Author's notes:

Today, I finally decided how I am going to conclude this fanfic. Kakashi and Naruto didn't just win, they are free.

CHAPTER 15

While the original Naruto went galloping with Kakashi, the clone with Tazuna was hard at work. Till lunch time, clone Naruto helped him. During lunch, clone Naruto fished some fishes and grilled it over make shift fire. He gave it to workers while Naruto's clones excused themselves for private lunch.

After eating, clone Naruto asked Tazuna to point to the Uzumaki temple. Tazuna took him to Uzumaki temple and clone Naruto thanked him, asked him to return and rest before resuming work. Clone Naruto rounded the temple like a wild animal surveying its territory. The clone Naruto used chakra to open the temple. It was more of a museum than a shrine. It contained paintings and an altar with large Uzumaki symbol in the middle.

Anyone other than an Uzumaki would see this after entering. But only a true Uzumaki knew they were not paintings. They were intricate pattern of seals. Only a sensor could see them. He must have large reserves of chakra and mastery in seals could access them. Only a handful people other than Uzumaki could do it. Naruto studied it and solved the first one. He took some time to solve another one before he found out a clue. The clone Naruto returned and asked another clone to take his place on the bridge. It dispelled itself and the memories were transferred to original Naruto.

The original Naruto who was discussing jutsus with Kakashi at that time didn't even flinch. He was used to it by now. Sometimes his clones acted as jerks and dispelled at same time despite his numerous protests. He simply gave up and got used to it. Kyubi laughed at him and told him that was how it felt to handle Naruto, a headache.

After dinner and signaling Kakashi, Naruto headed to the Uzumaki temple. Naruto experienced a serene feeling once he entered the shrine. It suddenly gave him a feeling that he was finally in a place where he was not different. Naruto smiled at his thoughts and looked inside and around once again not to miss anything. He could see lot of patterns on the temple walls. Naruto took an empty scroll and copied them first. He started studying them. After he finally had an understanding of what it was about, he proceeded to the paintings. He couldn't solve it thoroughly just a basic understanding. His clone was right. The paintings were not ordinary seals but puzzles. You had to solve it and it would lead to another painting somewhere on another side of the room and solve it. Naruto found they were clues. Clues for what?

'Well standing here and gawking like an idiot, wouldn't solve this though', that thought lead to another thought for Naruto. The fox who usually called him idiot had been silent for couple of days. Naruto could see it was sleeping but he was still worried.

'Bijus can't get sick, can they?', Naruto thought and winced next minute because of a growl.

"We are not weak like you humans brat. We are a pure construct of chakra who cannot be contaminated".

'Welcome to the real world fluffy', Naruto provoked the fox.

"Shut your trap and concentrate on the seals brat"

'Ok ok'

Naruto was happy that the fox was ok and proceeded to solve the seals faster. Some took few minutes and some took couple of hours. Naruto found even if you are an Uzumaki, it wouldn't be easy to solve those seals. He marveled at his parent's proficiency and thanked their detailed notes on seals. He was also seeing a particular pattern in all those seals.

Every pattern has a unique Uzumaki sealing teachnique at the final step. It was to say even if you were a seal master, if you didn't know unique Uzumaki method of sealing, you couldn't solve it and the entire formation would close and you had to start from the beginning. Naruto continued to solve it for three days and three nights.

Kakashi was worried the first day when original Naruto didn't return, but a clone came to inform that Naruto was doing something that couldn't be interrupted. The clone informed that he was playing with some seals and it would usually take couple of days for him to come out of the phase and not to worry. Until he returned, the clones would spar with Kakashi and improve their mastery on earth and fire jutsus.

Kakashi wanted to know what seal it was but he trusted Naruto would tell him later. Naruto was a person with clear goals and he always had a plan. Kakashi was sure of that and decided he wouldn't intervene until Naruto was in danger. He trusted Naruto enough to ask for help if he was in a fix. From the training sessions with Naruto's clones, Kakashi understood Naruto wasn't an arrogant person. He could see his own limits and charged and retreated to the best of his abilities. So he wasn't worried.

