Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, The Hobbit, or The Lord of the Rings. Credit for the original concept goes to mellra. Credit for the cover art goes to the original artist.

Author's Note:

This story is based on both the written works of J. R. R. Tolkien and the Extended Editions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies directed by Peter Jackson. It is a response to a challenge given to me by FanFiction user, mellra. The translations included in this work will be located at the end of each chapter.

Story Summary:

Raised in the wild lands of Middle-earth since he appeared there as an infant, Naruto, child of Rhosgobel, is swept away on a quest to reclaim a lost throne for a dwarven king. But when pitted against the strength of a dragon, the evil of a necromancer, and the corruption of orcs and goblins, will Naruto succeed in his journey and finally learn the truth of his past?

Minato Namikaze collapsed as the god of death tugged on his soul. The world darkened around him as he gazed at his wife's still body and the altar beyond her holding their newborn son.

"Kushina...Naruto…" The whispered names fell painfully from his lips as the spectral figure pulled on his consciousness. He clung to life, hoping to savor one last glimpse of the little family that began only minutes ago. Minato watched the hitched rise and fall of Kushina's chest as her life ebbed, her body unable to support the strain of childbirth and the removal of the dark creature sealed within her years ago. His failing eyes flickered to his son crying amidst the melting candles leftover from the sealing ceremony.

A pang of guilt raced through Minato's heart for saving his village, his people, all the while condemning his son to a life of pain and heartache. He and Kushina had managed to give their last words full of hopes and dreams to their baby, but it seemed useless wisdom now. Naruto would never have the life they so desperately wished for him. Naruto was a jinchuuriki now, a human vessel just as Kushina had been until this tragic night.

Minato could feel the presence of others from the village approaching quickly. He knew they would take care of his son, but they could only do so much. Minato looked back on the memories: Kushina going into labor, a masked man attacking them after the delivery and abducting Kushina, the man extracting the demon which was long ago sealed within her, his battle against the masked man which had required all of Minato's skills to win, and finally the sealing of the demon into his son in order to spare the lives of thousands.

With his last breaths rattling in his lungs Minato prepared to let himself be taken by death when an unexpected surge of power began to swirl and distort the air around Naruto. He watched in horror as a man wearing an orange, one-eyed mask, the same as before, appeared from within the vortex.

"Minato Namikaze," he intoned, pain lacing his voice from the injuries inflicted on him by the Fourth Hokage earlier. "I told you I would be taking the Kyuubi, one way or another," Minato begged his immobile body to respond as the man picked up his only child and began retreating into the vortex. "Farewell, Hokage-"

"Hiraishin!" With the last ounce of his breath and power, Minato called out the name of his most famous technique, exerting all his thoughts on sending his son to a place of safety. As the last vestiges of his soul dwindled to a mere flicker he watched a brilliant yellow flash surround Naruto, emanating from the tiny line of seals marked on the infant's back, before the babe disappeared from sight. It was an ability of the Hiraishin he had only recently discovered; a way to send an object or person away rather than teleporting himself, as he usually did. He had never attempted it before, the risk being too great until tonight.

But now, he had nothing else to lose.

A smile of triumph spread across the blond-haired man's face as the masked villain cried out in rage and fled the scene. Minato could no longer sense the precious life force of his baby but knew that wherever his technique had sent Naruto, the boy would be safe. Blue eyes grew heavy and finally fell shut as all life left Minato, leaving his body amidst the destruction beside his dead wife and the now empty altar.

A/N:

This story is a completed work that will be posted chapter by chapter.

Constructive criticism and feedback are welcome. Flames will be used to roast marshmallows and to burn the strongholds of my enemies.

Japanese:

Jinchuuriki: Power of Human Sacrifice

Hiraishin: Flying Thunder God Technique