Authors Note
Thank you for everyone who left positive comments. Before you read further just be warned that I'm changing the timeline of the lore. That's all.
pop manga mondeluz 1945 : She is in fact the same Fūka from the Anime. Good eye! I didn't want to out too many oc in my story because that makes it convoluted.
Alexander4443 : Thank you bro!
Now next chapter Enjoy !
Chapter Six : Old Wounds
After arriving back to the village, in the small, dimly lit room where Naruto lay unconscious, the tension was palpable. His bed was surrounded by some of the most powerful and influential figures in Konoha: Shisui, who sat silently next to him, holding his hand; Tsunade, whose medical expertise had just delivered the shocking news; Jiraiya, whose concern for his protégé was evident in his furrowed brow; Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, whose grave expression spoke volumes; and Inoichi, a master of mind-related techniques, called upon for his unique abilities.
Hiruzen was the first to break the heavy silence. "Tsunade, are you absolutely sure the Kyuubi is not within the seal Lord Fourth created?" His voice was steady, but the underlying worry was clear.
Tsunade responded with a characteristic scoff, her confidence unshaken even in such dire circumstances. "Who do you take me for? Of course, I'm sure," she replied sharply. Her expression then softened into seriousness. "When I used my jutsu to scan his body, my chakra didn't react to anything corrosive. There was no trace of the Kyuubi's chakra."
Jiraiya, standing by the window, turned towards them, nodding in agreement. "I checked his stomach; the seal isn't there." He clenched his fist tightly, his frustration palpable. "What did that snake do to him?! And is Danzo have anything to do with this?"
Shisui remained silent, his gaze fixed on Naruto, providing a silent vigil. The emotional toll was evident on his face, reflecting a mix of worry and determination.
Hiruzen, the elder statesman, looked down at Naruto, his eyes filled with sorrow. He murmured a quiet apology to Minato and Kushina, Naruto's deceased parents, feeling a deep responsibility for the boy's well-being. Then, turning to Inoichi, he issued a command. "No I think Danzo was trying to be an opportunist of sort. If the Kyuubi is truly gone then there will be no interference. Scan his memories. I need to know what exactly happened."
The room erupted in a chorus of protests from Tsunade and Jiraiya, both wary of the invasive nature of such a technique on Naruto's already strained condition. However, Hiruzen, understanding the gravity of the situation and the necessity of uncovering the truth, raised his chakra, a clear sign of his firm decision. "It's the only way to find out the truth!" he stated firmly, silencing any further objections.
Inoichi, who had been quiet until then, nodded solemnly, understanding his duty. He approached Naruto cautiously, his hands glowing with a soft blue light as he prepared to delve into Naruto's mind. The others watched, a mix of apprehension and hope etching their features.
As Inoichi's technique commenced, images and memories began to flash through Naruto's subconscious. The others could only wait in tense silence, watching Inoichi's concentrated expression for any sign of what he might find.
After what seemed like an eternity in the tense room, Inoichi finally withdrew, his face pale and his eyes wide with disbelief. He stumbled slightly, caught by Jiraiya, who looked at him with deep concern.
"What did you see?" Hiruzen asked urgently. Inoichi still shook in fear without saying much, he went through hand signs; Shintenshin no Jutsu
⁂
Flashback
The grim laboratory, dimly lit and suffused with a chill that seemed to seep into the very bones, was a chamber of horrors not meant for the eyes of the world. The walls, lined with archaic seals and instruments of dubious intent, bore witness to unspeakable acts. Here, within this forsaken place, Naruto, only a child, had endured more than any kid should.
His spirit, once vibrant and unyielding, now flickered weakly beneath the oppressive darkness imposed by his captors. He knelt, life draining from his eyes, which had grown cold and distant—a reflection of the death he had been forced to deal. His small hands, stained with blood, trembled slightly, not from the cold, but from the realization of what he had become. The whispers of the Kyuubi, malicious and goading, filled his ears, reinforcing the despair that clung to him like a second skin.
"He is improving," Kabuto observed, his voice a disturbing blend of admiration and clinical detachment as he watched the young boy from a distance.
"It's remarkable that he doesn't even have any scars on him," Orochimaru added, his tone light, almost amused, as he approached the child with a predator's grace. "And it shows no adverse effects. It is even better than my ability. At this rate, the only way to kill him is to deplete him of his chakra or just cut him up. He can heal any wound but can't restore any limbs."
"Yes, but given how much chakra he currently has, he is coming to become a monster when he grows older," Kabuto replied, a slight edge of unease creeping into his voice.
"Take him out quickly. We don't want him going on another rampage," Orochimaru
commanded with a dismissive wave of his hand, turning his attention back to his numerous vials and instruments.
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama,"
Kabuto acknowledged, turning his gaze back to Naruto, who hadn't moved, his face hitting the blood-stained floor with a dull thud. The boy seemed beyond feeling, his consciousness ebbing away under the weight of his existence.
When Naruto's vision slowly returned, he found himself strapped to a bed, his body weak and unresponsive. On either side of him stood Kabuto and Orochimaru, like dark sentinels monitoring their experiment.
"You were asleep for two days, Naruto-kun," Kabuto informed him, a deceptive softness in his voice.
Naruto tried to speak, but his throat was dry, his body wracked with hunger and thirst.
He turned his eyes toward Kabuto, shooting him a look of deep contempt. Words seemed wasteful, unnecessary in the face of such inhumanity.
