Roots of Strength: The Legacy of the First

The night the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha would forever be etched into the village's history as its darkest hour. The beast's roars shattered the peaceful autumn night, its massive tails sweeping through buildings like they were made of paper. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, stood atop Gamabunta with determination etched into his features, his blonde hair whipping wildly in the chakra-laden winds.

"Are you certain this is the only way?" the massive toad boss rumbled beneath him.

Minato's blue eyes hardened as he held his newborn son against his chest. "There is no other option. The village won't survive otherwise."

Kushina Uzumaki lay nearby, her vibrant red hair spread like blood across the ground, her body weakened from both childbirth and the violent extraction of the Nine-Tails from her seal. Her violet eyes were wide with fear—not for herself, but for her child.

"Minato, please... there has to be another way!" she cried out, reaching for her husband and son.

But Minato had already made his decision. With a final, loving glance at his wife and a gentle kiss on his son's forehead, he performed the hand seals that would change everything.

"I'm sorry, Naruto," he whispered. "Grow strong. Become a shinobi the village will be proud of."

The Death Reaper Seal technique tore through the battlefield, Minato's life force draining as he split the Nine-Tails' chakra—sealing the Yang half into himself to be taken with him to the afterlife, and the Yin half into the small child with whisker marks on his cheeks.

As the light faded from Minato's eyes, his body falling limply beside his son, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the retired Third Hokage, rushed to the scene. His weathered hands gently lifted the crying infant, whose stomach now bore a spiral seal that pulsed with new power.

"Naruto," he murmured softly.

Kushina crawled toward them, her body trembling with exhaustion and grief. "Give me my son," she demanded, her voice cracking. "Let me hold him... please."

Hiruzen hesitated, his sharp eyes noting how the woman's gaze never quite met the seal on her child's stomach—the mark of the beast that had been within her for so many years.

"Kushina," he said gently, "you need medical attention. You're barely—"

"Give me my son!" she screamed, her voice breaking along with something in her eyes. When Hiruzen finally placed Naruto in her arms, she looked down at the infant's face—so much like Minato's—and at the seal that pulsed on his tiny stomach. Her fingers hovered above it, trembling.

The Nine-Tails' malevolent chakra had left a residue that even now she could sense. The same monster that had been ripped from her, that had killed her husband, now resided in her child. Her mind, fractured by trauma and loss, made connections that weren't fair—weren't right—but in her grief, seemed undeniable.

"This... this thing..." she whispered, her voice hollow. "It's not... I can't..."

Hiruzen saw the look in her eyes and felt a chill run down his spine. "Kushina, he's your son. Minato gave his life to—"

"Minato is gone!" she snapped, her eyes wild with grief. "And this... this is the reason."

She pushed the crying infant back toward Hiruzen, her hands shaking violently. "I can't look at him without seeing it. I can't..."

The Third Hokage took Naruto back into his arms, a deep sadness settling over him like a shroud. He had seen this before—the way trauma could break even the strongest minds, how grief could twist love into something unrecognizable. The Kushina before him wasn't the vibrant, loving woman who had been so excited to become a mother. That woman was buried beneath layers of pain that time might—or might not—eventually heal.

"I understand," he said softly, though his heart broke for the child in his arms. "When you're stronger, when you've had time to heal—"

"I won't change my mind," Kushina interrupted, her voice flat. "I can't be what he needs. Not now. Maybe not ever."

As dawn broke over a devastated Konoha, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink that seemed obscene against the backdrop of destruction, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decision that would alter the course of many lives.

"Then I will find someone who can."

Five years later

Tsunade Senju glared at the sake cup in front of her, as if it had personally offended her. The gambling den around her was filled with the sounds of clinking coins, raucous laughter, and the occasional curse from unlucky patrons. She was about to reach for the cup when a shadow fell across the table.

"I thought I might find you here, Princess."

Tsunade didn't need to look up to recognize the voice of her former sensei. "What do you want, old man? I'm busy losing money."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the reinstated Third Hokage, took a seat across from her, his weathered face serious beneath his official hat. "I have a proposition for you."

"Not interested," she replied flatly, finally downing her sake in one swift motion. "Whatever mission you're offering, find someone else."

"It's not a mission," Hiruzen said quietly, sliding a photograph across the table. "It's about him."

Tsunade's amber eyes flicked down to the photograph and then quickly away, but not before she'd seen the image of a small boy with bright blonde hair and distinctive whisker marks on his cheeks. Something twisted painfully in her chest.

"Minato's son," she stated rather than asked. "What about him?"

Hiruzen's voice lowered. "He needs someone, Tsunade. Kushina... she hasn't been able to..."

"To what? Be a mother?" Tsunade's voice was sharp. "And you think I would be better? Me, of all people?" She laughed bitterly. "I couldn't save Dan. I couldn't save Nawaki. I'm the last person who should be responsible for a child."

"You're exactly who should be responsible for this child," Hiruzen countered. "He's not just any boy, Tsunade. He's special."

She scoffed. "Because he's the Nine-Tails jinchūriki? That's supposed to convince me?"

"No." Hiruzen leaned forward. "Because he's showing signs of having the Wood Release."

Tsunade's head snapped up, her amber eyes wide with disbelief. "That's impossible. That ability died with my grandfather."

"Apparently not. We believe it's the combination of his Uzumaki lineage and the Nine-Tails' chakra. It's reactivated something dormant." Hiruzen's expression was grave. "Yesterday, he got upset in the orphanage. A sapling burst through the floorboards."

Tsunade's mind raced. Wood Release—her grandfather's legendary kekkei genkai that had helped found the village, that had the unique ability to control tailed beasts—in the body of a child who already housed the Nine-Tails. The implications were staggering.

"Danzo knows," she guessed, her face darkening at the thought of her old rival.

Hiruzen nodded once. "He's already made overtures about taking the boy under Root's supervision. For 'special training.'"

Tsunade's fist clenched, cracking the sake cup she still held. "Like hell."

"Indeed," Hiruzen agreed. "Which is why I need you, Tsunade. Not just as a Senju who understands the Wood Release better than anyone alive, but as someone who won't see him as a weapon to be forged."

Tsunade stared at the photograph again, at the boy's bright blue eyes so like his father's, at the whisker marks that marked him as different. She thought of her grandfather, of his dreams for the village, of the hope he'd held for future generations. She thought of Nawaki and Dan, and the dreams they'd never live to fulfill.

"Where is he now?" she asked, her voice softer than before.

"In my office, with Shizune. She volunteered to watch him while I came to find you."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "You brought him with you? That confident I'd say yes?"

Hiruzen smiled slightly. "No. But I hoped you'd at least want to meet him before refusing."

Tsunade sighed, pushing away from the table. "Fine. I'll meet the brat. But I'm not making any promises."

As they walked through the streets of Tanzaku Town toward the hotel where Hiruzen had set up a temporary office, Tsunade couldn't help but ask, "Why hasn't Jiraiya taken him? He was Minato's sensei, after all."

Hiruzen's expression clouded. "Jiraiya's network requires him to be constantly moving. No place for a child. And..." he hesitated, "he feels responsible for not being there the night of the attack. He's thrown himself into tracking the masked man who released the Nine-Tails."

Tsunade nodded. That sounded like her old teammate—always chasing after threats, real or perceived, always trying to protect everyone, even at the cost of his own happiness.

When they arrived at the hotel room, Tsunade paused outside the door, an unexpected nervousness fluttering in her stomach. On the other side was a child who represented everything she'd been running from—Konoha, her family legacy, the pain of attachment.

"Tsunade-sama?" Hiruzen prompted gently.

With a deep breath, she pushed open the door.

Shizune sat on the floor, her dark eyes bright with laughter as she watched a small blonde boy attempt to stack a tower of playing cards. At the sound of the door, both looked up.

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed, quickly standing.

But Tsunade barely heard her apprentice. Her attention was fixed on the boy, who stared back at her with unabashed curiosity. His blue eyes were wide and clear, his face rounded with childhood but already showing hints of his father's handsome features. Three whisker marks adorned each cheek, giving him a foxlike appearance that was oddly endearing rather than frightening.

"Are you a princess?" the boy asked suddenly, pointing at the diamond on her forehead. "Jiji says you're a princess, but you don't have a crown."

Despite herself, Tsunade felt the corner of her mouth twitch upward. "Not that kind of princess, kid."

"This is Naruto Uzumaki," Hiruzen introduced formally. "Naruto, this is Lady Tsunade Senju, one of the legendary Sannin and the greatest medical ninja in the world."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Whoa! Can you teach me to be a ninja? Old Man says I can go to the Academy soon but that's forever away!"

There was something so earnest, so innocent in his enthusiasm that Tsunade felt an old wall inside her begin to crack. She approached slowly, kneeling to his level.

"I heard you can do something special," she said softly. "Something with plants?"

Naruto's expression immediately fell, his small shoulders hunching inward. "I didn't mean to break the floor," he mumbled. "The other kids were saying stuff... about me being a monster... and I got mad..."

Tsunade felt a surge of protective anger. Of course the village idiots would mistreat the jinchūriki, despite Minato's wishes that his son be seen as a hero.

"You're not a monster, Naruto," she said firmly. "You have a special power, like my grandfather did. It's called Wood Release. It's very rare and very valuable."

Naruto looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "Really? I'm special like your grandpa?"

"The First Hokage," Hiruzen added, smiling gently at the boy's shocked expression.

"The First? The one on the big stone face?" Naruto's mouth hung open. "No way!"

Tsunade couldn't help the small smile that formed on her lips. "Way."

"Can you do the wood thing too?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"No, I can't. My grandfather was the only one... until you."

Naruto's face scrunched up in thought. "So... you could teach me to use it? So I don't break stuff anymore?"

The hope in his voice was palpable, and Tsunade felt something shift inside her chest—a long-dormant feeling of purpose stirring to life. Here was a child with her grandfather's legendary ability, a boy who needed guidance not just in controlling his power but in navigating a world that already viewed him with suspicion and fear.

A child who, despite everything, still looked at the world with bright-eyed wonder.

"Maybe," she said, not quite ready to commit. "But first, show me what you can do. Concentrate on the feeling you had when the plant grew before."

Naruto's face scrunched up in intense concentration, his small hands forming an awkward approximation of a hand seal. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a tiny green shoot emerged from the wooden floorboards between them, slowly unfurling a single leaf toward the light.

Tsunade's breath caught. It was rudimentary, nothing like the massive forest creations her grandfather could summon in an instant, but it was unmistakably Wood Release. And in a five-year-old with no training, it was remarkable.

"See?" Naruto beamed proudly. "I did it without breaking anything!"

Tsunade reached out hesitantly, her finger gently touching the small leaf. It was real, alive with chakra that felt both familiar and strange—an echo of her grandfather's power mingled with something wild and untamed that must be the Nine-Tails' influence.

She looked up to find Hiruzen watching her intently, a knowing look in his aged eyes. The crafty old monkey had known exactly what he was doing bringing her here, showing her this. He'd known that seeing this power—her family's legacy—in this bright-eyed boy would be the one thing she couldn't walk away from.

"Fine," she said at last, standing and facing her old sensei. "I'll train him. But we're not staying in Konoha."

Hiruzen's eyebrows rose. "Tsunade—"

"That's my condition," she said firmly. "The village is no place for him right now, not with Danzo circling like a vulture and the villagers treating him like a pariah. I'll teach him to control both the Wood Release and eventually the Nine-Tails' chakra, but I'll do it my way, away from the village politics."

Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And when he's ready for the Academy?"

"We'll return for that," Tsunade conceded. "By then, he'll have enough control and confidence that it won't matter what anyone says or thinks about him."

Naruto looked between them with confusion. "Does this mean you're gonna be my sensei, Princess Lady?"

Tsunade looked down at the boy who had somehow, in the span of minutes, begun to thaw a heart she'd thought permanently frozen. A boy with her grandfather's rare gift and Minato's bright spirit. A boy who needed someone.

"More than that, kid," she said, ruffling his spiky blonde hair. "I'm going to be your guardian. You're coming with me and Shizune."

Naruto's eyes widened comically. "Like... like a mom?"

The word struck Tsunade like a physical blow. A mother. She'd never allowed herself to even consider the possibility, not after losing everyone she'd ever loved.

"Not exactly," she said carefully. "But I'll take care of you. I'll teach you everything I know. And I'll make sure you grow strong enough to control these special powers of yours."

It wasn't a promise of maternal love—she wasn't ready for that—but it was a promise nonetheless. And Tsunade Senju did not make promises lightly.

Naruto seemed to consider this seriously for a moment before breaking into a wide, fox-like grin that transformed his entire face. "Okay! When do we start?"

Tsunade couldn't help but return his smile with a small one of her own. "Right now, kid. Your life is about to get very interesting."

As if to punctuate her words, the tiny sapling between them suddenly shot up another few inches, sprouting additional leaves that seemed to reach toward Naruto like eager hands.

Tsunade looked at the plant, then at the boy, and for the first time in years, felt something like hope blooming in her chest.

The mountain path wound steeply upward, cutting through dense forest that grew thicker with each passing mile. Tsunade walked steadily ahead, her blonde pigtails swaying with each determined step. Behind her, Shizune followed with Tonton in her arms, occasionally glancing back to check on their newest companion.

