Ohayo! New story ya'll. Now does this mean I'm abandoning my other stories? Nah not really, Fayth and Dragon are my main stories, these are either ones I've had written for a while or worked on as my cool-down or bored pieces. So no worries, but I will thin of continuing them, eventually for whatever circumstances. For now, I thought it better to post this one up and any others I have so that they can be reviewed instead of gathering dust. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor Devil May Cry series.
Ritual Cave
"So this is one of the ancient Hell gates. How droll." Spoke a bored voice, looking over a stone monolith, It rose only two stories, however it was of solid granite, one piece, inscribed with ancient spells so complex, no mortal soul today could comprehend. It was within a ruined cave. "I would have expected something such as this to be out in the open, but they hide it away." The voice came again, scoffing at the notion of things to remain hidden. "But, the cave serves it's purpose to preserve the relic. Now, let's see what it has to offer." The man stated, drawing a long o-katana from it's saya, before stabbing it into the monolith. All the spells and runes placed upon it glowed red, before a tear opened on it's surface and the being garbed in blue stepped through the tear.
Konoha
A small blonde haired blue eyed boy was running for all he was worth down the streets of konoha, ducking and weaving through alleys and side streets that he knew so well. He knew if he slowed down, his life was in danger, this was by far the worst of hunts he'd been subjected to thus far. He'd been approached earlier that day while the sun was still out, and some adults asked if it was true he was going to be attending the Ninja Academy. He told them yeah with a big radiant grin one expected of a happy child. Then they kicked him, telling him they didn't want him around their children, and that they'd end him before he got the chance. So there he was, running for his life, ignoring injuries he already had to just run.
He was caught a time or two by a rogue civilian or ninja in his way who got a few shots in, but he survived and escaped, running with all his might. The entire time he was unaware of a pair of eyes upon him and the people chasing him, a set of eyes that sat atop a sneer of lips, disgusted with what he was seeing and hearing. A mere child they do this too, call a demon, a monster. These were just the kinds of humans that did not deserve their lives. Appearing in the alley naruto just left, the figure looked out beyond his white bang to stare at the hunt of humans before him. "Begone." He spoke, grabbing the handle of his sword, and then letting go of it, turning and walking away, whilst the crowd fell to pieces in a shower of blood. "Now I see why Dante likes that color so much." He stated to himself with a morbid smirk as he went on his way.
The being followed the blood trail the boy left, where it led out of town and into a secluded area, a clearing in some woods. However he was huddled under a dugout under a bunch of roots of a mighty oak, using it for a shelter and a bush cut off at the base to hide his shelter. They boy knew how to hide, but in his panic, he forgot his own blood trail. Moving aside the bush, it revealed a passed out naruto, who's injuries were too far gone for him to stay conscious with them. Reaching in, he pulled the unconscious boy free o the root confines ad set him to the ground. "They call you a demon when they have no idea what a real one even is." He spoke, more so to himself, setting the child down, before a smirk crossed his lips.
"Let's show them then what a real demon can be then, eh boy?" He askd the unconscious boy. Pulling his O-katana from it's saya, he opened the boy's shirt and made a cut on his chest that was clean and bled freely, before making a cut on his own palm, willing it to stay open and bleeding. Pressing the wounded palm to the wound on the boy's chest, he pushed his power in through his blood that was entering the boy's veins and beginning to circulate throughout the boy's body. Already he could see slight, subtle changes starting to occur. However before he could finish, he felt a tugging on his mind and narrowed his eyes before he closed them and he was pulled into some kind of underground with water on the floor. It was a large darkly lit chamber and before him was a great set of bars for a cell.
"I sensed a power entering the boy. So you are the source." A new darker voice spoke. "I sense your power, but not your intent. Who are you?" The gravely harsh voice spoke, a lo rumbling denoting each of it's words.
"Is it not customary to give your own name before asking that of others." The man spoke, not the slightest bit intimidated or hesitant with his words. The being roared, claws crashed against the bars, but he gave the being nothing.
"You are not like the other humans who have come before me. You are different somehow...Very well. I am the Kyuubi No Kitsune, Mightiest of the nine tailed beasts, or bijuu, as they call us, though most prefer to call us demons." He stated, hearin a small chuckle from the man.
"I thought you would give me a name, not a title. However to call you a demon is laughable, about as laughable as them calling the child, who's mind I suppose I am within, is as much of one...before I came along, anyway. Though Now I better know why they insist on calling him a demon, it is still as I said, Laughable. You are no demon, not even the slightest trace of demonic power rests within you." He stated.
"By you're words...I assume you to be as such then? A demon." Kyuubi stated ignoring the comment on his name.
"Yes, although a half demon really. You sense my power, so you know how deep it goes. While I can sense yours in the same capacity. My name is Vergil Sparda, son of the Dark Knight Sparda. However I this world I assume that is a mute introduction." He stated, flipping his hair back in his more preferred swept back style.
"So you have introduced Demonic power into the boy then." Not a question, a statement. "It is a heavy and potent power I now sense running through the by, altering him. But what is your purpose for doing such, or being in this...world, at all as you so state yourself." He spoke, the kyuubi right up to his bars to look down at the half demon now named Vergil.
"I came to this world seeking knowledge of a certain, private matter, however I am on a limited time here, beore my path back to my home closes. As for the boy, I am disgusted with humans and how they can be cruel even to one of their own. The humans do not deserve their life, none of the gifts life gives to them are they grateful, instead they continue to kill, rape and destroy. Their ar only ever a small number of humans who truly deserve their lives, but their number is too small, better to kill those that do not deserve it, rather than let them have their run on the few who do." He stated, his conviction showing just how far his opinion of this went.
"Agreed. However f it is knowledge you seek, I may be able to help. For a deal." The kyuubi spoke, hiding any smirk or smile he wanted to show. "We bijuu are the oldest things still in existence that have the presence of mind to remember everything since our beginning. I am willing to share this with you, in exchange for the same grant of power you gave the boy, or my freedom." He proposed.
