BP: I apologize, but I decided to rewrite it. I was reading a manga and decided make some changes, which would not align with later chapters if I made those changes straight from Chapter 1. Hence, the rewrite.
From an outsider's perspective, Konohagakure seems welcoming, despite being the most powerful village among the Five Great Shinobi Countries. After all, the shinobis living there weren't militaristic like Iwagakure or cold like Kumogakure. People might say that it wasn't a shinobi village, if not for well-known Hokage Monument being located there.
On October 10th, the village was covered in decorations, celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Kyuubi's defeat. It may look like a happy occasion, but many people still remembered the pain and loss that endured thanks to the Kyuubi and that the Kyuubi wasn't particularly gone. It lived on in one particular kid.
Uzumaki Naruto was an orphan of the Kyuubi attack, with spiky blonde hair, the bluest eyes anyone ever saw and having whisker marks on each cheek. He was wearing a white shirt with short sleeves with an orange swirl on the back and black pants.
His white shirt was currently covered in blood- his blood, as he was running through the streets of Konoha trying his best to avoid the villagers and shinobi in hot pursuit. He heard them shouting things, such as "Die, demon" and "Let's finish what the Yondaime started."
Naruto wondered what did he ever do to deserve such treatment and harsh life.
"Stop please, what did I ever do to any of you?" Naruto asked desperately, running as fast as he could, but thirst and fatigue from running a long time was starting to catch up.
"Oh, please. You know very well what you did. You killed my sister." A civilian replied as he threw an empty sake bottle, which shattered against Naruto's ear, making it bleed. "You defile our village with your presence, but that ends today!" As others cheered at his statement.
Naruto knew that even though he was the epitome of a high stamina, a six-year-old would never be able to outrun them forever, especially since some of them appeared to be Chūnin themselves. He then decided to run into the dark forest nearby, hoping to lose some of them among the darkness, although he knew it wouldn't last long.
He didn't know where he was going, and stumbled across a golden trophy-like container. He felt like it was calling for him and opened it to find what looked like blue liquid inside it. Naruto smiled. At least he got some water. With that thought, he lifted it and started to drink, not noticing or caring that the blue liquid was actually glowing.
As he drank, he thought of how ever since he was born, he was constantly pursued by the villagers and if caught, abused and beaten. Most store owners refused to serve him, kicking him out or sold him rotten merchandise or charged an outrageous price he couldn't afford.
Even in the orphanage was the same, that was until the Third Hokage gave Naruto a small apartment and allowance to live on his own, basically emancipating him as he had no legal guardian to speak of.
Just as he drank the last drop, he yelled out in pain as something was taking over his mind. Almost like it was ripping out his soul, and replacing it with another. He had no idea what it was trying to do, but he didn't like it, so he fought back. He thrashed around, trying to do anything to stop the flashes of memories going by in his brain and the pain in his head. His goggles fell to the ground in the process.
Naruto gritted his teeth, berating himself internally. What can he do about this?
'Is this it?' Naruto asked himself while squirming on the ground. 'Is this all my life has in store for me? To be abused by everyone around me just because of something beyond my control, all while…while I can't fight back?'
Deep inside the recess of his mind, an unfamiliar voice said, 'Don't fight it. Accept the pain and all will be explained.'
"A..Accept it?" Naruto took a deep breath and tried to relax. Still the pain was still present as the boy gritted his teeth to keep from yelling out.
Once the pain had subsided, Naruto took a few deep breaths to recover from the experience, just as a kunai lodged onto his shoulder.
His screams must have alerted them to his location. One of them slammed him against the tree, and before Naruto could react, they were onto him, giving him a merciless beating. He cowered, with his head hurting and feeling nauseous.
'Please stop, please stop, STOP!' Naruto shouted the last word as he fell to the ground, as they smiled and smirked at the results. However, their morbid joy didn't last for long.
An unseen force tore everyone apart, tearing off their limbs, their torsos, their heads. Laughs turned into screams as they were maimed. Some were even slammed repeatedly against the trees. What they saw earlier was not a monster. This was.
Naruto's eyes were blank as he seemed to be controlled by a puppet, a bloodied kunai taken from his shoulder in his hand. He continued decapitating those still alive, never caring about their screams or pleas of mercy.
That was because he could no longer hear them. Naruto didn't notice however, since darkness already claimed him.
By the time he was found, Naruto was slumped against a tree, covered with blood. The villagers that attacked him? All in pieces.
In a place that could be comparable to the sewers, a boy was waking up he stared at the large bars that were across from him. Naruto looked to see a piece of paper in the center that contained the word 封 on it.
"Am I…in heaven?" Naruto wondered. This was a weird heaven if it was true.
"Obviously not, brat!" A voice coming from the cages huffed. It was a different voice from the subconscious.
Naruto turned to see a creature that looked like a red-orange coloured kitsune with black fur around its red eyes that stretched up to its ears, with nine long swiping tails. It also had an upper-body structure of a human, complete with opposable thumbs on its clawed hands. Naruto gulped as he realized that the kitsune's eyeball was bigger than he was.
"Who are you?" Naruto questioned.
