Chapter 11: The Mask Comes Off or Forged in Shadows
Two years had passed since that fateful day Kakashi and Anko had tossed him into the Forest of Death. The memory flickered in his mind like a bright light, reminding him of how far he'd come and how much he'd changed.
As Naruto leapt gracefully through the treetops, the vibrant greens and browns of the forest enveloping him, he was suddenly transported back to that moment two years ago.
Naruto remembered every detail as if it were carved into his mind--the dark, towering trees casting long shadows over the uneven ground, the thick, musty scent of damp earth and rot filling his nose. He'd looked up, uncertain, and found only cool, unreadable expressions staring back at him.
"Here," Kakashi had said, his voice calm, almost bored, as though he were commenting on the weather rather than informing a five-year-old he'd be left alone in one of the most dangerous places in Konoha. "All your training will take place here."
Naruto had tried to hide his unease, but he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Here? All of it?" He remembered the way his voice had sounded--small, uncertain.
Kakashi had nodded, looking down at him with that one lazy, unblinking eye. "You'll learn to survive, and you'll do it well," he'd said, his tone gentle but unyielding. "Out here, you'll find out what you're really made of, Naruto. The forest will teach you more than we ever could." Kakashi had paused, holding Naruto's gaze, as though he wanted to make sure the words sank in. "Every day will be a new lesson, every moment a new test. You can't rely on anyone but yourself here. Understand?"
Naruto had swallowed, glancing past Kakashi's shoulder to the thick, foreboding shadows. He'd felt a prickle of fear creeping in, but before he could process it, Anko had stepped forward, her expression sharp, almost wild, as if daring him to back down.
"Look, kid," Anko had said, crossing her arms and letting out a humorless chuckle, "this isn't some walk in the park. This place will chew you up and spit you out if you let it. So don't let it." Her voice had been harsh, blunt, and each word felt like a small, biting sting. "You don't just walk through here and hope to get stronger. You fight for it, tooth and nail. Embrace the wildness within you. Let it fuel you. If you want to stand on your own two feet, you'll have to earn it every single day."
Naruto had nodded, trying to look braver than he felt. But he could still feel Anko's eyes on him, watching, searching for any flicker of doubt.
"Oh, and one more thing," Anko had added, her lips curling into a wicked grin. "Don't you dare back down, you hear me? If you want to make it through this, you'll have to face what's out there--and what's in here." She'd tapped her chest, a gesture he understood even then.
She wasn't just talking about the monsters in the forest; she was talking about the monster in him, the one he'd only started to understand.
As he moved now through the treetops, that memory clung to him like a shadow. He could still hear their words echoing, pushing him forward, reminding him of where he'd started and how far he'd come.
He recalled Kakashi's voice, steady and almost dismissive, echoing in his thoughts: "Survive. No excuses, no shortcuts."
The words had hit him like a stone, cold and blunt, lacking any hint of sympathy. Back then, those words had felt impossible, like a weight too heavy to carry. Yet now, they resonated with a stark, undeniable truth. He was a survivor--and he had learned to carry that weight alone.
And then there was Anko, her eyes sharp and wild, lips curled in a mocking grin as she'd leaned down to his level. "Listen up, gaki," she'd sneered, her tone dripping with challenge. "Out here, you're nothing unless you can claw your way up. You get that? You want to be more than a dead kid lost in these woods? Then you'd better be ready to bleed for it."
He'd nodded back then, swallowing the lump of fear lodged in his throat. But her words had cut deeper than any blade, striking something raw inside him.
"And don't expect us to bail you out," Anko had continued, her voice laced with a biting edge. "You're on your own, so get used to it. Grow up fast, or get eaten. Simple as that." Her eyes had flicked over him, daring him to flinch, to show any hint of weakness.
Now, two years later, as he moved through the treetops, those words felt like a fire burning at his back, spurring him forward.
He'd taken them to heart, let them fuel him through the long, cold nights and endless days of training. He was no longer the kid they'd left on the edge of the forest, eyes wide with fear. He was something sharper, something fiercer. And for the first time, he knew that was exactly what they'd wanted him to become.
They wanted him to understand that strength came not just from power, but from embracing every part of himself--even the parts that scared him.
In that moment, as he soared through the canopy, the warmth of his golden chakra crackling around him, he realized that those lessons had become a part of him.
He wasn't just surviving anymore; he was thriving. The past two years had forged him into something tougher, sharper--a presence able to face whatever waited beyond the next tree or shadow.
The Forest of Death had become his teacher, shaping him through countless trials, and with each challenge he'd met, the boy he'd once been faded further into memory. Now, he moved with purpose, with confidence, no longer the same frightened kid they'd tossed into the forest.
"You'll learn to survive, and you'll do it well," Kakashi's voice echoed in his thoughts, cool and unyielding. Those words had once terrified him. Now, they were a promise fulfilled.
Kakashi's words came back to him like a mantra, but they were only part of the lesson. He could almost hear him continue, that lazy drawl accompanied by the soft rustle of pages turning: "Survival isn't just about staying alive, Naruto. It's about learning to adapt. You have to become part of your environment, use it to your advantage. Every branch, every shadow can be your ally or your enemy. You have to decide."
