Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Negima.

Author's Note: Italics are the speeches from the girls in Mahora if the POV is in Konoha, except if it is conveying a thought or a flashback.

Chapter 4:
Greetings of an Unusual Kind

Previously on FHDFHR

However, all five of them (plus the audience in Mahora as they watched) froze when they heard a familiar voice, that familiar, cold voice. "It seems I overestimated your ability to understand my message. You also allowed three of your students to accompany you." Turning towards the source slowly, they were met with the cold gaze of Fate Averruncus and they, Negi's group and every watcher in Mahora, knew that Fate was not, in the least, happy with this development.

Fate finally said, "I believe we should have a little discussion about this."

Story Start

Negi swallowed nervously as Fate slowly walked towards him and put a hard hand on his shoulder.

Fate narrowed his eyes. "Do your ears and eyes fail when you read my message to you, Negi-kun? Did I not state that I was not to be followed under any circumstances?"

Setsuna swallowed a lump in her throat and said, "F-Fate-s-san, please hear us out first."

Fate turned his eyes toward her, who flinched at the gaze. "Then satisfy my curiosity."

Negi was the one who replied. "We want to help you against this Akatsuki, Fate. We can be of some use in this land. You said it yourself. If this world isn't saved, then our plan to save Mundus Magicus would fail as well. So we put 'Save this World' first before 'Save Mundus Magicus.' Also, Takamichi and Dean Konoe would handle everything until we're done."

Fate frowned at their 'explanation' but was cut off from his thoughts when he heard a gasp. Turning to the source, he saw Ayame, staring at him in shock, holding the tray with the ramen.

Ayame stuttered, "Y-You…uhhh…" She slowly walked to the counter and put down the tray and went to a hidden compartment. She pulled out a gold bar, to the surprise of everyone else, save for Fate. "I think this is yours."

Fate raised a brow. "You must be mistaken. That is no longer mine. I gave it to you as payment for the ramen."

Ayame replied, "But this is too much! I can't take this."

"I believe 'keep the change' would be the fitting response to that. Moreover, there is no need to be reluctant in taking it. You need it more than I do. Use it for a better stall, for renovation of your home; it is yours to use as you see fit."

She gulped and tried to think of a reply but lost it. "H-Hai…thank you for this." Defeated, she put the bar back in the compartment and served the ramen to its respective eaters.

Fate frowned. I will hear their reasoning later after their ramen. He sat down and ordered a cup of coffee.

Ayame nodded and went off.

As Negi took a spoonful of his ramen, he asked, "Are gold bars your only currency?"

Fate shook his head as Ayame offered him the cup of coffee. "No. I have other mode of currency: coins, bills, etc. However, I gave her a gold bar because I choose to. I am quite luxurious and have no means to spend it, save for my hobby."

He finished his coffee and put the sufficient number of coins on the counter. "Finish your ramen, Negi-kun. We have much to talk about."

After ramen – in a barren training ground

Negi gasped as Fate pushed him towards a tree. Behind Fate were Negi's other incapacitated friends.

Kotarou was on the ground, grasping his stomach and finding it hard to breathe.

Asuna was held down by earthen arms.

Kaede is stuck in some sort of seal formula on the ground. Setsuna is with her.

Fate said, "Let's continue our discussion, shall we?"

Negi managed to spout, "We just want to help you against Akatsuki. Is it a crime, Fate?"

"No. However, it is a crime if you disregarded my wishes and foolishly went here, without even knowing what enemies you will face."

Kotarou wheezed out, "We'll know eventually."

Setsuna gritted her teeth and said, "Better to know too early than too late. When we learn of their identity, they may already have been too deep in their plan to stop."

Fate raised a brow. That reasoning has some merit. Akatsuki will waste no time in ensuring world domination. Nevertheless, Fate said, "It is true that prevention is better than the cure. However, have you already forgotten the prevention of the destruction of Mundus Magicus is just as important as the prevention of enslavement of this world? It would be more fruitful if you performed your duties to Mundus Magicus while I did mine here."

Negi responded, "Wasn't it you that said that the plan to save Mundus Magicus would fail if you didn't finish your business here?"

"And that is why I wanted you to focus on Mundus Magicus and leave me to my devices. The more progress made with Mundus Magicus before the inevitable war with Akatsuki, the better."

All of their eyes widened. "What, an inevitable war? What's this on about?"

"Akatsuki is much like Kosmo Entelechia in tactics. They do whatever it takes to gain the Bijuu. They would no doubt declare war in the unforeseeable future." Sighing, he said, "I've said enough. I'm sending all of you back." Raising his free hand, a big circular rune appeared below them. "This spell will send all of you back. After that, I do not expect you or any of your Ministra to be here."

Negi frowned. "Do you doubt our abilities that much?"

"I doubt none of your abilities, Negi-kun. I doubt those of Inugami-kun and your Ministra."

He clenched his fists. "So, we're replaying Asuna's rescue all over again?"

