[Session 3]
Another war is around the corner. From the last few months the newly appointed Sandaime Kazekage has been sending too many 'missing nins' to the Land of Rice. While Hiruzen's efforts of delaying the war have admittedly been admirable, I know we can't delay this war for more than 5 years. There are too many factors to take into account. Hanzo has been getting closer to achieve peace in his kingdom. Hanzo while weaker than both Hiruzen and Onoki has a major advantage. He is far more versatile and has too many forbidden techniques to use. He is the only summoner of the Salamander clan and is an imperfect Sage. Sages are even rarer than SS ranks.
The only sages known to the world have been Hashirama sama, Hanzo,Hiruzen, Bunpuku the First Ichibi Jinchuriki and if legends are to be believed the Sage of Six paths. Even then summon clans have always stated that other than Hashirama, no one in the modern era has been a Perfect Sage. There are two methods to become a sage and both very difficult. Each summoning clan has some sort of material precious to them that can help one become a Sage but if Hiruzen's brat Jiraiya is to be believed the Toads have the best materials out of all the other summoning clans. Supposedly this is the case due to an ally who was associated with them some centuries ago. I myself have tried the method of using your summoning clans materials as a crutch to sense and absorb nature chakra. It was a...bad experience. That trial is the reason why my right eye and right arm are permanently crippled. Even though we applied many medical Jutsu, my arm and eye remained crippled.
The Sage trials are horribly difficult. The opportunity to become a Sage is a one time option in all summoning clans except the Toads. The materials used by the clans varied but all the materials used had some sort of penalty attached. The Toads were the only known summoning clan that could prevent this and even then it was because theirs was the safer but much slower method. The materials other clans used was much akin to poison. If you survived the dose given to you intact, you were able to sense Nature energy. This was such a unfair trade off that most didn't even think of attempting this. Afterwards, you had to prove to your summoning clan that you were worthy of being their designated Sage. There were trials for that. And then finally you were taught how to process nature energy with the help of your personal summon. The whole thing would have been considered a joke had the world not witnessed the strength of sages through Hashirama, Hiruzen and Hanzo.
There is no way to survive the poison dosage if you aren't at least an A-class ninja and even then the chances are low. But still many A-class and higher ninja succeed. The real problem is the Sage Trials. They are incredibly hard trials which are given to you by your summons. Even Tobirama sensei failed them. They are not about Power. They are about your conviction. The only people who have passed them are Hiruzen and Hanzo. Hiruzen has Monkey King Enma to support him in the Sage mode and Hanzo has Lavel the Salamander. While the Monkeys specialise in Bojustu(Staff wielding) and Taijutsu, the Salamanders specialise in poison. That's what makes Hanzo so difficult to kill. An intense conviction that wouldn't break no matter what happens is required for you to pass the Sage Trials. Rumours are that Hanzo's conviction was to have rule Ame so that he could end the poverty and despair prevalent there. Too bad that such a thing can't happen for the good of Konoha.
I am an incredibly self centred man. I am loyal to Konoha as Konoha is what provides me everything. Konoha is my land, the people here are my people and so on. I own Konoha so I work for Konoha but I would always choose my life and my luxury over Konoha. That's why I failed the trials. I did not have a strong enough conviction. My right eye and hand were taken as a punishment for attempting the trials without having the necessary conviction.
Jiraiya on the other hand is already cleared to be an Imperfect sage when he is able to actually harness the nature energy. The brat hasn't seen war, hasn't seen misery. His goals and his conviction is not strong enough. That is the thing preventing him from actually crossing that hurdle. He has been cleared because he has been mentioned in some prophecy of the Toads. While I do not believe in such shit, there is no reason to not take advantage of that fact that Toads have such dumb customs...
