Just as a preface, there is a poll for the pairing possibilities for Naruto - I know some people have commented and I'll try to find them all, but there are a lot of other reviews, so it'll take me a bit.


Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Star Wars.


Naruto stared down Hagoromo silently, his hands slowly tightening and flexing as he tried to think of what to say first. Ask him how he got here? Tell him to get lost? Try to get answers? Deciding to follow his gut, he sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know what any of those things mean."

Surprisingly, Hagoromo smiled at that, softly chuckling as he moved closer to Naruto. "Don't worry, I'm willing to speak of that as well, should we need to discuss it further." Taking a seat near the center of the room, he calmly set his hands on his knees and waited. "I'd say take your time, but I'm afraid time will be running out very soon. I don't know how long this will take."

Naruto frowned at that, moving closer to him and slowly sat down. Unlike the other people he'd met, this man was being at least somewhat cordial, and hadn't made any oppressive moves. Yet at least. And, judging on his current track record of 2 to 0 in their favor, he wasn't risking a fight for the moment. Worse still, this man had apparently broken into his mind despite the mental – wait.

"How'd you get in here?" Naruto asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. He wasn't amazingly talented at blocking his mind, but he'd presumed himself good enough that if someone slipped in, he'd at least have felt something. But this man had simply 'appeared'.

"To be fair, it wasn't that hard." Hagoromo said, motioning to the Kyuubi. "Despite what you likely believe, this is not your mind. This is within a seal on your stomach, and as such, entering it was much simpler than entering your mind may have been. You have fairly good defenses for someone so young."

Naruto relaxed slightly at that, glad to know he wasn't wrong on that account. However, that meant there was a much more troubling issue of him having not realized that the Kyuubi could be affected by the Force due to him not blocking it. He'd have to find a way to fix that later. At least, he'd need to if the Kyuubi could even be affected by the Force. He'd never really had a chance to find out things like that; or return to ask questions like that either.

"Hagoromo…" The Kyuubi said softly, eyes almost distant as he stared at the man with a familiar glint to his eyes.

"Kurama. It is good to see you again, circumstances notwithstanding."

The Kyuubi – Kurama? – bristled at that in frustration. "Don't tell him my name! He has no need to know of it!"

"Oh?" Hagoromo's head fell slightly, his eyes filled with what Naruto could only call disappointment. "I see. Forgive me then, for not knowing how time has changed you. With what I was doing, I didn't have a chance to keep an eye on you after all these years."

Kurama paused at that, leaning in closer at that. "You've been here? This whole time? But, how? Why?"

"Patience." Hagoromo said, raising his hand with a soft smile. "You always were pushy to know more then you should have. I will explain what you need to in a moment."

Grumbling, Kurama settled back in his cage in what Naruto could only say was the most attentive posture he'd ever though he'd see from a creature of that size. Glaring at Hagoromo, he shifted uncomfortably in place. If this man could command the respect of Kurama…well, likely he was strong then, that was for sure.

"So, um," Naruto found himself stumbling slightly over his words, grimacing as he struggled for control of himself again. "If you're going to explain, I'd appreciate not being kept in the dark."

"No, I suppose you wouldn't." Hagoromo said with a sad smile. He seemed to be searching for something in Naruto, though for what Naruto couldn't fathom to guess. "If you wouldn't mind, can I offer some context before you ask your questions?"

Naruto closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to contain his annoyance. Could he wait? "No, I'd prefer it if you answered some questions first. I'm just – I've been in the dark for too long and I'm tired of it."

Hagoromo's reaction was far from upset, though he seemed to be mildly amused by something. "I suppose that's fair. Take your time to think of as many as you can, as I'll be beginning my story afterwards."

"Okay…who the hell are you, and why the hell are you here?" Naruto asked, pointing at him with narrowed eyes. "Unless this world is more multicultural than I first though, you are not a native…or anything like anyone I've seen in the Republic, so what are you? And while I'm at it…what seal? And how did you know about it? Nothing here is anything like what I know of Jedi or Sith, and I'm confused and frustrated by not knowing anything."

