Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

"The old man… I mean, the Hokage-sama should arrive soon."

Asuma casually stroked his beard while smiling and speaking up, subtly helping Naruto out of his awkward situation.

Truthfully, because of his father and nephew—namely the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konohamaru—Asuma had heard Naruto's name countless times at home already.

And after personally seeing Naruto's abilities for himself, he had grown genuinely fond of the talented blond boy.

After all, in Asuma's eyes—

Naruto was currently Konoha's finest "jade."

A junior of immense importance.

Thinking about it…

Next year I'll become a Jōnin instructor too.

Wonder what kind of students I'll end up with…

As slight footsteps echoed nearby, everyone turned instinctively.

The Third Hokage had already arrived at the very front of the Memorial Stone wearing his Hokage robes.

Looking out toward everyone gathered there.

"Today…"

Hiruzen's aged voice echoed quietly.

"I gathered all of you here to clear a comrade's name."

"And return to him the honor he truly deserved."

"Years ago, Konoha branded him a missing-nin."

"And yet all this time, he endured misunderstanding and mortal danger while continuing to protect the ninja world."

"A man like that…"

"Should not die carrying hatred and false accusations."

"So…"

The Third Hokage slowly lowered his gaze.

"Please bear witness to his life."

As he spoke, staff members distributed carefully prepared information files throughout the crowd.

Naruto also received one.

The photograph on the page looked completely unfamiliar to him.

A sharp-eyed black-haired teenager with a calm and capable appearance.

Naruto genuinely couldn't remember ever seeing him before.

However—

The name immediately caught Naruto's attention.

Uchiha Shisui.

Although Naruto didn't know this person, nor did he understand the earlier discussions between the Jōnin—

Regarding the Uchiha clan incident itself, Naruto was actually one of the few people in Konoha who knew the complete truth.

After all—

He had "personally" experienced it.

"Hm?"

Inside Naruto's mental world, Kurama suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Looking at the photograph, the fox felt strangely familiar.

Where have I seen him before…?

"Who is this?"

Kurama asked Minato curiously.

"Uchiha Shisui."

Minato casually connected to Kurama's chakra again and glanced toward the information in Naruto's hands.

"In my memories before dying, he was supposed to be an exceptionally talented shinobi."

So he's another Uchiha…

Hearing the surname instantly drew Kurama's attention.

Meanwhile, as the Third Hokage continued speaking through the memorial speech, the more Kurama listened, the more wrong things felt.

A Konoha shinobi infiltrating Akatsuki?

If this face were slightly older…

And paler…

And if his eyes were covered…

Suddenly—

Kurama's pupils narrowed sharply.

"It's him!"

At last, Kurama finally remembered why the face felt familiar.

Even though he had never heard the name "Shisui Uchiha" during the previous timeline.

"What is it, Kurama-sama?"

Minato immediately noticed the fox's reaction.

"Minato…"

Kurama's voice lowered.

"Do you remember when this old man told you about the Akatsuki member encountered during the Uchiha massacre night?"

As Kurama explained further, Minato's expression gradually became serious.

"If it really is the same person…"

"And if he made contact with Obito and the being you described as Black Zetsu…"

Minato's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"Then there's a possibility his body contains hidden factors Konoha still hasn't discovered."

"In situations like this, it's always safest to leave extra preparations."

"Can Naruto reach the coffin or the body somehow?"

"You want Naruto to secretly leave a Flying Thunder God marker on him?"

Kurama instantly understood Minato's intention.

Then he directly informed Naruto.

"Leave a marker? Got it."

After hearing Kurama and Minato's suspicions, Naruto nodded quickly.

However, when he raised his head to look for an opportunity—

He realized the funeral ceremony had already nearly reached its conclusion.

"... Therefore…"

The Third Hokage's voice rang solemnly across the memorial grounds.

"On behalf of Konoha, I hereby revoke all missing-nin charges previously placed upon Uchiha Shisui."

"He was unquestionably a hero of Konoha."

"And here today, on behalf of all his comrades…"

Hiruzen lowered his head deeply.

"We mourn his sacrifices and contributions."

Inside his heart, the Third Hokage sighed heavily.

Shisui's fate filled him with sadness.

Partly due to his own helplessness back then.

And partly from guilt.

Then Hiruzen slowly removed his Hokage hat and turned toward the coffin, bowing silently in mourning.

The gathered shinobi followed together.

Only Naruto continued blinking awkwardly.

His thoughts remained entirely focused on Kurama's and Minato's earlier instructions.

How exactly am I supposed to touch the body in this situation?!

"Oi, Naruto."

Kakashi quietly leaned closer.

"Lower your head."

Seeing Naruto standing there distracted, Kakashi assumed Naruto was simply acting childish again.

"This isn't the kind of occasion where you complain about boredom."

"It'll be over soon."

"Once the Hokage finishes placing flowers and the burial begins."

"Just endure it for a bit."

Flowers?

Naruto's brain instantly accelerated.

Still—

He quickly lowered his head properly alongside everyone else and completed the mourning ceremony first.

The rest of the process proceeded smoothly.

Truthfully, almost everyone present had attended countless funerals before.

After all—

Their ages and positions guaranteed experience with war, death, and separation.

Then finally, the flower-offering stage arrived.

Normally, after the Third Hokage offered flowers, the ceremony should have skipped directly onward.

Because everyone already knew the Uchiha clan no longer existed.

Yet suddenly—

A loud voice rang out.

"I-I want to offer flowers too!"

Everyone immediately looked toward Naruto in shock.

Even Kakashi stared at him in confusion.

"Um…"

Naruto hurriedly waved his hands awkwardly.

"W-Well…"

"Right!"

"Our Team Seven member Sasuke Uchiha is still alive!"

"And technically speaking, he's still related to Hero Uchiha Shisui somehow, right?"

"Think about it!"

Naruto's brain operated faster than it ever had in his life.

"A hero sacrificed himself…"

"But if no family member offers flowers for him, wouldn't that feel way too lonely?"

"Even though Sasuke isn't here…"

"Could I maybe offer flowers on his behalf?"

"At least…"

Naruto's expression became unusually sincere.

"A hero's funeral shouldn't feel this lonely…"

"That should be okay, right?"

Naruto silently apologized to Sasuke within his heart.

Sorry, Sasuke.

Using you as a shield this time.

"Sasuke definitely wouldn't mind."

Kurama's amused voice immediately sounded.

Stop reading my thoughts all the time, Kurama!

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