Disclaimer: We all know I still do not own Naruto. Wish I did, then my son would be here instead of there. I have dedicated the rest of the story to my son. Hopefully, I have done him proud.
Minutes earlier, outside Konoha Hospital...
Sarutobi could not get away from the paperwork fast enough. Seeing that the newcomer, Chronos, was a blood relative of both the Uchiha and Uzumaki presented a rather unique problem. Since they were both founding clans of Konoha, the head of those clans would be present on the ruling civilian council. With the two boys, Sasuke and Naruto, they were too young to sit on the council. However, the fact that two seats were left open kept the council at a reasonable number of nine.
With Chronos present, now there was an even number, if he was allowed to be the clan head. He couldn't be given two votes if he became the clan head. So the Third Hokage was perplexed as to how to approach it. He could let it go and then he would be forced to vote more often due to probable deadlocks that would occur. The other idea was to not allow him to become the clan head until the clans have been "revived". Just the notion of what the council could order for the revival of those two clans was irritating at least.
There was also the two scrolls accompanying him that the original clan head of the Uzumaki clan and the original heir of the Uchiha clan left for Chronos. If there were any instructions on those scrolls, they would supersede anything that the Hokage or the council could rule on, because of who they were and when the scrolls were written. The last wishes of any clan head or heir had to be carried out, no matter what. To disallow those wishes were to treat those clans with the greatest of dishonors.
That alone left the Sandaime with plenty of paperwork and research. Then came housing concerns for Chronos if he was to take guardianship of Sasuke and Naruto, the odd report about Chronos's chakra when he was in the ER, the items Chronos brought with him, and the mere fact that he had no ninja training.
For any person to be on the council, he had to at least be of Jounin rank. From Kakashi's report, he did not even recognize hand signs, what chakra was used for, or what ninjutsu was. With that massive amount of training to cover, and ranks to pass, Chronos would need private training and tests. It left him with a near migraine trying to figure out that plan.
He figured he could use the time checking on the newcomer's condition to clear his mind. Luckily, when he opened the door to the patient's room, he saw Chronos was awake and moving around.
'Maybe now I can get some answers.'
Present time
Chronos looked at the man standing in front of him incredulously. "You didn't get a decent report from Kakashi-san, Sarutobi-sama?" A quizzical look crossed his face.
"What the hell? San?? Sama?? What kind of BS is that??"
Catching the look from Chronos, the Third was a bit amused to say the least, be he kept it to himself. "Is there something troubling you??"
"Gomen, Sarutobi-sama." The same look crossing his face when he talked. "I seem to be saying things without really understanding what I am saying. When my ancestors talked to me before the comet strike, they mentioned that I would need knowledge of parts of the language. I guess it didn't include understanding what I would be saying."
The Third closed his eyes and gave a slight nod of understanding. "I suppose there is more that needs to be taught besides just various jutsus. How about you just tell me what happened?"
After Chronos explained about where he came from, the comet strike, meeting the ghosts of his great-grandparents, and the extreme pain of the travel to Konoha, Sarutobi needed a minute to compose himself before pulling out a scroll from under his robes.
"This was one of the scrolls that was at the site where you were found. I am assuming this is the one that was supposed to be viewed by us. It has a seal that can only be opened with blood. Since they have seals of the Uzumaki and Uchiha clan on them, only you can open it," he said handing the scroll over to Chronos.
Looking at the scroll curiously, he saw the two seals. One had a similar swirl mark that was on his sword and that was a part of his medallion. The other seal looked like a fan he picked up while on station in Okinawa. He walked over to where is clothes lay and grabbed one of his throwing knives, using it to prick his thumb. After he dripped a little bit of blood onto the seals, both of them dissolved allowing the scroll to be opened. Intrepidly, he opened it and started to read.
To the last of my line,
It is with my deepest regret and most heartfelt sorrow that I am writing this scroll for you. If this scroll was found and opened, it was only due to the most dire of circumstances. Some event had to have occurred that left the last of Kina's and my descendants in mortal peril. That is why you have been sent here, back to our native home.
