Konoha. 15 years after the attack of Kyuubi
Konoha, the jewel of the Land of Fire and the entire world, as its citizens believed, was in a near pandemonium, but not out of chaos or destruction, but due to elation and joy. Today, it's citizens were going to get their vengeance, their long due-justice and retribution for countless lives lost 15 years ago. Today, they were going to witness the end of demon that had plagued their existence for so long and whom they were denied of destroying, but today… Today his existence was going to finally come to an end.
Today was the day, when Naruto Uzumaki was going to be executed at the hands of the returned hero and their messiah, Minato Namikaze, Fourth Hokage, who had returned to Konoha, bringing with him his wife Kushina Uzumaki and the two children heroes that held the true power of Kyuubi, Mito and Menma Namikaze. The return of their once thought slain hero, especially in the wake of Suna's and Orochimaru's invasion was seen as the sign of the Gods favoring Konoha, and the people took all that their savior had told them, about him faking his and Kushina's deaths, taking his children away from Konoha and training them in secret.
All of that, these people had believed everything, both citizens and Shinobi alike, especially after Minato had saved Hiruzen Sarutobi from Orochimaru and forced the snake to flee, not to mention bringing back into Konoha two of its greatest Shinobi- Tsunade Senju and Jiraiya. The Professor and two Sannin confirmed all that Minato told to everyone, and the people's belief in their savior had strengthened to the point where they could clearly be seen as fanatics, worshiping a false God.
They had most certainly believed him when the blonde told them of the sacrifice he had to make in order to ensure Konoha's survival. On the night of the attack of the Fox, he had separated the power of Kyuubi from its soul, a feat that was unheard of and thought impossible, but only rousing the belief of Konoha in might of their Fourth Hokage. He then split the power equally and sealed them in his youngest children, Mito and Menma, but the soul, the most dangerous and powerful element of the Tailed Beast, was sealed inside of his eldest son, Naruto.
Kushina had spoken before all of Konoha of the grief that she had to endure, when she had given her eldest child to be sacrificed, but for Konoha she had endured, and so she and Minato had sacrificed their eldest son to be made into a container of malicious and corruptible soul of Kyuubi. They and Naruto's siblings and godparents had played the part about grief very well, so truthfully and without a mistake that none could question.
None, but those that knew the whole truth about Naruto Uzumaki, which included his parents, Sannins and Third Hokage, who had spin an elaborate and intricate tale about grief, sacrifice and sorrow, as well as the corruption and possession by the Tailed Beast of an innocent child's mind and soul. They never spoke of the fact that Naruto's soul, mind and will were always his, as the Kyuubi's soul was sealed away by the Uzumaki's strongest seal, Reaper Death Seal, cast by Shinigami himself and impossible to break even by other gods. No, instead of telling the full truth, about them all abandoning Naruto in Konoha as a bait and false Jinchuriki, they chose to lie and deceive, all in the name of the Village, as they all believed. But Naruto knew for a fact that the reason why they lied was far more malicious and simpler- they simply wished to use him as a way to gain absolute and total adoration and loyalty of Konoha. Once again, he was nothing more but a disposable tool for others to use, and thrown away after the usage.
This had been all that he had known all his life, a life of misery, agony and hatred. He had thought that he was a cruel joke of fate, having been born looking like a literal demon in the eyes of people. Unlike his far more lucky "siblings" who were born as carbon copies of their respective parents, Naruto ended up looking like a Kyuubi in human skin: fiery bright red hair akin to fox's pelt, eyes color of fire, practically glowing in dark, ears with a shape of a knife and a paler skin color. He didn't know why he looked like this, until he had met Kyuubi itself and learned that it was the beast's small revenge upon its previous host, his mother, for holding him.
He had used his own chakra to alter Naruto when he was but a fetus, to give him traits that would make him similar in appearance with Kyuubi and demons. The Tailed Beast succeeded in his little revenge, and so Naruto had ended up being shunned by his own mother and father for mere appearances.
He was but mere 5 years of old when Naruto learned of it all from Kyuubi, and ever since then he had hated his very existence, along with his parents for doing what they had done to him. He swore never to draw upon the power of Kyuubi and to prove to the entire world that he wasn't a demon, but a man and that he was greater than that demon. Hence that day, Naruto had made began to train, develop his mind and body into weapons greater than what was sealed in him.
Much to his benefit, Kyuubi's alterations to his body were not only cosmetic, but also powerful in enhancing already powerful Uzumaki genes to a whole new level. Naruto was quick to grow up, gaining height and muscle faster than any child of similar age, with his mind sharper than best blade and swifter than wind. He could remember anything and everything he saw and read without any trouble, along with his eyes being able to perceive the swiftest of movements and smallest of actions that could be hidden away even from a trained Shinobi eye. And his chakra reserves were much greater than that of any person of his age, even Uzumaki.
At 10 years old, he already held more chakra than Third Hokage did at his prime, and when he came to age of 14, when he graduated the Academy, his Chakra level was suspected by Hokage to be greater than that of Mito Uzumaki, wife of Hashirama Senju and one of most powerful Uzumaki warriors that had ever walked the earth. For years, Naruto had secretly trained, gained new skills through self-training, observing, learning from whatever old scrolls he could gain once Clans had no need of them after copying their contents. Surprisingly, many Clans of Konoha, from Uchiha to Hyuuga, were quite careless in disposing of their old scrolls with valuable knowledge and information. Had they known that they were practically giving the hated demon means of becoming stronger, they would've been more careful.
Naturally, the growth in power and mind of Naruto didn't go unnoticed by the inhabitants of the Village and its leaders. The common folk, both citizens and Shinobi alike, had tried to stump Naruto's growth by killing him, or at least maiming, torturing and breaking him mentally. They had failed, either due to "timely" intervention by ANBU, or because Naruto had stopped taking punishments, and started dishing them out by beating the civilians and Shinobi alike.