Inside his head, the dark voice of the Kyuubi taunted him mercilessly. 'Why do you even bother? Do you enjoy this pain? They'll find more innocent people for you to kill. Once they are done with their research, they'll get rid of you. Let me end it for you.'
Orochimaru's cold hand clasped Naruto's right arm, his fingers chilling. "You're a little weak. Fighting like that did drain you, physically and emotionally," he chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. "But blame sensei for this. He failed to protect you. Your parents abandoned you to suffer like this!"
With those cruel words, he stuck a needle into Naruto's arm, Kabuto mirroring his action on the other side. The twin injections sent a surge of something powerful and painful through Naruto's veins.
As the foreign substance spread through his body, Naruto felt an unbearable heat explode within him. His muscles twitched involuntarily before stiffening completely.
The pain was intense, beyond anything he had felt before. His binds creaked as he writhed against them, teeth gritted in a silent scream of agony.
Orochimaru and Kabuto watched, fascinated as they observed the effects of their latest concoction. Naruto's veins bulged alarmingly, his blonde hair slowly turning a vivid amber red, signaling a terrifying transformation at the cellular level.
"You should be used to this, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru taunted, his voice echoing around the stark walls of the lab.
But Naruto heard nothing over the roar of pain that consumed him. He hoped, fleetingly, for an end-any end-to the torment.
As his body threatened to tear itself apart from the inside, his laughter-a soundless, soulless echo-filled his own mind. It was hollow, hopeless.
As Naruto hovered on the edge of consciousness, a mysterious scene unfolded in the grim confines of Orochimaru's laboratory. The air suddenly crackled with an unusual energy, and a vortex opened up in the middle of the room. From it, two figures emerged, sending a wave of palpable tension throughout the space.
The first figure wore an orange spiral mask and a black cloak adorned with red clouds—a symbol that resonated with dread throughout the shinobi world. The second figure, cloaked in the same menacing attire, had his face obscured in shadow, revealing only his haunting, spiraling purple metallic-like eyes. Their sudden appearance put Orochimaru visibly on edge, although he maintained a serpent-like smile, betraying his nervousness beneath a veneer of confidence.
The room fell silent, the only sound the steady drip of IV fluids into Naruto's veins. Then, the figure with the purple eyes, after a moment's scrutiny of the boy lying helplessly on the bed, spoke with a cold, commanding tone. "You've crossed the line, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru, ever the schemer, began to respond with his usual slippery rhetoric. "Oh my, how so, leader-sama? All I—"
He was abruptly cut off as an invisible force constricted around his throat, choking the words from his mouth. The room tensed as the leader's power manifested, a stark reminder of his control.
"You've risked the organization with your greed, and I won't tolerate insubordination," the leader continued, his voice even and merciless. "I will extract the Kyuubi and relocate him, but you will not further chase the Bijuu. The Akatsuki secrets must remain as such. Am I clear?"
Struggling for breath, Orochimaru managed a strained nod, and with a gesture from the masked figure, he was abruptly released, gasping for air and clutching his throat.
The figure with the purple eyes then turned his attention back to Naruto. Approaching the boy, he placed a hand over Naruto's chest. The room filled with a strange, pulsing energy, and Naruto felt an immense pressure as the force began to extract the Nine Tails from within him. The sensation was overwhelming, and as the world around him grew darker, the distant roars and protests of the Kyuubi faded into nothingness.
Naruto, caught between worlds of pain and fading consciousness, felt an odd sense of comfort. Amidst the turmoil, he sensed two warm entities beside him, holding him gently. Words were spoken, soft and soothing, but he could barely grasp their meaning through the haze enveloping his mind. However, one phrase echoed clearly, resonating with a profound sadness and regret:
"I'm sorry, baby, but it's not your time yet."
This voice, warm and filled with sorrow, seemed to cradle him in an embrace of protective sorrow. As his consciousness slipped away, Naruto clung to that voice, a lifeline in the dark sea of his pain. It was the last thing he remembered before everything went black.
In the laboratory, the two figures stood over Naruto's now still body. The leader, with his chilling purple eyes, regarded the unconscious boy with what might have been a flicker of regret but soon ignored.
"Come, we must ensure the Nine Tails is relocated properly," he instructed his companion quietly, both soon disappeared within the vortex.
Kabuto looked towards his master to seem to be seething in anger. All his work, wasted.. Orochimaru suddenly dawned a demonic smile.
"Kabuto place him in an incubator; his usefulness has not yet ended."
Present Day
As Inoichi relayed the harrowing events that had transpired, the room filled with some of Konoha's most powerful and influential figures was suffused with a heavy silence. The weight of his revelations seemed to press down on each individual, manifesting in their expressions of shock and horror.
Shisui, overcome by a mix of anger and disbelief, was the first to break the silence. His voice trembled slightly as he struggled to find words for the unspeakable cruelty inflicted upon Naruto. "Sickening... this is unlike anything I've ever seen," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Who would do that to a child..."
Hiruzen, the venerable Third Hokage, took over from Shisui, his voice carrying the weight of his years and the heavy burden of leadership. "Whoever that man was... he removed the Kyuubi, yes, but Orochimaru replaced it. There's something else coursing through Naruto now..." His words trailed off, leaving a chill in the air.
Tsunade, her fists clenched in anger and her medical instincts outraged, spoke next. "We need to hunt down that snake and make him pay for his transgressions!" she declared, her voice echoing with determination.
