A/N: I do not own the characters used, (unless they are OC), rights to their respective Authors.
"Character Speaking"
"Character Thinking"
Jutsu.
[Summoning or Tailed Beast Speaking]
[Summoning or Tailed Beast Speaking]
Hi everybody, I got some reviews in the last chapter telling that they didn't like it. However they didn't elaborate, so if anybody is not liking the way the story progresses and wants to express his/her opinion, please write it but at least tell what you don't like.
The next day, a figure moved through the dim hallway of a house. As sunlight streamed through a window, Grayfia was revealed, her traveling robe draped around her. She stopped before a door, opened it, and entered.
The room was simple: a table and chair, a window, and a bed where Naruto lay, seemingly lost in peaceful slumber. But his tranquility was shattered as sunlight spilled across his face. Grayfia stifled a giggle as he fumbled with the blanket, then pulled the curtains open herself, flooding the room with morning light. "Good morning, Naruto!" she announced cheerfully, knowing full well he wasn't a morning person. But today, they had unfinished business to attend to.
Naruto mumbled something incoherent, then sighed and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning, Grayfia-chan," he greeted, his voice thick with sleep. He yawned and shuffled towards the bathroom.
Half an hour later, they sat at the table, eating breakfast in silence. Naruto paused, his gaze fixed on Grayfia, who raised an eyebrow in question. "Is something wrong?" she asked, noticing his unusual quietness since their conversation with Artic the previous day.
Naruto didn't respond, his eyes downcast. The silence stretched, and Grayfia was about to repeat her question when he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."
Grayfia's confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"
"Because of me, you got hurt. You almost died in that fight," Naruto said, his voice heavy with guilt. "If...if only I hadn't suggested going to the island..."
Grayfia's eyes widened in surprise, then softened as she understood his train of thought. She reached out and lightly flicked his forehead.
"Ow!" Naruto exclaimed, looking up at her with a pout. "Why'd you do that?"
Grayfia sighed, her arms crossed. "To knock some sense into you," she replied, her expression serious. Seeing his continued confusion, she elaborated, "Naruto, that wasn't your fault. Yes, you suggested the idea, but I agreed to it. I knew there was a risk we might encounter danger. But I never imagined we'd run into an elemental spirit from my world." Her gaze softened.
Naruto's eyes fell back to his plate. "But you almost died," he mumbled, the guilt still clinging to him.
Grayfia opened her mouth to respond, but Naruto continued, his voice barely audible. "I don't want to lose you."
Grayfia's heart skipped a beat. She was caught off guard by his raw honesty.
"Grayfia-chan," he said, looking up at her, tears welling up in his eyes, "you, Jiji, and Hiro-Jiji are all I have left in this world. My parents are gone, my clan is gone..." His voice cracked. "And I don't know what I'd do if I lost any of you..." He couldn't finish his sentence, the emotions overwhelming him.
Without hesitation, Grayfia pulled him into a comforting embrace. Naruto was surprised by her sudden gesture, but he leaned into her warmth, his tears soaking into her robe. Grayfia's voice was soft but firm as she whispered, "Let it all out."
And that was the final trigger. Naruto clung to Grayfia, his tears flowing freely, releasing all the pent-up emotions he had been holding back since their conversation with Artic. Grayfia held him close, her heart aching for her friend. She understood the depth of his pain. The loss of his parents and his clan had clearly affected him more than he let on. The weight of these revelations, coupled with the near-death experience they had just faced, had overwhelmed him.
They remained embraced for several minutes, the only sound in the quiet room being Naruto's soft sobs. Gradually, his tears subsided. Grayfia gently pulled away, looking into his eyes with warmth and concern. "Better?" she asked softly.
Naruto nodded, wiping away his tears. "Thank you, Grayfia-chan," he said, a small smile gracing his lips. "For being here with me."
Grayfia returned his smile, her heart filled with a sense of protectiveness. "Naruto," she said, her voice gentle, "I know this is all very difficult to process, but remember, you'll always have me, Grandpa Hiro, and the Third Hokage."