Hagoromo waited patiently, giving Naruto a chance for more. Naruto knew he could think of more, but with how scrambled he was at the moment he'd settle for those at the moment. "I see. Those are all good questions. However, my story will answer those questions. Would you still prefer me to answer those first and foremost?"

Naruto paused before acting, thinking it over. Could he patiently wait for those answers? Growling to himself, he slowly shook his head. "As long as you answer my questions."

"Very well." Hagoromo stroked his goatee slowly as he hummed. "To begin, I will answer two of your questions. The first is that I am honestly a native, at least partly, however my mother was not. As such, I do not know exactly where she came from. This is the only place I've known, and as such it is my home."

That was not something Naruto was expecting. With his appearance compared to literally every other person here, he hadn't anticipated that Hagoromo was actually a native. Nodding his head slowly, Naruto slowly made a 'go on' motion to show that he'd heard and understood.

"I'm glad you understand. Now…" Hagoromo frowned, pulling on it gently before nodding. "Please understand that some of this will be…speculation. I do not claim to be omnipotent, or to have learned everything during my years of travel. However, I have my theories. Please hear me out before you judge what I am saying."

Naruto raised a brow at that. "Why not just tell me the things you know for certain then?"

"Because while it would be something of interest, it would not be something that pertained to you in particular, or answer your questions."

That wasn't quite what Naruto expected. Crossing his arms, he scowled slightly as he tried to wrap his mind around that. "Alright. So what speculation do you have for me?"

"The first is that this world is not hidden within this void without reason." Hagoromo narrowed his eyes slowly, his eyes shifting as he seemed to think over what he was saying. "I…cannot say how, or why, but millennia ago something from beyond the void was sent to this world. That something was eventually bathed in the blood of countless wars, growing into what became known as the Shinju, the God Tree.

"The tree was worshiped and considered a deity to the people of the world, and it was dangerous to approach as anyone who approached it were consumed by a demon. From what I've been able to learn, it exists across several dimensions, and that the power contained within it was concentrated over years into a fruit containing an immense amount of chakra. Then, one day, my mother arrived on the planet and took the fruit for herself. Using the power, she gained from it, she was able to singlehandedly end all war on the world."

Naruto froze at that, eyes widening at the idea of that. "Wait, the entire planets wars?"

Hagoromo nodded. "She was as close to an all-powerful being as anyone could imagine, capable of tying the world into an illusion, which was how she ruled the world." He glanced up to Kurama, who turned away slightly. "She married one of the inhabitants, and gave birth to a pair of twins, myself and my brother. As it turned out, we had the ability to use the same chakra she had…and she later attempted to reabsorb the chakra we'd obtained from her. However, by the time she attempted to I was wise enough to learn how to resist her. Before my brother and I could confront her however, she merged with the tree to become the Jyuubi."

"The Jyuubi? But –"

Realizing that Hagoromo was still explaining, Naruto slowly began to lean forwards slightly as his interest in this grew. A world conquering woman, a mysterious 'tree' – like hell he believed it was just some regular tree, and more? Not only that but answers. Some of which didn't seem to be relevant, but then Hagoromo had implied he was getting to that.

"It was a titanic clash, but eventually we were able to subdue and defeat her, sealing the Jyuubi's chakra into myself to prevent it from continuing its reign." Hagoromo sighed, looking remarkably unphased by the fact he'd essentially said he – from what Naruto understood – 'sealed' the power to control an entire world inside of his body. "Far later in my life, to prevent my mother from being able to wreak havoc across the world again, I separated the Jyuubi's chakra into nine parts; one of which is Kurama, who is now within you. To remove its husk and the remainder of my mother's presence, I formed the earth around it and sent it out around the world to keep it from ever returning."

There was a moment of silence as Naruto took that in. Slowly, his eyes widened as his jaw dropped in amazement. "Wait…are…are you saying you made a moon? How? What – I…I can't even begin to imagine that!"

"Be that as it may, it's true." Hagoromo seemed remarkably pleased by Naruto's startled reaction to his achievement. Clearly not enough people appreciated the magnitude of what he'd done. "Before I did that though, I had begun to attempt to bring peace to the world in my own way. As the container of the Jyuubi and their savior, the people of the world revered me, and I attempted to teach them Ninshu; a way of using chakra to connect with every person to form a unified people who could communicate and pray for each other's safety."

