First off sorry again for the long wait. Real life sucks eggs.
Second before we start I wanted to address a couple of reviews.
First charger2040: No I don't plan to have Naruto in a trench coat. Like you I have seen it way too much for my liking so believe me its not in the predicted future I have set. I have something for his civilian outfit on earth but no trench coats.
Second is more general but the comment was made by noshadowone. First to you him or her. And I say this not to insult you or anyone because you have the right to say whatever you need to about this story.
Saying Naruto is abandoning his planet is the same thing as saying that Hal Jordan or John Stewart or Guy Gardner abandons earth. Which is in a sense true but they still go back. One its in their sector but more importantly its still home. I am not having Naruto abandon Ajnin for like eternity. In this case its like when a kid comes of age and leaves home. He or she still goes back there wither they are living somewhere else or not. Even if they have a family of their own. In one way shape or form its still home for them. The memories and the people living there make it that way. So Naruto will still go there from time to time even though majority of this fic will be on Earth.
Now about the overpowered Naruto. Basically, I look at it like this. Kishimoto has made Naruto so powerful now that anything I or any other author does at this point is just icing on a very big cake. Do I want to add more, yes. Who doesn't? Do I want to make his other abilities any weaker, hell no! You guys are my judges on this. You see me doing that I will stop this train ride or do my best to make a course correction. Remember, I got no beta. So I need you guys that are like noshadowone to keep me on my toes.
With that said, apologies in advance for any jutsu that you see Naruto perform are anything like you have seen before in other fics that will come later in the story. I'm sorry about that but its hard to get new jutsu ideas when all the good ones have been cornered at the market.
But enough with my rambling. I know why you are all here. So on with the show!
Chapter 4: Chose to Serve?
(Planet Oa, One day Later)
"Green Lantern of Sector 2814, this is unacceptable!" exclaimed Appa Ali Apsa. Hal Jordan just sighed with a groan as he stood in the center with the Guardians looking down on him.
'I thought my days of this were over.' he thought.
Since his return from Ajnin after speaking with Naruto and Lady Tsunade, Hal made a straight bee line to Oa. After arriving on the green planet he was immediately summoned to the planetary citadel by Salaak. He then informed Hal that the Guardians of the Universe had summoned him for a debriefing on the situation with the new Green Lantern.
Suffice it to say after his report, a lot of them were not pleased. One in particular
"It wasn't enough that one of our most efficient and skilled Green Lanterns was killed by Sinestro, but to find out that he had discovered a world about which we had no knowledge.
Now you decide to give this new recruit time to say or do whatever he wants with his power ring instead of following procedure and immediately taking him to Oa for training!?"
"With respect sir, I figured given the fact that he is at least the human equivalent of seventeen I figured it would be best to let him make up his mind before sending him to Oa." Hal responded.
Out of all the Guardians, Hal disliked Appa the most. He was pretty much the example of what was wrong on other worlds. The guy was a stickler for rules and no room for compromise. Worst of all, he was the prime example of having no emotion. Thus no compassion. It didn't help that out of all the Guardians he was the most political. Hal feared that he would even turn on his own kind if he felt they went against what he supposed was the order of things.
Fortunately one of the two Guardians that he and most of the Corps had the most respect for decided to speak up.
"Appa, if we could table this for the moment." spoke Ganthet. Appa scowled at him but remained silent. "Now while the new recruit is a pressing issue, I am for the moment
curious about this new race that even Tomar-Re, spirits grant him peace, seemed to overlook in his sector. Hal Jordan if you could go into further into the explanation."
"I didn't get the chance to learn that much Ganthet. From what I managed to find out is that the Ajnians are very humanoid in appearance if not exactly the same as my people.
From what the Hokage, the leader of her village, and Naruto hinted at, was a second circulatory system which they call the Chakra Network." explained Hal.
"Chakra Network?" questioned Ganthet.
"Basically from the small details, instead of pumping blood, it pumps the energy that they call chakra." Hal further explained.
Before Ganthet could ask another question on what chakra was Appa coughed into his fist.
"While this all sounds interesting, we are missing the key point on why the planet has not been sighted until now?"
"Unfortunately I don't know." said Hal "When we patrol space we don't always go to every planet in our sectors. Some of us seem to forget" he stared particularly at Appa "that we go to worlds that need us." he finished.
"Regardless, the fact still remains that as soon as the ring had chosen him, he should have been sent to Oa immediately for training. May I inquire on what grounds you decided it was good to leave the decision to him?" asked Appa in his always lecturing tone.
"Again he's just a kid." said Hal. However as he said it he thought of something he saw in Naruto's eyes when the first met. While he saw sadness he also saw something else.
He had seen it in the eyes of many of his fellow lanterns, but not in one so young before. Even among those sidekicks he had seen with his fellow heroes on earth they had the look of innocence about them.
When he looked at Naruto he had seen something else. The eyes of a soldier who had seen battle and even more disturbing to him, death on both a grand and personal scale.
That and the way he had seen Naruto incapacitate John before also made him suspicious.
"It doesn't matter his age. If he has received Tomar-Re's ring then he must be brought in to be measured and trained. A power ring is too dangerous in the hands of a raw recruit." responded Appa.
Hal was about to yell at him in frustration. However Ganthet soon stepped in.
"While the procedure after the ring chooses a new host is usually the precedent it is clear that this is a special case. For one Hal is correct," looking directly at Appa "all of our lanterns, from our veterans to recruits, have the option to take off the ring and retire so they wish it or if we deem them unfit. Both cases are rare but not unheard of." said Ganthet. The latter of the two resonated with all of them given who it was that was truly deemed unfit.
"More importantly, while I disagree with Hal on the age factor given that Arisia, another of our newer recruits, is the human age of eighteen I do agree that the circumstances for this...Naruto to make his own mind."
"On what grounds?" asked Appa.
This time Sayd, Ganthet's closest ally on the council, spoke up.
"The Ajnians have suddenly just become aware that theirs are not the only species of sentient life in the universe as a whole as we have just become aware of them. Given that they are new to galactic society we must give one of their own who has been chosen time to adjust. If we try to follow normal procedure we could risk interfering with their development as a whole." she explained.
Appa and the rest of guardians looked to each other.
"Given the circumstances it appears that both Sayd and Ganthet are correct in this case Appa." said Ranakar.
"...Very well." grumbled Appa before looking back at Hal.
"Hal Jordan of Earth, it is the decision of this council that we agree to the terms you have set. Naruto Uzumaki will be given the time he needs to make his decision under the condition that if he makes the decision to join us he must be escorted to Oa for training." he explained.
Hal breathed a sigh of relief at hearing this. After the meeting adjoined he left the room headed to his quarters. Before he flew off to his quarters to rest he saw Salaak at his mobile control panels observing Oa.
"I see you got what you wanted Jordan. Are you sure this one recruit is worth this much to trouble the Guardians? We have much bigger problems then just one recruit." he said.
"You mean why Sinestro was there to begin with. And what it was he wanted on Ajnin." said Hal.
"Exactly. More to the point, what would be so important that Sinestro himself would come out of hiding? For all we know he could've found a new weapon on this planet. Though I doubt its technological."
On that Hal agreed with Salaak. From what he discerned from the village the technology they had was twentieth century at least. Not even any knowledge of space travel yet. That left out the possibility that whatever Sinestro wanted from the planet and its people involved something about the Ajnians themselves that warranted his attention.
Perhaps this "chakra" energy they had was it. They didn't know what this energy was for certain or what it did for the Ajnians. When Hal would make the journey back he was certain the guardians would want more information on these newest entries into the universe at large.
However, something in Hal Jordan's gut was telling him that Naruto Uzumaki was going to be play a key role in this puzzle.
(Ajnin, Konoha, two days later)
(Dream's beginning)
He ran as fast as he could hoping to catch up to her. Leaping from tree to tree. Rain pouring down his face, fearing for Sakura's life and deep down angry at her for thinking she could face Sasuke alone. Not that Sakura couldn't handle herself but with Sasuke's state of mind who knows what their former friend was capable of.
Finally he saw the opening the forest. To the place where Sasuke's descent had begun. The Valley of the End.
