Naruto awoke at the crack of dawn. He left his bed, walking to the window to stare outside. The streaks of golden light struck against the morning dew on the buildings outside. He stood there for a moment. It was still hard to believe. He had family left in the world. Not family like Tsunade who was gone for all intents and purposes. He didn't have to be alone. It was a strange feeling. He still wasn't used to it. He looked around the guest room Fuka had let him stay in. There were photos decorating the walls. Some were just general paintings, but some had pictures of redhaired men and women. They were smiling. Likely Uzumaki from before Uzushio was destroyed.
He turned as the door opened, revealing the woman herself. She smiled at him.
"Good morning."
He nodded his response, his attention still stolen by the photos on the wall.
"I figured you might be interested in those," Fuka stated. The woman gave a soft smile. "They're my family from Uzushio. They're all I have left."
"I wish I got to meet them. To see our homeland."
"It was a beautiful place before it's ruin," Fuka stated. "Raging rapids. Beautiful vegetation. It was incredibly hot, a tropical climate like no other. In the evenings, the sun would cast this beautiful hue that turned the waters a dark orange. It was home."
"Have you ever dreamed of getting revenge for it?"
Fuka looked at the blonde, her eyes analyzing him. She seemed cautious, apprehensive of the question.
"Every minute of every day," Fuka stated. "Kiri and Kumo destroyed my homeland. There's no way I could ever forgive them for that. I'd burn both villages to the ground if I could."
"That's...not like Nagato."
Fuka gave a short laugh. "Yes, my husband has his views. I respect them. I respect his leadership. I believe in him. And as such I follow. But I could never forgive Kiri and Kumo. Never."
Naruto nodded. "I understand. I'm the same with Iwa and Kiri. They killed my godfather and my wife. My child. They would be turning four this year. I'll never forgive them for taking that from me."
Fuka smiled, giving her cousin a sideways hug.
"I understand that pain. We all do. Everyone in this house has lost someone. It's okay to not be okay. I don't even know what I would do if Ashino...I can't even imagine it."
Naruto nodded. The two settled into a comfortable silence, respecting each other's grieving. They stared at the photos of Uzumaki on the wall, memories flashing through their minds. Naruto's eyes locked on one man with long hair in particular. His hair was faded in the photo. Losing its illustrious red. It seemed to be going white. For how long Uzumaki's could live the man must have been ancient.
"Who is this?"
"Ah, that man is my great grandfather. Ashina Uzumaki. He was the leader of the Uzumaki Clan when Konohagakure was founded. He was our Shodai. He also was the one to seal the Kyuubi no Yoko into Mito Uzumaki. Ashino is named after him."
Naruto's eyes widened, immediately placing a hand on his stomach.
"He sealed the Kyuubi..."
Fuka nodded, watching the man. "I'm sorry if that brings up bad memories. I know Jinchuriki's have a...hard time to say it politely."
Naruto didn't respond instead staring at the man. This man was the one responsible for the Kyuubi inside of him. Inside of his mother. Inside of Mito. This man was the first person to seal a Bijuu into a human. The creator of the Jinchuriki. This man was responsible for his father sealing the Kyuubi into him. It was a complicated feeling. This man was family. His great granddaughter stood next to him. But at the same time, he had caused so much pain in the world by through the creation of Jinchuriki. Part of him wanted to fight the man. Part of him wanted to embrace him.
He turned away from the photo, the conflict too much for him to take at the moment. He was still too emotionally vulnerable. Fuka watched his reaction, a frown on her face.
"Nagato said he was waiting for you in the tower. He's there already, with Konan and Yahiko likely. Oh, and Ashino wants to show you around the city later today. I'm sorry that you'll have to deal with that."
Naruto nodded his appreciation as Fuka left, leaving him time to be by himself. Naruto quickly prepared himself for the day before he walked out of the building, walking too across the streets of Amegakure towards the tower. It felt good. To take his time. To enjoy himself. To relax.
The blonde walked into the center chamber of the tower, eyeing the room. Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato were standing in the center of the room, discussing something. The blonde approached, getting greeted by Konan when she saw him. He nodded his response, gaining the looks of Nagato and Yahiko.
"I'm glad you made it cousin. How did you sleep?"
"Well, thank you."
"Yeah, yeah whatever," Yahiko waved off, approaching the blonde. He eyed him, a small, mischievous smile on his face. "You sure you wanna let him in on the plan Nagato?"
"Plan? I thought Ame's goal was to defend its borders."
"It is," Nagato stated. "Yahiko has a proposal-"
"Two proposals," the man corrected. Nagato frowned.
"I am unwilling to bolser the training of future Ame shinobi. Being a shinobi is a dangerous profession and I do not wish that for my countrymen. Besides, it would inevitably lead to war when the other villages learn of it."
"You won't be here forever Nagato," Yahiko sharply stated. "None of us will. Ame is a Great Power in no small part because of how much the other villages respect your might thanks to The Acknowledgement. But you're not immortal. And even if you were the other Great Powers would try and find ways to take you down. Our shinobi have to be strong to protect our borders."
