Authors Note: Time for Han to come into play.

Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Naruto, the world, the characters or any of the situations. All of these belong to the creator Masashi Kishimoto.

—

Chapter 18

Han

Rikido could safely say he had lived a nice long, happy life. It was full of achievements and he had become quite distinguished, making a name for himself despite his shortcomings from a family of poor neglectful farmers. He supposed of course, that being friends with the future Tsuchikage helped, only a little.

They were childhood friends, the soft spoken yet hard willed Rikido and prideful, arrogant Onoki. Keeping in touch even well into their old age. Rikido could definitely say he was content, he had a wife, kids and even one newborn grandson, named Han.

Then, his dear wife passed away of sickness during a bad storm. Soon after, his son and daughter in law were killed away in an accident. Of course he still had his blood daughter, who unfortunately moved far away for work but might actually succeed him as the only living member of the family. However, his son had left Han orphaned, and Rikido was not about to let his only grandson stay as such.

For Rikido had a strong will and pushed pass his loss and pain for the sake of Han.

It was quite a surprise when Onoki visited his humble home. Located in one of the rare forested areas in the Land of Earth. A wooden shack near a small stream where he had raised his entire family and currently the three year old Han.

Of course the old friends caught up inside, but then the Third Tsuchikage revealed the reason for his surprise visit.

"Rikido. Are you aware of our jinchuuriki's failing health currently?" Onoki curtly asked after some time.

"No, is it bad?" Rikido answered slowly, feeling sympathy for the elderly five tails jinchuuriki.

"Yes, we need to reseal it before it gets loose and causes Iwa problems." The shorter of the two, Onoki revealed with a tired tone.

This made the non Kage suspicious of his friend's intentions.

"Who do you have in mind." Rikido asked slowly with justified concern, casting a glance towards his grandsons's room down the hall.

"You're a clever man even in your old age Rikido. I have no family compatible with the beast after my cousin became the four tails, and you're my only friend who even has a relation with someone." The Tsuchikage stated with some regret, only some though.

"I do not believe I can call you a friend if you are suggesting my grandson!" Rikido furiously protested, slamming his hands on the rickety table, somehow not damaging the surface.

"Rikido! The damage those beast can cost if unleashed could ruin Iwagakure. For the greater good you have the obligation to do this." Onoki argued firmly.

"You cannot ask me to do such a thing to Han! I have heard about how the jinchuuriki are treated." The taller elder yelled, will still as strong as ever.

"You do not have a choice in the matter and you know it. If you resist I could easily just take the boy and have you slandered." The Tsuchikage immediately shot back, not afraid to threaten one of his oldest friends if it was for the Iwagakure's benefit.

"Onoki…" Rikido growled threateningly, though inside he knew he was long out of his prime while Onoki was still in a zenith.

"Don't worry my friend. The boy can still live with you. There will only be routine visits every few months to make sure his loyalties have not, drifted." Onoki explained in a somewhat compassionate tone even as his friend's glare deepened murderously, somehow no killing intent leaking.

Rikido remained silent as the process was completed. Han becoming the five tails jinchuuriki after it was done. The old man was silent even after the Kage left with his shinobi, leaving him and his grandson alone.

Now Rikido still had his will though, that didn't change, wouldn't change no matter what happened. He still loved and cared for his grandson just as fiercely as before, if not more. But he was also a sly old man.

The Tsuchikage Onoki had underestimated his friend. A decades old friendship was broken that day, and a new fire sat in Rikido's stomach and heart. He would raise Han, make sure he knew how to act around Iwagakure. But, he would also make sure the boy knew about every little thing that was wrong about it while he did.

—

Han at age seven was a quiet child, he didn't excel at most ninjutsu, which was surprising for the jinchuuriki. The boy preferred physical combat above all else, often training his body vigorously instead of meditating.

Growing up, he often heard stories from his grandfather about the shinobi of the past and present. These stories were usually negative and painted Iwagakure in a tainted, distorted light while the other villages were taught normally. This led to Han developing, a distrusting view on his home village.