Much to shock and horror of many, especially the Third Hokage, Naruto had proven to be viciously effective in dispatching those that had tried to kill him. The Village had called for his death, but Hiruzen stopped the Council from executing him, knowing that it would unleash the true Kyuubi's soul and let him regain its power. Instead, he decided to play the caring grandfather figure and spoke with Naruto, trying to convince him that him retaliating like he did was not a way to earn people's trust and respect. Naruto's response was simple and clear: "If Village can't protect its inhabitants, than those inhabitants have to protect themselves." Hiruzen had wanted to dispute Naruto's logic, but he was powerless, as even he couldn't simply go ahead and break the common law about citizens of Konoha, with Naruto being one such citizen.
After that talk, the villagers and Shinobi had to give Naruto a wide berth and stop their attacks, as Hiruzen put pressure on them. Instead, they had settled on ignoring and isolating Naruto from the rest of people, something that he was alright with, as he had long grown weary and hateful of Konoha himself. His dream still guided him, but it was adjusted a bit to include him finding a place where he would be seen as a human being and not as a demon. It was sad that he couldn't simply up and leave Konoha, as Naruto knew that if he did, Hokage would send all available forces to get him back. And so Naruto had to go to Academy, learn whatever they could teach him, graduate and then wait for a chance when he could leave the village forever and for sure.
Despite the sabotage, hateful teachers and intolerable classmates, Naruto had managed to graduate, ending up in Team 7, led by Kakashi Hatake, former student of Fourth Hokage, with his teammates being Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha, the self-proclaimed "Last Uchiha". It became immediately clear that Naruto would find no friends with them, for Kakashi hated Naruto for simply existing, while Sakura was obsessed with Sasuke and saw Naruto as a demon, while Sasuke arrogantly believed that all were beneath him and Naruto was the lowest of the low. That's not to mention Kakashi purposefully ignoring the training of Naruto and Sakura, focusing his attention of Sasuke.
Though even a blind could see that this Team was anything but a good one, they had still managed to accomplish quite notable and great feats, mostly due to Naruto's wit, skills and might saving the day, while his companions took the credit for his deeds. And the deeds were truly quite worth of tales: saving Land of Wave from a tyrannical business man, along with killing Zabuza Momochi, then restoring a rightful ruler to the Land of Snow, now Land of Spring, followed by saving Land of Waterfall from being consumed in a civil war. In the two former Lands Naruto, much to his shock, had found himself seen not as a demon or a fiend, but as a hero and liberator.
Land of Wave dedicating its newly constructed bridge to him, while Koyuki Kazahana, now ruler of the Land of Snow, had proclaimed him Hero of Snow and offered him a permanently open place as her advisor, should he ever desire to come back. It was truly in those Lands that Naruto had finally gained an understanding of what it felt to be respected, loved and admired for not how you look, but for your deeds. It was more than enough for him to finally decide to leave Konoha, but much to his chagrin, the Chuunin Exams came and Kakashi had admitted them in. Naruto, fueled by his deeds and pride grown in his heart, decided to compete.
It was truly the worst decision he had ever made, a decision that would ultimately lead to where he was in present time. All proceeded relatively well until he and his team had gotten to the Forest of Death, which they needed to traverse in five days, along with finding a scroll from another team. For most, it was an exceedingly dangerous task, but for Naruto, who had spent his forming years in that Forest with its beasts, honing his reflexes and skills, it was a trivial task. Everything went to hell when his team had been suddenly attacked by none other than Orochimaru, the Snake Sannin, who had bitten Sasuke and put some sort of Curse Seal on him. Through sheer might, will and relentless assault, Naruto had managed to drive the Snake away, only to end up later be attacked by the lackeys of the Snake from Sound and after that one by Sasuke.
The Sound team, though mighty in their own regard with their techniques, found themselves woefully unprepared when faced against one that was proclaimed as Demon of Wave. Naruto slaughtered two of them Sound Shinobi, with the third one, a girl, fleeing away. Sasuke, drunk on power, thought that he could easily defeat Naruto, but was proven wrong, when Naruto beat him with a single punch in the face. The whole scene was observed by much of Konoha Genin teams, serving to instill a sense of fear after witnessing Naruto's might. After that, Naruto had to drag Sasuke and catatonic Sakura to the Tower in the middle, where they were permitted to compete in preliminary matches for the third stage of the Exams.
Naruto's opponent was another Genin from Konoha, Kiba Inuzuka, who was quite eager to fight and defeat Naruto. Many had hoped that Kiba would wipe the floor with Naruto, but their hopes were crushed when Naruto with near effortlessly first killed Kiba's partner and dog, Akamaru, by driving a kunai in Akamaru's brain. Enraged and frenzy Kiba had tried to avenge his partner, but ended up not much better than his partner, when Naruto had managed to counter his Gatsuga by literally setting Kiba ablaze with a Fire Jutsu. Kiba was saved by the judge stopping the match and round was won by Naruto, with victory bringing great ire from Konoha's Shinobi, especially from Kakashi and Kurenai, Kiba's sensei.
Naruto didn't pay any mind to them, instead focusing his attention on Gaara of the Sand, whom he quickly determined to be the most dangerous person to have entered the Exams. Along with accessing his abilities, Naruto had also realized from his behavior and actions, that Gaara was just like him, a Jinchuriki, a fact that brought neither caution nor anger to Naruto, but pity for his fellow beast holder. The rest of the matches preceded much like he anticipated. Safe for Neji Hyuuga nearly killing his cousin Hinata, because she wasn't able to stand up to him and the former deemed her unworthy of living.
Had Naruto not been fast enough, Hinata's heart would've been destroyed, but instead of that happening, Neji found himself face to face with Naruto and his flaming eyes narrowed against his Byakugan active orbs was enough from stopping him. It was a small delight for Naruto to later discover that his opponent in real third round was going to be Neji himself, as Naruto was more than happy to take him down for what he did to Hinata, one of the few people that were nice to him in Konoha. That and he was going to take pleasure in destroying the fool's belief in Fate somehow favoring him and deeming him victor in all. The concept of Fate was one of the main excuses for villagers to beat up and torture Naruto, and therefore the notion of it being used again enraged him.
