Overcoming Naivete
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 1: The Promotion is where it begins
Danzo stood before a long, brown pristine table. His lone, visible brown eye swept over the room as he took in the various Kunoichi and Ninja that had gathered. He touched the smooth table with his index and middle finger, forming the seal of confrontation. It was cold to the touch and hummed with arcane power.
"Danzō Shimura, representative of the former Hokage's small council." He intoned in a flat tone, and chakra in the form of thousands of chained seals slithered around his arm, it fluctuated for a second and took on a glow of mellow yellow and dissipated.
He sat down, his brown eye jumped from side to side taking the room in.
"Hiashi Hyūga, The Lord of the Northern wall," said Hiashi Hyūga, his face was seamless as the script of gold coiled up his arm.
"Inoichi Yamanaka, Lord of the Eastern wall." gray script wrapped his arm and faded, he sat in his chair of gray cushioning.
"Tsume Inuzuka, Lady of the Western Wall." Said Tsume Inuzuka as a script of green coiled around her arm.
"Shikaku Nara, Representative of the Nara-Akimichi-Yamanaka alliance." Said Shikaku Nara, a gray, pink and blue script coiled around his arm and he took his seat.
"Kaedé Daijiri, Head of the Department of Research and Development." She said and a black coil of script wrapped around her arm, interacting with a number of tattoos.
"Kizashi Naoki, Head of the ANBU Division." Said Kizashi and a pure white coil of script wrapped around his bare arm.
"As we know, Lord Hokage is no longer with us. So, I as his former councilor will be directing the meeting. There are several issues we must touch on today so let us begin." Said Danzō, after everyone present, had taken their seats. "Before I begin, are we all agreed that the members of this council that are missing cannot affect any voting procedures we may have?"
Danzō felt multiple influxes of chakra, and a script of yellow appeared before him and he nodded. The absence of the Founding Lords and Ladies, Tsunade Senju and Itachi Uchiha, and the Lady of the Southern wall, Tsunade Senju would be disregarded.
"Before we delve into any of the pressing concerns on our agenda, I suggest we vote on candidates for Chūnin promotion." Said Danzō.
"Chūnin promotion? I guess the only brat that stands out against the rest was Shikaku's brat. Even he doesn't strike me as Chūnin material." Said Tsume, scratching her cheek with a clawed finger.
"I do not agree, his prowess as a tactician should not be disregarded. Even with his opponent coming to that match with prior knowledge of his techniques, he still deceived her and in the end defeated her. His admission of defeat could very well have been more a product of his father's machinations, than his own. Knowing Shikaku it's believable to assume that he felt it prudent to inform his son about the pending invasion of Konoha." said Hiashi, not moving from his position.
"We all know we ain't getting anything out of Shikaku, so will we take a vote, Hiashi already seconded what I said. The former anyway." Said Tsume, shaking her head.
"Let's just get this over with. Frankly, I find these proceedings altogether dull," said Kaedé, tapping her finger into the desk.
"If I were you, Daijiri, I would not treat the state of our Shinobi forces with such blatant disinterest." Said Danzō, turning a heavy eye on her. "Besides, I would like to suggest another."
"Another?" Asked Naoki, "Of the leaf Shinobi that participated in the event, Sasuke Uchiha is the only one that comes to mind. He is not worthy of the promotion however, he fought to defeat his opponent with no regard for his next possible opponent."
"I was not suggesting the Uchiha," said Danzō softly, "his teammate, Uzumaki is my suggestion."
"Preposterous," Inoichi narrowed his eyes, "what are you up to?"
"Uzumaki deserves the promotion. The immediate assumption was that it was the Uchiha because he is so vastly superior to his peers from the academy. However, his problem was that he fights too straightforwardly." Said Danzō, letting his gaze fall on his fellow councilors. "Uzumaki, on the other hand, used what he could to defeat the Hyūga. He was understandably in a bad matchup, however, he used his power to his advantage. He had obviously planned for the match in advance when he had figured out a way to circumvent the effects of the Jyūken."
