Yo..
I'm very happy with the support you guys have given so far. Thanks a lot.
I've got something which I want to discuss/share with you, since I want to know is it just me or do others share the same feelings as me on certain topic.
But that will be at the end of this update.
Enjoy the chapter...
Chapter 7
A Gentle Heart
The Nine Tailed Fox was a biju who had seen destruction, caused mayhem, murdered thousands, relished in carnage and misery of humans. But right now even he was at a loss of words, the picture in front of him sending shivers down his very spine.
It had been a very long time since he had seen this much destruction in a matter of seconds.
Where once stood the vast snowy plains stood a wide crater at least a 50 feet in depth and stretching up to at least 4 kilometers. Each and every inch of the land was robbed of every life form that had once stood on it, its soil covered in a bright red colored sheet.
A sheet made by the blood of the 2700 soldiers who were a formidable threat just a few seconds ago.
The sky was clear as day, the Bombing Fleet of the empire could not be seen anymore. Just the drops of blood that were falling from the sky was enough to suggest what had happened to the Empire's aerial forces.
His gaze shifted towards the person who had caused this carnage, the boy slowly landing on the ground. Naruto was extremely silent, blood was leaking from his mouth but he ignored the injury and simply stared walking through the crater.
Knowing very well, that he had massacred 2700 people instantly. Some might say his power was a blessing from Kami, but...
For him it was nothing but a curse.
An abomination that constantly reminded him of who he truly was, a blot on his soul that always destroyed any chance of him having a normal human life.
"Damn..."
Naruto completely dismissed his partner's amazed response, in the end even the Kyuubi did not understand that he hated all of this. He hated this bloodshed.
"If you were this powerful, then why did you kill them so easily. Why not take your time and kill them slowly, exact some revenge for your home?" asked Kyuubi curiously, and for a moment the boy flinched a little on hearing the question.
The Biju considered the boy's silence and the pained expression in his eyes, and the answer that came in his mind shocked him.
"You showed them mercy?" asked Kyuubi incredulously, a strange sense of anger passing through his heart.
"Yes"
"WHY?" growled Kyuubi furiously, his claws harshly grinding against his cage. If only the damn thing was not in the way, he would have ripped the boy apart for what was the most stupidest action in the fox's eyes.
For his part, Naruto stopped walking and just gave a small sympathetic smile to the blood raged Kyuubi, who was a symbol of wrath and vengeance.
"You won't understand..." said Naruto calmly, his eyes merely observing the thousands of metallic weapons that were mangled due to his attack.
"THEN MAKE ME UNDERSTAND!" yelled Kyuubi murderously, this was something he just could not understand. There had been no human since the Rikudo Sennin who possessed this much power, and yet opposed means of violence.
Madara was a man of power, and he did what was expected from a man who got his hands on too much power. The Uchiha destroyed everything that got in the way of his ambitions, until he was temporarily stopped by Hashirama Senju.
The Uchiha patriarch's actions left a deep impact on the fox, his hatred for humanity was increased due to Madara enslaving him, Hashirama enslaving him, Mito caging him, followed by Hiruzen caging him into Kushina and now this boy.
Everyone who gained huge power, never refrained from casting their will on others whether they be- people, nations, Biju, or even the entire world.
None of his previous hosts or the people who captured him, ever showed regret for their actions. Nor did anyone of them show their enemies mercy, and yet this boy...
"It's because people are the same. They fought for their justice, and I fought for mine" said Naruto patiently, somehow he sensed a deep pain behind the fox's angry demeanor. It was as if his actions had shaken the Biju's very beliefs.
"They destroyed your home, your people. Even then they deserve mercy?" asked Kyuubi with a deep frown clearly etched on his face.
"Did you come to understand what pain feels like?"
The fox was completely shocked on hearing that question, his eyes went wide as he felt something which he had never felt in centuries. Something which he had felt from only one man in the past. It just could not be...
