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coaldplay · 4 years

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Promise of Mother’s Love: chapter 4 - “Let it go”

Three years later.

Summer.

Naruto didn't like Mondays. Not because it was a Monday and a beginning of the week. No. He didn't like Mondays, because it was the day of learning fuuinjutsu.

He went to the grandpa a few times a week, always just after Academy lessons. He stays there until Mirai comes and takes him back home. Sometimes, it was a happy moment. Sometimes, he was sad it was over.

Today, it would be of 180' degrees opposite of the latter. Like every Monday.

He sighed today for what seemed the 100th time. He was sitting there, on Monday, in grandpa's house, on pillows, just next to a low table, with Sarutobi-sensei. He called him Sarutobi-sensei only during these lessons, and in a sole purpose of mocking the old man.

He was sitting here working on fuuinjutsu, instead of doing something productive. He didn't consider fuuinjutsu useful. It wasn't. For him, it was just drawing weird stuff on a big roll of paper.

He sighed again.

"Today, Naruto, you are exceedingly active."

They worked together, sitting opposite to each other.

"Yeah... no joke."

Naruto heard a soft laugh.

He sighed again. He was so sleepy.

"You didn't get enough sleep today, Naruto?"

"You know it's not that, Sarutobi-sensei. It's fuuinjutsu. It's so boring."

"Will you stop calling me sensei, please? It sounds strange from you. And this surname..."

"You are my sensei, though. Should I just call you by Hiruzen only?"

Hiruzen winced.

"No, no. That is just too much."

"Yeah... it almost didn't come through my throat."

"Happy we agree on this, Naruto."

"Sure. You're welcome."

Hiruzen sighed mentally. Mentally, because he didn't want to be like Naruto, who had a strange habit of sighing. He must've learned that from the Naras, and there it went, trying to pass itself down on him. He would not let it do that to him. Not in a million years.

He sighed, physically.

"Fuuinjutsu isn't boring," he muttered.

"Something's wrong, Sarutobi-sensei? You ain't so young anymore. Don't forget that."

"You will never let me forget."

"Bingo!" he shouted playfully.

"You play bingo, Naruto?" Hiruzen asked surprised.

"No."

"So how...?"

"Just saw it the other day. You should go there. It's a game for people just like you. Old people. Maybe you'd finally meet a sweet old lady? She'd make you tasty cookies. Everybody knows how much you love 'em. Real tasty cookies. Delicious."

Naruto very much liked to make fun of him. He would make a fine comedian in the future, if he wasn't training for a shinobi.

But the good atmosphere had to end, when Naruto finally showed him his work, full of hopeless hope.

"Again."

The very-soon-to-be a nine-year-old lost his patience though.

"How many times do I must tell you, that I don't make it in fuuinjutsu?" said Naruto, annoyed, folding his arms.

Hiruzen didn't answer at first. He never reacted to anger. He reached for his pipe and began to rub in the tobacco. It wasn't until he almost ended to do so, when he started speaking, noticing Naruto calmed down a little.

"Naruto, list all areas of shinobi practice."

Namikaze looked at him in surprise. It took him a little off guard.

"The ninjutsu, the taijutsu, the genjutsu, the kenjutsu. And last, but not least," he spread his arms, showing work in front of him, "the fuuinjutsu."

"Oh, yeah, how very much he likes to show off," thought Hiruzen, laughing inside. He only nodded his head though.

"Yes. Now list the most famous masters of each of them."

"Hmm?"

It surprised him even more. This talk had made no sense to him, but whateva.

"Start with genjutsu."

"Genjutsu... it's probably Kurenai, Kurenai Yuhi? Hey, hardly anyone masters genjutsu, so it was easy."

"Oh, oh, yes. You're right. Kurenai is a genjutsu master, indeed. Kenjutsu?"

If he named Itachi or Shisui, he would get a little worried.

"It's a little harder. I think either the samurai from the Iron country or the Seven Masters of the Sword, from the Mist."

"Taijutsu?"

"Honestly, I don't know. This Maito Gai... or was it Guy? He is said to be very good, but I don't believe it."

"Oh? Why?"

"He looks so stupid! How does someone like him could be a taijutsu master?"

"You would be surprised, how much differs an outside look from what's on the inside, Naruto. You must know a person better before judging one. Remember that. And for you know, Maito Gai is a powerful taijutsu master. What about ninjutsu?"

Naruto looked at him suspiciously and folded his arms.

"Admit it, this whole talk is only for making me say that you are best at ninjutsu."

Hiruzen laughed at this.

"So don't say it, Naruto. What about fuuinjutsu?"

Naruto looked down.

"My father, the Fourth Hokage."

Hiruzen popped his pipe.

"Yes, Minato is one of the best living people, when it comes to fuinjutsu. But you are wrong."

It surprised Naruto.

"How is that?"

Hiruzen pointed his finger at the painting hanging on the wall.

"Could you take this off and bring it here?"

"Okay..."

He felt that he knew the sign from somewhere, but he didn't know from where. It felt as if having a word at the end of the tongue, but one can't say what word it is.

When he sat down and put the painting on the table, the Third asked:

"What do you think about this, Naruto?"

"I've seen this sign somewhere, but I don't remember where exactly."

Hiruzen nodded approvingly.

"This is the emblem that is placed..."

"...on shinobi jackets! Of course!" finished Naruto, facepalming himself.

Painted was a red vortex circle on a white background.

"Yes. Every shinobi of Konoha, as I told you, should know the basics of every field of ninja arts. Without these basics, you can't be an effective shinobi, Naruto."

"Yes, yes, I know, you don't have to repeat yourself, old man."

"This is not the only reason, Naruto, that I want to teach you fuuinjutsu."

"Really?"

"This symbol you see here is an emblem of the Uzumaki clan, Naruto. You see, in the first year of the Academy, you study the history of Konoha. The First and Second Hokage were from the Senju clan. Members of both these clans, Uzumaki and Senju, were very distant relatives. Their common roots were, ohoho, very ancient times. A thousand of years, at least. Half-legendary. What you don't learn at the Academy though, is that the Uzumaki clan was once Konoha's most faithful and greatest ally. My sensei's wife, the First Hokage, was from the Uzumaki clan. Her name was Uzumaki Mito."

"Uzumaki clan... was? As if, they aren't there anymore?"

Hiruzen nodded sadly, looking away.

"Twenty-four years ago, during the war, Uzushiogakure, home of the Uzumaki, was conquered and destroyed. Every man, woman and even young ones. Every building, there is no stone left on another stone. Few Uzumaki survived. Only a few families, which was because they were far away from home during the invasion. They did not have a home to come back to, so one of those families came here, to Konoha. It was them, who taught your father fuinjutsu. A lone mother with one daughter."

"Maybe...?"

Hiruzen shook his head.

"No, they won't teach you. Unfortunately, the woman who was your father's sensei died shortly after she passed every bit of her knowledge to Minato. Huge loss, I say."

"What about the daughter?"

Hiruzen gave him a long look.

Naruto deserved to know, It wasn't that big of a state secret really, since she died and who knows where Kyuubi is now. And she was Naruto's mother. He could not tell him though, that they suspected suicide... he was too young for that.

"She died not long after her mother."

Naruto nodded.

"It was during a mission to find other of her clansmen." Hiruzen added.

And Naruto felt it was a lie.

Kakashi stood with flowers in his hand in front of Memorial Stone.

The fact, that he was here, wouldn't surprise anyone. People knew, where to look for him, when he was, almost always, running late.

People used to be full of respect for his mourning. As years slowly passed, it didn't raise such feelings no more. Only politeness, which he found mocking. He preferred when people felt anger and irritation over his stupid mannerisms.

Sometimes though, they who knew, just looked at him with pity in their gaze.

He thought, they didn't remember another Kakashi, who wasn't standing in front of Memorial Stone for hours no end. Who was arrogant and laughed at them for their inability to stand against him; and who was, at the same time, strangely likeable more often than not, although he himself didn't know why that seemed to be the case.

Strangers were overwhelmed by his fame. Ninja, who knew a thousand jutsus, right?

No more than a two hundred.

Chidori no Kakashi, they named him. Kakashi of a thousand screeching birds.

Ain't helping with making new friends, is it?

Didn't help him with the ones he already lost.

His friends no longer remembered the Old Kakashi. As far as there has ever been someone like that, for he wasn't so sure anymore.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into years. His whole past... from before... was just an abstraction, incomprehensible and foreign.

