So after posting part 2 of chapter 2 for my Shepherd's Uchiha story, I decided to come back to it. Only just a few weeks after posting did it blew up! Many people loved it, and, seeing as the feedback was positive, I thank you guys for the kind review. I myself am excited to take this story somewhere. Listening to Silhouette by KANA-BOON; the 16th opening of Shippuden to hype myself and to push myself to write this chapter. Not to mention it kind of fits within the theme of it. To me at least. It's also a catchy and great song in general.
So here is chapter 2 of The Shepherd's Uchiha.
In order to save something dear… wars are waged. As long as there is love, there would be hate.
-Minato Namikaze
Kakashi Hatake.
If a person, any person, were to hear that name now, they would immediately answer with a knowledgeable answer or an unknown one. But by how widely known the name was, it was impossible for the latter to ever happen. All around the Leaf Village and even outside, the name was recognized all over. For how popular the name was tacked onto it was titles; popularity merited such recognition all over.
The Copy Ninja. Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. Both granted to him after the former, which Kakashi was given by the jutsus he copied within the course of his lifetime serving in the ANBU in the Third War. ANBU were elite group of ninjas, or task force, under the orders of the Hokage, the leader of the village. Unlike regular ninjas, who worked their way up to ranks and certain missions, ranked and assigned to them, the ANBU specifically were assigned S ranked missions; missions of the highest caliber and difficulty. Only a few select few ninjas ever were ANBU, and Kakashi was both lucky and skilled enough just to be in the force.
The latter of the title, was given to him by his Sharingan Eye, embedded in his left eye. The Sharingan was considered to be one of the Three Dojutsu and with its appearance being well known. Consisting of a blood red with black comma like markings spiraling around the ocean of red, the dojutsu, when activated, granted the user enhanced perception and the ability to read and copy movements and jutsu. The latter title gave to him then to his former. The Sharingan Eye and its prowess was limited only to the Uchiha Clan of Konoha, and as it was also known by a select few of Kakashi's closest confidants, as Kakashi himself did not want to divulge the information to any more people than his friends, Kakashi was given the Sharingan Eye by his teammate Obito Uchiha, one of the few members of the prestigious clan, after in a mission gone awry after another teammate of theirs, Rin Nohara, had been captured by enemy forces. However, later in what would be known as the Fourth Ninja War, Kakashi would lose this eye.
For the time now, after the Fourth War, after the bloodshed that came and past, Kakashi was given a new title that quickly gained recognition just as soon it was announced.
Sixth Hokage.
Kakashi himself didn't expect the role and the title coming with. When he returned, at first, he imagined himself to just retire from the ninja service altogether. After service in over the ANBU and fighting in both Third and Fourth wars, they had taken a toll on the man. He had seen enough fighting. He had seen enough comrades and enemies die. A bevy of missions he had completed over his service and he did not want to do any more.
Then, just a meager one month had passed, Kakashi was given the title of Sixth Hokage by Tsunade.
Kakashi questioned the decision of Tsunade. He had asked the former Hokage what made her choose him to be her successor. Tsunade had been the Fifth for over years and hearing her handing the role to him was completely unexpected, not to mention questionable. Tsunade herself was also still fit to lead the village for years to come, thereby negating the point of succession. He stated that it was too early to announce her successor.
Her answer was simple, Kakashi had remembered. He had the qualities of the Hokage. He had fought for the village long enough and embodied the Will of Fire. The Will of Fire was her grandfather's belief that love was the key to peace, and for each Leaf Shinobi to fight, cherish, and protect the village as long as they breathed. Kakashi had the prerequisites and all the makings for one.
It was too late to deny. Tsunade had slammed the successorship paper in front of him at the Hokage-his desk-that day on his coronation. He didn't think he could deny the title. She would not take no for an answer and he knew.
So with resignation, he accepted the role as the Sixth Hokage.
