Next Scene:
Naruto wanted nothing more than to tear into everything he had found after he put Hiro to bed. But he was honestly too exhausted to think. So he slept with it all, keeping it close and hugging the sheathed blade like it were a stuffie. He had always wanted one honestly maybe he would buy one later... Focus! He shook his head groggily.
On what his tired mind asked? The tumultuous day that felt like weeks weighing down on him like a blanket. And before he knew it he was out like a light. The attendants entering and shutting off their light for them.
It was 10 am when he awoke and it was all he could do not to suffer a panic attack at what snake sensei would so to him for being late. It took a moment for him to calm down as he realized just how tired he still was as the previous days events bore down on him.
Iruka sensei had always said he should always get 10 hours of sleep so he still needed 3 more…
But after taking care of natures call he stared at his haul the night before. He had no idea what time they would call them to return for the days ambassador activities so if he wanted to visit that shop and perhaps speak to that woman that was maybe family he would have to make full use of his time.
He opened the Fuinjutsu treatise. It was a scholarly work detailing an experimental seal that changed one chakra into another. Despite unfamiliar terminology it was like he understood everything. It had dubious usefulness with even the author lamenting that and the inefficiency of the transformation. 5 parts of the users chakra only output 1 part of the targets chakra. It was dry, boring almost.
And Naruto cherished every second as he memorized the text and noted the unfamiliar words in his Kanji notebook. As long as it was about his family he could deal with the boredom.
Something in his very being told him this was the most important thing he had ever found.
It was now 11.
If he wanted to go to the store before it closed for lunch he had to go now.
He got dressed and disguised himself, and brought along the pouch of gold he was given along with his meagre savings.
Next Scene:
The proprietor was a mean looking old woman with a wart on her chin. She almost shooed him out in spite of his adult disguise before he showed he had money. So there he was looking over the small corner dedicated to the Uzumaki.
A banner taken from a diplomatic retinue of his family.
The scrolls were in order;
A religious text detailing the dance of Kagura and a sacred ability. (He made a mental note of that to read next.)
A mythological fable on the birth of the clan, related to the scroll previous.
And another Fuinjutsu text, this time focusing on the philosophy of the art and how an Uzumaki should practice. It was very long and by far the largest he would have to sling it on his back to carry it. He simply did not have the time now to read it. But it was very clearly more focused on theory and philosophy and less on practical seals from a quick once over which is probably why it must have been pawned off instead of hoarded by a ninja village. The various baubles were broaches, a plate and a few objects he was told had religious significance, rings, wall hangings and even a roof tile or two…. Yeah that was weird. Pretty though. Maybe when he was an adult and could afford it he would pay an artisan and outfit his house with them. He was almost certain someone had ransacked his ancestral homeland for this and sold it to whoever would buy it.
He turned to the proprietor gambling on a story he concocted. He should be interested but not too interested as Kumiko sensei taught him.
"How much for the lot? I am a scholar with the academy and I am writing a paper on the Uzumaki."
No sooner had he said that then the woman's tune changed from indifference to almost predatory.
In his belly he could feel greed, avarice and aspiration. What Kumiko called a social (greedy-b #$%) climber.
"Oh, it has been quite some time since someone of the auspicious and vaunted Academy has come by. Why I have so much more interesting items from the Iga clan that might suit you better, come see."
Call her out. He could almost feel sensei whispering on his shoulder.
"And likely far more expensive. But if you don't want my business perhaps…"
He let the pregnant pause lie as she backpedaled.
"No! No, uh certainly I can sell you what you want."
She listed out a set of numbers.
Damn, still short even with the gold. Wait… His belly was filled with anticipation and greed from the woman. She was taking him for a sucker.
He gambled again by elaborating.
"You seem to have many useful items of historical significance and I would love to return when my budget allows. After I finish my work on the Uzumaki I will begin work on the Iga next and that will mean a lot more gold…"
She got a shrewd look on her face. Damn. Partial success but he would need to pass whatever test she put forward.
"How do I know you are not taking me for a fool? There are a lot of those shinobi witches in town now and already several food stalls in the other district reported money poofing away in smoke in the middle of business. Got any proof?"
Shit, he had not thought that through the night before. But those kids had been so hungry and he knew that feeling way too well. So he reached into the pouch of gold coins. (Why nine specifically? He had a distracting thought.) He had filled them with henged clones to make the pouch appear fuller. He took out a real gold coin and the woman nearly bugged out her eyes in shock.
"The daimyo's seal…"
She breathlessly let out.
She snatched the coin and bit down with her teeth. Marking the soft gold.
"Now I really will expect a discount."
He snidely commented in very real disgust, some of his childish attitude shining through.
After verifying to her satisfaction the coin was real she changed her tune.
"Why yes of course my lord. Anything for a member of our lords house. That will be 7—no 5! Gold pieces for everything."
Giving the woman 4 additional coins thankful she had not cleaned him out. But after learning he had already caused trouble the night before how much trouble would he get in for impersonating a member of the royal family he was guessing by her sudden groveling? He tried not to think about it but wondered how much trouble he would get in with Jiji if he got arrested. He somehow in his heart did not question that the old man would bail him out of jail. Even that part of himself that sometimes took control had no doubts about that.
She bade him follow her to the back room.
Oh. She meant everything. How damn valuable were these coins he was just giving away?! A bit of greed was beginning to overtake him.
No! No... He could not think like that. Pieces of his family were priceless.
In the back covered in dust was the most beautiful Kimono he had ever seen. It was covered in a tapestry, a story. The same one in the scroll he skimmed earlier if he was not mistaken. And more scrolls. But these were fragmentary one large one was even partially burned. No wonder these were kept in the back. A stiff breeze would blow it away.
"My collection is the pride of the capital nobody has as many pieces as I do."
