Most syntax (italics, bold, upper-case, etc.) will be pretty self-explanatory. I will be trying to recreate the Naruto Shippuden story-line with something more realistic, one where just fierce determination and happy go lucky smiles will not be enough to save the day. This fanfic will feature a slightly greyish and stronger Naruto, a lot more world weary Naruto but still with a good heart and helping soul.

Pairings will not be central to this story though there may be a few bits of romance involved.

I will be mixing the names of the jutsu with their English and Japanese names mainly on whether I am able to spell them correctly or if I remember them.

Standard Disclaimer – Do not own Naruto or any other franchises/authors from where I may have 'borrowed' an idea or two.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx

Chapter 1 – Death of a Legend

"I see a beautiful country and a brilliant people rising from this abyss. I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy. I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence.It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known."

"Having finished the eulogy, I raised my head to look at the throngs of people ahead of me. Thousands upon thousands had come to pay their final respect to the legend, not a single face not filled with sorrow, not a single eye with unshed tears. People from all over, from the forests of the Land of Fire to the mountain tops of the Land of Lightning, from the poor road-cleaner of a back-alley street of Tanzuka Gai to the richest Daimyos of the major nations, from the powerful Kages of the Hidden Villages to the stoic Samurais of the Land Of Iron, from ninjas to merchants, all had come. They came to anguish, to celebrate, to see for one last time, to remember, the life and death of the man who became a God to all people."

"Within every generation of humans there will always be a select few, a hundred or so, that will stand above the rest; more successful and famous then any around them. They are called famous. Every hundred years or so, a smaller amount, maybe not even ten, will become figures of world renown, rising above the rest of humanity before and after them in such a way as to never be forgotten. They are called heroes and heroines. But then there is even a rarer occurrence. Every thousand years or so, a man or woman, will rise above the rest, above humanity itself. He or she will become more than a figure of world renown. And become more than a human. Once in a thousand years a man becomes a legend."

"With these last thoughts, I stepped down from the podium and lit the pyre on fire. And thus was gone my friend and master, my brother and rival. And I am hit with this profound sense of loss, this heart-wrenching pain in my chest like a black hole, sucking away all the good in the world. The light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere. 'WHY?Why did you have to die? We could have helped you. I know I am wrong. And I know there would have been no other way that you would have wanted to go. Who else but you could have faced and stopped a wrath of nature? Only you. And now you are no more. I will not see you again as I have seen you for these many years. I…we will not run to you for advice and seek solace from you, and that is a terrible blow, not only to me, but to the millions and millions in these lands, and it is a little difficult to soften the blow by any other advise that I or anyone else can give."

"I look up to your altar and stare, my vision murky, blurred and wet, and I see. You burn not a hot red, not a bright yellow nor a shining orange, but a brilliant, outstanding blue, eternal. The colour of your eyes. And I realise, this, your final lesson. The light has gone out, I had said when I first learned, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in these lands was no ordinary light. The light that has illumined these countries for these many years will illumine this continent for many more years, and a thousand years later that light will still be seen, and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts. For that light represented the living truth ... the eternal truths, reminding us of the right path, drawing us from error, taking this ancient realm to peace."

"All right students, with this we have come to the end of the 'Tale of Naruto' by Sarutobi Konohamaru the deceased but beloved Seventh Hokage. For your homework assignments, please write me an essay, no less than 500 words on the 'Impact on Agriculture post the Fourth Shinobi World War with emphasis on the work done by Uzumaki Naruto, Sabaku No Gaara and Koyuki Kazahana'."

"Ughhhh…come on sensei…why did you have to go ruin the mood? The book was so cool and now you just blew it…"

"Hey sensei…who would win a fight between Naruto and our Tsuchikage?"

"Sensei who did Naruto finally marry? They never said in the book."

"Haaah…just you watch sensei...I am going to be a greater ninja than that Naruto guy!"

"(Big Demon Head Jutsu) ALL RIGHT EVERYONE SHUT UP!(Thank god for Konoha sharing this jutsu. It's a life saver in the classroom) Not everything in life is as simple as a story so you have to work hard to achieve what you want in life and not just listen to the gospels of others' life work. There is no point in speculating about a fight because it would never happen as Naruto was famous for avoiding fights after the fourth shinobi world war. No one knows much about Naruto's personal life after the war. And yes anyone who is willing to work hard, protect those precious to him or her and never give up can become strong, even as strong on Naruto was."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

Please review.

Looking for Beta for the story.

Thanks – Nemo