' ' = thoughts
" "= talking face to face or talking out loud
Bold letters = either Kyuubi in fox form, Shinigami using his scary voice (lol) or a summon
I want to point out something important that CW left in a review. In regards to the harem there will NOT be a lot of smut in the story. Mostly just kisses and hugs and small things like that. This story is about Naruto and forging his future and protecting his precious people. I will not go into deep lengths for the relationship for each of the girls in the harem but he will love each and every one of them. I hope that will ease some tension you readers have.
It has been two years now since Naruto left Konoha. He has been staying within Fire Country so far but stayed close to the border in case he had to high tail it out of there. It seemed that Sarutobi had managed to convince the council shortly after the Uchiha massacre to up the graduation age after he had heard while traveling through the capital that Konoha had risen the graduation age at the academy to 15 now instead of 12 and the other ninja villages were contemplating it as well. He was glad about this as it gave him more time to train and he always thought like Sarutobi that 12 was too young to have kids start killing. 'Hopefully with the extra 3 years they'll be more prepared for the real world' he thought.
About a year and a half in their travels Kyuubi had him start training with the chakra weights he had brought with him. He currently had 50 pounds on each limb to increase his speed and strength and 75 pounds on his waist to increase his flexibility. Kyuubi had told him on his 8th birthday that she would put him at mid-chuunin level. He had high-chuunin strength and speed, ninjutsu was still mid-genin as he hadn't learn anything else except the Shunshin no Jutsu and Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu which he can create roughly 1,500 clones with, his taijutsu was low-chuunin level, high-genin genjutsu thanks to his chakra control, has low-jounin knowledge of seals and his chakra reserves are high-jounin. His control was getting better and was able to get as low as creating 30 Bunshins before messing up. Kyuubi had told him that they would start working on his ninjutsu starting on his 9th birthday.
He was currently walking down a dirt road on his way towards a town to pick up some supplies. He was chatting with Kyuubi when he came upon a scene. There were 30 samurai guarding a carriage and in front of them were roughly 50 bandits and leading them looked like 3 shinobi that had slashes across their hitai-ite. He inspected it and noticed they were Leaf ninja. The oldest one was in his early 20's and was wearing a chuunin vest while the other two looked like genin. The oldest and apparent leader ordered the bandits to charge while he and the other two went around attempting to flank them.
Naruto watched on wondering what to do. He noticed the bandits were no match against the samurais' training which left the three ninja to him. He saw them jump from the trees heading toward the back of the carriage. He quickly drew two kunai and threw them at the genin and watched as they dropped dead with the kunai in the back of their skull.
Surprised at what just happened to his allies the chuunin looking man quickly stopped and spun around putting his kunai in front of him in a defensive position. He noted his target was only a boy but also noted by his posture he had shinobi training. Not taking any chances he rushed toward Naruto.
Naruto noticed the man charging him and threw some shuriken at him only for the man to block them. He charged the man as they lock with their kunai against each other. The man attempted to punch Naruto in the head only for him to duck and swing his leg around knocking the man on the ground. The man quickly rolled out of the way when Naruto's leg came coming down and left a small crater at its impact. The man jumped up and went through some hand seals yelling out Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu and sent a decent size fireball at Naruto who used Shunshin no Jutsu to appear behind the man and stab his kunai into the man's skull.
As Naruto looked around he noticed that the samurai had finished off the bandits with only a few scratches here and there and were watching him with their swords still out. With the adrenaline gone he looked back down at the three men he just killed. 'Killed' he thought. He watched as the blood continued to pool by their bodies. His eyes widened and he suddenly ran over to a bush and threw up.
As he was doing this he didn't hear the door open from the carriage and two people step out. One was a man and the other a woman who both were dressed in very expensive clothing. The two watched as the young boy ran to the side of the road and threw up. The woman ran over to him and pulled him into a hug.
Naruto was startled when he was pulled into a hug but didn't feel any ill intentions from the person and slowly fell asleep in what he now deduced woman's arms from physical and mental exhaustion. She gently picked him up and let his read rest on her shoulder and walked back to the group.
The man watched his wife comfort the boy and walk back to them. He heard the captain of the guard speak. "Judging by the way he fought I'd say the boy has had ninja training. Pretty advanced training too for someone his age to be able to take down two genin level nuke-nin and one chuunin level nuke-nin."
The man nodded his head and added "I agree. Judging from his reactions I'd say that he just made his first kill today as well. Take care of the bodies. Find out who the ninja were and send a report of their identities to Konoha that 3 of their nuke-nin have been taken care of. Do not mention the boy in the report. We will also be taking the boy with us. I'm sure my wife will want to make sure he's okay when he wakes up."
The captain saluted the man and said "Hai Lord Nobunaga."
