Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor am I doing this for monetary purposes; all rights therein go to Kishimoto.
ITALICS – Thinking
BOLD – demon speak
Arc One: Beginning of a Legend
Chapter Four
Two years has passed since Root tried to take over, two long years which resulted in many changes in the Elemental Nations including one Naruto Uzumaki. Amid the still ongoing cold war where one push would send the world into the Fourth Shinobi War, Naruto Uzumaki has grown quite a bit since his near death experience. For one, Naruto finally understood that a shinobi could die at any moment and that killing, although he hated it, was a necessary evil.
Now eight years old and standing at an above average height and build for his age, Naruto's skill as a shinobi has exceeded everyone's expectations, including his own.
The first surprise came when he found his elemental affinity before being discharged from the hospital. At first, the paper split into multiple pieces which everyone expected, but what they weren't counting on was the paper to get so wet that it looked like it melted. Their questions were answered, however, as Kyuubi told Naruto that his chakra had boosted his already powerful water affinity thanks to his mother, Kushina Uzumaki.
The second surprise was when Kisame, Naruto, and Jiraiya went back to the Namikaze home and went to see what Kushina had hid in the basement. With a little blood and chakra, Naruto opened up the basement door where stale air made him twitch his nose in disgust. Quickly getting over this, Naruto used the map and searched the basement. Among the scrolls upon scrolls of techniques and such, Naruto soon came upon what looked to be a blank, concrete wall. Upon closer inspection, Naruto found a seal and pushed his chakra into it which made a door appear. With hesitation, Naruto opened it and found that the small room contained a scroll on an ornate pedestal. Curiosity getting to him, Naruto grabbed the scroll and opened it to find two names signed on it; his mother and someone called Daisuke Uzumaki. It was a summoning scroll, but as to the summons nobody knew as Naruto felt that it wasn't time to sign it just yet.
The last surprise came from the restricted section of the Konoha Library which held many documents on the Uzumaki clan which included some of their fuinjutsu, kenjutsu, and taijutsu techniques. All of which were kept under a very complex seal array which only an Uzumaki could access. Through the period of two weeks, Naruto and Kisame painstakingly looked through each document, some of which detailed clan leaders, civilian and shinobi numbers, as well as a layout of the village. However, it was Mito Uzumaki's journal which Naruto treasured the most. Inside was a treasure trove of information about her theory on the bijuu, how they had emotions, and how she opposed Hashirama's ideas of giving the bijuu to the main villages. It was also because of this journal did the bond between Naruto and Kyuubi grow to something mutually beneficial.
Speaking of bonds, over the two years Naruto and Hiruzen started to talk to each other more, though it was a rocky start at first. It wasn't until a year and a half ago did Naruto finally see reason to try and forgive the Sandaime, and he knew of a way how to see if Hiruzen was truly guilty for his actions; politics training. Through his emotion sensing, which Mito's journal helped him control better, Naruto felt the sadness and guilt inside of Hiruzen but it wasn't until four months ago did Naruto finally forgive the Sandaime of his actions. To Hiruzen's delight, Naruto even called him Ji-Ji again.
Amidst politics training, which Naruto found enjoyable to a certain degree, Kisame and Jiraiya made Naruto undergo 12 hour training days, of which shadow clones were used to quicken the pace. For the 12 hours he wasn't training, it was some rest and some social interaction with the villagers, especially with the clan heirs. Most got along with Naruto well, though some took a little bit.
Take Kiba for instance, he hated how Naruto smelled like a fox and hated how Naruto always had this alpha aura around him. Sadly for him, he pushed the orphan button and said something in respects which highly disrespected the Uzumaki clan. Of course, this was during one of the gatherings which the clan heads set up so that the clan heirs could bond and train together. So, upon hearing what was said, the clan heads flinched and told their kids to stay back just as Naruto and Kiba started to duel.
