Chapter 2 - Fateful Encounters
Time had passed. Five years had gone by since the tragic death of Minato, leaving a deep void in the hearts of those who loved him.
Six-year-old Naruto had become an avid reader, but he still retained his dreamy spirit, getting lost in the paragraphs of his favorite book: "The Tale of an Incredibly Bold Shinobi."
Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement as he immersed himself in the pages of his favorite book. He held it with such devotion that it seemed like he was absorbing every printed word.
Kushina sat with her two younger children asleep on her lap, as she looked at photos of Minato and herself in an album. With each page she turned, a sigh of longing escaped her lips. In that moment, her sighs were unexpectedly interrupted by the sound of the rustling pages of the book Naruto held eagerly.
"So, was it my godfather who wrote this novel?" Naruto asked, curious.
Kushina, who had been lost in her memories and sighs, turned her gaze away from the photographs and directed her attention towards her son with a smile on her face. At six years old, Naruto, with his unruly hair and those intense blue eyes, was increasingly resembling his father.
"Yes, Naruto, it was your godfather, Jiraiya, who wrote that book," Kushina replied, ruffling her son's hair. "And it's because of the protagonist of that story that your father and I decided to name you Naruto."
The boy let out a teasing laugh and glanced at the photo of his father.
"Really? I thought you named me that because you also love ramen," Naruto said playfully.
Kushina couldn't help but let out a warm and melodious laugh that filled the room. Naruto momentarily frowned, but soon joined in on the fun.
"Look, Naruto," Kushina said, pointing to one of the photos of Minato. "Your father sacrificed himself to save the village, you know? He was a brave man who always sought to protect his loved ones."
Naruto's eyes lit up with a mix of awe and longing. Throughout his short life, he had heard countless stories about his father, the legendary Minato Namikaze, known as the Yellow Flash of Konoha. Although he had never had the chance to personally know him, his mother's words and the stories circulating in the village had created a vivid image in his mind: that of a true hero.
His mother's stories described his father as a brave and selfless man, willing to sacrifice everything for the well-being of others. It was said that during the Third Shinobi World War, his father had faced impossible threats and formidable enemies to protect his village. He was an inspiring figure, a symbol of courage and determination that Naruto deeply admired.
Even at a young age, Naruto already had an innate sense of justice and nobility. Influenced by the stories of heroes in the novels he devoured, he dreamt of being like his father, a tireless protector and defender of the weak. The idea of sacrificing oneself for a noble cause resonated in his heart, and his determination grew stronger with each passing day.
"Who would refuse to give their own life for a noble cause?" Naruto wondered aloud, letting the question hang in the air. For him, the answer was clear. A true hero was willing to put their life on the line for the well-being of others, without hesitation or doubt.
With determination, Naruto stood up and pointed his finger at the photo of his father.
"Then, I'll be just as strong. I'll protect world peace like the protagonist in my favorite novel," he declared with conviction. "And someday, I'll be like dad and wear a cloak as spectacular as his."
Kushina hadn't expected that. Her eldest son seemed to idealize his father. In that moment, she wished with all her heart that Minato was there with them. That her eldest son could see in his father not only a figure to admire, but also a father to learn from.
"That's right," Kushina replied. "He saved the village and its people. He was a man who always sought to protect his loved ones."
Kushina observed her eldest son with a mix of tenderness and sadness in her eyes. Naruto's expression while talking about his father revealed a deep idealization and admiration for Minato. It was evident that his father's legacy had left an indelible mark on his heart and his view of the world. While Kushina felt proud that Naruto found inspiration in his father, she also fervently wished that Minato was there to share his wisdom and love with his children.
In that moment, a wave of nostalgia and longing flooded Kushina's heart. She remembered the happy moments she had spent with Minato and how they had together dreamed of a bright future for their family. She longed for Naruto and his siblings to experience the warm and loving presence of their father, to receive his guidance, and to learn from his example.
Softly sighing, Kushina pulled her son closer to her and enveloped him in a warm embrace. With a soft yet loving voice, she whispered:
"Naruto, my dear, I know your father would be incredibly proud of you. He loved you more than words can express. Even though he's not physically here, his spirit lives on in you. You have his strength, his courage, and his determination. Learn from his example, but remember that you have to forge your own path. You're special, my beloved son, and I'll be here to support you every step of the way."
