Chapter 10: Justice and Pain
"Do not be Sorry, Be Better."
Naruto
The blonde had noticed the Kumo Shinobi lurking around The Hyuga Clan during the day; Naruto kept his eyes on the Kumo Shinobi, he was only a kid, but even he knew Konoha and Kuno didn't have the best of Friendships.
The night came, and Naruto felt the Shinobi within the Hyuga Clan. Unknown to Naruto, the symbol of the Moon on his left palm started shining in a dark colour, Naruto followed behind and stood just outside the Clan compound, his face shadowed by the shadow of the houses, but his purple eyes shine through the darkness.
Naruto saw the kidnapper carrying a bag over his shoulder, and the Uchiha could feel the small child in the bag; his blood boiled at the man daring to kidnap a little girl and use her for their own needs and use her like a cow.
Naruto released his KI, and his left hand raised slowly at the ninja who had frozen in place from his Superior KI.
"Banshō Ten'in" Naruto spoke with a dark tone.
The Shinobi suddenly started getting pushed towards him; as he got closer, Naruto raised his right hand, a dark rod came out of his palm, but no blood and Naruto pierced his stomach, causing the Shinobi to feel the full Chakra of the kid.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH" the Shinobi screamed in pure agony as he gripped his head with his palms, almost trying to pull something out of his head.
Naruto's face didn't even twitch from his agony, his face as cold as ice. His eyes went to the child inside the bag, his eyes turned to the Shinobi moving in the grass like an injured animal, his hands trying to take out the rod, because of that Naruto put his hand on the rod and with a single move, he pulled out the rod, causing the blood around his wound spill out faster, his blood started spreading around the grass like rain.
His purple eyes suddenly turned to Blue again, and the Moon on his left palm stopped shining; Naruto felt dizzy all of a sudden; his young body fell on his knees, his hands on the grass.
Naruto tried to catch his breath; he wasn't sure what exactly happened when his senses felt the Chakra coming closer. His eyes glanced at the bag moving, and he slowly stood up, his chest rising up and down repeatedly; he still tried to catch his breath; he walked over to the bag and opened it, seeing hair sticking out, her white eyes looking up at Naruto, the blonde was about to ask if she was okay when his senses went wild, he jumped high in the air barely dodging a dangerous strike from a man.
Landing on the ground, his eyes found the man who attacked; his Byakugan activated his palms up and ready to strike again.
"Stay away from my daughter, Demon", the man screamed with anger through his clenched teeth.
Before Naruto could say anything, "Brother, stop, look in the ground", Naruto turned his head to see another person walking over to them, followed by several guards who glared at Naruto at the moment notice.
The blonde saw the new guy was very similar to the one who attacked him.
Hiashi looked down to see the man lying on the ground motionless.
His eyes widened that someone tried to kidnap his daughter, and he perhaps almost killed her saviour.
"Tou-san, he saved me" the voice of Hinata was heard like a whimper, her eyes looking up at her father.
Naruto decided to leave and let them deal with their situation when at that moment, the glorious Hokage showed up at the compound.
"Son of a bitch", Naruto cursed his luck; the Hokage couldn't choose any other time to show up but now.
Hiruzen saw Naruto standing there, avoiding his direction, but the Hokage's eyes found Hiashi Hyuga, who kneeled and slowly pulled away the mask covering the man lying on the grass; almost everyone gasped to see it was the Kumo ambassador.
"Hiashi, how did this happen?" Hiruzen demanded an explanation; unknown to him, both Itachi and Kakashi, who were wearing ANBU masks, looked at Naruto with concern.
Hiashi went on and explained that a scream was heard in the middle of the night; he first checked Hinata's room to see her missing; he then told them that he found the blonde opening the bag and that the Shinobi was dead in the ground.
Hiruzen exhaled at the thought that Kumo had betrayed them and had tried to kidnap a child of Konoha but what stuck to him even more was Naruto's involvement in all of this.
He knew Itachi trained Naruto, but he shouldn't be able to kill a Jonin. Itachi paid close attention to the Hokage's reaction towards Naruto.
While Kakashi was surprised and saddened that Naruto was forced to kill someone at such a young age but otherwise happy that Naruto could protect himself and a member of Konoha.
Everyone's eyes turned to Naruto when Hiashi explained what had happened.
"Naruto, I would like you to come with me", Hokage stated with no place to decline; the blonde just followed behind.