Kakashi was enjoying these days of temporary peace. These training sessions really satisfied Kakashi. Except Guy, no one could put up an all-out fight with him like this. Ninjutsu, was even better. Kakashi knew and stole lot of jutsus during his career. He loved showing Naruto new jutsus, who could replicate them easily. It was not as easy as copying with sharinghan. He had to show it a couple of times but what surprised Kakashi was that the result was better than sharinghan. The sharinghan could copy the hand signals and see the chakra flow. The sharinghan weilder should usually practice it few times to perfect the chakra output of the copied jutsu to execute it properly. But Naruto could do it after Kakashi showed him couple of times perfectly.

Turned out, Naruto was a chakra sensor like his mom. Sensors were better than sharinghan users in Kakashi's opinion. The sensing ability didn't consume much chakra, unlike sharinghan. And the sensors could automatically sense the amount of chakra output in each jutsu. If their eyes are faster and had good memorizing capability, they could rival the Uchihas. Naruto being a sensor, with jinjuriki ability to see things faster than most people and a genius mind, could, of course, learn jutsus as fast as an Uchiha. If trained properly, Naruto could surpass them.

Most Uzumakis were capable of sensing chakra. And Naruto was one of the best. Kakashi's mouth was wide open behind his mask, when Naruto said he could sense people throughout Fire nation, it was just that Naruto didn't know lot of people to identify them. Let's just say, Naruto was in Konoha and Kakashi was visiting Fire damiyo, Naruto could sense him from Konoha. It was incredible. Kakashi only know one other person like that, Tobirama senju, if Konoha library was right.

Kakashi warned Naruto not let this information out. If Danzo even had a doubt that Naruto could sense ROOT's headquarters, Naruto's life would be in immediate danger. Naruto said he knew that and only Kakashi knew he was a sensor.

Kakashi also copied some jutsus from Naruto. Kakashi didn't know where Naruto got it. It wasn't definitely from his sensei because Kakashi would know. Well, he knew not to question good things. Naruto also showed Kakashi some jutsus created by him by combination and disassociation of jutsus. Kakashi once again confirmed his blonde student was a genius.

Naruto might even rival his father, Minato, a genius with an IQ of 200. When Kakashi voiced out his praise to Naruto, his blonde student's answer once again slapped Kakashi's genius level IQ.

"Sensei, my father had an IQ of 200. My mom wasn't a genius but an extremely formidable shinobi with high comprehensive skills, because she could comprehend seals. She was also named red-headed Haberno, because she as a jounin, commanded an army and won a battle. It is physically impossible for me to be a fool. Even if I didn't turn into a genius, I would have an above average IQ. I can't believe hokage jiji, who knew my lineage would believe I am dumber than a rock. I mean you found out I am different in two days after coming in contact with me. I think he deliberately didn't see it".

'He is right. It is in his bloodline. How can he be dumb?', Kakashi only felt bitter and cursed his own mind for noticing it earlier. 'Some ANBU captain I was.'

About others, Sasuke was still trying to reach the top of tree and clone Naruto was clowning him there by pretending to be weak. Sakura was training tree climbing but Kakashi sent her to the bridge on the third day. He also went to take a look once in the morning and at evening every day to check the progress.

Unknown to Kakashi, every day at dawn, clone Naruto was sparring with Haku. But neither of them spoke a single word except hi and bye during those four days.

On the fourth day, Team 7 returned for dinner.

Kakashi could sense another Naruto inside the house and confirmed the original Naruto had returned. He was relieved. The clone Naruto as usual excused himself during dinner time and Kakashi asked Tsunami-chan for dinner for Naruto after his other students retired for the night.

He entered the room slowly not to startle Naruto but it was a failure. The moment Kakashi entered the room Naruto woke up and scrambled to sit up in an alert position. Kakashi sighed and cursed Konoha. Naruto saw it was just his sensei.

"Sorry sensei. It was a habit"

"Good reflexes Naruto. A ninja should be alert even in sleep if he is on a mission", Kakashi completely disregarded the apology.

