Chapter 15

"It's good to see you again after such a long time Naruto." Naruto glanced at the girl smiling down at him.

"I don't feel like I'm home." A confused look appeared on the young girl's face and before she could question him about it he pushed his empty bowl towards Ayame.

"What do you mean?" She asked as she went to refill the bowl. Naruto noticed Ayame's father was not there as she was doing everything on her own.

"Where is Teuchi-san? I haven't seen him since I came here." Naruto intentionally avoided to answer the question as he didn't want to talk about it to her. He came here to clear his mind and to feel some easiness. He was enjoying Ayame's company. She doesn't know much about him, being a civilian and working day and night at the shop doesn't give her much time to know about the ninja world.

Naruto unconsciously stopped eating as he stared at the girl hustling in the shop and preparing orders. Her dark brown hair was all over her face as she was pushing the bangs of her hair behind her ear. He could see the sweat on her pale forehead. Her large black eyes were tracking everything like a sharingan.

Ayame placed the bowl of ramen in front of Naruto and looked at him with a smile.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" She had noticed Naruto staring at her with a glazed look in his eyes. But his eyes were going wherever she was going and he even stopped eating.

"Ayame! Are you free tonight?"

Naruto was standing on top of the mountain that was far away from the village enjoying the sun when his enjoyment was interrupted. His alone time was interrupted, he could live with that but the man who interrupted was not pleasant. When he sensed the chakra of that man, everything that he wanted to forget came into his mind. It repeated the meeting between him and his parents and that old sage, it reminded him of trouble.

"Naruto?" The man called out loud and waited for Naruto to acknowledge his presence.

"What do you want Jiraiya?" Naruto said without opening his eyes. The sun was shining and giving him warmth. A long pause and then he saw Jiraiya's shadow standing in front of him, blocking sunshine. He opened his eyes and stared at the white haired man with a stoic look.

"What do you want?" He repeated his question again.

"Long time no see."

"Get to the point, I'm not going to chit chat with you." Jiraiya's smile faltered slightly as he placed his hands on his hips.

"Listen here gaki. I'm your senior, you will show me respect that I deserve otherwise…"

"Otherwise what?" The redhead said in a challenging tone.

"I'll kick your ass." Naruto snorted and stood up.

"Why are you here? And where is Kira?" Jiraiya's smile faltered and sadly looked at Naruto then turned his back towards him. His arms crossed around his chest. The man searched for right words before speaking them.

"Kira is no longer in this world." Naruto felt indifferent. Kira was his friend, but he was not that close to him. The man cared for him and gave him his summons but he never bothered to get close to him. Getting close to someone, it's not in his nature. There was no one that he cared about. The memories of his family and those who had worked with him crossed his mind. It was like his mind was telling that he like them and care about them.

He wouldn't deny it, a part of his heart wanted to forgive his family. He knew that he would defend them and even kill their enemies and he was doing that since the day he left Konoha.

"I see." Jiraiya looked surprised, he turned around to regard the red haired expressions after hearing the death of his friend. He never thought Naruto would react so indifferent after hearing his friend's death. Maybe they were not friends? Jiraiya didn't want to know about that. The redhead stood up and glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Care to tell me how he died?"

"I'm giving you this information only because you are a Midnight soldier."

"Come on Jiraiya, you are telling me this because you want to tell me, otherwise you wouldn't be here." Naruto stated the fact.

"Well, you're right. We were in Amegakure searching for the Akatsuki, an organization of S-Rank group of Rogue Ninjas that were involved in the battle of Kannabi Bridge in which many of our soldiers died. We went on our ways to collect some information. Our plan was to meet outside of the village after three days but he didn't come."

"What are you going to do now?" Naruto asked.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. I've free time. Maybe train, there are some techniques which I would like master." Naruto said as he referred to his sharingan. His plan was to go to Uchiha shrine for more information on the doujutsu and its abilities. He knew the Hokage will send him to a mission soon enough and he didn't want some nasty surprises during the battle this time.

"Maybe I can help."

"No, but thanks."

