Naruto: Return From Darkness
"Kyuubi Speaking"
Thoughts
Speaking
/
2 months later
/
Hiro walked through the front gates of the village of Konoha, a place where he had been just recently. This time, however the reason for the visit was different.
As he strode through the main street towards the Hokage Tower, he received many looks. In his absence he had grown more famous, with mentions of a massive golden fox and the savior of the Hokage.
He smiled, the attention was something he was used to but not from these people. Then he frowned, doubting himself, and continued on his way.
/
Two boys and two girls sat eating together, one of them turned to look at the passerby and saw a familiar man clad in black with dual katanas on his back and a red scarf covering the lower part of his face.
"Look!" Sakura said, "It's Hiro! He's back!"
Jin shot up scanning the mass of people, "You're right! There he goes." He looked back to the group, "He left so suddenly we didn't have a chance to talk, I wonder why hes back now?"
Sasuke stood up as well, "There are some things i'd like to talk to him about, we should catch up to him before he disappears again." They all nodded and left their lunch behind.
Ino lagged behind slightly, Hiro... She shook her head before running to catch up to her group.
/
Though the group tried to catch up to Hiro they were unable to, but they were able to see that he was headed for the Hokage Tower. Following his lead they entered the building and made their way to the Hokage's office.
But before they could reach the stairs they were stopped by a Jounin, "The Hokage is in a meeting, you can't meet with him now." He said plainly.
Sasuke stepped forward, "We're a part of the meeting." He stated.
The Jounin shook his head, "I was instructed not to let anyone in, Hokage's orders." He ushered the kids back out of the building.
"Damn, looks like we aren't getting in at all, this place is crawling with Anbu." Jin said scanning around.
Sasuke sat down and the rest soon followed, "We'll just wait it out, i'm not leaving until I speak to Hiro." He said stubbornly. The others nodded and began their wait.
/
Inside
/
Hiro sat facing the Third Hokage.
The old man cleared his throat, "If you're here then you must know what i'm going to ask about."
Hiro nodded and looked around, "This room is safe?" He asked.
The old man nodded and Hiro continued by removing the scarf around the lower part of his face.
The Sandaime smiled and welled up a little, "It's been a long time... Naruto." He said quietly.
Hiro looked to the floor, "There is no Naruto." He stated firmly.
Hiruzen looked puzzled, "What are you saying?" He asked.
Hiro locked eyes with him, "Naruto died years ago, crushed by the responsibility of containing the Kyuubi." He explained, "Hiro Tatsumi was reborn from his ashes."
Hiruzen looked angry, "What are you saying Naruto." He said.
Hiro sighed, "I will not be returning to Konoha, it is no longer my home." He said flatly.
The old man clenched his fists, "This is your home, we've only just found you! You must return!" He grew louder now.
"Don't be mad, i'm old enough to make my own decisions." He said sadly, "And as you've seen, more than strong enough to defend myself." He stood up now.
Hiruzen frowned, "Where do you think you're going?" He asked angrily.
"Home." Hiro said.
"I don't think so!" The Third Hokage leaped up, aimed at grabbing Hiro.
Hiro just gave him a sad smile and disappeared in a blink of light.
Hiruzen flew through the air and fell to the floor, but he could just make out the words, "I'm sorry Jiji."
/
The genin sat outside, still waiting for Hiro even though it was long after dark.
Jin sat up, "Hiro's gone... He left, again." He said frustrated.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, "How do you know?"
Jin looked to the Hokage Tower, "I can't feel him anymore." He said.
Sasuke hit his hand on the ground, "Damn him!" He shouted angrily, "That bastard always leaves us in the dust."
Ino thought for a moment, "Well we don't know a whole lot about Hiro anyway." She said quietly, "But he wanted to help us, desperately even."
They all nodded, understanding her point.
She continued, "I don't really understand why though, he didn't even know us..." She said confused.
Jin looked at her, "I think that's just who he is, regardless of who, he just wants to help people... Because he can." He said looking up at the sky.
Sasuke laughed slightly, "It's annoying, but... it makes me want to help him, even if it's just a little bit." He said smiling.
Sakura nodded, "You know what we have to do right?" She asked the group.
They all nodded and said in unison, "Go to Kumo."
/
In Kumo
/
Hiro landed in his house and fell to the floor, That was harder than I imagined. He spoke to his friend.
But it had to be done, to free yourself from the past, wholly and truly. His companion replied.
Hiro nodded, I don't really know what to do now though. He laughed.
The beast inside him smiled, Live. Free and how you've always wanted to. He told his partner.
Hiro stood up, Yeah I have an idea now, thanks Kyuubi! He said happily.
His friend only grunted in response, and Hiro was on his way.
/
At the Raikage's office
/
Hiro easily entered and stood face to face with the Raikage.
The large man looked up from his work, "Ah so you've finally returned, what business do u have with me?" He asked, he never could be sure what Hiro's motives were.
Hiro stared at the man seriously, "I spoke with the Hokage and I've decided that this will be my home, my true home." He responded truthfully.
The Raikage chuckled, "That's great news, you're one of the strongest ninjas I know, you'll make a great addition." He said cheerfully.
