Chapter 66

For several days, Naruto dedicated himself to learning about his clan, spending time under the watchful guidance of his grandfather. The old man was a treasure trove of knowledge, recounting the history of the Uzumaki and their legacy of powerful Fūinjutsu. Hotaru, eager to assist, stood by his side, helping him navigate the complex techniques that had once made their clan feared and respected across the world.

Yet, as the days passed, an unease settled in Naruto's heart. The more he interacted with his family, the clearer it became—they were trying to shape his mindset, reinforcing the idea that their clan stood apart, that outsiders—especially those from former enemy villages—could never truly be trusted. There was an underlying subtlety in their approach, an attempt to strengthen their bond with him while gently nudging him away from the friendships he had forged over the years.

Naruto understood their pain. The fall of Uzushiogakure had left deep scars, and their isolation over the decades had only reinforced their distrust. But that was the past. The world had changed, and he needed them to see that change too. Yet, words alone were not enough. Time would be their true teacher, slowly eroding the walls they had built around their hearts.

After a week of immersion in his clan's affairs, Naruto took a decisive step. He arranged a meeting between the leader of the Uzumaki clan and the Hokage, along with key advisors from both sides. It was time to rekindle the alliance that once stood strong between Konoha and Uzushio—to mend the broken ties and look toward the future.

Before stepping into the Hokage's office, Naruto paused at the entrance and lifted his gaze to the sky. He could feel the intricate layers of the planetary barrier he had woven—an invisible but unyielding defense that surrounded the world. His training with Hades had refined his skills to an astonishing degree, allowing him to strengthen the barrier even further. It functioned almost like an omniscient web, constantly relaying information about the state of the world.

However, Naruto knew better than to blindly trust his own creations. Techniques could fail. Seals could break. That was why he maintained a constant failsafe. At all times, at least a hundred clones were scattered across the globe, hidden from sight, scanning the barrier's information for any irregularities.

Yet, even with all these precautions, an unsettling itch remained at the back of his mind.

"Don't be paranoid. We've done enough." Kurama's voice rumbled from within the vast soulscape, his massive form resting in a field of golden grass.

Naruto gave a slight nod, acknowledging the sentiment. But letting go wasn't easy. The more he observed the world, the more he realized just how deep its darkness ran. The corruption, the selfishness, the endless cycle of hatred—no matter how much he tried, he couldn't fix it all.

For a fleeting moment, the thought crossed his mind.

Would it be easier to just turn this feature off? To stop seeing the worst of humanity? To live in blissful ignorance and focus only on his people?

But Naruto quickly shook off the doubt, silencing the whisper of an easier life. He had been given power—more than anyone else in this world. And if his desire was to create peace, then it was his responsibility to work for it.

Walking forward, he pushed open the doors and stepped inside.

This path had never been meant to be easy.

And that was exactly why he had to keep walking.

The meeting had concluded faster than anticipated, yet its outcome remained within the expected range. Naruto observed his distant relatives as they departed, a flicker of irritation crossing his expression. The entire assembly had amounted to little more than pleasantries, a hollow exchange devoid of any substantial commitment. The Uzumaki clan, despite their shared bloodline, had shown no inclination to involve themselves beyond offering basic Fuinjutsu knowledge. They had made it abundantly clear—they would not partake in conflicts unless the world itself teetered on the brink of annihilation.

However, there had been an exception. A proposition.

If Naruto agreed to become the heir of the Uzumaki clan, then—and only then—would the entire clan pledge itself to his cause.

The unexpected offer had left the room in stunned silence. Even Genryū, the clan's representative, had offered no further elaboration before departing, leaving the matter lingering in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Naruto exhaled sharply, breaking the tense quiet that followed. "What are we going to do about them?" His voice carried a tone of finality, as though his answer was already decided before the question had even left his lips. The notion of leading the Uzumaki held no appeal to him. To him, they were still outsiders—a clan he had never known, never belonged to. His ambitions lay far beyond the confines of a single bloodline. He would become the Hokage. That was his path.

