Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters
"Normal speech"
'Normal thought'
"Demonic speech"
"demonic thought"
Jutsu/technique
The Masked Man and The Masked Boy
Chapter 3:
The Beginning of the Shinobi Path
Konoha
Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting in his office and thinking what to do now.
And he was angry more on himself then anyone. He went and sat behind his desk and sighed. He disliked days like these when he felt his age.
He may be the Hokage, but he was also a weary old man. Ever since he had returned to office after Minato's death, he had started to get tired easily.
After the village had stabilized, a year later, Sarutobi had tried to find a replacement. He had sent messages to both his students and both had turned him down.
He knew that Danzo would have jumped at the opportunity, but Sarutobi also knew that he wasn't an option.
Only a few people know of Naruto status as an Jinchuriki but Danzo destroyed Naruto's childhood when he put his mans to start to spread gossip around the village about Kyuubi sealed inside Naruto's body.
When Naruto turned 5, he started living in the apartament under the Anbu supervision. The apartament belong to Minato before he moved with Kushina.
Now, Naruto wasn't the Kyuubi nor was he some manifestation of the Kyuubi. The Yondaime had made one last wish that Naruto be regarded as a hero of the village for keeping the Kyuubi at bay. Unfortunately, the Yondaime's dying wish was ignored and the village began to torment the child.
He made sure to forbid the village from even mentioning the Kyuubi. Unfortunately, this resulted in the village shunning Naruto.
He would have adopted Naruto but having a kid with blonde hair being adopted by him it would have been very easy to be found out he was Minato's child. And the other villages could have try to assassinate him and he couldn't raise him properly since attention to the child despised by the entire village would have raised questions by the village council. He was supposed to treat everyone fairly, and Naruto was no exception.
He had no choice but to help Naruto while staying in the shadow because these bitter old man and Danzo watched every move he made.
He found out that the Anbu who were put to watch over Naruto were put under a genjutsu. That can explain why no one tried to stop that Masked Man.
But to be able to do all of this so easily.
'Just who the hell was that Man.' Wondered the Hokage.
'I have failed you Naruto.' Thought the Hokage.
As a Hokage, he had no excuse, if he wanted he could have put a stop to it, but he let his compassion for the villagers blind him to the injustices faced by Naruto.
Sarutobi gazed to the Hokage monument.
Then he said more to himself than to anyone else.
"I wonder if you will forgive me, Yondaime." He sighed.
He managed to get information from someone on some words the Masked Man talked with Naruto.
And so he returned to his office to reread the conversation.
So have you reconsider my offert and join me? Or you will remain a loser forever in this deep hole of Hell.
Maybe you were right, let's make a better world.
From today you will be the savior of this world.
Even if he doesn't show it back then, Naruto was greatly affected by these incidents. So he was not surprise he went with that man…to be 'the savior of this world'...
His thoughts were interrupted by a visitor and he was angry at him.
As soon as Danzo entered the room, he saw that Hizuren was in a bad mood. He looked like the man that the ninja world had come to fear.
'How long has it been since I saw such fire in his eyes?' Danzo thought.
"Hello Danzo, what can I do for you today?" said Hiruzen as he was in no way ready to deal with this man.
Especially today.
"Now tell me Hiruzen, do my ears deceive me or I am really to believe the rumours about the Jinchuriki?" said Danzo.
"You'll have to be more specific Danzo, I'm not a mind reader." Said Hiruzen sarcastically.
Even if he had a jutsu with which he was able to watch over Naruto in these years he didn't have one for reading minds.
"I'm talking about him failing the academy for the third time and that Masked Man who he went with!" said Danzo as anger rose in his voice as his hand gripped his cane until it creaked.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and regarded the man with a cold hard stare.
Hiruzen said nothing.
Infuriated by the man's silence Danzo continue his tirade, not letting the lack of a response deter him.
"What are you going to do Hiruzen? Our weapon was stolen!" Danzo shout.
...
Still no reply. His anger edge up a notch. He slammed his hand on the desk. "Say something damn it!"
Finally when he thought the Danzo's anger had perhaps ran its course, then he spoke.
He spoke carefully and clearly.
"What would you have me say Danzo? I'm not the one who leaked the boy's status to the village. If there's nothing else. Leave me be, unlike you I have a mountain of work that needs to get done." Said Hiruzen without a second glance.
"One last thing before I grant your wish and leave. Have you thought about what you will tell that student of yours? Will he come back to help?" asked Danzo.
"For a while, at least. It is about Minato's child after all." Said Hiruzen.