Naruto nodded slowly, then winced. "Well, I'd hate to break it to you, but it doesn't look like the world took that to heart."

Hagoromo nodded, a distant look in his eyes. "Unfortunately, one of my ones eventually broke the connections that had been built to the world around in order to learn how to merge his physical and spiritual energies together to weaponized his chakra into ninjutsu, which is what you've encountered. Rather than allowing people to stand as equals, they split themselves apart and showed themselves their own arrogance and folly as wars raged again.

"That being said," Hagoromo placed a hand on the ground, forming an image against it to give a visual of what he was explaining. "I'd like for you to look at this, and tell me what you see."

Naruto frowned, looking down at the images curiously. The first was of a person with energy around them flowing from them, and into them, connecting them to many others across a vast distance. The other was an image of two people, black lines of snapped connections separating them from each other as their energies swirled in a torrent of what Naruto could only assume to be chakra as they…apparently breathed fire at each other, if Naruto was seeing that right. Could they do that here? He hadn't seen that yet.

As he looked it over again, Naruto froze. No, it couldn't be. "Are you…a Jedi?"

Hagoromo chuckled softly at that. Force, he even sounded like a Master now that he was paying attention. "I do not believe that I'm quite the same as your Jedi are, however were I to have been born outside of this world…perhaps. I did not receive training to learn to use my chakra the way you use the Force after all."

"But – but you talked about sealing, and weaponizing chakra, and…and…" Naruto gripped his head, groaning as he struggled to process this new information.

"The very little I know of your 'Jedi' are from the woman who responded to my call and took you from this place." Hagoromo admitted. "Otherwise, I do not know much at all about what they are or what they do besides the fact that their strength comes in a manner similar to Ninshu's."

Naruto froze, eyes boring into Hagoromo's. No. That didn't make sense. Why… "What did you say?"

"Her energy is similar to that of Ninshu's. It draws upon the power of the…universe, then allowed a person to channel it. It also appears to allow others to build connections to other people, though the woman had few to none of –"

"No, not that. Explain later." Naruto jabbed a finger at him. "You called Master Kuro here? That's why I became a Jedi?"

Hagoromo paused, seeming to realize the effect his words had upon Naruto. Sighing softly, he nodded. "Yes. I called her here."

"But…but why?" Naruto asked, almost begging.

This wasn't a question he'd ever thought to ask, but now it burned him that he didn't think of it before. Such a simple question; why did I get brought away from my home? He could see clearly one of the reason, in that if he'd stayed he'd have become just another child soldier like those he'd met with, but…surely there was more than that.

For his part, Hagoromo took the change in subject in stride, allowing it to continue his story rather than deviate. "After my death, I became a spirit, my mind died to my spirits energies thanks to my long practice in Ninshu. It allowed me to wander, to investigate and seek out answers that had once been beyond me. I discovered the void around this world, that traps us in and separates us from where you have gone."

Void? He must've meant the Maw, the countless black holes that surrounded this world like a barrier.

"In doing so, I also found traces of the Shinju, where it came from, and found it came from beyond the void, though far closer than I wish to imagine." Hagoromo scowled, eyes narrowed at the thought of whatever it was. "It…came from something larger, a powerful fragment of something that was perhaps so dark that were it not for the void between us we would all be driven to madness."

Naruto shivered at that thought. The Sith he could handle the idea of, as they were people; men and women who he could fight and defeat. The was Hagoromo discussed this…thing, almost made it sound like it wasn't a tangible force that he could fight. He hated things he couldn't fight against.

"However," Naruto perked up, twitching nervously as Hagoromo continued. "As I searched I came to some realizations, and from them my discoveries bore further fruit as I found an opening to beyond the void. I did not dare to leave, as I feared that upon my return I would not be capable of doing so. However, it allowed me to see that there was something beyond. An immenseness I cannot begin to fathom laid beyond…beautiful, yet it was to the point that one could feel quite intimidated by it."

