My name was Honzo Shinzo or Hon to those who knew me. I was a bit over five years old when my father and I became traveling merchants selling weapons forged in our home land. The land of iron, in the past my clan was famous for it's smithing and sword techniques. Yet as the fourth great ninja had ended but a few months before, this new area of peace forced my father to adapt to the new ways of the world. My mother and younger sisters stayed in the land of iron. While we men went in search of riches.
However we had no such luck, most of the villages we went to already had their own smiths. My father began doing demonstrations of his sword techniques and there for awhile the money started pouring in. This new much needed success also painted a bullseye on are backs. It's sort of funny how now I can't remember exactly what happened, I'm sure if it was about money or pride. Maybe three or four rouge ninja attacked our wagon. My dad cut two down easily enough but when one came for me. He dropped his guard and was meet with a blade in the gut. My father cut the ninja across the face. As he did, all I could make out was a yell "fire style". Then my dad exploded right before my eyes. I could feel the murderous intent behind me not sure if it was the monster that so violently kill my dad or another of his accomplices. I just sat down holding a short sword my dad had me made a few days prior. I wanted to cry, scream, run anything to move but I was frozen not in fear but in the lie. Death lies and she tells over and over again. The life you once loved is gone and it's not ever coming back.
My hero had died right before my eyes and I was told the good guys never lost but that had to be a lie. My dad was good wasn't he, he was strong, he was fast. How did he loose?
As my child mind went back and forth. A pink haired flicker followed by a clash of metal then blackness. I awoke to Sakura of the leaf healing me. Once more she apologized for not preventing my attacker. She had lessened the power of his attack but it still knocked me out. I pissed all over her kindness part out a misplaced sense of pride the other anger and doubt. I began interrogating her about being a ninja because rule number one of samurai is know your enemy. She told me her story of Naruto and Sasuke the leaf the whole world really.
We made a deal. The little shit that I was used her guilt into teaching me ninjutsu. She was already on a mission to set up medical outposts across the neighboring nations. So the deal goes I'd help her and she would teach me what I could pick up. After that I was on my own. Two years later she was done. She and I had grown close with time she asked me to come to the hidden leaf but I refused. I'll admit I had experienced some anxiety over her departing. However I had already formed a plan for my revenge and to regain my family's honor. There was much for her to still teach me but with a bitter sweet good bye. I headed to a very specific orphanage.
My next teacher would be the most influential person in my life. I lived the next three year in an orphanage studying under a man named Kabuto. I already had medical ninja training which meant that all my experience was in chakra control. I was able to climb trees just by running, walk on water, substitute jutsu, coat a kuni in chakra, and generate two shadow clones. My master saw much of his former self in me and I think that bonded us so deeply. I wanted to return to my mom and sisters but it would shame my father and send my family into poverty. I saw Ninjutsu as a catalyst for the impossible. Just as my master before me had I gained a great understanding of chakras and like him my natural chakra reserves weren't very impressive.
Suddenly I had an obstacle in my way. What would have been considered a limitation I looked for away around. Kubuto explained the conditions of his appearance which led to my knowledge of DNA splicing. Except my target wasn't Lord Orochimaru. Recalling the stories of Jugo and his a special blood line trait that allows his body to adapt and absorb a near endless amount of nature energy at the price of sanity. I convinced Jugo that I was studying nature energy so naturally I would like to study him. I took some of his blood over the course of months. As well as injecting my blood into Jugo. Jugo is by no means stupid but is very trusting. One vaguely positive statement about suppressing his psychotic state and he pretty much did what ever I asked.
As the days went on I created a more potent process than that of Master Kubto to gain Jugo's blood line trait. I further incorporated my own chakra into the nature adaptation trait. Jugo wasn't mad at my new transformation if anything he seemed happy to share to have someone else like him. He showed me the ropes but I never felt murderous, more than normal that is. I had power real serious power but I knew of others that had power and experience. I needed to gain a lifetime of training if I was to be in the same league.
Once I gained full control of my new abilities, I began studying shadow clones remembering something Sakura said about Naruto's training. At first it was purely a numbers game how many could I make. Then gradually at 8 months 13 days and 6 hours I unlocked a new type of clone. Unfortunately I didn't notice it at first, it was created along side 10,000 other clones. It was the last one left standing. I had been meditating, channeling nature energy when it attacked. A huge right to the head throwing the body across the floor like a rag doll. The clone rushed in for the kill but was left confused by the body going puff. The clone become increasingly more unhinged as though its mind was fading even more troublesome it began transforming its left arm into a chakra cannon. I was still soaring upwards watching it whip its body around looking for me. I weaved my hand signs coating my hands in nature energy and pushed my legs off the air sending a shock wave back behind me. One blow took to the head took it down puff. I then took all the accumulated damage and exhaustion of the clone. I fell to the grown almost passing out. Luckily the pain focused my mind and I was able to channeling nature energy healing myself.
