A meeting of clouds above—parted as they were, allowed sun light to warm the village through the gaps. The clouds were not darkened with a pregnant hail. They were as white as snow—a symbol that they would soon disperse after the casual meeting.
The streets were a witness to a festival. Shinobi, civilians, everyone strolled through the streets with renewed bliss, hopefulness, and freedom. Perhaps it was the dancing mood that stopped the clouds from joining hands, and darkening their moods. Such a venture, would bring the celebrations to a complete halt.
Not long ago—for Naruto, it was still yesterday—the Leaf had faced its most deadliest attack. A founding nation that once housed men hailed as Gods of Shinobi had been reduced to a crater, dug deep into the ground, with debris on the edges like a topping. Another God had descended from the raining thunders of Amegakure, laid waste to the village, killing almost everyone. Yet fortunately, a God had descended. To fix his ways, the God brought everyone back to life.
People were dead and came back to life. It was like something written in fiction. But a reality that many had grappled to fathom. Some had chosen to believe it as delusions. Reality was however, that Nagato pulled souls from the very depths of the afterlife, and back into the world of the living. Such a miraculous recovery at the cost of the man's life. No man had such power, not even the Shodai Hokage who was still called the most powerful shinobi to have ever lived could accomplish such an otherworldly feat. Yet, an orphan from Amegakure had achieved it.
"Naruto!"
In his stroll without destination, Naruto halted and slowly turned around. A man and a woman were rushing up to him. The old man would glance upon the situation and laugh with happiness, telling him, he knew this would happen. Jiraiya would express how proud he was of him. But neither were alive to tell him any of it. And Naruto felt, words of others in this village held a different meaning compared to those two.
It turned out, it was a married couple, they handed him a lunch package, saying the hero couldn't fill up on noodles everyday. He accepted the food and continued on his journey.
The streets that once ignored his very existence, wished that he would just disappear and when they couldn't, stabbed imaginary daggers into his heart. It had been painful. And a gut wrenching experience that had left him spent and empty in the inside. There was a lot of bottled contempt within him. In the battle with Nagato, he'd given in to his contempt and fallen to the temptation of the Kyubi. In this very same street, they now kissed the very ground he walked on. They cared for his life and happiness.
Sometimes, Naruto thought it was sickening just how they could flip a switch and then become his fans. Perhaps he thought this way because he'd accepted the depths of loneliness he felt. And the contempt in him. Perhaps staring at those two demons had dragged him into abyss, for which he now struggled to escape.
Naruto ended up sitting at the memorial stones, in front of the Yondaime Hokage's. Some may say it was a morbid obsession with him, but he found himself in front of the stone more often than not. Sometimes, where the old man lay. Sometimes, where they memorialized Jiraiya. He wasn't the only one who made frequent visits—Kakashi often came here.
The food he'd been given looked mouth watering. There was no fear he'd be poisoned. He accepted, people in this village genuinely loved him. Yet, as he ate, he couldn't savor the taste nor even tell if he was eating chicken or beef. He ate, simply because his stomach demanded to be fed its daily bread. Sometimes, be ignored its demands. It often chose to complain loudly when in front of others in an attempt to expose him for his willful starvation.
It didn't take long for Kakashi to join him. The silver haired Jonin stood motionlessly. His visible eye for once not feasting on his smut of a book.
"For all my life, I've always wanted to be like the Yondaime Hokage. He was my idol and I wanted to surpass his feats, that I too may be looked fondly as the villagers thought of him." Naruto's voice was soft, quiet. It a stark contrast to what it once was. There was life it in nonetheless.
The shock of his life came when the Kyubi was about to take it all, the Yondaime appeared. Stupid him couldn't even figure out that the man could reasonably appear as he was the one who sealed the Bijuu in him. No, had that even occurred to his mind? Maybe it didn't. he had the tendency to ignore all things that brought him misery.
It had turned out, the Yondaime Hokage was his father. Anger had exploded before it calmed as if it hadn't been there. Now, his heart trembled with sadness over the realization that he was the son of Minato Namikaze.
Everyone knew. They all knew he had parents. For years, he wondered and thought maybe even his parents had abandoned him for being a Jinchuriki. For years, he questioned his origins. Thinking maybe it would fill the gaping hole in his chest. He had to endure the mocking from the academy and Sakura about being an orphan and not being taught manners because of it. Ironically, her stinking forehead breathed because of the very same parents. That she didn't know was irrelevant. Nobody had the right to mock someone's pain.
At any event, Jiraiya had known throughout the years they trained together and yet, chose to let him live ignorant, not knowing who his parents were. Kakashi knew—he had been his father's beloved student. Tsunade knew—she was the Hokage. Yet, even now, none of them bothered to tell him. Was it fair that he didn't even have the right to know his mother's name? that he indeed had parents who had loved him? Did he deserve to loiter around in misery, just hoping that maybe his mother didn't get rid of him the second she birthed him? What was there to protect? Some would claim he'd become the strongest shinobi in the village. And yet, no one had the decency to tell him the truth.
Why keep the secret?
'Ah, I am really angry,' Naruto thought mildly.
"Wouldn't you say you've surpassed him?" Kakashi offered in a light tone. "Nobody has achieved what you have. Thousands of the dead came back to life because of you. Konoha could have been reduced to a small village if not for you."
Naruto shook his head. "Each achievement is unique," he said. "Well, at least, there is something to smile about."
"Is there something wrong?" Kakashi asked with concern.
He wasn't the only one who noticed Naruto had suddenly dimmed his light. It was out of nowhere. It even became worse when he returned from Amegakure. There were signs something wrong but he'd still smiled before the trip. But when he returned, he was a different animal. Everyone noticed.
"Maybe," Naruto answered in a breathless tone. "I've always wanted to be acknowledged. To find value of my existence. To prove that I'm more than just the Kyubi brat. But now that I have it, I really don't know," he said with a shake of his head.