Naruto smiled at that, remembering his own reactions to the galaxy at large. It had been so vast and impressive to his young 4-year-old mind; he couldn't imagine how it must've seemed to a man such as this. A man who'd made a moon. Naruto idly considered challenging him on that point, but from the strength he felt from the man in the Force, he figured it'd likely be wiser to believe him; for now, at least.

"As I realized this, I came to a thought." Hagoromo tapped a finger against his knee, brow furrowing as though dragging something up from deep within his memory. "If there is life beyond ours, and there is a way to keep the world safe by leaving, would I take it? And, while I realized that my own answer was 'no'…another should have their own choice.

"You see, before I died I made what I felt was a prophetic remark to the Bijuu; that there would come one who would show them true power is when they would be made one as they once were, though not as they originally were. The thought at the time was narrow minded, and considered only this world. It was only when I was opened to the realization of how much was out there that I realized there could be another path. A possible way to protect them from being used and manipulated into becoming the Jyuubi again."

Naruto had already begun piecing together his implications, but remained silent. Kurama leaned forward as well, eyes narrowed as he listened intently to what was being said.

"That option came when the opening between our world was wide enough, and you were born." Hagoromo said, turning to Kurama. "I had returned a short time before, and observed much of what happened here. The war, the people, and the way that their warfare had evolved by using people with Bijuu sealed within them as living weapons."

Recalling that Kurama was one such being, Naruto's eyes widened before his lips curled into a scowl. "So…that's why they were so eager to bring me in peacefully. They think…no, they know I'm supposed to be a weapon? That people like me are…are what? Nothing but a blaster meant to be pointed at each other in some kind of Rodian standoff?"

"…I don't know what that is, but I would imagine that's correct." Hagoromo said, nodding slowly. "However, upon seeing you I envisioned that it was possible that you were the child of prophecy, the one who would bring peace or destroy their way of being. And in that moment…I had to ask the most important question of all…the one I ask you now."

Naruto tensed, bracing himself for whatever would come. What would he ask? That he become the next 'Sage of Six Paths'? That he spread Ninshu to connect people one with another? He wasn't sure he was necessarily suited for that job, nor that he'd want it.

"What do you want?"

The question was answered with silence for a long time. Primarily because it wasn't what Naruto had expected. What did he want? After all this talk about how his world was, and the feeling of being pulled around by nose, Hagoromo asked what he wanted? He…

What did Naruto want?

"Before I answer that…" Naruto said, biting his cheek idly as he considered the question. "Can I ask why you said you called for me to be taken off world? You stared to answer, but kind of got sidetracked."

"Ah, I apologize." Hagoromo nodded to himself. "The reason in my mind was simple; offer you a choice. I know little of what lays outside this void, but I know myself and I called out to those who would be closest in mind to myself. Your Jedi, as it were. The opportunity to come was dangerous, and slim, but we were lucky in that your Master chose to brave the journey and found you here.

"Upon doing so, I prompted her to ask you if you wanted to leave; to explore that which I could not see. It was not something that was forced upon you, and you were not stolen away. You had no family who could give you to them, and the village was…less than friendly toward you. You were given information, knowledge in a way that even a child could understand, and you made a choice. You chose to see beyond the void, to become respected, and believed that one day you'd return."

Naruto had almost forgotten about that. Well, no, he had forgotten about that. But the way Hagoromo spoke of it, Naruto felt that it was far too similar to how he could envision himself reacting to an offer to see the galaxy that he was made aware of.

"Now, my reasoning behind this was admittedly for another reason as well." Hagoromo continued. Naruto grimaced, wondering what else the man had to drop on his head. "The reason being that there is one here who is attempting that which I have already said; he is attempting to reform the Jyuubi. With it, he plans to enslave the world like my mother once did, and bind them all to himself. In doing so however, it is possible that he will reawaken my mother. Should she become strong enough, she has the potential to jump across dimensions, and in doing so, it is possible that she could eventually leave the void and enter the worlds outside of here."

That hadn't been what Naruto expected. If she was half as powerful as Hagoromo had said, then how long would it be before she tried to take over a planet? The galaxy? Likely it would take some time, but if she were able to – wait.

