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Chap-35 The One Who Cared
🕑 Added 2022-03-01 08:20:22 +0000 UTCHe watched a couple of young children splashing and playfully laughing inside one of the swimming pools of the Castle. Their laughter and bright smiles calmed down his anxious heart as he observed them from the top of one of the towers. Those eyes were full of so much joy, hope and innocence. None of them had any idea as to what the world was really like.
Unlike the stories they were told, there were no heroes in real life. Only skilled monsters who killed each other one after another. In most cases without any just reason and only for the sake of killing.
Watching these children couldn't help but make Naruto think about the thousands of other ones residing in this city. Not to forget the thousands of parents...mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles. These people couldn't fight a ninja army, had no say in the political rivalries of the royal court, but were the ones who suffered most because of it.
Nobody cared about what happened to them. Not the Damiyo, not the ninja clans or the soldiers...
He knew perfectly well as to what would happen to these people if Madara came to the city.
They would all burn.
The men would be killed, the women raped or taken slaves and the children could only watch helplessly as their families and life were destroyed before their very eyes.
The Damiyo and his forces would fight back viciously, the Senjus will retaliate in full force making the Uchihas return the favor with thrice the passion. It would be a bloodbath of a monumental scale, and gods forbid if he had to unleash Kurama to save his clan...
He knew what the beast was fully capable of. It could raze this city to ashes in ten seconds and kill everyone in it. Even if Kurama tried to fight carefully, it would still not stop thousands of innocent civilians from getting caught in the crossfire.
"You've got that look in your eyes again"
He turned sideways and was surprised to see his friend Itachi staring at him with his usual stoic and all knowing gaze. Itachi had always been a man of few words, but he had an uncanny ability to understand people. Naruto was no exception...
"What look?" asked Naruto with an amused smile, as Itachi stepped beside him and observed the playing children.
"The look that says that I am about to do something incredibly brave or stupid" answered Itachi frankly,
Naruto wryly smiled at that blunt statement, Itachi had never been one for mincing words. And his friend was not wrong so he could not refute what he said or risk having to lie to him, something which Naruto didn't want.
"Our ancestors ruled the world. They taught the ninja arts, maintained peace across the lands until the war between Indra and Ashura broke out. Then everything changed..." whispered Naruto sadly,
"What are you saying?" asked Itachi curiously,
"Our people have always said that we are the rightful rulers of this world. That we were usurped, that all the clans and civilians should bow to us because we are superior. We have the royal blood in us, we have the power and mind to rule, but are we truly good rulers? In fact, I don't even know what a good ruler is..." admitted Naruto worriedly,
Itachi remained silent as he pondered over those honest words while staring at the playing children and then at the vast Capital before them. Looking at it, he could finally understand what his friend was worried about.
"I think you already know the answer, Naruto" said Itachi with a small smile,
"I have to destroy something truly great. And I have to send thousands of innocents to their deaths, a good ruler would never do that to his people" said Naruto bitterly, clenching his fists around the stone wall of the tower.
"This is a time of war, my friend" pointed Itachi, but Naruto shook his head fiercely.
"Then how are we any better than the Senjus? If we do not care about the lives of our people but only about our rights alone, then the Uchiha are not fit to rule" said Naruto bitterly,
"That is the way of the world" said Itachi calmly, making Naruto snarl.
"THEN IT'S BLOODY WRONG!" yelled Naruto furiously, his eyes ablaze with anger and shame.
Itachi was stunned by that outburst. Looking into his friend's eyes he realized Naruto didn't want to do this. He didn't want thousands to die just so his family could rule. It was the true way of gaining power, their clan's words were Fire and Blood but in Naruto's eyes he saw fear for the lives of all these people who could not defend themselves.
"Your compassion will kill you someday, Naruto"
Naruto's anger subsided and a faint smile twitched across his lips for he remembered Kurama saying the same thing about his loyalty. And they were not wrong, but still...
