Beams of sunlight streamed into Hiruzen's kitchen. At the table, his son, Asuma, cupped his hands over his face. His breakfast remained untouched. Asuma had returned from the Daimyo's palace only recently and Hiruzen wasn't sure he had showered since then. He'd let his beard grow out long, black, and scraggly. His thick black hair was pushed back out of his weary eyes. Asuma rubbed his face and brought a day-old rice ball to his mouth. He breathed deeply as he finally consumed his breakfast.
Hiruzen could only think of one thing when he looked at his son. I don't understand you.
He had rarely seen eye to eye with Asuma. In his youth, there had been much that they disagreed on. As a boy, he had needed more attention, something Hiruzen had been unable to give due to the demands of his position. Biwako always said that was an excuse, that he could make the time if he wished. Looking at his son now, perhaps she had been right.
Their disagreements had led Asuma to find a socially acceptable leave from the village and from being a ninja under his own father. He'd chosen to take up the role as one of the Daimyo's special guards, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninjas. Why he had left to do that was a mystery that had eluded Hiruzen for more than a decade. But, now he was back. He was betrayed by his comrades and clearly depressed as hell. How do you help a man trying to find his place in the world?
Hiruzen didn't know. He'd first become Hokage at seventeen as the First Ninja War was petering out, mainly due to all the nations of the world existing in a highly depleted state after a particularly brutal and deadly year of fighting. In that way, Hiruzen had always had purpose, whether that was to protect the fragility of Konoha's standing in the world in the post Madara-Hashirama era, or to foster growth in the next generation, as he had with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.
"I'm going out to smoke," Asuma said. His chair scraped against the floor as he pushed back. He took his plate and scooped his mostly uneaten food into the trash. In the next moment, he pushed open the back door. That was one thing they had in common, he supposed. They both unapologetically smoked.
Hiruzen packed his own pipe. He preferred the taste of good tobacco leaves over the burn of a cigarette. He opened the drawer in the console table beneath his window and retrieved the leaves, pipe, and matches. As he prepared, he looked out the window which overlooked the front of the house and the inclined road that led to his home. He smiled as he saw Naruto and Konohamaru trudging down the hill toward his home. They were arguing about something, he could see that much.
He finished and lit his pipe. They were in ear shot now.
"No, you're following me!" Naruto said.
"I'm going to gramps' house. If anyone is following, it's you!"
There was a thumping at the door and then it burst open. Both Naruto and Konohamaru shoved and pushed in a vain attempt to be the first one into Hiruzen's home. They both squeezed through and sent a verbal barrage of demands at Hiruzen.
He held up his hands in a placating manner. His pipe was clutched between two fingers on his right hand. "Boys, boys," he said, "calm down. One at a time."
He almost laughed at their display, but he held back his amusement. Then, he said, "Konohamaru, I see you almost every day, so let's have Naruto share first."
"No fair!" Konohamaru said in a high pitched voice.
He ignored the child's antics and turned toward Naruto. "Naruto, go ahead."
He was sweating, which was not unusual for this time of year. His unruly hair was pushed back off his face by his headband, which he proudly wore. "Remember a few weeks ago, you said you'd teach me a jutsu when I got some of the basics of yin chakra down pat. Will you teach it to me now?" He said.
"I did promise that, you're right," he said. He ignored the shouts of indignation from Konohamaru before turning to the boy.
"Konohamaru," Hiruzen said, "what is it that you came here for?"
Konohamaru crossed his arms and pouted. "Well, I don't want to say now. If Naruto's getting a jutsu, I want one too!" He said.
Hiruzen sighed. The whims of children, grandchildren especially, could be tiresome. He was sure the boy would complain about the fact he hadn't rocketed off a fireball the second he ran into resistance. It was common among children his age to be impatient. Hiruzen wouldn't hold it against him.
"Very well," he said. Both boys cheered and began chanting in celebration.
"We're getting a jutsu, we're getting a jutsu…"
They followed Hiruzen, though it appeared more like a jaunty march of song and dance. He shook his head lightheartedly at their antics as he led them toward the personal Sarutobi training grounds toward the back of his property. The grounds were surrounded by the old growth trees that were common in this part of the village. These grounds were private and secluded, which was ideal for practicing new jutsu. Hiruzen collected a few sheets of chakra paper on his way to the grounds.
