Chapter 1: Can This Really Be Called Victory?
Disclaimer: I would like to own Naruto… but I don't. It hurts to think about.
Transitions and flashbacks are in italics.
Tailed beast speech is in bold.
'Thoughts are in single quotations.'
About an hour after the end of Naruto's fight with Gaara…
The stares. It was the first thing Naruto noticed as he entered the village. Despite being with the Sand Siblings, he suspected that those stares were meant for him. He suddenly felt as if he was grasping for straws. Was he missing something? He didn't know why but, he knew that there was something he should be remembering at that moment. Suna ninja and Konoha ninja alike stared at him, despite the former being apprehended by the latter. With a mix of… was that awe? Or perhaps… fear? He glanced over to Gaara, who was being carried by his older sister. As if sensing Naruto's confusion Gaara spoke.
"It was quite the fight I suppose."
Naruto blinked. Why yes, he'd agree that the fight he just had was by all means insane. The average person should have died at least a dozen times over but he was still alive and kicking. But why did Gaara mention that? Sasuke, who was supporting Naruto, coughed to catch his attention.
"You think they wouldn't notice?"
"Huh? Notice what?"
The Uchiha gave him a deadpan look.
"The fight we had."
"The fight we… had…"
It dawned on him then. The transformations, the close calls, heck even the explosions. They were right outside of Konoha. In viewing distance. His eyes widened like saucers.
"Oh… oh no…"
Kit, do you remember what I told you? Before you committed to fighting Gaara?
Despite the ominous feeling that kept on growing in his chest, he immediately recognized what the Kyubi was referring to.
'I can't die here! Not yet, not like this!'
Just shut up for a second! There is a way to fight him, but you're going to have trust me.
'If it helps me to stop Gaara, I'll do anything!'
The thing about this solution is once you go through with it, everything will change as you know it.
'None of that matters to me! I'll do it. Even if it means I might die!'
Alright kit, you asked for it! Follow my instructions to the T!
Naruto slowly nodded his head to seemingly no one in particular. The Kyubi continued.
This… was the cost of your victory today.
Naruto's newfound ability to sense emotions seemed a little too useful at that point. He could feel the fear rolling off of them. As if they believed they would die just from being in his presence. And as he continued walking, he felt like he would die in his presence too.
At the Hokage Building, Hokage's Quarter's…
"Hoka… Hokage-sa…"
Hiruzen felt himself slowly awaken. His body refused to move, protesting against the very notion of doing so. Yet, he knew that he had his work cut out for him. Responsibility was one of the few things that tended to wait for men. But the longer you put it off, the worse the consequences. With that thought, the elderly Sarutobi slowly opened his eyes.
"Hokage-sama! Hokage-sama are you alright?"
Hiruzen grunted. He felt several hands latch onto his arms and back, assisting him as he got up. He slowly flexed his digits, testing his muscles and seeing that they were usable waved off the Anbu that had moved to assist him. Taking a moment to adjust his balance he spoke.
"Status report."
An Anbu wearing a cloak suddenly appeared next to him.
"The Ichibi and his jinchuriki has been defeated by Naruto Uzumaki. Sunagakure has surrendered and many of their ninja are laying down arms as we speak."
"Casualties?"
"We've lost about fifteen percent of our forces and another twenty five percent are critically injured. The death toll could have been much higher but the spawning of the Kyubi no Yoko seemed to have made many of Sunagakure's forces hesitant to fight."
'So Naruto was a very important factor in this battle.'
He sighed heavily. Orochimaru might be dead, but he certainly dealt a damaging blow to the village. With forty percent of Konoha's forces out of action, they just became a whole lot weaker. And Hiruzen was going to have to deal with the aftermath.
"Talk about work…"
Near the center of the village…
Shikamaru was tired. A nap sounded rather nice at that point. But no, they just had to assign him work. Overseeing the reconstruction of the general hospital was not how he had planned on spending his afternoon. Still, he thought it was better than working on the hospital himself. Plus, he could sneak in a few minutes of sleep every now and then. Well, that's what he thought until he showed up.
"What the hell is that freak doing here…?"
