It was a bright, cloudless day in Konoha, and the village bustled with life. Birds chirped joyfully, darting across the sky, while a gentle breeze swept through the streets. Civilians moved along the main roads, lost in the rhythm of their daily routines. Shinobi, ever vigilant, watched over them, eyes scanning the surroundings for any hint of trouble.
Naruto walked amidst the villagers, his red and blonde hair standing out like a beacon in the crowd. His black and red jacket mirrored the style of his father's iconic white one, though he wore it over the standard Konoha green combat vest and black shinobi pants. A kunai and shuriken holster were strapped to one side of his legs alongside a three foot long katana sheathed to the side without, a testament to his readiness even in peacetime. If not for his mother's red eyes and his inherited flame-colored hair, he would have looked like a mirror of Minato—a likeness that seemed to grow sharper as he aged, though his father's height was still a few inches away.
As Naruto passed, civilians took subtle steps to the side, their movements cautious and guarded. He could see the flash of unease in their expressions, as if his presence alone held danger. It was a look he knew well, one that whispered of unearned judgment and fear. Shinobi he passed nodded respectfully, though a few held stares of scorn, glances heavy with barely hidden disdain.
After a fifteen-minute walk through the village, he arrived at the tall, white-walled Konoha hospital. Nurses moved busily in and out, some leading civilians to loved ones' rooms, others guiding injured shinobi through the halls. Naruto headed inside, greeting the nurse at the front desk, who looked up with a warm, familiar smile.
"Hey, Naruto. You're free to go ahead and visit," she said kindly. "No changes with her condition, but I'm sure she appreciates your visits."
Naruto forced a smile, his expression softening just enough to mask the weight of his worry. "I hope you're right…" he murmured before moving down the hall.
He soon reached the door to Yakumo's room, and an ANBU with a badger mask nodded to him before stepping aside. Naruto opened the door, greeted by the steady beeping of machines, the only sounds filling the otherwise dark, silent room. Yakumo lay motionless on the bed, her wrists restrained, a complex seal shining faintly on her forehead. The dim light cast a soft glow on her long brown hair, and for a brief moment, she looked as if she were merely asleep, lost in a peaceful dream. But Naruto knew better.
He approached her bedside, reaching down to gently hold her hand. "Yakumo… I'm sorry I couldn't come by last week. That mission took us all the way out of Fire Country." His voice was low, filled with the quiet, aching guilt he carried.
Three years had passed since Yakumo had fallen into this state, trapped in her own mind by the seal Minato had placed on her to save the village. Ido's influence had nearly destroyed Konoha, warping reality itself. When the chaos threatened to consume them all, Minato had sealed Ido away, banishing the demon from Yakumo's mind—and, with it, a piece of Yakumo herself.
Naruto's hand trembled as he remembered those final moments in her mindscape, where he had fought alongside her to free her from Ido's grip. They had nearly succeeded, but at the last moment, the seal forced him out, casting Yakumo into darkness and severing the bond they had fought so hard to preserve.
A tear fell from his cheek onto her hand, glistening in the dim light. "You don't deserve this, Yakumo… I swear, I'll find a way to bring you back. Even if I have to break every rule, use every forbidden jutsu—I'll do whatever it takes." His voice cracked, the weight of his words shaking his resolve as he gripped her hand tighter.
He hadn't noticed the door open behind him, but he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked up, already recognizing the gentle presence.
Kurenai stood beside him, her curly black hair falling over one shoulder, framing her face as she looked down at him with understanding. She wore a bandaged white dress that clung to her athletic form, a single red sleeve standing out like a banner. "We'll find a way to bring her back, Naruto," she said softly. "I know we will."
Naruto released a shaky breath, offering her a faint smile. "Kurenai… are you here to see Yakumo too? Or does the Hokage have another mission?"
"I came by earlier to visit her," Kurenai replied, giving Yakumo one last look. "The Hokage summoned me after that. Now that we're both back in the village, he has a mission that requires at least two elite jonin."
Naruto's brow furrowed, frustration lacing his voice. "Why us? I'm sure there are enough elite jonin to handle whatever he needs."
Kurenai shrugged, a wry smile on her lips. "He didn't say. But the squad we're leading is already there. We'd better not keep them waiting too long."
Naruto sighed, his shoulders slumping as he wiped his face. Kurenai watched him quietly, a faint smile of amusement tugging at her lips as he met her gaze.
"What? Is there something on my face?" he asked, glancing down at himself, causing Kurenai to chuckle.
"No, nothing," she said, raising her hand to her chest to show his old height. "It's just… you look so grown up now. I remember when we first met, I thought you were still an academy student."
Naruto smirked, rolling his eyes. "Puberty. Crazy thing, huh?"
Kurenai's cheeks turned pink, and she swatted his arm. "Come on, baka. Forget I said anything!" She turned away, trying to hide her smile as they both disappeared in a blur of shunshin.
In a swirl of leaves, they reappeared in the Hokage's office, startling the assembled chunin squad. Minato looked up from his desk, his gaze warming as he took in the sight of his son and Kurenai.
"Now that we have your squadron leaders here, I'll go over the mission," Minato began, his expression turning serious. "We've identified one of Orochimaru's bases. He's likely abandoned it, but it may still contain clues about his movements. Due to the potential danger, this mission is classified as A-rank, bordering on S-rank."
The chunin in the room gulped audibly. Naruto glanced at his father, his jaw set as he processed the mission's weight.
"Should we bring back anything of interest? Anything that could benefit the Leaf?" Naruto asked, his tone cool.
Minato nodded. "Yes. Your primary objectives are to neutralize any enemies, gather intel, and destroy the base."
"Understood," Naruto replied flatly. Kurenai nodded beside him, her expression calm.
One of the chunin chimed in with a confident, "We'll complete the mission, Hokage-sama!"
"I know you will." Minato smiled, handing an envelope to Kurenai. "Inside are the mission details."
Kurenai turned to the squad, her voice firm. "We'll meet at the village gates tomorrow at two. Take care of what you need to; we may be gone for two weeks."
The chunin bowed and exited, leaving Naruto and Kurenai alone with Minato. The Hokage shifted, a slight hesitation crossing his face.
"Son… Naruto, before you go," Minato began, voice softer, "your mother is hosting a ramen cook-off against Teuchi. Apparently, Menma and Mito said his ramen was better than hers…"
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Not to be rude, Hokag—Father, but why tell me? I've been on my own since the Chunin Exams."
A shadow of pain crossed Minato's face. "Yes, I know… But Menma, Mito, your mother, and I all miss seeing you. I know things are strained between us, but… perhaps you could come by for dinner? Your siblings look up to you more than you know."
Naruto's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Oh, you understand, huh? Understand how it feels knowing my own father trapped the one person who truly understood me in a prison with a demon? Or how he made his eldest son a jinchuriki, knowing the scorn it would bring?"
Minato held his gaze, pain deepening in his eyes. "Naruto… I didn't know you were working in her mind to free her. I never would have sealed her if I had known. But at that moment, I did what I thought was right to save the village."
"And who knows if she'll be the same after three years?" Naruto spat, his frustration boiling over.
Kurenai placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him with a gentle touch. He turned, meeting her steady red eyes.
"Naruto, I miss Yakumo too," she said softly. "But the Hokage acted with the knowledge he had. People were being erased from existence… he had to act."
Naruto let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. I'll stop by… it'll be good to see the kids." He looked back at his father. "What time?"
Minato's face brightened, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Seven. Thank you, Naruto."
"Don't thank me." Naruto grumbled, glancing at Kurenai. "She's the one who keeps me grounded these days."