Naruto stumbled along at the rear, his small legs working twice as hard to keep up with the women's longer strides. Despite the exhaustion evident in his flushed face, his blue eyes remained bright with excitement.

"Are we there yet?" he called out, not for the first time that hour.

"No," Tsunade replied without turning around.

"Is it much further?"

"Yes."

"Can we take a break?"

This time Tsunade did stop, turning to fix the boy with an appraising look. They'd been traveling for three days since leaving Tanzaku Town, heading deep into the mountains that bordered the Land of Fire. The boy hadn't complained during their journey, not really, despite the grueling pace she'd set. His endless questions were born of enthusiasm rather than whining.

"Five minutes," she conceded, pointing to a fallen log beside the path. "Sit."

Naruto flopped down gratefully, his small backpack—containing everything he owned in the world, which wasn't much—sliding to the ground beside him. Shizune handed him a water canteen, which he gulped from eagerly.

"Lady Tsunade," Shizune ventured carefully, "perhaps we could slow our pace a bit? He's only five..."

"He needs to build stamina," Tsunade replied, though her tone lacked real harshness. "The training ahead will be much harder than a little hike."

Naruto wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I can keep up! I'm gonna be a super strong ninja! Believe it!"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at his catchphrase, but said nothing. Instead, she knelt before him, her amber eyes serious.

"Naruto, do you understand why we left the village?"

The boy's expression sobered. "Because people there don't like me much."

A simple assessment, but accurate enough. "Partly," she agreed. "But also because your powers—both the Wood Release and what's sealed inside you—make you special. And there are people who might want to use that for their own purposes."

"Like the creepy bandage guy who was watching me at the orphanage?"

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Bandage guy? You mean Danzo?"

Naruto shrugged. "Dunno his name. He never talked to me. Just watched sometimes, with one scary eye."

Tsunade and Shizune exchanged concerned glances. Danzo had been observing the boy personally, not just through his Root agents as Hiruzen had implied. The old war hawk was more interested in Naruto than they'd realized.

"Yes, like him," Tsunade confirmed. "That's why I'm taking you somewhere safe, where you can learn to control your abilities without interference. A place where we can focus on making you strong—not just in body and jutsu, but in mind."

"Is that where we're going? The safe place?"

Tsunade nodded. "It's a special location known only to the Senju clan. My grandfather built it as a meditation retreat, where he could practice his Wood Release away from prying eyes."

Naruto's eyes widened. "The First Hokage's secret hideout? Awesome!"

Despite herself, Tsunade smiled at his enthusiasm. "It's not exactly a 'hideout,' brat. It's a training compound with living quarters, a library of scrolls, and grounds specifically designed for mastering chakra control and nature transformation."

"Will there be ramen?"

Tsunade blinked at the non-sequitur. "Ramen?"

"Yeah! It's my favorite! Old Man Hokage takes me to Ichiraku's sometimes and it's the best thing ever!"

Shizune laughed softly. "I'm sure we can arrange to have some ramen supplies, can't we, Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade sighed. "You'll need more than ramen to build the strength required for what I have planned. But," she added, seeing his face fall, "we can include it in your diet. Sometimes."

"Yes!" Naruto pumped his fist triumphantly.

"Break's over," Tsunade announced, standing. "We need to reach the compound before nightfall."

As they resumed their journey, Naruto seemed to find renewed energy, chattering excitedly about all the "super cool jutsu" he was going to learn. Tsunade let him talk, finding his enthusiasm oddly refreshing after years of her own cynicism.

It was late afternoon when they finally reached a seemingly unremarkable section of the mountainside. Tsunade approached a large boulder partially covered with vines and performed a complex sequence of hand seals. The rock face shimmered and dissolved, revealing a hidden path cut into the mountain.

"Whoa!" Naruto gasped. "That's the coolest thing ever!"

"Genjutsu barrier," Tsunade explained. "Only someone with Senju blood—or someone they've keyed into the seal—can reveal the entrance."

They followed the path as it curved through the mountain, eventually opening onto a stunning hidden valley. A compound of traditional wooden buildings stood nestled among towering trees, with a clear stream winding through the property. Beyond the main structures, training grounds of various terrains stretched out: a placid lake, a rocky field, a section of dense forest.

"This is where the First Hokage came to master his abilities," Tsunade said softly, a rare reverence in her voice. "And this is where you'll master yours."

Naruto stood transfixed, his blue eyes wide as he took in what would be his new home. Then, without warning, he bolted forward, racing down the path toward the compound with unbridled enthusiasm.

"Hey, brat!" Tsunade called after him. "Don't just run off!"

But Naruto was already exploring, darting from one building to another with excited shouts of discovery. Shizune laughed, the sound light and genuinely amused.

"It's been a long time since there was a child's energy in this place," she observed.

Tsunade nodded, unexpected emotion tightening her throat. The last time she'd been here was with Nawaki, teaching him some of the Senju techniques that didn't require Wood Release. The compound had stood empty since his death, another piece of her past too painful to revisit.

Until now.

"He'll need somewhere to sleep," she said practically, shaking off the memories. "The east wing has the smaller bedrooms. We'll take rooms in the main house."

By the time they caught up with Naruto, he was standing in the central courtyard, staring up at a massive tree that grew in its center. Unlike the other trees in the valley, this one was clearly special—its bark gleamed with an almost metallic quality, and its leaves shimmered with chakra.

"This tree feels... weird," Naruto said, reaching out a hand toward it. "Like it's alive. I mean, more alive than regular trees."

"That's because it is," Tsunade explained, coming to stand beside him. "My grandfather created it as a living focus point for Wood Release chakra. It's infused with his essence."

As Naruto's fingers made contact with the bark, something remarkable happened. The tree seemed to pulse, its leaves rustling without wind, and a small branch bent downward toward the boy, a single blossom unfurling before his amazed eyes.

"It recognizes you," Tsunade murmured, genuine awe in her voice. "The Senju chakra in your Wood Release..."

Naruto grinned up at her. "Does this mean I'm like part of your family now?"

The question caught Tsunade off guard. She'd agreed to be his guardian, his teacher, but family? That implied bonds she wasn't sure she was ready to form again, attachments that had only led to heartbreak in the past.

Yet looking at his hopeful face, at the tree that had responded to him as if welcoming home a long-lost child, she couldn't bring herself to deny it.

"In a way," she said carefully. "Through your abilities, you do carry a part of the Senju legacy."

It wasn't exactly what he'd asked, but it seemed to satisfy him. His grin widened, and he turned back to the tree with renewed wonder.

"This is gonna be so awesome!" he declared. "When do we start training? Can I learn cool jutsu right away? Can I make huge trees like the First?"

Tsunade crossed her arms. "We start with the basics. Tomorrow morning, 5 AM sharp, in the east training ground."

"5 AM?" Naruto's face fell. "That's super early!"

"Being a shinobi isn't just about 'cool jutsu,' brat. It's about discipline, control, and respect for your powers." Her voice softened slightly. "Wood Release isn't just any ability. It's connected to life itself. Before you can create, you need to understand."

Naruto looked thoughtful, an expression that seemed oddly mature on his young face. "Okay," he agreed finally. "I'll work super hard! And one day I'll be even better than the First Hokage! Believe it!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm but couldn't quite hide her smile. "We'll see about that. Now, let's get you settled in. Shizune, show him to the east wing and help him pick a room. I'll check the kitchens and see what supplies we need."

As Shizune led an excited Naruto toward the residential buildings, Tsunade remained by the sacred tree, her hand resting where his had been moments before. The bark felt warm beneath her palm, pulsing with a familiar chakra that now seemed blended with something new—something that felt like Naruto.

"What would you think of this development, Grandfather?" she murmured to the tree. "Your legacy living on in the most unexpected vessel."

The leaves rustled above her, as if in response, and Tsunade felt a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in years. Perhaps bringing Naruto here was meant to be—not just for his sake, but for hers as well.

With a deep breath, she turned and followed the sound of Naruto's excited voice echoing through the compound. Tomorrow, their real journey would begin.

Two years later

Dawn broke over the hidden valley, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink. In the eastern training ground, a small figure stood atop a wooden post, arms extended for balance, eyes closed in concentration. Surrounding him were twenty similar posts of varying heights, creating an obstacle course that would challenge even experienced shinobi.

"Time!" Tsunade's voice rang out.

Naruto's eyes snapped open, bright blue and determined. Without hesitation, he leapt from his perch to the next post, his movements fluid and precise. He bounded from post to post, occasionally using his hands to vault when the distance was too great for his seven-year-old legs.

Tsunade watched with arms crossed, her amber eyes tracking every movement, every slight wobble or miscalculation. Beside her, Shizune held a stopwatch, her expression encouraging.

When Naruto landed on the final post, balancing perfectly on one foot, Shizune clicked the stopwatch.

"One minute forty-two seconds," she announced. "That's three seconds faster than yesterday, Naruto!"

The boy pumped his fist in triumph, nearly losing his balance in his excitement. "Yes! New record!"

"Don't celebrate yet," Tsunade warned, though there was a hint of pride in her voice. "Now do it again, but this time..."

She formed a quick hand seal, and suddenly the wooden posts began to move, rising and falling like pistons, some tilting precariously.

"...with obstacles," she finished, a challenging gleam in her eye.

Naruto's grin only widened. "Bring it on, Granny Tsunade!"

A tick mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead. "What did I tell you about calling me that, brat?"

"That it makes you feel old and if I keep doing it you'll flick me into next week," Naruto recited dutifully, though the mischievous grin never left his face. "But you gotta catch me first!"

With that, he was off again, leaping and twisting through the now-moving obstacle course with a grace that belied his young age. Tsunade shook her head, but couldn't suppress a small smile.

"He's improved remarkably," Shizune observed quietly. "Two years ago he could barely channel chakra to his feet."

Tsunade nodded. "His stamina was always exceptional—the Nine-Tails' influence, no doubt. But now he's adding control and technique." She watched as Naruto narrowly avoided falling from a suddenly tilting post. "He still has a long way to go, but..."

"But?" Shizune prompted when Tsunade trailed off.

The Senju princess sighed. "But he has more raw talent than I expected. And more determination."

It was high praise coming from Tsunade, who rarely acknowledged progress without immediately pointing out twenty areas that still needed improvement.

The training regimen she'd designed for Naruto over the past two years had been ruthless by any standard, especially for a child. They began each day before dawn with physical conditioning—running, strength exercises, flexibility, and balance training. Mornings were devoted to chakra control exercises, from leaf-sticking to water-walking. Afternoons focused on the theoretical aspects—studying scrolls on chakra nature, the history of Wood Release, and the fundamentals of medical ninjutsu. Evenings were for meditation and learning to sense the natural energies that powered Wood Release.

Many adults would have broken under such a schedule. Naruto had thrived.

Oh, he complained—loudly and often—but he never quit. Never asked for an easier path. Never gave less than his full effort, no matter how many times he failed before succeeding.

It reminded Tsunade painfully of Nawaki sometimes.

As if summoned by her thoughts, one of the moving posts caught Naruto off-guard, tilting sharply just as he landed. He wobbled, arms pinwheeling, before losing his balance completely and plummeting toward the ground.

Tsunade tensed, ready to intervene, when something unexpected happened. Naruto's hands flashed through seals—not perfect, but recognizable—and a branch suddenly extended from the nearest post, catching him before he could hit the ground.

The branch hadn't been there before. Naruto had created it, instinctively using Wood Release to save himself.

Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. This was new.

Naruto hung from the branch by his fingertips, looking as surprised as they were. Then his face split into a huge grin.

"Did you see that?" he shouted. "I did the wood thing without even thinking about it!"

Tsunade strode forward, examining the branch with clinical interest. It was small but perfectly formed, an authentic manifestation of Wood Release rather than the crude growths Naruto had managed previously during controlled practice.

"It appears your body is beginning to integrate the Wood Release as a natural response," she said thoughtfully. "Interesting."

"Does this mean I can start learning the cool jutsu now?" Naruto asked hopefully, dropping to the ground. "Like making huge trees and forests and stuff?"

Tsunade flicked his forehead lightly—very lightly, by her standards, though it still made him wince. "Don't get ahead of yourself, brat. Instinctive use is a good sign, but controlled application is what matters."

She glanced at the position of the sun. "That's enough obstacle training for today. Go wash up and meet me at the lake in thirty minutes. It's time to work on your chakra control for Water Release."

Naruto groaned dramatically. "Water Release? But I want to focus on the wood stuff!"

"Wood Release is a combination of Earth and Water chakra natures," Tsunade reminded him, not for the first time. "To master the advanced techniques, you need proficiency in both component elements. Besides," she added with a sly smile, "I thought you wanted to learn 'cool jutsu.' Water Dragon is pretty impressive, wouldn't you say?"

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Water Dragon? For real? You'll teach me that?"

"Eventually," Tsunade hedged. "If you master the fundamentals."

That was all the motivation Naruto needed. With a whoop of excitement, he took off toward the living quarters to clean up, his boundless energy seemingly unaffected by the morning's intense training.

Shizune chuckled. "You know how to motivate him, Lady Tsunade."

"The carrot and the stick," Tsunade agreed. "Though with that one, the carrot works better. He's got too much stamina to be deterred by punishment."

