Chapter one awakening
Author's Note: Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that Tayuya is going to be one of the pairings for Naruto. I'm thinking of doing three in total, so I need your help to pick the other two. I'm open to anything—gender-bent characters, older women adjusted to be around Naruto's age, even filler characters or women from the Boruto era are fine by me! Whoever comments the fastest with their suggestions will get their choice included, so drop your ideas below and let's see what we come up with! I've decided to go with one request per person! So, if you've got a character in mind for Naruto's pairing, drop your suggestion in the 's the deal: if multiple people vote for the same character in Chapter One, that character will be selected as one of Naruto's pairings. So, if you have a favorite, make sure to vote and rally support! Let the best choice win!
Naruto paced around his small apartment, the walls closing in on him as the days dragged on with no one to talk to. He hadn't seen another person in what felt like months. The isolation was beginning to wear on him, especially for someone so young. At four years old, Naruto should have been playing with other kids, learning and exploring the world with the boundless energy of a child. Instead, he was alone, trapped in a world that seemed to have forgotten he existed.
Two months before he was set to enter the Academy, Naruto's days were spent in silence. One evening, as he aimlessly wandered his home, he heard the click of the front door. His heart skipped a beat, a rare spark of hope igniting in his chest. But when he looked up, it was only Hiruzen Sarutobi, the old man who occasionally visited to check on him.
Naruto ran up to him, eager to speak to someone—anyone—but before he could get a word out, Hiruzen dismissed him with a tired wave. "I'm busy, Naruto. Here's your allowance for the month." he said, placing a small pouch of coins on the table. Without another word, he left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Naruto stood there, the hope draining from his eyes as he stared at the door. He waited, his small body frozen in place, hoping Hiruzen might come back, might say something more—but the silence that followed was deafening.
He sat down on the floor, pulling his knees to his chest, the loneliness pressing down on him. The thought of going outside crossed his mind, but the memory of the glares and whispers that followed him wherever he went made him stay put. He was tired of being gawked at like some sort of strange creature.
As the evening dragged into night, Naruto decided to go to bed early. There was nothing else to do. He lay down on his small, uncomfortable bed, staring at the ceiling, his eyes dull and lifeless. He wished something—anything—would happen, but nothing ever did. Slowly, sleep overtook him.
But this night was different.
Naruto's eyes snapped open, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. He found himself standing in the middle of a dense forest, the trees towering above him, their leaves rustling in the night breeze. Confused, he looked around, unsure of how he had gotten there. He began to walk, his small feet crunching over the fallen leaves and twigs, his heart pounding in his chest.
In the distance, he saw it—a collapsed temple, ancient and crumbling, with a large Uzumaki symbol carved into the stone above its entrance. The sight of it sent a chill down his spine, but he felt compelled to move closer. As he approached, he noticed a figure standing near the entrance—a man with long white hair, clad in ancient battle armor that looked as though it had seen countless wars.
The man's eyes were piercing, filled with a strange, almost ethereal light. He stepped forward, his presence commanding and powerful, yet there was a gentleness in his movements. He looked down at Naruto, his gaze softening as he placed a hand on the boy's head.
"I am Ashina Uzumaki." the man said, his voice low and resonant. "You are the last of our hope, Naruto. Come to this location in the real world, and take one of the masks from the wall. You will be given great power."
Naruto tried to speak, to ask questions, but his voice seemed trapped in his throat, as if the very air around him had swallowed his words. He could only watch as the masks on the wall began to glow, their eerie light casting long shadows across the temple ruins. They floated off the wall, circling around him, their faces still but their voices ringing in his ears.
"Come here, boy." the masks whispered. "Save us. Rebuild our clan to its former glory. This is your destiny."
The words echoed in his mind, growing louder and more insistent. Naruto's eyes widened in fear and confusion, and before he could react, he woke up with a scream, his small body drenched in sweat. He was back in his room, but the fear clung to him like a second skin. Only a few hours had passed, but it was now dark outside.
Breathing heavily, Naruto tried to convince himself it was just a dream. "It must have been the ramen." he muttered to himself, his voice shaking. "Bad ramen, that's all."
But the nightmare returned the next night, and the night after that. Each time, it was the same: the forest, the temple, the man named Ashina, and the masks whispering their cryptic messages. By the end of the week, Naruto was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He knew he had to do something to make the dreams stop.
One evening, desperate for answers, Naruto snuck into the village library. The place was almost empty at this hour, but the few people who were there cast wary glances in his direction, clearly uncomfortable with his presence. Ignoring them, Naruto searched through the shelves, his small fingers brushing over the spines of countless books until he found one that caught his attention.
It was old, its cover worn and faded, but the symbol on it—the same red spiral he had seen in his dream—caught his eye. The book was thin, with pages yellowed by age, but as Naruto opened it, he felt a strange pull, as if the book itself wanted him to read it.
He spent hours in the library, hunched over the book, his eyes scanning the faded text. The more he read, the more he learned about the Uzumaki clan, a powerful family once known for their sealing techniques and their connection to the village. But what intrigued him the most was a passage about a mask shrine, located near Konoha.
