Naruto: The hero always arrives late.
This is my first ever fanfiction so sorry if it not up to your standards. This fanfiction will mostly follow major cannon events but with my twist on them. Please read and review. Hope everybody enjoys this.
I don't own Naruto only whatever OCs' I decide to put in this.
Chapter 1: the start of the rise of Uzumaki Naruto
(6 years after kyuubi attack)
(Sunset)
A six year old blond boy was roaming the back alleyways of Konohagakure no Sato, the village hidden in the leaves. "Stupid orphanage, kicking me out for no reason!" said the boy.
Uzumaki Naruto was orphan who had never known his parents and had been living in an orphanage up until recently. During his time at the orphanage Naruto had been poorly treated, his room was in the most run down part of the building, he was served the worst quality of food (which was only just about enough to keep him alive) and was even abused by some of the caretakers even when he slightly misbehaved; even for something as pitiful dropping his food on the floor.
What Naruto didn't realise though, was that he was the only child treated this way there. A very big secret about Naruto was kept from him and every person his age or younger that would change his entire view on life. Unlike the story that was told to cover up Naruto's secret which stated that the fourth Hokage killed the strongest of Bijuu the Kyuubi no Kitsune when it attacked Konoha, the Bijuu was actually sealed into new born child. That child was none other than Uzumaki Naruto, making him the secret Jinchuuriki of the strongest demon none to man kind, the Kyuubi no Kitsune.
'Grooagh', Naruto put his hand over his grumbling stomach, "Dammit, I'm getting really hungry now; I need to find something to eat." Naruto told himself. As soon as the thought left Naruto's mind he stumbled and knocked over a trash can, making himself fall to the floor at the same time. As Naruto opened his eyes after his fall, he found a can of some kind of tinned food right in front of hid eyes. Without a care in the world, Naruto hurriedly opened the can and deposited the contents into his mouth. "Uch! That was really bad." complained Naruto.
As Naruto started to dust himself off from the fall, he caught a glimpse of something in the contents of the trash can that he had knocked over. As Naruto went over to inspect it, he was disappointed to realise that it was a book. Naruto was about to leave the book when he read the title of said book, "How to start off your shinobi career, by Hiruzen Sarutobi, hmm this could be really useful if I want to be a ninja" said Naruto. The book was filled all sort of tips and information, from most appropriate clothing to how to unlock your chakra.
Quickly forgetting about his hunger, Naruto ran towards one of the nearest parks so he could read his book under one of the lamps that were there. Naruto was unbelievably excited to start his training to be a ninja. What Naruto didn't know was that his decision not to leave the book could be one that will save the world in the future.
(3 hours later)
Naruto had been reading the book he found for over three hours and was only on the third chapter. He had been struggling to read the book, due to the fact that he hadn't had the best of education during his years at the orphanage because the workers there feared that Naruto was the reincarnation of the kyuubi and didn't want it to become to intelligent.
Naruto had learnt a lot in the last three hours. Naruto learnt how an improper diet can affect a person's growth; this was something Naruto paid close attention to because there was no way he would grow up as a midget. He had set up a small physical training schedule with the help of the book to increase his speed, strength and stamina.
Right now Naruto was reaching the part of the book which explained how to unlock one's chakra. "So the book says I'm meant to try and meditate, feel a small flame near my stomach and imagine igniting it until I feel it a warm sensation running through my entire body, simple right?" thought Naruto. He immediately got into the lotus position just like the book described, he cleared his mind and found the flame at his core. He found it weird that he was able to find the flame so easily, but he carried on anyway. He imagined every form of expanding the flame, adding fuel to it, adding more air to it even giving it more heat yet he never felt the warmth that the book described.
"Aww, I couldn't do it. I know, I'll go see jiji tomorrow, he'll tell me what I'm doing wrong." Said Naruto, once again only to himself. He decided to give in for the night, and so he settled on the park bench and fell asleep.
(Next day, Hokage's Tower)
It was fairly early in the morning and the sun could be seen just rising over the famous Hokage monument. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure could be found sitting behind his desk in the Hokage tower, awaiting the arrival of his dreaded enemy. No not another Kage, an infamous missing-nin or even the council of Konoha, no his enemy is the one thing all Kage fear … paperwork.
