Chapter 42: Proud Parents
-Unknown Location-
''Huh? Where am I?'' Naruto questioned as he had awoken and found himself in a very empty, quiet and pitch black void.
He looked around and saw nothing, absolutely nothing and lifting a hand in front of his face he couldn't see his appendage! He darted his head around and everywhere it was just plain black he started to wonder if he had been put in a genjutsu of sorts. Either that or Naruto thought he was going plain crazy.
''Okay is this some kind of sick joke? Someone wake me up goddammit!" The blonde shouted and he noticed his voice echoed throughout the void.
Hearing no answer in the dark void Naruto decided to run for the nearest exit. That's if he can find one of course. So he ran for what felt like miles and the only sounds that were heard were his footsteps that echoed throughout the space and after a straight half hour of running he stopped.
''Seriously, what is going on?''
He then had an idea.
''Wait, if this is some sort of trap I can just use dad's jutsu!''
He performed the hand seal for the jutsu and disappeared in an instant but in the blink of an eye he appeared right where he was. At least that's what he thought since the black void literally looked the same. When he used the jutsu he swore it felt like someone had used it against him and teleported him to where he just was.
''What the hell!?''
''We finally get to meet, I've been waiting for a while.'' A voice spoke from out of nowhere.
The sudden sound of the voice caught Naruto off guard as he absolutely did not expect to have company. Clenching his fists he got into a fighting stance ready to take on whoever was with him in the empty space.
''Alright who's there? Come out I put em up too ya know!" The blonde demanded putting his fists up ready to fight whoever was with him.
He then heard footsteps echoing all around him and despite the brave act he was putting on he was terrified about who was stalking him. Well that is what he thought this person was doing until the footsteps stopped echoing.
Putting his fists down he looks around and only saw black and heard nothing at all. That was until he heard footsteps behind him and a lightly shining. Turning around he looks to see a figure clad in a cloak of sorts walking towards him and the closer this figure got to him the light shined more and more until eventually he was able to make out the person's features thanks to the whole void now becoming a beautiful white color with heavenly lights shining down on them. At first the sudden brightness made Naruto wince and he was forced to close his eyes until they firmly adjusted and opening them he saw the figure and was able to see how they looked.
The person was a man, about six-feet two inches in height and had bright, blue eyes full of life just like his. He wore the standard Konoha Jonin vest with blue pants and ninja boots and on his forehead was a Konoha headband. The haori he was wearing had a flame design at the base and the feature that struck Naruto the most was his blonde, spiky hair and jaw-length bangs framing both sides of his face. Was this who he thought it was? The spiky, blonde-haired men stared at each other in pure silence for what seemed like an eternity before the figure spoke.
''Well look at you, you've grown up so well Naruto.'' The figure, now revealed to be Minato Namikaze, the fourth Hokage and most of all, Naruto's father spoke in delight.
Naruto was still too awe-struck to even say anything to the point Minato was wondering if he was okay. So opening his arms up he decided to try to get Naruto to do something and offered a hug.
''What's up son? You act like you've seen a ghost.'' The fourth Hokage chuckled, trying to make a joke.
He got a reaction out of his son as he saw the younger blonde man's face scrunching up in displeasure. Did he tell a bad joke? In a logical sense he was a ghost in Naruto's mind. He then saw a small smile form on Naruto's face and the younger blonde began to cry. Naruto held his forearm against his eyes to both wipe away the tears and to prevent his father from seeing how much he was crying.
''Dad..''
Hearing Naruto call him that made a big smile form on Minato's face and the former fourth chuckled lightly. What happened next took Minato off guard when Naruto clenched his fists and threw a punch at him only for the fourth Hokage to catch the fist in his palm.
''Naruto?''
''Ya know, even though you're the fourth Hokage and my dad you had to make the stupid decision of sealing the Kyuubi inside of me! Why?! Why would you put such a heavy burden on your own flesh and blood!" The younger blonde screamed at the top of his lungs while continuously throwing punches at his father. ''Because of you, I was hated and despised by the villagers! They looked at me with fear and contempt it made me want to commit suicide sometimes when I was a kid!"
