The White Fang's Legacy
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto, just the brilliant randomness that it inspires in my mind.
Summary: What if Hatake Sakumo hadn't taken his own life, but instead lived on and had a child with an Uchiha that caused the manifestation of something that hadn't been seen in a very long time? This is the story of that child, the story of the new White Fang of Konoha.
-Market District, Konohagakure no Sato-
A flash of gravity defying white hair would lead an untrained eye to believe that there was a miniature Hatake Kakashi running through the streets of Konoha like a bat out of hell. But that untrained eye would be incorrect since that particular head of white hair belonged to the younger brother of the Copy-Cat Ninja, Hatake Keito. And at the moment, Keito was in a huge hurry to get to the Konoha Shinobi Academy for his graduation exam. Now one might challenge that a 6 year old was far too young and naïve to become a ninja, but that one would be wrong since this boy was no ordinary 6 year old. This 6 year old was trained from the day he could walk to become a ninja by his father, brother, and several people that happened to be close to their small family. Anybody that knew the kid was pretty confident in his skills.
However his time-management skills could use a little work... must run in the family.
-Konoha Shinobi Academy-
The white streak finally made it to his destination while panting heavily. Ha, and with 5 minutes to spare too! He thought triumphantly to himself. Keito casually walked to his classroom with his hands in his pockets after he got his breathing under control. He entered to find most of his classmates and his instructors staring at him, ignoring their stares he merely took his seat in the back row and waited patiently for the exam to begin. Although he appeared patient on the outside the boy was ridiculously excited about graduating.
His instructor began his speech about the importance of the graduation exam and how if they graduated then they would become the new inheritors of the Will of Fire, and a few other things about shinobi life before he began handing out the written exam. He told the class that they had an hour to answer the one hundred question test and wished them good luck.
Keito finished the test with what he knew was going to be a high score with about twenty minutes to spare. He drummed his fingers on his desk with barely restrained anxiety while willing time to move faster. The testing time was finally up and the completed tests were handed forward. The class was gathered and brought outside for the second and third portions of the exams. The second was a demonstration of throwing weapon proficiency which Keito passed with ease. The third was a 5 minute spar against a classmate which the youngest Hatake blew his opponent out of the water after the first minute. The last and most important portion was a performance of the three basic Academy jutsu: Henge, Kawarimi, and Bunshin. The class was brought back into the room where they were each called one by one to the back room to show their skill the three basic jutsu.
He was called after ten of his classmates had gone before him, nine of them had passed which made him smile inwardly at his odds. Keito walked into the back room and bowed respectfully to his instructors who then motioned for him to begin. He began with a transformation into his brother Kakashi before a puff of smoke revealed that he had switched places with a filing cabinet that had been in the far corner of the room where he was now standing. He was then engulfed in another puff of smoke which cleared to reveal four copies of Kakashi eye-smiling at his instructors who were a bit wide-eyed at how smooth his transition was as well as producing three transformed clones. Needless to say, Keito passed his graduation exam. As he was walking out of the room Keito snagged one of the Konoha hitai-ate that were laying on a desk and tied it proudly over his forehead.
Once all of the students were through the instructors announced that the ones that passed would return tomorrow to receive their team placement. His instructors dismissed them and they all proceeded to the front of the academy to meet their parents and whomever else came to see the new graduating class. Keito looked around and was happily surprised to see his father and brother waiting for him.
He approached them with a proud smile on his face, "Guess all that hard work paid off finally huh?"
Sakumo ruffled his son's hair and chuckled a bit when Keito pushed his hand away, "That it has, but this is only a small step on your way to becoming a splendid ninja. Isn't that right Kakashi?"
"Hmm?" was Kakashi's response since his face was currently buried in the newest addition of Icha Icha Paradise.
"Attentive as always, Kaka-nii," came Keito's agitated intone.
"Heh, how about we just go and grab some lunch boys?" Sakumo offered to diffuse the fight that was brewing between his sons.
"Sure." Both Kakashi and Keito grunted out at the same time.
-Ichiraku Ramen Stand-
The Hatake family made their way to Ichiraku Ramen in a comfortable silence that only broke once they got to the small stand and found the Sandaime Hokage dining with a small blond girl.
"Isn't she a bit young for you Hiruzen?" Sakumo asked in a mirthful tone.
The old man turned and saw the White Fang with his sons. He laughed a bit, "I suppose you may be right my friend. Having a family outing, Sakumo?"
The Hatake patriarch put Keito in a headlock and ruffled his hair, "Not just any outing, Hiruzen. Say hello to your newest genin!" This action caused both the Hokage and his "date" to laugh.
Keito managed to escape from his father's death grip before huffing, "I hate when you do that dad! I'm a ninja now, geez!"
"Why don't you three just take a seat before somebody gets hurt?" Hiruzen offered while trying to contain his laughter.
