Naruto sighed as he looked out over what just to be his home. What was everyone's home. Now it was rubble, blood stained every street. He stopped walking the streets a long time ago, too many memories flooded his mind when he did. Looking down at the photo in his hand, a melodic laughter filled his mind.
Naruto turned as he heard footsteps, knowing exactly who it was. "Hey Shika, Neji."
Both nodded at him and sat on either side of him. "The last morons, that's what he is calling us."
Neji scoffed at the title. "The bastard can call us what he wants, he won't ever…"
Neji trailed off, his milky white eyes narrowing at the roar that echoed in the distance. His byakugan flaring as he searched for the beast's location. "Its close, too close."
Just as he said that Shikamaru stood. He turned to a slowly growing black cloud and casually pulled out a cigarette, using Asuma's lighter, he lit it while watching Shino appear from the hive of bugs. He spoke, his voice taking on an unusual commanding tone. "Report."
Shino saluted. "It is as you predicted, they are on their way. That… that monster is coming this way."
Shikamaru let out a puff of smoke. "Where's Lee?"
"He is trying his best of hold it back, but he can only do so much, Shika."
Another puff of smoke and a tut came from Shikamaru's lips. "That idiot. Call him back. There is nothing we can do now."
Naruto chuckled. "Lee was always an impulsive one. Probably challenged himself to do it."
It didn't take long for lee to make it back. The monsters size slowing it down immensely, though its roars grew angrier and more frequent.
The five of them sat in a sombre mood, remembering the friends and family they lost along the way. Still, they knew that now they would be reunited with them, something they had wanted for a long time. It was only when Naruto had finished the story of the first team 7 mission that Kurama finally spoke to Naruto.
"Brat"
Naruto froze ever since they had started losing Kurama had stopped talking to him. Having lost of all hope of ever surviving. He didn't want the pain of losing another ally to follow him for his immortal existence.
'Kurama? What is it?'
"Just listen, I found a way to save everyone, and I mean it. Everyone."
Naruto just sat there, mouth agape, anger rising up within him. So much so he didn't even notice that he spoke out loud.
"A way to save everyone?! You had something like this the whole time I watched everyone die?!"
The 4 others froze, not a single sound between them as they listened to Naruto.
"You think I would keep this from you? I just finished making the array."
"Array? What? What kind of seal is this, are we trapping the Ten-Tails?"
Kurama let out a deep suffering sigh. "No, I will send you all back in time. I don't know when it will be, but you will go back in time. It will give you a chance to finally right the wrongs… to finally save the ones you love." Kurama paused "The one you loved…"
Naruto's eyes widened, a faint glimmer of hope finally sparked within him after 2 years of constant battles and loss. His body shook as he turned away from his mindscape and towards his friends, he relayed what Kurama had told him. They all looked to be on the verge of cries of relief and tears of joy before a large shadow slowly overtook them.
"shit" was all that Shikamaru could muster as his cigarette fell from his lips. The Ten-tails had arrived. They all scrambled to link hands knowing this would be their make it or die moment.
'Kurama!' Naruto shouted in his head as the beast sealed within him active the seal. Even within the seal Kurama could feel the pressure of a Tailed Beast Bomb being formed. He felt it launch as he finally linked the other charkas to Naruto and slammed his hand down onto the ground.
"Time God Seal: Reversal!"
Konoha – Genin Team Test Day
There was a peaceful air about, anyone could tell from the bustling streets of the village. Civilians talked, giggled and laughed as they mingled around the market and town square.
Near the edge of the village were various training grounds, these were used by the protecters of the village. Their Ninja, one such Ninja was walking down the path towards one. Her long pink hair swayed in the wind and any other Ninja that walked past would secretly hold their breath when walking by her, as the various products that she used to wash her hair and prepare herself in the morning were too much for any ninja to endure.
She entered the training ground her new sensei had told them to go to the day prior. Only to see one other person, someone she hated with her very soul. If it wasn't its utter worthlessness on display next to her cool and amazing beloved, it was the constant asking her on dates that made her want to clock him one everytime. He should know by now that she was made for her beloved Sasuke.
