Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the Assassin's Creed themes inside the story, nor am I affiliated with them in any way.

CH:1 Beginnings and Ends

Stories told from the journals of The Hidden Ones.

The Warring States Period.

True to its name, it was a time of pure war. Throughout the world, small countries were battling each other for control over land and power. Because the countries were small, they went to clans of shinobi for assistance, many of which agreeing to help the one who put forth the most money. During these times, two clans reigned in supremacy; The Uchiha and the Senju. The Uchiha of course, being renowned for their dōjutsu: the Sharingan, and the Senju with their mastery in most shinobi arts. Many people would argue that none of the known clans came close to the power of the Senju or Uchiha.

None of the known clans.

If you were to ask, not many people could tell you about the Asashinkurīdo Clan. Most wouldn't even know we existed. You didn't know we were there, unless we wanted you to know.

TLA

Similar to the Uchiha, the Asashinkurīdo possess a dōjutsu called the Īgurubijon. But unlike the Sharingan, the Īgurubijon relies on all our senses. Because of this, our dōjutsu does not require chakra for the length of its use. We use our sight, touch, smell, hearing, and in the rare occasion of taste to use it. We can use it to depict how people and objects relate to us, seeing a visual aura that possesses them. It allows us to depict enemies, comrades, important targets, objects of interest, sources of information, and even plausible hiding areas; each with its own distinct aura. Also similar to the Sharingan, the Īgurubijon has an advanced form. Through mastery, the wielder's Īgurubijon can advance to a stage called the Īgurusensu. But unlike the Īgurubijon, the Īgurusensu requires the use of chakra because it further increases one's senses for its use. With the heightened senses, one could detect the slightest heartbeat of anyone in the area, depict hidden enemies, feel the emotions or intentions of others, foresee one's path, and even 'mark' people, which allows them to be seen even after the Īgurusensu has been deactivated. There were rumors that the founder of the clan unlocked the ability to peer into the memories of his victims, but no one has unlocked the ability since.

Though we pride ourselves with the ability of Īgurubijon, we are also gifted in other arts. One being chakra control. Though it is not uncommon for the occasional shinobi to be gifted in the art, or to train in the ability to master it, we in the Asashinkurīdo Clan are born with a natural finesse. Where most use it for genjutsu or medical ninjutsu, we use it in aide of our stealth, suppressing our chakra. This would hinder most, not being able to use chakra because they're trying to keep it hidden; it does no such thing for us. We train in order to do this; learning to ascend, descend, and make use of any obstacle ahead of us as quickly as possible without the use of chakra. It is something we start with our children at a very young age. We also come with a natural ability in battle instincts, something that is ingrained into our very being allowing us to fight in almost all situations; most of the clan being battle tacticians.

During the Warring States Period, we were nomadic; didn't stay in one place too long. While we were traveling everyone would suppress their chakra, allowing us to move without being detected. Now where clans like the Uchiha and Senju were popular by assisting other countries, gaining fame and fortune, we did our jobs in secret. Yet the tasks we took were unlike like the giant wars around us. We used our abilities with what we knew; stealth, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, stealing, and similar activities. It allowed countries to quietly take over instead of just going in there and blowing everything up. Though we did our tasks for far less price than most clans, we asked for one thing, which was secrecy. If you hired us, only you knew about it. And if you told someone else, you paid the consequences. Ever heard of the Land of Time?

Didn't think so.

TLA

Eventually, the Warring States Period came to an end, creating the 'Shinobi Organizational System' along with the Five Great Shinobi Countries. This happened after the Uchiha and Senju made amends and came together to form a pact with the Fire Country, creating Konohagakure; the Village Hidden in the Leaves. But with everything new, comes fear, and this fear had other clans doing the same thing in other countries. The Land of Earth creating Iwagakure; the Village Hidden in the Stones, the Land of Lightning creating Kumogakure; the Village Hidden in the Clouds, the Land of Water creating Kirigakure; the Village Hidden in the Mist, the Land of Wind creating Sunagakure; the Village Hidden in the Sand, and many others doing the same.

