Chapter 1

People got out of the way of some of the adults got the hell out of the area. The reason for their fears was a woman whose red hair was whipping around and her eyes were filled with malice. Everyone saw that her fist were clenched and could feel her anger from the red aura that surrounded her. Those who ran in fear knew what that meant. Someone was about to get hurt really bad.

Said woman ignored everyone and focused on the object of her ire. Out of the eye of the public, she appeared in front of the home of her target. In one motion, she kicked the door off its hinges. It surprised the two males that were in the common room. Seeing who it was, fear gripped the older of the two.

"M-Mom? W-Wait, I can…"

"YOU BAKA!" she said and launched herself, tackling her fourteen year old son. She began to wail onto him, ignoring the fearful young Uchiha in the room. It was all in the day of the Namikaze family.

XXX

A bruised Naruto sat with his now calm mother at his side. Sasuke sat across from them. Before the beating his mother gave him, Sasuke requested training so that he could get revenge. He heard on the streets that he was Itachi's equal. While completely untrue, Naruto was one of the few who could fight Itachi on an equal playing field. Naruto spared with Itachi of very few occasions and also had a few victories. He knew what the villages were talking about when he defeated Itachi during the Chunin exams.

After a while, Naruto did answer Sasuke. The 'no' was met with the out coming explosion from the young Uchiha.

"What do you mean no?!" Sasuke exclaimed.

"You came here to me because everyone still talks about the fight in the Chunin exams. I only beat Itachi due to luck. Besides, I don't think you really know the path you want to walk." Naruto said calmly. This only infuriated Sasuke.

"What do you know about me?! You didn't have to watch the bodies lay there in pools of blood! You didn't have to relive how your brother killed every member of your family! You know nothing!" Sasuke shouted. Naruto just looked at Sasuke with an expression. That when he spoke.

"I was six years old when I watched the Kyūbi no Yoko impale my father and mother. Three years later, due to the fact that my father was the Konoha no Kiiroi Senkō, an asshole by the name of Deidara, blew up my teammate and best friend. A week ago, your brother slayed people I considered a second family. You think I don't want to get revenge?" Naruto asked, surprising Sasuke.

"So why won't you help me?" he demanded.

"Because I know what darkness awaits those who only wants revenge. I have seen it. I've seen people who have sacrifice everything just to get revenge. You know what happened to those people? They are either dead or soulless. Are you willing to give up your soul just to kill Itachi? Do you think your family, your clan, will accept you in the afterlife? Are ready to face their judgment for your actions? I'm betting that you haven't." Sasuke was shocked silent by what he said. He wanted to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. Naruto stood and looked at the young Uchiha.

"Grieve for your clan Sasuke. Remember all the good you got when you had them. Your revenge can wait." He said. Sasuke glared at the blond before storming out of his place. Naruto sighed at that and wondered if he caused any change of the worst. That's when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"You did the right thing son. Hopefully, your words got to him." Kushina said.

"Me too. Auntie Mikoto wouldn't want him or Itachi to kill each other. If only Sarutobi could control the masses…" Naruto said with a low growl.

"This isn't all on Sarutobi." Kushina argued.

"Yes it is. He did nothing to support the Uchiha when everyone blamed them for the Kyūbi attack. He did nothing to end the divide the Nidaime caused. I had to find out about everything by accident. If he had come to me sooner, we could have avoided this." Naruto argued back.

"All right but did you have to treat him like that? He was like a grandfather to you. Don't you think that you were too harsh with him?" she asked. Naruto grumbled in frustration but he understood what his mother was talking about.

"I'll apologize after my two years are up. Maybe when I come back, he probably would have a spine again." Kushina sighed and realized that was the best that she would get out of him. That's when she remembered what he just said and was very happy.

"So you accepted Toshiyuki-sama's offer? That's great! After what happened in the capitol, I thought the gap was too far. I'm happy and proud that you decided to accept his offer."

