Hey guys. For those who haven't read the recent chapter or for those who start after the original is deleted, this is the rewrite for Switched at Tragedy. I just drew up a blank as I tried to write the next chapter to the original. It became so frustrating that I decided to start from scratch. Being my first rewrite, I won't be changing too much at first, but that also means any errors I've yet to fix will hopefully be fixed.
For fans of the Goku X Sakura pairing, I apologize here. I just couldn't see any way to get from where the pairing started to where I wanted to end the story, so I had to jump ship. I decided to go with the Goku X Hinata pairing, and I will say that it makes writing the story much easier. I already have a replacement pairing made for Sakura, and I've found a good pairing for Sasuke too. They won't be together, but I think both pairings will be satisfying.
Without further ado, let's get this rewrite started. I don't own Dragon Ball or Naruto. I do, however, own OC's unless credit is given.
Unknown Pocket in Space and Time
In a huge temple stood a teenager staring at a statue of a dragon. The teenager had purple skin, white hair, and yellow eyes. He wore square rimmed glasses, a black short-sleeve muscle shirt with the letters F,X, and I on each sleeve, black pants, and brown boots. In his possession was a brown scabbard with a katana sheathed within it. His eyes wandered to the head of the dragon.
The dragon statue was made out of marble. It had a golden mural depicting seven orbs and nine beasts behind it. The first orb had a star in it and the amount of stars rose as you looked at the other orbs. The same went for the beasts, but, instead of stars, the beasts tails ascended from first to last. In front of the statue laid a pool of water.
The statue's eyes began to glow blue as a moan rung throughout the temple. The teen tensed in response, but soon loosened up at the lack of malevolent intent.
"Welcome to the Temple of Space and Time young one." said he statue. "I am the Shenron of Time and Space. I am one of the few who watch over time and space, guarding each from those who would..."
"I don't mean to be rude, but can you make this quick?" asked the impatient teenager. "I've got research to do." A tear formed in the dragon statue's eye. It fell into the pool below as another moan filled the temple.
"It is your devotion to your research and your view on life that has caught my attention young Fu." stated the dragon. "I need someone like you right now."
"What does a humble researcher like me have to offer you, oh Great Shenron of Time and Space?" The pool glowed as two different locations were shown.
"See for yourself young researcher." Fu looked into the first location. He knew this point in time very well. It was one of the saddest events in history. The destruction of planet Vegeta.
He saw the pod that held the greatest hero in history, Son Goku, racing towards earth. He heard him cry as he grew further and further from the dying world. Fu turned to the planet. He watched Frieza, the monster that destroyed the planet, laugh as the death ball drew closer. He could hear Goku's father call out his son's saiyan name.
"Kakarot!" shouted Bardock, the father of Goku, as he was engulfed in the energy sphere. Fu looked away and decided to focus on the other location. It was a small planet, seemingly untamed except for a few villages he could see. He looked to the dragon, confusion on clearly visible on his face.
"I don't recognize this planet." said Fu.
"I don't expect you to." stated Shenron. "This is an entirely different time branch from the one you hail from."
"Time branch? Do you mean time line?" A network of energy appeared behind the dragon.
"Time line is such an ignorant explanation for it. Time is like a tree, and the beginning of time is like the trunk. The trunk splits off the into multiple branches. Tell me, young Fu, do the branches just go out in a straight line with no interruptions?"
"No. They twist and turn, even making more branches."
"And the same goes for time. Every decision, whether it be something as small as a glance or something as big as destroying a planet, branches off into multiple different branches in time. Each new branch is an alternate version of that decision. Some fall off because they are too weak to stand on their own. That is all I will share for now, however, as we have strayed from the main point of your visit."
"It's a shame. This new intel has caused me to alter or completely rewrite my theories."
"Back to the matter at hand, look deeper into the forest. There is a hidden village. Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village. It is one of the hidden villages. There are many other villages like it. Watch carefully. A true tragedy is about to befall this village."
Fu did as told. Suddenly, a huge explosion came out of nowhere. Nine tails poked out of the smoke. Ears could be seen as the smoke dissipated. Fu recognized the beast from the mural.
"It is the last beast on your mural."
"Correct young Fu. Kurama, the nine tailed fox. One of the nine biju, or tailed beasts. They are seen as demons by the people. Watch as Kurama demonstrates why."
Kurama began destroying the surrounding forest. He swung all of his tails left and right. He stomped on the ground, crushing all beneath him. He fired a laser of strange energy. Fu noticed men rushing out of the trees.
"The fools. Why are they..."
"Shinobi, the warriors of this world. These are from Konoha. They have come to try and kill the beast. They will undoubtedly fail."
Fu had a thought run through his head.
"Mighty Shenron? If they are demons, then why are they on your mural?"