"I know about your sharingan." Naruto stared at Jiraiya hard, trying to pierce his mind with a look. He controlled his anger. A hard look appeared on his face and his jaw tightened.

Jiraiya felt and observed his mood. How he tensed and unconsciously readied himself for an incoming threat.

"I'm not your enemy Naruto." The man stated sadly. Naruto doesn't trust anyone. It was not surprising to him but to see it with his own eyes.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I'm a spy and I know a lot of things which even you don't know about Naruto. Let me train you, I promise you won't regret it." Naruto looked slightly surprised at the offer. He knew Jiraiya was asking him to become his apprentice.

"The Hokage asked you to do this?"

"No, he didn't. I understand why you hate them, but this matter is completely different. It is your family matter in which I don't want to involve myself."

"I still refuse." He didn't budge. A stubborn look was on his face as he stared at the old sannin with a stoic look. "There is a hidden motive behind your moves. You want to train me because…?" He questioned, he wanted to know what Jiraiya wanted from him, and Jiraiya wasn't looked surprised when Naruto accused him. He knew he will figure it out.

"Fine." He looked defeated. "There is a prophecy about you that was given to me by the old toad sage."

"I don't believe in that rubbish."

"He knew the sage of the six paths." The wind ruffled his hair as his eyes filled with hatred. "I only have good intensions for you. I just want to see you grow stronger than anyone else. Just give me a chance and if you see me going against you, then you can do whatever you'd like to do with me." Naruto sighed. The sage will teach him many things, will help him grow stronger. He was a sannin, he trained his father, he also knew about his sharingan.

"Fine." Naruto didn't like it one bit but part of his mind wanted to go along with him. A selfish part of him wanted to learn from him which no doubt will make him stronger.

"Meet me at the training ground tomorrow morning." Jiraiya flashed him a toothy grin before disappearing from the sight.

"That was unexpected of you." Naruto glanced back and saw Itachi coming towards him.

"Itachi? How's your health." The older boy stopped when he was near Naruto and stared at the village.

"I'm feeling better."

"I don't know what to do now."

"Do you plan to leave the village?" Itachi said so causally that it shocked Naruto, one of the leaders of the Midnight saying something so easily. Naruto narrowed his eyes in thought. He knew what Itachi was referring to. He was asking if he planned to abandoned the village. He knew Itachi put village before everything else. He wouldn't hesitate to take him down if he turned against the village. The village has people strong enough to take him down. He has skills but he still has a long way to go to achieve absolute power that he desires.

"I've thought about that." Itachi glanced at him from the corner of eyes with his sharingan activated. It was a warning, Itachi would take him down if he turned against the village.

Naruto looked unfazed by the unspoken threat. "I consider you one of my friends Itachi, I won't lie to you." Naruto paused to collect his thoughts. "I hate the villagers; I hate my parents but I don't hate this village. I've seen war, have seen people and their loved ones die, have seen villages get burned. That's makes my life more difficult and thoughts twisted. I don't want to achieve peace rather I want to achieve justice.

It'd only be fair for me to judge those who'd hurt me and controlled my life from the beginning." Naruto glanced at the Midnight captain to gauge his reaction to his declaration. The man was revealing nothing.

"I understand where you're coming from. I've seen you suffer since you were little. I can understand why you want to get revenge. But tell me Naruto…" Itachi paused and locked his black eyes with Naruto.

"What would you do after getting revenge?" Itachi stated. He knew Naruto would never betray the bonds that he had made. He knew how precious they were.

"You have two paths in front of you. Your friends, your parents and your little brother. On the other hand none, just revenge." Would he miss his parents after betraying them? Would he be able to kill who would do anything for him? He remembered the moments he shared with his mother and father. He tried to look through their point of view. He tried stand in their shoes.

Naruto remembered the smiles and the care his mother used to do when he was little. He knew she was hurting all this time just like him and she was still suffering.

"You should talk to Tsunade-sama. She understands you the most." Having said that Itachi disappeared, it would take time for the redhead to understand the feelings that he was feeling right now. He shouldn't have questioned Naruto's loyalty to the village. It would make things difficult in the long run. Maybe he did a mistake by asking him about his loyalty.

