Disclaimer: we do not own Naruto.
Note from the Authors: this story is now a collaborative project, written by two individuals, Shinobi420, the original one, and newcomer Animephilosopher1. We have permission from the author of 'Son of the Sannin' to write this parody. Warning: you will be SPOILED if you haven't finished Naruto up to episode 488, and we suggest you read the first 25 chapters of 'Son of the Sannin' so you won't get lost when you read this story. Also, the version of the Sasuke that is integrated in this story is age 19, from the point of his own novel Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise, setting after the film "The Last."
We would like to thank Ander Arias, abc27, DryBonesKing, ShadowofheartsXIII, ShikoPath0227, and Zacchaeus for be the original inspiration behind this story. Alongside Psycho G for new inspiration for this story.
This is Shinobi420's first attempt at fanfiction, and following some highly detailed suggestions towards the writing, scenes and characterizations from a review by Animephilosopher1, an invitation to collaborate was made.
P.S. to avoid confusion, Son of the Sannin's Sasuke will be underlined, or referred to as "younger-Sasuke." While the inserted canon-Sasuke will be addressed as "Rinne-Sasuke" or "older/elder Sasuke" depending on the context.
Edited: 8/3/2019
Chapter 1:
A Place Called "Home"
Or
Where in Kami's Name Am I?
Hokage's Tower
"What is it Jiraiya?" within the centre of the room, Tsunade questioned her husband. Jiraiya, the Gama-sennin, adored writer, husband of Tsunade and Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure stood adjacent to his desk, facing the window. Smiling at hearing her voice, he turned away from the reassuring view of his village, to meet the question with a serious look on his face.
"Tsunade-hime, I've believed that some changes need to come in the shinobi world. Crucial ones that can be done for the good of all, to create respect and appreciation between them."
A look of concern formed on Tsunade face. 'This is unlike him,' she thought. 'The position of Hokage has forced him to grow even more responsible since he took the hat, but this seems even greater. What could be so important now?'
Stepping forward, their bond left no need for words to convey her desire for him to share this idea.
"I came to realize that I shouldn't always depend on old, traditional measures to create such progress. I have to learn to adapt and experiment with new possibilities. Otherwise, changes in the established quo won't evolve. That is why I need your guidance, Tsunade-hime. And that's why I invited you here," Jiraiya continued.
"Well, tell me. Spit it out!" Tsunade demanded, ready to give any aid for such progress she could make, and glad to support it is reasonable and responsible changes could be made.
"Alright," the smiling sage replied. Jiraiya took a few steps back to his desk, reaching inside a draw to remove a file, filled to the brim with a thick manuscript.
"Here it is."
Holding it up, the title was clear to see in the daylight, with a certain grin of excitement to accompany it. After reading the letters, Tsunade blinked her eyes; before re-reading and dropping her mouth in outrage.
"Icha-Icha….Violence…Part II?" she read, slowly, bewilderedly…
"What do you think?" Jiraiya asked her, his face filled with glee, yet lacking the more perverted tells that had been his trademark in years gone by.
"This is why I've been planning lately. It's the next installment for the Icha Icha series! And it's not like the others books I've written. This one's unique. It's a midquel story that occurs between Icha Icha Violence and Icha Icha Innocence. On top of that, it's an introduction to my Icha Icha spin-off series that fulfills the novel's expansional universe. A non canon divergence where characters from my previous works get to interact with one another to the point of killing over romance. What do you think?..Tsunade-hime?"
The medic-nin was resting her head in his palm, cursing how she'd still been unable to drive this habit from Jiraiya completely…then staring back at him with resignation in her eyes.
'Well, he had some sense not to bring our sex-life into any of this horrible smut. Still, this definitely calls for the more extreme consequences.'
Walking up to him, Tsunade began flexing her hands to yank him forward by the collar. A gesture Jiraiya recognized near-immediately, and had to gulp and what may come next.
"D..did I mention if the sales are good, then you can take a huge cut to the gambling hall for some fun with the kids?" he pleaded…
…..stopping the woman in her tracks as temptation beset the guilty-pleasure of the Legendary Sucker.
…
Somewhere in a Forest
Outside of Konohagakure, in a clearing surrounded by trees, a dark figure laid out on the solid earth. Clad in a single dark cloak, worn and torn with travel, a single sword was hidden beneath it, only the figure's head was uncovered; with a misshapen mass of hair covering his left eye and the other shut in peaceful sleep.
The sound of birds passed overhead, coaxing him to wake.
"Hmm?" came the first sound the black-cloaked Wanderer made, moments after his eyes took in his place. Strangely, the birds up above were cruising through a sky on the brink of dusk.
'Something must've caused them to fly in this direction, or return to their nests for the night,' he internally concluded. 'More importantly, how did I end up here? How long was I out, and why do I have no recollection of coming to this place?'
He got up from the ground, surveying the area as he stood upright. A sense of the familiar came from looking about.
'This place is definitely inside the Land of Fire. I remember starting my way back after Naruto's letter near the coastline with the Land of Lightning. I must have passed out on my way back home, but why don't I remember my trek, or how I even moved this close?'
Activating all his senses, and his crimson right eye, Sasuke Uchiha, the last from the Uchiha Massacre, traitor-turned-terrorist, turned hero and finally wanderer kept his lavender left eye hidden while scanning his surroundings with hearing, touch, scent and more.
Finding nothing out of the ordinary, the Vagabond chose a route that should lead closer to home and started walking.
…
A very short time later, Sasuke was wide-eyed and dumbfounded, staring down from a hill towards a fortified village. It was unmistakably Konohagakure; yet, a critical part was wrong.
The Hokage faces. Five were carven into the hillside; not the Six that should be there; and the ones furthest to the right was not that of Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage known to him.
