Chapter Text
Chapter 1: After Pain comes Suffering
[Brackets like this is me the author talking, they will usually being only at the start of the text or the end, now onto other things. This is set right after the battle with Pain, there will be some changes to the story it is a alternate universe. Please enjoy.]
Change in perspective will be in bold
Inner thoughts or writing, I will make sure to be clear when I write it.
Naruto POV:
"It's over," I say collapsing onto a tree, my body is heavy I can feel all my wounds. I have used way too much Chakra in my fight with Pain. As I prepare to just rest here, I feel someone grab me.
“You did good Naruto. Let’s get you back to the village.” My Sensei’s voice says, calming my senses, it may be a rough voice, but it has always been wise and a rock for me.
"Thanks, Kakashi Sensei," I say as he puts me on his back allowing me to rest my injured and tired self. But as we move, I remember something that happened during the battle. "Sensei, You were the fourth Hokage’s student correct?” I ask,
“Yeah,” he says clearly wary about my line of questioning,
“Why did you never tell me he was my father. Especially when I came back?” I ask hurt that he knew all along.
“It was under the third’s order I always wanted to tell you; I just wasn’t allowed. Please don’t hold it against me. Now you know I have so much to tell you about your father and your mother. Oh, and my old team. Tonight, if you’re not too busy I want to give you some stuff and talk to you about your father.” He says clearly upset but also, I feel his body become a lot less stress.
"I would like that," I say as we get to the edge of the clearing, as he lets me down, I hobble over to the edge of the trees properly the sun still blinding me. As I step out, I am greeted by the cheers of thousands of people. All throwing their arms in the air and cheering my name.
"You saved them Naruto. You're the hero of the village." Kakashi says placing his hand on my shoulder, then on my other, I feel another softer hand I would recognise anywhere. My master, Pervy Sage. “You inherited Master Jiraiya’s will of fire.”
“You did it Naruto! The Fire's of youth burn brightly within you." Lee yells as I turn to look at him jumping for joy in his full green jumpsuit. As I look, I see all of team Guy. Guy Sensei standing there next to Lee in his matching outfit, his trademark grin on his face as he notices me he gives me a thumbs-up, Tenten is standing next to her master dressed in her white and maroon outfit and finally, I see Neji but as I look I see he has his back to me.
As I look I see most of the Konoha 11 standing before me, all but one is missing. Hinata who I am usually drawn to is missing from our ranks. “Big Brother Naruto!” a voice calls out that I instantly recognise, as I turn, I see Konohamaru running towards me his long blue scarf dragging along the ground behind him. “You did it! I was worried I would be the next Hokage!” he calls out making me chuckle and my heart to warm at the sight of my little brother in every way but blood.
“No way. It will take a lot more to kill me than that,” I say giving him a wink as he reaches me, but I wasn’t prepared for him to tackle me in a hug. Causing me to hit the ground. I feel a surge of pain through my back. I wince but manage to hide it from Konohamaru who is just excited to see me.
“You’re a hero Big Brother!” he calls out on me, as he does, I manage to push myself up and kneel.
“You think so?” I ask rubbing his hair,
“Yeah just like my grandfather. Just like the fourth Hokage.” He says which causes me to look at the heads of the Hokage.
I guess you have always been watching me, father.
I think to myself as I stare on at the faces. The wind blowing through trees causing it the rustle reminding me of the days with my master sitting under trees taking naps on our travels during those 3 years together.
“Naruto are you ok?” a female voice asks which I recognise instantly, a voice of my first crush and teammate Sakura. As I look to the source of the voice, I am greeted by her face covered in dirt messing up her usual pretty look, her pink her still somehow is not dirty and is still as bright as ever.
I stand up to greet her properly a smile on my face. As I take a step towards her, I feel her monstrous strength punch my gut with the force of a few hundred men. But before I can fly backwards, she hugs me, the pain of the punch melts away like ice into water. “You’re reckless you idiot!”, she whispers into my ear. “But I am glad your alive.”
