Chapter 6: A Ghost Of You
Soma twitched body heaving and clear bile spewing from his mouth. Tsunade was hovering over the suddenly ill teen who was sweating and swearing in angry huffs and heaves. This sudden moment of illness bothered her but Jiraya seemed to only have a grimace and didn't seem too concerned. Jiraya only held Soma's hair back keeping any of the locks from slipping into the mess.
The Uzumaki had been working hard under his sensei's command for several months now. Jiraiya and Soma's spy contacts had been buzzing about the threat of Orochimaru being near the sand village. They arrived in the village only to be attacked by a young child with red hair and the kanji of love practically carved into his forehead.
Soma at that moment looked both disgusted and haunted and it bewildered Tsunade. Though she didn't have a great understanding of seals as Jiraya had looked pained seeing the child's seal. The two seemed to both just focus in on the boy and his marking.
They all knew that was a seal for a tailed beast. Why else would a young boy have a chakra and immediate intentions of attacking people he had never crossed paths with prior?
The evil entity that controlled the child was a bijuu and it took Soma all of several moments to subdue the boy into calming down. Well to calm down his bijuu at least. Tsunade had been skeptical about following the red-headed teen and Jiraya to travel in exchange for them promising to pay for her recent gambling debt.
Now, she didn't regret having made such a deal. Soma Uzumaki was a fascinating man. Watching him soothe the small boy kept her in anticipation of what his next move would be.
Though subduing the beast obviously made its container come to the forefront of control.
That had shocked the child and Soma was tugged eagerly behind the child by hand to his parent. The kazekage. That alone threw Jiraya and Tsunade for a loop while a teenaged Shizune was hovering over Soma and the red-haired child trying to heal any bumps or scratches they accumulated in their small scuffle.
They stayed in the village for a few hours and in such a short time Soma convinced the renowned stubborn fool of a Kazekage to allow the teen to fix the child's seal. Though the sign that he was a practicing fuinjutsu specialist and an Uzumaki probably gave the Kazekage full trust that Soma could deliver on his skill.
The fact that he was from the leaf made the Kazekage believe the teen would not risk insulting their village's only ally in these trying times. It was practical and truly a testimony to Soma's skill in politics. He talked over the man's words with ease and elegance.
Like he was skilled at stopping powder kegs of politics from imploding.
Then they spent several hours being followed around by the boy and his siblings while Soma was escorted around the village to collect supplies. A young girl with bright blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, Temari the eldest. Followed along by a brown-haired boy with eyes the color of coal Kankuro the first son. Of course, the sacrificed red-haired child Garra.
Tsunade knew they all had different mother's the Kazekage was known for being a bit of a womanizer in hopes of creating powerful offspring. Though rumors spread that he had fallen in love and one last woman who died in childbirth. Since then, there had been no rumors of the man's womanizing ways.
So it came as no surprise when the Kazekage chased after the mysterious redhead within a small time of meeting the beautiful man. At first many believed Soma to be a Woman. That was quickly remedied and so the group thought that was that.
Until the Kazekage flirtations suddenly grew in intensity and he became handsy asking Soma what could he offer for doing their village such a service.
That was the reason Soma decided to leave the hidden sand so suddenly after helping the young child of the Kazekage fix his seal. The sealing was swift almost like breathing for the Uzumaki seal master. So quick Tsunade was surprised when Soma was scrambling out of the sand village.
Though it was soon after that Tsunade realized the teen had been hiding a sickness...though not a traditional one it seemed. It was nothing she could heal, as the mind was not something she could really fix.
Soma wouldn't die but he had been holding that haunted gaze since they crossed that child's path.
Tsunade wondered what kind of trauma this boy had gone through. Only knowing rumors of him and the excited bragging coming from Jiraya when he brought the kid to the leaf.
Soma was chosen by the toads as Jiraya had been.
It was peculiar to Tsunade though as the boy rarely used his summons and focused on only using his Uzumaki clan abilities and his quick skills.
As Soma emptied out his stomach and settled down he refused to speak a word on the subject and only stood charging off to their next destination. The only sign of his weakness was the bile in the floor and his slightly unsteady step.
Jiraya ignored it as well. Tsunade huffed keeping Shizune from fretting over the boy. It was such a guy thing that it made her a little annoyed
This boy was different and unlike Jiraya he didn't nag her about returning to the leaf. He only had a knowing look upon his gaze and otherwise kept his thoughts to himself.
What a curiously infuriating young man this Uzumaki was.
T.D.O.T.
Soma twitched washing his hands feeling the eyes boring into him. Orochimaru had escaped them but Soma had ruined his chakra network.
It was a short encounter, truly only crossing his path by accident. Or for them, it was an accident as Soma was sure the snake sannin had been curious about the mysterious Soma that joined the hidden leaf village. Soma took his chance to lash out when Orochimaru arrived and exchanged insults with his two former teammates.
The redhead had no doubt the snake would find a way to release the seal but he had bought time. It was one of his weaker chakra-stopper seals. To be honest he wasn't even sure if his strongest chakra blocker could stop the snake man.
The only upside was the seal would not be able to be replicated unless you pumped a little Uzumaki blood into it. Blood seals could be destroyed but they could not be replicated unless you were a true Uzumaki. The map of the seal could be escaped but it was important to trace it from it's beginnings once through it, there was no way back to discover the structure.