He had already tuned her out. This was already more than he would be able to get through in a year with all his clones. He would return here and other cities come hell or high water if a single visit netted him this much of his family's history. Iruka's new home would be very full indeed it seemed. Hell his own apartment would be very full now. And unless he wanted to take up theft he would have to earn a lot more money… But that was a matter for later.
He would stop looking for more now. This was already more than he ever could have dreamed.
Speaking of which. How the hell was he supposed to lug this all to the hotel without damaging it let alone to the leaf village? If he used clones his cover would be blown.
Wait. He was an idiot. Storage scrolls. He even had a few blank scrolls in his families style that could be used for a worthy cause. Hiro boasted about being able to make them 'the only one in his class' he had boasted. Sounds like a plan, now he just need to get it to the hotel. A little bribe to the boy and all would be right as rain.
"Can you have someone bring most of these, carefully of course to the Jade Orchid inn? Room 3."
The woman groveled.
"Of course my lord. It will be there within the hour. "
She offered him a silk bag where he scooped the front display pieces in and took down the standard. After getting the rest of the details he departed dropping a few of his clone coins in a side alley to disguise themselves as his retainers to help pick up the goods.
The clone he left at the inn had not yet popped so he still had time.
In total he had a haul of 10 scrolls of varying sizes. 3 were complete, the rest were in various states of repair. Two were the thickness of his Torso! Including the Fuinjutsu text. He would need to ask Iruka about learning proper care of decaying scrolls. Or he would need to pay someone to copy all the surviving info to new scrolls. Poor Gamma Chan. He considered with mock tears. He also had to consider helping Iruka with rent when he went to live with him… Focus Naruto!
There was too much already…
Now the part he was really nervous about.
He made his way to the red light district he had passed through the night before uncertain about both himself and everything. Completely unaware of the tail he had picked up since the inn.
An incredibly pale man with deadpan eyes and a gaunt face that would not be remiss from a scary ghost story was poorly disguised as a merchant keeping an eye on the boy and cursing his superior for putting him on the morning shift after the night before. Alcohol, especially the really good stuff he had last night did not agree with him.
How would he even approach her? Could he even approach her? What could he say?
'Hey I am an Uzumaki like you. Please take care of me!'
Noooo!
That would be so embarrassing. What proof did he have other than the crest he possessed? Uzumaki were supposed to have red hair right? Gahh!
He finally stood nervously in front of the building with the spiral in the window.
In the day this was just an ordinary street and this looked like an ordinary house.
He hesitated on the stoop. Holding his hand away from the door before finally knocking before his courage left him.
A series of padding steps ran through the building before the door wrenched open and an excitable little boy with red hair in a bowl cut covering his eyes and a shit-eating toothy grin greeted him. The little guy was only up to Naruto's chest.
"Mom! One of your clients is here really early. He is a little young looking though." The squeaky young voice said loudly.
What! He felt scandalized and grossed out. He by choice did not understand what the ladies of the night did. That did not mean he did not know of them and the implications.
"Repun! What did I tell you about talking to my clients! How do you even know about this?!"
An exasperated and strong feminine voice emanated out as footsteps rang out in the house.
She was a little shocked and unimpressed to see a blonde haired brat little older than her own brat in the door.
To Naruto she was absurdly beautiful with features similar to the woman in what he thought was his mind. The hair while shorter was identical in color.
"Oye! I told you street urchins the last time no begging here."
Naruto quickly denied.
"No! No. I am not here for that."
She looked him up and down unimpressed.
"How old are you? Can you even get it up? I don't do kids."
All at once he felt insulted, confused, humiliated and disgusted and he wanted to hurl.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki."
He finally led with.
She was at first startled, then simply stared.
This went on for an eternity to Naruto who's anxiety just about reached a crescendo.
"No…"
She whispered with a haunted face before attempting to slam the door in his face as Naruto wedged his foot in the door. Wincing at the pain. No Chakra or not that Woman was strong!
"Please! I don't want money or anything I just want to learn more about my family!"
Naruto desperately pleaded with the woman.
"I've had enough of you fakers and pretenders. Always aiming to use me! Remove your foot before I remove it!"
She reprimanded. Promising violence in a way Naruto did not doubt as he was haunted by a mental image of her chopping his leg off with a meat cleaver. Desperately with tears in his eyes he yelled.
"I am not a faker! I am not a Faker! I am an Uzumaki please! I promise you and I never go back on my promises! Believe It!"
He started crying as the worst outcome was slowly becoming reality. So stressed the verbal tic he had been trying to suppress came out.
Suddenly she stopped, went quiet and the door opened suddenly causing Naruto to yelp and fall flat on his face in a way that would have Kumiko sensei have him doing absurd Chakra control exercises as punishment.
"What did you just say? That last part specifically. Now."
She quietly ordered as the tension reached a crescendo. He felt like if he gave the wrong answer that was it. He pushed himself up on his hands and looked up at her.
"Believe it?"
He hesitantly answered.
"You don't sound very convinced."
She intoned clearly baiting him as Naruto fell for it hook line and sinker. Sick of her crazy attitude
"I said believe it! I said what I said you crazy hag!"
Instantly Naruto regretted his impropriety and awaited a beating at best and losing out on finding out more at worst. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to brace for the beating. But none came.
He risked opening one eye to see that the woman was silently guffawing before opening her own teary eyes and letting out a belly laugh.
"Well I'll be damned you just might be telling the truth. Or you were coached really well in which case if I ever find out…"
She opened the door a little more to show Naruto that she really was wielding a meat cleaver like in his imagination as he went white as a sheet. (And he would later find he had wet himself just a little.)
"I am Sarari, as you likely heard this is my son Repun. Before you ask there is no father. Naturally."
The last part sounded like a verbal tic and he was a little confused as the woman began walking inside leaving him behind. She kept talking and Naruto did not enter as he was not invited. The now named Repun squeaked.
"Don't you know nothin? Leaving the door open in our family means come in! Come on!"