"Shouldn't you give your name before asking others for it?" The fox huffed.
"Oh, sorry. Name's Uzumaki Naruto…just call me Naruto." Naruto introduced himself.
"Already knew that." The fox rolled his eyes.
"Then why did you ask me that?" Naruto pouted.
"It's called manners." The fox muttered. "My name is Kurama. Of course, not that you humans ever bother. They always call me the Kyuubi or the Nine-tailed Fox, like I don't have one."
"I'm…sorry?" Naruto said, with confusion in his voice.
The fox regarded him with disdain.
"Where am I?" Naruto pressed.
"You're in your subconscious, brat. What is the last thing you remember?" Kurama questioned sharply.
"I remember…drinking a blue liquid I thought was water and the villagers screaming as they were torn apart by something I couldn't see…" Naruto recounted.
"And how much of the liquid did you drink?" Kurama asked, bored.
"The entire thing. I was thirsty." Naruto admitted.
"The entire-" Kurama spluttered. "Did you even know what was it?"
"N-Not really." Naruto stuttered.
"Of course. Of all hosts, I land the most reckless one in the entire universe!" Kurama sighed. "What did the container look like?"
"It was…gold. Like a trophy? With two handles?" Naruto mumbled.
"Huh. Never thought the Ruler's Extract actually existed." Kurama tched.
"Ruler's Extract?" Naruto didn't know what that was.
"They say the Ruler's Extract grants you immense power, but what form depends on the person. I must say, I am impressed you managed to drink the entire thing. I heard a cup would have sufficed." Kurama gave a savage grin.
"And the villagers being torn apart?" Naruto frowned.
"Probably one of the manifestations of your powers. Must have responded to your fear of them." Kurama waved a clawed hand.
"So, I'm a monster after all…" Naruto said, only for Kurama to sigh in exasperation.
"Kid, you're not a monster. You simply did what you needed to do." Kurama told him firmly. "I must say, I took pleasure in seeing them get what they deserve."
Naruto gulped. Kurama grinned. "No need to fear me, kit."
Naruto said to Kurama, "Are you the reason why I'm being attacked by the villagers?"
"So what if I am? Are you going to blame me, hate me?" Kurama huffed.
"No, I can't hate you for things that are out of your control and I won't. I don't believe you attacked Konoha on your own." Naruto said with conviction. "You were angry at the humans who dared to use your power for their own benefit without your say, weren't you?"
Kurama paused with surprise and examined the child that was his latest host, looking for any signs of deception. When he found none, he said, "You're one weird kid, Naruto Uzumaki. You're right, I did attack Konoha but I was manipulated by a Sharingan wielder. Because he couldn't outright defeat me, your father sealed me into you."
Seeing as Naruto did not understand, Kurama went on, "The Yondaime sealed me into his son."
Naruto looked confused, but gasped. "That means…"
"Yes, the Yondaime was your father, kit." Kurama finished. "His name was Namikaze Minato."
"What actually happened on that night?" Naruto questioned haltingly.
Kurama sighed, but explained what happened in that fateful night six years ago. From when Naruto was born, to a masked man unleashing him and controlling it to attack the village to his father sealing him into the newborn Naruto, dying in the process along with his mum.
Naruto was still frozen absorbing what happened, everything Kurama was telling them. Naruto was at a loss of words as all these was overwhelming.
"Kurama, do you think you could help me?" Naruto requested.
"Help? What do you mean?" Kurama scoffed.
"I need help to control these new powers so that I can protect those I hold dear…and you." Naruto answered, walking up to the seal on the cage. "You don't deserve to be in a cage to be used as a weapon. You should be my partner, a friend."
Naruto steeled himself, and opened the cage to let Kurama out.
"Will you be my friend?" Naruto asked the fox.
Kurama nodded. "Alright, I will take care of you and make you strong so you can protect your precious ones." Naruto jumped into Kurama's paw, as Kurama used a finger to stroke his hair.
"Would I be alright?" Naruto questioned. "I mean, if I am here, that means my real body is…"
"You'll be fine, kit." Kurama grumbled. "You have me."
"Thanks, Kurama." Naruto smiled.
"Also, after tonight, are you sure your goal to be Hokage is even valid?" Kurama questioned.
"What do you mean by that?" Naruto demanded, as this came out of nowhere.
"I mean, you want to be Hokage so everyone would stop treating you like dirt and give you some respect or acknowledgment, right? But why would you care what a bunch of brainless morons who only see you as a monster think of you?" Kurama pointed out.
That got Naruto to stop and think. He did want to become Hokage to get everyone to acknowledge him. After all, being the Hokage meant that one would be the strongest ninja in the village and that the position was one of great respect.
However, when Kurama put it that way, he wondered why he even wanted their acknowledgment. What benefits did it even gain him when he pulled all those pranks? Nothing. It seemed to him that it was meaningless after all.
"I just thought it was better to be ignored or hated…" Naruto whispered, but Kurama still heard him.
"Naruto, what I'm trying to say is that the only people whose opinion should matter to you are those who actually care for you and care about you." Kurama advised. "Being a Hokage means to be the best, yes but there is more to it."
