Interlude One: New Alliances
Naruto loved to fly.
He first flew during the battle against Kaguya Six Path's mode but never got the chance to truly enjoy it given the battle they were fighting. Since becoming a Green Lantern he was able to experience the joys of it more fully. And he found himself loving the freedom it gave him. In the sky and especially in space.
Even though he knew of the numerous sectors the Guardians had made up of Guardian and space and the territories of every space faring race he still could not help but feel that outer space had no boundaries. Despite the politics and everything else he still felt this way.
The young lantern was heading to his monthly visit to his home planet of Ajnin. On this day there was a ceremony being held and he would not miss it. So then he was surprised to find a damaged cargo ship that was on his usual "route" as it were in space.
"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Dauntless, requesting aid. Our engines are badly damaged. Please help us!" he heard the distress call.
'Always something.' he thought to himself as he flew over. "This is Green Lantern of Sector 2813 responding to your distress call over."
"Oh thank goodness. I thought we would be stuck here." said what Naruto assumed to be the captain of the ship.
"What's your status?" he asked though he could see that it was the engines, from the way they were sparking and not functioning, were the problem.
"We have had some kind of engine failure." the captain confirmed. "My engineers have confirmed that much. It looks like they may have overloaded. Happens sometimes with these older model shuttles. Unfortunately, we don't have the tools on board to fix it."
"I can take you to the nearest space station so you can get it fixed." said Naruto knowing that he was no engineer either. It was a moment later when another voice came on the comm.
"If it is at all possible Green Lantern when you take the ship to a station could you escort me to the planet Ajnin as it has been classified by its people?" said the voice. That got Naruto's notice.
"May I ask why you want to head there?" he questioned in a suspicious tone.
"I'm on a diplomatic mission from Xudar. I am hoping to meet with the planet's leaders in discussing trade partnership and perhaps help them enter the galactic community." he explained.
"And you would be?" Naruto asked.
"My name is Tomar-Tu." said the young man. Naruto immediately knew who that was from the database which told him that Xudarians family names comes first.
"You are Tomar-Re's son." he said after a long pause.
"Yes...how do you know that?" the ambassador asked.
"Let me take your ship to a space dock. I will escort you to Ajnin myself." he said hoping to not answer until then.
"Thank you but you didn't answer the question." said Tomar-Tu. Naruto decided then to bite the bullet.
"Ajnin is my home world and I'm the lantern for this sector...your father's successor as it were." said Naruto.
"I see." said the young Xudarian awkwardly. It was silence after that as Naruto took them to a space station not far. As he put the ship down and the room was again pressurized he saw both the captain and his charge exit the ship.
The captain was an elder Xudarian. If Naruto had to guess in human years he would be about in his mid fifties. The second Xudarian on the other hand was much younger. About his own age in fact. And someone who looked remarkably like Tomar-Re.
'Except he's not dying.' said Kurama. Naruto walked up to the young man.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki." he introduced bowing to him. "First let me say that I am sorry for you loss. I didn't get the chance to know him but your father was a very good man and a fine Green Lantern."
"I appreciate your courtesy but there is no need to be formal." said Tomar-Tu in a pleasant tone. "It has been many years and though I miss my father I know he is in a better place now. Plus it helps to know that the sector of his and my home world is being so well protected by the man his ring had chosen."
"You are too kind." said Naruto.
"I'm serious Naruto. Truth be told is you are the reason my government wants to go to your home world. Especially given that you are the Hero of the Betrassian Blitz." said Tomar-Tu. That made Naruto confused.
"I'm sorry what did you call me?" he asked.
"You don't know?" Tomar-Tu questioned. Naruto shook his head. "That's what they are calling you. After you single handily stopped the largest attack in Frontier space. Its galactic news." he said with a smile as he saw the young ninja's expression.
"There were many heroes on that day." said Naruto not believing what he was hearing.
"Yes but who was the one who destroyed the destroyers to save the Sapphire's sent there? Who was there to destroy the army and defeat Ragnar and the Sinestro Corps two members there?" the Xudarian questioned.
'When he puts it like that...' said Kurama also surprised at this development.
