Naruto was force to cover his eyes from the harsh sunlight upon exiting the cave. After his eyes adjusted to the sudden bright light Naruto saw a massive forest full of large trees that looked to be redwood with bridges spanning between different house sticking out from the sides ranging from small tree houses, and tree forts that a little kid would play in, to mansion built into the trunks. What stood out the most was that the whole area looked like the sight of a war fought using paint bombs as the only weapons. Every were foxes of all sizes roamed with the number of tails ranging from one to eight with a raccoon appearing every now and then.
"So that cave has some special property about it that allows those of the fox summons or their summoner to travel to the summoning world?" asked Naruto having just listened to the explanation from Kitsudo who had taken to riding on Naruto's back and guiding him over his shoulder.
"Yes, and you were able to enter without being either because of me accompanying you through," responded the fox.
"Okay so why is it that some foxes have multiple tails?" wondered Naruto looking at the multitude of multi-tailed foxes.
"The number of tails helps identify what the Fox's skill set usually includes," explained Kitsudo," One tails like me are information specialist and tend to get no bigger than the size of a large house cat. Two tails mostly specialize in espionage and counter espionage and are around the size of an average dog. Three tails are weapons and taijustu expert around the size of a grown adult. Four tails are about the size of small bison and are mostly beasts of burden though they don't mind, they think of it as training," under his breath Kitsudo mumbled, "bunch of meat head. Anyways, five tails are mostly transport or battle mounts bit bigger than an elephant. Six seven, and eight are more diplomatic than the others this being why the chieftain of the foxes comes from one of these groups. They range from the size of a small whale to that which rivals some of the smaller Biju, for which several trained capable of large scale combat. Not all of us follow this tradition, like master Kitsoda who practices medical ninjustu and senjutsu."
"Senjutsu?" question the blonde.
"I am not the one to explain it. Truthfully I don't truly understand it myself," answered Kitsudo," but master Kitsoda is old as dirt and can throw the eight tailed foxes around like rag-dolls using it and he isn't much bigger than me."
"That is so cool. do you think I could learn it?" asked a now excited Naruto.
"Older you must be, to learn the art of the sage," came a new voice much older voice. Turning their heads Naruto and Kitsudo saw a small green elderly one tailed fox with his ears flopped down the tips pointing in opposite directions. He wore a small brown cloak and walked with a cane ( Arthur's note: just imagine fox Yoda).
"Master Kitsoda!" chirped Kitsudo happily.
"Kitsudo. Good to see you, it is," responded the elder fox, "A new potential summoner, I see you have brought."
"Yes master Kitsoda," answered Kitsudo hurriedly.
"You talk weird," said Naruto blatantly as Kitsudo paled.
"First to say this, you are not," replied Kitsoda in an even tone, "Follow me, the chieftain I will bring you to." After that the elderly fox began to walk down the path toward a tree that was larger than all the others. Upon arrival at said tree Naruto bore witness to the largest gate he had ever seen, even bigger than the ones along Konoha's walls.
"Wow. This thing is huge," said the blonde.
"Well with the size some of the foxes and raccoons here it kind of has to be," responded Kitsudo.
"I noticed those. I thought this was the foxes home, why are their raccoons here?" asked a curious Naruto.
"An alliance we have, with the raccoons, us foxes do," explained Kitsoda.
"Less an alliance more a close friendship. We are pranksters they are thieves. Most of the other summons don't like us for this. We have agreement they steal us out prank supplies, and we don't prank them," Kitsudo elaborated.
"Wait you guys are pranksters?" asked Naruto with sparkles in his eyes.
"Yup, some of the best," answered Kitsudo happily.
"Now I want to sign this contract even more," said the blonde. Entering through a small door in the gate Naruto witnessed quite a sight. Inside appeared to be a grand mead hall with tables of various sizes most likely for the different sized foxes. At the end of the hall was a large throne like structure that seemed to be carved out of the tree. A massive eight tailed fox with bright golden fur. Black markings resembling tattoos stretched across its fur.
"Lord Kitsaura, a new potential summoner, young Kitsudo has brought," said Kitsoda to the Goliath fox before him.
