Naruto and Honoka were still holding onto each other in their tear-filled affectionate embrace. Both Uzumaki had long thought that they were the only one left, and now they both found each other. After a couple of minutes, Honoka and Naruto pulled away and stood in front of each other as they smiled and wiped the tears away from their eyes. Taking a breath, Naruto said, "This is so cool! Not only did I find another Uzumaki, but a hot babe at that! Just like my mother!"
"Your mother?" Honoka inquired, recalling how Naruto said that he wasn't alone anymore. She realized that like her, he is also an orphan. She just didn't know for how long. "Did something happen to her?"
"Her name was Uzumaki Kushina, and my father was Namikaze Minato. He was Konoha's Yondaime Hokage and the famed and feared Yellow Flash," Naruto explained.
"Your father was the Yellow Flash, and Kushina was married to him?" Honoka asked in amazement. "I can't believe it! You're Kushina's son!"
Naruto laughed a little at Honoka's expression of disbelief, but continued. "All that is true. You knew my mother?"
Honoka reached into her kimono and pulled out a small scroll. She opened it and revealed the kanji for "album" written in it. She focused chakra into the scroll and commanded, "Kai!"
The scroll burst, and a red photo album was released from the scroll. The Uzumaki Clan insignia was engraved into the thick cover.
"This book is one of my greatest and most guarded treasured possessions. It contains captured moments and memories of our clan's history and time in Uzushiogakure," Honoka said as she looked at the book in her hands with a warm smile. She then saw the look in Naruto's face. It was a look of both excitement and anticipation.
"Can I see it? I just have to see what memories of our clan are in that book! Can I?" Naruto requested eagerly. Honoka giggled and smiled affectionately at Naruto as she wrapped her right arm around him. Honoka moved and guided the blond Jinchuuriki to the same nearby tree and sat down against it with Naruto sitting next to her.
"Let's look at them together, Naruto. I tell you everything I know," Honoka invited before she opened the book to the first picture, which was an old group picture of several Uzumaki, all of whom had long red hair besides the oldest male standing in the center of the group, who had long shining white hair, and a mustache and beard.
"These were my parents, Uzumaki Ryoma and Uzumaki Junko, and a few of our distance relatives. Kushina is right there among them, though she was only eight years old at the time, and the distinguished man with the long red and white hair standing next to Kushina was her grandfather Uzumaki Mamoru, who was also the Uzumaki Clan head and the leader of Uzu no Kuni."
"Wait a minute! That old man was my great grandfather, and he was the Clan Head and village leader?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"That's right. From what I was told about him, Mamoru was a great man and everyone loved him. He was like a grandfather to every Uzumaki. He was also the the strongest seal master. Kushina learned seals from him personally."
"Naturally; he was her grandfather," Naruto commented.
"These were happy times, before our peoples' enemies engineered Uzu no Kuni's destruction. I was born a few years after Kushina-san left Uzu no Kuni for Konoha, though I don't know why she left," Honoka explained.
"I do. She left and was taken to Konoha to become the next Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi since the first one, Uzumaki Mito, was reaching the end of her life," Naruto enlightened. Honoka looked at Naruto interestedly. "Your mother was a Jinchuuriki?"
"She was. She and my father made me the third one moments before their deaths. It's like Kyuubi is a family heirloom passed down to a chosen Uzumaki. But I'll explain more about that later. Right now, I want to see those cool pictures you have in that album."
Honoka shrugged and continued showing Naruto more pictures. The next picture he saw was a picture showing a view of the entire Uzumaki clan from above.
"This picture was taken a long time ago during the days of Uzumaki Mito, when she was a teenager. Every Uzumaki came together for this picture, and she was among the group." Honoka pointed to the next picture. "This is an old picture showing the Uzumaki clan leader of that time, Hayate, shaking hands with Hashimara Senju, with both our clan and the Senju clan in the background."
As Naruto looked at the picture, a certain feeling started to gradually surface from within him. Honoka showed him another picture. This one was a very old picture showing the previous generation of the Uzumaki and Senju clan members, all dressed in samurai armor, male and female alike. That was before the time Hashirama and Hayate were born.
"Both clans shared very close and strong ties with each other, stronger than the bonds between any other clans, and their bond went back more than two hundred years. Whatever battle the Senju were in, the Uzumaki were there with them, and likewise the Senju were there to support our Uzumaki ancestors in whatever battle they were in. It's not surprising, since both clans came from a common ancestor," Honoka explained. The feeling of familiarity Naruto was experiencing was growing stronger as he continued looking through the album he was being shown.
Honoka next showed Naruto pictures of the ocean's whirlpools that surrounded their homeland and its landscape. The blond was captivated by the beauty that Uzu no Kuni was filled with. Soon, he was shown close up pictures of the different unique buildings and bridges of Uzu no Kuni.
