Thank, you all for reading my first chapter, even got favourited, which I didn't expect. But no Reviews so no chance for improvement, unless it was that good, which I sincerely doubt.

Now, here we go again, let's get this show on the road. Chapter 2, have fun.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than my OC's and any Jutsu you haven't seen.


Chapter 2
New Beginnings

Outskirts of an unknown village in Mizu no Kuni

Naruto was walking at a slow brisk pace on a simple dirt road. He had just pased a village that was celebrating the end of the War and of the Mizukage.

It had been a week ago, that the Mizukage met his end at the edge of his blade, yet the celebrations held strong. Officially the War ended that day, unofficially it lasted another three days, where the Rebels routed, killed or captured the former Mizukage's remaining Forces. Most had surrendered in the first hour, but a few pockets of resistance remained and had to be dealt with. Kiri would rebuilt and regrow, but it wouldn't be a great power for at least half a decade, if not more.

He sighed, he had done it quite often this night to clear his head from those thoughts. But none of this played any role now, he was almost there. He simply jumped over a low fence and continued his treck through a field. It was probably used for Rice if he judged correctly, but it appeared ravaged. War always left such scars to the land. So far he had past two burnt down sheds, an abandoned village and destroyed farmfields. The only things that looked remotely in order was the celebrating village and then again, if someone looked carefully he would notice the signs of war and poverty. The absence of livestock, the fact that one in three houses looked abandoned and the state of disrepair of the rest buildings.

He made over a bridge with a small river and then he saw it. It was the entrance of a graveyard, he went past the gate and after a bit walking he arrived at his destination. It was a simply tombstone, a bit fractured on the top left side, but it was still clear enough to read.

He gave a low humorless chuckle, before he finally spoke. "Hi Ray-sama, how have you been old geezer?" Ray was Naruto's old mentor. He took care of him on his early years when Pertu was away and when he decided he wanted to become a shinobi like his older brother he trained him in the Basics of combat and made him his current blade. Shuusui he had called it, it was a long katana, bordering on odachi. it had a silver crossguard shaped like a cross and red cloth was wrapped around the handle. The blade itself was pitch black like the sheath, the sheath had additionally red rose petals and silver lining. It was a true masterpiece and he was extremely happy the day he received it. He didn't know how much blood he would shed from that day onward.

He looked up and saw a cresent moon in the sky, week old at most. He remebered a full moon the day he received his sword, but a cresent moon was present on the sky the day he developed his sword style.

Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu...

It was a style that relied greatly on his speed. He made it to face faster opponents or to overhelm his enemies by sheer speed. He combined it once with the common Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique), which he has mastered, and annihilated an entire battalion just with his speed and kenjutsu skills. There were no flashy jutsu of mass destruction, but his speed was so great his opponents were unable to stop the killings and were attacking afterimages. He had become a shinobi with unparalleled kenjutsu skills and his wind affinity only boosted his style. He had entered the Bingo Book as an S-rank threat after that battle, but no one had managed to see his face due to his facemask, so there was no picture next to his profile.

He created it as his personal style from a few fragments that he found on a scroll about kenjutsu. He was rightfully hailed as a prodigy for that feat, despite his reluctance for titles. He believed the made people soft and were misleading, although his newest moniker wan't.

The Hitokiri Battosai...

He truly was a Manslayer. When he joined the rebellion his brother was appalled and when Naruto told him that he wanted to help, his brother had answered that he drew his weapon, so Naruto wouldn't have to draw his. But Naruto insisted and through sheer stubbornness alone prevailed and joined the Rebel Forces.

During his thoughts, he brought out and filled two sake saucers. He raised his own and said. "To your health old man, may you be happy wherever you are." And with one quick swing he emptied his saucer.

He sighed again and stared at the moon. He tried to remember his mother, it was a bit hard because she had died while he was five years old during a raid of some foreign nin in the same village he just passed by and lived most of his early years. He usually remembered his mother talking about a man from Konoha, that had captured her heart and he was his father. He couldn't remember the man's name, if it was ever mentioned and at the time he had greater concerns, than trying to remember a name in the middle of Third Shinobi War and finally at the Civil War of Kiri.

He was an orphan for almost a full year before he was found and adopted by Pertu, who while being only 12 himself refused to leave another orphan in need. He stayed and took care of him for two full years, before leaving to rejoin the front. then he would come and go, but always returned to check on his little brother. During those weeks or months of absence he made sure that Naruto was looked after and had a standing deal with Ray to look after Naruto during the time that he was away from the village.

