Naruto: Return Of The Flash // Ascendance of the Flash

Naruto Uzumaki was not a normal boy by any means. Naruto Uzumaki wasn't your run-of-the-mill orphan. He was, as every orphan was, without a parent. He was, as every orphan was, lonely. He was, as every orphan was, sad. He wasn't, as almost every orphan was, looked at with pity and kindness, however.

No, Naruto Uzumaki was looked at with disdain and hatred. Simply walking down the streets incurred several cruel beatings. He had no idea why, but the entire population of Konohagakure no Sato seemed to hate him. He had very few precious people, in fact the only ones he could name of the top of his head were Hiruzen Sarutobi, or as he had dubbed the Hokage, jiji, Ayame, a girl who helped her father run a nearby ramen shop, and Teuchi, the father of said girl. It was sad actually, a boy his age, five, being hated by everyone.

Naruto had learnt this early on in life. He was hated in the orphanage he lived in as well. Ever since he learnt to walk on his own, the matron of the orphanage started treating him like trash. He was not allowed to play with the children of his age and even when he managed to talk to them, they would sneer at him and told him, in no uncertain words, that a monster like him was not welcome in their group. He would get sad and then leave.

Walking the streets of the village was like trial by fire for him. He had to take careful measures to remain as unnoticeable as possible. If he got noticed, a civilian would point at him, shouting to others, "The demon is here! Get him!" He would then run for his life, entering lanes and alleys, taking a shortcut through a shop, entering from the front door and exiting from the back, anything to get escape the beatings.

But it was suspicious that a four year old boy was able to escape from the mobs. What no one, including Naruto, knew that Naruto had some special quirks.

Naruto had an eidetic memory, the ability to remember and recall anything he sees or hear once, in great detail. Naruto loved to read books, but didn't know why he could recall every page of the book, down to the exact words. He found it very useful and abused it shamelessly, reading all the books he was allowed to and then some, without telling anyone of course. He didn't tell this to anybody, not even jiji, fearing if this got out, he would get beaten for having 'freakish traits'.

But he also discovered the downside of having such an ability. One day, when running from a mob, he accidentally entered an alley which had a dead end. There was no escape for him that day.

He was punched, kicked on every part of his body, until he fell unconscious. When he woke up, very mysteriously, in his room at the orphanage, healed up, he was very happy he did not die. However, when he tried to sleep that night, the beatings came back in full force in the form of nightmares. Because of his ability, he experienced the beatings down to the last detail. He couldn't sleep peacefully for several nights.

Another one of his quirks was a sort of sensory ability. He could sense danger if it was coming to him. However, it was a subconscious ability of sorts, activating only when he was in danger. But it was very useful in avoiding punches and stones that came when his back was turned.

The village's behavior in general towards Naruto caused him to develop a need for positive attention, but also a need to avoid people, preferring to keep to himself. He would not actively seek attention, but he would latch on like a leech to anyone who gave some form of caring to him. Sadly, the number of people who did could be counted on one hand.

That was the reason he turned to books. At least they didn't attack him outright and allowed him to read them. Almost no one wanted to associate with him, leading him to take refuge in books. They became his best friends, always making him smile when he learnt something new.

Naruto had to force himself to learn reading and writing as the teachers at the orphanage did as less as they could to help him. They would simply thrust the books in hands, and go away to help other children. He learnt early not to ask questions, receiving physical punishment whenever he did.

He had read about various topics, but the one thing that stood out to him was the topic of Hokage. How the Hokage was the most powerful shinobi in the village and was responsible for the village's safety.

He read how powerful was the Shodai Hokage, with his unique kekkei genkai (Bloodline limit) of Mokuton, the wood release. He was said to be the most powerful shinobi of his time, known as 'Shinobi no Kami', the god of shinobi. Hashirama Senju, along with Madara Uchiha were the two main founders of Konoha. Ironically, both were also bitter enemies, with Hashirama having to kill Madara to protect the village.

The Nidaime Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was the younger brother of Hashirama. He was and is still hailed as the most powerful Suiton (Water release) user of all time. He was also hailed the fastest shinobi of his time, having created the famous 'Hiraishin no jutsu'. He was the one who started the Ninja academy. Naruto took a liking to him as he loved anything that was even remotely associated with speed.

The Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, that was his jiji, was known as 'The Professor', because he could use all the nature transformations and had the unsurpassed knowledge of ninjutsu, knowing all the techniques in Konoha, save for clan techniques. He also shared the title of 'Shinobi no Kami' with Hashirama, because in his prime he was the strongest of all Kages. Naruto was astounded how powerful was the man he called his jiji. Sarutobi was also the sensei of the 'Densetsu no Sannin', the three legendary ninjas, who were among the most powerful shinobi in the world.