It meant the snake Sannin would be distracted and when he did launch an invasion it would be more disorganized and he'd be sloppy. There would be more chances for them to be prepared but for that Soma needed help. For now, he had to focus on the current issue at hand.
Getting his clan's records on seals. He was grateful to have stumbled on them in his first life, now he would be able to use his skills more openly. It wouldn't change much yet as nothing happened or could truly be progressed until after Naruto graduates. Many factors and enemies would remain hidden until Naruto was known to have possession of Karuma.
Soma frowned thinking of the unavoidable invasion still years off.
Soma doubted helping Garra would make the Kazekage change his mind about the attack. The man was practically foaming at the mouth to get Soma's power into his ranks, it had been the only reason he hit on the teen.
The sand had been plotting to attack the leaf long before Soma had stepped past its gates and nothing he could do would make them change that course of history.
His Garra had even said as much in his past and Soma knew that at least Garra would be even more hesitant in attacking the leaf village. Especially since Naruto and he would likely cross paths again. They were jinchuriki and no matter what would be drawn to one another.
This was something he had accepted long ago and hopefully, the hidden leaf would be more prepared. He had been negotiating with Hiruzen before Soma had left the leaf and aimed to ensure the future teams would get over the shock of their first kills in the safety of the hidden village. Freezing after delivering your first kill was how Konohamaru and Choji died and it twisted something in Soma to not have them cover all bases. This was preventable and he would damn well ensure it would be avoidable for future generations to come as well.
The problem was Soma needed to create an entirely new seal for such a thing and he needed books hidden away in Uzushino. His beginning in this time loop was a blessing. He was grateful to have been stuck on Uzushino when he first arrived in his young body. He had several years of just exploring and studying his people, their history customs, and most importantly their seals. Though getting all of the needed items would be an arduous task. It was going to be a long drawn-out event.
He also needed Tsunade to come to the village temporarily for now. Her medical expertise would be necessary but Soma would be vigilant in trying to avoid putting her in situations with blood. She would one day get over that but that was a job for his blonde counterpart.
The Uzumaki had also been gone longer than he had anticipated. Soma bit his lip the pain pulled him out of his thoughts.
"-ood kid. You've been kinda out of it since our fight with Orochimaru. Did he do something to ya?" Jiraya reached out patting Soma's shoulder and the redhead sighed.
"No Jiraya, I'm fine just thinking really hard. I know that's a pretty difficult task for you, so I'm thinking for the both of us." Soma smirked and Tsunade snickered at her teammate's irritated expression.
"Yeah yeah ya brat. See if I ever be nice to you again." Soma snorted at Jiraya who was pouting.
"I told you, I'll be nice when you stop basing your dirty novels characters after me." Soma deadpanned and Jiraya looked offended.
"Loosely based!" Jiraya huffed and Shizune sighed. It had taken Soma some moments to get used to a young teenage Shizune. The older sister he had remembered had been shifted and changed to look young. The girl was skilled there was no doubt about that especially being Tsunade's apprentice but there was less confidence. The teen wasn't the strong assured woman she would soon grow up to become. Soma cherished the fact that he was gifted at seeing this side of the woman.
Especially cause she was a lot more sassy in her early years apparently. It tucked something inside Soma as the group traveled together. He could hear the sound of crashing waves but kept his ear on the conversation between Tsunade's apprentice and his Sensei.
"Jiraya sama, You described the male character as a young effeminate man with brilliant shimmering red hair. Eyes like gemstones and of ethereal beauty." She gave the older man a slow bink. " You even named him Toma." Soma's cheeks puffed up in his anger.
They had been going back and forth on this subject for weeks now. Just like in Soma's previous life, he knew this annoyance would be ignored for 'Artistic interpretation'.
That was currently not here or there at this moment as they had finally arrived at their true destination.
As Soma finally stopped before a swirling sea before him. The water was wild and torrent practically a vortex of death. Soma hummed as the group behind him looked forward in awe.
"Home sweet home." Tsunade gasped as Jiraya sputtered at his comment.
"How the hell are we going to cross this brat!" Jiraya was nearly hysterical and Soma just snorted.
"We water walk." The Uzumaki said far too innocently. He could hear Shizune and Tonton practically praying behind him. Soma snickered and pulled out a Kunai.
"Oh, really well that would be such a great idea if there wasn't a damn sea of water vortexes in front of us!" Jiraya was definitely losing it to the thought of facing such obvious danger.
Jiraya tensed a beat as Soma sliced his palm and hovered near the edge of the torrent water. His arms hovered as if to catch the kid in case he were to fall.
As the red viscous blood dripped into the swirling depths it suddenly fell calm and quiet. It stunned Soma's traveling party as the redhead stepped out into the calm waters being closely followed by the others.
"What the hell is happening?"This came from Tsunade who was intrigued but mostly shocked. Looking a bit shaky and pale as well.
Soma hummed slicing his palm again as his previous wound had closed up. "Uzushino recognizes its brood. It will only calm for the blood of its glimmering children." Soma grimaced flicking his blood calmly ahead of his group.