Kakashi was silent for a couple of seconds and then settled down beside Naruto. Who did Naruto have at the moment? It seemed, there was a deep cut between him and his friends. The Jonin felt like he was missing something. He worried that Naruto may fall off the edge of a cliff and drown without truly enjoying his life.
Kakashi felt he wasn't really good at this thing since he had his own emotional scars. "What really happened in Amegakure?" He glanced at Naruto through the corner of his eyes. "You'd not explained why you wanted to go. But Tsunade-sama felt it necessary to let you go without asking."
Naruto glanced up at the heavens. It seemed, he was wrong—the clouds were joining. Perhaps his mood was attracting rainy days.
"Nagato was the leader of Amegakure. He died because of my words. I empathized with his pain. Konan is all alone, because of me. I wanted to check on her to let her know she had a friend in me and if her village ever became in trouble, she would always have me as her friend."
Kakashi tensed at those casual words. Not because there was something wrong but the consequences attached to them.
The Akatsuki had gathered Bijuu from other villages. Even Kumo's Jinchuriki. The Raikage was pissed off and wanted to hunt down members of the organization. But there was only Konan now, as far as he was concerned. Nagato, the leader was dead. Itachi had been killed by Sasuke. He was demanding answers from Konoha regarding Sasuke's involvement.
Everyone now knew the Akatsuki was founded in the Rain. Sooner or later, the village could be faced by an invasion as the villages demanded their Bijuu. If Naruto was saying that, it could mean he would be against those who wanted to destroy Ame. Against those powers, Konoha wouldn't get involved for the sake of its own security. Tsunade had made it clear to him.
"While I was at Ame, someone appeared. We battled him with Konan. It turned out he was the real leader of the Akatsuki. But nothing really happened. I'm just thinking a lot about my future."
Flashback
The wasn't a hint of a dark cloud in the village as Konan stared into the heavens. It was rare for the village to be bathed in sunlight for a days. The villagers were starting to wonder if something wrong had happened. If only the clear skies that dried up the puddles of water that bubbled around the streets meant Ame's future was clear as well.
But nothing was clear.
Yahiko was gone. So, was Nagato. She was the one who remained—to shoulder Ame's burdens on her own. She felt nothing but solitude. Yet, she was content to keep supporting Yahiko's dream. The loneliness was welcomed, but Naruto was just here to tell her she had him. Konan hadn't expected him to suddenly show up in the village with promises. He was just a child, but she could now clearly see why Nagato chose to gave up his life.
"Isn't it bothersome that everyone close to you is dead?"
Konan glanced at Naruto as he sat on Nagato's favored place, watching the streets with a forlorn look across his face. She was standing beside him, deeply concerned about how she was going to navigate Amegakure through the existential threat it faced.
"It has always been like this. I should have died long ago, but I survived because of Yahiko's sacrifice."
Konan was a hard read, but she seemed sad about this. Naruto could relate. For both of them, the people they loved dearly were dead.
"Well, I guess we have each other. I feel that because of my words, Nagato sacrificed himself, I should also help you out," he chuckled bitterly. "But I'm just a naïve child who always thinks the best of people. Yet, I want to help."
"Has something happened? You sound subdued."
"Yes, something has happened," Naruto admitted. "I'm just coming into terms with everything. I seem to have lost the stupidity that once made me Naruto. I'm just seeing the black and white of how life is. I'll admit, when I spoke to Nagato, there were a lot of things I didn't understand. But I'm still the same, I cannot hate you for what happened to Jiraiya-sensei."
"Killing Jiraiya-sensei should have made it clear that we had started walking into the dark side," Konan smiled sadly. "It was not the path Yahiko would have walked." She would not deny, the loved one of heart had influenced Nagato's god complex.
"I monetarily lost myself as well. It happens," Naruto said in a quiet tone. "You said you would support me in the quest for peace… and I want to support you as well. Both you and Nagato loved this village. And it is going to be in danger. The Raikage is threatening to call a Kage Summit if his brother is not returned and Konoha does not hand over Sasuke. It is likely that he'll plot with Iwagakure to invade this village. Konoha had already informed them that the leader of the Akatsuki was the leader of this village. Sooner or later, they'll come here."
Konan's expressionless mask returned. She had known things could turn for the worse. But what could Naruto do in the situation? Strong, but he did not have the power Nagato once wielded.
"If Kumo and Iwa attack this village, Konoha will not try to defend us. We are the ones who captured their Jinchuriki. If Konoha tries to intervene, those two will declare war on it." Konan reasoned. Was this child saying he would defend Ame even in the face of that threat?
"The people of this village are innocent. They know nothing about the Akatsuki. But they would still be slaughtered. I thought about it. What could I do to stop it? Can I try to talk the Tsuchikage and Raikage out of this? Although I talked Nagato out of this, I don't think I can talk my way out of that one. But it doesn't mean I wont try. If it comes to it, I will grovel for them to spare this village."
Konan shook her head. "All they want is their Bijuu. If they get them, it would be much easier to talk to them."
"Is that possible?"
"The Bijuu are sealed within the Gedo Mazo. Only one who wields the Rinnegan can—" Konan trailed off.
"Something wrong?"
"He is here." She said in a serious tone.
"Who?"
"Madara… the one who came with this plan to gather the Bijuu." Konan said. "He is here for Nagato's Rinnegan…" she faced Naruto. "He'll come for you as well. I will handle him, even if it means I must die. I have to protect you, and Nagato's dream."
Naruto smiled warmly. "It makes me happy to hear you say that, Konan. You don't know me well, and yet you remain loyal to Nagato's choice… Let us face him together. I don't want you to die. I want you to live long enough to see their dream come to life. Then when you die, can you tell them that their sacrifices were not for nothing."
Konan shook her head. "I can handle this."
