For hours, Sasuke and Naruto conversed.
Sasuke explained her strange situation, but in a way different from Mikoto's.
After Itachi's betrayal, Sasuke started to hate herself for wanting to be like him. In her desire to resemble him, she stopped being who she truly was. She tried to stray from that path, but it was impossible. Eventually, she decided that she would only regain her true identity the day she killed Itachi with her own hands.
She also made sure to threaten Naruto repeatedly in case he ever considered revealing her secret.
Naruto snorted in amusement as he listened to her threats and ignored them.
"Does anyone else know besides me?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke hesitated for a moment.
"The Third Hokage and Kakashi-sensei."
Wait... really? She expected it from Hiruzen; he loved hiding information from others, but Kakashi knew too?
Naruto had never noticed anything!
Moreover, he was impressed by how incredibly skilled Sasuke was with the Transformation Jutsu. They had trained together countless times, sometimes until dawn without rest, and yet Sasuke had managed to maintain the transformation all that time without him noticing.
Could it be Fūinjutsu? Something like Tsunade's seal? He didn't know... and he didn't ask.
Naruto fell back onto the bed with a sigh.
"Now I feel sorry for Sakura..." he murmured.
Sasuke frowned.
"It's not my fault she fell in love with me. It's not my fault I'm so charismatic..."
Naruto stared at her, almost choking.
Seeing Sasuke, still using the Transformation Jutsu to look like a boy, referring to herself in the feminine form made his stomach turn.
"I hope this doesn't change anything between us," Sasuke said in a more serious tone.
Sasuke had started to appreciate him as a training partner. If possible, she didn't want to lose that.
Naruto frowned, observing her as he circled around her, analyzing her from different angles.
"I don't think anything will change, though..."
"Though?" Sasuke looked at him curiously.
"When we're training, be yourself. Not this made-up version of you."
Sasuke thought about it for a few moments before nodding.
Naruto was convinced that this would help her finally return to being who she truly was.
Although, deep down, he was only doing it for Mikoto. She had asked him to help her daughter.
"Well... shall we train?"
For the first time, Naruto saw Sasuke smile with true happiness.
And once again, he felt his stomach twist...
...
The following week, while Kakashi recovered, Sasuke and Naruto continued training.
Sakura, for her part, spent her time helping Tsunami and occasionally joined them.
Kakashi tried to teach them how to climb trees...
Of course, it was useless. Naruto had already gotten ahead of them weeks ago and had taught Sasuke and Sakura.
Then he tried teaching them to walk on water, but unfortunately for him, they had already learned that too.
Not knowing what else to teach them, Naruto convinced him to focus on Sasuke and teach her Chidori.
It wasn't easy.
The moment Naruto mentioned Chidori and explained how well it paired with the Sharingan, Sasuke's interest was immediate.
From that moment on, she wouldn't leave Kakashi alone until he agreed to train her.
And that's how Naruto lost his training partner.
Sakura, on the other hand, didn't train much. She gave up quickly, especially after realizing she couldn't touch Naruto even once.
Meanwhile, while Sakura protected Tazuna, Naruto kept several Shadow Clones nearby.
He hadn't forgotten about Gatō.
And since he showed no signs of life, Naruto decided to go after him.
Finding and eliminating him was simple. Without Zabuza or Haku, he only had a few bandits and mercenaries protecting him.
He didn't even have a chance to beg for his life.
Along the way, Naruto looted some of his hideouts and made off with a good sum of money.
Everything was sealed in a scroll, using the Fūinjutsu knowledge he inherited from Minato and Kushina.
Naruto was really excited about all the Fūinjutsu knowledge he had learned from them.
Minato had a barrier capable of containing a Bijūdama from the Jūbi.
As for Kushina... Naruto had finally understood where her talent lay.
It was a shame Ashina Uzumaki wasn't in the chat group...
If he had been, Naruto would've made sure to squeeze every last secret about Fūinjutsu from his.
Although he still had Mito Uzumaki.
He kept trying to convince her to share her knowledge, but she was being stubborn.
With Gatō off the map, there were no more threats.
The bridge's construction continued without interruption.
Finally, the day to return to Konoha arrived.
And just like that, Team 7 said their goodbyes and left behind the Great Naruto Bridge.
A few days later, the entire Land of Waves learned of Gatō's death... and who had brought him down.
That was why Tazuna decided to name the newly constructed bridge after the hero who had saved them.
...
A week later, in the Hidden Leaf Village.
In the Hokage Mansion.
Hiruzen, sitting in his office, fixed his serious gaze on Naruto.
"So, Naruto..." His voice became firmer. "Where did you learn the Flying Thunder God Jutsu and the Rasengan?"
As expected, Kakashi had informed Hiruzen about everything that had happened during the mission.
It was a miracle that the Hokage waited a whole week before calling him to his office.
But what bothered Naruto the most...
[Tobirama Senju: What are all those bandages...? It looks horrible...]
[Minato Namikaze: I don't remember him having so many bandages when he was alive.]
Both were referring to Danzō Shimura.
Naruto didn't let his dislike or confusion show in the presence of Danzō, keeping his gaze fixed on Hiruzen.
"Actually, it's very simple..."
Hiruzen listened intently.
"But I would prefer to reveal this information in private, if possible."
Danzō frowned when he noticed the side-eye Naruto gave him.
Hiruzen, for his part, looked at him in confusion.
"Naruto, Danzō is a good friend of mine, as well as a member of the Konoha Council. You can trust him."
[Tobirama Senju: I don't even want to comment on this anymore...]
[Shisui Uchiha: After everything Danzō has done, it's hard to believe the Third Hokage is so blind...]
