The Konoha Loyalist – I don't get it.
Uzumaki Naruto remembered those moments in the Academy when he had known so little, he still knew so little – but it was those frequent moments, where he'd scratch the back of his head in thought and go, "I don't get it." When it came to History or math, he still had a lot of problems, but the point was he did not get it – at all. Naruto was a happy person, he strived to be a happy person, he was the supporter and patriot of Konohagakure no Sato. There wasn't a vibe or atom in his body that would betray his home in any kind of way: stealing, insulting a civilian, and killing a comrade – he would never have a plot in any of that.
So why were the words, "Naruto, you have been trialed to be executed tomorrow night as a Traitor of Konoha," echoing repeatedly in his head?
His chest hurt. Bad. Naruto, over the years of training and his childhood, had gained many injuries that would have grown men bent over squalling like a baby (no exaggeration there), and he'd hardly flinch since he had an unusual healing ability – but now, here, he was in some excruciating pain.
The only thing soothing down the agony was the thundering rain pouring over his head, soaking into his clothes and numbing the injury on his chest. Naruto flicked his still, ever-so vibrant blue eyes to the person he had been carrying for the last hour.
Uchiha Sasuke.
He felt regret sink deep down into his heart. Naruto hadn't meant to damage or hurt Sasuke at all, in fact, it was the total opposite. But after his best friend at resorted to using that Orochimaru's cursed seal, Naruto had relented to Kyuubi's power – which he knew had been a major, major mistake. Naruto can hardly recall the fight after that, only bits and pieces of red lights and roars of rage. Sasuke wasn't considerably hurt besides a few broken ribs and a massive amount of bruises.
He chuckled lightly and then grimaced. At least he didn't have a damn hole through his chest. Naruto felt a slither of relief pass through him as he began to see his village's Gates loom in the distance. He had never felt so much in high spirits at seeing the imposing entryway. A fleeting smile crossed his lips; satisfaction was now radiant from his aura.
This was it. He had done it. He brought Sasuke back, albeit insignificantly harmed, fulfilling his faithful promise to the girl that he very much cared about. Sakura may not know it, but the only reason he had constantly asked her out for dates was mainly because Sasuke would shoot her down after her words, "Sasuke-kun do you –"and he would usually cut her off right then. He hadn't felt pity towards her, mainly sympathy, and Naruto had wanted the girl to feel better. Thus everyone thought he had developed a crush on her.
"Naruto!"
He felt his smile grow bigger into a full-blown grin. Sakura was racing out to meet him, her eyes wide with worry and concern. He wanted to ease that expression off her face, and he knew after a few days, she would be back to normal – Team Seven would be renewed, they could be a family again, just like Naruto had dreamt it to be.
He could now see Tsunade and Kakashi as well; a lot of Jounin and Chunin were surrounding the Gates as if waiting for his return . . .
. . . Or maybe just Sasukes.
Naruto plastered a permanent grin on his face as Sakura took Sasuke off of his back, her pink locks dripping with rain as she laid him on the ground to excess his wounds. He felt something strange clutch at his chest tightly as he saw everyone mainly focus on the Uchiha Prodigy, as if he was mainly important – and truthfully, Naruto was beginning to believe he actually was.
Well, almost everyone.
His smile softened as a warm hand pressed against his forehead, Tsunade's annoyed face filling his vision as she checked his temperature. Naruto knew she wouldn't feel anything though, he never got temperatures, and he was hardly ever got sick. "Hey, Baa-Chan," he snickered lightly underneath his breath. "I'm awesome right? Ready to hand over that hat yet?"
"You're an idiot," she shook her head. "Are you hurt?"
"No," he replied automatically. "Heal the teme; it should only take you a minute."
Right as Tsunade moved to turn away from him, toward the important person, Naruto felt the pain blossom throughout his whole body before he pitched forward into darkness.
Naruto hated hospitals. Not only did they assault his sensitive nose, but they also burned his eyes from all of the bleach white walls, curtains, and even floor tiles. He also disliked when the nurses talked to you as if you were five and didn't know how to properly think. So when he drifted his eyes open and saw the square lacking-color ceiling, he immediately groaned with frustration. What a pain in the ass. Somehow, he always seemed to be dragged into one of these places.
Feeling another presence in the room, Naruto let his head fall limp to the right where two horizontal sliding windows were located; a six-foot-three crouching Jiraiya was looking solemn underneath the arch of the window. Naruto could guess a few theories in his mind, but his head was pounding with a dull headache so he didn't have the strength to do that. "Hey, Ero-Sennin," was his sluggish greeting.
