Chapter 7
Birds chirped as they blasted off the surrounding trees as Naruto ran through the shadows of the trees. He was travelling through a great speed, in a terrain that was for training purposes. At the end of the line, he had his mother waiting for him.
As he ran through, Naruto came across a tree marked with an x: within a few seconds, a small Rasengan was formed at the palm of his right hand. He slammed the jutsu into the X mark. As the jutsu collided with trunk of the tree, it burst through the tree, breaking it in half. Naruto didn't stand around to witness his handy work.
He merely danced around the falling tree, and kept running. As soon as he was behind the falling tree, Naruto was welcomed by hurling kunais. The blond kept running towards them: he wasn't to stop, or the train behind him would catch up. He clasped his hands, and kept on running as he kneaded his chakra, keeping it controlled.
''Futon: Wind Breakthrough!''
Naruto shouted as he released gusts of winds and sped towards the hurling kunais. The gusts picked up some amount of dust in front of him before they collided with the kunais, sending them towards another direction, away from his path.
Naruto burst through the dust and was welcomed by another tree in front of him. On the trunk of the tree, there was a bull's-eye target. A kunai slipped into Naruto's right hand from the sleeve of his cloak. But before he could throw the kunai, two kunais were thrown towards him from the shadows of the leaves. This forced Naruto towards his left to avoid the kunais.
Naruto twisted anti-clockwise whilst still running to get some momentum going. He then threw the kunai, hitting the bull's-eye target. As soon as he hit the target, there was an explosion on the very ground his feet touched. This forced the blond to jump up and hop into a tree branch.
As soon as he landed on the tree branch, two clones flashed into existence, flanking both his sides. The clones each sent a kick towards his forehead. Reacting simply on instinct, Naruto ducked under the kicks and used his footing to jump in a burst, flying past the two clones. As soon as he did so, Naruto twisted around to face them. He threw a kunai imbedded with an explosive tag between the two, and set it off quickly. The tag exploded in a blitz of fire.
Since Naruto was also close by, the blast also caught him: Its waves to be exact. They sent him back slightly, forcing him to land on the ground on one knee. But as soon as he landed on the ground, three kunais were thrown into his sides, imbedding on the ground. As soon as they hit the ground, Naruto was certain they had explosive tags on them.
There was only one option on this.
And indeed it was as he thought. The tags burst into a cloud of intense red flames. But as soon as the cloud formed, it was ripped apart by a raging tornado of wind. The tornado created powerful gusts of winds while rotating in immense speed. The flames were snuffed out quickly and the tornado died down, revealing Naruto.
The blond was on his knees, panting slightly.
He wasn't given time to recover his breath as he was assaulted by a flying kick. The kick collided with his head and sent him flying towards a tree. Naruto cursed as his back brutally crashed into the tree.
He wasn't given to nurse his pain as he heard a shout. ''Rasengan,'' a clone shouted, charging at him with the A-ranked jutsu. The clone was already at a close distance from him, and was aiming at his gut with the jutsu.
Naruto burst into a murder of crows. The crows flocked out of the way of the Rasengan and the Jutsu crashed into the trunk of the tree, splitting in in half. Naruto appeared behind the clone. With little time to act, he threw a kunai towards the head of the clone, while taking a quick step forward. The clone avoided the kunai by moving sideways slightly, but Naruto had cut the distance between the two and landed a powerful punch into the head of the clone, making it disappear in a puff of smoke.
Naruto looked behind him and saw two clones charging in. He took off without warning and ran through the ground and the clones followed.
As he ran, Naruto saw a strong branch just ahead. He slowed down for a second just for the clones to get a bit closer. He then bended down slightly, pushing chakra into his legs. He then took off into the air as he did quick jump. The clones followed him, but not as fast.
Naruto reached the branch first, and grapping it with both his hands. He used his momentum to twist around the tree branch while still holding it but not so firm to allow himself to spin freely. As he was twisting, the clones had reached him and Naruto's spin. His feet were spread wide and landed on both clones, sending them into the ground. They never reached the ground as they disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Naruto let go of the tree branch and landed on the ground. A few more tasks ahead. He let in a breath and whizzed past as the remaining trees.
He made it past the remaining trees and landed on a clear field.
''1 minute 24 seconds,'' Kushina said holding a stop watch on her right hand. ''You did well,'' she added with a smile on her face.
Naruto smiled. ''Better than my last lap times,'' he said, sitting on his butt trying to recover some breath. Once he was breathing normally, he looked up and spoke again. ''I guess I can thank all that training I received from those three,'' he said lightly.
Kushina was sure that even Itachi was included. Despite everything, yes, even the fact that the Uchiha was seen as a traitor to Konoha, her son didn't seem to despise him. Perhaps it was because they'd been friends. Kushina had never really bothered Naruto about it because he was handling it well.
''You have been working hard,'' Kushina said with a proud grin. ''You have been working hard these past four years.''
A lot did happen during these past years. Naruto had grown. He had grown. Kushina was proud. Yes, she was a proud mother. Especially knowing that she hadn't just watched him grow, she had also given in a hand for his growth. That would make any mother proud and she was sure Minato would be ecstatic as well. A pity he had died.
Kushina had realized that she couldn't stop Naruto from training. That was what he wanted, so instead of trying to get in his way, she stood by his side, helping him when he needed help, carrying him back to their place of residence when he had passed out, bringing him lunch when he was out in the fields. That was what a mother could do for her son.
Of course since she had been a kunoichi, she'd also helped in his training.
Kushina walked over to Naruto and gave him his hand, ''Tired? I can carry you back to the village,'' the Uzumaki said with a wide smile.
''I can walk,'' Naruto said.
''Ah come on, Naru-chan. I never carry you anymore unless you're unconscious. Don't you want to be in your mothers back anymore?'' Kushina said, pouting.
''I'm not a child...'' Naruto said in a low tone.
Kushina folded her hands across her bust and looked the other way. ''I think you don't love your mother anymore...''
Naruto's response was quick. ''No, mother. I will always love you. If you really want, you can carry me!''
Kushina burst out laughing. ''Hahahahaha,'' she laughed for a good minute. Ah, it never stops being funny. No matter how much he has grown, Naruto would always be Naruto. He was going to suffer the embarrassment of being laughed at by the kids in the village they were staying at just to make her happy.
