Chapter 10

Ghost of the Mist

The crunching of Naruto's footsteps was all that was heard on the snowy trail in Mizu no Kuni(Land of Water.) After leaving Uzushio, he had to do quite a bit of soul searching. And after many restless nights of foreign memories and contemplation, he had an epiphany...

Shivering in his mansion in Wave Country, Naruto couldn't sleep, 'When will it end?' He turned over in his bed, ' I never asked for this. I never asked to be the bearer of this curse.'

He sat up with a snarl, 'I can't even sift through everything efficiently to find the most prudent information...'

His eyes widened in realization, before he jumped out of his bed with a maniacal smile, 'How could I have missed such a simple solution? I'm such a fool for overlooking the obvious! There are a few theoretical problems involved, but this method will surely work!'

Putting his fingers into the iconic cross-shaped position, he muttered, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Shadow Clone Technique.)"

Five clones appeared instantly around him in a plume of smoke, 'I can only use five clones efficiently for this method, but this way I can sift through the information at five times the speed. I'll create another every five minutes and dispel it so we can avoid information another clone has already started to consume.'

It wasn't as easy as that though. A glaring issue sprung up during his months of recollection and training. The memories were like a river of water, and the fuinjutsu knowledge he desired was like pebbles lying underneath. He couldn't just bypass the water itself, he needed to wade and swim through it to get to what he wanted. This meant that he needed to view each memory in his way, which was an arduous task by itself.

Thousands of people were massacred in Uzu during the war, and all their experiences were now packed tightly within his brain. He knew that Shiro made the memories like a ship with a hole in it for a reason. If all the information had hit him all at once, he would have turned into a vegetable.

And while he managed to find plenty of techniques-fuinjutsu and otherwise-he found that the experiences the Uzumaki went through during their everyday lives were far more valuable. And it was during these times of viewing others life experiences that he came to a decision on his twelfth birthday.

He would use these memories for his own means. The Uzukage told him to use the information in anyway Naruto wanted, he just didn't want 'the will of the Uzumaki to die out.' And while he originally didn't care about the clan, he had to face the fact that the experiences of thousands changed him on a fundamental level. He was still Naruto Namikaze, but he had begun a metamorphosis.

Before, he loathed humanity. He would rather stab himself then help someone out of the goodness of his heart. However, he couldn't help but see the good side of people now. He never really thought about it because he never cared about his past emotionally, but his jaded outlook was due to his awful upbringing. Death...sacrifice...neglect...fear. All these things shaped him to become just like his puppets: hollow.

However, even if he was hollow he had dreams and aspirations just like any other human being. He has always strived for power, but what good was power without an outlet? The truth was, he now wanted control. Control of others so to keep them from becoming what Kiri and Kumo became during Uzu's destruction. And if such actions label him as a nefarious tyrant? Then so be it.

To do this however, he need allies. Even if he became the strongest being in the Elemental Nations he couldn't be everywhere at once. A limitation he sorely disliked to be sure, but a limitation none the less.

He was broken out of his thoughts when he heard a soft crunch of snow other than his own in the nearby treeline, "You have been following me for the last three hours, why don't you come out and show yourself."

After several moments a young, pale white haired boy came out from behind one of the many trees. He had two scarlet dots on his forehead, and carried an apathetic gaze, "How did you know I was here?" His voice was soft spoken.

The blonde nearly snorted, "To any shinobi worth their salt, elephant's feet like yours could be heard a kilometer away."

The boy looked at his feet in confusion, as Naruto tightened his kasa's straps, "What do you want kid?"

"Are you a Kiri shinobi?" He asked in response.

The blonde's red eyes narrowed as a memory surfaced, "I'm not, but more importantly you are part of the Kaguya clan correct?"

The child looked away, "Yes, I was..."

"Was?"

He nodded, "My clan was killed, and the bodies burned when they foolishly attacked Kiri. I'm the sole survivor."

Naruto shook some of the snow that accumulated on his hat off, "I see. That is quite the unfortunate outcome. What will you do now?"

