Chapter Seven

Uzumaki Compound

Training Ground

Minato has always wanted to train Naruto. It had been fun when they were doing it in the two months before things changed, he had enjoyed it, but since he made that choice, things were a little different. Naruto only saw him for training and that was it. It was as if the redhead no longer lived in the Uzumaki compound. That incident had also changed Naruto in ways he couldn't even begin to imagine but he knew that there was something different. Perhaps he had just been in denial to accept that killing someone had actually had an effect on Naruto.

A part of him had truly hoped that there would be no change in his son, but he was seeing it now that it was all just wishful thinking. He was making it as if he was living in the ideal world were kami granted all wishes made by the righteous and pure. But this was the shinobi world; a world were reality was quick to remind any fool who thought all dreams were possible with a cold slap to the face.

Minato had expected things to change with Naruto since the denied him the chance to become a full-fledged shinobi. As things stood, Itachi was going to rise up in ranks while gaining more experiences in the outside world. Naruto would remain a genin and would not experience the outside until he was truly ready to face it.

But it was for his own good. It was better to have a son who isn't fond of him than a dead son. At least this way, he was able to see his son every day and he was able to protect him. Naruto needed to become stronger in order to face Elemental Nations. Minato would not stop giving everything he could to help his son grow stronger to protect himself.

At this point he had no choice.

"Again," Minato said to Naruto.

Naruto stared at his father for a few moments; he calmed his breathing and took a stance with both his hands holding kunais. He looked at his father once again; the man looked calm, and ready for anything. He had yet to take a defensive stance just waiting for him to make a move.

The redhead took off in the fastest speed he could muster. As his feet touched the ground in his run, Naruto held both kunais firmly. He charged straight on because that was he had been instructed to do. The moment both his feet landed a foot away from his father, the man jumped back slightly.

Naruto bent down slightly before pushing chakra into his legs; he took off from the ground like a bullet, propelled further by the chakra he put in his feet to increase his speed. He quickly reached his father just above the ground before the man could land in the ground.

Minato showed no surprise; he merely smiled as Naruto swung his right hand towards his father's face with the kunai still on his right hand. The kunai whizzed past his father's forehead as the man leaned back slightly while still being carried by the momentum of his small jump. Naruto twisted around, while still in air as his father landed on the ground. As he faced his father once more, he threw the kunai on his left hand towards the man's forehead.

Minato sidestepped the projectile easily enough and looked at Naruto calmly as he landed on the ground.

"Again," Minato said once more.

Instead of allowing Naruto to attack, he went in straight at Naruto. The redhead showed his surprise when the Yondaime Hokage's left foot landed on the ground just away from him, with his right in the air, being swung towards the side of his head on his left side.

Naruto ducked under the kick by crouching down and tried to sweep his father off the ground. Minato reacted by stretching his right hand towards Naruto. Once his right hand touched Naruto's head, he used the redhead as balance to lift his feet off the ground and flipped to the other side, landing behind Naruto.

Naruto twisted around clockwise to face his father and as he did, he found a kunai waiting for him. He raised his hands up in surrendering.

The kunai Minato held was twisted on his fingers for a few seconds before he put it back on his pouch. The man folded his hands across chest and started speaking. "You're becoming used to the weights. They don't seem to hold you back anymore."

"I have been using them for some time now," Naruto said. "I'm usually doing physical excises all the time to adapt to the weight. Once my muscles adjust to moving around with the weights, it becomes easy to learn walking around with them."

Minato nodded. "I won't increase your current weight. You will learn to move around with those weights. We have only been increasing the weights once you have adjusted but now we have to move to the next step of deactivating the weights and having you learn to control your speed."

Naruto simply nodded.

"You need to learn to fight without depending too much on chakra to increase your speed Naruto. Using chakra as you did you boost your jump consumes your chakra and it isn't necessary. You don't have an eternal supply of chakra…" Minato said strongly. "How many clones can you make it once?"

"Depends on how much chakra I put into them. Since I wish for my clones to last for hours while using chakra, I cannot make too many. I usually limit them from 10 to 17 so that I can handle the influx of memories. Any more than that and I start to feel the effects. I think I have grown used to these seventeen that I no longer feel it when I use them. Perhaps my chakra is growing," Naruto said in thought. "Either way, I realize that I do not have it in abundance. This is why I obsessed over perfect control so that I don't waste any was a priority."

Minato nodded. "Your reflexes are good. We still need to work on your speed and taijutsu when you are not using those chakra chains to complement it."

Naruto frowned. "That is my style of fighting. It works for me and I don't see any need to learn to fight without using them."

"I'll admit that your style is really impressive and unique. Your use of those chains is unique and I think that once you learn finer control over them and using them in conjunction with flames, you will create your own perfect defence," Minato said with a smile.

Naruto's defence solution was truly remarkable. Minato had no doubt it would become the perfect defence. Those chakra chains weren't the ones to be broken by humans and if the Kyuubi was unable to break them, what human could? Naruto counted on that strength to create a shield around himself that couldn't be penetrated by anything. He learned a simple barrier to help supplement the cover as well.

But there was one problem with the defence: once it was active, Naruto couldn't attack freely. Ninjutsu he couldn't do. So he was stuck with just Kenjutsu and taijutsu. That meant he was reduced to just fighting someone at a close range. A long range opponent wouldn't do him favours. But of course it didn't mean that the redhead would be at a disadvantage. If his opponent couldn't penetrate his defence then he was safe.

"Defence isn't everything Naruto. There will be a time when attacking is the only option," Minato said strongly. "You don't have an ace in your pockets. As a shinobi, you must always have an ace in case everything else fails. Your ability should be your ace. You don't have to use it carelessly in every battle. I only use the Hiraishin when I have to. When I am facing someone who can't match my normal speed, I don't have to use it.

Not every opponent you will face will be so strong that you need to use that ability. You have other abilities that you can learn to grow in. A normal taijutsu style that is complemented by speed, fluid movements and flexibility will still make you a tough opponent."

Naruto listened carefully before he sighed. "Fine," he said calmly. "The Uchihas use their Sharingan when they think that an opponent cannot be beaten with these blind eyes."

