Yo...
Don't get too excited with this update, it does NOT mean the story will be definitely continued or there even is a sequel. Frankly, you'll get that answer by Monday...
I just felt that the contents of this chapter were necessary for giving a complete closure to the premise of the story that has been seen until now...there is still one big element left which would be necessary for Naruto to make his peace, and hopefully it will be in this chapter.
As to why, I'm not too keen on continuing further is because I'm somewhat tired. The plot of this story (even after this point) is too long even for me (around another 300k-350k words, I think). I can understand why you guys like this story, because it's not easily predictable and you don't know what can happen. But for me, that's not the case, as I know each and every scene of this story, even the goddamn final ending. It kinda reduces my spirit a little...
But I still have 3 days left to think, and I'm still discussing this with my friends. Some are saying to end it, while the others are in favor of continuing it (Kind of a tie actually)
So, just enjoy this chapter for now...
Chapter 77
Home
A small group of people could be seen walking through the deep forests of Fire Country, everyone seemed quite happy and were peacefully moving towards their destination. Minato smiled happily when he saw his comrades in such high spirits, and as they were getting near Konoha's gates their excitement was getting higher...
Except for one person...
His gaze shifted towards his elder son who was just walking alone in a little corner, his eyes were fixed on the ground and the boy seemed to be lost in his thoughts. Minato could feel no emotion radiating from Naruto's heart, it was as if there was nothing...
He would occasionally give a fake smile to the other members of the group, or chat a little when someone forcefully talked to him. But the more they got closer to Konoha, the more he started distancing himself and it confused Minato.
The young Hokage was just about to go towards his son, when Hashirama came in front of him...
"Let me handle it...I know what's going on in his heart" said Hashirama knowingly,
"You do?" asked Minato curiously, as the First Hokage narrowed his gaze at Naruto.
He focused his energy and after a few moments, he could feel the emotions inside the boy's heart. Emptiness, regret, pain...
Suddenly he found himself standing inside a small castle, rain could be seen pouring down heavily from the sky and he could see 6 children in front of him. 3 of them were lying on the ground and were bleeding heavily, a girl was desperately trying to heal one of the wounded boy but he was already gone...
The other boy was also dead, but Hashirama was shocked when he saw Naruto lying beside a dying boy...
"Take...care...of...Mikasa...I...know...you...can...do...it. Thank-"
And the wounded boy collapsed, in that very moment Hashirama's senses were completely clouded by feelings of rage, murder but most of all emptiness.
He could just stare in horror as Naruto awakened the Mangekyo and slaughtered each and every Iwa ninja in the area...quite brutally. The boy was killing, yelling, getting wounded but most of all his heart was getting shattered into a million pieces with every passing moment.
Hashirama could relate the situation with a similar one that had happened in his past...
"Hashirama-sama!"
He was suddenly brought out of his stupor when Minato gently shook his shoulder, surprising Hashirama.
"What happened? You just blanked out for a few seconds..." asked Minato seriously, and he became a little tensed when Hashirama's gaze shifted towards Naruto who had walked a few steps ahead.
Meanwhile, Tobirama was silently observing the situation from behind...
"So, I was right..." thought Tobirama seriously, as he had too sensed that feeling from Naruto.
"I felt his heart, that feeling, that moment is still hounding him. He is reliving that pain every moment..." said Hashirama sadly,
"Nii-san, we should-" said Tobirama seriously, but took a step back when Hashirama gave him a murderous glare.
"Enough, Tobirama. He's just a boy, I won't let your paranoia do any more damage either to the village or to our family..." warned Hashirama, as his young brother glared at him harshly.
"You felt it, didn't you? It's just a matter of time before he becomes like Madara...don't be blinded by your emotions, just like the boy. The village-" explained Tobirama, but in vain as his big brother was certainly not going to listen to any of his "rational'' thoughts.
"After what's happened to this world, you should have at least learned cornering people like Naruto can have disastrous effects. You didn't understand this and isolated Madara, you even went against my wish and created the Uchiha Police Force furthering isolating the clan. If not for Minato, they would have revolted by now, even your students were unjust towards the Uchiha. Everything Madara had said turned out to be true in the end..." said Hashirama disapppontedly, as he remembered his best friend's words from that night.