"Take a seat, boys," he said. Hiruzen plopped down in the dirt and positioned himself comfortably on the ground with an upright posture. Naruto and Konohamaru sat across from him. Asuma could be seen in the distance, observing them neutrally, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips.
He held up the chakra paper. "Now, in ninjutsu, as with any of the ninja arts, there are no shortcuts. Ninja work for years before they are even able to master jutsu that align with their nature, let alone jutsu that may not come to them naturally," he said, "do you know what this is?"
Konohamaru perked up, then said, "Gramps, it's chakra paper."
He smiled and nodded. "That's right, Konohamaru. I see you've been studying well under Ebisu."
If you channel a small amount of your chakra through this paper, it will tell you what your nature alignment is, either Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, or Earth. Now there is no one type that is better than another. Additionally, it does not mean you cannot learn jutsu from another nature. All it will tell you is which nature type will be the easiest and quickest for you to grasp," he said, "here, take one."
Both boys reached out to take one. Chakra type was inherited and in families or clans that discouraged intermarriage, like the Hyuuga, chakra type was quite predictable. In clans like the Senju, Sarutobi, or Uzumaki, which had intermarried with many different groups of people throughout the centuries, a chakra nature prediction could be difficult or even impossible. Minato was primarily fire natured and Kushina was wind natured. If he had to guess, Naruto would fall within one of those two natures.
When both boys channeled their chakra through the paper, Konohamaru's burst into a red hot flame and Naruto's bisected through the center. Konohamaru yelped and dropped the smoldering paper.
"So, fire nature for Konohamaru and wind nature for Naruto," he said.
"Wind," Naruto said, "I thought I'd be fire." He almost looked a little disappointed. If he knew that had been his mother's nature type, Hiruzen doubted he would look so dismayed.
"It's true that most ninja in Konoha have a fire nature type, but there are many great ninja in this village who possess another type, though wind is the rarest type for a Kohonan ninja. My son Asuma shares that type with you," he said. He could see Asuma sauntering over from his perch by the back door.
When he reached their lesson spot, he said, "Another wind nature in Konoha, eh? It will be good to have some comradery against all these fire breathers." He was smiling. Hiruzen felt some relief at the sight of his son with a smile.
"You'll have to show him a thing or two some time, no?" Hiruzen said. Asuma snorted, a bemused smile on his face.
"Sure," he said.
Naruto seemed to perk up. Then he retrieved Ninjutsu of the Uzumaki Peoples from his pouch and began to unfurl it. Hiruzen wondered if he carried that scroll with him everywhere.
"I already know the perfect jutsu for you to teach me," Naruto said. He was leaning forward and scanning the scroll with intent and focus.
"There!" He said. He pointed to a jutsu toward the middle of the scroll. Hiruzen leaned over Naruto's shoulder to take a closer look.
Bull Rush: A Wind jutsu that propels the user forward at great speed, he read. It was uncharacteristic of wind jutsu as a whole. Normally, Wind jutsu were not typically used in such a fashion.
"That could certainly be useful," Hiruzen said, "I suppose that-"
"Ok, gramps, enough of that," Konohamaru said, "what's the next step?"
Hiruzen turned to Konohamaru. The boy was glowering. Likely, he felt some competition for attention. Hiruzen sighed heavily, then said, "Konohamaru, my boy, you must be patient. A jutsu is not learned in a day."
The boy huffed and Hiruzen had to remind himself that the boy was barely old enough to begin the Academy.
Naruto cut it, an uneasy expression on his face. "It's ok, old man, you're right that I should probably learn what to even do with wind chakra first. What's the next step?"
Hiruzen rubbed his chin and focused his gaze on each boy. "Very well," he said.
For any nature, you must become familiar with the underlying qualities of that nature type. The most important thing for a fire nature type is control over fire. If you can keep a match's flame from descending the matchstick, you will be ready for the next step," he said.
Hiruzen pulled out a packet of matches. He always had some handy. Lighting one, he kept the fire burning at the tip of the match and stopped it from burning down the length of the wooden match. He blew it out then tossed the box to Konohamaru. "The key is to envelop the flame with your chakra. To give yourself a feel for the characteristics of fire and to protect, where fire wants to destroy. Give it a go," Hiruzen said.
