Chapter 2: Gifts of the Shinigami
(Quick note: There will be several time skips through this and perhaps the next chapter.)
~~Tuyin Clan Compound six years later~~
Naruto groaned as he woke up in his bed, slowly getting up and slipping on his slippers before standing up and making his way to the small bathroom connected to his room. He flipped the switch on the wall before going to the sink and turning the faucet. He reached for his toothbrush, laying a decent amount of toothpaste on the bristles before starting his morning routine. It was just another day in the life of the Tuyin Clan heir. He spit the liquid from his mouth before looking in the mirror and seeing himself. His hair was growing long, just like his mother's. He lifted a hand up to feel one of the growing locks in his fingers as he played with the black tipped ends. He noticed early on that he was the only one in their village that had these naturally, since every time he cut his hair the black would stain the tips of the freshly trimmed hair. He thought it was strange, but like everything else about him he felt strange about, his mother and the Clan Council told him it was simply a gift from Lord Shinigami.
He took the cup on the edge of the sink and filled it with water before washing his mouth clean of any leftover spit from his teeth cleaning. He spit the contents out before reaching for a fresh towel on the rack across from the sink and went to shower.
The hot water flowed down the young boy's body, the room filling with steam as he preferred the water boiling. It helped him wake up, but not as quickly as he wanted to. He wasn't exactly thrilled to be getting out of bed so early in the morning after all. He scrubbed himself down before turning off the running water and reaching for the towel. Wrapped around him, he went back to his room where he got changed for the day. It was supposed to be a big day from what his mother said, and he was excited for it. His mother, Jin Tuyin, never disappointed him when it came to things like this. She was always straight with him, never telling a single lie to her precious son.
He put on his typical black pants and black undershirt before tossing on the kimono of his clan. He tied it firmly to his body, looking down at the blacked trimmed robe. He had to admit he liked his clan's color much more than the other clans'. He sighed as he went to his dresser and gingerly lifted up a simple silver necklace that was given to him for his fifth birthday. He put it on, smiling as he saw the pendent with the the village crest inscribed into it. The symbol was nothing fancy, just four lines making up the shape of a diamond to symbolize his village's ever expanding mines into the caverns they call home.
Now dressed and washed he walked out of his room. He made his way down the stairs to the dining hall, where he smiled seeing his mother sitting at the head of the table along with several other higher ranked members of their clan sitting along the table's sides. Jin lifted her head and saw her son walking in, smiling back at him as she waved for him to take his seat at her side. Naruto didn't hesitate to do so, sitting beside her and taking the utensils at the side of his plate before he dug into the large breakfast before him.
After eating and talking to the others around him, the maids came to clean the table and prepare it for the next time it would be used. Jin stood up and took Naruto's hand, leading him away from the hall and out of the large estate in the center of their compound. She led him to the center of the compound: a large sparring pit where a good amount of the clan was standing around as Jin took her son to the center at her side.
With pride in her voice, Jin spoke loudly for the clan to hear. "My family, today is a truly blessed day for not only us, but for all of Chikyukagure. Today is my beloved son, your heir's, sixth birthday!"
The clan members cheered with glee, smiling and shouting praise for Naruto who just scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Jin raised her hand to calm her clan down. "That being said, this means it's time for Naruto to formally start his training in the shinobi arts. With that in mind, I wish for all of us to assist in his training. And as part of the clan and of age, he is permitted to finally write his name in our clan's summoning contract."
Jin turned to a older member of the clan who made his way to her and Naruto, a large scroll in his hands. He leaned down and laid it down on the ground, letting it unroll til an open space was found for Naruto to sign. Jin smiled down at her son, nudging him closer to the older man. Naruto moved like he was meant to, getting down on his knees and biting his thumb like his mother told him he was meant to when signing these contracts. With his bleeding thumb he wrote his name on the scroll, watching in amazement as the red liquid turned black as it settled into the parchment. He turned his head, looking up at his mother and smiling. "Like that mom?"