'That face…it's certainly a man's with a horned hia-te with 'Oil' written on it. And Kakashi's own image is missing. What is going on?'
With deep apprehension, Sasuke began deliberating his choices, careful against any approach patrols that might led to a hostile encounter.
Coming to a decision, he approached the gates of Konoha, contemplating his own past with those who lived within, all for the sake of its continuation. He had never known a permanent home since his choice to leave with the Oto-Four nearly some lifetimes ago, and since the end of the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
Hopping from one town to another across the past three years, he searched to understand the world and find a way to atone himself for the past, and aid those who may need help if the task were not too trivial; with some occasions of enemy ninjas ambushing him on reputation alone.
"Halt!"
As he made his way to the gates, a call from the Chunin Guards stopped everything. "Who are you and what business do you have in Konoha?"
The man, with wild hair even more so than Naruto and a long white bandage across his face, was recognized by Sasuke easily enough. What concerned him was how this person, and his partner nearby did not do the same to Sasuke.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha, and I've come to return back to the village," he stated monotonously, towards Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki
The two Chunin both stared at him quizzically; their faces coming into glares.
"Yeah right, and I'm the Hokage Jiraiya," Kotetsu sarcastically replied. "And I'm Tobirama Senju," Izumo chimed in. "One more lie and you'll be arrested, then dragged off to the interrogation department."
"Sasuke Uchiha is a kid, just out of the Academy less than a year ago. We just saw him in the Chunin Exams earlier this week, making that story both flawed and lazy. Give us the truth now!"
Sasuke nearly blinked with shock, then took a close look at the pair, stole a glance towards the Hokage Monument and felt a sinking pit grow in his mind; still, none of it showed on his face.
'How and where am I? Based on the previous style flak they're wearing, this might be somewhere in the past. Yet, Hiruzen was the Hokage during my Chunin Exams, not Jiraiya, Naruto's mentor. Ninja are supposed to be above joking while on active duty, so the guards' stating false accusations are out of the question. What do I…'
Sasuke's thoughts began to teeter off, choosing to take this situation one step at a time. Looking directly to the pair, Sasuke decided to take the first probe and see what occurred from it. Raising his face, the former avenger activated his eye; the Sharingan clear for both to see.
"I assure you, I am an Uchiha, and Sasuke was the name I have gone by all my life."
The Chunin both could only gasp, grappling with this turn-of-events. Facing one another, both nodded, forming a seal and concentrating back at the Uchiha.
"RELEASE!" both commanded, focusing a pulse of chakra, trying to dispel any genjutsu.
To both their disappointment, nothing changed and Sasuke stood there, stoic. Four more attempts followed, picking at the Uchiha's patience, almost coaxing him to grit his molars at the stagnant repetition.
'That's impossible! There's only three Uchihas in existence after the coup,' Izumo silently recalled.
'What the hell is going on?!' rang inside Kotetsu's mind.
"Satisfied?" Sasuke spoke to them, in a bored manner.
Both grit their teeth, one reaching forward to grasp his shoulder, something Sasuke chose to let them, guessing at what the next test would be. "This must be a transformation! Izumo, stay on-guard as I dispel it! Don't move!" he commanded Sasuke.
"You mean precisely as I have been this entire time?" he shot back, deadpanned. Ignoring the comment, another pulse of chakra was made, projected through Sasuke's body, and still no changes came. Both men were still staring back at his regular Sharingan eye.
"Just who are you!?" Kotetsu whispered in shock, while his partner was too perplexed to say anything.
"I told you my name earlier," Sasuke replied.
"If that's the case, then why do you look so much older than the angry kid we see around here regularly?" Izumo finally snapped out of his puzzlement.
Sasuke took a sigh, deciding the truth didn't endanger anyone here. "That I cannot answer. Time-travel would be the first guess, yet where I am from, Jiraiya never became a Hokage and that monument," he pointed straight towards it, "has six faces carved on its side."
"Perhaps I could speak with the current Hokage to handle this issue."
…
A sharp knock came on the door to Jiraiya's office. At a call from inside, it was opened to show the Chunin guard Izumo. "Hokage-sama, you're not going to believe this. An Uchiha just met my partner and I at the Main Gate, one other than the three currently inside the village."
That, snapped both Jiraiya and Tsuande's full attention towards him. "How can that happen?" the former questioned him, slipping into a more professional mood. "Itachi just returned this afternoon, and all the Uchiha's were accounted for after the Coup. Are you certain of it?"
"Sir, we performed baseline-tests and found no illusions over him; and he does possess a Sharingan that can be activated at will; not like Kakashi-san's transplanted one," the Chunin replied.
"He claims to be displaced from the future, or dropped in from a different dimension, perhaps," he finished the report with a shrug.
'Someone from the future, huh? Still another Uchiha alone is not a matter to take lightly, especially if the villagers respond to it before I do. If he's loyal to the village, then let's hope nothing bad comes out from him,' the Gama-sennin decided.
Tsunade herself had more measured opinions. 'This is ridiculous. There's no way in hell that someone can just waltz right in and claim they are from a different place in time. I'll check this illusion for myself, as it might be like my own to keep looking young. Then run a few medical-tests on this Sharingan.'
As the guard left, Tsunade's hand came to rest on Jiraiya's shoulder. "This is likely a deception, you know. We had to deal with Kumo's ploy once before, so watch out for anything this ridiculous or shifty."
Jiraiya frowned at the suggestion but had his own opinions on it. "Well then, maybe it should be time for a bet to give us a stroke of luck; though I'm still a better gambler than you are, hime."
Tsuande couldn't help but pout at that jab, but decided to be safer than sorry. "I'll bet on all the Icha-Icha Violence profits this is a trick of some kind."