She walked over to her teammate and found him asleep, which angered her even more. Her Sasuke would never sleep like this. So, she did the only thing she could think of, she reared her fist ready to pound it down onto his unsuspecting head. She let out a roar as she proceeded to try and punch him.
"NARUTOOooo…" She trailed off as she found her fist caught in a strong grip and her body flipped over onto her back. She let out a loud yelp of pain as her body practically bounced off the dirt.
Naruto's eyes shot open at the pained yelp. "Ah shit, Sakura are you OK?" He asked. He quickly assessed her injuries but found only bruising. She looked close to tears through, so he placed his hand against her back and let his charka start to heal the bruise.
She tried to move away but quickly relaxed at the soothing chakra healing her back. "N-naruto, what was that?"
He smiled seeing she wasn't shouting at him. "Oh, sorry just a reaction, nothing good happens when people try to attack me in my sleep… I am sorry Sakura." He said, hoping his guiltiness had been conveyed. Once her bruise was healed, he took his hand off her back and sat against the wooden pole he was leaning on to sleep.
Sakura just sat on the dirt surprised. She expected a date proposal or something similar but no all she had was him saying sorry. Before she could reply through Sasuke showed up. His eyes narrowed like usual. He practically glared at the both of them before sitting down in between the two with a silent huff.
Sakura blushed at his supposed coolness and squealed before excitedly speaking with him. Naruto sighed as he heard their bellies rumble, so he got three bento boxes out of his bag. He had made them specifically for each of them.
"Err hey guys." He said trying to get the two's attention, but they just ignored him, not even bothering to look in his direction. He sighed and this time he raised his voice, his hokage voice leaking into his shout. This had finally gotten their attention or more specifically Sasuke's which caused Sakura to pay attention.
"I brought Breakfast." He said as he gave them their designated box and some chopsticks.
"But Sensei told us not eat breakfast?" Sakura reminded Naruto as he popped open his box and dug in.
"And yet a Ninja should always be well fed for the mission ahead." Naruto reminded her, directly quoting Iruka from one of their many catch up lessons before he became Hokage.
Sasuke shrugged and opened his box to find a plethora of his favourite food and nodded in thanks to Naruto before starting to eat.
Sakura looked around and didn't see their Sensei around and with Sasuke deciding to eat also started eating her bento, finding it filled with her favourite foods as well. "T-thank you Naruto…"
They ate in silence, finishing just as their Sensei arrived. Kakashi raised an eyebrow but said nothing of it before looking the three of them over. He nodded and jingled two bells in his hand.
Naruto stared at the bells, his mind going back to the bells he had in his back pocket for the longest time.
"Naru… uto." Kakashi coughed out as he held onto Naruto's arm tightly. Tears dripped onto his mask from the blond hovering above him. Trying anything to make him better. He knew, he knew that this would be his last goodbye.
"Liv—e be…" *Cough cough* "Be the Hokage you always… knew you could be." Kakashi forced out before reaching down into one of his jacket pockets, glad that pocket had survived when he was ripped in half. He placed two beaten up bells into Naruto's open hand and closed it around them. The world went blurry and all he could hear was a muffled scream of rage as it all went black.
Kakashi blinked back whatever that was, was that how he died? He refocused back on his team and saw them all staring at him, Naruto had a slight concerning look, but he brushed it off and explained the bell test.
Soon they were ready, and all disappeared in the foliage. Kakashi stood slouched slightly pulling his book out to have a nice read.
Naruto quickly and silently Shunshin'd around the bushes, until he found Sasuke and Sakura right behind him. He quickly revealed himself to them, he stopped Sakura from shouting at him.
"Look I know we aren't the best team, but we seriously need to work together. There are only two bells there and three of us. Never since the introduction of the team system has there been a team with less than 3 genin in it. This test is trying to split us up. So, we either work together or none of us pass."
It took a bit more hushed arguing to get them both on board to actually discuss a plan. Once ready they dispersed and put the plan into action.
Kakashi closed his book with a snap. It had been a good ten minutes since all of them had disappeared. He idly wondered if they had murdered each other and thought it would be a good idea to check on them. He felt a presence behind him and then felt multiple kunai piercing his back.
