"We can't do this, Tobi," Mito pleaded from her bed. "Think of the scandal? So soon after Hashi passed and so soon into your reign; the people would never accept it."
"They will accept what I tell them to accept and if not then damn them, each and every one," the usually cold man growled.
"Are you prepared for them to question if any of Hashi's children are truly his? What better way to explain why none have the Mokuton? I'll be painted as a faithless whore."
"So, I forgo my child so Hashirama may keep his? Stain my honor to insure his remains pristine? Is this what you ask of me?"
"It is what the situation demands of us. Greatness doesn't come without sacrifice." Tobirama scoffed and for the first time Mito could see the years of bitterness that had been expertly hidden.
"When will I have sacrificed enough for Hashirama? He crafts this grand dream but I oversee the actual construction and the charter. I even tolerated that psychotic Uchiha he was obsessed with."
"You even kept us a secret when I became betrothed to your brother," Mito spoke softly. "And maybe you've concluded you've given enough but with his death the world is fragile and no descension can be suspected. Enemies abound."
"Fine, Mito. It's only my child at stake, nothing of value lost." Mito doesn't rise to the insult, partially knowing how hurt he is and equally because she knows he wants a fight.
"I'll leave for Uzushio in the morning." Tobirama said no more. Uzumaki Naruto was born several months later, piercing red eyes with hair to match.
The visage of his twelve year old son stared at him. It was unlike most of the pictures he'd received of his progeny. Those had been sent by Ashina. They told the story of a serious boy, a diligent shinobi but rarely had he seen joy or fun on Naruto's face. Was that not why Hashirama had created this village? Hadn't the Uzumaki agreed with the philosophy? So why did it seem his son was the exception?
Because his son was exceptional. Along with pictures, Ashina sent reports. Narratives of a boy faster and stronger than trained ninja twice his age. Anything physical he excelled at it, preternaturally gifted. So, his life was dictated by the needs of the village and of the clan. When true talent is placed in the hands of one astute enough to understand, it is placing the finest clay with an eager sculptor. Tobirama understood, he only had to look at Hiruzen a decade into his reign to be reminded.
It brought him back to the current photograph. Not taken by a friend or comrade. No, this was an image captured in the heat of combat. His son's Bingo Book entry. His eyes fierce with battle, round face starting to slim with maturity and spiky hair to his neck. Every village would have information about Uzushio's Leviathan.
He was marked by the shinobi lifestyle. Those who'd never met him, never been wronged by him would covet his death just for a little coin and a pop of infamy. It awoke something in Tobirama, something he oft thought irrational. If Naruto was a ninja then he was exposed to the same risks as any other. Being the son of Tobirama Senju, not that many knew, offered him no special protections. Especially not as the former Hokage no longer had full use of his skills.
The ambush of the Kinkaku Butai nearly did him in. He thought he was going to die. He thought he was at peace with his sacrifice as he believed Hiruzen would lead the village well. In what should have been his final moments he could only think of his son. Wondered what his boy would think of him dying like this. Wondered how he could be at peace when he'd never heard his son's voice, never gotten to hear his laugh. It sparked a fury, something Tobi was unaccustomed with.
Where they had faced a resigned man, they now combated a demon. His only goal was to kill as many of them as he could and survive. He'd never remember how many he sent to the Pure Land, only that at some point both sides considered the conflagration a stalemate. He'd lost the use of his dominant hand and most of the right side of his body but he didn't care. He'd lived, lived to eventually see his son.
Now Tobirama feared his son may not live to see him.
Uzushio has fallen. Those were the words printed on the slip of paper. That was all there was of the report. No warning had ever been given there was an imminent threat so no time could be spared for sending reinforcements. The potential consequences for the village were monumental and war was all but guaranteed but Tobirama cared little about that. The former Hokage didn't want to think about stratagems or engage in war games. His only concern was for his boy.
He'd be sixteen now. Ashina regularly sent word. A boy of unmatched physical prowess with a mind to match. What his father, Butsuma, would call a finely honed blade. Ashina said the boy was the strongest of the clan, head of security and commander of his own elite unit. Tobirama felt such pride with every update, even if he'd had little to do with it. He'd sent a scroll, a collection of all his teachings and techniques but that was hardly a substitute.