Jiraiya nearly turned white at that possibility, but the door opened again to interrupt his reply. A single figure strode through, as the entrance closed behind him. Standing there, his gaze rose to meet both of the occupants, layers of surprise and recognition flickering in his visible right eye, only fast enough for someone of a Kage's perception to catch.
Nobody made a sound, both sides scrutinizing the other. Until a Sharingan flickered to life, and a puzzle became clear.
"SASUKE!" Both Jiraya and Tsunade shouted in surprise, finding familiar lines in the face of the man before them. His face was different, but near-exactly the kind of grown one would find through the passage of time. Both of the Sannin, legendary ninja's, individuals who had encountered or done the impossible several times over…were near-totally stumped.
The former avenger…it took all the was within him not to gape at the sight of the two Sannin together in the room. Everyone shared an awkward silence, both parties reaching different conclusions to what they saw in the other; either a total anomaly, or dangerous proof to a new theory.
'So, where I am right now, Jiraiya really is a Hokage, from the hat and his presence at the desk;' Sasuke concluded in his mind. 'He's Naruto's former sensei, but was killed by Pain prior to when I joined the Akatsuki. And the gambler is still here, and with the same appearance, I saw her in Konoha,' his eyes flickered towards Tsunade.
"Tell me," the last Uchiha spoke up, capturing their full attention. "Age often brings humility. Is the gambler beside you showing her true age, or hiding six-decades that my eye cannot spot?"
No….body….moved. Jiraiya began sweating bullets, while Tsunade became a picture of fury. Slowly, she began cracking her knuckles, as discipline to avoid a trap and nearly one-decade of marriage keeping her instincts held-back by a hair.
"Listen…up ...whoever you are, one more word about that there won't be anything for you see out of, whatsoever. Beware, I am a medical-nin capable of both removing and reattaching your eyes, depending on the purpose. Got that!" Tsunade growled towards those comments.
Sasuke barely blinked, calm as a rock under a windy breeze. "Are you truly Tsunade then? I recalled rumours of your temper always leaving pure destruction imminent."
"Enough," Jiraiya, exclaimed shooting between the both of them. "You, whoever you are! Apologize to my wife this moment, or I swear as the Fifth Hokage, you will be imprisoned and interrogated, with her supervision and participation. In addition,"
The spy-master continued. "At the very least until I can confirm you possess Uchiha genes, then your eye could just as easily be a pilfered Sharingan, and not guarantee your identity. Some of them were mis-accounted for during the Uchiha Uprising."
Sasuke's eye grew dormant, his head shaking at such news. "Uprising? And eyes missing since it occurred?" he questioned, in a deadly-calm voice. Swallowing back, the wanderer glanced over at the Slug-Sannin. "None of us should have our time wasted. I apologize for my offending comments. Please, tell me more about what you are talking about."
Keeping a close eye on him, Jiraiya and Tsunade shared a look of surprise. Both at this figure's actions, and his own clear shock upon learning about the Uchiha Coup D'etat. Both ninja's, adept from lifetimes of a deceptive occupation and sorting about for the truth, found only clear honesty in the fait traces their guest displayed.
Jiraiya scrutinized him especially, then drew back once a decision was made. "Let's try this again, shall we. My name is Jiraiya, the current Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. How way I help you, young man," a professional opening came.
"I am Sasuke Uchiha," the other side replied. "A shinobi of Konohagakure, and as I knew it, the only one of the Uchiha bloodline still alive. The last I knew of you or the village, the latter was recovering from a costly war, and the former had been dead at the hands of the Akatsuki."
The room grew quiet once again. Entire minutes passed without any sound, under Jiraiya turned way, with Tsunade's watch still closely on this anomaly, and took his place at the desk. More silence ensued, almost testing their patience.
"I will answer your first question," the Sannin announced. With a nod from Sasuke, he continued.
"Five years passed, the Uchiha clan launched an Insurrection throughout Konoha, aimed to remove my predecessor from power and suppress other additional clans into submission through militant force. Both sides of the conflict received many casualties, with only the sons of Fugaku Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha left of their family; one due to his age and the others for siding with Konoha against their clan and actively suppressing it."
"In the aftermath, my predecessor was near-death, and my wife hospitalized. I was chosen to be the next Hokage, and have occupied this job since."
"You mean…Itachi Uchiha is still alive, along with a younger counterpart of myself?" Sasuke demanded, his voice very clearly breathless. Immediately, any news of the Uchiha Coup or his own misplacement didn't seem to matter. His senses found themselves amassed with emotion at the prospect of his deceased older brother being still alive.
"Yes," Tsunade chimed in. "He was the most active during the fighting to put-down the Uchiha, and killed nearly half the clan on his own." Unlike her husband, she desired to test this enigma more directly.
The man in-question didn't speak for several minutes, before eyeing both of them again. "What can you tell me about Naruto, and his life so far?"
The change of topic quickly shifted the Sannin's moods.
"Naruto? I'm glad you asked!" Jiraiya answer, with glee in his voice and face. "He completed the second stage of the Chunin Exams today, and an impromptu-preliminary round to reach the finals! My beautiful wife, Tsunade, and I are his parents and have been raising him with two other children. Ohhhhhh…"
Jiraiya caught himself, realizing he'd left Shizune inside the count. Still, she'd lived with them since the start and was family to all of them "Even with our sort-of daughter Shizune."
"The medical-nin?" Sasuke replied, his expression remaining passive.
The Slug Princess even let the frustration on her face digress, replaced with a showcase of pride. Until…
"So you both adopt the pair of them, and I assume have two others of your own? As I understand it, Tsunade, as Hashirama Senju's granddaughter is also from Uzumaki descent. While you were named as Naruto's god-father by Minato and Kushina."
…
…
Now the Sannin were shaken.
'Knowledge like that is classified! I never advertised my relationship to Naruto after returning back here.' Jiraiya thought, worriedly.
