Chapter 7: Naruto's Introduction to the Path of Complete Surrender

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 7: Naruto's Introduction to the Path of Complete Surrender

Author's Note:

Writing this chapter has been one of the toughest challenges I've faced, trying to capture the complex mix of emotions and deep philosophical ideas at play. Your thoughts and reflections on this chapter would mean a lot to me. They will not only help clear things up but also make our storytelling journey even richer as we move forward. Thank you for your patience and for being part of this journey. A special thank you to my first patron. I truly appreciate your engagement. Chapter 11 is out! in my Patren.

Happy reading!

Part 1: Naruto's POV

The mission with Maruboshi Kosuke was a turning point in my life as a shinobi. It opened the floodgates for more challenging assignments. My reputation grew, and I began to receive more C-rank missions, often alongside Kosuke. Each mission was a new adventure, a new test of my skills and determination. With every success, I felt myself growing stronger and more confident.

However, my first mission involving a kill took months to come to terms with. The nightmares were horrible, but what frightened me most was my lack of remorse—only disgust. It was a unique feeling that I discussed with both Mizuki and Kosuke. Mizuki's responses were somewhat helpful, echoing the sentiment of "it's you or them" and "time will heal you." He tried to reassure me, saying that taking a life in self-defense was a necessary part of being a shinobi. While his words made logical sense, they did little to ease the turmoil within me. I knew what he said was true, yet it annoyed me. His perspective, while pragmatic, felt too detached and clinical for the emotional storm I was weathering.

In an attempt to gain a different perspective, I visited the old matron of the orphanage. She had always been kind to me, providing a sense of stability and comfort during my childhood. One evening, I approached her with a hypothetical question. "Matron, what do you think of someone who has killed? Do you see them as a monster?"

She looked at me with her wise, gentle eyes, sensing the turmoil behind my question. "Naruto, a person's actions do not define their entire being," she said softly. "A killer is not necessarily a monster. It depends on the circumstances and the reasons behind their actions. If someone kills to protect others, to defend the innocent, then it is a tragic necessity, not an evil deed."

Her words offered a civilian perspective, one that contrasted sharply with the shinobi's pragmatic view. It was a reminder that the world was not black and white, and that morality was often painted in shades of gray. Her compassionate outlook gave me some comfort, but the confusion still lingered.

Kosuke was hard to get a hold of, always being called for higher-ranking missions. But during the times we did take missions together, he would find moments to share his insights. One evening, during a rare moment of silence when I was trying to put on a façade of seriousness, he saw right through me. "How are the nightmares?" he asked.

I was taken aback. How did he know? Even to Mizuki, I had only mentioned the bare minimum of what I was going through. Kosuke, with a thoughtful expression, began to speak.

"In the shinobi world, it's kill or be killed," he started, his voice steady and calm. I was about to interject, having heard this countless times from various mentors and peers, but he gestured for me to let him finish. His eyes held a depth of understanding and compassion that made me pause and listen intently.

"A long time ago," he continued, "Lord Tobirama shared something profound with me when I was in his platoon during the First War. We were young and thrust into the brutality of conflict, much like you are now. He told us that it is not merely the act of killing or the immediate emotions that follow which make it a terrible burden. What truly defines the weight of taking a life is the underlying conviction—the lengths you are willing to go to ensure that your loved ones are never harmed."

Kosuke's words struck a chord deep within me. "Lord Tobirama explained that the essence of our duty as shinobi is not just in our ability to fight and kill, but in our unwavering commitment to protect. When we take a life, it is not an act of senseless violence but a necessary step to safeguard those we care about. This perspective doesn't make the act itself any less gruesome, but it gives it a purpose beyond the immediate brutality."

He looked at me, his gaze penetrating and sincere. "You see, Naruto, in the heat of battle, when the choice is between your life or the life of an enemy, the decision to kill is driven by the desire to return home, to see your friends, your family, and your village safe. This desire, this purpose, is what transforms a grim necessity into a bearable reality. It's not about becoming numb to the act of killing but about understanding and accepting the reasons behind it."

Kosuke paused, allowing his words to sink in. "It's a lesson in conviction and love. Love for your village, your comrades, and the ideals you hold dear. This love is what gives us the strength to do what must be done, no matter how painful it might be. Lord Tobirama believed that as long as we remember why we fight and whom we protect, we can carry the burden of our actions with a clear conscience."

His words resonated deeply with me, offering a new perspective on the harsh realities of a shinobi's life. It wasn't just about survival or the act of taking a life; it was about the deeper purpose that drove those actions. This understanding began to ease the turmoil within me, helping me to see that my actions, while difficult, were part of a larger mission to protect and preserve the peace and safety of those I loved.

I asked if he was implying the Will of Fire. He laughed, recalling how he had asked the same question to Tobirama. "The Will of Fire is the will to protect your loved ones, but this is a bit different. Lord Tobirama said there are two fundamental paths to enlightenment: 'awareness' and 'abandonment.' These principles are deeply intertwined with the Senju philosophy, which is connected to the concepts of yin and yang. The Senju ancestors believed that one could rise by embodying both yin here is awareness and yang here is abandonment, but to truly go beyond, one must reach the zenith with one path rather than balancing both. In society, however, a balance or a veneer of balance is necessary for stability. They saw the paths of awareness and abandonment not just as methods but as spiritual journeys that could elevate one's soul. However, Lord Tobirama, ever the pragmatist, viewed these concepts through a different lens. For him, these were tools to be utilized in the service of the village."

