I'm slowing down a little bit in my writing, as I've got inflammatory arthritis (kind of a poor name choice, since arthritis means joint inflammation… inflammatory joint inflammation…) currently, in six of my fingers and right wrist. It isn't a big problem, since the pain mostly goes away towards the afternoon, which is when I tend to write, but it is slowing me down a bit.
We're almost at the end of Naruto month too and now I'm trying to decide on what to write next. I'm not particularly keen to write for any of my stories now, as the pain in my hands is somewhat annoying, but I should be writing again soon.
All things considered, I'd say Naruto month was quite successful, given the positive feedback I've been getting, although fanfiction dying in the middle of it was annoying.
For future reference, should something like that happen again, I will post those chapters that I can't upload to fanfiction on my pat reon for free. Don't forget, you can read chapters earlier if you become a patron, but if there are glitches on FF and it's been about a week since my last update, check my pat reon, as the chapter will be up there.
Enjoy.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox or Death talking'
"Fox or Death thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
Flashback
Chapter 7 – Clarity
'Minato you lovely bastard! This may be the only time I'm happy that you are my father. To think, you had Uchiha blood within you! Uzumaki and Uchiha, one of the greatest combinations imaginable. I suppose I really should investigate Minato's lineage more, who knows what else I could find.' Said Naruto, before turning to face the ball of energy that was Mikoto.
'Well Mikoto, how have you been adapting?' Asked Naruto.
The ball of energy moved around slightly, causing Naruto to hum slightly.
'Well, I didn't understand any of that, but it seems you are anxious about the aftermath of your clan's extinction, particularly your sons. Well, I can't let you go off and see Itachi as you are now, so I suppose we could go see… what was his name again… right, Sasuke.' Said Naruto.
Mikoto seemed to vibrate at this, leading Naruto to assume she was in agreement of his plan.
'Well then, let's get going.' Said Naruto, before making his way out of his lab, Mikoto following.
-line break-
Naruto squinted, as he pushed the lid off the sewer grate and noticed the sun starting to rise.
"I must have lost track of time doing my research again… no matter, this will make it easier for Mikoto to remain hidden." Thought Naruto, before exiting into the village, the luminescent soul of Mikoto following, before Naruto slipped the manhole shut.
'Well, Mikoto, lead the way. This will be a good test for your directional awareness.' Said Naruto.
Unbeknownst to Naruto, Mikoto understood his words and started to make her way towards the Uchiha clan compound. It took only a few minutes, confusing Mikoto, before she realised it was because she didn't stop to greet anyone, not that she could, but that wasn't important currently. A line of tape had sectioned off the compound, the words "keep out" sprawled all over the compound of the Uchiha. Naruto easily followed Mikoto into the compound, which was as quiet as the grave. All things considered, with what happened yesterday, it might as well have been one. Naruto started to hum to himself, while Mikoto continued to lead him to her home. Naruto spotted the home of the Uchiha matriarch and quickly moved to stand in front of her, causing her to halt.
'Now Mikoto, we need to be a bit more careful about this than you and your husband were with your coup. For one thing, Sasuke is like to be quite shaken up and may be acting irrationally and with you still being unable to communicate as you would have before, we need to be unseen, at least initially. Follow me, I know the best vantage point for spying on your home, it is how I observed you after all.' Said Naruto, before leading Mikoto around her house and over to another, on the other side of the road.
Naruto climbed up the wall with a series of jumps, latching on to the top of it with his left hand and pulling himself across with his right, until he reached a small ledge, which her perched on. If he squatted down, he would be invisible completely, but not only that, he was angled perfectly to see into the kitchen of Mikoto and her family. Mikoto hovered beside Naruto, waiting for a sign of some sort.
'Mother, where are you?' Cried Sasuke, waking up and rubbing his eyes blearily, as he walked into the kitchen.
Sasuke looked around and blinked when no one came to greet him, before sighing.