"Better to die as who I am...then become something I am not"
Itachi stared at his friend quite intensely. He had always known despite his sarcastic humor and playful nature, there was a good heart deep inside this Uchiha. Naruto was not a perfect man and had many shortcomings, yet there was something within him that had made Itachi and many others believe in him.
Now that he remembered the past years, Naruto had always fought for his clan but at the same time he had also fought for the people of the Land of Fire. He and Shisui both believed in protecting the weak and innocent, they both believed in everything which any ninja would never do.
"You're going to do something..." realized Itachi, and stared at his friend worriedly.
Naruto simply nodded.
"May I know what that is?" asked Itachi hesitantly, making Naruto smile a little.
"Not if you want to save your ass from my brother..."
Itachi flinched. He was a fine warrior, but pissing off Madara was not something he wanted to do any time soon. However, Naruto was the man's brother and had a few liberties Itachi didn't.
''I have to act on what my own heart is telling me to, even if I am not or will never be a ruler. And I have to do what is best for all our people..." confessed Naruto,
"And if you fail? If war is truly inevitable?" questioned Itachi seriously, and saw Naruto's gaze harden but he didn't look away from Itachi's piercing stare.
"Then I will do my duty as I always have"
Hashirama Senju was having breakfast with his family in the early morning. The atmosphere was tense and awkward, something which had never happened before. His sister was not even looking at him and had not talked to him for an entire day, Itama had tried to make peace between his two siblings but had failed resulting into him silently eating his food while casting hesitant glances at his two siblings.
Hashirama himself knew it would take a long time before Tsunade got over her anger, still he had to try...
"Tsu-"
Before he could finish calling her, there was a knock on their door. When he gave the permission to enter, one of his Senju guards stepped inside and bowed. The man had an apologetic look in his eyes for disturbing his leader's family at this early hour, but he did speak.
"My lord, The Kinslayer is here to see you" said the guard, and Hashirama didn't miss the disgust in the man's voice no matter how much he tried to hide it.
His curiosity peaked, "Send him in"
The guard bowed before quickly walking out of the room leaving Hashirama to wonder as to why Naruto was here. So far from what he had seen, the boy had a cocky and arrogant personality. Nothing unusual among Uchihas, but behind that facade lay a truly calculative and sharp man. The Senju had seen the intelligence in those eyes, while Madara was ruled by his emotions, his younger brother had more restraint.
It still didn't cease to amaze him as to how magnificent the boy looked in his golden armor. That dragon sigil on his chest left no doubt as to who he was, the dark black cloak fluttering on his back as he walked gave him a contrasting look in comparison to his golden armor. The boy was handsome but more than that it were his eyes that always intrigued Hashirama.
The Senju head saw Tsunade brutally stab her fork over her plate while Itama nervously clenched his fists. Before his sister could start her outburst and aggravate Naruto before he even began, Hashirama sent a warning glance at his sister. She held her silence but gave him a menacing glare in return.
When Naruto finally stepped before them, Hashirama saw Dawn was now hanging on the boy's hip.
Hashirama gave a curt but respectful nod to his visitor, receiving the same in return.
"What brings you here, Naruto?" asked Hashirama curiously,
"I just got word from my father and brother. They have accepted the offer and will arrive shortly with all the clan heads for the wedding" informed Naruto, with not a hint of emotion visible on his blank face.
"Playing messenger now, are you? That's quite beneath you, Kinslayer..." insulted Tsunade spitefully,
Itama smacked his forehead in frustration and even Hashirama groaned at his sister's blatant attempt to rile up the Uchiha when all he was doing was giving them an important message. The only proof that Naruto even heard that insult was the slight twitch of his eyebrows and that too was stopped when he noticed Hashirama stare at him apologetically.
"I am not here to play childish games, Princess" replied Naruto coldly, and saw a nasty scowl arrive on the beautiful women's face.
"Good. Then get the hell out!" spat Tsunade furiously,
She flinched when Hashirama slammed his fist on the wooden table nearly make it shatter. The fierce anger in her eldest brother's eyes made her gulp.
"Silence" commanded Hashirama,
Tsunade bit her lip in order to hold back another sharp reply. Her brother was a good and patient man but there were times when she really pissed him off with her fiery temper, this was one of those times.