"I insist." He smiled sadly. "It is for my own sanity as well. I want to say I was able to protect you and that Nagato didn't die just for his village to be destroyed."
Konan considered just leaving him here to face Madara on her own. But he was sensor, he would soon find them and enter into a battle without knowing anything. It would be more dangerous than facing Nagato. She could try to knock him out, but he'd proved his strength. She wasn't going to take him down that easily.
"Promise me that if it gets dangerous, you'll abandon me."
That was a difficult one to take but Naruto thought he had no choice. It was most likely the only way Konan would take him with her.
"You have my word."
Konan had him follow her. He hopped through the buildings while Konan explained to him Madara's abilities. Strangely, he understood her perfectly. It was an unfamiliar feeling. To be able to understand those words without being confused. Not long ago, he would have required a couple of explanation to fully understand her words.
Naruto was glad they'd done water walking exercises, otherwise he may have been forced to cut his journey short. They were running through the deep lake. Without that fine chakra control, it would have been a disaster for him.
In the middle of the lake, and away from the village. The deep waters were calm, yet so intense Naruto was certain if he fell, he would be crushed. Jiraiya's body was buried deep within these waters. Looking back at the village, the tall structures of Ame stood out, creating a unique skyline that could be seen in this land.
A masked man was standing on a piece of steel. From the description, he was indeed the one who called himself Madara.
"Konan," Madara started, his voice filled with cold contempt. "You came with him. It is really true that Nagato listened to the words of a naïve child and betrayed me. And so have you. I always considered you more level headed than him but to think even you would betray the Akatsuki… oh well, Naruto being here makes it easy for me."
"We did not betray the Akatsuki. We are the Akatsuki."
"I am the one who created the Akatsuki. You were all led by me. And you have betrayed me." Madara turned his visible eye toward the silent Naruto. "I'm curious about how you managed to convince turn Nagato against me. But we will talk once I get the Rinnegan."
It was amusing. It also felt being strange being this calm. Not long ago, he would have already lunged at the man. But he remained rooted. A part of him felt like he was no longer in charge of his body and heart. Why wasn't he moving? Where was this calmness coming from? Was it normal? Was something really wrong with him?
The questions bombarded without reply.
"You were right. I can feel his contempt for me," Naruto said to Konan. "It is almost sad. Why do you insist on doing this much?" He asked the masked man. The Bijuu inside of him was writhing in anger, yet, remained silent. Naruto brushed it aside, thinking, he could ask another time.
"I do not owe you an explanation. You're a naïve child who cannot possibly understand me."
Naruto laughed. "A child, huh? That I am." He clasped his hands and then leapt backwards, creating room for Konan while he gathered natural energy.
End of Flashback
"Someone? Who could be powerful enough to control Nagato? Why didn't you say anything to Tsunade-sama?"
Naruto sneered with contempt. "As if she tells me everything."
Kakashi winced, realizing there was something Naruto knew. The contempt in his tone wasn't even hidden.
"Not that it matters anyway. I fought by her side. There is no threat of the Akatsuki. And it is true what I told Tsunade-sama, Konan has no control over the statue in which the Bijuu are sealed. Only Nagato could control it."
"They are not going to accept it."
Naruto shrugged with indifference and then laughed. "I'm not really concerned about it. What the Kage do is their choice. But the Bijuu are not in Ame. They can look for the Akatsuki's hideout. Sasuke should know since he was recruited by this leader."
"Who was he?"
"I don't know. An Uchiha… he claimed to be Madara, but he was not. Regardless, I don't know his identity. He is dead and buried deep in the lake at Ame."
"You could have given this information to Tsunade-sama. It would help alleviating the dangers to the village. It could even help Amegakure."
Naruto laughed—a hollow crackle that sent chills down Kakashi's spine. "I too should have been told many things," he said coldly. "I wasn't even told that I was a Jinchuriki. The Sandaime couldn't tell me the reason why I was hated. Thinking about it, I cannot possibly see any good reason he didn't tell me since everyone already hated him. It was like he preferred me being stupid and ignorant. Maybe I didn't hold it against him because if I did, who would have left?" He shook his head. "I've already written a report on the man we faced and Akatsuki operations. I'll hand it over before the day ends."
Kakashi blinked. "While wanting to take a break, Iwa and Kumo's anger was the main reason you felt concerned enough to go to Amegakure."
"You've always been good at reading between the lines, sensei," he said.
Kakashi smiled sadly. "It hasn't helped me being a better sensei. I can't even do anything now."
Naruto shared the Jonin's smile. "We ended up being better because of the Sannin. Still, you taught us valuable life lessons. Better skills might help you stay alive but moral lessons keeps you honest and a better person." For the first time, Naruto glanced at Kakashi. "Why can't I just be content with everything?"
Kakashi shook his head. "I don't know," he said helplessly. "But you've shouldered a lot of emotions. Maybe you're just overwhelmed with everything. Jiraiya-sama died. You became hero and the people who once hated you now express concern. It might be what you eventually wanted but it can be confusing and overwhelming," the Jonin placed a warm hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Just don't forget your friends."
How could he? That was a group of people who accepted him throughout. Yet still, the only person Naruto would have really called a friend was Sasuke. The others didn't know him. Even Sakura didn't know him.
"Sure," he said despite his thoughts.
"What do you think about Sasuke?"
The Uchiha had abandoned Konoha. Went to the embrace of Orochimaru and when he got what he wanted, he ended up killing the Sannin. He then joined the Akatsuki after killing Itachi. Kumogakure wanted his head. It could be said he was the most wanted person in the Hidden Cloud.
"I don't know," Naruto shook his head. The bridges had been burnt. Joining the Akatsuki and attacking Kumogakure was a step too far. Yet, bridges could be rebuilt. "He was once a dear friend of mine. I'd always thought there was no one who could understand me better than him. I don't really know…" he kept shaking his head as if rejecting some thought in him.