Naruto remembered the way Kakashi had gestured towards the canopy, his expression serious beneath that ever-present mask. "This training isn't just to toughen you up physically. It's about sharpening your instincts, making your mind as quick as your feet. You'll face challenges that seem impossible, and each time, I want you to think: how can I turn this to my favor? You need to be quicker, smarter, and sometimes, a little sneaky."
Those words stirred something deep inside him, a burning determination to prove himself. He could hear Kakashi adding, "Trust in your abilities, Naruto. And remember, the greatest power you have is not just your chakra--it's your heart. Use that to fuel your strength, and you'll be unstoppable."
As he maneuvered through the treetops, he felt the electric pulse of his golden chakra igniting around him, a powerful reminder of the lessons learned in that daunting forest.
He could hear Anko's teasing laugh ringing in his ears, though it carried a sharper edge than usual, urging him to embrace the wildness within. "Listen up, gaki," she would snap, her voice commanding and fierce. "You're not just some cute little kid out here. You've got fire in you, and if you don't learn to unleash it, you'll get swallowed whole! When you're in this forest, it's not about surviving; it's about dominating your space. Be bold! Make this place your battlefield. Every rustle in the leaves? That's a challenge. Every shadow? A chance to prove yourself."
Naruto could almost see her, standing tall with her arms crossed, a fierce glare piercing through the dense canopy. "I want you to feel the thrill of the hunt. Find your targets and pounce! Whether it's a training dummy or a rogue shinobi, hesitation will get you killed. Trust your instincts and let your chakra flow freely. If you make mistakes, you better learn from them, because out here, there's no room for weakness! You're training to be a shinobi, not some soft-hearted saint."
With her words, the weight of expectation crashed down on him like a tidal wave, but instead of fear, it ignited a fierce determination within him. Anko's voice was a relentless reminder that in this unforgiving wilderness, he had to fight to survive--and more importantly, to thrive.
The golden energy crackled to life, wrapping around him like a storm, a testament to everything he had become. Look at me now, he thought, determination flooding through him. I survived! I thrived!
With a grin stretching across his face, Naruto prepared to demonstrate all that he had learned, ready to prove to Kakashi and Anko that he was no longer the scared child they had tossed into the forest two years ago.
Surviving was all he knew now. The twisted trees and knotted roots had gone from being obstacles to becoming familiar markers. He'd learned how to move like the animals that watched him from the shadows, to keep his steps soft, his eyes sharp.
The forest smelled like rot and mud, thick and heavy in the air. At first, it made him feel sick, the smell of blood and dead things clinging to his clothes, to his skin.
But now? Now, he barely noticed.
Even the quiet--the kind that prickled at the back of his neck like something was about to jump out--was almost comforting.
Out here, he knew what to expect. Out here, he knew where he stood.
His body wasn't the same, either. His arms, once small and scrawny, were lean and strong now, muscles toughened from hoisting himself up thick branches, from falling and picking himself back up over and over again.
His shoulders had broadened, his back straighter and stronger, the strength in him radiating even when he stood still.
His legs, sturdy and powerful, had grown thick from sprinting across the uneven forest floor, dodging gnarled roots and jagged rocks.
Even his hands were different--rough, scarred, and calloused from catching himself in tumbles, gripping branches, and wielding training weapons. Each small mark told the story of another challenge faced, another lesson learned in the unforgiving wild.
As Naruto's chakra flared to life, golden lightning crackled along his limbs, illuminating the scars with a fierce, electric glow. It surged and coiled around his arms like living threads, sparking with each movement, as if the energy itself could hardly be contained.
His hands, battered and scarred, pulsed with power, glowing faintly, then brightening into intense flashes that briefly lit the dark forest around him.
The air thickened, charged with raw energy as the golden aura spread, swirling around his legs and torso, filling him with a strange, exhilarating heat.
His entire form seemed to blur with the intensity, crackling with arcs of chakra that danced and snapped around him, bathing the forest floor in flickering light.
To anyone watching, he looked like a storm come to life, each step sending tiny shockwaves rippling through the ground as his chakra surged and sparked in waves. As the golden glow settled, Naruto felt more alive than he'd ever felt, every nerve tingling with the sensation of a power that was his to wield--and, for the first time, his to show.
And his face--he'd caught his reflection once in a puddle. He didn't look like he used to. His cheeks weren't as round, and his jaw looked harder, sharper. His eyes, though, were what surprised him. They looked older, like they'd seen things. He knew how to stare into shadows without blinking, how to spot movement and stay ready.
He wasn't just some kid anymore; he was something tougher, something that didn't flinch or back down.
As he leapt from branch to branch, his form a blur as he darted through the treetops, the wind rushing past him in a familiar rush of cool air and shifting shadows.
He knew every twist of bark, every sturdy branch and weak one, his feet carrying him across the dense canopy with the ease of someone who'd long since become a part of this place.