Naruto's heart raced as he found an old map tucked within the pages, showing the shrine's location. The same location he had seen in his dreams. The realization sent a shiver down his spine, but he knew he had to go there. He needed to find the shrine and the masks. He needed the dreams to end.
And so, with a determined look in his eyes, Naruto made up his mind. He would find the shrine and discover the truth about his dreams—and about himself.
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the village of Konoha. The streets were empty, save for the occasional patrol of shinobi, but Naruto moved like a shadow, slipping between alleys and sticking to the darkness. His small heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder that he was about to do something dangerous, something he couldn't explain to anyone—not that there was anyone to explain it to.
The map from the old book was clutched tightly in his hand, the parchment worn and fragile. He had spent days memorizing it, tracing the path with his fingers until he could see it in his mind's eye. Tonight, he would follow it to the shrine from his dreams, the one that had haunted him every night for the past week.
As he exited the village gates, his breath fogged in the cool night air. The forest loomed before him, dark and ominous, but he pressed on, driven by a force he couldn't quite name. Each step felt heavy, like the world was trying to hold him back, but Naruto pushed forward, determined to find answers.
The trees whispered around him as he walked, their branches creaking like old bones. The further he went, the thicker the undergrowth became, and soon he found himself wading through knee-high ferns and tangles of vines. But the path was clear in his mind, as if an unseen hand was guiding him.
After what felt like hours, Naruto finally broke through the dense foliage and into a clearing. There, bathed in the pale light of the moon, stood the collapsed temple from his dreams. The stone structure was ancient, worn down by time and neglect, but the large Uzumaki symbol carved above the entrance was unmistakable.
Naruto approached the entrance cautiously, his breath catching in his throat. The air around the temple was thick with a strange energy, a kind of pressure that made his skin tingle. He stepped inside, his small feet echoing on the stone floor, and his eyes immediately fell on the masks that lined the walls.
They were just as he had seen in his dreams—carved with intricate designs, each one unique. Their eyes seemed to follow him as he moved closer, their expressions frozen in a mixture of sorrow, anger, and determination. Naruto felt a pull towards them, an invisible force urging him to reach out and take one.
He hesitated, his hand hovering over the nearest mask. The whispers from his dreams echoed in his mind, urging him on. With a deep breath, he grabbed the mask.
The moment his fingers touched the cold surface, a surge of energy coursed through his body, almost knocking him off his feet. He gasped, his eyes widening as the mask glowed with a faint, eerie light. Before he could react, a shadowy figure appeared before him, materializing out of the darkness.
The figure was a shinigami, its form ghostly and ethereal, with purple skin that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. Its face was obscured by a mask, its eyes glowing with an unearthly light. It moved with a fluid grace, its presence filling the room with an oppressive weight.
Without warning, the shinigami struck out, its fist plunging into Naruto's stomach. The boy's eyes widened in shock, a sharp pain radiating from the point of contact. But as he looked down, he saw that the shinigami's hand had not exited his body. Instead, it remained lodged in his stomach, a strange warmth spreading from it.
Naruto gasped, his body trembling as a flood of memories, knowledge, and power surged through him. It was as if a dam had burst inside his mind, releasing a torrent of information that threatened to overwhelm him. He saw flashes of people he had never met, places he had never been, and techniques he had never learned—but they all felt familiar, as if they had always been a part of him.
The knowledge of the Uzumaki clan flowed into him, filling the gaps in his understanding of who he was and where he came from. He saw the clan's origins, their rise to power, and their eventual downfall. He learned of their mastery over sealing techniques, their unmatched resilience, and their connection to powerful forces that most could only dream of controlling.
But as the memories continued to pour into him, Naruto also felt a deep, ancient sadness—a collective grief that had been passed down through the generations. He could see the faces of his ancestors, their eyes filled with pain and regret, their voices whispering to him, begging him to restore their clan to its former glory.
As the last of the knowledge settled into place, the shinigami's hand slowly withdrew from Naruto's stomach. The phantom figure lingered for a moment, its glowing eyes fixed on the boy, before it began to fade, its form dissolving into the air like mist in the morning sun.
Naruto collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts, the weight of his newfound knowledge pressing down on him. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself, when he heard a familiar voice.
"Stand up, Naruto."
Naruto looked up, his eyes wide as he saw the man from his dreams standing before him once again. Ashina Uzumaki, his white hair flowing like a river, his ancient armor glinting in the moonlight.
Ashina's expression was stern, but there was a warmth in his eyes as he looked down at Naruto. He stepped forward, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You have received the knowledge of our clan." he said, his voice low and resonant. "This is your birthright, your destiny."
Naruto stared up at him, his mind still reeling from the experience. "But... why me?" he managed to ask, his voice trembling.
"Because you are the last of us." Ashina replied, his tone gentle but firm. "The Uzumaki clan was once a force to be reckoned with, but we were scattered, broken. You are our last hope, Naruto. You must rebuild our clan, restore us to the glory we once held. This is your destiny."
