This is an intro into something I've been working on, follow if you're interested.
Sweet honeysuckle, a hint of freshly cut herbs, and of course the fragrance of shit. The Shire, a great place to visit, arguably not the best for a prolonged stay.
The great Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto, lowered to the level of a tree farmer. Of course, he enjoyed the menial labour and the neighbours who had over the years gotten used to his appearance. The constant supply of lumber and beams made up for the intrusion on their life.
His years of service to the community had once or twice taken fire, like when farmer Philip had knicked produce that he grew on his land. Thankfully the outlandish-looking rambutan got explained away, although how was a mystery to Naruto. Once Farmer Maggot had knicked one of his prized melons during a festival, that had Naruto livid. Since then he always made the Farmer pay double the amount for lumber or any renovations that he needed. The vegetables from his homeland didn't grow with vigour here and he wasn't about to ask that one moss grower for help, as such he made it his secret mission to grow what he needed.
Due to living a more laid back lifestyle he had changed. His form had broadened due to his more hardy diet. Naruto had grown a sprawling beard to cover his angular face, his birthmarks still standing out, however, dulled they where. He couldn't bear to develop a large moustache, so he had groomed it well, keeping it trim. His hair had lost its lustre, the spikes had grown into a style, not unlike his father, but, more flat on the top. His style of clothing had relaxed as well, a simple linen shirt with black trousers. He had procured an orange band of cloth and tied it around his bicep. His usual sandals had been traded out for hardy boots. However, he still bandaged his arms for varying reasons.
He had asked that young Gamgee boy over when a very special crop had started to wilt, Hamfast saved the plant, only asking for one of the flowers to keep. Naruto was overjoyed and let the halfling take three of his choosing. Due to this estranged relation, as Hamfast grew into his late sixties, he visited on occasion, the Gaffers boy Sam seemed fond of the Uzumaki.
The Baggins where strange especially the Sackville Baggins, they were meddlesome to the point that Naruto had set up small 'notice me not' seals around his plot of land.
Of all the small folk Bilbo Baggins was the most intriguing, however, he seemed to have been claimed by some wizard that showed up every couple of years. The tales of his adventures were numerous, the believability, less so for normal folk. A being of pure shadow, one of pure fire, someone with the ability to control lightning itself. All very believable to Naruto, considerably too plausible for his tastes. He had shown up in middle earth to escape his duty's, not as Hokage, but as a prince. Although that story is for another time. These tales of beasts similar to Naruto's past encouraged him to grow distant from the hobbits, he could feel a sinister shade burden the small piece of peace. But he kept close, never too far away, but always removed enough. When he was given an invitation to Bilbo's one hundred and eleventh birthday and the young Frodo's thirty third, given to him by mister Gamgee no less. Naruto felt obligated to go set up, help the small folk in whatever way he could. It was in his nature.
Hefting a large bench over his shoulders, the kids dangling and laughing joyously. "Where would you like this bench Master Took?" His sun touched grin made those he talked to content with his presence. The children of the shire loved him, his occasional treats and happy demeanour had them playing on his arms whenever he came to the small township.
"Over by the Proudfoots table, if you may, Master Namikaze." Naruto grimaced, he had hidden his true name from these people, their safety his top priority. He was wanted for crimes, Minato was not, it only seemed logical to take up his father's name.
"Come little ones to the Proudfeet, let's hope it's sturdy enough for their combined weights." Gracefully striding towards the tables, his merry chuckles intermingled with the cackling of the children. Letting the kids down, he brought the slab of wood to a rest. Clapping off his hands he turned towards the banner. Reading 'Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins' a very merry sentiment to a rather old man. Glancing back towards the hole of Bag End, Naruto noticed a grey robed man with a blue hat walking towards the front door. " Incánus?"
Giving a quick wave to the Took's setting up the lesser party, the great pavilion set up not 30 yards away. Naruto decided a quick jaunt to Bag End was in order. If not to give Bilbo his gift, but to see if his old friend was in town. The path was quick and uneventful, appearing beside the cart and horse, Naruto pet the equine, carefully pulling an apple out of his shirt and gifting it. The friendly creature ate happily, the fruit devoured within seconds. Rubbing the mane one last time, he continued to the rotund door, knocking three short times his mask of happiness fell perfectly in time as the door was opened by none other then Mithrandir himself.
"Ah, Minato how wonderful to see you after all these years. You look good, for your age." Gandalf's merry tone took an accusatory tone, "You must have some Elf in you?"