"It was actually how we were invaded, they kidnapped several of our people, civilians actually, strapped them to the bow of the boat, and kept slicing my people so they could attack our village." Soma sighed and sliced his palm again unbothered and almost clinical in his words.
Jiraiya's face scrunched up in confusion. "How would you know that kid, you had to have been far too young to even know of those details. Hell i've been curious on how you knew to even come to this location as many had forgotten the ruins of Uzushino and it's people." Tsunade eyed Soma as well curious on this as well.
Some only smiled srenely at them both before pointing at the vortext.
"I was born within the lands, to be fair I was abandoned within these water walls." Jiraiya jerked back as if he had been slapped and Soma could see Tsunade trying to gather her thoughts. "I've told you this before but I was a child orphaned or abandoned either of thaose choices thought i'm not sure what the truth is. I just awoke one day scrambling around the ruins my instincts kicked into survival. I grew up inside there and explored everything. Journals had spoken of the oncoming turmoil and the rest...It's like the land speaks to me. I don't know why but it feels alive and guided me. Either that or I got lucky to find hidden tomes that taught me the way of the Uzu people." Soma shrugged ignoring the stunned looks sent his way.
"To think the fall of my clan occurred from tortured souls of the people we were meant to protect." Soma stayed quiet after that and both Jiraya and Tsunade shut up not knowing how to interject in a conversation after that.
Tsunade kept her gaze aimed steadfastly away from the blood dripping from Soma's fingertips.
It took about an hour for them to get onto Uzushino land and when they did everyone was in awe. Despite the calamity and devastation that had once wrought the beautiful land it was still astounding to see.
It was as if the land was alive, greeting them. Welcoming them home. Something that was sensational and calming all at once.
Soma looked the group until they came upon the ruins of the once proud village. Jiraya's gaze fell onto the fountain in the middle of the village square. His eyes roved over the intricate fuinjitsu or what was left of it. It was hard to read broken work especially since a large chuck was turned into crumbling dust.
"Come along Pervy sage, let's not ponder over secrets of the dead too long." Jiraya jolted and eyed Soma who seemed listless. They followed the red head who seemed to walk as if he could hear music they could not hear.
Moving, swaying as if pulled then to a large stone door pressed far and deep into the foliage near the village. They all heard Soma inhale and press his now healed body palm to the door. Soma was moving possessed as if in a trance.
Jiraya grimaced seeing the red head offer another blood sacrifice but this time completing this large intricate seal. Tsunade averted her gaze in that breath of a second.
Nothing happened but only at first.
A shaking trembling screeching sounded and everyone covered their ears save Soma.
The wall of stone moved slowly, painfully and it was all so surreal to the group watching. Uzushino really truly did speak to the Uzumaki people. It really was their blood, their life and their power.
Soma didn't hesitate and it left the group scrambling after him into the dark depths of the wall he opened. It was then that suddenly both Jiraya and Tsunade realized as they along with Shizune noticed stumbling in the dark after Soma.
His glowing gaze allowed him to see in the darkness. His smooth stride never faultered while they had to grip the wall in the narrow passage to find the next narrow step. That was most surprising but not truly unexpected as Uzu people had strange bodies and many passive skills that tied in with their blood.
It was so fascinating to see in action though.
Soma stood at the bottom before them and suddenly light began to glow, to hum and glimmer. They followed and found the room seemed to offer a glow coming from fuinjutsu seals carved into the walls.
Soma seemed like he was in a daze still and it was so very unlike him. The redhead charged forward practically delicate in touching tomes, books and even linens with seals scribed into them.
Jiraya stood gobsmacked eyes bugged out and taking in the works before him. Tsunade's eyes roamed over the tomes giving it a low whistle at the work. Shizune gave a small gasp dropping Tonton who let out a squeal in surprise.
The cavernous room was massive and the work in this room has to be extremely precious to Soma. This was his clans work, something his people had dedicated their lives into.
"Jiraya." The words were so soft that the sage almost missed it. Jiraya shut his mouth and looked to Soma who was pulling out dozens of sealing scrolls.
"What is it kid?" The sage stepped forward while Tsunade crouched over a angry Tonton and a flustered Shizune.
"We have already extended this trip by several weeks. I don't want to miss Naruto's upcoming birthday. Can you...will you help me seal these scrolls?"
Soma smiled cheekily and Jiraya had to choke down tears. He knew Soma had amazing skills in creating wind clones and didn't need his help. Especially when all these were his clans secrets. Precious heirlooms of fuinjutsu mastery from the minds of the greatest.
The kid really did have a stuffy shot for him and Jiraya would always be grateful he was there for his godson without asking for anything in return. The boy truly was a savior in his eyes a true man. He never regretted dragging that boy to the leaf village and doubted he ever would.
Jiraya snorted and patted the teens head. "I knew I'd grow on ya brat." Soma snickered and the two set to work.
Tsunade couldn't believe joining these two on this trip would be so fascinating. She had never seen Jiraya this soft, not since Minato had died at least.
"Shizune." The name drew that dark haired woman's gaze to her master. Shizune's youthful face eyed her sensei and glanced to Jiraiya with his newest pupil.
"I think we are due for a visit to my grandfather." The young girl lit up in excitement.