'So it wasn't a dream… why big brother… why did you do it?' Mumbled Sasuke so quietly, that Naruto and Mikoto almost didn't hear him.
'Well, I might as well get some breakfast first. Now, where did mother put the tomatoes?' Said Sasuke, before moving around the kitchen.
Naruto and Mikoto both watched for about fifteen minutes, in which Sasuke rummaged through the kitchen, trying to find the tomatoes, to no avail.
'Why is this happen to me? Where are those things?' Lamented Sasuke, growing increasingly frustrated, at his inability to find his breakfast.
'You'd think your son would be more concerned with his life than his breakfast.' Mumbled Naruto in disbelief.
Mikoto hovered in place for a moment, before moving towards Sasuke.
'Wait, Mikoto, stop! He can't see you right now, he might react irrationally and could possibly get unsavoury eyes to take notice of you! Just… just tell me where the tomatoes are and I'll get them.' Sighed Naruto.
Mikoto seemed to nod at this and led Naruto to the edge of their house, before leading him towards the kitchen, only to turn to the side and lead Naruto to a small pantry. Naruto quickly located the tomatoes and grabbed a box, before walking out of the pantry.
'Mikoto, please stay out of sight now.' Said Naruto.
'Who's there?' Asked Sasuke from the kitchen, having heard Naruto exit the pantry.
Mikoto floated away, heading back to Naruto's spying spot, only to watch as Naruto entered the kitchen, holding a box of tomatoes in his hand.
'Yo! These are pretty good tomatoes, aren't they?' Said Naruto, picking a tomato from the box and taking a bite from it.
"Ugh, disgusting!" Thought Naruto, before throwing the box to Sasuke, who caught it with a small fumble.
'Actually, I shouldn't intrude, this is your house after all.' Said Naruto, throwing his half-eaten tomato to Sasuke, who fumbled to catch it as well.
'What the hell? You can't just come into someone's house and eat their food like it is nothing! Who do you think you are?' Ranted Sasuke.
'It's just one tomato, who cares?' Retorted Naruto.
'It isn't just one tomato; it is my tomato!' Protested Sasuke, setting the tomatoes down.
'Hey, you couldn't even find them! I did you a favour here.' Quipped Naruto.
'I could have found them easily, I'm an Uchiha, our eyes are superior than all!' Said Sasuke.
'Oh yeah? Then where are all the Uchiha now? I don't see any superior eyes around.' Teased Naruto.
'Shut up!' Roared Sasuke, throwing Naruto's half eaten tomato at him.
The blond quickly dodged, turning to see the tomato slam into the wall behind him.
'Now you are just wasting food! Don't throw a tantrum just because you couldn't find your own tomatoes!' Yelled Naruto.
'You think this is about tomatoes? My whole clan was murdered! I'm all alone now and now to top it all off, someone is breaking into my house and eating my food!' Screamed Sasuke.
'Yeah, well it tasted terrible anyway. Haven't you heard about not crying over thrown tomatoes?' Retorted Naruto with a huff.
'It's spilt milk, not thrown tomatoes!' Corrected Sasuke in annoyance.
'Whatever. I don't care about stupid tomatoes anyway. I came here to see… actually… what did I come here for again… oh yeah, I came here to see the last Uchiha cry-baby. You think you have it bad because your clan was wiped out? Big deal! My clan was wiped out ages ago and you don't see me crying over it or throwing tomatoes.' Said Naruto.
'You don't have a clan, you're an orphan.' Retorted Sasuke.
'So that means you don't have a clan anymore either, since now you're an orphan too.' Said Naruto, angering Sasuke.
'Eat this!' Shouted Sasuke, before grabbing a tomato and throwing it at Naruto, who dodged once again.
'You're just wasting food now! The first one I bit, so I could understand that, but don't waste food when people are out there starving!' Roared Naruto in indignation.
'Oh yeah, make me!' Yelled Sasuke, preparing to throw another tomato, only for Naruto to tackle him to the ground.