Minato nodded gratefully to Kurenai. "Thank you, Kurenai. You're more than welcome to join us for dinner as well."
Kurenai smirked. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I'd love to see if this fool's family life is really as dramatic as he claims."
Naruto laughed, a real, genuine laugh. "You might regret it. Mom doesn't let anyone leave ramen in their bowl. She'll make you seal the leftovers if you can't finish it all!"
Kurenai blanched. "My figure… maybe I'll…"
"Nope!" Naruto grinned mischievously. "You encouraged this, so now you're stuck."
"You brat!" she exclaimed, swatting at him as he darted away, laughing.
Minato watched them go, a bittersweet smile lingering on his face. "So serious… and then so much like the little boy he used to be. Kami, I hope we can return to those days soon." His gaze drifted to the mountain of paperwork on his desk, the weight of leadership pressing down once more.
The Namikaze compound was warm with the glow of sunset, its orange light spilling into the cozy interior, blending with the rich aroma of Kushina's ramen. Inside, Kushina was in the kitchen with a look of fierce determination, ladle in hand as she added a final touch to each dish. She was going all-out for her ramen competition tonight, determined to prove to her family that her cooking could rival Teuchi's. The dinner table was already set, bowls of steaming ramen arranged in a colorful array, each one a masterpiece of flavor and presentation.
In the front room, Menma and Mito hovered by the entrance, their eyes darting to the door every few seconds. They were practically vibrating with anticipation, eager to see their older brother. They hadn't seen Naruto at family dinners in ages, and tonight, the idea of all of them together seemed almost too good to be true.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Naruto stepped inside. His siblings lit up, rushing toward him, clinging to him as if he might disappear. Naruto laughed, ruffling their hair. "Miss me that much, huh?"
"Of course!" Mito grinned, hugging him tightly. "You never come over anymore!"
Menma, who had been sneaking glances over Naruto's shoulder, gave him a cheeky grin. "And you brought a guest, too."
Naruto followed his brother's gaze to see Kurenai step inside, her calm presence filling the room as she offered them a gentle smile. "I'm honored to be here," she said, bowing slightly. "Naruto was kind enough to invite me."
A hint of color crept onto Naruto's cheeks, and he scratched his head. "Yeah… thought it might be nice for her to try some real cooking."
Before anyone could say more, Kushina hurried out of the kitchen, her face lighting up as she saw her son. She immediately pulled Naruto into a tight hug, holding him close, her warmth all but tangible. "Naruto! I'm so glad you're here!" She released him just enough to give Kurenai a warm smile. "Kurenai! Welcome! You're just in time."
Kurenai nodded politely. "Thank you, Kushina. I've heard so much about your cooking—I couldn't pass up the opportunity."
Kushina grinned, shooting a playful look at Naruto. "Oh, I hope he's told you only the best things!" She led everyone to the table, motioning for them to sit. As they settled, the dining room was filled with the comforting sound of clinking chopsticks and happy laughter. Naruto took his first bite, savoring the familiar taste of his mother's cooking, a taste that brought with it a cascade of memories.
As the meal progressed, Mito and Menma took turns excitedly recounting their training. They beamed up at Naruto as they shared their progress, clearly hoping to impress him. Naruto listened intently, occasionally offering advice or a teasing quip, but mostly he watched them, a small smile tugging at his lips.
After a while, Mito's gaze shifted to Kurenai, a curious glint in her eye. She leaned forward, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, "Kurenai-san, are you Nii-san's girlfriend?"
Naruto's face went red, and he almost choked on his ramen. He glanced quickly at Kurenai, who looked just as surprised, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Uh… no, not exactly," Naruto stammered, glancing down at his bowl as if it held the answer. "I'm… technically still with Yakumo."
Kurenai cleared her throat, regaining her composure with a small, polite smile. "No, Mito-chan, I'm not. Naruto and I are… very close friends."
But Menma wasn't letting it go so easily. He leaned in with a sly grin, nudging Naruto. "But Kurenai's right here, and she looks amazing. Plus, she only wears bandages! Jiraiya-sensei always says a real man should have at least two beautiful women on his arms."
Both Naruto and Kurenai flushed a deep red, and for a moment, they could only stare at each other, completely thrown by Menma's comment. Naruto's mind raced, too flustered to respond, while Kurenai's normally calm demeanor cracked as she fumbled for words, her blush deepening.
Before they could recover, there was a loud clatter. A small pot seemed to materialize out of nowhere in Kushina's hand, and she threw it with impeccable aim, missing Menma's head by inches. "MENMA!" she shouted, fuming. "You keep that pervert Jiraiya's ideas to yourself!" Her glare shifted to Minato, who looked away, rubbing the back of his neck, a faint blush of his own creeping onto his cheeks.
Kushina crossed her arms, sighing. "Honestly, Minato! Letting Jiraiya influence him like that!"
Minato held up his hands defensively. "Kushina, I didn't—Jiraiya has a… unique way of teaching," he tried to explain, though even he seemed to know it was a weak excuse. Menma snickered quietly, only to stop when his mother gave him a warning look.
Naruto let out a nervous laugh, eager to shift the focus away from himself and Kurenai. "Menma, maybe stick to training advice from Jiraiya and leave his other… wisdom alone."
Kurenai took a deep breath, her face still pink as she managed a laugh.
Menma shrugged, unfazed by the commotion. "Fine, fine. I just thought you two would be a great couple." He flashed them both a mischievous grin, earning another sharp glare from Kushina.
Kushina muttered something about "those perverted old men" under her breath, which only made Naruto and Kurenai blush harder. The table fell into laughter, and Naruto relaxed, enjoying the sense of togetherness he hadn't felt in years.
The atmosphere remained warm and lively as the family ate, Naruto gradually feeling more at ease as his siblings entertained them with stories of their latest training mishaps. Mito proudly shared her progress in sealing techniques, while Menma recounted sparring matches with dramatic flair, leaving Naruto and Kurenai chuckling at his enthusiasm.
Once the last of the ramen was gone, Kushina leaned back with a triumphant smile. "So, you two," she said, looking at Menma and Mito with a playful grin. "Still think Teuchi's ramen is better?"
Menma and Mito glanced at each other, clearly nervous, then back at their mother. "It's… different," Menma mumbled, trying to find a way to appease her. Mito nodded, adding quickly, "But yours is amazing too, Mom!"
Naruto chuckled, coming to their rescue. "Come on, Mom, it's not a competition. Your ramen's as good as it gets."
Kushina laughed, ruffling Menma's hair. "Well, you all grew up on this ramen. It's practically in your blood!"
As the laughter subsided, Minato turned to Naruto, a gentle expression on his face. "Naruto… thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot to all of us."
Naruto's expression tightened, his guard returning slightly, though he nodded. "I'm here, Dad. Let's just… leave it at that." His words were simple, yet the tension between them was unmistakable, a rift that wasn't healed but was acknowledged.
Minato nodded, a faint trace of sadness in his gaze. "I understand."
Kurenai leaned over to Naruto, placing a comforting hand on his arm. Her voice was soft as she murmured, "Naruto… they really do care about you."
He glanced at her, a faint, shy smile breaking through his guarded look. "Yeah… maybe they do."
As the meal wound down, Kurenai helped gather dishes, only to be waved off by Kushina. "Please, Kurenai, you're a guest you don't have to help me with the dishes besides you keep my loner of a son company that's a lot of work as is."
Naruto felt his cheeks warm as Kurenai laughed, turning to him with a playful grin. "See, Naruto? Even your mom thinks you're emo."
