A/N: Thank you guys for all the support! To answer the guest review: the first chapter matters a lot in this story, especially later on. I didn't write it for nothing.

Guys, I didn't delete Itachi from the main cast here because he will play a smaller role. He's still in the main cast, it's just that Sasori will influence Isamu way more. And he'll matter more in this story later on.

Hope you like this chapter!

See the end of the chapter for translations.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or HP.

Childhood Arc: Brick by Boring Brick

It's funny how you can go for a long time in life not needing someone, and then you meet them and you suddenly need them all the time. – Meg Wolitzer, Belzhar

Time is such a fickle thing, passing by in a blink. One can't even begin to wander before he's fully grown up, the carefree childhood in the past tome. I can hardly imagine how the last three years have passed since I moved into the Inuzuka compound, leaving the orphanage behind.

Masuyo, for all her bickering and pranking, is a sweetheart on the inside. She's a loving woman with a hard past, forced to watch her close ones die one by one. She'd tell me about her childhood, how her oldest brother would care for his siblings, how he'd fight off Suna forces, how he died at a tender age of fifteen, a smile gracing his lips, with Masuyo and her older sister mourning over their Aniki's sacrifice. After all, he performed a Kamikaze move, immolating both his ninken and his life, taking over twenty enemies with him from the world of living. Or that one time...

/Flashback/

On a rainy spring day of my first year of living with the infamous tracker clan I dared ask the question that practically devoured me from the inside out.

"Ano, what do you think of war, Masuyo?" With my gaze on the floor, fists on my knees, I whispered. The foul weather gifted us with a day off. Opting to stay home, we snuggled under a blanket. Or almost snuggled, considering the fact that I can't stand being touched too much. There was some warm tea on the nightstand, the smoke lazily crawling up.

Masuyo turned to face me, her expression shocked and even twisted in horror. I could see sadness and e even guilt cross her face; her thought process seemed to be sporadic. We laid in silence for minutes, but it felt like eternity.

Ultimately, Masuyo sat up while picking a teacup. She slowly sipped the hot beverage, her eyes closed and her expression troubled. Keeping her eyes closed, she spoke, her voice trembling. "I remember it as if it happened yesterday. The sirens, the battlefields, the bodies, the blood. The image of my siblings' corpses, their wails. They never leave." Her eyes were glistering with unshed tears while she lifted her hands to cover her mouth. "War is pain. It is also envy and greed. But we fight in order to protect those precious to us. When opposing lands decide to take from us, we bring them down. The Will of Fire is shines brighter than anything else. Wars are fought in order to achieve peace, to bring glory to your homeland. I believe that wars are often a necessity to show those cowards in Iwa and the likes what Konoha can do. Wars are fought in order to win. But I just wish that they didn't have darker sides too. For you see…

"War is a game the higher-ups love the most," she concluded, pure hatred in her gaze as not a single tear dared to flow. I wasn't in the mood to fight her beliefs, no matter how cruel and senseless they sounded to me.

For I believe that war is like a game of chess. You can be either a player or a piece on the board. But there's no checkmate, only death and destruction.

/Flashback end/

Both of us were different, but some things stayed the same. I just wish that more would see that peaceful existence was possible without wars.

It took quite a while to convince Komugi to teach me fūinjutsu, but it was totally worth it. He was very reluctant in it due to me being a, well, four-year-old kid at the time, but I'm a persistent devil when I want to be.

The lessons were four times a week, each consisting of calligraphy, kanji learning and theory. It was like learning computer science, but so much different! The matrix was the hardest, as well as the most interesting part of it. It was nothing alike the ones I used to learn back home. It took eighteen weeks in order for me to even start enhancing the seal ink with chakra. We started of with the simplest explosion tag. It consisted of the seal itself, centering around the kanji for "explode". In order to detonate the seal, one needs to infuse the tag with chakra. For distance detonating the seal is enhanced with chakra remotely via Mi (Snake) hand seal. The first try was… well… as we used to say in Russian, "the first pancake is always lumpy". Meaning it exploded into our faces, creating the worst love-hate relationship ever. Or I fell in love with explosions from the first sight.

Okay, it might seem strange, but making stuff go "boom" with a simple scribble is astonishing! No boring chakra control exercises could compete with that. The only obstacle was my clumsiness. If it weren't for the fact that I knew all the fucking hell to come, I'd have given up pretty quickly, being the sloth I am. But, luckily, I want to live, thank you very much.