Thanks to his 12 hour training days, which included massive amounts of chakra control, physical training, elemental control, kenjutsu, fuinjutsu, and taijutsu training, Kiba and the others quickly realized just how powerful Naruto was. If not for the other clan heads pulling Naruto back, Kiba would have been killed, or injured to the point where becoming a shinobi would have been impossible.
Another sore spot was Hiashi and Hinata. For Naruto, he could feel that the Hyuga clan head did not approve of him being near her daughter and also sensed that Hinata was being emotionally abused. When he tried to bring it up, Hiashi told him to butt out of clan business. Not deterred, Naruto made sure Hinata wouldn't be saw as weak and, after two years of training with him and the others, Hinata lost her stutter and started to talk back to Hiashi, even going so far as threatening to leave and telling the world what was done to her. Not wanting political backlash, Hiashi relented and stopped his attacks on Hinata, but it also gave the clan head time to realize how bad a father he had become. Now, after two years, Hiashi couldn't thank Naruto enough and often invited him over to the Hyuga home for tea.
For Shikamaru, he enjoyed playing shogi with Naruto; both were tied 230-230 in terms of wins. For Sasuke, he saw Naruto as a rival of sorts, as did Kiba after the beating he underwent, but it was a rivalry in good fun. All saw Naruto as a natural born leader and a good source of information when it came to history in the Elemental Nations, especially on how to improve on their training. All in all, things were looking up for Naruto, but good things usually don't last for long.
"What do you mean you're dying?!" Naruto yelled, his eyes wide as he looked at his father figure.
Kisame sighed and sat down on the couch beside Naruto and explained his illness and how long he had to live.
"Be thankful Tusnade extended my life as I would have died next year, but now I have four years left at most." Kisame looked at Naruto to find him looking at the floor, not sure what to do. "I'm sorry, son."
"It's OK, tou-san." Naruto replied quietly then looked up and outside the window. "This is how the shinobi world works, I understand. And thanks to yours and others training and guidance, I now know that I have a chance to carry on your legacy and live in this war-torn world." Naruto looked over to Kisame with a smile. "Something I never thought possible almost three years ago."
"Eight years old and already this mature, then again, who wouldn't be with how much you've pushed yourself over the years." Kisame paused in thought then grinned. "I think you're ready."
"Huh?" Naruto looked over to see his father figure go through some hand signs, "Um, Tou-san, what are you doing?"
Instead of answering, Kisame touched his now glowing hands on Naruto's mouth and held it there even though Naruto was grunting in pain. After a minute, Kisame let go and couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's pissed expression.
"That hurt you son of a bitch!" Naruto slapped Kisame upside the head then noticed something had happened with his teeth.
Unsealing a kunai from the storage seal on his wrist, Naruto opened his mouth and looked at his reflection to see that his teeth were pointed, like a sharks. He knew that meant only one thing.
"So, by your expression, I take it you're ready?" Kisame smirked, showing his pointed teeth as well.
"To the training ground!" Naruto yelled then grabbed Kisame and shunshined off.
Hokage Office
The office was locked down, seals were up, and the ANBU posted outside so that what was to be said was for only three people's ears; Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. Two years ago, they knew that their rise in strength would cause a cold war, but now they knew that one push would unleash the storm that had been brewing.
"Tsunade," Hiruzen started, "If you would give your report?"
"Hai." The Slug Sage cleared her throat before she began. "The medical program has been a success, even more so now that some academy students have shown interest. On injuries from the field, since more medics are being placed with those teams, we have significantly reduced the percentage of shinobi killed in action thus increasing our mission success rate."
Hiruzen nodded, a smile coming to his face at how everything was going. "Good, anything else to add?"
"No, Sensei, Jiraiya may make his report now." Tsunade replied which made the Sandaime motion towards his other student.
"Thanks to our increase in clients, Iwa, Kumo, and Sound have been increasing the size and strength of their military and have increased fortifications on all structures along with their security. However, that isn't the most damning part of my report." The Toad Sage sighed as he knew Hiruzen wasn't going to like this.
