Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Family Legacy ❯ Family Legacy ( Prologue )

Naruto - Family Legacy...

Disclaimer: I hereby state that I have no ownership of the anime and manga series known as Naruto or the sequel Naruto Shippuuden, I am just borrowing them for the purpose of making a story of my own design.

Author's notes:

This is a new project test that I plan to put into use in the soon to come future and for today I will release it since I have not been able to work on it for the past three years so it's somewhat a bit old.

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Years ago, the country of Whirlpool was among the smallest but no less most famed countries in the world, before it was soon lost in the annuals of time. Whirlpool by rights was the same as the other countries and had it's own hidden village and leader, however the ninjas of Whirlpool were among the most unique of the ninja clans of their time….they not only hired out their services to fight in various missions, but were sought out for their other deadly skills in fighting other threats…namely those who practiced the dark arts.

The ninjas of Whirlpool were known as the Aku Kira, or the Demon Killers due to their skills as hunters of those who practiced the dark arts, and used their chakra in very unique and powerful ways that further boosted their already effective and time tested abilities and fighting styles to deal with such threats, they were also skilled in the use of sealing techniques in order to seal away the demons that were summoned. They believed that using such dark techniques for one's own greed and desires for power would in the end destroy those who sought to control such beings. They however, knew that there would be people who would never give up on the idea of acquiring the powers of the Underworld…and it was their destiny to stop them from being successful. However…they had reached their end as their enemies…tired of their interference…

Attacked Whirlpool in force and destroyed the country and scattered the Aku Kira, those who survived the slaughter decided to keep watch on the other villages and do their best to discourage the use of the dark arts, however, their efforts were blunted by those who still viewed them as enemies and many of the survivors were hunted…forcing many of the survivors to change their names and identities and continued to warn and caution other ninja villages in the use of such abilities…other Aku Kira however became cold and distant and decided to no longer aid the other countries and villages and let them destroy themselves by summoning the beasts.

In the end…the Aku Kira faded from memory and were relegated from history into myth and legend, and when the bijuu were born into the world…there at first were few who knew how to stop their rampages as the sealing techniques then were not capable of sealing such beings of immense but destructive power. However, those who helped in destroying the Aku Kira used sealing methods developed by the said ninjas and in time the various ninja villages developed their own sealing techniques from these techniques to seal and control the bijuu. The results were not what they expected as the bijuu were wild and untamed and it would take the sacrifice of human lives to truly begin to tap into the very essence of the bijuu.

The result was the birth of the human beings…willing or not who would harbor and contain the bijuu…they were known as the jinchuuriki. They were among those who survived the process of human sacrifice…but were treated as outcasts and the demons themselves…the Aku Kira who still lived were appalled with the actions of such people to willingly sacrifice human beings to gain the powers of the tailed beasts, and sought to stop the practice…by then, they were too few however to enact any changes and were no longer able to stop the changes…they then saw the suffering of the jinchuuriki as they were treated as worse than dirt and many of them were outcasts of their own homes. This changed their attitudes as they felt great pity for the jinchuuriki but could do very little as the results of being treated as demons and outcasts proved to be too painful for the jinchuuriki to bear and they became too violent and angry to approach, thus the surviving Aku Kira could do little but try their best as the Great Shinobi Wars fell on the land and many more of them fell until only tiny bands of the Aku Kira were left and they were slowly dying away.

One particular band of the Aku Kira were known as the Uzumaki Clan…famed for being skilled with many arts and ninjitsu and were known to be highly skilled with the sword and bow and had even developed unique and powerful methods with such weapons. They too had suffered the most in the wars and were thought to have totally perished in the razing of Whirlpool in the past and thus the current band of the clan were thought to be another family that had the same name and were merely civilians, they were not recognized as the original Uzumaki Clan and they didn't dissuade the notion as it hid them from their enemies.

However…it didn't take very long for one of the Uzumaki Clan to find some happiness as she was married to the man of her dreams and with the blessing of her only surviving relative since the death of their family, sought to live in peace with him, and maybe help usher the return of her clan and help usher the peace that her people had longed for…however it was not meant to be as fate had other ideas for the village of the new couple…

As it was attacked by none other than the strongest and most powerful of the untamed bijuu…the Kyuubi No Kitsune.

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In the Hokage's office…

“You can't be serious?! He's just a child! A baby no less!”

Sarutobi Asuma looked at the irate man before him and mentally sighed as he could understand his companion's anger and disbelief. He couldn't blame him for becoming very irate as they both turned to see a baby boy crying out for it's parents. The newly reinstated Hokage turned to the younger man who still was livid.

“I wish it was under better circumstances that you would come back here…I know how much you would have wanted to see…”

The younger man turned and growled a bit.

