Chapter 10 - Chains of Destiny
"Naruto unleashes his hidden heritage in a desperate battle against a monstrous foe."
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. "Naruto" and all related characters, settings, and concepts are the property of Masashi Kishimoto and respective companies. This story is written by a fan, for fans, with no financial gain.
Summary: Naruto Uzumaki discovers the Gamer ability, transforming his life at the Ninja Academy. As he learns to use this power, he forges new friendships and hones his skills, embarking on a unique journey to fulfill his ninja aspirations.
The warm glow of the afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the Hokage's office, casting long shadows across the polished hardwood floor. The air was thick with the scent of tobacco, mingling with the earthy aroma of the potted plants that lined the walls. Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata stood before the large oak desk, their postures straight and their faces serious as they awaited their mission briefing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind the desk, his weathered face creased with concern. He took a long draw from his pipe, the embers glowing bright in the dimness of the room.
"I'll get straight to the point," he said, his voice gravelly with age and authority. "We have a situation. Mizuki, along with the Legendary Stupid Brothers, Fujin and Raijin, has escaped from prison."
Naruto's eyes widened, a flicker of pain and anger crossing his face at the mention of his former teacher's name. Beside him, Shikamaru's brow furrowed, his keen mind already working to analyze the implications of this news.
Hinata, her pale eyes filled with concern, spoke up softly. "Hokage-sama, where is Kakashi-sensei? Shouldn't he be here for this?"
Hiruzen sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Kakashi is currently investigating the prison breach. We suspect it may be connected to a larger plot, possibly involving foreign villages."
He fixed his gaze on the young genin, his expression serious. "Normally, a mission of this caliber would be assigned to a higher-ranked team. However, with the upcoming Chunin Exams, our resources are stretched thin. We simply can't spare anyone else."
Naruto clenched his fists, a determined glint in his eye. "We can handle it, Jiji! Believe it!"
New Quest Alert: The Traitor's Trail
Objective: Pursue and apprehend the escaped convict Mizuki and his accomplices, the Legendary Stupid Brothers.
Rank: B
Reward: 5000 XP, Increased Reputation with Konoha, ?
Accept? [Yes/No]
Naruto's finger hovered over the glowing "Yes" button for a moment before pressing it decisively. A sense of purpose, tinged with a hint of trepidation, settled over him.
Shikamaru, ever the strategist, stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, do we have any leads on their whereabouts? Any known associates or hideouts?"
Hiruzen nodded, shuffling through a stack of papers on his desk. "Our intelligence suggests that Mizuki may seek out his old flame, a woman named Tsubaki. She runs a tea shop on the outskirts of the village. That would be a good place to start your investigation."
He handed a file to Shikamaru, who took it with a nod of thanks. "We've also compiled a list of possible hideouts based on Mizuki's past movements. You'll find the details in there."
Hinata, her voice soft but determined, spoke up. "We won't let you down, Hokage-sama. We'll bring Mizuki to justice."
Hiruzen's gaze softened as he looked at the young Hyuuga heiress. "I have no doubt of that, Hinata."
His eyes then drifted to Naruto, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths. "Naruto, I know this mission may be... personal for you, given your history with Mizuki. But I have faith in you, in all of you. You've grown so much, not just as shinobi, but as people."
Perception Check Activated
Scanning...
Hokage's Demeanor: Concerned yet Confident
Underlying Motive Detected: Providing Closure, Encouraging Growth
Naruto swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat at the Hokage's words. He could feel the weight of this mission, the responsibility and the opportunity it presented.
"Thanks, Jiji," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "We won't let you down. And I won't let Mizuki hurt anyone else, ever again."
With a final nod, Hiruzen dismissed the team. As they filed out of the office, ready to begin their investigation, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that this mission would be a turning point, not just for him, but for all of them.
The game, it seemed, was about to take a very personal turn.
The bustling streets of Konoha gradually gave way to quieter, more residential areas as Team 7 made their way towards the outskirts of the village. The air was filled with the chirping of birds and the distant laughter of children playing, a stark contrast to the seriousness of their mission.
