Chapter 8 Allegiances

The forest near Konoha

"Kenshin I must ask, how did you in one year amass so much power in wave?" Hurzen asked me after he had several conversations with the council on the way here.

"I didn't do anything but build the army, I had a hand in the expansion and the navy. But the biggest strides were made by the council, the citizens trust the council so there is no buffer in that regard slowing down progress." I tell him

"The full support of all decisions? That's very impressive to have a country that fully supports their leadership." He replies coolly.

"It's not just the leadership they support, it's the laws. Thousands of refugees and traders have come, many more still coming being offered full citizenship and guaranteed work. You'd be surprised how many people will follow you when they have nothing but menial trifles to worry about in their daily life." I replied.

"Are you really only 15 kid, you sound like you're at least 40" The toad sage comments.

"I've just been gifted in politics, it's not a hard game once you learn" I state unbothered by his subtle jab.

"With you there the land of Wave's will soon prosper into a great power" Hiruzen compliments me.

"It's funny you say that, I'm actually planning on retiring as military commander after the alliance is solidified" I say casually, completely aware of how Kimimaro trips on his next step and Hiruzen looks taken aback.

"What are you talking about?" Hiruzen asks, stunned.

"My dream Hiruzen, I can't accomplish it while juggling politics and military actions" I tell him simply as I finally see the visage of the great Konoha gates.

"What would that dream be?" He asks me curiously.

"To be strong enough" I simply say.

"Strong enough for what" The toad sage chimes in.

"To live my life as I please, pretty selfish right?" I say chuckling.

We lapse in silence as we enter the village and head straight for the Kage tower.

"Lord Hiruzen, I'm sorry but I'll not be joining you in this meeting. I have a prior arrangement, Kimimaro my second will be leading the proceedings" I say as I hand Kimimaro a folder with everything he'll need to know.

"May I ask what prior arrangement you have in my village" He asks simply, irritation clear in his voice

"I really want to meet someone, a fellow survivor of a culling. I know you already have a tail on me, but do you think he can keep up?" I ask Hiruzen chuckling as I disappear in a lighting body flicker with flash speed on.

"Does he always do that?" Hiruzen asks Kimimaro.

"Yes Lord Hokage, the commander despises meetings, if he has a good enough excuse he'll vanish in the blink of an eye." Kimimaro says with a sigh.

"And I was beginning to think he was an old man that found the fountain of youth ,its a relief to see he is still childish and irresponsible." the toad sage says with a hearty laugh at Kenshin's actions.

Lake near the Uchiha compound….

A young boy with black hair sat on the edge of the river bank, looking blankly into the water depression clear in his body language.

"What has you so down in the dumps kid?" I ask the last loyal Uchiha. The boy jerks up Immediately to place a scowl on his face.

"What's it to you, foreigner?" The last Uchiha asks.

"Well I heard about the massacre and decided I'd really like to meet the last Uchiha." I tell him casually.

"Leave me alone." the boy dismisses me.

"Have you ever heard of the Kaguya clan?" I instead ask him.

"One of the founding clans of Kiri, suspected to have gone extinct." He replies right out of the textbook.

"See kid the weird thing about information in the ninja world, It's either completely false or only a half truth" I tell him as I use my bone armor gauntlet.

"My clan was murdered by Kiri a little over a year ago, the clan thought themselves strong enough to take over the country. I wasn't so foolish, I ran." I tell him with a laugh. He takes on a saddened expression probably reliving the horror of that day.

"Does the pain ever go away?" Sasuke asks me in a low voice.

"No, but it does get better. Finding people to lean on, can help the pain leave as well as create unbreakable bonds." I tell him as he looks completely troubled by my answer. " I mean look kid, people you'd never thought would care about you come and check on you. That's the sign of a true friend." I say in a whisper pointing at a head of blonde hair hiding behind a sign. Sasuke's eyes widen in realization as he realizes who it is.

"I'm actually going to be here for a couple of days, maybe longer, would you like to train with me. Maybe invite your friend to join" I ask, trying to be the bridge for a future troubled Hero.