“You have NO idea how much I wanted to see my sister happy…but instead of seeing her, I come to find her dead and her husband as well…and then I find out that…Why did this have to happen?! Haven't my family and our clan suffered enough in this world?! And now this young child has to deal with this mess?! What has happened here Sarutobi?”

The Hokage then told the younger man what had transpired a few hours ago. The village was attacked by the Kyuubi no Kitsune…one of the famed and feared bijuu, or tailed beasts. But the Kyuubi was known to the whole world as the most powerful of all the bijuu and it had taken the loss of countless ninja to hold it's advance so the Fourth Hokage could perform a powerful jutsu. When it succeeded, only the young baby before the two of them had the seal on his body and the Kyuubi sealed inside of him. Sarutobi bid the Fourth farewell as he passed away for one so young and when it was learned that the young boy was the container of the Kyuubi, many of the villagers, angered by the utter devastation caused by the Kyuubi and the deaths of many ninja in trying to stop it considered the boy to be the demon itself and as such, the boy's life was in danger.

“So…that is what happened eh? I guess I can't blame them for having anger…but on a child? That is asking too much…especially of my bloodline and of the father.”

The two of them turned as another person appeared among them, and he was a silver haired man who wore strange but recognizable clothes and had a massive scroll on his back and a headband with a forehead protector. He looked very much in anger and sadness as he looked at the young baby. Jiraiya, one of the Three Sannin, and teacher to the Fourth Hokage looked at the child and knew from the seal on the child that he was already too late to be of any help. He then turned to Sarutobi.

“I came as soon as I could…is?”

“I'm sorry Jiraiya,…but you're student didn't make it…his final jutsu to stop the Kyuubi was what killed him…only Naruto is left.”

Jiraiya sighed and looked at the crying child and a sad smile.

“Naruto…I guess they were serious about using that name I came up with. I only hope that he will grow up following his parents' dreams.”

The Sannin then turned to his former teacher and looked at Sarutobi seriously.

“But all that won't make much difference if the rest of the village thinks him to be a sort of monster Sensei. What do you plan to do about this? “

“I have already given the order for anyone to never speak of the incident, though I doubt it will be enough for them to keep away from harassing Naruto. But there's not much I can do…telling them about Naruto's heritage is not a good idea either as doing so would attract even more unnecessary attention from the Fourth's former enemies.”

Jiraiya however was far from convinced.

“And what's to stop the villagers from making things for him even more difficult, it's going to be a mess without anyone to watch over him and give him direction in his life…how much can he take until he snaps…I've already heard and seen what happens to others who have undergone the same things as he did, what are going to do then?”

Sarutobi had to admit that his former student was right about that, life can be harsh and cruel to many, but to Naruto, life will be even worse, and it will be harsh and difficult for him as an orphan, but even more so as he was now a jinchuuriki…and not by his own choice…what had been done had been done out of utter desperation and no choice and it tore at his old heart to know that it had to come to that. He then spoke to the two men…

“The only thing we can do is try to guide him and make sure that he will not be overcome by the actions of the village. But if you both have other suggestions, then I am willing to listen, The Fourth…Namikaze believed Naruto to be the savior of Konoha and once he does master the special jutsu that exists…”

“If he CAN master it that is, that jutsu is the harshest and most dangerous technique ever for any jinchuuriki to use…none of them have ever tried using it in the least, or have any survived.”

“…Namikaze believes Naruto can do that, he believes in him to his very bones…just as you're sister Kushina did…they are his parents after all…and you Kouji are his uncle.”

Kouji nodded as he looked at his still crying nephew and he thought over what had to be done in order to ensure that Naruto would be given the right chance to prove himself worthy to not just his father's heritage…but his mother's as well. He knew that Kushina would have wanted this to happen and it was his sister's wish that her son would be a great shinobi. The last of the Aku Kira looked at the young boy…and made a decision.

“I will take Naruto in…I will train him in the ways of the Aku Kira…and he will also learn the ways of Konoha while he is here.”

Sarutobi and Jiraiya looked on at Kouji and looked at him with a curious eye…and they both smiled at the thought of Naruto being under his uncle's wing. In a way, Naruto was both a shinobi of Konoha…and the new generation of the Aku Kira. In a way…only the Aku Kira believed in the future and to help the new generation to repair the mistakes made by the older generations. The newly reinstated Hokage nodded and took out several documents and handed them to Kouji Uzumaki.

“These will help you get instated as a citizen of Konoha and if it will be all right with you, I will personally have a compound made for you and Naruto while you are here and I will personally pay for it's construction.”

Kouji shook his head and smiled at Sarutobi's suggestion.

“That's all well and good…but you do realize that some members of the Council might not like the idea of you siphoning funds from the treasury of Konoha. They will not be pleased when they hear about that sort of thing since it's for Naruto's sake.”

