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Chapter 10
Lost Boy Chronicles: Part 2
Tobirama was a guest of honor and waited alongside most of Kiri's military force in the graveyard. The time had come for the village to cremate the martyrs of the 501st that died in the line of duty. The atmosphere was sombre with the Mizukage standing beside the grieving families.
It intrigued him to see that Kirigakure followed a custom of burning their dead instead of burying them like most other nations. Only Uzushiogakure followed the same custom which was a point Tobirama noted without fail.
He turned eastwards alongwith many others as they heard a small murmuring from the crowd.
A small smile came upon Tobirama's face despite the situation he was in.
"General"
"General"
"General"
The entire 501st had been quite somber but now watching their leader march between them brought some smiles back on many faces. Tobirama watched Naruto acknowledge each and every salute shown to him even if it took him sometime to clear through the crowd. His heart sank when he saw Gengetsu Hozuki also had a smile like his own on his face.
Tobirama clearly saw the way in which Naruto's presence boosted the shattered morale of the shinobi. For many, he was a hero and for others an undefeatable warrior. The way in which not just the shinobi but common civilians called out to him made one thing clear for the Hokage.
The people had accepted Naruto as their General not because their Mizukage had commanded it, but they had themselves placed their faith in him as their General after his actions and the way in which he had fought for his men.
Tobirama could see in the eyes of the shinobi, that unwavering faith that no matter what happened they would never lose as long as they had their General with them.
If only Konoha had such an officer...
Naruto finally managed to reach beside the Mizukage who gave him a nod against the short bow he offered.
Kirigakure's new general then turned towards the grieving families and looked them all in the eye without flinching.
"There is no greater honor than to die in the service of one's nation. Your sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters sacrificed their all to give this nation a better future. I understand mere words cannot be enough for the loss you have experienced, but I promise to fight until my last breath to protect this great nation for whom these brave warriors laid down their lives" promised Naruto sincerely,
He received somber nods and watery stares in return but that was enough as he stepped away respectfully in order to allow the families a final moment with their dead.
Soon enough, the funeral pyre's were lit which broke the final connection the dead had with this nation and its people.
Mangetsu saw Naruto's gaze was fixed upon few young children who were weeping inconsolably at the loss of their family members despite the best attempts of their mothers and other women to calm them down.
The crowd gasped when from the smoke of the funeral pyre arose few dark human like figures. At first, people were terrified but when those human figures remained floating in the air just staring at them, the people perceived them to be the souls of their fallen warriors.
Mangetsu and few other veteran shinobi saw Naruto secretly raising two of his fingers summoning the ash from which he created those soul like figures. Even though it was not real, when those souls raised their hands in goodbye, the children finally stopped crying and mirrored the gesture with a heavy heart.
Gengetsu cursed when he looked at the sky, his doubts soon turned into reality when heavy rains started to fall down threatening to wash away the burning funeral pyre's. It would be extremely cruel for the families to again see their loved ones mangled bodies in a half burnt state. He was not alone in those thoughts as Tobirama stepped beside him as both Kages combined their powers to erect a dome like structure across the cemetery that protected each and every shinobi as well as civilian from the torrential rain. With the people safe, the Kages turned their attention towards the funeral pyre which they had to keep burning no matter the cost.
To their surprise, Naruto had already moved out of the dome protecting everyone else from the rains.
The General now stood guard near the burning pyre's at attention.
Not a single drop of rainwater managed to reach the pyre's as they were all diverted across the village allowing the dead bodies to be burnt without any damage. For that to happen, Naruto had to stand in the torrential rains for nearly two hours in order to maintain that control over the rainwater.
He only relented when the final body had burnt away to ashes and created several earthen pots in which he stored those ashes for the families.
He was drenched from head to toe, his once well ironed uniform was in disarray and he was shivering to an extent when he turned back towards the crowd.
There was only one emotion present in each and everyone's eye which surprised the Kiri officer.
Respect.
Naruto levitated the pots containing the ashes of his fallen soldiers with the help of his own dark powers as he walked towards the families. He made sure to deliver each one correctly and with respect.
