Chapter 41: Chapter 41
Naruto's heart pounded as he stepped into this strange new world. The world wasn't vast, but its artificial sun illuminated everything with an eerie glow. As he floated high above, taking in the sight of the small ocean and the landmass with a small town at its heart, he couldn't shake the sense of familiarity that washed over him. The chakra signatures of the people here felt strangely similar to his mother's.
His mind raced. He had come across many strange and mysterious places before, but this... this world felt different. The people here were strong, perhaps even stronger than anyone he had encountered. Their chakra levels were off the charts—most of them were at Kage level, with a few even rivaling the legendary power of Hashirama Senju. The fact that such power existed in a world so isolated made Naruto's instincts tingle.
Naruto, ever cautious, controlled his presence as he flew towards the town. He had learned the hard way that being overwhelming could cause unnecessary conflict, and he didn't want to scare anyone. But as he got closer to the town, something unexpected happened.
Invisible chains tried to coil around him, attempting to suppress his chakra and seal his senses. But Naruto, having surpassed the limitations of most chakra-based techniques long ago, felt nothing more than a slight resistance. The chains were weak compared to his current power. He smirked, shaking his head at the simplicity of the attack.
"That's not going to work," Naruto muttered to himself.
But despite his immunity, the attack still surprised him. The barrier's strength grew stronger as he moved closer to the town. He could feel the essence of fuinjutsu—a seal built on the principles of souls and death—trying to draw him in. It was as if the very air around the town was imbued with malevolent power. The seals were designed to suck out the souls of intruders, funneling them into the pillars that surrounded the town, and the barrier tried to block his teleportation abilities, further testing his resolve.
"Uncool," Naruto muttered, facepalming in frustration. He had expected to solve the situation through skill and understanding, not brute force. Yet again, he had to power through, relying on raw strength instead of finesse. It was something that he couldn't help but feel ashamed of.
He arrived at the center of the town, only to be met by a group of armored figures—redheads, their eyes sharp and watchful. They hovered in the air, surrounding him. The moment he landed, the tension in the air was thick, as if they were preparing for something far more dangerous than he appeared to be.
Naruto held his hands up in a peaceful gesture, trying to defuse the tension. "Don't be afraid, I'm not here to fight. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, and I've come from the outside world after exploring the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools." His voice was calm and steady, though his inner turmoil was far greater than what he let on. His words didn't lower their guard, though, and the flying redheads remained watchful, waiting for his next move.
One of the figures stepped forward. An old man, muscular and towering, with flowing white hair. His face was hardened with age, and his black armor, marked with intricate red seals, gleamed under the artificial sun. His gaze was unwavering, sharp, and untrusting.
"Where are you from?" the man asked, his voice carrying an edge of suspicion.
"Konoha, Land of Fire. Are you people... Uzumaki survivors?" Naruto responded, his tone steady despite the growing pressure in the air. He was certain of the people's origin, but he needed to test the waters—there was no sense in rushing into things. Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools had been allies, so the mention of Konoha might provide some reassurance.
The old man's expression hardened at the mention of Konoha. His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Naruto could feel the air shift. The tension was palpable, and it was clear the old man was not going to trust him easily, not with the history between their people.
He raised his chin slightly. "Follow us outside the walls. We can't allow foreigners to enter without a proper check." The man pointed his sheathed blade toward the town's massive gates, signaling for Naruto to follow.
Naruto, though confused by the cryptic response, nodded and stepped forward. He understood the need for caution. After all, he was a stranger in this world, and it made sense that they wouldn't just let him walk freely inside their walls without some scrutiny.
As he followed the group, Naruto couldn't help but wonder about the history of the people here. Were they survivors from the fall of the Land of Whirlpools? If so, why had they chosen to live in isolation? And more importantly, what was the significance of the strange seals surrounding the town and the powerful aura that radiated from these people?
His thoughts raced as he walked behind the armored figures, but he kept his focus on the task at hand—understanding this world and its inhabitants. Despite the overwhelming power they exuded, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to uncover here. Something important, something tied to his mother and the mystery of the Uzumaki bloodline.
The atmosphere around Naruto and the Uzumaki warriors remained tense as the conversation unfolded. Despite their suspicion and hostility, Naruto's calm demeanor and honesty allowed him to make a connection. He had always been one to wear his heart on his sleeve, and it was this openness that began to chip away at their defenses.
"I don't mind. I'm just here to talk. Does anyone here know Kushina Uzumaki?" Naruto's voice was steady, though he could feel the hostility in the air like an oppressive weight. He didn't push back, choosing instead to comply with their demands, understanding that trust had to be earned.
One of the warriors, a man with an authoritative presence, narrowed his eyes at the mention of Kushina's name. "How do you know that name?"
Naruto's smile was bittersweet. "She's my mother. It seems like you know her. Are you my uncle or something?" he joked lightly, but his words struck a nerve.
The older man stiffened, his eyes widening slightly before his expression became unreadable. "If you are her son, then I am your uncle. Kushina is my little sister." His voice softened for the briefest of moments before his stern tone returned. "My name is Toshiro Uzumaki, the commander of the Uzumaki Warriors. Tell me, where is she?"
Naruto's heart ached as he replied, "I'm sorry, but she left this world the day I was born."
Toshiro's face remained stoic, but there was a glimmer of pain in his eyes. "Who was it? How?" he asked, his tone calm but carrying the weight of his loss.
"It was an enemy of Konoha—Madara's student. He attacked on the day I was born to exploit the Kyuubi's seal. My parents gave their lives to protect me and the village." Naruto's voice faltered for a moment before he continued, "But I've taken care of everything. The world outside is peaceful now. The nations have formed an alliance, working together to create a better future. We're united against threats from beyond our planet."
