Chapter 2
For the next 4 years, Naruto lived with the clans and was trained by them. Jiraya kept true to his word and stayed in Konoha for most of the time. He also trained Naruto; amazed by the boy's ability to soak up anything he was taught. Naruto enjoyed all the attention he got and did his very best to learn whatever they were teaching him. He was now 7 and would join the ninja academy with the rest of his friends. It was a few days before he would go to the academy and was summoned by the Hokage. As always he barged in shouting "Hey Oji-san you wanted to see me?" "Yes Naruto, I heard that you want to join the ninja academy." The Sandaime said to the blond. "Of course I want to join. I want to be a ninja, so that one day I can take your job" Naruto said with a smile. Sarutobi smiled after hearing that. "Naruto that is a nice goal, but I don't think that joining the academy would do you any good. You already know more than a graduate. I think it is better that you don't go…" Sarutobi started. "What! Why not? If I'm as good as a graduate, why can't I go?" Naruto interrupted the Third. Sarutobi sighed "Let me finish Naruto. I think it is better that you don't go and become Jiraya's apprentice. You'll learn more that way and when you turn twelve you can go on missions with him." "But Oji-san, isn't that unfair to my friends? While they go to the academy, I get the opportunity to learn more." Naruto said. Sarutobi gave him a grandfatherly look "It is nice that you think about your friend, but I talked it over with your guardians and they agree. You are to gifted to spend your time in the academy learning things that you already know. You know even more family techniques then your friends." Naruto was about to refuse again, but Sarutobi stopped him before he got the chance "It is already decided Naruto, Jiraya will pick you up tomorrow for training." The blond sighed "Ok Oji-san, if you say so." And with these words he left to the Inuzuka where he was staying this time. Once he was there he went to the kennel, he liked spending time with the dogs. While he was playing with the dogs, Tsume entered the kennel. "What's up pup? Something wrong? We barely noticed you were here." Naruto looked up and smiled "Hey Okaa-san, I just wanted some time to think." "Is this about your visit to the Hokage?" she asked. Naruto just nodded. "I'm just guessing, but you don't think you deserve it huh. You wanted to go to the academy with the others don't you?" she asked again. The young blond nodded again. Tsume sighed and sat down next to him "Don't worry, they will still like you. We all told you before, you are very gifted, and you can accomplish everything. Take this chance and show the world what you can do." He finally accepted that he was going to be the apprentice of the Toad sannin. Tsume stood up and motioned for Naruto to come with her. They walked to the meeting room that the Inuzuka rarely used, but this was a special occasion. When they entered, he saw members of all the clans he stayed with. "Naruto, you are part of many clans and learned there family techniques. There are some customs that every clan holds when they become genin. You are the apprentice of Jiraya the Toad Sannin, it equals to becoming genin." Tsume told him once they were inside. "As part of the Inuzuka clan, you normally would receive your canine partner when you turn twelve or become genin. So I'm proud to present you your partner and this scroll with family techniques." She continued while giving the scroll to Naruto. When she finished Hana came in with a small young pup. "His name is Kiyoshi which stand for pure" Hana said while handing the pup to Naruto. He looked at Kiyoshi and smiled. He recognized the pup. He played with the small dog many times before. Kiyoshi yipped and licked his face. Apparently he recognized Naruto too. Hiashi stepped up "Naruto, amongst the Hyuuga when you reach genin, you get to learn more powerful byakugan related techniques. Now because you do not have a byakugan, I cannot teach you them. But I will give you them anyway, maybe you can modify them so you can use them." Naruto gratefully accepted the scroll Hiashi was holding. While Hiashi gave the scroll he said "Understand that you cannot show the contents of this scroll to anyone but a Hyuuga, not even your sensei may read this." Naruto nodded "I understand Oto-sama. I will guard it." A brief smile was seen on the Hyuuga leader before he stepped backwards again, allowing the following clan head to present Naruto with a gift. It was Shikaku, head of the Nara clan, that took Hiashi's place. "Naruto, amongst the Nara, we do not really have such a tradition. Our members are allowed to learn any