Chapter 1: Death
The Valley of the End was dead silent, nothing but the sounds of drizzling rain and the natural sound of the powerful waterfall that over looked the river. Two magnificent statues of warriors poised for battle stood on either side, giving the place a more historic aspect and an overall feeling of awe. It was the area were the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the leader of the Uchiha clan, Madara Uchiha, had their epic battle, that was rumored to be the last battle Madara ever had, seeing as his body was never found. Now a new battle had just been fought, leaving the lower portion of the statues badly damaged. Two genin boys had battled with all they had, one trying to rescue his friend from making the biggest mistake of his life and going to the snake lord, Orochimaru, while the other was obsessed with any power he could get, anything to be able to kill his brother, who murdered his clan. Sasuke Uchiha was so emancipated with the need for power that he was even willing to betray his friends, join a madman and kill his best friend in order to gain the power he sought. Naruto Uzumaki would not let that happen without a fight, he had promised Sakura he would bring Sasuke back and he never goes back on his word.
The battle was long and exhausting, both physically and mentally. Only one would prevail, so in an all out attack, the two friends fired their best jutsus with the aid of the kyuubi's chakra and Orochimaru's curse mark, making their attacks ten times stronger. In the end both attacks made their target, Naruto's rasengan hitting Sasuke in the shoulder and sending him spiraling back into the statues other leg, but not before Sasuke's chidori pierced Naruto through the heart, sending him into the murky waters below. Sasuke was horribly wounded but he would live, so with the last of his strength he struggle to walk in the direction of Orochimaru's lair, trying to keep his chakra hidden as to not alert the familiar chakra he felt a short ways away. Naruto on the other hand was not so lucky. Once Kakashi fished Naruto out of the water it seemed Naruto was already dead, still bleeding profusely from the hole in his heart.
Kakashi sobbed quietly, morning the loss of their number one hyperactive knucklehead ninja. Unknown to Kakashi at the time Naruto's soul watched sadly from the sidelines, tears running down his face. He was dead. He hadn't been strong enough to get back Sasuke, his promise to Sakura broken. He would also never get the villagers to respect him and become Hokage. Everything he ever stood for had just slipped from his fingers. He was dead. Now what?
'It's best to get out of here,' a voice inside Naruto's head remarked. Naruto recognized this voice to be the Kyuubi's.
"Why are you still here," Naruto asked confused. Naruto heard the Kyuubi laugh gruffly in the back of his mind.
'It seems even in death we are connected,' Kyuubi replied, slightly amused. Naruto hummed in understanding. Kakashi, whom was unaware of Naruto's soul talking with his inner demon, picked up the dead blondes body and headed in the direction he had just come from. Naruto went to follow but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Let him go Naruto, it's time for you to come with me," a male voice, kind and sympathetic, said behind him. Naruto jumped and turned around to come face to face with Minato Namikaze, the dead fourth Hokage.
"I must really be dead if I can see you," Naruto remarked sadly. Minato just stared with sad blue eyes at the younger blonde.
"I just wished you didn't have to die this young," Minato whispered, bringing the younger into a hug. Naruto was surprised at the fatherly affection, seeing as no one but Iruka-sensei ever hugged him, except for Sarutobi on occasions. Minato let go after awhile but not completely letting him goes as he held his shoulders in a reassuring hold.
"You probably have many question, am I right?" Minato asked, knowing that the blonde was just full of questions. Naruto nodded and Minato sighed. Just then a roar ripped through the air and Minato tensed.
"I will have to answer your questions later, first I need to send you to Soul Society while I defeat this Hollow," Minato sated hurriedly, unsheathing his katana blade. Naruto's eyes grew wide in alarm at the sight of the sword. Minato smiled and turned over his sword so the blunt end of the blade faced Naruto.
"Once you get to Soul Society, tell the gatekeeper, Jidanbo that Lieutenant Minato Namikaze gives you authorization into the Seireitei and that you need to be escorted to third seat Kushina of Squad 5," Minato said urgently, feeling the Hollow getting closer with every word. "I promise I will tell you everything then, okay?" Naruto nodded once again and Minato smiled proudly and hit Naruto's forehead with the end of his sword.