Beneath him, the shadows moved with a life of their own, but he barely spared them a glance, his focus locked on the path ahead.
Thankfully, that path was filled with more than the relentless drills and brutal lessons his senseis Kakashi and Anko continually threw at him.
It wasn't only about survival or becoming stronger. No, there was something else, something he held onto, like a secret ember that warmed him on the coldest nights.
There was Kazue--the one presence he might actually consider a friend, though the word was strange, something he barely dared to think about.
She was, after all, a seething mass of hatred and chakra sealed inside his belly, a creature bound to him by his parents. And wasn't that a crazy thing to admit? That his own blood had chained her there with forces he could barely begin to understand.
A monster, most would say, brimming with contempt and a temper sharp enough to send any other person running.
He lunged forward, his body twisting mid-air as he landed on another branch, the rough bark pressing against his calloused fingers before he pushed off again.
The forest blurred around him, but Kazue's voice was steady, whispering in the back of his mind, sometimes sharp as a kunai, sometimes curling around his thoughts like smoke.
She was quick to taunt, quicker to criticize, yet in those rare, almost unintentional moments, there was something different--a strange, twisted sort of support, as though her barbs hid a sliver of reluctant affection.
Naruto's body moved on instinct, leaping between trees with a silent agility he barely thought about anymore, his mind half-drifting to the warm, relentless thrum of Kazue's chakra.
It was woven into his own now, as constant as the beat of his heart--a reminder that no matter how much he felt alone, he wasn't. Not really. Kazue would scoff at the thought of being called a friend, of course, but the truth remained.
When the world grew cold and the weight of survival pressed down like stone, there was something oddly comforting about her presence. She was fierce, unyielding, and far from kind, yet still there in his darkest hours, simmering within him, a strength that was his and hers both.
With a final push, Naruto dropped down, landing silently on the forest floor, golden chakra sparking faintly around his limbs as he straightened.
The quiet stretched around him, thick with the weight of trees and the distant rustle of leaves, but Kazue's presence thrummed steadily, grounding him in a way he couldn't quite explain, fierce and unbreakable.
Her voice was always there, even in the darkest moments when his muscles burned and his breath came in quick, ragged gasps. It was like a cool breeze cutting through the heavy fog of exhaustion. She whispered to him, sharp and clear, slicing through the weariness that threatened to drag him down.
Kazue taught him about the golden chakra that pulsed through his veins, explaining that it wasn't just energy--it was something ancient and powerful. It had been there all along, waiting for him to find it, to tap into it. And when he finally did, it felt like a part of him was awakening, igniting a fire inside that made him feel invincible.
Kazue had tried explaining it a few times, saying the golden chakra was more than just power--it was mana, something ancient and alive, connecting everything. He didn't totally get it, but he understood the basics: it wasn't like regular chakra. This was different. And so was he.
The part that mattered? It fed off his feelings. He'd noticed it without even trying. When he was angry, the chakra would flare up, hotter and sharper, like it wanted to break free. When he was determined, it felt solid and strong, humming under his skin, ready to help him keep going. But if he was scared or unsure? The chakra seemed to dim, flickering like it was watching him, waiting for him to toughen up. It was as if the chakra was testing him, seeing if he was really ready to handle it.
Kazue was always reminding him to be careful. "It's stronger than you think," she'd whisper, her voice low and sharp, threading through his mind. He could feel it, too--a big, wild force, hiding just under the surface, like a storm he could barely keep in check. He wasn't afraid of it, exactly, but he knew it was serious, that if he lost control, the chakra would lose control, too.
And he could control it.
The golden chakra wasn't just power; it felt like a piece of himself, wild and fierce. It pulsed inside him, alive, waiting--not just to be used, but to break free. Every beat of his heart sent it racing through his body, fire and lightning rolled together, pressing at his skin, daring him to lose control.
And when he wanted something bad enough, when the need was sharp, the chakra erupted, fierce and unstoppable. It wasn't just his will that fueled it, but his want, his need. The air felt different when he let it loose, crackling around him, the golden energy surging and stretching out like waves. He could almost feel it bending the world around him, drawing everything to its heat.
With Kazue's guidance, he'd learned to pull it in, to keep it from spilling out in one wild burst. She'd shown him how to let it flow just under his skin, wrapping around his fists or covering him like armor. When he focused, he could feel its warmth under his palms, steady and warm, like a heartbeat in his hands, waiting for him to give the word.
Still, as much as he'd learned to control it, there was a lot about it he didn't understand. Where had it come from? Why did it listen to him, respond like it knew him? He felt its pull, like it wanted him to know more, to understand it better.
Naruto took a steadying breath, feeling the golden chakra hum beneath his skin, then pushed off from the ground and started moving again, leaping up into the treetops. Each jump sent sparks flickering around him, like tiny golden stars trailing his path.
He moved smoothly, each branch bending under his weight and springing back as he leapt to the next. The forest blurred around him, branches whipping by as he propelled himself forward, the chakra in him blazing with excitement, pushing him to go faster, higher.
