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Mortal Man

Disclaimer: I do not own any parts of Naruto or its affiliates.

Well shit, it's been awhile since I have posted, and truth be told, I have thought of this revival every single day since I removed the original story. Now, that is not to say this is going to be exactly like the old story, as it won't be. Instead, it will be the same idea with new elements in it.

Some changes to go over:

No parents or siblings. This was once a neglect fic, and eventually, I got bored and tired with this cliched topic. Around chapter 5 of the old fic is when I realized I wanted a story that was not focused around his family, and instead focused on himself and who he is as a person.

ONE, SINGULAR PARTNER. This also was once a harem fic, and I eventually hated that idea as well. It's dumb in my opinion, and doesn't do any good for character or plot development. This story will either be Naruto/Yugito, Naruto/Mei, Naruto/Fu, OR another person, but it will NOT be more than one person.

No genderbending. Appropriate ages.

Madara is final villain confirmed. Kaguya was stupid. That is all.

That about covers the changes I will be applying to this story. If you do not agree with these changes, assuming you were around for the original story, then I sincerely apologize for upsetting you, but these changes are permanent, and I will not debate nor argue this point.

I will be the first to admit, I am a shit author, relatively speaking of course, with some of the other much more talented and dedicated authors on this lovely website. However, I am always going to try my hardest to deliver a high-quality chapter for my audience, and this I promise. I will always be open for CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. I hope some of you reading this will enjoy my story, and any future stories, for what they are worth.

Also keep in mind this will be a side project, first and foremost, because I have a career and a significant other that will ALWAYS take priority. I will do my best to write and update this story, so do not worry.

I hope you enjoy the first chapter of Mortal Man, the new and improved edition!

Over the frostbitten glow of the dead of night, a lone baby was resting peacefully. Konohagakure lay in ruin, the once mighty village devastated by the force of a raging demon. Standing besides the isolated infant, two figures, one human and one not, peered with a hidden curiosity.

"What do you make of this, Zetsu?" The taller of the two figures, having spoke, glanced worriedly out of the hospital window.

"It has been approximately seven hours since Minato's death. We can leave a clone of mine here and take the child back for procedures." The now named Zetsu spoke calmly.

"No, I meant with… it doesn't matter. We leave in twenty. Sooner, if you sense a nurse approaching. I need to take a quick detour for her."

Zetsu snorted in disgust. "Hurry, Obito. We don't have much time."

"I know, I know. Just… watch the damn baby, okay?" With that sentiment voiced, Obito left, seemingly floating into the chilly air. Zetsu, or at least what looked to be his black side, rolled a single eye.

Drudging over the now wailing child in front of him, it was now a sure-fire thought to Zetsu that this plan was going to fail as soon as an issue arose. How could they have been so certain a mere month ago? They were criminals, absolute monsters of shinobi and hardened demons whose reputations had to be upheld; where a mere mentioning of the Akatsuki would simply and suddenly drain the god-given life out of a fool's face and oh so shockingly send any and all individuals to an instantaneous panic attack.

They were outlaws, plain and simple. They had no business trying to groom an orphan into a super weapon! The mere thought of that was enough to force a forsaken giggle out of Zetsu's lips, never mind the actual execution of said idea! Lord knows that Obito was out of his mind, but the same Lord knew that somewhere in that broken and bruised and troubled and desecrate and barren wasteland for a thought process, Obito's decision was justified.

Naruto was the perfect candidate for constructing Mr. Anti-Madara Uchiha. An orphan as soon as he escaped from the womb of his now rotting mother, his father having been dragged limb by limb into the underworld. He had no family; he was a nobody. A nobody who could be molded and shaped like soap with a carving knife.

Zetsu sighed a great sigh and walked a hesitant walk. Picking up the Forlorn, it was certain to him that Obito was off his medications, figuratively speaking. Now, if that was a good thing or not, he would find out, and judging from past experiences, it was a mixture of both.

Hovering through the broken window, Obito gave a silent but deafening nod towards Zetsu. Returning the gesture, Zetsu handed the baby to his partner, a mutual sentiment shared between them. Sweeping his onyx hair to the side, he was sure that this plan was going to fail. Absolutely confident that it was going to go awry. No doubt that this scheme would fall through.

Why even bother, he thought, if this has no chance in hell of ever working. The casual opening of his fractured emotions that this homecoming had brought him was enough to force him into a premature retirement. Unfortunately, this homecoming trip wasn't meant for him.

