Warning: Brief mention of sexual assault.
Kumiko looked at the puzzle pieces she had gathered in her inner sanctum. (Read. Her walk-in closet) It was odd. Naruto was simultaneously one of the most protected and unprotected persons in the village. He was proverbially allowed to get away with murder as some of his former pranks were greatly out of line and would have seen a normal child, shinobi in training or not see at least some time in Juvenile Detention. But the worst Naruto ever got was a stern talking to and maybe being forced to clean up his mess. Whenever Chunin Umino was involved he might get a light smack. (There was also some favouritism there she noted. No other Adult was previously legally allowed to touch Naruto to even give a hint of discipline. She would have to look into him as well.) Now that she was his Jonin Sensei it was a little different as she had right of discipline but that brought her to her second conundrum. He had a constant ANBU guard, she had met some of them during training for the Nine-tails contingency.
But he was also frequently kidnapped. Which means either the ANBU were incompetent which she did not discount or some of them were letting it happen. She knew from the dossier that frequently these kidnappings led to attempted murder or mutilation. But the boy's regeneration was so strong there was never any long term physical effects. Physical effects…
The silver haired Anbu captain she was relatively certain was Hatake Kakashi seemed incredibly angry when she brought this up once. Downright feral almost. So she knew he was not in on it. But to her knowledge those involved were never punished. (Except the kidnappers of course). This level of laxness would be considered treasonous in any other situation and with any other charge. The only other alternative she could think of… Was that they were ordered to let it happen. But the possibility was absurd in the extreme. Why? Why would any sane leader risk their village like that? For what possible gain?
He was allowed to languish in ignorance and starvation. But never all the way. They always stopped just short and brought him back from the brink and the poor boy was either drugged or too traumatized to remember it. His academy time was actively sabotaged with at least some knowledge of the top Brass. He was until recently unable to read at all. (Two months in he was at the level of a 4th year academy student she was actually proud of his progress.)
And the cherry on top was the thirds law… It did not just cover never speaking about Naruto being the Jinchuriki and the enforced cover story of the fox being killed which was nonsensical to anyone with any knowledge of Biju. It also covered speaking about Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze. Ostensibly this was to protect Naruto but that makes zero sense as an explanation. Anyone with eyes that could see the neon glowing sign above the blonde haired blue eyed boy that said 'son of Minato Namikaze please assassinate now.' And the boy keeping the name Uzumaki added insult to injury because of how open they were about having a child. It was an even worse kept secret than the fox. She was certain the spies in the village had already reported and identified him. It only served to make Naruto that much more miserable. Could that be the goal? But why? She knew the thirds wife Biwako had been killed by the fox being unleashed so was this from a twisted sense of vengeance?
The numerous abuses were noted, the system screwing him over frequently. Services he should have received but didn't. It painted a picture of purposeful neglect and abuse that boggled the mind. If Naruto died the fox got released. That was her previous understanding. Now with more knowledge from the Brass she knew that was not certain due to the seal the 4th used. But very few people had this uncertain knowledge. So as far as everyone else was concerned they were risking their skins for the momentary pleasure of hurting an innocent child.
But then that came back to Naruto's place in the village. Though distasteful to her, Jinchuriki were ostensibly weapons of mass destruction. She had seen what Han and Roshi could do on the battlefield back during the 3rd war. Why was the villages 'weapon' treated like this and left to languish in despair and almost certainly come to hate the village? Danzo monstrous as he was seemed to agree with her, though to his own ends she was sure. What use was a broken weapon?
That brought her back to the Third. Anyone with eyes could see the man's feelings towards the boy were genuine. Its why many without additional puzzle pieces simply believed the third doted on the boy and allowed him to get away with things out of favouritism. Or was it simply an act that she was simply too inexperienced to see through? It could go either way as the man literally was 'THAT' old man. He cultivated a sense of informality around the boy. A sense of closeness that seemed to extend to his team as well to the point he had told her students to refer to him as Ji-San or at the very least Ji-sama. It was unnerving. How could someone who seemed to care so deeply be this short sighted or blind? The only acceptable answer to her of course was that it was all on purpose as part of some greater plan. She refused to treat the man known as the Professor as anything less than what he was. But what plan could possibly demand this!?
And the Daimyo's wife knew something. Which means the fire lord knew something and was in on it. Or at the very least was ambivalent to it. But all she had to go on was that brief interaction in the Hokage's office. Not much to go on and for all she knew it was only in regards to Naruto's position as either the Jinchuriki or Minato's son. She would have to shelve speculation on that front. Maybe more Torah missions would shed more light… She thought evilly. Grinning at the look on her teams face before going somber once more.
And the boy himself…
He was one of the sweetest most heartfelt children Kumiko had ever had the pleasure of meeting once he calmed down enough and his basic desire for attention was fulfilled. He was earnest in everything he did and said. An evil bone did not seem to exist in the boy's body. Once he started getting some personal attention at all hours of the day his pranks had also vanished. She had at least expected something during the weekends but so far… nothing? It was honestly making the village nervous. His widescale pranks had been a part of the background noise and its absence was noticed. Was this really all it took to stop it? How could anyone treat a child like this let alone one somehow still so pure. He was unsuited to be a Shinobi. Not from ability but in temperament. He was too kind. He had so little and yet he still gave to others. She only despaired at his reaction to his first kill. That was the make or break moment for all Shinobi. She hoped it would not be the straw that broke the camel's back. How could any child make it through this without some screws loose?
But there were dark signs… She had only noticed them in the past month likely because the boy had let down his guard enough for it to be seen. Hunger. Deep primal hunger and jealousy. When he thought no one was looking he looked at happy families and children playing and the look of longing and sheer hurt she saw was astounding. Once the hunger in his belly was filled it was replaced with the hunger in his heart it seemed. That was dangerous.
Hunger not hatred was the driving force of all conflict in her opinion. Because hunger had more than one form, more than one flavor. It was a dark and vile thing, it was not a power that could be wielded. It was its own creature and seemed to have its own desires. It had driven some of the worst atrocities she had ever seen in her life as a shinobi. Not out of a desire for power or pleasure. But out of sheer need. She had watched in horror as whole villages burned because other villages starved due to her and her fellow shinobi's actions. The sheer wanton destruction caused by the desire to fill the void with anything, sexual pleasure, food (she had seen far too much cannibalism), money… Anything to fill the void.
