Chapter 4
A boy wearing a white shirt and green shorts could be seen running around the training ground in circles. His spiky red hair flowing in the wind, his white shirt covered in sweat. He was panting heavily. Mouth wide open saliva could be seen dropping from his mouth. The boy no older than five years old was doing his daily morning workout.
It had been a month since he had started shinobi training. With kunai and shuriken training, Naruto had started training in funinjutsu as well. If you want to become a master in said art, then you first need to perfect your writing style. That's what Fuu had said to Naruto. And so, he'd started perfecting his writing style.
To catch his lost breath, Naruto sat on the ground and panted heavily. Five laps around the training ground were nothing. When he'd first started his morning routine it was difficult for him to even complete one lap around the ground and now he could do five without any problem. He could feel the change that had come with just one month of physical training. Doing push-ups, pull-ups and other exercises would increase his physical strength and stamina in the battle.
Hunting food was one of the things that he'd do after his morning workout. It was very difficult first for him to catch an animal. But with time and patience, he'd learned to ambush them and catch them in traps. In this way, he'd increased his trapping and tactical skills. All in all, everything he'd done in the last month was worth it in the end. Now he doesn't have to worry about food and other things.
It had been more than a week since Fuu visited him. Naruto doesn't know why Fuu had stopped visiting him. Maybe he was on a mission outside of the village that's why he was unable to visit him. But if it would have been then Fuu would have told him. Naruto knew there was something Fuu was hiding from him. Why Fuu would risk his life just to tell him why the villagers hate him. It doesn't make any sense. Naruto knew he has to be cautious of Fuu. He can't trust anyone especially someone who just appeared in front of him and told him about his status and then offered to train him.
Naruto closed his eyes after setting himself into a meditative position. He inhaled and exhaled, freeing his mind from thoughts and isolating himself from the rest of the world. He looked into himself and tried to find the source of warmth inside of him. The book that Fuu had given him on chakra was very helpful and informative about chakra. According to that book, everyone has to unlock their chakra before using it. Naruto had never used chakra before, it's time he unlocks it and uses it.
It didn't take him too long to find that warm feeling inside his body. The warm feeling was around his belly. Naruto concentrated on it and tried to see it with his mind eyes. He wanted to see his chakra himself inside of him and soon enough he saw it.
A blue flame that was surrounded by silvery chakra, but there was another chakra in red color, it was intense and malicious. Naruto didn't have to be told by somebody about that chakra.
'So, it's kyuubi's chakra.' Naruto thought.
He knew that this chakra had been sealed into him. He can't access it without unlocking the seal. But he can access his original chakra. The silvery color had confused him slightly. According to that book, the color of natural chakra should be blue. Though some have a large amount of chakra then others. The more chakra you have the more difficult it'd be for you to control it.
Now seeing that silvery chakra made him paused in his concentration. With some thought, Naruto concentrated and all of the chakra except kyuubi's moved and mixed with each other. A new and large flame of chakra formed. Its color was dark blue. The heat increased and Naruto could feel sweat forming around his body. He concentrated again and tried to spread it around his body.
Soon enough the dark place lit up and pipes formed that were going in every direction. He could see his chakra running in those pipes. Naruto could feel the warmth spreading through his body, from head to toes. When the warm sensation faded away and everything returned to normal, Naruto opened his eyes.
He looked around and took a deep breath. He clenched and unclenched his fists. A smirk appeared on his face. He could feel the power his chakra contained. The sensation that he could feel was amazing. But all of a sudden, he felt tired. Like someone had drained all of his energy from his body. He could feel his stomach demanding food.
Naruto stood up and left in search of some fruits to eat.
"I can see that you're regretting taking this seat Hokage-sama," Jiraiya said with a knowing smirk on his face.
"Jiraiya-sensei! Don't say that, it was my dream to become Hokage."
"It's good to see you Minato. Any good news while I was away from the village."
"Well I can bet you know what happened a year ago," Jiraiya nodded. He sat down on the window's railing. A grim expression appeared on his face.
"So, what Kumo demanded in return?"
"I can't believe that Raikage would allow something to happen like this from his own shinobi and in return, he would demand price."
"So, what happened?"
"Honestly sensei! You don't know." Minato questioned a look of disbelief on his face.
"Minato, I don't know the whole story. That is why I'm asking you to tell me what happened."
"Well apparently, that treaty was just a cover to kidnap the Hyuuga heiress Hinata Hyuuga. Kumo was here to steal the Byakugan instead of signing the peace treaty. Hiashi was able to save Hinata from the kidnapper and killed him.
The Raikage in return demanded Hiashi's death otherwise they will attack Konoha."
"So, what did you do?" Jiraiya questioned again.
"I refused of course. He knows who is at fault."
"And what Kumo did in return?"
"Don't know but it seems that Kumo and Iwa are planning something big. I could feel dark clouds gathering outside of Konoha and fire nation."
"Not dark clouds Minato it's red clouds that are gathering."
"Jiraiya-sensei it's not a time or place for some lame jokes." Minato scowled.