This experience was just the start. Recovering, I had passed out shortly after healing most of the head wound caused by transferred damage. Some how the clone had abandoned my rules and absorbed entirely too much nature energy. This coupled with a clones diminished mind lead to the blood lines negative effects to take over. I had never felt so much blood lust until I gained the memory's of the clone. However I did learn how to create a chakra cannon. This inspired my to shift the focus of my research from quantity to quality. Another six months of intense focus training. I created 3 clones capable of original thought but there durability left a lot to be desired.
Frustrated at my results I took a break and headed back to my master. Returning to the orphanage made me feel at home. I hadn't felt like that since we left the land of iron. However the fleeting feeling of home soon turned to shame. Six years had passed since I've seen my mother and sisters, since my fathers murder. I still hadn't reclaimed our honor nor made the money my family needs. Kubto suggested I become a leaf ninja and send money back home. He a assured me that the Anbu would take me. When I asked about my durability problem he just shrugged. The only person that might know is Naruto perhaps Orochimaru as well. Word has it he's been staying in the leaf. You might track him down yourself but I'm sure the Anbu has someone watching him.
Two days later I found Orochimaru casually walking around the shops of the leaf. His chakra stands out among others it has a twisted sense about it. Our interaction was less than helpful. It was clear any information he had I would have to acquire another way. All out of options I sought out Kubto contact in the Anbu.
You Kubto's student Hon right?
I am
Kubto seemed rather convinced of your skills but your a bit young right? All the same we've had younger join the Anbu.
What now?
Eager, I like that? Well then let's get started.
Started with wha-
A monkey mask Anbu member appeared behind me. Immediately going for the take down placing a shuriken at my neck.
What's all this then?
A test and you failed.
Puff! oh really
I incapacitated the monkey mask Anbu in the smoke of my clone with strike at the base of the neck.
Kubto was right you've got skill. But the real training starts now.
In all honesty being Anbu was easy. It left time for my research and paid well. I was more often than not pair with a women from the Yamanaka Clan. Identities are secret but her skill in Justus of the mind gave it away. I convinced her to show me her information gathering techniques. Reliving someone else's memories felt similar to absorbing a hollow, my clones capable of independent thought.
3 months in the Anbu when I found it, one of Obito's hidden caches. Several sealing Jutsu's on the outside as well as 47 additional traps inside made entering difficult. The challenge only added a sense of urgency to my quest. What was down here that was important? The answer came faster than expected, avoiding yet another dead mans trap. I saw it 6 pairs of sharingan eyes sat in jars. I noticed the final trap as I studied the jars an incendiary sealing jutsu. It felt likes days passed as I stood there frozen afraid to even breathe heavily. The possibilities of those eyes in my hands my mind began to race as did my heart. I weaved the signs Puff! 5 shadow clones appeared. I used nature energy on the clones and myself to create an shell over our bodies. Knowing that Amaterasu was the most likely thing to be triggered. Sometimes I really hate being right. I managed to save all the eyes, quickly pulling the eyes in past my outer shell the hastily peeling myself from it as the Amaterasu engulfed all around.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
I told the Anbu I was on the verge of a new Jutsu and needed time off to prefect it.I was given time off but my success had become something of a burden. I had risen quickly within the Anbu and could not be allowed to leave for the desired amount time I had requested instead of a year I was allowed 3 months. This bothered me a great deal at first but I was too happy with my new eyes to care. Thanks to Kubto's teachings and Jugo's friendship my body can absorb organic matter such human remains and incorporate them into itself as a means of healing. However precautions needed to be taken. I created a hollow with the strength of a jonin placed it under genjutsu and inserted a pair of sharingan eyes. I created a set of rules for the hollow using an mind jutsu. Protect the eyes, train the eyes, follow my orders. After a week I did a similar process except I removed the eyes and reabsorbed the hollow. The knowledge that this would yield I found shocking. Armed with some new tricks I returned to the leaf to find Orochimaru. I don't know what he knew but I could tell it was different somehow.
Orochimaru, I have some questions and your going to answer me this time.
If it isn't the new up and comer in the Anbu. Not quite as interesting as Itchi but then again it's a real rarity to process those eyes now days. I guess we can't choose our blood at least that's what they would have you believe but you know better don't you Honzo Shinzo.
As well informed as ever.
Don't tell me I'm getting under that pretty grey skin now child.
You'll find I'm not so easily rattled snake!
Come now is that anyway to treat a comrade?
Comrade? If we were comrades then answer my questions.
Kubto is much better at this than you?
Kubto taught me everything he knows.