"Really Lady Tsunade! Are we truly returning home?" Shizune reigned her excitement back as Tsunade grimaced.
"Only a short visit." It was clipped and obvious Tsunade was only doing this to observe Soma more but more than the Young teen could have expected. "I'll ensure everything's prepared then!" Tsunade snickered watching her young apprentice scamper off back towards their things they had left at the entrance of the hidden room.
She'd tell Soma and Jiraya later tonight. The slug princess grumbled to herself just thinking of her teammates future idiot expression.
Soma caught her eye a moment and annoyingly looked far too smug as if he already knew I'd her plans to visit the village.
Thinking of Soma giving her that knowing smirk though made her huff. "Annoying brat."
T.D.O.T
Soma was distracted. Jiraya could see that easily with his the teen stared hard at the cave entrance.
They got caught by a sandstorm crossing back home through sunas desert and had to take shelter a nearby cave.
Though the longer the storm went on the more tense Soma became. It was peculiar to the toad sage. The redhead never seemed to let anything affect him. From scathing comments to disrespect. The boy was always unfazed.
Yet now he was so anxious it was making the sage sick with worry himself.
Did Soma get word from one of his contacts. They had crossed though a village to rest for a few hours and Soma splintered off at a nearby tea house.
The working ladies and geisha seamlessly worked with or rather for the red head... well that's what Jiraya thought anyways. Soma could truly just be going there to enjoy the shows.
Right now though he had never seen the kid look so... pensive. His face. This expression reminded him so very much of Minato. There was a sameness to the expression and it always made Jiraya uncomfortable.
Mostly cause he still found ghost of his former student and was pushing the image into the one currently watching over Minato's child. Don't get him started on the comparisons to Kushina, kid was the spitting image of that particular lost relative.
Soma was not Minato but Jiraya couldn't help but still see something of the man in Naruto's guardian...In what he hoped because he so desperately wanted Naruto to obtain some of both his parents traits.
Though was that fair of him to be allowing his ghost to cloud over a stranger.
"Hey kid, why'd you get so tense. We're only behind by a half day, a day at the most. Naruto is young enough that he won't remember if you miss his birthday ya know. He'll forgive you that kid loves ya more than anything." If anything that question and comment seemed to only make the redhead more tense.
" The leaf village...they do not treat Naruto well. You know this Jiraya, that was why you found me and brought me to take guardianship of Naruto." The older sage frowned but gave a nod in understanding.
They both paused hearing some approach from behind. Both men eyed Tsunade warily who was more glaring at her teammate with clear irritation on her expression.
Tsunade eyed her former teammate in disbelief. "You said this kid sought you out for guidance in the ways of a toad sage. What do you guys mean by the leaf don't treat Naruto well?" Tsunade seemed incensed by that alone.
"From what the third said on the night of his birth some of them attempted trying to break into the hospital to get to the newborn. I have never let him step foot out of the compound on his birthday. He always tried to leave because he wants to see the festival." Soma looked sad and Jiraya wished he could describe that expression better.
It was like the teen was reliving heartbreak and every flash of pain would compound on his face. " I can't tell a kid ' Hey, you can't go into the festival because the people of the village hate you.' I especially could never say this to Naruto."
Jiraya hummed in response and eyed the whirling sandstorm blocking them.
"Though I agree in you protecting Naruto I'm sure he's not blind to the glares or unkind words spoken to or about him." Jiraya eyed Tsunade who seemed to have settled down between the two men. Shizune was still sleeping and it seemed Soma was the only one who would go without.
Though Jiraya understood the reason why.
"Yeah, but I don't want him to have to deal with it alone." It was whispered but both Jiraya and Tsunade heard him and the older sage snorted.
"You have a clan full of overprotective and loyal devotees. Nagato will rain down blood on the people if they harmed a single golden hair on his head. Konan herself would ensure the village saw her in their nightmares. Then don't get me started on Karin. She'd do anything to protect Naruto and you know it." Soma eyed Jiraiya and Tsunade. It was silent for a beat and he knew Shizune and Tonton were far enough away so Soma settled himself back into silence.
It was in these times that Jiraya felt he couldn't get a read on the kid.
From the moment he mentioned Soma, a child jilted and handed by the violence and death that surrounded him. The boy stood strong and firm against him. Willing to die for those few banded people he called his own.
A child who Jiraya had to thrust his last bit of remaining hope onto. To pay that this kid would be there for his godson when he couldn't. That despite their limited time spent together the pair of them bonded as if they were family.
Jiraya who only saw ghost of others in the boy he had so haphazardly kidnapped and delivered to serve and protect a village that scorned him and the legacy of his long lost student.
"I just don't know if I can trust your village just yet... no not yet at least." With that Soma stood leaving being the two sannin stunned to watch the storm raging.
"Jiraya. Who is this kid? Where did you even find him in the first place?" Tsunade spoke hushed but watched Soma who only had eyes for the storm beyond.
"He and I crossed paths when I was... conducting very important research." Jiraya flinched at the dark glare Tsunade sent his way.
"Look kid took offense to my research and I got a good glimpse of him. Looked really similar to Kushina and with hair like that I knew I had found myself an Uzumaki in the wild." Jiraya sighed closing his eyes in contemplation.