Kakashi spoke in a grim tone. "You don't have to worry about him… I was his teacher and failed at my job, I will deal with it if it comes to it."
Itachi had warned him, that Sasuke could be painted with any color. He was a brooding bastard with anger management issues. The mental torment Itachi inflicted never healed. But Naruto had thought, once Itachi was dead, he would maybe return. But no. he didn't come back.
"In the report I'm going to hand over to Tsunade-sama, I've highlighted that the Raikage's brother is alive and wasn't captured. If anything, it looks like Sasuke was fooled. And he just ran from home."
The words hit Kakashi like a ton of bricks. He was baffled that Naruto hadn't said a word about this. It was the difference between war with Konoha and the Raikage turning his attention to finding his brother. Naruto had this information and sat on him.
Tsunade wasn't going to be happy about this. It had been a week since he returned and he has sat on something so valuable?! Kakashi couldn't understand why he wouldn't tell. Did he not care if the village went to war with Kumo?
Yet, it was unlike Naruto. The Jonin sighed deeply. Considering what Naruto had said earlier, there was something deeply concerned and Kakashi was afraid to open the can because worms would come out.
"You should hand over the report to her. It will help things," Kakashi said, hiding his displeasure. "Why would the Raikage's brother do something like this?"
Naruto shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe to escape. But I'll admit, it is irresponsible. It speaks of a man who doesn't care if the shinobi world is dragged into war."
Kakashi eye smiled. "You've grown, Naruto."
"Hahaha," Naruto chuckled. "Just putting more thoughts into what I say. But it is good to be able to see things more clearly," he laughed once more, shaking his head slightly. "It is like a part of my head was not functioning properly."
Konan had pointed out, it would be disastrous if he revealed that he'd lost it. Perhaps finally giving up had rearranged his thinking or maybe Nagato had just hit him hard enough. Regardless, although he felt much more loneliness than before, his vision was clear. It wasn't blurred by the masks he wore.
Naruto released a long breath. "Well, that wasn't bad," he said, slowly standing up. "I'll head home and add some things to my report," he said.
"Make sure you finish it before the day ends."
"Sure~" Naruto replied with a wave of his right hand.
Hokage Office
Tsunade lifted her face and stared at Kakashi with curiosity. The Jonin had become as lazy as a fat cat. He'd always been tardy but these days, he'd taken it an extra notch. The man never came to her office unless summoned. Most of the shinobi were going up and down doing missions. The village needed more money to fill the gap punched through by Nagato's attack.
"Who died?" She asked with a stare.
Kakashi eye smiled. "Is it that bad?" He asked.
"With Team 7 disbanded, you try to hide from missions. You're enjoying too much free time," she said sharply.
"There hasn't been anything for me," Kakashi said. Besides, Tsunade was busy talking retirement. He couldn't be around her when she was having such thoughts, lest he be dragged to a bothersome job that would strip him of his freedom.
"Then?" Tsunade asked, looking at the Jonin expectedly while leaning against her chair.
"I was talking to Naruto."
Tsunade frowned deeply. She hadn't missed that Naruto's mood had dimmed. It wasn't as bad as when Jiraiya died but the dark cloud that followed him rubbed her the wrong way and she didn't know how to handle it. Sakura said he spoke to her just fine—he wasn't ignoring anyone. He was just quiet. Quiet and Naruto had never been spoken in the same sentence as far as she has known him.
And yet, when he should be basking in the glory of his actions, he was acting deflated.
"Oh," she mouthed, and placed both her hands on her desk. "I haven't had the time to really sit with him. Rebuilding and all has taken much of my time," She felt she had to at least explain this part. "What did he say?"
"What did he say about Amegakure?"
"Nothing," Tsunade shook her head. "He smiled and thanked me for allowing him to visit the village, saying his mind was much clear."
Kakashi's smile dropped. "Something very significant happened while he was there."
It was Tsunade's turn to look very concerned. "What?" She demanded with an air of impatience, feeling the Jonin was dragging things unnecessarily.
"Please be calm," Kakashi asked the Hokage. "He told me that there was another leader of the Akatsuki. And that the Raikage's brother is still alive because Sasuke failed in trying to capture him."
Tsunade's reaction was as expected.
"What?!" She banged her desk. A cup fell off and shattered. The papers miraculously stayed still. "Anbu!" She shouted furiously.
"Tsunade-sama." Kakashi inserted himself before the Anbu appeared.
"What?!"
The Anbu appeared in the office, kneeling beside Kakashi. The Jonin took the opportunity to speak. "Naruto is going to come here before the day ends with a full report. I urge you not to drag him because he didn't respond in kind when I asked him why he didn't say anything. It is a very sensitive matter."
Tsunade gritted her teeth, and stayed silent for a full minute before waving off the Anbu.
She couldn't believe that Naruto would be foolish enough not reveal this vital information. A was busy banging at her door, threatening to come to this nation and drag Naruto if Konoha didn't give them all information about the Akatsuki and if Sasuke wasn't captured for them.
A damn war could break out because even Iwagakure was becoming loud. Onoki wasn't going to settle when Konoha was the only village with its Jinchuriki. Those two could create another race to capture Bijuu once more and it would lead to a war. It was a possibility and Naruto had information that could stop that, and yet, he kept it to himself?! He was stupid, but not this stupid!
"Do you know what this means Kakashi?"
"I know," Kakashi said with a heavy sigh. "He probably knows where the other Bijuu are located as well."
"Why?"
"He did it intentionally. He said he has the report. That infers he was planning on giving it to you but something kept him from doing so. He said it wasn't like you tell him everything. It is likely that he knows something he wasn't told before and is not pleased about it."
Tsunade came crashing down to the earth upon registering Kakashi's words. Her anger was replaced by a worried look. "What?"