Confused, Fate lowered his hand. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

"Didn't you doubt our powers back in Mundus Magicus? Didn't you expect us to not survive when we fought against Kosmo Entelechia? And look at the result. We survived. We got Asuna-san back. We even gained a good friend in you. It's just like you said, Fate. Akatsuki is like Kosmo Entelechia. We survived them. We will survive this one."

"And what's to stop me from sending all of you back?"

Negi frowned. "I won't go down without a fight, Fate. If you try to start the incantation, I will resist."

Fate narrowed his eyes and his right eye reddened and had four points extended to the tips of the iris. Then, he muttered, "Tsukuyomi."

Negi's eyes widened before he was suddenly transported to a differently-colored world. The moon above him was red, casting a red glow throughout the landscape. He, on the other hand, was suddenly grayscale-d. Looking around, he was in the same place they were before he was brought in here.

"If you want to fight, Negi-kun, then I will not hold back." A voice from behind him said.

Turning around, Negi saw a grayscale version of Fate, walking towards him. "Welcome to the Seishinkai to Yami (Spiritual World and Darkness). Prepare yourself."

Then, Fate appeared in front of him, left hand extended in a fist.

Negi blocked it and punched Fate in the torso, only to disappear in a cloud of smoke. His eyes widened. What?

He felt a kick connect to his back and he flew to a nearby tree, which impact seemed stronger than usual. Getting up, he watched Fate calmly look at him.

Then, he raised his hands and said, "Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister. Scathach, who reigns over the Realm of Shadows! Surrender unto my hands thirty thorn-bearing spirit lances. Throwing Spears of Lightning!"

Lightning formed around him and turned to spears. He grabbed one and charged, the other spears zooming towards Fate.

Fate dodged all spears with ease and summoned an obsidian sword to block Negi's strike.

They broke blades and jumped away.

Then, Negi gathered more magic, which made the spear release more lightning, and threw the spear at Fate.

Fate sliced it in half but was invisibly surprise when Negi was behind the blinding lightning spear, his fist outstretched.

The punch connected and Fate was sent backward. He recovered and zoomed at Negi.

He went for a downward slash. Negi strafed and brought his knee at Fate's stomach.

Fate flew to the sky but quickly straightened to block Negi's downward heel drop. He started to descend at a quickened pace but slowed himself with magic and gracefully landed on the ground. Then, he jumped away to avoid a powerful smash to the ground.

Raising his hand, Fate chanted, "Visju Tal Li Sjutal Vangèit. Oh, temple of the sleeping dead beneath the earth, appear from below us! Pillars of Hades!"

The ground rumbled and large chunks of earth detached from the ground and threw themselves at Negi.

Negi jumped over one, kicked away another, and punched into oblivion a third. Then, he curled up into a ball and gathered magic unto himself. With a roar, he released all of it and destroyed the remaining chunks.

Following through, he chanted, "Ras Tel Ma Scir Magister. Heed the contract and serve me, O Lord of the Heavens. Come forth, Titan-slaying blazing thunder. Hurl down lightning one hundred times and even one thousand times! Thousand Thunderbolts!"

Lightning formed into spears in a dome around Fate and slammed down on him.

Knowing that Fate's still in the fight, he silently summoned Magia Erebea and assimilated Thousand Lightning Bolts. Then, he uttered, "Raiten Taiso." His hair lengthened and he grew a tail. His body glowed light blue, which is dimmed by the red color of the atmosphere.

An explosion rocked the red landscape, not coming from Negi.

It was Fate and he was looking as clean as he was before, save for a few singes in his clothes.

He said, "Senjin Kokuyoken." Swords appeared behind him and zoomed at Negi.

Negi dodged them easily and dashed towards Fate.

Fate dodged the lightning fast punch and grabbed Negi's face as he slammed him on the ground. Then, he said, "Doki Haka (Earthen Tomb)." The ground beneath Negi opened up and seemed to swallow him whole. Jumping away, Fate followed through with, "Doki Haka: Ha-So (Earthen Tomb: Bladed Funeral)." Multiple earth arms extended from around the mentioned tomb like spider legs and formed into blades that stabbed down at the tomb.

Fate was stoic as the environment shifted and he was now in front of a surprised Negi.

Negi panted, "Wh…what was that? I-I was stabbed but…how could I be here?"

Fate gestured at their surroundings. "In here, I control time and space. Three days in here will seem like three seconds in the real world."

Negi's eyes widened. "But Master's magic can only make one day seem like an hour in the real! How could you have something greater?"

"That is because these ocular powers, not unlike Evangeline A.K. McDowell, whose powers are merely given by the Hajimari no Maho (Mage of the Beginning), are genetically passed down from the creator god of the ninja world. No time for talking. Here I go."

Before Negi could block, Fate already punched him in the stomach.

Outside

Negi fell to the ground, his eyes glazed over but his mouth dripping with blood.

Everyone noticed and raged at Fate.

Asuna shouted, "What did you do to him, Fate?"

Kotarou struggled and glared at Fate. "When I get out of here, I'll kill you!"

Fate said, "Worry not. I'm ensuring Negi-kun's cooperation in leaving this place."

Setsuna growled, "He only wants to help you. Why can't you respect his wishes?"