These years today turned into a decade. What he had become?

"Let's go," said Minato Namikaze. Kakashi felt like a beaten dog, when he followed him.

Obito and Rin were buried side by side on Hokage's orders. The Uchiha clan and Rin's parents tried to protest, but his sensei was adamant.

At least in this way they will finally be together.

This, however, did not comfort anyone. Silver-haired only saw the irony that was spitting on his face. Obito's body wasn't even here. Only Rin's.

"Why, Rin, why? Did you really want to meet him so badly? Didn't you know what promise I gave to him?"

He could say no more, before he fell to his knees in front of the grave and cried.

Hours later. Same place.

A figure in a black coat appeared out of nowhere.

Obito took off his mask. He wanted Rin to recognize him.

If only he could, he would save her from them. From Kakashi. If only he could make it back in time.

Obito looked at the grave that was marked with his name.

He felt no feeling, except one and only one, which was the only thing that gave him his strength.

Love he still felt for her. Always. Since the time, he first laid his eyes on her.

He stood there for a while, not speaking.

If only he could make it.

"It's time," said black Zetsu, who was without white half.

Fugaku didn't look up, when the door to his office opened.

"Sasuke, it's late. Why aren't you in bed?"

He didn't ask for anyone. And no one ever comes at this hour. It must be his second son again. He thought he was too big for that, but apparently he was wrong.

There was no answer.

He waited for a few seconds, still a pen in hand, writing.

Only then did he look up.

And he frantically stood up, knocking over the chair. He immediately took a stance, ready to fight.

"Who are you?! What is this intrusion?!"

In front of him stood a tall figure in a dark coat, just as tall, reaching the floor. It had also very long sleeves.

A mask with flaming patterns was visible from under a wide hood. It only had one hole, for the left eye.

"Who are you?! Speak, damn you!"

"You really don't know who I am?" the man asked in a puzzled tone.

"Is that some kind of a stupid joke?! Why would I know that?!"

Madara expected Fugaku to recognize the mask. It seems that the Fourth has concealed at least some of what happened nine years ago.

"You should know. After all, we're both Uchiha."

"Who the hell are you?! If you are actually an Uchiha, you should know that such intrusion is considered an assault on the clan's head. The penalty is death."

"I know. I created that law, mind you."

What?

"What?"

The man in the mask sat down in front of the desk. His every move was observed by Fugaku.

"Sit."

That voice... there was something about it, that made him feel a twinge of fear.

Even if he was an Uchiha, he was something utterly different.

He took his chair and placed it on its place.

He sat.

"Now, we can talk. And, you heard me. I created that law. My name is Uchiha Madara."

Laughter, terror, surprise. Calm. Madara was impressed by how quickly Fugaku managed to calm his mind down, though his face showed suspense.

"Whether or not you believe me, it does not matter. I haven't come to take my place from you."

Fugaku didn't like this tone.

"I thought the First Hokage killed my predecessor in Valley of the End."

Madara pointed to a place, where there would probably be a second hole for a right eye.

"Izanagi."

Fugaku nodded. He wasn't very surprised. It was a kinjutsu, but Madara must've known it. The elders suspected this, but kept it a secret from everyone outside.

It could be considered an act of treason. At this point, the irony of that statement was laughable.

"Why are you hiding your face from me?"

However, the fact that these suspicions turned out to be, at least maybe, true, disturbed him nonetheless.

"Only a few people are still alive, who keep the knowledge of what I looked like in their memories. It will be finally forgotten, when they die."

Fugaku raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.

"Why are you disturbing the peace of this village, Madara?"

Fugaku sensed his eyes on him. He looked into the hole in the mask and watched it closely.

Sharingan.

"Is that what you call peace? What you name peace, I call calm before the storm. Let's talk why I am here."

Autumn.

No one said a word about Fourth Hokage, even though they were at his son's ninth birthday.

Naruto was sitting on the windowsill and watching Konoha's night panorama.

He couldn't sleep.

His father hasn't come. Again.

Today were his 9th birthday. Everyone who did come, long ago went to their homes and laid asleep in their beds.

He couldn't take his eyes off of this city' landscape.

Konoha was sleeping. Yellow light from the lamps, who were only light sources except the moon, created a melancholic vibe.

A clock on the wall in his room showed one o'clock at night, but he wasn't weary. What he felt, did not feel like that.

He sure was often tired. Academy courses, Third's lessons. He felt a slight consolation in that from today, he was a genin. Officially.

He dreamed about it, he truly did, but now it felt bland. Like it was just another day, that one becomes genin. That was a peak moment in his life and yet, now, when he was alone, and it was late at night, he couldn't feel the happiness he certainly did feel, when he got the news.

For his father, even though he gave him a promotion, did not come to celebrate his birthday. That was so much different from years before.

The wind blew strongly. Sound of rustling leaves filled the empty space between his heart and body.

Somewhere in the distance dog barked.

Naruto jumped off the sill on the floor and opened the window as wide as it was possible.

He liked the cold. When the wind blew on his face, he felt just free.

Freedom. And ease.

Oh, how much he loved that feeling.

He stood by the bed and widely spread his arms, welcoming it and begging it, in his mind, to stay. It never did.

He smiled, when he felt chills all over his body. It was freezing cold, but for these couple of seconds, he always forgets about everything.

He wanted to be like the wind, uncontrollable and playful, free and not bound by anything.

He felt cold tears running down his cheeks.

When he opened them, his eyes went to the picture of a smiling Fourth Hokage, that was framed on his bedside.

He grabbed it and threw it out the window as hardly as he possibly could, screaming loudly until it hit the ground below.

He closed the window with a bang and threw himself on the bed, sobbing.

Naruto left the building, and then without even looking up, headed for the academy gate. He knew where to go.

On Thursdays, he always comes home by himself, alone.

Like every winter, he was happy to be outdoors. The snow creaked pleasantly under his boots. He was dressed in a warm orange jacket and blue, thick pants. Cold pinched his cheeks playfully, and he was smiling widely because of this.

He passed by snowball battle which was always there near academy, during the winter. Kids were laughing loudly.

He ain't a girl, so he is safe with just passing by. Nobody will attack him just like that, for they knew his revenge was always sweeter than most people's.

Some minutes later, he found himself at the crossroads. He glanced sideways. It's been a long time since he was in the Academy Park.

He sat on the bench and pulled out a map of Konoha.

He began to study it.

"A shinobi must know his village as well as the back of his own hand," he heard Third's voice.

To visit, there was left only one place. He has never been there, he thought surprised.

Well, he can do it today. He stood up and took the walk to the place. He put the map to his backpack - he didn't need it anymore.

He wasn't afraid. Right?

As he passed through the main gate of the cemetery, a wide square appeared to his eyes.

A tall board with a map painted on it, stood next to one of the benches.

He looked at it. The whole cemetery, square, divided into nine, numbered from 1 to 8 and a star.

He noticed it. On the map. The golden star. Grandfather's two sensei. The First and The Second.

He felt joy. Euphoria, even.

He never felt anything like that.

He didn't notice the moment, when he started running. People were turning around, surprised. Naruto was slipping between them without stopping for a moment. In his blue eyes they could see only happiness.

These people were blind. Are. Will be.

The Eyes were wild. They were mad. Every time they turned, they turned again, never focusing on anything longer than a quarter of a second.

What people ever saw, were his blue pupils. People always see what they want to see. If someone ever noticed him, he was always the esteemed son of Minato Namikaze.

Naruto was watching himself from above.

But these eyes, they were the Eyes, even though now like of a madman.

When the son of Minato passed the inner gate, son of Minato immediately noticed a large rock with a strange, angular shape. Behind it was a half-round high wall with thousands of inscriptions. They were dead names.

Lamps lit everything brightly.

Naruto awakened in his own body, out of euphoric amok.

He felt, he had to look behind himself. He was tempted to do it.

"No."

But he was doing it already.

"No! No, no, no! NO!" he shouted.

But the temptation was too strong. He gave up.

And suddenly, when he saw, what he must've seen before, the world around him stopped.

Every single man, woman or child disappeared. What was left, was only a strange smell.

Foul odor of the Death.

He had no right to know, but he knew anyway. The stench of the battlefield and hundreds of rotting bodies.

White tombstones to the horizon. There were hundreds of them. Thousands. Hundreds of thousands. They filled his field of view. They covered the sky and the sun, and every star. Day, night, day, night, were passing by minutes. Arranged in rows, even, and clean. His field of view widened.