"Maybe something to do with his parents. But I cannot see how he knows about it." In a heavy tone, he added. "He also mentioned that he wasn't even told that he was a Jinchuriki."
Tsunade sneered with contempt for some of the choices her sensei made. "The Sandaime was a fool!" She shouted, once more banging her fist on the desk. This time, the wood cracked. "Then, why didn't he tell Naruto?" She glared at the Jonin.
Kakashi raised both his hands because he felt like he was being put on the spotlight. "Something about letting Naruto live freely."
Tsunade barked in a cold laughter. "And that worked out well," she replied with mild sarcasm. "Once Danzo leaked out Naruto was the Jinchuriki, there was no reason to hide it. Just imagine, you're six year old and everybody in the village hates you. The other children bully you. You're called a demon. You don't even have parents or a friend. You're basically, hated for no reason. What does that do to the mind of a child, Kakashi?"
Kakashi could imagine. What if it had been him watching his father being miserable without knowing the reason why. What if after he killed himself, those who hated him ended up hating the son as well and nobody dared to tell him what sin his father committed.
"Worse, even after entering the academy he wasn't told but somebody else who hated him told him the truth. Thank God Iruka was there!" Tsunade was still shouting. After a moment, she calmed down. "What do you think is happening to him?"
"Naruto had always masked his loneliness. He desired attention simply because he was lonely. There could have been more things—the anger he kept hidden away in an attempt to keep himself happy. Finally, it could be that he has faced up to those demons, and has accepted them as part of himself. We all have parts of ourselves we keep locked away."
Tsunade's frown deepened. "Whatever his personal views, it does not excuse keeping this important information from me." The Slug Princess was clear on this. Her firm tone left Kakashi with no room to argue. But it also because he agreed with her. After all, Konoha came first before anything.
"I understand."
"If he doesn't show up in an hour, I'm getting Anbu to summon him," She said with finality. "But it is good if the Raikage's brother is still alive. What are we going to do about Sasuke?"
"I've resolved myself to handle it. Sasuke has fallen and holding hopes that he'll change is just being naïve. Besides, even if the Raikage's brother is found, it isn't like he is going to forget everything."
"Then I don't need to say anything. What of Naruto?"
"I don't know. He is still undecided but I told him I would handle Sasuke."
"I'm left with Sakura," Tsunade sighed with frustration. "She is stubborn about him."
Despite the situation, Kakashi smiled. "It just confirms that maybe she truly does love him."
Tsunade snorted. "Childish," she said harshly. "Will he be fine?" she asked of Naruto in a worried tone.
"Yeah," Kakashi tried to be indifferent about it. "But you'll hear from him when he comes here…" he paused and then asked. "What if he knows about his father? He is old enough to have been told but we kept it from him. He deserves to know the truth. We're just being cruel and punishing him at this rate. As his sensei, I know the issue of parents has always been a sore spot for him. Worse, given his past."
Tsunade closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. "If he doesn't know, I'll tell him…" She resolved. "It is the Sandaime's mess and Jiraiya's. He was the brat's godfather and could have said something while they were away, but he said nothing!"
"I don't envy you." Kakashi said weakly.
"You were Minato's student. The least you could have done was be there for him as his father was there for you," Tsunade shot back. Kakashi immediately shrunk at her words. The Godaime didn't bother trying to console the Jonin. "Thank you for letting me know."
"Hai."
An hour later
Shizune opened the door for him after he knocked. She had a warm smile on her lips and then suddenly hugged him. He tensed momentarily and then loosened a bit. For a moment, he closed his eyes. She smelled of the hospital, and a little bit of alcohol. Which was curious, as she was the one who always lectured Tsunade about drinking at work.
But everyone had problems.
She pulled away. "I worry about you," she said. "But if you now knock before you enter, I should be happy. At least you can become Hokage," she said with a wide smile.
Naruto raised an eye brow. "You say it like I was very bad before and just burst through doors."
"Your were trained by a man who chose the window as a route of entry."
"It was reflex for him as he used windows of peeping," Naruto replied with a shrug.
Shizune smiled approvingly at the fact that Naruto didn't flinch at the mention of his sensei. "Take care of yourself."
"Sure," Naruto said, and moved away from the door for Shizune to make way. She closed the door behind her.
The air in the office became thick, and the smile that had once plastered across his face disappeared. Tsunade didn't look amused—not a bit. There were a range of emotions taking turns of sit on her face as she switched between staring and glaring.
"Sit," she instructed in a firm tone.
Naruto settled quietly and stared back at the Godaime Hokage—a woman he'd come to love as a grandmother. Of course, she refused that tag, because she wasn't that old. But Naruto had seen her without her illusion.
"Kakashi-sensei has spoken to you."
"WHAT THE HELL WHERE YOU THINKING!?" Tsunade shouted at him, her chakra rising a bit.
He would treat her as the old hag, but she was still a Sannin. Her chakra was as oppressive as that of Orochimaru, without that disgusting murderous intent. Her scolding was to be expected. Even a chair or papers being hurled at him, he expected.
Naruto took out the scroll he had and pushed it toward Tsunade across the desk. He folded his hands across his chest. "That is all the information you need. Konan doesn't know the exact location of the Tailed beasts, but she said she can find out. Without the leaders, there is no threat to the shinobi world."
"Answer my QUESTION!"
Disgruntled, scorned, it all didn't matter. Service to Konoha came before personal agendas. Naruto had to understand this much if he wanted to become Hokage. If he couldn't let his emotions go and focus on what needed to be done, he couldn't survive being Hokage. She wanted him to fully grasp this fact before he got ahead of himself.
"I wasn't really thinking," Naruto replied, not the least bothered by Tsunade's fury. He was used to seeing her like this that it didn't scare him at all. Or maybe it was the sense of calmness that had taken occupation inside of him. He didn't hate the feeling nonetheless. "It isn't like I'd planned on keeping the information to myself. I was going to give it you. Because in it, I also have a request."