Now, Naruto, the key to wind nature is two fold. Wind can be both cutting as well as bludgeoning. We will start with cutting."
He gathered a handful of leaves from a nearby bush. Then he showed Naruto how to channel his chakra through the leaf in order to cleanly cut it. Naruto watched with an alert gaze and a furrowed brow.
"I got this," said Naruto.
Hiruzen and Asuma watched both boys attempt the first steps in changing their chakra to a nature type. They offered tips and examples to help the boys along as needed.
As the boys concentrated on their tasks, Hiruzen turned to Asuma. "So, you've been back for a few weeks now," he said. He knew it was an incomplete thought, perhaps even one that carried the weight of expectation, but Hiruzen did not know what to say to Asuma. He hadn't been there for his son's tumultuous time in the capital. Asuma played with his cigarette, spinning it around his fingers. He had a pinched expression on his face.
"You must know what it's like," he said, "to be betrayed. How long did you grieve? How long did you suffer?" He said, accusingly.
The suffering never ended, Hiruzen wanted to say. But he knew that's not what Asuma needed to hear right now, so he said, "Trust is fickle. In turbulent times, I always found molding the minds of children to be a worthwhile exercise in hope," he said.
Asuma took a drag of his cigarette and snorted. "I'd feel bad for the kids who got me as their jonin sensei," he said, "have you seen me lately?" He gestured to his disheveled appearance. A tank top, cargo pants, and flip flops had been his uniform as of late.
"Perhaps, it doesn't have to be in that particular capacity, if you are not ready for a genin team," Hiruzen said. He stroked his goatee and puffed on his pipe.
He continued, "This graduating class, though talented, is particularly needy. Lately, I've come to the conclusion that they might need more support than the typical graduating class."
Asuma pursed his lips.
"So, you would have me support them?" Asuma said, "in what manner?"
"The details of this role are still up for discussion," he said, "primarily, it would be to support the individual needs of each student."
Asuma nodded. He had a pensive look on his face.
Suddenly, Naruto shouted, "I did it!"
Hiruzen's body tensed. So quickly, he thought. He observed Naruto's leaf. It was split in two by a jagged line. He nodded. This was certainly an impressive first step, however, it was incomplete.
He was about to inform Naruto when Asuma interjected, "Good work, kid. Now try to cut it with a clean line."
Asuma modeled the correct approach for Naruto. He explained that his chakra should be sharp and to imagine that his wind chakra was an extension of his fingers, almost like he had scissors. Hiruzen smiled watching his son teach. He would make an excellent teacher when he got his life together.
Asuma and Hiruzen watched the boy's attempts with interest. Hiruzen craned his neck toward the sky. The sun was nearly at its highest point in the sky. Which meant that it was nearly noon and almost time for him to discuss team placement and results with the Academy Exit Exam proctors.
Now would be as good a time as any to reveal some necessary truths to Naruto. Especially since Hiruzen had developed some rapport with the boy.
"Naruto, we can resume this practice later," he said, "why don't you accompany me to my study."
Naruto looked up from his task and raised his eyebrows before settling in a neutral expression. "Sure, old man," he said.
Naruto followed him to his study. They entered through the back door and retreated upstairs to the cool and dark space. Hiruzen took a seat in the large, high-backed chairs he enjoyed reading in. He gestured for Naruto to sit in the accompanying chair across from him.
"You must have so many questions about your life," he said as he dragged his hand across his face. The grave expression he wore must have alerted Naruto to what kind of conversation this was because Naruto had scooted to the edge of his seat and his brow was knit together. Naruto nodded.
Hiruzen began again, "Let me be more clear. There are things about your life that I did not reveal to you at a young age because I feared it would hinder your emotional development."
First, I want you to know that I am so proud of you, Naruto, you must know this. The man you are becoming is something that I am privileged to take a part in," he said.
"Old man," Naruto said, with shallow breaths. Hiruzen realized that perhaps he should stop dragging this out.
"Twelve years ago, on the night of your birth, the nine tailed fox attacked the village. The Fourth Hokage sealed the beast inside you," he said.
Naruto remained silent for a long time. His brow was furrowed in thought. Hiruzen knew this would take a long time to process. He was sure Naruto was working his way through the implications of this new information. He was probably thinking back to past interactions with villagers who had ignored him.