"And you know because…?" Naruto looked at Kurama.
"I've seen all the Hokages in action before via previous hosts." Kurama claimed. "Believe me, it's not as glamorous as it seems. You should find out what you really want the most. You may see that it really isn't a title you would want to have. But if it is, then you should strive for it for the right reasons."
Naruto nodded. "Thanks for the talk, Kurama."
"No problem, kid." Kurama replied. "Alright, we will get started on your training tomorrow, but you should wake up right now. We still can communicate telepathically, partly thanks to your new powers."
Naruto nodded as he soon woke up as he found himself on a hospital bed. He felt…strange. He noticed a small change in himself. While it was nothing major, but he felt like he was more apathetic towards things. His senses had also been heightened in a way, being more alert to everything around him. If this is an effect of drinking the extract or not, he didn't know.
Naruto looked to the side as he took in an old man sitting by his bedside.
"Hello, Naruto-kun," he said to the blond.
"Jiji." Naruto said curtly. After hearing Kurama's story, he wasn't sure what to feel with the Third Hokage who definitely knew why the villagers were treating him this way.
The Third Hokage knew who his parents were, and whenever Naruto asked him all he said was, "There's no use asking about that. It won't bring the dead back."
On the other hand, he had helped Naruto when needed. Naruto decided to ask about this tomorrow.
Sarutobi flinched slightly at the tone, and asked, "How do you feel?"
Naruto opened his mouth, and closed it. He did not know how to answer it. To be honest, Naruto felt that he was overflowing yet…numb? Empty? Emotionally drained? So he settled with, "A little beat-up, but all right."
Sarutobi sighed sadly. He said, "I am sorry for what happened to you. If it wasn't for those council members giving me false paperwork, I would have-" He shook his head. "I wanted to ask, Naruto-kun. What happened to the villagers?"
Naruto blinked. "I don't know. I had my eyes closed when it happened." While it wasn't entirely true, it wasn't entirely false either. He had his eyes closed when he heard the screams and only opened his eyes once to see the aftermath.
He tried to muster up some kind of empathy for the villagers, but all he felt was some sick sense of satisfaction. "But…"
"But?" Sarutobi pressed.
"Well, when I was chased to the dark forest, I was thirsty. I drank from a golden vase and then the villagers descended on me. I heard them laugh, and then screams." Naruto admitted.
Sarutobi nodded. "I believe you, Naruto-kun." After all, he didn't feel Naruto use the Nine-tails chakra to do the deed, so it couldn't have been him. Even if it was, he pitied the boy for having to kill at such an early age. "I'll be staying here in case something happens while you're alone, so get some rest for now."
Naruto nodded as he pulled at the covers on his hospital bed.
"Jiji, may I request something?" Naruto asked him. Sarutobi turned to Naruto, confusion on his face.
"What is it, Naruto-kun?" He asked the boy.
"May I have permission train as a ninja? I want to protect myself from people and those previous to me. I can do it myself, I don't need a mentor." The mentor he needed was in his subconscious, and also he felt he could do some research in the library anyway.
Sarutobi shrugged. "I don't see why not. Alright, you can train."
"Thank you." Naruto nodded, as he went to sleep. He could work on the changes he wanted tomorrow. 'I, Uzumaki Naruto, am going to soar.'
Sarutobi was surprised at this, and smiled. "He is just like his parents." However, he couldn't help but suspect something was different about Naruto. Was it related to the liquid he drank?
The next day, Naruto was released from the hospital. When he was signing out, he heard, 'That demon boy. He should have died. Damn Lord Hokage.' in his head.
'What was that?' Naruto perked up, looking around. That didn't sound like Kurama or the first voice he heard.
"I think you're reading minds." Kurama replied.
'Reading minds?' Naruto was surprised. He could do that?
"That's the only logical thing I can think of." Kurama replied. "I suggest after you go for your shopping spree, go to the library to read up. If it is really mind reading, then later you might pick up on some random thoughts. If you hone them, you can read just about anyone's mind you wish."
"Kid, the first step towards change is to get some new clothes."
'Oh come on! Orange is the new–' Naruto started, but he was cut off.
"If you are about to say 'Orange is the new black' I'm going to kill you from the inside." Kurama warned.
When Naruto was silent, Kurama went on, "That's what I thought. Your current clothes are too bright and would have easily given your position away in any stealth-based situation. Get some that are better suited for blending in."
'Yes, Kurama.' Naruto sighed.
"What are you going to do, Naruto-kun?" Sarutobi asked the boy.
"I'm going clothes shopping." Naruto muttered. 'Kurama made me do it.'
"Would you like me to come with you?" Sarutobi offered.
Naruto blinked. "Are you sure you aren't busy, Jiji?"
"I think even Hokages deserve a break or two." Sarutobi replied. In reality, he didn't really want to face the paperwork awaiting him, but he's not about to admit that to Naruto.
Naruto glanced at the shopkeeper when they entered the clothing store, who instantly scowled at the sight of him.
"What did I say about coming here you demon, get lost before I–" The shopkeeper started, but was cut off by a voice saying, "Before you what?"