Naruto stayed there for awhile, thinking about what Itachi has said. It makes sense, to discuss his family matters with Tsunade. She does know him, but they were not close enough. And Itachi doesn't know that.

Nawaki didn't how to react to the news that he heard from his parents about Naruto. He sat there, frozen in his spot. Memories of him and Naruto flashed from his mind, the time they had spent together and the first time they met. His parents' words echoed in this mind, he didn't want to believe it but he knew he can't deny it. His own parents were telling him that Naruto was his elder brother. He gaped at his parents, unbelievable shocked expression on his face.

"Say that again?" He wanted to hear it again and again. Maybe they were pulling a prank on him, his mother used to be a prank star when she was younger now that he remembered. They were looking sad with a grimaced expression on theirs faces. It was quite a shocking site to see the whole Senju family looking that shocked.

"Naruto is your older brother. He is our son, just like you are." Minato said. It felt difficult to say those words out loud. All this time he tried to hide his relationship with Naruto through all costs. It was necessary for Konoha. As a Hokage he sacrificed his son's childhood for this village. Not only that, he also sacrificed the happiness of his other son, Nawaki.

"And you are telling me all of this now? Why did you hide his identity all this time? Why didn't he grow up in this household with me?" He would have been able to grow up with his brother. Naruto? His brother?

"It's better if Naruto answer these questions. Maybe he should be able to explain this better than us.'' Kushina smiled at Nawaki sadly before hastily leaving them alone in the living room. Nawaki saw her wiping her tears away.

''It was very difficult for her, seeing your brother everyday but still not be able to hug and love him. Still not be able to make sure that he has eaten properly.'' His voice chocked as he broke eye contact with his son. There was shame in his eyes, sadness and sorrow. Right now he just wanted to throw the mental of Hokage out of the window and go back in time to fix this mistake. But he knew its impossible, its impossible to travel back in time and do everything again.

Nawaki felt anger, he wanted to scream and yell at them for being stupid. He was about to do just that when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked towards his right and saw Tsunade, his grandmother looking at him.

''Just think what you would have done if you have been in your father's shoes.'' Having said that the slug princess left father and son alone. She was hurt as well, she knew the truth and she felt guilty, knowing that she didn't do enough for Naruto. Because of her he spent so much nights without food and cold, he was beaten and hated by the villagers. They slept in their beds without the care in the world, sometimes they even forget that a child of theirs is out there somewhere suffering the hate of thousands.

'What would have you done in this situation, Grandfather? Its your blood after all.' She knew she wouldn't get answer from him, dead people don't speak to the living. What would Naruto do now? She could only guess.

The next day

''Katon Karyudan (Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb.'' The redhead cursed under his breath as he flew backward in order to avoid the fire projectiles heading his way to burn him to crisp. Naruto was about to release hi own technique when he saw another technique shadowing the first one heading his way.

''Doton: Doryudan (Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb).'' The earth projectiles enveloped the fire ones, which increased their speed and attack power. Quickly thinking, Naruto created a clone who threw him high in the air whilst he went through the hand seals.

''Suiton: Bakusui Shoha (Water Style: Exploding water shock wave).'' A large amount of water in the form of a wave erupted from the nearby river and met the combined attack of fire and earth in the middle. Naruto landed safely on the ground and quickly vanished before Jiraiya could trace his chakra. The training ground was filled with mist.

Jiraiya on the other hand looked surprised behind the mastery of the technique.

''You've a very good control on the water element, and I know where you are.'' Jiraiya quickly spun around and threw a kunai at Naruto which passed right through his skull.

''I don't think you know where am I.'' The Naruto in front of him vanished and…

''Futon Senpuken (Wind Style: Whirlwind Fist).'' Naruto clad his fist with wind release which somewhat formed a typhoon. He thrust the fist towards Jiraiya's direction who was trying to escape. The pressure of the wind was so great that it pierced the earth as it went.

