Hey guys, Jaykid1 here with a new chapter of Lightning Alchemist.

So far, things are going well, people seem to like the idea I have so lets get to it.

-000-

It was a surreal experience for Naruto, to be fully aware of himself while being in the body of a baby. When Truth said he was going to be reborn, he really meant reborn. He would admit that he was sad that he once again he would be without a mother as his new one died bringing him into the world, but at least he wouldn't be an orphan this time around. Naruto took a moment to focus on his new father, whose arms he was currently in.

Van Hohenheim was his name. The man was tall, broad shouldered and had long golden blond hair tied into a ponytail with a full Donegal-style beard on his face. His face itself was rectangular with high cheekbones and a strong square jaw and reading glasses covering his golden eyes. Naruto supposed his father could be described as handsome as well as physically imposing for a man who appeared middle aged, though something about his eyes had Naruto believe his father was older than he appeared.

Naruto managed to see his own reflection in the window of the train they were on. Though still technically a newborn, Naruto could already tell he heavily favored his father. He had tan skin and a tuft of golden blonde hair on his head and golden eyes. For whatever reason, he kept his whisker mark birthmarks.

Naruto mentally sighed, it would be a few years before he was able to move properly, let alone re-unlock his chakra, for whatever good it did him, he apparently wouldn't be able to use any jutsu outside some his rinnegan and sharingan abilities as his Chakra coils were basically non existent in this body save for the one's in his eyes. On top of that, when he did unlock his chakra, he'd need to find away to hide his left eye as the rinnegan couldn't be de-activated. Then there was the energy of this world, Alchemy and Alkahestry. He had all the knowledge of both in his head thanks to his eyes, but that was merely theory. Actually executing the techniques was something else. Glancing up, Naruto looked at his father who was staring out the window of the train they were on. 'I wonder if father can help me with this Alchemy thing. He looks well traveled.' Naruto thought as he yawned. 'I'll worry about this stuff later, besides, Truth said I could do whatever I want. This could be my chance to have some semblance of a normal life. Though I must admit, I wish my vocal cords would hurry up and develop and potty training cannot come fast enough.' Naruto thought as he snuggled further into his father's embrace and fell asleep.

Fatherhood was strange for Van Hohenheim. In all his years of life, this was the first time he had fathered a child. He'd been around hundreds of children in his lifetime but it was different now that it was his child. Though he had to admit, his child was different than the children he'd seen. For one thing, the child never cried, ever. He whined when he was hungry or needed to be changed but that was it. The child seemed fully aware of himself and his surroundings. There was an intelligence in his son's eyes that should not be on a newborn. He had a feeling that this child would have an important future ahead of him. Only time would tell.

As time went by, Hohenheim learned he was right about Naruto being different and he wasn't the only one to notice it. When they got off the train in Resembool, Hohenheim's old friend Pinako and her teenage son, Yuriy greeted them. Pinako too had noticed how Naruto was different from other babies. They knew they were right the day the boy began to walk with no trouble that he was mentally older than his physical age suggested. The question was by how much.

-000-

Time went by quickly for Naruto when he and Hohenheim settled down in Resembool. At age four, Naruto finally got his motor skills to the point that he started lightly training, in secret of course, everyone in Resembool practically knew he was an advanced kid, they didn't need to know how much. At age 5, Naruto began learning about Alchemy and Alkahestry from his father, who he discovered was renown as 'The Philosopher of the west'. Hohenheim had a very extensive library that Naruto spent quite a bit of time in. He made a mental note to re-read everything after awakening his chakra and re-awakening the sharingan. Though when the subject of Alkahestry came up, Hohenheim had to give more hands on lessons as he didn't have any books on Alkahestry. It was very rarely seen outside of Xing. Naruto made another mental note to visit there at some point in his lifetime. What Naruto didn't know was that Hohenheim was actually one of the founders of Alkahestry. It was during his Alkahestry training with Hohenheim that Naruto made a very important discovery, Alkahestry's energy felt very similar to Nature Chakra. That made understanding Alkahestry all the easier for him.

For the next three years, Naruto split his time between Alchemy, Alkahestry, training, and being a normal kid. That last part was a bit hard as their weren't any kids in his age group to play with, but he made do with granny Pinako and Yuriy. Naruto was often seen in town using his Alchemy to fix some of the problems that would occur. When he was eight, Naruto snuck away one night, deep into the forest where he awakened his chakra.