"Mithrandir, always nosey, and no I still don't." Naruto's eyes gave him a withering plea, 'drop this now, and all shall be explained.' Staring further into the hovel, "I was actually here to give Master Bilbo his gift, in person I'm told it makes it more sincere."
"Gandalf who is it?" The rugged voice coming from inside the home had to be Bilbo. "The tea's getting cold."
"An old friend, who I would like to join us if you'd allow it." His honey laced words showing his true intentions, the yearning for answers.
"Of course, any friend of Gandalf," Turning the corner, Naruto's will faltered a tad, an ominous soul seeped of the man. His chakra, little in number, tainted to a night black. "Is a friend of mine." The feeling dispersed, his senses going back to their usual edge. "Master Namikaze!"
His happy tone raised to a mild nuisance, racing over to shake his hand, the halfling was ecstatic. "I've never truly met you for more than a glance. Come in, come in," Bringing Naruto into his home, limboing before he could be bludgeoned on the chandelier. "Do you like tea?"
"Why, I quite enjoy a cuppa, if it doesn't bother you." Glancing at the dishevelled room, the maps and papers spread unorganized. Sat down, tea poured quickly and a biscuit put on his plate.
"Now Minato, I must wonder as to why you are here in the shire at all." Gandalf's question should have been easy to mislead, a simple misdirection with a counter question. If he hadn't already known the wizard he'd have tried it.
"Actually I've been living here for a while, my home's just outside the east farthing, nestled in the old forest." Naruto was, so far, telling the truth, "I grow trees, give the lumber to the hobbits here, and on occasion help out when needed."
"Interesting..." Gandalf sipped on his tea, the tension seemed to rest for now.
"Ah, that reminds me, here you go, for your 111th birthday." Reaching into his shirt and pulling out an ornate box, the wood had been hand worked into a masterpiece. Three scenes of Bilbo's adventures and a diorama of the shire along the top. "Now no matter where you go you'll always be able to look and see a bit of home while looking forward to a fruitful journey."
Opening the case, a handmade pipe fashioned up with silver inlay on the stem, coming to a silver halo along the bowl. Three packages of tea from the hidden leaf, harvested by Naruto himself. And three packages of kizami, tobacco that had been grown and harvested within Naruto's home.
"These are simply marvellous, such craftsmanship! Thank you." Bilbo rested the case upon the table, making certain to keep it a safe distance from any spill of tea. "Now, you will be coming to the pavilion, Right?"
"I wouldn't miss it. Thank you for the tea Master Bilbo, but I must return to the kitchens, we do have a party to ready for." Naruto's smile never left his face as he quickly bowed and left the table. Both men still seated staring at the empty cup, both having trouble remembering if Naruto had drunk any tea.
The dragon firework was cool, however much a near heart attack could be called cool. The Wizard seemed intent on continuing his chat with the Shinobi. However, Bilbo's speech and following disappearance made any discussion as invisible as the hobbit. Having head back to his home an interest sated and settled. Naruto fell into a restless sleep.
Many months passed he hadn't expected to be awoken by Mithrandir showing up at his doorstep banging his damned staff on the mahogany.
Opening the door forcefully Naruto didn't bother stopping Gandalf as he briskly walked into his house. The tech from his world having earned nothing but a mild eyebrow raise.
"Don't ask... at least about that." Shuffling over in his pyjamas, the sleeping cap still on his head. Reaching up and chucking it off he quickly poured himself and Gandalf a cup of coffee, asking him what he would like to add lead to a rather... funny conversation regarding the aspects of having magic items unload onto them, and the damages it could have on a normal person.
"But you aren't a normal person, are you, Istari?" Adding in one cream and five sugar to each, he handed Gandalf the drink and ordered him to sip it slowly like tea.
"Besides, your god's stopped me before I came here. I'm not to insert myself into any incident that would shape your world, keeping everything from my world here, isn't breaking that oath." Naruto's matter of fact tone gave very little to argue.
After about a minute of sipping. Naruto finally yawned and stretched before leaning on the marble counter, his forehead resting in his palms. "What do you want Mithrandir."
"I need your services Shinobi, I will pay you handsomely if you choose." Gandalf's stout reply supplied Naruto with a headache.
Downing the rest he set the mug down. Looked him in the eye, "Of course you do. Everyone does. And who exactly do you want me to give the cure ta life too."
"I want you to stand vigil over the shire for the coming years. I fear there is much I must learn." Gandalf's lengthened face seemed aged, even now.
"Can't be that bad."
If your interested, I'll be posting the next chap within the next month.