As his wife stood next to him he got a good look at the boy. 'If he is who I think he is then it's not that surprising at how strong he is already.' He thought. "Let's put him in the carriage. We'll take him with us to the vacation house and take care of him there." His wife nodded at him and gave him a kiss on the lips before stepping back into the carriage him following right behind her.
When Naruto woke up and noticed he was in a room. He looked around and spotted his equipment on a table so he got up and put them on and left the room. As he walked down a set of steps he spotted a man resting on a couch in the living room and a woman making something in the kitchen. He coughed to get their attention once he reached the bottom of the steps.
The woman looked at him with a smile on her face as she walked over to him and hugged him. He was a bit shocked but hugged her back. After a few seconds she pulled back and asked "How are you doing? Are you hurting anywhere?"
Naruto shook his head and said "No ma'm I'm fine. Thank you. Could you tell me where we are and who might you be?"
She herded him over to a table and sat him down. He noticed the man sit up from the couch and took a seat next to him at the table. She asked Naruto "Would you like anything sweetie?"
Naruto looked up at her "Um would tea be okay?"
She smiled at him and said "Be right up."
The man coughed to get his attention and said "I'd like to thank you young man for protecting my wife and I from those bandits and ninja. Even though those bandits were no match for my guard if it weren't for you some men might have lost their lives against those ninja."
Naruto looked down remembering those that he killed. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see the man looking at him with a small sad smile. "I'm guessing that that was the first time you have ever taken a life?"
Naruto shook his head "Yes" he said and looked back down. The man put his hand under his chin and lifted his head "I know it is hard but from what I have seen you do so far I am guessing you wish to be a ninja. If you choose to live that life there will be more who die at your hand but as long as you don't enjoy killing then things will be alright."
Naruto listened to the man's words and felt slightly better before saying "Arigatou. You still haven't told me who you are and where we are."
The man looked at him with a twinkle in his eye "Ah yes, excuse my manners. We are at one of our vacation houses and that would be my wife, Madam Shijimi, and I am Nobunaga, Daimyo of Hi no Kuni." He said. He looked at the boy's shocked face before chuckling. "And by your appearance I would say you are Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto, correct?"
Now his wife was shocked before she ran over to Naruto, hugged him to her, and saying "This is little Naruto? Oh he's adorable. He looks just like his father" she ranted on.
Nobunaga chuckled at his wife's antics before liberating the boy from her grip. "Honey is the tea ready yet?"
She blushed and said "I'll be right back."
With her heading back to the kitchen Naruto seated himself in the chair before looking at the man. "Are you really the Fire Daimyo?"
"Yes Naruto I am. I'm sorry for what has happened to you. There were so many times when I told myself to screw everything else and take you with me but I knew that even though Minato and Kushina loved you they would have killed me if I took you with me most likely starting the Fourth Great Shinobi World War once your identity leaked out. By the way Sarutobi sent me a letter shortly after you left the village. He was truly upset but understood your reasons for leaving."
As Naruto was listening to him Shijimi returned with three cups of tea and took a seat at the table joining them. He looked to both of them and said "So now what?"
Nobunaga looked at him and said "When you feel like it you are free to go to continue your training. Just remember you are always welcome in our home and can come to us whenever you need help." Shijimi just nodded her head and smiled at him.
Naruto spent a week with them learning about his parents. He gave them each a hug and promised to visit them again before he returned to Konoha. Nobunaga told him before he left "Don't worry I have already told my guards to not mention a thing about you here or in the report I sent to Sarutobi about those missing-nin." Naruto nodded his thanks and left to continue his training.
It was 6 months before his 9th birthday and Naruto was planning on leaving Fire Country. He decided he was going to travel the world while training spending about a year in each of the other Great Shinobi Countries starting by heading west traveling through River Country towards Wind Country then traveling north toward Bird Country then east through Rain Country, Grass Country, and Waterfall Country.
Next to Earth Country then double back traveling toward the ruined Kingdom of his ancestors to make plans for it then traveling to Lightning Country. After that south to Water Country with Nagi Island next then leaving by ship from O'uzu Island to Sea Country. Then finally catch a ship north to Tea Country and traveling up north through the country back towards Fire Country.
He was about to depart when Kyuubi spoke to him 'Naru-kun since we've decided on this course of action I think we should use those chakra papers and find out how your elemental affinities play out instead of on your next birthday as planned.'
Naruto gave her a mental nod and took out a piece of paper from one of the pockets on his vest. 'Just apply chakra then watch what happens correct?'
Kyuubi replied 'Aye that's right. It splits in half if wind, crumbles if lightning, gets soggy if water, burns if fire, and turns to dust for earth.'
Naruto nodded his head and started applying his chakra to the paper. He watched in fascination and confusion and Kyuubi in shock at what happened. It started with the paper getting sliced in two, then the upper portion of the left side got soggy, the upper portion of the right side turned to dust, the middle portion of the left one burned, the middle portion of the right one crumbled up, followed by the lower part of the left one shining then the lower part of the right one turned completely black.
