A/N: Hello. For all Naruto fans, this is the first chapter of a story that's sure to surprise you. And it's called "Naruto and Naguma: Rise of the Shinobi". :) Now the two title characters are voiced by Maile Flanagan (Naruto) and Laura Bailey (Naguma) and everyone else, save for future OC's, are voiced by their respective actors and actresses. And this one will be quite surprising to say the least as more details about the latter of the title characters, as well as a certain friend we all know from Naruto Shippuden, will be revealed in due time, and I trust her connection will be quite surprising as well. :) For now, enjoy.
Naruto and Naguma: Rise of the Shinobi
Chapter 1: Enter: Naruto and Naguma Uzumaki
Act I
It all started as it showed two boys named Naruto and Sasuke getting ready to fight while also systematically showing two girls fighting each other as well.
"I know what you're probably thinking. 'Why are two people who are obviously best friends fighting with each other?' Well, before I say anything, let me introduce those two first. That girl with the black hair, that's Sarada Uchiha. And the girl she's fighting, that's me, Naguma Uzumaki. And as for why we're fighting, to understand that, we have to take a trip back in time to before any of this began.", Naguma spoke before it then flashed back to a full moon in the night sky with the ten tailed beast wreaking havoc.
"Back then, 17 years ago, a ten-tailed beast suddenly appeared. Its tails lashed out, smashing mountains and sending tidal waves crashing to the shores. So, the ninja had to rise up to defend their villages.", Naguma narrated.
"Hold the attack and wait for the 4th Hokage!", one of the ninja shouted.
"It's getting closer! Don't let it near the village!", another urged before a giant frog stepped forward with a few people, one being the 4th hokage, a woman, and a being in a sort of chakra mode as her body is enveloped in an orange chakra, making her body glow yellow while her eyes appear orange, but with normal pupils standing on top of it.
"A few shinobi faced the ten-tailed beast in mortal combat and did all they can to capture the ten-tailed beast and seal it in a human body. One of these ninja was known as the 4th Hokage.", Naguma narrated as it then showed a bright light overcoming the beast before then showing a symbol appearing on the belly of a baby girl, whose skin complexion was oddly white as she cried before time advanced 12 years later since then to show Naruto laughing as he ran with a couple of shinobi, splattered with paint, were chasing after him.
"Naruto, come back here! When I get my hands on you…!", one of the shinobi shouted.
"You've crossed the line this time, Naruto!", another shouted angrily before Naruto leapt up and then dashed everywhere quickly with the other shinobi chasing him as well before Naruto started going down as he laughed, carrying a pink ball.
"Give it up! You're just bent because you don't have the guts to do what I did, do ya? Losers! Wannabes! You'll never catch me!", Naruto goaded before laughing.
"Lord Hokage! It's an emergency!", one of the shinobi reporting to him shouted.
"I hope you're not bothering me with some trivia. And let me guess. It's Naruto again.", the 4th Hokage spoke.
"It is Naruto again! He came out of nowhere with those paint bombs!", one of the ninja reported.
"He splashed some of us with those things!", another added before the hokage then sighed, letting out a puff of smoke in the process.
Meanwhile, Naruto was still fleeing from the two shinobi after them, having a good lagh.
"Naruto!", one of the ninja shouted.
"Hold on!", another shouted as they chased him before Naruto then let down the camouflage blanket and laughed to himself.
"That was too easy.", Naruto grinned to himself before another ninja appeared behind him and caught him off-guard the moment he spoke angrily.
"Oh, yeah, Naruto?!", the ninja exclaimed, making Naruto shout in panic before losing his balance and hitting the ground.
"Where'd you come from, Iruka-Sensei? What are you doing here?", Naruto asked.
"No, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in class.", Iruka scolded in response.
Meanwhile, Naguma was in the river picking flowers gently before she realized something just as she picked out the flower.
"Oh, no. The gradutation ceremony; I forgot!", Naguma realized before she started to rush over there before then bumping into Iruka on the way there.
"Ah! Iruka-Sensei!", Naguma spoke.
"And what are you doing here?", Iruka asked.
"I was just out picking flowers by the river and I realized how late I was, so I just started heading back.", Naguma responded.
"Well, at least you're staying out of trouble. Tell you what. After school, how about I take you for Ramen and pay for you? After we finish apologizing for the prank your brother did.", Iruka offered.
"Can Hinata come, too?", Naguma asked.
"Of course.", Iruka responded, making Naguma giggle a bit.
"And with that out of the way…, Why can't you be more like your sister, Naruto?!", Iruka berated.
"Not this again…", Naruto groaned.
Later, he, Naguma, and Iruka returned to the school.
"I'm at the end of my rope, Naruto. You failed the graduation test last time and the time before that. Tomorrow, you've got another chance and you're messing up again!", Iruka scolded.
"Come on, Iruka-Sensei. I just wanted to have some fun to pass the time.", Naruto responded.
"Fun? Sometimes, Naruto. You really have to ask yourself. Is this the right thing to do? Is it?", Iruka asked.
