A Hero's Quest
I don't own Naruto or its characters
A/N- I know I am not the best of writers, if anyone wants to help be with this story please say so in the review, I will take any help from ideas to anyone wanting to beta this story, I want this story to be my best one, and I think it really can be.
Chapter 1: Death and Rebirth
The sky above Konoha was very dark, and the a large thunderstorm passed overhead, as a group of top rank shinobi were gathered around a single bed. In the bed was the greatest shinobi of his time, or maybe anytime in history. Everyone of the top rank shinobi around him had at some point in their lives been saved by the said grand shinobi. Each of the faces of the top ranked shinobi showed a large amount of grief and worry. For you see the shinobi in the bed, was none other then Hashirama Senju, the founder of Konohagakure, and its first Hokage.
Hashirama had been growing weaker almost daily ever since his final battle against Madara Uchiha, in the battle that was so intense that it changed the landscape of a whole area in which it was fought. The sad part of that story, was that there was a time when Hashirama and Madara were best of friends and rivals. Yet, the eternal sharingan had corrupted Madara's already power hungry soul. In that final battle, Hashirama was forced to use the greatest sealing technique he knew on the Madara to keep him from harming anyone, or starting any more wars.
Hashirama took a deep breath as he tried to look at his friends, and family. He knew his time was running short and he knew that as a mortal, there was nothing he could do about it. He just had to achieved his death with class and grace like a true shinobi should. Looking at the group, he could pick out the Senju clan, and smiled when he noticed his granddaughter Tsunade standing nearby. He loved his granddaughter greatly, and hoped that she would be able to grow up in a time of peace that he didn't get to enjoy for all that long.
He remembered when the clans would fight each other just for money. It was why he started Konohagakure. He hoped that by starting such a village were all clans could be welcomed, that the days of battles would be over. He knew it was not the final answer, wars still were going on across the world, but the amount and intensity of them had decreased since he created Konoha. That was at least something he could take with him to the grave. That had he fact he had stopped Madara. You see Madara was one of the major architects of the wars which were still going on, and would of destroyed Konoha if he had been allowed to have his way.
Hashirama felt a sudden pain in his body, and knew that his time was going to come to a end soon then he wanted. His graceful figure showed no sign of pain, but it was there under the surface. Hashirama just didn't want his friends and family to worry about him at the end.
"Please, everyone listen, listen to the last words of this Hokage," Hashirama announced almost in a proud way. "I will soon be moving on."
"Lord Hokage, you can't your two important to us, all of us, for me" Toka barely managed to get out, almost crying with her words.
"I am sorry, to be leaving you the most, my wife, but there is little I can do about it now," Hashirama told the grand genjutsu user, "I am leaving though, I have no choice, we all have to make our maker at some point. This just happens to be my time. Fear not, when one flame dies out, others will soon take his place, and the flame will grow. In this way, the first flame never truly dies, for it lives on again in others."
Hashirama looked quietly towards his younger brother, "Tobirama, it will be your job from now on to protect my people, and remember you are now the protector of the flame, it is your job to make sure it survives."
"Yes, Hashirama, I will do what you want, you have my promise," Tobirama said almost in tears already.
"Good, I know I can trust you, Tsunade please come here," Hashirama said quietly
"Yes, grandfather," Tsunade said in a weak voice trying her best to keep her emotions in check.
"Tsunade, this is my most treasured iteam," Hashirama said pulling something from his neck, "Take it, and please keep it and remember, that you are a Senju."
"Of course," Tsunade replied crying as she took hold of the necklace.
Hashirama smiled as Tsunade moved back into the group, and Hashirama laid back down, he had done everything he wished except create the perfect peace he so wanted. He would have to die with that regret. Maybe someday some other shinobi, better then him would be able to make that dream come true.
"Remember this, and remember it well," Hashirama said taking a deep breath, "the countrymen of the leaf each make up one part of the grand body that is the leaf. Those who believe in the village, and for whom I have believed and for who the future Hokages will believe in make this village strong. Work together, do not look down upon a part of the village which you do not like, and do not stray from the path of Justice. Lastly remember you are from Konoha, and support each other with your lives."