Toshiro listened silently, his expression unreadable. "Peaceful world? Did Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa pay for what they did to us?" His voice turned icy, and the temperature in the air seemed to drop. The Uzumaki warriors stiffened, their hostility returning with a vengeance.
Naruto didn't flinch. He met Toshiro's gaze with a heavy expression. "They did. Along with the rest of the world, they suffered for their sins. More than a million citizens died, and 60% of the Shinobi population perished in the war against Madara Uchiha. He tried to trap the world in an eternal dream, but we fought back. Many of those directly involved in past atrocities are gone. Do you think that's enough? Or do you still want vengeance?"
Naruto's words hung in the air, and as he spoke, he used his mastery of genjutsu to show them the events of the war. The images were vivid and visceral, the chaos and destruction of the Fourth Great Ninja War laid bare before their eyes. The warriors watched, their disbelief slowly giving way to grim acceptance.
"Is this real?" Toshiro asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It is," Naruto replied, unleashing a fraction of his power. The warriors froze, paralyzed by the overwhelming presence that seemed to stretch endlessly like the ocean. "This is the truth. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to help."
Toshiro raised a hand, signaling for the others to stand down. "Stop. I believe you." His sharp gaze softened, and for the first time, his voice carried a hint of warmth. "Why are you here, Naruto? What are you in the outside world?"
Naruto smiled faintly. "I'm just here to see if there's anything that can help humanity fight the Otsutsuki threat. As for who I am, I'm going to be Hokage soon, but for now, I'm just the Guardian of Humanity." He hesitated for a moment before stepping closer to Toshiro and wrapping his arms around him in a hug. "But more than that, I'm happy to find family."
Toshiro didn't push him away. He placed a hand on Naruto's head, his stern expression softening. "We've been stuck here because the seals that connect us to the outside world were destroyed. The person who knew the way was killed during the conflict, and we've been trying to find a way back ever since."
Naruto pulled back slightly, meeting Toshiro's gaze with determination. "I can help. If I could enter, I can create a portal to take you back."
The warriors exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of hope and disbelief. Even Toshiro seemed shaken by Naruto's words. "Let me call the leader," he said finally, his tone firm once more. "He will decide."
As one of the warriors departed to inform the leader, Naruto remained with Toshiro and the others, feeling the weight of the moment. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly connected to his heritage, and he was determined to bring his newfound family back to the world they had lost.
As they waited for the Uzumaki leader to arrive, Naruto and Toshiro sat down at a simple wooden table set up in the shade of a nearby tree. Toshiro's men brought over tea and a plate of traditional Uzumaki snacks—delicately wrapped rice cakes, dried seaweed rolls, and steamed buns filled with spiced fish. Naruto's gaze lingered on the food, a mixture of curiosity and quiet reverence.
Taking his first bite of a rice cake, Naruto felt a strange sensation wash over him. It wasn't just the taste, though the food was excellent. It was the realization that he was partaking in something that had been passed down through generations of his clan. "This feels... nostalgic," he murmured, though he had never tasted these dishes before.
Toshiro observed him, his expression softening slightly. "Our food is simple but carries the soul of our people," he said, sipping his tea.
Naruto nodded, taking another bite. "It's my first time eating anything Uzumaki. Even speaking our language feels... odd. All ninja in Konoha learn it, but most of them never really use it. I've only started practicing properly after the war to honor our clan."
Toshiro raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You speak it fluently. It seems you've made an effort to reconnect with your roots."
Naruto chuckled. "Took a while to get the hang of it, but it felt like the right thing to do. I owe it to my mom... and to the rest of the clan."
As they shared small talk, Naruto asked about the Uzumaki's daily life. He wanted to know how they lived, what their routines were, and what kind of traditions they followed. Toshiro answered most of his questions without hesitation, describing the clan's disciplined yet peaceful lifestyle. The Uzumaki spent their days honing their mastery of fuinjutsu, training, and maintaining their small town in this isolated world.
But when Naruto finally asked the question weighing on his mind, the atmosphere shifted. "Do you think your leader will share Uzumaki secrets with the world for the greater good?"
Toshiro's hand paused mid-reach for his tea. His expression remained neutral, but Naruto noticed a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. "I don't know," Toshiro said after a moment. "It has never happened before."
Naruto considered mentioning the Shinigami Seal and the Kyuubi Seal, which Konoha had received from the Uzumaki in the past. But he stopped himself, sensing the tension in Toshiro's words. He realized that the decision would ultimately depend on the leader—and that Toshiro might not entirely agree with sharing the clan's knowledge.
"I hope your leader listens to my words," Naruto said, choosing to remain optimistic. He leaned back, looking up at the artificial sun that lit their world. "Maybe I can finally live up to being an Uzumaki."
Toshiro glanced at him and then stood as one of his men approached, signaling the leader's arrival. "The leader is wise. He knows what is best for the clan," Toshiro said simply, adjusting his armor.
Naruto rose as well, watching as the group of warriors quickly formed a circle around a freshly drawn seal on the ground. With a surge of chakra, the intricate fuinjutsu pattern glowed a brilliant red, and a tall, elderly man materialized in its center.
The man was scholarly in appearance, with long white hair tied neatly behind him and a flowing robe embroidered with Uzumaki clan symbols. His eyes were sharp, glinting with intelligence and authority. Despite his age, his posture was straight, and he carried himself with quiet confidence.
The warriors surrounding them immediately dropped to one knee, bowing their heads in deference. Naruto remained standing, his hands at his sides, watching as the elder stepped forward and exchanged a brief look with Toshiro.