NEXT DAY,
NARUTO UZUMAKI,
RUINS OF UZUSHIOGAKURE,
LAND OF WHIRLPOOLS.....
The bright –much too bright– light of the morning hit Naruto's eyes, making the boy groan. He raised his blanket higher to cover his eyes and buried his head in his pillow. It took a few minutes for his sleepy mind to realize that the blanket covering him was softer and warmer than the previous one. It took a few more minutes for him to remember why: this wasn't his cell. He was in the Land of Whirlpools, in his ancestral home, sleeping in his uncle's room.
He opened his eyes, squinting at the light coming in from the two windows, and looked around. The room was larger than his entire apartment. It was also larger than his cell and almost completely empty. The only furniture inside it were the bed, the wardrobe, a desk, and an empty bookcase. The walls were also bare, save for a few scrolls, weapons and swords. "Ahh! Swords! Uncle did said that the Uzumaki are also specialist in Kenjutsu apart from fūinjutsu, too." Maybe one day he could get one of his own. No! He will definitely get one! After all, his Great-grandfather Ashina did have two swords. Yeah! He will definitely learn Kenjutsu. He will become super-strong and then he will restore the glory of his clan. His very own clan.
Naruto grinned and hopped off the bed. He found a big box with a note: "The box contains clothes, brush and other essential items I bought for you yesterday. Take left from the hall! Then a right! You will find the bathroom there. Brush your teeth and bath like a good boy. Then come down we will do a tasty breakfast together." Naruto like a good boy obeyed. After washing his teeth, bathing and changing out of his old clothes, the blond boy headed downstairs, trying to remember where the kitchen was. This house had so many rooms that Naruto was a bit worried he was going to get lost in here. "Later, I'm going to explore all of them."
He had only taken a few steps inside the spacious kitchen when he saw someone standing in front of the stove, cooking what looked like breakfast. It was a clone. The clone had it's back turned to him, but he recognized it from its machine-like movement. His uncle was on the other side peeling eggs. Naruto grinned mischievously and approached him as quietly as he could, walking on his tip-toes.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that nephew!" Yaichiro chided him lightly without turning around.
Naruto's grin fell. "How did you know it was me? Uncle!"
Yaichiro laughed softly and explained, "I am a very good sensor Naruto. Sensory shinobi are special people who were capable of sensing the chakra of those around them. And every living being just like you possesses some chakra so I can easily tell their position. And each living being has a unique chakra signature just like every human being possesses a unique fingerprint. Do you understand?"
Naruto was amazed, "Woah! Uncle! You're so cool! You know everything!" Naruto had heard the complete explanation but understood very little. His face was proof enough as he struggled to make sense of everything.
Yaichiro laughed and asked, "Would you like some eggs?"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded eagerly and took a seat on the table. "Can I have some ramen, too?"
Yaichiro sighed and sweat dropped. "No! You won't get ramen everyday! It is not good for health. From now on, you will eat vegetables, egg, fish and other nutritional foods. Besides ramen is not a suitable food for breakfast."
The blond boy pouted at his empty plate.
"Don't look so glum, kid!" Yaichiro said in an amused voice. Naruto looked up from his plate and saw his uncle walking towards the table. "We can have ramen on weekends."
Naruto smiled, atleast he can have his favorite food on weekends.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes! Uncle!"
"So nephew! Did you liked the clothes I bought for you?"
"Yeah! they are good but they should have a little orange in them uncle."
Yaichiro, this time grew a tick mark on his forehead. It's not a good thing. He had do something about Naruto's obsession with ramen and orange colour. "Ok! Next time I will take you to the shop. You can choose yourself."
Naruto nodded. He had tried to rein in. He had been patient. But he couldn't. Not anymore. "Uncle! Where is the photo?!"
"Photo?!"
"My mother's photo! You said you would give me her photo. Also, Tell me about my grandfather and great-grandfather. They must be important people since my great-grandfather was the last clan head. So you are bound to know something about them. Tell me!" Naruto ordered.
"Ohh...! Yes! I do know a lot about them. Give me sometime! I need to check the village archives. There should be some records regarding them somewhere in the village library. I will go and fetch them from the library. Meanwhile you finish the breakfast. Ok!?" Yaichiro said in a stern tone.
