Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything related to the Naruto manga or anime. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. This is a work of fanfiction meant purely for entertainment purposes. I do not earn any money from this.

Summary:

Having been betrayed by Hashirama, her clan, and Konoha, Madara had grown used to that bitter sentiment. By the time her son betrayed her, her heart could barely muster a response.

However, as she walked through a ruined clearing towards a whiskered baby with eyes which curiously mimicked her own, she realized that her son had inadvertently left her the means to right every grievance ever laid against her.

—-

Chapter 1: "Opportunity" or "Why Children Hold Unimaginable Potential"

—-

Opportunity

Charred wood cracked underneath her as Madara stepped into a ruined clearing. Some part of her felt an odd satisfaction with her surroundings. Obito had done well. In the distance, she heard the sound of harsh orders, mother's screams, and widow's wails being drowned out by a roaring fire which threatened to consume the forests immediately surrounding Konoha. The scent of burning hung close to the ground, threatening to cloud one's lungs while the light of distant fires, both within the forest and inside the city, blurred within the cloud of smoke that rose incessantly. Had she been her younger self such a sight would have horrified her.

Two corpses lay in the clearing, each cradling another body. She could see clearly through the hole that was blown through each of their chests.

Her eyes filled with spite as her steps carried her over the first corpse. However, she stopped before the other. Her eyes softened as she leaned down to examine the body of a young man draped in a white cloak rimmed with flames not dissimilar from those in the surrounding forest.

"I wish it did not have to be this way…", she whispered as she ran a hand through his hair and gently caressed his cheek. "... but I did warn you about this place".

"You give, you give, and you give…". She said as she ran a hand through her own mane of hair, which was just as spiky as the man's but much longer, reaching her waist. Before, it had been as black as a raven's feathers. Over the years it had dulled and all that remained was the gray of old age. "... and it just keeps taking."

"It lures you in and tempts you." Her eyes hardened as they moved from what remained of the young man to the body of the young woman nestled within his arms. The woman's unnaturally pale skin contrast with her surroundings. In the darkness, Madara could not tell where the woman's hair ended and where the blood that pooled around them began. The woman's face was soft and round, in contrast with the angular features of Madara and the man forever resting beside her. In truth, she looked peaceful - almost innocent even. Almost, because Madara would never let herself forget just how thoroughly this woman had disrupted her plans.

"It makes you forget who you are, deep down". A familiar rage started to simmer in Madara's heart as she thought of what was supposed to happen. Her son was supposed to be her ultimate checkmate. He was supposed to infiltrate this place and excel like no other child could. He was supposed to climb the ladder and attain power within the walls of this accursed place. And he did, he had done all that. Such was expected of her spawn. However, at the cusp of final victory he faltered. He grew soft, and he betrayed her.

"And what for? For her?" She asked as she breathed in the destruction around her. It was at that moment, however, when a baby's desperate wail shook her from her thoughts.

"For you?" Her heart, her eyes… they both softened as she leaned down to pick up the crying child. As she examined it closely, she noticed a tuft of spiky blonde hair. Just as her son had inherited his father's hair color instead of her own raven locks, it seems this baby had done the same at the expense of his mother's red. Instead, it seemed that he had inherited other things from his mother. Three subtle little marks, resembling whiskers, adorned the baby's cheeks. As her eyes drifted down, she noticed an intricate sealing tattoo that even she could not make sense of. This is likely where they were keeping the fox - the reason this recent plan had failed. However, it was a flash of purple from the baby's eyes which ultimately captivated her attention.

As she raised one of the baby's eyelids with her finger, her heart stopped. Staring back at her she saw a miniscule pupil surrounded by many concentric rings against a purple background. These eyes, which spoke of unimaginable power, were a mirror of her own.

"Perhaps you were on to something, Minato". Excitement began to fill her old heart as a smirk began to adorn her face. Did her son know that this would be the ultimate result of his union with the Uzumaki woman? Madara allowed herself to think, for a second, that perhaps her son had not forgotten all that she had taught him. She even briefly considered forgiving his betrayal in light of the opportunity that her son had inadvertently left her.

