Ch. 58

(A/N: Some people don't like the fact that I picked Marvel. They probably didn't read my replies to others, and I figured I'll put my reasoning here. I have 0 clue what to do in Naruto, I barely remembered the story before and you can only watch a kid screaming for how every many seasons Naruto is so many times. I read a lot more Marvel growing up, plus the movies are not that bad to go back and watch. Plus I believe there is a lot more freedom to do a slice-of-life in Marvel then there is in Naruto. [Also, it's probably shorter watching all the Marvel movies then it is to watch all of Naruto.] I also would like to remind everyone, this is a hobby. That's why I don't set up a Patreon, I do this for fun. I recently did a purge on discord of the people who never chatted, so if you got booped I'm sorry. You're more then welcome to rejoin, I'm trying to post chapters in there after I make them, and set it up for release here on Webnovel around 0900 central US time.

As always, I love you guys.

-Pepto

Discord: https://discord.gg/Eph2esQ)

--Zach POV--

After Kushina and Naruto, the tournament continued. Tsunade was filling in Kushina on the rules of Beyblades as I was preparing the final fight. Neji and Shikamaru had made it to the finals, Naruto had gotten knocked out early due to the lack of control he had over his chakra. Granted it's 100 times better than before, but it was still like unleashing a fire hose on a 1-inch opening.

Zach: "In the Blue corner coming from weighing in at 46kg we have The Ghost of Hyuga clan, Nejiiiiiiiiii!"

Everyone gave excited claps for Neji.

Zach: "And in the Red corner we have the Snorlax of the Nara clan, Shikamaruuuuuuuuuuu!"

A little more enthusiasm was brought forth by the crowd for Shikaramu. The two stepped up to the launch point and assumed the ready position on the big arena.

Zach: "BEYBLADERS ARE YOU READY?!"

Neji: "Yes!"

Shikamaru: "This is troublesome."

Zach: "LETTTTTTT ITTTTTTTT RIPPPPPPPPPPPP!"

The two poured their chakra into the Beyblades as they pulled the cord to start the spinning. Neji's was the first to drop into the bowl and it emitted the Honey Badger projection that was growling and hissing, meaning it was a perfect start. Looking over to Shikamaru's side a Great Ape formed from his Beyblade that was roaring and pounding its chest.

I wanted to say that a very enthusiastic battle ensued from the two Beyblades. But let's be real, it's just two tops with metal pieces bashing together. The kids love it because their imaginations run wild. We're adults, that shit is only fun when you're drunk and you tie bottle rockets to it. So while the whole "fight" was going on I "looked" on with interest, but my mind was wandering into images of Tsunade doing pin-up girl poses.

When I heard the cheering from the crowd and awoke from my fantasy. With a quick wipe of my mouth to get rid of the drool, I looked to see the kids all surrounding Shikamaru. He gave a bored expression and I could see it in his eyes that he was excited. Clearing my throat I bellowed out.

Zach: "AND THE WINNER OF THE FIRST BEYBLADE TOURNAMENT OF KONOHA IS NARA SHIKAMARU!!"

Shikamaru: "How troublesome."

I brought one of my hands behind my back and gathered divine essence to make him a white Beyblade and the centerpiece was a panda bear. When it was over I walked over to Shikamaru and presented him with the Beyblade.

Zach: "Congratulations, the animal manifestation is a panda."

Shikamaru smiled a little and nodded in thanks as he took it from my hand.

Naruto: "Huh? Why a panda? Wouldn't Shikamaru want a Pheonix or a Dragon?"

Zach: "Those may be you Naruto. But when I look at Shikamaru over here I see a lazy panda. The black on the panda would represent the shadow techniques his clan uses. The white would represent the clouds in the sky he loves so much."

Shikamaru looked at me in surprise at how much thought I had put into it. I'm not going to tell the kid I'm 100% bullshitting and making it up as I go. Naruto was just looking at me with the look of, "Who the hell would want that?"

Naruto: "Huh?"

Before I could go into lecture mode I was interrupted.

Kushina: "Naru sweety, mommy needs more hugs!"

Naruto turned to her and I swear I could see stars in his eyes. It's like he completely forgot she was back when the final bout started. I looked at Tsunade in shock, and my ever perceptive wife somehow read me like a book and shook her head with a smile. I'm going to dread the day if it ever comes where I have to keep a secret from her.

I clapped my hands together to get everyone's attention.