Hashirama closed his eyes for the last time after finishing the statement. A second later Tobirama lead everyone in the group outside knowing that his brother was no dead. Tobirama wanted to cry at this moment too, but he knew he was now the Hokage, and that time would have to wait, he had to set up the funeral for his own brother, and start preparing Konoha for the future.
Hashirama opened his eyes, and could see the world below him, he looked around, it was as if he was a ghost, and he wondered where he was. Hashirama looked around, and was able to notice others shinobi. Ones he had battled when he was alive, ones he knew were dead. This realization told him everything he needed to know.
"Hashirama Senju welcome to the afterlife," Shinigami said deeply looking at him.
"Lord Shinigami," Hashirama said bowing, "What is it that I see?"
"That is the world of the living, it is the curse of us in this world to be able to watch them, and yet do nothing to help those we want to help."
"I see," Hashirama replied, "Is Madara Uchiha, here, I wish to speak with my old friend."
"No, he is still of the world of the living, though sealed in that valley you battled him in."
"Ok, thank you," Hashirama said looking down at the world of the living.
"Remember if you watch them for to long, you won't be able to full come into this world."
"Fine, but I must know how my dream can ever come true."
"Have it your way."
Hashirama sat there and watched for years as time moved on. He watched as Tobirama ruled the leaf with pride, and lead it to become even greater, but he also had to watch his brother's death. When his brother appeared in the next world, Hashirama did not even greet him for by this time, he was to wrapped up in the world of the living to go and see him. Hashirama then smiled as he watched Hiruzen Sarutobi his favorite student become Hokage, and rule the leaf with such skill that Hashirama felt pride with most every action that his student made. He also watched Tsunade, he felt pride in her when she became a Sannin, but also sorrow when Nawaki died as well as when Tsunade's love died as well.
"Hashirama…Hashirama!" Shinigami yelled finally getting the first hokage's attention.
"What is it, I am busy right now, if you can't see," Hashirama countered.
"You have been there for watching them for 50 years," Shinigami replied, "You really are something, you are the first person I have meet so attached to their dream, that they watched the world like this."
"What do you want then," Hashirama replied directly wanting to return his attention to the living world.
"This," Shinigami said changing the view of the living world to the valley where Hashirama had battled Madara.
Hashirama noticed the seal he had made was fading, and then suddenly the seal was gone, and Madara was standing up looking no older then when Hashirama had sealed him so many years before.
"You seal has failed, Hashirama," Shinigami said in a equally straightforward way.
"What does this mean, I am sure that someone will put a stop to him again," Hashirama said unworried at the development.
"Wrong, I have seen the future, and well," Shinigami said showing Hashirama another picture.
In this vision, Hashirama could only see destruction, the hidden leaf was gone, and chaos reigned everywhere. Hashirama noticed later after observing the vision that it was Madara who was in charge, and everywhere he went death followed. The vision then disappeared, and the present view of the living world returned.
"So, he won't be stopped, and my hope of peace is gone, fine, but I can still hope, your vision does not come true," Hashirama said not turning form his view of the living world, "I can hope your view of the future is wrong. I have faith that Konoha will come up with a way to stop him."
"I see," Shinigami replied, "There is one way in which things can change, you will have to be reborn into the world of the living, in the body of another. You have never truly joined the world of the dead, and thus can be reborn"
"Fine, I am good with it," Hashirama said quickly.
"Remember this though, when you are born, you will not know that you are Hashirama reborn, you will know nothing about your skill and past," Shinigami replied, "You will also be born with a broken chakra system, the process of the rebirth will break your new bodies chakra system down, it will take at least a dozen years for it to return to its normal levels. While during those years you will not be able to use genjusu or ninjutsu skills."
"Fine, if that is the case, I just become a taijutsu expert, until I regain my ability to use chakra. I will do whatever it takes to protect my home and my dream."
"Good, then it shall be begin."
A/N- thanks for reading the chapter, if you have any ideas or want to help or just liked the story, please review. Till next time.
