Capítulo 32: Chapter 32 :- Shadows of the Past, Light of the Future
Chapter 32 :-Shadows of the Past, Light of the Future
An ANBU clone arrived at the Sarutobi residence, pausing at the entrance where two vigilant guards stood watch. The guards, ever-alert, recognized the ANBU's presence immediately, but protocol dictated that even the most trusted operatives needed clearance before approaching the Hokage unannounced.
The ANBU operative, his face hidden behind a mask, bowed slightly as a sign of respect. "I request an audience with Lord Hokage. It is urgent," he stated calmly.
The guards exchanged glances, weighing the situation before one of them nodded. "Very well. We will inform Lord Hokage. Please wait here."
One of the guards disappeared inside, returning moments later with a nod. "You may proceed," he said, stepping aside.
The ANBU clone approached the door and knocked. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, opened it with a concerned expression. "What happened? Is something wrong with Naruto?"
The ANBU operative hesitated, his voice uncertain. "Ah, Hokage-sama, I'm not entirely sure. Everything seems fine, but something strange did happen."
Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. "Don't beat around the bush—report."
The ANBU felt a surge of pressure from the Hokage's chakra and quickly straightened up. "Lord Hokage, I sensed a chakra surge from Naruto's room for a fraction of a second. When I checked through the window, everything appeared normal, but for just a moment, his hair turned golden yellow. Then his aura stabilized again."
Sarutobi's expression tightened, but he maintained his composure. "Are you certain there was no one else in his room?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama, I checked thoroughly. He was alone."
"You're sure?" Sarutobi pressed.
The ANBU nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. As you know, I'm an Aburame—nothing living can hide from me."
Sarutobi sighed, but his thoughts were far from settled. "Alright, you can go now. It's already 3:30 in the morning. I'll check on him later."
The ANBU vanished, leaving Hiruzen alone with his thoughts. Morning arrived, but Naruto, exhausted from the previous night, ignored his alarm, pulling the pillow over his head. Hours passed, and he didn't show up for breakfast at the Sarutobi house, where Hiruzen waited patiently at the dining table, the weight of his past mistakes heavier than usual.
After three hours of waiting, Hiruzen decided to visit Naruto's home, located on the outskirts of the Sarutobi clan grounds. Though not a member of the clan, Naruto's home was near the Hokage's residence, an arrangement made to keep him close.
Hiruzen knocked on the door, but there was no response. Using a spare key, he entered the house and called out, "Naruto?"
What he saw shocked him. Naruto's pillow was held in place over his head, but not by his hands—chakra chains were doing the job. Suppressing his surprise, Hiruzen called again, "Naruto, wake up."
Naruto stirred, rubbing his eyes. "Gigi? What are you doing here so early?"
Hiruzen struggled to maintain his composure as he noticed something else—some of Naruto's hair had turned crimson, with the roots of a few strands a deep red.
"Oh, Gigi, why are you here in the morning?"
Sarutobi took a deep breath, trying to push away the haunting memories of the past. "What happened last night?"
"Last night? I don't know, I was sleeping all night. Did something happen?" Naruto asked innocently.
Sarutobi pointed to the mirror. "Take a look."
Naruto sat up, but immediately fell to the floor as the chakra chains pulled him back. He hit the ground face-first, the chains still connected to the bed.
Sarutobi's lips twitched slightly, but his heart ached with the sight before him. Naruto, putting on his best surprised expression, exclaimed, "I didn't do anything, Gigi! Why did you bind me with these chains?"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" he added for dramatic effect, but internally, he was thrilled. Chakra chains, just like his mother's—a powerful ability rare even among the Uzumaki.
Sarutobi, his eye twitching, shouted, "Calm down, Naruto! I didn't bind you. Just relax and try to retract those chains."
After a few minutes, Naruto managed to disentangle himself and pull the chains back into his body.
"What were those, Gigi?" he asked, feigning amazement.
"Those are chakra chains, a rare ability of the Uzumaki clan," Sarutobi explained.
"Hey, so you mean I'm a real Uzumaki?" Naruto asked, eyes wide with excitement.
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'real Uzumaki'?"
"Ah, well, my hair is yellow, and Uzumakis have red hair. Plus, the Uzumaki clan was destroyed in the Second Shinobi World War," Naruto responded, trying to appear confused.
It was in that moment that Hiruzen felt the familiar pang of guilt strike him hard. Naruto's innocent words cut deeper than any blade could. The Uzumaki clan—the proud, powerful clan that had been Konoha's ally—had been destroyed in part because of his decisions. Hiruzen remembered the meetings with Danzo, the discussions on how to secure Konoha's future at any cost. They had decided that leaking the Uzumaki's defenses to their enemies would tip the balance in their favor during the war. It had been a cold, calculated move—one that led to the near annihilation of the Uzumaki clan.
He had agreed to cut off any aid to them, justifying it as a necessary sacrifice. But now, standing before the last remnant of that clan, a boy who knew nothing of his heritage, the weight of that choice felt unbearable.
Hiruzen looked at Naruto with a soft gaze, hiding the turmoil inside. "First, look in the mirror."
Naruto turned to the mirror and pretended to be shocked at the change in his hair color. Internally, though, he was pleased with the performance.
"Yes, Naruto, you are an Uzumaki," Sarutobi confirmed, but the words felt heavy on his tongue. The guilt of his past decisions resurfaced, knowing that this boy, the last Uzumaki in Konoha, had been left alone because of his own actions.
"Okay," Naruto said, his expression neutral but his mind racing.
"Is there anything you want to tell me, Naruto?" Sarutobi asked, watching him closely.
"No, nothing," Naruto replied, but the tension in his voice was obvious.
"Come on, Naruto, you can tell your Jiji anything. Why were you doubting that you're an Uzumaki when it's in your name?"
"Well… whenever I go out alone, a few people call me 'fox brat' and 'demon boy,'" Naruto admitted.
Hiruzen's anger flared at Naruto's words, but he kept his voice calm. "Naruto, you don't need to listen to those idiots. I'll talk to you later. For now, freshen up and go see Biwako."
Naruto hesitated. "But, Jiji, please… tell me why people call me names, and who were my parents? Please."
Hiruzen's expression softened, but he shook his head. "Naruto, I can't tell you right now. In the future, you will get your answers."
With that, he shunshined out of the house, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. He had been the one to ensure Naruto's parents' secrets were kept from him. He had thought it was for the best, to protect Naruto, but now, as the boy grew, Hiruzen began to doubt his own decisions.
As soon as Hiruzen left, Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "And the Oscar goes to Naruto Uzumaki!"
Naruto chuckled inwardly. "Kushina on the side asked, 'What's an Oscar?'"
"Oh, little ignorant human, let me tell you all about the Oscars—and the guy named Will Smith," Kurama replied with mock seriousness.
As Naruto prepared to start his day, Hiruzen, now far from Naruto's home, found himself standing still, lost in thought. The burden of his past decisions weighed heavily on his shoulders. The destruction of the Uzumaki clan, the sealing of the Kyuubi, the fate of Minato and Kushina—all of it led to this moment, where the last Uzumaki stood before him, unknowingly carrying the weight of an entire legacy on his small shoulders.
Hiruzen knew he couldn't undo the past, but he silently vowed to do everything in his power to ensure Naruto's future was brighter than the dark legacy he had inherited.
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