(Chapter 34: Time for a Talk)
It was a few short days after Naruto's return from his huntingdown and slaying of Iruka for his treachery and near murder of Mizuki, with the superhuman blonde having spent the following days either spending time with his teammates, training away from the village, or visiting Mizuki. What with the superhuman blonde having gone out of his way to make sure that he was not seen by anyone or any of the Anbu whatsoever, as even with his being home again he wasn't able to sleep too well given that his worry for Mizuki's condition trumped any ability to sleep peacefully.
(October 31st, 997 S.E, ROOT HQ, 12:35 Pm)
It was a bit after half-past noon as Naruto was once more in Mizuki's hospital room, to see and watch over his unconscious mentor; given that it was one of the few things that brought the superhuman, peace of mind.
"Naruto, he's going to be fine. You don't have to keep watching over him like a hawk." Shizune said to the superhuman who kept watch over his mentor
"Until he wakes up, and is all better. Then I'll stop and actually get a few more winks of sleep." Naruto replied with worry and concern tinging his voice
"Besides, I wanna stick around to make sure he's all better when he gets up…Its the least I can do for him." Naruto added as the guilt of having not reached his former mentor in time
"In the meantime, Naruto, you can join me in the mess-hall for lunch. You can be here all that you want, but you are at least eating something while you are here. Lady Tsunade would ring my neck, if I let you go without food." Shizune told her cousin
"...Alright, fine. I'll join you." Naruto said as he hopped up from his seat
From there Naruto and Shizune went to the ROOT HQ's mess hall which while it was anything overly opulent was more or less fitting with what it was as an intensive military outfit, with its bare-bones yet otherwise modest appearance; that had an assortment of operatives, medical personnel, and etc dining and going from it. The duo settled in and grabbed their lunch trays with whatever they could from the small buffets that were availible to those around, as they conversed with one another with Shizune having asked how Naruto had been fairing since his return to village.
However, as Naruto had began to regale her with his getting used to not having to constantly fight against enemy ninja, bandits, ronin, and etc; they were eventually met with none other than one of the top operatives of ROOT; Fuu Yamanaka himself. Said operative came to tell them that Danzo himself wanted to see Naruto in his office at his earliest convenience, which surprised Shizune given how you had to be something truly impressive for Danzo himself to want to meet you in person.
So in not seeing much reason to say no given that this was Mizuki's boss who wanted to talk to him; he went with Fuu to see the leader of ROOT himself and in fact was both curious and impressed that Danzo wanted to see him. Hence why after a few moments of walking through a small number of corridors did the superhuman reach the warhawks' office, who after greeting him and shaking hands with him had him to take a seat.
"...By the way, is it cool if he stays? There's something I wanna show you that's pretty cool that I did; while I was gone…And I'll need his help to pull it off." Naruto requested
"What is it that you will need Fuu for to show me, if you do not mind my inquiry?" Danzo questioned
"Oh, I figured that after we got done talking about what you wanted to talk to me about. That if you wanted, I could show you me going up against the 4 tails to a stalemate when I was all sleep-deprived and out of it." Naruto answered back
"You did what?!" Danzo said his usually composed voice breaking from the casualness of what Naruto just said
"Yeah, while I was out and about. The 4 tails jinchuuriki crossed paths with me, and wanted to see if and I quote 'How good that blonde bastards' kids are in a fight'. So we did that, and I held out pretty well all things considered." Naruto replied with a shrug of his shoulders
'To even suggest a thing borders on absurdity. I know from Mizuki's reports that he wields incredible power at his disposal. But to have battled against Roshi to a standstill, is almost unreal.' Danzo said to himself finding it almost unbelievable to say the least
"You are free to do so after we are done…I won't lie when I say that my interest is now piqued in seeing if this is truth or an overexxageration of your skillset." Danzo spoke
"Fine by me, Mr. Danzo." Naruto said back
"In regards to what I wanted to talk to you about, I wanted to not only thank you for having saved one of our most regarded operatives from certain death. But also for you having returned the Scroll of Seals back to the village." Danzo said having gained a look of confusion from the superhuman blonde
"Wait a minute, how did you even know I did that?...I'm pretty sure I covered my tracks pretty well." Naruto asked knowing full well that he made sure he wasn't seen by anyone
"While your father may have grown lax in the security of our village during peace times. I however have not been so lackadaisical when it comes to the safety of our village. Hence why I have installed many a hidden security camera, and surveillance seal across the village." Danzo answered back gesturing to the monitor screens behind him that showed various events going on in the village
"While you are certainly skilled and clever enough to sneak in undetected. Even you are not immune to being caught in the act." Danzo replied as he gestured to a screen to show Naruto on the day in question when he was returning it
"In my defense, I was running on fumes after 2 weeks without sleeping at all. So not really my best work." Naruto replied as the footage showed him using Dig to get in, super speed to replace it faster than he thought anyone would see before using Dig to exit and his Earth Plate powers to seal up the hole
"Fair point, but it is still commendable nonetheless that you accomplished this. Even moreso when the village had been swarming with Anbu since your disappearance." Danzo said back to the superhuman blonde
"Trust me, it hasn't been a walk in the park avoiding them either. Going for 2 weeks straight without sleep, will really do a number on you." Naruto said detesting having so many eyes on him
"I can only assume so…While I would help you in your endeavor of evading your parents. I unfortunately cannot, given that interfering with that would bring down too much heat as it were on Root for doing so." Danzo told the superhuman
"Hey, that's more than fair, on your end. Lord 4th would get pretty nettled if you did." Naruto replied in agreement with the warhawk's statment
"However, if you were interested in the aftermath of the Chunin Exams; I would like to extend an invitation to have you join the ranks of Root. After all, with a power/skillset as broad and devastating as yours would do well in our organization." Danzo offered to the young superhuman
"That sounds like an awesome sell and all, but if its all the same to you. I'd like some more time to think that over…I've had a lot go down recently, and right now I just need some time to myself." Naruto replied not really in the current state of mind to accept an offer like that
"Of course, take as much time as you need." Danzo told him
"Thanks. Anyways, if that's everything, do you wanna see how I stacked up against the 4 tails?" Naruto questioned the warhawk
"Perhaps, at a latter date. Right now, I have to attend a meeting with your father over how much more of the village there is to be rebuilt." Danzo replied knowing that Minato wouldn't be one to let it slide regarding the current state of the village it he was late
"Fair point…Just so you know, it is pretty epic." Naruto said with slight disappointment
"I have no doubt that it was given the wealth of strength at your disposal. However, I must be on my way…Fuu if you wouldn't mind escorting him back to Shizune." Danzo spoke
"Oh don't worry, I got it covered." Naruto said as he used Teleport to vanish faster than the warhawk could blink
"That was…unexpected, Lord Danzo." Fuu remarked
"Indeed. However, we unfortunately cannot dwell on it for too much longer. We have precious little time to spare before my meeting with Minato begins." Danzo said knowing that despite appearances Minato despised being late for anything
"Understood, Lord Danzo." Fuu said before he accompanied the warhawk to meet with said Kage
(5 hours later, Senju Park, 6:06 Pm)
Meanwhile, Naruto was with his teammates relaxing at Senju Park at his stay at the ROOT Hq, in wanting some much needed peace with everything that had gone on since his return to the village and ducking of Anbu operatives.