"I'm not joking, I'm serious. There is something I have to tell you Minato. That is why I came back in the first place."
"What is it?" Minato could feel a bomb shell dropping in his lap.
"A new organization that is working as mercenaries around the elemental nations, all of them are S-ranked rough ninjas from Hidden villages. They were seen wearing cloaks with red clouds. No one knows what they want and what their goals are but an organization like this scream trouble."
"I see..." Minato sighed and rubbed his forehead. He could feel a headache coming his way.
"I'm trying to find more information about them but it will take time. They are very secretive and no one knows where their hideout is." Minato nodded again.
"So, what have you decided to do against Kumo and Iwa?"
"Nothing, for now, I have increased security around our borders. The fire daimyo had agreed to give us aid financially to prepare for a possible war."
"Well, that's some good news," Jiraiya commented.
"Yeah, this will help us to prepare for war."
"So, how's Nawaki."
"He is fine. Happy go, lucky child, always asking me or Kushina-chan about training." Minato smiled fondly at the thought.
"Well, I'll see you soon. I'm going to see my godson and do some research." Jiraiya said with a lecherous grin on his face and disappeared from the Hokage office.
Minato sigh in relief when he exited his office and took a deep breath in the streets of Konoha. He nodded to everyone around him as well as walking towards his destination. It had been a month since he had last seen Naruto. That poor child, if only he would have been able to stop Danzo from revealing his status to the villagers...oh well, he can't stop everyone in the village now. He had tried in the past by creating a law but it didn't work.
Knocking and waiting for Naruto to open the door gave him some time to think about him. He knew he has to tell Naruto sooner rather than later about his condition. He couldn't even imagine what he would think about the villagers after that.
The door opened and Naruto walked outside and greeted him with a bow.
"Good evening Hokage-sama." Minato nodded and smiled slightly. He looked at Naruto who was not even meeting his eyes. His spiky red hair was a mess.
Minato nodded and ruffled his hair with affection.
"Hello, Naruto. How are you?"
"I'm good Hokage-sama. Why don't you come in?" Minato nodded and they both entered into Naruto's apartment. Minato looked around finding nothing out of place except some papers, books, and ink on the floor.
Minato sat down on the floor while Naruto did the same.
"A funinjutsu book huh," Minato said with a smile on his face.
"Where did you get it Naruto?" Minato questioned with a kind smile directed towards Naruto.
"I bought it Hokage-sama." Naruto lied while looking at the ground.
"Naruto...do you know who I am right. I'll not harm you; just tell me who gave you this book?" Minato was still smiling.
"I-I'm telling the truth Hokage-sama. I bought it from someone."
"Who's someone?" Minato questioned again with as much kindness as he can.
"A-a shinobi with a name of Fuu Hokage-sama, he gave me this book," Naruto replied. He can't lie to the person who had given him a home to live and money to spend. But the small killing intent that the Hokage was radiating right in front of him was getting on his nerves. It was like someone had clenched his heart.
"You aren't going to punish me are you Hokage-sama?" Minato looked at the child in front of him and laughed. His blue eyes twinkled as he shook his head.
'So Danzo, you want to play a game of hide and seek huh. Well, you better be ready because I'm serious now.'
"No Naruto-kun I'm not going to punish you. As you might know, there are many few people in this village who sees as who you are. There are people who hates you, but there are people who want to help like that Fu guy because they want something from you in return. You are still young and weak and you could be manipulated easily and they know it."
"Why they want to use me Hokage-sama. What is so special about me?" Naruto questioned in his small and soft voice while looking at the ground. He rubbed his hands nervously as he glanced at the strongest shinobi in this village.
"You have a potential to become a great shinobi. You have a great power hidden inside of you." Minato replied. It wasn't a lie. He was telling the truth.
'He's too young to know about him.'
"What kind of power I have inside of me?" Naruto questioned. A curiosity to find out more about himself.
"I can't tell you right now Naruto-kun. When you will become genin then I'll tell you."
"It's about the Kyuubi, isn't it Hokage-sama." Minato's smiled disappeared. He never thought Naruto would find out so soon. Who told him? Who had gone against his orders and told Naruto about the Kyuubi incident? It seems that Danzo had already made moves on Naruto.
"Who told you Naruto?" Minato questioned kindly. It's not Naruto's fault, an innocent child who was looking for someone to help him, someone to acknowledge him.
"Fuu...he told me everything except my parents. He told me that it's not his place to tell me about my parents." Minato eyes hardened again. It seems that Fuu, a root agent had told Naruto about why people hate him and in return gained his trust. Naruto accepted everything from him and then did everything he had asked because Fu was the only human being in this village who was trying to help Naruto and make him stronger to defend himself from villagers.
"Well, I think it's time I tell you everything. There is no point in keeping secret. Five years ago, Jiraiya of the sannin found you. He took you to Sandaime Hokage. I, Kushina-chan and my mother were there too. We then decided to place you in the orphanage and when someone will come for you then we will give you to that person. Kushina-Chan gave you a name by the way. After four years, the Kyuubi attacked the village and Sandaime sealed the half of Kyuubi into me while another half into my new-born son Nawaki.