Jiraiya, however, interjected with a note of caution, his eyes wide with the implications of what they had witnessed. "No, not yet, Tsunade! Did you not see? That man, he has the Rinnegan—an eye thought to be extinct, especially after Nagato passed away. And more importantly we need to know who that man is and what Akatsuki is after!" His voice, usually calm and jovial, now carried a sharp urgency.
Inoichi, always the strategist, advocated for a more defensive approach. "No, we need to prepare and protect the village. Our Bijuu is gone. Let the other nations figure it out," he protested, his concern for the village's safety paramount in his mind.
Through it all, Shisui remained silent, his expression one of deep sorrow. He moved closer to Naruto, embracing him gently, tears streaming down his face as he mourned the pain his little brother had endured.
The room fell silent once again, a solemn mood settling over the group. Hiruzen, sensing the rising tensions and the need for a clear path forward, raised his voice, commanding the attention of everyone present. "Silence! We will make no moves until I give clearance. Is that clear?" He scanned the room, his gaze firm and authoritative.
All present nodded begrudgingly, recognizing the wisdom in their leader's words. He then looked towards the blonde man, "Inoichi... seal those memories away once again."
Inoichi, who had remained largely silent as emotions churned around him, nodded gravely at Hiruzen's command, his expression somber. The suggestion to seal Naruto's memories of the recent traumatic events brought about a mixture of shock and disbelief among the others in the room. The atmosphere grew even tenser, the weight of such a decision pressing heavily on each person present.
Tsunade, visibly agitated and angry, confronted Hiruzen directly. "What do you mean seal his memories again, you old fool!" she roared, her voice echoing through the small medical room, reflecting her frustration and fear for Naruto's wellbeing.
Jiraiya, equally disturbed by the revelation, turned to Shisui, seeking answers or perhaps solidarity. "Sensei… you didn't... and Shisui, you knew of this?" His voice was thick with disbelief, his eyes searching Hiruzen and Shisui for any sign of remorse or explanation.
Shisui, his eyes red and puffy from tears, looked up, his gaze resolute yet filled with sorrow. "It was the only way…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. The young Uchiha felt torn between his loyalty to the village and his deep affection for Naruto, whom he considered a brother.
Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, stood firmly, despite the fatigue evident in his posture and the lines etched deeply into his face. "We had no idea about the level of depravity Naruto endured, all I know before he to moved in with Shisui, he was having constant nightmares, panic attacks, the sheer anger, and threatened to do unspeakable things to himself… It doesn't matter how unethical it might seem; I must do what's best not only for him but for the village as well." His voice, though steady, carried a hint of regret, acknowledging the gravity and potential consequences of his decisions. "I ordered to erase any and all memories from that encounter, to him when he was kidnapped he was asleep and awoke home.."
Jiraiya shook his head, struggling with the moral implications of erasing a part of Naruto's memories. Tsunade, on the other hand, seemed to catch her breath as she considered the future implications. "If… No, when he finds out, he'll hate both of you," she said sharply, her voice a mix of anger and concern.
"That's the risk we'll take," Hiruzen replied solemnly, his eyes meeting those of each person in the room. The decision was clearly a painful one, not made lightly but deemed necessary under the circumstances.
Inoichi, upon receiving a final nod from Hiruzen, prepared to seal Naruto's memories. He approached the unconscious boy with a heavy heart, his hands glowing with a gentle, blue chakra. As he placed his hands near Naruto's temples, the glow intensified, signifying the activation of the memory seal technique.
The room was enveloped in a palpable silence, each person wrestling with their own thoughts and emotions. Jiraiya stared at the floor, conflicted between his duty as a shinobi and his protective instincts as Naruto's mentor. Tsunade watched the procedure with a fierce protectiveness, her every instinct screaming against the notion of tampering with a person's mind. Shisui remained beside Naruto, his hand never leaving the young boy's.
Hiruzen sighed, the weight of his office evident in his tired eyes. "Look, Naruto's birthday is tomorrow. We'll sit down with the council and set the course for our next plan of action, but after Naruto's birthday. He deserves that much..." His voice softened slightly, a rare display of vulnerability. "I declare this an S-rank secret. Nobody discusses this outside of this room."
Everybody nodded in agreement, the gravity of the situation reinforcing the need for secrecy. As Inoichi completed the seal, a faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaped Naruto's lips, as if somewhere deep within, he sensed the loss of a part of his own history, a part of his pain. The implications of this act were yet to unfold, and the room's heavy atmosphere lingered, a silent testament to the difficult road ahead for Naruto and those sworn to protect him.
With another tired sigh, Hiruzen rubbed his temples and slowly walked out of the room, his steps heavy. One by one, the others followed, each lost in their thoughts and fears for the future. Only Shisui remained, his embrace around Naruto tightening as he whispered words of comfort to the unconscious boy, promising silently to protect him no matter what challenges lay ahead.
⁂
Next Day
Naruto woke up with a start, his eyes snapping open from a dream that was too wild and vivid to make any sense. Groggy and disoriented, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, blinking at the familiar sight of his room—the messy bed, the random clothes strewn across the floor, and the warm light streaming in through the window. It took a moment for reality to settle in, but once it did, he sat up and stretched, his body creaking like an old door.
Shuffling into the kitchen, still half-asleep, Naruto spotted a note resting on the counter. He recognized the hasty scribble of Shisui's handwriting instantly: *"Called away on a mission. Stay out of trouble. - Shisui"*
Naruto snorted and crumpled the note. "Yeah, like I'm ever in trouble," he muttered sarcastically. He had just enough time to roll his eyes before a loud knock on the door snapped him out of his morning daze.