Naruto's smile widened slightly. "Thank you," he repeated, his voice filled with gratitude.
Grayfia released him from her embrace. "Well then," she said, her tone brightening, "let's finish eating. We need to meet Artic."
Naruto nodded, his resolve returning. He took a deep breath and turned back to his food.
Once they had finished their meal, they went to their respective rooms to prepare. A few minutes later, they emerged from the house, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
"Ready?" Grayfia asked, looking at Naruto.
He nodded, a small but genuine smile on his face.
Seeing his smile, Grayfia felt a wave of relief wash over her. It seems he's feeling a little better now, she thought to herself. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but she was confident Naruto would find the strength to overcome it.
With a practiced gesture, Grayfia summoned her teleportation magic. A shimmering circle appeared on the ground, and they stepped into it, disappearing from the house and reappearing in the underground sanctuary where Artic awaited them.
Moments later, within the hushed confines of the underground installation, Artic stood before a clearing. With a shimmering ripple, a magic circle materialized, and from its center emerged Grayfia and Naruto.
"Good morning, Artic-san," Grayfia offered with a graceful nod.
"Artic!" Naruto added with a friendly wave.
"Good morning to both of you," the majestic bird replied. "I trust you've rested well?"
Affirmative nods from the pair prompted Artic to continue. "First, Naruto, I have something for you." With a flick of its wing, a scroll sailed through the air toward the young man.
Naruto, momentarily surprised, deftly caught the parchment. A curious tilt of his head accompanied his questioning glance at the bird.
"That scroll contains a letter addressed to your mother from your grandfather," Artic explained, a somber note creeping into its voice. "He penned it in Uzu's final hours and entrusted it to me, hoping your mother would one day return here. But I fear the weight of her clan's loss was too heavy, and she never found the strength to come back."
Naruto gazed at the scroll, lost in thought. Then, looking back to Artic, he inquired, "May I read it?"
The bird gave a simple nod of assent.
Naruto, infusing the scroll with chakra, watched as it dissolved into a wisp of smoke, revealing a letter within. Unfolding it, he began to read:
Hello, my dear Kushina. I pray you are well in Konoha... I don't know if this will be my last opportunity to speak with you, and I realize this isn't the ideal way to say goodbye. But time is short, and so I leave these, my final words, in this letter. First, Kushina, do not blame Artic for anything. It was my command that she stay out of the conflict. I couldn't bear for her to share a fate similar to the Bijuu...
Both Naruto and Grayfia understood the unspoken implication: Artic, too, would have been targeted for sealing, just like the tailed beasts.
Secondly, you must retrieve the three clan scrolls located in the Shinigami temples scattered across the elemental nations. But remember, above all, no one, not even Konoha, must know of these scrolls' existence. This knowledge is solely for the clan leader...
Naruto and Grayfia exchanged puzzled glances. These scrolls must hold tremendous importance if only the leader was privy to them. Questions swirled in their minds: what secrets did those scrolls contain? But, pushing those inquiries aside for the moment, Naruto continued reading.
Kushina, my princess, I cannot say if we will meet again. But if my worst fears are realized, and the clan is no more, I ask only this of you: move on, my girl. Make new friends, find love. Do not dwell in the past. It will be difficult, I know, but you must move forward and never forget that your mother and I will always be with you.
Your father, Ashina Uzumaki.
A profound silence settled over the space. None of the three spoke. There were no words to offer. The quiet lingered until Naruto, his voice barely a whisper, murmured, "Ashina-jiji..." Sadness laced his tone. It pained him that every encounter with his family members seemed to occur after their passing. But he knew there was nothing he could do. Just as his Jiji had advised, he had to move on.
Once more, silence reigned. Then, after several minutes, Artic broke it.
"Naruto, what are your plans now?" Artic inquired, steering the conversation in a new direction.
