Chapter 3
New Possibilities

Land Of Fire
Fishing Village

"Here you go Naruto-Kun." The kindly fisherwoman said to him and placed a bowl of white rice before the starving and sunburned boy.

"Thank you Chitose-San." He replied happily and honestly.

Naruto began to dig into the food like a ravenous starved animal, it was a simple meal but well cooked and to the hungry Naruto was utterly delicious.

Naruto had been lucky he had been found by a fisherman called Kazuma who had been on the beach looking for a good place to fish, he had taken the delirious young boy back home to his wife Chitose. The pair were an old couple Chitose had her black hair strung up in a simple bun but Naruto could see the grey hair streaking through it she had kind black eyes and was dressed simply. Kazuma was old but strong he had lost his hair and had bright brown eyes almost golden he was built strong like an old tree and only his wrinkles gave away his age.

Naruto had discovered through talking with them that most of their children had left their home all 4 had been born and raised in this small fishing hamlet on the coast, the eldest son had left to find work at the capital of the Land of Fire the eldest daughter had married a merchant who soon left for more profitable areas, their youngest son had become a fisherman like Kazuma but decided to move into his own home with his wife and their youngest daughter had recently married another one of the men within the village and went to live with her new husband. Naruto could tell that the couple felt lonely since their children had left so he played the part of the grateful orphan, he had felt bad about lying to them but since he was a Ninja and a rogue one he needed to lie to protect them and himself from any Uzumaki Clan members searching for him or any other Ninja looking to make a name or earn some money from killing him.

"You have such a large stomach Naruto-Kun." Chitose's teasing remark knocked him out of his thoughts and he looked over to the older woman who was watching him with a soft smile.

"I am a growing boy." He claimed finally putting down the rice bowl.

"Of course you are." She agreed far too easily and took the bowl to wash it.

This little cabin they lived in was cosy and Naruto could tell that they had been here a long time and raised their family, it had all these little knocks and damages spread over it the type of damage that could only come from having children fighting and playing within it.

"Kazuma should be out in the open sea now." She commented as she washed the bowl looking out the window that was right in front of her small sink.

"Yeah catching a lot of fish." Naruto said cheerfully as he stood up and stretched, sated and rested.

"Even after all these years I still feel fear that he won't come back." Chitose said sadly.

"Don't worry Chitose-San, Kazuma-San isn't the type of person to be reckless or get caught doing something stupid." Naruto tried to reassure her. He had only been a guest at their house for two days since he was found on the beach.

"Of course, he's been fishing for decades now." Chitose however took his weak assurance and smiled brightly at him.

"So where are you going to go Naruto-Kun?" She asked him as they walked out of the cabin into the sun and were greeted by a beautiful view of a small fishing village is bathed in light with the bright blue sea sparkling in the background.

"This is an amazing view." Naruto commented gazing over the sleepy village.

"Yes, it's why we came here." Chitose agreed with him looking over her home.

"So you didn't answer my question." She pressed not falling for Naruto's attempted distraction.

Naruto sighed and put a hand on the back of his neck and gazed over at the sea which matched his eyes, "I'll probably go deeper into the continent and find some work." He finally answered after a few moments of silence.

"It's dangerous further in the Ninja Clans have started fighting again. I'm scared that a new war will break out between them, everyone knows how violent Ninja can get now and how destructive they are." Chitose said aloud with worry in her eyes.

Naruto knew what she was talking about around the time before he was born a true war broke out between all Ninja Clans which consumed the world in blood and death. The Uzumaki Clan had tried to stay neutral but eventually, they were pulled into it as well, luckily their casualties had been low in comparison to some Clans.

"I know it's been long enough for the number of Ninja to rise again." Naruto said as he looked moodily out at the sea his mood soured.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Just ignore the rambling of an old woman." Chitose said apologetically as she noticed Naruto's mood.

"It's okay." Naruto said to her with a smile on his face.

Chitose smiled back but Naruto could tell it was more out of politeness, honestly, he wished she would just drop the Ninja subject entirely since he is one.

"Well don't worry too much about it Naruto-kun even if Ninja is coming back the land is still mostly peaceful since the Daimyo has Samurai patrolling the roads now." Chitose reassured Naruto felt she was doing more for herself than for him.

"Don't worry about me I can take care of myself." Naruto said to her then turned once again to the horizon, "I'll be out of your hair soon."

Chitose did not say anything but she gave him a small sad smile and walked away to go prepare dinner for her husband and house guest.

Naruto stayed gazing out over the peaceful sea and village, across those waters was his home the place where he was born, the place where his mother was buried and the place where every person would kill him for desertion.

"I've made my choice now. There's no going back home, so I should just concentrate on the task Hiruko left for me." Naruto told himself glaring out at the sea.

Later

Naruto ate dinner with the nice couple and decided to start scouting the area properly, he left the village and once he was sure no one was around he went up into the trees and scouted around to get his bearings as well check to see if there were any other Ninja around and once he was satisfied that he was the only one around he circled back to the village.