He grabbed Naruto's hand and dragged him along. That last part also sounded like a tic.
They ended up in a normal looking sitting room with a few scattered toys and knick knacks.
She poured some Barley tea as Naruto felt incredibly out of place. This place felt well lived in.
"Wh- What made you believe me?"
He asked after an awkward silence where Repun got bored and began playing with his toys strewn across the floor, tuning them out. He fingered his family crest on his shoulder noting the same hanging on one wall spun from a rough yarn that smelt vaguely of tree bark.
She closed her eyes as Naruto felt like he was somehow being watched from everywhere at once.
When she opened them she smiled.
"You really don't know anything do you?"
She asked rhetorically.
"First, you have the most Chakra I have ever seen. But that means nothing. You could have been an Omante. The villages love using them."
She said darkly.
What's an Omante? He asked himself.
"Right, you would not know our tongue. You are probably Suy. Half at best."
Naruto realized he had said that out loud and was incredibly embarrassed, he kept doing that! If Kumiko sensei heard him screwing up this bad she would tan his hide!
She bit her lip.
"I do not know the equivalent term in common tongue, but among our people it is when one has given themselves up to contain a great spirit. Whether that be one of the 9 beasts of legend or some of the smaller demons and monsters of myth. The closest translation I can think of is gift to the gods. Or sacrifice if you will."
She took a sip of her tea.
"Next, you had the crest, which also means nothing on its own, as all you probably had to do was go to a tailor and have one made. But it was additional evidence. Next your hair is a mark against you as different hair colors are rare in our family as red is a dominant trait. But again you clearly did not dye it which would have given you away as a faker. But you clearly were either too dumb to think to do so or you just did not know."
Naruto's eyes twitched and he deadpanned at the implied insult.
She pointed to her own hair.
"You have the stocky short build (Naruto squawked in indignation) the men in our family are known for, so that was a point in your favor as well. And you have the tanned complexion endemic to the island of Uzu. Your eyes are wrong though. Typically our eyes are purple or red. But that also means little if your blood was simply thin. It was the verbal tic that gave it away. Naturally!"
She ticced at the end for emphasis.
"In our extended family it is super common to have a verbal tic, though not always. We figured it was genetic. You could have been coached to do it. But you obviously have no idea what you were saying or doing and its clearly a habit (Naruto wanted to face plant) so I used the gift of Kagura to tell if you were lying or not. You were genuine. So here we are now."
"Yes… Here we are now."
Naruto awkwardly concluded.
"So what do you want kid? I have nothing for you as you can probably tell from my profession, and I can see with your headband you already belong to someone."
Naruto while offended at the insinuation even as a darker part of him acknowledged the truth of the words simply started with something that was bothering him. Sensei always taught him to poke at inconsistencies as in her words.
"Your great at sneaking and getting around Naruto, but when confronted or caught you have all the subtlety of a brick thrown through a window. Use that to your advantage, you have a way with words when you put your mind to it and honesty throws people off."
He stared into his tea before earnestly asking instead.
"Are you a ninja? How are you able to perform techniques?"
She belted out laughter at his question.
"Why oh why would I want to become one of those?!"
He felt self-conscious all of a sudden.
"No. That was simply one of the sacred abilities gifted to us by the gods. Or at least that's what I was taught I don't suppose you were taught anything about that were you? It's not exactly a Iwanke(Gift)… er you would call it a bloodline limit."
Naruto shook his head.
"I only recently learned we were a clan at all when a tailor lady in the leaf village let it slip they used to be a big deal. I have been wearing this patch for as long as I can remember. I asked Jiji why my spiral was white once while others had red and he just blew me off."
He gently fingered the tribal tassels.
"I don't suppose this Jiji is one of us?"
She asked rhetorically.
Naruto shook his head.
"No I just call him Jiji because he's old and generally nice to me. But… finding out he lied to me was really hard. And I am scared to tell him anything."
She leaned back.
"I can imagine. As for the ability in the common tongue it is called the Shingan no Kagura, or the minds eye of Kagura. The dancing mother blessed us with the sight of the gods. We have many gods Naruto and often we are given gifts. Some only one, others many. Some none."
Naruto was curious. Did he have a bloodline limit like Sasuke used to brag about?
"What does that mean? Are there any more? What do you mean gift of the gods? Believe it!"
Naruto was really excited and chomping at the bit.
"Hey!" (Naruto cringed back in his seat at her raised tone.)
She scolded the excitable child.
"One question at a time. Uzu was a large island so there were many tribes of Uzumaki on different parts of the island with different gods and abilities. Only the art of sealing and shared ancestry tied us all together. As I was told."
Naruto took that in stride as she continued.
"Our people are deeply spiritual and we loved our deities so much we made them ours. Or so the old woman in our little village in the forest under the mountain told me. We even took deities from the mainland peoples with our mighty seals our folklore went. I can only half remember as I was barely older than you are now when our people died. What are you 8? (10! Naruto indignantly yelled causing her to roll her eyes.) In any case we were simple forest folk. The Ninja village you may have been interested in was closer to the coast on the river Inkar. The others of your kind came and destroyed that first. They bought time for the scattered tribes to escape. Some made it is all I know. Obviously I did as I sit before you. But a lot of my little village never made it off the island."
She sighed.
"I am sorry if that is not the answer you were looking for. I will try to tell you what I can though."
Naruto was both sad that all the answers were not forthcoming and that his people were apparently scattered or dead. But glad because it sounded like there were more survivors elsewhere.
"As for the minds eye of Kagura. Have you ever felt like you were able to see things? Not with your eyes but with your mind?"
Naruto jerked back.
"Yeah! Recently my sensei gave me a new chakra control exercise that was super hard. I mean like almost impossible hard! But when I came here with my group I managed it and it was like the world had burst into color."
She waved him on to continue.