"Tell me Naruto. Now that you have avenged Mizuki-sensei and fought against one of Iwa's jinchuuriki to a standstill. Where do you go from here exactly?" Sasuke inquired to the superhuman blonde
"The hell if I know. Honestly, I'm just glad that we ended up in a stalemate. Because there's only so much you can do when you are fueled by vengeance, spite, rage ,and pure stubbornness." Naruto answered back
"But it was still one of the best fights I've ever had." Naruto further spoke in memory of the fierce battle
"Again, it cannot be understated just how much of an absolute beat you are. Hell, if you don't make Chunin next year; then I will be shocked! Since there's no way they can just leave you as a genin when your this strong." Sakura said seeing anything but a promotion to Chunin or higher after the exams as a totally dumbass decision
"I swear to God, if I don't make Chunin on some bullshit. Then someone's getting kicked so hard in the dick that even their grandchildrens' grandchildren will feel it." Naruto said back
"Hey, whoever is the idiot that doesn't promote you or any of us after the exams; deserves to get the nut-shot of the century." Sakura spoke
"In all fairness, I doubt that we won't become Chunin next year. After all, our coordination as a team is second to none, we are one of the if not the strongest genin team in the village, and furthermore our success rate is unmatched as a unit." Sasuke said seeing no reason why they wouldn't become Chunin
Given the combination of aforementioned factors; on top of their relationship with each other making their trust in each other making them a practically unstoppable unit; Sasuke believed would complete the Chunin Exams and obtain their promotions as Chunin without fail.
"You definitely ain't wrong about that, Sasuke. Hell, out of everyone in the village we're actually the best from what my Mind Radio picks up." Naruto said to the Uchiha
"Really?! Then if we're the best, then who's the worst if you don't mind my asking?" Sasuke questioned
"Kakashi's team. Apparently, they're so bad that he's stopped showing up late all the time, so he can work towards getting them to be an actual team…Hell, his hair has started going white early, and his not reading Icha Icha anymore on top of it." Naruto Infrared the Uchiha swordsman
"I can't say that I blame him…That team is a timebomb waiting to happen. The fact that they haven't gone on a single mission above D-rank speaks volumes of how much of a cesspool of toxicity they are. Hmph, honestly if they make it to the Chunin Exams, it will be a miracle." Sasuke replied in seeing nothing but a cobbled-together mess built to self-destruct in Team 7
"Let's be real, Sasuke. Even if they did make it to the Chunin Exams, do you really think they're gonna work well enough to make it to anything past the preliminaries? They may be good, but between Toshiro's refusal to let anyone outshine him, Mizore having to have everything her way; the only saving grace they've got is that Sai guy…That ain't enough to get them to pass." Sakura said back to the Uchiha
"Indeed, Sakura…To be quite honest I feel sorry for him. He seems decent enough, on top of being quite strong in his own right. Yet he has to play subservient to those two, or risk suffering a temper tantrum from either one." Sasuke spoke as he looked over at the setting sun
"Hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to survive; when your with those two monsters. So I can't really blame him for going along with whatever they want." Naruto said in feeling a similar pang of sympathy for Sai
"Look at it this way, Naruto. Perhaps, he will be recognized as exceptional enough to either opt out of Team 7 altogether, or be promoted to Chunin is he shows himself exemplary enough." Sasuke replied
"I hope so. Because no one deserves to be on a team with my 'siblings'; that is a type of hell all on its own." Naruto said back in despising having spent any amount of time with the twin jinchuuriki
'How we're supposed to trust them to save the world, when they can barely work with anyone I'll never know.' Naruto wondered to himself
"So how are you gonna handle them since the cat's out of the bag?" Sakura questioned her brother
"That's easy. Just tell them that they can deal with it plain and simple. I mean what are they honestly gonna do about it? They can't force me into doing anything I don't want to, plus I'm strong than them no matter how much of the fox's chakra they use. So honestly, I doubt that there's much they can do to me." Naruto answered back seeing himself in the clear
"Hey, if you think your golden against them, then good on you, Naruto. I just worry a bit about you, since those two are some heinous pieces of shit. So watch your back in case they try anything." Sakura warned her brother
"Don't worry about it, Sakura. I'll be just fine…In the meantime, I'm gonna go and do some training to get my mind straight. You guys got anything planned for the rest of the day?" Naruto said as he stretched himself out
"Yes, I'm going to finish writing back to Azula once I return to the compound." Sasuke informed the superhuman who had a surprised look on his face
"Wait a minute. You and the Daimyo's daughter are penpals…since when?" Naruto asked in surprise of this new information
"We have been keeping a correspondence with one another, for roughly a week after our leaving Jonduri. So far she has been rather delightful to write to these past few months...If anything writing to her has recently become the highlight of my days when I am not training" Sasuke answered back regarding his continued contact with Azula
"Huh, well I'll be damned. Sasuke has himself a little girlfriend." Naruto said before he was rewarded with a light slap on the back of the head
"We are not that close, Naruto…At least not at the given moment." Sasuke responded
"...I can only hope that she would reciprocate those feelings towards me. Given that I may be one of our village's best up-and-coming swordsmen. However, I am a rather far cry away from being able to date the daughter of our country's leader." Sasuke further spoke seeing that he was a long ways away from being able to date much less court the Fire Daimyo's daughter