Minato laughed, "You really these eyes are blind, huh? Well, compared to the Sharingan and the Byakugan you can say that," the Yondaime Hokage said with a shake of his head. "You're going to be surrounded by the Uchihas, how are you can to handle it when you're not very fond of their doujutsu?"

"With a smile," Naruto said but lacked the said smile. "I don't actually hate the Sharingan. I just think it gives the Uchihas an unfair advantage, but then again, when has life been fair?"

"When you take it by the horns," Minato said calmly. "We are going to play a game of tag. I will be running and you will have to catch me. I will limit my movements around here. However, you have to take one step to get to me through the use of the body flicker technique. I must not see you running, and I will be teleporting to different locations."

Minato took out his special kunai. "Multiple Kage Kunai no Jutsu," he did a hand seals and multiplied the kunai and threw them around the training ground. "I can only maintain these many for a few minutes so we will have to be quick. I will be teleporting around the kunais and when I flash to a kunai, you have to come to me. Remember, I won't wait for you to come at me.

This won't train your speed only. It will train your eyes to be able to follow movements. You won't have to depend on your eyes only, but your senses as well and if you can predict which kunai I will teleport to, you can try that," the man added with a smile.

He disappeared in a flash of yellow and appeared in a kunai that was imbedded behind him. "This will also make you learn the body flicker without the use of hand signs and you will be quick at it as I am," Minato said. "Now, let us start."

He disappeared in a flash of yellow once again.

Five minutes later

Naruto was lying on the ground on his back, breathing heavily. He was damn tired. The continuous use of chakra and rushing around added with the other work he had been doing before this game of tag had worn him out. Not to mention that he had a session with Fugaku during day and with that man, it was always something taxing.

Minato walked up to Naruto and sat down beside him, "We will do this until you're able to tag me," the man said.

"It's not fair," Naruto said with his eyes closed. "This is just high speed movement and you're teleporting. I can't tag you like that. If you were also using the same technique, it would be fair and I have weights on me."

"Don't complain" Minato said with a smile. "I was giving you a few seconds before moving to another kunai."

"And I have to locate you and try to cover the distance between us in those seconds. It will take years before I can even come close. Next time let us give it five seconds at least."

"Fine," Minato said. "I'm surprised though. Normally you'd just try until you can't anymore before making complains."

"I'm feeling a bit down to be doing the extreme," Naruto said calmly. "And two sessions with two different people is proving to be too much for me. Besides, I know my limits now."

Minato nodded. "Naruto," he started in a quiet tone. "Do you really not hate me? Your mother is worried, and so am I. I know it's not fair to you, but I just don't want anything to happen to you. I'd never forgive myself if I sent you out of the village and something happens to you."

Naruto didn't respond.

Minato looked at Naruto to see if the redhead was sleeping or just ignoring him. He smiled sadly when it appeared that the redhead was sleeping. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep and harmless.

Even though Minato had a difficult time accepting it, Naruto had some frightening looks at some times. There were times one could catch him staring into the space ahead with a blank look on his face. Fugaku said the blank look was something that Naruto did a bit too often when it training. Then again, Itachi usually wore a stoic mask as well, and Fugaku as well. Those two wouldn't be worried, but Minato worried.

Naruto had yet to actually talk to anyone fully about that incident. There were issues that he didn't talk about and Minato really wished the boy could talk. If he had the heart, he would have sealed those memories the night it happened. But he knew it would only fix things temporarily and over time, those memories would resurface and Naruto would have to deal with it.

"Yoshino is going to come down here one day to complain about the use of the lights and the electricity demands," Kushina said walking over to father and son with Karin held in her hands.

It was night and the entire training ground was lit up with bright lights that made it seem like it was clear day. The lights demanded much electricity. Yoshino wasn't the one who paid the bills, but she was the one who would complain. It was true that it was denting their pockets but not that much for someone to complain about.

"You'd explain things to her so that she can see reason," Minato said as he stood up. He picked up Naruto and placed him on his back before looking at his wife. "I think today I was a little rough on him."

"It is necessary, isn't it?"

Minato nodded, "We might not have wished this kind of life for Naruto, but we can't change what has happened, we just have to work on hard to secure the future," Minato smiled. "And I'm sure Naruto would want to be strong so that he can protect his younger sister. At least one of them has to enjoy a normal life."

"Yes," Kushina said with a nod. "Karin-chan will have to reach at least genin before returning to the clan to handle matters."

"Naruto can play a game of politics with other had clans but his ignorance and lack of interest in these matters means that Karin will have to step in to take in some matters. Naruto does have the perfect poker face, but he focuses more on being shinobi, he won't have too much time to handle clan business," Minato smiled. "On the bright side of things, it will save Karin from the cruel world of the Shinobi world."

"Too much is placed on Naruto's shoulders, though," Kushina said with a sad look on her face. "He had looked so happy that day. No one thought that it would change like that just after two days."

"It has happened," Minato said firmly. "We just have to be parents to our children. We cannot make the same mistake twice."

The Following Day

Hokage Monument

It was strange that he didn't feel at least happy about holding a headband on his hand. The kids at the academy would have been jumping up and down in joy at holding this metal plate that showed loyalty and allegiance, but Naruto felt indifferent just holding it. As expected, he had passed the graduation exam along with Itachi and they had been given their headbands to prove that they had become shinobis of Konoha.

Itachi could smile because he would start working hard to protect Konoha. That has been his dream along with Shisui. The Uchiha would be ecstatic, inwardly of course. Wearing a headband was every aspiring shinobis dream and for Itachi it had become a reality. But Naruto wasn't going anywhere. He was going to remain stuck in the village handling less dangerous things while Itachi enjoyed the life of a shinobi.

"Are you that displeased with what life has brought before you?" Itachi asked, seeing the look on Naruto's face.

"Isn't it obvious?" Naruto said in a quiet tone. "My life has been forced to take turns because of situations I had no control over. At one point I even became religious and started praying, but that changed nothing. So many things happened that I cannot control and most are not working in my favour."

He was beginning to think that perhaps that god he'd prayed to had heard him but had not responded and had become infuriated with him because he had given him the middle finger. He couldn't be faulted for doing it though. The damn god hadn't been responding to his prayers and he was still a kid. Weren't kids supposed to get all their wishes come true? But for him there has been nothing like that. Since that day, it seems that nothing pleasant was going to happen.