"Is that so," responded the golden fox in a deep booming voice, " let me see this new summoner." Stepping forward Naruto bowed realizing that if he pissed of this giant he would most likely die, Kyuubi regeneration or not.
"Hmm, a great choice you have found young Kitsudo, I can sense a benevolent chakra within him and by the strong sent of a fox on you I presume you are the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi," said the large fox in a knowing tone.
"Y yes I am," answered Naruto still nervous.
"Hahahaha, no need for fear young one. I shall not harm you," Kitsaura told Naruto with a laugh.
Slightly calming down Naruto asked, "So may I sign the fox contract?"
"Yes of course. We of the foxes would be honored to have the container of the Kyuubi," answered Kitsaura. With a snap of his clawed hand a three tailed fox in full suit of red samurai armor carrying a large scroll. Kneeling before the fox chieftain the armor clad fox unrolled the scroll revealing several smudged names. The scroll unraveled until there was a blank space. "In blood sign your name and place your fingerprints in the blank space," instructed Kitsaura. Following the instructions Naruto signed the contract.
Before the samurai fox could vanish with the scroll Kitsudo spoke up "Lord Kitsaura, I would like to request to be Naruto's personal summon," asked Kitsudo with a bow.
"What brings this upon you Kitsudo?" asked Kitsaura.
"I Wish to help him as I feel as though do to his status and what I witnessed after he helped me in the forest he does not have any friends or family," explained Kitsudo.
"I see. I shall allow you to do so. Merely place a bloody paw within Naruto's fingerprints," said Kitsaura. Upon the completion of the overlay Kitsudo climbed up Naruto's back poking his head over the young boys shoulder.
"Before you leave Naruto you must be given the mark of the fox summoner. Kitsoda if you would," asked Kitsaura. Stepping forward Kitsoda asked Naruto to take off his shirt. Naruto complied sitting down while taking off his shirt, Kitsudo moving so he could as Kitsoda placed a hand on Naruto's right shoulder. A slight sting stuck him in his shoulder.
"Kitsudo being personal summons to young Naruto, your blood we should use," said Kitsoda.
"Wait blood?!" asked Naruto in fear.
"Do not worry. A drop required, for this seal," explained Kitsoda. A confused look replaced Naruto's look of fear.
"We foxes have a pseudo bloodline. This seal gives you a sort of copy of this bloodline," explained Kitsaura.
"Bloodline?" asked a still confused Naruto.
"A bloodline is an anomaly of the DNA that allows the wielder to use unique techniques. An example is the sharingan of the Uchiha," answered Kitsaura, "Our is not very flashy, giving us the ability to use all five basic elements and give no chakra signature even those of us with massive reserves."
"Okay," said Naruto calming down. Kitsudo placed his still bloody paw atop the seal on Naruto's shoulder were it began to glow.
"Finished, it is," said Kitsoda when the seal began to dim down.
"The seal reacts to your will you can change it however you like with just a mental command," explained Kitsaura. Hearing this Naruto got an idea, sending the mental command the seal began to glow and contort expanding across his shoulder and down his back. When the seal dimmed down it revealed the appearance of a tattoo resembling a nine tailed fox with the head of such in place of the original seal.
"Cool. Is there anything else that I need to do before I can go home? I think I have been gone to long and Jiji might start to worry," asked the blonde.
"If that is the case I shall not hold you any longer. Just take this it explains the summoning justu so you may call on us," answered Kitsaura before the armor clad fox handed Naruto a small scroll be for disappearing with the fox contract.
"Thank you, Lord Kitsaura," said Naruto with a bow. Standing back up Naruto moved towards the door Kitsudo ridding on his back. Once Naruto and Kitsudo had left the other two foxes had remained.
"A curious one, young Naruto is," said Kitsoda.
"A curious one indeed. I sense that boy will accomplish great things in the future," responded Kitsaura.
-With Naruto and Kitsudo-
Exiting the cave Naruto and Kitsudo noticed that the sun was setting showing just how long their gone before they we're immediately flanked by two Shinobi that Naruto assumed were anbu due to their attire. They had on black clothing, a grey flak jackets, metal arm guards, gloves, and ninja sandals. One wore a porcelain mask of a dog with gravity defying silver hair. The other's mask was a weasel with a more natural slick black hair.