'Jiraiya's identity as godfather was kept a secret from all but those closest to Naruto's parents! How could this man know!' Tsunade internally added.
The room actually grew dense with a mild sense of killer-intent, stemming from both of these parents protective against any threats to their son.
"I am aware that Jiraiya activated privacy seals in this room upon returning to his desk," Sasuke cut into their thoughts. "Otherwise such knowledge could be exceptionally dangerous. I know of this since the Naruto I am familiar with once told me of it himself. Along with how the Fourth Hokage left a key behind that was sent to Jiraiya for safe-keeping."
Now, everyone knew they had a serious issue. Tsunade was actually gapping, not at Sasuke but towards her husband. 'He never said anything to me about that!' she thought, furiously. 'But, at the same time I should have expected it. Both of them could reach one another through the Mount Myoboku Toads, and he always did insist on taking-charge of Naruto training with the Kyuubi's power.'
Sasuke himself was also processing this new information, along with a glint of confirmation of his ploy from Jiraiya's face. 'Orochimaru could hide his secrets better than this Toad. Without learning to spot them he would have taken me by surprise with the Eternal Youth Immortality Technique. Their description of Naruto's adoption here means I'm not in a separate timeline, but possibly an entire new dimension, parallel to the one I know from.'
Sasuke's mind continued formulating a hypothesis; particularly around the dangers of how his transition to this alternate setting was from some unknown input. And if he could be brought, whom else or what else could also be transferred, and the focal-point of if he could reach his own world again.
'I could use the Rinnegan's dimensional travelling power. But I've only even experimenting with it scarcely. How can I even know if I can reach my own reality through a space-time jutsu of this sort? Alright, I'll use that only if all else fails or no leads can be found, not a first response. I need to investigate the source of this problem, and keep my own involvement in this reality to a minimum at best. Otherwise, my real home could be endangered from this one.'
"You!" The powerful force of a serious Jiraiya came through the office. "Do not move." The Hokage had been writing on a scroll. Now he furled it up and move five hand-seals together. Sasuke didn't react, recognizing them very easily.
"Summoning jutsu!" Form the cloud-of smoke that followed it, a small toad emerged. "Kosuke!"
"Hm!" the fourth attended shot straighter than a rod, facing a very serious Jiraiya.
"Yes Jiraiya! What you have need of me!"
"Take this to Pa, and triple check its contents for me. This relates to Minato's last service of the Toads."
Taking the scroll, Kosuke nodded then immediately vanished. For the Sage to shift his attention back towards Sasuke.
"Describe to us in-detail. I'm running out of reasons to disbelieve it, but how could you possibly be Sasuke Uchiha drawn from some point in the future?"
"That is something that needs to be clarified," Sasuke announced. "I have very minimal proof, but it seems that I have been deposited here from a separate dimension; one that is a parallel to this world and from a different timeline."
"WHAT?!"
"From the place I hail from, Konoha is led by a Sixth Hokage, after the Fifth one, Tsunade the Slug Princess, stepped down from the position. As I described before, Jiraiya the Sannin was killed on an infiltration mission by a member of the Akatsuki with a powerful dojutsu. There, Naruto, third Jinchuuriki of the Kyubi, was part of a Genin team alongside myself and Sakura Haruno. Under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake."
Jiraiya, far beyond the point of surprise now, merely nodded. "That means your questions were a way of gathering intel, and probing our own knowledge to see if anything shot up a flare."
His statement was met with a nod from the Ravenette.
"Okay," Tsunade joined in, after a period of silence. "If you are speaking the truth, how did you even managed to end up here?"
A sigh came from Sasuke at the interrogation. "If I told you that I woke up in the middle of a forest with no memory of how I got here, would you believe me?"
"Normally, anyone sane enough wouldn't agree with that. But, you're lucky enough to be speaking with someone who carries a brilliant imagination," Jiraiya smiled in his own self-praise.
"I think if we have a stranded time-traveler here in this room, the matter of you appearing in our world with partial amnesia can't be overlooked."
Tsunade nearly rolled her eyes at such an answer, while Sasuke remained deadpan. "I would have very little to gain from lying to a Sannin like yourself. Though you are very much like Naruto described you to be. If I might ask…"
"Does the Loser here still use certain perveted ninjutsu; such as transformations into a harem of naked males or females to distract the opposite sex?"
"Wait right there!" Tsunade exclaimed, dashing straight into Sasuke's space, outrage clear on her face. "Naruto used that precise method to win against a Kunoichi mere hours ago. But are you implying that he does the same with naked girls too, from what you know!? Where did he come up with such an…"
Tsuande found herself stopping dead in her tracks. Before whirling around the glare at her husband. Someone who felt a deep pot of hot-water starting to boil around him
"No. Do not tell me," the woman seethed. "Did Jiraiya take him there on his own accord! Did he secretly sneaked around my counterpart to do that with our son! Tell me now, did Jiraiya turn Naruto into a pervert behind his mother's back!"
Tsunade's head grew larger with each and every word; his diamond-symbol sent jagged by the veins popping through her forehead. The woman was growing so outraged, Jiraya himself was terrified to utter even a whisper.
It didn't save him, finding Tsunade rolling back her sleeves and march back towards him. The Sannin actually toppled over his seat to scrambling back, leaving the spectre of doom towering above him; an explosion centimeters from going off.
"I-I-I-I-I have done nothing, I swear, I promise, on my pride as a writer, Naruto hasn't gotten any lessons about that from me! Hime-"
"Don't you 'Hime' me right now, you gutter-minded toad!" Tsunade barked, driving her victim to scamper back against the windows. "I thought such habits were beyond you, and you have been admirable with those habits since we started living together. If there's even the smallest chance you passed some fantasies or escapades onto Naruto, then Shizune, Kurenai and I are all going to come down like a sledge-hammer, Hokage title or not!"