Naruto throws one final punch at his father who catches the punch with his palm once more and holds it tightly so Naruto couldn't pull his fist back. He then pulled Naruto in for a hug. Immediately after being hugged by his father Naruto went wide-eyed as the feeling was new to him. He had hugged Mako, Genma, Kenji and Kurotsuchi before but this hug felt so warm and different than the others. It felt right as it was a hug a father would give to his son and it was the hug Naruto had always wanted since he knew he was an orphan.
''Forgive me son. I had requested that you be seen a hero by the villagers but I guess they didn't listen to Lord third, I'm sorry for leaving you alone for all that time but right now, it's of no consolation for me to wear the face a father should and apologize for putting you through all that. In the end though, I'm relieved.''
Naruto separated the hug and looked his father in the eyes.
''Relieved?''
Minato nodded.
''I sealed the Kyuubi into you because I knew from the bottom of my heart that you can master it's power when you were strong enough. Just looking at you I can tell you're bearing everyone's will and you've grown up to be a very strong shinobi. You've got a good head on your shoulders just like what me and your mother hoped for before we passed away.''
''Everyone's will? What do you mean?'' A now curious Naruto questioned.
''The moment I laid eyes on you just now I could already tell you have the will of Jiraiya-sensei and especially my two students, Mako and Kenji. When I was training those two they were the most strong-willed children I have ever had the honor of knowing. Keep it up and you'll be moving further ahead in life and those two will continue to guide you just as I hoped for.''
Though he was happy to know even in death his father admired how strong of a will he had his had a saddened expression on his face.
''The pervy-sage he's...''
''Yes, Naruto I know. Even with him gone now you can't forget he went down fighting like a true shinobi.'' Minato said before looking away. ''Shishio Makoto..''
Naruto's face turned into one of anger upon hearing that name of the man who killed the Sannin who acted like a grandfather to him. The one who, aside from Mako and his teammates helped shape him into the ninja he is now.
''That fucking bastard..he fucking killed pervy-sage!"
''Yes, another reason I came to you in your dream at this time is because I do know that we're on the brink of another world war. I sealed some of my chakra into the seal for the Kyuubi and now was the time I programmed it to activate should a world wide catastrophe be imminent. I can tell you a great deal about Shishio to aid you in your struggle against him Naruto so please listen carefully to what I have to say.''
Minato snapped his finger and a bench materialized out of thin air to which Naruto won't even go to question. They both take a seat on the bench and the younger blonde male listened intently to what his father had to say.
''Alright dad, tell me what you know about that bastard.'' said Naruto.
''It's a very long story Naruto and since I haven't much time I'll explain it as briefly and as best as I can. Shishio Makoto was born in Tetsu no Kuni a few years before the start of the second war. When that war happened Kumogakure used Tetsu as a staging area for an invasion of Iwa and as you know there are no shinobi from that country. That country was ruled by samurai and they felt their sovereignty threatened by Kumo's presence. So they tried to use politics and reason with the cloud ninja to leave their country and they refused and seeing that resolving the issue peacefully wasn't an option the samurai decided to use military action to drive the Kumo forces out of their country. So essentially it was a war happening during another war and in a brief struggle the Kumo shinobi defeated the samurai and basically made them an extinct social class. However, one particular boy rose from the corpses.'' Minato began.
''That boy was Shishio wasn't it?''
''Yeah, he survived the conflict with Kumo and upon seeing that those cloud shinobi were out to kill any remaining samurai he fled his home and found his way to Konohagakure. He was found by our border patrol and seeing the bad conditions he was in they took him back home and nursed him to health. Lord third saw that he had no where to go and enrolled him in the academy around the same time your mother came from Uzushio. Our teacher introduced him to the class and as soon as he said he was from Tetsu everyone began to throw things at him and telling him to go back to his home. He was an outcast during our academy days but he never gave up. He tried his best to win over the acknowledgement of our class by making jokes and pulling pranks.''
Naruto shook his head. ''Sounds an awful lot like me before I met Kurotsuchi.''