There was also a photo of Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju together, happy on their wedding day, with the Uzumaki clan header and other Uzumaki and Senju representatives given their blessings to the newlyweds, and then another with their newborn baby a year later. There was a photo of Tobirama standing with Mito, a photo of both Hashirama and Tobirama standing with Mito, and one with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya as children, standing with Mito, Hashirama, and Hiruzen.
There was one large group picture of the Uzumaki leaders and Mito with Hashirama, Tobirama, and some other Senju; a picture of Kushina and Minato as Genin and as a happy couple in their young teen years, several months before Uzushiogakure's destruction, and finally, several pictures of Honoka's late parents and relatives and her when she was a newborn and several more when she was one and two years old.
By the time Honoka was done, Naruto was completely in tears. In one preserved photo album, he saw and learned so much about his heritage and clan's backgrounds and history. It was so much more than Konoha has ever given him in his entire life, and it felt as though a void within him had been filled. But as he looked at each picture, for reasons he couldn't understand he felt as though he knew the people from each of those generations. Something within him gave him those sensations of familial familiarity, and honestly, Naruto loved it. Soon though, Naruto wiped away the tears that were descending down his face and collected himself before he took a breath to calm down.
"Honoka-neechan, you gave me a gift that Konoha has denied me all my life. Words can't even begin to express my gratitude for sharing with me this precious treasure you guard so greatly," Naruto said softly. "Thank you."
"No Naruto-kun, it's our precious treasure now, and it makes me so happy that I don't have to say that it's mine alone anymore. I found an Uzumaki brother to share it with," Honoka replied happily.
"Did you ever live in Uzu no Kuni?" Naruto queried.
"I was born in Uzu no Kuni but, I didn't live there long. My mother and I were among the surviving Uzumaki who escaped after enemy shinobi villages joined forces to rise up and destroy our homeland. Uzumaki Mamoru, along with his strongest fighters and seal masters, stayed behind and fought all of the invading shinobi while the rest of us escaped to wherever we deemed safe for our survival. My father was among the fighters who stayed behind and fought to his death to ensure that my mother and I survived and escaped. I never met my father, even though my mother spoke of him often, telling me stories about how great a man and shinobi he was. I knew she loved and missed him very much."
"Why didn't Konoha helped during the invasion?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know. I was too young back then to understand why all those bad things were happening to our clan, and why our people had so many enemies. It was a most chaotic period, and the Third Shinobi World War brought about more casualties to our Uzumaki brethren who escaped the destruction of Uzu no Kuni, since some hadn't found safe homes yet.
"My mother, as a result, lost contact with Kushina and the other Uzumaki survivors. We were ultimately on our own, and Iwa hunter nin were after us. While on the run for the first nine years of my life, my mother taught me all she knew in terms of seals and being a kunoichi. In time, though a group of Iwa hunter nin found and ambushed us. We were outnumbered and outmatched, and they were bent of taking us back to Iwagakure alive," Honoka recounted.
"Why so?" Naruto asked.
"I'm sure you're aware that we Uzumaki have very special chakra and longevity, along with the fact that we have a keen ingenuity for seals. They wanted to use us to advance their nation's power and strength while trying to tip the scale in their favor in their war against Konoha. I tried to help my mother, but I didn't have as much experience in battling ninja, and my mother had to protect me. It saddens me to think that she took a fatal injury as a result. Despite that, she still showed me her kind and protective motherly smile. But things only got worse as more ninja appeared and surrounded us in large numbers.
"Despite her fatal injury, she was still able to summon chakra chains and trap the group of hunters and the additional group of ninja that arrived." Honoka looked at the photo album affectionately. "That was when she took out and gave this photo album to me. She told me to guard and protect it, as it possesses the history and memories of our nation and people. My mother then instructed me to leave with this important piece of our clan's legacy. I argued and told her that I wanted to stay and help, crying while telling her that she was all I had left. She smiled but told me firmly that I had to live for her and the rest of our people, and she asked me to find happiness with whomever I find love with."
Honoka had tears running down her face as she recalled the incident. She wiped her tears away and continued. "She then executed an S-class kinjutsu: Uzumaki Jiko Bakuhatsuteki (Uzumaki Self Detonation). With her remaining strength, she said that she loved me before saying goodbye and performed a reverse summoning jutsu to teleport me to a location far from where she and the army of Iwa ninja were.
"A moment later, I heard a loud, ground-shaking explosion, followed by a mighty blast of hot wind that knocked me off my feet. I turned around to see a giant ball of white light that consumed the area and eventually shaped itself into a large mushroom cloud that went high into the sky. My mother made sure none of the enemy ninja within the vicinity survived. Uzumaki Jiko Bakuhatsuteki is a self-sacrificial kinjutsu that destroys everything within a minimum of a two mile radius of the user after the Uzumaki turns him or herself into a living bomb."
"A minimum of two miles? What's the maximum?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know. The kinjutsu works in a combination with another seal that stores a little bit of chakra in it everyday from when it's placed on us at a young age. Because we Uzuamki naturally have massive chakra reserves, the blast range could stretch for tens of miles if the user were to perform it after living a long life, and our longevity just adds to the equation.
