The Kawakami family was walking back from school along the Tamma river. Class got out early every Wednesdays and Thursdays but Fridays it went to four in the afternoon.
"Ahhh what a nice day~," kazuto said cheerfully swaying her arms. "I kinda want to do something fun."
"Mm hey, you guys want to go invite naruto? Koyuki asked me to deliver the work he's missed." Yamato asked
"No. I'll except him in our group when he apologize for forgetting about us." Momoyo said sternly
"what? but didn't he apologies after your fight?"Maru asked
"His heart wasn't in it."
"He was on the brink of being knocked out."
"Yeah, he hasn't even shown up since then."
"...you don't think something happened to him on his way home do you? He was beaten up pretty bad. If something happened he might not have been able to defend himself." Kazuto said a bit worried.
"Oh I got home just fine I just took some time to try and remember things," Naruto said walking next to Kazuto. The entire group jumped and he smiled giving everyone a lazy wave. "Yo~"
Momoyo looked at him expressionless before she turns around and walked away.
"Eh? Hey, wait Momo-chan. I remember what happened.", Naruto said and momoyo stopped. " and I'll explain everything...even the things I want to keep secret from you guys. Is there a place we can all talk in private?"
The Kazama family looked amongst each other and walked up to momoyo after chatting for a bit then walked over to him. Though momoyo walked on ahead.
"Well talk in Gakutos house. You remember how to get there?" Yamato asked
"Yeah...hey, I'll meet you guys there in a bit I have to go get something real quick." He said and ran forwards past momoyo. He liked back at her and she looked at him with cold eyes. Great, she was still mad at him. Man he hoped she still liked peaches. He looked ahead and sped off using chakra to run faster. After running for several minutes he arrived at the market and bought a bunch of peach flavored mochi and daifuku. Momoyo was the one he really needed to apologize to.
He also went around and bought things everyone else would like...at least from what he remembered. After getting everything he needed he thought about how he was going to explain everything. He supposed he should start by telling them about the elemental nations and its history a little bit. Then proceed to tell them what exactly he is...was that such a great idea?
When he thought about it...it might just backfire on him. Would they look at him the same?
What was he thinking, of course, they wouldn't treat him differently….but then again? He wasn't exactly a normal kid...in he was going to tell them. He took a deep breath and walked through the streets letting his memories guide him. Every street he passed visions of him running down them flashed through his mind.
He turned a corner and passed by his and Jiraiya house and passed the other house.
"...it was so close...and I didn't even know it." He muttered under his breath and he stepped forward and knocked on the front door. He waited for a bit before the door was opened by Reiko who stared at Naruto shocked to her very core. She reached out hesitant to touch him almost fearing he wasn't real.
"N-naruto? Is that you?" She asked and Naruto gave her a soft smile and gently grabbed her wrist and guiding her towards his cheeks where he beveled against her palm gently.
He remembered Reiko. She was also so caring and gentle when he was younger. She treated him like a second son never batting an eye when he would drop by to play with Gakuto. Hell, she tried to adopt him. If it weren't for the third then he might have actually been a part if the family.
"Yeah... it's me." He said softly. And Reiko began to tear up.
"Y-you're alright? Where you able to eat properly? Did you make sure to bathe regularly?" Reiko asked bringing him into a strong hug. Tears rolling down her face. " you better not have just stuffed your face with junk food. You won't get a girlfriend like that."
"...To be honest for a while it was a struggle to get good food. Or even running wafer. But I survived. And I'm doing better now. I got stronger. I didn't let them keep me down. i never stopped fighting even when my body was screaming to stop." He said hugging her back tears rolling down his face. He sobbed into her shirt as she held him in a tender embrace. She was the closest thing he had to a mother. And the third made him forget her. Forget everything that was important to him.
The two of them let go of each other and they wiped their eyes.
"Please come in Gakuto and the others are in the back." She said and he stepped inside taking off his shoes by the door.
"You should join us. I have a lot to tell you guys about." He said as they walked towards the back. The gang was sitting around a yard table under an umbrella and they stopped chatting once he arrived. Momoyo was leaning against the wall and he she was going to be difficult to get forgiveness from. She was more stubborn than he was. Still, he wanted them to forgive him, to be his friends again just like they used to be. Well...it was now or never.
