Notes : This chapter's progression of events may seem rushed.

And it is, but I really could not think of a perfect way to lengthen this portion, so I stuck with going fast.

I hope the sequence of events don't seem too OOC.

Please review to help me improve!

I have edited the first two chapters. Some changes are significant, others are not.

The biggest change is Kurama being more reserved and not giving his name to a child first thing.

Disclaimer : I do not own any part of the Naruto franchise.


Chapter 1 - Seeds of War

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and let out a ring of smoke into the air as he puffed on his pipe.

Why did Minato have to die? He'd already retired, but now he was back in the seat of Hokage.

Dealing with this god forbid mess.

Really, what was going on in the Raikage's head? To attempt something like this while they were planning out the treaty.

Although, in hindsight, now was the best time to do so.

Konoha is weak.

After the Kyūbi attack, they were at their all time low, with over half of their original active shinobi dead, as well as many civilians gone, Konoha's economy was suffering.

If other villages were to pick a fight, now would be the best time. And it seems Kumogakure knew this and decided to use their treaty to gain a new bloodline for themselves, without risking war.

Yeah, scratch that. The Raikage clearly understood the situation, and took full advantage of it. He knew that Hiruzen would give in to his demands, despite the fact that Kumo was the offender, because the wizened Hokage loved peace, and would do anything to preserve it.

The Sandaime's eyes hardened. He would not tolerate such an act of insolence.

"Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen looked up. It was the Hyuga clan head. "Enter, Hiashi. I suppose you are here to discuss this situation with Kumo?"

Hiashi nodded. "I am willing to be sacrificed for the sake of peace. Konoha is weak, and we would not be able to stand against Kumo if it really came down to it. However, I can brand myself with a Caged Bird Seal -"

"Enough!"

Hiruzen stood up. His eyes burning in the dim light of the office.

"I will not allow any of our shinobi to be sacrificed, not again. You should remember Sakumo. Even if you were to do as you said, Kumo will simply find another chance to pick a fight.

"War is inevitable. I wish to preserve peace, but I will not do so, not for such a price."

He then turned his head to face Hiashi, his tone turning harsh.

"However, to help in the upcoming war, we will need as much power as we can. I ask you to teach the supposed main-branch techniques to everyone in your clan. The Kaiten will be invaluable." At this, Hiruzen let out a small smile, "Consider this an order. You wanted to abolish those traditions of your clan? Well, this is the first step."

Hiashi bowed down deeply. "Hokage-sama, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing me with the political support to do this." He raised his head and continued, "The Hyuga clan will be forever in your debt."

Hiruzen smiled, "The only way to repay this 'debt' is for you to get rid of the injustice within your clan, and allow the Hyuga to be truly people of Konoha." He sighed, once again weighed down by the burdens of Hokage. "As of right now, we have villages within a village. This cannot go on. Promise me, Hiashi, that you'll take down the walls your clan has put up, and make the Hyūga a true part of the village."

"I swear upon my life, Hokage-sama"


"Good, now go back home and inform your clan."

"Outrageous!"

"How can he request such a thing?"

"SILENCE!"

Hiashi was at the end of his patience. "This is a direct order from the Hokage, and we must obey it. Unless you want Konoha to lose the war, or you think that abandoning the village is an option, we must proceed."

The clan elders grumbled their dissatisfaction, but knew the truth that his words held. The Hyuga were not strong enough to rebel against the village and live, and losing the war would mean either the dissolution of the clan, and all Hyuga would be traded around as tokens for their bloodline.

"Now, I will start by teaching the techniques to my brother, and the two of us will in turn teach the rest of our clan. Any objections?"

Hiashi was met with silence.

Internally, he smirked, and left the elders to their own musings.

"Hokage-sama, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ah, Fugaku, we have much to discuss. Let us talk in a more private setting, shall we?"

Uchiha Fugaku silently nodded, and led the leader of the village into his private study.

"I will be blunt with you, Fugaku, war is coming."

"What? Who is attacking?"

Hiruzen sighed, "Kumo. As you know, they kidnapped the Hyūga heiress, who was rescued, and the offender was killed. The offender happened to be the ambassador and Head Shinobi of Kumo. Kumo demands the life of Hyūga Hiashi."

"Did we refuse?"

"Not yet, but we will. I am coming to you to discuss matters of your clan.

"It has come to my attention that the Uchiha have been on the receiving end of certain prejudices involving the Kyūbi attack. Is this true?"

Fugaku looked away. "Yes. We are shouldering the blame for the Kyūbi attack. People no longer trust us."