But then we found out the kyuubi's chakra that was in the air affecting the people living in this village. I had no choice but to seal that remaining chakra into a baby. You were the chosen one." Minato finished and looked at Naruto worriedly. Who was just nodded his head sadly.
"Naruto..." No answer. Minato just sat there and sighed tiredly. Maybe he shouldn't have told him. Minato had thought Naruto would be able to handle the whole truth after knowing about the Kyuubi but seeing him like this...
"So, I'm an outsider huh."
"NO Naruto you are not an outsider. Never say that again. You were chosen to sacrifice yourself to save this village. You are a hero in the eyes of shinobi of this village."
"You are not lying are you, why are you the only one who say such good things to me?" He could feel his eyes burning with tears, his throat tightened and his chest clenched. Even swallowing was hard for him.
"Why would I lie to you huh? I never led to you before, did I? You are a hero in my eyes Naruto and there are people who see you as a hero too. You just have to find them."
Naruto smiled slightly, hearing the leader of this village calling him a hero...
"I hate them Hokage-sama. Why can't they just ignore me?" Minato knew who Naruto referring to. He can't let that hate to grow more. He can't let that hate to grow into something else.
"People can change Naruto-kun. Just you wait, a day will come when they will see you as who you really are, a hero."
"I don't care. I don't care about civilians and those who hate me. If they hate, then I'll hate them too. If they will strike me then I'll strike them too." Minato shook his head, Naruto was still young and the behavior he was showing was acceptable. He stood up and looked at Naruto with a smile.
"Well, it's getting late. Don't you want a treat of ramen from me? And I'll show you some people who see you as a child, a normal child." Naruto rubbed his eyes and stood up a small smile appeared on his face.
"Go and wash that ink on your hands first Naruto. I'll be waiting outside."
Naruto came outside and they headed towards the ramen stand. Upon reaching the stand they found Kushina and Nawaki sitting there talking to Teuchi the ramen guy and his daughter Ayame.
Minato and Naruto were standing there when Kushina and Nawaki came towards them.
"You are late Minato-kun." Kushina looked at Naruto who was just standing there quietly.
"Oh, hello there, cutie, aren't you going to introduce ourselves Minato-kun." Kushina crouched in front of Naruto and grinned.
"Kushina-chan you already know who this kid is and Naruto this is my wife Kushina Uzumaki and this is our son Nawaki." Kushina ruffled his hair.
Naruto looked into her eyes. The same eye color and same red hair, one of the things Naruto noticed. Kushina shocked Naruto by wrapping her arms around his body and hugged him.
'He looked so much like me.' She glanced at Minato. A pleading look in her eyes.
He just stood there stiff. The warmth and tingling sensation that had traveled throughout his body and the feeling that he had felt were one of the things he experienced for the first time. He closed his eyes and let his tears fall. He doesn't know why he was crying but it was just his heart demanding him to cry and just hug her back and never let her go. He took a deep breath and tried to control his tears, he felt Kushina's arms tightening around him.
Kushina looked worriedly at Naruto who was still in her embrace. She turned her eyes towards her husband again who shook his head. Kushina could feel tears threatening to fall from her eyes. It's impossible, impossible for a child to not have been embraced by someone. But here in her arms a child not older than five crying his heart out.
'I'm sorry.' She thought and suppressed her tears.
"It's okay Naruto-chan." Kushina's soothing words worked and after a while, Naruto stopped crying.
Kushina wiped Naruto tears way with her palm and gave him a smile.
"I-I'm sorry Kushina-sama..." Naruto bowed he could feel blush on his cheeks due to embracement...
"It's okay...and no Kushina-sama, you can call Kushina-chan or something else," Kushina spoke with a smile. He looked so cute when he had called her Kushina-sama and the blush on his cheeks...so adorable.
"So, do you like ramen Naruto-kun?"
"I never had ramen before."
"Well then, it's time for us to introduce you to our favorite dish...the ramen." Naruto just looked at Kushina and Nawaki with confusion. What's so special about ramen?
After finishing their meal...
"That was...delicious," Naruto commented.
"Damn right..."
"Naruto-kun, why don't you stay with us tonight? It's getting late and I'm sure Nawaki-Chan would like to know you more."
Naruto knew that the Hokage was not giving him a choice. It was an order, not a suggestion. He just nodded his head, not trusting his throat and voice to say anything.
The Senju compound was one of the largest compounds in the village. But almost all of it was empty, because of small number of Senjus alive.
"So Naruto, you are going to join the shinobi academy in a few months. Are you excited?" Minato and Kushina were sitting on the couches with a cup of tea while Nawaki and Naruto were on the floor. Naruto was working on his writing for funinjutsu.
"Yes, Hokage-sama, I can't wait to join the academy," Naruto replied not even looking at his practice sheets. Minato and Kushina looked at each other with knowing smiles.
"You really love funinjutsu don't you Naruto-kun," Kushina commented.