Lo and behold, Sabaku no Gaara was standing at the door of the hospital. Shikamaru was at the very top of the building and had heard a commotion stirring below. Taking a glance downwards he saw Gaara. And that was exactly what he had wanted this afternoon. Picking a fight with that guy.
'Didn't Naruto already kick this guy's ass to the end of Hi no Kuni and back? Why the hell is he here? And unguarded to boot?'
Shikamaru wasn't one for rushing into situations. He liked to think ahead, making preparations and a series of contingencies before he even considered taking on opponents. The fact was, there was only a few ways he could think of taking down Gaara at the moment but he decided to approach the situation differently.
'Suna has already lost. So by all rights shouldn't Gaara be in custody? If he isn't, and I doubt he escaped, then that would mean he has permission to be here. Of course I'm going off an assumption but… it's the most logical one I can think of.'
Seeing as Gaara wasn't attacking anyone he would have to believe he had a peaceful reason for being here. Which was odd considering Gaara's general attitude towards most things. Then again, Gaara was odd in general. And seeing as thinking wasn't getting him very far, he decided to approach the issue directly. Leaping off the edge of the building, he rapidly descended to the ground below. Gaara, seemingly sensing him, stepped backwards as Shikamaru landed.
"You're… the Nara from the competition earlier."
Shikamaru immediately tensed. After all, he had fought Gaara's sister in said competition.
"I hold no grudge against you. You can calm down."
Despite those words, Shikamaru kept his guard up. He didn't want to risk being vulnerable to someone as unstable as Gaara after all.
"Why are you here? You're supposed to be in custody."
Gaara looked to the ground then.
"I…"
Shikamaru's brow furrowed. This wasn't looking good. Gaara had diverted eye contact and now he couldn't tell how emotionally stable he was.
"I came…"
He felt his muscles twitch. He pondered his own emotional state then as he shouldn't be anticipating a run in with a jinchuriki this much.
"I-I came to…"
He was stuttering now. Shikamaru slowly reached his hand towards his kunai pouch. The moment Gaara made a move he needed to react instantly. He'd immediately call for back up and keep the crazed Suna ninja away from the hospital. Well, if that plan even survived contact that is.
"I came to apologize!"
Shikamaru was so startled at Gaara's sudden shout that he nearly chucked his kunai then and there. However he had heard the red haired boy's words too.
"Wha-What?"
"I came… to apologize."
'Ah, so all of that planning was for nothing.'
All the while he'd been so tense, he hadn't even remembered that he wasn't the only ninja present. Several genin were also there. They had been terrified to actually handle the situation so when Shikamaru showed up it was like a miracle to them. Now that they had someone capable on their side they no longer felt frightened. The Nara may not have realized it, but he held the respect of many people after his performance in the stadium earlier that day. Nonetheless, those genin were beginning to get something of a big head, as one of them immediately spoke up.
"Why the hell should we believe you!?"
Gaara's eyes widened then while Shikamaru's eyes narrowed. Both had realized that the genin had brought up a rather valid point.
"W-Well…"
Shikamaru however was rather off put by the jinchuriki's behavior. This was not like him at all. Stammering and nervousness did not befit someone of his strength.
'Did Naruto do more than simply beat him? Or was he humbled by the fact that someone could actually beat him?'
"Yeah, that's right! We know what you are!"
The other genin started rallying around Gaara, shouting and jeering at him. They were scared of him at first, but the boy had yet to even utter a threat. It was liberating to them.
"Yeah you're a monster!"
"Damn demon!"
"Get out of here you villain!"
"You don't belong here you piece of crap!"
The jeering only got worse, yet Gaara did not retaliate. Shikamaru however could only watch in horror.
"What… What is this?"
He was confused with Gaara's behavior but this was too much. They called Gaara a villain and yet, to Shikamaru, they looked downright villainous themselves. The grins that stretched across their faces with every word yelled, the swearing and shouting. It was as if… they were bullying Gaara. And he just stood there and took it.
"That there is human nature, Shikamaru."
Hearing a voice he turned around to see his sensei, Asuma.
"Human nature?"
Asuma nodded.
"It's like a cycle. When one person gets hurt by another, they want to get back at them. And the other will lash right back. It goes back and forth, and only gets worse. It transcends generations, races and even society itself. We hurt each other and that hurt never goes away because we keep at it. That, is human nature."
