Hello readers and anime readers, my name's JMC-77. Here, I'd like to present to you all... My new Naruto story!
("Haruka Kanata" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation plays)
...
The original story and characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto
...
NARUTO: BROTHERHOOD
Chapter 1
Naruto Uzumaki!
Thirteen Years Ago...
Village of Konoha
Among the quiet night, the peaceful mountains that oversee the small, yet grandiose village of the Village Hidden in the Leaf would usually grant any outsider or resident the impression that it is a town that values peace, harmony and order... But this is not the case for the residents of Konoha.
As the mountains smashed to pieces like a mirror permanently shattered and emerging from the ominous smoke that lies where the mountains once stood...Is the infamous Nine-Tailed Fox in all its red-furred glory that swatted not just the beautifully lush forests, but also hordes of invading Leaf ninja; Chunin, Jounin and even ANBU alike with its mighty claws and tails.i
"Hold the line and wait for Lord Fourth's arrival!" Cried out the orders of a Chunin.
"Keep fighting on!" Shouting another Chunin who rushed at the beast in all its glory.
"We can't let it near the village!" Cried out the member of a team of ANBU shinobi.
But as the Fox-tailed demon continued to display its immense might, the loud footsteps of another presence emerges. It appeared to be a gigantic red toad wearing a black jacket and wielding a large katana, and on its head was the village hero and leader...The 4th Hokage himself.
As the nine-tails began to rush towards the large toad, the 4th Hokage formed numerous hand-signs in preparations, and then...A brilliant flash of blue light engulfed the entire land; and the 4th Hokage and the Nine-Tails were nowhere to be found.
Except one thing...
A crying infant with sun-kissed blonde hair with a strange maelstrom-shaped tattoo painted on his stomach and surrounded by candles. As well as possessing three scar-like fox marks on both sides of his face.
~ Present ~
"Huff! Huff! Huff! Huff!" Panted out the same blonde infant...Except he was an infant no longer! As of now, the boy was now a 13 year old boy. His spiky blonde hair was now longer and even reached his shoulders, while he wore a sleeveless black shirt, navy blue trousers cut at the knees showing his bandaged legs, and blue ninja sandals. Additionally, an orange windbreaker with black trims with a red whirlpool on the back wrapped its arms around his waist.
This boy now has a name...His name is Naruto Uzumaki, and he's now facing a problem...
"GAARRRGGHH! I'm gonna be late!" Came the boy's thoughts as his legs rushed with all their energy...while trying to evade the two Chunin behind him.
"NARUTO! GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!"
"No way! You'll have to get guts to catch up to me! Replied the boy with wild hair.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage Tower...
"LORD HOKAGE! It's an emergency!"
"Sign... What is it now? And don't say it's related to Naruto again..." Replied the weary 3rd Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, overlooking the exam scores for the students of the Leaf Academy.
"We're afraid so...He put graffiti on the 4th Hokage's face!" Replied the Jonin Commander, resulting in the elderly Professor of Shinobi to sign.
He signed not from irritation, but from worry... No doubt knowing what the reason is... The bullies again.
Now then, back to our hero's dilemma...
"NARUTO! GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha... Just gonna make it!" Came the hopeful thoughts of the blonde-haired boy, as he flashed a small foxy grin... Only it to disappear as his face crashed into the green vest... Of his teacher, Iruka Umino.
"NARUTO!" Shouted the teacher's stern tone. "What did you do this time?!"
"Well, I-" Naruto cried out, as he sat on his backside trying to explain what happened.
"IRUKA!" came the cry of one of the two Chunin, who were sweating in all their weariness.
"We'll explain... Naruto here put graffiti over the 4TH HOKAGE'S FACE!" Shouted the same Chunin, who proceeded to point to the historical monument that were carved with the faces of the four hokages that oversaw the village... Except the 4th Hokage's face was covered in a river of green, yellow and blue paint.
"Dammit..." Hissed Naruto as he closed in anger and irritation.. Knowing full what will happen next as a result.