Naruto gave a tired smile and Kakashi could see bags under Naruto's eye.

'He didn't sleep for three days by his looks'. Kakashi gave the dinner to Naruto and commented, "You look like a panda Naruto"

"I haven't slept for more than few hours since we reached Wave", Naruto explained.

"Maa.. Naruto. It isn't healthy. You may have more chakra, but you have to eat and sleep adequately", Kakashi advised.

"Hmm"

"Sleep in tomorrow. Don't do anything"

"We didn't practice genjutsu yet"

"It can wait"

"OK. I will listen"

"Good", Kakashi said and patted Naruto's head. Naruto beamed at him and continued to eat.

'He is like a small kid obeying my words. It is rare to see him act his age. He must sleepy', Kakashi chucked inwardly at Naruto looking like an obedient puppy.

Naruto slept through the afternoon and decided to go to the market area to check in on his weapon's order. He was buying some things when the market place became quiet suddenly. Naruto waited to see what caused it. He found the reason soon. Gato's henchmen descended upon the market. Naruto thought they were here to collect money from shops but he was wrong. Soon the henchmen crossed the market and proceeded towards the row of houses near the shore. There were screams and smoke fifteen minutes later from that area.

Naruto went to investigate and found that the people who were screaming were the families of the workers working on the bridge. They went against Gato's threats and worked on the bridge. So Gato retaliated by setting fire to their houses. Almost everyone got out of the house in time and no lives were lost except few injuries. But the houses were burning and it was a great material loss. They already didn't have much to begin with. Women were screaming, children were running, men were scrambling to put out the fire. Suddenly a heart wrenching cry stood alone among the cry of miseries.

A women went to nearby shop leaving a sleeping toddler inside the house. When she came back, the houses were on fire. She was trying to go inside the house but the fire was kindled by the wind near the sea and there was no way inside. She wanted to go in but others were holding her tightly preventing her from entering.

"My child, my child, somebody save my child", she was screaming and thrashing for help.

Naruto got furious. He stayed put earlier since no lives were lost. He decided to wait and deal with those henchmen at night. He convinced himself it wasn't good to expose himself. When the women talked about child, Naruto acted.

He shunshined across the fire and used smoke screen bomb and removed the bracelet. He changed his hair colour using henge and decided to wear the mask he found at the Uzumaki temple earlier. It was not one of the sacred 'Five sealing masks' of Uzumaki clan but a normal one without any super natural powers. There was a mask called 'Shinighami mask' which should be in Konoha's Uzumaki temple but missing. Naruto suspected either Danzo or Orochimaru had it.

Naruto wore the normal mask for the first time, with a dark red cloak around him. He stood on the sea water using chakra few meters away from the shore. He started making hand seals and shouted

"Suiton: Suishoha' (Water Release: Water Colliding Wave)"

Everyone was scrambling when suddenly a massive vortex of water from the sea came down like a waterfall and hit the houses and extinguished the fire. The water receded peacefully to the sea after it put out the fire. Everyone turned to the sea and saw a man standing on the sea with a mask on his face, strong physique and a dark red cloak around him.

He suddenly disappeared from the sea and appeared on the debris left by the fire. Naruto searched for any signs of life using his advanced hearing and smell. Naruto had kyubi's chakra infused in him while Kushina was pregnant with him. His natural whisker like lines on his face was because of that. That's what kyubi said, at least and berated him saying that he was a brat who stole his chakra before being born. Naruto stuck out his tongue at the kyubi at the accusation.

Naruto found the child and entered the remaining fire, smoke and water. After a minute, he arrived in front of every one with a cloak covering his shoulder and hands. He slowly opened his cloak and the child was held safely in his hands. There it was, the injured but alive child.

The child's mother took the child and started wailing and apologizing and thanking Naruto all at once. He didn't respond and shunshined to the hospital with the mother and child leaving the goons and civilians behind. He left the child and mother there and reappeared again in front of the goons with a sword on his hand who were standing still at the intrusion, in the affected area. In the time taken to blink, all the goons were on the ground screaming and the mysterious man was standing behind the goons with an outstretched hand holding a sword dripping with blood. No one saw him moving. The confused people took a look and found that there were identical cuts starting from the right shoulder and ending in left side of the abdomen on each of the goons.