It's why she was so afraid. Not just of him but for him. What kind of Monster would he become to fill the hunger in his heart? She did not want to know. He needed help she did not know how to provide. Already she could see the signs he would say or do something offhand without even his own knowledge it seems. This deserved more thought…
She exited her inner sanctum and closed the door. Laying her head against the cool wood she sighed. She only had more questions and no answers were forthcoming.
She would simply have to help fill the holes before the ship sank as it were.
Next scene:
Naruto crowed with excitement as he finally crested the top of the waterfall and joined Aia at the top. He had learned Waterfall walking! He hopped and whooped with excitement and even made to hug Aia before he stopped at the sour look on her face and he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. He carefully leaned over the top wiping the sweat and water from his forehead shouting encouragement to Yamato who was still struggling for every meter at the point. But he inevitably lost control and screamed on his way down to the water below Naruto futily reaching down to grab his hand.
"Yamato!"
Naruto screamed out of instinct. Stopping to realize it was only water before screaming as he himself was pushed off the top of the waterfall to fall on top of Yamato who had just got his head up to gasp for air before being pushed under as Naruto fell on top of him. When they both crested the surface once more and jumped onto the water soaking wet they looked up to see Aia laughing her ass off holding her ribs. Naruto and Yamato gave each other a mean look before they both ran up the waterfall once more Yamato overcoming the last stretch out of a desire for petty revenge. They were upon her before she could react as they tossed her into the water below getting their own scream as they high fived. Now they were all wet.
Of course they briefly stopped laughing and gulped when many small serpents of water started rising out of the pond below the waterfall heading right for them. Water release: Water serpents was a c-rank that when hardened by chakra could be deadly but for now it seemed she only wanted to get them more wet.
They hugged each other and screamed in mock terror as the serpents soaked them and dragged them back over the edge as they screamed back into the water below. Aia, who had not thought this through widened her eyes as the very big Yamato Souta along with Naruto caused a Cannonball that dragged her right back under the water as she yelped. When they all climbed back onto the water surface they were all laughing and giggling and splashing water at one another before the timer went off causing them to sheepishly stop.
"That was fun."
Aia said quietly, that small smile Naruto loved appearing on her face. Her hair never seemed to get wet. Or was it always wet? Naruto wondered if he would ever get an answer.
"Yeah."
Yamato agreed his own soaking wet pale blonde hair matted against his head.
They had to head down to training ground 19 for team training and they did not have time to change so they made their way there wet clothes or not.
"Race ya!"
Naruto shouted as he jumped into the trees.
"No fair!"
Yamato squeaked after him as he jumped after.
Aia stopped and only rolled her eyes as she refused to get involved. At least until a clone that had stayed behind splashed her in the back with the basic water release: water making an e-rank they learned as part of the traveling techniques. Overloaded of course so she was soaked once more. The clone pulled his eyelid down and blew a raspberry at her before it dispelled.
Her eye twitched.
"This means war!"
She screamed after both boys as she and water serpents began chasing them both as Aia struggled to catch up.
It was to this sight that Kumiko showed up to the training ground with her cup of morning tea. She used it to stifle a giggle as her students stood at attention before her soaking wet. Water serpents adding to the effect as they drenched the two boys now that they stood still. Aia caught up very soon and also stood at attention with a shit eating grin.
Well this was certainly her most chaotic team and the most fun.
Naruto raised his hand jumping up and down. A hold over from the academy.
"Yes Naruto?"
She asked.
"We all did it Sensei! We all managed to climb the waterfall!"
She was a little shocked. That was quick. It had taken her three months. She expected at least two taking into account Aia's water release bloodline and Naruto's clones. Darn it. She was still trying to find another exercise for them. She knew some fine control exercises but neither Aia nor Naruto were ready for those. Well…
"Excellent, keep doing it for another week until you can even fight on it and we can move on."
They all nodded.
"For today's lesson we will be going over the basics of stealth again understood?"
She asked.
"Yes Sensei."
They chorused. Though she could still see Aia giving her the evil eye. Not that she blamed her, the psych corps were rough. But it was paying dividends in the girls behaviour and outlook. The downside was her anger was now directed and focused…
"Excellent, Naruto how does one stay hidden in a crowd?"
The boy jumped up and down excitedly.
"Trick question sensei. You don't try to. Attempting to be inconspicuous is the worst thing you can do. You simply move with the crowd and never try to run. Just go about your business."
She nodded. Gold Star.
"Yamato would you ever use the henge technique to actually infiltrate a village that may have shinobi around?"
The boy munched on potato chips he got from somewhere as he replied.
"Depends. If in a village without active chakra use, never sensei. The ambient chakra is too obvious a tell for even the most inexperienced sensors in an environment without active chakra use. It's better to use costumes, make up and good acting."
She nodded.
"Aia, if you wanted to ask around for information on an area without raising suspicion how might you do it?"
She was thoughtful at this.
"If there were no shinobi around I would henge as an older woman and hang around a bar with a drink and talk with the bar tender and other patrons. If there was a local brothel I could also pay them for info if the mission budget allowed and the Opsec was not an issue."
She nodded.
"If there were shinobi around after disguising myself I would mingle among the girls my age and try to get info from gossip."
Acceptable answers.
"Alright we are going to do something different today."
They all looked at her curiously.
"Today you will walk around disguised as each other. You all did what I assigned last week and followed each other after training to see what you did in a day and on the weekend?"
They nodded curious where this was going.
"You are to henge as one another for the next two days. Today, Naruto you will be Yamato, Yamato you will be Aia, and Aia you will be Naruto."
Naruto had already turned into the bigger boy who marvelled at the accuracy and poked the copy boys belly eliciting a giggle.
"The rules are you cannot break character until you are either caught or its time to go to your outside lessons got it? Just follow the routines of what you know about your target."
Both Aia and Yamato followed suite as the girl critiqued the older boys technique until he adjusted it. Naruto marvelled at seeing himself from an outside perspective.
"Any questions?"
Yamato (Naruto) raised his hand.
"Yes Yamato?"
This startled Naruto for a moment but he rolled with it and using chakra modified his voice to match Yamato.
"What do we do if we get caught Sensei?"
She nodded.
"I will be following you and watching. I will critique your technique and direct you to try again from here. You will have to choose a different person randomly to mimic at that point. And try again with even less info."