As Hiruzen was about to light his pipe he heard a knocking on the door. "So the time has come for us to meat once again has it?" Hiruzen said to himself. "Enter." He commanded.
To Hiruzen's surprise, it wasn't his assistant that walked in whilst carrying a stack of paperwork, no the new occupant of the room was one Uzumaki Naruto. The young boy in front of him had become somewhat of a grandson figure in his life. "Naruto-kun what brings you hear so early, I didn't know the orphanage let children out at this time?" wondered the Sandaime.
Naruto moved forward from the door and sat in one of the chairs in front of the Hokage's desk. "Hey jiji! They don't, but I don't live there anymore, they kicked me out." said Naruto.
"What! When did this happen and why?" asked the aged Hokage.
"Yesterday, they said I was causing too much trouble and that it was too expansive to keep me there." answered Naruto sounding slightly dejected.
The aged Hokage moved from behind his desk and kneeled in front of the young Uzumaki. "Well don't worry Naruto-kun, I'll find a new place for you to live as soon as possible, and until then you can stay with me." Hiruzen offered.
"Wow, you'd really do that for me? Thanks jiji, but there's actually another reason why I came to see you." Said Naruto
"Oh, and what might that be?" He asked while standing up and going back behind his desk.
Naruto showed his new book to his grandfather figure, "Well I found this book in one of the trash cans I accidentally knocked over last night."
Sarutobi Hiruzen instantly recognised the book as one of his own creations. The Sarutobi head face planted his desk and muttered something about 'not appreciating good literature'. "Uh jiji, are you ok?" asked a worried Naruto.
"Ah yes thank you Naruto-kun. So what was it you wanted to say?"
"Well, I reached the part the part in the book where it talked about unlocking your chakra. Well I tried it, I found the flame easily, but when I tried to make it grow, nothing happened. I mean the flame grew but I didn't feel the warmth like the book said I would." explained Naruto.
'Hmmm, I wonder' thought Hiruzen. The Hokage snapped his fingers and an ANBU wearing a boar mask appeared in front of him. "Please go warn Hyuuga Hiashi that I will be visiting him shortly and that I have a favour to ask him, dismissed." As soon as he finished the ANBU disappeared from view. Hiruzen then turned his attention back to the young Uzumaki in front of him. "Naruto-kun, would you mind accompanying me? I need to check something with you." asked Hiruzen.
"Sure jiji. So, where are we headed?" asked Naruto as he stood up and headed towards the door.
"The Hyuuga clan compound." stated the Hokage as he followed Naruto.
(The Hyuuga clan compound)
The stern figure of Hyuuga Hiashi could be found in his office in the main house of the Hyuuga clan compound going over the running paperwork of the Hyuuga clan. Without warning, Hiashi jumped out of his seat and jabbed forward with a chakra laced hand and his famous dojutsu the Byakugan activated. His motion was soon stopped though when the newly appeared ANBU grabbed his hand by the wrist. "I apologise if I startled you Hyuuga-san" The boar mask ANBU said without any emotion in his voice.
"I apologise for attacking you boar-san, but I thought you were an attacker or assassin of some sorts." Said the Hyuuga clan head.
"Understandable." replied the ANBU, "Sandaime-sama has sent me to inform you that he is on is way here and has a favour to ask of you; I don't have any information on this favour in-case you were wondering." The ANBU explained and then disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
Hyuuga Hiashi once again took his place behind his desk. Five minutes later the door slid open to reveal two figures, both of whom he knew very well. The first was that of the elderly Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The second figure was the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, Uzumaki Naruto. "Ah Sandaime-sama, welcome to the Hyuuga compound once again, your ANBU informed me that you were on your way over, something about a favour you wanted to ask me?" Hiashi said in his Hyuuga stern manor.
"Yes I do Hiashi-san, it concerns young Naruto here." said Hiruzen. The Hokage then went on to describe Naruto's situation about unlocking his chakra, and his troubles with it. "I have a theory that I would like your help in confirming it." explained Hiruzen.