“Hmph! I am the Hokage…and I have that authority…besides, you will need the money you currently have in order to care for Naruto. I have no doubts on my mind that he will be quite the handful.”

Kouji nodded and then turned to Jiraiya, he and the Toad Sage were good friends and had worked on a few occasions, and as much as he disliked to admit the fact, he happened to love the novels the Toad Sage came up with on more than one instance.

“I have no doubts in my mind that you will take part in this Jiraiya…after all you are his godfather after all. And Namikaze and Kushina did say that only a unique and strong shinobi like you can be the one to teach him the needed skills of his father.”

Jiraiya sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose but smirked as well as he looked at Naruto's uncle Kouji who had great faith in him, the same faith that Namikaze and Kushina gave him.

“I will…but I have a lot to do so I don't know if I can be around as much…besides…they will no doubt be after him in a few years time.”

“You mean them?”

The Toad Sage nodded.

“There's no doubt in my mind that as soon as they hear of the battle here in Konoha with the Kyuubi, they will be getting ready to go after Naruto. We have to hope that we train Naruto well enough for him to face them when they go after him.”

Sarutobi nodded as the two men looked at the aged Hokage and he spoke to the two of them in a very serious manner.

“Then we have little time to do so…we should get to work immediately in setting things up. I will have to assign some of the ANBU to act as security personnel to the compound from time to time, and Kouji, you will have to come up with your own arrangements for Naruto if you are truly serious in this matter.”

“I'll handle things from here on in, you have no need to doubt me Sarutobi.”

“I never doubt you for a second. Now I have work to do and you both have your own duties to perform…best of luck to you both.”

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Years later…

“Come on Naruto…keep up the pace.”

Kouji said as he looked at his nephew as the young blonde continued to move with the wooden sword in hand at the prescribed maneuvers and formations of the Aku Kira sword styles that the clan had honed over the years. The young six year old blonde was wearing a special set of chakra enhanced weight armor that grew in weight each time he swung and thrust the wooden sword…which also was imbued with chakra to increase it's weight…making the blonde struggle with moving and striking with the sword.

The two Uzumakis and the last of the Aku Kira were living in a large clan compound that was a good distance away from Konoha, but was still a short walk from the village. The compound was shielded with special Genjutsu that Kouji used in special paper seals that made sure that only the ANBU who were assigned to the compound by Sarutobi knew of the location. It was about the same size of the compound used by the Hyuuga Clan and was just as spacious as well.

It had the main house and had several floors and three bed rooms as well as a meeting hall, a courtyard, and more. The rooms were well made and insulated to keep the cold out at night

The next building was their personal armory where Kouji personally crafted weapons and armor based on the designs of the arsenals of the Aku Kira. The weapons and armor made by the Aku Kira were quite unique for a variety of reasons as the methods to make them allowed them to harness chakra from not just the ninjas who used them, but from the surroundings as well. The Aku Kira knew how risky it was to exhaust one's levels of chakra in a fight and therefore found methods to harness residual chakra and amplify it properly…ensuring that at the very least the ninja would still have options in the battle despite being unable to use his or her chakra reserves for any reason.

There were several store-houses and a large kitchen as well…where Kouji had to spend a considerable amount of time to feed his ravenous nephew…namely since the young lad loved ramen so much. The uncle of Naruto managed to get a bit of a trade agreement with the owner of the Ichiraku Ramen Stand in Konoha to come in a few times when business was not picking up in Konoha. The owner Teuchi and his daughter Ayame certainly didn't mind and were quite eager to cook for Naruto when they were in the compound. At times when Naruto would leave and attend tutorial sessions in Konoha, it was easy to find him as he would mostly be there at the Ichiraku Ramen stand most of the time.

“But uncle…I'm tired…”

Naruto said as he put down the sword and nearly fell to his knees in exhaustion, Kouji noted that and sighed as his nephew had been working really hard, but as much as he wanted to let his nephew rest, he knew that he had to train him properly and he decided to give him an incentive to train harder.

“Tell you what…Teuchi and Ayame are coming here this afternoon, train well and I'll have them make you their chef's special for tonight.”

Naruto's eyes brightened at that as he LOVED the ramen and namely the chef's special, apart from the pork ramen he loved, the chef's special came a very close second.

“Yeah! Now that's cool! I'll get back to the training right now!”

As Naruto got back into practicing the skills that Kouji taught him, the elder Uzumaki smiled as Naruto continued the exercises. He might get tired like most people…but if there was one thing he knew about his brother in law, Namikaze had this overwhelming drive to succeed and put everything he had to his efforts…Naruto might not have the genius of his father, but his uncle knew he had the same heart, will, and drive of his father. The next thing he noted was the fact that he might look like his dad, but Kushina's personality and choices of ninjitsu were present in the young kid. He remembered that time very well when he used that trick jutsu on him once…he should have kept an eye on his nephew during one time in Konoha when he was on a shopping trip for new food supplies.