"Nii-san..." said Tobirama in shock, never in their lives had Hashirama berated him so harshly.
"Don't play with fire, Tobi. I'm warning you, it's true that his dark feelings are more stronger than Madara's...but he also has more hate and anger in his heart. Those emotions are increasing his powers everyday just like any Uchiha. But he is young and not as old and stubborn as Madara, Naruto is like a young fire that can be shifted in the right direction with just a small wave of wind. There is still time to save him before he gets consumed by these emotions, and I won't have your insecurities get in my way. Keep your mouth shut, are we clear?" threatened Hashirama, and Minato was surprised when his father gulped nervously and gave a hesitant nod.
"What should I do?" asked Minato worriedly, getting a smile from Hashirama.
"Leave it to me..."
These were the Senju's final words before he walked towards Naruto, while Minato glared at Tobirama...
Naruto was so engrossed in his thoughts that he was alarmed when he felt someone giving him a light pat on his back, and when he looked back he saw Hashirama standing before him. And what happened next completely shocked the first Hokage...
His grandnephew lost his balance and fell flat on the ground...
"Don't stand behind me, you scared me, idiot!" yelled Naruto childishly, and Minato sweat-dropped when Hashirama got all depressed.
"Gomen (Sorry)..." said Hashirama in a depressed voice, as Tobirama smacked his forehead on seeing his brother's antics.
It took a moment, but Naruto regained his senses and smiled nervously on seeing the great Hashirama getting depressed due to his scolding...
"Hey...don't take it too seriously. I was just making excuses..." said Naruto nervously, but Hashirama was still depressed and now even had a dark cloud hovering above him.
"I didn't know...you had such a disease..." replied Hashirama again in a depressed voice, and he just smiled secretly when he saw Naruto's eyebrows twitching on the remark.
"I can't tell if you're being nice or being a jerk..." said Naruto confusedly, as Hashirama started laughing before offering a hand to Naruto.
As Naruto got back on his feet, he was a little surprised when he still saw Hashirama giving him a true happy smile.
"What's the matter?" asked Naruto curiously, making Hashirama smile even more.
"Nothing, you just remind me of someone... although it's been a long time since I've seen him" said Hashirama happily, and if not for his silky blonde hair as well as his handsome looks, Naruto indeed seemed as a ''mini-Madara" to him.
"Okay" said Naruto hesitantly, as his gaze shifted towards the road.
"We've almost reached Konoha..." said Hashirama happily, as a tired sigh escaped from Naruto's lips.
"It was such a long travel, if I was not so tired I would have teleported all of us. Whoever named the village Konoha was right, the place is definitely hidden inside this forest" commented Naruto thoughtfully, as both him and Hashirama started walking together,
While Minato and Tobirama silently trailed the duo,
"There must be a lot of work to be done in the village..." said Hashirama seriously, getting a nod from Naruto.
"Yeah, a lot has to be done. I can even name a few things, although I'm glad that young children won't be pushed into mindless slaughter..." said Naruto calmly,
"It must be like a dream for you, a world without war..." suggested Hashirama,
"They say if there is a will, then there is a way. And yet I..." said Naruto sadly, and Hashirama waited for him to say something but the boy just went silent.
"Naruto, I can't say that I truly understand the pain in your heart...but you are the leader of this new world" explained Hashirama honestly,
"New world?" asked Naruto in surprise,
"Like me, you have a dream too. I'm not sure what it is truly, but I believe you truly desire peace so I will believe in you" said Hashirama confidently, making Naruto smile a little.
"Thanks..."
"Although I do have a request..." said Hashirama patiently, gaining a quick nod from Naruto.
"Name it..."
"You no longer have any best friends left...but I'd like you to think of all the people of this world as your best friends, specially people of Konoha. I want you to protect them with all your strength and lead them to a better future" requested Hashirama, as Naruto averted his eyes from the man.
"Even though I couldn't protect my own best friends?" asked Naruto sadly, as those two faces came flooding back to his mind.