"What request?"
"I'm a Sage now. Bijuu are no longer being hunted. I can be free to come and go from the village."
"You need to be trusted to be given that kind of freedom. And you must be responsible enough that we can always count on you to return as quickly as possible when the village faces danger."
"I'm not trusted?"
"You've been sitting on information that is very vital, Naruto. Information that could be a difference between war and no war. Do you understand what that means?" Weirdly, Tsunade was calm. It was the moment, Naruto felt a bit of fear. The Godaime was never calm in such moments.
"I'd never planned on keeping it to myself. I'm an idiot, but even I know that information could prove to be vital."
"Then why didn't you say anything when you returned?!" She was back to shouting again, this time, frustration written all over her face.
Naruto sighed deeply. "I know I'm the son of the Yondaime Hokage. In two months, I'm going to turn seventeen. Already, I've become a hero of this village. And even with all that I have achieved, you people still can't even tell me about my origins. Do you know how many nights I agonized over who my parents could be? Just knowing would give me a peace of mind. At least, I would know, I wasn't abandoned but had been loved. Just knowing that my parents had loved me could fill me more than being praised as a hero. Because even though I have gained acknowledgment, I would still be empty inside."
The tone of his voice was so miserable, it made Tsunade sad. "I'll be honest with you," she said in a quiet tone. "This is something I didn't even think about. You looked happier and I thought it was no longer necessary. But The Third should have told you. For that, I am sorry."
Tsunade opened a drawer and took out a scroll. She handed it over to Naruto. "This contains information about your parents. Just to get it out, there are not relatives. Your father was an orphan and your mother was brought to Konoha from Uzushiogakure to become the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi. Uzushiogakure was unfortunately destroyed while your mother was still in the village. So, you don't have any relatives."
"My mother was also a Jinchuriki?"
Tsunade nodded. "My grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, was the first Jinchuriki. Your mother was the second and you became the Third." The Slug Princess breathed heavily before adding. "If you want to know about the Uzumaki, I'll tell you what I know."
"So, Nagato was from the same clan as me." Naruto smiled warmly, with almost tears. "We were from the same clan, so we are related by blood. Your grandmother was Uzumaki, so, we're also from the same clan. That makes you my relative."
Tsunade realized Naruto was going to take everything. Because, he must have desired to be connected to someone. To know that he didn't just pop up out of nowhere and wasn't really alone.
"How did you find out?"
"He'd apparently sealed a portion of his chakra into the seal. During my battle with Pain he appeared."
"Why do I get the feeling you're choosing your words carefully?" Tsunade asked him with stare.
Naruto smiled. "I'm too much of an idiot for that."
Tsunade snorted. "Yamato told me you'd released up to eight tails. Everyone saw the Kyubi!" She finished with a shout. "Whatever, the fact that you were not told about your parents was no reason to delay releasing this information. I will not accept such a thing, Naruto. You do not withhold information because you're angry."
"I understand."
"I'd planned on promoting you to become Jonin. You're a Sage. You've become one of the elites the village has to offer. But as punishment, you'll remain a Genin until your birthday. You'll be sentenced to spend a week doing D-rank missions."
Naruto groaned at the thought of doing D-rank jobs. "Kakashi-sensei must have told you that the Raikage's brother is also alive. I want you to send me to Kumogakure to deliver the message. After I leave Kumo, I'll also head to Iwagakure to talk about the discoveries."
Tsunade stared at him for a long minute. "Why?"
"I want to carry Sensei's ideals."
Tsunade didn't immediately respond. "Fine. But I want a full report," she smiled. "You've changed overnight, but in a good way. So, I trust you're not going to do something stupid."
"Of course not."
"I'll give you letters for both Iwa and Kumo. But I want you to stop by the Wave country. We received a letter from its Feudal Lord that some criminals have occupied the bridge and are demanding taxes for anyone to pass through. I'd planned on sending you there either way."
"When do I leave?"
"Tomorrow."
Hyuga Compound
The place was rebuilt as knew. You'd not even think everything had been turned into ruble not long ago. As he stepped into the compound, Naruto felt a wave of heavy emotions. He didn't have fond memories with members of the clan. The bastards had gone out of their way to tell him to scram whenever Hinata came close to him. If not for people in the clan, she could have quite possibly become a friend of his.
He smiled, thinking he'd once thought of her as nothing more than a weird girl who always got sick whenever he appeared close to her. She always did run off if he touched her. More than once, she'd fainted on his touch. The thoughts made him laugh.
His laughter came to a halt when the expressionless mask of a bruised Neji came to view.
"I was hearing rumors that you appeared down, but seems you've just lost your mind." The Hyuga said in a flat tone.
Naruto burst out in laughter and gave Neji a grin. "It is good to see you well, my vanquished foe. It still wouldn't hurt if you smiled some more, Fate-sama." He said in a mocking tone.
Neji twitched slightly. "You should get your head checked if your insults are coherent."
"Wow," Naruto laughed. "That is just offensive. You clearly saying something very mean about my intelligence."
"Ah, you even know what intelligence is?" Neji asked with surprise.
"You're pissing me off right now."
Neji shrugged with indifference. To think the once loathed person who was a plague would suddenly become a hero of Konoha was quite frankly ridiculous. But miracles happen and fate was nothing more than a crippling ideal he'd once held because of his circumstances.
"You've changed, Naruto." Neji said, leading the blond into the compound.
"Is that a good thing?"
"I cannot be the judge."
"Changed but still a Hyuga," Naruto sighed. He then smiled. "But I've been hearing good news. It is good to see that we who thought we were cursed can still change our lives for the better."
"I'm still cursed," Neji reminded Naruto. "But yes, things have changed. Yours has changed dramatically. Though your words influenced me, I still thought your dream being Hokage was still a fools dreams. But now, it looks like a possibility."