"But because of the nature of the kinjutsu and the catastrophic destruction it causes while killing everyone in its blast range indiscriminately, very few chose to learn it. Those who did were strictly instructed to never use it unless it was a last resort under extreme circumstances. The user had to be certain that their comrades or innocent people weren't in their blast range before executing the kinjutsu."
Naruto nodded his head quietly. Honoka continued her story. "Despite the hot tears that ran down my face, I got up and ran as fast as I could. I didn't dare to look back again. I just kept running forward, promising myself that I would get stronger and live as the surviving legacy of my fallen parents and brethren. But life as a homeless orphan was no easy life. I traveled from place to place, looking for a home to make for myself while stealing what food and clothes I could get in order to survive. All the while I studied and practiced everything I learned from my mother.
"I was eleven when a veterinarian kunoichi named Chiaki adopted and took me into her home, and raised me as her own daughter. She was very kind, and had a deep interest in studying and caring for various animals. Chiaki-okaachan's love for fieldwork and animals eventually grew on me, as did her choice of fashion, and like her, I chose to forgo the use of any kind of footwear."
"Why? Didn't you and your foster mother worry about sharp objects or other things you both might step on?" Naruto implored with a quizzical look on his face.
Honoka giggled and smiled. "I understand where you're coming from. I will admit, I asked her the same thing back then. Like you, I found her habit weird and unusual. But Chiaki-okaachan told me that being barefooted allows her to communicate with nature and the creatures living in the soil, and that having footwear on separates her from that. I didn't understand her at first until I later decided to follow her example to see things from her point of view. I tell you this, it was no walk through park getting used to the idea of not wearing sandals, and sometimes the scorching sun made the ground very hot. You can image what it put my feet through. After some time, I became accustomed to the habit while learning ninja arts and veterinarian skills from Chiaki-okaachan. She also taught me how to make herbal medicine and how treat injuries using natural herbs."
"Several years later, a group of scientists and researchers recruited Chiaki-okaachan and I for a project they were working on in Kuchiyose no Shima (Summoing Island). The island itself is located somewhere east of Hi no Kuni and south of Kaminari no Kuni (Lightning Country) where research of summoning animals and development of them were done. The Ultimate Summoning Beast was also created there. The lab was located in the mouth of a volcano, and I was assigned to restrain the beast using my sealing techniques. But one fateful day, I was unable to restrain the beast after it had gone berserk, and it killed all of the scientists and researchers. Chiaki-okaachan and I fought the creature, but we weren't able to kill it, only put it to sleep before sealing it away in a containment unit developed by one of the scientists.
"Chiaki-okaachan was badly wounded from the creature, and being cut off from civilization on a remote island made receiving medical attention impossible. Though a motor boat was available, we wouldn't have gotten to a hospital in time. I did my best to save her using what she taught me about healing herbs, but her injuries were fatal. She died the next morning in my arms. Chiaki-okaachan was the second mother I lost. After burying her and the rest of the scientists and researchers, I left the island and returned back to the mainland.
"Since then, I traveled from place to place as a bounty hunter, going after bandits, thieves, and wanted samurai thugs. It was enough to make sure I always had money in my pocket when I needed food to eat and a place to stay for a while before moving on. I later journeyed and came to this country after Gatō seized control of it. I've been trying to take him down ever since, but after learning that he hired a rogue ninja who was one of the Seven Swordsmen of Kirigakure, I went into hiding to avoid being discovered and killed, all the while trying to topple Gatō's control of Nami no Kuni in other ways. And that leads us to where we are now, Naruto-kun."
Naruto took a moment to take in everything Honoka told him about her life's story. It was very clear that Honoka had a hard life though there were some happy times. Naruto felt bad that those happy times were tragically cut short by unforeseen events. But what he admired about Honoka was that she kept growing stronger instead of giving up and became a surviving legacy of both her biological mother and her adoptive mother.
"That's truly an amazing life story you got there Honoka-neechan. You went through a whole lot over the years, but from the way you look, I wouldn't have though that about you," Naruto confessed.
"Most wouldn't, I suppose, but I try to stay as optimistic as possible, wanting to one day find the love and happiness my mother always wanted me to have," Honoka stated before changing the subject. "You mentioned earlier that you're not alone anymore after meeting me. What happened to Kushina and Minato?"
Naruto sighed, and explained, "…They died saving me the very day I was born."
Naruto went into detail, explaining everything that happened from the time his mother was pregnant with him, the incident surrounding the time his birth and Kyuubi's release, his father fighting and defeating the intruder responsible for the incident and Kyuubi's attack, to his parents using him to become the next Jinchuuriki as Kyuubi unwittingly stabbed through both of them together with one of his claws in a desperate attempt to kill him. He told her of the villagers' reactions to learning that he was the Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi which lead to the law Sandaime passed, and the cruel and bitter life he was forced to live for the first nine years of his life before he became close friends with Hinata, Hanabi, and to some extension, Hiashi. He also mentioned how Hiruzen, Iruka, and Teuchi and his daughter Ayame were among the few that treated him kindly.