"Thanks, Sakura," I say smiling, as I look up, I see two people I wasn’t expecting both in chains but standing there. Both with long black hair standing there, their faces clearly worn from battle. “Sasuke?” I ask, thinking I am hallucinating or imagining things.
“What’s up dobe? You were right. My place is with the village. There is a lot more going on than any of us could have imagined.” He says with a small grin.
“You have grown up so much since the last time I saw you Naruto. I thank you for protecting the village where I failed to.” Itachi says smiling a soft smile I never expected could come from him.
“When did you get back? Why didn’t you kill him?” I ask looking to Sasuke confused,
“I almost did, but things are a lot more complicated. Someone was pulling my strings, Itachi’s and the Akatsuki. Also, Itachi didn’t kill a single clan member that night someone named Tobi, used a transformation justsu carrying out the thirds mission. Itachi and I aren't the last Uchiha's." he says, and my eyes go wide in amazement.
“That’s great news I am so happy to have you back. But where are the rest.” I ask still a little confused,
"Well Itachi and I are injured after fighting and low on Chakra and so after he showed me briefly, they are still alive we came here to help fight off Pain. Tomorrow we will summon them here and finally, the Uchiha's can come home." He says which makes me smile, I don't need to bring him home to Sakura anymore he came home on his own free will.
“Alright, everyone we are going to be living it rough at least tonight, you guys all set off start setting up camps and tents. Emergency food from the bunker will be set out soon. Anyone injured head to medical Shinobi. Other than that, everyone move off.” I hear a Shinobi order, and everyone starts moving away. I watch as many of my friends remain, but everyone else moves rapidly mostly in family groups.
As the Konoha 11 comes forward I watch as Sasuke and his brother be moved away by some other leaf shinobi. I turn my attention back to the rest of my friends, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Kiba, Rock Lee, Tenten and Ino. “Where is Hinata?” I ask concerned. As I do I notice many shift with uneasy smiles and I can feel a sadness dampen the air.
“She didn’t make it. A rock crushed her body during the battle.” Shikamaru starts,
“I tried everything even that weird light that came couldn’t help her. I am so sorry.” Sakura says, looking ashamed. Then it hits me, a gut punch.
"It's your fault she is dead. Your no hero. Because of you, I lost a sister. You don't belong here you monster. The Hyuga clan will have vengeance! The village was right to cast you aside, you bring nothing but misery to those you love! I changed because of you! I thought we were like brothers but you are just a monster! The elders were right to tell Hinata to stay away from the demon!” screams a very angry Neji, his eyes activated with the Byakugan, his face filled with rage. His body literally shaking. Then I realize,
I killed her, my fight my rage killed her. My parents died when they loved me. She told me she loved me and now she is dead too.
I hang my head in shame, the weight of my realization wants to crush me. “Neji you prick! Leave Naruto alone!” Tenten yells, but I don’t bother to look up I can’t. I can't bear to look at Neji, the man I took his sister from.
“Why clanless? Why should I ever listen to the daughter of a woman who slept around and with no name to her? Why should I? If you don't understand your place at the bottom, then you should start learning. I have wanted to tell you this for a while now. I quit the team. Screw you and that ridiculous man known as our Sensei!” he yells, as he finishes, I hear someone just walk away.
“Hey, Neji don’t walk away from us!” I hear Shikamaru call, as I look up, I see Neji turn as Shikamaru gets to him. As he does, I see him punch Neji in the jaw. “You made Tenten cry. You called Naruto a monster. How would Hinata feel if she saw this?” he asks and as he does, I see anger explode from Neji as if the ninetails was erupting from myself. As it does, he punches Shikamaru sending him flying backwards and onto his ass blacked out.
“Screw you all. You can’t protect that monster from us forever.” He says before I just watch him walk away. What seems like years pass, but I know only a few seconds does and I collapse to my knees.
“He’s right. I am a monster.” I say as tears roll down my face.