technique whenever they are ready. Since you do not continuously stay with us, I took the liberty to create this scroll. It contains all our knowledge that we posses. Use it wisely and as with the Hyuuga this scroll is only for you and our members." Again Naruto accepted the scroll with the promise to protect it. Shikaku stepped aside and his place was taken by the clan head of the Yamanaka, Inoichi. "I'll keep it short Naruto. I too have a scroll for you. Just as the others it contains the techniques of the Yamanaka clan. You know what this means, it's the same as the others: protect it and it's only meant for you or other Yamanakas." Inoichi said smiling. Naruto took the scroll, but didn't got the chance to say anything as Choza Akimichi was already before him with yet again another scroll. "Here the Akimichi clan techniques. You're probably getting tired of hearing the same again with each scroll, so I'll just assume you know it by now." he said. This time Naruto got the chance to say something again. "Thanks, I will protect them of course." He barely finished a full sentence when Shibi Aburame approached "Naruto, normally as an Aburame you would get a second colony to host within your body. But since we deemed it too dangerous for you to undergo the procedure for a first colony when we took you in, so I cannot give you a second colony." Naruto nodded, signaling that he understood. "While you stayed with us you did learn the use the Kikaichu, by using mine. As gift today, I would like to give the ones that you've used before. Unlike me or other Aburame yours will not use your body as a host, instead they will house in this gourd. The gourd will take some of your chakra to feed the Kikaichu, thus replacing the need for a host body." Naruto accepted the gourd and immediately a buzzing sound was heard. The bugs inside the gourd reacted to the chakra that Naruto felt leaving him. Shibi explained "They are adjusting, the will soon calm down." Now that all clan heads gave their present, it was time to leave. Tsume and Hana led everybody towards the backyard, where others of the clans have gathered. Now that the short ceremony was over, it was time to celebrate. Everybody came to congratulate Naruto. He proudly showed Kiyoshi to everybody. Soon he was surrounded by his friends, who he considered his siblings. Kiba, son of Tsume, was extremely jealous, that Naruto got his canine partner before him. Besides Kiba complaining that he wanted his partner too, most of his friends were happy for him. They all knew he deserved it. Not much really happened the rest of the evening. They celebrated his appointment as apprentice of Jiraya, nothing more. The only real highlight of the evening was the arrival of the Third Hokage. As soon his presence was noticed, it became silent. Especially the younger generation looked in awe. They were surprised that the Hokage himself came to the celebration. Unlike everyone else Naruto just ran towards him happily exclaiming "Oji-san, you came to visit." Once he reached him, Sarutobi lowered himself and gladly returned the hug he was given. "Of course I came; I wouldn't want to miss your special day." he said. Naruto grinned and started to tell Sarutobi about the small ceremony and his presents as he called them. Of course he also showed Kiyoshi again. Sarutobi calmly listened to the ramblings of the young blond. When the blond was finished, he took the opportunity to say something "Shortly after you left a came across this scroll. It is addressed to you. I don't know what it contains, but I suggest that you read it alone." Slowly Naruto took the scroll and looked at it. "I'll do what you said Oji-san." he said. After this serious moment Naruto went to store his new scroll with the others and then went to play again. When the evening ended and everybody left. Naruto took his scrolls and went to his room, Kiyoshi following him. Once he was in his room he opened the scroll he got from the Sandaime. He tried to open it, but failed. No matter what he tried, it wouldn't open. Eventually he took a kunai and tried to pry it open with it. Suddenly the kunai slipped and cut right in to his index finger. With a yelp he drew his hand back and started to suck on his finger. He then noticed that some blood landed on the scroll. For a moment it glowed softly before it slightly opened. Naruto noticed this and took the scroll in his hands again. The small wound from the kunai was already healed thanks to Kyuubi. 'So it only needs my blood. It was probably some sort of seal specially made for Me.' he thought. Slowly he opened the scroll further.
This was what was written:
To Naruto from the Yondaime Hokage of Konoha, Minato Namikaze.