In the air, he could feel it thrumming inside him, alive and pulsing, the force of it almost lifting him like he could fly. It was exhilarating and terrifying, like holding a storm in his hands.
The wind whipped at his face, but he hardly noticed; he was too focused on the feeling, the raw power flowing through him, knowing that at any moment, he could let it explode outward. He was no longer just a boy leaping through the treetops--he was a force of nature, unstoppable and untamed.
Naruto flew through the treetops, tendrils of yellow lightning trailing behind him, casting sharp bursts of light across the dense canopy below.
"Today's the day!" he shouted, a wide grin breaking across his face as he ducked a low-hanging branch, feeling the familiar thrill of dodging the forest's endless obstacles.
Today's my birthday! he shouted in his mind, a thrill of excitement racing through him.
Keep it down! Kazue's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and annoyed, echoing from her sealed space. Your baby-faced screeching is making my ears hurt!
Whatever, he replied, though he did lower his voice. Not even your attitude can ruin this day for me. I'm seven, and this is the last day I'm stuck in this forest.
Kazue snorted, and he could almost sense the exasperated roll of her eyes at his antics, but he didn't care. Today was his day, and he was determined to celebrate it--no matter how much she complained.
As he rocketed off another thick branch, Kazue's voice pierced the air with a question that had weighed heavily on her heart for months. So tell me, oh wise seven-year-old, what face will you show the world now?
That was actually a good question, one that made him pause in mid-leap. The last time he had spent any real time around other people, he had come off as nothing more than an angry toddler. His loud outbursts and defiant attitude had only served to push everyone away, making it all too easy for them to see him as just a nuisance.
But now, at seven, he felt transformed. As he swung from another branch, he recalled the time he'd spent in the forest, where he'd observed the interactions between the various ninjas who unknowingly crossed his path. He took note of how they carried themselves, absorbing their expressions and the subtle nuances of their words. Each encounter had been a lesson, showing him that there was more to being strong than just shouting or throwing punches.
This time, he wanted to reveal something entirely different--something deeper than the pain that had shadowed him for so long. He wanted to show them strength, confidence, and, at the very least, a surface-level smile. And maybe, just maybe, a little something extra, he thought, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes, ready to shine.
Having seen the answer in Naruto's thoughts, Kazue snorted, but otherwise remained silent.
Really* he thought, amused. Has my astonishing power rendered you speechless?
A low chuckle echoed in his mind, the voice dark and mocking. Hardly, Kit. I see no reason to celebrate your newfound level of mediocrity.
Naruto just laughed, unfazed by her taunt. Whatever, you overgrown fox. You just don't want to admit it--I took this forest and bent it over my knee. I won, and I'm stronger than ever!
The voice scoffed. Stronger than ever? Considering how weak you were, to begin with, your current strength makes me yawn.
They both knew she was lying. By anyone's standards, Naruto, even without the aid of the Kyūbi, was a powerhouse all by himself. He'd spent years pushing himself to the brink, honing every ounce of his own strength, until his chakra roared through him like a second heartbeat.
If a passing Hyūga happened to catch a glimpse of him, his chakra would blaze in their sight like a second sun, bright and intense, radiating with a strength that no one else at his age could claim.
Naruto pushed off another branch, lightning crackling around him as he gathered speed. Keep talking, Kazue. We both know you're impressed. He landed hard on a thick branch, crouched low, then launched himself back up, chakra sparking out from beneath him.
He smirked. Besides, it's my birthday! I've earned the right to be boastful.
Kazue's tone turned almost… reluctantly approving, like she was fighting the urge to spit out something distasteful even though it was good for her. Maybe, she muttered, her voice softening just a fraction, almost buried under her usual sharpness.
But don't get cocky, kit. Out here, one mistake, and you're a smear on some predator's fangs.
Her warning slithered through his mind like smoke, sinking in. She didn't have to remind him of the dangers lurking in the shadows of the forest—rogue ninjas, hidden traps, and the beasts prowling just out of sight.
They both knew that a single misstep could be fatal, no matter how powerful he was becoming. Strength alone wouldn't save him from the dangers waiting in the shadows; he needed control, precision, and the kind of instinct honed only through experience.
Naruto took a steadying breath, feeling the raw energy coursing through him like an electric current, ready to surge at a moment's notice. He wasn't just a kid messing around in the woods anymore—he was something else, something dangerous, and with each day, he was getting closer to becoming the shinobi he wanted to be.
But Kazue's words lingered, grounding him. For all his power, he couldn't afford to forget the rules of survival.
Yeah, yeah, Naruto rolled his eyes, though the smile didn't leave his face. But today's different! I've survived two whole years in this hellhole, Kazue. That means something, right?
No. Not really, she replied, her tone dripping with indifference, like his words were as flimsy as mist. Surviving isn't the same as thriving and thriving isn't the same as winning. That's a lesson you would do well to learn, kit.