Soon enough all of them were enjoying a nice hot bowl of ramen until the silence was broken by Kakashi surprisingly enough.
"So Hokage-sama, care to introduce us to your lady-friend?" asked the Copy-Cat Ninja in his usual drawl.
Hiruzen leaned back to place an arm around the blond girl to give the three Hatake males a better view of her, "This is Uzumaki Naruko and she happens to be a very special friend of mine." The girl blushed a bit and offered a small smile but said nothing.
"It's very nice to meet you Naruko. My name is Sakumo and these are my sons: Kakashi and Keito." He greeted in a kind voice while gesturing to his boys.
Keito waved to her with a cheerful smile while Kakashi gave a lazy two-fingered salute still consumed by his little pink book. Naruko smiled a bit wider and timidly returned Keito's wave.
"Sorry, she can be a little shy around people she doesn't know," Hiruzen apologized while patting the blond girl on the head.
Sakumo waved his hand dismissively, "Not a problem." He paused to finish his drink and cleared his throat before continuing, "Well I think we've done enough damage here, time to head out." He got a nod in response from both Kakashi and Keito. The three Hatakes made their way out of the stand after paying and wishing Hiruzen and Naruko a good day.
They walked in silence the rest of the way home. Keito wasn't aware of the disturbingly grave look that now adorned his father's face at what he was about to tell his son.
-Shinobi Quarter, Hatake Household-
Once they reached the small, plain house that the Hatakes called "home", Sakumo turned around to smack Keito whom exploded with a puff of smoke and caught the hitai-ate that it had tied to its forehead. Sakumo sent a look at Kakashi which he simply nodded to and proceeded into the living room and took a seat on one of the couches therein. He watched a rather agitated looking Keito walk down the stairs.
Keito was about to open his mouth to ask why his father dispelled his clone in such a rude way until he saw the look on his face. He'd never seen his father look so... sullen. He simply followed his silent parent to the living room with a mix of dread and curiosity stirring in the pit of his stomach. Keito watched Sakumo gesture for him to take a seat on the couch opposite of the one that Kakashi was currently occupying. The youngest Hatake stayed standing and was getting ready to explain himself until his father sent him a cold stare that said 'shut your mouth and sit down'. Keito sat down while fumbling with his hands out of anxiety.
"Look, if this is about the shadow clone..." Keito began but was silenced by his father raising a hand.
Sakumo finally let his features soften a bit, "No, my son this is not about the shadow clone. I'm actually very impressed with your use of a fairly taxing jutsu to pass your exams, but that's for another time." He paused to gather his wits for what he was about to tell his younger son. "What I'm about to tell you is something that only a handful of people are aware of, understand?" Upon seeing Keito's affirmative nod he continued, "I am invoking an old law that was developed during the reign of the Nidaime Hokage. This law states that a young ninja may surrender their hitai-ate in order to prove themselves more competent in the real world called a Trial of Will. This increased level of competence brings with it a higher rank and more faith in your skills, which to you means an automatic promotion to Chuunin or better depending on your performance. The trial requires the participant to survive for no less than two years with no assistance as well as learn a jutsu from each of the Five Great Nations." Sakumo paused to allow Keito to absorb what he was just told.
After a few moments of silence, Keito finally spoke, "Is that all?" The question was asked in a small, somewhat unsure voice that almost felt foreign to the usually confident ninja-to-be.
Sakumo bowed his head slightly and heaved a sigh, "No. The participant must also accomplish and have proof of their first kill."
For several minutes the room felt like the air had been drained from it and the temperature dropped quite a few degrees once the last requirement was disseminated. Keito just sat there, completely still, with his eyes widened while his features denoted a cross between shock, fear, and discomfort.
The tension in the room was broken by Kakashi's usual bored drawl, "It's your choice and you'll receive a year of special training before we send you on your way because frankly if we sent you now you probably wouldn't last more than a few months." With that taunt the trap was set. The taunt also seemed to snap Keito out of his trance.
Keito's features gained a bit of brightness to them as he managed to produce a confident smirk. "Bring it on," he announced with all of the brashness that he could muster.
With a relieved sigh that he covered with a loud clap, Sakumo let a cheerful expression grace his face, "Well then it's settled, I'll inform the Hokage in the morning then your tor-er training will begin immediately!"
Kakashi eye-smiled, "Oh and on a side note: since your hitai-ate will be in the possession of the Hokage during the trial if you happen to get captured then the village will deny your existence and you'll most likely be executed for espionage. No pressure." He finished with a shrug.
Oh goodie... what the hell have I gotten myself into? Keito sarcastically thought while his eye twitched uncontrollably.
A/N: I know this is pretty random considering the list of other fics that I could be working on that I've had in the works for a while, but the muse called pretty loudly for this one.
In addition, this is just an intro of sorts. I plan on making all of the other chapters a bit closer to the 3,000 word area.