Deep within the Land of Iron, home of the notorious and formidable samurai, the two Kage of Kumogakure and Iwagakure agreed to meet there as a halfway point their lands.

The Land of Iron had remained neutral to shinobi affairs for decades. Due to the differences in ideologies, the Land of Iron's military was made up of entirely samurai over shinobi. And there was a long-standing agreement between the five nations to stay out of the land. For many years, the land has allowed for foreign leaders to come and have a place for meeting on neutral grounds.

The more elderly of the two Kage, Ōnoki was the first to arrive with his two subordinates, Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi. Not long after, the Raikage arrived with Darui and Cee in tow.

The general of the samurai, Mifune, greeted the two and took them to the meeting room. He remained in the room to be the mediator for their meeting, as was tradition for his position.

"Raikage, Tsuchikage, please take a seat." The samurai's leader said as he took a seat of his own. "Commence your meeting. I will remain silent unless I don't need to be."

The Raikage nodded. "Thank you, Mifune." The man looked at the muscular Kage. "Well, Tsuchikage, what's the reason you've called me here? I'm quite eager to know."

Ōnoki wasted no time in responding. "War is a difficult time. It takes years of strategic planning and near perfect execution to win. Not to mention, the willingness to take chances." The elderly man crossed his arms. "Do you mind informing me why you have not been sending your two jinchūriki out to the battlefield?"

Whether the Raikage was surprised by this question or not, Darui could not tell. Nevertheless, the large man stroked his white mustache. "Why is that any of your concern?"

"Because we are at war!" Ōnoki yelled. "We must take every opportunity to win! We have the upper hand on all fronts. Konoha is vulnerable with their jinchūriki dead. We can strike at their core!"

"Konoha, and Suna for that matter, still has many powerful shinobi." The Raikage responded, trying to divert from his original question. "Attacking Konoha directly is not a wise move. Two out of the three Sannin still remain in their ranks, one of them is the Hokage. We cannot afford an assault like that until we thin out their forces first."

"Suna is now just becoming a factor. The new Kazekage has just come into power and their forces are still recovering from the Orochimaru incident. They have been mostly a support mechanic. If we combine our jinchūriki and strike now then-"

"I will not use my two jinchūriki this early." The Raikage said sternly. "Jinchūriki are deterrents and, most importantly, a last resort for me."

"Spare me the personal feelings, Ay. I know your brother is the Eight Tails container. Do not use him as an excuse."

"You do not know my brother!" The Raikage shouted. "He will go off on own! I will not divert a team from their mission to search for my foolish brother. It would be a waste of manpower and time."

"Then what of the Two Tails?" Ōnoki questioned, clearly annoyed by the Raikage' lack of cooperation.

"Yugito is still coming into her own. She is not ready."

Ōnoki was reaching his boiling point, and both his subordinates realized it. Kurotsuchi was waiting for her grandfather to get agitated enough to where it hurt his back. The thought made her chuckle slightly.

"Then what are you bringing to this alliance, Raikage?! It has been my shinobi that have done most of the fighting!"

"I am going to say this only once, Ōnoki…" The Raikage's voice was stern and fierce. "Do not try and lie to me, especially when we both know the truth. You sought me out. You wanted to start the war. This was all you. You need my village and my shinobi. Not the other way around. And let's not forget, it was under my command that we found and killed the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Darui, my right-hand man, stabbed his sword through that kid's belly. This is an alliance. Not a dictatorship." The large man stood from his seat and began to leave. "We're done here."

"You can't leave! This meeting has only just begun!" Ōnoki shouted.

"We will communicate as usual." The Raikage walked out of the room with Darui and Cee following him.

Ōnoki was so angry and frustrated, his body was tensing. He tensed himself so hard and fast that he hurt his back. "Agh!"

Kurotsuchi immediately burst out laughing.

Catching up to the Raikage, Darui and Cee were surprised to see how quickly their leader had calmed down. Normally, it took a good workout or some smashed desks to do that.

"Darui..."

The man in question approached his Kage. "Yeah?"

"You were certain that boy was dead?"

"Sir, we've been over this-"

"Answer the question."

Darui sighed. "Yes, I know he was dead. There is no way he could have survived that. Tailed Beast or not."