Shrugging his shoulders in such a manner that only the closest of both friends and enemies could understand, Obito dissipated at once, returning to his dwelling, leaving a meticulous Zetsu covering up their tracks.

"Obito… why have you disturbed me?"

Looking at the woman solidly, Obito didn't waver in the slightest. "I took the liberty of taking an asset for the Akatsuki. If that is a problem, well, you better get used to this asset, because he is not leaving."

Raising an eyebrow, Konan glanced down at the infant. "I don't see how a child can possibly help us in taking Madara down."

"This baby isn't any baby, it's the offspring of the late Minato Namikaze."

"I still don't see how this helps."

Shivering slightly at the cool air whipping against him, Obito marched over to Konan and stuck out Naruto. Hesitating to accept the proposal, she glanced up, her silent question being quickly answered.

"Just trust me. I need to show you something."

With that, Obito was gone, the shadow that once occupied his feet leaving as well. After a pregnant moment, he had returned, clutching a yellow and orange notebook. Flipping a few pages, he began.

"Studies have shown that after being born, a baby's chakra pathways and nodes develop continuously for about three months, and at the three month mark, they are finished developing and are fully mature, give or take. The process could take longer or shorter, depending on the amount of chakra a baby is born with."

"This is elementary, Obito. Why are you-"

"Let me finish! While it may be finished developing, a chakra pathway will grow and expand accordingly with the original body, which allows shinobi to expand their chakra reserves indefinitely. And because a chakra pathway is continuously adapting, this can lead to individual chakra identities, and in very, very rare situations, chakra mutations. Now, what do you know about kekkei genkai?"

Konan shifted her stance just a fraction, a momentary sliver of curiosity reaching her eyelids. "Well, kekkei genkai are genetic mutations that affect how chakra forms. While normally happening at birth, the formation of kekkei genkai can take place at any stage of life, naturally or artificially."

"Artificially, precisely! This kid, this lonely and hungry and wretched kid, orphaned at birth and in such complete disarray, has no natural kekkei genkai."

With a narrowing of her eyes, Konan adjusted the exhausted infant into her left hand and used its twin to halt Obito's flowing thoughts. "I can infer where this is heading, so please, stop talking. Why Naruto specifically, and with what kekkei genkai?"

Obito flipped a few pages and coughed suddenly. Wiping away the oddly colored saliva, he continued. "Naruto has the fox caged inside of him. Don't ask me how, or why, or even when, just know that he has the fox. At the mere age of… eight hours old, this kid has chakra pools that are massive, with potential for even more of an increase! Think, Konan, if we give this kid the Rinnegan, he'll be unstoppable! Destructive, a warrior of annihilation! Nothing would be able to even touch him at his peak. Madara? He'd be absolute toast against Naruto. We have an actual chance if we do this, don't you see? We have a potential titan, a god among men in the making."

"And to do that, I plan on giving him some of my DNA for the Sharingan, and some Senju DNA, so that the Rinnegan can manifest itself."

Summoning a clone to hold the now squirming Naruto, a delicate step was taken towards a frostbitten window seal. Resting her weary body against the loose pane, Konan sighed. "This baby, Naruto… you do realize that he could potentially die, and not just a slight risk, or even a moderate risk, but an overwhelming risk of death, right? The Kyuubi would slaughter us all, even with the might of Pein himself, the fox would eventually win. If this operation were to fail..." her words lingered.

"Yes, I damn well know the risks I am running here, Konan. You have to see where I am coming from, however. My mentor has died, the man who saved me from certain death is attempting to take over the Elemental Nations, and currently, we have literally no options other than this baby. Face the facts, we are quickly running out of time, Konan, and I don't see any alternative strategies."

Obito paused. "I have put in many fail safes for this procedure. If the baby dies and fox is freed, then I already know what I will do to stop whatever it attempts. Please, just trust me."

Konan was unsure. He is stupid, this plan is stupid. She was lying, of course. She fully believed that Pein could eventually beat the fox in a duel, assuming he didn't hold back from the start. The destruction of the ensuing fight, however, was something that she didn't want to see, no matter how interesting it was in the back of her head.

Did they really have no other plan besides relying on an orphan, an orphan who wasn't even confirmed to survive?

She would find out.

"Fine. Do whatever you must, but just know, I'm not helping you in case Naruto dies. You better hope your backup plans work, or else we're all in for it."