"This is for all of your protection. Negi-kun can survive if he came by himself. But when you came along, he would be burdened by your safety. It would be better if I weakened Negi-kun before I sent all of you back, so that I can do so without much resistance."

Finally, Negi gasped before he slammed face first into the ground.

Asuna asked, "And what would you say if your Ministra saw what you did?"

"It would be for the best. I would prefer them knowing that I am serious in any of you not coming here rather than find out of the horrors of the Elemental Countries, even if their image of me is sullied."

Negi turned his head so that he could see Fate. "What could be different here from Mundus Magicus?"

Fate raised a brow. "Normally, you would have passed out from the strain. I'm impressed with your power, Negi-kun. As to your question, there would be around three to four times difference. People may recognize and revere you as the son of the Thousand Mage before you saved them, but here, legends will be feared like criminals. I believe I told you this, Negi-kun. Experimentation and breeding are all that awaits those with rare abilities like yours, Inugami-kun, Kagurazaka-san, and Sakurazaki-san and forced enrolment to their roster for ordinary ninjas should any of you be captured. I have seen the horrors of the humans of Mundus Magicus when my eyes landed on Shiori's sister." Shiori flinched slightly. "What they will do here is much worse. I have no desire to have them even set their sights on this place. However, there is no need to bring them up to this discussion. They are in Mundus Magicus, enjoying the finer things in life."

An awkward silence filled the air. Fate palmed his face. "They know of this, don't they?"

Asuna smirked. "Sure as hell, they do. We may not like you, Fate, but we think that your Ministra deserves to know about your past. Heck, everyone is watching us right now through the Ala Alba badge."

"None of you will get the chance to know more. I will send all of you back and that is final." He was about to raise his hand when a hand grasped his pants. Turning to the source, he saw Negi holding his pants like a lifeline.

Fate looked down at him stoically and said softly, "Let go."

Fate's Ministra began panicking, to the surprise of the others.

Konoka asked, "Why? What's wrong?"

Shirabe answered, "If the child teacher doesn't do as he's told, then something bad will happen to him. It's bad when Fate-sama whispers and holds that look."

Negi glared at Fate. "I promised myself that I won't abandon my friends and help them in whatever they need. I have no intention of breaking that. Even if you seal this whole continent, I will find a way in. I won't give up. That is my new promise, Fate, a promise of a lifetime."

Fate's eyes widened as he lowered his hand and stared at Negi.

Fate's Ministra were also surprised.

Tamaki commented, "That child teacher must be something to be able to get a reaction like that from Fate-sama."

Fate stared at Negi in surprised fervor – though he hid it well. This boy…why…why does he resist? He reminds me too much…of who I used to be. He stared down at his hand. Why can't I cast that spell? It is only a few words and a release of mana. What makes me unable to send them all back?

A deep voice from inside his mind replied, "It's because of that particular reason: the brat reminds you too much of the past you."

Kyuubi, it's been a long time.

"Yeah, it's too long in my book. That last stunt of yours with my chakra almost killed you. Luckily, it only sent you back time and space to that Master of yours."

Now, what was that about the past me?

"You're not like those two predecessors of yours. You retain your humanity despite the machinations done to you, all thanks to me. Now, as to that past me…your reluctance in sending the brat and his chums back is due to your human side. Unlike your two doll predecessors, you are capable of feeling human emotions, have preferences, and can sympathize with other orphans. That's why you took in almost 62 orphans in Mundus Magicus. You don't want to send the Springfield brat back because you fear that you might lose that one thing that makes you more human than Primum and Secundum."

I, fear the loss of my humanity? You jest, Kyuubi. I lost my humanity the moment I turned into Fate Averruncus.

"And how do you explain everything what I just said earlier? I'm sure none of those dolls in Mundus Magicus did that."

Fate was silent. He was too proud to admit his fear. That much is clear. However, he couldn't deny their logic. Sighing in defeat, he released his binds on Negi's group. Immediately, he used Shundo to get away from Kotarou, Asuna, Setsuna and Kaede as they neared to attack him.

Fate said, "I would appreciate it if you didn't attack me when I accept your help. Help your teacher up and wipe him clean. As much as I detest saying this, your words reached me. However, from now on, you will have to follow my orders to the letter. This is no longer Mundus Magicus, where there is only one serious enemy. In the Elemental Countries, there are four other great villages with a slightly smaller force than Konoha's. One is an ally of Konoha so you best beware of the other three. I will inform you of the mechanics once we arrive to our destination."

Namikaze Residence

Fate opened the door and ushered the others to enter.

Once inside, Fate beckoned the five to sit on the couch. They did so and Fate sat down opposite them, where there was a kettle of coffee for him. He poured himself a cup and turned to the five. "What refreshments would you like? As a gentleman, it's proper to present refreshments to guests."

Negi smiled, despite his fatigue. "You already know my preferences, Fate."

Kotarou shrugged. "I'll just take some soda, if you have 'em."

Asuna flicked away one pigtail. "Fine, I'll take an orange juice."

Setsuna gave a curt nod. "I'll have the same."