He still was watching himself and being himself from above at the same time.

Naruto heard his laughter. He sounded evil.

Then, suddenly, despair of hundreds came upon him. Despair, hate, longing, sadness.

Why didn't he notice them before as he was running on this straight path? He fell to his knees.

He was so cold.

Hate.

Increasingly, everything was in the end obscured by hatred.

He felt, as if he was drowning. On his whole body, he felt the Hatred. It wanted to tear him apart.

He raised his hand to look at it, but when he tried to do so, his forehead burned him with great pain.

"The end," he heard himself say. He did not know why he did that.

And then pain disappeared.

He fell to the ground with his whole body. He tried to get up on all fours. He managed to do it, even though he had no strength. The only strength he still had, was of his will.

He raised his head. Suffering, despair, hatred, sadness of thousands of people who visited this place. Every. Single. Day.

He watched them. Days were like seconds, stages of the moon passed by, and full moons were like minutes to him. He did not see people, only blurs of their bodies and their feelings.

A strange feeling of... fullness overlap him. He felt, as if millions of souls were crushed inside of his chest and between his hands, between his fingers.

He tried to breathe. He could not catch it.

He was terrified. He wanted to scream, but couldn't catch a foreign air. He felt a stinging pain in the left chest. It was his heart.

Something appeared above him. It was watching him.

It seemed to him, that it was Death herself, who was looking straight at his small posture. He felt so small in her presence. He raised his eyes.

It was a giant figure of a strange looking head. At its base, fiery purple flames were burning, and her eyes were like nothing out of this world. Royal purple, cut with black circles centering. They were looking at him.

And he was watching himself.

People were passing him all the time, paying no attention to anything. They were blurs, months passed like seconds.

Nobody looked at him. Nobody cared about him. Only thing they ever saw him as, was a son of Hokage. The Hokage they knew better than his own son knew him. This son stood in front of him smiling now.

Suddenly, Death stuck out a snake tongue from her nightmare giant lips, which entwined the neck of a son of the Hokage, who stood in front of him. Disgusting tongue raised the boy, holding him by his throat.

Huge head opened its mouth and devoured a son of the Hokage.

Naruto shook with coldness, that suddenly enveloped his entire body.

The cry of the devoured boy dripped with anguish and horrible pain. Behind him he heard a snarl of an animal. He didn't understand, but felt this animal was full of anger and hatred. He could hear it clearly, even though he knew that there was nobody around him.

Then, he realized that he was the one screaming. He found himself in the mouth of this monster in a form of a large head with purple flames surrounding its base.

Suddenly nine black flames appeared in front of him, which hung in the air opposite of him, orbiting slowly in a two-dimensional space.

He looked around.

He was on a meadow.

He felt nothing.

He looked at the black flames.

Six of the nine flames moved: three forming an external triangle between them, three forming an internal one.

Then, every of the nine started spinning, faster and faster, until they blurred into three thin lines, creating three black circles: internal, central and external.

Then, color purple enveloped the inside of this strange creation.

"Let it go", he heard a woman's voice.

He felt a blissful calm.

He slept through the rest of the night with no dreams.

Naruto opened his eyes. It was still a night. He stared at the ceiling of his room.

"They lie," someone near said.

Boy did not respond.

"They lie."

"Who lies?"

The Voice laughed.

"You don't know...? Ah... apparently you do know. Konoha lies. Your grandfather. Aunt. Uncle. Everyone lies. To you."

A pause.

"And you realize that. You feel anguish. I know this. You know this. You can feel my hate, don't you?"

A pause.

The Voiced laughed again.

"One thing only makes us distinct. You lie to yourself, just like everybody lies to you. You don't know any different. But I do."

"Who are you?"

"I have many names, but I am now your conscience."

"What do you want?"

"I want nothing that you can give me. Let's not talk about what I want. Let's just say... you have a part of me. Not that you knew it before. In the end, they always hide you in your cell."

Naruto didn't respond.

"I know you, Naruto. In the same way that you know they lie. I think you understand, what that means... or you don't and I am wrong about you?"

Naruto closed his eyes. A single tear ran down his cheek. The Voice laughed yet again, mockingly this time.

"Yes, boy. This is your first answer. You have this gift from me. In the future, you will know more about it and about yourself. And now... one more thing... you will inform no one about me or I'll kill you just as easy, as if by a snap of my fingers."

Even if the Voice did not blackmail him, the boy wouldn't inform anyone; and they both knew it, which Naruto was sure of.

The Voice wanted to tell him and Naruto knew what the Voice said in his last sentence, was true.

They are now in this together, are they?

The cemetery was exactly like in his dream, even though only in his dream he had seen it before coming here in person.

He didn't hurry. He had time.

The board. The map. The numbers. The golden star. Everything was the same.

He finally reached the centre.

The only difference was in the silver-haired tall shinobi.

"Who is buried here?" he asked famed ninja.

The man looked at him. One of his eyes was covered under Konoha band.

Kakashi wondered who was observing him for so long. Now, he knew. He looked back at Memorial Stone.

"No one." shinobi responded blankly.

Naruto did not know why, but he felt shivers going on his spine.

"So why are you here, Kakashi Hatake?"

Ninja snorted.

From a child's perspective, everything has always been so simple. Naruto was visibly confused that he laughed.

"I'm sorry, Naruto Namikaze."

The boy nodded. He did not show a surprise, when famed shinobi knew his name. Kakashi thought that was to be expected from Hokage's son.

"I am here for those, who were and for those, who couldn't be buried here."

"You need not to sense other's negative feelings to talk to people, you know?" Naruto smiled warmly. "Time has come for your sadness to go. I say to you: let it go."

After that meeting Kakashi finally started to let it go.

After a few years, he repeated the phrase, when he finally did... let it go.

#naruto shippuuden fanfiction

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coaldplay · 4 years

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Promise of Mother’s Love: chapter 3 - “Sighs”

Six years later

Mirai Sarutobi woke up.

She lay down on her back and extended her left arm to the opposite side of the bed.

She sensed he still wasn't there. She turned to see only an empty space.

She sighed. It was her daily ritual, when her husband, Kosuke, was on a mission.

She sat up, resting her back on the pillows. She looked at the watch on the bedside table next to her. It was almost seven a.m. It was just beginning to clear outside. Days were getting shorter and colder. The tree opposite to the window had long started to show first signs of an autumn. Now, their small garden glowed with the colors of green, golden yellow and bright red.

Winter was fast approaching. It will snow soon. She sighed again. Personally, she preferred summer.

Today, they will have to rake leaves again. Her eyes lit up. Strangely enough, she felt happy at the thought. Yes, it will be a good day.

In the end, it was October 10th.

She stood up to welcome the day, with a wide smile. She had many things to do. But first the toilet, shower and other such.

She will wash her teeth after breakfast. Obviously, after breakfast.

During the morning toilet, she repeated the list of things she had yet to buy.

She checked the fridge and cabinets... yes, milk, eggs, flour, absolutely. She was going to make a cake. His favorite. Cheesecake with raisins. But she can't forget about the ramen. Oh, absolutely not. There wasn't Naruto's birthday without the ramen.

At the memory of Naruto eating a ramen for the first time, her mood improved even more. He looked like he had a meal made by Kami herself, who descended from heaven, not lousy Mirai Sarutobi of Konoha.

She didn't even realize, when she started humming a song she recently heard. Who would've thought, that Naruto would like music so much?

After that, he always tortured her, so she would listen to this or that cassette with him.

That's why she knew what to buy him for a gift. A set of cassettes with his favorite bands, that he didn't yet have. When the Third asked her for advice because he had no idea himself, she only told him, that the cassettes were already taken and Naruto already has his own cassette player, so that option was out too.

"And don't even think about buying ramen like last year!" she said.

Yes. It really happened. Even now, she couldn't really believe it. But apparently every of her senses rebelled against her and registered it.

She remembered that Kosuke just shook his head, smiling.

"Really, Hiruzen, try this time. Don't go easy on this. You can't do that. I gave him a blunt replica of Minato's kunai, remember?"

"I just wanted to make Naruto happy," answered the Third Hokage.

Well, Mirai had to admit it. The little one was delighted. It was a large packet with a great inscription: "Ramen in ten flavors!".

Going down the stairs to the ground floor, she promised herself that starting from tomorrow, she would limit the ramen.