The boy knelt down, before he started drawing in the snow with his finger, "I don't know. All I was ever good for was fighting. I was locked in a cage for most of my life because my clan leader feared my kekkei genkai, and he only ever used me to kill. I now have no purpose."

The Namikaze frowned, 'Fear, death, neglect, sacrifice...purpose.' He walked over to the boy, and saw that he drew- "A circle?"

A small smile graced his face, "Yeah, my only memory of mother is when she drew a circle in the snow and said: 'Everything comes full circle, son. If you are a good boy, you will be rewarded with good karma. But if you are a bad boy, only bad karma will come of it.'

Naruto lowered himself down onto one knee, "An interesting philosophy, but..." He drew a line from the center of the circle to the edge of it, "You make your own karma kid. And always remember, if you wish it, you can break its hold on you." He then drew the line to the outside of the circle, before standing again.

The boy looked shocked by the blonde's actions, as Naruto ruffled his hair, "You coming?"

He blushed from the contact, "What?"

The puppeteer smirked, "Well, either you can stick around with me and find your purpose, or you can throw your 'karma' to the wolves." A sudden distant howl caused the boy to wince, "Honestly, if you do survive, find me when you get stronger. You would make a good puppet."

The blonde then started walking away.

The boy looked conflicted as he stared at the Namikaze's back, but another howl caused him to quickly stand before running to Naruto's side.

Setting up camp for the night was quieter than he thought it would be. The stray he picked up was like a gravestone most of the time, "So, what's your name. I'd rather not call you 'kid' for the duration of our time together."

The boy stood up from warming his hands at the fire, "It's Kimimaro, sir."

The blonde smirked, as he put his hat onto the ground next to him, "Good name. Mine is Naruto. Just Naruto, okay?"

He nodded, "Okay, Naruto-sama."

The puppeteer sighed, "I said just Naruto, but if you find that you should hold me in such high esteem, you can use 'sama' when we are around others. When we are alone however, it's just Naruto."

Kimimaro nodded in acceptance as the Namikaze laid on top of his bedroll, "Fuinjutsu is amazing..." He muttered.

The Kaguya tilted his head to the side, "Fuinjutsu? What is that?"

Naruto tensed, and exploded from his bedroll before grabbing the white-haired boy by his shirt "You don't know what fuinjutsu is!"

Kimimaro shook his head, "No Naruto-sa-I mean Naruto."

The blonde let go of him, before pulling out a scroll from seemingly nowhere, "Fuinjutsu is the greatest thing that has ever happened in the history of the shinobi world! It has allowed me to store multiple bedrolls so that you may sleep comfortably tonight! It allows you to do things no other could do without it! It even holds the universe together!"

The last of the Kaguya looked awed, "Really?"

Naruto's eyebrow twitched, "Well, not that last part, but the rest is true." He then unsealed a pillow, before placing it onto his bedroll, 'Wait, where did that puerile behavior come from?' He groaned, 'These memories are going to be the death of me.'

Kimimaro adopted a thinking pose, "You are strange, Naruto-sama."

The next day, they continued to trek on the furthest island from Kirigakure no Sato. Kimimaro hadn't asked where they were going out of respect, but he was growing antsy, much to the blonde's displeasure, "Spit it out already."

The Kaguya jumped from the sudden noise, "What?"

Naruto sighed, "You have been squirming since we started walking, what is it?"

The white-haired boy looked down in shame, "I'm sorry Naruto, but where are we going?"

The puppeteer sighed again, "It's fine Kimimaro-kun, don't worry about it. As to where we are going? Well, we are going to gain our first ally."

The boy looked confused, "Ally?"

Naruto smirked, "Yes, my sources tell me that this is the area they have retreated to," He then took off his kasa, before unsealing a porcelain mask with a single horizontal slit where the eyes should be. He placed it onto his face, and then henged into an adult version of himself. Several different colored seals glowed on his body, before they disappeared, 'This will hide my identity, and these seals will stabilize my illusion. Nothing barring a Hyuga can see through me now.'

"Several shinobi are coming to capture us, but do not be alarmed Kimimaro. All is going according to plan, okay?"

