Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
ITALICS – thinking
BOLD – demon talk/jutsu
Arc One: A Warrior's Path
Chapter Three
The sun was setting in Konoha and everyone was about to head home to rest, though if one passed a certain training ground they would hear a muffled thump. A strange sound, but if one were to search for it they would find Naruto Uzumaki punching trees with his bare fists and kicking them with his bare feet while Fukui watched on with a smile.
It has been six months, and Naruto was improving at an astonishing rate. Thanks to his improved diet, he was the size of a normal eight year old though mentally was a different story due to the amount of reading Naruto has had to do.
These six months were brutal for Naruto as he trained to bring out and maintain his Ki in order to do a multitude of tasks. Improve his speed, increase the strength of his Aikido, how to detect targets around him and when they would strike, among other techniques while meditating. Countless broken bones, concussions, and trips to the hospital was the common occurrence for those months, but with every beating Naruto never faltered. He learned from his mistakes and started the path on 'knowing thyself.' Fukui told Naruto, however, that to completely 'know thyself' a great deal of emotional anguish had to occur.
Currently, Naruto's eyes were in a hardened glare as he continued his Aikido katas on the tree in front of him. Every time a punch or kick landed, some of the bark peeled off as Ki was added to each strike. Many hours had passed since Naruto started, but now Fukui had seen enough.
"You may stop my student, it has been a tiring day but you have improved far beyond my imagination." Fukui said in a sage like tone. "Keep improving like this, our trip to Iron Country may be sooner than we thought."
Naruto smiled and wiped the sweat off his brow before he turned and bowed to his master.
"Hai Master Harumasa, I look forward to travelling as well as meeting the one you call Master." Naruto scratched his chin, a habit he picked up recently when thinking or confused. "Do you think your Master can train me?"
The retired samurai shrugged then ruffled Naruto's hair which made the blonde chuckle.
"Perhaps, my student, but tell me. Do you feel that in the air…a feeling of foreboding, the winds of change?"
Naruto looked at Harumasa quizzically then closed his eyes and calmed his senses like he was taught. After a few minutes he opened them and frowned.
"Why does my Ki feel off, it feels…sad and distant?"
"That is what is called a warriors intuition." Fukui frowned and laid a reassuring hand on Naruto's left shoulder. "A change is coming that we can feel though we cannot pinpoint the exact time said change will occur."
Harumasa then bent to Naruto's level and smiled at him, his eyes filled with warmth.
"Remember to always follow this intuition, my student. Use it to better prepare and above all, use it to save the ones you care about. Promise me this."
Naruto's eye showed determination and he nodded fiercely, "Hai Master, it will be done."
Fukui stood up and pushed his student towards the Konoha gates. "Go now, you earned a good night's rest."
After Naruto thanked him, he started to walk home. As he was doing so, Fukui sensed the figure, who had been watching for so long, getting ready to move. Without a sound, the retired samurai appeared in front of the blank masked ANBU with a carefree smile on his face.
"I didn't even see him move!" Thought the ANBU as he backed up in shock, almost falling off the tree branch he was in.
"Do tell your master that whatever he has planned will not come to pass. Your master's oversight has led to their plight and in turn, that oversight will lead to their downfall."
Fukui disappeared again, but this time he was behind the ANBU and in the process of sheathing his katana. Once the blade was locked into the sheath, the ANBU screamed in pain and held the stump where his right arm used to be.
"Think of that as payment for continuing to follow your master, one which blinds you to the truth you care not to see."
The ANBU left in a shunshin which made Harumasa smile; he knew his student was ready to take the next step. After all, the winds of change were fast approaching.
Root Base – Danzo's Office
Danzo was waiting for his daily report and became worried as the agent was later than usual. That worry soon turned into anger and, although the war hawk wouldn't admit it, some fear as he saw his agent missing his arm.
"What is this meaning of this?!"
The agent held his bleeding stump as he stuttered out his report.
"D-Danzo-sama, I'm sorry but Harumasa found me…he…he told me that your plan would not c-come to pass. H-he knows, Danzo-sama, he knows." The agent paused to think about Fukui's words. "I-is this plan worth it Danzo-sama…is this really for the benefit of the village?"