The following month before the matches Naruto had spent preparing himself. He knew that he couldn't rely on Kakashi or anyone in Konoha for help, not after he had "unjustly" injured Kiba during the preliminary rounds. Surprisingly for him, he was approached by Jiraiya of all people, who suddenly offered Naruto training and even a Toad Summoning Contract. At first, Naruto was almost elated, but the years of mistrust, caution and bitter experience had long curbed in Naruto any notion of not looking a gift horse in the teeth. Instead of accepting, he declined, stating that he was fine on his own, but Jiraiya didn't take the rejection well, trying to practically force Naruto to sign the contract and even chasing after him through the village.
Naruto was fortunate to have lost him, having taken refuge in an abandoned, yet excellently preserved mansion on the edge of the village. It was there that Naruto had finally discovered the truth about the Uzumaki Nation, or clan, as most foolishly thought it to be, for he had found a long abandoned home of Mito Uzumaki, with all her possessions, such as scrolls, books and more left untouched. Naruto had made use of what he found, devouring all that he could gain in the scrolls and books, using his so-called life hack of Shadow Clones to the maximum. In a single month, Naruto went from a talented genius to a trained and wise prodigy having mastered Arts of Sealing, learning all that there is from the legendary Mistress of Sealing.
But where he truly shined was in studying and acquiring the ways of Uzumaki warfare, mastering their double-edged straight longswords, strange at first glance, yet deadly effective against most armor, safe for those of Uzumaki forging. Uzumaki culture differed greatly from that of the Elemental Nations, and it was seen in both weapons and its armor, which employed plated armor, coupled with chain mails and scale mails instead of iron scales and leather of Samurai and vests of Shinobi. Though weighing heavier than normal armor, the armor of Uzumaki was much, much sturdier and didn't break or dent without a great deal of effort, not to mention that even piercing it was a hard task, as Naruto found. A suit of such armor, made for Uzumaki's equivalent of Shinobi, colored of black with a special black cloak with a coat, with sealed in Genjutsu and protections from detection. It was light enough to move swiftly, but also well made to cover with plate Naruto's lower and upper legs, wrists, shoulders and torso, while intersections were still protected with scale mail.
With such armor, knowledge worth a nation's fortune and a longsword, Naruto had come to the Chuunin Exam's final rounds as a new man, shocking all that saw him, though his opponent thought little to nothing of Naruto, for he believed victory was already his. He was proven wrong, for when the match began, Neji's Gentle Fist style proved to be utterly useless agaisnt Naruto's armor, the metal of which dispersed Neji's chakra and rendered Naruto invulnerable to Hyuuga's main way of fighting. Using a shock of the realization to his advantage, Naruto drew his longsword and in a single swift swing he nearly disembodied Neji. The fight was over as swiftly as it had begun, with Naruto claiming victory. The shock at what had happened rendered the spectators mute, with the schemers finally deciding to do away with Naruto, for he had grown too dangerous to be left alive.
Yet they weren't able to implement their schemes right away, for Orochimaru and Suna had made their move and struck right in the middle of a fight between Sasuke and Gaara. The invasion had begun and Konoha had come under the direct attack, with fighting breaking out near everywhere. In the chaos and confusion of it all, Naruto had found himself chasing after Gaara, who had lost control over his Tailed Beast and was going to transform into it. The reason for doing so in his mind was simply to help someone who was like him and suffered just as much. He was quick to catch up to him and his siblings, Kankuro and Temari, but he was too late, as Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, was once more in control of his powers and nearly went on a rampage near the Village. With all Shinobi available fighting in the Village proper, it fell to Naruto to defeat him.
It was a brutal and difficult fight, one where Naruto's skills and mettle were put to the ultimate test, yet he prevailed, though injured badly and exhausted. Naruto had managed to seal Shukaku with a proper seal, powerful enough to hold even Kyuubi at bay, before healing Gaara. Shocked to the core, Gaara had asked Naruto how he has not succumbed to his demon, to which he simply stated:
"I remember that I am a human and not him. If I let him control me and my actions, then I am not worth living. Live as a human being, Gaara, and act as one, and one day, people will come to see you as one." With that said, Naruto had departed him for his Village, expecting to at least rest and heal there.
That did not come to him, for he was apprehended by ANBU, put in irons and dragged off to prison, where he was stripped of all he had, safe the skin on his muscles. None told him anything, not a single thing, until he was finally visited by none other but Minato Namikaze, accompanied by Third Hokage and most of the Council. Shocked to the core Naruto could say not a thing as the bastard spread his web of lies and half-truths, revealing to Naruto who his parents were and what was his purpose of existence. After he was done, the verdict finally was announced to him: death by a public execution.
And so Naruto finds himself chained to a pole, his bloody and broken form held by the chains above his head, as the crowd called for his death. By now, Naruto simply wished that it was all over, for his spirit was as broken as was his body, courtesy of Ibiki Morino and Anko Mitarashi paying him a visit. To learn that all his life was nothing more but a predetermined sacrifice, another tool to be used, with an illusion of a possibility of a better future for him…
Even he could not handle all that was revealed to him.
Newly reinstated Fourth Hokage finally took the stage and motioned for the crowd to be silent as he spoke.
"Good people of Konoha, the time for reckoning has come at last! Today, I shall rid you for good of the Demon, for his purpose has finally expired. Fear not, for from this day my beloved children, Mito and Menma, shall stand guard over you and protect us all from all threats!" Minato announced, as the crowd exploded in ovations, before he silenced it again. "But, for all its crimes, let us not deny this beast the right of its last word. It is the least humane thing it deserves from us after all." Minato turned to Naruto and walked to him, leaning in close and speaking in a hushed voice.