"In any case you said you wanted to go Ajnin. Why?" Naruto asked getting away from this subject.
"Yes. Mainly thanks to the reputation you have gathered we feel it is time for us to introduce ourselves. After all we are neighbors and if your people wish to join the intergalactic society then I feel we may be able to help. Whether it would be helping build your ships or when dealing with a species you don't know about." said Tomar-Tu.
Naruto had to admit that he and the Xudarians could help his people in a major way. Tazuna and his crew were good builders but even with Natu's help it would seem to be a daunting task for them with their inexperience to start building a ship. Xudarians on the other hand had long been a space faring people with their interest in science which space travel was known to expand. He then smiled under his mask and the chances of this happening now of all times.
"Then we'd best be off now before we miss it." Naruto said immediately encompassing Tomar-Tu in a bubble.
"Miss what?" said the Xudarian.
"The coronation of the new Hokage." said Naruto as they flew off and out of the station. He didn't want to be late.
(Ajnin, Konoha)
"As you all know this day was coming." said Tsuande to the crowd of her village with the other Kage standing with her on the Gokage building as well as Naruto and his guest. "And though it is not who we all thought it would be I am proud to say that it is his teacher that I give this hat to." she then turned the person and handed it to him.
"I hereby name Kakashi Hatake as your new Hokage!" she announced as Kakashi stepped forward to take the hat and put it on to the cheering and applause of the village and the Gokage present with Naruto and Tomar-Tu standing for them.
The crowd soon dispersed and they headed into the office where the official meeting between The Xudarian and the Gokage would begin.
After shaking hands Tomar-Tu went straight to business.
"As Naruto informed me while on the way to your planet I understand that you are attempting space travel. Building a ship obviously being the first step."
"Attempting would be us saying we were making progress when in truth we are still trying to figure out the designs that Naruto gave us." said Kakashi.
"These designs are from Earth yes?" asked Tomar-Tu, Kakashi nodded. "May I see them?" he asked. Kakashi pulled out the pad from the desk and gave it to him. The young Xudarian pondered on the plans for several minutes.
"The plans while advanced by human standards are relatively simple for us. And with our help for you as well." he said finally handing the datapad back.
"What do you propose exactly?" asked A getting into the conversation
.
"What my government is proposing is essentially lending you our expertise. We can help you building this design of ship and also larger one if and when the time comes. Not to say building them for you but to show you how to build what will be your fleet. On top of which with the Green Lantern's help we can guide you on trade in space and on the cultures you will be meeting when you send your first ship." Tomar-Tu explained.
"A generous offer to be sure." said Oonoki. "But what do you gain in return?"
"A chance to explore your culture and introduce you to ours. A mutual exchange of knowledge, if you would. And a chance for you to gain your first ally in the galactic community." said Tomar-Tu.
The Gokage looked to each other. They all knew that sooner or later the rest of the space sector would take an interest in their home planet. And everything that the young man was saying seemed sincere.
"Naruto you're our expert when it comes to these matters. Is what Tomar-Tu saying the truth?" asked Kakashi
"I do Lord Hokage." said Naruto being formal with Kakashi while in the room with a dignitary. "The Xudarians are an advanced people by most standards who practice many arts and sciences and have made alliances that benefit anyone in their borders. I know that they would be more than willing to help us as we advance as well."
"Alright then." said Kakashi. "I say we take young Tomar-Tu on his offer. All in favor?"
"Aye!" was what the rest of the Gokage response.
"It will however take time for us to make up the paper work for this to become official. We still need to talk with the Daimyo on this matter. Though I think I speak for my fellow Kage when I say I am confident that they will agree to the proposal." said Gaara.
"I understand. If you don't mind I could use a place to stay until its done." said the Xudarian.
"We will arrange it." said Kakashi. "I will have one of our Jounin escort you to where you will be staying." he then gestured to one of the Jounin and from there escorted him out of the office.
"If there is no other business I say we adjourn." he said. As they left Naruto stayed behind.
"Been Hokage for only fifteen minutes and already made history with getting the Gokage to allow negotiations for an alliance with Xudar. Not a bad way to start." said Naruto with a smile on his face.