The shopkeeper turned to the left to meet the current Hokage's cold gaze. He gulped at the killer intent that the Hokage was emitting.
"B-Before I give you a really huge discount!" The shopkeeper invented hastily. "H-He is always welcome here!"
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. "Oh, really? Well then, I am sure Naruto-kun is happy to hear your offer of this huge discount. Right, Naruto-kun?"
"That's right." Naruto gave a sunny smile. Inwardly, however, he was thinking, 'I wonder how much of a discount I can make him give me?'
'Oh man, I just put my foot in my mouth.' The man thought. Naruto picked this up, and perked up. Looks like Kurama is right. He was reading minds.
Naruto's smile turned cold as he maintained his cheerful demeanour, going through the store to look at different clothes. He finally selected a black shirt with meshing around the neck area that had grey sleeves and a red swirl at the back along with pants with taped shins that are similar to those worn in the ANBU.
For casual wear, he selected a simple navy-blue shirt with black pants along with a black jacket. Satutobi noted that the outfits he chose were good for camouflage.
Naruto looked thoughtful as he chose a pair of open-toed black boots, knowing he can hide weapons in there as well. He also decided to take a pair of fingerless gloves that are fashioned in a similar style to MMA gloves. Then, he went to the counter to pay for the purchases.
'It would be good to get some steel bracers.' Naruto thought, as he paid for the purchases, which didn't amount to a lot due to the previous promised huge discount. In fact, you could say it was almost free.
He then headed to a weapon shop as he walked in with Sarutobi. Like the last store, the storekeeper could not do anything to the boy under the watchful eye of the Hokage. As Naruto rummaged through the barrels containing the swords, he gripped onto one and felt a certain sinister presence.
'Huh…this katana…' Naruto frowned.
"That katana is…" Sarutobi gasped, recognizing it. "It's the Yin-Yang Kitetsu. It's one of the legendary works of swords craft, comparable to the sword wielded by the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."
"No way! I can't sell that!" The shopkeeper interrupted, and as the Hokage's eyes landed on him, the shopkeeper said, "No it's not because of the kid, it's just that–"
Naruto, who had unsheathed the katana, said, "It's cursed." His tone was blunt, in contrast to his usual emotional one.
The Hokage blinked at the seriousness in Naruto's voice.
"You knew?" The shopkeeper gasped.
"No. I feel it." Naruto replied. 'Is this part of my new powers? It's almost like this katana is…alive.'
"Yes, I accept the fact that it's an excellent katana, but they are all cursed. All those who have had ownership of this katana had tragic fates, mysterious deaths." The shopkeeper admitted. "You wouldn't find a single shinobi who would be willing to use this type of weapon because everyone who had used the sword is dead! I wanted to get rid of the damn thing, because of its curse…"
"That's terrible." The Hokage shook his head. "Naruto-kun, you shouldn't–"
"I like it." Naruto grinned as he pointed the sword upwards. "I'll take it, dattebayo."
"Are you stupid? If I sell it to you and you die, wouldn't it be like I killed you?" The shopkeeper exclaimed. 'Although that would be a good thing.' This thought did not go unnoticed by Naruto, but he made no comment.
"Then how about this? I will test my luck against this katana's curse." Naruto proposed. "Let's see which one is stronger." With that, Naruto threw the katana up, where it started to fall towards the arm Naruto held out.
"Are you crazy? Its sharpness is the real thing! You'll lose an arm!" The shopkeeper shouted.
"Naruto-kun!" Sarutobi tried to stop Naruto, but Naruto shook his head and closed his eyes.
"Don't worry Jiji, I know what I'm doing, dattebayo." Naruto smiled as the katana fell towards his arm. Just as it reached his arm, the blunt part grazed his arm, completely missed and lodged onto the ground.
A few seconds later, when nothing happened to Naruto's arm, Naruto opened his eyes. "I'll take it."
The shopkeeper was so stunned he fell to the floor, completely at a loss of words. Even the Third Hokage was baffled at the outcome. Could it be that he would be the one to tame this kind of weapon?
Naruto seemed oblivious as he pulled out the katana from the floor. "Should I get one more katana?" He mumbled to himself.
"W-Wait!" The weapons shopkeeper stated, as he ran to the back of the room, and returned with another katana that had a black and gold sheath along with swirling purple colours that resembled poison at the tip of the hilt.
"This katana is called Dokunoroi. It is said that this katana can help the user absorb poison from wounds and transfer it to another if they so wish to. It's not proven yet, but that's the story. It's not much but it's the best katana I have in the store." The shopkeeper explained.
"Are you trying to cheat me?" Naruto gave him a scathing look. "I don't have the money to buy a katana that grand."
"No, forget the money." The shopkeeper replied hastily. "And I don't want any money from the weapons you buy here." For the first time, the shopkeeper inwardly gave Naruto something people should have given him: credit. For going against all odds, and beating even the one given by the cursed katana.
'Amazing.' thought Sarutobi. 'I don't think Naruto could be considered just a mere child anymore. He's practically an adult with what he had been through and the cursed sword choosing him must mean he is destined for great things. After all, they say a katana chooses its master.'