Naruto remained silent for a few moments, deep in contemplation. Then, with a sigh, he replied, "I think the path forward is clear." Both Artic and Grayfia looked at him expectantly. "We'll search for the three scrolls Ashina-jiji instructed my mother to find. That is, of course, if Grayfia agrees." Naruto turned to the silver-haired girl, who nodded in agreement.
Before he could continue, Grayfia spoke up. "While I agree with your plan, we can't embark on a search for something we don't even know the location of."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, then turned his gaze to Artic. Of the three of them, the bird possessed the most extensive knowledge about the clan.
Sensing their expectant gazes, Artic sighed. "I'm not entirely certain what they are. Ashina rarely spoke of them, and based on what she wrote to Kushina, it seems this information is a closely guarded secret, known only to the clan's highest-ranking members. However, I'm confident there must be further clues within that scroll, some indication of where these scrolls might be."
Naruto unfolded the letter once more. Indeed, at its end, there was something resembling the storage seal his Jiji had given him. Without hesitation, he channeled chakra into it. The matrix shimmered briefly, then dissolved into a puff of smoke, leaving behind a slip of paper with an inscription:
{Upon the earth where eddies freeze, 'Neath the moon's gleam, the sun's light cease, The ancient temple lies asleep, Its secrets buried, secrets deep.}
"What does this mean?" Naruto asked, perplexed by the cryptic message.
"It's written in code, Naruto," Artic explained.
Naruto's brow furrowed. "But why would she write it in code if she knew this was meant for my mother?"
Grayfia, too, looked at the bird, sharing Naruto's confusion. Why hadn't Ashina-san simply provided the locations of the scrolls if she knew they were intended for her daughter?
Artic quickly offered an explanation. "I don't believe she wrote this at the same time as the letter. That would be foolish. The only logical explanation is that these instructions were already written before the attack, likely as a safety measure in case this information fell into the wrong hands."
The two young people pondered this explanation, but one question remained unanswered. "Even so," Naruto remarked, "how are we supposed to decipher the message and find the scrolls?"
Silence descended upon them once again. Naruto was right. They currently had no way to interpret the cryptic message, and until they did, they couldn't decide on their next course of action.
Finally, Artic spoke. "Naruto, Grayfia," the bird began, capturing their attention. "I believe it would be best to set this matter aside for now. What I truly wished to discuss is my desire to train both of you."
Surprise flickered across their faces. Neither of them had anticipated this offer. However...
"While I appreciate your offer, Artic-san," Grayfia said, "could you explain your reasons?"
Naruto, too, looked at the bird, awaiting an answer.
"Initially, I intended to train only Naruto," Artic explained. "He knows little about his clan, and I wanted to help someone from the lineage that became like family to me. But after seeing Ashina's instructions, I understand why he insisted I remain here. Surely, if Kushina had returned, I could have assisted her in any way possible. And since you two are determined to seek out these scrolls, the least I can do is prepare you for whatever challenges you may encounter."
Both Naruto and Grayfia nodded in understanding. Artic continued, "For Naruto, I will help you refine your chakra control. I cannot teach you any jutsu, as I do not utilize chakra myself. However, I can instruct you in fuinjutsu. I've spent enough time with the Uzumaki to grasp its workings and learn it, even if I cannot perform it myself."
Naruto's face lit up with excitement. "Thank you, Artic-chan!"
Artic offered a small smile, momentarily envisioning a young redhead standing beside the blond. Then, turning to Grayfia, the bird said, "Grayfia, I know you possess combat experience and a good command of your magic. However, as I observed, your current level is far below your true potential, is it not?"
Grayfia nodded, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
"Do not worry," Artic reassured her. "We will reclaim that level and surpass it. And, of course, physical training for both of you."
Both nodded in agreement.
Konohagakure:
The sun shone brightly over the Leaf Village, painting a picture of a peaceful day. It had been over a week since Naruto's departure, a secret tightly held within the village thanks to the Hokage's stern warnings. Speaking of which, the Third Hokage was currently in his office, attending to his usual duties.