Nagato stared at him, a frown on his face. "While that is true...Yahiko your goals for peace have not changed since we were children."
"And yet I follow you," Yahiko stated. "I listen to you because I trust you even if I disagree. But you cannot tell me I'm wrong here. You know I'm not."
"Is that why I was brought here," Naruto asked.
Konan nodded. "I asked Nagato to send for you. He did not want to. I wanted your perspective on the views of other villages."
Naruto frowned, but nodded, nonetheless. This was something he could help with. Still, he needed more information. He barely knew how Ame was recognized as a Great Power in the first place, simply that it was. He knew religion had something to do with it, and their industry. He voiced as much, getting the trio to nod in realization. Konan began to explain.
"The Acknowledgement. It was roughly four years ago, right before your disappearance as I'm sure you're well aware. The Sage Priests. Are you familiar with them?"
"Yes, they're the religious group that promote the Sage of Six Paths. They're in every country, but the sects are...tumultuous to say the least."
"Right. However, they all agreed on one thing."
She gestured to Nagato, specifically his eyes.
"That he was a holy figure."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "The holy descendant noise that had Hiruzen in an uproar..."
"Was me," Nagato stated, a soft smile on his face.
"That wasn't all of it. The other Great Powers naturally came to investigate, especially after Kusa refugees joined with Ame."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "I didn't know that."
"The missions were likely top secret. How else could the other Great Powers save face as their forces were repelled by one man."
Naruto looked at Nagato, the man looking embarrassed at the praise. His eyes narrowed. It was something hard to believe. He had repelled repeated invasions from the Great Powers? To such an extent that they acknowledged Ame's strength off of him alone. It was...too much to believe. He needed proof. His eyes wandered to the training area he saw when he first came to the tower. Yahiko's eyes followed, a savage grin forming on his face.
"I don't think our resident blonde Uzumaki believes the stories!"
Naruto frowned. That...wasn't exactly accurate. But it still seemed far too good to be true. Nagato nodded, looking at Naruto.
"I understand it's quite hard to believe. If you would like a spar, I am fine with that."
"Now that's something I'd pay to see."
The quartet turned to see Kisame limping towards them.
"You should be resting," Konan chastised. Kisame shrugged.
"I'll live. The poison is wearing off. Besides, I wouldn't miss a fight between these two for the world."
"I thought you wanted to fight him yourself Kisame," Nagato responded.
"Ah, I'd lose right now. Still not at top shape. He's not someone I would take lightly."
"I mean if you're not game Nagato I'll do it," Yahiko stated, a grin on his face. "I've been wanting to since he got here."
Naruto frowned, matching the level of bloodlust he was feeling from Yahiko in an instant. The man had annoyed him ever since he had gotten here. Knocking him down a peg would be nice.
"Enough," Konan stated, placing a hand on Yahiko's chest. "He's curious about Nagato's power, not yours. Calm down."
Yahiko still eyed Naruto but settled down, nonetheless. The blonde cautiously watched him back down. That would have to be dealt with later. He didn't know what the man's problem with him was, but he would settle it. Nagato sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Honestly, I don't much see the point in the fight. We asked Naruto for his opinion."
"As curious as I am," Naruto muttered. "There's really no point in us fighting given the information that you've given me. If you really repelled the forces of the Great Powers repeatedly and were acknowledged by the Sage Priests, frankly there's no way that the other Great Powers will let it lie. They might be preoccupied now but they will eventually come for you. Even if I take Kisame's claim that you're the most powerful shinobi on the continent at face value, you age. You weaken. You die. Like all of us. Your economy can be crippled. Infrastructure destroyed. You can't be everywhere at once. I see the point in strengthening your training regimen for your shinobi."
Nagato frowned. "I can push myself more to defend-"
Yahiko interrupted. "You don't get it Nagato. Blondie's right. What if you ever get indisposed, for any reason? There's a lot about your eyes we don't know yet. What if there's a side-effect that puts you out of action for a while? Konan and I are strong. Kisame is a great deterrent. But even us three can't fight off the world."
"What would you have me do?"
Yahiko smiled. "Kisame is a secret weapon, not even known to most of the world, although that likely won't last. Konan teaches at the Academy. I handle the economic interests of the workers and the businessowners and you run everything. There's only one person here to do anything. Make blonde here in charge of training an elite squad of Ame shinobi! Then they can train everyone else!"
Naruto's eyes narrowed, as did Nagato's.
"Absolutely not," they both stated firmly.
"I did not come here to be used as a weapon in a war," Naruto added. "If that's your perspective of me residing here I will leave."
"This was not the reason I invited him here Yahiko. You know this."
"I know. But it would be a waste of his abilities. What are you gonna do blondie? Sit in the Uzumaki Clan compound gathering dust?"
Naruto frowned. He didn't have a good response to that.
"He'll do whatever he desires," Nagato stated. "That's the end of this discussion Yahiko."
"But-"
"The end."
Yahiko frowned, looking away. Konan eyed her husband but sighed.
