It was a distracted Naruto that landed in a burnt out and crumbling husk that looked like it had once been a fair-sized village. The jungle encroachment must have swallowed at least half of it in the years since this once great city fell to foreign invaders.
The buildings, or what was left of them, were crumbling messes. In some places maybe half a wall remained, in other only the foundation was barely visible. In the center of the village was a steppe pyramid-like structure.
No bodies remained, no bloodstains on the walls or ground. Nothing that said people died here other than the crumbling buildings themselves.
A hand was placed on his shoulder startling him slightly. "Quite a sight eh, gaki?"
"Ero-sennin, how? I mean, this place must have been huge. How could they have been defeated?"
"They were too isolated so no help could get to them in time. Worse though was their pride. They believed no one could ever get through the whirlpools to attack them. They believed they were untouchable. Pride will kill a village faster than anything else."
"But I'm proud of my village," said Naruto defensively.
"Being proud is fine. But don't let your pride blind you," explained Jiraiya.
"Where do we even start?" asked Naruto.
Jiraiya pointed to the steppe pyramid-like structure in the center of the ruins. "If we're going to find anything, it is most likely to be found there. Now watch your step going through here. I'm sure there are plenty of traps left behind to catch any returning Uzumaki."
"I'll just trigger them all so we can get moving faster," said Naruto. He began spamming hundreds upon hundreds of clones and spreading them through the city. They hear the occasional 'boom' of an explosive trap. As the sounds got further and further away, Naruto and Jiraiya started walking towards the center of the city.
"I hope you didn't destroy any of the things we're trying to find gaki," said Jiraiya with a shake of his head.
"I can't worry about that," said Naruto. "Our safety and getting through this faster is more important."
"Why do you think I didn't stop you?" asked Jiraiya, keeping a hand on Naruto's shoulder as they walked.
The sound of feet hitting the brick behind them signaled Karin's arrival.
"You sense anything?" asked Naruto, looking back at his cousin.
"There is chakra everywhere," said Karin. "So much, it's blinding my senses."
"What do you mean?" asked Jiraiya. "Is it the clones?"
"No, they're a fair way away now. This feels more like the chakra is buried in the walls and floors," explained Karin with a slight shiver.
"Seals?" asked Jiraiya.
"Maybe," said Karin, stepping up and taking Naruto's arm as they walked.
Jiraiya frowned but kept walking.
On top of the steppe pyramid-like structure they found a stairway leading down inside the structure. The stairs led deep underground at the bottom of which they found a large stone slab door.
"Blood seal," mumbled Jiraiya, studying the dull and faded lines that made up the seal. "Clan head's line most likely."
Naruto nodded as he pulled a kunai and sliced open his hand. With a slight tremble of trepidation Naruto pressed his hand to the center of the seal matrix causing it to glow blood-red and shift purple then finally blue in color.
With a shudder and groan the stone slab began to sink into the ground in front of them followed by large gust of air being sucked into the room ahead of them.
The trio entered the next room cautiously. In the center of the room was a stone pillar covered in more seals that spread to the walls and floor. At the opposite end of the room was another door with another blood seal. Most interesting though was the lack of dust in the room or any fading of the seals.
"This room is clean, what's up with that?" asked Naruto.
"The room was air tight," said Jiraiya. The man had a look of wonder on his face as he studied the various seals spread throughout the room. Finally he inspected the pillar.
Jiraiya sighed heavily. "Would you look at this? I've never seen three independent blood seals like this."
Naruto and Karin both looked closer at what Jiraiya was trying to point out. Around the pillar spread out equal distance where three Uzumaki clan symbols connected into the seal matrix.
Naruto smiled and laughed gaining the attention of both Karin and Jiraiya.
"What's so funny?" asked Jiraiya.
"Yeah, what's so funny, Naruto-kun?"
"They knew," said Naruto with a wide grin. "They wanted us to come here as a family. They made it so we would have to come here together."