It was even outrageous when he compared the current life to the previous life when he got all he wanted and lived in joy. There were things such as fate that were brought into the conversation. Naruto cursed such a thing. He wouldn't allow some invisible force to dictate the course of his life. He would find for his freedom and grab it with both his hands and never let go.

That was the dream at least.

"This is life, Naruto," Itachi said in a firm tone. "Instead of fighting this reality, you should embrace it and try to twist it to your liking. Some things we cannot change, but we can make the best of some situations to suit ourselves."

Naruto turned to look at Itachi – who already had his forehead protector wrapped around his forehead. "Make the best out of it, huh?"

Naruto wasn't even sure what the Uchiha meant by that. He wasn't going to ask nevertheless. It was something that needed to be investigated; he would search for the answers later on. Besides, he had Azumi; she was more knowledgeable in life than he was and she had been taught so many things. Some of which he has taught him and he had ignored.

It was ironic and somewhat of a slap in the face that the things he had ignored back then were needed because they could help him. He had said ignorance was bliss, but it wasn't bliss now. He needed to know in order to survive. The Sandaime had been right, some situations are handled better because of the knowledge we have. When we know nothing, we become clueless and overwhelmed by the mountains we face.

Harsh lessons, it was turning out to be. If he had known it would be like this, then he would have learned. Then again, no one really knows the future. Harsh lessons again. There was a saying that people learn the best with experiences. He was learning with his experiences alright. It was difficult, but he was learning.

Naruto focused on Itachi once more as the Uchiha explained what he meant. "Instead of hating and fighting this position you're in, you should look at the positives."

"I might be blind because I haven't been seeing any positives," Naruto said, his eyes no longer at Itachi but at the village below.

"That is because you have a lot to deal with at the moment," Itachi said. "When we are burdened, we sometimes fail to see the truth even if it is before us. It is especially worse for you because you often choose to turn a blind eye on a lot of things that occur around you."

"Apparently," Naruto said. "Will you enlighten this blind fool, Itachi?"

The Uchiha furrowed his brows at that. That was the first time he ever heard Naruto refer himself to such and the weird thing was that he had smiled when he said that. Itachi shook his head. He shouldn't read too much into the masks Naruto had on his face. The truth was that nobody actually knew what Naruto was thinking inside his head. He always hid his thoughts and at times what he was saying and what his face was saying could be two different things. The dilemma was which one to pick.

Itachi had learned to just take Naruto's words. The redhead didn't do too much sarcasm.

"The first and most important thing is that you get to live. Because of troubles outside the increased load of missions being done by Anbu, your father can't have a squad of Anbu protecting you at all times if you want to go outside the village. Even so, there is no doubt that you can be fully protected. He doesn't want to risk his man when the situation can be avoided."

Naruto closed his eyes for a moment. "My life, huh?" Was there anything more important than being alive? If he was dead, he was dead. He would cease to exist in this world and his sister would never grow to know him. That would be disappointing.

"To be alive means you can live to fight another day," Itachi said strongly. "You have been given a chance to train and become strong while still confined in this village. It doesn't mean you won't become strong because you have been restricted. You have been growing strong without even being outside the village."

"My development isn't an issue. As ignorant as I am, I know that my development will not be stunted by this," Naruto said in a calm tone. "I am receiving training from your father and my father. It is helping me become stronger. I feel we won't get much time to train together at day though."

"We will make time," Itachi said strongly. "Well, that is if our duties do not get in the way," the Uchiha added knowing full well that once he entered into the shinobi world, he would be busy. If not doing missions, he would be training. "One more thing is that you will get to do missions with the Police Force. The villagers will be seeing you every day. They will be seeing Uzumaki Naruto working hard to keep the peace in the streets."

"What are you getting at?"

"You want to be great isn't it?" Naruto nodded firmly. "This is your start. Be great in the Military Police Force and the villagers will acknowledge you. They will acknowledge Uzumaki Naruto. This will be your first time. Once you leave the streets, you will have the foundation and when you disappear off to missions, the villagers will be asking, where is Uzumaki Naruto?"

After Itachi finished speaking, Naruto seemed to think for a moment before he burst out laughing. Although the hollow laugh had hit Itachi, the Uchiha didn't a reaction to it. Once Naruto was calm, he turned to face Itachi once again, smiling, and his eyes closed, "You're rather good at this manipulation game, Itachi."

"Not the intension but I'm just trying to have you see the bright side of things. What I have said is the truth. There are no lies and it all depends on you whether you take it or not. Either way, your situation will not change," Itachi responded stoically.

Naruto's eyes partially opened as he stared at Itachi for a few moments. "Next year you will be assigned to a team when others graduate and after that, you will grow as a Shinobi. From Genin it will be Chunin, then Jonin… what then?"

"When I am eligible, I am thinking of joining the Anbu," Itachi said. "Their motto of protecting the village from the shadows without receiving praise for it interests me. And my father said it would be best if I go that way."

"I see," Naruto said. "Looks like I will be in your shadow for a while," the redhead said. "Even after the Chunin exams come, after some time, my father will not allow me to enter because if I enter and gain promotion, he will be forced to release me and since the exams are open to the Elemental Nations, it will reveal my skills to everyone."

"That will be a danger," Itachi said. "I imagine it would represent a major threat if other nations start thinking that there will be another Yellow Flash. You understand what that jutsu makes your father, right? Imagine if you also had it in your arsenal. One Hiraishin is already one flee on sight, a second one would be a disaster. Your father annihilated an army of one thousand by himself using the jutsu, when we add you into the scenario, no army will be safe. They will just have to send you two and armies will retreat.

Other nations cannot bear that thought. They will try by all means to stop it from happening. It would be better for them to start a war they can win than allow another yellow flash to rise. People are willing to do anything. As you are now, you cannot do much; this is why you must become stronger in order to stand by your father to protect what must be protected."

Naruto fully opened his eyes before speaking. "I didn't ask you to open a whole lot of scriptures," he said in a flat tone. "But I do see your point."

"I'm glad you do," Itachi said.

"Yet it still bothers me that I will have to wait…" Naruto said calmly. "I'm going home to do some reading. When are we supposed to meet?"

