Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto and associates. I do not make any money from this fictional series. I am only playing around the sandbox to create a fanfiction. In no shape or form do I claim any right over the characters in this fanfiction other than the characters that were created from my imagination. All praise goes to the respective creators for these series for giving us this wonderful story world to enjoy.
Chapter 1: Death? I think not!
When he came to, Naruto had first thought that he had come to the afterlife. However, when he saw the visage of the Shinigami, he bowed low and greeted the divine entity. "Hello Shinigami Sama." Naruto intoned. Naruto though he hadn't seen the Shinigami before knew without a doubt that the being in front of him was the Shinigami. The Shinigami then focussed on Naruto who was straightening up from his bow with his hands behind his head and a smile on his face like he typically does.
The Shinigami didn't speak at first. The being seemed to look intently at Naruto as if trying to figure out what to do. Then in a strong but raspy voice asked, "Uzumaki Naruto?". Naruto once again bowed and replied in a calm voice without a care in the world. "Hai, Shinigami Sama". The reaper let out a weary sign and motioned him to sit. Once Naruto was seated the Shinigami spoke, "I have been watching over your world for a long time now. It's not too surprising considering the amount of times I have been summoned personally to deal with your problems." Naruto gave a sweat drop. He knew that what the reaper said was true. Right from his Uzumaki ancestors to most recently himself had summoned the Shinigami to take care of their dirty work.
The blank stare the Shinigami was giving Naruto was starting to creep him out. Naruto then stands up and bows low to the ground and asks forgiveness from the deity for his actions. However, during his apology he begs the Shinigami to not send the souls back and that he would be willing to do anything to help his world survive. The Shinigami gives Naruto a weary look as says, "Uzumaki Naruto, arise. I do not hold you responsible for your actions, your hand was forced in this matter."
Naruto straightens himself and gives a megawatt grin to the reaper. "Ne Ne Shinigami Sama, don't I get to move onto the pure world? I have many that I need to greet after such a long time." Naruto was very much looking forward to moving on. In truth he was not tired of life, on the contrary, if he had a chance, he would go back in a heartbeat to be with and help his nakama. However, he from experience knew better than that to try and cheat death.
"Naruto, you have always done everything humanly possible to save the world", the Shinigami said and continued "You have sacrificed much for the sake of your friends and your village but that alone doesn't make you special." Naruto gave a small smile and a nod. "True, the life of a shinobi is filled with sacrifices. Many shinobi can end life quite easily forsaking their innocence and in some cases their sanity. Sometimes they even sacrifice their own life for the sake of their comrades or a mission. However, I believe that to truly be a shinobi you must be able to endure." The Shinigami doesn't say anything immediately but looks at Naruto and says "Uchiha Itachi". Naruto's eyes soften a bit and gives the reaper a small sad smile.
"You Naruto are the prophesied one. What makes you special is your capacity to forgive and to make your enemies see reason" intoned the Shinigami. The Shinigami then shows Naruto all the bad memories of his childhood along with the losses he faced along the way. Haku, Neji, Jiraya sensei, Hinata and many more faces flashed across Naruto's mind. "As to your earlier question, the answer is no" said the reaper. Naruto was perplexed. Did he not deserve the chance to move onto the pure world? He knew he had to make tough decisions along the way especially when he had become the Hokage, but those decisions surely do not outweigh the good he brought about right?
"Do not be alarmed Uzumaki Naruto. I merely answered your question. I still haven't said why." Naruto looked even more perplexed. All this talking in riddles was giving him a headache. Sure, he was not the knucklehead he was when he was a genin but hey he still preferred straight answers when possible! The Shinigami as though sensing his thoughts gave a wheezing chuckle. "It's not often I find someone from this world who wears their emotion on their sleeves like you do. I must admit it is refreshing and breaks the monotony that I have to deal with when sending souls to the afterlife." Naruto looked sheepish after being caught red handed. He felt as if the Shinigami had heard his inner monologue. Huh? What did he know? Maybe the Shinigami could read minds. "I assure you Naruto, I can not read minds" replied the Shinigami reaffirming Naruto's earlier thoughts in his mind to which the Shinigami sweat dropped.
"It's true that I said you will not go to the pure world, however, it was not said in anger" said the Shinigami. When the Shinigami saw that he had Naruto's undivided attention, the reaper became solemn. In a very serious tone, the reaper said "Death and life is a cycle. There is no life without death, one cannot exist without the other. Even I who is a divine entity, too have a death". Naruto was unnerved. He had seen some weird things during his long life, but never did he expect to have a conversation with death personified. The Shinigami continued, "You may now ask what the pure world is however, I will not part with that information. It is a secret that is not privy to the living". Here the Shinigami gave a wry chuckle.
