Naruto: Unholy Disciple

Prologue

A ten-year old boy lay huddled in the corner of a messy apartment, tears streaming down his face. It was nearly impossible to see the boy in the darkness, sobbing uncontrollably despite his best efforts to get past it. Sometimes, he simply could not get over all the pain. The questions of "Why me?" and "What did I do?" combined with "Why do they hate me" clouded his mind, the memories of the day's and other past events staying in his thoughts.

It was another typical October 9th, the day before his birthday. He hadn't wanted to go out into public at all, but knew he would have to go to the Academy since Iruka-sensei made it very clear that absences during the week of the Kyuubi Festival were simply not tolerated. The small child wished, more than for a family, more than to feel loved, that the Kyuubi Festival had not been on the day of his birth. That way, he could skip school and avoid his annual ritual.

It happened the same as it always did. He was walking home quickly but quietly, hoping that his usual loudness would contribute a bit of camouflage on a day where he wouldn't talk. Somebody noticed him, however; somebody always seemed to notice. They shouted at him, other people looked, they started screaming at him, and it just continued on and on. A constant barrage of berating after a day of being ignored by everyone at school.

Nobody would ever sell him anything for a week before his birthday. The shop owners were usually just as active in calling him a "monster" and a "murderer." He couldn't understand why the people tortured him, he just knew that it hurt to see the looks in their eyes. But there was no reason behind it, nothing he could change about himself to make them stop. He was trying his best to become a ninja and protect a village that only ever seemed to hurt him.

Naruto's teeth clenched tightly beneath his tears. This wasn't the first night where the floodgates had broken. Fear turned into hatred in red, teary eyes. And why shouldn't it? What wasn't there to hate? All the children his age avoided him if they were not outright insulting him, both Iruka and Mizuki punished him for slight offenses more than other kids, the adults treated him like trash for no reason, and even the shinobi he trained to be like took part in his abuse. He hated it; hated all of it. Hated all of them. Somehow, the thoughts of hating them relaxed his body. As he calmed down, he already knew he'd be over it within a few days just like the other times. The process would begin again. The tears stopped, and soon enough, the child fell asleep.

Naruto awoke in the dead of night with an ominous feeling. He quickly looked over at his digital clock which told him it was exactly midnight. Every hair on his body was standing up and breaths came in only through short, inadequate bursts. It felt like the air was burning his lungs. Looking around, Naruto was startled at what he saw. There, in his very room, despite the locked door being shut, stood a figure clad entirely in black wearing a hood. "Get… get out of my room..." he said, trying to shout yet sounding weaker than a mouse.

The figure turned, and Naruto felt his body freeze in horror. It was not like any person he had ever seen. His face was simply a skull, no skin or nose or lips… only a skull. His eyes were the color of blood, or rather, his eye sockets were the color of blood as he had nothing else in them. Underneath his neck, there was nothing but what appeared to be a pitch black cloud. He looked directly at Naruto, who found himself incapable of movement. "I shall forgive such sin only this once, child." Horrifyingly, the skull's mouth had not moved and his eyes seemed to shine.

Naruto looked into his eyes. Instantly, he found himself reliving every horrible moment of his life from an outside perspective. Watching as a four year old boy was kicked out of an orphanage. As a five year old child was berated for saying the lady in front of him bought the exact same item for less. Children ignoring him as he approached on the playground; other children taunting and bullying him every chance they got. Seeing himself get treated horribly around his birthday, occasionally even pleading that he had not done anything wrong. Seeing the looks of hatred even more clearly than he had been able to before and realizing that anyone else would also have noticed.

"What… who… are you?" It took every bit of conscious effort to speak to the figure at all.

"I am impressed, child. To speak to one such as I after what you have seen." Naruto could hear no tone indicating any emotion at all, however. It was a deep, flat tone, one that seemed to indicate the figure held no interest toward anything whatsoever.

