Chapter 3: Where Nothing Gathers

Hey everybody:

I would like to start by thanking everyone for their input, it has been more helpful then you know.

For those wondering, I will have Hinata train with Naruto and incorporate Mu into the Gentle Fist style.

Now on with the chapter.

Tension filled the air of Training Ground 7 as Ichiro and Naruto sat in meditation. Or in Naruto's case attempted meditation.

"Naruto-kun," Ichiro finally said.

"Hai, Ichiro-sensei?" Naruto responded.

"You must clear your mind to achieve Mu, yet I sense what happened earlier still troubles you," Ichiro noted.

Flashback no Jutsu

Ichiro and Naruto arrived at the Hyuga Compound within mere minutes after Hinata fainted. Naruto hoped that there wouldn't be any trouble, but alas it was not to be. At the entrance to the Main Branch household stood Hinata's bodyguard, Hyuga Kō. After seeing the young heiress being carried by the blonde jinchūriki he all but flew into a rage.

"Boy, what have you done to Hinata-sama?" the angry steward demanded.

"I haven't done anything, at least I don't think I did," Naruto said in his defense.

"Then get your filthy hands off her now de-, brat!" shouted Kō.

"Young man there is no need to be rude," said Ichiro, coming to the young boy's rescue. "Young Hinata-chan fainted; my young friend was simply bringing her home."

"Who are you?" demanded the irate Hyuga.

"Kō," a commanding voice said, "calm down." From the doorway the head of the Hyuga Main Household, Hyuga Hiashi could be seen.

"But Hiashi-sama," Kō pleaded.

"Silence!" commanded Hiashi. "My apologies Monk-sama, Uzumaki-san, my fellow clansman is quite protective of my eldest daughter."

"It is quite alright Hyuga-sama, I am more interested in what Kō-san was about to call this young man beside me," said Ichiro.

"Oh?" questioned the Hyuga Head.

"Yes, it sounded like he was about to say demon before he corrected himself," Ichiro stated. "I and my fellow monks have been in this fine village for over a week and I have never known Naruto-kun to be anything less than a kind young man. If Kō-san would like, I could refer him to an excellent optometrist so that he may be able to see the difference between a demon and a child."

"Now see here-," Kō began.

"Kō, take Hinata to her room," Hiashi ordered. He then continued, "We will discuss your…" Hiashi paused as he chose his next words, "lack of manners later."

"Hai, Hiashi-sama."

Once Kō had gone inside Hiashi continued, "I thank you for bringing my daughter home. I trust she was no trouble?"

"No trouble, Hyuga-sama, I found her to be well-mannered and sweet," Ichiro told the Hyuga Head.

"Yeah, Hinata-chan's great," Naruto added.

Brief though it might have been a smile played on Hiashi's face at the praise his daughter was receiving. "I thank you again gentlemen but I must now take my leave," Hiashi said.

"That is fine Hyuga-sama," Ichiro stated, "Naruto-kun and I have things to do ourselves."

"I know I should not pry, but may I ask what a monk and an academy student would be doing together?" asked Hiashi, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Ichiro-sensei is going to teach me to achieve a state of Mu!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Mu?" questioned the now confused Hyuga, "that is rather advanced for an academy student, is it not?"

"Perhaps," admitted Ichiro, "but Naruto-kun wishes to be the first shinobi to use Mu release."

At that the Hyuga head let out a chuckle.

"I'll do it, just watch me!" exclaimed Naruto.

"My apologies again, Uzumaki-san, I was not laughing at you," Hiashi said. "It is just that you remind me of another man who claimed he could do the impossible."

"Really?" Naruto asked, not completely convinced.

"Yes, the Yondaime, while not quite as vocal as you, always tried to prove he could do anything," Hiashi said.

"Whoa, seriously?" Naruto questioned once more.

"Yes, although he never tried to create a new nature transformation, let alone on based on nothing," Hiashi finished.

"Naruto-kun, we must hurry," Ichiro reminded the blonde, "I am only in this village for one more week. I cannot help you after that."

"You're right, Sensei," Naruto said. Turing to Hiashi he said, "It was nice meeting you Hyuga-sama."

"And you as well, Uzumaki-san," Hiashi said. Then, surprising everyone, the Hyuga Head said, "Ichiro-sama, I have a request."

"Yes, Hyuga-sama?"

"If it is not too much trouble, would it be alright if my daughter joined you two after today? I think she would benefit from your teachings," Hiashi finished.