"Yes, there is so much we can do and develop from funinjutsu. The art is endless. You are a living example of that Hokage-sama." Minato nodded. He knew Naruto was referring to his Hiraishin technique.
"Kaa-chan, Tou-chan, why can't I train like Naruto, he can throw kunai and shuriken at the targets with precision." Nawaki whined.
"Because Naruto is one year older than you, he is five years old and you are still four years old that's why you can't," Kushina replied. She gave a small smile to her son when she saw him pout.
"I think it's getting late and I have to wake up early in the morning." Minato and Kushina stood up after finishing their tea leaving Naruto and Nawaki in the living room alone.
"So, you like funinjutsu huh," Nawaki spoke. He was trying to start a conservation with Naruto.
"Yes."
"Would you like to become my friend Naruto?"
"And, why should I become your friend?"
"Because I'm the son of the Fourth Hokage..."
"I don't care if you are a son of Hokage or not." Naruto cut in.
"Why don't you go and bother someone else, maybe that Uchiha friend of yours."
"You mean Sasuke."
...
"Look why can't you just answer the question that I'm asking. You can ask questions too, about me." Nawaki almost yelled, frustrated.
"And why would I?"
"Because..."
"You are a Hokage's son."
"Because I am trying to become friends with you, can't you see you, idiot." Nawaki almost shouted in frustration. That kid Naruto was getting on his nerves.
"I can clearly see but I can't clearly see how you are trying to become friends with me."
"NARUTO..." Nawaki shouted. Naruto was sitting there amused. A small smile appeared on his face.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto introduced himself and extended his hand towards Nawaki.
"I am..."
"Nawaki Senju..." Naruto finished his introduction. He almost laughed when he saw the look on Nawaki's face.
Minato and Kushina were standing outside of their room. They had seen what had happened between those kids.
"It feels good to see him happy and smile," Kushina whispered.
"Yeah, you are right it feels good. At least Nawaki is his friend now." Kushina nodded her head.
The next morning Kushina and Minato woke up early in the morning and went to check up on Nawaki and Naruto. They found Naruto on the training ground doing his morning workout. That surprised them but they left without interrupting Naruto.
When breakfast was ready Naruto came and took a shower before joining the Senju family. He found Tsunade of the sannin sitting there.
"Well, well, what a surprise. Minato, you never told me you have a guest here."
"Good morning Tsunade-sama." Naruto greeted before taking his seat. Tsunade nodded and turned her eyes on Minato.
"Well, Kaa-chan when we came last night I found you sleeping so..." Tsunade nodded and started eating her breakfast.
"Naruto come to my office when you will be free okay." Naruto nodded and after finishing his breakfast he went outside.
"Such a cute boy Naruto is and polite as well and knows how to address his elders, unlike you, brat." Tsunade glared at her grandson.
"Oh, come on granny. You know you love me." Nawaki replied with a smile.
"Nawaki when you will go to Uchiha compound make sure to take Naruto with you Okay."
Nawaki nodded and left to join Naruto. Minato and Tsunade left leaving Kushina alone in the house.
"You are always welcome here Naruto-kun and don't become a stranger. If you need any help in funinjutsu you can always come to me." Naruto nodded and with a hug he and Nawaki left.
"So, that Uchiha guy, what is his name?" Naruto questioned Nawaki while walking towards the Uchiha compound.
"Uchiha Sasuke. Why do you ask?" Nawaki questioned Naruto.
"Just curious nothing else..." they entered into the Uchiha compound.
"Hey Nawaki over here, I'm here." Nawaki and Naruto stopped and turned their way towards the two comers that were standing on the training ground.
Naruto saw a boy of Nawaki's age with spiky black hair with a blue tint and black eyes. He was wearing half sleeves blue round collared shirt with white shorts.
The other guy was almost twelve years old had onyx eyes under which were long pronounced tear trough. Jet black hair that was pulled back in a ponytail and his face framed with center-parted bangs that extended to his chin. Black shirt with Uchiha symbol on its back and black anbu pants, bandages around his ankles and black shoes.
"Hi there Sasuke, Itachi..." Nawaki greeted them.
Sasuke nodded with a smile on his face while Itachi nodded his head not even taking his eyes from Naruto. Naruto stared back at the stoic face.
"Who is...oh" Sasuke's question died down on his lips when he recognized Naruto.
"Tou-chan told me to bring him here," Nawaki replied with a shrug. Naruto saw Itachi raised an eyebrow but didn't speak.
"Naruto this is..."
"Sasuke and this is Itachi." Naruto finished Nawaki's statement. Naruto turned his eyes from Itachi and looked at the Sasuke.
"Hi there, I am sure you know who I am." Sasuke nodded his head, felling awkward in the presence of a stranger.
"So Sasuke want to go to Shikamaru's place?" Nawaki said enthusiastically.
"Sure, why not." He shrugged and took at a glance at his brother.
"Naruto, you want to come."
"No, I'll stay here for a while," Naruto waved at their retreating forms.
"So, you were that person who was watching me training a month ago,"
"Yes."