Naruto considered what he'd already been told carefully, eyes dropping again to the images on the floor. Hagoromo had already said he could have been a Jedi, but that he…hadn't learned to use it the same way Naruto had. And he'd talked about physical and spiritual…so midi-chloians within all living things and the connection the person built with others maybe? Or with them? Which meant that, in a way, Hagoromo was a Jedi; he'd just learnt differently.

More importantly though, it meant that should Hagoromo's mother escape this world, she'd be coming for chakra…or the next best thing.

"You think that if she gets off this world, she'll be able to absorb other beings?" Naruto held up his hands defensively, idly worried that he'd offended Hagoromo with his ignorance. "Not saying she can't, or that that's what you're saying, but...well it sure as hell sounds like that's what you're saying."

"You're quite bright Naruto." Hagoromo smiled slightly, waiting for a moment.

Naruto frowned, mind racing. "But, if that's true…and you sent me away…" Naruto turned around, staring at Kurama for a second. As their eyes met, Kurama's own widened and it straightened as it stared down Hagoromo.

"You were sending me out of their reach." Kurama said, eyes wide with…awe? Betrayal? Naruto could certainly see its confusion, but the rest were somewhat of a surprise. Just how close had these two been?

"I gave the option." Hagoromo admitted, nodding to them both. "Without Kurama, the Jyuubi could never be complete. No amount of fiddling or stretching the other Bijuu could allow that. Their plans would be shattered, broken, and scattered to the wind.

"Despite that, those who had formed the plan were certain that, despite your disappearance, you were still here. Hidden away in the roots of this place. They were determined to flush you out in a few years, and that in doing so they could complete their work."

Again, things began to make some amount of sense to Naruto. "I'm not here to learn anything…I'm here to make an appearance."

Hagoromo nodded, a sad look in his eyes. "I did not intend for this to go so far. I had not anticipated the reception you'd be given, how it would separate you from you master, or how any of this could have played out." Shifting himself onto his knees, Hagoromo bowed low till his forehead pressed against the floor. "I beg your forgiveness for my lack of forethought. In my years I had believed myself wise, but have been reminded again of my own foolishness."

Naruto was stunned into silence as he watched this man – a man who was even more powerful than Master Yoda – knelt and bowed before him, asking forgiveness. That kind of humility in recognizing and apologizing for one's mistakes felt hard to come by when looking to those who'd been around for a long time, and Naruto never would have imagined someone of this man's stature, once called a God among men, to bow himself low to someone he'd wronged.

Considering what had happened though, Naruto couldn't blame the man for not knowing. It was sentient nature to be unpredictable; that's part of what having a choice meant. Being able to pick from a variety of options made them able to overcome any obstacle, outsmart any difficulty, and overthrow those who underestimated them.

The fact that his 'home' was a hostile military environment that likely had plans to try and use him as a weapon didn't really help matters much.

He'd been gone from this world for 8 years; 8 years to learn, to grow, and to discover that he didn't like how this world was set up. It was oppressive, stifling, and Naruto was fairly sure that if he touched a weapon his minor talent in psychometry would have him drenched in the battles and wars each dead blade had seen. And in those 8 years, Naruto had leant something else.

"Please, don't bow to me." Naruto muttered. Hagoromo complied, though he raised a brow curiously at Naruto's tone. "No one should bow to me. If I face anyone, they're my equals. I won't look down on anyone, only up. If I look down on people…well, I guess now that would make me no better than some of the people here."

Hagoromo smiled at that, nodding in approval. "Spoken with wisdom beyond your years."

"I know what that feels like. I've had a lot of opportunities to meet people who looked down on me, that's all." Darth Zealot, Xanatos, the Anzat, and perhaps most worryingly the dark version of himself had all done that.

"I see." Hagoromo nodded at that, then gave a slight bow at the waist. "I still ask your forgiveness for what has happened. As I have said, it was in part due to my haste that things ended up being more difficult for you."

Naruto scowled at that. "No, not it wasn't. That was their fault. They chose to do that on their own. You didn't make them do anything."