"You're a ninja!?" Sasuke yelps, completely surprised by my admission.

"The coolest, Leader of the Crescent wolves and emissary to the Alliance being set up with Konoha and Wave." I tell him with a smile and a very toad sage-like introduction.

"You'll really train me, you don't even know me" Sasuke asks cautiously.

"Maybe I know you're going to be at least the second strongest ninja alive and I want to help you on your path." I say casually.

"Yeah right" He said in a snort.

"So what do you say kid, want to make a real friend?" I ask him motioning for him to grab my hand. He does so reluctantly and I lightning flicker behind a surprised blond.

"You coming?" I ask Naruto with my hand out. Sadly he grabs it way too fast, the kid still probably doesn't have any friends either. With a quick spurt of lightning we're in a training ground. Both boys seem rocked by the speed of my flicker so I wait patiently for them to right themselves.

"My name is Kenshin Kaguya, leader of the Crescent wolves and for the foreseeable future I will be training you" I tell them. "State your names and dreams".

"What the hell is going on and who are you, Dattebayo?" Naruto asks cautiously.

"He literally just told us Naruto," Sasuke answered with a sigh.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha and my dream is to avenge my clan" Sasuke states darkly. I kind of expected that as I turned to the main character waiting for the iconic lines.

"MY NAME IS NARUTO UZUMAKI AND I WILL BECOME THE HOKAGE DATTEBAYO" He actually screams to the world. I can't help it. I start dying of laughter seeing this scrawny boy yell something so crazy and hearing his conviction was too much for me. I can see him deflate at my dismissal going into a really depressed state.

"Hey chin up Naruto, I completely believe you. I just thought of something funny that made me burst out laughing. You were literally born to be Hokage and never let anyone tell you otherwise." I tell him with a smile as he seems to brighten up.

"You really believe him?" Sasuke asks, perplexed by the situation.

"I guess it's story time before we get into training, I'm going to tell you guys about my favorite Kage to ever live." I tell them as I see their eye's light up in childish excitement. I go into my pack and hand out chips and drinks.

"I like to call this story 'Flash'. A story about a blonde haired blue eyed orphan of the hidden leaf village, he grew up alone without ever knowing the love of a mother or a father, they died in the second shinobi war leaving their son alone to face the horror of the ninja world by himself. But this boy grew and he grew fast, all he would do was train and hang out with the girl he saved from a kidnapping during his genin years. And let me tell you boys this, she was beautiful even with red hair and a pudgy face. She was his anchor, the reprieve from the loneliness, with her at his side he strove to new heights. He was the first ninja ever given a SS rank and a flee on sight order. At the end of the third shinobi war there was a great battle that took place. The Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Iwa sent a thousand shinobi to invade through the Hidden Grass, Konoha only had a small battalion guarding the pass not expecting a full invasion. The man arrived by himself to see the battalion on its last legs, he turned and stood in front of a thousand shinobi and killed them all. Winning the battle and ending the third great ninja war single handedly. He was soon christened as the Fourth Hokage and his story became legend. The Legend of Minato Namikaze the Yellow Flash." I finish the tale as I look to see two stunned boys, hands frozen with a chip still raised.

"How did somebody so strong die so young?" Sasuke asks curiously.

"It wasn't his death that you should focus on, it's what he accomplished during it." I told him seriously.

"What does it matter what he accomplished if he's dead?" Sasuke replied. Before Naruto punched him in the head.

"He protected the entire village from the Ninetails" Naruto all but yells before they break out into a scuffle before I go to break them up.

"Naruto is correct Sasuke, battling a tail beast by yourself is insane to even think about. But the fourth did it and won" I placate them.

"But what I was trying to teach you two with the story is that it doesn't matter how you start but how you end" I say as I disappear before their eyes." But also that speed is King" I say in a whisper to the two startled boys as I seemingly teleported behind them.