The boy resembled his parents greatly, with his dark brown hair that was kept in a semi long ponytail and common on his father's side of the family but had multiple streaks of almond from his mother. On his face was light brown eyes, that actually came from his grandfather.

His grandfather and him usually stayed in their secluded forest in the Land of Earth, rarely going to Iwagakure or beyond that.

Iwagakure's villagers and shinobi disliked the jinchuuriki despite never actually experiencing their wrath. It was this reason that they never openly warmed up to the idea of jinchuuriki and so Han stayed away.

The quiet child would have to meet the Tsuchikage every few months, which his grandfather was uncharacteristically tough and strict about. Rikido had taught the boy to be respectful, and to under no circumstances reveal what he had taught the boy about Iwagakure in the negative sense. Han understood why though from his grandfather's stories.

The Tsuchikage was disappointed that the young jinchuuriki seemed to not live up to it's expectations, but left it alone. Iwagakure did not particularly care about their jinchuuriki much, not even as weapons but more as dangerous burdens.

On the point of jinchuuriki, Rikido made it no secret to Han about his status. However, the old man told him that while he shouldn't be yelling about it every few seconds, it was nothing to be ashamed of.

So his grandfather had been apprehensive but not against his grandson's wishes to speak to the five tails.

From what the previous five tail jinchuuriki, an elderly man named Shin said, the five tails was nicer then what was believed. Apparently, they were a pacifist at heart and did not wish to attack. Iwagakure in his words had lucked out of some destruction when it received the Gobi.

Knowing all this, Rikido had hope that his grandson would be alright.

Now, even in his old age, he had a few tricks up his long silver beard that were not known to the average shinobi or kunoichi. This was one of the reasons Han had been selected as the jinchuuriki, and Rikido didn't doubt that had he been younger by a few decades it would've been him hosting the beast.

If something went wrong with the conversation and meeting, Rikido was more then prepared to deal with it.

Han was lead into an isolated small clearing far from their home by his grandfather. After running through the necessary precautions with Han and suppressing his chakra a bit, the jinchuuriki began to meditate.

Slowly, as be breathed in and out, his conscience began travelling elsewhere.

—

Opening his eyes wearily, Han observed his surroundings with interest. Rikido had told him he would end up in his own mindscape and that what it would look like was different based on the person.

Han's mindscape was the area he and his grandfather lived, it was where he felt the safest and happiest. The house was gone but in it's place was a large tree that he had never seen before, it was incredibly huge and had an ethereal air about it.

Approaching the gigantic sequoia with avid curiosity, he saw that the roots formed a sort of path into a large nook. Wondering forward, Han saw that in the nook was a white horse like being with tan ends held in place in the nook by glowing chains.

This was the five tailed beast.

The horse like being had noticed the jinchuuriki coming up from the roots but said nothing, simply staring at Han as he went to stand by the nook's edge.

"Are you the five tails?" Han asked politely as he observed the beast.

"That is what the humans call me." The five tails answered in a deep mature voice, unblinking and unchanging.

"Five tails isn't your name?" The human boy questioned, surprised.

"No." The Gobi replied curtly.

Looking away embarrassed, Han shuffled his feat awkwardly as his eyes wandered around the tree. "My name is Kokuo. You are Han correct?" The five tails asked out of the ensuing silence.

"Yeah, that's me. It's a pleasure to meet you Kokuo, even though I'm sure you would prefer it not be under these circumstances." Han told the beast while gesturing to the many chains that imprisoned it.

"It would be preferable that I was free, but I do not believe in senseless violence and would like to build a beneficial relationship with you, as I did with Shin and those before him." Kokuo stated with a wise tone that actually reminded Han of Rikido.

"Do those chains bother you?" The jinchuuriki asked softly as he continued to observe.

"Do you intend to release me?" The five tails went in an amused tone.

"Sorry, but I know that would kill me, and I would really rather live." The boy joked, letting out a small chuckle. "I want to see if I could somehow loosen them, after I research this of course. My grandfather made me promise to not do anything in here for now." He added matter of factly.

"In that case then yes, they are rather uncomfortable Han." Kokuo answered appreciably.

