I got inspired by my A Loser's Quest story that I decided to try something similar for Naruto... but I realized that Naruto just doesn't have access to the same resources that everyone in our world does... like the internet for example. He also lacks self determination and the ability to organize... so, in order to be stronger and better He needs guidance from someone.
Iruka wouldn't do, he is barely there in Naruto's life... Kakashi is worthless and Jiriya is a tool... he needs someone with a reason to help him, and a reason to guide him without interference...
This was hard to write and figure out but I think I have the right person to do so...and oddly enough it was a story I tried out before, one that I never finished because bipolar sucks and I get distracted far too easily... I had so many flaws but I am so much better as a writer now that I think I can finish it.
Oh and am I the only one bothered by Sage mode and the fighting style Naruto learned for it, as he mastered it in mere weeks... so clearly Naruto is smarter then he lets on, we need to focus on that more! In fanfiction and beyond.
I am rewriting Epiphany... and making it far better then before. This first chapter and the first few will be basically the same, but after a certian point it will be all entirely original.
::: 1.5 years since Naruto left the Leaf for his training trip- 1 year before he has to return to the Leaf."""
" Where... Where am I? Why am I so tired... my chest hurts." Naruto grumbled, weak and shaking like he hadn't eaten in days, a feeling he was far too familar with. He couldn't remember where he was, or where he had been... what could have happened to make him feel so... awful?
Slowly opening his eyes, Naruto was met with what had to be the oldest lady in the world. Older then the Old man, or Granny Tsunade, or Jiraiya. Her face sagged and her teeth were mostly gone, and she had that old people smell. He almost fell back in shock as she stared down at him like the Shinigami ready to take his soul.
" I wondered when you would wake up, you were asleep for two days. When I found you, pinned to that tree with a sword through your shoulder... I feared the worst." She held a hand over her chest, smiling as Naruto's head began to swim as her word set free those memories trauma had sealed. " You've recovered quickly, only mild case of anemia and dehydration. Oh and a scar upon your shoulder, right here." She pointed towards his shoulder and in an instant he remembered exactly what happened.
" I... I died,... over and over again... so much blood..." He looked at her and the words spilled out before he could stop them.
" Rasengan! AHHH" Once again, the Rasengan blew up in his hand, sending him flying back into a tree. " Damn it, I still can't do it with one hand." Growling in anger, Naruto sat down and pulled out his lunch box digging in as fast as he could, eager to restart his training. " Stupid Pervysage, ditching me here for girls." Pouting, Naruto never saw the Kunai until it grazed his cheek startling him enough to drop his food and leap away.
"Hmmm... poor reflexes, how someone like you played a role in the defeat of Zabuza is beyond me." Naruto froze looking around in shock as a cold voice echoed around him. '
Unable to find anything, Naruto growled. " Come out you Bastard!"
" Hmmm... I think I'd rather not. Your reputation precedes you child, though looking at you now, I know it was greatly exaggerated. "
Pain and blooded exploded from Naruto's side before he could react. " Gah, bastard." Rolling away, he pulled out a kunai and tried to lash out, only to be kicked hard in his face sending him flying back. " Gack,ahh." Blood and spit shot from his mouth and fists slammed into his chest and stomach over and over again. A harsh hand gripped his hair and slammed his head into the tree, over and over again, leaving him dazed.
" Yes... nothing, a waste... still, you can use the Rasengan and can Summon Toads, plus your the Jinchuuriki of the Fox. You cannot be allowed to live, not when your a threat to my people." The voice stopped echoing, and through his daze Naruto saw the person who attacked him. He was wearing a mask like Haku's, with a sword on his back which he pulled out and in one brutal motion, slit Naruto's throat. " Such a waste... I wasn't even planning on attacking you, but seeing you with that Rasengan... well it was just too easy. Lady Mei will be pleased."
Pain drifted away as blood poured from his throat, he could barely move... then he felt it, burning power, like when he fought Sasuke. Anger and hate took over and before Naruto knew it, he had charged, knocking his assailant away. Charging a Rasengan in his hand, Naruto slammed it into the man's chest. Screams and cracks filled the clearing as a crater formed underneath him.
As the smoke cleared, Naruto stumbled back, falling against a tree. " There... you bastard. " Kyuubi's chakra faded away, leaving him exhausted. " I wonder... who is... Lady Mei... maybe... Pervy Sage will tell me." Closing his eyes, to take a little nap, Naruto finally relaxed... only to gasp in horror and sheerest agony, as pain exploded in his shoulder. There, in front of him, was his attacker, with his hands wrapped around the hilt of his sword. The rest of it was buried in Naruto's shoulder. " But... your... dead." Blood exploded from both of their lips at the same time, stopping all speech for a moment.
