[Prologue]
This is a tale of friendship and love, of loyalty and courage, and ultimately, the tale of nations rising and falling: This is the story of two worlds, forever connected through one extraordinary boy, who never knew he held the key to unlocking another world entirely.
Beset by harassment and malicious punishments from the people of Konoha, a battered 6-year-old Naruto Uzumaki had finally run out of patience. With unprecedented clarity, he came to realize his own powers as an Ōtsutsuki and, in his desperation, unconsciously used them to warp himself away from the village that had caused him so much pain and heartbreak in his short, miserable years of existence.
His mind clouded by pain and confusion, the young Naruto tumbled abound the vast reaches of time and space, eventually crash-landing in an unfamiliar world. It was there, in the humble region of Kanto, that a young woman named Mauve [1] discovered him huddled in a tangle of trees on the outskirts of Pallet Town.
Seeing something special in the bright-eyed boy, Mauve took him in without hesitation. She named him Red, after the crimson foliage she had found him among. Naruto's memories of his past grew faint and hazy, eventually forgotten, and he became the boy named Red. As he grew in peace, Red flourished under Mauve's care, becoming a bright student who was known and loved by all in Pallet Town.
Unbeknownst to him, his arrival marked the end of one world and the beginning of another.
Part 1: When Fate Intervenes
In the land of Kanto, in Pallet Town - a small and quaint hamlet - a child, Naruto Uzumaki, adopted by Mauve, began life anew. Naruto, once a village outcast from Konohagakure no Sato [Hidden Leaf Village] in the hidden realm of the Elemental Nations, now lived a happy life under a new name - Red.
Red was a bright and studious child. Under the tutelage of Mauve, Red excelled in school and earned the admiration and respect of his peers. Despite his excellent academic performance, Red knew nothing of the ninja world or of chakra that flowed within him, as his new life was far removed from the land of war, chaos and anarchy he'd come from. [2]
Part 2: The Pokedex Challenge
Years passed, and Red's memories of his horrid past became nothing more than bad dreams that would haunt him from time to time. As he grew from a timid and scared young boy into a determined, steadfast adolescent, he found himself having the burning ambition to become a Pokemon trainer and not just any old Pokemon trainer, but the best that ever was. [3]
He was supported in his dream by his adoptive mother, who at this point in time was his true mother in his mind. Since he had never seen or heard of chakra, shinobi or jutsu except in myths, legends and rumors spread by the orphanage workers at Konoha [4], Red had completely abandoned his previous life as Naruto Uzumaki, the orphanage runt and punching bag of Konohagakure no Sato and had completely assimilated into the peaceful atmosphere of Kanto, thinking of himself as just an ordinary Japanese boy. [5]
Time passed and Red continued to work towards his long hoped-for goal, and finally, the day he had long awaited finally arrived. An esteemed and revered figure in the village, Dr. Samuel Oak approached Red with a rather strange proposition when the boy was coming home from school. Oak recognized the boy's extraordinary intelligence and asked him to help him complete a monumental task - to capture all 150 known Pokemon species to build a Pokedex, which would be the first-ever encyclopedia of Pokemon in existence.
Having received a call from Professor Oak, Red was eager to embark on his journey to catch all 150 known Pokémon in order to complete the Pokédex. Wasting no time, he entered Oak's lab, his heart racing with excitement.
"Ah, Red," the professor greeted him kindly. "You're just in time. Today, you'll earn your first Pokémon, and together you'll face many trials and grow together. Your future awaits."
Brimming with anticipation, Red met his first partner, a Charmander, and quickly bade farewell to Pallet Town. In their travels through Kanto, Red and Charmander fought and won countless battles while undergoing surprising transformations, and the world marveled at the bold and powerful duet.
The famed gym leaders of the Kanto region, each powerful in their own right and all possessing quite powerful Pokemon, fell like dominos as Red challenged them to battle. Even his one-time bully and self-proclaimed rival, the cocky and arrogant Blue, was no match for Red's skill and determination.
Rumors started spreading across the Pokemon trainer community about the mysterious first-year high school student who had just taken up battling a few months ago, but had quite a powerful set of Pokemon and had managed to defeat even the famed Brock and the legendary Misty in gym battle challenges. In their own gyms nonetheless.
This caught the attention of criminal group attempting to turn terrorist organization Team Rocket, and Red and his Pokemon had to face battle on top of battle in order to stay one step of Team Rocket and stop the evil group's villainous plans. Eventually, Red was able to locate the enigmatic leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni, and challenge the hardened man to a tense duel which Red barely managed to eake out a victory from, using his skills and tactics.
Giovanni attempted to give Red his badge, but the steadfast young man refused, stating that he could not take a badge from an organization as evil as Team Rocket. Reluctantly, Giovanni then disbanded Team Rocket before handing over the badge to a stunned Red. With no choice, Red grudgingly accepted the badge and made his way to the Pokemon League, blitzing his way through the competition to become the Pokemon Champion of Kanto.
