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Chapter 12

Conflict


Naruto looked at the assembled group of men and women before him with a keen focus upon gauging each of their reactions. Having just explained the details of their upcoming mission and the plan of action, he wanted to understand if they were mentally and physically prepared for the same.

It was but natural for them to have questions and they started pouring in just as he had expected.

"What kind of strength will the enemy have?" questioned Ameyuri straight forwardly,

"Unknown. Considering the value of the target, expect a regiment or less stationed for his protection. Many will be shinobi. I will admit, this will not be easy" clarified Naruto without hesitation,

"Security will be tighter than ever considering our recent destruction of Osaka. The enemy will expect an attack, so the element of surprise is already lost. Moreover, you want us to stage this assassination in such a way that fingers are pointed at the Land of Lightning's elite noble families rather than Kirigakure. That would imply we never get detected" suggested Jinpachi,

Naruto just gave a nod earning grim looks from his fellow swordsmen.

"How do we plan to infiltrate this massive operation area. There is no sea nearby and it is completely surrounded by mountains. Getting in through land will be next to impossible without detection, they will have barriers in place to sense the enemy that manages to evade patrols and checkpoints" warned Mangetsu,

Naruto was satisfied to see that the future commander of the 212th Legion had a keen gaze for details. Most of all, he never underestimated the enemy or overestimated his own powers.

Traits of a fine shinobi.

"The Land of Lightning is not as proficient in Sealing Techniques as Konoha or Uzu. Our Anbu reports suggest that the maximum area covered by their barrier is within this range" informed Naruto, as he highlighted quite a large area across the map.

"Then how do we get in? You are pretty good at Fuinjutsu, can you make a hole in this wall?" asked Kisame with a grin,

"Not enough time without the risk of detection. Barrier teams usually change their shifts on a 12-hour basis. There is one way we can get in when such a change is happening. The barrier's weakest point is in this area, insertion from this point should allow us to sneak in undetected" explained Naruto as he marked a clear drop on the map.

A smirk came upon his hidden face when he saw everyone else blanch.

"Aerial jump? You do remember none of us know how to fly unlike the Tsuchikage and his student" mocked Zabuza with a scowl,

"Naruto-san, we maybe strong but a jump from 25,000 feet?" asked Haku in a trembling voice,

The blonde officer had to fight hard to hide his disappointment. These warriors were considered the best in Kiri, he found their lack of faith in their own powers disturbing. Maybe it had to do with the fact that in their village's history such a mission had never been attempted.

While he had already led a similar mission deep behind enemy lines some years ago. Although he hoped the outcome didn't turn out to be the same as the last time, atleast for the sake of these swordsmen.

"I will make sure each of you lands safely after this jump. That's a promise"

He was not surprised when his declaration was met with silence until Mangetsu looked at him with a knowing gaze.

"You have done something like this before, haven't you?"

Naruto fought back a flinch at that sharp observation. While most people couldn't know about his history in the Anbu Blackops of Kiri, this boy being the Mizukage's son could access his mission records if he called in a favor. He had conducted such a mission in the past as an Uzu shinobi, denying that he had never done this before would crush what little trust these people may have in his abilities.

However, accepting the same would only invite more questions and probing.

"I.."

"We'll just have to believe in you, I guess. Everyone, I will not lie and say this is going to be easy. It's a suicide mission but one which would determine the future of our village and people. The Mizukage entrusted us with this future, we cannot fail" declared Mangetsu in a firm voice,

The blonde Namikaze couldn't help but feel that perhaps Mangetsu had purposefully not pushed him and diverted the group's attention. Why did he do it was the real question?

Naruto narrowed his eyes when he saw the change those words had on the others. Even if they didn't say anything, their postures became a little more firm and confident.

"Do you really think we can do this?" asked Haku hesitantly, with the same question present in the eyes of most of the others as well.

Mangetsu had his own doubts but there was something about Naruto that made him want to believe in his plan and his abilities.

