Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. If I make any OCs then I shall state that they are OCs.
THE CHRONICLES OF NARUTO
Graduation and Mission to Wave Arcs
EPISODE I: AWAKENING
On October 10th the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox appeared in Konohagakure. Many Shinobi were sent to combat the demon but none prevailed and the fox destroyed everything in its path. Eventually the leader of the village, the Fourth Hokage, came up with a way to defeat the demon by sealing the beast within a newborn child. But this Dead Demon Consuming Seal came at a terrible price. In return for sealing the demon fox within the newborn baby Naruto, the Shinigami or death god demanded a terrible price. The Fourth Hokage agreed with the cost and sacrificed his life while leaving behind a request for his predecessor, the Third Hokage, to tell the villagers what he had done and for them to treat Naruto as a hero for being the one to contain the beast for the rest of Naruto's natural life at which time the fox would die with Naruto with no hope for escaping its prison.
The Third Hokage did as his successor asked and told the surviving villagers of the Fourth's sacrifice and the legacy he left behind. Unfortunately the villagers did not respect the Fourth's wishes for Naruto's future and treated him as if the he was the demon itself. They were not able to understand that the Fourth's seal blocked the fox from influencing Naruto and they believed that Naruto was merely the human form of the fox.
In the years to come the Third had been reinstated as Hokage and he did his best to protect Naruto even passing a law declaring that no one was to speak of Naruto being the container of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. This would be an S-Rank secret punishable by death if broken. The villagers did all they could to circumvent the law without breaking it and some of Konoha's Shinobi joined in with the beatings that they would inflict upon the boy. The Third did his best to punish the perpetrators but the Council of Elders made up of the village's clan heads, the elders of Konoha and a Civilian Council, overrode many of the Third's rulings involving the civilians that were involved in the crimes. While the Shinobi portion primarily went along with the Third despite their general dislike for Naruto the civilians and elders were another story. The civilians, especially one Mrs. Haruno, couldn't understand the intricacies of the Fourth's seal and couldn't believe it could contain something like the Nine-Tails and so were more inclined to believe that the seal had merely trapped the fox in human form. The elders, being former Shinobi, knew of the seal and understood it, but they, especially one Danzo Shimura of the Foundation, had wanted Naruto to be made into a weapon of defense for Konoha or simply not allow him to be trained as a ninja and be made to live an isolated life as a civilian away from the rest of the village.
As for Naruto, he had been given the last name of Uzumaki which unknown to anyone except a select few had been Naruto's Mother's last name. Naruto grew up with the protection of ANBU guards from the ANBU Black Ops division. His main protector would become one Itachi Uchiha who guarded Naruto despite the protests of the council saying that the Third should not give the boy the protection of someone who was potentially Konoha's best ANBU Shinobi they had ever had. The Uchiha clan themselves were the biggest protestors as the demon fox had killed more Uchiha than any other clan due to the fact that besides the ANBU the Uchiha were the main enforcers of the law and guardians of Konoha's security. They didn't like the idea that their prodigy had been assigned to protect what they viewed as the largest threat to Konoha.
The protests were ignored and Itachi despite some initial distrust of Naruto grew to like the spirited boy and he kept the villagers from attacking Naruto though he couldn't stop their glares and cruel comments about "the demon brat" and "child of a whore" from reaching the impressionable child.
Naruto wanted more than anything to gain the approval of the villagers and so was constantly pulling pranks and more importantly vowing to become the next Hokage. Personally Itachi thought that Naruto would become a great Hokage with his potential if he would just calm down a little. Itachi and the Third along with Naruto's teacher at the Ninja Academy, Iruka, had noticed that besides the whisker-like marks on Naruto's cheeks and his incredible healing abilities, Naruto had never shown any indication that he held the Nine-Tails within him. Even then Naruto had an incredible amount of Chakra that the Third was adamant about that the fox having no influence in. If Naruto would calm down and take his studies more seriously then he would surpass even the Fourth in skill. Something besides the fox was giving Naruto incredible chakra levels and stamina. Itachi and Iruka thought that it might be a bloodline of some kind and the Third never exactly denied it though the Third never confirmed it either. The Third insisted that he didn't know who Naruto's parents were but Itachi knew he was lying and he wanted to know why so he had done some digging in the Hokage's files when the Third was out and what he had discovered had shocked him and he knew then why Naruto's parents were kept secret. Itachi promised himself that unless it was an emergency he would never reveal this secret that was beyond S-Rank.