"Well introductions are over, now we train. First things first I want you both to spar." I tell them and they seem more than happy to oblige. 'Maybe they just like hitting each other' I intone as the two kids start just hammering away at each other, it goes on like this for a while before Sasuke slips a punch and jabs Naruto right in the face.

"Enough good job boys. Now Naruto, why do you think you lost" I ask him calmly as I help him to his feet.

"Because speed is king" he answers in a low voice.

"Exactly, at this point Sasuke's technique and speed are superior" I reply honestly surprised that he got the gist of the lesson I was trying to teach them.

"Sasuke, why do you think you won?" I ask the other student.

"I've been trained in the interceptor fist style, whereas Naruto has received no such training so he was at a clear disadvantage" Sasuke answers.

"Very mature of you to admit that. Well I'm going to be honest with you two, I didn't expect you to understand the point of the lesson so quickly, so as a reward I will teach you both one thing of your choosing." I tell them as they both stand straight at attention pondering what to ask for.

"Jutsu," Naruto says slowly. I figured he'd asked that. Sasuke takes one look at the swords on my back before he replies with Kenjutsu.

I go into my inventory and take out my old tanto and a scroll. Completely aware of their mesmerized expression of it appearing out of thin air.

"My first sword" I say, handing the blade to the avenger. "Wind Style-Wing Bullet jutsu" I say running threw hand seals and summoning a bullet of wind that blew a chuck of a tree. Naruto's eyes become stars as I hand him the scroll for the jutsu. I show Naruto the hand seals as I summon a clone to show Sasuke kata's.

"Naruto, it is Tatsu then Tori,finishing with Hitsugi." I tell him for the third time with a sigh. But this time he actually goes through all of them with a new confidence.

"Wind Style- Wind bullet" He says as he shoots out a bullet of compressed wind. 'Three tries? And people called Sasuke a prodigy' I can't help but think to myself, his insane chakra level is probably why this worked so easily for him unlike the clone justu.

"Great job Naruto" I praise the boy, who gives me a huge smile and a thumbs up. I dismiss my clone and call Sasuke back over.

"Now Sasuke, you're well versed in the fire ball jutsu correct" I ask him as he flies through the seals and shoots out the jutsu.

"The last thing I'm going to show you today is fairly advanced. It's called a combo jutsu. They can only be used with a clone or between two teammates, stand behind me and pay attention." I say as I summon a Water Clone.

"Water Style- Water dragon jutsu" I yell releasing a monstrous dragon into the sky,"Lightning style- Lightning dragon jutsu" my clone yells sending the dragon to merge with mine, causing a two head lightning water dragon to land directly in the clearing obliterating everything in a twenty meter radius. I turn to look at two stunned boys marveling at the destruction I caused.

"The strengths and weaknesses" I asked the boys. They tried to come up with answers but none of them were close.

"I made two A rank jutsu into a S rank, however using the clone method is very Chakra extensive. It also would take careful planning to use mid battle this way. But the results speak for themselves" I say veering off into the destruction I caused, 'I wonder if Hiruzen will make me pay for that' I think to myself sadly.

"We will not leave this clearing until you both successfully do what I just did." I tell them as they look at each other in worry. It takes them a total of 10 tries to get it done but when they did it was spectacular

"Fire Style- Fireball jutsu" The avenger yells.

"Wind Style- Wind bullet" The ramen attic yells.

"COMBO JUTSU- INFERNO BLAST" They yell completely in unison. 'What a childish name' I can't help but smile as they caused a huge explosion of fire to rain hell on the ground. Before they both fall to their knees in exhaustion 'I have made the scariest 9 year olds to ever exist' I think to myself with a chuckle.

"Congratulations, together you both just created the equivalent of a B rank jutsu. All before your tenth birthdays" I say with a huge smile, as they both stand back up in pride at what they accomplished.

"So do you guys know where we can find dinner around here, I'm starving" I tell them already knowing what one of them will say.

"Have you ever tried the Food of the Gods?" Naruto asks me dead seriously as Sasuke sighs.

"No but I'm willing," I tell my second student with a smile as we head to Ichiraku.

