It was a quiet night in Konoha. Everything was peaceful, with the occasional drunk wandering the streets and ninjas patrolling the village for anything even remotely suspicious. But nothing had happened, and in shinobi books, that meant two things: either everything was fine, or something terrible was about to happen. Everyone prayed it was the former.
Almost everyone was unaware that tonight would bring about a change for the world, a primordial force was going to return in all its splendor, in a new body, all because of Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto Uzumaki was a 12-year-old boy, a little short for his age, with a terrible sense of fashion, always wearing an orange jumpsuit, which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't a bright orange, he had spiky blond hair that stood up in all directions, blue eyes like the sky, and curious marks on his cheeks that made him look like a cat or a fox.
But what was this young man doing to cause such a big change in the world? Easy, he was sneaking into the forest surrounding Konoha, with the forbidden Konoha scroll, which he himself had stolen, containing very dangerous jutsus, especially if it fell into the wrong hands.
Why had Naruto stolen this important scroll? That's a long story, but in short, he'd been tricked, taking advantage of a moment of personal weakness. Naruto wanted to become Hokage, but first he had to become a Shinobi. Unfortunately, he'd failed the academy entrance exam, and this was his third attempt.ButTaking advantage of the depressed young man, Mizuki, a sensei at the academy who hated Naruto, used the poor boy, deceiving him by being an instructor at the academy, making him falsely believe that there was an extra test to graduate.
It was through this deception that Naruto "slipped away" and "defeated" the Hokage, unaware that the Hokage had been pretending and was watching Naruto through his crystal sphere, with an ANBU team prepared for any eventuality.
After about 30 minutes, Naruto reached a clearing, where he prepared to open the scroll and begin to skim through it.
"Let's see, Mokuton? Nah, Shiki Fuin? Summon and transfer your soul to the Shinigami... if not, thanks, I want to live. Shadow Clones? Seriously? I can't even escape the damn clones here... Well, it's the first thing I understand at least, so let's go with this." Having made a decision, Naruto began practicing the jutsu.
The Hokage and the ANBU team, who were watching Naruto, were worried when he read the section on Reaper Death Seal, believing he was willing to learn such a dangerous jutsu. However, they were reassured by what Naruto said afterward, realizing that although a bit naive and irresponsible, the boy wasn't a complete idiot. Then, a large bead of sweat broke out on their foreheads when they heard Naruto complain about the clones. So, making a decision, Hiruzen allowed the boy to learn the technique. In fact, after learning that he had failed again, he was going to teach him the jutsu and give him a promotion.
Why hadn't he done it sooner? Because statistically, it's been shown that the younger children are exposed to shinobi life, the more likely they are to develop trauma that can pose a potential danger to the villages themselves and everyone around them. Because of this, Hiruzen hadn't tried to help Naruto graduate earlier; the boy had many problems and was somewhat unstable, especially since being removed from his family's care. That thought made him sigh with sadness and melancholy; he still remembered little Naruto running around the Sarutobi compound.
Another reason was that he wanted to graduate with a group his own age, so he could make friends. He knew Naruto's potential; he was known as the teacher for a reason. But he didn't want another Kakashi or worse, another Itachi, who isolated themselves from the world and that caused them personal problems and poor psychological and psychosocial development.
Imagine the collective surprise of seeing Naruto master the Shadow Clone Jutsu in less than 45 minutes, a feat in itself. This confirmed Hiruzen's theory: Naruto wasn't an idiot, he was simply a kinesthetic learner. That's why he had difficulty understanding the theory in books, but he was very good in combat, kunai throwing, and other shinobi actions where you had to perform the action.
… … … … At the same time as Naruto … … … …
"Okay, I've got this in my bag. It was actually pretty easy... I know I shouldn't... but it can't hurt anyone if I find another amazing jutsu, right?" he said as he reopened the scroll and skimmed through it. "Let's see... Flying Thunder God Technique, the user performs calculations based on average speed per second... not very complex. Giant Water Dome, requires high elemental affinity with Water Release, I don't even know what that is. Secret Jutsu of the Leaf Village: Thousand Years of Death... sounds very dangerous to try." He continued flipping through the scroll, but without finding anything he understood. After a certain incident, he learned never to attempt a jutsu if he didn't understand it.