Gengetsu joined him when he was about to deliver three pots to one grieving woman. Her husband was in one pot, her brother in another, and her elder son in the last one. Her second son and only family who was seven years old stood beside her as both men stepped before her.
"Your husband, brother and son were brave warriors. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten by this village, if ever you need anything please don't hesitate-" offered the Mizukage, only for the woman to shake her head.
"I don't need charity, Lord Mizukage" she declined respectfully,
Gengetsu was at a loss of words for he knew she belonged from a common civilian family who had no proper support from the village apart from the monetary support Naruto was providing. Her haunting gaze found Naruto as she draped her fallen husband's headband, her brother's tanto and her elder son's flak jacket over her younger son before presenting him to Naruto.
"I may have lost three warriors but I still have one more who will fight for this nation. General, please make him a fine shinobi like his father, his uncle and his older brother" requested the woman, rendering the Mizukage speechless.
Gengetsu didn't know what to say. A part of him was overwhelmed with pride at this woman's devotion to the village, on the other hand he didn't want her to lose her last family to war. Thankfully, Naruto knelt beside the young boy.
"War inflicts death, pain and misery on everyone. Especially this generation who does not know war, should never become a part of it. There is no glory in death, there is so much left for him to live for" said Naruto gently, even as he ruffled the child's hair.
He then looked at the mother who had tears arriving in her eyes once more.
"He is the future for which we shinobi shall endure. So please keep him safe and if one day he truly desires to fight with his own will then I will take him in. Until then, let him live the life we never had" requested Naruto kindly,
Tobirama watched Naruto get back on his feet and look at each and every shinobi around him.
"Let's end this war so that young children are not sent to fight and die on the battlefield"
Tobirama felt pride swell in his chest when the people started agreeing with the young Namikaze slowly but surely. He couldn't detect any lies or hidden feelings in Naruto's heart for this was the boy's true wish. It was true that the boy worried Tobirama for he was similar to Madara in many ways, but there was a part of him that had inherited Hashirama's will and dream.
Elder brother, even now your legacy still lives on. Maybe, just maybe...we can reach the peace that you always dreamed of someday.
Ino was busy serving their dinner even as she saw Naruto sitting at his study table and devotedly making notes and observations about each and every member of the 501st. On questioning, he had revealed that he planned to divide the 501st into smaller legions being led by efficient Commanders. It was his hope that rather than a large force that could be used for just one mission or be at the risk of getting tracked easily, he wanted the 501st to fight side by side with the regular forces by helping them in the most difficult and heavily fortified enemy regions.
She was never one to understand large military strategies but one look at Naruto was enough to show he was made for this task. In a way she was extremely proud of him, during her teens she was a spy in making having never been on the frontlines as Hashirama had decreed it too dangerous for young children to take part in the First Ninja World.
Naruto on the other hand was already a Commander at that time leading some of the bravest and courageous kids of his generation that didn't hesitate in laying down their lives for Hashirama Senju.
"Dinner's ready" she announced, drawing his attention away from his notes which he would later on use to file a formal request with the Mizukage through a report.
"Thank you. I promise I'll help with the dishes since I suck at making decent food" he joked, which made her laugh.
"I'll hold you to that" she warned him playfully, as he got up from his desk to arrive at their dinner table.
After a short prayer, they both dug into the sushi that she had made. She quite enjoyed the silence, watching Naruto quietly eat his rice.
"You did good at the cemetery, even if you didn't have to go that far." she praised but cautioned at the same time,
"They were my men. It was my duty to make sure they were cremated with full honors" he dismissed the praise so casually,
"Naruto...you do remember which nations we truly serve?" asked Ino hesitantly,
She instantly regretted her question when he gave her a pointed stare which only ended when he sighed tiredly after a few intense seconds.
"You don't understand..." he said hesitantly,
He looked up when she placed her hand over his and in her eyes there was nothing but endless patience and warmth.
"I can't change the way I was brought up. I grew up in a military family. Strength and honor...that's what my dad used to tell us" said Naruto with a faint smile,
"You loved him" suggested Ino,
"Respected him and what he stood up for. He was the one who fought against his village to give my mother shelter in Uzu, married her despite the fact that she already had a son that was not his" he confessed, surprising Ino completely.