"Ok!" Naruto squeaked.
Yaichiro then performed the
"Cool!!" Naruto said with star in his eyes. He will definitely learn this Jutsu. And then he will also be able to disappear and appear just like his uncle. Everybody will be so jealous of him once he learns that jutsu. especially the not so friends he wanted to make in Konohagakure. Oops! He almost forgot. He had to finish his breakfast before his uncle returns.
SOMETIME LATER,
HOUSE OF YAICHIRO...
Naruto had finished his breakfast and was lost in his thoughts imagining all kinds of possible faces of his mother.
"Naruto…" Yaichiro called Naruto with a smile as he walked over the child. His tone was gentle. Naruto didn't react until Yaichiro touched the blond on the shoulder. He almost startled him. "Lost in thought?"
Naruto had yet to look at Yaichiro. His eyes are glued to the box and had been filled with excitement. It was obvious from his eyes that he was holding himself from exploding with the news. Naruto grew curious. Maybe even hopeful. Naruto faced the Yaichiro for a moment. There wasn't much on his face. He looked at the box in Yaichiro's hands. It contains his mother's photo. The mother who loved him unconditionally. His mother's photo. The wait is finally over.
"Is it have my mother's photo?" Naruto finally spoke. His tone was quiet, slow. Yaichiro nodded. "Yes! It does..." Yaichiro finished. He placed the box he held down. And then knelt. Naruto then stood up facing him. His body has done it automatically without any urging. Yaichiro placed both his hands on Naruto's shoulders. His face twisted upside down. He was apologetic.
"I'm sorry for not finding you earlier! Naruto…" he stared into those emotional blue orbs for a moment before pulling Naruto into a tight hug. "I am sorry!" He finished in a regretful tone.
Naruto stiffened sharply. He wasn't used to hugs. When Yaichiro didn't let go, his hands slowly moved and he wrapped them around his uncle. Acceptance. It was a beautiful feeling. He pulled tighter to get more of it. He buried face on his uncle's shoulder, enjoying the acceptance. It was at moments like this that something he couldn't explain occurs in his heart. His eyes usually water. But the feeling was good. He didn't always get it. But it was good. He couldn't explain it but he didn't dislike it, even though it nearly brought him to tears.
"You're going to suffocate me! Naruto! I wasn't aware you are so strong…" Yaichiro said with a chuckle before pulling away. The enhancements done by Nine-Tails has already started affecting Naruto's body. Ever since Yaichiro has removed the three seals of Third Hokage from Naruto's body, it has been a lot easier for the Nine-Tails to do his work.
Naruto smiled. Yes, he smiled. It was an embarrassed smile with misty eyes. "S-sorry…" he murmured. Yaichiro was happy to see that smile. He cherished it for a moment. That was truly a beautiful smile. Not all was lost. Yes, there was hope. He took out some pictures from the box. They weren't framed. He handed it over to Naruto who grasped it with both his hands. He was trembling. "That Naruto, is a picture of your mother .One of the photos have been taken just before the day she went to Konohagakure. It was during her pre-teen years. The other is the one I got from the Bingo Book of Kumogakure. It was taken during the time of Third Shinobi World War. It was the last photo of her before she died during the Kyubi rampage."
Yaichiro again searched the contents of the box and this time he pulled out a red photo album with Uzumaki Clan insignia engraved into it's thick cover. He then went through the album and stopped at a certain page, "This picture is taken during the last Moon Festival celebrated in Uzushiogakure. You see in Uzushiogakure, the moon has always been considered an object of worship. Because it controls the tides, which in turn create the whirlpools that had always protected our nation. As you can see, it was one of the biggest festival celebrated in Uzushio. This photo has been a family photo. It has your entire family..."
But Naruto heard none of that. Mother? Mother? His mother? Her hair was red. It was crimson-coloured unlike his blond colour. Though Naruto didn't question it. For the first time in his cold brutal life filled with loneliness and contempt, he can now picture his mother. Yaichiro was explaining something but Naruto didn't heard or cared one bit. He held both the photos against his raging heart and walked over to the nearest chair and sat down on it. He had a mother. Those words repeated a thousand times inside his head. Until. Until tears rolled over his eyes. He made sure he didn't water the picture. Naruto felt happy. He felt relieved. He felt as if something had closed in his heart. It's like his entire existence that Konoha had denied for years has finally got proof of it's existence. He is Naruto Uzumaki and he is the son of this beautiful red-haired woman. He wasn't the spawn of a demon. He had a mother.