"Which would not have happened if said Green Lantern didn't allow this to happen." Kakashi pointed out. Even with his mask on Naruto could tell that he was smiling underneath it. He turned serious again when he stood up from his chair.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"I can't help but feel like a fraud right now." said Kakashi. "It should be you in this office not me."
His former student just sighed.
"We've been over this Kakashi-Sensei. Too many times in fact. I gave up on being a Kage and I don't want it. You're the better pick and that's that."
"But Naruto-"
"No buts, alright! Sheesh can we please not talk about this." said Naruto trying to change the subject. "In any case did Granny tell you what I needed before I arrived?"
"She did. In fact she had the Science division work on what you wanted." said Kakashi as he ushered another Jounin who had the item that the young man asked for. The device itself looked to be some kind of wrist band device with a meter shown on its top.
"The name we think of giving the finished product of this is still unknown but the way that they said is that it attaches to the arm of the using and measures how far someone's chakra network is developed. Though I don't see why you needed something like this." said Kakashi as he handed his former student the device.
"I fought with someone on Earth. And he had a chakra network." Naruto stated. Kakashi's eyes widened at this.
"Are you certain? I remember Neji saying that when he first scanned Hal Jordan that he didn't have one." said Kakahsi.
"He doesn't. The person I fought had one as a side effect to a curse he was under." Naruto explained. "One placed upon him by a godlike being named Odin."
"Not so different from Hagoromo and him giving us chakra." said Kakashi. "Naruto I don't have to tell you what happened after he did that."
"I know we had four world wars before we finally got our act together. I get what you are saying Kakashi-Sensei and I realize how dangerous this road could turn into." said Naruto. "Which is why I am only limiting to three people on my team that I think have the most likely chance to have any form of chakra in their systems. Or at least the potential for one."
"Why only three of them?" the new Hokage asked.
"Mainly because the other three are aliens in nature so I don't know exactly what would happen if I tried awakening a network in one of them. M'gann I'm pretty sure at the moment might not have one not that she needs it given that she is a Martian. Wally and Superboy on the other hand can't have one though I think they might have something else all together if I tried." Naruto explained looking at the device.
"Well I will leave that decision in your hands. You've earned that much. Just please don't send another planet on the same road as us." said Kakashi.
"I won't." said Naruto with certainty. "Anyway I'm going to say hi to Hinata and Kiba at the compound and see how they are doing."
"Don't forget your friends from the Corps Natu and Tomy-Fai." said Kakashi which had Naruto's eyes widened.
"They're here on Ajnin?" he asked.
"Yes they are. Turns out Natu was fascinated with the Hyuga clan's fighting style and asked Hinata to see about learning how to use it. Even though she doesn't have chakra she wanted to see how it could be applied to someone who couldn't use it. And involved that other lantern as well, Tomy-Fai. They have been coming and going on Ajnin for about six months now." Kakashi explained.
This news intrigued the young lantern.
"Best see what going on then." said Naruto as he left the building.
(Hyuga Clan Compound)
Naruto arrived at the compound and rather than just flying in the center had decided to walk there. And when he meant walk there he meant be as stealthy as he could. Since ending the Fourth Great Ninja War he seemed to have acquired Sasuke's problem of fangirls around. Becoming a Green Lantern had not helped in this matter.
As he approached the door and knocked, he found Kiba standing in the entrance.
"Kiba what are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"Waiting for Hinata to finish with your friends' lesson for the day. Come in it's just about done." said Kiba allowing him inside. As they walked to where they were training Naruto could not help but notice how familiar the Inuzuka was with the place.
'That means something.' Kurama commented on. Naruto noticed it too given how Kiba seemed to walk with a certain ease as well as the smile that seemed to be plastered on his face.
They opened the door and there stood Hinata who, as Kakashi had said, showing both Natu and Tomy-Fai in gi's instead of their uniforms with Hinata teaching them a fighting form with the now large dog Akamaru laying down watching.. It was then that they noticed him enter the room.
"Hello Kiba and Naruto." said Hinata walking over and going into Kiba's arms and Akamaru went to his master's side. Naruto looked at them for a moment and could not help but feel a bit jealous. Not at Kiba or the fact that Hinata is with him. He was in fact quite happy for them. It was just in that moment as he saw them with each other made him wish he had what they did.