Apparently not, he managed to gain not only my favor but a member of the Akakatsuki. Seems he didn't pass on his people skills to his student.
One way or another I'm not leaving here without information.
Looking for a fight, don't make me laugh.
I don't care if you laugh or cry. I'm going to get what I'm looking for.
He threw kuni as he ran at me.
I was running out of time and I couldn't have anyone getting in my way. I summoned 30 shadow clones to buy time. By channeling as much nature energy I could handle my body changed. Morphing one arm into a chakra cannon and the other into a large claw. I began my assault on Orochimaru who remained unimpressed heading right for me sword in mouth. Despite my best efforts the battle lasted for a whole 12 hours. My stamina and chakra reserves at the maximum proved to exhausting even for him and all his countless jutsu.
Damn you! What do you want from me boy?
Mind prison jutsu!
After 5 days and nights of crawling into memories I had copied his mind. So many twisted memories the things he did for his dream, his immortality. A price so many found themselves paying. All those lives lost I could understand I'm a warrior before all but the level of butchery and malice. How he loved to be hated and feared to be glared down at as some sort of monster some horror straight from a child's bedtime story. That I didn’t understand.
The thousands of jutsu Orochimaru knew at that time opened so many ideas, no more so than the reanimation jutsu. However the laboratories he abandoned those locations and the high valued research equipment. I knew it was paramount Orochimaru be unaware of my intentions to raid his work shops. So before he woke up from my mind jutsu I rewrote the outcome of events at the end.
He believed we fought at close to a stalemate for most the battle until his cunning saw him taking the lead as victory was soon in sight. In reality right before I released the mind jutsu I created shadow clones to raid his hideouts. Not a moment to soon the Anbu's Yamato was making his way to the battle. My nature energy abilities allow me to sense chakra at about 9 mile radius. Yamato's wood style even cloaked makes him stick out like a sore thumb to me.
Yamato did not make his presence know. He needed to be pushed. I jump landing 3ft in front of Yamato hiding in a tree. I shouted at Orochimaru that I gave up. knowing he couldn't accept not at this point not when his murderous appetites had reached there peaks. He lunched at me. I stood completely still took a deep breath and closed my eyes wondering if I had made the right choice. Yamato parried the attack demanding Orochimaru yield and to my surprise he stopped instantly and offered to buy us a meal.
I realized he had not eaten in five days. My body naturally feeds of nature energy so food his really something I don't really think about. I eat every day but that really more for social interaction. Being able to blend end is the difference between life in death, failure and success. That means constantly honing my most important technique. Talking myself out of trouble I get myself in. I took him up on his offer immediately knowing full well he was up to something else besides his stomach. Yamato acted as a silent chaperone sitting in between us at the table.
We went to the place I go to every single day. They knew me there. That and my light grey skin makes me sort of hard to forget. I find people often staring but it doesn't bother me. Makes me more of a character, some people remember. It makes me happy thinking back on it. I got everything I wanted and more form Orochimaru. Know it was time to go home.
The Anbu wasn't happy with my resignation but since the Land of Iron had acted as an intermediary in the past. My resignation was allowed as long I'll help the leaf when shit gets real. On my way out I told Sakura good bye and that I'd keep staying in touch. Kabuto my surrogate father figure was all to happy to have me return home.
My plan was clear use my money and skills set my mother and sisters up for life. However I didn't know what happened in my absence. Six and a half years changed a lot of things. My mother remarried, she got a job at a tea house and fell in love with a widower. Younger sisters lived with them a happy little life, a happy little family. One look and my plans began to unravel at the seems. I split decision would settle my fate. I would walk in and order. By the time it takes me to finish the tea if no one notices who I am I'll head back to the leaf and let it be.
I must have drank that tea as slowly as possible by the end it was ice cold. I stood up distraught that my own family hadn't noticed my presence. As I head to the door my youngest sister started talking.
Hey creepy guy in the hoodie you got to pay for that.
I lowered my hood down to a hopeless sigh of relief and walked to the counter.
I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts.
My mother looked at me with this curious face.
Excuse me sir have we met before.
In another life perhaps but I've never been to this tea shop before.
It's just I get this feeling when I look at you like I'm glad your safe. You couldn't be Honzo?
She started to cry but quickly held back her tears. My sister cut in.
My mother can be emotional we apologize fo-
Yes. I’m Honzo
What happened to you? Your skin?
What this guys our older brother? Mom I thought you said he died when bandits attacked fathers wagon?
That's what the recon team reported back to me. They said the bodies weren't recognizable. Honzo what happened.
Bandits did attack but I was saved.
Why didn't you return? Son I ju-
I wasn't strong enough.
My mothers husband
Well are you strong now?