Naruto was not prepared for what he saw.
There on the river was Sakura with a fist inches away from Sasuke.
And Sasuke with his hand, Chidori in full effect, through Sakura's chest.
The next images then blurred into when Sasuke had thrown Sakura towards Naruto, him then catching her and damming himself for not learning and medical jutsu. He saw that Sakura's lips were moving but he couldn't hear what she was trying to say. Her eyes dulled over.
She was dead.
(Dream's end)
Naruto once again woke up in a cold sweat. After a few minutes he was once again aware that he was in his tent. He turned his head to his left and saw the lantern battery.
Seeing this made him sit up on his bedroll cross legged to look at it and the ring that was in his hand.
Since the rebuilding of Konoha began, many of the villagers, civilian and ninja alike, had to settle for temporary housing or smaller housing then they had.
Essentially larger versions tents or temporary housing while their homes were being rebuilt.
Naruto's tent was pretty basic like the rest. Not that much different then his apartment before Pain turned it and the rest of the village into rubble. A bedroll was pretty much the only furniture. However, next to the battery, his battery was one thing that was recovered from the wreckage of his destroyed apartment from Nagato's attack on Konoha.
The picture of Team Seven when Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were kids. Said picture was face down unseen. Naruto turned to it for a moment before shaking his head and returning his attention to the battery in front of him.
Since his meeting with Hal Jordan and the knowledge that he had now less then five days to make a decision that will ultimately decide the course of his life. After Hal had left he looked to Tsunade and Shizune. They were as silent as he was. After a few moments Naruto told her he will inform her of his decision and then left.
All she said to him was "Don't make your decision too hastily Naruto." in the voice that spoke not as the Hokage, but as the grandmother that she tended to be when he needed to hear it.
Since returning to his tent he was able to switch out of his uniform back to his usual orange attire. After words took off his jacket and tried to get some much needed sleep.
Sadly, once again Naruto was dreaming of the events that lead to the death of Sakura.
Naruto just shook his head. "How can I be thinking about this with everything happening!?" he mentally screamed at himself.
'There is no weakness in it Naruto. It takes strength to mourn.' said Kurama "Besides, you have a tendency to put your own needs and wants on the back burner. For at least a day let it be for yourself."
"I can't! What the hell am I supposed to do!?" thought Naruto in frustration. He immediately took a deep breath to calm himself "I'm sorry Kurama. Here I am thinking about how this effects me. But it effects you too. Unless you wanted out of me, which more then likely would kill me, you would be leaving our planet behind."
'Well for one thing I don't feel like leaving mainly cause I can sleep as long as I want in your head.' Kurama responded which Naruto could tell he was having a small laugh which just made him roll his eyes. Kurama's tone returned to being serious. 'Look as fun as it is seeing you just sitting there looking crazy talking to me, I think it better if we talk face to face.'
Then just like that Naruto was no longer sitting in his tent. Naruto immediately realized that he was inside the landscape of his mind where Kurama had always resided in.
However, instead of the sewer that usually represented the prison the the Nine-Tailed Fox that Naruto expected himself to be in he found himself someplace completely different.
Instead of the dank dark tunnel he usually found himself in what he got was a large grass field. It seemed to stretch as far as his eyes could see with blades of green grass covering it. Suddenly standing before him was the Kyuubi No Yoko laying on it and enjoying the breeze and sunlight.
"What's this about Kurama? Why change scenery now?" asked Naruto.
Kurama opened his eyes, yawned and stretched out his limbs. "I was tired of being in that stupid sewer. Besides, I thought a change of scenery to something more pleasant would help." said Kurama. Again Naruto felt guilty for his tone. Truth was he was tired of the damn sewer prison almost as much as Kurama was. Since freeing him from his prison the two had become friends very quickly. Naruto had to guess that it was because together they had just defeated Madara. He knew that it brought some closure to Kurama knowing that the bastard that had used him. Which made him feel even worse because Kurama, at least in part, had considered him when he changed the mental landscape.
"In any case we aren't here to discuss the scenery." spoke Kurama before Naruto could speak again. "To answer your question fully Naruto this hasn't been my world since the Old Man died."
"You mean Hagoromo?" Naruto was surprised to hear that one.
"Yeah him. The point I am making is after his death I don't think there was anyone who could see me as anything other then a weapon." he turned to Naruto. "Until you came along. Sure we didn't get along all that well for years. The war changed that all of that. Hell it changed everything." that was something Naruto could see and understand. It was another factor that he needed to consider when making this decision. Was he even needed now?
"And now here we stand with the world about to come to a new era of peace." spoke Naruto as he sat down next to Kurama. After saying that he then remembered again what happened to Sakura and Sasuke. He also remembered what he said.
As if reading his mind, Kurama spoke again "Do not let your grief make the decision to join the Green Lantern Corps for you Naruto. As difficult as this is you must think on what that will mean. As I said, whether or not you choose to accept this possibility is yours and yours alone. I am alright either way your decision goes." he said.
Even though he knew he was right, it didn't seem to help his frustration. "How? How can I make a decision like this? I can't just simply abandon everyone here can I?" Naruto said.
"You say that as if everyone on this planet is helpless when we both know they are not." Kurama responded.
"That's not what I meant." said Naruto sitting up with his knees in front of him and his arms on top of them. "It's like I am standing on a the edge of a cliff. Beyond that cliff is a place that not a single person on this planet has ever been before. A place beyond where everyone in my life that has guided me has ever been before. It's just-" he stopped himself from going on.
"Just what Kid?" asked Kurama.
"Even after everything that has happened with Sakura dying and killing Sasuke to not wanting to be Hokage anymore. I am not sure I am ready to leave. To say goodbye to that dream."
Kurama thought about what Naruto was saying. He then decided to ask the question that had been burning in him and Tsunade since he said those words two days ago.
"Why did you say you don't want to be Hokage anymore?" he asked. Naruto looked at him for a moment thinking about how to say this to him. "Is it because in your mind you think you are not worthy because you couldn't save one friend?" he added on thinking back to what Naruto said to Kakashi on the river of that bridge.
After hearing that question Naruto suddenly found himself chuckling then going to straight on laughter. "HA HA HA HA HA!"
Kurama, for the first time it seemed, found himself bewildered by Naruto. "Did I say something funny?"
Naruto's laughter seemed to die down almost as fast as it had begun. "I was laughing at how ironic what you said is." he said standing back up looking at the made up horizon of his mind. "On the message you're right that is part of it. But the context around it has changed. I know now that the Sasuke I knew as my friend died long before I killed him." he took a deep breath to control his emotions "No its not being able to save one friend..." he turned to Kurama who could see the sadness in his eyes. "...its not being able to save the girl I loved. That's one reason." he finished.
"And the second?" Kurama asked.
"The second is more practical. I have to ask myself: am I really ready to be Hokage? Yeah I have some charisma but I have never actually lead ninja on missions or been much of a diplomat. At the end of the day when I look at myself I am a soldier. Someone who fights for for his people. Kurama honestly do you expect me, expect us, to really start going from being on the front lines to being someone who can negotiate treaties and other such."
"Not right now but someday you have do. And you know that you have to learn to do that as a Green Lantern." Kurama told him.
"I know that! Its just I don't think I would feel comfortable sitting behind a desk assigning people to go into dangerous missions. As I look on it now I don't know how Granny deals with that responsibility every day". Naruto responded. Now the second reason made sense to Kurama. It wasn't the politics that truly scared Naruto it was the fact that while being Hokage would give power it also at the same time took some freedom away. The command meant that you couldn't always be with your fellow comrades.
Most of all to Naruto. He felt that after his battle with Madara and Sasuke, he felt he had no purpose left. Since he came back its been pretty much training and learning how to survive. It was literally learn this jutsu, become stronger, or the world dies. Now that peace on this planet was all but assured he's not sure what his place is now.
Being a Green Lantern would give him a purpose to do what he always seemed good at doing. Protecting people. Also the work it entailed a way to vent his grief. After all work was good for it. At least for a time anyway.
"Sounds like you've made your decision." said Kurama.
Naruto soon found himself back in his apartment. Looking at the battery again then his hand. "I guess I have."