Flashback…

“All right Naruto…what is it you wanted to show me?”

Kouji looked at his nephew who was talking about some new jutsu that he picked up from several books from the Konoha Book Store. He hoped that the books were worth the money he had given Naruto to spend on that day.

“it's a great jutsu uncle! I can use it to make other guys do what I want them to without using any brute force! And it knocks them out cold like a light!”

“Really now? Okay, let me see it.”

Naruto then made the right hand-signs and then the puff of smoke appeared and out came Naruto in a female form with only smoke covering the essential private parts and him with a sexy expression. Naruto then did a pose and smiled cutely at his uncle, while speaking in feminine voice.

“So what do you think? I call it my Sexy No Jutsu!!!”

End of Flashback…

The only thing he did was faint and have a nose bleed, as soon as he recovered, he laughed out loud and told his nephew not to make a habit of using THAT jutsu all the time…but he had to admit that Naruto was right about the part of knocking a guy's lights out. He was laughing slightly at the memory of that day.

As soon as Naruto was done with the training with the wooden sword, Kouji then took out another wooden sword with the chakra enhancements and began to train with his nephew. The two relatives began to move at a great pace as Naruto had now removed the armor and was running at high speed while trading blows with his uncle. He was still getting used to moving at high speed and striking at a pace that was impressive.

The compound was filled with the sounds of wood smashing hard on each other as the two moved at a great speed and traded blows with one another, slashes, thrusts, parries, feints, stabs and more were heard as the uncle and nephew used their training to even up the odds, and while Naruto had improved on his overall strength and speed with many forms of training such as moving on floating logs in the moving river, moving over rope bridges, moving with weights on his body, arms, and legs and carrying bags filled with stones and boulders, swimming against the currents in the rivers that were nearby, climbing up several tall pillars using his own physical strength, and dodging the many traps and ambushes that his uncle devised in their training regimes together…he still couldn't match the speed, reflexes, and strength of his uncle.

Kouji however, never lorded over his nephew and was more of a parent and drill instructor rolled into one being, and he was teaching Naruto about the many things that the Aku Kira had long since used in their training when they were at their prime. He also taught Naruto how to utilize chakra carefully, and he taught Naruto how to be a skilled fighter and practical at the very same time. And most of all…he was the weapon, the true measure of an Aku Kira was not the weapons, armor, and jutsus, but by their own will, their way of life, and what and who they fight for.

There were other lessons that he would impart on his strong willed and very mischievous nephew, but all in due time.

Kouji also knew that when the time was right, he would teach Naruto about his parentage and his legacy. It would be hard for Naruto to live with the truth on why so many people in Konoha fear and hate him for no reason, but it had to be told to him soon, and it would require the presence of the few people Naruto trusted, respected and cared for in Konoha…namely Sarutobi himself and Iruka Umino…Naruto's tutor in the ways of the Konoha Ninja.

Iruka had been screened by Sarutobi and unlike the other Konoha ninja in the village, the young Chuunin became a brother figure for his nephew…and he was among the few who knew about the Kyuubi being inside Naruto, but he didn't know about Naruto's parentage. Kouji trusted Iruka to be a fair teacher to his nephew and also the one to help keep his nephew's antics to a minimum.

As the two continued their training well into the night, the young Uzumaki smiled widely as his uncle complimented him on his growing abilities and skills as he showed him some new books on more new techniques with both the weapons he was already familiar with in his time in the Academy in Konoha, to the weapons that he was being given by his uncle. Teuchi and Ayame arrived in the compound with several ANBU escorts and the young boy finally got to eating.

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Naruto at the age of ten…

Naruto was busy working with the use of his bow as he fired several arrows at some moving targets as his uncle fired out several targets into the air and Naruto was forced to use not just his shuriken and kunai to hit the targets as they were moving in the air at high speed.

Several of Naruto's arrows didn't manage to hit all the targets, but hit some of the targets, though not in the bulls eye as Kouji requested, but Kouji didn't discourage him and continued to push him as they continued to train with the current jutsus that Naruto had been taught in the Academy and also with his time here in the compound. Naruto proved to be truly his father's son as he continued to work on the jutsus that his uncle had taught him over the years. Though unlike the jutsus Naruto learned in the Academy, the jutsus of the Aku Kira were radically different.

The Aku Kira jutsus were different from normal jutsus in the sense that they had to be done without hand seals and was only possible through intense mental and physical training. This was done to prevent the enemy from attacking the Aku Kira while making the jutsus on the move, and as they were the only ones who could accomplish this, the Aku Kira were the only known users of this style. The jutsus were of several categories… defensive, offensive, and boosting. Each jutsu was designed for a variety of purposes and worked very well either armed or unarmed.