It took another twenty weeks for us (me) to reach the level that would allow me to create something different than explosion seals. Komugi said that he's never heard of anyone obtaining the seal knowledge at my speed, except for maybe the Yondaime and Jiraya. But I had like a whole major of knowledge in something I found akin to seals, plus the entire math I went through… so yeah, a really huge head start.

The second seal I was taught was the one to create a storage scroll. The first attempts were rather disastrous. It took three weeks, with two of them consisting of me complaining twenty-four/seven, but it was worth itself in the end. Thank gods that I am afraid of this world, plus fascinated by it. And Masuyo for threatening to castrate Komugi were he to slip about my knowledge in, well, anything.

In fact, Masuyo used to tell everyone that I was an average orphan she befriended due to my dog lover tendencies. She often talked with Tsume or Komugi about me, Danzō's name appearing in their conversations almost every time. I thanked every single being there is for them sending Masuyo for me. I don't even want to think of what would've happened if I weren't under the Inuzuka protection.

Don't get me wrong: I couldn't seal anything more than a lone kunai, and my explosive tags were rather calamitous. It was mostly due to my clumsiness. At least it got better with time.

Komugi wasn't the only one to teach me chakra related stuff. In fact, Masuyo herself was helping me with chakra control, as well as jutsu. At the age of four she told me that I had chakra control of an average Genin, considering my skills in water-walking and fūinjutsu.

The first few months of my life at the Inuzuka Compound were rather comforting and consistent. I only did chakra control exercises, continued learning calligraphy and read a lot. But everything good comes to an end.

Masuyo taught me the basic three Academy jutsu (Kawarimi, Henge and Bunshin no Jutsu) in just half a year. But before that she spent almost five month teaching me all the theory about chakra and shinobi culture. The lessons were mostly daily, starting at an ungodly hour of six. Masuyo even got a medical leave to become my sensei. She made me read (not that I complained), made me do stamina training (I'd always slack off in these, no apocalypse will make me do cardio), and helped me with chakra sensing. She drilled the basic twelve hand seals into me, making me practice for at least two hours a day. I can relate to the fact that it paid off. And that I hate giving anything my best. And trying. And hand seals.

The basic academy jutsu trio was a bit hard to master only due to Masuyo wanting to take it very, very slow. I was going crazy at some moment! She'd take two month for each, chewing it all out for me. It still amazes me how she got no Genin team. Starting with Bunshin, she'd make me go through the hand seals for the first week only. Hitsuji, Mi and Tora. Afterwards a week of controlling the chakra flow, making sure to be able to utilize the jutsu. It's a basic genjutsu skill, set on affecting the targeted man (men) surrounding the person utilizing the jutsu, making them see copies (clones) of the caster. To do so I needed to transmit my chakra towards Masuyo, making sure she was influenced enough, but also trying to mask my chakra in her coils. The next six weeks were spent on perfecting the jutsu. I got most of it right from the third try (or eighth…), but practice is the key, I guess (pray). At least I was able to fool Hana with my clones.

Afterwards came the Henge. I was a bit surprised because it was said it the manual that Kawarimi is to be considered the easier of the duo, but Masuyo explained to me that it was supposed to be the easier one for an average academy student with little charka control skills. Turns out that Henge was just a tiny bit harder than the Bunshin. Running my hands through Inu, I and Hitsuji seals was the first week's exercise. Afterwards I spent just five days on learning to cover myself with chakra and managing to keep the flow steady. I truly managed to henge myself into Komugi on my fourth try, but keeping the henge in place was a pain. So the next few weeks were spent on perfecting the jutsu.

The Kawarimi, supposedly an easy academy jutsu, was a pain due to one main thing: a fucking lot of hand seals. My fingers would become a mangled mess for the first two weeks! Tora, I, Ushi, Inu, Mi. Five hand seals that I'd need to flash through in order to survive in this world. I learned the jutsu in two month and a week, destroying a hell of a lot logs in the process.

Stamina exercises were hellish. I absolutely loathe activity. I love sleeping, drawing, reading, but not jogging. The Inuzuka forced me to go through stretch for at least ten minutes, a six kilometer run, followed by forty push-ups, fifty sit-ups and seventy crunches. After that came the katas, which were the best part of it all. They were summed up with more stretches that continued into target practice.

"A fast shinobi is a live shinobi" Were Masuyo's favorite words during the circles of hell. The only thing I did well at was the katas, and that's thanks to Shin. I was very slow by Inuzuka standards, as well as lazy and stiff. The target practice was fine, nothing exceptional from my side. I loved throwing pointy stuff, but that didn't make me a master at the skill. Hard work it is.