Danzo snarled and slammed his cane on the ground which made the bottom fall off, and the hidden blade appear.
"You dare question my motives!"
It was here the retired samurai's words started to come to him, and he started to believe the old samurai. The agent had made his choice.
"Y-yes…and my death will only signal the end to your vile ways. I WILL MEET YOU IN HELL DANZO…MEET YOU IN..."
The agent could not get anything else out as Danzo quickly beheaded the man, then spat on the corpse before he ordered his loyal agents to clean up the mess.
"Take this filthy trash away from my site, make sure his remains are never found."
Two agents bowed and did as told, no words said, just actions of two ever loyal followers.
Danzo turned to his desk, a map of Konoha was on it with red circles and troop routes marked in red pen.
"So, Harumasa knew all along someone was watching Naruto." Danzo said then scoffed. "No matter, he knows not of my final plan. Oh yes, with the Uchiha massacred and the jinchuriki along with them, the roots will spring from the ground and take over the great tree!"
As Danzo sat at his desk, he failed to notice a black rat scurry out of his room which escaped using the shadows. A couple minutes later, Sai let the rat bleed out onto an empty scroll which produced a report for him. After reading it, he turned to face the 250 ex-Root behind him; all were sitting in an abandoned part of the base.
"We have played Danzo's game for far too long." Sai started. "Now that you have been unsealed and saw who the man really was, you vowed, like me, to end the war hawk's vile ways. And now," Sai held up the scroll with a smile. "Now, we have the proof to do what we please without repercussion."
"But shouldn't we inform Hokage-sama about this?" an ex-agent spoke up with concern.
Sai shook his head, "A good question, but no as that would lead Danzo to knowing of our plans. Who knows where Danzo's eyes and ears are at." The ex-agents started to mutter in agreement which made Sai smile. "So, I ask you, my comrades, when the time comes are we ready to do what we have sought for so long?!"
"FREEDOM…THE WILL OF FIRE BURNS IN ALL!" The agents chorused with Sai finishing for them.
"And with our rebellion, the Root shall fall."
With Naruto
After Naruto got home, he didn't have the energy to walk upstairs to the master bedroom. He staggered over to the family room couch, promptly fell upon it and went to sleep. However, he was not asleep for long as he woke in a strange place; a sewer of all things. The place was lit with torches, but they didn't give off enough light which kept the room dim. Pipes which traced parts of the ceiling occasionally dripped led to one place; a massive cage with a seal on it.
Naruto paused as he looked at the cage and instantly knew where he was.
"So, I'm in my mindscape…hmm, now I know those books said I could change this."
Naruto imagined a lush meadow with rolling green hills, many flowers and trees where birds chirped and animals scampered about. Sadly, nothing happened which left Naruto confused. Before he could ponder further, a deep chuckle from the cage grabbed his attention.
"Darkness still resides in you, mortal." The creature said with a slight growl. "C'mon, don't you want to take revenge on those that glare at you, whisper behind your back? Just rip the seal…go on. LET ME FREE!"
The last three words made Naruto's eyes widen, "Y-You're that voice in my head! Wait the only one I know that is inside me is…"
The Kyuubi presented himself by first showing his glowing red, feral eyes followed by his massive head; massive canines and all.
"That's right boy!" Kyuubi interrupted. "I am the great Kyuubi no Kitsune, the one who killed your pathetic parents, the one who you will set free."
At first, Naruto didn't know what to do, but after a deep, calming breath, Naruto walked up to the cage and looked at the bijuu without fear. His eyes, much like Fukui's, were emotionless.
"You hold a lot of hatred Kyuubi, hatred which can be tamed. Though seeming that you are a constant nag when it comes to wanting to be free, you lack patience."
The Kyuubi slammed his head into the bars, but Naruto didn't falter. "Patience is something I do not have, I am a beast of destruction, untold devastation. Why don't you come into my cage and find out, puny mortal."
"I'll pass, thank you." Naruto said with a smirk.
However, that smirk left as Naruto started to pace back and forth while humming a small tune. About a minute later, he stopped and looked the bijuu in the eyes again.
"Your hatred is misplaced Kyuubi, you loathe humanity simply because you have been sealed ever since Madara took control of you long ago. You will find that I am not like your previous containers. I will chat with you, I will make you feel wanted, and I will do what I must to earn your recognition even if it kills me."