''I'm just teasing you, silly,'' Kushina said.
No matter how many times she did it, Naruto always fell for it. No matter how obvious it was. Well, it was no problem; As long as his mother was laughing happily with him.
Naruto released a long breath. Apparently, even though there had been similar experiences, he had taking her seriously. The blond shook his head. ''The pervert should be back by now. If we don't hurry, he might be running through our belongings searching for our money to go get himself something strong to cue his hangover.''
This had been the morning run and Jiraiya hadn't returned to their place of residence the previous night. He'd been out, possibly whoring, getting drunk in celebrations of the success of their time away from their wretched village. More than anything, Naruto would've preferred they didn't have to go back to Konoha. If he were to be honest with himself, he had been happy truly happy out here, even with Jiraiya's presence.
But there were dangers out in the open.
A return to Konoha was the safe choice.
''If he is drunk suffering from the results of his fun, I will knockout the hangover in him,'' Kushina said, fist held firm. No doubt she intended to do exactly as she said.
It used to scare Naruto, but it no longer did. He loved it. He would be more than willing to join his mother. The blond smiled delightfully at his mother and spoke. ''Let us go see to it then, mother,'' he said.
Kushina nodded with the same smile as Naruto. Like mother like son, it appeared.
Minutes Later
When mother and son returned to their little house, they were both disappointed to see Jiraiya completely sober and actually doing something that wasn't perverted. He didn't appear to be drunk or suffering from a hangover. In fact, he was sitting behind a small table with a scroll in front of him writing something with a serious expression.
Both Uzumakis didn't hide their disappointment at the scene: they'd been hoping for a Sannin beating.
It wasn't often that you got to see Jiraiya wearing a serious expression on his face. Whatever it was that he was writing; it must be serious.
Naruto understood that the man was Konoha's best source of intelligence and he was apparently very effective: that was at least what his mother was saying. The Sandaime hadn't offered much praise about the Sannin during their time together in the Sarutobi compound – Perhaps because the man was never really a subject to him.
In any case, what the man was worried about was probably something that had to do with Konoha and Naruto had no interest in that. His concerns would be what Itachi had to say. The Uchiha often had news that concerned his safety and by extension his mother's. Jiraiya worked for Konoha. That was his love. Naruto's love was his mother.
Thinking of this brought back memories of that unpleasant conversation he had with Itachi at Sunagakure. He disliked it because it tested him and tried to bring him out of his comfort zone. Subsequently, Naruto just tried to forget about it. The conversation, however, and more importantly, the implications tried pulling some strings inside his head every now and then.
The Toad Sage looked at the disappointed look in Kushina's face and then to Naruto who had a look that clearly said he was thinking deep. The Sannin looked back at Kushina. ''Why do you look so disappointed?''
''I was hoping to see you drunk so that I could smack you together with my son. You've been a good punching bag in the past years,'' Kushina said, pushing Naruto by his shoulders as he had been standing in front of her like a guard.
''Am I all that to you, Kushina-chan?'' Jiraiya said with a mock hurt look on his face. As he was speaking, his hands were folding the scroll on the table. Once he'd folded it, he pocketed it and looked back at Kushina and her son.
Kushina sat down by the window, with Naruto on her right side. She looked outside the peaceful street for a moment before looking at the other adult in the room.
''What more would you be besides A pervert? You've been a bad influence on my son. If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have learned that unspeakable jutsu,'' as she spoke, Kushina looked at Naruto sternly. ''You're to never use that Jutsu again, okay?''
''Yes, mother,'' Naruto said like a good boy.
''Not fair Kushina. I have been a good influence on the boy,'' Jiraiya argued. ''He has learned a lot of things from me. It may not be directly, but because of me he has grown. Would have learned from me if he listened more to what I was telling him.''
Naruto shrugged. ''The reason I agreed to move with you was not to be like you or adopt your ideals. You are our protection and my teacher. Anything more was optional and I wasn't obligated to listen,'' the blond said indifferently.
Jiraiya adopted a hurt look. ''Minato, are you seeing this?'' He said, looking up as if he was praying. ''After everything we have been through together, your son still treats me like crap.''
"While you're at it, tell him I said hi and waiting patiently for the day we meet," Naruto couldn't help but say that.
"Did you hear that?" Jiraiya said, still in his prayer mode.
Jokes aside, things had improved between him and Naruto. The blond may not consider him as family, but at least he was edging closer. Naruto wasn't always indifferent towards him. There were moments and the blond was willing to have a conversation with him like a 'friend'. That was an improvement. One would have expected more in four years, but Jiraiya wasn't pushing his luck. He wasn't forcing things.
If he'd forced things, the blond would've told him that he should return to Konoha and Kakashi would do. Naruto didn't have problem training by himself. Most of the training routines he did had been designed by the blond himself. Jiraiya hadn't objected as they were highly effective and since he wanted to be on the good side of the blond, he had to be accommodating.
He didn't have much to do though. Naruto had already received a lot of training back in Konoha. The Sandaime had truly drilled his wisdom into the boy and the boy used it effectively when training.
''You returned far quicker today. Only had one session?'' The Toad sage asked, getting back to other serious matters.
Naruto shook his head. ''I had a few. I've just become used to that routine. I will have to change it once I return to Konoha,'' the blond said. ''Though, I doubt I will be able to draw one that will be healthy for my body. Perhaps I will continue with it until I get to complete it within seconds.''
Jiraiya just shook his head. With over four years of training, the blond had improved greatly. He didn't have a lot in the Ninjutsu arsenal, but that was because he insisted on knowing things would be usable. He said there was no use in knowing 100 jutsu and being able to use just five during battle. It was just best to perfect the few you had.
But when it came to taijutsu, fuinjutsu, genjutsu and kenjutsu, the blond excelled. What made him effective was the fact that he learned to perfect his control over his jutsus. Hell the blond could create a Rasengan in the blink of an eye. That was something Jiraiya wasn't able to do even with all his experience and years of using the jutsu.
''Your speed has improved greatly...'' Naruto was fast. What made Jiraiya frown was the fact that even though the blond did learn the Hiraishin, he never used it during a fight or training.