Jiraiya created mud wall in front of him to save himself from the attack but with a little difficulty it broke through it. Naruto was about to let his guard down when he saw Jiraiya 'puffed' from existence. He quickly spun around and Naruto saw the Sannin aiming his right foot towards his chest. He crossed his arms and blocked the kick. He flinched, feeling the brutal force slamming against his bones. There was no time to message the pain as Jiraiya was upon him in an instant.

Naruto quickly took out his sword and reappeared behind Jiraiya, the sannin quickly spun around and blocked the incoming slash with a kunai.

"You need more than that to hit me." Jiraiya's smirked faltered when Naruto pushed more force into the strike. The ground beneath him cracked and sparks of electricity started to appear the sword. Jiraiya knew it would be dangerous to hit by the lightning sword, so thinking fast he quickly substitute himself with a log which has bomb tags on it. Naruto grabbed the log and sent it towards Jiraiya with great velocity who was behind him. Jiraiya's movement halted and at the same time a Naruto's clone appeared behind Jiraiya and grabbed him.

Katon Kaen Senpū (Fire Style: Flame Hurricane)" Fire erupted around the clone's body in a spiraling manner which then launched with his hands towards Jiraiya who had no time to react. Jiraiya was sent into the surrounded by the hurricane, and he found himself staring at Naruto's emotionless eyes, who had his leg raised for him.

Jiraiya hit the ground hard enough to make a small crater, there was dust and smoke surrounding the area. Naruto touched the ground and waited for his opponent to come out of the crater. He looked around the first time since the fight started and he saw a good number of audience watching the dance.

"Hmm, come out Jiraiya, I don't think it was enough to defeat you." As if Jiraiya was waiting for him to say something, he appeared behind Naruto, with his fist aimed for his back, Naruto turned around to block the punch, which prove to be a mistake.

Naruto screamed in pain when he felt his bones breaking.

"This is enough for now." The sage relaxed and took a deep breath to calm himself. Naruto knew it would be foolish to attach him with his arm in this condition. He knew he would not win against a man who had trained their current Kage. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, he didn't win but he did well, which was not enough for him.

"He is a sannin for a reason, and has years of experience which you lack. It's a pity that Sharingan can't copy the experience." Thenine tails mocked, he could felt insulted by those words. As if there was something that he couldn't was something that he doesn't have.

"I didn't ask you for your opinion." Naruto replied to the nine tails. The beast snorted and didn't say anything further. It was a bitter truth; he never spoke to the beast. Naruto wanted to form a relationship with it but the hate that Kyuubi had for him was unexpected. He was surprised first, it was not his fault that he got sealed in him, and Kyuubi has seen how much he has suffered for being a Jinchuuriki.

He knew the Kyuubi don't like him because of the sharingan, but he still wanted to make some kind of relationship with him. In all these years the Kyuubi never talked to him until the Sage of the Six paths revealed himself to him.

"All of a sudden you have started talking to me. Why now? What changed your heart? Ah, I don't think you possess a heart." Naruto didn't like to taunt and insult the Biju but he wanted to do it, to release all his anger on someone.

Sparring with Jiraiya helped, he felt alive.

The Kyuubi remained silent. Naruto didn't try to talk to it again. The medic who was healing his arm left and he stood up, his speed the Kyuubi's regeneration ability helped, thanks to the orange beast inside of him.

Naruto tied his red in a pony tail, two bangs framing his face as he saw Jiraiya and his family approaching him, even his mother. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked away, still angry at them.

"You did great Naruto. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you for your praise, Hokage-sama." Naruto's face remained blanked, avoid of any emotion. It was the first time someone his father has complemented him on his skills. His father had praised him before but on succeeding the mission. That was the only thing that mattered to him.

He glanced at his mother who was looking at him with a sad smile. Nawaki was behind them, staring at him with unreadable expression. He knew he wanted to talk to him about him being his older brother and all.

"You're not hurt are you Naruto-chan?"

"You don't need to worry about my injuries. I've been through worse." His words were like a sharp steel, the meaning was clear behind the words. The unspoken accusation.