"Brat," the man nodded leisurely, stepping into the room and standing poised beside his Hospital bed. Naruto only stared at the Sannin. He knew that there had to be some sort of reason to why he was here, Naruto didn't know why he didn't just accept that Jiraiya was there because he cared – he somehow knew it was important, whatever the reason was. "Kami," the man groaned before he licked his lips, "it isn't good, Naruto. This isn't good at all."
He furrowed his eyebrows, "what?"
Jiraiya made a deep groaning sound before grabbing Naruto's sheets and peeling them away from the injured Genin, causing Naruto to shiver at the unwelcoming cool air against his bare upper-body. Jiraiya focused on Naruto's bandaged torso before wincing and pulling a scroll from his pocket. "S-Sensei . . . H-Hey, what's the big idea? It's freezing in here!"
"Shut up," Jiraiya channeled chakra to the scroll and clothes equipment appeared in his arms. "Look, Brat, I want you to change into these clothes. Really fast."
Naruto frowned, "why?"
"Look – Naruto, just do it. I'll explain!"
His frowned only deepened, but he did as his Sensei demanded of him, analyzing the clothes before slipping them on. They were simple, black shirt and pants, black ninja sandals, a ninja pouch stocked with kunai, shuriken, a stack of explosive tags, a roll in ninja wire, etc... "Naruto, you have been trialed to be executed tomorrow night as a Traitor of Konoha," Jiraiya had said the words in a jumbled rush, but Naruto clearly caught on to each single word.
Shock struck him to the core, making him want to recoil slightly. "What do – What do you mean 'executed'?!" He may have hadn't paid much attention in the Academy, but he was pretty sure that meant 'killed'.
Jiraiya looked as if he was being ripped out on the inside, his body slumped in defeat. "The Uchiha bastard told them about the Kyuubi taking over your body; they somehow overruled Tsunade's authority and ordered your execution . . . In public."
Naruto knew he more than likely resembled a gaping fish. He felt his legs going insensitive with the horror of his Sensei's words sinking deep. They . . . "What?" He gasped out weakly. What was Jiraiya even talking about? "They'd never d-do that . . . W-What am I going to do? I . . . What's going on?"
Jiraiya assisted his student into a standing position and allowed Naruto to adjust to his weak legs. "Look, kid, you're going to leave the Village tonight. I want you to run, Naruto." The man pressed a bundle of Ryo bills into his right hand before grabbing his arm and pulling the distressed thirteen year-old into a strong hug. "Run as far as you can. You'll be labeled as a Missing-Nin, and Hunters will be after you – so train. Train hard."
Jiraiya then grabbed something else from his pocket, it was a scroll, and handed it to Naruto. "When you're safe, open this – you'll understand and I know you will find a purpose." He set a large hand on his student's head, ruffling his unkempt blond hair. "I . . . will see you soon, Naruto."
So now you see why he didn't understand?
Naruto, his legs weak and beginning to become more uncomprehending, finally gave in and buckled underneath his weight. He had ran for days, walked for nights, and constantly moving that exhausted and fatigue was making his vision swim with debilitation. He was still slightly in shock of the whole event occurring a few days ago. Konoha . . . his home . . . execute him? After all he had done for them? Why? What would he do now?
'Jiraiya then grabbed something else from his pocket, it was a scroll, and handed it to Naruto. "When you're safe, open this – you'll understand and I know you will find a purpose."' Naruto blinked at his Sensei's previous words and sighed, shifting his body so he was sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him. He dug into his pocket and pulled out the plain-looking scroll, and unfurled it.
POOF
Before him, in a perfect symmetric line, were three scrolls. They each had their own special, individual design. The first one was blue, like the color of his eyes, with yellow lining. The next was swirls of orange and crimson red. The last silver with no design or – wait, it was metal. Naruto reached down and grasped the metal 'scroll', he soon realized it was a long vial that unscrewed at the top.
He set it on his lap and decided to reach for the first scroll, the blue and yellow one. Naruto unrolled it and examined the neat, cursive calligraphy – this was a letter.
Dear Naruto,
Well this is certainly embarrassing from my point of view. If you are reading this, then I must be dead. Sorry, I should properly introduce myself; my name is Namikaze Minato, I am your father . . . If Kushina, of course, remained a faithful wife – heh, I'm joking, joking, she'd kill me if I ever said something like that.
Anyways, I was told to write this letter, just in case something happened to me. There are a few things you probably want to know:
One, you see the metal capsule with you, it holds notes of all of my inventions, including my Hiraishin and Rasengan. Use and study them wisely, son, they should NOT fall into enemy hands. In fact, when you are finish, burn them, as much as I hate to admit it, it's the safest thing to do. The capsule is locked with a Blood Seal, so your blood will be the only one permitted to unlock it. I know that you could just keep the notes hidden in that if you wish to, but it can still be stolen – a Ninja's profession does not evolve around taking risks, remember that, Naruto.