Kushina felt a lump forming in her throat as she hugged Naruto tighter. Despite her pride in her son's admiration for Minato, there was also a constant concern in her heart.
The fear that her eldest son might follow in his father's footsteps and eventually face the same fate weighed heavily on Kushina's heart. She vividly recalled the dangers Minato had faced throughout his life and how his heroism had come at such a high price that night.
Yet, she locked those fears deep within her heart, trusting that her son would walk a different path, a path where he could live a long, peaceful, and joyful life. With a warm smile, Kushina spoke:
"Wake up your siblings, it's almost time for lunch," she said, glancing briefly at the clock. "Today, we're having ramen, our favorite."
Upon hearing his mother's words, Naruto jumped for joy and began to wake up his younger siblings, who were dozing off on Kushina's lap. Menma, the younger brother, woke up with a long yawn.
He resembled Naruto and obviously his father, Minato. His golden hair was even brighter than Naruto's, but his eyes had the same purple hue as his mother and twin sister.
As soon as he heard that they were having ramen, he showed overwhelming excitement. On the other hand, Akame, more reserved, responded with a small yawn.
Akame was the spitting image of her mother, with her red hair and purple eyes as clear proof. However, despite their striking physical resemblance, their personalities diverged greatly. Akame was a mostly calm and curious young girl, although she occasionally displayed flashes of Kushina's temper.
Once Akame was fully awake, she lazily stretched before heading to the bathroom to wash her hands, followed by her enthusiastic brothers.
While her children excitedly headed to the bathroom, Kushina heard the doorbell ring. Since the incident, Kakashi had been going through difficult times, burdened by guilt over Obito and Rin's death and for not being able to be there to protect Minato.
After Minato's death, Kushina had not heard from Kakashi for several months. The young man had immersed himself even more in his work as an Anbu member, to the point that she couldn't even find him at Rin's grave. She knew that Kakashi was deeply grieving the loss of Minato, as he considered him a father and Minato treated him like a son.
Concerned about Kakashi, Kushina decided to find out what was going on with him. She discovered that Kakashi practically lived at the ANBU headquarters and hadn't taken a single day off. Determined to help him, she went there and convinced him to take a vacation at her house.
At first, Kakashi resisted, but he couldn't do much against Kushina's insistence. So, he ended up spending his vacation at the Namikaze house. It turned out to be a beneficial experience, as he seemed to find a new sense of joy and zest for life as he spent more time with Naruto, Menma, and Akame. He even rekindled his old rivalry with the bushy-browed boy he used to compete against in the past.
Time passed, and Kakashi became an integral part of the Namikaze family. The three siblings grew up seeing him as an older brother, even though he didn't live with them. Kakashi always found time to share meals and special moments with the family. And today would be no exception.
Kushina opened the door with a smile on her face, but when she saw Kakashi's state, her smile vanished. As an ANBU member, Kakashi used to come back from missions with wounds and dirt, but for Kushina, it didn't justify his current appearance, covered in dust and cuts.
"To the bathroom, now," Kushina ordered, with a determined tone.
Kakashi swallowed hard and obeyed the redhead's words. He quickly headed to the bathroom, but at that moment, he heard the screams of the three kids exclaiming that a vagabond had entered the house. Kushina rushed to them, only to find Kakashi sprawled on the floor.
Apparently, the Namikaze siblings had mistaken him for a stranger, and in his confusion, Menma had delivered a kick to his sensitive area. When Kakashi fell to the floor, almost breathless, he whispered, "I'm Kakashi." Realizing who he really was, the three siblings couldn't feel more remorseful for their mistake.
After a long thirty minutes in which Kakashi was able to recover and be ready for dinner, the four of them sat at the table, ready to eat. Kushina brought four large bowls of ramen for each one, then brought hers and sat with the rest.
"Kushina, are you sure it's appropriate to eat ramen at this hour?" Kakashi said, but he shut his mouth when he found what looked like a picture of a demonic family staring at him with intense eyes.
"What did you say, Kakashi?" Kushina asked, with a defiant look.