"For all what it's worth now, your mother and I am truly sorry for what we had done to you." Naruto's eyes widened when he heard what he said, shocked he heard sincerity in it. "What we had done, it was a necessary evil for the greater good, for Konoha and its people. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive us for this, my son, but take solace in knowing that all your sacrifices are not for naught. Once this is done, your siblings shall master the power of Fox and Konoha shall enter its golden age, all thanks to your sacrifice, Naruto. Now, do you have anything you wish to tell me and Kushina?"
"Y-Yeah…" Naruto whispered through pain, as his legs steadied themselves, hands gripped the chains and his strength gathered for one last time. "Burn in Hell!" With a roar, Naruto's head smashed into Minato's nose, breaking it and sending him backwards.
The sudden attack had sent all Konoha into a frenzy and shock, which was amplified when Naruto had broken the chains above him with a powerful pull. Fear and terror spread like wild fire when all saw the demon break free of the pole and many began to flee, but not Shinobi and ANBU who rushed to strike him down. The first one was none other than Genma Shiranui, armed with a tanto and aiming to kill Naruto. But fool didn't get his chance, as Naruto, with the help of his chains, grabbed Genma's blade and disarmed him, before taking it himself and quickly slashing his throat. Before the life left his body, Naruto moved it as a shield to save him from Asuma's blades, followed with Naruto throwing now dead and headless Genma's body at Jonin.
Yet the battle was not to continue, for a yellow flash appeared before Naruto and a longsword was plunged deep in his chest, it's wielder being Minato, whose bloody nose now disfigured his face. Naruto felt the steel of his once weapon pierce his inner organs, blood rushing to his mouth and forcing him to spit it out. Minato's face was that of a rage and smug superiority, as he spoke to him.
"And what was that for? What did you accomplish, my son?" He asked of him in a mocking fashion, before Naruto flashed him a bloody smile.
He then grabbed the sword with his hand, driving it deeper into his flesh and through his back, much to the shock of all that saw it. And it was then that Naruto finally spoke again.
"Going out… on my terms." Naruto wheezed out of him… before he plunged the tanto still in his hand into Minato's flesh.
A look of shock and horror came over Minato Namikaze as he felt tanto piercing his belly, before Naruto twisted it upwards and slashed up, spilling out a fountain of blood of his father. The last of his strength gone, Naruto let go of his hold over tanto, dropping it, before his form had finally dropped on the floor, unable to move a muscle. His eyes became heavy, as the blood flowed out his body, yet the last scene of terror gripped Konoha citizens, shocked Shinobi, rushing to the aid their mortally wounded Hokage…
It was worth dying for, and the scene remained in Naruto's eyes as his lids fell down and he let out his last breath, finally free of all the shackles that bound him.
And no soul that day had known, that what transpired that day was witnessed by one that stood above all beings, living or dead.
Eternity and infinity later…
Where Naruto had hoped to find an end and peace in death, he found something far more unexpected, and yet far more precious- a new life and new calling. A being of unimaginable power and might, Eru, the very creator of cosmos and universe, had witnessed what had transpired in a realm that he had created eons ago and decided to take mercy upon the tormented soul. To his Timeless Halls he brought the formless soul of Naruto and with his will and wish he forged him a new being, one free of the torments of past life and it's unshackled by mortality.
In a single moment that had lasted like ages, a new life came to the existence, a new child of Eru was created, one that was different from all he gave life before. All they were part of him from very start, but he was a mortal man before, yet one that had moved Eru with his sheer will, determination and desire to improve upon what he already was- all of which were not present within his children, content to remain as they were. And soon, this new being had earned its name, for he soon became the greatest amongst Maiar, admired and respected by all his peers for his peerless skill and might.
He was now known as Mairon, and he became the head Maiar of Valar Aule, the greatest smith, craftsman and artisan, master of all substance in material realm. Under him, Mairon had achieved all that he had desired in his past life: acknowledgement, appreciation and respect. All that there was to learn from his teacher and master, Mairon had gained it and soon, when Arda had begun to come to be, he was Aule's equal in near all there was. But not only had he become a master of all substance, Mairon had also come to learn the ways of the nature and life from other Valar, Yavanna and Vana, growing an appreciation for it all while with them. But the closest of all, even compared to Aule, was Mairon to Nienna, Valar of Compassion and Love, for she had reached out to the torn and broken soul that he had and helped heal it. Forever would Mairon remain loyal to her in dreams and deepest parts of his being, for she had healed him from his broken past and opened a path forward.
Where many of his Maiar brothers and sisters were content to be as they were and not become more, Mairon was different, and so he sought the knowledge and understanding from all he could find. All of Valar had shared with eager Maiar what they knew and possessed, seeing no harm in it, with Aule being the most eager among them. It was this combined knowledge and gathered understanding that had allowed Mairon to aid his teacher and master Aule in creating the race of Dwarves, when the Children of Iluvatar, or Elves as they later become known, were made.
Such act had not gone unseen by Eru, yet he allowed the children of Aule to exist and be a part of Arda. Aule, though grateful to Eru, had omitted to mention the part which Mairon played in creation of Dwarves, an act that had sown seeds of fall in heart of Mairon. Eru had known who had aided his son in creation of new race, and had foreseen that Aule's silence may yet bring grim results in the future. Though bitter at what had happened, Mairon continued his existence and work on Arda, desiring to help craft a realm where no living being would be forced to fight for survival and where there would no discord and dissonance.
Fueled by memories of the chaotic and abhorrent realm that was his past life, Mairon worked the hardest in creating Arda, efforts his being as great as some of those of Valar, who saw their lesser Ainur sibling as equal to them. But one of Valar had seen Mairon as not just as an equal to him, but also as the greatest tool in his schemes and plans.
It was then that Melkor, greatest of Valar, had made his move and began to sway Mairon to his side, fueling the feelings of pride inside the greatest of Maiar and playing on his desires for a paradise. Though moved by the words and finding himself in accord with many of Melkor's thoughts, Mairon did not side with him and opposed him when Melkor decided to claim Arda as his own.