Naruto expounded on how his friendship with Hinata started and gradually grew into love as they grew and trained together. He also explained his ties with Hanabi, and how Hiashi has his own subtle way of showing that he's actually fond of him. Naruto then enlightened Honoka about his grandson-grandfather relationship with Hiruzen, and how it's currently strained from what he discovered recently about his heritage and status as a Jinchuuriki. He told her about the lies he was told, and how nobody in Konoha seems to remember Uzu no Kuni. He also mentioned the other Genin and the teams they're on, along with their Jounin-sensei.
When he got to his team, he made it clear how dysfunctional his team is, and told her of his sensei's and teammates' personality traits. Naruto told her about Sakura's obsessed fangirl behavior over Sasuke, which disgusts him. He also told her how he continuously had to deal with Sasuke trying to steal his girlfriend despite the fact that Hinata made it clear that she doesn't like him at all.
"Now I understand why Kushina left for Konoha. Both she and Mito were the chosen vessels to imprison Kyuubi, and only those of our Uzumaki bloodline can hold it anyway," Honoka acknowledged. "I wouldn't have ever thought that life as a Jinchuuriki would have been that harsh and indescribably brutal. It astounds me that you didn't turn into the very demon they reviled you as over the years."
"To be honest, part of me really wanted to, just to show them some of my hate for them for their sins against me, my family, and all of our fallen Uzumaki brethren. It's because of Hinata-chan that I didn't become the monster that lives inside me. I owe her more than I can repay."
"I can tell that you really love this girl, though you're still a shameless pervert," Honoka remarked.
Naruto snorted, "Hinata-chan knows that, but she doesn't mind. I'm a guy who admires and appreciates exquisite and exotic beauty, but my Moon's Eye Spring Rabbit will always be number one in my book. Everyone in Konoha knows me as the perverted, trouble-making village clown, and my graduating class's dead last who peeps in women's bathhouses and reads Icha-Icha Paradise in the open. That's my mask and the illusion cast over everyone's eyes, which only Hinata's ever seen under. Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei, and Sandaime-jiisan know about my mask, but they have a really good idea what I can really do since they were victimized by me before. I trust that you won't expose my mask to anyone and that you'll accept me as your fun-seeking troubling-making kid brother."
"So long you don't act perverted or flirt with me. It would just look awkward being perversely flirted with by my own little brother, Naruto-otouto," Honoka requested.
"Now that's disturbing, and that says a lot coming from me Honoka-neechan," Naruto remarked. Honoka leaned down and kissed Naruto on the cheek. Despite what he said, Naruto couldn't help but blush, seeing as Honoka was the second female in his entire life to ever kiss him on his cheek.
"You said that you don't have a home to go back to, right? You can come and stay with me back in Konoha. I can explain everything to Jiisan and we can work things out. I have my own place, and I can make it bigger, even though I'll have to break a few walls down to extent my apartment, but everything can be set right. That way we won't be alone anymore! What do you say?"
Honoka thought for a moment, then stood up and sealed the photo album into the scroll and placed it back into her kimono blouse. When that was done, she extended her hand to Naruto.
"I say lead me to your team, and introduce me to them as your long-lost Uzumaki-neechan," Honoka suggested. Smiling brightly, Naruto stood up and took Honoka's hand before started on their way back to Tazuna's house. As they were walking through the forest, Naruto took note of the animals following them. Two small colorful birds flew down and landed down on Honoha's shoulders, and a few other animals gathered around her.
"Honoka-neechan, you mind telling me what's going on? Why are these animals gravitating to you," Naruto requested.
Honoka smiled and explained, "You see several weeks ago I discovered that I have a special kind of chakra that can attract animals, insects and arachnids of all sorts and tame their behavior towards me and whomever I choose. I've been practicing controlling this special chakra of mine but I still need a lot of work before I can master it."
"Every female Uzumaki seem to be gifted with some form of special chakra. What about us male Uzumaki?" Naruto remarked.
Honoka giggled, "Maybe it'll manifest someday, if it's there. Like I said, I didn't know about mine until recently."
"If you say so," Naruto said with a shrug.
(Later that afternoon, elsewhere)
"How do you feel, Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked as she sat at Zabuza's bedside dressed in complete hunter ninja garbs.
"A lot better. In a few hours I should be more than ready to move again. Go make certain the others are ready to move out early by morning. The blood of my enemies will pour over this country and their bridge of optimism," said Zabuza as he reached and grabbed his giant sword.
"I'll inform the others right away," Haku replied, bowing her head before taking her mask with her to do what she was told to do.
(An hour and thirty-eight minutes later)
Everyone was back at Tazuna's house, but no one knew what happened to Naruto. He told them that he was going out early to train alone, but he hadn't return for half the day. Sasuke was sent to go and look for him, but Naruto's trail turned cold at some point.
"Where is that knucklehead?" Sakura asked angrily. "He should have been back by now! How could he be this irresponsible while we're on a mission?"