"Yeah, it was the best decision. We do need to bridge that gap. I just hope I'm not going to be a gopher for the guy." Kushina just smiled and pinched her son's cheeks.

XXX

The next afternoon found Naruto in a training field. Earlier in the day, he had dealt with some investments he made, brought some ninja gear and set up something at the bank. With everything done, he decided to do some training and relax with his family before leaving. He knew that his mother would throw him a going away party with all the people he considered friends and family. He was only going to do light training because he knew his mother would kill him if he did anything heavy.

After taking a breath, Naruto made his way to the boulder, which had the top half lopsided. He observed the damage and was pleased a little.

'I'm getting there. My cut was almost flawless. Some training and the Oto no Kazeken with cut clean.' Naruto thought. Naruto was about to try again when he felt someone's eyes on him. He looked around to find his stalker. When he did, he tossed a small stone with some speed at the person. It hit dead on and a small squeak was heard, followed by a thud of someone falling out of a tree. Whatever Naruto hit was quickly to its' feet and was instantly in his personal space.

"What the hell Naruto?! That freaking hurt!" the female girl shouted. Naruto just sighed and looked down at the eight-year-old girl that glared at him. Her red hair was in two braids and her blue eyes bore into him. She was wearing a dark blue kimono, biker shorts, knee high socks and sandals. Naruto just gave her an annoyed look.

"Why were you spying on me Naruko?" Naruto demanded.

"Was that your Oto no Kazeken?" Naruko asked, ignoring his demand. Naruto just pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Why did Kami curse me with an imoto like you?" Naruto muttered. Naruko's cheeks puffed out and she threw a low kick at his shin. Naruto easily checked the kick. "What do you want imoto?"

"I want you to teach me the Oto no Kazeken." Naruko stated.

"For the fiftieth time, no."

"Why not?!"

"Did we forget the last time you used a deadly jutsu irresponsibility?" Naruto pouted and refused to look at her brother. She turned back to him angry.

"It was only that one time. Why do you keep bringing up that up?" Naruko asked.

"Because you are still acting like it was no big deal. You were lucky, very lucky, no one was in the path of that shuriken. Your uncle should have known better when he showed you that jutsu." Naruto explained.

"At least he teaches me something! What have you and mom ever thought me!" she shouted.

"If I remember correctly, you called fuinjutsu, our clan's legacy, worthless. You didn't wish to learn mom's kenjutsu style or my taijutsu style." He said with annoyance. Naruko was boiling with rage at her brother's attitude.

"Fine! I hope you stay in the capitol! Baka-aniki!" Naruko shouted and stormed off. Naruto felt a sting of pain when Naruko said that to him. He loved his sister very much but her attitude was something he would not accept. Naruko seem to believe that because she was the vessel of the Kyūbi no Yoko, she was entitled to respect. She felt that she held the beast that nearly destroyed the village at bay, so people should be grateful to her. It was something she learned from her uncle. That uncle's name was Shimura Danzō.

Why Hiruzen did not end Danzo's life, he would never know. In his mind, Danzō was a cancer that would spread if he wasn't cut away. Naruto saw him as a hypocrite and a liar. He talked about doing everything for Konoha but it was all for him. He was no patriot in his mind.

Naruto didn't feel like training anymore and left to get some ramen.

XXX

Hiruzen looked out the window of his office. He watched as everyone went about their day. It was peaceful and joyous. They would never know what he did to keep that peace. A week ago, he made such a decision. It hurt him deeply but it had to be done. It was what he told himself but it was all a lie. It was a lie because he allowed it to happen. He may not have ordered it but it happened under his watch. These were to words of his successor's son.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter." Hiruzen said. His door opened and in entered three people. When he saw who it was, he was not happy. "What can I do for you three today?" The three, knowing the Hokage since childhood, noticed the icy tone he used. They ignored it but were cautious of what might happen if they push him.