"No, Iruka-Sensei…", Naruto sighed.
"Look, Naruto. Life isn't all fun and games and if you want to be a Hokage, you have to start taking things seriously. All right, everyone. Let's review the transformation Jutsu.", Iruka responded the students groaned a bit in response.
Later, a pink-haired girl named Sakura was up first.
"All right, Sakura here. Let's do it. Transform!", Sakura shouted before smoke puffed up from below her, covered her, and dissipated before then revealing her looking exactly like Iruka,
"Transformed into me. Good.", Iruka spoke before Sakura then morphed back to normal with another puff of smoke.
"Yes! I did it!", Sakura grinned while in her mind, she was quite exhilarated.
"I kick butt!", Sakura thought.
"Sasuke, did you see that?", Sakura asked.
"Next. Sasuke Uchiha.", Iruka spoke before Sakura went back to her seat as Sasuke went up next and turned into Iruka as well.
"Uh… good.", Iruka spoke before Sasuke changed back as well, just as indifferent as ever.
"Next. Naruto Uzumaki.", Iruka spoke next as Sasuke went back to his seat with Naruto stepping up with a dark blue-haired student named Hinata blushing at him.
"Naruto, do your best.", Hinata thought as Naruto looked back at Naguma.
"This one's for you, Naguma.", Naruto thought.
"Transform!", Naruto shouted before blue lines circled around Naruto briefly before a puff of smoke came over him.
When it did, it only dimmed slightly to show not only Naruto as a young and beautiful woman, but, much to Iruka's shock, one that is naked with only the smoke covering the private areas, making Iruka blanch in shock before then getting blown back with Naruto changing back before laughing.
"Gotcha! That's my sexy jutsu.", Naruto responded before Iruka, having had quite enough of his tricks, shouted at him.
"CUT THE STUPID TRICKS! THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!", Iruka shouted, practically blowing air at Naruto.
This only left Naguma worried.
"Anyway, next. Naguma Uzumaki.", Iruka spoke before Naguma gasped worriedly.
"Well, come on. There's no need to be shy, Naguma.", a boy named Shikamaru assured.
"Yeah. You got this.", a blonde haired girl named Ino added.
Then, nervously, Naguma went down and stepped up toward Iruka before working up the nerve to perform a jutsu.
"Transform!", Naguma spoke before blue lines circled around her like it did with Naruto before smoke puffed up around her.
Then, when the smoke cleared, much to Iruka's surprise, Naguma had become a female version of Iruka himself, which was half as surprising as the jutsu Naruto pulled a minute ago before Naguma changed back and quickly became scared.
"I'm sorry, Iruka-Sensei! I'm sorry for being such a bad student! Please forgive me!", Naguma apologized.
"Easy there, Naguma. There's nothing to apologize for. It was actually impressive. A bit disturbing that you find a female version of me attractive, but still impressive. You managed to combine the 2 jutsu's together, which is pretty advanced for someone your age.", Iruka responded, making Naguma beam with hope as Naruto looked on with a grin and a chuckle.
Later, Naruto and Naguma returned home with the latter giving the flower to her mother, bound to a wheelchair.
"Here, Mother. It's for you.", Naguma grinned.
"Aw. For me? Thank you Naguma. That's sweet of you.", Naguma's mother spoke with a sweet grin, making Naguma giggle just before Iruka and Hinata arrived.
"Iruka-Sensei.", Naruto spoke.
"You guys ready for some ramen?", Iruka asked.
"Just give us a sec, okay?", Naruto asked.
Even later, Naruto, Naguma, Iruka, Hinata, and a girl named Rin Nohara were at a ramen shop as the former two of the four were eating.
"Naguma.", Iruka spoke, puzzling the girl.
"Why would you go out to the river all by yourself? I know it isn't just because you wanted to get a flower for your mom.", Iruka puzzled.
"I don't want to talk about it…", Naguma spoke sadly, worrying Hinata and Rin.
"Oh. It was those villagers again, wasn't it?", Iruka guessed.
"What do you think?", Iruka responded, thinking back on the countless insults the villagers lashed out at her as it showed a flashback of villagers who bore grave ill will toward her.
"Freak!", one villager shouted.
"Beast!", another shouted.
"Animal!", the third shouted.
"Monster!", the 4th added.
"They should have killed you!", the 5th shouted.
"You don't belong here; you're a worthless piece of trash!", the 6th shouted with Naguma shedding tears while thinking about the insults she had to deal with recently.
"Poor Naguma…", Rin thought.
"Ah, to heck with them! They don't know the first thing about how good Naguma can be like we do. I mean, come on. She's prue and innocent as far as I can tell.", Naruto responded.
"But what makes you think you can pull that off?", Rin asked in puzzlement.
"Because I'm going to be greater than the past Hokage. Me, Naruto, the next Hokage! A ninja legend! Then, everyone will have to stop disrespecting her and treating her like trash and look up to her! Believe it!", Naruto responded.
"Naruto…", Naguma spoke, touched by his words.