The Kaguya stiffly nodded, as they waited.

Not a minute later four shinobi shot out of the treeline, before landing in front of them, "You will be coming with us." One of them said confidently.

The puppeteer scoffed, "You are out of your element." Two shadow clones ripped out of the ground behind the ninja, before all three sped through hand seals, "Three Prong Blue Formation!"

The shinobi went to attack the blonde, but were stopped by a wall of chakra that formed in front of them. Kimimaro stared in awe, as he saw a pyramid of blue energy surround the four wide-eyed ninja, "What is that Naruto-sama?"

The Namikaze chuckled, "This Kimimaro, is the three prong blue formation technique. It is the weaker parent jutsu to the four violet flames formation, which is strong enough to contain Kage level shinobi. However, this barrier will be sufficient to restrain the trash in front of us." The blonde deepened his voice to make himself sound older.

The shinobi snarled, "Let us out!"

Naruto snorted as he went though a series of hand seals, "No." He said, before placing his hands on the barrier. The pyramid radiated light, before the ninja were suddenly electrocuted by thousands of lightning bolts that arched off the barrier. They screamed in pain, as the lights reflected off Naruto's mask, as well as the surrounding snow. After several seconds the pyramid disappeared, and the shinobi's smoking bodies fell to the ground.

The last of the Kaguya didn't bat an eye, "Are they dead?"

"Nope, they are unconscious which is much more helpful."

Kaigo Bunrai was not a happy camper as he came to. Being beaten is one thing, but being absolutely dominated was another, and his pride suffered for it. Opening his eyes, he came face to face with the white-haired kid from earlier. He tried to move, but a generous amount of ninja wire prevented that from happening.

"How is he doing Kimimaro-kun?"

The boy turned around, "He still looks useless to me, Naruto-sama."

Walking up to the restrained shinobi, the blonde chuckled, "Remember this Kimimaro, no one is 'useless.' Everyone has something useful to provide to someone, even this poor excuse for a shinobi."

The Kaguya nodded his head in acceptance, while the ninja struggled against his bindings, "You wont get anything from me you pricks! I'd sooner die than give information to a bunch of cowards like you!"

Kimimaro's stoic gaze turned back to Naruto, "Are you sure he is useful?"

"Hey!"

The puppeteer sighed, "Yes, now let's get started..." He formed a ram seal, before closing his eyes in concentration. A massive spike of chakra was followed by a blue aura that started to form around Naruto.

Gulping from the display of power, the shinobi went to plead, but was silenced as the blonde latched his now glowing hand onto his head, "Uzumaki Hiden: Acumen Extraction Jutsu(Uzumaki Secret Tradition: Acumen Extraction Technique.)" He mumbled, before the man's eyes turned white and his shoulder's sagged.

Kimimaro watched on with interest, and was reminded of a conversation he had with the blonde earlier.

"What are you going to do with them?" He asked while following the Namikaze.

Naruto blinked, "I'm going to forcibly extract the information we need from one of these shinobi."

The Kaguya's brows furrowed, "You are going to torture them?"

The puppeteer shook his head, "No, I'm going to use a technique which can take the information right out of their brain."

"Is that even possible?" He found it hard to believe given his inexperience with the more esoteric ninja arts.

The blonde scoffed, "Of course it is, almost anything is possible with chakra. In this case, this jutsu isn't much different than the Yamanaka clan's mind-centered techniques, only just not as strong. You see, the Yamanaka techniques can get every bit of information from a target, even things they do not remember themselves. So, given enough time, they can know everything about you. The jutsu I'll use however, can only delve a few hours at the most into their memories. On top of that, it is extremely taxing on the reserves, and has the potential of killing me if I'm not careful."

Shaking his head, he noticed that Naruto was finished with his technique.

The blonde released his hold on the shinobi, before turning toward his companion, "I know where their base is; I'm going."

The Kaguya narrowed his eyes, "Shouldn't you rest first Naruto-sama? I thought you said that jutsu was taxing."

