"True."
"Does that mean that our world could have developed along a non-ninja path? Because if you are saying the whole 'backstabbing and secrets' thing is behind a major problem we've got - that IS a major thing about ninja." Sakura knew the Rules Of Ninja Conduct, and there were several of them dealing specifically with those two things.
The elder god and her two team-mates stared for a moment at her.
"Nice analysis. Yes, it could have developed in several different ways. Behold!"
Images appeared, a really ugly tree, a woman with horns, three men who appeared to resemble the woman. Finally, an image of one of the men but older now and two younger men replaced the other images.
"This is the time of the Sage of Six Paths. Without getting into the fine details, it was in this period that your world set its path towards the ninja-dominant world that you are familiar with."
"I don't get it," said Naruto.
"You grew up in an environment where 'ninja' means 'elite' and skilled. A world where to be able to do anything or accomplish much - you must be a ninja. Your upbringing has only 'ninja' or 'civilian' as life-paths. Only the Land of Iron has samurai as an option. So you not understanding is hardly surprising. Yet Sakura Haruno has it correct - there could have been other paths taken. Ninja could instead have been one of several different paths to power. Ninja could have been entirely supplanted by 'wizard' or 'samurai' without any further action on my part. With a minor effort on my part, the worldlaws could be altered to allow divine magic and the involvement of the gods. Likewise things could be more involving espers or another genre altogether."
"That's kinda weird," said Naruto, scratching his head. "'Samurai'?"
flick!
He was Naruto Uzumaki, newly graduated from the Academy. He had just received his daisho - the swords that marked his ascent to the Daimyo's forces as a full samurai. Though only chugen in rank, it was now that he was ready to take his place on the stage and prove that his worth.
He was Sasuke Uchiha, last survivor of the Uchiha Clan. There had been an attempt at a coup, to take power from the daimyo for themselves. It had failed when Itachi Uchiha had shown loyalty for the country and daimyo over the filial loyalty for clan. As a result of the political fallout, Itachi was now ronin. He himself was now clan head, and would redeem the Uchiha name and bring honor and glory to his clan as he rebuilt it.
She was Sakura Haruno, of a clan of merchants whose father had distinguished himself before the daimyo and been raised to the aristocracy as a result. She was first-generation samurai as a result. As a samurai-ko, she was especially skilled with naginata and bow but also a technically proficient swordsmistress. She would distinguish herself in the samurai arts but she also had her eye on Sasuke Uchiha. Not that she was alone in that, as many clans sought to use the opportunity to gain ties to a clan most expected to rise once again.
flick
"Whoa," said Naruto, holding his head as the memories of another life faded away.
"That was very strange," said Sakura. "Samurai? Samurai arts? Bushido?"
"The daimyo's daughter," said Sasuke, remembering one of those pursuing him in that other life. He made a slight face at some of the memories involved there.
"So, we could be ninja or samurai? That's all?" asked Sakura.
flick
The train's gentle rocking would have put him to sleep if he weren't so excited.
"Those whisker lines," said Hinata, peering closer. "You're him, aren't you? You're the Boy Who Lived. You're Naruto Uzumaki."
"No way," said Kiba. "He's too scrawny to be -"
"Yap!" indicated Akamaru.
"You're sure?" Kiba asked his dog.
"Yap! Arf!"
"Well, okay then," said Kiba.
"So it's true then, what they've said, Naruto Uzumaki is going to Konoha Wizard's Academy," said someone at the door.
"Who?" asked Naruto.
"Sasuke Uchiha," said Sasuke, sneering slightly as he looked around the compartment. "Of the established and powerful Uchiha clan. You should be aware, Uzumaki, that some families are rather better than others."
Flick
"What the hell?" asked Sasuke.
"Harry Potter fusion. Interesting how easily some aspects just clicked into place there."
"Where was everyone? I was with Ino and some other girls in some moving room," said Sakura.
"Different room I guess," said Sasuke, wondering why he wanted to call Sakura a "mudblood" or something.
"Curious. Ah. You do run into each other soon enough."
"When?" asked Sakura, hoping for another glimpse into the very different environment and making more sense of it.
Flick!
The woman was old and tough looking, wearing an odd outfit that included a peculiar pointed hat. She stood in front of the crowd of kids as they sat in the cafeteria, flanked by several other adults in varied clothing. "Welcome, again, to Konoha School. Now is when you will be sorted into you dormitories or Houses. These will be your comrades and associates, your family away from home. Many of your House-mates will remain your friends or rivals throughout your entire life."
