Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"In every shadow I cast, there hides the pain inflicted on those I loved. My steps, although striving towards the light, are marked by the weight of the wrong I have done to my loved ones. With every breath I take, I am accompanied by regret for the wounds I have opened in the hearts of those who considered me a friend, a brother, a son. Time does not heal these wounds; it is only a silent witness to my sorrow."
Hospital, Mikoto's and Kushina's room
A heavy silence hung over the hospital room, broken only by the quiet hum of medical equipment. The walls, devoid of any decoration, were lit only by the glow of the monitors, casting long shadows on the cold, white walls. The air was filled with the sterile scent, characteristic of the hospital atmosphere. Additionally, subtle cracks and hisses of the equipment could be heard, as if the hospital technology was trying to fight against time to heal the pain and anxiety filling the space.
Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze lay in neighboring beds, looking at each other with emotions deeper than just anxiety. Their hearts ached with the uncertainty and fear that surrounded them like a dark cloud. Mikoto felt like the world she knew was falling apart, while Kushina had to deal with the news that was causing emotional chaos in her.
"Mikoto, do you... do you know what happened?" Kushina asked with a weak, trembling voice, her thoughts swirling around Naruto, her son, and her husband, the Hokage of Konoha village.
"The last thing I remember... is the bloody walls of the Uchiha district, and then..." - Mikoto replied, equally lost. Memories of Naruto as a little boy, spending time with her daughter, were so vivid that they contrasted with the current situation.
The conversation turned to Naruto. Kushina, with tears in her eyes, said: "Naruto... he couldn't..." Her voice was full of desperation.
"I can't believe it either, Kushina. Not Naruto... not him." - said Mikoto, looking into the distance and hugging herself, looking for strength within herself.
They sat in silence, surrounded by the weight of denial and grief. Kushina reached out her trembling hand and found Mikoto's. At that moment, they were not only kunoichi from Konoha, but mothers, united in pain, holding on to each other.
"Do you remember when Naruto and Izumi were kids? Always together when Naruto was free from duty... There was something more than friendship in their eyes..." - Kushina reminisced nostalgically.
"Yes, they were inseparable. It's hard to reconcile that with what happened." - replied Mikoto, her thoughts drifting back to those days.
In the hospital room, where time seemed to flow slower, with each passing moment the conversation between Mikoto and Kushina became more personal and reflective. The space, though dominated by silence and anticipation, took on a new dimension thanks to the memories that the two mothers shared with each other.
"I remember how Naruto was full of energy and joy. His smile lit up the whole house," said Kushina, smiling through tears. "And how he was with Izumi... it was more than just a childhood friendship. They were each other's support."
Mikoto nodded, her eyes also glistening with tears. "Izumi always said that Naruto was her hero. After he saved her from the bad boys... From that day on, she was always by his side, no matter what."
Their conversation was filled with a deep longing for the past, for a time when their biggest worry was that their children would return home safely before dark. Now, faced with the reality that Naruto could be responsible for such terrible acts, the hearts of both women were filled with conflicting emotions.
"Do you think... that we could have done something differently?" Kushina asked, searching for an answer that may not exist.
"Kushina, we raised them the best we could. We couldn't have predicted everything," Mikoto replied, trying to comfort her friend, even though she was struggling with her own doubts.
Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze, lying on neighboring beds, looked at each other, full of worry and concern that seemed to bind them stronger at this moment than ever before. A storm of emotions reigned in their hearts - from fear to uncertainty about the future of their children, Naruto and Sasuke.
"Kushina, there's something I need to tell you… something I've never talked about with anyone besides Fugaku. About Naruto and his Sharingan," Mikoto began, her voice filled with seriousness and mystery, filling the room and adding weight to the already tense atmosphere.
Kushina, surprised by this introduction, tilted her head, her interest clearly piqued. She had tried many times to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Naruto's awakening of the Sharingan, but every time the topic came up, her son would shut down, carefully avoiding any deeper conversation.
"Seeing Naruto's incredible potential, Fugaku decided to take him under his wing as a sort of one-of-a-kind student. He had great plans for him, perhaps even overly ambitious ones," Mikoto continued, her voice carrying a mixture of admiration and concern.
Kushina absorbed every word, eagerly awaiting the next part of the story. "But how is it possible that Naruto…?" her voice trembled with uncertainty.
Mikoto sighed, gathering the courage to reveal to Kushina the truth that had so far remained hidden in the depths of her heart. "During his first mission outside the village, Naruto and his genin team were ambushed. They were surrounded, and the situation quickly turned into a fight for their lives. In the chaotic circumstances, one of the children was killed, and another found themselves in immediate danger. Naruto, witnessing the death of his friend and unable to bear the thought of losing another, experienced a groundbreaking moment filled with pain, desperation, and determination."
Kushina, with tears in her eyes, listened as Mikoto described the tragic events that forced Naruto to cross a line from which there was no return. "It was then, in the face of mortal danger, under the influence of intense emotions and a desperate desire to protect his comrade, that Naruto awakened the Sharingan within himself. It was a direct result of his determination not to allow another loss. Fugaku, witnessing this moment, did everything in his power to support Naruto and help him cope with the trauma."
Mikoto looked at Kushina, her eyes full of compassion and understanding. Deep down, she felt immense pain thinking about what Naruto had been through. "Kushina," she began gently, "no child at the age of just over 5 should experience anything like that. What Naruto went through is a traumatic event that has forever left its mark on his soul. Fugaku did what he could to help him cope with this trauma, but some wounds are too deep to ever fully heal."