Tobirama cursed ever allowing Mito to leave him there. Ashina's control of the clan had slipped in recent years. The man was so overworked he established a council to delegate his responsibilities. The aged Uzumaki wrote at length about its effects; increased infighting, creation of factions and a splintering of the family. The Uzumaki were producing fewer and fewer shinobi, something his son tried to correct but was stymied time and time again.
Why hadn't he sent for the boy, his boy? Why had he continued this farce when it was obvious Uzushio was ripe for the picking? Tobirama slinked away, his posture slacked and his eyes unfocused. He cared not. He needed to be alone, to mourn a loss he doubted he'd ever recover from.
It was three days later he was summoned to the main gates as a contingent of Uzumaki was arriving with HIruzen's students. He had thought he squashed all hope until he laid eyes upon his only son. Back straight and shoulders broad. He was clad in Uzumaki armor, sword strapped to his back and a red band around his left arm, signaling him as a Maelstrom member.
He could see it pained him but the boy's pride wouldn't allow him to enter a foreign village defeated. He was a proud Uzumaki, a credit to Ashina's rearing. A younger Tobirama would have likely waited, he would have upheld protocols. This Tobirama was older, tempered by failure and loss and grief. He'd nearly lost his life to the Gold and Silver Brothers. He was so thoroughly injured he had to retire, only mending completely when Tsunade advanced as a prodigious medical ninja.
This Tobirama had no use for pride. Cared not for the shinobi rules he helped create. He wasn't a former Hokage nor the head of the dwindling Senju. He was a father, One filled with regrets and relief. He was already face to face with his son before he realized he'd started to move toward him. The hug followed soon after. He felt his boy tense. He understood but cared not.
"My boy, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he said as he held his son for any who cared to witness. Tobi was sure he shocked all onlookers, even his former students by his actions but he was beyond caring.
"I failed them," he heard his son whisper as if he could no longer carry the weight, his soul needing an outlet for a confession. He wasn't sure how long they stayed but Tobirama's next memory was of him standing in his son's hospital room, the boy flanked by the five remaining Maelstrom operatives. He was explaining to Hiruzen, Koharu, Homura, and Danzo about Uzu's fall.
His son was guarded, sparing only the necessary details but giving none of Uzushio's secrets away. A fine shinobi. All told, apparently the trio of Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa sent an armada to Uzu. Naruto said he managed to sink three ships before his attention was needed elsewhere. The other agents had to fill in the gaps as to what happened on the main island but the tale was grim. Wave after wave of shinobi exhausted the fuin defenses. And that process continued once they entered the village. No amount of ninja sacrificed stopped their forward march.
Civilians were not spared, prisoners were not taken. When all seemed lost, Ashina activated a final attack that wiped out what remained of the assault. The five who remained had been by the Uzu Leader's side as he used every drop of chakra he had to make sure none of the invaders left. They didn't know how many escape vessels managed to get to the mainland but it wouldn't have been many.
The next logical question was what had Naruto been preoccupied with as to not repel the main attack. The answer shocked all of the Konoha ninja in the room.
"Ei, the Sandaime Raikage, Mu the Nidaime Tsuchikage, and Gengetsu the Mizukage are dead. More directly, I killed them."
"You killed three Kage in single battle?" Koharu asked. Danzo was more blunt.
"This boy tells stories to make up for his failures. Strongest of the Uzu-" he never finished the statement as the entire hospital was flooded with a killing intent whose potency hadn't been experienced since Hashirama was alive.
"Understand something, I would no more lie to you than I would an ant or the food on my plate." His son threw a scroll at Hiruzen as he and Tobi were the only ones managing the psychic assault. "Don't make your lack of competence my problem and don't confuse your title with actual significance. You'll live longer." The intent ceased at the end of his statement and HIruzen took it as a sign to unseal the objects within the scroll.
Three severed heads emerged. Story confirmed.
The sacking of Uzushio was to be the kick off of another war. The fall of the three Kage stalled any such plans. There was not peace but whatever momentary alliance crafted by the erstwhile leaders fell apart in the hands of their successors. Onoki didn't trust other villages and did a poor job of hiding it. The other two villages kept their leadership as secret as they could. Information was at a premium, spies killed by the dozen.
But that intrigue was Hiruzen's problem. Tobirama set out to form a relationship with his son. It was awkward at first, though Tobirama could admit that may have always been the case as Hashirama often said he was just an awkward guy. Awkwardness or not, one thing the Senju wasn't was a coward. There were many roadblocks to connecting with his son; Naruto's resentment toward him and Mito, his survivor's guilt and focus on finding any remaining Uzumaki.