Glad that he wasn't going to have to fill out lots of paperwork he replaced himself with a log right before the kunai ripped his vest. He pulled out his book once more only to find a carrot instead. Confused he looked around before seeing his book laying on the ground with a rabbit about to nibble on it.
"NO!" he practically shouted before the rabbit turned to mist and he found his wrist tied in some rope. He quickly flickered away as he found himself infront of Sasuke. He quickly moved back to dodge a fist from the Genin and started to block his attacks.
"Using such a basic fighting style? I thought you were good Sasuke~" He teased before seeing Sasuke go through a variety of handsigns. His eye widened and he quickly jumped to the side as a large fireball flew right past him.
"OK, so you can use elemental jutsu. Noted. Though so can I." he said as he dove underground, snaking his way through the dirt until he grabbed a hold of Sasuke's ankles. Though before he could he felt another pair of hands grab his ankles in the dirt and fling him out of the dirt ungracefully as he flew in the air towards a very angry Sakura.
His face soon felt like paste as her fist made contact with it.
'How strong is she?' he thought as he flew into another opening in the training field. He stood up and found himself surrounded by about 500 clones of Naruto. Since he had been told what had happened two nights ago, he knew he was going to have a big fight on his hand.
Multiple clones jumped him at once, he was fighting off at least 20 clones at a time. He even forgot about the bells until all of Naruto's clones had been dispelled and he heard a jingle, but not from his belt. To his surprise he turned around and found all three of his Genin standing together. With Naruto jingling the two bells.
He chuckled, now was the time for the final test.
"So, you got both bells Naruto. Who are you going to give the second one to?"
"What if I give one to Sakura and one to Sasuke?" Naruto asked with a knowing look.
"You'd forfeit your place on the team."
"That's fine, I can wait another year. The Hat is being kept warm by the old man." Naruto replied cheekily.
"Fine Naru…" Kakashi started before he got cut off by Sakura.
"If Naruto gets kicked off the team, then I quit." Naruto turned to look at her in surprise. Before turning to Sasuke as he spoke up as well.
"Same, Naruto is the one who convinced us to work together. We are not a team without him." Now both Kakashi and Naruto were surprised, for differing reason but still. Surprised.
Kakashi's eye narrowed as he spoke his next words. "Well then, you. All. Fail."
Naruto just laughed and turned on his heel. "Alright then. Guess I'll just tell the Third Hokage what we did for a test. I'mmm very sure he would be thrilled to hear what you had just done…" he said with a sarcastic tone.
Kakashi immediately shivered at the potential rant and probable punishment under someone like Anko before backpedalling. "Alright, Alright. You three pass."
Sakura let out a loud cheer before enveloping both her teammates in a hug as both Naruto and Sasuke found comradery in fighting for air at her strength.
Konoha – Naruto's Apartment
"So, how did your guys first day go?" Naruto asked after he finished recounting the events to Shino and Shikamaru. He was currently heating up some water for Ramen as he hadn't had it in ages due to the war.
"If we are being truthful… about the same as yours." Shino said as his bugs feasted on the various creatures that inhabited Naruto's apartment.
"Yeah, everyone seems to act like they did when we first did this whole Genin thing" Shikamaru said as he thought about Naruto's reaction to learning about her…
1 Hour Ago
Shikamaru met up with Shino before making their way over to Naruto's apartment. Shino had raised an eyebrow at Shikamaru's sombre but serious mood, but he did not comment until they made it to the apartment.
Shino used his charka to unlock the seals that guarded the door and let himself in with his companion following close behind.
"Oh, hey guys…" Naruto said as he saw them enter. He was cut off as Shikamaru placed his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm… I'm sorry Naruto, she is…"
Naruto's eyes widened. "No…"
"I'm truly sorry…"
Naruto fell to the floor and started crying dramatically with Shikamaru comforting him.
Shino looked on in confusion and thought. 'But she is still alive?'
Present
It had taken them nearly 10 minutes to calm down to allow for them to relay their stories to each other about the day properly.
