Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Disclaimer: English is not my native language.
Author Notes:
The fanfiction is currently undergoing a major reconstruction and editing process. Due to the very low readability of the current version, further reading is at your own risk. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
I would also like to apologize to and thank those who persevered through reading this fanfiction, even though it was an unpleasant experience for them. If any of you have any questions, my inbox on this page is open.
Longer description:
Five years older than canon Naruto Namikaze known as "The Phantom of Lightning". He grapples with a shadowed past and a debilitating illness that cripples his life force. Thrown into an unforgiving world where loyalty is scarce and treachery lurks in every corner, his path intertwines with Akatsuki, a notorious organization of rogue ninja. There he encounters both unexpected allies and familiar foes.
Haunted by his actions and consumed by the specter of mortality, Naruto must confront his inner demons while fighting for a cause he desperately believes in. Yet, the past forces him to reckon with the lives he's taken. Amidst this struggle, he embarks on a soul-searching quest to understand the bonds that bridge the chasms of the past.
Now onto the actual chapter's 0 fragment/Teaser:
Naruto waited alone on the rock carving of Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. He impatiently awaited the arrival of his best friend, Shisui. When he told him to meet here, Shisui had seemed to be in despair.
The young man dressed in the standard ANBU agent uniform sat quietly, gazing at the village hidden in the leaves. A mask with a characteristic wolf image hung from his neck. In ANBU he took the pseudonym "Wolf", because of his loyalty to his loved ones and the village. Two purple, fully matured Sharingan eyes pulsed with an eerie light within his gaze.
After a while, Shisui appeared next to him, using his characteristic Shunshin. Without a word, he sat down next to Naruto. They sat together for a long time, neither of them starting a conversation. Both expected that the upcoming discussion would have significant consequences.
Naruto had for some time sensed that something was bothering his friend, but he didn't know what. Shisui, on the other hand, didn't know how to start such a serious conversation. Both belonged to the elite wing in ANBU. Together with Naori Hyuuga and Koru, they formed the "Shadows" team, a unit that dealt with the most dangerous missions in the ANBU corps and was directly subordinate to the Hokage.
"Village or clan?" flashed through Shisui's mind. Although he knew the answer to this question, betraying his own clan was extremely difficult for him to accept.
"Naruto..." Shisui finally began, gathering his strength. "I have to confess something to you."
Naruto was still staring at the panorama of the village, and his gaze stopped at the Uchiha clan district. The houses, like tightly packed boxes, seemed to hide thousands of secrets.
"My hunch turned out to be true" thought Naruto, turning to Shisui. In his eyes, as in a mirror, Shisui saw a reflection of his own fear and determination. He realized that Naruto sensed something was wrong, and now that he knew the truth, he was ready to stand by his side.
"They're planning a rebellion, aren't they?" asked Naruto, and his voice was like a cold knife cutting through the silence.
Shisui nodded, unable to get a word out. He knew that Naruto guessed who they were talking about. They didn't need words to understand the gravity of the situation and the weight of the decisions they had to make.
The wind rustled the leaves of the trees, as if trying to drown out their quiet conversation. In the distance, the murmur of the village could be heard, like a distant echo of the carefree life that could soon be plunged into chaos.
Naruto sighed and turned his gaze back to the village. He loved this place and his loved ones who lived there. He knew that he could not allow anything to disturb their peace. Especially now, when he understood how dangerous the Uchiha clan's rebellion would be. Civil war is a destructive force, and the village's enemies are just waiting for an opportunity to attack the weakened Konohagakure.
"We can't let the rebellion happen" both friends thought at the same moment. The weight of this thought hung over them like a thick fog, muffling the sounds of the village and distorting the image of the Uchiha district, which they both looked at.
"I will help you, Shisui, in any way I can" Naruto said quietly, and his words echoed in the silence. He turned and looked at his friend, and a faint smile appeared on his face, carrying with it comfort and hope. "Now that I know the truth, you are no longer alone. Let's think about what we can do."
A single tear of gratitude gleamed in Shisui's eyes for a moment. He nodded, his lips quivering as he fought to hold back a wave of emotion.
"We cannot allow the rebellion to break out," he said firmly, looking away from Naruto and back at the Uchiha district. Determination and regret were heard in his voice. "We must first do everything in our power to try to resolve this diplomatically."
Naruto nodded, agreeing with Shisui. His mind was racing with thoughts while frantically searching for a solution that would prevent the tragedy.
"You're right. Does anyone else know about it?" he asked quietly, his words drowned out by the silence of the night.
Shisui sighed and lowered his gaze. "You are the first person I have betrayed this to," he confessed. "I thought I could fix this situation myself, but it got out of hand."
Naruto put his hand on Shisui's shoulder wanting to show that they were in this together.
"I understand. First, we need to pass this information on to Koru," Naruto announced and Shisui nodded in approval.
Koru was an enigmatic figure even in ANBU itself. She was surrounded by an aura of mystery, and her past was known only to a few. Rumor had it that her skills were on par with the legendary Sannin. Nevertheless, Naruto and Shisui trusted her implicitly. She was not only their superior, but also a mentor who taught them much about the art of infiltration and silent assassinations.
Together, they headed towards the "Shadows" hideout, determined to stop the impending disaster. Naruto clenched his fists, feeling the frustration growing inside him. He could not allow war, bloodshed. Shisui, on the other hand, was lost in deep thought. He knew that they had an incredibly difficult task ahead of them, and his heart was filled with a mixture of fear and determination.
The "Shadows" hideout was located in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the village. The place emanated a dark atmosphere, and the dilapidated walls and rusty window bars did not inspire confidence.
When they arrived, the rusty gate of the warehouse stood before them like the ramparts of a fortress. Naruto nodded to Shisui, who, concentrating, touched the metal surface with his hand. After a short moment, the gate opened with a quiet creak, revealing the dark interior of the hideout. Both entered, their faces tense with determination.
Inside it was twilight, illuminated only by the torches burning. Maps of Konohagakure and the surrounding area hung on the walls, and scattered documents and scripts lay on the table. The smell of smoke and mustiness hung in the air.
Quick Author notes: I sincerely apologize again for any inconvenience this may cause.