Almost immediately, a massive shockwave went off, signifying the awakening of his rinnegan. He felt the continuous chakra stream running into his left eye and knew why wielders of the eye needed a gargantuan amount of Chakra as the eyes were chakra guzzlers. Walking toward the water, he looked at his reflection and saw the blood red rinnegan with the nine tomoe staring back at him from his left eye while his right stayed gold. Closing his right eye, he focused chakra into it and opened it to see a fully matured sharingan looking back at him. Focusing more chakra into his right eye, Naruto's eye began to bleed as the sharingan changed to the Mangekyo Sharingan Sasuke had after taking Itachi's eyes. Naruto had to admit, even at eight years old, he looked intimidating with the two powerful eyes. Cutting off his chakra flow, his right eye went back to normal while the rinnegan stayed the same.

Naruto needed to think of something to hide it without raising questions. Suddenly an idea struck him. Activating his sharingan, he tried to cast a genjutsu over his eye. It was like his former aunt Tsunade's jutsu but on a much smaller scale, he didn't need to hide his whole body, just his left eye. After much trial and error, Naruto finally managed to make his eye look normal. It took up a lot of Chakra, but it would make a good chakra control exercise. Plus he only needed to hide it while he was awake.

It was when he was nine when there were several changes to Naruto's life. For one thing, during one of his Alchemy lessons with his father, Naruto used Alchemy without a transmutation circle by clapping his hands, much to Hohenheim's shock and slight horror. After witnessing him do it, Hohenheim asked Naruto if had ever in his life been in a white room with a giant gate. Naruto truthfully answered that he hadn't since technically, he wasn't alive when he came before Truth and went through the gate. While he seemed to buy it, Naruto knew his father would be keeping a closer eye on him, which was fine since Naruto had been keeping a close eye on Hohenheim. Something everyone else seemed oblivious to was the fact that Hohenheim wasn't aging. Naruto assumed his father was middle aged when he was born nearly ten years ago. He should at least have a gray hair or a wrinkle or something, but no, Hohenheim looked exactly the same. Naruto knew his father had a secret. What it was, he didn't know, but he would find out.

The second change in Naruto's life was his father's relationship with a young woman named Trisha Elric. Naruto had nothing against the woman, she was warm and beautiful, the only issue he had was the fact that she was 9 years older than he was. Though she made his father happier than he'd ever seen him so he could deal with it... he wasn't calling her mom though. It was a good thing he got along with Trisha as she gave birth to his brother, Edward a year later and his brother Alphonse a year after that.

Edward, much like Naruto himself, heavily favored their father in terms of looks. But while Edward had got a few of his mother's features, Naruto could be considered a clone of Hohenheim in his youth with whisker marks. He had seen a picture of his own mother and didn't think he got anything from her appearance wise. Alphonse unlike his older brothers heavily favored Trisha, though all three brothers had gold hair and eyes so it was easy to see that they were related.

Naruto found being an older sibling quite appealed to him. It was like dealing with the Konohamaru corps. all over again, especially since Granny Pinako had a granddaughter a few months older than Ed named Winry. The family of 5 lived quite happily together until Hohenheim suddenly had to leave two years after Alphonse was born. There was no warning or anything, he just left, leaving Naruto, Trisha, Ed and Al alone.

It was a few months after his departure that Naruto left as well. In the last 4 years, Naruto had gained a bit of a reputation as a young prodigy Alchemist. His reputation had even reached Central command of the Military. Though despite this, Naruto had read up on many famous Alchemist, most of them State Alchemist. Many of them had unique abilities but generally were based around the same concept. Naruto wanted to create something that had never been seen before, and he had the perfect idea. His idea was to use lightning. He got the idea one day when he was using Alchemy around the house. Alchemy produced lightning when being used and so far no one had tried to harness the power, either that or they tried and failed. Naruto figured he'd have a much better chance considering the knowledge he gained from the gate.