"Then who was your biological father?" asked Ino hesitantly,
"Mother never said his name. It doesn't matter now but I grew up watching my adoptive father fight for his home. He was my idol, my hero. Someone who stood up for his men and village even if it meant death" said Naruto proudly,
"Wish I had met him" she said with a smile,
"Strength and Honor. He taught me that..."
(Flashback: Twenty Years Ago)
A young boy with shiny blonde hair ran through the narrow corridors of the village hospital. Amidst a sea of redheads, he was the sole ray of sunshine as he dashed forward eliciting curses and shouts from several nursing staff and visitors alike. Even in the face of the heat being thrown at him, there was an infectious smile on that child's face.
He finally reached the general medical ward and ran inside to be greeted by the sight of a tall and broad chested redhead man who was nearly 6 feet tall looking down at him with a raised eyebrow.
Unlike the boy, this man had violet colored eyes and a sharp chin. He had spiky red hair and was dressed in the uniform of a Jounin with a sword at his back.
"Did you kill anyone?" asked the older man with a grin,
"Maybe next time" replied the boy cheekily, drawing a laugh from the older redhead man as he lifted the boy off the ground and into his arms.
The boy nuzzled against the man's chest with a content smile as both of them now marched towards one of the nearby medical rooms.
"Kaa-san said you probably wouldn't come..." said the little boy,
"That's silly. How can I leave you guys alone at such a time? I'll always be there for my family" promised the older man,
"Promise?" asked the little boy hopefully, drawing a smile from the older man as he ruffled his hair.
"I promise, Minato"
Both father and son reached the door where a nurse was waiting for them.
"Sign off here please, Yahiko-san" instructed the nurse curtly,
Yahiko Uzumaki sighed but complied with the request as he signed off on the paperwork and escorted himself and his adoptive son into the room where a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and sky blue eyes was currently resting upon a bed in hospital gown. Seeing her brought a wide smile on Minato's face as he yelled excitedly and ran towards her after getting away from his father's arms quite abruptly.
She stopped him before he could jump on her bed and just in time as Minato saw a tiny bundle resting beside her. Their similar gaze met as she ruffled his hair while raising the infant towards him.
"Meet your little brother, Minato-kun" said Inoue Namikaze with a smile,
"Why is he so red?" asked Minato pointedly, as he narrowed his eyes at the sleeping infant.
"Babies do look like that, even you did when you were born" explained Inoue patiently, and smirked when her elder son pointed his finger at his hair.
"But I have blonde hair and he is red" argued Minato defensively,
''Even I have red hair, is that a problem?" asked Yahiko playfully, even going so far as to develop a small fake pout across his face making Inoue giggle.
She saw the confusion and indecision in Minato's innocent gaze as he was torn between his curiosity and fear of hurting his father's feelings. Thankfully, both parents decided not to further traumatize the young boy as Yahiko picked him up and placed him beside his mother and little brother.
"We shall call him Nagato. You're a big brother now, Minato-kun" said Inoue happily,
"And do you remember what I told you about big brothers?" asked Yahiko with a smile, which brought a similar smile and a determined look in that little boy's eyes.
"They protect their little brothers" remembered Minato dutifully,
"That's my boy" praised Yahiko happily with a grin,
"Would you like to hold your little brother? Remember, be very gentle..." guided Inoue,
Minato eagerly nodded and carefully accepted his little brother in his small arms even as Inoue and Yahiko supported them. The infant slowly opened his own violet eyes and raised its tiny finger which Minato gently grabbed in his hand.
"I'll keep you safe. Together we will have so much fun..."
Their moment of peace was disturbed when another Jounin walked inside the room making Yahiko walk towards the man. Minato and Inoue watched Yahiko argue for a few moments before sighing and walk back towards them.
Minato's face fell when when his father returned towards them with an apologetic look.
"I have to go. It's an emergency, a squad of chunin is missing near Kumogakure's border" explained Yahiko,
"Then do your duty. I'll look after these two until you return" promised Inoue with a heavy heart,
Minato watched as his father kissed his mother and infant son before ruffling his hair and looking in his eyes.
