I do not own 'Naruto'
Life Choices
A highly distraught Naruto was sitting in front of the Hokage. He was in a very vulnerable mindset.
Last night, his teacher Iruka Umino died in the line of duty. He was killed by a traitor.
A traitor that Naruto then proceeded to kill without mercy. It had finally dawned on Naruto that he had killed someone, even if he was a traitor he was alive. Now the traitor was gone forever, just like his Sensei.
I'm so sorry Naruto. Hiruzen sighed. He never wanted Naruto to be involved in this side of being a Shinobi for a long while.
The Third could see that the boy was very hurt at the ordeal, who wouldn't be? He had just found out that he had a giant demon in him that caused him to be hated. He then proceeded to lose one of the few people who he cared for. All because he wanted to take a make up test.
Naru-" He was cut off.
"It's my fault." Naruto stated sadly.
"You can't blame yourself." Hiruzen stated.
"If I hadn't stolen the scroll Iruka-Sensei wouldn't have needed to protect me." Naruto countered.
"Mizuki could have used anybody." The Third stated "Then you wouldn't have become a Ninja." He continued. "And Iruka would've lived hating himself for failing you."
"What?" Naruto was honestly confused at those words. Is this some kind of joke? "I failed three times."
"Yes." Hiruzen agreed "But you also risked your life and showed true skill." He continued proudly "If skill and dedication don't make a Ninja then the Hokage's and I have been doing it all wrong."
For the first time since his arrival, Naruto smiled.
Reaching into his robes, Hiruzen pulled out a headband. It was a little worn and dented, but still usable.
"Is that...?"
"It is." Hiruzen answered "Iruka's headband, I think he would have wanted you to have it." He paused "If you want it, if you still want to be a Ninja."
Naruto just stared at the glove. Any other time it would have been on him faster than a bowl of ramen in his stomach. But know he wasn't sure he wanted the burden.
The Third Hokage saw this.
"I understand if you don't want it." He spoke "Take some time and make up your mind, tell me later."
The Third Hokage looked at the blond with pride and sadness. He's so much like his father. He thought fondly.
"You're sad." Naruto stated catching the Thirds attention "You have a lot of regret in your heart."
How does he...He started asking only to stop. He found his answer in Naruto's eyes.
They were glowing a pale red that bore into his being. Unlike the Kyuubi, they didn't give off any blood lust or killer intent. These eyes were very focused as if they were analyzing him. The Third Hokage was more familiar with these eyes than most people. Well, at least more than those who were still alive.
He's too much like his father. Hiruzen thought sorrowfully.
He began fumbling in his desk drawers. "I see you've awakened your bloodline." The Third stated as he pulled out a scroll. "Naruto, this scroll is for you, from your father."
"B-but you said you didn't know who he was, that I was..." This time Hiruzen cut Naruto off.
"As you've said, I have a lot of regret in my heart." He sighed "Your father made a lot of enemies when he was alive. So I did what I did to protect you from those on the outside." He scowled at the wording he used "It looks like I failed to protect you from those inside."
There were so many foul words Naruto wanted to throw at the Hokage, he would have been put Hidan and Tayuya to shame. Instead he gave his leader a look of hate and betrayal.
Without another word, Naruto grabbed the scroll and made his way to the door.
"Remember Naruto, everything stays on the low down for now." Hiruzen spoke.
And then Naruto was gone.
One more to the guilt list. The aged leader thought.
Anger, betrayal or happiness, Naruto didn't know what he was supposed to be feeling as he read the scroll.
Dear Naruto
If you are reading this then you have activated your bloodline. It also means you're following in our footsteps. I can't tell you much in a scroll that could be stolen. Hidden in the scroll is a seal that will take you to the compound. It will respond only to your chakra, to find it you need to use the 'Sight'.
Is that it!? Naruto thought feeling cheated. There was no seal on the page. What's the 'Sight'?
With nothing left to try, he decided to use his eyes. They weren't that difficult to use, just add chakra. He was instantly rewarded, In the corner was the seal he had been told about.
Naruto decided to try the seal out.
He disappeared in a orange flash.
Naruto wanted to change and be a serious Shinobi, but a person can only take so much. So when you're surrounded by a flash of light and find yourself in a strange place, what do you ask yourself?
"WHAT HAPPENED, WHERE AM I!?"
If he had been expecting an answer he would have been disappointed. All that greeted with was silence.
After taking a moment to compose himself, he looked around. As he had suspected, he was alone. There were however two large scrolls in front of him, easily the size of the Forbidden scroll. On top of that were two smaller scrolls, all were addressed to him. Each had a number on it from one to four.
"Well, at least I didn't have to steal these." Naruto spoke as he opened the first.
Dear son
If you are reading this then know that I am sorry we aren't there with you. I know having the life as a 'Host' is difficult, but you are the only one I can trust with this burden. After all, how can a Hokage ask a parent to do something he himself couldn't? I know my words probably mean very little to you at this point. But I want you to know it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
Below are some words from your motor mouth mother.