The main reason Naruto wanted to do this so badly now was because of the war that started in Ishval. Resembool was the closest city to Ishval(1), therefore the conflict could easily spread into the town and Naruto wanted to find a way to protect his family if necessary. The problem was he needed someone who could look over his work on the theory of Lightning Alchemy. He heard of a man who supposedly created the most powerful Alchemy, Alchemy that had never been seen before. The man was named Berthold Hawkeye, otherwise known as Master Hawkeye. The man was located in Central Amestris, so with a promise that he'd write and come back often, Naruto left Resembool for Central.

-000-

When Naruto arrived to Central, he learned Berthold lived in a hovel in the outskirts of the city. It didn't take him long to find the home of Master Hawkeye. When he knocked, he was pleasantly surprised when a few moments later a girl answered the door. The girl had short blonde hair, pale skin and honey brown eyes. Most of her body was hidden behind the door. Her round face had a slight blush on it as she looked at Naruto. "Y-yes, can I help you?" She asked.

Naruto shook his head to rid his face of the blush he knew was on his face. "I uh, I'm here to see Berthold Hawkeye. He and I spoke on the phone." He said.

The girls face fell when he mentioned Master Hawkeye. "I see, please come in." She said as she opened the door all the way.

Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly as he entered. He assumed this girl was his daugher, and if he was right, she clearly didn't get along with her father. If anything, her reaction suggested she was afraid of him. As she was leading him to where he assumed Master Hawkeye was, Naruto figured he should strike up a conversation with the girl. "I didn't catch your name. I'm Naruto."

The girl glanced over her shoulder and gave him a small smile. "I'm Riza, Riza Hawkeye."

Naruto smiled. "Riza, a pretty name for a pretty girl." Naruto said.

Riza's face lit up. No one had ever called her pretty before. Before more could be said, they came to a door. Riza shook her head and knocked. "Father, you have a guest." She said meekly. Naruto frowned at that.

"Send them in." A gruff voice answered.

Riza turned to Naruto. "It was nice meeting you Naruto."

Naruto smiled brightly at her. "Perhaps we'll be able to see more of each other in the future."

Riza smiled back. "I'd like that." She said as she left.

Naruto school his features before he entered the room. He found a middle aged man with medium length brown hair, pale skin and dull blue eyes. He was sitting at a desk writing something. He glanced up at Naruto and narrowed his eyes. "You're the one I spoke too? You're younger than I expected." He said as he looked Naruto up and down, inwardly thinking the boy looked familiar. "And why exactly did you seek me out? To become my apprentice? I already have one of those." He said gruffly before going back to his work.

Naruto mentally snorted. "No, I came to you because you're a renown independent Alchemist. I myself have an idea and I'd like you to look over my notes before I continue." He said.

That got the man's full attention. He regarded Naruto with an interested look before speaking. "Very well." Naruto reached into his satchel before pulling out several papers and handing them to Berthold. The man looked over the notes with a critical eye. The kid knew his basics, he'd give him that. It was when Berthold continued to look through Naruto's notes that his eyes widened. He thought he had created the most powerful Alchemy but this... many people had tried to harness the power of lightning but had all failed, some of them losing their lives in the process, but this kid had somehow cracked the code for lightning Alchemy. Berthold looked back at the boy. "What is your name boy."

Naruto raised a brow at the man's tone. "It's Naruto, Naruto Hohenheim." He said.

Berthold eyes widened considerably. It all made since now, he was that man's son. No wonder this boy did this. "I see. This work is phenomenal. I must ask, what is it you plan to do with this power if it works?"

"When it works, I'll do what I can to help the world. The world is splitting apart at the seams. There is so much bigotry and xenophobia in the world and there's no reason for it. The Civil war started last year and it's already escalating. I have people that I need to protect and to do that, I need to gain power." Naruto said.

Berthold narrowed his eyes. "And why do you need power?" The look Naruto sent him spoke volumes. It wasn't the look of a naive boy who had never seen the world, it was the look of a man who had been to hell and fought his way out.

"It's a simple truth, power is what controls the world, it controls everything. Without it, you can't protect anything or anyone, especially not yourself. Why do I need power you ask? I need power to change the world." He said. When Berthold said nothing, Naruto bowed to the man. "I thank you for your time Master Hawkeye. I have another appointment to keep so I must be going." Naruto said as he turned to the door and made to leave.

"Wait, what about your notes?" Berthold said holding up Naruto's notes.