Pretty ironic. Again, the man thought himself far from being Hokage. Naruto's dream was to be Hokage; his former blonde student had claimed he would be the leader of the village. His sensei was Hokage; the Fourth Hokage, after the Third Hokage suggested him for a vote to be his successor. Even Kushina, his sensei's wife, had her aspiration to become Hokage, from what his sensei told him.
The title of Hokage was not easy, Kakashi knew. The job and title of it came with work and crucial work to be done. Every individual in the village looked up to you, because you were the person leading them. Ninjas and civilians alike. With the title came the most important task of it all:
Paperwork.
Kakashi knew for all his talents. For all his experience on the battlefield as a ninja. For his prodigious achievement obtaining the rank of Jonin at a young age, and for his scores of success as an ANBU member, never did he think that there was a foe he could not beat.
Except this one.
His black eyes narrowed down at his foe in distaste. His foe did not stare back, for it had no eyes of any sort. It was not blind, because his foe was not organic or living. It was genderless and devoid of life.
Kakashi was not studying his opponent; there was no need to, for if he did then it would be a waste of time. He knew everything and more about his opponent. He knew it well enough. His foe had lines of text down and down. Deadly. It was deadly.
This was paperwork in its given form.
Kakashi had battled many foes. This was something he could beat. But it was a tough one. An opponent that had no knowledge about him, yet it was deadly and infamous all the same. He had the advantage of every bit of knowledge of his foe, but it was still not to be underestimated. He proceeded with swift efficiency and caution, befitting of his former ANBU training.
Lidded coal intently stared at the sheet in front of him, narrowing as his brows furrowed downward slanted. His hands clenched into fists, burning white from the knuckles hidden entirely by his gloves.
He was ready.
The foe in front of him was unaware of the man's intentions, lying on its backside. The two were not hidden from each other and were in plain sight. The words scrawled met Kakashi's eyes in a battle of wills. Kakashi tentatively raised his right hand up, the left still gripped into a fist underneath, and positioned his pointer and middle finger up, the rest were buried, tucked into his palm, and his thumb curved over. From the folds of his sleeves, he produced a pencil, the tip sharp, holding the object with his thumb. This was a sign for shinobi combat. Considered universal, it was an indication of ready combat. His opponent gave no sign back, for it had no limbs. It always seemed to be ready.
Then, just as Kakashi was about to lash out, just as Kakashi was poised to strike, he released a sigh.
His bated breath came out in a sharp exhale through the mask he wore, obscuring over a large portion of his face from nose down. His right hand dropped down in defeat.
He couldn't beat it. No Hokage could beat it. Not even the First. Not even the Second. Not even his sensei, the Fourth.
This he realized, was also another reason why Tsunade handed the role of Hokage to him. She couldn't handle the demand for paperwork, or she was so lazy that she turned the role over to him.
Damn it.
Turning away from his victorious opponent and accepting the lost, he opened the desk drawer beneath the top of his desk, bringing out the small orange book that brought him comfort. Make Out Tactics. He could never get old of Jiraiya's famous series. Flipping to a random page, he idly begins to read, draining time away with his hobby. He only manages to succeed to read a page, before there is a sound of an object hitting the floor.
Looking down, Kakashi turns away from his precious book to see the picture of Team 7 on the floor. His feet were on the desk's edge, and Kakashi realized that he kicked the photo down.
Setting aside his book on top of the paperwork and leaning down to pick the photo, held by the wooden frame, up, he looks at the photo's contents. There was him on the top, both his hands were on a blonde and black haired boy. Naruto and Sasuke respectively. The two were glaring away from each other, looking opposite ways, Naruto's lips turned up into a vicious scowl. Below them and in between was a pink haired girl, smiling in the photo. Sakura.
Kakashi couldn't help but smile, the expression hidden underneath his mask. His team. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. His students as well.