"You want Menma to give you another kick," threatened Naruto with a mischievous smile, his younger siblings showing the same grin. Even Akame, the calmest one in the family, shared the same love for ramen as the rest of her family.
Kakashi swallowed hard, and a nervous chuckle escaped him before he spoke, trying to defuse the situation.
"I meant to say it's amazing at any time of the day," Kakashi replied, swallowing again.
As soon as he said those words, the atmosphere returned to normal, and the Namikaze children resumed enjoying their ramen. Naruto was the fastest eater, slurping the last of his bowl and letting out a satisfied sigh. Kakashi couldn't help but smile. Naruto was so much like his mother, although he could sometimes see glimpses of his sensei in him as well.
"Kakashi-nii," Naruto spoke up. Kakashi, who was still slurping his noodles, took one last sip and turned his gaze to Naruto. "How was your mission? Did you defeat many enemies?"
From an early age, Naruto showed great interest in the ninja world, perhaps because his adoptive older brother was one, or perhaps because he always read and heard stories about his father. Although today was the first time Naruto asked Kakashi about his mission.
"I'm sorry, Naruto," Kakashi replied, somewhat earnestly and teasingly. "As an ANBU member, we're forbidden from discussing our missions. It's top-secret."
Naruto looked extremely disappointed by that. He had hoped to hear stories from his brother about his missions. The closest Kakashi had ever shared was when they trained together.
"Maybe you should quit ANBU," suggested Kushina. "You could become the jounin-sensei for one of my kids. I'm sure you'd be a fantastic teacher, just like Minato," Kushina added with a genuine smile directed at the White-haired ninja.
For a few seconds, Kakashi got lost in his thoughts. Memories of his childhood surfaced in his mind, both painful and warm. The time when he, Obito, and Rin were under Minato's care was the best time of his life, even when Kushina scolded him for always being so cold. Now, he and Kushina were the last remaining links of that chain they once were.
"That would be great!" exclaimed the two Namikaze brothers simultaneously, while Akame, calm as ever, continued eating. "I could learn more things, and finally, I could read those super-secret books you always read in secret," Naruto added with a grin.
A shiver ran down Kakashi's spine when Naruto mentioned his books. He was sure he always covered them well and made sure to read them in private. But now that didn't matter because the reason for his shiver was the look Kushina had on him.
When Kushina heard her eldest son, she quickly shifted her gaze to the White-haired ninja, like an eagle that had found its prey and was preparing to strike.
"So, you read hidden books in secret," Kushina said, well aware that Kakashi had become a fan of the perverted books written by Jiraiya. "I hope Naruto hasn't seen any of those books," she added, using a tone of voice that only Kakashi knew, the same one she used when he was a child.
"Absolutely not, I swear," Kakashi quickly replied, trying to divert attention as he refocused on his food.
Naruto and Menma observed their older brother's strange behavior with curiosity. What did those books have that made them so important? As they turned their gaze to their sister, they noticed her cheeks were slightly flushed, indicating she knew something they didn't. The two brothers exchanged a look, silently promising each other they would ask their sister when they had the chance.
"By the way, Kushina," Kakashi said, grabbing the attention of the red-haired ninja. "Have you heard that Fugaku-sama has decided to step down as the clan leader? It seems being Hokage is too demanding a job even for him."
"Then who will be the new leader?" Kushina asked with interest. "As far as I know, Itachi isn't interested in becoming the clan head. And as Mikoto explained to me, it's the former leader who must choose their successor."
Kakashi smiled, and Kushina could tell he had good news.
"Things are changing," he replied, relieved as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Mikoto-sama will become the next leader of the Uchiha clan."
A huge smile spread across Kushina's face, her eyes shining brightly. She got up from her seat and exclaimed that the next day, the whole family would go to the Uchiha clan's residential compound.
Naruto let out a distressed sigh. He got along well with Sasuke, but Setsuna was a different story. However, his anguished sigh was overshadowed by the joy of his two younger siblings. Menma got along extremely well with Sasuke, especially with Itachi. And Akame was Setsuna's best friend. When the two were together and seen by the villagers, they were called "the princesses of the Leaf"; although each had their individual titles, especially Setsuna.