"In three hours… 16H00," Itachi said.

Naruto nodded and waved his left hand. "I will see you then," he said walking away.

Itachi couldn't help but frown slightly as Naruto walked away from the Monument. Since the incident, Naruto has really been a bit too focused on his training more than anything. He didn't engage in those kind of talks he normally did with Shisui. It wasn't to say that the morals the redhead had gained were now a memory. It was just that priorities had changed once again. Then again, the redhead had said he was selfish. It shouldn't really surprise him.

"The young ones grow a bit too quickly these days," Jiraiya said as he walked up to Itachi. Seeing the Uchiha became somewhat guarded, the Sannin merely smiled. "Have no fears," he said waving his right hand.

The Sannin looked at Uchiha careful, taking in every feature of the black haired. Well, there was no doubt that he was Fugaku's son, if that look was anything to go by. Just looking at the boy's eyes, Jiraiya could tell a few things. That didn't mean that he could actually read the Uchiha. The boy had a blank look on his face – it seemed to come with most Uchihas as a package.

"How long have you been watching, Jiraiya-sama," Itachi asked the man as his eyes looked back at the village.

"Oh, what makes you think that I have been watching you two?" Jiraiya asked, his tone filled with mild curiosity.

"It isn't a coincident that you chose to appear just after Naruto left," the Uchiha stated calmly. "You were watching us. Perhaps Naruto was the interest. You're the one who trained his father; one would assume you'd take interest in him as well."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow as Itachi spoke. He shook his head, smiling slightly. "I am interested in you as well. The old man speaks highly of you… admittedly more than he does of Naruto. Skills aside, he says you have a great personality and nobody actually knows what goes on in Naruto's head these days."

Itachi was not surprised by that. The Sandaime has praised both him and Shisui regularly while expressing his concern over Naruto's attitude. The old man has given them a mission to shed some light into Naruto's life. Not that the redhead was clouded in darkness, but he didn't see things in the way that they did, which was a problem.

"Nothing evil is going inside his head," Itachi said of Naruto. "I have no doubt about that. Naruto may be indifferent towards a lot of things, but he isn't the type to be plotting things. In what he has gone through, he has not had any dark thoughts that can make me fear for anything. I have listened to him speak and watched his movements."

Well, his sanity was something that one had to worry about. But the streets would teach Naruto some valuable lessons about life and dealing with people as well as learning some kindness. He would have to be kind to the villagers when doing his job. Civilian life can be said as peaceful. Perhaps the job would give him some peace of heart and mind. His training would still be going on and he has already killed, there won't be much that he will be missing.

"But that doesn't mean is a good person," Jiraiya pointed out.

Itachi shook his head. "Perhaps my father and I are the ones who understand him better than anyone," Itachi said.

Jiraiya raised an eye brow at that. "What do you mean by that?"

"When Naruto speaks of his training, he doesn't say months, but he says years. This is because of the use of his clones. Technically, it has been months, but the experience has been years. Every day, Naruto's mind has to process information from at least ten clones. Given his age, it is a little too much if he is doing it every day. There is a lot in his mind. It's logical to conclude that as he sorts the memories of his clones inside his head that has influenced his life as well. He deals with things inside his rather than expressing them."

"That is a unique way to look into things," Jiraiya said in thought.

Uzumaki Compound

Naruto looked up from the scroll he was reading as a man walked up to him; a stranger in the Uzumaki Compound, it was a rare sight to see. Naruto couldn't remember the last time he saw someone here unless they were a clan head. The Sandaime Hokage wasn't even a frequent visitor to the clan. The old man came to use the Library though. Of course not every section was available to him; especially the ones that were written by the Uzumaki.

Clan secrets

Since it was still day and he needed to sharpen his skills in Fuinjutsu, he was in the training ground, going through some notes he had done with the help of Azumi. She was more experienced in the sealing department than him and it was best to get some training done. That old hag had informed him that learning Fuinjutsu was a requirement for him to become head clan. Even if he does become Jonin, without the required skills, he wouldn't become the leader of the Uzumaki clan unless he was eighteen years old.

Jiraiya's eyes were focused on the marks that had stretched out around Naruto. It was complex stuff. The Toad Sage was curious about the markings; they had the unique signature of Uzumaki in them. Well, the redheads were the best when it came to seals anyway. He hadn't known that the redhead before him had come this far when it came to seals.

"What is this?" Jiraiya asked, kneeing down to look at the marks on the ground carefully.

"Work in progress," Naruto said, tilting his head to the side. "Who are you?" He asked in a curious tone.

The Sannin blinked when Naruto asked that. The redhead seemed rather serious about his question. If Jiraiya didn't know about the boy's ignorance he would have thought that the blond was pulling one on him. Yet, Jiraiya wasn't disappointed. He stood up and grinned before going through his poses as he introduced himself.

"I am the Legendary Toad Sage," the man started proudly, "Jiraiya-sama."

Naruto's eyes were not on the man's form; he had gone back to his scroll. He had no interest in seeing the man doing his ridiculous poses. "Interesting," the redhead said calmly.

"You like my pose?"

Naruto shook his head; the interesting past was that people were willing to believe him when he said that he didn't know something. He wasn't going to tell the man that. It was his discovery and he was going to keep it to himself.

"I didn't see it," the redhead said, almost killing Jiraiya. "When you stood up, I went back to my work. I actually know you. I'm not that ignorant that I wouldn't know the man who trained my father. He also speaks of you… the image is one that had eluded me," Naruto stated, the focus of his eyes on the scroll.

"I would've been shocked if you didn't know anything about me. That would have meant that Minato doesn't talk about me," the Sannin said.

"Or maybe he does and I just ignore that kind of talk," Naruto offered another alternative. "I don't know where my mother is, and my father is at the Hokage Tower."

Jiraiya blinked before shaking his head when he realized where the redhead was going. "What makes you think I came here for them?"

Naruto looked up at the Sannin for a few moments, with his head tilted to the side. "You're here for me then…" he said, smiling. "I'm all ears Jiraiya-sama."

"Finally! A kid who knows to respect his elders," the Toad Sage said happily. "What are you working on?" Jiraiya asked, his eyes going back to the markings around Naruto.