"Do you have to go?" asked Minato sadly,
"Would you fight if someone threatened your brother?" questioned Yahiko calmly, and smiled when Minato held his tiny brother even more protectively.
"Yes" answered the little boy honestly,
"Then those chunin out there are also my brothers. As a superior officer and comrade, it is my duty to keep them safe" explained Yahiko truthfully,
"But they're not your family. We are...why can't you stay?" asked Minato bitterly,
"Strength and Honor, my son. It doesn't matter if we share different families, different blood, different color or beliefs. Despite all such differences, each and every man willing to fight for our nation is my brother. It is a bond that only exists among shinobi...someday you will understand what I am saying" said Yahiko confidently,
With those words, Yahiko walked away leaving his wife and two sons in the silent hospital room.
(Six Months Later)
Tears fell from Minato's eyes as he pushed himself to the limit by running as fast as he could. Despite his best attempts, the finish line was still atleast a mile away across the beach and his opponents were easily sprinting ahead of him.
Not gonna lose.
It didn't matter if he was currently racing alongside an entire squad of Jounin's across Uzu's beach, most of whom were his father's friends and comrades. The older men were smiling at his effort to keep up with them.
"That's a tough little pup you have there, Yahiko" commented one of the older Jounin,
It was difficult for Minato to distinguish them because of their similar facial features and almost identical hair color. Only his father stood out with those spiky hair and a new nasty scar across his face which he received when he had went out to rescue a chunin squad a few weeks back. His and his squad's actions saved those chunin, but his father had sustained injuries but that hadn't deterred the man's spirit one bit.
"That's nothing. Show them what you can truly do, little wolf" encouraged Yahiko with a grin,
The Jounin's yelped in surprise when Minato jumped away from the sand and landed himself upon the rocky waves of the sea. Many of the men rushed towards the water in order to save the child from drowning but stopped when they saw him achieve balance over a rocky wave and stand tall.
"He can walk on water..."
"Did you teach him that, Yahiko?"
"A true prodigy..."
Minato laughed on seeing their gobsmacked looks which only became even more hilarious when he used the waves to take him forward towards the finish line. Realizing that they were about to be beaten by a kid, the Jounin's rushed at full speed alongside Yahiko.
The young boy hopped across waves nearly matching the Jounin's rushing on the sand. Everyone of the warriors noticed the boy's skill over water was not ordinary even at this age. Even though they easily defeated the child in the race, they all waited as Minato reached the shore. Still, he was a little far away from the finish line and seemed completely exhausted.
"I can't..." whispered Minato tiredly, and sighed in relief when his mother who was waiting for them all at the finish line alongside her younger son got up to walk towards him.
However, she was stopped by Yahiko and his comrades who all looked at Minato with a look of pure determination.
"No mountain more stronger, no sky more taller, no wave more larger, no road more longer" declared Yahiko seriously,
Minato looked at his father even as he lay tired across the sand nearly a hundred meters away from the finish line.
"I'm strong, I'm fast, I'm a damn fucking force of nature" encouraged another Jounin,
Minato didn't feel any strength left in his legs or body but he did have some feeling in his arms. Gathering the last of his power, he started to crawl on both arms.
"No enemy more stronger than me"
Minato saw all the men looking at him, waiting for him even as he crawled. Not one of them looked disappointed, instead in their eyes he saw encouragement and pride.
"No giving up, no retreating back, no whining"
His arms screamed in protest but he pushed forward with his crawling as the finish line came nearer and nearer. He saw tears of joy in his mother's eyes
"We're brothers"
He crawled further even if his arms screamed in violent protest.
"We're fighters"
He saw his little infant brother staring at him curiously, even if the child didn't say anything...Minato knew his brother probably also wanted him to finish this journey.
"We're Uzumaki warriors"
Minato yelled in triumph as he crawled through the finish line, the very next second exhaustion hit him fully and he sighed tiredly. Before his mother could come towards him, the Jounin's gently picked him up and placed him over their shoulders.
"Well done, little pup" praised one of the Jounin,
"He ain't a pup anymore" refuted another Jounin,
Yahiko ruffled his son's hair with pride shining in his bright eyes.