"I see no problem Hyuga-sama with your request," Ichiro said. He then asked, "Do you Naruto-kun?" Ichiro asked.

"The more the merrier," Naruto responded.

"Very well then, will you take her to your training spot tomorrow Uzumaki-san?" Hiashi asked the blonde.

"Of course, Hyuga-sama," Naruto said.

"I've kept you both long enough, now I must speak with Kō," Hiashi said as he turned to leave.

"Bye, Hyuga-sama," Naruto said.

"Until next time," Ichiro added.

With that, the two made their way to Training Ground 7.

"I know it was brief Sensei, but what Kō-teme said got to me, even though I should be used to it," Naruto noted solemnly.

"No one should have to get used to such treatment Naruto-kun," Ichiro pointed out. "But now I need you to empty you mind of all things."

"I'll try Sensei," Naruto said.

"Meditation and Mu are not something you try to do Naruto-kun, they are both something you allow to happen," Ichiro corrected.

"Hai, Sensei."

An hour later Ichiro finally said, "It is getting late and you have class tomorrow, I think we should end here for now."

"Alright Sensei," a disappointed Naruto said.

"Do not get discouraged Naruto-kun," Ichiro said, "Few people achieve Mu on their first attempt, and mediation is the same way."

"But, I thought it was something I let happen," Naruto stated.

"That is true, but one should really practice emptying their mind before attempting meditation. I just wanted to see if you were still committed to this after you learned how difficult it would be," Ichiro admitted.

"Of course, the future Hokage can't back out of something just because it might be hard," Naruto said. He continued, "I also said I would do this and create the Mu release, and I never go back on my word, that's my nindo."

"Alright Naruto-kun, you show such drive for one so young," said an impressed Ichiro. "Practice clearing your mind tonight before bed and we will pick where we left off here tomorrow after you are done with class."

"Hai Sensei!"

"And be sure to bring Hinata-chan with you," Ichiro reminded.

"I will Sensei. Good night."

"Good night to you too Naruto-kun.

After arriving at his apartment Naruto made himself a cup of instant ramen. While eating he went over what had happened during his time with Ichiro, I'm sure there is something I am missing. It's like I get close to meditating properly and then I feel a bunch of anger. Well, whatever, I'll just have to do what Ichiro-sensei said.

Deciding that there was no time like the present, Naruto decided to get ready for bed so he could practice clearing his mind. His nightly rituals completed, Naruto changed into his pajamas and sat on his bed in a lotus position. After a few minutes Naruto was able to block all external distractions, but his mind was still racing.

Maybe I should try to focus on one thing and go from there, Naruto thought, thank Kami I wear a nightcap. With that in mind, Naruto began to focus on the piece of cloth on the top of his head. It quickly became apparent that this was a step in the right direction as Naruto was able to focus on a certain point. After a few minutes, Naruto was coming close to ignoring even this when he felt something pull on his mind.

"Kuso, I know I almost had it that time," Naruto cursed as he opened his eyes. It was then he noticed his surroundings, it looked like he was in the middle of a sewer. "Ah, gross!" he exclaimed as he stood up quickly, since he was in the lotus position he was up to his hips in sewer water.

"Come to me," an ominous voice said.

I know I probably shouldn't, but maybe I'll find an exit on the way, Naruto thought. With nothing else to go on it seemed like a reasonable idea, so Naruto set out to follow the voice. After a few minutes Naruto noticed something strange about this "sewer." This is strange, there's only one way to go, no detours or anything, just what kind of sewer is this?

After a few more minutes, Naruto reached a dead-end, at least he thought it was a dead-end. A cage? What's a cage doing in a sewer? Just look at the size of it. The cage in question was at least the size of the Hokage Mansion.

"Closer," the voice from before said.

"Why?" Naruto asked.

"What?"

"Why should I come closer?"

"Because I am a mysterious disembodied voice, you are supposed to do as I say," the voice responded, its irritation evident in its tone.

"That sounds stupid and dangerous and I'm not going to do it," Naruto responded.

"Grrr," was all that could be heard as a giant claw hit against the bars in a feeble attempt to impale Naruto.

"Alright, fine," Naruto sighed as he came just a few inches shy of where the tip of the claw's nails would reach. "So who are you exactly?" Naruto asked.

"I am the Kyubi no Kitsune, the most powerful of all Biju," the now identified Kyubi replied.

After letting that sink in for a few minutes Naruto finally said, "You're a lot smaller than I imagined."