He led the Maiar in the First War and after, when Two Great Lamps were destroyed by Melkor. Yet as more and more time had passed, doubt had begun to fester within Mairon, but he did not waver when the War for the sake of Elves came and in decisive Battle of the Powers he led the host of Maiar against Orcs and many heinous creatures of Melkor's design, even against his once fellow Maiar, now turned into terrifying Balrogs. It was he that had breached Utumno with Tulkas and Eonwe to capture Melkor in chains and disperse his host.
As Melkor was judged by Valar to three centuries of imprisonment, Mairon wasted none of the time as he had assisted the awakened Elves in reaching Valinor, and later, at the insistence of Nienna, Valar of Compassion, Grief and Love, had ventured back to Middle-Earth to find the Elves that had not followed Valar. His quest was great in length, but successful as he found all scattered Children of Iluvatar and gathered them together. Fearing for them, Nienna had pleaded to Eru to let them to go another realm, one where they would not be plagued by evils. Eru agreed and gave the choice: go to a new realm, forged by him before Arda, or remain in this one. Many had chosen to remain in Arda, and just as many chose to go to another, fearful of Melkor and his evil, and all who had left to this day praise Mairon as their savior.
When Mairon returned to Valinor, he found Melkor no longer a prisoner, with Elves having established their realm. He was pleased with how they had come to be, yet at the same time, he felt that they could've been so much more. He saw how Elves were becoming divided and how conflict began to rise amongst them, and the disappointment of Mairon was growing more and more by the day as he watched the once pure and incorrupt people become chained by pride and arrogance.
Mairon's thoughts had soon turned from disappointment to desire to save them, to show them the right way, to lead them to absolute glory and paradise, had they only were to embrace his guidance. But doing so was against the decree of Eru, of whom Mairon grew more and more disappointed, seeing him inactive and uncaring of his own creations, much to Melkor's delight. And in time, the seeds of Melkor's deception and work laid in millennia and eons ago had given fruit, when after Melkor, now known as Morgoth, had stolen the light of Two Trees, killing King Finwe and fleeing to Middle-Earth, Mairon followed him. Only this time he was not his enemy, for he had finally succumbed to Melkor's influence.
The day when Mairon had knelt before Morgoth, was the day when the greatest of Maiar had fallen and in his place stood now the greatest servant of Evil. And Eldar had given this servant a new name, for his deeds of evil soon washed away all memory of his good and great.
He was now Sauron, Morgoth's greatest lieutenant and most loyal of followers, a twisted and corrupted being that had once despised and abhorred what he now was. Yet, for the sake of saving the world from chaos and steering it towards greater good, Sauron was prepared to do all that was needed. And he has put eons of experience, power and knowledge to good use for Morgoth, employing schemes, sorcery and force to destroy the enemies of Morgoth.
Thanks to him the Men were not united as one people, and all those that lived in the East of Rhun bowed to Morgoth and Sauron. And although on Tol Sirion he had been defeated by Luthien and Huan, a Wolf Maiar, Sauron had simply allowed them to take the island as well as to free it's captives, among which was Beren, descendants of whom would become a major thorn in Sauron's side. And although to the time of his defeat Sauron had granted Morgoth many victories, the impetuous fallen Valar did not forgive a defeat, so Sauron had fled to regain his own powers and strengthen his might, as well as to devise the demise of Morgoth.
Sauron was not blind to the desire of Morgoth to see all of Arda ablaze and reduced to nothing, and though he had been loyal and followed Morgoth, Sauron could not abide by the desires of his Master. In the eyes of Sauron, there was no point in destroying what had been created with such great effort, especially when he could command and guide those that had inhabited this realm. The absolute control over all mortals of Arda, this was what Sauron had desired, and for it was only through this he would bring salvation to squabbling mortals. And so he went to work, helping Earendil obtain one of three Silmarils and guiding him through shadows to Valinor, for in there was a single force that could stop Morgoth- Valar and Maiar. And so the War of Wrath had commenced, in which Sauron had aided Valar once more in defeating Morgoth, once and for all.
Though his foul deeds were not forgotten, nor forgiven, Valar were prepared to forgive Sauron, should he repent and stand trial before them. Unfortunately for them all, Sauron held no longer any loyalty for either Morgoth, or Valar, though he still claimed to do the will of the former. Instead, it was his ambitions which he now sought to see accomplished and made real, and Middle-Earth was ripe for his rule. For a thousand years he lay in hiding, ruling from shadows the realms of the East and South, steering them to him, bringing them prosperity, power and wealth beyond counting. When his job with them was complete, Sauron sought to expand further, and found his next target in Elves, whose potential was still great and whom he still wished to enlighten. But along with that, Sauron had begun work on his ultimate weapon, one that would finally unite the will of the mortals into one and bound it to him.
He took a new look and came to Elves as Annatar, Lord of Gifts, once again granting them his knowledge and expanding their riches and power. Though weary were many, like Galadriel, Gil-Galad and Elrond, many more had embraced his gifts, especially Celebrimbor, grandson to Feanor and greatest smith of Noldor Elves. It was his forge and hammer that saw the creation of many wonders of jewelry and metal, but above all were those that Annatar had personally spoke of an taught of. Symbols of might and power, concentration of pure magic and power of the world, the Rings of Power.
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die.
And in the shadows of Mordor, Sauron had forged his own ring, one that was to bind all the other Rings and it's bearers to his will. The One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them to him. Had Celebrimbor not warned the Elven Kings beforehand, Sauron would've bound them to him, and had he foreseen that Dwarven will was strong enough to stand against his, both realms would've been his. But the realms of Men were in his hands, for Nine Kings of Mortal Men bore his gifts and were his, bound to his will in life and in death. Once he had gathered his armies, Orcs, Men and many more, he launched his campaign to take all of Middle-Earth as his own, and he was closer to victory than even his own former master, yet it was all for naught for when Numenorians, descendants of Men that fought against Morgoth, had sailed from their isle to aid in battle was Sauron defeated and his host dispersed.