One day Naruto was walking to his new apartment complex after the lady who owned the orphanage had kicked him out after saying that animals weren't allowed in the building. Itachi and Jiji, what Naruto called the Third Hokage, hadn't been very happy though they couldn't do anything about it. Naruto would have liked his new apartment if it wasn't for the fact that at the age of five he was paying bills. He had decided to keep this secret from Itachi who was over quite often since he was his bodyguard though Naruto had never understood why he needed a guard in the first place. The villagers had stopped beating on him last year after Itachi had removed one of the villager's arms.
Naruto didn't have much money left over after paying his bills usually so he was left with only enough to get poor items at the stores because the shopkeepers didn't like him and only gave him the out-of-date stuff or things like his orange jumpsuit which he pretended to like for Itachi and Jiji's sakes.
One night when Naruto was walking home from the park distraught from having been rejected after having tried to play with the other kids, Naruto was waylaid by some of the parents who were upset that the "demon child" was speaking to their children. Naruto screamed out in pain as he was kicked around. "PLEASE STOP, I DIN"T DO ANYTHING TO YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN!" Naruto screamed out.
"DON'T LIE DEMON! WE SAW YOU! YOU WERE TRYING TO CORRUPT OUR CHILDREN!" One of the parents, an Uchiha by the looks of it, gave a rather vicious kick to Naruto's ribs causing him to scream in pain as his ribs broke from the force of the kick. Nearby the other villagers just ignored it while making sure there were no children nearby. The Shinobi who were nearby just ignored the events going on nearby thinking that if they didn't see it they would be able to get away with not doing anything about it.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Shouted a voice that made Naruto's hopes soared. Itachi Uchiha was standing their looking furious.
"Hey Itachi, glad you could join us," said the more stupid looking of the two Uchiha that were beating up Naruto. The other Uchiha just took one look at Itachi's expression and tried to shut his partner up to no avail as the first one just gave another kick at Naruto. The strangest thing though was that something was repelling him and before he knew it he had been sent flying by some strange force. The Uchiha landed in a heap holding his ribs in pain. Whatever the force was that had repelled him it had cracked his ribs. Itachi watched in wonder as Naruto rose up in obvious pain. When Naruto looked up and glared at the injured Uchiha, Itachi took a step back in shock. Where Naruto's eyes had previously been a light blue they now, including the white of his eyes, were characterized by a ripple-like pattern around the pupil, with a light purple iris and sclera.
Naruto shouted something but Itachi was too distracted to hear it. Suddenly the two perpetrators were sent flying and their chests looked like something had hit them with tremendous force. The two hit the ground hard some feet away and coughed up blood before collapsing and becoming still. Naruto then passed out and Itachi got over his shock at Naruto's show of power. Itachi picked up Naruto gently and rushed him to the hospital as fast as was safely possible.
Itachi had to cast a Genjutsu on them because the medics refused to treat Naruto saying that he deserved to die. Itachi had to restrain himself though he felt a little angry at himself for not being able to control his emotions but Naruto always brought the humanity out in him though he was technically a trained killer who specialized in assassinations.
Itachi focused all of his chakra on keeping the Genjutsu on Naruto. He had to keep it up so the medical ninja that were currently healing Naruto's ribs didn't detect it. To do so Itachi had cast more than one Genjutsu on Naruto to add an extra layer of protection. In no time at all the medics had healed him though Itachi had to grab Naruto and flee when the medics had finally seen the Genjutsu and noticed that Naruto healed faster than was humanly possible. This was one time Itachi was happy that Naruto had the fox sealed inside him as it along with the medics had healed Naruto in no time at all despite the life threatening nature of his injuries.