"You meet a giant fox and that is all you have to say!" an incredulous Kyubi shouted.

"No, I would also like to know where we are," Naruto said.

"We are in your subconscious."

"Oh, neat I guess."

"Don't you have any questions, for example: 'Why am I here?'?"

"Not really: I was born the night you attacked; people call me fox-brat; and sometimes I see something on my stomach, which I now know is a seal. Also, even when I was alone, for some reason I could feel another presence, I assume that was you."

"I've been here for years but have never know you to be particularly perceptive, when did this happen?"

"I guess Ichiro-sensei and the others have been a good influence on me."

"Ah yes the monks," Kyubi noted. Kyubi then asked, "People treat you the way they do because of me, yet you don't seem particularly resentful, why is that?"

"You aren't the problem; people's closed-mindedness is the problem."

"Obviously, I attacked this village didn't I?"

"Perhaps, but after speaking with you I don't think you did it on a whim."

"People say I'm a monster isn't that enough?"

"For other people maybe, but I don't know your story, what made you this way."

"I told you I am a monster," Kyubi said, trying to get his point across.

"I don't believe that, at least not anymore, and I know you don't either."

"Fine, you win boy, I suppose there's no harm in telling you my story," said Kyubi. "Might as well get comfortable kid this is going to be a long story," He suggested.

"Okay, but what about…"

"Don't worry, I put your physical body to sleep," the Kyubi said, anticipating Naruto's question.

"Oh, good."

After taking a deep breath the Kyubi began his story, "Long ago before the founding of the shinobi villages, during an era of endless wars between humans, there existed the Shinju, a tree that was revered as a deity which bore a fruit once every thousand years. Although it was forbidden to consume the Shinju's fruit, it was eaten by Princess Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who used the chakra infused into her body to end the wars plaguing the lands. However, after Kaguya gave birth to a son who inherited the same type of powerful chakra, the Shinju's desire to reclaim its stolen power caused the tree to assume a monstrous form of what many christened as the Jubi. The furious Jubi rampaged throughout the lands until Kaguya's son managed to single-handedly defeat the beast and sealed it within himself. This act, along with many other great deeds in his life, resulted with Hagoromo becoming revered as the Rikudō Sennin."

"However, knowing that his death would unleash the Jubi back into the world to continue its rampage and reclaim the chakra that mankind now possesses, the Sage separated the monster's chakra from its body before using Chibaku Tensei to seal the husk in what would become the moon. From there, the Sage used his Creation of All Things ability to divide the chakra into nine fragments that are each given a physical form and name."

"Over the centuries, countless humans failed to see the tailed beasts as sapient individuals with our own personalities and emotions, and because of our immense power, they sought the tailed beasts out as mere tools to be used or taken, a sentiment they absolutely detest. By the time of the formation of the shinobi villages, after his victory against Uchiha Madara in the Valley of the End, Senju Hashirama, the Shodaime, used his Wood Release techniques to capture and give several tailed beasts to the other shinobi villages as peace treaties, in order to stabilize the balance of power between them."

"That's wrong," Naruto said.

"That's exactly how it happened, boy," Kyubi said.

"No, I mean what they did to you was wrong," Naruto explained. "I can't say for sure what I would have done but it's plain to see that you can think and feel like anyone else, you aren't pawns of power. But what about you specifically?"

That knocked the Kyubi out of its stupor, "Right, over the centuries, I had gained a reputation as an age-old natural disaster, appearing suddenly out of nowhere to attack areas that have been breeding grounds for the darkest aspects of human nature."

"At one point during the time of the formation of the shinobi villages, the Gold and Silver Brothers of Kumo were assigned to capture me, but I swallowed them whole. However, the two brothers managed to survive and gain some of its power by eating the flesh of my stomach for two weeks, forcing me to regurgitate them."

"After that event, Uchiha Madara defected from Konoha and used his Sharingan to control and use me to help him fight against Senju Hashirama in order to exact his revenge. During their battle, Madara combined his Susanoo with me, increasing my offensive and defensive capabilities. However, Hashirama was able to remove me from Susanoo and released me from Madara's control, subduing me in the process. Sometime after the battle, Hashirama deemed me too dangerous to be allowed to walk free and his wife, Uzumaki Mito, sealed me within herself, becoming my first jinchūriki."

"Uzumaki? Susanoo?" Naruto questioned.

