- There is still time to come back.
For the hundredth time, the Bijuu tried to convince the boy to stop with that idea. And for the hundredth time, he ignored her.
He was dedicated to doing what he said.
- We are too far away to go back now.
- I am warning you, the deeper we go, the more dangerous it is. Not to mention that we have a chance to find the city of the nukenim.
Naruto looked at her over his shoulder, just after he had jumped on a branch of a huge tree.
- City? In this forest? How is that possible?
- It's a cursed forest, a perfect place for the scum of the world to hide. There is a city surrounded by a very powerful protection jutsu, nukenins of rank C to S occasionally hide in it. They have connections with the group that discovered our hiding place.
Naruto closed his eyes slightly and looked a little more serious. Nukenins, wanted ninjas. Maybe those mercenaries could be there. Maybe they came from there.
If that's the case, it was better that he didn't find that city.
-... Still, I said I would bring your chakra back, and that's what I'm going to do. Kurama said she would sleep longer, but you said her chakra would protect me, right?
Bijuu sighed. From the short time she had been close to him, she realized that he was extremely stubborn.
Which, in a way, was part of his charm, especially having that new look.
- By the way, we haven't formally introduced ourselves. I am Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze... but you can shorten it, my name is too long.
He said with a small smile, and the Bijuu stared at him for a while.
-... Humans call me Nibi, let's leave it at that.
The boy snorted.
- Come on, that's not your name, is it? I doubt Kurama would leave her brothers without names.
- Yes, I have a name... but while my sister trusts you enough to reveal hers, I don't. Don't get me wrong, you're definitely not like any other human I've ever met, but, a Bijuu's name is something... special.
Naruto was silent for a while.
- I get it... you can't tell just anyone. Ha, well, that just makes me happier that Kurama told me hers.
he said, genuinely happy, with a broad smile on his face.
Nibi stared at him once more. She had been doing that quite often since he had woken up. No matter how hard she tried to figure him out, she just couldn't.
There didn't seem to be an ounce of malice in his words, but... she just couldn't easily trust a human.
Not after centuries of suffering, both on her part and on the part of her sisters and brothers.
- How much chakra do you have left?
- Enough. My sister has the most chakra among us. She gave me a generous share.
- Will it last long?
- Not long, a few weeks maybe. By then we will probably have found my chakra again, I hope. Or that my sister will have woken up.
They jumped off the branch of a tree, and the boy marveled at the view that cliff gave him. Strange, a cliff in the middle of a dense forest with dead colors that led to another part of a dense forest with dead colors. But, the view was incredible.
And this time, he could admire the fall without having to fear for his life. With that new change of his, he felt he could do anything.
Even he disbelieved. He should have been afraid because he had fallen off a cliff before, but, this was amazing.
- Time seems to be something... unimportant to you.
- We are practically immortal beings, it really doesn't matter much. Kurama is the oldest of us, having millennia on her back. I am the second youngest.
The boy whistled, impressed.
- How old are you?
-... Didn't the humans tell you that it is rude to ask the age of a "lady"?
she asked slightly dramatically. She didn't care much for time, but for some reason, she didn't like to tell her age.
Go figure.
- Wait, you're a woman?
- We don't have gender, not in this form. Our personalities are geared to certain genders.
They ran for a while longer, until Naruto's eyes focused on something not far away.
They both stopped running, and the boy ran to the bright green fruit that had already saved his life.
- Honeyfruit. A rare fruit that only grows in this forest, it appeared at the same time the curse was cast.
Naruto plucked one of the fruits and stared at it for a while. It was beautiful, that was the most vivid color that dead forest seemed to have. It was even painful to eat.
- This fruit saved my life... too bad we have no way to keep it.
He put the fruit in his torn pocket, sighing as he saw the fruit fall to the ground.
He needed new clothes, if he continued like this, he would be naked.
- I'll take care of it.
The Bijuu approached the fruit and, with its tails, rolled them up. And soon, the fruit seemed to be absorbed by the blue flames of her body.
Naruto*Glowing eyes*- That's so cool! What was that?
- One of my skills, let's leave it at that. Ready to continue? Or shall we go back and wait for my sister to wake up?
- We don't know how long it will take for Kurama to awaken, your chakra could be even further away in that time. Before we go, I have a question. You are almost divine beings, and you hate humans very much. Powerful beings with deadly hatred. Why didn't you kill the humans? I mean, such powerful beings being captured by humans doesn't make much sense.
The boy crossed his arms, and the Bijuu stared at him.
-... There are two reasons. One, our power is limited. Our... "creator", put a limiter on our body exactly because he knew how we would be treated, and that some of us would resent humans. Even though we have all our chakra, we cannot use it fully.
The boy arched an eyebrow.
- This limiter will be removed by a special person. Two, we can't destroy the world.
Naruto made a confused face.
- What do you mean?
- The gods... well, "god", have interconnected all the worlds that exist in the universe, and believe me, there are many. The shinobi world is large, with places, continents, clans and people you haven't even discovered yet. At the end of the world, there are imperceptible portals to other worlds, where energy diversifies. A ninja doesn't even realize when he crosses these portals, and will think that those seas and lands are just a continuation of his own world.
