CHAPTER 7
Fugaku was snapped of his thoughts when he heard the same swirling noise that he heard eight years ago.
"Now you decided to show yourself... Madara" asked Fugaku with his eyes still on the tablet.
True to his words a figure slowly swirled in the room. The figure had waist-length black hair, he wore a thin black long-sleeve top that also covered his neck and chin, a pair of black gloves, and a pair of dark-colored pants. On his waist, he wore a thick black belt with armor-like metal plates attached to it. He also wore blue nail polish on his fingers and toes. He had bandages wrapped around his ankles. He also carried a Katana with him, in a black sheath. But from all that, the most distinguishing feature was the strange mask he wore. The mask was reddish-orange in color with a black flame-like pattern adorning it and had a single hole for his right eye.
The cloak itself was a formal old Uchiha robe. The Uchiha robes seemed like an old Uchiha Shinobi of the great clan war era.
"The figure cracked his neck "So, Fugaku. It's been a long time since we met." spoke the figure now named Madara, in a deep and serious voice.
Fugaku turned around a smirk adorning his face, "Surely a long time. When it was... nearly eight years." said Fugaku his smirk turning into a maniacal grin.
The figure did not showed any outward reaction to the man in front of him, "Don't play games with me Fugaku. Why the clan is rebelling against the Konoha officials." the figure said with his lone Sharingan glowing meaning he was not here play around.
Fugaku lost his grin and gained a look of rage, "Uchiha had been denied from time to time what was supposed to be theirs, now it's about time that the clan takes back what belonged to them. With Kyuubi under my control, no one would stand against me, the Uchiha clan will be at the top of the food chain. And I will personally take the position of the Hokage for myself by eliminating that old fart of a Hokage." said Fugaku thinking about how he was not chosen for the leadership of the village while the look of madness was clear in his Sharingan eyes.
Fugaku was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard chuckling coming from the other Uchiha, the chuckling soon transformed into laughing.
"Why are you laughing, you traitor?" exclaimed Fugaku as his Sharingan slowly started to spin and take a new shape indicating he activated his Mangekyo.
Madara stopped his laughter and looked at Fugaku who was glaring at Madara with his Mangekyo active, "Hnn, you call me traitor and you yourself is doing a job that is also considered as an act of treason, such a hypocrite you are." Madara said in a serious voice further increasing the other Uchiha's anger.
"I'm not a hypocrite you bastard, what I am doing is called as 'Well being of the clan', it is my job as the clan head which you never did," Fugaku exclaimed looking absolutely murderous.
"Mind your limits Fugaku, even if you provided information of the previous Kyuubi Jinchuriki's location it does not means that I will simply listen to your temper tantrums. Any further accusations and you will simply wish that it was luck that your family survived that day," said Madara while glaring with his own lone Sharingan active.
Fugaku just stared at Madara and started laughing maniacally, "Family. What family, that bitch, and my two brats. I never considered them as my family, for me they are nothing but a stepping tool to achieve my goals. I married Mikoto because she was the daughter of the clan head and in addition to that she was never interested in clan politics. So I saw it as a chance, all that power. Like it was begging me to come and take it." said Fugaku as he walked past 'Madara' while imagining himself at the top of Kyuubi and destroying whatever stood against him.
Madara, on the other hand, had other thoughts 'Seeing his hunger for power he is doomed to perish and with his madness, he might create some problems for me. Hn but this fool is nothing but a small pebble on the road to peace. He should be eliminated.' thought Madara.
What irked him was that he was bound to take help from Fugaku of Kushina's place of delivery because of his inability to infiltrate the Uzumaki compound which was protected by the seals which stopped any unwanted guest who wanted to enter the compound.
"Zetsu," called Madara called out to no one.
Upon his call, a strange creature with venus-fly trap-like extension that emerged from its sides rose from the ground. The extensions enveloped its head and upped like a shell. But, the most peculiar aspect about this creature was that the left half of it was black while the other half was white. The creature had short green hair and yellow eyes and wore a long black cloak with dark red clouds, a red interior, and a chin-high color.
"Zetsu, keep an eye on him," ordered Madara to the creature who nodded accepting the order.
"When will you capture the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. He is now very vulnerable, weak, and easy to capture." asked the black half.
"I can't approach him yet. He is surrounded by many strong Shinobi to protect him, once they are eliminated then I will capture the Jinchuriki. And there is still time for me to reveal myself to the world. First, they will know pain, and then... suffering." said Madara with his Sharingan blazing.
He left swirling away and Zetsu also merged in the ground both leaving no proof of their presence in the Naka shrine.
WITH NARUTO
It was a sunny day in the village of Konohagakure no Sato. The streets were bustling with activities, people who were doing their things related to their day-to-day life.