"As for the other proposal. Training some shinobi to work effectively in the private sector, enhancing our industry capabilities?"
"Right. Let's get started on that. Konan come with me to plan it."
The woman nodded, following after her kage. Naruto sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He supposed he was free now. He watched Yahiko slunk off. His eyes narrowed.
"What's your problem?"
Yahiko turned, his eyes drawn from the window that overlooked Amegakure to see a blonde Uzumaki walking towards him. Yahiko pushed off from the wall, smirking as the blonde approached.
"What ever do you mean?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed, causing Yahiko's smirk to deepen. The two men stared at each other briefly. Violet warred with brown. For a brief moment it looked like it would escalate to blows until one spoke.
"I'm sorry for trying to piss you off," Yahiko stated. "Truly I am."
"And yet you keep doing it."
"It's fun," Yahiko shrugged. "Besides, can you blame me for trying to get you to teach our shinobi? You're one of the most powerful shinobi on the continent. You likely know war secrets about one of our biggest threats, if likely outdated. It would be great for our military might if you trained our shinobi, much less fully joined our military."
"That may be, but I am not here to serve in a war. Besides, Ame is only protecting its borders is it not?"
"That's Nagato's dream yes. But we're both to realistic for that. Nagato...he's an idealist. Thinks the world will simply leave Ame alone forever. We both know that's not going to happen. If we want to continue to protect our people, if we want to ensure we will never be a battleground for the other Great Powers ever again, we have to be strong enough to fend them off."
"That's the same logic Danzo Shimura uses to lead wars. Backstab the head of his village."
"I would never backstab Nagato," Yahiko stated firmly. "I have not, nor will I ever, engage offensively against another village unless he commands it. But that does not mean that I do not wish to."
Naruto frowned.
"I know Nagato's dream. Fuka has told me what she believes. But what do you believe Yahiko?"
Yahiko frowned, looking back out through the window at Amegakure. He frowned, pointing at a statue in the center of a plaza in the city. Naruto looked at it, his eyes narrowing. He hadn't seen it until now. It must not have been on the path from the Uzumaki Clan compound to the tower. It was a statue of a man, rising to his feet. On the man's back were several scars.
"It's a statue the people of Ame built themselves," Yahiko began. "Our country used to be a battleground for all the Great Powers. Countries like yours would wage their battles in our country. Couldn't afford to hurt themselves after all. We became satellite states. Your wars destroyed our economies, our agriculture, our lives. It was not a way to live. Hanzo for all the shit he tried to do to us stopped that. I respected that. He taught the Great Powers that if you step in Ame to do battle, to wage your wars where the innocent are...you'll feel the consequences of it. It gave Ame the ability to rise up. Develop infrastructure. When Nagato, Konan, and I took over...well...it only made that even more true. But it did something more important. It gave the citizens hope. Hanzo was strong...but immoral. Nagato was both. That statute...it's a symbol of that hope. To build back...better."
Naruto was silent. He could admire that. Yahiko turned to face him, his eyes hard.
"If I had my way, I'd become ruler of this world. Prove that Ame is the strongest of the Great Powers. Dominate every country that dared to stand against us. If they've harmed us in the past, they deserve to be harmed as well. All in an attempt to become the most powerful nation...so that way we could mandate the end of all war. So that people didn't look down on us. A minor village. Hanzo the Only. The weak Great Power. I want to protect our people. And if doing that means war to the other villages...then so be it."
Naruto frowned.
"That's no different than what the other kage think."
"You're probably right," Yahiko stated. "But Ame has not caused atrocity. We have been defensive in all wars. Maybe it's time we pulled the strings for a change."
"That type of thinking begets war Yahiko."
"Who are you to criticize me," Yahiko scolded. "You killed the Tsuchikage because he killed your godfather. He killed Jiraiya and you killed him in turn. You too believe in an eye-for-an-eye. You, a man who murdered hundreds of Kusa shinobi in Konoha's annexation of the country. How many people have you hurt? What gives you the right to get your revenge and no one else?"
Naruto frowned.
"Did your revenge give you no peace? Were you not happy when the Onoki of Both Scales lay dead at your feet? What about during the Battle of the Waves?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"Don't you dare."
"Why not!? Konoha may have lost that battle against Kirigakure, but I know the tales. The death of Hinata Hyuga. The first and only time the legendary Konoha Jinchuriki lost control of his Bijuu."
Naruto snarled, approaching the man.
"How dare-"
"How dare you! Come here with your hypocrisy. You know the pain I feel. You have acted on it. It's easy for you to say don't go for revenge when you yourself have already gotten yours."
Yahiko got close to Naruto, staring him dead in the eye. A searing hot rage burned in the man's brown eyes.
"What right do you have to tell me what I should or shouldn't do, hypocrite?"
Yahiko shoved past the man, anger in his eyes. He looked back at the Uzumaki, the fury in his eyes almost glowing.
"You're just like those Great Power shinobi after all."
Yahiko stormed off, Naruto's eyes watching his receding form. That had not gone the way he had hoped.
