The Outcast Legacy (Naruto Fan-fiction)

Kisame's Betrayal

Kazuki, the six-year-old with determination far beyond his years, lay on his back in the secluded tranquility of the training grounds. His eyes were fixed on the dappled sky, partially obscured by the surrounding trees, and a soft smile graced his lips. Today was a milestone; he had finally succeeded in creating a water whip, an accomplishment that had eluded him for more than a year.

With a sense of contentment and a hint of exhaustion, Kazuki groaned softly as he got to his feet. Dusting himself off, he slid his small hands into his pockets, the thrill of his achievement still fresh in his mind. However, he knew he couldn't bask in his triumph for long. The burden of facing his family, and particularly his brother Kisame, weighed heavily on him. His father's loss was a wound that had yet to heal, but Kazuki understood that he needed to be strong for those who still relied on him. With his heart heavy but resolute, he headed home to confront the reality that awaited him.

Kazuki's arrival at home filled the atmosphere with a sense of anticipation. Eager to share his triumph with his older brother, he called out, "Oniisan? Guess what I was able to accomplish today!" His youthful enthusiasm was evident in his voice.

As he ventured deeper into the house, his excitement dimmed as he realized Kisame was nowhere to be found. "Oniisan? Where are you?" he questioned, his concern mounting. The absence of his brother puzzled him, and he continued to search for any sign of him.

Kazuki's footsteps halted as he encountered a pair of striking red eyes, an ominous presence lingering in the room. He addressed the unseen figure with caution, his voice steady but tinged with unease. "Hello? Is someone here?"

The enigmatic red eyes vanished as swiftly as they had appeared, leaving Kazuki with a sense of unease and solitude. However, when he turned around, his young heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened in shock as he came face to face with a figure that should not be there — his father. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he hastily backed away, his voice trembling with disbelief and fear.

"Yo- You're dead! There's no way you can be here!" he cried out, his voice fraught with terror.

The man who resembled his father, despite his eerily familiar appearance, chuckled darkly as he drew nearer to the young boy. He loomed over Kazuki, his face contorting into a grotesque visage. "Indeed, I am dead," he hissed, the once-familiar features giving way to patches of bloodied skin and exposed bone. The revelation sent shivers down Kazuki's spine, and he struggled to comprehend the horrifying apparition before him.

Doubt and fear coursed through Kazuki as he desperately sought to make sense of the impossible sight before him. With resolve in his voice, he spoke aloud, his words trembling but determined, "This has to be a genjutsu... You're not my father. This is an illusion."

He closed his eyes and, with every ounce of concentration he could muster, focused his chakra throughout his body. "Kai!" he exclaimed as he attempted to dispel the illusory figure.

As the genjutsu broke, Kazuki's relief was palpable. His father's twisted visage dissipated, leaving him alone in the room. However, the strain of the ordeal, combined with the exhaustion from his earlier training, took its toll. He collapsed to the floor, his breathing heavy, but a sense of security washed over him with the knowledge that the apparition was gone.

As Kazuki struggled to regain his composure and stand, he was greeted by a nightmarish sight. The village that had once been a place of safety and familiarity was now engulfed in flames. His eyes widened in horror as he took in the chaotic scene before him.

Desperate villagers attempted to battle the inferno, utilizing their water jutsu in a futile attempt to quell the relentless flames. Yet, despite their efforts, the fires continued to spread, consuming everything in their path.

Kazuki's thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. 'Those eyes,' he pondered, the memory of the crimson gaze resurfacing. 'Who was that? And where is Kisame?'

The young boy now faced a dire and seemingly insurmountable challenge, a new threat that demanded his attention and action.

Amid the chaos of the burning village, Kazuki's efforts to assist were met with rejection and disdain. "You're just in the way!" they spat, their words a painful reminder of the isolation he often felt. As the flames continued to devour the village, he watched the place that had once been his home crumble and burn.

His heart heavy with loss and the painful realization that his family was gone, he contemplated his place in the village that had never fully embraced him. The villagers' harsh rejections echoed in his mind, pushing him toward a difficult decision.

"What do I have left here anyways?" Kazuki questioned himself, the answer clear in his heart. He returned to his home, packed his belongings, and made a choice. As he left the village behind, he turned one last time, looking back at the place that had been both his haven and his torment.

"Good riddance," he muttered, determined to seek his destiny beyond the flames that had consumed the village.

Kazuki continued his journey, making his way to the water's edge where his clan's island home met the sea. After a long and contemplative hike, he reached the shore and found a cluster of boats resting on the waterline. Seeking assistance, he approached an elderly worker who was tending to one of the vessels.

"Hello there," the old man greeted him with a warm smile.

Kazuki wasted no time in stating his purpose. "Hi. I need a boat, or a ride across to the Fire Nation," he requested, his determination clear in his voice.

The elderly man's initial shock at Kazuki's request was evident, and he couldn't help but express his concern. "You are traveling alone, young one?" he inquired, a note of worry in his voice.

Kazuki met the man's gaze, his determination undeterred, and responded with a hint of defiance. "Yeah, you got a problem with that, old man?" His crossed arms and resolute stance conveyed his readiness to face the world on his own.

The older man sighed softly, a knowing look in his eyes, and shook his head. "Of course not, kiddo. Come along," he conceded, recognizing the young boy's determination and understanding that sometimes, life's journeys were meant to be undertaken solo.

As the small sailboat ventured further and further away from Kazuki's former home, he sat on the stern, silently watching the receding shore. The journey ahead was long, and the ocean stretched out before him, a vast expanse of uncertainty.

After about an hour of sailing, the elderly man, his curiosity getting the better of him, initiated a conversation. "So, kiddo, what's a young boy like yourself wanting to travel alone for?" he inquired, his weathered features bearing an expression of genuine interest.

Kazuki shifted his gaze from the horizon and looked back at the man, his eyes revealing a sense of melancholy. "I just needed to get away," he confessed with a sigh. "I wasn't really wanted back home because I don't look, nor am I as strong as them." The pain of his past experiences lingered in his words, and it was clear that the journey ahead was also a personal quest to find his place in the world.

After hours of silent sailing, the boat finally docked in the Fire Country. Kazuki, clutching his bag, turned to the elderly man with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, old man. I don't have any money, though."

The man chuckled softly, his face bearing a warm, understanding smile as he waved away Kazuki's concern. "Don't worry about it, kiddo. It's not needed."

"Thanks," Kazuki said before taking his leave. With a sense of purpose and the weight of his past behind him, he jumped off the boat and began his solitary journey, disappearing into the forest. His path forward was uncertain, but he was determined to forge his own destiny.