Clapping was heard to the right which made Naruto turn to see himself but with red glowing eyes and fang like teeth.
"Oh bravo my other half, bravo. Truly a remarkable speech but as you can tell, Kyuubi is quite the stubborn beast." The being motioned behind him to a door with black chains. "Would you care to come to my domain to chat as this beast before us is such an annoyance."
Naruto looked at his other half, which spoke in a slight guttural tone, with a calm visage, "Other half…may I ask who you really are?"
The other Naruto grinned, his red eyes glowed briefly before they settled back to its original state.
Yami, at your service." He bowed, then started to walk towards Naruto. "You will be seeing me again, I assure you. When your mind is weak, when your mind is ready to snap…I will show you what it means to take revenge, to show what Kyuubi has been wanting for so long."
The sudden crash and bang of Kyuubi thrashing his tails against and about the cage made Naruto look towards the beast which gave Yami ample time to do what he wanted to do. Naruto, now knowing he was distracted, tried to defend himself but to no avail. Yami grinned evilly as he grasped onto Naruto's head which allowed childhood memories of the villager's stares and hate to replay. Before it could get worse, Naruto snap kicked his other half which sent him into the nearby wall. Although planted firmly into the stone, not a scratch was on Yami's form. In fact, the evil half even began to laugh at the slight pain he felt. Even more so when Naruto shook his head in the hopes of getting the memories out of his head.
Yami eventually stopped his maniacal cackling to pull himself from the wall.
"This is only the beginning my other half." Yami said as he started to disappear into what looked like black pieces of ash. "You will see that revenge is the way, you will see that darkness is always the way to go. And maybe, Kyuubi, you will be free of that cage."
After watching Yami leave, Naruto shook his head once again before looking at the bijuu in front of him with his arms crossed.
"You will not fool me; the villagers know their sins."
"Ah, but that is what they want you to think. You are still that demon brat in their eyes…and I'm your key to salvation." Kyuubi said, a feral smirk forming. "Last chance, let me free or face what will be your future."
Naruto had enough and disappeared from his mindscape. However, as he left, both beings inside his head made a silent vow. They would try alright, and they would make sure that Naruto bent to their will.
The morning soon came, and so began Naruto's morning routine. He went out to the backyard and meditated in the small garden that he planted. Naruto knew what happened last night wasn't a dream, and also knew that in order to defeat his other half, a calm mind was needed. No distractions, nothing.
"You're only fooling yourself mortal…the more you try, the more we push, the closer to the edge you go. You will fall, and nobody will be there to catch you." Kyuubi tried to manipulate Naruto but said person would not have it.
"I was going to be nice Kyuubi but you forced my hand. Until you wish to cooperate, these chains will be a reminder that in my mind I reign supreme."
Much like Kushina Uzumaki's own, chains quickly wrapped around the Kyuubi's tails and legs, then pulled taught which slammed the bijuu into the wet, stone floor. A locking sound was heard followed by the agonized roars of the mighty bijuu. The more Kyuubi struggled, the more times the wet fox got shocked.
"Curse you mortal! I will find a way out of these chains and once I do…"
Kyuubi left the threat hang, but Naruto wasn't worried. After another ten minutes of meditation without any interruptions, Naruto stood and walked inside to fix himself some breakfast. Afterward, he brushed his teeth then got into his normal clothes. The last thing Naruto did before he headed to Harumasa's Emporium was to affix his bokken on the right side.
Harumasa's Emporium
The bell jingled which signaled that Naruto had arrived. Not long after, the old samurai walked to the front of the store and sensed a disturbance within Naruto; he knew what had happened.
"So, I see your dark side has finally come to speak with you." Harumasa sadly stated.
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled nervously before he began in a stoic tone, "Hai but why so sad Master? I calmly chatted with Kyuubi, had a small encounter with my Yami side then this morning I chained up the nagging fox with my mother's chakra chains."
Harumasa blinked his eyes in shock before he started laughing. After a while, he got himself under control and laid one of his callous filled hands on Naruto's shoulders with a smile.
"You never cease to amaze me, my student." The retired samurai happily stated. "How about some tea before we start the next step of your training?"