Straightening, Hagoromo smiled again. "To be honest, your appearance wasn't the only thing I had hoped for. I wanted to speak with you, and to make you aware of these things. And…" Hagoromo frowned, tugging gently on his goatee. "Depending on your answer, I might have a request or two for you."

"…right." Naruto muttered, remembering what his question was. With all the other information, Naruto could barely keep his head on straight, let alone think of what he wanted.

What…did he want? Did he want to remain here? To see how people learnt to manipulate the Force – chakra, whatever – and take on this group? He'd have to fight them if he did, and while there was obviously a chance of winning or losing, it would all be contained here. No one else in the galaxy would be affected if he won, but everyone would be if he lost.

However, if he left, what then? He was currently a Jedi, but with how his thoughts were running around at the moment, could he trust them? Well, could he trust all of them? He trusted Qui-gon and Obi-wan. And Tahl. And Bant...all of his friends he could trust. And he couldn't blame the younglings; they were younglings for Force sake! And Master Yoda didn't seem the 'mind manipulation' sort to him, and while Master Windu seemed to have a 'resting angry face' he was wise and fair so…

Naruto smacked his forehead. What was wrong with him? Why was he so paranoid that the Jedi were out to get him, when almost everyone he knew would do anything of the sort? Had he really given Zealot so much power to make him doubt? Scowling, Naruto silently made a mental note to not underestimate the dark side's manipulation again.

But back to what he wanted…which was what? Thinking through, he crossed his legs and meditated, drawing in the Force to help him delve into his mind for his first reasons for leaving. What had he wanted all those years ago? Had he lost it?

"Then-then it doesn't matter where I go to be respected! If I go protect the galaxy, I can come back and be the sort of person everyone here will have no choice but to respect!"

…no, no he hadn't. He still wanted respect, he still wanted to protect people. Most importantly though was what he realized he wanted.

"I want to protect people. Not just people here, but everywhere in the galaxy. And…" Naruto slowly shrugged. "I have no love for these people after all that's happened, but they don't deserve to be enslaved any more than any other people. And if this 'Jyuubi' is reformed here, then it'll be able to eventually jump elsewhere too right? So, if leaving will allow me to protect these people and go out and try to protect others in the galaxy then I'll do it."

Hagoromo nodded, a sad smile on his face. "I understand, and I can respect that. I wish that things had perhaps gone different, but as things are I can see how you've come to your choice. Perhaps one day this world will be willing to accept peace, but peace can only come to those who want it. And as things are, that will still take time."

"I know." Naruto rubbed his forehead, groaning softly. "And with how strong they are, I find it really, really hard to see anyone trying to force them to do anything they don't want to do."

"Indeed."

Naruto leaned back slightly, taking a deep breath before tapping his fingers on his knees. "So, that settles that. So, I can leave right? I'd like to get my Master and leave as soon as possible."

"Yes, you can." Hagoromo nodded, then raised his hand. "Before you leave though, I would like to ask for a few requests."

Naruto ran his hand through his hair, groaning softly. "I'll listen to them, but I can't promise anything. Like, if you want me to take anyone off with me, I don't think I can do that."

"Not even Kurama?"

Pausing, Naruto glanced back to Kurama. The entity was locked behind bars in a cage stared back at the both of them. It seemed just as perplexed as Naruto felt, likely for similar reasons. If he was locked in here, how was he supposed to leave? Obviously if Naruto left, Kurama would –

And Naruto suddenly realized that was likely the way Naruto had felt when he'd thought that the Jedi might've mind wiped him and kidnapped him. Sure, Kurama was far from a little innocent child, but Naruto was not so blind as to believe that children were the only ones who could be kidnapped. Apparently even giant entities of apparent colossal power could have it happen to them.

"…are you even going to ask me?" Kurama asked, glaring at Hagoromo.

"No." Hagoromo said, turning to Naruto. "Should he choose to accept, Naruto will."

"What?" Naruto blinked, pointing to himself. "Me?"

"Of course. I will not force you to take Kurama any more than you should force Kurama to do what you want. Getting what you want through force never ends the way you may intend for it to, and should only be considered as a last resort."