"Uh, by the way, I kinda want to ask a little favor, Sensei.", Naruto began.
"You want another bowl?", Iruka asked.
"Mm-mm. I…wanna try on your headband. Come on, please?", Naruto asked.
"Oh, this? No way. You can only wear the leaf headband when you finally graduate from the academy and become a ninja. You've gotta pass the test tomorrow. Same thing with Naguma, too.", Iruka responded.
"That is so uncool!", Naruto exclaimed.
"Hey! Is that why you took off your goggles?", Iruka asked.
"Aw, I want another bowl!", Naruto exclaimed before Iruka, Hinata, and Rin laughed.
Later, Hinata, Rin, and Naguma walked over to the latter's home together.
"So, why do they hate you?", Hinata asked, only making Naguma tense a bit in sadness.
"Naguma, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to.", Rin assured.
"No. It's okay. She has the right to know.", Naguma responded before taking a deep breath.
"I don't really know why they hate me. But it's been that way since I was born. When I was 4, someone even tried to kill me.", Naguma responded.
"What?! They really did?!", Hinata gasped in shock before Rin sadly nodded.
"It all happened on a night when I was walking home in a street just like this… I think I was closer to home when it happened.", Naguma responded as she flashed back to when she was 4 years old walking back home one day when she overheard footsteps near her.
"Huh? Who's there?", Young Naguma asked, looking around.
Eventually, after a moment, she turned around, only to notice someone about to stab her with his kunai only to miss as Naguma screamed and fled away before she could be stabbed.
"Ugh, darn it!", the stranger spoke before tossing his kunai at her only to miss again as she fled away with three others doing the same, leaving Naguma crying as she fled in terror from the ambush up until someone managed to grab Naguma and hold her down.
"PAPA! MOMMA!", Young Naguma shouted.
"Just hold still, you monster. This will all be over soon.", the assailant spoke darkly before moving in for a killing blow, only for it to be stopped by Rin as she knocked the kunai away and showed herself, surprising both.
"What…?!", the assailant reacted.
"Rin…!", Naguma gasped.
"How could you do such a thing to an innocent child?!", Rin shouted before kicking the assailant away from Naguma toward the shadows as Minato and Kushina got out just in time to see Naguma crying as she held onto Rin by her leg.
"Naguma…?", Kushina spoke in worry.
"Mommy! You're here!", Naguma cried out as she ran over to her, seeking comfort as she then picked the child up, despite being bound to a wheelchair, with Minato rushing over to Rin.
"Rin, what happened?", Minato asked.
"Four villagers just tried to kill her.", Rin reported.
"They what…?!", Minato gasped.
"They just tried to kill her?!", Young Naruto exclaimed as he popped out from the front door.
"Yeah, but I managed to save her. At the nick of time, too.", Rin responded as Kushina held the frightened child.
"Whoever attempted this…, show yourselves immediately!", Minato shouted before the 4 villagers bitterly did so before glaring at the 4th Hokage.
"You were a fool to shelter her, Minato, and right now, I don't care if you are the 4th Hokage! This monster needs to pay for what it's done! It needs to die!", one of the villagers shouted angrily.
"Yeah, that beast deserves to die!", the 2nd villager agreed, making Naruto and Kushina angry as Naguma groaned sadly.
"How can you even think to say that about her?!", Naruto shouted.
"Naruto, please.", Minato spoke, stopping Naruto before he turned to the other villagers.
"Naguma is the kindest sweetest person you could ever meet and doesn't deserve any of what you people want to do to her.", Minato responded.
"Are you serious?! We need to destroy her before she destroys us!", the 3rd villager shouted.
"I can assure you, she won't destroy us.", Minato responded.
"Oh, this is getting us nowhere. It's time to die, beast!", the 4th villager shouted as he lunged, kunai in hand, scaring Naguma to death as she turned away, only for Minato to stop him before he laid down on the ground.
"Way to stop him, Dad!", Naruto cheered.
"I didn't want it to come to this, but you all leave me no choice. For attempted murder of my daughter, you 4 are hereby banished from the village into exile. Hopefully, you 4 will learn something from all this.", Minato spoke fervently before one of the villagers only got up and verbally spat in his face.
"This isn't over! The monster will be killed and the village will be safe!", the villager shouted angrily before it then flashed back to the present.
"Ever since then, Rin always walked with me by my side when I leave home and when I go back. As my bodyguard… And worst of all, I don't even know why they hate me since I was born.", Naguma responded.
"That's horrible…", Hinata spoke in worry for her.
"I know. I just wish that there was an answer to make all this hate go away…", Naguma spoke sadly, shedding a tear.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that, Naguma… But, maybe one day…, there will be an answer soon…", Hinata assured.
"Really…?". Naguma asked before Hinata nodded.
"And you're not alone, Naguma. You'll always have us. Don't let those villagers tell you different.", Rin added.
"Thank you…", Naguma grinned.