Kaede also gave a nod and said, "The same."

Fate stood up and went to the kitchen to serve the drinks.

Kotarou whispered to Negi, "What happened to you, anyway? One second, you were staring at Fate. The next thing we knew, you were on the floor and coughing up blood."

Negi frowned. "I…can't actually explain it. It's something other than magic. But whatever it is, it had the ability to control time and space, much like Master's Diorama Spheres."

Asuna blinked. "If it's like Eva-chan's spheres, then one day in there would be equal to one hour on the outside. But it only took a few seconds to finish."

"And that's what I can't explain. Fate explained that three days in there equals three seconds in the real."

"That can't be true, Negi-sensei," Setsuna interjected. "From what I remember, only Fate's right eye changed while his left remained the same. That must mean that that eye is either transplanted or incomplete. Evangeline-san is one of the most powerful mages in existence. How could an incomplete power surpass hers?"

"From what Fate said, it's because that power of his is genetically descended from the 'god' of the ninja world, unlike Master, whose powers are only given to her by the Hajimari no Maho."

Kotarou clicked his tongue. "So there's another 'god' that is just as strong as the Hajimari no Maho, huh."

"Yes. This makes me wonder how Fate could know of such power and be acquainted with this continent when he barely visited the real world in the past?"

"That's easy, Negi-kun," Fate's voice joined in. Everybody jumped. Fate walked to the table and placed the drink tray down.

Negi chided, "Don't scare us like that!"

"In any case, since you're already aware of the ninja world, I'll just tell you this world's history then." Taking a sip from his coffee, he said, "I expect all of you to be attentive, even those watchers in Mahora, that includes you, Homura, Shirabe, Shiori, Tamaki, Koyomi," he directed this at the Ala Alba.

He needn't have bothered as all of them are listening intently.

He took a sip and said, "Around the same time the Hajimari no Maho emerged and made Mundus Magicus, a powerful demon named Juubi ravaged the real world – which was torn by an endless war - but was sealed inside a human, a priest."

Setsuna said, "There's a demon even greater than the Kyuubi?"

Luckily, Fate was patient so he shouldered the interruptions. "I'll get there, Sakurazaki-san. The dark energy of the Juubi was too much for the human's body to handle so he adapted. He went beyond the boundary of humans and reached the realm of the divine. We now call him Rikudou Sennin or Sage of the Six Paths. And, if you're not knowledgeable about them, the six paths are as follows: God, Demon, Human, Animal, Ghost, and Hell."

Negi gasped. Everyone turned to him and Asuna asked what the problem is. Negi replied, "Those six paths are based from the Buddhist Path of Reincarnation. So this Rikudou Sennin controls all paths?"

Fate nodded. "And this is all because of the very first Kekkei Genkai – Bloodline Limit – the Rinnegan – the Samsara Eye – granted by adapting to the Juubi's chakra – the combination of ki, or physical energy, and chi, or spiritual energy. It is the Rikudou Sennin that unlocked the secrets of chakra and jutsu that you know, Nagase-san. He taught it to his followers, who learned it enthusiastically, in an effort to bring peace. Because of this, he is named the Savior of this World. However, the Juubi's power is terribly dangerous, so much so that it would be released should the Sage die. Knowing that, he used the very power that was granted to him and split the Juubi's chakra into nine parts, forming themselves into various beasts. You would know them to be the Bijuu. Following through, he used another technique to seal the Juubi's empty shell into the moon."

Kotarou gave one big snort. "Seriously, this Sage guy made the moon?"

"The Hajimari no Maho made a whole planet based off of Venus. Is it so surprising for the Rikudou Sennin to do something akin to that?" That shut Kotarou up. "Now, the Bijuu were still considered newborns when the Sage formed them. As such, they considered the Sage to be their father."

Everyone took in that knowledge, with varying enthusiasm.

"The Sage told the Bijuu that there will come a time that they will be in danger of becoming one again and reform the Juubi. At that time, they will understand what true power is. After that, he sent them to live their own lives. Recognizing that peace cannot be achieved through his lifetime alone, as he was reaching a dying age, he decided to pass down his will to his two sons."

Kaede spoke up, "Wait, if he is a god, then why couldn't he just use his power to make him live forever?"

"Immortality and immense power are the two things that define a god. When he split the Juubi's chakra into nine, he has already wasted much of his mortal life. However, because of that, the Juubi's chakra is no longer in him, making him lose his immortality. So, the only thing left with him is the power granted to him by adapting to the chakra." When Kaede showed that she understood, Fate continued. "The older son obtained the father's eyes, pertaining to the Sage's powerful chakra and spiritual energy. The younger son, however, obtained the father's body, pertaining to the Sage's life force and physical energy. Both had different philosophies on how to obtain peace. The older believed that power is the way to peace. The younger believed that love is the way to peace. Naturally, the Sage chose to younger to be his successor. Angered at the choice, the older fought the younger for the honor of being the successor. Both eventually gained families and spread their seed wide. The older son's generation is now named the Uchiha clan. The younger son's generation is called the Senju clan.