"Before my spies went dark, I got a couple reports saying that Ame, Kumo, Iwa, and Sound have entered an alliance and that an organization has started in Ame of which I have no information of."
"Most troubling." The Sandaime said with a frown as he lit his pipe and put it in his mouth. "However, thanks to Kisame's time in the T & I a while back we do have one thing on this new organization."
"The orange masked man." Jiraiya remembered which Hiruzen nodded in approval.
"Hai, and from the description Kisame gave, it might be an Uchiha, but we aren't sure."
"An Uchiha?" Tsunade said, confusion evident in her voice. "From what we know of, the Uchiha haven't had any missing-nin in quite some time now."
"You are correct in your assumption which is why we must stay vigilante and see if more information can be obtained on this new development." Hiruzen paused to take a puff from his pipe. "To get back on topic, our border patrol along with Suna's has had increased sightings of Iwa and Kumo shinobi though none have dared attacked us yet. Along with this, those stationed in neutral minor villages have reported Kumo and Iwa nin coming in and out, no doubt for scouting purposes."
"Which means they will target them first, get them out of the way in order to set up bases near us." Jiraiya narrowed his eyes as he thought of the worst. "And with four villages against two, the battle will not be in our favor."
Hiruzen nodded and leaned back in his chair with a sigh, "Hai, and the worst part is we can do nothing about it."
The two Sannin nodded and prayed to Kami that one of those major villages would make a screw up so large that it would result in them standing down and thus giving Konoha and Suna the advantage they needed.
Kumo
A, the Raikage, couldn't help but frown as he stared at the reports on his desk. This war of attrition was testing his nerves, ones which were already short to begin with and the reason he signed a treaty to side with Iwa, Ame, and Sound. As much as he wanted to side with Konoha, their past relationship wasn't the greatest seeming that Hinata was almost kidnapped at the age of three and that one of the Hyuga was taken as payment. In all honesty, A was afraid of what Hiruzen would do to him, of what Konoha would do to him, if he entered those gates and tried to negotiate a treaty.
"Ergh!"
The Raikage let out a grunt of dissatisfaction and rubbed his temples as he thought about the last reports. They may have had the advantage in terms of alliance size, but Konoha and Suna patrolling the minor villages around them as well as their borders made their army look well prepared and vast, almost endless. However, the Raikage knew that this was but a strategy of war, one which kept the enemy at bay. And, to the annoyance of A, it was working.
He simply didn't know what to do.
Iwa
Much like the Raikage, Onoki the Fence Sitter, one of the oldest Kage in the Elemental Nations sans Hiruzen, didn't know what to do about this war. As befitting as his title, Onoki 'sat' on the reports given to him. The Tsuchikage read them all, yes, but he hadn't done anything about them just yet. As much as he trusted the new Sound Village, Onoki knew about Orochimaru, knew of his dealings where he would back out just before a major event went down. The snake would then strike when an opponent was at its weakest.
Another factor was Ame, a village which kept largely to themselves and still has. Kumo, Iwa, Ame, and Sound may have had an alliance, but with all alliances, they were but a simple piece of paper which could be ripped up anytime. This wasn't just some simple war, no, this was but a prelude of what was to come.
As Onoki thought about Ame, a sudden smile graced his elderly face as he thought about another minor village which didn't like outsiders. Grabbing a pen and some paper, he quickly jotted a message down and motioned for one of his ANBU.
"Have someone send this to Taki, but do so in a manner which doesn't alert Konoha, Suna, or anyone else."
"Hai, Tsuchikage-sama!" The ANBU took the letter, bowed, and shunshined out.
Sound Village
Three people, all seated at a table, was having a debate about what to do about this war, and when the right time to strike was. Orochimaru, like Onoki thought, wanted to wait and strike when everyone was at their weakest. Danzo, however, wasn't having any of it.