Naruto arrived back at the Uzumaki Clan compound later that day. The sun was still bright, low in the sky. It wasn't even afternoon yet. He was just about to walk into Fuka's house when the woman opened the door with Ashino at her side.
"Ojisan!"
"Naruto."
Naruto smiled, but that look was fake, not that Ashino could tell. Fuka narrowed her eyes, but a subtle shake of his head dissuaded her from the conversation. The blonde appreciated the respect.
"I'm gonna go do my ninja training," Ashino stated. "It's gonna be so cool."
"You're going to the Academy, and you're late mister."
"I just wanted to sleep a little longer!"
"And now you're about to feel a fist on your head if you don't start moving!"
Ashino screamed, rushing off towards the Academy. Fuka muttered a string of curses, following after her son. Naruto chuckled, shaking his head as they rushed off.
"Can never get a handle on that brat."
Naruto turned, seeing Karin smiling at the disappearing duo. Naruto nodded his greeting to her, to which he was greeted with one in kind. She smirked as she saw him.
"How are you with the new move? Everything going okay?"
"Yeah, I'm doing fine. Just getting my bearings."
"I see. You know what you wanna do yet?"
"Not quite."
Karin smirked, waving him over. "Well, if you're just gonna stand there trying to figure out what you wanna do with your life follow me for a bit. I got something for ya to do."
The blonde followed the redheaded Uzumaki into her home, only for her to hand him a broom and dustpan. His eye twitched, but a shining grin was on her face as if she had come up with the best joke in the world.
"Clean my house for me then!"
Naruto wanted to throw the items at her. He glared at her, only for her to chuckle in response, slamming her hand on the wall in her fits of laughter.
"Ah, I'm just kidding. Seriously though you should have seen the look on your face! Priceless!"
Naruto muttered something underneath his breath, placing the broom and dustpan against the wall. He glared at the still laughing pregnant woman, irritation on his face.
"If that'll be all..."
He turned to leave, only for his eyes to widen as he saw a piano sitting in the corner of the room. He was pristine, not a speck of dust on it. He slowly approached it, his hands tracing its form. He lightly pressed a key, a thoughtful look on his face. Karin approached, a soft smile on her face.
"It was a gift from my mother. She taught me how to play when I was young. It's the only thing I still have from her."
Naruto nodded somberly, bowing his head. "I understand what that is like."
The blonde played another key, a frown on his face.
"My wife...she played. It was a beautiful sight. When she got pregnant every night before she went to sleep, she would play. She said it was her way of bonding with our child."
The blonde paused, his frown slowly turning into a soft smile as the memories came to him. Times when he was happy. Content.
"She was so excited to teach Hitomi."
"Hitomi?"
"That was the name we had settled on if our child would have been a girl. It was her mother's name. Boruto if it was a boy."
Karin placed a hand on his shoulder, a smile on her face. "Those are wonderful names."
Naruto nodded, unable to respond. Karin smiled.
"I know how it feels," Karin stated, sitting down in front of the piano. "To lose someone you love. To deal with that guilt and pain forever. If you don't wanna talk about it, I get it. I don't like talking about it either. I play instead."
She looked up at her cousin, a smile on her face.
"Do you play?"
Naruto shook his head. She smiled, patting the spot beside her.
"Come here then. Maybe you should learn."
The blonde paused, hesitant before he sat down. He couldn't meet Karin's eyes, but she could see the tears falling down his face. She smiled softly, placing her hands on the keyboard.
"Alright, so keys..."
Sakura frowned as she entered the apartment. It had been vandalized once again. Items were scattered all across the ground, and graffiti covered its walls. She sighed, quickly making two clones that got to work cleaning the place. While they worked, she walked across the apartment, eyes scanning over the walls. The photos had all been mostly destroyed. Broken glass lay on the ground, the pictures torn to pieces. Sure, they were just copies, but it still bothered her. She picked up a shredded photo, seeing her smiling face next to Naruto's. It was their team photo from back when they were Genin. She smiled at the image. Things were so much simpler then. So much less complicated.
She pocketed the photo, a sigh escaping her lips. She walked into the room that looked like it hadn't been used in years, quickly walking to the side of the bed. She placed her hand on the wall and with a quick pulse of chakra a sealing compartment revealed itself. Another pulse of chakra was released before a necklace lay in her hands, one that the Shodai Hokage used to wear. She stared at Hashirama's necklace for a long while. She had the opportunity to give it back to him after all this time. He had left it here when he abandoned the village, but she knew where he kept it hidden. It was rightfully his. Tsunade had given it to him. When she went to confront him...she should give it back.
The woman sighed, shaking her head, and walking towards the door. Yes. Giving it back would finally let her get rid of this place. She had handled the rent ever since he had left, trying to hold onto the teammate that she cared so much for. The owner of the property had taken her money, but they didn't bother to protect the old apartment from vandals who wanted to take out their frustration on the traitorous Jinchuriki. She cleaned it every day, just like she tried to visit Tsunade every day. She had simply been unable to let go of the past. So desperate to cling onto her friend. So desperate to try and save him. And she was finally getting her chance.
