This is a work of fanfiction. Naruto does not belong to me in any shape or form. Suing me is counterproductive, as I own nothing, and unfortunately have nothing but a small apartment to my name. Cheers, and enjoy my tale.

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Two weeks following the Uchiha massacre failure

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Uzumaki Naruto walked through the western sector of the outer forests in a melancholy mood. It had been a bit over two weeks since the attacks that had driven him and a majority of the village to the bunkers in the North. While Iruka-sensei had kept him company for a while, he was alone for the majority of their stay. That wasn't to say that he was bored. He had explored what he could of the immense caverns and found that he quite liked it there, just not as much as his apartment. It was for this reason that he was in such a dejected state of mind.

They had only been in the bunkers for two days at the most, until they were instructed by some Chuunin that it was clear to head back to the village proper. As he had moved to run to his apartment, Iruka-sensei had informed him that he wouldn't be heading back there; none of the students at the academy would be heading home. They would be enrolled in advanced programs to develop their skills as fast as possible in anticipation of the coming conflicts. Or something like that. He knew what it really meant. The explosions that had happened on that night had killed a lot of ninja, and now they needed them to fill in their place. All of a sudden he didn't think he wanted to be a ninja anymore. Not like I have a choice anyway.

He had initially joined the ninja academy because he didn't want to be apprenticed to a mason or carpenter, or other labourer. All the children at the orphanages were apprenticed out at some point of their stay. Many decided that they would be ninja and joined the academy. He had been one of them. It was a means to escape, nothing more. But a day after he had completed his enrolment and massive chakra stores were detected in the test he was given, he was taken out of the orphanage by a ninja and given an apartment.

That was a year ago. Now the realities of his choice were bearing down on him and he found that he didn't like it; he found that he was scared. He didn't like that even more. So as he was led away from his apartment by Iruka, he smiled and acted cheerfully, even though it felt like a pit in his stomach had opened up as he and his classmates were herded to the Eastern forests of the village. They had begun their first instructions that day.

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FLASHBACK- 15 days prior, two days following the failed massacre-

"Line up, line up! There will be no delay. I am Tokubetsu Jounin, Ebisu. I will be your instructor for the next month. The Chuunin handing out your uniforms are Hagane Kotetsu, and Izumo Kamizuki. This is what you will wear now and for the foreseeable future. There are no alterations or accessories that will be added at any time. You will wear that uniform when you sleep, immediately after cleanings… in other words, at all times. If you lose them you will be punished, if you damage them, you will fix them. Clear?"

Silence was the answer that greeted his question. Ebisu frowned slightly, adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat, "I said, am I clear!"

A loud chorus of 'Hai, sensei!" rang out in the small clearing as the large group of 7-11 year old children stood to attention as they were handed out their uniforms. While distinctive characteristics stood out in the clan children, one particularly unruly and rather angry child drew Ebisu's attention.

Uzumaki Naruto. The name came to him quickly enough. The child with the unbelievably large chakra reserves for his age. Looking closer now, he could see the symptoms that his unrestrained chakra were having on him. Twitchy, quick to anger, irritable, unable to keep still…very tense boy, isn't he? As he continued to observe him, and the way that he clenched the uniform in his hand, Ebisu decided that he would use him as an example as he walked over to stand in front of him.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

Ebisu would give the boy credit. He didn't flinch when he appeared in front of him, nor did he relinquish the grip he held on the garments in his hands. He looked up and levelled a controlled stare up at him, a simple reply of 'yes, sensei?' escaping his lips. He nearly smirked. He certainly will be interesting to teach. It will be amusing, ridding him of that defiance.

"There is nothing wrong with your uniform, I hope?"

Naruto gave no reply in return. A brief pause ensued. Abruptly, he began stripping his own white shirt and khaki shorts off, scowl still on his face. After slipping on the long sleeved navy crewneck and cargo pants of identical color, he replied.

"No sensei, nothing at all."

Ebisu turned and walked back towards the head of the clearing, "Good, follow me Uzumaki Naruto, we will begin with Taijutsu kata. You will be our very first volunteer"

FLASHBACK END

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Naruto's scowl deepened as he thought back to that first day. Ebisu had made a fool out of him. Beat him into the ground, used him as a guinea pig for every instruction. He still did that every day. Naruto learned very quickly to never show his emotions when around Ebisu. When they woke in the morning from their cots, or when they were given leave to explore the forests during lunch. He would always be waiting for the slip that occurred more often than not. He's a bastard, that's what he is.

