Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Naruto Meets His Parents for the First Time
Chapter 269: Naruto Meets His Parents for the First Time
"Uchiha Haneda! You're forcing my hand! Don't blame me for what happens!!"
The Nine-Tails began gathering a Tailed Beast Bomb, while Haneda created several shadow clones and countered with a barrage of massive Rasengan, each infused with different elemental natures: Ice Release, Scorch Release, Magnet Release, Boil Release, Explosion Release, Storm Release…
The colossal spiraling spheres hurtled toward the Nine-Tails, their combined power overwhelming.
As the Rasengan grew larger and larger in his vision, the Nine-Tails' pupils shrank in terror.
The Tailed Beast Bomb in his mouth suddenly seemed laughably insignificant compared to Haneda's devastating attack.
At that moment, he was reminded of another man's overwhelming power—a memory he'd rather forget.
Suddenly, Naruto's voice echoed through the space, like a lifeline to the Nine-Tails.
"Uncle Haneda! That big fox looks so pitiful! Please, let it go!"
Hearing this, Haneda stopped his attack. The Nine-Tails, realizing he had been spared, looked at Naruto with an uncharacteristically gentle gaze.
"As long as I'm here, you'll never have any chance to act," Haneda said calmly.
Forcing himself to save face, the Nine-Tails snorted and said, "Hmph! I was merely holding back to avoid harming innocent humans!"
Haneda cast the fox a sideways glance and thought, I'll leave this tsundere to Naruto. One day, all that hatred and desire for freedom will turn into attachment. Soon enough, it'll be reluctant to leave Naruto.
With that, Haneda turned to look at Minato and Kushina.
They stood silently a short distance away, watching Naruto with longing eyes.
Haneda understood their hesitation—why they didn't dare step forward to reunite with Naruto.
He walked over to Naruto, gently taking his small hand in his own. Together, they approached Minato and Kushina.
Time seemed to slow. The two stood motionless as Haneda led Naruto closer and closer.
Finally, standing right before them, Haneda spoke softly:
"Naruto, these are your parents."
Naruto already knew. The moment Haneda had called out their names, he had pieced it together.
But just like Minato and Kushina, he didn't know how to face this moment.
"Dad… Mom…" Naruto broke into his trademark sunny smile, bright and radiant.
"I've been eating well every day. Uncle Haneda makes amazing tomato and egg stir-fry, Uncle Kakashi cooks the best fried fish, and I often go to Ichiraku Ramen to eat with Grandpa Teuchi."
"Big bowls of miso chashu ramen are the best!"
"I've also made lots of friends. My best friend is Sasuke."
"Oh, and I have a lot of family too! Kind big brother Haku, cool-headed big brother Kimimaro, awesome big brother Deidara, and a girl with the same last name as me—Uzumaki Karin."
"They're all people Uncle Haneda adopted, just like me."
"I'm doing really well. I mean it, really well."
Hearing Naruto's words, Minato and Kushina's eyes filled with tears.
They had been sealed alongside the Nine-Tails, witnessing every moment of Naruto's life—his struggles, his loneliness, and now, his joy.
Minato smiled, though his heart was heavy with emotion.
"You're so strong, Naruto. One day, you'll grow up to be the man your mom always hoped you'd be."
Kushina added, "You really are our child—bright like your dad, and strong like him too."
Naruto puffed up with pride. "Of course! I'm Uzumaki Naruto, the son of the Fourth Hokage, a hero's kid!"
Hearing his son praise him, Minato couldn't help but laugh.
Kushina, however, noticed that Naruto hadn't said a single good thing about her and had been praising Minato the entire time.
Annoyed, she gave Naruto a light smack on the head.
"Ahhh! It hurts, Mom!" Naruto yelped, clutching his head.
Realizing what she'd done, Kushina scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"Sorry, Naruto, I got a little carried away."
Minato chuckled, patting Naruto gently on the head. "That's just your mom's fiery temper showing through."
He continued, "Your mom is actually very strong too. Just like you, she faced discrimination and rejection when she was younger. But she held on and persevered all by herself."
Kushina leaned her head against Minato's shoulder and whispered, "But it was you who stood by me, Minato. You made me strong."
...
As the family shared this heartfelt moment, Haneda quietly stepped aside, moving to stand with the Nine-Tails to ensure it didn't disrupt the atmosphere.
After some time, Minato and Kushina's forms began to dim, their chakra fading away.
Haneda stepped forward reluctantly, breaking the mood.
"We'll save the rest for later, Minato-senpai, Kushina-nee. I plan to reseal your chakra so you can continue watching over Naruto as he grows."
"It'll be just like before—you'll witness every step he takes."
Naruto clung to Haneda, his voice trembling. "Are Dad and Mom leaving, Uncle Haneda?"
Haneda gently reassured him, "It's only temporary. You'll see them again in the future."
Minato looked at Naruto's tear-streaked face and hesitated before finally saying, "Your mom and I will always be watching over you, Naruto."
"There's so much I want to say, but no words seem enough."
"I've never been very good at being a father."
Naruto smiled through his tears. "That's okay, Dad. As long as you and Mom are with me, I'm happy."
Kushina suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Naruto, be careful around your friend Sasuke."
"Huh?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion.
Kushina awkwardly explained, "I mean… the way he feels about you might be… a little unusual. It's better to keep some distance."
Minato quickly added, "He's just a kid. He doesn't understand these things. Haneda can explain when the time comes."
Kushina glared at Minato and gave him a few hard knocks on the head.
In the end, she didn't say anything more, letting Haneda reseal their chakra.
As Minato faded away under Kushina's scolding, Naruto looked up at Haneda, bewildered.
"Uncle Haneda, why did Mom hit Dad? And what did she mean about Sasuke?"
"I mean, Sasuke's my best friend!"
Haneda tapped his chin thoughtfully before answering, "Maybe Sasuke just sees you as his best friend."
"Isn't that the same thing?" Naruto asked, still puzzled. "Sasuke said I'm his best friend first, you know."
Haneda, unsure how to explain, pointed at the Nine-Tails.
"He's been around longer and knows more. If you still don't get it, you can ask him later."
With that, Haneda led Naruto out of the mindscape, but not before casting a warning genjutsu on the Nine-Tails.
Back in the real world, inside Fugaku's house, Naruto opened his eyes.
Sasuke noticed immediately.
"So, did you figure it out, you big idiot? Can you gather chakra now?"
"Ahhh, I forgot to ask Mom and Dad how to do it! I'll need your help again, Sasuke," Naruto said, visibly frustrated.
Hearing this, Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smile.
Before he could say anything, Haneda interjected, "Try again, Naruto. You should be able to do it now."
"Really? Okay, Uncle Haneda!"
Naruto trusted Haneda completely. He tried once more, focusing on gathering chakra.
Before he could even complete the process as Sasuke had taught him, a swirl of red chakra began emanating from his body.
Naruto realized, amazed, that he could now control the chakra and transform it into different forms.
Haneda smiled knowingly. As expected, Kurama is such a tsundere.
All he had asked was for the Nine-Tails to stop interfering with Naruto's chakra.
But the fox had gone one step further, proactively giving Naruto its chakra.
Excited, Naruto shouted, "I did it, Sasuke! Uncle Haneda!"
Sasuke, trying to play it cool, replied, "Not bad."
But as he glanced at Itachi, he couldn't help but wonder—had his brother taught him something wrong?
If so, how had he managed to learn it himself?
Weird… Maybe Naruto and I just have different constitutions, Sasuke thought to himself.
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