Clans began to leave their nomadic lives to become a part of these new shinobi villages; seeking protection and strength, but we did not. Our clan enjoyed the freedom of going wherever we wanted, though many a daimyō offered us fame and fortune wherever we went, creating hushed whispers of a clan that still roamed the lands as nomads. The Hidden Ones.

Not long after the Warring States Period ended, war ravaged the lands once more through the very first Shinobi World War. Work became fruitful during this time, as many countries were seeking ways to easily usurp their enemies. In fact, one of our task groups were taking part in an infiltration job as Kumo's Kinkaku Force to do a little espionage when they were attacked by a group from Konoha, which ended up in the death of their second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

But in its own time, the First Shinobi World War came to an end with an armistice treaty, the war leaving the Great Five, and many others, seriously damaged.

TLA

While the countries began to rebuild, the clan left to learn of the world. It was during this time that the clan was traveling through the Land of Woods when Kumonosu Valley, a hidden domain inhabited by spiders of all sizes, was discovered. The boss spider, Daichi, was impressed that the clan was able to stumble upon their home undetected and gave the clan a chance of survival. The clan leader at the time, Hideyoshi Asashinkurīdo, told Daichi the ways of the clan and that our stealth and chakra suppression was rivaled by no one else. Daichi was impressed that Hideyoshi was able to stand before him and speak without fear, as many who have stood in the same place have quivered in fear while in the presence of the giant arachnid; and so, after telling the clan about the spiders, and the unique abilities of each species, offered Hideyoshi a challenge. If Hideyoshi was able to last through ten minutes of combat with Daichi, then Daichi would bestow upon the clan the great honor and ability to summon his family. Upon further discussion with the clan, Hideyoshi accepted Daichi's offer; ten minutes later becoming the very first summoner of the Kumonosu Valley Spiders, and many years afterwards becoming the very first spider sage.

TLA

After twenty years of travel, the clan returned to the Great Five Shinobi Countries; however, the economic difference between the countries became a serious issue. Because of this, certain countries under the pretext of 'expending fair rights' began using military force to gain more territory; thus, sparking the beginning of the Second Shinobi World War.

During this war, our clan traveled through Amegakure many times. Amegakure, like many of the smaller villages and countries, suffered greatly during the Second Shinobi World War. Unlike the battles from the first war, much of the large-scale battles took place in the smaller countries, leaving them completely devastated. It was after the war ended that our clan got most of its work, traveling from village to village in the minor countries to help them rebuild.

It was during this time that the Asashinkurīdo Clan adopted a new Creed, honoring the lives of the innocents who could not protect themselves. Our new Creed was based on three tenets: Keep your blade away from the blood of the innocent, search for peace in all things, and never betray your comrades. We adopted the Creed and three tenets to protect and fight on the behalf of those who do not possess the abilities, resources, or knowledge to speak out against those who abuse their power, and it's a belief we will live for—for the rest of our lives.

TLA

After years of so called 'peace', the reign of the Five Great Shinobi Countries was beginning to falter due to a decline in national power. Along their borders, constant battles between the smaller countries were breaking out and only continued to grow. The engagements eventually spread like disease, and the Third Shinobi World War was born. This war, again, being different from the other two warranted flashbacks to the Warring States Era. Many young lives were thrown, and lost, needlessly into the war due to the shortage of warring capabilities of the Great Nations.

During the First and Second Shinobi Wars, the clan would take jobs from either side of the border, but this time it was different. In order to follow our Creed, the clan would defend the villages and people who could not defend themselves from the foreign threats. Though it hurt to slay children right out of their learning years, the clan stood firm in its beliefs in defense of the innocents.