Handing the child over to Obito, Konan gave one last glance at the haunted duo, and left.

"One,"

Silence.

"two,"

A bead of sweat dripped silently.

"three,"

A low huff.

This process continued for an indefinite amount of time. At around twenty push ups, Naruto collapsed.

"Twenty. A noticeable decrease. Explain."

A tired whimper was the answer that Konan received. "I said, explain."

"Sorry Ms. Konan, I am tired from last night's chakra system review. I had around six and a half hours of sleep."

Understandable. The idea of working on what was effectively half of what is needed for a six year old to operate was laughable. Nonetheless, she would not accept failure. The world would not accept failure.

"I will grant you a twenty minute rest, Naruto, and then you will learn the basics of incorporating basic chakra distribution into offensive taijutsu sets. If you need a chakra pill, the medicine cabinet's code is 4-7-1-9-3."

Wobbling at a demonstratively sluggish pace, Naruto eventually arrived at the promise land. Gulping down a few chakra pills, he felt better than before. He took a moment to look around.

He was alone. While it wasn't common, he knew the feeling all too well. For some unknown reason, the sensation of isolation was ingrained into him; it was natural, a feeling that he couldn't shake nor deny. It was his identity.

He had never known his parents. Or at least, he didn't think so. He had blond hair. Neither Konan nor Obito had his hair, his eyes, his face, his skin, his-

They just weren't him.

All he knew was he was an Uzu-maki, whatever that meant. Uzu-maki. Uzu. Maki. The words were foreign travelers on the breath of his lips. They meant essentially nothing. They meant something, but unfortunately, that something was not something to him.

He longed for that something, he practically ached for whatever that oh so delicate and sensational something could be. He longed for it. Burned for it. He wanted to scream and cry and rage and destroy and sing and praise that something.

But he couldn't. He didn't know what that something could possibly be. A simple word. Uzumaki. It was nothing to him, but yet it had an impact that he never felt before, he just couldn't quite place his finger on what it could possibly mean to him.

Locking the cabinet door, he left. The cool touch of metal stayed with his hands.

He was alone.

"Naruto, come here for a moment, there is an issue I need to discuss with you before we go any further."

Sitting down delicately, Naruto remained patient. "You are approaching the age where every citizen in Konohagakure who expects to enter the military force is enrolled into what is essentially a military development camp. In order for the plan to work, you need to be physically present, and not just have a Zetsu clone take your place. So, in about three months time, you will begin at the Konohagakure Academy."

Naruto remained patient.

"That is all. Get into your taijutsu stance, we shall begin with the first lesson for today."

Three months had passed. Naruto, almost age seven, was ready for the Academy. After about two months, he had replaced the Zetsu clone and was starting to get accustomed to how life in Konohagakure was. It was a foreign experience, to say the least.

Along with living alone with no guidance, a man with gray hair would occasionally pop in to check on him, citing the biweekly visits as "Orders from the Hokage himself." The invasions weren't so bad, at least. Along with a stipend being given to him with every second session, Naruto was also given a basket of fruit and vegetables, courtesy of the man in charge himself.

The vegetables were a much welcomed alternative to the mush that Konan would feed him back at the camp. While he knew the mush provided many, many benefits, to which most he didn't know of, the vegetables were more filling and tasty, and Naruto found himself eternally grateful.

Of course, even though Naruto was not at permanent residence of the camp, his training with Konan was not halted. She would send pieces of paper for him, the paper often times having his training schedule written on it.

He would follow these loyally.

It was unhealthy. His body was something disgusting, something revolting, something dangerous. No child should ever have to deal with the forced acceleration of their body like that. Constant growing pains, shaky breathing at times, and the ever-present dull aching of his very bones and core. A terrible fate indeed.

The only sound that could drag him out of his repeated daydreaming was the insistent knocking on his door. Like now.

Kakashi walked in once he got confirmation from the resident. Hauling the basket of edibles into the apartment, he whistled at the sight. It was bare, much too bare for anyone half-sane to live in. Of course, with the stipends the boy received, he didn't blame him.

A bookshelf stood in the corner, the wood dyed a deep blue. It was sparsely filled out, with a few books here and there. Otherwise, it was void. Directly under him was a black rug, with two love seats and a simple lamp resting easily on the rug. He interestingly noted the lack of a television set.

"Hey Naruto. How are you doing?"