The clan head nodded at her son, kneeling down and showing her the proper signs to perform the summoning. Normally it was greatly frowned upon for a man to attempt a summoning so young, but due to Naruto's rather large chakra reserves at his age she allowed him to try it. Naruto memorized the hand signs, and copied them point to point before slamming his hand down on the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"
A large puff of smoke formed around Naruto, making several of the clan raise their eyebrows in acknowledgement. As the smoke died out, a large creature now stood in the center of the sparring pit. Before Naruto now stood a large lizard, wearing a kimono gleaming bright with the lights reflecting against it's golden material. The lizard's scales were a brilliant silver, dazzling the young man as he looked up and saw the lizard looking down at him. His deep blue eyes gazing into Naruto's bright blues.
"You are the one who summoned me, hatchling?" The lizard asked, keeping his gaze to Naruto as the bot shivered at the deep, booming voice of the summon before him. He swallowed hard before answering back.
"Y-yes…I am Naruto Singami, s-son of Jin Tuyin and heir to the Tuyin clan. I have signed my name on your contract, and wanted to meet what I could summon."
The lizard smirked, looking at Jin. "Lady Tuyin, this is the hatchling you blab about to my mate?" Jin nodded in agreement. The lizard let out a chuckle, which was a bit unnerving to Naruto. "Is that so? If that is the case, I suppose it's proper for me to introduce myself. My name is Silver, Boss of the Metal Scale Lizards. I accept you as a summoner of my clan. Lady Jin has spoken highly of you hatchling. And if I am to understand, summoning for the first time means it is your hatching day no?"
Naruto had to think about what he meant for a moment, but Jin was quick to tell him that meant birthday to the lizards. Naruto nodded to Silver. "Yes, Lord Silver. I turned six today. The age where the young of my clan can write their name in the contract."
Silver nodded in acknowledgement, grinning if a lizard could do so. "I see. Well, I suppose a gift for my family's favored clan." Using his scaled claws he made a few hand seals before putting his hand on the ground. A small puff of smoke came from the ground before dispersing to see a small lizard on all fours on the ground. It's scales were a mix between silver, red, and blue. Naruto looked up to Silver, a questioning look on his face. The boss lizard smirked at the confused look.
"For you, young hatchling, I have decided to bestow you a true honor. Before you is a hatchling from my last clutch. She is new to life, no older then three in your human years. Her name is Keiko, the only female of my line. She will be your personal summon. And as such, it is up to you to raise and train her. Due to her lineage, she has access to metal release from my blood as well as fire and water chakra from her mother's blood. I give you this reward, Naruto Shingami, as a show of faith like Jin has done for us many times in the past."
With that Silver dismissed himself, leaving a scared Keiko who looked up at Naruto before making her way to him and bowing her head. "H-hello l-lord Shingami. I am Keiko. I guess you already knew that thanks to my f-father. Uhm…I am eager to be at your side, my lord."
Naruto, smiling softly at the young lizard, picked her up into his arms. This shocked everyone, since Metal Scale Lizards were known for being quite fickle being touched by those who haven't earned their trust. However, to their surprise, Keiko didn't bite or scratch at him. In fact, her slitted eyes went wide before nuzzling into Naruto's embrace.
"Hello Keiko, I am Naruto Singami, as you know." He chuckled, hearing her little hisses of amusement leave her jaw. "I look forward to working and growing with you Keiko, but please, just call me Naruto. I don't like the titles and such."
Keiko nodded her head before she slowly coiled around Naruto's neck like a scaly scarf. He brought a hand to her head, rubbing it gently as she relaxed around him. Jin smirked at her son as she watched this, the amount of pride in her eyes making those around them chuckle at seeing their head look at her adoptive son in such a way.
After the commotion died down, the clan members left the area and left only Jin, Naruto, and Keiko to talk.
"You know my son, this isn't the only gift you will be receiving today. All the clans wish for you to visit them so they may too give you gifts that the youth of their clan receive at this age."