"...First, I want to say this." He placed the bag on the table and got on his knees bending forward pressing his forehead against the ground. "I am sorry I forgot about my time here. It may not have been my choice..but I still forgot. I broke my promise to you all. Please….forgive me."
Momoyo looked down at him and she stood up straight from the wall. She walked towards him and she stood in front of him.
"...Why did you forget? Where we not important to you." She asked softly anger seeping into her voice. "Did your time here mean nothing to you!"
"That not true. Living here was the happiest id ever been before. But I didn't have a choice. The day the old man took me back to the village. He sealed away." Naruto sat up straight looking her in the eyes. "...what I'm about to tell you. Needs to stay a secret."
Momoyo nodded and sat in front of him. He pulled out a scroll and opened it the groceries and snacks he bought appearing.
"The village I come from is called Konoha. The village hidden in the leaves. It is one of five great shinobi villages." He passed momoyo her snacks. "You still like peaches right?"
"..yes but don't get sidetracked."
Naruto nodded and proceeded to explain more about the elemental nations about how he was treated how he lived, what his job entailed. He spent the entire afternoon talking about his life, the good the bad and the outright horrible. he didn't leave anything out.
He supposed it was a bad trait as a shinobi to give out this much information but he didn't care. He wasn't under orders to keep the village a secret. And he wasn't on a mission technically so there wouldn't be a punishment if anyone found out.
"Naruto...is all of that..true?" Yamato asked and Naruto nodded.
"Every Word," he said sadly leaning against the wall. "That the kind of place I live in."
The Kazama family was speechless, they didn't know what to say. What could they say? Everything Naruto said was so unbelievable. Yet somehow they knew Naruto was telling the truth. Yamato was the first to come too.
"So you were basically forced into this. You never had a choice, to begin with" he said sadly looking over at momoyo.
"Yes. I didn't have a real choice. If I knew what the third did to me I would have told him to shove that pipe of his up his ass. But now I'm a shinobi so I have to serve a minimum of six years before I can retire. But that will probably be declined. As a jinchuriki, I belong to the village. I'm their weapon. They won't let me go. I'm lucky they let me go on this training trip."
Momoyo walked up to him closed here eyes sighing.
"...Very well...'ll accept your apology. On one condition!" momoyo pointed at him and Naruto gulped.
"Every month. We need to fight. You actually put up a good fight the other day. And I've been getting bored."
"Hehe alright momo this time next month ill fight you again and I won't lose this time. "
"Oh~ you think you have a shot of beating me do you Naruto-Kun?" momoyo smirked and dragged him into a headlock ruffling his hair. "You twenty years too earlier to think you can do that!"
Jiraiya sighed and rubbed his forehead writing the report for Tsunade. He could see Naruto from the balcony at their home. He had no idea that the third did such a thing to Naruto. What's worse it looked like Naruto had strong connections here. If he pressed naruto too hard he might just betray the village. '
He was worried that Naruto was going to unleash the nine tails chakra when he found out about his father but he had become...unusually calm. Honestly, that scared him more somehow. Naruto was a Maverick he was unpredictable especially when he was upset. Jiraiya was walking on eggshells right now. Although Naruto was still a genin he had the potential to be a serious powerhouse in the future. If he took him back to the village during this delicate time then in a few years he might just defect.
What he needed right now was a friend of Naruto's to help him. To remind him where his real home was. He was going to see if Tsunade would allow him to take one of the genin naruto knew to watch over him. A few people stood out. Shikamaru, Neji and Hinata, and finally Sakura. Shikamaru was definitely the best option, his shadow possession jutsu would stop Naruto from doing anything reckless if the need ever arises.
Hinata and Neji could stop him from bringing out the nine tails chakra by hitting his chakra points and they were also good friends with Naruto. Sakura was probably the best at keeping him in line but she was probably learning under Tsunade. He doubts that Tsunade would allow Sakura to leave. Hinata was the heiress to the Hyuga so she was most likely out of the question as well.
That left Neji or Shikamaru.
