutie Mito. Is this your son?" she asked, curious to know if she was correct.
Naruto blushed a bit at what this woman he didn't know just said. If he was honest with himself he would definitely say this woman was just as beautiful as his mother. They even looked familiar! "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you Uzukage-sama. My name is Senju Naruto." he bowed respectfully to a person of high standing.
Karin was giggling like a child, "I see both you and Hashirama instilled modesty into the boy. I think me and you Naruto are going to get along just fine." she said to Mito.
"Pardon me for being rude, but how do you know my mother?" he asked as he looked directly into her violet eyes and abruptly turned away blushing.
"I can see he's still quite shy." Karin commented on the red dusting the boy's cheeks.
Mito actually let a few giggles escaped her lips, "Can't you see the resemblance Naruto. This is my younger sister." she told her son. Naruto looked back and forth between the two women, and found his mother telling him the truth. How could he have been so blind. Both ladies had the same facial structure, same eyes, but each of course had their own differences.
But the resemblance was uncanny,"Ah...I see." was all the young boy could say. His short and monotone answer just made each woman laugh a little harder, and now he was really turning red; from embarrassment.
After Mito and her sister had stifled their laughter, Mito gave him a rundown of just how the next two years would be going. He would be training with a kenjutsu master who had joined the clan a few years ago, and he was considered the best in their village. That would be the first year while the second year would be spent training with her, and learning fūinjutsu. "Right, sounds good. When can we start." he asked the two women trying to wind down his embarrassment.
"We start tomorrow." both women told him. Oh, well that was good.
– Two Years Later –
Naruto was now twelve and his two years had come and gone as his time in Uzu was done. He was now getting ready to go back home to Konoha, but he was going to be making the trip back home alone. Clad in his armor he said his goodbyes to his sensei along with the Uzukage, and began his trek back to his home. He thought back to that fateful day, and still couldn't help but be worried after his mother hadn't come back when she had left. He had really enjoyed himself in the village his mother grew up in.
– Flashback –
Today was it! Today was the day he would finally get to learn the one art that had eluded him since his training had begun many years ago; kenjutsu. His mother had instructed him to meet a man named Kenshin in a certain location. Naruto was waiting patiently for the man until he saw a shadow on the ground. It had been stretched beyond belief due to the sun being at it's highest point. The silhouette began to inch closer and closer to his location until the man stood before him. The raven haired teen was expecting a man whom he was sure would no doubt be of Uzumaki descent, instead he got something else. The man before him had hair as dark as his, but it was his eyes that drew attention; they were amber.
This was Kenshin! "I can see you were expecting someone of Uzumaki origins to teach you, young one." calmly spoke Kenshin in a soft voice.
Naruto was a bit startled at the man's sudden statement but recomposed himself, "I apologize if I was staring, as I was sure most Uzumaki were born with red-hair. Clearly the genes of one parent overpowered those of the other." he said in a apologetic tone.
"I'm glad to see that some of the younger generation think before they act, but I am in fact not an Uzumaki by blood, just in name." the man told him.
"I'm afraid I don't understand." Naruto said confused. What did he mean by that?
"It's quite simple really, I used to be a samurai from Tetsu no Kuni (Iron Country) that served under a master. But when my master was killed I became a Rōnin, traveling the lands until I was on death's doorstep. I was dehydrated and malnourished, but then some kind people saved my life as they offered me food and drink." he explained to Naruto.
"And these kind people were Uzumaki I'm guessing." Naruto stated.
"Correct, I who no longer had a master to serve no longer had purpose. But then these people show me kindness, and I feel I have once again found purpose in my life." Kenshin told the young Senju with a nod from his head.
"So you came to live here then, and see the village's people as your master?" Naruto said matter of factly.
Kenshin nodded his head "I did, and I have since become the village's best swordsman." he told Naruto.
"I see, then what are you going to teach me?" he asked the samurai.