"I am the nightmares in the minds of children, plaguing their minds so that I may enjoy their screams. I am the horror seen by all before their last breath, the very image of death itself. I am thirst, for it has been too long since I have been quenched by the blood of war. I am hunger, for the flesh offered in my name has been far too few. I am your Lord and Savior. I am Jashin."

Naruto couldn't speak, couldn't move. The power of the entity in front of him was overwhelming in every aspect of the word. Luckily, it seemed like he was not expected to say anything.

"I do not expect you to understand, child, but you have been blessed. You have been given a dark power beyond the understanding of mere mortals. I shall not tell you, for I am not one for explanation. I bare you one gift, however." The figure held out a hand, seemingly empty. Within moments, dark clouds began to swirl around it. Naruto saw a sword handle materialize from thin air, skulls emblazoning it in horrible decoration, as a blood red blade began to form. A sheath, decorated with images of death and a depiction of Jashin himself, appeared on it next.

"Behold the Fujo Buredo, child. The Unholy Blade which is but a glimpse of the power I hold. Do not disappoint me." The last sentence was clearly an order. The figure vanished.

Naruto jolted up out of his bed, sitting straight. He was confused; hadn't he just been sitting up? Then it hit him. It had all been a dream! Of course it was a dream! He held no dark power, hadn't received some horrific gift from an evil entity, wasn't special enough to have had such a thing happen to him! He looked over at his alarm clock, curious as to the time. For some reason, when he saw it was exactly midnight, his body tensed and goosebumps appeared on his arms. Hesitantly, he turned his head to look around.

There, sitting against his dresser, was the Fujo Buredo. Unmistakable in its horrifying detail, he slowly walked over to it. Gripping it, he was amazed at how unbelievably light the material was. Briefly, he remembered the dream, the vivid moment in which the sword appeared from thin air. Except, clearly it wasn't a dream, because the sword was in his hand.

Hesitantly, he unsheathed it, unsure how to feel as the blood red blade slowly withdrew from the sheathe. For a moment, he felt it: felt power rush through him, filling his body. In the next moment, he could see the deaths of the people that had tortured him throughout his life. This… this wasn't what he wanted, was it? Sure, he was not exactly fond of anyone in Konoha but killing them?

Moments later, however, everything changed. The blood red blade faded into normal steel, gaining weight in the process. The designs faded from the sheath and handle, showing no implication they had ever been there. The power left Naruto's body, leaving him more tired than before. For a brief moment, he wondered if it had all been real. Then he remembered the terror, the vivid images, the blood-eyed entity, the feelings he had felt. There was no doubt in his mind: Jashin was real.

"That's right: you're nothing but a monster! Everyone in this village hates you, even your own beloved Iruka-sensei! Now die" Mizuki shouted at a twelve-year old blonde headed child. Naruto couldn't think clearly: he was the container of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the nine-tailed demon fox? He was hated because of something the Fourth Hokage had done to him? The taunting, the seclusion, all the insults and humiliation he had suffered every year of his life at the hands of the village flashed through his mind. How could a Hokage have done this to him! Hokage-jiji was one of the good guys, right?

He hadn't noticed his wicked teacher throw a large shuriken at him, and he definitely didn't notice when Iruka-sensei jumped in front of it. In the next moment, however, Iruka was shielding him and absorbed the impact into his back. "Iruka… why?"

"You're not a monster, Naruto. We're the same, you and I. I was… an orphan too. I was a troublemaker. That's how I know who you are. You are Naruto Uzumaki… now run..." Naruto couldn't process what to do. He scrambled to his feet and saw Mizuki was about to say something when everything in the world seemed to suddenly stop. It was as if time itself had halted. The hairs on his neck began to rise and goosebumps spread across his arm as he felt overwhelming fear: a fear he had felt just once before.

From the nearby forest came the human form of Jashin. "Now, child, you know of the dark power dwelling inside of you. The Kyuubi no Kitsune. The village's blessing unto you."

Naruto, just as the last time, felt his voice failing in the presence of the entity. The sheer power emanating from the figure was horrifying, and the sense of dread pouring off of him was unmistakable. "… blessing?"