"…I'm not so certain."

Both Cee and Darui raised their eyebrows in confusion. Cee was there. And he would have to agree. Naruto Uzumaki was certainly dead. How could he not be?

"Why do you say that, sir?" Cee questioned.

"I've fought his father and I know where his mother is from. Those two were not killed easily. That I can assure you." The Raikage could not shake the feeling. "That boy…if he isn't dead then he will be a problem."

"If he wasn't dead then we'd probably know by now." Darui stated. "That's something really hard to keep quiet."

"If any village could, it would be Konoha. There are many mysteries about that village." The Raikage continued to walk outside into the snow. He knew the two were confused by his statement. He continued to speak. "For example: how is it possible an entire clan of elite shinobi is killed in a single night?"

"The Uchiha massacre?" Cee questioned. "Wasn't that by one of their own? What was his name again?"

"Itachi Uchiha." Darui answered. "He was a Konoha ANBU Captain and a prodigy." Darui answered. "It's possible that we was strong enough. Surprise attack most likely."

"No. Itachi Uchiha was not stronger than his father, Fugaku. 'Wicked Eye' Fugaku was a rival to the Fourth. I never fought him personal, but I know those who have. He was a serious fighter."

"I say again, surprise attack."

"It doesn't add up to me. None of it does." The Kage of Kumogakure turned and looked at both of his subordinates. "Do not rule out that Naruto Uzumaki could still be alive somewhere. I do not want to be caught off guard."

Both of them nodded in confirmation. It was rare the Raikage was so cautious, they knew he was serious. "What about the Tsuchikage? Should we inform him as well?"

The Raikage shook his head. "No. Ōnoki has his head so far up his own ass he can't see what's right in front of him. We may be in a alliance but I will always put my village first." The Raikage began walking again. "Let's return home."

-Mount Myōboku-

Dear Naruto,

I'm not really sure how to start this. I've never written an actual letter to someone before. I hope I can express everything the way I want to. Anyways, how's the training going? Lady Tsunade said you're progressing like you always have. Hopefully, your injury isn't too bad. MAKE SURE TO HEAL COMPLETELY BEFORE TRAINING AGAIN!

Please just be safe. I'd hate for your training to get prolonged and you not come home on time…

I'm keeping myself busy with training and working shifts at the hospital. Lady Tsunade has been brutal with her training! But I can't imagine you have it easy under Lord Jiraiya. I can't wait to show you how strong I've gotten. I'm gonna blow you away! Literally!

In all honesty, there isn't much for me to say here. I'd much rather tell you everything in person. Y'know…when you come home…eating ramen together…

Just…come home soon please. Life is kinda boring around here without…Yeah, that's it. Boring…

I'll see you soon, okay? I miss you.

-Sakura

There some hearts drawn around Sakura's name.

"Ow!" Naruto yelped in pain as Shizune tightened the brace around his arm. "Why does it have to be so tight?!"

Shizune set the brace and began wrapping the arm in bandages. "It's to help with your healing, Naruto. The less you move your arm, the better it will heal." She adjusted the sling and put it around her patient. "There. That should do it."

Jiraiya entered the room. "All finished?"

Shizune nodded. "Yes, Lord Jiraiya. His arm should be fine now."

"How long until he can start full contact training again?"

"To be safe, I'd say two weeks." An unbelievable amount shock and disappointment overcame Naruto. "But I know you won't sit still for that long. Take the brace off in three to four days. Take it easy for another day after that then you should be good to go by the end of the week."

While Naruto was disappointed by the news, he understood it. He would rather take the time to heal properly now then have worse complications later in training. His progress was already ahead of schedule.

Jiraiya nodded. "Good to hear. A little rest and recovery will do you some good, Naruto. This is a marathon, not a sprint."

"I understand, master. When do I start my fūinjutsu training again?"

"After you get something to eat. We will go through some chakra nature stuff first then Pa wants to get you started on your natural energy conservation at some point. That might have to wait until you fully heal, though."

Naruto raised his eyebrow. "Why do you say that? It's just learning how to stay completely still. It doesn't sound that hard."

Jiraiya chuckled. "You'll be surprised." He motioned to follow him. "C'mon. Let's go eat something. Ma is cooking up something special."