"A boy with my eyes, the Uzumaki woman's life force, AND the strongest of the tailed beasts at his disposal. You, boy, will have no equal." Her brain ran at a million miles per hour as she struggled to factor this child into her plans.

"No, not 'boy'. Naruto - Maelstrom. That's what you intended to call him, didn't you, Minato? A fitting name, I shall grant you that." The baby stopped crying as it heard its name. Madara's eyes hardened as she steeled her resolve. Like a ghost, she left the clearing with the baby in tow. Konoha could have whatever scraps were left.

—-

Homecoming

15 Years Later:

A shinobi's life was hard. Shinobi were expected to undergo grueling physical training from the moment of their first steps in a scramble to prepare them for the horrors of such life. Any proper schooling that they might receive focused less on the symbolism of poetry and literature and more on how to properly eviscerate a target and destroy the body without anyone noticing. If they were talented or lucky enough, they would survive their first mission upon graduating from their respective ninja academy as genin. If they were really fortunate, they would survive into their early 20s and procreate before retiring or, more likely, dying a horrible death on a foreign battlefield and leaving behind an orphan to carry on their name.

For these reasons and, in spite of Kotetsu's constant ramblings of how 'boring' their job was, Izumo adored his job. It was here, posted at Konoha's main gate, that Izumo lived his best life. Nearly two decades of peace had lulled Izumo into the belief that no enemy force would dare attempt a frontal attack on his village. And if they did, would he even be safe from such a force if he were posted elsewhere? No. From here, he could relax for hours on end watching familiar and strange faces pass by for hours, screening for intruders with nefarious purposes. Once his shift was over Izumo and his best friend, Kotetsu, would promptly collect their paycheck and spend it all in some village pub where some civilian girl would show them how generous they could be to 'those who bravely protect the village'. Then, he would wake up the next morning with a hangover and plant himself in front of these very gates again. Rinse and repeat. This was truly the dream life for a Chunin such as Izumo. So, when Izumo noticed two silhouettes slowly approaching on the main road in the early hours of the morning, he quickly sat up and elbowed Kotetsu in preparation.

Kotetsu squinted as the figures came into focus. "Say, Izumo, is that…?"

Off in the distance, a tall man with a mane of spilky long white hair that reached his back came into view. On his forehead lay a horned metal band with the Kanji for 'Oil' inscribed for all to see. His face was painted with two red markings extending from his eyelids to his chin. He wore a sleeveless jacket that matched his face paint over gray clothes, with a large scroll on his back. His wooden sandals clicked rhythmically as he walked, looking and sounding like something from a Kabuki theater.

Beside him walked a boy well into his teenage years. Like the man beside him, the teen's had spiky blonde hair reached past his shoulder blades and lay against the orange jacket he wore. A black headband kept his hair out of his eyes. Beneath the jacket he wore a black shirt and underlying chainmail. The teens' looks were completed by a set of black cargo pants with many pockets, somehow all laden with scrolls, knives, or shuriken. As the teen looked on in the distance, his eyes darted across everything they could see. His lips remained sealed as if lost in thought.

"Nervous, kid?" The man beside him asked, as if sensing the movement of his companion's eyes.

"I don't see why I should be. After all, you've always said this is where I belong.", The teen responded. The man wasn't convinced, but he smiled and hummed as if considering something.

"You wouldn't be alone if you were, you know? Your mother was nervous too the first time she was brought here." The teen's eyes shifted focus, he was now paying attention.

"My mother?" The teen asked for clarification.

"Yes, she told me once while I was visiting your father. She told me how she was terrified at first when she was brought here to have the fox sealed inside of her. Apparently Mito - the Shodaime's wife and also a distant family member of yours - told her something comforting. I can't recall what that was, but I'm sure the village will grow on you just like it grew on her."

The teen contemplated for a second, then he spoke. "Speaking of my parents, what should I say if people ask about them?"

"Well, you really shouldn't tell anyone about who your father is. He had a lot of enemies who would love to get revenge before you're strong enough to defend yourself." The teen's hands tightened into a fist as he heard about his father.