The casual dismissal struck him like a kunai to the chest, and his eyes widened in shock. Her words shattered his confidence so sharply that he missed the next branch entirely. With a startled yelp, he crashed forward, face-first, right into the rough bark of a tree. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs, his grip slipping as he slid down the trunk a few feet, clinging on, dazed and blinking through the sudden haze.
He could feel Kazue's laughter simmering in the back of his mind, her dark amusement curling around his own stunned silence.
In his mind, Kazue's laughter erupted, sharp and mocking. See? Proving my point already, aren't we?
Groaning, Naruto shook off the dizziness, glaring up at nothing in particular. You're supposed to be the supportive one, you know!
Kazue just chuckled, a deep, almost taunting sound. I am supporting you--by not letting you get a big head or allowing you to get complacent.
Naruto muttered under his breath, rubbing his sore forehead. Some birthday spirit you've got.
If you're looking for pity, you've picked the wrong roommate. Her tone was all amusement, the kind of mocking that Naruto knew wasn't going to stop anytime soon.
Sighing, he pulled himself back up, crouching on the branch with a determined glint in his eye. Fine, Kazue. I'll just prove you wrong. Again.
Big words, she drawled, for someone who just ate bark.
With a laugh, Naruto launched himself off the branch, racing through the trees again, each leap and burst of chakra sparking with fresh determination.
So, you actually plan on showing your guardians your Ōgon Raiton, (Golden Thunder Release)? Kazue asked turning back to a previous topic. Are you that desperate to prove yourself?
Naruto grinned, a wild gleam lighting up his eyes, the thrill of release palpable. Prove myself? No, he said, his voice steady but charged with something untamed. But I need to use this—to back up my new image. His gaze burned with conviction. Besides, I'm tired of hiding it. I'm tired of holding it all back.
He clenched his fists, the feeling of power surging through him, no longer willing to be contained. The power's been building up so much, if I don't let it out soon, I feel like I'll explode. His thoughts had a fierce edge to them, one that spoke of determination and an almost electric exhilaration.
He planted his feet, channeling chakra down into them with intensity, and the golden lightning around him crackled louder, lighting up the air with a sharp, blazing aura. Arcs of energy sparked from him, casting his face in a radiant glow as the golden light surged higher, shimmering with raw power. The air itself seemed to hum with the unleashed energy, as if responding to his will.
Naruto's eyes sparkled with defiance and excitement as he looked forward. This is me now, he declared. No more hiding. It's time they see what I'm really made of.
But just as the last word left his lips, a familiar, mocking voice slithered into his mind like smoke.
So eager to blow your cover? Kazue's voice purred, its smooth cadence dripping with amusement. And here I thought you were smarter than that.
Naruto's grin faded slightly, a flicker of annoyance passing through his eyes. He could almost see Kazue lounging in the back of his mind, a smirk tugging at his lips, always watching, always waiting with a cutting remark just when Naruto felt he was finally in control. It was infuriating—and maybe a little too familiar.
I'm not blowing my cover, Naruto shot back mentally, the words laced with defiance. I'm just changing it to better meet my needs. His tone sharpened, determined and resolute. Besides, hiding's not exactly my style.
Kazue's response was an amused chuckle, faint yet taunting, echoing in Naruto's mind as if daring him to prove his words.
Naruto's focus sharpened, his irritation giving way to a fierce energy that crackled through his limbs. He pumped more chakra into his legs, and in a burst of speed, the forest around him blurred into a mix of greens and browns, streaking past like memories he was leaving behind.
The surge of chakra felt like fire in his veins, pushing him forward, carrying him toward whatever lay ahead with unstoppable momentum.
Kazue chuckled darkly, a low, sinister sound that rolled through the sealed space like distant thunder. Fine, she drawled, her tone laced with mocking amusement. Just make sure you don't kill them by mistake. I don't care about the one-eyed welp, but I actually have a bit of a soft spot for the short female, even if she reeks of snakes all the time.
Why am I not surprised that a chakra-hate monster likes the most sadistic kunoichi in Konoha? he thought, a smirk tugging at his lips as he leapt to another branch, leaves scattering in his wake.
Because you're not nearly as stupid as most people think you are, she replied smoothly, her tone thick with a sly amusement that slid through his mind like oil, settling heavily in his thoughts.
Ignoring the slight because… what was the point, Naruto continued. Anyway, don't worry, Kazue. I'm not trying to turn anyone into charcoal… not yet anyway.
As he spoke, the trees whipped by in a blur of green and shadow, each step crackling with the raw energy he'd honed over two years of relentless training.
He could almost feel the anticipation crackling in the air, as if the forest itself sensed what was coming. His guardians wouldn't expect this, wouldn't see how he'd changed--how the forest, and Kazue, had carved something fierce out of the boy they'd left here.
Kazue's voice, always a mocking whisper in the back of his mind, softened for just a beat. Then give them a show, Kit. Show them what they created.
The grin that spread across the blonde's face was wild, electric—a mirror to the golden thunder surging beneath his skin. Today, his teachers would see him, all of him. There would be no more half-measures, no more hiding in the shadows or pulling his punches. This was his moment to show them the strength he'd kept buried.
