AN: I am slowly getting chapters done for Akuma no Senshi, a speed which I wish was faster, but schoolwork has been getting in the way. This story will be staying for the time being as I spent quite a bit of time getting the outline together. Enjoy, and remember this is a massively AU story!

NOTE: Kushina and Minato will be in their early to middle 20's at the start, while Naruto is born twelve years before cannon. This arc will mainly cover Naruto's growth, while the second will detail him when the Konoha 12 graduate from the academy; the last is still being decided.

ITALICS – thinking

BOLD – jutsu

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, nor am I doing this for monetary gain; all rights respectively go to Kishimoto.

Arc One: A Spark Dims, Another Ignites

Chapter One

It's been a month since the Third Shinobi war had begun, one long month filled with nothing but bloodshed; one long month filled with agony for the entire Elemental Nations.

Two kids, both the age of four, dressed in clan attire, and also the best of friends, were currently wandering around the village under the watch of some of the Uchiha clan as well as the ANBU that acted as security in the village. One of the kids had spiky blond hair with red streaks in it, bright blue eyes, and had a face that resembled more of his father than anything. This kid was none other than Naruto Namikaze. The second kid had short, flat, black hair, onyx eyes, and had a face which bore resemblance to his parents. This kid was none other than Itachi Uchiha. Both four year olds were too young to understand war, but that didn't mean seeing the bodies of the wounded, dying, and dead coming in every now and again effected their mental state. A fact which the ANBU and the Uchiha watching them understood.

The main gate was passed just as it was opened to allow the medic nin's to rush through with the wounded in tow. At first all was normal as the injuries didn't seem too severe, but it was the next to last that came in which the Uchiha tried to hide the boys from. However, they were too slow and the four year olds couldn't help but instantly vomit onto the ground below. The Konoha shinobi's right arm was gone, and his chest completely ripped open to where you could see the ribs and, surprisingly, a still beating heart.

The Uchiha quickly turned and grasped Naruto and Itachi, both of whom were crying, shaking, and asking for their parents. Any shinobi who watched the boys' reactions knew that their views on the shinobi world would differ greatly from those who never would get to see the horrors of war. How much this would affect them once they entered the shinobi academy next year, was anyone's guess.

The Third Shinobi war had just started in the Elemental Nations, and yet the damage was already done.

One Year Later

Naruto, Itachi, and Hana basically grew up together and enjoyed each other's company to the point where they were inseparable; friends to the end, consequences be damned. If asked about each of them, most people would respond with quiet or abnormal for their age. However, only known to themselves, their clans, and parents, each were perfectly normal, chatty even, and prodigies in their own right.

Naruto, Itachi, and Hana each saw the horrors of war at the tender age of four, and ever since then they started to train together even though their parents wanted them to do childish things. That didn't mean that Minato, Kushina, Tsume, Fugaku, and Mikoto barred their children from training, no, they helped in any way they could when not on the battlefield. When they were, they left scrolls for their children and promised that they would return back safely. Although saddened that their parents couldn't be with them daily, Naruto, Itachi, and Hana filled that void with their friendship. Each had high hopes in becoming a shinobi and joining the war effort, perhaps as a team nonetheless. However, for one of them, that spark was slowly starting to dim, but another was starting to take its place.

"This is boring." Naruto let out a sigh as he tried to focus on the instructor's lesson on proper kunai throwing and the vitals. "Why fight head on, when you could fight from the shadows?"

"Are you even listening, Namikaze?" The instructor paused her lecture to look at the boy.

"No, not really, this is all boring to me."

"Boring!" The instructor chided. "This lecture decides whether you live or die in this war torn world…does that not matter to you, young boy?"

Naruto didn't respond, but instead stood up and promptly walked out of the classroom which left everyone confused. Wanting to make sure their friend was OK, Hana and Itachi excused themselves and quickly caught up to Naruto.

"Naruto, this isn't you, what's wrong?" Hana worriedly asked.