"I see. Well, I will tell you this. It's hard for people to trust you if you keep walls up that shield your clan from getting involved with the village." At this Fugaku looked enraged, and was halted by the Sandaime, "However, it is understandable. All I ask is that you lower these metaphorical walls, so to speak. We will need your clan's power in the war, and it does no one good if there's a village inside a village."

"... I understand, Hokage-sama."

"Good. Now, when the war inevitably begins, the Uchiha will be sent into various divisions. Try and diversify your clan's abilities, as your dojutsu is invaluable in any field."

Fugaku let out a small smile at this. It pleases him to see the clan recognized.

"Hai, Hokage-sama. I will begin procedures for clansmen to rejoin the Shinobi Corps."

The Sandaime was tired. It was a long day, filled with many decisions. His 'negotiations', per say, with the clans had gone smoothly. However, there was still one problem to be addressed before everything was settled.

Hiruzen looked up at the stars as he trekked home. "Hashirama-sensei, did I do the right thing?"

He waited, as if expecting a response.

But none came.

"I hope I did."


Naruto was bouncing with excitement! Today was his first day in the Academy! He's four, and the entrance age got lowered by two years, so he was eligible to enter! He was gonna learn to be a shinobi!

This morning, Jiji had walked him to the Academy. On the way, he kept muttering about things Naruto didn't quite get, like 'losing his innocence' and 'upcoming war' and 'legacy'. Maybe Naruto will ask him about it later, but that's not important right now!

After school, Naruto walked home quietly.

The instructors didn't like him very much, and they made his day bad. Even most of the kids hated him!

But he did find two friends! They were super nice, and talked to him! One of them had black hair in the shape of a duck's butt, and the other had weird white eyes, but they were nice to him!

Naruto grinned, he couldn't wait to see Sasuke and Hinata again!

"Jiji! Can you help me with my bunshin? Pleaaase?"

Hiruzen's heart wrenched a little. He wanted to, but his duties as Hokage wouldn't allow him! Especially with Kumo finally starting their advance nearly three years later than anticipated, he had a lot of paperwork to do.

Six year old Naruto already has so much hidden from him because of Hiruzen. Turning down his request for help just makes Hiruzen even more guilty.

"I can't get away from all this paperwork, Naruto-kun. Tell you what, If you manage to find a way to help me get my paperwork done faster, then I'll help you."

Naruto pouted, then scrunched his face up in concentration. "Can't you just clone yourself?"

A bolt of thunder struck Hiruzen, and he facepalmed.

"I'm sorry, sensei. I'm a failure."

"Kage Bunshin !"

In a cloud of smoke, two Hiruzens appeared. One began planning the war, and another started working on the paperwork.

The original Hiruzen took Naruto's hand, and in a swirl of leaves, brought them to a training ground.

Naruto shouted, "Wow! THAT'S SO COOL! Are you gonna teach me that, Jiji?"

Hiruzen smiled at Naruto's exuberance. "Maybe one day, but for now, we're starting with the basics."

"Naruto, I won't fail you again. Minato, I'll train your son to be a splendid shinobi, and he can be my successor, and carry on the Will of Fire."


Seven-year-old Naruto was mature.

Somewhat.

The Sandaime tutors Naruto once every few weeks, and over the course of two years, Naruto has matured quite well.

Under his tutelage, Naruto began to observe more, listen more.

And Naruto has observed that his grandfather figure is not doing so well.

Each time Naruto sees him, he notices a few more wrinkles, darker outlines around the eye, a few more white hairs.

So he asked Jiji what was going on, and his mentor smiled, and complimented Naruto's observational skills before taking him to the training ground to 'have a talk'.

"Naruto, your generation has not inherited a peaceful time. We are at war with Kumo, and likely Iwa will join their side soon. I cannot guarantee the survival of Konoha under such forces. Thus, I feel as if Konoha will fall under my reign. However, there is one thing that can turn the tides of war in our favour."

Naruto listened, captivated, "What is it?"

The Sandaime took out a peculiar kunai. It had a thicker handle with some sort of seal on it, and the blade had three prongs.

"The Hiraishin. The jutsu that was created by the Nidaime, and then perfected by the Yondaime. It is capable of allowing someone to single-handedly wipe out an entire army. It is one of the main assets that led to our victory in the last war."

He looked at Naruto. "I believe you are mature enough to know."

"If I'm to have you as my successor, I will not hide this any longer. In fact, if I don't tell you now, I may never be able to tell you."

"Know what?" Naruto was scared, but he didn't know why. However, he had a sneaking suspicion that this had to do with his heritage.

The Sandaime confirmed it. "I knew your parents. I had to hide your identity because they were powerful shinobi, and had the information leaked out, you would have been a prime target for assassins.