As his eyes rolled over to Naruto, he couldn't help but reminisce of the blonde boy's dream. The sight of him on the photo brought back many memories of the past, to where they had first assembled and introduced themselves.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki! My favorite things to do are playing pranks. I like ramen, all kinds! What I especially love is when Iruka-Sensei takes me out for some at Ichiraku! My dislikes are waiting for instant ramen to cook because it's not instant then if I have to wait five minutes! My dream… my dream is to become Hokage so that everybody in the village will finally acknowledge my existence!"
Naruto did. The village-no, not just the village. All five villages saw him as a hero. People of all over the Land of Fire had come just to visit the man who was the central figure in the Fourth War. Naruto had become a legend in the eyes of the entire village. Defeating Pain had gained the acknowledgment he wanted. Saving the entire world, breaking free of the Infinite Tsukuyomi cemented his status. And lastly, the word of Naruto's parents, mainly his father, added to his reputation. Though Naruto wanted to keep his heritage tight knit as possible, it, unfortunately, was unavoidable, given that Naruto himself confirmed that the Fourth was his father when the revived leader had joined the battlefield. Many ninjas looked at the blonde Hokage to the blonde boy; the resemblance was uncanny. Kakashi was sure that Naruto had regrets confirming his heritage, but it was too late. The blonde had pulled himself into the pit of a celebrity status all over the Land of Fire and beyond. His mistake had brought him more attention if the former two weren't already giving him enough.
Kakashi was slightly worried that Naruto's reputable status might target enemies; rogue ninjas or any of the sort, after the blonde, but he dismissed it. Naruto was strong enough, and he had his friends with him. He would be fine.
He would become a great Hokage, Kakashi was certain. Unfortunately not as of now. The blonde was still a Genin; the lowest of the ninja rank. Past events had never allowed the blonde to move up in rank despite his considerable strength. As of now, Kakashi was undoubtedly certain the blonde was working up to the next rank, Chunin. And then Jonin.
When Kakashi was well over past the role and fulfilled his duty as the Sixth, he would turn it over to his blonde student. That, he promised.
Looking down to the sole and only female member of the team, Kakashi looked at the girl's smiling face; young and pure. Sakura.
Sakura came from a civilian family, having no ninja parents holding a reputation. Yet despite this, she blossomed and grew, having trained under Tsunade, one of the three legendary Sannin and the best medical ninja in the village. Now she surpassed her, holding the title of the best within the Leaf. Tsunade was proud of her.
Her dream was as clear as day, he remembered.
"My name is Sakura Haruno. My likes are…" The pink haired girl shoots an emerald glance at the black haired boy sitting to her right, before turning it down to her feet.
"Your dislikes?" He asked.
"Naruto!"
Kakashi couldn't help but smile at the blonde boy's reaction to Sakura's dislikes.
Continuing where she had left off, she states, "My dreams for the future are…" The girl purposely cuts herself off, unlike her trailed off first answer. The young pink haired girl shoots glances at the black haired boy, her face growing red, before she attempts to bury her face into her arms.
Sakura had blossomed as her name. She truly held the title of the best medical ninja. A well deserved title. She had the medical ninjutsu to back it up for nonbelievers or any who doubted. Her title as a medical ninja also however led her to the hospitals. Work needed to be done for all those injured; either from simple jobs such as construction or even a ninja returning from his or her mission.
Kakashi turned his gaze to his final student. The black haired boy. Sasuke.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. There aren't particularly many things I like. Except tomatoes. My dislikes are aren't much either. My dream for the future are…" The boy momentarily pauses, before looking up with eyes that held everything including anger. "No, it's not a dream. I will make it a reality. I will avenge and revive my clan and kill the man responsible."
Kakashi could not smile at Sasuke's dream now. He could not. Revenge. He didn't smile back then, only looking at the boy with understanding and a slow nod. Sasuke's dream. It started with hate and anger and led to even more hate and anger. The boy became consumed wholly by it, drowning further and further.
"Sasuke… I've said this once before and I'm going to only say this once and once again: Don't become consumed by vengeance!"