A knock interrupted his work. "Enter," he called, and the door opened to reveal Kakashi, his signature orange book in hand. The Hokage couldn't help but smile faintly; the Jonin would never part with his beloved reading material.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama," Kakashi greeted, his single eye crinkling in a warm smile.
"Good morning, Kakashi. What brings you here?" the Hokage inquired. But as Kakashi's expression turned serious, the Hokage sensed the gravity of the situation.
"Hokage-sama, the mission is complete," Kakashi reported, tucking his book away.
The Hokage's demeanor mirrored Kakashi's. With a series of hand seals, he erected a barrier of silence within the office. "Report," he commanded.
Kakashi nodded. "As instructed, Cat and I questioned all the teachers who had interacted with Naruto. We found no immediate suspects. However, a pattern emerged among the teachers who evaluated Naruto during his three exam attempts." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"Each year Naruto took the exam, one of his teachers retired shortly afterward."
The Hokage listened intently, already anticipating the direction of Kakashi's report.
"This struck us as odd. So, Neko and I decided to question those three teachers. Unfortunately, the first two were already deceased." The Hokage raised an eyebrow; the death of a shinobi was not unheard of.
"But what seemed strange was that both were found dead, or at least officially registered as deceased, within a few months of their retirement. This heightened our suspicions. We then turned our attention to the last teacher, Mitsuki, Iruka's partner this year and one of the examiners present during Naruto's last attempt. Initially, he displayed no suspicious behavior, simply retiring from his teaching position. However, we continued to observe him throughout the week. And then, last night..."
Kakashi's voice trailed off, leaving the Hokage hanging on his every word, a sense of foreboding settling over the room.
Flashback:
Under the cloak of night, two figures moved with the stealth of shadows. Kakashi, clad in his ANBU uniform, and his partner, Neko, trailed a man with pale blue hair. The Chunin, dressed in his standard attire, led them to one of the village's most secluded training grounds.
Concealed within the dense foliage, the ANBU duo observed their target intently. Minutes ticked by, and a masked figure materialized from the darkness. The ANBU tensed, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons, yet they held their positions, their mission demanding patience.
"The mission is complete," the Chunin stated plainly.
"Yes, I've received the information," the masked figure replied, producing a scroll from within his robes. "And here is your reward, as agreed."
A triumphant grin spread across Chunin's face as he accepted the scroll. With a curt nod, the masked figure vanished back into the shadows.
The Chunin's smile widened, revealing a hint of malice. "Fools," he muttered, "blinded by their hatred, willing to pay such a price just to fail the demon brat." He shook his head, clearly unburdened by any guilt.
As he turned to leave, a figure materialized before him, blocking his path. The last thing he saw was a crimson eye, swirling with three tomoe.
Kakashi, struggling to contain his rage, had ensnared the Chunin within a powerful genjutsu. They had held back, allowing the exchange to unfold, desperate to keep their investigation covert. But the Chunin's callous words had shattered Kakashi's composure.
With a silent signal to Neko, they swiftly apprehended the unconscious Chunin, disappearing into the night as swiftly as they had arrived.
Flashback end:
"...And after that, we left him in an interrogation chamber with Ibiki," Kakashi concluded.
A tense silence filled the room as the Hokage processed Kakashi's report. He took a thoughtful puff from his pipe, then rose from his desk. "Well done, Kakashi. You'll receive the reward for an A-rank mission. Now, let's join Ibiki." With a nod from Kakashi, both vanished in a swirl of leaves.
Moments later, they materialized in the interrogation room. Mitsuki, bound to a chair, lay unconscious, the session seemingly not yet begun. Ibiki, having been informed by the Hokage, stood at attention.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama," Ibiki greeted, bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, Ibiki," the Hokage replied, his gaze falling upon the unconscious Mitsuki. "Kakashi, wake him up."
Kakashi approached the former teacher and delivered a sharp blow, jolting Mitsuki awake with a groan. Disoriented and aching, Mitsuki struggled to piece together his fragmented memories. The last thing he recalled was collecting his payment... then, nothing.