“No, you’re not.” Says Tenten, "He is just upset right now, give him time." She says but I can tell she is hurt. For the next few hours, I sit on some rubble just watching the village start to reform in the forms of tents, each clan going to their normal compounds would be. I watch small tents of people all together and I start seeing the fires starting to be set alight. It makes me think about how the Will of Fire has been relit after all this.
Then I hear someone appear next to me. "Hey, Naruto. Thought you could use some ramen." Kakashi says handing me over an instant cup of ramen.
“Thanks, Kakashi Sensei," I say smiling at the cup in my hand,
“You remind me a lot of both your parents. Your looks defiantly come from your dad. But how you talk and how you act. It sounds a lot like Kushina.” He says, as I follow his gaze, I notice how he is looking at a few of the stars in the sky. "Whenever I refused to sleep on a mission even when it wasn't my shift to take guard, your dad would make me look at the stars and it would always make me fall asleep. He had that way with me, even though I hated him for it. He had ways of getting me to look after myself without me knowing or forcing me to do little things like sleep on a mission." He says still looking at the stars.
"Yeah, It was nice to meet him, even if it was only briefly. I wish I could meet my mum." I say taking my first mouthful of ramen,
“She was quite the woman. A lot like you. Had one hell of a temper. I remember Obito dropped a bag of shopping. Oh boy, I never saw him run so fast away from her. I also found out that a frying pan can be just as deadly as any Kunai." He says with a chuckle. "Anyway. This was meant for your birthday next year. But you found out early and I thought it about time you had these." He says pulling out a kunai box.
“He made these before you where born. He intended to teach you his signature technique next birthday. He even left you detailed instructions on how to master it. I added a few things I found on his desk before his passing. Mostly letters to you if he ever died in combat. Jutsu ideas. He made sure I was the one to clean out his desk I guess to make sure no one else learnt the secrets to his Jutsu’s.” he says as I notice him returning his gaze to the Hokage heads. He then opens the box to reveal a set of unusual kunai. The hilt is brown with the formula on it, “it translates to, Endurance love of sword.” Kakashi says, sighing as he holds it up to the face of my father on the mountain. “He would be so proud of you. Anyway, it’s all yours, he left this for you to inherit and for you to learn. Anyway, I am off, I need to watch over the Lady Tsunade. Good luck.” He says as he just disappears in a puff of smoke.
Leaving me all alone watching over the village with new Kunai from my father now in hand. Now he is gone I feel my heart start to contract, I feel the sadness start to infect me like a disease. Like it wants to squeeze the life out of me. "I think this is what suffering is," I say to myself.
After five or so hours my heart seems to get better at least a little and I can finally stand up again. “Hey Naruto, what you doing out?” calls out Shikamaru who looks far better than he did before.
“I don’t know. Just trying to figure stuff out. I don’t have a tent because I don’t have a major clan like most do or family to bunk with.” I say being honest,
“Well come with me, I am not staying at the Nara tents. Some of the Konoha 11 has a tent up.” He says walking past me and waving for me to follow, so I do with my new set of Kunai in hand. We walk for a few awhile in silence until we reach a collection of four tents. All green with a red swirl matching the Jonin vests.
As we walk in, I see a fire burning in the centre, with five of the Konoha 11 sitting there. Ino, Sakura, Tenten, Lee and Choji. “Hey Naruto, come and join us," Tenten says offering me a seat next to her. So, with a smile I take it. As I sit down everyone starts chatting away about the battle and so I tune it out and I open the case. I see a set of twenty Kunai all the same as my father used, all with his formula, on the roof of the box I see a pocket overfilled with numerous papers and letters. “What are those? They look amazing.” Tenten says in awe, as I turn to look, I see her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looks at the Kunai.
"They are a present from my father," I say grabbing one of the Kunai and handing it to her. As I go to grab another to get a better look, I see everyone all staring wide-eyed clearly recognising the Kunai.
“From your father?” Sakura asks in disbelief, her face making a cute but very confused face.