"Of course. The beast is a horrifying amalgamation of dark energies. Pure power. All yours."

A single question made its way to the front of Naruto's mind; a question that perhaps he should have already asked but hadn't been able to think of. "What… what do you want?"

"Such matters are to be discussed later. Your sensei was not like you, child. He was not treated differently for matters beyond his control; he knew his parents for years of his life. Do you want to know a secret? He hated you the moment he laid eyes on you. He knew your secret and despised you for it, blamed you for the loss of his parents."

"No… not Iruka! He wouldn't!" Naruto found his voice suddenly gaining strength in his desperation to defend one of the two people in his life who meant anything to him.

"He did. Look into my eyes, child." Naruto was, naturally, a bit hesitant to look into Jashin's eyes, given the horrifying life memories he encountered last time. To deny a rather harmless request from such a powerful figure, however, especially given the importance of the topic to him personally, seemed foolish. He gazed into the blood-red eye sockets.

"Iruka," Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage, began, "it is my understanding that perhaps you are not properly trying to teach all of your students. Would you care to explain?"

"Hokage-sama, I do not see it worth the time to waste effort teaching Naruto. He's not cut out to be a ninja; he's brash, arrogant, and loud-mouthed. Not to mention a prankster."

"Ah but I seem to recall a child some ten years ago much like him. Brunette, alone in the world, pranking in a desperate attempt to be noticed. Considered hopeless. Does this seem familiar?"

"Hokage-sama, with all due respect, surely you cannot be comparing me to that… that… to Naruto."

"Very well. I guess all I can say is give the boy a chance. After all, equality of education is very valued by the shinobi ranks and therefore I must assure it is provided."

"… Hai, Hokage-sama."

Naruto couldn't believe it. Iruka-sensei had only begun to teach him due to being threatened with removal from the academy? What about… what about when Iruka had bought him ramen? Was that real? Or was it just an attempt to stay in his good graces? So the Hokage would see how he looked up to Iruka and the man's job would be secure?

Maybe it wasn't true? What if Jashin had simply created the scene? Surely a figure of such undeniable power would be capable of doing such a thing. But why? It seemed entirely trivial for a being such as the one before him. Why would Jashin lie? Chances are he wouldn't. Especially if he had no need of lying in the first place and the entire conversation had happened.

"And what about that miserable old Sandaime? The man you consider a grandfather? I will not lie: he has cared for you." Why would Jashin lie about Iruka but admit Hokage-jiji cared? Naruto actually felt his head droop as he came to the realization that Iruka was the same as everyone else. "Yet, child, the man's life is nearing its end. As we speak, dark forces align against Konoha to seek their wicked vengeance. Additionally, he has deceived his entire village, for you see, it was he who ordered the massacre of the Uchiha."

Naruto felt his jaw drop. Sasuke's family was killed by the man he called Grandfather? But… hadn't Itachi killed them? He was about ready to ask, feeling less afraid of the entity, but was silenced when the figure raised a hand.

"The Hokage's advisor who suggested the plan harvested the eyes of the dead Uchicha to do with as he wished. Itachi was a pawn. Do you see it child? Do you see the corruption in Konoha? It is present everywhere. Should it matter if they were to die? Death is surely better than the meager lives they are living. Yes… they all deserve to die."

"Why are you telling me this?" Naruto couldn't comprehend it. Why was he being visited by this figure? How many others had gone through the same thing? Could the entity be trusted? Despite his questioning, however, Naruto felt his hatred begin to burn through his body. His hatred of the village, of the many people within it, of the shinobi, of all those who had lied to him. He hated it all; wanted to end it all. But maybe killing was the wrong idea?

"If you do not properly understand the depths of the cesspool in which you have been raised, I cannot trust you will make a wise choice once the time arrives." The figure disappeared and, within the next moment, Mizuki's lips were moving again. Naruto didn't know what to do so ran, but eventually managed to focus his hatred toward Mizuki. He doubted the man would be able to move for at least three months afterwards.

