Author's notes:
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"Character speech"
"Thoughts"
Jutsu
FLASHBACK
Normal text
The harsh sunlight cast sharp shadows on the ninjas gathered atop the Hokage Residence. A palpable tension filled the air, as the unsuccessful diplomatic mission in Kumogakure foreshadowed the looming threat of war for Konohagakure. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, stood with his back to his ninjas. His iconic white coat, adorned with flames, fluttered gently in the wind, while the symbol of authority, the Hokage hat, rested on his head. His blue eyes, usually bright and welcoming, now reflected a troubled expression. The panorama of the village he had vowed to protect unfolded before him like an open book.
"I vowed to protect this village and its inhabitants, even at the cost of my own life," he thought bitterly, raising his eyes to the azure sky, where flocks of birds soared, carrying messages in their tiny beaks. "And yet now I'm sending my people into danger while I remain here to manage the situation." The birds, shrieking loudly, altered their course toward the intelligence headquarters, their destination for delivering vital information about the impending battle.
Among the gathered shinobi, radiating determination and commitment, stood Naruto Namikaze, the son of the Hokage. Brimming with youthful energy and a desire for action, he could not accept his father's decision to deny him the opportunity to fight on the front lines. Being assigned to patrol peaceful, remote areas—where the likelihood of encountering the enemy was minimal—wounded his pride. He felt a profound sense of exclusion and marginalization, as if his bravery and dedication to the village were being called into question. Although the prospect of war filled him with fear, he yearned to fight alongside the other shinobi. Peace in Konohagakure was his highest priority, and the responsibility for its protection weighed on his heart like a sacred mission. He was prepared to sacrifice everything to demonstrate his worth and defend what he cherished.
The weight of responsibility rested heavily on the shoulders of everyone present. Their determination was the only glimmer of hope in the encroaching darkness of the approaching storm. "The calm before the storm," thought Naruto with a bitter smile, sensing the tension that hung in the air. "That's what they call it."
Finally, Minato, wearing a stern expression, turned to the assembled group. His blue eyes scanned the gathering of Shinobi, pausing briefly when they landed on his son. Despite his concerns, he could not reverse his decision. Naruto, like the others, had the right to fight in defense of the village. He saw in their eyes a devotion, determination, and readiness to sacrifice. Pride swelled in his heart; he was the leader of such loyal and courageous individuals.
After a moment of silence, Minato spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Each of you knows the reason for today's meeting," he stated gravely. "Unfortunately, the diplomatic mission in Kumogakure has ended in failure. We are now confronted with the inevitable." The shinobi stood in silence, gazing at their Hokage. As they awaited his orders, they attempted to manage the rising tension. No one hesitated, and no one questioned their involvement in the impending conflict.
"You've probably noticed the messenger birds circling above our heads," Minato continued, a hint of sadness in his voice. "For several days now, we've been receiving increasingly frequent reports from border patrols regarding skirmishes with enemy Shinobi from Kumogakure." The Hokage's words, both impactful and unsettling, stirred a profound sense of unease and danger among the assembled Shinobi. The shadow of war loomed over them like a heavy cloak, yet the flame of determination burned brightly and unwaveringly within their hearts. They were prepared to fight in defense of all that they cherished: their village, their homes, their loved ones, and their future.
"I'm proud of each and every one of you," Minato said, his voice serious yet filled with warmth and appreciation. "I'm glad that the Will of Fire burns in the hearts of each of you." He briefly looked up, his eyes tracing the white clouds drifting across the blue sky, reminiscent of untroubled dreams, as a storm gathered on the horizon. He glanced at his shinobi and echoed the words of his predecessor, Hiruzen Sarutobi: "When the leaves of the tree dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, the tree leaves shall bud anew."