Naruto along with Itachi silently walked among the busy crowd of Konoha, where most of the ninja shops are located. However, on the inside, Naruto couldn't stop smiling as the Sandaime had given him a large sum of money, so he could buy some clothes and basic Shinobi gear for training. In a few days, he would begin going to the academy, so he thought to buy all the required material early. He slowly glanced towards Itachi, he was glad about him being here. Most of the time, the villagers forbade him from entering their shops and making any purchases when he was alone. Knowing that Itachi had agreed to come with the blond-haired boy. Naruto inwardly frowned and asked his inner companion, 'Kurama is it worth it?'
'What is worth it?' Kurama asked, confused by the blonde's words.
'I am recently having a doubt Kurama. Will it really worth protecting the village if anything happens. I don't know whether to hate them or love them. I have the reason for hating the villagers but what reason do I have to love them Kurama. Now I am truly confused.'
Kurama attentively heard every word of his friend, he was not shocked by the blonde's words. He knew that he had to choose his words very carefully. As his reply will decide what path the blonde will walk in the future, a mind is like a piece of flat metal. One could reshape it into any form they wish. With the right set of intentions, it could be made into a magnum opus while with wrong ideas, all you would end up with is an abomination of what one could have been. Since childhood, Naruto has read about people with great power more so than often tend to rise and be acknowledged by people.
'From what I have experienced from humankind. I suggest that it is up to your decision. If we had not met earlier Naruto, I would have surely tried to manipulate you to hate them and kill whatever came in your path, but currently, it is not the case. My old man would have been ashamed of me if I did that. I will give you only one suggestion Naruto, give them time. Time is known as the greatest healer for nothing.'
Naruto nodded and thought about it for a moment.
Kurama was right he had to give the villagers time to change.
'If that did not happen. I would leave the village to start my new life.' he thought darkly.
Walking for about twenty more minutes, both Naruto and Itachi stopped in front of a shop, which supposedly sold the best ninja equipment in the village – 'New leaf ninja shop.'
"Let's go inside, Naruto-Kun," Itachi said.
Naruto simply nodded and followed Itachi, who opened the door which sounded with a chime.
As soon as Naruto entered, he stopped and gazed at the different kinds of weapons, clothes, and scrolls that were on the shelves with curiosity. He had never come to a Shinobi store before and he wanted to soak in as many details as he could. Ever since he could remember, this was the first time, he wasn't asked to leave the moment he entered the shop. Looking towards the counter, he saw a middle-aged man with a brown beard sitting over a stool reading an orange book giggling like a school girl while a bit of blood was coming from his nose.
"Wait over here okay? I will go and speak to the person in charge of the shop." Itachi said humbly.
Naruto nodded in response, he looked towards the counter where Itachi and the store were discussing something. His gaze traveled towards the book the man was reading, he remembered some adults in the village-owned book even Kakashi sensei had his own book.
He knew what that book was about but being the curious child he was he silently walked towards the reception. Without alerting the owner he took the book from the counter, slowly he opened the book to see what this smut was about and what made the adult addicted to this so much but sadly a hand stopped him from further opening the book.
Naruto looked surprised at the person who had stopped him from reading the book. It was the shop owner who was looking at him with a stern look on his face. Naruto frowned at the look the owner gave him, maybe this shop owner was also going to kick him out of the store. But the next statement of the shopkeeper stopped Naruto's negative train of thoughts.
"You can't read this boy. You're still young." said the man in a rather gruff voice. Taking his book back he returned to his conversation with the Uchiha heir but finding no one at the place where the raven-haired Anbu should have been. He looked around for a bit trying to find the Uchiha prodigy but he was nowhere to be found
Naruto gave a look of surprise to the man, but inwardly he was shocked by the change of events. He expected him to give him the same cold look of indifference that every Shinobi gave him but that was not the case with man. Maybe he did not know what he contained or maybe he did not hate him, Naruto mentally mused.
To confirm his suspicions he tried to sense the emotions of the man in front of him,
He sensed
Nervousness
Happiness
Curiosity
But there was some type of other emotion and he remembered this emotion as he had sensed the same type of emotion from the three Chunin's two years ago. But this version was kind of subdued to the person itself. He did know what kind of emotion was that,
'Horny.' boomed the voice of Kurama.
'What Kurama? What do you mean 'horny'? asked Naruto in interest.
Kurama did not know what to answer. This was something he did not want his host to know. Why do you ask? He had a reputation to uphold. He did not want to known as the Bijuu with a perverted container. He knew a mere act of curiosity had destroyed the sanity of some young minds.
'It is something that brats your age should avoid. now go away you are disturbing my nap.' said Kurama in finality. Not wanting to discuss the topic.
'Oi furball you were the one who said that.'
No answer
'Oi Baka you listening to me...'
Again no response
'Oiiii...'
Trailed of Naruto trying to wake the lazy ball of fur.
"That lazy, no good, ball of fur..." he mumbled furiously, cursing for a few seconds he sighed.
'Why I can't have normal friends in my life.' he thought tiredly.
He turned his attention towards the clothing section of the shop. As Naruto walked past the other people who were present in the store, he could hear faint whispers of people talking about him.
"Look, look... it's that 'boy'. We should buy our things and leave from here quickly." said one of the people distastefully.