Sasuke kicked Naruto off him and got into his fighting stance, preparing to counter Naruto's next strike.
'You think you're so special? Well you're not!' Said Naruto, before charging Sasuke.
Sasuke raised his arm to block the left cross he was expecting, only for Naruto to kick out with his right leg, slamming Sasuke out of the kitchen and into the small garden around his home. Sasuke grunted and picked up a rock nearby, throwing it at Naruto. Naruto ducked quickly, only for a shadow to block out the sun above him. Looking up, Naruto saw Sasuke descending down on him with an axe kick. Naruto rolled away from the attack and quickly pushed off the ground, a right uppercut slamming into Sasuke's jaw before he could react, followed by a right side-kick into his gut, which knocked the air out of him and sent him crashing into the small pond nearby.
'There, now you are all washed up like your clan.' Laughed Naruto.
'Do you think this is a game?' Roared Sasuke as he climbed out of the pond.
'You're the one who's acting like a little brat! Big deal, you couldn't find your tomatoes and your clan got wiped out. You're still alive though. Why are you wasting your time instead of getting stronger?' Said Naruto.
'It just happened yesterday!' Yelled Sasuke.
'And the first thing you do is throw a tantrum over tomatoes!' Yelled back Naruto.
'Who the hell do you even think you are?' Asked Sasuke.
'The guy who will kick your ass if you keep acting like this. I'll be back later. Try to grow up a little by then.' Said Naruto, before turning his back on Sasuke and walking off.
Mikoto watched this all in confusion, not understanding why Naruto was riling Sasuke up so much.
'Did you enjoy the show, Mikoto? Hopefully he won't keep moping about now. Let's go back to the lab now… actually… you can stay and watch Sasuke for a bit and I'll come back to get you after I get some ramen. All that yelling made me hungry.' Said Naruto, before leaving Mikoto to watch over her son.
-line break-
'Hiruzen, I'm telling you that something is not right here. You've left the Jinchuuriki on his own too much and he has barely been seen recently. For all we know, a spy has already captured him and wrested the Kyuubi from our grasp.' Said Danzo, a withered old man covered in bandages.
'Danzo, you are being overly paranoid. True, Naruto has been less active around the village, but he has not been absent. For that matter, considering how he is treated, can you truly blame him for seeking solitude?' Retorted Hiruzen Sarutobi, another old man, wearing a white robe.
To the uninformed, this was simply two old men having a disagreement. For those that knew of the power and positions they held, this meeting was of immense importance. At that moment, Hiruzen's globe glowed slightly, causing him to channel chakra into it and cause an image to appear.
'See, he is getting ramen in the village as we speak. Danzo, Naruto is not a prisoner, he is allowed to move around as he wants, he hasn't even started shinobi training yet.' Said Hiruzen.
'One of your greatest mistakes to date. As soon as he could walk, he should have been given training, to become the greatest ninja in this village and harness the power within him. You are too soft, Sarutobi.' Said Danzo, with a hint of disdain seeping into his tone.
'Yet we are currently enjoying peace as a result of my actions. Danzo, there is a time and place for militaristic ideas and that is during war. During peace time, there needs to be more understanding. Let kids be kids for a change.' Said Hiruzen.
'That is what you don't understand, this is not peace, this is the prelude to war. Cloud is always training up their forces, to the point that a few years ago, they overtook us in the number of Jounin we possess.' Said Danzo.
'Quality is always better than quantity, Danzo.' Said Hiruzen.
'True, but both wins a war. Watch over that one, Hiruzen, otherwise the tree will rot.' Said Danzo, before leaving his superior, in only title as far as he was concerned.
-line break-
Naruto was eating his ramen with gusto, enjoying the treat after such a long time away.
'How are you today, Lord Hokage?' Greeted Teuchi, causing Naruto to momentarily pause in his noodle slurping, only to finish his mouthful and turn around.