'I will only use it for my mother's safety,' the blond had said. To strengthen this, he didn't carry a Hiraishin kunai with him. There was only one mark he could teleport to and that was a mark on his mother.
''Konoha will be shocked when she sees how great you've become,'' Jiraiya said, he paused and adopted a serious look. ''Speaking of Konoha... There is something you must know as we are going back...''
''What is it?'' Kushina asked, sensing some seriousness in Jiraiya's tone.
''Things might be different when you return to Konoha. I don't know how it got out, but the truth is out. The village knows that the Yondaime Hokage didn't just choose a random child to bear the Kyuubi. He chose his newborn son to save the village while sacrificing his life...''
''So, how did the villagers take it?'' Kushina asked while Naruto remained silent, but unconsciously, Kushina's hand was already around him, pulling him closer to her, as if she was trying to protect him from something.
''They demanded the truth from the Sandaime, and admitted to it,'' Jiraiya winced about a thought running through his head. ''The reason I had us stop here was because I didn't want us to leave a trail of our movements anywhere. This village is hidden away from shinobi matters. It made it possible to just hide without anyone knowing anything. The people here don't even know who I am.''
''No matter how much you try to tell them in your drunken state that you're the great legendary toad sage,'' Kushina added, a bit sarcastically.
All the seriousness evaporated as Jiraiya smiled sheepishly, ''I tend to say a lot when drunk,'' the Sannin said a bit sheepishly. He then looked at Naruto. ''What do you think of this?''
''Don't care much,'' that was Naruto's response and predictable as it may have been, it made both Jiraiya and Kushina frown hearing.
''You will have to care eventually,'' Jiraiya said firmly.
Kushina frowned, seeing where it was going. ''As much as I don't want to stand with Jiraiya on this matter, I don't think you'll have a choice, Naruto,'' she said to her son.
Naruto just looked at her questionably.
Jiraiya explained. ''Some villagers will still look at you with contempt. Some will just try to ignore you, and those few who were rational will like you. It is how things will be for a while. But Naruto, you're not invisible. You're will grow into a fine shinobi and the villagers will notice, Even if they don't want to. You may not care for Konoha, but when you continue doing great things as Konoha's shinobi, they will be forced to acknowledge you.''
Naruto frowned. ''It will be unfortunate. I have no care for fame or their affection. Their opinions have been pretty clear to me...''
''People eventually change, Naruto,'' Kushina said. ''I have always told you this: unless you're god, nobody remains the same forever. When circumstances change, opinions will change, people will change.''
''You don't have to worry about anything,'' Jiraiya said. ''On the bright side of things, if the villagers change, they won't have problems protecting your mother.''
Predictably, Naruto accepted it with a smile. Jiraiya shook his head. Smart as the blond was, he could be a simpleton at times. But that didn't make him stupid.
Jiraiya was sure Naruto knew when his mother was being used to manipulate him. The blond didn't disagree to it, nor did he show displeasure. In fact, he acted as if he was oblivious to it. As long as the mother was okay, and she got to smile, the blond would do anything.
''What time are we leaving?''
''Midnight. There will be a full moon tonight. By morning we should be crossing the Fire country Border and reach Konoha at around evening...''
Naruto nodded and looked at his mother for a moment. ''I'm going for a nap.''
Jiraiya watched the blond disappear. Once he was out of the clear, the Sage looked at Kushina. ''I didn't want to say this in front of Naruto, but the revelation of his heritage was made two years ago. It has garnered a few enemies to both him and you.''
Kushina frowned. ''If he knew that, I wouldn't put it past him to consider me leaving me in the Sandaime's hands and go out to eliminate all enemies.''
Jiraiya nodded. ''We have to be careful. One will eventually slip through and if it does happens... It is predictable how Naruto will react.''
"I know. But Naruto is smart. Before we reach Konoha, he will have worked out the consequences of this revelation," Kushina said with a sad smile. "Sometimes i worry about his happiness, Jiraiya."
"We all do, Kushina. We all do," Jiraiya responded quietly. "He is still young though, he will eventually change."
Konoha
The Village Hidden in Leaves: it has been long hasn't it Leaf? Naruto found himself asking, as if the village had a voice of its own. Despite the question, Naruto felt no excitement over meeting this village once again. There was nothing but indifference. This was home, yet that house he'd shared with the perverted Sannin had felt like a home more than this godforsaken village. That village he'd left had grown to mean something to him. So much that if he ever heard that someone had disturbed its peace, he would hunt them down and slaughter them with his bare hands.
Naruto shook his head. His mind was becoming more of a slaughter house. When the thought of things he didn't like ran rampant through his head, there had been thoughts of slaughtering whatever it was that was causing the disturbance. Perhaps it was the Kyuubi's chakra left within his chakra system that was making him have such bloody thoughts. It was certain who ever went into his head would surely have good nightmares.
'Are you blaming me for your own madness?' a voice said within Naruto's head.
'Are you talking to me, now?' Naruto asked the Bijuu that only spoke to him when it was convenient, which was why he kept the link active in case it had something to say.
'Should I not comment when you're blaming me for something I'm not responsible of?' The Bijuu questioned. 'If you were blaming me for your sad story then I wouldn't say anything.'
'You could attempt to be a little sorry about that you know,' Naruto said to the Kyuubi, knowing that the Bijuu felt no pity for him, nor did it think twice about what happened. It was just indifferent and Naruto wouldn't be wrong to say the Bijuu wouldn't mind going on a rampage again, this time on its own will.
The will thing was a sore subject. The fact that Naruto had a Sharingan hidden somewhere that specialized in mind control didn't make the Bijuu happy at all. It wasn't afraid to show him its distaste. Even when Itachi came up to him, Naruto had the image of the monstrous beast tossing and turning in anger at the sight of the Sharingan.
The doujutsu was a sore spot. The pride of the most powerful Bijuu had been wounded because it had been manipulated by those damned Uchihas.
Kurama snorted. 'What for?' He questioned rhetorically. 'Just don't blame for your twisted thoughts. Your thoughts don't make you a nice person. I wonder how your mother would feel if she saw what really happens inside that head of yours. My former host thought of love, and there is no love in your thoughts.'
'I wonder what would happen if I stared at you with pity and the promise of nursing your wounded pride.'
Kurama ignored the comment. 'You should become evil. With your kind of thoughts, it wouldn't be difficult for you. I'd be more than willing to help you out.'