Hiro paused for a moment, "Before that, I'm gonna need to tell you everything." He said seriously.
"Everything?" The Raikage asked, unsure by what Hiro meant.
Hiro nodded and the removed the scarf around the lower part of his face, "Everything."
/
A long time later
/
The Raikage rubbed his forehead, "This puts me in a tough place." He said tiredly.
Hiro understood, "I understand if you wish for me to leave." He said honestly.
The Raikage laughed again, "It's well worth it though." He smiled at the mysterious man er child?
Hiro smiled, a real smile, "If you'll allow me, I'd like to be an Anbu." He requested.
The Raikage nodded approvingly, "I'm sure it can be arranged, but it will take some time." He explained, "You're better of going home and coming back after a few days."
Just then an attendant burst into the room, "Four Konoha genin have been spotted on the south side!" She shouted, "Sorry for interrupting." She apologized sheepishly.
Hiro and the Raikage looked at each other, "That's quite a far way to travel.." Hiro commented.
"I'd be a shame if we didn't at least greet them..." The Raikage continued.
Hiro nodded understanding, before disappearing in a flash of light.
The attendant looked confused, "Where did he go, sir?" She asked.
The Raikage smiled, "His first mission as a ninja of Kumogakure." He responded.
/
With Ino, Sakura, Sasuke and Jin.
/
"Oh my god how much farther!" Jin said tiredly.
The rest of the group grumbled, understanding his pain, they had been traveling for days straight without rest, in order to see Hiro.
"Just a little farther... Just a little farther." Sasuke repeated, more than exhausted himself.
The group was stopped however by a big flash of light so much so that they all had to shield their eyes in order to not be blinded.
When the light faded, before them stood Hiro, just the man they wanted to see.
"Hiro!" Ino exclaimed surprised.
But Hiro wasn't as excited as the rest of them, "Why are you guys here, so far from Konoha?" He asked maybe a little angrily.
Jin stepped up, "We came here to talk to you!" He yelled at the man, "You left without saying a word, twice!"
Hiro thought for a moment before returning his attention to the Konoha nin, "You're right, I did promise we would talk." He said regretfully, "It's just that I had to handle some personal matters, but there are some things I need to tell you."
The kids looked expectantly at him as he started his story.
/
Some time later
/
Sasuke dropped to his knees and Sakura fell down as well, "There's no way." He muttered.
Hiro looked at them thoughtfully and thought it better to let them think on their own.
Ino looked at him, "Why didn't you tell us?" She asked sadly.
Hiro smiled sadly, "I thought it better to keep everyone in the dark, but now that Hiruzen knows theres no poi-" He began to say but was cut off by Sasuke.
"THERES NO WAY!" He shouted, "He's been dead for years... They told us... They all told us." He said angrily.
Hiro walked over to him and knelt down, "Naruto is dead, He is not me." He said explaining, "I am a ninja of Kumogakure and not the abused child that you knew."
Sasuke raised his eyes to meet him, "And Itachi, you knew Itachi." He said quietly.
Hiro nodded, "Indeed I did, during a darker part of my life I came across him, he was very similar to me." He told his little story, "So yeah I got to know him, at least pretty well I'd say."
Sasuke looked down and then back at Hiro expectantly and Hiro turned to look at everybody.
"Don't follow in my path," He started, "I've always been alone, but this is not the strength that any of you want." He continued, "Grow together, cry together and fight together. That is the only way you can truly grow strong." Hiro finished sadly, looking back at his life.
"But you're strength seems endless, who wouldn't want to be like you?" Jin asked, wondering what the man was talking about.
Hiro shook his head, "It's not fun, being alone." He explained, "And I went through hell to become like this, it's not something any person could do or should be expected to." Hiro raised his voice now, becoming emotional.
Ino frowned at him, "Regardless, you're as strong as a Kage, and you're our age, that is definitely something worth exploring." She said, desperate for Hiro's strength.
Hiro sighed, "I'm strong, I'm very strong, but it's not endless." He closed his eyes, "If you want to be as strong, or hell, even stronger than me, work together." He stared at the four genin before him, "Together you could accomplish so many more things than I could, I've thought about it for a long time, and it's the only way."
They nodded but still seemed skeptical.
Hiro spoke, "You all need to go home, being here like this, isn't safe." He explained, "But I'm glad you did."
The kids all smiled at Hiro as he turned around, but stopped after a moment, "I'm sure we'll all run into each other at some point, hopefully as allies." He said laughing while they all shuddered, thinking about Hiro as an enemy.
He gave them one last look, before disappearing in another flash of light.
The little group all faced each other, Jin sighed, "This just left me with more questions." He said frustratedl.
The rest of them nodded in agreement, Sasuke spoke, "We need to go home, this isn't our place." He said.
And so the group left, returning home and left Hiro to his home. But they would see him soon.
/
Yeaaaaa another one down! Hope this one is good, i'm not too sure myself haha
I've actually been thinking about doing a timeskip, and if you guys think I should or shouldn't I would love to hear your opinion! So please review, it does make the chapters come out faster when I see that I have an audience.
See Ya guys later!