'Old man!' Exclaimed Naruto, as he turned around to face the leader of the village.
'Hello Naruto, nice to see you again. I'm well Teuchi, but I wouldn't mind a bowl of shrimp ramen.' Said the Hokage, as he walked into the stand and seated himself next to Naruto.
'Of course, no trouble at all.' Said Teuchi, before disappearing into the back of the small stand.
'How have you been Naruto? It has been some time since I've seen you.' Said the Hokage.
'Yeah, I've been training in secret. Just you wait, a few more years and that hat is mine.' Said Naruto sagely.
Hiruzen laughed at this in amusement.
'What happened to being able to take that hat from me now? Have you lost faith in your abilities, Naruto?' Asked Hiruzen.
'Of course not! Someone as awesome as me never loses faith in themselves… it's just, well, I was doing some thinking and I don't really have that much in my favour, you know? All of those kids from clans have special training but I don't really have anything like that. I've been trying to find something I could work on by myself but… well, it's hard.' Griped Naruto, before dipping his head back down and aggressively slurping his noodles.
'Hmm, I didn't know you were so frustrated, Naruto. True, children born into clans have their childhood brought to an early end, in order to receive training, but there is nothing wrong with enjoying your youth, Naruto.' Said Hiruzen.
'Well yeah, sure, I mean, it is fun playing pranks here and there, but I feel like I'm starting to fall behind. If there is one thing that can be said about Naruto Uzumaki, it is that he will never fall behind. I'm not going to settle for finishing the race, if it means I come dead last. I'm going to be the greatest… I just don't really have any way to get there now… but just you wait old man! Once I figure out a plan, I'm going to be the strongest in the village!' Declared Naruto.
Sarutobi pondered on Naruto's words and then reflected on what he and Danzo had been discussing earlier. In retrospect, it was somewhat suspicious for things to line up like this. Hiruzen didn't believe in coincidence and it had served him well in the past. Was there a possibility that Danzo had gotten to Naruto? Highly unlikely. Was this a good opportunity to try and kill two birds with one stone? Yes.
'Naruto, just what kind of training would you be interested in? Hypothetically, of course.' Started Hiruzen, missing the small gleam in Naruto's eye.
'Well… I mean, I like gardening and ramen, so I was thinking about if someone messed with my ramen one day, I could make a plant or something to fix it. You know, those things that get rid of bad stuff.' Started Naruto.
'You mean poisons and antidotes?' Queried Hiruzen in curiosity, when Naruto didn't jump straight for big, flashy, explosive jutsu, as he had come to expect from the blond boy.
'Yeah, those things. Then I was thinking about what would happen if someone did manage to mess with my ramen and how to fix myself up. Like if something goes into my ramen that makes me start bleeding or something and how I'd fix that.' Continued Naruto, before taking a moment to slurp another mouthful of noddles.
'Hmm, so would you say you have an interest in medical Ninjutsu, Naruto?' Inquired Hiruzen, knowing that it would never be a big thing for Naruto, with the Kyuubi healing him from all injuries.
'Maybe a little. I mean, you told me the Hokage is the strongest, so that means I need to be able to look after people who get hurt, right? I'm more interested in the ramen thing though.' Said Naruto thoughtfully, holding his chopsticks under his chin in thought.
'Well, Naruto, would you liked to enter the Academy this coming year then? It would give you the opportunity to learn about those things and much more, as well as make some friends with your classmates.' Said Hiruzen.
'Really? That sounds great... but I really want something to do now. I'm getting kind of bored these days gramps, there is no one to play with.' Said Naruto, scrunching up his face in annoyance.
'In that case, would you like for me to arrange for a tutor or two for you? Just for the next few months, before the new year of the Academy starts.' Offered Hiruzen, only to see Naruto beam at him.
'Really gramps? That'd be awesome!' Said Naruto, getting an amused laugh from Hiruzen.
