It was October 9th, the day before Naruto's birthday. Over the past few months, Naruto and Sasuke had made remarkable progress in their training. Both had completely learned and mastered the Academy Three— Henge, Kawarimi, and Bunshin, or in Naruto's case Kage Bunshin. They could now perform all three techniques with just a single hand seal, a feat that showcased their growing skill and control. However, Itachi had urged them to continue refining Kawarimi, pushing them to perform it without any hand seals and to improve its speed and precision.

Naruto, in particular, had taken full advantage of the Kage Bunshin technique. Each day, he created 100 clones, dividing them into groups to focus on different aspects of his training. Twenty clones worked on Henge and Kawarimi, twenty on chakra control exercises, twenty on kunai and shuriken throwing, and another twenty on fuinjutsu. His dedication was paying off. Naruto had completed the first level of fuinjutsu, passing the test at the end of the book with flying colors, and had just started on the second level a week ago. His progress was steady, and his understanding of seals was deepening.

Itachi and Naruto had also been working on integrating Kage Bunshin into combat scenarios. They discovered that the optimal number of clones for Naruto to use in battle was four. Any more than that reduced coordination and efficiency, much like how a squad of ninja could become disorganized if too large. Together, they developed a battle strategy centered around the Kage Bunshin. Naruto would send four clones ahead to test the opponent, gathering information about their strengths and weaknesses through the memory transfer. Once the clones were dispelled, Naruto would create three more clones and join the fight himself, coordinating attacks with his clones to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. They were currently fine-tuning this strategy, focusing on improving the synchronization of their attacks.

Meanwhile, Shisui had been training Sasuke to fight more instinctively. He emphasized that in a real battle, there would be little time to think about which technique to use. Sasuke needed to rely on his reflexes and instincts to make split-second decisions. Shisui also worked on helping Sasuke awaken his Sharingan. He pushed Sasuke to his limits by moving just slightly faster than Sasuke could follow. Once Sasuke's eyes adjusted and he could track Shisui's movements, Shisui would increase his speed again. For the past month, they had been stuck at the final stage of this training. Sasuke was so close to awakening his Sharingan, but he needed one final push. Shisui knew that this push would likely come from an emotional trigger, but he kept that knowledge to himself for now.

Shisui also taught sasuke

Itachi's Sensory Training

Itachi had also taken on the task of training Naruto in his sensory abilities. Shisui, while an exceptional shinobi, had little experience with sensory techniques, but Itachi had worked alongside sensor shinobi on missions in the past. He understood the basics of how to develop such skills and was eager to help Naruto unlock this rare and powerful ability.

Flashback:

Itachi stood in front of Naruto, his calm demeanor as steady as ever. "Naruto, I'm going to help you develop a new ability. Do you remember when you were learning the tree-climbing exercise with Shisui?"

Naruto nodded, his blue eyes curious. "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

Itachi's lips curved into a small smile. "Do you remember how you sensed the ANBU approaching moments before they arrived?"

Naruto's eyes widened as the memory came back to him. "Oh, yeah! I felt him coming before I saw him. I didn't even think about it at the time."

Itachi nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's because you have a sensory ability, Naruto. It's a rare gift in the shinobi world and an incredibly useful tool. Skilled ninja can often sense the presence of others, but that's nothing compared to what a trained sensor shinobi can do. Lucky for you, I've worked with a few sensor ninja in the past, and I know how they trained."

Naruto's face lit up with excitement. "Really? That's awesome! What do I have to do?"

Itachi gestured for Naruto to sit down and close his eyes. "First, we'll start with the basics. I want you to focus on my presence. Don't rely on your eyes or ears—use your chakra to sense me."

Naruto obeyed, shutting his eyes and focusing intently. Itachi moved his hand slowly in front of Naruto's face, and Naruto's brow furrowed as he tried to follow the movement without opening his eyes. At first, it was difficult, but after a few tries, Naruto began to get the hang of it.

"Good," Itachi said, his voice calm and encouraging. "Now, I'm going to move around you. Try to sense where I am without opening your eyes."

Itachi stepped back and began to move in a slow circle around Naruto, keeping a distance of about five meters. Naruto's face scrunched up in concentration as he tried to track Itachi's movements. It was challenging, but after a few minutes, Naruto managed to follow Itachi's path.

"Well done," Itachi said, his tone approving. "Now, let's increase the difficulty."

Itachi moved further back, standing about five meters behind Naruto. He performed a quick Shunshin, appearing in different spots around Naruto while maintaining the same distance. Naruto struggled at first, but his determination paid off, and he soon began to sense Itachi's movements with greater accuracy.

Flashback Over

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the training ground, Itachi, Shisui, Naruto, and Sasuke gathered under a tree. The day's training had been intense, and the four of them sat in comfortable silence for a moment, catching their breath.

