Chapter 21: Uzumaki Survivors

The dinner was over.

All four sat together, relaxing in the warmth of their home. The room was peaceful, filled with the quiet sounds of tea being poured and the occasional crackle from a candle's flickering flame.

Naruto, resting his chin on his hand, glanced at his mother. His bright blue eyes held curiosity—but also something deeper, something unspoken.

The room, once filled with lighthearted chatter, suddenly felt heavier. Kushina, who had been leaning back comfortably, froze for a moment at Naruto's question. Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her sleeve.

She took a slow breath, trying to steady her emotions before looking at her son. "Yes, Naruto… Our clan was known as the Uzumaki Clan. A proud and powerful family with a legacy that spanned centuries."

Her voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable sadness behind it. Naruto could see it—feel it. Even though she tried to hide it, the pain of loss was still there, buried deep within her heart.

"Our clan had a signature trait," she continued, gently running a hand through his spiky red-tinted hair. "Our red hair. A mark of our lineage, our strength, and our resilience. We were known for our incredible life force and our mastery of sealing jutsu… But that strength was also what made the world fear us."

She paused, her fingers gripping the fabric of her clothes for just a second before she let out a sigh.

"They feared us so much that… they came together and destroyed us."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly. He had heard bits and pieces before, but hearing it from his mother directly, seeing the quiet grief in her expression—it hit differently.

"But we survived, right?" he said, his voice quieter now.

Kushina smiled, though there was a trace of sadness in her eyes. "Yes… We survived. You and I, Naruto. We're still here. And as long as we live, the Uzumaki name will never be forgotten."

Tsunade, who had been listening silently, finally spoke up. "Your clan was one of the greatest, Naruto. Strong, wise, unbreakable." She gave a small smirk. "You carry that same fire in you."

Naruto clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "Then I'll make sure the world remembers the Uzumaki name. I'll rebuild our legacy."

Kushina's eyes widened slightly before softening. She reached forward, pulling Naruto into a gentle hug.

"You already are, my son."

The room fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of history settling between them. But within that silence, a spark of something new was born—hope.

Naruto's eyes lit up with hope. "Really?! Then that means there's a chance... there might be more out there!" 

Kushina's expression softened, a flicker of longing in her gaze. "Maybe… I don't know for sure. But if there are survivors, they would have scattered across the world, hiding, blending in." 

Naruto clenched his fists, determination burning in his heart. "Then let's find them. Let's bring them together again and rebuild our clan, here in Konoha!" 

Tsunade, who had been lost in thought, finally spoke, her voice slower, more thoughtful. "Now that I think about it… I might have seen one. It was a long time ago, after the Second Shinobi War." 

Naruto turned to her immediately, eager. "What do you mean, Tsunade?" 

She crossed her arms, her brow furrowing as she recalled the memory. "Back then, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and I were in Amegakure. We came across three orphaned kids trying to survive. One of them had striking red hair… just like you, Kushina. Jiraiya took them in, taught them how to fight, how to survive." 

Kushina's eyes widened. "Red hair…? That means…" 

"There's a chance he was an Uzumaki," Tsunade finished. 

A silence filled the room, heavy with possibility. Naruto's heart pounded with excitement, his mind already racing with plans. "Then we have to find out! If he's still alive if there are others… I want to bring them home." 

Kushina reached out, placing a gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto… it won't be easy. The world is big, and some may not even remember their roots. Some may not want to return." 

Naruto met her gaze, unwavering. "Even so, I have to try. If there's even a chance that I have family out there, I won't just sit back and do nothing. I'll find them, no matter what it takes." 

Tsunade smirked slightly, seeing the same fire in him that his parents once had. "You are his son, huh?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. 

Shizune, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. "If anyone can bring the Uzumaki back together, it's you, Naruto." 

Kushina smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "Alright then… if this is what you want, we'll do it together." 

Naruto grinned widely, the dream of his clan's revival now burning brighter than ever. "Then it's decided! We'll find the Uzumaki survivors and rebuild our family!"

"Then, while we build gambling houses we also search for them."

"Do you know any type of mercenaries who work for money"

Tsunade, Kushina, and Shizune fell into silence at Naruto's words. The weight in his voice, the firm resolve—it wasn't something a child should carry. And yet, there he was, speaking with the clarity of someone who had already seen too much. 

"Why don't you trust the ninja system?" Shizune asked, concern evident in her voice. 

Naruto exhaled, his expression serious. "Because every mission has to go through the Hokage. And Jiji… he's not as reliable as he used to be. " His eyes darkened slightly.

Kushina's heart ached. She knew he wasn't wrong. Despite everything, Konoha had let the Uzumaki be wiped out without aid. She had been welcomed, but her clan? Forgotten. And if Naruto was going to revive their name, there would be resistance—whether political or from the shadows. 

Tsunade smirked slightly, though there was no humor in her eyes. "He's got a point. People who work for money—real mercenaries—follow one rule: as long as you pay them, they stay loyal." She leaned back, arms crossed. "You don't need trust—you need reliability." 

Naruto nodded. "Exactly. We'll need people who don't ask questions and don't have village loyalties. If we pay them well, they'll get the job done without interference." 

Kushina's expression darkened. "That kind of life… it's dangerous, Naruto." 

Naruto met her gaze, unwavering. "I know, Mom. But bringing back the Uzumaki means stepping into danger. We can't just sit back and hope things fall into place. If we want to find our lost family, we have to move." 

For a long moment, nobody spoke. Then, Tsunade sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Hah… I never thought I'd see the day where a kid outmaneuvers the Hokage in thinking ahead." She grinned. "Fine, brat. I might know a few names. But they won't come cheap." 

Naruto smirked. "That's why we're building the gambling houses. We'll have money—and then, we'll have power." 

Kushina watched her son, a mix of pride and worry swirling in her heart. He was growing up too fast, thinking too far ahead. But as much as she wanted to stop him, she couldn't. He was an Uzumaki, and that meant he was unstoppable once he set his heart on something. 

"Alright," she said softly. "If this is the path you choose… we'll walk it together." 

Naruto's smile softened. "Thanks, Mom." 

Shizune exhaled, shaking her head with a small smile. "This is turning into something huge…" 

Tsunade chuckled. "And it's only the beginning."