"Tell Gato not to touch the civilians", Naruto said in a modified voice to the goons on the ground and vanished.

The people were confused, shocked and finally elated. They thanked the masked man over and over. It all happened within less than five minutes from the moment water wave reached the land.

At the same time on the bridge, it was still Sakura who came to the bridge on the fifth day because Sasuke came to the bridge on the fourth day. When they were going to finish the day's work, someone ran to the bridge frantically.

"Fire, there is fire, go save your families, Gato burnt your houses"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and started running towards the smoke that could be seen from the bridge.

Kakashi who had buried his nose in the orange book and stood up from where he was lazing under the tree. He asked Naruto not to create clones to train today so he could rest properly and sleep and hence kakashi was free today. Suddenly, he sensed a huge chakra. It was at least a B or A rank jutsu.

He decided to check the source and proceeded towards the town. He stopped midway by the sudden appearance of Naruto's clone.

"I take it is you then", Kakashi said and Naruto nodded.

Naruto explained in few words what happened and said the original would be home for dinner and not to worry.

"Well, at least he had the decency to inform his sensei. I was worse with my team", Kakashi commented and turned back.

It was loud during dinner. At least Sakura was. She was gushing about the mysterious mask man who cut the goons and at the same time didn't forget to impress her Sasuke-kun by telling that he would have done better than that man if he was there. Tazuna and Tsunami joined and they more or less concluded it must be a Samurai under the nearby nation's damiyo. They came to this conclusion because that man asked not to touch the civilians.

"What Samurais? He must be a ninja. Only we can use jutsus, isn't it Sasuke-kun?", Sakura asked.

"Hn", Sasuke said in rare show of civility by answering her.

Kakashi deduced that Sasuke must be thinking that man was strong and he should fight and surpass the man to become stronger. Kakashi was right. Sasuke was thinking that.

The odd thing was that Naruto didn't answer. Kakashi expected Naruto to play along but he was silently eating. Something must be wrong.

"Oi, Naruto, Naruto-baka, are you listening?", Sakura shouted.

"Are you dreaming to be like that man? Don't waste your time. You can never do that. Only Sasuke-kun could be strong like that man", Sakura was blabbering and Kakashi wanted to see how Sakura would react when she finds out Naruto was that man and it was not even the tip of his strength.

"Ok Sakura-chan", Naruto replied mechanically not even looking at her.

'Yup. Something is wrong', Kakashi confirmed.

And a chibi chose to appear at that time.

Inari interrupted them and shouted, "Why are you trying? It is a waste. Gato will kill that man once he finds him. He will kill all of you. Give up now", he was shouting lot of things basically meaning the same thing.

"TAMARE" (Shut it), Naruto stood up and shouted shocking everyone in the room.

"Naruto, baka, don't yell at the child. He is-", Sakura started.

Naruto ignored her.

"Die? Who is going to die? I am not going to die. Gato is a bastard who bullies people using his wealth. He has no real strength. He is a coward. And I…., I have no intention of dying at the hands of a coward. Only a pathetic coward like you will cry and tell to give up on Gato's face. Not me. I am a ninja. Ninjas don't fear death. If you don't stop whining about your loss and start to protect your mother who is living for you and a grandfather who is using his strength in old age to save his people, you have no right to talk", Naruto said in a condescending tone that even offended the people whom it wasn't directed.

"You don't know what you are talking about. You know nothing about pain", Inari yelled.

"Shut up brat. You have a roof above your head, food on your plate and a family to protect you. Go and take a look at the children in the village office where the children of people Gato killed are staying. You will know what pain means. Their life is pain. Don't talk like you are the only one suffering. You are not the only one in pain. You know nothing about us, so stop judging. Stop whining like a baby and do something other than crying", Naruto yelled back and started to walk out.

"Naruto, you-", Sakura started.

"Let him go Sakura", Kakashi stopped whatever she wanted to tell.

