Chapter 3
"Inoichi-san, what did you manage to find?" The Sandaime Hokage was extremely worried. When Team Ro brought back the boy, the man could smell Orochimaru's touch all over him. The whisker marks were much more prominent than he had anticipated. The boy's natural born blue eyes were now replaced with the much more hostile looking red ones. The shape of his nose further gave the boy the feral look. Sarutobi feared how much influence the snake Sannin exerts onto the boy. Itachi and Kakashi had debriefed to him that the boy was extremely skilled. A rough estimation puts him at a low to mid Jonin rank at least at the tender age of seven. Orochimaru must have been breeding him as a weapon to destroy Konoha.
"I don't even know where to begin. First of all, there are no mental securities I encountered in the boy's mind. That's probably because of his unconscious state due to Itachi's genjutsu. The earliest memory I could access was him accidentally flaring his chakra at about age one. The chakra spike killed his caretaker, Hokage-sama" Inoichi, the head of the Yamanaka clan reported.
Sarutobi sighed at this and motioned for the blond to continue.
"I saw Orochimaru performing some experiments on him but the boy was too young to comprehend what exactly was going on," Jiraiya grunted at this. Inoichi resumed, "Orochimaru began training him after the boy could run proficiently. He started out with basic taijutsu. At the age of three, the boy was as fast as most Chunins. A little into his fourth age, he began ninjutsu training. He started out with pulsing red chakra from his palms then chakra control exercises and eventually elemental ninjutsu. His everyday schedule was basically taijutsu sparring, ninjutsu practice, strategy lessons with Orochimaru, and kenjutsu practice. He started his elemental shape manipulation training a few months after his seventh birthday."
"I see," The Hokage acknowledged. He looked at the Yamanka clan head and noted the man's uneasiness. "Inoichi, is everything alright?"
"He's just a kid… He's as old as my daughter, Ino. This shouldn't be his childhood. He should be playing with other people his age instead of training himself to be the ultimate weapon. He barely had any friends. The only one he talked to was this pink haired girl, Tayuya. Fucking Orochimaru. This is too inhumane. He managed to convince the boy that he is his father!" Inoichi replied in anger.
Sarutobi inhaled the tobacco deeply and let it all out in a sigh of exasperation. He was deep in thought. If the boy thought Orochimaru was his father, then its going to be a lot harder to release him from the Sannin's grip. The boy had to know about his true heritage if the Yondaime's legacy were to be returned. Furthermore, there were more issues to be addressed such as Danzo. If that man finds out about this kid, then he will surely brainwash him and turn him into an emotionless weapon. Sarutobi pinched the bridge of his nose in contemplation. He decided to put off his decision on what to do with the boy until further information.
"Jiraiya-kun, what is your analysis of his seal?"
"Orochimaru tempered with it for sure but the bastard didn't realize the side effects of it. The eye color, the nose, the whiskers, etc are all effects of the Kyubi's chakra manifesting itself with the boy. This also means that the boy's chakra and that of the Kyubi have merged. Honestly, I don't know how Orochimaru managed to suppress the Kyubi. I also suspect that it also enhanced him physically as well. The boy's speed and strength should be off the charts. Furthermore, Orochimaru had build chakra gates at the boy's palms. This means the boy can easily blast chakra as Itachi had experienced first hand," Jiraiya listed. This was one of the few times when he was actually really serious about his analysis.
"Itachi-kun, you had told me that the chakra burned your armor. Do you think that the boy's chakra has trace hints of elemental chakra?" Sarutobi had all of Team Ro and the select few he could trust in the room. He didn't enjoy using the codenames of Team Ro's operatives. He didn't want them to think of themselves as weapons.
"I can say for sure that the chakra wasn't pure. However, I do know for sure that the chakra didn't contain ordinary fire. Our ANBU body armor contain seals that make them somewhat fire resistant and yet, the boy's blast tore through them with relative ease. The seal wasn't broken at all. I am not a fuinjutsu master so I cannot say for sure." Itachi was curious about the boy. He was the same age as his brother and he could already hold his own against him. Itachi held his own reservations about the boy: he is either going to be Konoha's ultimate defense or the fire that will raze it to the ground. Either way, the Uchiha decided that he will be keeping a close eye on him.
"Yugao-san, the results of the DNA test please," Sarutobi requested politely when he saw the purple haired kunoichi raising her arm up to signify that she was done with the task he had entrusted her with. Since they had arrived, Sarutobi instructed a DNA test be performed immediately since it was very habitual of his student to perform inhumane experiments on anyone he could get his hands on.