She knew, however, that she couldn't keep this promise.

She knew, that she had too big weakness for Naruto.

She hoped that it would be different for Karin. Or Konohamaru.

She had known about it for a week now. She was waiting for this day.

Kosuke said he would make it here, and then, when everyone cools down... she would start the party again!

They've been trying for a year. She and Kosuke had everything planned. When they bought this apartment three years ago, they remembered to have an one room as a store. This room would be soon transformed from a warehouse into a children's room.

After drying her hair, she dressed warmly and went out to the store.

Naruto quickly opened his eyes. He heard the door downstairs closing.

This is the day!

He got up. He started running. He opened the door of his room without even paying attention to it. He ran down the stairs as fast as he could. He was at most a meter tall.

Tup, tup, tup, tup, tup.

He reached the calendar in the kitchen.

He looked for a number ten.

It was marked with a red circle and in red capital letters: "NARUTO'S BIRTHDAY!"

"Yatta!" he shouted from joy.

Of course, yesterday he knew, he will have a birthday today, but he preferred to make sure he wasn't wrong. After all, it was only once a year. Not every day.

It reminded him, how cool it was year ago.

He got very cool kunai from uncle Kosuki. He showed it to Shikamaru, who announced that even if it were a ninja kunai, it was of a very strange shape. Maybe that's why, when Naruto tried to throw it like a real ninja, no matter how hard, the knife had never stuck in this big tree in the garden. It confused him a bit, but at least he could train to become a great ninja, one like his father.

From his aunt Mirai, he received toy ninja armband, a tape recorder, which he had until now... and a cookbook. She said if he could choose a nice dish for her, she would definitely prepare it for him. Only one condition: it could not be ramen. He didn't understand this. He didn't know the word, but it seemed a little funny to him. Of course, it wasn't nice to laugh at other people, especially if they're nice to you, and aunt Mirai was a very nice person, but, well, he just didn't know how to react.

Therefore, despite everything, he liked the gift he got from his grandfather the most.

Ten ramen flavors combo. Even now, a small smile appeared on his little face as he recalled this gift. He forced his aunt to prepare it for him whenever he wanted. He intended to save it for special occasions, but then his uncle informed him, that it had an expiration date and after that date, he could no longer eat it. He then decided: during the next ten days he has to eat this ramen every day, for dinner. He wouldn't let it go to waste.

He didn't know the word either, but he felt it inside: ramen meant too much for him to just like... not eat it, when he had a chance. And so many flavors?

Funny.

At first, aunt Mirai didn't want to work with him. He offered that if she agrees, he wouldn't eat a single ramen for the next month. She agreed.

He did not think it through. He really did not think it through.

He winced. It was the worst month ever in the history of months, for sure.

By the way, he recently noticed that aunt Mirai was strangely pleased, and so much so, that she was smiling at all times. At first, he was surprised. Then, it started to irritate him, because he didn't know why, and he wanted to know why. He decided that he had to find out. In his six-year-old mind, he decided that he must first make her stop being so satisfied with herself.

He started slowly. He would leave toy samurai soldiers in the middle of the room; he would forget to clean up after himself, or he would brush his teeth before breakfast, not after. Nothing worked. He concluded, he had to do something big.

When he consulted Shikamaru, he, at first, didn't know what he wanted to do. When he explained everything, Nara announced, that if he really wants to risk the "mother's anger", as he put it, he should spill milk on the table. Naruto reminded him that Mirai is his aunt, not his mother. He had no mother.

However, to reach his ultimate goal, Naruto did it. The day before yesterday, at breakfast, he spilled milk on the table, when he was pouring cereal. She just looked at him, as if he had grown a second head, threw him an old cloth and told him to clean it all up. He did it, furious. She probably thought he was angry that he had to clean up after all. No; he was angry, because Mirai ignored him again.

Yesterday morning he decided to make the biggest mess in his room, so big, like never before. He managed to do it - he was proud of himself, even. And it was left there for a whole day. Normally, she would start complaining, that she wouldn't clean it up, and she would be screeching at him until he cleaned it all himself. But when, under a pretext, he led her into his room, she acted as if everything was all right. She just looked at him strangely and asked what he wants.

That made him furious. There was no ignoring Naruto Namikaze.

Finally, at the end of the day, she asked why he hadn't cleaned his room yet. He lifted his eyes and then narrowed them, hoping he would feel anger from her, but no. Nothing. Just simple satisfaction, with that stupid smile on her face. His irritation had left him and he felt empty. As if he wasn't really there.

Once, Shikamaru introduced him to Choji. It was at the playground, which they played at from time to time. Akimichi boy asked him, why he had such strange things on his face. He asked what they meant. Naruto couldn't answer him though, because he didn't know it himself. Naruto didn't think he looked weird, because he always looked like that. Since when he remembered. And that's it. It was how he looked. It didn't occur to him, that his appearance might be weird for someone. It was the same with small marks and patterns above his eyebrows. Before Choji, who was the first to notice his freckles and lines on his cheeks, even Shikamaru didn't notice them.

After this event, no one he asked knew what they were was and why he had them. He also asked about his "whiskers", but answer was always the same.

Thick blonde hair. Freckles on the nose. Eyelets over the eyebrows and lines on the cheeks. Ears slightly protruding. Bright blue eyes. He shrugged. He guessed he was just weird. Different. Eh, screw it. Choji was fat. Naruto wasn't. And Naruto didn't react as if he had been hurt, when Choji reminded him that he had a strange appearance.

"And why are you so fat?" he responded back then.

However, from then on, he began to see many things that distinguished him from others.

It occurred to him, that when he was focused, he could see things that no one else saw. He knew; he asked other kids. Once, he told Mirai about that. The day he did it, turned out to be one of the worst in his young life.

He has never seen her so scared. She made him promise that he would tell no one, if her or grandfather hadn't given a permission. He promised, but didn't forget, how she reacted.

Very next day, grandfather Hiruzen came to them, seemingly unannounced.

Uncle Kosuke said "Nothing.", when asked by Naruto what was happening, and Mirai tried to pretend, that this "nothing" was indeed happening. Naruto though could feel, that aunt Mirai was scared; that uncle Kosuke was impatient and upset for some reason, and grandfather... well, he felt guilty, just like as if he had just lied.

They told him everything was fine and nothing was happening.

He saddened. He didn't know why they were lying to him. His family lied to him. But previous day, however, he learned that he should not ask about it, because then everyone behaves as if there was a problem with him; as if it was all his fault.

"No, it isn't" he wanted to say, but felt like he just shouldn't. He never told anything, not to her, not to anyone, so just like Mirai wanted. Not to know.

He didn't like what he felt. He did not like it, not one bit...

The sound of the door opening ripped him out of his thoughts.

He looked around. He was at the kitchen table. Second thing he noticed, he wasn't wearing the pajamas, but something else. He was surprised. He didn't remember changing his clothes. He looked at the clock on the wall. He realized, that he has been sitting in the kitchen for over an hour already.

"Oh... hi, Naruto! I see you are already waiting for your birthday breakfast," Mirai said cheerfully as she entered the kitchen. She had shopping bags in her hands. She went to the counter by the wall.

"Hey, auntie. Yes... I've been here for some time."

She narrowed her eyes. It was a strange answer for a six-year-old.

Recently, he behaved differently. Badly, although he knew she didn't approve. It made no sense. She thought he wasn't that kind of boy to be rude on purpose.

She began to unpack shopping.

"What do you want for your breakfast Naruto? Remember that today is your special day, so you can choose anything," she turned to look at him. "Although I hope it will not be ramen."

"I want cereal."

"Be polite. What you should say?" she ashed him with a smile.

"Please."

She went to the fridge and pulled out milk. After this, she reached into the high side cabinet for his favorite cereal.

She was busy, when he ate, but he didn't even try to start a talk.

She was looking at him from time to time. He looked thoughtful.

"Okay, go brush your teeth now. How about we go to Yoshino and Shikamaru?" she said, when he finished. She wanted to make everything. She already agreed with Yoshino, that Nara would help her prepare for Naruto's birthday party.

She didn't receive a response.

"Naruto? You asleep? Do you want to go to Shikamaru?"

Naruto was as if he just woke up. He smiled broadly.

"Sure!"

"My aunt still behaves strangely," he said to young Nara as they lay there, staring at the clouds. Today was a clear day. A little windy, but warm.