"And the winner is Naruto Uzumaki!" screamed the proctor of the third round of the Chunin Exams. For a moment, the crowd was silent but then erupted into a chorus of booing. Accusations of "cheating" and that it was unfair to allow the "monster" to compete could be heard from a few individuals. Naruto scowled as he focused his attention to one Neji Hyuga lying on the ground, temporarily unable to move.

It had been a close battle, one in which Naruto had to use all of his most clever tricks and even a bit of Kyuubi's chakra to win. But he had won, and it made sense to him. After all, he had hated Neji Hyuga. Neji was just another example of a person who took his anger out on the wrong person for the wrong reason: namely, Hinata. And Naruto had never particularly disliked Hinata, though the fact that the girl seemed to avoid him often invoked a small bit of his inner anger.

"Do you know why you lost, Neji?" He asked, speaking down toward the boy. The Hyuga didn't answer. "You lost because you were so misguided. You don't hate the Main Family; you just want to be a part of them. You don't hate Hinata, you just think that you're supposed to. And you're a genius? Please."

Naruto gave Neji his friendliest smile, ignoring the booing of the crowd as he leaned down to help Neji stand as the Medics began to come out from the tunnel. Leaning in closely, his mouth by Neji's ear, he whispered softly. "No Neji… you don't know hatred. I know hatred, have felt it from others my entire life. And you know what? I'm beyond it. Hatred cannot even begin to define my feelings. But one day this village will know. I never give up, remember? That's my nindo."

He helped Neji to his feet, even as the teen was wide-eyed and nearly limp. As Neji looked at him, clearly questioning everything he had just said, Naruto found it very hard to resist and finally gave in to impulse. He laughed heartily and patted Neji on the back as the medic-nin finally reached the shocked Hyuga.

Naruto crawled toward Gaara, intent on finishing off the boy if need be. After an intense fight, Naruto managed to defeat the jinchuriki of the One-Tails. Sure, he wasn't exactly unharmed, but he definitely had used less of Kyuubi's power than Gaara used Ichibi's power.

"Do you know why you lost, Gaara?" He smiled at the look of horror on Gaara's face, the kid who had once seen himself as invincible now fearful for his life. "Your hate wasn't focused. You didn't have a goal. Me? I hated you for trying to destroy the village first, so I had to defeat you. I can't lose if I have to win. Funny, right? I'll hate anyone who tries to destroy this village." Naruto was interrupted from speaking anymore by the sudden appearance of reinforcements for both sides.

Naruto was getting ready to lie down for the night, near the end of his training trip with Jiraiya in the Land of Grass. Jiraiya had, as usual, practically passed out drunk on a log near the fire. He thought about the fact that he'd be back in Konoha in about a month and grew weary. What was waiting for him in Konoha? The Sandaime was killed by Orochimaru, he'd be forced to be around Sakura again, he'd have to deal with Kakashi… it hardly seemed worth it. Not for the first time, he wondered if he could simply run.

What exactly had he even accomplished on this silly trip? Jiraiya focused almost entirely on teaching him to harness the Kyuubi's chakra. In theory, the Kyuubi was a nearly limitless pool of chakra so Naruto understood why it'd be a good idea. However, progress had flatlined half a year ago and the man was still pushing on! He could persevere with the best of ninja; however, since this was a field in which Jiraiya had no experience in and seemed to rely on guesswork, he thought it should be taken as a sign that their methods simply were not working. Sighing, Naruto glanced downward toward the remnants of the campfire, recently supplied with fresh wood.

As he looked into the fire, envisioning a replica of Konoha within it and shuddering, he didn't even notice when the flames no longer rose but simply paused altogether. Or when the falling leaves stood mid-air. No, he was far too busy letting the fire consume a few buildings housing a few select people. It unnerved him to envision these things, yet at the same time it seemed to comfort him. He did, however, look up when he felt a sheer amount of fear and terror he'd only felt twice before in his life. And he saw a figure standing in the woods, blood red eyes staring at him.