"Tensions are high, and who knows how long this treaty will last." Danzo argued. "I say we strike now, show them just what they are dealing with!"
"And we all know how that worked out for you, Danzo, when you tried to escape and capture the Kyuubi Jinchuriki." The third man at the table asked. "With no Root to back you up, everyone will see you as you are now…an old cripple with plenty of power, yet no way of properly using it."
"You forget what my bandaged arm is made of, Tobi." Danzo glared at the now identified third man.
"Yes, the cells of Hashirama, but it appears that they are quite unstable…such a pity." Tobi mocked in return which made Danzo slam his cane on the ground.
"I may not have my Root, but my goals still stand." The war hawk took a breath to calm himself, cursing that he lost control of his emotions.
"Oh?" Tobi asked, his interest piqued. "It seems we have a common goal after all."
"Ku ku ku, as much as I enjoy this banter, perhaps we can come to an accord of sorts?" Orochimaru asked as he licked his lips with his unusually long tongue.
Tobi narrowed his eyes as he didn't trust these two, heck, he barely trusted anyone but himself.
"My organization still needs to gather strength, perhaps three years is enough time?"
"Three years?" Danzo shook his head with a frown. "In that time, the major villages will grow stronger minus Kiri due to the civil war and the treaties will be stretched thin, ready to burst." Danzo paused in thought before he spoke again. "However, I will oblige your request as I long to see your face when it comes crashing down around you."
Danzo stood and left the room followed by Orochimaru a short while later which made Tobi frown beneath his mask. Before he used Kamui to leave, Zetsu appeared and gave a nod.
"Perhaps everything will work out after all and you will get what you desire, Danzo." Tobi left with a smile upon his face.
Konoha – Afternoon
Kisame and Naruto faced each other a certain distance apart with their weapons at the ready. For Kisame, he had Samehada, but for Naruto he had his mother's katana; an Uzumaki heirloom passed down from generation to generation. Before any training with Samehada could be done, Kisame wanted to see how far Naruto has come along in his training thus far.
The training ground was silent except the light sound of breathing and the wind going through the trees. Soon, however, a leaf drifted between them and, when it hit the ground, the spar had begun.
With a back-flip, Naruto dodged an overhead strike from Samehada then casted the Hidden Mist Jutsu where he created multiple clones and went right to silent killing. Although Naruto was good at stealth, silent killing was another thing entirely as one had to control not only their breathing, but also diminish their chakra signature and ensure their movements weren't heard. Kisame, having used this jutsu so many times, stopped what he was doing and closed his eyes and focused chakra to increase his senses. The Tailless Beast couldn't help but smirk at how well Naruto was doing, but there was still one major problem.
"You didn't lower your chakra enough, brat." Kisame said as he killed two clones with the swipe of Samehada then had to flip to the right to avoid a thrown kunai.
As he did so, Kisame had to raise Samehada in order to block a Water Bullet, but was then pushed back by a Great Breakthrough. Sensing his opportunity, Naruto had the rest of his clones surround Kisame in the hopes of catching him off guard. Hopes that were all but dashed as Kisame surrounded himself in a dome of water and molded it where multiple Water Bullets shot out at once, killing all the clones and making the real Naruto dodge.
"You forgot that Samehada can detect chakra, brat!" Kisame reminded as the mist dispelled to reveal Naruto standing in front of him with a determined gaze. "Ah, now that's the look I enjoy seeing…be ready, brat, 'cause Samehada doesn't cut. IT SHAVES!"
With a grunt of exertion, Naruto blocked an overhead strike and tried to push back, but he was quickly getting pushed towards the ground. Not giving up, Naruto added chakra to his arms and pushed with a roar escaping his lips. Now free, Naruto went on the offensive and started to dance like the waves and spin like a whirlpool in order to confuse and strike his opponent. For Kisame, he cursed as he had grown to hate the Uzumaki's unique kenjutsu style which was aptly named Swirling Tide.
