Chapter 28

Three days would pass during the mission. Kakashi was getting stronger and he would be ready for Zabuza when the week would be up. Naruto was also getting stronger with his training as he had helped a woman out earlier in the day. She decided to give him a manual and a scroll. The manual was a basics in fūinjutsu (sealing technique) and the scroll was a technique called Daibakufu no Jutsu (Great Waterfall Technique). This excited Naruto as he would get to add something to his arsenal. Sasuke had finally made it up to the top of his tree and had demanded that Naruto spar with him. Naruto would have agreed if he didn't have guard duty in the morning. Sakura was also getting stronger and was so close in defeating Naruto's clone. Everything was going great for team Kakashi.

As they talked and had dinner with Tazuna's family, Inari decided that enough was enough. He slammed his hands on the table and glared at the first person he saw. That person was Naruto.

"Look at you, laughing and grinning like an idiot! How can you be so stupid?! Why are you still here anyway! You're just wasting your time! No one can defeat Gatō!" Inari shouted.

"What the hell are you going on about? Is this about your dad, Kaiza?" Naruto asked. Two days ago, Inari had left the table when Tazuna mentioned Kaiza. He then explained that Kaiza was the village hero. He was a fearless man who believed in the right thing. When Gatō came into town, he was one of few that stood up to him. He was overwhelmed by Gatō and was made an example of to the village when they executed him. The scene had destroyed Inari's belief in heroes. "Man, all you've done is whine and bitch about how we're going to die. I'm glad that I'm nothing like you."

"What do you know? You're nothing but a fool! You don't know anything about pain and suffering!" Inari spat loudly. That would be the wrong thing to say to Naruto. Inari found himself slammed against a wall and looking at the coldest blue eyes. When Sakura was going to stop Naruto, she was stop by one of his kunai, which landed dangerously close to her leg. Naruto glared at the boy with absolute loathing.

"You're nothing but a coward! You speak of pain and suffering but you have a mother and a grandfather who love you! There are many within the village who have less than you and here you are, crying like you've lost more! You haven't lost jack! What's even worst is that you spit on your grandfather's bravery and on your father's grave! He fought so that YOU would not have to live like your living now! Yeah, he died, but he died for your sake! It's the same as you grandfather but here you are whining and crying! Grow the hell up!" Naruto roared.

"Naruto, that's enough! Release Inari. That's an order." Kakashi said. Naruto sucked his teeth and released Inari. Inari sank to the ground under the gaze of Naruto. The blond stomped out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Everyone was silent and the tension in the room was thick. Sakura was the first to break that silence.

"I don't think that I've ever seen Naruto so angry. What do you think set him off?" Sakura asked no one in particular.

"Naruto's has endured more pain and suffering that you can't even image." Kakashi said. Inari wiped his eyes and made his way out of the house. Tsunami made a move to go talk with him but Kakashi held up his hand. He stood and made his way to speak with Inari.

XXX

Naruto was breathing hard and glared at the forest that was in front of him. There was some destruction from the jutsu that Naruto had been launching into the forest. He was so damn angry at Inari right now. He could believe that he had the nerve to say that he didn't know about pain and suffering. He's suffered since the day he could talk. No one wanted him, no one liked him and no one cared for him. He was alone for most of his life all because some people couldn't tell the difference between him and the Kyūbi. Yeah, he cried about it but he moved forward and worked to get people to acknowledge him. He didn't wallow in despair and spout nonsense.

He clapped his hands hard and began running through those hand seals again.

"Tora (Tiger), Ushi (Ox), Saru (Monkey), U (Rabbit), Hitsuji (Ram), I (Boar), Ushi, Uma (Horse), Saru, Tora, Inu (Dog), Tora, Mi (Snake), Tora, Ushi, Saru, U, Tori (Bird), Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!" Naruto roared. The water swirled in front of him and shot forward into the forest. The force of the water tore up the ground and ripped off some branches. When the technique died down there was some more damage. Naruto was still pretty angry, so he summoned some clones and had a free-for-all.

XXX

Kakashi sat next to Inari and waited for the boy to talk. Inari didn't say anything and would sometimes rub where he was grabbed.

"Does it hurt?" Kakashi asked.

"A little." Inari answered.

"Sorry about Naruto, he tends to wear his feelings on his sleeves. He's had a hard life since he was born." Kakashi said.

"What do you mean?" Inari asked.

"Naruto was the only child born on a tragic day in Konoha. Because of this, he was ignored and bullied by many of the villagers. He was like you in a way, as he would cry and wonder why life was so unfair." Kakashi answered.

"He doesn't act like it." Inari said.

"I guess he got tired of crying. He decided to try and make everyone take notice of him. As he got older, he got a few people to notice him and he was happy. He wants you to see that you do have people who notice you and want you to be happy." Kakashi said with an eye smile. Inari looked at him and then at the moon. He just sat in silence with Kakashi keeping him company.

XXX

The next morning, the household was awake and waiting for breakfast. Everyone was seated at the table with the exception of Naruto. Sakura was a little worried but also pissed at him.

"I can't believe that idiot stayed out all night. I'm going to find him and give him a piece of my mind." Sakura stated.

"I'll go and find him. Knowing the idiot, he probably wore himself out training." Sasuke said. He stood and made his way out of the house.

Naruto snored loudly as he lay out on the ground. His little battle royal was intense and he barely got out of it. He blamed Anko as his clones had her sadistic attitude. After winning, he dragged himself to a tree and laid down on it. He had a little bit of chakra and was really tired. He was only going to rest for a few minutes but ended up sleeping for the night. As he snored, he suddenly awake and had a kunai in his hand. He grabbed someone and slammed them down to the ground. His kunai touched the neck of someone. Naruto was ready to spill some blood when he saw who he had pinned.

Naruto was quickly off the person and back leaning against a tree. The person in question sat up and had a blush on her face. Naruto had a blush as well and was now kneeling and bowing at the person, muttering apologies from grabbing her chest. The girl in question was finally able to calm him down so that she could talk.

"Please, calm down. I'm not angry at you. It was my fault seeing that I attempted to wake you up. By your skills, you are a shinobi and I should have known better. I accept your apology." She said.

"Thank you. It's not really my fault because of the tendencies of my oneesan. She usually ambushes me constantly. I'm Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto greeted.

"Nice to meet you Naruto, my name is Haku."

.

.

.

.

.

🔗patreon.com/ERicart🔗

‼️This is my Patreon, in case you would like to support me and access more advanced content.‼️