"Listen well to me, Naruto." It was the first time Naruto could recall being addressed by his name from the powerful entity. It made him feel… important. Moreso than Jiraiya did whenever the man ran off to chase prostitutes. Naruto nodded, although clearly such a figure as Jashin would care little about his consent to listening.

"You are the son of the Fourth Hokage, the one known as Minato." Well that was unexpected. Naruto was shocked immediately by the statement. He had always wondered about his parents, torn between hoping they were alive and hoping they were dead. He couldn't even decide if he hated the Fourth whenever he learned of the Kyuubi since Jashin called the demon a blessing. If Jashin told the truth, and to Naruto's memory the man had never lied, well, what did it mean?

"His dying wish was to have his only son treated like a hero. And how did the village honor the request of its greatest hero? Well… I believe you know the answer." So, if he was putting all of this together correctly, his father cared about him, the village loved his father, but the village hated him, therefore meaning the village disrespected his father? Naruto could feel his blood boiling as he added yet another way the citizens and shinobi of Konoha had mistreated him. But what could he do about it all?

"Who are you, Naruto Uzumaki?" Naruto was, to say the least, surprised by the question. He was about to speak an answer when he suddenly realized it was hard to think of one. "To Tsunade, you are a replacement for a brother. To Jiraiya, you are his responsibility as godfather. To Kakashi, you are a reminder of his sensei. To Uchiha, you are a test. To Konoha, you are a menace. To the world, you are a jinchuriki. Leave."

Naruto didn't know what to think. He wanted to leave, wanted to get the horrid village of Konoha behind him. Wanted for the people who pretended to care like Jiraiya and Tsunade to be far away. But where would he go? What would he do?

"Near the border with the Land of Waterfalls, there is a small village. Find a missing-nin from Yugakure and show him your Fujo Buredo." The figure vanished once more.

Naruto sat still for a moment, the fire beginning to make crisp noises once more after time resumed. What should he do? There was nothing for him in Konoha, but what was there in the rest of the world? What would he be doing anyway? Just then, he felt a pulse on his back as the sword there no longer seemed to weigh him down. He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the handle of the Fujo Buredo, feeling its ornate decoration for the first time in years.

A rush of power flowed through his entire body, and, as if on instinct, his body turned to face the sleeping Jiraiya. It took Naruto a moment to regain the ability to think. A soft voice seemed to whisper in his head, yet it sounded almost impossibly clear. Kill him. His blood is worthy. Naruto was horrified for a moment. Was he ready to kill? Even if he was, he doubted that he'd be able to take down someone like Jiraiya anyway. No, if he knew anything about his foolish teacher, the man seemed harmless yet was still one of the deadliest ninja alive. As good as the power felt, Naruto let go of the blade.

Over the next few minutes, he made up his mind. All he had to do was remember the small child huddled in the corner of a room, crying. A life in Konoha was not a life worth living. He'd forge his own path, regardless of how much he'd have to fight to do it. Whatever experience lay ahead in meeting some missing-nin and following Jashin's suggestions, it would be better.

Packing up his things, Naruto set out to find the village Jashin-sama spoke of. After about twenty yards, he realized that he needed a way to cover up his tracks. He created nine shadow clones; five to head towards Iwagakure and four who would circle around and head towards Sunagakure. The Iwa group would carry one Naruto on their back to make heavier footprints, indicating that he was taken. That group would appear to be stealthy while making a few mistakes.

The Suna group would leave behind heavy tracks. After all, Jiraiya knew he was the son of Minato and it would make sense for Iwa to be after him if they somehow found out. The Suna team will be a fake distraction; Jiraiya will obviously know that the tracks are decoys but will assume it was done by Iwa to try to weaken the alliance between Konoha and Suna. With any luck, the plan would at least keep Jiraiya away from figuring out the truth for a week or two.

Watching the groups set off as planned, Naruto proceeded to move as stealthily as possible toward the Land of Waterfalls.