章 4: Confrontation at the Hokage’s office
Leaving the ramen stand, Mirai leaned with a mischievous smile. "Alright, Naruto. Let's go do something interesting."
Naruto's eyes widened with curiosity and excitement. "Really? What are we going to do, uncle Mirai?"
Mirai kept his mysterious smile and took Naruto's hand, guiding him.
He soon led him the bustling village streets, heading towards the large and imposing structure at its center, the Hokage building.
Naruto's eyes widened even more, wondering if they were going to see grandpa Hokage.
"Alright, Naruto. Let me show you something really awesome." Mirai said, as he lifted Naruto effortlessly and leaped into a nearby wall climbing swiftly to the rooftop.
From their elevated vantage point, they could see the entire village of Konoha spread out below them, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
"Wow!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement as he took in the panoramic view. "I can see everything from up here, uncle Mirai!"
Mirai smiled at Naruto's excitement. "It's a beautiful view, isn't it? But that's not the most interesting part of what we're going to do today."
With a knowing grin, Mirai reached into his pocket and pulled out a small coin before flipping it into the air. As the coin spun, he channeled his chakra, infusing the coin with a surge of lightning nature and his own magnetic powers. The coin began to glow with a bright blue light, crackling with energy.
Naruto watched in awe as Mirai prepared his technique. "What's that uncle Mirai?"
"[Railgun]" With his voice steady and calm, he flicked his finger and sent the coin flying. In an instant, it transformed into a brilliant blue beam of light, cutting through the air with a deafening roar. The beam shot across the sky, leaving a trail of sparks and wind in its wake. It traveled with incredible speed and precision, piercing through the air and creating a shockwave that could be felt even on the rooftop.
The beam traveled towards the Hokage building, slicing through the air like a hot knife through butter. It pierced a see-through wall in Hiruzen's office with pinpoint accuracy, leaving a clean hole in its wake.
…
The Third Hokage, still watching Danzo's receding back and mulling over their heated discussion, suddenly felt a chilling sense of danger. Instinct honed by years of experience kicked in, and he barely moved his head to the side.
Before he could fully comprehend the threat, the window of his office shattered with a resounding crash. A brilliant blue beam of light surged through, slicing through the air with a deafening roar. The beam penetrated the office with such speed and power that it left a burning hole in the portrait among the past Hokage's ones. Hiruzen's own face in the portrait was replaced by the clean hole, revealing the buildings behind it clearly.
The sheer force of the beam had penetrated the entire Hokage building, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Papers fluttered in the resulting shockwave.
The hidden ANBU operatives swiftly moved to encircle and protect the Hokage, their reactions sharp but ultimately too slow to intercept the lightning-fast attack. A tense oppressive silence soon followed the dramatic display of power. Even Danzo, who had been on his way out, stood motionless, sweat dripping from his forehead as memories of the Third World War flooded back to him.
In the deathly silence, the creak of the door opening drew all eyes to its source. The blond figure that stepped into the room was unmistakable. Hiruzen's eyes narrowed as he faced the newcomer, his teeth gritted in a mixture of frustration and apprehension. "It's you, 'Blue Flash'! What on earth are you doing?"
The moment Hiruzen's voice rang out, the surrounding ANBU's eyes widened in shock. The title was once widely famous but had faded into memory over the past few years. Namikaze Mirai, one of 'Konoha's Twin Flashes,' the younger brother of the Fourth Hokage, had returned.
…
Whispers of disbelief spread among the ANBU operatives, their guarded stances slackening as they processed the presence of a legend. Three years ago, the Blue Flash had mysteriously vanished without a trace, leaving the village to wonder and speculate about his fate. Now, here he stood, very much alive.
Naruto, who had followed Mirai into the Hokage's office, tugged nervously at his uncle's clothes. His young face was a mix of confusion and worry. He didn't understand the gravity of the situation or the significance of Mirai's actions. All he knew was that destroying the Hokage building and breaking into the office seemed like something a good person shouldn't do.
Namikaze Mirai stood tall and calm, his presence commanding the room. He glanced around, taking in the shocked ANBU operatives passing Danzo's face, before focusing on the Third Hokage.
"Lord Hokage, Danzo!" he began, his voice calm but firm, "Consider this a warning. All your plans and calculations are for naught in my presence."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly and Danzo's face darkened, his suspicion deepening. "Are you threatening us, Mirai?"