For each block Kisame did, Naruto managed to dance around to a vulnerable spot and attempted a jab at the sides, stomach, and back, or a slash at the knees, ankles, head and neck. Over the two years, however, Kisame got to understand this unique kenjutsu style quite well, but he knew what Naruto was doing was just the tip of the iceberg.
He was but a novice kenjutsu user in the eyes of the Uzumaki, and it would take a while for him to fully master the style completely. A fact backed up when Kisame saw Naruto miss his footing and slip which created an opening which the Hoshigaki capitalized on. Without remorse, Samehada was brought down on Naruto's back which sent him to the ground harshly. The moment he tried to get up, however, Kisame placed Samehada by the Uzumaki's neck which made said person sigh in defeat.
"Dammit!"
"No need to get flustered, brat, you did good, a lot better than before."
"Yet in the real world, I would be dead, my head taken for a bounty." Naruto replied as he took Kisame's hand to be helped up in a standing position.
"True, but you are only eight years old, brat, and have a long way to go before you are ready to enter the battlefield."
Naruto nodded at that and looked at Samehada, "So, are we going to train with that thing or not?"
Kisame grinned as he handed Samehada over which Naruto took and got into the beginning stance of Swirling Tide only to get jabbed by one of the swords scales.
"OW!" Naruto glared at the sword then back to Kisame. "What the hell is wrong with this thing?"
"I seem to have forgotten to mention she has taken a liking to my style of kenjutsu to the point where she will harm the user if any other is used."
At first Naruto was going to argue, but the more he thought about it the more he realized how beneficial two kenjutsu styles would be. Upon seeing the glint in Naruto's eyes, Kisame's grin widened and he rubbed his hands together with glee. For Naruto, he knew that by the end of the day, he would be in the hospital. For Kyuubi, the bijuu couldn't help but sigh and mumbled something about not getting his beauty sleep.
Hospital – Hours Later
"In here again, how troublesome." Shikamaru said with his usual laid back look.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Heh, you know me and Kisame, always have to go the extra step."
"I find training to be troublesome, I'd rather stare at the clouds all day."
Naruto let out a small chuckle then looked towards the doorway to see that Hinata, Shino, Tenten, Ino, Choji, Sasuke, and Kiba had come in to see how he was doing.
"Hey everyone, glad to see that you care for my wellbeing."
"Of course we would. Why? You train excessively which intrigues me as to how you are sane?"
"Did Shino just make a joke?" Hinata questioned which made everyone stare at the bug user.
Shino didn't answer, but you could tell that he was trying to hide under his already high collar which covered half of his face. Of course, this produced laughter, but it quickly subsided to where small talk began on the academy in general.
From unlocking their chakra at age six, to learning water and tree walking, and just about anything to get you ready for the harsh shinobi world was discussed. However, when Ino brought up they got a rabbit in class today and had to take care of it, Naruto instantly knew what they would have to do in a year or so.
"I'm glad you all got a pet, but remember that I'm always here if you need to talk." Naruto seriously said which made some raise eyebrows in confusion.
"Having a pet is troublesome, I don't even know why we were given them in the first place." Shikamaru sighed. "Such a drag."
Shino knew what the rabbit was for so he, and Naruto, sweat dropped at how a person known for their smarts can be so dumb.
"It seems that they're laziness shuts down all reasoning to their brain…how amusing." Kyuubi let out an amused chuckle.
Naruto held in his smirk, but gave the Nara an 'are you kidding me?' stare.
"What? Was it something I said?"
Naruto shook his head, "You're a Nara, figure it out."
"Naruto, what are you not telling us?" Tenten asked, curious as to what the rabbit meant.
"I can't tell you as this is something all of you will need to experience before going out there and doing what shinobi are supposed to do." Naruto sighed as he thought back to his first kills. "Like I said, when the time comes, please don't keep it inside, talk to someone, anyone…OK?"