They began walking toward the lake at a more sedate pace. After a moment of comfortable silence, Shizune spoke up.

"Lady Tsunade, have you given any more thought to the Third Hokage's message? About Naruto returning to the village for the Academy next year?"

Tsunade's expression darkened. "He's not ready."

"With all due respect, his progress has been remarkable. Most children his age are only just beginning basic training, and he's already—"

"It's not about his skills," Tsunade interrupted. "It's about his control—not just of his abilities, but of his emotions. You've seen how he gets when he's frustrated or angry."

Both women remembered the incident three months prior, when Naruto had become enraged during a particularly difficult chakra exercise. The ground around him had erupted with wooden spikes, and his eyes had briefly flashed red, the Nine-Tails' influence leaking through in his moment of emotional weakness.

"He's improved since then," Shizune pointed out gently. "And keeping him isolated forever isn't the answer. He needs to interact with children his own age, to build bonds beyond just us."

Tsunade sighed, knowing her apprentice was right. Naruto's social development was just as important as his ninja training, and the compound, for all its advantages, offered little in that regard.

"We'll see," she said finally. "If his control continues to improve over the next few months... perhaps."

When they reached the lake, Naruto was already waiting, practically bouncing with excitement. He'd changed into a black training outfit with orange trim—a compromise Tsunade had allowed after he'd begged for weeks to wear a completely orange jumpsuit.

"I'm ready!" he declared. "Show me the Water Dragon!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Patience, brat. First, show me your progress with the basic water manipulation exercise."

Naruto groaned but obediently approached the lake's edge. He extended his hands over the water, concentrating intently. Slowly, the surface began to ripple, then rise, forming a wobbly column about two feet high.

"Good," Tsunade nodded. "Now shape it."

Naruto's face scrunched up with effort as he tried to mold the water column into a sphere. The liquid wavered, partially taking shape before collapsing back into the lake with a splash.

"Ugh! Why is water so much harder than earth?" he complained.

"Because it's fundamentally different," Tsunade explained. "Earth is solid, stable. You can impose your will on it directly. Water is fluid, constantly changing. You need to guide it rather than force it."

She demonstrated, raising her own water column with seemingly effortless grace and shaping it into a perfect sphere that hovered above the lake surface.

"Water responds to flow, not force," she continued. "Much like healing chakra. That's why medical ninjutsu and Water Release techniques often come naturally to the same people."

Naruto watched with undisguised admiration. Despite her gruff exterior, Tsunade was an incredible teacher when she wanted to be. He'd learned more in two years with her than he suspected most kids learned in twice that time at the Academy.

"Try again," she instructed. "But this time, don't think about controlling the water. Think about becoming one with it, feeling its natural movements and working with them."

Naruto closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he extended his hands again. He reached out with his senses as Tsunade had taught him, trying to feel the water rather than just see it. There—the subtle push and pull, the way the molecules wanted to move together...

The water rose again, more smoothly this time, and as Naruto guided rather than forced it, it began to take shape—not a perfect sphere, but a recognizable ball of water hovering above the lake.

"I'm doing it!" he exclaimed, then immediately lost concentration, the water ball splashing back down.

"That was better," Tsunade acknowledged. "Again. And this time, maintain focus even when you succeed."

They continued the exercise for another hour, Naruto making incremental progress with each attempt. By the end, he could maintain a water sphere for nearly thirty seconds, though it still wobbled precariously.

"Enough for today," Tsunade finally announced. "You've expended too much chakra. We'll work on your stamina tomorrow."

Naruto flopped onto the grass, exhausted but pleased with his progress. "So when do I learn the Water Dragon?"

"When you can maintain three perfect water spheres simultaneously for five minutes," Tsunade replied with a smirk, knowing full well how difficult that benchmark would be for him.

Rather than being discouraged, Naruto's eyes lit up with determination. "I'll do it in a week! Believe it!"

Tsunade shook her head, amused despite herself by his unwavering confidence. "We'll see. For now, help Shizune prepare lunch, then meet me in the library. I want to go over the theoretical foundations of Wood Release again."

Naruto made a face. "More reading? But I want to practice!"

"Theory and practice go hand in hand," Tsunade said firmly. "Your grandfather didn't become the God of Shinobi by skipping the boring parts."

The mention of the First Hokage had the intended effect. Naruto scrambled to his feet, his fatigue seemingly forgotten. "Fine, but I still say doing is better than reading about doing."

As he jogged off to help Shizune, Tsunade found herself smiling faintly. The boy's boundless energy and determination reminded her so much of Nawaki that it hurt sometimes—but in a way that was gradually becoming more bittersweet than purely painful.

She looked out over the tranquil lake, allowing herself a rare moment of reflection. When she'd agreed to take Naruto under her wing, she'd done it primarily to protect him from Danzo and to ensure the Wood Release ability was properly trained. She hadn't expected to grow... attached.

Yet here she was, two years later, genuinely proud of his accomplishments, invested in his future in a way she hadn't allowed herself to care about anything since Dan's death.

It was terrifying.

Tsunade Senju had lost everyone she'd ever loved. Her parents, her brother, her lover, her teammates scattered to the winds. She'd sworn never to open herself to that kind of pain again.

But somehow, a loud-mouthed, hyperactive little jinchūriki with whisker marks and an impossible kekkei genkai had begun to crack through her carefully constructed walls.

"He's not Nawaki," she murmured to herself. "He's not Dan. His path is his own."

Yet the fear remained—the fear that history would repeat itself, that this bright-eyed boy with too much power and too much heart would meet the same tragic end as those who came before him.

Unless she made him strong enough to survive. Strong enough to control both the Wood Release and the Nine-Tails. Strong enough to face whatever destiny had in store for the child of prophecy that Jiraiya had once spoken of.

With renewed determination, Tsunade turned from the lake. She had scrolls to prepare before Naruto's afternoon lesson. The path ahead was long, but she was beginning to believe that maybe—just maybe—this time would be different.

One year later

The sharp crack of splintering wood echoed through the training ground as Naruto's fist connected with the reinforced wooden post. At eight years old, he was still small for his age, but the power behind his strike would have impressed most chūnin.

"Again," Tsunade commanded from where she observed, arms crossed. "Focus your chakra more precisely. I want to see the post crack from the inside, not just from the impact."

Naruto nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. He closed his eyes briefly, concentrating on gathering chakra in his fist—not just brute force, but the precise application Tsunade had been drilling into him for months.

This time when his fist connected, the wooden post seemed to implode, cracks spreading from within before the entire structure collapsed.

"Better," Tsunade acknowledged with a nod. "You're beginning to understand the concept behind my strength technique. It's not about muscle power—it's about releasing chakra at the exact moment of impact to amplify the force internally."

Naruto beamed at the rare praise. "Does this mean I'll be able to punch through mountains like you soon?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Tsunade scoffed, though her lips quirked slightly. "My technique took decades to perfect. You're only scratching the surface."

"But I'm getting there, right?" Naruto pressed, his enthusiasm undimmed.

Before Tsunade could respond, a flutter of wings announced the arrival of a messenger hawk. The bird circled once before landing gracefully on Tsunade's outstretched arm.

"A message from the village?" Naruto asked curiously, coming closer to peer at the small scroll attached to the hawk's leg.

Tsunade removed the scroll, her expression unreadable as she broke the seal and scanned its contents. Her amber eyes narrowed slightly, a tension appearing in her shoulders that Naruto had learned to recognize as a sign of trouble.

"What is it? What's wrong?" he demanded.

"Nothing's wrong," Tsunade said, though her tone wasn't entirely convincing. "Shizune! Pack our travel gear. We're making a trip."

Shizune, who had been practicing her own medical ninjutsu nearby, looked up in surprise. "Where are we going, Lady Tsunade?"

"Konoha."

The single word hung in the air, charged with significance. In the three years since they'd left the village, they hadn't returned once, despite occasional messages from the Third Hokage asking about Naruto's progress.

"We're going to the village?" Naruto's voice was a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "Why now?"

Tsunade tucked the scroll into her robes. "The Third has requested our presence for the Academy entrance ceremony. If you're to start in the fall, there are... arrangements that need to be made."

Naruto's eyes widened. "I'm going to the Academy? For real?"

Despite her obvious tension, Tsunade couldn't help but smile at his excitement. "That was always the plan, brat. You can't become Hokage without the proper credentials."

Naruto's declaration that he would one day claim the Hokage title had started as a childish boast, but over the years had evolved into a genuine ambition. Tsunade had neither encouraged nor discouraged it, recognizing that the boy needed goals to channel his enormous potential.

"When do we leave? Can I pack my scrolls? Will I get to see Ichiraku Ramen again?" The questions tumbled out in rapid succession.

"Tomorrow morning," Tsunade answered. "Pack light—essentials only. And yes, I'm sure we can find time for ramen."

As Naruto raced off to prepare, practically vibrating with excitement, Shizune approached Tsunade with concern in her dark eyes.

"Is everything alright, Lady Tsunade? You seem troubled."

Tsunade glanced down at the scroll in her hand. "Hiruzen didn't just request our presence for the Academy formalities. There's been an... incident."

"What kind of incident?" Shizune pressed.

"Kushina Uzumaki has returned to the village."

Shizune's gasp was soft but sharp. "After all this time? Why now?"

"According to Hiruzen, she's been undergoing treatment in a specialized facility in the Land of Waves for the past two years. Apparently, she's made progress in dealing with her trauma and has expressed a desire to see Naruto."

Shizune's gaze immediately went to where Naruto could be seen excitedly gathering his belongings. "How do you think he'll take the news? He doesn't even remember her..."

Tsunade's expression hardened. "That's what concerns me. He's never asked about his parents—not directly. I think he assumes they died in the Nine-Tails attack like so many others."

"You never told him otherwise," Shizune observed carefully.

"It wasn't my place." Tsunade sighed, running a hand through her blonde bangs. "Hiruzen and I agreed that the truth about his parentage—especially his father—would remain classified until he was old enough to protect himself from Minato's enemies. As for Kushina..." She shook her head. "I saw no point in telling him his mother had abandoned him. Some truths do more harm than good."

"And now?"

"Now we have no choice. If Kushina truly wants to reconnect with him..." Tsunade's fists clenched involuntarily. "I just hope she's sincere. That boy has been through enough rejection."

The unspoken sentiment hung between them: in the three years since taking custody of Naruto, Tsunade had become fiercely protective of him. The thought of Kushina waltzing back into his life, potentially disrupting the stability he'd finally found, clearly disturbed her deeply.

"Will you tell him before we reach the village?" Shizune asked.

Tsunade was silent for a long moment. "No," she decided finally. "I need to speak with Hiruzen and assess the situation first. Depending on Kushina's true intentions, it might be better to ease Naruto into the idea gradually."

Shizune nodded, though she looked unconvinced. "As you wish, Lady Tsunade."

As Tsunade watched Naruto darting about excitedly, she felt an uncomfortable weight settle in her chest. The boy had thrived under her tutelage, growing not just in skill but in confidence and character. He was no longer the uncertain, occasionally fearful child she'd first met—he was becoming a formidable young shinobi with a kind heart and indomitable spirit.

The thought of anything—or anyone—disrupting that progress made her blood boil.

"He'll be fine," she told herself firmly. "He's stronger than most give him credit for."

Yet as they prepared for their journey to Konoha, Tsunade couldn't shake the feeling that they were heading toward a storm that had been brewing for far too long.

The journey to Konoha took three days at a civilian pace, which Tsunade insisted on maintaining despite Naruto's impatience. "Consider it training in patience," she told him when he complained.

As they approached the massive gates of the Hidden Leaf Village, Naruto's excitement reached fever pitch. He'd spent most of the journey pestering Tsunade and Shizune with questions about the Academy, about whether his Wood Release would make him the top student, about whether the other kids would think he was cool.

Neither woman had the heart to warn him that his reception might not be what he hoped for. The villagers' fear of the Nine-Tails hadn't simply disappeared in three years, and Naruto's status as its jinchūriki was no secret.

"Remember what we discussed," Tsunade said as they approached the checkpoint. "No using Wood Release unless absolutely necessary. Not until we've spoken with the Hokage."

"I know, I know," Naruto sighed dramatically. "Keep my super awesome abilities secret so people don't freak out. But eventually I get to show everyone, right?"

"Eventually," Tsunade agreed. "When the time is right."

The guards at the gate snapped to attention when they recognized Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade! We received word you were coming, but weren't expecting you until tomorrow."

"We made good time," Tsunade replied shortly. "The Hokage is expecting us."

As they entered the village, Naruto looked around with wide-eyed wonder. Though he had some fragmented memories of Konoha from his early childhood, seeing it now was like experiencing it for the first time. The bustling streets, the varied architecture, the sounds and smells of countless lives being lived in close proximity—it was a far cry from the isolated serenity of the Senju compound.

"It's so busy!" he exclaimed, trying to look in every direction at once. "And there are so many people!"

His enthusiasm dimmed slightly as he noticed the reactions of the villagers they passed. Recognition dawned on many faces—not just of Tsunade, whose return would naturally cause a stir, but of Naruto himself. Whispers followed in their wake, some openly hostile, others merely wary.

"It's him..." "The Nine-Tails boy..." "I heard Lady Tsunade took him away to train him..." "Why bring him back now?"