Naruto walked at the head of the group, his steps purposeful and his face set in a determined scowl. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, memories of Mizuki's betrayal intermingling with a fierce resolve to bring him to justice.
Shikamaru, his hands tucked into his pockets, studied Naruto's back with a calculating gaze. He could practically see the tension radiating off his friend, the barely contained energy that threatened to burst forth at any moment.
"Naruto," he called out, his voice cutting through the silence, "I know this mission is personal for you. But remember, we're a team. We've got your back."
Naruto glanced over his shoulder, a flicker of gratitude softening his features. "I know, Shika. And I appreciate it. But this... this is something I have to do. For Iruka-sensei, for all the people Mizuki hurt."
Hinata, walking quietly beside Shikamaru, spoke up softly. "We understand, Naruto-kun. But please, don't shoulder this burden alone. We're here for you, always."
Naruto's steps faltered for a moment, his eyes widening at the sincerity in Hinata's voice. He felt a warmth spread through his chest, a feeling of belonging and support that he had never quite experienced before.
"Thanks, Hinata," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "That... that means a lot."
As they approached the tea shop, a small, unassuming building nestled between a bookstore and a grocery, Naruto's senses tingled with anticipation. His Perception skill, honed through countless missions and training sessions, picked up on the smallest details - the slight tremor in the curtains, the hurried footsteps behind the door.
Perception Check Activated
Scanning...
Suspicious Activity Detected
Caution Advised
Naruto held up a hand, signaling his teammates to stop. "Something's not right," he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "She knows we're coming."
Shikamaru's brow furrowed, his mind already racing through possible scenarios. "Could be a trap. Mizuki might have gotten to her first, warned her."
Hinata activated her Byakugan, the veins around her eyes bulging with chakra. She scanned the building, her enhanced vision piercing through walls and doors.
"There's one person inside," she reported, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. "A woman, in her late twenties. She seems... agitated."
Naruto nodded, his jaw clenching. "That must be Tsubaki. We need to approach this carefully. If she's loyal to Mizuki, she might not be willing to talk."
He turned to his teammates, a plan forming in his mind. "Shikamaru, can you use your shadow possession to immobilize her if things go south? Hinata, keep an eye out for any hidden traps or surprises. I'll take point, try to reason with her."
Shikamaru and Hinata nodded, their faces set in grim determination. They took up positions on either side of the door, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Naruto took a deep breath, his hand hovering over the door handle. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was it, the first step in unraveling the mystery of Mizuki's escape.
With a final glance at his teammates, Naruto pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The interior of the tea shop was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of jasmine and green tea. Delicate porcelain cups lined the shelves, gleaming softly in the muted light. And there, standing behind the counter, was Tsubaki.
She was a striking woman, with long, dark hair and piercing green eyes. Her posture was tense, her hands gripping the edge of the counter so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"Tsubaki-san," Naruto said, his voice calm and even despite the pounding of his heart, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, a genin of Konoha. We're here to ask you some questions about Mizuki."
Tsubaki's eyes widened, a flicker of fear and something else - guilt, perhaps - crossing her face. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I haven't seen Mizuki in months."
Naruto took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Tsubaki's face. "Tsubaki-san, I understand that you and Mizuki were close. I know it's hard to accept that he's done terrible things, that he's betrayed the village and the people who trusted him."
He paused, taking a deep breath. "But I also know what it's like to be betrayed by someone you care about. To feel like everything you believed in was a lie."
Tsubaki's breath caught in her throat, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You... you don't understand," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Mizuki, he... he was everything to me. I thought I knew him, thought he was a good man."
Naruto's expression softened, a wave of empathy washing over him. "I know," he said gently, "I know how much it hurts. But Mizuki, he's not the man you thought he was. He's dangerous, and he needs to be stopped before he hurts anyone else."
He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to rest on Tsubaki's trembling shoulder. "Please, Tsubaki-san. Help us find him. Help us bring him to justice. It's the only way to make things right."
Diplomacy Check Detected!
Hidden Rolls
Passed!
Diplomacy Level Up!