"Uzumaki is certainly a crafty individual, however the most sound advice that is given to genin looking to become Chūnin is they have to be of sound mind and body. Uzumaki is not. He has the body to endure attacks, and his mind while crafty, does not act in a logical manner, befitting a Shinobi. Just look at his fashion sense, he lives with his heart on his sleeve and he cannot lead, nor do I think he ever will, despite his aspirations for the mantle of Hokage." said Inoichi, squeezing his hand into a fist.
"The kid does have some spunk," admitted Tsume, "but is he Chūnin material, I've only seen him in one fight."
"Heh, I'm surprised your kid wasn't hollering your ear off with how Uzumaki managed to beat him?" Chuckled Shikaku, "Seriously, I agree with Inoichi on this. Uzumaki would never be able to lead a mission, he has almost no foundation in the Shinobi arts and he is the Jinchūriki. Do we really want to promote him? If he gets higher missions the chances of him requiring the aid of his Demon will become that much more likely, and if the other Shinobi villages find out how much of a joke our Jinchūriki is, how long do you think we will last?"
"The power of the Village hidden in Leaf has never been our Jinchūriki," said Danzō, "and I cannot abide by not rewarding that boy after his aid in defeating the sand demon Shukaku."
Shikaku swung his eyes around the room, and Danzō mimicked him with his eye.
"I heard the Uchiha defeated the sand demon after perusing him following the climax of their match in their Chūnin Exam." Said Inoichi.
"I heard the same," said Tsume.
"You are incorrect, I truly owe Uzumaki a great debt. He was the one that fought Gaara of the desert, not the Uchiha." Said Hiashi.
"How could you know that?" Asked Daijiri, her disinterest seemingly evaporated.
"Because members of my clan witnessed him with Lord Jiraiya on several instances during the month intermission. Additionally, Lord Jiraiya was seen by several Shinobi on the opposite side of the Village while the battle with Shukaku took place. He was using several summon animals at the time Lord Gamabunta was summoned. Ergo, it is my belief that Uzumaki is responsible because the Uchiha was never seen in the Village while Uzumaki was seen with Lord Jiraiya, a known summoner of the Toads. He is also the only genin capable of summoning such a large summon in the team that Hatake formed to backup Sasuke Uchiha."
"At the very least, he deserves the promotion, and if not for him, for our dearly departed Hokage." Said Danzō, licking the inside of his cheek. "Hiruzen had told me several times that he hoped to promote Uzumaki."
"You're telling me that Hiruzen told you of all people that he wanted to promote Uzumaki? Even before the Chūnin exams final?"
"Yes, if you had read any of his mission reports you would see where this comes from." Said Danzō, "His first mission, before the requisite D-rank missions, was a B-rank, and he completed it, then in his first A-rank mission he was pivotal to the success of his mission."
"That was the day he stole the forbidden scroll, Shimura." Said Naoki.
"Which he was instructed to do by his superior, and when he discovered the deception he subdued Tōji and got a fellow comrade the medical attention he required," said Danzō.
"Let's just vote on this," said Daijiri, "we've heard all the arguments, if we weren't persuaded to your side by now, then you're just wasting your breath saying anymore."
"All in favor of promoting Shikamaru Nara to the rank of Chūnin," said Danzō, and there was a hum of energy and followed up with the next vote, "all in favor of promoting Naruto Uzumaki to the rank of Chūnin."
When the hum faded they moved on to other topics of discussion regarding their — his — village's reparations.
Xxx
In the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village
10:15 a.m.
In the cobbled streets of the Leaf, we find Naruto walking between a series of small, convenience, fresh fruit and vegetable and Butchery stores.
He slouched his shoulder and stuffed his hands into his pockets. The shadow of his hair obscured his eyes from those around him. He couldn't help clench his teeth.
"Did you hear?" Said the brown-haired man to the butcher who wore a white apron.
"Huh, what?" The butcher asked, scratching his bony jaw.
"The Uchiha fought with the Lord of the Toads." Said the man.
"That's really something," said the butcher smiling, "those Uchiha are really something. The last time I saw the Toad Lord was when the Nine-tails attacked — speak of the devil..." Said the butcher, he glanced at Naruto, shook his head and disappeared into his store.
Naruto shook his head, clenching his teeth was the only thing that kept him from shouting as the idiots. Last month, everyone was speaking about how Kakashi and Sasuke had left the Village to go train, and now they think that Sasuke can summon toads? As if.