"Naruto!?" Yaichiro tried to call him but when he saw the emotional state of his nephew, he went silent. He didn't wanted to ruin the moment. So he sat beside the blond with the album but both of them didn't said anything. Not until a couple of minutes passed.
"Uncle!? Did you knew her?"
"No! But from what I gathered about your mother, she is said to be a rowdy woman with a very strong personality."
"Ohhh..."
"What about my great-grandfather, great-grandmother, grandfather, grandmother and father? You said you will tell me about them?!"
"Your great-grandfather was the last Uzumaki Clan Head. His name was Ashina Uzumaki. He was also the first and last Uzushio Supreme, a title we created for the leader of our hidden village: Uzushiogakure. Naturally he was lauded as the most powerful shinobi of Uzushiogakure and hence he became our leader. But unfortunately the invasion happened and he died. Your great-grandmother's name was Kushida Uzumaki. She was a typical housewife and obviously a Seal Master. She was revered as a patron in the art of forbidden fūinjutsus... That's all I know about her. Now let's see your grandfather. His name was Ashihara Uzumaki. He was infamous for his use of Bukijutsu Fūin and Kekkai Mohō techniques(血継模倣, literally meaning: Bloodline Imitation). Your grandmother's name was Kanako Uzumaki. She was considered a very high-ranking elite Jōnin as well as a respected Seal Master. As for your father: I am sorry Naruto. I don't know anything about him. I have activated my spy network. It will take some more time. Whenever I learn anything about him I will immediately inform you. Have patience! Ok!"
Naruto nodded, "What is Bukijutsu Fūin and Kekkai Mohō techniques? Uncle!?"
"I will explain them to you eventually. Currently you won't understand! Ok!"
"Ok!" Naruto didn't cared much since he will eventually learn about them. Then he remembered something. His uncle Yaichiro was trying to show him some photos, "Umm! Uncle! What is that red book?"
"Ohh! This! It is a photo album. One of my most guarded and treasured possessions. It contains captured moments and memories of our clan's history and time in Uzushiogakure. And of my family as well." Yaichiro said as he looked at the album in his hands with a warm smile. He then saw the look on Naruto's face. It was a look of both excitement and anticipation.
"Can I see it? I just have to see what memories of our clan are in that book! Can I?" Naruto requested eagerly. Yaichiro adjusted the chair near the blond and sat on it.
"Let's look at them together! Naruto! I will tell you everything I know." Yaichiro invited before he opened the book to a particular picture, which was an old group picture of several Uzumaki, all of whom had long red hair besides the oldest male standing in the center of the group, who had long shining white hair, and a mustache and beard.
"This is my father: Yoshitsune Uzumaki and the others are members of Uzushio Ten Brave. Kushina is right there among them, though she was only seven years old at the time, and the distinguished man with the long white hair standing next to Kushina was your great-grandfather Ashina Uzumaki."
"Woah! He surely looks badass!" Naruto said excitedly.
"That's right. From what I was told about him by my father, Ashina was a great man and everyone loved him. He was like a grandfather to every Uzumaki. He was also the the strongest of the Grand Seal Master. He was also known as the forefather of Konoha's fūinjutsu though for some reason Kushina learned seals from Lady Mito personally."
"Ohh!" Naruto was surprised.
"These were happy times before our peoples' enemies engineered the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools. I was a teenager when Lady Kushina left Uzushiogakure for Konohagakure." Yaichiro explained. He continued showing Naruto more pictures. The next picture he saw was a picture showing a view of the entire Uzumaki Main Family.
"This picture was taken a long time ago during the days of Mito Uzumaki, when she was a teenager. Every Uzumaki came together for this picture, and she along with my father was among the group." Yaichiro pointed to the next picture. "This is an old picture showing the Uzumaki Clan Leader of that time and a young Lord Ashina shaking hands with Hashimara Senju, with both the Uzumaki and the Senju clan in the background. The one in the centre is my father."
