The Dynasty of Tomorrow
Chapter 3: Sensei
After being told he was to become a chunnin Soma had made a mad dash out and away from the forest of death to cuddle his tiny Naruto for a long sleep.
His hopes were crushed late into the evening when he was awoken to pounding on his clan's home entrance. His security seals let the clan head know exactly who was standing at the entrance of his home.
So, with a sleeping child in hand, the red-head rose and stumbled down the hall to greet his...guest.
Soma held back a grimace facing the tall imposing man before him. You would think that after all the years that had drifted past him the Uzumaki would have forgotten the pain of losing the man in his past.
You would be wrong to presume that.
Kakashi was much like he had always been. His entire messy embodiment set into a faux standoffish man eyeing Soma who was a sleepy mess holding a child with a sense of detachment that he had lacked Soma's first life around. His gaze did linger on Soma's face almost as if trying to place his face, his features if he truly looked like the ghost that followed him to his first grave.
Kakashi also kept stealing glances toward the sleeping blonde baby in his arms. It helped Soma to avoid Kakashi's searching gaze when aimed in his direction.
Soma avoided locking eyes with him for various reasons. The main one was he knew Kakashi was great at reading someone and despite years of war he was still the same obnoxious brat whose face was an open book. Life moves on though and maybe one day he would look upon the man without guilt.
Soma eyed the eager-looking Itachi standing at Kakashi's side and they both eyed Soma clad in his sleeping Kimono. His hair was fucked and he knew it, he looked a mess with a blonde toddler clinging to him still sleeping and clutching the flame-red locks.
"To what do I owe this displeasure, to have you both show up at my home in the middle of the night..." Soma glowered at the pair both seemingly oblivious to Soma's irritation. The pair ignored Soma walking past him into the Uzumaki home entryway.
In any other circumstance, this would be amusing. As it were, having just become a chunnin and hoping to have been allowed time with Naruto, Soma's rest time it seemed was interrupted.
"Oddly enough I found Itachi in the same position as you when encountering him this evening, only he had his little brother clinging to him. " Kakashi spoke but his eyes were entirely aimed at the sleeping child in Soma's arms. They all heard the scuffle of feet heading their direction from further in the house.
Kakashi tensed but he really shouldn't have once he spotted another blotch of red hair.
Soma sighed and a tired-looking Nagato scuttled toward their clan leader. The man was drowsy having just been woken up by one of Soma's clones and dragged to collect the heir.
Some would argue on why Soma didn't have his clone take his charge to Nagato. Well, Soma preferred Nagato to be aware Naruto was curled up in his bed next to him, he didn't want the man to accidentally roll over the baby.
The babe in question stubbornly clung to Soma's clothes and hair before Nagato was able to extract the boy and retreat back into his personal sleeping quarters baby and all.
Once hands-free, Soma directed his unwarranted guest into the small receiving room just off to the left of the first open hall. The Uzumaki leader grumbled under his breath but sent off another swiftly made clone to make tea.
He dumped...left his guest in the room with his rumpled clone already having returned with tea and a small plate of snacks.
Soma slipped away a moment swiftly adjusting his hair and changing. He had eyed Itachi's attire and knew what the unorthodox scarecrow sensei was going to do.
Soma returned to a curious-looking Kakashi who was tugging and turning Soma's clone he had left behind. Using little effort the clone dissipated with no sound or smoke surprising both Kakashi and Itachi.
"You've got a real talent for shadow clones." Kakashi eyed the red-haired boy suspiciously. He was baiting the Uzumaki because his clones were solid not made of shadows. Soma snorted and twisted his hair into a knot.
"It's a wind clone, not a shadow clone. Less fuss more danger. Easier control as that is my element." Soma plopped himself down before Kakashi and Itachi both looked more and more intrigued.
"Why a wind clone, don't they require a lot of chakra?" Soma sipped his own cup of tea that had been set out before him but his eyes swiveled to Itachi who spoke. Soma didn't hold back his grimace before huffing.
"I'm an Uzumaki, what constitutes for you as a lot of chakra is nothing but a drop in the ocean for me. Besides that, I didn't exactly have formal education on shadow clones leaf shinobi learn. I learned it while being on your team but wind clones are just more multi-functional." Soma didn't even pretend to hide away his reasonings.
His past life had proven wind clones were far smarter for him to work and control. Naruto would surely learn right this lifetime around and would be ensured to favor wind clones and stealth. No matter what he changed, certain things were sure to happen with or without his intervention. His younger self needed to know it all so he would be better prepared this time around.