But just as he was about to give up and roll the scroll back up, he noticed that he was at the very end, where he could see something strange about it. It looked like one of the guard seals that Iruka-sensei had spoken about once, but what caught his attention the most was seeing a swirl in the center of the seal, similar to the one he used on his clothes. Perhaps it was a sign of destiny?
With nothing left to lose, he decided to open the seal, to receive 2 crowns, for a king and a queen.
The king's crown was imposing and dark, forged from obsidian so deep it seemed to devour the light around it, obscuring even the immediate surroundings. It was adorned with somber purple gems that glowed faintly from within, emanating a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere that provoked an instinctive repulsion in anyone who beheld it.
The queen's crown was elegantly shaped like a laurel wreath, crafted from finely worked gold metal. Interspersed among its leaves were oval-cut gemstones in shades of light and dark green, which softly reflected the light and lent it a serene and harmonious beauty.
Naruto, the Hokage, and the ANBU accompanying Hiruzen in the office were surprised to see the crowns. They never expected the scroll to contain them, but why? What was so special about them? It was true that, based on their appearance, any crown could be worth an infinite amount of money, but was it really necessary to keep them among the most dangerous jutsu in the world? Hiruzen had a bad feeling about this, so he sent his ANBU to the clearing to retrieve the scroll and the crowns.
"Wow... how beautiful... but what are they doing here?" Naruto was having similar but different thoughts to the Hokage. "But why would he put these crowns out for a genin promotion test? I know he had to learn a jutsu, but these seem too well-made to be just a distraction... could it be... that this isn't a secret test?" That revelation made Naruto's eyes widen in fear, as if he had been tricked.
When he heard some bushes moving, he immediately got into a fighting stance, only to relax after seeing that it was Iruka-sensei.
"Naruto!!!" Iruka shouted angrily and worriedly. "Do you know what you've done? You've stolen the forbidden scroll of the village, Naruto!" This made Naruto's eyes widen, surprised by what he truly held in his hands. So he did the only thing he could: explain to Iruka what had happened, surprising and making him serious.
Just in time, because Mizuki had just appeared in the clearing, only to avoid a kunai thrown by Iruka, who at this moment was in his shinobi mode. It was true that he was not as ruthless as many shinobi, but even when necessary he was able to harden his heart and do what was necessary.
Naruto was surprised to see Iruka so serious. It was strange to see the humble and kind teacher Iruka with the trained shinobi before him. Mizuki, on the other hand, frowned. He never expected Iruka to be there, much less that he seemed to know about his betrayal. So he simply replaced his frown with a crooked smile. He knew that in this situation he had to distract Iruka, kill him and the brat, and escape quickly.
Although she had noticed Naruto clearly until now, aside from the scrolls, he seemed to be holding two crowns. Where did he get them? Oh well, that didn't matter now. "Naruto, do you know why everyone in the village hates you?" Naruto's eyes widened. He had always wanted that answer, but never got it. "That's because you're..." Mizuki had to stop herself to join a Taijutsu battle initiated by Iruka.
He had to keep his focus on Iruka; one mistake could mean his death. So he took advantage of a gap in Iruka's defense to stab him with a poisoned senbon needle—nothing lethal, but if heincapacitatedHe waited long enough, and when he saw another lapse in concentration, he took advantage and knocked him out. Then he turned his gaze to Naruto, who hadn't moved. His mind was still wandering about the hatred of the village, so taking advantage of that gap in trust again...I capitalizeThis opportunity - it's because you are the Kyubi, Naruto, you are the beast that attacked and destroyed almost all of Konoha, Naruto, you are evil incarnate, Kyubi -
- No… no… no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no -
"YES NARUTO, THAT'S WHY THE VILLAGE HATES YOU, BECAUSE YOU'RE THE DEMON WHO STOLE EVERYTHING FROM THEM, NOW DIE!" he said while throwing his fuma-shuriken, only to be stopped by a newly recovered Iruka, who had gotten in the way, receiving the giant shuriken on his right shoulder.
