Naruto : a hero's journey

Two months had passed since the incident, and Satoru found himself in a familiar rhythm during his third year at the academy.

The days were much like the second year for him, but he had progressed so far ahead that he openly read fourth-year books during class, much to the bewilderment of his peers.

Things with Keiko, however, were different. They were not on speaking terms. Satoru had tried to talk to her, but every attempt was met with indifference or silence. Keiko had thrown herself into her duties as the new head of the Zen'in clan, using the work to cope with the loss of her family.

It made her constantly unavailable, both emotionally and physically.

A few days after Satoru had stormed out of her house, Danzo had paid Keiko a visit. When she opened the door, he had simply asked her to listen.

His tone was calm but authoritative, and his words, as always, carried a certain weight.

"Satoru did a noble thing," Danzo had said, his voice steady. "He uncovered a traitorous clan and reported it to the authorities. The way he delivered the news may have been hurtful, even insensitive, but it's not his fault.

He's just a child, an orphan. He doesn't know love. He cannot understand when others show it to him."

Keiko had remained silent throughout the entire conversation, her eyes downcast, trying to make sense of everything.

Before leaving, Danzo delivered one final line. "Don't blame Satoru for your clan's current state. He didn't kill them. I did."

His words hung in the air, leaving Keiko in a deeper state of confusion and sadness. She didn't know what to feel anymore—about her clan, about Satoru, or about the future.

Over the past two months, Satoru had been carefully studying the scroll containing the Zen'in clan's secret techniques.

Hidden within the pages were two abilities that captivated him: Chakra Augmentation and Chakra Flow.

Chakra Augmentation was a technique that allowed the user to enhance their physical capabilities, increasing both their offensive and defensive power by channeling chakra into their body.

This ability was foundational, and learning it would allow Satoru to move faster, hit harder, and endure more during fights.

It was exactly what he needed to improve his taijutsu, which, while decent, wasn't as sharp as he wanted.

Chakra Flow was an advanced application of Chakra Augmentation. With this ability, one could infuse objects—like weapons or tools—with chakra, making them more powerful, durable, and efficient in battle.

Satoru could already imagine how much stronger his basic shuriken and kunai throws would become with chakra coursing through them, making them slice through almost anything.

'This is pure gold,' Satoru thought every time he flipped through the scroll, his eyes lighting up as he uncovered the depth of knowledge it held.

He had never seen anything like it in the academy textbooks or in his independent studies.

At the orphanage, his newfound interest in studying was initially met with curiosity. Tatsuo, Dai, and the others had noticed him poring over new materials, but as the weeks went by, they got used to it. Satoru had grown so accustomed to reading these techniques that it became a normal sight for the others.

Little did they know the real nature of what he was studying. It became a perfect cover—what others saw as an unusual academic focus was actually Satoru learning ancient clan techniques under their very noses.

Even with his determination, he knew these weren't techniques he could master quickly. 'At least two years,' he calculated silently, reflecting on the complexity of the techniques. Even if he performed them incorrectly, just being able to execute them would be a significant achievement.

Satoru was training his chakra control during the weekend, sticking several leaves on his body while moving around. It was a challenging task—keeping them stuck while remaining stationary was already hard enough, but moving while doing so was even harder.

He sighed, thinking about the long journey ahead: mastering this would just be the beginning; after that, he would have to learn tree walking and water walking.

'Looks like my next few years will be spent on chakra control,' he thought, feeling the weight of the tedious training.

Suddenly, Tatsuo interrupted him, causing all the leaves to fall from his body instantly. Satoru gave a small grunt of frustration but before he could speak, Tatsuo excitedly told him, "Come on, I want you to meet someone."

Satoru, barely having the chance to disagree, was practically dragged along by Tatsuo. They walked a short distance, eventually arriving at a small clearing near the orphanage.

Before Satoru could ask what was going on, Tatsuo gave him a mischievous grin and said, "Have fun with your girlfriend!" before bolting away.

Satoru stood frozen for a moment, processing what he had just heard. His eyes shifted to the person standing a few meters away—Keiko.

They hadn't spoken much since the last incident, and seeing her now made his heart race a little, though he wasn't entirely sure why.

Satoru opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak, Keiko walked up to him. Her eyes softened as she spoke, "I'm sorry, Satoru. I shouldn't have insulted you for being an orphan."

Her words struck a chord in him. He had expected her to remain distant, to never bring up that moment again. But hearing her apology, he felt a weight lift off his chest. Seeing the sadness in her eyes, he couldn't stand it.

He quickly apologized back, saying, "I didn't know what I was doing… I didn't understand the consequences. I was insensitive about your clan, about your family. I shouldnt have choked you , I should have been better."

Keiko's eyes began to water, but before the tears could fall, Satoru instinctively stepped closer and gently wiped them away.

His touch was soft, and the simple gesture seemed to comfort her. Keiko looked up at him with a smile, "You've always cared for me, Satoru. I'll always be grateful for that."

Something stirred in Satoru's heart. Watching her smile, he felt a sensation he couldn't quite put into words.

It was something he had unknowingly craved ever since his transmigration into this world—a sense of satisfaction, maybe even closure. He didn't fully understand it, but whatever it was, he liked the feeling.

Before he could dwell on it, Keiko stepped forward and hugged him. Satoru's body reacted on reflex, his arms wrapping around her in response. For the first time in a while, he felt… at peace.

After the extra classes , Satoru sat in the quiet classroom, focusing intently on controlling the water with his chakra. His attempt at forming shapes was going poorly, but he kept trying again and again.

The room was empty, the free period stretching on after the taijutsu teacher had taken leave for the day.

Mitsuki-sensei, one of the instructors, entered to gather her things. Noticing Satoru still hard at work, she stopped and watched him for a moment.