"Where are you going?" I ask Sasuke with a sigh as he tries to be antisocial and not come.

"Home, I'm tired" he simply replies unbothered.

"If you skip out on the first team dinner, I will have no choice but to join forces with Naruto for the greatest prank on an Uchiha that this village will ever see." I state as if we're talking about the weather.

Sasuke stops on his next step before slowly turning around,"You can't be serious".

"I'm everything you own painted hot pink serious" I say as I turn and head back to following Naruto, eventually I'm joined by a very disgruntled Sasuke as Naruto slowly dies from laughing.

"Welcome to Ichiraku's Ramen, please take a seat" A beautiful young woman greets us.

"Jeez kid you could have told me such a beautiful Lady works here, I would've put on my nice shirt." I say to Naruto as I see his face heat up. I look over to see Ayame completely beat red before she rights herself and realizes Naruto is with me.

"Naruto? Why do you look so beat up" She asks in worry.

"I was training, I learned how to do my first jutsu today, Dattebayo," Naruto says with pride.

She adopts a frown, as she eyes my twin swords and battle Kimono."And who taught you that" she asks, already figuring out the answer herself as she frowns at me.

"This guy he's super awesome, he made this jutsu that had two dragon heads that blew up the entire training ground. You should have been there, Ayame it was so cool" Naruto practically yells in excitement. Sadly Ayame doesn't seem to share in his enthusiasm, 'jeez kid worst wingman ever' I think to myself.

"You realize he's only nine right?" She asks me viciously.

"Um, this one can shoot fire out of his mouth and he's the same age" I say pointing at the brooding Sasuke. That seemed to deflate her worries slightly but she still seems very suspicious of me, not that I can really blame her.

"What would you like to order?" She finally asks as I deflate from the death stare she's been giving me.

"10 bowls of Miso Ramen on the double," Naruto says.

"I'll take a bowl of Miso '' I say as well

"1 bowl of Shio ramen please." Sasuke orders as well.

"So you can show respect, little guy. I'm so proud of you" I tell Sasuke as I mess up his hair much to his dismay. Teuchi finally comes out to see our little mismatched group and eye's me oddly as well.

We lapse into comfortable small talk and a few jokes as we wait for our after about five minutes our food is placed on the table as we get ready to dig in I can't help but look over at the blonde with ten bowls stacked around him.

"You're really not going to eat all that are you?" I ask completely seriously.

"Huh? Oh yeah this is just the appetizer" He states like it's nothing. I can"t help but sigh this village really is fucking weird.

"So where are you from?" Ayame begins the interrogation.

"So you are interested in me, I was getting worried I suddenly turned ugly and that was why you brushed off my compliment." I say in relief. She splutters monetarily before she decides to just stare till I answer.

"Fine, fine, I'm with the political party from Wave finalizing the alliance" I tell her simply.

"So you're a bodyguard?" she asks.

"No I'm the Commander of the army" I tell her between bites. Her eyes widened probably from stories she's heard.

"Why would a commander from another country train Naruto?" She asks cautiously.

"Kind of just happened, I really wanted to meet this kid." I say pointing to Sasuke. "But he looked super depressed so I decided I'd train him to get his mind off it" I say as Sasuke spits up his ramen to glare at me."And this one just so happened to be there checking on him" I finish my story as well as my bowl.

"So are you done grilling me?" I ask her with a smile. She blushes immediately and starts fiddling with her apron.

"Yes I'm sorry it's just that most people that come around him aren't the best of people." she says in a whisper.

"It's fine you got to ask your questions over lunch, so can I ask mine over dinner. How does 8 sound? I can have one of my men cover the rest of your shift." I ask her with a smile. She looks like that's the last thing she was expecting, she tries and fails to think of a reply.

"She's off at 8, I expect her back no later than 12. Do you understand me?" I hear Teuchi say from the kitchen.

"FATHER!" she screams in embarrassment as she runs into the kitchen. I can't help but start chuckling. Soon Sasuke actually smiles as well so I guess it was a win.