"Hmm, if it is as you say, then your knowledge and memories would be the quickest way to determine if this world has what I seek. And I lose nothing by a granting of power. However I know enough of such bindings to know your release in any conventional means would end with the boys death and that I am not ready to do. So let's begin. A claw." He spoke, stretching out a hand. Te kyuubi did as instructed, and when they touched, the kyuubi felt a rush of power that shot off a chain reaction as he felt the quality of his power changing, his energy becoming heavier, more potent. he could even feel the restoration of a thimble of Yin energy and it was growing. Something which made him ecstatic. A return to full power and a enhancement on top of that, how glorious! He looked to his body, seeing the changes taking place, as new markings arouse his fur, muscles rippled and flexed, hi body taking o a more demonic appearance.
Vergil received the collective of memories now, reviewing over what was exchanged and comparing things at a rate only he or his brother could comprehend. After some time he gave a heavy sigh. "This world does not have what I seek. I thank you Kyuubi for giving me the means to keep me from wasting my time. But now I know about this world, your various hosts, and the boy's own history...these humans really do not deserve their lives. However I cannot enforce my will here without actually being here." He stated, looking up to the kyuubi.
"No you cannot, but there are other methods." He spoke, smiling. "With my restoring power, it'll bleed into the boy, and his power through the seal will bleed into me. He will become as powerful as you no doubt, and your blood now flows through his veins, so to will your uniqueness. His development is his own, but why not give it the best chance of developing as you want it to?" The kyuubi explained, waving a hand and a seal appeared on the wall. "I have limited control over things, but I have enough for some. Place your hand to that seal, and all the knowledge, memories, skills and whatever else you wish to give, will be stored within it and the boy will learn all that is within the seal subliminally overtime. Be it dreams, inspired thoughts, ideas and concepts, martial arts and combat skills, how to use the abilities that he will come to know, everything you wish to give him. He may develop to be like you with this knowledge, or something different, but best to arm the boy for what lies ahead, sin't it?" He asked, giving a smile.
"And you would also have access to it I assume."
"Of course, I do get rather bored in here. However I sense I may have some freedom to see through the boy's sense here soon. So?" He asked.
Vergil considered it a moment before he nodded, and rather than just the necessities, he pushed int the seal, everything, every little thimble of everything he ever knew. Adding a bit of his own demonic power, it evolved into a connection as the same seal appeared on the back of his hand. "Everything I know, and everything I will know till my death." He stated, looking at the seal on the wall and his hand as it changed to take the shape of Yamato at a 45' diagonal angle. He smiled, no better a imagery for something to represent him.
"Indeed. I shall take my time in reviewing it." The now demonized nine tails spoke, smiling, looking over vergil.
"Watch after the boy. Help him, make him strong. Should I return, I want to see just what he is capable of. Between the boy and you with the seal, he should become a true half demon just like me. With a bit of your influences there of course. Who knows, in time you may be able to gain your freedom before his death, should it ever come now. Since as a half demon, it makes him functionally immortal." He spoke with a smile, as the kyuubi realized his own oversight in making the deal. "You'd best hope you make a good impression on the boy, otherwise you may be stuck with him for a very, very long time. But as an empowered half demon, releasing you shouldn't have as many risks of his death." He finished, giving the kyuubi his ultimatum for the position he was now forced into by his own hands, neglecting to mention he also included all the knowledge he gleamed from the kyuubi into that seal as well.
The kyuubi did not look pleased, but it grunted and turned away, marking that as the end of their conversation. Vergil just smiled as he pulled away from the mind, and back to his own where he opened his eyes, removing his hand from the boy's chest as their wounds healed some time ago now. The boy was ow changing, his chakra was demonizing itself, his features maturing and his once sunny blonde hair was bleaching to a snow white now, from the roots to the tips. "May you grow strong Naruto. I will try to see how you develop in your future. But since you share my blood, that will make you the blood brother of a child I left with a woman in fortuna. I hope one day you to meet. Till then, grow strong, do not let these humans oppress you." Vergil stated, showing a side he'd never let another living soul see.
Reaching to Yamato, his O-katana, he concentrated, running a hand on the spine of the blade, circulating his own power through it, willing it to give, and felt a small weight on his fingers. Looking down, he now held a sliver of silver metal and smiled. A sliver of the sword Yamato, a blade which needs not heed the obstacles of space, barriers, even the boundaries set by dimensions and time. Pressing the sliver to the boy's forehead, it sank down beneath the flesh, where it hid itself away. "Maybe one day with that, we'll be able to meet again." Rising to his feet, he could feel the approach of others, and smiled before turning and leaving, with just a wisp of air the only sign of him as he vanished from sight completely, leaving naruto sprawled out in the grass with stitching wounds and bloodied clothes, and changing features.
Moments later, An elderly man in white robes trimmed with red and a wide brimmed hat landed in the clearing, along with several other wearing matching dark pants, black zori sandals, white armor, gloves and white masks, though their faces of the masks were different. The man stroe forward to the body in the clearing, grimacing at the blood he saw staining the boy's clothes. He saw the remnants of wounds stitching themselves together, however what drew his attention was that naruto's features were changing.
"Lord hokage, what's happening to him?" One of the masked men inquired.
"I'm not sure. However I am aware this is his most severe beating to date. Any word on who dealt with the mob?" The hokage spoke, kneeling down by naruto, looking over him as he rubbed a hand over his whsikered cheek that seemed to becoming more defined and prominent on top of paling skin.
"No Hokage-sama. All we know still is from the initial report that a sword was the weapn to make the cuts, however said cuts are too fine to be of just any sword, and to produce such carnage would require a force and speed behind the strokes none of our own swordsman are known for." The masked man spoke.
"I see. I want my earlier orders maintained, every chunin, jonin and all anbu on high alert for threat within our own walls, secrecy is paramount. While I am thankful for their taking care of the mob, we have no idea of the intentions of whoever was responsible." He stated, looking down at naruto a his anbu carried out his orders, all but one left. "Weasel, how much do you know of the various types of Kekkai Genkai?" The professor asked.