Naruto almost looked sick at the thought. "Bugs again…"

"Wait a minute…" Shizune interjected, utterly disgusted. "You've been eating bugs?!"

"Not solely." Jiraiya stated. "Ma always goes to the village for supplies. She brings us real food to eat. But lately, we have been running low. I think she has just been saying that, so we eat her food."

"Oh…" Shizune still was feeling quite disgusted by the news. She could not imagine eating bugs and insects like they were. Then again, she saw the results of the training Naruto was doing. Frankly, she did not know a young teenager's body could be so defined and muscular. It was almost weird to think about. "As long as you're getting the necessary nutrition and vitamins…"

"Don't worry, Shizune. Ma's cooking has everything a growing boy needs. Besides, he lived here for six years growing up. He's used to it by now."

"No, I'm not…" The teenager mumbled. But he really could not complain. He was training to achieve a power that only a select few throughout history had received. Not to mention, his master was a legendary Sannin. He was well off compared to most, especially those in his graduating class. Eating some weird foods was the least of his worries.

"A messenger frog will bring you back to the village whenever you're ready, Shizune."

Shizune nodded. "Thank you."

"Wait, Shizune. Can you pass a message to Sakura for me? I don't think I'll be able to write a good letter with a bandaged hand." He chuckled. His damaged arm was his dominant hand for writing.

"Of course. What is it?"

"Tell her…I'll be back. And that I'll be ready…and that I miss her too."

-A few hours later-

Jiraiya sat on rock with his giant scroll draped over his crossed legs. He scribbled away with his brush and ink. Naruto laid back on the grass with his non-bandaged arm behind his head. If he waited any longer for his master to start talking, he was going to fall asleep.

"The key to understanding the five chakra natures is all about balance and harmony. While each is vastly different, they cannot exist without one another. Simultaneously, it's very difficult for them to co-exist. Much like the Five Great Nations, the five chakra natures don't get along very well."

"I already know this, Pervy Sage. I may not have gone to the academy much but I'm aware which natures are stronger against others."

Jiraiya raised his eyebrow. "Really?" He took out a piece of paper and pencil. "Show me. Draw the diagram."

"Uh…I can't write with my left hand."

"Oh. Right." The Sannin chuckled. "Explain it to me then."

"Fire is strong against Wind but weak to Water. Wind is strong against Lightning but weak to Fire. Lightning is strong against Earth but weak to Wind. Earth is strong against Water but weak to Lightning. Water is strong against Fire but weak to Earth. Each one is strong against one but weak to another. The balance. Like you said."

Jiraiya smiled. "Very good. But what about the harmony? How does that play in?"

Naruto's confidence faltered. "Well…that's easy…um…"

Jiraiya let out a loud, hearty laugh. "Got ya on that one!" He sighed contently. "Think of it like this. Each one of the elements correlates to one of the Great Nations. The Land of Fire, Land of Wind, Land of Earth and so on. Like I said before, the elements don't always get along. But they need each other. And they can work well together, under the right circumstances."

Naruto raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well, for starters, chakra elements can be combined into new elements with unique properties. Like that Hyōton (Ice Release)user you told me about? That's a combination of Suiton and Futon. And the Shodaime Hokage's Mokuton (Wood Release) is a combination Suiton and Doton. Normally, combining chakra natures takes a kekkei genkai. But, in your case, you naturally have three chakra natures."

Naruto shot up to a sitting position. "What?! I have three?!"

Jiraiya looked at his godson surprised. "You really didn't know? Did you even care to notice?"

"Notice what?" Naruto was now standing in front of his godfather.

Jiraiya sighed. "Attention to detail, my student. Attention to detail." He reached into his pocket. "Here's another piece of chakra induction paper. This is my last one."

Chakra induction paper is made from a special tree that is grown and fed by chakra. When the paper is exposed to the slightest bit of chakra, it reacts according to the user's chakra element. This is how shinobi learn their affinity to a chakra nature.

"Do you remember the reactions?"

Naruto nodded. "Yes. I remember."

When Naruto channeled his chakra into the paper, one of five things would happen. If the paper burned, it meant he had an affinity to fire. If the paper spilt in two, it meant he had an affinity to wind. If the paper crinkled, it meant he had an affinity to lightning. If the paper turned to dirt and crumbled, it meant he had an affinity to earth. If the paper became wet, it meant he had an affinity to water. The last time Naruto used this paper, it spilt in two. He had an affinity to wind. A rare ability in Konoha.