I am Uzumaki Yamada, the head of the Uzumaki clan and one of the founders of Konoha. My clan came here after migrating from Whirlpool Country to Grass Country, seeking freedom. Our clan was persecuted in our original homeland due to our kekkei genkai. Our gifts were not seen as a blessing from Kami, but rather a curse spawned from Hell. I originally thought that Grass Country would be more accepting, but that was not to be the case as we found two other clans, the Uchiha and the Hyuuga that were also shunned due to their gifts. Fortunately, that was where I met my future wife and mother of my children, Uchiha Kina.
With her help and love, we convinced their clans and a few others to try and establish a new village. We found a suitable location at the borderland between Fire and Grass Countries and constructed the village called Konoha, Village Hidden in the Leaves. The name was picked in honor of one lone ninja that helped defend the clans women and children from attacks, no matter how desperate the odds.
Unfortunately, the Grass Daimyo did not approve of this new village and started to launch attacks. Luckily, a group of us managed to negotiate with the Fire Daimyo and got his help. However, the war that ensued was not what myself and Kina wanted – it was much too bloody and lasted much too long. Seeking a peaceful land was what led us to find the crystals used to make the shrine. It took a week to attune the crystals to a proper dimension that seemed peaceful at the time. During that time of construction and attenuation, the love that Kina and I shared was discovered by her clan. Disapproving of it, she was barred to see me and was arranged to be wed to another in her clan.
That was the last straw. After the last battle, we left leaving my brother in charge of the Uzumaki clan and leaving her brother, Uchiha Madara as heir to the Uchiha clan. Hopefully the time that has passed will heal whatever wounds that the clans believed we have caused. I hope this will shed light as to why you are here and how you came to be. However, you should be prepared in case some in Konoha may deem you as a traitor or coward due to our actions. Do not blame them.
To the honorable Hokage of Konoha,
It is my desire that this person be protected and acclimated to live in Konoha. After subsequent time has elapsed, he or she should be able to protect themselves. If for some reason a second scroll has appeared with this one, then please follow these instructions.
This person is to be named the clan head of the Uzumaki clan after he or she has been trained and tested, so long as the person is of age. Please teach this person everything he or she needs to know, Hokage-sama. I know this person has as much of a right to be named heir to the Uchiha clan as well, but since he is also of my line, that comes first by right. However, since the Uchiha clan could be without an heir or clan head, then this person is granted those rights as well until a suitable heir has been found or born. Only one with the Sharingan eye can be deemed the heir of the Uchiha. More instructions will be found in the second scroll.
Uzumaki Yamada
Uchiha Kina
Chronos handed the opened scroll over to the Sandaime and sat down on the bed, still reeling from everything that has happened.
'Clan head? That has to be a big responsibility. Also taking care of the fate of two clans? I am not sure I can do this. And knowing this is some sort of feudal society makes things easier and difficult as well. I know I am honorable, but I may be forced into things I don't want. Most importantly, can I truly raise a new family after what happened to the last one?'
Sarutobi gave a small grunt after reading the scroll and looked at Chronos. He could tell the man was sorting through everything. The concern on the man's face was great and the lack of confidence was unmistakable. With everything that is now going to be piled onto this man, he needed to know about this person.
"A rather interesting development to be sure. Luckily for you, I have never been a believer in abandoning anyone in need. By the looks of things, you are going to need some help starting out."
"Hai, Sarutobi-sama," Chronos stated. "Any assistance would be most appreciated."
"Good, but first I would like to know about a few things. First, with some of the things that you brought, I take it you had some sort of training already. By the appearance of that photo album, it seems you had a family where you came from. Why don't you enlighten me while you get dressed?"
"Am I going somewhere, Sarutobi-sama?" asked Chronos curiously as he grabbed the outfit he wore on his arrival.
Sarutobi smiled warmly at the man as he went behind a curtain to get dressed. "Most assuredly. We will be meeting your two remaining relatives after we leave here."