'What are you trying, now? Are you trying to prove that you're as evil as people say you're? From what I know so far, you've been a victim being passed out to Jinchurikis like a ball...' the blond paused for a moment. 'Are you perhaps trying to get me mad so to weaken the seal so you can be free?'
'Worth a try.'
'Wouldn't be worth it. You'd just be sealed again, and this time by a 11 year old. Shukaku would certainly enjoy himself in your expense,' Naruto said and cut the link.
As he focused on the outside, he found his mother looking at him curiously. 'More troubles with my former prisoner?''
Naruto nodded. He released a long breath as he focused on the village hidden in leaves. He certainly had to watch out with his thoughts though. Or else he would certainly become something that would make his mother sad. Laughter roared at the back of his head. Yea, like something like that would happen.
''I really don't want to face the villagers,'' the blond said to his mother. ''Well, there is nothing we can do about it. At least the animosity will be lessened and it will be pleasant for us to walk about without you having to defend myself from some monkey.''
''Language Naruto,'' Kushina said sternly.
''Sorry,'' Naruto was quick to say.
''But yes,'' Kushina said with a nod. ''It will be a good change for us. Let us just hope that things eventually smooth out. And become good in the next couple of years.''
Naruto looked up into the sky - it was just past noon. They'd made it earlier than planned and Naruto was complaining: Inwardly, of course. Once again, he sighed. ''Well, it seems your word of hope will eventually bear fruit, mother.''
''What did I tell you?''
''When reality is staring at you with a glare, it is difficult to see past it. For my age, it is even more difficult. The concept of hope isn't something that I can grasp especially given how narrow-minded I can be,'' Naruto said to his mother. ''Well, I guess this is why I have you as a mother. Things would certainly be different if mother wasn't with me.''
''Yea. I'm glad I'm here to raise you,'' Kushina said with a smile. Her tone was quiet. She was thinking of Minato once again. ''Come on, son. We don't want to keep the Sandaime waiting. With his age, he might die waiting.''
Naruto smiled. It came short of laughter. But it was something nonetheless. ''He isn't that old mother.''
Kushina shook her head. ''That old man has been alive since the first shinobi world war. Do you know when that was? I mean he was even taught a few things by the Shodai Hokage. A man who lived along the times of Uchiha Madara - whose existence as become something of a myth today...''
Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment. ''When you put it like that...'' he didn't say anything further. ''We should hurry then...''
Hokage Office
The Sandaime was inside his office along with Jiraiya - who'd come first while Naruto took some air at the Hokage Monument along with his mother. The Third was patiently waiting for the young blond he'd come to see as his grandson. Really, he was excited to see young Naruto-kun again. He couldn't even hold back his smile and he didn't feel like smoking today.
If he hadn't been held back by something, he would have even gone to welcome the blond and his mother at the gates. Yes, that was how much the blond meant to him and how much he'd missed him. Jiraiya's presence was something that he had to be reminded as he dived into his thoughts.
''I wonder when I last saw you like this,'' the Sannin said to his sensei.
Hiruzen smiled. ''It has been long,'' he said, shaking off his thoughts. Perhaps it was time to act his age. ''Were you able to find any of the Uzumakis along the way?''
Jiraiya shook his head.
''That's a pity,'' The Sandaime said. Clearly disappointed. ''If there was something, it would have meant something to both Kushina and Naruto. I'm certain young Naruto would have had something else to cherish.''
Jiraiya nodded. ''I did find something though. A trace: there was a family of redheads that gave birth to a girl, but died suddenly. The village was raided by Orochimaru who took the girl. There has been nothing aside from that. I haven't told Kushina as of yet. I don't want to give them false hope.''
''A wise choice,'' the Sandaime said with a nod. ''Besides, if Naruto saw that the news made his mother happy, he would try to find Orochimaru to get more details.''
''It has been four years, don't you think he might have changed,'' Jiraiya asked his former sensei.
The Third shook his head. ''Change is possible in some level, but when it comes to his mother. Naruto will always be Naruto,'' he said quietly. ''I like that he's grown though…'' the Third paused adopting a serious look. ''What was it that you said you had to tell me in person?''
''How deep was Naruto's relationship with Itachi?''
The Sandaime narrowed his eyes slightly. ''Deep. They had an understanding. Itachi was more of a positive towards young Naruto. If 'that' hadn't happened, Itachi would have succeeded in making the boy 'normal' why do you ask?''
''Naruto has a contract with Itachi's summons. It would have made sense to me if he'd annulled the contract when Itachi fled the village. But he didn't and doesn't hide the fact that he doesn't care much about what Itachi did,'' the Sannin paused for a moment. ''He also has a Sharingan.''
That was a shock to the Sandaime. ''What? How?''
''It's not like that,'' Jiraiya said trying to calm his sensei. ''It is implanted in one of his crows. He uses it for Genjutsu. No doubt it came from Itachi. But why would Itachi give the eye to Naruto? And where he did get it from?''
''How did you find out?''
''I saw it while he was training. And he sort of used it on me while I was pestering him about something,'' the Sannin said rather sheepishly.
''What did he say when you asked?''
''Brat told me to mind things that concerned me, and that my job was to train him and protect him and his mother...''
The Sandaime chuckled, picturing Naruto saying those to Jiraiya with a straight face. ''Naruto isn't stupid. So he doesn't care if we know. It's something Itachi gave him and knowing how close they were, even torture wouldn't get him to answer anything about it if he doesn't want to talk. In any case, there is a reason Itachi gave the eye to young Naruto, and if you want the answer, you'll have to ask Itachi himself because Naruto won't tell you.''
''That much I figured...'' Jiraiya said.
Before the Sandaime could say anything, Naruto appeared in the office along with his mother via gusts of wind. The Third blinked at the elemental Shunshin. He shook his head, smiling and stood up.
Naruto walked up to the old man and the two embraced. No word said.
They took their time before Naruto returned to his mother's side. ''I missed you my boy,'' the Third said happily. ''You've grown quite well for your age. I assume your time away was good for your health and growth.''
''Yes it was,'' Naruto said with a small smile. ''I thank you for it. We experienced so much good because of your consideration.''