It was probably the way in which he carried himself which clearly showed that he knew what he was doing. The fact that he had already shown that he cared deeply about the lives of his men was enough to make him believe in this man once more.

"If it's any consolation, I had requested to be sent alone but the Mizukage believed the seven us were needed to work together" said Naruto apologetically, much to everyone's surprise.

"Why would you ask for something so suicidal?" asked Haku worriedly,

"Self Sacrifice. To protect one's home from the shadows selflessly is what being a shinobi is to me. I wanted to do this on my own in order to avoid other lives being put in jeopardy. But..." said Naruto hesitantly, a part of his heart unable to help but feel guilty for getting them involved in this risky operation.

"Naruto, believe in us"

His eyes widened when he heard Mangetsu say those words and the same feeling were present in the eyes of the others as well. A look of grim determination, he had seen that look before.

For just a tiny moment, he saw the shadows of his dead friends sitting before him just like these swordsmen were sitting before him now.

Believe in us.

Nagato had been the one to say those words all those years ago and the same feeling had been present in the eyes of all his friends from the S-Program. He had made a choice back then...

A choice that got everyone killed.

Mangetsu had seen the fleeting look of guilt that had plagued Naruto when he asked the man to believe in them. However, it was soon overtaken by a stoic gaze as the blonde man suppressed his inner emotions.

"We leave in two days. Get your gear ready"


Naruto walked alone in the cemetery of the fallen shinobi of Kirigakure. He didn't stop until he reached the memorial stone and simply stared at it. The names were different here, but he remembered Uzu having a similar stone where the names of his fallen comrades and family were mentioned.

The name of his little brother.

He gingerly touched the stone and felt the conflict in his heart fade away as a sense of calmness washed over him.

For the past few days, he had been fighting himself desperately. He had perhaps been fighting this feeling for an entire decade but now he knew his heart was cracking. There was a time when he closed his eyes, all he could see were the faces of his dead comrades and family.

But now, he could sleep if only a little.

He could rest at nights without the threat of nightmares plaguing him as having Ino there with him gave him some much needed peace. She was the only friend he had made in a long time, someone who understood him.

Someone who accepted him despite his faults and sins.

A small blush came upon his cheeks as he realized something which he hadn't before.

He liked to be around Ino, he enjoyed her company and her cheerfulness which was enough to cast away his own grim attitude. He knew that he was not an easy person to be around, but she never gave up on him and even had the guts to bash him if he sulked too much.

Even if she didn't realize it, she was already sealing away the hole in his heart little by little.

Maybe a part of him loved her.

Then there were the shinobi of Kirigakure. The way they looked up to him, believed in him, made him feel like the old days had returned once more. Maybe he could once again be someone people could depend upon, instead of being the scapegoat of all failures of the past.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were just like his comrades from the S-program in some ways. They were strong and smart, all of them were different from each other but when he fought by their side, he felt a camaraderie he hadn't experienced in years.

The way Gengetsu had faith in him reminded him of the way Yahiko had looked at him. In a way, the Mizukage reminded him of the father he had lost...

These bonds were precious to him, even if he was a spy and sworn to defend another village...a part of his heart cared about these people and Kirigakure.

And it scared him.

"Nagato, you all had faith in me and I failed..." he whispered, hoping his departed brother's soul could hear him.

"For a long time, I carried this burden and guilt. It was too heavy..." he confessed,

His gaze bore into the stone fiercely hoping that the dead could truly see his feelings for them as he made a new choice.

"Father, Mother, everyone...I shall always protect Uzu until the day I die. And I'll never forget any of you" he promised sincerely, as a lone tear fell from his eyes.

He closed his eyes as he made his decision.

For once, there was no pain or guilt left in his gaze when he opened his eyes again.

"But I think I want to move forward with some new comrades"

He gasped when he saw the ghosts of his family standing in front of him but instead of the angry glares from his nightmares, they were smiling.

"Minato" nodded Yahiko, his father.

"My son" whispered Inoue, his mother with a kind smile.

