Hey everyone! It's me, Xavier. Boy I was hoping to get this chapter out two days ago, but some scenes were being particularly difficult and frustrating on my end. After much deliberation and re writing I think I got those scenes down pretty well in all honesty. So hopefully everyone enjoys this chapter as much as the last, cause I have been slaving awayyyy.
Anyways, I got a good number of reviews!
Lots of you asked about Itachi's age in this. She is going to be 19/ turning 20 soon. Since this is AU keep in mind not all events are going to be like canon or even happen at all.
Another thing I kept seeing was that people want to know if the pairing is going to be FemItachi x Naruto or not. My answer to this is, I still haven't decided! Honestly going to let the story develop more before I actually lock down one pairing (or more haven't decided if I'm going to have other characters have pairings in this or if the CRA will be a thing.) The pairings will more than likely not be up for poll, though if they are it will be to help me narrow down possibilities, that's about it. I've rambled enough though, so enjoy this chapter everyone!
Xavier signing out.
Chapter 2
Naruto awoke from his small bed in the corner. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes. Blearily, he sits up on the small mattress, before padding into the kitchen. Activating a small storage seal on this thumb, Naruto pulls out some eggs and other vegetables, fully intent on making ramen. No matter the time line, ramen would always be the best food.
You awake in there, Kurama?
The only answer Naruto gets is a low growl of annoyance from within the seal. Naruto sweat drops at that while he gets to work making his ramen.
I should go see Hokage jiji after some breakfast. We need to make a plan to stop Madara and Obito from somehow taking over the entire world.
That would probably be for the best kit. As of now, we don't exactly even know if Obito is fully healed from his injury, nor where Madara is either. Hell the old bat could still be in his half dead state Obito said he found him in.
Naruto sits down at the kotatsu with his ramen. With a small "Itadakimasu," Naruto begins to dig into the ramen. Naruto wills a couple shadow clones into existence.
"I want you guys to start gathering information, as well as some money. I need to pay jiji back somewhat soon. Any information you find is good for now. Especially information on bloodline's and clans." The clones nod at Naruto before leaping out the window.
I guess some reckless habits will never die off.
The day you aren't a reckless shinobi Naruto is the day Shukaka beats me at poker.
Naruto stifles a laugh, before starting to finish his ramen. Looking at the clock on the wall, Naruto puts his plate away in the sink. Naruto moves about his small apartment, putting some new clothes on his clones bought him yesterday. A long black sleeve-shirt with some chain armor to go underneath, dark blue shinobi pants and some black sandals as well.
With it being about seven a.m. or so, jiji should have gotten to his office by now. Picking his haori up from the floor and putting it on, Naruto leaves his apartment.
"Good morning Reizen." Naruto glances up from locking his door to see Hayate exiting his apartment, with a purplette Naruto distinctly recognizes.
I don't think I ever saw Yuugao without her mask off in all honesty.
Naruto gives a small wave to the couple. Yuugao elbows Hayate in the gut.
"Well, are you going to introduce me to your new neighbor, Hayate-Kun?" Hayate rolls his eyes before gesturing towards Naruto.
"Uzumaki Reizen-san, this is my wonderful girlfriend, Uzuzki Yuugao."
Naruto inclines his head in greeting.
"It's always a pleasure to meet new people. You have a wonderful boyfriend, Uzuzki-san." Yuugao beams a megawatt smile at Naruto. "Where are you headed so early, Uzumaki-san?"
"To the Hokage's office. Myself and Lord Third have some things that we need to discuss still from yesterday." The couple nods at Naruto, before bidding him farewell, with promises of seeing him later and a million more coughs from Hayate. Naruto merely shakes his head.
Yuugao laid on the chakra spike, her body fully impaled protecting Naruto. Blood runs from beneath her mask-
It's in the past kit. That's why we are here. To save them all.
Naruto merely nods his head, determination filling him.
Hokage's Office
Naruto slowly closes the door behind him, ghosting across the floor to a corner as to try and not let Hiruzen and the other person in the room notice his presence.
"Asuma, I understand you have reservations over watching a new Jonin, however you are the one I feel is best for the task, It's either I give him to your or Kakashi, I would rather not bog him down with his lateness."
Naruto can feel the glare being leveled at Hiruzen.
"It's not that father. It's that it's going to take time away from Kurenai. You know how much I love her. The less time I spend with her, the more angry I will become."
Naruto can feel the pressure in the room drop from Hiruzen, though Naruto is hardly affected. Stretching his chakra out, Naruto feels Itachi, as well as a Nara he doesn't know in the corners of the office. So Itachi-chan is anbu in this timeline still eh? Interesting.