"I have heard that Sandaime has agreed to send him to the academy. I can't believe Hokage-sama would let someone like him become a Shinobi." spat a Jounin with hatred. Several more made similar comments, but none had the courage to go up to Naruto because of the Anbu that had escorted him.
"Shhh...! Be quiet. You don't want to get into any unnecessary trouble because of that thing." berated another Jounin who stood beside the Jounin as he looked towards Naruto.
From a normal perspective Naruto's facial expressions would have appeared bored, but inside was another story.
Naruto did not show any outward reaction but because of his sensitive hearing, he was able to listen to the conversation of the Jounin's. It made him furious and frustrated that why they didn't leave him alone? It was not his or Kuramas fault that the fox was made to attack the village. He knew they lost someone close to themselves, but why not move forward from their hatred.
Kurama seeing his container's inner turmoil decided to chip in, 'Naruto calm down do not let your anger take control of your decisions or it will make you do something that you will regret.' said Kurama trying to calm the blonde.
Hearing Kurama's words made the blonde calm down a little, but Kurama saw the slight doubt on the blonde's face. 'Naruto let me tell you something that father always used to say 'Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good; whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry about the future. The present is happening. Live in the present.'So just stop your fucking brooding and concentrate on your shopping.' said Kurama in an annoyed tone.
Naruto chuckled at his companion's predicament, it seems he can get annoyed by anything. But it also made him think about the fox words. Maybe something good was waiting for him in the future, maybe the thinking of the people around him may change one day.
Not knowing what to get, his eyes scanned through the Shinobi wear section. Finally, after searching for what seemed like an hour he returned with some clothes.
Satisfied at his choice of clothes he looked around, he saw several sets of Kunai, Shuriken's, claws, gauntlet, axes, arrows, bows, and Katanas of different types and shapes on the opposite shelf. Walking over to them, he picked up one of the kunai and held it in his hands firmly. There was no emotion on his face, but he intently stared at the piece of weapon. He was excited at one hand that this was actually his first purchased kunai and shuriken set, while he managed to get some discarded kunai and shuriken around the training grounds. But owning your things personally had another feeling to it.
While on the other hand, he knew when he'll become a Shinobi he would have to take someone's life. His hold tightened on the kunai as he felt his stomach quench in fear at the mere thought of killing someone. It was an inevitable fact for any Shinobi in the elemental nations.
He took some deep breaths trying to calm himself from the negative thoughts and decided to focus on finish buying stuff that he needed for the academy.
Deciding it was enough wasting time, 'really who liked to waste hours on selecting one kunai, right?' he mentally mused. Shrugging his shoulders he took his items and walked towards the counter, placing them on the table he looked at the person occupying the counter who was still busy reading the orange book.
He coughed a little trying to get the attention of the owner and it had the effect. The sudden sound snapped the attention of the owner as he looked at the same boy that disturbed him from his own personal heaven, an intrigued look formed on his face.
He knew what the boy contained and he did not hate the boy for what resided inside of him. he was a veteran Shinobi who fought in the Third Shinobi war and was well versed in the art of Fuinjutsu, not as good as any Uzumaki but he had some basic knowledge. He knew the Yondaime Hokage personally and had complete faith in his sealing abilities. He respected the kid for being able to carry such a big burden. He just hoped the rest of the villagers too would come to see Naruto as the Yondaime wished him to be – a hero.
"Um, excuse me. You have a customer here." Naruto said in an annoyed tone.
The man smiled sheepishly for zoning out for the moment. He looked at the selected object and he was surprised at the small amount of shuriken and kunai the blonde brat has selected, normally ninja would take these things in bulk and the young aspiring Shinobi purchased more for their training, so it was surprising for the man to see the blonde brat to take the things limited maybe he did not have enough money, or maybe the child was too shy to take some extra weapons. it was confusing for him, but he shrugged thinking it as the children type of choice.
Doing some mental calculation he gave the bill to the blonde and sealed all purchased weapons in a sealing scroll, then he looked at the purchased clothes and asked "So boy you need any specific modifications done to your clothes." hearing this Naruto gained a half-curious and half-confused look on his face.
The man sighed expecting this so he decided just explain to the blonde, "What I actually meant blondie is that what type of design you want on your clothes."
"Why are you asking, can't you give me the clothes as it is?" asked a very confused Naruto.
The owner shrugged and answered, "It's your choice but ninjas these days like to prefer flashy designs on their clothes."
Finally understanding what the shopkeeper meant Naruto thought for a moment but couldn't come up with any specific designs.
"I don't any specific design, for now, maybe I can come up with something when I will purchase the clothes next time."
The shopkeeper nodded in acceptance and sealed the remaining clothes in another scroll. And gave it to the blonde with some money with it.
Naruto looked at him with a questioning gaze "Why did you give me this money? Am I not supposed to pay you for the things I had purchased" Naruto asked a little bit confused.
The shopkeeper just shrugged nonchalantly and answered "No need to me give that look kid your sensei already gave me the money required and said to give the remaining money to you."
