A New Nindo
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto I would be rich, I don't. If I did own it I wouldn't be counting my pennies like the pauper I am. In the future some of my jutsus may be borrowed from other authors; if they are I will hopefully remember to point them out in my author's notes. This story does not reflect the ability of those authors I borrowed from. In other words if my story sucks it's not their fault, it's mine. However I haven't borrowed any yet so I don't worry about it. This version of the Naruto story belongs to me; most of the characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Summary: What if you died? What if it was a mistake? What if you were given a chance to step out of your normal everyday life and become hero? I'd grab the chance. This is my story.
Author's Notes:
Italics include my thoughts as well as other characters' thoughts. Bold is for the Kyuubi's thoughts.
Haku is a girl!
Once again I do not write Yaoi, don't worry. I have nothing against it but I just don't see it plausible for Naruto.
Thanks for all your reviews. I was so happy when I passed the 100 review mark.
I have to say that I felt somewhat uncomfortable with writing this chapter because I didn't really know where to go. So I'll try harder in the future.
Rhythmic: Thanks for being a faithful reader.
DSecret: According to was born in October and Hinata in December. I am using the approximately three month period to finish everything. Her birthday will occur after the Cloud Ambassador comes (which is the next chapter, he won't appear here sorry).
Author's Note: I am using the information on Narutofan website for all the Naruto character's bios.
Meheeners: I believe that Neji's hatred did push him forward however he still has the innate potential. All he needs is a different goal or driving force which I plan to provide him with.
Arnoldstrife: Yeah I fixed the bold. There was some kind of mistake when I converted it from Microsoft Word to Document Manager. Naruto's mind may get cleaner but I won't tell you what it looks like yet.
Ranma Hibiki: Naruto won't be trained by Jiraiya yet because Naruto's still only four and he has too little time to learn something effective to use against the Cloud Ambassador. Well maybe I'll give him one technique.
Tombadgerlock: I know there's a lot of drama I'll put more action in but it won't really be full blown action until chapter 9.
Blackmamuth: I'm very tempted to kill off Sasuke like you said, because ever since the battle at the Valley of the End I've been very disappointed in Sasuke. If you want Neji to have siblings do you have any suggestions?
Omnikaze: Thaks for replying to my question about Kage Bunshin. I have several things coming up that will help diverge from any other similar fanfics.
Wolvesmon: So you want Naruto to be a pervert? I'm seriously want to know the answer to this question.
Dragon Man 180: Yeah make no mistake, Naruto will probably beat Sinobi Gashir in some way. However I haven't decided whether or not he will be killed, forcing Neji down a road of darkness.
Author's Note: Blackmamuth has brought up an important issue. If I feel like letting Hizashi live, should Neji have siblings? I am open to him having one sibling, boy or girl? Your votes?
By the way should Naruto be a pervert?
Chapter 6: The True Demon
I knew Gashir was coming in a couple of weeks but I didn't know what I could do except for train. I tried to alert the Hokage by telling him I didn't like it and that the guy was suspicious. Why would the Cloud want to renew a peace treaty that didn't mean shit in the first place. I mean after they loss so many of their bloodlines from the war and their expressed interest in the Byakugan, you'd think they had ulterior motives. I could tell that the Hokage already knew all this, he wasn't the Hokage for nothing. I knew he had prepared to have an escort for Gashir for the whole time he would be here but it wouldn't be enough. The only thing I could do was train.
Haku frequently joined me. Even though we had only a couple of weeks it was all we could do. Haku could sense my stress and tried to help me out but I couldn't tell her. Besides I had more pressing matters. Specifically the Kyuubi.
Ever since we came back I could sense its unease. It was getting to be too much, enough to distract me from training and give me a short temper. I decided it was time to talk things out.
As I entered my mind I felt like I things were passing me by like I was moving at the speed of light. Then it abruptly stopped. My mind was a little different this time. It was a little brighter, cleaner sewer. Still it was a sewer and the darkest part was the Kyuubi's cage.
"What's your problem stupid fox?" I asked
I had finally gotten over my fear and embraced the fact that this guy couldn't hurt me any sooner than he could walk on the moon.
Hmph.
The almighty Kyuubi just snorted at me? Where's the snobby comeback?
I don't have time for you brat. Go away!
He snapped at the bars for an emphasis on his grumpy mood.
"Is it because we're in Konoha right?"
Nothing…
"What happened to you? Why did you attack Konoha?"
Why do you want to know?
I thought this over but the answer came immediately and it wasn't because Gabriel told me so.
"Because you helped me back in Wave Country," I said. "You're power allowed me to protect Haku and it saved me from dying at Zabuza's hands."
