The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training ground as Izuna stood silently, contemplating the monumental changes he had orchestrated in Konoha. The air was still, and a sense of accomplishment washed over him. He had achieved two of his most crucial objectives: ensuring that the Uchiha incident would not occur and that Naruto would grow into the strong, capable leader he was meant to be.
Now, as Izuna stood in the fading light, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Naruto was blossoming under his tutelage, gaining strength and skills that would one day make him a formidable shinobi. The bond forming between Naruto and Sasuke was another promising sign—two powerful forces united by friendship and mutual respect.
But as he felt the warmth of accomplishment, a darker thought crept into his mind. There was still a grave threat looming on the horizon: Nagato and his Rinnegan. The potential for destruction that lay in the hands of the former Akatsuki leader was something that Izuna could not ignore.
"I need to find him," he muttered to himself, pushing away from the tree. "I have to destroy that Rinnegan before it attracts the Otsutsuki."
Izuna knew that Nagato was not just a powerful shinobi; he was a weapon capable of summoning Gedo statue, the progenitor of chakra itself. If the Otsutsuki were alerted to Kaguya's resurrection, they would descend upon the planet like vultures, and the world would fall into chaos.
He had come to a startling conclusion about the plans of the Black Zetsu and the Akatsuki: everything revolved around the Rinnegan. The powerful dojutsu was not merely a tool for destruction; it was a key to the revival of Kaguya and, by extension, the resurrection of the Otsutsuki clan's influence on Earth.
"With the Rinnegan destroyed," he mused aloud to himself, "the path to Kaguya's return would be blocked. Without the Uchiha and Senju bloodlines, there's no chance of forging another Rinnegan. And that would be a significant blow to the plans of the Black Zetsu."
Izuna's thoughts drifted to the current state of the Senju clan. Once a proud and powerful lineage, it was now teetering on the brink of extinction, with only Tsunade Senju remaining. The prospect of her choosing not to procreate was a reality he had come to accept. If she chose not to continue the bloodline, the Senju legacy would end with her.
He felt a sense of urgency in his mission to eliminate Nagato and destroy the Rinnegan, but there was a heaviness in his heart that he couldn't shake off.
"I can't leave Naruto alone," he muttered to himself, glancing back toward Konoha, the village that had become his second home. "He's come to see me as a father figure, and I can't bear the thought of abandoning him."
Naruto was still young, only seven years old, and Izuna had watched him grow, trained him, and shared countless moments of joy and laughter. The bond they had forged was something special, and Izuna couldn't help but feel responsible for the boy's well-being. He could feel the way Naruto had looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, trusting him implicitly.
"If I leave now, what will happen to him?" Izuna thought, his heart heavy with worry. "He's finally beginning to find his place in the world, and I can't disrupt that."
Konoha flourished under the soft rays of the sun, its streets bustling with life. Amidst the laughter and chatter of villagers, a quiet figure observed from the shadows—a man known to most as a simple civilian, but to a select few, as a legendary warrior. Izuna had chosen to remain in Konoha, keeping a low profile while nurturing the future of its shinobi.
In the modest apartment he shared with Naruto, Izuna found solace on the small balcony, a place where he often indulged in his favorite pastime: smoking. The fragrant tendrils of smoke danced in the air as he leaned against the railing, gazing out at the vibrant village below.
"I'll have to make this a proper garden soon," he murmured to himself, watching as Naruto tended to his vegetable garden on the roof. The boy had a green thumb, nurturing everything from tomatoes to herbs, filling their home with a sense of warmth and life.
Naruto glanced up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Izuna! Want to help?" he called out, grinning widely, his enthusiasm infectious.
"Maybe later," Izuna replied, a smile breaking through his typically stoic demeanor.
While Naruto immersed himself in his gardening, Izuna's thoughts drifted to the training sessions he had conducted with young shinobi in secret. Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, and occasionally Shisui had been training diligently under his watchful eye. They met in secluded spots, away from prying eyes, honing their skills without drawing attention.
Izuna was determined to prepare them for the challenges that lay ahead. He focused on not just physical training but also on strategy, emphasizing the importance of mental fortitude.
Itachi, ever the diligent student, nodded in agreement. "I want to protect the village," he stated, determination shining in his eyes.
Sasuke, though younger, echoed his brother's sentiment. "Me too! I want to be strong, just like you, Ni-san!"
As they trained, he shared snippets of his own past, tales of battles fought and alliances forged.
"There was a time," he began, sitting cross-legged on the ground as they took a break, "when I fought against powerful foes, not for glory, but to protect those I loved. Sometimes, the greatest strength lies in your resolve to fight for others."
Sasuke listened intently, his youthful ambition igniting further. "I want to be like that! I want to protect the Uchiha!"
"And I will protect Konoha," Itachi added, his voice steady.
Izuna nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And you will. With hard work and determination, you will surpass all expectations."
Izuna stood at the edge of Konoha, gazing at the horizon where the village met the vast world beyond. He could feel the pulse of the world, the vibrant life that existed outside the walls of his home. It was a world that he wanted Naruto to experience—a world that held wonders, challenges, and lessons beyond the confines of their village.
"Hey, Naruto!" he called, summoning the boy who was busy tending to his garden. "I have an idea!"
Naruto looked up, his face lighting up with curiosity. "What is it, Izuna?"
"I want to take you on a trip—beyond Konoha," Izuna explained, his eyes glimmering with excitement. "I think it's time you saw what lies beyond our village. There's so much more to the world than this place."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Like where? Can we go to the ramen shop in the capital?"