"May I ask what this theory is Hokage-sama" asked Hiashi, surprisingly finding himself interested.
"Yes, I think that somehow Naruto's chakra has already been unlocked and that is why he doesn't feel the warm sensation running through his body like what would usually happen." Hiruzen explained further.
"And you would like my help in confirming this theory with the use of my Byakugan." concluded Hiashi.
"Precisely." The Hokage answered.
"Very well, I will help you." said Hiashi. Turning to Naruto Hiashi continued, "Could you please move towards that wall over there and then stay very still until I say so?"
"Sure!" Naruto happily answered. He moved towards the mentioned wall, turned around to face Hiashi and stayed very still. Hiashi took position in front of the young blond, put his hands in the ram seal and whispered "Byakugan.". The veins around the Hyuuga clan head's eyes swelled to a point where it was very noticeable and his pale pupil-less eyes bulged. After around thirty seconds of staring, Hiashi deactivated his Byakugan and turned to face the Sandaime. "It seems that your theory is correct Hokage-sama. The boy does have chakra running through his coils, which are very well developed. If I had to give an estimate, I would say his chakra has been active for six years, which means his chakra has been active since his day of birth." Hiashi explained.
"Thank you very much for your cooperation Hiashi-san. It was most appreciated." Hiruzen stated.
"Yeah, thanks weird guy." Naruto innocently stated.
"Naruto, please refer to Hiashi-san with more respect. Your informal way of speaking could get you into trouble in the future." Hiruzen said, slightly sternly.
Naruto nodded and turned towards Hiashi, "I apologise for my rude way of speaking Hyuuga-san" Naruto said whilst bowing slightly, surprising Hiruzen with his respectful way of speaking.
"Apology accepted. By the way Hokage-sama, there is one other thing I must inform you about. Young Uzumaki-san's chakra reserves are unusually high, it's very hard to give an estimate but at the very least he's high genin at the moment." Hiashi explained.
"I see, well thank you once again, Hiashi-san." said Hiruzen.
"Yes, thank you very much Hyuuga-san." said Naruto.
(gap line)
(Along the streets of Konoha)
After leaving the Hyuuga compound, Naruto and Hiruzen started on their way back towards the Hokage tower. "So jiji, what did the weird guy mean about chakra coils and all that?" asked a curious Naruto.
"Well Naruto-kun, chakra coils is a system, much like your blood veins, that carry your chakra around your body. It has a very complicated structure, and impossible for the normal eye to see." explained Hiruzen.
"So how could that weird guy tell that mine were 'very well developed' and what does that even mean?" whined Naruto.
"The Hyuuga clan's eyes are very special; they have a dojutsu which allows them to see chakra, chakra coils and even the points where the body releases chakra. As for the well developed coils, when somebody first unlocks their chakra, their coils are very fragile, too much strain and they could be damaged beyond repair but too little use could leave them very weak. You are in a very unique situation Naruto-kun, for some reason your chakra has always been unlocked, which means that your coils have been developing for 6 years which makes them very strong." the Hokage cleared out for the young boy. Naruto just nodded along. "Naruto, you now have amazing potential as a shinobi, in two years you will be able to enrol at the shinobi academy if you want, and there you will be able to learn how to be a true shinobi of Konoha. Until then I suggest you follow the advice from my book, and feel free to come to me if you have any problems. Though, you must remember that I can not show any favouritism towards you, but I will try to help you in any way I am allowed." finished Hiruzen.
Naruto looked up at the grandfather figure in his life almost at the verge of tears. "Thanks jiji, nobody has ever said such nice things to me, thank you." He told the Sandaime.
"Now now Naruto, don't cry, come on lets go get some food, how about we visit Ichiraku's?" asked Hiruzen, a smile on his face as he watched the young boy's eyes turn into steaming bowls of ramen.
"Yeah, come on jiji, lets go, RAMEN!" answered the young blond, noticeably excited. Hiruzen just watched Naruto as he started making his way towards the ramen stand, followed by a dust cloud. 'Yes Naruto, I can see that you are destined for greatness, even more than your father'.
Thank you for reading. Hope you all enjoyed it. Please R&R.