Love, your father
Minato Namikaze, The Fourth Hokage
Dear Naru-Chan
Hi, this is Kushina Uzumaki Namikaze A.K.A your mother. Naruto, you're going to experience a lot of pain and suffering. Remember who you are! Find a goal, a dream, and don't stop trying until it comes true. There's so much more that I want to say- to teach you- I want to stay with you, but know I-we love you.
So they did love me. He thought feeling happiness and...relieve. Naruto didn't hate what his father did to him, after what Iruka did he understood duty came first.
As Naruto sat there in content, their words finally registered to him. My dad was the Fourth Hokage. He thought shocked before turning to joy. "THE FOURTH HOKAGE IS MY DAD!"
Naruto quickly covered his mouth, that information was supposed to be a secret. He looked around and saw that he was in a room and alone. His secret was still safe.
He kept reading.
It's you dad again.
There isn't much I can leave you on a personal level, but you won't be empty handed. In the first of the scrolls marked 1 are the two Jutsus and techniques your old man has created for you. In the scroll marked 2 is only for you if you've awakened the 'Sight'.
I pray that you haven't.
He almost opened it but decided to finish the rest of the scroll first.
Momma's back!
In the scroll marked 3 is every seal we Uzumaki have made as well as your father. Before you dive right into it, I want you to start at the beginning of basic Fuinjutsu. That way you won't hurt yourself or others.
In the scroll marked 4 is the legal documents and stuff like that. No one cares. But there is money, LOTS OF MONEY! Just don't squander it, unless it's for ramen.
Or a pretty girl. (From dad)
He opened the second scroll. At the bottom were two more seals I wander what they do, he'd find out later.
Naruto, opening this scroll means one thing, you awoke the eyes.
I'm sorry. These eyes are a gift to a normal person, but to a Shinobi it's a burden.
At the bottom of this scroll are two seal. One from me and one from you mother. Naruto these will help you in your duty as a Shinobi. In the first seal is every Jutsu I've come across that was useful for the purpose, the second is the Kenjutsu used by your mother and her father going back generations. These things will aid you in one thing only.
To kill.
We are Shinobi, not heroes. We do what we must, not what we like. Doing what you like is what leads to being a rogue and the pain for others.
Naruto was shocked at this letter. It seemed their personalities as well as their tone of writing had changed.
It has no official name but has been called many.
The 'Killers eye', the 'Murderous Glare' and more unfriendly names.
It gives the user the ability to see and sense things from a long distance. You can see through thing and at a 'true' 360 degree angle like the Byakugan. Unlike the Byakugan, you will be able to see a person's life force instead of the chakra points and pathways.
You will also have heightened perception and analytical powers, similar to those of the Sharingan, meaning he can comprehend any details you, see. You will not be able copy anything.
Because you can see a person's life force, you will also be able to see the persons inner feelings. You will also be able to heal others by giving some of your own life force. You can only do this if the person is alive if only barely, if they are dead then you're wasting your own years.
You will also be able to cast irresistible Genjutsu on a small scale, no eye contact needed. They can full the other Doujutsu and even hinder them against you.
You must never become dependent on these eyes or you will be killed.
Naruto was happy at the things he would be able to do with his eyes. He was just unhappy at what he would have to use the eyes for. I'd always thought being a Ninja was cool, not...dark. He thought.
He continued reading.
We want you to know that you don't have to be a Ninja, it's your choice. You could just settle down with a nice girl and let another generation worry about the burden of duty. You already carry a burden of your own, one just as great if not more so. We just want you to be happy.
Realizations of the truth sucked. I need to think. What better way than with ramen!
As Naruto had left the compound he remembered his leader's words, he left his home without being seen. He was a master at not being seen.
The young blond had been sitting at the ramen shop for a whole two minutes and was still on his first bowl. If you watched closely you would see that he was deep in thought.
People began leaving at the oddities saying it was a sign of the end.
"Naruto-Kun." Ayame Ichiraku called for the seventh time, finally gaining his attention "Is something wrong?"
"...No." No need to bother them with my troubles. He thought.
The Ichiraku's had known Naruto long enough to know he was lying. They also knew he was too stubborn to tell an issue if it was personal.
Teuchi decided to change the topic.
"So you're going without the goggles today huh?" He asked curiously "I believe you told me you'd only take them off when you became a Ninja." He leaned in closely "So, did you?"
Naruto rubbed his forehead, not used to it feeling so bare.
"...I don't know." He answered honestly
"Naruto, what happened?" Ayame asked worriedly.
"I had my first brush in with my...duties." He answered vaguely.
Teuchi nodded in understanding, he was familiar with the darker side of a ninja's. It was the stories people feared. For a boy like Naruto it was an eye opener and a life changer. Like finding out your childhood idol was fake.
"You're wondering if the burden worth it, right." He stated knowingly. "Especially with the one you already carry."
Naruto wasn't shocked that the ramen chef knew of the burden. He was shocked that he was so understanding of the situation Naruto was in.
"Well Naruto, we'll support you on whatever decision you make." Ayame spoke in a loving tone.
"Beside if you don't want to be a ninja, you can have a job here." Teuchi kindly offered.
Naruto liked the idea.
