Learning
Aside from Naruto's mysterious painting phenomenon, everything in the art-room ran as normal as it can be. Kirito is still teaching his student and his student being obvious from the effects of his own paintings. The only different is Kirito looking forward to where Naruto's strange and unexplained talent will take him. Hence, why he's cramming as much knowledge and skills into him.
While the teacher is enthusiastic in providing knowledge, the student was strangely reciprocating in kind. This was due to Kirito's teaching method as it's direct and more of a hands on approach, which happens to be his blond student's preferred method. Had Kirito given him a book, it's likely he will never see him again.
Naruto was a lonely child, hence when the attention is focused on him it's his natural instinct to respond positively. He may had attention from other fellow inmates but he felt he doesn't deserve them simply because he hadn't earned them.
As one head strong orphan, our hero hate being pitied. It's the reason why he try so hard. With Kirito however, he finally felt he earned the praises he deserved. Hence, the more Kirito threw at him, the more he thrive.
Besides, painting appears to be fun than it is when you have nothing better to do. Aside from the new hobby, our hyperactive hero gets to be creative. Instead of pranks, he can put his energies on his paintings. It's better feeling than causing havoc because he's producing something.
Naruto didn't need anything else because for the moment all he needed is his teacher's attention and approval. Despite his unusual circumstance, he's slowly turning back to a normal kid with a normal family. Unlike adult that's set on their ways, children are easier to adapt hence Naruto's situation. He's maybe obvious to his own talents but he can sense his teacher's approval, thus it's enough for him.
Of course, it wasn't just his teacher that noticed that strange phenomenon in his paintings. The warden too noticed because he is also an art lover. He's the one acting as bridge to the outside, auctioning the prison painter's work. Although Kirito is a mediocre artist but there are people recognizing his work, it's how he help funding the art-room and buying materials.
That's how he discover Naruto's talent. Like Kirito, he too was fascinated.
"Kirito, is this Naruto's?" the two were discussing one of his earlier finished paintings.
"Yeah, it's extraordinary, no? If you stare long enough, it's like its sucking your soul in."
"How did he do it?" enquires the warden, thinking he would know the answer.
"Don't know! I had been watching him and he did everything I taught him. Yet everything came out different."
"This is amazing."
"I know, I hope to teach him everything so he can produce something better than this and original."
Although Naruto's work is impressive, it's still a novice's work. He can try but it's still look like a child's doodle. Well, he is still a child. However, with time Kirito believe his student would be famous.
"I can just see it, he will be amazing. The world will come to recognize his work."
"..." the warden unconsciously nodded but flown in his statement.
It reminded him of the child's status, his sentence was to be locked up without parole. Konoha literally condemned him to never see day light (figuratively speaking).
As the warden, he had given the boy much leeway but it's never enough to soothe his conscience for keeping him in here. Of course, due to the boy's circumstance he had been doing a bit of research. It wasn't difficult to find out that he's Konoha's Jinchuriki. Unfortunately, that only complicates matters.
Not in the way that he hates him, but more in the manner where the boy could be in danger. Through history, ninja wars were started because of Bijus. If he is correct, Naruto could be in more danger if his true status were known to the ninja world. Again he wonder why the village sent their Jinchuriki to him.
The warden keeps finding himself asking the same question.
'Are the ninjas that stupid?'
Unfortunately, 'fear' can cripple even the bravest ninja. The Hokage may have had other reasons (sending Naruto away until he can convince the villagers otherwise), the ninja clans however played ignorant.
It's the "out of sight, out of mind", "not a clan member, not their problem" type of thinking. They had witnessed the Kyubi in action, and not only did the beast took away the lives of their clan members it humiliated them. If the beast is somehow got loose it's better it's not in the village. Hence, despite the ridiculous evidence the civilians cooked up, very few cared to challenge it.
He knew it would be pointless to count on the ninja village, hence he will have to protect the kid in his own way. So far, only he and his head prison guard knew about Naruto's little secret and he intended to keep it that way. He's contemplated to inform Ryoma, he knew the man wouldn't had cared but choose not to inform him. The reason the head guard was informed is because he was a ninja once and knew a little bit about seals.