"I didn't take you for the philosophical type, sensei."
"I have my moments."
Shikamaru pondered upon the words Asuma spoke whilst the Sarutobi clansman broke up the crowd of genin. He came to a conclusion a few minutes afterwards as he sat down on a nearby bench in the afternoon sun.
'Human nature… I wouldn't go as far as to call it that. It's not like I hate Gaara after all.'
A few hours later at the hospital…
The evening sun poured in through the windows of a particular hospital room. In it were three people. The first was the ever renowned Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, praised as the God of Shinobi. The second was the somewhat less renowned but still very well-known jonin of Konohagakure no Sato, Kakashi Hatake, known as the Copy Ninja. The third laid restlessly in a bed, tossing back and forth, but only as much as his confines would let him. Because he was indeed being confined at the moment. After all, it wasn't every day that Naruto Uzumaki transformed into the incarnation of the Kyubi no Yoko and went to town on the Ichibi.
At the moment he was unconscious but even still neither of the shinobi in the room would take any chances. The blond was strapped to a bed with several chains littered with sealing tags. Beneath his bed was an inscribed, heavily complex sealing formula. And stationed outside the room were several Anbu agents all proficient in Fuuinjutsu.
"He seems disturbed."
It was Kakashi who spoke up. He appeared somewhat distressed, odd considering his general temperament. The Third Hokage replied.
"The seals are well designed and are simply inhibiting his chakra network. He shouldn't be in any pain."
Hiruzen was similarly distressed however, given an account he'd received from Jiraiya a few hours prior.
"Sensei!"
Hiruzen lifted his head upwards from his desk, the paperwork practically spilling over. The invasion was beginning to give him a serious headache.
"Jiraiya? I thought you left to do reconnaissance?"
"I'm about to actually. But there's something I need to impart upon you before I head out."
"Oh? And what would it be?"
"Well you're not going to believe me… but listen. This is how it happened."
Jiraiya's Story Time…
Smoke. That's all I could see as the dark clouds above poured in full. The columns of smoke filtered through the sky from many different spots in the village. I never thought I'd have to see a scene like this again. Konoha… ruined once more. By now the explosions in the distance had stopped, thankfully the Ichibi and Kyubi as well. For a while, I would admit I was terrified. Not for myself but for Naruto. When the Kyubi emerged I thought that all hell had broken loose for sure. I would have thought that Naruto had simply been unable to match up to his burden and lost it. That is, if I hadn't met Minato beforehand.
"There you are sensei."
I froze. I immediately assumed I had misheard that voice, that I had been caught in some sort of genjutsu. However I knew that I wasn't. Yet I knew that voice belonged to someone I knew who was dead. I found I couldn't move, that whatever this voice was filled me with such a feeling that I couldn't bring myself to confirm the identity of the person. Note I had been in the middle of combat so when a contingent of Oto shinobi saw me freeze up they took it as a go ahead for some sort of comeback against the Toad Sage that had destroyed much of their forces. Three of them rushed in beginning hand signs for jutsu while the other five attempted to barrage me with kunai. Note the word attempted.
"Sensei focus!"
I was brought back from my shock by that shout and raced through five hand seals at a frightening pace.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo (Ninpo: Hari Jizo)!"
Upon seeing their comrade's kunai get deflected so easily the three ninja attempted to finish their jutsu faster. It was all for not however when a tri pronged kunai struck the ground in front of the ninja leading the charge. In a flash, said ninja found himself impaled on a second tri pronged kunai being held by the reincarnated Yondaime, directly through his heart. The two other Oto ninja in the charge didn't even have time to fully process what had occurred before Minato continued his assault.
Tearing the kunai from his opponent's chest violently he grabbed the other kunai stuck in the ground, spun around, threw the bloodied one at the ninja to the right while tossing the other into the air in one smooth motion. He then teleported to the one he tossed into the air, threw it at the opponent to the left, teleported to it again and grabbed said opponent. The Oto ninja didn't even have time to struggle before he was teleported along with Minato to the other kunai still in flight. The other Oto ninja abandoned his hand signs and dodged the kunai. However he realized the Yondaime had disappeared and putting two and two together fast enough he spun around to stab him. Only he ended up stabbing his comrade who Minato conveniently placed in front of the attack. Before he even had time to think a tri pronged kunai separated his head from his body. All of this occurred in just about 3 seconds.