"Yes, as I understand it Whirlpool Country, which had already established a village helped create Konoha. The Uzumaki Clan, the founders of that village, are distant cousins of the Senju Clan. They are blessed with longevity and powerful chakra. Mito married Hashirama as part of an agreement that the two villages would always be allies. And before you get your hopes up that village was destroyed long ago, Iwa and Kumo feared the fuinjutsu the Uzumaki Clan was known for."

"Damn, also this probably means I should probably study seals. And Susanoo?"

Wow, he is all over the place, thought the massive kitsune. "Susanoo is the third ability granted by the Mangekyō Sharingan to those who awaken the abilities Tsukuyomi — which symbolizes the "darkness of the spiritual world" and Amaterasu — which denotes the "light of the material world". It creates a gigantic, humanoid being that surrounds the user. As one of the strongest techniques granted to those that have acquired the Mangekyō Sharingan, it is the user's guardian deity, but at the same time, it consumes the user's life."

"Mangekyō Sharingan?"

"The next level of the Sharingan," Kyubi explained. Then in an attempt to cut off Naruto's next line of questions he continued, "The Sharingan is awakened when the user feels loss, a strange type of chakra gathers in the brain which in turn awakens those damnable eyes. The Mangekyō Sharingan is awakened when even greater loss is experienced, but causes blindness after multiple use. The only way to prevent this is for the user to replace their eyes; in Madara's case he used his brother's eyes, awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

"That's disturbing."

"Quite. Now, over a period of time which included the first two Shinobi World Wars, Mito kept me sealed away except for one occasion when the seal had weakened as she was going through childbirth. Toward the end of her life, Mito passed on this status and responsibility to another member of her clan, Uzumaki Kushina, who later became the wife of Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime. Although Kushina was terrified with the responsibility of containing me, Mito assured her that my hatred was powerless against her love."

"Wait, why is their relationship to the Kages important?"

"It was decided that jinchūriki should have a connection to their village's respective Kage, or leader in the smaller village, to ensure their loyalty."

"What does that mean for me?"

"I'm getting to that. Almost twelve years ago, after the end of the Third Shinobi World War, your Sandaime and his wife made preparations to ensure that I would remain sealed within Kushina as she gave birth to her son. However, despite keeping her childbirth a secret, a masked man discovered Kushina's location, killing her escorts and managing to break the seal, seizing control of me. Since Kushina survived the extraction, the man, who identified himself as Uchiha Madara, tried to have me kill her before the Yondaime got her and their son to safety. Soon afterwards, the masked man summoned me into Konoha and ordered me to destroy the village."

"While I was rampaging in the village and decimating the shinobi forces that tried to repel me, Minato managed to place a Contract Seal on the masked man during their fight to free me from the masked man's control. However, I still harbored, and do harbor, a deep hatred for Konoha for viewing me as nothing but a mindless beast and sealing me away for decades and resolved to destroy the village without orders from the masked man. Before I could annihilate Konoha, Minato summoned Gamabunta on top of me, and quickly teleported me to Kushina and the baby's location, while letting my Biju Dama detonate away from the village. Soon afterwards, Kushina used her chakra chains to subdue me, planning to seal me back inside her before she died. However, Minato, knowing that I would revive without a host, and how great a threat the masked man is, came up with a plan to give their child the means to combat the masked man in the future when he decides to attack again."

"Since my chakra was too immense to be sealed within an infant, Minato first used the Shiki Fūjin to separate and seal my Yin half within himself and then prepared the Hakke no Fūin Shiki to imprison the Yang half, me, within his son. I attempted to stop the process by killing the child while Kushina was weakened, but both of the parents sacrificed themselves to protect their newborn child and completed the sealing, with me cursing the pair during my last moments of freedom. Later, upon awakening within the child's subconscious and learning the nature of the seal, I quickly realized the situation behind Minato's intention. However, I calmly decided to wait and weaken the seal through the cracks of its formation with my chakra, determined to influence the boy as much as I can to use my power."

"You tried to kill me; that was a dick move."

"I just got out, I was in no hurry to go back," the Kyubi stated. Remembering what Naruto said he then asked, "Wait, is that all you care about?"

"Well it sucks that Hokage-jiji lied about not knowing who my parents were, and I am mad you didn't try to be the bigger man, er, fox, but after hearing your story I can see why you are the way you are. It's that masked man's fault my parents are dead really."

"Nice to see you caught that, but I thought you would be more excited."

"I am but it's not like I can tell anyone, would they really believe me?"