"That's my little wolf right there"
A five year old Minato stood in the same hospital room once again, but this time his mother was not having another child. Instead his father was resting on the same bed struggling to breathe. The medical ninja had done their best to heal his wounds but his injuries were severe and multiple.
After all, he directly jumped over an explosive that would have taken out his entire squad.
His actions saved several lives but it costed him terribly.
Minato stood beside his father now with his mother standing beside him with tears falling from her eyes.
"Hey...little...wolf" whispered his father, as Minato grasped the dying man's hand.
"I'm here, Father" reassured Minato,
"I know...promise...me...you...will...look...after...your...mother...and...little...brother...I..know...you...can...do...it" requested Yahiko painfully, even as Inoue offered him a glass of water.
"I will" whispered Minato sadly,
"Don't...be...like...that...son...There...is..no..greater...honor...than...to...die...to...protect...your...family...and...home" encouraged Yahiko tiredly,
"Why did you risk yourself for others? They are all safe and you are here..." said Minato angrily, earning a smile from his father.
"I..told...you...before...brothers...look...after...each...other...a...good...officer...always...protects...his...men...and keeps them safe. Someday you will have your own brothers, maybe then you will understand what I am talking about. Care for your loved ones, look after the well being of those who follow you no matter how different you maybe from them. Those are the traits of an Uzumaki officer. What are our clan's words?" asked Yahiko seriously, even as the light started to fade from his eyes.
"Family. Duty. Honor" repeated Minato with tears now freely falling from his eyes even as he heard his mother sobbing.
"Live...by...those...words...no...matter...what...promise...me" requested Yahiko in a silent whisper,
"I will, Father" promised Minato fiercely, even as he tried to stem his own tears.
His father gently ruffled his hair and gave his mother a nod before his eyes closed forever.
Minato flinched as thunderous roars echoed across the sky even as his father's funeral pyre burned a few feet away from him. His mother was trying her best to console little Nagato as the infant was nearly hysterical.
Around them stood the comrades for whom Yahiko Uzumaki had sacrificed his life.
The fact that the Uzukage himself had shown up was a testament to the bravery and noble sacrifice of his father to save the lives of his men.
The little boy saw the Uzukage presenting his deceased father's combat gear wrapped in Uzu's flag to his mother who accepted the same with a respectful nod. She then looked at her elder son...
The Uzukage's eyes widened when he saw the blonde haired child putting on the facemask worn by his father during combat missions and a small tanto across his back.
Tears fell from the child's eyes as he remembered all the moments he had spent beside his father and how he would never experience them again.
He remembered the promise he had made to his old man as he looked at his mother and little brother.
He also saw the Jounin's who were a part of his family giving him nods making more tears fall from his eyes for they had accepted him as one of them, just as they had accepted his father.
His heart broke as an unbearable pain threatened to consume him as he watched his father burn away.
His vision turned red eliciting shocked gasps from everyone around him.
But all he could remember were his father's beliefs...
Family...Duty...Honor...I...shall...live...by...those...words...and...keep...everyone...safe...I...promise...Father
(Flashback End)
Ino was quite sombre as she gently untangled her hand from his. She looked at him and couldn't believe he had allowed her to see those memories stored in his mind. It had felt so real, almost to the point that she felt that she had been a part of that journey no matter how brief it was.
Naruto had already gotten up from his seat and was collecting both of their dishes before moving towards the sink present in the kitchen.
She looked at him now and couldn't help but be able to understand some of the decisions he had made in the past few days.
"The Mizukage was once again correct in making you General" said Ino honestly, but he shook his head much to her surprise.
"I became General not just because the Kage commanded it, but the people chose to accept me. I maybe a liar and a traitor, but the part of me that is still Minato Namikaze still believes in living with the beliefs passed to me by my father. In truth, I'm just a failure who couldn't keep any of his promises. I was helpless when my father died and I couldn't even keep the promise of keeping my mother and little brother safe. Nor could I protect my comrades from the S program. Time after time, I have only failed everyone. In truth, when I look at this village and its people...I see the family that I lost. The family that I failed...which is why I don't want to fail again" confessed Naruto sadly,
She didn't know what to say that could help him deal with the burden that he had carried for so many years. Ino could see it clearly that those failures haunted him. The love he had for his family became his curse that led him down to this path of revenge...and yet the real him was still alive in there, defining himself through his actions.