When the ramen pots were served was when Lee and Neji finally showed up. "So, our Sensei definitely suspect something is going on." Lee stated in his cheerful tone. "Also, Neji accidentally confessed his love to TenTen once again."
Neji looked aghast that his closest friend would reveal such information but slumped on the sofa sadly eating the Ramen out of one of the pots. Everyone else snickered at his situation.
"So why does he look so sad?" Naruto asked.
Lee just grinned evilly, "You see he decided to take a page out of your book Shika."
Their eyes widened as Shikamaru groan. "Oh god he didn't did he?"
TenTen panted as she threw more and more weapons at Lee as he got faster and faster. Usually, she would hit him at least once, but he seemed to have gotten a lot better overnight. To the point that he was a blur even with his weights on.
'It also doesn't help that Neji is just staring at me' she thought as she spent her last scroll throwing about 100 kunai at once. She growled to herself as she dropped her scroll and marched over to Neji.
"Goddammit what is your problem, Neji." She said getting up close to him.
Neji, Mister I haven't seen my wife in 10 years, just replied with "Marry Me".
TenTen immediately blushed and was at a loss for words. Their Sensei Gai just stood there, mouth agape while Lee burst out laughing.
"She hasn't spoken to him since that so here's hoping she says yes!" Lee said joyfully as he laughed along with Naruto.
Shino smiled behind his jacket collar thankful that they were in high spirits, though it wouldn't take long for a sombre mood to overtake them as they winded down from the day's activities. They all looked at each other A reminder that they came back for a reason. To make sure what happened would not happen again.
The five of them stood around Naruto as he linked their charkas with him. They needed complete secrecy if they wanted to pull this off.
The world darkened around them as the familiar walls of Naruto's untidy apartment disappeared and with it came a burst of colour and light. Green plains as far as the eye could see as well as a river that flowed peacefully throughout.
Naruto showed them to a fairly large cottage and knocked on the door. When it opened, they were surprised to see a child with small fox ears on his head.
"I expected him to be taller" Shino commented. "It would be logical, being the nine-tailed fox and all."
The small boy just growled and retorted in a deep voice. "The seal absorbed most of my charka, it is hard creating new timelines. Now come in, I don't want to waste anymore time with you lot."
They followed Kurama into the building and saw him transform into a small fox with only one tail who then sat on the table.
They all took positions around him, Shikamaru was the first to speak up. "We need a plan, running in guns blazing will just get others killed."
Naruto turned to his most trusted advisor. "So, what do you suggest Shika?"
Hokage Tower – Hokage Office
Hiruzen sat back in his chair as he had a puff of his pipe, letting out a small cloud of smoke as he looked over the Jonin instructors that stayed behind after the rest of them had reported success or failures.
"Err… sir?" Kurenai tried to speak up, but Hiruzen stopped her with a raised hand, he took a little joy at her flustered look at being cut off. He took another couple of puffs of his pipe before he gestured for her to continue.
"Okay? I'm not sure about the other two but I had some concerns about one of my Genin." She said as she pulled out Shino's file.
Hiruzen looked toward the other two, Asuma nodded along with her. "Same reason I'm here. Things are a lot more different than what I assumed they would be with my Genin." He said placing Shikamaru's file on Hiruzen's desk.
Kakashi grunted not even looking up from his book. "Yep" He placed Naruto's file Next to Shikamaru's and Shino's while also quickly putting away his book under a fierce glare from Kurenai.
The Hokage raised an eyebrow at the motion. Sure, Kurenai having questions about one of her Genin was a surprise but as a new instructor and Jonin, he was sure she would have some questions. Both Asuma and Kakashi were a surprise to him, both coming to him with questions about their Genin is a surprise.
"Alright, Kurenai why don't you start us off."
Kurenai nodded. "From what I could tell, Shino's abilities seem to be far beyond what is listed in his academy file."
Asuma and Kakashi both voiced their agreements with her, saying the same about both Shikamaru and Naruto.
"Are you sure this isn't just them understating their own abilities at the academy? A Ninja's greatest tool is deception after all."
Asuma sighed and shook his head. "It isn't just understating his own abilities, Shikamaru showed Jonin level skill and what looked to be complete control over his shadows. Something that I haven't even see Shikaku do."