When the Attacker managed to breathe, he looked at Naruto with a swollen eye. " Your right... I am... Your attack shattered my ribs. My organs are perforated... I'm dying. And now... so are you. This blade, it is special. Once Mei killed Yagura, we were asked to make a new order of the Seven Swordsmen... through new swords. I made one, or at least tried to... this blade pumps poisons into the body... I just put all of my chakra into it... each seal has six hours of poison... and each one will activate the next when it is done... even with the Kyuubi... your body won't be able to survive... and with your healing factor, your own body will act as a suction, making this sword almost impossible to remove... even in death, I have won. You will remain here... until your heart gives out... "
And with that, the man collapsed , falling along side Naruto's body as the poison began to spread. Naruto screamed in agony, his entire body feeling lt was being dipped in acid. He screamed so hard his voice broke and Kyuubi's power exploded inside of him. He felt it fighting the poison, burning around the blade, healing it as quickly as it cut into his skin. Foam made It's way out of his mouth as he started choking/
Darkness took him moments later...
Flashback end
" ... I woke up... a few times... I was so hungry and thirsty... It rained and I drank the water... " He couldn't focus any more, the images too fuzzy... " I can't remember what else happened but I know I woke up a few times..."
Soft and gentle, the lady kneeled in front of him, gently brushing his cheek. " It is alright child, I don't think you were ever conscious enough to experience such horrors. A blessing among your suffering... "
" How... how long was I there... where... where is Pervy Sage?" He shivered, needing someone familiar.
Sighing, the Lady leaned back. " It rained five days ago... mean you were pinned to that tree for at least two days before I found you... it is Sunday right now.. and as for Jiriaya... I saw him, I believe he is sleeping off a hangover. He has made quite a scene in the bars with all of his money."
Naruto froze, horror and shock and disbelief warring for control. " He... he doesn't... he didn't even know... Six.. I was pinned to the tree for three days, last Monday..." He couldn't breathe, he tried, and tried and before he knew it he collapsed against his cot.
" Breathe child, your hyperventilating." She pulled him to her squishy chest, singing lightly in his ear and rocking back and forth. It took a few minutes but Naruto managed to calm down.
" He can't, he doesn't' know. Yeah, he had to be talking to a contact, something... he didn't leave me like that for six days... it's not possible. " Rocketing to a standing position, Naruto turned to rush out of the door when the Lady put her hand on his arm.
" Hold child... please, listen to me for a moment..." Impatiently, he turned to her but stopped his remark at her sad look. " I... Promise me... that if Jiraiya has indeed spent the last six days drinking, never knowing what happened to you...that you will return to me. I promise you will not regret it if you don't."
Smiling in his good guy pose, Naruto nodded. " Pervy sage would never abandon me... but sure, I'll come back, you saved my life!"
He never bothered to see her reaction as he shot out of her house hurrying through town until he found their hotel. Sure enough, there was Pervy Sage, Groaning as he vomited into a toilet. It was such a familiar sight that Naruto couldn't help but smile. Then he froze, why was he hung over in the first place... " Pervy Sage... " He whispered, and apparently that was enough for the old fart to turn to him with a squinted gaze.
" Quiet brat, it hurts to hear.. oh... what I would do for one of Tsunade's hangover cure... " The man stood, swishing water in his mouth and spat it out before laying back down. " Go away brat, practice your rasengan or something... we'll be in this town for another month. I want you to...snore..." Loud, obnoxious snores filled the room... and it was to that haunting sound that a now hallowed eye Naruto slumped his way back to the Old Lady, who awaited him with a cup of tea and a book. He wasn't sure why he fulfilled his promise, he hadn't known her in any meaningful way, but she had saved him...
He kind of felt like owed her, if nothing else.
" You were right... he... he didn't know... he doesn't care about me... at all..."
" I am sorry child... truthfully, I didn't want to be right... " She patted his hand as he drank her tea. " I will be honest with you, I feel as if you need me to be absolute in my truths. I have been watching you, you know, ever since you and your sensei entered this town ten days past. I was curious, I knew of Jiraiya since I have fought him on many occasions in years past."
Naruto almost spat out his tea. " You fought him, are you a ninja?"