"My group members were all different colors and shades of those colors. It was like I could feel them and almost… Taste them? Euugh. I could tell what they were feeling and if they were lying to me. But… that part feels different as I always had this gut instinct in my belly that tells me what people are feeling and if they are lying. Its like I have two lie detectors."
She nodded.
"You're in luck it seems, except for that last part that's a dead ringer for Kagura Shingan. Show me."
He looked at her questioningly.
She rolled her eyes.
"Show me what you did to get those feelings dummy! Naturally!"
A little miffed (and hurt at the true enough words) he complied and without thinking brought out one of Kumiko sensei's anti chakra Kunai.
Causing her to hiss in displeasure.
"How dare you bring a weapon into my home near my kid!"
Naruto panicked and stammered.
"Wait! This was just the chakra control exercise! Look see! Believe it!"
He concentrated really hard until his tenketsu burned the same as before as he desperately wrestled the dragon that was his chakra and stuck the Kunai to the back of his hand turning it upside down he opened his eyes and showed her it was stuck and marveled at the solid blue color of the woman She tasted of salt and the sea. Repun was a lighter shade of Blue with Flecks of red dancing like flames in the sea of chakra. She had more Chakra than anyone on this block it seemed. Except someone from his retinue from a different group that appeared to be getting his jollies off as Kenta had put it once or twice (Whatever that meant) at a neighboring establishment. He tasted like wood funnily enough.
Focusing back on Sarari he sweatdropped to realize her emotional state was singularly unimpressed coming down from the anger earlier.
"Really? That's it? I have seen better magic tricks at the traveling carnival. Naturally."
Indignant Naruto retorted.
"Hey this is harder than it looks and it hurts! This knife actively repels chakra!"
Repun chimed in.
"Yeah the funny retired ninja man at the carnival juggled like 10 of those things while hanging upside down from the ceiling. That's not very impressive. Come on!"
"Why you little brat!"
Naruto cried.
Sarari only laughed her anger forgotten but Naruto wisely put the knife away.
"I have seen enough, I believe you now. I felt you using the gift, Welcome to the family cousin. Would you like to stay for lunch?"
Naruto was suddenly shy not wanting to ruin things with his suddenly found cousins.
But his belly betrayed him.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I will take that as a yes. Come you can help me prepare you said you wanted to learn more about our clan right? A lot of what I know are handicrafts and cooking."
Naruto's eyes brightened and sparkled.
"Of course!"
She directed he and Repun to wash at the large basin she had in the kitchen. Naruto rolled up his sleeves and waited to learn.
"Its in season now so very cheap so we will be making Sayo porridge, Sito dumplings and Citatap. All traditional foods from my small village under the mountain. Salmon will be the main ingredient."
Repun just nodded along already bored and having learned it before but Naruto was enraptured.
"Sayo Porridge is used as a pallet cleanser. Using a Broth made from the bark of the bird cherry tree we boil the millet like so…"
She demonstrated and had Naruto help stir the pot while Repun cut the wild greens on the kitchen counter standing up on a little stool. She had him taste a little and it was very good!
They set the soup off to the side.
"Next are the Sito, traditionally these were a luxury item made only for festivals and as offerings but with modern milling techniques the labor required is now basically nothing. They are similar enough to unsweetened Mochi. Help me knead the dough."
They measured the flour, and created the dough and began pan frying them. Sarari talking him through flipping it as Naruto asked questions.
"As Garnish we are using Salmon roe. You crush it like so."
Naruto was a little green but complied nonetheless. Konoha was completely landlocked so they only had a few river fish available.
"Finally, Citatap which means in common 'What we chop together' is a communal activity and dish. There is no one protein source, its usually whatever is caught. And whatever vegetables are found and chopped up into a fine almost paste."
At that Naruto really turned green as exaggerated tears ran down his eyes. Only to be thwapped lightly on his head.
"Don't be a baby! Come on I will start. You skin the fresh salmon just so."
She walked him through the preparations and the cleaning. Then the chopping started. And it went for a good 5 minutes before she told him to take over. She occasionally inserted a spring onion and kneaded it together until it looked like an uncooked meatball.
"And that's how its done. Rice is not traditional but who cares!"
They all set the small table, Repun needing a small booster and Naruto only barely not needing one.
"Thanks for the food!"
Naruto excitedly said as he and Repun dug in. The Sito were delicious! The roe added a savory salty taste as well that Naruto could get behind.
But when he had finished he saw the woman watching him like a hawk as he had not touched the Citatap.
He nervously laughed and hesitantly brought it up to his lips on top of a glob of rice. The Dark searching look to make sure he ate it was scary. Wondering if it was possible to replace an object in his hand with another he took the plunge and took a bite.
Huh not bad.
"Thank you."
He startled again realizing he had spoken aloud again.
"Momma makes the best food."
Repun intoned over mouthfuls of rice and Citatap.
"Damn straight."
She replied.
They finished the meal in a knick of time as his clone popped. He had an hour to prepare for a second late lunch and the days first activities.
"I have to go now, my group is on a diplomatic mission and I can't be late."
She nodded.
"Will you be by tomorrow then? Repun and I will be going to the local baths."
Repun sipped his porridge
"Momma's looking for a baby sitter for a few hours she doesn't have to pay."
Fiery, she thwapped his head even as he remained nonplussed and kept eating.
"Shut it you! Naturally!"
Naruto laughed.
"Sure I would love to."
She looked puzzled.
"Ehh, I thought for sure you would be too busy."
Naruto smirked as another Naruto appeared beside him in a puff of smoke.
"Being a Ninja does have it perks."
She looked insanely jealous and Naruto could feel it in his belly. He was starting to realize the difference between the two senses.
She looked sour.
"It must be nice to be in two places at once."
She sulked.
He checked the time. He really did need to leave it was a quarter to two.
"Gotta go, see you tomorrow Bye!"