—
The next day, outside the Uchiha clan leader's house, the Namikaze family gathered. Naruto stood beside his mother, sporting a visible bump on his head due to his reluctance to go for the visit. His mother had to convince him the hard way, which caused laughter and teasing from his younger siblings.
"This is what happens when you don't listen to mom," Menma said with a teasing tone, nudging Naruto.
Naruto didn't respond, simply diverting his gaze to his sister. Akame was half-asleep, as the invitation from Mikoto the previous night included breakfast and the option to stay for lunch. As the door opened, Mikoto Uchiha greeted them with a warm smile. She welcomed Kushina and her three children, to which they responded in unison, except for Akame, who was still half-awake.
Once inside the house, they made their way to the living room, where they found Fugaku Uchiha with an eye patch over his right eye, reading a newspaper. Fugaku, stoic and distant, stood up and greeted the Namikaze family before his gaze shifted to Naruto, who could feel the Uchiha's lone eye scrutinizing him closely.
"You've grown," Fugaku remarked before heading down the hallway to call his two younger children as if giving an order.
A few minutes later, Sasuke and Setsuna came downstairs and joined the rest. Fugaku resumed his seat, opened the newspaper, and waited for everyone to be ready for breakfast.
Itachi's absence from home was commonplace. As a shinobi, he spent most of his time on missions, and since Fugaku became the Hokage, his eldest son had become the most reliable ninja for any task that needed to be done.
As Sasuke, Naruto, Menma, and Setsuna gathered downstairs, they exchanged greetings with each other. Setsuna enthusiastically greeted Akame, even though she was still not fully awake, but having her friend nearby brightened her mood.
Breakfast turned out to be somewhat awkward, despite the pleasant conversations between Kushina and Mikoto. The reason was Fugaku, who didn't seem as enthusiastic and only spoke when he needed something. Amidst a lively conversation between Naruto and Sasuke, Fugaku asked Naruto to pass the butter. Naruto glanced around and realized the butter was near him. With a smile, he picked it up and handed it to Fugaku, but when he met the stern expression on the former Uchiha leader's face, a shiver ran down his spine. Fugaku's lone eye was fixed on him, looking as serious and tense as a rock, and his left arm was extended, ready to receive what he had asked for.
Naruto swallowed nervously and handed the butter to Fugaku. He then resumed his chat with Sasuke, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed Setsuna, who had witnessed the exchange and had a mischievous smirk on her face.
However, the atmosphere seemed to shift when Mikoto explained that Fugaku was simply nervous as he wasn't used to sharing such moments with people beyond the family. Kushina seemed to be aware of that, so the explanation was probably directed mainly at the Namikaze siblings, who hadn't interacted much with Fugaku before.
Naruto and Menma exchanged surprised glances. The Fifth Hokage and the person they considered so formidable at their young age was acting this way because he was nervous around people who weren't family?
Naruto thought Mikoto-san must be joking, but then he glanced at Fugaku. The latter seemed embarrassed, and he retrieved his newspaper, pretending to read it again, even though he had finished reading it before the Namikaze family arrived.
Suddenly, the sound of the lock opening reached everyone present, and Itachi's voice announcing his arrival brought a special joy to Mikoto. Before Sasuke could even get up from his seat to greet his older brother, Itachi was already in the room with them. His tall figure, tied-back black hair, and serious expression exuded a sense of maturity and being the older brother.
To Naruto, Itachi was entirely different from his brother Kakashi: absent-minded, tired, often late, covered in dust when he returned home, and with many other peculiarities, like hiding away to read his books, not even allowing them a peek.
Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the Land of Fire, a group of ANBU had completed their mission, and their leader, Kakashi Hatake, was leisurely reading a book while perched on a tree branch.
Inside the room, Itachi took a deep breath and began to explain the sensitive information he had come across during his missions.
"Mother, father, and Kushina-san," he started, addressing the three adults seriously, "I've discovered some information that I must share with all of you." His voice had an air of gravity, and even Naruto and the others were taken aback by the unexpected seriousness of Itachi's tone.