Later, as Naguma slept, Rin decided to have a talk with a sort of a large turtle, but with a crab-like shell, spikes all over its body, and three shrimp-like tails as well as red, muscle-like tissue under its shell with a pair of human-like arms and hands, but no hind-legs and his face concealed between a large forehead and lower jaw (both of which have spikes) and his eyes are red and have yellow pupils.
"I'm really worried about Naguma. With what's been going on with her since that night, and the graduation exam tomorrow, I don't know what will happen.", Rin spoke.
"She's probably dealing with the stress of what the villagers said to her.", Isobu responded.
"But that's just it. What if that stress gets to her? What will happen then?", Rin asked in worry.
"That much…, I don't know. But I do know this. Whatever happens, I just know that Naguma will make the right choice.", Isobu assured.
"I hope you're right, Isobu. I hope you're right…", Rin sighed.
The next morning, Iruka was speaking to the class.
"We will now start the final exam. When your name is called, please proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on…the clone jutsu.", Iruka responded.
"Clone jutsu, huh? That doesn't sound bad.", Naruto grinned as Naguma grew very worried.
Later, Naruto was up in the testing room, getting ready to perform a jutsu.
"All right. Get it together, Naruto. You can do this. Believe it.", Naruto thought to himself as he placed his hands in the jutsu position and then started concentrating as blue lines started going around him.
"Clone jutsu!", Naruto shouted before the smoke puffed up and cleared to show 3 perfect clones of him standing upright.
"3 perfect clones, huh? Amazing.", Iruka grinned before the 3 clones disappeared.
"So, does that mean…?", Naruto asked.
"Yes. Congratulations, Naruto Uzumaki. You pass.", Iruka responded before Naruto tensed in excitement before jumping up with a shout.
"AW, HECK YEAH!", Naruto shouted, raising his fist before stopping himself and bowing.
"Oh. And thank you, Iruka-Sensei.", Naruto thanked.
"At least he made an effort.", Mizuki spoke to Iruka.
"That he did, Miizuki-Sensei. All right. Naguma Uzumaki's up next.", Iruka grinned, quickly making Naguma fearful as she gasped and shook slightly in fear.
"You hear that, Naguma? You're up next.", Naruto grinned before quickly noticing an empty spot where Naguma used to be.
"Huh? Where'd she go? She was right there a second ago. Anyone know where she went?", Naruto puzzled.
"No. I have no idea.", Iruka responded.
'I'm just as puzzled about this myself.", Mizuki added.
"Hinata, can you go look for Naguma?", Naruto asked before Hinata nodded and then headed out as Naruto gave a worried look.
Later, several children were celebrating their graduation as they spoke about it to their parents, all except Naruto, who is not only wearing a blue headband now, but also looking around when Hinata spoke up as she caught up.
"I just found her, Naruto.", Hinata spoke.
"You did? Where is she?", Naruto asked.
"Right there. And she doesn't seem too happy.", Hinata responded, pointing to Naguma, who bore a sad look as she sat all alone in the swing in the shadow of the shade when Minato spoke to Naruto, who felt bad for her.
"What's wrong, Naruto? I thought you'd be happy about becoming a ninja.", Minato spoke.
"Don't get me wrong, I am happy, Dad. It's just that…, well, Naguma ran off before she could step up and do the final exam. So, she didn't graduate. She's been like that ever since, and that's not the worst of it.", Naruto responded, pointing to the couple of parents who saw Naguma out in the shade.
"There. You see her?", one of the villagers, otherwise known as Ibara, asked.
"It's that girl. I hear she's the only one who failed.", the other villager, named Tsubaki, responded.
"Hmph. Well, it serves her right.", Ibara responded, unknowingly angering Naruto as he growled.
"Just imagine what would happen if she became a ninja. I mean, she's the girl who…", Tsubaki began before Ibara shushed her.
"We're not allowed to talk about that.", Ibara responded as Naguma sadly looked down just before overhearing footsteps and saw none other than Hinata.
"Oh. It's you.", Naguma spoke.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.", Hinata spoke while comforting her.
"What do you mean? This isn't your fault.", Naguma spoke.
"Well, no. But… I can't stand by while you're like this. When a friend like you is that down, the least I can do is be there for you.", Hinata responded.
"Really…? You'd be my friend…?", Naguma asked.
"Mm-hmm.", Hinata nodded, making Naguma grin.
"Thanks.", Naguma smiled.
"Well, that was a nice talk, but I'd like a word with Naguma alone.", Mizuki spoke up, making Hinata and Naguma turn to see Mizuki.
"Mizuki-Sensei…? Can I help you?", Naguma asked.
Meanwhile, Minato turned to Iruka, who happened to be nearby, and spoke to him.
"Hey, Iruka.", Minato began.
"Hm?", Iruka puzzled.
"There's something we need to discuss.", Minato responded before Naruto turned back and saw the empty swing where she was.
"She's gone again…?", Naruto puzzled before Hinata caught back up to Naruto.
"Hinata, what happened?", Naruto asked.
"It was Mizuki-Sensei. He wanted to speak with Nagma alone.", Hinata responded.
"He what…?", Minato puzzled.
Later, Naguma was speaking with Mizuki alone.