"Uzumaki," said a smooth voice, Naruto swung himself to the right and he caught sight of a — well it was a person. He had brown hair, no she had blonde hair, no he was red-headed. Naruto shook his head and furrowed his brow.
"Who the hell are you?!" Exclaimed Naruto, stepping back and raising his arms in front of him.
"Relax Uzumaki, I am only here to take you to Lord Danzō," said the headache-inducing Shinobi.
"Who the hell is Lord Danzō? I don't know any Danzō, you better start making sense," said Naruto, stepping forward and clenching his fists.
"Lord Danzō is a friend of Hiruzen Sarutobi." He or she, Naruto couldn't decide, stood rigidly.
"Sarutobi? Hmm..." Naruto's brow furrowed, "wait you're talking about old man Hokage."
"Indeed, now will you please come along."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Asked Naruto, eyes narrowed and his fists still up.
"Do you honestly think the Shinobi of this Village would allow a duplicitous Shinobi into the Village without monitoring them?" Asked the Shinobi.
"Fine, where is he waiting?" Asked Naruto, lowering his arms.
"It will be faster if I take you." Said the girl/guy — or whatever he was supposed to be — not even a moment later, Naruto was grabbed and everything was a blur of motion. When he opened his eyes he was on a gray carpet and looking up at the old guy sitting behind a desk.
"Please do take a seat, Uzumaki."
"What — just who the hell are you?" He sprung from the floor, pointing a finger at the scarred man.
"My name is Danzō Shimura." said the brown haired-man, turning a brown eye on the boy for a second and returned to his paperwork.
"Wait! You're the guy that the freaky lady-guy told me about!" Exclaimed Naruto. "You know the old man right?"
"The old man?" Asked Danzō, enunciating each word clearly as if tasting them.
"The old man, y'know, the big guy. The Hokage." Said Naruto, rolling his eyes. Some people who just dumb.
Danzō finished his last form of paper and it joined the rest of its brothers and sisters on the pile of white, green and red paper.
"You refer to Hiruzen," said Danzō leaning back into his chair, "yes we were rivals for much of our lives."
"Woah, like me and Sasuke! That's so cool." Said Naruto, sitting across from Danzō.
"Indeed, but that is not why I called you here." Said Danzō, resting his left hand on the table. "I have called you here to speak of promotion."
"Promotion?" Naruto leaned forward, "what do you mean? If this is some extra credit bullshit, you can get lost."
"No, this is not the same as the situation you had with Mizuki Tōji. I am notifying you that you are being promoted to the rank of Chūnin, along with your former classmate, Shikamaru Nara." Said Danzō.
"Wait...no shit? You making me a Chūnin?"
"Correct." Said Danzō.
"Why me? I had such a hard time beating that bastard, Neji and you're promoting me? If it wasn't for..." Said Naruto, scrunching up his face.
"If it wasn't for the Nine-tails you would not have defeated, Neji Hyūga. That is true, however at the same time, if the Hyūga did not possess the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan, that fight would have been much more even." Said Danzō. "You are Chūnin Naruto Uzumaki, and you will do well to ensure I do not regret this action. I had to pull a lot of weight around and rely on the supposed word of a deceased man to get you the promotion."
Naruto was silent. He didn't know what to think, he was promoted when so many of his friends did more. Even the bastard, Sasuke. Why would they promote him?
"What do you want?" He asked Danzō.
"Excuse me?" Asked Danzō, raising his only visible eyebrow.
"This is just like the whole extra-credit thing. You want something from me and I don't know what. But I know that there is no way somebody who doesn't even know me will get me promoted if they don't want me to do something for them. What do you want?"
"Two days ago, The Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi died of wounds sustained in his battle with Orochimaru." Said Danzō.
Naruto froze, the old man is dead? How? "You're lying!"
"To lie about such a thing is treasonous." Said Danzō, "I assure you, I am completely serious."
"No...no! N-no, he's the only one..." Naruto's hands trembled, tears rolled down his whiskered cheeks.
"Pull yourself together, you are a Shinobi." Said Danzō, narrowing his gaze.
"HE WAS YOUR RIVAL! HO CAN YOU BEESO CALM!" Naruto jumped to feet, knocking his chair over in the process.
