Namikaze Estate Training Ground

Naruto sat cross-legged in the middle of the training field; his focus unwavering as he studied a scroll adorned with an intricate seal matrix. The sun hung in the sky, casting a warm glow over the training ground, but Naruto was oblivious to the world around him. His phoenix brush moved with blinding speed, creating strokes on the scroll that seemed to dance with life. He paused occasionally, deep in thought, before resuming his rapid movements.

After a while, he created four clones, each rushing about thirty meters away from him. They quickly formed a square around the original Naruto, their movements synchronized as they rushed through a series of hand seals. With a final flourish, they slammed their hands onto the ground, and the same seal matrix appeared beneath their feet, glowing with a faint golden light.

Flashback

Naruto had just finished going through the level 5 Fuinjutsu book, passing the test at the back with ease. The knowledge he had gained was immense, and he felt a sense of pride in his accomplishments. He turned to the Uzumaki Level 5 Additional Book and opened it, eager to dive deeper into the art of sealing.

Greetings, fellow Uzumaki! This book will talk about the advanced techniques of Fuinjutsu, specifically focusing on the Uzumaki Sealing Method. This method is what makes the Uzumaki clan so fearsome in their sealing abilities, as only our chakra is dense enough to create Fuinjutsu with such precision. To master this technique, you must have a perfect blueprint of the seal you wish to apply, down to each brush stroke. Once you have that, you must rush through a series of hand seals and place your palms on the surface to apply the seal.

In the following sections, you will learn the hand seals for different matrixes and kanji. Additionally, to make seals invisible after applying them, you can twist your hand once the seal is imprinted and push a little more chakra to make the seal invisible until activated.

Narrator Voice: Naruto then looked at the next section, carefully memorizing the hand seals for different kanji and matrixes. He came across a chapter that his father had added, detailing a bastardized version of the Hiraishin seals that Minato had developed, allowing the user to place the seals on their opponents with just their palms. Naruto couldn't help but marvel at Minato's genius, feeling a surge of admiration for his father.

Flashback Over

As the seal matrix appeared beneath each of the clones' feet, a golden barrier in the shape of a box sprang to life around the original Naruto. He looked at his clones, who nodded in unison, and then he removed a kunai with a customized explosive tag attached to it. With a swift motion, he threw the kunai at the barrier.

The explosion was massive, far larger than a regular explosive kunai. The ground shook, and the air was filled with smoke and debris. The barrier trembled but held firm, not breaking down under the force of the blast.

Naruto, undeterred, rushed through a series of hand seals, his voice ringing out as he yelled, "Doton: Ryujin Shokai! (Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet)"

The ground beside him began to shift and take shape, forming a dragon made of earth. With a roar, the dragon shot bullets of earth at lightning speed toward the barrier. One by one, five bullets struck the barrier, and with each impact, a crack began to form. Finally, with a resounding shatter, the barrier broke apart, sending shards of energy flying in all directions.

The clones dispelled in a burst of energy released from the shattered barrier, and Naruto stood there, panting slightly. "I didn't modify the technique properly," he muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice.

Just then, Sasuke approached, having watched the entire demonstration. "Why do you say that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This technique is called the Uzumaki Fuinjutsu: Prison Barrier. It's a sealing technique capable of creating a barrier around a small group of shinobi and draining their chakra at an exponential rate, rendering them useless. But not only have I not learned the chakra absorption part, but this technique also requires four Uzumaki members to perform. I tried to modify it so my clones could create a smaller version capable of holding up against A-rank jutsu, but it's still quite weak. It breaks under high C-rank jutsu."

Sasuke patted him on the back, a reassuring gesture. "You'll get it sooner or later, Naruto. You always do."

As Naruto and Sasuke stood in the training ground, Sasuke turned to Naruto, his expression serious. "When are you planning on telling everyone else?" he asked, his voice steady.

Naruto sighed, running a hand through his spiky hair. "I still haven't decided. I don't know how they'll react," he admitted, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Sasuke crossed his arms, his determination unwavering. "I'm sure they'll take it positively. They'll see you for the hero that you are. If they can't accept you, then they're not worth your time."

Naruto smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "What about you? Would you stop dating Ino too?"

Sasuke's expression remained serious. "If she can't accept me, then she's not who I thought she was," he replied, his voice firm.