Equally surprising to Naruto, to hear his sensei's words - Are you an idiot, Mizuki? That Naruto is the Kyubi?... Tell me something if that were true, why hasn't he killed us yet, Mizuki? We who would be compared to the power of the Kyubi... No, he is Naruto Uzumaki, a boy who despite adversity and what happened, decided to strive and not fall into despair - those words, those simple words made Naruto cry, because finally someone, after a self-imposed solitude, recognized him.
- Very nice speech Iruka, unfortunately that won't save you! DIE! - He would say this while throwing his second fuma-shuriken towards Iruka's head.
Naruto, acting on instinct, moved, throwing both crowns into the air, to kick and deflect the giant shuriken, while, by some kind of force, the king's crown fell on top of his head.transport anda different place.
He was no longer in the forest; now he was in a sewer. How had he gotten there? As he went to scratch his head, he felt the crown on top of it. When had he put it on? He pondered this for about three seconds before sensing a presence behind him. When he turned, he stared into blood-red eyes, filled with an uncontrollable hatred, fury, and disgust that seemed almost limitless.
- I don't know what you've done, my mayor, but whatever you've done, it's dangerous, it's ancient, it's primordialNaruto just swallowed hard, terrified of being in front of Kyubi no Yoko, the bijuu king, but he didn't understand what he meant. Kyubi himself frowned when he realized this.The mayor's crown, that crown isn't normal, there's something about it that I don't quite like, it reminds me a lot of… -The Kyubi didn't finish speaking, before looking behind Naruto, causing him to turn around suspiciously, only to cling on, to see himself, which terrified him, because he was a different "him," they looked alike, but he felt different.
Meanwhile, the Kyubi, a rational being, yet still deeply connected to its beastly instincts, sensed it. Something emanated from that other mayor, something forbidden, ancient, dangerous… deadly. It had no way of describing it with words; it was more like a feeling, the same feelings it had only experienced once before, thirteen years ago, in all its years of existence, when that Fourth Hokage summoned the…
Both human and Bijuu became alert when the other "Naruto" raised his hand,opening it and closing it as if testing the strength of his own body. He wasn't performing any hostile action towards them, but nocouldAvoiding getting nervous in his presence kept both jailer and prisoner on alert.
Those nerves settled when he saw him move, or rather, the lack thereof. One moment he was at a reasonable distance, and the next he was in front of Naruto, looking directly into his eyes, generating a deep terror that froze the soul of our protagonist, because he couldn't understand what was in front of his eyes, because he felt a deep fear.
- So… you're my other half - Jinchuriki and Bijuu were confused by his statement, so taking all the confidence he had, Naruto decided to ask.
- What... half? - despite summoning all the courage in the world, he couldn't help but stutter.
- One half, of a new being, where we have to disappear, in order to be reborn -
Kyubi and Naruto tensed at that phrase. What the hell did it mean? Why were they going to disappear? How could they be reborn? What did it all mean? The other "Naruto" simply ignored his thoughts.
Everything fell into a deathly silence for what seemed like hours, when it had only been 5 seconds. Naruto didn't know what to do in this situation, much less the Bijuu, who, despite his age, had never had an experience even remotely similar to this.
But fed up with the situation, Naruto decided to take the lead in the "conversation" - Alright, explain yourself. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU HERE? WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE ME? AND WHAT THE HECK DOES IT MEAN TO BE REBORN? - despite not wanting to shout, he did, feeling that if he didn't do it that way his voice would be cut off.
The other "Naruto" merely raised an eyebrow at his counterpart, seemingly curious about the questions directed at him. But, knowing what was about to happen was inevitable, he decided to answer. "I am not you, I simply am." This left them both confused. "I am here, perhaps by whim, perhaps by destiny, perhaps by mere chance." These phrases, and the calm manner in which he delivered them, only made them more nervous. "I am not like you, nor are you like me; we simply are." This left them even more confused. "And the meaning of my words is a fact that must come to pass."