Naruto was already practicing another jutsu with his bow as he moved to the next course, which included several logs moving about with one target behind all the moving logs…and with the logs moving at high speed, it would have been a very difficult shot.

“TAKA BOUSHI!!!”

Naruto opened his eyes which glowed deep blue as he fired his arrow…the arrow flew past all the logs with an uncanny speed…and struck the target dead center. Naruto then did the same to other targets in very difficult to reach angles and then tried to hit a band of targets with only one arrow.

“TAKA BUSHIN DAGEKI!!!”

The arrow was covered in chakra and when Naruto released the charged arrow, the arrow was suddenly joined in mid flight by several other arrows and struck the target multiple times. Naruto watched as the arrows poof away, leaving one arrow in the center of the target.

Naruto then found himself facing one more target which was a solid stone block and he focused all his chakra into the arrow and then with the same technique as before, focused his eyes for a precise strike on the target…and fired the arrow.

“KETATAMASHII YA DAGEKI!!!!”

The arrow glowed deep white…and when Naruto fired the arrow it sliced through the stone block, through a thick wooden block…and then into the nearby wall…burying itself up to the middle of the shaft.

Naruto nodded as he then clicked the switch on his bow. The device was patently made by his uncle and was a made in such a fashion that it collapsed into an easier to carry form and was in an easy to access sheath that Kouji made for his nephew. As the weapon collapsed and was stored in the sheath, Naruto smiled at his uncle as he took out his sword and began to practice the various Kenjutsu forms his uncle had taught him over the years, forms that were part of the arsenal of the Aku Kira for generations.

Each form had an elemental style that could prove to be effective in many possible battle grounds that Naruto might find himself in. and was also doable in hand to hand combat scenarios as well, allowing for freedom of movement and power.

The first form was the Water Form, the most basic of styles that took in the movements of bodies of water, some were gentle and were designed to disarm and to stun, without hurting the opponent, but it also could become a lethal force in the right situations and conditions.

The second was the Wind Form that relied on quick, fluid and powerful evasion movements and powerful strikes with exceptional force and weight…allowing the user to move away from a powerful attack and hit back with great speed and power at the same time.

The third was the Earth Form that emphasized defensive moves and actions that left the opponent unable to easily pierce through an Aku Kira's defenses and allow the Aku Kira to study his foe's movements and attacks, along with any possible weak points that could be used to the user's advantage.

The fourth was the Lightning Form that emphasized raw agility over fineness. It relied on using high flying moves and lethal straight forward attacks both from the ground and the air, and using the natural level of agility and reflexes of the user, just in the same way and natural lightning bolt could cause powerful damage to the ground and to anything that is in the air and in it's path.

The fifth and final form was the Fire Form that placed emphasis on rapid counter offense after deflecting a blow, and even more so when it was with chakra based attacks as the technique relied on using the combined physical strength and chakra reserves of the user to not only block the attack, but to overpower the attack and allow a counter strike to be launched at full force.

The forms themselves encompassed each of the elements and their natures, and it went not in the same order as elemental jutsus to prove it. Water was gentle and slow, much like a flowing river, but could change into a force to be reckoned with when the right stimulus was applied, the Wind form relied on speed and evasion, but when on the offensive could reflect the power of one's foe and could increase the power involved as well with the attacks and could cut with intense force. Fire was wild and unpredictable and was hard to control, but when controlled could both defend and attack with equal power…though it shined more on offense. Earth revealed the strong and solid nature of defense and when used could withstand tremendous force and send the same force right back at the attacker. Lighting was energetic and was as unpredictable as fire…but with the right training could slice through most if not all defenses…even that of Earth itself

Kouji smiled at his nephew's growth and how he had improved over the years, mastering the complex bow that he made for him, and his new sword, the `Little-Fox' or the Kogitsune-maru, a special double edged katana that he had helped Naruto forge in their armory and smiting area. Naruto had other weapons in several small scrolls that he could use when the time came and would be able to use it when it came to that point, and Kouji nodded at the skill Naruto was developing slowly but growing in speed and frequency

The weapon was currently in the hands of his nephew and was very much becoming a part of his arsenals as he moved with the speed, grace and flow of the weapon. The sword was made with a special chakra system that took advantage of Naruto's high reserves of chakra. Due to the Kyuubi who boosted Naruto's own chakra reserves, the boy had an abundance of energy, and to make sure that Naruto would find a use for the excess energy, the Kogitsune-maru was designed to absorb amounts of the chakra and use it in specially made wells of power, and it had a few moves of it's own that only Naruto could unlock and use.