Sakura put on the necklace, a firm look settling on her face. Determination flashed in her eyes. Yes. She was going to bring Naruto back.
That much she was sure of.
Sasuke grit his teeth as as his sword clattered to the ground, his hand bleeding. Mikoto smiled as she lowered her arm, nodding with a light approval. Sasuke grimaced, holding his injured hand with his free one, looking at his mother.
"How'd I do?"
"Better. Your kenjutsu is improving. You finally got that annoyingly obvious tell of yours out the way. Lasting against me for five minutes is no easy feat. Even your father couldn't do that until we were about Chunin."
"You were stronger than Tou-san?"
Mikoto puffed out her chest proudly, a smirk on her face. "Mhm! He only surpassed me a couple months after we became Chunin. Kushina and I mocked him endlessly for it. Never was able to say no to me regardless of how strong he was though. I run this house after all."
Sasuke gave a light laugh, a smile forming on his face.
"I'd pay to see that. Tou-san hates losing."
"Very much so. He hated the fact that he never was able to beat Minato, even when he died. Always felt like he was lesser."
"Like me with Naruto..."
Mikoto sighed, shaking her head. "Yes, unfortunately you seemed to have inherited your father's stubbornness. A blessing and a curse."
Sasuke rolled his eyes, picking up his fallen sword with his free hand and sheathing it. Mikoto smiled, stretching.
"So? Do you think I'm ready?"
The woman frowned.
"Not quite. Your skills have improved there is no doubting that. But you must be a master of all of your skills before you learn to unlock the Mangekyou. If you cannot resist its power, you should not have it. Your handseal speed could be improved, as could your kenjutsu. Your taijutsu is...passable. I'm afraid due to your chosen speciality both your former teammates have you outclassed there. And your chakra control could be better. If you do this...then you may be ready to unlock the Mangekyou."
Sasuke frowned, annoyance flashing on his face.
"I've been working so hard! My skills have already grown and you're telling me it's not enough! I thought you said I would become stronger!"
"And you will. You have. But you must be ready."
"You keep talking about being ready and avoiding using the Mangekyou but you haven't even explained what it is other than an evolved version of our eyes! What's so dangerous about the Mangekyou Sharingan? There's already a solution to the blindness, right? So, who cares if I use it a lot?"
"There's no guarantee that our eyes would be compatible so that neither of us would go blind Sasuke," Mikoto stated. "And there's a whole lot more involved."
Sasuke frowned, the irritation reaching a breaking point. "Stop being so cryptic Kaa-chan. Just tell me. Unlocking the Mangekyou...what does it take?"
Mikoto frowned. She looked at her son, almost debating on if she should tell him how the jutsu worked. He looked at her expectantly, and the woman eventually relented.
"Death."
Sasuke frowned, confused.
"What like I have to die? How would that work?"
"No, not your death you fool," Mikoto stated. "It's trauma. That is how the Mangekyou Sharingan is activated. A more intense trauma than what causes the Sharingan to awaken. So intense you can never forget it."
Sasuke took a step back, a frown on his face.
"W-what?"
Mikoto frowned, a disgusted look on her face.
"That's why I did not wish to tell you. No one's story of awakening a Mangekyou is pretty. Your father saw his own father, your grandfather, murdered in front of him. Itachi found Shisui after he had been tortured by Iwa shinobi. Even me...the reason I never speak of my mother is because when she was poisoned by Suna shinobi in the last war. I had to kill her myself as a mercy killing. Tsunade wasn't there. It...it is a memory none of us cherish. And yet it unlocked these eyes. And every time we activate them, we relive that experience. Every time. That is what I meant when the eyes are a power driven by hate. Because it is impossible to not hate such a memory. It is impossible to not feel the desire to burn the world down."
Sasuke's eyes widened, shock on his face.
"Kaa-chan...I'm..."
She shook her head. "Do not apologize. You did not know. Merely understand why I do not wish for you to unlock these eyes. I merely want you to be strong enough to handle it if you ever do."
Sasuke frowned, dropping his sword to the ground. It clattered to the ground, echoing throughout the walls of the private training grounds. The Uchiha raised his hands, his crimson orbs flashing with determination. Mikoto smirked.
"Let's do this Kaa-san."
The mother and son charged at each other once more.
Naruto groaned as he finished his stretches on the private training ground of the Uzumaki Clan Compound. The man rose to his feet, a clone of himself wordlessly appearing in front of him. The blonde raised his fists as the clone did before they blurred forwards. The two engaged in an intense bout of taijutsu, neither able to land a blow on the other. Each move was perfectly deflected, as if the other knew what their foe was going to do before they did it. They likely did. The two's fists collided, chakra enhancing their blows and sending a cloud of dust exploding away from them. The two's eyes were locked onto one another, each measuring when to continue their assault.
"Well, I suppose I'll be taking a shower now."
Both the original and clone turned, seeing Kamino standing there now covered in dust. Both shinobi put their hands behind their back, a bashful look overcoming their face as they realized what had happened.
"I'm sorry," they said simultaneously.