The other method is to actually be one with the nature. It is a method used by Monks but it is not very successful. It requires extraordinary patience, virtue or a strong connection to the nature. There have been records of Monk Sages but they tended to be extremely peaceful until deliberately antagonised. This is why no village really considered Bunpuku the Ichibi Jinchuriki a threat. Hashirama achieved this by the wood release bloodline that he suddenly gained. Such cases are rare but there have been cases of such sudden bloodlines. Moreover, Senju possess extreme vitality and most possess earth or water nature. Hashirama had both and he also had abnormally large reserves even for a Senju. Sensei cited that as a reason for the mutation.
Although chakra has been proven to non senteint, Gods such as Shinigami, Jashin and Amaterasu have proven to be real. This has lead us to the conclusion that nature while not sapient is sentient and responds to some fairly basic things. Hashirama's peaceful nature and his conviction to prevent wars along with his connection with nature through wood release is supposed to have given him the access to Nature energy.The genius Hashirama was, he learned to harness it. Hashirama also had a very interesting mutation of very fast regeneration. While Tobirama Sensei had forbidden any research to be conducted on Hashirama's dead body, he hadn't cremated Hashirama's body as Hashirama wished to be buried in Konoha. This has allowed us to research Hashirama's fascinating regenerative cells which continue to function even after his death.
Hashirama becoming a Sage was result of his absurd mutation, his ideology of peace and his natural talent. Bunpuku became a Sage as he was in contact with the Ichibi's Chakra so he established a much more stronger connection with the nature than most monks do and capitalised on that opportunity. In a way, the Tailed beasts can be considered Nature spirits as their most probable origin is their formation through residual chakra in nature being shaped in a certain way in most major reasons. Tailed beasts have wrecked havoc in pre-Village times. Many clans have been exterminated whenever a Tailed beast had been spotted roaming freely in the world. They are natural disasters and one can even call them nature's wrath.
The Third Kazekage is at most a upper end S class ninja and that is if he fights with all his techniques. While the man is a genius due to researching the chakra of the last Ichibi Jinchuriki and combining the Sand manipulation abilities of the Ichibi with his magnetic natured chakra and creating his infamous Iron sand technique, he is still a little too early if he thinks that he could take on Konoha. Honestly, Sensei was extremely right in flooding Suna. First Shamon and now this Sandaime Kazekage. Both have too much of a militaristic approach and have been testing Konoha's patience. Since the Sandaime Kazekage has been appointed, he has been constantly testing Konoha on the matter of Land of Rice. While we have been giving some leeway and killing the 'missing nins' that went too far, the Sandaime isn't really learning his lesson.
If this trend continues, the Sandaime is bound to be against Konoha whenever the next war starts. Sadly, this Kazekage has a personal grudge against Sensei and can't really be coerced like Shamon. He would find any and all problems he can to create tensions within the leaf. Well, we have enough fighting capacity to shut down Suna once and for all.
The reason why the war would be different from the skirmishes is because when Hanzo's little conquest would be over, he would move against Konoha military stationed at Ame for a defence against Iwa. We can't really abandon the Land of Rain's territory if we want to have a counterattack ready for Iwa. Ame being in a constant state of lawlessness is necessary for the local shinobi to mostly ignore our posts there but when Hanzo unifies Ame, there will be a war. We can't abandon the territory without opening ourselves to Iwa's wicked schemes and if we don't abandon the territory, there will be a war with Hanzo. Hopefully Hiruzen's brats will be ready by then. A good team of S ranks can surely kill an SS rank just that they should be ready by then.
Hiren is also planning to send his granddaughter and the best Uzumaki in her generation Uzumaki Kushina to us as a Jinchuriki. There are three reasons as to why. Firstly, Uzumaki are the most family oriented clan in all of the Elemental Nations. They care for their family in ways no others can. Hiren, that mad bastard is preparing to go on a conquest whenever the next war begins and he doesn't want his only grandchild to participate in the war.
Secondly, being a Jinchuriki would make Kushina extremely powerful and extremely valuable to Konoha so we would treat her right without any biases. Otherwise, it would be just shooting ourselves in the foot and Hiren knows that. Thirdly, Hiren sent her as a tribute for her. He wants us not to interfere in his conquest. Hiren's conquest while superficially looks like that it would be good for Konoha, would only provide benefits to Uzushio and the Uzumaki growing too strong will not prove good for Konoha as the power dynamics would be reversed.