She shook her head with a chuckle. " No, I am a samurai. I hail from the Land of Iron, defecting in my early twenties, just before the start of the First Shinobi War. I was a mercenary for some time, a hired hand if you will. I served Earth country in those days, and fought Jiraiya before and after he became Sanin. I would have left him with a few scars had he not had Tsuande to heal him... hmmm yes. Now, as to why I had you return to me. There is a question I have for you... are you happy Naruto, with your Life?"
He froze, kind of confused. " Um... I... I don't know. I think I was but... with what happened..." Naruto hated himself for sounding so weak and unsure. " I mean yeah, I love the village, and Sakura and Pervy Sage IOWH!" Naruto cringed, holding his hand in pain. The old bag has smacked him with a cane( he had no idea where it had been).
" No lying to me Naruto!" She frowned. " I have lived longer then nearly anyone in the world, I can smell a liar miles away."
Grumbling, he shook his head. " No, I'm not okay! I am never going to get strong enough to save Sasuke, I almost died, Pervy Sage didn't even know I was pinned to a tree for three days..." He choked, unable to stop the words. " I killed that man, I felt his ribs cracking under the rasengan... I..."
" Hmmm as I thought. " Not expecting her words, Naruto looked up in confusion. The Women had a far away look in her eyes. " We are not so different, you and I. I was born in the Land of Iron, where Samurai take the place of Shinobi... where honor rules our ways. Women were not allowed to become Samurai, and yet my father trained me. He wasn't important or powerful but he loved me and wanted me to survive the changes born from the creation of the Shinobi villages. I was sixteen when I applied to join the Military branch of the Samurai... I passed all requirements... and for that father was put down." Her voice went hard, scaring Naruto more then Tsunade ever had.." He broke their backwards ways and for that I lost my father. I was imprisoned for years... and it wasn't until a transfer that I managed to kill a guard and flee with my life. I spent my life traveling, rehoning my skills... and learning others. I found a certain gift with herbs, used by the Shinobi monks to help sustain me... sustain me until I could figure myself out. And I did, though it was too late... what use was the enlightenment I had discovered if I could never share it with another...I tried, several times of course but no one had the spark I needed to work with...their minds clouded by ideologies that only served to control their hearts. I gave up hope... until I saw you Naruto."
Freezing, Naruto pointed to himself. " Me... but how... why... how do you know my name, I never even told you?"
" Oh that, well like I said I was watching you. I only missed the attack on you as I was recovering from a cold and needed more rest. When I awoke, I realized I could barely sense your chakra any longer and hurried to your side... I knew then Naruto, that what I suspected was true... I saw how Jiriaya treated you, how he ignored you, stole your money, how he left you alone... I realized I was looking in the wrong way. People, like you, who are swamped by those ideologies are the perfect candidates for my Enlightenment, for my way of thinking..." She leaned towards him with a smirk. " And do you want to know what it was, that I learned Naruto... those special lesson that this conflict ridden world of ours so continuously ignores?"
" Yes... I... I want to know..." Leaning back, she pulled out something from her pocket. Something familiar. " My headband!"
" Yes, that. I took it from your body, in case I needed to send it to your kage with a note so she could reclaim your body." Those words made Naruto shiver. " Now as to my lesson, this headband is very much a part of it... Naruto, what do you think of your village?"
Without thinking, Naruto practically shouted. " It is amazing, everyone is so nice, the most peaceful place in the World." He thought of The Old man, Tsuande, Iruka Sensei... " I love it, and everyone in it and I won't stop till I am Hokage!" '
Naruto expected a lot of answers,... but not the one he got. " Why?"
" Huh?"
" Why become Hokage, do you know what it means to be Hokage? Or for that matter, do you know the truth of your and all villages?" The old lady grabbed the book that was on the table, turning to a page. " Read this page Naruto."
" Uh... Sure. "
Danzo Shimura : Darkness of Shinobi
Village : Leaf
Age: 28
Taijutsu - Low S
Ninjutsu- S Rank. Mastery of Wind and Summoning Jutsu.
Kenjutsu- S Ranks
Other Skills- S Rank Intelligence, unknown Genjutsu.
Bounty : 2,000,000,000 Ryo
Danzo Shimura, once a student of Tobirama Senju, is a fearsome Shinobi known for his harsh tactics. Leading an Organization called ROOT, a division of ANBU, he is known for assinating and kidnapping powerful people to fuel his army.
Warnings- Any Shinobi under the age of 15 is ordered to flee from Danzo Shimura. He is has a reputation for kidnapping and brainwashing children to serve his army.
" What a monster! Does... " Naruto read the paper again. " He... he works for the Leaf?"
" Yes, he and your Third Hokage were best friends, having been on the same team under the Second Hokage. So tell me Naruto, was he a good person?"