Naruto was now dragging himself to the 3rd Hokage's office...Or being literally dragged by the arm. Iruka was gripping him tightly as they walked to the door that beheld the office of the Third Hokage himself: Hiruzen Sarutobi, student under the 1st and 2nd Hokages. He was sitting in his chair looking at the Hokage monument, all the while blowing smoke from his pipe.
"Lord Hokage." Iruka slightly bowed his head in respect. "Iruka." Replied the shinobi professor with a tone that silently acknowledged 'Give us a moment.' Iruka then left the room with Naruto and Sarutobi all alone in the office.
"Hey Old Man..." Sighed out the blonde-haired boy, while waiting for the upcoming headache...And by headache, a lecture from his "Grandpa."
"Naruto. Sit now, please." Naruto complied, sitting in a nearby wooden-made chair close to the elderly man's desk. "Now then...Would you like to explain something to me, Naruto? Like for example...Why there's paint over the 4th Hokage's face?" Asked professor as his head around.
"Well...Sign, a couple kids told me I was a loser who should just quit. So, I beat 'em up, then showed that I was capable of being a ninja." Naruto explained with in a very weary tone.
"By painting the Fourth's face?" Asked the ninja professor in a more stern, yet confused tone.
"Look, it's just...I hated being underestimated as some sort of...failure." Replied Naruto, looking away with sullen eyes.
Little did the two of them, Iruka was listening in on the whole conversation through the door. His once-stern expression softened, as certain... unpleasant memories from his childhood briefly flashed in his mind.
Noticing this, along with the boy's explanation, Sarutobi's expressions softened. "I know. But Naruto, causing mischief isn't always the right way to go. Naruto, the way to being a ninja to...Have something, someone to protect. Like a friend for example."
He then formed a small, yet warm smile. "Friends are very important."
Naruto's eyes twitched in curiosity upon hearing this. "Friends?"
"Yes, friends who are there for you. Help you. Support you. And to also be there for you when you're in trouble. Friends who you can trust."
Naruto frowned, then looked away stubbornly. "I don't need friends. I'll do things on my own..."
Hiruzen sadly sighed. "Very well. You're free to leave." Naruto then stood up to leave the room. "Oh, by the way...Good luck on the academy exams." Hiruzen finished, looking at the boy once again with that same warm smile. Noticing this, Naruto's sulky face turned into a genuinely bright smile as he shut the door.
It was now night-time, and both Iruka and Naruto were walking through the town. Along the way, Naruto looked to see more than a few adults looking at him with that... Glare. Those same kind of glares he remembered at a young age. Responding with a scowl, Naruto looked back with a cold frown causing the adults to look away; No doubt, back to mind their own business.
"Naruto!" Naruto snapped out of his thoughts. "Didn't you hear me talking to you?" Iruka asked with a confused expression.
"Sorry. Wasn't listening. What'cha say, Iruka-Sensei?" Naruto asked with a more mellow face.
"I was asking...Naruto, wanna go out for some ramen? Maybe try and forget today?" Iruka replied with the seemingly same question, but with a calm smile. Upon hearing this, Naruto brightly smiled as he eagerly nodded his head 'Yes.'
Icihraku's ramen shop was the stuff of legends in Naruto's books. Best food EVER. Iruka and Naruto entered the shop, then Naruto's face further brightened upon seeing the shop owner Teuchi with his daughter/sister Ayame. "Old Man Teuchi! Ayame! How's it going?" Naruto asked with a small, yet eager grin. Iruka also noticed his cheeks pinken as well. No doubt seeing his 'sister' Ayame, who may also function as the girl he likes.
"Hmmhmm, hello Naruto." Ayame giggled while flashing a gentle smile.
"Ha,ha, ha! Hey Naruto! Looking for the usual tonight?" Asked the old man with a very chipper smile. As he began to cook his favourite customer's favourite. "You bet!" Naruto replied, taking his seat along with Iruka.
"Hey Naruto...Mind if I asked you something?" Naruto turned with a curious face to Iruka. "Why'd you paint the 4th Hokage's face today? Don't you even know who he was?"
"Course I do! He was considered to be the best ninja of the Leaf Village, even stronger than the first two as well. Ain't that right?" Asked the boy.