The idea of being around ramen all day was tempting. "I thought you said only family would get to know the recipe."
"I have a single daughter right here!" The chef hinted.
"Dad!" Ayame exclaimed embarrassed.
"You'd just have to take our last name." He continued ignoring Ayame.
"DAD!" She screamed again.
When they looked back to Naruto they saw the spot was empty. Even his one bowl was only half way empty.
Naruto stood in front of a single grave.
Because Iruka died in the line of duty, he was given a Shinobi burial. One silent and without any delays.
"Hey Iruka-Sensei." Naruto greeted sadly. "I'm kinda in a bind."
There was no answer, probably a good thing.
"On one hand people want me to be a ninja, you, the old man, my parents." He stated "But I'm not sure if I can do it." He sighed deeply "That was a lie, I'm practically made for the job."
It was true. He was unrivaled in stealth, able to paint the Hokage's in broad daylight and not be caught until he was finished. He then outran ANBU and even made them lose track of him. Steal the Forbidden scroll from the villages most secure vault. Not that he had the 'Eyes' then, it was just another push in that direction.
"On the other hand, I was offered the secret to the best ramen in the world." He tried to joke, he was met with silence. "I just don't know what to do Sensei."
The blond had to make a decision between doing his duty or following his heart. It was a tough decision for Naruto, for a child to make. It would have been tough for an adult to make.
"What would you do Sensei?" He asked hoping for an answer.
He wouldn't get one, he would never get an answer from Iruka again. It made him regret all the times he squandered with the Chunin instead of focusing.
"What are you doing here boy?" A voice asked.
Naruto whipped around and drew a kunai in shock. Beside him was an elderly man covered in bandages and a threatening aura. Normally Naruto would have noticed someone as soon as he was in twenty feet! Yet this man was only two feet away from him.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked.
"I am Danzo and you are Naruto." The man answered. "What are you doing here?"
Naruto noticed that as the man mentioned him, he held no malice in his tone. If anything, it was as if the man was simply stating the weather.
Seeing that the old man was no threat Naruto put his weapon away.
"I'm thinking." Naruto answered.
"About?"
"Being a ninja." Naruto answered.
"You should quit right now." Danzo stated coldly.
"What?" Naruto asked shocked. "Why?"
"If you don't you will die." Danzo stated "You're indecisive which can get a person killed on the field."
"There's no way I'll quit being a Ninja!" Naruto shouted, outraged at the man "I plan to be the Hokage so that everyone will acknowledge me."
"Do you know what the memorial stone there represent?" Danzo didn't wait for an answer "Those are the names of Shinobi who have lain down there lives for the sake of this village. Do you honestly think that small stone could hold the name of every Shinobi this village has produced?"
"I...no." Naruto honestly answered. "What happens to-?"
"Dozens of Shinobi graduate the academy each year with the same goal. They want to make a name for themselves, wanting power and glory." Danzo gained a distant look in his eyes. "Do you know what happens to those who don't learn the truth."
"No."
"They die!" Danzo answered "They die or wish they had! Those that don't learn end up getting those actually worth being a Shinobi killed."
Naruto paled as he listened to the elderly man. Just like ...with Iruka.
The memories of the night before came flooding in. The last words his late Sensei uttered were as fresh as if he had just spoke them.
"Heh, we aren't too different Naruto." He spoke through the pain "I used to goof off and make a fool of myself for attention." Naruto couldn't believe that. "Now look at me, I'm paying for it, I only ended up sabotaging my own education and skills."
"S-sensei." Naruto didn't understand what he was hearing.
"Don't make the mistakes I made!" Iruka practically begged "Don't treat as if it's all a joke!" He wailed "Become a proper Shinobi."
"I won't Sensei." Naruto stated with more conviction than his dream to be Hokage. "I'll be a real Ninja."
NO! He thought defiantly I can't let his death be for nothing! He wanted me to be a proper Shinobi and I will!
"No." Naruto stated firmly "I won't cause the death of those I care for, not again!"
"Then don't be a Ninja." Danzo stated "Don't even try to get involved."
"But..." Naruto tried to argue but had nothing to say.
"Do you want to be a Ninja, a real Ninja?" Danzo asked "Let me know when you make the decision and I'll make it come true."
"So you're back." Hiruzen spoke never looking up "Have you made a choice?"
Naruto hastily took it and tied it around his head. It fits like a glove. He thought happily.
"I promised Iruka." Naruto spoke with conviction "Now I'm promising you and my parents." He stood firm in front of the village leader "I'm going to be a real ninja, a true ninja."
"Well if you're going to do that you'll need to make a lot of changes." The leader spoke "No offence."
"...Some taken."
"Well you have a week to make what changes you can." Hiruzen spoke. "Then you'll be placed on a team."
As Naruto left the office, he was stopped by a familiar face, Danzo. He was eyeing the boy intently with obvious skepticism.
"So, you have made your choice." Danzo stated. "What about my offer?"
Naruto eyed the old man with determination. "I accept."
PLEASE Review and be honest.
Next chapter will be more intense, it won't be for the faint of heart.
I warned you.