It was well known that it's the 'Yellow Flash' that sealed away the beast hence it should hold for a while. As long as the kid doesn't use its 'Chakra', it would be safe to assume they are relatively safe. Like a vault that's sealed away and never to be opened, as long as no-one is looking for it or the owner knowing about it, it's unlikely to be found. Hopefully, without any conflict or ninjas Naruto can live the peaceful life he deserved.
Coming back to the present, the warden was just in time to see subject they are talking about coming forth. In his hands, it's another painting. There are obvious improvement thus why he's bringing it over to show it.
"Hi, warden-san."
"Hi, Naruto-kun. Good job on your latest painting. I can see you are improving."
"Thanks, warden-san. Kirito-sensei is teaching me how to get the texture right."
"Don't worry, kiddo. You will get there eventually. It took me years to get to where I am today."
"If you can do this in a few months, I would be laughing stock in the art community."
"Alright, if you say so."
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. Just enjoy painting as you are." encourages the warden.
"Thanks, I will warden-san."
Despite having a name 'Dojima', everyone still calls him Mr. warden or warden-san.
Of course, the more time Naruto spends in the art-room he will be missed elsewhere. That's exactly what's happening now in the cafeteria.
"Hey, what happened to the kid?"
"Don't know, hadn't seen him this morning."
"You think those Konoha scum did something to him?"
"Nah, Ryoma-sama would had known. He had others watching those idiots 24/7."
"The kid's practically his god-son, even fools would understand what he will do to them should anything happen to the kid."
"Thank Ryoma-sama for that, the kid could do with someone watching his back."
"Amen to that. God knows how he managed to survive this long if all his people were like that."
"He's probably be better off in here."
"Anyway, Roh said he saw him at lunch, ordering his favorite Ramen again."
"Ramen again?! I swear that's all he ever eats."
"Maybe we should do a barbecue, hamburgers etc. Anything to get him off that stuff."
"You can try and it will probably go through. The guards and warden seem to have a soft spot for the kid."
"Good! Maybe that's something the kid needs after all that crap from his home village."
"By the way, I heard the kid's been hanging around the art room."
"What?! By that nut job Kirito?!"
"Better him than you. At least he's teaching the kid some sensible stuff."
"Maybe you are right. It's kinda quiet wihtout him."
They may not want to admit it but without that little sunshine around, they were all feeling a little lonely. The short time he was with them, it made them feel like real uncles and mentors.
"At least it's better than that ninja and Hokage crap."
"You're right, aside from Ramen all the kid ever talked about is becoming Hokage."
"Had it been me, I would have gone missing-nin on them."
"Perhaps that's why we are criminals because I would have done the same." sighing the other inmate.
"Personally, I think the kid's better off being anything other than a stupid ninja."
"Yeah, you me both."
Nether of them seem to lik ninjas, perhaps they were the reason why they are in prison. Then again, having learned of his treatment in that village, none of them want their little brother to fight for that place.
That's essentially what ninjas do, fighting for their home. It may sound noble but for Naruto the cruel reality is ninjas are tools to their village, thus essentially mean serving and obeying the very place that abused him. The worst part is that he will be under the very same council that sign off his life sentence in prison. Hence, as the kid's big brother/uncle figure, they didn't think the village deserve him.
On the other hand, Ryoma just happens to be on his way to visit the art-room. He too was a little concerned for his godson. The 'mob-king' had been watching him interact with the inmates and usually he'd move on within days or maximum a week to something new. Yet through mouths of his men, they had telling him his godson's been revisiting the prison art-room everyday.
It's extremely odd for a hyperactive kid like Naruto. Even after knowing him for some time, his godson didn't strike him as the patient and study type. So he decides to pay him a visit and see for himself how he's doing. At least as his godfather, he should personally see what got him so caught up on.
Naruto still see him everyday but only for short time before leaving for the art-room. While Ryoma isn't much of a art person, he should at least see what caught his godson's interest. The warden too had informed him how talented he is but Naruto is only 6. That's when he arrive into the drawing room.