"Uzumaki Naruto, do you know what I feel is most funny with what mortals think?" Naruto's face scrunched up in thought and replied, "Heh he, I do not know Shinigami Sama, I haven't thought much about death as I was never afraid of death. I had come to terms with it while confronting my dark side when I was trying to gain control over Kurama's chakra" said Naruto. "I couldn't give answer to one of Yami Naruto's question which was 'If my hatred for my enemies could drive to strengthen me, why would I want to get rid my hatred?' to which I had answered that strength could also be gained by willingness to protect my precious people". The Shinigami gave Naruto a blank stare, Naruto gave a placating gesture by raising his arms and said "The kicker was what Yami Naruto then said. He asked me how I will protect my precious people if I'm dead. He tried to trick me to give into hatred by saying that he could save my life by eliminating all my enemies". Here Naruto's entire demeanour changed. He stood up straight his eyes shone, he had a look of pure confidence on his face. The Shinigami was intrigued. It looked like Naruto had a good reason to not fear death. The Shinigami leaned in to hear Naruto's answer, it was very rare to see a mortal who truly didn't fear death. Naruto then gave his patented eye smile and with hands behind his head says, "If I die then I die". The Shinigami face faulted and crashed to the ground and mumbled something about happy go lucky blonds and much too salt in Ramen.
Naruto gave a hearty chuckle and said "I can see why you would say that. Yami Naruto was an extension of myself so I didn't have to explain my entire thought process. What I meant was that I don't need to hold onto and live in hatred to protect my precious people as I am not alone, if I fall, I have my precious nakama to depend on". The Shinigami knew from the moment Naruto started speaking that his reasoning was sound for that of the mortal realm and gave an approving nod and a smile. "It is a very well thought out answer. No one man can keep guiding the masses. They too have an end even though their ideals and visions may carry on. Therefore, the older generation always takes care of their young and teaches them their ways so that their will may be carried on".
The Shinigami made up his mind based on what he had know prior about Naruto and his interactions since he woke up in the realm in between. "As I told you before you will not enter the pure world however, I have a proposition for you. I will send you back in time to when you can right so many wrongs. I am a being who is outside of the realm of time and hence this is something that is within my power. Do you want to do this?"
To say the least Naruto was shocked. Never did he imagine that something like this was possible. Of course, there was the one time he was able to travel in past to the time his dad had led a team of AnBu, but he thought that it was a one-off occurrence. He intoned with the utmost respect to not offend the Shinigami, "Shinigami Sama, I am grateful that you deem me worthy for such an honor to correct the mistakes of the past. However, will this not bring back the dead? Is this not a taboo? Err, especially since you are sort of in charge of the dead?" Towards the end of his small speech Naruto was sheepish and rubbed the back of his head when he spoke about the duties of the Shinigami. The Shinigami continued his blank stare and replied "Once again you show much decorum. Many would have jumped at the chance of rectifying their past mistakes if only for making their own lives better. It warms my heart that not once did you think for your own gains." Naruto gains a tick mark on his forehead and says, "I thought you said you couldn't read minds!" The Shinigami gave a mirthful chuckle and says "Consider it as a test of sorts. Afterall this is an offer I have never made to any other".
The Shinigami then continues to say "As for your previous question, I do not care for dead people. My job is to guide the souls that are ready to pass on, this affords me the power to rip souls from their mortal coil should the necessity arise for it. The only exception I allowed myself to directly involve in mortal affairs is to be summoned to the mortal realm. However, there were safeguards in place to ensure that my powers may be used only by those of pure intentions. Even then I made sure to make the cost of the jutsu so high so that mortals do not play God." Here the Shinigami proceeds to walk with Naruto falling in step close behind. The Shinigami continued "Moreover, you of all people should know that I do not care about people coming back from the dead. If I did, I wouldn't have made it possible for the Rinnegan to have an outer path. I would have also wiped Konoha out of the map for the stunt Uzumaki Nagato pulled. This doesn't mean that I fully condone such actions hence the heavy penalty for using the outer path. It is the absolute law of the mortal realm that those who are alive will have an end in death. It matters not to me if you live five minutes or a thousand years, I will always come to collect your soul when it is time."
Naruto didn't dare to stop the Shinigami during his enlightening speech. He almost couldn't comprehend what the Shinigami was talking about. But it did make sense in a way. He had initially thought that chakra made anything possible, now he knew that what ever he saw people like Nagato and Uchiha Madara do was possible only because it was allowed in the first place. The Shinigami meanwhile turned to face Naruto and said "As it is for most things, there exists an exception even in this scenario. The Edo Tensei is a perversion of the Shiki Fujin. I initially was of the opinion to enforce severe penalty for that jutsu, however, the higher powers as you would call them managed to persuade me to reconsider my decision. Thus, when anyone uses that accursed seal, a part of their soul is eaten away. If by the end of their life they haven't redeemed themselves sufficiently, their souls will be condemned to be in eternal pain without respite". Now Naruto was wondering why he was being told all of this to which the Shinigami replied "Uzumaki Naruto, what I am going to attempt with you is something that is beyond human comprehension. I want you to be on top of your game so that you do not mess this up by you actions or inaction. Do you understand? I now await your response".
Naruto had a solemn expression on his face and replied "I understand Shinigami Sama. I gratefully thank you for explaining things to me". He then took a deep breath and with as much seriousness as he could muster replied," I am ready. I wish to go back to the past and do my best to ensure that balance is maintained". The Shinigami then lowered his cowl for the first time, giving Naruto the view of a wise old man. "Uzumaki Naruto, you have now convinced me thoroughly that this action is for the best. You have seen underneath the underneath and have correctly deduced that my purpose is to maintain balance in the mortal realm. As you have suspected the acts of the Otsutsuki clan has thrown the balance of life and death out of scale. Let me show you. Come with me Uzumaki Naruto".