Having suffered a defeat, Sauron was not deterred from his goals, and spent his time well in regaining his powers and once more rebuilding his hosts of armies and fortresses. He knew that he was strong enough to defeat the races of Elves and Dwarves, but Men of Numenor… They were different, much like what he once was, and it instilled a sense of fear in Sauron and caution was needed if were to bring down the Numenorians. Fortunately, Sauron knew what Men were better than anyone and knew how to exploit their weaknesses, and when Numenorians returned to conquer all of Middle-Earth, Sauron did not even fight them. Instead, he surrendered without a single life lost and became captive of King Ar-Pharazon, and in a few short years, it was the arrogant King and his people that were captives of Sauron and his will.
Playing on the desires of immortality and power of the mortals, Sauron created the religion dedicated to Morgoth, corrupting and swaying the race of Numenorians to darkness. His hold over them was so great, that Sauron had even convinced the fools to sail to Aman, where he told them awaited true immortality. Sauron had known beforehand that only death and defeat awaited the fools that set sail to the Undying Lands, but in his pride and arrogance he had not foreseen that his actions would not go unnoticed. And this time, it was not Valar that had responded.
Eru, having seen what his Children were reduced to and what part in their corruption was done by Sauron, had sundered the Isle of Numenor, sinking it beneath the waves with the fleet of Ar-Pharazon. Sauron too was caught in the sundering, his mortal shell destroying and much of his power destroyed, but thanks to his One Ring being in Mordor, he was able to rematerialize in his already prepared and fully built fortress of Barad-dur. Though much of his powers were lost, his will was as strong as ever and so he launched a new war for Middle-Earth against all mortal and immortal races.
The victory was close at hand, though war seemed lost against the Last Alliance, but once again the Men of Numenor had to take away his victory, Isildur, son of Elendil, cut off his Ring from his hand, destroying his mortal shell and rendering him a little more than a ghost. He was defeated, yet not completely, and had Isildur listened to Elrond and tossed the Ring in Mount Doom, all would be over again for Sauron, but Men are weak at heart, especially to power and might, and One Ring held it all. Sauron was once more saved, and although greatly weakened and weaker than he ever were, he still had his mind, knowledge and will.
For three millennia he waited patiently, rebuilding his power and might, regaining lost strength and gathering new allies and strengthening old alliances. For three millennia he schemed and plotted, sending out his most loyal servants, the Nazgul, to weaken and destroy the realms of Men of the West, Arnor and Gondor. His Witch-King had succeeded in destroying the former and ridding Gondor of its king, plunging the realm of Men into rule of lesser men and into corruption. Though Valar had sensed his presence in the world and sent the Istari, his former comrades Maiar in form of older men, to stop him, Sauron had no fear of them, and later even recruited one known as Saruman as his subject, though he wish Gandalf had come to serve him too. Olorin, or as he was now Gandalf, was always the single one that could match Sauron in wisdom and might of mind, and therefore was considered a greater threat then Curumo, or Saruman.
The fears of Sauron were not baseless, for it was Gandalf that had discovered Sauron's existence in Middle-Earth, when he resided in one of his old fortresses Dol Guldur. But to that time, Sauron's power had been largely regained and he once more walked the Middle-Earth in flesh, but he was weary from leaving Mordor and his rebuilt Barad-dur. The One Ring, key to his immortality and power, was still beyond him and he needed it back, for there was always a chance that it may be destroyed, however the small the chance was. And once he had acquired its whereabouts, he had launched his final war, the War of the Ring had begun.
Millennia of planning, centuries of plotting and subterfuge, millions of creatures of darkness gathered to serve him, realms falling to his subjects, and yet… Once more, much like his master, Sauron had failed to realize the true power of mortals and see how they could defeat him. Only once the hobbit, of all damned mortal beings, had tossed his One Ring into the heath or Mount Doom did Sauron finally realize his absolute defeat and how he had become exactly what Melkor had wanted him to be- a weapon for his own usage, a tool to be used and disposed of, just like he was once in the hands of Konoha. Sauron was finally and completely defeated, reduced to less than a ghost, a formless and powerless soul, just as he had once begun.
And just as he once was, he was once again in the Timeless Halls, in the presence of the being that had given him once life and a purpose towards which he once worked. Sauron knew naught why he was pulled out of the Void, where he should've stayed as he had thought, but he felt that he was soon to find out.
"Do you know why you are before me, Mairon?" Eru spoke to him, with Sauron mentally flinching at the memory of his old name.
"No, nor am I called that anymore, Eru." Sauron replied no malice or detest to be traced in his voice, only defeat and surrender. "I can only guess that you have decided to finally rid Arda and Universe of me."
"Had I wished so, I would not have allowed you to survive the sundering of Numenor."Eru simply stated in his divine voice. "It was my wish for you to see the folly of your ways and repent, yet you failed to realize, just as you had failed to realize how you became the instrument of another's will, something you swore never to happen again when you were made anew."
"Have you summoned me to gloat, Eru, or is this going anywhere?" Sauron impatiently asked of him. "You think I had not realized what I had become, how far I had fallen, or how many of my fellow Maiar I had let down? Do you think I don't know that I had become exactly what those damn bastards from Konoha were? I know it all, Eru, and I will not seek to deny nor justify my actions, for I know to where my pride and desires have led me… All I had ever desired were peace, prosperity, enlightenment and content for all living beings. Is this naught for what you had created me, to help guide all your children to it?!" Sauron cried out to Eru as the weight of his actions felt heavy upon his none existent shoulders.
