Sasuke could be seen repeatedly striking a training post in his backyard. It had been 2 weeks since the massacre and 2 weeks since Naruto's return.
The man was a mystery to him. He was the son of the strongest Uchiha in history. A man who made his name in the 2nd and 3rd shinobi wars and a man who above all else, was hated by his clan.
But ever since he had to move in with him, he never once mentioned his desire for revenge. He might've been young but he still remembered Naruto being close with Shisui. He was his uncle after all.
But the teenage Uchiha had just disappeared without a trace. 'But yet he was still so damn calm! How?' Lost in his thoughts he didn't even notice a small pebble being thrown in his direction.
It hit him on the back of the head and he yelped. Turning to the direction in which the rock came from, he found the frowning face of Naruto. "What do you want?" he asked with a frown.
The man said nothing as he walked up to the boy and looked at his bruised knuckles and then at the training post. He shook his head and plucked Sasuke on the forehead which got him a glare curtesy of the young Uchiha.
"Your mind was not clear when you were striking. And your moves were sloppy. You certainly don't look powerful enough to face him" he said. This only intensified the glare of the young boy.
"Why do you care so much? You have the power to do anything you want in this world and yet you waste your time bothering me. If you won't give me the power I need to defeat him, then I'll go to someone else" he spoke.
Naruto said nothing as he looked down at the boy. His 3 tamoe sharingan came to life and spun slowly as Sasuke instinctively took a step back.
He hasn't seen those eyes since that night. The images of his slain clansmen forever ingrained in his head. He had to quickly jump out of the way of a kick that was aimed towards his head.
"What the hell are you doing?" he screamed at Naruto. Naruto just smirked and continued to press the assault. Sasuke did his best to dodge the attacks but he was eventually gassed and tripped and fell on his back.
He then saw Naruto walking up to him, sharingan still blazing, with a frown. "Flare your chakra Sasuke" he said. Sasuke was confused and a bit scared but did so anyway.
He put his hands together and flared a bit of chakra. Once he did that, he saw the world shatter as he was kneeling over panting. Naruto stood in front of him with his back turned.
"Follow me" was all he said as he began to walk to the lake nearby. Once Sasuke caught up to him, Naruto turned to him. "Watch closely"was all he said.
He went through a single hand sign and what Sasuke saw next, shocked the 6 year old to his core. A massive fireball that smothered the entire lake shot out of the mouth of the man.
The water from the lake was vaporizing! He then turned to the stupefied boy and spoke. "I have all of the power you seek but I will not give it to you just because you want it. Power will not solve your problems.
Your hunger for revenge will lead to your downfall as I said before. I will train you as I see fit, and if you meet my expectations, you will get what you want.
But you will have to earn it. Now you're about the age that requires an Uchiha to perform a fireball as a right of passage. I assume you know how to do it?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke nodded confidently and went through hand signs and spewed out nothing but smoke as he coughed. Naruto patted him on the back but Sasuke swatted his hand away.
Naruto sighed. "Your reserves are large for your age but you aren't molding your fire chakra properly. You have to mold the fire through your lungs in order for the jutsu to work.
Continue trying it and I will continue to train you but if you fail, you can kiss your dreams goodbye"he said as he walked away. Sasuke stood there for a movement and thought over what just transpired. 'That fireball was the largest thing he'd ever seen!
With that kind of power, he's for sure be strong enough to face him' he thought. He practiced that jutsu for about an hour until he finally got it. It was a tiny fireball but a fireball nonetheless.
He was panting heavily as he fell to the ground but he was caught. He looked up and locked eyes with a smirking Naruto. "You did well. You learned it faster than I did. I actually learned mine at 8" he said which caused the young Uchiha to smile with pride.
"You have the power to bring him back, why don't you?" Sasuke asked weakly. Naruto gave a sad smile. "It's because this isn't my battle to fight, nor my journey to travel. I can only give you the keys to success, it's up to you to decide what you want to do with it" he said. "Y-yea" was all the boy said before he passed out.
Underground in Konoha a certain crippled man was nervous. He did not account for Naruto returning so soon and he cursed himself for forgetting how close Naruto and Shisui were.
He had been responsible for the teens death and the one who issued the massacre. If Naruto were to find out about this, he would be dead no questions about it.
Naruto would also rather be dead than join him so that was out of the question. 'But Sasuke could still be influenced' he thought darkly. Footsteps could be heard as the man was approached by someone.
"Lord Danzo, the jinchuriki is being watched. What is our next course of action?" asked his subordinate. "When he is alone, test him to see if he can access that chakra. But be quick about it and do not get discovered" he ordered. The person nodded and vanished.
At the cemetery, Kakashi could be seen standing at the memorial stone. Hands in his pockets as he looked at the names that haunted his dreams. "I have failed all of you so far. Sensei, I failed to look after your son.