The black haired boy smirks at his teacher's response, before his callous smile dips into a scowl. "And I'm going to only say this once. Stop talking like you're still my teacher!"
"Please Sasuke. Revenge can't be the only thing you only care about now. Look deep inside yourself. Try to look deep in you and you-"
"Still reciting the same spiel?" The boy sneers, but Kakashi continues as if he didn't interrupt.
"You'll see that there is more." He finishes, watching intently.
Sasuke stares his moon dark eyes into Kakashi, piercing him with a narrowed gaze. The man did not know what his student was thinking, with his gaze onto him. Perhaps his student was considering his words?
Then, Sasuke begins to laugh. The boy is laughing and he doesn't stop. Tremors racked the boy's body at his laughter. The boy laughs and laughs at his former teacher's words, ringing out for the moment, before the boy once again fixes Kakashi with a narrowed gaze.
"My mother… my father… Itachi… Bring them back! Bring all of them back!" He shouts. "Bring them back and I'll stop! I'll stop right now and return to the Leaf!"
"I told you Sasuke-"
"And I told you, Kakashi. In fact, if you want to be the first, then fine. I'm just itching to kill you!"
Hatred… He's so consumed by hatred and darkness he's barely even recognizable anymore...
"Oh, and I thought you would like to know… before you Leaf Ninja came, I killed one of the elders of the Leaf responsible! You know him well enough."
Kakashi didn't even need a few seconds to know who Sasuke was referring to. His eyes widen in horror. Besides him, he can barely hear Sakura gasp.
He-he killed Danzo?!
The man didn't even need to glance at his female student that she too was thinking the same. It would be a needless gesture; her gasp showed enough.
The boy's grin grows wide at his horrific actions perpetrated. "I feel like I'm finally purging and cleansing the Uchiha name! Starting with Danzo and then those others responsible! And then finally the entire village itself!"
"You always repudiated the Uchiha! So fine, I'll help erase the Uchiha from your memories! It will begin and end with the destruction of the Leaf! That, in turn, shall lead to the clan's true restoration!"
What Sasuke has said back then. Kakashi remembered those words as clear as he remembered Naruto's dream. It clung onto him like a leech. Unwanted, as dark and very bitter.
Revenge. Revenge drove the boy. It was his drive. From the time back then since his dream and then against their home village.
Revenge was what had led them up to this moment.
Sasuke had turned into a criminal. If Naruto's and Sakura's status were famous, then Sasuke's was the opposite: infamous. His infamy spread all over the Land of Fire. With his black-haired former student's status also came claims and rumors: he was a psychopath, he was a rapist, he tortured and experimented on people just as Orochimaru did. It just made people believe the report, and further cemented their belief that the Uchiha should have been imprisoned or executed.
Kakashi knew those claims were nothing more than concocted conceptions; made up by individuals who wanted nothing more than the Uchiha to suffer, for they despised the boy for his actions. Naruto and Sakura vehemently denied the claims, as they were former teammates of him. The day they lashed out was something he could only understand. He had never seen such a volatile reaction from them before. But they were understandably furious. Sasuke had killed people, yes. He had done terrible things, yes.
But he wasn't that low. He wasn't the person they conceived him to be. The fact that these rumors were designed to draw and paint the Uchiha further into a despicable man. Their hatred and anger for the man were blinding them, but in cases most certainly reasonable for what information was provided. Though those ignorant could not tell from fact to fiction.
Kakashi himself was livid. But he chose to rein in his temper, to not show it. A lifetime of Shinobi-and status as ANBU-training gave his mask and tone nothing but a neutral and indifference, gave him more control than both Naruto and Sakura.
With a sigh, the man sets the frame back onto his desk stand. Abandoning the paperwork, his orange book, and the desk both objects sat on for the time being, and for the fact that staring at the picture of his students, especially Sasuke, would bring back more unpleasant memories, the man takes a few steps up to the bookshelf sitting at the side of the wall in his office. The vast rainbow collection of the spines met Kakashi's lazy gaze.