The three adults exchanged glances and nodded in approval. Kushina and Mikoto instructed their children to go to the training yard. For a moment, the young ones hesitated, watching their parents intently, but they quickly complied and left the room. As soon as the last of them stepped outside, Fugaku closed the door behind them. Menma seemed curious to know what was going on, but before he could get closer to the door, Naruto stopped him and led him to the training yard.
With just the three of them remaining, Itachi continued, "I've been monitoring some activities of certain rogue ninjas in the shadows. It seems that they are planning something big, and their target is Konoha." The room fell silent as the weight of Itachi's words sank in.
Kushina looked worried, and Mikoto's eyes narrowed with concern. Fugaku's expression remained stern, but it was evident that he was taking the information seriously.
"What kind of threat are we facing?" Kushina asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"I'm not entirely sure of their exact intentions, but from the information I gathered, they are amassing a considerable number of powerful ninja. I fear they might be planning an attack on the village," Itachi explained.
Fugaku leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "We can't underestimate this threat. We should increase security and be prepared for any eventuality," he said, his voice firm.
Mikoto nodded in agreement. "I'll inform the Uchiha clan and the village council. We must be vigilant," she said.
Itachi added, "I'll continue to gather intelligence and keep you informed of any developments."
Kushina looked at her son with admiration and concern. "Be careful, Itachi. Your safety is our priority," she said with a motherly tone.
Itachi gave a small smile. "I'll be cautious, Mother. But we must protect the village at all costs."
The three of them spent more time discussing strategies and coordinating their efforts to safeguard the village. Outside, Naruto, Sasuke, Setsuna, and Menma were practicing their jutsus, unaware of the serious conversation that had taken place inside the house.
As the day wore on, the young ninjas continued their training, and the adults made preparations to address the threat that loomed over their beloved village. It was a day that would leave a lasting impact on the Namikaze and Uchiha families, setting them on a path to confront the unknown dangers that lay ahead.
—
In the courtyard, two boys stared fixedly into each other's eyes: black against blue, ocean against darkness. Neither of them took a step forward. Naruto and Sasuke didn't know the reason, but something inside them burned every time they faced each other.
Suddenly, a female voice interrupted their staring contest. "Why don't you two kiss, lovebirds?" Setsuna said, with her hand on her hip and a mocking smile on her face. Over the years, she had changed a lot. When she was younger, she used to have a "hime" hairstyle, not because she liked it, but because her father treated her like a long-lost treasure. Because of that, her hairstyle and her father's position earned her the nickname "Princess Uchiha." But for Naruto, the only thing "princess" about Setsuna was the nickname.
Beside her stood Akame, leaning against a tree. Setsuna's comment angered Naruto and Sasuke. However, Menma found it amusing. He couldn't stop laughing after hearing it. He was looking forward to his turn to fight the winner and was already getting bored.
"I could beat you anytime!" Naruto exclaimed, more motivated by annoyance than anything else.
Sasuke noticed this and realized that Naruto could be impulsive and act without thinking. He placed his palm on his face and sighed deeply before speaking.
"Naruto, you know Setsuna is better than both of us in taijutsu, even though I hate to admit it," Sasuke said, shrugging his shoulders. "Remember the last fight you had with her? You couldn't even land the last two blows."
Naruto growled, trying to deny it.
"That was just luck," he insisted. "That's why I lost."
"Twenty-five times?" Setsuna retorted with a mocking tone in her voice, her hand covering her mouth, barely hiding a small chuckle.
At that moment, Menma clapped his hands together. Then he exclaimed, "I have an idea! How about we have a little competition? Uchihas versus Namikaze. What do you say?"
Setsuna and Sasuke exchanged glances and then nodded in agreement.
"I'm okay with that," Sasuke said, clenching his fists.
"I guess I could increase my number of victories," Setsuna added.
Then Menma shifted his gaze to his sister. Akame brushed her hair away from her field of vision and said with little enthusiasm, "I'll pass. I'm not in the mood for fighting." Akame didn't find joy in a fight. She wasn't very skilled in combat, but she knew she would have to learn to fight in the future. After all, Konoha was a ninja village, and she was Minato Namikaze's daughter. Although she hoped to develop her expertise in fuinjutsu and follow in her mother's footsteps.
"Well, then it's two against two," said Menma, stepping closer to Naruto. Both brothers exchanged quick glances. "Seems fair."