Obito, I failed to protect Rin. And Rin, I failed to move on" he whispered. "What have I told you about sulking Kakashi?" came the voice of the newcomer. "I can't help it. I'm a failure" he replied.
Naruto walked up to the man and stood next to him. "Do you think they would want you to be depressed over their deaths? No, they wouldn't. And as harsh as it sounds , they are gone and there's nothing we can do to bring them back" he said with his fists slightly clenched.
But the ever trained eyes of Kakashi noticed them but didn't comment. "How is Sasuke?" he asked, changing the topic. Naruto sighed. "The boy has all the potential in the world but he's still stuck on avenging his clan.
I'm slowly getting it through to him that revenge is not the way but it'll take some progress" he said. "He's only 6, and just witnessed his clan being slaughtered.
You of all people aside from me should know how to handle the situation" Kakashi spoke. "I didn't come here to have you lecture me on the same things I lectured you on as a child" he said grumbling.
Kakashi's single eye rose in curiosity. "Then why are you here?" "To tell you that I'm going blind" he said. Kakashi's eye curved into a smiled. "You know, even for an Uchiha you have a dark sense of humor" he said.
But Naruto's expression didn't change. "What do you mean you're going blind Naruto?" asked the silver haired man in a more serious tone.
Naruto gave a humorless chuckle. "I'm telling you this because it has something to do with my sharingan. I don't know exactly what it is but I can tell you that I've overused my mangekyo quite a lot and I have not been feeling the best" he spoke honestly.
"Have you gone to the hospital?" he asked with genuine concern. "How do you think I found out that it was due to my eyes?" Naruto replied. "Tsunade, the Hokage can send a retrieval team for her and she can help you" suggested the jonin.
"I haven't heard from her since the night she left. More importantly I'm sure she'd put up a fuss if she was asked to return to the village to heal me and I'm quite positive that she'd rather see me dead" he said humorlessly.
But before Kakashi could reply Naruto spoke once again. "Do not worry, I will not lose my sight. In fact, I'm working with the medics to discover what is the problem "he lied.
"But in any case, you are not to tell anyone of this and especially not Gai" Naruto said seriously. Kakashi looked like he wanted to protest but Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder and locked eyes with him.
"I trust you with this information more than I trust him with it. He will make a scene and I am not one for attention. As I said, I will not go blind. You're suicidal enough as is " he said with a smirk. "Plus there are 2 promising shinobi in the making that not even death could prevent me from seeing." he said grinning like a mad man.
6 Years later
Naruto could be seen standing in his backyard with his eyes closed and his hands folded across his chest. A kunai came flying towards his head and he caught the weapon and twirled it around his finger.
3 shurikens came flying right after that but be effortlessly blocked them with the kunai. A fireball then collided with his back but he quickly substituted with a log.
Sasuke then jumped out into the clearing, 2 tamoe sharingan activated. He observed his surroundings, trying to find the smallest amount of movement. He then pulled out a kunai and blocked a swipe from Naruto who too, held a kunai of his own.
He was quickly being pressed back due to him having far less physical strength than the older man. He then side stepped another swipe as he jumped back and went through hand signs. "Fire style Phoenix Flower Jutsu".
Multiple fireballs shot towards the older Uchiha as he went through his own hand signs. "Water Style Water Wall". Water formed out of the air surrounding him and formed a wall in front of him just in time for the fire to collide with it.
Smoke filled the clearing and the 12 year old, tried his best to find Naruto and he immediately saw 3 kunai dashing it his direction. He smirked. "Kai" he said as he dispelled the genjutsu.
But the smirk was quickly replaced with a scowl as he felt cold steel placed on his throat. His sharingan deactivated as he turned around to glare at Naruto. "I'm still not strong enough" he said.
Naruto looked at the boy for a moment and then spoke. "I think you are the strongest kid in the academy, aside from Menma. Stronger than any genin and most chunin. I think you're strong enough" he said nonchalantly.
"That's not what I mean. How would I scale next to Itachi?" he asked. Naruto made it a point to dismiss any negative emotions from the rouge Uchiha.
Seeing as Sasuke would nearly lose his mind at the mention of his brother, him casually speaking about him meant that he accomplished his goal. He thought about the question for a moment and then spoke.
"Seeing as he's an S ranked ninja, if you were to fight him, you would surely die. But with enough time and training, I'd say in a few years, you'll be able to go toe to toe with him" he answered honestly.
"I'll accept that. That just means I need to train harder" he said. Naruto plucked him on the forehead and laughed as Sasuke glared at him.
He suddenly stopped laughing and Sasuke perked up at this having grown accustomed to the older Uchiha's body language.