I was confused, wondering if he had finally lost it or if he was trying to alleviate my burden with nonsense. He noticed my skepticism and continued. "The path of abandonment is about surrender. In its ultimate form, there is no you and the world—just a complete giving of oneself to an ideal. That's the Will of Fire. You might think this is just propaganda, but it's bigger than that. When someone holds something above their own life and everything they hold dear, they become truly dangerous or powerful, depending on your perspective. Lord Tobirama would often say he had never seen anyone capable of love like Lord Hashirama, and that defined him."

Kosuke leaned in, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Lord Tobirama understood that these principles were not just about personal growth but were essential tools for a shinobi's duty. He believed that a true understanding of these paths could make one formidable. Abandonment, in his view, was about doing whatever it took to protect Konoha and its people. It was a strategy to ensure peace and stability, even if it meant sacrificing oneself or one's happiness. This selflessness, this willingness to put the village above all else, is what he defined as the true essence of the Will of Fire."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "The path of awareness, on the other hand, aligns with the yin aspect. It's about understanding the nature of the world and one's place in it. It's about seeing the interconnectedness of all things and acting with that knowledge. This awareness can also lead to great power, as it allows a shinobi to act with clarity and purpose. It's about perceiving the balance and using it to guide your actions, ensuring that every decision is made with full comprehension of its consequences."

Kosuke's explanation left me with much to think about. The Will of Fire, the paths of abandonment and awareness, and the Senju philosophy all offered different perspectives on the life of a shinobi. They were not just about fighting and surviving but about finding meaning and purpose in every action. These concepts were more than just philosophies; they were guiding principles that shaped how one approached the complexities and moral ambiguities of a shinobi's duty.

Kosuke continued, "Lord Tobirama saw these paths as essential tools for a shinobi. He believed that a true understanding of these principles could make one formidable. This is why he admired his brother, Lord Hashirama, so much. Hashirama's ability to love and his boundless compassion were what made him so powerful. He embodied the path of abandonment, giving himself entirely to his ideals and his people. This love was not a weakness, but a source of immense strength."

I was still skeptical, thinking that Hashirama's legendary Wood Release couldn't just be a result of love. It seemed laughable. Kosuke smiled knowingly, seeing through my doubt. "I understand your skepticism. You're young, and your experiences are still limited. But as you grow, you'll discover various forms of love. There's the love of parents and siblings, the unconditional bond that forms your earliest memories. Then there's the love of friends, those who stand by you through thick and thin, offering support and camaraderie. Eventually, you'll encounter romantic love, a powerful and sometimes overwhelming emotion that can drive you to great heights or profound depths."

Kosuke paused, letting his words sink in. "These experiences shape you, but not everyone experiences them all. And love isn't confined to these categories. I'm still discovering different kinds of love that aren't sexual or romantic in nature. This kind of love encompasses a broader will to protect and nurture those around you."

He continued, "The will to protect is a significant part of it, but as Lord Tobirama would say, it's just one aspect. The will to nurture is another, equally important aspect. You see, nurturing someone or something requires patience, understanding, and a deep sense of responsibility. It's about more than just ensuring survival—it's about fostering growth and potential."

Kosuke's eyes softened as he spoke. "When you plant a seed and nurture it, you don't dig it up daily to check its progress for your satisfaction—it will die. You trust in the process, providing it with the right conditions to grow. Similarly, sometimes when you love, you must hold it tenderly, allowing it to flourish in its own time."

I listened intently, realizing the depth of what he was saying. "Love, in its truest form, isn't about control or constant supervision. It's about trust, patience, and the willingness to step back and allow growth to happen. It's about knowing when to intervene and when to let go."

Kosuke's smile grew wistful and said Lord 2nd says "Hashirama's love wasn't just for people; it was for life itself. His ability to nurture and care for everything around him, to see the potential for growth and harmony in all things, was what made his Wood Release so powerful. It wasn't just a jutsu—it was an expression of his boundless compassion and his belief in the interconnectedness of all life."

He looked at me with a mixture of warmth and seriousness. "This love is not a weakness but a source of immense strength. It's what allows you to see beyond the immediate and the obvious, to understand the deeper connections that bind us all yet liberate all. It gives you the power to protect and nurture, to foster growth and create harmony."

I began to understand that the love Kosuke spoke of was not just an emotion but a guiding principle that influenced every action. It was a force that could drive someone to great lengths to protect and nurture those they cared about. This love, in all its forms, was a fundamental part of what it meant to be a shinobi—and a human being.

He paused, noticing my confused expression. "There are many more aspects of this I will tell you when you are older. For now, just understand that love is not as fickle as it seems."

His words gave me a new perspective on love. I didn't have anyone to love, so did that mean I lacked the Will of Fire? I protected the village because I was taught to. These conflicting feelings swirled within me, but then I thought of Kosuke, Mizuki, and the old matron of the orphanage. I did have people to protect.

Kosuke continued, "Then there is the path to awareness. As Lord Tobirama put it, there was no one who walked this path as a killer and shinobi more than the monster himself."

I asked, "Who?"

"Who else would Lord Tobirama talk about? Madara Uchiha, of course," Kosuke replied, leaving me with a cliffhanger that made me yearn to know more.

Stay tuned, we will continue this conversation on awareness and abandonment and the deeper meanings of these paths in the next chapter.

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