With a knowing smile, she broke the silence, "You patched things up with Keiko, didn't you?"

Satoru froze, surprised by the question. He looked up, eyes wide. "How did you know?"

Mitsuki-sensei chuckled softly. "I saw her smile. It's a smile she only ever has when she's with you."

Satoru's confusion grew, but before he could respond, Mitsuki walked over to him, her tone turning serious.

"Tell me something, Satoru. You were the one behind the Zen'in clan's downfall, weren't you?"

His heart raced. The unexpected question hit him like a ton of bricks. He immediately panicked, shaking his head and denying it. "No, I wasn't… I mean, why would you think that?"

But Mitsuki-sensei just gave him a knowing look. "Your face tells me everything. I'm not here to judge you, Satoru. But I need to know, how many people are aware of what you did? How and why did you do it?"

Satoru hesitated. He had no idea how to handle the situation. With nowhere to run, he lowered his head and confessed the truth.

Mitsuki-sensei was stunned by what Satoru revealed, but she kept her composure, masking the shock swirling inside her.

The weight of his admission hung heavy in the air, as Mitsuki-sensei watched him with a calm, yet piercing gaze.

As she looked at the boy, her perception of him shifted. 'What kind of horrors did this kid witness to push him toward such a drastic plan?' she wondered.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Satoru asked quietly, "I sound like a monster or psychopath to you, don't I?"

Danzo's words echoed in his mind, preparing him for the judgment he assumed would come next. But Mitsuki-sensei's response surprised him.

"You're not a monster, Satoru. You're just a kid who's seen some really fucked up things. You did what you did because you didn't know any better. But now... I expect you to never repeat those kinds of actions again."

Satoru, caught off guard by her understanding tone, asked in disbelief, "Really? How can you not think of me as one? People's lives were lost... never to come back again."

Mitsuki-sensei didn't respond immediately. Instead, she stepped closer, kissed his forehead gently, and walked to the door.

Before leaving, she turned and said softly, "Just learn from every mistake you make in life, Satoru, and you'll grow up to be an amazing man."

Satoru stood in silence, watching her leave.

In the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense. The village elders, Koharu, Homura, and Danzo, sat around a large table discussing the recent events concerning the Zen'in clan.

Koharu leaned forward, addressing Danzo with a stern expression. "Danzo, what is the situation with the Zen'in clan? We've heard unsettling rumors."

Danzo, unbothered, calmly replied, "They were traitors, engaging in illegal activities with enemy nations. One of my spies uncovered the truth, and action was taken accordingly."

Homura, with a concerned look, turned toward Hiruzen. "The other clans are growing uneasy, Hokage-sama. With ROOT ANBU taking such decisive actions, they feel vulnerable. They fear that they could be destroyed just as easily if they step out of line."

Hiruzen frowned, deep in thought. "That is indeed a great concern. The clans are the backbone of Konoha, and fear should not rule their hearts. If they begin to distrust the village leadership, it could lead to instability."

Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Fear is necessary, Hiruzen. The clans should fear consequences for betraying Konoha. The Zen'in clan was a cancer, and ROOT removed it. We cannot allow leniency to breed further corruption."

Hiruzen sighed, clearly tired of Danzo's harsh perspective. "Fear is not how we maintain loyalty, Danzo. It only leads to resentment and division. We must guide the clans, not control them with fear."

The disagreement between them had been growing for years, and it was clear that their philosophies on how to govern the village had reached a breaking point.

Danzo,valued strength, control, and fear to ensure order, while Hiruzen sought balance, peace, and understanding.

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick as both men silently weighed the gravity of their decisions.

Koharu, sensing the conversation was headed towards another clash, decided to shift the subject.

"Danzo, what about that academy proposal you submitted a few years ago? The one regarding scholarships for promising students?"

Danzo, nodded.

"Yes. I wish to offer scholarships to select third-grade students—Sakumo Hatake, Satoru, and Tatsuo."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, his voice laced with suspicion. "And do you plan to induct them into ROOT ANBU, Danzo?"

Danzo didn't flinch. "Sakumo is perfect for the ROOT. His talent and discipline are already showing, and he will be an excellent asset to Konoha. Tatsuo, while he lacks the darkness necessary for ROOT, has a natural talent for leadership and could serve well in your ANBU."

Hiruzen's expression remained guarded as he pressed further. "And what about Satoru?"

Danzo's eyes gleamed with a rare intensity. "Satoru has something... unique. There's a potential in him that even ROOT cannot fully tap into. I wish to personally oversee his training and development."

Homura, ever the voice of calculated pragmatism, interjected, raising an eyebrow. "Are you grooming him to be your successor, Danzo?"

Danzo shook his head, a rare but genuine smile tugging at his lips. "No, the boy wouldn't want that. Satoru's path is different—much broader. He may not even realize it yet, but his potential surpasses anything ROOT can shape."

Danzo's admiration for Satoru leaving Hiruzen and the elders somewhat surprised.

Danzo listed off several other names of students from different grades whom he intended to include in his scholarship program. He emphasized their potential to become strong shinobi that would guide Konoha in the future.

Hiruzen, observing how Danzo had identified over twenty students in just three years, contemplated the long-term implications.

If Danzo has already found so many capable students now, what could this project yield in 40 to 50 years? The thought was both promising and concerning.

Finally, Hiruzen spoke, his voice firm but diplomatic. "I understand the importance of nurturing the future generation. But let me make one thing clear, Danzo. Every student you wish to induct into ROOT will be personally interviewed by me. I want to ensure their potential is developed for the good of Konoha, not just for ROOT."

Danzo, though not visibly rattled, knew Hiruzen's insistence on having the final say was a thinly veiled challenge. He nodded slowly, his smile vanishing. "As you wish, Hokage-sama."