"Of course" I answer back without delay.

"What's the big deal about dinner, we all eat it?" Naruto says curiously.

"He asked her out on a date, idiot, it's completely different" Sasuke says to Naruto's horror.

"How dare you, I bring you to my favorite place and you try to take Ayame," Naruto says in absolute anger. I can hear Teuchi dying of laughter in the kitchen

"We all need our 'red haired princess' kid." I tell him, referencing back to the story I told the boys. "Although yours might be blue haired" I say as I feel a set of eyes on me. Turning I can see a chibi Hinata looking at me through her Byakugan.

"Sasuke, Naruto, the most important lesson I want you to learn is that life is too short for regrets, now go have fun guys. Oh and Naruto there's someone here for you, there directly across the street, go hang out. Here take her for Dango and be on your best behavior." I tell him as I hand him a bundle of ryo and send them on their way. I order a coffee and sit and converse with Ayame about where she'd like to go before a wolf-masked anbu drops into the seat next to me.

"Kakashi of the Sharingan, it is truly an honor. I really like your mask." I say trying my best to mask my inner fanboy.

"Lord Hokage has ordered your presence Blood Wolf" He says in moderate anger. Should've known I can't hang out with the chosen one without repercussions.

"Just give me one second" I say as I place 10k on the counter before I leave, I see Kakashi freeze up a little at the amount I just set down for lunch. "You have to tip the pretty waitress, didn't you know? That's like bachelor 101" I tell him with a chuckle as I body flicker away. I can feel him gaining on me. So with an increased burst I used a lighting flicker on every step I took until I'm in front of the Hokage's office. I knock twice waiting for the go ahead.

"Enter" I hear from the other side.

"Hello Hiruzen, I hope the meeting went well." I ask casually as I take a seat on the couch.

"You have been in my village for 6 hours, Destroyed a training ground, Made contact with someone I know that you know you shouldn't have and sent that little demon of yours to destroy all of the changes the council tried to make to the alliance." Hiruzen says with clear anger.

"I also scored a date with a pretty waitress" I say jokingly before I turn serious "I will obviously pay for the damages and all I did was teach a boy one jutsu. As for the negotiations, you agreed to the terms before we left from wave and I still haven't received the sword or the scrolls." I tell him diplomatically. "I've even given your village SSS class intel as an olive branch of trust even though one of your rogue factions attempted an attack." I state pushing my points further.

"Kenshin, Naruto is off limits" He simply says.

"I can make both boys SS rank before they turn 16" I state as if it's nothing. Hiruzen looks taken aback by my statement.

"What are you saying? You really intend to train foreign ninja" Hiruzen asks like I'm crazy.

"Hiruzen I showed the kid the signs and he did it in three tries. A fucking C rank jutsu mastered in 10 minutes by a 9 year old"

"What are you suggesting, you'll stay here just to train two boys for a couple years" Hiruzen scoffs.

"That is exactly what I'm saying, to finalize the alliance, The Republic of Wave offers its commander to serve the leaf for 6 years" I simply say. Hiruzen looks crazed at my statement.

"Is that in writing?" He simply says.

"Yes it's in the new commander's hands as we speak. Unless a country attacks Wave I will remain here" I reply. Before Hiruzen takes a scroll from his pocket and opens it. The sword really is one of the coolest weapons I think I've ever seen.

"The sword of the Thunder God." I say activating the blade. 'Observe', 'Rank: Mythical, Ability +300 to agility, thunder based attacks boosted by 50%.

PERK FLASH SPEED HAS EVOLVED AFTER REACHING 1,000 AGL

GODSPEED-PASSIVELY BOOSTS SPEED BY 100%

"Thank you Hiruzen, I apologize for my attitude. I've just had a really good day and meetings always bring my mood down." I say placating looking at the notes for the Hiraishin and shadow clones.

"Think nothing of it Jonin Sensei." He tells me with a boisterous laugh. I sigh at his antics as I go to leave.