The boy with the blond hair widened his eyes slightly. This was not written in any of the books his mother or father had given him to study. The closest thing to it was just a mention that the world was "infinite".
- So, that makes it sound like the world is infinite.
- Exactly. The gods did this because they had, I mean, still have, the hope that the human race will one day unite and find peace together. The races will come together, beings like us Bijuus will be treated as living creatures and not just is even a prophecy about this that our father... creator, one of these gods, had told us.
- A prophecy? What-
The boy was interrupted by a strange and somewhat intimidating noise coming from his side. Both he and Nibi turned suddenly and focused their eyes on the huge snake ahead.
Naruto's eyes widened as he realized that the creature was extremely similar to the serpent that had almost killed him months ago before he met Kurama.
However, this one was much bigger, and much stronger. He could feel it.
The snake had bones on its head that looked like horns. Purple slit-shaped eyes, green scales that camouflaged in the forest, but changed color as soon as it realized it was spotted.
The green scales soon turned white, and the boy swallowed dry as he saw how intimidating that snake was.
- A white mamba... this is bad. These snakes, besides being excellent predators, have the ability to use chakra because of their white scales.
- Can we run?
- I'm not in the best shape, and you're barely used to your body.
As soon as she finished saying, the snake attacked.
Naruto felt his skin shiver, and jumped back, as did Nibi. The snake hit the ground, and Naruto's eyes widened as it began to penetrate the ground.
His instincts screamed, and he again, jumped back, watching with some trepidation as the snake emerged from the ground and tried to bite him.
- It may look menacing, but we can kill it. Don't hesitate.
The Bijuu shouted, dodging an attack the snake made with its tail.
- How do we kill this thing?!
The boy shouted, hiding behind a tree as the snake spat out a gray goo with a horrible smell.
Naruto put his hand over his nose, and his eyes focused on a small frog nearby. The little animal was trapped in the gray goo, and was struggling to get free, without success.
Bending his knees, he jumps to the side, and only hears the sound of dozens of trees being broken by the huge body of the snake.
- Destroying its brain, hitting its heart, tearing it apart. The ways are many, you choose!
The Bijuu said, grabbing part of the snake's body with her two tails, and pulling it back.
- I'll help you, but you need experience, so I won't do much!
Naruto gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, concentrating chakra in his hands and forming two wind rasengans.
Jutsus that were... different. Why, even with the wind, did they have a golden coloring?
Maybe it is his chakra mixed with that of the fox.
Naruto moves towards the snake, which again, concentrates chakra all over its body. Its white scales seemed to glow.
The snake slams its tail on the ground, and dozens of pieces of rock flew towards Naruto, who was forced to undo his jutsus and dodge the attack.
The snake then concentrated chakra again and its body was sucked into the ground. It was raw, unrefined chakra, but that made it extremely dangerous.
And it was proving that now.
It made sense for a predator like that to live in a forest like that, it adapted well.
Naruto then, still in the air, made a few shadow clones, on which he took momentum and leaped to the side, dodging a river of mud that the snake had spat in his direction.
However, the snake seemed to expect this, and quickly advanced towards Naruto with its mouth open.
The boy then makes a clone, which stands at his side, and together, they make some hand seals.
Naruto/Clone- Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu/Fuuton: Shinkuu Taigyoku!
Both spit out a huge fireball, and a sphere of compressed air that rapidly moves towards the snake.
The animal concentrates chakra again, probably in some jutsu or form of defense, however, it was not enough to protect it from both jutsus.
A big explosion of wind and fire happened, and the boy took advantage of the moment to attack the snake again with his rasengan.
Half of the snake's face was destroyed into living flesh, but that didn't kill it. What knocked it out for good was when Naruto hit its head with his Rasengan.
The snake's head was thrown violently to the ground, and another explosion occurred, raising a cloud of dust.
Landing, the boy sighs as he shreds his clones, staring at the medium-sized crater in front of him.
- Not bad... but you need to get better.
The Bijuu stood beside him, both staring at the headless body of the snake, which was still twitching, but having no way to do anything about it.
- You have a good arsenal, I think, chakra of that size... your stance is good and you seem, I repeat, seem to be good at hand-to-hand combat. But, lack of experience is still a problem. Since you don't feel like turning around and waiting for my sister to wake up, let's face all the forest animals we find along the way.
The boy looked at her with a disgusted frown.
- Don't give me that look. Experience is crucial. You are lucky to be accompanied by a being with millennia of years on her back.
Naruto smiled slightly.
- Ah, so you have millennia, hm?
The Bijuu grumbled and the boy chuckled lightly.
- You're kind of young, not even compared to me, I'm six... wait, maybe seven... I don't know how long I've been here.
He looked at her with a broad smile. She stared at him for a while, until she turned and started walking.
- Come on, aren't you the one who wants to get my chakra back?
The blond man nodded, and followed her. Not before looking at the dead body of the snake for a while.
Standing in front of that window, Minato sighed once more as he watched the sunset. His eyes heavy with work focused on the people walking calmly through the village.
Men and women walking back to their homes after a day's work, and people starting their shifts in the late afternoon.