"You will be his observer Asuma, regardless of your personal time for things. I can't let this one go without an observer." Naruto can hear the note firm of finality in the old man's voice. The voice of the God of Shinobi.
Naruto chooses that exact time to step out of the shadows, startling every single other person within the room. Hiruzen is the first to regain his composure, though Naruto is silently chuckling at being able to avoid him and Itachi.
"Ah, Reizen-Kun. You are here awfully early this morning, aren't you?" To anybody else, it was just asked as a normal question. Naruto knew better though, there is an underlying sense of worry in the question from his jiji.
"Yes, I felt it prudent to bring some things up from our discussion yesterday." Hiruzen merely nods his head.
"Before we get to that, my son Sarutobi Asuma. Asuma, this is Uzumaki Reizen, the one you will be observing." Asuma gives Naruto a respectful nod, no doubt possibly sizing him up for a later spar or something. Naruto gives the younger looking Asuma a small bow.
"I shall be in your care then, Sarutobi-San." Naruto gets out as friendly as possible.
"I'll wait outside, try not to take too long with my father, will you?" Naruto merely nods as Asuma leaves the room. Hiruzen gestures for Itachi and Nara to leave the room, raising the privacy barriers once they are gone.
"It's probably time you knew some of the things that happened, or is it will happen? Jiji, it's nothing good."
Sarutobi takes a puff from his pipe, before emptying it into a nearby ash bowl.
"So be it then. Let me pose a question first however, when does everything start to spiral down hill?" Naruto pauses at that.
"How old is my younger version of myself?"
"He is in his last year of the academy, why?" Naruto lets out a sigh of relief at that.
"That's good. The only thing that really happens of significance is the bloody civil war of the mist though it was hard to tell exactly when that happened. The information from my time was minimal at best by the end of the war. Other than that the Chunin Exams is where everything starts to go downhill quite quickly. Though my younger counterpart might end up getting into some trouble..."
Now it's Hiruzen's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"The hidden mist have been slowly isolating themselves, but Yagura is a kind Kage from what I have been told, the clans do support him as well." Naruto goes wide eyed at this.
Kurama? Thoughts?
If the Hidden mist hasn't killed off their clans yet… This is an opportunity you can't miss kit. Some of those clans like the Yuki or Kaguya could be super helpful during the war.
Hiruzen coughs into his hands, startling Naruto out of his conversation with Kurama.
"Oh, sorry Jiji. I was talking to Kurama, wait you wouldn't know who that is. That's Kyuubi's name, though he hates being called the Kyuubi. Anyways, in my time, Yagura hunted down any clan with a bloodline because Tobi was controlling him, who we think is Obito Uchiha."
"Isn't Obito Uchiha the one who died on Kakashi's mission to save his teammate, Rin?" I nod my head, then freeze.
"Rin is alive?" Hiruzen nods his head. Naruto goes to say something, but before he can, A shinobi comes sprinting through the door. Whatever has this man here, must be an emergency considering the barriers were up.
"Lord Hokage, its urgent news from one of your spies." Hiruzen nods gravely, motioning for the Chunin to continue.
"Kusa is making a move. Three Jonin as well as a young woman with red hair are moving into what seems to be Wave country, though their current trajectory puts them on a random island off the coast of Wave." Uzushiogakure.
What could Kusa want with Uzushio?
That's what I want to know, though if they have a young woman with red hair with them then….
Karin.
Naruto turns to Hiruzen quickly. His usual calm demeanor gone in favor of possibly saving some of his family, even if he barely knows them. Hiruzen notices his change as well.
"I think I might know the girl, Lord Hokage." Hiruzen raises an eyebrow. Naruto discreetly points to his hair, just as Asuma walks in. Hiruzen's eyes go wide for several seconds, his mouth half open from him about to take a puff from his wooden pipe. After those seconds, Hiruzen clamps his mouth shut. Hiruzen brings a steely gaze about the room.
"Reizen, I'm sorry but I will have to send you and my son out on a mission, as well as some others. Karyu!" An old woman comes scrambling into the room.
"Send for Hayate and Yuugao at once. Tell them it's urgent." She nods before scrambling out of the office.
After about twenty minutes of waiting or so, Hayate and Yuugao both come sprinting into the room, out of breath and in very nice clothes. They must have been on a date.
"Hayate, Yuugao. I'm sorry but this mission requires experience and you two are the only one's not on a mission that I can send to help my son and Reizen-Kun here." They nod gravely, not asking any questions. If their Lord Hokage thought the mission was that important, then they were in no right to complain.