Jiraiya looked again at the seals and couldn't help the chagrin he felt. "Smart. They wanted to make sure that the clan head reunited the clan and brought them together. That is damned clever of them."
"But we need three right?" asked Karin.
"I'll send some clones to carry Tora-chan here," said Naruto unable to stop his grin.
"What about that last door?" asked Karin looking.
Jiraiya studied it at her question. "It's like the first but trickier. It can only be opened after the central pillar has been activated. This thing is incredible. I really do envy your ancestors."
It took a while for Naruto's clones to come with Tora in tow. It gave Jiraiya, Naruto, and Karin time to study the intricacies of the seals. What the seal did though, Jiraiya had no idea.
"You expect me to help you?" demanded an uncooperative Tora.
"Stop fussing so much," said Naruto. "We're asking you for help to find out if our clan, the Uzumaki, left anything behind for us."
"And what do I get out of it?" asked Tora.
"The satisfaction of finding out some of your family history and knowing you did a good deed," said Naruto hopefully.
"Negative," said Tora. "Try again." Now she just looked smug.
"So what do you want?" asked Naruto. He was more than a little annoyed at this point.
"Let me and my crew go free," said Tora.
"Can't let your crew go," said Jiraiya. "They have to stand trial for their crimes. You should too but the gaki here is pulling some strings to save your ass. So, here's my counter-offer, you help us with this, and I'll set you free. When we leave we'll drop you off where ever you want along the coast, unless you decide you want to stick around."
"Ha, fat chance of that ever happening. But for now you've got a deal," said Tora. "Now cut me loose and let's get this over with."
"Ero-sennin," Naruto tried to protest.
"Naruto, you can't force her to come back to Konohagakure, not if you want her to rejoin the clan. Something like that has to be her choice."
Naruto frowned but eventually relented and nodded his acceptance. "I guess it's okay. I was gonna convince her anyway."
"Right then," said Jiraiya as he approached the pillar to review the symbols. "Naruto, you stand at this one, Karin to his left, Tora his right."
The three did as they were told.
"Okay, you have to make contact at the same time with blood to activate the seals," said Jiraiya, confident that he'd interpreted the seal correctly.
Again, the three did as they were told. When they made contact the seals glowed red from the point where their hands made contact and then spread out through the entire room and then beyond the room, out the door and up the stairs. As the chakra flowed from them it began changing colors first to a purple then blue finally a soft green and then it stayed illuminated.
"All the chakra in the village just became active," said Karin stunned. "It's amazing."
Then drawn in the air words began to appear in front of the door that remained closed.
Our faithful descendants,
We thank you for making this journey and for coming home to us. We do not know how long it has been since the fall of our once great village and it does not matter because you are here now. Welcome to what remains of Uzushiogakure.
The sealing matrix you have just activated is our final gift to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. In the remaining ruins of our village you will find the farewells of an entire people. Some may be messages for their sons or daughters, others will be words of wisdom they wished to impart, you may even glean some Uzumaki knowledge. Please treasure these words as they are meant to be treasured.
"Is this possible?" asked Karin in shock.
"I don't know," said Naruto just as shocked.
"Amazing," said Jiraiya in awe. "This is, beyond complex."
"So all the chakra I sensed were these messages," said Karin.
Alas, our words cannot last forever. If we have learned anything from the imminent destruction of our way of life it is that pride comes before the fall. Please take this lesson to heart. Our belief that we would always be safe here was foolish and for that foolishness we have paid the ultimate price. It is for this reason we would not want you to rebuild our family in this place that inflated our pride. In seven days from the activation of this seal, this island will be devoured by the very whirlpools we felt so safe behind. Do not bother trying to stop it for it has already begun. I hope you are far from here before it is too late.
"Well that takes care of one problem," said Jiraiya. "But the seals to do something like that." Jiraiya whistled appreciatively.
"That sucks," said Naruto and Karin at the same time.
"Damn it, there goes my hideout," complained Tora at the same time.
You may choose to take the seals for the words our people have left behind but you will find no gold or jewels or other material possessions to take with you. To transfer the words to a scroll...
