Disclaimer: I do not in ANY WAY own Naruto or Naruto: Shippuden.
A/N: Here we go! A chapter I've been longing to write, and it's finally here! Hope you guys enjoy!
Also, please review!
And Naruto couldn't be happier than he is right now. Konoha is safe. Tenten is recovering. Nobody else is hurt. They don't care that he's a jinchuuriki. And he has a girlfriend.
His life really is turning around!
To Be a Ninja (Chapter 25)-Truth
Three Days Later
Naruto's P.O.V.
"I can see why you loved this place, Sasuke! That was delicious!" I say as we leave the restaurant Shikamaru brought him to on their first date.
Hinata and I went on a double-date with Shikamaru and Sasuke to the tomato restaurant. I was a bit skeptical - tomatoes are good but to have a whole restaurant centered around them seemed a little strange - but it really was good and I'm glad we went.
"I still can't believe I never heard of this until Shikamaru brought me here. I would have come here every day - fuck, I sound like you Naruto and your obsession with ramen..." Sasuke says, laughing.
"At least an obsession with tomatoes is healthier than ramen." Shika says, and I gave him a face of betrayal!
How could he say such a terrible thing about ramen?!
"Oh, calm down. We love you and your ramen." Hinata says, grabbing my hand and locking our fingers.
I still can't believe she's my girlfriend...and that she's loved me for years. How could I have never noticed? All the times she used to faint around me, when she didn't stutter when only talking to me...I just never made the connection.
We all laugh at that, and Shikamaru and Sasuke start to hold hands as well. The four of us start walking down the path in the direction of the park. We don't need to say any words, as we just enjoy our partner's presence and being with our friends, when someone jumps down in front of us.
Based on the gray suit, and the porcelain sheep mask, we all know its Anbu.
"Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, Hinata Hyuuga - your presence has been requested by Lord Hokage. If you would come with me?" The man with black hair tells us, and we look to each other.
"What a drag. Sorry to cut this short, Sasuke." Shika tells Sasuke, who of course understands.
The three of us follow.
When we enter, we see Lee, Ino, and three empty chairs in front of the Old Man's desk. Our escort had left without a trace, and the three of us sit down in a chair.
"...What do you think this is about?" I ask.
"Well, we were all in the finals, except for Hinata. And she was off saving the whole entire village. I would have said this would be about Chuunin promotions, but Hinata never made it to the finals." Shika says, and that would have been a good guess otherwise.
"Whatever it is, I'm happy to see you all again! And that you're out of the hospital, Naruto!" Lee says, and that reminds me to ask him something.
"Lee, how's Tenten doing?" I ask.
Before I left the hospital two days ago, we were told that Tenten had woken up after her surgery, but that she still is going to be out for months while she recovers.
"She's doing amazing! She remembers all of us, and she's talking to Gai-sensei, Neji, and me. The doctors say she'll still be recovering for a few months, but that's okay because she'll be okay." Lee says, stars in his eyes.
And I'm so happy that she's okay. What happened to her was unforgivable, and I just hope that what I said to Gaara made some sort of change in him.
I still have no idea where Pervy Sage is. After all that happened, I thought he would have come to see me by now. I know he told me he does a lot of special work for the village, but I guess I just hoped he would have taken a few minutes out just to see me.
Maybe he really does just see me as someone who needs to be protected, with me having the Kyuubi. Someone who needs to be powerful to stay alive and that's it. Maybe what he said about me having the skill to learn what he knows about sealing, and all his praises...maybe he was just buttering me up.
And I haven't seen the Kyuubi since I asked him if he had a name. That reaction he had...if I had to take a guess, he does have one but doesn't want me to know. I have no idea why either - it's just a name, right? And wouldn't someone rather be called by their name than just a part of their body?
"Ah, sorry to keep you all waiting. Something came up on my way here that I had to take care of." The Old Man says as he opens the door, walking in and sitting down in his chair, taking his hat off and smiling at us.
"You must be wondering why you were called here so suddenly. I hope I didn't interrupt anything - you young people are growing up and finding your ways, new friendships, and love, and learning who you are. But, I digress. Call it the envy of an old man who wishes for some of that youth back..." The Old Man trails off.