Kenshin actually stopped to think on this before he gave his answer, "I will teach you the Uzumaki-ryū that all Uzumaki know, but I also wish to teach you something from my homeland that would give you an edge in battle." he told Naruto.
Now Naruto was excited to learn from this man once he mentioned he wanted to teach him something from Tetsu no Kuni, "What's that?" he asked.
"Iaijutsu." Kenshin said.
"And that is?" Naruto asked.
"It is the art of the quick-draw. It works well as a surprise attack, and if timed correctly can be used defensively as well." Henshin explained.
Naruto was impressed with this attack, but knew there had to be some drawbacks, "And it's weakness?" Naruto asked.
"You have a good head on your shoulders, Senju. The only drawback is that this attack only allows for one draw." he told Naruto.
"I'm afraid I don't understand." Naruto asked confused.
"In layman's terms it means once you draw your blade and perform a cut, you must re-sheathe afterwards." informed Kenshin.
"What?! Why?" Naruto asked the man.
"It is just how it was designed, although it's supposed to go with another style but you won't be learning that one." Kenshin said to him with a shrug.
"Why?" Naruto asked again.
"Because you aren't a samurai. This is why you will be learning the Uzumaki-ryū to make up for not knowing the complementing style of Iaijutsu." Kenshin told Naruto.
"Oh, I guess that makes sense. What's the Uzumaki-ryū actually called?" Naruto asked.
"It's called the Arainami(Raging Wave). This style allows your blade to flow like a river yet be fast and fierce like a wave that crushes those beneath it's might." Kenshin said to him.
Naruto only had one thing to say,"When do we start?" he asked.
– Six Months Later –
The past six months had been absolute torture on Naruto's body and mind. He was glad he had been born half Senju and half Uzumaki or he may not have made it this far. It wasn't so much learning the stances, but the flexibility needed for them. Kenshin had told him his body needed to be able to flow just as easily as his blade. What this all really meant was, Naruto needed to train his body in a different way than he was used to doing. He had to train his arms, especially if he wanted to use Iaijutsu. His mother often made light fun of him when he came home bruised and cut up, but often more than not he was just too exhausted to fight back. "Only six more months to go..." Naruto kept telling himself.
– Six Months Later –
Another six months had passed making it a full year since Naruto and his mother first arrived, and he began to learn kenjutsu. The one year was up for sensei and student, but before each parted ways, Kenshin had a surprise. "Where are we going sensei?" he asked the man.
Kenshin looked at his student, "Naruto, I have spoken with Uzukage-sama. And she has granted me my request." he told the Senju.
"Request?" Naruto asked curiously.
Kenshin nodded "Yes, you see on this island which we inhabit is said to be a blade that was formed from the very sea itself. From the texts I have read, this blade chooses it's own master, but none have succeeded since the original wielder." he said.
Both had finally entered an area underground that housed hundreds of blades. "And you believe I will be the next chosen?" Naruto said, but was a bit skeptical about this, but didn't voice it.
Kenshin nodded his head affirmatively "I do, now open your heart and mind. Let the soul of the blade reach out to you." he instructed the Senju. Said student shrugs and does as instructed. He closed his eyes while steadying his breathing, and soon his mind became clear. After a short few moments he begins to feel a trickle on his neck, and slowly begins to feel a uncertain feeling within his mind, almost as if he were hearing a faint whisper that was saying "Follow my voice young one, and let it lead you to me..." in a soft humming tone.
Naruto still had his eyes shut, and began to let the voice guide him to his destination. After walking for a few seconds he stopped, as he felt he was right where he needed to be. He opened his eyes and found himself in a very secluded area that held one weapon. "Beautiful..." were the words that came out of the Senju's mouth as he gazed upon the weapon in front of him. It was a katana, of that he had no doubt, it stood 64 centimeters in length, but it was unlike anything he had ever seen. The metal, if he could even call it that, was not like normal metal. It held no grayish hue to it, but instead it was pure white. As if foam from the very ocean was used in it's creation.