"It is troubling that Naruto hasn't returned yet. If anything, he should have informed us if anything happened. I may have to go and look for him myself," Kakashi stated.
"You don't suppose something happened to Naruto-niichan, do you?" Inari asked worriedly. Everyone saw how Inari's demeanor had changed completely since Naruto's talk with him. He no longer cried and complained pessimistically, instead trying to be optimistic and encouraging whenever possible. Everyone also took note that Inari also started referring to Naruto as "niichan."
Kakashi replied, "I'm sure that Naruto-"
Kakashi was cut off when the front door to the house opened, revealing Naruto entering the house.
"Naruto-niichan!" Inari greeted happily as he went over to the blond Genin. "What happened to you! We were all worried about you!"
"Sorry Inari, but something very important happened that required my immediate attention. It was a life-changing event for me," Naruto explained with a bright smile on his face.
"Is that so? And what, pray tell, was this life changing event?" Sasuke asked cynically as he, Kakashi, and Sakura approached him. Tsunami and Tazuna appeared from the kitchen to see what was going on. Grinning, Naruto stepped aside and gestured for Honoka to step into the house. When she did, the reaction Naruto got was quite comical, as she placed her left arm around his shoulders and smiled at everyone.
"So, she's the red-haired gorgeous woman you were talking about when you first came here, huh Naruto?" Tazuna realized. "She's quite a catch, boy! Ah…to be young again…"
Tsunami frowned and nudged her father's side for his perverted implications, while Inari looked on with a quizzical expression. Tsunami didn't like the fact that her father was making such statements about a woman, especially in front of her son.
"Father! Don't talk like that in front of Inari!" Tsunami scolded.
Inari replied, "What do you mean? All Grandpa said was how much his misses being young and all."
"Yeah, but he meant it in an inappropriate way," Tsunami corrected.
"What do you mean?" Inari inquired.
Tsunami decided to drop the subjected, "I'll tell you when you're older."
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura took a good look at Honoka. All three of them had to admit that she was indeed a healthy-looking beautiful young woman. The question in everyone's mind was how Naruto was able to get her to follow him back. Kakashi, though, was able to sense that there was more to Honoka that was about to be explained.
Naruto was about to introduce Honoka properly but…
"You two-timing cheater! That's your life-changing event? You had us all worried, thinking that something bad happened to you, and while that's going on, you go and get involved with some woman out in town and boldly bring her here for us to meet, despite the fact that you already have a girlfriend! You're really low, Naruto, and what's worse is how this woman here was willing to go along with it!" Sakura yelled. Naruto and Honoka blinked and took a moment to process what just happened. When they did, they both burst out laughing.
"Is that what you all think? That I was out in town secretly seeing some other woman?" Naruto laughed. "While I'm flattered that you believe I have such talent, that isn't the case here at all!" Naruto calmed down from his laughter and became serious. "And I wouldn't cheat on Hinata-chan either!"
"Then would you care to enlighten us on who this young woman is?" Kakashi suggested with his orange book in hand.
"Let me introduce myself properly," Honoka said with a sweet tone, "My name is Uzumaki Honoka. I'm Naruto-kun's distant cousin, and now I'm his surrogate big sister. He and I are of the same Uzumaki Clan."
There was a dead silence at that moment as Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura repeated Honoka's words to themselves. Sakura's mouth dropped open in utter disbelief as her eyes widened after everything sunk in. Sasuke had a hard time believing that this female before him was, in some distant way related to Naruto, of all people, but what he was bothered by was the fact that Naruto found a survivor of his clan. Kakashi dropped his orange book as he understood the full weight of Honoka's words.
"This can't be!" Sasuke replied doubtfully. "You were said to be an orphan, Naruto, and there's no record or mention of anyone else in Konoha bearing the name Uzumaki!"
"Clearly, Konoha has been lying to all of you for all these years," Honoka stated dryly. "There are other Uzumaki scattered around the world. Naruto-kun and I just don't know where they are or what became of them. We're just happy that we found each other today, and we won't allow ourselves to be separated again. Naruto-kun and I are descendants from a strong clan that had strong ties with Konoha and the Senju clan, a clan that was hated and feared by many foreign nations before they sought our destruction."
"We've never heard of any of the things you're talking about. How do we know you're even telling the truth?" Sasuke asked suspiciously.
"That's because everything she said is true," Kakashi confirmed. "There's no lie to what she said."
"You mean that there actually was an Uzumaki Clan? Naruto...descended from…a clan?" Sakura asked, trying to believe what she was now learning.
"One that helped build Konoha to the village that it is now. In fact, the red spiral on the back of my green flak is his clan's insignia. As law, all ninja from Konoha are required to wear it, as decreed by the late Shodai. Some of Chouji's clan members wear that insignia facially," Kakashi clarified.
"Is that some kind of twisted joke, Kakashi? By law, we have to wear the insignia of the clan that…dobe descended from?" Sasuke retorted.
