Hey everyone, back with chapter 10. Enjoy!
Naruto opened his eyes as the morning sun streamed through the window, washing the room in warm light. A grin spread across his face as he reached out to grab the new chunin vest draped over the chair beside his bed. Today was different—special. Today was the day he would finally get some answers. He slipped on his vest, adjusting the fit, his chest swelling with pride. He had become a chunin, just like he'd always dreamed, and today, he was going to learn the truth about his parents.
Naruto hurried out of his apartment, making his way across the village towards where he was supposed to meet the Third Hokage and Jiraiya. The streets of Konoha were bustling with people rebuilding after the invasion, and Naruto couldn't help but smile at the determination etched into everyone's faces. It was in times like these that the Will of Fire burned the brightest.
Finally, he reached a quieter part of the village, where he spotted the familiar figure of the Third Hokage standing alongside Jiraiya. Naruto waved, rushing up to them, excitement practically radiating off him.
"Old Man, Pervy Sage, what's this all about?" Naruto asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
Jiraiya gave a chuckle, and Hiruzen smiled warmly. "We wanted to bring you somewhere special today, Naruto," the old Hokage said. "You've waited long enough to learn about your parents, and it's time you knew not just their names, but who they were—and what they left behind for you."
Naruto blinked, his heart pounding with anticipation. "Where are we going?" he asked, looking between the two of them.
Hiruzen gestured towards a small, secluded house tucked away at the end of the street. "This was your parents' home," he said, his voice filled with a gentle nostalgia.
Naruto's eyes widened, his gaze fixed on the house before him. It was simple, unassuming, but something about it seemed to call to him. He took a step forward, his heart hammering in his chest. This was where his parents had lived, and somehow, that made everything feel real—more real than just stories or words.
The old Hokage made a series of hand signs, his chakra flaring subtly. The façade of the house shimmered, and the faint genjutsu that had obscured its true form disappeared. In an instant, the house transformed, its appearance shifting from worn-down to something more vibrant and lived-in. The colors brightened, the flowers in the garden reappeared in full bloom, and the entire space seemed to exude warmth and love.
"This was protected by genjutsu to preserve it for you, Naruto," Hiruzen explained, his voice carrying the weight of history. "It was Kushina's wish that when the time came, you would have the chance to see it as it was."
Naruto's eyes glistened with emotion, and he hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and pushing the door open. The wooden door creaked softly, and he stepped inside, taking a deep breath as he crossed the threshold.
The room was filled with small mementos of a life he had never known. There were photographs on the wall—one of a young woman with vivid red hair standing beside a man with bright blonde hair, both smiling brightly. There were books on the shelves, scrolls neatly stored in a corner, and a simple dining table set for two.
"That's… that's them," Naruto whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he stared at the picture. He recognized the Fourth Hokage, but seeing him with a bright smile and standing next to the red-haired woman made it all so personal. "My dad was the Fourth Hokage?"
Jiraiya stepped inside, nodding. "Yes, Naruto. Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, was your father. And your mother, Kushina Uzumaki, was one of the strongest kunoichi I ever met. She was as fiery as her hair and had a heart full of love."
Naruto swallowed hard, his vision blurring as tears welled up. "They look so happy… They were shinobi? And they were strong?" he asked, his voice almost trembling.
Hiruzen placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his eyes filled with warmth. "They were very strong, Naruto. Your father was one of the greatest shinobi this village has ever seen, and your mother had a strength of spirit that could never be broken. They loved each other deeply, and they loved you."
Naruto felt his chest tighten, and he reached out to touch the frame of the photograph, his fingers trembling. "They… they loved me?" He had spent so much of his life feeling unloved, unwanted, and to hear that his parents had loved him so much—it filled a void inside him he hadn't even realized was so deep.
Jiraiya gave a nod, his voice gentler than Naruto had ever heard. "Yes, Naruto. They sacrificed everything to protect you and the village. When the Nine-Tails attacked, they made the ultimate sacrifice. Your father sealed the Nine-Tails within you, believing you would be the one to tame its power and use it for good."
Naruto's tears spilled over, and he clenched his fists, trying to keep himself steady. "They… they gave their lives… for me?" He turned, looking at Jiraiya and Hiruzen, the emotion raw in his eyes. "They believed in me, even though I never knew them. They thought I could do it?"
Hiruzen nodded, his own eyes glistening with emotion. "They believed in you with all their hearts, Naruto. You carry their legacy, their hope. The Will of Fire lives on in you."
Naruto looked back at the photo, his resolve hardening even as his tears fell. He stood straighter, his voice steadying. "I won't let them down," he said, his eyes fierce with determination. "I'll become the best shinobi there ever was. I'll protect the village they loved, and I'll make them proud. I'll become Hokage."