The process that followed was rather simple but more valuable than any material possession ever could have been.
Our clan was very protective of its history and its bloodline. What we have let the world know is that our bloodline has tended to make us predisposed to seals and long lives. The truth is much more important than any have ever known or realized. The hope of our clans rests on your shoulders and so too does this truth.
We are descended of the Rikudo Sennin. Legend tells of only two sons. At the time of his death he passed his abilities. To the eldest he gave his eyes and thus his powerful chakra and spiritual energy. From him descended the Uchiha clan and their doujutsu, the sharingan. To his youngest son he gave his body and thus his powerful will and physical energy. From him descended the Senju clan and their Will of Fire.
We, the Uzumaki, are descended of the third son. To us he gifted his connection and thus nature chakra and life energy. Our chains are born to connect all thing in life and nature. They bind us to life such that we live long. They allow our minds to connect to now and next. The physical manifestation of our chains has four stages. In its infancy we connect to that chakra which is strongest within us. In its adolescence we connect to that chakra which is weakest within us. In its maturity we connect to that chakra which is within us in totality allowing our chains to mix with any chakra our bodies naturally produce. And finally in its twilight we connect to that chakra which is all around us and present in all of nature and thus become true sages.
"Impossible," said Jiraiya barely above a whisper.
"Sweet!" shouted Naruto excitedly. "I knew we could become even more bad-ass!"
"What chains?" asked Tora looking at them. "What is this about?"
Karin was too stunned to speak.
Naruto formed a quick chain to show Tora. "You come home and back to the clan and you can learn that bad-ass ability too."
Tora looked torn for a minute before shaking her head. "No way, I'm leaving now." With that she began the trek back out of the temple.
And finally, to our new clan head. Beyond this final passageway is a right of passage every clan head has undergone since we founded Uzushiogakure. To lead one must find balance and be at peace with one's true nature. Please go through and succeed. Lead our people and remind the world of the greatness that is Uzumaki.
On a personal note, please do more pranks, we all need to laugh in this harsh world we live in.
It was stamped at the bottom with just the Uzumaki clan symbol.
"Ha! I love my clan," said Naruto, laughing happily that his ancestors even loved pranks.
Jiraiya was still visibly shaken by the knowledge imparted. He honestly felt like he'd learned something he never should have learned. "Gaki, why don't you go ahead. I'm gonna catch up to Tora and see where she stands. If she insists that she won't come back with us I'll seal away the memory of this room and especially that message."
"Sure thing Ero-sennin," said Naruto moving on, not paying much attention to what Jiraiya had just said.
"I'll get started on those messages and sealing them away to take home with us. I think it would be really neat to put them all over the clan hall for future generations," said Karin with a happy smile.
"Okay, be safe Karin-chan," said Naruto happily as he walked over to the door.
BREAK
Tora was thoroughly annoyed as she left the temple. Trying to blackmail her with a technique that was her birthright. "What an obnoxious little shithead!"
She paused as she emerged from the stairs and into the open night air. From the top of the temple she could see light everywhere below her. The messages of her ancestors. Their final words illuminating the night. "Ha, probably all begging us to take revenge for them too."
At the bottom of the temple she entered the first area she saw with writing.
Ramen - Uzumaki style
What followed was a ramen recipe.
"What the hell? Last minutes on earth and you take time to write down a ramen recipe? I get the importance of ramen but really?"
Shaking her head she went to find the next message.
Family is love, family if forgiveness, family is forever.
She scoffed. She kept looking at more and more of these messages. All of the sappy, about love, family, anecdotes, stories about their favorite nephew, or just plain silly.
'Nitwit, oddment, and tweak'
"What the hell?"
Not one message of hate, not one demand for revenge, not even one insult to their next door neighbor.