"Iruka-Sensei's tough, but he's not against you.", Mizuki responded.
"Everyone else is… And why me?", Naguma spoke sadly.
"He wants you to be strong with all his heart. Although, it was quite surprising of you to come up with an advanced jutsu combination this early.
"Really? I thought it was that simple before Iruka said how impressive it was. And a little disturbing, too. Still, not even that was enough to get me to stay calm long enough to do the final exam so I could graduate. People are mad at me already as is. I don't want them trying to kill me again.", Naguma spoke in a genuine tone.
"'Again'?", Mizuki puzzled.
"I don't know if you noticed, but…out of all the villagers that hated me for just being alive? 4 of them tried to kill me. If it wasn't for Rin, I wouldn't be here right now.", Naguma spoke sadly.
"Well, it might be just as well, considering that the 4th Hokage and Kushina took you in and adopted you out of pity.", Mizuki responded.
"What?! They took me in…out of pity?", Naguma gasped.
"Yeah, they did. But still, I never imagined that your life would be that horrible. But you know, I do know something that may help alleviate that pain.", Mizuki spoke.
"What?", Naguma puzzled.
"It's a secret, but I'm gonna let you in on it.", Mizuki spoke.
"A secret?", Naguma thought.
Act II
Sometime later, Iruka was laying in bed, thinking about what Minato said to him.
"Iruka.", Minato spoke.
"What is it, Lord Hokage?", Iruka asked.
"I know how you feel. You grew up without knowing any love form anyone since your parents were gone since what happened with the ten tails a long time ago.", Minato spoke before Iruka thought back to when the ten tails attacked a long time ago.
"Hold the attack and wait for the 4th Hokage!", one of the ninja shouted.
"It's getting closer! Don't let it near the village!", another urged before it then showed a ninja carrying young Iruka away.
"Let me go! My mom and dad are still fighting back there!", young Iruka shouted before screaming as the ten tailed beast gave a ghastly glare with an inhuman growl before roaring just as one of the ninja shouted.
"Iruka-Sensei, wake up!", Mizuki shouted, making iruka wake up with a slight gasp before Iruka opened the door.
"What? What is it?", Iruka asked.
"You need to come to Lord Hokage's, right away! It's Naguma! She stole the sacred scroll!", Mizuki reported.
"You mean the scroll of sealing? No!", Iruka shouted.
Meanwhile one of the shinobi were reporting to Minato.
"Lord Hokage, your so-called daughter just committed a serious crime!", one of the shinobi shouted.
"That scroll contains secrets that were sealed by the first hokage; secrets known only to our village!", another ninja added.
"If it falls into the wrong hands, they could destroy our entire way of life.", the third added with Iruka growing worried as well as Naruto, Minato, Kushina, and Rin.
"All right. Bring Naguma here, but bring her here alive.", Minato ordered.
"Sir!", the rest of the shinobi shouted before they scattered to go look for her.
Meanwhile, Iruka, Naruto, Hinata, and Rin met up with each other as they looked.
"Where would she go?", Iruka asked.
"Wait a minute. I think I know where Naguma is headed.", Naruto responded.
"Where?", Rin asked.
"It's the same spot where we trained in taijutsu a few times.", Naruto guessed.
"Then, let's go there.", Minato urged.
"But what about Kushina?", Rin asked.
"Knowing her, she'd find a way to catch up, even in a wheelchair. She always does. And usually, there won't be any obstacles for her where we're going.", Minato responded.
Meanwhile, Mizuki was jumping from rooftop to rooftop with glee.
"Now that I told everyone what Naguma did, I can eliminate her. They'll be glad she's gone. And, of course, Lord Orochimaru would be pleased to hear that Mizuki eliminated the 'daughter' of the 'Great' Minato Namakaze.", Mizuki thought.
Meanwhile, Naguma was panting a bit when she looked up and saw Iruka, Naruto, Minato, Kushina (who managed to catch up to them), Rin, and Iruka.
"It's all over.", Iruka spoke before giving a slight chuckle.
"Oh. Hello, everyone. Sorry about all the trouble I caused you.", Naguma apologized.
"I don't understand. Why would you take the scroll?", Kushina asked.
"Well, he said it was the only way I can pass and become a Shinobi.", Naguma responded.
"Huh? Who told you that?", Iruka puzzled.
"Mizuki-Sensei did.", Naguma responded.
"What? Mizuki-Sensei told you that?", Naruto puzzled.
"Huh? Mizuki?", Iruka thought before turning to notice several kunai descending downward.
"Look out!", Iruka shouted before pushing Naguma out of the way, saving her from the descending kunai's, which plunged into his body at several areas, none of which, thankfully were vital.
"Iruka-Sensei!", Hinata shouted.
"I see you found our little hideaway.", Mizuki spoke.
"So, that's the way it is, huh? I should've known.", Iruka spoke.
"Naguma! Give me the scroll now!", Mizuki urged.
"What? What's going on?", Naguma asked.
"I don't know. But I'm starting to think Mizuki-Sensei was a bad guy this whole time!", Naruto responded.