Naruto was standing atop his head on the hokage monument alongside the Shinigami looking over the leaf village. The day marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the 4th great ninja war and the first day after the 5th great war. Naruto looked over to the large screen on which he saw Konohamaru give a eulogy for him. He noticed that what remained of the shinobi alliance was present in Konoha paying their respects to him. Konohamaru gave a touching speech extolling his virtues. Many more people came forward to either talk about his kindness or his prowess as a shinobi. Naruto was touched by their love for him. This affirmed his belief that he need not take everything on his shoulders and that he had friends that he could depend on.
The Shinigami then places a hand on his shoulder and shows him a different scene. Naruto saw the world burn. He saw a noticeably older Konohamaru defend the front line of a war that was in progress. It didn't look good for the alliance. The 5th war had almost broken the back of the elemental nations. Replacing true Kage level shinobi is not easy. What remained of the shinobi forces were not equipped to handle the remnants of the Otsutsuki clan. He saw the total annihilation of the elemental nations. The Otsutsuki clan didn't fare much better. With the death of many shinobi and dispersal of the tailed beasts, for the lack of better word to reform themselves, there was not enough chakra to go among them. Soon they fought amongst each other for the last remnants of chakra and slowly perished. Naruto by the end of the vision had tears in his eyes. All that he had known was destroyed. He now more than ever wanted to prevent this outcome. The Shinigami noticing his distress takes them back to the realm in-between.
After giving Naruto a moment to collect himself, the Shinigami asks, "Are you ready to begin your journey Uzumaki Naruto?" to which Naruto replies "Hai, Shinigami Sama". Naruto had a look of intense determination on his face, the Shinigami could feel the power of Naruto's unwavering will. "Very well" said the Shinigami. "By the time this conversation is over, you will wake up in the past. However, before you leave there are a few last-minute instructions that I need to give you. Are you ready for them?" Naruto simply nodded.
"Firstly, I will not impose any commandments on you. The free will of the mortals is Kami Sama's gift and I shall not infringe upon it. Hence, what ever decision you make will solely belong to you. Be warned, you are being sent to the past, all your actions will have consequences. It is up to you to make sure that they are favourable. I know that you have prior knowledge of the past due to your many research escapades throughout your self-imposed training period, make sure you utilise it to your advantage.
Secondly, as you have correctly deduced in your previous life, you are an ageless being. You will mature till your prime and then shall age no more. However, as you have found out it is possible for even you to die so don't get cocky. Use your special henge to blend in so that your age doesn't stand out. Next, you cannot have the same identical person to exist in the same timestream. Thus, when you are in the past, your soul, essence and chakra will be housed in a new body. Specifically, the body of a three-year-old kid who passed away during one of the skirmishes. Do not worry about your backstory for it is all legitimate. All you need to do is find it out based on your surroundings and family tree which will be available to you. Your chakra and potential will grow with you as you grow up, your memories will be intact so that your techniques will always be available to you. However, you need to train your body as it grows to utilise them efficiently. To prevent the paradox I mentioned, Kurama will not be sealed into you. He still has a lot of part to play in history. However, I will personally modify your seal in such a way that the two of you can still communicate with each other irrespective of the distance between the two of you. When the time is right you may seal him into your body without any adverse effects. Kurama too will retain his memories and as we speak is currently being brought up to speed.
Finally, I will be giving you two boons, the first is that I will be sending the soul of Hyuga Hinata back with you. She will not remember what is to happen in the future until you meet up with her. Once your bond is consummated, she too will become ageless but unlike you, her life force will be tied to yours". Naruto falls to his knees when he hears about Hinata. Truth be told he knew how dauting a task he had undertaken but he refused to doubt himself for the sake of his nakama. Now that he knew Hinata would be by his side, he felt much relieved. "The second boon is that you may come here to seek my guidance when you truly need it. I am not heartless as to leave you to flounder. Be warned, do not take this boon lightly, I am not to be trifled with. You may arrive here anytime by the dimension hopping seal you have developed". Naruto beamed at the Shinigami and once again gave his thanks with a low bow. The Shinigami accepted his thanks and said "We have spoken much. It is now time for you to have your second chance. I wish you luck". Naruto slowly felt his eye becoming heavy with sleep. He uttered one last thank you and fell unconscious.
27 years before Konoha was formed:
Somewhere on the border of Hi no Kuni and Mizu no Kuni, a wreckage of a wealthy hamlet was smouldering. There were bodies littering the streets. The smell of blood and burnt flesh permeated the crisp morning air. In short, death was rife. In one of the wrecked building lay a beautiful red-haired woman clutching a small red headed boy protectively. It was clear that the woman was dead, at first glance so was the little red-haired boy. However, the boy slowly stirred and opened his violet eyes that brimmed with life. Uzumaki Naruto, the Elemental Sage was back, and he was here to stay.