Yamato sheepishly almost rubbed the back of his neck before stopping realizing Yamato did not do that.
"Begin."
Was her command.
They all walked out of the clearing as she noted several mistakes down in her notebook for later. Naruto and Aia walked weirdly and Yamato was too relaxed.
Next Scene:
'Naruto' was unnerved by the looks that were sent his way. The emotions present were radically different on everyone, hatred, disgust, a sizable minority of pity and curiosity but one emotion dominated all others. Fear.
Did…? Did Naruto have to deal with this all the time? It was suffocating. Worse even then the psych corps. She shored up her basic mental defenses.
"- did you hear the child is basically feral and has not even known a hot meal until recently?"
'He' overheard one of the onlookers with the pitying looks say.
"-hat about that Ramen chef? He feeds him? Teuchi I think."
Was the reply.
"Yeah but that's junk food and they have their own problems. Alot of people avoid the shop because of him and the number of Shinobi who visit hurt his business."
The reply was sullen.
"To my shame I also avoided it. Maybe I can visit it… When the boy is not there of course."
As 'he' walked past other whispers came to him.
"Demon"
"Monster"
On it went and 'his' face while outwardly smiling was as stone.
'He' hurried resolved to be a little nicer to Naruto from now on. What could he possibly have done to warrant this? His pranks while widespread were ultimately childish and not very harmful, easily reversed in a day.
Even 'he' had heard of them. Though there had not been one since their Genin Exam 4 months previous. 'He' could understand nervousness from anticipation but this? 'He' knew with how clueless the real Naruto was he would not know.
'He' walked to the street corner 'he' knew Ichiraku Ramen was on and took a seat.
'Naruto' walked into Ichiraku Ramen surprising Ayame who was manning the stand for the morning shift. Naruto was never here this early.
She got his favorite ready without prompting. Miso with extra pork.
"Good Morning Naruto. You're here early did something happen?"
'Naruto' seemed to almost want to hit himself from some kind of frustration but stopped and smiled.
"No, Sensei just dismissed us early for the day. Some errand she has to run."
Seemed legit to Ayame and they would never say no to additional business especially since Naruto paid off his full tab. But he was rather stiff. And he was holding the chopsticks oddly. It was the correct way of course but Naruto had until recently held them in a rather uncouth way. The Ambassador corps he gushed about sometimes had taught him some table manners but the previous mannerisms remained. She saw none of them.
"Naruto are you alright? You are acting strangely."
'Naruto' seemed to grit his teeth as he devoured the bowl which almost put her at ease until he put money on the table at only one bowl and said.
"I am perfectly alright Ayame-San but I got to go."
Ayame-San?! One bowl! Imposter! She got her kitchen knife out ready to defend her pseudo little brother but the fake had already left the stand. She burst out after 'him' but only looked crazy in the street holding a knife as her quarry disappeared.
She sheepishly went back inside and started closing up the shop. Father would understand but for her own safety and Naruto's she needed to report this.
Next Scene:
While 'Yamato' tried very hard not to break character he could not help having a spring in his step with no one giving him those looks. A part of him was insanely jealous and resentful but the rest was just happy not to be himself. No one took notice of him except for an occasional smile from someone 'Yamato' thought Yamato must have known. So he smiled back. It was mostly indifference but that was different than purposeful shunning.
"I hate you all…"
Someone whispered under their breath close to 'Yamato' and 'Yamato' was surprised to realize that someone was himself.
Where had that come from? He had notmeant to say anything at all and it disturbed him so he tried to focus on the mission. Thinking on the older boys habits he decided to get some of the boys favorite snacks.
'Yamato' walked into his favourite convenience store. Naruto shivered involuntarily. This place had sold him his cup ramen at incredibly inflated prices until the new clerk just beat him severely and threw him out. The same clerk standing behind the counter…
Why did he choose to come here again? He was internally hitting himself. He bit his tongue and plastered on his fake smile. He could have chosen any other convenience store in Konoha and no one would have bat an eye. He went to the snack section and picked Yamato's favorite chip flavor. Braised Beef. But looking around… Wow that is a lot of flavors. He was honestly tempted because he wanted to try them all.
"Finding everything all right Yamato?"
Naruto nearly jumped out of skin and he was glad the henge blocked his kunai pouch because his fight or flight response would have led to the man's death.
Seeing the boys surprise the man sheepishly apologized.
"Hey man sorry for surprising you. Been awhile since I managed that. You were just staring at the chips so intensely. It was like you were in the zone."
He looked up and down the shelf.
"You looking for a flavor we don't have?"
Naruto internally grit his teeth and shook his head but could only get out a clipped.
"No."
He looked at 'Yamato' oddly.
"Something wrong you are normally much more talkative."
He got into his space and Naruto struggled not to hyperventilate flashing back to the beating.
He thought fast and brought up his chips and backed away to the counter.
"I am just not in the mood to talk today. Training was hard."
Getting back behind the counter to ring up his purchase he remarked.
"That's odd. It's always getting you to shut up that is the problem especially when your down."
The man smiled as if he had just made an inside joke. And he may very well have but Naruto simply could not get over his prior experience as fear was replaced with anger. He counted out the coins he owed the man and simply left.
Ignoring the calls for what was wrong and knowing the real Yamato might have trouble later he grit his teeth. Breaking into a run as soon as he was out of the shop. He rounded the corner and stepped into an alley and sunk against the wall. Bringing his legs up against his chest with some difficulty due to Yamato's bulk. He was shaking. Breath in. Breath out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
"…Breathe in. Breath out."
He was shocked out of his revery as sensei was by his side. Coaching him through his freak out.
"You back with me now 'Yamato'?"
She emphasized the name subtly letting Naruto know he had not been caught and the test was still on.
"Yeah… Yes Sensei. I am sorry-"
She put her finger against his lips.
"You don't have to apologize. Can you let me know what caused it? Did someone in 'your' life hurt you?"
It took him a few seconds to understand she was referring to his cover and not himself.
He did not trust himself to speak he wanted so desperately to lie and plaster on a smile as if nothing was wrong, but he did not want to lie to Sensei so he only nodded.
She hmm'ed.
"Talk with me after I dismiss you all for the day we might be able to do something about that. Are you good to keep going? I am proud of you for not breaking cover even in a difficult situation. But you did make some mistakes."