After a few minutes he spoke to her through their connection 'Alright so my strongest affinity is wind followed by water, earth, fire and lighting. That I get but what the HELL were those last two?'
Kyuubi was shaken from her shock when Naruto spoke to her. She shakily replied 'I don't know how this is possible but those last two were the other main elements' she was cut off as Naruto asked her 'Other main elements? I thought that there were only 5 main elements.'
'No. There are actually 7 main elements. The 5 well known elements and then the other two. Light and dark.'
Naruto replied 'Light and dark? I've never heard of those before. Is the darkness element like the bloodline the Nara use?'
Kyuubi shook her head 'They use a much weakened version of the darkness element.'
Naruto just stood there then thought 'How come I have never heard of these elements before?'
'That is because these elements haven't been used in centuries. The only human who was able to use those elements was the Rikudo Sennin' Kyuubi replied.
Naruto just shook his head at the new information then said 'Well for now we'll leave it at that. Maybe you can go through your memories to see if you know of any ninjutsu he used with those elements. I'd rather wait till I have a good grasp on the others first before I even start on those two.'
Kyuubi gave him a mental nod and said 'Will do Naru-kun.'
Naruto was a week from the border between Fire and River Country. He noticed there was a storm approaching fast so he looked around for some cover. He eventually found a cave entrance that was covered in vines. He cut them out of the way with a kunai and walked in when it just started pouring. He continued into the tunnel when he noticed a red glow at the other end.
As he got closer to it the hotter it got in the cave. He figured there must be a magma flow running through the cave and guessed right when he exited the tunnel and entered a large room and saw the lava. It was quite a sight. But when he looked back up he was amazed at what he saw. On the other side of the room carved in the wall was a picture of a phoenix and with the glow from the magma it looked quite real. He noticed that in its mouth looked what appeared to be a scroll. He looked around and noticed that the only way to get there was to travel along the walls. He applied chakra to his feet and began walking up the wall then towards the scroll.
As he got closer he could see the details in the carving and when he approached the scroll took it out of its mouth wary of any traps. When he landed in front of the tunnel again he opened the scroll and noticed that it was a summoning scroll but there were no names on it.
Kyuubi was watching Naruto and was surprised when she saw the phoenix. She had a pretty good idea at what summon that scroll was for. 'Ne Kyuu-chan how do I sign this contract?'
Kyuubi was a little hesitant in replying. If this was what she thought it was then it would be a powerful ally if Naruto succeeded. She knew though if anyone could do this than her Naru-kun could.
'Draw some blood and write your name in the first slot in the scroll followed by leaving your fingerprints for the hand you're going to use for the summoning. After that do these hand seals: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, and Ram then draw some blood again on your hand then apply as much chakra as you can for your first time and slam your hand onto the ground and say Kuchiyose no Jutsu' Kyuubi informed him.
He did as instructed and summoned as much chakra before he slammed his bloody hand on the ground yelling Kuchiyose no Jutsu. A large puff of smoke appeared covering most of the room. As it dissipated his eyes were wide at what he saw. It was a phoenix and it was huge, about the same size as the famous Gamabunta when its wings weren't stretched out.
He was shaken out of his stupor when it spoke "I see someone has finally signed the Phoenix summoning contract." It looked down at Naruto and said "And a very young summoner as well. I can sense great power within you but before I let you use my clan you must pass a test."
Naruto looked at the creature and said "Test? What kind of test?"
The phoenix looked at him in the eye and said "A test of the heart. We of the Phoenix clan are one of the four Legendary Summons. To be able to use us the summoner must have a pure heart and soul. Do you wish to continue this test? If you shall fail you will die to keep the location of the scroll safe."
Naruto looked the phoenix in its fiery eyes with his own burning with determination. "I accept. I will not fail. I have too much to do to die now and I won't let Kyuu-chan die either."
The phoenix said "Very well. We shall see if you are worthy of the Phoenix contract" and with that Naruto was engulfed in fire. The phoenix watched through Naruto's memories and watch as his heart and soul remained pure and became only stronger. It was quite surprised when it saw Shinigami and how he has the Light and Dark elements. It knew that this boy would make a great ally of the Phoenix clan and that the Gods must have plans for the child since the more matured of the Phoenix clan are able to use the Light element including itself. It concluded the test and watched as the flames left the boy.
"Congratulations Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto. You are the first summoner of the Phoenix clan. As I said earlier we are one of the four Legendary Summons. I am quite surprised at what you have gone through so far. I believe we can also help you with your Light affinity when you start training in it as the more matured phoenixes within the clan including myself our able to use this element. I expect great things from you child. Practice summoning with different levels of chakra to see what you summon. Before I leave let me tell you who I am. I am the Boss of the Phoenix clan, Fenikkusu."