"I followed the kid after his assault on my person and found him holed up in a room with a few other Uzumaki people and my former students from our time in the land of Ame." Jiraya opened his eyes looking tired and that surprised Tsunade.
"They told me how a little child had happened upon them and immediately drew Nagato in by letting him know if his heritage. Then set about ensuring the three would live to see another day by transforming clones to take their places in a negotiation they had with an Ame official... they found out the hard way that day that not every Shinobi is a good person. Instead of falling down the wrong path though Soma led them towards his into creating a family and instilling their minds onto not enforcing their will into others but doing their best to improve the lives they touch." Jiraya snorted.
"I sent word on the situation to the old man and kidnapped the kid. His people followed him willingly and once he met Naruto, well Soma lost his fight. We all came to the same conclusion he did. Naruto and Soma look too closely related, too similar they have to be closely related. The second Soma saw the kid it was over and he knew it." Tsunade sighed and eyed the pre teen not far away.
"He can't be that noble." Tsunade tried to find some motivation but was finding it difficult.
"He's been part of the leaf and a faithful Shinobi for years. He's let people scorn him spit at him and curse his name so he can protect his people and Naruto. Trust my sources at least, they were all skeptical even though he can't to us so young. They would each trust him with their lives now. Soma truly lives up to the Uzumaki bloodline. He is their king, and he is a good and just ruler for them. He will bleed for them. He will cry for them. He would die for them. He's not noble, he is just living up to be their standard." Jiraiya snickered.
"You don't have to whisper by the way the kid will hear us no matter where we are in the cave. " Tsunade's head snapped to Jiraiya then back to Soma who was looking back at them with a single brow raised.
"It's a bloodline thing not voluntary and I told pervy sage to tell you a long time ago." Soma snorted as Jiraiya squawked only for the old man to have to run away from his angered former teammate. The tension eased out of Soma a bit and he could see the storm starting to settle a little. The clenching in his gut was starting to unwind.
Just a bit longer Naruto.
T.D.O.T
Soma rushed past the guard post once he was cleared and bolted to the hokage tower.
Jiraiya and Tsunade hurried behind him as he scrambled up the tower and the secretary waved them in upon first sight of his red hair.
"Ah Uzumaki I take it the mission went well." Soma snorted at the genial attitude of the hokage who eyed an annoyed Tsunade. Hiruzen just acted as if SOma had returned from an overnight event rather than over half a year.
"Of course, Hokage sama. My mission details." The red head quietly placed his scroll onto the Hokage's desk fidgeting while he read it over. Jiraiya was blatantly eyeing the corner of the room that seemed to almost vibrate with energy, despite being so well concealed.
Nature users like Jiraiya and Soma could detect that subtle emotional shift and that particular guard.
Jiraiya openly smirked at Soma back taunting him whispering 'Someone's in trouble.' Soma ignored him and the person. Hiruzen snickered and waved Soma off letting the red head get a head start. Hiruzen would keep to his deal Naruto would be starting in the academy soon and Soma would be inactive as a member of anbu unless called upon for emergency only. The third watched the red head leave the office recalling their agreement so many years prior.
Spymaster and low rank short term missions until Naruto became a chunnin. Due to that condition Hiruzen wanted to punish Soma a little.
"Crow." A single masked figure appeared before the hokage at his command and Hiruzen snickered again.
"You are relieved from guard duty for a few days. Take this as a token of gratitude for working so hard." The masked figure gave a single nod and left at his Hokage's dismissal.
Hiruzen snorted and settled into his paperwork once more as his students settled in to go over a recap of their missions.
It was a truly glorious day today.
Soma moved fast dodging a shuriken and snatching up a second. A very angry blonde boy was huffing and trembling before he burst into tears and tackled the red head soaking the man's travel kimono with tears.
"I missed you too Naru." Soma was gentle and ran his fingers through the boys long golden hair letting him cry away the worry and stress.
Nagato laughed and slapped Soma on the back.
"Made it just in time." The whole clan was watching in awe at their prodigal leaders return.
Soma eyed his people. Only thirty-nine we're of Uzumaki bloodline. Another fourteen were gained from root or adopted into the clan. Soma's gaze stopped the dark eyes and hair of Sai.
He had felt guilty for naming the boy such when first meeting him. He played it off as saying he reminded him of a long-gone friend and the boy thanked him for naming him. His 'brother' Shin had clung to Sai's side even as sickly as he had been. Soma ensured that the boy had gotten medical care and he was happy to see both boys happy and healthy.
"Happy birthday Naruto." The boy only cried more clinging tighter to his guardian happy the man had returned safe.
Konan waved at Soma joined with a cheerful Yahiko at his side. Karin was trying to restrain the other clan children from dog piling onto Soma.
"-arted ninja school so I can become super powerful like you and help you in missions and stuff." Soma tuned back in wondering how time seemed to flash by him so swiftly. Everyone looked healthy and safe, so he just let it all go. All the worries he had carried got the lady several months.
Soma could see this future growing to be for the better and was glad it was still holding strong even in his absence.
"Yes, Naru but you know you will still have to study in the academy." A bit a whining came from the boy, but Soma was good this was the worst thing Naruto would have to face in this lifetime. He couldn't baby him forever, but he was glad to do it while he could.