Naruto did not respond to the shopkeeper but on the inside, he felt his heart fuelled with warmth by the actions of his sensei.
Life surely was changing.
"Thank you for selling me the weapons and clothes." Answered Naruto earnestly with a deep bow. This was the first time someone had sold him anything without giving him an earful and he truly felt grateful for it.
"Held your head high kid. Thank me when you become a splendid Shinobi." the shopkeeper spoke as he placed his hands on Naruto's shoulder and made him stand straight.
Naruto gave him small smile and left the shop before heading towards for a small stroll.
HOKAGE TOWER
Hiruzen smiled on watching the interaction between the ninja shopkeeper through his crystal ball. He expected this type of response from the shopkeeper as he already him very well that's why he let Itachi take Naruto to the shop.
Itachi.
That was another thing he thought. When he heard that Uchiha was preparing to revolt. He felt himself age decades faster. Shisui a young Jounin prodigy and grandson of his best friend Kagami Uchiha had said that he had something that could probably stop the Uchiha from revolting. With a heavy heart, he had let the young boy take the responsibility of stopping the Uchiha.
He sighed and turned off the crystal ball by stopping his chakra supply to the crystal.
If Shisui didn't succeed in stopping the coup de tat then he himself had to take some actions.
He then remembered the mission he had given to Kakashi. It was a very important mission for the sake of the village. At first, he was going to contact Jiraiya for the mission but getting no reply from him Hiruzen had to begrudgingly send Kakashi for the mission.
'Kakashi should be returning within a month.' with that thought he returned to his work.
WITH NARUTO
SOME UNKNOWN CLEARINGS ON THE BORDERS OF THE VILLAGE...
Naruto walked past the trees covering the forest-like clearing while taking in the beautiful sights to his heart's content. This part of the forest, he had never been in before and he was sure no one else had either, seeing the non trampled grass growing all around the area.
He looked up and smiled at seeing the sun rays coming past the leaves of the trees and illuminating the beautiful clearing with its sheen.
His feet took small and careful steps, to avoid any dangerous insects or snakes going around on the ground. He loved doing this, to see the places in the village no one else ever ventured into. It was a loss in his mind of their own accord to not explore the place they lived and breathed in down to its very core.
Finally, he walked into a small clearing in between the thick forestry of the seemingly lost to time area of the village. He looked on amazed at the large and thick tree in the middle of said clearing as if it were the whole nerve center of the village.
He walked closer to the tree, which was the size of a small house in itself, and touched its large bark with his small hand. He could feel the synergy of life it breathed and the small pulses the tree was letting out each passing second as if it were alive and breathing.
He walked around it, looking up and down the tree and wondering whether to climb a said tree or not when he stopped abruptly as his eyes caught on to something strange.
His azure eyes narrowed on a particular part of the tree covered with wild vines and he flicked out a kunai from his holster, carving the weeds out and brushing it clean with his palm to read a small thing inscribed onto it by human hands.
Konohagakure no Sato
It read and he started hacking away the vines cleanly by channeling wind chakra through it and finally cleared away the small portion of the bark he wanted to see so much right now.
Today we stand here, asking ourselves the same question every Shinobi has probably asked himself at one point in his life. What is a Shinobi? Why do we kill others as a way of living, mindlessly staining the ground scarlet?
My friend asked me this today too, after our small truce of peace marking the stop of centuries of conflict between our clans. So I answered him today, and we decided to carve this out for life here as a sign for the future generations to remember the horrors we went through and the time when we stopped to think of the past that lay behind us.
A Shinobi is one who endures no matter the obstacles, that is what we could say in a sentence.
Why do we kill then? Why destroy life?
To protect life, life must be taken. That is the very law of nature. The cycle goes on and on, but what differentiates us from animals is that we have the sense, the sense to feel other's pain and bask in it to share his sufferings.
That is what I and my friend dreamed of years ago, a place where everyone will understand each other's sufferings and pain, and grieve together. A place where children will grow up peacefully, shielded from the violence outside the confines of that peaceful wall covering them.
We dreamed of a village. A village where children, adults, and the elderly would come together and form bonds. Where children won't be thrust out to kill before they knew how to hold a brush and could enjoy the taste of sake before they died.
And today the two of us are content that this dream has come true. For today, this place marks the beginning of the peace we dreamed of achieving one day and shake hands to form a village where everyone can be happy.
Today, here with a shake of our hands we unite the two great clans of the Senju and of the Uchiha to form Konohagakure no Sato.
-Hashirama Senju & Madara Uchiha. The year 2104 warring clan era.
Naruto's eyes widened and he re-read the whole thing again before brushing the inscription with his palm. Realizing what the Shodai Hokage and Madara Uchiha had gone out to achieve together. No one had come to this place since then if he could guess right, and it was seemingly forgotten.
He read the thing, again and again, not getting enough of the beautiful words inscribed on the tree. The handwriting was mixed of two people, one of Hashirama Senju and the other of Madara Uchiha.