"Naruto Uzumaki. You are to accompany us to Lord hokage immediately," stated the one in the weasel mask before grabbing Naruto's shoulder the three vanishing in a swirl of leaves leaving Kitsudo behind. In the Hokage's office an old man with a pointed white beard wearing white robe and a red square hat with one corner being white containing a red kanji for fire. He sat at a desk behind several piles of paper work. The office itself was mostly bare aside from a bookshelf loaded with scrolls and books. A large window spanned the far wall giving perfect view of the Hokage monument. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk cursing wherever all the paperwork lining his desk came from. Before he could continue his string of swears he was interrupted when two anbu appeared in a swirl of leaves Naruto with them.
"Naruto," exclaimed the Hokage in a voice that did nothing to hide his age, "Where have you been?" Looking around Naruto noticed the lack of a small fox on his back.
"Hey, you left Kitsudo," Naruto berated the two anbu who brought him here.
"Naruto, who is Kitsudo?" Asked Hiruzen.
"Hold on let me try something," responded the blonde. Naruto pulled out the scroll containing the instructions on the summoning justu. Looking over the scroll Naruto attempted to use the justsu. See Naruto go through the hand signs for the summoning justsu the Hokage moved to stop him remembering what happened the last time someone tried that justsu without a contract, unaware of Naruto's contract or the small glow coming for his summoner mark.
When a puff of smoke appeared Hiruzen assumed that Naruto had went to whatever summoning clan he had an affinity toward but was shocked to hear an unfamiliar voice, "Why did you leave me behind?" it asked.
"Don't ask me ask the masked guys that brought me here," came the familiar voice of Naruto. When the smoke cleared Hiruzen was surprised to see Naruto still standing there now with a small orange fox on his back the poking its head over his shoulder.
"Naruto since when do you have a summoning contract?" asked the aged leader.
"Since about half an hour ago," answered the blonde nonchalantly.
"Please explain?" requested Hiruzen. Naruto then went into an explanation of what happened to him the previous day, from the mob to helping stop the kumo nin, and finally his time spent in the realm of the foxes.
After Naruto's explanation Hiruzen started rubbing his temples before taking out a smoking pipe and lighting it, "So let me get this straight. You were attacked by a mob of villagers and while crying in the woods you wound up in your mind scape where you met the Kyuubi who told you of both your status as a jinchuriki and your heritage. And let us not forget that you befriended it."
"Kurama," stated Naruto.
"What," asked the Hokage.
"His name is Kurama," Naruto elaborated.
"Okay, you befriended Kurama who later helped you stop a kidnapping attempt of a Hyuga, and out of fear of being falsely accused of being an accomplice you fled where you were later knocked unconscious. When you woke up you found a boy with orange hair wearing only orange who later turned out to be the fox on your back. Kitsudo correct?" with a nod from the fox he continued, "You were then escorted to the realm of the foxes were you received the fox contract. Did I miss anything?"
"Well Naruto took his shirt off Kitsudo hopping down when he realized what he was doing before turning around. All the other humans in the room couldn't help but go slack jawed at the sight of the Fox's summoner mark including the anbu that were hidden in the corners of the room.
"This is a mark of the fox summoners. It gives me a sort of copy of their bloodline," he explained.
"Bloodline?!" asked everyone in surprise.
"It is not that flashy. It just gives us an affinity towards all five elements through we have stronger affinities towards some, along with the ability to fully erase our chakra signature to anyone who does not possess the bloodline," Kitsudo explained.
Once this had all sunken in Hiruzen sighed, "And the anbu had a hard time catching you before. What will they do now?" asked Hiruzen in amusement.
"I don't know. I always just followed the beacon of chakra he gave off," answered the dog masked anbu.
"Jiji? Can you tell me about my clan? Kurama mentioned how I was the last of it, but when I went to the library everything on my clan was either torn out or too difficult for me to understand," asked Naruto.