Shikamaru sighed. Why did women always have to be so troublesome? He didn't understand why his father married such a scary person.

"Still, huh?"

"I totally don't know..."

Shikamaru sighed again. He already knew what was going on. He didn't want to be the one to tell him that though.

But Naruto knew his mannerisms.

"You know something and you want to hide it from me."

Nara sighed yet again, even louder. How did Naruto guess this? Troublesome. Blond was looking at him with his stupidly gaping mouth.

"Shut your face, because if you not, a fly will fly in."

Naruto closed his mouth, loudly "clicking" with his teeth.

"I overheard your aunt talking to my mother."

Naruto grinned at this.

Shikamaru, seeing this, sighed again. It sounded like "troublesome".

"Come on, come on! Spit it!"

"Your aunt will tell you. I don't want to get involved in this."

Naruto, now grumpy, turned away from him theatrically.

Shikamaru sat down and put his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

He sighed one last time and began the story.

"So when a man and a woman love each other very much ..."

"... sometimes, out of this love, arises a new life. You will have a cousin, Naruto!" she said happily. "Girl or boy. Just please, don't tell anyone about it! This is supposed to be a big surprise for everyone!"

Naruto cornered her as soon as he saw her.

Yoshino will have a chat with Shikamaru about eavesdropping.

Naruto looked happy for her, and for her unborn child. She had to admit it: she was relieved. She heard a lot of kids get jealous and everything... she was worried, she won't have so much time for him. But that wasn't the day for such thoughts.

She was still worried over his strange behaviour during the last week. Naruto though, when she asked him, said that it won't happen again and that she shouldn't think about it. It sounded a little weird from a six-year-old. Go figure.

Mirumi said to herself, that she will have to prepare him for the time after the delivery. They won't have so much time for him. She remembered, how handful he was... if that was to repeat - but she surely didn't want to think about that now and spoil her humor. She was very happy about finally being pregnant, at least.

Naruto was most pleased, that his aunt's secret was finally known. At least to him. And to Yoshino. And to Shikamaru. And to Mirumi herself obviously. He winced at the thought. It wasn't so much of a secret now, was it?

At least Kosuke doesn't know yet.

He hoped it wouldn't be as bad as he sometimes heard in adult conversations, or from the other kids. He really didn't know what to think about a new member of his family. He has to speak about it to Shikamaru. Shikamaru was super smart. He will help him figure it out. But later.

It was supposed to be a small birthday. Yoshino and Shikamaru. Grandfather Hiruzen, of course. Choji was supposed to be too. His little group of friends. He was worried about the Akimichi; would they really have enough food for him? Yoshino, however, calmed him down, when she also brought some food.

Everything was in place. They just have to wait for grandpa, and they would start.

All that was left was to hope, that his father will come.

Back then, six years ago, Hiruzen begged him, to give himself time to mourn.

But he was adamant. There was always too much work for him to be done.

The Third even offered he would take over for a year or two, so that Minato could take care of Naruto.

Minato refused under a pretext, that Biwako was dead too. That was a very low blow.

Today, Naruto turned 6. He was growing fast. He had the character of his mother and his father's appearance. His looked like him.

Hiruzen slammed the door as he left. These times they preferred not to meet too often.

Behind the door, Minato heard a sad sigh. The receding steps.

He remembered what Hiruzen asked Kushina, when she was still alive. She agreed. Minato understood everything. He really did.

"You've been chosen as Fourth Hokage, in part for your merits in the Third Shinobi War. During the same war, Obito was killed. Irony, isn't it? After he was dead, Kakashi killed Obito's love, Rin, who he swore to Uchiha, to protect. You left them alone. It's why both are dead now."

At that time, Kushina was still with him.

"And even after everything, you still haven't learned. You left Kushina alone."

That was his fault.

"That is your fault."

He failed. And that was the truth. But the truth lost meaning. The only truth in existence. She is dead.

"You failed as a Hokage, as a sensei, as a husband and as a father. You are considered the greatest hero of the last war, who, by himself, forced two Hidden Villages into peace. You, the Hokage, who they say led his village to the road of restoration, at the end of which was greatness, that was not seen before in the Elemental Nations. You, the fastest man alive, proved to be always too late to save what is the most important. Kushina is dead. Rin is dead. Obito is dead. Kakashi doesn't talk to you. Naruto probably hates you. Hiruzen is dissapointed. All because you, you! - the fastest man alive!, have proven to be too slow to save what is most important. The love of your life."

The curse placed upon him.

"And now you still want to pretend to be a father? Who do you think you are?! You let your son's mother die!"

He didn't deserve him. He deserved nothing.

"You are nothing. You are no one. You are no one, just like me," said a hoarse voice muffled by the mask. This man's voice never left him.

Kneeling over her body, he promised her, he would take care of their son. However, Naruto's cries were like a knife hammering into his heart. When he was still a newborn, he cried louder and louder, day by day. Minato didn't know how to look after him. He didn't sleep for weeks.

Finally, full of shame, he gave Naruto away, into the care of Hiruzen's daughter. It was then, that they quarreled for the first time with Hiruzen. He convinced himself that this would be the best way. That he would visit him as often as possible. At that time, however, he felt, in surrendering Naruto, he had betrayed everything he once believed.

The irony was for what price is anything worth?

The voice of a man in a black coat, as he began to call him, became the voice of his conscience.

He could not look Naruto in his eyes, nor real purple, nor fake blue ones.

He looked at the stack of documents in front of him. The Chuunin exams were approaching. He never had time for Naruto during these times, he told himself. He has duties. He returned to work. Maybe it'll let him forget for a while.

Hiruzen started walking. People parted in front of him, full of respect. He nodded to them in greetings. The walk from the Hokage Tower to her daughter's house always took about an hour.

He was far too old to jump on buildings. Or too patient. Could be both, honestly.

It was near the Nara clan compound. The Sarutobi family were friends with Naras for many decades, ever since they were both welcomed to Konoha. Hiruzen was good friends with Shukaku's father, when they were just kids.

When opportunity arose to buy a house in this area, Kosuke and Mirai decided to do it. There was a beautiful forest of the Nara clan, to which they all had free admission. Not many did.

There were also plenty of shops in the area. Of course. This was the Nara clan - lazy and phlegmatic. Every single one of them. Maybe except for individuals, such as Yoshino.

Naras didn't like to walk far, so they just didn't.

Shikamaru and Naruto became best friends. With Choji, three of them, were quite known in the area. Naruto was always the first to make trouble, but his two friends were a good influence.

It was Naruto, who was, one could say, a bad influence.

He was just like Kushina. Always the first to do everything. First to jump into this or that lake, first to climb a tree. First to prank the shopkeeper. Except for the appearance, he didn't seem to have inherited much from Minato.

And maybe that's good.

No, he won't think about him today. It was the tenth of October. Naruto's birthday. He was six years old. It wasn't the time.

He thought about another topic. He wondered, what should he give him for his birthday?

Mirai warned him, that if he gives him ramen again, it would end... badly, for whatever that was supposed to mean. Anyway, it was usually a lot better to listen to her advice, than not.

One day, Hiruzen watched Naruto throwing a kunai, which was a blunt replica of these used by his father. Naruto didn't know this detail though.

He decided, that since the boy was brought up in a shinobi family, and he also came from the Uzumaki clan, his training should begin very, very soon. He was big enough.

Was it really safe? They never found out why it happened to him.

The Rinnegan. Eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.

They wondered, if this was because of the Kyuubi chakra, that might have attacked his body during the labor. This could not be ruled out.

When Jiraya saw the Eyes, he told them the story of a boy who had died many years earlier. The boy's name was Nagato. Hiruzen knew of three orphans from the Rain, that his student had been once taken in, but Jiraya back then did not speak about Nagato's Rinnegan.

The first thing was that the boy was also an Uzumaki. Characteristic crimson red hair, enormous life energy, stamina, high amounts of chakra. Everything fit. The second thing was that Nagato had the same eyes. The Eyes.

Seals, which shortly after the birth of Naruto, were given to him, above all, caused the little one to have normal-looking blue pupils, in his father's image. However, main task of these seals was to limit Rinnegan's power as much as possible. Nobody knew, what it's capabilities were or would be, except that after the blood and chakra tests, it turned out that the boy had all five chakra natures. That was not the case with Nagato, who possessed only Wind chakra.