"Naruto, you are the son of Kushina Uzumaki, the second jinchuriki of the Kyūbi no Yoko, and Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime Hokage. This jutsu is your birthright. Prove to me that you are worthy of the title of Hokage by mastering the Hiraishin by the age of twelve, and you will be my successor. Lead Konoha to victory."

It seemed so surreal. Him? The son of the Yondaime?

Yet, everything pointed to that being true.

It was also the day that Naruto found out about the Kyūbi.

So that's why everyone hated him.

A scowl adorned his face. Hating him for something out of control, that's stupid.

But … it makes sense.

Naruto toyed with the thought of abandoning the village, or maybe taking revenge on the villagers, but then slapped himself.

How would that be any better than what they did to him? He's better than that!

"I'll master the Hiraishin, become the best shinobi ever, and prove them wrong! Then, maybe, I can make my parents proud!"

Hiruzen smiled. He expected no less.


Sasuke noticed a change in Naruto. One day, he comes to school, and his entire demeanour is different. It wasn't a very noticeable difference, but it was there all the same. He also knew that Hinata noticed this too, because they shared a glance after Naruto sat down, and she looked worried.

For as long as they knew each other, Naruto was also insufferably loud, cheery, and annoying. Now, although it's very subtle, he seemed a tad more - reserved. Previously, his determination had been unwavering in overcoming any obstacle in his way. Now? His determination is somehow even stronger.

Sasuke did not know what caused this, but he was definitely going to find out.

Hinata observed her crush. His chakra system seemed fine, and he didn't seem sick or anything. Then why was he acting odd? Sharing a look with Sasuke confirmed this, as he has evidently spotted it too.

She decided to ask him after school. Whatever it was, Sasuke and her will help him through it, just like how he helped them through their problems.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Sasuke and Hinata had practically marched up to him and pulled him aside after school.

"What's wrong? You seemed off today, Naruto-kun."

Naruto sweatdropped. Was he really that open? "N-nothing's wrong, Hinata-chan. Why are you asking?"

Sasuke snorted. "Yeah, right, nothing's wrong. Something must've happened since the last time we saw you. You were more reserved, and you seemed more determined to do things. Why?"

Naruto sighed. "I just found out some stuff about my parents, ok? I want to tell you guys, but Jiji made me promise to not tell anyone."

Realisation dawned on the two. From day one, it was obvious that Naruto was missing his parents. Such a big revelation was sure to cause a change in him.

"I see." Sasuke really didn't have much to say about it. It made sense to him.

Hinata smiled shyly, "Naruto-kun, no matter what, if you need to talk to us, we'll be here, ok?"

Sasuke grunted, "What she said, idiot."

Naruto beamed, "Ok! Thanks guys!"

He stopped for a moment, "Sasuke, do you think you can find any books on fūinjutsu for me?"

Sasuke raised his eyebrows, but made no comment and simply agreed to look.

After they departed and returned home, Naruto took out the kunai.

It was old, that much was evident right away. The blade is blemished with rust, and the sealing tag is yellow with age. Naruto sighed. It was of no use right now. He'd have to wait until he actually learned the art of sealing.

"Naruto-kun, you must not tell your friends of your heritage. When the time comes, you can. However, now is not the time."

"What about the Kyūbi?"

Hiruzen paused, then sighed, "That choice is yours to make. You can tell whoever you feel should know."

"Why didn't I tell them today?" wondered Naruto out loud. Although it was a question, Naruto knew why.

"I'm scared. That's why. I'm scared that they'll leave me."

Staring up at his blank ceiling, Naruto slowly dozed off. The academy classes were harsh today, focusing on a lot of theory that he really didn't care for and a lot of taijutsu practice. He was sore all over.

Within a matter of minutes, he fell asleep. As he slept, his mind was focused on one thing only. His tenant.

Naruto groggily opened his eyes.

He was no longer in his bed.

He was in a sewer, kneeling in water that would reach his knees if he stood up.

"So, my jailor finally decides to come meet me."

Naruto snapped his head up to where the voice came from. In front of him was a massive gate, with a single paper with the kanji for "seal" holding the two halves together.

Behind the gate was a large and ominous shadow, with one eye open.

One blood-red slitted eye.

Naruto breathed out, "Kyūbi. You're the Kyūbi?"

"Yes, human. Come closer, let me get a better look at my jailor."

Naruto slowly inched closer. Was this a dream? How is he here?

The second eye opened. "Scrawny midget. You look weak. Not even worth my time."

"Hey! I'm only eight, how tall am I supposed to be?"

"Taller than you are now."