"I apologize for her words, Lord Naruto" said Hashirama sincerely, and was intrigued when the boy shook his head.
"Every person is responsible for their actions. You don't have to apologize for the deeds of your sister" refuted Naruto honestly,
Tsunade clenched her fists at the audacity of this Uchiha. Who was he to preach such noble values when he had done so many despicable things in his life?
But her eldest brother seemed quite impressed with Naruto's words and remembering Hashirama's silent warning from before, she was forced to keep her silence.
Hashirama gracefully allowed Naruto to take a seat which the Uchiha did with slight hesitation. Before they could exchange any other pleasantries, Naruto got straight to the point.
"This is a mistake, Lord Hashirama" warned Naruto,
"Finally something we can agree upon" snorted Tsunade, making her brothers sigh.
Hashirama ignored his sister knowing how hopeless she was and instead decided to listen to the most rational man in the room right now.
"Why so?" he asked the boy, and saw grim look arrive on the boy's face.
"My people and our allies will never bow to a civilian who is strong-arming us to become slaves" informed Naruto,
"But you just said your people agreed to the offer" said Itama confusedly,
Naruto pursed his lips and refused to say something. But he didn't have to as Hashirama realized what the boy had not said outloud.
"They are going to attack the city..."
Hashirama's stunned revelation made his siblings stiffen before they both looked at Naruto with such hostility and anger, but the unfazed boy simply sat in his chair and only stared at Hashirama.
"I believe they will do just that" confirmed Naruto, making Hashirama grimace.
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Hashirama with a hint of suspicion now seeping into his hardened voice,
"I cannot allow the innocent people of this city to die for our feud. It was the Damiyo who started this, your clan who supported it, and the Uchiha who will end it in Fire and Blood. These civilians and their families shouldn't die for our crimes..." admitted Naruto plainly,
"Don't listen to him, brother. This could be a trap..." warned Itama hurriedly,
"I knew the Uchiha were treacherous bastards. But I never knew your clan could steep so low..." said Tsunade furiously,
Even in the face of those scathing insults and damning accusations, Hashirama noticed the boy never lost his cool for even a second. He simply glanced at Hashirama's siblings before looking at the Senju leader seriously.
"Why do you desire peace so much, Lord Hashirama?" asked Naruto curiously,
"Because there is only one result if our clans continue fighting. Annihilation of both sides and it is something I don't want" confessed Hashirama honestly,
To his surprise, Naruto accepted his answer with a curt but respectful nod.
"I answered your question. Now I want you to answer one of mine..." said Hashirama seriously,
"Depends on the question" replied Naruto calmly, earning a tiny smirk from the Senju leader.
"Why are your people refusing this peace offer?"
Naruto's gaze hardened at that question, something which neither Hashirama or his family missed.
"We are a proud clan, Lord Hashirama. We are not as rich or influential as you and your allies, but we are strong. Despite what you believe, fighting against the Senjus is a matter of honor for us because only your people can match our prowess. We hate your people but respect your power because you earned it" revealed Naruto,
Hashirama took in all that information and tried to process it, surprisingly his younger brother realized the true meaning behind the Uchiha's revolt sooner than anyone else.
''But the Damiyo has not earned that respect, has he?" questioned Itama knowingly, earning a surprised nod from Naruto who had clearly not expected the shy Senju to figure out the real reason behind the revolt.
"You cannot win against the Damiyo's army, much less against our side if we join him" warned Hashirama seriously, all playfulness gone from his eyes.
"I know" agreed Naruto in a resigned voice,
"Then why?" asked Hashirama in disbelief,
"You know why..."
Hashirama found himself cursing Madara for he could be the only one behind this suicidal move. The rest of the Uchiha family, including the likes of Tajima, Naori and Naruto had far more sense than Madara.
After hearing the underlying threat of annihilation if the Uchihas rejected the marriage offer, Madara's anger would have known no bounds. Hashirama had expected that from Madara, but to think even a shrewd man like Tajima would agree to this?