While passing through a deserted village bordering the Land of Lightning, the clan discovered the Third Raikage battling an estimated ten-thousand shinobi while his subordinates retreated. Curious of the outcome, and out of respect for the Raikage, the clan stayed to witness who would come out on top. With nearly three days and nights passing by, the battle was almost a one-sided massacre where the Raikage, even with life threatening injuries, was able to kill almost all opposing him. Those that had been able to escape the Raikage's rampage, were then struck down by the clan, for it was deemed cowardice to run from such an honorable battle. Hideyoshi, in his old age, approached the fallen Raikage after the field fell silent and praised him for the courage he showed in order to defend his subordinates. 'A' informed him that he cared greatly for the people of his village, and that he would gladly sacrifice himself for the future generations. Hideyoshi grew great respect for the man, and upon 'A's death summoned one of the spider-kin to return his body to Kumogakure in order to inform them of the great deed their leader, now deemed "The Strongest Shield of Kumo" by The Hidden Ones, had performed for them.

Eventually both the Tsuchikage and Hokage grew weary of sacrificing more lives to ongoing stalemates, finalizing a peace treaty and once more bringing 'peace' to the Great Five.

TLA

After the Third Shinobi World War, rumors began to leak into the main land from the Land of Water. Whispers of the Mizukage Yagura being a tyrant were going around, and that his actions were more than likely going to lead to a civil war within the country. The clan leader at the time, Ryouichi Asashinkurīdo, decided that these rumors should be investigated and so the clan headed for the Land of Water.

Upon arrival, several clansmen were sent to Kirigakure to investigate. When they returned, they informed the clan that the rumors were true. They discovered that Yagura's reign was polluting Kirigakure with corruption. Instead of the village leaders caring for the village and its people, many were in a battle for power. The village was nicknamed 'The Bloody Mist' because there used to be a tradition where students who wanted to graduate had to fight to the death. The tradition was later eradicated because a boy named Zabuza Momochi, not even a student, massacred an entire graduating class. On top of that, Yagura lead the people of the village into believing that those with kekkei genkai should be regarded with suspicion. Because of this, many kekkei genkai users were persecuted and even murdered because of something that wasn't within their control.

With the information that was gathered, Ryouichi ruled that Yagura was unfit for the title that he held and that his removal would lead to the prosperity of Kirigakure. So Ryouichi and the clan elders began to plan the assassination of the Yondaime Mizukage. Little was it known that this very action would lead to the end of the Asashinkurīdo Clan.

After a few days passed, the clan was approached by a masked man who knew of the assassination plans. He claimed to be the long thought dead Madara Uchiha, but the Īgurusensu detected his lie. The Madara fake informed Ryouichi that they should stop their plans and leave the Land of Water or pay the consequences. Ryouichi told him that Yagura was everything that went against The Creed of their clan, that his removal would help Kirigakure, and that they could not stop their plans for the sake of the innocents being slaughtered within the village. The stranger decided he would give him one more day to reconsider, and then he would return for his answer. After the declaration, the masked man vanished but Ryouichi's decision would not waver. Some of the most skilled assassins within the clan, other than Ryouichi himself, were later sent to Kirigakure in order to assassinate Yagura. Upon their return, the clan would then take their leave from the Land of Water.

Many hours passed by, yet no one returned from the village that night.

TLA

The following day the masked man returned, and with him came six other men deemed the Six Paths of Pein carrying the bodies of the clansmen who were sent into Kiri. The sight of his fallen clansmen filled Ryouichi with grief, pain, and anger. He challenged the seven men to honor the deaths of the fallen, and upon his honor ordered the rest of the clan to stay out of the fight unless he perished, believing the clan could end what was started.

The battle that occurred lasted for most of the day. Ryouichi was able to take down three of the six Paths and severely injure 'Madara', but before he could do any more damage, Ryouichi was struck with a life-threatening injury and collapsed onto the ground. Before ending Ryouichi's life, Madara applauded him for his efforts and the ability to down three of the six Paths, but because of his foolishness to obey, his whole clan was going to be wiped out which he would be forced to witness.

The events that occurred next were nothing short of a massacre. Men, women, children, and even babies were slaughtered before a helpless Ryouichi, who could only weep as his family was taken from him.