Naruto channeled his chakra into the paper. With no surprise, the paper spilt down the middle into two pieces. He immediately locked eyes with his master. "I think you were wrong, Pervy Sage. It only spilt. Nothing else happened."

Jiraiya smirked, watching the two halves fall ceremoniously to the ground. "Look again."

Naruto looked down and saw what his master was looking at. One half of the paper was burnt. Meaning a fire affinity. The other half was crinkled.

"Fire and…lightning?"

Jiraiya nodded. "It appears so. And that's highly convenient."

"But how? I am terrible with lighting techniques."

"My best assumption is that since your main affinity is wind then the lightning affinity in you is suppressed. A mental block of sorts. I'm sure we can work past it."

"But how do I have three affinities?"

"Under normal circumstances, a person with three chakra affinities has a strong kekkei genkai that's been passed down through generations and that person has a once in a lifetime gift. But in your case, with no such kekkei genkai, you received your affinities from your father."

"…My father…?"

"Minato was a prodigy. A generational talent with the genius and work ethic to back it up. To this day, he has highest scores in the academy. The closest to touch his scores was Itachi Uchiha. By the time I took him on as my student, Minato already learned and accomplished so much. He was the only other person I know that naturally had three chakra affinities. The same three you have."

"…" Naruto said nothing. Being compared to his father…it just did not sit right with him. From a standard shinobi's standpoint, just being in the same conversation with the Fourth Hokage was an honor and a testament to their skills. But Naruto was not a standard shinobi. He was the son of the Fourth Hokage. The man who sealed the Kyūbi inside his own son. He was not sure if he would ever get over that.

Jiraiya knew talking about Minato was a touchy subject for Naruto. And rightfully so. It was a different thing to process. Anyone would have issues after learning their father was responsible for a life filled with hatred and loneliness. But it was also his fault. He should not have left like he did. A decision that haunted him everyday. He was grateful that Naruto was able to forgive him. And this training was his reward.

"Why…why did he have to choose me?" Naruto absentmindedly asked. "If he was so talented and smart…why couldn't have come up with a better solution?"

Jiraiya thought about his answer. He did not want to screw this up. This was his chance to help Naruto understand. He gave it his best shot. "Because he was the Hokage."

"Huh?"

"Minato was the Fourth Hokage. He had a sworn duty to protect the villagers and the village itself from any and all threats. Even if it meant damning his own son. That single action led to the safety of the village. It was at the cost of his own life, but it saved thousands of innocent lives. And to answer your other question. I think…no, I'm sure that there was no one else in the village that would have survived the sealing of the Kyūbi in them. You're special a lot of ways, Naruto."

Naruto took in the information. It did not help us troubled mind, it only raised more questions. "Is that the true duty of a Hokage? To live for the village and to only die for it?"

"Sometimes, as Hokage, you have to make impossible decisions. And you can't let your personal feelings get in the way. I believe that's where the Third began went wrong. His personal feelings for Orochimaru blinded him to what he had become. And in the end, it got him and a lot of others killed. Being Hokage is not for everyone. Everyone wants the fame and glory, but not the responsibility."

Growing up, Naruto would daydream about being Hokage and what it would do for him. He would finally have the respect from the village that he so desperately wanted. And he would be the strongest in the village, meaning no one would be able to say or do anything to him. The idea sounded extremely enticing. But then again…

"I don't think I would like being the Hokage."

Jiraiya raised his eyebrow. "Is that so? Why's that?"

"I don't think I'd ever be able to forsake my family for the better of the village…if I ever have a family."

Jiraiya was seeing a different side of Naruto. These were things be probably had never shared with anyone before. Maybe even his teammate, Sakura, had not heard these feelings yet. "Do…do you want to have a family, Naruto?"

"…Yeah, I think so. One day…maybe."

Jiraiya looked at his godson in a new light. Naruto was not just some kid with a goal. He had dreams. Naruto had an unusual upbringing. He was born to a life with no parents. Raised by his godfather on a mountain of frogs. Left in a village that hated him. Spent most of his adolescence alone and angry. Jiraiya wasn't sure if the boy could move past his angry toward Minato. But the more time Jiraiya spent with Naruto, the more he realized he truly was just like him.