That at least got Naruto to perk up.
"Yeah. Yeah I am good Sensei I won't let you down."
She nodded and seemed to almost disappear.
Naruto blinked wondering how she had suddenly disappeared. She actually had only moved slightly back. Having weaved a Genjutsu around herself in a facsimile of the chameleon technique. Being in a Ninja village with paranoia around every corner she left her chakra signal blatantly visible to sensors to let others know she was not an infiltrator. She did get an occasional odd look from the passing Jonin or two though.
She watched as 'Yamato' shakily got to his feet and started walking. Eventually relaxing enough to open the chips and start lazily snacking and meandering around the village as the older boy is won't to do.
Next scene:
'Aia' meandered around the botanical gardens the Yamanaka maintained in the park. Having paid the pittance 100 ryo entry fee. She was a regular here so other than a few waves no one bothered her. 'Aia' kept her face carefully blank as 'she' mimicked what was remembered about her. 'She' watched a picturesque scene over a pond as a crane nestled among the water eliciting a small smile unbidden.
"You are in a rather cheerful mood today 'Aia'."
An elderly woman wearing gardening gear startled 'her' out of her revery. It did not escape the disguised boy that the woman had emphasized the name too much.
Ah crap he was busted.
"Was it really so obvious?"
'She' could not help asking.
"Everything is obvious when you get to be my age. Your form is off. And she has a tattoo of a water lily on her left shoulder. Clan marking, you show too much skin."
Wait… this was not Sensei was it?
"Are you…?"
A bout of dry elderly laughter was his only response.
"No. that would be that lout over there poorly hiding as a picnicker."
She somehow subtly disguised her gesture as pointing to the crane.
"You young ones have no respect for the art of Ninjutsu. Come walk with me. Have some tea. Don't drop your disguise now."
She dropped her heavy gardening equipment in 'Aia's' hands.
Sage that was heavy.
The disguised boy could only comply with the old woman's commands getting an interested and somehow embarrassed look from the disguised picnicker at this odd behaviour. She did not hear what was said but she knew she was being motioned towards. Subtle or not.
He walked with her to one of the small teahouses by the pond and removed 'her' dainty shoes after stowing the equipment in the shed 'she' was directed to.
She directed him to sit by the table overlooking the pond as she left to bring tea. 'She' sat Seiza style as elegantly as 'she' could manage. Nervously wondering what this old woman wanted from him.
The disguised boy noticed the Picnicker subtly moving to within view of the open terrace where 'she' sat.
The old woman returned with the equipment necessary for tea ceremony and 'she' thanked all the gods that Kabuto sensei always took the class to tea ceremony after a successful exam.
"Come you first. We can speak while you work."
Nervously 'Aia' began the preparation work. Boiling the water and folding the cloth just so. His hands shook from nervousness as the old woman gently corrected him when he made mistakes.
"That whelp Kumiko put you up to this no? She claims to be the villages foremost infiltration specialist but that's only because she is all that's left I would say. I should know I trained her. "
This shocked 'Aia'. Here Sensei's sensei. Here? But the old woman had continued to chatter.
"Standards are lax now. Back in my day your mistakes would have gotten you beaten. We demanded perfection. To do otherwise would mean death."
She sneered.
"But lord third had to institute 'kindness' as a policy. Bahh! It only makes a generation of weaklings."
Why was she saying these things to him?
'She' interrupted.
"What do I call you?"
The woman waved him off.
"Aia would have known already so you can refer to me as ChoCho Obasan."
Butterfly the disguised boy thought?
The conversation with her continuing her critique on 'her' failings moved for the remainder of the ceremony.
Yamato was careful to never break character but he felt a little ridiculous after some time.
"That's the problem boy. You have to become the character so you don't feel embarrassed at all. You need to know who the person knows. Know how they sleep and move. Know names and nicknames. You came here just thinking this was a pretty place the girl whose face you are wearing retreated to. No it was her sanctuary. She has confided many things in me boy. Many things I will utter to no one else and you could not have possibly known that. Orders or not pick your targets better."
They concluded the ceremony and cleaned up. ChoCho Obasan walking him to the edge of the park to see him off.
Suddenly Sensei was next to him.
"I always wondered where that old crone had gone. Consider this one a freebie you could not have known. But let this be a lesson to be mindful of those superior in the arts of Shinobi. If you get caught again I will count it against you."
She disappeared as Yamato realized just how out of his depth he was. Making his way to 'her' favourite tea shop. Being far more familiar ground with the civilian staff.
Next Scene:
They all returned to the training ground for debriefing. Disguises still up as they got more comfortable as each other.
Sensei dressed them down and pointed out all their flaws and what they could do to improve.
"Aia your mistake was choosing a place with staff that was intimately familiar with Naruto. You failed to follow his habits. You realized your mistake in time to avoid immediate exposure but did you know the Hokage tower received a report? I cleared it up but next time I will count that as a fail. In a real situation I would expect you to dispose of compromised witnesses."
A look of extreme rage briefly appeared on 'Yamato's' face at the implied threat to Ayame and Teuchi but he recovered giving Sensei the evil eye. She accepted this with grace as she moved to him.
"You went to a shop without knowing the staffs name. You also were unable to avoid uncharacteristic behaviour. Always be mindful of interactions with people familiar with your mark. Especially people you have a negative history with. This compromised you and on a mission this could be deadly. I expect you to avoid that in the field."
She moved to 'Aia'.
"While you chose an area your character frequented you did not take into account the relationship your mark may have had with staff. Intimate or otherwise. You were exposed by a superior ninja. Its not fair but this can happen in the field so there is no excuse. Be better."
They all nodded as they broke the henge.
"Next week same day we will do this again and I will assign you a mark you need to shadow and learn about. Then 'infiltrate'."
Naruto raised his hand.
"Yes Naruto?"
She asked patiently.
"Isn't this illegal Sensei?"
She chuckled.
"Only if you get caught Naruto."
They all looked mildly scandalized as she dismissed them to their extra-curriculars.
"Sensei?"
Naruto remained behind as she had directed.
She crouched to be at his level. He was still far too small. She made a mental note to get him checked out for growth deficiencies.
"Naruto there are ways. Legal ways to get justice against people who hurt you."
That sounded complicated and Naruto was immediately anxious wanting not to cause trouble.