Wind was rare on its own. Maybe Nagato was Kushina's closer relative? She had Wind chakra too. That was just a speculation.

Whatever was the case with Nagato, there weren't Kyuubi's influence though.

Tiny amount of Kyuubi's chakra was found in Naruto's sample. That fact unnerved them all. They didn't know, what that could mean for the kid.

It was expected that he, like Kushina, would receive some Kyuubi Jinchuuriki features i.e. much faster body healing and huge, even for their clan, chakra reserves. But no. All they confirmed was above average metabolism, which could also come from the Rinnegan.

And that was exactly the problem.

They did not know whether something was the effect of Kyuubi's chakra adopted naturally in Naruto's organism, or whether it was the effect of the Eyes. As far as their information went, it was impossible to say anything definitive.

Which didn't mean they didn't have any clues here, in Konoha. Hashirama's wife, Uzumaki Mito, the previous Jinchuuriki of the Nine-tails, had a son, who was the father of Tsunade.

Darirama, as Hiruzen checked in the ninja archives and in the archives of disease cards, did not have such qualities as Naruto, although his delivery was described to be also very difficult. No characteristic whiskers, no Kyuubi chakra was adopted in his body.

Hiruzen knew him personally. They were good colleagues. He nothing extraordinary though - Darirama was a lively man, cheerful, but that's all. Naruto was a bit like him, not to mention Nawaki, but Tsunade didn't inherit much from her father.

Hiruzen noticed something at the shop window. Kakashi will be overjoyed when he tells him. Unless he knows it already. Which was very probable.

The Third Hokage shook his head. He returned to the previous line of thought.

There were several differences between Mito and Kushina. First, Kushina became Jinchuuriki at the age of ten, and Mito was almost thirty. In their cases, slightly different seals were also used, and besides, in the seal belonging to the older Uzumaki, were also a sizable element of Mokuton's chakra. Mokuton had powerful properties. It perfectly suppressed and dispersed aggressive types of chakras, exactly like of a tailed beast.

That's the reason Hashirama was this powerful against the Bijuus.

Shortly after Naruto's birth, Tsunade was called back to the village by Minato. It was under a threat of marking her in the Bingo Book, if, by some chance, she decided not to assess Naruto's "condition".

When she arrived, however, she first announced that she would not allow the baby's eyes to be removed, if they thought of such a thing. Hiruzen and Minato did not even think of it.

In the case of Sharingan and Byakugan, they could be weakened and masked, but it was only a half-measure, even in their case. If one wanted to neutralize a shinobi, no matter what characteristics this shinobi possessed, the seal was to be put on the body to disturb and take excess chakra above the level specified on it.

Everything they had was hope it would work on Rinnegan.

Paradoxically, it was a lot easier to put a suppressing seal that was supposed to be effective on the whole body, than on a part of said body, for example, just a hand or a leg. The fact that in this case, it was about the central nervous system meant, there was a risk that Naruto could go blind if something went wrong. And back then, if something could go wrong, it certainly would. It made Minato's agreement even more so... scary? Hiruzen didn't know how to call it, but it scared him very much. It still does.

It was then, that the Third understood how much Minato had changed after Kushina's death.

After noticing that by herself, Tsunade even offered that if they didn't bother her anymore, she would let them use her special Transformation Technique in the seal, to mask Naruto's eyes. She even willingly added her Senju chakra as an additional barrier. However, Hiruzen was under the impression, that even if Minato refused her, she would still help the boy, disinterestedly, like she used to. It was obvious the offer was just a pretext to do it.

It was how shocked they both were at Minato's change.

Everything went well. Or so they thought.

Until recently, Rinnegan seemed to be asleep, but Hiruzen then understood that they were the ones to be asleep. They were fools.

After Naruto told Mirai about what he was seeing, Hiruzen understood one more thing: it was time to start preparing him for the news. Shinobi training. It was this matter, that led him to Hokage's office. And Naruto's birthday.

Minato was still Naruto's father.

Hiruzen sighed. By name, yes.

Minato, after initial doubts, agreed that the Third Hokage should train his son for a shinobi. However, when Hiruzen told him that Minato should show himself at Naruto's birthday party, the conversation took a wrong turn. He said he couldn't go, giving the workload associated with the upcoming Chuunin exams as a reason. His usual, annual, excuse.

When Naruto was not yet aware of his surroundings, Hiruzen let it pass, but every year their quarrels became more and more aggressive.

He knocked on the door.

He heard quick steps. Hiruzen smiled.

Door was opened, and how surprising!, it was grinning Naruto himself.

Notes:

1. I feel like in canon, we never actually got to see Minato that was not idealized, like he was a knight in a bright armor. Minato's thoughts about Obito and Rin were not shown until the very end and even then, story was focused more on Kakashi. I wanted to give Minato more personality than shown in canon, but not make Naruto really "neglected", as if he had no friends or such, becuase, again, I find "neglected Naruto" fics potentially more unforgiving of author's mistakes. Not that I fear hard topics, it is just not a plan.

2. Rinnegan will not be OP. Rinnegan wasn't really OP in canon, not in comparison. About that: power levels will not be very high above-Pain. No gods. BTW how did Nagato get to know Rinnegan's techniques? Another canon plot hole or Rinnegan users "just know", as if it was Rinnegan's ability itself?

3. I plan to give Rinnegan its justice though.

#naruto shippuuden fanfiction

0 notes

coaldplay · 4 years

Text

Promise of Mother’s Love: chapter 2 - “Day of Naruto’s Birth”

On the mountainside, there was an entrance. It was closely guarded by an ANBU unit, but for him - they weren't a problem.

Standing at the entrance, he couldn't hear any echo. The very sound of his footsteps, as he went deeper into these corridors, deafened in black space without making no noise. He seemed to flow in the shadows, like a ghost, surrounded only by the sea of darkness.

But he knew where to go. With every turn, Zetsu guided him. The corridor led to the tunnels and the tunnels led to the rooms.

They were all empty, except just one.

After a while he finally heard it. And in the next moment, he saw a light that was coming out of the gap below the door.

He could hear it clearly; a woman's cry of pain. Now he would wait.

The room was wide and well lit. Directly in its center was a table, on which a red-haired woman was lying.

She was giving birth.

To her right, was a tall man with blond hair falling over his eyes. He was a characteristic man, you wouldn't forget his appearance. Bright blue eyes, now full of fatigue and nervousness. Determination. His son was being born.

He kept his hands on the belly of his wife. Around his palms, if one would look closely, it would be possible to see a distortion, same, as if when looking just above an edge of flames.

They waited for the delivery for ten very long months. Normal gestation period lasts only nine. Both of them just had enough.

The delivery itself was very difficult, mainly because of the Nine-Tails. The Four Trigrams Seal, which was used to seal beast's chakra in Kushina, became too weak for it. Minato had to keep strengthening this seal, for every single second.

Kyuubi's chakra, despite all his own strength, still leaked into the Kushina's body. Every time she pushed, some part of the Nine-Tails' chakra got through the navel-string to Naruto, who because of it backed away.

Finally, after hours of both them fighting, mother's last scream was heard - the one, which heralded the birth of her son. Because she already knew.

"He is born," said Minato, staring wide-eyed at the bundle.

Kushina cursed Kyuubi. Until now, Nine-Tails were her burden and hers alone. Minato always helped her as much as he could, but he could not relieve her of it entirely. She will never be free and has come to terms with it long ago. Today everything changed.

Today she fought, they both fought the demon. And today was the day of their victory.

She was overwhelmed by euphoria. Her son. Son. Her Naruto. Naruto. It was his name, chosen ten months ago. If it were a boy, his name was to be Naruto. She felt tears welling up in her. She let them go slowly. It ran down the hair that stuck to her face.

For a split-second she thought, asking what the hell was going on. She always considered herself emotional, but not like this. This thought disappeared as soon as it appeared.

Love. Love boiled in her like never before. She will never, ever, even at the price of her life, let anything happen to him. She promised herself that. Herself and him. "Never. Never. Never." she repeated in her mind. She felt so much relief and happiness.

Finally came desperation and impatience. She wanted to see him. Her son. And never let go.

Out of the excess of emotions boiling up in her, she did not notice that there was a no tearful cry from the child. Naruto was quiet.

"Give him to me," she said weakly.

Biwako and Tarumi looked at each other.

Minato saw it.

"Something happened? Is everything well with Naruto?" he asked, his hands still on his wife's stomach. He felt cold sweat on his back. Panic was rising inside of him, but he pushed it away.