"Enough!"
Sasuke's voice brought the pair to a halt. "The last that I recall, the Hokage office did not become a place to play house," the Vagabond, his patience finally slipping, scolded the pair.
"If you truly are Sannin, then convey that through your actions, or else such respect will slip away. The Naruto of my dimension developed those habits on his own while an academy student; not under Jiraiya's directives; though the latter did indulge in his "sexy-jutsu" quite often, and even Hiruzen could be defeated by the same measures."
None of the Sannin moved…both full of gall at how they had been silenced by this stranger. Their shock layered with how the same man carried the audacity to insult two powerful, well-renown ninjas in the village as if he has the power to easily take them both down at any given time.
Momentarily, the Sannin gazed at the Wanderer with a hard stare, but Jiraiya was the first to respond, picking himself off the floor and fixing the Hokage's hat all the while.
"You certainly have some similarities with the Sasuke we are familiar with. Though I will have a talk with our son about sneaking around with hobbies like that. After All, he must've gotten that 'Uchiha Harem Jutsu' from somewhere. In the meant—"
"Huh?" A very, very forceful grunt came forth. "Say..that again?"
"Hmmm? Uchiha Harem Jutsu," Tsunade uttered. "Yes, that was what the Naruto came up with…" then she was hold one fist in her palm. "And I'm going to official beat that out of him the first chance that I have."
Sasuke largely ignored that, piecing together what the title implied; before slamming one palm against his forehead. "I will try not to kill him for that now," he growled.
"Thank you for your patience," Jiraiya complimented. "Anyways, I have made up my mind, Sasuke-san. You are, so far as anyone knows about it, still associated with Konoha and are part of the shinobi ranks here. Therefore, you have my approval to remain in this village and walk freely as you please, so long as you obey the commands of myself as your current Hokage."
Tsunade rushed to protest. "But Jiraiya, how will the people react to this?!"
"Relax Tsunade. My laws relating to the Clan Discrimination Act are still maintained throughout the village. And if we can let Zabuza walk freely here, don't you think it's fair to let Sasuke…uhhhhh…both Sasukes do the same? We can't keep a secret like this hidden forever, anyways."
Tsunade brooded over the facts before letting out a sigh. "Alright, you win this round."
Still, she made a silent promise to herself. 'This man's description of Jiraiya's death as he…'
'…As he knows it.' She struggled to digest such a concept, adding the man who'd given her family again joining all those she had lost and loved. 'He said it was done at the hands of someone with a powerful dojutsu. Is it that same masked man Shizune and I confronted during the massacre? I need to learn more about this later, and prevent it!'[1]
"Moreover," Jiraiya continued. "We have other matters to discuss."
"Other matters?" Sasuke asked, impassive as ever.
"Correct. If you don't have any disputes, I want to gather the Clan Heads to discuss your presence here, and for a blood-test to confirm your identity as thoroughly as we can."
"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to interact with the others Uchiha's without consent to it, particularly your younger counterpart, so if you do wish to meet them, then the choice is yours."
Sasuke himself was set on-guard, as any ninja regarding the acquisition of their genetic material would be. Still, Jiraiya continued.
"But, I do want you to meet the Jonin-sensei of both Naruto and your younger-self's Genin teams. And of the others who graduated from their class as well. That way we can keep any introductions a little less complicated later on. Do you agree?"
"Fine by me," Sasuke replied.
…
In the Streets of Konoha
Inside a bar of Konoha, five Jonin-sensei were celebrating. Guy was even more excitable than ever, Asuma had a full smile on his face and somewhat red-faced from sake, Shizune was swept-up in the celebrations, even Kakashi was smiling and happy while Kurenai carried more pride than all of them combined.
"To our Genin! May their victory in the finals be swift and decisive!" Asuma said, raising his glass, and the other four joined his toast.
"You know, I can't help but—"
Silence!
In a moment a male ANBU ninja, wearing a dog mask with red markings appeared behind the group. "Hey, what gives? Can't you see we're celebrating out student's victories, here!" Asuma exclaimed.
"Hokage-sama demands each of you meet in his office, immediately," the ANBU announced matter-of-factly.
With an effort, each of the five kept their groans silent, paying for what they'd had and following this messenger to the office.
'This must be about Sasuke,' Shizune thought, with anxious concern. 'Shisui and I spent hours chastising him over his reaction towards Neji, but we didn't inform Hokage-sama about it.'
Kurenai herself had (almost) the same feelings. 'This must be about Naruto, and Lord Hoakge wants an explanation for his 'Jutsu'.'
Kakashi and Guy were more casual about it, sporting their own laxidasey approach to such developments. While Asuma shrugged and took out a smoke.
…
When the Jonin opened the door, they found Jiraiya and Tsunade together in the office. After the last one passed through, the Hokage waved to a seat beside the door. A new, unfamiliar man came to his feet, younger than the rest leaving whiff of the familiar behind him He strode around the group before standing between the Sannin; generating mixed thoughts in the Jonin.
'Ohhhhhh. This is bad. Why does this guy seem even more cool than Kakashi?'
'Don't tell me this is…'
'Why does he almost look like…'
'I guess this wasn't about Naruto. Still, who is this man, and why does he appear so familiar?'
'Hmmm. This man appears cute. Not so much as Shisui, but he's still quite attractive.'
Jiraiya cleared his throat, calling for their attention.
"I apologize for dragging each of you away from celebrating the results from the Chunin Exams' Second Rounds today; which is definitely well-deserved for you and your Genin. However, to explain why you are here…"
Looking towards the third occupant beside him, the Hokage continued. "We discovered another Uchiha, one whom Tsunade-hime and I have questioned thoroughly and believe to be from a different world, dropped straight into our own separate one, and is stranded here for mysteries beyond my knowledge, yet is invited with open welcome."