The man looked thoughtfully for a second. "But as far as your mother goes…. You can tell people the truth. I've already cleared it with the Sandaime - not many people knew your parents were married. Those that did are loyal beyond scrutiny. I hope it makes you feel more at home, having to hide less of who you are." By this point, the teen had turned his head to face the man directly.

"Hopefully", he replied.

"I hope that you understand, Naruto. This is for your own good." From the tone the man had taken, it seemed as if this was his final thought.

The teen grinned from ear to ear, his eyes closing as he tilted his head to the side. "Don't worry, I'm great at keeping secrets, believe it!"

As the two approached the gate, the two Chunin finally spoke up. "Welcome back, Jiraiya-sama! Are you here to talk to the Hokage?" They stood at attention waiting for the man to respond.

"At ease you two. And yes. Is the old man still keeping you two chained to this post?" The man asked. Kotetsu responded first "Unfortunately", before Izumo swiftly elbowed him in the ribs.

"Who is this, Jiraiya-sama?" The two chunin finally acknowledged the teen. "An apprentice?". The man smiled before stroking his chin and saying "I guess you could say that, although Naruto's more like a flea that latched on one day and and hasn't let go since." The two Chunin held in a chuckle as the teen swiftly turned to the man in indignation.

"Don't act like I'm some sort of burden, you perverted old man! You don't complain about me when you parade me around as your 'son' when you're trying to fool women!" The teen accused.

"Oiii! Show some respect, kid, I'm not a pervert. I'm a super pervert! And doing that is critical research for my books! Here you are criticizing me when you haven't written a thing in your life." The man responded with just as much indignation.

"I don't need to write a word to know that you're a lecherous old creep!" The teen continued.

The two Chunin chuckled silently at their antics before Jiraiya finally turned to them again. "In any case, is that all you need?" The Chunin nodded their heads.

"We're off to see the Hokage then." Jiraiya said with a sense of finality as he and Naruto continued walking.

—-

Rejuvenation

"Get your kunai here! 50% off this week only!" "Be the first to buy the finest spices from the land of wind!" "Afraid you might not make it back from your next mission? We'll make sure your family is taken care of for a small fee!"

Life roared around Naruto as stands with colorful and exotic fruits dotted the scenery like drops of paint on a canvas. Children ran around the streets freely, squealing at the top of their lungs, with their mothers following after them like hens with their chicks. Some civilian girls whispered and giggled amongst themselves as they glanced at him, looking away as soon as eye contact was made. Above him, blurs on the rooftops signaled the movement of Shinobi to and from their likely destination. Off in the distance, he noted a complex of three red towers located in what seemed to be the center of the village.

Naruto's attention was suddenly drawn to a scent off to his side. His eyes glazed over and his mouth started to water as he allowed the sensation to set in. He quickly tugged at Jiraiya's sleeve and pointed to the source - a small ramen stand.

"Hey, pervy sage, do you think we can stop by and eat there?" Naruto asked with enthusiasm. A laugh bellows from his master's lungs.

Jiraiya then placed a hand on his shoulder before pausing with a thoughtful look. "The Hokage's waiting for us, kid. We shouldn't keep him waiting." He decided. Upon seeing how dejected his student had become, however, he added "...but if you really want, we can pass by later tonight. How does that sound, kid?". Naruto's smile returned from ear to ear.

—-

Enter: The Old Monkey

At first glance, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked every bit the part of a frail old monkey. Though he was never the tallest nor the strongest of his peers, old age had left him thin. Combined with the white layered and billowing Hokage cloak that adorned him and the pipe which he smoked incessantly, everything about his image screamed 'non-threatening'. This could not be further from the truth.

The man was a legend. Renowned as "The professor", he was immensely skilled in all shinobi arts and was said to have mastered every jutsu known to the village. He had survived all three shinobi world wars, demonstrating unparalleled tactical and strategic skill as well as a pragmatic cut-throat attitude that presented itself when necessary. Even now, in his old age, he was deadlier than any other shinobi in his village and even most other Kage. It was for these reasons that his predecessor personally entrusted him with the position of Hokage all those years ago. A position which, mind you, held immense authority in the autocracy that was the Hidden Leaf. Needless to say, one did not simply walk through the door into Sarutobi Hiruzen's office unannounced.

