RNP Page 37
Page 37
The sound came from I's room.
Naruto stood outside the door, listening to the intermittent sobs inside, and couldn't help but think of that rainy night.
I was being chased and pelted with stones by a group of children, and I was hiding under a bridge, trembling with fear.
The cries from that time are so similar to the sounds coming from inside the door now.
"Dad..." Naruto whispered in his heart.
"Yes, I heard you."
Madara Uchiha's voice echoed in his mind, deep and calm, "That child has lost his father."
“Just like I used to be,” Naruto said softly.
Madara remained silent for a moment, knowing Naruto's personality, he couldn't let Naruto ignore him.
Finally, he said, "Go if you want to, given your current status."
Naruto nodded, didn't knock, but nimbly climbed out the window and along the outer wall to Ina's window.
Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the boy curled up in the corner of the bed.
He looked up and, through his teary eyes, saw a blond boy squatting on his windowsill.
"You...how did you..."
She hurriedly wiped away her tears, her voice filled with anger and shame.
"Hey, don't be nervous."
Naruto jumped into the room and sat cross-legged opposite Iori: "I just heard crying and came to check."
“I didn’t cry!” Yi said stubbornly, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
Naruto didn't argue; he just sat quietly.
In the moonlight, he could see her swollen red eyes and clenched fists.
That look reminded him of how he used to practice his "I don't care" expression in front of the mirror.
“You know,” Naruto suddenly spoke up, “I have three fathers.”
Yi looked up at him, puzzled.
Naruto squinted and thought for a moment: "Well, to be precise, it's a dad, a father, and a Nine-Tails uncle."
After he finished speaking, Naruto saw the look on Ira's face, as if she were looking at him like he was an idiot.
This made Naruto scratch his head, giving a slightly silly smile: "It's complicated, isn't it?"
“What nonsense are you talking about…” Yi frowned.
“Let me explain.” Naruto took a deep breath: “First, there’s my dad, his name is Uchiha Madara. He’s not actually my biological father, but one day he suddenly appeared inside my body, and I mistakenly accepted him as my dad.”
Irene's eyes widened: "Appeared...inside your body?"
“Yeah!” Naruto nodded excitedly. “It was scary at first. He suddenly started talking in my head. I thought I was seeing a ghost! But I’m used to it now.”
"Although Dad always has a stern face and speaks harshly, he genuinely cares about me. For example, today when I was practicing the Rasengan, he kept reminding me not to be impatient, but unfortunately I didn't listen..."
Naruto showed off his hand, which was wrapped in bandages, and made a face.
"Then there's my father—Minato Namikaze. He was my real father, who sacrificed himself to protect the village; his chakra remained sealed within."
Naruto's voice softened: "Dad was always so gentle. He taught me so many things, and told me about Mom..."
Her expression began to change, from suspicion to curiosity.
"Finally, it's the Nine-Tailed Fox Uncle."
Naruto pointed to his stomach: "That's the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside me! Although he has a bad temper and yells at me all the time, he always helps me in crucial moments. Just now, he even used his chakra to relieve the pain in my hand."
"A nine-tailed... demon fox?" Inari's voice trembled. "Isn't that... very dangerous?"
“We used to be,” Naruto admitted, “but now we’re partners. Even though Kurama (the Nine-Tails) never admits it.”
He grinned: "You know, the three of them are always arguing in my head, especially Dad and Uncle Nine-Tailed, they're like two little kids..."
“This…is incredible,” Inari murmured.
Naruto's smile faded, and his eyes turned serious: "What I want to say is that even without blood ties, even if it's just a soul form, they are still my family, caring for me and teaching me. And you... you have a grandfather who loves you so much, and the whole village..."
Irene's eyes welled up with tears again: "But they don't understand! Father is dead, everyone calls him a hero, but what's the use of being a hero? He's still gone! Gato still controls the Land of Waves! We can't change anything!"
Naruto listened quietly to Inari's outburst, and only after Inari's breathing had calmed down a little did he whisper, "I understand."
Those two simple words left Yi stunned.
"Before I met my dad,"
Naruto looked out the window at the moon: "Everyone in the village calls me 'Demon Fox,' the children throw stones at me, and the shopkeepers won't sell me anything... Every night I hide under the covers and cry, asking why nobody likes me, why I have to endure all this."
Under the moonlight, Naruto's blue eyes gleamed with memories: "Until one day, my dad appeared. He told me that crying wasn't wrong, but dwelling on pain would only make me weaker. He said that if I wanted others' approval, I had to become strong enough to change everything."
"So...did you do it?" Yi asked softly.
Naruto smiled. "Still working on it. But at least for now, I have a group of companions who respect me, a teacher willing to guide me, and..."