Frowning, all Chronos could mutter was a gloomy response. "Hopefully they won't meet the same fate as my family did."
"What fate was that??"
Sighing, Chronos answered dejectedly. "When I was living on my world, I was a rather energetic and bright student. Unfortunately, I had a need to test myself beyond academics. So at age eighteen, I joined the Marine Corps. In our country, they are considered a rapid response military force. Before I left, I married my high-school sweetheart. After about two years, my son was born."
"While I was in the Marines, I did rather well, advancing up to the rank of Sergeant in a matter of a few years. During my last year, I was stationed overseas on an island called Okinawa. However, a few months into that time, my whole family, including parents, brothers and sisters, and their children, were wiped out during a family reunion. A major storm hit the area and a tornado touched down on our family farm. They were trapped in the storm cellar and suffocated to death when the house collapsed over it."
Sarutobi hung his head as Chronos finished getting dressed. It seemed that tragedy followed the Uzumaki and Uchiha no matter where they went. Hopefully, this second chance that they received will prove to be more favorable.
Chronos came from behind the curtain wearing everything as he was found, except for the knives and baton. However, the sword was still on his hip.
"You do know you do not need to wear that. You are amongst friends now."
Nodding, a small smile crossed Chronos's face. "Of course, Sarutobi-sama, but this is one of my remaining family heirlooms and I think it is appropriate that I wear it proudly." He then proceeded to pack the remaining items and hoisted his pack onto his now broad back and shoulders.
The Third saw a sparkle of happiness in the man's eyes when he looked at him and spoke. "Now, let's go see those two boys."
Streets of Konoha, late afternoon
Naruto sighed as he walked with Kakashi and Sasuke towards his favorite ramen stand. Training was kicking his ass. He was exhausted and was sweating profusely, forcing him to shed the jacket portion of his jumpsuit, showing off his black t-shirt underneath. Even though he was not outwardly enthusiastic training with Sasuke, inwardly he was gaining a bit of respect for the teme.
After some begging, and a promise not to throw insults at Sasuke for the rest of the day, he taught Naruto how to better work through doing simple bunshins. Unfortunately, all he could still manage was three pale clones. Sasuke then went and helped with a simple chakra control exercise, a leaf balancing exercise. The goal was to keep the leaf on his forehead using chakra alone. It took a few hours for Naruto to keep the leaf on his forehead for at least a minute.
Sasuke however was a bit irritated. Kakashi refused to teach them any new jutsus, which kept postponing his revenge on his brother. He also was annoyed at Naruto's antics but found the best way to get him quiet was to help him train. In that aspect, he was starting to appreciate the dobe. He was definitely eager to learn and very determined to accomplish any task. Sasuke then realized that as long as he stuck along with Naruto, there would be more opportunities to learn new jutsus, therefore quickening his path towards his vengeance. Now if he could think of a way to quiet him down when they weren't training, Naruto would actually be tolerable to be around.
Kakashi, however, was pleased that those two were actually training each other. After all, that gave him more time to read his favorite book.
As the group approached Naruto's favorite stand, Kakashi noticed a small group approach. Strangely enough, the group actually consisted of the two females from yesterday along with a blonde girl and two boys. One of the boys was carrying a bag of chips eating ravenously. The other sported brown hair that seemed like it was something attached to a pineapple more than a person's head. When the pink haired girl spotted the group,she gleefully shrieked and dragged the two boys towards them. Not being out done, the blonde girl dragged one other girl, who Kakashi remembered as Hinata, as she was blushing.
"Ohayo, Sasuke-KUN!!!" Sakura and the blonde girl screeched as they flanked Sasuke, knocking Naruto out of the way. Fortunately or unfortunately for Hinata, he landed on top of her in a rather unflattering position.
Naruto noticed this as well and quickly sprung to his feet offering her a helping hand. "Gomen, Hinata. It seems we keep running into each other this way."
Hinata blushed as she took his hand, being helped to her feet gently. "A-arigato, N-Naruto-kun."