Naruto swallowed hard, the weight of Ashina's words settling heavily on his shoulders. He had always known he was different, but this... this was something far beyond anything he could have imagined.
"But...how can I do that? I'm just a kid." Naruto said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ashina knelt down, bringing himself to Naruto's eye level. "You have the knowledge of our ancestors, the strength of our bloodline. You may be young, but you are not alone. The spirits of our clan will guide you, protect you, and teach you. But you must be strong, Naruto. The road ahead will not be easy."
Naruto's eyes filled with determination as he listened to Ashina's words. The fear and uncertainty that had gripped him began to melt away, replaced by a fierce resolve. He clenched his fists, his small body trembling with a newfound sense of purpose.
"I'll do it." he said, his voice steady. "I'll rebuild our clan. I'll make us strong again."
Ashina smiled, a proud, almost paternal expression crossing his face. "Good. Remember, Naruto, you are not just carrying the weight of your own destiny—you carry the hopes and dreams of an entire clan. Never forget that."
With those words, Ashina's form began to fade, his image slowly dissolving into the air. But before he vanished completely, he spoke once more, his voice echoing in the silent temple.
"We are always with you, Naruto. You are never alone."
And then he was gone, leaving Naruto kneeling on the cold stone floor, the weight of his destiny settling heavily on his small shoulders. But despite the overwhelming task before him, Naruto felt a strange sense of calm. For the first time in his life, he knew who he was—and what he had to do.
The cool night air filled Naruto's lungs as he leaped from the shrine, clutching one of the masks tightly in his hand. His mind buzzed with the newfound knowledge and power coursing through him, a gift from the ancient spirits of his clan. The weight of his destiny was heavy, but there was a calmness in his heart—a certainty that he hadn't felt before.
He landed lightly on the ground, the earth beneath him soft from recent rain. The moonlight cast a pale glow over the trees, creating shadows that danced as the wind rustled through the leaves. Naruto looked at the mask, its carved surface reflecting the moon's light, and then tucked it away safely in his pouch.
Naruto's mind raced with the information that had been bestowed upon him. Techniques, strategies, seals—all of them felt as though they had always been a part of him, waiting to be unlocked. He knew he had to test this power, to see if it was real or just a figment of his imagination.
He reached out with his chakra, feeling it flow through his body like a river. With a focused thought, he extended his chakra into his hand, and watched in awe as it began to materialize into a thin sheet of paper. The paper was pure white, almost glowing in the darkness. He folded it carefully, the process feeling as natural as breathing.
"This is… Dance of the Shinigami." Naruto murmured to himself, the name of the technique coming to him instinctively.
He watched as the paper talisman shimmered in his hand, a symbol appearing on its surface—a simple spiral, the mark of his clan. Naruto smiled, the corners of his lips twitching upward, but there was no exuberant shout of victory, no wild excitement. He felt… calm, collected. This knowledge, these abilities—they were a part of him now, and there was no need for childish displays.
With a flick of his wrist, Naruto molded the talisman into the shape of a shuriken, and flung it toward a nearby tree. The paper shuriken cut through the air with a soft whir, embedding itself into the bark with a satisfying thunk. Naruto walked over to examine his handiwork. The shuriken was lodged deeply in the wood, the sharp edges having sliced through with ease.
"Interesting." he muttered to himself, his voice steady. "It seems I can create different tools with these talismans."
Naruto crafted five more talismans, each with a different elemental symbol—fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning. He stepped outside into the open, where the moonlight was stronger, and began testing each one.
He started with the fire talisman, tossing it into the air and channeling his chakra into it. The talisman burst into flame, but the result was underwhelming—a small, weak fireball that fizzled out before it could reach the ground.
Next was water. He flung the talisman into the air, expecting a wave of water, but all that materialized was a tiny splash, barely enough to wet the grass.
Earth followed, with the talisman crumbling into dust the moment it left his hand. Lightning produced a small spark, hardly more than a static shock.
Naruto sighed, disappointment flickering across his face. "These results are pitiful…"
He looked at the wind talisman, the last one remaining. With a deep breath, he infused it with chakra and threw it. To his surprise, a powerful gust of wind erupted from the talisman, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. The force of the wind was enough to shake the nearby trees, leaves scattering in its wake.
Naruto watched the display, his expression unreadable. "So, I have an affinity for wind nature. Interesting…"
For a moment, he paused, considering his own words. Normally, he would be bouncing with excitement, eager to show off his newfound abilities, but now… he was different. The knowledge he had absorbed felt like second nature, and there was no need for wild displays of emotion. Everything was clear, precise.
Naruto focused on creating another talisman, this time molding it into the shape of a wakizashi. The paper blade shimmered with chakra, its edges sharp and deadly. He swung it experimentally, the motion smooth and practiced, as if he had wielded such a weapon his entire life. As he slashed through the air, a small crescent of wind followed the blade, slicing cleanly through a nearby tree trunk.
"Interesting…" The word slipped from his lips again, almost unconsciously. He was beginning to realize that the knowledge and muscle memory of these techniques were now a part of him, ingrained deep within his being. But even as he marveled at his abilities, he knew something was missing.