Naruto exited the room leaving Sasuke and Sakura baffled.

Inari started crying. Tsunami and Tazuna apologized and explained that Gato killed Inari's step-father. His step-father was strong but he died sacrificing his life for the village because of Gato.

Kakashi went to Inari and explained how Naruto was an orphan and his life was more painful than he could imagine. But Naruto was strong and probably he told himself the same words he told Inari, over and over every day when he was young.

That night Naruto hadn't come back but his clones were standing on night watch. Kakashi could see Naruto wasn't in danger and let him be. Ninjas would usually dispel clones to have enough chakra to fight if they were in danger.

The original Naruto who exited the house didn't stop and started running. He just went to an unmanned island nearby and started training. He was never grateful for water-walking in his life more than he was now. When he was done, it looked like a storm passed through the island.

What made Naruto behave like that? Let's reel back couple of hours before dinner. Naruto was enjoying the sea breeze after warning the goons, in laze, sitting on a tree. A crow suddenly landed near him and delivered a scroll. The contents were the reason why Naruto was angry.

Naruto contacted Itachi regarding few things. Itachi left him a crow for contacting him for emergency. All Naruto had to do was to use the once-use scroll and summon the crow Itachi gave him. This scroll was for the communication initiated by Naruto. If Itachi contacted him first, it would be easier to respond. Itachi wrote to him every six months and Naruto would write back and sent them to Itachi through the same crow which delivered the letter. He would give snacks for the crow for waiting patiently for couple hours.

He used Itach's scroll now because he wanted to let Itachi know that Sasuke was out of Konoha on first C- rank raised to A-rank mission. Naruto informed Itachi that the council wanted to accelerate Sasuke's growth and might fuel his revenge. The council wanted to push Sasuke to open his sharinghan soon. Sandaime hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, approved that action which Naruto couldn't figure out.

Naruto also wanted to know why the council asked to ignore him in his genin team. Academy, he could understood because they didn't intend to provide him with knowledge. He couldn't guess why they wanted to ignore him now when they could teach him jutsu and send him on dangerous missions. Naruto guessed they would train him and make him an ANBU.

Usually, they wanted to use him as a tool. Even if the council asked to ignore Naruto, lord third wouldn't have accepted it. Unless there was something fishy. Only fishy thing about Naruto was the fox with nine tails. Naruto wanted to know if Itachi knew something. The organization Itachi was in, usually spied on all villages and Naruto guessed Itachi would know about Konoha.

Those information was what he wanted to know before confronting Hiruzen and Naruto was ill-prepared when he received the answer.

Itachi wrote back saying Jiraya found out about 'Akatsuki'. Akatsuki was the organization Itachi joined after the massacre. It was an organization that wanted to bring peace for the world. But currently, they were planning to hunt the jinjurikis and harvest biju from them. Itachi leaked that to one of Jiraya's contacts. Jiraya must have informed the hokage. That must why they wanted Sasuke's sharinghan. Itachi wasn't in contact with Jiraya. Jiraya didn't know Itachi but he guessed Itachi was the one helping his contacts.

The letter didn't say anything else but Naruto could guess what happened after that.

At present, "Have you calmed down?", kyubi asked.

"Calm? I am anything but", Naruto wasn't using mind voice to talk to kyubi. He directly landed in front of it in his mind.

"Talk to me brat. What are you going to do now? I am not dying with you if you fail. So you better inform me everything before pulling something".

"So the Akatsuki wants you and your siblings. Jiraya informed hokage to warn him. But that old man, didn't train me to protect myself and you from them. Instead, he asked Kakashi to concentrate on Uchiha. I already know he told Kakashi not to worry about me and promised him, Jiraya would teach me later. He told Kakashi to just teach me basics so Jiraya could take over later"

"The monkey summoner is devious"

"Sandaime basically gave up on me. He decided to wake the sharinghan in Sasuke. Sasuke's bloodline is strong. He basically drilled into Kakashi that Sasuke is like him and also has sharinghan and only he could help him. He wanted Kakashi and Sasuke to bond. The council wanted them to bond. Hokage didn't Kakashi to bond with me and reveal my lineage because of his loyalty towards my father. It would give him a headache because I will question him and demand an explanation. I would want more and my lineage to be announced. He could get in trouble with council."