"Hiashi, you as well", Sarutobi ordered; the Hyuga nodded his head, Hinata was escorted inside soon rejoined with her mother.
Hokage Tower
The Hokage sat at his seat as every clan head was here; in this meeting, he didn't invite the civil council since they weren't necessary; almost every head clan was surprised by the sudden meeting of the council in the middle of the night, it was 3 AM.
But all of them were double surprised to see Naruto standing in the room, his hands behind his neck not caring much.
Itachi, Kakashi, Yamato and Yugao stood hidden in the shadow, their eyes looking at the blonde, three of them surprised to see a lack of reaction from Naruto after killing someone.
Kakashi made a mental note to ask later Naruto about it, maybe the blonde was even more shocked than they thought, and he was hiding it behind an emotionless mask.
On the other hand, Itachi looked weary of the whole situation; he hoped they wouldn't try to punish Naruto, he was his little brother, and he would protect him.
Danzo looked at the demon weapon with a suspicious eye; he wondered what was happening; he hated that right now he had no information on the situation; perhaps Sarutobi had finally decided to hand him the weapon.
Fukagu looked surprised to see the little blonde here, and he could say that they were lucky that Mikoto didn't know about this yet.
Sarutobi cleared his throat. "I know it is very late, but a betrayal has happened", causing everyone to hold breath.
"The ambassador of Kumo this night went inside and tried to kidnap Hinata Hyuga, Luckily Naruto was able to stop him and save the Hyuga heiress" this caused anger to fill everyone except Danzo, who looked interested to know how could a 6-year-old child stop a Jonin.
Everyone had different thoughts on this; Shikaku felt a headache slowly driving him mad. This is troublesome, he thought and cleared his throat.
"Lord Hokage, I think we should let know Kumo what their Shinobi tried to do, we don't know yet if he acted out of selfish reasons or if someone ordered him", Shikaku stated, knowing full well the chances of the latter were much higher.
Hiruzen nodded his head and called "Dog", within a second, Kakashi stood kneeling in front of the Hokage, close to where Naruto was standing.
"Send this scroll to Jiraiya. I'm afraid he should cut his research short," Hokage stated and threw a scroll at Kakashi, who grabbed it and disappeared as soon as it appeared.
Naruto's ears perked up at the mention of the Sannin and wondered if he would decide to visit him. And maybe perhaps try to make up for his complete absence in Naruto's life.
Now that Kakashi had left, Sarutobi knew Kakashi's dogs would find him in no time and know the situation's seriousness, and he would come to back up the village.
With that thought done, now the only thing left was Naruto. Turning his eyes at the blonde, he cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.
"Naruto, I would like to know how you were able to defeat the Jonin?" Sarutobi asked warmly, and he knew right now that he wasn't on the best of terms with Naruto, but he hoped to make up for it somehow soon.
"During the day, I noticed the Shinobi lurking around the Hyuga compound; when night came, I waited for a few blocks away to see if he would try anything. When He suddenly jumped over from the wall, right in front of me. At first, he told me to leave and forget I saw anything, but I stood my ground, and since I'm a child, he underestimated me; I used Shunsin to show up in front of him, he was caught off guard by my speed, and I stabbed him in the liver" Naruto explained.
Hiruzen was impressed that he used the Shinobi's ego against him, while Shikaku thought Naruto could be an impressive strategist if only he could spend some time with him.
Fugaku smiled warmly at the kid for saving the girl, while the Uchiha clan and Hyuga clan didn't exactly see eye to eye; even Fugaku would never wish that kind of fate to any of the Hyuga residents.
Hiashi made a mental note to thank Naruto later and to apologise for attacking him.
While Danzo thought that the demon right now had even more value than before, he needed to speed up his plan a bit.
"Can I leave now?" Naruto asked indifferently, Hiruzen thankfully nodded his head, and Itachi escorted him outside.
Leaving the Hokage tower, Itachi immediately turned to Naruto and put his hand on his shoulder. "You sure you alright?" Itachi asked, concerned, and his eyes were checking for any wound.
Naruto smiled happily to have a big brother like Itachi, and he nodded his head.
"I'm fine, nii-san, but thanks for asking"
Itachi accepted the answer and led him to his house. Naruto was lying on his bed, already asleep, Itachi checked around the house for anything, and his eyes turned at Naruto again, who was peacefully sleeping.
"What would you do in my situation Naruto?" Itachi whispered with evident sorrow in his tone.