Naruto's smile widened slightly, "It's a secret," he said.

Jiraiya frowned, "Come on, I won't tell anyone. Besides, I recognize the gravity seal markings on the ground around here… are you trying to create a large scale gravity seal?"

Naruto looked on for a few moments, thinking. "Ah, so the word about you being a seal master is not exaggerated," the redhead said calmly. "It is something like that, but not exactly."

"What is it exactly?"

"I'm creating my field; there is a seal that enhances gravity, slowly absorbs chakra, and heightens my sensing abilities."

Jiraiya appeared to think for a moment before grinning. "Genius," he said. "How did you come to think of something like that?"

"The perfect defence; the weight gravity seals; my lack of sharp sensing abilities and the Sharingans ability to predict moves," the redhead stated calmly.

At the last word, Jiraiya raised an eye brow. "You know about that. So, I'm guessing you have come across those eyes and have been reading about them. I was told the Nidaime Hokage had done a thorough research into those eyes… you're using your library…"

"Use everything at your disposal to be better," Naruto said. "That is the only useful thing I learned from the academy teacher."

Jiraiya just nodded, his focus went back to the seal. "The perfect defence, huh? How is this going to work?"

"This is not the defence," Naruto said. "This just complements it. When I said a field, I meant it literally. I am going to create a field that slows down the opponent's movements, slowly absorbs their chakra so that they don't notice it. Also, the sensing part will be that it will be my field of vision. I can feel anything that happens… at least that is the plan."

"What is the perfect defence?"

Naruto merely smiled at the Sannin. "Something I'm perfecting," he said without going into detail.

Jiraiya frowned, but he didn't try to force the issue. "Something like this can't be perfect… once the opponent notices this; they won't try to get closer to you. They will try long range attacks, and I'm guessing this will have a time limit and since it is applied to the ground, you won't be able to move around. This means your own movements will be limited." The Sannin paused for a moment. "I'm impressed that someone your age was able to create something like this though."

Naruto shook his head. "I don't take the credit for this," he said. "I didn't create this alone. I came up with the idea and Azumi did the formulas… I'm just going through the finishing touches and practical application."

"That is still impressive for someone your age," Jiraiya said firmly. "The ability to create seals comes with the imagination to invent something and the understanding of the art. The fact that you're able to understand this means that you're adept to the tricks behind Fuinjutsu, but of course understanding doesn't necessarily mean the ability to create. Knowledge and practical skills are two different things."

"Apparently" Naruto said. "Then? I mean no offense, but I'm unable to work with you here, and I have to be out of here in an hour. I'm kind of obsessive about meeting my targets and everything runs on schedule. I'd rather not ruin it when there is chance for me not to."

Jiraiya stared at Naruto for a few moments before he settled down. "I'm here about your first kill and Minato's decision not to let you leave the village until you decides otherwise."

"Old matters," Naruto said with a wave of his right hand. "I have talked about the second matter a bit too much and after that talk with Itachi, talking about it again will be nothing more than an annoyance. What about the first matter?"

"You haven't really been talking to someone about it, and your father is worried."

"That is because there is nothing to talk about. My father just worries too much," Naruto said calmly. "There are no problems. I did what I did and that's it. If it troubles me, I will go ask about. For now, it doesn't because I have a good handle on what is going on in my head."

After saying that, Naruto went back to his scroll. He needed to get this done in time.

Jiraiya sighed. This didn't go in the way he wanted it to go, but at least he was able to get a look at the redhead. "I have an offer that will smooth things out," Naruto didn't say anything nor did he even look up to the Sannin. "If you want to go out and see the outside of the village, I will be more than willing to do it with you. I'm a Sannin; no one will be willing to attack me head on. My presence solves the problem of protection."

Naruto looked up at the Sannin with a smile. "That is an interesting offer," the redhead said. "Why are you offering it? It would certainly please me, but what about you?"

Jiraiya merely smiled, a bit sheepishly. "Since I'm your godfather, I thought it would be nice if I ease up things for you. Besides that, you are Minato's son. Minato was my brightest pupil."

Naruto looked at the Sannin for a second or two and returned to his work once again. Jiraiya sighed, but he didn't leave. He settled down and summoned a bottle of sake. He would need something to drink while observing the redhead. It was a bit too early and Kushina would kill him if she saw him drinking in front of her son, but he was ignoring him. What other choice did he have?

"Oh," Jiraiya said to get Naruto's attention but the redhead didn't look up to him. "There is actually something that brought me here," the Toad Sage said.

Naruto's eyes looked up to the man for a moment before he looked down on his work once again; the message was clear.

"You do know about summons, right? I hold the Toad Summoning contract; your father has signed it as well. I'd like you to sign it as well. Once you're ready, it will give you the ability to summon toads to aid you in the battlefield," Jiraiya explained smiling. "You'd be like the Third Generation Toad contract holder."

"Not interested," Naruto said. "There is no need for me to sign the contract. My father, and you already have it and I don't intend to follow your line, Jiraiya-sama. I wish to follow my own path. If you come back tomorrow, my answer will still be no. Now, can you please allow me to get back to my work?" The redhead asked a bit too nicely.

Uchiha compound

"Mother," Naruto said to his mother has he walked past the gates of the compound. He had not been expecting to come across the woman. He knew she was friends with the other woman, but he had never come across her at the compound despite his regular visits.

Kushina smiled when she saw Naruto. "Going off to training?"

Naruto nodded. "Good thing I came across you. Since I don't have training with father today, I won't return home today. I will stay here for the night," the redhead said to his mother.

Kushina frowned. This wasn't the first time that Naruto was doing something like this and it didn't make her happy. She wanted to her son to sleep at the bed she bought for him, but she couldn't really force him to come back. Naruto could be stubborn when he wanted to be and she didn't want to do anything that would drive him away.

Seeing Kushina's frown, Mikoto gave the Uzumaki a gentle squeeze on her right shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry, I will take good care of him," the Uchiha said calmly. "Now go on, they are waiting for you."

Naruto smiled, "Thank you," he said before walking away, hands inside his pocket. Even though he was told the others were already waiting for him, the redhead didn't run; he walked away in a leisurely pace.