"Who the heck...?" Naruto opened the door, only to be greeted by the over-the-top grins of Jiraiya and Tsunade.
"Good morning, brat!" they shouted in unison, their grins so wide they looked ready to burst with excitement.
"Ugh," Naruto groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "What are you two doing here so early?"
Before he could process what was happening, both of them grabbed him by the arms and yanked him out of the apartment.
"No time for questions!" Jiraiya said, grinning like a mischievous kid. "We've got a whole day planned!"
"Come on, Naruto, you're showing us around today!" Tsunade added, her grip surprisingly strong as she practically dragged him down the street.
Still half-asleep and barely processing anything, Naruto stumbled along, his protests falling on deaf ears. "Why do you two old farts need *me* to show you around the village? You've both lived here forever!"
"Because you're our guide to all the fun places!" Jiraiya chuckled, clapping Naruto on the back.
Naruto blinked in confusion, but slowly, a grin started forming on his face. "Wait, are you saying I get to show you around and do whatever I want?"
"Yep!" Tsunade confirmed, her grin mischievous. "You're in charge."
Naruto's face lit up with excitement. "Alright! First stop—Ichiraku Ramen!"
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged knowing looks as Naruto raced ahead of them, already buzzing with energy. Within moments, they found themselves standing in front of the familiar ramen shop, Naruto practically vibrating with excitement.
"This place has the best ramen in the world!" Naruto declared, puffing his chest out proudly. "I eat here almost every day!"
"Almost?" Tsunade teased. "So sometimes you take a break?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, you know, when I have school and stuff…"
They sat down at the counter, and before long, bowls of steaming ramen were placed in front of them. Naruto wasted no time slurping up his noodles, while Jiraiya and Tsunade watched with amusement.
"Alright, what's next?" Tsunade asked after polishing off her bowl.
Naruto grinned, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Next, I'm going to show you my favorite prank spots!"
Jiraiya's eyes twinkled at the mention of pranks. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Leading the way, Naruto took them through the winding streets of Konoha, pointing out all the best places to pull a prank. He pointed to the flower shop where he once replaced the petals with confetti bombs. Then there was the Hokage monument where he famously painted the faces of the Hokage statues.
"You see that alley over there?" Naruto said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "That's where I filled all the street signs with paint. People were lost for hours!"
Jiraiya chuckled, clearly proud of Naruto's prankster spirit. Tsunade, on the other hand, couldn't help but roll her eyes, though there was a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Alright, old man, it's your turn!" Naruto grinned at Jiraiya. "Got any good prank ideas?"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up as if he had been waiting for this moment. "I thought you'd never ask! How about this…" He leaned in close, whispering a plan into Naruto's ear.
Naruto's eyes widened. "You're a genius, Pervy Sage!"
"Obviously," Jiraiya smirked.
The next few hours flew by in a blur of mischief and laughter as Naruto, Tsunade, and Jiraiya went around the village, pulling pranks on unsuspecting civilians and shinobi alike. They placed fake mission scrolls in the Hokage's office, slipped sneezing powder into Iruka's lunch, and even managed to replace the village banners with ones that said 'Tsunade's biggest fans.'
Tsunade groaned when she saw her own face on the banners. "Really, guys?"
But even she couldn't help but laugh as they continued their chaotic spree. Naruto was in his element, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he didn't have a single worry weighing him down. Just fun, laughter, and the thrill of causing a little bit of trouble.
As the sun started to set, Naruto led them to his final stop of the day—his secret hideout. It was a small spot on top of one of the village walls, hidden by a couple of large trees. The view was spectacular, offering a perfect panorama of Konoha.
"Now this is where I come to think," Naruto said, his voice softening as he sat down on the edge of the wall, swinging his legs. "Whenever I'm feeling down or just need to get away from everything, I come here."
Jiraiya and Tsunade joined him, the mischievous energy from earlier fading into something more peaceful.
"It's a good spot," Tsunade said quietly, her eyes scanning the horizon. "You've done a good job showing us around today."
"Yeah, brat," Jiraiya added, clapping him on the back. "You've got good taste."
Naruto grinned. "Of course I do. I'm awesome."
As they sat there, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Naruto realized something. It wasn't the pranks or the ramen or the fun that made this day special. It was being with Jiraiya and Tsunade—the two people who had come to mean so much to him.
Meanwhile, back at his house, preparations were underway for a surprise that would soon unfold. The living room was plunged into darkness, filled with whispers and the soft rustling of movement. Shisui, crouched behind a column next to Hiruzen Sarutobi, kept an eye on the time. Iruka Umino, along with Teuchi and Ayame from Ichiraku Ramen, huddled behind the couch. Kakashi Hatake was positioned upside down on the ceiling, a spot he seemed to find amusingly appropriate.
Might Guy and Itachi, along with his mother Mikoto and brother Sasuke, blended into the shadows, each person brimming with anticipation. It wasn't necessarily a lot of people, but they were the people that Naruto and Shisui had become very close with over the past three years. Naruto considered each of them to be great teachers to him, as well as his best (and only) friends.
Outside, Tsunade and Jiraiya, having successfully delayed Naruto with their impromptu tour, slipped through the window and into the shadows of the darkened room. "The brat is almost here, we made it just before he did. Stay quiet," Tsunade whispered to the group, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
A couple more seconds passed in silence, until the sound of someone landing outside was heard. Soon enough the door was opened.
