I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters of the Manga or Anime. If I did I wouldn't have so many damn fillers.
A Price for Peace
Chapter 19: Naruto's Funeral
Konoha was filled to the brim, on the final night before Naruto's funeral, the centre of the village was currently being transformed for a large celebration after the event and the area behind the Hokage monument now was the location where they would hold the funeral.
Konoha itself was alight with colour, orange and black banners stood on every corner, the orange due to Naruto's ever definable jumpsuit and the black for mourning. There were festive lights hanging through the main areas of town that were available to tourists and those visiting from other shinobi villages. Even sections of Konoha's famous forests were lit to celebrate the life of the young man who won the war, and saved more lives than anyone could count.
While most in the village were still getting over the war, celebrating the victory and mourning the dead, the leaders of many villages and nations were being treated to a feast by the Hokage and village elders. Only the most important guests were invited.
The room was already full when the Hokage along with Tsunade and the Konoha village elders entered. Several had found their seats at the table while others were standing, talking animatedly with guests.
"Welcome everyone, I trust that you all have found Konoha to be accommodating during your stay so far. This is the first time that we have had so many village leaders in the one room, which gives us a unique opportunity. With the defeat of the Akatsuki there is hope once more for sustained peace without the need for constant vigilance on our neighbours." Kakashi said as a greeting. Kakashi took a seat at the head of the table flanked by Tsunade on one side and the village elders on the other.
Several sections of the room clapped approvingly while a few others were less than impressed. "If you really wanted peace so badly you wouldn't have charged us an entry free just to farewell a hero in our nation." A member of the delegation from the Land of Spring scoffed.
"Maybe if you had joined the alliance and offered us assistance during the war then you wouldn't have to pay at all, you let our men fight and die for you without even lifting a finger." A balding man who sat beside the newly elected Tsuchikage Kitsuchi said boldly.
"We are under no agreement to fight your wars, if the five great nations go to war, why should you expect us to donate our men, we have far less resources and shinobi than any of you." A kunoichi from the Land of Stars replied.
"This war was not fought over land or resources, this war was fought for the good of the whole world, yet you decided to let us fight alone in hopes that we would win but be so badly crippled that your villages could take our place, in my day that was grounds for war in itself." A tall man in sea green robes with an eye patch declared. Next to him sat a beautiful woman dressed in all blue with long auburn hair.
The Mizukage smiled at her bodyguard with the same sweet innocence that she saved for only those people that had angered her in some way. She leaned over to him so she could whisper into his ear. "Ao shut up or I will kill you." The colour instantly drained from the Kiri shinobi's face. "I can understand your frustration, Konoha has allowed members from the five great nations, including myself to come here and mourn the loss of Naruto-kun for free due to peace talks between our nations, while many of you who knew him better than we did were forced to pay. I am sure Kakashi-dono's purpose for doing so is due to the fact that Konoha has just recently been rebuilt, an expensive task meaning Konoha will owe a fair amount of Ryo to their Daimyo, this is a chance for them to recover some of that lost funding. I am also aware that despite the need to pay for entrance they have been forced to turn a great number of people down due to a lack of room. If they didn't charge entrance or have a set number of people that could attend the ceremony then it is likely that the village would not be able to cope with the influx of people, and you would have far more complaints than those that you have at the moment." Mei added diplomatically.
Many in the room were impressed at her ability to defuse a potentially hostile situation, at least those that had not attended any of the Kage meetings were. "Thank you Mei-dono. I can assure all of you that it was with a heavy heart that we decided that it was necessary to charge the fee for you to come here for Naruto's funeral. The war has been hard on all of us, we all lost many good shinobi and this funeral is much for all of them as it is for Naruto." Kakashi replied.
"I think this discussion should wait until our official meetings regarding an alliance. Tonight is about welcoming so many important people to Konoha. It is an honour to have you all here, even if it is for a less than happy occasion." Tsunade said with a smile.