As soon as Naruto was done with the training, they continued with more lessons in the living room until they were alerted to the presence of guests. The two Uzumakis came out and found none other than Sarutobi himself…though Iruka was not around. Naruto was pleased to see the Sandaime paying them a visit from his regular duties…though he and the Sandaime would argue and fight at times…the youngster saw the older ninja as a Grand Father.

“Hey old man!”

Kouji could only shake his head as Naruto ran up to Sarutobi and began to tell him about the training he was undergoing under his uncle and more. However Kouji knew that it was high time that his nephew was told about his parentage and what the truth was on why people in Konoha acted the way they did around him all the time. It was going to be hard for him and Sarutobi…but it had to be done.

As the group ate their dinner in the main hall, the two elder ninja then decided it was now the right time for the truth to be told. As Kouji placed down his bowl, he and the Sandaime looked at one another and nodded.

“Naruto?”

Naruto looked at his uncle and wondered what his uncle wanted to say to him, so he finished his bowl of ramen and swallowed his food and asked what his uncle wanted to say to him.

“What is it uncle?”

“I believe it's high time that you were told by me and the Sandaime who you're parents are…and what kind of power was placed inside of you…and why so many of the people in Konoha fear and hate you.”

The two then went into the courtyard and then both men began to tell Naruto of what had happened nearly twelve years ago. On the fateful day that the Kyuubi attacked the village of Konoha and what the cost was.

As Naruto listened, it was understandable that he was in shock as he learned about the truth of why he had been seen that way by so many of the villagers looked at him with fear and hatred. He couldn't believe that all that had happened to him the very day he was born and that his father and mother paid with their lives so to stop the Kyuubi and seal it inside of him. As the young man began to cry, both Sarutobi and Kouji wondered if this was too much for the young boy to handle.

“But…but why did my…father do it?”

Kouji sighed and replied to his nephew.

“I wish I knew Naruto…but you were the only one strong enough to contain the Kyuubi, and you're father knew it, though he totally wished there was another way.”

“I agree…I was there the day you're father used the Shiki Fuujin to capture the Kyuubi and seal it inside of you…at the expense of his own life and before he did…I begged him to find another way…even though we knew of no other way to stop the Kyuubi…I was there when you were given that seal and I heard you're father…in his last moments say that he wanted you to be proclaimed a hero for containing such a powerful beast. However…the people hate and fear you because some of them think you have become the Kyuubi, and others say that the Kyuubi will take over you someday and that you should be gone from here.”

“But I…I'm not the Kyuubi Old man….I'm NOT the Kyuubi!!!!!”

Naruto said in tears as he held his stomach and gripped his clothes in anger and despair. Kouji however was having none of it and moved forward to the crying boy and made his nephew look at him. Naruto looked on with tear streaked eyes at his uncle's own green ones and couldn't help but stare at the fire in his relative's eyes.

“Listen to me Naruto…you are NOT the Kyuubi…just because you have the Kyuubi inside of you does not make you the Kyuubi itself! When I looked at you then as a baby and as I look at you now… I see not the Kyuubi before me…but my nephew, my sister's son and my flesh and blood and a truly gifted and brave shinobi in the making! Never let anyone say otherwise about you, you are Naruto Uzumaki…son of Kushina Uzumaki of Whirlpool and of Namikaze Minato of Konoha…both a shinobi of the Fire Country and one of the Aku Kira!”

Naruto felt something warm on his hands and saw the tears of his uncle and his eyes widened at that sight, he looked at his uncle and saw that he meant every word with all of his being and he cried out louder and hugged his uncle. Kouji replied by hugging his nephew and for a few moments…Naruto felt that he was never alone in this world. As for Kouji he felt relieved that the truth was finally out and that he could convince his only surviving blood that he was no monster as it made him very angry to see the looks of hatred the people of Konoha would give his nephew.

As the two stopped hugging, Naruto wiped away his tears and gave a brave smile to his uncle.

“Thank you uncle…”

“Naruto…I want you know this as well…you're father was not just my brother in law but as you know is the Fourth Hokage. The reason no one ever told you about this…was the fact that you're father made many enemies in his time as a shinobi in the Wars long ago, and if they knew of your existence and that of your mother…they would never stop hunting you and her, that is why only those who were truly close to Namikaze knew of you and you're mother, he himself never spoke of you and my sister since he wanted you both to be safe, and he never made his marriage public…which is why no one knew of you're father's marriage ofr of you being his son.”

“What…was my dad like?”