Instead, Jiraiya and Naruto unceremoniously jumped in through the window. Hiruzen tensed for a second before scolding the cause of his disturbance. "Jiraiya, I thought I told you to stop doing that."

"I'll stop doing that when it stops being convenient." Jiraiya responded, not the least bit apologetic as he dusted himself off. "Is that any way to greet your student, old man? We haven't seen each other in years."

Hiruzen looked him over before taking a long puff of his pipe. "You haven't changed a bit", he said smiling. "I wish I could say the same about you. You look old enough to retire." Jiraiya teased with a cheeky grin.

Hiruzen laughed. "I was old enough to retire more than a decade ago. In fact, I did."

Having served as Hokage for many decades before, when Hiruzen passed the hat to another he had reasoned that that would be the end of it. As soon as Minato had been crowned as the Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen began drawing plans for vacations with his wife, Biwako, who he had neglected for many years as Hokage. However, the loss of his wife during Kushina's labor and Minato during the Kyuubi's subsequent attack on the village had thrown all retirement plans out the window. "...but sometimes, duty calls upon us to make sacrifices."

"Suppose I do retire, would you be willing to take the job off this old man's shoulders?" Hiruzen offered with a knowing look on his face, he was only half joking.

"Not a chance, you know I'm needed outside the village. I do more good out there than I do here." Jiraiya shot the idea down mercilessly. He had been offered the position of Hokage several times in the past, but had turned it down each time. Each time, he reasoned that his role as Konoha's spymaster was indispensable. However, deep down he knew that the real reason he refused the job was because he would be unhappy staying in the village. He valued his freedom too much, and the village held too many bad memories.

"And I suppose that's why you're here? To show me the 'good' you've been doing outside our walls" Hiruzen reasoned. The topic of conversation finally moved to Naruto, who had been waiting patiently in the corner.

"Hai, this is Uzumaki Naruto. Say hi, kid." Jiraiya ordered while nudging the teen from behind.

Naruto stepped forwards. "A pleasure to meet you, Hokage-sama." The teen said politely as he bowed.

"The pleasure is all mine, Naruto-kun. Would you please take another step closer? I want to get a good look at you." Naruto obeyed Hiruzen's order, standing at attention as Hiruzen took another puff from his pipe, carefully observing the teen. Hiruzen then suddenly reached for a small picture which he kept framed on his desk. He raised the picture within his line of sign adjective to Naruto's head. "The resemblance is there…." Hiruzen said. He then offered the picture to Naruto. In it Naruto saw a picture of his father.

"...but enough is different to leave room for doubt. Your face is round, like your mother's. That may change as you grow older. Your eyes, however, are what I think will throw people off the most. I think they're so unique that people will neglect anything else about you. Tell me, Naruto-kun, can you deactivate them?"

Naruto hesitated for a moment before answering firmly "I've had the rinnegan for as long as I can remember, Hokage-sama. I've never known anything else."

Hiruzen paused contemplatively. "Very well, with any luck your father's enemies won't be privy to your parentage until you're ready to handle them. I trust that Jiraiya has informed you on how we've decided to handle this information?" Hiruzen asked. Naruto nodded in affirmation.

"Very well then. Tell me, Naruto-kun, do you know why Jiraiya brought you here?" Hiruzen inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Hokage-sama, I believe I am here to join a genin team. Jiraiya-sensei thought that it's important for me to familiarize myself with the village, the system, and my peers before continuing my training."

"And how do YOU feel about this, Naruto-kun?". While an uninformed observer might consider this an old man's kindness to inquire about the teen's feelings, a pragmatic observer would realize that as Hokage, Hiruzen was deeply concerned about questions of loyalty. What use would it be to keep the boy in a position he had no interest in?

Naruto paused for a second, thinking, before replying "I believe that I must do this in order to achieve my goal, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow and took another puff of his pipe. "And what is that goal of yours?" Hiruzen leaned in as he pressed for more information.

