Chapter 323: Father and Son
In the training ground.
Boom, boom.
Waves of enormous chakra reverberated, shaking the ground violently as if a massive earthquake had struck.
"Is that... the Uchiha Clan's Susanoo?"
Minato Namikaze's pupils contracted. From a distance, he saw a purple half-body Susanoo rampaging within the training ground.
It wielded a chain made of numerous tomoe, swinging it with force, lashing the ground, and leaving deep trenches behind.
Under the fierce assault of Susanoo, a blond-haired boy was dodging clumsily.
"Naruto."
Minato shuddered, murmuring softly.
Although he had never seen what Naruto would look like grown up, he recognized at a glance that the blond-haired boy was his son.
"Sensei, don't worry, they're just sparring," Kakashi explained, also observing the scene.
"Yes."
Minato nodded, knowing his son was not in danger, but he could see that Naruto was disadvantaged in this sparring match.
Indeed.
Simply dodging was not a solution.
Under Susanoo's relentless assault, Naruto finally shows a flaw, losing his balance and being struck by the tomoe chain.
Though this strike wouldn't be fatal, it was enough to keep Naruto down.
However.
With a "poof," Naruto was hit by the tomoe chain and turned into a cloud of white smoke, revealing it was just a shadow clone.
The real Naruto descended silently from above behind Susanoo.
"Take this punch!"
With a loud shout, Naruto focused his chakra into his fist and punched Susanoo's back with great force.
Boom!
The punch caused Susanoo to crack, and Sasuke staggered forward several steps but managed to stabilize himself.
Then.
Sasuke swiftly turned around and manipulated Susanoo's large hand to grab Naruto like a chick.
"Your strength is impressive, to even shake Susanoo's defense, but it's still not enough."
He calmly declared his victory.
"Haha, you win."
Naruto smiled brightly, admitting his defeat and accepting it with ease.
But what Naruto didn't expect was that his smile once again provoked Sasuke.
"Naruto Uzumaki, are you acting with me? Even in sparring, you should take it seriously."
Sasuke's cold voice expressed his dissatisfaction with Naruto's carefree and uncompetitive attitude.
To force Naruto to get serious, Sasuke's gaze hardened, deciding to escalate the fight.
Just like their first battle.
"I am serious. Sasuke, don't misunderstand..."
Naruto was bewildered, trying to explain, but suddenly felt a strong force, causing his bones to creak.
The hand holding him tightened.
"Ow! It hurts..."
Naruto inhaled sharply, repeatedly declaring his surrender and asking Sasuke to let him go.
But Sasuke seemed not to hear.
"Naruto Uzumaki, I know this isn't your limit. Stop pretending and show me your true strength."
He murmured, tightening Susanoo's grip.
Proving Sasuke's guess right, Naruto did not disappoint.
"Ah!"
Unable to bear it, Naruto suddenly shouted, and a golden light emanated from his body.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Five enormous golden chains shot from his back, not only freeing him from Susanoo's grip but also binding Susanoo swiftly.
In an instant, the situation reversed.
Facing the chains, Sasuke initially showed no concern, but his expression quickly changed:
"This is... How is it possible?!"
He realized the golden chains from Naruto's body were not only immensely powerful but also suppressed his chakra.
Bound by these chains, Susanoo's glow dimmed, becoming weak and powerless.
This was a sealing technique.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains."
From a distance, Minato spoke the name of the technique with pride.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains, alongside the Reaper Death Seal, were among the Uzumaki Clan's highest sealing techniques.
During the Nine-Tails' rampage years ago, Kushina Uzumaki, severely injured after childbirth, used the Adamantine Sealing Chains to easily suppress the Nine-Tails, buying the Fourth Hokage time to seal it.
This demonstrated the technique's formidable power.
Under the immense pressure from Susanoo, this power hidden in Naruto's bloodline had awakened.
"Sasuke, stop. I don't want to hurt you."