Those in the hospital room all looked at each other and mentally agreed not to push it as the topic seemed to depress Naruto. Shino understood death and killing quite well due to the hive living inside his body, but to commit the act was another thing entirely. A simple nod by the Aburame made Naruto smile which seemed to ease the tension in the room.
"Sorry everyone, visiting time is over." Tsunade said as she entered the room, smiling at the group of friends. "Naruto should be out by the morning, so until then, training and shogi can wait."
As everyone started to trickle out, Shikamaru stayed behind and, once everyone was gone, turned to Naruto and smirked.
"Rabbits are troublesome."
Naruto couldn't help but shake his head and smile as he knew the Nara figured out just what he had to do.
"That they are, Shikamaru."
Following Day – Namikaze Home, Backyard
Naruto, Kisame, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hiruzen had all come over to watch Naruto sign the contract that was found in the basement. For the Sandaime and the two Sannin, they never knew Kushina had signed a summoning contract, much less use them in battle. However, they knew that Kushina was secretive as was Mito when it came to certain Uzumaki techniques.
"You sure you're ready, brat?" Kisame asked as Naruto unrolled the scroll.
"Hai," Naruto nodded. "I think I understand why my mother put that message at the bottom of the map now. The three Uzumaki pillars: to never forget family, to forgive when necessary, to kill only when needed. I have accomplished each so far, each being a test for whomever this contract belongs to."
Nobody responded as Naruto had bit his thumb and signed his name in blood then ran through the hand signs and smashed his palms on the ground. At first nothing happened which confused everyone, but then a summoning seal appeared which made everyone anxious to see what would result. What they weren't expecting, however, was Naruto to be reverse summoned.
"That's new." Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hiruzen simultaneously stated.
"Naruto, please be alright." Kisame whispered to himself.
Summoning Realm
Naruto coughed and did a minor wind jutsu to blow the smoke away from his face. Once it was gone, however, Naruto couldn't help but gasp upon the sheer beauty his eyes were seeing. There was mountains in the far distance and dotted about the landscape which held rolling green hills and vast forests with trees as large as those in the Forest of Death. It was also home to many rivers and tributaries which fed into lakes. The realm also contained a variety of wildlife. The sky was a deep blue, almost cloudless, birds flew overhead, and the sun that shone down was warm and seemed to make everything sparkle.
"Quite a sight, eh cub?" A voice asked from behind Naruto which made said person turn around in shock.
There, behind Naruto, was a normal sized black panther, its yellow feline eyes bored into Naruto's own which made him shiver. Soon, however, the panther bowed in respect.
"Your eyes hold quite the story, son of Kushina Uzumaki and great-grandson to Daisuke Uzumaki, the last clan head of the Uzumaki. Such an honor it is to meet the next in line."
"Wow." Naruto was almost speechless. "This is a lot to take in."
"That it is, cub." The panther smirked, its deep voice was oddly soothing. "Ah, where are my manners, my name is Shadousutōkā or Shado for short."
"Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, a pleasure to meet you." Naruto bowed in respect. "So where are we?"
"This," Shado started, "Is the home to the Panther summons a place which you will be staying at for the next three years."
Naruto's eyes widened, "Three years, but I have still have to finish my training back home!"
"Worry not, cub, for I will send one of my brethren over and inform them of the recent development." Shado paused in thought as he sensed his newest summon's concern over Kisame. "And fear not for your adoptive father, I will have the cats around Konoha watch over him. If his illness worsens, we will send you back so you can spend the final moments with him."
At first Naruto was going to ask how Shado knew this, but he remembered what the panther first said. With a sigh of relief and a smile, he responded.
"Thank you."
Shado nodded, "You are most welcome, now come along cub we have yet to introduce you to the rest of the clan."
Naruto nodded and followed the summons off the mountain they were on and into the forest below. A short walk later, and Naruto was soon surrounded by a whole mess of other panthers, some of which were of different size, but nothing as large as what the Toad Summons were.