The former Hokage was finally able to build a bridge by connecting with one of Naruto's true passions, training. His men joked that training was Naruto's sole hobby. If he were not running down intel, Naruto spent hours training his mind and body, and his Maelstrom agents were expected to keep up. Tobirama could appreciate the diligence but hoped the boy would pick up other interests, he knew the cost of living only for the clan or the village. A person needed more.
While still formidable, he was past his prime and could offer little in the way of physical instruction. Ashina had trained Naruto well. It was ninjutsu where the father and son could bond, as the creator of more Forbidden Jutsu than anyone found a kindred spirit in his son with his own unique insights. A key one being:
"I don't think Kekkai Tota are heritable," Naruto explained one night. Tobirama had seen him struggling with something for weeks and had offered assistance. It seemed his desire for progress had overwhelmed the reluctance to seek out his father.
"Please explain," Tobirama requested.
"Mu, he utilized his Dust Release techniques several times and I think I understand the manipulation."
"You can derive the internal manipulation of a jutsu just by seeing it?" Tobirama asked in surprise. That was something only the Uchiha could do. He calmed down when Naruto shook his head, only to be further surprised by his response.
"Consider chakra manipulation to be a series of internal vibrations. Most sensors simply hear the ping. Maybe more advanced ones can even delineate features such as affinity or emotion. But for me, it's like a musical instrument. I didn't always understand the notes but after awhile… this is stupid," Naruto stopped himself but Tobirama was enthralled. As a sensor himself, a powerful and refined one, the idea that he was merely at the precipice fascinated him.
"Please, son, continue."
"Jutsu, when done correctly, sounds like a well executed note; each type of release its own instrument. Mu's Dust Release sounded like a three part harmony."
"Amazing. So you think you can produce the atomic destabilization of the Dust Release?"
"Think process, not result," he son advised. "My trained affinities are water, wind, and fire. I don't know what the end result will be but I plan to make them sing."
"I will offer any help I can."
"Thank you… father."
For the next few years, each threw themselves into their new endeavor. It was exhilarating, vexing, and so many other things but Tobirama relished it. Having someone to discuss chakra theory with, someone with such a unique perspective, was engaging in a way he hadn't found since Hiruzen was still his student.
Another development that pleased Tobirama was Naruto finally heeding the call of his hormones. He never pressed his son for questions but he often sensed his son in the company of a very familiar chakra signature with no one else around. Not only was he glad his son found someone to connect with, he was proud that she was a woman of the Leaf.
And while things were mostly good, there were still challenges. To Tobirama's utter shock, Mito never treated Naruto as anything but a member of his clan. The frosty reception confused the man and he confronted her time and time again. She would never budge nor explain why she was so cold to him. If her treatment hurt Naruto, he never showed it and Tobirama never broached the subject.
A second impediment had been a growing antipathy between the Uzumaki and the leadership of the village; or more specifically between Naruto and Hiruzen. He could not suss out what drove the two to loggerheads. Maybe Naruto's refusal to become a Leaf ninja, though that should hardly have been an issue. From what he knew, Naruto lived up to the alliance agreement and did nothing that would put Konoha in jeopardy.
Still, the tension between them was so bad that Hiruzen even distanced himself from Tobirama. It hurt that his former student had seemingly lost trust in him or assumed he'd be blindly biased in favor of his son. He also wouldn't beg for a continued relationship so Tobirama respected Hiruzen's decision and allowed the man to govern the village as he saw fit, though it had concerned him how much control he assigned Danzo.
Another obstacle had been Naruto's inability to find any Uzumaki. More than a responsibility or a mission, it seemed his son needed to find some survivors. He needed to believe some made it off the island, that he hadn't failed entirely to protect his people. It weighed on him and would, at times, send him into a depression similar to Hashirama's episodes. It was thanks to the Yamanaka Clan and Tsunade, Tobirama had a better understanding of the illness and how to treat it.
The last problem was actually more of a mixed blessing. He'd finally done it, Naruto created his Kekkai Tota. He was so proud when three white, mini orbs floated around him. The two hypothesized they'd create a plasma of some kind, admittedly a little disappointing as Kumo's Storm Release was that. But as Naruto continued to work the end result were stars, hotter than Suna's Shokuton by orders of magnitude.