"It's alright Sensei…"
"No. No it is not."
She immediately firmly interjected.
"If it could happen to you it could happen to any child Naruto and that needs to be prevented at all costs."
A deep pit of resentment welled up in Naruto as thoughts he had desperately tried to suppress came loose.
"Why didn't that ever matter before?!"
He let loose resentfully.
"So many days with nothing but beatings and rotten food! If it did not matter then why would it matter now!? They'll just hate me more like usual and then I will get beaten even more."
She accepted this response but internally winced.
"That's because you did not know how to report it."
She tried a different tactic knowing Naruto was suspicious.
"And how would that have changed anything?"
She savoured her words formatting it in the clearest way.
"If you file the forms in the correct way something will have to be done. Some official response even a slap on the wrist can be extremely detrimental. Even if they experience no other punishment having a child abuse crime on their record will be detrimental long term. They will never be able to be around children in an official capacity. The Bureaucracy is hard coded against it. They will have harder times getting an apartment or loans."
She could see she was losing him.
"Jiji said revenge is wrong."
The boy parroted uncertainly but she could see the hunger and doubt in his eyes. She needed to satiate it before it could fester and the boys resentment grew.
She switched tactics.
"Then think about all of the other kids you will save. If they are willing to hurt and poison one child what's to say they wont do it to another?"
He was much more receptive to that. So she knew she had him.
"Just try it. Will you? I think you will feel a lot better. Think of the kids you will save."
She felt no shame manipulating him into vengeance using the legal system. Better than him taking his own revenge after a psychotic break on a mission. And what she said was even true these people should be kept away from other kids.
"Alright. You need to file this form with the dates and exactly what happened leave nothing out including how scared you were. As a minor these things are taken into account. Don't turn it in directly. These forms tend to get 'lost'."
He listened intently despite his own malformed convictions.
"Instead turn it in at the 2nd reception desk. Old lady Satsuna. You will receive a notarized copy and confirmation. This way takes longer but you have more of a paper trail. When it is inevitably ignored you can escalate past the red tape and turn in again to a higher part of the police department. Go to desk three on the third floor. Toshinori he will give you a notice of escalation and 2nd acknowledgment. A Judge will have to look at your case now and will be unable to ignore it. As this is a shinobi village and you were a minor you can simply choose to give your memory as evidence."
Naruto had actually brought out a notebook he kept for Kanji and started taking notes.
"If the result is still unsatisfactory you can appeal and escalate to T . Simply having that on the perpetrators record would be almost worse than a visit to the department. They hate being annoyed with civilian matters so things get resolved extremely quickly. And despite the name they take a rather dim view of child abuse."
Naruto finished writing.
"Walk with me, we can get the first step done today."
While he was still a little leery Naruto followed behind and did as she said.
Next Scene:
When his clones showed up to remedial practice Snake Sensei stopped him.
"Listen brat. You caught up and finished everything I was assigned to teach you. These whelps are on a different learning track than you are. What I mean to say is you are free."
The Naruto clones were stunned.
"You were a good stress tool."
The boy deadpanned.
"Now get out of here before I change my mind."
Knowing it was not an idle threat he waved goodbye to the boys and girls he had gotten to know over these two months. He would see them around the village sometime.
But… now he had three free clones.
He had actually grown used to not having any spare brain bandwidth so suddenly realizing a quarter of what he experienced on a daily basis was suddenly no more left him listless. One clone decided to simply end it and dispel but the other two…
One decided to go to Iruka's and see if he could join the others on finishing the academy curriculum. He had actually begun to enjoy learning now that he had private tuition. Their was no yelling except when he was being annoying and all his questions were answered.
Leaving the last clone.
He sat down on a tree stump that had yet to be uprooted and thought.
What did you even do in your free time?
Previously he had never really had free time in so far as you usually think about it. He was generally always looking for his next meal. The pranks were always when the loneliness and pressure was so much he wanted to hurt himself. So instead he got attention by pranking and that always worked for a little while. Until it didn't. But now?
Sure on the weekends he hung out with Choji and Shikamaru and tried to woo Sakura but that was not really a hobby so much as something to prevent loneliness as Choji and Shikamaru pretty much did nothing. After catching each other up on each other's lives they generally just sat in silence.
Maybe he could attend cooking classes? Vegetable stir fries were starting to get a little stale. That was an option. He had tried every vegetable for sale in the commissary including the imported frozen ones from far off earth or lightning. He knew their would be more seasonal ingredients as the year went on. He thought back to his earlier conversation with Sensei. Or… he could plan a prank.
It had been a really long time too. Nearly 4 and a half months. But… No that would only undermine his reports if he gave them justification. But those guilty looks… The hatred he was used to but guilt? It made him irrationally angry. How dare they feel guilty when they still treated him like garbage?! They deserved comeuppance. But he also minded Jiji's words. Useless old man.
He jolted. Where had that come from?
He shook his head and guessed he could only follow his Sensei's maxim.
Don't get caught.
He got a devious look on his face as he considered the Alibi he would set up to avoid blame and the elaborateness of the traps. His afternoon was well spent he would later think.
Next Scene:
"Congratulations Naruto. You are at grade level."
Iruka patted his head getting Naruto to beam.
"You can read just as well as your peers. And you learned it all in only two months."
"But don't rest just yet."
With the recent addition all 4 clones tensed with anticipation.
"You have to learn the rest that the academy teaches and the entire curriculum. So that means more reading and all the assignments you missed and will have missed by skipping the last two years. Here is a list of Kanji you will need to memorize on your own time. For now we start with history."
Already the clones wanted to commit suicide but did not for fear of the big head technique.
"Hurry now. Thankfully my reserves have expanded enough I can spare a 4th clone thanks for joining of your own initiative by the way."
The 4th clone smiled uncertainly.
"You need to learn as much as possible before your trip in two weeks."
Naruto had almost forgotten about that. Kumiko Sensei had asked for and signed the permission slip already. He would be leaving the village for the first time ever. He was both scared and excited to see a new place.
The man slammed a massive history book titled "The warring states period: A history" into the coffee table making the boy whimper.