Kouji and Sarutobi smiled at they spoke to Naruto about his father, and in more unique detail as Kouji was Namikaze's brother in law, and Sarutobi had been one of the Fourth's supporters and the one who elected him to the position. Naruto felt awed about the fact that his father was the Fourth Hokage and the anger he felt towards his male sire faded and was replaced with respect and humility…much to his uncle's relief and that of Sarutobi as well. Naruto might have heard the stories and read the books, but all that paled in comparison to hearing from those who truly his father first hand. He began to understand why his father made such a painful decision and as he listened to Namikaze's life story…he began to wish he could have been able to speak to his father just once…on how proud he would have been to have been his son.

Naruto then asked of his mother and Kouji wasted little time of telling his nephew of how much of a tomboy his mother Kushina was, but she was strong and beautiful…and telling his nephew that she was the only woman who could not only entrance Minato and make him into a love sick puppy, but boss him around in a loving and good natured way. His stories of how much in love Kushina and Namikaze were made Naruto a bit embarrassed, but at least he was told the truth by those who truly knew his parents.

Sarutobi then handed Naruto two letters…one bearing the Hokage seal, and another bearing the seal of an Aku Kira. Naruto quickly knew that both letters were from his parents. He looked at his uncle and Sarutobi and with gentle nudges from both men, he opened the letters…starting with the letter of his father.

Dear Naruto…

If you are reading this letter, then I am no longer alive and so is your mother Kushina, and for that I am truly sorry my son... I wish I could have been able to be around to see you all grown up, being admired, chased by girls, making friends, and being a shinobi of Konoha. But I can no longer do that, and I could not hold either you or Kushina ever again as I have died from the Shiki Fuujin seal that I have placed on you.

I wished there truly was another way…but both Kushina and I knew that there was none…the bijuu are powerful beings and nothing can truly defeat them. I resisted greatly the idea of resorting to this jutsu…knowing that you will bear the burdens of becoming the container. I however made sure to do one thing before sealed the Kyuubi inside of you…I separated the Yang energy from the Yin energy and placed it in you. It means that you will be able to draw upon the Kyuubi's chakra without succumbing to it's powers easily due to the seal. I want you to know that so many people have tried so hard to control the power of the bijuu…and use it for their own ends…and I never wanted that for you. With the seal you are able to use the Kyuubi's chakra in the way you wish…though I cannot be entirely sure of it's full power. The Kyuubi is strong and deadly and you must train long and hard to control it's powers…but I have absolute faith in you my son.

I feel that by now you are being treated with fear and hatred…and I wished I could be alive to put those things away from you. I will say this with pride my son…you are the son of Namikaze Minato and Kushina Uzumaki…you are no monster…. and you have the power to make yourself a true Hokage and a true ninja who will be a great hero in the many years to come. Do not let anything discourage you or stop you…make friends and fight for those you care and love, those who acknowledge you for who you truly are will be the ones who will guide you to the very end. Never forget who you truly are and carry the fire of Konoha in your soul and mind for all time. I and your mother are proud of you and we will be with you always.

Love…

Namikaze Minato.

Naruto smiled as he gently folded the letter and held it tightly in his hands, he then placed it down and gently opened the letter of his mother Kushina. As soon as he was able to open it, he read the message left to him by his mother.

Dear Naruto…

If you are reading this letter, then I am no longer with you and Minato…and for that I am truly sorry my little angel…I wished I could cradle you in my arms and hold you as you slept, tend to you when you would cry, and watch you grow up, hearing your stories about how your days have been, welcoming you home whenever you were happy or sad, full of energy or exhausted…I truly miss you…

I have suffered complications and I…I will not survive long when you are born into this world, but I am not afraid. I wished that things were different, but I will never lie to you…I love you and your father and Konoha so much…when I heard of the Kyuubi…I knew that you're father would fight with it…I told him of how it would be better to seal it in you. It might sound cruel…but I have lost my home to so much greed and power…true that the Kyuubi is different, but Konoha is my home and it was here that I met you're father and knew peace…and I would rather die than let it be burned to ashes as my home and country had been years ago. I told Minato about my choice…and your father was certainly not happy, but he knew that he had no choice as well. But I know that your genius of a father had a plan…he always did…though having you was certainly not of them…but he loves you…and so do I. To feel you alive and kicking inside of me gave me hope and faith in the future…that those born would be able to heal the world and all the mistakes the foolish generations made before. And you my little angel…will be one of those heroes of the future…of that I have absolute faith in you.

I know that you will be seen as a monster by others…but do not mind them…they are ignorant of who you truly are inside. And never think for a moment that you are a monster if they say so…you are my son and the son of Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, and you are an Aku Kira as well…and I will always love you and so does you're father. Reach out to others and never be afraid to love and give kindness to others, never be discouraged and fight for those who you love and care for. Those who acknowledge and support you will be your guides in the many challenges you will face. I and your father will always be with you and we will never leave you no matter what happens…

Love…

Kushina Uzumaki…

As Naruto placed down both letters, he smiled and looked at the stars and vowed silently to make his mother and father proud of him no matter what it would take or how long. He would live up to his heritage and his legacy. He would show all that he was no monster and that he was going to be a great ninja and Hokage someday.