An anbu flashed into the clearing with a kneel. "Naruto-Sama, Hokage-Same requests your presence" he said. Naruto nodded and turned to the younger Uchiha.
"I'll be back, try not to get stalked by your fan club" he said as he flashed away, almost being hit by a fireball.
Naruto made it to the door of the office and sensed the Hokage inside. He was not alone though. After knocking an given permission to enter, he noticed another person in the office.
"Lord Hiruzen, Danzo" he greeted neutrally. "Naruto how have you been?" asked Hiruzen. "I'm fine, I was training Sasuke when we were rudely interrupted" he said.
The aged Hokage laughed. "There was something important that needed to be discussed but seeing as you were occupied, I think it could wait for another time" he said.
"No it's fine. The boy needs to rest anyway. What is it that you needed Hokage-Sama?"
"Danzo you may leave" said Hiruzen. Danzo nodded but Naruto kept his eyes on him as he left the room. Turning back to Hiruzen, he spoke.
"I never liked that man" he said. Hiruzen just raised an eyebrow. "You never liked most people Naruto." "But back to business. How has Sasuke come along in training?" "Hm, I would say a chunin would be hard pressed to beat him at the moment" he replied.
"Do you think he should graduate early or would you rather him wait?" "You'd have to ask the kid himself. Not even I know what's going on in his head" the Uchiha said with a smirk.
"Will he be able to take care of himself without your assistance?" Hiruzen asked. Now Naruto was slightly curious.
"Yes, I made sure that he was self sufficient. Why do you ask?" "Because you're going to be going on a long term mission and I don't know exactly when you'll be back" the third replied.
Naruto sighed. "What's with you and giving me these long term missions?"
Hiruzen chucked. "You're the best fit for these types of things aside from Jiraiya."
"Well where is the pervert? I'm sure he'd love to take my place" he replied. "Now, now Naruto, Jiraiya is doing other assignments and has his spy network to run but you haven't done any high ranking missions since you've been back."
"High ranking you say? So tell" Naruto said. "As you know, The Hidden Mist is currently involved in a Civil War, and the leader of the rebellion forces has come to the village to request assistance with the hopes of forming an alliance afterwards" said the Hokage.
"So what you're saying is that, you're sending me into a civil war alone, with the hopes of forming a new alliance with the Mist after we win?" Naruto asked.
"Indeed. The leader of the rebellion forces is currently resting in the village. In 2 days you will leave with her and her entourage to head back to the Mist."
"Very well. It has been some time since I've been tested. I believe dancing with a Kage that's a Jinchuriki is a good way to see if I've fallen off " Naruto said.
"Sometimes you're like Hashirama Sensei, and then sometimes you're like Madara" Hiruzen said with a smile.
"It just happens naturally" Naruto said before he vanished. Hiruzen just shook his head in amusement before it turned into a scowl as he saw the piles of paperwork. "Damn you!" he screamed at the paper in front of him.
Naruto was walking through the village with the hopes of finding the rebellion leader. He would tell Sasuke later of his soon to be departure. He was sure that the younger Uchiha would miss him.
Over the past few years, he and Sasuke have gotten closer. It had taken some time, but the boy was finally opening up to him. And now, Sasuke is one, if not the most promising shinobi in the making.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely registered the green spandex duo in front of him. "OH NARUTO! MY YOUTHFUL FRIEND! I WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET MY PRIZED PUPIL, ROCK LEE." Naruto was actually shocked, no more like scared.
"What the hell Gai, when did you have a son?" Naruto asked seriously. The duo looked at him confusedly and then looked at each other and shrugged. "Naruto, Lee here is not my son, but he burns with the very flames of youth that burn brightly in me" Gai said.
Naruto nodded slowly, still not believing the jonin for one second. Turning to the mini version of Gai, he held out his hand. "Nice to meet you Rock Lee, I'm Naruto Uchiha."
Lee shook his hand with vigor. "Pleased to meet you Naruto-San, sensei has told me so much about you. I wish to one day be on par with legendary shinobi such as yourself."
Naruto smirked, he liked this kid already. "I assume you are a taijutsu specialist?" Naruto asked. Lee nodded his head in confirmation.
"Gai what is our current record in challenges?" Gai answered immediately. "It is currently 25-23 in my favor" he said.
"Well I challenge you" Naruto said and Gai was immediately interested. "Your student Rock Lee, versus my student Sasuke Uchiha. Taijutsu only" he said.
Gai almost exploded with happiness as did Lee. "Yosh Naruto, your flames of youth have not diminished!" Gai said with tears.
Lee had fire in his eyes. "I accept the spar Naruto-San. When will it occur?" "Tomorrow, training ground 6 at noon" he said.
He was left speechless after seeing the duo hugging in a sunset genjutsu. He quickly left and tried to rid his mind of the monstrosity.