"We wanted to know about young Namikaze's plans. We know that he is making his way to the capitol and will be under Toshiyuki-sama's command. Do you know anything about what he would be doing?" the lone female asked. This female was Utatane Koharu.

"I have no idea. We are not on speaking terms." Hiruzen said.

"Can you speak to his mother then?" the elder man asked. His name was Mitokado Homura. "We would like to know just what his role is going to be."

"You can do that yourselves. I have no idea what Naruto would be doing and I am curious as to why you even care." That's when the man with one arm and bandages covering half of his face stepped forward. This was Shimura Danzō.

"The actions made of the night of the Uchiha massacre were the right decision. Do not question it and do not focus on what the boy did. His solution would not have made it better." He said.

"So you say. However, I know that the only reason you do not believe that is because what the Uchiha would have gained and what we would have lost. It believe that everyone would have gotten what they wanted and Naruto figured it out. The only reason that you are scared is because he was able to pull it off. Would it have interfered with your plans?" Hiruzen asked mockingly.

"What the Uchiha was planning was treasonous. They had to be dealt with, not rewarded, Itachi did his duty." Danzō argued.

"And all it cost was the childhood of his brother. At least with Naruto's deal, bridges could have been mended. All you can see is your own agendas." Hiruzen spat. The room feel silent at that. Hiruzen recomposed himself before taking a seat behind his desk. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do. You may see your way out." The elders were not happy, especially Danzō. They all turned and walked out of the Hokage's office.

XXX

Naruto laughed as the Haimaru Sankyodai piled all over him, much to the ire of their owner, Inuzuka Hana. The two chunin never seem to get along, even as teammates. If you asked Naruto, Hana was jealous of his awesomeness. If you asked Hana, Naruto was an entitled brat. If you asked anyone else, they were just flirting with each other.

"Don't you have to be on your way?" Hana demanded.

"Geez, what's up your butt? You still made that they like me instead of attacking me? What can I say, I'm just that loveable." Naruto boasted.

"Please, you wouldn't know what love is if it bit you in the ass." Hana stated.

"Right, I'm not loveable like you're not a tsundere." Naruto said mockingly. Fury erupted in her eyes.

"I've told you a dozen damn times THAT I AM NOT A TSUNDERE!" Hana roared. Watching the argument, Kushina and Inuzuka Tsume, mothers and best friends, were all smiles

"I swear, only your pup can rile her up like that. She might have softer features but she's an Inuzuka." Tsume joked.

"Were we ever this bad? I don't remember us being this bad." Kushina said.

"Well, one of us would have thrown a punch by," Tsume was cut off when Hana punched Naruto in the jaw. "Huh, it is just like us." Tsume said with a smirk. Kushina giggled before moving to save her son.

"Naruto, you should get going." She said, cutting in, stopping whatever he was planning. Naruto glared at Hana but ignored her and the pain to focus on his mother. The two embraced each other for a while before they pulled away.

"Do your best and come back in one piece. Also, contact me every chance you get or I am coming to find you." Kushina warned him.

"Okay, okay, I promise. Don't worry, two years are going to fly by and I'll be back in no time." Naruto said with a smile. He then turned to Hana. "Maybe you'll be more lady-like and less tsundere."

"You son of a bitch!" Hana shouted and threw a punch. Naruto dodged, flipping over her and taking off out the gates. Hana noticed something on her shoulder before it exploded, covering her face in orange paint. This made her scream and take off after him.

"Oh yeah, just like us." Tsume said through her laughter. Kushina and the bystanders were laughing as well. Watching from her hiding spot, Naruko watched with some sadness. She quickly forgot about that and went to do her own training.

XXXXX

Glossary

Kyūbi no Yoko – Nine-tailed Demon

Konoha no Kiiroi Senkō – Konoha's Yellow Flash

Imoto – Little Sister

Aniki – Big Brother

Oto no Kazeken – Sonic Wind Sword

Haimaru Sankyodai – Three Haimaru Brothers