“Yeah my father, I only found out recently that the fourth Hokage was my father," I say grabbing another Kunai and handing it round so they can all have a look.
“That is amazing Naruto. I am so happy you finally know who your dad is.” Sakura says as she is handed the Kunai from Ino,
“The craftmanship is my mothers for sure. I recognise it anywhere. I would ask her if she wasn’t passed away.” Tenten says as she sniffs the Kunai,
“That’s so cool, well I am going to go to bed after today. Do you mind if I sleep here?” I ask,
“Don’t be silly. There is room in our Tent. Since Neji isn’t here we have room for another, you can borrow one of the blankets.” Lee says standing up and pretty much pushing me into his tent. Pretty much a second later I have fallen asleep.
“Naruto why? I loved you. Why did you kill me?” a voice whisper,
“Why did you ever think you could be anything but a monster?” another whispers, as I turn, I see Hinata laying there half flattened by a rock, blood dripping down her half-crushed face.
“Why?” she asks, again and again. Getting louder and louder until she is screaming so loud.
I shoot upright breathing heavily. I look around the tent I see everyone else is asleep soundly. Tenten is right next to me cradling the Kunai I gave her last night; she looks so cute which makes my cheeks grow hot. Lee is sleeping and drooling onto his pillow.
I decide that I won’t be getting much sleep now and so I walk outside with my new Kunai set. I walk over to the fire which is slowly going out. “Naruto boy.” I hear looking over to see Fukasaku hopping over to me.
"Ah hello Great Toad Sage," I say smiling,
“I have something for you. From us.” He says coming over to sit next to me. As he hands me a collection of 11 gems and a bracelet all made from red gems. “They are toad gems; they are rubies that have been embedded with a special Jutsu. If you pass any small amount of chakra into them the gems will glow and so will the bracelet. I was told from Kakashi that you have learnt about your father, who was also a Toad Sage. We thought maybe you could put them into your Kunai.”
"Thank you very much that is such a great idea," I say as I start doing just that,
“Also, I will summon you a new Sage coat like your old one since the last one was destroyed." He says as he performs a quick summoning Jutsu. With a quick puff of smoke, I see a new red and black sage coat.
“Thank you. How are you holding up?” I ask as I continue to add the gems into my Kunai.
“Very well actually seeing that I died briefly. I will be heading home soon. I kinda want to rest for awhile plus we have a new toad who needs training. Please stop by soon I wouldn’t mind working on your sage mode more. I think we can improve it.” Fukasaku says smiling,
"Alright, thanks again," I say as he disappears in a puff of smoke. So, I decide to sit there and continue to work on my new Kunai.
Itachi POV:
"You know I have stayed in worse places," I say looking around at the dark and disgusting cave. "Pretty sure we are in the ANBU black site under the village. I used to come here every so often to lock up people I captured or to get information.” I say remembering the good old days,
"Well, at least they didn't kill us as soon as we appeared. But your still sick and won't last long without the fifth's healing." My brother says clearly worried,
“I should be fine as long as I don’t use any Chakra or my Sharingan," I respond laying down on the straw, a second later I hear movement and I recognise the tempo of the steps instantly.
"Hey, you two. So, you ready to bring back your clan?" Kakashi asks as he does, I sit up to look at him.
"I have always found it impressive how you wear that mask and manage to speak clearly," I say struggling to stand, having to use the wall to support my weight.
“The fifth Hokage will wake up tomorrow, the village is being rebuilt and we have a new hero. So, it would be nice for one of the founding clans to return. Also, Itachi we need to speak, in private.” Kakashi says over-excited for some reason.
"Well sounds like things are looking up," I say with a smile, as I do, I drop my coat. I won’t wear that piece of trash anymore, the black with red clouds can stay here where it belongs. “Is Danzo still here?” I ask,
"Well he has gone missing since yesterday and your return was made public," Kakashi says clearly confused,
"Dam. Well, I guess you won’t get to lock him up, not now anyway. The crimes he has committed makes me look good. I have been wanting to kill him for a while now. At least he stayed away from Sasuke.” I say with a sigh.