He made sure to remove any markings which could identify him as an Uzumaki since technically he was no longer part of the Clan and course to keep his cover since Clan Markings were a definite way to get into fights with other Ninja.

Naruto gazed out at the forest from atop a tall tree, he had decided to have a rest here and then go back to the village to sleep one more night. He decided that it would be best for him to leave soon after all he wouldn't be able to search for his Father or collect Kekkei Genkai if he stayed in a sleepy fishing village.

"It is a nice place though." Naruto said to the wind as he shut his eyes and basked in the warm breeze very much like a cat.

Then he smelt smoke and his eyes snapped open and honed in on black smoke rising in the distance.

"That's the village!" Naruto said in shock.

He seemed to be frozen on the spot but then instinct kicked in and he jumped from the tree into the forest to make a beeline right to where the smoke was coming from.

Once he arrived at the outskirts he could feel the Chakra being thrown about by what was Ninja, Naruto decided to slow down and approach from a less obvious and exposed angle.

"Katon: Fire Bullet." A Voice rang out and Naruto felt a build-up and release of Chakra.

Fire erupted from the Ninja's mouth and hit one of the wooden buildings sending it up in flames and black smoke.

Naruto's eyes went right to the symbol on the Ninja's bulky plate armour, of course as a Ninja one of the first things that he was taught was Ninja Clans and their symbols, he saw the curved symbol and he identified it as the Hagoromo Clan one of the many Clans present within the huge Land of Fire.

"PLEASE STOP THIS!" An anguished voice rang out desperation ringing out the most.

Naruto's eyes zeroed in on a young woman, he had seen her around the village during his stay within the village and now she was covered in ash and crying her eyes out being held back by her older brother who also looked anguished at the destruction around him.

"You didn't pay the protection fee and this is the result." The most arrogant voice Naruto had ever heard said. He looked over and saw another Hagoromo Clansman who was dressed slightly more lavishly than his Clan mate.

"The Hagoromo Clan rule these lands." The other added happily as he walked over.

"Last I checked the Daimyo ruled the Land of Fire." The man spoke up finally, making both Ninja frown.

"That idiot relies on Samurai now. They stand no chance against Ninja." Then superior Hagoromo member said proudly.

Naruto took that lull to strike he burst forward from the bushes where he was hiding and slammed his heel into the Fire using Hagoromo's head making his head jerk to the side and snap with a horrible crunch.

"Daisuke!" The other shouted in horror and his friend's body fell with a dull thump.

"Suiton: Water Trumpet." Naruto shouted as he wove through the Hand-Seals and unleashed a blast of water from his mouth right at the man.

"Doton: Earth Wall." He shouted back as the earth rose to defend him.

The water smashed against the stone and mud wall and after a hard initial impact, the water gave in and fell turning the ground to mud.

"Do you know whose blood you have spilt rat?" The voice said angrily as the Ninja appeared on top of his newly made earth wall.

"I'm not the one burning down an innocent village." Naruto shot back his face twisted in anger.

"We rule here." That was the only reply Naruto got.

"Futon: Wind Cutter." Naruto exhaled a sickle-shaped blast of air from his mouth.

It flew right to the Ninja but he jumped and avoided it as the wind easily sliced through the earth wall like it was not even there.

"Two Elements." The Hagoromo muttered as he went through his Hand-Seals. "Doton: Stone Bullet!" Three rocks shot from his mouth at Naruto.

Naruto lept back as the rocks slammed into the ground and punctured deep into the earth, as he came to a stop the Hagoromo Ninja was already on the ground and sprinting at him at high speed, Naruto ran forwards to meet and they met with a furious clash as Naruto slammed his fist into the other Ninja's armguard, Hagoromo had pulled out a kunai with his other hand and went to stab Naruto straight through his eye but Naruto twisted and the kunai sliced his cheek instead and he countered by jamming his kunai into the Hagoromo Ninja's thigh.

"Urgh!" He grunted and Naruto felt the man tense up and using pure muscle power he launched Naruto backwards into a tree.

"Ah!" Naruto let out a shout of pain and bent over leaning against the tree.

"You little shit, who's Clan are you Senju? Yotsuki? or some minor bastards." He shouted at Naruto angrily.

"Sorry I don't have a Clan." Naruto replied with a small smile on his face.

"Lying brat." He said in response to that and he charged forward with his fist cocked back, "Doton: Stone Fist!" He shouted as rock formed over the hand and made it look like a small boulder.

Naruto did not move or rather he couldn't and the man's stone fist smashed into his body and the blonde boy's body exploded into the water, Naruto was not smart but he could think when he needed to, so before attacking he created a Water Clone and replaced himself with it after he had hit the tree.