Naruto looked at Fukui in shock, the tea all but forgotten. "You mean that -"
"Yes my student, you will finally start to learn my sword style." Fukui interrupted with a nod. "I do admit it is early to teach you, but then again I have pushed you beyond even how I was trained."
"Why?" Naruto scratched his chin.
"My student, you are the person that will change this world for the better, but first you must know thyself. It will be a long journey for you, but so long as you remember my teachings, that journey will be filled with adventure and self-fulfillment." Fukui responded, then started towards the door. "Enough chat, let's get some tea."
Master and student smiled as they walked out of the store and down the street to get to the tea shop. As they walked, Naruto took in the happy gazes he got as well as the warm feeling their Ki gave off. Kyuubi couldn't help but snarl as it was a major blow to his and Yami's manipulation scheme.
Training Ground
The time at the tea shop was wonderful, though Anko decided to pay them a visit shortly after they sat down. Although Naruto has been around the village a lot, the Snake Mistress was still shocked at how much he had changed. Naruto quickly reassured her that the old Naruto was in there somewhere. With a seductive smile followed by a kiss on the cheek, Anko wished Naruto good luck in his training before she went to the counter, grabbed her dango, and skipped away. Fukui couldn't keep his laughter in check after watching Naruto hold the cheek Anko kissed. A blush that would make a certain Hyuga proud was on his face. Not long after this, both master and student finished their tea and left for the training grounds. However, as they left, Shikaku and Inoichi saw them which made the two clan heads look at each other with smirks on their faces.
With a nod, both went to return home, knowing what they must do.
Once they were at the training ground, Fukui told Naruto to sit in the Seiza position then started to explain his sword style.
"Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū, a sword style based on Iaido, has two sets of techniques in which you must master before learning the more advance ones. The first are what is known as the Seiza no bu while the second are called Tatehiza no bu; for now, we will focus on Seiza."
"Why teach Seiza first when you are likely to be standing when facing an enemy? Don't we just barge in and attack?" Naruto said while scratching his chin in thought
"That is the Shinobi way of battle, not ours, my student." Fukui instructed. "We are samurai, and as such we uphold Bushido and thus plan our attacks carefully. Some even happening whilst having a nice cup of green tea with a hint of jasmine."
After a moment of thought, clarity finally came through which brought a smile to Harumasa's face.
"I see, that is why you told me to work on my Ki sensing."
The retired samurai nodded then went into what the Seiza no bu entailed; there were eleven total techniques.
Mae or forward is when you sense the harmful intentions of an opponent whom is sitting in front of you; before they strike, you cut them between the arm and the face.
Migi or right is when an opponent sits to your left and faces the same direction as you. Again, before they strike you cut them between the arm and face.
Hidari or left is when an opponent sits to your right and faces the same direction as you. The strike is like that in Mae or Migi.
Ushiro or back is when an opponent sits behind you and is facing the same direction as you. The strike is like that in Mae or Migi.
Yaegaki or 8 multiple barriers is when the opponent is in front of you. This technique has multiple cuts. The first is inadequate, so you move after the opponent as they are falling backwards and cut them down. As this cut does not kill and they try to cut your shin while on the ground, you counter said cut and defeat them.
Ukenagashi or reviving and praying is when an opponent attacks from your left, but you parry and cut down on their neck and/or shoulder.
Kaishaku or seconds is when the opponent is seated about two meters in front of you and is faced left. You cut their neck when they commit seppuku.
Tsukekomi is when an opponent attacks from the front, but you avoid said attack by stepping back as to parry. The first cut is inadequate, you move forwards towards the opponent as they fall backwards then cut them down.
Tsukikage or moonlight is when an opponent is to your right. Just as they are about to attack from the Jodan position, you cut into both of their forearms; the opponent falls backwards while you move forwards to cut them down.
Oikaze or pursuit is just that; you give chase to your cowardly opponent and cut them down.
Nukiuchi or suddenly is when you sense the harmful intentions of the opponent sitting in front of you and cut them down.