Soon, Itachi and Naruto arrived at the Hokage's tower with Naruto sleeping soundly in Itachi's arms. Sarutobi was waiting as he had sensed Itachi and Naruto's arrival and so he gratefully put away the Hokage's greatest enemy: the dreaded paperwork. Naruto's chakra feels different somehow. It feels like his chakra has become more open like a huge damn has broken and this is Naruto's real power with no influence of the fox behind it. Thought Sarutobi.
Naruto woke up to a soft silk blanket lying on his body. Naruto was confused. The last thing he remembered was being beaten. Naruto realized that if he covered in a blanket then he must have been rescued. Itachi saved me. Thought Naruto gleefully. Itachi was always there to save him and Naruto hoped that he always would be.
Naruto looked around then and realized he was the Hokage's study. Itachi must have brought him here. Naruto realized then that something was wrong with his vision. He couldn't see in color. Suddenly Itachi and the Hokage walked in and Naruto could see something flowing through their bodies. It was a blue color and was flowing through every inch of their bodies and seemed to be coming from a central point in their chests. "What's going on? Why can't I see any color and what's that blue stuff? It looks like its flowing inside of you."
"This confirms it." Mused the Third Hokage. Naruto looked confused at this. "Naruto," said the Hokage, "You have a Kekkei Genkai. And not just any Kekkei Genkai, but a Dōjutsu or visual technique." The Hokage could tell Naruto was confused so he elaborated, "A Kekkei Genkai or Bloodline is a special ability. It usually crops up in clans such as the Hyūga or Uchiha clans here in Konoha. Now there are three special Kekkei Genkai known as Dōjutsu in the world. Itachi and I believe that you possess such abilities. We believe that you possess the legendary Samsara Eye, the Rinnegan, which is now considered to be myth. It is said that there was a Shinobi of such power that he could even be considered a god and it was said that he possessed the Rinnegan. Your eyes fit all the descriptions of what the Rinnegan was said to look like. Congratulations, Naruto."
Naruto was amazed and astonished he possessed such power. He couldn't wait to figure out what he could do. Then he realized the Hokage had mentioned the Uchiha clan in his description. Naruto looked at Itachi and asked, "What bloodline does the Uchiha clan possess Itachi?"
"The Uchiha clan also possesses one of the Dōjutsu. We possess the Sharingan or Copy-Wheel Eye. It was named as such for its ability to see through most jutsu and duplicate and counter them. Things appear to move slower than they really do to us of the Uchiha clan who have unlocked the Sharingan. I myself gained it at Age 8 and have now mastered it to its full capabilities," stated Itachi in a matter of fact tone though Naruto could tell Itachi was trying to hold in his dislike for something.
"What's wrong Itachi?" Inquired Naruto.
Itachi sighed and reluctantly answered Naruto's question, "Most Uchiha take the Sharingan for granted and believe that it makes them all powerful. All jutsu, even Dōjutsu, have weaknesses Naruto, I want you to remember that, and when you discover what you can do, never become overconfident in your abilities. There is always a bigger fish as they say. The Uchiha clan would be much better off if they would remember that a tool, no matter how powerful, is still just a tool."
"I promise to remember that for all time Itachi and one day I will surpass you and the Hokage and become Hokage myself."
Itachi actually gave a genuine smile, not a smirk like Uchiha were known for, but a genuine smile. The Hokage just laughed, "I have no doubt you'll do just that Naruto. Within you I see the Will of Fire burning within you. And when you believe in yourself and your fellow Leaf Shinobi there is nothing you won't be able to do when you set your mind to it."
"I won't let you down Old Man. I will surpass you one day, I promise, and I always keep my promises," stated Naruto in a proud tone of voice.