"Alright let's go," Kakashi says opening the cell door. I hobble behind my brother and my old captain just making my way towards seeing her again. As we exit the black site the sun blinds me as I renter the destruction. But on the outskirts, I see the works of rebuilding slowly taking shape. Small wooden houses and walls for compounds are slowly being built.
"It's good to be home," I say,
“That’s so cool Naruto. Thank you.” I hear a girl say, as I look over, I see a girl dressed in pink with two buns in her hair. As I watch I see she is holding a kunai I would recognise anywhere, the one of the fourth Hokage.
"Yeah, the toads gave me a gem. I am giving them to each of the 11. And Sasuke when he gets out when I finish learning the technique, I will be able to appear whenever someone needs me." he almost yells clearly overexcited, as I look at his outfit, I notice it is a little different. He is dressed in a red cloak with black flames at the bottom. I notice across his chest he has a collection of the same Kunai as the fourth.
"Alright, bring your clan back," Kakashi says directly to me,
“Umm I can’t but if I can have a piece of paper and a quill Sasuke can do it," I say, so he does, still locked in chains I draw up a complex set of seals. All based around the rough shape of a Sharingan. Once done I place it on the ground, "Only the Chakra of an Uchiha can use this seal, I sent a message before we came so they should all be prepared to return." I say and nodding to Sasuke.
Everything has fallen silent as I watch Sasuke walk forward and place his hands on the sheet of paper. I watch as the seal glows red briefly before a red-light shoot into the air and a loud whoosh races across the entire village. Then in a flash, I am blinded by a red flash.
As I struggle for my eyes to adjust, I see a group of 30 people standing before me, standing at the front a girl dressed in purple. Her long brown hair flowing in wind, her eyes catch mine a second later letting me get lost in the black voids. “Itachi?” she asks walking closer, then before I can even respond she has leapt onto me. “Itachi! Oh, I have missed you.” She says as I hug her back, even after three years it still feels like home to me.
“Izumi, I have missed you too. Please, I hope you can forgive me for leaving you so long." I say as I feel something escape my eye.
“I am never letting you out of my sight again.” She cries out as I feel my shirt has become wet.
“Izumi?” Sasuke asks,
“Sasuke?" she asks back looking up from my chest to look at my little brother, "Oh my god look how you have grown, you are taller than me now. You look just like your mother." She says smiling,
“So, you really didn’t kill them?” Kakashi asks,
"No, I was going to for the good of the village. I even got help from a man they call Tobi. But I went to kill Izumi first, I knew she would be the hardest for me too. But I couldn't, why did innocent Uchihia’s have to die just for the village? So instead I grabbed around 30 and used that seal to teleport them to the mountains where no one would ever look. Then I returned claimed to Tobi I killed them; I then went into league with the Akatsuki. I did kill leaf shinobi even fought you on many occasions but that was all to keep Sasuke safe and to keep people from looking in the mountains. When Pain made his move and Sasuke sought me out I knew time was up, I couldn’t protect him any longer and I couldn’t leave what remained of my clan exiled forever. Now my work is done, I understand I will have to pay for my crimes, it is only fair.” I say before pulling out one sheet of paper from my pocket and handing it to Kakashi.
“This is from the third. A mission seal. Oh my." He says going wide-eyed, "Well umm. Sasuke was going to be pardoned because he never killed any leaf Shinobi and turned himself in. Plus, he only attacked his old team which I have decided that it was an act of mental instability." Kakashi states,
“Please Kakashi, don’t throw Itachi in prison,” I hear Izumi plea as I feel her slightly tighten her grip around me which makes my heart beat a little faster.
“I can’t throw him in prison for following the mission seal. The fifth can but I doubt she will after a hearing and all the Uchiha’s here now. He may be suspended for a while, but I see no reason to throw him in prison. I would like to welcome you all home.” He says smiling, “Your old compound area is available for you. You can rebuild once more. I will have captain Yamato help immediately.” Kakashi continues smiling at us all.
