Vision of Truth I: Cat and Fox (Naruto)

A New World

Chapter 2: A New World

The scene before me changed suddenly as if I were watching a movie in the theater, and my senses exploded with new information. I clearly stood in a forest similar to the one I had just left. I started to take in the man before me, but I turned my head to the right swiftly as something caught my eye. I clearly saw a flash of two red orbs through trees that disappeared as quickly as they appeared. Was someone there? No, it was likely an animal.

"Katsumi," the man said, diverting my attention. "I am Kotaro Nishioko. Your grandfather."

I took a minute to examine the man. I was told he was in his early 60s, but he appeared much older than that. Maybe it was the way this world wore people down. He had the same green eyes and brown hair as me and deep frown similar to the one my dad always wore. "Hello," I said. "It is nice to meet you." I stifled a yawn; it was still way too early.

Kotaro nodded. "Come. I need to present you to the Hokage." He started down a path without waiting for a response, and I scrambled after him.

"W-wait! Already?"

"It is standard procedure. He needs to know about everyone who is in the village."

That made some sort of sense, though I wondered why the Hokage would wake up this early just to meet me. I looked back at the portal, which no longer glowed. It was time to leave my past behind. Soon, I realized we were making out way down some sort of mountain. Kotaro did not speak at all, which was fine by me. I had nothing to say to him either.

Eventually, we reached the base of a village that appeared like something out of an old storybook. Gazing back at the mountain, I was surprised to see the faces of four people carved into the rock - much like the Mount Rushmore of my world. "What's that?" I asked.

"All the Hokages this village has had," Kotaro said without further explanation.

We entered a large, circular building not too far away. The hallways were eerily quiet as we walked. I bet we were the only ones up in the entire village. I stifled a yawn as Kotaro opened a door. I hated waking up early. The room was circular as well and devoid of much besides a large desk in the far end of the room where an older man with regal clothes sat.

"Lord Hokage," said Kotaro, "this is Katsumi Nishioko of the Other World, my granddaughter. Katsumi, meet the Third Hokage."

"Third?" I said without thinking. "What happened to the fourth? Aren't you going backwards?"

Kotaro gave me a look of horror. "Katsumi! Those are not appropriate questions. Show some respect and apologize at once."

"I can't show what I don't have. Respect has to be earned, and as far as I can tell, the Hokage has some responsibility in our family switching worlds. If he's so great, why can't he do anything about it?"

Now Kotaro's face was steaming red. "Katsumi!" He looked to the other man. "Lord Hokage, I deeply apologize. She doesn't know-"

But the Hokage chuckled lightly and said, "It is quite alright, Kotaro. Those are fair questions to ask." He offered me a smile. "The Fourth Hokage passed, and I took over again because I believe it is my duty to serve the people of my village. Of course, your family is included in that, and if there was something I could do to improve your situation, I would certainly try."

I averted my gaze. Something about his calm, easy-going demeanor aggravated me. This was not what I expected. "I see," I muttered.

"Now, onto your training. You will start at the academy tomorrow at the first level and work your way up at your own pace. If you are anything like Kotaro, you will be with students in their last year in a few months' time."