"I guess we'll have to show why the Uchiha clan is the strongest," said Sasuke, determination in his gaze.
Uchiha and Namikaze prepared for the fight, assuming taijutsu stances. Akame watched her twin brother closely as he charged towards Sasuke, unleashing a flurry of strikes that the black-haired boy managed to dodge with impressive speed.
Frustration filled Menma's face as he struggled to land even a single hit, but Sasuke moved with incomparable skill, avoiding any contact. As the battle continued, Sasuke's movements became more fluid and precise, demonstrating the prowess of the one they called the second Uchiha prodigy.
Meanwhile, Setsuna and Naruto had yet to begin their confrontation. Naruto assumed a defensive stance, aware that Setsuna was superior to him in taijutsu, though he found it hard to admit. He knew that attacking first would put him at a disadvantage, so he decided to wait for the right moment.
Setsuna, on the other hand, eagerly awaited Naruto's attack. She knew the blond's impulsiveness in fights, and that always gave her an advantage. However, this time, Naruto didn't move. He maintained his defensive stance and controlled his breathing. It seemed he had learned from his mistakes, but Setsuna was determined to exploit her ability to rile him up.
Relaxing her stance, Setsuna let out a sigh and glanced at Naruto from the corner of her eye. His lack of action started to unsettle her. Despite remaining composed, a spark of confidence and superiority shone in her eyes.
Naruto, still keeping his cool, knew that each of Setsuna's moves had a purpose. He had to patiently wait until he figured out her strategy to counterattack. However, his calm was challenged when Setsuna, without looking directly at him, started to play with her nails and taunted, "When are you going to come at me, blondie?"
That was the final straw for Naruto. Patience completely evaporated, and a wave of determination and fury took over him. He clenched his fist tightly, held his breath for a moment, and launched himself at Setsuna with impressive speed and ferocity.
Setsuna smiled at Naruto's reaction. She was enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to demonstrate her superiority. She knew she had all the advantages on her side, both in skill and experience. Now was the time to make it clear.
Meanwhile, Sasuke kept fighting against Menma. He intended to finish quickly and then go help his sister against Naruto. He knew Setsuna was stronger, but Naruto had an inexhaustible endurance. It would be better to face him together. After all, in a battle, no one would be kind enough to keep it a one-on-one affair.
However, Menma was defending himself well, taking more time than Sasuke wanted.
Naruto rushed forward, defenseless, like a beginner's arrow trying to hit the target. However, just like the arrow of a beginner, his attack was destined to fail.
Setsuna elegantly lifted her leg, not even needing to get closer. In the blink of an eye, Naruto felt all his strength leaving his body. Setsuna's foot struck his groin, and Naruto fell to the ground as if lightning had struck him.
"You're foolishly impulsive," said Setsuna as she sat on top of Naruto, displaying him like a captured prey.
"It's not fair," muttered Naruto, futilely trying to get Setsuna off him. He didn't have the strength to push her away.
"Hey! Brother, how much longer will this take?" exclaimed Setsuna impatiently.
Sasuke continued to fight against Menma. Though the black-haired boy had the advantage, Menma didn't seem to give up. Sasuke clenched his fist and delivered a precise punch. Menma staggered for a moment; the punch had taken his breath away, and his body urged him to give in and fall. However, his will was strong. He remained standing, clenched his fist, and struck Sasuke in the chest.
Sasuke, Setsuna, and Naruto watched in awe as Menma made one last attempt. Sasuke was particularly surprised. When Menma's punch hit his chest, he braced himself for the impact. However, the blow was soft, lacking strength. It was just Menma's will to land one final hit before going down.
"Don't you think that's a dirty tactic, Little Sister?" questioned Sasuke, watching his friend trying to get his sister off him.
Setsuna smiled, a sweet smile. "Do you want to try it a bit?" she said, raising her leg.
Sasuke simply shook his head before turning around and offering a hand to Menma.
At that moment, the three elder Uchihas appeared, along with Kushina. When Fugaku observed the scene, his chest swelled with pride, and a smile formed on his face. His princess had defeated Naruto and was using him as if he were her throne.