Naruto's smile faltered, his steps slowing as the weight of those whispers pressed down on him. Tsunade, noticing his discomfort, placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Ignore them," she said quietly. "Remember what I taught you about people who judge without understanding?"

Naruto straightened, his jaw setting in determination. "Their opinions don't define me. My actions do."

"Exactly." She squeezed his shoulder once before releasing it. "Now come on. The Hokage Tower is just ahead."

By the time they reached the tower, word of their arrival had already spread. They were immediately ushered up to the Hokage's office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi awaited them, a warm smile crinkling his aged face as they entered.

"Tsunade, Shizune, and young Naruto. It's wonderful to see you all."

"Old Man!" Naruto exclaimed, rushing forward before Tsunade could stop him. Protocol dictated more formal greetings for the Hokage, but Hiruzen merely chuckled, placing a gentle hand on the boy's head.

"My, how you've grown," he observed, genuine warmth in his voice. "I hardly recognized you."

"I've been training super hard! Granny Tsunade is teaching me all kinds of amazing jutsu, and I can already do some really cool stuff with Wood Release, and—"

"Naruto," Tsunade interrupted. "The Hokage and I need to discuss some matters privately. Why don't you go with Shizune to get settled at our accommodations?"

Naruto's face fell. "But I just got here! I wanted to tell Old Man about my training!"

"There will be time for that later," Hiruzen assured him. "For now, I believe Ichiraku Ramen is still open. Perhaps Shizune could take you there while Tsunade and I catch up?"

The mention of his favorite food was enough to distract Naruto. "Ichiraku! Yes! Come on, Shizune! I've been dreaming about their ramen for years!"

As Shizune led an exuberant Naruto from the office, Tsunade's expression immediately hardened.

"Where is she?" she demanded as soon as the door closed.

Hiruzen sighed, the weariness of his years suddenly more evident. "Kushina arrived two days ago. She's staying in the Uzumaki compound on the village outskirts."

"And her condition?"

"Stable, according to the reports from her treatment facility. She had a severe psychological break after the Nine-Tails attack, compounded by the loss of Minato. The trauma was... significant."

"Trauma doesn't excuse abandoning your child," Tsunade said coldly.

Hiruzen's gaze was steady. "No, it doesn't. But it may help explain it. We both know the mind can shatter under sufficient pressure. Kushina lost her husband, was violently separated from the tailed beast she'd hosted since childhood, and gave birth all in the same night. Few would emerge unscathed from such an ordeal."

Tsunade paced the office, unable to contain her agitation. "What does she want now? After all this time?"

"She says she wants to meet her son. To apologize. To try, if possible, to build some kind of relationship."

"And if I think that would be detrimental to Naruto's wellbeing?"

Hiruzen's expression softened. "You've become very attached to the boy."

It wasn't a question, but Tsunade answered anyway. "He's my student. My responsibility."

"And nothing more?"

Tsunade stopped pacing, fixing Hiruzen with a challenging glare. "What are you implying?"

"Only that I've never seen you invest yourself so completely in another's development since Nawaki." He held up a hand to forestall her objection. "It's not a criticism, Tsunade. Quite the opposite. You've done wonders for the boy. He's thriving under your care in a way I never dared hope for when I asked you to take him."

Some of the tension left Tsunade's shoulders. "He's special. Not just because of the Wood Release or the Nine-Tails. He has... something. A determination that reminds me of..."

"Minato," Hiruzen finished for her. "Yes, I see it too. The same unshakable will, though expressed with Kushina's exuberance."

The mention of Naruto's parents brought Tsunade back to the matter at hand. "I won't let her hurt him. Intentionally or otherwise."

"I would never suggest that," Hiruzen assured her. "But Naruto has a right to know his mother, doesn't he? To decide for himself if he wants a relationship with her?"

Tsunade couldn't argue with that, much as she wanted to. "Fine. But I want to speak with her first. Alone. Before she sees Naruto."

Hiruzen nodded. "I thought you might. She's expecting you this evening, after Naruto is settled."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Presumptuous of her."

"She's nervous, Tsunade. Afraid. Meeting the woman who has become a mother figure to the child she gave up..." He trailed off, letting the implications sink in.

Tsunade scoffed. "I'm his teacher, not his mother."

Hiruzen's knowing gaze saw right through her denial, but he was wise enough not to press the point. Instead, he changed the subject. "Tell me about his progress with Wood Release. Your reports have been... selective in their details."

Grateful for the redirection, Tsunade spent the next hour briefing Hiruzen on Naruto's development—his growing control over Wood Release, his nascent medical ninjutsu training, his taijutsu progress, and the specialized chakra control exercises she'd designed to help him eventually access and control the Nine-Tails' power.

"He's not ready for that last part yet," she cautioned. "The few times the Fox's chakra has leaked through have been... intense. But he's learning to recognize the feeling and calm himself before it progresses too far."

Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. "And the seal?"

"Stable, as far as I can tell. Jiraiya would know better—he's the seal master. Speaking of which, when was the last time that pervert checked in on his godson?"

"Jiraiya maintains his distance for the same reason we've kept Minato's identity as Naruto's father secret," Hiruzen reminded her. "Too many connections to the Fourth would put a target on the boy's back. But he asks about him in every report."

Tsunade snorted. "Typical. Always watching from the shadows, never actually present when needed."

Before Hiruzen could defend his other former student, a knock came at the door. A moment later, a chūnin entered with a bow.

"Lord Hokage, the Academy instructors are here for the meeting you requested regarding Naruto Uzumaki's placement."

Hiruzen nodded. "Send them in."

As the chūnin withdrew, Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Placement? I thought it was standard procedure for children to start in the first year."

"Normally, yes," Hiruzen agreed. "But given Naruto's... unique circumstances and the training he's already received, I thought a special assessment might be in order. To place him appropriately."

Before Tsunade could respond, the door opened again to admit two shinobi: a tanned man with a distinctive scar across his nose, and a silver-haired chūnin with round glasses.

"Lady Tsunade," Hiruzen introduced, "these are two of our Academy instructors. Iruka Umino and Mizuki Tōji. They'll be conducting Naruto's placement assessment tomorrow."

Tsunade studied the two men carefully. The one called Iruka bowed respectfully, though there was a flicker of something—uncertainty? unease?—in his eyes when Naruto's name was mentioned. The other, Mizuki, maintained a pleasant smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"A pleasure to meet one of the legendary Sannin," Iruka said sincerely. "The Hokage has told us you've been training Naruto personally. We're very interested to see how his skills have developed."

"He's an exceptional student," Tsunade replied, watching their reactions closely. "Though still a child, with a child's attention span and enthusiasm."

Mizuki's smile widened. "We're well accustomed to dealing with energetic children, Lady Tsunade. I'm sure Naruto will fit right in."

Something about his tone set off warning bells in Tsunade's mind. She'd spent decades reading people—a necessary skill for both a medic and a gambler—and this man's pleasantness felt calculated rather than genuine.

"I'll be observing the assessment," she stated rather than asked.

If her declaration surprised them, neither instructor showed it. "Of course," Iruka agreed readily. "We welcome your input, given your unique knowledge of Naruto's capabilities."

After finalizing the details for the next day's assessment, the instructors withdrew, leaving Tsunade and Hiruzen alone once more.

"I don't trust that Mizuki," Tsunade said bluntly once the door closed.

Hiruzen sighed. "You've always had sharp instincts about people. I'll keep an eye on him."

"See that you do." Tsunade moved toward the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find Naruto and Shizune before that bottomless pit bankrupts Ichiraku. And then," her expression darkened, "I have a long-overdue meeting with Kushina Uzumaki."

The Uzumaki compound sat on the eastern edge of Konoha, its once-proud gates now weathered and rarely used. As one of the founding clans of the village, the Uzumaki had been granted significant land, but their numbers had dwindled during the wars until only a handful remained scattered throughout the nations.

Tsunade stood before these gates as dusk painted the sky in deepening shades of purple, her emotions carefully controlled behind a neutral expression. She'd left Naruto in Shizune's care at the Senju estate within the village proper, telling him only that she had official business to attend to.

After a moment's hesitation that she would never have admitted to, Tsunade pushed open the gate and strode purposefully toward the main house. The compound was silent save for the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze, creating an atmosphere of abandonment that felt appropriate given its primary resident's history.

She didn't bother knocking, instead sliding open the door with more force than strictly necessary, announcing her presence through action rather than words.

"Tsunade. You came."

The voice came from the shadows of the main sitting room, soft and uncertain. Tsunade's eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light, taking in the figure seated on a cushion by the low table.

Kushina Uzumaki had once been a vibrant, fiery woman whose red hair had earned her the nickname "Red-Hot Habanero" in her youth. The woman before Tsunade now was a pale shadow of that former self. Her once-bright hair hung limp around a face that had aged beyond its years, deep shadows beneath violet eyes that held a haunted quality Tsunade recognized all too well.

"Hiruzen didn't give me much choice," Tsunade replied coldly, remaining standing. "He seems to think you deserve a chance to explain yourself."

Kushina flinched slightly. "I deserve nothing," she said quietly. "Least of all forgiveness."

The frank admission took some of the wind out of Tsunade's anger, though she remained wary. "Then why come back now? Why disrupt Naruto's life when he's finally found stability?"

Kushina gestured to the cushion across from her. "Please, sit. This... won't be a short conversation."

After a moment's hesitation, Tsunade complied, though she maintained her rigid posture. Up close, she could see the signs of prolonged psychological treatment in Kushina's demeanor—the careful way she chose her words, the grounding techniques she subtly employed.

"I've spent the last two years in intensive therapy," Kushina began, confirming Tsunade's observations. "Before that, I was... not well. After the attack, after losing Minato and the Nine-Tails being extracted..." She closed her eyes briefly. "I suffered a complete psychotic break."

"That doesn't excuse—"

"I'm not offering excuses," Kushina interrupted, a flash of her old fire briefly visible. "I'm trying to explain what happened. The woman who rejected her son that night wasn't the real me. It was a broken shell, consumed by grief and trauma, making connections that weren't rational."

She took a deep breath. "I looked at my baby—my beautiful baby boy who had Minato's eyes—and all I could see was the monster that had been ripped from me, that had killed my husband. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. But in that moment, my mind couldn't separate them."

Tsunade remained silent, her medical training allowing her to understand the psychological mechanisms at work even as her personal feelings remained conflicted.

"When I finally began to emerge from the worst of it," Kushina continued, "the damage was done. Naruto was gone, taken by you to some secret location. Hiruzen told me it was for his protection, that it was better for him to be away from a mother who..." Her voice broke. "Who couldn't look at him without falling apart."

"And now?" Tsunade asked, her voice slightly less harsh. "What's changed?"

Kushina met her gaze directly for the first time. "I have. Years of therapy, of confronting my trauma, of separating reality from the distortions of a broken mind. I'm not fully healed—I don't think I ever will be. But I'm strong enough now to face the consequences of my actions. To meet my son and beg his forgiveness, even knowing I don't deserve it."

"And if he rejects you?"

Pain flashed across Kushina's face, but she nodded. "Then I'll accept that. It's no less than I deserve."

Tsunade studied the woman before her, looking for signs of deception or instability. She found neither—only genuine remorse and a fragile hope that seemed on the verge of shattering.

"He doesn't know about you," Tsunade said finally. "About either of his parents. He assumes, like most orphans of his generation, that you both died in the Nine-Tails attack."

Kushina's eyes widened. "He doesn't know Minato was his father? The Fourth Hokage?"

"It was deemed too dangerous," Tsunade explained. "Minato had too many enemies who would target his son for revenge. That part, at least, wasn't about sparing your feelings."

Kushina absorbed this in silence, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. "So he thinks he was completely abandoned. No parents, no family at all."

"Until I took him in, yes."

"And now you're his family," Kushina stated rather than asked. "You've become his mother in all but name."

Tsunade stiffened. "I'm his teacher. His guardian."

"The way you speak about him, the way you came here ready to fight for him—that's not just a teacher protecting a student." Kushina's smile was sad but knowing. "He inspires that in people, doesn't he? That fierce protectiveness. He always did, even as a baby."

Tsunade didn't confirm the observation, unwilling to acknowledge the depth of her attachment to Naruto aloud. Instead, she returned to the matter at hand.

"What exactly do you want, Kushina? To take him back? To play happy family as if the past eight years never happened?"

Kushina shook her head. "I'm not that delusional. I know I gave up any right to call myself his mother the night I rejected him." Her voice softened. "I just want a chance to know him. To explain, when he's ready to hear it. To be... whatever he'll allow me to be in his life, even if that's just a distant acquaintance."

"And if I think that would harm him?"

"Then I'll walk away," Kushina said simply. "His wellbeing comes first. It should have always come first."

The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable. Despite her lingering anger, Tsunade found herself believing that Kushina truly did want what was best for Naruto, even if that meant her own continued absence from his life.

After a long moment of consideration, Tsunade came to a decision. "I'll tell him the truth—or at least, a version of it appropriate for an eight-year-old. If, after hearing it, he wants to meet you, I won't stand in the way."

Relief and fear warred in Kushina's expression. "Thank you. That's... more than I hoped for."

"Don't thank me," Tsunade said sharply. "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it because Naruto deserves to make his own informed choices about his life, including who's in it."