"Biwako, one of the older women, the one who was responsible for the whole procedure, the wife of the Third Hokage, looked into his eyes and said:

"I've had hundreds of births, Minato... but I've never seen anything like this."

Kushina suddenly jumped up to a sitting position. She winced at the pain.

"Is something wrong with Naruto?!" she shouted.

Biwako closed her eyes in concentration and hurriedly made a sign with one hand. Forefinger of her left hand was covered with a blue chakra, and in her right arm she still held the bundle. She touched Naruto's forehead. After a short moment, she opened her eyes, evidently surprised.

"He is just sleeping."

He was well and sound, despite all the hardships. But he is sleeping.

"Give him to me!" Kushina demanded.

What happened to him? Biwako thought as she approached Kushina. He must be taken for examination as soon as possible.

Minato's mind and body were both exhausted, but the thought, that something unexpected happened to his son, horrified him. And it was exactly this thought, that caused the awareness, as if he was looking on his own body. He just became a father. It hit him with all its might, He was speechless and scared to the bone, unable to take his eyes off of the small bundle.

Biwako put Naruto on his mother's shoulders. She, as delicately as she could, took him. Biwako then looked at the Fourth. He looked back at her and noticed her eyes expressed uncertainty.

Naruto was sleeping in his mother's arms. The bundle slowly rose and fell every time he breathed. He had bellows of short blond hair, and on each of the small cheeks three straight lines, short and black, a bit like a cat's or fox's whiskers.

"I can finally see you," Kushina whispered, with love.

He slept so peacefully as if nothing happened.

She didn't dare try to wake him up.

Minato, who was on opposite side of Biwako, leaned in to see his son's face for the first time. Tears welled up in his eyes. He must be strong now. For his new family, after ten difficult months, family finally complete.

Kushina smiled at him, moving slowly the bundle, so he could see Naruto better.

"Why is Naruto sleeping, Biwako?" he asked.

"I don't know. I've never seen anything like it," she looked at Kushina. "I'm sorry, my love, but for Naruto's sake, we must go to the hospital as soon as possible. We must examine his vital and brain functions. Only then will we be able to tell you whether something is wrong. Why he was born this way. I did the initial inspection, I can assure you that anything serious is happening, but we must get to the village hastily."

She spoke slowly, but firmly, always looking in the eyes.

"Fourth, when can you move us from here to main hospital?"

Kushina raised her head to look at him. He returned her gaze. He gently placed his left hand on her stomach, where seal was, and put the other hand on her forehead.

They looked at each other for a moment, but then Minato looked up at Biwako seriously.

Kushina relaxed, letting the tension go down for at least a moment. She always found solace in him, and he knew it.

She focused her attention again on their son.

"We must strengthen and renew the Four Triagrams seal. This must be done first. We cannot allow Kyuubi to get out and although labor is over, it is too dangerous for Kushina. Immediately after, I will teleport us all back to Konoha. Besides Kushina should not be transported or teleported in this state. As I said we must close the seal before this," he repeated.

"Very well," said Biwako.

"This won't take long. You and Tarumi-san should stay with us. ANBU will stay in the area for now."

He looked at his wife. He felt sorry for separating them now, but she had to lie down straight, if he was to close the seal.

Suddenly, everyone heard slow footsteps coming from the corridor. They appeared already being very close. Whoever it was, he must've been waiting.

Minato frowned. ANBU was ordered to guard the entrance to the mountain. They were also ordered not to enter, unless safety was at stake. And if things came to that, he would hear a different kind of noise - a kind of a running people and agitated voices.

Someone stopped by the door.

Everyone looked in that direction.

It opened with no creaking.

A pale room light shone on a shadowy figure standing in the doorway.

He or she was tall, in a long black night coat with a large hood. He was probably a man. He had an orange mask with fiery black patterns, with a visible hole for his left eye.

"You will not try to close the seal," said a hoarse male voice.

Minato now stood between Kushina and the stranger.

They were all surprised. His previous fears transformed into anger.

"Who are you?! Identify yourself! You are not from our ANBU, I do not recognize this mask!"

"It's a different kind of mask. And as for who I am... it doesn't matter. I am nobody. I am no one."

Minato scoffed without even an ounce of smile.

The man raised his right hand and pointed straight at Hokage.

"Behind you, Fourth, is the Kyuubi. And now, time has come for him to be released."

Minato took a moment to imagine it.

"Have you gone mad?" said Minato dangerously.

Stranger lowered his hand.

"This will only be the first step, Fourth. If you want your son to survive until this morning, you'll do the right thing."

As he finished speaking, he ran straight at Minato.

He, surprised, took out a kunai and threw it accurately at the mask. He expected this man to try to avoid the missile.

But kunai did not hit the mask, it just penetrated through it without even stopping, or doing any damage. It was, as if head of this man was only an illusion, as if it was... immaterial.

There was a metallic sound of a rustling chain combined with the echo of a blow as the kunai dug into the wall behind the door in the corridor.

"Wh...?!" Minato couldn't even finish.

Kushina watched in horror as the man, who appeared at the door, went through Minato as if her husband wasn't even there. After a second, he also went through her and the stone table on which she still was. Before she could react, the chain stopped on her. Its momentum caused her body to be pulled backwards with such force, it caused Naruto's bundle to escape from her warm embrace into the cold.

Biwako, who was still next to Kushina, could only look when Death herself looked into her eyes through the opening on the mask.

Genjutsu didn't even start to make her body saggy, when the assailant reached her and, grabbing her by the neck, crushed her to the wall behind her.

Somewhere nearby, there was a deaf sound of a body falling to the floor.

Kushina's mind froze for a moment, when she concluded, that it had to be her new-born son.

With the last of strength, she started turning her head, lying on the floor.

Firstly, she found the man. Chain hung behind him, strapped to his wrists. She couldn't see, what was between him and the wall, but he stood there. It gave her time to rest for a moment and turn her head further. She had to make sure.

She saw Minato with their child.

Relief washed over her. If she could, she would smile.

But who...? Then, she saw Tarumi. Girl's throat was cut open. Tarumi looked at her in terror as she choked on her own blood. She tried to stop bleeding with one hand; with second she was reaching to her in silent cry for help.

But she, whose help Tarumi sought, had no longer the strength to fight it.

Kushina fainted.

Only because of this man's strength, Biwako has not yet fallen to the floor. Under the influence of genjutsu, her body was completely flabby. Her throat was crushed, she wouldn't breathe even if this man let her go.

Minato held his son. He had to act quickly. He bit his thumb. Blood flew.

He put Naruto on the floor in front of him.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Fugusaku emerged from the smoke.

"Fugusaku-sama, there is no time to explain! You must take my son to Myoboku! He is not safe here!"

Fugusaku only looked at him, then at the bundle, and, touching it with one hand, he made a sign by the other.

The masked man turned his head towards Minato. He began to approach Kushina. Biwako slumped to the floor against the wall.

"Go!"

The toad nodded and disappeared with Naruto in a small cloud of smoke.

"Smart. Maybe I could use your son as a bargaining chip, but it doesn't matter now."

This man was already next to Kushina. He knelt beside her and touched her arm with his hand.

Minato could focus on defending only her now.

Madara knew his technique. Kamui indeed worked faster, the closer and smaller the object were, that had to be teleported. The speed though, of this technique, was only a technical detail, which just didn't matter most of the time. Kamui was too fast.

Therefore, he was surprised, when the Fourth Hokage was the first to ever outrun Kamui at all - the more surprise, it was set at maximum speed. He did not use any less chakra, because he knew he couldn't underestimate the Yellow Flash. He still did.

"Your speed is truly legendary," he said quietly.

But Minato was already gone.

"Zetsu."

It showed.

"Our mission is not over yet. Search the outskirts of the village. He shouldn't run more than a few kilometers from Konoha, if he is out of it. If you find them there, let me know."

"Understood." said black Zetsu.

"What 'bout ya?" asked white Zetsu.

"He will probably be in the hospital. I know where, when and who will be with the Jinchuuriki. I captured the old woman here in my genjutsu. I know everything I need. They don't know the source of my power, so they won't expect it."

"You sure? You don't have the fox and this brat is on that stupid frog mountain, so he is out of the picture. It is too far even for us." said white Zetsu.

"Besides, by the time you will find this woman, Hokage will close the seal. If he hasn't done it already." added black Zetsu.