Naruto broke the silence, his voice thoughtful. "Itachi-sensei, what exactly is a shinobi?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. Shisui, however, chuckled and leaned back against the tree. "That's a big question, squirt. But I'll take a crack at it."

He paused, his expression turning serious. "A shinobi is someone who endures for the sake of others. They act from the shadows, helping people who can't help themselves. Honor isn't for shinobi—if you want to fight with honor, be a samurai. Shinobi don't fight fair. They cheat, they use every advantage they can get, and they do whatever it takes to win."

Sasuke and Naruto stared at Shisui, their eyes wide with surprise. Neither of them had expected such an answer. Itachi nodded, adding his own thoughts. "Shinobi protect their villages, no matter the cost. It's not about personal glory or honor—it's about the greater good. Sometimes, that means making difficult choices or sacrificing yourself for the sake of others."

Naruto frowned, his brow furrowed in thought. "But… isn't that kind of sad? Sacrificing yourself, I mean."

Itachi's expression softened. "It can be. But it's also a shinobi's duty. We protect the people we care about, even if it means giving up our own lives. That's what it means to be a shinobi."

The four of them sat in silence for a while, the weight of Itachi's words sinking in. Finally, Shisui stood up, stretching lazily. "Alright, enough deep thoughts for one day. Let's call it a night."

Naruto POV

As the others left, Naruto made his way to the Hokage Monument. He climbed up to the top of the Fourth Hokage's head, his favorite spot to sit and think. The village stretched out below him, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Naruto sat down, his legs dangling over the edge, and looked out over Konoha.

"Hey, Dad," he said softly, as if Minato were sitting right beside him. "I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. I've got a great life now. I mean, the first few years were tough, but I wouldn't change it. I've got people I care about—Sasuke teme, Shisui-niichan, Itachi-sensei, Jiji… even Kichi. They're like my family."

He paused, his voice growing quieter. "I know you and Mom would've been proud of me. I'm trying my best to be strong, to protect the people I care about. I'll make you proud, I promise."

Naruto sat there for a long time, watching as the lights of the village began to flicker on one by one. The sky turned from gold to deep blue, and the stars began to appear. Finally, as the chill of the night air set in, Naruto stood up and stretched.

"Alright, Dad, I'll see you later. Thanks for listening."

He made his way down the monument, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. As he walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, Naruto couldn't help but smile.

Naruto reached the Namikaze estate, his senses on high alert. Thanks to his recent sensory training, he could feel the presence of several people inside his home. His heart raced as he considered the possibilities.Is it those villagers again?he thought, his grip tightening on the kunai he held behind his back. Even though it had been a long time since anyone had tried to hurt him, the memory of past incidents, especially around his birthday, still lingered in his mind.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and quietly opened the door. As he stepped inside, he was met with a chorus of voices shouting, "Happy birthday!"

Naruto froze, his eyes widening in surprise. The room was filled with decorations, balloons, and a table laden with food and a cake. Standing in front of him were Sasuke, Itachi, Shisui, Hiruzen, Teuchi, and Ayame, all grinning at him. Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, replacing them with his signature wide grin.

"You guys… you did all this for me?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling with emotion.

Hiruzen stepped forward, his kind eyes twinkling. "Of course, Naruto. We couldn't let your birthday pass without a celebration. And we've all got something special for you."

The Gifts

Naruto's eyes lit up as Hiruzen gestured for the gifts to be presented. Teuchi and Ayame were the first to step forward. Teuchi handed Naruto a stack of coupons, his warm smile as comforting as a bowl of ramen. "Here you go, Naruto. Two months' worth of free ramen at Ichiraku. Consider it our gift to you."

Ayame giggled, leaning in to kiss Naruto on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Naruto-chan!"

Naruto's face turned bright red, and he stammered, "Th-thanks, Ayame-nee-chan!"

Shisui burst out laughing, pointing at Naruto's flustered expression. "Look at you, squirt! Blushing like a little kid!"

Naruto smirked, recovering quickly. "Jealous, baka niichan? Bet you wish it was you she kissed!"

Shisui's face turned just as red as Naruto's, and Ayame giggled even harder. Teuchi, however, glared at Shisui, his arms crossed. "Watch it, kid. That's my daughter you're talking about."

Shisui chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Uh, right. Sorry, Teuchi-san."

The room erupted in laughter, the tension melting away as everyone enjoyed the lighthearted moment.

Next, Hiruzen stepped forward, holding a beautifully wrapped box. He handed it to Naruto, his expression warm and proud. "This is for you, Naruto. I thought it might help with your fuinjutsu training."