The Yondaime Hokage was the one who became his favorite to the point that Naruto considered him as his idol, aspiring to be like him. Minato Namikaze, when he was alive, was considered the strongest of the Hokages and arguably, the most dangerous man to have graced the world of shinobi. Known as 'Konoha no Kiroi Senko', he was also considered the fastest shinobi to have ever lived. He was famous because he took the hiraishin no jutsu, the jutsu used by the Nidaime, to levels unheard of. He was the one who single-handedly ended the Third Great Shinobi War, finishing of a thousand Iwa shinobi by himself, in the battle of Kannabi Bridge.

Naruto also took note that the Yondaime suspiciously looked very much like him if he grew up. Naruto compared their physical traits, more specifically those that stood out the most. They were both blonde, the hair color being near identical, with Naruto's a shade brighter. But the eyes were what took him by surprise. Those azure blue shades were what he had as well, looking back at him in the mirror every day. He became even more suspicious.

During one of his outings, when his jiji came to take him to the Ichiraku Ramen that he loved so much, he asked him what it meant to be Hokage.

Flashback

The old man stopped eating and looked at him, his eyes piercing him as if searching for something. He then smiled and said, "Perhaps you should ask me first, Naruto-kun, that what does it mean to be a shinobi?"

Naruto looked surprised for a moment but recovered and asked, "What does it mean to be a shinobi?"

This time jiji answered, "To be a shinobi means to endure. A shinobi is one who can follow or lead others into any darkness and work together to overcome that darkness and make it out the other side. A shinobi walks towards danger when everyone else is running away, that is because it is the duty of a shinobi to look at any foe and simply say; "Bring it". That is because shinobi exist to protect those who can't protect themselves."

Naruto had a look of wonder on his face. He had no idea jiji was that wise. An answer like that changed Naruto's entire view of shinobi. At first he thought that being a shinobi only meant performing cool jutsus and fighting in the name of your village. He had no idea the answer would be this deep in meaning.

Sarutobi looked at Naruto and mentally smiled. He knew about Naruto's treatment by the villagers and his drive to be Hokage. He mused, perhaps I can give him a little insight on what being a Hokage means.

Naruto recovered from his wonder and stared at his empty bowl, deep in thought. If this is what being a shinobi meant, then he had a pretty good idea on what being a Hokage meant.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when jiji said, "Now that that answer is out of the way, I can tell you what Being a Hokage-"

"I know jiji."

Those words stopped Hiruzen in his tracks, his head tilting in curiosity. "You know what, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked up, understanding and respect in his eyes. Hiruzen was touched at the respect he was receiving from Naruto, but his curiosity was increasing. "What being a Hokage means."

Hiruzen stared at him, silently asking him to continue. Naruto spoke up, "The Hokage is responsible for everything in this village. It's his responsibility to protect everyone here, and to make sure they are safe and happy with their village. He tends to the finances of this village, the rules, the daily events, everything. He controls every single ninja who bears a leaf headband, and basically directs when they live and die. This job is not for the faint of heart, and only for someone who loves this village deeply." At the end of his answer, he was staring back at his bowl.

Hiruzen was shocked at the understanding Naruto showed of the position of Hokage. He had no idea that Naruto was this perceptive and knowledgeable. Teuchi and Ayame had stopped working as well, staring at the blonde with wide eyes along with the Hokage. It was simply unheard of, a five year old showing such a deep understanding of something most people don't understand until much later in life.

Hiruzen was shocked so much that he didn't notice his jaw was hanging a bit. 'Such a deep perception and insight at such a young age', he thought with wonder. Only one person had showed such understanding like this and he too was three years older. Itachi Uchiha was a prodigy among the likes of Kakashi Hatake and Minato Namikaze. Such a shame he was now a missing nin.

Naruto looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Jiji was looking at him with a strange expression, "That is exactly what being Hokage means, Naruto-kun."

A challenging smile broke out on Naruto's face and he declared, "Then I will become Hokage someday, jiji! And not just any Hokage! I will be the strongest there will be!"

Hiruzen chuckled, which soon turned to laughter. The father and daughter on the other side of the counter were also smiling fondly.

Naruto frowned, "What? I am serious!" He was a little hurt that jiji saw his declaration as a joke.

Hiruzen soon calmed down, smiling fondly at the boy. He remembered another Uzumaki who used to say the same thing. But he had a strong feeling that Naruto would be right. He ruffled Naruto's head, "I know Naruto-kun, I have no doubt you will."

Flashback end