"Why weren't we taught this at the academy?" Sakura asked.
"There's a lot that the academy didn't teach any of you about the huge of history behind Konoha's ties with Uzu no Kuni, the country once ruled by the Uzumaki clan. But it's an S-class secret that none of you are to discuss with anyone," Kakashi said.
"I'm not under your Hokage's law, therefore I'm not obliged to obey. If you guys want to know about me and who I really am, you're best to know my history and the bond I share with Naruto-kun," Honoka argued, leaving Kakashi with no room to argue with her.
The Jounin sighed, "…Very well, then. But I ask that after everything has been explained that what's discussed doesn't go beyond this house. It would really cause too much trouble, especially since not everyone in Konoha is ready to learn the truth. And by extension," Kakashi turned to Tazuna and his family, "I'll have to ask you three not to share any information you hear here with anyone else."
All three of them agreed and Tazuna spoke for them, "You can trust us."
For the next hour, everyone was in the living room as Honoka briefly explained her life's story to them. She didn't show them her photo album, as it would reveal too much that she didn't want them to know. She told them that Naruto's mother was in fact an Uzumaki who married a very strong shinobi of Konoha, but she wouldn't reveal their names. When Sakura and Sasuke asked why, Naruto told them that their names and status as a couple wasn't disclosed to Konoha civilians for unknown reasons. Needless to see, the two Genin found something suspicious about that explanation.
But hearing from Honoka how the Shodai Hokage was married to an Uzumaki who later became Tsunade's grandmother startled Sasuke and Sakura. Kakashi confirmed that it was true and added, "In fact, many of the seals and some of the jutsu Konoha ninja use originated from the Uzumaki clan, including the kinjutsu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. However, the Shodai and Nidaime had to downgrade Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to Bunshin no Jutsu because of its ability to kill the user. Ironically, performing Bunshin no Jutsu is impossible for the Uzumaki Clan because of their massive chakra reserves. And many of the other seals created by the Uzumaki clan had to be downgraded because of their aggressive effects on the users' lack of chakra reserves.
"Regardless, the Senju and Uzumaki Clans were very close in their ties and bonds with each other. So much so that the Shodai decreed and made it law that all Konoha ninja are to wear the crest of the Uzumaki clan as a sign of their eternal bond and respect to the Uzumaki clan."
"You mean to tell us that the dobe's clan was more powerful and famous than my clan?"
"That's right," Kakashi said unwaveringly. "You can consider the Senju clan the founding father of Konoha, while the Uzumaki clan would be the mother with whom the founding father conceived Konoha. Don't get me wrong Sasuke; the Uchiha clan helped establish Konoha too, but more so as the midwife."
Naruto's stifled giggle escaped his throat then burst into an all-out laughter after hearing Kakashi's anthropomorphic depiction of how Konoha was birthed. Sasuke wasn't happy at all at how Kakashi was laying down the fact that the Uzumaki were stronger, more resourceful, more important, and more famous than the Uchiha clan. The fact that he and many others, including his fallen Uchiha brethren, were made to wear the Uzumaki insignia made it clear that the Uchiha clan was overshadowed completely. And to add insult to injury, he and many others had to learn downgraded versions of the Uzumaki clan's jutsu and seals because they were too dangerous to use.
Honoka then related how many foreign shinobi nations that hated and feared the Uzumaki joined forces in their effort to wipe out the Uzumaki Clan and destroy Uzu no Kuni. Despite their best effort, she explained, they weren't successful in killing everyone, as a number of her and Naruto's Uzumaki brethren managed to escape.
Sasuke didn't know what to think as he now heard that like his clan, the Uzumaki Clan faced genocide, but with a few major differences. The Uzumaki clan was nearly obliterated by shinobi nations joining forces in their attempt to wipe them out, whereas it took only Uchiha Itachi to eliminate the Uchiha clan after turning traitor. Naruto's clan was so feared that other nations had to team up against them, and still they failed to completely destroy them because there were survivors. And here it was that Naruto has found one of those surviving members of his clan, while his fellow clan members are still gone. After hearing it, he thought about the possibility that if Naruto found a survivor, then maybe there are survivors of his clan somewhere outside of Konoha. But Sasuke dismissed the thought as a delusional fantasy.
"What a story! Both you and Naruto really went through a lot of hardships in your lives." Tsunami commented.
"True, but Naruto-kun and I do have a common objective while we're here, and that's to rid Nami no Kuni of Gatō and his army once and for all. When that's done, I'll journey to Konoha with Naruto-kun and live with him."
Kakashi nodded, "You know it'll be difficult proving your claim that you're an Uzumaki to the Hokage and the others."
"Naruto-kun provided me with an irrefutable way to prove that I am who I say I am," Honoka replied as she stood up and formed a hand seal. "He taught me this kinjutsu: Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Clouds of white smoke burst from nothing, and after clearing, fourteen solid clones of Honoka were in the living.
"Is this proof enough?" Honoka and her clones chorused simultaneously.
