Chapter 77 : Acceptance (5)

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Hana rushed into the humble Ichiraku Ramen shop, out of breath and wide-eyed, holding a little black book. Within the restaurant, a particular bunch was assembled. The first person the Inuzuka Chunin noticed was her two best friends, Mitarashi Anko and Yuhi Kurenai. The next two people she noticed were Sarutobi Asuma and a beautiful auburn-haired woman. She blinked in confusion.

"Ah, who's this?" She asked the general group.

Anko slurped down the noodles she had in her mouth and slapped Mei on the back in a show of rough friendship. Mei, who also had noodles in her mouth choked at the surprising gesture. Anko either didn't notice her death glare, or didn't care. "Inuzuka Hana, this is my new sister, Terumi Mei, the Godaime Mizukage!" She shouted in a slur. Apparently, Anko was already tipsy.

Mei sighed and grabbed the bridge of her nose with her right hand. "I told you not to call me that, Anko. It just makes this feel all the more weird…"

Hana raised an eyebrow. "Make what weird?" She asked in confusion.

Both Anko and Mei totally ignored the veterinarian, which annoyed her greatly. "Don't take it personally, Hana-chan." Kurenai spoke up. "They did the same to us…" She sighed in exasperation. "Anyways, why did you look so shocked a moment ago?" She asked, noticing the Bingo Book within her friend's hands.

Hana's eyes widened again. "OH!" She shouted. "Have you guy's checked the new Bingo Book entries?" She didn't even wait for them to answer before she started again. "I guess Hokage-sama updated cuties entry, because there's a whole lot of more info." She quickly turned to the thirty-third page.

While she was doing this, Mei raised an eyebrow. "Cutie?" She asked.

Anko smiled. "Naruto."

Mei turned back to the Konoha skank, an absolutely dark expression on her face. Maybe Mei was a little tipsy too…

"I saw his face and decided to check if anything else was added." She showed them the page Naruto was on, pointing to a certain spot. "Look! It says right here! 'Family – Namikaze Minato (Father), Uzumaki Kushina (Mother)'." Kurenai and Asuma's eyes widened. "Cuties the son of the Yondaime Hokage and Kushina-sensei!"

Kurenai turned to the calm faces of Anko and her 'sister'. "Did you know about this, Anko?" Kurenai asked.

Anko snorted. "Of course I knew! I am his woman, Kurenai." The snake user said offhandedly. Asuma, Kurenai, and Hana's eyes widened ever wider, if that was possible. Anko had just admitted to being the Bringer of Hope's 'woman'.

Asuma was the first to shake off the shock. He cleared his throat. "So Naruto's the son of the Yellow Flash?" He nodded slowly. "I believe it. Not only is he strong like Yondaime-sama, he looks just like him."

Hana and Kurnai decided to follow Asuma's lead in ignoring Anko's comment. "Yeah," Hana stated. "I guess the good looking genes run in the family. And he asked me to start Suzu's training. I'm training the Yondaime's son's ninken!" She said with a playful smile.

This time, both Anko and Mei looked at the Inuzuka with angry eyes. They were more alike than either would admit…

"Did you guys hear about what happened with Hayate?" Kurenai asked. Asuma and Hana shook their heads, Anko and Mei deciding to just stay silent. "He was killed." Asuma shook his head again.

"I just saw Hayate today."

Kurenai nodded. "That's the thing… supposedly Naruto disagreed with his murder." Hana looked confused. "Naruto brought him back. He resurrected Hayate."

"What?" Hana asked intelligently.

"A friend of mine is in ANBU. She was with the cell that first found his body." Kurenai began. "Apparently Hayate had been dead for an hour before Naruto arrived." Mei and Anko were still silent. "After touching him, Hayate came back to life, and all of his wounds vanished." Hana and Asuma were very interested in this story. "I guess it was difficult because Naruto was hospitalized afterwards." She shook her head. "No-one has seen him since."

"Is that true? I mean, it's impossible to bring the dead back to life, right?" Hana asked.

Kurenai shrugged. "He's always saying how nothing is impossible for him… I think he just proved that statement because Hayate's alive."

"Why hasn't he been seen since?" Asuma asked curiously. As the son of the Sandaime Hokage, the man who had at least some knowledge on every technique created in Konoha, the Jonin knew about the Nidaime's Edo Tensei (Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation). He was sworn to keep it a secret though, and he knew that even Naruto wasn't allowed to use such a horrendous Jutsu, so he kept quiet about it.