Danzo did not remark in surprise on Sarutobi's reply as he would have done usually.
They were being honest for the time being.
"Well, goodbye Hiruzen and good luck with that."said Danzo as he turned and exited the office.
Hiruzen was feling like his failings in dealing with Naruto's treatment at the hands of his villagers had come to haunt him.
"I'd like you all to introduce yourselves." Kakashi Hatake said, after his team settled down on the rooftop of the academy.
"What do you want us to say Sensei?" The pink haired fangirl asked.
Kakashi had a boredand face. Sasuke had blank face. Sai had that creepy fake smile that looked totally weird on his face.
Kakashi shrugged, leaning back on the railing he sat on. "Not much. Your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams for the future that sort of thing. Since you asked, you will introduce yourself first."
"Could you give us an example Kakashi-sensei?"
"Hmm..." Kakashi looked up in thought. "I don't see why not. I'm Hatake Kakashi, my likes and dislikes are none of your business. Dreams... I have many hobbies."
Everyone sweat dropped at Kakashi's introduction, all having the same thoughts going through their heads.
'All we learned was his name.'
Kakashi looked back to Sakura. "You can go now pinky"
"Uhhh. My name is Haruno Sakura... I like" she turned to Sasuke and blushed slightly. "Well... My dreams for the future? " she turned and looked at the brooding Uchiha again and her blush deepened. She also squealed slightly, making those with sensitive ears wince slightly. "Hobbies?" Sakura turned back to Sasuke once more and her blush got even darker.
'Oh boy, girls her age are more interested in boys than ninja training.' Thought Kakashi.
Sasuke wasn't listening. He was staring at the sky, fantasising on ways to kill his brother. He had pretty dark and gruesome thoughts for a 12 year old.
Kakashi was staring at Sakura with a bored look.
Sai just smiled. As usual.
"OK you now! In the middle. Pale boy." Kakashi said.
Pale boy, known as Sai looked at Kakashi with that eerie smile. "Hello. My name is Sai. I don't particularly have any likes or dislikes. Same goes with dreams. I do however draw as a hobby."
Simple, short, Straight forward.
Kakashi's gaze lingered on Sai for a few more seconds before moving to the last of his team.
"Ok, your turn now." Kakashi said, pointing at Sasuke.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate many things, but I don't see how that matters as there is almost nothing I like. I don't really have any hobbies either. I don't have a dream, because I will make it a reality. I'm going to restore my clan, and destroy a certain someone." Sasuke declared.
'As I thought.' Kakashi thought. "Very well, tomorrow we will begin our first exercise as a team on training ground 7." said Kakashi.
Next Day
"You all fail!" Kakashi said. "You have no hope of becoming ninja, quit now and save Konoha and yourselves the trouble"
"WHAT" Sakura screamed. No way, Sasuke-kun would never forgive her.
"I'll give you one more chance to get the bells from me," passing the two bento boxes to Sai and Sasuke he finished "Don't give any to Sakura or you'll automatically fail."
With that the Copy Ninja disappeared in a swirl of leaves, leaving the Genin hopefuls to eat by themselves.
Pushing the lunch box to Sakura, Sasuke said "Here, eat, we'll all need our strength if we want any chance to get those bells"
Sakura was shocked "What, you heard Kakashi-sensei, he said" She never got to finish as Sai interrupted, "He's long gone, Sasuke is right"
Hesitantly Sakura started eating. In a swirl of leaves an enraged Kakashi appeared and screamed "You all!" before pausing and finishing in a much quieter, sweeter voice "pass."
All three Genin were dumbfounded 'what but he had said.' Their thoughts were interrupted by Kakashi starting to speak.
"Those that abandon their mission are trash, those that abandon their comrades are worse then trash."
Gesturing towards the Memorial Stone he continued "That's the memorial for Konoha's greatest hero's. The brave ninja who died in the line of duty. All of my best friends names' are on that stone" He finished quietly.
"Meet here at 8 tomorrow for out first mission" And with that he was gone in a swirl of leaves. Leaving the Genin to their own devices.
"So...Sasuke-kun would you like to go on a date with me?" Sakura asked the aloof Uchiha.
"No," He replied before turning and walking away.
"Why would he go out with you when that Yamanaka girl is so much better looking?" Sai asked the pink haired Kunoichi.
Screaming she launched herself at the ink user leaving Sasuke to look on from a distance thinking 'Oh well, it could be worse, I could have the dobe on my team'.
Not everyone know about Naruto's 'betrayal' but even like this things were changing.
The teams were going to get more training than normal and be ready for anything coming.