[Madara Uchiha: I, Madara, name you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the most foolish Hokage.]
Naruto remained firm. If Hiruzen insisted, he would have no choice but to play his final card.
He would not allow Danzō to hear the excuse he had planned with Minato and Kushina.
"Kid, speak now." Danzō's voice sounded more like an order than a request.
Naruto didn't even look at him.
"It's an order!"
Naruto snorted in amusement and finally turned his attention to him.
"I only answer to the Hokage. And you are...? I've never heard of you."
Danzō became enraged but managed to hold himself back. Without saying another word, he turned to Hiruzen.
Danzō stared at Hiruzen sternly, ignoring the child's insolence for the moment.
"This behavior is unacceptable. It's obvious the Jinchūriki lacks discipline and respect for authority. Let me handle it, Hiruzen. In Root, I'll teach him what true loyalty to the village means."
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke from his pipe, narrowing his eyes.
"I won't allow it, Danzō. Naruto will not be turned into a tool with no will of his own."
Danzō leaned his staff on the ground and took a step toward him.
"Minato sacrificed his life for Konoha, yet you allow his son to wander aimlessly, with power but no control. He's a danger if not properly shaped."
"Naruto has shown he can control the Kyūbi's power," Kakashi interjected neutrally.
Meanwhile, Naruto enjoyed being a spectator to Danzō's tantrum.
Hiruzen hardened his gaze.
"Naruto will find his own way. I will not subject him to the darkness of Root."
Danzō clicked his tongue, losing patience.
"You're soft, Hiruzen. Your weakness will cost us dearly."
"Danzō!" Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk. "I am the Hokage! And my word is law!"
Danzō's eyes gleamed with frustration, but he didn't respond. He turned on his heel and headed for the door.
Just before leaving, he stopped for a moment.
"Don't let your sentimentality condemn the village, Hiruzen."
With a loud slam of the door, he left the office, making the shelves shake.
Hiruzen sighed and looked at Naruto with an apologetic expression.
Naruto shook his head, brushing it off.
After all, it had been fun.
He didn't hold a grudge against Danzō.
How could he hold a grudge against someone he already considered dead?
[Tobirama Senju: Danzō has really lost his way...]
[Madara Uchiha: What kind of students have you had, Tobirama? Looks like they all turned out defective.]
[Tobirama Senju: ...]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Madara, your student is also defective in many ways.]
[Madara Uchiha: ...]
[Hashirama Senju: Madara had a student? Tell me! I want to know!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: You know how things are. All information has a price.]
[Madara Uchiha: Hashirama, don't ask, I don't want to remember it.]
[Hashirama Senju: Promise me you'll tell me someday...]
[Madara Uchiha: Sure...]
Naruto almost rolled his eyes as he watched Madara manipulate Hashirama so easily.
Hiruzen cleared his throat, bringing the meeting back to the topic.
"So, Naruto..."
If Hiruzen had insisted that Danzō stay, Naruto would have had no choice but to refuse to reveal confidential information about the Uzumaki Clan.
His father, Minato, had told him to resort to this if necessary.
Not even the Hokage could interfere with clan matters unless they endangered the village.
"The truth is, I met my father inside the Eight Trigrams Seal."
Hiruzen and Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Naruto, that's impossible. Minato's soul was devoured by the Shinigami the day the Kyūbi was sealed into you," Hiruzen said, bewildered.
Kakashi shared his confusion.
"When my father sealed the Kyūbi into me, he left a part of his chakra inside the seal as a security mechanism..."
[Madara Uchiha: Certainly, he has a natural talent for lying.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: My boy isn't a liar! Minato was the one who gave him the idea, he's the liar! Now I can't help but wonder what things he may have tricked me on!]
[Minato Namikaze: But it wasn't a lie, Kushina. It's exactly what I did.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Oh... I never doubted you, honey...]
[Minato Namikaze: ...]
Seeing Hiruzen and Kakashi's skepticism, Naruto continued explaining.
"He left a residue of his chakra with consciousness so that one day I could meet him. Thanks to that, he was able to transmit some of his techniques to me. He even taught me Fūinjutsu."
Naruto pulled a scroll from his clothes, revealing the Kubikiribōchō.
Just the fact that he could seal the Kubikiribōchō in a scroll was enough to demonstrate his knowledge of Fūinjutsu.
Although a simple technique, Hiruzen knew no one had taught Naruto this before.
Kakashi facepalmed as he saw the Kubikiribōchō.
"So you've had it all this time..."
"It's my spoils. Did you think I'd let you keep it? The Kubikiribōchō will be passed down from generation to generation in the Uzumaki Clan..."
Of course, he was joking.
Kakashi and Hiruzen noticed this immediately.
Hiruzen was also pleased to hear Naruto speak about the Uzumaki Clan. It seemed like he had decided to revive the clan in the future.
"Certainly, this explains how you know the Flying Thunder God Jutsu and the Rasengan..." Hiruzen murmured, sighing in relief.
For a moment, he feared Naruto had fallen into Orochimaru's clutches.
"Can you still communicate with Minato? Is there any chance I could...?"
"No. His chakra dissolved a long time ago." Naruto lowered his head sadly.
Hiruzen sighed.
"Well, it seems this clears everything up," Kakashi commented.
It was evident he was relieved too.
"Oh, yes. Naruto, although I'm sure you won't have any problems, you should prepare yourself. The Chūnin Exams will begin soon," Hiruzen reminded him.
Kakashi nodded in agreement. He had no doubts that Team 7 was ready.
Naruto smiled upon hearing that.