"You were not alone?" Itachi questioned, although to Naruto it was a confirm statement which was filled with a little uncertainty.
"You are very smart Itachi-san. And your sensory skills are good too...I'll answer your question if you answer mine." Naruto doesn't want to reveal Fu to Itachi. He had already told Hokage about him. It doesn't felt right, it felt like he was betraying Fu.
Naruto sat on the grass. Feeling cool wind of summer caressing his skin and blowing his red hair, he saw Itachi nodded his head and sat in front of Naruto crossed legged.
"You are in anbu aren't you?" Itachi opened his mouth slightly to respond, his eyes slightly wide in shock.
"So, you are in anbu." Naruto nodded his head in confirmation. He didn't expect this reaction from the stoic Uchiha. He looked very smart and by his facial expression knows how to hide his true emotions. Beating around the bush wouldn't going to work against this guy.
"Who told you Naruto-san?" Itachi questioned his stoic mask again on his face. His face again took that previous look. But his eyes were sharpened and was glaring at him, judging him. Naruto was expecting to see a sharingan soon in his eyes.
"Someone told me," Naruto replied. Itachi's eye brows rose slightly. A look annoyance passed like a flash from his features.
"There are very few people who have been informed about my position as a shinobi. I don't think you have met those people in your little life. Unless." There Itachi's eyes widened slightly again.
"Do you know about the foundation?" Itachi continued. This time Naruto could feel seriousness in his question. His eyes held some mistrust for him.
"What foundation? I don't know anything about it." Itachi stared at Naruto like a hawk.
"There is an elder with a name Danzo Shimura. A long time ago he had created a secret anbu unit with the name of 'Root'. They live underground. They recruit orphan children from orphanages and turned them into weapons. They are only loyal to Danzo. The Sandaime Hokage had banned the foundation when he was alive but Danzo didn't stop. He has his own army of soldiers that could do anything for him."
The more Itachi revealed about the root the more he shocked Naruto. He can't believe that there was a man with so much power in this village. That Danzo guy screamed trouble. But why Itachi had told him about this. He could guess being in anbu give information about some village's secret but why share it with him.
"Why are you telling me all of this?" Seeing Naruto shocked confirmed Itachi that Naruto was not lying before. Naruto really didn't know about the root before.
"Do you know what happened five years ago," Itachi questioned Naruto quietly, seeing Naruto nod Itachi continued.
"Then you would have seen some shinobi following you around the village..."
"Yes, I have felt some shinobi following wherever I go." Itachi nodded. Itachi raised his eye brows slightly again when Naruto replied.
'Felt? I'll see what you become Uzumaki Naruto.'
"That is why you must be careful Naruto-san. You are an orphan with a power sealed inside of you. Those men will come after you or would try to manipulate you into what they want you to do. Be careful." Naruto nodded again with a smile.
"Thanks for the advice Itachi-san." Itachi nodded. They sat there on the training ground silently when they were interrupted by a girl with long brown hair with bangs framing her face and onyx eyes with a mole under her right eye. She wore a long sleeve high collar purple skirt with Uchiha symbol on the back, baggy blue pants, a shuriken holster on her right leg and red armband on her left arm and long purple fingerless gloves.
"Itachi-kun, where were you, I was looking for you everywhere." Naruto raised his eyebrow when that girl used 'kun' suffix and tried not to laugh when he saw Itachi blushed slightly.
"Itachi-kun huh," Naruto snickered getting a glare from Itachi.
"If you ever told this to anyone..." Itachi activated his Sharingan and glared at Naruto.
Naruto gulped and nodded. He saw Sharingan in Itachi's eyes. Such beautiful and powerful eyes, it was the first time he had seen Sharingan. He has to read about it. He has a feeling that he will need it.
"Let's go Itachi-kun." The girl came and gripped Itachi's arm and forced him to stand up.
"Izumi don't be so forceful." Itachi almost whined and his stoic mask almost slipped.
"Then hurry up. Don't you want to eat dumplings?" Itachi nodded his head and turned to Naruto.
"Oh, by the way, Naruto this is Izumi Uchiha my…my friend and Izumi this Uzumaki Naruto my..."
"Friend..." Naruto finished Itachi's statement. Itachi looked surprised for a sec before nodding his head, a small smile on his face.
Naruto and Izumi looked at each other nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow; you know where to find me," Itachi told Naruto with knowing look. Naruto nodded and they left.
Naruto after exiting the Uchiha compound walked towards the Hokage tower before going to the training ground for some training. It was the first time he had visited Hokage tower.
The Hokage was sitting in his chair doing paperwork when he entered the office. There was a man with waist length spiky white hair in a ponytail wearing green short shirt kimono and matching pants, under which he was wearing mesh armor that was visible at his wrists and ankles. He was wearing a red haori with two yellow circles on each side. A forehead protector with kanji for 'oil' written on it and hand guards. The man was standing near the window, his back leaning against the wall hands folded around his chest.
Naruto bowed to Hokage and greeted.