Zach: "Ok everyone let's head inside to the manor so I can cook us lunch. Kushina, let Naruto show the kids the game-room and help me and Tsunade in the kitchen."

Nawaki: "Nii-san what are we having?"

Zach: "Pizza!"

Nawaki/Naruto/Karin: "YESSSSSSSSS!"

By now Tsunade had walked over to me and we were arm in arm. As the excited kids screamed and ran off telling the others what pizza is, Tsunade leaned into me and I rested my head on top of hers.

Tsunade: "I can't wait till ours arrive."

Zach: "Me too honey."

I kissed the top of her head as Kushina made her way over to us shaking her head and a grin on her face.

Kushina: "I remember when me and Minato were just like you two. I'll tell you, the small amount of time we had with Naruto before this. It was worth everything we went to. Seeing him now surrounded by so many friends… I don't know how to thank you two, you took in my son after our deaths and gave him the best life you could."

Sweat started to pour down my back at the misunderstanding that Kushina has. I was about to correct her and tell her what really happened when my smarter half put her hand over my mouth. She gave me the menacing glare #3 that meant if I spoke a word it was no sex for a month. My lips were sealed from that moment on.

Tsunade: "It was no trouble Kushina, now come help us make pizza. It's Naruto's 2nd favorite food."

Kushina: "Oh? What is his first?"

Tsunade: "Ichiraku Ramen."

Kushina nodded her head in agreement.

Kushina: "Good, he has good taste. I think I'll take him there tonight for dinner, is it still on the other side of the village?"

Tsunade: "No, it's actually next to the Wondering Inn outside of the compound."

Kushina: "How nice! They've really moved up, it used to be just a stall."

We were halfway to the house when Kushina stopped and looked like she was lost in thought. Me and Tsunade stopped and looked back at her. When Kushina's eyes started to tear up I broke the silence.

Zach: "What's wrong?"

Kushina: "I-i-i how am I supposed to pay for dinner tonight?"

Tsunade looked at me and I at her, we then both started to bust out laughing. Kushina started to get flustered at us laughing and stomped her way over to us pretending to roll up her sleeves. I just held up my hands to calm her.

Zach: "We're laughing because it's a small issue. We'll give you money so you and Naruto can have a Mother-son dinner. You don't have to worry about anything."

Tsunade: "Exactly, and I'll have one of my aides go to the bank and reinstate your bank account."

Kushina stared at us again and started to happy cry and then wrapped both of us in a hug. We just hugged her back and patted her back. Once she got a hold of herself again we went to the kitchen and made pepperoni pizza for everyone.

It seemed like Kushina, Choji, Naruto, and strangely enough, Hinata got into an eating contest. The first one out surprisingly was Choji, followed by Naruto. Kushina and Hinata were neck and neck for a whole until finally, Hinata gave up. Kushina scooped the little girl up and started to hug her tightly and talk about how someone with such an appetite should be her daughter-in-law and something about how boys should always find women like their mother. Short story, Hinata's mind blew a fuse and she turned the color of Kushina's hair. That aroused laughter from everyone and Naruto just looked at the scene with a funny look. Bless you, you dense fool.

After lunch, all the kids went back to the game room to play and we drug Kushina off for a conversation that the kids shouldn't hear about.

Tsunade: "There is something we need to tell you."

Kushina: "What's up?"

Tsunade: "It has only been a couple of months since we adopted Naruto…"

Kushina looked at Tsunade incredulously.

Kushina: "Did something happen to Jiraiya or Hiruzen? Didn't one of them adopt him after we died?"

I grimaced at that and Tsunade started to get angry at the memory. When I felt her anger rising I placed my hand on her arm and she settled down.

Tsunade: "He was already a Genin by the time we returned to the village and adopted him. He had grown up in the orphanage."

Kushina stared at us in disbelief.

Kushina: "How could he be in an orphanage? We have almost as much money in savings that a major clan has. Naruto wouldn't have a need for anything as long as he lived." (A/N: Homegirl is a Fuinjutsu master, selling that stuff makes your bank in my universe.)

I grimaced again and didn't want to bring up that he pretty much got kicked out of the orphanage and starved most of his childhood. Tsunade took a deep breath and let it out.

Tsunade: "Maybe I should tell you everything from the start."

Kushina: "You think?"

Kushina was giving us a mocking look, that I don't blame her forgiving. My wife then narrated the tales of Naruto from when he was born until now. Kushina laughed, cried, and spat with anger. One of her impulses was for me to resurrect Hiruzen in order for her to kill him again. I squashed that in the butt by giving her an ultimatum of either resurrecting Hiruzen or Minato.