(Oa, Dining Hall)
'Say what you will about Greet's cooking when it comes to human food but he at least knows how to cook stake.' thought Hal Jordan as he cut another piece of his prime rib. He was about to eat it when his ring starting speaking.
"Hello is this thing on?" asked a slightly growling voice. That voice Hal recognized as the new prospect Naruto Uzumaki.
Putting his fork and knife on his tray he answered. "Naruto is that you?"
"Yeah I finally figured out how to use the ring to communicate with other lanterns." answered Naruto.
"Hold on a minute." ordered Hal. Immediately after saying that he had his ring generate the holographic image of Naruto who appeared to be sitting cross legged. The image of Naruto was easily startled at this.
"Wow didn't know this thing could also have television." Naruto joked. Hal rolled his eyes but smiled at the joke.
"Its a form of holographic playback that we can use to communicate with each other along with simply talking to our rings like radios that you and have on our worlds." explain Hal with Naruto nodding in understanding. "Now that we have the brief lesson on ring powers, wanna tell me why you decided to make this call?"
"I thought you should know that I have made my decision." said Naruto. Hal was surprised at this. "Kid you still have three more days you don't have to make it now." he argued. Naruto shook his head "I'm gonna need those three days." he said.
"For what?" Hal asked. Naruto took a deep breath that seemed to last for an hour before he spoke again.
"To say my goodbyes." he said with sadness. Hal eyes widened realizing what he meant. "Okay then in three days time I will come to take you to Oa for training." Hal said.
Before either cut the transmission Hal had to ask something. "Naruto if you don't mind me asking: why did you decide to join us?"
Naruto just smiled "You're going to be the first to ask me that question. I know you don't know a lot about me and my people Hal Jordan but suffice it to say I have been through a lot. Especially for someone as young as I am. To put it as simply as I can my world has gone through a tough time and its headed for peace. Tomar-Re's duty was to protect this whole space sector. With him gone it is now up to me to that. I simply cannot ignore that responsibility despite whatever else is going in my life. It isn't who I am." Naruto explained.
Hal was rather speechless at hearing this speech from a kid who in his opinion should be in high school. Instead he felt like he was talking to full grown man. More importantly even from the holo-image the eyes that were staring at him were not the eyes of sixteen year old. They were the eyes of someone who had seen pain and loss. The eyes of a soldier.
Even though Hal knew that everything that Naruto had said was the truth, he could tell that Naruto was holding back the other reason's as to why he chose to become a Green Lantern. However, from the tone Naruto used, he knew that it was personal so he decided to let it go for now.
"Very well Naruto, I will see you in three days time." said Hal Jordan. "Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps." he finished. Naruto nodded and the transmission ended. Hal rose from his chair with the tray and dumped his tray into the vaporizer trash can.
"Better inform the Guardians about this." said Hal as he left the dining hall.
(Ajnin)
Naruto let out a breath after the transmission ended. "Well that was easy."
"Yes...now the hard part begins." said Kurama. Naruto nodded agreeing with Kurama's assessment.
"And I know who to go to first." he said lifting himself off his sitting position and exiting his tent but not before grabbing his headband with his right hand. "I just hope he doesn't take it too hard." he hoped.
(Ramen Ichiraku)
It was already evening by the time that Naruto arrived at Ichiraku Ramen. It was one of the first buildings from Konoha that was rebuilt through the efforts of Inari, Tazuna's grandson. Once again running it was Teuchi and his daughter Ayame.
It was there that Naruto found not only Iruka the man that he was seeking but also Shizune. As he stepped into the slightly larger restaurant, he noticed how the two of them seem to be enjoying a meal. He could see them both eating ramen on the bar which was strange. Naruto never knew Shizune liked ramen too. Still probably not to the same level that he and Iruka did.
Clearing his thoughts Naruto took a deep breath and walked up to them. Teuchi saw him while he was working.
"Hey here comes our favorite customer!" he yelled. Both Iruka and Shizune turned around to look immediately knowing who it was the old owner was talking about. Naruto waved at them.
"Hey Teuchi." he then walked over to Iruka and Shizune. "Uh hey Iruka-Sensei, hey Shizune." he said.
Both of them could tell that Naruto was looking rather uncomfortable. "Shizune explained to me what been happening Naruto." said Iruka. "I'm still trying to process it to be honest. But I understand this Green Lantern thing is something you can choose not to do right?" he said looking at the both of them.
"Yes according to Hal Jordan Naruto can choose wither or not to accept this position if he wants." Shizune responded.
"Yeah that's kinda what I wanted to talk to you guys about." said Naruto before Iruka could further inquire. They both looked to see Naruto have his headband in his right hand his thumb circling.
"Say Naruto...you wanna get some ramen, talk some more about it?" Iruka asked.
"The ramen sounds great Iruka-Sensei but..." he then lowered his head trying to gather his thoughts. "I need to speak with both of you about that decision."
Iruka didn't like the sound of that and neither did Shizune. Naruto then sat down next to them seeing as it was best to keep Teuchi and Ayame in the loop as well given how long they had all known each other.
Putting his headband on the bar he took a deep breath. "I have decided to..."
"What Naruto?" asked Iruka with Shizune, Teuchi and Ayame looking on. Naruto again took a deep breath and looked at Iruka straight in the eye.
"I have decided to join the Green Lantern Corps." he said. Suffice it to say they were both stunned at this. Teuchi and Ayame had the look of confusion. However, what they could tell is that it seemed Naruto was doing something that may change things forever.
"WHAT!? Naruto, Lady Tsunade told you not to make this decision too quickly. There are other things you need to consider before making a decision like this." said Shizune.
Naruto immediately stood up from his seat. "I have thought about it Shizune. And the truth is that Tomar-Re's ring chose me. What kind of person would I be to just shirk this responsibility and give it to someone else."
"It would mean having to leave this planet for Kami knows how long! It could mean the end of your ninja career as you know Naruto." said Iruka. Naruto again closed his eyes to take a deep breath picking up his headband in his hand.
"I figured I give this back to you." he said handing it out to him. Everyone in the restaurant was stunned to say the least. This meant Naruto was giving up his career as a ninja.
"Naruto think about this for a minute! You don't have to do this!" said Shizune with Iruka still looking Naruto's outstretched hand.
"Actually I do. Even though I can still come back when I am off-duty I've come to understand that if I chose to be a Green Lantern I can't be a ninja for Konoha anymore. The most evident reason is that I will be gone for weeks, months, even years at a time." he then looked Iruka in the eye. "Iruka-Sensei I know that to make it official I have to go to the Hokage or" looking behind him to Shizune "to anyone working in her office. But.." again looking at Iruka.
"Iruka-Sensei you were the one who gave me my headband in what must be close to three years ago. You made a ninja in the first place. Since then I have had to learn the hard way on what it means to be a ninja. You gave me the Will of Fire. That is something I will never forget. But as much as I appreciate all that you, Kakashi-Sensei, Pervy Sage, and everyone else has given me...the time has come for me to start standing on my own." he finished.
"Naruto what is going on?" asked Ayame suddenly. Her and Teuchi had moved out of the bar to get a closer look on the argument between the three. Iruka however just put his hand up to them. "I'll explain later..." he then turned back to Naruto. "Naruto are you sure about this?" he simply asked. Naruto nodded. Iruka then did what Shizune and the others never though he would do.
He took Naruto's headband.
"Naruto just wait-"
"Naruto has made his decision clear Shizune. And I think that we can all agree that the time for us telling Naruto what to do has long since past." said Iruka. As glad as he was that Iruka-Sensei was defending his decision, Naruto couldn't help but turn away from him feeling like his choice had disappointed him. As if reading his mind Iruka put Naruto's headband on the bar he then griped Naruto by his shoulders forcing him to look him in the eye once again.
"Naruto...I have known you since you were the kid that caused pranks and jokes on the whole village just so that they would pay attention to you." said Iruka laughing at the thought of those days. "I have seen how you have grown from that boy to the man and the hero that stands before me now. You have done so much that now..." he looked to the ring that was on his finger. "...that something else has given you an even greater destiny than anyone has ever seen." he said.
