The Pieces Falling Together
In the annals of the Shinobi world, there are moments that shine like beacons, illuminating the path of honor and glory.
The Sage of Six Paths defeating the Ten-Tails, sealing away the monstrous beast that threatened to devour the world.
Hashirama Senju, with his unparalleled Wood Release, ending the Clan Warring Period and founding the village of Konohagakure, bringing a semblance of peace to a fractured land.
Menma Uzumaki, a hero who stood tall against the Infinite Tsukuyomi, saving the world from eternal illusion and darkness.
However,
History is not always filled with glorious events.
There are shadows that lurk behind the legends.
Madara Uchiha, once a co-founder of the Leaf, turning traitor and wreaking havoc with his insatiable lust for power.
Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash, whose brilliance on the battlefield was matched only by the darkness of his deeds, massacring thousands of Shinobi alone in a single night.
Itachi Uchiha, a prodigy who carried the weight of his village on his shoulders, yet chose to slaughter his own clan to prevent a greater catastrophe, becoming a pariah in the eyes of many.
These were hidden stories. Tales whispered in the dead of night, known but unspoken. The villagers knew, but they refused to discuss them openly. Thus, the future generations grew up—ignorant of the harsh realities that had shaped their world.
"Papa, papa, who is the strongest shinobi?" a child might ask, eyes wide with curiosity and admiration.
The father, an elder who had seen much, would hesitate. "Uh… it's… Lord Eighth, of course," he would finally say, avoiding the truth.
People who were old enough during the Third Great Shinobi War always knew WHO the strongest shinobi was. His name was like a taboo, a secret locked away in the depths of their hearts. They never spoke of him to their children, not wanting to glorify a figure so steeped in blood and controversy.
'Strongest' is an influential word, and no parent would want their child to follow in the footsteps of a mass murderer. Yes, he crippled the Four-Tails with a single blow, a feat unheard of. Yes, he seemingly 'knocked out' the Nine-Tails with a punch, a testament to his unimaginable strength. Yes, he fought for his village with a ferocity that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
But…
He was also a man who annihilated armies alone, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. He, who killed innocents out of anger, his rage unchecked and unforgiving. His hands, stained with the blood of countless lives, were a stark reminder of the cost of his power.
It's no wonder they never looked for him when he had gone 'missing' for decades. His disappearance was almost a relief, a way for the village to distance itself from his fearsome legacy.
That was the Fifth Hokage. Known in hushed tones as the Crystal Sage for his unique and devastating techniques. He was revered and feared in equal measure, the embodiment of the phrase 'absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
The strongest shinobi in history.
Naruto Uzumaki.
He was a legend, a myth, a cautionary tale. His story was one of greatness and downfall, a narrative of heroism marred by darkness. He was a man who had saved the village and the world, yet in doing so, had lost himself. His name was etched in the chronicles of the Shinobi world, a name that commanded respect and dread.
The young ones grew up idolizing the heroes they were told about, blissfully unaware of the complex, tragic figure who had once stood at the pinnacle of power. Naruto Uzumaki's legacy was one of contrasts, a blend of light and shadow that would forever haunt the history of the Shinobi world.
oOo
Mami skipped along the village path, clutching a bag of fresh fish her uncle had given her. "Take this to Mikoto-sama," he had said, and Mami nodded brightly, eager to complete her errand. She entered the Uchiha clan head's house, her excitement mingling with curiosity.
As she approached the garden, a high-pitched voice broke the serene ambiance. "Why are we doing this, mom?" Mami paused, her eyes widening as she peeked around the corner. "People are dying out there. We must end the war, believe this!"
In the garden, three kids were reluctantly cutting the overgrown grass with kunai. The girl had dark purple hair and was struggling to keep up. The older boy was notably chubby, huffing and puffing with every movement. The youngest boy, not much older than Mami herself, had bright red shoulder-length hair that glinted in the sunlight.
"Now, now my son turned student," a woman's voice floated from inside the house. "If you wish to go to war, then you must complete a bunch of D-rank missions first. They'll help you improve your teamwork, increase your..."
"Yeah, yeah," the boy said dryly, rolling his eyes.
Their teacher, a woman with fiery red hair, frequently glanced at them while chatting and sipping tea with Mikoto Uchiha. Despite her relaxed demeanor, her eyes were sharp, ensuring her students were hard at work. The children, however, were visibly exhausted, wiping sweat from their brows and rubbing their aching backs.
"Sensei," panted Cholo, the chubby boy. "Why don't you come and help us?"
The woman smirked mischievously. "Maybe I don't wanna?"
"No fair!" Cholo protested, his face turning redder.
The red-haired boy paused and said, "Yugao, Cholo, can you guys step back real quick?"