"She's right yo, the slug queen's real bright." A tall highly tanned man in full Raikage robes said in rap form, at his side sat two highly embarrassed looking bodyguards.
"Bee-sama please I asked you not to rap while you're here." A rather stoic looking blonde woman replied.
"Did you really think he would Samui? This was why A-sama never let Bee-sama into any meetings with other nations." The other body guard said. He was a man with pure white spiky hair that emphasised his tanned skin.
"It's fine Samui-chan, this is a party ya dig. Darui no need to bring my bro inta this relax and go with the flow." Bee rapped happily, clearly not taking any notice of the odd looks many were giving the rather eccentric new Raikage.
"Bee-dono, I was wondering, does the Hachibi know if the other Bijuu will be revived, if not, what is the time scale that we will be looking at for the return of the Kyuubi?" Gaara asked in his passive manner. Many people at the table were interested in this, for many reasons, a Bijuu signified power any nation that got their hands on one would have significant pull over other nations.
The Raikage paused, internally he was talking with his Bijuu. "I can't say, The other Bijuu became the Juubi yo, so they might be gone for good, but there is still hope, although the chances are remote." He rapped back eventually. Poor rapping aside he caught the attention of the others in the room.
"What hope is that? You think they could still come back?" Koharu asked intently. Despite knowing they were heading towards a new alliance with the five great nations she was still a Konoha elder and interested in the safety and power of her home village.
"Naruto had power from all the Bijuu, that power might bring them back, but how long? I'm in the black. Kurama's jinchuuriki has never been killed while he was inside, so when he comes back it will be a wild ride." The Hachibi jinchuuriki answered.
"But it was only a small amount of their chakra, would that be enough to revive them? Even if it was it wouldn't take longer than we have on record." Kitsuchi asked.
"That seems logical, the Bijuu were nothing but masses of chakra that came from nature, so it's possible that if enough time passes they will reform. It may not be within our lifetime though. The Kyuubi should return, but the question is what do we do when it does? Naruto befriended the Bijuu, I doubt that the Kyuubi would cause us any harm because of that. All sealing it again would do is renew it's hatred towards shinobi." Gaara reasoned.
"Leaving that fox roam is dangerous, what if someone tries to use it against us like the Akatsuki did? The beast my tolerate Konoha and the other four great villages, but we don't want a free Bijuu terrorising our countries." The leader of Taki said cautiously.
"I don't see that being an issue for Taki, your country has natural protection from the outside. I doubt that even the Kyuubi could get in if it wanted to. You did have a jinchuuriki that you mistreated, perhaps it will want revenge?" Kitsuchi replied with a scoffed laugh.
"You can't talk, Iwa disliked their jinchuuriki so much they were kept outside of the village, I hear your father didn't even try to recover them when captured." The man from Taki replied angrily.
Kitsuchi nodded in acceptance. "You are right, all of our villages are guilty of at one time mistreating our jinchuuriki, even Konoha, it's ironic that one is now the biggest hero the elemental nations have ever seen. Perspectives change as I am sure they have in all of our villages. Now if someone became a jinchuuriki I am sure they would see it as a great honour. As for the situation regarding the fox, perhaps it would be best to try and establish a positive relationship with the Bijuu once it reforms? It takes years to train a jinchuuriki, but if there was a way we could befriend the Bijuu you could have an effective ally without the need to confine the Kyuubi." He said.
"That seems like an interesting proposal. Do you think it is something that could be repeated with the other Bijuu if they reform in this world?" Gaara asked. He had serious reservations about the stability of his former prisoner. Shukaku the Ichibi was the most unstable of all the Bijuu from what he had heard and was rather insane.
"It might, if the other Bijuu support the idea. It has to be better than being sealed away in any case." Mei guessed.
While this discussion was going on Kakashi and Tsunade remained silent, the conversation on hypothetical's was an impossibility because the Kyuubi had no need to reform as it's host was not dead. One thing did interest the two Konoha ninja though. "What would have happened to the other Bijuu's chakra if Naruto hadn't died?" Tsunade eventually asked unable to contain her intrigue.