With one last burst of chakra, he shot forward, leaving sparks in his wake as he tore through the treetops. Each leap sent a crackle of golden energy through the branches, igniting the air around him like lightning striking in the heart of a storm.
A storm was indeed gathering at the forest's edge, and he was at its eye, power radiating from him in waves that lit up the dark canopy above.
Danzo sat alone in his dimly lit office, the only sounds the scratch of his pen and the faint rustle of paper as he sifted through the endless stack before him. His fingers moved with a mechanical precision honed over decades, dark eyes narrowed in concentration as he sifted through documents on Konoha's security measures. Every now and then, his free hand tapped the desk impatiently, a subtle sign of the restlessness he kept tightly reined in.
The quiet was interrupted by a barely perceptible shift in the shadows. Without looking up, Danzo's senses flickered, already aware of the presence. A Root ANBU appeared before him in an instant, kneeling low, face hidden behind a blank mask.
"Report," Danzo commanded, his voice calm but laced with a cold authority that demanded absolute obedience.
The Root operative straightened slightly. "Danzo-sama," he began, voice clipped and steady. "We've conducted extensive searches in the surrounding forests, alleys, and abandoned compounds within the village. No trace of the Jinchuriki has been found. For the past two years, he has eluded us entirely."
Danzo's hand stilled, the pen poised mid-stroke. His jaw tightened, and a faint scowl crossed his face. "Two years," he muttered, more to himself than the operative. His eyes, sharp as steel, flicked up to meet the mask. "Hiruzen knows where the boy is," he said, his voice edged with restrained anger. "That old fool is protecting him, hiding him away even from me. Infuriating."
A flicker of memory surfaced, vivid and unbidden. He recalled the last time he had stood in Hiruzen's office, a carefully veiled exchange where Danzo had demanded answers.
"Surely, you know the boy's whereabouts," Danzo had said, voice steely, his hand resting on his cane with a deceptively casual grip. "It is our duty to keep a close watch on such an asset."
Hiruzen's expression had remained impassive, though a subtle defiance burned in his eyes. "Naruto's welfare is being handled accordingly, Danzo," he had replied, his voice leaving no room for argument. "There's no need for Root to interfere."
"You realize that's unwise, Hiruzen," Danzo had countered, his tone a thinly veiled threat. "In matters of the village's security, caution is paramount."
But Hiruzen had not yielded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Trust that I am well aware of our responsibilities." With a final, dismissive glance, he had returned to his paperwork, making it clear the conversation was over.
Danzo's gaze shifted back to the operative before him, his grip tightening on his cane as the memory faded.
"So," Danzo continued, his tone sharp and cold, "you're telling me that in all this time, not a single one of you has been able to locate him?"
The Root operative lowered his head further. "We've attempted every available method, Danzo-sama, but he appears to be well-hidden. It's as if he's vanished from the village altogether."
Danzo's mouth pressed into a thin line, his patience wearing thinner. Hiruzen's secrecy grated against his every instinct, a silent insult. He took a slow, measured breath, releasing his irritation in a deliberate exhale. "Very well. You're dismissed."
The Root operative nodded, his form melting back into the shadows with the same silent efficiency with which he had arrived, leaving Danzo alone once more with his thoughts.
Naruto landed softly on the ground, not far from where his senses told him his teachers were waiting. The golden chakra still crackled around him, making tiny, sharp sounds like popping embers.
Naruto lifted his head, half-expecting to see their jaws drop. His fingers twitched nervously at his sides, the subtle crackle of residual energy snapping in the air around him. The anticipation coiled in his chest like a spring, ready to release at the first sign of shock or awe.
After all, it wasn't every day someone showed up looking like they'd swallowed a golden lightning bolt. He braced himself for gasps or wide eyes, for any sign that they recognized the sheer impossibility of what stood before them. The silence stretched, and with it, the weight of their indifference settled in, gnawing at the edges of his confidence.
As the silence lengthened, his shoulders stiffened, and as he glanced around, his chest rose and fell with shallow breaths. The weight of their indifference pressed down on him, heavier than he had expected. When he finally looked at his teachers, he was met with… nothing. Just the same unreadable, calm faces he always saw.
A faint frown tugged at the corners of his mouth, frustration simmering beneath his skin. His foot scuffed the ground as he fought the urge to break the silence himself, to demand they acknowledge him. But the oppressive stillness lingered, leaving him feeling like a mere flicker of light in a room full of shadows.
Kakashi barely moved, his eye drifting up from his book for the briefest second. Anko, leaning against a tree, only raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in a half-smile that looked more amused than surprised.
Naruto blinked, feeling his excitement deflate. Seriously? he thought. He'd practically exploded his way here, and all he got was a little eyebrow raise?
Kakashi tilted his head, his gaze cool and assessing, and spoke as if Naruto had just flicked a light on. "Finally decided to show us, huh?" he said, his voice so casual it felt like a slap.
Didn't they get it? Naruto screamed in his head. This wasn't just regular lightning, it was golden lightning!