"The pain of loss is same for everyone, Kyuubi. All of us are just ordinary humans, driven by revenge in the name of justice. It is this 'justice' that leads to the birth of hatred which goes on and on. It is very difficult to stop this hatred that has plagued this world since centuries, but a person can at least show mercy which is certainly in their power. Hatred can't be stopped by hatred, if a single one of us shows mercy then others will follow. In the past I believed people would follow me because I had power, that's why I dreamed of creating an empire.
...my intentions were to create peace, but it would have led to more hatred and violence. My power would have made me into someone which I never wanted to be." explained Naruto calmly,
"Like Madara?" asked Kyuubi silently,
"Yes"
"Is that why you died?" questioned a surprised Kyuubi, he had always believed that Naruto was forced to use the Shiki Fuin to stop him and Madara.
But the faint smile on the boy's face shocked the fox to the core.
The boy chose to die.
"I refused to become the person the mark (Moon) and the power was forcing me to be. Cerberus had told me that I would be the one who would destroy the ninja world despite my ideals of peace. And deep down I knew it was true, that I was person who had simply gained too much power. The power of kings isolated me from everyone else. I had realized what misery my powers would wreck upon the world had I lived, I would have become the very same person Madara is right now. My Empire would have been the same system which is currently terrorizing this world...
...and the people who I saved right now, would become the very same people who would oppose my tyrannic rule. They would be heartbroken and pained with my actions, and I didn't want that. That's why I chose my own destiny, made a choice that would save the world not only from Obito but from me as well. I died and sealed myself in hell in order to prevent the world from witnessing another destroyer" explained Naruto deeply,
The Kyuubi's anger disappeared and for the first time in his entire existence, he lowered his head in front of a human. The ancient Biju could simply not muster the courage to look at the boy because if he did, then it presented him the ultimate answer.
It showed him a reasonable explanation for everything that had happened, the promise which his father had made to him was perhaps being fulfilled.
Humanity had caused him and his breatheren so much pain, that his heart was simply refusing to accept the truth in front of him.
Naruto Namikaze was really the chosen one.
Still, it would take time for him to believe that the boy was the savior which his father had promised. The fox still needed an answer to one question that would really show him whether Naruto was truly the one the Rikudo Sennin had promised.
"How will you bring peace then? Answer my question in honest words, Namikaze Naruto..." said Kyuubi seriously, and looked the boy straight in the eye.
"True Peace is an illusion, it is a promise which even I can't fulfill in a 1000 lifetimes. What I can do is create a better world, a system which demolishes violence, and tries to prevent divide among humans. It's not perfect, but this is my answer..." answered Naruto honestly,
"Then why are you fighting with the Empire and Madara?" asked Kyuubi flatly, and this time Naruto gave him a pointed glare.
"My war is not with the empire, rather it is with the ideals and misery which they have wrecked over this world. They have stopped violence by simply instilling fear in people, their peace is fake and eventually the people will rebel. Power does not mean that you can suppress the weak and rule over them, true power means trying your best in taking everyone together. You may not achieve complete success, but that does not mean that you can simply impose your will over others...
...since I have already picked up my blade, there is no going back. My war had always been with the system and never with humanity itself. And there will come a time, when I will need your help" replied Naruto frankly, and looked towards his partner who had surprisingly been extremely silent during his answer.
The fox seemed quite touched with the explanation provided by the boy, however the ancient Biju refused to speak.
Sensing the discomfort and reluctance in his partner's heart, Naruto simply smiled and severed their connection.
"You'll understand someday, Kyuubi"
Mikoto and Kushina were shell shocked on seeing the giant crater in front of their base. There was not a single enemy trooper in the nearby vicinity, it was as if the hundreds of warriors of the empire suddenly vanished from the face of the earth. The entire area appeared to be struck by a giant meteor or a god's wrath.
The Konoha 11 also were quite surprised with this sudden attack that seemed to have wiped out the entire enemy force.
Even the Valkryie Squadron was gone.
Kenshin stood in a corner of the base, his veteran eyes scanning the destruction his student had caused. He really needed to have a talk with Naruto.
Their attention was disrupted when Rangiku instantly broke formation and ran straight outside the barrier. A look of panic and fear evident on the girl's face, as tears threatened to spill from her deep blue eyes.