"I still want you to think about my offer of coming to Konoha once this mission is over. You will truly love the village and its people, maybe even find something that can fill the hole in your heart" suggested Ino earnestly, making him smile.
"Even after all that I have done, you still believe that a scum like me deserves peace?" asked Naruto curiously,
"Yes" she answered without hesitation,
"Why?" whispered Naruto, unable to understand what she saw in a failure like him.
"Because you're my friend"
He blinked in surprise and couldn't help but stare at her.
Friend, a word that he had not heard someone refer him by in a very long time. His friends had died upon the battlefield alongwith his family, after which he had just worked alongside accomplices and short-term mission partners. He himself had chosen to distance himself from others, he had decided to walk alone for the fear of losing the people close to him again.
"You don't wanna be my friend, Ino. It's not safe for those that do" he teased with a smirk,
"That is your fear talking once again. Like it or not, once this mission is over you are coming with me to Konoha where I'll beat all this guilt and burden out of you" she told him frankly,
"Don't I get a say in that?" he asked dumbly,
"No. Knowing you, there will just be more dangerous missions that you'll dive yourself into. I sometimes think that you wish to die on the battlefield to atone for your sins" suggested Ino,
She saw him freeze just for a second as he was placing the dishes back in the various drawers. That subtle movement might have been missed by others, but a mind reader like her couldn't be fooled so easily. It only made her more determined to take him back to Konoha, where he could rebuild himself and find peace.
"Don't worry about the medical report as well. Sakumo-san and his squad are keeping an eye on the Medical ninja that are examining your blood. They'll make sure to edit out any information that can endanger your cover" promised Ino,
"There's not much surprising they can find in those reports" shrugged Naruto, as he came back and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Wanna have some dessert? My treat" he offered with a smile, making her blush faintly.
"You're too kind"
"Does it mean yes?"
She nodded and joined her hand with his as they both decided to enjoy what little peace they had before the flames of war dragged them back into hell once more.
(Kirigakure Hospital)
Sakumo's hands were shaking as he read the medical report of Naruto Namikaze. There were another two ninja in the room, both Konoha spies who were currently making sure the two Kiri lab rats didn't remember this intervention.
"Captain, what's wrong?'' asked one of the masked Anbu,
Sakumo passed that report over to his subordinate who soon gasped in shock as he read the same thing that Sakumo had a few moments ago.
"Captain, this is..."
"Yes, the reports don't lie. Naruto is a member of the Namikaze clan, but he also has DNA from the Senju and Uchiha clan within himself. The Senju blood in him is just as strong as the Namikaze, with the Uchiha power hiding in the shadows'' explained Sakumo,
"We need to bring this to Tobirama-sama's attention immediately" suggested the Anbu,
"We will. But first, alter this report and erase any trace of the Senju and Uchiha DNA. If Kiri finds out the truth, then they will instantly realize that Naruto is somehow connected to Konoha and its allies. That would be a disaster..." said Sakumo worriedly,
"Understood, Captain. We will erase these records however does Naruto know about this?" asked the Anbu hesitantly,
"I don't know. It's possible he doesn't know..." suggested Sakumo, even he was not sure what was the truth anymore.
"Then should we inform him?"
"Are you mad? We will do no such thing, let Tobirama-sama understand this information first. He will be the best suitable person to advise everyone including Naruto on the further course of action" rebuked Sakumo firmly,
He received firm nods from his subordinates as they got to work to make sure Kirigakure only got to know what they wanted to know.
Still, Sakumo couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Just, what are you...Naruto Namikaze?
Author's Notes: End of chapter.
Hope you guys liked it.
Man, there's so much left to build and explore. It feels like I've just started this story, troublesome.
What do you guys think about Naruto? Is he a good or bad guy? I'd like to know your thoughts on him.
Until Next Time,
Blackwolf501