''Anything for you,'' The Third said turning to Kushina with a warm smile. ''Kushina-chan, you haven't aged. Uzumaki genes... I presume...''
The Uzumaki nodded. ''Naturally,'' she said. ''You on the other side...''
The Sandaime merely chuckled. ''Well age hasn't been good to me... And this office doesn't make things easy for my body. But I'm still holding on.''
Kushina nodded. ''Good,'' she said. ''Naruto would cry for the first time in years if you suddenly kicked the bucket.''
''I still have a few years in me,'' he said looking at Naruto. ''I'm touched that you'd cry for me...''
Before Naruto could say anything to deny it, the doors burst open as Koharu entered the office. ''I heard you'd returned,'' she said looking between mother and son. ''Good you're in one piece and look healthy. Wouldn't want anything happening to the Yondaime's legacy...''
''You say it now?'' Kushina questioned with narrowed eyes.
''Nobody knew back then. It has to be said now since everyone knows. There are political and economic consequences to this situation. Do you know what would happen if outsiders really knew that Minato's family was being treated like demons? This is the family of the man who died protecting this village. If it hadn't been for his sacrifice, this village would have suffered massive losses. The consequences would be massive for Konoha.''
The Sandaime knew it all too well. Minato had many admires outside. If people knew that Konoha held no love for his family, even after dying for this village, those people would certainly abandon Konoha as it has abandoned its greatest hero's family.
Nevertheless, this wasn't the place and time to say it. And that woman wasn't the one to be saying it after all these years.
''What do you want, Koharu? I told you not to come to my office when not called...'' the Sandaime spoke in a very Hokage tone.
''I just came to let me know of their position before anything happens. I know you care too much to make some things clear to them...'' Koharu said shaking her head. ''Be thankful to him that he shot down and promised pain to anyone who proposes we marry you off to restore the Uzumaki clan...'' Jiraiya, the Sandaime, and Kushina froze when the old woman said those words. ''Well, at least we can still...''
''What did you just say?''
''Hmm?''
''What did you just say?''
Koharu noticed that the atmosphere in the office had become suffocating. She looked at Naruto carefully: he was looking at her with these cold eyes that threatened death.
''What do you make of my mother you loathsome, monkey?''
The Sandaime motioned for an Anbu to come and take Koharu away and that occurred within a few seconds. And everything returned to normal. Well, somewhat.
''Well, Sandaime-sama, thank you for everything. Naruto and I had a lovely time,'' Kushina said smiling, as if nothing had happened, ''Come on Naruto. Let's go home. Our house must be full of dirt and dust. Plus I have got to see Mikoto-chan...'' that said, both mother and son disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
''That kid will become a monster if something happens to his mother,'' Jiraiya said.
The Sandaime nodded. ''Someone you don't want to carry overwhelming power, but yet he has all that… Difficult situation, huh?''
''Yea,'' Jiraiya said. ''You're not really surprised he called Koharu a monkey and spoke in a very cold tone that sent chills even to my spine...''
''He was always like that,'' The Third said with a shrug of his shoulders. ''He calls the villagers who hate him monkeys. Back then, it was Kushina who was violent when something she didn't like was said about her son. Now with Naruto powerful enough to act, we will take that role from his mother.''
''Isn't that a problem?''
''Not when it's manageable,'' the Sandaime said calmly. ''Kushina is Naruto's limit. As long as she is there he won't do anything. That was a good example of it: he didn't attack Koharu. He just stared at her with death and might have threatened her.
I know how to handle him. I will take that urge off. Right now, only Kushina is his life. All we have to do is move some pieces closer and reign down the urges. Get someone into his heart and make things work out. He's predictable as he is. But once this stage passes, he will grow further.''
''Sometimes I wonder how Danzo manages to get under your skin...'' Jiraiya said with a shake of his head.
Senju Compound
It was as expected: there was dust everywhere. No one has been living in the place for four years – that was the thing one would expect to see. Kushina hadn't expected the Sandaime to send someone here to clean up. There would be some violation of privacy, so to respect that, he probably left the place untouched while keeping an eye on it.
Should cleaning come first or talking to Naruto? The place was a mess. They couldn't sleep as it was and they also needed to go out and buy food. Whatever was in the fridge was rotten by now. But she also needed to have a talk with Naruto about what just happened in the Hokage's office. Naruto did scare her sometimes.
''Would it be okay if I have my clones clean up?'' Naruto said to his mother. ''They can do everything quickly and save you from some work. We can only do the finishing touches and what you think hasn't been put in the right place.''
Kushina nodded. ''Do that,'' she said.
She'd forgotten about that jutsu. Then again, she wouldn't have asked her son to clean the house by himself. She would have asked he help her clean up not see that he clean the mess alone. But since he was using his clones to do, she could live with it.
''Tajuu, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu,'' Naruto said with a single hand seal and 20 or so Kage Bushins popped up in a cloud of smoke. Orders were clear: clean the house. The clones divided the chores amongst themselves and Naruto approved.
''Come on, let's go sit outside the garden while they clean up,'' Kushina said walking towards the back door. Naruto followed silently. As they reached outside, Kushina felt relieved that it had been taken care of. It would've been disaster if it had been left alone without anyone taking care of it.
Both mother and Son walked towards the tree that breathed at the back of the house and sat down, leaning against its trunk. Kushina looked at Naruto with a look on her face. When Naruto merely looked at her curiously, she sighed.
''Normally, I would've been the one to react to that statement...'' she started. ''Who does that old hag think she is saying I should be thankful for not getting married off? It is as if I'm their property. Marry off? I'm not a tool they can use for breeding purposes.''
Naruto nodded, agreeing with his mother. ''That makes me sick. To think someone would think of you in such a matter. We're not living in Konoha because we're a property of Konoha and anyone who thinks that will have to be reminded.''
''Well let us thankful the Sandaime stopped anything from happening - but of course, I wouldn't have agreed to anything,'' Kushina said firmly. ''In any case, you have to stop Naruto.''
''What?''
''Acting like that...'' Kushina stressed her words. ''You have to be calm at all times. You can't be acting like that when nobody is threatening my life – that would be understandable. But when someone says insensitive things, I will deal with them.''
Naruto frowned. It almost felt like his mother was begging him. He hated it. ''I wouldn't have attacked her, mother, but I would have showed her my displeasure at saying those unacceptable things.''