It was fine to celebrate another year to this change.
Soma snickered eyeing Kakashi who was trying desperately to corner the red head. Itachi was jumping in to do the same but both men had not seen Soma or his 'new' skills.
The red head was already good at escape and avoidance prior to their leaving but now it was downright unfair. He knew both of their strengths and weaknesses by now, so Soma knew how to avoid both men fairly easily now.
Even in his past life he had escaped Kakashi's notice a few times, surprising his former sensei.
He would continue to avoid both for the time being. Right now, he was settling back in and connecting to the other clans once more. Right now, his focus would be on Naruto and his former friends and comrades.
It was a breeze ditching the two men and gliding back onto Uzumaki clan grounds carrying his goods he had left the compound for. Naruto was practicing the Clan kata ensuring he wasn't missing any steps and Nagato was overseeing him.
Times like these were when Soma was truly grateful for the extra help. It really did take a village to raise a kid. Soma caught the attention of both clan members who eyed him in various forms of curiosity.
Nagato raised a brow at his leader's outfit. Soma was wearing a beautiful sky blue and intricate kimono pattered in glossy shimmering scales done in pearl and emerald. It was definitely one of his more feminine clothing choices especially since the red head had half his hair pulled up and held by a pair of senbon. Soma was carrying a closed parasol the same shade of pearl and emerald in intricate designs same as his kimono pattern. Nagato frowned as the pattern on the umbrella was made to look like the chakra absorption seals, they made in the clan.
"Eh, Soma why do you have an umbrella?" Naruto looked to the sky searching for any hidden cloud. Soma chuckled and Nagato softened at the noise. I'm his many years of knowing Soma it was hard pressed to get genuine happiness from him. Naruto really truly brought out the boy's softer side and it was nice to see that.
"This is a parasol Naru, usually it's used to shade yourself from the sun." The blonde cocked his head curiously obviously confused.
"This is for your next bout of training in the future. After you learn the war fan, we will go onto this." Soma spoke opening the beautiful parasol and spinning it. Naruto looked skeptical but Soma eyed Nagato who sighed and prepared himself to get his ass beaten...again.
Nagato had known his leader had been learning how to use this...weapon before mostly in his youth but his short stature had delt him a bad hand. Now Soma wouldn't have such issues and Naruto was growing steadily and swiftly so there was no doubt the blonde would be able to handle this weapon type before long.
For now, though Nagato grimaced and had settled a distance away from the shorter redhead. They waited for Naruto to scramble to the side while Soma settled his parasol onto his shoulder. Nagato wondered where he got all these weapons sometimes but signed and got into a fighting stance. Soma just looked to him with an almost bored expression and it always wounded Nagagto's ego fighting the guy.
Nagato pulled out a kunai and charged at Soma who parrying his swing with the open sunshade. Nagato swung his leg back to kick at Soma in the opening, but his ankle was stalled by the base tube. The umbrella spun and the glimmering scales weren't just for aesthetics it would seem, slightly blinded by the illuminated glow that burst from the sparkling fabric Nagato jumped back avoiding being hit by Soma's closed sunshade.
Nagato threw out several shuriken at Soma who opened his parasol and spun the weapon ruining the trajectory of the shuriken. The Parasol fell to the floor and Soma had disappeared from behind it making Nagato curse as he dodged a sleek long straight sword. Nagato noticed the umbrellas base tube was missing and he had to jump out of the way as Soma charged at him with the blade. Soma was relentless charging at Nagato with practiced ease pushing the man to defense. A slice of Nagato's top got sliced and the older man got distracted and was kicked to land onto of the parasol canopy and Nagato cursed as the thing bent like a trap the thing held down his arms and legs.
The fight was humiliatingly short as always and Nagato lay there as his leader gracefully landed next to him smiling gently down at the older man and called over an awed Naruto.
"This is a weapon I use for capture missions. As you can see Nagato is unable to move, and this weapon is my own personal tool, so he is unable to use his chakra to escape binding. All Uzumaki weapons are meant to disguise themselves as normal tools for luxury or beauty. We do also have some clan weapons used for thwart others from attacking." Soma turned his attention to Nagato and crouched down showing a long line of leg and Nagato realized Soma's legs were hairless. The kimono really was quite feminine and Nagato snorted fighting the urge on calling his leader pretty to his face.
Everything about Soma was made as distraction from his clothing choices to his fighting style. It was as if he had faced off against perverts all his life and learned seduction was as great a weapon as a kunai to the throat. "I concede." Nagato huffed and Soma's twinkling laughter caught him off guard a bit.
Soma spent a few moments showing Naruto how to undo the trap and the boy was fascinated when the Parasol popped back into a regular umbrella after Nagato moved out of its clutches and Soma returned the blade back into the pole of the sunshade.
Nagato stood and just watched Soma eagerly showcase the weapon to Naruto who just as eagerly asked a million questions a minute. His small hands traced over the weapon and Nagato forgot that these two weren't related. That Soma was pushed to be a replacement for a guardian for Naruto. It was true that he took care of the boy in majority as Soma had been in and out of the village with continuous long-term missions, but Soma had done everything and anything to be actively involved with the blond from the moment he had been released into the clan. Soma worked hard and provided for their clan from the start, ensured they could grow and live and strive to become who they were today.