After the Hokage spoke, the only sounds that remained were the wind and the faint singing of birds. Finally, Minato made a decisive gesture, raising his hand to signal the departure. With blinding speed, the group vanished from the building's peak, employing the Shunshin technique to dissolve into the air like fleeting phantoms. Minato stood alone, gazing at the vacant spot where his loyal ninja had been just moments before. "Return unharmed," he murmured, his words carried by the breeze as his shinobi departed, accompanied by a silent wish for their safety and brighter days ahead.
Naruto raced through the forest, expending chakra freely. His body, like the spring wind, moved through the space with astonishing speed. The technique known as Shunshin, which allowed for rapid movement, had become effortless for him. The hours he dedicated to training with Shisui, the master of this technique, had not been in vain. Although he understood that he would never fully match his friend, who had perfected Shunshin, he was able to utilize it with remarkable skill, executing the technique without the need to form hand seals.
"Father, driven by concern and perhaps fear of Mom, sent me to the safest place," he thought with irritation. "War, huh?" The notion of conflict, bloodshed, and senseless deaths filled him with dread and sorrow. In his brief eight years of life, he had already witnessed too much suffering. However, he recognized that it was Kumogakure's aggressive policies and the Raikage's actions that had led to this dire situation. A never-ending cycle of grief had ensnared the village. Each day, Shinobi returned from patrols, lifeless, and funerals were held. Every death served as a painful reminder to Naruto of the fragility of life and the absurdity of war.
Although assigned to a relatively safe zone, Naruto still felt a deep sense of responsibility. The Will of Fire burned brightly in his heart, fueling his determination to fight for the peace and security of Konohagakure. He did not seek glory or fame; he only wished to stand in defense of what mattered most to him. The forest surrounding Naruto transformed into a blur of green and brown as he moved with incredible speed, employing the Shunshin technique. Naruto rushed forward, his heart a battleground between the fear of the unknown and the courage of a shinobi.
After many hours of continuous use of the instantaneous movement technique, Naruto began to feel fatigued. His breathing quickened, and his legs grew heavier. Seeking a secluded spot among the dense trees, he decided to set up a temporary camp. He pulled a scroll from his sleeve, where he stored provisions. Focusing his energy, he activated the seal on the scroll. With a puff of white smoke, several packets of dried food materialized. Naruto began to eat with enthusiasm, savoring the moment of rest.
"With the speed at which I'm moving, I should arrive at my assigned area by tomorrow. The rest of the squad won't reach it for another three days," he thought, finishing his modest dinner. Safety was a priority, so Naruto meticulously set up a network of simple alarm systems around the camp. He then used his Sharingan to cast an illusion over the entire area, effectively concealing his presence. Satisfied with his efforts, he examined the setup with his Sharingan before settling down to sleep, enveloped by the tranquility of the woods and a deceptive sense of security.
(Tobi's Theme)
The next morning, Naruto awoke with the first rays of sunlight. After a quick breakfast, he packed up his camp and continued on his journey. As he approached his destination, a sense of deep unease washed over him, prompting him to pause and regain control of his emotions.
"I know I agreed to leave earlier, but perhaps I should wait for the rest of the squad after all?" he thought, sensing that something was amiss. The feelings he experienced were reminiscent of those he had when he encountered Madara Uchiha. It was a premonition of something sinister, an impending threat that he could not ignore.
After a moment, he managed to calm down and move on, but the anxiety returned with a vengeance. The feeling intensified with each step he took toward his destination. He sensed that something ominous awaited him at the place he was heading.
"No matter what, I must move forward," Naruto thought. With determination, he advanced toward his goal. When he finally spotted the patrol camp in the distance, he realized the source of his premonition. It felt like a vision or a prophecy. His eyes, instinctively activating the Sharingan, revealed the horrifying truth. The Shinobi camp lay in ruins, with their equipment strewn among the corpses. The deceased Shinobi bore expressions of terror and shock on their faces.
"They died suddenly," Naruto thought, stopping at a safe distance. A wave of sorrow washed over him as he beheld the lifeless forms of his comrades. He understood that war brings death, but every life of a Konohagakure shinobi was precious to him. He stood there for a moment, staring at the grim scene of the destroyed camp, and in his heart, a flame of anger and revenge ignited.