"It's quite alright. This is not the first time this has happened, and it will not be the last."
"Still," Naruto muttered. "I could blow it off with wind?"
Kamino sighed, shaking his head. "I appreciate the efforts, but I assure you I am fine. I was coming to ask how you were settling in."
Naruto blinked, not expecting the question.
"I mean, I'm doing pretty well. Can't really complain."
The blonde turned to his clone, nodding at it. It nodded, going through a series of katas as Naruto approached Kamino.
"I will say it's very...strange. Ame is a very different village than others I've lived in."
"What exactly do you mean?"
"It's so technologically advanced," Naruto muttered. "You'd think it sits upon a wealth of natural resources but to my knowledge Ame isn't anything special in that department. But their village...no...their city looks much more developed than any other Hidden Village I've been to."
"Haven't you only been in Konoha?"
"I've been to Suna before. And I've seen Kiri from afar."
"I see. Well, Ame could never measure up to the training and resources the other Great Powers have. As you well know The Land of Rain even lacks a Daimyo. The territory originally was created as a buffer in the Warring Period by the Fire Daimyo, Wind Daimyo, and Earth Daimyo. Claw and River were not powerful enough to consolidate the territory into themselves during the negotiations. It was a powerless land, merely meant to be a battleground. Hanzo changed that. Strived for our technological independence to strengthen our ability to fend off other powers. So that no other country could decide our fate ever again. Nagato has adopted the strategy."
Kamino quickly took out a small object, causing Naruto's eyes to narrow. It was a small orb with a button on it. Kamino pressed the button, causing Naruto's eyes to widen as the orb quickly expanded and wrapped around Kamino's arm. With a grunt Kamino quickly punched the ground, a spiderweb of cracks forming us the ground briefly shook. Naruto's eyes widened.
"What? But you're not a shinobi!"
"Ah, but I have technology," Kamino stated, the contraption turning back into a small orb. "It's a development by the leaders of our tech industry here in Amegakure. Nagato-sama realized that shinobi have a significant power advantage over your average civilian due to their training and ability to wield chakra. While your average civilian will never match the training of a shinobi, slowly but surely the capacity to defend themselves is growing."
"That type of tech," Naruto stated, his eyes narrowing. "It could start a war."
"It could. But it could also help defend Ame in case of an invasion."
"You're playing a dangerous game here in Amegakure. If any spy gets word of this technology out to the other villages, if any shinobi or civilian turns rogue and the other villages get their hands on it-"
"We are aware Naruto," Kamino stated, placing a hand on the man's shoulders. "We have calculated the risks, and believe the rewards are greater. Besides, do you truly believe it fair for civilians to live in fear of shinobi? Surely you acknowledge that your average civilian wouldn't be able to do anything if you decided to kill them."
"That tech wouldn't change that."
"Maybe not for a shinobi of your caliber. But even a Genin can kill a civilian. With this tech? Maybe not."
Naruto frowned, pondering the idea. Kamino shrugged.
"I understand your hesitation. After all you have seen the battlefield and I have not. I can only imagine the horror that could erupt if every Great Power reversed engineered this technology. Made it stronger. Better. It would revolutionize war itself. But that is the risk Ame must take to defend itself. That is the threat posed to us by the other Great Powers."
Naruto frowned, thinking back to the conversation he had had just that morning in the tower with Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato. They were clearly worried about other powers getting into their village. Even with this technology they believed they needed their shinobi fighting power to improve to be able to fend off attacks. Nagato was a powerful deterrent, but he would die eventually. He was human. Maybe he had underestimated Ame's desperation for independence after all. They were a nation completely ravaged by the whims of more powerful politicians and shinobi in their history. A land of little in the way of natural resources and with a large civilian population. Perhaps his viewpoint, tempered by the ways of Konohagakure, was not the appropriate way to view their circumstances. Konoha had never been overwhelmed by Great Powers, and it had always had a powerful Daimyo.
"I see," Naruto stated. "I shall try to understand more."
Kamino gave a soft smile and nodded.
"Do not push yourself. Our ways are unusual. I adapted only due to the desire to protect Karin. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a shower I must be getting to."
Kamino bowed before he walked off, brushing off specs of dirt while he could as Naruto watched his retreating form.
'He adapted to protect the one he loves huh...'
Naruto watched the civilian retreat, his eyes never leaving his form. Kamino was wiser than he seemed.
Asuma frowned at the letter in his hands. This...was horrible news. Itachi Uchiha nor his father Fugaku Uchiha were on their way, having been injured in a battle with Iwagakure not long after their request had been made. And yet he had already sent Tenten on her way with her hit squad. Asuma frowned, looking out the window of his office.
'Be careful Tenten...Gai will kill me if you don't return.'
Tenten grunted as the rest of her shinobi returned to her in the center of the destroyed village. She looked up at them, cloaks covering all of their forms to protect them from the overbearing heat.
"Report."
"Your suspicion was correct taichou. There are clear signs of the Ichibi in this area. This town was likely destroyed by it."
Tenten frowned. "That doesn't explain the remains. It's not within its MO to leave this much destruction above the sand. The Ichibi relishes in slaughter."