He faced both his uncle and Sarutobi and bowed before them…making the two men see that things might soon work out for the young ninja.

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Weeks later…

Naruto packed up his clothes and supplies as he got ready to move into Konoha. Sarutobi had told him that in the end of two years, he would be allowed to take the Graduation exam at the Academy to become a Genin, the first step to becoming a ninja of Konoha.

He was ecstatic at the chance to finally take the first steps of becoming a ninja and to fulfill his dream of becoming a Hokage and a ninja worthy of not just his parents' legacies but also his Aku Kira heritage. He would live up to his father and surpass him and make him and his mother proud of him no matter how hard it would be and what he had to do in order to make it to the rank of Hokage.

Kouji smiled as he saw his nephew off from the compound…he had other matters to deal with and therefore, he would not be around to watch over his hyperactive nephew. As such, he sealed the compound off and locked it down until he could come back and continue his nephew's training when the time was right.

For now…he had to keep track of several details and also he would meet up with Jiraiya and see just what the Sannin had been up to ever since their discussion in the Hokage Tower years before.

“Naruto…”

“Yes uncle?”

“Make sure to not cause too much of a ruckus while in the Academy full time okay? And promise me that until the time is right…you keep your family bloodlines a secret.”

Naruto nodded…as much as he wanted to tell everyone in Konoha just who he really was, he knew better than to cause a major scene now. Besides…he wanted to wait for the right time to stun the detractors with the revelations that were told to him weeks before by both the Sandaime and his uncle. That would really cause a hell of a scene and he would laugh his ass off at that. But he respected his uncle's request and his years of training had taught him to keep a calmer head…though he did little to curb his temper…and his uncle had not fully restrained that temper of his.

“I will uncle…”

“Make friends Naruto…do not be afraid to open your heart to others and always keep an open mind when dealing with others. I will come back soon and we can complete the training that we have started.”

“I'll be waiting uncle!”

Later…

As Naruto walked through Konoha's busy streets, he could see the people whispering and giving him glares of icy hatred…but they no longer fazed him…he knew why they feared and hated him now…and he was going to show them that he was not the monster they saw him to be…he would become a ninja of Konoha and someone they would respect and admire…he would defend his father and mother's home with his very life, and he would defend his loved ones…family and friends no matter what it would cost him…even his very life. He would become the next Hokage and he would bring back to life the Aku Kira.

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To be continued…

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This is my second Naruto project and unlike my first one…this a lot more serious than the other, as I am taking my own stab and telling the Naruto story and all the way to the Shippuuden Arc as well. So expect this to be rather long and will be different in scope and action.

I took a more conventional approach and instead of having a whole new character, I decided to use a family member, and as you can see, the character is related to Naruto in a big way. In truth, I had this idea for some time and decided to put into paper. Now everyone knows that Naruto's parents are dead, so I figured having a living relative take care of Naruto for a good portion of his life would be a bit different than before. And don't worry, Iruka has the same role in this fic.

The big difference is that Naruto already knows he is both the container of the Kyuubi and the son of the Fourth Hokage…but I added the heritage of his mother which in this case is the blood of an ancient ninja clan who were highly skilled at hunting evil and taking out those who attempted to use dark magic…and Naruto is the last of their clan, with the exception of both his uncle and those Aku Kira who have survived…but some of them may have turned evil in the coming chapters and might become very deadly foes to Team 7. As if Orochimaru and Akatsuki were not enough…

One thing I don't highly approve of is the portrayal of some characters, namely Sasuke and Sakura in some stories I read so I hope to expand the situation between then and Naruto a lot more, along with the friendship they develop in the canon time frame.

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Naruto's uncle will play key roles in the story of Family Legacy as well, and so will other possible surviving members of the seemingly destroy Aku Kira.

The Aku Kira are based on several character classes that I've played in my RPG playing days and are very skilled ninja who worked as Demon Killers, and while there might be some who still follow the old ways…there might be others who no longer do such things and care little for the state of affairs in the world…or have aligned with evil…and nothing in my mind is worse than a former warrior of light falling to the temptations of evil.

What other skills did Naruto learn while under his uncle apart from the skills already mentioned? Well, you'll have to wait and see…

And as to relationships…well, that's up to me…but if you have suggestions, please send them my way…

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Word meanings:

Aku: Japanese for: Devil, Demon

Taka: Japanese for: Hawk

Ketatamashii: Japanese for: Piercing

Dageki: Japanese for: Strike

Boushi: Japanese for: Eye

Ya: Japanese for: Arrow

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Comments and Reviews are welcome…

Flames are not…