She yelled after him.
"Next time don't bring any weapons!"
The mother and son waved at him as he ran off. His tail stalling only briefly before following.
Next Scene:
Hand shading his eyes the first thing Hiro said to him upon entering the room was.
"Moving in?"
He gestured to Naruto's now substantial collection of items. He placed the silk bag down next to his pile and said.
"Naah, But I could really use your help you can make storage scrolls right?"
He looked at Naruto weirdly.
"Yeah? But Naruto what's with all the stuff? Why does it have the spiral? Cool sword by the way. I am so jealous. I only got a single gold coin, this crummy tanto.." He gestured to a simple black scabbard with a threaded black pommel. "…and a scroll guaranteeing me 5 years free from taxes. Actually now that I think about it that is actually really awesome but still a cool sword would have been nice this one is not up to shinobi standards..."
He sulked. Then straightened looking at Naruto shrewdly.
"What will you do to make it worth my while?"
He haggled. Still nursing a hangover it seemed as his under eye shadows became readily apparent.
Naruto without hesitation flipped one of his 4 remaining Gold coins to the boy who instinctively caught it. Looking bewildered the boy simply said.
"That will do. You got any scrolls or should I go buy one?"
Naruto went into the first sack and produced one of the Uzumaki blank scrolls.
Hiro whistled.
"That looks really expensive. Is that real seal paper? A lot of scrolls can wear out over time but this will be re-usable indefinitely. You can even erase the seals later if you want to repurpose the scrolls. At least that's what Himiko sensei at the academy said. She said her monthly salary could buy one small one. But this will more than do. Leave it on my futon I can work on it tonight and probably have it finished in three days, I will make more space just in case you find any more of this…."
He left the word Junk unsaid.
"We got to get ready for a late lunch."
They had about 30 minutes, Naruto eyed the mechanical clock in the room. No enjoying the bath this time. After washing he put on a formal yukata that had the waves crashing over a shore that taken all together constituted a whirlpool. The Kamishimo was only for formal dinners and official functions. This next lunch would be about congressing with the lower tier officials and relationships you may have made the night before.
Thank the sage no stupid hairdo today. And he was able to wear his regular underwear! He cried dramatically in his head. The last thing he did was put on his Hitaiate, yesterday was an exception. Of course they helped each other hide weapons. Naruto applied some light makeup to Hiro to cover up the dark circles under his eyes from the night of drinking. The other boy diligently taking it as they were trained. Though he still grumbled.
"Stupid healing bloodline. Stupid girly makeup."
Naruto let that pass without comment. That was apparently just how the Uzumaki worked he guessed. He had time to find out more. Thank the gods for shadow clones.
Tanaka sensei knocked and opened there door smiling seeing they were both ready. He looked them over.
"Good, you can take the swords they gave you as it was a gift of the Daimyo. Come, Kitagawa and Kenta are already waiting."
Hiro secured his Tanto through the sash around his waist as they were taught was etiquette for swords but Naruto himself had a problem.
The sword bearing his families emblem was a full sized sword. Meaning Naruto himself was only barely a head taller than the blade. It would make a comical image put through his belt and drag along the ground.
So instead Tanaka sensei took a chord and looped it through some discrete spots and positioned it behind his back.
"Its not really protocol but an exception can be made for practicality purposes. Your small enough no one will say anything."
He looked down at Naruto meaningfully as Naruto fumed and burned with embarrassment. He wasn't short damnit! The men in his family were just… stalky! Yeah that's what Sarari had said. But he held his tongue lest he admit to breaking the rules and having essentially snuck out.
"Our chaperones are here so behave yourselves you are representing the leaf and you will be judged on how you present yourself. Come on."
He walked with them to the lobby were Kita was wearing a different formal Kimono this time white with the design of a single spider lily stretched across the canvas. Kenta was wearing a more formal kimono similar in color to the outfit he had worn the night before. All greys and blacks and abstract flower gardens painted with shadow.
Hiro was wearing purple formal colors. And Naruto stood out as the most decked out which made him very self-conscious. He was used to being the shabbiest and poorest not the richest looking person in the room.
The walk to the palace was a more relaxed affair this time around with less security. Though the Samurai still looked at their headbands ruefully.
They definitely turned more heads this time around though almost everyone possessed a sword. Kitagawa looked at them jealously as she fanned herself aggressively with the most luxurious fan Naruto had ever seen, Ivory and Silk and semi-precious stones created a beautiful image of a scene from nature.
(She later told him that instead of a sword she had been given that. While the value of the fan was significantly more than any sword due to the craftsmanship and luxury materials it was the subtle insult and insinuation that she should be in a woman's place she hated. Though she privately admitted the 5 years free of tax was almost enough to make up for the insult. Almost. He privately noted she was in no rush to get rid of the fan though…)
They were led through grand halls of the palace to a dining hall different from the previous night. It seemed almost purposefully subdued and less sumptuous with wide columns and an open air feel.
But again Naruto was singled out and led away to the corner of the room where again he was seated among the retainers of the young lord from the night before. Naruto gave the customary bow that was expected from him causing the princeling his age to blush. And the fuzzy haired boy with glasses nodded as if he finally did something right. The short rotund boy with hair that looked a little sharp was still half asleep. A snot bubble blowing in and out of his nose as he breathed.
"Oh no. Not you too?"
Kirimaru the prince of fire whined without dignity. His fancy blade sat at his side on his cushion.
Naruto sat at the very low table on his own assigned cushion placing his own blade in a similar position.
After a bit of ribbing and teasing between the two boys Naruto joined in smirking. Still uncomfortable but deciding to suck it up and be himself.
"So have you tried that sword out yet? It looks fancy."
Kirimaru blushed again and laughed nervously.
"I have never actually used a sword before."
The princeling admitted bashfully.
"We were actually going to have our first lessons today!"
The frizzle haired boy said cheerfully and proudly.