Naruto growled, clenching his fists. " He is a bastard, I can't believe the Old man would let him get away with That?"
" Get away with something that helped your village win two wars?" Naruto froze in utter disbelief. " Something he approved up, funded and encouraged?"
" THE OLD MAN WOULD NEVER DO THAT!" Naruto shivered in rage, how dare she? " He was a great man, a great Hokage, He would never do anything like that!"
" Being Hokage was exactly why he did it Naruto." Freezing for a moment, Naruto sat back down. " Kages have to chose their village over all others, no matter who suffers because of it. No one is exempt from that Naruto, not even you were." He frowned, confused, so she pointed to his belly. " I know you have the Nine Tails in you Naruto, I have met many Jinchuuriki. Tell me, was your life a happy one or were you deeply isolated? People feared and mistreated you, and yet you were close to your Kage?"
Her words hit home, they were too on the dot... to right. " How did you know...?"
" About you being a Jinchuuriki? I saw your seal when I was patching you up. About your life, well all Jinchuuriki live lives like that. Killer Bee, the Jinchuuriki of the Eight tailed Octopus ox is the brother of the Raikage and from what I saw when I lived there 25 years ago, he wasn't treated very well. Gaara of the Desert, from what I heard, was quite insane and was the son of the Kazekage. The Previous Mizukage was the ward of the Third Mizukage and was in fact a Jinchuriki, that of the Three Tailed Turtle. This pattern repeats itself over and over for the last century. Tied to a kage and neglected by the world... it is unfortunately a common enough event and one you share with them."
" So... so your saying..."
" The Hokage only took care of you because you are the Jinchuuriki. Why else take care of an orphan, one of many in your village. Tell me, did he give you a home Naruto or merely a place to live?"
Tired, he slumped down. " An apartment... no neighbors..."
" And did you have any friends or was the Hokage the main person in your life?"
" I uh..." He nodded, and she seemed to understand.
" And is that fair, to you? To the other Jinchuuriki?" '
" No... no it isn't."
She hummed at him. " That is my philosophy, or at least part of it. Selfishness is a part of us and needs to be honored. Making the choice to serve yourself when the world demands that you fall to Honor, Patriotism or loyalty or whatever ideology and indoctrination we have been submerged into. This is what I wish to teach you, but it will take time... "
Naruto almost burst. " But what about getting stronger, I can't save Sasuke if I'm not strong enough!"
She raised her brow at him. " I do not know Sasuke, but we will be speaking of why you are so determined to save him later... as for your skills, well I am a samurai Naruto. While it is not the same as being a ninja, we share many skills. Of course you are also going to have to read quite a bit.. about... a hundred books in the next month."
" What, I have to read a hundred books in the next month!" Naruto gapped at her, unbelieving that she would be such a slave driver.
" Knowledge is as vital as skills and from what I have seen, you are lacking here... So, what say you, shall you join me?"
For a long moment, Naruto thought... wondering if he could do this... then it hit him... " I... I think I want to be selfish... yes. I will..."
" Good, then from now on, you shall call be Azula Sensei. Now, since you are still weak, we shall start with a debate. Starting tomorrow you shall awaken before dawn and hunt for us both, deer preferably. After you skin and rend the deer, you shall spend three hours working on the tai and kenjutsu katas I will show you later while standing on the water. Once you are finished and bathed, you will come here and eat with me before reading for an hour on any subject of your choosing. We will speak about what you have read, and then we will debate until noon. After another hour of reading, you shall work on your calligraphy so we can move to sealing so you can monitor your own seal. After that I will nap, and you will return to the forest to work on your throwing skills. I may not be a ninja but I have seen many people, your Third and Fourth Hokage included, becoming outright terrors with this skill. After an hour you will continue your tai and kenjutsu until the sun sets. You will eat with me once more and spend a few hours debating and reading until the next day." He gaped at her, making her laugh. " A Lot I know, but remember we only have a month. You will become quite a bit more powerful with this Naruto... now, two more things... first, look over in the corner. "
He gasped. " is that..."
" The Sword inside of you, yes. You shall train with it. Fiting no? Now as for the second... what do you feel about murdering children?"
Shocked, Naruto launched into the debate head first... never really questioning her reasoning for helping him... something he would cringe at later.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This first chapter was scarcely different as it was a practically perfect chapter and concept but it has been changed in some important ways if you pay attention. Mei is still the Mizukage, I got rid of Lord Aries... and I am not making Mist a major part of this, just Naruto and his growth...
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.