She stood, looking down at the woman who had given birth to the boy who had become such an important part of her life. "But understand this: if you hurt him again, in any way, there is nowhere in the Five Great Nations you could hide from me."

The threat hung in the air between them, unmistakable in its intensity. Rather than being intimidated, Kushina nodded in acceptance.

"I would expect nothing less from someone who loves him," she said softly.

Tsunade didn't correct her this time. Instead, she turned to leave, pausing at the door. "I'll bring him tomorrow, after his Academy assessment. Be prepared for any reaction."

Naruto was uncharacteristically quiet as they walked toward the Academy the next morning. The boy who usually couldn't stop talking for more than a minute had barely spoken since Tsunade had told him about his upcoming assessment, his mind clearly preoccupied.

"Nervous?" Tsunade asked, breaking the silence.

Naruto glanced up at her, then quickly away. "No! Why would I be nervous? I've been training with one of the legendary Sannin! This academy stuff will be super easy! Believe it!"

His bravado was transparent, his voice a touch too loud, his smile a bit too forced. Tsunade placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Naruto, look at me."

Reluctantly, he met her gaze, the worry in his blue eyes impossible to hide.

"It's okay to be nervous," she said gently. "Even the strongest shinobi feel anxiety before important moments."

"But what if..." He hesitated, then the words rushed out in a torrent. "What if I mess up? What if I can't do what they ask? What if the other kids laugh at me? What if I accidentally use Wood Release and freak everyone out? What if they decide I can't be a ninja after all?"

Tsunade knelt to his level, placing both hands on his shoulders. "Listen to me. You've worked harder in the past three years than most shinobi work in a decade. You've mastered techniques that grown men struggle with. Whatever they throw at you today, you're more than capable of handling it."

"But—"

"No buts," she interrupted firmly. "And if anyone laughs at you, well..." A mischievous glint appeared in her amber eyes. "Just remember that your teacher could flatten their entire family home with a single finger."

That startled a genuine laugh out of him. "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"

"Of course not," she said with mock seriousness. "I'd just make them think I might."

Naruto's smile widened, some of the tension leaving his small frame. "You're kinda scary sometimes, Granny Tsunade."

"And don't you forget it." She straightened up. "Now, remember what we discussed. Unless there's a life-threatening emergency—"

"No Wood Release," Naruto finished, nodding seriously. "I know. It's our secret weapon. But I can use the other stuff you taught me, right? The chakra control and taijutsu and regular ninjutsu?"

"Yes, but don't show off too much. The point is to assess your level, not to intimidate the instructors."

"Aww, but intimidating them sounds fun!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Just follow my lead and answer their questions truthfully. I'll be right there the whole time."

When they arrived at the Academy, Iruka and Mizuki were waiting in one of the training yards, along with a third person Tsunade hadn't expected: Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in his formal Hokage robes.

"Old Man!" Naruto called out, his nervousness momentarily forgotten as he bounded forward. "You came to watch me too?"

Hiruzen chuckled, ruffling Naruto's spiky blonde hair. "Of course. It's not every day we assess a student personally trained by Lady Tsunade herself."

Iruka stepped forward with a warm smile. "Hello, Naruto. I'm Iruka Umino, and this is my colleague Mizuki. We'll be conducting your assessment today."

Naruto straightened, trying to look composed and serious—an effort somewhat undermined by his inability to stand still for more than two seconds. "I'm ready! What do you want me to do first? I can show you my kunai throwing or my chakra control or—"

"Patience," Mizuki interrupted with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We'll start with the basics. Can you perform the Academy's three fundamental jutsu? Transformation, Substitution, and Clone techniques?"

Naruto's face fell slightly. "Um, I can do Transformation and Substitution really well! Clone technique is... harder for me."

Tsunade stepped forward. "Naruto has unusual chakra reserves for his age, making precise control for smaller jutsu difficult. We've been working on it, but it's an ongoing process."

Iruka nodded understandingly. "That's not uncommon in students with large chakra pools. Let's start with what you can do, Naruto. Show us the Transformation Jutsu."

Naruto formed the hand seals with practiced ease, his face scrunched up in concentration. With a puff of smoke, he transformed into a perfect replica of Tsunade, down to the small details of her outfit and the diamond mark on her forehead.

"Impressive," Hiruzen commented. "Most students his age can only manage a rough approximation."

"I've been practicing!" Naruto-as-Tsunade declared in his own voice, striking a pose that made the real Tsunade roll her eyes before releasing the jutsu in another puff of smoke.

The assessment continued with Naruto demonstrating his proficiency in various ninja arts. His substitution technique was sharp, his kunai throwing accurate, and his taijutsu forms surprisingly refined for his age. When it came to chakra control exercises, he walked up trees and across water with barely a wobble, eliciting impressed murmurs from both instructors.

"Your chakra control is exceptional," Iruka noted. "Most students don't master water-walking until they're genin."

Naruto beamed at the praise. "Granny Tsunade made me practice for hours every day! She said if I fell in the lake one more time, she'd make me do laps around the whole compound!"

Tsunade cleared her throat. "Motivation is an important teaching tool."

The assessment hit its first snag when they reached ninjutsu testing. As Naruto had warned, his attempt at the Clone Jutsu produced only a single, sickly-looking copy that collapsed almost immediately.

"Sorry!" he exclaimed, clearly embarrassed. "I've been trying, but my chakra always feels too big for this jutsu."

"It's alright, Naruto," Iruka assured him. "Everyone has techniques they struggle with."

Mizuki's expression was less forgiving. "The Clone Jutsu is a basic Academy requirement. Failure to master it could affect his graduation prospects."

Tsunade stepped forward, her presence suddenly intimidating despite her controlled tone. "Perhaps a demonstration of what he can do would be more productive than focusing on what he's still developing."

Before Mizuki could respond, Naruto's face lit up. "Oh! Can I show them the thing? The special thing we've been working on?"

Tsunade hesitated, then nodded. "Just the basic version."

Grinning widely, Naruto formed a different set of hand seals—more complex than the standard Academy techniques—then slammed his palm against the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"

A small puff of smoke appeared, clearing to reveal a tiny slug about the size of Naruto's palm. It was pale blue with darker blue markings, and it immediately turned toward Naruto with what appeared to be recognition.

"Hi, Nami!" Naruto greeted cheerfully. "These are the Academy teachers I told you about."

The slug turned, seeming to examine the gathered adults. "Hello," it spoke in a delicate female voice. "I am Nami, daughter of Katsuyu. Naruto has spoken highly of your Academy."

Hiruzen's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "A slug summons? Tsunade, you've allowed him to sign the contract?"

"A modified version," Tsunade explained. "He can only summon the youngest slugs, and only for communication and basic medical support—not combat. It was a compromise after he kept pestering me about having his own summons."

"They kept calling me Little Master," Naruto added proudly. "And they're teaching me medical jutsu too! Watch!"

He turned to Nami, who extended a small pseudopod toward his outstretched hand. As they made contact, a soft green glow emanated from Naruto's palm—the unmistakable signature of medical chakra.

"Medical ninjutsu as well?" Iruka was clearly impressed. "That's advanced for someone his age."

"Only the basics," Tsunade said, though she couldn't quite hide her pride. "Diagnosing simple injuries, accelerating natural healing for minor wounds. He has a natural aptitude for it."

"Surprising, given his... unique chakra," Mizuki commented, his tone carefully neutral but his meaning clear.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. "The Nine-Tails' chakra and Naruto's own are distinct. With proper training, he can access either separately."

An uncomfortable silence fell at the direct mention of the tailed beast. Naruto's smile dimmed slightly, his hand dropping to his stomach unconsciously.

Hiruzen cleared his throat. "I believe we've seen enough for the assessment. Iruka, Mizuki, your thoughts on placement?"

The two instructors conferred quietly for a moment before Iruka stepped forward. "Naruto's skills in most areas exceed what we'd expect from a first-year student. His taijutsu, chakra control, and general knowledge would place him closer to a third-year level. However, there are gaps in his education that would need to be addressed—village history, shinobi regulations, team formations, and of course, the Clone Jutsu."

"Additionally," Mizuki added, "there's the social aspect to consider. Placing him with older students might isolate him further, especially given his... unique status."

Tsunade didn't miss the pause, or the subtle shift in Mizuki's expression when he referenced Naruto's jinchūriki status. Her dislike of the man intensified, but she held her tongue, recognizing that this wasn't the time for confrontation.

"What do you suggest?" Hiruzen asked.

"Second-year placement," Iruka proposed. "With supplemental lessons to address the gaps in his knowledge. It would challenge him without overwhelming him, and the students in that year are slightly younger, which might ease social integration."

Hiruzen looked to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade? Your thoughts?"

Tsunade considered for a moment, watching Naruto as he continued chatting with his slug summons, seemingly oblivious to the discussion that would shape his academic future.

"Second year seems appropriate," she agreed finally. "But I want regular assessments of his progress, both academic and social. If he excels or struggles, adjustments should be made accordingly."

"Of course," Hiruzen nodded. "Iruka will be his primary instructor and will provide monthly reports."

"I'm honored," Iruka said with a slight bow. "I look forward to teaching Naruto."

Mizuki's smile remained fixed. "Yes, it will certainly be... interesting."

As they finalized the details for Naruto's enrollment, Tsunade found herself watching the interactions with a critical eye. Hiruzen clearly had faith in Iruka, whose warmth toward Naruto seemed genuine. Mizuki remained a concern, but at least with Iruka as the primary instructor, his influence would be limited.

More troubling was the imminent meeting with Kushina that awaited them after this assessment. Tsunade had yet to tell Naruto about his mother's existence or her desire to meet him. That conversation would likely be far more challenging than any Academy placement.

"Naruto," she called, interrupting his animated demonstration of medical techniques to his summons. "It's time to go. We have one more... appointment today."

Naruto dismissed Nami with thanks and bounded over. "How'd I do? Can I join the Academy? What year will I be in?"

"You did well," Tsunade assured him. "You'll be starting in the second year, with special tutoring for any subjects you need to catch up on."

"Second year? That's awesome! I'll be ahead of kids my age!"

"Don't get cocky," she warned, though without real heat. "You still have plenty to learn."

As they said their goodbyes and left the Academy grounds, Naruto's excited chatter about his upcoming school career filled the air between them. Tsunade let him talk, knowing that the bubble of happiness would soon be complicated by revelations about his past.

"Naruto," she said finally, when they reached a quiet park not far from the Uzumaki compound. "There's something important we need to discuss before our next meeting."

Sensing her serious tone, Naruto's exuberance dimmed. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that." Tsunade guided him to a bench beneath a large oak tree, sitting beside him. "It's about your parents."

Naruto went very still, his blue eyes widening. In all their years together, he had rarely asked about his parents, as if afraid of what he might learn. The few times he'd broached the subject, Tsunade had given vague answers about them dying during the Nine-Tails attack, never elaborating further.

"My... parents?" he repeated, his voice suddenly small. "What about them?"

Tsunade took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "I haven't told you much about them before, because the full truth is complicated and involves village secrets that you weren't old enough to know."

"But I'm old enough now?" Hope and fear mingled in his expression.

"You're old enough for some of it," she conceded. "Your father was a very powerful ninja who died sealing the Nine-Tails inside you. He sacrificed himself to save the village."

"He's the one who put the Nine-Tails in me?" Naruto's hand went to his stomach, his expression conflicted. "Why would he choose me?"

Tsunade hesitated. She couldn't tell him that Minato had chosen his own son because of his complete faith in Naruto's ability to master the Fox's power—not without revealing Minato's identity, which was still classified.

"Because he believed in you," she said instead, which was truth enough. "He believed you would grow strong enough to control that power and use it to protect others."

Naruto absorbed this silently, his young face unusually serious as he processed the revelation.

"And... my mother?" he finally asked, voice barely above a whisper.

This was the difficult part. Tsunade steeled herself. "Your mother didn't die that night. She was... badly hurt, both physically and mentally. The attack, losing your father, having the Nine-Tails extracted from her—"

"Wait, what?" Naruto interrupted, his shock evident. "The Nine-Tails was in my mom before me?"

Tsunade nodded. "She was the previous jinchūriki. The Fox was released during your birth, which is a time when the seal is weakened. Someone attacked and took advantage of that moment."

Naruto's mind was clearly racing, connections forming. "So... if she didn't die... where has she been all this time? Why didn't she want me?"

The pain in his voice was unmistakable, cutting through Tsunade like a physical wound. She reached out, placing a hand on his small shoulder.

"It wasn't that she didn't want you, Naruto. The trauma of that night broke something in her mind. She wasn't... herself. She couldn't take care of anyone, not even herself."

"She abandoned me," Naruto said flatly, his eyes downcast. "Just like the orphanage kids always said. Nobody wanted the demon fox boy."

"That's not true," Tsunade said sharply. "Your mother has spent years trying to heal, to become strong enough to face what happened. And she's here now, in the village. She wants to meet you."

Naruto's head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "She's here? Now? And she wants to see me?"

"Yes. She arrived a few days ago." Tsunade held his gaze steadily. "She knows she can't make up for the past. She's not asking to be your mother—just to meet you, to explain in her own words, to see the person you've become."

"Do I have to?" The question was quiet, vulnerable.