Naruto eagerly unwrapped the box, revealing a high-quality sealing kit. Inside was a brush made from a phoenix feather, its handle intricately carved with swirling patterns. Hiruzen explained, "This brush is special. It can convert chakra into ink, though dipping it in regular ink would be faster. It also enhances the strength of your seals, making them more powerful than normal."

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is amazing, Jiji! Thank you so much!" He threw his arms around Hiruzen, hugging him tightly.

Hiruzen chuckled, patting Naruto's back. "You're welcome, Naruto. I know you'll put it to good use."

Shisui stepped up next, holding a small package. He handed it to Naruto with a playful grin. "Here you go, squirt. Now you can look like a 'chibi Shisui'!"

Naruto opened the package to find a high-collared black T-shirt with half sleeves, similar to the one Shisui often wore. He held it up, laughing. "I love it! Thanks, baka niichan!"

Shisui puffed out his chest, striking a dramatic pose. "Now you can show off your greatness, just like me!"

Itachi shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're incorrigible, Shisui."

Itachi stepped forward next, holding a scroll. He handed it to Naruto, his expression calm but kind. "This is for you, Naruto. It's a jutsu I was planning to teach you. I think you're ready for it."

Naruto unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the contents. "Bunshin Daibakuha (Great Clone Explosion)… This sounds awesome! Thanks, Itachi-sensei!"

Itachi nodded. "Use it wisely, Naruto. It's a powerful technique, but it requires careful control."

Finally, Sasuke stepped forward, holding a small, neatly wrapped box. He handed it to Naruto, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft. "Here. Happy birthday, dobe."

Naruto opened the box to find a framed photo of himself and Sasuke. In the picture, Naruto had his arm around Sasuke's shoulders, grinning widely, while Sasuke smiled with his hand in a peace sign. Naruto's eyes widened, and he looked up at Sasuke, his voice filled with emotion. "Teme… this is amazing. Thanks!"

Before Sasuke could react, Naruto pulled him into a tight hug. Sasuke stiffened, his face turning red. "Dobe, let go! You're embarrassing me!"

Naruto laughed, releasing him. "You're the best, teme. Even if you're a grump."

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, food, and fun. Naruto blew out the candles on his cake, making a wish silently in his heart. As he looked around at the people who had become his family, he felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time.

Hiruzen raised a glass of juice, his voice warm and proud. "To Naruto. May this year bring you even more growth, strength, and happiness."

Everyone raised their glasses, echoing the sentiment. "To Naruto!"

Naruto grinned, his heart full. "Thanks, everyone. This is the best birthday ever."

Suddenly, Naruto's wrist glowed, and many books popped up in the room.

The room fell silent. Teuchi and Ayame exchanged confused glances, their eyes darting between Naruto and the stack of books that had appeared from the storage seal on his wrist. Sasuke, however, narrowed his eyes. Itachi gave him a subtle look, silently promising to explain everything later.

Hiruzen, sensing the tension in the room, spoke up. "Naruto, you can trust everyone here. If you're comfortable, you can read the letters aloud."

Naruto hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He took a deep breath and began reading Kushina's letter first.

My dearest Naruto,

Happy birthday, my little boy. This will be my last letter to you. I'm sorry I can't be there to celebrate with you, but I want you to know how much I love you. I've left you two things in the storage seal at the bottom of this letter. The first is my famous sword, Crimson Tide. It's a blade that has been passed down through the Uzumaki clan for generations, and I hope it serves you well. The second is a collection of advanced Uzumaki sealing techniques. These are techniques that only members of our clan have access to, and they range from levels 1 to 15. I've also included books on levels 11 to 15, which are secrets known only to the Uzumaki.

There's something else your father and I wanted to tell you, but it's something he will reveal in his letter. I love you, Naruto, and I know you'll grow up to be an amazing shinobi. Never forget that you are loved, and that you have the strength to overcome any challenge.

Love, Your Mother.

Naruto's voice wavered as he finished reading Kushina's letter. He could feel the love and pride in her words, but there was also a sense of finality that made his chest ache. He quickly moved on to Minato's letter, eager to hear what his father had to say.

Dear Naruto,

Happy birthday, my son. This will be my last letter to you. I don't have much time left, so I'll get straight to the point. I've left you my greatest possessions in the storage seal at the bottom of this letter. The first is my improved notes on the Hiraishin, a technique created by the Lord Second Hokage. I've made some modifications to it, and I hope you'll find them useful. The second is my own creation, the Rasengan. It's a jutsu I wasn't able to complete, and I hope that one day, you'll be the one to finish it.

I want you to start learning the Hiraishin after you've completed level 7 of sealing. It's a complex technique, but I know you have the talent to master it.