"Aside from my own, I cannot claim to have memorized them all, well the known ones that is, but I believe I know enough." He spoke, not sure of what he was asking.
"Well did you now that some Kekkai Genkai require certain conditions before they can become active, such as an outside stimulus, intense emotional upheavel, activation by another user of the same kekkai genkai as an external force. Thre is still so little we know of hat makes a kekkai genkai, beyond the elemental affinity ones we know of, work. So would it be too far past a theory to say that near death experiences or a certain pain threshold, can also be conditions before a kekkai genkai can be awoken, or lest it will remain dormant." Hiruzen asked, getting a silence before a reply.
"No Hokage-sama, it would't be. Though if it were true it'd be the first to have such an activation requirement. And if it were to be a Kekkai Genkai, it'd have to be studied, logged and monitored by medical professionals to determine the extent of what it can do, as well as guarded more securely since kekkai genkai in the wrong hands can be a powerful tool of destruction." Weasel went on to state, seeing what he was getting at, using the effective truth and most likely scenario to better naruto's chances.
"Indeed, that is true. More than anything the council seems to prize the kekkai genkai konoha does possess, so they'd be thrilled for another one." He stated, smiling as he picked up naruto as the last vestige of blonde hair and tan skin faded away, whilst leaving deep black marks upon his cheeks and one black line on the forehead, directly from the widows peak center of his forehead, halfway down and stopping as it reached his brow line. "If this is truly the work of a kekkai genkai, all the better he be protected and looked after." The old man stated as he started to walk from the clearing. "Come, it's time we got little naruto here cleaned up, some fresh clothes and a meal in his stomach. I bet he will be hungry when he wakes." He spoke with a smile as he now had a means to get naruto better treatment without the council twisting his balls.
Hiruzen carried the boy all the way to hokage tower, the boy sleeping peacefully now that his own wounds were healed. It truly was startling to see the changes upon naruto, his pale, blemish free skin, the deepening of his current markings and the addition of the vertical line on his forehead, the snow white hair. Then there was the feeling of his chakra, which had apparently awoken during the transformation, it was heavy and held a powerful quality to it, that while not unlike that of Bijuu chakra he remembered from years ago, held a different quality that seemed...darker, but discernible only to more experienced hands. He could already feel the muscle tone in naruto's body shifting and becoming more developed, as well as, if he wasn't mistaken, growth, though he surmised it was damage being fixed from malnutrition, since even while pale, his skin tone seemed healthy.
Getting to his office, he walked itno a side room, a small apartment kept for the hokage's use on long nights in the office. He went about cleaning naruto and with some fresh clothes gathered by Weasel, dressed him in properly fit clothes. Laying him down in the small bed, Hiruzen called for a large meal to be prepared by his on call cooks. Now that he was clean and in fresh clothes, he could properly see naruto and the changes that occured. He had grown a full two inches an seemed to stop, his hair had grown from it's former blonde spikes to snow white shaggy lengths that hug down slightly, however they retained some spiking, likely never to be completely gotten rid of.
He sighed, while happy to see his swift recovery, faster than normal for naruto, he was at a loss that if he was right on this being a kekkai genkai and how it had to awaken, he would have preferred it remain dormant. His own village was responsible for naruto's continued pain, yet they felt no remorse...perhaps it time they did. So while naruto slept, he went back to his desk to start writing up new documents and orders. After a while he secretary brought in the requested meal and he offered the woman a smile which she returned. Though her smile faultered when she saw a small white haired boy on the bed in the small apartment room, the door was open. "It's naruto. He's...undergoing some changes." He spoke.
"Is he alright? I've heard rumors among those going by of a bloodbath, that they were the mod chasing him." The woman spoke, concerned for the boy. Hiruzen had gone through a no short list of secretaries to find one accepting of naruto while still being competent, he had gotten lucky with this one, so he made sure she was well paid for her work.
"It seems so. I've a theory that the beating may have awoken something to save his life. A possible new type of Kekkai Genkai. Though I wish this to remain quiet, at least until I've had a council meeting on it after talking with naruto. After that, stir up the rumor mill a bit as usual. Here are some things to add to that list of things to stir and rile up a bit. It's time a few things started to change." He stated, handing over the documents he had prepared. She looked them over carefully. He had started this a year ago, his secretary was as much a ninja as any other, but her focus was more of espionage, counter intel, intelligence gathering and false information. Her skills were a secret as she blended as a civilian and allowed things he wanted to spread to be so in a more natural way, through the local gossip.
The woman's eyes bulge as she read and then reread the documents, looking up to Hiruzen. "Sir, not to question your orders but this will!?" She started but was silenced when he held a hand.
"Half of those are meant to fail as is. However there will be a record of them being filed, my attempt to push these through and make them happen. While you spread the gossip of them before they are blocked and stopped. I won't lie and state there is some grand cause to this, as the reason is naruto. They hurt and abuse a child without a second thought, so what better way for a wake up call than a directive that forces them to put their own children forward just as naruto was. They should be afraid for what happens to their children, that's what parents do, but too long have they ignored one child or their own petty reasons." He stated. Getting a nod from his secretary, the woman left, a little shaky, but a small smile on her lips. Oh her hokage could be devious, and now it seems he'd gotten some spine back.
Quiet in the office once more, he got started on his paperwork for the day, not even bothering to sleep since it was far too late for that now. Instead he made some coffee and drank as he worked until he heard a groaning from the other room. Rising from the desk, he walked to the small side apartment and saw Naruto rolling off the bed, touching his feet to the ground, he rose, but then stumbled, reaching for the bed to steady himself. No doubt his new growth unbalancing him. Looking around, and the first thing he noticed was that he wasn't in the apartment, but the hokage's quarters. Blinking, he looked to where he knew the door to be and saw the man in question standing there.