Naruto's sincere plea urged Sasuke to cease fighting.
"Damn it!"
Sasuke, upon hearing this, felt even more provoked. His Sharingan turned a deeper red, "Naruto Uzumaki, don't look down on me!"
In his words.
Sizzle, sizzle.
Black flames appeared on Susanoo, spreading to the golden chains and setting them ablaze.
Unintentionally, Naruto's words had pushed Sasuke to unleash his most powerful and dangerous ability—
Amaterasu.
The terrifying black flames consumed everything, including the chakra-formed golden chains.
Under Amaterasu's burning, the chains melted and broke, freeing Susanoo.
"Sasuke, enough is enough!"
Naruto, finally angry, shouted at Sasuke, releasing even more massive chakra and quickly repairing the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
At this point, both were fully fired up, turning the sparring into a serious battle.
"This seems to be getting out of hand."
Minato watched with concern.
"Should we intervene?"
Kakashi frowned, ready to step in to prevent the sparring from becoming a life-or-death fight.
However, someone acted faster than them.
"You two, stop right now!"
A somewhat childish voice echoed as Marisa jumped from the stands, landing between Sasuke and Naruto.
"Ora ora ora ora!"
She and her Stand, Star Platinum, stood back to back, facing Sasuke and Naruto, launching a flurry of punches.
Thump, thump.
Sasuke and Naruto quickly defended, retreating several steps under Marisa's iron fists.
After this interruption, they finally calmed down.
"Hmph."
They exchanged a glance, retracted their techniques, and stopped fighting.
This scene left Minato Namikaze with a surprised expression.
"Who...is she?"
After some effort to recognize her, and confirm Marisa's gender, Minato asked Kakashi in bewilderment.
Kakashi answered honestly:
"Her name is Marisa, the daughter of the Sixth Hokage. Despite her tall and sturdy build, Marisa is only eight years old and just recently became a Chunin of Konoha."
Eight years old...
Minato almost dropped his jaw, his face turning into a look of astonishment.
What surprised him even more was the next piece of news from Kakashi:
"The Sixth Hokage plans to have Naruto, Sasuke, and Marisa form a team to carry out various missions together, just like the legendary Sannin of Konoha."
Minato was stunned because he knew what this meant.
Uchiha Sasuke, the younger son of Fugaku, awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at a young age and was one of the most outstanding ninjas of Konoha's younger generation.
Marisa, even more so, was born with a silver spoon as the heir of the Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan.
Being teammates with these two, even a pig could have a bright and limitless future.
And now, Naruto had been given this enviable opportunity.
The Sixth Hokage.
Not only did he forgive Naruto for his past actions and revive him, but he also planned his future.
Minato suddenly felt.
Compared to him, the unqualified father, the Sixth Hokage seemed more like Naruto's father.
At this moment.
"Let's go over there, Sensei."
Kakashi's words brought Minato out of his daze.
Unexpectedly, Minato shook his head with a smile and said, "No need."
"Why?"
Kakashi was shocked and confused. Just as father and son were about to reunite, why did the Fourth suddenly change his mind?
To this, Minato, looking at Naruto in the distance with a relieved expression, said softly:
"I have seen Naruto and know he is doing well, which puts my mind at ease."
After saying this, he withdrew his gaze and turned to Kakashi:
"Kakashi, tell me about the Nine-Tails. Did the Sixth Hokage revive me because he has plans for the half of the Nine-Tails sealed within me? What is he planning?"
Uh.
Kakashi was taken aback, then truthfully told Minato what he knew:
"Well, Sensei.
There is a rumor that the nine Tailed Beasts were once one entity. Collecting them all could revive the Ten-Tails, and the one who controls it would become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, gaining immense power to change the world.
The truth of this is still uncertain, but the Sixth Hokage indeed has been collecting the Tailed Beasts, and now he only lacks the Nine-Tails within you."
The Fourth Hokage pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing:
"I understand.