Kyuubi looked shocked for a second but didn't say anything for a few moments.
"You called all humans treacherous and disgusting, what did you mean?"
He said nothing at first but his face had a sinister look.
Do you really wish to know?
I nodded.
Then I will show you!
He opened his mouth and it seemed like I was sucked in. I slipped into unconsciousness.
Where am I?
When I awoke I didn't seem to have any physical form. It was a very strange experience. I didn't feel my body parts, I didn't even need to breathe.
I was in a large forest. Seeing as there was nothing else to do. Suddenly I came face to face with a man. I was very surprised when I saw him. His dark, red, ninja armor and black hair made him look somewhat fearsome. His face was alert, his eyes sharp. But that didn't surprise me, most ninjas are like that. What surprised me was that he was the Shodaime Hokage.
Holy shit! Have I gone back in time or something?
A few other ninjas followed him.
"Commander," one of them said. "What are we doing here sir? I thought we would begin constructing the village."
"He's right sir," said another. "We've been here for a week but all we've done is setup camp. The land's fertile and the forest is plentiful. With the mountains to our back this is ideal place to start a village."
"I guess what they're trying to say is that they don't know why you're beating around the bush honey," said a women who stepped forward.
By her round belly I could see that she was pregnant. The Shodaime ran towards her.
"You shouldn't be up sweety," he said. "Think about the baby."
"I am," she said. "Look sweety, I know how you believe that you need the approval of the forest guardian but we haven't seen him yet. Perhaps he really is a myth."
The men around him looked shocked. This was what their great leader was afraid of? An old wives tale?
"You should know as well that people who have tried to colonize these forests have met with unnatural deaths and most have seemingly disappeared. Whether or not the forest guardian is real there is clearly someone who has been here long before us. And that person or people don't like outsiders."
His wife couldn't argue with him there. While they had many capable ninjas they would be fiercely outnumbered if there was another village already here. They also couldn't dismiss the many skilled ninjas who failed to colonize the area. They weren't just thugs or common citizens, they were experienced ninjas who were powerful in their own right.
Who dares defile my lands?
Everyone froze.
Guess the forest guardian is real and he's pissed.
Animals began to emerge from the forest and surround the party. The ninja group paled and wondered which god they should be praying to.
I noticed something peculiar, ahead of all the animals seemed to be foxes. As if the foxes had led them to the intruders. Then it clicked.
"I am Kanzaki Ryo, great spirit," he said as he took a knee and bowed.
The others followed suit. As expected a huge fox head appeared in the sky.
"Whoa Kyuubi's the forest guardian?" I said astounded.
Why have you come to this sacred grove?
"We desire a settlement, great spirit," Ryo answered. "We've come here seeking a new home. A new start."
You are not welcome here!
"Great spirit," he said.
Humans defile and corrupt land without any thought. Their greed will spell the doom of these lands given to me by Inari-sama.
Hmm, Inari is the god/goddess of rice. A major deity in Japanese mythology. S/He is portrayed as a male in certain instances and a female in others. His messengers are the foxes. Looks like Kyuubi worked hard to get this position.
"Please great spirit. Allow us to help you guard these lands. We wish to both work and protect these lands," said Ryo.
Why?
"In all my life, I have never seen lands such as these. The grass is a smooth, lulling bed. The forest is an enchanting view. The water is so clear that I can see the blue river stones beneath it. Even the air itself captivates me," he said. "Please allow us to protect these lands with you."
The fox thought for awhile. While he himself did not like humans his god did. Turning away these sympathetic and understanding humans would be an insult to his god so he let them stay.
Very well.
"I thank you great spirit, my people thank you as well," Ryo said.
The humans retreated to their campsite to spread the good news.
I made a pact with that man. Because he seemed trustworthy. He was and all was well. However humans began to forget us.
I saw the Nidaime Hokage. His white hair and blue armor a deep contrast of the Shodaime. I assumed it was years laters, no decades. The Nidaime was a good leader and he respected the lands but his people didn't. He also didn't do anything to reprimand them. He did not even seek Kyuubi's guidance.
Then came the Sandaime. He was much like the Nidaime. He did nothing to stop his people from defiling the lands. By now almost everyone had forgotten the forest guardian and which parts of the forest were his sacred grounds.
Then the image changed again. I saw the people hunting his prized foxes.
"Haha," a poacher said. "We've made a good haul tonight boys."
"Yeah," another said. "I don't know why but these foxes are great for everything. Their fur makes good clothes. Their meat is always juicy and tasty. Their fangs make good ninja weapons."