"For now, you just need to learn from them properly," Tsunade responded, her sharp gaze unreadable as she weighed the potential risks and benefits. Naruto's importance had surpassed that of any one clan. She couldn't allow him to be chained by obligations that might steer him away from the greater goal. If he had been a shrewd manipulator—someone who played politics as masterfully as he fought—she might have considered the offer. But Naruto was not a chess player; he was the kind of man who acted on instinct and heart, and for that reason, she would not let the Uzumaki tie him down.

Naruto wanted to argue, to point out that she might be underestimating the Uzumaki, but he hesitated. A quiet realization settled over him.

I'm not thinking like them.

To the Uzumaki, he was not their equal. He wasn't just another clan member, another warrior. He was everything. He saw it in their eyes—their absolute, unshakable confidence in his potential. There was no hesitation, no doubt in them. They believed in him completely.

A warmth spread through his chest, an emotion unfamiliar yet deeply profound. Honor. Gratitude. Joy.

But beneath it all, a small, gnawing doubt remained.

Will this cause problems?

Happiness had never been a constant in his life. Every time he found it, the world seemed eager to take it away. There had always been another tragedy waiting around the corner, another trial meant to break him. Was this yet another test?

"Don't worry. I'll be here to help you along, and I believe in you."

Kurama's deep voice resonated through his mind, filled with certainty. The fox had seen countless men fall to their own arrogance, drowning in the weight of power and praise. But he knew—Naruto was not one of them.

Tsunade's voice pulled him back to the present. "We'll maintain close relations with them, but you should avoid spending too much time alone with them. We don't know what kind of tricks they may have honed over the years. Is that understood?"

Naruto met her gaze and gave a nod, understanding the underlying warning in her words. The Uzumaki had waited decades for a figure like him. There was no telling how far they might go to secure him.

"I'll keep an eye on them," he assured her.

After all, he knew better than anyone—even family could be dangerous.

Tsunade shifted her gaze towards Sai, her sharp eyes narrowing with anticipation. "Good. Now, let's hear what the other teams have brought back." Her voice carried the weight of expectation, commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

Sai nodded and stepped forward, his usual stoic expression unchanged as he began his report. He spoke of the various kingdoms and empires they had encountered, the powerful artifacts that had been uncovered, and the alliances that had been tentatively formed. The room fell into a tense silence as the shinobi listened, their expressions shifting between intrigue and concern.

The knowledge they had overlooked for so long was now laid bare before them, revealing both opportunities and hidden dangers. Artifacts of immense power, capable of reshaping the world, were scattered across the land, and yet their wielders remained divided, wary of one another. The unknown threats looming over them had forced their hand—this was no longer just a matter of strengthening their own forces, but of ensuring they were not left behind in an arms race that could determine the fate of the world.

"What do you think of his claim?" Sai asked, his gaze turning to Naruto. His voice was calm, but there was a weight to his question. He was referring to Merlin's statement—his bold proclamation that Artoria was the King of the World.

Among those gathered, Naruto was the only one capable of tapping into the Flow of the World, a rare ability possessed only by the Great Sage Toad and, to their knowledge, no one else. His connection to destiny made his insight invaluable, and the room seemed to still as they waited for his response.

Naruto exhaled deeply and allowed his senses to extend into the unseen currents of fate. The moment he reached out, he felt her—Artoria's presence shone like a radiant star, impossible to ignore. The sheer magnitude of her existence startled him. She was far more significant to the world than he had anticipated, her influence stretching across countless possibilities.

Merlin had not been boasting recklessly—Artoria was a pivotal figure in the grand design of fate.

As Naruto delved deeper, he glimpsed multiple paths woven between their destinies. One of them was a future where he served Artoria as her Sword, a loyal warrior bound to her cause. It was a role that made sense—if she was the ideal ruler, then standing at her side could ensure peace.