"Well, that is one way to describe him...But he was also the best student at the Leaf Academy; scored the highest test marks in the history of the village."
"That's the thing, Iruka! I want to be like him as well." Naruto motioned his hand to have a curious Iruka closely lean his ear. Naruto then whispered. "My dream is to be Hokage, and have the whole town's respect." Iruka's eyes widened hearing the last part.
"Here they are!" Teuchi then handed two ramen bowls in front of the customers. "Enjoy!" Wasting no time, Naruto grabbed his chopsticks and started slurping up his noodles with an eager and voracious expression.
"Hey Iruka... Could I try wearing that headband on your head?" Iruka paused in his meal hearing his request. Grabbing the headband with his thumb and pointed finger, Iruka gave out a small laugh. "Sorry, can't do that. You'll have to work hard to get your own by tomorrow."
Naruto's eyes widened, hearing that. Tomorrow was the day. The day of the Genin Exam. Naruto then resumed consuming his bowl, tomorrow was the day after all!
To say that Naruto was impatient was an understatement. Looking around him, he saw his classmates all smiling with pride at Iruka. What they feel is the same as Naruto; today is the day they officially become Genin!
Iruka spoke up after clearing his throat, calling out to all students along with his silver-haired co-worker Mizuki. "Alright, kids! Today is the official Graduation Day, meaning that today is the day you all become Genin; ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village."
Naturally to say, this caught everyone's attention. Especially Naruto, who looked at his bandaged hands; no doubt a result of training from last night. "To pass, each student will be required to perform...the Clone Jutsu!" Naruto's enthusiasm was replaced with boiling anger.
The Clone Jutsu!? That jutsu was something Naruto struggled with! For some reason, Naruto was unable to complete it, which has always confused him.
After calling out for other students to take their turns; including the class ace Sasuke Uchiha, who Naruto can never stand, it was finally the blonde-haired student's time! Walking into a nearby room, Naruto stood in front of Iruka and Mizuki.
Pressing his fingers, along with his resolve, Naruto poured all his chakra into the move..."CLONE JUTSU!" Blue chakra flowed around him, and in a fit of smoke... A shadowed figure that looked like the blonde-haired boy filled the real one with joy, as well as Iruka with pride.
Only for it to be pale-skinned, with an arm coming from the ribs and a leg reaching its neck. Needless to say, horrified was one thing...But everyone else sweat-dropped at the display. To clear things up, Mizuki spoke, "Uuuuhhh... Well, Iruka? What to make of this demonstration?"
Iruka pressed his finger and thumb against his chin in thought. "Well... If we were to remove to the arm from the ribs, and the extra leg away from the neck... Suffice to say, Naruto would left with only one clone, Mizuki. Sorry, Naruto...But you can't pass with that. You fail."
All Naruto could do at the moment was to simply look on with an expression of hurt and disappointment. This reflected the feeling the boy dreaded more than anything... Failure.
Walking out of the room, Naruto looked to his classmates wearing their headbands. They were all official shinobi and kunoichi for the village. Everyone, except him. The Uchiha bastard, Sasuke reared his head to look at him. Specifically, his forehead.
"Guess you didn't pass, huh? Well, dobe... Better to fail than for you get yourself killed." The prodigy remarked, as he walked away. Naruto gritted at this statement, and even more as he heard other students mutter a few words that makes him want to kick them all the way straight into the mountains.
Naruto looked at the other kids with a sullen scowl while sitting on a tree-swing that was close to the entrance. None of the other kids were ever interested in interacting with him, and none of them ever wanted to hang out of him. And neither did Naruto.
"Look, it's that boy..." Naruto turned his head towards a mother of one of the other kids.
"I heard he's the one who failed this year."
"Hmph. Serves him right. Imagine if he became a ninja. And the fact that he's the-"
"SSsshhhh! We're not allowed to talk about it!" Naruto twitched his sulky face in curiosity. The adults act like he can't hear them, but he could. For some reason, everytime they attempt to discuss why he's hated, they silence themselves.