''I know, so after his first day of school me and your mother tailed him and we followed him into the schoolyard and he got ganged up on by upperclassman. They shouted hateful things to him, calling him an orphan and a bunch of horrible things. Shishio threw a punch at one of them and in response they got ready to beat him up for it but before they could land a punch on him your mother and I jumped to help him and beat those bullies to a pulp. Simply put, after helping him with his bullies the three of us became inseparable best friends. Eventually after graduating we were put on the same team under the command of Jiraiya-sensei and let me tell you this Naruto, though I have been hailed as the most powerful shinobi of my time, if not all time in Konoha's history Shishio was no pushover. With our help he passed with some of the highest scores in the graduation exam and was considered an exceptionally skilled samurai turned ninja. Simply put, despite being a samurai he proved that he had the skills to become a deadly shinobi that he was even considered for ANBU but declined the offer.''
''Are you serious? He trained with you guys when you had the pervy-sage as a Jonin sensei?'' An exasperated Naruto questioned.
''Yes, Jiraiya had requested the three of us be put on the same team. Kushina and I were considered the best students within the class but when Shishio trained with us after school he was close behind the two of us. So you can imagine how much better he became when we were Genin training under a Sannin.'' Minato explained.
''No kidding dad, the samurai are an elite warrior caste. So I can totally see this guy becoming deadly as a shinobi. Did he use any skills from his samurai heritage and combined it with the way shinobi use their tools?''
''During his Genin and Chunin days up until we all became Jonin he fought as nobly as a samurai with the grace and tactics of a shinobi. Whenever we went on missions that involved combat with other shinobi or bandits he would always take them down without hesitation. Though his bloodlust did frighten a bit us we still cherished him as our best friend. Him, Kushina and I loved each other dearly and we were practically family. Jiraiya-sensei loved Shishio very much Naruto and the four of us would spend our time together no matter what time of day it was. He even told us he's glad to have such a wonderful family in us and even said that I was his role model.''
''He seems to really hate shinobi though so what happened? There has to be a reason he's changed.''
Minato closed his eyes and placed his elbows on his knees and leaned forward so that his interlocked hands covered his mouth. ''It was during the opening stages of the third shinobi world war when we began combat against Iwa.''
Naruto noticed the somber tone in his father's voice and saw that he hadn't opened his eyes. It was as if he was in some deep thought trying to find the right things to say to him.
''Dad, what happened?''
Taking a deep breath Minato finally found the resolution to speak.
''Lord Hiruzen had me, your mother and Shishio go into Kusagakure to determine if Iwa really has begun to head into that country to try and lay siege to our border. We were also tasked with eliminating any Iwa shinobi we encountered. So after receiving our orders the three of us departed for grass country. I'm sorry Naruto but I won't go specifically into detail about what happened so I'll simplify it as best as I can so bear with me. We spent the entire afternoon and evening in Kusa before deciding to make camp for the night. Shishio asked Kushina to talk privately and soon your mother came back a few minutes later to where I was waiting at our camp. I asked her where Shishio was and she just told me he's sitting a few meters away in the treeline. So naturally I would go check on my best friend and I found him on his knees crying badly and I asked what was wrong. As soon as I asked that he drew his sword and swung it at me calling me a backstabber.'' The fourth explained.
''What? Why would he try to attack you? How did you backstab him?'' Naruto asked.
''He..was in love with Kushina.''
''He..wait, he loved mom?''
Minato nodded.
''Yes, apparently he's loved her since he first laid eyes on her at the academy just like I was Naruto. He attacked me out of rage because at the time me and your mother were engaged but I guess Shishio was in denial so he thought it would've been to perfect chance to confess his love for her since you know, shinobi live a life of constant danger so he didn't want to lose his chance during the last war.''
''Go on..''
''I tried to tell him that Kushina never saw him as more than a friend and the brother she always wanted but he refused to listen and took out all his rage on me because I supposedly stole Kushina from him as she was his love by right, the perfect bride for a strong person like him. It came to a point where I fought back and supposedly killed him. We exchanged blows and he tried many times to use his homura-dama sword technique on me but my Flying Thunder God proved too much for him. After disarming him and breaking both his arms I tried to get him to understand that Kushina never loved him but he came at me once more. Seeing no choice in the matter I set him on fire with a giant fireball jutsu and all this was happening while your mother was watching in horror at how we went from the bestest of friends to one person ready to rip the other one to shreds and one person just defending himself. Kushina was traumatized by the event and the commotion we caused drew the attention of every Iwa shinobi in the area so we were forced to flee without Shishio. I thought I killed him too..they never found his body after that. Even members of the Hyuga, Aburame and Inuzuka clans couldn't find a trace of him.''