Naruto decided to attempt a more complex jutsu, one he had read about in the book—a powerful fire technique that required multiple seals. He crafted several fire talismans, carefully placing them together and channeling his chakra into the array. With a flick of his wrist, he launched the talismans into the air.
But as he waited, nothing happened. Only one of the talismans activated, producing a weak burst of flame before fizzling out into a few pitiful sparks. Naruto's brow furrowed in concentration as he watched the failed jutsu.
"I see now…" he mused aloud. "I was only given access to the basics. I know how to perform the jutsu, but I don't have the skills necessary to execute them properly. Interesting…"
He paused, once again surprised by his own calm demeanor. Why did he keep saying that? Why was he so collected, so analytical?
Naruto closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he reached out with his senses, trying to understand the changes within him. As he focused, he felt something strange—a second chakra signature, pulsing faintly within his body, centered around his stomach.
Curious, Naruto lifted his shirt, revealing the seal on his abdomen. He reached into his pouch, pulling out a talisman and placing it over the seal. The paper began to vibrate, absorbing some of the chakra from within him. For a moment, it pulsed with a strange energy before bursting into flames.
Naruto's eyes widened as he blinked, and suddenly, he was somewhere else.
He stood on the surface of a vast, endless sea, the water eerily still beneath his feet. The sky above was a dark, foreboding shade of red, with storm clouds swirling ominously. In the distance, he heard the sound of something massive moving, the air vibrating with the sheer power of its presence.
Naruto turned around and saw it—a colossal creature, its fur a deep, malevolent orange, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The creature was caged behind enormous bars, its claws digging into the ground as it growled, its lips curled back in a vicious snarl.
"You dare steal my chakra, boy?" The creature's voice was a deep, rumbling growl, filled with anger and rage. Its eyes blazed with fury as it glared down at Naruto, who stood calmly on the water's surface, unflinching in the face of the beast's wrath.
Naruto tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Consider it rent." he replied coolly, turning away from the creature as if it were nothing more than a nuisance.
The Nine-Tails' eyes widened in surprise at Naruto's nonchalant response, the growl in its throat momentarily faltering. As Naruto began to walk away, the creature's massive paw slammed against the bars, the force of the impact shaking the very ground beneath them.
"Wait!" the Nine-Tails snarled, its voice laced with irritation. "You will not walk away from me so easily. If we are to share this body, we will have a proper discussion."
Naruto stopped in his tracks, turning back to face the beast. His eyes were calm, almost bored, as he regarded the Nine-Tails. "A proper discussion? Then perhaps you should introduce yourself first."
The Nine-Tails' growl deepened, its eyes narrowing in irritation, but after a moment, it conceded. "I am Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox." it rumbled, its voice echoing through the vast space. "And you, boy, are my jailer."
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, nodding thoughtfully. "Naruto Uzumaki." he introduced himself, his tone casual. "So, Kurama, why are you sealed inside of me?"
Kurama's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and resentment. "I was sealed away by your father, the Fourth Hokage." it spat, its voice dripping with bitterness. "I have been trapped within you ever since, forced to share my power with a weakling like you."
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of his father, but he remained calm. "And now you want me to release you, is that it?" he asked, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Kurama bared its teeth in a vicious grin. "Open the seal, boy, and all of my power will be yours. You could do anything you desire—destroy those who have wronged you, take revenge on those who have shunned you. All you have to do is remove the seal."
Naruto chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nice try, but I'm not stupid. If I open the seal, you'll kill me the moment you're free. That's not happening."
Kurama growled in frustration, its claws scraping against the ground as it glared at Naruto. "Then what do you propose, brat? Do you expect me to sit here quietly while you bumble around, wasting my power?"
Naruto's expression softened slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Actually, I was thinking we could work together. We're stuck with each other, so why not make the best of it?"
Kurama blinked, taken aback by the boy's proposal. "Work together?" it echoed, its voice filled with disbelief. "You expect me to partner with a weakling like you?"
Naruto shrugged, his calm demeanor unwavering. "It's better than doing nothing, isn't it? We could learn new jutsu together, maybe even have some fun. I don't want to be lonely anymore, and I'm guessing you don't either."
Kurama's eyes narrowed, the beast's mind racing as it considered Naruto's words. The boy was different—stronger, more confident, and far more calculating than Kurama had expected. There was something about him that intrigued the fox, something that made it reconsider its initial disdain.
Finally, after a long moment of silence, Kurama let out a huff of resignation. "Fine, brat. I'll play along for now. But don't think for a second that I've given up on getting out of here."
Naruto smiled, a genuine expression that reached his eyes. "Deal. Let's see what we can accomplish together."
As the agreement settled between them, Naruto felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. The oppressive loneliness that had weighed on him for so long seemed to lift, replaced by a new sense of purpose.
Kurama lay down within its cage, watching Naruto with wary eyes. "Just remember, boy." it rumbled, its voice low and dangerous. "I am not your friend. I will help you, but only because I have nothing better to do."
Naruto nodded, his expression thoughtful as he turned to leave the dark, watery realm. "Fair enough, Kurama. We're not friends, but we can still be partners."
