5 Lights Out [Revised]
That heartfelt happiness during the birthday quickly disappeared as his father was forced to go on another mission.
Another month went by with his father gone. At the same time, Dango noticed that his mother's belly had grown larger; a baby bump. From what little knowledge he had about pregnancy, he concluded that she had gotten pregnant around the time his father came home with injuries.
He was both happy and sad about the discovery. Happy to have his first sibling as he was an only child in his last life. Sad that his baby brother or sister would likely be born during the war.
One day, Death came and knocked on his front door.
His mom opened the door and was greeted by two Amegakure ninjas. Dango was a bit too far to hear what they were talking about, but he knew what the topic was as he watched his mother fall to the ground and broke out in tears.
They came to deliver the news that his father was killed on a mission.
His heart trembled, but only for a moment. It was not that he didn't care about his father, he truly did. He loved him dearly despite only knowing him for three years.
It's just that he already learned of his father's death nearly a week ago.
=====
Nearly a week ago,
Dango was in the backyard, pruning his mother's flowers.
'Hm, I got the [Basic Gardening] skill a couple of days ago. To advance it, I need to have a high understanding of three different plants, of which I have made zero progress so far. Maybe I can find a book about plants? I wanna see if the skill would affect Cursed Seed from the shop. The first time I've heard of it; reminds me of Hanami.'
Suddenly, a window appeared in front of Dango.
=====
[Mission: Naruto's Predecessor]
Description: Many protagonists are orphans at the start of their story. Naruto is one such orphan as his parents were killed nearly immediately after his. You have the possibility to be his predecessor. This is the start of your story, although you are late, it's never too late to become an orphan.
Progression: 1/2 Parents are dead
Reward: ??
=====
Dango's eyes widened as he read the mission's description and progression.
'One of my parents are dead...? Dad's dead? That's not good, not good at all. Mom will not be happy. And what's with this mission?! Why is it so... cruel? Why is it a mission, it's basically asking me to kill my mom!'
He fell to the ground as memories appeared inside his head. Memories of his father naming him, taking care of him, showing off to him.
'Not good...'
=====
Ever since he received the mission notification, it pained his heart to see his mother aimlessly waiting for a dead man. He knew that he was being selfish for keeping the news to himself, but he was worried about how she would react.
With eyes filled with pity and sorrow, Dango went up to his mourning mother and hugged her.
=====
Another month passed after the family learned about Ken's death...
The rate at which his cursed energy grew increased by one, totaling up to three units per day. But he didn't really care about that.
He was more focused on his mother. Ever since she learned about Ken's death, she had become less active and more stressed out. Dango did whatever he could to help out around the house.
Dango noticed that her health was also quickly deteriorating, which made him worried about her and the developing baby. He would pray to the Darkness that the mission would never be completed.
One rainy afternoon, his mother quietly told Dango that she would be going out. Dango pleaded to come with her, but she quietly shook her head and left.
'I think something bad is going to happen. I should follow her.
=====
Hana Sumihara was walking down the streets while rubbing her belly. She was happily daydreaming about her late husband. She wanted to go meet him right away, to give him the good news about their second child.
But she couldn't. She refrained from doing so. If she died now, she would be denying her children's lives; Dango and her second child. She wanted to give them a chance to live.
"I'll come and find you after Dango grows up more. He can take care of his younger brother or sister when I am gone. Three more yea- Agh!"
Out of nowhere, Hana fell to her knees clutching her stomach. She was just talking to herself as she felt intense pain in her abdomen. Simultaneously, her water broke.
Thankfully, there were kind civilians nearby who came to help her. They brought her to Amegakure's hospital where she could be hospitalized. Though she was only eight months pregnant, she went into labor and needed to deliver the baby.
After a few exhausting hours, Hana managed to deliver her second child, a baby girl.
As she held her baby, her vision darkened and she grew tired and tired.
'I'm sorry… Dango.'
...
On November 21st, a mother passed away after giving birth to a baby girl. Soon after, the baby was also declared dead.
=====
Dango was out looking for his mother. He had only left the house several minutes after her, but he couldn't find her. He had spent several hours looking for her but found no trace.
'Damn it! I have [Basic Searching]*, so why can't I find her? How did she even disappear in the first pla-'
=====
[Mission: Naruto's Predecessor]
Description: Many protagonists are orphans...
Progression: 2/2 Parents are dead
Reward: [Skill: Orphan], [Cursed Object: Cursed Seed (1)], 5 CC
=====
Dango immediately ignored the rewards and focused on the fact that the mission was completed.
He was alone now.
His father was dead. His mother had just died. His future brother or sister was probably dead too.
Dango clenched his fists and trembled in sadness. Although he hated to admit it, he had an inkling that his mother was going to die if nothing changed. He just didn't expect it to happen so soon.
He turned back and started to head home. It was time for him to leave Amegakure. Despite knowing that the Akatsuki's founders could be found, he couldn't guarantee that he would be able to survive the coming war.
When he returned home, he immediately started packing.
He was able to find a sizeable bag that he could carry without much difficulty. In it, he stuffed two sets of clothes for emergency and around 1000 ryo (~$28.27).
Now that he was finished packing, he went to the backyard and plucked two flowers from his mother's garden. He returned and went into his parent's room. He placed the two flowers on their bed and silently prayed that they will meet each other in the Afterlife.
Before he left, Dango filled his stomach with whatever was stored. He didn't want to go on a journey. Once he was done, he exited the house and bade farewell to it, to his home.
'Where should I go? Maybe Konoha? I think that place is safe? There's also the mist village, but I think that place had a bloody nickname. What about the rock, lightning, and sand villages?'
=====
[Status]
Name: Dango Sumihara
Age: 3
Sorcerer Grade: None
Shinobi Rank: None
Cursed Coins: 10
Vitality: 3
Strength: 4
Agility: 3
Intelligence: 12
Cursed Energy: 1,593
Chakra: 668
Innate Cursed Technique: None
Jujutsu: [Cursed Object: Cursed Seed (1)]
Jutsus: None
Skills: [Black Heart], [Shattered Mind], [Empty Vessel], [Intermediate Climbing]*, [Intermediate Hiding], [Basic Searching]**, [Basic Gardening], [Orphan]
*Advanced to intermediate after his third birthday
**Obtained around the same time he got [Basic Hiding]; Unable to search for an animal to advance
=====
[Intermediate Climbing]
Description: Moderately boosts your proficiency at climbing. You consume less stamina while climbing. While climbing, you can perform multiple actions without any risk of falling.
To advance the skill, successfully climb a cumulative 1000 meters and sleep during a climb.
=====
[Basic Searching]
Description: Slightly boosts your proficiency at searching. Clues have become noticeable to your eyes when searching for something.
To advance the skill, successfully search an animal, an object, and an individual.
=====
[Basic Gardening]
Description: Slightly boosts your proficiency at gardening. Harmful creatures will avoid the plants you take care of while attracting helpful creatures.
To advance the skill, have a high understanding of three plants.