They saw him be as active in everyone's lives as he possibly could and moved to resolve any issues before the problems even arose. Right now, the few clan members that could remember their village were working diligently to store and hide away their clans' precious tomes and artifacts the redhead had recovered.
Nagato was very proud to serve under Soma and no amount of time he was separated from the clan would he forget that gratitude. Though it didn't mean he'd always be obedient and quiet.
"You look like a pretty girl Soma chan." Nagato had to dodge a senbon Soma had pulled from his hair and laughed running away from his angered leader snickering the entire way. A small indignant Naruto running behind shouting 'Soma's not a girl!' the entire way.
T.D.O.T
Soma idly watched Naruto tackle a surprised Shikamaru out of his nap while Shikaku set up the Shogi board. Choji was munching on a few treats the read head had Naruto bring over. Ino was hollering from the side egging Naruto to 'beat up that lazy brat' and Soma chuckled hearing an icon 'Troublesome before Shikamaru started to fight back.
"Naruto's as rambunctious as ever I see." Inoichi spoke settling himself to sit at Soma's side while the game began. Soma snorted and shrugged watching Naruto run from Shikamaru who was now determined to get revenge for his rude awakening.
"Kids got some spunk in him, I like it." Choza Spoke the rotund man happily settled next to Inoichi with snacked loaded up from Soma's clan as a thanks for the invitation.
"Just like his mother." Shikaku spoke immediately making the moment a bit sullen. Soma looked a bit softer at that comment.
"I'm quite glad he has bits of his parents' personality; from what I had heard they were both good people." Shikaku quirked a brow but started their game.
"The village is quiet about it as per the Hokage's orders, how would you know of them." Soma snorted and focused on the game.
"I was given all the belongings and trinkets of the last Uzumaki in the village before my clan was brought here." Soma and Shikaku played a bit before he continued his thought. "She had a journal, spoke greatly of the man she loved not much detail as she had not wanted any to know his identity, not that it's a difficult leap of logic, especially since Naruto seems to have the man's eyes and hair color. I needed to know about her to give her spirit it's final rights as an Uzumaki. As a fallen princess of our clan." Soma settled back even under the intense stares aimed his way.
"The Hokage also explained in detail why Naruto was given the Uzumaki Name rather than his father's and even though I am grateful to have a clan heir I will not shy away from ensuring Naruto knows anything and everything I can tell him of his parents. I doubt he'd feel comfortable going to others about the information and I was prepared by those that knew and loved his parents." Shikaku snorted.
"Hiruzen and Jiraiya are both very sentimental." Soma hummed in response his eyes guarded.
"As is Kakashi." Shikaku had a wave of understanding light up his eyes and he snorted.
"As is Kakashi." They settled chatting amongst one another playing shoji and catching up with Soma. Shikaku eyed Naruto who was happily showing off some of the skills his guardian was teaching him.
The boy was happy healthy and thriving under Soma's guidance. Shikaku was truly grateful this kid had stumbled into Naruto's life. Shikaku could only imagine how hard the boy's life would have been had he not been brought to the leaf all those years ago.
Besides now he had a really good Shoji partner, it had been so long since he had someone to enjoy the game with.
"Naruto don't you dare prank people on their clan grounds." Soma spoke earning a snort from Inoichi who watched the blonde boy huff hiding away his hidden item. How he had such a good read on the boy astounded all of them as Soma was barely on the cusp of adulthood. Though he grew up as Naruto's mentor, as...a surrogate parent and now Inoichi wondered if the village had taken advantage of another prodigy.
He had held nothing but suspicion of the boy for several years until just before his departure on his almost year long journey. Soma never spoke on any of the unfounded animosity between them and just moved past it.
Soma just lived his life to better those around him and Inoichi had long let go of being unable to dig into his mind.
"I win." Shikaku laughed boisterously and reset the board making the men crowd around the board for the next match.
T.D.O.T
Hiashi and Hizashi both sat watching Neji and Soma go through light fighting blows. The older man had graciously offered up designs for the clan to change over their clan seal and as their clan owed the Uzumaki leader a favor the elders had no choice but to agree to Soma's terms. The red head truly was an amazing negotiator. The Uzumaki leader had brought over Naruto at Hinata's request, and the two kids were happily practicing their clan kata's and play fighting. Neji had wanted to train but Soma had led him away to practice against himself.
Neji attacked but Soma turned out to be well versed in fighting against their clan's fighting style.
The twins never thought to train another form in case someone could counter their clan's style, but this was putting a thought into both brother's heads. Hiashi eyed his brother who was eerily focused on Soma and Neji.
He looked contemplative.
Hiashi would allow his brother to do as he please and he looked over the scroll that contained their clans saving grace. A new binding seal that would protect their clans eyes much like the one the Uzumaki clan had given over to the Uchiha. It wouldn't have so much...control over their people and truly that settled something in Hiashi's gut that had been always on his mind.
They were on the verge of change and that was refreshing.
"I'm going to ask Soma to train Neji." Hizashi spoke suddenly and Hiashi's gaze softened as they both knew Neji would need more guidance. The boy was harboring an arrogance that could be dangerous and maybe this humbling would be a wise decision.