"Mom…" Naruto muttered, embarrassed but unable to hide his smile.
With the evening drawing to a close, Minato pulled Naruto aside, his voice softer than before. "Naruto… I know things haven't been easy and I've made many mistakes. But I want you to know, … I'm here for you I'm not your enemy."
Naruto looked down, his heart heavy. There were a thousand things he wanted to say, but instead he just nodded.
As he and Kurenai stepped outside into the cool night air, Naruto let out a sigh, his shoulders relaxing as he took in the quiet. Kurenai glanced over at him, her gaze soft. "So… was it as bad as you thought?"
Naruto chuckled, looking back at the warm glow of his childhood home. "No… not bad at all. Maybe… maybe even good."
Kurenai's smile grew, and they walked side by side, the silence between them comfortable, with the warmth of family lingering behind them in the night air.
As dawn broke over the Hidden Leaf Village, Naruto stood with Kurenai and the squad of 11 chunin at the village gates. The morning was calm, a slight chill in the air hinting at the day's intensity yet to come. Naruto tightened the straps on his pack, casting a sideways glance at Kurenai. She was quiet, her gaze steady but unreadable as she surveyed the squad.
The chunin stood in a loose formation around them, their expressions ranging from focused determination to veiled contempt. Naruto could feel the tension rolling off a few of them--the ones who still viewed him with mistrust. Whispers flitted among them, low but sharp, like the hiss of a snake hidden in the grass.
"Why are we stuck with the Kyubi brat on a mission like this?" one muttered, his voice barely audible but laced with resentment.
"Keep it down. Like it or not, he's Hokage's son," another replied, albeit with a begrudging tone.
Kurenai's sharp eyes flicked over to the group, silencing them with a single look. She gave Naruto a reassuring nod, as if to remind him that he had someone on his side, and then turned to address the team.
"Listen up," Kurenai began, her voice firm. "Our mission is a high-risk one. We're targeting one of Orochimaru's bases, which means traps, ambushes, and who knows what else. Stay alert, and keep close to your teammates. We're all in this together."
Naruto watched the chunin stiffen slightly, their murmurs dying down as Kurenai's authority took precedence. Even those who harbored grudges against him couldn't deny her leadership. Despite their reservations, he knew Kurenai would handle them, and he took a small, steadying breath, focusing on the mission ahead.
"Understood, Kurenai-sensei," Naruto replied, offering her a brief nod. He looked back at the rest of the squad, a subtle challenge in his gaze. "Let's not give Orochimaru any easy targets."
With that, they set off, moving in formation as they left the village, passing through the dense forests that bordered Konoha. The air grew thick with the scent of pine, damp moss clinging to their boots as they moved swiftly through the underbrush. Naruto took point, Kurenai beside him, while the chunin formed a loose line behind them.
The journey was tense, and each step felt heavier as they drew closer to enemy territory. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, seemed amplified in the silence of the team. Naruto could feel the occasional scornful glances from a few of the chunin, but he ignored them, focusing on the path ahead.
At one point, as they paused to catch their breath and go over the final approach, Kurenai sidled closer to Naruto, her voice a quiet murmur so the others couldn't hear.
"Are you all right, Naruto?" she asked, her gaze gentle yet discerning.
Naruto gave a small shrug, trying to hide the tension knotting in his shoulders. "I'm fine," he replied, though his tone betrayed a hint of bitterness. "Just… you know, the usual."
Kurenai's expression softened, her eyes filled with an understanding that made his chest tighten. "Ignore them. I know it's easier said than done, but they'll see your strength soon enough."
Naruto managed a faint smile, her words settling over him like a balm. "Thanks, Kurenai. I'll be fine."
The moment passed, and Kurenai nodded, turning back to the squad. Her confidence helped him shake off the lingering resentment, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose as they continued onward.
The trees grew thicker and darker as they neared the edge of Orochimaru's territory. The sun, now high above, cast twisted shadows across the forest floor, each one seeming to pulse with hidden threats. Finally, after hours of tense travel, they arrived at the perimeter of the hidden base.
Kurenai motioned for the team to halt, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings for any signs of genjutsu or traps. "We're here," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto's instincts were on high alert as he surveyed the area. The air felt wrong--heavy and oppressive, like a coiled snake waiting to strike. He glanced at the chunin around him, their faces pale but determined.
Kurenai stepped forward, her hands weaving through a series of seals as she dispelled the genjutsu shrouding the base's entrance. A large steel door shimmered into view, its surface marred with scratches and ominous, dark stains. The group moved closer, and Naruto felt his heartbeat quicken as they prepared to breach the entrance.
One of the chunin--a young, cocky ninja with a habit of charging ahead--stepped forward before anyone could stop him. "Looks like it's clear," he muttered, taking another step.
"Wait you idiot--!" Naruto started to call out, but it was too late.
The dumb chunin's foot brushed the ground, triggering an explosive seal matrix they'd missed in their scan. The trap detonated in an instant—a flash of blazing fire and a deafening roar that filled the air with heat and light. The chunin was swallowed whole by the explosion, his scream vanishing as the blastwave surged outward, slamming into Naruto and the others and sending them sprawling.
Naruto's world spun in a haze of smoke and blood. His vision faded, his ears ringing, and as he drifted back to consciousness, faint voices reached his ears, muffled and mocking.
When Naruto came to, his vision was blurred, and his ears rang with a high-pitched whine. Blinking rapidly, he saw two grunts standing over him, their voices hazy but full of cruel amusement.
"Well, look at this," one of them sneered. "The Hokage's son, lying at our feet. Orochimaru-sama will be pleased. Imagine the experiments he could run on him."
"Yeah, I bet he'll fetch a fine price—"
In a flash, Naruto's red chakra chains erupted from his back, striking out like coiled vipers. The chains impaled the two grunts through their skulls with brutal precision, blood spurting as they crumpled to the ground, their bodies twitching before going still.
Naruto rose, his chains retracting but coiling around him defensively. The blast site was a gruesome scene—blood, ash, and scattered limbs from the unlucky chunin littered the entrance. Drag marks on the dirt led deeper into the base, revealing where the remaining chunin had been taken. Gritting his teeth, Naruto moved forward, each step filled with a quiet, seething rage.
Inside, the narrow corridors of the facility were drenched in darkness, lit only by dim red emergency lights. The scent of death and rot permeated the air. As Naruto advanced, his chains struck out at every guard foolish enough to cross his path. The chains moved with lethal efficiency, stabbing through skulls, slicing throats, and leaving the floors slick with blood. Each kill left another crimson stain in his wake, a morbid trail leading further into the darkness.
Then, a familiar voice echoed through the corridor, oily and mocking, carried through hidden speakers.
"So, the eldest Namikaze child dares to enter my lair," Orochimaru's voice sneered. "It seems Minato has been slacking on your training. He would have seen that trap from miles away."
Naruto felt his blood boil, his chakra flaring with fury as his chains sparked and ignited. "Where are my squadmates, you snake?! If you've hurt them, I'll tear you apart!"
Orochimaru's laughter slithered through the speakers, cold and laced with sadistic pleasure. "Kukukuku… don't worry, Naruto-kun. I haven't harmed them—yet. But I think you'll enjoy my little game."
Naruto's fists clenched, his heart pounding with dread. "What game, you twisted bastard?"
"You have a choice," Orochimaru purred, his voice echoing mockingly. "Your precious Kurenai lies in the east wing, bruised but alive. The 10 chunin, however—those nameless little pawns—they're in the west wing. You can save Kurenai… or you can save the 10 chunin and be the hero your father would want you to be."