Intermediate: 400/500
Tsubaki looked up, her eyes meeting Naruto's. In that moment, something seemed to shift within her, a decision made, a resolve hardened.
"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, I'll tell you what I know."
Tsubaki's hands trembled as she poured the tea, the delicate porcelain cups clinking softly against each other. She took a shaky breath, her eyes fixed on the wisps of steam rising from the amber liquid.
"It started so gradually," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "At first, it was just little things. Mizuki would come home late, brush off my questions about where he'd been. He'd always been ambitious, but it was different. There was an edge to it, a hunger that I'd never seen before."
Hinata leaned forward, her pale eyes filled with compassion. "I understand," she said softly, "When my mother and uncle died, my father... he changed. He grew cold, distant. It was like a part of him had died with them."
Tsubaki looked up, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "Yes," she murmured, "yes, that's exactly it. It was like Mizuki was slipping away, piece by piece. And I... I didn't know how to reach him."
Shikamaru, his brow furrowed in thought, spoke up. "When did you first notice the changes? Was there a specific event, something that might have triggered this behavior?"
Tsubaki's hands stilled, her gaze distant. "It was about a year ago," she said, her voice strained. "Mizuki had been passed over for a promotion, one he'd been working towards for months. He was so angry, so bitter. He started staying out late, coming home smelling of sake and cigarettes."
Naruto leaned forward, his blue eyes soft with understanding. "That must have been so hard for you, Tsubaki-san. To watch someone you love pull away like that."
Tsubaki's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "It was," she whispered, "It was like I was losing him, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. He started talking about how the village was holding him back, how he deserved more. He'd rant for hours, pacing the room like a caged animal."
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. "Did he ever mention any names, any specific people he was meeting with?"
Tsubaki shook her head, her hands twisting in her lap. "No, no names. But he'd come home with this look in his eye, this gleam of something dark and dangerous. He'd mutter about plans, about how everything was going to change."
Hinata reached out, her hand resting gently on Tsubaki's arm. "You must have been so scared, so confused. I can't imagine how painful it must have been, to watch the man you love become someone you didn't recognize."
Tsubaki's shoulders shook, a sob wrenching from her throat. "I tried," she gasped, "I tried so hard to reach him, to bring him back. But it was like he was too far gone, like the Mizuki I knew had been swallowed up by this... this darkness."
Naruto's heart ached, a lump forming in his throat. He knew all too well the pain of betrayal, the sense of helplessness in the face of a loved one's descent. "Tsubaki-san," he said gently, "I know it hurts. I know it feels like you failed him. But this isn't your fault. Mizuki made his choices, and now he has to face the consequences."
Tsubaki looked up, her face streaked with tears. "I know," she whispered, "I know that now. But it doesn't make it any easier. I loved him, Naruto-san. I loved him so much."
Shikamaru, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, spoke up. "Tsubaki-san, I know this is hard. But if you have any information, any idea of where Mizuki might have gone, it could be crucial. We need to find him, to stop him before he hurts anyone else."
Tsubaki took a deep, shuddering breath. "There were places," she said, her voice trembling, "secret places he'd go when he wanted to be alone. An old bunker in the forest, a cave system near the river. I... I can show you on a map."
Naruto placed a hand on Tsubaki's shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. "Thank you, Tsubaki-san. I know how much courage this takes. You're doing the right thing."
As Tsubaki rose to fetch a map, her steps heavy with grief and resolve, Naruto exchanged a glance with his teammates. In their eyes, he saw the same determination, the same commitment to justice and truth.
"Thank you, Tsubaki-san," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I know how hard this must have been for you. But because of your bravery, we have a chance to stop Mizuki and protect the village."
Tsubaki managed a watery smile, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "Please," she said, her voice trembling, "please stop him. Don't let him hurt anyone else."
Naruto nodded, a promise in his eyes. "We will. I swear it."
As they left the tea shop, the information Tsubaki had provided swirling in their minds, Naruto felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had a lead, a direction. And with his teammates by his side, he knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The hunt for Mizuki had begun, and Team 7 would not rest until justice was served.
