150. Konohagakure Village

"What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked Izumi.

"You have the surname Uzumaki. And I believe the Uzumaki clan was destroyed in a war because of their powerful Fuinjutsu. And one of your parents seems to be from the Uzumaki clan, knowing the seal in your stomach was powerful enough to seal the so-called monster in your body."

Naruto listened while rubbing his stomach. What Izumi said was reasonable enough to make Naruto believe in him.

"And one of your parents seemed to be a powerful person from Konohagakure, be it your father or your mother. The Uzumaki clan was destroyed a long ago. So, the threat came to one of your parents from Konohagakure. Let's say that person had a lot of enemies around the world, do you think the enemies wouldn't think to target you? That's why your parents decided to give you Uzumaki as your surname to avoid being targeted."

Naruto pondered for a moment. Then…

"If what you said is right, why did my parents seal a monster in my body? I wanted to play with the others, but they avoided me since this monster almost destroyed Konohagakure once. They're afraid of me." Naruto said lamentably.

Izumi sighed.

"It must be hard for you. But, it is also hard for the fox inside your body."

"Huh?"

"Just think about it. You were shunned away by people in your village. But, how long was that? On the other hand, the fox in your body was treated as a weapon ever since years ago. And "it" no longer has freedom since humans used it for reasons of peace. It suffered even more than you. The reason why your parents decided to seal it in your stomach was that they believed that you could get along with it in the future. If you couldn't understand its pain, how could you befriend it?"

Naruto froze for a moment. He didn't think that the nine-tailed fox inside him was much more miserable than him. What Izumi said awoke him. He never thought about the nine-tailed fox's feelings. He always blamed the fox because it was the reason he couldn't control his chakra. But now, he felt guilty.

Izumi patted his shoulder and said.

"Have you ever met that fox?"

Naruto was silent for a moment, then confirmed.

"Yeah, I met him. He is trapped in some kind of jail inside my body."

"When you can get back in. Try talking to it and getting it to be friends with you."

Although it might be hard since Kurama's hatred towards humans was already so great. But at least, Naruto could try it first.

"Thanks for reminding me, Izumi-san. If you didn't tell me, I might just be thinking about myself without paying attention to how it feels. But, how can I meet it again?"

"Hmmm. We're still on the way to Konohagakure. I'll tell you later after we arrive."

Naruto nodded. Naruto thought Izumi was a good person since Izumi was so eager to help him. He didn't know if the word "thanks" was enough. And it seemed, only Izumi understood his circumstances even though it was the first time Izumi met him

On the other hand, Izumi just thought that it was Naruto's chance to use his Talk no Jutsu.

— — — —

Kaiyougakure village has an 'M' shaped rune called Ehwaz. That rune is interpreted as harmonious teamwork and trust. In divination, it means harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty, and friendship.

Although it was somehow similar to a Majin symbol in Dragon Ball. Izumi interpreted it differently.

Everyone from Izumi's group wore the forehead protector that had the 'M' symbol on it. However, they don't wear them on their heads, but on their arms. Rori tied her forehead protector around her neck. While Izumi tied it below his right shoulder.

Forehead protectors are usually worn as a sign of pride and fealty for one's village. Ninjas consider it an honorable, important part of their tradition and make a point of wearing it at all times.

Although not wearing a forehead protector is frequently viewed as disrespectful to one's village and peers, a ninja who does not wear one may still be loyal to their village.

When they arrived at the gate, they were greeted by ninjas who act as gatekeepers.

"Kakashi-san. It's been 3 days and you're back already. Was the escort mission you referred to three days ago to escort them? I've never seen a ninja village with that symbol."

"You'll find out later. Sir Warrod, we will find a place for you to stay first before meeting with Hokage-sama."

Kakashi only answered briefly before he turned to Warrod. Of course, Kakashi was still acting like he was unfamiliar with Warrod. Warrod nodded in confirmation.

After getting to the inn, Kakashi and his team left Izumi and the others.