The year was the last year of the warring clans before Shinobi villages rose up from everywhere to achieve what the two formidable clan leaders had once sought to achieve and had it in their palms at that time, seemingly bringing an end to the clan wars and halting the mindless bloodshed then and there.
'Bullshit' he heard a voice in his head.
'What Kurama?' asked Naruto confused.
'The concept, the inscription is nothing but bullshit.' came the reply of Kurama, and hearing his reply Naruto could clearly sense the anger in it.
"Why Kurama. Why do you think like that," asked Naruto questioningly as he now stood in his mindscape facing the fox.
"I don't need to do any worthless explanation considering you already knew the outcome, but for reasoning, you should understand the history first. Humans always yearned for peace yet raged war and conflict against each other and in the end, it brought nothing but pain and misery," said Kurama with a frown on his face, feeling hatred for the humans.
Naruto nodded grimly as Kurama's memories came rushing to him, he remembered how hatred had consumed this world, the pain of the people he witnessed was truly disturbing.
"You should know Naruto Hashirama may be considered a man with perfect visions but in my perspective, he was not. Some certain decisions he took made me believe my beliefs strongly," said Kurama seriously with Naruto acknowledging his thoughts
Hashirama dream was acknowledgeable creating a place for the children to prevent them from performing the atrocities done in the Shinobi's world but what fucked his dream was capturing the tailed beasts and distributing them to other villages in the name of peace talks even Tobirama berated his brother for doing his stupid decision.
And due to his stupidity, it plunged the world into more war and bloodshed at an even greater level, while during clan war eras it was only a feud between two rival clans most likely it was between Uchiha and Senju whereas some clans like Uzumaki, Sarutobi, Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka were always neutral clans during the period. So the death rates were average, but skirmishes still occurred from their rival clans and sometimes they even have to hire Uchiha or Senju clan as these clans were considered the strongest.
Hashirama dreamed of a peaceful world so that's why with the help of the Uchiha clan he created Konohagakure with a vision of a safe place for everyone, many joined them.
But it was not the same vision everyone desired.
It is said that desire and greed are the greatest destructions of happiness and peace.
When the respective villages received tailed beast as a sign of peace and trust to maintain the power balance between the villages.
But the villages yearned for more so they conspired and raged war against each other, then and there Hashirama's dream was destroyed.
Peace became nothing but a fragile concept of time gap spent between wars, the more time passed the more bloodshed increased.
"Kurama what can I do to understand the reason hatred in this world?"
Kurama was caught off guard by the sudden question but recovered quickly. He gazed towards the sky, as he remembered his father's words to him when he sometimes questioned about humans to his father. He still could not understand what did the old man saw in the humans and their behavior.
"Humans can be foolish creations, but don't hate them, my children, they may make mistakes, but they are capable of great kindness and love. Though some will have dark desires and commit many monstrosities not all humans are like that. Please always try and see the good in people I know it may be hard to find but remember there is always light deep down in their hearts." recited Kurama word by word.
Naruto heard every word loud and clear. He gave a surprised look to his friend and asked, "Kurama this could not be your words. You hate humanity by heart, having another angle of thinking is not possible for you."
Kurama gave a small chuckle and looked at the blonde, "Always up to the point eh, Naruto! Your perceptiveness never ceases to amaze me."
Naruto gave a smile but a small thought of mischief entered his mind. "So Kurama who was this 'wise' person"
Kurama immediately caught emphasis on the wise word and gave the blonde a glare, "Are you trying to say that I am not wise." yelled Kurama in annoyance as his head gained a tick mark.
Naruto waved his hands in denial trying his ease his nervousness "N-No I didn't mean to say that Kurama I only wanted to know the name of the person."
Naruto sighed relief as Kurama seemed to accept his explanation, "As for your question it was Hagorormo's words to us." explained Kurama a bit saddened at the memories of his father leaving him and his siblings.
In reality, it was Kurama who was affected the hardest by the sage's death, that's why he always tried to keep his legacy alive but as time passed it became clear to him that humanity cared only for themselves but what frustrated him was what the sage saw in the humanity and he did not. He would always leave the subject as it gave him an unwanted headache.
Naruto took notice of the changing emotions from his friend.
He walked up to his friend and placed a hand on one of his tails, the action snapped the brooding fox out of his thoughts.
Naruto gave a sad smile to Kurama "Maybe I will never know the pain of losing one's parents in front of yourself, but no matter what happens I am there for you." said Naruto with seriousness and determination blazing in his eyes.
Kurama was taken back by the blonde's words, he felt happy from Narutos encouraging words.
He grinned and outstretched his hand towards Naruto forming a fist who too returned the gesture forming a fist of his own giving fist bump to the fox.
It was not a normal fist bump, it was a sign of trust between two brothers. After that Naruto left the mindscape and headed towards his home to get some rest.
Naruto took his time to arrive to head towards his home. He was walking at a very slow pace while ignoring the negative feelings of the civilians and pondering over his discussion with the fox.
He sighed and felt a yawn escape through his lips, signifying his tired state of mind. Seeing that he had nothing left to do, he just let the fatigue he felt from the day's training pull him into his apartment.