The other Oto shinobi were so shell shocked at what they had just seen that they hadn't even remembered that I, the mighty Jiraiya was still there.
"Ninja Art: Needle Hell (Ninpo: Hari Jigoku)!"
A barrage of needles were the last thing those five Oto shinobi saw before they were riddled by the violent jutsu. Silence took over for a second before I breathed out a sigh.
"I can't believe it. Yet you're standing here in front of me."
"I wish we could talk more sensei but it seems that Orochimaru's technique has a time limit to it."
"This was Orochimaru's doing?"
"That's not so important right now. As of now, Naruto and the Kyubi are going to be working together."
"Wait what?!"
"It would take too long to explain. However I want to entrust something to you for him."
He then tossed me a scroll. I attempted to open it but found it was locked by another seal.
"For Naruto's eyes only I assume?"
"No it's just to make sure it gets to him. In fact I'd prefer it if you were there as well when he opens it."
"I see. Any parting words then?"
Minato smirked then.
"You're doing just fine sensei."
I could only let out another sigh as I finished reminiscing.
"What a pain in the ass…"
With that I got up from my sitting position on a roof and rushed off to rendezvous with the Hokage.
End Jiraiya's Story Time…
"Jiraiya… Was that extra tidbit at the end necessary?"
The Toad Sannin rose his nose in a haughty manner.
"It is how you tell a story sensei."
His brow furrowed then.
"You don't seem surprised."
"Well, that would be because I fought Orochimaru."
"Ah, that didn't cross mind my mind."
"But what you said about Naruto, is this the truth?"
The Sannin looked taken aback then.
"Sensei, you wound me!"
Hiruzen rolled his eyes at the dramatic display.
"But yes, it is. I wouldn't lie to you."
"I know, it's just… What could have happened to make him change his mind?"
"I couldn't say… but the answer is hidden inside that scroll."
Hiruzen held on tightly to the parchment in his hands. The answer to everything that had occurred lay hidden in its confines. And try as he might, he could not simply force it open. Minato was a Fuuinjutsu master of an even higher grade than himself. There was no telling what would happen to the scroll if he attempted to force it open. But he decided not to attempt it. It was for Naruto after all.
"Once he wakes up, we will have all the answers we need."
Inside of Naruto's seal…
"What?"
You heard me kit. It's time I explain to you what's going on.
The blond blinked. He honestly had a hard time believing he'd get a real explanation. To elaborate, you have to understand what had just occurred to him. Some minutes prior, Naruto had been in his apartment, trying to sort of what remained of it. It had been just plain unfortunate that his apartment got hit by the invasion. And while he had been somewhat remorseful, after all he had grown up in that apartment, he was much more annoyed and tired. So imagine his surprise when suddenly, his seal started acting up.
Chakra began to leak into his system. At first it was slowly, then it began to pick up pace and eventually became quite a problem. Of course he probably shouldn't have been ignoring the Kyubi the whole time. So when several Anbu showed up on scene to the sight of a writhing Naruto on the floor, quite a panic stirred. Eventually he was transferred to a hospital where he was placed in confines, of which he was only partly aware of. Of course there was a reason he had been ignoring the Kyubi.
"For the last time I don't care! No matter what you do you're not getting out of the cage -ttebayo!"
This isn't about the cage dammit!
"Huh? For real? Because I have my doubts!"
You see, the Kyubi had been pestering Naruto all afternoon about getting the chance to stretch its legs in the wild. Now, Naruto took this as the Kyubi saying it wanted out of the seal. And he wouldn't stand for it. Now, the Kyubi didn't really care about getting out of the seal. It really just wanted to stretch its legs in an environment built for it. However, it was also fun to pester Naruto so it spent the whole afternoon doing so without correcting the misunderstanding and laughed the entire time. Naruto found this deeply annoying so he eventually shut out the Kyubi's voice. The Kyubi of course did not like this. One thing led to another and now you're all caught up.
We need to talk about why I helped you, idiot.
"Oh wait, you're serious?"
No this is all a ploy to pester you more - Of course I'm serious!