I used to believe that I was a sensor of types. Ha. No, I was totally worthless in sensing at that moment. I could never tell if Masuyo or Komugi is about to enter. Onto civilians, academy students, Genin and some Chūnin were in my radar. So I set onto enhancing that sense. Komugi would help me at times, tying a ribbon around my eyes. He'd cross the room soundlessly, flashing his chakra from time to time. I was trying to point into his direction.

Other times I'd simply meditate focused on not only following different chakra signatures as I used to, but on trying to pinpoint those that are masked.

By five I was decent in the art, but still far away from anything astonishing.

At the age of five I was able to perform three E-ranked jutsu and two sealing arrays, as well as water and tree walking on an intuitive level. I could sense most of the mid-Chūnin level shinobi in the radius of fifty meters, as well as civilians, Genin and pre-Genin in the one hundred meter radius.

Due to Komugi being too busy to help me with fūinjutsu, most part of the next year was set on learning for E-ranked and D-ranked jutsu and perfecting my taijutsu. Or getting it to a level that was presentable.

The first D-ranked jutsu I bribed Masuyo into teaching me was the Shunshin. I always wanted to learn it. Managing to go from bed to kitchen and back in a blur! It was heavenly.

The jutsu itself was rather easy, considering my knowledge of the Kawarimi and all. It took me four month to perfect. It consisted of one hand sign (Tora), which was very efficient. The hardest part of the jutsu came with the chakra control: unlike the Kawarimi, which was completed by swapping places with a log, this one transported you in a way, more correctly allowed for one to travel at enormous speeds. But in order to be used correctly one must force his chakra around himself, through his muscles, throughout the direction and at the final stop. Each part took me at least a few days to master. Combining everything together took three weeks, but the end result was glorious.

Food is even closer now.

After a weeklong break we got onto the next jutsu. It was a D-ranked genjutsu technique, called Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu. The caster weaved an illusion over the target, causing the target to be faced by their most arcane fears. Using the Mi and Ne hand seals, I learned to perform the genjutsu, spreading my chakra throughout the surrounding area of the target. It was very tricky, but definitely worth the work. Drawn from within the heart, the foe often mistakes it for a reality, making it an amazing asset to a shinobi. It starts with an illusionary whirlwind of leaves that stops shortly, revealing the genjutsu. It took a bit longer to master, almost fifteen weeks, but it's the most powerful technique of mine as of yet.

The next month was spent solely on taijutsu training. The Inuzuka style was both partially forbidden and impossible for me to use. Key word partially.

After the basic academy style was learnt last year (dating back at the orphanage days), Masu-chan set on drilling the basics of the Inuzuka taijutsu stances into me. I couldn't use most of them due to my body structure and inability to fight on all four, but it was enough.

Just after my training with Masuyo started, I couldn't get a grip on any way too many katas, causing me to despair. But the last person possible came my rescue. "Don't you worry, pup," Tsume-san soothed me with a feral, yet genuine smile, "every great shinobi finds his own fighting style with time, and effort, and hard work. But it's his and it's the best. I believe that one day you'll find yours too."

That day I decided to learn every single style I could in order to create my own. In order to protect my clan.

So the training continued.

The third D-ranked jutsu I learned was one of the most helpful during my carrier. It consisted of only one hand sign, one word and one step in chakra. But it was very different from any other jutsu out there.

It was the chakra disturbing jutsu against weaker genjutsu. "Kai", Tora seal and disturbance of yours or somebody else's chakra flow. Sounds easy right? Well, it was a bit hard. Turns out that disturbing chakra takes very precise control and lots of practice. I mean like three months of it. Boring!

The last one I managed to study was the Nawanuke no Jutsu. It was simply a technique to get out of rope bindings, using chakra to loosen the ropes in order to escape. It was an E-ranked jutsu, and after three D-ranked ones it took only a week to master and two weeks to practice. No hand seals required.

During the last month Komugi managed to squeeze some fūinjutsu lessons here and there, helping me in starting to create storage scrolls for bigger objects and even starting on theory for seals for storing acidic and venomous gases.

That is how I turned six years old, with seven jutsu behind my back, two and a half sealing techniques and the whole academy taijutsu curriculum droned into me.

As we pass the onsen on our way home I can't help but perk my ears at the perverted giggles escaping from behind the wooden walls. Maybe it's time for research…

The last thing I saw on my way home was an enormous, white mane and toads.