'So, what else do you think I should get?' Naruto asked his partner.
"Hmm…I think you should get some explosive paper tags and smoke bombs." Kurama advised.
'Agreed. I should also get a decent amount of kunai and shuriken. I mean, sure they are basic weapons, but they can make a good throwing projectile.' Naruto nodded absent-mindedly.
"Get scrolls as well since you'll need it when you draw seals for storage purposes. It's called Fūinjutsu." Kurama said in his head.
Naruto nodded again as he grabbed fifty boxes of kunai that contained a set of ten kunai each and grabbed sixty boxes of shuriken that had ten per box.
'Er…is this too much?' Naruto asked apprehensively.
"Well, it's going to be free, and since that shopkeeper thinks you're a demon, why not take advantage of him as a bit of payback?" Kurama replied.
Naruto might have protested normally, but then again, he had to admit that Kurama wasn't wrong. So he simply chuckled in agreement.
Naruto had a smile as he grabbed numerous explosive tags and smoke bombs as well, before bringing it up to the cashier.
'I guess I could spend it on something else then.' Naruto noted, as he carried all the bags. 'Although I wish I could lighten this load.'
He blinked as some thing started to float when he looked at them. He shook his head, and the items dropped again.
'What was that?' Naruto was stepping back.
"It's your power, brat." Kurama yawned. "Try using it on your purchases."
Naruto frowned, but played along and tried to use his mind to make them float. Sure enough, it did. 'Wow, I never did that before!'
"Welcome your new powers." Kurama shook his head. "Ok, now shoo, go buy some healthy food! Instant cup noodles are not going to help your body in the long run."
'Must I?' Naruto pleaded to him.
"Yes." Kurama deadpanned. "Otherwise you'll remain a midget forever. You're lacking in nutrients, shorty."
"No, I'm not, dattebayo!" Naruto said out loud. "And stop calling me short!"
"What was that, Naruto-kun?" Sarutobi questioned curiously. It seemed that Naruto was talking to himself.
"Oh, er…I was debating with myself whether I am malnutritional." Naruto answered sheepishly. "I'm telling myself I am not, but the…inner me is telling me I am."
"I'll decide that." Sarutobi declared, narrowing his eyes. "Lift up your shirt."
Naruto grumbled, but did so. Sarutobi took one look at the emaciated body the baggy shirt covered and said, "Your inner you is right."
"Hah!" Kurama gloated, as Sarutobi grabbed Naruto's arm, dragging him towards a grocery store.
"Come on, Jiji, it isn't that bad!" Naruto tried to dissuade him. "I mean, I have cup noodles, dattebayo!"
"And that's why you are going to get some healthy food. Cup noodles aren't healthy! How are you supposed to be a good shinobi with that kind of diet?" Sarutobi retorted as he pushed a stuttering Naruto into the grocery store.
Naruto walked in the store completely ignoring the looks from the customers shopping there. While before he simply pretended to ignore the looks while wondering the reason, now he knew why but simply didn't care. If these people didn't want to even give him a chance then he shouldn't and wouldn't care what they think of him.
Not that their looks lasted for long as the Hokage sent a KI that went through the entire building while they walked to various sections to get the needed products.
Under Kurama's advice, he stocked up on things such as canned food, meat, vegetables, fish, pasta, and rice. He also got some bottles of water and sports drinks. Apparently, sports drinks can replenish your water content faster according to the posters that advertised them.
"You should try cooking for yourself, Naruto. I mean nothing beats a homecooked meal at times. You know exactly what is in it and can avoid unhealthy content such as MSG or artificial flavouring." Kurama told him. Before Naruto could ask him how he knew, he went on, "Let's just say your mother cooks well and has mentioned it before to your dad."
'I guess I'll have to get a recipe book.' Naruto sighed, as he went to the register and had everything paid for. As they made their way to Naruto's apartment, Naruto turned to Sarutobi and plastered on a smile.
"Thank you for coming with me, Jiji. I appreciate it." Naruto said with a thankful tone.
Sarutobi nodded with a smile, but paused when he saw Naruto looking around. Sensing no one around, Naruto pointed to the Hokage Rock. When Sarutobi followed the finger, he paled with realization when he saw that Naruto was pointing specifically to the Fourth Hokage.
"I know he is my father. Care to explain?" Naruto had a solemn look on his face.
The Hokage paled when Naruto said this. "H-How did you find out?"
Naruto elaborated, telling him what changes he felt after drinking the mysterious liquid, leaving Kurama out of the equation. "I started to hear voices in my head, but I realize it was thoughts of other people. Their thoughts gave a lot away."
"You're quite the smart kid, if only you would stop with the pranks." Sarutobi chuckled. "Now that you know, what are you going to do? You know you can't tell anyone."
"I would try to live up to my parent's legacy. I haven't decided whether I want to be Hokage yet, but I want to try my best to be the best shinobi this village would ever see." Naruto replied.
"I have no doubt you have the potential to be a great Hokage, Naruto-kun." Sarutobi smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, but I thought…"
"Thought I couldn't handle it?" Naruto finished. "Jiji, no offense, but after all I've been through, I can't exactly say I am a child anymore. No child should have gone through what I have."