'In that case, I'll make the arrangements for it, right after I eat my ramen of course. Thank you Teuchi.' Said Hiruzen, as his ramen was brought to him, missing Naruto's subtle grin.
-line break-
Naruto parted from the Hokage after his meal was finished and made his way back to the Uchiha compound. When he arrived, he quickly made his way back to the former residence of Mikoto Uchiha, the current residence of the last Uchiha in the village that was alive, or at least had a body and somewhat sound mind, Sasuke Uchiha. Naruto looked around the house and found nothing, puzzling him.
'I wonder if he actually went off to do something productive?' Pondered Naruto aloud, before wandering through the compound, trying find either the elusive flicker of Mikoto's soul, or the figure of her youngest son.
It was a good hour later, when Naruto finally tracked down Sasuke and Mikoto. Sasuke was in the woods training his shuriken throwing skills, while Mikoto was watching on, just out of his view.
'Well, at least you're finally doing something productive.' Commented Naruto, as he walked towards the Uchiha.
'Why are you following me? Who the hell are you anyway?' Asked Sasuke defensively, holding a few shuriken between his fingers.
'Hey! Is that anyway to talk to someone who is on your side and wants to help you?' Said Naruto hotly, confusing the boy in front of him.
'Help? I don't even know who you are weirdo!' Ranted Sasuke.
'But I know who you are, Sasuke Uchiha, son of Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, brother of Itachi Uchiha.' Said Naruto, only for Sasuke to fling a shuriken at Naruto, causing him to leap away.
'Don't say his name!' Growled Sasuke.
'Why? Don't tell me you hate him or something lame like that?' Asked Naruto, cleaning his ear in boredom.
'Of course I do, he killed my clan!' Roared Sasuke, throwing another shuriken at Naruto, who rolled away to the left this time.
'What about the village, huh?' Queried Naruto.
'The village? What does that have to do with anything?' Asked Sasuke.
'Everything!' Roared Naruto, causing Sasuke to recoil and take a step back.
'Itachi didn't kill your clan for fun. Your clan was planning to overthrow the Hokage. The village found out about it and decided to stop the problem, before it could develop into anything they couldn't handle.' Said Naruto.
'You're lying!' Roared Sasuke, throwing all the shuriken he had left at Naruto.
Naruto pulled out four ordinary looking knives and threw them at the shuriken, deflecting them all away from him. They thudded into the ground with a harsh thud, but the two boys ignored the sound completely, staring off at each other.
'What do I gain by lying? Besides, this isn't the first time the Leaf would have done something like this.' Said Naruto, causing Sasuke to narrow his eyes.
'What are you talking about?' Asked Sasuke, now much calmer.
'My clan was betrayed by the Leaf as well. They didn't raise a single finger against us, no, they tricked us into thinking we were allies, then sold us out to the Cloud, Mist and Rock villages and let them destroy us instead.' Said Naruto.
'And how would you know that? If your clan was destroyed like you say, then no one should have been able to tell you about this.' Contested Sasuke, causing Naruto to smirk.
'You're right! However, I found an old shrine outside the village and because of that, I was able to meet a ghost of my clan and they told me their story. I was able to figure it out from there. This village always tries to look like the good guys in the story, but they are actually rotten at their core. Every person who breathes in this village, is complicit in the destruction of both our clans. They didn't do anything, sure, but they didn't stop it either. To a victim, the person who stands by and does nothing, is just as bad as the attacker. You and I, we are victims, victims of the Leaf and their lies, but it doesn't have to be like that.' Said Naruto, extending his hand out to Sasuke.
'Together, we can get our revenge. I don't expect you to trust me and I don't trust you either, but at the very least, we can grow stronger together and then go on our own paths. After all, who else will push your Sharingan to the limits.' Said Naruto.
'I don't have a Sharingan yet.' Said Sasuke, causing Naruto to tilt his head to the side and adopt a confused expression.
'What are you talking about, I saw you activate it yesterday when Itachi chased you down?' Replied Naruto.