It was then he realized the true reason behind this move.
Pride.
The Uchihas greatly valued their independence even if they paid taxes to the Damiyo because it was very rare they had to do anything for the man. But if they agreed to this, then they would lose that independence and they would never accept that.
He looked into Naruto's eyes and saw while he agreed with the sentiment, he knew it would only have one outcome for the Uchihas.
"And yet you'll fight knowing your people are making a wrong decision" said Hashirama disappointedly,
"It is not my place to make decisions. If my brother comes here and starts fighting, I will support him because he's my family" confessed Naruto,
"And yet if you're here then it could only mean you want to prevent that from happening" deduced Tsunade, earning a surprised glance from Naruto. She scoffed at him, who did he thought she was? Some pretty face with no brains?
His deadpan gaze was the answer to her internal question which made her growl earning a tiny smirk from him.
That infuriating bastard...
"I'd like to avoid bloodshed if I can. I'll admit I didn't clearly think it would hurt your clan's pride and for that I apologize. But make no mistake, if your clan makes any move against my people I will retaliate" warned Hashirama, his dark eyes boring into Naruto's very soul.
The Uchiha stiffened a little on feeling the barest hint of Hashirama's killing intent, it was barely a warning but Naruto's sensory powers clearly revealed to him the true extent of Hashirama's power. It was a humbling experience to say the least...
He sighed in relief when that force vanished and Hashirama's hardened gaze softened if only a little...
"How do you propose we avoid this war?" questioned Hashirama,
"If you truly want peace with my people then rather than make them bow by force, make them see something that you are truly sincere in your desire for peace" advised Naruto,
"How?" asked Itama curiously,
"There is no way my people will ever listen to the Damiyo after what he did. Even if it kills them all, they will destroy that man and his family. It is not the most sensible thing but it is what my people will do. If you help in smoothening that process without getting into any conflict with us, then it would go a long way to show the Uchiha your sincerity" explained Naruto patiently,
"You mean rebel against the Damiyo" said Hashirama knowingly, narrowing his eyes dangerous at the boy.
At Naruto's nod of confirmation, Hashirama could only massage his forehead. What mess had he gotten himself into?
It didn't stop Naruto from continuing.
''We are already inside the Damiyo's Castle. We have enough men if we combine our forces and take the royal family hostage. If that happens, the royal army will surrender and there will be no need for Madara to attack this city. As for my people not attacking yours after our victory, then I promise you I will make them back down" said Naruto honestly,
"And we are to take your word on that?" asked Itama in disbelief,
"Yes"
"Or else you would kill Tobirama" said Tsunade, bringing out the unsaid threat if the Senjus made any move to stop the Uchiha from going up against the Damiyo.
''Very likely" admitted Naruto, much to the surprise of the three Senjus.
Tsunade's gaze turned ice cold as she glared at the Uchiha.
"Then it's best if we have a prisoner of our own. We will join our forces with the Damiyo and knowing your brother, he will not attack as long as we hold you prisoner" said Tsunade darkly,
She could only frown when Naruto stared at her amusedly.
"Trust me, if you try to attack me maybe you will succeed. But make no mistake, within minutes of that this city will burn to ashes" warned Naruto coldly,
Hashirama racked his brain in order to figure out the real reason behind Naruto's claim. The boy had 500 strong fighters inside the city and they would defend him, but it was not enough to destroy an entire city.
His eyes widened...
"That fox..." said Hashirama in horror, realizing the true identity of the beast. He had heard so many stories about it in his childhood, but in those stories it had been a monumental beast capable of breaking mountains, destroying cities in an instant, and so much more.
All this time that fox had been hiding itself as a forest animal.
Now he could understand why the Uchihas were so confident in their rebellion, with a beast like that on their side they could cause untold damage on their enemies. And that beast was loyal to Naruto...
Hashirama now saw the boy in a different light. Madara was a raging fire, dangerous but easy to spot and control. But Naruto was a silent flame that threatened to burn everything Hashirama held dear.