"Hokage-sama..." Naruto trailed off uncertain of what he wanted to say. The Hokage looked at him with a kind smile. A smile of leader upon his people, the white-haired man was staring at Naruto with a thoughtful expression.
"Ah Naruto, there you are." The Hokage opened a drawer of his desk and tossed a scroll towards him.
"This scroll contains your monthly allowance," Minato explained with a smile. Naruto nodded and put it into his pocket. The Hokage leaned back into his chair and looked at him worriedly.
"Is there anything else you want to tell me Naruto?" Minato questioned expectedly.
Naruto shook his head. The Hokage nodded his head and glanced at the man standing near the window.
"This is Jiraiya of the sannin." Minato introduced that man to Naruto and Naruto turned his eyes towards Jiraiya. He nodded again.
"Jiraiya-sensei knows everything that is happening in this village and around the elemental nations. He has a spy network that gives us info on other villages. He is my advisor too. So, we have decided to tell you something that not many people know." Here Minato's smile disappeared and his face turned expressionless.
"Under no circumstances, you are allowed to reveal this information to anyone. It doesn't matter who they are. Do you understand what I am saying Naruto?" Naruto nodded his head again.
"Hai Hokage-sama." Naruto straightened.
Then the Hokage told Naruto about root, what it is and who created it. Naruto listened to Hokage's words carefully. Almost everything that Itachi had told Naruto about the root seems to be told by the Hokage.
"Why I am telling you this is because in the past Danzo had requested many times to me to give you to him so that he can shape you. To turn you into a weapon that will be used for his purposes only, that's why I'm telling you Naruto that never trust some unknown shinobi. I have already told Danzo to not force me into doing something extreme. That Fuu guy will not bother you again. I know how much you want to learn and become strong that is why..." here Minato opened another drawer and took a card from it and tossed it at Naruto.
"This is a Konoha shinobi library card. With this, you can access to everything related to Shinobi arts. I'm sure you understand what I'm saying." Minato finished with a knowing smile.
"You mean jutsu." Naruto guessed. His face lit up and a grin grew on his face when Minato nodded his head. He can't believe it; the Hokage had given him access to even Jounin level techniques. So many jutsu and techniques, oh man! He can't wait to explore the library for awesome techniques.
"Naruto, I gave you this because I think you earned it. Don't misuse it. Don't disappoint me." Minato advised and warned with a stern expression.
"I won't Hokage-sama. Thank you for everything." Minato nodded again and turned to his paperwork.
Naruto bowed and left the Hokage tower. He still can't believe that the Hokage had given him permission to access the shinobi library. He will not disappoint the Hokage. He will work hard and become strong for himself and only for himself. Not for anyone else, just for himself.
One year later
Naruto: Six years' old
It had been a year since Naruto had met Itachi, Sasuke, and Nawaki. Itachi and Naruto had become good friends. Itachi was a teacher to Naruto. In the last year, Itachi had trained Naruto upgrading his skills in shuriken and kunai. He had learned tree walking exercise that Itachi had told him to do. Early in the morning Naruto would wake up and do his morning workout that had increased throughout the year. After that, he would hunt food or eat fruits from the forest of death. Then he would go to shinobi library and search for something interesting to read. Stories of previous Hokages and wars, it had motivated Naruto to work hardtop become strong. Itachi had helped him too. He had shared his experience of third shinobi war with Naruto. Itachi even showed Naruto his memories of third shinobi war. It was truly a frightening sight. The truth about the ninja world and how ninja could kill each other just for lands and resources. Naruto had matured and his naive thinking of ninja world and how it worked shattered that day.
Fuu had come once and told him that he can't train him anymore because of certain reasons. Naruto who was suspicious of Fuu revealed Fuu's true identity to him. Naruto knew Fuu can't do anything to him. He had just left without saying anything.
Naruto had mastered all of shuriken and kunai techniques from Itachi. Now he was working on a technique. A technique to bend shuriken, he knew it's possible and with practice, he was able to bend the shuriken slightly but it was not enough. With more practice, he knew he would be able to master his new technique.
His relationship with the Senju family had improved. In his free time, he would go to Senju compound and train with Nawaki. Sometimes he would instruct Nawaki into throwing kunai and shuriken. Kushina had taught him many seals after he'd perfected his calligraphy.
All in all, he had been pretty busy in the previous year and had learned many things. He knew now was the time for elemental training and taijutsu and maybe kenjutsu too.
Itachi had even introduced him to his best friend Shisui Uchiha. That guy was amazing, even amazing than Itachi. Naruto and Shisui had become friends, mostly acquaintance. But there was a time when he could feel Shisui hiding something from him. He put that at the back of his mind. He knew Shisui wouldn't never harm him in any way.
Today he will be going for shopping. To buy his shinobi clothes and weapons and shoes and other things that he would need in the academy.
Right now, Naruto was sitting in the Senju compound waiting for Kushina to show up. He had been here since morning. Teaching Nawaki kunai and shuriken and practicing some seals. Naruto saw Nawaki entered into the house and spotted him.
"Ah, Naruto are you going somewhere with Kaa-chan?"