Mirai shook his head. "No, it's not a threat. It's a statement of fact. I've seen how Naruto has been treated, and I'm sure you've had a hand in it. Know this, I will not stand by and let anyone harm or use my nephew for their own ends."
"Mirai!" Hiruzen said, his tone measured, "We all want what's best for Naruto and Konoha. If you have concerns, let's address them together. There is no need for hostility."
Upon hearing him, Mirai's expression turned cold making the room temperature to drop a few degrees, "Lord Hokage, how could you let Naruto be treated so unfairly in this village? Living in poverty, neglected by those who should protect him."
The ANBU operatives, still on edge, exchanged uneasy glances. Especially a white-haired one who flinched a little as if the words spoken by Mirai were directed to him.
Hiruzen's face grew stiffer. "Mirai, it is a necessary sacrifice to protect his identity. If the other villages knew who he really was, it would put him in grave danger."
Mirai scoffed, his eyes blazing with anger. "That's just an excuse, and you know it. You and your council used that as a convenient cover while allowing Naruto to suffer. He didn't receive a single ounce of the large fortune that my brother and I amassed. Nor did he benefit from the inheritance of the Uzumaki clan, which rightfully belongs to him."
Hiruzen was speechless, his lips moved, but no words came out. He couldn't deny the truth. After the night of the Nine-Tails, the village had suffered heavy casualties, and the pensions for the families of the fallen ninjas, along with the reconstruction of Konoha, required an astronomical sum. Minato's legacy had long been diverted to cover these expenses.
Seeing Hiruzen's silence, Mirai pressed on, his voice cold and accusatory. "You know even if you had no choice, that doesn't justify stealing from my brother's inheritance."
Hiruzen licked his dry lips, struggling to find the right words. "Mirai, the village was in a state of emergency. We had to make difficult decisions for the greater good. Minato's legacy was used to help rebuild and support the families of those who perished."
Before he could finish, Mirai interrupted him, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "So, you admit it. You misappropriated my brother's inheritance."
Hiruzen's silence was damning.
Mirai clenched his jaw. "Minato was the Fourth Hokage, his assets were substantial. Kushina, my sister-in-law, was the sole heir to the Uzumaki clan and inherited part of Uzumaki Mito's legacy. That wealth was more than enough for Naruto to live comfortably for several lifetimes. Yet, you've taken it all. If even a fraction remained, Naruto's childhood wouldn't have been so miserable."
As if remembering something, Mirai suddenly calmed down, looking at Hiruzen with amusement in his eyes.
"Oh, swallowing up my brother's property during his lifetime and letting his surviving son suffer bullying from the entire village. If my sister-in-law were still here, I'm afraid the entire Hokage building would be demolished by her!"
The fierce red-haired figure of Kushina flashed in the minds of Hiruzen and Danzo, causing them to shudder subconsciously. Kushina and Minato were different! If she were truly alive, with her fiery temperament, she might indeed do something drastic!
"I will reclaim every ryō of Minato's inheritance, starting with the house! If you insist on resisting, you will bear the consequences!"
A heavy depression settled in the Hokage's office, lingering for a long time. In the silence that followed, only the white-haired ANBU stood with a complicated expression in his eyes.
…
As Mirai and Naruto walked out of the Hokage building, Naruto could no longer hold back his curiosity. It was the first time he had heard anything about his parents. His small hand tugged at Mirai's sleeve, his eyes filled with a mix of wonder and longing.
"Uncle Mirai?" Naruto began hesitantly, "What kind of person was my mom?"
Mirai's stern expression softened, then chuckled softly as he thought of Kushina. "Your mother was fierce and strong-willed with a fiery spirit. But to those she loved, she was kind and nurturing."
Naruto absorbed every word, his heart swelling with pride and sadness. "I wish I could have met her." he said softly.
Mirai knelt down to be at eye level with Naruto, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Even though you parents aren't here, they loved you more than anything in this world. And I am here now to make sure you have everything they would have wanted for you. We'll honor their memory together, Naruto."
Naruto nodded, a small smile forming on his face.
Mirai ruffled Naruto's hair affectionately. "We'll make them proud, Naruto. Now, let's get you settled in properly and start making some new memories."
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