"Hey! Naruto!" The boy turned to see who called his name. Mizuki, who looked at him with a warm smile.
"Guess you didn't pass, huh?"
"What's it to you, Mizuki?" Naruto replied, keeping his scowl.
"Well... I may have a preposition for you." Mizuki replied with a wider smile, causing the blonde to raise his eyebrows with interest.
"Look, I know a... Different solution for the graduation exams." The two were sitting on a ledge that gave an impressive view of the Hokage tower.
"What kind of solution?"
"In Lord Third's home. There's a secret scroll made by the First Hokage himself... Interested?" Mizuki then flashed a smile towards this.
Naruto's blank expression then transformed into a wide smile of pure happiness. "Sure!"
Naruto was now in the forest next to a small cottage. He was reading a large scroll; no doubt the First Hokage's scroll.
"Let's see here. Horse, tiger..." Naruto buried his face into the pages as he read.
Throughout the town of Konoha, the entire ninja division was alert with weariness. They were on the manhunt for a specific loud-mouthed troublemaker... Naruto Uzumaki.
"Iruka!" Iruka turned to see Mizuki running to him with sweat running down his face.
"It's Naruto! He stole the Scroll of Sealings!" Iruka's face went alight with dread. Naruto stealign the 1st Hokage's scroll!? No way!
"Help the ANBU! I'll find him myself!" Iruka then rushed, leaving Mizuki behind... As the silver-haired chunin formed a rahter wide and unnerving smirk on his face.
Naruto then continued reading as he reached the end of the page. "So that's how it works..." He whispered in interest.
"And you should be returning that!" Naruto turned to hear the direction of that familiar voice, who just happened to be Iruka himself!
Oh, hey Iruka!" Naruto then stood up and rolled the scroll into place. "Well, I have the scroll and managed to read in time. But... Now that I'm ready, you'll be sure to graduate me this time, right?" Naruto asked with an enthusiastic grin.
"Huh..? Where'd ya get that idea?" Iruka's stern expression turned into one of confusion. "Mizuki said so... Why?" Naruto asking with a curious tone, while keeping his grin.
'Mizuki?' Fortunately the time for thinking would have come for another time, as three shurikens penetrated the shoulders pads of Iruka's chunin vest, pinning him against the cottage.
"Nice to see here, Naruto!" It was Mizuki, who was carrying a large katana with a sadistic smirk. "Now then... Give the scroll!"
"Wha..?" Naruto muttered small. "Don't do it, Naruto! He used you to steal the scroll in order to kill you" Iruka responded before Naruto could act.
"Heh.. Well, I'm the one keeping secrets? Come now, Iruka.. Don't you think it's time Naruto here deserves to know?"
"Know what?"
"Don't do it!"
"Naruto, do you often wonder why people glare and badmouth you everytime they even look at you? Well, thirteen years ago; the night the Fourth Hokage died, he fialed to deal a killing blow to the Nine-Tailed Fox. So, he performed a ritual to seal him into a newborn to act it's prison. Its vessel! You know what day your birthday is, right Naruto?" Naruto looked at him with shocked eyes. "October 10th, the same night the Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed into you!"
Upon hearing this revelation, Naruto's entire world... Collapsed. He couldn't respond. Or think. Or speak. Not even blink.
"You're the vessel of the Nine-Tailed Fox! It's Jinchuuriki! You'll never be accepted, you're just a monster who needs to be put-down!" Mizuki continued his monologue as he whirled towards his next target... Naruto, the jailer of the Nine-Tails!
"NARUTO, GET DOWN!" Naruto was pushed back as a hand forced him back with so much force that it took time for the boy to look at who did it. Iruka, who had the large shuriken shoved into his back.
Mizuki looked shocked and confused, as did Naruto. "W-w-why...?" Naruto muttered as he stared.
"B-because... ~Cough!~ i know how you feel, Naruto... I know that you pull pranks and cause trouble because you want attention... Just like I did... When my parents died from the fox attack, I had no one. So, I became the class misfit; pulled pranks, did crazy stunts, and acted out. It was hard, I felt so lonely. And I barely graduated as well... Naruto, I-I'm sorry I never gave a chance to try to help you out... Even know that you're not alone... I'm always yelling and scolding... I-I'm sorry..." Iruka blurted out despite coughing so much blood. Tears moisted in his eyes, they fell on Naruto's face.