As Naruto looked at the picture, a feeling of happiness started welling up within him. Yaichiro showed him another picture. This one was a very old picture showing the previous generation of the Uzumaki and Senju Clan members, all dressed in a samurai-like armor, male and female alike. That was before the time Lord Ashina was born.
"As I have already told you before both the Uzumaki and Senju clans shared very close and strong ties with each other, stronger than the bonds between any other clans, and their bond went back more than hundreds of years back. Whenever the Senju were in trouble, the Uzumaki were there with them and likewise the Senju were there to support our Uzumaki ancestors in whatever battle they were in. Well! It shouldn't be surprising since both clans share a common ancestor," Yaichiro finished. The feeling of familiarity Naruto was experiencing was growing stronger as he continued looking through the album he was being shown.
Yaichiro next showed Naruto pictures taken in the village before it destruction, whirlpools that surrounded their homeland, its landscape, etc. The blond was captivated by the beauty that the Land of Whirlpools was filled with. Next he was shown pictures of the different unique buildings and bridges of Uzushiogakure.
There was also a photo of Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju together, happy on their wedding day, with the Uzumaki Clan Leader and other important Uzumaki including his father and Senju representatives giving their blessings to the newlyweds. Another with their newborn baby a year later. There was a photo of Tobirama holding the baby and standing with Mito, along with his father and other important guests. One with Tsunade as a children when she came to learn about Medical Ninjutsu, standing with Mito, Ashina, Ashihara and Tatsuguchii Clan members.
There was one large group picture of the Uzumaki, Tatsuguchii, Arainami Clan Leaders and Mito with Hashirama, Yoshitsune, Tobirama, and some other Shinobi from Uzushio; a picture of celebration before Kushina's departure from Uzushiogakure to Konohagakure, and finally several pictures of Yaichiro's late parents and relatives and him when he was a newborn and several more as he grew up.
By the time Yaichiro was done, Naruto was completely in tears. In one preserved photo album, he saw and learned so much about his heritage and clan's backgrounds and history. It was so much more than what Yaichiro has told or shown him with his mind jutsu. Naruto felt as though a void within him had been filled. But as he looked at each picture, for reasons he couldn't understand he felt as though he knew the people from each of those generations. Something within him gave him those sensations of familial familiarity, and honestly, Naruto loved it. Soon though, Naruto wiped away the tears that were descending down his face and collected himself before he took a breath to calm down.
"Thank you! Uncle Yaichiro! You gave me a gift that Konoha has denied me all my life. I don't even have words to express my gratitude to you for sharing with me this precious treasure of yours." Naruto said softly and again thanked him,"Thank you!".
"No! Naruto! There's no need for it. It's our precious treasure now and you don't know how happy it makes me to say that this treasure of mine is not mine alone anymore. I am so happy to find another Uzumaki to share it with." Yaichiro replied earnestly.
"Uncle! What was like living in Uzushio since you said you were teenager when my mother moved to Konoha?" Naruto queried.
"It was beautiful Naruto. Yes! There were hardships but we were happy. My father and I were among the surviving Uzumakis who somehow managed to escape the destruction of our homeland. Lord Ashina along with his strongest fighters and seal masters, even my mother stayed behind and fought all of the invading shinobis while the rest of us with the injured escaped in the ships to wherever we deemed safe for our survival. My mother was among the fighters who stayed behind and fought to her death to ensure that my unconscious father and I survive and escape it." Yaichiro finished with a sad smile. "The box contains some more information(written) on the Uzumaki Main Family and Lord Ashina. You can check them out yourself. Today you are free to do anything you want. But from tomorrow onwards I will start your training. During your training period you will follow a very strict routine and diet personally planned by me. And I won't tolerate any kind of misconduct. And if you do I won't show you any mercy. Do you understand?"
Naruto gulped in fear and held the box very tightly. Uncle Yaichiro is scary, "Yes! Uncle!".
Yaichiro then allowed Naruto to have his moment and left the kitchen. Naruto took the box and went to his room. He had a lot to read about his family and clan...