"Naguma, don't let Mizuki get the scroll! It contains forbidden jutsu that could put this village in grave danger. Mizuki used you to get the scroll for himself, for his own power.", Iruka urged.
"What?", Naguma puzzled.
"Naguma, Iruka's just trying to scare you 'cause he doesn't want you to have the scroll.", Mizuki spoke with a smirk, confusing Naguma.
"Don't you give that guy any time of day, Naguma!", Naruto shouted.
"Stop lying, Mizuki!", Iruka shouted.
"Don't let him trick you, Naguma!", Rin urged before Mizuki only laughed.
"Oh, I'll tell you who's really lying.", Mizuki smirked.
"No, Mizuki!", Minato shouted.
"Why should I listen to one of the people who helped take Naguma in out of pity?", Mizuki smirked.
"What…?!", Iruka gasped in surprise as Naguma gasped in shock.
"Oops. Did I just say that out loud?", Mizuki smirked mockingly.
"Iruka-Sensei… Tell me. All of you. Is all this true…?", Naguma asked.
Naruto, Minato, Kushina, Rin, and even Hinata said nothing while Iruka, did have an answer, which weighed heavily upon him.
"It's true… I've only been your friend out of pity.", Iruka responded, making Naguma gasp before she started to cry.
"Iruka-Sensei… How could you….?!", Naguma shouted, sobbing.
"You see, Naguma? He never cared for you. But I'm afraid the lies don't stop there. You see, they've been lying to you your whole life, Naguma. Since the decree 12 years ago.", Mizuki smirked.
"What decree?", Naguma sobbed.
"Everyone knows except you. Iruka's trying to hide it form you even now; he'd do anything to shut me up.", Mizuki responded.
"What is that decree? Why does everyone else know about it?", Naguma asked, still shedding tears.
"Don't tell her! It's forbidden!", Iruka shouted.
"The decree is no one can tell you that the ten tailed beast is inside you.", Mizuki smirked before Naguma gasped in shock from this revelation as her heart beat heavily.
"The ten tails that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken residence in your body. You are the ten tails beast!", Mizuki smirked, making Naguma gasp shakily.
"Naguma…", Hinata thought.
"Stop it!", Rin and Iruka shouted.
"They've all been sneaking around, hiding things from you your whole life. Didn't you think it was strange how they treated you? Like dirt! Like they hated you for just being alive! That's why you will never be accepted! Even your beloved sensei hates your guts!", Mizuki smirked.
"No… No…! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", Naguma shouted, overcome with untold grief about not only this betrayal, but also the fact that she was a beast to them this whole time, which explained why they even went so far as to try and kill her.
"Naguma…!", Iruka thought sadly before reflecting back on what Minato said to him.
"Iruka. Even if Naguma has me and Kushina there to care for her, she's still shut out of everything and doesn't know why. Most people won't even look at her. Imagine how you'd feel if everywhere you went, people turn their backs on you. If you look at it this way, you might understand that she's hurting inside. More so than you realize now.", Minato spoke in a flashback.
"Die, Naguma!", Mizuki shouted while launching his big star at the distraught Naguma.
"NAGUMA, GET DOWN!", Iruka shouted just before he leapt in and took the blow himself, much to both Naguma's surprise as well as Naruto's, Minato's, Kushina's, Rin's, Hinata's, and even Mizuki's.
"You saved me… Why…?", Naguma asked.
"Because we're the same. When I lost my parents, no one seemed to care. They didn't have time for me. They just forgot I was there. My grades dropped. I became a class clown. I just wanted them to see me and to know my name. My schoolwork wasn't good enough to get their attention. So, I did crazy things and then I had to pay for it… It was hard. I know that's how you feel, Naguma. Even with your family and friends with you, you feel lonely and it hurts inside. And I could've been there for you more. I let you down. I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer that much. No one should be alone like that.", Iruka apologized.
"Iruka-Sensei…", Naguma spoke softly before Mizuki only laughed at the scene.
"Don't make me laugh! Iruka always hated you. He was orphaned because the ten-tailed beast killed his parents. And that beast is now inside you. He'd say anything to get the scroll form you.", Mizuki rebuffed, making Naguma tense in sadness before striking Iruka back and then taking off, starting to give off a demonic cloak of dark chakra as black lightning sparks emitted around her as well.
"Naguma! NAGUMAAAAAAA!", Naruto shouted as Rin, Hinata, Minato, and Kushina looked on, saddened by Naguma's decision, before Mizuki landed on the ground and laughed to himself.
Play Naruto Shippuden Music: "Stalemate"
"You know, once she makes up her mind, nothing can change it. She's going to use the scroll to take revenge on the village. You saw that look in her eyes, didn't you? Those are the eyes of a beast.", Mizuki smirked as Naguma's demon cloak only got worse as tears escaped the fleeing girl's eyes.
"You dastard…! I'll never forgive you for putting Naguma on that path! You hear me?!", Naruto growled angrily.