Tora-chan, I don't know if you'll ever come here and see this place, the place my brothers, sisters and parents died, but I hope against hope that you do. I never could find a way to tell you about our family when you were younger. And then your father died and you ran away. I am sick now and don't have long and I doubt you'll ever see this but I need to say it somewhere, you are loved. Your family loves you unconditionally. And if you are here then you know that to be true. I'm sorry I wasn't a better mother, I wish so much that I was stronger for you and your father. I love you my little Tora-chan and nothing or no one will ever change that. Live your life, be happy, fall in love, and if you see it in your heart give me a bunch of grand-babies. Always, your mother Mizuru.
Tora collapsed to her knees and cried. Of all the things she found here this was one thing she never though or imagined would be here.
"I'll let them know you decided you want to be with your family," said Jiraiya, voice gentle and caring.
Tora barely nodded as she let her emotions overwhelm her.
BREAK
Karin was making good progress as she went home by home adding the messages to the sealing scroll she made following the directions from the elder's message. At least she thought it must have been an elder to leave the message.
She couldn't stop the occasional tear as she read the beauty of some of the messages.
Find my boy Tokoro and give him a big slap upside the head for making his mother worry about him being late from his mission. Then give him a big hug and tell him it was okay this time but not to make it a habit.
"Daddy?" asked Karin to herself. Her father's name was Tokoro and seeing as he survived the fall of Uzushiogakure he must not have been in the village at the time. That would would make this message from her grandmother. She couldn't help but smile at the thought.
BREAK
Jiraiya was really and truly thrown for a loop. The information he'd just learned was beyond important. It could literally disrupt the entire shinobi world. It would create a conflict beyond any shinobi world war. It could very well re-ignite the age of the warring clans.
He was tempted to seal his own memories right then and there. Worse, he knew that he had orders to report what he'd learned. He didn't know if he could do it now.
Looking up at the temple he spoke softly and to himself. "I may not have been the best godfather gaki but this is one secret I will take to my grave. You tell who you want but no one will ever learn it from my lips... except the toads, they need to know about this."
"Kuchiyose no jutsu," said Jiraiya, slamming his had on the ground created a small scrawl of seals and a puff of smoke.
A small cough in the cloud notified Jiraiya that he'd been successful.
"Jiraiya-chan, is that you?" asked a small elderly toad.
"It's me Pa," said Jiraiya sitting down. "Sorry to call you so late but I needed to talk."
"It's okay boy, you know old people, we never sleep. Besides, Ma's being prickly tonight," said Pa with a small chuckle.
Jiraiya then relayed the messages contents. When it was done the little toad looked as shocked as Jiraiya still felt.
"Impossible," whispered the toad. "True sages. I've heard of them but... How could their people have been destroyed. If they had even one true sage then an army of kage-level shinobi wouldn't stand a chance against them."
"From what it sounded like, that level was the pinnacle of their bloodline. I can imagine a true sage would only come along once every ten or maybe even a hundred generations. Think about how many toad summoners have attempted to become sages and failed. You have a statuary with hundreds of them," said Jiraiya.
The small toad nodded considerately a few times as he thought about it himself. "You make a good point, Jiraiya-chan. I am looking forward to meeting this boy, Naruto-chan you said his name was right?"
"Yeah, that's the gaki's name," said Jiraiya.
"Well, see that you don't wait too long. I know after hearing this, the entire mountain is going to be excited to meet the child," said Fukusaku, nodding to himself.
BREAK
Naruto entered a large cavern unlike anything he'd ever seen before. It was a grassy field filled with wild flowers and in the center was a small pond. Up above was a light source the felt like the sun and lit the room with a warm light.
Approach the pool and sit at the edge. There stare into the whirlpool and find your true self.
Naruto followed the instructions of the writing that appeared when the door first opened. Naruto sat at the edge and watched as the whirlpool become more violent suddenly, as if sensing his presence.
A shadow appeared in the center of the whirlpool as something began to surface. First blond hair and a leaf headband followed by a mirror image of Naruto.
"Who are you?" asked Naruto.
"I'm you, idiot," answered the Naruto at the center of the whirlpool, which was now completely flat, its surface like a mirror.
"You're not a clone," said Naruto standing and walking out to see the other him.