"For a long time, both clans fought and fought and fought. Both are the pinnacle of ninja-hood. None matched to their might. If one opposition hired Senju, the other hired an Uchiha."

He took another sip of his coffee and said, "The Senju, in particular, are revered because of their skill in the major ninja arts, namely, ninjutsu (ninja techniques), taijutsu (hand-to-hand techniques), and genjutsu (illusion techniques). Because of that, they were named 'the clan with a thousand skills,' hence the name 'Senju (thousand skills).' The Uchiha, on the other hand, were revered for their ocular power, their Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan (Copy Wheel Eye). But there was one on each clan that outmatched all the rest, the leaders. For the Senju, it was Senju Hashirama. For the Uchiha, it was Uchiha Madara. Senju Hashirama was famous for his rare Kekkei Genkai, Mokuton (Wood Release). No other member of the Senju displayed such power. On the other side, Uchiha Madara was revered because he, and his brother, gained the next level of Sharingan: Mangekyou Sharingan (Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye). However, such power doesn't come without the cost. The more it is used, the faster one's eyesight will fade until darkness greets your eyes. Madara got greedy with power and took the eyes of his younger brother and gained the ultimate level: Eien no Mangekyou Sharingan (Eternal Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye). As such, the darkness never came again."

Everyone looked surprised and enraged.

Kotarou exclaimed, "Madara took the eyes of his own brother! That's just sick."

Fate allowed silence to return and continued, "It was due to that act that Madara was considered the strongest. It only took a long while for Hashirama to approach Madara and the Uchihas and propose a truce and form a village."

Asuna stood up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, so this Hashirama guy just went into enemy territory to negotiate?"

"Yes. Hashirama grew tired of the conflict and tried to peacefully resolve the matter. Fortunately, the Uchihas, save for Madara, grew tired too, and agreed. It gave birth to the first hidden village, this village, Konohagakure no Sato, and soon formed the 'One Village per Country' idea."

Setsuna asked, "Why would Madara object to this truce?"

"He believed that, one day, the Senju would overtake the Uchiha. So, he silently watched the progress. However, his patience broke when Senju Hashirama was named Shodai Hokage, the first leader and founder of this village. As such, he tried to rally as much of the Uchiha as he could. But it was a futile effort. The Uchiha denied Madara's claim and, instead, expelled him from the clan. Madara left and vowed to take revenge on Konoha. And he did, in the form of the Kyuubi no Yoko."

Kotarou slammed his hands down. "Now, THAT'S bullshit! There's no way the Kyuubi would follow the whims of a human!"

Fate narrowed his eyes at him and said, "I would watch your tone and your language, Inugami-kun. I am not the only inhabitants of this house. Luckily, they are asleep and far away from the living room. I am merely expressing the truth. It is up to you if you wish to believe it. I believe I told you that Madara was descended from the Rikudou Sennin. As such, he should, at least, have some form of control over a lesser demon. Hashirama met with Madara in a barren forest and engaged in a battle with him and the controlled Kyuubi no Yoko."

Setsuna interjected, "Oh, yes. How could Madara control the Kyuubi?"

"He controlled the Kyuubi with the very thing that made him the most powerful of the Uchiha, the Eien no Mangekyou Sharingan. An ordinary Sharingan can only force the power to recede and weaken. A Mangekyou can grant temporary control over the Kyuubi, although at the cost of an almost immediate loss of eyesight. An Eien no Mangekyou can completely control the Kyuubi without the side-effects. The fight between the Senju and Uchiha was terrible. Two of the strongest ninjas in history, along with a controlled Bijuu – the strongest, no less – deformed the landscape and formed a large valley, now called the 'Valley of the End.' The end result was a victory for the Senju."

Looks of surprise were seen.

Asuna furrowed her brows. "That seems impossible. So, this Hashirama guy just fought against his rival and the strongest Bijuu…and won? What about Madara…and the Kyuubi?"

"Madara died, as a result, and the Kyuubi fell into the hands of Konoha. And, in order to avoid more destruction, Hashirama used his Mokuton to tame the Kyuubi."

Kaede asked, "Does this Mokuton have special properties that could tame the Kyuubi?"

"It's not the Mokuton. It's the combination of the Mokuton and the Shodai's serene chakra. I apologize that I failed to reveal this earlier. In continuation, Hashirama felt that the Kyuubi's power is too terrible if released, so he desired to find a way to control such power. His wife, Uzumaki Mito, volunteered to seal the Kyuubi inside her."

Setsuna raised a brow. "Wouldn't that kill her? The Kyuubi's…chakra, as you call it, is too potent to be contained inside an adult. The resulting strain would kill any grown human. It could be avoided if Kyuubi was sealed inside a newborn child, as his/her energy core would have more chance to adapt to the foreign chakra."

"Uzumaki Mito is from a clan, Uzumaki clan, which is closely related to the Senju. The Uzumaki clan members are well-known in this continent for their longevity and powerful sealing techniques, or fuinjutsu. The former granted them the name 'Village of Longevity'. And the latter granted them fearful enemies. It wouldn't be much of a strain on Uzumaki Mito's body if she sealed it inside her. Seeing that the Bijuu's power is contained," Setsuna, Kotarou, Zazie, and Mana bristled in hidden anger at the sealing, "Hashirama aimed to do the same for the other Bijuu."