The person in question let out a sigh as he turned towards his friends. "It's gone, Hana, Itachi, the spark is gone."

"But our team -?!" Itachi started, but was interrupted by a saddened Naruto.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but you'll have to find another." The Namikaze leaned against the wall of the hallway. "Look, call me crazy, but when I see a kunai, I see a weapon meant to be used from the shadows, not head on."

"You're crazy." Hana quipped with a smirk, one which each returned.

"Thanks." Naruto replied dryly, "But this new spark within is taking over, I can't pursue something that I don't enjoy."

"Itachi, Hana, are you finished with Naruto yet?" The instructor asked from the classroom door. "The lecture is about to start again."

"Go." Naruto told them as they looked his way. "We can meet up at our usual spot after the academy is done for the day."

Hana and Itachi let out a smile and gave Naruto a friendly hug before heading back to the classroom. Once gone, Naruto let out a sigh and headed back home, already mentally preparing for his mother's infamous rage.

Namikaze Home

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

And there it was, Kushina Uzumaki's infamous rage where her long red hair turned into nine branches, like that of the tails of the Kyuubi, and her chakra chains at the ready to lash out at any whom dared interfere.

"I quit, I don't want to become a shinobi; the spark isn't there." Naruto calmly replied even though his mother's anger continued.

"But being a shinobi is in your blood, there's a war out there and we need all the help we can get!"

"I know, Kaa-san, but I see myself more of the shadow type." Naruto, not wanting to say anymore, let out a sigh before he pushed by his mother, and headed out the backdoor which led to the backyard.

Minato sighed and held onto Kushina as her anger tapered. They both knew where Naruto was going, a place where he always went to sort his thoughts; a tall oak tree in the backyard. Both parents couldn't help but sigh as they remembered what the Uchiha and ANBU told them what Itachi and Naruto saw that night. They never wanted Naruto to witness such a sight until he was much older, but it was too late and now their son was changed. Naruto was still a bubbly child, yes, but they could see in his eyes that he hated the thought of war and wanted nothing more than to find a way end people's suffering.

"I wish this war never happened, Minato-kun." Kushina frowned as she embraced her husband.

"I know, but the damage has already been done." Minato gave a quick kiss which Kushina returned. "Shall we see how our son's doing?"

Kushina nodded and both went outside to see Naruto meditating under his tree with a large smile on his face; the wind occasionally ruffling his hair. As they approached, Naruto suddenly opened his eyes which took Kushina and Minato off guard for a moment, but they quickly recovered and decided to join their son.

"So, musuko (son), what's so special about this place anyway?" Minato asked as he and Kushina sat beside Naruto.

"It's quiet, peaceful, and the wind is very calming." Naruto replied, his eyes closing once again to feel the sweet caress of the element.

"No, it couldn't be…" Minato thought as he remembered his clan's history, but he wanted to make sure. "Musuko, you've unlocked your chakra already, correct?" Naruto nodded, his eyes still closed. "Good, could you add chakra to this please, I need to see something."

Naruto opened his eyes, grabbed the chakra paper, and did as told; the results of which surprised them all. The paper instantly shredded into very small pieces, barely noticeable to the human eye, but as they fell, they turned into dust and blew away with the wind.

"I don't believe it…" Minato whispered to himself, still in shock at what took place.

"Don't believe what, Tou-san?" Naruto curiously asked.

"Musuko, I think it's time you heard the history of the Namikaze and the Uzumaki clan." Kushina and Minato stood, helping Naruto up shortly afterward. "Come, we have much to discuss."

Naruto dumbly nodded and followed his parents up to the second floor of their home where the clan library was at. Once Minato unsealed the room, all of them stepped inside and found a seat at the desk in the center of the room. While Naruto sat, Kushina and Minato went around the library, which was filled with many scrolls and books, to grab anything on their clan history, clan techniques; everything. After five minutes, Naruto's eyes widened at how much was gathered in a relatively short amount of time; ten scrolls, fifteen books, and one massive scroll which was ornate, had gold endcaps, and was stamped with the words Will O' The Wisp. Subconsciously, Naruto reached for this scroll, like it was calling to him, but his hand was stopped by a smiling Minato and Kushina.