"I can finally go home," I say just to Izumi,
“I am already home.” She whispers back to me,
Sasuke POV:
“Sasuke! Welcome home!” I hear a friendly call out, as I turn, I see Naruto standing there smiling and waving.
“It’s good to be home Dobe. Also, nice get up.” I say looking at his, red and black suits him better than orange.
“Thanks, Sasuke. It's been weird not having you around." He says as we start to walk behind the group of Uchiha's.
"I guess team 7 can come back," I say thinking of the old times together back when we were younger.
“Yeah maybe. I may not be staying here long.” Naruto sighs as I see people scowling as we walk, all Hyuga’s from all walks of life. I realize not much has changed for Naruto since the day I left, he is still viewed as a demon.
“Not everyone hates you, remember all the people who came to see you after your battle? Anyway, we should hang out and train now. I have missed your annoying shadow clones and I want to face your sage mode.” I say feeling a burning need to face my old teammate.
“This is for you.” He says handing me a kunai with a brown grip and formula on it, it seems very familiar to one I studied at the academy. “When I master this new Justu I will be able to go to any of these Kunai. If you infuse your Chakra into the red gem, I will be told you need help.”
"That is really cool," I say still looking at the kunai which feels balanced and well made.
"Well, I got a letter yesterday, a letter from the Hyuga. I was told to leave, or they will hunt me down and kill me. After just saving the village I don't want it to fall apart instantly. I could go with the toads for a while, but I think I will travel for a while as my Sensei did." He continues as he hands me a letter with my name on it. "When I eventually leave, I want you to open it."
"I will Naruto," I say patting him on the back, as we finally make it to the old grounds of the compound, we use to live in. It is just covered in rubble, like a battlefield.
"Alright let's rebuild," Itachi calls out, as he does I see my clan start to weave hand signs and start moving rubble aside. As I watch I didn’t notice my brother appear next to me. “Naruto, I overheard what you said. I doubt you will ever come across this man but if you do avoid combat or if you must kill him," he says handing Naruto an image with a man wrapped in bandages on half his face.
“Who is he?” I ask, still looking at the image of the man.
“That man is Danzo. He was the reason why the Third was forced to try and make me massacre my clan. He will come back for us, but I think his final goal from what I could gather at least is to harvest the Nine tails." He says staring at Naruto.
“He won’t get me and if I find him, I will kill him for you. I will protect this village and all it’s clans even if I can’t be here with you all.” Naruto says smiling with his usual bright smile that even back when we were kids at least improved my day a little.
"One more thing," Itachi says as he grabs Naruto’s arm. “The crows will always be watching.” He says before releasing my friend from his grasp.
Neji POV:
“It is time to vote for a new leader it is clear that due to how distraught Hiashi is, he can no longer lead us properly. Now who should take his place?” an Elders yells to our clan leaders, I just sit there with my eyes close knowing it will either have to be myself or Hanabi. Even if it's me until she becomes old enough to lead the clan herself.
“We think until Hanabi is old enough or Hiashi has recovered, Neji should be in charge at least for now.” One yells,
“I agree.” Another calls,
“All votes for Neji say here.” The elder calls again,
“Here.” Calls at least twenty leaders, as they do, I open my eyes and step next to the elder.
"My fellow clansmen and women. I will lead us to the best of my abilities. My first order of business to protect this clan and the village. That can't be done if we have a monster living with its walls. I will send a letter to him. If not, we must kill Naruto. That demon who killed the closest thing to a sister I had. We must not let it live within these walls!” I call out and as I do, they all cheer in agreement. “We mustn’t let this monster let anyone else suffer! Even if the village think it’s dressed like a hero. A monster is still a monster!”
[So, I hope you guys liked it, if you enjoyed this and are a fan of My Hero Academia, I have a IzuOcha story going. Anyway, I will explain more of the changes to the Uchiha clan recent history in coming chapters so please just keep with me till I have time to explain it all. Anyway, please tell me if you like it!]