Naruto uzumaki : The Will To Rise

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Chapter 21 : The Cruel Truth

Konoha Hospital – Inside the Ward

Waking up from a coma, Naruto found himself lying on a hospital bed. He felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Before losing consciousness, he had been ready to go berserk, even prepared to face Shimura Danzo. However, upon reflection, it seemed he had overthought things. With the Third Hokage still alive, Danzo wouldn't dare interfere openly in the growth of a Jinchuriki. Danzo would remain in the shadows, as usual.

Still, Naruto realized his own actions likely played a role. Though he had lost control, he hadn't harmed any villagers. In the eyes of the Third Hokage, that was a positive sign. After all, it wasn't easy to find a new Jinchuriki.

Sitting up in bed, Naruto stretched out his injured arm. Thanks to the Uzumaki clan's resilient physique, his wounds had almost healed, leaving only a shallow scar—one that he didn't mind.

This incident served as a reminder: even in Konoha, he couldn't let his guard down. There was always the possibility of another lunatic like showing up.

Feeling bored, Naruto looked out the window and attempted to communicate with the Nine-Tails. However, Kurama wasn't responding. The fox seemed unwilling to speak to him, leaving Naruto frustrated. He wondered what he might have done to upset him.

As he was lost in thought, the door creaked open. A nurse led several visitors into the ward. Among them were the Third Hokage, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji, who carried a basket of fruit. Behind them stood a white-haired young man whose face was partially obscured.

It didn't take Naruto long to identify him. "Konoha's famous 'Make-Out Paradise' fan, Kakashi-sensei," he thought wryly.

The Third Hokage approached with a smile. "Naruto, I brought some of your friends to see you."

After a brief exchange of greetings, the Hokage turned to the others. "Would you all step out for a moment? I need to speak with Naruto alone."

Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji hesitated but eventually left the room.

Once they were alone, the Third Hokage's expression grew serious. "Naruto, do you remember who attacked you?"

Naruto frowned and pretended to think hard. "I was taking a shower, and then this middle-aged guy broke in and attacked me. After that… my memory gets a little fuzzy." He paused before adding dramatically, "Grandpa Hokage, you have to punish that guy! Throw him in jail!"

The Third Hokage placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "The attacker has already been dealt with. But what I need to know is—do you recall what happened afterward? What you did?"

Naruto's face turned pale as he clutched his head. He appeared distressed, gasping for breath. "I… I think I had a dream. I dreamt I turned into a demon fox, killed that man, and then ran wild. But I can't remember much after that."

Looking up, his eyes filled with confusion. "Grandpa Hokage, am I really a demon fox? Is what the villagers say true? Did I hurt anyone? But… that doesn't feel like my power."

The Third Hokage sighed deeply. "You did turn into a demon fox, but that's not who you are. The real demon fox—the Nine-Tails—is sealed inside you. It took control of your mind."

Naruto clung to his words like a lifeline. "Grandpa Hokage, you must know how to get rid of it! Please, I don't want people to see me as a monster anymore."

The Hokage shook his head solemnly. "There's no way to remove it. But I will continue to protect your identity and ensure that the villagers treat you as an ordinary person. Over time, I believe they will come to accept you."

He placed a few scrolls on the bedside table before leaving.

Naruto stared at the door for a long moment after the Hokage left. "So that's the truth," he muttered to himself.

Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji soon returned to check on him, though their visit was brief. As they left, Kakashi lingered at the doorway. He glanced at Naruto, his expression unreadable, before following the Hokage down the corridor.

With the visitors gone, only Naruto and Hinata remained in the ward.

An awkward silence hung in the air as they avoided each other's gaze. Neither spoke, both feeling the weight of the moment.

Suddenly, the Nine-Tails' voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "Your acting just now was impressive. That look of confusion and pain? You almost had me fooled into thinking you really believed you were a demon fox."

Naruto smirked inwardly. "Was that a compliment?"

In the sealed space of his mind, Naruto appeared before Kurama, who sat behind his cage. "By the way, why didn't you warn me that the old man was coming?"

The Nine-Tails huffed. "After lending you chakra, that Hokage reinforced your seal. My ability to sense the outside world is limited. Besides, why should I warn you?"

Naruto clenched his fists. The reinforced seal might be good for most Jinchuriki, but for him, it was nothing but a problem.

Back in the real world, Hinata approached timidly with a plate of peeled fruit. "N-Naruto-kun, you must be hungry… would you like some fruit?"

Naruto blinked, surprised by her gesture, before taking the plate with a small smile.

---

In the Hospital Corridor

The Third Hokage stood with Kakashi, observing the bustling activity. Taking a drag from his pipe, the Hokage spoke calmly. "Kakashi, if you have questions, just ask. There's no one else here."

Kakashi hesitated, then asked quietly, "Third Hokage-sama, is it true that Naruto is Minato-sensei's son?"

The Hokage nodded. "Yes, he is Minato's child. Before his death, Minato sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, making him and Kushina's son the new Jinchuriki."

Kakashi fell silent, his mind racing. He had heard the rumors about the "fox," but he had never imagined the boy was Minato's child. He had assumed the village was taking care of him. The reality was far harsher.

"If that's the case, why haven't you revealed Naruto's true identity?" Kakashi asked.

The Hokage exhaled a plume of smoke. "Minato had many enemies. If they found out Naruto was his son, they'd target him. As for the rumors about the fox… that was my mistake."

After a pause, he added, "If Naruto learned the truth now, the psychological burden might be too much. It's better to wait for the right time."

Kakashi nodded reluctantly. "Understood, Third Hokage-sama."

Still, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that the truth, though cruel, was something Naruto deserved to know.

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