Finally, Naruto pointed to his chest: "Three nagging 'fathers'."
She lowered her head, tears dripping onto her knees: "But... Daddy will never come back..."
Yes, he's not coming back.
Naruto said softly, placing a hand gently on Inari's shoulder: "But that doesn't mean you have to give up what he once believed in. My father sacrificed himself to protect the village, your father sacrificed himself to protect you... If we just give up like this, wouldn't their sacrifices have been in vain?"
I looked up and saw the determined light in Naruto's eyes.
"Tomorrow, we will continue our training, then go protect Grandpa Tazuna and complete this bridge."
Naruto stroked Irelia's little head and said, "This isn't just for the mission, it's also to prove that heroes' sacrifices are meaningful, and their will will be carried on by the living."
There was a long silence, before Yi finally asked in a low voice, "Do you... really think we can defeat Kado?"
Naruto confidently patted his chest: "With me, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei here, there won't be any problems! And..." he
She winked mischievously: "I have three incredibly powerful 'fathers' guiding me inside me!"
A faint smile finally appeared on her face, though it was the first smile of the night.
"Thank you... Naruto-nii-san."
Naruto stood up and stretched: "You're welcome! It's time to sleep now, we have to train tomorrow. Oh, right,"
He walked to the window, turned back, and said, "If you have nightmares again tonight, you can come find me. Uncle Nine-Tails may have a bad temper, but his chakra can dispel nightmares!"
"Really?"
"I'd be a dog if I lied to you!" Naruto grinned, then nimbly flipped out the window and disappeared into the night.
Looking at the empty windowsill, she felt a weight lift from her heart.
He slowly lay down, and this time when he closed his eyes, the image of his father's death was no longer in his mind.
Instead, it was a blond boy's confident smile and the words, "The will of heroes will be inherited by the living."
Outside the window, Naruto didn't immediately return to his room, but instead sat on the roof, gazing at the tranquil nightscape of the Land of Waves.
“Well said, kid.” Ban’s voice echoed in his mind, unusually tinged with approval.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to my dad's good teaching." Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"Hmph, stop flattering me," Madara sneered, but Naruto could sense that he was in a good mood.
“Naruto.” This time it was Minato’s gentle voice, “I’m proud of you.”
Naruto's eyes suddenly welled up with tears: "Dad..."
"Hey, hey, stop being so mushy so late at night!" Nine-Tails interrupted impatiently. "Kid, go back to sleep. You have to cultivate tomorrow!"
"Okay, Nine-Tails Uncle!" Naruto smiled, stood up, and nimbly jumped off the roof.
Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched long, but he was no longer alone.
Chapter 43 Danger Returns
A week flies by.
In the early morning, Naruto stretched his limbs in front of Tazuna's house, sunlight shining on his hands, which had already had their bandages removed.
After a week of Sakura's meticulous treatment, coupled with the acceleration of Kurama's chakra, the wounds left from training the Rasengan have healed completely.
"I wonder if I'll be able to use the complete Rasengan today." Naruto clenched his fist excitedly.
During this period, Naruto could only condense a Rasengan with one hand at most, but the Rasengan would immediately disperse upon touching the tree trunk, leaving a spiral pattern on the tree.
According to Minato, this is a sign that the Rasengan has reached the second stage of training.
"Don't get too cocky..."
Madara's deep voice echoed in his mind, "True battles involve more than just ninjutsu."
“Madarasan is right,” Minato added gently, “Taijutsu is the most basic ability of a ninja.”
"Hmph, if you ask me, the easiest way is to just swat the enemy to death with one claw." Nine-Tails snorted impatiently.
Naruto grinned: "Don't worry, Uncle Nine-Tails, Dad, Father, I'm number one in my grade in taijutsu!"
Tazuna came out of the house and patted Naruto on the shoulder: "The bridge is going to be finished today, I need to get there early. I'm leaving the house in your care."
"Leave it to me!" Naruto gave a thumbs up. "With me here, no one can touch a hair on Iori's or Tsunami-nee's head!"
After watching Tazuna leave, Naruto returned to the house.
Inari was sitting at the table eating breakfast when he saw Naruto come in and whispered, "Good morning."
Since that conversation that night, the boy who had once closed himself off has become noticeably more reserved in his attitude toward Naruto.
"Today might be a little dangerous," Naruto said, stuffing bread into his mouth. "If you hear any noise, go to the basement with Tsunami-neechan immediately, okay?"
Inari nodded, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "Naruto-nii...you'll be alright, won't you?"
"Of course!" Naruto patted his chest confidently. "I'm not that weak."
Just then, Naruto suddenly sensed an unusual aura.