As each was discussed, Fukui showed Naruto the right way to do so but in slow motion. He also mentioned that when it came to frontal assaults and standing techniques, the sword positions would be taught. For the rest of the day, Naruto practiced each kata in between physical exercises. Exercises which were done once Naruto weights for his wrists and ankles. As he was putting them on, Fukui told him that he was never to take them off until he was recognized as a full-fledged samurai. Our blonde haired protagonist understood and quickly got to work. By the end of the day, Naruto had a good grasp on the first techniques but he knew that he had a long way to go until they were mastered.
Following Morning
Like every morning, Naruto arrived at Harumasa's Emporium, but as he entered he saw another person talking to his master. A person who he has become great friends with ever since playing shogi with Shikamaru.
Naruto bowed in respect, "Shikaku-san, a pleasure to meet you again."
"No need to be so formal, Naruto. However, I guess it can't be helped with your choice of profession, troublesome. "The clan head muttered at the end then quickly waved his hand in the air. "Anyways, my son wishes to have another match with you sometime, he says you have become a most troublesome opponent"
"Shika's still on about me beating him last weekend?"
The clan head smiled, "Of course, it would be to troublesome not to. After all, not many can boast saying they beat a Nara at their own game."
Naruto lightly blushed, "It was all strategy Shikaku-san, like my master said; expect nothing, be prepared for anything."
Fukui nodded at the words his student spoke. However it also reminded him of something long overdue. "Naruto, Shikaku has graciously invited us to dinner with the rest of the clan heads so training is cancelled today. What I do want you to do is see your godparents."
Naruto sighed and brought his right hand down his face. Ever since meeting them in the Hokage Office that day, Naruto avoided Jiraiya and Tsunade as well as any attempt they made at trying to get at his good side. It put the two Sennin in a really sad state.
"Naruto, it's been a little over a year…go to them, give them a chance." Fukui, seeing his student's demeanor shook his head with a frown. "That glass of yours has cracked ever since that day, my student, and now you must fix it before the water rushes out."
Naruto currently found the floor interesting, but he couldn't help but agree with his master's sage like advice. "Perhaps you are right master, with my dark side continuing to make attempts that crack will only grow. If it shatters I will lose everything I have gained."
Naruto bowed to the two adults then left, as he did so Shikaku raised an eyebrow at Harumasa.
"Almost eight years old yet he talks like an adult…troublesome."
The elder samurai chuckled then leaned on the nearby counter, "It's amazing what one can learn from reading the library since age six, ne?"
The Nara clan head eyes widened, "W-what?! You had him read the entire library!"
Fukui nodded, "Hai, but he is far from finished." As he turned around to take down a piece of armor to polish, he gave one last look at the clan head. "Take what my student said to heart, Shikaku-san, expect nothing, be prepared for anything."
With that, the samurai grabbed the armor and went to the back of the store, Shikaku leaving not long after; shock still present in his mind.
With Naruto – Hospital
Naruto walked up to the receptionist in the hospital and asked to speak to Tsunade. With an infectious smile, she happily escorted him to the Slug Sage's office. Once at the door, Naruto bowed and thanked the receptionist before he knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" An irritated voice said on the other side.
"It's me, your godson." Naruto sighed.
The sound of someone getting up was heard followed by a thump and some vulgarities before the door opened violently. There, Tsunade stood with a red mark on her forehead and sad looking eyes. As Naruto peered inside the Spartan like office, he noticed the three empty sake bottles on the desk and closed his eyes in sadness.
"I never thought pushing them away would do so much harm."
"Look Tsunade-san, I know we got off to a bad start but -"
Before he could even finish, Tsunade drug Naruto inside the office and closed the door where he was quickly engulfed in a hug. One which he couldn't help but blush as Tsunade's assets pressed into his face. They broke apart soon after, both having a slight smile on their face.
"I stand by my words that I said at the Hokage Office over a year ago gaki, I know you may never fully forgive me for my actions and I will accept that." Tsunade said as she sat down at the desk and picked up an empty sake bottle. After she waved it around a bit, Tsunade's eyes settled on Naruto once again. "I thought I would give this stuff up but after drowning my sorrows in this for so long -"
Tsunade sighed again and dropped the bottle back on the desk; seeing her this way tore at Naruto's heartstrings.
"She betrayed you, why not release the seal and…" The chains in the cage rattled and shocked the bijuu. "AARGH!"