The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and pinks as Team 7 approached the entrance to the cave. Long shadows stretched across the ground, adding an air of foreboding to the already tense atmosphere.
As they drew nearer, two figures emerged from the gloom of the cave mouth. They were large, rotund men, with chubby faces and small, beady eyes. Their mouths were turned up in dopey grins, giving them an air of foolish good humor.
"Well, lookie here!" the larger of the two exclaimed, his voice high-pitched and nasal. "Looks like we got us some visitors, Raijin!"
The other brother, presumably Fujin, chuckled, his belly jiggling. "Aw, ain't they just the cutest little ninja you ever did see?"
Naruto stepped forward, a cheeky grin on his face. "Hey, hey, hey! If it isn't the Legendary Stupid Brothers! You know, I expected you guys to be a bit more... legendary."
Fujin and Raijin blinked, then burst into peals of laughter. "Hear that, Fujin? The little squirt thinks we ain't legendary!"
"I know, right? Kid, we're so legendary, they had to invent a new word for it!"
Shikamaru, seeing an opportunity, spoke up. "Oh yeah? And what word would that be? Legendarily stupid?"
The brothers paused, confusion crossing their faces. "Uh... no! It's... it's..."
As they floundered for a response, Shikamaru's hands flashed through signs. His shadow shot out, seeking to ensnare the distracted brothers.
But the moment his shadow touched them, Shikamaru felt a massive drain on his chakra. It was like trying to hold back a raging river with a paper cup. His shadow passed over them without effect, and he staggered, his face pale.
Shikamaru's Chakra Severely Depleted!
Shadow Possession Ineffective!
The brothers, oblivious to the attempted attack, were still arguing.
"It's legendarious, you dummy!"
"No, it's stupendary!"
Naruto, seeing Shikamaru's distress, decided to take action. He nodded to Hinata, and together they charged, Naruto creating a dozen clones as he ran.
Shikamaru, thinking quickly, modified his shadow jutsu. Instead of trying to bind the brothers, he sent tendrils of shadow to cover their eyes, hoping to blind them.
But to his shock, the brothers reacted to the attack, even with their eyes covered. They lashed out with surprising speed and precision, their fists and feet striking Naruto's clones and dispelling them in puffs of smoke.
Naruto himself took a devastating blow to the chest, the impact sending him flying back.
Damage Sustained!
Naruto HP: -120
Regeneration Activated: 10 HP/second
Hinata, her Byakugan allowing her to see the attack coming, managed to evade, but barely. She rushed to Naruto's side, her face etched with worry.
"Naruto-kun! Are you alright?"
Naruto, despite the pain, grinned up at her. "Never better, Hinata! Takes more than that to keep Naruto Uzumaki down!"
Shikamaru, his mind racing, called out to his team. "Nothing's working! Naruto, it's time to pull out the big guns!"
Naruto's grin turned feral. "Got it!"
He leaped to his feet, his hands already forming signs. He channeled his chakra, more and more, into the jutsu. The skin on his arms began to peel away, explosive tags blooming from the raw flesh beneath.
The tags swarmed the brothers, sticking to their skin and clothes. Naruto kept channeling, even as he felt his chakra reserves dwindling, his health dropping from the strain.
Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags Activated!
Naruto HP: -250
Naruto CP: -500
With a final hand sign, Naruto detonated the tags. The explosion was massive, a deafening boom that shook the earth and sent a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke billowing into the sky. The shockwave knocked Team 7 off their feet, sending them tumbling across the rocky ground.
For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the ringing in their ears and the patter of debris raining down around them.
Then, as the smoke began to clear, two figures became visible. Fujin and Raijin, their clothes scorched and tattered, their skin covered in soot, stood amidst the crater left by the blast.
They were unharmed. And they looked angry.
Shikamaru, helping a dazed Hinata to her feet, stared in disbelief. "No way... that was enough explosive power to level a building!"
Naruto, panting with exertion, his arms raw and bleeding, could only nod. They had thrown everything they had at the brothers, every trick and tactic they could think of.
And it hadn't even scratched them.
As the brothers began to advance, their faces contorted with rage, Shikamaru turned to Naruto.