"I passed out again didn't I?" He asked, not even really surprised he'd woken up here, as it's happened several times before. However a new change was suddenly made aware. His voice wasn't nearly as rough like it used to be, the connotation of the rumbling in his chest permeating his voice, but now it was smooth and direct. He made a few sounds and spoke aimlessly some random words to test his voice to see if it was really his before he could definitely determine it was his. "Ugh, jiji, I don't remember any of the villagers hitting my throat, so why do I sound different?" He asked, genuinely confused. Hiruzen for his part was ashamed that naruto could speak of being attacked so casually.
"That's not all that is different naruto. Look in the Mirror." He told the boy, who walked over to a body mirror to examine himself. Naruto was wearing simple white linens, drawstring pants and v-neck short sleeve shirt that hung about him loosely made of soft cotton. They were actually similar to medical scrubs actually. Naruto looked in the mirror to really see his appearance, eyeing and touching his whisker marks, and then the new mark on his forehead, before running his fingers through his hair. Hiruzen could see panic start to form in naruto's eyes and decided to intervene before it could be given life. "Naruto. Whn we found you your wounds were already healing, you remember we discussed your healing is special to you right?" He asked, getting a nod from the boy.
"Well it seems it may be even more special than we thought." He started, wondering how he could go about this. "It appears that, you may, possess a Kekkai Genkai, a special gift in your blood that makes you different, like how the uchiha have their sharigan, or the Hyuuga have their byakugan. You seemed to change physically, all the changes you can see. You were even healing faster than you normally do, not to mention you've grown a little bit. Your chakra has also awaken, and it's a strong chakra from what I can feel." He stated, and naruto seemed absolutely giddy he got something as special as a Kekkai genkai, but a thought crossed his mind.
"Jiji, how'd I get a kekkai Genkai now of all times?" The boy asked, not sure why it chose now.
"Well some kekkai genkai require certain...things, t happen before they can awaken. Like say feeling certain things, or having someone with the same ability do it for you. But you Naruto, this was by far the harshest thing you've experienced, this night. So much that, it put you-" he was cut suddenly by naruto speaking who realized it himself now.
"Near death...I was dying." He mouthed, numbly as he stared down at the floor eyes wide in realizing just how bad that was.
"Yes. I think that's why your kekkai genkai, if that's what this is, awoke the way it did, it's there to give you the best chance of living and surviving your injuries, from what I could see of how it heals you anyway." He spoke, but naruto seemed on another thought now.
"Wait, if we know these things then surely we can test to see who my parents are right?" He asked, knowing enough about doctors and medicine when he was treated by his doctors that were nice to him on how things work in the body when he asks them, usually he was wounded in some way relating to it, so he got to see in his own body what they were talking about.
"That's..." he trailed off, about to give his more routine answers, but then decided against it. No, this body deserved to know his parents. His burden would have to remain a secret, but this boy was practically assured a death from the blood trail they followed to that clearing. He wasn't about to let naruto keep going through life without knowing. "Naruto, I know who you're parents are. Have known, but if I tell you, you have to keep it a secret, if people found out, not only can it cause trouble, but it can get you hurt, and not just you, but anyone you care about. Understand? I kept this a secret on purpose because if pople knew your parents had a son, they would want to hurt you and the village you live in. Okay?" He asked the boy, making him understand why it was kept secret. In a few years iwa might be able to let go of the hatred, but they were still suffering from the war, s tensions were high.
Naruto seemed stunned at first, but as he processed the why, and how just knowing who his parent were could cause such trouble, thinking of the people that were nice to him, he immediately nodded. He didn't want to hurt them. Hiruzen sighed, preparing himself for some yelling. "Naruto, your parents are Kushina Uzuamki and Minato Namikaze...your mother was pretty much the princess of another village, while your father is our own fourth hokage." He spoke, letting that sink in. The by's features went toid first, then to confusion, followed by anger that then melted away as tears formed and for the first time in years, Hiruzen witnessed painfully as tears streamed from his face and he cried, just out and cried. He pulled the by in, hugging him to his chest, letting him just cry it all out.
After a short while, naruto dried his eyes and sniffled, looking up to hiruzen. "They died fighting the kyuubi that night." He spoke, more a statement and hiruzen nodded.
"Your mother had just given birth to you when the Kyuubi had attacked, it was so sudden that no one was prepared. Your parents wanted desperately to stay with you, but as hokage he also had a duty to the village and he wasn't about to let others suffer if he had the power to do something about it. Now would he push it off onto someone else if he couldn't do it himself. Your mother on the other hand was with you, but the kyuubi had gotten closer than wanted and was a danger to you. She had a special chakra that could restrain the power of the kyuubi and those beasts like it, a chakra she made use of by forming chains out of to restrain and fight it fight. However she had just given birth and was weak. But to protect you, to make sure yo lived, she pushed past her limit to deal with the kyuubi with your father. They gave up their lives to make sure to defeat the kyuubi. But I don't think they did it for just the village, but for you...if you can't even protect one life, how can you protect an entire village." He stated, using words he heard a long time ago as he told him an edited version of that night's events. "A piece of them now rests with you, like how you have your mothers little verbal tic, or your father's deep blue eyes, you are their memory and legacy, something they fought so hard to make sure lived past them. Understand?"
Naruto just nodded, still trying to comprehend everything. But he gave a weak smile, happy to know he had parents who not only loved him, but loved him so much to fight for him like that. They didn't abandon him. They died saving him. While he was sad, he was happy, finally knowing, regardless of who they were, he now knew. But that didn't explain the other thing, why he was hated, if they had known who's son he was, would he have been treated better? "Jiji...could you tell me, why the villagers hate me too? You know why...don't you?" He asked, blue eyes probing, searching as he looked int sarutobi's.
