Naruto : The Ghost Bone

The sun hadn't fully risen yet, but the sky was starting to shift from dark indigo to pale blue, the mist around the coast still clinging low to the earth. Ken sat quietly near the edge of the orphanage grounds, where damp stone met overgrown grass. It had become his morning ritual to retreat to this secluded patch — a place far enough from the others to think clearly, but close enough to return unnoticed.

He closed his eyes, crossed his legs, and began using the chakra meditation technique Miss Suiren had shared with him just the night before. At first, there was only silence, but then, he felt it.

A soft pulse, deep within.

There you are.

The chakra stirred gently, this time under his guidance — unlike before, when it had reacted explosively and unpredictably. Slowly, deliberately, Ken guided the energy through his pathways. It was still unfamiliar, like trying to steer a canoe with no paddle, but it moved. It obeyed.

So that's the difference, he thought, a small sense of calm settling in his chest. Before, I was pushing without direction. Now, it's like I've got a grip on the wheel.

He spent several minutes simply circulating it — not attempting anything dramatic, just getting used to the feel of it, building that subtle connection. The bone ability didn't activate this time, which confirmed his theory from earlier: reckless use without control had triggered it, but with proper guidance, his chakra could be managed.

This is the first step. Next is chakra control. That much I remember clearly.

He thought back to the anime from his previous world — the way Naruto had first trained with a leaf on his forehead, then climbed trees, and finally walked on water. Each stage built precision. Ken frowned slightly as he glanced around.

No trees here… no broad leaves either. This isn't the lush forests of Konoha. The outskirts of Kirigakure were barren, rock-laced, and swampy, not an ideal training ground. Still, there was grass. Coarse, thick blades, but grass nonetheless.

I guess I could start there. But tree climbing? I can't use the orphanage walls — they're old, and if they collapse, everyone suffers. And worse, passing by shinobi might notice.

He sighed and rose slowly, wiping the dew from his hands.

Atleast I don't have to worry about water walking, there's plenty of that here. I'll come back tomorrow and start practicing.

The sun was fully up by the time Ken wandered close to the coastal path where the merchants and shinobi guards occasionally passed by. The muddy road was barely travelled this early, but that made overhearing easier.

He crouched behind a crumbling wooden fence when two shinobi walked past, chatting idly behind a merchant's cart. He kept still, expression neutral, letting their words drift in.

"…another one from that rundown place taken yesterday. Don't know why they keep those kids there," one of them said with a smirk. "You know they say some of those bloodline types snap? Like the Kaguya. They were attacking their own allies in the war."

"Yeah, cursed blood," the other one muttered. "Some say they lose control, don't even know what side they're on. Village doesn't trust that kind of power anymore."

Ken remained crouched, unmoving, not reacting even as his name — or rather, his clan's — surfaced in the conversation. His mind worked quickly.

So this is how it begins… the rumors, the fear. In the manga, this was about the time bloodline clans started being purged in Kirigakure and then they will rebel too .

But his thoughts didn't stop there.

Is this just fear and paranoia on the village's part… or has Madara already begun manipulating from the shadows? Bloodlines are being painted as unstable. Dangerous. That could be his doing.

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. With the Uchiha's involvement in the larger world narrative it wasn't impossible.

Still crouching, Ken filed the information away, expression blank.

Later that evening, after returning to the orphanage and having a modest dinner, Ken found himself surrounded by the younger children. Their eyes were bright, curious, filled with energy despite the meager conditions.

"Ken-nii," one of the little girls tugged on his shirt, "can you tell us another story? Please?"

Ken glanced around — six or seven kids gathered near his corner of the room, eyes wide with anticipation. He gave a soft smile and nodded.

"Alright… here's one I heard a long time ago. It's about a clever fox and a big, scary tiger."

Their gasps came instantly.

He leaned forward, voice calm and rhythmic.

"So, one day, a small fox met a tiger in the forest. The tiger wanted to eat him, but the fox said, 'If you eat me, all the other animals will stop fearing you. I'm feared too. Want proof?' The tiger was curious and agreed. They walked together through the forest, and as the other animals saw the tiger, they all ran away."

"They thought the fox was scary!" one child squeaked.

"The tiger was dumb," another laughed, rolling on his blanket.

"I wanna be the fox!" one girl piped up, puffing her chest.

"You're too small!" a boy countered.

"Then I'll be a tiny fox!" she declared proudly.

Ken couldn't help but smile. It felt… lively.

I used to think I didn't belong here. But maybe I do. Maybe this place — these kids — they're my family now.

They all settled in eventually, drifting into sleep one by one. Ken sat there a bit longer, watching them.

They're all trying to live another day in this world. Just like me.

That night, back in his own bed, Ken lay on his back staring at the dim ceiling. Thoughts moved steadily in his head.

So, I've got chakra. I can control it now. The next step is improving it — refining it. Precision over power. There's a lot I could try with my bone technique, too. Maybe more than just blades. Could I use it for shields? Armor? Projectiles with unique shapes?

Then his thoughts turned toward ninjutsu.

Once I start learning actual jutsu, I could start inventing my own. I remember so many cool abilities from manga — what if I could bring some of that here?

But eventually, the topic he had tried to avoid all day resurfaced.

The Kaguya clan. My clan.

He stared up into the dark.

So that's how they're seen. Mad dogs. Unstable. Cursed. But what's the truth?

He thought about the name — Kaguya. The same name as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

Is there a connection? Or just coincidence? Either way, I have to know. Their fall… their history… my roots. I need to understand who I am.

And then another promise, quiet and resolute.

I'll investigate. I'll find the truth, when I have the means.

With that, his eyes closed. Another step taken — small, maybe, but firm.