"It matters not. I will kill her."

A pause.

"Wha... kill the Jinchuuriki? But we will have to wait for how many years after? Ten? fifteen? It's the Kyuubi!"

Madara looked at white Zetsu.

"I am going to kill her. If we are to wait, so be it. Kyuubi, one way or another, will be sealed last. By the time he will reappear, we will wait for it with him." he paused for a second." We will have around fifteen to twenty years to make everything happen. That's enough. We will make sure how many."

Madara started walking. Then stopped.

"I want Minato to know my pain."

The ceremony of submitting Biwako to the sanctuary of the Sarutobi family took place two days later.

Masked man's attack fell under secret category of S, thus the only ones present were the Third Hokage, his daughter, her husband and the Fourth Hokage. Asuma was also informed about the funeral, but this year, instead of returning to the village, he extended his time of service in the capital. Cause of his mother's death was not yet given to him. He would get to know it, when he comes back to Konoha.

Hiruzen held his Mirai in her arms, who was crying in his chest. His son-in-law stood next to them.

Hiruzen looked at Minato, who was standing in the place of honor and was giving a speech.

He felt cold sweat on his back. He felt like he would fall to the ground. He was already so old… spent forty of his years in the Hokage chair. He knew, he wouldn't make it if it wasn't for her. It was thanks to her, that he shook himself off after Orochimaru abandoned him and Konoha. She comforted him when Asuma ran away too. And now she is gone. Now she is gone… too.

He looked at Minato again. Naruto was so similar to him.

The boy was under observation in the hospital. His body was overtired, which, considering all the circumstances of the delivery, was not a surprise. He also seemed to be sleeping all the time. They still had yet to see what was the color of his eyes.

Kushina did not step aside to rest. When Minato offered to replace her, despite all of Hokage's duties, she just looked at him and shook her head.

It was the eyesight of a shinobi who had seen too much. He had seen this sight too many times in his life. It saddened him that such a young person had it. It was evident, that only her Uzumaki blood kept her standing and awake.

Hiruzen decided to be strong for them. For Naruto. For Biwako. Like she was strong to him.

Back then, yesterday, at the hospital, he came to Kushina and put his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him tiredly.

"I give you my word, Kushina, that although I am not his godfather or a member of your family, I will be a friend to him in the future, if he accepts my friendship. If you allow me, Kushina."

He admitted it a long time ago. As far as Minato had a mental bond with him same with Jiraya, Kushina did not show him the love that her husband had. And he didn't expect it from her.

He felt responsible for Uzushio. Konoha did nothing when it was destroyed. He did nothing. Her home was destroyed, which she was taken from; to become Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki in a foreign village. But now... he couldn't afford anything other than finally trying to win her sincerity.

Kushina saw in his eyes, how much it meant to the old man. He looked like he aged ten years more since he heard, what happened.

She looked at her beloved son, who slept soundly, in a sweet ignorance. She smiled subconsciously. She turned her head towards the former Hokage and looked back at him. She nodded. She had no psychical strength now to say words that weren't for Naruto.

Tears welled in his old eyes.

"Thank you," he said softly.

He has lived long enough. He promised himself, that if the need arose, he would do the same. He no longer served as a Hokage. He was retired for two years now. He could do it and would do it.

He hoped that Kami would forgive him, if he gave his life for Uzumaki.

Kyuubi only snorted, when the man, who had the title of Professor, and who was supposedly regarded as the Kami of Shinobi, ran away with his tail rolled up.

Another human was born.

"Eeeh... what of it?"

This damn kind multiplied like bugs they were. Pitiful animals.

However, because of what happened, it was irrelevant. He saw everything, even things humans did not.

For he knew the Sharingan. He knew hatred of these eyes, he remembered it all too well. This man spoke like Madara, acted like him and was ruthless like him.

Kyuubi smiled. Still, he doubted. This man was powerful, but the fox remembered fighting in the Valley of the End. Previous generations have always been more powerful. Law of nature. This man couldn't be compared with this one Uchiha.

This man's hatred though… was more potent than Madara's.

Inside this room, was Kushina, with their child, Naruto.

He was in the basement of the Konoha Main Hospital. Entire complex was guarded. There were guards on each floor, and ninja were patrolling the streets around the building.

They were all useless efforts.

Madara stood alone in the corridor outside the door. There was no one beside him. He cleaned the entire floor with Kamui.

"No..." Kushina breathed, when she saw him in the opening door. At first, she couldn't believe it. The whole hospital was manned by ANBU, and he still...

When she shook herself out of shock, she felt calm determination enveloped her.

She held Naruto in her arms. He still didn't open his eyes. She laid her son gently in the cot.

Then, she turned to the masked man and looked at him. He just stood in the doorway without saying a word. The only light right now came from the corridor behind him.

"I won't let you touch him."

"I want nothing from you... except what is sealed inside of you."

"My husband closed the seal."

"I know. I intended to send Kyuubi to Konoha to attack it, but in this situation, Konoha is to be spared. At least for now."

"So why did you find us? I will protect Naruto to the death."

"I know. I want you to defend him, to the death."

Kushina frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I expect, you will protect him, even if it costs you your life. Because it will."

She began to understand. He didn't care about Naruto. He just wanted to kill her, and only her. She felt wave of relief, because for her son, she was selfless.

"You are to be killed."

A very long minute passed by before she spoke again. Emotions dwelt up in her, but she did not let herself to show them.

"Let me teleport my child to my house," she asked weakly.

It surprised him.

"Why would I allow this to happen?"

She looked at Naruto.

"I won't risk a fight with anyone, when he is here. I am not Minato. I can't defend him in my condition. I need him to be safe. I promise you, that if you let me send him away, I will let you do this voluntarily and you won't have all of Konoha on you, after you... kill me. If that's what you want, so be it."

She paused, but he saw that she still wanted to say something.

"I don't know, why you want to kill me. What you aim for. I don't know, what I did to you to deserve this. But give me this one favor."

"I don't grant favors. For me, there are only deals."

He should not risk using Kamui too much. Not here. Kakashi could be nearby.

"How do I know that after Naruto isn't here, you will do as you say?"

Kushina looked straight into the hole on his mask.

"You're from Konoha, stranger. And I am from Konoha, since I married Minato, even though I didn't forget my roots, like you did. But despite everything I know I am no stranger to you. You know me from before. I can feel it."

Obito's eyes widened, but it wasn't visible.

He snorted. Even after all these years...

"Yes. I think it is now obvious."

Kushina tried one last time. Maybe she could talk him out of doing this. Maybe, he could let both of them go.

"Who are you? Who... were you?"

"I am, I was and I will be nobody, Kushina. I don't want to be anyone. I am no one. There is no self in me. I am selfless."

"Do you really want to destroy our village?"

"Konoha's fate doesn't matter to me. When the end finally comes, all people will become one. And I am not from this village. No more."

She frowned, she didn't know what this man was talking about. But before she could ask, he raised his hand to stop her.

"Prepare everything."

Emotions held before, then exploded, from within her.

She was crying, could not stop.

She felt like she was betraying her child.

She hoped, she will be able to look at him in the future and ask him to forgive her.

When she finished, she put Naruto's bundle on the seal.

She was about to make the sign sending him away, when she saw that Naruto was looking straight at her.

His eyes weren't blue, like hers or Minato's. They had no pupils, and their entire surface was purple with black circles, that narrowed to the centre,

Masked man still didn't move, so he didn't see Naruto's face.

She knew that eyes. Everyone in Uzushio did. She was still an Uzumaki, and still cultivated traditions of her clan. It was the only thing, that connected her with her long-lost family.

Sage of Six Paths. Legendary forefather of Senju, Uchiha and Uzumaki. And Uzumaki worshiped him the most.

She did not understand why, when. Did not understand anything about reasons. Only facts. The Rinnegan itself manifested in Naruto.

But why?

It did not matter now. He was her son.

She raised and hugged him very tightly. She was happy, though confused. Here, at the end of her life, she knew the last Uzumaki would renew their murdered clan.

"Forgive me," Kushina whispered, with love.

She put him down again and finally made the sign.

He disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"Do it fast," she said, still kneeling in the same place.

Madara couldn't understand, what he witnessed. He never thought a mere human could be so brave in the face of death. That reminded him of Nagato.

"Swallow this pill."

"Will there be pain?"

"No."

#naruto shippuden fanfiction

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