Kakashi didn't have any single intent to read the books in the bookshelf, nor did he care for the contents within. Merely, he was just busy glancing at them to pass the time. Completion of paperwork was far from what the man wanted to do as of the moment, and though the small Make Out Tactics book sound tantalizing to go back into; was tempting, the picture of Team 7, his team, brought back unwanted memories, even if they all stemmed from Sasuke; the cause and origin.
If Kakashi went to retrieve his book, then he was afraid he would see the dark haired boy's photo, bringing up the wellspring from the murky depths within his head, and see Sasuke's descent; his memories of the fallen boy, and his failures.
He could not deal with that. Two happy memories were not worth it if one of them were dark hate.
"Lord Hokage?"
Kakashi whipped his head around, turning to see a white mask, intricate marks painted onto it. He knew this person. One of the ANBU ever since Tsunade and still working under him after his coronation. "Dog! What brings you here?"
The man under the mask dips his head down. "Crucial information sir. This information requires your attention… if you're not busy, sir."
Even if the mask obscured his entire face, Kakashi knew Dog was referring to his paperwork, as the man tilted his head to the sheet on the desk, but that could wait. Paperwork could always wait. "Very well. Explain."
The man nods, "This information is regarding two of the village's ninjas ever since. In fact, the latter of which is connected. I believe that your former student, Naruto Uzumaki, has also information regarding this, due to the latter connection."
"With who two ninjas are you referring to?"
The man paused, "Shisui Uchiha of the Body Flicker and Jiraiya of the Sannin."
This caught Kakashi's full attention. He himself barely knew Shisui, only having met on a couple of occasions, but he heard stories of the man and from what he heard, the man was powerful, talented, and largely respected by the entire village. He was also one of the members of the clan and possessing the famed Sharingan like many others.
Even after the Uchiha clan was considered by most be utterly resented because of both Itachi and then the last Uchiha, Sasuke, there was one Uchiha nearly all the village had respect and admiration for, and that was Shisui. The man, unfortunately, had his life cut short when he committed suicide; a suicide note in his handwriting was proof. Though Kakashi suspected that there was more to the incident than meets the eye.
He knew Jiraiya however. Not only the man was the author of his book, but also a powerful ninja in his own right. Holding one of the titles of the Three Legendary Sannin, the man was also Naruto's teacher. If the information regarded Jiraiya, then it included Naruto too, for he was connected in this, not just by the word of his ANBU but also the relationship between the master and the student.
"Continue." He acquiesced with a nod.
"Regarding the journal of Shisui Uchiha and Jiraiya of the Sannin. The former was retrieved from the Uchiha compound, inside the home of Shisui, after abandonment by Sasuke Uchiha. The latter of which was found by a hidden vault.
Kakashi blinks in surprise. Journal? And the latter in the vault? Kakashi thought soon after the Sannin's death that the entire ANBU dug up every hidden information and collection of items to give to Naruto. After all, he was the Sannin's student. Apparently, if only now was this information was discovered, then Jiraiya wanted this to be kept a secret. But why?
"What does the information contain for both journals?"
With a breath, the man says, "Information regarding both ninjas travels to the country Ylisse. Far from the Land of Fire."
"Ylisse?" Where has he heard the word before…? He knew it was a place. He knew it well enough as it was discussed in the past by him with a few others. His eyes slowly began to rise in realization, as the bits and pieces from his recesses are snatched up and pulled entirely out, reviving them.
That's the place where… didn't Jiraiya mention to me that he visited Ylisse once with Lord Third, Tsunade, and Orochimaru when the three were younger under Lord Third's tutelage? Didn't… Yes… Naruto told me he went to Ylisse with Lord Jiraiya during the time the years away from the Leaf during their training trip. From what Naruto said…
Kakashi delves into his memory.
"Oh yeah, I also visited a kingdom called Ylisse! Me and Pervy Sage went to it during our training!" Naruto exuberantly shouts, recounting one of his travels.