Naruto looked up at his mother, Keiko sleeping soundly on Naruto's shoulders as her tail wrapped around completely to keep her firm against him. "The other clans? Mom, I thought clans were meant to keep their things to themselves. Why do I get to go to them for their gifts when no one in our clan or theirs do?"
Jin had to bite her tongue before she said something she shouldn't. She had to constantly remind herself not to tell Naruto what he was meant to be to this village in the future. She and the others agreed for Naruto's sake to not tell him he was destined by Lord Shinigami to be the next Kuraikage. She sighed, remembering the story they all agreed on. "Well, you see my dear boy, the clans see your potential just like I do. After all, you were given to us by Lord Shinigami himself, remember? Since your not directly blood related to any specific clan, they decided to treat you to their gifts to see if you can even use them."
Naruto nodded, remembering the story of how he was gifted to the village during the last Celebration six years ago. They still couldn't tell him anything from where he was originally from, because they didn't know. And the next Celebration wouldn't happen for another four years. But in the end he didn't really care to know. He knew that he was truly loved here, and the clans treated him with so much respect that he saw them all as his family. Something Jin and the other heads were happy to hear.
With Keiko still on his body he got up with the help of his mother, dusting the dirt off his kimono's bottom before heading to the nearest clan's compound. As he walked, he could feel his mother's loving smile and her caring eyes to his back.
~~Yantoro Clan Compound~~
The gates to the compound opened as soon as Naruto was just about to knock on it's large, impressive oaken doors. He smiled when he looked up to see Lady Madoka standing there with two guards at her sides. He bowed his head as low as he could without waking Keiko up from her nap, a hand nestling against the lizard's head and petting her while he returned his gaze to Madoka.
"Lady Madoka, I am sorry to bother you. My mother had sent me here for a gift she said your clan has decided to bestow upon me?"
Madoka smirked at Naruto's rather formal speech, waving her hand dismissevely before turning around and waved for him to follow. "No need for the fancy language my young friend. I have no need for it." She smirked and winked at him as she walked.
She was the main reason why he didn't really like titles and formalities used on him when others talked to him. She explained to him, in her eyes, its waste of precious air to use such words. She preferred to be upfront when she talked, only ever using the proper language a clan head would need to use when she was before Lord Shinigami himself, or when visiting nobles and lords came to the village. She let him walk beside her as they made their way deeper into the compound. She looked down to see the lizard sitting around his neck.
"I see you signed the Summoning Contract of your clan. Tell me, of which brood is this little darling?" She asked with a gentle smile to her aging lips, a hand caressing the spine of the small lizard as she slept.
Naruto smiled and looked up to Madoka. "She is the daughter of Lord Silver! He gave her to me as a personal summon. Though it's up to me to make sure she is trained and well kept. But that confuses me. I thought summons dispersed when the summoner looses too much chakra to keep the connection or dismissed themselves."
Madoka raised an eyebrow at the boy. "That is correct. So why does this confuse you?"
"Well, I don't feel any of my chakra leaving me with her here. And I didn't summon her, her father did. So how is she still here when she is gone?"
The older woman smirked, shaking her head at the amusing situation before her. "Well my dear boy, unlike other summoning contracts like my clan's for example, Metal Lizards take very little chakra to keep summoned. Their scales are naturally gifted with the ability to draw nature chakra from the world around them. In a simple sense, they are able to sustain their own chakra to keep themselves around when summoned. They only disappear when they want to, are too injured and need to return home, or when you dismiss them."
Naruto's eyes widened at this realization, looking to the lizard on his neck and smiling as she did a little yawn before waking up. Keiko looked up at Naruto and blinked. "Did I do something, Master Shingami?"
At that name Naruto rolled his eyes before smirking. "I told you Keiko, no need to use the honor titles. Just Naruto is fine. And Madoka here was telling me how your clan works."