Shaking his head he turned to his two fellow Lanterns in their gis.
"Well this is a surprise. Looking for some additional skills ladies?" Naruto asked.
"That and more." said Tomy-Fai.
"While doing research on the healing properties of chakra, which by the way will take me years to completely understand, I became interested in how the Hyuga were able to attack chakra points to neutralize their enemies. Now though I can't use the same technique I asked your friend to teach me how it could be used for non-chakra users." Natu explained.
"Essentially we found out that using pressure points on the enemy works as a substitute." said Hinata still in Kiba's arms.
"Makes sense. So how did you rope Tomy-Fai in doing it with you?" Naruto asked.
"Mainly I found the practice relaxing and a way to get some stress off." said Natu.
"And she believed that I could learn some more combat styles and help me deal with stresses I have. From past and present." said the ginger haired Lantern with a somber tone.
Naruto nodded in acceptance of that. For the most part Tomy-Fai had gotten over her time being the Sinestro Corps prisoner but he could also tell that there were some days that she was still haunted by what happened.
"Speaking of trauma how is Guy Gardner doing?" he asked with a smile on his face.
"You mean that idiot who tried to hit on Lady Tsunade?" said Kiba with Akamaru barking in acknowledgment.
"Yeah that guy." said the young shinobi as he remembered seeing Guy in the state that he was in.
(Flashback)
Naruto, still in uniform, walked down the corridors of the hospital after he heard the news. Being escorted by Shizune and Iruka Naruto had to see for himself if what he heard from them was true.
When he entered that hospital room and saw him he believed it.
"Did anyone warn him not to flirt with Granny?" he asked seeing the man known as Guy Gardner in a body cast from torso to toe with only his black swollen eyed face still being seen.
"I didn't get the chance. He touched her rear and then it happened so fast that I couldn't stop it. Not that I really wanted to he's been arrogant since he first arrived." said Shizune to which Iruka agreed.
"Surprised she didn't kill him to be honest." he said.
"I'm lying right here!" exclaimed Guy. "Don't you people have healing powers or something?"
"We do. We have made sure that you won't die and have made sure that you regain the use of your body in time. But they are doing nothing else. Maybe some time in a full body cast will give you some time to think on what you have done." said Naruto with his arms crossed. "In the mean time I'm going to make sure you haven't mess with my sector any more then you tried to do with Granny who happens to be one of my worlds leaders."
Guy just grumbled but said nothing.
(End Flashback)
Naruto could not help but smile at the memory.
"To answer your question is recovery is nearly complete and I will be able to tell the Guardians that he will be back to active duty within the next week or so." said Natu. It was then that Hinata spoke up.
"Naruto are you still going to your shogi game with Shikmaru? If you are Temari wanted to know if you could make this afternoon." said Hinata.
"Date night?" Naruto guessed to which the Hyuga nodded. "I will be there in an hour. It will still be well before dark."
"Why an hour?" asked Natu as he moved to leave the home.
"I need a haircut." he said.
(Nara Compound one hour later)
Naruto arrived at the door to the compound and knocked on the door. Again to his surprise instead of Shikamaru's mother Temari, his girlfriend, opened the door.
"I see you got my message." said Temari commenting on the time. She also noticed his now cropped short hair.
"Nice haircut." she said walking him to where Shikamaru's room is which Naruto assumed that he already had the shogi board ready.
"Yeah I thought it was time for a change. And don't worry I won't let the game get to far into the night so you guys can have your date." said Naruto.
"Appreciate that. He thinks he's trying to annoy me by saying your games might be long but I know him and you better than that." said Temari. "You know it's not too late to find someone you know."
"Not you too." he grumbled.
"It's everyone Naruto. We all appreciate what you have done for us but we want you to be happy too." said Temari.
"I am." said Naruto with a small smile.
'You are fibbing.' said Kurama
'C'mon not today furball.' said Naruto.
"Anyway these days I'm just too busy for a girlfriend. Xudar is about to ally with us which will help with our building of ships, on top of trying to keep the sector order in and now my time with the Team. Way too busy." he explained with a smile.