Naruto's heart dropped, his breath catching as the weight of the decision settled on him. He could feel Orochimaru's delight in the cruel choice he was forced to make.
"No shadow clones, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru continued, his tone a sickening taunt. "If I detect even one, I'll detonate the entire base. And, just for fun, every moment you hesitate, every choice you make, will be captured on camera for your beloved Konoha to see. So… what will you choose?"
Naruto's fists tightened, rage boiling beneath his skin. Destroying the cameras would mean dooming his teammates, and that vile snake knew it. He could feel Orochimaru's eyes watching, reveling in his torment. Without another thought, he turned and sprinted toward the east wing. His heart thundered with every step, the weight of his choice pressing on him with each pound of his feet against the ground.
This damn snake knows what this'll do to me. He's setting me up to look like a traitor.
The blaring alarm echoed in his ears as he reached the sealed-off metal door. Through the small window, he saw Kurenai and another teammate slumped on the floor, unconscious. His chains shot out, wrapping around the door and ripping it from its hinges with a shriek of tearing metal.
"Kurenai! Wake up!" Naruto's voice was raw, filled with desperation. But Kurenai remained motionless, her face bruised, her breathing shallow.
Cursing under his breath, Naruto lifted her carefully, securing her with his chains as he bolted toward the exit. The facility trembled as the self-destruct countdown continued, flames licking the walls as he sprinted through the corridors. Every muscle screamed with effort as he raced against time, feeling the heat building behind him with each step.
He barely made it out before the base erupted in a fiery explosion. The blast threw him forward, slamming him into the ground. He skidded to a stop, panting, every inch of him aching. Before he could catch his breath, a slow, mocking clap filled the clearing.
"Well, well… the Hokage's son chose himself over the village. Konoha will be thrilled to see this," Orochimaru sneered, stepping from the shadows with a twisted smile. His serpentine eyes gleamed with malicious amusement. "So, the demon shows his true colors."
Suppressing a shudder, Naruto pushed himself to his feet, his chains flickering with chakra as he faced the Sannin. "What do you want, Orochimaru? I thought we weren't going to fight."
Orochimaru's grin widened, his voice a sinister purr. "Oh, I couldn't help myself, Naruto-kun. If not for the Sharingan, an Uzumaki would have made a fine vessel."
Without warning, Orochimaru lunged, his hand transforming into a snake that shot toward Naruto's face. Naruto's chains snapped up to intercept, slicing through the serpent's head in a spray of blood. But Orochimaru merely laughed, his body twisting with inhuman agility as he evaded Naruto's follow-up attack.
Naruto darted forward, throwing a brutal punch aimed at Orochimaru's face. His fist connected with a sickening crunch, but instead of shattering, Orochimaru's body contorted like rubber, absorbing the blow before twisting around him. With an unnatural grace, Orochimaru retaliated, slamming a kick into Naruto's side that sent him crashing through a tree.
Using his chains to anchor himself, Naruto dug into the ground, focusing his chakra as his chains erupted with flames. He plunged them into the earth, sending them burrowing toward Orochimaru before they sprang up, surrounding him in a blazing web. The chains tightened, searing into Orochimaru's flesh, peeling it back to reveal a hollow shell of mud.
"What the—?!" Naruto's shock was cut short as a powerful kick struck his jaw, sending him airborne. Before he could react, a massive tail swung toward him, intent on crushing him into the ground. His chains shot out, intercepting the tail and stabbing into the steel-like scales holding the giant tail above casting a shadow.
Orochimaru had summoned Manda, the giant snake towering over him with eyes filled with cold malice. Blood oozed from Manda's scales where Naruto's chains had pierced it, but the monstrous serpent pulled its tail free with a hiss, bearing down on him.
"What will you do now, little Namikaze?" Orochimaru taunted, his voice echoing through the clearing. "You have an audience, after all. Don't disappoint."
"An audience?" Naruto demanded, his voice laced with fury. "What's your plan, Orochimaru? Why target me?!"
"Kabuto, show yourself," Orochimaru ordered, his voice filled with satisfaction.
A gray-haired ninja emerged from the shadows, a video camera in hand, his expression smug as he aimed it at Naruto. "Ah, Naruto-kun, so good to see you again," Kabuto said, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Much better shape than last time, I see."
Naruto's blood boiled, realization dawning on him. "You… you were a spy at the Chunin Exams."
"Exactly," Kabuto sneered, pushing up his glasses. "Orochimaru-sama wanted to see how you would handle… difficult choices."
Orochimaru's voice echoed in delight, his tone dripping with sadistic glee as his giant serpent loomed over Naruto. "So, Naruto, will you die in shame, marked by the selfish choice that will haunt your name? Or will you survive and prove me wrong? Show me now!" His eyes glittered with twisted pleasure as he licked his lips, savoring every ounce of Naruto's torment.
With a steadying breath, Naruto clasped his hands together, focusing his chakra. This would be his strongest attack yet, a culmination of everything he had learned and everything he had become. Flames flickered along his skin, merging with his chakra as he poured every ounce of power into his next move.
"I'll end you with this… Scorch Style: Uzumaki Chains of Oblivion!"
Fifty blazing chains erupted from Naruto's back, each one infused with a mix of his own chakra and the Scorch Style jutsu he'd learned from his sensei. The chains shot forward, wrapping around the giant snake's body, piercing through its scales as its flesh sizzled and burned. But Naruto didn't stop there—his hands moved in a circular pattern, summoning wind chakra to feed the flames, creating a massive red and orange orb that pulsated with intense heat. He launched it forward, the orb crashing into the serpent's head with explosive force.
The snake let out a tortured hiss, its skin shriveling and cracking under the relentless flames, its body collapsing in a charred, lifeless heap before it even hit the ground. The scorched earth smoldered, the stench of burning flesh filling the air.
After a moment, Naruto dropped to one knee, the flames around him dissipating as his chains retracted back into his body. He panted heavily, exhaustion seeping into his bones. As he looked at the remains of the snake, he noted with grim satisfaction the way its twisted mouth gaped wide, frozen in a silent scream. I guess he spent his last moments screaming in pain, he thought, a grim satisfaction settling over him.
With shaky steps, he made his way through the thigh-high grass toward Kurenai, who lay unconscious nearby. Just as he bent to pick her up, his legs gave out, and he dropped to one knee, struggling to catch his breath. "Damn… that last jutsu… combining both my kekkei genkai took more out of me than I thought…" He sat down heavily, lowering Kurenai beside him, his mind racing with frustration.
Kabuto… he must have slipped away after I dealt with the snake. If only I had sensor abilities, he thought bitterly, clenching his fists.
A slow, sinister chuckle echoed through the clearing, and Naruto's blood turned to ice. "Kukukukuku… excellent indeed, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze! To think, you possess not one, but two kekkei genkai!"
Naruto scrambled to his feet, his vision blurred, his limbs sluggish as he watched in horror. Orochimaru's charred corpse twisted and writhed, hands clawing their way out of its mouth. The black-haired head emerged, followed by pale skin slicked with sickly green fluid, as Orochimaru pulled himself out of his own body. He stood upright, his eyes gleaming with sadistic glee as he licked his lips, his gaze hungry and predatory.
Naruto's chains flared to life, snapping into a shield just in time to intercept a stream of acidic venom that hissed as it splattered against his defenses. But the weight of the assault cracked his chains, his chakra reserves dangerously low.
"Oh, what's this?" Orochimaru sneered, halting his assault to examine the cracks in Naruto's barrier. "Kushina's chains… I've never seen them falter before. Is this your first time using both bloodlines to such an extent, Naruto-kun? I'm afraid your inexperience is showing… all that chakra wasted, and still, here I stand." Orochimaru circled the dome of chains, his eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement.