"Perhaps it was in a rush?"
"For what?"
The kunoichi who suggested the idea shrugged. "I don't know ma'am, but Bijuu are intelligent based on reports from Jinchuriki and all of them being able to communicate verbally. If they're truly at least as smart as we are then there's no reason it couldn't have a plan."
"To do what," came the call from a masked man. An ANBU member, Mouse. "So far all we've seen is that its plan is mindless slaughter."
"I'm unsure."
Tenten frowned, biting her lip. "It's just a theory but...isn't it possible the Ichibi wants to get revenge against Sunagakure? They've sealed it repeatedly every time its Jinchuriki died. No intelligent creature would enjoy being locked up forever."
"It's possible," a man named Ryuzen stated. "But even then these attacks aren't hitting any major Sunagakure bases. They're civilian villages mostly. Little to no strategic value. Still seems to me it's just bloodthristy."
"That just brings us back to square one, about why this town isn't completely submerged like the others," came the call from the first kunoichi. Her name was Shirou.
"There's no point in trying to figure out what the Bijuu's intentions are," came the call from another kunoichi, Hiruha. She had a sword strapped to her back. "At the end of the day we just have to track it."
"It's a lot easier to track if we know what its plans are," Mouse commented.
"Enough," Tenten stated, sighing. "Hiruha's right. We don't know what its plans are, and we won't figure them out but standing in the ruins of this village. We need more trends to put together anything concrete. Just take note of what's left here. Besides, even if we did figure out its intentions it wouldn't matter. We can't track it anyway."
"About that," Mouse stated, raising a hand. "I have an idea about why that may be."
Tenten nodded. The entire group was curious about his theory.
"Gaara doesn't have full control over his Bijuu. The only Jinchuriki that do are Kumogakure's. Is it not possible that the reason the Bijuu vanishes without a trace is because it reverts back into Gaara after massacring a town? Then Gaara wanders through the desert until he finds a town to destroy and transforms into Shukaku. It's destroyed and such the cycle repeats?"
Tenten's eyes widened at the analysis.
"It would explain the randomness and how Shukaku seemingly just disappears after every attack. But why would Gaara not go back to Sunagakure?"
"He doesn't seem wrapped all that tight based on the reports we have to be fair," Ryuzen stated.
"Even still where would he go next," Hiruha questioned.
Shirou smiled. "The next closest town of course. He's obsessed with bloodshed and slaughter just as much as the Ichibi if the reports and his behavior on the battlefield are to be believed. He wouldn't want a delay between the slaughter."
"He could also want a high body count," Ryuzen mentioned.
"No," Hiruha interrupted. "These towns aren't large. Not enough people to spill a lot of blood. He's going for quantity of towns, not quality. Besides, if he started attacking large settlements, he would have to face Suna responses faster than he already is."
"Where's the next closest town then," Mouse questioned.
Tenten shook her head, interrupting the group as they looked at the map they had of the Land of Wind.
"No, don't look there. Look for the town closest to the next town Gaara will attack."
Mouse raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Gaara knows this desert better than any of us. He'll travel faster and likely hit any smaller towns we don't know the existence of. We won't catch up to him by playing a game of tag. We need to anticipate his movements. Follow close enough that we can be there when the inevitable battle between him and the Kazekage occurs. To do that we get ahead of him."
The group's eyes widened but they nodded. The logic was sound. Thus, the group of five shinobi got to work, ready to assassinate both a Jinchuriki and a kage.
Sasuke sat next to his brother, watching as the man rested. He had been here for a while, merely watching his resting form. The man was clearly exhausted. Sasuke sighed, a frown on his face.
"Who could have done this to you," he muttered, annoyance in his voice. "You're one of the most powerful shinobi the village has to offer. You're a genius. The most storied shinobi of your generation. You're the genius of your generation. The Minato Namikaze, the Kakashi-sensei, the Naruto! And someone did this to you?"
Sasuke clenched his fists on Itachi's bedsheets, pulling them slightly in his frustration. He bit his lip until he burst, blood trickling onto the starch white sheets.
"You have...if there's someone capable of doing all this to you of all people."
Anger fueled Sasuke's form. Was he really so far behind? He couldn't hold a candle to Itachi and yet there were people in other villages that possessed such ability. He, Itachi's own flesh and blood, couldn't even contend with him. If this was how Itachi held up against the world how was he any better? He had gained so much strength since when he was a Genin and what had it amounted to. A position as Jonin? Not even a high ranking one at that. He was no Gai, no Asuma, no Kakashi.
He wasn't his father or his brother.
And his father and his brother weren't invincible.
"Don't worry little brother."
Sasuke's eyes snapped open, only for two fingers to press against his head. He blinked, tears filling his eyes as Itachi looked at him smiling. When had he woken up?
"I'll be ready to protect you soon enough."