Without hesitation, Naruto grinned with both eyes closed and stated "I strive for world peace, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen responded with a satisfied look. The boy's answer reminded him of the idealism of the village's founders. "A worthy goal indeed, one which was shared by our dear Shodaime. I have no doubt that you will achieve great things in the future." The silence hung in the air for several moments as Hiruzen collected his thoughts. "Very well. Naruto-kun".

"Jiraiya and I have…corresponded." Hiruzen said with a circular motion of his hands. " Our desire is for you to join a genin team, under the guidance of a Jounin sensei. Here in Konoha, we value teamwork. I expect that you treat your teammates like you would family. You will grow together and, hopefully, forge bonds that will last a lifetime. However, once you become a chunin, I will grant you the decision of whether to continue training with Jiraiya or progressing your career in whatever way you see fit. Is that understood?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen continued. "Your sensei and I have much to discuss, Naruto-kun. I will be dismissing you shortly. Head to my clerk, who is outside the door, and ask her for directions to the ninja academy for genin assignment. I have prepared an envelope for you with further instructions, which she will provide. I know this is sudden, but you will be meeting your team today." Hiruzen took a pause before continuing.

"Before I dismiss you, Naruto-kun, one last thing -"

"Hokage-sama?"

"You can keep the picture."

Naruto had not realized how tightly he had been holding it.

—-

Who is the New Transfer Student?

A trio of disasters had culminated in the need for Konoha's Ninja Academy to undergo a near-complete transformation in the last decade. First, a Shinobi World war which through attrition had severely depleted the village's resources and active forces. Of those who survived the war, a third had been lost in the Kyuubi attack which occurred 15 years ago. This included the Fourth Hokage – a much needed genius- and the village's jinchuriki – an irreplaceable loss. The straw which broke the leaf's back, however, was the massacre of the Uchiha clan.

As a result of these losses, the neutered and vulnerable village decided to increase the age of graduation all the way to 15 years old. With the extra allotted time, the academy curriculum implemented lessons which were normally reserved for Genin and Chunin. Students were now trained in elemental manipulation and were allowed to learn a handful of techniques tailored to their skillset and affinities. Electives in kenjutsu were introduced so that students would have more experience handling weapons. For those with exceptional chakra control, beginner courses in genjutsu and ninja medicine were offered. Those with dreams of leadership were offered courses in advanced tactics, logistics, communications, and even psychology. And, given the village's cutthroat nature, female students were encouraged to take introductory courses in seduction and assasination while male students received training in how to recognize and resist such efforts. All these changes had culminated in making the Konoha Ninja Academy's graduates the best in the world. And, of the entire graduating class, Satsuki Uchiha was the best.

And why wouldn't she be? As the youngest daughter of the main family of the Uchiha clan, Satsuki was the product of the longest running eugenics program in history. Thousands of years of selecting the strongest members of the clan (and, occasionally, exceptionally strong outsiders) to marry into the main family had cultivated a tradition of raw talent and genius. Legends such as Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Fugako, and even that man had spawned from these traditions. Even though the changes in the academy curriculum had prevented her from advancing at a faster pace, Satsuki did not doubt that she would quickly climb the ranks now that she had graduated. In doing so, she would finally have the resources to grow stronger and bridge the gap in strength between her and that man. After that, she would track him down in short time and she would -

"EVERYONE SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!" Her Chunin Instructor, Iruka Umino, screamed at the top of his lungs to corral her classmates. Somehow, his head seemed to grow larger whenever he did that. Perhaps he was using some sort of illusion for dramatic effect?

"I'm going to start calling out the team assignments!" Iruka called out as a stack of papers found its way into his hands. Satsuki lost interest shortly after Iruka started calling names.

She wasn't fond of her classmates. Once upon a time, Satsuki had friends in the class. She was a younger, sweeter girl back then. Spurred on by her own childish curiosity and her parent's insistence that she get to know the future leaders of the other clans, Satsuki had first become friends with Ino, the heir to the Yamanaka clan. Ino approached her first, actually, but quickly began rambling on about fashion and boys. Shortly after, Satsuki had made friends with another girl in the group, a civilian by the name of Sakura who seemed desperate to fit in but didn't often speak up for herself. At the time, she was even cordial with the males in the class, in spite of some of their insistence that 'girls have cooties'.