"Ylisse? Where is that?" Sakura asked. "I don't think that's anywhere near the Land of Fire or any of the other nations."
"That's because it isn't." A deep voice rang out.
Both Naruto and Sakura turned to see a man with long white hair tied into a ponytail.
"Pervy Sage!" The former shouts. "What took you so long?"
Jiraiya shoots an irritated look at his student for the name but looks back to the pink haired girl. "Had to just finish talking with Tsunade. Now… what's this you asked about Ylisse?"
Sakura repeats her question. "I don't think I ever heard of a place such as that. It's not anywhere near the Land of Fire or the other four villages. You've been there, Master Jiraiya. Where is it exactly?"
The toad sage nods his head. "You're right. It isn't anywhere near the Land of Fire. In fact, its past that and beyond."
"What do you mean by that?" Curiosity gets the better of her. "Do you know, Naruto?"
Naruto's shrug was her only answer. "Percy Sage said that the country was allied with the Leaf ever since the First Hokage came and visited it! He also said he visited with Old Man Third with Granny Tsunade and Orochimaru many years back when the Old Man was their teacher."
Sakura looked at the Toad Sage in wonderment, surprise, and curiosity. "Is there more to it?"
Jiraiya nodded and Naruto answered. "Oh yeah! Pervy Sage also said that the country was in a continent called Valm. It also had dragons… Man-something! and the country worshipped the dragons like a religion."
Sakura nearly choked. "Stop lying! Dragons? Like in those myths and stories? Those creatures?! You must be joking!" She couldn't fathom a country where it had the mythical creatures. In the Land of Fire, dragons were considered nothing but myths and stories to children. Her mother had told her a tale of one when she was little for a bedtime story, and that was proof that they didn't exist in a single bit.
"Nope!"
Jiraiya lets a chuckle lose on his lips and shook his head. "Manaketes, Naruto. And to answer your question Sakura. Yes. Dragons do exist."
Sakura gaped. "How is that possible? And wait, are these Manaketes and dragons related?"
The man rubs his chin; a philosophical look in his eyes; a sparkling green in them. "Well, I suppose I can tell you. Pull up a chair." Both teammates did, as they glanced up at the Sage. "This is what the Old Man has told me and Tsunade the first time we visited it."
"And Sakura?" She nods. "If you are still confused, then go to Tsunade. She might fill out the information I do not recall."
At another nod, the man begins his tale. "Well, where to begin… Ah! Here we go! Centuries ago, when the continent of Ylisse was formed, the First Hokage entered the continent. In what the Old Man had told me when he was told of the First Hokage's visit, he said it was a different realm."
As Jiraiya eagerly relays his story to them, the three were unknown to the figure watching them from afar, hidden in a large group of trees.
Yes. He was watching the three chat and talk of Naruto's travels. Sakura was still ecstatic to have her blonde teammate back, and she demanded, asking for the many places he had visited over his training trip. Kakashi himself was curious too, wondering what one of the many places and people Naruto had met. But he didn't want to announce himself or be seen by his students or the Sannin, for they had a mission, which would force Jiraiya to stop talking.
"Lord Hokage? Lord Hokage!"
Kakashi snapped himself out of his thoughts. "Oh, yes! You were saying?"
The man nods, "As I was saying, I think you might want to see this." The man holds out a parchment paper.
Kakashi takes the proffered piece and scans the contents. His eyes widen. "This letter… it's directed to Naruto and Lord Jiraiya! By the prince of…"
"Yes, sir. The letter was directed to both Lord Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki. As far as I know, this was a request for the two to come to the land to help assist in the war between itself and Plegia."
As Kakashi takes in the information, basking in them, he looks up and asks, "When was this sent?"
"An estimation, sir, would likely be over months back."
Months back… Naruto would never have known of the letter. He went away to Cloud to master the Nine Tailed Fox's chakra, in addition to his training to find his chakra nature… Lord Jiraiya died, so he couldn't deliver the request. Completely unaware of the directed request in the letter.