Naruto stared at his father in disbelief. He had heard from Mako and Kenji that his father was never the kind of person to kill anyone without a reason and the only times he killed someone was during the last war or if his life was in endangered.
''You thought you killed him with a fire jutsu? If I was there I'd shove a kunai through his skull to make sure he dies.''
''Naruto there's no need to be hasty and I'm not done explaining yet there's one more thing I need to tell you. It's about the night you were born.'' Minato said making his son go quiet once more.
''Hold on, the night I was born wasn't that the same night the Kyuubi attacked our village?''
''Yes Naruto. October 10th, nineteen years ago. Just before you mother was to give birth to you we relocated her to a remote area in fire country as far away from the village as possible because only a handful of people knew about female Jinchuuriki's seals weakening during child birth. We had ANBU guards gathered in a ten mile circular perimeter around where we were going to have her birth as well as an S-ranked barrier jutsu for extra measure. Somehow, Shishio obtained a sharingan and located us. He's the one who unleashed the Kyuubi upon Konoha, he's the reason why hundreds of people died that night and most of all, he's the reason why your mother and I are dead Naruto. The actions of one man took me and Kushina away from you and thus, you grew up never knowing who your parents were because if I had to guess right, Lord Hiruzen wanted to keep it a secret to protect you from my enemies in Iwa, especially Onoki.'' Minato concluded.
Naruto gritted his teeth and his fists after hearing that. He was filled was such anger and rage towards Shishio he swore to himself that he will personally kill the man and avenge his parents and Jiraiya. However, he knew that Minato, Kushina nor Jiraiya would want that because he can prove he's the bigger man that the serial killer.
''Wait, how did he even get passed an S-ranked barrier jutsu?'' The younger blonde questioned.
''He used that jutsu Mako uses to get around, the one that causes the spiraling effect when she uses it.'' Minato answered surprising Naruto.
''Only two people could use that. Obito Uchiha before me and the team beat him and Mako-senpai. It's the kamui so how in the world did he even get one of their sharingan?''
''I haven't the slightest idea either son, it just doesn't make sense to me but with this new information I want you to provide all this to Mako.''
The two blondes then sat there in silence for a moment just admiring the quiet void until Naruto spoke.
''Dad.''
''Hm?''
''Thank you.''
''For what Naruto?''
''For giving me the Kyuubi. As the son of the fourth Hokage, you bestowed upon me a powerful being and I admit, I hated having this damn fox in me and all the hateful looks I got because of it but now I realize that it is an awesome power. You sealed this thing in me because you believed I can truly master it's powers, I know I can.'' Naruto said.
Minato chuckled. ''You want to know something else Naruto?''
''Sure.''
''You remind me so much of Kenji when he was younger. Always so headstrong, makes a negative into a positive, brash and determined with an indomitable spirit that can never be broken. I know I said you've grown into a fine man, but Kenji has grown into a splendid shinobi as well. Fun fact Naruto, Kenji was the worst student in his class but oh my, look at him now. He's no dead last anymore that's for sure.''
Minato's compliments on his proclaimed older sister and brother made him smile. He knew Mako and Kenji were strong shinobi and to know his father, Kushina and himself were their driving force made him happy.
''What about Mako-senpai dad? They told me they each had you and mom for Jonin senseis.''
The fourth Hokage smiled in pride for all three of them.
''Mako Uchiha, she is honestly the last person I would expect to be Hokage. If Kushina and I were still living we'd give that lady a celebration party and we'd be drinking all night. Mako Naruto, is a true Kunoichi and I'm glad she was your sensei just like I had requested to Lord Hiruzen before taking my last breath. Oh yeah, I also told her to watch over you when your mother was pregnant with you and to know she honored our wishes makes me and Kushina proud teachers and parents.'' Minato said before he remembered another thing he wanted to talk to Naruto about. ''Sooooo, what about that Kurotsuchi girl?''