"Not yet, musuko," Kushina said with a smile, "Not until we are finished with what we have to say."

Naruto nodded and took his hand away, his attention now focused on what his parents had to say.

"That scroll you reached for, Naruto, is a secret which my clan has held for many years, shinobi so fearful that their name was whispered for many years to come. Whispers that were halted once Uzushiogakure and my clan fell, I and Kushina being the only known survivors." Minato sighed before he continued. "The Namikaze were based in Marsh Country…"

Marsh Country was a very unique place in the Elemental Countries as the land seemed unfit for any villages. Most of the place was, as its title, marshland, but there was occasional areas where great forests bloomed; a place where the Namikaze clan resided. They dared not clear the land, however, and instead built vast treehouse like structures, all connected with swinging bridges. The weather here was humid, sticky even, and rain usually was an almost constant. Due to this, the clan wore light clothing which was colored to match their surroundings. Also due to their environment, the Namikaze adapted their shinobi to be light on their feet so they wouldn't sink in the deep mud, and to keep quiet for hunting. They were experts with bows and arrows, knives, and close quarter combat, and each had knowledge of trap making, crafting, wilderness survival, among other useful traits; masking their chakra and scent being two of them.

Sometime during the Warring Clan era, which the Uzumkai and Namikaze clans steered clear of, a chance meeting took place when the Uzumaki launched an expedition to Marsh Country. As the Uzumaki took notes about the land, they were suddenly captured by an unknown entity and awoke to find themselves dangling high above the trees in small wooden cages; their belongings confiscated and hands tied behind their back so jutsu couldn't be used. Much like the Uzumaki, the Namikaze clan never enjoyed taking unnecessary lives, a trait which made the expedition crew breathe a sigh of relief. After a light interrogation, and a message sent to Uzu, the crew was sent back, but not before a treaty was signed between the two clans.

Ever since that era, the two clans prospered as they traded techniques back and forth, some of which greatly helped and expanded their shinobi's capabilities. One such technique that the Uzumaki decided to share was their love of fuinjutsu, a technique that the Namikaze highly enjoyed. It not only improved their standard of living, but also greatly expanded what their shinobi could do; especially one group in particular.

The Will O' The Wisp's.

"…That scroll, Naruto, details every technique these type of shinobi knew and used during their career, as well as their training methods." Minato said with a serious expression on his face. "Be warned, however, as the path you might take up will not be for the faint of heart; a path that not many chose due the mental duress that they have to endure."

"Hai, but who were the Will O' The Wisp?" Naruto curiously asked.

"Although young, I still remember watching them train, in fact my father was one." Minato let out a smile, tears forming in his eyes. "Ah, Takumi, how I wish you could still be here today."

Kushina grabbed Minato's hand and squeezed it to show she was here for him.

"Thanks, Kushina-hime." Minato smiled and dried his tears.

"Anytime, Minato-kun." Kushina nodded just as Minato continued.

"Simply put, musuko, they are assassins; those who do the dirty work in the shinobi world. Work which not many wish to do." Naruto gulped and looked at the large scroll, he wondered if this was such a good idea. "However, you are strong, Naruto, even for your young age, and I believe that you'll be the one to revive what my clan lost so many years ago."

"…You said that your clan was destroyed, but by who?"

"Demon Country." Minato clenched his fists as he remembered watching his father fight as he and his mother fled. "Without warning, they came in during the night and started slaying everything in their path; men, women, children, elders, all without remorse."

"And that's where my clan came in." Kushina decided to interrupt so that Minato could deal with the painful memories. "It was a routine trade day, but that turned into a rescue mission once they saw your father's clan being slaughtered. Minato and I don't know the exact amount that survived, but I remember meeting Minato when he arrived in Uzu."