Naruto could only smile at hearing his old sensei's words. He nodded and stood up from his chair and went to stand next to Shizune.
"Shizune," he began before she just hugged him. For him this was a new thing seeing as how a certain girl would always seem to punch him. Naruto immediately shook those thoughts from his head as he slowly returned the gesture. When they parted it was then he noticed that Shizune had tears in her eyes as she spoke.
"I-If I didn't know you better I would check to see if that ring has done something to your mind to make you do this." Naruto was about to protest but she held her hand to stop him "But like I said I know you." she said again which Naruto smiled. He then looked behind her to Teuchi and Ayame.
"Hey guys, if you can make me some ramen I can explain." he said.
Needless to say Teuchi and Ayame did make his favorite meal. After that he explained to them what had happened. Needless to say both Ayame and Teuchi were crying their hearts out after hearing this.
For Naruto this was only the beginning of the hard goodbyes. The next one was going just as hard if not harder.
(Forest training ground, morning of the third day.)
One thing Naruto liked immediately about having the power ring was being able to fly right now. Not to say that he wasn't fast it just that with it just that he didn't have a lot of time and flying as he discovered was a much faster way to travel. He had to make sure not too fast though. From what he and Kurama were able to find out that the ring could allow them to fly so fast they could break what was called their planets "sound barrier".
In any case he knew who he had to talk to next after Iruka, Shizune, Teuchi and Ayame. When he first went to the temporary Hyuuga compound and asked where to find Hinata.
Fortunately they told him she was at her usual spot on the forest training ground.
Unlike the other training grounds this one was not close enough to be destroyed by Nagato's attack since it was actually in the forest. Many ninja form the rookie seven used this place at one time or another. Two prime examples were when Kiba "walked" Akamaru. The second was it was where Hinata still trains by herself when she wanted privacy.
Finding her was easy. Especially when you are miles above the ground looking down. He landed silently and returned his attire from his GL uniform into his usual attire. After taking a minute to compose himself he walked to her.
"Hey Hinata." he said. Hinata stopped attacking the training stump upon hearing his voice. She slowly turned around to look at him.
"I knew you might be coming. You've always been good at hiding yourself though." she said with none of her usual shyness. The war had made her more confident.
There was a moment of silence between the two of them that seem to last forever. However it was Hinata that spoke first.
"I know what you are doing here Naruto. I'm not at all surprised at your decision." she said.
"You're not?" he asked.
"For one thing you have always been far too noble for your own good. You put everyone else's needs ahead of yours. From the village...to Sakura and her happiness." she said the last part with some hurt in her voice.
"Hinata...I never meant to hurt you. The people...the friends I have made all may feel love for me but you were the first person ever to actually say it to me. For that I will always be grateful to you. But..." Naruto stopped himself unable to continue. Although he did not feel the same way he still did not want to hurt Hinata. He had his head down in shame.
Hinata walked over to him and put her hand under his chin to look at him in the eye. In those eyes Naruto did not see anger. Some hurt yes but at the same time understanding.
"I know Naruto. We don't get to choose who we fall in or out of love with. All we can do is choose how to move on." she said then putting her hand over his heart. "I know that she is half the reason you decided to join this new order. The rest...well I already stated that you have always been so noble and good."
"You know me too well." Naruto said.
"I watched you long enough to know that." she started tearing up again. "A-All I ask is that whatever this new path takes you I hope you find happiness...with, perhaps someday, someone who can see you as I do. As the kind, loving, good man that I have always known you are." she said and started crying. Naruto then held her to him as she cried tears of sadness.
"In another time, in another life, it may have been you Hinata." he whispered. "My hope for you is to find someone who can love you. Someone who will be at your side. Someone who can truly treasure the love you can give. May he give you the happiness that you deserve." said Naruto as if already knowing that someone.
He pulled away to give a friendly kiss on her forehead. He then moved away from her and disappeared into the forest leaving Hinata alone. And while she my be sad now, she felt in her that the love she had for Naruto would form again into new love.
As Naruto walked into the forest to prepare to leave again he found himself staring into the eyes of Kiba and Akamaru.
"Should've known you two would be around." said Naruto. Kiba however kept solemn as he walked ahead to where Hinata was wiping her tears.
"That was a good thing you did." he said. Naruto turned to the same direction. "Did you mean what you said before? That in some other life you would have gone for her?"
"Yes. But like she said we don't choose who we fall in love with. I fell for Sakura even if she never felt the same. Hinata deserves better then to keep looking for andwaiting in me." he said. Though he tried to hide it Naruto noticed Kiba smile at that.
"So you're really leaving huh." said Kiba.
"If I didn't know any better I would say that you were going to miss me Kiba." said Naruto with his arms crossed and a smirk across his face.
Kiba turned to him. "I am going to miss my greatest rival. The guy who saved our butts every which way and now he's going to save a lot more people's asses out there." he pointed up to the sky. "In that big space up there...still having a hard time believing that though." said Kiba.
Naruto nodded. He understood that this is going to be a lot for people to take in. Shaking his head Naruto went back to the subject at hand.
"Maybe not now but Hinata will be letting her heart be open to someone new Kiba. Then maybe you can grow a pair and ask her out." said Naruto.
Kiba blushed red at hearing him say that with Akamaru making a dog noise that Naruto knew was him laughing.
"I don't know what-" Kiba was about to say before Akamaru barked at him harshly. After a few minutes that made Naruto scratch his head Kiba just sighed in defeat.
"Just one thing though." said Naruto "Although I don't share the same feelings I still consider Hinata my friend. So you hurt her you not only have Neji to deal with. Understand?" said Naruto with his eyes turning to slits as he stared at him. Kiba just nodded. Naruto's irises turned back to normal.
"Good." he said with a smile on his face.
'When did Naruto started getting so scary?'Kiba thought to himself. Naruto then looked to Akamaru and petted his head.
"You'll keep an eye on them alright." he said. Akamaru barked in response. Naruto walked past them.
"Naruto." Kiba called out from which Naruto turned to him. "What Hinata said to you...I hope you do find happiness with this new journey you are starting on." he said. Naruto nodded. He transformed into his uniform and flew off into the sky heading back to the village.
"Okay I admit that's pretty cool." said Kiba with Akamaru barking in agreement.
(Hokage's Office mid-afternoon of third day)
Since the war's end as a show of the newly formed unity between the five great shinobi countries that the other four would send their own work crews to work with Tazuna and Inari. Just enough to accelerate the process of the village being restored. So it made sense the all five Kage were still present at Konoha to oversee the reconstruction effort.
However that also meant that now they had to keep each other in the loop about certain events. As Tsunade was just now experiencing.
"How can you allow this!?" said A the Raikage. Tsunade grimaced at his tone of voice. Currently her, A, Mei the Mizukage, Oonoki the Tsuchikage and Gaara the Kazekage were in attendance in her office. Tsunade had just finished telling them all what had transpired with the Green Lantern's arrival and now telling them that Shizune had confirmed that Naruto had made his decision to join their ranks.
Needless to say, A was not happy.
"To allow Naruto to make this decision was too hasty Tsunade." said Oonoki. "Even though we are now at peace there is still much to do. And even with the five shinobi countries now united thanks to this war there will still be conflict from other countries. Naruto or someone like him may still be needed. The Daimyo also may not approve of this either." Oonoki went on to explain.
"I understand your train of thought Oonoki but given the circumstances at the current moment we are now heading towards peace and no major enemy has made or I think will make another attack in the near future. Besides this is Naruto's decision." said Tsunade.
"Who you knew was going to make this decision rashly!" exclaimed the Raikage. "Naruto like my brother have always made brash decisions but this ups all of them. Does he not realize that he wouldn't be leaving the country but our world. And don't get me started on the fact that there may be or may not be other species and races above our heads." he continued pointing at the sky.
"If we can switch to that for a bit." said Mei "How are we going to deal with the fact that there are other races or the fact that with Naruto joining this Green Lantern Corps that we are now apart of it?" she asked.
"We have to inform them of what is going on." said Tsunade immediately. "We can't lie to the people. That is what lead Sasuke Uchiha down to madness. The truth must be told. How we tell it is another story." she further explained. There were so many facets of this situation she didn't know what to do next.