"Like I even asked for it to begin with. Except I didn't do anything. All of you did, by keeping all this a secret from her, and now, it's only a matter of time before her overflowing sadness turns into an all-consuming rage, and when it does, all that rage building up inside her will blow up all in your faces and destroy this entire village along with the very villagers who cursed her and tried to kill her.", Mizuki only smirked before Iruka removed the big star from his back.
"Don't you dare… TALK ABOUT NAGUMA LIKE THAT!", Iruka shouted angrily before turning around and tossing it toward Mizuki, who only dodged it calmly.
"You're a joke. In the event that by some chance, she doesn't turn, as soon as I eliminate her and get the scroll, I'll be back for you. Especially the great Minato Namakaze.", Mizuki smirked before taking off.
"Hey! Get back here, you coward! We're not done with you yet!", Naruto shouted.
"So, what now?", Rin asked in worry.
"This is bad… Thanks to Mizuki and that big mouth of his, Naguma feels so bad, worse than she's ever felt, that it could unleash the power inside of her. If Naguma keeps tampering with that scroll, the seal that locks away the ten tails inside her could break apart in an instant and the ten tails would come out and destroy everything all over again. If that happens, I fear for us all.", Minato responded.
"We won't let that happen…!", Iruka grunted.
End Naruto Shippuden Music: "Stalemate"
Act III
Meanwhile, Naguma was running on all fours on top of the trees when it seemed like Iruka was giving chase after her.
"Naguma! Everything Mizuki said was a lie! Give me the scroll! Hurry! He's coming after you to take it away!", Iruka urged before Naguma only lunged toward Iruka and push him off the tree leaves before landing on the ground herself, bearing an angry look before Iruka turned to her as she set the scroll down.
"It can't be… How did you know…, Naguma…?! How did you know…?", Iruka began before the smoke puffed out, revealing him to actually be Mizuki in disguise.
"…that it was me and not Iruka?", Mizuki asked before Naguma laughed and the smoke puffed out from below, revealing her to actually be Iruka in disguise with the log apparently disguised as the scroll as well.
"Because I'm Iruka.", Iruka responded.
"And he didn't come alone!", Naruto shouted before Mizuki noticed him, Minato, Kushina, Rin, and Hinata before standing up, unimpressed with the tactic.
"You're a fool. Why are you protecting that freak? He's the one that wiped out your family!", Mizuki scolded, neither one knowing that Naguma was nearby.
"I don't care what you say. You're not getting your hands on that scroll.", Iruka responded determinedly.
"As if you could stop me. Don't you get it? Naguma is just like me.", Mizuki smirked.
"Like you? How?", Minato asked.
"She wants the scroll for her own power and her own vengeance. That's how beasts are. She'll pour all her rage into the scroll and destroy everything.", Mizuki smirked.
"Oh, yeah? The only beast I see around here is you!", Naruto retorted.
"You're right…", Iruka responded.
"What?", Minato puzzled.
"Iruka-Sensei…!", Naruto gasped.
Meanwhile, Naguma could not believe what her ears just heard and started to grow angry as her sadness turned into rage as Mizuki mockingly predicted.
"I knew it… I thought everyone cared about me…, but I was a fool…! To everyone and my 'family and friends', I'm nothing more than a beast!", Naguma spoke as first, her teeth sharpened into fangs, her nails grew into claws, her chakra cloak grew 1 tail, and worst of all, her eyes turned ghastly black with glowing dark red slits as she then gave an unearthly growl, ready to unleash her rage and take it out on everyone who hated her, cursed her, tried to kill her, and above all, lied to her.
"That is how beasts are.", Iruka added, only making Naguma's rage even worse as she widened her eyes, tainted with fury and her claws scratched against the ground and her beastly growl grew louder.
"But that's not who Naguma is.", Iruka continued, surprising Naguma as she widened her eyes again, but this time, in surprise as she let out a gasp before her nails quickly moved back from where they were scratching, still on the ground.
"She's nothing like that. Like her brother, Naguma is one of a kind, works hard, puts her whole heart into it. Sure, she messes up and lets her fear get the best of her because she's afraid especially when everyone jumps on her. But in some way, her suffering only makes her stronger. That's what separates her from being a beast.", Iruka continued.
"Ever since we first saw her as a baby, she's brought nothing but joy, happiness, and laughter into our lives.", Minato added.
"While we did feel bad for her and take her in because of it, we wouldn't trade the time we had together for anything in the world.", Kushina added.
"Yeah, that's right! How could I call myself a brother to her if I'm not standing by her side!", Naruto shouted in addition, making Naguma start to shed tears again.
"Naguma's a fantastic person. I wanted to be her friend because we have a lot in common: we're both kind-hearted, we both want to protect our friends and loved ones, and we both want to help bring peace to the ninja world and everyone around us.", Hinata added with Rin nodding.
"So, you're wrong. She's nothing like the ten-tailed beast. She's Naguma Uzumaki of the village of the hidden leaf!", Iruka finished, making Naguma shed happy tears as she grinned sadly with a slight sob before her fangs retracted back into normal teeth, her claws changed back to nails, the chakra cloak disappeared along with the black lightning, and her eyes finally changed back to their normal, pearl white color.