"Yes, I'm going for shopping." Naruto then saw Kushina came downstairs and he stood up.
"Kaa-chan I want to go too." Nawaki pouted and folded his arms on his chest in stubbornness.
"Fine, you can come with us." Naruto sigh. He knew Nawaki was here just to go with him for shopping otherwise he would have gone to Uchiha compound.
"So tomorrow will be your first day right." Naruto nodded his head. Kushina and Nawaki were walking on his left side.
"I remember the days when I was in the academy. Those days..." Kushina sigh with a small chuckle.
"So, do you know a good store for shinobi equipment?" Naruto changed the topic. He can't wait to buy his shinobi equipment. The only thing he was worried about the shopkeepers. What if they refused to give him anything? Kushina would take care of it, he knew she would.
"Yes, I know a perfect store. You don't have to worry about anything." Kushina replied and looked down at Naruto with a smile.
The boys followed Kushina into a large store. The store was huge with different weapons and shinobi clothes on display. They entered the store and found a man in his late thirties sitting behind the desk reading a book in his hand. When that man saw, them coming his way he closed the book and stood up.
"Welcome to Higurashi ninja store. What can I do for you?" The man had black hair and brown eyes. Muscular build and some scars on his hands. Judging from his clothing the man was a civilian. His eyes fell on Kushina.
"Ah Kushina-sama, I never thought I would see you after you retired yourself from ninja duties."
"Well, Higurashi-san I'm not here for myself. Apparently, this young fellow is going to join academy tomorrow so he needs your service." Kushina said and gestured towards Naruto. The man looked at Naruto before nodding his head.
"So why don't you guys look for clothes while I pack kunai and shuriken." Kushina nodded her head and led them towards clothes department. They were looking for clothes while Naruto was looking towards the swords that were on display. He turned around when Nawaki called him.
"Naruto why don't you try this jumpsuit, I'm sure it will look awesome on you?" Naruto looked at the jumpsuit with wide eyes.
"You got to be kidding me Nawaki. Orange and this...this so-called jumpsuit, no way in hell I'm going to buy this." He quickly looked away from the horrid site.
"What's going on here?" Kushina came around and when she saw Nawaki with an orange jumpsuit.
"Nawaki put that thing away from this instant," Nawaki whined and looked at his mother with a pout.
"But Kaa-chan what's wrong with this jumpsuit. It's awesome."
"Nawaki..."
"Okay, okay." Kushina then turned towards Naruto and handed him clothes.
Naruto changed and changed and he doesn't know how many time and how many outfits he tried until finally, Kushina settled on buying an outfit for him.
He bought several black half sleeves round collared shirts and gray shorts with two pairs of black ninja sandals, five sets of kunai and shuriken as well as some bandages.
When everything was packed and the bill came up, Naruto sigh in relief when he looked at the bill. He has the required money to pay for his items. He was about to give the required money to the shopkeeper when Kushina stopped him.
Naruto looked at her in confusion.
"Don't worry about the money Naruto-kun. I have already taken care of it." Naruto's eyes widened. With a smile, he hugged her.
"Thank you, thank you, and thank you so much." Kushina chuckled and hugged him back.
Another year had gone and he was still thinking how to get what he wanted. Everything had been going so smoothly until that damn brat had told everything to Yondaime. How could he? He had underestimated the child. He had thought that the brat would come to him after everything he had done for him. But Naruto never trusted Fuu. He figured out that there were people who were after him only for power that was sealed inside of him.
The Yondaime instead of punishing Naruto helped him and told him about his status as well as the foundation. The Yondaime did a very good job protecting Naruto from falling into darkness. He treated him like his own child and instructed Nawaki to take him to Uchiha compound so that he could befriend with other children too, a very smart move indeed.
Staring at the file of Uzumaki Naruto will not give him the boy. No, if he can't get the boy this way then he has to do it the other way.
He knew Shisui will be coming from his mission. He will be exhausted and low on chakra. He will be alone too. It's time to strike Shisui and get a Mangekyou Sharingan. With a wave of his hand, two dozen of his soldiers appeared in front of him kneeling.
"The Uchiha clan are becoming too much strong for my liking. Their influence in this village is bothersome. The Yondaime Hokage is also helping the Sharingan users. He doesn't know the risk and the situation he is creating in this village. That is why I have decided to take matters into my hands. Shisui Uchiha the strongest Uchiha in the Uchiha clan with the power of Mangekyou Sharingan at his disposal, he is coming back from his solo mission. I'll be taking some of my soldiers with me to take him down.
While on the other hand, you are to ambush the Uchiha clan and kill every one of them. Don't leave Sharingan eyes behind. I must have them. We'll strike tonight.
For the good of Konoha, we must eliminate the Uchiha clan."
"Hai Danzo-sama." Several voices echoed in the dark chambers.
Shisui was running towards Konoha. He was alone. The mission that Danzo had given him was not difficult. After completing his mission objectives, he stayed there for a day for some refreshment before heading for Konoha.