Sarutobi nodded solemnly, and said, "By the way, how do you carry all your stuff? Aren't they all heavy?" He had offered to Naruto numerous times to help carry his shopping but Naruto kept declining.
Naruto winked and let go of the bags, and Sarutobi was astonished to see them float. "Another one of the effects from the liquid I drank. I am going to train and see what else I can do."
"I look forward to the result." Sarutobi smiled as both reached the entrance of the building containing Naruto's apartment. "I apologize once more, Naruto-kun."
"It's fine, Jiji." Naruto replied. In reality, however, he really didn't know whether he would truly forgive him for this or if he could really even trust him anymore.
Sarutobi seemed to notice this, and said, "I hope I could make it up to you."
Naruto nodded at the promise, and went upstairs to his apartment, putting down his bought goods and sorting his clothes into the closet, throwing out the current clothes he wore. After all, bright clothes would practically be a target.
He then went to the kitchen to unload his groceries and stocking up the cupboards and refrigerator, before deciding to take a shower.
"Go to the library and borrow a recipe book and get a book on the Uzumaki clan." Kurama suggested.
'But wasn't I not welcome?' Naruto replied, remembering the last time he tried to enter the library.
"If I am right, your new powers are mind-based. So you should be able to control their minds. Just use them as a test dummy." Kurama grinned. "Try pushing your power to the mind of the target."
Naruto frowned as he did not feel any animosity towards doing this. He wondered why, as via Kurama's guidance, he managed to get the librarian to let him borrow whatever he wanted. Kurama also told him the victim probably won't remember him being there. He also said that if mastered, the victim may not even know they are being manipulated.
Naruto noted with this Mind Control his life would get significantly better. After all, he would be able to enter the library and go to stores to buy things at normal prices. The possibilities of what he could do was endless, now that he didn't care of what people thought of him. If they want to come at him with lethal force, then he will defend himself and fight back.
Naruto sat in the library to read the Uzumaki Clan entry in a book that detailed the known clans.
The Uzumaki Clan
Description
The Uzumaki Clan originated from Uzushiogakure, the shinobivillage of the Land of Whirlpools. Its ninja was renowned for their Fūinjutsu to the point that it led to its destruction in war. Those who survived the village's destruction scattered across the globe for refuge.
They share distant blood relation with the Senju clan, and kept close ties with that clan, having members marrying between clans as well, the most notable being Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki. Following the founding of Konohagakure at the end of the Warring States Period, the Senju chose to symbolise their clans' friendship by adding the Uzumaki's emblem to Konoha's flak jackets.
Clan Abilities
While they have no known Kekkei Genkai, Uzumaki clan members naturally possess incredibly strong life-forces. As such, they have very long lifespans and likewise age slower. This also enables them to survive and endure much more severe injuries while likewise able to recover from injuries and exhaustion with much greater efficiency in short periods of time.
Uzumaki also have the ability to quickly heal themselves and others, through consumption of their chakra. Some even have unique sensory ability as well as the ability to suppress their chakra signature making them undetectable.
They also possess a unique form of chakra that allows them to produce adamantine chains made from their own chakra as well as being famed for their fūinjutsu. The Uzumaki's skill with fūinjutsu earned them both respect and fear throughout the ninja world.
'I don't have much to get by…' Naruto thought, sweatdropping.
"Why not try imagining what would you want the chains to do if you can develop an ability like Chain Manipulation?" Kurama suggested. "As an Uzumaki, you likely can produce those chains, but how you want to use them is up to you. For instance, you mother was able to produce durable chains that can directly combat or physically restrain targets, which could even restrain me."
'You?' Naruto was incredulous.
Kurama huffed but nodded. "Yes, kit, me. After all, jutsus are basically one's personal expression of chakra. How else do you think jutsus are invented? They don't come from thin air you know."
'Ugh, there's so many things I want to do.' Naruto held his head in his hands. 'I want to start on practicing my kenjutsu, find out my nature affiliations, research on my new powers, practice those powers-'
"Ok, take it easy, kit." Kurama persuaded him. "I think I know a way to solve your problem…"
'What?' Naruto groaned.
"It's called Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Jutsu)." Kurama answered. "Shadow clones usually can accelerate training periods and by using hundreds of clones, training that would usually take weeks or months can be completed within a few hours."
'Hey, that's it! That's how I should do it. I'll try this tomorrow.' Naruto said, jumping up. 'Alright, I better get home to design the training schedule…' He stopped as his stomach growled.
'Or maybe get something to eat.' Kurama snarked.
Naruto gave a wry smile as he left the library with a recipe book and some scrolls containing information about combat-based techniques such as taijutsu and kenjutsu and wondered if he should try his hand at cooking dinner.
As he walked past the ramen stand, he wondered if he should indulge. Then again, he could be kicked out just like the other shop owners do.
He was about to narrow his eyes and continue walking until Teuchi, the owner of the stand, spotted him outside and said, "Hello. Do you want to come in and eat?" His hand even beckoned him to come in.