"I think I'll enjoy talking to you Kokuo." Han finished in a kind manner, as he and Kokuo continued to talk.

—

Han and Kokuo were able to eventually form a mutual relationship. The jinchuuriki would be able to freely draw Kokuo's chakra and energy while Kokuo was let free from the nook and could explore the mindscape, though they were still chained to prevent it's release. Han had spent a few days researching various books to figure out how to manage this, though most were biased against the beast and their jinchuuriki.

However, it turned out both Kokuo and Han were quiet, reserved individuals. So communications between them were actually rare. Both were content most of the time to just let the other be.

One day, an eleven year old Han was exercising instead of practising jutsu again. Ever since he had been taught taijutsu he had taken to it immediately. It also made the Tsuchikage annoyed whenever he observed this fact, pleasing both Han and his grandfather once the Kage left.

Unfortunately, as hilarious this was, Han did want to become stronger to become a shinobi. He had the idea that he could become a shinobi of a different village. His grandfather didn't discourage this, not having the heart to point out the illogical hope that another village would do so.

So Han began to take his training more seriously, but still found he couldn't focus on the jutsu or more chakra based techniques as well as he could taijutsu.

This frustrated him to no end, so to compensate for his disappointment, he pushed himself harder on the physical aspect. Sensing their jinchuuriki's feelings, Kokuo decided to try and help Han.

"Han." Kokuo spoke out of nowhere, surprising the jinchuuriki.

"Kokuo? Did you want to talk to me about something?" Han asked confused after getting over his shock at the rare presence of his tailed beast.

"I see you are having trouble with finding a style that suits your fighting needs." The five tails noted.

Han averted his eyes in embarrassment even though no one was watching. "Yeah." The boy said softly and shyly.

"I think I know a way to help you with that Han." The horse like being informed.

"You do?" The brown haired boy asked, his interest piqued.

"Yes, as my jinchuuriki you have the ability to use steam in a boil release style." Kokuo explained. "With this steam, I believe you could use it to enhance physical moves and power." They continued which brought a slow grin to the jinchuuriki's face.

"Oh, then that means I could make up for not being that good with the jutsus. That's brilliant! Thanks Kokuo." Han said, catching on to what the beast was saying. "So how do I produce the steam then?" He proceeded to ask, eager to perform the feat.

"Focus on your chakra, and try to heat it up. This will produce steam you should be able to control." Kokuo explained with a scholarly attitude.

"Right, got it." The jinchuuriki mumbled as he began to meditate.

Slowly he felt his body heat up after a few long minutes. "Woah." The brown haired boy thought as he began again.

After a few more attempts, the temperature rising each time, Han could feel some steam radiating off his body and looked to observe it. "I think I got it." The boy excitedly thought as he began trying some taijutsu moves.

He was faster, and he could see that if he attacked an opponent his hit's would be more powerful and cause bigger impacts.

"This could work, I could definitely become a shinobi like this." Han yelled as he increased the temperature.

However, it began getting too high and there was too much steam after some time. Han tried to tone it down but struggled, the heat getting to him as he coughed. Kokuo was saying something but he couldn't hear.

Soon, the boy felt stabs of pain on his arms and face and let out an ear curdling scream as he passed out.

—

Han woke up back in the house days later, with Rikido fussing over the boy concerned. His body was covered in bandages, especially his arms and lower face. His hair was singed too but it would grow back.

Explaining what had happened to his worried grandfather, Han was disappointed that it looked like he wouldn't be able to control the steam after all. Kokuo tried to take the blame and apologized profusely in the mindscape but Han told and didn't blame them for what had happened.

When the burned boy took his bandages off eventually, what he saw was deep, extremely noticeable burn scars travelling all over his arms and mouth area. They also stretched from his neck and some parts of his lower body as well, the damage wasn't permanent, but the scars were forever.

The five tails jinchuuriki had admirably been severely distraught over this, mostly over the fact that even if he wasn't a jinchuuriki people would always look at him strange.

Rikido tried to comfort the boy, saying the burns weren't that bad and that they actually looked cool. Han had smiled for his grandfather and pretended to be better but softly sobbed when he was alone.