Kushina turned around, watching her son walk away; she was still frowning. Mikoto's words had done nothing to comfort her. Even if the woman had not said anything, Kushina would have known that the she would make sure that Naruto was okay. That was not the problem though. The thing is that she wanted to be the one to take care of her son. Minato was the one who got to spend time with their son, but what about her?

"Does it bother you?"

"Admittedly," Kushina said with a nod. "Ever since the incident, I have not been able to connect with him. It has seemed like there is something in between and I can't really see him. Even though he smiles, sometimes it just feels empty."

"I understand," Mikoto said with a sad smile. "I will try talking to him tonight. He and I have a special connection."

Kushina raised an eyebrow at this. "What do you mean special connection?" She demanded suspiciously.

She had worried that Naruto would be driven into the hands of the Uchihas with all that they were offering him. It was a bit okay with Minato because he had the time with Naruto when both were training, but not for her. She wouldn't wish for anyone to replace her as Naruto's mother. Not even if that person was her friend.

Mikoto merely laughed. "I have seen his real smile," she said smiling. "He is sweet when you talk to him about what he wants to talk about. He is kind of selfish that way."

"I wasn't aware that you were getting familiar with my son," Kushina said.

Mikoto shrugged, a bit indifferently. "I can't say I have been growing familiar with him. Sometimes he comes in for his sessions; he has to wait for both Fugaku and Itachi. I normally keep him company."

"I see," Kushina said. "Our sons are growing a too fast, aren't they?"

Mikoto nodded in agreement. "But that is because both have a weight on their shoulders and without this training, they won't be able to withstand what is about to come. The situation inside the village and outside doesn't suit both clans, for that both must work in order for things to change."

"Change, huh?" Kushina said in thought. "I hope none of my children or grandchildren are forced to become Jinchurikis. If it wasn't really necessary, I would rather allow the Kyuubi to be out of our lives."

It was a burden to carry out the Bijuu and she didn't want anyone else to carry it. She had lived through it all holding it, but it would be different with the third Jinchuriki if they do end up choosing one. The problem was that since the Kyuubi went on a rampage, the villagers don't just fear it, they hated it as well. Anyone who was known to be the holder of the beast would be targeted as well.

Because the villagers didn't know who the beast was sealed into and if it was even sealed into someone again, they targeted their hatred towards the clan. It was good that they'd made the choice to hide the container of the Bijuu just in case something like this happened. Nobody had to know unless there was an emergency. That was had been forcefully agreed upon by the clan heads.

"Things will change, Kushina. They will," Mikoto said confidently and a smile for reassurance.

With Naruto

When Naruto walked into the training ground behind Fugaku's house, he found Itachi already working his father. It was possibly the first time that Naruto walked into the training ground and found both father and son training. He hadn't been late for the agreed upon time. The two had just decided to start without, not that Naruto was bothered by it.

A surprising thing his eyes witnessed were the Uchihas watching in the side lines as Itachi spared with his father. Naruto noted that the younger Uchiha had his Sharingan awakened. Thinking of the Doujutsu made Naruto frown. There had been a question that he had neglected to ask Itachi. It had to do with the Uchiha's Sharingan. According to the notes from Tobirama, to awaken the Sharingan, the Uchiha had to experience some emotional crap.

Perhaps his mind was being corrupted by the thought that the Second Hokage had in his mind. Naruto got the feeling that the man didn't really like the Uchihas at all. It was just a feeling and Naruto didn't try to understand it because those were the Nidaime's thoughts, not his. Uzumaki Naruto had his own thoughts about the Uchihas.

"That is enough," Fugaku said to Itachi, bringing their training to a halt. The Uchiha clan head looked towards Naruto and motioned for the redhead to come closer.

Naruto walked towards the two slowly and turned his eyes into the blood-red eyes that were watching him like a hawk. Naruto really didn't feel comfortable with those eyes watching his every step. He felt exposed and naked before those eyes. It wasn't as horrible and dreadful as the feeling he got when he was looking at the Byakugan.

That gave him a thought: he would have seal that placed on the Uzumaki compound's wall on him. The seal was made to block both the doujutsu's ability to see through chakra. He would need to have that seal placed on his body so that he could feel confident and comfortable.

Naruto looked at Fugaku and spoke. "I feel I'm being judged by those eyes looking at me," he said to the clan head.

Why were they even here in the first place? He liked to keep his training secret and his skills in secret as well. They would be exposed one day, he knew but with those eyes watching him, he wouldn't feel comfortable enough to give his all in training. Just the two of them watching him was enough. Shisui was not a problem as well. He did train with the lively Uchiha after all.

"You're not far off," Fugaku said to Naruto. "Not everyone is happy to see me spending time training you along with Itachi. Your father's request has also made things complicated and some members of the clan want to see if you're worth the effort."

If there was any good time to smile even when those eyes were judging him, this was the good time. Naruto let loose of a grin when those words fully registered in his head. What made him smile was not the thought of showing off, but the thought of someone thinking that he was not worth something, that he was not worth the trouble Fugaku went through to get him into shape.

Uzumaki Naruto was worth something.

"My worth, huh?" Naruto said smiling; eyes closed. It was by no means a happy smile, just an empty smile. "I really dislike when someone questions the value of my existence, but that is just another luggage that has to be dealt with in this world. There are prices you must pay for some things. Not everything is free after all."

Itachi just looked on with an expressionless look on his face. A part of him smiled hearing Naruto talk like that. It wasn't an easy task getting the redhead to look at life in all angles, but he was doing it and Naruto was beginning to talk as he should: That made Itachi feel proud knowing that the redhead was growing.

"I'm glad you understand," Fugaku said calmly. "Don't disappoint me," the Uchiha head said before he inclined for the three to come. "He is all yours." The Uchiha said to the three who had their eyes on Naruto, examining every inch of his body.

While they were doing that, Naruto looked at Itachi. "Where is Shisui?"

Itachi inwardly shook his head before responding, "He is on a mission, but should be back tomorrow or any day in the next three days."

"I see," Naruto said before turning to face the three Uchihas. One of them had stepped up and was standing in front of him, looking at him with an expressionless mask that most Uchiha wore. When faced with that, Naruto smiled, eyes partially closed, "Uzumaki Naruto…" the redhead said with a small bow of his head.