"Don't forget the blood, it's a vital ingredient to those effective medicines. The hospital's always asking for more," spoke the first man.
A third squeaked up, he seemed a little reluctant. "Aren't you guys afraid? What about the forest guardian."
"Bah and old wives tale."
"Yeah they don't bring home the bacon, we do."
Unbeknownst to these men the Kyuubi was watching. His rage was building. His children were being slaughtered but that wasn't the end of it.
The image changed and I saw men dumping dead bodies in the area where the Shodaime met Kyuubi. I recognized one of the men immediately.
"Orochimaru," I said, my non-existent lungs gasped.
Then I saw the image shift and Orochimaru was still there. He had drawn seals on the ground and a body lay in the center. The person who laid there screamed out in pain. As the seals moved the land seemed die out. Almost as if the seals were transferring the life of the land into the person. The person got up, his body was healthy. It seemed somewhat enhanced. I could feel the chakra brimming throughout his body. Of course that was right before he died.
"Tch," said Orochimaru, obviously disappointed.
He buried the man right there in the sacred grove. More images flashed by. I was disgusted by the grotesque experiments he performed. He switched animal organs with humans' and vice versa. It seemed like he would incubate these organs inside their bodies and then remove them and place them in jars. It was like he was cultivating organs and bodies were the fertilizer.
The poaching and experiments continued. Now humans were encroaching on his sacred grove. While Orochimaru had defiled it, humans were now going to destroy it. Kyuubi was sorely pissed I could feel it along with his pain as if were my very own. I couldn't anything but watch as the events I knew would happen. Kyuubi transformed from the benevolent forest guardian and took the form of the nine-tailed fox demon.
Many shinobi died and a part of me couldn't help but feel it was justified. People like Sandaime had hope Orochimaru would be the next Hokage and overlooked his transgressions. Sandaime didn't even have the heart to finish him off. The poachers killed the Kyuubi's children, they may not be by blood but they were in spirit and that was all that mattered. I compared it to my relationship with Tsunade, Shizune, and Haku. Humans normally overlook animals because they feel like they are above them. I felt Kyuubi's rage and vengeance as I looked through his eyes and felt his spirit. I also felt something lacking, satisfaction. No matter what he did nothing would replace the damage caused by humans. After all they took from him, now they wanted to take what was left of his home.
I heard Gamabunta in the distance. Then I saw the Yondaime seal the Kyuubi in me.
"I'm sorry," I said.
What?
"You must have been in so much pain all this time. No one ever asked you why. They took everything you gave them for granted and even forgot about you."
They won't ever forget me now. I've engraved myself into their hearts. They'll never forget the terror I've instilled in them. Hehe…
I could hear the dry humor in his voice.
"I'll clear your name," I said.
Why?
"Because I owe you and it's not your fault."
As I walked away from his cage I was waiting for a witty retort. I wasn't disappointed.
Do whatever you want brat.
My first order of business was getting help from Tsunade but to do so I would have to reveal my conversations with Kyuubi. She took it a lot better than I thought. I mean what mother wouldn't be worried about their child conversing with a demon.
"And you're sure he wasn't trying to trick you?" She asked. "He didn't ask anything of you?"
"Yes Kaasan," I said.
I tried dissuade her fears.
"Okay so what do you want me to do about it?"
"Well if what Kyuubi says is true than it should be in great grandpa's journal or writted down somewhere right?"
I knew I was stretching it but I didn't have any other proof to go on.
"Hm… It's been awhile but all his things should be in the attic," she said.
After we had returned to Konoha we had taken up Tsunade's old residence. The home of the Shodaime. It took awhile and for a moment I was about to give up. I ended up finding it in the Hokage's office. I didn't know it yet but the Kyuubi was watching me and my efforts. I even forsook my training. It was like I was possessed, but I knew it was all my own doing. A part of me was angry at the pigheaded citizens of Konoha who could treat Naruto so badly in the anime when they brought it upon themselves.
As I read the Shodaime's diary I found what I wanted. It was proof that Kyuubi was the forest guardian and that the Shodaime had agreed to keep the forest safe from other humans. I immediately showed it to the Hokage. The Hokage had a grim look on his face.
"This is very serious indeed although I'm not sure what you want me to do Naruto," he said.
"I want the people to know why Kyuubi attacked. They have to know otherwise somewhere down the line it could happed again."
"The people won't believe it or care."
"Well they better and I want the poachers arrested, because they were one of the causes. You better halt the building plans you have. How would you guys feel if someone came in and tore down your homes. It's just like what your doing to the Kyuubi right now!"
"Kotetsu, Izumo," called out the Hokage.