Tomorrow - Kumo
The following day, a shout was heard inside the Raikage tower. The table in the room was thrown across the room; Getting destroyed when it hit the wall.
While this was happening, a certain Jinchuuriki stood silent, waiting to hear what was the problem now.
"Big bro, whattttt has gggoooot you, so annngry" Bee asked while rapping and moving his hands around and doing weird posses in front of his brother.
The Raikage glared at his little brother for taking this as some kind of joke. Ay had been against the plan but couldn't help but agree that Kumo needed a bloodline.
"Our Shinobi was killed trying to kidnap the girl", Ay stated with evident anger, but not towards the act but towards his own Shinobi for getting caught.
Bee stopped rapping, and a visible frown erupted on his face, he told his brother not to try it, but he just couldn't help himself, stating that Kumo barely had any bloodline.
Bee hated how the hidden villages still acted towards each other; why couldn't they just let go of these petty things and live.
Bee hated that with this done, he wondered what the difference between Kumo and the likes of Orochimaru was; just the thought of his country being no different made him want to vomit.
"So, what now? Are they declaring war against us?" Bee asked, knowing there was a high chance of them declaring war for trying to kidnap a member of their village, not mentioning a child; war had been started in the past for far less.
"No, they had sent me a letter to explain why a Shinobi tried to kidnap a member of their village. Therefore I will go there; perhaps we still haven't lost yet," Ay replied, looking outside the window and thinking of a plan.
Bee frowned dependent, he chewed his lower lip and held his tongue; he wanted to remind his brother not to poke a sleeping tiger, he thought perhaps reminding him that they had Kyuubi might work. Still, they knew Kyuubi was sealed in a child, and therefore the chances of him being able to use Kyuubi were slim.
"Should I tag along?" Bee asked, knowing his brother would like to bring his strongest Shinobi to show strength.
Ay nodded his head immediately, still looking through the window. "Darui is coming along as well", he replied and thought bringing Yugito might or might not be a good idea.
She was still only eight years old but quite good for a young Kunoichi.
Bee thought to leave when his brother turned to look at him.
"Be prepared for anything".
Itachi
"Where's Naruto-kun? He could be scared alone," his mother shouted at him. To say Mikoto Uchiha was angry would be like saying that Orochimaru is a good guy.
Itachi had come home with his father and explained to his mother what had happened; when she heard that the Hokage sent Naruto into his home alone after killing a foreign Shinobi, she got furious.
"What is that old man even thinking? Naruto-kun needs someone to tell him that what he did was not wrong and not feel alone" Mikoto half-shouted at both him and his father.
"Miko-chan, you know we can't have Naruto sleeping in this house, our reputation with the Hokage is already falling down the hill, and him getting suspicious that we are using something on Naruto when he isn't looking can worsen our situation", Fugaku explained knowing full well how his wife was whenever Naruto was mentioned.
Mikoto bit her lower lip, tears developing in her eyes, she could feel the disappointing look of Kushina-chan, she should have raised her son, screw the Hokage, Naruto needed someone not to be alone, did the Hokage not understand how much trauma that could bring or he simply didn't care?
"Kaa-chan, tomorrow after my workday is over. I will bring Naruto here again if he wishes," Itachi suggested; Mikoto looked at Itachi and nodded in agreement.
Konoha - Naruto
He stood motionless, just staring at the ceiling; as he stood on his bed, he thought of the ANBU that visited him this morning; Naruto recognised his Chakra; he knew that ANBU had watched over him many times.
' Naruto opened his eyes at the sound of the birds singing near his window, his head slowly raised and sat on a sitting position in the middle of the bed, his blue eyes watched the birds playing around with each other, he saw another flying to a branch in a tree, there was a small hole in the tree, and three tiny beaks coming out and demanding food.
Naruto smiled at the mother giving her children food through the peak, his eyes then turned to his empty apartment, and his heart fell into the darkest abyss.
"Good morning, Naruto", Kurama suddenly said, smiling at the little blonde.
Naruto's face brightened up like the sun, his smile from ear to ear. "Good morning Kurama," he said and jumped from the bed to the wooden floor.
Naruto's eyes went to the moon symbol on his palm, and he couldn't help but think of last night.
"Kurama, did you feel anything different last night?" Naruto asked, thinking that his friend might know anything.
"Feel what? I didn't feel anything unusual," not knowing where the blonde was going with this.
