If you are wondering where the Kisho Renjiro story is, I scrapped it. I was out of my element and was not sure what I was doing. This story will be executed better than I could have done my other story. I learned a few things. Now welcome to the story. The story is explained at the start.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
I rolled the name over my tongue as I stared down at the baby in my arms. The baby was crying hell right now as black markings started to show on his stomach.
"Minato. Why did you not let me do this? You should have been here...here for your son." I looked at the dead blonde Hokage, a giant hole in his chest. He held his dear red-haired wife in his arms who had the same hole. "I will take care of this child for you Minato." ANBU arrived on the scene securing the area. I walked off in my battle garb, my staff returning to his world, as I felt the weight of my years all on my shoulders. I walked back towards the village, anticipating the power struggle ready to occur.
This man was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure. The God of Shinobi, one of the three pillars left of the old world. A title he shared with Hanzo the Salamander, ruler of Amegakure in Rain Country, and Onoki of Both Scales, the third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. Sarutobi was old at this point, having already retired. However, the Kyuubi was released onto his villlage, forcing his retirement to end. In the end, he had to retake his mantle. The God of Shinobi ruled once again.
Naruto Uzumaki. Konoha's Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja. The Hero of Konoha. The Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi. Successor of the Toad Sage. Son of the Yondaime and Red-Hot Habanero. Student of the Copy Ninja. The Nanadaime Hokage. The Reincarnate of Ashura. The Savior of the World. The Child of Prophecy.
That was the story we were told. The blonde boy who captured all our hearts through his adversity and challenged the world's hatred and conquered it. However, that Naruto was naive. He just went through it, hoping on his skills, and never pushing himself to be the true best. His motivation was his friend who stabbed him in the chest, or he screamed out the words, "I WILL BE THE HOKAGE!", but he lacked the drive to improve to be the Hokage, not realizing what it meant. His cockiness in his childhood stunted the growth of the boy with abnormal potential. Now imagine something pushed him, to his maximum potential. Imagine the ceiling exceeded all the shinobi, and Naruto pushed past it. This is the story of Naruto taking things seriously, bestowing the true way of the ninja on himself. His rise to greatest. This is Naruto, pushed to his 120%.
I was floating in the black, seemingly comfortable. Suddenly, I look to see I am in a crowd. The nine-tails I knew shadowed over me, his tails covering me. Everyone looked at me in disgust and hatred, then a man with a pipe stepped out. He did not look at me with disgust, but love. His hat extended towards me, showing his offering. The nine-tails shrank a little. Two more people stepping out, a kind old man and his daughter. They looked with love as well. The nine-tails shrank more. A man with a ponytail stepped out next. He showed kindness. The nine-tails shrank more. A man, girl, and boy stepped out. They looked at him with respect and a familiar bond. The nine-tails shrank even more. A young boy and his sensei stepped out. The nine-tails shrank. An old man, younger woman, and a kid stepped out. They looked at him with appreciation and awe. The nine-tails continued to shrink. A man with a large sword and a younger boy stepped out. They looked at him in respect. The nine-tails was barely there. Nine kids stepped out along with three adults behind them. Some looked at him with comradery, some with friendship, and others respect. The nine-tails disappeared. An old man appeared with his white hair. I started feeling like the sun, happiness. Then the first man who extended love towards faded. His hat and pipe being left on the ground. I felt the nine-tails return as a shadow over me. A young boy showed up in front of me with his two siblings, he had a tail of his own. He looked at me with understanding while his siblings looked at me with awe. I felt the nine-tails stop feeling like a shadow, and more like me. A blonde lady and her black-haired assistant stepped out. They looked at me compassionately. The nine-tails faded again. The blonde lady and white-haired man picked the hat and pipe up and carried them to me. As they walked, I saw one of my friends start to fade to black. I feel the Kyuubi tails start to grow. I look up, the man and woman are in my face, extending the items to me. They said in unison.
"He believed in you, to be his successor, make him proud."
I suddenly woke up from the blackness. I was sweating from that.
'What was that dream? Grandma Tsunade and Pervy Sage gave me his hat and pipe? And what were all those people? Are they, my friends? I m-mean I consider them to be.'
Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade watched the boy, who was lost in thought.
"You know, the boy has never thought so much when he has been around me," the Sage murmured.
The other two nodded their heads, keeping their eyes on their favorite knucklehead ninja.
'Man, Sasuke was my friend...but he tried killing me, that is not what friends do. That would explain why he faded...but still. I promised Sakura to bring him back. AND I NEVER GO BACK ON MY PROMISES. But what if I am not supposed to! WHY IS THIS SO FRUSTRATING! I need to talk to somebody. Kakashi or Pervy Sage will help me.'