As his thoughts returned to the present, he found that he came to a small stream running between the large trees that dotted the area. Walking forward, he caught his reflection in the water and scowled even deeper. He hated this uniform. He hated that it was the same as all the other children's, that it was monotonous; identical. And why the hell does it have to be navy, and only navy?

Contrary to what many of the other clan children thought, orphans in Konoha didn't really have much choice in their lives. They all wore the same grey tunics, learned the same things, ate the same food, and slept at the same time; every day. There was a period of two hours every seventh day in the afternoon that the children were allowed to roam their sector accompanied by a guardian; usually a genin on assignment within the village. These were the times that Naruto and nearly all the other orphans relished. They had the opportunity to do what they wanted, how they wanted. It was freedom; a small taste of difference in the bland grey of their lives. It was during these free times that Naruto had finally made his final decision to enter the ninja academy, as he watched his guardian climb up the side of the wall and leap across the roofs. He had gained a taste for something he would never be able to live without from then on after words; individuality.

He wore what he wanted, when he wanted. He returned to his apartment at any time of his choosing. He only made his bed and cleaned his apartment when the scheduled visits from Iruka-sensei every week were to occur. He visited many other sectors of the village and met with many different children; some from prestigious clans and others from simple families of simple means. He slept in the forests and explored the different shops on the far eastern districts. In short, he was free; at least, relative to what he had experienced before.

So, Naruto hated his uniform. He hated the way that the villagers looked upon him with curiosity, where before he could slip by unnoticed. He hated the favour they now showed him, the smiles some gave him, and the pity others hid from him. He hated that they smiled at his clothing, and grimaced at his future. So he hid from them, and declined the weekly visits into the village proper with the other academy students. Instead, he roamed the forests, and practised the techniques in the scrolls he sometimes found in his pack and under his cot.

For today, as he looked upon the stream and gazed around him at the trees, he decided that he would try his luck on Mizu Aruku (water-walking). He hadn't yet gotten the hang of the exercise like the rest of his classmates, but he certainly was close. For the next hour, as he failed to maintain his position atop the stream, his frustration began to mount. How did they all get this so fast?

The others had already moved on to more difficult control techniques, something he was very angry about. He allowed himself a small slip in composure and punched the tree to his right in frustration as a snarl escaped his lips. Lifting his hand from the bark of the tree, he grimaced as he felt the bite of wood under skin. Wiping his hand clean, he once again made sure there were no other students in the vicinity before he clasped his hands once again in a Ram seal, taking a step forward once again.

The slight displacement in the air behind him was heard a second too late as he turned as quickly as he could, his fist swinging along behind. Before he knew what had happened, he was left staring at the treetops, a foot resting on his chest. Looking closer at the shadowed figure above him, Naruto released another snarl, roughly shoving the foot off of him as he stood up. Dusting himself off, he moved to speak to his impromptu visitor,

"What are you doing here, Gecchouseki?"

In relaxed stance as one hand absently picked through teeth, Gecchouseki replied, "Maa, Naruto. Relax, ne? I was wondering where you were, oh and you're channelling your chakra all wrong for Mizu Aruku."

Naruto scowled more deeply. It seemed as if this day were bound to get worse. Turning towards the small stream again, he put his hands in a Ram seal, his thoughts running off ahead of him.

Hatake Gecchouseki, one of the most annoying, yet gifted students in his class. After Ebisu made it clear with frequent exercises that Naruto would be the 'volunteer' for demonstrations, Gecchouseki never left him alone. He annoyingly turned up whenever Naruto went off for extra practise, spouting off the most inane and useless advice when he deemed it necessary for him to speak. Nevertheless, they had become cordial with each other over the past two weeks, often engaging in heated discussions about the nomadic clans of Hi no Kuni.

From what Naruto could understand of the brief history lessons, the Hatake family migrated to Hi no Kuni from Kumogakure during the First Secret Shinobi War. Naruto was adamant that they were immigrants to the village. Gecchouseki disagreed, and usually proceeded to give him a practical instruction on the merits of Genjutsu to ones arsenal.

Ninja of the Hatake family tended to be gifted in all arts of combat, and it seemed that Gecchouseki would be no different. He remembered Gecchouseki saying something about the density of their chakra, and control ratios. Whatever the hell ratios are.

In short, Gecchouseki was what the others called a prodigy, a gifted ninja that would one day be a fixture in the village. At the thought of being left behind, he walked towards the stream, determined to succeed. A hand on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks. He looked behind him to the uncharacteristically serious expression on his friends face.

"Ne, Naruto. Ebisu-sensei wants us to return to the main grounds immediately. Some ANBU are with him."