Naruto immediately blushed.
''S-she's my girlfriend so what dad?!''
''I know, she's Onoki's granddaughter and if you're wondering no, I'm not upset even in the slightest because that girl has something special about her. She's a fierce, strong-minded individual and she has quite an attitude just like your mom! So good job landing a good one son, she's a total keeper for you.'' Minato congratulated giving his son a thumbs up.
Naruto looked at his father, a very confused look plastering his face. ''Seriously? You aren't mad at me for being with someone from Iwa?''
''Why would I be?''
''It's just..Mako-senpai told me everything that happened between you and the old Tsuchikage at the Kannabi bridge. She said you both agreed to meet alone there to discuss finalization of true peace between Konoha and Iwa and when he arrived he brought with him a whole squad's worth of shinobi who ambushed you and tried to have you killed.'' Naruto said.
Minato's face softened. ''Yes, truthfully I'm not angry, just aggravated that Onoki went back on his word I still don't hold any resentment towards him or Iwa because I knew there was still hope for...''
''You killed Kurotsuchi's mom dad.'' Naruto interrupted.
The fourth Hokage raised his eyebrows and felt the urge to slap himself across the face. ''I..I did?''
Naruto nodded. ''She was the last Iwa kunoichi you killed. The story goes is that you tried to reason with her and tell her to go home and she ended up attacking you regardless so as a result you took her life.''
''Let me guess, Onoki made it seem like I was a bloodthirsty person out to get him and any Iwa shinobi I can find huh? I swear that fencer was always like that. But it's good to see he's had a change of heart now with the new war coming. But he isn't without major faults, you want to know something about that fencer? He put out an order to his military during the last war to specifically hunt down and kill any Konoha ninja ages five to eleven because he wanted to prevent a new generation of shinobi from our village. Hence why Iwa is infamously named the baby killers.'' Explained Minato.
''Seriously? Guess it really did take some encouraging word from me, Kurotsuchi and Mako-senpai for the old fencer realized his hatred for our village was unjustified. Honestly dad, in my opinion you did the right thing and you killing Kuro-chan's mom was justified because it was self-defense. Heck, after Mako-senpai told her the story she even agreed with what you did. By the way dad, did you know when she came to Konoha all those years ago she actually despised our village a lot but she gradually grew to like it as her real home because unlike Iwa, we don't raise kids to hate them like they do over there. Kurotsuchi..she's amazing dad and there's no doubt after learning the truth I think it'd be interesting to see you two meet despite the awkwardness.''
Minato felt so much pride in him listening to his son talk about Kurotsuchi and he just had to ask one question. ''You're right on that part, it would be very awkward indeed but nonetheless I think we can work out our differences. By the way Naruto, has anyone ever given you the proper talk about the bird and the bees?''
This made Naruto's eyes become as large as saucers and he almost fell on his side hearing his dad's obscene question.
''WHAT?!''
Before Minato could say anything he began to glow and the two blondes noticed that he was glowing. Minato only shook his head in disappointment and let out a sigh.
''It looks like my time with you is just about up Naruto.''
''Wait! Where are you going?''
''I programmed my chakra in the Kyuubi's seal to activate whenever there was a world catastrophe, remember? Since I didn't have much chakra left before I died it means our time together will be very short. Sorry Naruto there's still so much I want to discuss with you but don't worry you'll be meeting another person in a few short minutes.'' Minato said reaching a hand out to his son.
''Dad?''
''Don't think it's goodbye forever Naruto, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again real soon.'' The former fourth said with a tender gaze.
Hearing the truthfulness in his father's voice the younger blonde returned his smile and shook his father's hand.
''Yeah, I'll see you soon dad.'' He says.
''I only have one thing to tell you Naruto, only use the Kyuubi's power if you really have to!'' Minato shouted.
Then, Naruto's vision went completely white for several minutes before he could finally see that he was in another area. This time it looked like he was in a sea of clouds with a pink sky and the feelings he felt as he observed the new surroundings were warmth, love and very welcoming.
''Where the heck am I now?'' Naruto said to himself.
''Finally, I thought Minato was going to steal you the entire time! I was patiently waiting for my turn ya know?'' A feminine voice spoke out from behind him.