"Shisui, where are you?" Naruto yelled
"I'm over here tomato head!" Shisui yelled back, quickly getting Naruto to walk towards the living room, looking ticked off at the tomato head comment. And as soon as he stepped foot into the room…
"SURPRISE!" everyone shouted as the lights switched on, revealing a room filled with balloons and streamers, colorful confetti raining down from the ceiling Kakashi was now standing upside down on. On the wall behind everyone was a large yellow banner with the words "Happy Birthday Day" written in large black letters. On the table in the center of the room was a very large and overly frosted cake.
"Wh-What? What's going on?" Naruto asked in confusion, having been very startled by the surprise. Everyone could see that his hand had just about gone for his kunai pouch.
Naruto blinked rapidly, his eyes darting around the room as each familiar face came into focus amidst the festive decorations and joyous expressions. The initial shock slowly transformed into a tentative smile as the reality of the situation sunk in. After all the darkness and confusion that had clouded his recent days, the brightness of the room and the warmth emanating from his friends and mentors was overwhelming.
"Really? A party... for me?" Naruto's voice was a mix of disbelief and excitement, the latter gradually overtaking as his gaze landed on the elaborate cake sitting proudly in the center of the table. The cake was a vibrant splash of colors, with icing that mimicked the swirls of the Uchiha clan —a detail that didn't escape his notice.
"Yes, really," Tsunade said, stepping forward with a wide grin. "You didn't think we'd let your birthday pass without a celebration, did you? You're part of this village, Naruto. Part of our family."
Jiraiya, emerging from his hiding spot, clapped Naruto on the back with enough force to make him stumble forward a step. "That's right, kid. Plus, we needed a good excuse to get everyone together and have some fun. And you know I wouldn't miss a chance to see you squirm at a surprise."
Naruto's irritation melted away, replaced by a deep, heartfelt laughter that filled the room, bouncing off the walls and bringing smiles to everyone's faces. "You guys... I can't believe you did all this."
Shisui, still grinning from his spot next to Hiruzen, added, "We all worked together on it. Even old man Hokage here helped hang some of the streamers, right?"
Hiruzen chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Indeed, though I believe Kakashi managed to hang most of them from his rather... unique vantage point."
Kakashi, now right-side up and trying to look as nonchalant as possible with confetti in his hair, gave a small wave. "It's all in the day's work of a shinobi," he joked.
As Naruto moved deeper into the room, greeted by each friend in turn, the weight of his worries began to lift. Iruka stepped up, a proud smile on his face. "Happy birthday, Naruto. Each year, you grow stronger and smarter. I'm proud of how far you've come."
Teuchi and Ayame, from behind the snack table filled with more than just ramen, waved over at him. "We made sure there's plenty of food here that isn't just ramen!" Ayame called out, which earned a mock gasp from Naruto.
"And don't forget the presents!" Might Guy shouted, nearly vibrating with excitement. "The power of youth must be celebrated with enthusiasm!"
Itachi, standing quietly with his younger brother Sasuke, offered a small, genuine smile—a rare and valued gesture. "Happy birthday, Naruto. It's good to see you happy."
As the party continued, Naruto felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the physical closeness of his friends or the bustling room. It was the warmth of belonging, of being valued and loved—a feeling that had often eluded him but now enveloped him completely. Here, in this room filled with laughter and light, Naruto found not just a temporary reprieve from his trials but a profound reminder of the life he was fighting to protect and the bonds that made it all worthwhile.
For the first time in a long while, Naruto felt a peace settle over him, and as he blew out the candles on his cake, surrounded by cheers and applause, he made a silent wish—not for power or answers about his past, but for the strength to always protect these bonds and the village that had become his true home.
The party eventually came to an end as the guest made their way home. The living room was left a mess, with plastic plates and cups in various spots as well as a large amount of uneaten cake on the table. Shisui finally saw Hiruzen out the door, giving him a wave as he closed the door on the last guest. Once they were both finally sure that they were in fact alone, they immediately fell down to the floor, both completely exhausted after today's spar combined the mental exhaustion of having a party.
"So that was fun. Best birthday party day ever!" Naruto said with a small laugh, causing Shisui to turn over to him. He sat back up and took out the box from his pouch, laying it right on the floor next to Naruto.
"It's about to get even better." Shisui said, bringing a look of confusion onto the younger's face. "What is it?"
"It's your birthday present."
Naruto looked skeptically at Shisui before grabbing the box. He rolled it out on the floor carefully, making sure to clear the surrounding area of any garbage. "I wonder what it is!"
"Just open it and see," Shisui replied, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Carefully, Naruto unwrapped the box, revealing a sleek, dark wooden case. He opened it to find a stunningly crafted kunai inside. The blade shone with a gleaming finish, and the handle was wrapped in a fine, dark material that felt smooth to the touch. Etched into the metal near the base of the blade was a small, discreet Uchiha crest.
"This kunai... it's incredible, Shisui. Did you make this?" Naruto asked, looking up at Shisui with wide, appreciative eyes.
Shisui nodded. "Yeah, I had some help from Yugao. She's skilled with weapons. I wanted to give you something that wasn't just a tool but a symbol of your strength and the path you've chosen as a ninja," he explained, watching Naruto's reaction closely.
Naruto was visibly moved, running his fingers gently along the blade, feeling the weight and balance. "It's perfect, Shisui. Thank you," he murmured, his voice heavy with gratitude.