"This is rather shocking. Parental tests show that he is the son of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze." At this, there were several widened pairs of eyes. They had known that the two shinobi had been dating until their deaths but the news of them having a child had completely evaded their ears. "That is not the most surprising part. There must be some mistake. Its probably the system's error or something but the boy's DNA shows strong identification with that of Hashirama Senju: the Shodaime Hokage."
"So you are telling me that this boy possesses the blood of not just one previous Hokage but two?" Inoichi was astonished by the secrets this boy harbored. Yugao nodded at him in response. "I didn't see anything about him using the Shodaime's renowned Wood Release. Either Orochimaru suppressed them or that the boy hasn't learned how to use it yet."
"Maybe he never will." Sarutobi commented. The Shodaime's Wood Release technique was never possessed by any other Senju in his clan. The only other person he knew that was known to be capable of performing the Shodaime's jutsus was Yamato, who was one of the members of Team Ro. Even then, he was only able to do so because Orochimaru incorporated Hashirama Senju's DNA with his.
"So basically, this boy has the capabilities of an A rank shinobi, houses the Kyubi, son of the Yondaime Hokage and the previous host of the Kyubi, sole survivor of the Uzumaki clan, and possesses the Shodaime Hokage's DNA." Shikaku Nara had been silent for the majority of the unconventional meeting. He didn't speak when he wasn't required to. The current situation called for his viewpoint. The rest of the people in the room looked at him, waiting for him to continue; it was unlike Shikaku Nara to merely make a statement without a following point. The man crossed his arms together and continued, "we have two issues that go hand in hand to address. The first issue is his ties with Orochimaru and breaking it. The second issue is to enter him into the Konoha shinobi system to cement his position here."
"What do you suggest then, Shikaku-san?" Sarutobi asked. He always valued the input of the Nara clan head. His extraordinary strategic talent alongside unparalleled logic was one of the reasons why Konoha prevailed in the previous Great Shinobi war.
"Inoichi-kun told us about how Orochimaru has managed to convince the boy that he is his father. No matter how hard we try, we cannot fight a boy's tie to his parent, even if its only in the boy's head. I suggest that we inform the boy of his true heritage soon and actually convince him of this. Inoichi-kun could even go as far as plant a seed in the boy's head that Orochimaru isn't his father and that Minato-kun is. As for the second issue, when the boy is enrolled into the academy, I will have my son, Shikamaru-kun, befriend him. There is no stronger way to solidify the boy's loyalty to this village than through true friendship." Shikaku didn't express his fury at Orochimaru for doing such a thing to a boy so young. Inoichi had basically said all the things that he felt. He knew that with friends to protect, the boy's loyalty will sway towards them.
"I will tell my Ino-chan the same thing," Inoichi commented. The boy could still be saved and he didn't want something as terrible as lack of friends to be the reason why the Yondaime's legacy ends up obliterating the village he had given his life for.
"This meeting is adjourned. I will call on some of you at a later time when I have made my decision," the Sandaime Hokage declared, walking out of the room.
Naruto rubbed his eyes as he shifted into a sitting position. He looked around and quickly took note of the unfamiliar environment. Instead of the usual brick-walled room enveloped in darkness, he found himself bounded by four white walls and a ceiling that possessed several electric light bulbs. The blond quickly jumped out of his bed and slipped into his defensive taijutsu stance when he realized the situation he was in. He remembered fighting two Konoha ANBU operatives before one of them managed to capture him with a Water Prison jutsu. That was all he remembered. He directed one palm at the wall and blasted chakra from it. The red beam of chakra struck the wall but instead of drilling a hole in it like it usually does, the chakra beam merely gave the wall a red glow at where it struck.
"Chakra absorbing walls," a voice said. Naruto jerked his head around and found no one. He growled in anger.
A body suddenly materialized. It was Jiraiya of the Sannin. Naruto had heard of the man multiple times from Orochimaru. Sometimes, it would be from the snake Sannin speaking to him directly about the man. Others, it would be in frustration about Jiraiya's infiltration of his hideouts. Naruto understood that the man standing in front of him was way above his league. He also knew that Jiraiya won't harm him seeing that he already had multiple chances to. Naruto decided to lay back down on his bed.
"What's your name?" The Sannin asked. He wanted to know what Orochimaru had named the boy.
"Naruto," the blond answered. He didn't see the harm in providing the information. Jiraiya was surprised at this but his face betrayed no hint. It was bold of the snake to continue using the boy's given name. His former teammate usually renames all his subjects to cut off their previous ties. However, given the situation Naruto was in, he had no ties to cut off.
"Do you know who I am?"
"You are Jiraiya of the Sannin," Naruto answered emotionlessly.
"Do you know where you are?"
"Konoha, I think. Probably since you are a shinobi loyal to the village and I was captured by Itachi Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake."
"I am going to tell you that we are not here to hurt you." Jiraiya decided to get to the point.