"Rangiku, wait!" shouted Izumo, but she was long gone.
The Blacklight officer looked towards Mikoto, and received a firm nod from their leader. Soon the remaining members of the resistance started exiting from their barrier, albeit a bit cautiously.
They had to find out what had suddenly caused this massacre.
Mikasa hurriedly sped through the forests of the once known fire country. Behind her were several Blacklight platoon's along with 300 other resistance members. Hardly a formidable force, but this was the best help they could send for their ambushed comrades. Not only was Rangiku there, that base also hosted their previous Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki.
Along with several other prominent resistance members and civilians.
"Mikasa, if you are not able to repel the enemy forces. Get Minato-sensei's body, along with Kushina, Mikoto and if possible Itachi. Rest of the people are expendable"
She cursed Kakashi for the umpteenth time for forcing her into a such a position. But the kunoichi also understood the painful order which their supreme leader had to give. In terms of strategic value to the resistance, the mentioned targets were far more valuable than all the soldiers stationed in that base.
And her orders were crystal clear.
Rescue Kushina Uzumaki, no matter the costs. Even if it meant sacrificing every soldier of her army along with the people in that base.
"That won't happen, as long as I'm alive and kicking. The odds be damned..." thought Mikasa fiercely, as she tightly clenched her fists.
"Commander Mikasa, we are approaching the base. ETA 2 minutes" advised Genma seriously, as her gaze shifted towards her second in command and friend.
Years had not been kind on Genma, the former fourth Commander of 1st Blacklight company had lost one of his eyes. The destroyed organ was effectively hidden behind a small eye patch that had the old Konoha village symbol etched on it.
Genma had kept it as a reminder of his defeat, the boy had tried everything to protect Konoha from the Empire's army. However the odds were never in their favor, and losing Konoha despite Blacklight's best efforts took its toll on Genma. Even after losing one of his eyes and several friends while defending Konoha, the boy still blamed himself for the loss.
He resigned from his post as commander and as such she had to step in and take charge of her former unit.
She along with everyone else had tried to reassure Genma that Konoha's fall was not his fault, what could the boy possibly do when even Hiruzen fell in front of Madara and his brutal army. But the boy was stubborn just like every other men.
Just like him...
She felt anger increasing in her heart as a picture of a blonde boy passed through her mind. Her fists clenched so tightly, that some of her knuckles started to turn white in color, a menacing glare could be seen in her eyes and a frown was clearly etched on to her beautiful face.
Gone was the young 15 year old girl who was once madly in love with a certain Namikaze...
The only thing that remained now was a Blacklight commander, whose only goal was to defeat the evil empire along with Madara Uchiha.
Her appearance had also changed over these 4 years. Mikasa was now almost 6 feet tall, her silky black hair now reaching up to her back. Her face still looked the same and retained the delicate features which she had in the past. According to her, she still looked the same. But the people around were calling her a mini clone of Mikoto Uchiha.
And sometimes, even she had to admit that except for their different colored eyes. Mikasa looked exactly like a younger version of Mikoto...
But none of that mattered anymore. She had never cared about her looks, except for the time when she was with Naruto...
Namikaze Naruto.
That name brought a lot of bitter sweet memories to her heart. The man whom she admired, loved and hated the most in the entire world.
Admired him for the sacrifice he made in order to protect Konoha and their people. Even if it was for a short lived peace, his actions increased the respect in her heart for him as a ninja. Till the very end, Naruto remained loyal to the village and fulfilled his oath as a soldier.
Loved him for what he was. A simple boy who accepted her for what she was, including all her faults. Loved her and supported her at every stage of their life, and became the person with whom she shared everything and trusted with every fiber in her body.
And hated him for leaving her alone. For breaking the promise of being by her side, being her family for as long as she lived. He abandoned her, discredited her love for the greater good. And for that, she had never forgiven him.
Mikasa didn't know what exactly her feelings were for Naruto. It was not as if she had not tried to forget the boy and move on, even tried dating for a while. Alas, those dates never crossed more than the first or second meetings. Either she would dislike the guy, or vice versa. Or their personalities simply wouldn't match.