"You will silence yourself Kyuubi…you will be free of your hate someday, I promise you that."
Naruto cut the connection shortly after that and smiled at his godmother.
"Tsunade, godmother, you are correct saying that I can never fully forgive you but that doesn't mean we have to go our separate ways." Naruto walked to the desk and pushed the sake bottles into the nearby trash, one breaking with a shattering sound. "What I'm trying to say is why not help each other. I help you cure that sake addiction while you teach me something that will help me on my future journey to Iron Country."
. "You remind me so much of Dan and Nawaki." Tsunade smiled at her godson then stood from her desk and motioned towards the door. "Come, it's time we meet Jiraiya so that he can teach you as well. Knowing samurai, we cannot teach you any shinobi based skills but there is one thing that we can help you with."
Naruto quirked an eyebrow, "And what's that?"
Tsunade ruffled Naruto's hair, "To learn how to fight against someone like us."
Naruto's eyes sparkled with anticipation. For years, he had always sparred with Fukui but now he would finally see how much shinobi fighting differed from his own. The gleam in Naruto's eyes made the Slug Sage shed a few tears as she knew that things were starting to look up.
She finally got her godson back.
With Jiraiya
Like Tsunade, sake bottles littered the desk while the floor was littered with various papers. Dark circles were under Jiraiya's eyes signifying that he had little to no sleep, that and his red puffy eyes. He knew how much he failed Naruto and, after over a year of being avoided, it took its toll. When the toads asked why Jiraiya was so glum last year, he reluctantly told them. Although being extremely pissed to the point that they threatened to break the contract, Jiraiya somehow convinced them otherwise.
"How can I hope to make everything up to you Naruto? The sage thought as he looked at the bottle of rice alcohol in his hands.
The Sennin gulped the rest of the sake in the bottle then dropped it on his desk, his head following soon after. Although in a drunken stupor, Jiraiya didn't miss the knocking at his door.
"Enter!"
The first to enter was Tsunade, but before the Toad Sage could speak he caught sight of his godson which made his eyes light up in hope. For Naruto, he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. He had thought that Jiraiya couldn't be any worse, but apparently that was wrong on so many levels.
"It's time to make amends godfather; like I told Tsunade, I will help you if you help me in return."
"Great! I can teach you your father's techniques and let you -"
"No! You must realize by now that I am a samurai, godfather, I follow the path of the warrior not the path of the shinobi." Naruto sternly interrupted.
The Sennin spluttered and, in his drunken state, he tried to get Naruto to change his ways. After a couple minutes of this nonsense, Naruto had enough and nodded to Tsunade who promptly took one of the sake bottles on the desk and smashed it over Jiraiya's head. Naruto covered his mouth in order to control the laughter that dared come out. For Tsunade, a smirk was on her face as she healed Jiraiya up and took the alcohol out of his system. Once the process was done, the Toad Sage woke up, this time with a clear head.
Thank you Tsunade-hime." Jiraiya stated then looked at his godson with a frown, "You will never forgive me, huh."
Naruto shrugged, "Not fully, but if you help me then maybe one day I will."
The Toad sage nodded then looked at Tsunade for an answer. After a brief sigh, she told him that they would teach him how to fight a shinobi while he helped solve one of their problems. Jiraiya then made his usual pose and asked Naruto a simple question.
"Will you help me write my Icha-Icha?"
Naruto grew a tick mark as he knew what those books were after coming across one in the library; come to find out, it was someone's hidden stash. Needless to say, Naruto promptly threw everyone in the trash.
"Smut is what that is! No, I will not help you write that…however, I have a better offer."
Jiraiya sighed at first but when the other offer came up, he was all ears. "Alright gaki, shoot."
"I will help you in your spy network when I get the chance."
The two Sennin thought over it and nodded in acceptance. Shortly afterward, Naruto was whisked away by his godparents to a training ground where his ordeal would begin. Meanwhile, two figures disappeared; one melted into the ground while the other left in a shunshin.
Root Base
The agent was kneeled in front of Danzo, and even though the seals were off, the agent's emotionless tone stayed.
"As you feared Danzo-sama, the boy has aligned himself with his godparents once again; orders sir?"