The aged leader just sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time today, "Truthfully I had planned to tell you about your burden till you maid genin I had not planned to tell you your heritage until you either turned sixteen or made chunin, but it appears that life has other plans. "Naruto as the fox has already told you, you are one of the Last Uzumaki, a clan feared for their skill in both fuinjutsu and kenjutsu," it was hear that Naruto raised his hand, "Please wait until I finished. Now as I was saying, it was because of this that Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa allied together along with several smaller hidden villages to lay siege to their home, Uzushiogakure. Those few who survived the attack were scattered to the winds. However, while Uzushio was destroyed roughly one hundred Uzumaki fought so those who were fleeing would live. Those same hundred Uzumaki, ranging from the lowest genin to the highest jonin managed to wipeout about ninety-five percent of an army consisting of nearly ten-thousand trained shinobi. When we had caught word of this assault I sent several squads of both anbu and jonin even Jiraiya and Tsunade, but we arrived in time only to see the after math of the assault. It was after this attack that your mother made her way here and decided to become a kunoichi of this village. We had planned for when she was ready, we would send her and several other shinobi back to Uzushiogakure in order to get the records out of the Uzumaki clan archives which had survived the attack due to a multitude of blood and barrier seals making it to where only one of Uzumaki blood could enter. However before this could happen the Kyuubi attack happened. If you would like I could arrange for you and a team of anbu to head to Uzushio. Do you have any questions?" "What is fuinjutsu and kenjutsu?" asked Naruto. "Fuinjutsu the art of seals your summoner's mark is an example of fuinjutsu as is the seal on your stomach holding the Kyuubi. Kenjutsu is the art of the sword," the aged leader explained, "anything else?" Naruto shook his head before he let out a yawn. Hiruzen merely chuckled, "I believe you should head home and get some rest if you are to head to Uzushio it may take a day or two for me to assemble the shinobi that will accompany you. I shall send an anbu to fetch you when I do," said Hiruzen before dismissing Naruto. Naruto left the Hokage's office Kitsudo following closely behind, and headed back to his apartment building. When he arrived he went to his bed and immediately passed out Kitsudo curling up at his feet. The next day Naruto was awoken by the sun's rays casting through his window on to his face. Grunting in irritation Naruto reluctantly got up disturbing the small fox at his feet.
"Sorry Kitsudo," said Naruto as the small fox got up and glared at him.
"So we have anything planned for today," asked the fox after he calmed down.
"How about you practice that summoning jutsu of yours so you can summon a larger variety of foxes from what I remember from your mother those anbu can be quiet fast," said Kurama waking up from his nap.
"Thanks for the idea," responded Naruto. At the confused look from Kitsudo Naruto simply explained with, "Kyuubi."
Understanding Kitsudo asked, " So what did he have to say?"
"He recommended that I learn to summon more of the foxes besides you. Now that I think about it I think I was only able to summon you because of you being my personal summon," admitted Naruto sheepishly. They then went to the kitchen where Naruto prepared some instant ramen before remembering that he was not alone. "Hey Kitsudo," when said fox looked at him in recognition he continued, "do you like ramen because it is kind of all I have."
"I never had ramen before," said Kitsudo before in the blink of an eye he was grabbed and placed in a chair at Naruto table with a cup of instant ramen in front of him courtesy of said blonde. Somehow he had also turned the fox into his human transformation. "How did you," Kitsudo was cut off. Before he could finish his thought his face was dunked into the cup of instant ramen. Forced to take gulp of the bowl of noodles Kitsudo came up for air. Before he could yell at the blonde that had tried to drown him in ramen, the taste of said ramen hit his taste buds. He turned away from the blonde that was looking at him with a knowing smirk to the cup of noodles on the table. Grabbing the chopsticks next to the bowl he quickly began to inhale the noodles before gulping down the broth. With a sigh of satisfaction Kitsudo turned to look at a still smirking Naruto, "I'm still mad at you," he stated bluntly.
"Don't care. So do you want more or are you just going to sit there?" he asked. With a grunt the fox boy got up and grabbed another cup of instant ramen and began to prepare it as Naruto Started eating his own cup (cups by the time Kitsudo sat down to eat again). After breakfast the two left for the shinobi training grounds to work on Naruto's summons.