Naruto's eyes fluttered open, the cool night air brushing against his skin. He lay still for a moment, his mind processing the events that had just transpired in the mind space. The knowledge of the Uzumaki clan, the encounter with Ashina, and the unexpected partnership with Kurama all settled heavily on him. But there was no time to dwell on it.
He pushed himself up from the cold ground outside the shrine, the remnants of his vision still lingering in the back of his mind. There was a new calmness within him, a clarity of purpose that hadn't been there before. Without a second thought, Naruto began making his way back toward the village, his footsteps silent on the forest floor.
As he walked, the voice of Kurama echoed in his mind, a low rumble filled with curiosity. "You've changed, brat. I can feel it. The power you've gained…it's intriguing. But what will you do with it?"
Naruto didn't respond immediately. He kept his pace steady, his eyes focused on the path ahead. The village was still a ways off, but he could already feel the familiar tension building within him. He knew what awaited him there—whispers, glares, the same cold reception he had grown accustomed to.
Finally, he answered Kurama, his tone thoughtful. "I'm not sure yet, Kurama. But I know I won't let them keep treating me like this. Not anymore."
A chuckle resonated in his mind, Kurama's voice dripping with dark amusement. "Good. You're finally starting to understand. Power isn't meant to be hidden. It's meant to be used."
The trees began to thin as Naruto approached the outskirts of the village. He stepped onto the dirt road, the lights of Konoha glowing faintly in the distance. His heart beat steadily, not with fear or anxiety, but with a newfound resolve.
As he entered the village, it didn't take long for the usual whispers and glares to follow him. A few villagers stood in the street, muttering under their breath as they saw him. One man, older and hunched, sneered openly at Naruto as he passed.
"There goes the demon brat." the man spat, his voice loud enough for Naruto to hear. "Should've been drowned at birth, save us all the trouble."
Naruto felt a flash of anger, but it was controlled, measured. The old Naruto might have cried or shouted, but this version of him was different. He kept walking, his expression unreadable.
Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, more insistent this time. "Are you going to let him speak to you like that? Show him what you're capable of, boy."
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly, but he shook his head. "Not yet." he whispered under his breath. He didn't stop walking, but his mind began to work, calculating, planning. The old man would pay for his words, but not here, not now.
As he walked, he subtly observed the man from the corner of his eye. He noted the small details—the man's gait, the direction he was heading, the building he entered. Naruto's sharp eyes took in everything: the number of windows, the doors, and even the shadows that hinted at the number of people inside.
Naruto continued walking, his face calm and neutral, but his mind was a storm of thoughts and strategies. He knew he couldn't confront the man in public; it would draw too much attention. But later… later, he would strike.
He turned down a side street, waiting until he was sure he wasn't being followed. Then, with the skill of someone far beyond his years, he doubled back, keeping to the shadows. The man's home was modest, a small, rickety building on the edge of the village. The lights were dim, and Naruto could see through the cracks in the curtains that the man was alone.
Naruto moved silently, slipping through the shadows until he was right outside the man's window. He crouched down, listening to the old man mutter to himself as he moved around inside. His words were venomous, filled with hatred for Naruto, for the "demon" he believed the boy to be.
"Now?" Kurama's voice was a low growl, filled with eager anticipation.
Naruto's eyes glinted in the darkness. "Now." he whispered back.
With a flick of his wrist, Naruto formed a paper talisman, folding it into a small shuriken. He infused it with just enough chakra to make it sharp and deadly. In one swift motion, he hurled it through the window, the glass shattering with a sharp crack. The shuriken embedded itself in the wall, inches from the old man's head.
The man yelped in surprise, stumbling backward, his eyes wide with fear. Naruto didn't give him time to react. He was through the door in an instant, his small form moving with the speed and precision of a trained shinobi. Before the man could even scream, Naruto had him pinned against the wall, a kunai—crafted from a talisman—pressed to his throat.
"You think you can talk to me like that?" Naruto's voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight that made the old man tremble. "Do you know what I am?"
The man's eyes bulged, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. He tried to speak, but no words came out, only a choked gurgle.
Naruto's eyes bore into the man's, his expression cold and unfeeling. "I could kill you right now." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And no one would care. They'd probably thank me."
The man whimpered, tears welling up in his eyes as he realized just how much danger he was in. But Naruto didn't flinch, didn't waver. He pressed the kunai a little harder, drawing a thin line of blood from the man's throat.
"But I won't." Naruto continued, his voice icy. "Because you're not worth it. You're nothing. Just a pathetic old man, clinging to hatred because it's all you have left."
With a swift motion, Naruto released him, the kunai vanishing back into a simple piece of paper. The man crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath, his hands shaking as he clutched his throat.
Naruto turned away, his expression unchanged. He walked toward the door, his movements calm and measured. As he reached the threshold, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"If you ever speak about me like that again." Naruto said, his voice deadly serious, "I won't be so merciful next time."
With that, he stepped out into the night, leaving the man trembling in his wake.