The sudden sound of the voice made the young man jump and slowly turning around he looked over his shoulder and saw a woman standing before him. She had long, beautiful red hair that reached all the way down to her waist. She stood around five foot five inches in height and had violet eyes, fair skin and a very slender and feminine build. He recognized her instantly and he turned around fully to face the person and she was the most beautiful woman aside from his girlfriend he had ever laid eyes on. The person is revealed to be someone he always wanted to meet. His mother Kushina Uzumaki.
Naruto and Kushina stare at each other. For Naruto he was awestruck by the beauty of his mother plus shock as he didn't expect to see her right after meeting Minato. For Kushina, she was staring at her son with warm smile as she waited twenty years to finally meet him.
''Naruto, I remember when you could fit right in my hands look at you! You've grown up really well ya know?'' Kushina exclaimed proudly.
She didn't get a response from her son and looked at him to see that he was shaking and she swore she heard sobs coming from him.
''Naruto?'' She asked holding a hand out but then Naruto suddenly sprang forward and got his mother in an embrace and the Uzumaki woman smiled.
''I've wanted to meet you for such a long time momya know?'' Naruto sobbed.
Kushina rests her chin on Naruto's shoulder and returns the hug.
''You just said ya know..there's no doubt you're my son.'' Kushina whispered tenderly.
The mother and son stay in that loving embrace for a moment before separating it and Naruto had an eager and excited look on his face.
''Oh boy! Where am I gonna start? I have lots of things I want to ask you!" Declared the blonde.
Kushina smiled warmly. ''You can ask me whatever you want Naruto.''
Just like what Minato had done she snaps her finger and another bench appears out of nowhere. Naruto was seriously tempted to question how she and Minato did that but decided against it and just like his father they sit on the bench and begin their conversation.
''I can tell you're wondering how me and your father appear in your mind, well, before we passed on Minato embedded both our chakra into the Kyuubi's sealing formula so that we'd appear whenever another world catastrophe was coming. Naruto, let's talk about you for a bit. Tell me, what have I been missing since I died?'' The mother asked.
''Well, where do you want me to start? Lots of stuff happened in my life so it's a jumbled mess of stories.'' Naruto said.
''Hm, how about we talk about your girlfriend Kurotsuchi?'' Kushina suggested making Naruto blushed.
''Oh um..sure what do you want to talk about specifically?''
Kushina knew that she wouldn't have much time left like her husband so she decided to make the conversation simple and sweet with her son.
''Just tell me, how much does she mean to you? How much do you love her?''
''Kurotsuchi..she's amazing, she really is. She pushes me to better myself, she may come off as rude and impulsive but she has a wonderful personality once you get to know her, she's very caring and she's just beautiful. Mom, she's perfect.'' Naruto said with a blush.
Noticing the tone in his voice Kushina couldn't help but feel all giddy like a mother should inside at the notion of her son meeting a wonderful girl who, personality-wise was much like herself.
''That's so wonderful Naruto! I'm glad you met a girl like me ya know?'' The mother exclaimed in pure joy.
The mother then wrapped her arms around the blonde and held him tightly.
''Ack! Mom you're gonna crush me!" Naruto gagged.
Hearing her son's pleas Kushina immediately broke the embrace allowing her son to breath.
''Oh! Sorry about that Naruto! I couldn't help myself I was born impatient and sometimes these really weird expressions come out. Pray to Kami you didn't end up with any other strange personality traits I have.''
Adjusting the collar on his orange jacket the blonde regained his composure.
''I'm sure I have mom, I can see you're a hyperactive woman so I guess that's one weird trait I have from you.''
''We're two of a kind Naruto. Ya know you have your father's hair and height but you have my face, sorry about that honey.'' Kushina giggled.
Naruto looked at his mother like she was insane. Why was she apologizing for that?
''If people had a choice in their genetic makeup I'd choose to have your red hair mom because it's so awesome and beautiful!" Proclaimed the blonde.
Hearing her son's proclamation served to make her giggle more and she had to hold her hand to her mouth. He was just so adorable like she always imagined when she was pregnant with him.