"I know. You could have done whatever you wanted when I was unconscious or even now. You are way above what I can handle. However, I don't see why you wouldn't harm me. Its not like father will come rescue me." Naruto continued staring at the ceiling. He knew the type of person his 'father' was. The Sannin was willing to cut losses unless there was a wide-open opportunity presented.
"Father?" Jiraiya was curious about the whole concept of Orochimaru claiming to be Naruto's father. By understanding more of it, he can server that thought and inform the boy of his true heritage.
"Yes. He told me that he created me."
"Bullshit," Jiraiya called. Naruto turned his head and looked at the Sannin. "Orochimaru can't create you. He's not god. The only way is to procreate through you know… that way." Naruto gave him a questioning, confused look. For someone who had established himself as a renowned pornography author, Jiraiya had a hard time talking about it to a boy.
"Look, if he is your father, then who is your mother?"
"I don't have a mother. Not that I know of." Naruto had never questioned Orochimaru's claim but what the Toad Sage was insinuating did make sense.
"If he was your father, then he should look like you," Jiraiya stated after a couple minutes of silence. He knew that the boy was thinking hardly about what his heritage. This was a good sign. Orochimaru's grip over the blond will fail if Naruto was offered proper logic alongside evidence.
"Jiraiya-sama, the Hokage-sama requests your presence," a voice echoed from the white walls.
"Think about it, kid," Jiraiya said before his body flickered and exited the room.
"Kakashi. What rank do you consider yourself to be?" The Sandaime Hokage asked. The silver-haired shinobi had never really thought about it.
"I am listed as an A-rank shinobi in the bingo book," Kakashi replied.
"I am aware of that but do you think you could reach S-rank?" Sarutobi asked. Kakashi was a bit surprised at the Hokage's question. The Copycat ninja thought the Hokage was insinuating militarization but it was unlike him to do so.
"Probably. I haven't trained since I entered the ANBU which was like eight years ago. I have a large arsenal of jutsus. If I refine them and incorporate them into my fighting style along with physical training, I guess I could."
Before the two could continue with their conversation, Jiraiya arrived. As usual, he entered the Hokage's office through the open window. He entered to find that Kakashi Hatake was already there with his former sensei.
"What is this all about, Sarutobi-sensei?" Jiraiya asked. He was never really one to wait and be told.
"As Shikaku-san had stated before, we need to inform the boy of his true heritage for him to question his loyalty to Orochimaru and eventually break away from him. Who better to do this then his father's sensei and student. I intend on sending you two with Naruto on a trip. Orochimaru has spies in the village. The last thing I want is for him to get Naruto back. Furthermore, the trip will also serve as a training trip for Kakashi." Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at this.
"Sarutobi-sensei, Kakashi is an extremely capable shinobi. I don't see how I can train him." Jiraiya respected the Copycat shinobi. He was still young but could hold his own against the Toad Sage if needed.
"I went over our shinobi database. There has been a strong decline in the number of active S-rank shinobi. Furthermore, other villages such as Kumo and Iwa are currently seeing a rise in the number of S-ranks. Its only a matter of time before they realize that we are falling behind and try to take advantage of that. Besides, I intend on Kakashi being Naruto's Jonin team leader should he enroll in the academy and graduate. There will be times when Orochimaru will attempt to retrieve the boy. We need Kakashi to be able to protect the boy from such acts," the Sandaime explained.
"I see… had Inoichi-san planted the seed inside Naruto?" Jiraiya asked. He wanted to know all there is before he starts to ponder his course of action.
"He already did. Now, when Naruto sees Minato-kun's image, he will start drawing connections. I suggest you leave immediately. The longer Naruto remains in the village, the more likely it is that we draw unwanted attention. This is an S-rank mission. You will not return until the boy is free of Orochimaru's grip and loyal to Konoha. You are both dismissed" Jiraiya and Kakashi nodded and disappeared.
"The will of fire that you have kindled for your son will not die, Minato-kun," Sarutobi thought, looking at the Yondaime's face sculpted on the side of the mountain.
Orochimaru hissed in pain and anger. It had been three days since his encounter with his former teammate and the Konoha ANBU, which left him in a terribly injured state. While he had managed to avoid taking the majority of the damage from their attacks, he still sustained several wounds. To make it worse, they had snatched his most powerful weapon from him. He had spent the better part of the decade honing the boy into the ultimate shinobi and now, Konoha had stolen his hard work.
"Have you located Naruto?" Orochimaru grunted as a man dressed in the standard Oto shinobi attire entered his chambers.
"Negative, Orochimaru-sama. It seems that the Sandaime Hokage has been keeping the circle airtight regarding the boy."
Orochimaru lashed out in anger with his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands jutsu, killing the Oto ninja.