"Nii-san" greeted Nagato with a thumbs up and a cheeky smile,

In this moment, he truly realized what Ino had been trying to teach him for so long. It was not the dead that haunted him, but his own guilt that stopped him from moving forward.

He looked back at Kirigakure and despite all he had went through, it brought a warm feeling in his heart.

He was home.

Three gentle hands were placed at his back as they nudged him forward even as his family started to disappear, but that gesture alone washed away the last of his pain.

He looked back at Kirigakure with a newfound determination and hope that he had forgotten for a long time.

"I shall believe in them" he decided,

He stood tall and firm as he looked back at his family with a newfound determination.

"Father, Mother, Nagato...I will never give up. I'll believe in my new comrades and never let them die" he promised with a smile,

The ghosts vanished however something within him was filled again.


Tobirama had not been able to stop himself from thinking about the upcoming mission that Kirigakure was about to launch. It was not that he cared about the shinobi taking part or the outcome it would have for the Mist, but for the fact that his only possible son was leading it.

For all his faults, Tobirama could not deny that he found Naruto to be a good leader.

Still, the risks that child took...

"Tobirama-sama, you'll make a hole in the floor with all that pacing" chided Sakumo gently with a smile,

He paused and stared at another one of his prized subordinates who had been assigned to keep an eye on him in his current home. If only the Mist knew how many spies they had amidst their ranks, they would probably execute him on the spot.

That brought a thin smile to his lips.

"Sakumo, do you think Naruto can pull this off?" asked the Hokage honestly,

He had needed a second opinion, one that was unbiased and he could think of no other than the White Fang who was fit for the task so he had told the man about Naruto's mission. He saw Sakumo smile at him without hesitation.

"He will"

Tobirama blinked and was unable to hide his surprise at the swift and confident reply. Sakumo must have gauged his reaction as a darker and grim faced look appeared on his own face.

"Do you remember the Battle of Aogika?" asked Sakumo,

"It's where you earned the name "White Fang", your bravery that day saved the lives of our shinobi. Although that victory costed us a lot of men" recited Tobirama, but narrowed his gaze when he saw Sakumo look away.

"I did what I could to survive and make others do the same. But there was another shinobi besides me that day who played a major role in that victory. The First Great Ninja War, Konoha and Uzu had sent a force of 2000 shinobi to stop an invasion from Kumo forces. The enemy had nearly three times our numbers, it was essentially a suicide mission. We were supposed to hold off the enemy force and perish allowing time for the majority of our forces to be mobilized. The enemy had launched the war so suddenly and blindsided us" explained Sakumo hesitantly,

"It was a difficult decision, one which the Uzukage had agreed with. Fortunately, we won that day" said Tobirama calmly, without a sign of any guilt or remorse.

Sakumo did not miss the harsh nature of this man, it was a stark difference to his own son's feelings towards his men. Tobirama would sacrifice a thousand shinobi without hesitation or remorse if it meant that would protect Konoha, but Naruto on the otherhand would try to save his men even if it meant taking great risks.

Tobirama was logical and methodical in each and every decision, whether it be politics or the battlefield.

"What you didn't know was that Naruto was present in that battle. It was his plan that carried us to victory" confessed Sakumo,

"What? I thought Danzo had led our forces properly. I had given him command of the force" said Tobirama sharply, as his gaze narrowed. He did not miss the way in which Sakumo's gaze hardened as Danzo's name was mentioned.

"I would be dead if that brat had led the battle entirely. So would our entire force, he wanted us to confront the enemy in open battle. He was callous and eager for glory, he specifically placed the Uchiha and Uzumaki shinobi in the Vanguard and was leading the entire force into a trap where the enemy would surround us followed by destroying us to the last man" said Sakumo bitterly,

Tobirama grit his teeth as he heard the hidden truth, he knew a man like Sakumo would not lie about something like this. The fact that he had kept silent about this would suggest he had valid reasons. He allowed the man to continue...