Everyone instantly looked the the Raikage for an answer. Bee hummed as he asked his Bijuu. "I don't know, it's impossible to tell yo!"
"That is an interesting thought, Naruto contained chakra from most if not all of the Bijuu, if they reformed again would they have become part of him? Or simply reformed out in the real world? It's really a shame that we will never know." Gaara sighed.
"A jinchuuriki for multiple Bijuu, is that even physically possible? You need to be unique in order to become a jinchuuriki at all, for someone to hold multiple Bijuu doesn't seem possible." The leader of Taki asked.
"Naruto was an Uzumaki, one of the few clans who are all capable of becoming jinchuuriki thanks to their uniquely strong vitality, it would not be much of a stretch to think that one could contain multiple Bijuu, especially when they already have chakra levels as high as Naruto's. His mother was chosen as the Kyuubi jinchuuriki before him for the same reason that he was, they are the perfect containers. That's why we gave the Kyuubi to the Uzumaki clan who were not from Konoha at all." Tsunade informed the room.
"It's true, Kumo attempted to kidnap the former Kyuubi jinchuuriki, Kushina Uzumaki because of her unique chakra chains that could suppress a Bijuu. Although it is unclear if they knew she was a jinchuuriki at the time. Even before her there was Mito Uzumaki who was able to seal the Kyuubi, becoming the first jinchuuriki of one of the nine Bijuu." Mei said in agreement.
"You're well informed on our history Mei-dono." Homura said a little coldly, the Kyuubi's previous jinchuuriki were supposed to be well kept secrets.
"I've done my research." The Mizukage replied with a sweet smile.
Their conversation was forgotten moments later when waiters appeared carrying the first course of the dinner. All the tension faded and small conversations broke out between the various village dignitaries.
(Meanwhile)
A very different dinner was taking place high in the mountainous peaks above the elemental nations. Two shinobi were huddled around a small heater while blisteringly cold winds bombarded their tent. "I am s-s-seriously regretting not staying wi-with the snow leopards." Karin stuttered, the condensation from her breath steaming the air due to the cold.
"Yeah so am I." Naruto replied with a short laugh, he may not be able to be killed by the cold but he sure as hell still felt it.
"Cant we use another heater? It's too cold with just one, it doesn't matter how long we try and heat our food if it's so cold that it will freeze instantly." Karin said pleadingly.
"I really want to, but we don't know how far we have to go like this. If we use up the heaters to soon then you really will freeze, we need to ration them out, things will get worse before they get better." Naruto reasoned.
"I know your right but its hard to think that way when I cant get warm at all." The red head sighed, wrapping herself tighter into a ball to try and conserve body heat.
"All I can do is turn this heater up to full power, I've been trying to conserve it as much as possible. At least the sleeping bags should be warm." Naruto replied trying to keep his partners spirits up. After a few more minutes they began to eat some warm instant ramen, the thin air and low pressure causing the water to boil at lower temperature's preventing the food from being heated properly.
They ate for the most part in silence, focusing on their food, it may not have been as hot as either would like but compared to the sub zero temperatures outside and in the tent, it helped warm their whole body. Once she had finished karin placed the bowl off to the side to be cleaned. "Hey Naruto, when you left Konoha, was there someone that you liked?" she asked as casually as she could.
"I liked everyone in Konoha they were my family and comrades." Naruto replied clearly oblivious to the real line of questioning.
Karin almost face palmed at the blondes denseness. "No I mean a like a girl that you really liked, you know a crush, or a girlfriend?"
Naruto paused, his initial thought was to say that yes he had a crush on Sakura, but somehow he just couldn't. He had no real reason why but when he thought about the pinkette now he did not feel any attraction, sure he still cared for his former teammate but there was certainly nothing romantic about how he felt. Maybe it was because they grew apart, or maybe Naruto knew from the moment she had lied and attempted to confess to him that he realised that there was really nothing there.