Keiko nodded slowly before blinking and smacking herself on the head for not realizing what he meant. "Forgive me Master Shingami, I should have explained how we Metal Scale Lizards work when summoned. I will understand if you'd want me to be returned to my father in disgrace."
Naruto stopped walking, sighing and picking her up off his shoulders and smiling at her. "Again, stop with the master thing alright? It's too much for me. And no, there is nothing to forgive. You were tired, mom said when new summons are summoned for the first time it exhausts them more then the summoner. It makes sense you needed a nap Keiko."
If Keiko could blush under those scales she would. She nodded her head to Naruto, jumping out of his arms and returning to his shoulders much more alert than before. "Thank you, Lord Shingami. I will work hard on not letting my exhaustion hinder you from this moment henceforth."
The boy could only roll his eyes as Keiko now stood alert on his shoulders, constantly moving her gaze across the area like some sort of hawk looking for it's prey. During all of this, Madoka could barely control her laughter at Keiko's subtle refusal to call Naruto what he preferred. After a second to compose herself she smiled down at Naruto and kept taking him deeper into the clan's compound before reaching the meeting hall.
She opened the doors, showing him the the few dozen members of the Yantoro clan waiting for his arrival. As he walked down the rows of people he was shaking hands and offering humble greetings to each and every one of them. This was one of the main reasons why the four clans loved Naruto so much. He was truly a kind, humble child with a heart filled with care and passion. After finally shaking the last hand he was standing before the clan members at Madoka's side. She turned to him, putting her hands on his shoulders before getting down on a knee to be at his eye level.
"Naruto, as tradition of the Yantoro Clan, your sixth birthday is the day to see if the clan's gift from Lord Shinigami rests within your blood. Typically only those of our blood can have this Dojutsu, however, we believe since you were in the Pure World, his domain, as a child, his gifts he gave the clans may be resting within. As such, I want to test your eyes to see if the Desuaizu rests within you."
Naruto took a deep breath as he nodded, Keiko crawling down his shoulders and gripping the kimono's back to stay on him. Madoka smiled, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them up the ghostly blue pupils that were surrounded by the dark black now covering her eyes. The eyes glared into Naruto's own, making him shiver but not in fear, but for something else. He kept their staring contest going, not blinking or looking away as he felt the power of those eyes peering into his very soul. The clan members held their breath as they watched the ritual to awaken the Desuaizu, some hoping for it's success while others didn't believe in their head's assumptions. However, when Naruto started to have tears run down his eyes they knew what was about to happen.
Naruto took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, falling to his ass as he brought his hands over his eyes and rubbing them vigorously. Madoka smiled softly, standing up and waiting for Naruto to open his eyes. It took a few minutes, and the prodding of Keiko, for him to finally open his eyes. And when he did, Madoka and all the others there with them smiled brightly.
"Naruto, it seems my fellow clan heads were correct so far. Here, take a look." She offered her a small mirror that was on the ground beside them, letting him take it from her hand as he looked into the glass and almost dropped it. When he looked at his reflection, he saw the ghostly sapphire glow of his eyes that were in the center of the sea of black around it.
Slowly Naruto stood up, not letting the mirror leave his hands as he put a hand to the glass to make sure it was real. "So…I am a Yantoro too..?"
Madoka simply smiled at the lost boy, bringing him in for a hug. "You are more than any clan, Naruto Shingami. This alone proves that. I have faith in you my dear boy. Faith that you will be the one to finally show the world who we are."
Naruto couldn't help but smile, holding her back and unaware of the glares some of the men on the clan gave him since his head was dangerously close to being smothered in Madoka's rather large breasts. After a moment she pulled up away. "Now that we discovered you can use our clan's Dojutsu, we will begin training as soon as I and your mother talk with the other clan heads. For now, I want to give you this before I send you out to visit the other two."
She turned and stood up, motioning for a aide behind her to come to them. The aide bowed his head as he made his way to her, holding a small box in his hands before giving it to Naruto. Naruto raised an eyebrow before he spoke up. "But I thought awakening the Desauizu was my gift Madoka?"
