HIDDEN RAIN DISPUTE IV

"Alright, let's get to training!" Naruto begins warming up.

Kotori and Yokumaru jump in excitement. Mutsu is excited, too, just in a more reserved way. Since he's here with them to wait for his apparent mother to wake up, he may as well make use of his time.

"Alright, what are we gonna learn, Sensei?"

"Hmm… Good question. Maybe we can figure out some cool killed ninjutsu for you guys!"

"Woah!"

Mutsu raises a hand. "Um, can we even do that?"

Hinata walks behind them and pats them on the heads. "Maybe not just yet. You'd need a bit more chakra control for that." She joins Naruto by his side. "How about we actually start with the basics?"

"Aw, the basics are boring." Somehow Naruto is the one to complain.

Hinata gives him a peck on the cheek. "But necessary for any ninja."

"Soooo what are the basics, anyway?"

"There's 4." She lists them off on her finger. "The Body Flicker, Transformation, Clone, and Substitution techniques. Every ninja must know those 4 at the minimum. And once you have those mastered, we'll begin practice with kunai and shuriken."

"Even though I can already use my feathers like kunai?"

"Fundamentally it's different. Controlling something with your chakra and throwing it with your hand, and you won't always have the time or opportunity to weave chakra. You must be prepared for every situation. That's what it means to be a shinobi."

"Yes, Mom." "Yes, Sensei."

Mutsu raises a hand. "Um, I already know all those."

Kotori hops sideways to look at Mutsu. "Wow, really? That's so cool!"

"Then you can train on your own jutsu and test Kotori and Yokumaru on theirs. And when Konan wakes up, she can really help you with your jutsu."

Mutsu nods.

Hinata looks at Kotori and Yokumaru. "If you were raised as ninja earlier, you'd already know them, too, so we're a bit behind."

Naruto intertwines his fingers behind his head. "Yeah, but they catch on quick. They'll have that stuff mastered in no time! And THEN we can move on to the cool jutsu."

Fukasaku hops on Naruto's shoulder. "Speaking of training, we never did finish yours."

"Whatcha mean? I kick major butt with Sage Mode!"

"Your Sage training was interrupted when the Hidden Leaf was attacked, remember? You managed to master Sage Mode in time, true, but there's much more to it than that. So since you're here we can get you started on the basics."

"So you're gonna become even stronger, Dad?"

"You betcha!" He gives a thumbs up. "But… what about Konan?"

"Ma and I will switch taking care of the girl and training you. Her healing won't be slowed down, don't worry."

"Alright."

With that, Naruto leaves a Shadow Clone behind to help the kids and goes to his own training.

For the next week, the kids train intensely until their chakra is run dry. They practice day in and day out, with the occasional breaks and making friends with the locals. Mutsu tries to get better at controlling his feathers, but the only pointers Naruto can give is describing what he's seen Konan do, which isn't a lot, thinking back on it.

The kids keep at it and have begun getting the hang of the Body Flicker, although they still have a ways to go. Training will take a lot longer than just this, but it's a start. They'll have more time once they finally reach the Hidden Stone Village, which they're already overdue because of the stop they made at the Hidden Rain, but Naruto isn't concerned about any of that right now. Konan getting healed takes priority.

Hinata isn't slacking off, either. In-between training the kids, she's also continuously perfecting her form, making herself faster and more accurate. The Tenseigan is particularly difficult to master and using it is exhausting, draining nearly all of her chakra in a matter of seconds.

Naruto is being taught the toad arts of Mount Myoboku. Skills that almost all of the residents can use one way or another. The main thing is refining his Frog Kata, but also learning to spew oil and even use his tongue as a weapon. That last one feels weird and icky but the Sages are adamant he learns it, so learn it he will.

By the end of the week, Shima calls Naruto to one of the stalk-houses, and Hinata comes with him. The elder toad takes out a casket.

"What's this?" He looks it over.

"Something I'd forgotten was here. It's been waiting for you for about 17 years."

"Waiting for him?" Hinata raises her brows questioningly.

"Well, just look it over." She goes to leave the room, leaving them to it, and pats Naruto on the leg as she passes.

Naruto opens the lid and the first thing he sees is a photo of his parents and Jiraya. Kushina is very clearly fairly far along in her pregnancy, Minato is holding her hand, and Jiraiya is towering behind them and pulling them both in a hug, the usual goofy grin on his face.

"This is…"

"A family photo." Naruto tears up as he rubs his thumb over his mom's belly. "And I'm in it."

Hinata places a hand over his and rubs his back with the other. Naruto sniffs and buries his head in her shoulder. She kisses him on the top of the head.

The two of them just sit in silence for a minute, looking at the photo.

Then Naruto continues looking through the box. Most of it random items, apparently just things Minato had stored here while training. Shuriken and kunai pouches which upon closer inspection have sealing formula on the inside. A three-pronged kunai that Naruto recognizes as one of the kunai his dad used for his teleportation. Taking it in his hand, something about the blade feels different from the ones he saw during the Fourth War, almost like… He pours chakra into the kunai and the blades become enveloped in chakra, increasing the weapon's size.

"That's like Asuma-sensei's?"

Naruto nods. "Yeah, it had the same feeling as his chakra blades. It's probably made from the same metal as those."

Hinata notices a tanto blade inside and takes it. "Hm? This one feels similar, as well." She allows her chakra to flow to the tanto. It's not as prominent as the kunai or Asuma's blade but it definitely has an effect. Slashing through the air, it leaves behind a chakra trail. "Did the Fourth use a blade like this?"

Naruto takes a closer look at it. "I… don't know? I never saw him use one in the War."