A few days ago, Sasuke had urged Naruto to tell their friends about the Kyuubi sealed within him, and maybe even about his parents. But Naruto had been reluctant, fearing the judgment and misunderstanding that might follow.

"Okay, I'll think about it," Naruto finally said, his resolve strengthening. They both knew it was time to face the truth.

At the Academy

The next day, Naruto and Sasuke made their way to the academy. The atmosphere was relatively dull, as Naruto had already studied everything being taught. However, he decided not to sleep and to pay attention in class, just in case they came across information he didn't know earlier.

Shikamaru, on the other hand, had fallen asleep almost immediately after giving his attendance. Sasuke and Ino were seated nearby, chatting and giggling, while Sakura sat a few seats behind them, fuming at the sight of their closeness. Choji munched on his chips, seemingly unfazed by the classroom dynamics, and Shino sat stoically, his expression unreadable.

As the lessons dragged on, Naruto found himself glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes until the end of the day. He was eager to gather his friends and share the secret he had been holding onto for so long.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Naruto stood up, his heart racing with anticipation. "Hey, everyone! Come to the training ground! I want to tell you something important," he called out, his voice echoing in the classroom.

The group exchanged curious glances but followed him nonetheless. As they made their way to the training ground, Naruto felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. He knew this was a pivotal moment in his life, one that could change everything.

At Ichiraku Ramen

Before heading to the training ground, Naruto decided to make a quick stop at Ichiraku Ramen. As he entered the shop, a blur rushed toward him and enveloped him in a tight hug.

"Naruto-kun! You don't visit anymore!" Ayame exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth and concern.

Naruto chuckled, returning the hug. "I'm sorry, Ayame nee-chan! I've been really busy with training and everything. I promise I'll come more often."

Ayame smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling. "What will you have today?"

"Give me a Naruto special, one pork ramen for Sasuke, and five bowls of miso ramen for my friends, packed, please!" Naruto replied, his excitement bubbling over.

Ayame raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why are you getting them ramen?"

Naruto took a deep breath, his expression turning serious. "Today is the day I'll tell them my secret."

Ayame's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you feel about that?" she asked, her tone shifting to one of concern.

"I'm really afraid," Naruto admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ayame chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "The Naruto who said he would be the greatest Hokage ever is scared of telling his friends?"

Naruto couldn't help but laugh at her teasing. "Yeah, I guess it sounds silly, huh?"

Just then, Teuchi emerged from the kitchen, carrying bags of ramen. "Naruto, I've seen the bond you have with your friends. I know they won't see you like the fools of this village do," he said, his voice filled with reassurance.

"Thanks, Ojiisan! That means a lot," Naruto replied, feeling a surge of gratitude.

With the ramen packed and ready, Naruto thanked Ayame and Teuchi before heading out the door, determination fueling his steps as he made his way to the training ground.

Back at the Training Ground

When Naruto arrived at the training ground, he found his friends waiting for him. Sasuke stood off to the side, arms crossed, while Ino, Hinata, and Choji chatted animatedly. Shikamaru was sitting under a tree, gazing up at the clouds, and Shino seemed to be speaking to his bugs, his expression as stoic as ever.

Naruto cleared his throat, calling them closer, and sat down in the center of the circle they formed. "Thanks for coming, everyone. I have something I want to tell you," he began, his voice steady but laced with tension. "It's an S-ranked secret, punishable by death to tell anyone else."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrows, skepticism evident in his expression. "How are you telling it to us if it's punishable by death?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.

Naruto took a deep breath. "The secret is about me, and only I and the Hokage have the permission to tell others," he explained.

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, saying nothing but nodding in understanding. The others followed his example, their expressions shifting to one of seriousness.

Naruto rushed through some hand seals, placing his palm on the ground. A seal matrix appeared all around them, glowing faintly.

"What was that?" Shino asked, his curiosity piqued.

"That was a privacy seal," Naruto replied. "No one will be able to snoop on us and hear what we're talking about in this seal."

The five of them looked impressed at his skill in applying such an advanced seal so easily. Sasuke smiled, already knowing Naruto's abilities in Fuinjutsu had grown significantly.

Naruto took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what he was about to share. He hesitated for a moment, and Sasuke placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, nodding with a look of encouragement.

"Do you all know what happened on October 10th?" Naruto asked, his voice steady.

Choji answered, "That was the day the Yondaime killed the Kyuubi almost 12 years ago and saved the village."