"No, I suppose not."

"I have a few more questions."

"Which are?"

"Is there a way to get your power back?"

"Why do you want to know?" asked Kyubi. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, he's just like the rest.

"Because it belongs to you. I'm glad Tou-san was so concerned with my well-being but I can't imagine how awkward this is for you."

"Uh, I don't know maybe if I died and reformed, but barring that I can't say for sure," a stunned Kyubi managed to get out.

"Second, is it true the Uchiha and Senju are descended from the Rikudō Sennin?"

"Yes, but why is that important?" asked the confused Biju.

"Because that makes what Madara and the Shodaime did that much worse. Essentially you and the other biju are their aunts and uncles. They, more than anyone, should have known better than to sell you and use you as weapons. I may want to be Hokage but the Shodaime has lost a lot of my respect."

"And your parents?"

"I would like to think if they got the chance to know you things could have been different, but it seems like they did what they had to do. I'm sorry if that sound callous."

"It's fine."

"Next, do you have a name?"

"I do, but I don't trust you enough to tell you what it is."

"Do you think you will someday, neither of us asked for this but I would like us to be friends."

"I'll consider it."

"Fair enough, and finally could you help me?"

"With what, your Mu release, I wouldn't know how."

With a sigh Naruto said, "Well that's alright I'll figure it out somehow."

After a moment of consideration the Kyubi finally said, "Wait, I can't help you reach a state of Mu, but there may be something I can do."

"Really?!" an excited Naruto asked.

"Yes, remember when you were younger and you decided that if the people of Konoha were going to hate you that you would hate them right back."

"Unfortunately, yes."

"On an island in Kumo, there is a place called the Falls of Truth, supposedly those who go there will face their true selves."

"Let me guess, their true selves are always their inner darkness."

"Correct."

"How does that help though?" Naruto questioned, "It isn't as though I can just go to Lightning Country."

"That's where I come in, I can draw that part of you out," Kyubi explained.

"Awesome!" Naruto shouted.

"Keep in mind that I can't guarantee this will help."

"Don't worry about it, I trust you."

Maybe you are different, Naruto, the Kyubi thought. He then said, "Get ready kid."

Before Naruto could blink he was in his usual day attire facing a boy that seemed eerily familiar, yet he knew he never saw this person before. The boy had straight red hair, red irises, and black corneas. What caught Naruto's attention was that this boy had whisker marks just like him.

"Who are you?" Naruto asked, having a feeling he wouldn't like the answer.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, the real Uzumaki Naruto," the boy said.

"Of course you are," Naruto said.

"If I could feel anything, I would probably laugh at that," Dark Naruto said.

"What do you mean, 'if you could feel anything'?" Naruto asked.

"I am your true self, I discovered the secret to attain true power, I cast off all my 'weak' emotions," Dark Naruto explained.

"Why did you qualify it like that?" Naruto asked.

"Because, Faker," at this Dark Naruto stretched out his arms as beams of red light extended out from his palms, "I discovered that…"

"Yeah?" Naruto pressed, afraid of what would come next.

(For added effect, play "Darkness of the Unknown" while reading the next part.)

"Anger and hate, are supreme!" Dark Naruto finished as he struck Naruto with one of the beams of light.

Dammit, that hurt, and I have nothing to counter with, what I learned at the Academy never prepared me for this, Naruto thought as he crashed into a wall. "What the hell are those things?" Naruto asked as he got back on his feet.

"Remember that Mu release that you are so set on creating?" Dark Naruto asked.

"Are you saying you've already done it?" Naruto asked incredulously.

"I have at least taken the first step, I call these the Ethereal Blades, but don't let the name fool you they can be used to bludgeon as well as slash. Admittedly, they look like beams of light but if you notice that they cast no light, they illuminate nothing." Dark Naruto explained.