Both Fugaku and Itachi looked at each other and shook their heads; the former coupled it with a snort. If he was up for sarcasm, he would have allowed one to slip through his lips at Naruto's actions.

"Uchiha Inabi," the man introduced himself to Naruto. "I want to test you and see if you are as good as Fugaku-sama says you are. We don't allow outsiders in our clan, but in some cases we make take some exemptions. However, you must prove to be worth the trouble, if not, you won't be accepted into Konoha's Military Police Force."

Naruto's smiled widened slightly as he opened his eyes, halfway. "Really," he said calmly.

"There is one mandatory technique you must be able to execute. This is a first stage. If you cannot pass through it, then there will be no reason to go to the next," the Uchiha stated. "Show me the Uchiha's signature jutsu."

Naruto did two hand seals and held his hand around his mouth, creating an 'o.' It was all done in a leisurely pace and the man before him had raised an eye brow when Naruto only did two hand seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball no Jutsu!"

Inabi sped away when his Sharingan saw Naruto throwing his jutsu towards him. The redhead hadn't even bothered turning to the other side when executing the jutsu. He released it with the man in front of him. Inabi looked from the side as Naruto's crimson flames heated up the area. A minute of this and he would be sweating. The flames were extremely hot that would have been incinerated in seconds.

The Uchiha looked back at Naruto. He wanted to shoot the redhead a death glare for doing something so dangerous, but he found the boy smiling, an unnerving smile. Inabi looked back to Fugaku, who just looked amused. He frowned for a moment before looking back at Naruto.

"Why did you do that?"

"You wanted to see the jutsu and I wanted to see if the Sharingan is as great as I hear. That was shooting two birds with one stone. I had the utmost confidence that you would dodge it," the redhead said easily enough.

"If I hadn't dodged it?"

Naruto's eyes turned sharp as his smile stretched once again. Fugaku intervened before Naruto could say what he thought the redhead was going to say; it was something careless that would no doubt infuriate Inari.

"Move on to the next step. We have training to do after you leave," Fugaku said sternly.

Inabi composed himself. He really didn't want the redhead to take part in anything, but he had made a deal with Fugaku and he would have to go through it. "I was told that you were creating the perfect defence, show it to me and then I will willingly accept you into the Military Police Force. If you perform, I will even convince the others to treat you fairly."

"I will hold you for that," Naruto said, tilting his head to the side. He held his hands together and a chain burst out before wrapping itself around Naruto's body; seven more were formed and they all lined up around Naruto, forming like pillars. Naruto snapped his fingers and the chakra chains burst with flames. "It's not complete, not even imperfect; this is why I'm willing to show it to you. These flames will burn you if you touch them, Inabi-san… be sure to avoid them."

Inabi frowned. As far as he knew, those chains were unbreakable. So hitting them with all he got would just be a waste for him, and his energy. If the redhead was telling the truth, then he would have to find a way past those chains, all seven of them. It was unlikely because those chains seemed to be freely movable. Even if he does get past the chains, there was still another one around Naruto and the last one was used in conjunction with a barrier.

Not wanting to work so hard against a kid, Inabi swallowed his pride and looked at Fugaku. "He is as you say," he looked back at Naruto. "Welcome to the Military Police Force. Meet me at the top of the village's hospital at 9pm along with Itachi." The man disappeared after saying those words. The other two followed him.

Fugaku looked at Naruto with a small smile. "Your ability to mask your emotions has even fooled the Sharingan," the man said. "What if he had attacked?"

"That would have been a problem…" Naruto said with a smile.

Fugaku shook his head. "Work hard to perfect that technique of yours. You will need it soon," the man said. "You will do patrols from 9pm to 12am. I advise you not do anything taxing as you will both need your energy later on."

Itachi waited for his father to leave before he spoke. "Be careful with how you act around other Uchihas. Not all are smart enough to swallow their prides and you really don't want to wound an Uchihas pride… you will not be liked."

"Shouldn't you be saying 'we' are a very prideful clan?" Naruto asked.

"I'm an Uchiha, but I know what is important, just as my father and Shisui does. Inabi-san isn't so bad, just a little too serious," Itachi responded calmly. "Did Jiraiya-sama come to speak with you?"

By all means given his talk with the Sannin, Itachi had assumed that the man would go to Naruto after talking to him. It wasn't difficult to predict the main purpose of the talk. Naruto's responses were not that hard to figure out as well. The redhead could be simple at times, but that didn't mean that he didn't have his moments.

"He did," Naruto said in a quiet tone. "I wonder why people are all over my issue. You, Fugaku and Shisui have not bombarded me with worries and 21 questions. That has made me a bit comfortable, but other people cannot stop with the damn questions."

"You have to understand that they are worried," Itachi said calmly. "You trance was expected, but to suddenly come out of it with a smile after killing someone and the fact that you don't even talk about the ordeal to those who are your family must really worry them."

"I had a talk with Shisui when he violated my peace time and privacy," Naruto stated in a firm tone. "And I had another talk with the Sandaime. The old man explained things clearly and I understood them. What more is needed?"

"It is not whether you understand it or not. Clearly you have understood it, but the question is; how has it affected you personally. Killing can change people from good to bad; it can corrupt the pure and even wipe out the kindness on one's heart, especially for people our age."

"Nothing much has changed in me," Naruto said as his lips turned upside down. "I will admit that things have become a little cold in here…" the redhead added, the palm of his right hand on his chest.

"Nothing much, but even the slightest tilt in a person's character can cause the biggest changes. The thing is that you don't talk to people about it and so people don't know what is going on inside your heart. I have Shisui when I want to talk to someone, but although I can say we are friends, you don't much share your problems or burdens with other people," Itachi paused for a moment before adding. "Sharing does help people understand each other. When you share your problems, we are able to grow closer and will each other carry our burdens."

"Always the big talker," Naruto said with a shake of his head. "I like small things that are easy to understand. There is so much information in my mind that I would rather avoid complex things. But I do understand what you're saying…" the redhead said. "There is still time before we have duties with the Military Police… what shall we do to kill time?"

The Following Morning

It has been some time since Naruto actually spoke to the old hag that was before him… well, that wasn't exactly true. What he meant was that the times they spoke it was only greetings and both would get their way, minding their own business. Yoshino hadn't tried being a mountain before him. She had been a good Oba-san and Naruto liked the peace that was brought without her nagging.