"On the bright side, Sasuke. You have a helluva better chance with her than any of her last suitors. Since they weren't the ones that saved her from an assassin. That was all us, and nobody else." Sakura mentioned to the dark-haired swordsman
"Yeah, Sakura's right! If anyone has a chance with her, its gonna be you." Naruto spoke in agreement eliciting a smile from the Uchiha
"Thank you, I appreciate the support…However, the best I can hope for is to continue improving on my skillset, and working my way through the ranks. Then at least that way, I can prove myself worthy in the eyes of Lord Ozai to be worthy of his daughter." Sasuke replied knowing he had much work to do in order to show himself as worthy should the time come to ask out Azula with the approval of her father
"Good luck and godspeed, Sasuke. 'Cause you are definitely gonna need it." Sakura said to her teammate
"Thank you, I appreciate it…What of you, Sakura? What are you going to do for the rest of the evening?" Sasuke asked the pink-haired assassin
"Probably work some more on the Redirection Kata…I don't know what it is about this stupid last bit of the Niko Style, but dear God is it frustrating." Sakura answered back
"Well, as much as I'd like to help you Sakura. I gotta work on getting some of my aces in the hole under control…The last thing I need is to pop off, and have cause another new landmark to happen." Naruto said before teleporting off into the deep reaches of Fire Country's forests
"Sometimes, I forget that he's a natural disaster on legs, Sasuke." Sakura said to the dark-eyed swordsman
"To be fair, Sakura. When you have someone of Naruto's usual disposition. It is easy to forget that he as the power to break the world." Sasuke remarked over his friends' immense power
"But that is neither here nor there at the moment. For now, let's get going, we both have things to attend to." Sasuke added as Sakura followed after the Uchiha
(3 days later, November 3rd, 997 S.E, Konoha, 9:54 Pm)
A few days would pass from that point onwards as Naruto was walking home Hanabi after another date night with the eldest of the Hyuga sisters, which to the champion of Arceus was something he needed after the longest 2 weeks of his life and his readjusting to things in the village.
"Thanks again for going on a date night with me, Hanabi. I really appreciate it." Naruto said to the pale-eyed woman beside him
"Of course, after everything that had happened to you/ I thought that this would be the least I could do to make you happy." Hanabi spoke as they continued nearing the Hyuga Compound
"Also, with how stressed you have been concerning Mizuki. It looked as though you could use a night out." Hanabi added in regards to Naruto's worn down and still weary-looking appearance
"Do I really look that bad?" Naruto asked
"Would you like me to lie, or to tell you the truth? Either one won't be much more pleasant than the alternative." Hanabi asked back
"...I'm pretty sure I can put two and two together, if your gonna have to lie about it. I'm really gonna need to clean up the next time we go out." Naruto said knowing he looked more than a bit disheveled
'Man, it's been awhile since I've even shaved or combed all these god-forsaken tangles out of my hair…I probably look like a feral hobo.' Naruto remarked over his hair that reached quite a bit past his shoulders and the wild yet short beard that covered his face down to his Adam's apple
"Be that as it may. I still had a wonderful time with you, Naruto." Hanabi replied
"Thanks, that really does mean a lot y'know." Naruto said as they soon reached the Hyuga Compound entrance
"Your quite welcome, and please…do try and take better care of yourself. I would very much like it for you to be around for a long time. Since you do mean quite a bit to me as well too." Hanabi told her partner in question
"I only promise to try." Was Naruto's only reply
"Good enough for me, I suppose. Still, have a good night Naruto and please do better to take care of yourself." Hanabi said once they reached the gates of her home
"I will, and I'll make sure to get on that…Also, I'll keep you up to date on how things are with Mizuki-sensei when I can too." Naruto told her
"Thank you, for that, Naruto…I hope he makes a full recovery soon. I don't know what I would do without that wonderful idiot in my life." Hanabi spoke having held hopes that Mizuki would recover quickly enough
"Hey, this is Mizuki-sensei we're talking about. I know he's gonna be just fine, just you wait!" Naruto replied with a smile of assuring confidence across his face
"...You certainly know just what to say; don't you?" Hanabi said with a small chortle
"What can I say, I'm just that type of guy…Anyways, I'll skidaddle and let you get some rest." Naruto said before bidding farewells to Hanabi
'...Phew, that went a lot better than what I thought…Hey, Sakura how're we doing with people giving me the business?' Naruto said to himself before contacting his sister over the Mind Radio
'Everything went off without a hitch, Naruto. There's just one small issue that we're gonna have to take care of before everything's chill for tonight.' Sakura told the champion of Arceus
'What's that?' Naruto asked back
'We've got some Anbu that's been tailing you during your date night with Hanabi. Luckily they haven't done anything yet, but their more than likely gonna try and get the drop on you, and drag you back to your folks.' Sakura informed him of what was coming his way
'Go figure that this would happen…Well, since they aren't gonna take no for answer. You just wanna knock 'em out, and head back to bed afterwards? I mean I'm pretty sure we can take 'em, no problem.' Naruto answered back
'Sure why not, but at least let me have my recorder on just in case. That way if they try any funny business, you have plausible deniability and can say that you were acting in self-defense.' Sakura replied
'Great idea, let's bounce then.' Naruto said as the two headed off back to their home
Something that took them hardly anytime whatsoever to navigate back to the Haruno Household; which was surprisingly enough only 2 blocks away from the Kure clan Compound as they barely reached the porch of their home before 6 Anbu operatives appeared…One of them being none other than Yugao Uzuki and Itachi Uchiha whom both Naruto and Sakura recognized as one of the few people that Kazushi and Lyoto would regularly hang around with.