As he scans the room, there are hundreds of paintings everywhere. However, he could easily pick out the ones made by his godson. Unlike Kirito's, his were 'immature'? He wasn't sure if it's the right word because from a artistic point of view, Naruto's painting is very novice.
It isn't childish-like but being very unskilled. Yet, just as the warden told him there's something peculiar in his paintings. It's like some kind of cryptic message that he couldn't quiet understand. Despite Kirito's painting being better, it's Naruto's that's catching his eye.
'Odd?!' 'Very Odd?!'
He didn't know how to describe it, perhaps it's because he know nothing about art.
"Ah, Ryoma-sama. Naruto sure has incredible talent."
'No, shit.' thought the mob-boss as he stared back at the unusally vibrant and talkative Kirito.
As the prison gang leader it's his business to know those in his circle and he didn't remember the silent Kirito ever being this talkative. Perhaps like those other inmates, he too was changed by his godson. Seeing his godson this happy, he thought the two are good influence to one another.
"Please don't mind me, I only came to check-up on my Godson. Carry on."
"Thanks, Godfather. Kirito-san is really great. He's just showing how to flow with my heart instead of my mind."
Obviously Ryoma didn't understand what it meant but nodded anyway with a smile. He stayed a bit to watch their interaction. As he initially deduced the two had somehow formed a connection, a master and apprentice relationship. Perhaps its a good thing, it will at least make his godson forget about training as shinobi.
Since then, everything became routine for our knucklehead blond. Everyday he would interact with fellow inmates in meal times before starting his apprenticeship with Kirito. It's no different to the ninja academy, only he would be studying art instead of ninja stuff. However, unlike the academy he had no classmates and the study session is longer. It's more like a job than a study, hence why it is called apprenticeship.
So over the years, our hero followed the same schedule. He hardly noticed the Konoha group neither, Ryoma made sure of that. Hence, they were always in the corner and in the background. With the help of the warden and Ryoma's men watching them, Naruto was never near their line of sight.
These short sighted people can moan and complain about unfair treatment but no-one gave a shit. If they still couldn't take a hint, there's always the fists and none get seriously punished.
"Hey, look at the mess. Who do you think doing the clean up, eh?"
"Next time, if you have to fight, do it outside."
This was said right infront of the Konoha 'victim' as he stare at the scolding guard.
"What about punishment, I am the one getting beat-up."
"Well, you shouldn't get into a fight in the first place. Next time, don't start fights that you can't finish."
"Hurry along now, you can still walk. Pull your sorry ass to the infirmary."
It's no different to a slap on hand as punishment. Funny enough, they somehow couldn't see how this is any different to themselves in Konoha when they got away from roughing up the kid. Of course, they wouldn't see it that way when the pain is inflicted on another. Only when they were on receiving end do they see it as unfair and corruption. They are cowards, so gradually they will bend to the majority thus hang in the background. It was for this reason that our hero can slowly forget about them, especially when he had such a large family watching over him.
Deep down in his conscious, these people are his precious family. Even without Haku, it seems he's destined for that motto. He had always been a lonely child, thus his greatest desire is unchanged - to be surrounded by friends and family. The prison may not be much of a home but to our hero, it's no different to Konoha. It may be smaller but in here he is 'normal' and surrounded by people that cared for him (inmates, godfather, guards and the warden, he omits the Konoha party since he don't know if they are still around).
Aside from Kirito, he too spends time with other inmates. The Fire Prison does not house criminals from just Fire Country as there are others from another nation. Hence, there are always interesting places and stories for him to hear. There's Suna, Kiri, few from Lightning and they can tell him a little about their home country or village. Some even told him about the 'Valley of End' where the two famous ninjas clashed.
When he was in Konoha, nobody except the Hokage and the Ichirakus talked to him. He's maybe serving life-sentence but he's glad they are willing to talk to him and telling him about those places. Although still a kid, Naruto seem to have special gift in sensing other's emotions. It's another reason why they like him because through those interactions he can sense their troubles and tries to cheer them up.