Without turning around, Naruto answered. "Burn them, I have all the information right here." He said tapping his head. Naruto opened the door just as someone was about to knock. The man on the other side of the door looked about 2 or 3 years older than Naruto with black hair and eyes. "Excuse me." Naruto said as he stepped around the man and took his leave.

The man watched him go before turning to Master Hawkeye. "Master, who was that boy?"

Hawkeye didn't answer for a moment as he looked at the papers in his hands before he stood from his desk and walked toward the fireplace in his office. "Someone who will change this world for the better." He said before he threw the papers in his hand in the fire.

-000-

After saying goodbye to Riza and promising to see her again, Naruto left the Hawkeye home and headed toward central command. Back in Resembool, Naruto received a letter asking if he were interested in becoming a State Alchemist. Usually Naruto would be considered underaged but considering his talent, an exception was made.

Unfortunately the test wouldn't be for another six months, in which case, Naruto was put in the care of another Alchemist to study and be made prepared. The Alchemist Naruto was placed with was named Alex Louis Armstrong, otherwise known as the Strong Arm Alchemist. The man was huge, packed with muscle and with a small tuft of blonde hair. The strangest thing about him however was the sparkles that appeared around him. The man was incredibly eccentric in a way that reminded Naruto of Guy, he just wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

Thing was, Alex wasn't the only one, his whole family, minus his oldest and youngest sister, were freakishly muscular and eccentric. Though he'd admit, he learned a lot from the man and his family in the last few months. Since he was learning from Armstrong, he was allowed to go through Armstrong Family training, something he was sure Guy would be proud of. He was sure if he hadn't done his own training, he'd be dead by now, of course he was grateful in the end since he got the super strength the Armstrong family is known for.

Though he was most grateful for when he learned swordplay from Olivier, scratch that, copied swordplay from Olivier. He would have asked but that woman scared him. She was a bad mix of Tsunade and Danzo with just a dash of Sasuke-like arrogance that just made him uneasy. After learning to use a sword, he now had to find a blade himself. The most important thing he needed was a strong metal that could conduct electricity. Luckily Alex's family had scraps of the metal that their family sword that Olivier used was made from. Once he had the rest of the materials he needed, he activated his sharingan under the genjutsu and used his Alchemy to make his sword to precision. It was almost a complete copy of Sasuke's Kusanagi but slightly longer.

Before long, it had come time for Naruto's exam. The written portion was cakewalk. The psychological evaluation was easy, though the examiners were surprised that a 13 year old seemed like he already had Military training, they still passed him. As for the practical exam, Naruto shocked all the judges when he unveiled his Lightning Alchemy by tearing up several parts of the field with a lightning bolt as well as his speed. To the viewers, it looked as if he turned himself into a bolt of lightning and teleported. That combined with him not needing a transmutation circle and Naruto passed with flying colors.

Within a week, Naruto received a silver pocket watch along with certificate with the royal seal. Reading the certificate, it read...

This official document certifies that the nation of Amestris, prefecture of the Generalissimo appoints the name *LIGHTNING* to *NARUTO HOHENHEIM*, in the name of Fuhrer King Bradley.

The State Alchemist shall follow all orders and policies of the military.

A research assessment examination shall be held once every year. In the case that the State Alchemist does not show signs of progress in his research as a result of the examination, he shall be discharged from the services of State Alchemist.

The State Alchemist is entitled to the use of ample research funds, unrestricted access to classified documentation, access to various governmental facilities, and a military rank equal to that of "major".

- King Bradley

Naruto smirked to himself. He knew the examination was only for the State Alchemist that didn't get special recommendations or get promoted(2). Naruto knew that he had only just started on his mission. Old habits died hard. In his old life, he was killed before he could see if peace had come to the Elemental Nations. He'd make sure he lived long enough to see peace come to Amestris. But before that could happen, he'd have to find and stop the Usurper. Whoever they were, they'd best watch out, the Lightning Alchemist, had been born.

-000-

1. I shit you not, look up a map of Amestris and see how close Resembool is to Ishval.

2. No idea if this is true or not but you never saw Armstrong or Mustang take evaluations.

Well that's ch. 2. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Chapter 3 will cover a his time in the military to the Ishval Civil war, and everything in between.

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