Naruto proceeded to dust of the amount of dirt that stuck to his clothes. Hinata couldn't help but to stare at him, since it was the first time she saw him without his jacket on.
'Naruto doesn't have a jacket. He should get rid of it more often. Black looks better on him.' Hinata struggled but could not help deepening her blush as she imagined him in different types of clothing.
Naruto however noticed Hinata had much more dirt on her, so he did what he assumed a good friend would do. He started to dust Hinata off.
'He is… is…touching me!!! Eeep!!' So in true Hinata fashion, she did what she does best when those emotions come up. She fainted. Luckily for her, the object of her affection managed to catch her on the way down.
"Hinata!" he exclaimed, concerned for his friend. The others turned to look at Naruto. Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. Unfortunately, one person didn't take well to Naruto's action.
"NARUTO, YOU BAKA!!" Sakura furiously exclaimed as she took Hinata from her hands and set her on a nearby bench. "What did you think you were doing??"
"What I was doing?!? You were the one that threw me into here just to stand next to your precious Sasuke," stated Naruto, the irritation and frustration evident on his face. All that went away and the worry came back as soon as he saw Hinata laying on the bench. "She just turned red and fainted after I helped her up. Is she going to be fine?"
The pineapple haired boy just gave her a quick glance before speaking. "She just fainted. Give her a few minutes and she will be back on her feet. You do realize that she wouldn't have fainted if you weren't here."
"Nani?? It wasn't my fault I bumped into her, Shikamaru. Blame that on Sasuke's groupies"
"What did you call us!?" questioned Sakura and the blonde irritatingly.
Shrugging, Naruto sat on the arm of the bench near Hinata's head. "It is what it is. How Sasuke can keep from running away in sheer terror when his two main stalkers come is beyond me."
Sasuke just smirked and pulled out the ear plugs he had worn. "It helps to be prepared when Sakura and Ino come by, dobe."
Kakashi just looked up from his book for a mere second before grinning behind his mask and setting back to reading again. 'Maybe I need to have Sasuke invest in a mask.'
The rest of the boys seemed to like Sasuke's attempt at humor, until one of them spoke, or at least tried to in between bites of chips. "That's not true -munch- Sasuke. -munch munch- Ino is not that bad -munch-."
The blonde girl interrupted smiling. "See Sasuke-kun. Other people like me. Maybe you should..."
"-munch- However, that is only when -munch- she is quieter."
Glaring back at the boy, she let her anger show itself. "Thanks a bunch, Chouji."
Looking back at her friend, she was about to launch into an insult war, but was interrupted by a poof a smoke accompanying the arrival of a man wearing the white mask signifying his status as an ANBU.
Looking over the scene, the ANBU gave no hint of emotion before delivering his message. "Hatake Kakashi, you have been summoned by the Hokage. Please bring Uchiha Sasuke and...," glancing at Naruto sitting on the bench, "Uzumaki Naruto with you."
It was obvious to Kakashi that there was resentment and bitterness in his tone towards Naruto. Sasuke and Naruto noticed it as well, but none of the other children did. Kakashi merely nodded his approval as the ANBU vanished again into smoke.
Closing his book, he motioned for Sasuke and Naruto to follow. "It appears our guest has awakened. Come along you two."
The group looked over to Sasuke inquisitively as he followed the Jounin, but no one managed to speak as Hinata awoke. Naruto noticed her awaking first and grinned. "Well it looks like you are doing fine now, right Hinata?"
Looking up at the boy she admired, she was instantly warmed by the goofy grin he had. "H-Hai. I am f-fine, N-Naruto-kun."
"Good. I wouldn't want to leave you if you weren't, but at least Shikamaru and Chouji here will look after you. It seems I have somewhere to go again. Sasuke and I have a relative to meet. Let's talk later," he said cheerfully. "Maybe next time, we won't be knocked over. Later, everyone!"
As Naruto dashed off, one thought crossed everyone's mind but only Hinata managed to say it.
"N-Naruto-kun and S-Sasuke have a r-relative??"