"Death is an inevitability that we, as Shinobi, are always prepared for. If you want to honor the memory of Hiruzen, then become strong enough to protect the Village he gave his life to protect." Said Danzō, gruffly.
He wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand, the blue of his irises contrasting with his red, bloodshot eyes. He picked the chair back up, his hands trembling, he gripped the back of the chair tightly.
"I - er, thanks." Said Naruto.
"You can thank me by becoming strong enough to defend our home," said Danzō firmly. "As a Chūnin, you will be given access to the Shinobi archive. Higher mission rank, and chance to form connections that will benefit you and not hinder you." Said Danzō.
"Wait... Shinobi Archive? Isn't that the library? I can't be wasting my time in the library, I need to get stronger!"
"Uzumaki, do you know whose name I had to invoke to get you that promotion?" Danzō's eyes bored into him.
"Um, what - er, I mean no." Said Naruto.
"I had to use Hiruzen Sarutobi's name to get you the promotion. I told the councilors that Hiruzen wanted to promote you for a long time. I lied to them. That is what we do, we lie, we cheat and do whatever is necessary to win. Do you understand? Even if you are forced to do something you hate if it means victory that is exactly what you will do." Said Danzō.
"So, he didn't want me to be Chūnin?" Asked Naruto.
"I didn't say that. The fact of the matter is we never spoke of it, but I was able to take advantage of the relationship you had with Hiruzen to make this lie believable." Said Danzō, "that also brings me to your current relationships. You need to make a decision and think long and hard about the faith you have in your Sensei's, your teammates and everyone else in your life."
"Just what do you mean?" Naruto snapped.
"Just as I say, the fact is the people in your life are not conducive to your future as a Shinobi or your future in general. Kakashi Hatake taught your team the bare minimum according to reports that's I have seen. Then he elected to teach the Uchiha over you. I understand his reasoning, however, that is not suitable for you. It is not your problem that Kakashi is the only viable teacher to instruct Sasuke Uchiha in the use of his Sharingan." Danzō rolled his neck, "your next teacher allowed you to be trained by Jiraiya the Toad sage, and Jiraiya pushed you down a canyon to bring out your demon powers when he — as a sage — should have known that there are better ways."
"Kakashi-sensei didn't mean it, I mean I'm not that good...I was the dead last in my academy class. Kakashi-sensei is just..." Naruto trailed off.
"Kakashi Hatake sees himself in Sasuke Uchiha and has an easier time teaching him because of that. Do I blame him for focusing more on the Uchiha charge, especially given his history? No. That doesn't mean you shouldn't. Out of your graduation class, there were only two promoted to Chūnin. What does that tell you? Life is not a game, and it is not a school. You can be alive today, and dead tomorrow. Nobody will care, so while you live you need to leave the biggest impact possible so that the life you've lived will be worth something. There can be no nobler cause than dedicating your life to Leaf Village."
"I think I get what you're saying." Swallowed Naruto.
"I need to get back to my work." Said Danzō, "I have a few words before you leave, the Shinobi Archive will only give you entry if you recite your Shinobi Identification Number. And only you. Second, the Shinobi barracks will be open to you now and it's where you can collect your Chūnin flak jacket and anything besides the stealth disaster you call clothes. I will have no whining. Either you change the color or I will have you demoted to a civilian. Is that understood? Good, now leave me."
Xxx
Red-light district
Naruto apartment Block
1:30 p.m.
Naruto had been promoted, and it was what he had dreamed of ever since he entered the Academy and began his journey to Hokage. The rank of Chūnin may not have been his dream, but it was his pit-stop on his way up the mountain.
Yet, Naruto felt no happiness.
He curled into a fetal position and hugged his soft pillow as tightly as he could. Tears streaked down his cheeks, and he sobbed.
The old man was dead. It was Orochimaru's fault. Orochimaru did that freaky thing to his stomach.
The old man was dead.
His grandfather was dead.
His only family was gone and he was never going to see him again.
Xxx
Two months ago
4:30 p.m.
Ichiraku Ramen
Naruto visited Ichiraku Ramen after his latest mission out of the Leaf Village. The mission to Wave.
He hung his head as he slurped up his noodles, not paying any mind to what was going on around him. All that mattered was the reflection of his broken eyes.
They stared up at him from the brown broth of his Ramen.