I broke out of my musings, finally seeing the three adults in the room. They were whispering to each other, while keeping an eye on me.
"HEY YOU OLD PEEPS! WHATCHA ACTING SO HUSH-HUSH ABOUT!"
All three of them snapped their heads to me as they started speaking unintelligently and in splutters. Finally, Kakashi calmed down and started to speak while I gave them my best, 'you're stupid' look, it was very effective.
"Oh well Naruto, we were discussing vital village information. Nothing to worry about." I just continued to give him my look, which made the Jounin sensei start to sweat.
'Why is he so good at making me feel stupid!' Kakashi wondered to himself.
"I bet you were Kakashi-sensei. Anyway, I need to talk to you all about something important."
At this everyone gained serious expressions. Naruto saying something is important means it is VERY important. The brat was hardly serious.
"I was like in a dream...and it made me think." Everyone worried when they heard the word, 'think', out of Naruto's mouth. "Should I break my promise to Sakura, and not try to bring Sasuke back?"
It was said softly, but everyone heard the words. To say the adults were shocked would be an understatement. They were dumbfounded. Their blonde knucklehead ninja just thought about going against his nindo way. That was like Tsunade giving up sake and Jiraiya giving up peeping or Kakashi to stop going to the memorial stone.
Kakashi voiced everyone's question. "N-n-n-naruto, what exactly was your d-d-dream?"
"I saw all my friends, and Sasuke was leaving us. Hokage-jiji left me his hat and expectations in that dream, and for some reason, it felt like going after Sasuke is not what he would want. It seems like I am not meant to do that for Sasuke, to bring him back." Naruto kept his eyes down, not noticing the absolute shock around the place. There was just silence in the room for what seemed like an eternity. The boy's mature thoughts stupefying the adults in the room. Tsunade eventually came up with a response to the young boy.
"How about you talk to Sakura...maybe that will help you decide." I nodded my head in approval. Thinking of what I would tell her. I did not notice the adults leave. I did not notice I was left alone for an hour. I did not notice Sakura walk into the room. A cough of the throat broke me from my musings.
"Oh, hello Sakura. How are you doing?"
"I am doing well Naruto." Sakura stared at me sadly. Unknowingly to him, Sakura was in her own inner turmoil. On one hand, she wanted Sasuke to be returned by Naruto, but on the other hand, she was hurting her best friend. Her crush tried killing his own best friend, and she made the boy promise to bring back his attempted killer. To her it was not fair. "Tsunade said you wanted to see me."
"I am sorry about not bringing Sasuke back Sakura. I do not think there is a chance we can. I saw it in his eyes. He truly did not want to stay. He said he loved team 7, our bond, he said we were family, yet he tried killing his own brother he said he loved. I do not think I can keep the promise I made to you Sakura." By the end of it, I had tears in my eyes at my own lack of strength. Sakura's firm voice brought my attention to her.
"Naruto...as much as I want him to be back, we cannot force him back. We do not know how that will turn. I realized it is not fair to you, so it is okay Naruto. That promise means nothing anymore. Make me a new promise instead..." Sakura said looking at her blonde companion. Said blonde was looking at her with confusion.
"Promise to become stronger than ever. Strong enough to be the best in the world. To protect the village from all traitors. And bring the world to peace and justice."
Naruto saw through the hidden meaning Sakura was implying. 'Be strong enough to not bring Sasuke back as a friend, but as a traitor. Be strong enough to stop him.'
A smile made its way onto Naruto's face.
"Of course Sakura."
The two of them began talking about other things. The conditions of his teammates and the village's reaction to Sasuke's defection were the main topics. The topic of Sasuke defection did not affect them all too great. Deep down, they both knew it was just a matter of time. Their teammate was too consumed in his hatred to think otherwise.
As it started getting darker, Sakura waved goodbye to Naruto. Leaving the blonde alone by himself for a while again to his thoughts.
'She is right, she did not say it out loud, but Sasuke is a traitor to the Leaf. I need to get strong enough to bring him back not as a friend, but as a shinobi of the Leaf. That is what the Hokage does right Old Man. Keep the village safe from all.'
I slept that night. A deep slumber that I have not achieved in ages. The breakthrough of the lifetime having exhausted me. I would become stronger. The clouds on the horizon will not let me save my friend. I need to defend the Leaf from all harm, even if it is my own friend.