"Is there nothing left for you to protect?" asked Hashirama seriously, and he saw Naruto looking at his younger brother that was walking ahead with the rest of the group.
"No...I have my little brother left. And I'll protect him...no matter what"
Hashirama was relieved on hearing that promise, it only proved his point that the boy was not completely lost. As long as he had someone or something to protect, he would still be the Naruto all of them loved. But the Hokage also didn't miss the determination in Naruto's voice...
"Just like him, protecting your little brother is your goal...and is the feeling that is binding you to this world. I'm glad" thought Hashirama happily,
Only Tobirama was a little worried after hearing that promise, but he also knew his word had no meaning now as Hashirama had made up his mind...
"Hashirama-sama, can I ask you something?" requested Naruto,
"Go ahead..."
"I couldn't even protect my best friends, not even my teacher and many other friends. How can you believe I can protect others?" questioned Naruto in a straight forward manner, gaining a small smile on Hashirama's face.
"The name Naruto, the guts to never give up, and pain. You've inherited it all from your teacher and best friends..."
Minato was surprised when his son was completely shocked on hearing those words, and he was relieved when Naruto smiled a little as Hashirama gently ruffled his hair.
"I couldn't find the answer to true peace, that's why I'm entrusting you to find it...Naruto" said Hashirama proudly, getting a true smile from the young boy.
"I'll try my best..." promised Naruto truthfully, but was a little surprised when Hashirama lifted him up quickly and placed him on his shoulders.
"What are you doing, Hashirama-sama?" asked Naruto quickly, making Hashirama chuckle.
"Returning a hero to his home..." said the first Hokage proudly, and Naruto was shocked when he saw the gates of Konoha.
And more shocking were the thousands of people that were waiting for them. Civilians, Ninja, Anbu, children...it was the entire village.
The whole village had been decorated like a festival, Naruto couldn't even believe that a civil war had happened in this place a few days ago. He could see smiles on faces of all the villagers while some children had already circled Izumo, Mikasa, Rangiku, Kushina and were asking them question after question.
"Welcome back!"
"We believed in you, Naruto-sama!"
"He's grown so much..."
"Kami, he's handsome!"
Naruto was completely stunned with the showers of praises and thank you's. He looked at Izumo and even his friend seemed completely overwhelmed by this reaction...
"This is..." said Naruto in surprise, as Minato came beside him and Hashirama.
"They know how you saved the village and protected their lives. All of you are heroes for them..." said Minato happily,
"You really did great, Naruto" said a very familiar voice, getting a huge smile on Naruto's face.
And as he turned around, and saw his beloved uncle standing there...
"Shisui!" yelled Naruto happily, and instantly jumped over the young Uchiha.
Mikoto just laughed happily when Shisui couldn't maintain his balance, as both he and Naruto fell flat on the ground...but even then they had smiles on their faces before Shisui gave a tight warm hug to his nephew.
"You are much taller than I expected..." said Shisui happily,
"And you're still the same" replied Naruto just as both of them were joined by Itachi.
Without waiting Shisui gave his younger nephew a hug too, as Naruto smiled. Standing a few meters away, Rangiku was quite surprised by the happiness that was radiating from Naruto, they really were home...
Meanwhile Itachi was surprised when he saw a few of his classmates appearing beside him and his brother...
"So, he's your brother..." said Shikamaru in a lazy manner, as Naruto looked at the young Nara.
"The one and only..." announced Itachi proudly, while Naruto gave a small eye-smile to his brother's friends. Although he was a little nervous when he saw a young blonde girl ogling him...
"I could really fall for him..." said Ino with stars in her eyes,
"INO!"
All the kids yelled together as the Yamanaka just showed them her tongue in response.
"Ano...welcome back" said Hinata shyly, as Naruto offered his hand to the young Hyuga.
"You look like your mother. Are you Himari-sama's daughter?" asked Naruto curiously, and was surprised when he got a small nod from the girl.
"Hai"
Hinata was a little surprised, when Naruto gently ruffled her hime-styled midnight blue hair...
"Your mother was a fine ninja and a good person. It was my honor to fight beside her..." said Naruto respectfully, as a small tear came in Hinata's eyes.