"Why?" the girl, Yugao, frowned.
"Just wanna test something," the boy replied, determination shining in his eyes.
"What?" Cholo asked, confused.
"Just step back, will ya?" he insisted.
"Fine," they both stepped back reluctantly.
The boy held his hand in a half-ram seal and announced, "Wind Release: Cleave!"
Mami watched in awe as a gust of wind erupted from his hand, slicing through the tall grass effortlessly. The lawn was now perfectly trimmed, the cut grass fluttering down like confetti.
"What. The. Hell. Was. That?" Cholo's eyes were as wide as saucers.
"I did it!" The boy's face lit up with a wide grin. "Look, Oka-chan, I perfected it! I am a genius!"
A woman with long fiery-red hair, a mirror image of the boy, stepped out of the house. "Well, congratulations Naru-kun," she remarked proudly, her grin matching his. Then her face turned serious. "But what did I tell you about calling me that?"
"Sensei?" the boy asked, his enthusiasm dimming slightly.
"Much better." She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Now, I told you not to use these tricks in small-scale missions, didn't I?"
"But oka… sensei, they are so easy and fast! Why shouldn't I use them?"
"Listen, Naru-kun," she knelt down to him, her tone gentle yet firm. "If there is an easy way to do something, it doesn't mean that you have to do it every time. Using these tricks too much makes people dependent on you. What will happen when you are not around? D ranks are for teamwork development, making you adjust to annoying work…"
"Huh!" Yugao jumped between them, pointing at Kushina Uzumaki. "So you do agree these things are silly and annoying. Right, sensei?"
"Etto…" Kushina scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Miko-chan?" Mikoto stepped out, her raven hair shining in the sun, her onyx eyes sparkling. She wore an elegant kimono and had a smile that exuded calm and grace.
"I think we are done. So, ja ne!" Kushina disappeared in a puff of smoke, waving her hand.
"Closet sadist," Cholo muttered, nodding.
"No offense Naruto-kun, but she really is a sadist," Yugao folded her arms across her chest.
"None taken." Naruto waved his hand dismissively. He turned to Mikoto, bowing respectfully. "Aunt-Mik… Uchiha-san, we should take our leave."
"Come on, Naru-kun," Mikoto giggled. "You don't need to be so formal."
The boy sighed, then bowed again and left with his teammates.
"Mami-chan," Mikoto called, startling the hiding girl. Mami made an 'eek' sound, her face turning as red as a sharingan. "Come out now."
Mami stepped out, her head bowed. "Etto," she hesitated. "I was just…"
"Watching us? No matter. What brings you here?"
"Right!" Mami quickly handed over the bag of fish, completing her errand.
As she was about to leave, she looked back at Mikoto, curiosity getting the better of her. "Mikoto-sama?"
"Hai?"
"What did that boy do?"
"Oh, you mean Naruto-kun?" Mami nodded. "Well, that's his own style. He made it all by himself. I don't know much about it, but it took him quite some to create it."
"He must be really smart then," Mami said in wonder.
"Hmm…" Mikoto grinned widely. "What is this? Does little Mami-chan have a crush?"
"O-of course not!" Mami stammered, her face burning. Bowing once more, she quickly left, her mind swirling with thoughts of the amazing red-haired boy she had just seen.
oOo
Present.
Stepping out of the cart, Naruto surveyed the desolate village. The once bustling settlement was now a wasteland of ruins and despair. There were deep pits and tunnels scattered everywhere, signs of extensive excavation for crystals. Forced laborers, bent and broken by their burdens, moved like ghosts under the oppressive watch of thugs employed by a rich man named Kaito. The crystals being mined were ones Naruto had created years ago, now a curse on the land.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he saw an older man, about fifty, struggling under the weight of a heavy sack of mud. The man staggered, then fell, the contents of the sack spilling onto the ground. A bald thug, whip in hand, rushed over, ready to strike the exhausted laborer.
In an instant, Naruto appeared between them, effortlessly knocking the thug to the ground with a swift, powerful strike. The whip fell from the thug's hand, useless.
Naruto bent down, helping the older man to his feet. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice calm but filled with concern.
The man, trembling and barely able to stand, looked at Naruto with a mixture of gratitude and confusion. "Thank you for helping me," he managed to say. "But... who are you?"
A gust of wind blew, lifting Naruto's cloak hoodie from his head. His fiery red hair and intense violet eyes were revealed, catching the light and shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
The man's eyes widened in shock and recognition. "You... You're..."
Naruto nodded solemnly. "Yes. I am Naruto Uzumaki, the one who created these crystals. And I'm here to make things right."
TBC
Next Chapter: 'First' C Rank, 'first' death.
Revised: 29/06/2024