The Hagoromo Ninja hesitated for just a second and that was all Naruto needed to capitalise on the opening he had created, he rushed from the treeline with a handful of shuriken in one hand and a kunai in the other. He launched the shuriken and in response, the Hagoromo Ninja raised his arms to cover his head and the shuriken embedded into his chest plate and arm guards while his eyes were covered Naruto juked sideways and spun around him, filled his kunai with Wind Natured Chakra and threw it right at the back of his enemies head.

The kunai entered the Hagoromo's Ninja's head with a dull wet thunk and pierced right through his head and travelled further going through two trees before eventually coming to a stop.

Naruto collapsed once he saw his enemy fall to the ground dead, he was taking in great deep breaths trying to calm himself and regain his composure.

"Naruto you are a Ninja." A familiar voice said in the silence.

Naruto turned and saw Chitose standing there dishevelled but unharmed, he could see most of the small village began to appear, luckily it seemed that most of the people in the village were unharmed but he could see a few people covered in burns and some with wounds that were staunched with bandages.

"Yeah, I am." Naruto finally said after catching his breath, he stood up and looked at the poor people who seemed to be looking back at him with awe.

"You killed Hagoromo Ryuzaki, he's famous for destroying the Tajime Clan in the west." One of the men said with an impressed tone.

"I've never seen a real Ninja fight before." One of the younger men said with admiration.

"Why did you come here Naruto?" A heavy voice finally asked cutting through the chatter.

"Kazuma-San." Naruto said with some guilt leaking into his voice as he looked at the old fisherman.

"I came here to find my Father and finish my Sensei's Jutsu." Naruto said honestly, he would never admit this to anyone else but he respected the hardened old man.

"The Hagoromo will send more men to find out why their men have not come back." Kazuma said with a sigh as he looked over the carnage wrought from the shockingly quick fight.

"I'm leaving." Naruto told him, "Send them after me." He advised.

"Do you think we're gonna send Ninja after a little brat like you?" Kazuma berated him grumpily.

"If you want your village left intact then yes. I'm a Ninja, we're people who endure no matter what." Naruto said back completely sincere, "Besides I need to get moving anyway out of the Land of Fire so they can chase me to the Land of Water if they want."

"I don't like this." He complained but nodded at Naruto.

"Thank you for your hospitality but I need to move on." Naruto thanked them and bowed before jumping into the high trees and disappearing from view.

"Bah, never thought there'd be a good Ninja." An old man spat on the floor as Naruto disappeared.

"He did seem different from the usual thugs." Another one agreed.

"I hope he'll be okay." Chitose said with her hands clasped.

"He'll be fine, he's a strong boy." Kazuma reassured her.

With Naruto

Naruto jumped from one branch to the next, these massive trees reminded him of his home the Land of Whirlpools was mainly made up of islands but a lot of the islands had huge trees which had never been touched before.

'How do I find my Dad now?' Naruto thought to himself after realising that he had no solid plan apart from getting off the island.

'I remember Kaa-San saying he was born in the Land of Fire and that I looked like him, but apart from that.' He continued his thoughts while keeping an eye and ear out for any pursuers.

'Hmmm. I suppose I could just look around for Kekkei Genkai instead and then maybe he'll find me if I get famous.' He pondered.

Hiruko had given him a scroll about all the Kekkei Genkai the ancient Uzumaki had known about as well as Clan Names and locations which was helpful but it also was out of date by more than a few years which would pose a problem, but Hiruko had pointed out to him that it was rare that a Clan would up and move especially Clans with Kekkei Genkai.

"The closest one if I remember is the Uchiha Clan but they're far too strong to even think about." Naruto muttered as he went over the scroll mentally.

"The Land of Water is famous for having a lot of Kekkei Genkai using Clans in it, should I head there instead?" He asked himself

The more he thought about it the better it sounded, from the last things he heard the Land of Fire was relatively stable at the moment which meant a lot of rested Ninja who were on the lookout for enemies while the Land of Water was far more chaotic and as such fewer people would take notice of someone going missing even if it was a Kekkei Genkai user, after all even if a person was born with an ability it did not automatically mean that they were amazing Ninja so if he was lucky he could pick someone off.

Honestly, the possibilities were endless for him, the Land of Fire was the central country and the largest and as such it bordered almost every major country on all sides not even mentioning the smaller countries lodged between the Five Great Nations.

As Naruto travelled he started to realise just how alone he was and that maybe despite being a trained Ninja just maybe he was out of his depth for doing this.

"Too late for regrets now though." He said aloud to himself, he had been tree hopping for quite a while now and even the sky was starting to get dark.

Uzumaki Naruto would do as he always did and make it up as he went along, he would rely on his skill, determination and more importantly his luck.

Not Giving Up was his Ninja way after all.

AN:

So this story has been revived, I've been writing a Bleach story if you didn't know and it's revived my love of writing again and as such I decided to take a look at these stories and decided that Naruto The Chimera is the one I want to work on, Naruto the Red is still essentially dead but I might look back into it later if I feel like it.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I can't say when Chapter 4 will be done so consider this a Linkara Power Rangers Video situation, 'It's done when it's done.'