This stunning achievement shocked the world, and reporters from all over crowded Pallet Town to get an exclusive interview with one of the world's youngest Pokemon champions. But Red had already left before they even reached the gates, on a mission to fulfill his promise to Professor Oak to fill the Pokedex. [6]
Little did Red know that the powers within him would grant him exceptional abilities, both as a Pokemon trainer and in hand-to-hand combat. [7] In time, Red would capture over a hundred elusive creatures, including the mysterious Mew.
Part 3: A New Path
With 150 Pokémon caught, Red became revered as a phenomenal Pokémon trainer and a brilliant, free-spirited adventurer. He roamed the world from town to town, selflessly offering aid to those in need.
Red found purpose and happiness in his success as a Pokemon trainer where he traveled the region as a ronin, coming to know the land and its people. They sought his help, and he willingly offered it. While Red never learned the truth about his origins or his status as a jinchuriki, his destiny as a savior for those who called upon him was never diminished.
This ironically lead to Red receiving the informal title of "Savior at Pokeera's start," by the adoring public and his many fans in the Pokemon trainer community due to his lifestyle as a ronin and his tendency to give aid to those in need and suffering. This was in imitation and honor of the legendary Kenshiro, the man with the Big Dipper scarred across his torso whose master of the now-extinct martial art Hokuto Shinken [North Star Death Fist] had played a key role in the slow rebuilding of civilization that had started after the world had fallen into chaos following the devastating atomic war that had destroyed the previous civilization that had existed before the revelation of Pokemon. [8]
Red's formidable martial arts skills and intuitive combat genius were also part of the reason for him getting this rather strange title as well.
He had learned not only to improve his Pokemon battling style but his CQC skills as well during his various battles, and his Byakugan abilities allowed him to strike at key mana and Aura distribution points during battle, ending fights before they even started. It also didn't help that Red, utilizing his now vague memories of his time in the Hidden Leaf Village and [unknowningly] those of Madara Uchiha's and their [Madara and Naruto's] previous life Asura Ōtsutsuki, had unknowingly created his own unique form of medical ninshu which he used to heal and cure both humans, Pokemon and regular animals during his travels. [9]
Part 4: The Days of Ruin
Little did Red know as he roamed across the wide globe, catching Pokemon and protecting the defenseless, his unconventional escape from Konoha had set in motion an explosive chain of events. With the unexplained, sudden disappearance of Naruto, fragile political alliances and carefully crafted plots and schemes shattered, leading to Konoha being plunged into chaos and anarchy in the wake of his absence from the village, falling to its knees against the onslaught of the combined might of the Hidden Sound and Sand Villages. [10]
Orochimaru and his forces decimated the city and occupied its streets, avenging the Snake Sannin's humiliation at the hands of the Leaf many years prior.
Konoha vanished into ruin, giving way to the unstoppable march of the Akatsuki on the unprepared and unaware Elemental Nations. [11] However, in the passing of time, from the darkest of shadows, a survivor from the Hidden Leaf emerged, executing Orochimaru when the snake man was off his guard, and avenging the fall of Konoha.
Nevertheless, the Akatsuki succeeded where Orochimaru had failed, conquering the Elemental Nations and attempting to establish their new order so that Project Tsuki no Me could be implemented.
Chaos reigned as Obito, in the guise of Tobi, fell to the avenging blade of a mysterious survivor from Konoha. Nagato's ultimate weapon obliterated itself and the rest of the Akatsuki in a cataclysmic explosion - and with it, the stability of the Elemental Nations. The old files of history disintegrated, as people fell like stars, away from their sky home. [12]
A new age of suffering fell upon the people of the land, but the tide would eventually turn. The creature known as Black Zetsu met his well-deserved end at the hands of one unknown yet fiercely loyal to the village, the blazing fire of vengeance triumphing over absolute despair, if only for a brief, fleeting moment.
The Akatsuki's empire crumbled, but the people of the Elemental Nations were left in ruins. In time, they too would dissipate and vanish, their once-proud heritage reduced to myths and legends.
In time, the lands of ninjutsu were unearthed by explorers from distant nations - Austria-Hungary, Germany, and the United States. Together, they sifted through the numerous ruins and countless relics of the strange and barbaric civilization that had once graced these desolate lands, piecing together a twisted yet magnificent tapestry of a civilization lost to time.
Epilogue: A New Beginning, A Forgotten Past
In the vast reaches of the world outside the now utterly destroyed Elemental Nations, on the tropical islands of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Red stood content as he quietly observed the scene unfold before him. Ash, another promising Pokemon trainer, was surrounded by his friends and loved ones, who planned to share in his future with an outpouring of love and happiness.
The love-struck faces of the various girls Ash had met through his journeys seemed to have Ash embarrassed as the young boy attempted to hide in a corner of the room, ready as they were to commit their lives with him and create new memories. The room filled with laughter and joy, as Ash was caught in a whirlwind of love and adoration.