She giggled and motioned for him to open it up. He did so, opening the box to see what looked like some sort of jewelry but didnt seem like any he knew about. He looked up at her confused. "What is this, Madoka?"
She smirked and leaned over to run her hand through his hair. "Well, Jin tells me you don't like cutting your hair, but it just gets too wild when it grows too long. So, I bought you these. You lace them into your hair when you braid them, giving you a bit of flare in your hair instead of have some boring braid to hide this wonderful color of yours. Besides, the four pieces in there have small metal plates that dangle from the base. Each one has the symbols of each clan on them."
Naruto looked back down at the box, taking one of the pieces and turning it over to see that the small, circular plate did indeed have the lizard scale symbol of the Tuyin clan engraved into it. He looked over the others, seeing the blue feather of the Yantoro clan, the crow of the Shintami Clan, and finally the broken ax head of the Rashi Clan. He couldn't help but smile at them before turning to Keiko.
"You know Keiko, if I am suppose to be representing the clans of Chikyugakure, then that means you will be too. We need to get you a kimono like the one Lord Silver wears. Have it have the symbols on it."
Keiko lowered her head in a bashful way, eyes looking up at Naruto as she rested her head on his shoulder as her claws kept tug against the back of his clothes. "Y-you think someone as lowly as me could have such a honor, Lord Shingami?"
"Yes, I do Keiko. Now please stop with the honorifics." He deadpanned, making some of the clan chuckle at their antics.
"I apologize, Shingami-senpai." She responded before returning her gaze back to Madoka while Naruto rolled his eyes in annoyance and little mix of embarrassment. He returned his eyes back to Madoka and smiled. "Well uhm…mind putting these things in my hair then?"
~~One Hour Later~~
It surprised Naruto how long it took, but seeing his long hair now laced up into braids with the adornments in his length made him feel pride in himself. During that time Madoka and a few others explained what the Desuaizu was and what it could do. They explained to him that it allowed him to peer through the veil of life and look into the Pure World. It also allowed the person to talk to the spirits within the afterlife, giving the user an unlimited amount of untouched knowledge of times past and gone. It wasn't a powerful bloodline compared to the others in the clans, but it was so valuable for the information fountain that it was.
After finishing braiding his hair and saying his goodbyes Naruto left with Keiko on his shoulders as they made their way to the next clan compound.
~~Shintami Clan Compound~~
Visiting the next compound was a bit of a trip, making the young boy huff as he made the trek up the slopped cave leading to where the Shintami Compound's cavern was. He understood the layout of his village. After all, it wasn't a hard concept to wrap your brain around. The village itself, Chikyugakure, was in the center most, largest and most massive cavern within the network with its only entrance to the village through the surface world was the hidden cave mouth deep in the dense jungles of a tropical island off the coast of Fire Country. The island itself was surrounded by a dense fog that the founders of Chikyagakure themselves installed into the air via a constantly active sealing jutsu at the island's core. The fog itself made it impossible for those who don't know the correct way to the island.
Naruto grunted as he finally made it to the cavern's mouth, smiling as he looked up to see the dense, heavily populated compound of the Shintami. Their compound was different to the other three, not having a gate nor any guard at the entrance of the cavern's mouth, but instead had the large Bone Lizards of their clan constantly keeping their eyes peeled out for any unwelcome guests. When said lizards saw the known boy walking to the inner buildings of the compound they simply nodded their heads, knowing that their keepers welcome the young male into their territory with open arms.
Naruto made his way through the crowd, many of the people having their own Bone Lizards walking at their sides or riding them like a man would ride a horse. As he made his way to the clan head's estate he wondered if Keiko would ever trust him enough to ride her like the Bone Lizards do to their companions. However, Keiko was hiding under the cloth of his kimono. That's when it hit him, he forgot Bone Lizards were known to cannibalize other lizards when hungry enough. He chuckled and let her hide, knowing not a single soul here would dare harm them.