The mental landscape fell silent; no one had anything to say, either because they were still analyzing the other "Naruto's" words or because they simply had nothing to say—that doesn't clear up any of my doubts… a new being? a half?... What's the point of that?
The other simply shook his head, noticing that his other half was still confused. "You and I are together now, we're connected, simply waiting for the moment when our spirits cease to be two, to complement each other and become one." This only raised more questions than answers for them. "But not yet, not until she decides."
"Huh?" was Naruto's clever question.
The other crown has yet to awaken, because I don't feel it has found its owner, so our union will have to wait.
"I don't understand what you're saying," was our protagonist's honest reply.
The other only looked at him for a few seconds, then closed his eyes and shook his head. This was a concept difficult to fully explain with mortal words, and he felt that his other half wasn't ready to know, so he snapped his fingers, bringing him back to reality, himself disappearing into the darkness.
- What have you done now, Mayor?- the Kyubi went back to sleep andtreatto forget what they just experienced, for their mental well-being.
When Naruto emerged from his mental space, time seemed to have stood still. Mizuki was still reacting to his deflected shuriken, and Iruka was still wide-eyed in astonishment. But Naruto felt different, not in a bad way… just different, but he didn't have time to dwell on that. Using the hand seals he had learned that night, he created his clones, all moving as one with the mission to pummel Mizuki, who barely had time to react before being engulfed in a flurry of blows.
When the one-sided beating ended, Mizuki could be seen lying on the ground, moaning in pain and agony, while Naruto stood looking at him with disgust and suppressed fury, because not only was he a traitor, he was someone who manipulated him into doing the dirty work, when he was about to throw more punches he was stopped by the ANBU group that had been sent by Hiruzen.
Naruto, recognizing that it was Cat's squad, lowered his fist and sighed resignedly. She nodded, acknowledging his act of "surrender." They went to pick up Iruka and Mizuki, carefully helping the former to his feet as the effects of the poison/paralyzing agent wore off, while they lifted Mizuki up like a sack of potatoes to take him before Ibiki.
- The Hokage wants you in his office, Naruto. -
- *Sigh*I understand, Cat… Do I have to walk or will you give me a ride?
His response was to be held by someone else from the Bull squad, where Naruto just nodded to the burly man, who shunshined to the Hokage's office, while Eagle carried Iruka also in front of the Hokage.
… … … … Hokage Office … … … …
Inside the Third Hokage's office, there was an awkward silence from those present. Naruto had his gaze downcast, sad and confused by everything that had happened today.
- Naruto, please explain what happened -
Naruto looked up, seeing Hiruzen, who was looking at him like a child. He had been receiving that look for a long time, but today he felt a huge weight on his shoulders, more than usual.*Sigh*After failing the exam again, I was left alone, and Mizuki approached, offering me a surprise "exam," which was very secret, because she had seen the potential in me - Naruto remained silent, disappointed that he had fallen so easily for that cheap trick.
- Naruto continues -
- After that, he gave me the instructions; I had to infiltrate the scroll and take it to the forest, he said it was like a typical extraction mission -
Iruka could only sigh sadly and melancholically, for the fall of the one who was his friend, or at least was a while ago.
"I understand that part, Naruto," Hiruzen spoke again, "but where did you get the crowns?" Iruka also looked at Naruto with doubt; he had seen the two crowns, but they had disappeared.
"Hehe, I can't give you an answer," Naruto said, equally confused, "but... I think I might know who can." He then closed his eyes and transported himself back to his mental space.
Iruka and Hiruzen looked at Naruto in confusion, and didn't know how to react, so they let him be, hoping that he would give them the answers to their questions.
… … … … Naruto's Subconscious … … … …
When Naruto opened his eyes again, everything was changed; the wasted sewer was no longer there.
Now I was in a starry sky, and the ocean became one, creating a perfect mirror that captured planets, nebulae, and fleeting lights in an eternal cycle of birth and death. It was a vast and silent landscape, broken only by stone spires rising from the water, all converging toward a central radiance that illuminated the immensity of this mirrored universe.