''I understand and know, but please Naruto, for own your sanity, don't overreact to everything, and let some things pass. I need you to think happy thoughts. Can you at least do that for your mother?''
''Anything for you mother,'' Naruto said, his tone strained a bit.
Kushina smiled sadly. It wasn't fair to do that knowing he wouldn't refuse anything she asks of him. She had held off saying that for too long, so she had to say it even if it wasn't fair. It was for his own good.
''Let's go to the Uchihas. It's been long. We will buy food when we return...'' Kushina said standing. Once she was on her feet, Naruto followed her shortly and both walked side by side, leaving the Senju compound.
''Wouldn't you like to visit our house first? It has some memories in it...'' Naruto said to his mother.
The woman smiled, ''Yea,'' she said. ''The good and bad,'' she added.
Uchiha Compound
''Well that was interesting,'' Naruto said to his mother as they entered the Uchiha residence - they'd walked through the streets of the Hidden Leaf from their house.
Along the way, the villagers' reaction had been really interesting. There was a definite change in the atmosphere around the streets. When Naruto left the Leaf he had been fed up with the villagers' attitude towards his existence. They'd been blaming him for what Itachi had done. It was sick. But they'd done it. He was the scapegoat for all troubles that occurred around the village. The time away had been because of it.
What the Kyuubi had done had become a memory. But now those feelings should have returned. They should have come to understand that he couldn't have controlled the Uchiha. The damn Sharingan was supposed to the puppet master, but at that time, it had been the one being manipulated.
Foolish and ignorant monkeys.
If they'd changed about that, Naruto would have understood it perfectly. He wouldn't have found it interesting. He wouldn't have even bothered to comment on it. But now things were just different.
Even when he'd thought he wouldn't care and wouldn't be able to tell, he could tell. There were a few glares, and a lot of people going their way to avoid them. Some had looks of embarrassment. Perhaps The Sandaime had told them that they should be ashamed of themselves for taking out their hatred on Minato's son, the man who died to protect them, and if Naruto hadn't been made the sacrifice, their worthless lives wouldn't have been saved.
''Definitely, interesting, but a nice change,'' Kushina said with a nod of agreement. She looked at Naruto carefully, ''How does it make you feel?''
The blond placed his right hand on his chest, trying to feel the beat of his heart. ''I shouldn't be able to feel anything, but I feel as if there was a weight that was lifted off my shoulders. If they can just ignore me like this, I can move freely, returning the favor.''
Kushina merely smiled. ''You have a heart. I told you didn't I? Humans will change because of circumstances. Even if you don't want to admit it, the change does have a good influence on you mentally.''
Kushina was happy. She wouldn't go as far as to preach the same message Jiraiya does about doing something to have the villagers change their attitude towards him. The Sannin wanted Naruto to prove that he was a hero and a good person. Not the demon they thought he was. But Kushina was certain that Naruto wouldn't go that far. He wasn't training for the sake of the village but for both their sakes.
''Perhaps. But this feeling is strange. I feel light and it is as if i can just run around the village being carried by the wind...'' Naruto said with a slightly curious look on his face. ''Should I be feeling like this? I never thought the feeling would arise in me. However, it doesn't mean that I see them I humans...''
''Well, we can't change everything in one day, dear,'' Kushina said. ''I'm just happy that you feel free. Freedom is a step towards peace of mind.''
''Peace of mind?''
''Being at peace within your heart and mind. Having no worries. You're always troubled by the glares. The fact that you call those people monkeys means that you see them as less-human. Being free means you will be able to relax, enjoy some quietness. As of now, you're always thinking about something troublesome. That's why you're always heavy, emotionally.''
Naruto tilted his head to the side. He shook his head. He could chew on that later on.
''Do you think the Sandaime was the one who leaked the information?'' Naruto asked, looking ahead as the main house within the Uchiha compound came into view.
''Why do you think that?'' It hadn't crossed her mind because he was the one who had insisted on keeping it a secret to protect both her and Naruto from Minato's enemies.
''I wouldn't put it past him to do it,'' Naruto said. ''He is always thinking about what is good for us and Konoha. This revelation doesn't just do good for us, but for Konoha as well. It balances the question. I presume he figured that in time, I will learn to like the villagers as they learn to like us. Everyone is happy in the end.''
''That doesn't sound so bad at all, wouldn't you say?''
Naruto just shrugged. ''My happy day will be when I truly act to what I believe. What I have been facing now has been nothing. When that situation comes that I have to make a choice...''
The similar situation to the one where Itachi had to choose between his family and Konoha: Naruto wanted to find himself faced with a similar situation. He wanted to make that choice. Save his mother instead of Konoha. When he would make that choice, Naruto was sure that when that happens, he would feel truly alive.
The consequences could come after that. He would deal with them. He understood that there was always a reaction to an action. Naruto understood that very well.
The two reached their destination before Kushina could say anything further to Naruto. Mikoto was standing at the door frame with a warm smile on her face, as if she'd been waiting for them to come.
''Kushina-chan...'' Mikoto was happy to see her friend. ''It's been too long...'' she said as the two woman embraced. ''Too long...''
''Yea,'' Kushina said. ''Have you been well?''
''Yea,'' Mikoto said. ''Aside from being Head clan, there hasn't been anything else to do. The first year was tough with Sasuke and all. But things are okay now. How about you?''
''I have been well,'' Kushina said. ''The four years were good on us. We had lots of fun. Though, Jiraiya might have rubbed some of his perverseness on my son.''
''Well that is good, not the last part'' Mikoto said before kneeling down for Naruto. ''Hello, hero...'' she said warmly. She wanted to hug him, but Naruto shook his head.
The blond smiled at the older woman. He held up his right hand, Mikoto did the same, and the blond took it before he kissed it. ''It has been a while, Mikoto-san. I have missed your beautiful smile.''
''Oh, you're a gentleman, now?'' Mikoto said with a wide smile. ''Jiraiya taught them to you?''
''I just observed and it is apparently who you treat woman. Mother approves. I don't understand though. She has said I should always smile, but sometimes when I do this, she hits me...'' Naruto said, the confusion was apparent in his face.
Mikoto merely smiled at the boy and looked at Kushina. ''If he had the heart, he would be a lady's man. But because he is Naruto, you shouldn't worry too much.''