As soon as he entered his apartment, he took a deep breath and exhaled calmly.
"I'm home," said Naruto loudly, to one in particular. Many times, he had watched parents come to pick children up in the park or even some people who came to adopt some of the children when he was in the orphanage. Every time he felt a little empty inside him. It made him realize, he never had anyone waiting at home for him. Even though he had people like the Ichiraku family, Kakashi, Kurama, and Itachi but at the end of the day, they had their own world their own family. And he never had a parental figure in his life to show him what love. Thus, to make himself feel better, he would often say it out loud, hoping someday he might receive a reply. Keeping his kunai and shuriken pouch on the dining table.
All the while being unaware of the slightly saddened expression on Kurama's face as he saw the loneliness flash across the blonde's face.
'It was not my wish to attack that night Naruto... as the guilt kills me for killing those people. I have defied and betrayed my old man's teaching. But I promise I will protect you from any danger even I have to give my life for it.' Kurama thought in determination as he rested his head on his paws.
'Awwww ... What a friendship. This deserves a super Oscar.' echoed a sinister voice out of nowhere in the mindscape which caused Kurama's eyes to snap open in alertness. He looked around the mindscape trying to find the origin of the voice.
"Who is there? Come out or face the consequences." Kurama yelled in a threatening tone.
'Hahahahaha... you cannot find me Kurama-chan.' again the voice boomed with little childish manner followed by a sinister chuckle which made Kurama's negative sensing ability go haywire.
'So much negative energy! What is this thing? This cannot be Naruto.' thought Kurama frantically still looking around in hopes of finding the owner of the voice.
'I will come in due time! Until then... Wait for me.' the voice left as it came. Without any trace.
Now this made Kurama worried.
Why worried?
Because he had seen this before. He had felt the maliciousness and hatred that voice radiated. He had experienced this before, and it wasn't a happy memory for him.
'Please don't let this be what I think it is.' Kurama silently prayed as he looked at his friend who was eating silently, unaware of the things happening in the mindscape.
Naruto stopped eating as he suddenly felt his head pound in pain.
He gulped down some water trying to relieve the throbbing, he sighed in satisfaction as his head relaxed a bit. Finishing his food he thought to take a walk through the village to relax from his whole day training. He took a shower and left the apartment.
Naruto was silently walking through the village with his hands in the pockets of his new clothes. He was strolling in a random direction without a destination in his mind. The sky was becoming dark and Naruto was wearing a maroon color jacket over his gray t-shirt and black colored pants. It was high collared, held close by a black color stash.
'Loner.' commented Kurama, seeing Naruto's currents predicament.
'Shut up! No one asked you' Naruto yelled in embarrassment.
'That was pathetic. Even for you.' Kurama snickered, hearing Naruto's response.
Deciding not to indulge the furball in further humiliating him, he kept quiet and walked in a random direction. After a few minutes of the walk, he came across an empty field.
There were currently four boys playing in the field, well not exactly.
The first boy which Naruto saw had pineapple-shaped hair which was tied upward in a short pony. His face was angular and he was busy watching the clouds.
The boy sitting next to was continuously eating chips and was a little chubby and had light-colored brown hair and a round face.
The last boy was sitting away from the others. He had black hair and his eyes were covered by sunglasses and he wore a light grey jacket.
As Naruto approached the boys, a little hesitantly, after years of being rejected he feared that even these kids would reject him like the kids from the orphanage
"Who are you?" asked the boy with the pup curiously.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki, can I join you?" asked Naruto hesitantly.
"Sure, I am Chouji Akimichi," said Chouji happily and offered some chips which Naruto accepted happily.
"Nara Shikamaru," said Shikamaru curiously.
"I'm happy to meet you all. Hey you, can I know your name too?" asked Naruto loudly, to the boy with bugs. On hearing being called, he came towards the group and was surprised that they didn't back away from him when his bugs crawled in his shirt.
"Aburame Shino," stated Shino stoically "Uzumaki Naruto. It's nice to meet people from four different clans of Konoha," said Naruto sharply
"You know about our clans?" asked Chouji in surprise
"Yeah, my brother taught me. You are from the Akimichi clan, your clan specializes in combat and is known for your physical strength and great research on food pills that were formed by your clan. Also, you own many restaurants in Konoha." said Naruto briefly
"You are from the Nara clan, one of the smartest clans of Konoha. Your clansmen are known for your sharp knowledge and thinking, and advanced knowledge in medical Ninjutsu and medicines," said Naruto simply
"You are from the Aburame clan, your clan uses Kikai bugs for tracking or capturing an enemy. Your clan is known for your logical thinking and is one of the best tracker clans of Konoha alongside the Inuzuka and the Hyuga," said Naruto seriously
Meanwhile, all four boys stared dumbly at Naruto. Chouji was pleased that Naruto didn't call him fat like many kids, Shikamaru was interested in knowing more about Naruto, while Shino was also intrigued as Naruto was not at all affected by his bugs and praised his clan.