As Naruto walked away from the man's house, Kurama's voice filled his mind, a mix of amusement and approval. "That was quite the performance, brat. You've got a knack for this."
Naruto kept walking, his eyes focused on the path ahead. "It's just the beginning, Kurama. There's a lot more to learn."
Kurama chuckled, the sound rumbling through Naruto's mind like distant thunder. "Indeed. But you're on the right path. Keep this up, and you might just become someone worth partnering with."
Naruto didn't respond, but a small, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his lips. The village still whispered, still glared, but now… now he knew he had the power to make them fear him. And that was a power he intended to wield carefully, strategically.
The next day
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground as Naruto stood in a small clearing, his eyes focused and determined. He had spent the entire night refining his newfound abilities, testing the limits of what he could do with the talismans. The frustration of his earlier attempts still lingered in the back of his mind, but he was nothing if not persistent.
Naruto took a deep breath, centering himself before creating a series of paper talismans. They floated gently in the air around him, each one infused with a different elemental symbol. Fire, water, earth, lightning, and wind—all five elements represented. But he knew the issue wasn't just in the talismans; it was in his understanding of chakra nature transformation.
"To use these properly, I need to understand how to mold chakra for each element." he muttered to himself, recalling the knowledge that had been transferred to him. He wasn't just dealing with ordinary jutsu anymore; these were techniques that required finesse, control, and deep understanding of the elements themselves.
With a focused thought, Naruto created five paper clones, each one infused with a specific chakra nature. The clones took their positions around the clearing, their expressions mirroring his own calm determination. "You guys focus on your element." Naruto instructed, pointing to each clone in turn. "I'll work on wind."
The clones nodded in unison, each beginning their own practice. Naruto, meanwhile, concentrated on his wind talisman, feeling the familiar pull of the wind chakra within him. He moved his hand in a flowing motion, guiding the chakra into the talisman. The paper shimmered with a faint blue light, and he could feel the energy coiling within it, waiting to be unleashed.
Kurama's voice rumbled in the back of his mind, curious but also a bit skeptical. "You're working hard, brat. What's your plan with all this training?"
Naruto didn't pause, his focus unwavering as he shaped the wind chakra. "My plan is simple. I'm going to push myself as far as I can, perfect these techniques, and gain full control over my chakra. I need to know exactly how much I've gained from that transfer of knowledge, and where I can still improve."
Kurama huffed, the sound echoing through Naruto's thoughts like distant thunder. "You're more focused than before. The old you would've been bouncing around in excitement over learning something new."
Naruto allowed himself a small smile, a calm, collected expression that felt more natural with each passing day. "I still am, but I can't afford to be reckless. I need to be strong, and that means understanding my limits and surpassing them."
As Naruto spoke, he moved to a nearby tree, placing his foot against the rough bark. Slowly, he began to channel chakra into his feet, testing his control. The first time he had tried this exercise, it had been nearly impossible for him to maintain his balance. But now, he found it almost effortless. His body responded naturally, the chakra flowing smoothly as he walked up the tree trunk.
"Looks like I've gained more than just knowledge." he mused aloud, taking a moment to survey the forest from his new vantage point. "I must have inherited some muscle memory too."
Kurama's voice was quieter now, contemplative. "You've grown stronger, but don't get cocky. There's still a lot you don't know."
Naruto nodded, but before he could reply, his sharp ears picked up the sound of voices in the distance. He turned his head slightly, focusing on the source of the noise. The voices grew louder, closer, and he could make out the mischievous tone in their words.
Naruto dismissed his clones with a flick of his wrist, the paper talismans fluttering back to him like leaves on the wind. He crouched low on the tree branch, his senses on high alert as three boys emerged from the underbrush, their eyes gleaming with malice. Each of them held a crude wooden stick, their postures tense and aggressive.
"Hey, demon brat!" one of the boys called out, his voice dripping with contempt. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! We just want to have some fun!"
Naruto's heart raced, not with fear, but with a strange, exhilarating energy. Kurama, sensing his excitement, lent him a small surge of chakra, just enough to enhance his senses and sharpen his focus. Naruto's eyes flashed red for a moment, a wicked smile curling his lips as he leaped from the tree, landing silently on the ground between the boys.
"Looking for me?" Naruto asked, his voice calm, almost bored, but there was an edge to it that made the boys hesitate.
The boy in the middle, who seemed to be the leader, recovered first. He sneered, raising his stick high above his head. "Yeah, we're looking for you! Time to teach you a lesson, demon!"
He swung the stick down in a wide arc, aiming for Naruto's head. But Naruto moved with a fluid grace, ducking to the left, the stick passing harmlessly through the space where his head had been a moment before. The boy stumbled forward, off balance, and Naruto took the opportunity to drive his elbow into the boy's side. The leader gasped, dropping the stick as he doubled over in pain.
The second boy, seeing his friend falter, rushed forward, thrusting his stick toward Naruto's stomach. Naruto sidestepped the attack with ease, catching the boy's wrist and twisting it sharply. The boy cried out as the stick clattered to the ground, his arm twisted painfully behind his back.