However, if Fugaku had known the cause of Naruto's defeat, he wasn't sure whether to feel proud or worried for his daughter. Meanwhile, Sasuke showed respect for his opponent by helping him up.
On the other hand, Kushina was surprised. Naruto, who trained with Kakashi, was lying on the ground being used by Setsuna as her personal seat. And her son Menma was on the ground with a silly grin, his hand extended trying to reach Sasuke's friendly hand. Apparently, he had landed that one hit he had wanted so badly.
Mikoto ordered Setsuna to get up and leave Naruto alone. She simply patted Naruto's back, saying, "Don't be so impulsive, okay?" Then, she approached Akame, who had found all the fights entertaining.
"So, what's the plan?" Kushina asked the three Uchihas.
"None," Fugaku replied. "If the information that Itachi has obtained is correct, we still have a chance to prevent something worse." Fugaku glanced at his wife. "I'm sorry you have to deal with these problems right now."
Mikoto just took her husband's hand and squeezed it gently in a gesture of support and marital complicity.
Kushina just smiled, feeling a warm and pleasant love filling her chest. Memories of Minato surfaced in her mind.
"Then, let's call an end to this little gathering for today," Kushina said cheerfully. "I need to train Menma and Akame. Naruto can take the day off, at least for today."
—
Back at the Namikaze residence, Kushina set out to train her younger children. Naruto, on the other hand, obtained permission from Kushina to go wherever he pleased, along with enough money to buy whatever he wanted. And in his case, that would most likely be books or food.
"Well, where should I go now?" Naruto pondered, placing his hand on his chin. After a few moments of deliberation between his two great passions, he finally arrived at an answer. "I'll buy a book!" he exclaimed happily. However, as quickly as that happiness came, it faded away, and his mind returned to less pressing matters. "Maybe a history book or a novel I can read in some quiet place," he mumbled to himself as he walked towards the streets of Konoha.
He quickened his pace and headed towards the center of the village, stopping at a bookstore called "Leaves of Yesterday." It was of medium size and had several sample books displayed outside. A group of what seemed to be academy students was reading books on ninjutsu and ninja history. Naruto thought it would be an interesting place to visit.
Suddenly, one of the boys noticed Naruto's presence and started whispering to his friends. After a few seconds, the entire group left, but not without bowing slightly to the blond.
Naruto responded kindly to the show of respect, although he had never liked the looks he always received from other people—respect, gratitude, and fear, or at least that's what he believed.
And although he still felt a little uncomfortable with the sudden attention, he entered the bookstore with determination. As he did so, he was greeted by the warm aroma of books and the soft murmur of people enjoying their reading.
The sound of bells above the door caught the attention of the owner. The man who greeted him was elderly, with a face marked by wrinkles, but his expression did not convey any malice. He had white hair and an incipient bald spot, and he wore glasses hanging from his neck.
"How can I assist you, young man?" the old man said, trying to reach for his glasses with trembling hands. Finally, he got hold of them and put them on, almost jumping in surprise. "Young Namikaze!" he exclaimed, quickly bowing in reverence. "What brings the honor of your visit?"
Immediately, everyone in the store turned to look, and a small chain of murmurs echoed in the place. These were the things that made Naruto nervous. In the village, there were many people who treated him with too much respect, some who wouldn't talk to him, and others who insulted him, although the latter were rare and usually came from people who had been drinking excessively.
Naruto was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of having to bow before the elderly man, not only due to his age but also out of courtesy. He let out a long sigh, trying to clear his mind.
"Do you have any books on ninja history or historical novels?" Naruto asked with a slight smile.
"Yes," the old man replied, crouching down and bringing out a huge book. "This is a catalog with all the books for sale."
He opened the book and handed it to Naruto, pointing to the section on History and Historical Novels. Naruto was impressed by the size of the catalog and the number of book titles and descriptions it contained. He went through each title, from the history of the Land of Fire to the stories of the three legendary Sannin. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on a small title: "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
A smile spread across his face, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was two books, and he wouldn't be able to buy both with the money he had. He decided that when his mother gave him more money, he would return to buy the other book.
"I want this one," Naruto said, pointing to the book in the catalog.