It had been 4 years (he's now 10) since he arrive. Thanks to his master's effort his paint skills and knowledge are almost at the level of his master's. Both Kirito and the Warden had been calling him a prodigy. Despite his young age, he had learned everything Kirito has to teach, including some of the historical paintings across the ninja world.
Yes, the elemental nation isn't all about ninjas and Jutsus. Obviously there are famous painters and paintings through the nations' history and art circle. Even in the prison art-room, there's a small library with famous paintings and sometimes the master and apprentice would use them as reference.
Overall, there were fun times they had together until one day. To Kirito's surprise Naruto painted a faceless female.
"What's this Naruto? Why hadn't you painted her a face? Surely, we have enough material for you to give the woman a pretty face."
"Wha.. Sensei?! You scared me!"
"Actually, the painting was suppose to be my mother but I just realized I didn't know what she looked like." he said sheepishly.
"I don't even know whether she had blond hair or not."
Kirito now too can see his dilemma.
"Oh, yeah. I guess the little bundle in her arm is you. Now that you mentioned it, I can see strands of blond hair."
Even without the face, Kirito can feel the love of the faceless mother. Just from her posture and way she held the little bundle, you can see how caring she is for her child. Even without his student's strange and odd powers, the portrait illustrated perfectly how the woman's attention is fully on the baby. Although there's still no face but Kirito can faintly see the joy she has and serene look she must have.
"This is marvelous, Naruto. You have truly outdone yourself this time."
Lately, his teacher had been praising his art. It's also a little puzzling because what he did was everything his sensei taught him. So why make such a big deal out of it? Despite that, he's still a little embarrassed by the praise, but he responded.
"Thanks sensei, but I still can't paint a face on her."
Thinking a little, he had decided.
"Hey, listen Naruto. Why don't you paint another, this time with a face. Here, use this photo."
"Who is she?"
"She's my mother but she's long gone."
"Think you can make another one? I am quite curious what the completed version would look like."
Unfortunately neither could anticipate what happens after. Naruto was his usual self, knowing it's his sensei's mother he work extra hard to bring out the 'true' mother from the photograph. On the other hand, Kirito too must had wanted something to come out of his student's work. Even he himself didn't know what to expect nor understand why he ask his apprentice to paint his 'mother'.
Nevertheless, Naruto did what was asked. It took him hours, starting with the sketch followed by the color before applying the textures. The whole time he worked, Kirito watched without saying anything. Recently he's been doing that a lot and occasionally give pointers until he stop giving entirely.
Just like how he had taught him, Naruto start off with faint sketches before applying layers of paint. As it slowly takes form, Kirito can see the small resemblance of his last portrait only with a different color hair. He tweaked the head from the photo to make her looked like her attention is on her baby, this includes her eyes as he somehow managed to add gentleness in them. Especially with her hand over the bundle, like she's gently stroking her baby with care.
Overall, it's the perfect mother and child story. It captures the greatness of motherhood and importance of one's loving mother. The effort and care your mother once had on you or the time you couldn't remember how your birth mother held you. Looking into the portrait gave you just that.
Yet that's just the surface as true art analysis can read the tale behind each painting. To Kirito, it's the story between himself and his mother. What touched him was the loving look his mother gave him when he first came into this world. At least that's how he interpret the story.
He's still submerged himself in the painting that he almost didn't hear his student. Apparently, the paint took them almost pass curfew and Naruto had to return back to his cell.
"Good night, sensei."
"Night, Naruto." he responded without turning from the painting, still admiring it.
Naruto mistaken thought he's inspecting for mistakes but that's far from the truth.
His sensei always claim he's a prodigy but sadly Naruto couldn't find himself to believe him. Perhaps it's his lack of upbringing that he seldom receive praises, so when he suddenly starts getting them he thought they were just being nice. Not that he's unhappy but it's just that he doesn't think his work is worthy of such praise because in his mind he thinks his sensei could do better. Kirito often tell him to read between lines and try to see with the 3rd eye. It's all gibberish to him, who on the elemental nation had 3 eyes (yes I know, Kaguya Otsutsuki but we are far from that or will she ever appear in this story).
Even after all these years and improvement in skill, Naruto still couldn't grasp the oddly terms his sensei use. Ok, he can understand that there's no boundaries to art, but how does the heart know the right way?