"No," Tsunade assured him immediately. "This is entirely your choice, Naruto. If you don't want to meet her, we'll go home right now, and that will be the end of it."

Naruto fell silent, his internal struggle visible on his expressive face. After what seemed like an eternity, he looked up at Tsunade with a determination that reminded her painfully of both his parents.

"I want to meet her," he decided. "I want to see her face when she explains why she left me."

The bitterness in his voice was uncharacteristic but understandable. Tsunade nodded, respecting his decision.

"She's waiting at the Uzumaki compound. Are you ready to go now, or do you need more time?"

Naruto stood, his small hands clenched into fists at his sides. "I'm ready. Let's go."

As they walked toward the confrontation that awaited them, Tsunade found herself feeling fiercely protective of the boy beside her. Whatever happened next, she would ensure that Naruto emerged from it stronger, not broken. He had already endured too much in his short life; she would not allow this reunion to become another wound.

The Uzumaki compound gates stood open when they arrived, as if in wary welcome. Naruto hesitated for just a moment before squaring his small shoulders and walking through, Tsunade a steady presence at his side.

Kushina was waiting in the garden, seated on a stone bench beside a small koi pond. At the sound of their approach, she looked up, and for a moment appeared unable to breathe as she took in the sight of her son.

"Naruto," she whispered, rising slowly to her feet.

Naruto stopped several paces away, his blue eyes—so like his father's—studying the woman who had given him life and then left him alone. Tsunade remained beside him, a hand lightly resting on his shoulder in silent support.

"You're my mother," he said, not quite a question. His voice was steady, but Tsunade could feel the slight trembling beneath her hand.

Kushina nodded, her violet eyes filled with emotions too complex to name. "Yes. I am Kushina Uzumaki."

She took a tentative step forward, then stopped, seeming to sense that physical closeness would not be welcome yet. Instead, she knelt to bring herself closer to Naruto's eye level, a position of both equality and supplication.

"You look so much like your father," she said softly. "But you have my face shape, and my smile."

Naruto's expression remained guarded. "Tsunade-baachan told me you were hurt when the Nine-Tails attacked. That you couldn't take care of me."

"That's true," Kushina acknowledged. "But it's not the whole truth. The whole truth is that I failed you, Naruto. I was broken, yes, but that doesn't excuse what I did."

Her honesty seemed to surprise Naruto, who had perhaps expected excuses or emotional manipulation.

"Why now?" he demanded. "It's been eight years. Why do you want to see me now?"

"Because it took me this long to be strong enough," Kushina answered simply. "I've spent years healing, learning to separate what happened from who you are. I wanted to come sooner, but..." She gestured vaguely to herself. "I needed to be whole first. Or at least, as whole as I'll ever be again."

Naruto was silent for a long moment, processing her words. Then, with the directness only a child could muster, he asked, "Did you ever think about me? Did you miss me?"

The question hung in the air, raw and unanswerable in any satisfactory way. Kushina's composure cracked, tears welling in her eyes.

"Every day," she whispered. "At first, those thoughts were... confused, tangled with the trauma. But as I healed, as the lines between you and what happened became clear again, I thought of you constantly. I wondered who you were becoming, if you were happy, if you could ever forgive me."

Naruto shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure how to respond to her emotion. Tsunade gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

"I don't know if I can forgive you," he said finally, his voice small but honest. "I don't really know you. You're just... a stranger who happens to be my mother."

Though the words clearly pained her, Kushina nodded in acceptance. "That's fair. I haven't earned forgiveness or the right to call myself your mother. Those things would have to be built over time, if you ever wanted that."

"Do you... want to know me now?" Naruto asked, vulnerability creeping into his voice despite his attempt at aloofness.

"More than anything," Kushina answered without hesitation. "I want to know everything about you—what you like, what you don't like, your dreams, your fears. But only if you want to share those things. I won't force myself into your life, Naruto."

The boy looked up at Tsunade, seeking guidance. She met his gaze steadily, letting him know without words that this was his decision to make.

After a long moment of internal debate, Naruto turned back to Kushina. "I'm going to be starting at the Academy soon. Second-year class, even though most kids my age would be in first year, because I'm awesome like that."

A small, tentative smile crept across Kushina's face. "That's wonderful. You must have worked very hard."

"I did! Granny Tsunade is super strict about training. She makes me do all kinds of crazy exercises to build my chakra control."

"Granny Tsunade?" Kushina repeated, a hint of amusement in her voice as she glanced at the Senju princess, who merely rolled her eyes.

"Yeah! She pretends to be all tough and grumpy, but she's actually really nice. She takes care of me when I'm sick and taught me cool medical jutsu and even let me sign a special slug contract!"

As Naruto continued chattering, his initial reservations giving way to his naturally exuberant personality, something inside Tsunade both warmed and ached. The boy had an incredible capacity for connection, even in the face of betrayal and abandonment. It was a quality that would either be his greatest strength or his greatest vulnerability.

Kushina listened intently to Naruto's stories, asking questions but not interrupting, clearly treasuring every word. Though her expression remained carefully composed, Tsunade could see the grief and gratitude warring beneath the surface—grief for all the years she had missed, gratitude that her son had found someone to love and care for him in her absence.

When Naruto finally ran out of immediate stories to tell, an awkward silence fell. He scuffed his foot against the ground, suddenly shy again.

"So... what happens now?" he asked, looking between the two women.

It was Kushina who answered, her voice gentle but firm. "Whatever you want, Naruto. We could talk sometimes, if you'd like. Maybe have ramen together occasionally? I heard you like Ichiraku's—it was my favorite too, when I was growing up."

"You like ramen too?" Naruto's eyes lit up despite himself.

Kushina smiled, a glimpse of her former vitality shining through. "Like it? I was the ramen eating champion of my generation! No one could match my appetite for Ichiraku's special miso chashu."

"No way! That's my favorite too!"

Tsunade watched the tentative connection forming, conflicted emotions swirling within her. Part of her—a larger part than she cared to admit—felt threatened by Kushina's reentry into Naruto's life. For three years, she had been his primary caregiver, his teacher, his... family. What would happen now?

Yet she couldn't deny that Naruto deserved the chance to know his birth mother, to understand his Uzumaki heritage, to form his own opinion about the woman who had both given him life and turned away from him in her darkest hour.

"Perhaps once a week," Tsunade suggested, drawing both their attention. "Dinner at Ichiraku's. It would give you both time to get to know each other gradually."

The relief on Kushina's face was palpable. "That would be... more than I hoped for. Thank you."

Naruto nodded, a mix of wariness and curiosity in his expression. "I guess that would be okay. But I'm not calling you 'Mom' or anything," he added quickly, as if afraid Kushina might have such expectations.

"I understand," Kushina assured him. "You can call me Kushina. I haven't earned any other title."

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the garden, Tsunade sensed it was time to end this first meeting before it became overwhelming for either Naruto or Kushina.

"We should head back," she said. "It's been a long day, and you have Academy preparations to think about."

Naruto nodded, looking drained despite his continued excited chatter about school. He turned to Kushina with an awkward half-wave. "So... see you at Ichiraku's? Maybe Friday?"

Kushina smiled, visibly restraining herself from attempting a hug that Naruto wasn't ready for. "Friday would be perfect. I'll be there at six, if that works for you both."

As they left the Uzumaki compound, Naruto was uncharacteristically quiet, lost in thought. They were halfway back to the Senju estate when he finally broke the silence.

"Granny Tsunade?"

"Hmm?"

"She seemed... nice. Not what I expected."

Tsunade glanced down at him. "What did you expect?"

Naruto shrugged. "I dunno. Someone mean, I guess. Someone who didn't want me because I was a monster." His voice dropped to a whisper on the last word.

Tsunade stopped walking, kneeling to look him directly in the eyes. "Naruto, listen to me. You are not, and have never been, a monster. The Nine-Tails is sealed within you, but it is not who you are. Your mother didn't reject you—she rejected the trauma associated with that night, which her broken mind couldn't separate from you at the time."

"But why couldn't she see me? Just me?"

The question broke Tsunade's heart, but she knew Naruto deserved the truth. "Because trauma doesn't work that way. It twists perception, clouds judgment. Her mind was protecting itself the only way it knew how."

Naruto considered this, his young face unusually solemn. "Do you think... do you think she really wants to know me now? Or is she just feeling guilty?"

"I think both can be true," Tsunade replied honestly. "She carries guilt for her actions, as she should. But I also believe she genuinely wants to know you now. The question is whether you want to know her."

"I think I do," Naruto said slowly. "Not as my mom, really, but... maybe as someone who can tell me about my dad, and about the Uzumaki clan, and stuff like that."

"That sounds like a reasonable place to start," Tsunade agreed, standing and ruffling his spiky hair. "Remember, there's no rush. Take all the time you need to figure out what kind of relationship you want with her, if any."

As they resumed walking, Naruto slipped his small hand into Tsunade's larger one—something he'd done less and less as he'd grown older and more independent. The gesture warmed her heart even as it squeezed it painfully.

"Granny Tsunade?"

"Yes?"

"Even if I get to know Kushina... you're still my family too, right? You and Shizune?"

Tsunade tightened her grip on his hand, just slightly. "Always, brat. Always."

Six months later

The training ground behind the Senju estate echoed with the sounds of combat. Wooden structures rose and fell rapidly as Naruto dodged and weaved between them, his movements fluid and precise despite the constantly changing terrain.

"Faster!" Tsunade called from the sidelines. "Adapt to the environment, don't just react to it!"

Naruto gritted his teeth, his hands forming seals in rapid succession. The wooden pillars around him suddenly shifted, creating a bridge-like structure that he raced across, evading the water jets that Shizune was firing from the opposite side of the field.

"Water style isn't fair when I'm using Wood Release!" he complained, though he didn't slow his pace.

"Enemies won't fight fair," Tsunade reminded him. "Now, offensive maneuvers!"

Naruto somersaulted off the wooden bridge just as one of Shizune's water jets shattered it. In mid-air, his hands formed new seals, and wooden tendrils erupted from the ground, snaking toward Shizune with impressive speed.

She countered with a water barrier, but Naruto had anticipated this. The wooden tendrils split and circled around, attempting to flank her from both sides.

"Good!" Tsunade approved. "Multiple vectors of attack force your opponent to divide their attention."

Before the wooden tendrils could reach her, Shizune substituted herself with a training dummy, reappearing behind Naruto with a kunai pressed lightly to his back.

"Match," she announced.

Naruto groaned, letting the wooden constructs collapse back into the earth. "I almost had you that time!"

"Almost doesn't count in a real battle," Tsunade said, approaching them. "But your Wood Release control has improved significantly. The structures are more stable, and you're using less chakra to maintain them."

"Really?" Naruto brightened at the rare compliment. "Does that mean I can start learning the really advanced techniques? Like the First's Deep Forest Emergence?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Don't get ahead of yourself. You've made good progress, but that technique requires mastery well beyond your current level."

"But—"

"No buts. Besides, don't you have Academy work to complete? Iruka mentioned you still need to turn in your paper on the Second Shinobi War."

Naruto's face fell. "Ugh, that's so boring though! Who cares about stuff that happened before I was born?"

"Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it," Shizune chimed in with a gentle smile. "Besides, the Second Hokage was Lady Tsunade's great-uncle. It's part of your legacy too, in a way."

This perspective seemed to resonate with Naruto, who had been increasingly interested in legacies since learning about his own complex heritage. Over the past six months, his weekly dinners with Kushina had evolved from awkward, stilted affairs to genuine opportunities for connection. Though he still called her "Kushina" rather than "Mom," he had grown comfortable enough to pepper her with questions about the Uzumaki clan, her own childhood, and occasionally, tentatively, about his father.

"Fine," he conceded. "I'll finish the stupid paper. But can we work on the Wood Clone technique tomorrow? I've almost got it, and it would be super useful for the upcoming assessment!"

Tsunade considered this. Unlike the basic Clone Jutsu, which Naruto still struggled with due to his massive chakra reserves, the Wood Clone technique created solid duplicates by splitting the user's chakra evenly. It was far more advanced but paradoxically better suited to Naruto's natural abilities.

"If you complete your Academy work to my satisfaction, we'll practice Wood Clones tomorrow afternoon," she agreed. "Now go clean up. You're meeting Kushina at Ichiraku's in an hour, remember?"

Naruto's face lit up. "That's right! She said she's going to tell me about her first chūnin exams today!"

As he raced off toward the house, Shizune turned to Tsunade with a knowing smile. "He's adapting well, isn't he? To both the Academy and to Kushina's presence in his life."

Tsunade nodded, her gaze following the boy's retreating form. "Better than I expected, honestly. Though I'm still not convinced that Mizuki has his best interests at heart."

"Iruka seems to be keeping a close eye on things," Shizune offered reassuringly. "And Naruto has already made friends with several classmates. That Nara boy and the Akimichi in particular seem quite accepting."

"Shikamaru and Chōji," Tsunade confirmed. "Their fathers were similarly close. It's good to see those bonds continuing in the next generation."

What she didn't add was her lingering concern about the broader village's treatment of Naruto. While the children were relatively accepting—most too young to fully understand the significance of the Nine-Tails attack—many adults still regarded Naruto with suspicious, fearful gazes when they thought no one was watching.