"I am giving you four the mission of beating Kusa to Uzushiogakure. They just sent three Jonin and a young girl we don't know there. If they are going after the ruins, that could mean they really are trying to become a major power. Asuma will be in command, with Reizen-Kun here as is second in command, considering those are your home's ruins." Everyone nods at Hiruzen seriously.
"You three, meet me at the gate in fifteen minutes. Pack for at least a month-long journey. I'm not sure how we will be getting to the island. That will be figured out once we reach the coast of Wave Country." Yuugao and Hayate dash out of the office, rushing to their home to go and gather their supplies. Naruto gets up from his chair, giving a nod to Hiruzen.
"We can talk more after my mission, Lord Hokage." Hiruzen nods, as Naruto leaves his office with Asuma in tow.
"I have my supplies already sealed inside of seals on my body, so I am ready to leave whenever." Asuma nods in appreciation.
Fuinjutsu practitioners are very useful to have around.
"I'll meet you at the gate, Reizen-Kun." Naruto nods his head, taking off in the direction of the gate.
Konoha Main Gate
Fifteen minutes later, Asuma, Naruto Yuugao and Hayate all stood at the gate. Naruto is wearing a dark green shirt with his normal dark red leather haori, some black shinobi pants and normal wooden sandals. The other three are wearing the standard Jonin Konoha uniform.
"Alright you three, before we get going, I think it's best if Uzumaki-san takes over and gives us a briefing of where we might be heading to." Asuma pulls out a cigarette, lighting it casually as he finishes his little speech. Naruto nods his head, his hair falling over his eyes slightly as he does so.
"Uzushiogakure is a decently sized island off the coast of Wave and Water country. About two hundred fifty miles to be exact. Most Uzushio shinobi can water walk that distance without being tired, however I am going to go out on a limb and say none of you three can?" They all nod their heads.
Fantastic, well this is going to be very difficult then to say the least.
"Since that is the case, our only option is going to be to find a boat in Wave somewhere, since I doubt any of us want to go into water country at the moment." Naruto gets a chorus of nods in agreement. Naruto pulls out three pieces of sealing paper.
"This is one of my original seals. Apply a little bit of chakra and it will stick onto your clothing. By pushing chakra into it, I can Dimension step to your position at any given time." They all nod as they apply the seals to their clothes. Asuma steps forward again.
"Is this anything like the fourth's jutsu by chance?" Hayate asks in curiosity. Naruto shakes his head.
"Same concept but vastly different. While his is mainly space-time techniques, mine revolves more around using dimension pockets. Different Fuinjutsu area's." Hayate just nods in acceptance.
"Well you heard Uzumaki-San. We will have to find a boat in Wave to take us to the island. Let's get moving." With that, the four shinobi took off into the forest at a fast pace.
Land of Waves
As Naruto and company sprint through the Land of Waves, Naruto takes in the scenery while stretching his sensory ability out around him. The group is in diamond formation, with Asuma leading and Naruto in the back. Hayate and Yuugao on the left and right respectively.
It's been some time since I have been to Wave. At least a non destroyed Wave.
Flashback
Screams of pain and agony raced through Naruto's ears as he blocked another kunai with his own blood stained kunai. Naruto sweeps his legs on the Zetsu clone in front of him. That's when he hears the distinct sound of reanimation jutsu.
"Fuck." Naruto lets out a curse as Sasuke glances over at him, swinging the Kusanagi through three clones at once, dispelling them.
That's when they see them. Jiraiya and Darui, standing on top of a hill. With black eyes.
"Shit! I thought Ero-sennin's body was never found. Dammit all!" Sasuke just shrugs as he activates his Rinnegan in his left eye, absorbing the chakra of the Zetsu around him. Naruto lashes out in his Flying Crimson Thunder Taijutsu, obliterating five other clones in the matter of a single kick. Jiraiya and Darui fly into the battlefield, Naruto and Sasuke meeting them head on.
Eventually, it's just the four of them left standing, with Jiraiya giving Naruto a small, sad smile.
Naruto runs through hand seals quickly, before activating his jutsu.
Sealing Arts: Soul Devastation Revival
The ground shakes beneath them as explosions go off around them from tags that never detonated as the chakra in the air is absorbed, with Jiraiya and Darui's souls being sucked out of the reanimated bodies. The last thing Naruto see's from Jiraiay's body's tears flowing out of his eyes. Naruto feels his own tears start to flow as well.
Flashback End
The four shinobi come to the very coast of Wave Country, standing on a dock. Ten's of fishermen are out and about in the early morning.