Then, to Hiruzen's great surprise, Naruto laughed. First lightly and then with increasing enthusiasm.
"So you're telling me the fox bastard got trapped in the body of a baby," he said, his eyes alight with amusement. He continued to titter at the thought.
Hiruzen's eyes widened as he fell back in his chair. Uzumakis were always a surprise. He thought back to red-haired, fiery Kushina. She had shouted at him fiercely whenever he suggested she accept help.
He swore her hair stood on end when she got mad. Naruto was so alike to her that it pained him. He wondered how much of one's personality was learned and how much was inherited. Hiruzen knew he would never know, but the evidence before him was certainly convincing at the moment.
Hiruzen's somber mood evaporated with the light, jovial mood that Naruto brought to the revelation. "It would not work with just any baby. The Uzumaki clan's greatest characteristic was their body. Imbued with immense chakra, particularly of the yang variety, Uzumaki bodies are incredibly sturdy. Chakra that is as corrosive as the Kyuubi's would destroy the body of even most adults. The Uzumaki blood coursing through your veins made you the necessary host," Hiruzen said.
"So," Naruto said, "I was really, really awesome from the day I was born." He grinned from ear to ear. Hiruzen was moved by Naruto's outlook on life. Despite all that Naruto had thrown his way, he did not let it deter him. The Will of Fire truly burned brightly in Naruto.
"I will concede that," he said. He chuckled, but his worry still got the better of him in moments like this. Hiruzen's brow pinched together and he frowned. He still had to imbue a sense of gravity in Naruto.
"You must know, mastering the fox will not be an easy task. Jinchuuriki before you have studied and trained for years to be able to use the power of the beasts that are sealed inside them. Some never learn or succeed in this venture."
This gave Naruto pause. "Jinchuuriki?" He said, "there's more than just me?"
"Yes, there have been many throughout history. Jinchuuriki, or literally the Power of Human Sacrifice, have been created for centuries. In the far past, beasts of many tails were sealed inside humans. Then, in order to rid themselves of the beasts, these Jinchuuriki were banished, or sometimes even ritually sacrificed in order to serve the needs of the many." He didn't think it was prudent to add that there was evidence that it might have been considered an honor in these societies.
Naruto blanched. Hiruzen observed Naruto's perturbed expression before hastily adding, "But not to worry, the meaning of this word is ancient. The modern context is quite different from what was practiced in the days of old."
"And what does it mean now?" Naruto said. He stared through the window towards the village.
"It means a great many things, but most of all, it means that should you master the fox's chakra, you will have the power to protect our village from harm. Each of the Five Great Nations holds a jinchuuriki in their ranks. It is a great responsibility," Hiruzen said.
Naruto nodded absently. He still stared out toward the village. His brow was knit together tightly and he appeared deep in thought. "I understand," Naruto said.
In a sudden change in demeanor, he leapt up from his chair and pumped his fist. "Alright!" He said, "Then I'll be the strongest jinchuuriki there is. The fox has the most tails, right? Has a jinchuuriki ever been a Kage before?" He said.
Hiruzen shrugged, a small smile gracing his lips. The ambitions the boy held were admirable.
"Not in Konoha," he said. Best not to tell the boy about Yagura's struggles at the present moment.
"Then it's going to be a double first. The first Uzumaki and jinchuuriki to become Hokage will be me," said Naruto. His eyes were alight with possibility. Hiruzen smiled along with him.
The hum of an electric fan buzzed overhead. It whirred noisily in a futile effort to cool the room. The conference room on the 2nd floor of the Academy was simply always going to be hot. Hiruzen cursed himself for not insisting on better airflow when the designs for the building were first brought to him. The room was filled with numerous stakeholders that would give their input on team selections and on which students would be better suited for research, interrogation, medicine, or even clerical work. The operation of a ninja village depended on more than just competent ninja, it depended on competent administrators and support staff.
With many voices, there existed many opinions. The litany of requirements for teams was nothing short of impossible. Not everyone would be happy about team placements. It was this way every year. There was always someone who went home mad.
Today, Kurenai was determined to not be the disappointed party. She was a fairly new jonin, having only passed the test six months prior, but her work spoke for itself and she was already near the top of the list for getting a team due to her tenacity, abilities in genjutsu, and high survival rate of subordinates for missions in which she was the lead.