Taking out a few containers of spices, Naruto glanced over at the older of the two. "I'm okay. Would you like to stay for some spaghetti? Almost finished."

Kakashi thought about it. And shrugged. It was roughly dusk, and he had no plans, so why not? And besides, he was interested in how his master's son was handling himself. Taking a seat by the window, Kakashi patiently read his novel while Naruto hummed away.

"Need any help?"

"No thank you, Mr. Hatake, I have it good."

Kakashi couldn't help but grimace at what Naruto had said. Mr. Hatake, as if he was a senior citizen. How rude.

It was honestly amazing that a six year old could cook like this. Of course, Naruto had asked for some recipe books for his sixth birthday, and with how accelerated his literacy and worth ethic were, due to help from both Kakashi and Yugao, who would occasionally fill in for him if he was out on a mission, he couldn't be too surprised.

Naruto was incredibly efficient. He kept to himself, he didn't bother those around him, and he was extremely polite and easy to work with. As if the gods themselves had blessed the Nation with another prodigy, this boy was the perfect candidate for being the next legendary shinobi.

Unfortunately, that didn't come without its drawbacks.

Naruto was socially introverted. Besides himself, Yugao, and Hiruzen, it was a constant struggle just to get Naruto to even communicate with other people. If he didn't know you, it would be a nightmare just for him to even reveal a single detail about himself.

He wasn't a robot like the ROOT operatives, he was just a little awkward at times. Not for lack of effort, however, as Naruto would try his best to fit in whenever given the chance, but he just can't catch onto a flow for conversation like any of his peers.

Sliding a string of noodles onto a plate, Naruto handed his pseudo caretaker the food and fixed his own meal. It was a simple dish, spaghetti with beef and flavored with garlic, but nonetheless, Kakashi enjoyed it for what it was. It wasn't the best meal he had ever ate, but it was delicious for something a six year old could make.

"Are you excited for the Academy?"

"Meh. I don't have anyone to play with, nor do I have… parents. It will be a fun way to pass time."

That was the other thing that bugged Kakashi. His vernacular. He wasn't surprised, as mentioned why before, but it was unnatural to hear a child speak in such an advanced way. It pained him in the same way it would pain a mother to see her baby boy become independent.

He decided to change the subject. "Have any idea about what study you want to focus on?"

Naruto gulped some water. "Ninjutsu, preferably. I have lots of chakra and I could use it for sweet jutsus!"

Even if he is mature for his age, Kakashi thought, he was still just that. A kid.

"Well, orientation is next week. To be enrolled into the Academy, you need a p- guardian," Kakashi caught his slip up. "and Lord Third will act as your guardian."

"Why?"

"He is technically your adoptive guardian."

"Why?"

"Because you are an orphan."

Naruto nodded sagely, as if that answered the purpose of the universe.

"I see. Well, I hope to be shinobi one day, just like you, Mr. Hatake."

It was an innocent comment, nothing harmful or hurtful intended, but regardless, it had an undesired result. A quite nasty one.

"Naruto, listen to me, and listen to me well. I am not someone who you want to be. I'm a monster, and I have done some truly awful things in my time. I don't want you to have to go through the same things I went through."

Was what he wanted to say, so damn badly. Instead, Kakashi remained silent, his words choking and dying in his throat, and giving a polite goodbye, he left, leaving Naruto once again, alone.

-E

"I can't do it. I can't I can't I can't Ican't Ican't I-" Naruto was quickly cut off by something.

Or more accurately, someone.

"Relax my boy, everything will be fine." Hiruzen Sarutobi was the third Fire Shadow that Konohagakure had produced, and arguably, the best they have had so far. He was the ninja that Hidden Leaf soldiers modeled themselves after, he was practically a god among mortals.

The two of them, Hiruzen and Naruto, were inside Naruto's apartment. It was the day of the orientation, and they had another hour and a half to kill before they had to get to the Academy.

"Naruto, I'm making your favorite dish, garlic seasoned salmon. You better wash up before I finish."

Naruto paused. "With no onions?" he whispered.

Hiruzen suppressed a giggle at the young boy. "Yes my boy, with no onions. Now run along!"

Naruto disappeared into the back woods of his apartment, intent on washing his hands for his grandfather-figure. Unfortunately, not his actual grandfather.

