Chapter III

Haunting Past I

Keiko lifted his head to the Uchihas request, getting a good look at his face up close. His square chin, defined jawline, long hair, and menacing gaze reminded him of the past, when he meet a very peculiar person that would change his life. This is the day that taught him the hatred he felt for the Hidden Leaf.

15 years ago…

Nine-year-old Keiko Uzumaki was sitting on a dock by his house, which was located on the same river that the Uzumaki village of Uzushiogakure was, but much further down to where the village was barely visible. There was no specific reason as for why they lived so far, however this condition would be the one that saved the life of Keiko. He turned his head to look down the river, staring at the village downstream.

"Damn, if only I was allowed to go to the village… I wonder why Dad is so against me ever going, it doesn't seem like that a bad place…" He sighed, standing up and heading for the door, as the night sky had finally began to engulf the reddish sky.

Disappointed, he went straight to his room and into bed, staring at the twinkling stars outside his window. His parents weren't home, as per usual, since they carried out important missions for the village. He longed to go to village when he grew up, but he wanted nothing to do with it or the residents. He simply wanted to see the world and chase his dream.

Waking up at the brink of dawn, Keikos usual routine consisted of eating whatever premade food he could find in the house, then setting out for a hidden spot in the middle of a nearby forest where he had trained every day since he was six. He wasn't just receiving any normal training, though. It had been directly from a member of the Anbu Black Ops, something that not many people got to experience in their lifetime.

"Hey, mister! Where you at today! Am I gonna learn a new Jutsu today? I finally perfected the last one you showed me! Come on out!"

Emerging from the shadows was the Anbu member. His mask was based off some kind of bird, though the species was never revealed to Keiko. Despite being lean and a bit short when compared to other adults, he was ridiculously strong and an amazing instructor for Keiko. From the shadows, a new voice revealed itself.

"Hey you, come here? What's you're name?" It was a kid younger than Keiko, looking to be around 5 years old. By the sounds of his voice, he was quite curious to meet another kid.

"Even though we spent months working on your language skills, you still can't correctly form questions yet… Just how did I get stuck with a kid like you… And how about you be polite and come out yourself!"

The kid quickly came out, hiding behind the leg of the Anbu member. He laughed, eventually unlatching the kid from his leg and pushing him forward. "S-so! What is it?" The nervous kid asked again.

"Well, I'm Keiko Uzumaki, a legend in the making! I'm gonna be the most well-known ninja in existence! Just you wait!"

The kids eyes grew larger as they were brimming with excitement. "You're an Uzumaki?! That's so cool! I don't like my name, so you can me K, okay?"

Keiko smirked a little, happy with his response. "I'm liking you already. Whatever you say, K. By the way, which clan do you come from?"

K looked confused until the Anbu member stepped in to reply. "We actually don't know exactly where his origin is from, which is why I brought him here. He'll be safe here, I hope. Not only is it isolated, but there are plenty of strong forces nearby. It would be suicide for someone to invade this country, anyways…"

Keiko nodded, understanding exactly what he was referring to. K, on the other hand, looked quite lost, not exactly knowing how he should reply. He instead ran over to a wooden sparring dummy and began to hit it, practicing his forms as he was taught.

"What's the story behind him? He has so much energy in his body and life in his eyes. I'm surprised that he doesn't have pare-"The Anbu member interrupted.

"Well, it's complicated… all I really know is that he legally doesn't exist, since he was born to two Hidden Leaf ninja while out on a long-term mission. He has one of their headbands, but it's really beat up, so I don't think his parents are alive… Being totally honest here, I have my suspicions that he may be an Uchiha, partly due to his long, black hair at this age, but I could be wrong… Just go talk to him, he won't tell me anything about his past whatsoever, but I think he might know something. I've gotta go and attend to some business in the village anyways, so I'll seeya in a few days!" The Anbu member disappeared with a poof, and it was as if he never existed there in the first place.

"Hey! Come over here! Check out my new move!" K exclaimed while staring directly at Keiko with a bright smile on his face. He had no choice but to go over, as he could never say no to such an innocent-looking face.

The two of them began showing off different moves to one another, getting so into competing that they lost track of time. When their session finally concluded, the sun was about to set, and they were exhausted. Lying on the ground, K began to speak to Keiko.

"You're so much better than me… There's no way that I could catch up to a prodigy like you…" K sounded as if he were about to cry, so Keiko began to speak from his heart.

"Hey now, don't say stuff like that. With that kind of attitude, you really won't get anywhere… But if you put in the work, even normal people have a chance to surpass the prodigies. Also, becoming discouraged only makes you weaker in the heart, so promise me to never do that, okay?" Keiko reached his hand out to pick K up. K grabbed his hand, allowing himself to completely be pulled up by the strength of Keiko.

"I don't think I'll be able to take you back to my house when my parents are home, so we need to leave now if you wanna hide out in my room for the night. I know for a fact that someone like you wouldn't like staying in these forests at night."

K just responded with a nod, following behind Keiko as he led the way to his home. Halfway down the path, though, K said something that would continue to reverberate through Keikos mind for years, still bringing him chills in the present.

"Heh, isn't it funny, our names are super similar, but our bloodlines are sworn enemies… What are the chances that we would be able to meet, Keiko?"