The puppeteer formed a half ram seal, causing a large blue seal to glow on his chest, "I can replenish my reserves with a Chakra Wakagaeri Fuin(Chakra Rejuvenation Seal). It's not as effective as a soldier pill, but is far more safe.

Kimimaro nodded, before he went off to get ready for his part, while Naruto sat down on a nearby log, 'If everything should go the way I hypothesize, I will be on my way to making my first major ally. I just hope the rebels are as desperate as I think they are.'

Deep underground in the farthest corner of the Land of Water, twenty one year old Mei Terumi's pace was brisk as she opened the wooden door to the war council. Here, all of the rebel's major decisions and attacks are formulated, "Okay, today I wish for us to make some actual progress, and not bicker like fools for five hours straight." She said standing in front of the map of Mizu no Kuni.

The room they were in was large, but spartan. Other than Mei, three generals were gathered around the map with varying expressions of annoyance, "Mei-sama, we need to recruit more shinobi, we won't last with only a few hundred." One Jinin Akebino said. He was a former member of the seven swordsman of the mist, who wielded the Kabutowari.

"And where do you suppose we get these men? Not only do we have to tread carefully to find these shinobi, but we also have to do complete background checks on these people so we know they aren't spies. This naturally turns them off from our cause!" Ao said. He had two paper talisman earrings that had the kanji for 'to hear,' on them. He was a former ANBU member who had an implanted right byakugan eye underneath an eye patch.

A fist slammed on the table, silencing them both, "Didn't you hear what Mei-sama said? No bickering this time." Mangetsu Hozuki said calmly, before retracting his hand. Another former member of the seven swordsman, Mangetsu had shoulder length white hair and purple eyes.

The Hozuki clan member sighed, "I wish that Zabuza didn't go off to try an assassination attempt on that bastard Yagura, we could definitely use him now..."

"But, what about me?"

Everyone's eyes snapped wide open, as they all turned to the corner of the room. Naruto's porcelain mask greeted them, "What's the matter? It looks like someone walked right over your graves..."

In an instant weapons were drawn, as Mei stepped forward, "I didn't think Yagura would catch on so quickly. It's unfortunate that I have to melt you now."

"I have several of your shinobi hostage, if you wish to see them again I suggest you stand down." The blonde's tone was grave, as he leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed.

Jinin scoffed, "Why should we believe you!" He gripped his axe and hammer tightly.

The puppeteer sighed, "Kaigo Bunrai, Shinra Yamamoto, Seizo Mizuko. Do these names ring a bell. How about this, Kaigo was a student of yours Ao, was he not?"

Not taking his eyes off the masked figure, Ao nodded, "He was."

Naruto cracked his neck, "Then you should know that you sent him and his little squad out on patrol a few hours ago. You refined his sensory abilities, and he is one of the few who knows about your byakugan implant under that eye patch..." 'And I'm glad I caught that little tidbit too, or else he would be seeing right though my illusion, and my mask. Thank you fuinjutsu!'

The room's occupants were stunned by his knowledge of the heavily guarded secret, while Ao scowled, "He is right, Mei-sama." He said reluctantly.

Mei considered her options for a moment, before smiling, "You are quite the manipulative little thing, aren't you?"

The blonde merely waved his hand, as Mei spoke, "Very well, tell us your piece."

The Namikaze smiled under his mask, "I've come here, because I hold the key to defeating Yagura."

Mangetsu grunted, "And I'm guessing you are also a jinchuriki? Because alone, only Kage's and other jinchuriki could stand up to him." The Hozuki's voice was calm, but the dangerous edge to it was not lost on Naruto.

"I'm a fuinjutsu master, who could seal the beast before the Mizukage could even use its power. On top of that, I can use my mastery of the sealing arts to decimate the unsuspecting Kiri forces, due to it being such an esoteric art. I'm willing to lend a hand..."

Mei ran a hand through her long auburn hair, "What proof do you have that you are in fact, a master at fuinjutsu?"

Naruto actually laughed, "Just ask Ao, he has been trying to see through my attire since I revealed myself. I don't swing that way by the way."