Everything changed, however, when Satsuki was 8 years old. After that man had wiped out her family and left her with nothing but a burning ambition for revenge, Satsuki started to distance herself from her classmates. What use were these friendships if they would not help her grow strong enough to avenge her clan? What use was another attachment she could very well lose as long as that man roamed free? While the other students talked about useless things, Satsuki worked herself to the bone with training.

Her relationship with her classmates only seemed to worsen once they hit puberty. Overnight, it seemed that all the boys in her class started tripping over themselves to get her attention. In contrast, the girls in her class had a more mixed reaction. Some, like Ino, became immensely envious and catty - spreading rumors once they realized that they could not monopolize the boys' attention if she were around. Others, like Sakura, were obsessed with her and attempted day in and day out to get closer to her as if Satsuki held some secret that nobody else knew. They were all a waste of time in her mind.

"Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Akamichi Choji! Your Jounin Instructor is Sarutobi Asuma!." Ino momentarily threw a fit in protest over being coupled with a 'lazy know-it-all'. She held her tongue, deciding not to describe her thoughts of her other teammate, who is notoriously sensitive on the topic of his weight. Either way, her intentions were clear. A few choice words by Shikamaru shut her up.

"Team 8: Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino! Your Jounin Instructor is Kurenai Yuhi!" Of all the boys that endlessly chased after her, Kiba was the worst. He was also the most aggressive, thinking that just because he was stronger than the other boys in the class then he had a right to possess her. He was like the ninja dogs that his clan bred. Or was he worse? Shino, on the other hand, were usually reserved and unproblematic. Hinata was a more complex character - sometimes putting Kiba in his place and other times feuding with Satsuki.

"Team 7: Uchiha Satsuki, -"

Her gaze sharpened.

" - Haruno Sakura -".

Oh no…. Satsuki hated the thought of being stuck with this girl for any extended length of time. Sakura was probably too deluded with dreams of sisterhood and everlasting friendship to realize the true horror of the life ahead of them. For fucks sake, this girl dieted to keep her figure. What kind of shinobi diets?

'I don't care if she dies, as long as she doesn't hold me back.' Satsuki decided as she laid her cheek on a fist.

" - and Uzumaki Naruto! Your Jounin Instructor is Hatake Kakashi!"

…Who? Maybe it was one of the civilians in the class whose name she never bothered to learn?

"Iruka-sensei, who is that?" It was Sakura who decided to speak up.

"Naruto was personally assigned to your team by Hokage-sama, Sakura. He was raised outside the village."

That didn't explain much at all, what was an outsider doing being assigned to her genin team? Is this some sort of joke?

The class steadily grew quieter as Jounin Sensei trickled in, leaving with their respective teams. After a half-hour had passed Satsuki was alone with Sakura in the room.

"Isn't this great, Satsuki? We're going to be on a team together!" Sakura squealed, holding her arms against her chest.

"Hn." Satsuki tried to close her eyes as Sakura's voice grated on her ears.

"Aren't you excited? I mean we're finally Genin! We'll be going on missions together an-" A glare from Satsuki had finally managed to shut Sakura up, who looked dejected at yet another rejection from her former friend.

A few moments passed as Sakura considered speaking again. Suddenly the door to the classroom slid open.

As a boy her age walked into the room, the first thought Satsuki had was if he was the sun itself. Everything about him was so bright. Well, nearly everything. Her second thought was 'What the fuck?' as she noticed his eyes glancing at her and Sakura. Seriously, what were those? Did he even have pupils? What were those rings? Were they violet?

This wasn't her clan's Sharingan, which she had seen before. It didn't even seem to be the Hyuuga's Byakugan.

"Are you Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Satsuki?" The blonde asked.

"Hai, I'm Sakura."

"Hn." Satsuki grunted a response.

The blonde looked at Sakura first, then Satsuki, and then back to Sakura.

"What crawled up her ass?" He said, gesturing to Satsuki.

—-

I hope you enjoyed what I wrote. Make sure to offer a review if you'd like to offer your thoughts!

Thank you to those who have proof-read this work. You know who you are.