Hime,
Things on my end have quickly spiraled out of my control. I brought Naruto to a foreign land that I was almost certain he had never been to before yet he has connections here. He seems to be familiar with many powerful people in this land, friends rivals I suspect one of them to have feelings for the knucklehead. He tells me he had no memory of his time here. He went missing for a total of 48 hours. After finding him he seemed to have regained a majority if not all of his memories from when he spent his time here. At first, I presumed he had learned about his parentage and I may have accidentally let it slip along with what my relationship to the boy is. He knows who his father is hehe ah sorry about that it was my bad. To be fair I was running on fumes I haven't slept for two days and I was searching for him all over the place. Right now I'm requesting to issue an S rank mission to one of Naruto companions I need someone here to help me keep him calm. I would recommend Shikamaru Nara, Hinata Hyuga, Neji Hyuga. They are both some of his closest companions and possess abilities that can restrain naruto should the need arise. Naruto is not to know that I am bringing them to restrain him. He might see it as a sign of aggression from our end. This is a delicate time. He is currently avoiding me and spending more time with the people of this foreign land. If we aren't careful he may possibly defect shortly after we return.
Now I fear the answer to this next question but I need to know. Were you aware that Naruto had his memory sealed by our former mentor? Never mind I don't actually want to know. Just know that I'm going to do what I can for Naruto. He's important to the village, however, he is still my Godson and I will see to it that he becomes a fine shinobi during this trip. Even if it kills me. This ends my report. I'll be waiting for your response if you do not hear from me within the next month then we are in an area where summoning does not work. I'll send a map with the location of a ranges sight for whoever you choose to send. I will meet them there and they will join me and Naruto for training. Make that the official story. They are coming to train under me.
Sincerely
Jiraiya
Jiraiya sighed and sat back in his chair looking down at Naruto sadly. He needed to take these measures, he was going to give Naruto some space to process things on his own for a bit. He should be fine here at least for a month or so. He would go pick up one of his friends then return the journey would take him about two months. He figured Naruto wouldn't leave the area for a while. Not with how the people here treated him. He rolled up the scroll and summoned a messenger scroll.
"Take this to Tsunade Hime and make sure she understands that the contents are classified," he said and the toad gave him a salute taking the scroll he disappeared in a poof of smoke. He sat back and closed his eyes.
He needed to convince Naruto to stay in the village peacefully. He had to maintain being his teacher/Godfather and a shinobi of the leaf. He would be there for Naruto but he also needed to look out for the well being of the village. Naruto was too important to let go. That was a simple truth. He could either stay in the village a miserable prisoner or work as a shinobi and keep at least the illusion of freedom. That was the curse of being a Jinchuriki. Even if you stopped being a shinobi. You will never escape being the village weapon. As a shinobi, he answered to Tsunade and the shinobi council. But if he quite then he'd be at the mercy of the elders and civilian council. They would do everything in their power to keep him trapped and imprisoned within the village.
It was the cruel reality for Naruto. These were his options.
If he tried to run then anbu would be sent to capture or even kill him. Not to mention Danzo would never let Naruto go easily he would start a war to capture or kill Naruto.
The sage forbids if they found out who his family was. They would have an even tighter leash around naruto neck. They would Place him under strict clan restoration guidelines, he would never be permitted to leave the village again the few companions he had would be banned from seeing him from the civilian council. It would be a complete shit show. And knowing Naruto he'd probably fight it. He makes a run for it. He may even get away.
Jiraiya contemplated Naruto's options in his head. Every scenario sounded like a loss. For Naruto, the village and himself. The best scenario was for Naruto to accept what happened to him and continue his life as a shinobi. It was the best option for him the only one with him having a chance at a happy life down the road.
Huh, here he was acting like a godfather for once. Though he figured most godfather never had to go through this situation. He was stirred from his silent contemplation when he heard the familiar sound if a summon appearing he opened his eyes and saw a small slug on his desk a scroll in its mouth. He opened the scroll and prepared for what tsuande wrote down.
YOU IDIOTIC PERVERT OF A MAN!