But Shisui wasn't finished. He took a deep breath, then reached back into the drawer and pulled out a slim folder. "There's more," he said as he handed it to Naruto.
Naruto opened the folder, his eyes scanning the contents quickly before they widened in shock. Inside were official adoption papers, complete with the Uchiha clan symbol and the signatures of village officials. The document declared him, Naruto Uzumaki, an official member of the Uchiha family.
"Naruto, this makes it official. You're not just my brother in spirit now but by law," Shisui said, his voice steady and serious. "If you accept this, you're truly one of us."
The weight of Shisui's words hung in the air. Naruto looked from the papers back to Shisui, his emotions swelling. The feeling of belonging somewhere, of having a true family, was something he had dreamed of for as long as he could remember. Now, it was real—it was tangible.
"I... I don't know what to say, Shisui," Naruto stammered, overwhelmed. "Yes, of course, I accept. This... This means everything to me."
Shisui smiled broadly, relief and happiness mixing in his expression. He stepped forward and embraced Naruto tightly. "Welcome to the family, Naruto. For real this time."
Naruto became worried and Shisui noticed, "What's wrong Naruto?"
Naruto looked down in shame, "Brother I do want to be apart of your family but I want to follow my heritage. My clan that lived in Whirlpool. The Uzumaki."
Shisui eyes widened then soften, "Silly, you're still family. You don't have to change your name. I know it's a big ask."
Naruto hugged him tighter, "I love you brother..."
Shisui began to tear up, "I love you too... tomato head." A tic mark appeared on Naruto head once again as Shisui laughed.
As they bickered throughout the night, the significance of the moment settled around them like a warm blanket. The sounds of new beginnings and a future that they were now eager to explore.
Next Day
Naruto took several deep breaths, preparing himself to walk into the academy. And while Naruto knew that he was not an Uchiha by blood, or even officially recognized as one yet, but Naruto will do his best to not only live up to the name but his name as well, Uzumaki. Ever since being taken into Shisui's care three years ago, Naruto's only true goal was to bring honor to his brother. It was more than the crest he wore on his back and arm; his goal to one day be recognized as an accomplished member of the clan.
Naruto was now wearing his black shinobi sandals, black pants, and short sleeved gray shirt. As usual, on the back of his shirt was the Uchiha Military Police Force crest. Shisui old headband tied on his left shoulder as a reminder on what he strives to do.
Naruto took one last calming breath before walking into the academy. As he walked towards his classroom, he passed a couple of the teachers, all of whom had to do a double take when they saw Naruto with his new headband and Kunai. Naruto quickly reached his classroom, and once again had to take a moment to prepare himself before entering. He slowly reached out, opened the door, and walked through.
His lavender eyes met the stares of all the kids in the classroom, who at first were wondering why Naruto was late again, but were now entirely focused on his new article of clothing. Naruto froze up at all the stares he was receiving. Keep in mind that Naruto was a very confident child, which spoke volumes at how nervous he was about everyone's reactions.
'Are they going to try and use this to make fun of me as well?' he kept thinking.
"Glad that you've come back Naruto." the voice of Iruka said, interrupting everyone's thoughts. "Why don't you take the empty seat at the back of the room? When class is over I'll give you the work that we've done this past three days."
"Thank you Iruka-sensei." Naruto replied, quickly making his way up to the seat. Naruto didn't want people looking at him any longer than necessary.
He sat in his seat, and the lesson continued from where Iruka-sensei had left off. He was talking about kekkei genkai, something that Naruto, and all of the clan children, had learned about years ago. Every now and then, Naruto caught someone looking over at him, and they always looked over in a different direction. Naruto frequently caught the eye of Hinata Hyuuga, who in turn would become bright red, look away very quickly, and feel for something in her big bulky coat.
Naruto was confused by this every time.
Eventually, the dreaded lunch break came. And as Naruto expected, the majority of his classmates rushed towards him in order to find out what they could about his headband.
"How'd you get it Naruto?", "Can I touch it?", "Where have you been?" and "Did you steal it?" Were some of the more common questions that Naruto got asked by everyone.
"Calm down everybody," Iruka said loudly, quickly gathering the attention of the students, "I'm sure we all want to hear about Naruto escapades. But he can't answer them if everybody is talking at once. If Naruto is willing to answer questions, then do so in a calm manner."
Naruto smiled at his sensei, who gave his own smile and nod to the blond. This was Iruka's way of giving him an out.
"Thank you Iruka-sensei, but I'd prefer to not have to answer too many questions. Maybe at another time though."
"Alright then. Everybody, no more questions." Iruka said, getting a large groan from most of the class. "I think it sounds like you want extra homework, correct?"
Everyone calmed down after that.
⁂
Academy Grounds
Naruto walked out of the academy with the rest of the children, and immediately found Shisui waiting for him. Standing next to Shisui was Itachi, who looked even more tired in Naruto's opinion. Naruto was about to wave to them and run over when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around and found that it was Hinata, who was looking even more nervous than usual. Her light lavender eyes refused to meet his own, brighter lavender eyes. In her hands was a package wrapped in orange wrapping paper, with tiny Uzumaki crests on it.
"Hey Hinata. What's up?" Naruto asked, confused as to why Hinata would be talking to him. Whenever she even so much as looked at him she turned red and would look away. And he was pretty sure she had a condition at one point. About a year ago, Hinata tripped during one of the classes physical tests. But when Naruto took her hand to help her up, she fainted.