"I'm the real you," he said. "The 'you' you don't want the world to see, the true self that lies at the bottom of your heart."
"I'm the real me," said Naruto getting annoyed. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm the one that took all that anger and hatred. All the loneliness. All those bitter feelings. I'm what you really are, just like kyuubi. It's why we get along so well when you're not paying attention."
"His name is Kurama and that's not all he is. He's a prankster just like me. He cares about his siblings, especially his youngest brother Shukaku even though he hides it well. He's nothing like you."
"He's more like me than he is like you. How can you be in charge? You're pathetic, it's no wonder you can't handle all that I am."
"Enough!" shouted Naruto.
Naruto attacked and his other self mirrored every move he made. Every technique he used was matched and mirrored. He was fighting someone exactly as strong as he was. No difference between them at all.
Naruto opened his eyes, he was sitting in front of the whirlpool still. He hadn't moved or fought anyone but he still felt the bruises and the tiredness as if he had.
He fell onto this back and kicked his feet out in front of him. He needed to catch his breath after that.
"He said he was the darkness in me. I didn't think there was any darkness in me though," Naruto spoke aloud, mostly to himself, to think out loud.
"Why can't I defeat him? I should be able to beat myself right?"
He laid their in silence for a while. "Myself, huh?"
"I should know my weaknesses, but then he would know about the same weaknesses wouldn't he?"
"Mirror, mirror... mirrors everywhere... Man, I sound vain."
Naruto slapped himself for becoming distracted. "Focus, Naruto, you can do this. He is you. He is all the darkness that you've always tried to ignore. That I've always tried to ignore. I've ignore him. I don't like being ignored so why would he like being ignored. Is it my fault that he's there?"
"It is, but I've always ignored those feelings."
To lead, one must find balance and be at peace with one's true nature.
"Balance, light needs dark and dark needs light," said Naruto reflecting on the message left for him.
"Be at peace, I have to be at peace with my true nature. He said he was my true nature."
Naruto bolted upright as the answer came to him. "I can't fight him, I have to make peace with him. I can't ignore him anymore. I have to accept him... No! I have to accept myself, the light and the dark."
Naruto crossed his legs again and stared into the whirlpool.
"Back for more, huh?" said the dark Naruto. "Nothing's gonna change. You still can't beat me."
"I know," said Naruto with his infamous devious grin. "There's no way I'll ever overpower you. You've got all the same moves as me."
"You can't chase me out of your mind either. I know you better than anyone ever will."
"Then you should already know, right?"
"What? You're not making sense!"
"What I just thought of a minute ago..."
"No... I don't know what you mean!"
"Don't play dumb with me," said Naruto with a smirk. "If I just focus on the image, I can show you in person!"
The darker Naruto's eyes widened slightly as he took a step back.
"I accept you! I acknowledge you!"
The darker Naruto looked upset and began shouting. "No, it won't change anything. All that pain. It hurts still doesn't it? Just because you acknowledge me doesn't mean anyone else ever will acknowledge us as a whole."
"They already do," said Naruto thinking of his friends back in Konoha, of Jiraiya, of Karin. "They acknowledged me and therefore you too. It's my fault for not acknowledging you too."
"You can't trust them!"
"Our precious people are important. But first there's someone else I need to learn to believe in."
Naruto's darker half took another step back away from him.
"I need to have faith in myself! Have faith that I am the man they all acknowledge."
The darker Naruto sank to his knees, he was afraid.
A hand on his shoulder had him looking up. "You don't have to be afraid."
"So what am I supposed to do now?" he shouted, standing suddenly and swinging at Naruto with is right fist.
Naruto simply stepped in to him and hugged him tightly. "You be like me, because you are me. Thank you for taking all of that on when I wasn't ready. It's gonna be okay now."
And with those words Naruto's darker self faded away.
Naruto opened his eyes, only this time he felt the weight that was in his heart, a weight he never knew was there, lift and fade away. A few tears slid down from his eyes. "Yatta!" he shouted jubilantly.