His eyes widened at the declaration, pausing to calculate the possible reasons why the elite were on the grounds. A quick turn and dead run took him and Gecchouseki towards the main compound. Utilizing the skills they acquired from Tsurīkuraimingu (tree climbing), Naruto broke left while Gecchouseki continued on ground. As they neared their destination, Naruto paused momentarily and turned his head, looking to his right.

Huh, I could've sworn I heard someone there.

A nudge on his shoulder brought him out of his query. They continued on forwards, the wooden fences that he knew were inscribed and imbued with fuuin layering over them with chakra as they stepped beyond the threshold. They continued on past the large dome where their cots and cleaning areas were, and beyond the other smaller structures that held medical wards and armories.

The training fields came into view as they rounded the next corner, the rows upon rows of their classmates, dotted with the taller forms of Chuunin assistants coming into focus. They lined up next to the closest row, facing Ebisu sensei and the four ANBU that were arrayed slightly behind at the head of the group. For a moment, Naruto imagined that Ebisu was staring right at him, though he never could tell, with the way his glasses always seemed to stay on his face. He straightened regardless as his sensei cleared his throat, though quietly, keeping his eyes ahead and nowhere else.

"Hello, students. Before we begin our Taijutsu kata for today, we have been honoured with a visit from our elite, the ANBU. Kaeru-san (frog), to my far left, will provide the necessary information you require to have a better understanding of our circumstances, and why you are here."

Said ANBU stepped forward, nodding to Ebisu before addressing the audience gathered, an androgynous voice reverberating from the mask, "Ohayo (hi). You are undoubtedly aware of the destruction that occurred two weeks ago in the Western districts of the village, namely, in the Uchiha clan grounds. Many were killed, and many escaped. They are traitors, for what they have done to our home, and what they have brought to our doorstep. Yuhi clan members assisted them. They too have been killed, many having escaped. Those members of both families that have chosen loyalty to our home, and rebellion against their wayward family members are being held in captivity. In due time, they will also rejoin the populace. Classmates from the mentioned families will be enrolled in this program, after some months."

Kaeru paused. Fear was commonplace amongst the rows upon rows of students. Those that managed to keep their wits about them were mentally noted for future reference. He looked to Uzumaki Naruto, his chakra still as wild as ever.

"Why are you being told these details? Are they not confidential? Students, these questions and more are likely circling your heads, and will be for the near future. What you must understand, is that you are being trained in this fashion not only for your sakes, but for the good of the village. We are at war. Our enemies have begun to take action. We must be ready, you must be ready. May the Will of Fire burn within you, and fan your potential. Ja, ne (goodbye)."

All the ANBU disappeared, leaving stunned children to panic, murmurs floating about between them. Naruto, and many others, stayed quiet. Less so from having deduced a similar conclusion, and more so the details that have been revealed. His thoughts centered on that night, the night of the battle. Particularly the two ninja that approached him, and made It stay quiet for all this time. He didn't move as his sensei declared the start of Taijutsu kata, and he didn't respond at the call of his name for demonstrations. His curiosity had taken him elsewhere, and his fear had kept him there. He thought of the elite that had arrived, and the reasoning for their visit. He didn't like the answer he had derived, or its implications on his future.

As he snapped out of his reverie, he still didn't speak. He followed his sensei to the head of the group, and fell into his stance, his movements geared on instinct.

We must not have as much time as they thought.

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Five days later.

Naruto collapsed, exhaustion taking its hold, a satisfied smile on his face. He was glad. Laying his back on the cool grassy floor, he closed his eyes and took the moment to catch his breath. He could finally move on. He had finally completed Mizu Aruku (water walking), after what seemed like weeks of wet shins and ankles. He shuffled up onto his elbows and looked to Gecchouseki, who stood off to his left, leaning against a tree. His eyes were closed, and he had been behaving oddly since the announcement from the ANBU, Kaeru. Turning his head away to look ahead, Naruto suddenly decided to ask the questions that he was sure his friend knew. He is part of a clan, maybe he'll answer what others won't?

"Oi, Gecchouseki. I've been thinking about the Uchiha, and the others that helped them, the Yuhi."

Gecchouseki opened his eyes, a sigh sounding out shortly after. Pushing himself off from the tree, he walked forwards and sat beside his friend in the Seiza position.

"I guess you want to know why they helped, huh?

Naruto didn't turn his eyes away from the stream ahead of him. He wanted to ask many questions; ones that would likely make Gecchouseki uncomfortable and suspicious. He wanted to grill him about the origins of that eye, and other information he was privy to as a clan-born child. Instead, he simply nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

"From what Ojii-san told me, the Yuhi and the Uchiha were once one and the same."