"Thank you...Naruto-sama" replied Hinata sadly, and another Hyuga quickly took the girl away.
"You reckless idiot!"
Naruto heard someone getting a light bop on their head, and was completely surprised when he found a young girl giving Itachi a warm hug. More surprising was the fact that Itachi had returned the hug...
Itachi saw his brother looking at him and gulped nervously...
"Nii-san..."
Naruto shifted his gaze towards the young kunoichi. She was still wearing her medic uniform, indicating she had arrived in the village recently. Her beautiful pink hair were tied in a short pony tail...she was quite good looking.
However Naruto was very intrigued when he saw his brother giving little glances at her face...
"Is he blushing? My, my...Itachi" thought Naruto mischievously, as he realized that the girl standing before him was his younger brother's crush.
"Nii-san, this is Sakura Haruno...my friend" said Itachi nervously, as Naruto just gave a knowing look to his brother.
"I can see that clearly...little brother" said Naruto in a suggestive manner, and smiled victoriously when Itachi paled on hearing the hidden meaning in Naruto's words.
"I'm Sakura, nice to meet you...Naruto-san" introduced Sakura in a curt, respectful voice as Naruto shook her hand.
"She's a little like the old Mikasa, interesting" thought Naruto curiously,
"Nice to meet you, Sakura. Are you also one of my brother's classmates?" asked Naruto patiently, getting a quick nod from the girl.
"Yes, this reckless idiot here is my friend. Though he always gets himself in trouble..." scolded Sakura, making Naruto laugh as Itachi just became a little depressed like Hashirama.
"You're so mean...Sakura" said Itachi in mock hurtful voice,
"She definitely is like Mikasa...'' thought Naruto happily, as he watched Itachi and Sakura quarreling a little.
Mikoto could just smile on seeing her family happy, and she was surprised when Kushina came beside her...
"Kushina, I-" said Mikoto but was cut off,
"Let's just make a fresh start, Mikoto?" asked Kushina curiously,
"I would like that very much" said Mikoto happily, and gave a small hug to her friend.
Both of them just settled on looking at Naruto, who seemed quite happy by being among the younger generation. Even his smile was not a fake, but a true one...
"Everyone believes in Naruto, has hopes for him, worry about him from the bottom of their hearts. He has become an even bigger hero than his father... he changed the destiny of our people" said Mikoto proudly,
Kushina could just stare at the young Namikaze that had changed her entire life. He really was...
"That's because he never gave up..." said Kushina happily,
"Kushina..."
"I understand how he feels, in many ways he reminds me of Kakashi. He suffers from the pain of losing his best friends to war, and is haunted by his past. That's why he keeps on fighting so that other people don't have to go through the same experience..." explained Kushina calmly, surprising Mikoto.
"You really like him, don't you?" asked Mikoto happily,
"He changed my life, believed in me when no one else did. Fought for me, I'd say he has earned it. Today, my wish of Naruto being seen as a true hero is finally fulfilled..." said Kushina proudly, as a small tear slipped from her eye.
Mikoto gently entwined her hand with Kushina, and both of them smiled when Kakashi and some of the others started throwing Naruto in the air, as the young Namikaze smiled happily.
"Mikoto, I'm looking at a hero right now..."
Author's Notes: End of chapter.
I can't explain why I wrote this chapter, I just had to. That's the only reason I can give...
Again this does NOT mean that this story is being continued or a sequel is coming- NO decision has been made till now
Although I did just introduce many new characters and opened up a new route from where the story can continue. This chapter showed that despite being like Madara, our hero (Naruto) has not given up and still aims to fight till the last. And Hashirama's words and trust in him, will play a vital role in keeping Naruto on the light side...hopefully.
Cause again, nothing can said for sure in this story. And we know what happened to Madara...
We also saw Kushina's growing affection for Naruto, intro of Hinata and Sakura. I guess Naruto's genin team were introduced in this chapter along with some others who have some important roles in the story. Shisui is back too.
So, be patient and wait till Monday. Hopefully, I'll find the motivation to continue the story further despite my adviser's suggestion to end it and focus on my other stories.
Let me know your thoughts about this chapter and the fate of this story if you want,
Blackwolf501