"Asuma, I'll take a look around and see if I can't procure a boat ride for us. Otherwise we will have to think of something else." Asuma nods his head in agreement, before his stomach rumbles loudly. He mutters something about needing breakfast as he trudges along the pier, looking for some food. Naruto walks to where all of the boats are lined up, seeing an old man laying in one of the boats, his hat covering his eyes and nose.
Naruto gently coughs into his hand, the old man waking up instantly. He glances up and sees Naruto standing there politely, having not yet approached his boat out of respect. The old man's eyes flash with approval. He gives Naruto a smile.
"The name is Gentaro. How can I help you, shinobi-san?"
Naruto unseals some eggs and some cash, handing them to the old man.
"Myself and three others need passage to Uzushiogakure, Gentaro-San. My name is Uzumaki Reizen. It's a pleasure to meet you." The old man raises an eyebrow.
"Another Uzumaki needing passage to their ruined home? Very well, your clan was good to us when they were alive. It was a shame they were destroyed during the second war. I will take you and your friends to Uzushio. I would be careful though, four others already asked for passage there as well." Naruto nods his head, before pushing his chakra out in three intervals. Soon, the other three are on the boat.
Gentaro nods at them.
"Let's get going while the tide is still flowing out. Get in." With that, Naruto clambers on. The group slowly sets off from the pier, their destination Uzushiogakure.
Karin, I hope I make it in time in this timeline, if it really is you. I swear, you will have a good life this time around. Everyone will.
I'm here to help if you need me kit, though knowing you, you probably won't need my help in the slightest.
Naruto simply nods his head in response to his furry brother as the boat casts off from the dock, headed towards Uzushio.
250 Nautical miles later
Naruto and the others reach the desolate island of Uzushio. Naruto already expected what the group saw, though nobody else did. Decaying bodies and skeletons covered the ruined area, with an aura of death coming from the village about ten miles into the island itself.
As the group approached the village itself, they took in the mass destruction. Charred bodies skewed about the village, blackened bits of building all about as well. Various body parts laid about in buildings and on the street, as well as blackened intestines and other unrecognizable body parts.
It all reminded Naruto of the fourth war, so he wasn't all that affected really. The other three however, had pale faces.
"What could have possibly done this?" Yuugao whispered into the empty frigid air. Naruto closes his eyes, stretching his chakra sensory abilities out over the island.
"Stone, Kusa and Kiri all invaded Uzushio due to them being sealing masters." Hayate answered though his voice was shaken as well.
There, on the north side of the island. Though there are more than the four signatures I was expecting…. The other two are Uzumaki as well, it's impossible to miss my clan's chakra signature anywhere. The spy's intel was off. Fuck.
"Asuma, there are others on the North side of the island. Though there are more than four of them…" Naruto let his voice trail off as the others digested the information.
"Well, we have nothing else to lose, we need to go see what it is Kusa wants with this…. Desolate place." Asuma lights a cigarette in-between speaking, puffing some more smoke out. Naruto and the other two nod, Naruto taking point as the four of them head to the North side of the island.
North side of Uzushiogakure
As the four of them creep over the small ridge, Naruto stretches his chakra sensory out.
They are down there all right.
As they all crest the top of the ridge, Naruto notices two of the Jonin are keeping watch as the third Jonin cracks his whip against the dirty rags of the three small children as they search the floor and mud for something. Naruto notices the chains. The fucking chains.
"They chained the kids together. The sick fucks." Yuugao all but bites out in a low tone.
Hayate almost stands up suddenly, before he is pulled back down by Yuugao. Asuma glances over at Naruto, before slowly shifting his position so he is next to Naruto.
"Reizen-San, do you have anything that could help at least subdue one or two of the Jonin down there?" Naruto closes his eyes, feeling for the reserves of the Jonin beneath them.
For Jonin, they have relatively small reserves, almost on par as what I had when I was a Genin.
Naruto opens his eyes and nods at Asuma.
"I have a barrier that can slowly suck their chakra from them, not that they have much. Those three have chunin reserves at best. No wonder Kusa is a minor village. Their shinobi are incompetent fools." Naruto growls in a low animalistic voice. Asuma nods, gesturing for the four of them to huddle up.
"Ok, here's how we do this. Yuugao, Hayate. You two engage in close combat, your Kenjutsu will likely overpower the fools. Reizen-San will use a barrier to drain them of chakra. I'll support you two with wind jutsu if need be." They all nod in agreement. There's no place for argument on the battlefield after all.