His next mind then went to Hinata, his world had not settled down since his fight with Pein, it had just been one mission after another. The truth was he didn't know all that much about the shy Hyuuga, but he did know that she had loved him with all her heart. The more he thought about it, the more he regretted not getting to know Hinata better, if he had then he was sure that she would have been someone that he could love back. However, "No, I didn't have a girlfriend. For awhile there was a girl I had a crush on, but I got over that." The blonde said. "Did you ever like anyone other than Sasuke?"
"Well I didn't really meet many people other than Sasuke-kun, so I guess he was my only crush up till now." Karin admitted.
"I don't get it." Naruto stated suddenly.
"Get what?"
"What is it that everyone saw in Sasuke? He was about as interesting to talk to as an old sock, yet almost all the girls in Konoha chased after him like he was the second coming of the Rikudou Sennin or something. It used to make me so angry. I mean we were both orphans, yet everyone loved Sasuke while pretending I didn't even exist."
"Looking back I don't know what I saw in Sasuke-kun. If I was to guess I would say it's because saved me in the forest of death, back when he was a Konoha shinobi, it was during the Chunin exams. Nobody had ever cared if I lived or died before, I guess he became my saviour and because of that I couldn't see all of his faults. But it's rather ironic, the boy who was loved by the people became an enemy, while the boy who was hated and discarded became their greatest hero." Karin replied.
"Sasuke made too many wrong choices in his life. I remember Kakashi-sensei once telling me that I reminded him of Obito when he was a Genin, while Sasuke was a lot like he was, if that's true would that mean if I had been faced with the same same hardships that I would have become like he did? I don't know what it is like to lose a family like Sasuke did because I never had a family to begin with, but Kakashi-sensei did, he lost his dad when he was around the same age as Sasuke but they turned out so different in the end." Naruto sighed.
"I don't think you would ever turn out like that masked man did. Your chakra is too bright and colourful to ever become as dark and twisted as his did. There is no way that anything could change that, you were able to cope with being a jinchuuriki. Tobi, or should I say Obito couldn't cope with hardship, he gave up." Karin replied.
Naruto sighed and fell onto his back, his head hitting his sleeping bag "I really hope you are right I don't want to think that I would ever turn out like Obito did. Anyway this is still kind of depressing to talk about."
"You're right it's not really a happy topic. So let's talk about something else, like what are we going to do when we get over these mountains, right now I don't care what we find as long as it's warm." Karin said with a small laugh at the end.
"Yeah after this I want to find a nice village by the seaside where I can lay back and relax for awhile, like a holiday." Naruto replied wistfully.
Karin smiled at the thought of sitting on a beach with Naruto in a small quiet town. "A holiday from what exactly? We don't have jobs anymore, we don't even know if they will have ninja. I guess when you have the type of skills we have it can't be all that difficult to find work, you would be perfect if anyone wanted some destruction work. Maybe we could start up a business together, helping people who are in need."
"Yeah that sounds nice, we could even train others to help out, even start a new ninja village. It wont be Konoha but it would be a place where we could make a difference." Naruto said enthusiastically.
"Settle down, we're not there yet, but I think that would be a wonderful idea." The red haired Uzumaki replied. 'If we do start a business of village together that means we wont separate after we're over these mountains. Maybe I have a better chance of getting him to notice me than I thought.'
"I know it's just that since I decided to go on the run I have just been walking on without a real plan. I feel like I have a purpose again now. Since I gave up my dream to be Hokage starting a new shinobi village is the next best thing." Naruto said. He was already picturing a new place for him in the world.
'It's good to be focused Naruto but it's like she said, there is no way of telling whether or not they have ninja in this new continent, there may be no need for you to start a village because there will be others willing to take you in or oppose you setting up in their territory.' Kurama reasoned.
'I know but I can live with that, I can at least still be a ninja if I join another village.' Naruto thought back in response.