After taking the life of Ryouichi, the remaining Paths and masked man left the area, believing their work to be done. Little did they know that less than five miles away, new life breathed into the world and would continue what the clan had started.

TLA

After the massacre.

Stories told from the journals of a widow.

Minori Asashinkurīdo, with a small bundle cradled in her arms, stood before the bodies of her fallen clansmen. Collapsing to the ground onto her knees she began to weep, her tears filled with anguish and despair. Before her laid Ryouichi Asashinkurīdo, the fallen leader of the clan and her husband.

Days before the planned assassination, she began having complications with her pregnancy and it was decided that for the baby's safety, she was to stay at a hospital in a nearby town to prevent further issues from occurring. Following the assassination of Yagura, Ryouichi was supposed to return in order to be there for the birth. After a few days, no on returned and Minori went into labor, giving birth alone in the hospital.

Minori mourned for days, going body to body paying her respects to the fallen. Upon a clansmen's death, it is tradition within the clan to burn the body and store the ashes into a sealing scroll in order present it to the families of the fallen. In the event that the fallen has no direct remaining family members, the scroll is taken to Kumonosu Valley and presented to their Alpha Summon, which is the first spider they ever summoned. In the case of children who have yet to sign the contract, their ashes would also be presented to either parent's Alpha Summon.

Once the ashes of each member were placed into their respective scrolls, they were then placed into family scrolls, and then finally placed into a larger clan scroll. After her work was finished, she went through the rest of the clan's belongings before removing the evidence of anyone ever being there. When she was finally ready to take her leave, she vowed to not let the beliefs of the clan to die in the world, and that her and her husband's daughter, Tomiko, would be raised to carry on The Creed.

TLA

It took six months for Minori to reach Kumonosu Valley. With her daughter's age and frail body, she had to stop at several villages along the way in order to prevent the infant from catching any illnesses. When the Kumonosu Spiders heard what happened to the clan, they were devastated. She regretted that she could not have told them sooner, but she began having difficulties molding chakra after giving birth and was unable to summon anyone; which they understood.

After the spiders were able to properly mourn their summoners and families, it was decided that a shrine was to be made in honor of the clan. The clan shrine was built on a small lake in the middle of the valley. Centered in the middle of the shrine was the clan scroll holding the ashes of the fallen, on the wall behind it read the Three Tenets reminding all who looked upon it to remember The Creed that the clan lives for, on the left sat a mannequin adorned in the robes of Isamu Asashinkurīdo; founder of the clan, and on the right sat a mannequin adorned in the robes of Hideyoshi Asashinkurīdo; the Spider Sage.

When a child of the clan turns three, their Īgurubijon awakens. Once this happens they are officially allowed to partake in clan rituals and training. One of the rituals included the official initiation of the child into the clan by the clan leader, where they would learn about The Creed and dedicate themselves to it. After the initiation, the child's left ring finger would be branded with the clan symbol and then they'd be bestowed the clan gauntlet; the Hidden Blade, the signature weapon used by the members of the clan. After the initiation clan training would begin. This included heavy training in tactics, stamina, physical strength, chakra control, stealth, ninjutsu, taijutsu, bukijutsu, use of the clan dōjutsu, and basic training in fūinjutsu, genjutsu, and medical ninjutsu. After a member's training in each area is deemed acceptable, they would then be granted the right to sign the Spider Summoning Contract allowing them to establish their Alpha Summon.

With Daichi's blessing, Minori stayed in Kumonosu Valley until Tomiko's third birthday. During their stay, she watched fondly as her daughter formed a close bond with many of the spiders. Before leaving she decided to stop by the clan shrine, where she officially initiated Tomiko into the clan. Minori taught her about their Creed, the story behind becoming spider summoner's, the scroll containing the ashes of their family, and the traditions behind it. Once they left the shrine, she watched proudly as her daughter swore to never give up in bringing justice to their fallen clan and that one day it would be restored to its former glory.