"Who could have done this?" Naruto whispered, his piercing gaze scanning the devastated camp. He searched the area for clues that might reveal the culprits. In the center of the campsite, evidence of a struggle caught his attention. There were unmistakable signs of fire and lightning ninjutsu. Naruto's heart sank as he recognized the distinct traces of the lightning element. "Shinobi from Kumogakure," he thought, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.
Exercising utmost caution, Naruto decided to circle the camp to ensure that no one was lurking nearby. He moved quietly, carefully observing his surroundings and utilizing all his senses. Finding no trace of the enemy's presence, he cautiously entered the camp. Every move he made was deliberate and controlled, prepared for any potential danger.
The camp was eerily quiet, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. Naruto focused intently on analyzing the remnants of the recent battle, meticulously examining each piece of evidence. He scrutinized the positioning of the bodies, the remnants of techniques, and any other indicators that could aid him in reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying the assailants. With his Sharingan fully activated, he absorbed every detail, no matter how minute.
"The entire squad... wiped out," Naruto thought, clenching his fists in frustration. He slammed his hand against the broken table that stood in the middle of the camp, venting his growing rage. After carefully examining the bodies of the fallen shinobi, he concluded that they had been dead for several days. "It's likely they were attacked shortly after the conflict with Kumogakure reignited."
Naruto carefully examined the battlefield, trying to piece together what had transpired during the fight. He realized that the shinobi of Konohagakure stood no chance against such a large and well-prepared enemy group. It was a trap, a premeditated ambush. The loss of his comrades was painful, but Naruto understood that war comes with a price, and death is an inevitable part of it. He was more concerned about the information that might have fallen into enemy hands. The documents left in the camp could contain valuable tactical data, defense plans, and even intelligence regarding the Kumogakure forces. The potential use of these documents to harm Konohagakure filled him with dread.
"Sometimes knowledge is more valuable than human life," he thought bitterly. The harsh reality of war was inescapable. Naruto needed to swiftly inform the village about the recent events and prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the missing information to harm Konohagakure.
Naruto stood in the center of the abandoned base, clenching his fists. He understood that every Shinobi camp had its own messenger bird—a swift and dependable courier. He needed to locate it and inform Konoha about the tragedy. He began by whistling—a long, drawn-out sound recognizable to any messenger bird. He waited, listening for the rustle of wings, but to no avail. Only the rustling leaves and cawing crows interrupted the silence. His heart tightened with worry; without the bird, he had no means to call for help.
He decided to search the area. He combed through the thicket, calling for the bird, but the dense forest absorbed his cries. With each passing minute, hope dwindled, and frustration enveloped him. Finally, feeling resigned, he looked up at the sky, shrouded in clouds.
"So I won't be able to inform Konoha," he thought, feeling the bitter taste of defeat. "All that's left is to take over the base and prepare for the worst." Although the base was small and located far from the borders of the Leaf Village, it likely contained some valuable information. Naruto recalled that one of the scrolls found in every base documented the date of the change of duty. This provided him with crucial time—at least one day—to prepare an ambush.
"Since I can't call for help, I'll turn this base into a trap," he thought, clenching his teeth so tightly that he tasted blood in his mouth. "Attacking such a remote location near the borders... They must have known that no one would be able to stop them here. It was premeditated."
Suddenly, in the depths of despair, a glimmer of memory emerged. "Hate breeds more hate, doesn't it?" he recalled the words of his friend Shisui. "He was right," he thought, swallowing hard.
With a heavy heart, he approached the bodies of his comrades. He carefully wrapped each one in special scrolls designed for the transport of fallen shinobi. With every scroll he sealed, a deepening pain and a profound sense of loneliness welled up within him.
Naruto stood in the center of the abandoned base, clenching his fists. "Is this really what the world looks like?" he whispered, posing a rhetorical question. His voice echoed hollowly in the silence of the forest. "A world filled with violence, hatred, and senseless death?"