"Woah! You know all about our clans, now tell us something about yourself," said Shikamaru curiously.
"Tell you what let's race, if you defeat me I'll tell you all you want," said Naruto with a smirk
'I know how lazy you Nara's are. You won't get to know about me easily.' thought Naruto with a smirk.
"Troublesome" muttered Shikamaru with a yawn
"Okay," said Chouji cheerfully
"I accept your challenge Naruto-san," stated Shino simply "Naruto's fine Shino, What say friends?" asked Naruto holding out his hand.
"Friends" they all agreed in unison and shook each other's hand.
"I finally have some true friends." thought Naruto happily.
Inside Kurama appeared happy for Naruto.
'Seems like brat finally gained some friends.'
Only if he knew that these boys would become his best friends for life and would always stand by him.
In a pub were three stooges getting drunk as they enjoyed some of the finest sake life had to offer. The first was a big and muscular man with a mane of red hair and purple marking on his cheeks, he wore a Samurai-like body armor with kanji for 'Food' on it. The second man was a male with long blond hair in a ponytail that was spiky at the top, he had blueish-green eyes and wore a standard Chunin vest with red Haori over the top. The final man had a pineapple Shaped head, with twin scars on his face the first one leading from the top of the ear to the center of his forehead and the second one from the bottom of his ear to his nose, he had a goatee and sharp eyes that showed intelligence despite his laziness and uncaring demeanor.
These men were the current Ino-Shika-Cho feared veterans of the war, now clan heads.
Taking a sip from his cup he asked "Don't you think it's a good thing happening eh Inoichi." asked a taller version of Shikamaru.
"About what" slurred Inoichi in confusion.
"Our kids befriending Naruto." answered back Shikaku with an equal slur in his lazy voice.
"Yes it is, the kid had suffered enough from the villagers with no friends and family around can have a gruesome impact on the mind. It is a miracle that the kid had not been admitted to the asylum," answered Inoichi.
Hearing the conversation a furious look appeared on the big man.
"What? Have you both forgot what the Bijuu did years ago. Many of our clans perished that day. And you are sympathizing with the kid who holds the same monster
Seeing his friends being sorry for the kid made him furious.
"CHOZA" snapped the elder Nara, his voice appearing furious "Don't forget that Minato sacrificed his life to seal the Bijuu in the kid. And it was his last wish for the kid to be seen as a hero."
Inochi was surprised at the all-time lazy Nara snapping at his childhood friend. And hearing his words made him also agree with him. He was also disappointed by the Akimichi words.
Choza hung his head in shame. Shikaku was right it was not the kid's fault for bearing this heavy burden.
And Minato was a very close friend to his team. If he was alive today he would have been very ashamed of him.
"You are right Shikaku. I let my pain and hate to cloud my judgment. The kid is innocent." said Choza accepting his mistake.
Shikaku and Inoichi smiled at their friend who accepted his mistake.
TWO WEEKS LATER
Naruto hopped through the rooftops of the village towards his apartment in order to avoid the villagers.
He had improved tremendously in the past two months to the point Itachi had told him that his strength was on par of a skilled chunin.
His Taijutsu was developing at a tremendous rate.
A few days ago when he was sparring with Itachi he had accidentally punched a tree and the force behind that punch was easily able to blast the tree to splinters.
He was surprised by the force behind the punch.
After few hours of research, he had found the chemistry behind the punch.
It was a technique originally developed by Senju Tsunade. He was pleasantly surprised to find the amount of detail she had described.
The technique involved releasing a significant amount of chakra focused onto a single point released from multiple Tenketsu with perfect timing.
He moved out to the training grounds to test the theory.
But when he tested it by gathering large amounts of chakra into his fists for a punch, most of it simply bled off, wasting most of its Destructive power. His timing by releasing chakra from several Tenketsu was also not simultaneous, and neither he could perfectly focus on a single point.
Successive attempts ended with some increasing improvement. But at a certain point in time, there was no visible improvement.
Naruto came to the conclusion that chakra control was not enough.
Seeing his container not progressing Kurama gave his thoughts about it. in his point of view if you use the 'Super Strength' you would be using your muscles at full potential, tearing said muscles and then healing it as it breaks.
And to learn this technique you had to also learn the medical Ninjutsu as it can be used to heal the broken bits and fight, as it's breaking/tearing the muscles.
Not only the technique needed the perfect chakra control but also a lot of pain endurance and a good amount of knowledge on human anatomy.
So for that Naruto started to learn everything about the human anatomy. Even if Kurama's healing and his Uzumaki heritage gave him his body a faster healing rate. But still, he did not want to stay dependent on it he needed his own skills and strength.
His thoughts were halted when he realized that he had reached his home. Not wanting to do anything he plopped on the soft mattress of his bed to get a good night of sleep.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day for him as he was going to attend the academy from the next day.
He was going to learn everything the academy has to offer.