"I brought you to new life for those reasons, true, for I knew that to guide my children I would need one that had walked a path of the mortal and knew how to better himself, one who sought to break the chains and move forwards. You were such person, Naruto." Eru saw how the formless mass of Sauron stilled at the mention of the name. "Yet it was only half the reason why I chose you. The other half was in you knowing the need for freedom and how enslavement would lead not to the light, but to the darkness. You have already fallen victim to such design of a better world, and I wished for you to show the better way not through strength and iron, but through knowledge and compassion."
To that Sauron had no retort, for Eru was correct. He was already used as a tool by Konoha in the great and grandiose plan of achieving the greater good. Made an instrument at the hands of his "parents" and used to great effect, until he was needed to be disposed of, for without the soul of Kyuubi, the heroic twins could not use the power of Nine Tails. It took not long after his rebirth to realize why he was truly put to the sword, and although the betrayal still stung, the thought of ending the life of a schemer that plot it all warmed his being even when he was but a formless soul like now.
"Many of my children would see you destroyed and gone, the foul you have done to the world cannot be forgotten by them, nor forgiven." Eru spoke to him. "And yet, even amongst the cries of rage amongst all Valar, there is one that still weeps for you and calls for mercy. Do you recall whom I speak of, Sauron?"
"Lady Nienna… Her faith in me… It is misplaced and foolish." Sauron retorted with bitterness and scowl, though more at himself. "Why do I deserve her favor when the ire of all Valar and Maiar is understood by me is beyond my understanding."
"It is not favor of her that you hold, but her compassion and a memory of what you were once were, as well as what you still can be." Eru spoke cryptically to Sauron. "She, much like I, have not forgotten the deeds you performed when Melkor had not made you into Sauron. I remember your role in creation of Dwarves, though Aule mentioned none of your part. I recall with fondness your efforts in creation of Arda, along with teaching and guiding the races with your knowledge. I have not forgotten your valor and courage in battles against Morgoth, both in First War and in for my First Children. And it has not escaped me your patience and determination in gathering those of my First Children that had not followed Valar to Aman, saving half of them and giving them passage to a different realm. And even when you had turned your back agaisnt Valar, you still came to fight Morgoth and helped in saving Middle-Earth and Arda as a whole."
"Only because it was against my own wishes to see what I had helped to craft be turned into ashes by a mad fallen Valar, who wasted so much of his power and potential on pettiness and too little effort on preserving what he had." Sauron spoken to Eru. "What is the point of all this, Eru? No good deeds shall ever wash away all the evil I had done."
"And no evil shall ever erase the good you have done for Arda and me." Eru added. "Nienna recalls all you have done, and her weeps for you, but it weeps even more for another realm, one of which you had come to be from."
"What of that realm? Sekai had been also crafted by your will, yet you had left it unguided and free to its own devices, nothing more to discuss on the matter." Sauron remarked.
"I hadn't left Sekai without a guide, for one of my Valar, who was once known as Izanami was to guide mortals to better life. Unfortunately, her efforts proved to be for naught for she was betrayed by her beloved and forced to gain power from the world and use it. After that, she had tried to set the mortal race straight, much like you have strived to do, but betrayal by her sons had put an end to her desires." Eru told Sauron, who was surprised to hear it all. "The reason why I had taken an interest in you back then was because there was her blood flowing in you, a blood of one of her sons, one known as Surya, the one that had too sought to make a world better through enlightenment and usage of Chakra as a tool for good, instead of a weapon for war as his brothers sons had used it. Surya's descendants, the nation he had helped to build, became known as Uzumaki." Had Sauron possessed eyes, he would've widened them after hearing it.
Uzumaki… They were descendants of Valar and even had nearly succeeded in what he wished for the mortals. His memory recalled what he had learned of them when he studied the texts of Mito Uzumaki and it all fit the bill. The Uzumaki nation were not just advanced in using chakra, but also mentally and morally, having advanced past the stage when they saw need in Shinobi for keeping peace. They were building their own paradise on a small continent, until the end of the Third Shinobi War, when their entire nation was…
"Until their entire nation was destroyed by all Five Nations, who were unable to comprehend their ways and feared them. It was them, and a betrayal by the family of the one who gave birth to you, Kushina Uzumaki, that had saw the end of your people. It was because of that why Surya had asked me to prevent a catastrophe from happening, why I had to intervene and sunder the continent of Uzu." Eru revealed to Sauron.
"WHAT?! You are responsible for the destruction of Uzu?! Why would you do such a thing, when you should've saved them, you damn bastard?!" Sauron cared naught at whom he roared. "My people, Uzumaki, they were leagues beyond those damn Shinobi warmongers, with their culture and architectures surpassing even your pretty Elves, not to mention their deepest understanding of the world around them and truest understanding of Chakra and how to use it! They were what you always strived to have all your children to be, and yet…"
"My heart, as well as Nienna's, still aches at the mention of it, and I only did it because there was no other way. Had I done otherwise, the knowledge and power that Uzumaki had grasped and gained over millennia of existence would be granted to all Shinobi of Five Nations. And if were to happen, do you know what the result would be, had all mortals were given the might of Valar and no wisdom in using it?" Eru asked of him, with Sauron understanding what he meant.
"Sekai would burn like Arda in First War…" Sauron simply stated. "And why do you tell all of this to me? What is the point in all this?"
"The point, as you put it, is in fact that Sekai is more in danger than ever before, for Shinobi meddle with powers beyond their understanding and are far too close to unraveling the world." Eru stated to Sauron, who was shocked to hear. "Though I had left it to its fate, I care still for its fate and I will not let it fall, not when there is salvation for the world. But such salvation can't be brought by simple wisdom and guidance, when there are so many that would resist the change. Sekai needs to saved, and for that it needs the one who had walked it once and knows the realms. This is why I have brought you here, Sauron."
"You… You think I will… Do you really think that I will once again be your lackey and do your bidding as a lapdog? I have had my fill of servitude and I wish not to serve anyone ever again." Sauron replied.