Temari knew that smile from anywhere. The smile that was trying to hide his feelings and trying to pass it off as him be resolute in his decision. She decided to let it go for now.
They entered Shikamaru's room.
"Remember the time boys." she said and left them to their game.
"First I find Kiba at the Hinata compound now I find your girlfriend here in the Nara compound. Things getting serious enough for you guys to start moving in together?" Naruto questioned as he sat down across from Shikamaru.
"Looks that way. Mom loves her so she gets free reign. We actually think it's a good idea since Gaara can't be here all the time so we could use someone to represent the Sand Village and it's not like we don't have the room." said Shikamaru as he and his opponent set their pieces.
"Plus you get to see her all the time. That's always good." Naruto said in a melancholy tone. "Let the game begin."
And so they did while also talking about how the new alliance is pretty much a guarantee with the Daimyo. The young Nara had said that everything that has Naruto's approval these days was gold to them to which Naruto just shrugged.
In the end their game ended conveniently when dusk had started to settle with Naruto almost winning again. Though Shikamaru had noticed that he seemed a bit sloppier in his strategies then normally but he figured Temari talked to him and decided to speed up Shikamaru's victory so that he had time to get ready for their date.
After eating his bowls of ramen with Shizune and Iruka he headed back to his apartment to get some sleep.
(Days Later)
Shikamaru was not wrong. The Daimyo immediately agreed to the treaty. And like any group of politicians they wanted to make it a grand spectacle with parades and celebrations abound across Ajnin and all the countries after the ceremony was over.
As for the ceremony itself the Daimyo, the Kage, and all the leaders of the world bore witness to the signing of the treaty with Naruto as the mediator to confirm everything with Tomar-Tu and the Kage standing together.
It was time then for Naruto to escort Tomar-Tu back to Xudar on his way back to Earth. But before they left Ajnin there was one place they had to go to.
"This is where he died?" said Tomar-Tu standing the in the same spot in the Forest of Death that Naruto was sent to after he grabbed the ring two years ago.
"Postive." he said standing some distance away to give him some space. And he was right. How could he forget that this is where his life had changed forever?
'Kinda hard not to forget being dragged by an intergalactic piece of jewelry.' said Kurama echoing his hosts thoughts.
"You know we had a memorial service after we got the news. Mother and I. We had to settle for something more posthumously since the Guardians never let us had his body until about a year later. Wanted to examine his body for anything that might help fight Sinestro." he said wiping his face to keep tears from falling.
Naruto had not known this. He should have though given how the Guardians seem to think they have the best interest of the universe as whole in mind and didn't seem to care about individuals whether it be a person or a single race. He had decided to remain silent and let Tomar-Tu stand for a long period of time
"He would be proud of you I think Tomar-Tu." Naruto finally said. "With this treaty our races become allies and hopefully make sure that our sector will remain free and safe."
Tomar-Tu turned to Naruto and held out his hand.
"He would also be proud to find his successor has ensured that future and made sure that his death was not in vain."
Naruto shook the hand that was presented. He created a bubble that encircled them both and they flew off.
Naruto had another home to return to. And he got the feeling that all their stories was just beginning.
(End Chapter)
Finally got this out before or during Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays everyone. I am sorry again for taking so long but after the AN I posted I have been stuck on just about everything and am just now getting my head on straight. I would also like to apologize for the length of this but me and qtar1984 thought it was time for a little world building. And to further address the whole chakra situation here is the bottom line.
Only three of the members of the Team will be receiving a rudimentary chakra network since they are already teenagers to young adults and only one will be doing any kind of jutsu and that is the end of it. Who those are you will just have to keep reading if you can put up with my tardiness.
Also I know that there will be those for NaruHina pairing so let me say this. Though I am still kinda a NaruSaku fan I am not a fanatic and actually enjoy that pairing as well. But that is canon Naruto not mine in this story. Just wanted to get that out there.
On a final note I now have my own blog on tumblr. It's on my profile here on if you guys want to read it. I have something for my book on there already so please send me a pm if you decide to check it out.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will see you all again for the next chapter of Light and Shadow.