"No! Why are you so mean?" Naruto suddenly realised what he was saying. "Oh wait. You're the Kyūbi, of course you're mean."

He pondered some more. "Why haven't you eaten me yet?"

The Kyūbi groaned. Was this boy an idiot? "Because there's a seal in the way, you idiot."

"Eh? The gate's a seal?"

"The mental manifestation of a seal, yes."

"Where are we, Mr. Kyūbi?"

"In your mindscape. This is the mental manifestation of your mind."

"Huh, cool." Naruto then smiled at the titanic fox. "Ya know, you aren't so bad, Kyūbi! How do I come back here?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because then I can come talk to you!"

"And disturb my peace and quiet? No thanks."

"Pleaaase?"

"..."

"Pleeeeaaaaaaaaase?"

"... Just shut up."

"I'll shut up if you tell me!"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Now leave."

"... Do you have any other names besides Kyūbi? Calling you Nine-tails is kinda mean, I feel like."

"... I will when you have earned it. Now leave." With a swish of its tail, the fox sent Naruto out of his mindscape.


Hiruzen let out a long puff of smoke.

He had contemplated on whether or not to tell Naruto his heritage for quite a while now. However, due to the war, he was inclined to tell Naruto early.

Because there was a chance he might not make it out alive.

And if he were to groom Naruto as his successor, he will not withhold any information that might hinder Naruto in the future. Now that he's gone and told Naruto everything (almost everything), he felt much better, and was much less likely to be castrated by Kushina in the afterlife.

The Sandaime Hokage cleaned all the files and documents off his desk, and started planning for his return to the battlefield.

The God of Shinobi will show the Raikage just what he messed with.

"Y-you're leaving, Jiji?"

Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes. Over the past 4 years, the Sandaime had been one of the few constants in his life, teaching him about the way of shinobi, the Will of Fire, and someone for Naruto to confide in. Naruto didn't want him to leave!

"Not yet, Naruto-kun. Although I will leave soon." His gaze hardened. "It is my duty as Hokage to protect the village, and for me, the best way to do that is to enter the battlefield."

Naruto looked down, saddened by the old man's eventual departure. "I know Jiji, but," his voice cracked a bit at this, "I'll miss you."

Hiruzen's heart cracked a little. "I'll miss you too," he said, as twin streams of silver streaked down his face. "Naruto, I trust you with the future of Konoha. The reason that I can leave is because I trust you and the rest of your generation to take care of yourselves and Konoha. You are all strong, and you can lead our village into a new era of peace."

Naruto looked up with determination. "I won't let you down, old man!"

The Sandaime took one good look at his surrogate grandson, and smiled broadly, "I know you won't."


Today was the day of graduation. Naruto was going to become a genin!

He just hoped he got a good team, because it would be very annoying to have someone who hates him on his team.

"Uzumaki Naruto, please come up."

Naruto sighed. It was his turn.

The first part of the genin exam was taijutsu.

"Your opponent will be Inuzuka Kiba."

The two boys walked into the ring to begin their bout.

"And Hajime!"

Kiba threw the first punch, aimed towards Naruto's face, while also initiating a kick towards his abdomen. The Inuzuka taijutsu style focuses on using all the limbs, and is a very annoying style to deal with.

Naruto countered by simply dodging all of Kiba's strikes, and at the perfect window of opportunity, countered and knocked Kiba to the ground. He was by far faster, and thus won without much of a hassle.

"Nice match, Kiba."

Kiba grinned roughly, "Nah, I lost real bad, as usual. Nice job though."

Next was bukijutsu.

Kunai and shuriken were graded, any other weapon proficiency counts as extra credit and may help you get an apprenticeship. Naruto easily passed, and received extra credit with his proficiency in bōjutsu.

"Nice, idiot," said Sasuke.

"Heh, good luck, bastard," jabbed Naruto.

Hinata just shook her head, and wished Sasuke good luck.

Sasuke and Hinata both received full points, but Sasuke earned extra points by showing off his skill with a tantō.

He smirked at Naruto cockily, and the expression was easily reciprocated by its recipient.

Finally, ninjutsu.

"Henge!"

Naruto transformed into a copy of Umino Iruka, the instructor who was testing him.

"Good! Next."

"Kawarimi!"

In Naruto's place stood another instructor, a less kind one, named Mizuki.

"Perfect! Next."

"Kage Bunshin!"

Iruka's eyes nearly dropped out. "A-are those Kage Bunshin?"

Naruto gave a cheeky smile, "Yes!"

"Well then, Naruto, you pass, with flying colours I might add!"

Naruto beamed, grabbed a shining hitai-ite, and tied it to his forehead.

He was one step closer to his dream.