It was one of the reasons Tsunade had decided to establish a more permanent residence in Konoha, rather than returning to the Senju compound in the mountains after Naruto's Academy enrollment. The boy needed an advocate within the village, someone powerful enough that others would think twice before mistreating him, openly or otherwise.

"Lady Tsunade," Shizune ventured carefully, "have you given any more thought to the Hokage's offer?"

Tsunade's expression immediately closed off. "I've told Hiruzen my answer is no. I have no interest in becoming head of the hospital."

"But your medical expertise—"

"Is better employed training you and Naruto," Tsunade interrupted firmly. "The hospital has capable staff. They don't need me restructuring their systems and protocols."

What remained unspoken was Tsunade's deeper fear: that accepting such a position would tie her permanently to the village that had taken so much from her. Despite her decision to stay for Naruto's sake, a part of her still maintained the emotional distance that had protected her for so many years.

Shizune knew better than to press the issue further. Instead, she changed the subject. "Will you be joining Naruto and Kushina tonight?"

"No," Tsunade replied, perhaps too quickly. "They need time together without me hovering."

Though she maintained a cordial relationship with Kushina for Naruto's sake, Tsunade still harbored complicated feelings toward the woman. Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind Kushina's breakdown didn't completely negate the reality of Naruto's abandonment, or the years he'd spent believing he was unwanted.

"I think I'll check in with Hiruzen instead," she decided. "I want to discuss Naruto's progress in controlling the Nine-Tails' chakra. We need to establish a training schedule that won't interfere with his Academy studies."

As Shizune nodded and headed inside to prepare dinner, Tsunade remained in the training yard, her thoughts turning to the seal on Naruto's stomach. Though the boy had made remarkable progress with Wood Release, they had only scratched the surface of his potential as a jinchūriki.

Part of her wanted to delay that training indefinitely, to protect him from the dangers inherent in drawing on the Nine-Tails' power. But she knew that was neither practical nor fair to Naruto. The Wood Release gave him a unique advantage in potentially controlling the tailed beast, just as her grandfather had done. Sooner or later, he would need to learn to access and harness that power.

The question was whether he was emotionally ready for such a challenge.

Ichiraku Ramen was buzzing with its usual evening crowd when Naruto arrived, his blonde hair unmistakable even in the busy shop. Teuchi, the owner, waved cheerfully as he entered.

"Naruto! Your usual spot is open!"

"Thanks, Old Man Teuchi!" Naruto called back with a grin. Scanning the shop, he quickly spotted Kushina's distinctive red hair at the counter. "Hey, Kushina! I'm here!"

Kushina turned, a warm smile lighting her face as she saw him. Over the months since their reunion, color had returned to her features, and she had begun to resemble the vibrant woman from before the Nine-Tails attack.

"Naruto! Right on time. I already ordered your favorite—extra large miso with double chashu."

Naruto clambered onto the stool beside her, practically salivating at the prospect of his favorite meal. "Awesome! Granny Tsunade never lets me have double anything. She says I need a 'balanced diet.'" He made air quotes around the phrase, rolling his eyes dramatically.

Kushina laughed, the sound becoming more natural with each passing week. "Well, she's not wrong. But once a week won't hurt, especially for a growing shinobi with your energy levels."

As Teuchi placed a steaming bowl in front of him, Naruto broke his chopsticks with a cheerful "Itadakimasu!" before digging in with gusto. Kushina watched him with a mixture of amusement and wistfulness, still marveling at the opportunity to share these simple moments with the son she'd thought lost to her forever.

"So," Naruto said between slurps, "you promised to tell me about your first chūnin exams! Was it super dangerous? Did you beat everyone up? I bet you were awesome!"

Kushina twirled her own noodles thoughtfully. "It was certainly memorable, though perhaps not for the reasons you might expect. The exams were held in Sunagakure that year, and let me tell you, desert heat is a whole different kind of challenge..."

As she recounted tales of her youth—embellishing only slightly for dramatic effect—Naruto listened with rapt attention, occasionally interjecting with enthusiastic questions or declarations of how he would have handled various situations.

"...and that's when your father—" Kushina caught herself, uncertain if the mention of Minato was still too sensitive.

But Naruto just tilted his head curiously. "My dad was there too? You guys knew each other back then?"

"We did," Kushina confirmed, relieved by his receptiveness. "Though we weren't close yet. He was this quiet, serious boy who everyone called a genius." She smiled at the memory. "I thought he was a bit of a wimp, actually."

"No way!" Naruto laughed in disbelief. "But Old Man Hokage said my dad was super strong!"

"He became strong," Kushina corrected. "But back then, he was still finding his way, just like everyone else. It wasn't until later that I realized how determined he was, how kind beneath that serious exterior."

Naruto slurped the last of his broth, considering this. "Granny Tsunade says I'm like him in some ways. That I have his same... stubbornness, I think she called it."

"Determination," Kushina corrected with a smile. "And yes, you do. But you have my energy and my verbal tick, you know?" She emphasized the last phrase, which Naruto had indeed inherited with his occasional "believe it!" declarations.

"Iruka-sensei says I talk too much in class," Naruto admitted sheepishly. "And Mizuki-sensei always looks annoyed when I ask questions."

Kushina's expression tightened slightly at the mention of Mizuki. Like Tsunade, she had reservations about the silver-haired instructor, though she kept them to herself to avoid prejudicing Naruto.

"There's nothing wrong with being enthusiastic," she assured him. "Some of the best shinobi I've known were the ones who weren't afraid to speak up when they didn't understand something."

The conversation drifted to Naruto's progress at the Academy, his budding friendships, and his continuing training with Tsunade. Though he was careful not to mention Wood Release in public—maintaining the secrecy Tsunade had impressed upon him—he spoke enthusiastically about his advancements in taijutsu and chakra control.

"Granny Tsunade says if I keep improving, she might teach me one of her super-strong punching techniques! The one where she can crack the ground with just one finger!"

"That's impressive," Kushina agreed. "Though I hope you're focusing equally on your Academy subjects. Being well-rounded is important for a future Hokage, you know?"

Naruto's eyes widened. "You think I could really be Hokage someday?"

Kushina's smile was gentle but sincere. "With your lineage and your determination? I have no doubt. Though it's a long road, with many challenges along the way."

The conversation might have continued in this vein, but a commotion near the entrance of the shop drew their attention. Two jōnin had entered, their voices carrying as they discussed the day's events.

"...another incident at the border with Kumo. Third one this month."

"The Raikage's pushing boundaries again. Testing our response time."

"After that business with the Hyūga heiress a few years back, you'd think they'd be more cautious."

"Different leadership now. More aggressive stance. The Hokage's council is meeting tonight to—"

They broke off abruptly as they noticed Kushina and Naruto listening. One of them, a bearded man with a cigarette tucked behind his ear, offered an apologetic nod.

"Kushina. Didn't see you there."

"Asuma," she acknowledged. "Sounds like things are tense at the borders."

The jōnin named Asuma shrugged noncommittally. "Nothing serious. Just routine posturing between nations." His gaze shifted to Naruto, recognition and something else—wariness?—flickering in his eyes. "Academy going well, kid?"

Naruto, oblivious to the undercurrents, nodded enthusiastically. "It's awesome! I'm learning all kinds of cool jutsu and stuff!"

"Good to hear." Asuma turned back to Kushina. "Your presence has been requested at the council meeting, by the way. As a former jinchūriki, your insights might be valuable."

Kushina's brow furrowed. "I haven't attended council meetings since..."

"Special circumstances," Asuma replied, his meaningful gaze suggesting there was more to discuss in private.

Kushina glanced at Naruto, clearly torn between her responsibilities to the village and her commitment to their weekly dinner.

"It's okay," Naruto assured her, surprising both adults with his perceptiveness. "Village stuff is important. We can talk more next time."

Relief and gratitude flashed across Kushina's face. "Are you sure? I promised to tell you about the final rounds of the exam."

"That just gives me something to look forward to next week," Naruto said with a grin that didn't quite hide his disappointment.

Kushina hesitated, then reached out and, for the first time since their reunion, gently ruffled his spiky blonde hair. "You're a good kid, Naruto. Thank you for understanding."

The gesture, so natural and maternal, caught Naruto off-guard. He didn't pull away, but a complicated mix of emotions crossed his young face—pleasure, uncertainty, longing.

"I'll walk you home first," Kushina decided, placing money on the counter to cover their meal. "It's getting dark."

"I can make it on my own," Naruto protested. "I'm not a baby. Besides, I was gonna go to the training grounds after dinner to practice my shuriken throws."

"At this hour?" Kushina frowned. "Wouldn't it be better to practice tomorrow when you can see properly?"

"I've set up special targets with reflective paint," Naruto explained proudly. "And Granny Tsunade says practicing in different conditions makes you more adaptable."

The mention of Tsunade seemed to reassure Kushina. "Alright, but don't stay too late. Academy students have curfews, you know."

"I know, I know," Naruto sighed with the exaggerated patience of a child who has heard the same warning many times.

As they prepared to go their separate ways outside the ramen shop, an awkward moment arose—the same one that concluded all their meetings. Should they hug? Wave? Simply nod?

Tonight, perhaps emboldened by the hair ruffle that had crossed a physical boundary, Naruto impulsively stepped forward and gave Kushina a quick, somewhat stiff hug around the waist.

"See you next week," he mumbled, already stepping back and looking embarrassed by his own action.

Kushina stood frozen, her eyes wide with surprise and shimmering with emotion. "Yes," she managed, her voice thick. "Next week."

As Naruto bounded off toward the training grounds, Kushina watched him go, one hand unconsciously lifted to her heart.

"He gets easier to love every day, doesn't he?"

The voice startled her. Tsunade stood a few paces away, having apparently witnessed the exchange.

"Tsunade! I thought you weren't joining us tonight."

"I wasn't," the Senju princess confirmed. "I'm heading to the council meeting. Same as you, apparently."

Kushina nodded, falling into step beside her as they walked toward the Hokage Tower. An awkward silence stretched between them, as it often did when they were alone together. Despite months of civil interaction for Naruto's sake, the underlying tension remained—Tsunade's protective resentment meeting Kushina's guilty gratitude.

"He hugged me," Kushina said finally, her voice soft with wonder. "It's the first time he's done that."

Tsunade's expression remained neutral. "He's a physically affectionate child by nature. He craves connection."

"Because he was denied it for so long," Kushina added, the self-recrimination evident in her tone.

Tsunade didn't contradict her. "What's this council meeting about? Border incidents with Kumo?"

Grateful for the change of subject, Kushina nodded. "Apparently. Though I suspect there's more to it if they're calling in former jinchūriki for consultation."

"Hmm. Hiruzen mentioned increased activity from Akatsuki as well. The timing is concerning."

Before they could discuss further, a blur of movement appeared before them—an ANBU operative in a cat mask, kneeling respectfully.

"Lady Tsunade, Kushina-san. The Hokage requests your immediate presence. The situation has escalated."

Both women tensed, years of shinobi training kicking in as they registered the urgency in the ANBU's voice.

"What's happened?" Tsunade demanded.

"Intelligence reports suggest a planned incursion into Fire Country territory. Possibly targeting Konoha directly."

"Targeting what?" Kushina asked sharply, her hand unconsciously moving to her stomach—where the Nine-Tails had once been sealed.

The ANBU's hesitation was brief but noticeable. "That information is classified until the full council assembles. Please follow me."

As they increased their pace toward the tower, Tsunade's thoughts turned to Naruto, practicing alone at the training grounds. A cold tendril of worry snaked through her chest.

"We need to recall Naruto," she said to the ANBU. "Send someone to bring him to the Senju estate, where Shizune can watch over him."

"I'll dispatch someone immediately, Lady Tsunade."

As the ANBU made a hand sign, presumably to communicate with another operative, Tsunade and Kushina exchanged a look of shared concern. Whatever threat was emerging, both were determined that it would not reach the boy they both, in their different ways, had come to love.

The Third Training Ground was silent save for the rhythmic thunk of shuriken embedding themselves in wooden targets. Naruto moved through the moonlit clearing with focused intensity, his form refined by countless hours of practice under Tsunade's critical eye.

"Fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty!" he counted aloud, landing his final throw dead center on a target twenty meters away. "Yes! New record!"

He pumped his fist in triumph, already imagining Tsunade's reluctant praise when he reported his progress. Though she rarely offered effusive compliments, he had learned to recognize the subtle signs of her approval—a slight nod, a momentary softening around her eyes, the absence of her usual critiques.

As he moved to retrieve his scattered shuriken, a faint rustling in the trees caught his attention. His hand instinctively moved to the kunai holster on his thigh, another habit drilled into him by Tsunade's training.

"Who's there?" he called, trying to keep his voice steady despite the sudden racing of his heart. "Show yourself!"

The rustling ceased, replaced by an unnerving silence. Then, a low chuckle emanated from the shadows, raising goosebumps along Naruto's arms.

"Sharp senses for one so young," a voice observed, its tone simultaneously smooth and menacing. "As expected of a jinchūriki."

Naruto froze, his grip tightening on his kunai. The term jinchūriki was rarely used in his presence, considered too politically charged for casual conversation.

"Who are you?" he demanded again, backing toward the center of the clearing where he would have more room to maneuver. "What do you want?"