Negi growled, "So the Bijuu are nothing more than mindless beasts to Hashirama."

Fate shook his head. "It wasn't that, Negi-kun. Hashirama believed that the Bijuu are capable of immense knowledge but their bestial nature prevented them from utilizing it fully. And only sealing it inside humans is the only possible way for them to gain intelligence, as he so believed. So, he set out on a journey and tamed all the other eight Bijuu."

A large slap echoed in the living room. Kotarou palmed his face powerfully. "That's just great. Not only does this plant guy tame the Kyuubi, he also has enough energy to tame the other eight. What else is new?"

Fate continued, ignoring Kotarou's interruption, "In order to maintain the power balance, Hashirama sent the other eight Bijuu to the other villages, as a peace offering. After all, it wouldn't do well if the other villages suddenly joined up and fought Konoha in a skirmish to gain the Bijuu. The Ichibi no Shukaku went to Sunagakure no Sato (Sand). The Nibi no Bakeneko and Hachibi no Kyogyu were sent to Kumogakure no Sato (Cloud). The Sanbi no Kyodaigame and Rokubi no Namekuji were given to Kirigakure no Sato (Mist). The Yonbi no Saru and Gobi on Irukauma were present to Iwagakure no Sato (Stone). And the Nanabi no Kabutomushi was granted to a lesser village, Takigakure no Sato (Waterfall)."

Setsuna concluded, "So the other four great villages that you told us were Suna, Kumo, Kiri and Iwa? Taki is a minor village?"

Fate nodded. "However, instead of promoting peace between the five, the other villages, instead, incited a war. That gave birth to the First Shinobi World War. This is where Senju Hashirama fell, but not before naming his younger brother, Senju Tobirama, Nidaime Hokage. Tobirama, while not as powerful as his brother, is particularly famous for having a nigh godlike control over water." At the five's waiting look, he continued, "His control over water was so much that he can summon water using and manipulating only the molecules in the air and can use the deemed hardest water ninjutsu with a single seal." He heard Kotarou mutter 'another superman, damn it.' "However, his reign only reached as far as the First Shinobi World War, as he died from an opposing village's ninjas. But, before he died, he appointed his student, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Sandaime Hokage. While not as powerful as the Shodai and Nidaime, he is known as 'The Professor,' for his immense knowledge of numerous jutsu. Finally, the war ended in an armistice treaty.

"However, it lasted only twenty years before the Second Shinobi World War ensued. It was here that more legends were born and the Sandaime's students, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru gained the special title 'Densetsu no Sannin (Legendary Three Ninjas),' because they fought to a standstill against an enemy that is on the same level as the Sandaime Hokage, Sanshuou no Hanzo (Hanzo of the Salamander). It was also on this war that Tsunade gained the title of 'Greatest Medic-Nin,' as she healed wounds that no ordinary healer could heal. There's also another legend named Hatake Sakumo was titled 'Konoha no Shiroi Kiba,' whose prowess matched that of the Sannin."

Asuna whispered to Setsuna, "You know, I wonder how Fate doesn't need water when he talks that much."

Setsuna nodded in response and whispered back, "I'm more concerned about these legends that Fate is talking about. They sound powerful."

"Nearing the end of the Second War, Tsunade lost her younger brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Kato Dan, and gave birth to her hemophobia."

Negi looked quite confused. "How could a medic gain hemophobia? Wouldn't that severely weaken her medical ability?"

"The death of Kato Dan was the catalyst to the birth of her fear of blood. It's because Dan had very severe wounds that spewed blood as he died in the eyes of his lover."

Everyone, along with the other emotional Mahora students, was quite saddened by that. It would be hard to see someone you love die in front of your eyes.

Fate continued, nevertheless, "Again, the five great hidden villages experienced a short decade of peace. Within that time of peace, Uzumaki Mito neared the end of her life and decided to transfer the Kyuubi inside another Uzumaki, Uzumaki Kushina."

Kotarou whistled. "Whoa, this Mito woman lived through three Hokages. That must be a testament of the longevity thing."

Setsuna frowned. "Transfer of the Kyuubi from one host to another…seems unnatural."

"It is. At the time, Kushina wanted to live in peace in this war-torn world, so she was transferred to Konoha and lived there. And when she reached the sufficient ninja age, she was finally privy to the true reason to her transfer. She has a special chakra that allows her to summon chains from her hair and subdue the Kyuubi, once it is transferred. Naturally, she is distraught. However, Mito said this to her, 'We came here to be vessels of the Kyuubi. But, before that, we must find love and fill the vessel with it'. It was this knowledge that gave her the strength to carry the burden. Despite that, however, none seemed to give her the love needed. She is an outsider and was treated as such. Some even made fun of her red hair. Sometime after that, Kumogakure became greedy and infiltrated Konoha and kidnapped Kushina, in a desire to gain that special chakra."

Their eyes darkened.