"What about the fox, brother?" questioned Itama worriedly, even Tsunade looked alarmed as she saw all color drain from her brother's face.
She looked at the Kinslayer and staring into his eyes, she knew he had made his point. Nothing had truly terrified her eldest brother, not even facing Madara.
But right now he looked as if he was about to piss himself which made Tsunade gulp.
"Don't be afraid" said Naruto,
Those words were meant to be reassuring if not for the cold smirk on Naruto's lips and the dangerous look in his eyes that actually showed her what the beast was capable of if Naruto allowed him to run amok. Tsunade now understood why many feared this man.
Naruto was a complicated man, even an interesting one, but it also made him a dangerous man.
Something which he just proved to Tsunade's family.
"What is your true goal, Naruto Uchiha?" asked Hashirama dreadfully, making the boy give a cunning smile in return.
"I am not interested in these petty feuds. What I truly want..." said Naruto seriously as he got up from his chair and walked towards the wall where the map of the ninja world was placed.
Hashirama and his siblings followed the Uchiha and soon stepped beside.
"What do you want?' they asked in unison, staring at the map with curiosity and fear in their heart's.
Naruto's cold smile was enough to stop their hearts momentarily.
"What I want for our people is not just the Land of Fire, but..."
He placed his hand on the entire map and crumbled it in his hand, his eyes were full of determination and ambition.
"The Kingdom of Ninjas"
Hashirama was stunned.
It was true both the ancestors of Uchiha and Senju had ruled the entire world before their war broke out. They were the strongest clans in the world and could muster up a great army if they joined together. Nobody could stop them if they united.
He could only stare at Naruto with stunned silence, unable to believe what this boy was truly capable of. He was ambitious, but not for his himself. He cared about people including civilians and had the cunning to even make Hashirama respect and fear him.
His next words only strengthened Hashirama's respect and fear of the boy,
"So either we can continue our bitter feud, or take back what is rightfully ours" said Naruto seriously,
"What about revenge against my family?" asked Hashirama daringly, looking Naruto right in the eye for even the slightest sign of deceit.
The boy sighed as he clenched his fists.
"I don't want to kill all of your people, Hashirama. I hate Tobirama for killing my brother and would have killed him no matter what happened if I hadn't made a promise to someone that I would spare his life. So no, if you stop fighting against my family then I will not cause any harm to yours" promised Naruto bitterly,
Tsunade was stunned. An Uchiha who was actually willing to set aside his revenge? Not only was it impossible but something which only Naruto's grandfather had tried to do before, and that man got a very bad punishment in return for his sincerity in seeking peace.
Yet here was Naruto willing to take another chance.
Had she been wrong in judging this man? Was her prejudice due to his past actions stopping her from seeing him for who he truly was? She had heard all about other people's story on why Naruto killed his people, but she had never heard his side and for the first time it made her feel guilty.
Before she could ponder more on this matter, Hashirama broke the silence.
"You are asking me to place a lot of trust in you and your people, Naruto" said Hashirama cautiously, earning a nod from the Uchiha.
"A risk which my family shall equally share, Lord Hashirama" replied Naruto, earning a grim nod from Hashirama.
He looked at Itama and Tsunade only to see they were conflicted, Hashirama was no better so he looked at the Senju clan head one last time.
"Think about my offer. Either we'll meet in my chambers to discuss terms or on the battlefield. I hope you make a wise choice, Lord Hashirama. Now, have a good day..." said Naruto respectfully,
He was about to walk away when he heard Hashirama call out his name, turning back he saw all three Senjus staring at him seriously.
"Our people may take time in trusting each other. But if I am to go forward with this, then I have to atleast trust the person who brought me this offer in the first place" explained Hashirama, earning a nod from Naruto.
"What can make you trust me?" asked Naruto sincerely,
"I want to know who Naruto Uchiha truly is"
His brow furrowed as he saw Hashirama staring at him intensely. The Senju clan head was quite serious...
"How can I make that happen?'' questioned Naruto,
His breath nearly stopped when he recognized the look in Hashirama's eyes...
"Why did you do it?"