Naruto nodded. "That's what we were taught in the history books, but the history books are incorrect."

Choji, Hinata, and Ino looked surprised, while Shino remained impassive. Shikamaru raised his eyebrows, intrigued. Sasuke sat with his eyes shut and arms folded, already knowing the secret for almost six years.

"What do you mean the books are incorrect?" Ino asked, her curiosity piqued.

Naruto continued, "Bijuus are masses of chakra, and it's impossible to kill chakra. They just reform a few years later. That's why the First Hokage Hashirama Senju gave the nine bijuu to each of the villages. Even though he was stronger than the bijuu, he knew that killing them wouldn't stop them from coming back. The Yondaime knew that too."

Shino asked, "Why would they teach us incorrect information then?"

Naruto pressed on, "It was to protect future generations from knowing the harsh truth—that the Kyuubi is still alive and in Konoha." A few of them gasped in shock.

"Where is it?" Shikamaru asked, surprised.

Naruto smirked slightly. "What was the Yondaime known for?"

Sikamaru thought for a moment before answering, "He was a seal master, one of the best in the world." His eyes widened as he began to piece it together.

Naruto nodded. "The Yondaime couldn't kill the Kyuubi, so he did the next best thing—he sealed it in a newborn."

Ino gasped, "That's horrible!"

Naruto continued, "Only Uzumakis had strong enough life forces to hold the Kyuubi. There's a reason why my birthday coincides with October 10th and why everyone in the village looks at me with hate."

By this time, Hinata and Ino had tears in their eyes, and Choji's mouth was left open in shock. Hinata stuttered, "So you have the Kyuubi in you?"

Naruto nodded. "The term you're looking for is jinchuriki, which means 'power of human sacrifice.'"

Ino asked, "Why did the Yondaime seal it in you?"

Naruto replied, "The Yondaime was a man of honor surpassing that of most samurai. He couldn't ask anyone else to sacrifice their child if he wasn't willing to do so himself. He sealed it in me because I am his son."

Now Shikamaru was shocked, and Shino's normal impassive look was replaced with disbelief. Choji looked close to crying, and Hinata and Ino were already shedding tears, shocked that the village hero's son had been subjected to so much mistreatment. They had all seen how Naruto was treated, the glares and whispers, and they had thought it was because of his pranks. But now, everything made sense.

Shino, breaking the silence, asked, "Why do the villagers hate you so much?"

Sasuke spoke up, his voice laced with venom. "His father had many enemies, which is why his surname was changed to my mother's. If people found out he was the song of the Fourth Hokage, he would've been assisinated from villages like Iwa, Kumo, or even some of the minor hidden villages. The villagers can't understand that Naruto is the jailer of the Kyuubi, not the Kyuubi itself. They want someone to blame, and who better than the kid who holds the beast they despise?"

Naruto nodded, feeling the weight of Sasuke's words. "It's true. They see me as the monster, not as me."

Sasuke continued, "Most of the villagers would realize that Naruto is a carbon copy of his dad if they bothered to get over their hate."

Naruto took a deep breath, his heart racing. "I would understand if you didn't want to be friends with me anymore. Just please don't share this with anyone else. If you do, you could be killed."

Ino stood up and walked over to Naruto, her expression fierce. She slapped him across the face, her voice rising. "How dare you say that! We don't see the Kyuubi; we see Naruto Uzumaki! The boy who helped us become much stronger than we would have on our own by the time we were even Chunin!"

Hinata stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute. "I always knew there was a second chakra in you and a seal on your stomach when I activated my Byakugan. The existence of two chakras proves that you are a different person from the Kyuubi."

Naruto looked at her, surprised. "Hinata, you didn't stutter!"

She smiled softly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I guess I'm just more confident now."

Flashback

Ino and Hinata were walking through the streets of Konoha, chatting and enjoying each other's company.

"How was your one-year anniversary with Sasuke?" Hinata asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ino grinned, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It was great! We had a picnic in the park, with some food, and talked under the night sky. It was very romantic."

Hinata smiled, happy for her friend. Then, with a teasing grin, Ino asked, "What about you and Naruto? I've seen the way you look at him."

A playful smirk on her face. "Everyone knows about your crush on Naruto, Hinata! Maybe even Naruto himself!"

Hinata blushed deeply, shaking her head. "I used to like Naruto, but now I see him as an older brother. I admire him and look up to him. He protects me."