His eyes widened as he realized his predicament. He was bound, surrounded by Ibiki Morino, Kakashi Hatake, and the Hokage himself. A cold sweat broke out on his brow.
"Wh-what's happening?" he stammered.
Ibiki's voice remained calm, yet held an undeniable edge. "Mitsuki-san, I believe we both know what's happening. So, let's save ourselves some time. Tell us who hired you for this 'special mission'."
Mitsuki attempted to feign ignorance, but Kakashi's Sharingan pierced through his facade. He knew there was no escape. With a defeated sigh, he admitted, "I don't know their exact identity, but they're someone from the council."
The Hokage's expression hardened. "How can you not know who hired you?"
"The person who approached me, both times, was cloaked and hooded. That's all I know," Mitsuki confessed.
The Hokage looked to Kakashi for confirmation. The ANBU nodded. Satisfied, the Hokage simply said, "Good," and turned to leave the room.
Mitsuki's voice, laced with desperation, rang out, "Hokage-sama, what will become of me?"
The Hokage paused, casting a chilling look back at the ex-teacher, who flinched under his scrutiny. "Kakashi," the Hokage declared, "he's in your hands. Do as you see fit." With that, he departed, Ibiki following closely behind.
As the door clicked shut, Mitsuki started to speak, but to his surprise, the restraints binding him fell away. Before he could thank Kakashi, Jonin's hand clamped around his neck. In a blink, they vanished from the room.
Moments later the two appeared in a training field, Kakashi, looked at the teacher for a moment to release him and throw him to the ground.
Mitsuki shook his head, attempting to regain his bearings. "Kak..." he began, but the word died in his throat as Kakashi's voice cut through the air. "You have five seconds from now to get ready," he stated, his tone devoid of any warmth.
Confusion clouded Mitsuki's features. "What do you mean by that, Kakashi?" he asked, a tremor in his voice. He watched in growing dread as Kakashi raised a hand, five fingers outstretched, then slowly began to lower them one by one. The atmosphere crackled with tension.
"Two seconds," Kakashi intoned, each word sending a chill down Mitsuki's spine. "One second."
With the final word, Kakashi's hand closed into a fist. "I hope you're ready," he said, his voice a low growl.
Before Mitsuki could even react, a blur of motion and a fist slammed into his face, sending him hurtling backward. Kakashi vanished and reappeared in front of his fallen opponent, seizing his legs and flinging him skyward. With a powerful leap, Kakashi ascended, appearing above Mitsuki, and delivered a devastating blow that sent the Chunin crashing back to earth.
Mitsuki coughed up blood as his body slammed into the unforgiving ground. A cry of pain escaped his lips, but his eyes widened in horror as Kakashi descended upon him, knees poised to strike.
The impact was brutal. Mitsuki's scream echoed through the training ground as Kakashi unleashed a relentless barrage of blows, each one aimed at the helpless Chunin's face. There was no mercy in Kakashi's eyes, only a burning fury that fueled his every move.
Minutes blurred into an eternity of pain. Mitsuki, battered and broken, could offer no resistance. Just as it seemed Kakashi's onslaught would never end, a figure materialized beside him, a purple-haired ANBU. She caught Kakashi's arm, halting his strike.
"Kakashi, you know you can't kill him," she said, her voice firm.
Kakashi froze, his body still trembling with rage. The ANBU's words seemed to penetrate the haze of his fury. Slowly, he stood, his gaze fixed on the barely recognizable form of Mitsuki. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away, blood dripping from his fist.
The ANBU watched him go, then turned her attention to Mitsuki. His face was a mask of blood and bruises, a testament to the ferocity of Kakashi's attack. With a sigh, she knelt beside him and, with a gentle touch, vanished from the training ground, taking the broken Chunin with her.
I know mitsuki, is in reality mizuki, but as I said I made this problem from the start, and I just wanted to keep with it.
See you soon.