His mother understood, the smile left her face, her hands trembled and he saw her swallowing the lump in her throat. He should have felt pleasure or at least satisfied, after seeing the look of agony on her face. But it didn't happen. He felt a pang of guilt, but he suppressed it.

"If you will excuse me, Hokage-sama." Naruto saw a curt nod from his father. He disappeared from their company, the awkwardness disappeared, and Jiraiya sighed in relief.

"That went better than expected." Kushina could only nod in agreement. But her heart denied it.

The Uchiha District

Naruto entered the shrine without anyone noticing. He didn't want t answer the questions that he doesn't like to give answer to. He knew where the Uchiha Shrine was, it was just the matter of time to go there and find out more about what the Sage has said.

He wanted answers, there were many things left unsaid in the meeting and sage left knowing that he desired answers. If it would make him powerful then why not.

Small candles around the room were illuminating the stone which only he could see. There was something written on it that he was unable to read until he activated his sharingan.

Welcome my Brethren and my descendants,

You have successfully unlocked doujutsu and have upgraded to the matured Sharingan if you can read this. There are still many secrets of the eyes that I possessed, you need to figure out yourself how to unlock the full potential of your eyes.

I'm writing this to warn you the danger this world is in, your eyes are a blessing and curse. I and my brother used the power of the eyes to defeat our mother and sealed her, but I fear there is darkness that is doing its best to bring the mother back to life. And if this happens then there will be no human left in this world. The world will go extinct.

A beast will come to take what was its, Chakra.

Don't give up and make sure to unlock the last stage of the eyes, with the help of that doujutsu you will be able to defeat it.

You are all my child and I don't want anyone of you to feel despair and agony, losing a loved one is hard, I know, but remember there are many others who will sacrifice their lives for you. If you stay close and lived in harmony, then you will have the power that you can't even imagine.

Naruto stood there reading again and again to figure out the meaning behind the words, the enemy so powerful that even sage was not able to kill. It seems that there were things hidden and unknown from this world, that there are some people who are trying their best to succeed in their agenda.

The Akatsuki came into his mind, there whole purpose is to collect the beasts, but for what purpose no one except them knows. What they do, how powerful they are? Kira lost his life to find the answers for these questions.

He was lost in his thoughts when he sensed the presence of chakra growing on his left side. A quick narrowed glance and he found himself staring at the sage of the six path. Naruto turned completely towards him.

"Can't you leave me alone. Even after turning my life into hell you come back again and again. What do you really want?" His voice carried the anger and frustration that he can't comprehend. The sage can come back many times as he wanted and however he wanted and wherever he wanted.

"You've the chakra of both of my sons Naruto-kun. I can't ignore you, I just want to tell you everything about the past. Listen to me first, there were many things that I left, that I didn't want to tell your parents.'' Naruto stared at the old sage with a contemned look. His eyes staring into a pair of Rinnegan, there were emotions that were tightening his throat.

Even he was not immune to emotions, he felt every emotion that a normal human could.

"I'm listening." It took all of his will power to say those words.

The sage begun, he told him everything, his mother, Kaguya, the ten tails, the battle that took place and about his sons.

Naruto listened without interrupting him.

"If worst comes to worst, you're the only one who can save the world, not for me, not for your parents but for your little brother." The sage took gamble by saying these words, he knew how much he cared about his little brother. it was like he was staring at Indra and Ashura when they were young. When Indra as an older brother would go to extreme lengths to protect his little brother.

"Indra lost the day when Zetsu manipulated him, he twisted his mind and look where did it lead him. I feared you might turn into Indra…

"That's why you did all of these things, I know all of this already. The power that I love is responsible for my suffering, that's what you're trying to say, isn't it?" Naruto didn't get an answer, but he knew it was the truth. The sage said.

"This power is also responsible for other's suffering, make sure to avoid that."

"Don't worry about me being manipulated by Zetsu, I'll destroy everyone who will threaten my brother or my blood." Naruto didn't like it one bit, someone threatening his family, it doesn't matter if his ties with his family were on odds or not, it was a different matter all together. He will accept their love one day, because of him they are suffering as well.

That's remained him, he need to talk to his grandmother as well. It will clarify most of his feelings as well.