After rolling his eyes at the dramatic plot-line, everyone's attention, before shifting his eyes to the trademark Sharingan.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. An older variation of the one you know, dropped in here from a possibly separate dimension outside of your own timeline."
"WHAAAAAT?!" Kakashi and Asuma got thrown for a loop! Taking a double-take, both found traces of certain features in the man before them that resembled the boy they had seen before.
Guy's hands were on his head, containing his surprise. Kurenai's mouth dropped open. And Shizune's cries were the loudest of all.
'OH KAMI, HOW COULD I HAVE THOUGHT ONE OF MY OWN STUDENTS ATTRACTIVE! SURE, I WAS UNAWARE BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG IN SO MANY WAYS! HOW CAN I SEE SASUKE-KUN THE SAME WAY ANYMORE; AND SHISUI CANNOT FIND OUT!' Shizune's thoughts raced in shame, extending further into more possibilities about her boyfriend; and showing on her face.
"Shizune-chan, why is your face red? Are you alright?" Kurenai worriedly asked.
"Oh, wh-wh-why? No, I'm fine, I-I'm fine," the medic-nin spluttered, pressing an innocent smile to her face. "I—I might just have a minor fever. No need to worry, hehe, hehehehehe," she nervously laughed, utterly awkward as she rose a green-glowing palm around her head.
Tsunade facepalmed at her apprentice. 'Now Jiraiya might find some new ideas for his novel.'
She was right on the money, with the Hokage's face cracking with glee over thoughts about his next installment. 'Ha, now I have something to look forward to after Icha Icha Violence Part II! Icha Icha Sensei, a love-triangle between teacher and student, while dating their cousin on the side. That will sell everywhere, with no doubt. But first…'
"Anyhow. His Sharingan aside, this Sasuke has provided evidence for Tsunade and I to lack any sources to refute his claims over. Though he has consented to a few additional tests, I have allowed him to remain in Konohagakure and interact with other ninjas for now. This will include your students, and I wish you to inform them tomorrow morning in preparation to meet Sasuke. Especially Sasuke….uh, make that Genin-Sasuke, Shizune. Please ensure he is updated on this to meet the one that is with us at this moment."
The majority of the Jonin nodded, while the elder Sasuke kept quiet. 'I will absolutely not highlight that I have only been either a Genin or a Rogue-nin in my life,' he pledged.
"Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, Shizune?"
"I have a few concerns," she announced, with a worried glance towards Sasuke, recalling whispers from earlier that week and the violence in the prelims. "Relations between the Uchiha here and the villagers are still far from conciliatory. There will likely be some hostile consequences and I am concerned how our…guest…will react towards them. What if he responds in turning against them while unaware of the circumstances?"
"There is nothing for you to be concerned for, medic-nin." Sasuke answered, before any answer could be made by Jiraiya. "I am not a child with emotional baggage. At least, not any longer. Hostile aggression is not something I am unaccustomed to. And neither is it something I react towards with aggression, anymore," he replied.
"I have a name, and I am not some medic-nin!" Shizune replied, scolding. "Address me as Shizune-sensei, or did something happen to your manners as you grew older? Sasuke-kun—err…the younger one, is my student just as you are, and I expect to be given the same respect as yours has."
"Hmmm?" Sasuke only cocked an eyebrow at this news. 'This is a surprise…no, it shouldn't be. With two adult Uchiha still alive here, Kakashi's importance as a sensei to my younger-self would not be a high priority. And with this news…'
"Then something needs to be clarified," Sasuke spoke towards the group. "Despite any similarities we carry, your student and I are still two separate people. After becoming a Genin, my Jonin-sensei was Kakashi Hatake, not you. With him…etiquette was valued alongside punctuality. And is the Copy-nin here still have a habit of being late to everything?"
All the Jonin nearly stumbled at this news, looking between Sasuke and Kakashi. Even Tsunade and Jiraya raised an eyebrow, as they had digested such possibilities already.
Ideas began to storm inside Kakashi's head. 'So, this older Sasuke is my counterpart's student, huh. That would make a lot of sense, given the fact that it's possible that other me possess a Sharingan and can train him. But in this reality, that wouldn't be necessary since the younger Sasuke here have two Uchiha relatives to do the Sharingan training for him.' This was giving Kakashi a bad feeling. 'Unless…'
"Oh….I see," Shizune replied, running a hand through her hair. "In that case…I…an apology from me is due here. I have been part of your younger-self's life for more than a few years, ever since I befriended Itachi and particularly after Shisui and I started dating."
"Hmmm? Please," Sasuke spoke up, almost desperate. "My…older brother. Itachi Uchiha is here, alive, and has been part of your student's life within that time?"
Shizune blinked at the strength behind those words. Then found herself at a loss over how to respond.
"Ahem," Kurenai cleared her throat. "Itachi-san has actually been acting as Hokage-sama's spymaster following his ascension, . Also, I believe my friend's concerns were drawn from your counterpart's behaviour today in the Chunin Exam Preliminaries. Something…unthinkable happened there, which necessitated the proctors and the Jonin to intervene. I believe Shizune's worries were that a similar case would lead to a similar reaction from you towards all of Konoha."
Sasuke did not acknowledge her, his eyes trained on Shizune for a while. Until he took a breath and turned towards Kurenai.
"I am not my younger-self. Will you describe in-detail what happened?"
"Well, you see…" Kurenai stumbled to find the right words, until Asuma stepped in.
"He was set against Neji Hyuga in a preliminary match. Neji insulted the Uchiha clan. His goal was to unbalance his foe through words, pride and anger. Yet the kid responded with a level of viciousness that nearly killed Neji, even after your counterpart was declared the winner."