He then passed by the ramen stand he visited and just so happened to see his favorite blonde. Walking in, he noticed a stack of empty bowls next to the boy but that was almost normal considering the boy ate ramen like his life depended on it.
No, what really caught his attention was the auburn haired beauty seated a few seats away. She was gorgeous.
As if sensing his stare, she turned around and looked at him. "You know, it's not nice to stare" she said. He had the decency to look away and went to sit next to Menma.
He slapped the boy on the back. "Oi brat, how's it going?" he asked with a grin. The boy's eyes seemed to light up at the sight of the older man. "Broody!" he exclaimed with a smile.
Naruto scowled. "What have I told you about calling me that?" Menma just grinned sheepishly. "Broody huh? That's quite the interesting nickname" a soft feminine voice said.
Turning around, he saw the same woman looking at him with a smirk. He sighed. "It's not something I'm fond of but the boy is just too stubborn to listen to me" he said.
"Hey!"
She chuckled softly. And held out her hand. "Mei Terumi" she said, introducing herself. "Naruto Uchiha" he replied shaking her hand.
"And who's the cute ball of joy behind you?" she asked. "Menma blushed. "M-menma Uzumaki" he said shyly. "Oho! Is the brat shy in front of beautiful women?" Naruto teased.
Menma looked away while Mei smiled. "Beautiful you say, I've heard of the legend of Naruto Uchiha but I never knew you were a flatterer as well."
Naruto chuckled. "What do you mean legend? Broody is just an old man" Menma chimed in. "Oh I assure you that he is more than just an old man Menma-Kun. Naruto here is said to be on the level of the 2nd Hokage" she said.
Menma's eyes widened at that. "What!? You're that strong?" Naruto coughed in his hand. "Well I guess you could say that. Although my prime years are behind me, I'm still quite capable" he said.
Menma has stars in his eyes. "You gotta teach me a cool jutsu!" he exclaimed. "Later, now finish your ramen" he said. He then turned back to Mei and spoke.
I haven't seen you around here, you must be a foreigner" he said. "Indeed I am. I'm from the Hidden Mist. I'm just here on duty" she said.
"You wouldn't happen to be the leader of the Rebellion forces now would you?" he asked. She narrowed her eyes but he smirked.
"My hokage informed me of your stay and request for assistance in the war. I will be accompanying you back to participate" he said.
She then let out a sigh of relief. "I indeed am the leader but I'd rather not talk out in the open. Information can easily be leaked" she said.
Naruto just laughed. "What's so funny?" "Well it's just the fact that I casted a genjutsu over the restaurant and you've yet to notice" he said.
She was shocked. He didn't use any hand seals or his sharingan. She didn't even feel his chakra. "You're as good as they say" she complimented.
"Why thank you. A compliment coming from a beautiful woman, such as yourself means a lot" he said. She blushed but wouldn't back down from the challenge.
She leaned in closer and whispered in his ear. "I'll see you at the Hokage tower in 2 days, don't be late. I'd hate to have to reprimand you for such."
Naruto actually blushed at that and began sputtering and she smiled and broke the genjutsu. She then winked at him and left.
"That damn woman" he muttered.
In Ame
A man with purple eyes could be seen standing atop of a building. He watched the rain fall upon the village with a fierce expression.
Sounds of soft footsteps filled the empty room as he turned to see a blue haired woman. "Nagato, Madara requests your presence" she said.
He nodded as he followed her out of the room.
In a dark cave, 9 figures were gathered around. "Ah how nice of you to join us Nagato" said a person with a shark like appearance.
"Kisame, you were late too" said a silver haired man. "Shut up Hidan" he retorted. "What was that shark boy?" he asked.
"Would you both please shut the hell up?" asked pain.
They both quieted down as he spoke again. "In 2 years time we will begin to hunt for the jinchuriki. I'm confident in all of your abilities to succeed with the mission.
Do not fail me" he said.
"I have some interesting information" spoke Zetsu. "And that is" spoke Nagato. "It appears that Naruto Uchiha will be joining the rebellion forces to fight against Yagura."
"Oh is that so? Hey Itachi, wouldn't you like to pay a little visit to Naruto?" Kisame asked. The Uchiha said nothing as he continued to have a blank expression on his face.
"That sounds like a great idea. Kisame, you and Itachi will travel to the Mist but try not to engage in combat with him. If he successfully kills Yagura, then make sure to locate where the biju's chakra will reform" he said.
They nodded as the holographic figures disappeared.
That left Nagato, Konan and the masked man in there alone.
"How do you plan on convincing your son to join you?" Nagato asked. "He will join me, one way or another. Leave it to me. He still pales in power to me, I will force him to obey me if I have to."
The duo nodded as they too left, leaving the masked man alone.