But those things he listed really do describe us - Shikamaru found love with Sasuke, and Hinata and I found love with each other. We're all making new friends, and we're all learning more about ourselves and each other.
But does he really know that much about us? It's kinda weird...
"Anyway, I have called you five in here because as you all know, we just had the Chuunin Selection Exams. And though the final match was interrupted, we still had the exams and can't pretend they didn't happen. So, as I say your name, please stand up." He says, smiling at us and opening the box he brought in.
"Rock Lee." The Old Man says, and Lee stands up instantly. "Lee, you have demonstrated tremendous tenacity throughout your tenure as a genin. Two years of hard-work, discipline, learning, and bravery. You have also showed great dedication to teamwork and your fellow comrades and you directly assisted in helping save civilian lives. Rock Lee, I hereby grant you the rank of Chuunin." He says, handing Lee a green flak jacket.
That's amazing!
Lee totally deserves Chuunin! After everything he's been through - no ninjutsu or genjutsu - and the only way I was even able to beat him was to use my summons. Lee is amazing and he deserves it!
"Ino Yamanaka." The Hokage says, and Ino stands up, looking determined. "Ino, from what I have learned, you have completely turned yourself around. Your team started abysmally with team-work, but your mission taught you and your teammates the value of each other. You have shown considerable improvement in strength, wits, and your demeanor. And if I may say so, you were not expected to even pass the preliminaries. You defied the odds - you made a name for yourself. And you directly assisted with the search and rescue of Academy Students when Konoha was vulnerable. Ino Yamanaka, I hereby grant you the rank of Chuunin." He says, handing Ino a flak jacket too.
Ino deserves it too! She really did defy the odds! Not that I don't think she is strong, it's just that she seemed to be paired up against opponents who had such advantages over her. Temari was kicking her ass before Ino turned it around, and Ino was going up against a genius in Shikamaru.
But she pulled through and continued on, no matter how hard it was.
That's why Ino deserves it, and I couldn't be happier for her.
"Shikamaru Nara." Shikamaru stands up, looking as focused as he was during his matches. "Shikamaru, you have shown remarkable instincts, shown beyond impressive analytical skills, and as well as a physical prowess you were reported to have lacked in the past. Even though you didn't win your match, your planning and foresight are incredible skills that very few can measure up to. You are selfless - even as an Academy student you have aided your friends when they needed you. You never stop helping others, and when Konoha was vulnerable you showed that gain by aiding in the search as rescue of Academy students. Shikamaru Nara, I hereby grant you the rank of Chuunin." The Old Man says, handing my best friend - who looks so shocked! - a flak jacket.
Shika deserves this promotion. Though I know he'll hate it with the new duties and work - because my best friend is still incredibly lazy when he is able to get away with it - but I know that whenever is asked and required of him, he'll do it because he's amazing.
So far, everyone here has gotten a promotion. I think I see a pattern developing here...
"Hinata Hyuuga." And my girlfriend stands up, proud.
And she should be proud.
"Hinata, what can I say? First of all, thank you. I'm not sure if you know, but you're the reason I am even alive right now. You detecting Orochimaru's subordinates allowed Kakashi to weaken their barrier, which our shinobi were able to bring down just in time. So, thank you. And thank you for helping to save many of Konoha's structures - much more of the village would have been damaged if you hadn't alerted Kurenai and Gai sooner. You didn't make it to the Finals, however I believe you did win your match in the preliminaries and deserved to go to the Finals. Congratulations, by the way. You have grown so strong, so brave, so confident. You make everyone around you better. Hinata Hyuuga, I hereby grant you the rank of Chuunin." He says, handing her a flak jacket.
But...
She saved the Hokage?
She told us about the barrier and everything, but she never mentioned this! Unless she didn't know...
But that's amazing! She deserved it before - her victory over Neji before got screwed - but knowing that it's her actions that saved the leader?
MY GIRLFRIEND IS THE BEST!
"Naruto Uzumaki." The Old Man looks to me, and only smiles.
That same smile he always has, the one that always let me know that everything would be okay.
I stand up and look at him, and this is it. I have proven myself, and even the Hokage acknowledges me.