Damn it… he's not wrong, Naruto thought, desperation clawing at him as he tried to think of a plan. He could potentially take on Orochimaru alone, but with Kurenai unconscious and his chakra nearly depleted, he didn't dare risk it. And Kabuto… that traitor was lurking somewhere, waiting to strike.
Orochimaru's voice cut through his thoughts, each word dripping with poisonous intent. "Who would have thought that a simple facility raid would turn into such an enlightening experience? I could take you now, Naruto-kun; you're a unique specimen. But I still believe the Sharingan holds greater value." He paused, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Consider this, though: when your village sees the footage of your… choice… they will cast you out. But in my village, Oto, there's no judgment for those who value their own desires. Save who you like, abandon who you don't—it matters not to me."
He held out a scroll, tossing it to the ground with a lazy flick of his wrist. "If you ever tire of their scorn, come to me. You won't regret it. Now, Kabuto… let's go."
With a smirk and a mocking bow, Orochimaru vanished into the shadows, his sinister laughter echoing as he and Kabuto disappeared into the night.
Naruto's chains faded, and he collapsed onto the ground, his strength drained, his mind racing. The village would see what he'd done, see the choice he had been forced to make. He glanced down at Kurenai, her face peaceful, unaware of the cost he'd paid to save her.
Hidden Leaf Village – One Week Later
It was a beautiful September day in Konoha. The sun bathed the village in warm, golden light as Uchiha police patrolled the streets, casting watchful eyes over the citizens. Children played and young genin darted between buildings, their laughter echoing through the streets, blissfully unaware of the heavy tension simmering beneath the village's surface. The fabric of Konoha was taut, stretched by secrets and shadows that pulsed through the hidden village.
Earlier that morning, a white snake had slithered into the Hokage's office, delivering a tape. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had sensed the ominous presence of Orochimaru's summon and knew it was meant for him. Curiosity gnawed at him, urging him to view the footage alone before calling anyone else. So he did, his breath tight as he clicked 'play.'
What he saw on the screen left him feeling as if he'd been punched in the gut. He watched, ashamed and furious, as his son Naruto was presented with a choice--one that revealed a flaw in the boy's spirit, a crack in the Will of Fire Minato had tried so hard to instill in him. How could he choose himself over the village? As a father, Minato's heart twisted with sympathy, a deep urge to protect his son from the consequences of such a mistake. But as the Hokage, he felt only bitter disappointment. He had sacrificed so much, including his children's happiness, for the village's survival. Now he sat, hands trembling, seething at Naruto's betrayal of that very ideal.
The council needed to see this. If Minato hid it, Orochimaru would find a way to reveal the footage, creating an even greater scandal. As Hokage, he could not allow a single shadow to be cast over the village's faith in him, not even by his own son.
The Hokage summoned an emergency council meeting, and soon, the room was filled with Konoha's highest authorities. The council members, Danzo, the village elders, Jonin commanders, Kakashi, Might Guy, and his wife, Kushina, gathered in tense anticipation as the video began to play on a large screen.
Minato sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, his face cast in shadows. He sensed the unspoken curiosity and unease in the room, and as the tape played, he noticed how every pair of eyes in the room flickered with a mix of awe and disappointment.
The footage began with Naruto and his team approaching Orochimaru's base. The explosion that separated Naruto from the rest of his squad made Kushina wince, her motherly instincts flaring as she leaned forward. "Honey, how did you not see that seal, dattebane?" she muttered, her voice filled with frustration and worry. Minato gently placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her as the footage continued.
They watched as Naruto navigated the base alone, taking down guards with deadly efficiency. Kushina's eyes glinted with pride as she saw him wield her signature chakra chains, albeit with a unique, fiery twist. "That's my son," she murmured, a faint smile on her lips. But that pride turned to worry as Orochimaru's voice filled the base, taunting Naruto with his cruel choice: save his beloved teammates or rescue the squad of unknown chunin.
As the council saw Naruto sprint toward the east wing without hesitation, abandoning the chunin in favor of his Kurenai, murmurs erupted around the room. They watched him rescue Kurenai only to face off against Orochimaru in a brutal battle outside the exploding base. The tension in the room grew thick as Naruto held his own against the Sannin, using both his kekkei genkai to strike a decisive blow, his chains and flames searing Orochimaru's body. But as the footage showed Orochimaru emerging from his own corpse, taunting Naruto, licking his lips as he observed the battered young ninja, a heavy silence fell over the council as the screen went dark.
The room erupted with murmurs, voices rising and overlapping. An older woman stood, her voice filled with alarm. "That boy is a risk to us all. If he doesn't uphold the Will of Fire, what guarantee do we have that he won't turn against the village?"
"To leave behind so many comrades just to save one close to him… it's… it's unyouthful!" Might Guy cried, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to comprehend Naruto's choice.
Danzo's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "I demand that the boy be stripped of his shinobi duties immediately. He is, however, a valuable asset. I propose he be transferred to Root. We can and will eradicate his selfish nature, for the good of the village." A murmur of agreement rippled through the room.
"YOU WILL NOT MAKE MY SON YOUR PUPPET, DANZO!" Kushina roared, slamming her fist on the table with such force that cracks spread across its surface.
Kakashi, who had been watching the footage in silence, finally spoke up, his eye drifting away from the pages of his smut. "What if we demote him to chunin? As someone who just held his own against a Sannin, a demotion would be… humbling. It would hit his pride."
Many heads nodded in agreement, whispering among themselves as they considered this option.
Shikaku Nara, ever the strategist, turned to Minato. "Minato, I believe Kakashi's suggestion is a good starting point. What are your thoughts?"
Minato's face remained obscured by the shadow cast by his bangs, but his voice was firm, unyielding. "As you all know, I have sacrificed everything for this village. I would lay down my life and the happiness of my own children for Konoha. I even sealed a tailed beast in my daughter to ensure the village's survival. I have always upheld the Will of Fire, but now… my own son has betrayed that very ideal."
The room fell silent, the weight of Minato's words pressing down on everyone present. Minato took a deep breath, his voice cold and final. "Naruto's decision cost the village. 10 lives are worth far more than a simple demotion."
Kushina reached out, gripping his arm. Her voice was a desperate whisper. "If you go through with this… he'll leave, Minato. Please, don't do this."
Minato brushed her hand away, his face set in determination. "Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze is hereby stripped of his jonin rank. From this moment on, he is demoted to Genin, and he is prohibited from leaving the village without jonin supervision. An Anbu will be assigned to monitor him on missions until I am satisfied that the debt of six lives has been repaid."
Gasps filled the room, and Kushina's face twisted with anger, her red hair fanning out as the influence of the Nine-Tails flared within her. "If you do this, he'll leave for good," she warned, her voice low and filled with venom. "We've fought for years to bring our son back to us, and now you're pushing him away."
Kakashi stood, uncharacteristically defiant as he addressed Minato. "Minato-sensei, this… this is too much. Naruto is strong, yes, but you're sentencing him to a humiliation that he will feel deeply he takes pride in his rank as jonin. He'll feel betrayed. Please reconsider Sensei a temporary chunnin or special jonin demotion would suffice."
Minato's face softened, but only slightly. "I understand your concerns, but the needs of the village must come first. Kakashi, you and Kurenai will oversee Team 7, which will include Naruto's siblings, Mito and Menma Namikaze, along with Sasuke Uchiha. This arrangement will allow him to remain close to his family and to learn the weight of his choices."