Two, Namikaze's DO have a bloodline. I know it's shocking, and it's not on my Bingo page, but I want you to read this closely, really closely. It's speed, Naruto. Fast, unstoppable speed. It was how I was able to develop Hiraishin without disfiguring my face or loosing limbs at a time – Namikaze's have a special bloodline for speed. It's yet to be named, so feel free to have fun with the title. Try and improve my jutsus if you desire, I advise you to study ineptly in Jikūkan (Space-Time) Ninjutsu – good luck with that, son.
Three, I just want to tell you that I love you very much, Naruto. I know something's in life seemed unfair, or immoral, or very cruel – but remember that you have a home. Konoha is your home. My whole life, I have established myself to making Konoha a better place, a far better home, and just a place where many far and wide would envy to come and visit. Do you understand my logic? Of course you do, because you are the son of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato, Naruto, and don't you ever forget that. I will see you in the far future, my son. Prosper your life with success and make everything count, understand? I love you.
Love,
You're Father
PS: Whatever your mother writes in her letter, remember she's a stone-faced liar.
Naruto didn't realize he was crying until his tears dripping onto the letter with big, fat drops. He couldn't believe this. His dad . . . was the Fourth Hokage? The Yondaime? Wow, h-his dad sounded awesome, just by reading his letter he knew that his father had been an optimist and had adored Konoha greatly.
Konoha is your home, he had written.
What can I say to that? Can I still agree with that, dad? Naruto glowered as his thoughts strayed toward where he had been avoiding these past few days. He begrudgingly snatched the orange and red scroll and unrolled it with a heaving sigh. Naruto sniffed away unwanted tears.
Dear baby,
Hey, Naru. This is so depressing that I'm crying while writing this, can you believe that? I'm glad Minato is at the Hokage Tower right now, he might laugh at me in this state. Old man Hiruzen demanded me write this to you, so I'm actually listening to him for once.
I guess I might as well tell you that I love you so much, Naru-Chan. You're eight months in my tummy right now, and I cherish you already, you're going to be such a spoiled brat, let me tell you. Knowing my husband, he probably told you all of his clan's confidential information, right? That uptight Hokage, he did because I read his letter already (; . We weren't supposed to but I'm not Uzumaki Kushina for nothing.
So first thing is first, baby cheeks:
One, the Uzumaki Clan have two exceeding abilities that they were known for but those Iwa-bastards had us knocked off the grid. The more important of the two is Fūinjutsu. Otherwise known as Sealing Techniques. I wouldn't exactly call it a bloodline, but all Uzumakis' have a special forte in the field, and I know one day you'll definitely be a master. The second thing are called Chakra Chains. Unfortunately for you, I already you are a male, and since Chakra Chains have been passed down to the females of the family, I doubt you will gain the ability – but that's alright, sweetheart!
Two, I would advise you to take a detour trip to Uzugakure no Sato when you can. I'm not going to tell you the surprise, though, my boy, I'll let you figure that out by yourself, just watch out for the tides and, as our last name portrays, the slanderous whirlpools, they're deadlier than you may think or believe. I'm telling you to go there because there are some individual objects you need to find. Mainly scrolls, that will assist you in training if need be so, and my weapons. I told an anonymous friend that if I were to pass away, that they would need to be returned immediately so that those weasel council members couldn't get their hands greasy.
Okay, three, I want you to follow your heart, Naru. Knowing who your parents are, haha no pun there, I know that YOU will do what is right and for the greater good of your home. I miss Uzu so much sometimes that I can cry for hours, trust me – when you go and visit, you will understand. But I know that you will grow up and become a strong man, have a loving wife, and have me a few grandchildren, hopefully.
Because I love you. And I believe in you with every vibe in my not-so-living body. I'm joking, I love you baby.
Love,
Mommy
PS: I'm not a stone-faced liar, your father is just a dramatic showgirl (;
Naruto gently rolled the scroll back up, blinking to hold back any more forthcoming tears. He could not believe anything anymore, why had Jiraiya given him these again? '… you'll understand and I know you will find a purpose,' Jiraiya had said, but has Naruto truly found understanding? Yeah, maybe he could go to Uzugakure no Sato, but what after?
Travel? Become a Mercenary? Become someone he had sworn to never be?
Naruto clenched the scroll tightly and closed his eyes before willing himself to his wobbly feet, ignoring the waves of pain each movement sent him. His eyes snapped open with determination and burning strength.
He would protect Konoha. Even if they didn't know it yet.