If it wasn't such a tense situation, Ao might have been indignant, "It's true, the byakugan can see through anything, even chakra. I can see the countless seals littering his clothing, but I cannot see underneath it." He said in response to Mei's gaze.

"On top of that, how did I manage to get all the all through your base, before entering the room with the strongest shinobi in the rebel-force undetected?" The puppeteer asked with a smirk.

The rhetorical question was unanswered as he continued, "I'm no master of stealth, I can assure you of that. However, I don't need to be, for fuinjutsu can completely hide my chakra signature, and futon manipulation can reduce the sound I make. Even if you do not find my fuinjutsu useful-which you will-I can always be the perfect spy."

Silence blanketed the area as Mei contemplated the pros and cons of either decision.

"Oh, and just a reminder for posterity's sake, since I'm aware you already know this..." Naruto said, causing some of them to tense, "Your force numbers in the hundreds while Yagura's numbers in the thousands. On top of that, no one will be coming to your aid due to the war on the mainland. What I'm offering is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and your people, Mei-san..."

Kimimaro sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time since Naruto left. He was tasked with watching over, as well as protecting the three captured shinobi. However, such a task was incredibly boring to the young boy.

'I'm grateful that Naruto-sama took me in, but I feel like I'm not helping him as much as I could.'

"Hello, young one." A sickly voice said from behind him.

Spinning on a dime, he saw someone he thought he would never see again, "It's you..."

A slim man stood several meters away from him with a smile. He had long black hair, pale skin and yellow eyes, "Young Kaguya, I would like you to come with me."

Kimimaro furrowed his brows as the snake-like man spoke again, "You wish to see the truth of this world, do you not? I can give you power, purpose and even the truth you desire. What do you say, child?"

If it were only a couple days earlier, the boy would have gone with him in a heart beat. An image of Naruto ruffling his hair flashed through his mind, "I've already found my purpose in life, I do not require your intervention."

"You've made the right decision Kimimaro-kun, this man would have perverted your existence."

The man's eyes widened, as you turned to find Naruto standing behind him, 'How did I not sense him?' "Oh? And what makes you so sure?"

The blonde's mask gave nothing away, "You are Orochimaru of the sannin; a runaway from Konohagakure no Sato. I hear you were ran out by Minato Namikaze. To escape him, you must be really slippery."

Orochimaru scowled, before it was replaced by a sickly smile, "You sound so confident, what is stopping me from killing you and taking this boy?"

Naruto scoffed, "Us S-class shinobi usually have our own agendas, but I didn't think you, the infamous genius of the sannin would be so careless..."

The snake-summoner looked confused, as the puppeteer smirked, "Would you really risk a fight with an unknown for a mere child? I may lose, but our battle would gather quite a bit of attention..."

Orochimaru narrowed his reptilian eyes, as a powerful killing intent exploded out from his person. The blonde tensed, as the surround trees billowed as if a light breeze was affecting them. Kimimaro fell to the ground with wide eyes, as Naruto appeared in front of him in a burst of speed, before pushing back with his own power. Nearby wildlife was instantly killed while the Namikaze gritted his teeth.

And as quickly as it came, it had left, leaving Kimimaro panting, while Naruto fought not to breath out of his mouth.

"Hehehehehe!" The sannin's sudden laughter caused the blonde to scowl under his mask, "That was impressive masked-man, very few could stand up to my power like that. And while I'm sure I could kill you, I think I've stayed in this retched country long enough."

Orochimaru gave a wicked smile, "Keep this in mind though: I'll be watching..." His laughter echoed across the clearing, as he disappeared in a smokeless body flicker.

After several moments, the Namikaze fell to one knee, breathing heavily, 'I don't know how I did it, but I managed to bluff my way through that debacle.' Sweat clouded his vision, 'He would have picked me apart if we fought...'

Two small arms suddenly rapped themselves around Naruto, "Kimimaro, what are you-"

"Th-thank you."

The puppeteer's eyes softened at the small voice, "You-I-eh." He sighed, "It was nothing Kimimaro-kun. Now come on, we now have a warm place to sleep now at the rebel headquarters."