"Thanks for the confidence."
"You were an idiot. I'd worried that if by some chance you ended up becoming Hokage, we would all be doomed." Neji stopped and faced him. "Hinata-sama is at the back. Just go around the corner…" he stared at him. "Don't make her cry… do you even understand what I mean? You're infamously as dense as a three year old."
"You're not holding back. Someone pissed you off, Neji?"
Neji shrugged and then walked past him. He stopped, without turning around. "I never said thank you. You have my thanks for making me see the light. I probably wouldn't be where I am if not for you."
Naruto's face folded into something a little flat but with a small smile. "You're a good guy, Neji. I hope, we can be friends," he said this genuinely.
Neji didn't reply but just walked away. Naruto wasn't expecting any response either way. He turned around and walked a little bit before turning a corner. He found Hinata sitting alone, her hands held together. It was a backyard, that was possibly used for training.
He breathed heavily and settled beside her, a comfortable distance between them. He stared at the training ground with an expressionless mask. Hinata seemed to have bruised, just as Neji.
"Training with Neji?"
She nodded her head.
"If it is by what I saw during Pain's assault, you're going to become a better kunoichi. If only you display the same confidence," he said with a small smile.
He'd been meaning to talk to her for a while but since he was going away once more, he felt, it was better to speak to her before leaving. It would remove a huge burden in his heart and make her life a little better—maybe.
"I—I'm still nowhere near Neji." She replied in a whisper, stuttering a bit.
Naruto didn't glance her. He amazed himself by realizing if he did, her stuttering would only increase and they might not go anywhere. He laughed inwardly. Perhaps Neji was right, he needed to get his head checked.
"You're just too kind. You've always been kind. But the lack of confidence in your ability is a problem," His voice was a little stern. She seemed to squirm at the tone. He sighed deeply. "I wanted to speak to you about what happened during my fight with Pain. You came to my help. You displayed courage you'd never displayed before. A hopeless fight that got you killed, but you still fought it to free me…" he chuckled bitterly. "At that moment, you were the only one who moved… seeing you die, I lost it a bit."
A bit? Hinata wanted to ask, but she had no courage to do so. From what she was told, Naruto went on full Kyubi after she was killed by Pain. It honestly made her happy that he was affected in that way by her death. And it hadn't been for nothing.
"At any rate, without your intervention, I probably would have ended up being captured and everyone dead," Naruto said in a warm tone. "At the Chunin exams, you cared for me. I think as far as the academy, you were the only one who looked out for me and cheered me on even when your voice got crowded out.
"I'd always wanted to be acknowledged. And it is now a reality. But I've come to accept that, all that means really nothing. That people like you have always accepted me when everyone hated me means more to me than being the hero of Konoha. Because, without those who still smiled at me, I probably wouldn't be here. For that, you have my eternal thanks." He finally glanced at her. "If you ever have trouble, Naruto Uzumaki will be there to help you out, as you helped me."
Flustered, poking her fingers, Hinata still replied audibly. "I'm just happy the villagers recognize, Naruto-kun."
At this rate, he would finally reach his dream. Nothing would please Hinata more than this. Maybe, she would stop noticing him with an expressionless mask when he had to separate from everyone because he had to go home alone. She'd always noticed how he hid his pain and loneliness from everyone.
Naruto leapt into his feet. A movement that caused Hinata to tense. He stood in front of Hinata. "Thinking about it; you were much more kinder to me than Sakura. With her, I always had to be the thankless savior. You always sought to help me. In that thought, I'll also help you."
"H—help me?" Hinata didn't look at him, but there was confusion in her voice.
Naruto nodded his head. "To help you become a proud Kunoichi with confidence without losing your warmth. Your kindness is what makes you Hinata. But without courage, you never fully express that kindness," he said with a warm smile. "The only language I've only known to understand is battle. I've learned and grown because of it. Spar with me," he said with a laugh. "Maybe one day, we'll end up having Ramen like normal people."
While her face turned red at the thought of eating alone with Naruto, inwardly, she laughed. Changed, maybe not, but Naruto was still Naruto. He would think of eating ramen over any other food.
But he was right. When Jiraiya died, she couldn't do much. She'd wanted to comfort him, even feed him at those days when Jiraiya had died, but she'd lacked the courage to move. It was only in a matter of life and death that she finally mustered enough courage to stand up for him.
Slowly, she stood up, but still moved away. However, Naruto grabbed her arm, pulling her into the training ground. Hinata did everything in her power so not to deflate like a balloon. Her knees had become so weak she wondered how she managed to walk.
Spar with him, how could she even strike him? No, she had to do this. Naruto was everyone's hero now. To compete, she had to be better. She couldn't even hope to convince her father to remove the burden of being clan head from her younger sister if she couldn't strengthen her resolve.
Naruto spent about thirty minutes dancing with Hinata. She was very hesitant to fight him. But still forced herself. He figured, if she could overcome him, then surely, she would stand fearlessly. He thanked her once more and was stopped by her father from leaving.
Thinking about the past with the clan, he felt nervous being in the presence of the man. The Hyuga didn't even smile but just asked him to follow, which he did in silence.
"How was she?"
"She moves well."
"Is that all?" Hiashi said. "Hinata is not less skilled than her sister. In fact, she was better than Hanabi, but she was too kind that she couldn't strike her sister. And thus lost her right as the Hyuga heiress."
Naruto thought this was the first conversation he was having with the Hyuga clan head. At the moment, he could be considered one of the most powerful people in Konoha due to his status as the clan head. The Hyuga was the most powerful clan after all. The thought made him appreciate that he'd just walked into the grounds of the most powerful clan in the village, danced with the clan head's daughter and was now speaking with the elder himself.
It was so surreal, he felt like he was in dreamland.