"I do know yes...However that's a secret you're not ready for yet naruto. But know that it is something you have no fault for, that ti's beyond your control. The villagers cannot see past their own pain and grief, and instead take it out on you. It's not fair and I only hear abut the worst of it from my office as some won't tell me how bad you have it. However I'm working on taking care of these things so that when you leave my office today, hopefully things will be better for you alright?" He asked, getting a numb nod from the boy. "Naruto...if you can make chunin, then I will tell you exactly the reason why this village treats you as it has. I a;ready told you of your parents and honestly, I probably should have waited since if word gets out, people will get hurt. So I'm trusting you to keep this a secret, okay?" He asked once again.
"I got it jiji. I'll keep this a secret...just, could I have been treated better, knowing who my parents were?" He asked, getting a regretful gaze from the old man.
"I wished I could have done as much naruto, I really do. But you know as well as I do why it was done, and why I'm only able to do so much." He spoke, gettingt he boy to grimace. "That's right, the council. However, what happened tonight may very well be a small blessing in disguise. Did you know that konoha, it's shinobi, civilians, council, it's people, really likes Kekkai Genkai?" He asked, giving the boy a smile as he started connecting the dots himself. "They are an asset to a village if properly utilized and are well looked after. In the case of new ones, they even have doctors and trainers to determine what their kekkai genkai can do. Yes konoha really has quite a obsession with them." He spoke in a mocking tone, about to take the council's own favoritism laced rules and use it against them.
"So it wouldn't matter with who, just so long as they are a willing member of konoha and training shinobi, they are eligible for these things so long as they are to become a shinobi of konoha." He spoke, sitting down at a table and uncovering their food, setting out their portions. "So how about it? Ready to see what your kekkai genkai can do naruto?" He asked, taking abte of his food as naruto was grinning like a mad man while he nodded, before eating his own food. "Good. I'll be alerting the council soon enough. Though now what to call it." He spoke, a bit more inquisitive now. "As far as we can see, the change is there, as is the growth and healing. Seems to be a state of being, a condition, how you are naturally. So-"
"Sparda." Naruto called out, eyes glossed over a moment, before he shook his head. "I just had the idea, a name...call it sparda...like apart of my name." He spoke, thinking. "Naruto Sparda Uzumaki." He tested and found he liked it. He ddn't know why he said as he did, but it felt right.
"Sparda then. We'll go with that, it is your Kekkai genkai after all." He stated and smiled as they ate undisturbed. It was nice being able to have a meal with his surrogate grandson like this. After they finished, they talked for a while longer before he set naruto back to his bed, even though it was well into the morning, the boy had just had so much happen and revealed to him that he needed more rest. Besides he would be safe in there, so he allowed naruto time to sleep, while he went to go deal with his council. They had bee summoned earlier and kept waiting for a good half hour, so while his shinobi council was cordial, the civilian half was a bit irate, however they held their tongues. For now.
"Good morning, I apologize for the early summons and delay, but other matters held my attention and this meeting could not wait a moment longer than once I was able to see to it." He started, taking his seat at the head of the table. "I've called this meeting to discuss several points, most of which are still being processed and prepared and will be brought in once they are ready. For now I'll start with what I have available to speak on. Konoha may have a new kekkai Genkai." He stated, and the room was a lit with hushed whispers and gleeful murmurs. "Further it has apparently awoken in a boy of age to start the academy, who intends to be starting in the next admission period." He led on, getting them hyped and riled up a bit. Oh he was going to enjoy this.
"Now this kekkai genkai seems to revolve around regeneration of damaged cells, past the normal threshold of what an individual's regenerative capability was prior, enough so it seems gashes can heal within moments. I witnessed the awakening of this kekkai genkai and the effects of it being awakened, a resulting transformation of the physical body with new traits, white hair, pale skin, an usual forehead marking, sudden growth of the body to a healthier, more fit state. I'm sure there are other changes as well as other possible abilities, but this is a brief overview for the moment." He stated, getting them more and more interested and invested. Already he can see plans and ideas forming in the heads of the civilian council, even in his own elders, while his shinobi council seemed o be with holding judgement until they had more information, though their resident kekkai genkai wielders, Hiashi and fugaku, did not seem pleased.
"Hokage sama, the boy's name?" Shikaku asked, while no doubt entertained with the old man's leading on, he was a bit impatient to learn who so he could align his thoughts.
"Ah, of course, My apologies. His name Is Uzumaki Naruto." and with that, the room went silent, looks turned cold and hateful from the civilians, while surprise radiated through the shinobi council. "As for something I forgot to mention, the Kekkai Genkai I witnessed forming seems to activate when the user is near death or dying, thus stimulating their regenerative capabilities to a new level to ensure survival." He stated, now making his civilian council sweat. "It was quite a sight actually, seeing 4 to 5 inch long contusions and lacerations stitch themselves together within seconds despite the heavy bleeding. A mangled right arm twisting until the bones were aligned properly, the snaps were quite audible." He went on, making a few of the civilians green. "Seems whoever was responsible for the blood bath may have had a hand in naruto's condition, but evidence for such remain inconclusive." He stated.
And it was true, he had no evidence to show that the mob was responsible for naruto's injuries aside from the fact that they were on the same blood trail naruto had left behind, or that he'd been through the area, and that this mysterious swordsman, had any influence over naruto in anyway besides some scent an inuzuka picked up showing he'd been at the scene of the murders and with naruto. Something that concerned him greatly, and gave credit to a possible outside influence trigger the ability he now seemingly held, but this would require further investigation. "Now after having witnessed with several anbu the regeneration and transformation of one Naruto Uzumaki in his damaged state to a fully healed one in mere moments, unlike his usual healing, I'm assigning naruto to Kekkai Genkai R&D division for his future care, additional training and ensuring his well being." He stated, laying out his point.
"But hokage sama, surely it's just that even the demon doesn't want to die so surely-" The Civilia was silenced by a glare laced with killing intent, enough to make the man cower.
"Hokage sama, What I think our fellow councilor meant is that, being the container of the kyuubi, are we sure that near death, it just didn't release some of it's influence to change the boy so to heal him and ensure it's own survival?" Another civilian councilor asked, better phrasing the question to get an answer.