I was five when the Kumo delegation came to Konoha in order to sign the peace treaty. I knew I could've helped prevent the whole Hyūga affair, but I'd need to come out in order to do so. I couldn't afford risking all the intelligence I hold, risking a war over a single man.

The festival was quite enchanting, helping me in getting my mind to wonder. Masuyo dressed in a stunning knee-length mahogany kimono tied with an amber obi that emphasized just the right curves of her body. Her hair was in a bun and her make-up (my courtesy) was a classy black smoky eye and red lipstick. Komugi was wearing a black yukata shirt with black pants and a maroon mesh shirt. He reminded me even more of Harry Potter this way. His glasses were in place as usual.

Personally, I was in a minimalistic orchid kimono, but at further inspection one can realize that it was made from chameleon fabric, the colors playing from orchid to indigo and back. It was tied with a lilac obi, and my chin length hair was loose. We were eating sweets, chatting with old friends – I found Kazumi in no time, deciding to distract myself with her company. It worked for a while, but at some point I heard greetings, causing me to turn and-

The Head Ninja of Kumogakure was strolling through our streets with his escorts. His sly smile was sending shivers down my spine. I wanted to scream, to warn the Hyūga, but… but I didn't. Instead I plastered on a smile and waved to him.

The news of the incident reached the Inuzuka in no time.

I felt like shit, but in order to achieve peace sacrifices needed to be made. This was one of the many to come.

Rest in peace, Hyūga Hizashi.

The morning started off with both Hatsuyuki and me waking up because someone decided to jump on our bed! For god's sake, it was one of the few days off! And that was only due to me turning six a few days ago.

After blinking my eyes repeatedly to clear my vision, I stared at Midoriko and Masuyo, both towering proudly over Hatsuyuki and me. They were in their work gear, meaning that they'd leave in no time (Masu-chan returned to work a little while ago, but she requested a desk job). So what could…

"Rise and shine, princess!" She yelled in a singsong voice. Argh, my ears! "Today you're going to the playground, and I'm not taking no for an answer! Be ready in ten minutes, Isamu-chan. And Hatsu-chan, dear, you can continue your rest. Sorry for disturbing you." She apologized to Hatsuyuki. Why, oh, why did I run out of luck? Even my ninken has a chance to sleep!

Without having any other option rather than to obey, I got ready and left with Masuyo. I dressed in my black hoodie and black shorts. Yeah, I'm that much of an introvert. My hair was pulled up in a short pony, leaving the fringe and some bangs out.

As we neared the playground I started to hear the mutterings of other patents. They were holding their kids closer than usual, as it seemed. As the playground came into view my mind blanked from what I saw. I hardly even felt Masuyo place her hand on me, instructing me to not talk with him…

But all I saw was a lonely, dismal child. He was trying his best to ignore the bitter stares, but how could he?

When a lone tear slipped down his cheek I felt as if someone slapped me in my head. Here I am, knowing that he doesn't deserve all this hostility. I said that I wanted to change many things. Well, gifting a kid with a friend will be one of them.

I escaped Masuyo's grip on my shoulder, hearing her suck in a breath in the back of my mind. But it didn't matter. None of them did.

I understand where it came from, really. I saw the destruction; I experienced it. Were I anyone else I might have felt the same. But I know.

Stopping in front of the weeping four – or is he still three? – year old, I smile genuinely and tilt my head a bit.

"Hi," I offered, breaking him out of his trance. He gazed at me shockingly, but yet warily. Realizing how he won't speak, I continued, "My name's Isamu. I like mochi and dogs; I hate fighting and hare. I wish to be able to protect those precious to me. And you are…?"

Blinking out of his stupor, the ball of sunshine lights up. He grins at me as he point a thumb at himself. "Yo! I'm Uzumaki Nawuto, I lov' wamen and I'm gonna be the next Hokage!" He almost screams. His grin grows wider, but I can see traces of anxiety in his posture. So I do the only thing I can think of... I smile and nod in acceptance.

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu, Naruto."

Kawarimi no Jutsu – substitution jutsu

Henge no Jutsu– transformation jutsu

Bunshin no Jutsu – clone jutsu

Hitsuji – Ram

Mi – Snake

Tora – Tiger

Inu – Dog

I – Boar

Ushi – Ox

Ne – Rat

Shunshin no Jutsu – Body Flicker Technique

Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu – Demonic illusion: Hell viewing technique

Kai - release

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu – kinda like "nice to meet you". At least in this context.

A/N: Sorry for not updating! This chapter just wouldn't work. Idk why. I tried writing it for like five times. But I did it in the end xD.

Please review!