Closing his eyes he drifted off to sleep.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Various incoherent murmurs could be heard coming from the room as the members of Konoha's council shuffled in their seats as they assembled to discuss the solution to their new problem and the event that was going to take place. All the council members quieted down as Sarutobi entered, the elders Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu in tow.
Taking their respective seats, the old Hokage motioned for everyone to settle down before the meeting.
Clearing his throat he spoke in a serious vice that demanded the attention of all in the room, "May I know for what reason the meeting was called?"
His question was answered with several nervous faces.
An impetuous pink-haired civilian woman called out, "Hokage-sama you should stop the Kyuu- brat from entering the academy our children will not be safe around him." A civilian council member all but demanded, earning several nods of agreement from other civilian members.
Sarutobi narrowed his eye at the woman dangerously "I never gave you permission to speak civilian, and for what reason should I have to stop Naruto from attending the academy?" he asked staring blankly at the woman with his still narrowed eyes piercing through her form.
"W-We all knew what the boy contains. And that now he is being trained he could kill us anytime. The boy is a walking time bomb." the woman finished once more garnering nods and murmurs of agreement from her faction.
"Although you may see the boy as dangerous, so far he has done nothing misdeed that could probably be against the village. And him getting stronger is also beneficial for the village." Hiashi Hyuuga argued his opinion all the while retaining his impassive posture.
"Yes, I agree with Hiashi-chan. He is still just an innocent pup. Restraining him on basically all things might break the boy. I can't imagine what would happen if that ever happened." Tsume said as she looked at everyone in the room.
Hiashi agreed with the Inuzuka matriarch but he also little miffed at the suffix used after his name.
"That thing is the incarnation of evil, it is not innocent. It will kill us." screamed the same woman.
Their bitching was halted when Sarutobi stood up from his chair and slammed his hands on the table. Making other occupants flinch in fear before suddenly the pressure in the room increased tenfold as everyone was struck by a terrifying murderous aura that weighed down on them. Many of the civilian council members' eyes widened in terror as the Hokage leveled all of them with a firm stare. Even the members of the Shinobi council found themselves sweating a bit at the Hokage's Killing intent. The only one who didn't seem fazed was Danzo however the man could simply have hidden it well under his impassive mask.
"I had enough with the bitching of the civilians. You have no say in the Shinobi matters. If you have that much of a problem then I can arrange a personal meeting between you and Ibiki. I had realized I have become too soft after the Kyuubi attack that led to many mistakes. I hereby declare that I will step down as a Hokage and choose the next successor."
Pin drop silence.
This announcement drew several gasps from the civilian side and surprised looks from the Shinobi side. The council was unprepared for the declaration.
Danzo was also stunned for a second but quickly recovering his composure he saw the opportunity for himself and said
"Hiruzen, if you have not decided the next Hokage candidate then maybe Jiraiya should take the mantle. As it will probably be beneficial for Konoha" Danzo put his opinion.
This opinion surely rang alarm bells in Hiruzen's mind. 'Why Jiraiya? Normally he would present himself as the candidate for Hokage. Jiraiya had not stepped into the village ever since the attack and he is also not responding to the message I have sent to him. What are you cooking up now Danzo.' Hiruzen thought wearily.
"No need for that Danzo I have already sent my message, the next Hokage would be arriving by the end of the week," replied Hiruzen tactfully hiding the real identity of his next successor.
"For now the council is dismissed."
With that Sarutobi left the council chambers leaving behind very surprised and scared council members.
Danzo narrowed his lone eye 'Well played Sarutobi, well played. You won this round, but the final victory will be mine.'
NAKA SHRINE
A very angry Fugaku entered the shrine stomping his feet like an angry bull. The occupants present in the room clearly noticed the anger radiating from the Uchiha clan head.
"If you are done with your tantrums Fugaku then it will be nice to say what actually happened in the meeting." asked one of the clan elders breaking the silence.
"That old monkey declared he will resign his place and place the next Hokage by the end of the week," said Fugaku with his face steaming red with anger.
"This is troubling news Fugaku. By the end of the week means the next Hokage will arrive in the next five days. We have to execute our plans as early as possible." said another elder worriedly.
"Yes it is," said Fugaku while he tried to come up with a solution.
Giving a smirk he said "No need to hurry. We could simply postpone our plans."
"What do you mean. Say it clearly Fugaku." barked one of the elders impatiently.
"It is simple we will just postpone our plans for a while. Let the new Hokage settle down for a while and when the moments come we just strike them."
"How so?" asked the same elder clearly intrigued.
"My elder son is getting closer to the Jinchuriki. We will just use the Bijuu to cause havoc on the village while Itachi will assassinate the old coot and the so-called new Hokage," explained Fugaku giving a very dark smirk.
The others also had to smirk of their own.
What neither of them noticed was a crow flying away.
Authors notes::
Finally got over with my exam now I can upload my chapters without any hurdles.
Do leave your reviews and pinions as it motivates the mediocre writers like me to give their best in their work.
Another announcement to give I have uploaded this story on Wattpad under name of DeathDragon2106. do go read.
So until next time.
Stay safe.
JA NE