Naruto shifted nervously, never having had anything like a real family. He glanced around at the various other kids just off the train, all standing like himself. The kids sitting at the benches were all older. Maybe, just maybe, he could hope he could make friends?
Sasuke sneered at the woman. Not at her power or her heritage, both were quite formidable in her own limited way. No, it was the whole stating the obvious about things that everyone of actual worth already knew. Well, perhaps not Uzumaki - he was looking completely out of his depth. If he was sorted into Hebi, perhaps he might be shaped into a proper wizard anyway.
Sakura swallowed nervously, certain that everyone was staring at her. Then she caught a glimpse of that Uchiha and felt a flash of outrage penetrate her nervousness. That git! There she'd been thinking how cool and handsome he was, then the jerk had SNEERED at her and stated that she was obviously not of an established proper wizarding family as he would have heard of any with pink hair. Then had come comments about Veela heritage. Jerk! Idiot! Blueblooded little upperclass twit!
"The Houses are based on animals, on qualities of our society, and of the focus one has in life," continued the woman, ignoring the bits of whispering going on amongst the students. Speculation and bets were always exchanged during such times. Especially to be expected with so many clan heirs involved this year. "My House is Kitsune, the fox spirit. Our element is water, our focus on cleverness and adaptability, though some might say trickery."
A bandaged man cleared his throat and stepped forward. "I am Head of House for Hebi, the serpent. Strength of purpose, passion for power, ambition - these are all the qualities of Hebi House. Hebi's element is fire - fitting as working with fire can be destructive or constructive but is always looking to rise above its surroundings."
An extremely short individual stepped forward. "I am the Head of House for Tengu. The drive for knowledge and perfection of intellect is the hallmark of my House. Our element is of air, the wind and sky above."
A very massive-looking man was the next to step forward. "Mujina. The House associated with the element of earth. Stability, durability, endurance - these are the qualities we hold the highest."
An older man stepped forward. "And I am the Headmaster, Hiruzen Sarutobi. We will begin sorting you into your Houses now. When your name is called, step forward and place your hand against the mirror."
flick!
"What? Wait! Where did I end up?" asked Sakura.
"Sasuke into House Hebi as expected. Naruto, yourself, Hinata, and several others into Kitsune. Shikamaru ends up in Tengu. Choji is in Mujina. Friendships that ignore House membership are also fairly common."
"So, that's a 'wizard'? Seems kinda similar to what we have now," noted Naruto.
"That is not the only path available, but gives a general idea of that path."
"What sort of other 'path' is there?" asked Sakura, still trying to get her head around all the rapidly-fading memories.
Flick!
"Heya! I'm Naruto Uzumaki! So you're first-year here too?"
"Sakura Haruno. Yes. What ranking are you?"
"Uhm, well, I don't do too well on tests. I'm much better at the more hands-on stuff."
"Right," said Sakura flatly. "Well, good luck."
Naruto slumped a little as the girl walked off. "Damn. Shot down again."
"She'd be troublesome anyway," said Shikamaru from nearby. "Most of the girls are very status conscious."
"Entry test scores mean that much," complained Naruto. "That's unfair."
"Women," said Shikamaru.
"They're all crowding around that guy, who is he?" asked Naruto, nodding his head in a direction.
Sighing at the trouble, Shikamaru turned his attention briefly in that direction. "Sasuke Uchiha. Don't see the appeal myself."
Choji snorted. "Other than his family being rich, having aced the entry exam, and having a high rated magic ability?"
"Meh, I don't get it either," said Naruto.
"Uhm, neither do I," said Hinata.
"Yeah, but you're different from all those girls, Hinata," said Naruto to his childhood friend.
"O-oh," said Hinata, looking downcast.
"Yeah, you're cool and smart and stuff," said Naruto, still looking towards where that boy was surrounded by girls. "You're better than all of them."
"Is she... sparkling?" asked Choji.
"Troublesome," said Shikamaru.
Flick!
"That was a reality where magic had become a Fourth Science, the gene for manipulating magic discovered and exploited. The Uzumaki clan largely destroyed through the machinations of other clans and nations - primarily businesses owned by the Uchiha clan."
"Hnn," indicated Sasuke.
"Urban fantasy actually."
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(Posted Tue, 11 Nov 2014 03:08)
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