The next day, his fellow genin friends came to visit me. Except Choji and Neji, those two were still receiving extensive care. I opened my eyes to see my genin friends enter the room.
"Hey guys, how are all of you?"
Shikamaru just gave him a sigh. Shino just gave him a nod of the head, while Kiba extended him a feral grin and thumbs up. Hinata twiddled her fingers and said a shy fine. Ino just said she was fine, which was odd for the boisterous blonde to be reserved in the moment. Tenten just gave a respectful fine while Lee started spouting the Flames of Youth. I looked at all this with a smile, 'my friends'.
"How are you doing Naruto?" asked the curious Ino.
"Well, I got a new scar from Sasuke," everyone winced at that, "but otherwise I am better off than two others." The room was somber at that. Nobody still knew Neji's condition while Choji was recovering, but the chances he would remain a ninja were 50%.
"He will answer for his crimes." Everyone turned to look at the Nara who was looking angry, an emotion not commonly found on the relaxed Nara's face. "Naruto, traitor or friend, he cannot be excused."
"I know."
Those words shocked the genin. Their Naruto, loyal to a fault, admitted something nobody thought he would. The Nara was surprised more than anyone he agreed.
"I told Sakura that I would bring him back to justice." Now the genin almost passed out from that. They knew the blonde made the promise to bring their former friend back to the light. To break his promise, was a revelation nobody was ready for. Naruto was going against his ninja way.
"He left on his own judgement. Resulted in the injuries and almost death of a few Leaf ninja. Comrades. His crimes are inexcusable. He is irredeemable right now."
Hinata passed out at this. The shock was palpable in the room. Nobody contradicted him; however, they shared the same thoughts. He was responsible for the near death of Choji and Neji. He betrayed his home. To some, death was warranted, others indefinite imprisonment worked. They all understood the blonde was the closest to the boy, but this made the boy change his ninja way, never go back on his word.
"Wow." That summed the thoughts of the genin. Ino was the one who voiced it. "You all know I am capable of being serious." The deadpan made all the kids feel stupid. Naruto's, 'you're an idiot', face remains fearsome.
"We will all help you Naruto, why because we all deserve our own share of handing out punishment."
Naruto grinned at the Aburame, who definitely was angry by the buzzing sound.
"I look forward to it, Shino." Everyone else voiced sounds of agreement as they continued talking to Naruto. As the sun, started to dwindle the genin slowly started to leave. By nightfall, the only ones left with Naruto were Ino and Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru, grab that Shogi game, I want to play you while you two wait for Choji." Both members of team 10 raised their eyebrows at Naruto. Naruto deadpanned at them, seemingly knowing their thoughts.
"You two might think I am an idiot, but I know how to play shogi. The Sandaime taught me." Ino and Shikamaru's expressions softened. Everyone knew the special bond between the two.
"How good are you Naruto?" The Nara asked reaching for the Shogi set in the room. "Good enough," was the reply.
Shikamaru set the board up, neglecting to tell the rules as he assumed Naruto already knew from experience. The boys shook hands and began playing.
Naruto opened up with a defensive strategy while Shikamaru went for a counter method. It was the Nara's favorite. For three turns, the Nara played in the lead until he saw something unique.
'He flipped his entire tactic! He was playing defensive but now he is on the complete offense! That one piece can change his entire approach. Tch, troublesome as always Naruto.'
'Shika is already in his thinking pose! That is faster than Asuma-sensei can get him thinking! Who knew Naruto was strategic!'
Shikamaru thought for a bit before moving his piece. Naruto moved immediately after. This put Shikamaru on edge, a slight sweat started to appear on his brow. The troublesome blond was putting a challenge on his plate. Ten moves later and Naruto still had the lead. Both players knew that. Shikamaru was in his thinking pose for the fourth time this game. To say Ino and Shikamaru was shocked, were a massive understatement. Shikamaru got out of his thinking pose, and moved a piece of his. This made Naruto grimace. Three turns later, Shikamaru announced a checkmate.
"Good game Shikamaru." Extending a hand towards the Nara counterpart. "Naruto, you are way too troublesome, in a million years I never would have thought I would have trouble beating you, but you are a strategic genius." The Nara household would be a funny moment later tonight when the Jounin Commander found out his genius son had severe struggle with the blonde deadlast. The Nara shivered at that thought.
"I am impressed Naruto, I have never seen Shikamaru think that much in a match."
"Well Ino, I am not the number one most unpredictable ninja for nothing now." Both members of team 10 chuckled at this.