Kakashi eyed Soma who was sitting before him a blank face aimed his way. Not much was known of the young boy. He just seemed to appear from the wind himself, a monster of power even at the young age he was.
Before joining the leaf Soma had garnered a name for himself. Bloodless Death, most of the child's few survivors spoke of how he stripped them of the ability to use chakra.
The youngest person dead or alive to be placed into Bingo books across the elemental nations. Though he was also the only one that the elusive photographers could not obtain any kind of picture of.
It was truly awe-inspiring, next to him he obtained the Uchiha's prized heir, the famed Itachi who was one of the youngest of his famed clan to obtain his Sharingan.
These two were truly the best and brightest of the upcoming shinobi generation. Shisui, who was very much in their age group would be the added ringing threat to protect their village. A dark swirling joy curled within the masked silver-haired shinobi. He would have a hand in training all of the upcoming elites, that was thrilling at least.
Soma sighed as Kakashi easily slid a formal notice before the young boy. He knew what would be written there, he didn't want to have to do it but knew it was coming.
Dual apprenticeship with Itachi as his training partner and Kakashi as their sensei.
Deep blue eyes lifted to meet the smug expression on his former sensei's hidden face. He couldn't see his face but he knew that bastard was smirking smugly at him.
It was no secret that Uzumaki Soma avoided Hatake Kakashi like he was the plague. Just the previous week while he had been preparing for the chunnin exams Kakashi had shown up trying to meet the two boys.
The Hokage had recommended them as apprentice's. So Kakashi had gone out of his way to cross their path.
Soma had finished their D ranked mission and bolted dragging a moony eyed Itachi with him. Everytime Kakashi so much as saw that glimmer of red hair the boy ran in the opposite direction. It was amusing to Hatake but now the boy was trapped.
Most assumed it had to do with the porn addiction the man proudly showcased, or his peculiar tendency to be late. It was neither but only Soma knew that and allowed others especially Kakashi to believe it was the older man's new quirks he showcased.
Itachi looked at him with bright eager eyes and Kakashi expectantly. Soma read over the contract and it wasn't really much but they would have to follow all his orders of training until they became jonnin.
Resigning himself to his fate Soma only signed his name and bit his thumb to add blood to the contract, next to Itachi's on the apprenticeship line. Kakashi snatched up the paperwork and eye smiled at his newest charges.
"We will start off right away and light. Fifteen laps around the village, be careful though. I will be lurking behind you both ensuring you do this in absolute silence." Kakashi smirked holding up a bag of what Soma knew to be small rocks. He had hoped to never be under Kakashi's thumb again, but it seemed he would be put through torture and torment of the man for years to come...or until he was able to become a jonnin.
He eyed a skeptical Itachi and debated on Kakashi's training methods as being the reason for the original Itachi's quick ascension to higher rankings... never mind he didn't want to think about it.
T.D.O.T
Several months in Soma and Itachi barrelled forward through their chunnin training and necessary missions. Itachi was growing in his own ability with ease and Soma was showcasing more and more of his hidden skill as the days wore on.
Soma was given some time away from training to complete clan duties and work hard on missions to bring in income to his clan.
It was easy all too easy. Soma was settled in his Tea room eyeing several clan heads while the screams and laughter of children echoed just down the hall.
Naruto was turning three and Konan and Azumi had arranged a party sending Invitations to several other clan heads. Soma had allowed it but still ensured to place several of his favored clansmen to watch over the clan heirs and children.
Never mind all the protection seals Soma himself had placed into the surroundings of his grounds. Anyone in their clan could sense when someone wandered too far off or in and would be there to steer people back or push others away. Hell, his security seals would just warp them in the right direction.
Shikaku was currently playing a game of shogi with Soma while many around them made conversation. It had hurt in particular to see Shikaku.
Shikamaru's sacrifice has been not long before the downfall of the village. Shikamaru had given his life taking down waves after waves of Zetsu as he could... before he died. Soma was still haunted from seeing the withered and bloody form of his former right-hand man. His best friend from a lifetime so long ago.
Shikaku himself had been one of the few adults in his past life who gave a damn about him. He was the one who had furnished his once upon a time apartment. He was thwarted from doing more by the council but Soma would always hold respect for the man for doing what he could to help.
Those Nara's were both men amongst men. They both earned his respect long ago and Soma was all but happy to give at least the older counterpart that.
The younger Nara would have to prove himself to Naruto but Soma didn't doubt it would happen once they both were in school together.
He always could recall being in awe of the intelligence the lazy boy had.