Kushina, listening to these words, felt a wave of pain and helplessness wash over her heart. She knew Mikoto was right; no child should be subjected to such trials. She nodded, though the gesture seemed inadequate to the weight of the moment. It was a silent and powerless gesture, but full of understanding and acceptance of this painful truth.
"Naruto always tried to be strong, not only for himself but for others. Maybe that's why he chose silence. He wanted to spare you the pain, he wanted to protect you from the weight of his own experiences," Mikoto continued, trying to reach Kushina with words that could somehow ease the pain.
Kushina listened, tears welling up in her eyes. "I tried so many times to talk to him, to understand... And he always avoided the topic, closed himself off. I thought it was because of his character, because of this constant desire to be strong... But now I see it was something more. Pain that he didn't want to share, to protect us."
Mikoto gathered herself, her words becoming even stronger and more convincing. "Kushina, I understand your fears and doubts, everything that has happened casts a shadow on how we perceive Naruto. But I know this boy, I saw him grow up, the values he had. Naruto always had something more than just strength... he had a heart full of empathy and determination to help others. He is not someone who suddenly becomes a monster."
Mikoto looked at Kushina with deep understanding in her eyes, her voice gaining additional strength. "Remember, Kushina, how quickly Naruto grew in strength, surpassing the expectations of even the most experienced shinobi in Konoha. His skills, determination, and extraordinary ability to learn new techniques made him not only a symbol of our village but also a fear to enemies. Damn it, Naruto was a genius among geniuses, his ability to adapt and innovate in ninjutsu was unmatched."
Kushina, listening, felt a pang of pride despite the pain that plagued her heart. "I always knew he was special... But what he achieved..."
Mikoto nodded. "Yes, Kushina. His achievements have surpassed anything that could have been expected of a shinobi his age. His name appeared in the bingo books of other villages not just as a warning, but as a symbol of strength to be feared. Naruto has proven his worth on many battlefields, saving his comrades and completing missions that seemed impossible to accomplish."
She pondered for a moment, searching for the right words. "It's not that Naruto wanted to prove himself to anyone. He had long since surpassed the boundaries that many of us consider unattainable. He was a genius among geniuses, a shinobi who, with his intelligence, strength, and spirit, showed what it truly means to be a ninja from Konoha."
Mikoto paused briefly, gathering her thoughts before adding another important aspect about Naruto. "And his accomplishments in ANBU? Kushina, Naruto entered ANBU at the age of only 9, which in itself is an unprecedented feat. And at the age of 11, he became the captain of an ANBU unit, which is a testament not only to his extraordinary skills but also to the trust placed in him by the highest-ranking shinobi of Konoha."
Her voice was filled with pride as she continued. "His mission record is impeccable. Naruto has shown exceptional courage, intelligence, and the ability to make decisions under pressure that have saved the lives of many shinobi and civilians. All this, while still a child. And despite his constant duties, hard training, and missions, he always found time to be with us, especially with Izumi. Their bond was more than just friendship; they were family to each other."
Kushina listened, her eyes filling with tears - not of pain, but of pride. "Naruto always had a big heart... I can't believe he could..."
Mikoto gripped Kushina's hand, interrupting her. "Exactly, Kushina. Naruto is more than just his shinobi skills. It's his heart, his spirit, and his love for people that have always defined him. No matter what happened that night, there must be a deeper story behind it. We need to find the truth, we need to understand why Naruto took such drastic actions."
"So what could have pushed him to such drastic measures?" Kushina asked, growing more and more intrigued and concerned.
Mikoto gathered her strength to add more conviction to her words. "We need to look at the whole situation from a broader perspective, Kushina. Naruto has always been someone who wanted to protect those he loves, who fought against injustice and faced challenges with unwavering determination. His path to becoming an S-rank shinobi was full of dedication and hard work. We cannot ignore all of that."
Kushina, absorbing every word, felt a mixture of pain and hope welling up in her heart. "I understand what you're saying, Mikoto. But it's hard for me to fathom how he could reach such a point... What could have changed him so much?"
Mikoto sighed deeply, searching within herself for the answer. "Undoubtedly, the burdens that Naruto carried were immense. Perhaps there came a point when it all became too much for him. We cannot forget about the constant struggle he faced with the darkness within himself... and with the expectations of the outside world."
At that moment, Mikoto paused briefly, looking at Kushina with empathy. "But nevertheless, I still believe in the goodness within Naruto. I'm convinced that he must have had a significant reason to act this way. Perhaps he was trying to protect someone? Maybe there were circumstances that the rest of us are unaware of?"
Kushina, contemplating Mikoto's words, felt her unease slowly give way to determination. "You're right, Mikoto. We can't lose faith in Naruto. We need to find out more, understand what truly happened. And we must do everything in our power to help him find his way back."
Both women now shared a common goal - to uncover the truth behind Naruto's actions and, if possible, bring him back to the community that raised him. In their hearts, the hope burned that somewhere, deep beneath layers of pain and misunderstanding, the real Naruto still existed, waiting to be rediscovered.
Mikoto, looking at Kushina, added with renewed conviction, "Together, Kushina, we can find a way to help Naruto. We cannot allow our faith in him to be shaken by the darkness that seeks to consume him. We must fight for him until he can fight for himself."