"I require that both boys be removed from the academy immediately, as well as Hinata Hyuga to complete the team. I know you may have to go through her father but I guarantee she will become the perfect heir."

"I will speak to Hisashi about the position you wish to offer his daughter by the end of the day."

"But Know This, if you endanger Naruto I will kill you" He says with killing intent flaring.

"The Fourth's legacy will be protected Hiruzen, that I promise. But just for the record, do not threaten me for doing a good thing" I say as I flood the room with my own intent, but it leaves as quickly as it came. I give Hiruzen a polite smile before leaving the room.

I walk up to the receptionist for some much needed information.

"Excuse me, how do I purchase a house in this village?" I ask the brunette.

"The realtors office is on the level below on door number 141" she replies with a smile. I give her my thanks as I head down. I knock twice before I'm quickly let in.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" A bald man in a suit asks me. 'There are suits in this world, I honestly never noticed' I think to myself.

"I'm looking for a two story property, preferably on the outer rim with an acre of forested land. I have cash on hand and prefer to finish this quickly." I state to him as the guy's brain starts buzzing with thoughts.

"There's one on the east rim, freshly renovated. With three acres of forested land near the Nara Clan residence. But the asking price is 15 million" he tells me cautiously. I hate to be that guy but with all of the bounties I had brought in to stimulate the economy in its infancy, it became so many that I started keeping 10% for myself on every mission. So honestly I'm happy to say I'm fucking loaded. I slap the money on the table like I'm a big shot and sign off on all the papers. With a set of directions and new set of keys and bill of sail I've finally in either life bought my first house. I guess now all I need now is some company.

Sasuke POV

Sasuke Uchiha was greatly troubled as to why some seemingly random guy would take a whole day just to help him. It was weird, apparently the guy is some big shot commander of an army that just so happened to want to meet him because they shared a similar past. It was absurd, but not as absurd as the fucking wall to his house being knocked down and the same bastard is standing there looking nonchalant.

"Damn Sasuke the builder of this house must have been complete shit, to just have a wall collapse like that is crazy, I would know one of my closest people is a carpenter. Well I can't let you stay in any of these houses until we have the Hokage send out an inspector. Luckily for you I just bought a house, so if you ask nicely I might let you crash?" The bastard has the nerve to say.

"Are you fucking serious, I literally watched you bust down my wall" I say because this guy is insane.

"Language Sasuke, catch." he tells me as he throws me a key.

"Oh and before I forget, you are kicked out of the academy effective immediately. Apparently some dashing young bachelor told Lord Hiruzen he'd spend six years of his life training you." I'm stunned. I can't even think of what to say, I just go to pack my bags.

Naruto POV

Today has been absolutely one of the best days ever. First I got to learn about the Fourth Hokage, then I got to punch Sasuke and get away with it. Then I learned my first jutsu, and finally I made a new friend named Hinata. She's very quiet but she's still nice. That was his thought process before the door to his apartment was kicked down.

"Naruto Uzumaki stand at attention." I see Master Kenshin step out of the hole that used to be my door.

"Why the hell did you kick down my door,bayo?" Naruot yells.

"Uzumaki, you have been kicked out of the academy.''He tells me and my fight dies right there, sadness like I've never felt takes hold.

"Instead you have been selected for Hokage training done by me, if I say jump you will jump, if I say run 10 miles you will run 10 miles." My sorrow changes to relief instantly and I nod without a shred of doubt.

"Pack your shit buddy, It's training montage time" He says as he throws me a key and disappears.

LATER…

I'm actually really glad I chose this path, I built a country, left a successor, allied it with the strongest nation. Nobody can blame me for choosing a new path for a few years, it's not like I'm more than a two day full speed run away. The village will prosper and grow. There's nothing more I can do for it but protect it from the shadows. These boys need a proper master and a stable homelife. Plus Ayame is so goddamn cute. I finish my train of thought with a wistful sigh.


What a twist! I know some people may not like this route but I felt it was time for a new chapter in Kenshin's journey.

As always thanks for reading-Cyan

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