"It's a strong make, much stronger than a regular sword."

"Maybe Kotori or Yokumaru would wanna use it."

"Are you sure?" She looks up to him. "It's a memento from your father."

"I'm sure. I can use this." He lifts the kunai. "Be a shame if this one doesn't get used, y'know? Although maybe we can wait til they clear the basics first."

She leans on his shoulder. "Alright."

"Come on, let's go meet up with the kids." Naruto stands up with Hinata's help. He brushes his eyes. "Look at me, crying like this. I can't let them see an uncool side of me."

Hinata cups Naruto's face and stands on her toes. "You'll always be cool." And kisses him.

Naruto returns the kiss, and once they break off, he blushes and gives a goofy smile. He wraps his arm around her and they head out.

A week after staying in Mount Myoboku, Konan opens her eyes. She groans, feeling pain surge throughout her entire body.

"Don't move too much. You're still not fully healed."

Konan turns her head to the side, eyes meeting with a pale-eyed woman and purple haired toad. She then turns to look back at the ceiling.

"I see. This is the afterlife I've concocted for myself. Is it my regret over Jiraiya-sensei?"

She closes her eyes, accepting her fate.

"You're still alive, Konan."

Her eyes dart open at the familiar voice. She sees a smiling Naruto standing by the door, dressed in his shinobi clothes and Hidden Leaf flak jacket.

"Naruto? What are you… Where am I?"

He comes closer to her and sits down with her. "You're in Mount Myoboku. I brought you here for healing, you were in a rough spot."

She looks down at her wounds and bandaged body. "Did Madara-" Her eyes widen and she jolts up. "Madara! Naruto, Madara Uchiha is coming after you!"

He places a hand on her shoulder, leading her to lie back down. "I know. It's all over, Konan. Madara, Zetsu, the Akatsuki, it's over. We won."

"How… how long have I been out?"

"I don't know how long you've been unconscious, but it's been a year since Nagato died."

"A… a whole year? That long?" Konan stops to gather her thoughts. "Please, tell me what happened."

It takes a while, even longer than it usually would take as he keeps getting sidetracked, but Naruto catches Konan up on everything that happened with some prodding from Hinata to get to the point. The Five Kage Summit, the declaration of the Fourth Ninja War, his mastery over Kurama's chakra, Madara Uchiha's true identity, the ultimate purpose of the Rinnegan, the Shinobi Alliance. Everything, including the recent events in the Hidden Rain.

"I see. So Mutsu awoke the same ability as me." She grips onto the blanket she's covered with.

"Yeah, so cat was outta the bag so Bairin told him." Naruto looks at the door. "Did Nagato know he was a father?"

"I never told him, but maybe he found out. Madara, or rather Obito, probably knew, as well, but never had any reason to act on it."

"Why didn't you?"

"How could I? The life we were leading, the things we were doing… There was no way we could be his parents the way we were. I knew Bairin to be a decent man so I asked him to take Mutsu in. I thought it'd be better for him, grow up as a normal child."

"But now he knows and you're not like that anymore. You can be his mom."

She turns to face away from Naruto. "I can't. I abandoned my child, I have no right to be his mother now."

On the other side, Hinata dabs a cloth in some medicinal paste and spreads it on Konan's arm. "Of course you can, dear. It's never too late to be a parent, or even too early." She smiles at Naruto. "You did what was best for your boy, as any parents would. You've been a mother this entire time."

"And what right do I have to be part of his life after 8 years?"

"I dunno. Let's ask him." He turns to one of the windows. "You kids done eavesdropping?"

A series of eeps is heard from the outside. Konan looks… frightened at the realization that Mutsu was there all long, frightened at the prospect of meeting him after so long.

The door creaks open, and Mutsu is stood at the front with Kotori and Yokumaru behind.

"Sorry, Sensei."

Mutsu is looking down, holding his hands in front of him. He hesitates and tries to gather his courage. When he lifts his head to speak, he's met by a crying Konan. Seeing that, something within him gives in. He rushes to hug her and she squeezes him as tightly as she can.

A mother and son reunited.

Back in the Hidden Rain, Naruto, Hinata, Kotori, and Yokumaru are ready to leave. They've gathered their things and are at the bridge to exit the village. Konan is there to send them off, Bairin helping her stay on her feet. Mutsu is by her side, holding her hand, with Fuyo and Suiren behind them.

"Thank you for everything, Naruto."

"Of course! We're fellow students, after all. Have to look out for each other."

"Especially since we're the only ones left." She smiles and extends a hand for a handshake.

Instead, Naruto goes to hug her. Konan is stunned for a second at the gesture and returns the hug.

"We'll meet up again, alright?"

"Definitely."

Kotori and Yokumaru say their farewells to Mutsu, as well. The purple haired boy has more life in his expression now, but he's still on the reserved side.

"Next time we meet, we'll be awesome ninja, okay?" As usual, Kotori is as close as can be, excitedly hopping in place. Yokumaru is to the side, respecting his personal space a bit more.

"Yeah." Mutsu nods. "I'll train my jutsu every day and get way better at it. With mom." He and Konan smile at each other.

Konan turns back to Naruto and Hinata. "So where will you go now?"

"We're long overdue for a visit to the Hidden Stone. We have a mission to do, and matters to look into about the new threat."

"Right, that. I can't say to know much about it, but you can count on the Hidden Rain to help with this Alliance of yours."

"See ya soon, Konan."

And with that, they take their leave and go to continue their journey.

Name meanings

Mutsu = to add to before, Mutsu is specifically a Nagato-class battleship.