Now, I need to tell you something important. On the night of your birth, a masked man attacked us. He kidnapped you, and though I was able to save you and your mother, he had already removed the Kyuubi from Kushina. The Kyuubi was sealed in her because only an Uzumaki could contain its immense power without dying. The masked man escaped, leaving the Kyuubi to rampage through Konoha.

I fought the Kyuubi, but no one can truly kill a bijuu. They are masses of chakra and will simply reform a few years later. So, I made the difficult decision to seal the Kyuubi into you, Naruto. I did this because I believe in you. One day, you'll be able to access the Kyuubi's full power, and it will help you defeat the masked man.

I'm sorry, Naruto. I know this is a heavy burden to bear, but I did it because I believe in your strength and your ability to overcome any challenge. I love you, my son, and I know you'll make me proud.

Love, Your Father."

Naruto's hands shook as he finished reading Minato's letter. The room was silent, the weight of the revelations pressing down on everyone. Naruto looked up at Hiruzen, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and betrayal.

"Jiji… did you know about this?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling.

Hiruzen nodded sadly. "Yes, Naruto. I knew. This is why the villagers have treated you the way they have. They fear what they don't understand."

Itachi, Shisui, Teuchi, and Ayame all nodded in agreement. "We know, Naruto," Itachi said softly. "But we don't see you as the Kyuubi. We see you as Naruto."

Naruto turned to Sasuke, his heart pounding. "Sasuke… I'd understand if you never wanted to talk to me again after this."

Sasuke's eyes widened, and before anyone could react, he punched Naruto in the stomach. Naruto doubled over, but Sasuke wasn't done. Tears streamed down his face as he grabbed Naruto by the shoulders.

"How could you ever think that, dobe?" Sasuke shouted, his voice cracking. "You're my best friend! I don't care about the Kyuubi or any of that. You're Naruto, and that's all that matters to me!"

As Sasuke spoke, everyone noticed the faint glow of a single tomoe in his eyes. Itachi and Shisui exchanged a proud smile, knowing that Sasuke had finally awakened his Sharingan.

Sasuke turned to Hiruzen, his expression fierce. "Why didn't I know about this? Why was Naruto treated like this?"

Itachi stepped in, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "Sandaime-sama passed an S-rank law forbidding anyone from revealing this to the future generation. Minato-sama and Sandaime-sama both wanted Naruto to be seen as a hero, not as the Kyuubi's host."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, Naruto spoke up. "Sasuke… my dad couldn't ask anyone else to sacrifice their kid if he wasn't willing to do the same. It was his job as Hokage. And if I become Hokage and have to make a similar choice… I'd do the same."

The room fell silent again, the weight of Naruto's words sinking in. Itachi, Shisui, and Teuchi all smiled, their pride in Naruto evident. Ayame hugged Naruto tightly, her tears soaking into his shirt.

Hiruzen's eyes widened as he remembered Minato saying the same thing before he performed the sealing.What a great shinobi Naruto will be,he thought, a sense of awe washing over him.

The Gifts

After the emotional revelations, Naruto opened the storage seal at the bottom of the letters. The first item he pulled out was Crimson Tide, Kushina's famous sword. The blade was a deep red, with a deep black handle, with intricate seals etched into the steel. It radiated a powerful aura, and Naruto could feel the weight of its history in his hands.

Next, he found the advanced Uzumaki sealing techniques. The books were ancient, their pages filled with complex seals and explanations that only a true master of fuinjutsu could understand. Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement as he flipped through the pages, already eager to start learning.

From Minato's seal, Naruto retrieved the notes on the Hiraishin and the Rasengan. The Hiraishin notes were detailed, with diagrams and explanations that made the complex technique seem almost approachable. The Rasengan, on the other hand, was a swirling sphere of chakra contained within a small orb. Naruto could feel the raw power radiating from it, and he knew that mastering it would be a challenge.

The Future Ahead

As the party continued, Naruto felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in a long time. He had learned the truth about his parents, the Kyuubi, and the sacrifices they had made for him. But more importantly, he had seen the unwavering support of his friends and mentors.

Sasuke, now with a single tomoe Sharingan, stood by his side, a silent promise of loyalty in his eyes. Itachi and Shisui watched over them, their pride in the two boys evident. Teuchi and Ayame continued to shower Naruto with love and support, while Hiruzen looked on with a sense of hope for the future.

Naruto knew the road ahead would be difficult. He had the weight of his parents' legacy on his shoulders, the power of the Kyuubi within him, and the responsibility of protecting the village. But he also knew he wasn't alone. With his friends by his side and the lessons of his parents guiding him, Naruto was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the night drew to a close, Naruto looked out over the village, his heart filled with determination. "I'll make you proud, Mom and Dad," he whispered. "I'll become the greatest Hokage this village has ever seen."