''You're the third man to ever say that to me Naruto. So anyway..''
Kushina was cut off from an outburst that was courtesy of her son.
''I can't get over how beautiful you are mom!"
Kushina smiled tenderly at his compliment. ''Oh, thank you! Ya know now that I think about it you would look really cool if you had my hair but then there are people who might make fun of you.''
A look of confusion formed on his face. Who would make fun of that awesome red hair?
''Huh? Why would people make fun of your red hair? It's beautiful and I wish I had it!"
''Like I said, you're the third man to ever compliment my hair.'' Kushina said as she thought back to the two males who complimented her hair.
''Third? Who were the first two?'' Naruto questioned curiously.
Giggling, Kushina reached her arm out and poked her son on the chest making him jerk at the sudden touch.
''The first one was your dad and the second was Kenji!'' Kushina declared happily.
Naruto jokingly rolled his eyes. ''I figured dad, but Kenji-senpai?''
Kushina then decided to move on to more serious topics as she knew she didn't have as much time as Minato did so she just wanted to get everything she wanted to say to her son out while she can.
''Naruto, back to this serious topic, soon there will be another world war and just like your dad, I don't have much time left so please listen to what I have to say. Shishio Makoto, he's a very dangerous man capable of inflicting carnage on a global scale. At first we thought it was an Uchiha that had unleashed the Kyuubi upon Konoha but your father fought that man one on one and defeated him. Somehow, he managed to get a hold of a sharingan to commit such a heinous crime. I overheard your father saying he was a samurai and that's very true. When he grew up with us after taking refuge from Tetsu he trained heavily in all ninja arts with me, your father, Mikoto Uchiha and the current clan heads giving him incredible amounts of skill. He may seem frail now that he is severely burnt he is the most powerful foe you'll ever meet. More powerful than Obito Uchiha and that Akatsuki group he was with.''
Naruto listened intently to his mother's wisdom and the more she told him about Shishio he was boiling inside.
''He's the reason why I grew up so alone. He basically killed you and dad, that murdering bastard!"
''Naruto, relax. Now, you have one way you can take him down and it involves your father's Flying Thunder God jutsu.''
The rage in him subsided.
''Dad's signature jutsu? How?'' He asked.
Kushina looked at her son deep in the eyes to make sure he was giving her his utmost attention.
''When your father fought against him the night you were born that man used the kamui to take them as far away from Konoha as possible. It was just the two of them engaged in a death battle. Shishio initially had the upperhand but eventually your father managed to pull through thanks to combining the Rasengan and his Flying Thunder God he struck Shishio down with ease and placed a formula for the jutsu on his body.''
Naruto gasped at the good news. So he can just teleport straight to Shishio and take him down on the spot!
''Alright, the second this war starts I'm teleporting straight to that asshole and taking him down for you and dad!" The blonde declared only to be shut down by Kushina.
''No you will not! Don't just rush into battle like that Naruto you don't know how strong he's become in the past twenty years.''
''Mom! I trained under the pervy-sage so I'm sure I can beat him!'' protested the blonde.
''Naruto!''
The stern tone in her voice made the blonde halt his talking and he looked at his mother and saw the seriousness in her eyes.
''It's not the same with Shishio, he has almost forty years of combat experience, a decade's worth of training under Jiraiya-sensei and he's a trained samurai warrior don't think you can go and take him on just like that. He's armed and dangerous and if he can take Jiraiya-sensei down then that's telling you something about him. Under Jiraiya-sensei's tutelage he became skilled combining fire release with his sword. You may have become a great shinobi, but Shishio just has the experience over you even if you have the Kyuubi.'' Kushina explained.
He felt like the biggest idiot in the world for thinking for a second that he can take on Shishio he almost wanted to teleport himself to another dimension.
''S-sorry mom..It's just..he is the reason why you and dad died I just wanted to let you know that I'll be the one to defeat him to avenge you and pervy-sage.'' Naruto said somberly.
Kushina's face softened and she took his and into hers and the mother and son looked at each other.
''I know you will sochi, but now it's not the time you may be a Jonin now but you still have room for improvement. There will be the time where you will be strong enough to challenge him and I know you can defeat him.'' Kushina said truthfully.
