Recognition and Strength
Chatting with Kushina was a rare pleasure, something Naruto hadn't felt in years.
He was used to loneliness, growing up without family or anyone to call his own. Even though he had met Uzumaki Ashina and had formed an unusual bond with Kurama, they felt more like distant mentors rather than true family. They could never replace the warmth of having a parent.
However, even now, he couldn't quite see Kushina as his mother. Instead, she felt more like an older sister—familiar yet distant.
Jumping down from the tree trunk, Naruto glanced at Kakashi and Minato Namikaze. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, anticipating Minato's reaction after talking to Kakashi.
Seemingly guessing his thoughts, Kushina spoke hastily. "I'll try my best to convince Minato. Becoming Konoha's protector was his dream, but he and I might see things differently."
Then, her tone softened. "By the way, how's your relationship with Kurama?"
At her words, Naruto formed a ball of chakra in his palm, and Kurama's phantom materialized, his sharp eyes gleaming. The Nine-Tails snorted, then growled, "Naruto is my little brother now. His attitude toward me is much better than yours ever was, Kushina."
Kushina blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Well, that's different. Back when I had Kurama sealed inside me, he was far nastier. He constantly tried to wear down my will, always looking for an opportunity to break free."
Naruto merely smiled, offering no further explanation.
To him, the malice he had endured from the villagers growing up was no different from the resentment Kurama once held for humanity.
Soon, Naruto and Kushina returned to the clearing where the ceremony had taken place. Minato turned, and for a moment, father and son, so similar in appearance, locked eyes.
A brief silence followed before Minato finally spoke. "Naruto, I've heard about everything you've done. You handled the Uchiha situation well, but leaving the village… that was a step too far."
His voice grew firm. "As the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, it's my duty to eliminate threats to the village."
As he spoke, Minato flicked a Flying Thunder God kunai into the air. Before it even landed, he vanished and reappeared on a tree branch, his gaze sharp.
Seeing the tension escalate, Kushina frowned. "We've only just reunited, and you're already about to fight? Is the Hokage's duty really more important than family?"
Minato's expression remained unchanged. "Kushina, you wanted to be Hokage even more than I did back then."
Kushina opened her mouth to retort, but Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. He didn't say much, just observed the two men preparing for battle. His voice was calm.
"Kushina-san, it's best not to interfere. Minato-sensei and Naruto aren't just father and son. They are leaders of different paths. This isn't just a fight—it's a battle of ideals."
At his words, Kushina hesitated. She knew neither of them acted on impulse.
Under the pale moonlight, father and son faced each other. Their movements were too fast for the eye to follow, their weapons clashing in a series of sharp, metallic sounds.
Minato vanished, reappearing behind Naruto in an instant with the Flying Thunder God technique.
Without turning, Naruto raised a chakra-infused fist, blocking Minato's attack, then countered with a Rasengan. Minato dodged narrowly, retreating just in time.
A flicker of admiration passed through Minato's eyes.
But before he could react, the ground beneath him transformed into jagged spikes, wind blades slicing through the air, cutting into the rock behind him.
Realizing the threat, Minato's expression grew serious. He pressed his hands together—entering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
Golden chakra surged around him, amplifying his speed and strength. Being in an Edo Tensei body meant he could maintain this form indefinitely.
With a resounding clash, they collided again.
The battle quickly turned into a contest of Rasengan variations. Each swirling sphere of chakra seemed like a black hole, distorting the air around it with its sheer power.
As their Rasenshurikens clashed midair, Naruto extended a chakra arm and launched another Rasenshuriken at Minato.
Minato couldn't dodge in time. The attack struck him, and his Edo Tensei body crumbled apart, taking several seconds to reform.
When he reappeared, Minato exhaled and smiled. "I lost. You've not only mastered Sage Mode, but you also have a stronger bond with Kurama than I ever did. You can truly handle the full power of the Nine-Tails."
Naruto's expression remained neutral. "You didn't need to test me. I've already made peace with Kurama."
Minato shook his head. "You still don't understand the true power of the Nine-Tails. A fully unleashed Kurama is a force that once took the combined strength of the entire village to suppress."
Naruto scoffed. "Tailed beasts aren't as complicated as shinobi. They're straightforward."
Minato nodded slightly. "Still… I believe you were wrong to leave Konoha. If you think it's broken, you could've changed it after becoming Hokage."
Naruto smirked. "You sound just like your chakra clone. But even he changed his mind after talking to me. He even taught me how to counter the Flying Thunder God. Otherwise, this fight would've lasted much longer."
Minato's brows furrowed as he processed Naruto's words. Then, he let out a chuckle. "Either way, you had already placed a command seal on me and Kushina before reviving us with Edo Tensei. There was never a chance of me winning."
Naruto met his gaze evenly. "I needed to retrieve the other half of Kurama."
Minato's expression darkened. "And what of Konoha? If you truly want change, Jiraiya and Tsunade could do it from within."
Naruto's tone was measured but firm. "They've been trying. But the biggest obstacle remains."
Minato caught the subtle emphasis. His expression shifted. "Are you saying… that Jiraiya and Tsunade are planning to move against the Third Hokage?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Not directly. But Orochimaru is."
Minato's face tensed. "You mean… during the Chunin Exams?"
Naruto's eyes gleamed. "Orochimaru has been working with people inside Konoha. They call it the 'Konoha Crush' plan. I wonder who their target is."
Minato's expression grew grim. "The Third…"
He clenched his fists, the weight of the realization sinking in.
Naruto sighed. "If you're thinking of stopping Orochimaru, I should warn you—neither Kakashi nor I will let you interfere."
After a pause, he smirked. "Besides, you have a bigger problem to deal with."
Minato blinked in confusion.
Naruto pointed behind him.
Kushina stood there, arms crossed, her red hair swaying ominously.
Minato paled.
In all his years, few things had truly terrified him.
But an angry Kushina was at the top of the list.
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