Meanwhile Itachi was thinking hard on something. Naruto needs to know so that he can't be taken advantage of anymore. The Hokage won't be happy with me if he finds out I've broken his law. I could be executed for this so I'll have to convince Naruto that he can't let anyone know that I told him until after I leave Konoha. I have no doubt that the council will ask me to betray my clan someday with the way things are going downhill. I just hope I have enough time to prepare Naruto for his future. It will have to be soon. Father is suspicious of me as it is. He isn't happy that I spend so much time with Naruto. I just wish it hadn't come to this; I would have like to have one day retired from ANBU officially and become Naruto and Saskue's sensei. They would be good friends but Saskue looks up to Father just as much as he looks up to me. And I think Father is trying to turn Saskue away from following my chosen path. Itachi was shaken out of his thoughts when the Hokage cleared his throat to get attention. "I apologize Lord Hokage. I was distracted."
"I understand Itachi." The Third gave Itachi a look of pity that Itachi didn't want to see, but Itachi knew that his Hokage would look at him like that knowing what Itachi was being forced to go through by the council. Itachi was forced to spy on his own clan when he wasn't watching Naruto. With the deaths of two Uchiha at his hands to save Naruto of all people, Itachi had taken the blame for Naruto's actions to protect Naruto; Itachi would be under close scrutiny from his Father and the other co-conspirators in the Uchiha clan's plans for the Coup de Taut to take over Konoha.
Itachi was loyal to Konoha and his Hokage before he would be loyal to a bunch of arrogant, self-righteous, hypocritical fools who had no idea of what Itachi was capable of even by their standards. All he had to remember was that he was doing this for Saskue and Naruto. He wouldn't let them grow up in the middle of a civil war. He would make Saskue hate him so that one day Itachi could pay for the crimes he was committing to protect the ones he cared about. It was that emotion of love for his little brother and the one he considered a little brother that he would protect them even if they saw him as a traitor.
Itachi felt something falling down his cheek. When he wiped his cheek he was amazed that he was crying. He hadn't cried for a very long time. Itachi knew it was the Uchiha clan conditioning that told him to never show emotion but he knew he had to let it out even if it was in private. So Itachi cried for Saskue and Naruto's futures. His only hope was that one day he would pay for his crimes and only then would Itachi accept that he could have the peace he loved so much.
Soon the time had come. In the time leading up to this bleak day Itachi had trained Naruto in the use of his Rinnegan. Itachi had been amazed. Apparently the Rinnegan contained genetic memories. They had discovered many abilities with the help of the memories along with some obscure scrolls with limited information on the Rinnegan's powers. Apparently Naruto could control gravity to an extent using two jutsu named Shinra Tensei and Banshō Ten'in to repel or attract targets to or away from Naruto. Naruto could also absorb chakra through his hands but the technique wasn't very useful. The most useful ability besides the gravity jutsu was that Naruto could summon certain animals; they had the Rinnegan as well and were completely under the control of their summoned, though Naruto had some trouble with this ability because summoning required precision chakra control.
Still, Itachi was amazed at the sheer number of abilities the Rinnegan came with. He thought that there might be others but Naruto would have to discover them on his own. Naruto had recently started at the Ninja Academy and much to his and to Naruto's dismay the teachers hated Naruto though they were wary since they weren't familiar with Naruto's new appearance. Naruto had taken to abandoning his signature orange jumpsuit and taken to dressing like Itachi. Saskue had started as well and was instantly popular much to Naruto's distaste and Itachi's dismay. The popularity would give Saskue an ego most likely since it proved that Saskue wasn't just following in Itachi's shadow. It also made Naruto angry since Naruto knew the reason he wasn't liked by any of the adults or the kids that the adults had set against him, though the children didn't know the real reason that Naruto was disliked. They just thought that Naruto was a hooligan who was wearing strange contacts to try and make it appear if the clan less orphan had a bloodline so that he could get attention.
Itachi had told Naruto what had been imprisoned in him as well as who had been his parents. Naruto hadn't taken it very well. In fact he had been furious that such secrets of such delicacy had been kept for him. After calming him down, Itachi had explained what he believed to the Third Hokage's reasoning even if he didn't agree with it. Itachi had also made Naruto promise never to tell anyone that Itachi had revealed the truth to him unless something happened to Itachi and Itachi couldn't protect him anymore. He also made Naruto promise to hide the full extent of his abilities so that the council didn't have an excuse to get rid of him or turn him into a weapon until after he became a ninja so that the council didn't have any say in his future.