"So, I take it you guys are gonna try and make me go have a 'family reunion' then?" Naruto surmised as he took a good look around at the Anbu before him
"Then you know that we were tasked to bring you to Lord 4th no matter what. So it would be advised if you came quietly." Yugao said resolutely
"Well, here's the thing I'm not gonna go with either of you. Sooooo, how about you guys turn back the way you came, and let me actually sleep well for once...Either that, or because I am still really fucking tired, I will obliterate all of you where you stand." Naruto said back resolute in refusal to go with them
"Naruto, you have to understand that we are not here out of anything malicious but…" Itachi tried to say
"But what, to make me go back to the people who phased me out of their lives, and voluntarily no less. That now they suddenly care when they realize a body double that's been with them for over a year is gone, and now that I'm living my best life they suddenly want me back, and for what? So they can have their apple pie life and still ignore me for Toshiro and Mizore…is that it?" Naruto rebuked at the prodigal Uchiha
"Naruto, I know that things haven't been ideal between your family, but you have to understand that they have been worried sick since you disappeared. They simply want what is best for you." Itachi said to an unmoved Naruto
"If they wanted what was best for me, then why wouldn't they let me stay where I am happiest? Hmm, why would they take me away from where I am at my best, and have me come to a place where there is no love for me at all?!" Naruto questioned the elder Uchiha
"As tell me Itachi, why should I return to a place where for the past 15-plus years of my life. They made it clear that I was less important than my brother and sister, and its something that I've grown used too…So how about you and your posse leave me be, let me get some sleep, and I can visit them never." Naruto added as his irritation of having his good night ruined was being shown as claws began to split free from his nails
"While I do feel sorry for you, Naruto. Given that, I know what it is like to want the best for your loved ones as a father myself…Unfortunately, I must carry out my duty as a Konoha shinobi. So if you will not come with us willingly, then I will be forced to do this." Itachi said as he used his Sharingan to attempt to knock out Naruto via genjutsu
'Are you ok, Naruto?' Sakura asked as she felt a wave of irritation from her brother
'Yeah, I-I'm good. Just irritated is all…How about you go in and get Mebuki while I clean house.' Naruto answered back telepathically as Sakura nodded and snuck around to awake her mother
"You know the fact that you tried to use your Sharingan on me was some bullshit…Granted its some kickass bullshit, but some bullshit nonetheless." Naruto said his left eye twitching at having his mind almost invade
'No way, he actually resisted Itachi's genjutsu. How can a genin even do such a thing?!' Yugao said to herself as an immense amount of pressure began to surge outwards
"So, what's gonna happen here is; I'm gonna knock out all 5 of you, for wasting my night." Naruto told all of the Anbu
"You really think you can take on all 6…." A condor masked Anbu said before a Sucker Punch to the jaw shattered his mask and sent him headfirst through the concrete
"I said 5 you sonuvabitch." Naruto said before launching into action
The 1st of his targets being Itachi, as he used Agility to boost his speed so that he could move faster than even the prodigal Uchiha's Sharingan could track, as he was met with a Sky Uppercut to the liver that impacted his armor with such force; that it not only exploded as though made of fragile glass. But sent him clear across the Haruno household and into the roof of one of the houses in the Kure Compound, where he lay stunned trying to catch his breath from the gut-busting punch to his stomach.
From there Naruto looked at a beaver and sparrow-masked Anbu operatives and leapt towards them unleashing a Doulble Kick against either one of them, the sparrow-masked one catching a reverse roundhouse that broke his neck on contact; while the beaver-masked one caught a harsher rib-breaking heel kick that sent him skidding across the concrete unconscious. The deer-masked Anbu tried to rush at Naruto to grapple him to the ground only for Naruto to grab them by their mask and proceed to Vital Throw them into the ground so hard that the man was embedded up to his elbows in concrete; before he rushed over to Yugao with blinding speeds and manuevered around her for a brutal spinning elbow of a Brick Break.
The cat-masked Anbu felt her mask shatter and her jaw dislocate as well as her cheekbones fracture on impact as she was sent into the ground unconscious and twitching from the sheer concussive force of Naruto's attack. From there Naruto used his Aura sensing abilities to track down Itachi who was still recovering from the brutal Sky Uppercut to the liver, and used Teleport to race towards him before he could fully gather his bearings.
Meanwhile, Itachi was still struggling to get back up after feeling the wind being knocked out of his sails, as the uppercut he suffered was so severe in its power that his legs betrayed him as he tried to once more stand on his feet. Yet before he could gather his senses and full bearings he barely had enough time to look up and see Naruto come down on him with the mother of all hammerfists via a brutal Hammer Arm to the center of his face that sent him flashing into the midst of one of the courtyards with a caved in nose, and shattered jaw and fractured front of his skull.