Naruto blinked when he didn't pick up any hostility from Teuchi, but genuine concern. Nevertheless, he was wary and he hoisted himself up the stool to sit.
"So, what would it be, Naruto?" Teuchi smiled.
"Eh?" Naruto looked up at the man's smiling face. He stared blankly.
"No need to be shy, order whatever you want!" Teuchi offered.
"I'll try the Onomichi Ramen." Naruto said quietly after looking at the menu.
"Coming right up!" The man replied jovially, as he went to prepare the ramen.
While Naruto was waiting, his eyes darkened into a calculative look as something occurred to him. The clans are usually careless when it came to throwing out their stuff. He wondered if he could search the trash cans for old supplies and perhaps even books and scrolls on secret techniques.
"That's a good idea, but what do you hope to achieve with it?" Kurama asked, worry laced in his voice.
'I'm going to study the techniques and think up of counters. If I can somehow make my own version with my new powers, so much the better.' Naruto thought. 'That is, if I ever find out the true nature of my new powers.'
"Here you go, sport!" Teuchi said cheerfully, placing the large bowl in front of Naruto. Naruto looked up at the man's wide and welcoming smile, and allowed a small smile on his face. He then took up the chopsticks to eat, as he made small talk with Teuchi.
Naruto felt maybe he could like Teuchi. After all, Naruto didn't feel a single hostility towards him for being the holder of Kurama. He treated him as a person, which was what he used to want from the villagers.
"Thanks for the meal." Naruto said politely, as he placed some money on the counter.
"Come again, Naruto!" Teuchi waved. Naruto nodded, making a mental note to visit that place as often as he can…although with the promise of a healthy diet, he might eat only a few bowls instead of multiple like he probably could.
Later that night, a shadow moved towards the bins across the alleyway where most clan members would throw out their trash. He untied the strings, being careful to be silent. Shifting aside a few old newspapers and food cans he spotted something that instantly confirmed his earlier suspicions.
'As I thought. The clans are too careless.' Naruto inwardly smirked as he found plenty of scrolls and books. After grabbing the items and stuffing them in his messenger bag, he did one more scan before rushing off down the alley, making sure to stay in the shadows.
The next day, Naruto went down to the training grounds, scrolls in hand. Much to his pleasure, the scrolls contained secret techniques specific to the clans. Apparently, it never occurred to them that someone would be willing to search through the trash, and it had happened with him before when he was starving and was willing to eat anything.
'Something's not right.' Naruto thought, as he made his chakra visible, and see purplish-pink and blue chakra around him. 'I thought all chakra was supposed to be blue. What happened?'
"I think it's got to do with your new powers." Kurama frowned. "Whether or not it'll affect your ability to cast jutsus would remain to be seen. After all, when you drank that extract, something happened to you spiritually."
Naruto looked down at his hand, and sighed.
"First thing we should do is to test your chakra nature." Kurama told him. "Remember the five chakra natures?"
'Yes. Fire, Lightning, Water, Wind and Earth.' Naruto recited, as he took out a square paper. He knew that the paper was made from a special type of tree that is grown and fed with chakra. One slight exposure and it would react to its latent element.
Naruto took one and closed his eyes, but nothing happened. 'Why isn't my chakra doing anything?'
"The powers must be distorting your chakra." Kurama gritted its teeth. "But it could be a good thing."
"Meaning?" Naruto asked.
"You'd be surprised about the many things you can do with your mind, kid." Kurama replied. "Even without any elements."
'Should I try to master those before I go with the elemental jutsus?' Naruto wondered.
"Perhaps. But first off, to help you do this faster, I am going to teach you the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. It's an upgrade from the Bunshin no Jutsu." Kurama said. "Do the required hand seals that I will project to your head and try it out. Don't worry, this isn't an elemental ninjutsu, so you should be able to cats it."
Naruto closed his eyes and, in his mind, saw the required hand seal for his first jutsu. Naruto did the hand seal as he tried it out.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." Naruto mumbled as smoke appeared around him. Soon, at least forty clones appeared as Naruto blinked.
"Nice job." Kurama appeared next to him. He was the same height as a typical adult.
"Whoa!" Naruto turned to him. "What did you do?"
"Oh, this? I drained some of your mind powers. I pulled myself from my mind and made myself 'real' in a sense." Kurama replied. "You have a lot of those powers, so I'm regulating some of them."
'Must have been too much power for my own mind to handle or something.' Naruto frowned. 'Is there even such a thing?'
Naruto turned to the group, knowing he can use this to his advantage. He walked to each clone and assigned them a different task, ranging from practicing a type of mind ability to the basics of kenjutsu and even having them practice taijutsu after reading a book on it.
"You're crazy prepared." Kurama noted. "And as for you…I am going to make sure your stamina, base speed and base strength are up to my standards. I want you to run 100 laps around the training area without stopping and I want it done in...half an hour."
"That's crazy, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed out loud.
"Am I? Maybe you need some motivation, then." Kurama gave a smirk, and all of a sudden, he enlarged and became a giant fox (basically his own size), and looked like he was hungry.
"Won't you be exposed?" Naruto pointed out.