Easy peasy! I know I just posted a chapter a couple days ago, but this one was FAR easier to write. I also was not happy with the quality of my last chapter, so I thought I would rectify that by posting another addition to my story. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it!

Now, Naruto has finally found a goal in life other than power. I wanted to show his personal growth, from a broken child, to an angry boy who wanted nothing but power, to now, a teen who wants control of life.

I always thought Kimimaro was wasted in canon, so I thought it would be interesting fleshing him out as a character. I always disliked the whole, 'I serve only for Orochimaru-sama!' Mentality as well.

Responses

Batros940: "I really think it was a waste to have the kage fight in this chapter, it serves no purpose to further the story. Especially when Naruto isn't even there to learn what's going on. If you somehow had a shadow clone of him there to watch some of it if he was curious about his father I could understand that but to also have Naruto that close by to Minato and Jiraiya and neither one noticed him. Which I can understand once he is in the chamber where he gains all that knowledge, but that they don't sense him before when he is fighting the Kumo shinobi they should have noticed his chakra then, at least Minato should have. I would to see Naruto actually start planning what he is goals are instead of doing things without a plan. It just doesn't seem to fit someone as meticulous as you made Naruto out to be. How about some info on Naruto's mother that's something you haven't said anything about since you first mentioned her."

The Kage fight served the purpose of showing that a war was going on around Naruto. A story that blocks everything but one person's perspective can work, but I don't like that as much. Also, just because someone isn't there to view something, doesn't mean I can't write about it.

Naruto was many many kilometers away when he fought that Kumo shinobi. Yes, Minato can sense even further than that, but only if it is a massive influx of chakra, like when Naruto used his biju-chakra modes in canon. And while you can argue that he could have still sensed Naruto even though our favorite blonde didn't actually use any high chakra usage jutsu(His missiles used fuel emissions) He didn't. I thought what I did made the most sense, and we will just have to agree to disagree on that subject.

Naruto is an eleven year old boy who has been through a lot of terrible crap. He is incredibly intelligent, yes. However, he was, at that point, very lost. He didn't really have any concrete goals, and this put him in a precarious mental state. I tried to show that through the story, but I guess I'll have to try harder. I apologize for that.

Naruto's mother will be revealed later on.

Glossary

Mizu no Kuni(Land of Water.): A country with one large island, that is surrounded by smaller land masses.

Jutsu

Three Prong Blue Formation: A barrier technique, that requires three people in a triangle formation to use. It is strong enough to withstand jonin level shinobi, but weaker than the Four Violet Flames Formation Technique which can hold Kage. B ranked

Uzumaki Hiden: Acumen Extraction Jutsu(Uzumaki Secret Tradition: Acumen Extraction Technique): A secret jutsu from the Uzumaki clan, that can be used to extract information from the target. It is extremely taxing on the reserves, and can kill the user if they are not careful. A ranked

Chakra Wakagaeri Fuin(Chakra Rejuvenation Seal): A powerful seal, which the user can store chakra into over time. When it is filled, tthe user can they activate it to replenish their reserves. It is not as potent as a soldier pill, but it does not strain the body. B ranked

Stats

Naruto Namikaze

Ninjutsu: 5/6

Taijutsu: 3/6

Genjutsu: 3.5/6

Bukijutsu(Weapon technique): 4.5/6

Intelligence: 5.5/6

Strength: 2/6

Speed: 3.5/6

Stamina: 3.5/6

Hand Seals: 4.5/6

Total: 35

Kimimaro Kaguya

Ninjutsu: 3/6

Taijutsu: 3.5/6

Genjutsu: 1.5/6

Bukijutsu(Weapon technique): 3.5/6

Intelligence: 2/6

Strength: 2/6

Speed: 3/6

Stamina: 3/6

Hand Seals: 2/6

Total: 23.5

Orochimaru

Ninjutsu: 6/6

Taijutsu: 3.5/6

Genjutsu: 5/6

Bukijutsu(Weapon technique): 5/6

Intelligence: 6/6

Strength: 3/6

Speed: 4.5/6

Stamina: 3.5/6

Hand Seals: 5/6

Total: 41.5