"Last night I saved the girl, but I don't remember much, it almost feels like a clouded memory, it feels almost like I wasn't the one who did that", Naruto replied, still looking at the moon symbol on his palm.
Now that Naruto mentioned, Kurama did find it odd the lack of reaction from Naruto. At the same time, he knew his little friend had killed people before intentionally and unintentionally. Still, his complete lack of response, almost as killing people, had been something he had done for years now and didn't scare him anymore.
"I don't know Naruto, but perhaps you should ask Indra; after all, the Uchiha did say you can have his advice whenever you want", Kurama advised and hated that he couldn't help him in this situation.
Naruto mentally nodded and started preparing breakfast, boiled eggs with bread and onions; both Itachi-nii-san and Mikoto-chan told him to eat vegetables and fruits.
After preparing it, he started eating the boiled egg with bread; after he was done, he took a bite from onion and had to admit it wasn't as bad as he thought.
KNOCK KNOCK
Naruto stopped eating and walked over to the door; opening it; he saw the ANBU with dog mask that he saw last night; the blonde wondered what he wanted so early, or maybe the Hokage had requested his presence.
"Can I come in?" The ANBU asked respectfully; Naruto opened the door wider and stepped aside as the ANBU walked inside; closing the door, he turned to the ANBU.
"What can I do for you, ANBU-san?" Naruto asked, still thinking he was here because the Hokage sent him.
"I wanted to check if you were okay; you killed someone last night; many people find it ... hard, to deal with the first time", Kakashi replied, knowing his first time was when he was only five years old. Naruto was only 6, not that age made that much of a difference, no matter how old you are, the first time killing someone will always be hard.
Naruto found his concern surprising. "Is not the first time I killed someone before, people of this village sometimes tend to get drunk and sometimes they leave you no choice", Naruto replied, knowing the ANBU ROOT he killed and the mob that had gathered to give him a birthday surprise.
Kakashi's eyes widened at what he heard; he never thought that anyone actually attacked Naruto; he wondered if Hokage knew of it, and if he did, why did he not tell him?
"When did that happen?" ANBU asked with a much more serious tone.
Naruto explained what happened on his birthday, except he told him that only a few people had gathered at his house that night.
Kakashi remembered that he had been on a mission during the celebration for the defeat of the Kyuubi, which Kakashi couldn't help but find odd; usually, that day was free of work.
"I see; if you need to talk with anyone, you can talk to me", Kakashi stated, Naruto nodded his head, and the ANBU left. '
Naruto stood up and left the apartment, and he needed to train and get stronger to protect his Uchiha family.
Reaching the training yard, he did the shadow clone jutsu, and 1000 clones suddenly appeared.
"Alright, 100 start reading, 700 start training on Elemental Manipulation, and the other 200 will beat me up."
Soon the clones left to do their jobs; Naruto's eyes stayed blue as he prepared for training.
After 5 hours
Once a training ground stood, now filled with craters everywhere, Naruto was lying on the biggest crater, his body spread, sweat rolling down his face, his shirt was wet with sweat, and his back ached badly.
In the following hours' Naruto trained, using Taijutsu and Ninja weapons, like Kunai, Shuriken and Swords, but not once did he use the Sharingan; he wanted to train without Sharingan.
He used it only against Itachi or Shisui or if he had no other choice against someone else.
As he kept breathing, a thought occurred to Naruto; he slowly put his hands on the ground and stood up, still breathing heavily.
"Kurama, Indra said I could talk with him and Ashura, but can I also talk with Hashirama and Madara?" Naruto mentally asked, thinking of what Indra said to him.
Kurama thought of it, and if he was sincere, he wasn't entirely sure; Indra mentioned that when Naruto became their reincarnation, a bit of their Chakra was sealed inside Naruto, but he mentioned nothing of Hashirama and Madara's Chakra.
"Is worth a try, but don't get your hopes up", Kurama stated.
"I have never my hopes up anymore", Naruto replied and sat with his legs crossed and closed his eyes.
For a few minutes, nothing happened when he suddenly felt the air itself change, it felt calmer, and he felt sleepy.
Opening his blue eyes, he was back in the forest of his mindscape.
But surprisingly, the ground everywhere was covered by red leaves.
Naruto heard footsteps coming towards him, and slowly ahead of the trees came out a person with white kimono covering his whole body.
Naruto knew he had never seen him before but knew his name, and he knew him somehow.
"Ashura"