'True, but just because they are willing to accept you does not make them worthy of trust or loyalty. Many people joined that snake sannin Orochimaru because he was willing to accept them. All they got for their loyalty was becoming guinea pigs in his experiments. Don't trust people so unconditionally, you wont like where it will lead.' Kurama retorted.
'I know I'll be careful, thanks Kurama.' Naruto replied kindly. Thanks to the cold it didn't take long for Naruto and karin to retreat into their sleeping bags to keep warm. They pay awake for a few hours talking, the heater placed between them. This was the first night of what would be a very difficult few days.
(The Next Day)
The son rose early in Konoha, there was not a cloud in the sky, it seemed as if the heavens were mocking what was supposed to be a sad day, because they knew the truth. Even early in the morning there were people filing up to the site behind the Hokage monument where the funeral would be held. It was a field of black with everyone wearing mourning clothes. It wasn't until around noon that Kakashi and the other Kage arrived on a small stage where a open coffin containing the fake Naruto rested above the future grave site.
As Kakashi and the other Kage arrived the crowd fell silent. Kakashi moved to the front of the stage where a small podium had been placed while the other Kage took a seat on the stage along with Tsunade and the Konoha village elders. Despite the formal occasion Kakashi still wore his face mask and tilted forehead protector to cover his sharingan. "I first met Naruto when he was assigned to me as a potential Genin. I had seen him around the village before that time of course but like most of the people of Konoha here today I had my own opinions of what he would be like, a troublemaker a loudmouth, brash and unpredictable. He was all of those things, but the brat that used to terrorise the shopping district with his pranks was not the real Naruto Uzumaki. He was a boy that despite everything that he had gone through loved this village and the people in it, even if they didn't love him."
The audience, particularly those from Konoha were silent, they knew exactly what their Hokage was talking about, they had been the cause of his pain as a child. In a small section of the front row the members of the now known Konoha twelve minus the obvious two exclusions sat together. "He was rather troublesome when we were in the academy." Shikamaru sighed with a calm smile that adequately hid his sorrow.
"When did that ever change?" Kiba replied.
"I guess it never did." The lazy genius admitted fondly.
Back on the stage Kakashi's speech was continuing. "Naruto was not the most talented shinobi, but he had a drive and determination that was unmatched, if he was given a task that he wanted to accomplish, then he would do it no matter how difficult it was. I am ashamed to say that I didn't realise that, it took a much better man that I am to see his true potential, Jiraiya-sama who was able to teach Naruto more than I ever did in just over a month. The time came where I was replaced as his sensei and rightfully so, I am many things but I was never a good sensei. But even if he hadn't been taken on as Jiraiya-sama's apprentice Naruto would still have gone on to accomplish great things, that was just the strength of his character. Nothing could defeat him and he would always come back to try again even harder than before."
Kakashi continued to talk for several more minutes. He mentioned their first mission outside the village, the second bell test where he and Sakura managed to get the bells, every so often he would add a small joke to try and lift the sombre mood. Kakashi didn't like being so formal as it made him uncomfortable but it was worse knowing that while he was here giving a eulogy for someone that was alive and well. The overflow of emotion in the crowd was the hardest part. Ninja were not supposed to cry at a funeral as it disrespects the sacrifice, you are supposed to remain stoic as a sign of respect. The problem was many of those that had come to the funeral were not shinobi, sobbing could be heard in parts while even some of the shinobi had tears in their eyes, cursing that it had not been raining.
Once Kakashi was finished he placed a flower in the coffin and took as seat. Tsunade stood up and took Kakashi's place. She talked about how she had met an obnoxious blonde haired brat that pushed her buttons so much she wanted to squash him like a bug, and how that same boy made her love Konoha once more and convince her to become Hokage. Once she was finished she too added a flower to the one that Kakashi had placed in the coffin.