Next Scene:
The clones played and frolicked up and down the waterfall also performing leaf sticking at the same time at Kumiko sensei's direction. They had to make their own games because their was no more challenge to be had here. They were still stuck at a minimum of 50 clones before they started looking dead. So they waited for another exercise. On the plus side they were cleared to perform the campfire technique without supervision now. Now only a tiny fireball came out instead of the big one. Still bigger than Yamato's gentle flame and much bigger that Aia's embers.
Sensei appeared before his clones who all stood at attention.
"I have an idea."
She said as she handed him a set of black kunai. These looked strange compared to the greyish-black metal of standard issue.
"Instead of Leaf sticking, Kunai sticking."
Naruto face planted.
"Really?!"
He complained.
"Just try it."
Naruto did so and found the Kunai actively repelled his Chakra.
"These Kunai are made from a special iron chakra shackles are made from. This is normally never used for weapons but I had these commissioned. You will attempt to stick one and add more on as you succeed. Good luck."
She shunshined away. Each clone took a Kunai from the pouch and began their attempts. To much frustration as they failed.
Next Scene:
"I am proud of all of you."
Tanaka Sensei said to all of them.
"We have covered so much and you have all powered through. You diligently learned about everything I had to teach. From tea ceremony, to Noh theatre appreciation to the customs of the wind nomads of the Suna Desert. This is the final stretch."
Kenta eye smiled having thwapped Naruto awake through the whole evening that night at the theatre. Somehow even keeping the disguised clones awake too.
Hiro beamed with pride his arms behind his head. He had gotten Naruto to learn proper table etiquette by sabotaging his eating until he got things right.
Kita had a self-satisfied grin as she took in the praise.
"For the next two weeks we will be learning the ins and outs of court politics. This will be useful the whole elemental nations over. Then its off to Hi no Shuto where the daimyo's palace resides. As you have learned it is by far the largest population centre in the land of fire with a population of 3 million."
Naruto simply could not wrap his head around that number but nodded along anyway.
"For the Genin pick up your permission slips before you leave. You need your Jonin Sensei's signature by the end of the week. We will be gone for two weeks."
The lessons continued from that point. But Naruto groaned when he brought out the list of rules and regulations."
Next Scene:
Naruto tentatively entered the tailor shop. He had never been inside before so he had no experience good or bad. But he was bracing for the bad. He needed formal robes and wear for his trip to the capital. There was a dress code. And his status as a ninja while allowing him to keep his Hitaiate did not garner any respect or have him treated like an adult unlike his adolescent peers. Hiro had ribbed him quite a lot. 'Children are to be seen and not heard.' He had sing-songed which got Naruto so mad Kenta had to break up a scuffle before it began. But nevertheless he had to be fitted for a couple Kamishimo.
The desk was empty with only a fan on the counter providing any noise.
He nervously tapped the bell with a cranky.
"Whadoyou want?!"
Coming from behind the screen.
An older auntie came out and did not even blink at him. She was annoyed and agitated but Naruto could tell from the body language training that was just her personality and it was nothing personal.
He handed her his requirements not trusting himself to speak.
She ripped open the paper and quickly read.
"Ahh been awhile its usually the stuffy clan types that order these. Or a funeral."
She left off morbidly.
"Well come on I don't have all day."
She took him to a room with mirrors and a raised stool. Filled with Fabrics needles and all sorts of things.
"What's your name boy?"
Whelp this was it. She would kick him out.
"Naruto."
He said lamely.
"Last name?"
She growled out impatiently.
"Uzumaki?"
Naruto answered questioningly. It was not like the Uzumaki were a clan. Jiji said he never knew who his parents were.
"Oh one of those. Been a real long time. Got your things in storage was wondering if I should throw them out."
This jolted and shocked Naruto. One of those? She couldn't mean what he thought she meant could she?
"Strip and stand on that stool. I will be back shortly."
Naruto was really embarrassed and would have otherwise said no but he was desperate for any answers and Tanaka Sensei had spent the past two months beating tact into his head when he wanted something. It was all about negotiation. Kumiko Sensei stressed you could never be too forward about what you really wanted subtle deception was the name of the game.
So he ground his teeth and stripped to his underwear and stood on the stool shivering.
She retuned in a few minutes. Looked him up and down and nodded and Set down reams of fabric and a few of those white spirals that adorned all of his jackets. She unfolded gorgeous Fabrics styled with designs of water, whirlpools, storms and beautiful scenery. Naruto panicked at how expensive it all looked.
When he raised an objection for cost reasons she scoffed.
"Didn't you hear me brat? Who else would use these fabrics? Old stock from Uzushio. Last person to order something with them was this woman a decade ago. Kushi? Kutchi-something. My Mother used to be the personal tailor of Mito Senju you know? Now that was a graceful woman. A prime example of that clan."
Naruto was in complete shock.
"What clan?"
He breathed out.
She looked at him weirdly.
"Why? The Uzumaki clan. The name you bear brat. Only clan members can wear the white spiral it's a dead give-away. See the tribal tassels? Leaf shinobi tend to wear the red spiral to honour them."
Naruto's heart was in his throat. So close to answers he had long given up on receiving.
"Why?"
He asked with baited breath.
"Didn't they teach you this in school? They did with my generation. What are they even doing that you don't know something so basic. They're dead kid. Scattered to the 4 winds and crushed in the 2nd war."
His already fragile hope died. There would be no family coming to his rescue.
"In any case keep coming here and I will give you a discount. It allows me to use up all this otherwise useless clan fabric. It frees up space."
The boy nodded vigorously. This was a piece of the puzzle. It was a large puzzle and he only had one piece. But it was still more than he had 5 minutes previously.
She measured him as the staff at the Commissary did but far more thoroughly. Then she began making the clothes around him. Pinning Fabric expertly and sewing pieces. Having him step out and repeating the process. Not an inch of fabric was wasted.
"Come back in two days everything will be ready then."
He paid the lady three D-Ranks worth of mission pay. For the information he now had he would have paid her 20.
"I would like to come back later to order some normal clothes."
She waved him off.
"Come whenever you have the money."
She walked back into her studio leaving the desk unattended but not before Naruto paid for a swatch of the fabrics 3 of them. He stared down at the only piece of knowledge he had of them and an extreme want was birthed in his heart at that moment. Even if he knew nothing else he could dress like his family. He hoped.
He despaired and stopped.
Jiji had lied.
"That bastard."