At the front of the estate stood perhaps his least favorite of the clan heads, Kisho Shintami. He was a kind enough old man, but Naruto didn't like how he talked down to the younger clan heads. To him, experience was far greater than pure skill. With a deep breath he bowed his head, knowing that formalities were important to the old man.
"Greetings, Lord Shintami. I am here on the request of my mother and Lady Yantoro. I have received their gifts, and understand that you have requested I come and be given one of your own on behalf of your clan."
Kisho smiled and bowed his head in mutual respect to the young boy before him. "Indeed, young Shingami. Me and my fellow elders have prepared everything. Please, follow me."
Naruto listened, returning the smile before following him into the inner courtyard of the estate. Once there, he looked up to the roof of the estate to see the matriarch of the Bone Lizards of the caverns. Rikona, eldest and wisest of all brood mothers of the Bone Lizards, was far larger than any other. From snout to tail tip she was roughly thirty eight meters long, with the trademark bone spikes ejecting from the corners of her eyes, elbows, knees, and spine roughly four meters long. Her scales were the ashen gray that all other Bone Lizards had, but due to her age, some of the scales were turning darker. A sign that she was finally reaching the end of her nearly three hundred year old life. Naruto bowed his head to Rikona, who nodded her head with a happy hiss to her lips.
"First, before we test your blood my boy, Lady Rikona has decided to give you a gift that none outside the Shintami clan has ever been given. My lady, please bestow the gift of your choice to young Shingami."
Rikona nodded, reaching behind herself where her long neck stretched before picking up something off the other side of the roof with her jaws before turning back to Naruto. He in turn knelt before her, knowing that the elder lizard was keen to manners just like Kisho. When she saw him kneel she lowered her jaws and dropped two items onto the ground before him. When Naruto looked he saw a large, oval looking rock and what looked like a four meter long bone spike that obviously came from Rikona herself. Naruto took the items into his hands softly, the large spike heavy for the boy but the egg…the egg was light. He held it softly, looking down at it as he felt a warmth within it. After a few seconds to think, it hit him. He looked up back to Rikona and bowed his head.
"My Lady Rikona…I am honored by such a gift. Lord Kisho, this is what I think is right?" Naruto asked, turning his head to the elder after standing straight again. Kisho smirked before he spoke.
"Indeed young Shingami, that is an egg from Rikona herself. The last one she will lay as her time in the mortal world is coming to an end. You see, when Brood Queens like Rikona get to this age, they produce a single egg from their last clutch. This egg houses a very strong, very powerful Bone Lizard within. One destined to take control of the pack if allowed to grow properly. However, as you know, Bone Lizards are known to eat their own kind out of hunger or competition. It's for that reason that Rikona gifted you her final offspring. She hopes with you, away from her brood's territory, you can help raise the heiress to the brood without much interference for other brood mothers looking to take the position as queen."
Naruto, for the first time, was dumb struct at this. He knew about the Bone Lizards, sure, but he didn't realize exactly how cutthroat their species was. For intelligent lizards, they don't seem to understand the concept of sticking together it seems.
Rikona simply nestled the egg in Naruto's hand one final time before returning to her resting position on the roof of the estate. Kisho smiled at the faithful, dutiful, and loyal companion he and his forefathers had been with since the day they were able to tame the beasts. With a heavy sigh, he turned back to Naruto and smiled.
"Now, enough of that, come inside. I want to see if our theory of you is correct and you can obtain the ability of the Shintami Clan's Kekkei Genkai."
With the egg in his hands he followed through the door and into the study of Kisho's home. There Kisho scrambled about looking for a specific kind of paper, or at least that's what he told Naruto. After a few minutes of looking he shot back up from behind his desk, smiling sheepishly as he handed a small, blank piece of paper to Naruto. The boy looked at him, raising an eyebrow as he wondered if the old man finally lost his mind. Seeing the look on his face Kisho chuckled before speaking up.