"In a last attempt to escape, she plucked out strands of her hair and laid them on the ground as she was taken to Kumogakure. By a twist of fate, the classmate that she considered girly, Namikaze Minato, found the strands and took out the ninjas and saved her, saying that he noticed her beautiful, red hair right away. Since then, she never hated her hair, thinking of it as the 'red thread of fate.' Both had a secret relationship from then on. And then, the Third Shinobi World War broke out. It was during this war that a Sunagakure puppeteer gained the moniker, 'Akasuna no Sasori,' for his infamy in dying the sands red with the blood from his victims." Evangeline grew curious about this Sasori. "Minato and his thirteen-year-old students, Inuzuka Rin, Hatake Kakashi, and Uchiha Obito, were tasked with destroying a bridge in the border of a minor village, Kusagakure, to tip the scales in Konoha's favor. It was there that Uchiha Obito died saving his teammate, Hatake Kakashi, and gave his sole Sharingan to Kakashi as a gift for promotion to jonin."

Kaede gave a sound of appraisal. "It's impressive for a…student to gain jonin at his age."

"This is the start of the birth of 'Kopi Ninja no Kakashi.' And it was also in this war that Namikaze Minato gained the title 'Kiroii Senkou,' because of he defeated a single squadron with a single technique unique to him."

Setsuna blinked. "And what is this technique?"

"Hiraishin no Jutsu, or Flying Thunder God Technique, is a special speed technique that allowed Minato to travel from one place to another in the blink of an eye and all you would ever see is a yellow flash. It could be quite interesting note that his speed when using that jutsu is matching that of your Raiten Taiso, Negi-kun."

Negi's eyes widened.

"They succeeded in destroying the bridge and returned to Konoha. Sometime after the war, the Sandaime Hokage named Minato as his successor, the Yondaime Hokage, thus making him the youngest Hokage."

"How old was he?" Kaede asked.

"Less than thirty years old, and he was named Hokage."

"Whoa, that's a new record."

"During his reign, he married Kushina and she became pregnant with a child."

Only Negi and Fate's Ministra noticed the slight change in tone at that point.

"They decided to name the child 'Naruto,' the name of a character in a book that Minato's teacher, Jiraiya, made. As such, Jiraiya was made godfather. This is where it all went downhill. While a normal pregnant woman would deliver in nine months, a pregnant jinchuuriki woman would take ten months before delivering."

Negi guessed, "And that's because she must focus on nursing the unborn child and hold the Kyuubi inside the seal and the same time…right?"

"That is correct. And since the seal would weaken at the precise moment of childbirth, special arrangements must be made to prevent interruptions. And during that time, a man intruded Konoha and interrupted the childbirth by taking the newborn child hostage."

Kotarou shouted, "Oh, hell no! That bastard didn't pull the hostage card on a kid!"

"Minato saved the child but left Kushina vulnerable and the intruder took advantage of that. While Minato hid the child, the intruder unsealed the Kyuubi from her."

Setsuna's eyes widened. "Such extraction of a beast that powerful would result in the mother's death!"

"You forget that she's an Uzumaki. She has longevity and, thus, survived the extraction, but she's very weak. The intruder took control of the Kyuubi and tried to kill Kushina. Luckily, Minato arrived in time to save her from Kyuubi's claw. As Minato reunited Kushina with her child, the intruder summoned the Kyuubi directly within Konoha and ensued chaos. The still-living Sandaime Hokage rallied as much troops as he can and tried to fight the Kyuubi. Minato arrived sometime later and redirected the Kyuubi's strongest attack away from Konoha. Caught unaware, Minato was almost defeated by the intruder when he suddenly appeared behind him and tried to end him. However, he has quick reflexes and used his Hiraishin to get away. Then, the intruder followed him. The man turned out to be Uchiha Madara, or, at least, someone who impersonates him, in my opinion."

Everyone nodded. Negi said, "It's too obvious. If the real Madara was behind it, he would have destroyed Konoha faster than this impostor did."

"Minato managed to defeat him and lose his control over the Kyuubi. The man left the area, promising to destroy Konoha sometime in the future. That left a wild Kyuubi in Konoha. Returning to it, he summoned a toad to fight the Kyuubi."

Kotarou and Setsuna deadpanned. "Really, a toad would fight against the Kyuubi?"

"It was only a distraction so that Minato can use Hiraishin to teleport them to a safe place."

"Unfortunately, the only safe place away from Konoha is the safe house where he put his wife and child. Kushina summoned a barrier with her chains, completely isolating Kyuubi, Minato, Kushina, and Naruto from the outside world."

Kotarou huffed. "Well, that's bad parenting, bringing your kid with you in a fight against a demon."

"They never had much choice, Inugami-kun. They had to act fast to do something about Kyuubi. Kushina volunteered to sacrifice herself to deal with the Kyuubi."

Setsuna narrowed her eyes. "It wasn't going to be that simple."

"Indeed it isn't. Kyuubi would nevertheless return a few years later. Her sacrifice would have been moot. Instead, Minato presented an alternative. He would seal the Yin chakra inside himself while sealing the Yang inside the child."