He said aloud and this time he did it consciously. He wanted nothing more than to march up to the Hokage tower and demand answers. But knew that was the worst thing he could possibly do from Kumiko Sensei's training. The worst thing you could do was present evidence to someone trying to hide that evidence. Especially when that person had power. They would lie, gaslight and remove the evidence then point to the uniformed masses and say it never happened at all.
But he had something now. A hope for answers that had previously died. And it burned he had no one he could trust to share it with.
Why?
Next Scene:
He finished the final touch on his prank. Iruka had just taught him some minor seal work that would erase itself. Standard issue at the academy. Basic triggers nothing advanced. Naruto found it fascinating especially with what he could do with it. The possibilities were endless. His prank was multi-pronged and village wide. It had been a bitch sneaking past the Hyuga and Inuzuka but it was completely worth it. A simple Kai and the whole villages color schemes would be turned inside out. He had prepared the simple storage and coverage seals basic seals taught in the academy (Seals meant to black out paper for censorship purposes) and in the dead of night for a whole week all 13 of him was out and about setting things up carefully avoiding patrols. (Except for his Anbu guard who were both exasperated and relieved he was seemingly out of whatever funk he had been going through. Even they were starting to get nervous at how long he went without pranking.)
He was extremely tired and it would be a dead giveaway. So he would wait two days. He had even roped Choji and Shikamaru into it. Having bribed the chubby boy with adult only potato chip flavors he could buy as a Genin and Shikamaru by doing his chores disguised as him for three days. They would secure his alibi. All he had to do was Kai on a certain spot and watch the fireworks from up on the hill. Best part was the seals would leave no evidence and nothing was destroyed. The village would just look… Interesting. For a while.
And if everything went right no one would ever be able to blame him.
He just could not wait.
Next Scene:
He woke up with a massive headache.
He was naked, gagged and his arms and legs were tightly bound.
Oh…
Oh not again.
The memories all came rushing back to him. He had just settled in for a shower when someone broke in he remembered fighting throwing Kunai and Shuriken he kept in the bathroom. But the cloaked figure had overpowered him and conked him on the head.
He had been wondering when this would happen again in his heart. He struggled even as the Rope bit into flesh. He was beginning to panic. Repressed memories of the last few times surfacing. Air! He needed air as his nose clogged and the fabric stuffed in his mouth reduced his ability to breathe. He struggled before Kumiko Sensei's words came to him.
"You are a shinobi. Chakra can sustain you even when everything else fails. Find a way to use it."
Right, he still had his chakra.
He filled his mouth with chakra even as he attempted to move his hands in the simple hand signs for the campfire technique. He was running out of air so he would only get one shot at this. Praying it would work he blew against the soggy fabric mentally intoning. Fire release: Campfire.
He nearly screamed as his mouth was scalded by the now burning fabric even as it was blown out. But he could only painfully gasp for air as he tried to make as little noise as possible. He calmed down and took stock of his surroundings. He was surrounded by white walls and the floor was wooden. It was very cold. A single light bulb was above him. Behind him was a dirty bed with what looked like blood stains. Old ones.
There was a single windowless door. He stopped hearing footsteps beyond the door. Which paused at the door. Naruto thought fast and turned around facing away. The still smouldering tape on his cheek thankfully hidden by the dim light.
A flap seemed to open as whoever it was looked in.
"Still knocked out. Useless demon was hoping to have some fun with you while awake. Oh well. We have all the time in the world. You'll pay. Oh you'll pay for what you took from me."
The man was speaking gibberish. But the flap was closed as Naruto listened to the number of footsteps. 7 8 9… He mentally mapped the hallway. He flopped on his back. Breathing even as the smouldering tape burned his skin. He rubbed his face on the ground to put it out.
"I have to get out of here."
Naruto panicked. Iruka had given him the stranger danger talk. And he had no desire to understand what it really meant. How to do it?
He could not move. His feet and arms were tightly bound. His hands were loose enough to make some handsigns but it was slow. What did he know?
The traveling techniques but they were all useless in this situation except campfire. The clone and shadow clone. One was illusory and useless. Even after the waterfall technique he had to make a minimum of 70 clones for them not to look dead. Transformation? Maybe he could hide for awhile as a dust clump under the bed? But even if they bought it that might just lead to him being left down here to starve. It sounded like he was in a basement. Replacement? With what?
Wait…
"The true replacement technique is only limited by the amount of Chakra you can pour into it. You can even replace with air. The only reason its not in use widely and the shortform was adopted was the extremely long hand seal sequence. It needs to be used at a moments notice and for a Shinobi 24 handsigns is an eternity. Keep practicing it until its seal-less Naruto and I am sure you will be a terrifying threat."
Those had been her words.
He tried to figure out what handsigns he could make.
Damn. He could only perform up to sign 18 of the sequence. The rest too difficult to contort his fingers. Ram, Tiger and Ox impossible with his bindings.
"Handsigns only guide chakra Naruto a true master can mould the Chakra on their own."
He had only gotten it down to 22 handsigns in the months since he started practicing. Could he make the jump to 18? He would have to. So that's what he began attempting. Remembering how the technique felt he made his first attempt.
Other than feeling a little queasy, nothing.
He kept trying even as his hands burned and begged him to stop. He heard noises in what must be the house above as he redoubled his efforts. Not wanting to experience whatever the man had planned. Until. Suddenly he appeared across the cell in a whoosh of air imploding. He brought his now free hands forward as he vomited. But there was no time for rest. He heard rushing and slamming doors in the house above him. Miserably he broke Kumiko's rule and shoved as much chakra as he could into the campfire technique and hid in the corner as the rapid footsteps made their way towards him. The door opened as Naruto belched a Fireball the size of himself towards whoever it was as they screamed at the sudden ignition. Naruto wasted no time jumping over the flaming body kicking them into the cell and slamming the door behind him as he frantically ran the same way the man came. He heard frantic screaming but was numb as he paused at nothing bursting through doors and rooms until finally. The night air.
He screamed for help.
That was a mistake.
The wind was knocked out of him as he was knocked to the ground.
"Looky here. Kenshi screwed up and let the little fox out. Whatever did you do to him little fox? Never mind that. Less to share."
He was felt up in a place he had never been before and suddenly he was afraid once more. A deep primal fear. What Iruka had warned him about.
"We are going to have a lot of—AUURGH."
The mans face had become a pincushion as a dog-masked Anbu surrounded by hounds came in like an avenging demon.