"Right you are Naruto. Anyway, I think Choji is out of surgery now. I think it is time for us to go Shika. Here you go Naruto, flowers courtesy of Yamanaka Shop." Ino reached into her bag, and magically pulled out a vase of purple and red flowers.
"Wow, thanks Ino, I love poppies." Naruto replied with a grin, setting the flowers on his bed side.
"You know what flowers these are?" asked the Yamanaka incredulously.
"Hehe, I am quite a botanist if I say so myself."
"Naruto Uzumaki, you get more unpredictable each day," Ino shook her head in amusement. "And troublesome..." drawled the Nara.
"Well, thank you both. Tell Choji that I said to get better soon." They both said their byes and left the room. Leaving the blonde alone, for his last night of sleep in the hospital.
I woke up the next morning to the white rooms of the hospital. I was shortly discharged from the hospital, allowed to go home. I arrived at my humble apartment to see the Legendary Sannin in my presence. The Pervy Sage had a wide smile on his face that was very contagious.
"Hello brat, seems it did not take you too long to get out."
"You know it does not take long for me to heal Pervy Sage."
"Naruto." Him using my name meant business. I looked into his eyes to see him point his head to the couch. I followed him as we went to sit down.
"With the Akatsuki after you, it has been decided that you should go on a training trip with me for 3 years." This made my eyes go wide. "If we stay on the move, the Akatsuki will not be able to gather information on you, it will give you time to get way stronger, and it will not leave Konoha in danger of them coming here to attack you while vulnerable."
"3 years tho Jiraiya-sensei?"
"Woah, since when was I sensei?"
"Since this is serious, I might as well get serious." I could not keep the smile off my face from that sentence. Naruto Uzumaki serious all the time...bahhhh never.
"Hmm seems things have made you a little more shinobi-like. Good. Well you technically do not have to go with me, buttttt-"
"I will go do not worry sensei. I need to get stronger to become the strongest. If you do not peep the whole time, that should happen, but I know that is a very big if for the biggest pervert in the elemental nations." Jiraiya just huffed in indignation at the slight while Naruto openly chucked at his wittiness.
"Good. We leave in a few hours. I knew you would say yes. Now let us go see Tsunade." I stared at the man with an unreadable expression which unnerved Jiraiya.
'Just like Minato, those eyes are really scary!'
"You did not know Perv." I just walked out the room ignoring the spluttering Sannin.
"I will miss you kid."
"You too Grandma Hokage." "YOU BRAT!" 'Whooosh' 'Thump' "OW! ARE YOU CRAZY!?" "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!"
Both eventually calmed down. "Seriously be safe kid."
"Of course, grandma. Say do not drink too much sake."
"And you do not get caught in all of Jiraiya's peeping." I just snorted at that. "I talked to Jiraiya about not peeping while he was on the trip with you and surprisingly he agreed. He wants to make you the best possible shinobi he can."
I nodded my head in appreciation at that. "How did you manage that?"
"I just promised Jiraiya something..." I just gave her my questioning look.
'This brat!'
"Anyway, it is about time you go meet Jiraiya." I nodded my head still giving her the look. The only thing Tsunade can promise to get Jiraiya to not peep would be material from herself. I knew not to ask although, I wanted to live.
"Bye baa-chan!"
As soon as I said that I was out the door, not hearing the rant coming from the busty blonde.
"Shizune, come to my office." Tsunade announced over an intercom. "Bring Sakura with you."
Ten minutes later both Shizune and Sakura entered the office, bowing to their master.
"Now Naruto is..."
I stood at the gates with Jiraiya. Looking over the village once more. I was sad to leave, but I knew it was necessary.
'For you, Old Man. No harm will come to the village under my watch.'
I turned back around to see all my friends. All my companions.
'Just like the dream.' "What are you all doing here?"
"To see you off of course Naruto." Ino replied with a smile.
Tsunade walked forward. "Can't wait to see you in three years kid. Hope you will take my hat by that time." "Of course I will!"
"We will miss you Naruto!" my teammate screamed out at me.
"I expect you to be as strong as me." Kakashi did not have his book like normal.
"I will miss you all. Better not slack while I am gone or else you will be in the dust." A round of agreement followed that statement including two YOUTHFUL statements.
"Well Naruto, off we go." The Toad Sage walked forward through the crowd. "Hai, sensei."
I waved at all my friends, gave some last fist bumps, hugged Sakura which was very surprising, and told Shikamaru I was going to whoop him in Shogi when I got back. The Nara adopted the first grin I think I have ever seen from the laid-back teen.
We passed through the gates, signaling we are off to the training trip.