Just then Oonoki moved to the center slower then usual given he was now using a cane to walk. The damage that he had taken from Madara was no less severe then the other Kage but because of his age his recovery was taking much longer then the others. Even Tsunade believed it was doubtful he would ever fully recover.
"Given my previous history I know what I am about to say will not be agreeable. Hell, even I don't like the sound of it. But for the moment maybe we should at least try to have Naruto postpone his leaving until we know more about these...people." he said.
This again was not something everyone liked to hear. Everyone in the world of the shinobi owed Naruto their lives, including the five Kage standing in this room.
"Are you saying we should imprison him!?" yelled Mei. "After everything he has done! Do you even think we are capable of doing that now."
"As distasteful as it sounds we must at least consider the possibility." Oonoki responded. Tsunade hated herself for even thinking such a thing. But all the options had to be considered.
"Enough!" said Gaara who was leaning against wall then stood up. He then moved to stand in front of Oonoki. He turned his head to look at Tsunade.
"You mentioned that this device this...ring gave him information on this organization that Naruto wished to join. Do you believe that it has also manipulated his mind?" he asked.
Tsunade pondered on the idea. When Shizune had explained what happened at Ichiraku Ramen, she contemplated it herself. However, from what Shizune had said it that there was only one thing that could be manipulating his mind at the moment. And it wasn't the ring.
"No I don't believe the ring has anything to do with his present mindset Gaara." she declared.
"Then the thing that is would be his grief over the loss of Sakura...your second apprentice I believe." said Mei. Tsunade nodded as she remember Naruto carrying her corpse that night. She had never seen him look so depressed or defeated before. Yes he killed Sasuke but in a way he had broken his promise to Sakura. That combining with her death might have sent him over the edge.
"All the more reason to have him postpone or even reconsider his decision." said Oonoki. A was, unfortunately, starting to agree with him.
"Or all the more reason to let him go." said Gaara. "Naruto has made his decision. The days where any of us who had the right to make him decide what to do has long since past if it ever existed at all." said Gaara. Mei was smiling along with Tsunade at his proclamation. He then looked to Oonoki and A. "We have relied on Naruto for too long. We promised him we could handle Madara Uchiha yet in the end we failed and he ended up having to clean up the mess." he said. Everyone lowered their heads in shame over that.
Gaara then stared straight into Oonoki's eyes.
"Do not let our shame be made worse by your fear Oonoki." said Gaara. Oonoki closed his eyes tightly to keep tears from falling and clinched his cane tightly with both hands.
"It is obvious now more than ever that we cannot always rely on one person to save us in dire peril. Naruto has made his decision to join the Green Lantern Corps. Whether or not it is grief or simply he feels that he has no use here it has been made. And we have no right to dispute it." Gaara proclaimed.
Mei, A, and even Oonoki reluctantly agreed. Tsunade then stood up from her chair.
"I believe that this matter has been concluded. We had best make preparations."
"For what?" asked A. Tsunade had a sad smile on her face and turned to the window the sun now setting as the third day beginning to pass.
"Naruto's departure." she said. They nodded as they turned to leave the office.
Outside in the hallway outside the office doors Oonoki made a grunt which got the other three's attention.
"I only said what I said because like the rest of you I do not want this peace that we have fought for and some of us have died for to be lost. Forgive an old man's weakness." he pleaded.
Gaara walked up to him. "There is nothing to forgive Oonoki." It was true. Though he had used means that were not so agreeable in the past, Oonoki had changed. It was only for the ninja world now that he had made mention of this.
"But sooner or later you will have to choose a successor." said Mei.
"Bah! I will choose one when I see fit." said the old man. Mei just rolled her eyes with Gaara and A smirking at his stubbornness.
(Naruto's make shift apartment, night of the third day)
"I don't why I agreed to this." said Naruto looking at the shogi board with Shikamaru as his opponent.
"Because it was either this or Go." answered Shikamaru. Naruto grimaced at the other option for a game.
This started because the next person he wanted to meet with was Shikamaru and Chouji. After all they, along with Kiba and himself, were known as the "dead last" in their class back in the academy.
It didn't take him long. He knew that they were in the rebuilt Yakiniku Q restaurant with them, along with Ino, eating their long time favorite meal of beef barbecue. Chouji was the first to spot him and waved. After allowing him to join them Naruto gave them the info on what had happened. Of course, Ino had Shikamaru already tell them of the mission and what had happened so Naruto only had to fill in the blanks on what went on in the Hokage's office.
And then told them of his decision to join the Corps and in effect quit being a ninja.
For Chouji and Ino they were stunned enough that they were in fact other races besides their own out their in the sky they had been looking at for years. To top it off was the fact that Naruto was leaving what he described as his former dream of becoming Hokage to join them. Personally speaking this had both of them wide-eyed at what they heard.
The only one who didn't seem all that surprised was Shikamaru. After having their meal Shikamaru told him to meet up at his apartment. So they left (with Ino of all things from what Naruto saw was crying on Chouji's shoulder).
Along the way Shikamaru stopped by where his family was living in until the Nara clan's home was rebuilt. When he came out he had his shogi board under his arm. From there, they went to Naruto's place and just started playing after Shikamaru explained the game to him.
Now even though Naruto had never played shogi in his life, he knew that along with Go were Shikamaru's favorite games. Which made it more baffling as to why Shikamaru wanted to play it with him.
So that is how they spent the rest of the day. With hour after hour Shikamaru taking his king again and again three times.
Rubbing his head in frustration, Naruto finally had enough. "Shikamaru...you know that I have no skills whatsoever in this game right?" he questioned.
"I wouldn't go so far as no skill but compared to me yes." said Shikamaru flatly. This made Naruto twitch his right eyebrow.
"I don't need to be mocked Shikamaru. We both know that strategies are your thing, mine is basically instinct." he replied.
"You're forgetting determination, skill, power, and guts." Shikamaru responded. He then held his hand up before Naruto could reply.
"Naruto whether you want to admit it or not you, we, have come a long way since the day's of the Academy. And as much as we tend to call you it you are not and idiot." he said.
"And you beating me at shogi proves this how?" said Naruto. Shikamaru just pinched his nose.
"It's not me beating you, that you should notice. Its the fact that it took me longer to beat you that you should notice." he said. "Look the first time we played it took me five minutes to beat you. The second time took an half hour. This time took an hour and a half to accomplish." he explained. Naruto's eyes widened when he thought back to the other shogi games and realized that Shikamaru was correct. It did take him longer.
He shook his head. "So what? We both know no matter how good I get at shogi you will always beat me...so what's the real point of this then Shikamaru?" Naruto asked beginning to see that maybe Shikamaru had alternative to making him play shogi.
"The real point is that I am trying to teach you to use that brain of yours. Believe or not Naruto, you actually have a good head on your shoulders. You just happen to use it later in battle and rely on your instincts rather then plan ahead." he explained.
"That's what got me this far." Naruto responded.
"Yes and I am not trying to change that. But being this...green lantern...something tells me you are going to have start using your brain..." he pointed to his own head as an example "...as well as your instincts." he said. "Now compared to me in some areas you're right. You most likely don't have as high an IQ as me and you aren't able to plan as far ahead as me." Naruto just had that look that said 'You're damn right about that'. Naruto and pretty much everyone in the village now knew that Shikamaru was probably the smartest shinobi in the village.
"But at the same time those two weaknesses, in their own ways, make you smarter then me." Naruto was surprised and had the look of disbelief on his face. "I'm serious. Look the fact is while shogi can be a big help when it comes to strategy, at the end of the day it still just six by ten board. It doesn't account for real life situations that both a shinobi faces and, most likely, a Green Lantern will face right?" Shikamaru asked. Naruto nodded his head in response.
"And there lies the difference. For me I am not much of a fighter type compared to you, Kiba, Neji or Lee. I am a supporter. When I am leading a team in battle I direct them mostly from a distance, plan for each strategy. However, one of my weaknesses is that sometimes in a real life battle situation I have trouble adapting to the ever changing parameters of the battlefield."
"But you always managed to stay ahead of your enemies though Shikamaru." said Naruto.