"Shado, if I may ask, where is the boss summons?"
"Ah, that would be I, young cub, but do not mistake our small stature for weakness." Shado responded, a smile gracing his face. "In the three years here, you will learn what it takes to be one of us, and why our kind is so feared in the Summons World."
"Father!" Naruto saw a smaller panther running towards him.
"Hello Kasuko, has mother been taking good care of you?" The small panther nodded then looked at Naruto.
"Who's that, father?"
"That is our newest summoner, Naruto Uzumaki." Shado replied. "Naruto, this is my son, Kasuko."
Naruto bowed, "A pleasure to meet you as well."
By now, the whole of the panther clan had come over to see who this new person was which made Naruto scratch the back of his head nervously. Those piercing yellow eyes with black slits really freaked him out.
"Fellow panthers, the time of waiting is over!" Shado announced to the masses. "A new summoner has graced our presence after so long, and the heir to the Uzumaki home nonetheless." Growls were heard, but it oddly sounded like cheering. "In his eyes, I saw this cub overcome much adversity, but through it all he prevailed and has become a strong warrior in return. So please, I ask of you, teach him the ways of our clan, make the world fear the panther summons once more!"
Konoha – Namikaze Home
Ten minutes had passed and the four standing around were getting nervous as to what may have happened to Naruto. Did he fail, was he eaten, was he stuck in the summon realm for all eternity? These were thoughts that Jiraiya, Tsunade, Hiruzen, and Kisame had, but they all turned positive once another puff of smoke was seen near the unraveled scroll. Once the smoke cleared, Hiruzen couldn't help but widen his eyes.
"Shado?" The Sandaime whispered.
The boss panther locked eyes with Hiruzen and smiled, "Ah, it seems age has not been well to you Sarutobi-san."
"Judging by your appearance, I take it Naruto is alright?"
"Fear not, Sarutobi-san, we will keep Naruto safe just like you did to Kushina before Uzu fell."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Kisame yelled. "If you keep the brat, how am I supposed to finish training him?!"
"You must be the adoptive father." Shado stated then bowed his head in respect. "You have done well in taking care of the young cub, but this world needs to fear the strength of the panthers once more." Shado paused to scratch behind his right ear. "He will return in three years, sooner if your health worsens, Kisame-san."
Kisame sighed and nodded, "Before you go, do you mind if I seal up a few things so Naruto can learn on top of whatever you teach him?"
Shado nodded which made Kisame bow in respect then head back into the house.
"Sensei, how do you know the panthers, heck I didn't even know they existed?" Jiraiya said with Tsunade nodding, wondering the same.
"Before Uzu fell, I fought alongside Daisuke Uzumaki, the grandfather of Kushina and great-grandfather of Naruto in the later-half of the Second Shinobi War." Hiruzen couldn't help but smile at the memories. "His sealing was legendary, his kenjutsu and stealth put the Seven Swordsman to shame, but it was his summons that put the fear of Kami into the enemy."
Shado nodded, "Hai, my father was the one who was the boss summons at the time, and I just a young cub. By time Uzu was coming under fire, I and Daisuke met Hiruzen to ensure the next heir would survive."
"Ghosts killing shinobi." Tsunade whispered as she remembered the second-war. "That was your clan all along?"
"Hai, our techniques allowed us to stay hidden and to see us is quite rare. In fact…" Shado pushed his killing intent out and produced a deep growl, "…keep what you saw here today to yourselves as the panther clan is not ready to be known, not until Naruto has completed our training."
Everyone nodded, including Kisame who just saw the display of force. Without a word, he handed the scroll to Shado who took it in his jowls before dispelling back. For Tsunade, Kisame, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen, they knew that by time the three years was up, Naruto would be a force to be reckoned with.
A person who would strike fear into the hearts of the Elemental Nations.
Naruto Uzumaki was a legend that was just being born.