He'd spent ages getting this right, working until the chakra felt like it was part of him, like it lived and breathed just as he did. He'd practiced every chance he got, learning to channel it, to hold it back or let it loose, and now it was pouring off him in streaks of blinding gold. It buzzed around his body, crackling with energy that felt more like it belonged in a storm than in him.
But looking at Anko and Kakashi, you'd think he'd just shown them some basic academy jutsu. They barely even flinched, and it grated at him, like an itch he couldn't scratch. How could they stand there so calm, acting like this was nothing? Didn't they understand? Didn't they feel it? This wasn't some trick. This was his Ōgon Raiton (Golden Lightning Release).
Anko chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with a teasing look that made Naruto's fists clench. "I was wondering how long you were going to keep that to yourself," she remarked, almost as if she was… proud? But also like she'd been expecting it all along. "Took you long enough to show it to us gaki."
Naruto could feel the energy crackling brighter around him, his frustration stoking the chakra into sharper, more erratic flashes. How did they know? He thought he'd surprise them, finally make them see how strong he'd become. But instead, they looked like they'd been waiting for this exact moment.
Kakashi must have noticed, his single visible eye flickering with a trace of understanding. Without a word, he closed his book, tucking it into his pouch with deliberate care. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, carrying an almost uncharacteristic warmth.
"Don't get me wrong, Naruto," he said, the usual teasing edge replaced by something steadier. "It's impressive—really. But a power like that? We always had a hunch it was there. We were just waiting to see when you'd finally let it out."
Naruto blinked, his confusion evident. "You… you knew?" he asked, his voice caught between disbelief and frustration. "And you didn't say anything? Not even a hint?"
Kakashi shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the edge of his mask. "Hints wouldn't have done you any good. Some things, Naruto, you have to figure out for yourself." He glanced up at the sky, his tone growing thoughtful. "Besides, if we'd told you, you might not have believed us. Or worse, you might've tried forcing it out before you were ready."
Naruto frowned, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "So, what? You just sat back and watched while I struggled?"
"Not exactly." Kakashi's gaze returned to him, sharper now. "We've been watching, yes. But not idly. We've been here, ready to step in if it ever went too far. And look at you now. You didn't just let the power out—you own it."
Naruto's fists relaxed slightly, though the tension in his shoulders remained. "Still feels like you could've told me something," he muttered.
"Maybe," Kakashi admitted, his voice light again. "But where's the fun in that?"
Anko's grin faded into something more serious. She straightened and crossed her arms, her tone turning firm. "Besides, gaki, the Hokage told us to keep an eye on your chakra from day one."
Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of confusion and anger bubbling to the surface. His voice came out sharp, almost a growl. "Why? What does he know that I don't?"
Anko rolled her eyes, but the usual playfulness was gone. She let out a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of her neck before meeting his gaze with a more somber expression. "Your parents left a letter with the Hokage. Before they died, they wrote something about you, about your chakra. That's how he knew."
Naruto's breath hitched. "A letter?" His voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "What… what did it say?"
Anko hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly as though deciding how much to reveal. "I don't know everything, kid. The letter wasn't exactly passed around for everyone to read. But I do know this—your chakra isn't like anyone else's. It's powerful, raw, and it's tied to something bigger. They knew you'd have to figure it out yourself, in your own time."
Naruto's fists clenched, frustration and curiosity fighting for dominance. "Why wouldn't they just tell me? Why leave me in the dark about something so important?"
Anko's lips pressed into a thin line, her voice dropping slightly. "Because some things are too dangerous to rush. You weren't ready before. Hell, I'm not even sure you're ready now. But you're getting there, and they trusted you'd rise to it when the time was right."
Naruto stared at her, his mind racing. "So, the Hokage knew this whole time? And he just… what? Decided not to tell me?"
Kakashi, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "It wasn't about keeping you in the dark, Naruto. It was about keeping you safe. If too many people found out about your potential before you could control it…" He trailed off, his gaze hardening. "Well, let's just say the village isn't always as kind as it should be."
Naruto's eyes burned with a mix of anger and determination. "I don't care what they think. It's my power. My life. And if it's something my parents wanted me to have, then I'll figure it out. On my terms."
Anko smirked faintly, her seriousness giving way to a flicker of pride. "That's the spirit, gaki. Just don't get cocky. You've got a long way to go."
Naruto's grin lingered, but his mind churned with questions. As the tension settled, a familiar voice slipped into his thoughts like a cold breeze, sharp and certain.
They're telling the truth, Kazue whispered, his tone calm but insistent. But that means you need to find out what else that old monkey has been keeping from us.
Naruto's grin faltered slightly, his gaze hardening as Kazue's words echoed in his mind. If there were more secrets being kept from him, he would uncover every last one of them—starting with a long overdue talk with the Hokage.
The resolve in his chest ignited something deeper, his golden chakra flickering faintly at his fingertips as his emotions bubbled to the surface. His eyes narrowed, his voice low and firm. "So, all you know is what the Hokage told you?"