"Naruto, you have gone beyond expectations. Your personal growth is admirable, even to an old man like me. I'm so proud that the little kid I knew from the orphanage is such a strong ninja now with all these people in his life. You helped teach teamwork to others. You teach friendship. You're selfless - always throwing yourself into danger to protect your loved ones. You helped save Konoha from a lot of destruction and death when you defeated Gaara of the Desert." The Hokage says, but then that smile goes to a frown.
...What?
Did I do something wrong?
"I want to make you Chuunin. You deserve Chuunin. But, Naruto, I cannot. Not exactly." He says, his eyes never leaving mine.
And my own eyes start getting blurry with unshed tears.
What the hell does he mean he can't? He's the goddamn Hokage - he says I deserve it!
"Everyone - calm down. Let me explain. Everyone who was in the preliminaries had their name brought up for consideration. Only Ino and Shikamaru were confirmed between me and my council for promotion. Chuunin Exam promotions don't follow regular rules like field promotions - they have to be voted on when we're not in wartime. However, the Hokage is allowed two vetoes and can promote who they want. I chose to veto Lee and Hinata, because politics would never have let them get their fair share. If I had three vetoes, I would have given one to you too." He explains, and I close my eyes and a tear falls onto the ground before I wipe my eyes.
After that explanation, I get it. I really do.
The old stodgy council would never have promoted Lee, who cannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu. And with Hinata's clan politics and her being known as a 'failure' - bullshit - would have acted negatively for her too.
And he chose them over me, because that's exactly what I would have wanted him to do if he asked.
"You knew that I would have rather you pick them over me anyway, right?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. As I'm sure you will learn and have to face yourself, being Hokage means making those difficult decisions where somebody will be hurt no matter what." He says, and my head shoots up.
Did he...did he just say I'll be Hokage one day?
Does he really think I can do it?
"But you deserve more, Naruto. So I'm promoting you to a rank that hasn't be used in over two decades. This rank doesn't require anyone else but the Hokage's vote. Naruto Uzumaki, I hereby grant you the rank of Tokubetsu Chuunin." He says, pulling a flak jacket out of the box and handing it to me.
The cloth feels so...so validating.
"There isn't much different between the two ranks, but unfortunately you are not to be assigned any solo-lead missions. Your rank does allow you to take command if your co-leader is incapacitated or killed, but you cannot be an initial sole leader on a mission." He tells me...and that's it?
That's the difference between a Tokubetsu Chuunin and a full Chuunin? Leading a mission?
I can definitely live with that, then.
"Like I said, Naruto, you deserve to be a Chuunin. And you will have to make some tough decisions one day when I'm long in the grave. But I hope that this gives you some perspective." He says, smiling at me again.
I look to all my friends in the room. Everyone is smiling at me, because he said it again.
"Old Man...I understand. To hear that you really think I can be Hokage...I appreciate the lesson. And thank you for giving my friends the veto...I've proved everyone who's ever doubted me wrong so far, and I'll do it again with your old stodgy council who's probably too busy crapping their pants to understand that Lee and Hinata deserved it without you needing to do anything at all. They doubted my friends. They doubted me. We'll all show them that they're wrong." I say, and he laughs.
"Naruto!" My four friends - fellow Chuunin - berate me, but the Old Man keeps laughing.
"Thank you for making an Old Man's day, Naruto. But I'm not done yet. There's something else we need to talk about. Would everyone else please exit the room?" He asks my friends.
What?
"Wait, what's this about, Old Man? Is this a mission?" That's the only thing I can see him needing only me for.
"Somewhat. But that's not the reason." He says, and sighs. "It's about your family, Naruto. I want to talk to you about your parents." Wait...
My...parents?
"But you said...you didn't know..."
"I know what I said before. Now, would you all please leave so I can tell him the truth?" The Old Man...no, I can't call him that right now.
Lord Hokage, because right now I don't even feel like I know him.
"Can...can my team at least stay? Whatever you say to me can be said in front of them. They're my family, too." I plead, and I get a weak smile in response.
"Of course."
Hinata and Shika sit on either side of me, both holding one of my hands as I sit down in the center chair, and Ino and Lee leave with a say of 'good luck' because they know this is going to be a tough conversation.
"Let me just start. Your mother's name was Kushina Uzumaki. Your father's name was Minato Namikaze."
Their hands squeeze mine.
I haven't said anything. I just listened.