Izumi and the others discussed choosing who would join the meeting with the Hokage. Kakashi said that only 3 people, including Warrod, were allowed to attend the meeting.

"Gramp Warrod must come. And regarding the technology under discussion. Are you willing to join Gramps, Tabane-chan?" Izumi thought that Tabane was suitable for this kind of thing because he knew how smart she was.

Tabane put her hands on her waist and said.

"Why should I? Can't you too? Don't tell me you're lazy!"

While leaning on the wall, Izumi shook his head.

"It's not that I'm lazy, but I don't like that kind of thing."

"Me as well!" Tabane pouted at Izumi's casual answer.

Actually, Izumi was just tired of such meetings because he had done so many times in Edea. But he didn't say the real reason and just answered vaguely.

"Give it up Tabane, if he decides, it will be hard to change his mind." Warrod didn't mind who attended the meeting, but at the very least, one should have some knowledge of what they were going to discuss later. Warrod also added.

"Aside from Tabane, Rori also has to come along. They've suspected you before. And if you come along, chances are it won't happen again. Besides, you're smart as well."

"Ufufufu, you're really good at praising people, Warrod-chan." Rori chuckled when Warrod praised her.

— — — —

Not long after, Izumi walked around Konohagakure. The scenery in Konohagakure village is like a village in the Edo period. Even so, the existence of machines in Konohagakure village made the village more advanced than in the Edo period.

While walking, he could see a very high cliff with carvings of the faces of the Hokage from the first to the fourth.

Everyone looked at him curiously. Seeing the symbol on Izumi's arm, they knew that Izumi was not a resident of Konohagakure village, so they were a little wary of him.

With the expressions they showed, Izumi assumed that the relationship between the ninja villages was less than harmonious.

It didn't take long, Izumi found the place he wanted to visit, the Ichiraku Ramen, which was said to be the most delicious cuisine in Konohagakure.

"Welcome!"

Arriving at Ichiraku's shop, Izumi remembered that he had no money in the shinobi world.

Izumi took out his phone and opened the chat group. What he wanted to do was exchange his shop coins for currency in the shinobi world. As soon as he finished exchanging, he felt someone familiar walking toward the Ichiraku ramen shop.

"You're here?"

"Oh, Izumi-san." Naruto was surprised to see Izumi.

"Oh, looks like you two know each other." The Ichiraku owner was a little surprised by Naruto who knew Izumi. Naruto said.

"Previously I had an escort mission, and that mission was to escort him and his group."

"So, that's why. Are you gonna order something?"

Hearing the question from Uncle Ichiraku, Izumi nodded and then ordered the Ramen that was on the menu.

After eating, Izumi felt a magic fluctuation behind him. Sensing that it was a familiar space fluctuation, Izumi could guess who was coming.

"Oh, where is this?"

What appeared was Hiiro with a bit of confusion on his face.

"Why are you here?" Izumi didn't answer Hiiro's question, instead, he asked back.

"Gramps and the others went to see the Hokage."

"I see."

With Warrod's experience and the genius of Tabane and Rori, Izumi felt at ease. Izumi turned to Naruto who seemed taken aback by Hiiro's sudden arrival.

"Oi, Naruto!"

Izumi waved a hand which made Naruto wake up. Naruto asked.

"How did he suddenly appear?"

"It's a Jutsu similar to what I've shown when fighting with you." Izumi just said that it was a Jutsu, not magic.

"That was a Jutsu? I thought it was your speed! Can you teach me!?" Seeing such an interesting Jutsu, Naruto wanted to learn it, but Izumi refused.

"You just can't control your chakra yet, that Jutsu is the most difficult Jutsu to learn. It will be impossible for you to master it now. Maybe later when your chakra control is good enough."

Although Naruto wanted to complain, he remembered all of what Izumi said before. He resigned himself and tried to get stronger first.

After they ate the ramen, Izumi asked Naruto to show them around Konohagakure village.