Anko and Kakashi exchanged a glance, their postures tensing in unison. Naruto's body stiffened further, the flicker of energy growing stronger, though he made no move to release it. He believed them, but the hole left by what they didn't know burned deep, a gnawing emptiness that only the truth could fill.
Well, he's pissed. Anko's lips pressed into a thin line, her sharp nod a testament to her own frustration. "I'm sorry Gaki, that's all we've got," she said, her voice steady but laced with irritation. "Whatever else was in that damn letter, I have no clue." She snorted. "With my track record, its not like they'd let me peek at the classified bits."
She crossed her arms, her fingers tapping against her elbow as she continued. "And you know how cryptic the Hokage can be. They don't call him The Professor for nothing. Knowing him, he probably figured keeping us in the dark was safer--safer for the village, that is. Typical."
Her eyes narrowed, glancing toward Kakashi for any reaction, but his mask of calm gave nothing away. She let out a sharp breath, her shoulders stiff. "We're as clueless as you are, but if you think that either of us are going to sit around and wait for some higher-up to drip feed us more info, you've got another thing coming."
Kakashi's calm gaze met Naruto's, his tone matter-of-fact. "If you want answers, Naruto, the Hokage is the one with them."
Naruto's fists relaxed slightly, though his frustration still simmered beneath the surface. He stared at them for a long moment, his golden chakra crackling just beneath his skin, flickering faintly in the dim light. A letter from his parents. Something so important that it had been hidden from him for years. He wanted to demand more, but he could see in their eyes--they didn't have what he needed.
"I'll talk to the Hokage," Naruto said coldly, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "But this isn't over."
Anko smirked, though her usual sharpness was dulled. "It never is with you, kid. Just be careful what you wish for."
Kakashi gave a slight nod, his gaze shifting as if the conversation had already ended in his mind. "The Hokage has the answers. But remember, Naruto--sometimes the truth isn't what you expect."
Naruto turned his back to them, his thoughts spinning. The Hokage--he was hiding something. Kazue's voice whispered once more, soft and reassuring. You'll find out. He can't keep it from you forever.
Naruto's fists clenched once again, his resolve hardening like steel. Whatever the Hokage knew--whatever his parents had left behind--he would find out the truth. And nothing, not Kakashi, not Anko, not even the Hokage himself, would stop him.
"Good, now that that's taken care of, let's get some sparring in." Kakashi's tone was casual, though his one visible eye remained sharp, watching Naruto closely. There was always more beneath the surface with the kid, more than he let on.
Naruto nodded, his expression briefly flickering with uncertainty before he squared his shoulders and prepared himself.
He's grown, Kakashi noted, studying the subtle changes in the boy's posture. There was a coiled tension in his frame, a raw potential that wasn't there two years ago when they'd first thrown him into the Forest of Death.
"You'll be fighting a half-powered shadow clone of me," Kakashi said, his voice steady, concealing the slight curiosity behind the words. He needed to test Naruto to see how far he'd come, especially with the chakra.
There was a brief pause, and the blonde's purple eyes grew distant briefly. What was up with that? he wondered, but the moment passed quickly, replaced by something else. The corners of Naruto's mouth tugged into a small smile.
Kakashi's brow furrowed beneath his mask as he caught the flicker of golden chakra beginning to surge. Lightning, crackling and fierce, coated the boy's body like a second skin, casting a faint glow in the dim clearing. The air grew heavy in the silence that followed, the hairs on the back of Kakashi's neck standing on end.
The clone stood ready, its eyes narrowing as it braced for Naruto's attack. Kakashi knew what was coming: speed, pure, unfettered speed.
Naruto vanished in a blur of light, leaving the clearing charged with static. His movements became erratic, unpredictable, flickering in and out of sight. He's way faster than before, Prime Kakashi noted. Even his trained eye struggled to follow the blonde pinball. The boy's form was little more than a golden flash darting between trees, the crackle of his chakra the only sound in the thickening tension.
The clone's single visible eye flicked back and forth, desperately tracking Naruto's erratic movements. Each shift and blur of motion seemed to taunt it, slipping just beyond its grasp. No matter how sharply it focused, keeping up proved futile.
Prime Kakashi looked at the unfolding events and sighed. I feel sorry for his future enemies, he thought, knowing exactly what would happen next.
Then, like a sudden storm, Naruto materialized behind the clone, golden lightning still dancing across his skin. He was fast--too fast. His chakra pulsed, and in one explosive motion, he drove his fist into the clone's back, the lightning coating his fist and amplifying the impact. The air itself seemed to shudder, the force of the strike sending a shockwave through the clearing.
Raiton: Gian (Lightning Release: False Darkness), Kakashi recognized. It was a C-ranked jutsu, and Naruto had mastered it enough to coat his entire body with it. The clone didn't even have time to react as it dissolved into smoke, the sharp crack of its dispersal lingering in the charged air.
Kakashi's single eye widened slightly. He's progressed further than I expected.
Naruto's control over his lightning chakra had grown immensely, refined into something Kakashi hadn't anticipated.