Therefore we would have actually sabotaged Uzushio's attempts originally but now that we have a suitable hostage, we won't do so. Uzumaki love their family. If I would have threatened Kushina in normal circumstances then Hiren would have been on a warpath rather than acquiescing to my demands but this time we can threaten Kushina if we find that Uzumaki would actually move against us. It is a well calculated move. After all, family or not, even Hiren the bastard was taught by Sensei. He had to gain some of that pragmatism didn't he? Of course, he gained that.
Huh... The next topic for the discussion is that 'Namikaze' boy, truth be told, his unnatural diligence and determination reminds me hauntingly of Sensei. He is a prodigy as well. Let's just hope that the boy wasn't a plant. It would be a shame to lose such a good soldier for Konoha.
The Nara clan head stands up to display the results of the investigation and the boy's progress. By the estatic smile on his face, there weren't any problems. The Nara clan head wears his emotions on his sleeve but his capacity can not be denied. Still I feel that a Ninja blatantly showing such emotions isn't proper.
He says," The investigations have yielded results and after thorough searches and rechecks it has been proved that there haven't been anyone possession type matter happening. Instead it has been found through checking the boy's family registry that his great grandmother on his father's side was a apparently a Nara. The boy's father was quite insightful as well. Though not as intelligent as a Nara, the boy's late father displayed remarkable intellect in the field. The results that can be concluded is that the boy awakened to his Nara heritage and was able to properly conclude that his parents 'died' to foreign shinobi. That is the reason for his unnatural diligence. For anyone worrying about Namikaze being a berserker type of ninja, you don't have to fear that. My son is a friend of Namikaze and according to him, Namikaze is quite social and good with others. There isn't a risk of him being a loose end"
The Nara Clan head stops and tries to give some time to the other members present in the meeting to digest the news.That was a surprisingly insightful conversation to have been had. It certainly shows a very possible reason for Namikaze's behaviour. Also, by listing Namikaze's ancestry as from the Nara clan, the Nara clan head has prevented other clan heads from trying to make a vassal of Namikaze by taking him under the protection of the Naras. All in all, a political play expected of a Nara.
The Uchiha clan head stands up and his frown couldn't be more visible to the experienced eyes. While to anyone not expert at reading others, it would seem like the Clan head's normal disinterested face, to such experts such as me, Hiruzen and Koharu, it is plain to see the Clan head's irritation. It is most likely due to the fact that his son's youthful idiocy has cost him a powerful vassal who could have improved the position of the Uchihas considerably.
He says," Thank you for dealing with this investigation and clearing our doubts Shikado but can I know that why we are discussing such inane topic just after we were discussing about the Third Kazekage's frankly transparent tries to create international tension and the matter of our next Jinchuriki?"
The Uchiha clan head does put up a valid point as discussing such a small matter after such serious ones isn't a good idea. But it looks like the Nara Clan Head was more than prepared for that as he smiled widely while standing up and said, "Well Rensuke, I would like to tell you the reason why. The boy has monstrous talent. He has the expertise of an average Chunin in Taijutsu alone and he seems to have invented a new Chakra control exercise which is fairly useful and-"
The hall descends into Chaos. Everyone starts shouting over each other.
Suddenly, Hiruzen leaks out the frankly massive presence of his chakra and everybody falls silent. Sometimes, these ungrateful brats do need a reminder of who is in charge here. Hiruzen then speaks with a slight frown on his face," Are you absolutely certain of the things you are claiming young Shikado as these speculations by you have turned this discussion into a rather important one." Hiruzen then eyes the Nara brat carefully. The brat doesn't shrink under Hiruzen's piercing gaze and stands his ground.