The scabbard was a royal blue color that went well with the pure white. The hilt was as dark as the ocean depths, and the tsuba had intricate designs that resembled waves crashing on the land. Kenshin looked to Naruto and gave him instructions "Hold the blades in your hands so that it may finally see you as a potential new wielder." he told him. Naruto did as told, and as soon as he touched the katana a blue aura wrapped itself around him. Kenshin was all smiles as a second wielder had finally been chosen. The young Senju didn't know what was going on, one minute he's looking directly at the blade, and the next he's staring into a never ending vastness of white.
Naruto shook his head to try and clear it, but he couldn't. Kenshin placed a hand on his shoulder's, "What do you intend to do with this blade? Answer wisely, as the wrong answer will force it to kill you and cast your corpse adrift never to be found in the waters." he said.
Naruto gulped and thought long and hard about this, "I will wield this blade in the hopes of protecting all that I hold dear while striking down any who would seek to harm it." he stated with conviction.
Kenshin smiled "You answered wisely, Senju Naruto. There is a legend that says that only one other has ever answered with such conviction, and she did it during the time of great chaos." the old samurai said.
"Great chaos?" parroted Naruto.
"A story for another time perhaps. Now Senju Naruto, use your blade and let your enemies feel the rage of that which only the sea can deliver." the Samurai roared as water suddenly erupted from behind them.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes to find himself standing in the room, but he had a katana strapped at his left hip. "It seems that the Haushiō no Umi (Raging Whirlpool of the Sea) has finally chosen a wielder." said Kenshin as he gazed upon the legendary weapon.
"Indeed it has." Naruto responded.
Kenshin silently nodded to himself as it seemed Naruto could weild the legendary blade, "Just like a true swordsman." he thought. "Congratulations Naruto, let's go and inform your mother of your success." Kenshin said to him. Both men left the area and went to inform Mito and Karin of just had transpired. Needless to say both women were happy for him, and Mito was very surprised since she thought the blade to be a legend. Clearly she was wrong.
– Flashback End –
Naruto managed a chuckle as he remembered the shocked faces of his two mother, "Ahh...that was priceless." Having just left Uzushiogakure, it would take him no more than one day, two days tops to reach the village. Especially going at the speed he was going at. "I sure could use a story to pass the time..." he thought to himself as he used his Sensing ability to search the village. It was a useful ability when you can't always keep your eyes open. He wondered just how much the village had changed in his absence, was it bigger? Did they gain new comrades? He wanted to know so as to keep his mind off of what had been worrying him since he left. "Kaa-chan..." the teen thought to himself.
– Flashback –
Naruto was sitting behind a desk with ink and scroll, awaiting his mother. A minute later in walked Uzumaki Mito, "Good morning Naruto-kun, are you ready to learn fūinjutsu?" she asked him.
"Hai!" he exclaimed.
"Good, now explain to me just what factors into sealing?" she asked in a lecturing tone.
"Factors that apply to the art of sealing are physics, geometry, mass, length, and how much chakra is being sealed." he answered correctly.
"Correct my son, it seems you gained my book-smarts, and just what can seals do?" she said with a wide smile on her face.
"They can do anything...provided the user has the skill, tenacity, and imagination." he said to her.
"That is also correct. For now I will instruct you on seals that will prove useful when in battle." she informed him.
"Which ones are those?" he asked his mother.
"Exploding tags, storage scrolls, and gravity seals etc." she told him.
"Are we going to be doing this inside?" he asked.
Mito shook her head "No, we have a field reserved. Seals are very dangerous, and if one mistake is made the results could prove disastrous. Which is why we have a field. she told him. Both soon left the confines of the building, and went outside to begin the lesson. Needless to say his hand was cramped very badly.