"Now if I can get the councils opinions on my proposed." Minato said giving the floor to everyone else in the room.
One by one starting with the top civilian council and retired shinobi like Danzo people gave their opinions finally it was the clan heads turn to voice their support or dissent, the votes were even so far so punishment came down to them essentially.
"The Inuzuka Clan agrees."
"The Hyuga Clan agrees."
"The Aburame Clan agrees."
"The Akimichi Clan agrees."
"The Nara Clan disagrees."
"The Uzumaki Clan disagrees."
"The Uchiha Clan disagrees."
With the vote cast, Minato nodded. "The decision is final. The council is adjourned."
As the council members filed out, Kushina stormed over to Minato, her hands clenched, her nails digging into his arm as she hissed, "You were so close to winning him back, Minato. If he leaves now, I will never forgive you."
Minato watched her walk away, her figure tense and her steps echoing down the hall, leaving him alone with his thoughts. In the silence, his mind echoed with the image of Naruto, standing proud yet defiant.
'Naruto..', he thought, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation, I hope you'll understand why I had to do this…
Naruto and Kurenai approached Konoha's gates under the late afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the dusty path. Standing guard were Izumo and Kotetsu, as usual. Their faces brightened with familiar warmth when they saw Kurenai, greeting her with genuine smiles and nods of respect. But as soon as they shifted their gaze to Naruto, their expressions hardened, turning to something colder, almost dismissive.
Kurenai caught the shift immediately, her brows knitting together as she glanced at Naruto. "What was that about? Did you prank them before we left, Naruto?" she asked with a teasing smile, nudging him playfully in the ribs.
Naruto shrugged, flashing a half-hearted grin. "Who knows? Maybe the Hokage finally put them to work for once, and they're just taking it out on me." His tone was light, but Kurenai could sense the tension beneath his words. She knew him well enough to see that the smile was a mask, concealing the hurt he refused to show.
"Sure, if you say so," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Well, whoever gets to the Hokage's office first isn't paying for drinks tonight!" And with that, she took off in a blur, leaving him standing there alone.
Naruto watched her go, then took a deep breath, his grin fading as he looked down the street. The familiar roads of Konoha stretched out before him, but today, they felt strangely foreign, like a path through enemy territory. As he walked, he noticed the glances of the villagers—some curious, others hostile, their eyes lingering just a little too long, as if judging him. The whispers, too quiet for him to hear but loud enough for him to feel, followed him like shadows.
'Just like old times,' he thought bitterly, hands tightening into fists at his sides. He'd worked so hard to earn his place, to be accepted. And yet, here he was again, under the same cold scrutiny he thought he'd left behind.
Hokage Tower
The atmosphere inside the Hokage's office was tense as Naruto and Kurenai entered. Minato stood behind his desk, arms crossed, his gaze as piercing and unreadable as ever. His face softened briefly when he acknowledged Kurenai, nodding to her, but when he turned to Naruto, his expression hardened, becoming formal, distant.
"Welcome back, Team 15," Minato said, his voice even, each word weighed with purpose. "I'm glad to see you returned safely. Now, please report on the mission."
Kurenai stepped forward first, her tone measured and professional as she recounted the events of their assignment. She described the enemy base, the sudden explosion that had thrown them both back, and her injuries. She explained how she had awoken to find herself being carried by Naruto, who was injured himself, his face strained with exhaustion but resolute.
Minato listened intently, nodding as Kurenai spoke, but his eyes narrowed as he turned to Naruto, his gaze suddenly sharper. "Thank you, Kurenai. Now, Naruto—are you too ashamed to tell Kurenai what really happened? Why did you make that choice so quickly, yet can't admit it now?" His voice held a chill that seemed to lower the temperature in the room, a cold disapproval that made Naruto's heart pound with dread.
Naruto opened his mouth to explain, to justify himself, but Minato raised a hand, silencing him. Without a word, Minato reached into his desk and produced a small tape, its presence ominous. Naruto's stomach twisted into knots.
'They know… they all know. That damned snake must have told them everything,' he thought, feeling a rising panic as he watched his father insert the tape into a nearby television.
The screen flickered to life, illuminating the room with a harsh, unfiltered replay of that day. Every action, every decision, every consequence Naruto had faced unfolded in brutal detail. Kurenai's eyes widened as she watched, her expression shifting from shock to a mixture of sorrow and admiration.
When the tape ended, the silence hung heavy in the air. Kurenai turned to Naruto, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Naruto… you did all that… for me?"
Naruto's face flushed, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I couldn't let you get hurt, Kurenai. I'd do anything to protect the people I care about… no matter the cost."
Without warning, Minato's voice broke through, sharp as a blade. "Naruto, I thought you understood what it means to be a shinobi of the Leaf. We all live by the Will of Fire—a code that binds us to protect, to sacrifice, to put the village above ourselves. That is the burden of a shinobi. Yet, time and again, you've placed your own attachments above that duty."
Naruto's heart sank, the words cutting deeper than he'd anticipated. "I was just trying to protect—"
Minato's voice grew colder, each word like a weight pressing down on him. "And in doing so, you endangered everyone else. You may think you acted with nobility, but as Hokage, I see recklessness. I see someone who lacks the discipline to truly embody the Will of Fire."
Minato's gaze was as cold as iron as he looked at his son, the disappointment etched in every line of his face. "Naruto, I thought you understood the meaning of being a shinobi of the Leaf back when we dealt with Pakura. There are rules, principles, standards that every shinobi of this village has to uphold, choices that have to be made for the sake of the greater good." His voice softened, almost wistful, but his eyes never lost that piercing intensity. "I tried to ignore it, to convince myself that I'd somehow failed to raise you right, that maybe I'd neglected some part of my duty as your father. But the truth is, you have always prioritized your own desires over the village."
He paused, the weight of his words settling like stones in the room. "Because of this, I have no other choice." With a sigh, he stood up, straightening his robes. His eyes burned with a complex mixture of sadness and contempt as he addressed Naruto. "Jonin Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, you are hereby relieved of your rank and title for your failure to uphold the values and discipline expected of a shinobi of the Leaf. From this moment forward, you are demoted to Genin—Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze."
Naruto's shock quickly morphed into fury. "Father, you can't be serious!" His voice echoed with raw disbelief, but before he could say anything more, he felt an oppressive wave of killing intent roll off Minato, halting him mid-sentence. The sheer force of it silenced him, grounding him in place.
Minato's voice cut through the room, calm and unyielding. "As a Genin, you are no longer permitted to leave the village without a Jonin escort. An Anbu or a Jonin will be assigned to monitor you at all times within the village. Once we return to the compound, I will personally apply a tracking seal to ensure you don't become a flight risk. This is part of your punishment, Naruto."
Naruto's chakra flared, the humiliation and anger boiling over. His chains materialized, crackling with energy, as his killing intent flooded the room in return. Instantly, Anbu agents dropped down from the shadows, swords drawn, each blade glinting inches from Naruto's neck, waiting for the slightest misstep.
Minato didn't flinch. "Jonin Kurenai Yuhi," he continued, his voice as sharp as a blade, "you and Kakashi Hatake will oversee Team 7, which will consist of Mito Namikaze, Menma Namikaze, Sasuke Uchiha, and—"
"Uzumaki!" Naruto snarled, his voice filled with defiance. "I am Naruto Uzumaki from now on!"
Minato met his son's gaze with a cold stare. "As you wish," he said, barely acknowledging the outburst. "Kurenai, your primary duty is to ensure Naruto's compliance. He is a risk, and you are to treat him as such. Is that understood?"