While in the middle of the dreamlike landscape, the cage of the Kyubi could be seen, a giant one, which contained the untamed beast that observed the landscape in amazement and lost looking at the stars, lost in its infinity.
- Impressive, isn't it?
Naruto jumped slightly, keeping his balance. "What is this?"
- Nothing, just a minor renovation -
- I... I didn't do any of this... or did I? -
Nobody did anything, it just changed.
- Why? What caused this change? Was it you? Was it me?
The other just shook his head - No one did anything, it just happened. The first time you were here, this place represented you at that time, this represents us -
I still don't understand you.
- I know -
- But I also need answers -
- Are you sure you need them?
"No," that surprised the Kyubi, who had regained consciousness after they started talking, "but I love them, I want to understand, I want to know what's really happening. Tonight I found out I spent 12 years of my life being deceived." The other simply listened to Naruto. "I don't want to live like this anymore... Someone once taught me that the most painful truth is better than a white lie."
- Wise words -
- Undoubtedly, she taught them to me… at the time I didn't understand them… even now I don't think I fully understand them… but I'm willing to hear the truth -
- It's going to be a long story -
- I have time. And you?
The other could only smile; it wasn't Naruto's typical exuberant smile, it was calmer, more peaceful. "At the beginning of time, there was nothing, and from that nothingness, there was everything, and from both, there was power." Naruto and the Kyubi just listened; they didn't understand what the other was saying, but they simply remained silent. "From those three elemental forces, life and death, creation and destruction, everything and nothingness were born, and from them, everything else was born."
- How could nothingness and everything exist at the same time?
The other smiled again. "Because nothingness and everything are the same, they encompass the same thing, but from different angles." Naruto nodded, understanding. "And as for power, how can something exist without power? Or how can nothingness exist without power?" Naruto nodded, understanding what they were explaining. "Thus passed the eons, where the five primordial forces existed and simply were, without a consciousness as such, they simply were. But the first three decided to exist, and to truly exist, where they obtained forms and titles."
- What are they known as now?
- Nothingness obtained the name Chaos, creator of the Gods; everything obtained the name God (Yahweh) the creator, and the power obtained the name of Kairo the king of the gods, beings that have always existed, have always been, only that they did not present themselves -
- Why the king of the gods?
- *Sigh*To put it simply, the first two decided to simply be, to exist; that's why they got those names. Curiously, when they both existed, they were consummated in an infinite marriage that lasts without end, but power didn't simply to be, the hope, to be created, is complicated, but Kairo didn't exist and then power, nor did power exist and then Kairo; both existed at the same time, but at the same time they didn't. - Bijuu and human were confused - Don't use mortal logic to understand it, or simply don't look for logic.
- What does all this have to do with you? Or with me?... It's confusing, yes, I see you and it's you, but you say it's me, but at the same time, we are two who are destined to be together -
- Do you remember how my story began?
- First there was nothingness, everything, and power; then came life and death, and from them everything else was born -
- I am death... or rather, we are death -
Naruto opened his eyes, as did Kyubi. They didn't understand what the other had just said. Death? Then, I mean him?
"I... I'm the bad guy," Naruto asked, frightened.
- No, we're not the good guys or the bad guys, we're simply the necessary end -
That didn't make Naruto feel any better, but he was starting to understand.*Sigh*Was this meant to happen? Am I obligated to be this way?
- No -
That simple answer made Naruto sigh. "Why me then?"
- What happened to you, what happened to us, wasn't meant to be. Nothing is meant to be. This wasn't the only crown that existed, and anyone could have taken it, whether it was your sensei, your grandpa, or any being, inside or outside this universe.
Naruto nodded, understanding; it wasn't meant to be, it was mere chance—because you say it wasn't the only one that existed—
- Death is absolute, it reaches all sides of existence, it exists everywhere and at the same time nowhere, this crown was only a means, waiting for someone to put it on -
- If the crown existed everywhere, why didn't anyone else wear it?