HOW ON EARTH DO YOU ", ACCIDENTALLY" LET SLIP THAT THE FOURTH WAS NARUTO'S FATHER!...Alright now that I have that out of my system. I have read through your report thoroughly. Normally id recalls you back with Naruto but doing that now can be dangerous. We need to give him time to digest everything. I am authorizing Neji and Hinata Hyuga to accompany you for "Training" they will meet you at the rondeau sight one month from now. I will say this. This training trip has officially turned into an S ranked mission if you deem naruto to be unable to train away from the village you are to return to the village immediately. Only do so if you are certain that he is planning on deserting Konoha. You are NOT authorized to kill on foreign soil unless absolutely necessary. And For the record No., I was unaware that he ever had his memories sealed. There is a gap in Naruto's files for about a year it's possible that this was the time where he had left the village originally. I will be investigating this closer in the coming weeks.
Jiraiya you better know what you're doing.
I'll be waiting for your response.
The Hokage seal was at the bottom and Jiraiya sighed and stood up. He walked into his room and started to pack up some things for his trip. He was going to let Naruto stay here while he left. The kid needed some space he would get all the answers from him when he returned. And hopefully, by then he will be a bit calmer.
He walked back onto the patio and jumped over to the roof of the next house and walked along it and jumped down landing on the fence of Reiko's home.
"Excuse me I need to talk with Naruto really quick." He said as he looked over at Reiko and Bowes. "Terribly sorry for intruding mam."
"...what is it Jiraiya," Naruto said glaring at the old man.
Jiraiya scratched his cheek and sighed. He guesses the kid really did need some space if he was calling him by his actual name instead of pervy sage.
"I've been called back to take Two more students. They will be joining us for the rest of the trip. I'll be gone for a month maybe more." He said and hopped down walking up to Naruto." I'm going to leave you here to digest everything you've learned. I understand you don't want to see me right now so I'm going to give you some space. When I get back we can talk if you'd like...until I come back I want you to follow the regiment I set up. You are still here to train after all. And I expect you to go to school."
"I don't need you to tell me that Old man. Also, who are you getting?" Naruto asked crossing his arms.
"Hinata and Neji Hyuga. Their clan believes it would be beneficial for them to train under me for a bit." Jiraiya said and he looked over at everyone else. He knew Naruto probably explained everything already so there was no need for him to have this conversation privately.
Naruto eyed Jiraiya suspiciously. That didn't make any sense. The Hyuga clan were a strict traditionalist. Granted Jiraiya was a legendary sannin but even so, they wouldn't simply let him train a Hyuga. Something was up. But, Naruto decided to look too much into it. The pervy sage being gone gave him more freedom to train with Katsumi and the elder at Ryozanpaku.
"...if you expect me to say goodbye forget it. Like you said we'll talk when you get back." Naruto turned his back to Jiraiya and sat at the table with everyone. The old toad sannin nodded and disappeared in a poof of smoke.
Naruto mind went to work. Now, most people would describe him as an idiot and they would be right he was not book smart. But he was far from stupid. Jiraiya getting two students that happen to be his friends and also able to seal off his chakra? Yeah, huge coincidence it happens after he learns about two earth-shattering secrets about his life. Honestly, do they really think he's that stupid!
Well, screw them he was going to get stronger in this next month. He would milk every moment he could into preparing himself. If they wanted to drag him back and seal his memories again they were going to get the fight of their life!
Naruto eyes opened and his gave hardened a new determination burning with a feeling he never truly felt before.
The will to fight for his Freedom!
If he was going back to Konoha then he was going back on his terms. Not theirs! He smiled at everyone. And leaned back in his chair.
"So yeah that's what I've been up to since I saw you guys. What about you? Anything interesting happens when I was gone?"
"I and Yamato are dating now~," Miyako said holding her blushing cheeks.
""We're just friends," Yamato said flatly
"Wah I just got dumped." Miyako fake cried before she smiled and hugged yamatos arm. "ill win you over eventually Yamato~"
The next morning Naruto went to class but not before sending fifty clones to Ryozanpaku.
As he entered the class he was approached by Koyuki.
"Welcome back Naru-kun are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm alright now. Here." he pulled out a bag of marshmallows from his bag. "Sorry about forgetting about you. I really didn't mean to."