"Yes but having no real use at close range, I can't do it as well as you can Naruto. Where as I command from a distance, you yourself can command on the battlefield if you wanted to. Which brings me to my second weakness. For all my intellect and strategic prowess on the battlefield my only real jutsu is my Shadow Possession Jutsu. As many variations of it that I have made basically I am a one trick pony. Whereas you and Chouji can basically break through those strategies and my jutsu with you guy's raw power. Chouji because of his physical strength and that of his clan's jutsu whereas you...do I really need to point out how many jutsu you have not to mention the fact that you are jinchuuriki to the Kyuubi-"
"To Kurama you mean." Naruto said a little angrily. Shikamaru put both hands up as a measure of apology.
"Sorry my bad. Point is, as you probably know better them me that being a green lantern is going to take all of that and more to survive this kind of...job. Hence why I am trying to teach you as much as I can right now tonight." said Shikamaru.
Again Naruto conceded to Shikamaru's reasoning. "You're right. The green lanterns face things equivalent to the Fourth Great Ninja War or even worse. Some of the time it involves being a diplomat. You could even say the job is in some ways is the same as being Hokage...only you are the one still out in the field and you are alone for most of it." he said.
Both Naruto and Shikamaru were silent for a moment. "So one more game?" Naruto asked given now what Shikamaru was trying to teach him. He nodded. As the game started again Naruto remembered something.
Both Shikamaru and Ino's father's had perished during the final battle. Ino's grief had been apparent as she cried even during that fateful battle. Shikamaru however kept it hidden until the war was over. He remembered him being there at the same time with Temari surprisingly enough holding him as tears broke through.
With both him and Asuma-Sensei gone, Shikamaru had no one left to play shogi with. And here he was willing to teach him the game. And at the same time strategy.
From then on, Naruto knew how precious this gift was and vowed to take Shikamaru's words to heart.
So again Shikamaru defeated him. This time it took Shikamaru two hours to beat him though. "As fun as it has been beating you Naruto, I got to get home and get some sleep." he said standing up after they picked up the pieces and grabbed his shogi board. Naruto joined him outside. Before leaving he looked up at the night sky.
"Do you see the sky a little differently now Naruto? Knowing what you know now?" he asked.
Naruto looked up at the sky for a moment then turned back to Shikamaru. "Not at the moment, but they will soon." he said. Looking back at the sky he added "Still beautiful though. That's one constant I can say for sure."
Shikamaru turned his head back to Naruto and smiled. "Hope you're ready for this." he said. Then walked away waving at him from behind as he walked home.
"So do I Shikamaru. So do I," thought Naruto he walked back inside to try and get some sleep.
Kurama had been keeping tabs on his conversation. Shikamaru was right about one thing. Naruto needed to get even better then before. Not physically or even jutsu wise but mentally. The challenges that Naruto had placed on himself by taking this new path would not be easy. Inside he vowed to himself to help his host. After all, what are friends for? Especially since he was permanently stuck in Naruto.
The next day would be the last day.
(Oa, Fourth day on Ajnin)
Ganthet was staring out a window from the council chambers. Looking at the beauty of the planet Oa from this view was where he could think in solitude on events of the universe on his own. Some on the council, such as Appa, didn't approve of this behavior.
'Fortunately, in this case, we do not have to decide as one.' Ganthet thought with a smile.
As he stared at Oa's sunrise it reminded him of how much time had passed. Four days on the planet of Ajnin given its planetary clock was the same as Earth's. Which brought back Ganthet's worries.
Worries on how they could have ignored such a planet that had been in a sector with one of their most diligent lanterns patrolling it.
And what type of people were the Ajnians. From what info that Hal Jordan managed to obtain, they seemed very similar to humans minus this chakra network. Culturally they seemed to resemble Earth's Japanese back in the day's of the samurai and ninja. Obviously however, there were large differences. What they were he did not know.
That was one of the things that were concerning him. There were too many unknowns about this species. There may be even other races and organizations who might take advantage of it. Ajnin had just now gotten its first lantern and found out they were not alone in the universe at large all at once.
Which lead to the other reason he was worried. Closing his eyes, Ganthet remembered how after Hal Jordan left, Appa once again tried to manipulate the others into changing their minds. Ganthet and Sayd again argued that the decision had been made. Though not admitting it openly he felt it was the right decision. Besides, he knew Hal was correct.
Naruto next to Arisia was the youngest to be inducted for a very long time. Being a member of the corps at this age was not unheard of but at the same time not expected.
Especially, given how dangerous being a Green Lantern was.
Giving both thoughts gave Ganthet much to think about. And it was there that he thinking that maybe, just this once, one of the Guardians might leave the safety of Oa.
"For a breath of fresh air." he said to himself.
(Ajnin, Konoha Cemetery, Fourth day, Early morning)
Naruto walked over to the last place that he wanted to be. Ironic, given that it was the last place he needed to go.
The Konoha Cemetery was located in the outskirts of Konoha hence why it wasn't destroyed from Nagato. However, the cemetery had to be repaired after Kabuto had rummaged through some of the graves to obtain the corpses for some of his army. Since then, it has become a place for those who had lost loved ones during the war. Still at the front of the cemetery was the statue that stood as a testament to the Will of Fire.
In Naruto's hand he carried flowers. He hadn't been here since they burned her ashes and made her grave as a memorial to her. He walked over to where the grave was. A few more across from Asuma's is where he found it.
It read : Sakura Haruno. Beloved daughter. Respected Ninja.
Naruto place the flowers at her grave then put his hands in his pockets staring at her tombstone unable to come up with anything to say. Naruto had so many emotions going through him at this moment.
"My last day here Ajnin." he started. He then looked around. He saw other people at the graves of their loved ones. Friends, lovers, husbands and wives with their children.
Some to pay respect, others their grief still fresh on their faces. Children crying over the fathers and siblings that died.
He turned back at the grave site. "You'd think that with this ring I could be able to say goodbye to everyone. But I can't. You'd probably think I was being lazy. Maybe I am. But I wanted to save this for my last day." he kneeled down to it.
"There are a lot of emotions when I see your grave site Sakura. The first one that comes to mind is shock. See you there with Sasuke's Chidori hand through you lung and heart. How I still can't believer you are gone." he said. The second emotion going through me is..." he took a deep breath
"...Is anger. Anger at myself for not getting there in time. But more importantly I think, I am for the first time angry with you. Angry that for some reason we both knew that the Sasuke we knew was gone at yet for some reason you still loved him. At least that's what I think. Anger that you didn't wait for me so that I could help you. And do this day, I will be ever angry that I will never know that if some part of you felt the same way." he said. He then kneeled down to stare at it directly.
"When you told me you loved me at Land of Iron, for a moment I wanted to believe you. That maybe you saw in me what you thought you saw in Sasuke. But I knew it wasn't true. I don't know if you felt anything for me other then friendship." The anger the built up to the point where he yelled.
"I did everything I could! I let you hit me even though we both knew I could have avoided them. I protected you! I fought with everything in me to try and return Sasuke to you. I just... don't understand why you loved him." he said closing his eyes tightly to try and prevent tears from coming out.
"Maybe she didn't either." said a female voice.
Naruto stood up and turned around. He then saw Mebuki Haruno walking towards him.
"Mrs. Haruno." said Naruto and bowed to her.
"Stand up Naruto. I think the last thing Sakura would want is for you to bow to me given everything that has happened." she said as she stopped in front of the grave to kneel and pray for her daughter.
"I-I will leave you in peace then." he said starting to walk away. He thought he was ready for this but he wasn't.
"Naruto..." said Mebuki. Her voice stopped him from walking away. He turned around in time to see her back on her feet.
"You have earned a place here. You were her teammate and closest friend. And...I know how much you loved her." she said.
"It wasn't enough." he said. Naruto wondered why all of a sudden this woman was actually talking to him. They had never met before today. "Mrs. Haruno I have to ask. Why are even letting me be here right now?"
"Fair question. My husband and myself along with the village blamed you for what happened with the Kyuubi No Kitsune's attack. We saw you as the monster in human form." she looked at him then. Straight into his eyes and he saw not hatred but sadness and regret.