"Good eye young one. Remember what I said? They are seen as demons, but they are far from it. They are living Chakra, a mix of ki and stamina. It is the energy of branch 149, the branch we are currently viewing. The shinobi will die for their village and for some their families. Do you feel that ominous energy boy?"
Fu searched for it. He found strands of visible chakra being lead off to another area. They were chains. Fu cringed at the sight.
"He's being used as a puppet."
The pool changed its image to show the holder of the chains staring down another man.
"Yes. The man controlling him will remain a mystery for now. The man he's fighting, however, is the great leader of Konoha. The Yondaime Hokage, Minato Namikaze. He is part of the tragedy."
Minato had bright, blue eyes and spiky, blond hair. He also had jaw-length bangs framing either side of his face. His attire consisted of a standard Konoha uniform with two bands on both of his sleeves, a green flak jacket blue forehead protector, and blue sandals. He also wore a short-sleeved long white haori over his normal attire, closed in the front by a thin, orange rope. Fu tried to get a closer look at the opponent, but the image changed over to a hospital.
A mother was cradling her child. She had violet eyes, and red hair that reached her ankles. She wore a high-collared, sleeveless blouse under a long, loose-fitting dress with a wristband on her left wrist and standard shinobi sandals. The child started to cry. She held him tight.
"It's okay." whispered the woman. "Everything is gonna be okay Naruto." The child calmed down a bit. Fu shook his head.
"Her energy is fading fast." stated Fu.
"There are people who have biju sealed inside them." informed Shenron. "They are usually raised to be weapons to have against the other villages in war. The only problem with that is that if the biju is removed, the person slowly dies. She is Kushina Uzumaki. She's a Jinchuriki."
"Which one is in her?"
"Was boy. You've already met him." Fu looked at the dragon.
"How did...?"
"The nine tailed fox was removed by the masked man from earlier. It's easiest to remove a biju during a certain point for women, child birth." Fu looked back Kushina.
Minato jumped in through the window.
"Minato!" shouted Kushina. She held her chest as she took a heavy breath. Her energy was dropping fast. Minato walked over to calm her down. He then took Naruto out of her arms.
"Everything's going to be alright Kushina." said Minato.
"What are you doing!?"
"I have to seal the biju, and Naruto is the only one for the job. With the biju's power, he would be strong enough to defend himself from Kiri and any others who would seek to harm him." Kushina wanted to take her child back, but she was too weak to do the deed.
"Not in my baby! There has to be another way Minato!" Minato embraced her.
"It's the only way. My only regret is that we will not be here to see him grow up." Kushina had more to say, but her life faded as Minato placed her on the hospital bed. He went out with Naruto in his arms. The puddle fast forward through time, displaying the crater the Nine Tailed Fox once stood.
There was silence. It was only broken by the cries of baby Naruto. He looked so alone. The pool suddenly showed the two crying children side by side. Fu shedded a tear at the sight.
"You brought me here to see two tragedies?" asked Fu.
"You had to see the problem before you could hear the solution." argued the dragon. "I have seen the future of these variations of the time branches. They do not end well. Gohan was killed before Goku arrived on earth, so he'd be alone and he'd destroy the human race. As for Naruto, he was raised to be a weapon because the previous Hokage did not resume work after the death of Minato. I cannot stand by while these children live sad lives. That is where you come in. There is a lot of research to be gained from switching their live. That is the only way I can see this working."
"But what about the time patrollers?"
"They won't even know with me involved. The children need this. Will you help me young Fu?" Fu smiled as he wiped the lone tear from his eye.
"Yes mighty Shenron!"
"Good. Now, let's begin the swap." Shenron's eyes glew brighter. The children were encased in light.
Konoha
Hiruzen had come to the crater personally to check for signs of Minato. He wore a black jumpsuit, mesh segments over the lower portions of his limbs, and a green gauntlet that covered much of his right arm.
He hoped to find something, anything that could lead to him being alive. He found nothing as he searched high and low. He was about to give up. He then heard a cry he recognized.
"Naruto!" shouted Hiruzen. He ran over to find a strange teenager holding Naruto and another child in his hand. He pulled out his weapons. The young man noticed him.
"Hold on there old man." said the strange being. "You don't wanna accidentally hurt the children do you?" Hiruzen lowered his weapons. "So you're the old Hokage? So cool!"
"Who are you!?" shouted Hiruzen. The purple teen scratched the back of his head.
"Right, right! Explanations. Sorry there. My name is Fu. I come in peace. I've come to make life easier."
"For who are you implying?"
"Everyone, which of course includes these little guys. I've come to swap them out."
"You cannot take Naruto! His parents sacrificed themselves so that he could live!"