"I don't know, but Yugao hasn't spoken to me or anyone in three weeks. I don't know what all happened that night, but I know that it hurt Naruto."

Everyone turned when both Mei and Anko suddenly stood from their stools. They put down the money for their meals and walked off in the same direction, not looking very pleased.

"What's with them? And since when did Anko know the Mizukage?" Hana asked.

Kurenai just stared at the retreating forms of the Kunoichi. "I don't know, Hana… I don't know." She really needed to find out what was going on with her friends. All of them.

It was the night before Naruto and Sasuke were going to return to Konoha, and the two had just finished their last insane training session. Both Shinobi were exhausted, their muscles ached and their tenketsu burned. But even through the pain and exhaustion they had smiles on their faces. Both had accomplished what they set out to do.

"Do you think you can teach that to me sometime, too?" Sasuke asked softly. He was lying on the comfortably cold ground next to the blond, just staring at the starts that littered the night sky.

"I don't think it's for you, Sasuke." He replied honestly. "I can usually learn anything within a few hours, or at the very most a few days. This took me a whole month…" He sighed. "I don't know if anyone can learn how to use this again after me. It's ridiculously complicated and far too intricate."

Sasuke sighed. "Oh well." He was too tired to be disappointed. Some things are just impossible, unless your name's Uzumaki Naruto. "Why did you learn it? You're already strong enough without it." Sasuke didn't understand why someone like Naruto would need that technique.

Images of Hayate's dead body plagued his mind. He never wanted to see someone he knew and loved like that again. He had been too slow. But now, with his father's legacy, he would never have that problem again. Sasuke was so exhausted that he passed out, not even getting his Shishou's answer. Now with his father's memory in his mind, he couldn't help but remember the first time he met the powerful Kage.

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(Flashback)

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This should have happened a long time ago.

Nezumi knew Kurama was his partner. He knew that the most powerful Bijuu was genuinely ready and willing to help him. He didn't know it until a year ago, but the man who left the key to him was his own father. It was his birthright. Unfortunately Jiraiya-sensei was less than convinced that the Kyuubi no Kitsune was willing to obey.

It wasn't until he returned from Mizu no Kuni that he admitted Kurama was his ally. He couldn't claim that the Bijuu were evil anymore. After… after he completed the second task in Mizu the Hokage gave him, Jiraiya knew that his godson was ready.

"Don't worry, Sensei. I know who he is. He's my friend, my first friend. He won't betray me." He smirked. "And he wouldn't be able to even if he tried."

Jiraiya sighed. "I know… It's just strange for me. I thought you'd be ready for this when you were older." He shook his head slowly. "It just reminds me how eerily precise your father was. He could see the way events would unfold years into the future. He had the sight, more than anyone I've ever known." He smiled. "If he could see how you turned out… You're the perfect son, Naruto."

Nezumi smiled. He didn't care if he used his name in front of Neko and Ookami; they were his right and left hands in Ro-Han. He could feel his godfather's mind. Jiraiya saw him as his own son. Good. Nezumi always thought of the Toad Sannin as his father too.

"Thank you, Sensei." He had to sound official. Neko and Ookami were still Shinobi of the Leaf, and Jiraiya was one of the most respected Ninja currently a part of the village.

The Sannin's face turned serious. "Are you ready?" Nezumi nodded. He'd been ready for years. Jiraiya opened his mouth, and a few seconds later, a vertically long toad made its way into the open.

"What's with calling me out, Jiraiya?" The scroll toad from Mount Myoboku asked annoyingly.

Jiraiya pointed at his godson. "Minato's boy is ready for the key, Gerotora." He said in a commanding voice. The perverted Sannin was always joking around, so a lot of people, and toads for that matter, treated him like the goofball he usually was.

However, if you knew the Sennin, you knew exactly how powerful he really was. It was said that Orochimaru was the greatest of the Sannin, and then Tsunade, and then Jiraiya. But when Jiraiya entered Sage Mode, he was even more powerful than the Hebi Sannin. He was truly a terrifying man to face when he wanted to kill.

Gerotora knew this was the serious Jiraiya speaking, so instead of making a witty remark, he kept his mouth shut and opened the stomach scroll.