Naruto starts to slowly chakra draw in the air, with Asuma staring with wide eyes for a moment before focusing back on the Jonin down below. Yuugao and Hayate both have their swords semi-drawn, waiting for Asuma's signal. Naruto finishes his last stroke, then flips through hand seals before landing on the bird seal.
Uzumaki Sealing Arts: Chakra Soul Collector Barrier
Naruto whispers the sealing into the frigid fog around them as a light blue barrier hums into existence.
The Jonin down below suddenly become active as they feel their chakra being pulled from them painfully. They cry out in pain, making the children all huddle close together away from them. Asuma nods, flipping through hand seals.
Wind Style: Wind Bullet
Asuma shoots the wind bullet at the furthest Jonin, with Hayate and Yuugao engaging the other two. The furthest Jonin gets hit by the Wind Bullet, and he ends up flying back some feet with a large bruise on his chest. Metal on metal clash against each other as sparks fly throughout the battlefield.
Asuma pulls his trench knives out, coating them in wind chakra and joining in on the fray. He double teams one of the Jonins who by now is looking as pale as a ghost from chakra exhaustion. Yuugao manages to duck inside the man's guard, disarming his knife and slamming the hilt of her sword into his jaw, knocking him out cold.
Hayate meanwhile is dancing around the second Jonin. Using his Kenjutsu, Hayate has already disarmed the man of his kunai, forcing the man to try and defend with his metal arm guards. Hayate sweeps down, bringing his sword and slashing the man's calves, slicing through the tendons. The man falls down onto the mud, where Hayate finishes him with a clean stab through the man's heart.
The third Jonin tries to cast a Earth Style: Mud Wall, though thanks to severe chakra exhaustion the Jonin ends up collapsing after finishing his hand seals. That's when a loud eruption explodes from near Asuma. Everyone glances over to see large, glowing chains floating out of Karin's back, who is completely terrified like the other two children are. The chains move wildly, narrowly missing Asuma and Hayate. Asuma brings his trench knives up to defend himself, deflecting one of the chains barely. Asuma looks at his knives and sees they almost shattered in half from one hit.
A quick "Shit!" Escapes Naruto's mouth as he races down to the clearing. Flying through hand seals, Naruto wills his own chains into existence, controlling them to subdue Karin's chains. After Naruto is sure her chains won't be moving thanks to his, he dashes to Karin. He stops a foot in front of her, keeping his hands up the entire time.
"Hey, hey it's ok. I'm not gonna hurt you alright?" Naruto saids in his most soothing voice, the voice he used to help wounded soldiers at night during the war. There are distinct tears rolling down the young Karin's dirty, mud covered face. Karin's chains try to move, though not as much as she looks up at Naruto, with somewhat fear filled eyes.
"My name's Uzumaki Reizen, what are your names you three?" Eyes fly open wide as the three kids stare at Naruto.
"Uzumaki Karin."
"Uzumaki Kin."
"Uzumaki Tayuya." They all three say at the same time in small, timid voices.
"Are you three sisters?" They nod as they dash into Naruto's arms, the only family they have left besides themselves. The chakra chains slowly recede from Karin's back as she calms down from her panic attack. He runs soothing hands down their backs, sitting there with them for a few minutes. Pain, racked sobs tear through each of them as the realization of freedom overwhelms them. Asuma, as well as Hayate and Yuugao walk over to where Naruto is with the three sisters, wit Asuma dragging the two unconscious Jonin by their hair through the mud.
"Reizen-San, do you know these three by chance?" Naruto shakes his head, his hair flying about a bit as he can feel his haori starting to grow damp.
"No, I don't. But they are family. Family never abandons each other, no matter what." Naruto whispers into the empty fog around them, his grip slowly becoming more protective of the three already.
The other three give small smiles at Naruto.
I won't let anything happen to you three.
"How would you three like to come home with me?" Naruto asks softly. The three girls don't respond, but he can feel them nod as more tears, happy ones Naruto presumes, start to flow freely once more.
A fierce will runs through Naruto and fills him with determination, like an older brother or father gets protective of his family. Naruto pulls the three in tighter to him.
Never again. I'll make sure this time, you three have a good life at the very least.
This chapter took a lot out of me quite frankly. I do hope everyone really enjoyed the chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Well, we are now at the start of the Uzushio arc, which is going to be fun! I have quite a bit planned for this arc, not sure how much I will incorporate, who knows? But now Naruto has more family to protect. My plan for this fic is to try and get chapters out every three or four days though it might be a week sometimes. A week will be the longest you guys have to wait unless something personal comes up, which by then I hope everyone understands. Anyways, I'm off to write some more! Ja Ne!