"Would you like to join us Naruto?"
The prince invited casually.
"Would this be a formal invitation?"
Naruto asked as he was trained to. Truthfully he wanted to say yes right this instant screw these stuffy meetings! But Tetsuo sensei would have his hide and tell Kumiko Sensei….
His answer threw the prince for a loop as he was clearly expecting Naruto to jump at the chance.
"Uhh… yes?"
The frizzle haired boy gave him a look.
"I mean yes of course I formally invite you to attend lesson with us later this afternoon."
He put on an air of nobility that very quickly fell apart when a burp came out of nowhere from Naruto from the lunch he had just eaten. The Citatap was giving him major gas. Stunning the three boys and waking up the chubby one Shinbei if he was not mistaken.
Rantarou broke first and suddenly they were all uproariously laughing until an aide came by and silenced them.
Now nursing a comical welt they all sheepishly apologized to the severe but young teacher no older than Iruka sensei.
"Sorry Yamada sensei…"
All three boys chimed together.
"What am I going to do with you boys? You promised me you would behave."
The teacher scolded.
"But I heard that invitation, you are certainly welcome to join us later this afternoon Naruto, present this…"
He gave Naruto a round of metal with a sigil on it.
"… at the east entrance at 5'oclock. Don't be late…"
He got a dark and stormy look on his face that Naruto was quietly intimidated by.
"Yes Yamada-san."
Naruto chimed politely per his training.
Then they went back to eating where they began discussing their hobbies.
"Food."
The rotund boy drooled. Garnering a sweatdrop from his companions.
"And O'shige-chan!"
Presumably a girl. Naruto thought.
"I like reading, though I have a hard time doing it. And I love playing ball!"
The red haired boy with glasses said.
"Gold!"
The princeling chimed. Seeming to spawn high denomination coins in place of his eyes for a split second that had Naruto doubting his own senses.
"I thank Kami every day I was born the fire prince. I love money and making money. I actually was put in charge of the commerce guild after my seventh birthday I will have you know."
The princeling said haughtily caught up in his own grandeur as the frazzle haired boy leaned over and whispered.
"Our lord put him in a class to learn business and gave him a fake title that shuts him up and makes it feel like he is doing something."
Naruto carefully kept his face blank.
"Oh and I love hanging out with my friends more than anything. They are both going to be my advisors one day you know!"
He again boasted proudly before stopping and growing thoughtful.
"Though I always dreamed about being a Ninja, you guys are fabled you know? Able to do amazing things like walk on walls. I was never able to convince father to send me to the leaf even though mom is there all the time."
He sulked getting an incredulous look from Naruto.
Naruto could not help but boast himself.
"I will have you know you are looking at the future Hokage of the leaf village."
Naruto pointed back at himself with pride. To his own delight all three boys lit up and started bombarding him with questions on what his training was like and he may have exaggerated a mission that may or may not have occurred. But it was more than worth it as he got them eating out of the palm of his hand.
But soon enough lunch ended and his group had to move onto the next activity that Naruto was not looking forward to.
Debate and negotiation of tax treaties with lower level officials…
Next Scene:
Naruto very swiftly wanted to gouge out his own eyes.
He knew tax codes and geography could be considered highly important. But did it have to be so mind destroyingly boring?! And he could not even doze off as Kenta was somehow a bullseye of tiny stones whenever he so much as tried, while reading his stupid book!
"…here in this special trade zone on the border with tea country goods can be traded for lower tax, but it is not reciprocal and is up for re-negotiation. How would one advantage this deal towards our own nation without causing the deal to collapse?"
That was a real question and Naruto swiftly raised his hand if only for something to do amid the smattering of other dignitaries who only lightly raised their fans. He had no expectation of really being picked.
"You there, Uzumaki Naruto. Do you have any input?"
His mind went blank.
The dignitary prodded further.
"How would you solve this conundrum?"
Naruto thought fast.
"Maybe we just match whatever taxes they lay on our goods? If it goes up we go up? If it goes down we go down. We are a bigger country right? It won't cause violence will it as no one raised swords?"
The dignitary flourished to the rest of the group.
"We see here from this precocious young man the moderate position of might makes right. I say moderate because he only demands fair trade and not trade in our favor. Can anyone tell me why this may or may not be viable?"
Kenta himself raised a fan while still reading his book.
"Fires exports are primarily timber, coal, gold and industrial metals such as copper along with various luxury completed goods such as liquors. We are rather self-sufficient when it comes to primary production of food but not enough to export. Tea has near universal demand here but our climate is not suited for cultivation. Tea country is the main producer of all but the most specific luxury teas such as yellow tea grown in Water country. Hence the name. All they would need to do is cut back on exporting to us and drop the price a little and other nations such as stone would more than happily buy up the surplus and sell it to us at a premium. As the demand remains the same, we would be net in the hole. Also the favorable trade conditions serve as a tithe of sorts so when the next war breaks out they are far more likely to choose allying with us if not remain neutral. Lightning and Beasts can also provide timber while Earth can provide coal and metals at a higher volume and lower price."
The dignitary seemed pleasantly surprised as Naruto took that in and could not help but blurt out his question.
"Wait so it's a bribe? So they don't ally with anyone else and we get cheap tea?"
Hiro seemed incredibly thoughtful while Kitagawa seemed bored. Tanaka Sensei was glaring daggers at him for speaking out of turn while Kenta seemed to eye smile at him somehow. The other dignitaries either started giggling or also looked at him reprovingly. But the presenting dignitary seemed incredibly pleased he got it.
"Ahh now you understand the situation. In light of this what would you change to make things more in our favor? Per your statement before why not simply invade them and take them over outright?"
Oh him and his big mouth. He thought about it a little.
"They don't have shinobi right? What if we offered them increased protection in exchange for better rates?"
He had said the wrong thing it seems as Kenta looked at him unimpressed.