After Tsunade had finished they invited Sakura to speak but she declined. Instead Gaara stood up from his seat and walked forward. "Naruto Uzumaki was the greatest man I ever met, I am honoured to know that he considered me a friend. I do not speak these words lightly, he saved my life many times over and even to this day is one of only two men that have defeated me in a fight. I always wanted to be able to fight him again, return the favour if you will, but sadly I will never get that chance. What separated Naruto was the fact that he cared, even if it was an enemy hell bent on killing him, he would try and save them. Because of him Konoha and Suna will continue to have a strong bond of friendship for as long as I live. I am not here to honour a hero, I am here to say goodbye to the best friend that I could ever ask for.." The Kazekage said in his usual stoic manner.
Sand drifted slowly out of Gaara's gourd and traveled to rest inside Naruto's coffin. Gaara bowed to the audience and walked back to his seat. The other Kage didn't have much to say, the longest to eulogise was Bee but even then it didn't last long due to the fact the Kumo elders ordered him not to rap during any official situation where he was representing the village. Each Kage did as the last and placed a flower on the grave. Mei placed two gold coins over his eyelids along with the flower as a ritual from the Land of Water, and when the last of the Kage's had finished they allowed all the guests to do the same.
One by one shinobi and civilain alike would walk over to the coffin and throw in a flower, some paused for a few moments to say a few private words of parting before moving on. It took close to an hour for everyone to have their small moment of time, and when it was over Naruto's body was almost completely covered, with only his head still exposed looking as if he was simply asleep.
Everyone gathered around respectfully as the coffin was lowered into the ground, their were noticeably more tears now, with only the strongest willed of shinobi keeping a calm face. The surviving members of the Konoha twelve buried their comrade and Kakashi placed a simple headstone that had the symbol for the Uzumaki clan next to the Konoha leaf symbol above it had his name and nothing else. It was a sign of respect that they didn't have to say anything, his feats would be forever remembered. Which is why they gave him a private burial spot in the place reserved for the Hokage's who he admired so much.
Everyone stood in silent revelry around the grave, it was like everyone was caught in a time warp, nothing moved except the sun in the sky. Eventually and very slowly, the guests began to disperse, the village had been set up for a celebration and party once the funeral had ended, most just saw it as a good chance to get drunk and farewell Naruto properly.
(Meanwhile)
"Achoo!" Naruto sneezed for what felt like the thousandth time that day.
"Hey I hope you're not getting sick, we have to share a tent!" Karin yelled ever so slightly keeping her distance as the pair walked as quickly as they could though the thick snow of the mountainous plateau.
"No i'm fine, there must be just someone talking about me." Naruto replied cheerfully, or at least as cheerfully as he could manage in the cold, the snow was knee deep which was preventing them from moving at any great speed and everything just looked the same, it was white as far as he could see in any direction. He couldn't even tell how far they had traveled anymore with no mountainous landmarks to guide them. This meant that every so often he would have to take out a compass to check that they were still heading in the right direction. 'We just need to keep moving, things will get better I just know they will!'
End Chapter!
Alright another chapter done. I hope I made the funeral believable truth is I have only ever been to one and I was really young. I know that flowers are usually thrown on top of a coffin as it's buried but I liked the idea of everyone placing them inside. As for the two coins, well that is a different mythology all together, most people know about that ritual as it's older than most religions anyway. I'm hoping for one more chapter on the mountains where I will include a meeting with the five Kage then finally move onto the next arc.
I don't really have a rant this week, while I was not really a fan of the chapter it at least attempted to do some explaining. I am wondering however how it is Obito could revive himself with the heavenly rebirth when he wasn't dead yet and if he did die the he can't revive yourself anyway. The other more plausible option is that Madara revived Obito purposefully to become the jinchuuriki with a further plan in mind. (I prefer this option).
Despite my desire to see Obito die a horrible horrible death I am actually looking forward to next week where he will probably dismantle the former Hokage's until Madara inevitably steps in with whatever plan he has with the inclusion of a new Sharingan jutsu... because that's just what happens in this manga now.