Yoshino threw two scrolls at Naruto. The redhead caught then and looked at the old woman curiously. He didn't have to ask anything, his look said enough.

"That stupid girl told me you were looking into gravity seals and barriers. Those two scrolls should help you deal with that," Yoshino said, looking stern faced. "By the time your father allows you to leave the village, you should be able to either perform, understand thoroughly a sealing technique used for Bijuus; you must have invented a seal of your own: it must not be worthless. If you cannot tick the boxes, the clan will forbid you from leaving."

Naruto frowned. That wasn't an impossible task but he hated the fact that he couldn't control everything about his life. There was no freedom. His damn life was being control by the terms that were placed before him.

"I will see that I don't disappoint," Naruto said calmly.

Yoshino didn't question the lack of a smile from Naruto. "That is what is expected of you," the old woman said before turning away from Naruto.

After a minute, Azumi walked in the room with a smile. "Nothing too troublesome this time, I hope," she said.

Naruto turned to look at the teen; he gave her a long stare that made her feel uncomfortable. "I will be earning a salary from the Military Police and with the funds I currently have, we can afford a place outside the compound. The restrictions here are starting to get to me. I will need a place of my own that I will use when I need some freedom and peace."

Azumi frowned. "You'd need to speak to your parents first… what about Karin-chan?"

"I never said anything about leaving the compound. I said I needed to find a place that will be like my hiding place. My dear sister is not forgotten and I need the library of this compound. I will still be making regular visits."

Uchiha Compound

Itachi was in the training ground when Shisui walked up to him looking a bit worn out. The younger Uchiha assumed his friend had just returned from his mission. "Tough mission?" Itachi asked as Shisui slumped on the ground beside him.

Shisui nodded, "Yea," he said. "Lost a teammate yesterday. The power of my eyes isn't unknown and it seems that some people will do anything to get their hands on them. I am facing threats even in the village."

Itachi's expression turned serious. "Danzo?"

Shisui nodded. "He has been making moves, but I have not told your father yet. I know if I do, he will be more than ready to wage war against the war hawk. He will be within his rights to do so, but you understand that if we allow something like that to happen, there will be trouble, right?"

Itachi nodded. "Danzo will not sit back and allow father to attack him. This village will be caught in the crossfire and a civil war may just occur: that is the less likely scenario but it is possible. Danzo will fight and father will fight. The Hokage will have to pick sides."

"He will pick our side, and even if we manage to end things quickly, the villagers will feel the effects and will blame us for causing trouble when they were enjoying their peace," Shisui explained, looking up into the sky. "The clan cannot have that. This is why I will deal with this on my own. I cannot allow the clan to be dragged into this. I am just one person; this village and the clan are worth more than that."

"Are you sure?"

Shisui nodded. "I will need your help, but if something happens, I don't have to worry about anything because I know you are still in this village. You can never doubt yourself Itachi. There will be challenging times ahead, and we cannot be certain that I will be there to help you out. For this reason, you must help Naruto. Speaking of the redhead, how far are you?"

Itachi appeared to think for a few moments before he responded. "Shisui, have you seen Naruto's eyes?"

Shisui looked up at Itachi, trying to figure out what the younger Uchiha meant by that. "I suspect there is a deeper meaning to that question," he said. "Good question. I cannot say I have."

"Everyone who knows Naruto knows his poker face, but people have not seen his eyes. The eyes say a lot about a person. But Naruto hides what is in his eyes. He always closes them he is 'looking' at you. What is he hiding?"

Shisui pondered on the thought for a few moments before shaking his head. "Who knows? But I guess it is something that we will eventually see." Shisui paused as he thought of something. "You said people… have you seen them?"

Itachi nodded. "For a second though," he said. "They are frighteningly cold, but that doesn't mean that there is no kindness in him. I have seen him around my mother, and his family. I truly believe that working with lively people will grow that kindness."

Iwagakure

Sandaime Tsuchikage's Office

"Fool!" Onoki roared after reading the letter he got from Konoha. What were his people thinking? He had promised pain to anyone who did something like this and to think that someone would be stupid enough to take actions. There hadn't been any problems before, why now?

The Tsuchikage calmed himself as he looked down at the letter once again. It was really disappointing that a fool could have done this and failed. He wouldn't have complained if the man had succeeded. But to fail and die, leaving him to shoulder the blame was just unacceptable. He now had to face the consequences of such foolishness.

Oh, no wait, he didn't.

Onoki grinned; he had washed his hands on anyone going after Minato because of their hatred. He couldn't be faulted. It didn't matter if the person was his shinobi. The fact of the matter was that he had washed his hands and his people would agree with him on that one. That wasn't the only thing him; the fact that Konoha was keeping this under the wraps and were not making ridiculous demands meant the village didn't want trouble or they didn't have the strength to risk trouble.

Since the last war, Iwagakure has recovered a bit more than Konoha. The village had recently suffered more losses when the Kyuubi attacked the village. So, they would not want to risk going into war.

Minato was still to be feared, but one man alone could not take on two villages. Iwagakure wasn't the only village not in good terms with Konoha, despite their peace treaty; Kumogakure was another major power that was not in good terms with the Hidden Leaf.

Even so, both had no plans to wage war against Konoha. Even if they win that war, the Hidden Leaf would no doubt inflict massive losses to each of them. That was just how powerful Konoha was and the Tsuchikage was not stupid enough to underestimate that power.

Yet, Onoki wasn't going to offer an apology. He was merely going to send a message to say he had received their letter and would take steps to ensure it doesn't happen again. He would wait and see how Konoha reacts to it.

End Chapter

Unfortunately for those who wanted to see how the Uchiha run Internal Affairs of the village, we will not have that. Next chapter will be a time skip. Then another one after chapter 9 or 10… it will depend on whether the material I have for that chapter is significant enough to be put into a chapter.

Umm, the story was supposed to end at around 200k but given that we have yet to reach were the story starts in cannon, we may pass the mark.

I hope the chapter cleared the thoughts of a reviewer who asked about what Danzo said about Naruto's eyes.

The Omnipresent Sage