Chapter 90: Chapter 90
The moment Tsunade revealed the news of the fuinjutsu grandmaster being a Nara clan member, everyone in the meeting turned to Shikaku as if wanting to immediately extract information from him. Until now, they believed the grandmaster was merely a guest in the Nara clan, but this revelation changed everything. Many eyes bore into Shikaku; their expressions were a mix of curiosity, surprise, and perhaps a hint of envy. The status of the Nara family was about to be elevated, and the implications were significant.
Reactions among the attendees were chaotic. Some still clung to the belief that Minato had been the fuinjutsu grandmaster, while others recognized the truth in Tsunade's words. Despite any doubts, no one dared to question Tsunade's integrity on such a sensitive matter. They knew that she wouldn't lie about something as crucial as this.
"And none here can deny the contributions made by the grandmaster, especially in the recent war. Medical scrolls will become a foundation of the village for generations to come, and there are still many other contributions that I am not going to delve into in detail," Tsunade declared, her voice carrying an air of authority. "If anyone wishes to obtain the exact details, you may approach my Sensei. I won't tolerate anyone accusing the Nara clan of not having enough contributions from now on. If any clan believes they are more qualified, they can come to me."
As Tsunade's words hung in the air, a representative from a medium-level clan spoke up, querying the allocation of the last bijuu. With only one bijuu left unassigned, many clans were eager to secure their share of the coveted prize. The anticipation in the room was palpable as the fate of the final bijuu hung in the balance.
"Ah, yes, the three tails will be assigned to the Ninja Academy for the time being. If we find an extraordinary child among the students, then despite their background and status, the child will be made a Jinchuriki with the support of the village. However, to make it fair, clans that already have a bijuu will not be given this privilege. And none of you have to worry if it's a civilian child, as the village itself will be responsible for the Jinchuriki's growth and safety," Tsunade declared.
As Tsunade revealed the fate of the last Bijuu held by the Leaf Village, many faces in the meeting looked disappointed. Among them, the Hyuga clan displayed the most pronounced displeasure, feeling they should have been assigned a bijuu because the Nara had been assigned one. However, Hiashi understood that Tsunade was punishing the Hyuga clan for their recent actions, so he chose not to question her decisions.
As the meeting continued, Tsunade's focus shifted towards internal reforms aimed at fortifying the village's defenses and improving the capabilities of its shinobi without divulging the existence of the Otsutsuki threat, which she deemed too sensitive to disclose at this point.
"We need to take proactive measures to strengthen our village's defenses and enhance the training of our shinobi," Tsunade asserted, her gaze sweeping across the assembled clan heads. "This includes implementing a new barrier system around the village to deter external threats and bolstering our surveillance efforts in the surrounding areas."
In addition to discussing defense strategies, Tsunade proposed reforms within the Ninja Academy curriculum to better prepare the younger generation for the challenges they might face in the future.
"We must prioritize the training and education of our young Shinobi," Tsunade emphasized. "I suggest we revise the curriculum at the Ninja Academy to include specialized instruction in chakra control, advanced ninjutsu techniques, and strategic planning, and we will also be helping kids that excel with specialized training."
As the meeting in the Hokage's office continued within the Nara family compound, Kazuki sat alongside Naruto, who was eagerly waiting for his brother to address the questions that had been weighing on his mind. The other kids were out playing, as Kazuki knew exactly where this conversation was headed.
"Kazuki Niisan, is it true that... you know, the rumors about Otosan?" Naruto couldn't help but ask, tears welling up in his eyes. In recent days, after hearing the rumors that his father, the Fourth Hokage, might be alive, old insecurities have resurfaced. He wondered why his father hadn't come to visit him if he was truly alive.
Kazuki felt a pang of guilt after seeing Naruto's distress. He knew he was partly responsible for this situation, and it was not his intention to hurt or deceive Naruto. But now that the rumor had spread, he had to take responsibility and help Naruto understand.
"Brother, does Father hate me? Why hasn't he come to meet me?" Naruto's voice trembled with emotion as tears streamed down his cheeks. He had been holding back his feelings since the rumors began circulating about the Fourth Hokage's return.
Kazuki struggled to find the right words to explain the situation. Then, he heard Naruto speak again, but this time, he immediately recognized Kurama's voice.
"Kid, actions speak louder than words in situations such as this. Naruto may know about his parents, but he's never met them. Why not let him meet them?" Kurama's words resonated with Kazuki, prompting him to reconsider his approach.
Realizing that Kurama had detected Minato's and Kushina's chakra remnants within Naruto, Kazuki saw a glimmer of hope. He had isolated a special chakra within Naruto's original seal, and now, with Kurama's insight, he understood that Naruto's parents' chakra imprints could be used to help Naruto.
Naruto's emotions were unstable, making it easy for Kurama to temporarily take control and convey his message. After sharing the message, Kurama fell silent again, allowing Naruto to regain control of his consciousness.
"Naruto, would you like to meet them?" Kazuki asked gently, now determined to take Naruto to meet his parents' remnant chakra imprint. He wanted to gauge Naruto's reaction before proceeding with his plan.
Naruto's eyes widened with tears of joy, and he vigorously nodded his head in response to Kazuki's question, his heart overflowing with anticipation and longing to finally meet his parents.
As Naruto's eagerness became evident, Kazuki wasted no time. He swiftly erected an isolation barrier around them to ensure they wouldn't be disturbed. With a series of hand signs, Kazuki placed his hand on Naruto's back, and within moments, their consciousnesses were transported into the seal space.