TLA

They travelled continuously for a year. Every day Minori would put Tomiko through a rigorous training regimen. From sunrise to sunset it was constant movement, training, and learning with small breaks allowed for nutrition and rest. Like most members of the clan, Tomiko showed great aptitude in chakra control, stealth, and understandings in battle tactics. But Minori was greatly shocked, and very proud, when her daughter also appeared to accel in the other arts as well. Tomiko's ability in taijutsu, bukijutsu, and use of the Īgurubijon was much higher than any recorded child of her age. Most children while standing still could keep the Īgurubijon active for about an hour, Tomiko was able to move at decent speeds and keep it active for double the time.

While traveling through the Land of Waves, Minori and Tomiko stumbled upon a group of bandits attacking a small group of people. There were two men holding what appeared to be 'weapons' standing defensively in front of a heavily pregnant woman. Thinking quickly, they moved, killing off most of the bandits before they even knew they were there. The older man of the group, Tazuna, thanked Minori and her daughter heartily, telling them that his daughter, Tsunami, was having complications with her pregnancy, so he along with her husband were escorting her to the nearest hospital because their village didn't have one. Knowing the pains of pregnancy complications, Minori told them that they would escort them to the nearest hospital, so if there were any more bandits along they way they could handle them.

Unfortunately, Tsunami went into labor on the way there. But thanks to the foreknowledge of the clan's medical training, Minori was able to help her successfully deliver. She gave birth to a small boy, and upon hearing this Tazuna began crying tears of joy because he wouldn't know what to do with a daughter and a grand-daughter.

Tsunami smacked him on the head for this.

Before they left, Tsunami asked if Minori or Tomiko had any suggestions for her son's name. At first Minori declined, saying it was the right of the parents to name their child, but Tsunami and her husband insisted saying that without her or her daughter they may not even be alive. Eventually she gave in and asked if Tomiko had any suggestions for a name. After watching her daughter give a quick thought, she suggested the name Inari, to which they agreed upon. Once again, they thanked Minori and Tomiko for their kindness and hoped to meet again in the future.

TLA

Another year went by and Tomiko's training continued to grow increasingly more difficult, but Minori was proud of the progress her daughter was achieving and on Tomiko's fifth birthday presented her with her own set of Asashinkurīdo Clan robes. She told her daughter that the robes were made from a special silk of the spiders back in Kumonosu Valley, and that they were imbued with their chakra that allows them to adjust to the size of the person wearing them; like some of the materials in the clan gauntlets.

The robes themselves are an off white and are meant to be worn over normal clothing. The upper body of the robes has a connected hood with the center pointing out to resemble an eagle's beak and the torso bearing an open collar. The lower part of the robes is double layered, with the back trailing out longer than the front. Along with the robes comes a leather spaulder that is attached to a black and red cape embroidered with the clan insignia, it also comes with a red sash and belt meant to be warn around the waist. The belt has pouches attached to it, meant for scrolls, shuriken, smoke bombs, medicines, and poisons. The front of the belt is held together by an ornate clan insignia, holding sheaths meant for kunai and a sword.

After her daughter put on the robes she smiled, tearing up as she presented her daughter with a scroll. Inside the scroll is a single-edged black katana. The handle resembles the image of an eagle, and a golden chain was connected to it that held the clan symbol. The katana was Ryouichi's personal blade and was held previously by Hideyoshi. It was made in the beginning of their summoning contract, crafted with a fang from an elder spider that had recently passed. This allows the sword to conduct the chakra of its user, and it's been rumored that only a blade made of the same material can destroy it.

TLA

A few months passed, and during one of their taijutsu sessions, Minori collapsed. She began to run a high fever, but the closest village was more than a week's travel away, and in her condition Tomiko would have to support her which would make the travel time even longer. They made camp next to a small stream in order to have easy access to a water source. As the next few days went by, Minori began to grow weaker and weaker. She was proud that her daughter tried to help her, but knew that whatever was affecting her was out of their control. So, every day her daughter would train, check her condition, help her eat, and go back to training.