"Hai, and I cannot thank you enough for helping me through it all." Minato let out a smile, but it turned back into a frown when he remembered what happened two years later. "And although we were trained, two years later we were picked up by Konoha by your father's request, only to find out later that Uzu was destroyed; our clans now lost to history."

"Hai, but we have each other, and that's more than enough for me." Kushina smiled and both partook in a heated kiss.

"Eww!" Naruto made a face which resembled gagging, something which Kushina and Minato chuckled at.

"I know you still have questions, Naruto," Minato started, "But we wish for you to find those answers on your own."

"Take the time to read what we have placed here," Kushina continued, both parents were smiling, "And remember that no matter which path you choose, we'll always be proud of you."

Naruto didn't even register the kiss on his forehead by Kushina and the hug Minato gave him, his mind was numb from all the information he was given. It wasn't until the library door was opened, then closed, did Naruto finally break from his stupor. He was torn, his advanced five-year old mind was struggling on what to do. For what seemed like hours, Naruto contemplated, but upon reliving the memory of that night a year ago, he knew what to do. Without pause, Naruto grasped the massive scroll, and opened it up.

The Will O' The Wisp's return had just begun.

Akimichi BBQ – Late Afternoon

Itachi and Hana were, to put it mildly, bored and a tad bit worried as they waited for Naruto to arrive. He was already thirty minutes late, something which was highly unusual as Naruto was known to be very punctual, and they began to wonder what had happened to their friend.

"Sorry, I'm late, I had a lot on my mind!" Naruto hastily explained which quelled Itachi and Hana's worries a little bit.

"We waited thirty minutes, thirty, Naruto." Itachi said in his usual calm manner, though there was an underlining hint of anger mixed in.

"Heh, heh." Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Oops?"

"Be nice, Itachi." Hana lightly scolded the Uchiha before she looked at Naruto. "So, I gotta know, what kept you?"

"My parents told me about their clans, nothing special really."

Itachi and Hana simultaneous crossed their arms over their chests and looked at Naruto in a way which said 'spill it'.

"Ugh, I hate that look." Naruto sighed as an Akimichi gave them menus, but before he could begin, his parents as well as Itachi's and Hana's joined in.

"Tou-san, Kaa-san." The three friends proclaimed.

"I figured Naruto would spill the information he got today." Minato sighed and sent a glare towards his son which made him flinch. "And I'm glad I came when I did, because such secrets are to remain as such, especially when we're in war time!"

"Sorry, Tou-san." Naruto looked at the floor with a frown on his face.

"Look, I understand, you're excited." Minato said as he bent down and gave his son a hug. "But just remember that having loose lips could lead to people being killed."

Naruto nodded and hugged his father back just as everyone was putting tables together so that they could sit together. As conversation started, three elders in the back of the restaurant smiled at what was taking place.

"Reminds me of our childhood, doesn't it Hiruzen."

"Hai, Homura, and I wish I could go back…these Hokage duties are killing me."

"You could always retire after this war is over." Koharu added then took a sip of her tea as she looked at Minato.

"That'd be nice, but who would be my replacement?" Hiruzen asked, taking a pause to enjoy his tea. "No offense, but you two don't fit my criteria and as for Danzo….don't even get me started."

"None taken." Koharu and Homura simultaneously responded, though both kept eyes on Minato which Hiruzen caught.

"Ah, the Yellow Flash, early to mid-twenties and already plenty powerful for his age." Hiruzen took a sip of his tea, a smile forming on his face. "According to Mito, the Namikaze clan was based in Marsh Country and were quite powerful, though she wouldn't divulge much else. Hmm, perhaps a suitable candidate, thank you Koharu, Homura."

"Anytime, and Marsh Country?" Koharu asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought that place was uninhabited?" Homura added to the question.