He often says that 'Art is dependent on an individual's heart and how they perceive them.'
Yet, his bullheaded student would ask him to explain how a heart feel something without touching it? Or for him to show him this 3rd eye. Seriously, how does one understand what another's heart want?
Regardless whether he's a prodigy or not, Naruto is still a child. Perhaps it's his immature side that's preventing him from seeing what's there. He's a hyperactive child, combined with his bash personality and lack of patience made it difficult for him to appreciate the deeper meaning of art. While he's painting, he can focus because he's actively doing something, thus how he could create remarkable creations.
Agreed, he's no doubt a genius and a prodigy. However, it wasn't his art that define whom he is. It is in fact the depth of his creation that truly define what kind of artist he is. As every creation of his sends unusual but powerful messages.
To give an example, we can use an 'iceberg motivational poster' we see today(see ). The poster sends a powerful image of nature, showing viewers the true appearance of an iceberg beneath the surface. Had this been Naruto's work, aside from the iceberg he would have added a moderate size fishing boat to enhance the picture. Big and small, high and low, black and white those were the theme our blond painter like to use in his work.
Hence, in term of artistic representative Naruto is quite a genius but his work often carry additional meaning to an adult. Aside from the art, those that had seen his work couldn't help but speculate if there's another meaning. Since they knew him, Naruto obviously didn't think or purposely add any hidden message. However, for an adult there's a glaring message in the art.
His latest work for example, remind viewers of their childhood. A time they couldn't remember, a mother that once watching over them and caring for them. A loving mother that brought them into this world. This was especially true for Kirito as he knew the woman in the portrait is his mother.
Unfortunately, little did Naruto know at the time, that day will be the last day he see his sensei. Apparently the real reason Kirito is in prison was killing his own mother. He was an abused child, his mother being the aggressor and always blaming him for her misery. Despite that, he did take a human life thus was sent to Fire Prison.
However, after seeing Naruto's portrait, his finally guilt caught up to him. Despite knowing it's not what his mother really look like, he couldn't handle seeing that side of her. For as long as he can remember, his mother had always been evil therefore he didn't feel guilty killing her. Unfortunately, thanks to Naruto's imaginations he saw another side of her that he could never believe is possible.
As result he couldn't handle the truth she could be once not evil as she was. Luckily, this all happen over night. Kirito had earn himself special privilege thus he can stay in the art-room for longer periods. Naruto too fell in that category but the warden wanted to know his whereabouts at all times thus like other prisoners he too must go back to his cell.
For this reason, Kirito's body was only discovered when one of the guards came round for his routine check. There they found him dead via hanging. Since it's the middle of the night, only the warden was called. From there, his body was quietly handled and everything cleaned up before sunrise.
There wasn't much of an investigation needed as one look from the portrait was enough for the warden to deduce everything.
"Oh, Kirito. What have you done!"
He could understand his reason but his main problem wasn't the body but Naruto. Thankfully, there's a message left for him. Since it wasn't sealed, he can read it.
"Naruto,
I am sorry for not letting you know before leaving but thanks to you and your painting I finally have closure for myself.
I once spoken to you about paths and each of us having our own.
Well, I think I found mine.
Despite the short time we have known one another, I am glad that we had met.
You are the best apprentice anyone can have and I still believe you have a talent to rise above any artist, including myself.
Have some confidence, I know you can do it.
My only regret is not being there to see it.
Sadly, there's not much I can offer you as parting gift but everything in the art studio is yours if you want it.
Your Sensei,
Kirito."
'At least he didn't mention anything about suicide.' thought the warden with a little relieve.
When it comes to the boy, life seems to keep giving him the short straw. It's as if he's some kind of 'Child of Destiny' that they put one challenge after another in his life. The kid was already a orphan, aside from being alone and neglected, he's hated by most people in his village.
Then there's the Kyubi sealed inside of him, the warden couldn't finish counting how fu** up his life was. If prison wasn't enough, his closest friend/family kill himself. Thus, he knew the kid will be devastated. His only consolation is that he had a few hours to think of something.