"It's time, Nezumi." The Sandaime Hokage began. "It's time for you to walk where no other has walked before. You are about to take your place among the truly powerful Shinobi of Konohagakure no Sato." He smiled. "Take pride, my boy. You are about to join the Heavens."

Nezumi bowed to his commander. He would do this for Konoha, his Heaven, but there was another reason he wanted this. The Bijuu… they weren't just tools to be used. He didn't want this power to command. He wanted this power to protect. The Bijuu were much more than powerful chakra entities. They were his family. They were his brothers and sisters. He was the Child of Prophecy, and he embraced that fact. He was a Monster, as were they, and they belonged together.

Jiraiya bit his thumb, sliding the bloody finger across his arm before going into a frenzy of hand-seals. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)." He called out. With two small bursts of smoke, the elders of Mount Myoboku appeared.

"Ah, Jiraiya-boy!" Fukasaku shouted happily. "It's been a while."

Shima, Fukasaku's wife, smiled, which was a little weird looking since, well, she was a toad… "That it has, Jiraiya-kun. What's with the summoning?" She asked. Before she could answer, Jiraiya was already summoning again.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)!" He called out again. This time, the burst of smoke was much, much larger than the last.

In all his glory, the great Chief toad, Gamabunta was among the others in the large Training Ground One, the Hokage's personal training grounds. "JIRAIYA!" The chief roared. "It was a bad idea to summon me again!" The giant toad was about to scream in anger again until he saw the God of Shinobi and his Shadow. That's when Gamabunta went silent.

Jiraiya began. "Nezumi of Konoha is ready to unlock the power his father left him." He put his arms high into the air, signaling everyone present. "Those gathered have been chosen to witness this event." His eyes scanned the faces of those gathered.

"Hatake Kakashi," he started with the first one his eyes met, "You were the student of this operative's father. You are practically his elder brother. You are a strong Shinobi of our village, and we are grateful for you taking this boy under your wing." Kakashi nodded. "Neko, Ookami," he started on the next, "The two of you are this operative's right and left hands.

You are the sword and the shield the Kamikage wields." The ANBU were silent. They appreciated the words greatly, but they were ANBU. They didn't show emotion, ever. "Sarutobi-sensei," his eyes met his teacher's, "You are like this operative's grandfather.

You are the commander of Heaven, and your Shadow has succeeded thanks to your teachings." The Hokage smiled.

"Fukasaku-sama, Shima-sama," he started on the elders, "You were the teachers of this operative's father as well. The Yondaime Hokage learned the honorable Senjutsu from the two of you.

You connected father in son, even if you were unaware of it at the time." The toads nodded. "Gamabunta," the Chief Toad decided to let Jiraiya speak. When his first summoner was serious like this, the giant toad had nothing but the upmost respect and obedience for him, "You were this operative's father's warrior, protector.

You helped him, as well as me, fight many battles. Knowing that you are now Nezumi's guardian brings me happiness." Gamabunta raised his head, taking pride in the Sannin's words. He finally made his way to Nezumi. "ANBU operative Nezumi," Nezumi straitened.

His Sensei only used this tone when the battle-hardened war hero was speaking, and the confidence in it commanded respect. "I was your father's Sensei. He was like a son to me, as are you." Nezumi smiled under his mask. "Having a hand in teaching you the Shinobi's way is truly an incredible gift.

If your father was here, he would have nothing but content for the way you have turned out." He took in a deep breath, hoping Minato and Kushina were here with them. "Your father knew you would one day be ready to tame the incredible chakra of the Kyuubi no Kitsune.

He knew his son would surpass even him. That is why he left you this key." He pointed at the scroll. "This is the key to unlocking the Hakke no Fuin Shiki (Eight Trigrams Sealing Technique). With it, you will open the great gates that hold the Bijuu back. With it, you attain something no man has ever before.

With it, you will have the greatest of the Bijuu by your side. You are the first man to gain the Kyuubi's respect. That in and of itself is proof that your father knew what you would become." He smirked. "Now, take what is yours, and only yours, like your father wished."

Nezumi also smirked. It was time for him and Kurama to finally become one for real. He stepped forward, his already bloody fingertips pressing against the odd feeling scroll.

It was time for him to fulfil his greatest promise.

Kurama would be free.

The moment he closed his eyes, he was standing in front of the gates that kept the most powerful Bijuu at bay. He was going to rip these bars apart.