"The men were so close to a revolt, especially the Uchiha who thought that this was your way of getting rid of them. The Uzumaki were of the same belief. Danzo's attitude only made matters worse as he questioned the loyalty of the Uchiha to the village and the Uzumaki's commitment to our alliance. The only reason the Uchiha didn't mutiny was because of Kagami and his loyalty to the village. The Uzumaki were kept in check by their leader, a shinobi from the S-Program" revealed Sakumo,

The Second Hokage had to take a seat as these revelations were brought to his notice. It was no wonder the Uchiha became so edgy after the battle, he had always imagined it was their way of thinking...but to think his own student had pushed the Uchiha and Uzumaki to this limit.

"Nidaime, it is true that Madara betrayed the village but the Uchiha didn't. They stayed loyal and Madara paid for his treachery with death. You have needlessly ostracized the Uchiha by creating the Police Force, if not for this war your plan would have restricted the Uchiha to stay in the village and take less and less part in missions. Your students have inherited your will and your fears, someday it may lead our village to great darkness" warned Sakumo,

Tobirama clenched his fists to the point that he drew blood.

"Fortunately for us, Naruto had been present and took command when Danzo was injured. He led the men to victory through his tactical decisions with minimal losses. Even though we couldn't destroy the enemy completely, we were able to stop their invasion and inflict heavy casualties" confessed Sakumo,

''Why did you keep this secret from me?" asked Tobirama coldly,

"It was Naruto's wish"

Tobirama was again stunned by this revelation but allowed the man to continue.

"Naruto had seen the discord among our force. Danzo was commanding from the rear instead of leading the men, the enemy's aerial bomber squadron found the Command location and hit them. I was out in the frontlines where the enemy was decimating us when I got injured, the medical ninja took me back to the Command Center where I found not Danzo but an Uzumaki shinobi directing the troops in secret. He did not let the troops know that Command was hit and most of the officers were dead. Instead he made them retreat from the open terrain to the forest of Aogika"

"His actions saved our force from total massacre. He then used the haunted forest to lure the enemy into his trap, before the battle even began he had surveyed the entire terrain including the forest. He had this plan ready and used the caves across the forest to launch kamikaze attacks one after another. He isolated the large enemy force into splinter groups and took them out one by one within a week using the haunted forest as his shield. During the entire time, he kept up the impression that Danzo and the leadership were still in command and had not abandoned the men which kept them going. Finally, the enemy couldn't afford more casualties and retreated"

Sakumo's confession had opened up a whole lot of problems for the worried Hokage. If this was true...

"Why was Danzo hailed as a hero? Why did you officers not report this to me?" asked Tobirama, some anger seeping into his voice.

"It was a time of war, Nidaime. That victory bolstered the confidence of our troops and made them develop trust in each other. If they realized the truth...Naruto made us officers swear on our honor to keep his actions a secret and let Danzo take the credit for the victory. Most of the officers were afraid you would reprimand them for reporting against one of your prized students, they were wary of you Tobirama-sama" said Sakumo seriously,

"I cannot imagine Naruto to be much older than eleven or twelve when that battle took place" said Tobirama hesitantly,

"A true ninja protects from the shadows, he said. That victory united various clans within the village, it even strengthened our alliance with Uzu. It brought our shinobi closer, Naruto understood that better than anyone. Even at that tender age, he thought like a Hokage. We entrusted everything to him and he carried out his duties perfectly without expecting anything in return. He's a fine shinobi, Lord Second. Have faith in him" insisted Sakumo sincerely,

Tobirama didn't say anything in response even as Sakumo left to get them some tea.

It was true that he had always been wary of the Uchiha because of his past, maybe a part of him detested them for killing his brothers. Unlike Hashirama, he couldn't let go of the past so easily.

His eyes widened.

It was the exact same way Naruto thought, just as Tobirama's feelings for the Uchiha...Naruto detested Kumogakure for killing his brother.

All this time he had never been able to accept Naruto truly. Whenever Tobirama looked at him, all he could see were those eyes and the blood of the clan that Tobirama detested. A clan that killed his brothers, his parents, his friends, his comrades.