Hiruzen simply smirked as he grabbed the pipe from his robes, and lit it before putting it in his mouth. Hiruzen's friends groaned as they knew they were in for a history lesson, and a long one at that.

"Me and my big mouth." Koharu and Homura thought to themselves as Hiruzen went into professor mode.

Following Morning: Namikaze Home

The night was restless for Naruto as he spent most of that time reading the Will O' The Wisp scroll as well as some of the other material his parent's gave. Although smarter than the average five year old, there was a lot Naruto didn't understand; large vocabulary, advanced fuinjutsu, among other techniques. As Naruto sat up in bed and looked out the window, he saw it was still dusk outside, and the birds were chirping which meant the sun would be up soon. With a sigh, and being as quiet as possible, Naruto got out of bed and changed into training gear before heading downstairs and out to the backyard.

"Chakra control is of the utmost importance to the Will O' The Wisp." Naruto recited to himself what was on the massive scroll as he looked at his favorite tree in the backyard.

Naruto knew he had to apply chakra to his feet and climb, but he also knew that conditioning his body was also just as important. The scroll stated that the Wisp's, as they were usually called in the First and Second Wars, were light on their feet, had almost unlimited stamina, and were damn near impossible to detect. As Naruto thought about this, the wind blew past him and seemed to whisper the answer. With a smile on his face, Naruto began to start laps around his relatively large house.

Hours later, Naruto was on his second break from physical training when Minato and Kushina met him outside with worry etched on their faces.

"Nightmares again?"

Naruto nodded at his mother's question just as he started to do push-ups again, however, an audible pop was heard which led to Naruto collapsing to the ground and holding his right arm in pain. As Naruto did his best to keep from screaming, Minato let out a sigh as he bent down and picked his son up bridal style.

"I admire your desire to get stronger, musuko, but your body has limits." Minato wiped the tears from Naruto's eyes with a smile. "To become a Wisp takes time, and right now your five-year old body can only handle so much."

As Naruto whimpered in pain upon being set on the couch, Kushina went to her room to get the materials needed to help heal a sprain. Although they would call Tsunade to fix Naruto back up to new, they weren't sure of the severity of Naruto's injury.

"Look at me, Naruto." Minato said as he kneeled beside him, Naruto's blue eyes looking into his own. "I'll get the Sandaime to allow your mother and I some time away from this war, Kami knows we need it." Minato paused to take a breath. "During that time, we'll help you become what you were always meant to be, OK?"

Naruto nodded, a smile forming on his face just as exhaustion overtook him.

Six Months Later

Although he could only get a couple months off from the war, Minato and Kushina used every bit of it to ensure that Naruto would be high-gennin, low-chuunin level by age eight; a level that Hana and Itachi were eager to achieve. So eager, in fact, that they asked to train with Naruto of which Minato and Kushina agreed on once they got approval from Hana and Itachi's parents.

As these six months progressed, Naruto was allowed to tell his friends what he was going to become, but kept the Will O' The Wisp and any clan information secret. Although saddened they would never become a team, they knew that at some point they would have to fight together which was why they sparred against each other.

Over these months, each became somewhat familiar with everyone's unique taijutsu style. Itachi, who had awakened his Sharingan during training, used the Interceptor Style. Hana, who gained her companions which she called the Three Haimaru Brothers, had a style which represented that of a feral beast. Lastly, there was Naruto who used two unique styles, both of which used the opponent's momentum against them; Jiu Jitsu, and Krav Maga were their names.

Along with taijutsu, Minato and Kushina had taught Naruto the tree walking and water walking exercises, taught him the basics of fuinjutsu, kenjutsu, and some important skills from the Namikaze clan. One such test, which Naruto grew to hate, was stealth training. The test was relatively simple as it focused on pranking the village, or Naruto's own parents, but due to wartime, this test was anything but simple. There were times Naruto wasn't caught, but for those he were, Kushina and Minato would make him run laps up and down a tree, then have Naruto complete two laps around the house before finishing with 30 push-ups. It was brutal, especially for a five-year old, but Naruto was no ordinary kid as he had the blood of an Uzumaki running through his veins which meant he had a higher than normal healing rate. Although not as fast as Kushina's due to her housing the Kyuubi, Naruto was thankful that he had such an ability.

