NOVEL NEXT Chapter 146: Compensation
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"Sorry, Naruto," Tsunade began, her voice trembling with guilt.
"It's okay, Tsuna. You didn't know anything about it," Naruto replied softly. He stood up and embraced her, his words offering a sense of understanding.
Shizune and Temari, who were among his lovers, watched with tears welling in their eyes, feeling the weight of the burden Naruto had been carrying.
Even Mei, standing off to the side, began to see Naruto not as a normal kid, but as a shinobi who had borne unimaginable pain in silence.
Tsunade stood frozen in Naruto's embrace, her mind still struggling to fully grasp the weight of the revelation. But the warmth of his hug, the silent comfort he offered despite the storm of emotions within him, eased some of the pain she felt for him. She hadn't known. No one had, not really. But now that she understood, it was as if the world had shifted beneath her feet.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, her voice trembling, this time not just with sorrow, but with an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Naruto pulled back slightly, his hands resting gently on her shoulders as he looked her in the eyes. "It's not your fault, Tsuna. You didn't know." His tone was soft, but there was an unspoken truth behind his words. "You're not responsible for what happened, but you can help make sure it never happens again."
Shizune, standing nearby, felt the sting of the moment deep in her chest. She had always known Naruto to be strong, determined, and sometimes reckless, but seeing him now, standing tall yet burdened by the weight of his past, made her heart ache. Tears welled in her eyes, unable to be held back any longer. She reached out, silently taking Naruto's hand, trying to offer him the support he needed, even though she knew words wouldn't heal the wound within him.
Temari, who had been standing beside Shizune, couldn't hold back her own tears. She had always seen Naruto as a fierce shinobi, someone who could withstand anything, but this side of him, vulnerable yet still carrying the scars of his past, left her heart heavy. She stepped forward, standing by his side, her hand resting on his arm.
"Naruto," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy and understanding. "I had no idea. I didn't know how much you were carrying."
Naruto turned to her, offering a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's been a long road," he said, his voice steady despite the pain that lingered beneath the surface. "But I'm not alone anymore. I've got people who understand now."
Mei, watching the exchange, finally spoke up, her voice softer than before, no longer mocking or playful. "You've been carrying all of that on your own for so long, Naruto," she said, her gaze softening as she regarded him with new respect. "It's no wonder you've become so strong. Not just in power, but in spirit."
Naruto turned to her, his expression thoughtful. "Strength doesn't come from just power, Mei. It comes from bearing the burdens, from facing the pain, and still choosing to stand tall. It's not about forgetting what happened, but about moving forward despite it.And a man becomes stronger when he has someone to protect.I got many to protect."
"But anyway, that's also why I dealt with Hiruzen and his cohorts," Naruto continued, his voice hardening once more. "At least you guys are enemies. But they destroyed more allies than enemies."
The room fell into a heavy silence at Naruto's words, the weight of his statement sinking into the hearts of the Kages. Tsunade's expression hardened, her brows furrowing in anger as she processed what he had just said.
"You're telling me… that Hiruzen's actions weren't just a mistake?" Onoki finally spoke, his voice laced with disbelief. "That they actually caused harm to those who considered Konoha their ally?"
Naruto's eyes flashed with a cold, hard edge as he replied. "You have no idea. Their decisions, the things they allowed to happen in the shadows—all of it, it led to the downfall of many who fought for Konoha. Allies betrayed, families destroyed, all in the name of what he called 'keeping the village safe.' In reality, they was protecting their own interests and the village's stability while leaving the people who truly cared for it to rot."
Tsunade clenched her fists at her sides. "Naruto, I knew he wasn't perfect, but I didn't think it was like that. How could he betray so many of our own people?" Her voice trembled with frustration and anger.
"Because he thought he was doing what was best," Naruto said quietly, his gaze never leaving Tsunade. "But the truth is, he didn't understand the consequences of his actions. He thought he could play everyone against each other, keep the peace by manipulating things behind the scenes. And in doing so, he allowed his own allies to be torn apart."
Shizune, who had been listening quietly, spoke up softly. "And that's why you took matters into your own hands, isn't it, Naruto? Because you knew that something had to be done. You couldn't let his legacy of betrayal continue."
Naruto nodded, his jaw clenched tight. "I couldn't let it continue. There's no excuse for what he did, and the worst part is, no one ever questioned him because of the 'Professor' title. Everyone blindly followed his orders, thinking he knew best. But look where it got us."
Mei, her voice quieter now, but no less serious, spoke up. "I've heard rumors about Hiruzen's dealings, but to hear it from you, to see how deep this runs, it's… it's unsettling." She turned her gaze towards Tsunade. "I don't envy your position, Tsunade. You inherited a village with a history of such secrets."
Tsunade's face was a mix of anger and sorrow. "I didn't know, Mei. I didn't know the extent of it. But now I do. And I will deal with it. I owe it to those who were betrayed. We owe it to them to clean up the mess he left behind."
Naruto looked at her, his expression softening slightly. "I'm not asking for vengeance, Tsuna. I'm asking for justice. For the people who were wronged."
The room was heavy with the truth they had all been avoiding, the burden of the past that now rested on their shoulders. Onoki, the Raikage, and even Mei seemed to understand.
"Then we'll stand with you, Naruto," A finally said, his voice low but filled with determination. "We'll stand with you to fix this."
"Yes, Naruto, I will stand with you," Mei promised resolutely. "You just have to say what compensation we need to give you."
Naruto nodded, his expression firm. "I promised my mom that I would revive my clan. So, if you encounter any Uzumaki survivors, send them to Konoha."
He paused briefly before continuing, a small smirk forming. "And I also promised that I would create a harem of kunoichi. With that, I can easily revive my clan. In fact, my clan's revival is already underway. As proof, right here, I have three of my women."
Naruto gestured toward Tsunade, Shizune, and Temari, causing a mixture of reactions around the room.
"So, now you know what my compensation is," Naruto said, his tone leaving no room for argument.