The sage smiled lightly, his eyes grew warm and he felt the power in Naruto becoming warm.

"Thank you for your understanding Naruto. I knew you will understand one day. There is a gift that I'd like to give you, now that you have all the knowledge of the past." Naruto raised his brow, feeling thrilled, a smile grew on his face as sage told him the mystery that was surrounding the Rinnegan.

The female Sannin stared at the red haired for a couple of seconds, it was official, Naruto had appeared in front of her changed, again. There was something that she can't put her finger on it, it was like he had come to an understanding.

"Granny Tsunade!" His voice was soft and demanding at the same time. There was not malice and hatred on his face. It was like he was searching for answers.

"I want to talk to you about my mother and father." Tsunade smiled sadly and motioned Naruto to sit beside her. She expected this, sooner or later she knew the day will come when he will ask her about them.

Naruto sat down gracefully, his red air blowing in the wind, as he glanced at her. He was hesitating.

Tsunade took his hands in hers and squeezed it.

"There is nothing to be worry about. I'll help in every way I can Naruto-chan. Before I say anything, I want to apologize for my past actions. I feel like I've abandoned you as well, just like your parents did…" Tsunade wasn't able to finish it as Naruto spoke.

"My presence here and I calling you grandmother are the evidence that I've already forgiven you." Tsunade smiled, tears were in her eyes as she without thinking enveloped him in a hug. Tears fell from her eyes freely when she felt Naruto trembling in her arms.

"I'm so sorry." She repeated those words again and again as she tightly hugged him.

"Can you tell me what happened that night? I know what happened but I want to hear what you have to say about it." The sannin wiped her eyes and recalled the events that happened thirteen years ago.

"Power always attract powerful enemies, opponents and allies. Your father it one of the strongest shinobi in our world. Someone tried to kill you because you are his son, and I believe your father tried to protect you by hiding you from the world.

The enemy used a genjutsu on us and then faked your death. I become suspicious when I examined your fake body but I didn't tell your parents because I didn't want to give them fake hope.

Your father is not guilty in my eyes nor your mother. They did what they were told to do. They love you and they will sacrifice their lives for you with a single thought. I've never seen Kushina going to sleep without crying. She always felt that she was responsible for your suffering." Tsunade sighed.

"Why do we have wars grandma?" He asked in a tired voice.

"Because people tend to hold grudge. The cycle of hatred is reason of war. Today you killed a Kumo shinobi and tomorrow to get get revenge they will kill a ours. Your great grandfather once told me that in order to break this cycle we must learn how to forgive." The words were filled with wisdom. It was like someone was slapping him on the cheek.

"He lost many brothers in clan wars but still he tried to bring peace to this world. And I believe you will be able to forgive your parents as well, after all you're his blood." She gave him a small smile as a patient entered. Naruto stood up and left without saying anything.

"Hiashi-sama?"

"Send her in." The Hyuuga clan head ordered without looking up from the paper he was reading. The door opened again and he felt her presence entered without making any noise.

Hinata stood there for about ten minutes before her father looked at her. His eyes emotionless, his expression bored.

"Are you strong enough to defeat your littlesister, former Hyuuga heiress?" his tone was mocking. The previous Hinata would not have been able to stand the pressure she was feeling now. But going on missions with Naruto for a year has changed into ways that she didn't want to admit. Her father's killing intent felt pathetic.

Naruto opened her eyes, because of him she saw the part of the world that he didn't want to see, the she thought was impossible. But Naruto wasn't able to completely crush her kind nature.

"Hai, Tou-sama." There was no shuttering, no hesitation and no weakness. Hiashi felt his heart thumped in his chest when he stared into his daughter's eyes. There was nothing in there, the fear he was used to seeing whenever she failed to beat her little sister. Naruto has done wonders. A year with him and she has changed so much.

He felt excited, he wanted to see her in action, her new techniques, her aggressiveness and her talent. She was destined to be a Hyuuga leader after all.

"It can only be proved in the battlefield." Having said that he stood up and left, waiting for her to come to the Hyuuga's training ground.

…./