- I don't know, luck, chance, higher powers, or simply our own will -
- Our? -
- When the crown touched your head and you didn't die -
"Could he be dead?" Naruto asked, his question not born of fear, but rather of doubt.
"Do you really think death would let just anyone possess it?" Naruto shook his head. "Exactly, the crown can see into the future. It was a consciousness in itself, without actually being one, and if it saw you as unworthy, it would simply disappear or eliminate you. It was a possibility, but since you weren't actively seeking it and it was more of an incident, it was most likely the former." Naruto sighed. "Now it turns out he could have died." "But after..."coronarteThe others ceased to be, because now we are absolute death -
Naruto sighed again, accepting that this was now his destiny, to become the end of everything, and the worst part is, it was mere chance. "Now what?" The other extended his open hand, as if expecting something. Naruto, catching the hint, stretched out his open hand until they touched.
… … … … Real world … … … …
Five minutes had passed since Naruto closed his eyes. Iruka told the Hokage everything that had happened, which he had also witnessed, but the office had fallen silent, with the only sound being Naruto's breathing.
Iruka looked at Naruto with doubt. Who was he talking to? The Kyuubi? And if so, what answers would the bijuu give Naruto?
Meanwhile, the Hokage couldn't get the thought of the crowns out of his mind. Where were they? Why were they on the scroll in the first place? Who had put them there?
The Hokage and the academy teacher regained consciousness as a faint glow emanated from Naruto, the black crown reappearing above his head, only to then melt into him, ceasing to exist. This unsettled both adults, who had no idea what was happening.
Where they tensed up the most, when Naruto opened his eyes and felt… different, he was no longer the Naruto they knew, his gaze reflected a wisdom beyond his years, his aura was different, where before you felt like you were under a cheerful and noisy sun, now it was like being in a cold and dark night, which seemed to swallow all the light.
- I'm back -
That phrase only made the two adults...they will lookNaruto looked worried.
- Are you coming back from where Naruto-kun was?
When Naruto turned his eyes to the Hokage, the Hokage tensed up, only to calm down when Naruto's gaze changed to the same as before, only more controlled, more calm.
So Naruto began to tell everything to the Third Hokage and Iruka, who couldn't believe what Naruto was saying, but they both knew that it was impossible for Naruto to make up this story, and that everything that came out of his mouth was true.
Iruka was stunned, amazed, and terrified all at the same time, while the Hokage stared seriously at Naruto.
- So, you are death -
- No -
The silence after the answer was absolute, and Iruka asked the question.
- That? -
I am not Death yet; eventually I will become it, but first Life will choose the queen, and after a while we will...we will mergeIt could be at that very moment, in our bed, or simply while we are sleeping -
The Hokage let out a heavy sigh, carrying the weight of his years lived, and let Iruka retire to rest, but not before informing him that Naruto was now a Shinobi, which pleased the blond boy.
Once they were alone in his office, Hiruzen turned his gaze to Naruto, who was doing the same to him.
"She's still waiting for you to come home," Naruto said, his voice tense. "There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't ask about you. Despite her personality, she never stops missing you."
"I... can't go back... especially not now," said the blond man, looking at the ground with melancholy.
"Can't you? Or don't you want to?" That made Naruto even sadder, and unable to bear the conversation, he slowly began to leave the office. Hiruzen didn't stop him, but as he was about to cross the threshold, he spoke to him: "You don't have to leave, Naruto, especially not now, with what's happening to you. If you come back, she'll welcome you with open arms." Despite listening, Naruto continued on his way.
The Hokage let out a heavy sigh, as his eyes turned towards a photo on his desk. In it, a 5-year-old Naruto could be seen carrying a small bundle (a baby) while an older woman, wearing a kimono, which, despite its simplicity, highlighted her beauty and made her look like royalty, while an open fan covered the lower half of her face.
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Well, I'm rewriting this story now that I haven't made much progress yet.
Due to certain circumstances, I decided to make this change. By the time this is published, I'll already be working on Chapter 2. I'm going to improve the character development, their dialogue, and the overall characterization I want to give the story. That's all for now. Sayonara.