For a few moments their eyes focused on some children playing in a small park. Some of them were wearing an overcoat similar to the one he was wearing.
Hm, who would have thought that the end of a war between two clans would result in him leading a prosperous village like Konoha.
The village became stupidly stronger after he destroyed Kumo and Kiri. Several clans that were against these two villages affiliated with Konoha, several districts were built.
A victory for some, a defeat for others... a waste of time for a few.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard three knocks on his door, and once again, he sighs.
- Come in.
He said in a low voice, glancing at his watch. That was the last day he would be active as Hokage before taking some time off to be with his wife.
The office door opens, and a tall gray-haired man enters, bowing to him shortly thereafter.
- Excuse me, Hokage-sama.
Minato snorted slightly.
- 'I told you to call me Minato, or at least "sensei," Kakashi.
The gray one straightened his posture.
- I know, sir, but... you are in a much higher position and...
- Yes, I know, but I still ask you to stop calling me "Hokage-sama".
Kakashi sighed, nodding.
- Okay then, Minato-sensei.
The blond man smiled faintly.
- Well, about that question... most of the districts have agreed and have already enrolled their children in the academy. The only ones left are the Uchihas, who want to choose the best of their clan, and so far, they have only chosen Itachi and Shisui, both aged thirteen and fifteen, respectively. Although, they shouldn't be long. And finally, the Hyuugas.
(Shisui died at age 25 in the anime, unfairly, so I decided to leave him younger here and give him some screen time poor bastard)
Minato arched an eyebrow
- The Hyugas? Why? They seemed kind of excited about it.
- Well, their clan is quite far away, and since their district isn't completely built yet, they couldn't send everyone they wanted. And, well, they suffered an attack some time ago. Some of their ninjas were killed and others are missing.
Minato's face became a little more serious, and he crossed his arms.
- And why are we only knowing about this now? We are good allies, our ninjas there should have sent us a message immediately.
- The attack was quite violent, so to speak. Many people died. And Hiashi wanted to solve it himself, so he ordered them not to send the message immediately.
The man sighed, putting his hand on his forehead.
- That arrogant man. There's no shame in asking for help... although I think the elders have a hand in it.
- They are still after their ninjas, and will only be able to give the answer when they verify their whereabouts.
- Send two groups of Jounins and Anbus there with supplies and medical ninjas, send some Hyugas too, the list is with Obito. A hundred ninjas in total. There are still a few months until classes start, so tell them we'll help with the search and whatever else they need.
The man said, putting some papers in his desk drawer and picking up his Hokage hat.
- Yes, sir. Leaving now?
- Yes, Hiruzen should come tomorrow. Where is Jiraya?
- Doing the same as always.
- Argh, why am I not surprised?
- Honestly, I'm tempted to join him.
He said comically, and Minato laughed lightly.
- Just like you. Jiraya is not a good influence on you.
They talked their way to the exit of the Hokage building, where they went their separate ways.
Minato was walking calmly through the village, heading towards his home.
He liked those small moments of walking that he had, it helped him to think... besides that he had a closer contact with the people of the village, who always waved and greeted him cheerfully.
Some people even asked for some autographs and the like. As Hokage, he did a good job.
That interaction with the people, being so warm, helped him deal with the feelings permeating through his daily life.
Like it or not, his home scared him.
And it scared his wife.
Nodding to the guards in front of the gates, he enters his house and leaves his ninja sandals on the rug in front of the door. The smell of food hung in the air, a nice distraction from the cold weather inside.
Throwing his cloak and hat on the couch, he sneaks up to Kushina, and hugs her from behind.
- Minato!
Reprimanded for the little scare he got.
- You smell great.
He said with a small smile, and the redhead rolled her eyes.
- Is that the first thing you say after almost giving me a heart attack?
- It's not my fault if you're concentrating on dinner. Ramen... you're going to make this little girl here unaccustomed.
He patted the redhead's bulging belly, who sighed lightly and shook her head.
- I hope she likes it... it was Naruto's favorite dish...
Minato's small smile died, and he sank his face into his wife's shoulder. He had tried not to think about it all day, to concentrate on his work, but it was impossible.
-... He would have been seven years old today...
He said with a sigh, hugging the redhead a little tighter as he felt her body trembling.
-... I hate being in this house alone.
She ran her hand over her eyes, not to the point of shedding tears, but almost.
- I know... today was the last day of work.
- Hiruzen agreed?
She turned to him.
- It took some prodding, but yes, he agreed.
She turned away again, returning her focus to the pots on the fire. They were silent for some time, something they desperately wished would not last.
The silence in that house was maddening. They had spent more time there than in the Namikaze clan, and because of this, whenever they were silent, their minds insisted on remembering the childish screams and laughter that had once echoed there.
Their eyes insisted on seeing a blond dot running down the hall, and their ears insisted on hearing the short footsteps of children who were no longer there.
Kushina finished cooking, and put two bowls on the table.
They both sat down, both stared at the bowl of ramen in front of them. And the silence lasted for a while longer.
- Well... happy birthday.
She said, putting some of the noodles in her mouth, while trying to control the heavy tears streaming down her face.