"I uh, j-just wanted t-to say c-congratulations on your n-new arm. And t-to wish you a h-happy b-birthday."
"Oh , thanks Hinata. I didn't think anyone here remembered my birthday." Naruto replied. And then, for reasons Naruto could never explain, Hinata turned bright red.
"Umm., uh. Uhhhh. Here!" Hinata stuttered and yelled. She violently handed him the package she was holding before she ran off faster than Naruto had ever seen anyone in the academy run. He could have swore that he saw a path of dust trailing behind her.
Naruto stared at where she was for a couple seconds in confusion, before he gave a slight shrug, and turned back to walk towards Shisui and Itachi, while also noticing that Sasuke had joined them. While he was walking back, he looked over the package that Hinata had given him. It was. It was small, about the size of his palm, and when lightly shaken he could hear something moving against it.
"What'cha got there, Tomato head?" Shisui asked when he had reached the group of Uchiha. All their eyes quickly looked down at the package that Hinata had forced upon him, and quickly analyzed it. Shisui quickly donned an expression of mischief.
"Is that a gift, Naruto?" Shisui asked in a suddenly happy voice that made Naruto nervous instantly. "I think so, Hinata gave it to me… Why?" He then turned angry, "And stop calling me tomato head!"
"I think someone might have a crush on our little Naruto" Shisui replied in a very high sing song voice. Naruto's face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and he turned his body towards Shisui.
"Shisui, w-what the hell are you talking about! That's ridiculous!" Naruto shouted.
"You're right." Sasuke said, shocking Naruto into remembering that Sasuke was there. "There's no way that a girl from an esteemed clan like the Hyuga's would go so low as to be attracted to idiot like you." He said chuckling
"Sasuke..." Itachi reprimand softly, a rare display of anger towards his younger brother. Sasuke flinched at the voice and turned his head towards his older brother, his face showing slight worry and fear. Itachi's eyes met Sasuke's, and instantly Sasuke looked back towards the ground.
"Uh.. I'm sorry Naruto, that was uncalled for." Sasuke said, clearly not meaning it, but too afraid of what Itachi might say if he didn't. Naruto nodded back at Sasuke, his face gone from the earlier embarrassment, now a serious and firm expression.
"Hmph, yeah right. You'll go back to your ways as soon as your brother " Naruto said, with a sweat drop. Shisui was proud of the way Naruto handled issues. When he first took him in, a simple insult on his height would have sent Naruto into a frenzy, with him demanding to fight the one who had called him out.
'Now that I think about it,' Shisui thought, taking a good look at Naruto, 'He looks taller than usual. Taller than most of his classmates.'
"Well, we should be getting back home. But I'll see you at Ichiraku's later. Farewell." With that, Itachi and Sasuke left the academy and started on their way to the Uchiha compound.
Shisui had to make a quick stop by the Hokage's office, which in Shisui language meant that Naruto would be stuck waiting outside of the office for about an hour. So the two of them quickly made their way into town and towards the Hokage's building.
"Alright Naruto, I'll try to be quick. Just wait out here, and afterwards we'll head over to Ichiraku's." Shisui said before giving Naruto's hair a scruff and walking into the Hokage's office.
"Just make yourself comfortable on one of the waiting chairs Naruto, it'll most likely take a while." The Hokage's secretary pointed towards the seats lined up on the wall, which Naruto walked over to and sat on. He sat the present that Hinata had given him down onto the seat next to him, and started the long process of trying to keep himself from going insane with boredom.
"What's that?" a new voice said next to Naruto, causing the young redhead to scream in fright and fall off his chair. Standing back up, he took a look to his left to see this mysterious person.
It was a girl who looked around his age, maybe just a tad younger. She had dark skin that looked like the smoothest thing Naruto had ever seen. She had white hair that was cut short, and dark green eyes that Naruto was mesmerized by. She was dressed in a simple long sleeved gray shirt with black pants. She wore the same sandals that Naruto wore.
"Uhh, what's what?" Naruto asked back when he realized that he might have been staring a bit too long. Her eyes looked confused at his question.
"The thing you set down on the chair. What is it?" She asked, clarifying her earlier question. Once Naruto realized that she wasn't talking about his new arm, he relaxed.
"I don't know, a girl in my class gave it to me after school." Naruto asked. He looked at her once again, and realized that he had never seen this girl, not even in passing through the town. And she clearly wasn't from Konoha, otherwise she not only would have known who he was, but would have most likely tried to belittle and be mean to him.
"Oh, well I hope you enjoy your gift. Is it perhaps your birthday today?" the girl asked, further shocking Naruto with this stranger's kindness. "Yes, it is. I just turned ten years old."
"I am nine years old myself, I wish you a most enjoyable birthday. Pardon my earlier rudeness, my name is Mabui Sekiyama. May I ask what you're name is?"
By this point Naruto was beaming and smiling at the unusual kindness this girl was giving him. No kid his own age ever willingly gave out their name to him, at least not when they found out exactly who he was. Yet Mabui had just given it out to him, just like everyone else gave theirs out to other people.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mabui Sekiyama."
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Naruto Uzumaki. I hope you don't mind my asking, but you're wearing the Uchiha crest but look very different from what the Uchiha usually look like. Is there a particular reason for this?"
"Oh that? I was adopted about three years ago. My older brother is an Uchiha, and the best one there is! If I may ask you as well Mabui, you don't look like you're from Konoha."