Jiraiya always wanted a family to call his own. And he knew who he wanted it to be with. Tsunade was a hard woman to deal with, but that was why he loved her so. But his duty as a shinobi got in the way of settling down. And when he wanted to start trying, Tsunade had moved on. There was no second chance to be hand. Now, she was scorned to love again. And his chance for a family was gone.

"You were more than just a teacher to me, Master Jiraiya. More like a father. And I know, Naruto will love you like family too."

Minato's words echoed in Jiraiya's mind. He said those words to him the day he found out Kushina was pregnant. And the day he learned that he had named their unborn child.

'I guess that makes me your grandfather, Naruto.'

Jiraiya smiled as bright and as strong as could be. He reached out and rubbed Naruto on his head, surprising the boy. "I'm glad I made you my student, Naruto. Nothing will ever make me happier."

The sheer amount of happiness that Naruto felt in his body could not be described. The only other time he felt like this was when he read his mother's letter. Was this what it was like to have a father? "…Me too…master."

A beautiful moment that would never be forgotten.

A loud ribbit drew the attention about to reality. There was a third coming towards them, alerting them of his presence. Fukasaku hoped his way onto the stone Jiraiya was sitting on.

"Jiraiya-boy, I must speak with you." He motioned with his small, webbed hand for the much larger man to lower his ear.

The man nodded and leaned down to listen. A few moments passed before Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise, giving Naruto a cause for concern.

"Come with us, Naruto-boy." Fukasaku said, leaping off the rock. Jiraiya quickly following suit.

"Where are we going?" Naruto asked.

"There's someone that wants to talk to you."

"Who?"

"The Great Toad Sage."

-The Great Toad Sage's chamber-

Naruto and Jiraiya stood before the oldest and most respected being on Mount Myōboku, Gamamaru. Gamamaru was a brown toad that easily rivaled Gamabunta in size. He had a white belly, and his skin was very wrinkly, a sign of his age. He also wore a necklace with the toad's village for oil on it, much like Jiraiya's headband.

Jiraiya immediately knelt for the great sage, motioning Naruto to do the same. The boy was hesitant at first, not seeing the point to do so. But his master was doing it, he might as well follow suit. Fukasaku and Shima, who sat on respective pedestals in front of Gamamaru, turned and faced the elder being.

"Great Lord Elder." Fukasaku said as respectfully as he could. "As you wished, we have brought you Naruto Uzumaki."

The great sage smiled and opened his eyes to a squint. "Ah yes…what is he here for again?"

Naruto was taken back. 'Is he serious? How could he not remember? He called for us like five minutes ago!'

Fukasaku merely sighed. Gamamaru was wiser than anything our there, but he was going senile the older he became. "Elder, you wished to speak to Naruto-boy about the dream you had."

Naruto was taken back again. 'A dream? What's so special about a dream?'

"Hm? Ah, yes! I remember now." The elder toad chuckled wickedly. "Excuse my memory, living for a thousand years does take a toll on the mind.'

Naruto continued to be shocked. 'A thousand years?! How is that possible?!'

Gamamaru cleared his throat. "Last night, I dreamt that you, Naruto Uzumaki, would become a powerful shinobi and use that power to create balance or devastation throughout the world. Ushering in a new era. Your choices will shape the world for generations to follow."

Naruto stayed frozen in time as the words processed in his mind. He clung to every word, memorizing them.

Powerful shinobi…

Balance or devastation…

New era…

His choices…

This sounded an awfully like destiny to him. Something he constantly defied.

"W-What is this?" Naruto stammered. "Who are you to say anything about me?! You don't even know me!"

"Calm down, Naruto!" Jiraiya placed a hand in Naruto's shoulder. "This is the Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru. He's been around a lot longer than we have. He knows what he's talking about."

"How?! Can he see the future or something?!"

"Yes, he can." Fukasaku stated. ""The Great Elder possesses the ability to see into the future to a limited extent through his dreams. Jiraiya-boy received a similar prophecy when he was about your age."

Naruto looked back at his master. "This happened to you, too, pervy sage?"