Fugaku was sternly watching Soma as he played the village's tactical veteran and conversed with ease. The Uzumaki leader, a child was nothing short of astonishment.
Rhe boy was personable and let any insult slide off his back. He even ensured insult did not reach the Uchiha clan despite the hostile environment most of the civilian council aimed at the Uchiha after the attack of the nine-tailed beasts on their village.
The boy truly knew how to work political climate which begged the question of how? Uzumaki Soma could not have been older than eleven, Soma was the same age as his oldest son, yet the boy moved and spoke as if he were a veteran Shinobi leader.
Fugaku eyed Azumi who was setting out more tea and food for the clan heads. The woman eagerly moved to the young Uzumaki clan heads side fussing over the boy till he pointedly looked toward the direction of the children. She smothered a giggle but appeased the clan's head by kissing his brow and trotting off towards the playing children.
His people listened to him absolutely. Azumi a grown adult didn't henpeck or coddle the boy but listened to his word. It was peculiar. Itachi was no doubt a prodigal genius of his clan yet he did not show the Stern or practical disposition that his youthful counterpart did.
Fugaku wondered why and needed answers. The Uchiha leader rose from his seat and settled next to the young clan leader. Soma gave him a head tilt of respect and acknowledgment but nothing more and nothing less.
Most would have thrown themselves to abase him, especially from smaller clans yet the Uzumaki held the confidence and wherewithal to abstain and show appropriate respect. He had noticed the boy was nothing but confident even for one his age.
"Did you need something of me Uchiha San? Your eyes have been glued to me all day." Soma spoke with ease not glancing away from his match with the elder Nara.
The match had been long going and that in itself was impressive to Fugaku. Shikaku himself snickered at the child's blunt confrontation, and the tactical veteran wondered how the kid got a read on the Uchiha to use such an approach.
Fugaku himself was focused on how the Uzumaki head was playing so evenly with the Nara's clan leader.
Few could last a short game with a Nara, let alone having a prolonged game in the area of their expertise.
"I am merely curious of you Uzumaki San." Fugaku spoke and Soma quirked an eyebrow.
"Curious, of me. I could only guess the reason why." The young preteen kept his voice steady and gaze even. Fugaku was not fooled though, as the boy's tone was obviously flat.
Soma was borderline disrespectful but this young boy had quelled rumors of his clan having hand in the attack on their village. Even despite the fact that the boy did not like him or owe his clan anything the boy was honorable. So Fugaku felt the child leader earned the right to speak to him as an equal.
His clan had been shunned but the Uzumaki people cared not of rumors or others' opinions but based people on their own merits.
So, Fugaku could forgive this slight against himself, and if he was, to be honest, he was beating around the bush and instead ventured to get to the point.
In a brief moment of distraction, Shikaku won over the young boy who only pouted in by his loss. The older man only reset the board as playing with the young Uzumaki gave him great insight and also delved up new questions.
Like why the hell was the boy so confident in front of so many clan heads. Why was this young boy someone so knowledgeable about battle tactics and why did he not even sway under an intense force like Fugaku.
It was all so interesting and Shikaku shifted his gaze to the open doorway watching the young clan heirs running about.
Shikaku watched his son, Shikamaru, and his best friend Choji being dragged along by the sociable and affectionate blonde that was Naruto Uzumaki. The blonde spotted a shy Sasuke clinging to his elder brother but the boy was no match for Naruto's friendliness.
The child soon had the whole lot of kids playing a game of tag. Charismatic and outgoing like his father, someone already showcasing leadership abilities. Able to bond and connect with any and all around him.
His gaze fell back onto the boy's young guardian who was eyeing the game board contemplatively. It was interesting playing with the Uzumaki clan leader.
Most people have favored well-thought-out tactics and strategies they implemented to play shogi. Not Uzumaki Soma it seemed.
The boy threw out tactics left and right looking for the correct angle and at no point in time did he seem frustrated by a loss. He vaguely reminded the older man of a friend long since lost.
It was odd to see pieces of Minato in a stranger but it seemed fitting. Naruto would get both parts of his mother and father from the form of someone who gave a damn about the boy.
It had to have been some higher power reaching out to give the boy a chance. Even if that chance was a mystery and prodigy.
The child was fascinating and would prove to be something great, Shikaku was sure of it. As Soma moved his next piece on the board Shikaku finally spoke.
"How would you feel if my son and Naruto had several more playdates. You and I could talk politics and play more rounds of shogi." Shikaku watched as Uzumaki Soma merely shrugged unperturbed by the offer.