The Nara brat then says with a resolute face," I have confirmed this Lord Third. The last few Taijutsu matches between the instructor and Namikaze guy were recorded. Let me play the clips."
The video was played and all of us were quite astonished even if we weren't showing that. Konoha needs a SS class in the next 10 or so years as Hiruzen is slowing slipping past his prime and his brats have almost capped at their best. They just need a war to refine them and their instincts but ther options for their growth is fairly limited. Tsunade's Yin seal is a seal she has been trying to make for years with Mito sama's help. But that would be a last resort option ready for her instead of a genuine advantage. The brats are capping at S class and we are in a need of a genuine SS class.The boy hasn't yet found his forte but still shows a monstrous potential. We are in dire need of SS class to maintain our superiority amongst the other Hidden villages. Seeing the boy's progress makes me hope...
Even Hiruzen is tongue tied along with the rest of the council. No one is trying to argue that the video is false as ninja villages hate technology that makes communication or fighting easier in any way. The villages have therefore destroyed many a technological marvels in that way. But we are not stupid. We use beneficial technology in the upper brass of the village. It's just that normal shinobi can't be allowed within range of such technology as that would be epically disastrous.
As the clip ends, nobody is sure what to say anymore. Everyone here can see that the boy's Taijutsu is clearly on a level most chunnins operate with...
Hiruzen breaks out of his stupor first and says with an excitement on his face," Shikado, it is a great news for us all, this boy will at least be a lower end S class at the rate he is going and he may even get to the SS class if properly handled. Well done in making this report." Hiruzen's eyes then narrow and he looks at Jiraiya a bit of steely eyes. Jiraiya himself tenses imperceptibly. Looks like Hiruzen has taught the brat well.
Hiruzen then says while looking at Jiraiya," I hope you won't have any problems teaching young Minato seeing as he has so much of potential". The brat's face is a curious mix of being offended at the notion that he would do such thing, fear that he would do something wrong and pride at attaining such a student. Hmm... Interesting.
Jiraiya then straightens himself up and says with as much formality he could," No Hokage Sama! There will not be any problems in Minato's teachings."
Hmm... Now that this eventful discussion is over, the next topic-
"Excuse me Hokage dono but my report has not yet been completed", the Nara clan head speaks smugly. Are there any other things of interest regarding the Namikaze kid? Curious... Most curious.
Looks like Hiruzen thinks the same as he with a twitching smile says," Then let's see what other qualities our prodigy has..."
The Nara clan head nods a little too quickly. I don't get why he is so excited... Nothing he shows now can top the surprise of the boy's Taijutsu skill," Well, before being interrupted suddenly, I was talking about Namikaze has made a new chakra control exercise. I have tried it and while not the toughest exercise attempted by me, it is in the top 10. This exercise would be quite valuable to chunnins and even some Special Jonin who have not yet hit their prime"
Hm... that does hold value but I don't think the Nara Clan head's excitement has anything to do with that. I mean that after seeing the specialised chakra exercises made by Sensei and seeing the loads of Chakra exercises Uzumaki have at their disposal, it isn't really anything special...
The Nara clan head's smile dims for a moment at the non reaction of the Council members but it returns in full force in a moment. He then takes out a notebook and says," This is the thing I wanted to show you all. While I don't understand it fully, this is a copy of the original notebook used by Namikaze. It has some very interesting things in it. You all have one at your desk. Feel free to check it out." I can't help but get curious on what is so exciting about a kid's notebook that we all have a copy for us.
As I am about to open the notebook, I hear a gasp from both Jiraiya and Orochimaru. I turn towards and see them tensed up and facing each other. They look very tensed. They turn towards Hiruzen at the same time and say:
"Sensei I want Namikaze as my student"
"Sensei Minato is already my student"
What? Why are they fighting over Namikaze? What is in this book exactly? As I read over the contents, I feel a pit form in my stomach and by Hiruzen's expression, he is feeling the same but judging by his face, he feels the same excitement as I feel as well. The boy is a copy of Sensei except one who is social. Konoha will see the rise of a monster once again and we are going to welcome it.