"…You had me for a moment."
The giant fox simply shook its head.
There's a bit to discuss but I'll start with the most pressing issue.
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest.
"And what's that?"
The person responsible for my attack on Konoha, twelve years ago.
Silence took over the seal space. Only the occasional drip of water could be heard but it was like it wasn't even there. Naruto's mouth slowly began to hang.
"Wait… so you're saying… that someone was actually behind that!?"
Yeah.
"Why didn't you say anything?!"
And what would I have said? That it wasn't really the giant fox that attacked your village it was someone else? Who would have believed that you brat?
"Well, when you put it that way… Even still, I might have-"
You wouldn't. Don't try to make yourself out to be something you're not.
Naruto stared bashfully at the ground.
"Sorry."
It doesn't matter. What does is that the man responsible for my attack is out there. And I know he's far from finished.
"Finished? Wait, so he's going to come back?"
Kyubi simply rolled its shoulders, before resting on its stomach.
I couldn't say. One thing is for certain, he'll likely come after you. And by extension, me.
"What? Why would he want either of us?"
The Kyubi chuckled.
Did you not see that display we put on? What megalomaniac wouldn't want that?
"That's true- wait, but why would he want that though!?"
Naruto was still shell shocked at the previous revelation that he hardly was ready for a second one.
My bet, and I could be wrong, is that he wants to revive a certain creature, known as the Ten Tails.
"Th- THE WHAT?!"
Don't make me repeat myself.
"What's a Ten Tails then!?"
This was getting a little too big for Naruto to handle. He suddenly felt as if he was being drawn into a plot far greater than himself. The millennia old types that tend to involve society as a whole to be specific.
Ugh. The Ten Tails is… something that the world doesn't need again. It's something that needs to stay in the past. And at all costs it cannot be revived.
"So… this guy who made you attack Konoha, he wants to revive it?"
In a nutshell. But that's merely my assumption. Of course, it's also the worst possible scenario that comes to mind.
"Oh. That's great then."
What?! What part of any of what I just told you is great!?
"The part where you mentioned that someone was behind the attack."
The Kyubi's eyes widened in surprise.
Kit, are you stupid? That man destroyed half your village! It would be much better if I was the one responsible! All it would take is me being sealed away forever and your problem would be eternally solved…
"But that's just it. The problem isn't solved. If there's someone that's out there that attacked the village, all we have to do is beat him instead."
And that's another thing. You're putting an awful lot of faith in me don't you think?
Naruto then grinned.
"Well that's cause you're reliable."
…
He continued.
"I know it's kinda' dumb to put all of that trust in someone you've only just started talking to, but… I just feel like I can trust you, you know?"
The Kyubi frowned.
And if I were to betray that trust?
Naruto kept smiling even as he replied.
"Then it's on me for trusting you."
The Kyubi's jaw seemed to hang for a moment before the large fox began to laugh. Naruto raised an eye brow.
"What's so funny?"
Ah, nothing kit. You just remind of a very foolish boy I knew a long time ago.
"Sheesh, so I'm foolish now? You just keep switching the insults. Still hurts dattebayo."
Get used to it. Since we're going to be working together from now on.
Stretching its paw forward as a fist, the Kyubi spoke once more.
I guess this makes us… what do you call this?
"Partners."
Ugh, master and servant works so much better for me.
"Then I'll be master and you be servant."
Hah, in your dreams! I'll be the master you the servant!
"Um, I don't like that arrangement though. I guess partners will do."
Before the Kyubi could get another word in, Naruto fist bumped it before laughing.
"Too late to take it back!"
Why do I feel like I just lost something important…?
"Your peace and quiet?"
Ah yes, that.
End of Chapter
I did a thing. Yes, it's been about… four or five months since I updated this. My bad, just started college so I might get busy again. Who knows? I've finally come up with a proper first chapter for this story and hopefully I'll be able to steam roll this thing for the next, let's say twenty chapters. The plan though is to go full speed ahead to forty seven chapters. That would be the point where I take a nice little hiatus. To explain I managed to sort out a proper plot for this story, one that actually works. Sort of. It has a time-skip at least so look forward to that. Anyways hope you enjoyed I'll try to post again in the following weeks.