"When Sakura returned home after your mission to save Gaara, she told us she knew the truth about you. What we kept from her and what the others kept from their children. She said it was wrong of us to treat you the way we did. I tried to explain that at the time we could not see the difference between the Kyuubi and yourself. She argued that it was an excuse!" she wept. Naruto tried to reach out to her but she held out her hand to stop him.
"I never-I never got to tell her that she was right. With the attack from Pain which was far worse then the Kyuubi's to the war I didn't get the chance to tell her that!" she yelled. She then took a breath and looked at Naruto.
"But I do have the chance to say this. Naruto, what happened to the village all those years ago was a tragedy. But our willingness to blame you, an innocent child whose only thing was becoming the Jinchuuriki of the thing...no I guess that's not entirely true either is it?" she shook her head. "In any case, our willingness to blame you for what happened...was a crime. Made worse from the fact that the other Jinchuuriki, Kami rest their souls, suffered the same loneliness that you did makes it worse. Now we stand here on the precipice of peace and the one person that we both loved, the one we wished we could share it with...is gone!" she cried finally letting her tears cry out.
As she cried Naruto started doing the same. Walking over he did something she never thought this boy should do after everything that she and her father and even Sakura to a degree did to him. He hugged her.
She slowly returned to it and there they spent the next hour or so. Comforting each other in their grief.
After a few minutes the two of them left the cemetery and Naruto walked her home. When he asked about Sakura's father, she told him that the grief had hit Kizashi even harder then it did her. He hadn't left the makeshift home ever since the funeral pyre for Sakura. As they reached their temporary home Naruto reminded her that they needed each other more then ever now. Mebuki nodded in agreement. As Naruto turned to leave Mebuki spoke again.
"Naruto." she called to which Naruto turned around. "No one here can truly understand why Sakura went on her own to face Sasuke. Whether to kill him or convince him to come back I cannot say. For my part I hope it was the former."she then took a deep breath before continuing. "However, I feel that her feelings may have been conflicted."
"How?" Naruto asked even though he knew that Sakura loved Sasuke still even when he went beyond either of them helping him He had become a rapid dog.
"Conflicted from her feelings towards the memory of one young man...or the person standing before her." she said. Though thick at times, Naruto was able to grasp what she meant and found it impossible.
"Mrs. Haruno, with all due respect, I highly doubt she thought of me anything other then her best friend."
"If that is true, then in this one case my daughter may have been a fool." she said. Before Naruto could argue she spoke again. "Naruto, we can speculate all we wish but my daughter fell in love with the wrong man." she said.
"We can't help who we fall in love with ma'am." he said.
"Whether that love changed or not...we will never know." she said. "Naruto...whatever else you choose to do with your life, try to find happiness in it." With that she went back inside to see to her husband.
Naruto walked for a moment looking down at the power ring on his hand.
'Happiness or not, at least I can have a purpose.' he though before transforming and flying off.
Morning was almost over and he still had another person to see before tomorrow.
His last day.
(Oa)
'Times up.' thought Hal as he looked at the sky of Oa ready for his departure.
It would take approximately one day to reach Ajnin, hence why he was leaving now. Any later might mean he would be late to pick up the newest recruit.
"Hal Jordan." a familiar face called. Hal turned around to see Ganthet and Sayd floating to him.
"Something the matter Ganthet?" he asked.
"Given the sensitive nature of Ajnin being discovered along with the fact that one of their own has now been chosen to become a green lantern, the council feels that you should be accompanied on your journey to retrieve the boy." Sayd explained.
"That wasn't needed when me and John joined the Corps." said Hal perplexed by this decision. More importantly was that Sayd said the two of them. Which meant the rest of the Guardians were not aware of this decision.
"True as that is however the circumstances are different. Mainly even though humanity at larges is unaware of galactic events, we knew about Earth far before you became the first human green lantern. Ajnin however has apparently been overlooked. The reason as to why we are still unclear. Because of the unusual circumstances, we have decided to send along someone with you to retrieve this Naruto Uzumaki." Ganthet explained.
Hal for the most part agreed. After all, humans had only passing knowledge of aliens thanks to Superman and Martian Manhunter. Not the events of the galaxy at large. And he was right. Tomar-Re wasn't one to leave a planet unchecked in his patrols. If events on the planet were true and their was a Fourth Great Ninja War (which Hal was still trying to wrap around his head that there was a planet full of ninja) then why wasn't Tomar alerted.
And of course, Sinestro found it first.
"So then who is going to be coming with me? John again? Cause last time he didn't make that good of an impression on the kid or his friend for that matter." said Hal thinking that they were going to assign him a fellow lantern. Preferably someone with more experience in this matter.
"I am." said Ganthet. Hal widened his eyes in shock. Sayd also was surpris
ed. When the council was convened in private they had all agreed to send someone with Hal given the reasons that were presented. Plus Appa believed that Hal was not the best sort when it came to diplomacy. What she and obviously the rest didn't expect was for him to choose himself on the matter.
'He planned to accompany Hal Jordan from before the start of the meeting' she realized.
"Ganthet uh, isn't this a little irregular?" asked Hal. And it was true. Since the time he's been here he has not once seen the Guardians leave Oa much less travel with one of their green lanterns.
"While it is true that we Guardians are not seen in the universal public, I feel that I have to see this new world for myself." said Ganthet.
"But why? What purpose to do you have to see these people?" asked Sayd.
"It is...of a personal nature. Aside from that, I feel it is time for at least one of us to interact with the universe at least once in a while." he responded with a smile on his face.
Sayd shook her head bewildered. Ganthet had always been unusual among the Guardians. So...emotional which was usually something the Guardians barely tolerated from one of their own. Especially Appa Ali Apsa.
"Sayd it is quite alright. If you recall back in the early days we went to worlds personally for a time to seek recruits." said Ganthet. Sayd reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"So Hal Jordan, shall we be off then?" he asked.
"Yes sir." said Hal Jordan with a small smile on his face.
So they both flew off the platform they were on and headed off planet with Sayd shaking her head.
'Appa will be boiling when he finds out about this.' she thought.
(Ajnin, Memorial Stone, Afternoon of the fourth day)
"Ring power at fifty percent." said the now newly operated AI from Naruto's ring. This was the first time it had spoken up since it told him welcome to the Corp after Tomar-Re's death.
'Not surprising since you've been using it to move from one location of the village to the next.' said Kurama as Naruto flew towards the Hokage Monument.
'Its a lot faster then moving from place to place on the ground.'Naruto responded as he reached his destination. He then saw Kakashi, the person he needed to see next, and floated above his location.
He could see Kakashi looking at the Memorial Stone and even in the air could see him in a sad state. Even though he had known that Kakashi often came here, this was the first time he had seen him here.
"Why do you hesitate Naruto? You know we have only this day left to finish these goodbyes of yours." said Kurama.
"I know that Kurama. I'm just..trying to figure out what to say." Naruto responded thinking back to how their last conversation ended with Naruto knocking out Kakashi. His sensei since he left the academy. Looking back on that event, he knew he had acting rashly and was blinded by anger in that moment.
Taking a deep breath Naruto silently landed on the ground behind Kakashi.
"I had a feeling you would be coming." said Kakashi before Naruto could transform back into his usual attire. Kakashi got off his knees and turned to look at him. He then rubbed his jaw a bit.
"Anyone ever tell you you have one hell of a right hook?" he questioned. Despite the circumstances, Naruto actually smirked at that comment. Kakashi then examined Naruto in his new uniform.
"At least you pull off the whole green look better the Gai or Lee. Especially with the black mixed in with it." he joked trying to lighten the mood. Naruto managed to pull a small smile before regressing back into his usual attire. They then stared at each other for a bit. The humor left and the tension had returned.
"Kakashi-Sensei," Naruto started but Kakashi held up his hand to stop him.
"If you are going to apologize for what happened you shouldn't. What you said may have been in anger but it was also the truth. In the beginning I did cater to Sasuke. I taught him the Chidori and singled him out of all three of you." he said with remorse. "Do you know why I did that?"
"I thought it was because out of all of us he was the most similar to you physically since he was a Uchiha who inherited the Sharingan." Naruto answered.