Han would eventually get over it though, eventually.

Weeks later Han came back home from training to find his grandfather waiting for him by the kitchen table.

"Hey Han, I got something to show you in the back, follow me." Rikido told the confused boy cheerfully who dutifully followed the old man.

In the back shed was a large red amor set with a furnace attached to the back. It looked extremely heavy but also fancy in a way.

"Woah, what is this?" Han asked, drawn to the amor in interest.

"This is for you Han, I spent a few weeks designing it after I learned about your new steam ability. It should help you control and utilize it better." Rikido explained compassionately.

"For me?" The burned boy asked amazed, before smiling wide and grabbing his grandfather in a huge embrace. "Why's it red though?" He asked after examining it further.

"What? You don't like the colour red?" His grandfather asked jokingly.

"No! Red is fine! I like it!" Han frantically waved off.

Trying the amor on immediately, Han noticed how it hid his burn scars as well, though he didn't care. At first he was hesitant to use the steam again, but after seeing how the armour could contain, store and help direct the steam it gave him renewed vigour and soon he was using it every day while fighting with taijutsu.

The only downside to this new development was that the Tsuchikage was actually pleased and happy when he next visited.

—

But soon, the first real tragedy in Han's life would occur.

It had been a slow process, Rikido was getting old and more sickly. Soon, he was bedridden in their small humble home in the forest. Han stayed by his grandfather's side during that time. He had grown quite tall, and constantly made his own adjustments to the armour, always keeping the red base his grandfather had designed.

Rikido's death was quiet, Han was fifteen and next to him in a small chair that didn't quite fit the jinchuuriki. The old man took his last breaths content though, his only regret was not being able to raise Han for longer.

When the elder was buried beside the house, Han cut off his long ponytail with it.

—

Then the third shinobi war came, Iwa entered immediately and Han was forced in as well. Making use of his unique fighting style he made his own name known to his enemies. He had friends of course, all other shinobi fighting for Iwa. They all loved their village, all except Han, who continued to hide his contempt.

One day while he was on a break from duty in a base, Han noticed one of the commanders discussing something he found important.

"Sacrificed the newer recruits and one of the experienced ones to make an opening." They were saying.

Rushing forward Han asked what he had meant by that statement. "To make an opening we sacrificed some of the newer recruits and some experienced shinobi in a diversionary attack." The commander repeated before asking a question to the known jinchuuriki. "Do you have any suggestions on the matter Han?" They asked.

"No. No I don't." Han simply stated distantly as he walked away with a tortured look in his eyes.

The jinchuuriki knew the people they had sent out to die, he was in agony over hearing of their fate. Despite his roaring steam he felt cold inside.

"Is this what it means to be a shinobi?" Han asked himself grievingly.

"I have seen this happen many times before in wars. Sacrifice, Han." Kokuo spoke up from within, sympathetic to the harsh reality Han was exposed to.

"That doesn't make it right Kokuo. They didn't even know what they were getting into" The armoured jinchuuriki replied back sorrowfully.

When Han returned to his home after the war, he was changed. Disillusioned with the shinobi purpose he began contemplating every little thing.

"Why am I a shinobi for Iwa again?" He asked himself mentally as he just sat unresponsive by the kitchen table. "There's nothing bounding me here, I could just leave." Han continued thinking, spiralling downwards.

Finally he solidified his resolve to leave after visiting Iwa again, going through yet another day of insults and jabs.

"I'm leaving. It's settled." He mentally told Kokuo one day after getting home.

"Isn't that dangerous though? Iwa will hunt you down once they find out." Kokuo reminded him, though she didn't object outright.

"They only check on me every few months. I have no purpose nor reason to continue serving that corrupt village!" Han argued mentally as he packed his things to leave.

Exiting the house he took a look over the home he had lived in for over twenty years, then he glanced at Rikido's grave. It was a humble tombstone located next to his wife's. Smiling under his amor, Han gave a small wave at the area.

"Thank you for everything." Han said out loud, before venturing away into the mountains, to disappear for years.

—-