"The council just didn't want Kakashi to realize I am the person his sensei entrusted Kononha's safety with. They didn't want us to bond. They made sure of that by telling him to concentrate on Sasuke", Naruto was quickly analyzing everything.

"Danzo was behind the scenes too. He would have already known about Akatsuki. He has ROOT and many connections outside Konoha. Information flows faster to him. He wouldn't give up on me as a tool. We already know he is strong. The only reason why he and Sarutobi both could ignore me might be because they have something better".

"Even if they are ready to give up on you they wouldn't give me up. They still wanted to use me through you even though I killed some of Konoha's people."

"Yeah. So I don't believe they are going to give you to Akatsuki. They are probably going to use sharinghan to control you. That's why they need Sasuke to wake his sharinghan. They want to control you and me. That would go without any problem if I am dumb. To lord third, the village comes before my life", Naruto told grimly.

"The prevent sannin was coming to teach you but basically he is coming for the seal."

"Yeah. But I don't think he knows about lord third's idea. I think Hiruzen told him what he told Kakashi. I also don't think the council knows about Akatsuki."

"Kyubi, I think Hiruzen know that if they can't defeat Akatsuki, the only way to win is to transfer and reseal you in another body. We both know by experience the bijus cannot be extracted from a body whose chakra coils have not matured. That was why the man who came after you that day didn't come back until now. I think that man might be Akatsuki too. I will ask Itachi later".

"I think the old man wants to be ready for everything. So he wants to use Kakashi's and Sasuke's sharinghan to take you from me and reseal it on someone before worse comes. That's why he agreed with ignoring me and concentrating Sasuke. Because there is no point in teaching someone who is going to die or be hunted by Akatsuki. Instead teach someone who could serve Konoha"

"There is no way I am going to another jail. The old monkey, if I catch him, I will crush his old bones. But the Kakashi brat won't agree with this idea even when he ignored you. I am not sure about the old frog pervert but the dog summoner wouldn't agree to kill you. He would rather face Akatsuki first. "

"It wouldn't have mattered. If I am them, I wouldn't tell Kakashi first. Let's consider I am the Sandaime. I would call Jiraya to train the jinjuriki. Convince him the jinjuriki needs to use full potential to defeat the Akatsuki and get the way to loosen the seal or the key to the seal. I would tell Jiraya, more than one person should know how to deal with the seal in case of emergencies. I would tell him he must be in the front line to deal with Akatsuki rather than dealing with the jinjuriki's seal during a fight. I woud use this reason to get the information from him since me and the elders know seals. He would give because he believes his sensei HIruzen"

"After getting the key, I would promise Sasuke revenge by defeating Akatsuki since Itachi is a part of Akatsuki. I would tell Sakuse, he should kill all Itachi's friends in Akatsuki, like Itachi killed Sasuke's clan. I would also tell he is the only one in Konoha who could help to boost his ego. And the prideful Sasuke Uchiha will be convinced".

"I will convince myself that Akatsuki are bad people and what I am doing is right and Itachi wouldn't mind. Because Hiruzen always convince himself whatever he is doing, it is for the village and the village takes precedence over the lives of few"

"And then I, the Sandaime, will start to extract you from the jinjuriki in Konoha's forest away from the village so as not to alert anybody and also to avoid harming the villagers."

"You would come out and be angry and try to escape. You will see the sharinghan and try to wreak havoc. At that point, entire Konoha will know about you because of demonic chakra and your looming figure. So does Kakashi who already hates you. He will arrive concerned for his sensei's legacy and find him dead already, because the biju was extracted from him. I would tell him the jinjuriki lost control during his practice to access biju's chakra and you escaped. They need his Sharinghan to reseal you. The copy-nin, in his grief, anger and self-blame will first help to reseal you in another infant and will break down over his sensei's legacy".