Jiraiya ruffled Naruto's hair, a proud smile on his face. "That's the spirit, kid. It's a tough path, but you're already making them proud."
Naruto turned to look at Jiraiya, a fire burning in his eyes that had never been stronger. "Thank you. Thank you for telling me. I'll make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Hiruzen smiled softly, watching the young shinobi, his heart swelling with pride. "You are your parents' legacy, Naruto. And I know that you will make them proud."
Hikari found herself standing at the entrance of the Uchiha compound, a place filled with silence and shadows of the past. Sasuke had convinced her to come here to train, and despite her reservations, she had agreed. There was something in his eyes when he had asked her—a look that reminded her of a version of herself that she had left behind long ago.
Sasuke walked up beside her, his face as impassive as ever. "Thanks for coming," he said, his tone lacking its usual edge. It was as if being here softened something in him, turned his thoughts inward.
Hikari nodded, her eyes scanning the quiet, abandoned streets of the compound. "You wanted to train, so let's get started. What exactly did you have in mind?"
Sasuke's gaze shifted to the area around them, the remnants of a life long gone. He motioned towards a cleared space near the main courtyard. "I want to practice the Fire Style techniques of our clan. I need to push myself further."
Hikari watched him for a moment, studying his demeanor. There was something in his eyes—an intensity, a yearning for power that was all too familiar. She understood that feeling, and perhaps that was why she had agreed to come. They moved to the open space, standing opposite each other as the wind rustled through the empty compound.
They began with the basics, both practicing their Fire Style techniques. Hikari unleashed the "Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique," her flames roaring in a spiraling blaze that lit up the surroundings. Sasuke watched closely, his Sharingan activated, taking in every detail of her jutsu.
"You weren't lying," Sasuke finally said, his voice filled with both awe and frustration. "Your fire techniques are far beyond what I've seen from anyone else our age."
Hikari shrugged, her gaze steady. "I was taught from a young age to master them. I had to be perfect, or there were consequences. But power isn't everything, Sasuke. It's about knowing when and how to use it."
Sasuke's jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Let's spar," he said, his voice carrying an edge of impatience. "I need to see where I stand against you."
Hikari studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But I'm not going to hold back."
They took their positions, the silence between them heavy with anticipation. Sasuke's Sharingan spun as he lunged forward, his movements swift and calculated. Hikari met his charge, her Sharingan mirroring his, her body moving with fluid precision as she blocked his strikes and countered with her own.
The clash of kunai rang through the empty compound as Sasuke aimed a series of strikes at Hikari, his eyes watching every shift of her weight, every twitch of her muscles. He was fast, faster than most genin she had fought, and his strikes carried with them the force of his determination. But Hikari had been trained in the harshest of conditions, honed as a weapon of war—her reflexes were sharp, her movements graceful yet powerful.
Sasuke stepped back, forming a quick series of hand seals. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" he shouted, releasing a barrage of small fireballs towards Hikari.
Hikari's eyes narrowed, her Sharingan predicting the path of each flame. She twisted her body, evading them effortlessly, the fireballs passing mere inches from her as she moved. In a blur of speed, she countered with a powerful strike aimed at Sasuke's torso, forcing him to leap back.
"You're too slow, Sasuke," Hikari said calmly, her eyes locked onto his. "Your fire techniques lack the power needed to defeat someone like me."
Sasuke's expression twisted in frustration. He had been pushing himself harder than ever, and yet, he still couldn't match her skill. His grip tightened around the handle of his kunai, and with a fierce growl, he charged again.
They exchanged blows, the intensity of the spar increasing with each passing moment. Sasuke attempted to feint left, only to find Hikari already blocking his real strike. He aimed a kick at her head, but she ducked beneath it and swept his legs from under him, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Sasuke rolled quickly to his feet, his teeth gritted. He was panting now, his breath coming in short bursts, but there was a fire in his eyes that refused to be extinguished.
"You're still holding back!" Sasuke snarled, the desperation in his voice clear. "Fight me like you mean it!"
Hikari's gaze softened slightly, but she gave a nod. "If that's what you want." She formed a set of hand seals, her chakra surging as she took in a deep breath. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive ball of flames erupted from her mouth, roaring towards Sasuke with blinding speed. Sasuke's eyes widened, and he leaped to the side, the intense heat singing the edge of his clothing as the fireball crashed into the ground, leaving a scorched crater.
Seeing an opportunity, Sasuke charged again, his Sharingan focused on Hikari's movements. He saw her pivot to the side and managed to strike her arm with the flat of his kunai. A smirk formed on his lips, confidence blooming for just a moment.
"See that?" Sasuke taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You're not untouchable."