The only one who ever got close to becoming a potential partner was Genma, but the boy had refused.
"You still love him, perhaps you'll always do"
This was what the boy had said despite the extremely painful look in his eyes. She knew how much it would have hurt him to reject her, knowing he had always liked her from their first meeting in Blacklight Boot Camp. But in the end, Genma turned out to be right...
Despite hating Naruto from the bottom of her heart, she could never forget him.
He was her best friend, first crush, first love, and the only one with whom she had shared a deep emotional and intimate relationship. Naruto knew everything about her, but she could never know everything about him. He always lied to her, to everyone till the very end.
And it broke her heart.
She could still remember the events of that night- finding his mutilated body, discovering that he sacrificed his soul and was now sealed in hell, the funeral which was the second time for her, and the pain that came afterwards.
Naruto had given her great happiness and love, but he was also the one who had caused her unbearable pain again and again.
And even then she loved him.
"Mikasa, are you alright?" asked Anko in a concerned voice, and the girl didn't miss how her friend easily wiped the small tear that had slipped from her eye.
"I'm fine..."
"You need to get laid" suggested Anko frankly, and chuckled when Mikasa shot her a glare.
"Fine, fine no need to be so grumpy. We have approached the location..." answered Anko quickly,
It would be a cold day in hell before she had to face Mikasa's wrath. Anko admitted she was a little crazy, and loved teasing/having fun with people.
But she was not that crazy to poke the "Ice Queen" that was Mikasa Ackerman.
The former Blacklight was surprised when Mikasa suddenly stopped on a nearby tree branch. A collective shocked gasps were heard from their comrades, as they saw the massive crater that was in front of their eyes.
However Mikasa's eyes widened for an entirely different reason. A mad rage passed through her entire body as she roughly unsheathed her sword. Her comrades who were previously shocked were now terrified when her entire body got covered in chakra, the nearby trees started to be freeze into crystal ice as the Blacklight commander leaked a tremendous amount of KI.
Mikasa Ackerman was pissed.
No she was consumed by a terrifying blood lust!
In a flash, she charged straight towards a young, unaware blonde boy who was standing inside the crater.
Author's Notes: Evil Cliffhanger strikes once again.
Hope this chapter answered a lot of questions that were left unanswered in the prequel.
Manga Spoilers (This is merely a discussion and my personal views): Yeah, yeah we get the Naruto V/S Sasuke battle after so many years. I like it, but the sheer favoritism which Kishi shows Sasuke is what can I say...confusing. Is this really Naruto manga or Sasuke manga? Apparently Sasuke wants to murder 5 kage and be the new leader who creates a revolution.
Can somebody just tell this prick to get a brain first? He's a international criminal, and on top of that he believes he can easily murder 5 village leaders (Who are heroes in the eyes of their people) and thinks the people will cheer for him like fan girls and accept him as a leader?
I really wish Naruto kills Sasuke, but hey that's just a wishful dream.
Because Kishi will simply not allow Naruto or as a matter of fact anyone to kill Sasuke. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for the final battle but deep down I already know the end result. Naruto will probably defeat Sasuke, then talk no jutsu, then the little Uchiha prick will get pardoned of all crimes (Including attacking Kages, betraying his nation, attempted murder of several comrades, working with Orochimaru, need I add more?. All because of Naruto's EXTRA LARGE heart)
Guess what, Sasuke then becomes Hokage. End of story.
I am absolutely confident that Kishi created Rikudo Sennin's had a brother theory out of thin air, in order to let Sasuke be the good guy for a while. It makes you wonder why during the entire fucking series Naruto was said to be the chosen one, and suddenly in the end the glory has to be shared with Sasuke. Kishi tries so hard to favor Sasuke, grant him powers, make him look cool (while all he is a dick), if he had even directed half of these efforts in Naruto's training trip.
Our blonde hero would have been a BAMF, except for being a Rasengan/ Clone Spamming robot.
That's all from me.
Next chapter: Hell Hath no fury (Author's Advice: Better run, Naruto)
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