Kakashi shrugged in defeat. "No further arguments."
"Isn't Honoka-neechan great? After seeing me use that jutsu earlier, she practically begged me to teach it to her!" Naruto teased.
Honoka gave Naruto a playful smack to the head and rebuked, "I didn't beg you, I requested if it were possible to teach that jutsu to me after seeing how useful it is."
"That's not how I saw things play out, neechan," Naruto replied as Honoka dispelled the jutsu.
"Is that right?" Honoka shot back.
"Yes it is," Naruto retorted as they stared hard at each other, waiting for other to back down. After another minute, they both burst out laughing as they hugged each other. Team 7, Tazuna's family, and Tazuna himself all sweat dropped and sighed. But they were able see the genuine happiness that sprouted within Naruto, and the smile on his face was truly sincere and full of life.
"They really do act like siblings," Sakura commented, putting a smile of her own on her face. "But it's great that Naruto found someone he could actually call a family member after living such a harsh life. I'm really happy for both him and Honoka-san."
"All of us are, Sakura," Kakashi stated.
"Naruto found a survivor of his clan. Truly, he was looked out for by a higher force," Sasuke said in a monotonous voice.
"Who knows, Sasuke-kun, there might be survivors of your clan somewhere outside of Konoha," Sakura said, trying to lighten Sasuke's mood. Sasuke, though, turned and gave Sakura a hardened look and stated, "The only survivor of my clan who lives outside of Konoha now is the one responsible for its destruction. There was no one in my clan reported to have been anywhere else besides the Uchiha district when my older brother turned traitor. If you'll all excuse me, I'm going to turn in and rest before my watch begins."
Sasuke dismissed himself from everyone in the living room and left for upstairs. Sakura sighed and dropped her shoulders, seeing that she once again failed to gain Sasuke's attention and acceptance.
"Leave him alone, Sakura," Kakashi advised. "Right now it's best not to go talking to him. Clearly, the fact that he'll never see any of his clan again is hitting him hard right now. Hopefully he'll calm himself down after he's had time to think things over."
"I hope you're right, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said worriedly before turning to the female Uzumaki and saying, "Honoka-san? I'm s-sorry about my outburst earlier. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that."
"Don't worry about it. It's water under the bridge," Honoka assured.
"Which one? Tazuna didn't finish his bridge yet," Naruto joked.
"Enough jokes, Naruto," Sakura replied.
(Two Hours Later)
Tsunami and Sakura watched silently from the kitchen doorway as Honoka chopped vegetables and cut up pieces of meat to be cooked. Tsunami had offered to help however Honoka had politely insisted on preparing everything on her own as her way of saying "thank you" to everyone for the hospitality and kindness towards her. Tsunami had to admit that the young woman appeared to know what she was doing.
"Your culinary skills are really impressive," Tsunami complimented.
Honoka looked up from where she was chopping vegetables and replied, "Thank you. Chiaki-okaachan taught me many things, and cooking was one of them."
Her hands did not stop despite taking her eyes from her work. Naruto walked into the kitchen with Inari following close by behind him as he made his way over to Honoka.
"You know neechan, cooking and baking are among the things Hinata-chan enjoys doing. Like you, she has a real knack for it," Naruto mentioned.
"From the way you've been comparing Hinata and Hanabi's qualities to me, I'm led to believe that you like girls who remind you of your big sister," Honoka teased.
Naruto snorted and looked away as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever. I like strong and talented kunoichi."
"I recall you telling me that Hinata is the heiress of the Hyuuga clan back in Konoha, yes," Honoka remembered.
Tsunami spoke in, "Really? I heard of that wealthy clan. No disrespect but, being the heiress of that prestigious clan, I would have thought that she would consider cooking as something beneath her."
Naruto gave a firm shake of his head and explained, "The members of the Hyuuga clan are very traditional, and so is her father. Every girl in that clan is expected to know how to cook and take care of the household."
"I'm sure she'll become a capable wife someday," Tsunami stated matter-of-factly.
Just as Naruto was about to say "Thank you" to Tsunami…
"All she needs is a strong and talented ninja to become her capable husband," Sasuke remarked as he entered the kitchen.
Naruto replied, "I appreciate that you acknowledge that I'm the only ninja in the room fit for her."
"Sasuke," Kakashi said with a touch of firmness as he appeared outside the kitchen and gave the Uchiha a look that told him to drop the subject now. Sasuke swallowed his next words and said nothing further.
"I'll have everything prepared in a while. So please wait patiently," Honoka requested.
(An hour later)
Everyone was sitting around the table after Honoka was finished preparing everything. Honoka stood by the table between Inari and Naruto. Inari just stared at all of it with wide eyes and a watering mouth. "Wow! You made all this by yourself Honoka-san?"
"Oh, it's just a little something," Honoka said with just the slightest grin on her satisfied face, "please enjoy the meal that's been prepared for all of you."
"I think I speak for both myself and my family when I say we appreciate all the effort you obviously put into preparing this meal for us. When my wife was alive, she also took pride in being able to cook a good meal for all of us," Tazuna expressed to her.