"I know, but think about it. With him being a Jinchuriki of the creature that was used to destroy your home and killed many family members, what chance does he have? Do you want him to grow up alone? There are too many variables against him. He has a better chance swapping out with this little guy. Just take a look at him."
He handed the other child to Hiruzen. Hiruzen was skeptical, but the little boy was calling for him. He held the child. His hair was in a strange style, but other than that he was just a normal child. Well, that's what he thought till he saw the child's tail.
"Don't be scared." reassured Fu. "He's not a monster. Well only when he looks at the full moon. Anyway, he's one of the last survivors of his people. They were all wiped out by an evil tyrant they served. Think of his tail as a kekei genkai, but for his whole people. He has no one to go to. He needs this."
"But what about Naruto!?" shouted Hiruzen.
"I was getting to that! Geez! You need to chill. I know a nice man who will be willing to take in the young child. Think about it. This is his best shot. They'll both get the love they deserve, and life will be much better for those around them. What do you say?"
Hiruzen didn't know what to do. He couldn't just trade Minato and Kushina's child for another. It wouldn't be right. Then again, he couldn't leave this other boy without a suddenly saw a light.
Minato and Kushina stood in front of a dragon. They didn't say a word. They smiled at him. It was as if they were telling her that it would be okay. He looked to Fu.
"Fine." said Hiruzen. "But if anything happens to the boy..."
"I get it! I get it!" shouted Fu. "It won't be a problem. He'll be just fine. By the way, the other child's name is Goku. I'll leave the clan name up to you. See ya!"
He disappeared in a flash of light. Hiruzen looked at Goku. The child grabbed at his beard and pulled. He looked off to the village as Goku nodded off.
"Let's go home." said Sarutobi as he took off.
Mt. Pazao
Son Gohan decided to go for a walk. He had small dark eyes and a bushy white mustache and eyebrows. He wore a Chinese martial arts uniform, which consisted of a sleeveless orange jacket over a long sleeved black shirt, and a green hat. He strolled through some bamboo.
He sure did enjoy the peace and quiet. He suddenly heard a large wail. He ran over to find a purple man holding a blond child. He walked over. The man noticed.
"Hey there stranger!" shouted the man. "How's your day going?" sighed Gohan in relief.
"It's going well." answered Gohan. "How about you?"
"Actually... I have a bit of a problem. You see, my name is Fu, and I'm trying to find a home for little Naruto here. He's recently become an orphan. I've tried all over but no one has room for the little guy."
"Let me take a look at him." Fu handed Naruto over to Gohan. Naruto was still crying. He rocked him for a bit. Gohan rubbed the whisker marks on the child's cheek as he fell asleep. "Who wouldn't want such a sweet young boy?"
"The problem is that there just doesn't seem to be any room for the little guy." answered Fu. "I fear what might happen if I can't find a place for him. I can't take care of him or else I would." Gohan looked down at the baby. There was something about him that brought a smile to his face. "Anyway, sorry to bother you stranger. I guess I'll be..."
"I'll take him." stated Gohan. "No child should be without a home." Fu smiled.
'Success!' thought Fu. "That's just wonderful! I'm happy to hear it! I am required to check up on him every now and again."
"I'm fine with that. I'll enjoy the company." Fu bid them goodbye as he took off into the forest. Gohan looked down at Naruto.
'Son Naruto' thought Gohan as he walked home.
Temple of Time and Space
Fu walked up to Shenron. He stopped as once again the moaning filled the building.
"You have done well Fu." stated the dragon. "They have accepted the fate of the children."
"The parents have been moved to the respective afterlife, though that Kushina lady packs a mean punch." said Fu as he rubbed a sore spot on his cheek. "I'll change the locations of certain individuals as time moves on just like you requested. I'll do it as you say it's needed or when it's good for research. If it's not too much to ask, why are we changing so much?"
"The answer will come when the time is right. For now, you must rest. We have many trials ahead of us, and you will need your strength." Fu walked out of the main room. The dragon looked into the pool.
"Your reign of fear ends now, Frieza, Kaguya. You will meet your end." The dragon's eyes faded back to darkness. A light appeared in the pool. The glow faded from the pool as two faces appeared in it.
There's the rewritten prologue. I wanted to make sure to mention the full reason Minato wanted to seal Kurama into Naruto instead of trying to reseal him within Kushina. Also, I realized someone of Shenron's importance should have his words written in bold. I thought it'd be fun if Fu told them Goku's saiyan name instead of the name he's well known for. I didn't want to change the prologue, but thankfully I was able to fix a few things and add a little more too it.
Anywho, what do you think about the changes to the prologue? Do you like how Goku will be called Kakarot, or would you want him to still go by his Earth name? Let me know in a review down below, and I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible. This is Caliban, signing out.