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"Make sure to live well with your brother. Even though I wasn't the best mom, you've gotta study hard and really learn your ninja skills.
Still, everyone has things they're not good at. So even if it doesn't go well, don't get discouraged. Always show respect to your teachers and seniors in training. And one more really important thing—the three taboos of being a ninja…"
"First, don't borrow or lend money recklessly. Save the rewards you get from missions. As for drinking, wait until you're twenty—alcohol isn't good for your body, so don't overdo it. And then there's the third taboo: women. Since I'm a woman myself, I don't really get this one… But anyway, there are only men and women in this world, and one day you'll start taking an interest in girls. Just be careful not to get tangled up with weird ones. You should find someone amazing—like your mom."At this point, both Kushina and Minato smiled.
"And also… when it comes to the taboos, you really need to watch out for Jiraiya-sensei. As for the rest… your big brother Akio will teach you. Naruto… you're going to go through a lot of pain and hardship from now on. But keep walking at your own pace. Keep dreaming—and turn those dreams into reality. And most importantly… believe in yourself."
As Kushina spoke, tears started streaming down her face."There's still so much… so, so much I want to tell you… I wish I could've lived with you longer… I love you…"
"…Sorry, Minato, I kind of hogged the whole speech."
"No, it's fine." Minato shook his head. "Naruto… what I want to say… is pretty much the same as your talkative mom just said…"Once he finished, Minato closed his eyes and performed the final Eight Trigrams Seal.
The other half of the Nine-Tails was sealed inside Naruto, and the bodies of Minato and Kushina collapsed to the ground.
The barrier faded, allowing the Third Hokage and the others to rush in. The Third quickly picked up Akio, who had fallen, while the other shinobi ran over to check on Minato, Kushina, and Naruto.
"Dad… Mom…"Akio, who had passed out, had already come to see Minato and Kushina as his real parents.
Three Days Later…
"Akio, about Naruto… you have to keep it a secret too," said the Third Hokage, sitting across from Akio, who was on the couch staring at the floor. His eyes were red—clearly, he'd cried a lot.
"They gave so much to the village, and now you want me to hide the fact that Naruto is their real son? I'm their child too… and you think it's okay to ask me to do that?" Akio said without looking up.
"To maintain the balance of the tailed beasts and prevent war between the villages, we have to make Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki public. You're smart—you should understand."
"That's exactly why I get it," Akio replied. "Now that everyone knows Naruto's the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, the anger and hatred from the Nine-Tails' attack on the village—people will just take it all out on him. He'll be hated and isolated his entire life."
"Then why not just tell them the truth?!"Akio suddenly looked up and shouted.
"Listen closely, Akio," the Third Hokage said sternly, taking a deep drag from his pipe. "You heard it yourself—Naruto is the Child of Prophecy. If the village coddles him and lets him grow up in a greenhouse, he won't be strong enough for his destiny. This is also part of preparing him."
"Oh, I get it… 'Heaven gives great responsibility to those it tests—first by frustrating their will and tiring their bodies,' right?" Akio muttered, now understanding a bit more.
"Oh?" The Third raised his eyebrows. "That's a good way to put it. Since you understand, then cooperate—never meet Naruto again."
"No way!" Akio shot up from the couch, completely rejecting the idea. "I'm not just going to avoid Naruto—I'm going to enter the Ninja Academy with him! We'll be in the same class!"
"Then I'll have to lock you up," came a voice from behind.
Akio turned around just as the door opened—Danzo stepped inside.
"…" Akio looked at him, immediately feeling threatened.
Without another word, Danzo reached out to grab him.
"Wait," said the Third Hokage suddenly. Danzo stopped mid-motion, and the two men locked eyes.
"…Fine. I get it. I won't see him," Akio muttered, catching on fast.
"Hmph." Danzo scoffed but didn't press the issue. He turned and left.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" The Third looked at Akio, amused.
"Well, Lord Danzo probably wants to lock me up because of the Inzoro clan—use my ability to see the future for himself. And you… you're trying to keep me close, so you can use me for Konoha's sake—to predict danger in advance. So rather than fall into Danzo's hands, I'll compromise with you."
The Third couldn't even finish his smoke. He just stared at the boy in front of him—this kid was sharp.
"I didn't expect you to be this clever," he admitted.
"So? What are you going to do with me?" Akio asked.
"Go home for now. When the time is right, we'll arrange something."
"What about Naruto?"
"He'll go to the Konoha Orphanage."
"…Got it."Akio said nothing more and turned to leave.
As he walked away, the Third Hokage silently watched his small back."This kid… could he already be able to see the future? He's never even met Danzo before—how did he recognize him?"
Akio didn't go straight home. Instead, he visited Minato and Kushina's grave. He knelt before the tombstone.
"Dad… Mom… I'm sorry," he whispered, gently wiping the stone with his hand. "I can't be there for Naruto. I can't take care of him like I promised. But someday, I'll see you again—and I'll apologize in person."
"Akio, it's time to go," came Kakashi's voice from behind. A gentle hand rested on the boy's shoulder.
"Kakashi-nii…" Akio turned around to see him still wearing a mask. "With that mask and your face covering… doesn't your face feel suffocated?"
Kakashi didn't say anything. He just quietly removed his mask.
"Kakashi-nii!"Akio ran forward and hugged him tightly—but could only reach his thigh.
"What am I supposed to do, Kakashi-nii? I'm an orphan again…"
"I'll take care of you from now on," Kakashi said, placing his hand on Akio's head.
Even though Kakashi was still just a kid himself… he was already choosing to protect others.
"....."