"At the time, I thought her kindness was weakness. If she couldn't strike her sister in a sparing session, she couldn't possibly become a good leader. She would be indecisive," Hiashi sighed, lamenting something. "Hinata's desire has always been to protect her dear sister."
Seeing the man falling silent, Naruto finally asked.
"Why?"
"She was willing to die for you."
"Yes."
"You said you wanted to help her."
"You were listening?"
"Konoha's hero but you're still a boy. I'm not going to allow some boy to get closer to my daughter like that." Hiashi said in a harsh tone.
"Is that how father's react to protect their children?" He asked with genuine curiosity.
Hiashi glanced at him for a second and then nodded. "Yes," he said. "Hinata has become a little confident because of you. My nephew now has a good relationship with me because of you but we'd always treated you badly. I know how the people in my clan used to treat you. But you've always been kind. For that, I apologize and offer my thanks."
Naruto came to a halt, shocked and surprised. While still impressed by Hiashi. Seeing him stop, Hiashi came to a halt as well and turned to face him.
"You don't know how much I wanted to hear those words…" he said in a whisper. "To hear someone say we indeed treated you wrong…" Naruto felt like he could cry, because something inside of him had moved. "It is much easier to say thank you than to say sorry after reflecting on your own actions," he smiled sadly. "I trust, Hiashi-sama will be discreet."
"I understand."
Naruto bowed his head to the Hyuga. "Thank you."
Flashback
For shinobi, death came easily. This concept was a reality but for so long, Naruto lived ignorant of it, even when in his first mission outside of Konoha, they'd nearly died because they were not prepared. Perhaps he'd simply chosen to ignore the ugliness for his sanity. It was much better believing the world was kind and gentle than a rampaging beast that would kill him the moment he blinked. It wasn't so much as ignorance being bliss but something entirely different.
Konan would have surely died. There was no emotional connection that would leave him scarred for life. But, she was still a person he wanted to care for. Speaking to her, he'd realized, she was just as lonely and miserable as he'd been. How could he let her just die like that?
Her suicidal plans to take her and Madara to the dead wouldn't have succeeded. Regardless, with some fortune, they pulled through. She was labored in her breathing, her clothes in tatters and colored by her blood. Madara was lying dead on the water, at least what remained of him. Most of his body had been blown up by swallowing Konan's explosives.
At this scene, Naruto made a mental note, he didn't want to get on Konan's bad side. Such a an endeavor was a health hazard.
Looking down at the face of the man, Naruto couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness in his heart. Once more again, someone had died. And he was directly responsible this time. Was it wrong that he didn't try to talk the man out of killing Konan? He hadn't been willing to listen to anything but maybe, he could have tried better.
He created a clone and picked up what remained of the body. There could be some evil mastermind in the shadows who would come here to take the man's body.
He smiled at Konan and gave her his shoulder. "We'll try not to be seen," he said. "Unfortunately, I don't even know the basic medical jutsu that everyone should know," he said with displeasure. "Being an idiot has its perks it seems."
Konan didn't reply to him. They went back to the tallest tower and he settled by the balcony, watching children play in the streets. It was sad hearing the history of this nation. Many grew up being orphans from a war not of theirs. But they were just the grass standing in the way as the giants fought. At least, it looked settled now.
About an hour later, Konan returned, fresh from the waters. The bruises gone, her clothes changed—but she didn't wear the Akatsuki cloak.
She stood on his right side, and stared down at the street with sadness. "I had prepared myself to die." She said. "But at least, we stopped him and I have protected their dream," she added with a small smile.
"But?"
She shook her head. "What he said changes nothing."
Naruto nodded in agreement and then sighed. His head was going to explode for thinking too much. He was thinking a lot more rationally that it frightened him. Even the Bijuu inside of him had wondered if his head had been hit a little too hard. It had done so, mocking him. But as the days piled up, he was starting to think this may be the reason.
"What happens to the Bijuu?"
"As I said, only the Rinnegan can control the Gedo Mazo and it isn't even located here. Nagato used to summon it. But I don't know where he summons it from. I assume it is somewhere in his hideout. I have the general location but I just need to confirm. The Raikage's brother is still alive…"
"When I get back to Konoha, I'll try to get Tsunade-sama to let me go to Kumogakure to let the Raikage know about his brother. I'll also try to visit Iwagakure. Just to see if there are plans to destroy Amegakure."
"If there are plans?"
"I'm going there to try to persuade them against it. We will have to try. I don't want to think about what happens if all else fails. But whatever happens, there is no peace in simply standing aside while the people of this village suffer. I would give up on being Hokage if I could protect the lives of this village." Naruto said in a miserable tone.
Konan shook her head. "You can't."
"I wouldn't live with myself either way." He chuckled. "Perhaps I've been a little miserable. I'm confused and conflicted. I'll stop by here when I return from Iwagakure." He moved closer to Konan.
She was taller than him. Yet, he could feel she was possessed by the same demon of loneliness he wrestled with. Sadness was engraved in her heart, just as he was. Not so much birds of the same feather, but they were alike, in some ways.
When she turned to face him, he awkwardly wrapped his hands around her. Both of them tensed. Her at the sudden movement, and him because he was doing something unfamiliar. He didn't even know how to hug properly because he didn't receive a lot of them when growing up.
"I'm sorry, Konan. I'm sorry that you have to live with the burden." She smelled pleasant. Almost intoxicating. It wasn't the smell of someone who'd just been in a death battle. He could even hear the sound of her heart. Was this what it meant to have close contact with others?
Abruptly, he pulled away, flustered. He scratched the back of his head, and laughed out his nervousness. "I don't know what came over me. Maybe, it was just a yearning," he said.
Konan gave him a small smile but did not comment on the awkward hug. "You're always welcome in Amegakure."
End
So, I was just sitting and I started writing this. Thought I should post this idea before I lost it.
Tell me what you think.
The Omnipresent Sage