I'm not trying to be sound arrogant but only two people are in my weight class. And while they might be stronger I have plans around that. I'd definitely die if they worked together thou. So I'm not going to go after either one because they're world famous for teaming up.
I see then if what you say is true you must fight in the up coming tournament.
The price of entry was hefty. To took the rest of my money and but on me to win. The odds they gave an unknown like my was 100 to 1. The 1st stage was 50 person battle royal. I took them out with a clap of my hands wind knocking them all outside the ring. The next stages were those skilled swordsmanship coating it in chakra. However the density of my own chakra was far stronger. I cloaked my self in black aura of nature energy. All of the blades that would have seen me dead broke against it.
The money bought me land a title. My sisters went to private schools. My mother still worked at the teas shop but now she runs it. Her husband spends he's days loafing around the giant house I bought my mother. I soon realized money that was what I needed to gain power. I created a delivery company. I sat down created 2 hollows splitting my chakra into yin and yang. The black one was on my right the white
one on my left. After I programmed the newly created minds. I created five more hollows one for each of the chakra natures. In front fire, Air adjacent to yang only further out, earth and lighting were placed diagonal from me lined up with the others, water sat adjacent to yen.
After this I had them each channel they're energy with me able to siphon off as much chakra as needed. I created tens of thousands of shadow clones. Delivering everything in and out of the land of iron. I offer soon started offering my skills out on equal footing as a hidden village. The money I received those next few months bought me friends. I couldn't kill the shogan. I mean, I definitely could have but it would have made me the bad guy. So I managed to have people manipulate him into a tough position. I offer a buy out of the countries debt if he step down, he takes the deal. He knew the public would hold him responsible for a failing economy, they might even threaten his life. Next me the new peoples champion,take overs. That's how I became the youngest futile lord in the land of irons long history at not even 12 years old.
However eventually everyone fails to see their own faults, I'm now different. I understood what I was doing at the time but politics is a battleground made of fragile foundations. Each decision ripples into the next soon options that make sense for you don't make sense for the people. Some of my citizens view me as something of a lesser deity, a demigod, the chosen one. The put so much faith in me with no sense of doubt. But why what could they see that I didn't?
No, no that's wrong I'm not even the strongest. I could do so much violence just for the sake of violence. I could reset the way power works in this world. No more nobles, no governments. My People but all the hope and faith they had into me. I won't disappoint anyone else.
Over the next few years my research had allowed me to merge the reanimation jutsu with my own hollow jutsu. The prerequisite for the jutsu is a human life. Let's just say prisoners disappear every now and again. Locating the material to summon the legends of old Madra, the Kage, the Akakatsuki,and even the hidden mist 7 swords men. All these abilities I made my own.
Madra and the 1st hokage provided the most important information. Madra insight into the sharingan eyes. The 1st wood style senjutsu. However the combination of these forces mutated the eyes I was using into the rinnegan. Nagato knowledge of its powers was surprisingly limited. His six paths were given his chakra was strong but ultimately it was borrowed power. This new knowledge this new power. I made it my own but all my jutsu was just improved versions of someone else's ideas.
I created all new jutsu, using clones to constantly improve. Not only that but during my assimilation of Dedra it occurred to me that. While his explosive style was in part do to chakra nature what but in him in the ranks of Akakatsuki members was his art. This sparked an idea. What would happen if a painter, musician, an engineer took that new insight, that different way at looking at things and applied that to chakra. The possibilities are endless.
Even with all my hollows and clones. I can't generate imagination. I had my clones study libraries across the lands. Learning new technology new techniques. Still I look at the world the same way. For all my efforts peoples live are only easier not better.
I created my master jutsu. It's a curse mark of sorts. I bond with the subject transfer some energy and cells. The mark is left on both our bodies. The subject gains a bloodline trait that is unique to them. Some gain transformations the body adjusts to the strain the added power causes. The beauty of this jutsu is I gain the same powers they do. More importantly I gain more powerful subordinates. I started giving out my blessings to my own version of the Anbu.
I decided to take the last step I placed all the sharingan eyes I had into my body. After Itchi, Madra and Obito I grew much more powerful with the eyes. That and the Senju cells in my body started mutations in the eyes. I needed more chakra, after years of being the sole work force for my delivery company. I undid my jutsu hollows, clones poof! The floodgates break, my body transformation begins. Solid crystal starts accumulating on me. In side this block of purpleish black energy a cocoon covers me. My sleep starts.
At age 14 I disappear with no explanation. The most successful lord in the nations history. The social and technological progress we made with my guidance. Lead me to be considered a legend. While I left my country in chaos with my disappearance. Time goes on...
20 years passed, My city grew more famous more powerful. The landscape was changing people could do that now. The tall mountains were made into castle cities. The once frosted shores are now warm.