This pattern continued every day until one day, Minori knew it was the end. When Tomiko came back from training, she called her daughter over. She grabbed onto her daughter's hand and told her how proud she was, that she was proud to have Tomiko as her daughter, and that she knew she'd grow up to become a strong kunoichi. She believed her daughter to have a special power, that one day she could surpass all who have become before her, and she believed with all of her heart that Tomiko would. In Minori's final moments, she told Tomiko about the traditions when handling death within the clan and that she would like to be returned to the shrine in Kumonosu Valley to be stored along with her husband.

Minori brought Tomiko's head down to her lips to kiss her forehead, whispering how much she loved her daughter, before closing her eyes for the final time.

TLA

Alone.

Stories told from the journals of an orphan.

Tomiko sat there holding onto her mother's hand for what felt like an eternity. With tears uncontrollably running down her cheeks, she continued to stare at the now peaceful face of her mother. Seconds went by that felt like hours, and minutes went by that felt like days but her body refused to move from that position. It wasn't until she was on the brink of exhaustion that she was finally able to let go of Minori's hand. Tomiko dressed her mother in traditional clan garments before cremating her, honoring her memory by now wearing Minori's clan gauntlet on her right forearm.

After Minori's ashes were stowed away in the sealing scroll, Tomiko decided to go through her mother's bag to find any other mementoes. Inside it, she found a picture of her parents and cradled the image to her chest. Another item she found was a journal, but it wasn't her mother's journal. Inside its pages was the history of the clan, scrawled out in many different handwritings. There were dates going back to the age of the founder, stories of the clan's actions throughout the Warring States Period, recollections of all the passed Shinobi World Wars, lists of all the past clan leaders, the first meeting between the spider sage Hideyoshi and Daichi, the plans for the assassination of the Mizukage named Yagura, and the day the clan was approached by a mysterious masked man. It described that the man wore a black cloak, and his face was covered by an orange mask that had a black flame design. The last log in the journal read that this masked man claimed to be an Uchiha long thought dead, and that if the clan didn't leave the Land of Water consequences would be put in place.

Anger began to pool itself in the pit of Tomiko's stomach. This masked man, this Uchiha, was the reason her clan was wiped out. But where the anger continued to grow, determination grew with it. She now has a description of the culprit, and this 'Madara Uchiha' as he called himself, will come to justice.

TLA

It took Tomiko one year to return to Kumonosu Valley, vague memories and images leading her way. The spiders were once again devastated to hear about Minori's passing but were proud of Tomiko's determination to bring her back. She was allowed to stay with the spiders for however long she wished, which Tomiko was grateful for. The spiders here have always felt like family, and they would look after the last child of their beloved summoner's.

But thinking of how life could have been, how life would have been amongst the members of her clan, Tomiko can't help but feel a bit lonely. When she looks at her reflection in the waters surrounding the shrine, all she sees is a little girl all by herself.

She is Tomiko Asashinkurīdo.

Last of the Asashinkurīdo Clan.

Author's Notes:

[04/04/18] I decided to come back and update this chapter, for I have never really liked it. The idea of the history lesson was to place Tomiko's clan within the folds of the story. The point of view changes in the next chapters, which could be found weird I guess. Should I change that?

Obviously, this is my first attempt at a FF series or story, but I love the Assassin's Creed game series and Naruto. One night after playing Syndicate, I went to bed and this story hopped into my head and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Depending on how motivated I get, chapters may or may not be out regularly It'll be safer for me to say not, that way no one's hopes are up and then crushed. But thank you for reading through my little chapter, I hope you sort of enjoyed it!

[04/04/18] I push myself to make every chapter I post over 5,000 words, and I'll be honest with you that a lot of the current chapters are pulled from the top of my mind and are on the go. I do think about TLA onstantly, and hope that whenever it reaches a specific point in the story I will be able to start posting more fluidly. Thank you to anyone who has stood by with patience, I'm almost finished with the next chapter.

Until next time!