From what he knew about his brother, he and his uncle were immigrants from Kaze no Kuni. His parents had died during his early childhood at the Third Shinobi War and his uncle died defending him during an ambush at their caravan. After that he had decided that enough was enough and that he would fight, so his family, friends or allies would be safe. He is an exceptional shinobi and his unnaturally high reflexes made him the only shinobi so far that could defend against Naruto in a fight and as he repeatedly said Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu was one scary sword style. But while Naruto was extremely dangerous with his sword, Pertu was always glad he could at least defeat him at a straight taijutsu fight.

Pertu was always interested in sealing and while currently only an adept he was well on the way of becoming an expert at fuinjutsu. Naruto though was a natural when it came to seals. He took them like fish to the water and was comsidered the greatest seal master that Kiri ever had.

Naruto shook his head at where his train of thought led him. He tried to think of the true reason he came here, to think of what to do. he had more than his fair share of war he was currently 16, almost 17, and so far he knew only war. He joined the rebels when he was 12, because his brother denied him to even consider joining earlier, but he had trained for six years prior from Pertu and Ray. He had been offered the Position of the Mizukage, but he turned it down for he felt underequipped to be a Kage currently. The Position was covered by Mei Terumi and he was offered the Position of Jonin Commander and a seat a one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, that's why he was here. He had an answer to give and didn't know what to do with his life currently.

"A little late to be visiting don't you think Naruto-san?" A familiar voice called him out.

A small smile graced Naruto's lips, as he turned to greet the newcomer. "Aoshi-san, nice to see you too."

Aoshi was Ray's youngest son, all his other children had died or joined the war effort except Aoshi and Misao, his only daughter, although she was married now from what Naruto had heard. Aoshi was in his early twenties and had a Kind expression on his face. He was wearing a traditional grey kimono and carrying a traditional lantern. Naruto and Aoshi were fast friends for years and it wasn't unusual when one offered counsel to the other.

"Long time no see . I haven't seen you around here since Otou-sama's funeral. I assume you are back because the War is over?" Aoshi asked with a Kind smile on his face.

The blond man sighed and nodded. "Yeah... finally over."

Aoshi's smile was replaced by a confused expression. "Are you okay Naruto-san. You seem... lost." He said with a Little uncertainty.

"I am fine Aoshi-san, I just have a lot of things on my head." Said Naruto in an attempt to placate him.

"You certainly don't look like it Naruto-san. Have you talked to your brother about whatever is bugging you?"

"Pertu wouldn't understand and he has to look after himself too." Naruto defended weakly.

Aoshi just shook his head and answered. "Why don't you come with me Naruto-san, we can go back to my house and speak over a saucer of sake?"

A smile returned to Naruto's face. "Sake sounds good."

Later the two men were at the house in the living room and were discussing things over a saucer of sake. Aoshi told Naruto how their village fared during his absence, while Naruto told him about his adventures and the final battle of the War. Aoshi was amazed that his Long time friend was the one that dealt the final blow of the War.

"I must say Naruto-san that was quite a story. You have done us all here at Mizu no Kuni a favor. Thanks to you my children may live free and without fear of prosecution." Aoshi told the younger blond.

"Thank you Aoshi-san. I means a lot to me to hear it from you." Answered Naruto honestly.

"So if I may ask, what do you plan to do Naruto-san. Return to Kiri and bekome one of the new leaders?" Asked Aoshi with a kind smile on his face.

Naruto turned a bit somber at the thought. "I was offered a position, but I turned it down. I have been offered a different one, but I don't think I can continue."

Aoshi asked confused. "So you will give up fighting?"

Naruto shook his head and smiled at his friend. "No, I am still at my prime and I do enjoy a good fight. But I want to search for a better purpose in a life that doesn't involve just mindless killing, like what I saw in the war Aoshi-san."

Aoshi stared Naruto for a few seconds with a very serious expression on his face. He suddenly stood up and said. "Follow me Naruto-san. There is something you should see."

With that he led the way, while Naruto stood up behind him a Little confused. "Okay, Aoshi-san." He followed him until the reached the back room where Ray had a small shrine built, it was ray's haven in the times of War, where he always felt in harmony and at peace. "I haven't been here for a very long time." Said Naruto, whose eyes had softened at the sight.