Ino's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious? You see him as a brother?"

Hinata nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes, and I think whatever happens, happens for the best."

Flashback Over

Back in the present, Choji spoke up, his voice filled with sincerity. "If Naruto was the Kyuubi, he would have destroyed Konoha by now. He's never even made fun of my weight, so I'd like to stay friends with him too."

Shikamaru nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know the difference between a sealing scroll and a kunai. Sealing a kunai in the scroll doesn't make the scroll the kunai. I understand now why my father encouraged me to be friends with Naruto."

"Thanks, Shika," Naruto said, a smile breaking through his earlier tension.

Shino, his usual stoic demeanor replaced with a hint of warmth, added, "Naruto never stopped being friends with me despite knowing the creatures in my body. I will not stop being friends with him for the creature in his body." He paused, then added, "That explains his abnormally strong chakra."

Naruto laughed, feeling lighter. "That's my own chakra! Since I'm an Uzumaki, I have very large chakra reserves. Now my reserves are equal to several Kages!" He grinned, making their eyes widen in disbelief.

Naruto then removed the ramen bowls from his pack, handing each of his friends one miso ramen, Sasuke one pork, and himself the Naruto special. As they began to eat, the atmosphere shifted from somber to celebratory.

Ino, slurping her ramen, asked, "How come you endured all this and stayed sane?"

Shikamaru nodded, his expression serious. "I wouldn't blame you if you decided to decimate Konoha and wipe it from the map."

Naruto chuckled, shaking his head. "Decimating Konoha wouldn't solve anything," Naruto replied, his voice steady. "I'd be wasting what my parents sacrificed their lives for. The villagers fear what they can't understand, and I'm working hard to gain their acknowledgment one day. I want to be a successful Hokage in the future and protect this village, just like my parents did before me."

As he spoke, his friends listened intently, their admiration for him growing. They had always known Naruto as the loud, boisterous boy who loved to prank and joke, but now they saw the depth of his character and the strength of his resolve.

"Your parents would be proud of you, Naruto," Hinata said softly, her eyes glistening with tears. "You're so strong, and you've overcome so much."

"Yeah, you're right," Choji added, his voice filled with sincerity. "You've always been there for us, and now we want to be there for you."

Sasuke, who had been quietly eating his pork ramen, looked up and nodded. "You're not alone anymore, Naruto. We're all in this together."

Naruto felt a warmth spread through him at their words. "Thanks, everyone. It means a lot to me," he said, his voice thick with emotion. As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the training ground, the group continued to eat and share stories. Laughter filled the air, and for the first time in a long while, Naruto felt a sense of peace.

Ino leaned back, a satisfied smile on her face. "You know, I always thought you were just a troublemaker, but now I see you're so much more than that."

Naruto grinned, his trademark mischievousness returning. "Well, I still am a troublemaker! Just a troublemaker with a secret."

Shikamaru chuckled, shaking his head. "You're still the same Naruto, just with a lot more baggage."

"Hey!" Naruto protested, but he couldn't help but laugh along with his friends.

As they finished their ramen, Hinata looked around at everyone, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I'm really glad we're all friends. I feel like we can face anything together."

"Absolutely," Choji agreed, his mouth full of ramen. "We're a team, and nothing can break us apart."

Naruto nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Together, we'll become stronger and protect each other. I'll make sure of it!"

A New Chapter

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, Naruto felt a sense of hope for the future. He had shared his secret, and instead of fear or rejection, he had found acceptance and support.

"Hey, let's make a promise," Naruto suggested, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "No matter what happens, we'll always have each other's backs!"

"Deal!" Ino exclaimed, raising her bowl in a toast.

"Count me in," Choji added, lifting his bowl as well.

Shikamaru smirked, "I guess I can't back out now."

Sasuke, with a rare smile, nodded. "I'm in too."

Hinata, her cheeks flushed with happiness, raised her bowl shyly. "Me too."

Naruto grinned widely, feeling a surge of warmth in his chest. "Alright! To friendship!"

They all clinked their bowls together, laughter and camaraderie filling the air. In that moment, Naruto knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Naruto looked up, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He had faced his fears and shared his truth, and now he felt lighter than ever.

As they sat together, sharing stories and laughter under the stars, Naruto felt a sense of belonging that he had longed for. He was no longer just the boy with the Kyuubi; he was Naruto Uzumaki, a friend, a teammate, and a future Hokage.