Kurenai nodded, though her face was clouded with worry as she looked at Naruto, who seemed on the verge of snapping. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but the fury in his eyes was unlike anything she had ever seen. It was as if something had finally broken inside him.
"You're dismissed, Yuhi," Minato said, his voice firm. "Report to the academy at the end of the semester to prepare for your new team."
Kurenai gave a respectful bow and disappeared in a flash, leaving the room steeped in silence, with only Naruto and Minato remaining.
Before Naruto could react, Minato placed a firm hand on his shoulder, the world around them vanishing as they appeared in the family's private training grounds. The familiar space should have felt safe, but in this moment, it was nothing but a battleground.
Naruto's chakra chains blazed to life the moment they arrived, twisting through the air like serpents. His face was contorted with anger as he looked at his father. "You think I'll just accept this? Be marked, watched, treated like some criminal in my own village? You've lost your damn mind if you think I'll go along with this! I'm done, Father. I'm done with this village and with you! Do you think I wanted to abandon those Chunin? Do you think I took that lightly?"
Minato chuckled, a cold sound that held no humor. "You talk about loyalty and sacrifice, but you don't even understand the words." His voice was quiet, yet each word landed with the force of a hammer. "A Hokage sacrifices everything—his life, his family, his peace—for the village. You… you can't even sacrifice your pride."
Minato's eyes narrowed, a mixture of anger and disappointment in his gaze. "You went AWOL to train with an enemy shinobi, abandoning your duties to chase your own goals. And today, you left ten shinobi behind, risking their lives to save one person you cared about, with no thought for the greater good. And that's not even mentioning the times you've exploited your power to intimidate others, to bend rules to suit your own interests, to cause chaos where diplomacy would have sufficed. You care only about what benefits you and those you deem worthy. That is not the Will of Fire, Naruto. That is selfishness."
Naruto's fists shook with rage, his chakra chains tightening around him. "Is that all this village is to you? A set of rules to be followed without question? What about the people? What about protecting those you love? I thought that was the Will of Fire."
Minato's expression turned cold, steely. "The Will of Fire is protecting everyone, Naruto, not just the people you like. It's about making sacrifices so that others don't have to. You think you're above these rules because you've faced hardship, because you have power. But that doesn't give you the right to ignore the principles that keep this village standing."
Naruto's eyes blazed, his rage boiling over. "Then maybe I don't want to be part of this village!" he shouted. But before he could finish, a kunai whizzed past him, embedding itself at his feet.
In an instant, Minato closed the distance, his foot connecting with Naruto's chest and sending him sprawling to the ground. Naruto grimaced, using his chains to pull himself upright, only to find his father already upon him. They engaged in a furious taijutsu exchange, Naruto's punches wild and emotional, while Minato's every move was precise, controlled, a stark contrast to his son's reckless fury.
Naruto threw a punch, but Minato deflected it effortlessly, twisting his arm and placing a seal on Naruto's wrist in one fluid motion. Before Naruto could react, Minato delivered a swift kick that sent him sliding back several feet.
"You're reckless, Naruto. Anger blinds you, makes you weak," Minato said, his voice calm, almost detached.
Naruto's frustration boiled over, and he shot a chain from his wrist, wrapping it around Minato's arm and pulling him in, intending to strike with another chain. But with a puff of smoke, Minato's form vanished—it had been a shadow clone. The real Minato appeared behind Naruto, a Rasengan forming in his palm.
Naruto barely managed to dodge, twisting to avoid the attack, but the force of the Rasengan grazed him, sending him stumbling. He could hear his younger siblings in the distance, calling for their mother, and a fresh wave of panic surged through him. He knew he couldn't stay, not with his mother watching.
Desperation fueling him, Naruto gathered fire chakra and infused it with wind, creating a cube of blazing flames in the area where Minato stood. The heat scorched the air, and everything within the fire's radius seemed to wither.
'That should slow him down,' Naruto thought, breathing heavily as he turned to make his escape.
But a yellow flash appeared in front of him, and a blue orb of spinning chakra met him head-on. Pain exploded through his body as he was flung backward, crashing into the ground and creating a deep crater. His chakra chains weakened, crumbling as he struggled to rise.
Before he could gather his bearings, Minato was there again, fists raining down on him. Each punch landed with brutal precision, blood splattering across the ground as Naruto's vision blurred. Just as Minato's fist was about to strike again, a glowing red chakra arm intercepted him, catching his wrist in an iron grip.
"Kushina…" Minato murmured, looking up at his wife, her face a mask of sorrow and fury, the Nine-Tails' cloak flaring around her.
"What are you doing, Minato?" Kushina's voice trembled, barely holding back her emotion as she looked down at Naruto, battered and bloodied.
Minato's face softened, a shadow of guilt crossing his features. "I've placed my hiraishin marker on him. And a seal… to make sure he doesn't try to leave again. He's too much of a risk." His tone was weary, drained.
Kushina held Naruto close, her chakra cloak flickering softly around them like a shield, protecting him from further harm, if only for a moment. Her face was a mixture of anger and sorrow as she looked up at Minato, whose expression was set, his face a hardened mask of duty and regret. Gently, she brushed a bloodied strand of hair from Naruto's face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"We're his parents we're supposed to protect our son!! You call this protecting him?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but it struck Minato with the force of a hammer. "You're hurting him, Minato. Do you even see what you're doing to your own son?"
Minato's face softened slightly, but the rigid line of his jaw remained, his stance unyielding. "Kushina, this isn't easy for me. Do you think I wanted this? That I take any pleasure in seeing him hurt?" He let out a shaky breath, looking away. "But he's shown time and again that he'll put his own desires above the safety of this village. He's reckless, unpredictable—a flight risk."
Kushina's gaze hardened, and her chakra flared with a fierce intensity that mirrored the anger in her eyes. "Flight risk? This is our son, Minato! He's not a criminal; he's a boy who's been pushed too far, who's been asked to carry burdens that would break even the strongest of us as a child, And now, you're treating him like he's the enemy."
Minato clenched his fist at his side, his voice lowering as he replied, "I'm the Hokage, Kushina. My responsibility is to the village as a whole. I can't show favoritism just because he's my son."
At those words, Naruto stirred, opening swollen, bloodshot eyes to look up at his parents. His gaze held a mixture of pain, betrayal, and defiance. "So… that's it then," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "All I am to you is a threat to the village . Just another risk to be contained."
Kushina's grip tightened protectively around him, her voice breaking slightly. "Naruto… don't say that."
But Naruto wasn't done. With a determined grunt, he pushed himself up, shrugging off Kushina's support, his body trembling with exhaustion and fury. "You know, I used to look up to you, Father," he spat, his voice raw. "I thought you were everything a shinobi should be. But you're just a coward hiding behind a title. You don't care about me. You probably don't even care about this village—you just care about control!"
Minato's expression darkened, a shadow crossing his face as his patience wore thin. "Be careful with your words, Naruto. You don't understand the weight of the position I hold, the sacrifices I've had to make for this village, sacrifices you can't even begin to comprehend."
"Oh, I understand perfectly," Naruto sneered, his chakra flaring around him despite his injuries. "The Hokage title means more to you than your own family. You'd rather punish me, mark me like some criminal, than admit that maybe—just maybe—you've been wrong."
Minato's eyes narrowed, a storm brewing in his gaze. "I didn't raise you to question every order, to defy the principles that hold this village together. You act like the rules don't apply to you, that you're the exception. That mindset is dangerous, Naruto."