Naruto, while I'm writing this Kyuubi is heading for the village. Everybody is trying to stop it, but so far nothing is stopping it. I will be forced to seal the beast away if there is no other choice. Before I continue about Kyuubi I want you to know something. There is no other way to say this if you don't know already: I Minato Namikaze am your father. If you didn't know don't blame anyone. Sarutobi probably held your heritage secret, since I got many enemies outside of Konoha, especially in Iwa. Of course there is no need for this scroll if your mother survived, but just in case she didn't her name is or was Kushina Uzumaki. Now that you know of your heritage ask my sensei Jiraya or Sarutobi to give you your inheritance. In a seal at the bottom is proof of your heritage.
Now I already wrote that Kyuubi was heading here and that I might need to seal it. As you might know Kyuubi is the greatest of the 9 tailed demons. It can't just be sealed, as it will break it in no time. I've created a new seal, the Shiki Fuin. This is the strongest seal ever created. I found a way to summon the Shimigami and with his help I will put Kyuubi in you my son. The Shiki Fuin will contain it and drain the demon fox of its chakra. His chakra will become your chakra. It will start when you're around 12 years old. I estimate that by the time your 21 you will hold all of its power, making the fox powerless and no longer a threat for any one. The sealing will cost me my life since no one can just summon the Death God and live to tell the tale.
Now that you know what I have done, I hope you do not hate me for what I have done. Although I will understand if you do. I had to choose you since it can only work with a newborn baby whose chakra coils haven't developed yet. I couldn't ask anyone else to make a sacrifice that I couldn't make myself. For what it's worth, I am sorry my son and know that I love you. I can tell you with certainty that your mother loves you too.
Signed,
Yondaime Hokage and your father
Namikaze Minato.
When Naruto finished reading, tears were streaming down his cheeks. He finally knew who his parents where. They loved him, wanted him. Silently he said "I forgive you father, It is not your fault, but Kyuubi's. I will make you proud." He rolled up the scroll again and put it on his nightstand. With a small but genuine smile he lay down on his bed and fell asleep.
Next morning Naruto woke up with Kiyoshi licking his face. "Hmm, Kiyoshi stop that. Go back to sleep." he grumbled. Suddenly a voice said "I would wake up if I were you." Recognizing the voice Naruto shot up "Ero-sennin your back!" Although Jiraya didn't really mind being called that, who wouldn't just let it go either. It was just too much fun to argue with the blond about it. "Stop calling me that gaki!" he shouted and bumped him on the head. Naruto immediately shot back up and tackled him, Kiyoshi doing his part by taking a mouth full of the sannins pants and pulling it. Meanwhile Naruto was having a small wrestling match with Jiraya. While the young child and the older child were having their fun, Hana entered the room. She saw her so-called little brother wrestling and laughing with the famous and legendary Toad Sannin Jiraya. When she finally spoke up, she was already standing there for a few minutes "Hum, mom told me to come and see why you two aren't coming to breakfast." Neither of the two gave any indication that they heard her and continued with their scuffle. A small tick appeared above her left eye. They just kept going, still ignoring her presence. Now her left eye started twitching. Still no reaction from the two. Kiyoshi, being the smart pup that he was, had already moved away from the scuffle and calmly sat next to her. Finally she had enough and with a shout "Cut it out!", she bumped them both on the head. Master and apprentice became acquainted with the hard wooden floor of Narutos bedroom. Immediately both were up again and shouted "Hey what was that for!". She gave them a glare and said "Mom asked me to come and get you two, breakfast is ready." and with those words she left. "Man, what's her problem. Is she always bitchy like this" Jiraya said while rubbing his head. His words just left his mouth and he was re-acquainted with the bedroom floor. Hana just huffed and left again. Naruto of course was laughing his ass off. Not wanting to meet their friend the floor again, both went down for breakfast.