Naruto nodded, idly wondering if Hagoromo had some secret Jedi training he didn't know of, since some of that was something he could hear the Master's telling him. "Of course. But, why would I leave him behind? I mean, yeah, him staying here would be bad for a huge amount of people…" Naruto frowned, revising his thoughts. "Okay, never mind, I can see why you'd ask. I mean…I can't leave him behind."

"Of course not." Hagoromo said, a sad smile on his face. "But, does he want to go?"

"…doubtful." Naruto muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Last time I talked to him he taunted me about how I was ignorant I was and threatened to crush me."

Naruto had the idly satisfied feeling of Kurama's discomfort when Hagoromo turned to stare at it. From what Naruto understood of the man, Kurama did not follow the practices he'd taught. Threatening to crush people and taunting them didn't sound very 'unifying' to Naruto. Then again, Naruto didn't know what had happened between Hagoromo's death and Kurama ending up within Naruto.

"I see…be that as it may, I will request that you at least give him the chance and opportunity."

Groaning, Naruto rubbed his eyes. "But…ugh, this is so stupid! Why does he have to choose between staying on this planet where he could get caught and sealed into someone else or formed into the Jyuubi thing –"

"I doubt anyone could ever do such a thing." Kurama scoffed, earning a glare from Naruto.

"You were sealed in me, so I don't think you have any way to say that it 'can't happen' anymore." Kurama's face twisted at that, but Naruto pressed on with his complaint. "And the only 'safe option' is to take him with me, but that also makes it the only good option for the galaxy at large." Naruto gripped his head. "AH! Why does it have to be a choice between two good things?"

"I wish that it could be simpler." Hagoromo said with a sigh. "The morally correct answer is not always the answer that will protect people. It's a choice you'll have to understand, and live by time and time again if you are seeking to maintain peace in more areas than simply this."

"…right." Naruto muttered. Turning to Kurama, he sighed as he stared up at it. "So…Kurama. What's it going to be? Do you want to stay here? or can I get you to come with me?"

The room was silent as Kurama stared at him. Naruto didn't know which was worse; the idea that Kurama would try to get him to let him loose, or the idea that he held the power to deny that request. Gripping the cloth on his knees, he waited patiently.

"…remove the seal on my cage." Kurama finally said after a moment, his lips curling in a wicked grin.

Naruto flinched, staring at the seal between him and the enormous creature. It was quite literally the only thing between him and the Bijuu, and the only thing holding him back from the seal was his fear that upon doing so Kurama would leap out of him and he'd have effectively ruined the galaxy.

But, could he live like that? Knowing that he'd forced someone – even if it was for their own good – to go where they didn't wish to?

"Feh, I knew it." Kurama muttered, his smirk curling darkly. "Humans are all the same. Time and again they –"

Slowly pushing himself to his feet, the action caused Kurama to cut himself off. Eying Naruto, he watched as Naruto approached the seal. Naruto stared up at the seal, not knowing what other option he had. He had to stay true to himself didn't he? And he…he didn't want to be the sort of person that believed that the sacrifice of one for many was justifiable. So, with a trembling hand, he reached up and yanked on the seal.

Only to have it stopped halfway down by another's hand.

Naruto glared at the person, expecting it to be Hagoromo. He'd made his choice, and he'd stick by it. He –

"Well, this isn't what I expected." The man behind Naruto said, blinking as he stared down at Naruto. "…Naruto? What are you –"

"Ah, good." Hagoromo said, standing and moving over to the man. "I was afraid you wouldn't show, seeing how Kurama's power is still contained behind the seal."

"…will someone explain what's going on here?" Naruto muttered, eyeing the man suspiciously. Seeing the man turn to Hagoromo, he finished yanking off the seal, flinching as the gates opened wide.

"Naruto wait!" The man said, turning to Naruto, only to have Hagoromo's hand placed firmly on his shoulder.

As the gates opened, Naruto found himself face to face with Kurama. No bars, no seal, nothing between them but the small space. As Naruto stood before it, he suddenly realized that Kurama's eye alone was bigger than a man was tall; enormous as a mountain, and more powerful than any weapon he currently knew of. And he'd set it free.