That night Itachi began the final mission given to him by the council. One that he accepted with all of his heart which he immediately turned cold so that no one could see his pain. Itachi had earlier met a man named Madara Uchiha who was amazingly alive even after the history books declared him dead after his battle with Hashirama Senju. The man was very old but still very powerful. Itachi had agreed to Madara's help in destroying the Uchiha clan as well as learning how to use his new Mangekyō Sharingan that he had gained after killing his best friend Shisui who had discovered his real allegiance.
With Madara's help the Uchiha clan was caught completely off guard and crushed in no time. Itachi soon felt Saskue's impressive chakra. "What's going on?" shouted Saskue as he came in and saw his father and mother's dead bodies with Itachi standing over them. "What happened big brother? Who did this to are clan?" Itachi just stayed silent and watched as Saskue saw the blood on Itachi's armor and began to put things into order. As Itachi watched Saskue begin to shake his head in horrified denial Madara slipped out of Konoha as he had agreed when he made the deal with Itachi. If anything Madara was a man of his word. As long as Itachi lived Saskue would never be told the truth of what had happened unless told to by Itachi himself or by Naruto Uzumaki should Naruto figure the whole truth out.
Madara looked forward to the day Itachi died, though he wouldn't do it himself, that had been part of the deal, but when Itachi died all bets were off and he would tell Saskue the truth while twisting things so that he could manipulate Saskue into following the Curse of Hatred that all Uchiha, except Itachi it seemed, suffered from. Madara eagerly began planning what he would say when that day came. Soon all of his plans would come to fruition. He had begun constructing a group of S-Class Missing-Nin that could defeat the nine Jinchūriki and claim the Tailed beasts so that he could complete his Eye of the Moon Plan. Madara gave an evil laugh that if anyone had heard it they would be cowering under a rock praying to Kami that whatever had made the sound never found them.
Back at the Uchiha compound Saskue had finally regained control of his mouth and began shouting, "WHY BIG BROTHER? WHY DID YOU KILL THEM? WHYYY?"
"They sickened me my pathetic little brother," said Itachi coldly though on the inside he was crying. "The clan was weak. Full of squabbling old fools who could never grasp what was right in front of them, but I did. I rose up becoming the strongest Uchiha since the elder days in the time of are ancestor Madara. I have obtained the ultimate tool of are clan. Look into my eyes Saskue and witness true power." Saskue couldn't resist and watched as Itachi's blood red Sharingan eyes began to spin until the tomoe seal took the form of a windmill shuriken. Saskue stared in horror as Itachi, unknown to Saskue who could only see Itachi's cold, emotionless face, sorrowfully said, "This is the Mangekyō Sharingan, the pinnacle of are clan. Now witness its power. Tsukuyomi!" Saskue looked on horrified as his perception changed and Itachi forced him to watch the murders of their clan. Itachi's cold voice sounded, "For seventy-two hours you will witness the death of the clan being replayed in your mind over and over."
Saskue screamed as he tried to block the sight. After three seconds had passed in the real world Itachi deactivated the Mangekyō Sharingan as Saskue woke up from the Tsukuyomi induced visions. Saskue looked at Itachi fearfully and Itachi saw that Saskue's Sharingan had awoken. This made Itachi smile on the inside while on the outside Itachi stared coldly at his beloved little brother, the only one beside Naruto to make him feel complete and happy. Itachi had to summon all of his will power and ANBU training to not break down and cry right there. It would not be good if he blew everything because he couldn't control his emotions. "Now little brother," Itachi said as he began his farewell speech to Saskue, "if you want to avenge are clan accept your hatred of me and use to surpass me for as you are now you are nothing." Saskue came alive at that and screamed in hatred as he charged at Itachi with one of the blunted kunai of the Academy.