"No. The seal is still perfectly intact, I checked it whilst he was unconscious and his chakra holds no indication of being influence by his tenant. In fact his chakra also shows siigns of change, as it apparently was awakened with his kekkai genkai as well. It has a heavy, potent feel to the quality as compared to a normal person's chakra. Further affects of the kekkai Genaki in queston remain to be seen until future invstigation." He spoke, waiting for the next naysayer to step forward.
"But Hokage-sama surely you can't jus-" The woman was stopped when the doors to the council chamber were opened, in walking the hkage's secretary.
"Ah, the documents for the other points to be adressed are finished. Let's put the matter on hold for the moment. Please, pass them out will you?" He asked the woman who smiled and nodded, doing as instructed before leaving. While they were being handed out, the councilors had looked over the documents quickly and paled a deathly white, even his shinobi council. "In this village I believe we are all well aware of the price of continued survival in the face of a crisis. Last night, for however it happened, our jinchuuriki was nearly killed, and possibly would have released the kyuubi or dragged it into death with naruto. That has made me realize our village is never safe, and threats will always be present, even in our time of peace, and while our shinobi stand ready to face the violence, there are some threats a kunai nor fireball can defend against. as such these documents, if passed through, will see to it the future generations of konoha are ready to accept the burdens needed for the sake of the masses by preparing them and their parents, that a child, even only a few hours old, can be used by the village in it's defense, any child, be it civilian, ninja, clan, even clan heir or hokage child. Whichever is more fitting, for whatever purposes the village needs." He stated, making everyone swallow hard. "It's not a concept konoha is unfamiliar with after all." He hammered his point with a sledge hammer.
Everyone was deathly quiet for a long while as they got the message loud and clear, and the expression on their hokage's face spoke no tones of bullshit or falsity. The civilian council now realizd their fuck up in full, especially with the shinobi council glaring holes through them. "However we're already part way through another subject so let's finish that before we move on. Naruto Uzumaki to be granted full Kekkai Genkai rights as decreed by this council for any konoha citizen not already a ninja or a nnja in training. Votes please." He spoke, and with predictability, the shinobi side, even the hardliner fugaku uchiha who did not like the boy, raised his hand, as the hokage's threat with the delivery of those documents made things clear. Tentative and hesitant hands went up on the civilian side, while his elders also voted with raised hands. "Excellent. Any questions regarding naruto or his new ability?" He asked.
"Yes. With who will he stay with while he is under the care of the KG-R&D division? I know the pup has an apartment already, even maintained it for a year surprisingly, but there will be legal matters that someone will have to help with who understand it and he's not taken advantage of by someone with an agenda." Tsume asked immediately, making her point clear and bold. She didn't care for the subtlety of politics, she knew them and how to use them, but in the council chambers, be damned if she ever used them. She did not want her points misconstrued in any way shape or form, what she said is what she meant.
"A valid concern, and since he's now under the KG-R&D, he will need someone to at least be around to see to his occasional care, however I will be taking care of this by assigning a caretaker to naruto who will be stopping by on occasion to ensure he is doing well and that any legal matters regarding naruto are brought to me so I can see to them with naruto to make such decision. It'll be god for him to learn the legal work early on. Any other questions." He asked, moving on past the legal talk.
When none came, he nodded and moved on back to the documents. For the next hour there was much yelling, shouting and hollering, but when he started giving concessions and accepting refusals, the shinobi council figured it out then and there that he had played his council. They held no doubt he would have enforced these laws and orders had they gotten past the council, but this as the entire council's one and only wake up call, a courtesy even, to make his point clear. He was in charge, and if he had to do what he felt he must, he would. while the shinobi council realized this and felt safer for their children, they were still a bit disturbed over the whole deal, thinking of losing their children, and the connection that brought to their minds with naruto. It could just as easily have been one of theirs that night, it'd be one of their children who would be the village pariah, not naruto. And that scared them.
Once they cleared through the mess of documents, getting what hiruzen wanted for sure to pass through and dumping the rest as just being on record, he ended the council meeting. Leaving feeling quite refreshed from dealing with his council for once, he returned to his office to get back to his paperwork. By now the councilors should be hearing of the frenzied gossip going around konoha, the almost wide spread panic of thinking their children were going to be offered up to the village, and the subtle hints that they'd end up the same as naruto, letting them make their own ideas at this point. Oh it was glorious to give people a reality check that was like a bolt of lightning or a hiraishin slash to the gut.
Now it was only a matter of waiting till naruto awoke to handle the rest and see to it he understand what's t happen from here on out. Maybe even get the boy to open up to a few people. Tsume and the ino-chika-cho seemed validly concerned for the boy, understandable since they knew his parents, and were unable to adopt him before. He almost considered letting them adopt him now, but he was sure that was something his civilian council would again fight him tooth and nail on, despite the threat he issued. Though perhaps there was another way, he had mentioned a caretaker to check in on naruto after all. Smiling at the idea, he had to wait first for naruto to wake up.
Naruto awoke several hours after that, better refreshed and remembering everything that's happened, more secure in himself now. Things were still unreal to him, like looking in the mirror, but seeing the change, he couldn't help feel it was bringing better things to him already. From what the old man said, this kekkai genkai had healed him, to where he should have been dead, but wasn't, he felt great too, and more than that, he was getting things now, the old man said he'd be treated better, and while it pissed him off it had to come because he had a kekkai genkai, he knew to easily it could have just been swept under the rug. For that he was grateful.
Walking out, the old man had another plate of food ready and told him to go on and eat. So that's what he did, he ate his fill happily, yet he now had a craving for something with cheese and tomatoes...weird. He waved that off in favor of relaxing on the couch for a while, being quiet while his food digests. Once the old man finished his paperwork, he came over to the couch to sit by naruto and smiled at the boy who smiled at him. "Naruto I have news. You've officially been accepted into the program tha will help you train your kekkai genkai, but there are some things I have to tell you about first, alright?" He got a nod rom the child, who listened intently.