"Tell me what the Hyuga said," Sasuke requested.
"Wait!" a certain youthful man demanded. Guy stepped forwards, meeting Sasuke with a rare solemn look on his face.
"Neji is my student here," Guy announced, his voice grave with shame. "And the total fault for such an incident cannot be placed on Sasuke-san alone. Neji started by criticizing him for arrogance, in a most un-youthful way. Following that, he questioned if it was a shared trait among all Uchiha, and recounted how during an attack on his home, with chaos surrounding him, an Uchiha was the source of true fear within him for the first time."
"Following that, Neji brought up the bloodshed that happened during the coup, including among Sasuke-san's own family while he was a younger child, asleep in his home. I do plan to have a few words with Neji about this, as the fight was in his favor until he began using such un-youthful tactics and the results led to an end like that."
As Guy finished recalling the incident, everyone fixed their gaze on Sasuke, wondering how he would react to this, and what he had to say next. But within moments, they received their answer.
"The discrimination. The blind hatred. The fog of ignorance" Sasuke recounted, his tone remarkable soft, devoid of any passion or pride.
"This is what my counterpart and the remaining Uchiha have been left to endure within Konoha, right? It's not a unique case, as all members of my clan often become formed by the same, culminating choice: to either reshape the world by imposing their power upon it, or accepting the world and themselves to grow through it, and the bonds they form with others around them."
Looking to his own past, Sasuke recalled the choice he made, and the final lesson from his older brother. "It seems that no matter how different both our worlds are, we are fated to face this same trial. Even so, we are not alone with the time to choose our paths are upon us." Sasuke found himself recalling memories of him clashing with Naruto at the Valley of the End while both a Genin and later at the close of a war. As the phantom twitch of his left arm came to mind.
"Hatred has been the fall of my clan many times over before; yet this is not limited to them alone. We have our comrades looking out for each other...to make us see past the fog and pull us through. That is why I am sure that my counterpart will learn to correct himself, even after what happened. And that Neji will grow beyond his own prejudices, so long as those around him can guide him through."
The proclamation came in complete monotone, yet the words left everyone in the room baffled. Even Tsunade and Jiraya stood with their jaws agape. Guy was the same, somehow unable to speak as those words coursed through his mind.
Asuma finally said something. "Was I hit by a genjutsu? Because I just heard Sasuke say something wise, impactful and humbling for once."
"ASUMA!" Kurenai exclaimed.
"What? Nobody here can say they aren't surprised at this guy. He's right on the mark, and I doubt even Shisui has ever been that insightful."
"Excuse me!" Shizune spoke up, having found her voice again. "You are correct, Sasuke-san. It was my fault as well. As his team's sensei I should have foreseen that. Instead I had faith that Sasuke-kun would keep his anger in-check and became blind towards how it would drive him to react. Though I did spend a large amount of time driving-home the gravity of his actions, and how they can reciprocate further hatred as well. Shisui did the same alongside me, and likely will speak to Sasuke-kun about it again."
At this news, the elder Sasuke nodded.
"Regarding how your student acted. I cannot blame him as I likely would have done the same if I was at his age. Though driving home such importance from a being he does respect, and surrounding him with others who share the same outlook that you have will go an even further step," the Avenger suggested, recalling his own past once again.
'After Kakashi's pep-talk when Naruto and I took our spar too far; the Sound-Four surrounded me and gave a counter-balance to his advice. Left on my own, I made the wrong decision, and made an even further descent across the Valley of the End and across later encounters. Perhaps keeping others close to him would be one option to find a different path.'
"Itachi."
A single word from Shizune yanked Sasuke out of his musings. "You asked me about him moments ago."
"During the Uchiha Coup, Itachi-kun sided with Konoha. In the weeks leading up to the attack he was expelled from the clan by Fugaku after refusing to support their plans. During that night, more Uchiha were killed at his hand than anyone else, including Fugaku himself after he nearly killed Lord Hiruzen."
"Afterward, a deep wedge was driven between Sasuke-kun and Itachi-kun. He did idolize his older brother, yet killing so many of their clan, including their father, was something he could not simply look beyond. They grew further and further apart, and Itachi-kun decided to take some time away from the village to allow Sasuke-kun some space. But recently, the outlook that my student has towards his brother has changed, taking on a more positive mood than it once had been."
Nobody made a sound. All were waiting to see what the elder Sasuke's reaction would be.
The man didn't move, his face angled to the ground; filled with reflection and contemplation. This went on for some moments, drawing the same mood as Sasuke's own speech had. They watched on, to see a smile seeping over Sasuke's face.
"Thank you," was all that he said, before raising his head to face Shizune again. "I am not acquainted with your name. At the time I became a Genin, only Gai, Asuma, Kurenai and Kakashi were Jonin of teams composed of rookie Genin. Your counterpart did not become one."
That actually drew a frown from her, "Shizune. I am called Shizune."
With a nod, Sasuke turned about to face Jiraiya.
"Is Itachi deployed somewhere at this time?"
The Toad Sage couldn't help but grin at the fortunes coming about.
"You showed up at the right time, young man. He was in this very room a short time ago. Itachi came to ask me for some vacation weeks I owed him. He, Shisui and Genin-Sasuke live in a penthouse near the south gate."
From there, the Hokage took the chance to face his own subordinates in the room. "Now, for the time being, each of you will inform your students that another Uchiha has surfaced in the village, but keep this older-Sasuke's identity a closed matter, for now. Tomorrow, all of them will meet our older, displaced Sasuke in-person to unveil his identity after the Clan Heads and Elders come to their own decision."
Everyone nodded. Their orders were clear.
"The celebration…OH MAN! I FORGOT ABOUT THAT!" Asuma yelled! Both hands yanking at his head. Spinning about, he grabbed both Guy and Kakashi. To the Lazy-ninja's lament, rubbing his head, tiredly.