"If I am going to pass on my skills in genjutsu, I will at the very least need students who show an aptitude for it," she said, "it makes no sense to fill my team with taijutsu specialists."
She shook her head. Her posture was stiff as she paced back and forth behind the conference table. Kurenai's currently proposed team included Inuzuka Kiba and Hyuuga Hinata. Both hailed from clans whose techniques were predicated on skill in taijutsu.
"It is possible that the Hyuuga girl might benefit from the guidance of another woman," Mizuki, an Academy instructor, said, "though she is talented, she lacks confidence in all matters of ninja arts."
"Hinata might gain confidence if she had instruction in skills that suit her," Kurenai said, "that, to me, is vastly more important than her sensei being a woman." Her nose wrinkled as she spoke.
"If I might interject," Iruka said, "I think Jonin Kurenai brings up a valid point here. Do we want to fill her team with taijutsu specialists when her skillset is rare among Konoha's forces? I understand we want to encourage Hinata, but Jonin Kurenai's skills might be better suited for someone like Haruno Sakura, whose skills with control and yin chakra might develop well under a genjutsu specialist." Iruka's voice was quiet, but carried weight within the room, given his experience as lead teacher.
Kurenai gestured with both hands in Iruka's direction. "Yes, exactly," she said, "that's the direction we should be thinking here."
Hiruzen steepled his fingers as he observed the debate. Look out for him, will ya?
The simple request had become something of a mantra for him. In the past, he was quick to excuse his behavior in favor of what was best for Konoha. If he didn't visit Naruto, it was because he was busy with official village business. If he did not show Naruto the love and kindness he deserved, it was because he aimed to treat all Academy students equally.
However, since the day he remembered Kushina's words distinctly, he understood something else. Equal treatment did not necessarily make fair treatment. Naruto needed more support. So, what became good for Naruto started to become good for Konoha.
"If I may," he said, "I think I have a solution that will benefit everyone here."
All eyes in the room turned to him and the debates that raged in the room moments before ceased.
"We are ignoring the elephant in the room here. This, of course, pertains to Naruto and our jinchuuriki's placement within a team," Hiruzen said.
"He has made significant strides lately in his education," Iruka said, "he ended up finishing at the 50th percentile among his peers. However, his growth relative to his peers is within the 99th percentile. He grew more than any student this year."
Iruka's data garnered raised eyebrows from more than a few of those present in the room.
"Precisely," Hiruzen said, "the boy came to me personally not long ago and begged for me to help him. I have guided him myself recently. Teaching again has reinvigorated me to a surprising degree. I have decided that I will take a team this year and it will include Naruto."
The assembled ninja were silent for only a moment before it seemed like every voice in the room had something to say. Hiruzen let them, a smirk gracing his lips. Questions were shouted around the room as those in attendance grappled with the new information.
"Who will run the village when you go on missions? Who will be his teammates? Does the boy even have the skill to be taught by a Hokage? He was dead last for most of his Academy career, how is this fair?"
The questions continued and he let them ask. He did not think it prudent to shut down anyone's concerns at the present moment.
What he said to them was, "All questions will be answered. That being said, I have the utmost confidence that Naruto will rise to the occasion."
Now, let us get to work on fixing these teams," he said.
This class, filled with equal proportions of unique talents, emotional wrecks, and future changemakers, would do great things. Some of these students embodied all of these characteristics, which made their meeting today of great importance to the future of the village.
He repeated the mantra slowly in his head, over and over again.
Look out for him. Look out for him. Look out for him.
Hiruzen sealed the envelope intended for Tsunade. He handed the letter and a fresh mango into the outstretched hands of Haru.
"Track and find Tsunade. Make sure this missive makes it into her hands."
Haru reached out and took the proffered items. He leapt out of Hiruzen's window and into the darkness of the forest. Haru swung from branch to branch. He munched on the mango as he swung through the trees, using his tail and feet to swing freely through the branches.
Whether it was his tendency to prioritize food above all else or something else entirely, he was distracted. Haru never saw the blade that made a clean cut through his neck. His lifeless body fell from the trees before it crashed into the forest floor.
His body lay there silently for a few moments. The sound of a cane was barely discernible as it crushed leaves with each step across the forest floor. A bandaged hand reached into the bag on Haru's now lifeless back.
The missive meant for Tsunade was retrieved, never to reach its destination.