"Yes, but nostalgia isn't the reason I brought you here Naruto-san." Said Aoshi as he stepped aside and allowed Naruto's eyes to fall on a katana that was lying on a pedestral in front of the shrine.

Naruto's eyes shone with awe, as he observed the sheath it was light blue with silver liniing, that made it look like waves at a day without wind. The crossguard was also silver shaped like an oval and the handle was bound with light blue thread, like the sheath. "Is that...?" Asked Naruto in an awe filled voice.

Aoshi nodded. "Yes, it is. This is the last katana Otou-sama ever created and I believe it was created for you. He made it during the War and finished it before he died. He told me, that one day this katana will find an owner and that day I would know." He smiled kindly at Naruto and continued. "Your words told me that you are tired of the mindless killing and you want to find a true meaning in life and that is why you are the true owner of this blade."

"And why is that?" asked Naruto with a confused expression.

"Unsheathe it and see..." Instructed Aoshi.

Naruto did as he was told and immediatly his eyes widened in surprise. "It is a Sakabato?" He asked nobody in particular, for he was Holding the answer in his hands. It was a blade with reversed edge, with it's blunt end where the sharp end should be. It would not be able to kill anyone. Naruto chuckled lightly and turned to face Aoshi saying. "I didn't believe that a man like Ray-sama would ever create a Sakabato out of all blades."

Aoshi smiled. "This blade is called Wadō Ichimonji and it cannot kill. I believe with it you will find what you are looking for."

Naruto turned his Attention back to the blade, his mind running with a mile the minute, until he finally resheathed and smiled warmly back to his friend. "Thank you Aoshi-san, for instilling this to me." He then turned back to the shrine and left his old katana while he bound his new Sakabato to his sash and said. "I promise you Aoshi-san and in Ray-sama's memory, that until I return to retrieve Shuusui, I will not kill again."

Aoshi smilled warmly at his friend and nodded. "That is good to hear."

After Naruto left his friend's company, he headed to Kiri to inform his brother of his decision and to reject the posiion as Jonin Commander and Swordsman of the Mist.


Kiri

Naruto finally made it to Kiri and managed to find his brother at a shinobi bar. After telling him he needed to talk to him about something they paid his drinks and made back to the apartment they had rented to gain some privacy.

Naruto started immediatly after they had closed the door and sat in the living room, "Pertu... I am leaving."

Pertu was unprepared for this and instantly was on his feet, he always thought better on his feet. "Whoa whoa, what are you talking about Naruto? What brought this up?"

Naruto then proceeded to recount his meeting with Aoshi, their conversation and his promise over his new blade. During his monologue Pertu was listening intently and trying to understand his brother perspective. He had noticed the new blade from the very start and expected a change, but definetely not something this big. At the end he sighed and looked at his brother with a hard expression.

"So you want out little brother, to be honest I knew this day would come, that's also why I didn't want you to become a shinobi. So when are you leaving?" Asked Pertu.

"I don't want out Pertu, just a change of pace and I am leaving in two days. What will you do now?" He questioned his brother.

Pertu just barked a laugh and grinned. "What sort of brother would I be, if I let you get lost at the wild. Besides knowing you, one day you will return for Shuusui and I have to keep you alive until that day comes."

Naruto instantly had a worried expression and tried to reason with his brother. "Pertu, you don't have to come with me. You have a life here and if you leave you may never see Mei again." He knew his brother had a crush on the new Mizukage, who didn't, and hoped to dissuade Pertu from joining him, if he really didn't want to.

Pertu just shook his head, grin still in place and answered without hesitation. "Baka, family comes first, besides she loves Zabuza and the chances I have of getting her that drunk again for a repeat performance are slim to none. I just have to reject the offer to become head of the T/I Department and I am ready to go. Why do you think I didn't accept all this time? I was expecting you to do something stupid and I was keeping all my options open." He then sighed and asked. "So, if you plan to leave you must have a destination too. Where to then little brother?"

Naruto gave a smile, glad that his brother was coming with him. "I was thinking of Hi no Kuni."


That's it for Chapter 2. I will try to keep the chapter size constant like this. Approximattely 3k words. I warn you that cannon will be pretty much skipped till the chuunin exams and I have thoughts till the Invasion. After that things are a bit bleak, but I have time until then. Next time we arrive at Konoha we will be 3 years pre cannon and we'll see first impressions and "professions". I hope you all enjoyed and I'll try to update tomorrow again. So, until next time.

Please Review.

Just an extra side note the move that finished Yagura and the sword names come from One Piece.