Yet, there was another path. A stark contrast to the first. In that future, he denied her rule and killed her. The vision unsettled him—not because of its brutality, but because it felt inevitable. Something in that timeline had forced his hand.

These were the two strongest possibilities, yet neither seemed to lead to a satisfying resolution. There was a missing piece—something unseen that determined whether their futures would lead to ruin or salvation.

'Guide me to the ultimate destination,' Naruto pleaded within the depths of his mind, forcing his power to its limit. He had yet to master the Flow, but if there was even a single clue that could direct him toward the best outcome, he had to find it.

The world trembled around him.

The very fabric of reality seemed to twist as he reached beyond his limits, tearing through the veils of fate. Then—

Pain.

A sharp backlash ripped through his body, as if the universe itself sought to crush him for his arrogance.

From the outside, it appeared as though Naruto had simply frozen for a single second—standing rigid, unresponsive. But then his body jerked violently, and he staggered backward, his face twisted in agony.

"Naruto!"

Hinata and Ino were the first to react, rushing forward to catch him before he collapsed. His breath came in ragged gasps, his skin pale from the sheer strain of the attempt.

The room, once filled with tense anticipation, now buzzed with alarm.

Whatever Naruto had seen—it had nearly destroyed him.

Naruto stood at the center of the room, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Despite the weight of the decision ahead of him, he smiled reassuringly at the girls who had asked after him. "I'm fine," he said, his voice steady, though the inner conflict was clear in his eyes. "As for the answer to the question, I saw that path as well. He wasn't lying, but I'll observe before making my decision." He paused, his gaze drifting toward Artoria, the powerful king whose cooperation could very well determine the future of humanity. "I need to build a bond with her. She's an important part of our survival."

The words hung in the air, heavy with significance, as the team took a moment to process the shocking revelation. The prospect of another ruler, someone other than Naruto himself, as a pivotal force in the world's future, was unsettling. For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of Naruto's calm breathing.

"Are you sure?" Sai's question was measured but filled with concern. The unspoken words—my lord—lingered just beneath the surface. Since the moment he had awakened to his humanity, Sai had dedicated himself to serving Naruto. The loyalty he felt was unwavering, almost to the point of possessiveness. To him, Naruto was not just a leader; he was the beacon of light in a dark world, the sun that guided them all. The idea of Naruto serving someone else, especially with such power at stake, was unbearable to him. It was not something he could easily accept.

Naruto, unaware of the depth of Sai's internal struggle, nodded confidently. "If she is the ideal leader, then isn't it for the best?"

Sai's gaze faltered, but he said nothing. He believed in Naruto's heart, but the idea of relinquishing the world's fate to someone else was still a bitter pill to swallow. The conflict within him was palpable, but he chose to remain silent for the moment, watching Naruto with quiet determination.

"I suppose you're right," Tsunade interjected after a brief pause, her voice steady with authority. She had seen countless leaders rise and fall, each of them failing to meet the needs of their people. "If this King proves her worth, then we might finally achieve our potential as a species." She reflected on the years of useless leaders, wondering how things might have been different if someone had stepped forward with true vision and strength.

The room nodded in agreement, but Sai's silence spoke volumes. He had always believed that Naruto's path was that of a ruler. It was his manifest destiny, in Sai's eyes, and it was hard to imagine a future without him at the helm. Yet, despite his doubts, Sai held his tongue, watching the others with quiet resolve.

Seeing the consensus forming, Kakashi spoke up, his tone both calm and decisive. As the Hokage's trusted advisor, he was accustomed to guiding difficult decisions. "It seems we have come to an agreement on their proposal. We shall discuss the date of our meeting once we hear from Team Shino." Kakashi's gaze turned to Shino, who stood in the corner of the room, his usual quiet demeanor unchanged. The bug user's face was unreadable, but his presence seemed to signal that the next chapter of their journey was beginning.

With the room filled with a mixture of hope, uncertainty, and loyalty, the group prepared to move forward—each person carrying their own expectations and doubts about the future.