Fugaku on the other hand eyed Shikaku suspiciously. Everyone knew how the Nara so rarely sought out relationships. Let alone with newly settled clans. Every clan head were each in small ways falling over themselves to have a chance to help and interact with their former friends' only child. So by extension they sought out Soma Uzumaki the one in charge of said child.
All the clans had wanted to help the young child who had been locked away in the cold tower that was the orphanage. They were all even banned from interacting with the formerly clanless boy.
Yet, those plans were thwarted in one fell swoop by the child before them all. Uzumaki Soma ran his clan well and the more members who returned to the bosom of their people the more they all thrived. They sold seals, arts, and luxuries few had ever seen before.
Truly this had to be a power wished onto the clan by forces greater than them. Soma played the match and eventually got close to taking down the older Nara but had ultimately been out-maneuvered. It was still impressive for one so young to get that close.
Soma sighed but squeals and giggles drew his gaze. The young redhead watched Naruto running around with his little friends. Small versions of ghosts of his past. Soma could only smile even if there was sadness in his eyes.
"I do wonder why you, of everyone in this village, look upon our children with such lingering sadness." This came from Shibi Aburame who surprised Fugaku by his sudden appearance seated next to him Even Shikaku jolted a moment eyeing the quiet man.
"When did you get here?" Shikaku spoke his face set in confusion.
"He was here the entire time," Soma spoke and sighed before looking back to the group of older men that their children modeled themselves after.
"I look upon our future generation and ponder if the peace will last." Soma settled back and Shikaku shifted his gaze back to him.
"Why would you have such a cause for concern Uzumaki?" Shikaku spoke but his gaze was guarded.
Soma had to ruminate his words before speaking. "My village and people were devastated, running to the point where many were scattered in the wind of the ashes the village became. We were a powerful bunch and much is shifting politically." Soma's gaze was heavy and each clan head realized there was no child mind sitting behind the youthful gaze of the preteen before them.
It proved to be true that young Soma Uzumaki had seen many horrors before joining the leaf. It would mean that more horrors were just outside their village doorstep.
They would all need to train their children accordingly.
"I have a proposal for you Uzumaki san." This came from Fugaku who eyed Soma. "Fist become a jonnin and we shall discuss further on this but this will be for you to ruminate." Soma eyed Fugaku but nodded for him to continue. Fugaku fumbled out of character for the man but settled his own privacy seal so only the four of them would hear his words.
Soma eyed Fugaku but focused his attention on him.
"You have made me realize my eldest is not suited for the role of a leader." Fugaku seemed calm despite it drawing open surprise from the group listening in. "Sasuke shows the characteristics of what it takes to lead our clan. Had I not seen your showcasing and even your own heir's easy candor with others I would have never seen the truth. My boy is too soft the role would destroy him but I will not let him stop being a shinobi. Until Sasuke is trained he will hold the mantle of clan heir but..." Fugaku looked uncomfortable.
"I wish to combine our clans by a marriage act." Soma sobered up and stiffened.
"I doubt Asumi would allow Karin to marry for political gain Fugaku. I would not even allow that." Soma was pissed but Fugaku didn't flinch.
"I did not state that I wished for young Karin to marry my eldest." Shikaku suddenly began snickering and Shibi the most stoic man flushed in embarrassment.
Soma only blinked once slowly and frowned. "You have an heir and I have an heir planned and set up. I can see my eldest settling down into an easy relationship with you." Soma blanched and Shikaku's snickering turned into full-out laughter.
"I'm pretty sure your son is straight Uchiha san." Soma spoke flatly his tone irritable. Fugaku only quirked a single brow and snorted.
"I'm sure he isn't, normally with this knowledge I would arrange his marriage to someone in my clan and ensure he bond with the girl so he could forget his inclinations but this way the clan can save pride and allow him to be himself away from prying eyes." Soma huffed and crossed his arms.
"What makes you think I swing that way?" Soma was actually curious about this matter.
Fugaku actually smiled before settling down. "You don't have a preference when you eye men or women you've made that perfectly clear when your eyes linger on several people during shinobi council." Soma blushed and huffed and waved his hand away. As if pushing the thought away.
"I'll think on the matter but I make no promises." The boy pushed it to the furthest recesses in the back of his mind and focused back on the game with the chortling Nara.
"That's all I ask." Fugaku took his seal away and stood to join his wife in watching over their sons.
Shikaku wouldn't shut up and Soma beat him in a match but it was bittersweet.
"Damn Uchiha's." Soma grumbled out only setting Shikaku off again.
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