Madara's Cave
Tobi or Madara… he was the man that Guru-Guru would talk about a lot when Tobi was gone.
The Masked Man was described as a powerful shinobi, with ambition, with a goal of a peaceful world. He was the hero to the world; he was the man who would fix the problems for everyone. Well, at least those were the stories that were said about him in the beginning by Guru-Guru.
The week was almost done and Naruto was happy as he will finally get some ramen to. He started to enjoy the other food he got to but nothing was like some old good ramen.
His training was going well Tobi-sensei even said he will learn him another jutsu soon. Wich only motivated Naruto even more to continue the training.
"How old were you when you graduated Tobi-sensei?" asked Naruto.
"I was nine years of age." Said Tobi.
Naruto was shocked the man was so young.
"And I was eleven when I became a Chunnin," The Masked Man went on and in a way he felt satisfied with himself to know how old he was to have gained to such a rank at his age. He remembered he felt so down when he failed his first attempt in the Chunnin Exams… He felt he was a weak Uchiha as he was considered the black sheep of the Uchiha Clan.
Why was he talking about the past again? There was no point in even thinking to the things that are gone. He was no longer that person. He was Madara. No he was No One.
Obito uses different masks to distance himself from his past. He used Madara persona not only to fulfill the infinite Tsukuyomi. Obito spend more time as other people then himself. It easier for him to surpass 'Obito'.
Obito wanted to be No One.
"Hey Tobi-sensei you ok?" asked Naruto as Tobi didn't move for 1 minute.
"In Konoha you would have done this activity with a leaf or a pice of paper forever but we must surpass the weak, now open your hands and show me your progress" said Tobi as he changed the subject of their talk.
Naruto opened up his hand and grinned at the Rock that his Chakra tore in half, his Chakra was more powerful than it ever had been.
Tobi's training was a success.
Tobi was thinking soon they should test Naruto into a mission.
Naruto could combine with Guru-Guru giving him temporar Wood Release.
Or he could go with Naruto into his mindscape and use his Sharingan to control the Kyuuby so Naruto can start to master that power. And use it to defeath other Jinchuriki.
There were more things to think of but Tobi was already distracted by Naruto.
"I did it! Thanks Sensei!" said Naruto as he wanted to hug Tobi but like the all other time he tryed he went right thought him and fall on the ground.
Even so he had finish another day of training but then something come into his mind.
"Hey... if you know about the Kyuuby attack do you happend to know who my parent were or what happened with them?" asked Naruto as he thought about asking this.
Toby and Guru-Guru stay silent for a minute. They both were there in that night.
Guru-Guru was thinking to answer with what he remembered in a very optimistic way. 'Your father was a speed master and he lost his life even faster.' was what Guru-Guru thought will be a good answer. Not wanting to make Naruto sad.
But Tobi beat him to this and said. "Your parents believed there were more important things than your own life…"
Tobi wasn't entirely lying. Minato did give up his life and in a way... sealing the Kyuuby in his child for the sake of the village…
"But why me? And who were they?" asked Naruto.
"In this cruel world we live in, it shouldn't come as a surprise," Tobi said not answering the second question.
"I guess I'm not good enough," said Naruto actually believed his own words. "I'm never good enough... That's why my parents abandoned me… huh…?"
Guru-Guru pullled Naruto into a hug. "Don't say that…" said Guru-Guru. "You're one of the best friends I ever had! Your no longer alone anymore."
Naruto locked at him and he was right he was no longer alone and he was going to help them save the world.
"I know what can turn that frown upside down! We will get you some ramen for dinner!" said Guru-Guru.
Naruto's eyes glowed immediately at the news and he forgot about all his problems for now.
"Yes!" Naruto yelled with his hands up. "Ramen is the best!"
A moment ago, he was hearing the story of how he is so hated. Yet he found something positive to focus on.
Obito wasn't a fool. He knew the boy felt the pain inside. Naruto just chose to focus on the brighter things in his life.
As he thought about it, Obito felt a stab of annoyance.
How could the boy just glide over the messy portion of his life? Didn't he know he was supposed to be unhappy?
"How can you just smile?" Tobi asked, his voice full with anger. "Do you not feel anything? Is there no pain in your heart?"
Naruto watched Tobi with seriousness. "I do, dattebayo." He said simply. "That is why I know, that I must continue to be happy. If I don't, I lose my own self, we are not monsters, we are humans."
Obito just stared.