– Six Months Later –
If the previous training with Kenshin had pushed his body to limits he didn't think he had, then his training with his mother was doing a pushing him mentally. Fūinjutsu was a lot of theory with trial and error as company. His mother was a task master, and often gave him loads of seals to work on with very little time for break. As the person who others credited as the absolute best in the world in her knowledge and application of seals, she would only except the best from him. It was grating on the nerves a bit, but it was all the sweeter when he finally did succeed in his task. He was currently sitting in the field they had been practicing in for the past six months.
"It's not like her to be late..." Naruto idly wondered just why his mother was late, and about to go search for her but stopped when the Uzukage appeared.
"Hey, Naruto-kun. Can we talk for a bit...it's concerning your mother." she told him.
He immediately turned serious, "What happened?!" he demanded.
"Nothing serious. She was called back to the village when news spread about your father." she told the young Senju.
"What happened to him?!" he demanded yet again. Now he had to worry about both parents.
"From what our sources reported, your father has been fighting for the past twenty fours and your mother went to assist him." Karin said.
"Fighting for twenty-four hours!" he thought in disbelief, "Who is he fighting?" he asked her.
"Uchiha Madara...and the Kyuubi no Yoko (Nine-Tailed Demon Fox)." Karin said.
"Kyuubi?" Naruto had never heard the term before.
"It's a Bijuu." she said to him.
"Bijuu?" he said as he pronounce yet another term he was unfamiliar with.
"Look, don't worry about these words. Just know that your mother is safe and she helped your father." Karin said to the teen.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief once he heard this, "I need to go home right now." he said earnestly.
"Sorry Naruto-kun, but your mother left me with strict instructions. You must finish your last six months of training, and then can you go home." she said.
"But why?! This training isn't as important as my family!" he yelled in irritation.
"I understand that!" Karin snapped back, "But your mother wanted this, so the least you can do is master what she wants you to, and show her when you go back that you have mastered this!" she said with tears growing in her eyes. Naruto was about to speak up again, but held off. His mother would want him to continue this and see it through till the end. That was just the kind of person she was, and he would respect her wishes.
"Then who is going to train me?" he asked.
"I am, and before you say anything it's fine. It will only be for six months." she said shrugging her shoulders. He nodded his head, and they both began.
– Flashback End –
– Konohagakure –
At last! He was finally within seeing distance of the village gates. Finally he would get to see his family and find out just what happened six months ago. Signing in was quick and easy, and he immediately rushed to his home. People around the village just saw a blur running past them, and most didn't think anything of it. It was a common occurrence. The seconds he spent running felt like hours until he finally reached his destination. Nothing seemed out of place with his home, and he fished for his key, turned the knob and entered. "Kaa-chan! Tou-chan! Are you here?!" he asked frantically.
"We're upstairs Naruto, and be a little quieter." said a voice Naruto knew belonged to his father.
He ran up the steps and entered the room that was currently housing his mother, father, uncle, and a little blonde girl he didn't recognize. "Kaa-chan, Tou-chan, are the both of you okay?" he asked them worried.
"We're fine son, and we've had time to recuperate from our battle." informed Hashirama.
"What happened during those six months?" asked Naruto.
"Much has happened in not only six months, but in the past two years." Tobirama answered for his brother.
"Like what?" Naruto asked.
"I was passed the title of Hokage, and now go by the Nidaime." spoke Tobirama, and chuckled at seeing his nephew's shocked face.
"But why?" Naruto asked looking to his father.
"I felt it was time to step down. Plus not being Hokage allows me to spend more time with my family, and this little one." he lightly petted the blonde girl.
"And who is she?" Naruto asked the adults.
"This is Senju Tsunade, your cousin." informed Mito.
"And my daughter." Tobirama stated calmly.
Naruto never thought it would have happened, as the man didn't seem like he would ever fall for another, but here was the proof. Senju Tobirama was now officially a father. Two words immediately came to Naruto as it fit this situation he had been thrusted in... "Holy shit!" the young Senju exclaimed loudly. Well there goes Tobirama's life, and Hashirama's by default.
Alright as I said at the start I don't own the chapter or the next two that come after. See ya next time.