Two familiar faces came in, the Hokage's assistants. The one with bandages over his nose and the guy with bangs covering his right eye.
"Get me the captain of the police force, Uchiha Kyoji," he said.
I was surprised at the name but then I realized the Uchihas hadn't been massacred yet. Then I wondered who this Kyoji guy was.
Hold on if he's head of the police force then doesn't that make him…
"Kyoji-san and Itachi-kun," said the Hokage.
I turned around and saw Uchiha Itachi in person for the first time in my life. He wasn't what I was expecting.
"Congratulations on you promotion to Chuunin Itachi-kun," praised the Hokage, whose jovial smile was back up.
"Thank you Hokage-sama," Itachi replied.
To my surprise Itachi didn't seem fore brooding or dark at all. He merely seemed… bored? The great Uchiha genius is bored. Well then again I might be bored too if I'm growing at an immeasurable rate and my dad is a prick whose using me for his own plans.
The Hokage relayed what I had told him, leaving out the part where I was the source of information. Kyoji had an unusual look that I couldn't place, was it anger or sadness? I couldn't tell. Itachi remained impassive as when he first came in. The Hokage ordered them to go through the sacred grounds and try to find the corpses. Kyoji agreed to it.
What he found chilled us all. Countless bodies of missing people were found, some were common folk and some were from famous clans like the Uchihas and Hyuugas. Many families were saddened by these findings but at least it finally brought them closure.
"Then again is crushing peoples hopes that one day their loved ones will return better than a false hope?" I asked no one in particular while they exhumed bodies from unmarked graves in the sacred grove.
The poachers were arrested too. They had plenty of clothing made from fox fur and medicine made from their blood down in the basements of their homes. They were shouting and making scenes as they were dragged from their homes.
I didn't expect the townspeople to do anything, but I could hope. Various reactions to the arrest surprised me.
"Bastards its all their fault, bringing the Kyuubi's wrath down on us."
"Yeah my mother was always telling me stories about how the Kyuubi was some sort of chinjunokami (local deity, guardian god)."
"I can't believe it was them."
"Yeah but if you think about it they were always selling those fox items."
"Did you know that the medicine that saved your sister was from fox blood."
"Hey I bought a fur coat from them. Could it be a fox coat?"
The tables were turned. Now the people were angry at the poachers. I didn't doubt that it wouldn't be long before they were exhiled. I wasn't worried because none of the poachers were ninjas.
Maybe there was some hope for this village yet. But now wasn't the time to think that, I needed to talk to the Kyuubi.
I see you've taken care of the infidels.
It turns out I didn't need to venture into that sewer, I could hear him fine in my head.
Yeah. Sorry it took so long, about two generations too late.
We all make mistakes.
I was surprised that the Kyuubi was so calm now. As I looked closer it seemed like he was sulking.
What's wrong?
I've defied Inari-sama. I forsook my training as a guardian spirit and my rage took form and I became a demon. Inari-sama has most likely abandoned me, I'm doomed to an afterlife in hell.
I wanted to say something to comfort him bur I couldn't think of anything at first.
Hey, how about I help you fix the forest?
What?
I mean you were the forest guardian, even though you're stuck in my body it doesn't mean you can't still do your duty. Maybe Inari will forgive you then.
Hmph, do whatever you want kid…
Even though I couldn't see it I knew he was smiling.
"Fixing the forest is easier said than done," I said. "I'll need the Hokage's support."
I went home and decided that now was the best time for the talk. The time to reveal to Haku what I was.
She seemed shocked at first but she easily calmed down when I began to leave her room. She lunged for me to prevent me from leaving.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun. I didn't mean to react that way," she said.
I made a promise to myself and to God that I would never leave Naruto-kun's side. I don't intend to. Besides Naruto-kun isn't the Kyuubi and even the Kyuubi doesn't seem so bad from I've heard from the villagers and Naruto-kun.
I was so glad that Haku was able to accept me. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest and that I could breathe more freely. Usagi-chan ran swiftly around our legs and starting snuggling against Haku's leg.
When I retired to my room, oh yeah I forgot to mention Kaasan and Neechan got Haku and I separate rooms finally. When I went to bed I saw my calendar and paled.
"Shit."
I had completely forgotten about it the Kyuubi incident had taken nearly several weeks. The Cloud Ambassador was due to arrive in two days. He'd be here for a week. Man was I screwed.
Hey Kyuubi, think you can help me out with something?
Tsuzuku…
Author's Note: Next time I take on Sinobi Gashir, the Cloud Ambassador. He's a Jounin level ninja and more than I expected, but wait Hiashi steps in.
"No don't kill him Hiashi!"