Jiraiya nodded. "Yes. When I was first brought here to Mount Myōboku, I was told about my prophecy from the Great Toad Sage."

"What was yours?" There was a desperate look in Naruto's eyes. "Please, tell me."

Jiraiya sighed. "He told me that I would be a talented shinobi. That I would walk across the world as a sage to observe all creation, allowing nature to take its course. And that I would take on a student that would either be the savior of the world or be its ultimate destroyer. And my actions towards them would determine which path that person takes."

"Don't forget pervert without equal!" Gamamaru chuckled. "I remember now, Jiraiya."

Naruto turned back to Fukasaku. "You said that his power is limited. What did you mean?"

"Because the Great Elder cannot see past what the student becomes, hence the savior or destroyer. And toads never have dreams."

"Well, how many dreams have there been?"

"In my time, only two. Yours and Jiraiya-boy's."

Anger rose in Naruto. All his life, he decided that whatever the universe had planned for him was wrong and that he would defy it to his dying breath. Because if had given into destiny, like Neji had said, then would have died the day he was born. Now he was getting told by some older-than-dirt toad that he had the choice between being the savior of the world or being its ultimate destruction?

This was all too much.

'Bullshit!'

Naruto turned and ran out of the chamber, not bothering to look back.

"Naruto!" Jiraiya called out to him, but the blonde boy kept running. He frustratingly sighed. "What's gotten into him all of a sudden?"

Fukasaku jumped down next to him. "It appears Naruto-boy does not like his prophecy. In all honesty, I did not see this type of reaction from him. He seemed more levelheaded."

The Sannin shook his head. "He's not the easiest to open up. He keeps a lot of his emotions bottled up. Then when something genuinely upsets him, he loses all control he had and let's his emotions run wild. It is better to let him be for awhile. I'll talk to him when he's calmed down."

-With Naruto-

He was unsure of where he was running. Naruto just ran as fast and as hard as he could. It was not until he reached the massive leaves that acted like trees on the outskirts of the frog village. He jumped to the top of the massive leaf. He wanted to hide. That was the best possible place.

Naruto sat atop of the massive leaf tree. There were so many thoughts and scenarios running through his head that he was driving himself crazy. His mind was in overdrive and could not calm down. Naruto closed his eyes, trying to go through breathing techniques.

Moments later, he reopened his eyes and realized that the surroundings had changed. He was no longer on top of a leaf tree. He stood before the massive red cage of the tailed beast within him.

The large, demon eyes of the Kyūbi shined through the bars.

"Boy…what the hell is going on? Why is your mind a jumbled mess?"

Naruto looked up at the beast. "Where have you been? How did you not hear all that?"

"I've been catching up on sleep…Elaborate why your head is in chaos."

"Destiny is real!" Naruto burst out, letting all his emotions flow. "Everything I've been trying to prove wrong is real and there is nothing to change it! I was wrong! Neji was right!" He grabbed ahold of the red bars and violently shook them. "Why is everything a waste of time?! I can't handle it anymore!" He slid down to his knees, his head resting against the cage. "I can't do this anymore…it's too much…"

The fox beast, with his nose mere feet from the boy, watched the blonde, not so, softly bang his head against the bars.

'He has certainly changed…'

Over the recent months, especially in the last year, Naruto had become more...in touch, for a lack of better term, with his emotions. Frankly, he had never seen the boy so distraught in his life. There was a great many things troubling him and it seemed to be taking its toll on him.

"Alright boy…listen to me now. I have lived longer than practically everything on this earth. I have learned a great deal of many things. And one of them is that destiny truly does not matter, either it exists or not."

Naruto looked up. "W-What?"

"Whatever it is that has caused this grief, do not let it bother you. Remember what I said long ago? Life is shit and you must roll with the punches to survive. Destiny…it only exists when you want it too."

"But…that the Great Toad Sage said-"

"Wait, are you talking about Gamamaru? That old bastard?" Naruto nodded in confirmation. The beast let out a bellowing laugh. "BWHAHAHA! That old frog hasn't croaked yet? He's as senile as he is old. Don't believe a word from that toad's mouth."