Itachi grabbed Saskue's hands and coldly snapped his wrists. Saskue screamed in pain as his Sharingan faded from his eyes and he held his broken wrist to his body, cradling it like a baby. Itachi just continued his speech, ignoring his brothers pathetic crying, "Like me you may be one of the few capable of using Mangekyō Sharingan. To obtain this you must first betray your best friend." Saskue looked horrified at that but it just got worst as Itachi continued, "You must betray him and then kill him." With one last look at Saskue's face, a face that Itachi's Sharingan had burned into his memory for all eternity, Itachi gave a chakra enhanced punch to Saskue's gut. Saskue faded into unconsciousness as he fell to the ground with a thump.
Itachi quickly left the Uchiha compound after that and travelled to his next place of visit before he would leave Konoha and begin his life as a Missing-Nin. Itachi quickly arrived at Naruto's apartment and scanned for the boy that he had promised to visit tonight. And sure enough, there on the couch lay Naruto, sound asleep like a baby. Itachi crossed the room silently and shook Naruto awake. Naruto sat up groggily as he took in his visitors form. He quickly woke up when he realized who it was. 'Itachi," shouted Naruto gleefully.
It was then that Naruto noticed the blood on Itachi. "Itachi, your hurt," cried out Naruto.
Itachi shook his head and said, "It isn't my blood Naruto. This village has become weak and corrupt so I have decided to leave it." Naruto shook his head in disbelief. His first friend, the one he looked up to as a brother, was abandoning him. Itachi continued his final farewell speech, "As a farewell gift to you I have eliminated all of the Uchiha clan except for myself and my little brother Saskue." Naruto was horrified by this. He had never wanted anything like that.
"My clan were the traitors first Naruto," said Itachi when he saw Naruto's face.
Naruto was highly confused at this and so asked, "But if they were traitors then why are you leaving?"
"Naruto," said Itachi warily, "What I did was still a crime. I took the law into my own hands. Now promise me you will never tell Saskue the truth of what happened. I don't want him to hate you for something you had nothing to do with. Just pretend that I betrayed you as well. Saskue will be out for my blood, I have crossed the line."
Crying, Naruto said, "Okay Itachi, my non-blood Big Brother."
Smiling Itachi left but not before saying, "I'm sorry I won't get to see you become Hokage, my non-blood little brother. Become strong and protect your precious people and bonds of friendship and love with all of your heart even if they betray you or hurt you. Never live in hatred and you will become the greatest Hokage that ever existed." And with that Itachi left with Naruto realizing he may never see Itachi again. Naruto fell to the ground crying his heart out for the first time in many years.
As the years passed by and the seasons changed from spring and summer to fall and winter, the village of Konoha remained the same as life went on. Naruto trained hard to master the abilities of his Rinnegan under the proud and watchful eyes of the Third Hokage and his new sensei Iruka, one of the teachers at the Academy. Naruto took the graduation test twice but failed because he had too much chakra to perform the Clone Jutsu. He also became even more of a prankster and was always in some kind of trouble. He kept his real strength hidden from his classmates and became known as the dead last.
Saskue recovered from his physical injuries that Itachi inflicted on him but the mental scars were too deep for therapy and the doctors allowed Saskue to quit because the village was still unaware of the truth and the few people who knew it weren't going to talk. Saskue became an avenger and vowed to one day kill Itachi and then rebuild his clan. Even though his Sharingan had become sealed away by the mental stress and Saskue forgot about ever activating it, only remembering the pain Itachi inflicted on him. Saskue eventually became the best in his class. He was slated to become Rookie of the Year.
Naruto kept his promise to Itachi and never told Saskue the truth though Naruto had tried to reach out to him only to be shunned. With Itachi's so-called betrayal the villagers hated Naruto more than ever before. They illogically blamed him for such a prodigy's betrayal and if it wasn't for Iruka coming to his senses and realizing that Naruto wasn't the Nine-Tails, Naruto would probably be dead or classified a traitor if he had defended himself. The Hokage became further limited in power though he tried to protect Naruto the best he could. Naruto ignored the pain though and kept up his façade of happiness that only Iruka and the Third could see through. The two honored Naruto's wishes to be underestimated.
Naruto would continue to be underestimated by Konoha and when they least expected it; he would rise up and show his true colors as a prodigy on Itachi's level.