What with Itachi having been rendered unconscious from the heavily concussive attack; Naruto used Heal Pulse to heal his injuries just enough so there wouldn't be any internal bleeding, but not so much that he would re-awaken as he then grabbed the unconscious Uchiha and teleported him back to the Haruno household. Once there he was met with the sight of Mebuki and Sakura who were already busying themselves tying up the unconscious Anbu that had been decimated frim Naruto's rapid-fire succession of blows against them.
"I am both surprised and proud of you for knocking out 6 Anbu this quickly. Especially, when it Yugao and…its that Itachi you knocked the hell out in your arms?" Mebuki questioned as Sakura was busy taking all of the weaponry from the Anbu operatives
"Yep. They really didn't see me coming when I hit them one after the other. Like holy shit, it was borderline disrespectful how fast I knocked them out." Naruto replied thankful for his super speed having aided in knocking out the sextet of Anbu
"After we get this all figured out, we are taking you out wherever you want. Because this…this right here is just amazing, young man. I couldn't be anymore proud of you." Mebuki said back
"Thanks, now let's get these guys stashed away till morning. Because this is gonna be a headache and a half to deal with when they wake up." Naruto said as Sakura tossed him some chains and a ball-gag to help tie up Itachi with
(2 days later, November 5th, 997 S.E, Senju Estate, 2:12 Pm)
That being said a few more days after the skirmish between Naruto and the Anbu after his date with Hanabi did after some talking and convincing from Dan; did Naruto decide to get the talk with his parents over on the condition that Dan be there as support and Lyoto as mediator, as well as Jiraiya not be in attendance.
"Alright, let's get started. Since there's a lot to talk about, and as such there's going to be ground rules." Lyoto said to both sides
"There will be no yelling, no cursing at one another, no gaslighting, no cutting each other off, and both sides WILL hear out what the other has to say. If not my sister will make sure that both sides will be punished for not adhering to the rules set…Have I been made clear?" Lyoto said gesturing to his sister who was all too eager to punish someone
"Yes." Were the only words spoken in response
"Good. Then let us begin…" Lyoto said watching and waiting for the otherside to bein
"I just want to say that we are both sorry, that you were driven to doing what you did, Naruto. It is only recently that I have realized how much we have failed you as parents, in regards to how we treated you concerning the prophecy…But I hope that you can forgive us, and that one day we can make amends for what happened." Minato spoke in full admittance for having been a lackluster father to Naruto
"I know that you two are sorry for what you did in phasing me out of the family, for Toshiro and Mizore. After all, they're the villages superweapons, so after awhile I came to understand that they would take precedence over me in the family." Naruto responded in having long since come to grips with that fact
"However, just because I understand why you had to focus on them. That does not mean that I can or ever will forgive you…In fact, I honestly don't think I ever will be able to forgive either of you, or look at you two as my parents." Naruto further spoke as the lack of anger disgust, or vitriol made the statement all the more harder-hitting
"But we did everything we could for you! We raised you to the best our ability, made sure you never went without, gave you a roof over your head, and…and. The bottom line is, you have to find it somewhere in your heart to forgive us when we did the best that we could for you!" Kushina said but the crack of Kazushi's Briar Whip stopped her in her tracks
"I believe that I said no gaslighting Kushina. Besides, while that may be true from yours and even Minato's perspective. From the perspective of my cousin, that isn't the case." Lyoto said shooting a stern look toward the redhead in question
"But we…" Kushina tried to say as another crack of the whip-like briars sounded off
"But nothing. That is your 1st warning Kushina, let it be the 1st and only one that I have to give.." Lyoto said before turning it back over to his cousin
"...That may be the case, but those are things that a parent is supposed to do. Things that the both of you only did a bare minimum of. Because where Toshiro and Mizore got everything that their hearts desired, always had their pick of where we were going for a family outing, or always had your attention for training and what have you…I was left getting either next to nothing, or having to go to Grandma Tsunade and Gramps, or the Kures, or even the Akimichi's to feel like I mattered." Naruto told them his voice coming off as more somber and drained than anything venomous or angry
"If you had felt this way, then why didn't you come to us about this. If we had known that you were feeling this way, then we would have made time for you." Minato said back wishing his eldest would've told him sooner
"It does mean a little bit to me; that you say this. I don't think it would've mattered in practice." Naruto spoke his brilliant azure eyes staring at them with a level of melancholy and dourness that it was almost unsettling to look back at
"Between you training them to be the chosen ones; prophesied by Pervy-Sage to bring peace the world. On top of you being the Hokage, and all the duties that entailed and mom here being on diplomacy missions as well as being a high-ranking jonin…Even if I told you guys that I was feeling this way, I doubt that you guys would've had the ample enough time to make the difference." Naruto further spoke
Given that from his perspective, that even removing all the other factors from Jiraiya and his toxic siblings that if he had told them of how he felt regarding his place in the family; that due to their positions and obligations…that at the end of it, he felt like it wouldn't have changed anything. Solely for the fact that they were involved in so much that they wouldn't have the time to commit to changing it, and that within a few months or a year that everything would've been for nothing, and that he would have aired out his grievances for nothing as well.