He tolerated the Uchiha to respect Hashirama's wish but never had he trusted them. Maybe he was passing on those feelings towards Naruto as well.

He had been so wary of the boy and his hatred that he failed to see the good in him.

Maybe a part of Naruto's heart was consumed by hatred for the brother he lost, but unlike Madara who chose to betray his home in his pain...this boy was still protecting it from the shadows.

He was a true shinobi.

"Maybe I was wrong, Elder Brother..."


Naruto stared at the sword in his hand quite attentively.

He closed his eyes and allowed his senses to stop being active, allowing himself to feel the energy around him. It took a few moments, but soon enough he could feel the familiar chakra of people and animals near the training ground he was currently standing in.

If he focused hard enough, he could also feel the energy fluctuating within the very nature itself.

He had not forgotten the way in which his prized sword had greedily consumed his energy during the Battle of Osaka. In that moment, his rage had made him incapable of sensing the drain but after the battle he had felt more fatigued than usual. The fact that he had vomited blood was a serious issue, and one which he had kept hidden from everyone including Ino for this was something he had to figure out himself first.

Even now, he had to fight off that minor attempt by the weapon to latch on to his chakra network.

It was acting like a parasite desperate to bond with its host, possibly even take over control with the passage of time.

A power like this couldn't have been created without some sort of foul ritual, it was too unnatural to be created without that.

There was only one way to measure the extent of the danger this weapon posed to him.

Wordlessly, he created a clone of himself who nodded back at him promising aid if things went out of control.

Naruto allowed the last of his control to fade and let himself to be fully revealed to Muramasa.

He was not surprised when the images of his deceased family flashed before his eyes. He watched them laugh with him, in this vision he seemed to be a Jounin and even his little brother was still alive with both of them having become fine shinobi of Uzu.

He had known this would not be easy and his strength was truly tested when their deaths played before his eyes one after another.

He saw his father jumping over that explosive to save his comrades.

He saw his mother stepping in between the sword aimed at him.

He saw his little brother getting butchered in a shower of rocks.

Then came his friends, his bonds and emotions that developed with them followed by their gruesome deaths.

When he didn't break despite the painful visions, they shifted directly towards Kirigakure.

Muramasa must have felt the slight flicker in his heart as it bombarded him with flashing images of all those whom he held dear, all those whom he respected, and those he wanted to protect one after another.

His eyes widened when he saw Kirigakure burn.

Nearly half of the village was in flames with entire streets littering with dead bodies. It was as if an invasion had been staged that wiped out large chunk of the population.

Anger surged through him when he saw a man dressed in dark robes slaughter two Jounin that got in his way. This man's face was covered by a rippled mask that was blood red in color. It was he who was leading an army of shinobi in unknown armor and crest marks on their backs within the village.

Naruto charged after them.

It took some effort to make himself invisible to the enemy and by the time he reached their location, he saw that they had entered the district where the Kaguya clan resided. His eyes widened when he saw dozens upon dozens of white haired men and women lying dead in the streets, in the houses, there were so many dead everywhere.

He had never truly cared about the Kaguya's, but this was terrible.

The way the wounds were inflicted on the dead clansmen clearly showed they were made to suffer horribly before death gave them mercy. This was an intentional act, one meant to hurt.

Even if the Kaguya's were selfish and bastards to an extent, to slaughter people like cattle...

He grit his teeth when he saw that same masked man entering what looked like to be the hall where the clan usually gathered for meetings or celebrations. His shinobi army was right behind him as they marched dutifully, a handful Kaguya guards tried to stop them but were easily cut down by that masked man.

He ran after them.

He clenched his fists when he entered the hall and found each and every Kaguya clansmen dead everywhere.

It was a massacre.

He heard fighting on the upper levels and charged ahead, his confidence was bolstered when the enemy didn't notice him even when he stood right beside them. While they looked human, their uniforms and armor were unlike anything he had ever seen before. Were they warriors of a new nation or one which was destroyed in the past?