Naruto didn't stop there. With a swift motion, he spun the boy around, using his momentum to fling him into the third boy, who had been hanging back, uncertain. The two of them tumbled to the ground in a heap, groaning as they tried to untangle themselves.
The leader, now recovering, grabbed his stick again and charged at Naruto with a wild yell. He swung it in a desperate attempt to land a blow, but his movements were sloppy, uncoordinated. Naruto saw the attack coming from a mile away. The stick came down in a vertical slash, and Naruto deftly sidestepped, letting the boy's momentum carry him forward.
As the leader stumbled past, Naruto caught him by the collar, pulling him off balance. With a swift kick to the back of the knee, Naruto forced the boy to the ground, pinning him with one knee pressed firmly into his back.
"Is this the best you've got?" Naruto asked, his voice laced with cold amusement. The boy beneath him struggled, but Naruto's hold was unbreakable.
The other two boys scrambled to their feet, but they hesitated, fear evident in their eyes. They exchanged glances, unsure whether to continue the fight or run.
Kurama's voice rumbled in Naruto's mind, a dark chuckle resonating through his thoughts. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? I can feel it."
Naruto's eyes flicked to the other two boys, his gaze sharp and calculating. "I'm just teaching them a lesson." he replied mentally, his tone matter-of-fact. "If they want to play rough, they should be ready to face the consequences."
The second boy, emboldened by desperation, charged at Naruto with his stick raised. Naruto moved like a blur, his body flowing with an unnatural grace as he deflected the blow with a simple flick of his wrist. He grabbed the boy's arm, pulling him close before driving his knee into the boy's stomach. The second boy crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
The third boy, seeing both his friends incapacitated, took a step back, his face pale with fear. He raised his stick defensively, but Naruto was already moving. In a flash, he closed the distance between them, sweeping the boy's legs out from under him. The boy hit the ground hard, his stick flying out of his hand.
Naruto stood over the three of them, his expression unreadable. The leader, still pinned beneath him, whimpered in pain. "P-Please… we're sorry… don't hurt us…"
Naruto's red eyes gleamed in the dim light, a dangerous smile tugging at his lips. "Sorry? You think that's enough?"
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Remember this the next time you think about messing with me. I'm not the same as I was before."
With that, Naruto released the leader, standing up and brushing off his clothes as if nothing had happened. The three boys scrambled to their feet, terror in their eyes as they backed away, their bravado completely shattered.
"You're not worth my time." Naruto said coldly, turning his back on them. "Get out of here before I change my mind."
The boys didn't need to be told twice. They turned and fled, stumbling over each other in their haste to escape. Naruto watched them go, a deep sense of satisfaction settling in his chest.
Kurama's voice broke the silence, a mix of approval and curiosity. "You handled that well. But tell me, what's your next move?"
Naruto stood still for a moment, his eyes fixed on the spot where the boys had disappeared. His heart was still racing, but it wasn't the wild, frantic beat of fear—it was something else, something more controlled.
"I'll keep training." Naruto replied, his voice steady. "I need to get stronger. This is just the beginning."
After a long day of training, Naruto finally decided to take a break. The sun had already begun to set, casting long shadows across the village as the sky turned a deep orange. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of the coming night. Naruto's body ached from the intense practice, but there was satisfaction in the pain—proof that he was pushing himself, growing stronger with each passing day.
His thoughts, however, were focused on something more immediate: food. The grumbling in his stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten since the early morning, and there was only one place on his mind—Ichiraku Ramen. The thought of a steaming bowl of ramen made his mouth water, and he quickened his pace, his tired legs carrying him toward the small, familiar shop.
As he approached Ichiraku, the soft glow of the lanterns outside the shop welcomed him like an old friend. The curtains fluttered gently in the evening breeze, and the warm, savory aroma of broth and noodles filled the air. Naruto pushed aside the curtain and stepped inside, immediately greeted by the sight of Teuchi, the old man who ran the ramen stand.
"Hey, Naruto!" Teuchi called out with a wide, welcoming smile. His eyes crinkled with warmth as he saw the blonde enter. "You look like you've had a long day. What'll it be? The usual?"
Naruto smiled back, a genuine grin that softened the edges of his usually guarded expression. "Yeah, old man. The usual sounds perfect."
Teuchi nodded, already moving to prepare Naruto's order. As he worked, Naruto took a seat at the counter, his eyes glancing around the shop. It was quiet, with only a few other customers enjoying their meals, the soft clinking of chopsticks against bowls adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
Naruto's thoughts, however, were far from peaceful. As he waited for his ramen, the voice of Kurama echoed in his mind, a dark presence that had become both familiar and oddly comforting. "So, brat, what's next? You've been working hard, but training alone won't be enough."
Naruto leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping the countertop as he considered the question. "You're right, Kurama. Training is important, but I need to think bigger. I want to rebuild my clan, restore the Uzumaki name. But to do that, I need power—real power. Influence."
Kurama hummed in approval, his voice a deep, resonant growl. "Now you're talking sense. Power and influence are what you need to survive in this world. You need to make sure no one ever dares to look down on you again. No more taking crap from anyone."