Tobirama was genuinely proud of his son and excited to see where his son would take his new release. That is, until one night his son barged into his home in a near panic, for Naruto. He was obviously concerned about something and pacing. He requested Tobirama follow him somewhere remote and the Senju complied. Instantly he was teleported to a location miles outside of the village.
"We under conceptualized the release," Naruto started. He ran down what they'd learned about what he called the Nova Release. Three, white, mini suns that revolved around the creator allowing for omnidirectional attack as each sun could fire multiple plasma beams or waves before they were exhausted. The suns also allowed for the creation and manipulation of a personal gravity field; levitation/flight and even deflection of oncoming objections.
"How so?" Tobirama asked.
"It'll just be easier if I show you," Naruto said and then shushin'd several miles away. Tobirama could feel the intensive output of chakra along with a blistering heat. He felt he was too close to a fire and unconsciously took several steps back. The blue version of the release, no larger than a beach ball, floated upward and Naruto appeared next to him. The effects were immediate as the very ground started to rip from the surface. Trees, animals, pulled toward and incinerated by the gaseous mass.
The destruction lasted for several minutes before the star collapsed unto itself and Tobirama knew the problem before he saw it. Naruto, clearly not trusting they were truly safe, teleported back to Tobirama's.
"We're idiots," Tobirama said. Stars. Minor, almost infinitesimally smaller than their sun but stars was what the release created. And when stars collapse black holes formed. It wouldn't even take a much larger version than Naruto created to destroy a village. Onoki's Dust Release might be a counter or it could form a new, utterly terrifying reaction like triggering a supernova.
"This is a terrible power, son. If I were still Hokage I'd have it rated a triple S ranked kinjutsu and seal all knowledge of it up." Naruto barked out a laugh.
"And how many ANBU would you send after me?"
"Every single one I had," Tobirama answered. Two pairs of red eyes met and each laughed. Tobirama wasn't much for gallows humor but there wasn't much left.
"I burned all my notes and diagrams. Every written trace of this has been removed," Naruto said. Tobirama appreciated he didn't have to counsel his son on obvious things. But there was a third party to consider, someone also involved in the Nova Release's development.
"And what of your woman?"
"You sound so retrograde, father."
"You'll forgive my lack of progressive speech. My son just revealed he could destroy civilizations, I'm a little preoccupied."
"With shadow clones I really could destroy multiple civilizations simultaneously, huh? Had not considered that."
"It terrifies me that I can't tell when you're joking."
"Father, even if I did have a taste for mindless slaughter, and I don't, I wouldn't do it just to avoid Hiruzen's lecture. Just the thought of him taking drags of that insufferable pipe while he looks at me like some disreputable youth in need of a father figure… I'd rather hot oil wrestle an Akimichi."
"Noted but that still doesn't answer my question."
"I don't have one. I'll stress the significance but she does what she wants."
"Willful is she?" Tobirama said with a smirk, "The best ones are."
"Eww, I'd rather not think of you sampling the local talent to find that out. Probably created a random sample to boot."
"Respect the normal distribution curve, boy."
"Uncle Hashirama gave us the Hi no Eshi. You say ``respect the Bell Curve."
"Oh, am I not inspiring enough? I'll try to improve for the next time my adult son storms into my bedroom at three in the morning like some scared toddler."
"Don't you old people wake up before the sun anyway? You, at most, lost fifteen minutes and since you were deep into a math dream I've done you a favor."
"Insolent whelp! Begone from this place."
"Fine."
"And make sure you come for family dinner Sunday."
"Fine."
"Bring a dessert."
"Fine!"
"And wear a sport coat or a kimono, you aren't a hoodlum."
"Fine!"
"Blues make your eyes pop!"
"Father, I swear to the Sage just let me leave!"
"Oh, was I keeping you? Fine, off with you, brat."
Tobirama would soon learn his son's solution was to marry the woman. It was a simple and touching ceremony, even Mito joined though not in any official capacity. Tobirama was honored to stand up for his son and to watch him start his own family. He was well and truly happy.
Kushina ran as fast as her little feet could carry her. She was afraid. Gripped by fear and so overwhelmed that she wasn't behaving like a trained kunoichi, recent graduate or not. Somehow Kumo ninja had invaded the compound and were set on kidnapping her. She managed to avoid the trio and was making her way to the panic room. She wasn't even supposed to be here, if not for an unrelated emergency. Oh and that weird, quiet sissy from her class was here.