"Everything will be done successfully according to my plan. Even if the copy-nin Kakashi suspects and questions later, it would be too late and if needed, he can be eliminated or sent out on a longer mission away from Konoha. Even the Akatsuki can't do anything for next 15 years and I can neglect and abuse another child, sorry jinjuriki until I repeat this process, sorry, murder."

Naruto was fuming after his speech.

"I can't say you are overthinking kid. If their actions are considered, I agree they may have plans along those lines or accurately what you said", the fox told and it approved the genius of Naruto. It would not voice about it but it was glad Naruto wasn't evil. Naruto could deduce at 12 what the old monkey and others could devise at their sunset years.

Naruto suddenly beamed and said, "Don't worry fluffy. I will protect you. I will not let them or Akatsuki take you away from me. We are partners and we will be alright, dattebayo".

"Don't call me that, you blonde brat. You protect me? Protect yourself first. If Konoha succeeded I won't die but you will go meet your parents. And your sensei will die of depression. So worry about yourself first." They demon fox forgot that it refused to deny that they were partners this time. Naruto noted it happily but didn't call out the biju on it.

"You meanie, don't bully me", Naruto pouted.

"I will not let them succeed. I will not let them bully another child into a jinjuriki. I will end this cycle of suffering and change jinjuriki's fate. I will also find a way that doesn't put the biju in prison but could co-exist alongside humans peacefully", Naruto vowed to himself.

"It is easier to say that than do it brat. Humans fear us and we hate human's greed. First deal with your hokage and council blondie."

"I already have a plan"

"What are you planning now?"

Naruto explained some things and asked for the fox's opinion. They discussed what their next course of actions would be. Once they perfected the plan, Naruto went back to the place where he was supposed to meet Haku. He decided to talk to him today.

At dawn, Haku appeared to practice with Naruto as usual. After it ended, Naruto opened up first.

"Hmm.. Haku, your chakra control is awesome. You are cool", Naruto said sincerely.

Haku was surprised but replied anyway. "You are cool too Naruto. You will make a great ninja"

"Don't let Sasuke or Sakura hear it"

"Your teammates? If you don't mind me asking, why don't you want to train with them?", Haku didn't want to pry. Just curious.

"They don't want to train with me"

"Why?"

"They hate me"

"Why?"

"Because I am a dead-last"

Haku was confused. "You are not a dead-last. Why do they think that?"

"Because I want them to"

"Why?"

"To protect myself"

"Huh?"

"Haku, have you ever experienced what it was like for people to fear you for something you have but not responsible for? Blamed and hated for something you didn't do but you can do in future?", Naruto asked.

"I do", Haku's tone was distant like remembering some past.

Naruto saw the look on his eyes. "How did you come to be with the Demon of the mist, if you don't mind me asking?"

"He helped me. I have a bloodline trait that could produce ice. I inherited it from my mother. It was during war times. I am from Yuki clan of Mizu no Kuni affliated to Kirigakure. My mother hid her kekkai genkai and married my father. Later my father found out our ability and killed my mother with some villagers. He tried to kill me but I killed him and the villagers. Later Zabuza found me and fed me and kept me with him. He was the only one who cared", Haku explained.

"I am really sorry for you. Well, I am a jinjuriki. I have a biju in me. My parents sacrificed their lives to seal the biju in me to protect the village. The hokage hid my legacy but disclosed my jinjuriki status to the village. I was feared, blamed, shunned and attacked for it. Still is. So I play dumb and weak not to antagonize the villagers further. My classmates didn't know but they only know that the adults hated me and followed their words. Emo denies and looks down on everyone and pinkie hates the dumb orphan who is easy to bully. Both dislikes me for being a dead last who holds back the team", Naruto summarized.

"I am sorry"

"I wish you were in Konoha. We would have been friends. You wouldn't have mistreated me"

"I wish you were on Mizo kuni. We would have been friends. You wouldn't have been scared of me"

Both smiled and imagined a childhood that didn't happen.

"What are the places you went to? I have never been out of Konoha before", Naruto asked.

And Haku also wanted to know more about ninja village and life.

So a beautiful friendship bloomed.