Hikari's expression remained impassive. She turned her head to meet his eyes, and there was something in her gaze—something calm, almost pitying—that made Sasuke's smirk falter. In the blink of an eye, she twisted her body, her leg sweeping out to catch Sasuke off balance. He stumbled, and in that moment, she moved.
Hikari moved with a speed and grace that took Sasuke by surprise, her hand finding its way to his collar as she pulled him forward and flipped him onto his back, pinning him down with a kunai held firmly against his neck.
"You're too focused on power, Sasuke," she said, her voice low and unwavering. "A true shinobi knows that arrogance will lead to their downfall. Yield."
Sasuke's eyes widened, his breath hitching as he stared up at her. For a moment, he struggled, the anger and frustration boiling inside him, but he knew it was pointless. She had beaten him, thoroughly and completely. Slowly, he let his body relax, the tension leaving him.
"I yield," he said through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing in frustration.
Hikari released him, stepping back and offering him a hand. He hesitated for a moment, staring at her, before finally accepting it and allowing her to pull him to his feet. They stood there for a moment in silence, the weight of the spar still hanging heavily between them.
Sasuke turned away, his fists clenched tightly. He hated this feeling—this feeling of being weak, of being unable to match someone else's strength. Hikari watched him for a moment before she finally spoke, her voice softer.
"Why do you want power so badly, Sasuke?" she asked. "What is it that drives you to push yourself like this?"
Sasuke remained silent for a long time, his eyes fixed on the ground. The wind rustled through the leaves of the compound, and finally, he spoke, his voice low, almost a whisper.
"The Uchiha clan… my family… they were massacred," Sasuke said, his voice filled with a pain that had never fully healed. "By my brother, Itachi. He killed them all—our parents, our clansmen—and he left me alive, telling me to hate him, to grow strong, so that one day, I could face him."
Hikari's eyes widened slightly, and she felt a pang of sympathy. She had heard of the Uchiha massacre, but hearing it from Sasuke himself made it real, made the weight of his pain tangible. She could see the raw hatred in his eyes, the way it consumed him.
"That's why you seek power?" she asked quietly. "To kill your brother?"
Sasuke nodded, his eyes narrowing. "It's the only thing that matters. I have to get stronger. I have to be able to defeat him, no matter what."
Hikari sighed, her gaze dropping to the ground. She understood revenge—understood the kind of darkness it brought with it. She had once been consumed by her own hatred, her own desire to destroy those who had wronged her. But she also knew what it meant to be free of that hatred, to find something worth living for beyond vengeance.
"Revenge won't give you peace, Sasuke," Hikari said softly. "I hated the Uchiha too, for how they treated me, for what they turned me into. They used me, called me a weapon, denied me my humanity." Her voice was steady, but there was an edge of bitterness. "But now, I see things differently. That hatred—it consumes you, it changes you until there's nothing left but a shell of who you used to be."
Sasuke looked at her, his eyes filled with disbelief and anger. "How can you say that? How can you talk about hating the clan? They were your family too."
Hikari's gaze hardened, and she shook her head. "They were the ones who took my family from me. They stripped away my identity, made me into something less than human. You're seeking revenge for the ones you lost—but they're the same people who turned me into a weapon."
Sasuke was stunned into silence, her words cutting deeper than any blade. He stared at her, his mind reeling, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say. Everything he believed, everything he had held onto so tightly, seemed to falter in the face of her truth.
"You're lying," he said finally, his voice lacking the conviction it usually carried. "That can't be true."
Hikari gave a small, almost sad smile. "Believe what you want, Sasuke. But I've made my peace with the past. I'm trying to move forward. You should think about doing the same."
Sasuke's fists clenched, his eyes filled with confusion and anger, but he didn't argue. There was something in her words that struck at the core of his resolve, something that made him question everything he thought he knew. He watched as Hikari turned away from him, her posture relaxed.
"We're done for today," Hikari said, her voice final. "Think about what you're really fighting for, Sasuke."
Without another word, she began to walk away, leaving Sasuke alone with his thoughts, the weight of her words pressing heavily on him. He watched her go, his mind swirling with emotions he didn't know how to process. Everything felt uncertain, as if the ground had shifted beneath him.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Kakashi watched silently from a distance, his visible eye thoughtful as he observed the two young shinobi. He had seen the look in Sasuke's eyes—the desperation for power—and he had also seen Hikari's strength, her resilience. There was something about the two of them, something that reminded him of his own past, his own struggles.
Kakashi sighed, his gaze softening. "Sasuke… I hope you find the right path."
Far away from Konoha, two figures walked side by side through a dense forest, their black cloaks adorned with red clouds rustling in the wind. Itachi Uchiha moved with a calm, measured grace, his face impassive as his Sharingan eyes surveyed their surroundings. Beside him, the towering, shark-like figure of Kisame Hoshigaki seemed almost relaxed, his massive Samehada sword slung across his back.