Soma was practically dancing around the boy dodging his blows while carrying a damn parasol and smirking down at the young boy. The bruising to his ego would be for the better in the long run.
"I believe that would be wise brother." With them both in agreement they settled for watching and enjoying the afternoon with their two-bubbly guest.
T.D.O.T
Tsume, Shibi eyed Hiashi who was dragging a very reluctant Soma along his side. They had been called by their teammate to come to the grounds and into the gardens with their kids for a small celebration.
This was unusual behavior for their longtime teammate, and they watched the teen grumbled before he was made to settle down at the table with them. They both watched a blonde blur scream in excitement before tackling Kiba who was just as eager to see his friend. Neji and Hinata chased after them and the blonde boy jumped up scrambling to eagerly greet Shino who was surprised to have been corralled into the group as well.
"Soma has created a seal for our clan as agreed." Tsume perked up as she had been waiting for this news. "We are here to celebrate."
Shibi quirked a brow and Tsume hooted.
"Finally, I knew this kid would do us all some good." Soma sighed heavily but gave in to the group.
T.D.O.T
Soma sighed and leaned back watching Naruto eagerly chatter away with Sasuke over dinner.
He stayed silent as Itachi kept trying to catch his gaze and focused on catching up with Fugaku over their clans and the connections Soma had been fostering since their first meeting. So, he was offering up some intel on where they might find a few missing clan members as he had crossed paths with a few on his travels.
Soma had a very busy day and was so not interested in dealing with Itachi's scolding. The boy had been tracking him all day as was Kakashi and both men needed to direct their attention elsewhere. When Naruto began yawning was when Soma had thanked them and collected Naruto to take home.
Soma had ensured his connection to other clans were still intact and that Naruto was still well received despite the limited interaction as of late.
It eased something in him knowing that his charge was accepted, and Soma would go through hundreds of tiring days like this one if it meant he could confirm with his own eyes that Naruto would be welcomed in the future. Soma sighed feeling vibrating energy and recognizing it immediately. He arrived to his clan grounds and glanced back to twin expressions of frustration and tilted his head in the direction of his clan home.
The small group walked up the long pathway and through the clan grounds to the far house in the back. The door opened and a surprised Nagato eyed their two guests wordlessly taking Naruto from Soma's arms. The boy gave a sleepy goodnight before the pair disappeared and Soma directed an annoyed Kakashi and Itachi into the seating room.
"Hello Kakashi, Itachi. What new?" Some held back a snort when Itachi practically jumped at him his sharingan active as if searching for injury.
"What's new? That's all you have to say after disappearing for almost a year." Kakashi had practically growled surprising Soma who was still being man-handled.
"I was on assignment, can't exactly drop by you guys to let you know. I only let those that absolutely needed to know in on that. It was part of my orders." Kakashi sighed and eased back as did Itachi who was definitely the most emotional Soma had ever seen him.
"I was actually scared, terrified you had died out there and no one would know." Soma gathered himself struggling to not grow embarrassed. He wasn't dating either of these men, in fact it felt odd to be spoken to as if he had wronged his lovers. He could not deal with this, not when he would have to be zeroed in and focused on Naruto for the next several years.
"Yeah, well I'm going to be strictly homebound for the foreseeable future." Soma pulled away from Itachi's grip and felt bad at the stricken expression he had. "It was part of my deal with the Hokage. I'm planning on helping to adjust the shinobi curriculum and have all the teams train under a team leader once a week. I will be working closely with the academy and genin instructors for a bit." Soma could see the immediate disapproval in both men's gaze.
"That is a waste of your skills." Kakashi did not like the thought of one of his prized students being reduced to a teaching assistant.
"I have to agree with sensei, what is going on in that head of yours Soma. First you disappear then you return to only fall from your potential." Itachi had not ever wanted to lose his teammate and he could not leave anbu, too many people relied on him and his direction.
Soma shrugged trying not to let their words hurt him, but they struck a nerve. This was important for the future, and he knew his reputation would take a nosedive, but he would do what was necessary.
"You are making a mistake. I will not allow my efforts in training you to fall to the ash." Kakashi was incensed, he couldn't let Soma do this as he has so much potential. Itachi was nodding agreeing with his sensei confused why his longtime friend would be foolish enough to drop everything to take on such a role.
"I will do this with or without either of your permission. Now, I'm exhausted and hope you both can come to terms with my decision as it is final. You are both very close to me but until you can both resect my choices please stay out of my way." Soma stood and purposefully walked to the door yanking it open and refused to listen to anything they had to say on the matter. He knew they wouldn't understand right now. Neither of them would understand until Naruto was finally safely in a genin team, trained to perfection.
He would not speak on it though as they both should have let him live his life, this may have been his return, but Soma needed this reprieve. This time of peace for him he could finally settle all his old scars, and he would do so away from the prying eyes of the village. He needed to finally face the ghost of his past and learn to breathe again. Learn to live for something beyond his Naruto as the time for him to leave the nest would be soon approaching. He needed to remember there would be a life and how to function past that.
"Have a good night." Soma spoke knowing he would not see either man for several years to come. Soma would ensure that.
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