Meanwhile, Mizuki was quite puzzled before deciding that enough is enough and got out another big throwing star.
"Heh! You all really believe in that drivel? Iruka, I was gonna save you for later, but I changed my mind. You're finished!", Mizuki shouted, preparing to kill him as he dashed toward Iruka and the others.
"Here he comes!", Rin urged.
"So, this is it…", Iruka thought.
Then, all of a sudden, Naguma jumped up and pushed Mizuki away from Iruka and her family, surprising them before Naguma landed on the ground.
"Naguma…!", Iruka spoke in surprise.
"You're back!", Hinata grinned before Naguma got back up.
"Not bad… for a little brat.", Mizuki smirked as he turned to face her.
"If you ever try to lay your hands on my sensei or anyone I care about ever again…, I will make you pay!", Naguma threatened.
"Such big words. I can completely destroy you with a single move!", Mizuki discouraged.
"Look who's talking. Whatever you have planned, I'll just dish it back at you a thousand times over.", Naguma responded.
"Let's see you try! Show me what you can do, ten tailed beast!", Mizuki shouted.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!", Naguma shouted before Iruka, Minato, and the others widened their eyes in surprise from seeing a spawn of several clones of Naguma surrounding the surprised Mizuki.
"Naguma…! She's mastered an extremely advanced jutsu.", Iruka thought in surprise before Mizuki looked around in shock.
"What is this…?", Mizuki puzzled as he continued looking around before falling backwards.
"If you aren't coming at us, we'll be coming at you!", one of Naguma's clones spoke before Mizuki then screamed right before getting pummeled by the clones.
Some time later, Mizuki was worn out. Of course, he wasn't out yet as Naguma turned away from Mizuki.
"Are you okay, Iruka-Sensei?", Naguma asked.
"Yeah…", Iruka responded before Mizuki then smirked, seeing an opportunity to strike from behind.
"Naguma, look out!", Naruto shouted before tossing his Kunai at Mizuki before he could strike her, striking Mizuki away from Naguma with Minato and Rin then stopping him as they knocked him out.
"Thank you, Naruto.", Naguma grinned.
"Ah, you know.", Naruto grinned.
"They're amazing. Naguma may be a fast learner and Naruto wants to surpass all the Hokage. And I'm starting to believe he might do it.", Iruka thought.
"Naguma. Come here a minute. I've got something I want to give you.", Iruka spoke.
"Okay. But don't you think we should return that scroll first?", Naguma asked.
"Yeah. You're probably right.", Iruka responded.
Sometime later, the shinobi were murmuring concerns.
"You're telling me no one could find Naguma?", one of the shinobi asked.
"Not a clue.", another responded.
"This is bad news. We gotta smoke her out or something.", another responded before Minato arrived with Naguma, Naruto, Rin, Kushina, Hinata, and Kushina.
"There isn't any need to worry now.", Minato assured.
"Lord Hokage!", the shinobi spoke in surprise.
"The scroll's safe. Naguma's here to return it.", Minato assured.
"Really? Is she really going to return that?", the shinobi murmured in hesitant belief and puzzlement.
"Well, if the hokage says so, then she would.", another ninja responded before his belief was confirmed as Naguma then set the scroll down in front of the ninja.
"Here.", Naguma grinned, puzzling the shinobi before Naguma gave a friendly grin to him.
Later, she, Naruto, Minato, Kushina, Rin, Hinata, and Iruka stopped by for ramen and were enjoying themselves when Iruka spoke to her.
"Hey, Naguma.", Iruka spoke before Naguma turned to Iruka.
"Hm? Uh…, Iruka-Sensei? Where's your headband?", Naguma asked.
"Try looking up.", Iruka responded before Naguma then looked up and saw, much to her surprise, a ninja headband.
"D…Does that mean…?", Naguma began in awe-filled surprise.
"Yes. Congratulations. You graduate.", Iruka grinned before Naguma gasp and then quivered in joy as if to cry.
"Huh?", Iruka puzzled.
"IRUKA-SENSEI!", Naguma shouted in joy before hugging him, crying tears of joy with laughter, inadvertently hugging him too tight.
"Hey, that hurts!", Iruka exclaimed.
"Oh! Sorry.", Naguma blushed as Naruto, Rin, Kushina, and Minato laughed as Hinata grinned.
"Naguma… This is only the beginning. The road gets tougher now that you're a ninja like your brother. But if I told you that, I guess it would ruin the moment. So, I'll tell you later. The next time we go out for ramen.", Iruka thought happily.
A/N: That's right. Naruto's parents not only survive the attack, but also deal with the ten tails just before then and with Rin Nohora's help as well. Plus, we even get an early look at Isobu (voiced by Chris Edgerly) as well. How did this come to be, you ask? Well, as we go over this story and others in the near future (in their own time, though, not too fast, mind you), you'll see. But if you want to know how, feel free to ask up in a review. :)