"The program is not easy, they will take your training seriously and push you to develop what your kekkai genkai's limits, some of it will even be painful if your kekkai genkai is only for healing. But they'll go through every resource to see what you can do and they'll expect your training at the academy to go well too. I'll be receiving reports from them and a care taker I'll send regularly to check on you. There amy be some paperwork, but we can do those together so you can learn what it's about, alright?" he asked.
"Yes jiji, I understand."
"God boy. Now another thing, I'll be transferring your old bank account and savings, along with the proper orphan stipend, what this program will pay you, a village severance and finally your inheritance from your parents to a new account, that will have a weekly allowance limit, and a savings account, all with a good interest rate so you can save more overtime.I know you were doing good before, but this money isn't to go wild on, it's to see you do better and have money for the future, which the weekly allowance rule will go away once you become a full shinobi of the village, a legal adult." He stated, glossing over the village severance he'd be getting as a jinchuuriki, something he felt was more than justifiable. He'd also see if jiraiya wanted to contribute to this as his god father, so naruto could have a secure future if anything happened where he couldn't perform missions for a while.
"Awesome! So ugh, when does this Program start?" He asked, really curious and eager to start.
"First day of the academy, someone will be there to pick you up and take you there. Right no there's only a few others in the program, so they'll be able to focus on you as needed. But you've got a month an a half till then, however I know you want to get started so here." He stated, producing a scroll from his sleeve. "This is a scroll on low level chakra exercises, the better you control your chakra, the easier it'll be to use jutsu, now I-" he was cut off by naruto grabbing his sleeve, who looked nervous.
"Um, jiji...I can't read." He admitted, wincing at his own words. Hiruzen blinked a few times, before clenching his own fists together, the primary school should have taught this to naruto... He made up his mind to look over naruto's academic records with the school later, but sat back down with naruto and smiled to the boy.
"Then we can read this together, and work on that over the next month can't we?" he asked and had a little idea as he looked back to his paperwork. Maybe the best for naruto's development thus far. So they started with the scroll, and after some practice, had his secretary bring in a small table with some calligraphy supplies to start him on his handwriting and brush skills while he read, to work on all three together at the same time. A useful trick that would be useful if he ever took up fuinjutsu, which knowing his parents, might be very likely. So for the next month and a half naruto was almost a constant resident of his office, where he would practice his reading, writing and brush skills, with either hand to promote ambi-dexterity.
Some of the things he had naruto read were on the village laws and even the charter for the land of fire as set forth by the Daimyo, a lot of jargon was in there, but he had him read it even if he didn't understand it, just to set the foundation for better literacy and understanding later. Naruto was becoming a competent reader with good writing and calligraphy skills, his determination to learn was fantastic, He also gave him reading material on the tactics, strategy and public record mission reports of many shinobi, to help him prepare for what he was getting in to. Though sadly, Naruto's maturity comprehended it very well, despite his age, no doubt in thanks to his many experiences. His education aside though, that wasn't the only progress he was making.
While a bit slow, his chakra control was coming along nicely, smooth and solid was how he would describe it, as he practiced the various leaf exercises. Sticking, spinning, flipping and balancing chief among them, and in time Naruto was able to employ them while he practiced calligraphy and writing or read reports, something that would help him in the long run. Aside from that, he introduced Naruto to a basic workout menu for self-conditioning to explore on his own time, that alone showing another possible trait of the now named Sparda Kekkai Genkai; Enhanced physical abilities. For a child his age he was displaying a level of physical aptitude he shouldn't have, and he reasoned this would only grew as he grew. However a month and a half later, it was finally time for the academy to start.
"Are you sure I'll make friends Jiji?" Naruto asked, looking up to the hokage who smiled down at him.
"I'm sure, you'll just have to put in your own effort to make friends too. Don't forget what you learned alright? Tsume Inuzuka will pick you up after school to take you to the KGRD building to meet the workers to help with your Kekkai Genkai, understand?" He asked the boy who nodded. "Don't worry Naruto, you'll do fine. Now I have to get back to fighting my hated enemy, paperwork. Have a good Nay Naruto-kun." The sandaime spoke, ruffling the boy's white hair as he watched him enter the building. He was a bit worried himself, but he couldn't do everything for him.
Naruto strolled through the halls looking around for his classroom. Like a month ago, he was wearing simple white clothes rather than the khaki's and t-shirt he'd use t wear, these too similar to medical scrubs with a v-neck shirt and slacks, all long sleeve and loose and flowing that hung on his form. His overall features created an exotic look which as he entered his classroom, didn't go unnoticed. The other kids in the room all looked at him oddly, which was slightly unnerving until he took a seat. Not long after two chunin entered the room.
"Hello class, welcome to your first day of the Academy, your official start of Ninja training and your ninja careers. My name is Iruka Umino and this is my assistant, Mizuki Shinichiro, we will be your core instructors for this specific class of shinobi hopefuls. Now let's start with introductions, one at a time starting with you." Iruka spoke, pointing to a boy in the corner. What followed was a long wait of introductions, but Naruto took notice of each person until it was his turn.
Rising from his seat, he cleared his throat. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki." Those five words caused a myriad of reactions. Some of the students were now whispering and pointing, some with glares, while the teachers had surprised looks and their own expressions Iruka was neutral, he thought, while mizuki, he couldn't read at all. However Iruka got the class back under control and continued on, but now he seemed to be the center of attention for the other students. Most of the day was boring introductory stuff, though when they broke for lunch, Naruto was instantly swarmed by kids who were curious of him, asking about, well, everything. He answered what he could, but it was overwhelming.
However, one thing came up very quickly. "Why do you have a boy's name Naruto?" One of the girls asked.
"Because I am a boy." He answered simply, though a bit confused.
"NO WAY!" Came a chorus of multiple girl voices that caught him flat-footed, he looked to them with stunned confusion. "There's no way you're a boy. Your voice is soft and soothing, not to mention your looks, you have to be a girl!" One of the girls said, she had blonde hair and blue eyes. Naruto grew annoyed with that.
