Chapter 22

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Sayuri was thrown through the air, her small frame hurtling uncontrollably after her master kicked her out of harm's way. Wind rushed past her ears as she struggled to regain control. I need to get my act together! I can't afford to be weak right now! With every ounce of her will, she twisted her body mid-air and extended her chakra threads. The strands latched onto a nearby tree, halting her flight with a sharp jolt.

She dangled there for a moment, catching her breath as her eyes widened in horror. The explosion erupted behind her, a deafening roar that lit up the night like a second sun. The shockwaves ripped through the forest, tearing trees from their roots and scorching the earth. Sayuri clenched her teeth and held tight to her anchor, feeling the vibrations rattling through her body.

When the chaos finally subsided, the silence that followed was almost unbearable. Please be alive, she prayed, her heart pounding in her chest as she released the threads and dropped to the forest floor. Her legs moved before her mind could catch up, sprinting toward the epicenter.

What she found stopped her in her tracks. A massive crater stretched before her, the ground blackened and lifeless. Smoke and ash rose in faint wisps, the only remnants of the explosion's fury. There was no sign of Naruto.

"No…" The word slipped from her lips, barely audible. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed onto the scorched ground. Despair surged through her, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as tears streamed down her face. "It's... it's all my fault," she choked, clutching her hair. "Master died because of me."

Her sobs filled the air until the ground beneath her began to tremble again. A golden light seeped through the cracks in the earth, growing brighter and brighter. Sayuri's teary eyes snapped open, her breath hitching as she staggered back.

"What is this…?" she whispered, shielding her eyes as the brilliance intensified. The light twisted and coalesced into glowing chains, each link pulsing with otherworldly energy. The chains formed a protective sphere in the center of the crater, and as they unraveled, they revealed Naruto standing unharmed within their golden glow.

"Master!" Sayuri cried, her voice breaking with relief. She shot to her feet and sprinted toward him, throwing herself into his arms. Her small frame trembled as she clung to him tightly. "I thought… I thought you were gone."

Naruto glanced down at her, his expression calm and unreadable. "If you truly thought I would die from something as trivial as an explosion, then you have a very low opinion of me, Sayuri," he said dryly before delivering a light chop to her head.

"Ouch!" she yelped, pulling back and rubbing the sore spot. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but her heart swelled with admiration as she looked up at him. The aura of strength radiating from him was undeniable. His presence alone seemed to command the very air around him.

In that moment, Sayuri made a silent vow. I will never doubt you again, Master. Never.

Back in Konoha

The duo returned to the village, the mission's success evident in the scrolls Naruto carried. The Hokage greeted them in his office, his gaze softening as Naruto handed over the scrolls containing weapons and the bodies of the eliminated council members.

"Excellent work, Naruto," Hiruzen said, his tone filled with genuine pride. "Not only have you completed this mission with remarkable efficiency, but your consistent performance on high-stakes missions has been extraordinary."

Naruto offered a small nod, standing at attention as Hiruzen continued.

"As a reward for your efforts, I'm granting you access to the Scroll of Sealing. You may choose one forbidden jutsu to learn. Take your time and decide wisely." With a subtle glance at the ANBU stationed nearby, Hiruzen gestured for the scroll to be brought forth.

The massive scroll was unrolled before Naruto, revealing an array of powerful techniques. Naruto's sharp eyes scanned the list, briefly pausing on the Reanimation Jutsu. He dismissed it immediately, his mind calculating. If I choose this, the old man will outright refuse. After working so hard to lower his suspicions, I can't risk raising them again.

Instead, his finger hovered over another entry. "This one—the Flying Raijin Jutsu," he said firmly.

Hiruzen's eyes lit up with approval. A warm smile spread across his face as he nodded. "An excellent choice. This was your father's signature technique, perfected by the Fourth Hokage himself. It suits you well."

Naruto remained composed, though his mind noted the significance of the Hokage's words. So, he's finally acknowledging my lineage outright. The timing is… interesting.

Nearby, the ANBU stiffened in shock. Though their expressions were hidden behind masks, the tension in the room was palpable. The son of the Fourth Hokage? the thought rippled among them like wildfire. It all made sense now—the boy's talent, his striking resemblance to Minato, even his unmatched potential.

Hiruzen continued, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "You truly are your father's son, Naruto. Like the Yellow Flash of Konoha, you will carry on his legacy."

Naruto said nothing, merely offering a curt nod. He knew Hiruzen's intentions were well-placed, but this revelation was more than a personal acknowledgment—it was a calculated move. Hiruzen was carefully setting the stage for Naruto's eventual rise in the village, a direct counter to Danzo's relentless schemes.

As the Hokage looked at the young shinobi before him, a sense of both pride and caution filled his heart. Naruto was a force to be reckoned with, but the weight of his power and destiny loomed large. Hiruzen knew that guiding him wisely was paramount.

For now, Naruto left the office with the scroll in hand, his steps steady and his mind focused. He had much to prepare for, and the Flying Raijin was only the beginning of his journey.