The blonde male smiled at his mother's words. She believed in him and he knew it. Kurotsuchi, Genma, Mako and Kenji all told him they believed in him but he yearned to hear it from his parents and hearing his mother tell him this made him feel more confident than he already was.
''That man wants to start a world war, the five great villages will finish it.'' Naruto said with a voice full of determination.
Kushina felt the chakra within her begin to fade away and knew that she had a few minutes left before it ran out so she wanted to give her son the talk all mothers love giving to their children.
''My time is running out Naruto so let's wrap this up as best we can. Tell me about your teammates Naruto, especially Kurotsuchi.'' She said smiling.
Naruto immediately blushed.
''Okay! Genma is a really cool guy and he's like a brother to me. We actually started off on the wrong foot when he tried to pick a fight with Kurotsuchi on our first day at the academy but I beat him in a spar Iruka-sensei did and he started to be my friend after that. He's a person I wouldn't want to live without because he helps me whenever I have girl problems and I wish he was my real brother sometimes. As for Kurotsuchi, she's amazing mom, she's a fierce individual and being directly related to Kage like I am with dad she doesn't like to have things given to her because she likes to work hard and earn them. I consider her natural talent and I'm the result of hard work and we both set a challenge for us.''
''What kind of challenge would that be?'' Kushina questioned.
Naruto balled his hand into a fist and raised it into the air while jumping up.
''We're gonna see who becomes a Kage first and mark my words I'll become the seventh Hokage before she becomes the fourth Tsuchikage!" declared the blonde Jonin.
''That's so cool Naruto ya know!'' Kushina proclaimed.
''And just you watch mom I'll be an even better Hokage than dad!"
Kushina held a hand close to her mouth and giggled into it. Her son really was just like her. ''I bet you will sweetie.'' The mother then remembered the one topic that she wanted to discuss with Naruto once he was old enough and with only a few minutes left she had to take this one chance to bring it up. ''So...when can I expect grandkids?''
This caused Naruto to face vault. Getting back up he had a massive blush on his face and he was on the verge of yelling at him mom but in a childish way.
''What the heck mom! It's way too early to be thinking of that!"
''Not it's not! You're both adults capable of making your own choices and it wouldn't upset me the least if you gave me and your father grand kids!''
She then grabbed her son and began to rub her knuckles against his head making the blonde male groan in annoyance at the feeling.
''Mom let me go ya know?!'' Naruto protested.
Hearing her son's pleas the red-headed Uzumaki woman released her son and pinched his nose. ''Sorry sochi! Seriously though can't wait until I see mini Naruto's and Kurotsuchi's running around the house in the afterlife! Too bad I can't be alive to be a baa-chan though. Wait, I wouldn't want to be a baa-chan..I want to forever be young!'' She said with a pout.
Naruto held his hands up in protest. ''Woah mom, it's really early to be thinking about that but maybe when the war is over we can start thinking about kids.''
''Good, because you're not allowed to come join us in the afterlife without giving me and your dad grand kids.''
''Don't be expecting them soon though because we're about to go to war mom. Also, I don't know if Kurotsuchi would be thrilled about that, at least now.'' Naruto said.
''Then after then war is over you better get to work giving me those grand kids, hopefully you know what I mean by work.'' Kushina said with a perverted smile.
Naruto blushed madly at his mother's perverseness and prayed that she and his dad weren't watching him and Kurotsuchi when they did it their first time.
''Mom it's too soon to have kids! We probably won't talk about that until we're almost in our thirties!''
''Sure you have, anyway, don't think this is the last time we'll see each other sochi. Be strong and never give up!" Kushina yelled.
A light then appeared around Naruto and in almost an instant the blonde looked like he was being pulled into another dimension before everything turned white.
-Himiko's Hotel Room-
Genma and Himiko were seen laying on the bed in his room, both of their body's glistening in sweat and they were breathing heavily, the bed sheets were messed up and their hair looked like they had just woken up. The main thing about these two was that they were butt naked on the bed.
''Holy crap Genma, you're amazing.'' Himiko got out between pants.
''Yeah and was a virgin too. So, want to go again?'' asked the man.
''Hopefully neither of us die in battle because I want more.''