"No, Naruto, I am not mad. That is Chakra Paper, people around the elemental nations use it when they wish to discover their elemental affinity for chakra. However, this particular version of the Chakra Paper is different. As I no doubt know, the Shintami are not only close allies to the Bone Lizards, but also able to tap into an element of Chakra nearly exclusive to the Shinigami itself, Death Chakra. Though not exactly useful for long range ninjutsu, it is wonderful for close range ninjutsu, taijutsu, kenjutsu, and in rare cases, genjutsu. Honestly, the things we have yet to try with our bloodline…"
Naruto's face deadpanned as Kisho went off on one of his famous rants about the possibilities with Death Chakra his clan could do. However, when he turned back to see Naruto he blushed a bit and bowed his head.
"Apologies young Shingami, I got carried away. Anyways, traditional Chakra Paper is unable to test for Death Chakra, my clan's Kekkei Genkai, and Spirit Chakra, the Rashi Clan's Kekkei Genkai. This is because outside of Chikyugakure, no known clan can wield this sort of chakra. Anywho, I want you to hold this paper and channel just enough chakra to flow into the parchment. If it decays, then you have the ability to use Death Chakra. If it phases through your fingers, you have Spirit Chakra. Now go on, try it out."
He looked down at the paper in his hand, Naruto not too sure if the old man was still sane if he thinks he could figure all this out with just a piece of paper. With nothing much to lose, Naruto held the paper in his hand tightly as he channeled a tad amount of chakra into it. To his surprise, the paper instantly reacted. The paper instantly started to decay in his hands, but at the same time, the paper slipped through his fingers as it decayed. Kisho smirked, clapping his hands together before speaking.
"Ah ha! Our hunch is correct! Lord Shinigami indeed blessed you with our gifts! Imagine, you have the ability of the Desuaizu, the chakra nature of both Death and Spirit, and have gotten your own clan's Kekkei Genkai as well. Young man, you indeed will become someone so strong that no other will compare!"
Naruto was quick to burst Kisho's bubble. "Sorry, Lord Shintami, but as much as me and my mother tried, I can not seem to awaken our clan's Kekkei Genkai. Life Essence manipulation is still far from my grasp."
This did end Kisho's ranting about how powerful Naruto would grow to be, but as he thought about it he turned to the boy with a surprisingly caring smile. "No worries, young Shingami. I have faith that you will unlock it within due time. Perhaps your body is not ready to handle the effects of something so unique. After all, that Kekkei Genkai is the reason why your clan is the most powerful of the village."
"However, it is getting late and I should send you to Lord Genkai at his compound. Do send him my best wishes for him and his newborn daughter. I hear that he and his wife are quite happy with child two."
Naruto nodded, bowing his head in regard to Kisho, saying his farewells, and heading to his final destination. On the way out, Keiko popped out of his clothes when they exited the eyes of the Bone Lizard guards at the entrance of the Shintami Clan compound. "Uhm, Shingami-senpai, you're n-not going to k-keep that egg a-are you?"
Naruto smirked and turned his smiling to Keiko. "Of course I am, Keiko. This is truly a very honored gift Lady Rikona gave me, this is her last child. And like you, I will raise her with love and care. We have to make her strong after all, I doubt the brood mothers now would wait very long before making a move to take Rikona's place the day she passes to the Pure World."
"But Shingami-senpai, her species eats lizards like me! How can you expect me to help raise her!?"
"Simple Keiko, we raise her to be different."
"My lord, you can't change someone's nature like that."
"Really? Because when I first met you not too long ago you were all formalities and proper eddicate of speech. And now here you are talking to me casually."
At that remark, Keiko again hanged her head bashfully before crawling back into his clothes. Naruto smirked, knowing he got the young lizard to think. And she did think. She thought about how a six year old boy was already thinking that he could change someone like her, or that creature in the egg.