"Exactly!" Izuna chuckled, pleased by Naruto's enthusiasm. "We'll go to the Fire Capital, where you can see the sights, meet new people, and enjoy a little freedom from the prejudices you face here."
As Naruto's excitement bubbled over, Izuna felt a mix of joy and apprehension. He knew that exposing Naruto to the world was essential for his growth, but he also understood the dangers that lurked beyond Konoha.
Before making any plans, Izuna approached Hiruzen. The Hokage sat in his office, the weight of the village's problems etched into the lines of his face. When Izuna laid out his proposal, Hiruzen listened intently.
"I believe it's important for Naruto to experience the world," Izuna stated, "but I also want to ensure his safety. I'll take him to the Fire Capital, but I think it would be wise to have backup."
Hiruzen nodded, understanding the implications of such a journey. "I agree. It's vital that Naruto is protected, especially since there are still those who would see him as a target. To appease the clan heads and elders, I'll suggest taking a genin team to accompany you. How does that sound?"
Izuna smiled, relieved that Hiruzen shared his concerns. "That works for me. I'll make sure Naruto is ready for the journey."
Over the next few days, excitement filled the air as preparations for the trip began. Naruto could hardly contain his eagerness, bouncing around the apartment with wide-eyed anticipation.
"Can we leave today? Can we?!" he exclaimed one morning, practically vibrating with energy.
"Calm down, Naruto!" Izuna laughed, ruffling the boy's hair. "We need to make sure everything is in place first. We'll leave soon, I promise."
As the sun rose high in the sky, Izuna and Naruto made their way to the Hokage's office to meet their team. The anticipation was palpable. When they arrived, Kenji Nagashi was already there, a seasoned Jonin known for his tracking skills. He greeted Izuna with a nod.
"Izuna-san," Kenji said, a smile breaking his usually serious demeanor. "Good to see you. Ready for this little adventure?"
"Absolutely," Izuna replied, glancing down at Naruto, who was bouncing on his toes with excitement. "Naruto's ready to see the world outside Konoha."
"Is that so?" Kenji knelt to Naruto's level. "You're going to see the Fire Capital, huh? It's a beautiful place. You'll meet all sorts of people there."
"I can't wait!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. "I want to see everything!"
"Let's get everyone together, then," Kenji said, rising. He clapped his hands to gather attention. "Team, let's assemble!"
As the other members of the team arrived, Naruto took a moment to observe them. They were all eleven years old, brimming with a mix of excitement and nervousness. First was Aiko Aburame, who wore her signature sunglasses and carried herself with a calm confidence. Next was Riku Inuzuka, who had a mischievous grin plastered on his face, his dog, a loyal ninken, trailing close behind. Lastly, there was Kira Hayashi, a civilian-born girl who radiated determination despite her shyness.
"For this mission, our goal is to escort a Izuna-san and Naruto Uzumaki to Fire capital. The road to Fire capital was targeted by bandits, so we'll need to stay sharp. Our job is to ensure they makes it safely to their destination."
"Got it!" Riku said, his excitement barely contained. "I can sniff out danger before it even gets close!"
"And I'll use my bugs to scout the area," Aiko added, her demeanor calm and collected.
Kira took a deep breath, finding her voice. "I'll do my best to help!"
"Before we head out, let's make sure we're all ready," Kenji instructed. "We'll take a few moments to gather our supplies and gear. Once we're set, we'll leave for the Fire Capital."
As they organized their packs, Naruto's energy was contagious. He buzzed with excitement, sharing stories of his dream to become Hokage with the other Genin. "I'll be the strongest! Everyone will know my name!"
Aiko smiled slightly, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. "With that attitude, I believe you'll get there."
Once they were fully equipped, Kenji led the group outside the village gates, and they began their journey toward the Fire Capital. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the landscape. As they walked, Izuna fell into step beside Kenji, discussing their approach to the mission.
"Have you heard any updates about the bandit threats?" Izuna asked, keeping his voice low enough for only Kenji to hear.
"Nothing concrete," Kenji replied, his expression serious. "But we need to remain vigilant. The merchant has valuable herbs, and bandits will do anything to get their hands on them."
Izuna nodded, his mind racing with strategies. He was determined to ensure that Naruto and the other children remained safe during their journey. As they continued to walk, he observed Naruto interacting with the others, laughing and sharing stories about his dreams.
As they walked, Izuna couldn't help but think about how far Naruto had come. The village had changed its perception of him, and he was finally starting to feel accepted among his peers.
A short while later, they reached the outskirts of Konoha, where the path to the Fire Capital lay ahead. The group paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the landscape before them.
"Once we reach the capital, you'll see a world full of possibilities," Izuna said, his voice filled with excitement. "You'll meet people from different backgrounds and see how they live. It's a big step for you, Naruto."
"Yeah!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes wide with anticipation. "I can't wait to see everything!"
As they set off toward the Fire Capital, the group forged ahead, unaware of the challenges that lay ahead but fueled by their dreams and aspirations. This journey was just the beginning, and together, they would face whatever came their way.
Author's Note:
Enjoying the story?
Consider joining my to get early access to more chapters and exclusive fanfictions! Even as a free member you will get one extra chapter and you'll receive early access to chapters before they're posted elsewhere and various other fanfictions.Your support helps me create more content for you to enjoy!
Join here: (dot)com(slash)Beuwulf