"That would be very gracious of your village shinobi-san however I struggle to see how you would benefit as the cost of the shinobi would outweigh any financial benefit we would receive. And it would rankle the other powers tea trades with. They would be seen as simply a vassal of Fire would they not?"
Naruto chose not to answer this time but remained thoughtful.
'Does being Hokage mean I have to think like this all the time?'
He asked himself.
Kitagawa raised her own jeweled fan. Getting a slight lip wrinkle from the speaker but otherwise no other reaction as he simply pointed at her.
"We sabotage the other trading partners. Subtly poison the timber from lightning and pin the blame on Beasts. We foul the ore from earth and simply blame high arsenic concentrations or a similar contaminant. Leave them no other choice."
Naruto looked at her horrified. The dignitary seemed impressed by her ruthlessness but he asked rhetorically.
"You do know if you are discovered it would mean war and sanction perhaps long after the fires went cold?"
She shrugged.
"Why do anything then? Cost of doing business."
His horror only increased as he considered perhaps he may also be called to do such a thing as Hokage. He refused! He would never stoop to such a level! That…
A horrifying realization came to him.
'That's why my family was wiped out.'
To perhaps remove an inconvenience and slightly lower prices for some good or another. Perhaps some other justification existed but it all came down to that in the end. He could not help but show his naked horror. Kenta looked at her disapprovingly and Tanaka Sensei was facing away.
The speaker burst out laughing. The others joined in.
"How pleasantly surprising and from a woman no less? I admire your bloodthirst though I cannot help but wonder how do you know we are not already doing this? And them to us?"
He rhetorically asked.
The meeting continued from there but Naruto could not think over any of it he was stuck on the scenario.
What would Jiji do? What had Jiji done?
The academy history was of no use as he understood it was meant to paint Konoha in as good a light as possible. Maybe… maybe he would talk to the man after he went home. He wanted… no he needed an answer to this. Had the leaf done such horrible things? Would he be called to do such horrible such things himself? Was he making a big deal out of something that had not happened? He desperately hoped that was the case.
He had about 15 minutes after they were let out for a couple hours to get to the right gate. So he asked Tanaka sensei's permission (not that the man had a real choice) which was swiftly granted he rushed to the hotel at full speed and changed into his shinobi gear before sprinting to the gate over the rooftops.
There were two samurai stationed at a smaller side gate that sneered at his headband but begrudgingly let him through after he waved the sigil.
What he came upon was a simple training yard with Kirimaru, Rantarou and Shinbei and Yamada sensei already present with a gaggle of boys from the feast the night before. There was a lot of padded wooden swords off to the side and all of the kids looked suitably awkward with the blades they were given.
"Ahh Naruto great you could join us you are right on time."
He turned his attention back to the group.
"Place your swords on the mat you will not be using them today. Everyone pick up a training sword…"
It was altogether a fun lesson and served to take his mind off the earlier event. He went to the room where Hiro was waiting and they had a light but opulent dinner with birds nest soup. He was not sure he liked it… But he would never be able to afford this himself so he decided to just enjoy it. They had another hour before the nights event. Something about meeting with foreign dignitaries so he simply spent his time reading more about the dance of Kagura for questions to Sarari. The illustrations were incredibly detailed but the language was very advanced and beyond his comprehension for the most part. What he did understand was the feelings he was supposed to have.
So what was that feeling he got in his stomach when people lied or had bad intentions? He would ask her about that.
That nights event was not very memorable. Mostly some diplomats from Grass that did their best to ignore him. He was happy to do the same and did his best to practice the chakra control exercise inside his clothes sticking the chakra nullifying iron to his body and trying to pay attention to why he could use the technique while he was doing it. It also hurt a little less now.
That night he and Hiro simply lazed in the private hot spring with the luxury oils they were provided. Speaking at length about the days event along with everything and nothing.
Naruto turned in for the night wondering about the next day and hoping his cousins were okay.
Next Scene:
Naruto woke up early and began stretching with his morning warm ups. Hiro still dozing away. He wanted to get some practice in. He started practicing the movements shown in the scroll. Trying to think about what was said. Then he started adding the Kunai sticking as many as he could (only two) and performing the same movements while trying to keep the kunai stuck. They kept falling but he was getting better when Hiro woke up and they were served breakfast. Seemingly simple affair but with ingredients that would clean out his monthly income. While Hiro went for a morning bath Naruto opted for more reading a fact that would have Iruka checking for an imposter.
Right before they left for the day Naruto dumped as much chakra into a single clone as possible and again left him behind.
Time to go meet his family.
He made his way down to the house with his towel and a small bag with clothes. As this was a clone he kept his promise and did not bring weapons.
When opening the door she smirked.
"Ahh you were able to make it."
She left the door open without a word and Naruto came in closing it behind him.
Repun was playing with a toy ship quietly on the carpet dangling his legs back and forth making soft noises in his play pretend. She served him simple barley tea and they spoke about what he was here for.
"It must be nice to be wined and dined by the Daimyo."
She said with a touch of bitterness.
Naruto looked down.
"I never knew, until very recently I struggled to put food on the table at all. I have really been only able to eat properly for about 3 months now."
She looked shocked.
"But you said you had a Jiji? Does he not feed you?"
This was bringing up those dark feelings again and he did not like it.
"He took me to Ramen every so often but the Hokage is a busy man and I live alone."
He smiled.
"But its better now I am going to go live with Iruka Sensei soon he asked me to live with him and I am so excited."
She did not seem convinced but let the matter go.
What could she possibly do?
"In any case where we are going is not really fancy just the local baths."
Naruto smiled not really caring.
"Anything is fancy as long as I am with family."
She cooed and grabbed her chest.
"Ahh aren't you sweet?"
Repun was making gagging noises.
"Shut it you! Naturally."
She ticked.
The left soon after and came to a local hot spring. An industrial working class place with the tile floor and mural.