"Servitude I do not ask of you, only the fulfillment of our shared desire and goal, Mairon." Eru stated to him. "A path to Arda is forever lost to you and never will you set foot in the Undying Lands, nor will you ever walk among your fellow Ainur. However, a path to Sekai is open for you, but only if you agree to follow it of your accord. It must be done only if you yourself choose to, and only your choice will see the realm saved from itself, or plunged into darkness. Know that should you decide to follow into Sekai, you won't be what Melkor made you to be, nor will I permit it. I will allow you to use means abhorrent to most of Valar to bring to light that Realm, but darkness must be balanced by light that you still hold. You will chose the way to victory and how to achieve your goal, as well as how to gain the realm of Sekai in your hold, without anyone interfering, without my say so, and as I have stated, you will have a very wide berth in actions."
"And should I not agree?" Sauron asked of him.
"Then I shall do what I must and end Sekai." Sauron's shock was evident to Eru. "Does this surprise you, Mairon? Do you think that cosmos is in stasis and does not change? Worlds are born and die every moment, what is one when compared to countless others?"
Sauron had wanted to retort, but found himself unable to. One side of him had wanted to say that he did not care one bit for Sekai and would rather see it destroyed. And yet there was another, one that had reminded him that his petty desire to see the world that wronged him destroyed was not in his nature, against his desires and ambitions. He may've long shed the identity of Mairon, but the core still remained the same: a world brought to state of paradise. He knew that such a world couldn't be achieved without force and power, but it also needed wisdom and compassion, something that as Sauron he lacked, while the former two were not used by him as Mairon. Two opposite side needed to work together if he was to succeed and the ambition remained in him. Middle-Earth was lost to him, but Sekai…
He would need to be more than Sauron and more than Mairon if he were to succeed, but was it not in his nature to grow out of his shortcomings and evolve into more? He would cast aside pride and reign in his arrogance, but he would not give into pacifism and ideals. He would turn those ideals to truth and life, yet he will not forget what he had done in the past. He was Sauron and Mairon, and so he Naruto as well, and all three were one being and together as one must they achieve the ultimate goal. The choice was made and die was cast by him.
"I agree." Sauron finally spoke after some time thinking. "Yet how am I to succeed, if I am nothing but a wisp with no substance and power?"
"A wisp you are now, but once in Sekai, you shall be what you were before you came to be Mairon, but with all your knowledge and experience gained in eons while serving me. You shall not be Ainur, and should you fall, you will die. Remember it well, my child, and good luck, Naruto Uzumaki." Without other words, Eru sent Sauron away to where he needed to be, before turning his attention to the one who hid himself from Sauron before. "Do you truly believe him to do what must be done?"
"Yes, he knows the world of Shinobi and how rotten it is. The fact that he walked both in Light and Dark will help in bringing Sekai to what it must be. Along with that, without him, we can't stand to save Arda when Dagor Dagorath comes." Spoke a hidden person, before revealing himself as Mandos, Valar of Destiny and Fate, and one who knows fates of all beings and realms. "Morgoth always feared him and for a reason. In Sekai, he shall become the salvation of both Arda and Sekai, even if he may not know it yet."
Eru had no reason to argue with his son, for he too knew that Mandos was right.
Sekai, aka World of Shinobi and Chakra. 5 years after death of Naruto Uzumaki.
A great storm rocked the seas and beaches of the Land of Waves, as thunder roared and lightning struck the ocean surface. And in the midst of it all, a sudden vortex formed in the skies and from it fell a form into the waters near the beaches, with storm soon quieting down. The form had moved itself back into the shore, grasping for air and falling on the wet sand, as it looked at his arm, seeing flesh and fingers on a palm of his hand. He rose up and walked to the clear waters to look upon the reflection of his.
In it, he saw a long mane of fiery red hair, same blazing with fire eyes and sharpened like knifes ears and a paler skin color. He was tall and masculine, a perfect specimen of an Elf, or Maiar, for this was the form of his past lives, and one that he employed when he was Mairon. He felt blood and chakra rushing in his body, as once more senses came to him.
Once again Sauron felt himself alive, as he smiled to himself in the reflection and spoke.
"I have returned."
My most ambitious project yet, the first full on crossover story I had ever done is now officially launched. To those of you who follow my Dark Prince Rises story, you know what I mean. And my deepest thanks goes to the main inspirations of this, J.R.R. Tolkien and a fellow fanfiction writer VFSNAKE, who wrote a fantastic Naruto/Lord of the Rings story "Will of the Uzumaki". If you haven't read it, check it out it is tons of fun to read.
Now as for the story itself, this story will essentially revolve around Sauron doing what he does best- taking over the world, and ya bet your arses that this time he'll do it. Don't expect Nazguls, One Ring and some other common things with Sauron, as he will have to play differently than before. Now, I know that this chapter is essentially one big exposition and that there are parts with Sauron that are not canon, but I have tried to stick close to the original material to most possible degree. And before you start telling me that Sauron had always been with Morgoth, please check the Tolkien Wiki for information about him, and you will find out that it wasn't always the case, even if there aren't any concrete dates when speaking of Sauron.
In my mind, he had fully submitted to Morgoth when Feanor had led the Elves to avenge his father Finwe, and before that he was still in doubts and was loyal to Valar and Eru. Now as for his status as the greatest of Maiar, it is said so in lore. And although I had added quite a bit more content to Mairon's accession, I did hope to make it close to powers of Sauron that he possessed, and he had plenty of those. Also, how in hell Sauron loses to Huan, a whopping Wolf Maiar no one heard of, while his the strongest Maiar with all his might is beyond me in Sylmarilion, so I decided to make it seem like it was a needed move for his own plans.
Now, as for how frequently I'll update, I give no promises, but I do hope to do it along with my Dark Prince Rises, so stay tuned for an update.
I welcome your opinions on the chapter and story so feel free to send me reviews, questions, suggestions and more.
Next time: Coming to Wave; Second Liberation of Wave and Declaration of End.