The pair of fresh genin managed to beat back three of the enemy ninja but there were just too many. It made no sense how so many Kumo shinobi could infiltrate the village, even the sissy didn't have an answer. They were being overrun, she could tell.
"There are ninja around this turn, Kushina," he said. She nodded and grabbed his hand. If she wasn't going to be able to get to the safe room within her house then she needed to get somewhere with reinforcements. The two slipped into the nearest room with a window and were up and out in a blink. They took to the trees without delay.
"Kushina, look out!" the sissy yelled as he pushed out of the way of an incoming kunai. The gash across his shoulder was immediate and Minato headed to the ground before she fully realized what was happening. She managed to break his fall as they landed on the ground with a thud. This was bad. He was hurt and lost a fair bit of blood.
"Run, I'll hold them off."
"Shut up, Minato. I can't just abandon you." she said as she tore off a piece of her shirt and applied pressure to his wound. They were surrounded in no time but she'd exhausted her reserves of fear and panic. Now? Now, she was pissed. Angry that she was in this position. That she had the perfect way to waste these idiots but bound by a promise to never use it. Some of the ninja started to move in, cautious of a desperation attack. She removed a kunai from her holster and grit her teeth.
"Kukukuku," echoed throughout the wooded area and while she didn't relax, Kushina instantly felt better. Then, the screaming started. No longer the priority, she paid more attention to Minato.
"Thanks," she whispered. He smiled and blushed, weirdly. Such a confusing, brave boy. Still pretty frail. There was a sudden appearance of a one eyed man before her AND the Hokage. That was confusing.
"Orochi, end this slaughter immediately!" Patch bellowed. The Snake Sannin landed between the two men and the children, Kusanagi bloodied and at the ready.
"Kukuku, why would either of you possibly care about me killing some Kumo scum?"
"I'd like an answer to that question as well," spoke a voice from above. The one-eyed man gripped his cane and the Hokage looked uncomfortable, too. Kushina was too happy to care about how the geezers reacted.
"Grandpa!" she yelled.
"When you were late I grew concerned but we'll talk about that later. Hiruzen, answer the question."
"You forget Sensei, I don't answer to you."
"Grgh!" Danzo grunted as blood seeped from his mouth and a sword protruded from his heart.
"The answer is obvious. One or the both of you sicced some ANBU on my daughter to try to force her to reveal something to you." Apparently not satisfied that the punctured heart would suffice, Naruto removed Danzo's head with one clean motion. The remaining ANBU circled around Hiruzen as Naruto walked toward his little girl.
"Seems you got yourself in a little trouble, honey bunny," he said and while his tone was light Kushina saw the truth in his eyes. Those crimson orbs were hard and burning.
"You've gone too far, Naruto," Hiruzen said, his own eyes communicating a depth of awe-inspiring fury.
"So, it wasn't just Danzo and these ninja aren't just Root?" Naruto asked.
"I am saying if Danzo overstepped it was on me to rectify that."
"You hear that, Orochi-chan? Your sensei says his friends can send ANBU after our daughter and we're just supposed to be ok with it. Not our place to mete out justice."
"I heard. I'm very displeased, Sensei."
"Your displeasure is not my concern. You usurped my authority and killed a high ranking official without my orders, Naruto. There will be consequences"
"There already were," Naruto said as he pointed toward the headless corpse of Danzo Shimura. "Now, get your ninja off my property."
"Are you mad! You're going to prison! You'll be lucky not to face execution for what you've done."
"Maybe," a soft voice spoke as she approached both men, "maybe we can reach a compromise before things progress too far." Mito offered.
"Mito-dono," Hiruzen greeted but never took his eyes off Naruto, "what do you have in mind?"
"In exchange for pardoning Naruto for his very understandable actions, Kushina will become my successor."
Yo, new story. Where's Seals? Writing the Chunin Exams sucks but this is something new, feel free to review.
Lot of exposition I know, it be like that sometimes.
In this story being Ashura's transmigrant actually means something, you know body of the Sage and universal understanding of Chakra. Yea, he has that hence why he's so powerful.
Fem Orochimaru cuz, idk, guess it's my thing or something.
I make no promises and if you want to adopt this you can but if you suck I'mma roast you cuz I'm mean in the way only a habitual whisky drinker can be.
Finally, check out the substack, it's a newsletter where I write thoughts about things. It's dope. Throw a few shekels if ya like, it's appreciated. Slythefoxx2 dot substack dot com.