[Hiruzen Sarutobi]
Jiraiya and Orochimaru continue to bicker but I don't pay them any attention. My full attention is on this book. The boy is a genius. This method of hand seal formation while very different from the traditional one would definitely help a Shinobi skipping a lot of hand seals and achieve the same effect. The classification and use of hand seals has always been a difficult job but a 8 year old brat accomplished this? I would have thought him possessed had that investigation not already been done. He is just like Sensei. While I do want another Monstrously powerful ninja like Sensei and Hashirama in our ranks, I don't one with Sensei's morality. A shinobi with that much power and no morality to hold back would be as disastrous to us as he would be to the other nations. No I can't let that happen... My decision made, I call out to my bickering students.
"Silence! Jiraiya you will be having Minato as your apprentice." Jiraiya's expression changes from a tense one to a pleasantly surprised and happy one while Orochimaru looks dismayed. Kukuku... I haven't finished the announcement yet.
"And Orochimaru, while you won't have Minato as your apprentice, you are free to have Minato assist you in your reserachs if young Minato accepts your proposal." Orochimaru's face lits up like a kid who got his new toy and...I may as well have given him one.
I don't want Orochimaru as Minato's teacher as I want Young Minato to learn morality. Jiraiya is the most moral of my students due to being a summoner of the Toads and due to me raising my Team as Sensei had raised us: Jiraiya as the moral pillar of the team so that they don't become lawless, Tsunade as the hotheaded berserker so that the team doesn't overcomplicate everything and Orochimaru as the amoral and pragmatic one. I didn't go to the lengths Sensei did to make Danzo bereft of any morality but Orochimaru is still a pragmatic individual more than a moral one. He has his morality, I didn't beat that out of him but his final lines are much lower than most peoples. While I want Young Minato to learn from both, I want him as a moral individual for Konoha to be spared from another Sensei, the... real reason is that I fear knowing what monstrosities another amoral SS rank would commit and how many of them I would allow for the benefit of Konoha.
As Jiraiya and Orochimaru rejoice at having a genius like Minato to themselves, the meeting goes on...
A/N: Phew... This chapter was intense.. Do tell me if my dialogues have improved or degraded...
Ok so I revealed about the sage stuff. I also revealed how and why Danzo lost his right eye and arm before implanting that sharingan infested monstrosity. I made Hanzo a Sage as we know practically nothing about him and getting a name as Hanzo the Salamander must mean that he has a strong connection with his summons. As for Hiruzen, yeah I made him a sage because having a summon as fucking badass as Monkey King Enma and not being a sage seems a waste of time. So just consider that the Orochimaru vs Hiruzen death battle had Hiruzen using Sage mode. The Toads are the only clan who could safely do make a guy a sage but take a longer time doing so. Now why would the Toads be the only one like that? I wonder if it's because they had a ...not-diety as a friend.
Also we see how the upper levels of administration in Konoha think about the Uzumaki situation as ally or not, even Konoha wouldn't want Uzu to get that powerful.
We see the reaction to Minato's feats as well. While this may seem tame, Ninja at this level have to remain a little stoic but still declaring that a guy can reach SS class if properly trained is a big deal as the world has seen less than 10 SS class shinobi by now.
As for technology, yeah the OG!Naruto was very wacky on this stuff so I tried to clear that up a little. As for why Hiruzen's reaction wasn't so over the moon one like Orochimaru and Jiraiya is that while he has rudimentary knowledge of seals, Jiraiya and Orochimaru are genuine seal masters and they actually recognise the value of the stuff. Next chapter will be from Orochimaru's perspective.
Anyways, if you spot any bullshit plotholes, don't forget to tell me. I will patch them up. Also, keep commenting you guys... Your comments and reactions motivate me to write ya know..
Also if you want to contribute to the story or just chat normally, here's the discord link: https/discord.gg/vMEhH3e2
Goodbye and stay tuned for the next chapter.