"Fucking useless tools."
Anko Mitarashi looked forward to the boy the Hokage had requested her to meet and talk to. She didn't know much about him except for the fact that he was brought back from a recent ANBU raid and was Orochimaru's secret weapon. She swallowed the last of her dango and tossed the stick away; it stabbed a nearby tree. She entered the ANBU facility where the Hokage had said the boy was held.
"Name and state your purpose" A man asked. Despite being a receptionist, the man was disguised by an ANBU mask while armed with standard ANBU armor.
Anko rolled her eyes in irritation. There were only a handful of people that didn't know her and they lived under rocks. She knew it was regulation but being questioned in such a way made her feel all the effort she had put into making herself known was a waste. She decided it will be quicker if she complied. "Anko Mitarashi. I am here for captive zero dash zero on orders of Sandaime-sama."
"There is no such captive, Mitrashi-san," the man replied. "Right this way please," he directed, motioning her into a hallway. Whoever this boy is, he must be really special to be kept off the books. The man led her down a hall and into a room guarded by two more ANBU operatives. The room was empty inside.
"You have five minutes. Stand right there, please" the man requested, pointing at a spot on the floor. Anko walked over and waited. The man formed a hand sign and channeled chakra. Anko disappeared in a puff of smoke.
She found herself in a room so white that it felt surreal. Somewhere in the middle was a bed and a a young blond boy. She assumed that he was the mission seeing as he was the only person in the room.
"Who are you?" he asked, giving him a questioning look as he studied her.
"I heard that you were found in Orochimaru-sensei's hideout. What did he want with you?" She asked, ignoring the boy's question. She was barely told anything from the Hokage and she intends to use this opportunity to find out all she can.
"Orochimaru-sensei?" Naruto fixated. The woman in the room was either trying to fish out information he didn't have or she really was the snake Sannin's student. Either way, he had to be careful. She could be here to rescue him from captivity.
"Yeah. He was my Jonin team leader when I graduated from the ninja academy," she explained. Now that I have told you how I am associated to him, its your turn to tell me."
"He's my fa-. He's been training me for as long as I can remember." The boy had been thinking about Orochimaru's relation to him and didn't want to say anything unless he was sure.
"I see… he's been going for even younger ones I see. What types of experiment did he do on you?"
"Experiments? He didn't do anything to me besides training."
"So you mean to tell me that he didn't mark any part of your bodies, inject you with weird chemicals, etc?" Naruto nodded to this. "But he abandoned you… None of this makes sense."
"He didn't abandon me. I was captured by Konoha shinobi." Anko noted how he didn't include her in 'Konoha shinobi'.
"You want to know something?" She asked. When Naruto nodded in response, she said, "he abandoned me. He told me that I no longer served my purpose and then he left."
Naruto decided not to say anything. If he kept advertising his loyalty to Orochimaru, they would continue to coop him up in the room.
"You probably hate Konoha, kid. It would be like Orochimaru-sensei to drill that hatred into you. But if you open yourself up to it and its people, there would be no other place you would rather die for. Trust me, I know," Anko said. She wasn't going to get anything out of the boy. He had been testing her to see if she was his way out. Seeing that she wasn't, he didn't feel much use to talking to her.
"Time is up," a voice called out.
"Well, I am gonna go now. Later, kid." Anko said before disappearing.
"Did you think about what I had told you?" Jiraiya asked a few hours later from Anko's visit.
"About how Orochimaru-sama isn't my father? Yeah I did," Naruto replied in a soft voice. While his loyalty to Orochimaru is still solid, Naruto is unsure of whether or not the Sannin was his father.
"And?" Jiraiya asked.
"Let's say you are right. Who are my parents then?"
"I'll tell you later. Get dressed. We are hitting the road." Jiraiya tossed the boy a storage scroll.
"Where are we going? Aren't you afraid that I will run away?"
"You will find out later and nope. You want information. I have them. Besides, you can't outrun me and you know it." The Sannin was right. He wanted to hear what these Konoha shinobi had to say first. If it meant sticking around for a while, then that's what he is going to do. Besides, what other choice did he have.
Naruto unsealed the scroll and found a set of black long sleeved shirt and pants with a black cloak with orange stripes dashing around. He undressed himself and slid into his new clothes, which somehow fit almost perfectly.
"Lets go!" Jiraiya exclaimed. He grabbed the boy and the two left the room.
The Sannin, carrying Naruto, darted across the rooftops under the cover of nighttime and arrived at the gate and found Kakashi waiting for him. He dropped the boy and together the three left the village.
Author's note: I know its been a week but school stuff is bothersome. I promise that I will try to update on a weekly basis. Please provide feedback, I really, really, really appreciate them. I want to improve and make this story more enjoyable for everyone.