Taunting and reminding him.
"That man..." He heard Sasuke rasp, "My brother, I told myself I wouldn't die before I killed him."
Naruto shook his head trying to drown out the sound of his teammates dying voice.
Everything went silent and that remained was his reflection in the broth. His image was superimposed by Haku's unmasked face.
"Naruto...please kill me...I am a useless tool."
Naruto jerked back from the bowl, but it was useless, her pleas bounced around his head. He clenched his eyes tightly, hoping, praying that they'd stop.
"My boy, are you quite alright?" Asked the old man, and Naruto jerked towards him but halted.
"Oh, h-hey old man." Naruto tried his best smile.
The old man's face didn't change, "If something is wrong, Naruto, please tell me."
"I-its nothing." Naruto grinned widely. The old man put his hand on Naruto's hand, and he flinched.
"Don't do this Naruto, it isn't healthy." Said the old man, giving Naruto a small smile.
"O-okay fine, alright. I hear voices, I see things. L-like nightmares and they scare me." Naruto trembled, but the old man held his hand firmly.
"What voices?" Asked the old man softly.
"I hear Sasuke, telling me about his brother when he was dying. I s-see Haku asking me to kill her. O-over and over again. I close my eyes and I see Kakashi-sensei stabbing Haku through his chest and his hand comes out the other side." At this point, tears were streaming freely from his eyes.
"My boy, this is natural." Said the old man, pulling Naruto into his chest. "After such an ordeal I would be quite concerned if you showed no signs of sadness. What happened was natural, and I can safely say that my own students only went through something similar when they were very much experienced with the truths of Shinobi life."
"Y-you had a team?" Asked Naruto.
"Oh, yes. They were very much like your team. We had a fiery but strong Kunoichi, a strong silent genius that excelled at everything and a loud, boisterous boy with the will of iron." said the old man, and Naruto could hear the upturn of his voice.
"Huh, just like us." Naruto grinned. "Thanks, old man."
"Anytime Naruto," he said, "remember to come to me whenever you need anything. Especially if you need to talk. I'm here for you. You are my grandson and I love you."
Naruto choked, his tears streaming anew from his eyes.
For the first time since wave, tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. He wrapped his arm around the old man and smiled as he buried his face into his chest.
Xxx
Red-light district
Naruto's apartment Block
He sat with his back against his headboard, his eyes frozen into thin ice. The cracks had begun to form, they were almost paper thin. His tears had ceased, but he gripped at his heart with a clenched fist.
"N-no old man." He said so softly, he could barely hear himself. "Why did you have to...die? I never got to call you Lord Hokage. I-I..." Naruto swallowed thickly. "never got to call you grandpa."
His eyes froze and he clenched them.
"Please, damn it! It can't be true! You believed in me dammit! You said so. Why did you have to die? I was going to make you proud. And...now and now you're dead and I'll never see you again. My only true friend, my only family. I have nobody else." Naruto beat his fist into the ground, "Please, please come back old man! Please, Grandpa!"
Naruto leaned over and cupped his face in his hands, as images and voices assaulted him, he sobbed, trying to stave off the sounds, but they remained. Pulling him deeper and deeper.
Xxx
Hokage monument
Two weeks earlier
7 p.m.
Naruto gingerly pulled himself on top of his favorite Hokage's head. His face was full of scratches and his body shuddered as the wind tore through his shredded orange jacket. Still, he smiled. He had summoned the Boss of the Toads, Gamabunta.
Soon, however, that smile disappeared.
To be thrown into a canyon by your sensei hurt. It hurt a lot.
He clenched his heart tightly. "Why do people hate me so much? Pervy sage doesn't even know me, and he threw me off a damn cliff."
Flashes of the dark cavern went through his mind, the sharp protrusions that reached out of the wall cut at his hands, and at the bottom, he saw an angry, dark power. A fox of nine tails, it's mouth gaping wide, waiting for him to fall between its rows of sharp teeth.
Naruto shook his head, clearing the dark images from his mind. He breathed in deeply, trying to ease the thumping of his heart.
"Naruto, my boy, what brings you up here?" Asked the old man.
Naruto jerked forward, almost careening down the side of the mountain.
"Don't do that!" He shouted. "You're going to give me a heart attack!"