Naruto moved to sit with his back against the cage. "I'm not sure what to believe anymore. Everything is just so messed up right now…" It was then Naruto noticed something different about the cage. It seemed weaker. Even more, the atmosphere was different. "What's wrong in here? It's different in here. Why is it different in here?"

"I'm surprised that you've never noticed. Or that the Sannin never told you. The seal is weakening."

Naruto moved to stand in front of the red cage. "The seal is weakening? How…is that possible?"

"No sealing technique is strong enough to completely seal a Bijū for a lifetime. Eventually, the seal will come undone. With the Eight Trigram Seal, things are bit more complicated. You see, in a normal case, the bijū is contained inside of the jinchūriki. In our case, the Eight Trigram Seal constricts my chakra through the seal and assimilates into your body. So, basically, my chakra-"

"Your chakra is becoming my own." Naruto put the pieces together. "All this time, the seal has been making your chakra…my chakra."

"Precisely." The Kyūbi stated. "Since the moment I was sealed into you, the seal has been focusing my chakra in such a way that allows your body to take it on as its own. It also, in turn, creates the suppression of my chakra stronger." The beast chuckled. "The Uzumaki always have been the perfect jinchūrikis."

Naruto eyed the demon suspiciously. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You know nothing of what your clan ancestors could do. You pale in comparison to that of a full blooded Uzumaki."

"How's that? I'll be honest, I don't know a lot about the Uzumaki clan."

"All that time studying, and you didn't bother to look into your own clan? Shameful. Do your research on the clans of the world and of clans past, you never know who you will run into." Naruto took that piece of advice to heart and decided to do just that. "Regardless, I know the Uzumaki clan well. My two previous jinchūriki were Uzumaki."

Naruto was not aware of any other jinchūriki of the Kyūbi. There was no public information on other jinchūriki in Konoha's library. "Previous? Who were they?"

"An ancestor of yours. The wife of that bastard First Hokage, and the current Hokage's grandmother, Mito Uzumaki."

"Baa-chan's grandmother? I knew never…" A realization came over Naruto. "Wait…if she was an Uzumaki. Then, that means me and Baa-chan are related?!"

"The Senju clan and Uzumaki clan were already distant relatives. It changes nothing."

"What happened to her? How did you get sealed into someone else?"

"Mito simply grew old, and her body could no longer contain me. My next jinchūriki was brought to Konoha for the sole purpose to be my container."

"That's terrible…" Naruto said. Maybe Konoha was not as noble as their history books made it seem. "But then who is the other jinchūriki? What happened to that person? The First Hokage's wife only died about thirty years ago, right?"

The Kyūbi knew this was about to turn sour. "The other was…" He hesitated. "The jinchūriki before was your mother, Kushina."

It was at this moment that Naruto's entire world came crashing down on him. This new information figuratively smacked him in the face, literally causing him to fall to his knees in utter shock.

"Wha…what…?"

"Your mother was brought to your village to be my next container because of her unique Uzumaki chakra. She was chosen all the way from her birthplace, Land of Eddies."

Anger filled Naruto's body, his shock quickly leaving him. He was instantly back on his feet. "How is that possible?! If she was a stranger from another village then why was she chosen?!"

"Calm down, kit. There's much to this story that you don't know."

"But…" Naruto's anger remained, but he calmed himself enough to listen to the beast. "Talk then."

"There was a strong relationship between Konoha's Senju clan and Uzushio's Uzumaki clan. The relationship was honored by Konoha after their demise, hence the reason why all Konoha shinobi have the Uzumaki clan symbol on their backs. Your mother was born with an extremely powerful chakra, even by Uzumaki standards. She was strong enough to suppress me with just her chakra. She was the best suited for it."

"My mom was chosen because of something she had no control over? And Konoha made that choice for her?"

"If that's the way you want to look at it."

"Did they, at least, tell her what was going to happen?"

"As far as I'm aware, no. That was kept secret from her. The council decided it was best she did not know. Or else she might not let it happen."

Anger soared through Naruto again. "Of course, she wouldn't let it happen! What sane person would let themselves be a jinchūriki?!"

"There are many people, boy." The beast growled annoyingly. "Many people throughout history have sought out a bijū's power for their own gain. Be thankful I'm willing to work with you."

"Thankful isn't exactly the word I'd use." He mumbled to himself. But there was something he had always wondered. "How did my mom die?"