A Demonic red eye shown with such rage that Naruto would have evacuated his bowels were his face not on the ground buried beneath the now corpse.
Naruto was crying. He had been crying but the recent scare had forced it out of him. He was lifted out from under the man and cradled gently against the mans rough armor.
"Boss?"
One of the small dogs spoke and asked.
"Tear apart all involved."
The dogs growled.
"With pleasure boss."
The dogs descended upon the building with barks and screams.
The man awkwardly attempted to comfort the distraught child. Who could only cry harder at the near scare.
"Shh. It's all right. Your out your safe. You made it out."
But Naruto was completely beyond reason now.
"No. Never out. Never Safe!"
So the dog masked man with silver hair gave up and pinched a nerve on the back of the boys neck knocking him insensate.
He jumped through the village cradling the child as he brought him to the ANBU clinic.
They worked without input as the dog masked man watched on Kaleidoscope red eye spinning in the darkness.
Next Scene:
Kumiko was woken in the middle of the night by a terrible omen. She always listened to dreams and got dressed. No sooner had she done so than a woman from Naruto's Anbu squad come to inform her of the recent kidnapping and the boys near escape and rescue.
She was boiling over in rage and fear as lack of sleep was making her see things with the premonition of Kushina in the background. She made her way to the Hokage building as things seemed to be on high alert. Hiruzen Sarutobi still in his pajamas behind his desk as She held herself at attention. Barely. He was looking up at her thoughtfully teething his pipe.
"Speak."
He commanded.
"Permission to speak freely Hokage Sama?"
He grunted, no trace of humor present.
"Granted"
Her face erupted in rage.
"Are you trying to get us all killed?! What sort of incompetents have you put on his guard that this can keep happening?! The Fox could be released! Or worse Naruto could get hurt too badly and decide its everyone else's problem. Sage knows how he has not already. And Naruto himself? Have you given any thought at all to his well-being?!"
The mans face was hardened but there was a touch of shame there. Hidden in a blink.
"What happened?"
She ground out.
He told her what they knew. A group of 4 Chunin had broken into Naruto's apartment after a night at the bar and kidnapped him while he was about to shower. For whatever reason this happened between Naruto's guard shifts. At least that was the excuse given. The boy had apparently broken out himself. Had had his first kill as the immolated body in the cell attested. Naruto was apparently not the first child they had kidnapped as they found more evidence that tidied up some open investigations. All involved except one were already dead. A broken thing that had been torn open by T and let loose this was an isolated group.
"Isolated?! Tell that to the Dossier you gave me."
The man puffed. Angry now. She had pushed too far.
"Mind your tongue Jonin. Permission to speak freely rescinded."
She snapped to attention.
"Hai Hokage Sama."
There would be no rest that night.
Next scene:
Naruto woke up in a hospital bed. His injuries already healed and cleaned. His clothes were on a small table next to the gurney in the all-white room.
He quickly got dressed and sat on the bed. Knowing from experience it would be locked until open from the outside. He pressed the button for the staff. As a non-descript woman with a blank white mask that gave him the heebie-jeebies walked in. She said nothing as she gestured for him to walk with her. He did so nervously as she led him through a confusing labyrinth until he saw some simple stools by a simple door. She left him there until his name was called and he walked into the room.
"Do you wish to describe the events or give the memory."
Naruto needed no time to consider as he said.
"Describe."
He gave his side of the events. Mindful of what Kumiko had said to leave nothing out and the timings.
Then he was blindfolded and carried out of the building and deposited. He was released with instructions to report to the Hokage.
Damnit. He had been hoping to avoid the old man till he had more evidence. He would have to stomach his questions for now. He plastered on the fake smile as he hid his mouth with his orange scarf. Wishing he had his goggles because he desperately wanted to cry. But he put on the trappings of the idiot.
Making his way to the tower he entered with no fuss. Jiji stopped whatever he was doing and seemed to be expecting him.
He had been hoping to sneer at the old man but something else broke first as a sob tore free.
"Oh Jiji it was horrible. He… He said he was going to have 'fun' with me."
He was suddenly in the older mans arms and he hated himself for the weakness. For rushing to the man who lied to him for comfort. But another part of him that had been getting stronger with access to food and companionship just desperately wanted his Jiji.
You cannot get back what was stolen. You can only hold close what's left. He wanted payback. Answers. But at the expense of what he had? He did not think he was strong enough to make that choice. So he cried until he fell asleep waking up later in his bed in his repaired apartment.
Next Scene:
Things were a little tense the next day. The village had been on high alert for a few days and Yamato and Aia were left in the dark.
Kumiko bit her lip as she decided to never tell the boy he had his first kill already.
The darkness she had only seen traces of was far more visible now. And the look in his eyes. Searching. Piercing. Looking for something. Minato's eyes.
She shuddered internally.
He knew something. Something he was not supposed to. But what? He seemed to be testing her. Looking to see if she knew something to. But she gave no trace.
The next two weeks would be tense.
Next Scene:
Naruto sat on the hill with Shikamaru and Choji having made a show of having fun around the village with two of them always around one another. All of his clones accounted for and publicly visible (Shikamaru disguised as one he would trigger the prank to confuse any leftover Chakra signature).
The Naruto clone disguised as Shikamaru watched clouds.
Then the clock struck and suddenly the village was Pink and Royal Purple. Every shade garishly mismatched as the village cried out and they all chuckled. A Naruto clone (Shikamaru) coming back with chips for them all. Quickly dispelled the transformation and replaced himself seamlessly with the clone.
Next time he would use chili-powder instead of paint. Naruto thought darkly.
He would be accosted for this one but he was thorough. There was no evidence. And the Chakra signature was a jumbled indecipherable mess.
He needed to leave for a while.
He thanked the Sage for the Ambassador trip next week.
AN: And now we start getting into the darker subject matter. The Canon situation is frankly ridiculous. The reasoning given never made logical sense. So this story is going to take the jumbled Canon and try to make it make logical sense. If Naruto does not know someone they will be referenced as a characteristic. It made no sense to me a living Nuke would not be constantly monitored. He also finds the first trace of his family. Kumiko tries to puzzle out her own mystery. Now the first major ark. The Capital field trip. You will get to know his friends from the Ambassador program. Hope you enjoyed.Edit: Fixed a word and next chaper should be out this week.