''I know, but I can't help it,'' Kushina said. ''Where is Sasuke?''
''Training ground...'' Mikoto said. ''At the back of the house,'' she said to Naruto.
Naruto had a frown on his face. This wasn't an ideal thing for him. He disliked the responsibility that had befallen on him, especially with the fact that there was this child. Yes, the young Uchiha may be slightly older than him by a month or less, but he had been the adult in their shot time together and the Uchiha had been frustratingly childish. Well, he had battered up the boy really good. He doubted the Uchiha would make any stupid moves in his presence.
Well, he had a lot to be thankful of because of Itachi. The Uchiha really had given him a lot. All the warnings and the slight change he had caused in his life. Although he wouldn't say it to anyone, Naruto had noticed that she was at most happy when she showed changes towards the ideal son.
Promises were promises: and so, Naruto removed the frown on his face when he saw the young Uchiha pummeling a dummy. He just stood there and held out his right hand. A crow flew onto it, and observed the Uchiha with its blood red eyes. It took a few more moments before the Uchiha turned towards Naruto.
Sasuke frowned when he saw Naruto. He wouldn't be wrong to say the blond had been a bully towards him. Sure he had been a bother, but he hadn't asked the blond to look after him and he hadn't asked his mother to do the same. He had things to deal with back then, but the blond didn't seem to care. He just wanted to smile at his beloved mother.
Sasuke could very well remember the day the blond had hit him with a frying pan and threatened to break his fingers. The memory was very fresh in his mind and he was sure that it wouldn't leave so soon. The blond had done a great damage that day.
He wondered though. After all the training he'd done, would the blond still do it again?
''What do you want?''
Naruto acted as if he didn't hear Sasuke. He looked at the crow on his right hand, and nodded. The crow flew away silently and Naruto stared at its back until it disappeared. Once it had disappeared, the blond looked back at Sasuke.
''Hostile, little Sasuke,'' Naruto said with a blank look on his face. ''Have you stopped being a jealous little boy and grown into something that won't give me the urges to smash my fist into your face?''
''Yea,'' Sasuke said sarcastically, but then grinned. ''I'd like to see you try that. I give no guarantees that I won't hit back though.''
He has trained a lot, and has been working tirelessly. Hell, he was told the next year would be his last. He had no peers in the in the academy. They all bowed before Uchiha Sasuke: well not literally, but they all knew that he was the best and no one tried anything funny. He had been told that no one his age could best him and he believed so.
Naruto tilted his head to the side, then shook his head with a frown on his face. ''Arrogance. Don't worry, I will wipe that grin off your face,'' the blond said. ''Even I know that despite my wishes, I can't defeat everyone and know my limits. Despite the fact that I can be somewhat narrow-minded.''
Sasuke didn't lose his grin, despite those eyes looking down at him and that condescending tone. ''If you think you're better, why don't you come closer and prove it to me? I haven't been just lying around all these years.''
''I have no desire for pointless scuffles,'' Naruto said with a shrug. ''When you come back tomorrow from the academy come to the Senju compound. I will be waiting for you. You're in need of some wiring.'' He turned around to walk away.
''No,'' Sasuke said. ''I don't need your help.''
''I wasn't asking you: I'm telling you. Be present or I will look for you and drag you all the way by your hair,'' Naruto said before adding. ''Your hands and feet will be bound so that you don't kick out or try to scratch me like a cat. But I will leave your mouth as it is so that you can scream all you want.''
Sasuke had a comeback for that. He hadn't been just training only. He has been learning too and his mother had filled up on most things. ''I doubt the villagers would allow you to do that. You may be the Yondaime's son, but as it stands, they don't like you and they see him as the Uchiha's prince.''
''So you have learned to talk back... That's interesting... But I have one question: when did I start fearing the villagers and when did I start caring about what they think? Make it questions."
Having said that, Naruto disappeared from the training ground. He went back to the house. His mother was still busy with Mikoto. Looking at her, Naruto couldn't help but smile seeing how happy she seemed being with her friend once more. It was the happiness he saw in her that made saying what he was about to say a lot easier.
''Mother,'' Naruto called out his mother.
''You done already with Sasuke-kun?'' Kushina asked with a raised brow.
Naruto nodded. ''We will 'bond' from tomorrow,'' the blond said. The way he said 'bond' didn't make Kushina very happy, but she didn't comment on it. ''I will go ahead. I need to see Ino before returning to the house. I'm sure you'll do the shopping with Mikoto.''
''It's okay,'' she said smiling. ''So you really do miss that girl.''
Naruto nodded. ''As much as I never wished to admit it, yes I do,'' he said.
''Go ahead,'' Kushina said, but then looked curiously. ''When did you start calling her Mikoto? It sounds too informal like you're buddies.''
Yamanaka Flower Shop
Life was truly a mysterious thing. Being alive meant being able to experience so many things: both pleasant and unpleasant. There were a lot of emotions that went along the lines when one was living. Naruto never thought that he would ever feel some of the things he now felt. The only thing he'd told himself that he would feel was the love for his mother and that had been it and nothing more nothing less.
Yet, here he was. The emotions confused him at times. Such that sometimes he chose not to think about them because at the end of the day, only one thing mattered and that was the health of his mother. Other things came second best. Nevertheless, it didn't mean that he didn't feel any of those other things.
Perhaps it was the reason he was truly looking forward to the day he would be forced to make a choice as Itachi was forced to make.
Looking around the flower shop, Naruto couldn't help but form a tiny smile. He had missed the fresh air that filled up the beautiful shop. Perhaps it was because this breath was just full of nature other than the breath being intoxicated by the monkeys outside.
''Naruto...?''
Ino said, looking at the blond haired with a questioning look on her face. Perhaps she wasn't really sure that it was him. She hadn't been told that he would be returning to the village. If she had known, she would have waited at the gates and even skip classes to see her him. She had missed her beloved black knight after all. Though, she wouldn't admit it to anyone but the blond himself.
Looking at him... He had grown tall. His hair had grown long as well, framing both sides of his face and he was wearing a white cloak that just spelled nobility.
''Hello Ino,'' Naruto said in quiet tone, his lips twitched into a smile.