Danzo clenched his fists and slammed them on the desk. "Damn! Now that makes three persons who watch Naruto at all times…there has to be a way to get to that brat."
The agent looked at Danzo, "The boy is alone as he walks the streets in the morning Danzo-sama."
The war hawk hummed then smirked a little while later, "Good, good, and with the amount of time he trains, this leaves us a wide window in which to operate." Danzo paused in thought."Has Hiruzen become aware to our plan?"
"Unknown sir, Sai was the one who knew your inner secrets."
Danzo nodded and looked at the plans in front of him, "Tomorrow morning we prepare and then the mighty tree will fall."
"As you wish Danzo-sama." With that, the agent bowed and left.
Just as Danzo was about to lean back in his chair, he caught something out of the corner of his eye and quickly acted. What he stomped on turned to ink which made him scowl; he now knew who the mole was.
"You made the mistake of betraying me Sai…and now you will see what happens to those who do."
With a twitch of a finger, 40 Root agents surrounded Danzo; they kneeled before their master.
"Bring Sai to me, him and I need to…have a chat."
The agents disappeared which made the war hawk chuckle to himself. He had a feeling that even if his operation failed, Konoha would be weakened enough to where other villages could easily wipe them off the map.
Somewhere in Iron Country
A figure floated up from the ground, just their head that is, so they could speak to the person they were working for. Said person was sitting on a log beside a small fire, remembering his past. The snowy environment in which he lived didn't faze him in the slightest.
"Have you located the boy?" The person said, his tone was gruff and old sounding.
"As per my master's requests, I have and his training is going well."
"The boy looked tasty enough to eat." The other half of the figure interrupted.
"Ignore my other half." White Zetsu said. "My master hopes you will uphold his end of the bargain."
The person by the fire smirked and let out a small chortle before he stoked the fire with a nearby stick.
"Don't worry, I will do as asked but I will wait to test the boy myself. Mifune was a misguided fool and I will see to it that Iron Country becomes the country it is supposed to be."
The figure sunk back into the ground which made the person by the fire shake his head in mirth. "An interesting character you are Zetsu, most interesting indeed." The person then grinned evilly, "Oh yes, I will enjoy testing the boy myself…perhaps I will take away what he holds so dear beforehand, but first…"
The person took a piece of paper out of his cloak followed by a pen and wrote a letter on it. Afterwards, he stood and went to his nearby tent for one thing in particular; a carrier pigeon. He took it out of the cage and put the small coded letter inside the small cylinder on the pigeon's leg before he let it fly towards its destination. As he watched it fly into the snowy skies, the man turned back to the fire and couldn't help but think about his past.
Evening – Sarutobi Clan Home
All the clan heads and their children were gathered at the Hokage's home. For Shikamaru, he was actually looking forward to seeing the blond samurai again while the other clan children wondered why they were all gathered. For them, their parents only told that they would be going to a special dinner. However, little did they know that they were to meet the last of the Uzumaki line. As the guests mingled with each other, Hiruzen and his two students was in his private study with seals in place so that nobody would disturb them.
"Glad you two have started to make up with Naruto, how did he do in the spar if I may ask?"
Tsunade smiled at Hiruzen's question, "He refused to take his bokken out on an ally even though we were in a spar. Other than that, he adapted really well on the underhand tactics the Shinobi use."
"I agree." Jiraiya said then scratched his head as he thought back to what Naruto told him. "Still can't believe the gaki's read almost the entire Konoha library in a year and a half."
Hiruzen choked on the smoke he just inhaled, but, after a brief coughing fit, it cleared. "W-what?!"
"I know, it shocked us too when he told us." Tsunade stated, letting out a small chuckle at the end. "Anyway, can we get to why we are here in the first place?"
The Sandaime cleared his throat once again, the smoke still in his lungs. "Thanks to my spy in Root, I have found that Danzo is attempting to start a coup of sorts but does not know who the targets will be. Currently, I have him on a long term mission after I had a run in with a few Root who broke into my home in the afternoon. It seems that Danzo found out about his mole problem."
Tsunade and Jiraiya snickered at that but grew concerned, especially about one person in particular.
"What about Naruto, wouldn't he be the prime target?" They voiced their concern which made Hiruzen nod.