"It seems like Giovanni's bastard son is quite the ladies' man, just like his father," [13] Red mumbled to himself as he carefully observed the displays of affection in front of him, perched on top of a sturdy branch of a tree near the Ketchum villa. Red was wearing tactical camouflage and his Charizard obediently waited below him, so he had a quick getaway in case something went wrong.
Meanwhile, in the entrancing comforts of the sprawling Ketchum mansion, Ash was the unsuspecting prey of love-stricken lionesses: Misty, May, Dawn, Iris, Serena, Miette, Jesse of Team Rocket, Bea, Lillie, and Mallow. As Red watched from the shadows, the gaggle of enthralled women encircled Ash with lascivious intentions, eventually dragging him into a secluded chamber - where, in time, their passion would give life to countless generations. [14]
Watching this moment unfold, Red sighed in contentment. He pondered the many futures that awaited his fellow Pokemon trainer, knowing that the seeds of happiness and laughter would continue to bloom for generations to come.
"I guess Ash will have quite a few children in the future," Red mused to himself with a knowing twinkle in his eye. Then, without another word, he leaped on the back of his waiting Charizard and flew off into the night, ever in pursuit of his next wondrous adventure.
While the universe that once revolved around Naruto Uzumaki crumbled to nothingness, a new world bloomed in full vigor under the guiding light of Red, the wayward star child of Pallet Town.
As he soared through the night sky to seek new adventures and offer his aid to those in need, Red left behind the strife and sorrows of his past. It was a fitting end to the story of the boy who saved not one world but two - by finding the path to greatness that had been laid out before him, through both fate and love.
[1] Since Red's mother has no known name in either the original video game or the Pokemon: The Origin OVA, I decided to go with a name that fit both what little we know of her personality from both the games and OVAs.
[2] Because Red is raised as a normal boy in rural Japan by a loving adoptive mother who actually cares about him, rather than being the so-called adoptive grandson of a neglectful ex-shinobi who prioritizes his village over his own family like his canon counterpart, the sociopathic, self-righteous, and manipulative traits that would have defined canon Naruto's personality are either stamped out or properly dealt with as he grows.
[3] Continuing from the previous point, due to a different and more loving upbringing, everyone's favorite knucklehead, or should I say steadfast and determined Pokemon trainer has a radically different and more realistic goal.
[4] Seeing that the orphanage seemed to be a rather secluded place and the existence of shinobi and chakra seems to have been a semi-mystical thing among the inhabitants of Konoha, it would make sense for a pre-elementary school-age Naruto to think of ninja and chakra users as fairy tales until he went outside and encountered the ANBU, chunin and jonin of Konoha. And since he teleported himself away from the realm of chakra before this could happen in this story, and was rescued and adopted by Mauve when he landed in Pallet Town, he would eventually grow to see his time of Konoha as nothing more than a series of bad dreams and nightmares caused by his fear of failure of achieving his goal of becoming a Pokemon trainer.
[5] As Red has been living in the Pokemon world for most of his life and only knew neglect and hate during his time in Konoha, he would embrace his new life as an ordinary child living life in the Japanese countryside and completely forget about his life in Konoha as he grew.
[6] This is something quite in character for Red to do, as he never cared about the fame that came from being a Pokemon Champion, and just wanted to roam the world catching and training Pokemon.
[7] Although Red is a high school student and part-time Pokemon trainer instead of being an eternal genin and all-around bad shinobi turned hypocritical pacifist with the role of a messiah-like his counterpart in the canon of Kishimoto's manga and the anime series done by Studio Pierrot, the passive benefits from being a jinchuriki of the Kyuubi no Yoko [Nine Tailed Demon Fox] and being the reincarnation of Asura Ōtsutsuki and subsequently Asura's previous reincarnation Madara Uchiha would still exist and prove to be rather useful for our wandering Pokemon trainer as he roams throughout the world.
[8] Guess which famous 80s shonen post-apocalyptic manga and its more well-known anime adaptation by Toei is referenced here.
[9] The good traits of canon Naruto are still there and are exacerbated in this version of Red to compensate for his missing sociopathy, plus he also retains the vast intelligence and tactical mind of canon Naruto as well, so him learning how to control and master his incredible powers based on what little he heard at the orphanage during his time at the orphanage, as well as the myths and rumors of Aura wielders that would have been floating around Pallet Town.
[10] Despite his crass, ignorant nature and his general stupidity and inability to learn the basics of the shinobi way, Naruto is too important of an asset to the Hidden Leaf Village to simply be let loose into the world or remain a simple civilian.
[11] With Naruto missing and Konoha destroyed by Orochimaru long before, Jirarya would isolate himself from the world out of grief and the rest of the shinobi villages would be unable to notice the Akasuki's machinations or do anything about the plots of Nagato and Black Zetsu until it was too late.
[12] Delayed divine judgment from the Gods, perhaps?
[13] Clearing up the mystery of who Ash's father is and why he isn't present in his life.
[14] With how many girls Ash has falling in love with him and how dense he is, I can easilly see this happening to Ash after he grows older in canon.