Sasuke stared at his brother, watching as he smiled. The elder brother removed his hand, quickly falling asleep once more. He was exhausted. Sasuke's head drooped next to him, his bangs hanging over his eyes. Slowly he stood, wordlessly. He turned on his heel without saying a word to his brother. His body began to shake at his approached the door, opening it. He quietly closed it behind him. Slowly, he raised his head. His eyes were burning a bright crimson, and tears no longer escaped them. Rage etched itself onto his face.
"No," Sasuke hissed. "You won't."
The man stalked off from the halls of the hospital, the rage still burning on his face.
"This time I protect you."
Naruto smiled as he walked along the streets of Amegakure. Ashino raced ahead of him, running around excitedly as he pulled Naruto throughout the city. Fuka stood next to the blonde, attempting to chastise her son as he disturbed civilians.
"Stop bumping into people!"
"Watch where you're going!"
"Apologize!"
The boy continued his behavior regardless, laughing all the while. Naruto shook his head as he ran throughout the city. The civilians didn't seem to mind, merely laughing at his behavior.
"That runt will be the death of me."
"He do this often?"
"More than I care to admit."
Naruto smirked, watching as Ashino stood several feet away from the duo, pointing at a building. It was a large building in a hemispheric shape. Odd pipes extended out of it at awkward angles. Windows lined its walls, with a massive glass ceiling at the top. Shinobi came and went from the location. Judging by their reaction to him they knew who he was. They stayed far from his path, eyes watching him with suspicion.
"And this is the Academy! This is where I go every day!"
Naruto snorted. Ashino had no tact. But this was Amegakure's Academy. It seemed very different than Konoha's. The boy grinned, slamming his hands together and with a brief pulse of chakra two clones stood next to him.
"They're even teaching me super cool jutsu like the clone technique! Can you use clones?"
Naruto laughed, wordlessly creating a clone of himself that appeared behind Ashino. His clone tapped the young child on the shoulder, causing him to jump. He turned, shock and awe on his face.
"You can! That's so cool! And it touched me! It's a solid clone. Is it an elemental clone? I wonder if it's a Doton (Earth Release) one. Those are the most stable clones, right? That's what Kaa-san always says. Did you know she can make clones too? Is that a common ability?"
Naruto held his head, groaning at the boy's rapid fire questions. He was so excitable. It was like talking to a young Konohamaru all over again, but worse.
"One question at a time Ashino."
"Where are your manners you brat, I raised you better!"
Ashino waved off the both of them, instead continuing to poke Naruto's clone much to its amusement. The boy's face was quizzical, as if he was analyzing it.
"This can't be a clone using Doton. It's not sturdy enough. Those clones have a messier consistency, like touching dirt. What type of clone is this?"
Naruto blinked, confusion on his face.
"You deduced it wasn't made of earth? How?"
Ashino looked at him like he was an idiot. "Like I said, the consistency. Even clones made of mud feel the same way, despite not actually being made of earth or dirt. The telltale feeling of it just isn't there. But it is solid, so it's not a fake like the clones they teach at the Academy. I've never seen a clone like this before."
Naruto stared at the boy as if he had grown a second head. Did clones feel different because of the element they were made with? He had never noticed. That...was an astonishing discovery. For the boy to know that, he must spend a lot of time analyzing jutsu.
"They're Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clones). They're a secret technique of mine."
"That's cool! Can you teach me?"
"Ah maybe when you're older. They require a lot of jutsu and are a really dangerous jutsu if used incorrectly."
"But you just made one."
"I have a lot of chakra and the dangerous effects of the jutsu can't hurt me for...personal reasons."
"So, I just have to get like you right?"
"No," Naruto stated firmly. "But you don't have to be to learn this jutsu."
He dispelled the clone then, placing a hand on Ashino's shoulder.
"I'm impressed though. I never made that discovery about clones. You're pretty smart you know that?"
"That's cause Kaa-san likes to use clones a lot when we train."
Naruto looked at Fuka who shrugged. "He's been hit with them enough to learn what their consistency feels like. I'd be disappointed if he didn't know."
"I see. You teach the ins and outs of jutsu at an amazing level Fuka."
"This coming from the man taught by some of the most legendary shinobi in history."
"You were taught by legendary shinobi? Who?"
Naruto looked down at Ashino, a small smile forming on his face. "Let's find a place to eat and I'll tell you about them. Jiraiya of the Sannin, Kakashi Hatake, and Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Ashino smiled.
"Yeah!"
A brief interlude chapter. Had to set up the next batch of major plotpoints. Hope y'all enjoyed. You're getting a bit more information about the past. What occured at the Battle of the Waves. The details of what occured when Hinata died. How Itachi and Fugaku and Mikoto all achieved their Mangekyou. Learned about an incident with Shisui. Honestly, the backstory for how the world ended up this way is something I really want to get into but it's simply not time yet. Yahiko is alive. Nagato isn't Pain. The world is at war. Hiruzen took Naruto in.
Tsunade is insane, although that's really been explained already.
Next chapter should pick up the pace again. Needed to flesh out Naruto's relationships with most of the Ame characters. Kisame already had his turn, as did Nagato. Konan is the only one who hasn't. Ashino is a kid, so Naruto's bonding with him is different than the others.