"Naruto…I-I honestly have no words for that as well. I can't say that I could ever blame you for feeling this way. But I am so very sorry that we couldn't make the time for you, when we should have. That is something I take full responsibility and blame for as your father." Minato said while Kushina was struggling to find words to say regarding her sons feelings towards them as parents
"To be honest, that's just covering part of the problem. Since its' really thanks to Pervy-Sage and the twins that I made my decision to swap out for a body double. Because, they're a good reason on why I never feel happy when I'm with all of you." Naruto said back almost having to thank the Toad Sannin for the idea
"I am sure that the two of you have noticed the rather…'unbecoming' behavior let's put it of Toshiro and Mizore as of late?" Dan spoke up since the session began
"You don't have to remind me, Dan. Just when I thought that we have gotten that behavior taken care of when they were in the academy. It is now almost 10 times worse now that they're genin. I swear its like I'm dealing with 2 over-the-top divas." Kushina replied almost at her wits end with the behavior of her younger children
"That behavior is what Naruto has had to endure for the majority of his childhood and adolescence. In fact, it is because of them that Naruto went of of his way to even make his doppelganger. Seeing as how they were so insufferable to him, in their relentless torment of him on a near-daily basis that instead of going to you two about the issue. That he instead commissioned a blood/wood clone to take his place, so that he could have some form of solace from them." Dan said back
"Between getting beaten up anytime I outdid Toshiro in anything, or even did the slightest bit better than him at something. The amount of bruises, dislocated shoulders, broken noses, ribs that were cracked or broken by him would make Ibiki nearly green with envy. Then there was Mizore who'd either use her emotion sensing to either belittle me every chance she had, gaslight me into feeling so less than nothing that I'd be better off scrubbing the floors of the academy for a living… Or better yet running off almost anyone from the academy who wanted to be my friend, by threatening them or telling they'd make their lives hell at the academy it they did…Then people wonder why my only friends were Sasuke, Sakura and Choji." Naruto spoke with such a level of dreariness in his voice that not only was it nearly tangible but almost crushing to hear come from his mouth
"It didn't help that Pervy-Sage would come in and sweep everything under the rug for them, whenever they did get into trouble. Hell, anytime I went to someone at the academy for help, or even Granny and Grandpa about it; he'd be there to make it all go away, and get in my face about ruining everything for the real heroes who actually mattered in Konoha… Not the family black-sheep who'd be lucky to find a job outside of janitor duty at the academy if I didn't stop 'interfering' as he put it, " Naruto added
"Believe me, Naruto. I will be having a long overdue discussion with Jiraiya-sensei about all of this. As this goes far beyond training them for the sake of the prophecy, or as village jinchuuriki." Minato said in pure disgust over his sensei's actions whilst Kushina continued to seethe in anger
"That's not even counting the handful of times he threatened to get me kicked out of the academy, if I didn't 'stop making things difficult' for the twins, by doing better than them on tests and stuff at the academy. Since in his words, and I quote 'The chosen children of the prophecy can't be made to look 2nd rate by someone that not even the poorest in the village won't even remember, so cut it out, or you'll never see a headband'...If that helps make things any more decisive for you." Naruto added
"He threatened to do what?!" Kushina snarled in pure rage
"Oh yeah, he legit threatened me with that a good chunk of times to be honest with you…If it wasn't for Granny Tsunade threatening to put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, or Grandpa Dan being there to send him to the hospital with his jaw wired shut for pulling that crap…Then I'm pretty sure he would've done it, if he could.' Naruto told them
"Believe me, Naruto. He's going to wish he was in a wheelchair after we're done here. I guarantee you that much…The sheer nerve he has to threaten you like that…I told you something was up with Jiriaya, once the kids started the academy, I knew it!" Kushina said having had a sneaking suspicion in the pit of her stomach
"I know, Kushina. However, we can discuss this later. For there is apparently much more that we need to dig into, to see just exactly what else he has been hiding from us." Minato told his wife
"Trust me, there's a whole mountains' worth that he's hiding, but I'd rather not say right now…But believe me when I say he has a lot more skeletons in his closet than what you think. Especially, if his effect on Toshiro and Mizore are anything to go by." Naruto added
"This…This has been a rather illuminating conversation, Naruto. And again we are sorry for having not done more as your parents…However, and I know there isn't much we can do to fix what has already happened. But if you give us the chance, we would like to earn back the trust we've lost from you as your parents." Minato said to his son
"Please, Naruto, all we need is one more chance to make things right, and…and we can be a family again! I know we messed up when we listened to Jiraiya, but we can change, we can make things the way they should have been…Just…Just let us have another chance, and we will do whatever we have too to make things right!" Kushina said almost pleading with her son while struggling to keep back the whirlwind of emotions that swarmed within her
"Well, Naruto…What do you have to say?" Dan asked as his godson was stuck in pensieve thought
"...To be honest with you two. As much as I know you two would love for me to give you the answer that you want. To say I'll go along with it, and make everything hunky-dory again…I..I just can't." Naruto answered back
"But, Naruto, please…We..We'll do whatever you want, all we need is another chance…We will do everything under the sun, to make whatever you want happen." Kushina said as tears began to well up
"You could bring me the moon and sun itself, and it still would not change my feelings towards you two. The two of you both had your chance to be my parents, and be in my life as my family. That ship has long since sailed, and in that time when I needed you two to be there for me when I needed a family to love me, and make me feel like I mattered. To keep my siblings from constantly making me feel like I was less than a person at all times, and Jiraiya from crushing my dreams and making it feel like no matter what I did that it would amount to nothing by comparison to them…That you weren't." Naruto replied before taking another deep breath
"But I found what I needed in the fellowship of others, I found it in Sakura, Miss. Mebuki, Sasuke, Choji and the Akimichi's, Granny and Grandpa, Kazushi, Lyoto and even Mizuki-sensei…and even Hanabi lately." They are the people that are in my life as my loved ones and family, because they were there for me when you were not, and they were the ones who made me feel loved when I never felt it when I was being a family with either of you…To put it simply, they were my family when you were too busy and too concerned with the prophecy to be involved or committed to loving me, or being a part of my life." Naruto added
"...So where does that leave us now, Naruto?" Was the sole question the blonde Kage questioned
"That's easy, and its gonna sound harsh, but its what is needed to be said…Where it leaves us is that there is no conceivable way where we can make amends, be a family again, or anything like that; that time has come and passed and any starting over or things like that won't happen. Because there was never a family to begin with, concerning everyone…The only thing I can say is that, I'll respect you two as my superiors and that is far as it will go; nothing further or lesser than that." Naruto answered back regarding where their relationship would stand from this point forward
"That's it? You mean to tell us that there is nothing we can do to at least try and salvage this?! There has to be something, Naruto. We are your parents, and we love you so, so much. Just tell us there has to be something that can be done, there just has to be?!" Kushina pleaded with her son as the fight to hold back her tears was a losing one
"No, there isn't and there never will be. All there is, is just what can be had with him being my Hokage, and you being my superior officer. Nothing else beyond that, because I cannot in good conscience agree to anything you would want. Because my heart, mind, and spirit just will not let me; when it knows that the foundation for that was never there…So I am sorry that it has to be this way, but this is the bed that was made when you chose Jiraiya and the prophecy over me, and we all have to lie in it from hereon." Naruto told his mother with all the stone-cold resoluteness he had to offer
"Its just the way it is. Since you have to remember; that if I went so far as to make a body double to have MY freedom and happiness away from all of you. Then what chances do you think are left for me to be a family or want anything like that; with you guys?" Naruto questioned them as a moment of silence was created in this incredibly uneasy moment
For what felt like hours had passed where time itself seemed to stop in its entirety; if not slow to a crawl where everything seemed dozens if not hundreds of times slower due to the level of unease, somberness and outright dread that seemed to suffuse the living room. Wherein the bitter reality that Naruto had severed all bonds to his family had set in, and what made this all the worse to swallow was the fact that in all of the time he'd spoken that there was no anger, rage, or vitriol in his words; only tiredness and dread from having had to have this conversation in the first place.