He's right, it looks like they are glowing but they don't affect the shadow and they don't make things brighter either, like they are between light and dark, Naruto thought. He didn't have time to do much else as Dark Naruto charged him again, this time catching him in the chest. I think he cracked my ribs, and there's no way I can overpower him. Think, maybe something he or Kyubi said will give me a clue. Naruto's thoughts were interrupted as he was hit with another attack from the Dark Naruto's blades. I can't take much more of this, I need the answer now. Wait, Kyubi mentioned my old attitude towards the villagers, I thought he was just bringing that up to tell me what I would be up against but maybe that's the clue I need. With that Naruto remembered his long discarded philosophy. It was winter, the glares seemed extra cold, I had wandered into an empty training field and saw a frozen pond. I knew what ice was before that but I had a though, "Ice can't feel the cold, it has no warmth to cool. If I become like ice maybe it won't be so bad." With that I had resolved to throw away my warm emotions and live my life with an unfeeling, uncaring, soul of ice. But I soon found out it had a drawback, I felt empty inside, not just when people glared at me but all the time, I never felt that way when I was by myself before. After a few days Hokage-jiji noticed I seemed to be upset. That was the first time someone took me to the Ichiraku Ramen Stand, Teuchi-san's and Ayame-chan's kindness helped me melt that soul of ice. I need to melt his soul of ice.

"Aren't you going to fight back?" Dark Naruto asked, having grown bored with using Naruto as a punching bag.

"No, you're going to give up of your own free will," Naruto stated.

"Now that is funny. Why would I do that when I'm winning?" Dark Naruto asked.

"Because we're the same, I know you'll feel empty if it ends like this and I also know you hate that empty feeling," with that Naruto began to make his way over to his dark side.

"What are you talking about?! Stay away from me!" Dark Naruto yelled as his Ethereal Blades disappeared. "What's going on what did you do."

"Those blades were created by your feelings of emptiness. You don't have to feel empty anymore, let me melt that soul of ice," Naruto stated.

"You got rid of my blades, now you're denying me my right to exist?" Dark Naruto asked, fear evident in his voice.

"Of course not, you're me, the me who thought he could ease his pain by making himself like ice, you don't have to do that anymore, you don't have to be alone anymore," Naruto explained.

"But, what will happen to me?" Dark Naruto asked, calming ever so slightly.

"You'll stay with me; we're the Yin and Yang of Uzumaki Naruto. Together we'll find what lies in between," Naruto declared.

With that Dark Naruto's eyes changed to match the original's as he said, "Yes, you're right, let's do it." In an instant Dark Naruto charged towards his counterpart. Before he made impact he became transparent and merged with the original.

"Welcome back," Kyubi said. Then he asked, "How do you feel?"

"Not to be insensitive, but I feel complete," Naruto answered.

"Don't rub it in," the biju said.

"What happens now?" Naruto asked.

"No much really, your mind is now, as you pointed out, 'complete'."

"Then do you mind if I try something before I leave?" Naruto asked the biju.

"Try what?" Kyubi asked.

"You'll see," Naruto said as he got into the lotus position.

After a few minutes of nothing happening, Kyubi began to grow impatient.

"Just because it's your mind doesn't mean I don't deserve to have time to myself, I…" but the tirade was cut off as Naruto thrust out his hands and beams of bluish-gray extended out of his palms, doubling his reach.

"I did it!" Naruto said, waving his Ethereal Blades in his excitement.

"Watch it, and what is it you've done exactly?" Kyubi asked.

The Ethereal Blades fizzled out and Naruto said, "I managed to use the Ethereal Blades, at least for a little while, this must mean I'm headed in the right direction."

"Use them in battle and create some Mu release jutsu, then I'll be impressed," Kyubi said. Then he added, "I might even respect you enough to tell you my name afterward. But right now I think you need to wake up."

"Alright, thanks Kyubi, and I'm gonna hold you to that," Naruto said as he left his mindscape, ready for the challenges of a new day.

I don't think the second half of this chapter was my best work, particularly the fight, but in my defense Naruto isn't even twelve yet and he only knows academy taijutsu and can only use two jutsu, neither of which would have been effective.

Also, I know Naruto is OOC but that is due to the influence of Ichiro and the other monks, between meeting them and his childhood he is able to think and feel on a deeper level.

I know he got the Ethereal Blades rather quickly but those are the most basic, and right now he can't use them for very long anyway. After his Mu training he should be able to change between a state of Mu and his normal personality, the former giving him access to Mu release and affecting his normal jutsu.

Now two questions:

Should being in a state of Mu affect his chakra, making it invisible to sensors and doujutsu?This is an idea I've been toying with, a Kingdom Hearts-Naruto Crossover, where Xaldin of Organization XIII is the reason Hiashi treats Hinata so harshly. In Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD the information given on Xaldin says he despises bonds and love, which is why he was messing with the Beast's relationship with Belle. I could see him doing the same with Hiashi, but I want to hear everyone's thoughts on that idea.

The soul of ice idea comes from Kinnikuman.

All canon information comes from the Naruto Wiki.

As always read and review.