In that case, I will go see the Sixth Hokage and ask him directly. His name is...Uchiha Dan, right?
By the way, I also need to ask you for a favor."
As he spoke, he took out a ninja scroll from his pocket and handed it to Kakashi, asking him to give it to Naruto.
"Sensei, are you sure you don't want to see Naruto?"
Kakashi couldn't help but ask again.
Minato just smiled without saying anything. In the next second, Kakashi's vision blurred, and Minato disappeared into thin air.
This was the Flying Thunder God, coming and going without a trace.
In the training ground.
"I'm feeling a bit hungry. Sasuke, Naruto, come to my house for a meal. My mom's cooking is delicious!"
Marisa invited Sasuke and Naruto while rubbing her stomach.
"Thank you, Marisa, but I won't go."
Naruto smiled apologetically.
"Not giving me face?" Marisa raised her eyebrows, staring at Naruto displeasedly as if she was ready to punch him.
"It's not that. Sensei Konan is still waiting for me at the inn. If I don't go back, she will worry."
Naruto quickly waved his hand, explaining to Marisa.
Even though this "little girl" was only eight years old, Naruto did not dare to treat Marisa as a child. Putting aside her identity as the Hokage's daughter, her iron fists alone commanded respect from anyone.
"I won't go either, I have things to do at home. Marisa, send my regards to your aunt."
Sasuke, arms crossed, said calmly.
"Hmph, you two are annoying. I won't invite you again."
Marisa glared at them angrily before turning and leaving in a huff.
Watching his cousin leave, Sasuke's gaze returned to Naruto, and he spoke first:
"Today's sparring was enjoyable.
Naruto Uzumaki, I thought you had weakened a lot, but it turns out I underestimated you.
Even without the Rinnegan and the Nine-Tails, you are still stronger than me. I, Uchiha Sasuke, admit my defeat."
Having gone through many setbacks and failures, Sasuke had matured, no longer as arrogant as before, and had learned to acknowledge his shortcomings.
Naruto smiled humbly, exchanging compliments:
"No, you're overpraising me. If we had continued fighting, I wouldn't have been able to beat your Susanoo..."
"Cut it out!"
Sasuke interrupted impatiently, staring intently at Naruto, "I can't tell if you're being humble or fake."
With that, he vanished in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, the once lively training ground was left with only Naruto.
"Heh heh."
Naruto scratched his head, chuckling. He had to admit, that this outing had lifted his spirits quite a bit.
It was time to go back.
Just as he turned around, he ran into Kakashi approaching him.
"Lord Kakashi, hello."
Naruto recognized Kakashi, showing a look of surprise.
He knew Kakashi was the leader of the Anbu, and someone like him usually didn't show up for good reasons.
Kakashi noticed Naruto's tension and immediately spoke:
"Naruto, I'm not here to cause trouble.
Your father, the Fourth Hokage, was my teacher. I once followed him into the Third Great Ninja War with Obito and Rin.
As the Fourth Hokage's disciple, I was well taken care of by him, but after his death, I failed to look after you and instead turned a blind eye to your plight.
Naruto, I'm here today to apologize."
With that, to Naruto's surprise, Kakashi bowed deeply to him.
Kakashi had always felt guilty.
His conscience told him to take care of the Fourth Hokage's orphan, but as a Konoha ninja, he felt he was just a tool for the village, not supposed to have personal thoughts.
So, in the past.
Kakashi strictly followed the Third Hokage's orders, keeping his distance from Naruto to conceal his identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Later, Kakashi realized his mistake, but it was too late, as Naruto had left Konoha and joined the Akatsuki.
He had always wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to Naruto in person.
"Please, don't do this. I should be the one apologizing for the terrible things I did to Konoha..."
Naruto, full of guilt, helped Kakashi up.
Then.
He hesitated for a moment, unable to suppress his curiosity, and asked Kakashi:
"May I ask, what kind of person was my father?"
(End of chapter)