What with all parties having remained silent in that seemingly infinite space of time; where the new reality of things concerning them as a whole was being fully absorbed, as Naruto had now made his statement that from herein that there family would remain fractured for all time, and that there was NOTHING that could be done about it.
"... …Well, since this is how you truly feel, Naruto. Then we will respect your judgment from this point forward. My only request is that this does not affect our relationship, as your Hokage." Minato said to his or rather once was son
"Of course, not. I can set aside our differences enough to not let this affect things; between you being my Hokage and a shinobi under you." Naruto replied
"That is…very good to hear…If there is nothing else for you to say, then I think Kushina and I will leave." Minato said as he got up from his seat
"Minato, you can't be serious?! We can't just let this happen, there has to be something we can do to make sure our family doesn't fall apart!" Said a teary-eyed Kushina who looked to her husband for any sign that he would leap to her defense
"There is nothing more to be said, Kushina. Naruto has made himself clear on his stance towards us, and his actions all the more so…The fact that he went as far as he did to get away from us and the twins should speak volumes." Minato replied to his wife knowing that there wasn't more too be had with their eldest
"But…" Kushina said as a stern look from her husband said it all
"As I said, there is nothing left to say, Kushina. He made it clear where we stand and we WILL respect his decision. It is the least that we owe to him…Now let us go, there is quite a lot for us to think over." Minato said back as without a second thought the two left albeit Kushina more reluctant as tears began to streak down her face
"Thank God that's over…." Said an absolutely drained Naruto
"So what are you going to do now, Naruto?" Dan asked his godson
"I'm gonna go get high with Kazushi if she wants, and not think about shit else…That good with you, Kazu?" Naruto questioned the amazon of a Senju
"Sure, I'm down with that. We going to Senju Park or the Hokage Monument?" Kazushi replied
"Senju Park. I wanna be away from the village for a bit after airing out so much shit…I'll meet you outside while you grab the stuff." Naruto said while Kazushi nodded and headed upstairs
"That honestly went a lot better than what I thought it would, dad. Here I figured we were gonna watch a whole blow-out happen." Lyoto spoke to the elder Senju
"It only went as well as it did, because Naruto kept his composure throughout. Had he not; then things would have gone much uglier." Dan replied knowing that it was thanks to Naruto's almost ironclad composure throughout it that things didn't devolve into a shouting match
"I'm just surprised that Naurto was able to hold his crap together for that long. Since you gotta admit, with how dirty they him, on top of all the other stuff Jiraiya and those twin terrors did to him. I almost thought he was gonna lose it and go ballistic during the session." Lyoto said not blaming Naruto if he lost his shit and got into a ferocious shouting match against his parents
"That's the thing, Lyoto. Naruto has already been angry at them for so long, that there wasn't anything left for him to scream and shout over…There's a limit to how long you can be furious at someone for so long. It just so happened that with Naruto he reached it with them, a long time ago and was just done with them." Dan said knowing that afer a while that Naruto's anger and rage towards his parents eventually collapsed inwards into indifference and disillusionment toward them
"Huh, that makes a lot of sense. Still felt weird seeing my cousin talk like that." Lyoto said back not ever used to seeing Naruto talk or act so emotionally detached
"That is one of the consequences to living with a family as toxic as Naruto's. You can be happy for the majority of the time, but every one and awhile he can be as we saw in his airing out of his grievances towards Minato and Kushina…Or worse far more volatile and violent as he had every right to be." Dan replied knowing that Naruto's emotions were something that could flip on a dime at any moment
"Hmph, all I know is that I'm happy that things went as well as they did. Now, all we can hope for is that he's gonna be ok for now." Lyoto said back
"I'm sure he will, Lyoto. He's in good hands with your sister after all." Dan said as Lyoto looked unamused by the statement
"Somehow that doesn't reassure me; all too well…But she's his sensei and knows how to look out for him best…so I'm not gonna question it much further than that." Lyoto replied as he got up from his seat
"...So what are you going to do now?" Dan asked his only son
"Right now, I'm gonna go and meet with Sasuke for our next round of training. What about you, dad? Is there anything that you have planned for today?" Lyoto informed his father of what his current plans were
"I'm going to go visit with your mother at the hospital for awhile. Her retirement is coming up soon, and I wanted to plan a few things with her once she does." Dan replied
"Well, good luck with that dad." Was Lyoto's only reply before he headed out the door.