''Naruto!'' Ino dropped whatever that she was holding and ran up to the blond. She pulled him into a tight hug. The fact that Naruto just stood there slipped her mind as she was too overjoyed to see her knight.
''I missed you. Do you know how many times I wished I could write to you or just even see that blank expression of yours?'' The blonde girl said, now staring at Naruto's eyes.
So apparently, when you really miss someone, you miss even those things that annoy you. ''It couldn't be helped. I was a bit too far away,'' Naruto said with a shrug. ''You've grown well.''
''I'm glad you noticed,'' Ino said with a grin. ''Can't you show some excitement? Don't tell me your mother forced you to come here...'' she frowned. ''Is it that you didn't miss you as well?''
''Maybe,'' Naruto said just to get a reaction from Ino. Then smiled, slightly. ''Just kidding. Although I find your loud voice to be annoying at times and your attempts to blackmail me, I did think about you.''
Ino beamed, ''I'd have smacked you if it was otherwise,'' she said firmly, holding out his right fist, just to show that she was indeed serious about punching him if things hadn't gone her way.
''I'd just come to let you know I have returned...'' Naruto said. ''I'll see you around...''
Ino grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving. ''You just got here. You can't leave like that,'' she said. ''You have to fill me in on how your time was outside the village. Four long years of experiences. I want to know.''
Naruto sighed. ''That can be done some other times.''
Ino ignored Naruto and turned around before calling. ''Mom, I'm going out!'' She didn't wait for a response before pulling Naruto out of the flower shop. ''You're going to tell me everything over a meal.''
''You're buying,'' Naruto said.
Yes, he was deadly serious about that. Not because he didn't want to pay, but because he didn't have any money with him.
Well, it was good to see the girl was still the same: forward as always. That was good. Naruto disliked people who came in behind him after all. Anyone who came straight at him was welcomed. He would offer the same courtesy as well.
Naruto allowed himself to be pulled away, thinking about other things: like what he was going to be doing from now on. He refused to go back to the academy. It would be a waste of his valuable time and effort. Well, training would do and some good, peaceful time with his beloved mother.
But that could be put into threat. Jiraiya had said that he would become a fine shinobi of Konoha. That meant that he couldn't just stroll around the village. They would make a shinobi.
Well that couldn't be helped. Naruto reasoned that if they say he become one of Konoha, he would abide, not because he so loved Konoha, but because serving Konoha would make his mother's life much better.
Later
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still inside his office, working through some things. There was always something that had to be done with being Hokage. But overall, over the past years, things have been going smoothly. Well, as smooth as they could since this was the shinobi world. Nothing ever settled for too long. Someone was always thinking about doing something. You could never to be sure about anything.
The day didn't have too many headaches. The Sandaime was just glad that Naruto had returned to this village that his father had given his life to protect. Looking at the report, he couldn't help but be pleased that the day had gone as he would have expected.
Just a little longer and the villagers would be more than happy to smile at young Naruto.
''Reading something good?'' Jiraiya said as he popped up in the office in a cloud of smoke.
The Sandaime Hokage nodded. ''You can say that,'' he said leaning against his chair. ''Things have started well. But nothing will ever change if Naruto remains as he is. He will refuse to go back to the academy, and Kushina won't force things out because of his blossoming relationship with Inoichi's daughter and there is Sasuke-kun.''
That really gave the Sandaime too many questions and he didn't like the answers at all. Obviously, Naruto wasn't fond of Sasuke. That was obvious even to the blind. But the blond still went out his way to 'help' the young Uchiha. The Sandaime believed that it had something to do with Itachi. The Uchiha had helped Naruto a lot. The possibility could be that Naruto was merely doing it as a favor or that Itachi had asked Naruto.
The latter possibility opened a door that led to the realization that Naruto might know about Itachi's mission.
''He has also made some friends in Suna,'' Jiraiya said. ''So in terms of friends he isn't lacking. The emotional attachment is questionable though. He doesn't invest much emotion in other people besides his mother.''
''Naturally,'' the Sandaime said. ''But that will eventually change. I told you didn't I? I just have to move the pieces accordingly and Naruto will eventually grow attached to someone. He is still very young, and has yet to understand all his emotions. As he grows with these people, he will to like them.''
Jiraiya nodded. He had seen it outside Konoha. The blond didn't have problem with anyone. Perhaps it was Konoha that was the problem. This village has been nothing but a pain to him.
''What about how the villagers view him? You said it yourself, if things remain as they are, nothing will change.''
The Sandaime smiled. ''I have a solution for that,'' he said, taking out a headband from one his drawers. ''This is Naruto's. He will become a shinobi of Konoha when others graduate. For now, he will have to to do something, serve the village... Even if he doesn't grow to love this village, working for it will make him feel a sense of duty towards it.''
''You mean you want to have him join Anbu?'' Jiraiya asked with a frown. ''He isn't nearly good enough for it. But he can manage. Although I don't want to admit it, he is much more suitable for it.''
The Sandaime nodded. ''We have to keep him out of the light for now. Anbu will help grow stronger than he is. Given what is coming ahead, there is no other choice.''
''You will have to that through Kushina...''
The Sandaime nodded. ''I will explain things to her. She has to know the threat that is after her son. Minato had many enemies. You can't always be there 24/7. He has to protect himself and his mother. She won't like that, but for their survival, this has to be done.'' The Third, going to another matter. ''I have had some nations throwing in their daughters at Naruto.''
''Lucky brat,'' Jiraiya said in thought.
At that moment, Danzo walked into the office. As usual, the man didn't bother knocking. The Sandaime sighed. Not this, he thought.
''I was wondering when you'd come,'' the Third said to Danzo. ''Let's hear it.''
''I'd like to know how the boy has improved over the past four years. With the revelation of his heritage, he is no longer just a weapon but if used correctly, he can become a powerful political tool.''
''You can go home if that is what you came to enquire about,'' the Sandaime said in a flat tone. ''If you get anywhere near Naruto, I will have your head hanged at the Hokage Monument, Danzo.''
End of chapter 7
That took long, but I think I managed to draw it out pretty well.
Thanks to everyone who gave their response to chapter six. I did have some difficulty in writing that as I struggle massively in trying to connect my characters.
What's left? Nothing comes to mind…
The Omnipresent Sage