Naruto widened his eyes, his head whipping around to stare in shock at the declaration. He stammered out a response, "W-what?"

Gecchouseki closed his eyes once again, "The villages are still young, Naruto. The time of warring nomadic clans was much, much longer. It lasted for hundreds and hundreds of years. Many of the greatest and most dangerous families were extinguished, and others rose in their wake. For survival, families began cultivating character traits; attributes that would provide an edge, and in turn, nobility. One in particular was the Sharingan (Pin Wheel Eye). It didn't come cheaply. Bargains were made, many having died of disease and mutation. But it was born, and was so strong, that they could freely mix their blood without worry of losing it."

"At least for a time," muttered Naruto.

"Hai. As the decades passed, the Sharingan evolved and grew more and more powerful. Many clans, mine included, sought to destroy them, and take the eye for themselves. They failed time and time again. The Uchiha grew to be one of the most skillful amongst their peers; few families could topple them and their secrets. But in time, that wouldn't be the case."

"Something went wrong," Naruto whispered.

"It had finally begun to grow weaker as they sought to increase their numbers. Some never developed the eye, and others had bastardized versions that never functioned as intended. The Uchiha called them the Sullied, and cast them aside, leaving them to their own devices. But instead of dying off, as the Uchiha had thought would happen, they thrived. And eventually, they threw away the name Uchiha, in favour of their own; Yuhi. When clans' within Hi no Kuni had begun to come together, the Uchiha and Yuhi were approached. But relations between the two families were so volatile, that none thought they would be capable of living in the same village. A compromise was made, and they, like the Hyuuga we given land in the Eastern districts, while the Uchiha took land of the Western ones."

As he finished, Gecchouseki sighed again, something that seemed to be more and more common in the past month. He looked to Naruto, smirked, and spoke once more, "You know, I shouldn't even be telling you this. Ojii-san would be real angry if he knew."

A smile shone through on Naruto's face as he moved to stand up. He stuck out a hand to help Gecchouseki up, "I guess he would. How long have you known this stuff anyway?"

Taking the proffered hand, Gecchouseki stood, dusting off the seat of his pants. He finally looked to the south, in the direction he knew his clan grounds would be, "In the Hatake family, children are taught the history of the world from the age of 5, and are expected to have an intricate knowledge of ninja and their skills, among other things, of course."

Naruto laughed as he began walking back towards the main grounds, Gecchouseki following behind, "Huh, I guess I'm glad I'm not clan born then."

This time it was Gecchouseki who chuckled slightly at Naruto's expense, "I wouldn't be so sure about that, Naruto."

Raising an eyebrow, Naruto turned his head to look behind him as he stepped over an old log on the forest floor, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Gecchouseki paused, reaching into the utility pouch they were all given at the end of the first week. From it, he pulled an old leather bound book, tossing it to Naruto, "Here, take this. It's the first of many. Tell me when you're finished, ne? I'll give you the next one after."

Looking down at the book, Naruto opened the blank cover and read the title on the first page, "The 3rd Era: An Account of War; By Hatake Issen."

Surprised, Naruto closed it, looking up as he put it into his own utility pouch. Gecchouseki had continued on without pause, trekking through the brush as they neared the fences. He wondered why he gave him the book, and how old it might really be. From what he remembered, there were 15 Era's before the Great Villages were formed, quite some time for one family to be around. He sped up, walking next to his friend once again. As they passed the large dome where they slept, his thoughts took him to the Hatake clan, and their longevity.

What are you hiding Gecchouseki? How much are you not telling me?

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AUTHORS NOTE

Hello everyone, and thank you for reading my story. I have been reading fanfiction for quite some time and have had inspiration for stories come and go over time. To be honest with you all, I don't really know where I am going with this story, just that I do want it to be legendary, and I do want to finish it. I will also tell you that I don't do well with rigid plot lines, so I am writing this story and creating the elements as I go along. There is no plan, simply inspiration.

To reiterate, Naruto is 7 years of age, and Gecchouseki is 9. The children in the training grounds are ranged from the ages of 7-11. Ebisu will only be their sensei for one month, after which, well, I don't quite know yet, so you will have to bear with me.

I will provide an update every week.

P.S.

If you all have Naruto fanfiction stories that are not wrought with grammatical errors or too juvenile stylistically, please let me know. I would love to read them. I have read many stories and have forgotten the names of many of them, your recommendations are welcome.

Thank you again for reading.