And war. No matter which country or kingdom or even village, there always seemed to be war. It only begged the question, one that had Kakashi slightly worried for its long time yet tight kept ally.
Was the kingdom in danger?
Kakashi looked down back into the contents.
Naruto, Lord Jiraiya
If you are receiving this letter, it has been years since we last met. How are you doing? I hope that you are doing well. My sister, Lissa, and my retainer, Frederick, both say hi.
Unfortunately, as much as I would like this letter to be nothing but a chat between friends, it is not.
I have come with a request for assistance from my home of Ylisse to Konoha. There is a war that is breaking out between my homeland and the country of Plegia. As much as I would love to meet you again, and I'm sure Lissa and Frederick too, especially Lissa, and many other of my friends, unfortunately, I understand if you do not have the available time. In that case, please send this letter to the Hokage and Ylisse's request for a force to be sent to the country.
Chrom, leader of the Shepherds and Prince of Ylisse
Kakashi stared at the name and contents with a blank expression. Then, after a moment's pass, he looks up.
"Go retrieve Naruto. Tell him to come to my office. I need to ask him a few questions."
So that was the second chapter. And for those who are worrying, have no fear. Sasuke is still very much the main focus on this chapter and whatnot. The point of Kakashi asking for Naruto was to create background exposition.
Unlike in canon, I decided to fix and brush up on what was never touched or ever explored. Considering Sasuke's former status as an international criminal, there may have been rumors of Sasuke being a rapist or generally like Orochimaru. Sex was never considered in Naruto since the series only has ever gone to gore, but since this story is rated M, I would not put it past many like-minded people who hate him to conceive Sasuke as that. (And of course, I warned for sexual content) The latter is, of course, his former apprenticeship under Orochimaru.
I would also suspect that these may have been falsely spread because I will repeat: THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO STILL DO NOT LIKE SASUKE. It was never shown in the series but who's to say that Sasuke wasn't even disliked or despised for his actions? Many feel that Sasuke should have been executed or imprisoned for life, so they made up rumors and spread false imagery in order to make the nations order his execution again. It's also more realistic in a sense. When you've seen as a criminal worldwide, even just in a city or state, not even the entire world, there will be those that will despise you simply because of your crimes. Pickpocketing from a store and caught? A crime frowned upon no matter how little or innocuous it seems, even despite your reason.
The point of Naruto's heritage isn't also touched on, for some reason. Given that Naruto had told Sakura without the fact that there were a bunch of other ninjas scattered around the battlefield out loud, it shouldn't be possible for the entire village or even other villages to not recognize this fact and not merit any attention after. Of course, Episode 480 of Shippuden showed a crowd of people attempting to see and visit Naruto, but I'm sure that was because of him being a central key role in the war's end, not because Minato was Naruto's father.
I didn't see any difference if Naruto's heritage was widespread and known throughout, so I fixed it up. Naruto gets even more damn recognition than ever before because of it: He confirms something. He lives by it.
The geography of both the entire Land of Fire not to mention alongside the five villages, adding alongside Awakening's continent of Ylisse took me a while to do. I was trying to find a way to connect both in, then I realize that Naruto's training trip was the perfect way to do so, alongside Jiraiya being a student under Hiruzen. Since Naruto's training trip utterly lacked any semblance of the places of his travels, (besides a few various fillers in the video games) adding Ylisse in was a perfect fit to that gap left behind. The latter the same, only to add onto Jiraiya's backstory without changing what was already established. The Sage of Six Paths, or the Otsutsuki in general, had something called dimension or realm hopping.
To answer the question simply: it's both combined and another universe. More so on the latter part. As Jiraiya has put it, it's a different realm.
For those who actually want to see Naruto meeting Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick, that is a story for another day. As it takes place in between Naruto's training trip and before Shippuden, I am interested in creating a story for that, though that won't come anytime soon.
As always, feedback is appreciated and I'll see you guys next time.