He felt the Kyuubi's soul. He didn't say a word. He just stared at the impossible blond child before him. This was without a doubt the one his father spoke of.

The boy was about to fulfil a promise made to a Bijuu, something that rarely ever happened. He knew he would fight alongside this child for the rest of his life. They were partners. They were friends. They were family.

"Are you ready to be free, my friend?" He asked the Kyuubi.

Kurama breathed loudly. "I've waited for this my entire life." Kurama had felt trapped in this nightmare since the old Sennin passed. He was never truly free, even if he wasn't trapped in a human. He was a slave, a slave to his own hatred.

He was tired of just hating. He wanted what only Naruto could give. "I'm ready to wake up, Naruto." He said with the saddest voice the Uzumaki had ever heard from his first friend. This only strengthened his resolve.

"Good. Because it's about time you woke up, lazy." He said playfully. Kurama chuckled softly. The blond then hardened his features, his mask gone in his own mindscape.

Blue eyes met red before Naruto lifted up his shirt, kanji appearing up and down his right arm. He brought his hand to his stomach, to the seal the Kyuubi was caged within. He hated cages, and he was set on ridding Konoha of all of them. As he turned his hand, something impossible happened.

The hand holding his, preventing him from letting his partner free, belonged to his hero. The hand holding his back was his father's.

"T-Tou-san?" He asked surprisingly. He had always felt the chakra he guessed belonged to his parents, but never before did he think he'd ever meet them.

"Naruto…" The Yondaime whispered. He then looked at the giant form of the Kyuubi. "You can't have my son, Kyuubi." He said. It was strange though. He didn't speak to the Bijuu like he was a demon, which was what most humans did to his kind. He only spoke as a father, worried for his child.

That's when something Minato never thought he'd ever see happened. Kurama smiled. "I do not wish to harm my only friend, Yondaime." He looked to Naruto. "I wish to stand alongside him." Minato's eyes widened.

He looked back to his son when he felt him begin to turn his hand. "Wait!" He shouted. He was so confused. Why was his son smiling?"

The great gates opened.

Minato panicked. He… he was too late. There was no way Naruto was ready to fight the Kyuubi. He had failed the only mission that truly mattered. He had failed his son…

"Tou-san," he heard his child's voice. "It's fine. Look." Minato raised his head, opening the eyes he shut in pain. "Kurama is not my enemy. He is my friend." He looked at his son incredulously.

"Y-you befriended a Bijuu?!" He asked, shocked. That's when Naruto smiled again. His eyes looked to the left, and when Minato followed, he froze. Kurama smirked as he looked at what the two humans were looking at. Naruto really was impossibly incredible. And then, after a good minute, the father smiled.

"I knew you'd be the one Jiraiya-sensei spoke about." He turned to his son. "But how old are you? How is this," he waved to the right, "Possible?" He could hardly believe it.

Naruto smiled. "I'm my father's son, that's how." It was a simple answer, but it was the truth. "And I'm nine. Nine today."

The Namikaze gave a content smile. He didn't know how his son was so powerful at nine, but that didn't matter much. He had become the Shinobi he knew he'd be. "Happy birthday, son." That had been one of the many things Minato wanted more than anything when he was dying… to be able to wish his child a happy birthday.

Naruto looked uncomfortable. "Tou-san… I," he sighed.

"It is okay, Naruto." The Yondaime suddenly said. He knew exactly what his son was going to say. "Shinobi have to do the terrible to protect the innocent from the wicked." If his son was- again, he looked to the right- this strong; he knew he would have taken lives, many, many lives.

Naruto was still silent. "B-but I'm… I'm a Monster, Tou-san. The blood that stains my hands belonged to the wicked, that's true but… I liked taking their lives. I-"

Naruto stopped when he felt the large hand on his head. "Sometimes, the word needs Monsters like you, Naruto. And as a father, I couldn't be happier." Naruto just froze. He…

He had been accepted by the most important man in his life.

"I don't deserve these words, but I feel like being a little selfish." The Yellow Flash started. "I love you, Naruto, and I'm proud to have you as a son."

With these words, Naruto's father vanished, his chakra no longer able to sustain his form.

With these words, the Kyuubi gave a monstrous smile, because he knew what this had done for his friend.

With these words, Naruto was sure of himself. He was a Monster, and his father accepted him. He would never let his father down.

This was the first time the Monster felt invincible.

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