By this point Hiruzen had put his pipe down his hand now stroked at his chin and he sighed after hearing the same story from Kakashi. "Hearing that not only one Ninja but Three have been hiding their Jonin level abilities is concerning. Was their any change in personality as well?"
"Naruto is like a more refined focused version of himself. He figured out the bell test before I had even arrived. I could just tell. Plus, there was…" Kakashi shivered remembering his vision of his supposed death.
Asuma side-eyed Kakashi. "You saw it too? I-" He paused, his whole body shuddered before he let out a breath. "I saw…"
Somewhere in the Land of Fire
Asuma laid on the ground, his breath uneven as he felt his wounds open and close. Ino kneeling over him, her medical chakra trying and failing to bring him back from the brink of death. Her tears dripped down onto his blood-stained jacket.
He knew he wasn't going to make it. He knew that this was his last few minutes on this plain of existence. So, he grabbed a hold of Ino's hands and shook his head.
"O-one last one… *Cough* f-for the road?" He managed to get out as he placed a box of cigarettes in Ino's hand. She managed to shakily place one between his lips before Shikamaru reached over with the lighter that his father had given him to light it.
He addressed each of them one by one, telling them how proud he was of them individually and as a team. As his clock struck its last minute, he turned to the boy he watched grow into a man and whispered into his ear.
"T-the King." He managed to get out as blood filled his mouth. "Is the unborn children who w-will carry the will of fire into a n-new generation of Ninja…"
He smiled as he saw Shikamaru nod, glad he understood what he meant. He felt his world go dark before letting out his final breath. Dying with a serene smile on his face.
Hiruzen gripped his desk, lightly gripping it as he listened. He never wanted his son to go through something like that. He looked up at his son and relaxed, knowing that he now had a chance to prevent this from happening.
"I-" Kurenai started, she had taken Asuma's hand while he talked about what he had seen and was now gripping it tightly as she prepared to say what she saw.
"It's Okay, just take it slow." She heard Asuma whisper to her and she relaxed ever so slightly.
"I didn't see it, I also felt it…"
Konoha – Rubble
That… Monster's rampage had finally made its way to Konoha. She held her baby in her arms singing sweet lullabies to it as she rocked her body. Rubble covered them as the fighting continued above her.
A swarm of bugs flew near her and soon spikey hair, and a pair of black sunglasses appeared Infront of her. She tried to move, but the metal rod that pierced her stomach stopped her.
"Take c-care of her…" she said, knowing in the back of her mind that her baby was already dead. She had been cold for the past two hours now, but she didn't care.
"T-he Will of F-fire lives on in all of y-" She managed to get out before her body slumped.
The other three were silent as she explained what she saw and felt. Hiruzen hands had gripped and broken part of his desk now. Those broken pieces turned to splinters as Kakashi told them what he saw.
"It all goes back to those three. They've hid their true abilities and personalities. Then when they see you after this shift you all seemingly see your deaths with them in it." It stumped him, he hated that he didn't know what was happening with them. He didn't know if they were now a threat to the village or if they were still loyal. He turned to the three Jonin in front of him but before he got a chance to speak the door bashed inwards.
Gai rushed in and quickly saluted him before turning to Kakashi and dramatically falling to his knees. "Kakashi! It's the worst. Two of my amazing Genin have hidden their true abilities from me and even worse, their better than me!"
Kakashi's eye widened. "So, you have two of them? Did you see your?"
"Oh yes! When I first got there and saw both Lee and Neji sparing, their good friends now by the way. They stopped and greeted me. Then I saw it."
Unknown location
Gai laid on the hard ground, pain coursed throughout his body. It was charred and cracked. He could feel two or three people near him, but his eyes had failed him right after his final attack.
He felt someone press their hand against his chest and pure chakra filled his body, but it wasn't enough. His body continued to fail him. Every organ shut down one by one before he succumbed to the darkness, just hoping he had made a difference.
"But other than that, I believe my Genin might have lied to me!" Gai basically shouted as he dramatically cried his heart out.