At the breakfast table Naruto once again started to tell about what happened yesterday. Jiraya calmly let Naruto ramble on. When he heard about the scroll that the Sandaime found and gave him, he raised an eyebrow. The blond finally stopped talking and Jiraya took this opportunity to speak himself "Now Naruto, I will help you however I can, but those family scrolls are meant for you only. Don't hesitate to ask help from the clans when you have the chance, but that will have to wait. You're staying with me at first. I didn't have that much time to teach you, but know that you're my apprentice I will train you hard first so that we can go on missions as soon as possible." Tsume cut Jiraya off when she heard Jiraya mention mission "Jiraya-san, what do you mean by going on missions as soon as possible? He's only 7." Jiraya turned towards Tsume "I understand that he is only seven, but I can't stay in one place for long. I've already spend too much time here. You know how important my work is for the village." Tsume nodded, but still didn't like the idea of Naruto going on mission with Jiraya so soon. Before she could say anything, Naruto decided to join the conversation again "Okaa-san, I can handle it. You all said so. Besides, I want to do this. I want to protect the village as my fath…. Euhm the Fourth intended to." Jiraya raised an eyebrow, when he heard that Naruto almost referred to the Fourth as his father, but decided to wait until they were alone to ask about it. Tsume didn't notice, she was still stuck on the fact that her so called adopted son claimed that he wanted to go on missions with Jiraya. "Naruto, I understand that you want to go on missions and although you are indeed very talented, but missions with Jiraya are not easy and without danger. You are not ready for this." she said. Sensing that she wouldn't just let it go he decided to end it once and for all "Tsume, I understand that you are protective of Naruto, but he isn't your son. He is my apprentice now and if I take him on mission, that will be my choice and not yours." With those words he stood up and motioned to Naruto to finish up and get ready to leave. Naruto nodded and went back to his room to pack his things. When he came back down he said his goodbye's and left with his sensei.
Jiraya led his new apprentice towards the hokage tower. Without a word he went up the stairs and headed straight to the office of the hokage. Sarutobi looked up from his curse that is called paperwork "Jiraya, Naruto is there something wrong?" Jiraya just shut the door and did some hand seals. The office glowed for a moment and then died down again. Sarutobi raised an eyebrow "Why are you placing a silence technique on my office Jiraya?" Jiraya placed Naruto on one of the seats and turned back to his old sensei "I heard you gave a scroll to Naruto. Ring any bells?" Sarutobi nodded slowly. "Care to indicate where you found it?" he continued. Sarutobi sighed "I found the scroll when I took my position as Hokage again. It had Narutos name on it so I gave it to him, since I couldn't open it anyway." Jiraya gave Sarutobi a hard look "Any thought about what it contained?" Sarutobi shrugged, acting like he didn't know. Jiraya was getting fed up with the obvious charade and turned to Naruto "I know what it contained. It was a scroll from the Fourth, wasn't it? It told you Naruto of the Kyuubi and that Minato was your father, didn't it." It clearly wasn't a question, more like a statement. Again Sarutobi sighed and motioned to Naruto "It's up to Naruto to tell anyone what the scroll contained." Both looked at the young blond, waiting for his answer. Naruto hesitated for a moment, but eventually started to tell them "Ero-sennin is right. It was a scroll from my father, the Yondaime." Seeing that Naruto chose to share the secret, Sarutobi took over again "Don't blame him Jiraya, I chose to keep it a secret to protect him." Jiraya was about to say something, but Sarutobi raised his hand "You know that Minato gained a lot of enemies during the war. If they knew he had a son, they would come after Naruto. I wanted to make sure he could at least protect himself before it was made public. I know he's still not strong enough to really defend himself against seasoned jounin, but I found him ready to know it." Jiraya although still angry, nodded "I understand sensei, but next time please don't do that again." They both turned back to Naruto who just sat there silently for once. It was Sarutobi who chose to speak up "Naruto, is there anything you can tell is about its contents. I knew it would tell you about Kyuubi and your heritage, but that was all." The whiskered blond boy sat there silently for a moment and then answered "Beside telling me about the fox and my parents, it also told me the seals intention." Both elder men just kept silent and continued to look at the boy. "The seal is called Shiki Fuin and is not only designed to keep Kyuubi at bay, but it also drains it chakra. My father estimated that it would start when I turn 12. By the time I become 21 I should have all of its chakra, effectively making the fox harmless." Jiraya smiled a little "As expected, my former student surpassed me again." Now that the secret was shared between the 3 of them, it was decided to keep it a secret from everybody else until the time was right. Both master and apprentice said their goodbye and left. Narutos training was about to begin.