Looking into the mirror of his cave, he whimpered softly. Who even was he? He had no family, no friends- actually, he had three friends, but they rarely could see him. The closest thing he had to a friend was the local stray cat that sometimes lounged on his window seal, and even then, it would quickly vanish as fast as it appeared when he would try to pet it.

He couldn't really consider Obito and Konan friends. They were his teachers, and outside of the help they (and by extension the rest of the Akatsuki) loaned to him, they couldn't honestly say they cared much for him.

Yeah sure, he was strong, they had trained him since birth and he was approaching what a novice genin would be after graduating, but it wasn't enough to them. They wanted him to be a monster.

A heartless, emotionless monster.

Walking back to the foyer, the aroma of salmon enticed him to hurry up and sit down. Grabbing the plate from the shadow himself, Naruto ate the fish without a second thought.

Hiruzen grinned with a fatherly pride, but it was forced. He couldn't smile, not now. The Uchiha were getting… testy, if he were being polite about the situation. In reality, he would say it was far, far more complicated.

His next in line was Shisui Uchiha, a prodigious warrior who could fight with the best of the very best. He was an S-Ranked animal, a demon on the battlefield who slaughtered anyone who dared to cross paths with the colossus from the Uchiha.

Hiruzen knew both Shisui and Itachi Uchiha had unyielding loyalty to the village, and would sacrifice their very souls if it meant protecting the home that they loved. And, while he hoped it wouldn't have to go to those lengths, it also might mean that they would have to commit atrocities unheard of.

Sliding the plate to lay in front of his surrogate grandson, the two of them ate in silence. A million questions were flying through his head, yet he couldn't dare mutter a single of them.

"Did you make a plate for Mr. Whiskers?" Naruto suddenly asked.

He paused.

"I beg your pardon, Naruto, but who?"

"Mr. Whiskers. He's this cat that likes to sleep on my window every night. He never lets me pet him, but I leave food out for him to eat."

"Huh, I never thought to ask if you had pets."

Leaving a plate on the window seal, he beckoned Naruto to follow him, and they both walked to the orientation.

Later that evening, when he was returning Naruto to his house, they both didn't notice the scraps left on the plate

"How is he doing?"

The doctor paused, not quite sure of the answer himself.

"He is suffering no fatal or damaging injuries, but he has sustained chakra exhaustion and shows signs of a concussion. Otherwise, he is fine." Physically fine, that is.

"Well, how did his condition form?"

"Classified, orders from the 'kage himself. I will say it involves the incident last night. Other than that, I am not legally allowed to say." A half truth.

"Will he recover soon?"

Silence.

"I don't know."

Naruto walked into his classroom, and the first thing he saw was the sight of one Sasuke Uchiha, which was rather odd, considering just two days ago, the boy was in a coma.

They never really talked, besides the occasional greeting, and Naruto wasn't about to change that pattern, so ignoring the sulking child, he took his seat in the top row of the classroom, watching from a far as his classmates conversed and offered their newfound sympathy and worry for the Uchiha.

Two loners. At least he is now not the only person who knows what is is like to be alone and miserable. Of course, he couldn't say he knew what the reverse was like either, as at least Sasuke had a family. He had been alone from birth!

Class had started, and while he attempted to take notes, he couldn't help but be distracted by the young Uchiha.

It was crazy, having someone who knew what loneliness felt like. What having a perpetual darkness felt like. What having a living nightmare felt like. What having a personal hell felt like.

He could finally relate with someone besides the orphans he dreamed of and that damn stray cat that took residence on his window seal. The very idea of being able to relate to someone was laughable, absolutely crazy.

And yet, he was comforted by it. Enthralled, some would say.

Maybe Sasuke could be a potential ally, and not just a fellow Leaf shinobi?

He could only hope.

I am done with this chapter, and wow does it feel good to write once more. I will admit, it is probably trash, but hey, small steps! Just by reading it, it is already 100x better than the original story.

Sorry if I seemed like I rushed through a lot of plot points in this chapter, I wanted to just get a general sense of what was going on in the world, and in the plot, mainly. Next chapter will be a lot more in-depth.

Normally, my chapters are above 10k words, but since this was the intro chapter, it will be shorter. Next chapter will be graduation, team introduction, and team bonding.

I hope I managed to satisfy at least one reader out there, but if not, then I tried my best!

Remember, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Flaming or just general "this is shit, you are shit, eat shit, and pls go die." or anything similar will be promptly ignored.

Have a great day!