Naruto clenched his fists, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Maybe the problem isn't me. Maybe the problem is this village that expects everyone to sacrifice their lives, their friends, their happiness, all for some abstract 'greater good' that doesn't give a damn about them!"
Kushina's hand gripped his shoulder, her voice gentle but firm, trying to pull him back from the edge. "Naruto, please… this isn't helping."
But Naruto's voice only grew louder, thick with years of pent-up frustration and resentment. "All my life, I've given everything to this village, and for what? To be treated like a threat? Like a tool? I'm done living by rules that only take, that only ever demand more. I'm done being a pawn in your perfect, orderly Konoha!"
The words hung heavy in the air, charged with finality. Minato looked at him, his face unreadable, his posture rigid as he absorbed his son's words. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and ice-cold. "Just because we couldn't give you the same attention, just because of a prophecy that your siblings are tied to, you lash out like this? Like a spoiled child?"
Naruto's eyes flashed with anger, but Minato continued, his voice filled with barely restrained frustration. "You think everything I do, everything I've sacrificed, has been easy? I couldn't give you as much attention because I'm Hokage, because this prophecy demands that Mito and Menma receive every advantage. They're tied to a destiny that may decide the fate of this world. You act like that's a slight against you, but I did it to keep us all safe!"
Naruto's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "And where does that leave me? Just because I'm not in your prophecy, I don't count. Is that it?"
Minato's face remained stoic, but his eyes were full of sorrowful intensity. "You need to understand, Naruto, that being Hokage means making sacrifices for the village—even ones that hurt. This isn't about you. It's about the greater good, about responsibilities that go beyond any one of us."
Naruto's voice turned sharp, thick with barely contained rage. "ITS NEVER BEEN ABOUT ME!!You talk about sacrifice, but all I've ever been to you is a sacrifice, isn't that right father? Just a tool. Someone to keep in line so you can focus on the children you actually think matter."
Minato's face tightened, but he held his silence. Kushina, heartbroken, looked between the two, feeling the widening gulf between her husband and son.
Without breaking eye contact with his father, Naruto's voice dropped to a fierce whisper. "I'll tell you this: once I find a way to break this seal, I'm done with this village. And I'm done with you." He turned, his movements slow and pained, but there was a fierce determination in each step.
"Naruto, please don't—" Kushina's voice faltered, her hand reaching out for him.
Naruto shook his head, his expression resolute. "No. I'm tired, Mom. Tired of proving myself, for a place that never wanted me."
Kushina's hands fell to her sides, her heart twisting with grief. She looked to Minato, searching his face for any sign of understanding, of willingness to yield even a little. But Minato's face was set, and his eyes, though filled with sorrow, remained unwavering.
With a heavy heart, Kushina took a step back, her eyes filled with unshed tears as she watched Naruto limp toward the compound gates.
Naruto made his way through his families compound , each step a painful reminder of the argument, the bitter words exchanged. As he approached the exit, two small figures stood at the gates, their faces pale and worried. Mito and Menma stared, their eyes widening at the sight of their brother's injuries, the blood staining his torn clothes.
"Nii-san… what happened?" Mito asked softly, her voice a tremor of fear.
Naruto forced a small, broken smile, though his gaze was distant, the weight of exhaustion heavy in his eyes. "It's nothing. Just… go home," he said quietly, his tone drained, each word barely concealing his bitterness.
Menma took a hesitant step forward, his hand reaching out, but then he stopped, his face stricken. "Nii-san, we… we didn't mean—"
"I SAID ITS NOTHING!!" Naruto repeated, sharper this time. Mito flinched, and Menma looked away, guilt written across his face. "….I'm sorry… just-just leave me be..for now."
Without another word, Naruto limped past them, each step taking him closer to his apartment and further from the family he had once trusted. The streets were empty, yet he felt the weight of the villagers' indifference pressing down on him. To them, he was just another shinobi, a face in the crowd—always the outsider, always the one they sneered at.
Finally, he reached his apartment, a small, lonely place that had never truly felt like home. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, sliding down until he sat on the floor, letting out a shaky breath. Alone, with no one watching, the anger drained away, leaving only a hollow ache in its place.
Minato's words echoed through his mind, each one cutting deeper than the physical wounds he bore. A spoiled child. Just because of a prophecy…
"Just because I'm not in the prophecy," he muttered to himself, his voice trembling with exhaustion and bitterness, "I'm nothing to him."
He clenched his fists, a flicker of determination reigniting in his eyes. "I'll find a way to break this seal," he whispered to the empty room. "And when I do, I'm leaving. I'll find my own path. I don't need Konoha. I don't need any of them."
Naruto sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, his mind reeling from the confrontation with his father. But then, like a flicker of lightning, he remembered something—a moment he'd tried to push to the back of his mind. His last encounter with Orochimaru, the man who had lured him into a web of secrets and dark promises. The sealed scroll. His pulse quickened as he recalled it.
Reaching out, Naruto channeled chakra into his wrist, unsealing the scroll with a swift, practiced motion. The scroll unrolled with a faint rustle, and there, written in Orochimaru's unmistakable, elegant handwriting, was a message that seemed to pulse with dark intent.
The letter read:
"Naruto, in one year's time, I will launch an invasion. Konoha will be shaken to its core. If you wish to leave your old life behind and join me, know this: I possess the knowledge to cure your comatose friend. Konoha's Hokage and even the great Tsunade know little of the intricacies of the mind, the way I do. If you truly want to save her… come find me."
Naruto clenched his fists, his mind spinning with the possibilities. He's vile… I know that, he thought, disgust evident in his expression. But there's been no headway here. Tsunade and Minato are out of options, and Yakumo is still trapped in her coma. If he's telling the truth…
A plan began to form, reluctant but persistent. Orochimaru was skilled in forbidden techniques beyond the reach of Konoha's most brilliant minds. Techniques that might hold the key not only to Yakumo's recovery but also to his own freedom.
If anyone knows how to remove this damn hiraishin seal and the tracking seals Father placed on me, it's him. He's the only one with a technique that can free a person from all prior jutsu and seals… that grotesque jutsu he uses to crawl out of his own body.
Naruto grimaced, his stomach churning at the memory of the disturbing technique. Whatever it takes, he reminded himself, steeling his resolve.
At the bottom of the scroll, he saw a space marked with a faint blood seal. His eyes narrowed in determination. Unsheathing his sword—a gift from Yūgao—he ran the blade across his thumb, allowing a single drop of blood to fall onto the designated spot.
The moment the blood touched the scroll, a small puff of smoke appeared, and a snake materialized before him, its scales glistening and its slitted yellow eyes fixed on him.
"Ssssso, I asssssume you accept Massster Orochimaru'sss terms?" the snake hissed, its tongue flicking in and out as it awaited his response.
Naruto nodded, his face set in a grim expression. "I do. But I have one condition. If I'm going to join him, I need that jutsu—" he took a steadying breath, pushing back his revulsion at the thought, "the one that allows him to shed his body and take a new one, free from all previous jutsus and seals. Tell him to bring me a scroll with that technique. Once I've mastered it, I'll be ready to join Otogakure."
The snake's eyes glinted with a sinister gleam, and it nodded in a slithering motion. "Assss you wissssh, young Uchiha. I will convey your messssage to Masssster Orochimaru."
In an instant, the snake vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving Naruto alone once more in his empty apartment.
He exhaled a long, shaky breath, running a hand through his hair as the reality of his decision sank in. His heart ached with uncertainty, but he couldn't deny the pull of Orochimaru's offer. If it meant finally breaking free of the chains binding him to Konoha—if it meant a chance to save Yakumo—then maybe it was worth the risk.