"Correct Naruto." said Kakashi. "However that was not the only one of the reasons why I singled Sasuke out. There were other reason."
"Like what Kakashi-Sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Well one I wasn't a good fit for Sakura. You and I both know she did much better with Tsunade as her teacher then she ever would have with me." said Kakashi to which Naruto agreed with.
"However, when it pertained to you," he looked to the Memorial Stone. "I don't know. Back then I suppose I wasn't sure I was worthy to train the son of my sensei."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "You knew? For how long!?" he exclaimed.
"Since you were first assigned to my team at least." he stated. Kakashi knew Naruto would get angry but he felt the need to tell him this.
"Why didn't you tell me then!?" asked Naruto.
"You already know the answer to that. The third made us all promise not to tell you until you were ready." Kakashi answered though given everything that has happened he found it a weak excuse.
Naruto was furious but kept his cool and wait for Kakashi to continue his explanation.
"But more then that, after what happened with Sasuke and you starting to study under Master Jiraiya during the Chuunin Exams, I wasn't sure if I had anything left I myself could teach you." Naruto actually did agree with him on that. Since the Chuunin Exams, Jiraiya had become Naruto's sole teacher for the two years and even after that. Still Naruto shook his head.
"But you still helped me with my affinity for the Wind Element which then helped me add it to the Rasengan and created two of my most powerful jutsu Kakashi-Sensei. That was you who taught me to that." said Naruto referring to the Wind Style version of the Rasengan and the more commonly and more powerful version the Rasenshuriken.
"And I'm grateful to be of help with that Naruto. But even after that it doesn't change the fact that I tried too hard to keep Sasuke from falling to darkness, to the desire for vengeance." he then had trouble with his emotions at this point which for Naruto was new to him. Kakashi being one of the most level headed ninja he had ever known next to Shikamaru.
Yet you could see the emotion on his face behind the mask as he continued. "Which then ended up with Sakura dying the same way that I killed Rin!" he exclaimed.
Naruto remembered from fighting Obito and Madara that Obito mention that Kakashi killed Rin. After that battle Kakashi explained with great remorse that Obito was his teammate along with Rin. Seeing now Naruto could see why he was always late.
"Sasuke killed Sakura. Not you. If there is anyone to blame its me. You and everyone else saw what Sasuke had become. I still held out hope that he could somehow be redeemed.
Sakura payed the price for that." said Naruto now looking at the stone. "And Obito made his own choices. Madara may have manipulated him but he chose to try and remake the world in his own image. That image was from a child that never grew up and move on with his life. A child who couldn't understand that you have to let someone you love go after they are gone." said Naruto. "Even though I can understand the desire to bring the woman I loved back to life...I will not force my own version of things or my opinion on innocent people as he and Madara tried to do. Instead of dwelling on the past and those we lost we have to keep moving forward."
"Is that why you are leaving to join this Green Lantern Corps? To move on?" Kakashi asked getting to the heart of why Naruto was here. Naruto lowered his head at the Memorial Stone.
"That's part of it." he said.
"And your desire to become Hokage? What happens to that?" Kakashi asked again.
"Being Hokage I've discovered is more restricting then I like now. The reasons for me wanting it in the first place I found I can do just fine as a Genin. And now as a green lantern that is now expanded." he said with a smirk on his face. His face soon got serious again.
"Besides, I don't think I am leader material. At least not yet." he said. The last part being for Kakashi's benefit. In truth Naruto wasn't sure he even wanted to be a leader anymore. And for once he felt that he should get at least that much.
Kakashi seemed to read this intention but decided not to bring it up. "So when are you going to make your resignation official?"
"Tsunade's next on my list of stops. I already gave my headband to Iruka-Sensei. Now I just need to talk to her to finish it." he responded before they both turned to look at each other.
"Naruto are you sure you want to do this? From what I saw with the previous user of that ring this duty sounds dangerous." he asked.
"No question on that I admit. From the database this ring has shown me the things the Corps has to deal with will make being a shinobi look like a cake walk, Ninja War or not." he then looked down to look at his ring with a clinched fist. "But this ring chose me. I can't just shirk that responsibility or what it means. Hence another reason why I have given up being a ninja. I have to give one or the other a hundred percent. I can't divide my attention between the two." he explained.
Kakashi in his own way was proud of what Naruto was saying to him. He knew he was right about everything he said. Also, it wasn't in Naruto's nature to do anything half-assed.
That work ethic and his talent had allowed Naruto to come as far as he had.
Naruto unclenched his fist and looked at Kakashi.
"You taught me better then that." he said as if reading his mind.
"Whatever else that may have gone wrong with this team, Sasuke, Sakura or me Kakashi-Sensei, I want you to know that I would not have gotten this far without you. You taught me what it meant to be loyal to my village, my comrades, and my friends for good or ill. Me leaving this planet or not being a ninja of Konoha doesn't mean I will always be gone. I will still be able to return and visit. But this is something that I feel that I have to do." he continued.
Kakashi could do nothing but nod in agreement after all that.
"Well I know better then to try to dissuade you after you have made up your mind Naruto." said Kakashi putting his hand on his shoulder.
"I thank you for giving me praise that I don't deserve. Truth is whatever short comings you proved yourself a remarkable ninja. And though it saddens me and the rest of us I am glad that you are doing something you have decided to do. You've earned it and then some." he told Naruto before backing away.
Naruto was beside himself. The only thing he could do was stretch out his hand. "Its been an honor learning from you Kakashi-Sensei." he said.
Kakashi took his hand to shake it. "No the honor is mine." he responded.
"Naruto!" the familiar voice of Shizune called from the distance as she walked over to where Naruto and Kakashi were after they just shook hands. After reaching them she spoke in her normal voice level.
"Lady Tsunade has sent me for you. She wished to speak to you before sundown." she said. Naruto shrugged his shoulders.
"Guess I better see her then." he said looking to Kakashi and bowing to him. "See ya later Kakashi-Sensei." he said not wanting to say goodbye. Kakashi nodded and they left.
"You know I could fly us there Shizune. It would be quicker." Naruto told her as they left with Kakashi looking on hearing the conversation.
"No thanks. You may be used to flying around the village but I think after everything a nice walk would be preferable right now." Shizune responded in a voice that was not to be argued.
"It would save us on power Kid. Plus its nice to keep your head level if you don't feel too godlike flying around." said Kurama in his head. Naruto grudgingly accepted that he was right. Still he really liked flying now. He felt that he had no limits on his person when he was in the sky now. But he agreed with Shizune's wishes and they walked to the office.
Kurama shook his head. "That ring is like his new favorite toy." he thought to himself.
All the while Kakashi watched them leave.
"Wherever this new path takes you Naruto may it give you happiness." he thought to himself.
(Hokage's Office, Dusk of the Fourth Day)
When Naruto entered Tsunade's office he was surprised to find that she and him were not alone. Shizune was there obviously but also inside was Killer Bee and Gaara. Gaara was standing near the window's while Killer Bee was leaning against a wall glaring. Naruto followed his path and found two others standing in front of the Hokage's desk who had turned around to face him
Two people that he hoped, especially now, that he never wanted to see.
The two members of the village council: Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Oh Crap." both Naruto and Kurama thought.
And this is where we leave off. I apologize for the cliffhanger in this chapter. Truthfully I along with you hoped that this would be the chapter would be when Naruto left to begin his training but I have decided to leave that for the next one. Reason being it has been far too long since I last updated this thing.
I apologize sincerely about that. As stated above my real life is a bit in flux with the holiday season and me working late I haven't had as much time to write. Hopefully that will improve. I am hoping the next chapter will be up by the end of this month. Again I must thank you for you patience.
I will also annouce my newfound intention to find myself a beta. Truthfully I don't feel that this is my best. Granted my mind is usually ahead of these events but that is no excuse. The only way I see myself getting better is having someone else like minded to read it before I post it. So hopefully I will start annoucing my beta with my story soon.
I would also like to point out that as of the posting of this chapter the poll for Naruto's second element is officially closed with the winner being:
Lighting Element! Not at all surprising as it is a favorite on fanfiction. Until the next time ladies and gentlemen.
P.S. Please don't kill me MesoJoe.