While surprised at first the other figured that crazy Gai must have been able to just bounce back much quicker from the experience of seeing his supposed death.
Hiruzen was now more puzzled than ever, Gai had a unique eye for talent so not being able to see someone holding back their abilities was new to him. He coughed into his hand and Gai instantly stood to attention. "So, it seems we have 5 Genin who have hidden their abilities, along with somehow showing you guys your deaths… OK, I want you all to keep a close eye on the Genin from now on. Report back to me if you see anything that could lead to us figuring out what is going on."
He picked up his pipe and let out another puff. "I suspect our lives are about to get interesting so protect them and the other Genin with all you've got until they are ready."
The instructors left his office, and he turned in his chair, looking out over the village that he governed and protected. A pair of Anbu appeared behind him as he stood up. "I want a full investigation of the academy, Keep it discreet. No one needs to know until we have any evidence."
The Anbu nodded and flickered out of existence. Hiruzen pulled out his book from his sleeve and started to read, in hopes of calming his racing thoughts.
Konoha – Market Street
Naruto thought back to the meeting they had, discussing the future and what they could do. One thing was clear to them all, they didn't want to change the series of events so much otherwise everyone else would never become who they knew they could be.
"Why don't you just go and see her… you've got nothing to lose." Kurama grumbled from inside him, he was sick of Naruto pacing back and forth the street constantly shooting glances at the shop.
'But… what if I mess it up, currently she wants nothing to do with me…' Naruto knew he was just making excuses but still could not work up the courage.
"If you don't do it, I will take over your body and do it myself!" Kurama practically shouted back at him.
Naruto sighed and took a deep breath before walking towards the shop.
Mindscape – Kurama's cottage
"What did you mean when you said that you created another timeline?" Neji asked Kurama after they had finished discussing their plans to fix the future.
Kurama looked over all of them, they were all attentive. "When I said we were going back in time, I may have lied just slightly."
Naruto stood up, his chair clattering to the floor. "WHAT!" His chakra radiated off of him in waves as he stalked towards Kurama, only being stopped by Shikamaru.
His eyes narrowed, clearly unhappy at Kurama. "Naruto, let him speak. He must have had a reason." He then nodded at Kurama to continue as Naruto backed away.
"Going back in time is impossible, you will never be able to do it. Even my old man never could. What I did was create a whole new timeline using all of your chakras. That means that I based this whole thing off of you guys and what you remember it to be like. Somethings may be slightly different, and somethings may be majorly different depending on how you remembered it going. I didn't tell you because I never got a chance to, it was a do it or die moment right before I activated the seal. Right after that you were thrusted back into your old lives."
"So, you're saying that things that we never experienced in our old lives could never happen in this new timeline?" Lee spoke up after being oddly quiet through most of the discussion.
Kurama nodded. "Yes, but I can't imagine anything major would have changed. Some or all of you were around for most of the major events in your old timeline."
"Wait. There were some major events that none of us were around for…" Neji had said remembering things like the Akatsuki's Jinchuriki hunt and other things that the group had never experienced.
Naruto shook his head. "He said he used our chakra to activate the seal and create the new timeline. I also have the chakra of every tailed beast inside me. Which means that their chakra was used in the creation as well."
Shikamaru's eyes widened. "So, anything they experienced and remembered would also be used as a basis for the new timeline. Incredible, but it is another factor to consider when we make any plans now. We can't base it off of what we purely know."
The others nodded while Kurama was just glad to get that weight off his chest.
Konoha – A Certain Flower shop
The doorbell rang as another customer entered. Ino looked up from her book on their family jutsus to greet them. "Hello and welcome to the Yamanaka flower shop, how ma…" She trailed off her joyful tone. "Oh. Its you." Her tone went completely deadpan as she saw Naruto enter the shop.
Naruto only cringed slightly as the door closed behind him. "Hey Ino, I was hoping to have a look for some flowers for my apartment. I want to liven the place up a little."
Ino rolled her eyes. "Really? They'd probably die on their first night."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "I'll have you know that I have multiple plants that I take care of at home. They have lived very long and happy lives."
Ino's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait what? Really?"