Mabui looked just the tiniest bit uncomfortable at that statement, but looked down at the floor to try and hide her expression. "No, I'm from Kumo. I'm just accompanying my father here for some meetings. I'm not allowed to know what it is. But apparently it's pretty important."
"You're from Kumo!?" Naruto exclaimed, abandoning their unusually formal way of talking, while simultaneously causing Mabui to bring her head back up in surprise. "That's so cool! Are the mountains as tall as everyone says they are? And I heard Raikage is so awesome, isn't he the fastest shinobi alive? But I mean, I totally bet that my brother is faster and could beat him, but that's still so cool!"
Mabui looked at Naruto for a couple seconds with a confused expression, and just as Naruto was starting to think that his personality lost him another chance at friendship, the girl started giggling, and her expression calmed down considerably.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought that-"
"Don't worry about it Naruto, I appreciate you enthusiasm." Mabui interrupted, a smile wide on her face. "Not too many of the Konoha people have been too happy about us being here, so it's nice to know that there's at least one person here who is okay with us."
Naruto smiled at that, and was relieved that he still had a chance to make his first friend. "My brother Shisui met a shinobi from Kumo on a mission about two years ago, and ever since then he's always told me how much he wants to take me some day."
"You seem to talk about your brother quite a lot Naruto. You must admire him quite a bit." Mabui replied with a look of adoration on her face.
"Oh yea, Shisui is the best. He's probably the greatest shinobi in Konoha, and one day, I'm gonna be just like him." Naruto said.
Just then, out of the Hokage's office came a man who wore the traditional one strapped Kumo vest, with dark skin and white hair. He looked to Mabui's father, and had a somewhat effeminate look to him. As if he were to grow his hair, he could be passed of as a girl. He walked over to the two children, and as the door was closing, Naruto could see Shisui stand in front of Hiruzen's desk, and what was unsettling to Naruto was that Shisui looked very worried.
"Mabui, we are done for the day. Are you ready to head back to the hotel before dinner at the Hyūga?" The man asked, reaching his hand down to Mabui's head to pet it. Mabui swatted the hand away quickly, looking very embarrassed that he had done that.
"Sure thing dad. But this is my friend Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto, this is my father, Akio Sekiyama." Hearing the name Uzumaki caused his eyes to slightly narrow.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sekiyama." Naruto said as he shook the man's hand, trying his absolute hardest not to smile as widely and happily as he was. This was the first time another person around his age had ever called him a friend.
"The pleasure is mine Mr. Uzumaki. I was just in there with your older brother Shisui. Fine young man he is. And he spoke very highly of you when the Hokage mentioned you. It is wonderful that some citizens here are as good as the two of you, and even better that you should befriend Mabui." Akio said, a small mile of his effeminate face as he let go of the blond's hand.
"Well, Mabui and I should be going. We will be in the village for a few more days, so we hope to see you around Naruto." he said as he and Mabui looked about to leave.
"If I may ask, sir, but do the two of you know what you might do for dinner? If not, then Shisui, myself, and a couple other fine shinobi are going to be having dinner at Ichiraku's ramen in the market district. If you two would like, you are more than welcome to come."
Naruto was hoping that the two of them would say yes, if only for a chance to hang out with his first friend some more. And if it were possible, then the two of them could arrange another time to meet up once more before she had to go back to Kumo.
Akio Sekiyama looked in thought for a moment, before turning his head down to look at his daughter. "I'm sorry but we have important business with the Hyūga tonight.. Have a good night Uzumaki." He said walking away, Mabui waving bye.
Naruto a bit disappointed, calmed down quite a bit once the Sekiyama's were out of sight. Naruto never like having to talk so formally, and that was probably the longest discussion with someone his own age that hadn't ended with him being the target of hateful comments. So it had taken quite a lot of energy from him. But he was still smiling, so widely you might have thought he had gotten a coupon for free ramen from Teuchi.
But now came the long wait he had until Shisui was done speaking with Hiruzen, leaving him alone with his gift, and silence.
⁂
Two Hours Later
Shisui finally walked out of the Hokage's office, with not only Hiruzen at his side, but apparently Itachi had snuck in there at some point. All three looked exhausted from the discussion, but there was one person who would not stand for such injustice.
"You!" Naruto yelled at the three of them, causing all three of them to jump in shock. "It's been over two hours! Do you know how boring it can get with two hours and absolutely nothing to do!? I felt like I was going crazy! What on earth could possibly justify a two hour meeting!?"
The three shinobi looked caught off guard at the question, and luckily it was Shisui who was able think of something the quickest. "Well Naruto, Lord Hokage needed Itachi and I to help him with team placements for the new batch of genins. You know how old he's getting, he's having trouble doing it alone"
"Hey, I may be getting old, but I am the Hokage." Hiruzen said to Shisui, looking quite offended at being the scapegoat for Shisui's lie. Itachi however had a small smile on his face, which was good considering what they had just spent the last two hours discussing.
"Well, that's not a good excuse, but I guess I'll allow it. Anyways, we've got to get going guys. We've got to be at Ichiraku's soon." Naruto said while turning around, clearly in an attempt to take charge of the situation by leading them out.
"Well I will see you all later. As much as I wish I could accompany the three of you, I've got some important meetings to attend to." He said, directing the statement at Itachi and Shisui, who both gave a sad nod.
By this time tomorrow, Hiruzen would have a final decision on how to deal with the Uchiha threat. Although right now it looked like they already knew what had to be done.