Naruto nodded his head and said "Arigatou for giving me a chance Fenikkusu-sama."
"No need for formalities child. I am much too old to care about those" Fenikkusu chuckled.
"Until next time Fenikkusu" Naruto said. The Boss Phoenix nodded and disappeared back to the summon world.
When Naruto went back to the entrance to the cave he saw it was still raining so he decided to take a nap after everything that's happened. When he opened his eyes he saw the smiling face of Kyuubi. She tackled him and hugged him to her ample bosom with him having a small blush. No matter how many times that happens he just can't get rid of how good it feels.
She pulled away from him and said "You're amazing Naru-kun!!! You have signed the contract of one of the Legendary Summons. I had a good idea that was who it belong to but I knew if anyone could gain there trust it would be you." He smiled at her as she hugged him to her bosom again. 'Yup today is definitely a good day' he thought.
Naruto had made good time crossing through River Country. He decided to stay for a month there working on his water manipulation before training for a year in Wind Country. He learned a few Suiton jutsu too from the scrolls he brought with him. He was able to get his manipulation to high-genin level before he left.
He spent the next year working on his wind manipulation. He would stay at small towns and staying away from Suna as often as he could but would drop by when he needed supplies they couldn't provide. He managed to get his wind manipulation to high-chuunin level and had quite a list of Fuuton jutsu as well ranging from C-rank techniques like Fuuton: Daitoppa to Suna's prized A-rank technique Kaze no Yaiba that he was able to see a Suna Jounin named Baki perform. He also continued practicing summoning different levels of phoenixes. The younger ones were quite excited to meet a human while the older ones sometimes helped him on his wind manipulation training.
He had also met the Daimyo of the country after he had heard how Naruto was defeating bandits roaming his country. He and Naruto got along very well and became quick friends. Naruto had asked him to keep his identity a secret before he left. He agreed and welcomed Naruto to his country and home anytime he wanted.
Naruto spent about a couple months traveling through Bird Country, Rain Country, Grass Country and Waterfall Country meeting the Daimyos of each country and becoming friends after defending them from bandits or defending towns from bandits through his travels.
While in Bird Country he met the children of Daimyo Oowashi, Toki who he took a quick liking to and her twin brother Sagi.
He avoided Ame as he did not want to deal with the legendary ninja Sanshōuo no Hanzō who defeated Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru in their prime together with his summon and was the one who dubbed them the Densetsu no Sannin during the Second Great Shinobi World War.
He visited Kannabi Bridge where his father's genin team destroyed the bridge to help lead to victory during the Third Great Shinobi World War but at the cost of his genin Uchiha Obito and how Kakashi gained the Sharingan from his dying teammate's last wish. He also heard that the last member, a girl by the name of Rin, left the village shortly after his father was chosen for Yondaime Hokage.
During his travel through Waterfall Country he met another jinchuriki by the name of Fū who was a genin from Taki who was 3 years older than him. He told her about himself and his plans for himself and the other jinchuriki. She was shocked but she believed him. He told her to travel to Whirlpool Kingdom and stay in the Royal Palace if she needed someplace to hide. He planned on putting seals around the place like the Namikaze compound to keep intruders out and only people with blood the seals recognized would be allowed let in. She hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek which earned a blush from him that both Kyuubi and Fū noticed. After taking a sample of her blood and bidding her goodbye he traveled to Earth Country.
Naruto made sure to stay away from Iwagakure no sato when he stayed in Earth Country. The Kage that was in charge during the war against Leaf was still in power and he didn't want any trouble. 'At least not until I'm strong enough' he thought. Earth Country was perfect for his earth manipulation training. He was able to get it to mid-chuunin level during his stay and improve his jutsu arsenal with Doton jutsus.
He also was able to maintain an Iwa Bingo Book and add it to his Suna, Ame, Kusa, and Taki collection. He was able to take out low level missing-nins and a couple B-ranked ones. He would henge and receive the bounty on them and his skills got better with more experience. He somehow ended up meeting the Daimyo of Earth Country and found out that he does not hold a grudge against Konoha or the Yondaime Hokage. He told Naruto that he was looking for a chance to remove the current Tsuchikage from power but too many people still hold a grudge. He told the Daimyo like he did Wind's Daimyo the truth about him and what his plans are for the future.
To say he was shocked would be an understatement. He was talking to the son of the Yondaime Hokage and Konoha's Red Death and the grandson of the late King of Whirlpool. He agreed to Naruto's plan but would only be able to help once Iwa got a new Tsuchikage who was not out to destroy Konoha but would help him in any way he could till then.
He left Earth Country heading towards the ruined 'for now' Whirlpool Kinngdom.