Naruto nodded subtly, agreeing with the fox. "Yeah, I've already started that. Today, those three idiots in the forest learned that I'm not someone to mess with anymore. But it's just the beginning. I need to be strong, independent… someone who can't be ignored."
Teuchi interrupted their conversation as he placed a steaming bowl of ramen in front of Naruto. The rich aroma filled Naruto's senses, and he felt his mouth water in anticipation. "Here you go, Naruto. Enjoy!"
"Thanks, old man." Naruto said with a grin, picking up his chopsticks. He dug in eagerly, the first bite of ramen sending a wave of warmth and comfort through him. The noodles were perfect, the broth rich and flavorful—a taste he had come to associate with safety, home.
As he ate, Naruto continued his conversation with Kurama, each bite of ramen punctuating their thoughts. "But I need more than just strength." Naruto said mentally, chewing thoughtfully. "I need knowledge—about who I am, where I come from. That'll help me understand what I'm capable of, and what I need to do."
Kurama's voice softened slightly, a rare hint of something almost resembling sympathy in his tone. "You're right to seek knowledge. But remember, the truth isn't always easy to swallow."
Naruto paused, his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. "Kurama… what do you know about my parents?" he asked, his voice quieter, almost hesitant.
There was a long silence, and for a moment, Naruto thought Kurama might refuse to answer. But then the fox's voice came, slow and deliberate, as if choosing each word carefully. "Your father…Minato Namikaze was truly a great ninja."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat, the noodles slipping from his chopsticks and back into the bowl. He wondered if he could live up to his father's legacy. Especially being the 4th Hokage. He wasn't as excited as he thought he would be. Even when the Fox revealed it the first time he felt nothing significant.
"He was the one who sealed me inside of you." Kurama continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "He split my chakra in two—half into you, and half into himself—to protect the village. He died that night, protecting everyone."
Naruto's grip tightened on his chopsticks, his mind swirling with emotions he couldn't quite name. His father had been the Hokage, a hero… and he had died to save the village. To save him.
"And my mother?" Naruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kurama's response was quieter, almost gentle. "Your mother was Kushina Uzumaki, my previous host. She was strong, fierce… just like you. She died the night you were born, defending you from the one who unleashed me."
Naruto's breath hitched, a lump forming in his throat. His mother had been the one to protect him, even at the cost of her own life. The weight of that sacrifice pressed down on him, but there was still one more question burning in his mind.
"How did they die?" he asked, his voice firmer now, demanding the truth.
Kurama's growl deepened, a dangerous edge to his voice. "They died because of an Uchiha. He used his Sharingan to control me, to force me out on the night of your birth. He's the reason your parents are dead."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his hand clenching into a fist on the counter. The word "Uchiha" echoed in his mind, bringing with it a surge of anger, of cold, calculating rage. His parents had died because of someone's manipulation, because of a twisted use of power.
But as he sat there, the anger boiling just beneath the surface, Naruto forced himself to think clearly. He couldn't blame Kurama for what had happened—the fox had been a tool, used by someone else. If he were in Kurama's position, he might have done the same. The real blame lay with the one who had released Kurama, the one who had torn his family apart.
"I'm angry." Naruto admitted, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him. "But I'm not going to hold it against you, Kurama. You were just a tool, just like I was. But if you ever turn against me…"
Kurama chuckled, a low, dark sound that rumbled through Naruto's mind. "You don't need to worry about that, brat. I've got no reason to fight you now. But don't think for a second that I'm soft. If you try to betray me, you'll regret it."
Naruto nodded, understanding the unspoken agreement between them. "Fair enough. As long as we're on the same page, we'll get along just fine."
Naruto took another bite of his ramen, the flavors still rich but now tinged with a deeper resolve. The conversation with Kurama had given him a new perspective, a sharper focus on what he needed to do.
The future stretched out before him, filled with uncertainty and danger, but also with promise. He would rebuild the Uzumaki clan, restore his family's honor, and gain the power and influence he needed to protect himself and those he cared about. But more than that, he would make sure that no one would ever control him—or Kurama—again.
Naruto finished the last of his ramen, setting the bowl down with a satisfied sigh. Teuchi looked over and smiled. "You look like you've got something on your mind, Naruto. Everything okay?"
Naruto looked up, his blue eyes meeting the old man with a new determination. "Yeah, old man. Everything's fine. Just… thinking about the future."
Teuchi nodded, understanding in his gaze. "Well, whatever you're planning, I'm sure you'll do great. You're a strong kid, Naruto. You've got what it takes."
Naruto smiled, a genuine, warm smile that he hadn't felt in a long time. "Thanks, Teuchi. I'll make sure to come back for more ramen when I do."
As he stood up and left the ramen shop, the cool night air greeted him once again. Naruto walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities. The path ahead was difficult, filled with challenges and dangers, but he was ready.
With Kurama's power and his own determination, Naruto knew he would carve out a future for himself—one that no one could take from him. And as the night deepened, Naruto disappeared into the shadows, a boy with a destiny far greater than anyone could imagine.