A figure emerged from the trees, moonlight revealing a man in a dark cloak adorned with red clouds. His face was mostly hidden by a high collar, but what drew Naruto's attention was the headband—bearing the symbol of Kirigakure, slashed through with a deep horizontal line.

"My name is not important," the stranger replied. "What matters is what you carry within you, Naruto Uzumaki."

The use of his full name sent another chill down Naruto's spine. This was no random encounter—this man had sought him out specifically.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Naruto lied, mentally reviewing escape routes. The Academy was closest, but likely empty at this hour. The Senju estate was further, but Shizune would be there...

"Let's not play games," the man said, taking another step forward. "The Nine-Tailed Fox. The power you've only begun to tap into. My organization has... interest in such matters."

Naruto's mind raced. Tsunade had warned him that there would always be those who sought to exploit the power of the tailed beasts. Was this one of those people?

"I'm a Konoha shinobi," Naruto stated, straightening to his full (if unimpressive) height. "If you have business with me, take it up with the Hokage."

The man chuckled again, the sound devoid of warmth. "Brave words from a child. But I'm afraid my business is more... direct."

Faster than Naruto could track, the man formed hand seals. Suddenly, the water from a nearby stream rose in a massive wave, surging toward Naruto with deadly intent.

Acting on instinct and training, Naruto's hands flew through countering seals. Wooden barriers erupted from the ground, forming a protective wall that fractured but held against the water assault.

The stranger paused, genuine surprise evident in his posture. "Wood Release? Impossible. That ability died with the First Hokage."

Naruto cursed internally. He'd revealed his secret ability to an unknown enemy—exactly what Tsunade had cautioned against. But he had no choice; the attack had been too powerful to evade normally.

"I'm full of surprises," he bluffed, trying to sound more confident than he felt. In truth, his heart was hammering against his ribs, and he was acutely aware of the vast gulf in power between himself and this mysterious assailant.

The man tilted his head, studying Naruto with renewed interest. "Wood Release and the Nine-Tails... what an unexpected combination. This changes things."

Before Naruto could respond, the ground beneath him suddenly liquefied, causing him to sink rapidly to his knees. Panic surged through him as he recognized the Earth Style technique—one Tsunade had demonstrated but he hadn't yet learned to counter.

"Let me go!" he shouted, struggling against the muddy prison.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," the man replied, approaching with measured steps. "You've become even more valuable than we initially believed."

Desperate, Naruto reached deep inside himself, seeking the wellspring of power that Tsunade had helped him begin to access. He felt it—warm and vast, pulsing beneath his normal chakra reserves.

"I said," Naruto growled, his voice taking on an unnatural resonance as his eyes flashed red, "LET ME GO!"

A surge of crimson chakra exploded outward, vaporizing the earthen trap and sending his attacker skidding backward. Wooden spikes erupted in all directions, their growth accelerated and warped by the Nine-Tails' influence.

The cloaked man recovered quickly, his hands already forming new seals. "Impressive. But still not enough."

A wall of water materialized, extinguishing the flames of red chakra that had begun to form around Naruto. At the same moment, a second figure dropped from the trees behind Naruto—another cloaked individual, this one wielding what appeared to be a massive wrapped sword.

"Having trouble with one little kid, Itachi?" the newcomer asked, his voice rough with amusement. "That's not like you."

"The situation is more complex than anticipated, Kisame," the first man—Itachi—replied coolly. "He possesses Wood Release."

The one called Kisame whistled low. "Well, well. Leader will be interested to hear that. Should make containing the Nine-Tails much easier in the long run."

Naruto's mind raced, fear mingling with determination as he assessed his options. One-on-one had been hopeless; against two clearly jōnin-level opponents, he stood no chance. His only hope was to stall until someone noticed the commotion or until he could create an opening to escape.

"You're not taking me anywhere," he declared, drawing on every ounce of bravado he possessed.

"Spirited little jinchūriki, isn't he?" Kisame grinned, revealing shark-like teeth. "Almost makes me sad we have to—"

A tremendous crack interrupted him as the ground split beneath their feet. All three looked up to see Tsunade standing at the edge of the clearing, her fist still embedded in the earth from her devastating strike.

"Get away from my student," she commanded, her voice deceptively calm but her amber eyes blazing with fury.

Naruto had never been so relieved to see anyone in his life. "Granny Tsunade!"

Itachi and Kisame exchanged glances, clearly reassessing the situation.

"Tsunade of the Sannin," Itachi observed. "This complicates matters."

"You have no idea how complicated your lives are about to become," Tsunade replied, cracking her knuckles ominously. Her gaze flicked momentarily to Naruto, assessing his condition and the visible remnants of the Nine-Tails' chakra still clinging to him. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay," Naruto assured her, though his breathing was ragged and his legs trembled with the aftereffects of accessing the Fox's power.

"Good. Stay behind me."

Kisame hefted his massive sword, an eager glint in his small eyes. "The legendary Slug Princess. Your medical ninjutsu is famous throughout the nations. I wonder how effective it is against Samehada's chakra absorption?"

"Care to find out?" Tsunade challenged, settling into a combat stance.

The tension in the clearing was palpable, both sides prepared to launch into lethal combat. Then, abruptly, Itachi raised a hand to halt his partner.

"We're withdrawing, Kisame."

"What? But we almost had the jinchūriki!"

"Our mission was reconnaissance, not capture. Not yet." Itachi's gaze never left Tsunade, his expression unreadable. "And we've learned something valuable today."

Kisame looked displeased but nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But next time, we won't retreat so easily, Princess."

"Next time, you won't retreat at all," Tsunade promised darkly. "You'll be carried away in pieces."

With a final assessing look at Naruto, the two cloaked figures leapt backward, vanishing into the trees with unnatural speed. Tsunade maintained her guard for several tense moments, ensuring they were truly gone, before rushing to Naruto's side.

"Are you really uninjured?" she demanded, her hands already glowing with diagnostic jutsu as she checked him over.

"Just tired," Naruto admitted, the adrenaline leaving his system and making his limbs feel like lead. "Who were those guys? What did they want with me?"

Tsunade's expression was grim as she finished her examination. "Nothing good. They're part of an organization called Akatsuki—rogue ninja with unknown objectives." She paused, clearly debating how much to tell him. "We've had intelligence suggesting they're interested in tailed beasts, but this is the first direct attempt to approach a jinchūriki."

"They knew who I was. What I am," Naruto said quietly. "And they saw the Wood Release."

"That couldn't be helped," Tsunade assured him. "You defended yourself as best you could. I'm proud of you for holding them off until help arrived."

The rare praise barely registered through Naruto's growing concern. "Are they going to come back for me?"

Tsunade's arm wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him against her side in an uncharacteristic display of physical affection. "Perhaps. But not anytime soon, if they're smart. And by then, you'll be even stronger and better prepared."

She helped him to his feet, supporting his weight as fatigue from chakra exertion swept over him. "Come on. We need to report this to the Hokage immediately. The Council needs to know that Akatsuki is making its move."

As they made their way back toward the village, Naruto glanced up at Tsunade's tense profile. "How did you know I was in trouble?"

"Call it instinct," she replied, though her grip on his shoulder tightened slightly. "I was on my way to a Council meeting when I felt an unusual spike in chakra from this direction. I recognized it as the Nine-Tails' influence."

What she didn't say was the pure, visceral fear that had gripped her when she sensed that malevolent energy. For three years, she had trained Naruto to control both the Wood Release and the initial stirrings of the Nine-Tails' power. For him to tap into it enough that she could sense it from a distance meant he had been truly desperate—truly in danger.

The thought made her blood run cold even now, with him safe beside her.

"Those men... they were really strong, weren't they?" Naruto asked, his voice smaller than usual.

Tsunade nodded gravely. "Yes. Far beyond what an Academy student should ever have to face. The fact that you survived an encounter with them at all is remarkable."

"But I couldn't beat them," Naruto said, frustration evident in his tone. "Even using both the Wood Release and a little bit of the Nine-Tails' power. I wasn't strong enough."

"Not yet," Tsunade corrected. "But this encounter has made one thing clear—we need to accelerate your training. Particularly your control over the Nine-Tails."

Naruto's head snapped up, his blue eyes wide with surprise and hope. "Really? You're going to teach me to use the Fox's power?"

"Not exactly," Tsunade hedged. "That's beyond even my expertise. But there's someone who might be able to help—someone who has more experience with seals and tailed beasts than anyone else in the village."

"Who?"

Tsunade's expression shifted to one of reluctant resignation. "Your godfather. Jiraiya of the Sannin."

The Hokage's office was crowded with Konoha's leadership, the atmosphere tense as Tsunade completed her report of the encounter at the training grounds. Naruto sat quietly in a corner, still processing the night's events while the adults debated their significance and implications.

"Two confirmed Akatsuki members within our borders," Hiruzen summarized grimly. "And they specifically targeted Naruto."

"They mentioned reconnaissance, not capture," Tsunade added. "Suggesting they're still in the planning stages of whatever they're plotting."

Danzō Shimura, the bandaged elder whose cold gaze had occasionally followed Naruto during his time in the orphanage, spoke up from his position by the window. "This confirms our intelligence about Akatsuki's interest in the tailed beasts. The question is why."

"Power," Homura Mitokado, another elder, suggested. "The combined might of all nine tailed beasts would be formidable indeed."

"But to what end?" Kushina interjected. She had been hovering protectively near Naruto since arriving at the office. "Controlling even one tailed beast requires exceptional skill and specific techniques. Controlling all nine would be virtually impossible, even for an organization of S-rank missing-nin."

Naruto listened with growing unease. The adults were discussing him—or rather, what was sealed inside him—as if he were a weapon or asset rather than a person. Only Tsunade and Kushina seemed to remember there was an eight-year-old boy in the room who might be frightened by talk of organizations hunting him for the demon sealed in his belly.

"The more pressing concern," Tsunade cut in, her voice edged with irritation, "is Naruto's safety. These people have demonstrated both the intent and ability to target him specifically."

"Agreed," Hiruzen nodded. "We'll need to implement additional security measures. Perhaps an ANBU detail—"

"With all due respect, Lord Hokage," Tsunade interrupted, "an ANBU shadow would only draw more attention to him and disrupt his normal development at the Academy. What he needs is accelerated training to defend himself, particularly in controlling the Nine-Tails' chakra."

Danzō's visible eye narrowed. "And I suppose you believe you're qualified to provide this training? Despite having no experience as a jinchūriki or with sealing techniques?"

"No," Tsunade admitted, surprising many in the room. "I'm not. But Jiraiya is."

A heavy silence fell at the mention of the third Sannin, who had been absent from the village for years, maintaining his vast spy network across the Five Great Nations.

"Jiraiya is currently investigating Akatsuki's movements in the Land of Rain," Hiruzen said slowly. "Recalling him would compromise that mission."

"And leaving Naruto vulnerable compromises the village's security," Tsunade countered. "Besides, given tonight's events, I'd say Akatsuki's movements are no longer a mystery—they're coming for the jinchūriki, starting with Naruto."

While the debate continued around him, Naruto's attention drifted to Kushina, who had been unusually quiet. Her face was pale, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she stared at a point on the wall.

"Kushina?" he ventured quietly, momentarily forgetting the formality expected in the Hokage's office. "Are you okay?"

She started slightly, as if pulled from deep thought, then offered him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Naruto. Just... remembering."

He tilted his head questioningly.

"When I was the jinchūriki," she explained softly, keeping her voice low to avoid interrupting the ongoing debate, "there were those who sought the Nine-Tails' power then, too. The burden you carry... it was mine once. And I know how frightening it can be to be seen as a target rather than a person."

Something warm and complicated unfurled in Naruto's chest at her words—the understanding that here was someone who truly knew what it meant to live with the weight he carried. Not even Tsunade, for all her strength and wisdom, could fully comprehend this particular aspect of his life.

"Were you scared?" he asked, his voice small.

Kushina's smile turned more genuine. "Terrified, sometimes. But I had people who saw me for myself, not just as a container for the Nine-Tails. Your father was one of them." Her gaze grew distant, reminiscent. "He never once looked at me with fear or suspicion. Only with love."

Naruto absorbed this, finding unexpected comfort in the knowledge that his father had loved someone who carried the same burden he now did. It suggested a possibility he had never before considered—that someone might someday look at him with that same unconditional acceptance.

Their quiet conversation was interrupted as the office door burst open without ceremony, revealing a tall man with long, spiky white hair and red facial markings.

"So I hear my godson has been getting into trouble," he announced with a grin that belied the serious situation. "Typical Uzumaki—can't stay out of the spotlight for five minutes!"

Hiruzen's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Jiraiya! We weren't expecting you for another month at least."

The newcomer—Jiraiya—shrugged expansively. "Let's just say a little toad told me there might be excitement brewing in Konoha. Seems I arrived just in time."

His gaze swept the room, pausing momentarily on Tsunade with an unreadable expression before landing on Naruto. Something in his face softened, though the cocky grin remained.

"Well, well, look at you," he said, approaching with exaggerated swagger. "Last time I saw you, you were just a squalling infant. Now you're a proper shinobi-in-training!"

Naruto stared up at the imposing figure, trying to reconcile this loud, flamboyant man with the title 'godfather' that Tsunade had used. "You're... Jiraiya?