What the hell was Muramasa showing him?

Steeling himself, he rushed into the only room that was left to be breached. The masked man tore it apart with a single clench of his right fist exposing nearly two dozen Kaguya children cowering behind tables and closets.

Their terror turned to relief when they saw the masked man but that feeling soon vanished when a sword appeared in that man's hand.

Naruto had been through two wars and seen some of the most brutal actions humans could commit, but nothing could prepare him for the way in which the masked man walked into the room and slashed a five year old boy's neck.

Bile rose in his throat when another little girl was sliced in half by that monster even as the soldiers under his command watched with cold eyes devoid of any emotion or mercy.

The children panicked and screamed in terror, many begged him for mercy, many just started to cry hysterically as they were too young to bear the brutality happening in front of them.

Naruto tried to move but found himself rooted to his spot by an invisible force. He couldn't close his eyes anymore to block the inhuman massacre happening in front of him. Each second another child was struck down by the masked man with their pleas for mercy having no effect on his heart. Even from the distance, Naruto could feel the hatred and anger in this shinobi. He was in deep agony but that didn't stop him from killing each and every one of the Kaguya children.

Naruto collapsed to his knees when the final child was killed. Part of him was horrified by what he had just seen, another was relieved that it was over.

Lord Flash...

He blinked and opened his eyes when he heard a whisper so sinister that it rattled his heart.

Lord Flash...

Naruto froze when that voice spoke again and this time the masked man turned around to directly stare at him.

Their eyes met and it was in that moment when Naruto saw a pair of lifeless and cold red eyes burning through his very soul.

His eyes.

The man in front of him removed his mask only to reveal Naruto's own face staring back at him. Those red eyes had lost all innocence and mercy, that hardened face showed a man who had been through hell. That broken gaze...

Showed he had lost all faith.

Fulfill your destiny, Lord Flash.

Hatred surged through him at that voice even as it said those heinous words. Instead of making him stronger, it started to weaken him making him realize just what exactly the sword was trying to do.

He looked at this version of him and knew this was not who he was or who he wanted to be.

He had done several messed up things in the past as part of his mission or for his revenge, but it had only brought him more pain and suffering.

He was not a hero like his Father or little brother, but he also didn't want to be a monster.

He was Naruto Namikaze of Kirigakure and...

...He was Minato Namikaze of Uzushiogakure.

The vision started to disappear as his will overpowered that of the sword. It protested viciously trying to show him other images but Naruto's firm belief in himself made all those attempts futile.

When he opened his eyes fully, he saw his clone had disappeared due to the severe distress the original went through. His gaze landed upon the sword and was surprised to see it was burning up.

But instead of a red aura that radiated hatred and anger, it was a blue colored aura that reflected the peace which the sword master had made with himself.

Naruto also didn't feel the sword trying to consume his life force, instead it was trying to aid him as much as possible by sharing the chakra it had stored with him.

He nodded to himself as he understood something about his weapon for it would work the way he wanted it to.

He just had to be strong enough to always make it clear who was the master.


The rays of the sun were slowly receding away from the village allowing its famous Mist to return once again. Human activity started to slow down if only a little as Naruto strolled towards his home.

He had taken the liberty to travel across rooftops for the people would never let him go if he walked among them.

It would seem most of the village was enamored by their new 'General' and wanted to see what he was really like in ordinary life. For them, he was a mystery...

Dismissing those thoughts, he increased his speed but stopped when he saw a familiar face sitting in the training ground near his home.

He narrowed his eyes when he saw four Hunter ninjas surrounding the shinobi.

Grabbing a kunai from his pouch, he threw it straight forward in the direction of the training ground.


Mei had been in the midst of a heated argument with four hunter ninjas when they were all stopped by a bright yellow flash happened in front of them.

When their vision finally cleared, Mei was surprised to see a familiar blonde haired man with a stark white haori standing in front of her.

"Lord Seventh..." she whispered,

He was holding that kunai which she had barely seen flying towards them before that flash had happened.