It was Sasuke's turn to adopt a look of confusion now, as he had no idea what Naruto was talking about.
'Well, in that case, maybe if I show you mine, I can get yours back.' Said Naruto.
'What are you talking about, you're not an… Uchiha…' Said Sasuke, trailing off, as two red eyes, with a single marking around the pupil, stared him down.
'Now, then, Sasuke Uchiha, prepare yourself, or I will kill you right now. You know too much already, so either join me or die.' Said Naruto, before rushing Sasuke.
Sasuke raised his arms in a block, preparing to endure the punch Naruto threw at his midsection, only for Naruto to sweep his legs. Sasuke then took a brutal kick to his ribs, which flung him far away. Rolling along the ground a few times, Sasuke eventually bounced up and rushed Naruto. A left cross and right jab were child's play for Naruto, his immature Sharingan enabling him to easily predict the trajectories of the two, admittedly fast, attacks. Naruto elbowed Sasuke in the gut and followed it up with an uppercut, causing Sasuke to leap backwards and go throw a multitude of hand signs.
'Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.' Said Sasuke, launching a wave of fire at Naruto.
The blond quickly jumped away from the attack, only for Sasuke to suddenly appear in front of him and nail him with a kick to the ribs. Naruto used the kick's momentum, to create some distance from Sasuke with a big leap, before pulling out two knives. Naruto rushed Sasuke, before throwing the knife in his right hand at Sasuke. Sasuke leapt to the left, putting him straight in the path of Naruto's other knife, which he had thrown when Sasuke had been distracted. The knife cut his cheek and caused him to flinch.
'Now you get it, this isn't a game! If you don't put up a fight, you're going to die here, alone, in the woods, with no one even knowing it.' Said Naruto, before pulling out another knife and charging at Sasuke.
Sasuke desperately dodged the knife, avoiding the jabs towards his vitals. A momentary lapse in judgement, led to Sasuke getting a small cut on his right forearm, causing him to flinch. Sasuke's flinch led to Naruto bringing the knife straight towards his face.
'Die!' Shouted Naruto.
Instead of closing his eyes, as most people would have done in this scenario, Sasuke's eyes remained glued to the knife. He saw it move towards him in almost slow motion. Sasuke ducked as fast as he could, before jamming an elbow into Naruto's ribs and causing him to drop the knife, before following up with a kick to the gut, which pushed him away.
'About time you remembered how to activate them.' Commented Naruto, with a small cough, as he stood up.
Sasuke blinked in confusion, before realising his perception was much sharper. The leaves rustling in the trees were almost impossible to ignore. The five birds flying overhead seemed to move in slow motion. However, the boy in front of him, provided the greatest shock.
'Who are you?' Stammered Sasuke in shock, seeing the oppressive mass of chakra standing in front of him.
'I can be your greatest ally, or your executioner. My name is Naruto Uzumaki. Now, will you join me; avenge your clan and become a force to be reckoned with, who strikes fear in the hearts of shinobi everywhere, or do you intend to die here in this forest, alone and forgotten?' Said Naruto, extending his hand out towards Sasuke.
Sasuke watched the hand near him with heightened perception. There was no deceit there, no flicker of muscle to indicate it was all a setup of some sort. Sasuke stared at the hand, watching as chakra surged off it, even now, before slowly reaching forward for it.
'I'm glad you accepted. It would have been hard to explain to Mikoto and Itachi that I had killed you.' Said Naruto, giving a sly grin.
'I want answers.' Demanded Sasuke.
'And you'll get them, but first, you need to do something from me.' Said Naruto.
'What?' Asked Sasuke, narrowing his Sharingan on Naruto.
'Relax, nothing dangerous, I just want to see the Uchiha Clan records for every birth and death within the clan. I don't have a Sharingan as well by luck after all and I want to know how I got it.' Said Naruto.
'So you are an Uchiha?' Queried Sasuke, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
'Let's go find out.' Said Naruto.