"Hey guys can we eat?" Inari's mouth appeared to be salivating.
"Son, don't you want to thank Honoka-san for making all this delicious food for us first?" Tsunami reminded.
"Huh? Oh yeah, right!" Inari sent her a bashful smile and offered a low bow. "Thanks Honoka-san! Now can I eat?"
Laughing, Honoka nodded. "Please do. All of you please enjoy this meal."
And enjoy the mean they did. The meal was as delicious as they saw it to be. For Naruto, having Honoka living with him back in Konoha was going to be great if that also meant he didn't have to cook for himself anymore.
(Later that night)
Sakura was walking through the house, making sure everyone was safe and unharmed. All of the doors were locked, and everyone was fast asleep. She went into the living room to find both Honoka and Naruto sleeping on the sofa with Naruto resting his head on her shoulder and his right arm around her waist, while her left arm was wrapped around him. Honoka had her head tilted to the left, resting it on Naruto's head.
"They really became attached to each other," Sakura noted as she found the blanket sheet Naruto used the previous night and unraveled it to cover both of them with it. Seeing that her work with them was done, Sakura left the living room and continued with her patrol.
(The following morning)
The sun shone right onto Naruto's eyes, and it took a few minutes for him to blink away the tiredness in his body. He turned and looked to find that Honoka and everyone else was gone.
Damn! I overslept! Naruto realized before jumping out of sofa, running to the bathroom upstairs, quickly cleaning himself up, and running back to get dressed. Just as he was putting his orange jacket on, he heard a shout from downstairs.
"Get away from my child!"
That was Tsunami-san! What's going on downstairs? Naruto thought, sensing trouble. He sneaked out the window and clung to the wall using his chakra. Making his way to the door, which was broken to pieces, he looked in and saw two gruff thugs, evidently low-level samurai, taking Tsunami hostage and leaving a crying Inari. Quickly hiding, Naruto watched as the two samurai came out, leading a tied up Tsunami away.
A moment later, Inari remembered Naruto's words to him:
"Kaiza fought to protect those he loved and cherished as his precious people, and your grandfather is doing the same…If you truly want to make your grandfather and Kaiza proud of you, then I suggest you find someone or something precious to you, and fight to protect them."
Naruto-niichan is right! Mom is someone worth protecting and fighting for, and grandpa is fighting in his own way! Dad did the same for us and this village because he felt we were worth protecting and fighting for, Inari thought before he ran out the door.
"You bullies let go of my mom!" Inari shouted, catching up to them not far from the wooden bridge that connected their house to the island of Nami no Kuni.
"That stupid kid is coming our way," said one of the thug samurai as he pulled out his sword, ready to end Inari's life. Teleporting and appearing a short distance between Inari and the samurai thugs, Naruto took out two of his kunai.
"Release Tsunami-san or suffer my wrath!" Naruto warned.
"What? You're one of those shinobi brats Tazuna hired!" one of the samurais exclaimed.
"Let's kill him and be done with," the other said. His partner looked at Tsunami and threatened, "If you so much as move an inch, we'll kill your little brat in front of you!"
They then rushed at Naruto, who led them away from Tsunami. Inari, seizing the opportunity, ran to his mother as fast as he could.
"Mom! I'll save you!" Inari said as he untied her.
"Inari…" Tsunami said, then hugged the boy as soon as he untied her.
(Meanwhile)
Getting them where he wanted, Naruto, being a good distance from Tsunami and Inari, grinned as the two samurai rushed at him.
"Feel my wrath!" Naruto shouted as the samurais rushed at him. Before Naruto could do anything, chakra chains appeared from the ground and raced after the two thugs, restraining them.
"What the fu-Gggggggrrrrrrhhhh!" the first thug cried as both he and his partner were stabbed with kunai in their throats. Naruto turned to see Honoka and two of her kage bunshin next to her.
"That takes care of the bandits," Honoka said confidently before dispelling her chains and dropping the dead bodies. "That Kage Bunshin no Jutsu really comes in handy little bro."
"That's why it's one of my favorite jutsu! Did you check up on Tsunami and Inari?" Naruto asked. As if on cue, Inari and Tsunami ran over to the two Uzumaki, being careful not to step in the blood pool from the two dead samurais.
"Naruto-kun! Honoka-san! Are you both alright?" Tsunami asked.
"We're fine, thanks. If those two attacked here, maybe their partners will attack the bridge. Honoka-neechan, would it be too much to ask you to watch over Tsunami and Inari while I go catch up with the rest of my team?" Naruto inquired.
"Just be careful and come back in one piece," Honoka replied.
"Not a problem," Naruto assured as he turned and ran from the area. Needing to speed things up, Naruto resorted to using his Kaze Sokudo Chikara (Wind Speed Force) to get there more quickly.
He only hoped he wasn't too late.
Naruto is hurrying to catch up with Tazuna and his team. Find out what happens next time in this arc's conclusion.