"G-go... RUN!" Iruka roared out, as Naruto instantly complied with a fear-stricken face. He then pushed himself off of the soil, as he rushed into the deep forest.
"Hah! You're an idiot, Iruka. You know what were in those eye, right? The eyes of the fox spirit itself! Why defend him? He's the one who wiped out your family for shit's sake! He's a monster! A jinchuuriki!" Mizuki scoffed as he jumped from the tree and walked towards the bleeding chunin.
"Cough!... Maybe I hate the fox, but never Naruto! Sure, he may make mistakes. But, that's what makes him... Human. The boy is not a monster, but a ninja of the Hidden Leaf!" Iruka turned his head with a proud smile, showing no fear in his eyes nor what he said.
Little did he know, Naruto was hiding behind one of the trees... With tears falling down his face. Naruto's right eye was a slited red for a brief moment, and his teeth sharpened into a more feral form. But hearing praise.. Such compassion from Iruka restored his original sky blue irises to their form. Naruto then recalled the old man's words from yesterday.
'Friends are the people who are there for you. Support you. Help you get back up when you're down.'
Naruto's moistened face became one of resilience as he rushed his hiding spot to charge at the traitorous teacher with impressive speed.
"Hahahahahaha! Don't make me laugh! If you think he's worth protecting...? How 'bout saying hi to hell for him!?" Mizuki screeched as he rushed to shove his katana into the bleeding chunin's face to finish the job.
But then... A shadow appeared over him. Both Mizuki and Iruka looked to see Naruto charging with... very incredible speed as he delivered a kick powerful enough to send the silver-haired man into a nearby tree.
"My name... Is Naruto Uzumaki! And I'll kill you if you try to do the same to my teacher!" Naruto frowned with steely fearlessness. Grasping his hands together, reddish chakra flowed around the blonde as he roared out, "SHADOW-CLONE JUTSU!"
...And in a large of smoke, over seventy-to-a hundred replicas apepared around the forest... With Mizuki at their centre.
Iruka looked at initial, but his face now became one of pride as he realized what had happened... Naruto mastered the clone jutsu!
"HERE I COME!" All the Narutos sped towards Mizuki, who's screams of terror became overshadowed by the sounds of kicking.
Miizuki laid in a puddle of blood with a bruised face. All of the replicas Naruto summoned were gone. Naruto was now at his teacher's side, as the former gave the latter to wear his orange windbreaker as a makeshift bandage for now...
"Naruto... Mind if you'd close your eyes?" Iruka asked, as a Naruto followed; though... not without confusion. With his eyes closed, Naruto felt some kind of fabric around his neck. He then quickly opened to a see a navy blue headband with the Hidden Leaf symbol embedded on a silver plate. The soft material was around his neck, shining with sunlight illuminating with one thing... Success.
"Congratulations... You've passed. As of now, Naruto. You are a Genin. An official shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village!" Iruka warmly beamed with a smile, as he ran his hand through his student's sun-kissed hair.
Naruto couldn't believe it; first, his whole world nearly crashed down... But through a miracle, he found his calling... Success and his promotion to Gennin!
Naruto then closed his tear-stained eyes as his mouth formed a very wide smile.
This day, Naruto Uzumaki no longer the coldness of isolation, nor the feeling of adequacy. No, he wasn't alone... He'll never be alone!
"Did ya hear? That Uzumaki brat took down Mizuki!" Came the gossip of a local jonin.
"No way! Really?"
"Yeah, he even learned 'Shadow Clone Jutsu' to take him down!"
Unbeknowst to them, the ninja were listened by a certain class student.. Sasuke Uchiha, the best of the class and the 'Shinobi of the Year,' looked on his usual detached expression.
Before... In a very rare moment, the last of the Uchiha formed a smirk, almost smiling.
Little did Naruto know, he didn't just have one comrade. But many more to follow...
Fin!