He had only seen the likes in books as Konoha hot springs were more traditional. Reppun quickly shed his clothes with no shame and just walked into the shower area to clean himself. Naruto simply did the same and blushed under the watchful eyes of Sarari. Altogether he had a nice time.
Repun occasionally splashing him and giggling while Naruto got him back squeezing his palms quickly to squirt water his way whenever she turned away to speak to one of the other women here.
Listening in it really was a working class neighborhood. The women spoke to each other about their way of life, their aches and pains and the days pleasures. Many expressed gratefulness for the freedoms they had. Compared to the opulence of the inner district this seemed more Naruto's style. More homely, more comfortable.
Sarari griped about how she would afford Repun's schooling, complained about some of her clients being too rough and much more. Turning his attention back to Repun the small boy spoke of stories he was told and urban legends the boys told one another. He spoke about the carnivals where wandering ninja performed techniques for their amusement and made candy with elemental manipulation.
It sounded nice.
He asked her about Kagura and she laughed when he mentioned to scrolls he had paid so much for.
"Hah! Those old things? I pawned them years ago and you paid how much?"
There was a touch of bitterness there so Naruto offered them back as much as it hurt him to do so.
"No. You paid for it fair and square and you will obviously appreciate it more than I did. Repun can come to you if he wants copies I reckon?"
Naruto nodded quickly.
"Of course! Believe it!"
She told him of the nuances of the technique and that for the first two years she did nothing but dance with the movements on the scroll before the shrine lady shared the secret. She showed him the handsigns which she had long since stopped needing. The only chakra technique she knew.
"Perhaps you will find other traces of our gifts. But I only know of them not how to do them. For instance some of our people were able to share vitality with a simple bite. I once tried it but it only hurt and did not heal. But I can teach you this at least."
When they began to prune they left the Hot spring and Sarari gave Repun instructions.
"Take him foraging, he will watch you I have business to take care of. Your clone can last right?"
She looked at him expectantly.
"Yeah I have enough Chakra to last two days as long as I don't use any techniques I think. I can protect him."
She nodded.
"Good you can learn more about our tribes practices too as some of the indigenous vegetables of Uzushio also grow here. You still want to learn right?"
Naruto looked almost offended she had to ask.
Repun led him out a side gate towards a neighboring forest. There he showed him and they picked with baskets chestnuts, Kiwi-berries, acorns, rose hips (Repun munched on a few of those raw), and mushrooms the boy called yuk karus.
But he pointed things out at a million miles a minute to the point the Naruto clone had to create two more clones just to try to remember it all. It was fine as when they dispelled he kept 90% of the chakra used. The boy pointed out all the wild things they foraged over a year and the time of year they did so.
By the time the sun began to set and they returned with woven tree bark baskets laden to the bursting with forage Sarari was waiting for them and seemed overjoyed at the diversity they were able to bring.
"Great job! That will feed us for days. Naturally. Would you like to stay for Dinner Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head about to say he was a clone and it would be a waste. But stopped himself.
"I am a clone and should not eat so I don't waste food but I would love to stay and watch and help you cook."
She smiled.
That first week was filled with moments like this. Naruto inevitably was placed with Kirimaru, Shinbei and Rantarou during the diplomatic events and he naturally became closer to them. He would switch between the real body being at the palace or with Sarari and Repun. He was simply overjoyed when the younger boy started calling him big brother out of the blue. He practiced as much as he could and by the end of the week he did not need to use the chakra control exercise to use the Kagura Shingan but instead needed to use the handsigns.
He offered to activate her chakra but she declined. Repun however he woke his coils up the way he remembers. The boy wanted it but Sarari seemed a little uncomfortable.
"No one has to know."
Naruto said simply.
"I can teach him a few tricks, he can claim the circus ninja taught him. And it should help him learn sealing and this technique easier."
She relented but seemed worried.
She taught him how to weave with tree bark and the many designs she remembered.
"Keep in mind there was no single style. We were a people yes but one with different traditions. I think your Mother or Father would have been from the hidden village and they had much more in common with the mainland cultures and our cousins."
He also picked up as much of the language of his people as he could. Every night and day he learned new dishes using seasonal ingredients. And he grew to care for them very much and would miss them terribly upon his return to the leaf.
Hiro finished the scroll and Naruto stashed what he was not reading away in his pack. All was right with the world.
But the next week got… Interesting.
AN: Greetings. Hello to all my readers. Long time no see. I have great news! I now have my Masters degree in science. The title is unimportant as it would tell you too much about me and where I am and who I am and I am not ready for that yet. But I will be able to update a lot more. I wanted to explain my rationale here for the Uzumaki. I wanted to make them different enough but still recognizable to Japanese culture, hence I chose the Ainu. While I have not yet watched and read Golden Kamuy I have always been fascinated by the Ainu and it stood out to me as an indigenous culture that mirrors the Uzumaki as it was attempted to wipe them out. They will not exactly be Ainu as I have been making it a mish mash of Japanese culture and Ainu culture with a twist involving the mask temple I hope you will look forward to. I hope I have treated the matter respectfully. Towards the end I touched a little on the darkness in the shinobi world. And I must warn that the next chapter will be considerably darker and the peaceful times have come to an end.
Going forward I will be basing ninja combat on early Naruto manga and the actual ninja bible the Bansenshukai. I will also attempt to bring Naruto's personality closer to his Canon self with the obvious difference being he is actually getting attention. Until Naruto meets Jiraiya his political positions will be primarily informed by his own sense of justice and the people around him such as Hiruzen and Danzo through his proxies. I hope to create a more jaded Naruto that is still eventually Ninja Jesus. Jiraiya is a huge part of that and we will meet him sooner than Canon but not till after the first C-Rank. Stay tuned for that. As always if you have any feedback and are not simply hoping to sell me commission art I would love to hear it.