They found themselves standing at the edge of a breathtaking green canyon, with jagged mountain ranges towering in the distance. Rivers meandered through the landscape, reflecting the azure sky above. Snow-capped peaks glistened in the sunlight, contrasting with the vibrant greenery of the valleys below. Lush forests carpeted the mountainsides, alive with the songs of birds and the rustle of leaves.
In the distance, a vast plain stretched out before them, dotted with colorful wildflowers and swaying grass. At the heart of the plain lay the majestic form of the Nine-Tailed fox, sprawled out lazily with its tails flicking idly. The seal space around the fox was expansive, spreading far beyond the horizon and filled with a sense of boundless freedom.
The air was crisp and invigorating, carrying the scent of pine and earth. The sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. It was a scene of serene beauty, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the outside world.
Naruto gazed around in wonder, his eyes wide with awe at the breathtaking landscape before him. It was a moment of pure magic, a glimpse into a world beyond imagination. And as he stood there, surrounded by nature's splendor, Naruto felt a sense of peace wash over him, soothing the ache in his heart.
Although this wasn't Naruto's first time in this place, he felt refreshed every time he visited. Usually, he spent his time on the vast plain where the Nine-Tailed Fox lay, but now, seeing the world from this angle, he felt a renewed sense of wonder.
Kazuki couldn't help but smirk with pride as Naruto admired his creation with awe. Placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, Kazuki nodded, and the next instant, they reappeared near the Nine-Tails. Kurama, who had been pretending to sleep, opened its eyes briefly before settling back down, uninterested in engaging with Naruto's presence.
"Big brother, where are my parents?" Naruto's curiosity couldn't be contained, even in the midst of such splendor. His longing to meet his parents outweighed any distractions.
Without delay, Kazuki unfurled a large scroll that materialized next to him. Kurama, feigning disinterest, secretly eyed the scroll with curiosity. It was the master key for the seal, and the thought of obtaining it briefly crossed Kurama's mind. However, a glance at Kazuki reminded Kurama of the consequences of acting impulsively. He knew that nurturing Naruto was his best chance at eventual freedom, so he closed his eyes and resumed his facade of sleep, content to bide his time.
As Kazuki unfurled the scroll, a soft glow emanated from its surface, casting a warm light upon the space around them. Naruto's heart raced with anticipation as the scene unfolded before him. Amidst the serene landscape, a pair of figures emerged from the shimmering light, gradually taking shape as they approached.
First, Naruto saw his father, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, standing tall with his distinctive spiky blond hair and calm, reassuring smile. His eyes sparkled with warmth as he looked upon his son, a mix of pride and longing evident in his gaze.
Next to Minato stood Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto's mother, her vibrant red hair flowing gently in an ethereal breeze. Her bright blue eyes shone with love and affection as she reached out to embrace her son, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.
"Naruto!!!" Kushina's voice trembled with emotion as she drew Naruto into her arms, holding him tightly against her chest. "We've missed you so much."
Naruto felt a rush of emotions overwhelming him as he returned to his parents' embrace, tears streaming down his cheeks. For so long, he had yearned for this moment, to feel the warmth of his parents' love once again.
"I-I can't believe it," Naruto choked out between sobs, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're really here."
Minato's smile widened as he reached out to gently ruffle Naruto's hair, a gesture so familiar yet so longed for. "We've been watching over you, Naruto," he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness. "We're so proud of the person you've become."
Kushina nodded in agreement, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "You've grown into such a strong and compassionate child," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "We couldn't be prouder of you, Naruto."
Naruto's heart swelled with a mixture of joy and sadness as he basked in the love and warmth of his parents' embrace. Despite the years of longing and loneliness, he knew that in this moment, surrounded by their love, he was finally home.
As the glow of the seal enveloped them in its comforting embrace, Naruto felt a sense of peace wash over him. For the first time in his life, he knew that he was truly loved, and that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would always carry his parents' love with him in his heart.
But the reunion was not just about the joy of seeing his parents again; it was also a chance for Naruto to finally confront the questions that had plagued him for so long. As the initial wave of emotion began to subside, Naruto took a step back, his eyes searching Minato's and Kushina's faces for answers.
"Father, Mother," Naruto began, his voice trembling with emotion. "I... I need to know... why? Why did you leave me alone? Why did you seal the Nine-Tails inside me? Why... why couldn't you be there for me?"
His parents' smiles faltered slightly at Naruto's questions, their expressions filled with sorrow and regret. Minato placed a gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder, his eyes filled with remorse.
"Naruto, my son," Minato spoke softly, his voice heavy with emotion. "I wish we could have been there for you, but we had no choice. The circumstances of your birth... they were beyond our control."
Kushina nodded in agreement, her eyes brimming with tears. "We never wanted to leave you alone, Naruto," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "But we had a duty to protect the village, to protect you. We made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure your safety."
Naruto's heart ached at his parents' words, a mix of anger, sadness, and understanding swirling within him. He knew that his parents had done what they thought was best for him and the village, but the pain of their absence still lingered.
"I... I understand," Naruto said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I forgive you, Father, Mother. I know you did what you had to do. And I... I'm grateful for the love you've shown me, even from afar."
Tears streamed down Naruto's cheeks as he spoke, a weight lifting from his shoulders as he finally let go of the resentment and anger that had consumed him for so long. In that moment, surrounded by the love of his parents, Naruto felt a sense of peace wash over him, a newfound clarity and purpose filling his heart.
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