The Kyūbi hesitated again. "…Truth be told, I don't know how she died. I...was extracted and separated from Kushina."

Now that sparked Naruto's curiosity. "Extracted? What do you mean?" He grabbed the bars to the cage. "Tell me!"

"Like I said before, there's much you don't know."

"Then tell me, you damn fox!"

"I can't."

"Why not?!"

"I promised your father I wouldn't. He wants to tell you."

All his anger disappeared, and all was left was confusion. A promise to his father? But that didn't make any sense to Naruto. He thought his father was the reason the Kyūbi was sealed away. Why would the Kyūbi agree to something? But the anger soon returned. "Well, he's dead! You're not!"

"You don't understand. But you will. In time."

"You're not going to tell me?!"

"No."

"Bastard!" He screamed.

Naruto ran his non bandaged hand through his hair in a stressful manner. There were so many things happening all at once. He was unsure what to think. Utterly frustrated and completely lost on what he should do. And there were only two things that helped him clear his mind. The only one accessible to him at the moment was to train. And he could not even do that. It was going to be another week before he could let out these emotions.

That is when a familiar harmonic tone rang through the halls of Naruto's mind. The call of Tojin.

Naruto sighed. "Not now..."

"You misunderstand Tojin's call. It was not for blood. But for training."

Naruto looked up again. "Training? How can I do that? If I summon Tojin, it can cause me more heart problems. Besides, Baa-Chan told me not use Tojin anymore."

"Out in the real world, yes. But in here is different. This is your mind. Our mind. You can make anything you want a reality in here."

Naruto raised his eyebrow. "I can? How?"

"Use your mind, boy. Think it and it will happen."

Naruto was skeptical. He understood what the Kyūbi was saying, but it seemed a bit far fetched. He decided to start small and to see if anything actually happened. He closed his eyes in thought. Next thing he knew, there was no brace around his arm, the sling disappeared, and his arm moved freely.

"Hey, it worked!" Naruto moved his arm around. There was no pain. He focused his chakra and created a Rasengan. He dispersed the jutsu once he was satisfied. "I wonder what else I can think of."

He closed his eyes again. He thought about Sakura and how much he missed her. He could not wait to see her again.

"Naruto…"

Naruto reopened his eyes to see Sakura standing before him. He could only imagine what she looked like now. She was in her same outfit she always wore, but she had grown more beautiful with her age she would be now. Her hair was down her back. And her womanly features…well, he hoped was not imagining what those develop in to.

"Sakura…" Naruto said just as happily, slowly reaching out to her. "I've missed you…"

"Don't get lost a trace boy." The Kyūbi stated. "Remember, this is your imagination, not reality. Your arm is still injured and she's still back in the village. Don't misconstrue the two."

"Yeah yeah, I know. It's just…nice to think about."

Of course, the growing boy with the hormones of a teenage boy could not resist. 'Yeah. I'm definitely gonna think about that later!' A fantasy that he was surely looking forward to.

The imaginary Sakura slowly disappeared into nothing. He heard Tojin's harmonic call once more. It was coming from deeper in the sewer labyrinth of his mind. He hesitated for a moment before following the tone.

In all the years he had been alive, and the times he had come to this place in his mind, he never thought it expanded like this. There were so many turns and dead ends. It was a never-ending maze. What seemed like hours of wandering, Naruto finally came to another open chamber. And Tojin was floating directly in the middle of the room.

"So, this is where you go…I had always wondered where I summon you from."

There was melody that rang for a response.

"Turmoil? I mean it's been a rough day, I guess. Why? Is that obvious?"

"Tojin feels your emotions as I do." The Kyūbi's voice called out from his cage. Naruto was unsure how he could hear them. "He sensed your want to train with it."

Naruto looked at the sword curiously. "Train? How can I train? Using you will reaggravate my heart condition. Won't it?"

Tojin responded harmonically.

"Oh. So, the same rules apply? It's my mind, anything goes?"

Tojin responded by created an identical clone that was glowing bright red in Naruto's hand. He held the glowing sword in his hand, getting a feel for it. Tojin moved and readied itself. Naruto realized what it wanted to do and smiled with excitement.

"Oh, hell yes!"