To how my mother was the Jinchuuriki before me. To how beautiful she was. To how my father was the Fourth Hokage. How he gave up his own life to protect the village and for me to be seen as a hero.
To hear how much they loved me.
To hear how Mom's best friend was Sasuke's mom, who wasn't allowed to take me in as a baby even though she begged to be able to.
To hear how Dad was Kakashi-sensei's sensei.
To hear how Pervy Sage was Dad's sensei.
To hear how I had a whole clan.
To hear how my clan was massacred by Stone for our sealing jutsu.
To hear how Lord Hokage threatened death to anyone who told me the truth - Kurenai-sensei, Kakashi-sensei.
(It makes sense now why Pervy Sage was so upset I learned about the Kyuubi so late. It also makes sense why pervy Sage wanted to teach me...but it wasn't only for me...it because of my parents...
To hear how everything I was ever told about myself was all a lie.
I can't believe it.
"Why did you lie?" Is all that comes out of my mouth.
"Naruto, I know this is difficult, but-" No, fuck that.
He does not get to just pretend he didn't lie to me for my entire life.
"No, please...don't do that. Why did you lie to me? My entire life. For fourteen years you lied to me. Are there any other lies you're keeping from me, my lord? First you lied to be about the Kyuubi - which I forgave you for. Lying to me about not knowing why I was so hated. But I forgave you for that because before Mizuki, I might not have been emotionally ready to hear the real reason why everyone had hated me. I get that, and I forgive you for that lie.
"But now I find out that you have lied and continued lying to me my entire life about my parents, my entire history. Everything that I've wanted to know - you have known and kept to yourself. I have been proving myself again and again and again for the better part of a year now, my lord, sir,so is there anything else you lied to me about?" I argue back to him, and he just looks me in my eyes as I yell at him.
But I don't let him answer.
"Actually, I'm not done. When were you even going to tell me about the Kyuubi? I had to find out from a goddamn traitor. Pervy Sage said you should have told me like eight fucking years ago. When were you going to tell me about Akatsuki? Were you just gonna let me put all my friends in danger because I didn't know?
"You never even asked me how I was doing after Orochimaru violated my body to give me this seal. Is it because the Kyuubi is taking care of it, you thought I wouldn't notice you never talked to me? Your old student assaulted me and my friends - and what, nothing?
"You didn't think of telling me any of this, not until you almost died, right? I'm no different than I was a week ago, really. Tokubetsu Chuunin or not, I am the exact same person I was, and you know that." I finish my rant, my anger barely in check.
(Hinata and Shika holding my hands are probably the only think keeping me sane enough to not go into my Tailed Beast Cloak.)
I know I'm yelling at the Hokage. I know if he really wanted to, he could kill me right now for insubordination. He could take away my rank.
I know he could do that.
But I also know that he won't.
Because I know that, despite all the lies and deceptions, he still cares about me. Not because I'm my Dad's son, but because he cares about me.
"You're absolutely right, Naruto. I made a mistake." He says after a few seconds of silence and then a long sigh.
Of all the reactions I expected...that's one I didn't expect. I expected anger, threats, silence, dismissal...not validation.
"And there are other lies. Lies that I cannot tell you the truth to. Cannot tell the truth to anyone, even though they involve you, and your friends. Like I said, Naruto, you will come to know just how tough this job is. How you will have to hurt people, just like how I have hurt you, even though I wish it didn't have to be.
"I did make a mistake in not telling you sooner. But I made no mistake in lying to you. The Fourth Hokage's child is something to be hunted. Telling a child before he's ready...he could accidentally tell the wrong people - spies. As much as we like to think so, this village is far from being safe from spies and intruders. No place is always safe. Do you understand that, Naruto? I know it doesn't make up for the pain I have caused you, the betrayal you must feel, but I hope that you can at least understand where I was coming from." He explains, and I calm down a little.
As much as I hate to admit it, that does make sense. Kids could be blabbermouths, and I might have been the same knowing that my idol was really my father.
"I...I do get it." I say, and I feel Shika and Hinata relax beside me.
"And this secret is now yours to tell, Naruto, just like the Kyuubi secret is. You are old enough and mature enough now to understand the consequences of who you tell about your lineage." He tells me, and I feel good about that.
It's my family. My parents. My clan.