Apparently, the Hunters knew this man too.

"Scatter" ordered one of the Hunters,

Wordlessly, all of the hunters deserted the area in the blink of an eye drawing a smirk from the tall man currently standing in front of Mei.

"Bullies are really annoying, aren't they?" he asked with a smile, as he offered her his hand.

"You shouldn't have intervened. I was about to handle them" she answered honestly, but didn't refuse his hand as he pulled her to her feet.

"Sorry, I thought...nevermind" he apologized sheepishly, as he scratched the back of his head.

Mei couldn't help but notice that the real Naruto was quite clumsy and sheepish. There was no doubt he was extremely powerful, he had proved that too many times but just standing beside him gave her a sense of peace she had only experienced with her family.

Maybe it was because he accepted her even though she was a Jinchuuriki.

"People might start hating you, if you are seen to be taking my side or even being around me, Lord Seventh" she cautioned him, if only for his well being.

"Then that's their problem" he answered flatly, making her blink in surprise at his honesty.

"We only live once so it's better to live on our terms as much as we can"

She couldn't help but smile at that simple but true philosophy.

"You were trying to meditate in order to better control your powers, weren't you?" he asked sharply,

She had to again remind herself that behind that easygoing man was a fine shinobi. One that she respected and admired.

"Yes" she admitted,

"It's scary when we have to battle our own self. It's one of the toughest battles one can ever fight.." he whispered, and from the way he said it portrayed he had been through something like that.

"Lord Seventh..."

"Please call me Naruto when we are not on mission. It's embarrassing enough as it is..." he requested with a smile, making her smile as well.

"Well then, Naruto. I wanted to thank you for allowing me to stay in the 501st, I got the conscription letter today" said Mei with large smile, but he just shrugged.

"You're a fine shinobi, Mei. I need people like you if we are to win this war" admitted Naruto honestly,

"Still, I wanted you to know that I am grateful for your faith in me which is why I want to make myself stronger. I couldn't help you much during the last battle, but this time..." she whispered hopefully, and was satisfied when he nodded respectfully at her resolve.

He seemed to hesitate for a few moments before he made up his mind and looked at her.

"I'm going on a mission soon" he said, as he rummaged through his pockets only to produce a sealing tag before her.

Somehow, Mei had a feeling that this was not an ordinary mission judging from the grim expression in the man's eyes.

Her doubts were proven true when he offered her that sealing tag.

"I may not return"

It was a reality every shinobi had to live with, including Mei herself. Still, the thought of losing the man standing before her did not sit well, even troubled her heart to some extent.

"Focus upon your meditation and place this seal upon your body. If the beast tries to take control, this will stop it" promised Naruto sincerely,

"Why do you go so far for me, Lord Seventh?" asked Mei in a whisper, as she respectfully accepted the seal.

He smiled as he looked into her eyes.

"You know why..."

Her eyes became moist as she realized he understood and respected her devotion to the village. He was not afraid of her or the beast within her, besides from her father...he was the only one who had faith in her.

"Your path may not have been easy but you have a strength most people don't possess. Someday the people of this village will truly come to recognize and respect the shinobi that you are. Most importantly, you are not alone...Mei" said Naruto sincerely with a smile,

He gave her a parting nod even as a lone tear slipped from her eyes.

"Thank you, Naruto" said Mei happily, even as a small blush crept up on her cheeks.

"The future must stay bright. I leave the village to you, Mei"

He was gone even as he whispered those words to her, watching him go away ignited a tiny spark of worry inside of Mei. Just what was this mission that he was going on? She didn't know much but this man was the only one aside from her family who treated her like a human being, who respected her as a shinobi and had faith in her.

It would break her heart if something were to happen to him.

She flinched when she closed her eyes for a second only to see the same man being buried in a coffin.

No, she couldn't let that happen.

"You are the future of this village, Lord Seventh. We cannot lose you" she thought with determination,

She clenched her fist and looked in the direction of the Mizukage's office knowing what she had to do to keep that future safe.