"Hai that is likely the case, but with my personal ANBU watching him as well as Harumasa-dono, I know Danzo would not attempt a risky move on him."
Tsunade felt relieved, but also knew what she had to do. "I will keep the hospital on full alert Sensei, who knows what might happen."
"I will have my summons spread around Konoha which will dispel if something comes up." Jiraiya calmly stated as he knew the situation called for it.
Hiruzen took the pipe from his mouth, dumped the old tobacco into a nearby ash tray, and put it back in his robes. All of this done with a grim smile.
"Do your tasks cautiously, I don't want Danzo to know we are on to him."
"Hai Sensei."
With that, the Hokage was back to his cheerful self, deactivated the seals, then motioned towards the door.
"Shall we greet Naruto and our guests?"
The Sennin nodded and followed their Sensei out of the study. What they saw as they got downstairs to the main floor was Naruto and Fukui surrounded by the clan heirs; each curious about the samurai lifestyle. It put a smile on their faces, even more so as they saw how uncomfortable Naruto was.
Speaking of Naruto, he looked at the people around him and let a small smirk pass his calm and stoic façade.
"All the clan heirs are here. Hinata, Hanabi, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Kiba, Hana, and Sasuke." He spotted one kid who was sitting alone and began to wonder who that was.
"Excuse me for a moment." Naruto politely asked as he pushed through the mass of people and walked up to the small child, he bent to his level and asked for his name.
"Konohamaru."
Naruto smiled, "And why are you all by yourself, are you afraid?" The small Sarutobi nodded then gasped as Naruto picked him up and was placed on Naruto's shoulders. "There, now you're not so small. And don't worry, I got you, there's no need to be afraid."
Hiruzen watched from afar as his grandson grew the biggest smile on his face; it made the old man teary eyed.
"Naruto, you have no idea what you've done for him already. Everyone calls him the Honorable Grandson…oh how he hates that nickname."
As Naruto mingled with the other clan heirs, Hiashi let a rare smile form on his face as he looked towards Tsume and the others.
"Hard to believe that kid in the formal kimono is Minato's son…seems like yesterday the village hated him and was an orange, ramen loving fool."
Inoichi let out a small laugh as he watched Ino attempt to grab at Naruto's bokken which he calmly pushed her hand away. Of course, the Yamanaka heir blushed.
"Seems Naruto is going to be a real lady killer when he grows up." Tsume said a small chuckled escaping at the end.
"Troublesome, but let's hope he isn't as dense when it comes to love. How many times did Kushina bug Minato?" Shikaku retorted which made some of the clan heirs laugh.
"Too many to count." The ever silent Shibi spoke up and, with that, the clan heads stayed quiet for a while to watch Naruto and the others interact.
Naruto answered each question he was given to the best of his knowledge but became defensive when someone bumped into his bokken. Shikamaru eventually came up and shook his friend's hand.
"Nice to see you Naruto."
"You too Shika."
Both smiled at each other but Naruto paused to reach up to his right shoulder and let a bug crawl on his finger. He looked at it then pointed towards Shino.
"I think this belongs to you, and, please, if you wish to find out more about me just ask."
Shino nodded as the bug returned to his body to give the information it recorded. "I meant no harm Uzumaki-san, my hive was curious about your tenants' chakra."
Naruto nodded and looked at the clan heirs, "So you really don't care about me housing the Kyuubi?" The clan heirs shook their heads which made Naruto smile. "Good, perhaps we can train together sometime."
Shikamaru quirked an eyebrow, "Um, Naruto you are a samurai. What can you teach us?"
Naruto shrugged, "Nothing really, as I'm not a master, but it does help me learn how to fight against your kind and vice versa."
"Sweet! I found new pack members!" Kiba yelled out with his arms raised like he held some sort of prize.
For Naruto, this was a major hurdle to overcome. He finally was accepted by his peers, something which Yami and Kyuubi were not fond of. Fukui, on the other hand, couldn't be more elated for his student.
"Yet another step to knowing thyself, you will truly become better than I was my student; you have so much potential left untapped."
The rest of the evening was filled with food and merriment, though these joyous moments would soon turn to fear and confusion After all, a storm was coming. And for one boy, the events to come would forever change his life.
Edited: 5/14/15