"Oh, turns out, I can turn invisible with your powers." Naruto jumped as Kurama became invisible. He still could feel his "malice" which made him even more fearful.
"I would get going if I were you, I do love some human meat." Kurama tried not to openly laugh, but was failing. He roared, and the earth seemed to shake.
Naruto wasted no time in talking and ran as fast as he could away from one predator named Kurama. The clones stared at him, wondering what he was even running from.
"Slave…driver…" Naruto panted as he climbed out of the river. He had been running for half an hour straight now at full speed. After running the promised 100 laps, Kurama made him wear weights on his legs and run again from him.
Kurama looked like he came straight out of a horror movie or something, the way he acted. Especially the jump scares! If he scared him from a tree one more time, he was sure he would have a heart attack.
It was so bad that when the clones saw him again, they were thankful Naruto didn't assign them to that. In fact, Naruto actually tripped and fell into the river at one point and had to swim up, which was made more difficult with the weights on his legs.
"Oh, you're in the river. Good." Kurama nodded. "Now I want you to do 1,000 push-ups. On the river."
Naruto groaned as he knew if he screwed up on the control, he'll fall into the river again.
"Then don't fall." Kurama muttered, as he got into position and did the push-ups. "There's no easy way when it comes to being the best."
The blonde made it to 427 push-ups before his muscles gave out. Keeping himself from falling while doing the exercise proved to be difficult.
Kurama pulled him out of the river with his mouth and said, "Continue."
Instead of complaining like he would have before drinking the extract, Naruto pushed himself, eventually reaching 1,000 push-ups. Naruto realized the trick was to think of something else, take your mind away from the push-ups.
After the push-ups, Kurama made him work on sit-ups, and even made him work on evasion skills by raining kunais at him. Unfortunately, due to Kurama's ability to throw things with his nine tails, the kunai resembled a flechette storm or bullet hell.
"It hurts, dattebayo!" Naruto complained as he took out a first-aid kit he prepared and bandaged up his wounds he got from the kunais.
"Don't worry. I can teach you how to block them later." Kurama snickered. He was clearing enjoying this. "On a serious note. Maybe you should research on whether minds can tap into healing-based techniques. I mean, the doctors and nurses in the hospital are not exactly partial to you."
Naruto looked up from where he was resting and sighed. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I could even develop a passive jutsu, where the more damage I take, the stronger and faster I get."
Kurama smiled. Naruto was always trying to think one step ahead now and making sure to close all weaknesses. "But it's still better to use it as a last resort rather than a crutch. It may not always work especially against stronger and faster opponents."
Naruto closed his eyes thoughtfully, and nodded. Kurama was surprised when Naruto got up, and said, "Again."
Naruto lifted up his head, eyes narrowed and ready for Kurama to rain kunais on him again. However, Kurama had other plans. He even started to rain giant shuriken down at him, forcing Naruto to duck and jump as well. He backflipped in mid-air in order to dodge the next one aiming for his head.
As time went on, Naruto felt that the perception of the shuriken slowed, so it looked like it was in slow motion. Naruto also used the momentum to spin and dodge the following kunai that was aimed at his heart from an angle, and tilted his head to dodge the next one.
"Very good, kit. You're learning. Dodge with as little moves as possible." Kurama smirked. "What did you feel when you dodged them?"
"I felt that the perception is slowed and I predicted it coming." Naruto answered.
"I see, I see. So it looks like you can see your opponent's next moves by seeing slightly ahead into the future. It's a very useful skill in battle. It would give you more time to react to your opponents' attacks." Kurama gave a single nod. "I think I know what those powers are called."
"What?" Naruto sat up.
"Psychic powers." Kurama answered. "They are powers that comes in many different forms. Only thing they had in common is that the mind is usually involved. If that is the case, how you want to use it is up to you because it's only limited to the imagination. If you never test the limits of what you can do, you'll never truly grow."
"I know, but I do want to master the ones I already have first before moving on to others." Naruto replied.
"Your Kage Bunshin gives you a huge advantage. I am pretty sure you can master the three abilities you have displayed by today." Kurama nodded. "Although what ou do need to figure out is how to cast them properly."
"I am going to devote every free time to training and studying. I need to become stronger to protect the ones I hold to my heart…or will hold to my heart." Naruto muttered, determination in his eyes. "I'll gladly put my life on the line for those people."
"You know with that attitude you'll go places, kit." Kurama said in his head.
Naruto nodded. He couldn't help but wonder if there was a price to pay for those powers. He pushed it aside in favour of researching on the three mind-based abilities he had unconsciously used, and tried using it consciously.
Unknown to Naruto, he would never be the same again after drinking that liquid.
BP: Hopefully the rewrite is better. I'm not going to do Q&A, since it would be spoilers. Some concepts would also be changed, which was why a rewrite was needed. But I would keep some of the plot.
Due to the rewrite, I deleted the other chapters. Apologies for that, since with the rewrite, Ash's appearance won't make sense.
I am not sure of pairings yet, so if you have any suggestions, let me know.
Do vote in the poll I have put up.
Also, remember to review, favourite and follow!