The sun was starting to set when Tsunade finally got done with the story until now. Kushina was sitting down drained from all of the emotions this day has brought her. We were drained riding the rollercoaster of emotions with her.

Kushina: "Well, we can't change anything in the past. But we can start making a bright future now. Zach, I will go with you to Uzushiogakure to fetch the Shinigami mask. But all I ask is a little extra cash tonight, so that way I can personally thank Teuchi for everything he has done for my son."

I just laughed at that and made a bag of Ryo appear from my spacial ring and I handed it to her.

Zach: "Use all of that, it's Tsunade's winnings when she thought she snuck out and went to the casino in town."

Tsunade: "I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER FOR THAT!!!"

Zach: "If you keep using the baby's luck at the casinos, they're going to be just like you!"

We play fought back and forth for a couple of minutes as Kushina giggled at our antics. After we "made up" with a kiss Kushina grabbed the bag of Ryo and went off to wrangle Naruto into going for ramen, which wouldn't be a hard thing.

--Kushina POV--

Today has been a trying and tiring day. All the emotions, all the broken promises, and all the newfound hope. It was infuriating and intoxicating at the same time. But I was going to end this new day with something very familiar. While we were taking the short walk from the Senju compound to Ichiraku's new shop Naruto was going on about which ramen he should have today. I just quietly listened to his rambling and loved every single minute of it.

When we arrived at the beautifully made shop I stopped in my tracks. Ichiraku ramen was the best, but they could never afford something like this! There has to be something up. But before I could question Naruto he was already swinging the door open and yelling.

Naruto: "HEY OLD MAN GET ME 2 MISO RAMEN AND A PORK BELLY!"

I quickly followed in behind him, catching the door before it closed and slowly opening back up.

Teuchi: "Naruto! My favorite custom-"

A lot of metal could be heard the clattering and rolling on the floor as I fully made my way into the shop. Looking at where the sound came from I could see Teuchi staring at me in complete disbelief.

A woman that looked like a teenage Ayame came running into the room to check out the clatter. She looked at the ground first where Teuchi dropped his tools and a pot, then looked at her father to see if he was ok. When she saw where he was staring she slowly turned her head in my direction. As soon as Ayame saw me her face was filled with shock. She then looked at Naruto and then back to me.

Ayame: "No, it can't be."

I chuckled lightly at Ayame.

Kunshina: "You've grown up little Ayame. I remember when you were smaller than Naruto here."

Gasps could be heard from Ayame and Teuchi as tears started to flood their eyes. Ayame didn't hesitate and ran out from behind the counter and jumped into me and cried into my chest. Teuchi wasn't far behind and gave both of us a bear hug as he cried.

Teuchi: "Praise the gods! You're alive! But how?!"

-- Dionysus POV --

I heard someone praising us gods so I decided to pop in to see the Ichiraku family hugging Kushina while Naruto looked like a fish out of water. I had to fight the urge to stay and watch this reunion, it was their moment and I wouldn't want to mess it up. Maybe I should pop in on Zach and Tsunade, they didn't tell me they were bringing back Kushina already. I would have loved to have been there. Deciding to leave I teleported to Heph and let him know not to disturb the Ramen shop for the rest of the night.

-- Kushina POV --

It took a little while for everyone to settle down. I tried to give Teuchi and Ayame the money that Zach had given me earlier. They promptly refused it, saying that Zach and Tsunade have given them too much already. I asked him to elaborate on that, and he opened his arms wide and turned around, meaning the whole building. My eyes widened as I really took in the place, and it reaffirmed the trust I had been placing in the couple.

Teuchi: "This shop isn't even the best part! Take a look at this!"

Teuchi pulled out his knife set and placed it on the counter for me to check out. Looking over the knives I could tell they were master craftsmanship. I couldn't place the metal, but when I tested one of the knives out on a folded-up napkin. It cut through it smoother than any other weapon that I've used before.

Kushina: "Wow, masterful craftsmanship."

Teuchi: "Yup, Zach is great at this stuff."

We all continued to catch up for the remainder of the night. Naruto had fallen asleep with his head on the counter, and we finally realized the time. I coaxed Naruto awake enough to have him wrap his arms around my neck as I got him into a piggyback ride. After bidding farewell to the father and daughter I made my way back to the Senju compound to put my son to bed, and finally, end this long day.