"I couldn't help it, my boy. You were just so silent. A quiet Naruto Uzumaki? Such a thing is not possible." Said the old man grinning widely at Naruto.
Despite himself, he couldn't help the grin the clawed itself on to his face.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Naruto.
"I asked first." Tutted the old man.
"I like it here. It makes me feel good, y'know?" Naruto spread his arms out and grinned widely.
"No, you come here when something troubles you." The old man raised his eyebrows and gave him a steady gaze.
"N-not all the time." Naruto turned away.
"Perhaps, but I think this is indeed, one of those occasions." He said taking a seat next to Naruto.
"Tell me, Naruto, what's bothering you? I've told you before that you can come to me anytime."
Naruto looked towards the stars, and he exhaled deeply. "Why do people hate me?"
"Hate you? I thought your reputation with the rest of the Leaf has been improving. You said so yourself. So, tell me, Naruto, what happened?" The old man put his hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"It's not that. It's just...well Kakashi-sensei ditched me to train Sasuke. The sensei he got for me was the closet pervert, y'know, Konohamaru's sensei. After Pervy sage knocked him out, the closest pervert didn't even care that I had a new sensei. Then Pervy Sage threw me off a cliff. I guess it helped me summon Gamabunta, but...I dunno, it was scary. I close my eyes...and, and I still see it." Naruto huffed, punching the Fourth Hokage's head. Blood leaked from his fist, but it did little to calm him.
"Now Naruto, don't go punching the Hokage's head, he can't fight back." the old man ruffled his head. "Also, you must understand that Kakashi was the only viable Sensei for Sasuke. And to be completely honest, I fell into the same pitfalls in regards to my own students and I regret it every day. Try not to be too hard on Kakashi, he was trying to do what was best. The problem with doing what is best is that people inevitably get hurt in the process. You are one of those, unfortunately."
"Fine, I guess Kakashi is okay...I mean yeah he ditched me...but." Naruto shook his head.
"I know it is difficult to understand, my boy, but sometimes forgiveness is for the best." Smiled the Hokage. "Life you'll find is too short. If you do not forgive those who have wronged you, you'll find them dead before you have the chance to. I believe in you Naruto, the progress you've made in this month alone has been more than impressive."
Naruto nodded, not meeting the old man's eyes though. "Just remember Naruto, you are my grandson and I don't want you to ever hide anything from me. If you ever need to talk. Please come to me. Every single one of my students never told me a thing and I never sought them out, and every single one of them developed perverse and extremely debilitating habits. I don't want this to happen to you. You are pure, Naruto and I hope you never have to change."
"O-okay, old man." Said Naruto hugging his gra — the old man. "I'll tell you everything."
But he never did.
Xxx
Red-light district
Naruto's apartment Block
The images of his grandfather assaulted his mind like Gaara's bullets of sand. Voices echoed through his skull, rattling around and reminding him of things he'd rather not remember.
He stared at the wall.
He felt nothing.
He saw everything.
He heard pain.
And he just wanted it all to end.
But it never did. That night, all he saw were the good times he had with his grandpa, all the times he comforted him for the smallest of things. And he saw the darkness. The hundreds of times he saw Orochimaru shoving a hand cloaked in lightning through his chest. Throwing needles of ice into his grandfather and crushing him in a cocoon of sand.
He saw all that and more.
Xxx
The office of the Lord of homeland security
Next day
"Danzō, we have heard the most worrying of rumors," said his former teammate Koharu.
"Do any of these rumors have anything to do with a new Chūnin? Shikamaru Nara and Naruto Uzumaki." Danzō swindled his eye around.
"How could you be so irresponsible Danzō? If the rest of the Shinobi world discovers how useless our Jinchūriki is, they'll pounce at this opportunity to attack us with their own, very destructive Jinchūriki." Said Homura.
"What are you up to?" Asked Koharu, narrowing her eyes.
"What I did was for the good of the Leaf Village. Uzumaki's growth is being stunted by those around him. First the academy sensei, and now his Jōnin and even his newest sensei to date Jiraiya." Said Danzō. "I had to make sure that he could find his own power. He grew close enough ties to Hiruzen to ensure his loyalty and now all he needed was access to power and we would have the perfect weapon with not even the boy himself, being the wiser. He knows I want something in return, that much is true. However, he will never discover my true motives."