I should be able to talk about it if I want to. It's a part of me. But it does feel good that he thinks I can handle it.
"Thank you, sir." I say back, grateful.
"There're two more things I'd like to tell you before I give you your time to process everything. First, there's something that Minato bequeathed to you the night of your birth. He asked me to keep it secret - away from his official storage. If I died, nobody would have ever known about it. It would have died with me. I don't know what's in it, but it's time the rightful heir claims it." He says, pulling something else out of the box he had the flak jackets in.
It would have been...lost forever? Not even Kakashi-sensei or Pervy Sage knows about it?
He hands me a single scroll, and I instantly recognize it as a storage scroll. It has a seal on it beyond the likes I have never seen, even with my training with Jiraiya, and I can't even imagine what it does.
"I would guess it requires Uzumaki or Namikaze blood to open it. I haven't tried to, nor do I intend to. It's yours now, Naruto." The Old Man says, and he puts the box on the floor.
"Thank you, Old Man. Thank you..." I say, and I have something that Dad actually left for me.
"I just regret it could have been lost. The second thing I wanted to tell you is that someone would like to speak with you - wants to have a conversation with you. Someone you know well." The Old Man says, and I am only puzzled.
"Wait, didn't you say there was a mission or something?" I ask, because he said that's part of the reason for wanting to make everyone leave.
"Yes, I did want to wait to tell you about that, but you do have a mission. C-Rank. You alone will be accompanying someone on a mission to convince a certain someone else to come back to the village. Details will come in a few days, and you three are not to mention this mission to anyone." The Old Man says, glaring at my best friend and my girlfriend.
Then his face softens, smiling at me.
"I know today was difficult, my boy. But it was time you learned the truth. And I'm happy that you have such good friends, all of whom want to look out for you. I'm so proud of all your growth, Naruto, and I wish you luck. Now, the person who wants to talk to you is waiting outside my door. Please talk to them." The Old Man says, and he's telling us that it's time to leave.
"I understand. And though I'm still mad at you, I appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you for Dad's scroll. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for letting my team be here to support me. Just...thank you." I am beyond words with my gratitude.
Hinata, Shika, and I walk out of the door and I see the someone waiting to talk to me, setting a few chairs down.
"Kakashi-sensei?!" I exclaim, not him to be the person waiting to speak to me. But considering what I just learned, and his history with Dad, I think I know what he wants to talk about.
"Yo!" He closes his orange porn book, and I see his eye-smile at me.
"You wanted to talk?" I ask, knowing how my sensei likes to play games.
"That I did, Loud Dirty Blonde." He says, using the nickname he gave me from our Training Trip a couple months ago.
Cheeky!
"At least my hair doesn't look older than Old Man Hokage's." I say, and all of us chuckle. "Hinata, Shika, I really appreciate you both being in there with me. You guys really are the best. But I think I need to have this conversation alone, alright?" I turn around and tell them, and they nod at me.
Out of respect for Kakashi-sensei and his relationship to my parents and their privacy, I'm asking them to go. I personally wouldn't mind having them, but I think it would be easier on Kakashi.
"Of course, man. If you need us, just ask." Shika says, grabbing my shoulder.
"Whatever you need. Love you." Hinata says, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
I turn to Kakashi-sensei, who is looking patient as ever.
"After you, Gray-Haired Perv." I say to Kakashi, who only waves his hand.
Despite our joking around, I am really looking forward to this talk. He knows so much about Mom and Dad.
Kakashi leads me out of the Hokage Tower and into the forest, and we stop at a large, beautiful stone filled with many, many names.
"Let me start by telling you about Team Minato..."
A/N: And that's a wrap for this one! I wonder how many people expected this to be the major change - which, by the way, is only the beginning...
This is the first chapter of what I am calling the 'Revelations' arc. After this arc, there might be only one or two arcs left before the story ends and I start the sequel.
I am very happy that someone on AO3 did manage to predict this change, or at least asked about it. I purposely didn't mention the Hokage because why would I have to if he were alive? ;)
In the coming chapters, there will be more changes. Some of them I only have a slight idea of how I want to do them, so that'll be fun to write!
I hope you all enjoyed reading this one! Stay tuned next week for Chapter 26!
Also, don't forget to review!