"I'm a boy, I promise you that. Why would I lie?" He asked them, making them think on that honestly. Well, the girls thought on it, the boys however just looked confused, very confused, Their confusion was well founded, since over the month and a half since his transformation, Naruto's appearance had slowly dipped into a feminine one, and though he didn't notice it before, now he needed to see what he could do about that. After the fiasco at lunch, the class moved on and soon they were released for the day where Naruto left quickly.
Outside he saw a large gathering of parents, but he soon saw a woman with a boy he recognized as Kiba waving at him. He walked over and looked up to her. "Tsume-san?" He asked.
"Got it in one Pup. Naruto then?" She asked, getting a nod. "Good, follow me. Oh and drop the san, or any honorific for that matter, I don't like formalities outside of official business." She stated, making the boy nod. "So how was your first day of academy boys?" She asked the both of them.
"Good, though it was boring." Kiba grumbled.
"I got swarmed by half the class and they thought I was a girl."
"Well, you look like one. Can you blame everyone?" Kiba jibbed with a smirk makig Naruto scowl, thoug on his face...the intimidation was lost in translation.
"Oh shut up! I'll be working on that here soon!" He stated.
"I don't think there's much you can do for your face beside a scar," Kiba smirked.
"Then I guess you'll be ugly forever then Kiba."
"What'd you say!?" Kiba barked. Tsume could only smirk, first day and they were already insulting each other. Yep, they were going to be good friends.
"Knock it off you two. First off, Kba be nice. Naruto, on the one hand, he is kind of right, you do look girlish, but your young so you'll grow out of it I think. If not, well you're training to become a shinobi, use it to your advantage." She offered, now making the boys confused.
"What do you mean by that?" They asked.
"You'll understand as you get older, for now just remember that advice, both of you." She told them and they nodded absently, not sure what to make of that. "Well, here we are Naruto, Head on side and introduce yourself and get started, I'll be by later to pick you up. Today should only be a testing and introduction day, tomorrow will be the real work and training." She told him and he nodded.
"Thanks tsume-sa...Tsume, I'll catch ya later." He ran off inside the building and she smiled after him, he was a good kid. Leaving with Kiba, she went on home to get dinner for her family started while Naruto went through another introduction and some simple tests to establish what he could so right now. It was fairly simple though thorough. Once they were done he left to find Tsume waiting for him outside. She walked him back to his apartment, though she was scrutinizing the area he lived in...the not so slum/redlight district, or the closest Konoha had to either. The district had the amenities and facilities of both. Poor, run-down housing, dirty bars, brothels.
"This is where you live at Naruto?" She asked, looking around. "Why did the sandaime assign you housing here?" She spoke aloud rhetorically.
"Well he didn't, it was one of the people that works in...um, what was that...housing cul- ca- committee, that was it. It was bad at first, but it's alright now, the people here aren't so bad once you get to know them." He said, and indeedNaruto got a few waves as they walked, Surprising the hell out of Tsume since some of the people that waved were prostitutes no doubt. However she didn't say anything more seeing as how none of the people here were negative to Naruto so far.
Getting to his apartment, tsume was again surprised to see it was a clean apartment she walked into with no actual damage on the inside. "You take care of your place well." She said, quite impressed.
The 8-year-old shrugged a bit as he closed the door. "Used to not be so good, but some of the guys around here helped me fix it up while doing some chores around the building for them, even showed me how to fix things myself." He said as he went to the kitchen to make something for his guest, Jiji had told him that's what you do after all.
Tsume blinked at Naruto, again surprised, she knew she mentioned it at the council meeting that he maintained an apartment for a year but hearing all this was still amazing. She knew adults who weren't half as responsible as Naruto was. Her thoughts were halted when he came back with two mismatched cups and a steam rising from them both. "All I had was instant Tea mix, sorry I didn't have much more." He apologized, the slight pout on his face really did bring out the feminine features he had.
"It's no big deal pup, thank you. I wish my own kids were as well behaved as you." She muttered the last bit out before taking the cup and drinking her tea. "So tell me Naruto, how are you adjusting to your recent changes?"
"Mmm, okay I guess? I mean the villagers don't bother me as much anymore, but some still come around. Though Jij's been teaching me stuff and that was awesome, I can read and write now too! Oh and he says I'm doing good with chakra control too. But yeah um, the academy seems kinda boring with the teachers, I just hope the other kids don't keep hounding me on my looks." He rambled, not really understanding her question.
Tsume chuckled slightly, terrible demon indeed, the fucking villagers were all blind. But hearing of his progress she was happy to see he was finally getting some of the education he'd been denied previously, something that pissed her off greatly. However, it was being handled. "That's good Naruto, keep up the good work. Your education and training are both equally important, so you have to do your best in both. On the academy, just give it some time and things will calm down, just remember what I said...but how are you? Feeling better with the changes happening recently."
"Oh yeah, it's been a lot better." He said with a smile.
"That's good. Well, I have to go Naruto, you take care of yourself, here something for you." She said, pulling out a scroll and unsealing a food carrier, opening t to reveal a portion of the dinner she made, a meat-heavy curry over rice with plenty of sides. "I have t get home, you go on and eat and get some rest, tomorrow you do more learning and training since today was mainly introductions. Hear me?"
"Yes'm!" He spoke around the food already in his mouth. Tsume chuckled, ruffling his hair before leaving him to his dinner and heading home. Naruto sighed, looking to the food and smiling. He never recalled eating or sleeping so well before.
So what do you all think? Should I continue this? Remember this was kind of a pick up story I worked on sporadically here and there so look over it as you will.
I edited this chapter because I was unhappy with the ending of the chapter and wanted to include more story in his early youth and growing to flesh out more of vergil's influence, something a reviewer pointed out and I'm thankful for. So look forward to future chapters of Naruto's development. BTW, drop a line in the reviews paring ideas and devil arm preferences to help give me ideas, nothing is set in stone yet for this story.