"Please tell me you've got another ace up your sleeve, Naruto. Because I'm officially out of ideas."
Naruto, his face set in grim determination, met his friend's gaze.
"I might have one last trick," he said, his voice low and serious. "But it's gonna be a doozy."
As the brothers advanced, their fury palpable, Naruto's mind raced. Within him, the knowledge of the Uzumaki clan swirled, a maelstrom of seals and techniques. He knew, with a certainty that came from the very core of his being, that a seal was the answer. But how? He couldn't get close enough to paint ink on the enraged brothers, and he cursed himself for not having any pre-made tags. It was a mistake he swore he'd never make again.
But then, as if in response to his desperation, he felt a tingling in his chakra. It was like a whisper, a guiding hand. Seal designs flowed through his mind, complex and beautiful. Almost instinctively, he began to fold his chakra, layering it over itself again and again, before forming a seal to focus.
The instant he did, a message blared to life before his eyes, even as two massive golden chains burst from his back, snaking through the air to ensnare the brothers.
Bloodline Awakened: Uzumaki Sealing Chains
Naruto's grin was blinding, stretching from ear to ear. "It's over!" he called out to the brothers. "But I'm willing to negotiate if you are!"
The brothers strained against the chains, their muscles bulging with effort. But even for their first use, Naruto's chains were nigh unbreakable. Realizing their predicament, one of the brothers, ignoring Naruto, began to cry comically.
"We're never gonna get our feast now!" he wailed. "We're gonna have to go back to starving on prison rations!"
Team 7, seeing the turn of events, regrouped around Naruto. Shikamaru, a wry smile on his face, patted Naruto on the back.
"Troublesome blonds," he muttered, "always pulling out another trick."
But Naruto's attention was on the brothers' lament. "Food?" he asked. "It's food you want?"
He reached into his pouch, pulling out what appeared to be a storage scroll. In reality, it was just a smoke generator, a cover for him to retrieve items from his Inventory. With a puff of smoke, he unveiled a spread of food, nearly a month's worth of supplies. The brothers' eyes lit up like children on Christmas morning.
"Here's the deal," Naruto said, his voice firm but friendly. "You can have all this food when I let you go. And if you go back to prison peacefully, I'll personally bring you food. The Hokage's like my grandfather, I'm sure I can arrange it."
The brothers shared a look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, in unison, they nodded enthusiastically.
As Naruto released the chains, he intercepted the brothers on their way to the food. In his hands was a scroll, one that only Hinata could read. "Shadow Summoning" was inscribed on the front, and within, there was a single name and handprint: "Haku Yuki".
Naruto presented the scroll to the brothers with a cheeky smile. "Just sign here to agree to our deal!"
In their haste to get to the food, the brothers signed without hesitation, using their own blood as ink. As soon as they moved past Naruto, Team 7 shared a significant look.
"Mizuki would have heard that explosion," Shikamaru said, his brow furrowed. "He'll be ready for us."
Naruto shrugged, taking a moment to check his stats. Thanks to his Uzumaki heritage and the Kyuubi's chakra, his HP and CP were already nearly half restored.
"Mizuki was an academy teacher," he replied, his tone confident. "And he's been stuck in prison for the last five months. What's the worst that could happen?"
With that, Team 7 turned towards the cave, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. But armed with Naruto's new abilities and their unbreakable bond, they knew they could handle anything.
Even a vengeful, traitorous ex-teacher.
Team 7 entered the cave, their senses on high alert. The air was thick with a malevolent chakra, a palpable darkness that seemed to cling to their skin. Hinata, her Byakugan active, guided them through a labyrinth of traps, her keen eyes spotting the hidden triggers and tripwires.
When a trap was unavoidable, Naruto stepped up, his nimble fingers and newly acquired Trap-making skill allowing him to disarm them with relative ease. It was a slow, tense process, each step fraught with potential danger.
As they reached the main chamber, they found it empty, devoid of any sign of Mizuki. But the vile chakra was stronger here, a miasma of evil intent that made their skin crawl.
Suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed through the cave, seeming to come from everywhere at once. It was a deep, purring sound, laced with malice.
"Ku-ku-ku," a strangely altered voice chuckled. "So, you managed to defeat the Stupid Brothers."
Hinata, her Byakugan catching a flash of movement, quickly pushed Naruto down. A massive shuriken whizzed through the space where he'd been standing a mere moment before.
But in that moment of distraction, a figure burst from the shadows, delivering a brutal kick to Shikamaru's ribs. The young Nara was sent flying, slamming hard against the cave wall before Hinata could shout a warning.
Mizuki was on her in the next instant, his form a grotesque hybrid of man and tiger. His claws gleamed in the dim light as he swiped at the Hyuga heiress, believing her Juken to be his greatest threat. After all, surely Naruto wouldn't dare use his explosives in such a confined space.
Mizuki's claws found their mark, tearing along Hinata's dominant arm in a spray of blood. But Naruto was there, pulling her back as a wave of his clones surged forward, forming a barrier between his team and the deranged ex-sensei.
Mizuki's laughter echoed through the chamber as he tore through Naruto's clones, his claws rending them into puffs of smoke. His eyes, now slitted and feral, gleamed with a manic light.
"Do you see this power?" he roared, his voice a twisted amalgamation of human and beast. "This is the gift of Lord Orochimaru! This is the strength that will elevate me above all others!"
He lunged forward, his claws slashing at another clone, his movements a blur of speed and savagery.
"And you, young Hyuga," he snarled, his gaze locking onto Hinata. "Your eyes will be my ticket to glory. Lord Orochimaru has long sought the secrets of the Byakugan, and I shall be the one to deliver them to him!"
His laughter took on a cruel, almost lustful edge. "I can already imagine the rewards he will bestow upon me. Power, prestige, a place at his side as we reshape this world!"
He kicked aside the remnants of a dispelled clone, stalking forward with a predatory grace.
"But more than that," he purred, his voice dropping to a guttural whisper, "I will relish the screams as I tear those precious eyes from your skull. I will bathe in your blood and revel in your agony."
His grin was a thing of nightmares, too wide and filled with far too many teeth.
"This is my ascension, you see. Your pain, your suffering, it will be the staircase upon which I climb to greatness. And when I stand at the summit, when I look down upon the world with your stolen eyes, I will remember this moment."
He threw back his head and laughed, the sound echoing off the cave walls, a symphony of madness and cruelty.
"So struggle, little genin. Fight with all your might. It will make my triumph all the sweeter. For in the end, you are nothing more than stepping stones on my path to glory."
With a roar, he charged forward once more, his claws poised to rend and tear, his eyes alight with a feverish, fanatical glee.
But Shikamaru, despite his pain, had managed to recover. From his position on the ground, he formed the Rat seal, his shadow snaking out to ensnare Mizuki.
Naruto's clones burst in unison, clearing a path. And there was Hinata, suddenly inside Mizuki's guard, her face a mask of determination despite her bleeding arm.
"You are within the range of my divination," she snarled, before launching into the 8 Trigrams 64 Palms technique for the first time.
Her hands were a blur, striking with precision and power. Mizuki's chakra points slammed shut under the onslaught, his grotesque form shuddering with each blow.
As Mizuki collapsed, Naruto rushed to Hinata's side, already pulling bandages from his pouch to wrap her arm. Behind them, Shikamaru lay on his back, his face pale.
"Troublesome," he muttered. "Pretty sure my ribs are broken."
One of Naruto's clones appeared beside Mizuki, brush in hand as it began to paint sealing tags on the unconscious traitor. Another clone was busy constructing a litter from supplies in Naruto's inventory, preparing to carry Shikamaru out.
Quest Complete!
Defeat the Traitor Mizuki!
Rewards:
- 5000 XP
- Increased Reputation with Konoha
Level Up!
Naruto Uzumaki - Level 18
As he carefully bandaged Hinata's arm, Naruto couldn't help but smile. Despite the injuries, despite the danger, they had done it. They had faced a foe far beyond what any genin should have to deal with, and they had triumphed.
It was, all things considered, a pretty good day.