"um…Asuma, is this really—"
"No time to talk Kakashi, we don't have all night," the Guardian-Nin promised him with a grin.
"That's the spirit, Asuma! Let's get this party started, yosh!" Guy agreed. Both of them dragging Kakashi in a rush out the door.
The Kunoichi sighed, before Kurenai recalled all the drinks Asuma had promised her.
"Come on, Shizune-chan. We really should catch up to them and join in the occasion."
"Okay. See you later, Sasuke-san." The fellow Jonin waved towards him.
"It was a pleasure meeting you," Kurenai nodded. And soon both were gone.
Tsuande gave a nod, then turned back towards the two that remained.
"By now, I imagine the Clan Heads and Elders should receive the summons Jiraiya sent out. They'll gather shortly and be informed about you," she stated towards Sasuke, pointedly.
With a nod, the Uchiha turned about, taking a long look across the village towards the southern gate.
"Go ahead."
At Jiraiya's voice, both of them looked at him, surprised. "You want to meet with the other Uchiha here, don't you. It'll still take a while before everyone pulls themselves down here, grumbling all the while. Go and meet with them, but be ready when I send a call."
Nodding back at him with a sign of thanks, Sasuke disappeared.
…
Ichiraku's Restaurant
Naruto, Hinata and Haku were celebrating that the three of them had passed. Each were enjoying their meal, one by gulping down the last of the broth before slamming it down with joy.
"MMMMMMmmm! Hey, old man. Can I have another Pork Ramen please? And throw in an egg."
"Coming right up, Naruto," Teuchi replied, wiping sweat from his brow and smiling with the joy of a true chef. "Hahahahaha! This is just what I meant by only give you one bowl on the house. Are you trying to set a new record, kid?"
Hinata and Haku couldn't stop laughing, while Naruto grew a deep blush. Surrounded by around twenty large, empty bowls there really wasn't any way out.
"Guhahahahaha…well that wasn't my idea, but why not?"
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried towards him, worry in her voice. "If you get sick at all then taking one day to recover will set your training behind schedule. Maybe you should, slow down a little," she recommended. Sending Naruto a jolt of panic.
"Oh man, No! I can't risk doing that! Even Mom would kill me if I came home with indigestion like that!" he panicked at the picture of his adoptive mother's scolding.
"I think this'll be the last one, old man. After all, I want to start with Dad first thing tomorrow!"
"That seems most wise, Naruto-kun," Haku agreed. "Receiving training from Hokage-sama himself might give you an edge, and wasting it would be quite unwise."
"Yeah, but hey don't sell your own teachers short, Haku," the boy encouraged his friend. "Learning under one of the Seven-Swordsmen of the mist isn't a laughing matter either. Plus, I've heard Dad praising Hayate-san and Yugao-sensei too. You've got a lot of good trainers to face Sasuke; so he'd better come ready or you'll surprise him with a real fast win!"
The teammates of the Assault Squad smiled together, never failing to go more encouraged and connected when Naruto would talk.
"Yes. And I hope that Kurenai-sensei can still teach me a little about genjutsu to use in the finals…oh, here she comes!" Haku announced, setting down his chop-sticks to face their instructor.
"Good evening Kurenai-sensei," Hinata greeted her. Are you celebrating as well?"
"Oh, you wanna join us for a bowl of ramen?"
This caused everyone to chuckle. Classic Naruto.
"Perhaps," she decided, taking a seat at the counter. "I was out with the other Jonin-sensei. However, Shizune-sensei and I decided to leave early because we have some orders to deliver."
Facing her students, the women took on a more focused atmosphere, the kind adapted for missions. "Something has developed, and each of you need to be aware of it."
…
Elsewhere across the village, another figure walked about, slipping through the street with skilled anonymity. Nobody gave him more than a basic glance, else they'd spot a drop of sweat over his brow. The one sigh cracking through the composure he was desperately trying to keep.
As Sasuke grew closer to the house with every step, the stoic mask across his face slipped; containing the pressure and intensity of his emotions, and the hope towards a single being, to see him again.
Turning a corner, he saw the building, sensing two figures within, one that match the being he could never forget.
'Itachi…alive…' 'Itachi…'
Stopping in an alley-way, the avenger began to take several, deep, cleansing breaths. Walking through the road of his past, all the memories with Itachi came forth in succession. One after another, from the happy days of their childhood, to the worst day of his life, followed his years of anger, until a single being began to flicking into the spot Itachi had once occupied. Then their second encounter and the choices made from it came through…followed with their climatic battle, the revelations of the truth, and meeting Itachi again.
'Hmmmm. All that Itachi told me, about Izanagi and Izanami. That talk I gave about using power to alter your reality, or accepting it and growing further through the people who give you the chance. I even took that lesson and applied them to life and perhaps even towards my younger-self.'
With that reflection, a new sense of pride came through Sasuke's soul. 'I have learned from the past, and now need to face this present and accept what will come from it. This Itachi is different from the one I know, just the same as I am a different—'
"Sasuke?"
'That voice!' His senses driven wild in the instant, Sasuke backed away to face the source of the voice.
There, up above him, standing on the roofs. It was Itachi, crouching down with a sword on his back, and his Sharingan was open and ready.
The elder Sasuke couldn't breathe, all around him, the world faded to a dark black shade. The only figure, standing bright within it…was the reflection of his brother.
Finding his own mind again, another Sharingan met the pair that ambushed him.
Up on the roof, Itachi eyes grew impossibly wide; his mind screaming for a trap, while his senses betrayed all concepts of reality.
"I sensed you from my home. Who are you, brother?"
[1]-By this point in "Son of the Sannin," Obito's identity has not been uncovered as-of-yet. Konoha is still ignorant of his less-than-dead status.