Negi said, "So the child's burden was forced on him?"

"Yes. Kushina resisted, presenting good points against this. However, Minato made just as good counter-arguments. Finally, she relented and allowed Minato to summon the Shinigami."

Five sets of spewed drinks flew and Fate, luckily, was a good distance away from them.

Negi exclaimed, "THE SHINIGAMI?"

Kotarou bumped his chest multiple times with his fist. "That's so unreal!"

Asuna wiped her mouth and said, "How the hell did the guy do it? A god isn't something that could be easily summoned."

"It's a simple contract summon. If the Shinigami is summoned, he can be used to seal something or someone inside oneself before the Shinigami draws his dagger and eats your soul, the captured being with him. The result would be a continuous fight with each other for all eternity."

Setsuna rubbed her temples. "This is getting too stressful for my psyche."

"After sealing the Yin chakra, Minato summoned a pedestal to put Naruto in to seal the remaining Yang chakra in him. The Kyuubi saw it and tried to stab the child with a claw. Both parents jumped in front of the claw, impaling them both."

Gasps were heard. Negi solemnly said, "Both are already on the verge of death and yet they gave more than their all in protecting their child. They have my condolences."

"Minato succeeded in sealing the Yang chakra inside Naruto and both parents gave lasting messages to him before they succumbed to their injuries."

Fate was finally silent after that as he continued drinking from the cup.

Negi and the others waited before Negi said, "You were that child, weren't you, Fate?" He ignored the other's looks and continued, "I saw that picture on the wall of that ramen shop. The picture was no less than two or three years old and showed the waitress, his father, I think, and a spiky-haired, blond boy my age with cerulean blue eyes and three whisker marks one each cheeks. It somehow looked similar to you. Also, if you were orphaned at that age, then it would explain your desire to take in orphans and send them to school. But I don't know how you managed to go back in time and into the forces of Kosmo Entelechia and become Fate Averruncus. That is the only thing that escapes me."

"That is a story for another time, Negi-kun. Someone's coming."

True enough, two pairs of footsteps were heard and soon two people entered the living room.

One was a spiky-haired blond male with striking blue eyes. The other was a beautiful redhead woman with dazzling purple eyes.

The blond said, "Oh, you're back, Fate. Why didn't you tell us?"

Fate shrugged and drank more coffee. "I was explaining Konoha's history to them."

The redhead blinked. "And who are your friends, Naruto?"

The audience was watched intently at the exchange.

Fate said, as he gestured at the respective friends, "This is Negi Springfield, Inugami Kotarou, Kagurazaka Asuna, Sakurazaki Setsuna, and Nagase Kaede."

None noticed the narrowed look the blond gave every single one.

Turning to the aforementioned quintet, he said, "Everyone, meet Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, my father and mother."

Brain cells died at that piece of information as all five fainted straight away.

Negi's Ministra, along with Koyomi and Homura, immediately went to La-La Land.

Evangeline, Mana, Zazie, Chachamaru, and the remaining Fate's Ministra, however, grew suspicious of the truth of that fact. No spell could bring the dead back to life…especially someone who died by having his soul eaten by the Shinigami.

Evangeline gritted her teeth. "It's technically impossible to resurrect the dead."

Shirabe suddenly said, "But there are aspects of magic that is yet undiscovered. Who knows? They might be bodies that are given the personality of the real thing by magic."

Mana countered, "How could Fate know of his…parents' personality when they died during his childbirth?"

None had answers to that. The more they asked themselves about the mystery of Fate's life, the more complex questions are returned.

Kushina and Minato blinked at the fallen children. Kushina commented, "What's wrong with them? It's as though they expected you to have on parents."

Fate shrugged and took a sip. "I told them from the age of the Rikudou Sennin up to your sealing of the Kyuubi's sealing in me."

Minato suddenly laughed. "No wonder they fainted. They expected us to be dead!" Releasing a sigh of relief, he said, "Why didn't you tell them about your life here in Konoha as Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto?"

"That would be a story for another time. I wasted enough breath and saliva just explaining the history of the ninja world."

Both parents deadpanned. "It would have taken us at least three cups of water and a lungful of air to go that far."

Minato sighed. "But, for now, we put them in some of our rooms to rest. We'll tell them the rest when they wake up."

Fate shrugged and stood up to help them.

I know you don't want Negi and his group to join Fate. But, I doubt that Negi would be the type of guy who would give up. I feel him to be the kind of guy that would keep coming back, no matter how hard or how many times he is forced.

Sorry if it doesn't fit your desires.

Now, I read that new note about the Fiction ratings on the home page. I'm quite surprised by this unexpected turn of events. It's just that people made lemon and severe lemon works ever since 2002 and no one complained about it for ten years. I don't know what to do with that. I planned to add lemons to my NarutoXBleach, NarutoXWarcraft, and my other NarutoXNegima fic. I'm not sure about this one, though. This new policy threw that idea out the window.

Oh, well. I'm not even sure if I should join the petition or not. I just hope that both the FFnet admins and the authors would come to a speedy resolution that would benefit both parties.