"Naruto and them have come a long way, haven't they?" Minato asked as he and his guests watched the three friends start to spar again from the back porch.

"That's for damn sure!" Tsume let out a grin which showed her larger than normal canines, "These pups are going to be legends if they keep this up."

"Indeed, but I've seen many legends in my day." Hiruzen replied as he stuffed his pipe with fresh tobacco, "Many whom have fallen to the lust to become stronger, for that lust makes them cocky and thus easier to exterminate." The Sandaime smiled as he took a puff from his pipe. "Have I ever told you about that story during the First War about…"

"Kami, yes 'ttebane!" Kushina let out an irritated sigh, "You must be really bored in that office of yours, that or you've become senile from all the paperwork."

Minato, Mikoto, and Tsume let out a chuckle whilst a depressed rain cloud hung over Hiruzen's head as he mumbled something about elders gaining no respect. The laughter ceased, however, when they saw Naruto stop, bend low, and use his right arm and shoulder to flip Itachi over his body then connect with a low kick to the stomach as the Uchiha fell. To the amazement of all, Naruto didn't stop there. He ducked low to allow Hana to fly overhead, then fell back on his hands, grasped the Inuzuka's body with his legs and brought her down to earth…hard. To those watching, they saw each of the children's eyes, all of which seemed to be completely focused on the task at hand; truly surprising given that they were only five, almost six-years old.

"Wow, we sure missed a lot!" Jiraiya introduced himself via shunshin, with Tsunade not being far behind. "Damn, look at your gaki go, Minato!"

"It's just not all about Naruto, Jiraiya." Tsunade shook her head with a smirk, "Hell, I'm going to have my hands full healing each of them if they keep this..." Tsunade and everyone winced as they saw a Passing Fang connect with Naruto's chest. "…damn, that's going to leave a mark."

"Shouldn't we stop them?" Mikoto asked, "Isn't this getting a bit out of hand?"

Minato looked at the sun's position and made some calculations in his head before he nodded and stood up.

"Hai, it's been almost an hour since they started…surprising really."

Jiraiya whistled, "These gakis are going to be powerhouses when they grow up."

"Such is the bane of war, my friends." Hiruzen let out a sigh as he puffed on his pipe sadly, "Where children cannot be as such, for they must grow into the environment around them in order to survive."

As Minato rounded Itachi, Naruto, and Hana up, everyone else frowned at what the Sandaime had said. It was true, every bit of it, and if anyone was a prime example of this, it was Hiruzen himself. For he was born during the Clan Wars, had to fight to survive as a child, and had to grow stronger in order to survive the wars he had gone through. There was no childhood there, only violence, death, and agony. It made those around Hiruzen wonder what he kept locked up in that elder mind of his; memories that he wished would stay buried forever.

"That was fun!" Naruto said with a smile as Tsunade healed him up.

"Define fun." Itachi deadpanned, "You threw me like I was a wad of paper."

"And you almost gave me a concussion!" Hana rubbed the back of her head, only to wince as she touched the goose-egg that was growing.

"So?" Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, "Itachi almost roasted me with a fireball, and you almost tore me in half with that Passing Fang!"

The three glared at each other to the point where it would seem lightning would shoot from their eyeballs. After what seemed like forever, Itachi, Hana, and Naruto soon broke into giggle fits, which soon turned to all out laughter. For Hiruzen, he couldn't be more proud of this generation; proud at the fact that even in times of war, such childlike innocence could stay intact.

"And I pray you keep that innocence, Itachi, Naruto, Hana, for it was something I was never granted."