~~Rashi Clan Compound~~
"Well, I didn't expect this…"
Before Naruto was a large, be it hilarious, argument between the clan had Genki and his wife. Everyone in the village knew how Genki got when it came to his children, and everyone also knew how his wife, Takara, was when it came to her annoyance at her husband's antics.
"I told you twelve times already, Genki! I Am. Not. Going. To. Hurt. You." She yelled as every word spoken she flung spectral looking kunai at the man running and dashing about trying to hide from his wife.
"My love, if this is about me repainting the house to match our daughter's eyes, I don't see why- AHH!" Genki tried to plead his case, but had to duck his head to avoid a kunai aimed for his forehead, and had to spread his legs desperately as another was aimed at his crotch. Naruto laughed his ass off seeing this, letting it continue for a bit before he decided to intervene since all the other clan members around were laughing too hard at the situation.
"Hey, Genki, mom sent me over here for something!" Naruto shouted as he watched Genki dive into a barrel to avoid more kunai. Everytime the kunai embedded into a surface they disappeared a few moments later into the air. He turned to Takara and smiled softly. "I hate to get in between the two of you, but I'll be quick. I hope little Uta and Takako are doing well. I bet Uta is excited to be a big brother."
As if on que Takara turned around and pulled out a cluster of photos out of seemingly nowhere. She smiled and started showing off the dozens of photos of her young son Uta holding his newborn sister Takoko. Naruto sort of hated being in this situation, but he knew distracting her with the love of her children would calm her down.
After a few minutes of looking over the countless photos Takara walked away, telling Genki she'd see him in their home soon enough. As she said they, she swayed her hips before turning around and winking at her husband. Naruto was confused at this action, looking to Genki for an explanation, but only saw the older man smirking at his wife as she entered their home.
"Uhm, hello?" Naruto asked, waving his hand in front of Genki's face to snap him out of his mesmerization. When he finally snapped out of his own little day dream he sniffled and wiped his nose to get rid of the little trickle of blood that escaped his nostril. He cleared throat before looking at Naruto.
"Ah, your finally here. Sorry about that. Last night when Takara was sleeping I painted the walls of our house to match the deep red of our daughter's eyes. She didn't like it, as you can see. Said I needed to add Uta's hazel too. Anyways."
He reached into his kimono sleeve, pulling out a small package from it's folds before handing it to Naruto. "Happy birthday Naruto. I figured that the old man already tested your chakra, so I didn't need to. So this is something else for you. I think you'll like it."
Naruto smiled, loving a simple gift instead of another clan Kekkei Genkai or Dojutsu. He opened the small package and found three silver coins. The coins had several markings on them, but at the center was the Chikyugakure symbol. Naruto looked up at Genki confused.
"Man, I bet everyone saw this confused look of yours today huh?" He said with a slight chuckle. "Listen up, you know about Zinan right? The best blacksmith in the village?"
Naruto nodded, still not following.
Genki sighed, pointing a finger at the coins. "I had a good talk with him a week you know, he doesn't do open business anymore, only specific, custom orders for people that know how to get him to do it. However, since I believe you are far too young to be risking your life to do what he asks, I did the task he required myself. Three times. Those three coins there show a debt he owes. So, when you finally decide what sort of weapon you want, give him one of those coins and he will make what you requested. Think of it as my clan investing in your future."
Naruto looked at him with utter amazement. He knew about Zinan's conditions, and how grueling and deadly it was to venture into the deepest reaches of the infamous Chakala Mine at the farthest ledge of the caverns. So for Genki to do it three times…it was a true testament at the raw power the young father had with his abilities.
"Thank you, Genki. I am truly grateful for this gift. I look forward to using them when the time comes."
Genki smirked, bowing to Naruto and in turn the boy doing the same. After that, Genki made up some excuse about having to go check on Takara about something. Naruto raised his eyebrow at this, not sure what was going on. He was confused why when he saw men get those stares and winks from girls they chased after them. He simply just shrugged it off to weird grown up stuff and finally made his way home to show his mother all the gifts the Clans had given him for his sixth birthday.