"What are your true motives?" Asked Koharu, leaning back.
"You need not concern yourself." Danzō returned to his paperwork, "my motives further the leaf and that is all you need to know."
Xxx
Red-Light district
Naruto's Apartment Block
8:52 a.m.
Three days after the sand/sound invasion
Naruto groaned as he rolled around, trying to lift himself from his position on the hard, cold wooden floor. His room was a mess. His pillow and blanket on opposite sides of the room, his mattress was half-off the frame, leaving the springs exposed.
His shirt was on one end, and his pants were connected to him by his right ankle.
His orange pants.
Right, he needed to get rid of that. Or who knows what that Danzō guy would do.
Naruto kicked the pants off and went to the bathroom. When he washed his face, he could still see the memories of his grandfather reflected in his blue eyes. They were mere whispers now. Faint outlines, and echoes of what they once were.
With one last splash of water, he dried his face and left in search of something to eat. Better be Instant Ramen.
Naruto looked up at his clock, it was almost half past nine.
"I hope nobody is there," Naruto said.
He slipped on a black shirt, orange pants and a pair of sandals.
Xxx
The memorial stone
9:52 a.m.
The diamond-shaped tablet with names carved into it gleamed in the light of the morning sun. Naruto rubbed his thumb over it. Closing his eyes he recalled every single moment he had with his grandpa.
Tears fell from his eyes.
"Come on old man! Let's go get some Ramen!"
The moments faded into one another, splintering and merging into a quilt of good times and happy memories.
"What's this I hear about you spiking the teachers coffee with LSD? Do I even want to know how you even got hold of so much LSD? Let alone how you got hold of it at all?"
Some still brought a smile to his face, despite the tears that cascaded down his cheeks.
"Naruto, don't listen to what the villagers say about you. They are blinded by fear of things long past and cannot see what a beautiful soul you truly are."
His tears, mixed, some happy and some sad.
He opened his eyes, his eyes were once broken, but now the cracks held together. The cracks were there, but slowly, slowly they mended.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I never called you grandpa when I had the chance. I - I wish I told you more. I wish I could have saved you." Naruto squeezed his hand into a fist. "Mostly I wish I could tell you how much I love you."
Naruto was quiet after that. Simply staring at the stone, he read the names, emptily. Until he came upon a name he recognized, it was an odd feeling. When you see a name you know and it's so closely connected to you that you feel a rush of butterflies swarming in your stomach and fluttering to every corner of your body. There is nothing quite like it.
Kushina Uzumaki
Who is —
"Naruto, what brings you here?" Naruto whirled around at the sound of his Sensei's voice.
"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto said dully. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to pay my respects, same as you, I expect," said Kakashi, giving him an eye-smile.
"Okay," Naruto shrugged.
"Is something wrong Naruto?" Asked Kakashi.
"U - no nothing," Naruto said, giving the stone one last caress before turning away. He hadn't taken no more than five steps, Kakashi spoke up.
"You're still mad that I trained Sasuke and not you, aren't you?"
Naruto froze but stayed silent.
"You are." He said, "Don't you think I would have trained you if I had a choice, but I didn't. Sasuke was going to fight Gaara. You of all people should understand. You wanted me to stop the fight. There was nobody else to teach Sasuke. He and I —"
"I don't care. I know you two are the same. You even have the same freaky eyes. Do you think it makes a difference to me? You know there used to be people in the academy who did the same thing." He took a breath, "they would sometimes feel bad about kickin' me out of their games and stuff. Then they'd say, Mommy said we shouldn't be friends with him, so it's okay. You're doing exactly the same thing. You think if you have a reason that it will make me feel better. But it doesn't. It makes you feel better."
Naruto gave him a piercing look before he turned around and left the training ground altogether. With only one thought on his mind.
Kushina Uzumaki, who are you?
Xxx
AN1: I had this constant idea that involved Naruto getting promoted after his actions in the Chūnin exams. It kind of evolved from there. I didn't expect it to get so melancholy, but I also tried to be realistic. I think for me the most startling thing was the fact that Naruto's promotion was drowned out by the fact that Hiruzen was dead.
Any feedback will be appreciated
Thanks for reading