It was the first time Danzo had given him a solo mission. He knew that there was something suspicious about this mission so he did it very carefully. But now completing his mission and heading back to village lessened his worries slightly. But his worries increased the other second when he saw Danzo standing in front of him. He stopped in front of the elderly figure. He could sense five anbu level chakra signature surrounding him.
'This is not good...so Danzo had decided to make his move huh.' Shisui thought.
"Shisui of the teleportation, with the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan and the strongest Uchiha, do you know what I want," Danzo spoke.
"Going against a Konoha shinobi are you Danzo," Shisui said. Then he felt two anbu that were behind him rushed towards him with their sword drawn. Shisui took out his sword and blocked their attacks. Two more anbu came from his left to take him down but before they could strike him, he substituted himself with a log.
Making a distance between himself and his enemies, Shisui created a shadow clone that rushed towards the nearby anbu. Shisui turned towards Danzo and blocked a strike from him. Danzo threw a kick with his right foot which Shisui blocked with the right hand. Danzo was moving faster than Shisui had imagined. Danzo threw a punch with his left hand at Shisui's head but Shisui avoided by leaning back. The next second an anbu flashed behind Shisui's left with his sword ready to strike. Shisui turned his gaze towards the anbu and tried to block the strike with his tanto but failed to notice a punch from Danzo that came and connected with his rib cage.
He knew he can't win against all of them. So Shisui stood up and threw a smoke bomb before disappearing.
But when he appeared again a bone crushing punch connected with his jaw. Shisui looked and up and saw Danzo staring at him.
"That was a clone I'm the real deal Shisui. The Uchiha are becoming too strong in Konoha, and you who have the power of kotoamatsukami. Give me the eyes of your father as well as yours. I know you have them."
Shisui didn't speak. He formed hand seals and shouted.
"Katon: Housenka no jutsu (Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu) " Danzo flipped out of the way of the fireballs and jumped onto a tree and stared at Shisui. Two anbu appeared in front of him and tried to cut him into two but Shisui activated his Sharingan and put them into genjutsu. The two anbu weren't even aware of the genjutsu that was put on them. One of them came towards Shisui from the right and another came from left. They both buried their tanto in Shisui's body, but in reality, the anbu on the left had stabbed the anbu on the right and the anbu on the right had stabbed the anbu on the left.
Danzo was on Shisui in an instant with his left fist ready for a strike. Shisui blocked the strike and tried to put Danzo into genjutsu but failed to notice an anbu who sneaked upon him from behind. Shisui turned around the last second to stop his opponent's strike with his tanto. At that time Danzo's left hand came forward and plucked Shisui's right eye, Shisui teleported from the sight.
Danzo tried to pluck the second eye too but Shisui had disappeared from the sight. Blood was leaking from his right eye. He was furious, that damn Danzo. Another anbu came from his right side. Shisui disappeared and appeared in front of the anbu his tanto buried deep into the anbu's stomach. Three down three to go. His clone had killed two anbu before being dispelled. He knew he can't kill Danzo alone. The only option he has right now was to flee.
"Do you really think you can run away from me? Anbu! Go after him." Shisui saw no one came; there were only five anbus that had been killed, three by him and two by his clone.
Shisui smirked and disappeared. The exploding tag detonated when Danzo landed on the tree where Shisui was standing before. Shisui saw Danzo substituted with a log just in time before an explosion occurred. Danzo chased Shisui around the forest but it was too late. Shisui had already disappeared from his senses.
Back at Konoha when the sun disappeared and the moon was shining, the root anbu surrounded the Uchiha compound. They were waiting for a signal from their leader to strike.
Fugaku who was in his house with his tanto on his back stared outside of his compound, he knew the enemy were waiting for the signal. He had already sent a clone to Minato. Thank God Mikoto and Sasuke were not in the compound. They had gone to Senju compound to meet Kushina.
The door of the compound opened and he saw Itachi in front of him.
"Tou-san..."
"I know Itachi... wait for the enemy to strike." Itachi nodded. The Uchiha police force had already been informed by Itachi.
They heard the sounds of swords clashing and knew it's time to defend their compound and save Uchiha brothers.
Minato was sitting in his office when Fugaku appeared in front of him.
"Hokage-sama, root agents are attacking the Uchiha clan." The clone dispelled itself. Minato stood up and heard the explosion. He eyes blue turned cold. His fist clenched before he disappeared in a yellow flash.
After running for an hour Shisui stopped to take a break. He could see his village's walls from the distance. He looked around and tried to sense any chakra signature nearby. It seems that Danzo had stopped following him. It was a wise move. Danzo knew he can't match Shisui in teleportation. The yellow flash can easily kill Danzo if he tried to go back to the village, so the option to go back to the village was foolish.
Shisui saw five more Ne agents coming towards him from the village. He knew what he has to do. He flashed through hand seals and shouted.
"Katon: Housenka no jutsu (Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu)" Shisui had his head held upward facing the sky. The fireballs came out of his mouth and lit the sky on fire. He knew the Konoha shinobi on the village gates and walls will surely see this and would come to investigate.
He saw the Ne agents halted in their steps and looked at each other before heading towards him again.