Meanwhile, at Senju Park as Naruto waited for his cousin; the superhuman didn't feel anymore peaceful after airing out his feelings towards his parents, but moreso hollow in a sense at the feeling of a chunk of the resentment he'd been holding onto for so long was now gone or at least starting to fade. For the one singular thought in his head as he looked up at the November sun while chilling winds whipped around him wasn't a necessarily somber thought or a particularly cheerful one, but one that was as always looking toward the future.
"Whatever is left for me after this, I just hope that things are easier for me. Because if it doesn't get any better after I said all that I could; then I don't know where I'm gonna be headed." Naruto said to himself as he looked towards the skies in hopes of a better tomorrow
So with the long overdue talk with Naruto and his parents having now been had, and the champion of Arceus having officially severed his bonds with them. Where do things go from here as a shift within Naruto begins after having aired out his grievances with them? Find out in the new installments of, Naruto: The PokeSage!
Alright, everyone that takes care of that as I hoped you enjoyed this chapter considering that with this and the previous chapter…Naruto's emotional and mental states are gonna start shifting a bit since going through all this ain't gonna leave him coming out the same as before. Other than that, I just hope that everyone continues to enjoy the story so far and has stuck around for more, as all of your support thus far is greatly appreciated, and every favorite, follow and review has helped towards me trying to improve this story for the better; so thank you all for supporting it and spreading it out further when you can.
That all being said this is Pravus666 signing off till next time, with the next chapter having some of the aftermath of this go on as well as Naruto meeting with Takigakure's luckiest jinchuuriki. So stay tuned for all of that good stuff.
Part 2 Theme Song: To the Pain by Nonpoint
Random End Song: Chokehold by Sleep Token
Now then onto some of the reviews from the previous chapter.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Glad you liked Naruto getting his get back for Mizuki, since had Mizuki not survived...then we would've been looking at scorched earth and then some. So its only thanks to Mizuki being still alive that all of Rice Country isn't a blasted heap, because it would've been an apocalyptic nightmare from a rampaging Naruto. Plus when Naruto's training with Mewtwo on diving into his psychic powers, there's a lot more punishing things that he's gonna do than just that because if what Naruto and his friends did in setting him up with at the Hot Springs was anything go by, Naruto wants his punishments to make you suffer and suffer on a scale you won't recover from. Plus Mebuki and Sakura laying into Kushina was bound to happen considering you don't just roll up to their porch about their adopted son/brother like you know anything, and expect not to get shit thrown back in your face. Also, I'm glad you liked the conversation with Orochimaru and Naruto who was at that point running on a solid 2 weeks without sleep and as such wasn't in the best state of mind to make any decisions given how loopy he was at that point.
Skull Flame: Glad you liked how Mebuki gave it to Kushina considering that from her standpoint, she's basically been having to raise Naruto like her 2nd child while Minato and Kushina were focused on the prophecy and by extension Mizore and Toshiro; so as you can imagine she was gonna be pissed. Also, in regards to Naruto's body double and Iruka's curse mark, I had them mentioned earlier I just kept it always there so it would be a bigger surprise for when they popped back up in the story. Also, I'm glad you liked the conversation between Orochimaru and Naruto, since I liked the idea of the former being a actually reasonable and well-meaning villain; which in my viewpoint are always the most dangerous.
God of Wind 200: Its one of the retrospect things where for one he wasn't focused on sensing them considering that he wasn't only running on weeks without sleep at the time. But it was also the fact that he was focused on getting the scroll back for Mizuki, worrying about being in and out as quickly as possible, and so hopped up on anger, spite and trying to get back that by the time he actually slept for once he realized he missed his golden opportunity. Not to mention, that in a state of mind where Naruto's going for 10+ days without sleep when he's doing this the Plates were the last thing on his mind, and what was was making it back to Konoha so that he could see that Mizuki was still alive in one piece, as to him the Plates will always be there for him to go back for, but Mizuki may not be when he gets back; if that makes any sense.
starravenwolf: When Orochimaru does find out what happened to the Toads, she is gonna be in absolute hysterics about it since to her it will be karmic justice for all of Jiraiya's meddling with things he had no business in. Also, I hope you enjoy the sitdown between Naruto and his family, as it was a pretty interesting bit to have written out.
Darth Diabolos: Oh no, Orochimaru isn't so much as a bad guy so much as they're trying to do the right thing so its more so that they're a neutral party; wherin that as long as you don't bother them they won't bother you back...and considering how much they dislike Jiraiya the Chunin Exams is gonna be considerably more personal than in canon. And its funny you should mention the Toads seeing as how Giratina's presence there will have some corrosive effects given how the Distortion World, will start showing its effects when the Toads pop back up in the story again. And I'm gonna have Hanabi do something to make sure that Hinato gets knocked out of the running, that will fully rear its head when the Chunin Exams start up, since it won't end well for Hinata is all I'm gonna say.
HyperA2019: Also, I will not being doing Lemon scenes in the story, since they clutter up the flow of things for me too much for my liking. So that being said, at most all will be shown will be a fade to black with the implications of what will happen afterwards.
Obsidian Nova Arc: Glad you liked Naruto going on his vengeance quest since it was pretty awesome to write out...the power of what writing when listening too Periphery, Body Count and Anthrax will do for you. Also, with next chapter they're about to get a whole lot more data on him for sure!
bankai777: Actually, that may happen down the line given how with how much Ozai is undoubtedly angry with things going on behind his back. He just may strip Minato of his Hokage position and find another suitable candidate. Given how to him, he sees it as a betrayal that Minato the person he trusted and fought alongside went behind his back in regards to something that concerned the fate of his entire country for nearly 20 years without at least checking with him about this.