"When I was young people tought that my fate was, to be in pain for the rest of my life. Or even to become evil." Naruto took a deep breath and continued "I have fought against it since I was young. No matter what happens, no matter how many times they strike me down, I haven't truly lost until I don't stand up and smile again." Naruto's voice broke a little. "No one can take that away from me. I choose to ignore the pain and find whatever happy thing I can. To me, that little happy moment is more important than the pain in my heart." Naruto took another breath "That is why I know that you too can stand up again, whatever your pain may be."
Guru-Guru locked at them they were both like Yin and Yang and like two opposite sides of a coin who used to be same side.
Obito listened to the boy's reasoning.
And he was losing control of his rage.
"One can achieve true happiness by abandoning reality and ridding yourself of the memory of your past. And that is what im going to do I will bring everyone the happyness they deserve." said Tobi triyng to control himself. "Everyone who keeps living in this world will become trash just like us."
"Maybe your right. If having the Kyuubi sealed in me somehow makes me less of a true shinobi or a trash. Then I'll just go and crush all of the so-called real Shinobi." said Naruto.
These words Naruto said were so similar to what he promised back then.
'In the ninja world those who break the rules and laws are regarded as scum, but those who would abandon even one of their friends are even worse than scum. I'm scum anyway, so I'm going to choose to break the rules. If doing that somehow makes me less than a true shinobi, then I'll just go and crush all of the so-called real shinobi.'
From that day Obito already said to Kakashi that he will become a scum and that he will crush all so-called real Shinobi and it was not a lie he was going to change the Shinobi world. So people like Kakashi will no longer have to suffer or talk with a rook every day instead of their friends.
"There is no such thing as hope, the concept of hope is nothing more than giving up, a word that holds no true meanings. You didn't ever had to face a war. Or the Shinobi world yet." said Tobi.
Obito convince himself the world no longer matter and should be replaced with the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"You are right. I haven't ever experienced those. So I don't know what to say about it." said Naruto with a very serious expression on his face. "But I am sure, if you tell me, I will show you the way where you can smile again. You can't hide your wounds forever."
This was a promise he was going to remove that mask one day and watch him smile again.
A part of Obito wanted to breck Naruto and to prove he was not mistaken in the path that he chose. And another part just wanted to leave from there.
The last sentence was not something Obito ever wanted to hear again.
"Naruto, if you fail at the things you were entrusted with. I wonder what will you think of yourself after. If you postpone dealing with problems and cover it up with the word 'hope' all that awaits you is an empty reality." said Tobi.
"I'm not sure what to answer for now more then If I fail then i'll just keep going again and again. I never stop trying." said Naruto.
"We will see about that very soon." said Tobi then teleported away from there.
"Oh… I was hoping he will like to eat ramen with me..." said Naruto as he wanted to try and see what was behind his mask.
"He doesn't eat." a dark, rough voice said behind Naruto.
Naruto recognized the voice that belonged to the dark side of Zetsu.
"Ohh…" Said Naruto.
Naruto wanted to help them save the world but he also wanted to be friend with the real Tobi or Madara who was hiding behind that mask.
Kamui Dimension
Obito had teleported to his dimension, where everything was dim and many different sizes of prisms were scattered around.
He stood there for a moment unmoved.
He clenched his teeth hard, shutting his eyes. He wanted everything to end now.
The day was getting into his head too much.
Why couldn't anyone understand him…?
Why couldn't Naruto accept the world they lived in was worthless? Everyone was going to turn out to be trash just like him. Such thing was unavoidable. All the shinobi in this world will become trash.
Why did Madara save him?
When he had first meet Madara he had mistaken him for death but what he didn't know was that Madara was really death who come to take him to hell.
And Madara even confirmed he was death in a way. He can't even kill himself now because of that seal Madara implanted in his heart.
Obito owned Madara his life and he had opened his eyes about this world. He wont deny that. But somehow, he know Madara was just trying to use him as a pawn to fulfill his ambitions.
That why he was not planing to bring Madara back to life. Obito wanted to be the one who will save this world.
Because if he didn't...
Everyone will just end up like him.
He was a lost soul, one that didn't want to be saved.
What was the point to be saved? So he could suffer more?
But there was something what Obito Uchiha didn't know yet.
That is that no matter how much you hide, Naruto Uzumaki never gives up on his friends.
Author Note (warning: potential spoilers)
I didn't have too many ideas for this chapter.
I didn't mentioned on the other chapter but I think Naruto will fight with Gaara before the chunin exam.
Suggestions are good if anyone wants to give me some.
Thx for the answer on the other chapter review it gave me some ideas I can use.
Hope you enjoy this chapter.