"Seems like things got a little messy during Orochimaru's invasion," Kisame remarked, his voice tinged with amusement. "The snake really went all out this time, didn't he? Stirring up trouble with Konoha and even getting the Kazekage killed." He chuckled darkly, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "I can't say I'm surprised. The guy never did know when to quit."
Itachi remained silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he recalled the events that had reached them. The death of the Kazekage and the failed invasion had sent ripples across the shinobi world, leaving many to wonder what the consequences would be. But for Itachi, there was something else—something that weighed on his mind far more than Orochimaru's antics.
"Our mission is to observe the status of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and confirm the situation with the One-Tails," Itachi finally said, his voice even and emotionless. "We must gather information without attracting unnecessary attention."
Kisame glanced at Itachi, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're always so serious, Itachi. But I guess that's what makes you who you are. Still, you can't deny it's a little interesting, don't you think? I heard the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki made quite the spectacle during the invasion. It's not every day a kid like that takes on an elite Hyuga and comes out on top."
Itachi's expression didn't change, but his mind wandered for a moment. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki—he had heard the name, had known of the boy. But there was another reason why returning to Konoha brought a sense of unease to him. His younger brother, Sasuke, was there. The last time they had crossed paths, Itachi had left his brother with a singular, dark purpose—to grow strong, to hate him, to seek revenge.
He wondered if Sasuke had grown, if he had taken his words to heart and sought the power he needed. It was a cold, lonely path he had set for his brother, but it was the only way he knew to protect him from the harsh truths that lay beneath the surface.
Kisame's voice broke through his thoughts, drawing him back to the present. "So, Itachi, are we just going to stroll right into Konoha and say hello to your old friends? Or do you have something more subtle in mind?"
Itachi's gaze remained fixed ahead, his face betraying no emotion. "We will approach cautiously. Our objective is not to engage in unnecessary combat. We are only here to gather information."
Kisame sighed dramatically, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Always the cautious one. But I suppose that's what makes you an Uchiha genius, huh?" He looked ahead, the village of Konoha still far in the distance, hidden by the thick forest. "Still, you can't tell me you're not curious about your brother. I mean, if it were me, I'd want to see how he's doing."
Itachi didn't respond, but Kisame could see a flicker of something in his partner's eyes—something almost imperceptible, but unmistakably there. Itachi, for all his cold detachment, still carried the weight of his past with him, and his brother was a part of that burden.
For Itachi, this journey was not only about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki or the One-Tails. It was also about seeing with his own eyes what had become of Sasuke. Whether his brother had grown stronger, whether he had followed the path Itachi had laid before him—it was a question that gnawed at the back of his mind, no matter how much he tried to bury it.
The two Akatsuki members continued their journey in silence, the looming presence of Konoha growing ever closer. Itachi's eyes remained fixed ahead, his thoughts dwelling on the past, the choices he had made, and the consequences they had wrought.
There was no turning back now. He could only hope that Sasuke had grown strong enough to withstand what was still to come.
Kakashi watched from a distance as Hikari walked away, her figure disappearing around a corner, leaving Sasuke standing alone in the center of the Uchiha compound. The young Uchiha looked lost, his shoulders slumped as he stared at the ground, his fists still clenched in frustration.
Kakashi sighed, his visible eye narrowing thoughtfully. He had observed the sparring match between Sasuke and Hikari, and what he had seen had given him both hope and concern. Hikari was strong—stronger than most genin, and even most chunin. But it was the way she had approached Sasuke, the way she had spoken to him, that had struck Kakashi the most.
She understood the darkness that drove Sasuke, understood the dangers of letting hatred consume you. And perhaps, just perhaps, she could be the one to help Sasuke see a different path—a path that didn't lead to his destruction.
Kakashi knew he had to tread carefully with Sasuke. The boy was teetering on the edge, and one wrong step could send him spiraling down a path of no return. But seeing the way Hikari had spoken to him, the way she had challenged him not just physically but mentally, gave Kakashi a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps, with the right guidance, both Hikari and Sasuke could find their own way forward.
With a final glance at Sasuke, Kakashi turned and walked away, leaving the young Uchiha to his thoughts. There was still much work to be done, and the challenges ahead would test them all. But for now, Kakashi could only hope that the seeds of doubt Hikari had planted in Sasuke's mind would grow into something more—something that could save him from the darkness that threatened to consume him.
With Hikari being apart of the story, maybe she can be a piece to help Sasuke from going down that dark road. He was clearly a trauma filled child, same with Naruto, but he should've had more guidance to save him. I'm just rambling, thanks for reading!