The old man quickly glanced at the book and then smiled. "You have a good eye, young Namikaze," he said. "This book has inspired stories across the continent, it's a legacy of chaotic times," his voice conveyed the passion of someone immersed in words. "Give me a moment; I'll bring it right away."
The old man headed to a room with a smile on his face, and after a few moments, he returned. However, to Naruto's surprise, he didn't bring just one book, but two.
"Here you go, young Namikaze," the old man said, placing the books gently on the counter.
Naruto apologized, feeling disappointed. "I'm so sorry, but I only have enough money to buy one," he said with a trace of regret.
The old man smiled even more and put his hand on one of the books. "Don't worry, young Namikaze. You only need to pay for one; the other is a gift I want to give you. Not only for deciding to visit my humble store but also because I can't deny a book lover like me the opportunity to read this work."
The excitement returned to Naruto's eyes, and with a smile, he took the money out of his pocket and paid the old man. Grateful for the special treatment, he decided he wouldn't forget that store and would come back frequently to buy there.
Once outside, with the two books tucked under his right arm, Naruto decided to find a quiet place to read. He walked through the bustling streets of the rebuilt Village Hidden in the Leaves, but he couldn't bear so many glances and constant greetings. He always sought a hidden spot where he could immerse himself in reading. Finally, he found the perfect place: to the right of the street, there was a staircase leading to a rooftop. Naruto hurried up the stairs and reached a spacious rooftop, where a bench was sheltered under a wooden awning.
He decided that the best spot to read and feel the gentle breeze would be on top of the awning. Holding his books securely, he began to climb until he reached the top. There he stayed, lost within the pages, until his eyes closed and the book covered his face. Meanwhile, the soft breezes caressed his skin, the sounds of the village resonated in his ears, and the fresh aroma of the air filled his senses.
—
A few hours later, in the same place, two broad-shouldered individuals sat on a bench. One of them had red hair and was notably taller and more robust than the other person accompanying him.
"They said all Akimichi clan members are slow and mocked me," said the brown-haired boy with swirls on his cheeks, his voice tinged with sadness.
Choza listened attentively to his son's words. He had been through the same when he was a child, but in the least expected moment, he found friends he never imagined he'd have.
"Really?" replied the red-haired man. "Let me tell you something, son. None of them have the heart you have. Someday, you'll find true friends who will see what you're made of and trust you with their lives. So when that day comes, cherish them, Choji."
Suddenly, footsteps and a voice interrupted the family moment between Choji and Choza.
"Ah, it's you, the boy from earlier," said a boy with a pineapple hairstyle, looking somewhat surprised.
Choji looked away; it was the same boy who was with the ones who bullied him. He, too, seemed out of place.
"Weren't you with those other kids?" Choji asked. It was true that the boy also kept to himself, but nobody bothered him like they did to him.
"What?" the boy replied, raising an eyebrow. "They were too annoying. I couldn't stand them anymore. Besides, on days like these, I like to watch the clouds from here."
Choji observed the black-haired boy and then said, "I see."
"You're in my favorite spot," added the pineapple-haired boy.
Choji stepped aside, allowing the boy to settle into his favorite spot. For a few moments, they remained in silence. Until suddenly, the dark-haired boy spoke.
"I'm Shikamaru," he said. "And you?"
Choza looked away. Shikamaru? Could this boy be Shikaku's son? A smile appeared on his broad face. How foolish he had been not to notice before. Both had that peculiar Nara family personality.
"I'm Choji," he replied with a genuine smile. "It's a pleasure..."
However, Choji couldn't finish his sentence. Suddenly, they heard a surprised shout from above. "Hey, a butterfly!" Then, a blond boy fell to the ground, dropping two books, while a blue-winged butterfly flew away.
All three were surprised by the unexpected encounter, but Choza was the most surprised. There was no doubt; this blond boy was Minato's son.
"Who are you?" Choji asked, approaching curiously, though he was more interested in knowing if the blond was okay, but it was the first thing that came out of his mouth.
Naruto didn't answer immediately. He let out a small groan of pain and rubbed the affected area, then got up.
"I'm Naruto Namikaze," said the blond with a wide smile, making the peace sign with one hand while carrying his books with the other arm.
The four of them couldn't hold back their laughter, making it a fond memory of the day these three good friends met.