Then, to his surprise, Kurama closed his eyes and hummed angrily. "You really are a fool." Hearing a chuckle from the side, Kurama peaked an eye open and stared at Hagoromo. "You knew didn't you?"

"I suspected." Hagoromo said, a small smile on his face. "I won't tell you to give him your power, or to trust him blindly. Simply travel with him, watch him, and see for yourself if our choice was wise. We will not know until we see though, won't we?"

"…if he's this willing to sacrifice himself like that, he'll at least keep things interesting." Kurama muttered, glaring at the man held by Hagoromo's. "Hello again Yondaime."

"Kyuubi." The man – the Younaime, the Fourth – said. He didn't seem all that shocked or taken aback by Kurama's appearance as much as he was by Hagoromo's. "Um, may I help you?"

"Yes, you may." Hagoromo said, turning to Naruto. "My next request will be…rather strange."

"Wait, hold on." Naruto waved his arms sharply, staring between Kurama and Hagoromo. "What just happened? Aren't you…leaving?"

"I said to remove the seal. I never said I wasn't going to come with you." Kurama said, smirking at Naruto's gob smacked expression. "Like you said, my staying here would be terrible for the galaxy. And, while I hold no love for your species, I have no desire to be forced to become part of the Jyuubi again."

Not only that but there wasn't anyone who could seal him away in the galaxy the way the people of Naruto's world could. But Naruto didn't need to know that now, did he?

"Oh…kay?" Naruto turned to the Yondaime, glancing between him and Hagoromo. "And, this is?"

Hagoromo smirked, patting the Yondaime on the shoulder. "This is other person I'd like to ask you to take with you."


AN: I know this chapter was rather explainy and long, but to be fair, I loved writing it. So there.

Also, I did check a couple things before writing this so each of the things I've written are technically possible in canon. To explain in better detail about chakra and the Force for those who might not fully understand, I'll try to explain my reasoning in the "explanation chapter" I'll be writing after Naruto leaves Ibonihs.

To preemptively nip this in the bud; do you really think Naruto would keep someone imprisoned? Really? R-really? Naruto? I know he kept Kurama in him in the Manga, but he was also taught the power and danger of it. Here? Naruto just knows it's a piece of something that could be dangerous. That, and the Shinju (from my understanding) needs someone directing it for it to be dangerous, such as Kaguya. Plus, Hagoromo kind of won Naruto over because of his attitude and because he gave Naruto answers; sweet, glorious answers! As such, though hesitant, Naruto is trying to trust him in allowing Kurama out. Then again, that could cause issues later on now couldn't it? *cackles*

Woffie: Don't worry, I'll be writing an explanation chapter to explain a bit of the loose Ibonihs ends at the end of the Arc.

MEleeSmasher: *cackles* I had honestly planned that before, but how did you like the twist on the Child of Prophecy? I would imagine that, upon having so much time to think and look around that Hagoromo would eventually wonder if his prophecized "savior" would have something else they'd want.

Drakon45: *stares at you* Why hasn't - Naruto had no idea where An'ya was, how to get there, was being pursued still, and had no resources to fall back on. I know it's been a while, and I'm sorry if part of writing these has been me shaking off my writing rust, but there are plot points that take time. Naruto will rescue An'ya...but there are some things that still need to happen. I remember waiting on the Naruto Manga chapters to update, and waiting for each update felt like forever. That's why I try to update so quickly; I want people to get some of the answers they're looking for without waiting forever (please ignore the hiatus, that was life issues getting in the way, not a lack of desire).

Sorry if that sounded harsh. I've had a more than a few people who've reviewed like that and I have reasons behind my pace. Getting people who sound pushy makes me feel twitchy because I want you to know.

Also! In case you missed it at the top, there is a poll for the pairing possibilities for Naruto on my user page! Leave a vote and let me know your thoughts/what you'd like to see. They won't be a big thing until nearer Episode II's time, but getting the votes in will help set that up for it.

So, Hagoromo is dragging someone else along. Why? Find out in the next episode of From Darkness!