"Yay~ I knew they'd jog your memory." she took the marshmallows happily and hugged him.
"Hehe glad to see you forgive me."
"Naruto Uzumaki I challenge you to a duel!"
"I Decline!" Naruto said confidently to Hideo! "Oh tell your sister that I'm back in town will you. Id pay her a visit sooner but things kinda came up."
"I see you finally remember things good then we can continue our glorious rivalry," Hideo said crossing his arm grinning confidently. "I won't be outshined by the likes of you Naruto."
"Hehe well see about that Hideo well see about that."
"So you accept my challenge then?"
"Nope, I actually want to spend the rest of the week here peacefully maybe next week."
"Oh, I see you're still recovering from your battle with Kawakami. Very well next week I shall challenge you"
"Hurry up and take you seat Hideo the teachers almost here. Oh, Naruto are you feeling any better?" Chika asked as she took her seat.
"Yeah, I just needed to take some time to rest after that fight."
"I'm not surprised momoyo is the strongest in the school if not the whole city." Fushikawa said "fighting here was foolish though ill admit you lasted longer than most."
"Hehe, I kinda owed her a fight. Oh, I'm Naruto Uzumaki I don't think we've talked before."
"Fushikawa Kokoro," she said simply as their teacher entered. Well, she did seem the princess sort so he guesses he shouldn't be surprised by the answer he got. He spent his time in class sometimes paying attention but other times he was absently playing with his pen. Man, he couldn't believe how boring this was. Still he wanted to spend time with everyone at school and besides...the teachers treated him like everyone else so he may as well try to focus. He sighed and scribbled notes into his notebook half paying attention.
Meanwhile.
Katsumi was standing in front of twenty clones each one working on the exact same seal. The rest of the clones were working on chakra control. And about five of them were practicing a jutsu she showed them.
"Good. remember if your brushing isn't clear the seal won't work properly," she said waking between the clones as they were hard at work. "This is a simple sealing scroll/ able to hold small objects and tools easily."
Katsumi looked around and a few clones did mess up she simply walked over to those and stared at them.
"That's wrong make sure you tell the original that." the clones that messed up where impaled by chakra chains and destroyed. Causing the original Naruto to shiver in his seat.
The elder watched curiously as clones of Naruto trained. Miu was sitting next to him working on some math problems.
"So he's my cousin?" miu asked looking up from her work at the naruto clones.
"Yes though these are temporary clones of his. You'll meet him in person later today." the elder said stroking his beard. "You forgot to carry over the 4 dear."
"Oh thank you." she fixed her problem and looked up at her grandfather. "So does this mean i have a aunt or Uncle?"
"...you used to...i don't like talking about my daughter...she went missing when she was young. I searched everywhere for her but i never found her. All i know is that somehow she was able to make a life for herself and stat a family. That boy is probably my last living link to my beloved daughter." the elder said sadly.
"...What was she like?" miu asked curiously and the elder looked down at her sadly before he smiled and gently rubbed her head and cupped her cheek with one hand.
"She was a lot like you my dear. She was happy, innocent and always willing to help others when they were in need."
The two of them looked over at Naruto and smiled.
"I'll be sure to cook extra for dinner tonight." miu said as she finished her math work.
"I'm sure he'll be happy to join us tonight."
The elder stood up and grinned down at miu. "Alright then now that you math work is done. How about a little training?"
Miu smiled and stood up nodding to the elder and followed him to the dojo.
"I hope you don't mind if Naruto joins our sessions."
"Course not i want to get to know my long lost cousin." miu said cheerfully as she got ready to spar with the elder.
The two of them bowed and in the next instant miu launched herself at the elder bouncing into the air gracefully and attempted to land a spinning roundhouse kick.
And that's the end of the chapter originally I was going to make this longer but I like this version better because it ends much cleaner. So there's a reason why Neji and Hinata will be joining naruto. also, I will be making more flashback omakes if everyone wants to see how I envisioned naruto's time spent in Kawakami was like. if you like that idea let me know and ill make those little mini stories to add at the end of each chapter.
Anyways I hope you all enjoyed the chapter let me know what you thought and.
until next time
~Later Days~
-Wiseotaku
