Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

The Land of Hot Water.

Located along the border neighboring the Land of Fire, it was one of the most famous countries in the shinobi world.

Not because of its military strength, but because it was home to Yugakure—the village known as the "Village That Forgot War."

It was a renowned tourist destination. Natural hot springs could be found everywhere, with steaming waters bubbling up across the countryside. The entire region felt like a paradise hidden away from the world, attracting countless visitors every year.

As a result, Yugakure was most famous for its hot spring inns.

However, it was still spring rather than the peak hot spring season, so most of Yugakure's inns were currently experiencing a slow period.

"Hot springs~ Hot springs~ Hot springs~ Let's go soak already!"

Being able to experience a hot spring for the first time, Naruto was completely unaffected by the off-season.

He was practically vibrating with excitement.

Even the long journey that had taken them beyond the borders of the Land of Fire hadn't exhausted him in the slightest. His energy seemed endless.

Inside the inn room, Naruto swayed back and forth impatiently while urging Kakashi and Sasuke to hurry up.

"You act like everyone travels as lightly as you do."

Sasuke was organizing his belongings when he turned around and saw Naruto already dressed in a yukata.

Immediately, he rolled his eyes.

"Why make things so complicated? Let's go!"

"Idiot, stop pulling me—hey! At least let me change firs—"

"Young people really are full of energy."

Kakashi watched as Sasuke was dragged out of the room in utter despair and couldn't help smiling.

After changing into his own yukata, Kakashi didn't head for the hot springs immediately.

Instead, he walked to the front desk and approached an elderly innkeeper.

"Excuse me, I'd like to ask about someone."

"Hm?"

The old woman had been dozing peacefully due to the lack of customers during the off-season. Being awakened unexpectedly left her somewhat annoyed.

Still, after seeing Kakashi's friendly demeanor—

Well, not exactly seeing it, considering the mask.

But his expression and bearing still gave off the impression of a handsome young man.

Besides, it was hard to stay angry at a polite customer.

"Go ahead, ask away."

"I'm looking for a white-haired man."

Kakashi pulled a photograph from his sleeve.

"Oh, that customer!"

The old woman barely needed a second glance before recognizing him.

[Looks like our luck is good. I happened to ask at the right inn.]

"He's a regular."

The old woman snorted.

"The moment he arrives, he starts wandering around the women's baths. I've lost count of how many complaints we've received because of him."

"It's impossible to forget."

"Though I'll admit he's very generous. He usually settles things with money before they become serious."

Then she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Um... since he's one of our regular guests, can I ask whether he's gotten himself into some kind of trouble?"

People who ran businesses weren't fools.

The Land of Hot Water bordered the Land of Fire, and Kakashi's group hadn't bothered concealing their Konoha forehead protectors.

If Konoha shinobi were asking questions about someone, could that person be dangerous?

She certainly didn't want trouble brought to her establishment.

Noticing the suspicion in her eyes, Kakashi casually pointed at his own silver hair.

"I'm his junior. He left home a long time ago and hasn't returned. His family asked me to look for him."

"Ohhhh!"

The old woman visibly relaxed.

"So that's all."

Now that she noticed their matching hair color, her concerns disappeared.

"Come to think of it, he once mentioned being from Konoha too."

"He stayed at my inn last year."

"But I haven't seen him at all this year."

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully.

After asking whether Jiraiya frequented any other inns in the area, he thanked her and headed out to continue his search.

—

Meanwhile, Naruto had already sunk comfortably into the hot spring.

"Ahhh... this feels amazing!"

He let out a blissful sigh.

Beside him, Sasuke had originally worn an irritated expression after being dragged here against his will.

Now he was reclining against a natural stone formation with an equally relaxed look.

This really is nice.

The outdoor bath had an excellent atmosphere.

Dense forests surrounded the area.

Aside from the occasional breeze rustling through the trees, the only sound came from the flowing spring water.

The air was fresh and clean.

Because of the season, there wasn't much steam obscuring the view, allowing them to look up and see a sky filled with stars.

Their timing had been fortunate.

Very few people visited the hot springs during the off-season, so at the moment they had the entire bath to themselves.

Naruto and Sasuke simply soaked quietly, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

"Hey, Naruto."

"Hm?"

Leaning against the rocks and staring up at the night sky, Sasuke wore an expression rarely seen on his face.

There was tension there.

And uncertainty.

"Do you think... we'll really find them?"

"My clansmen."

Naruto immediately grew serious.

"Don't worry."

"I already talked to Kakashi-sensei about it before."

"This mission doesn't have a strict destination anyway. Once we get the chance, we'll definitely make a trip to the Land of Wind."

"I asked around too. Sunagakure is one of Konoha's allies, so they shouldn't restrict our movements."

"And Kakashi-sensei didn't even ask what we were planning."

Naruto smiled.

"He said I'm a Chūnin now, so it's normal for me to help determine part of the team's route. Besides, this mission is mainly an investigation assignment."

"If you don't want anyone else to know, we can even apply to operate separately."

"I see..."

Sasuke fell into thought.

He remembered Kakashi mentioning that because of scheduling conflicts during this mission, both he and Hinata would have to wait until the next Chūnin Exams.

Yet according to Naruto, this mission wasn't particularly urgent.

In fact, it offered a great deal of freedom.

Naturally, Naruto knew more details than either he or Hinata.

That was simply how the shinobi system worked.

Information was distributed according to rank.

As a Chūnin, Naruto had access to mission details that Genin did not.

Their objectives weren't entirely identical anymore.

Since this mission allowed considerable freedom of movement, Sasuke had taken the opportunity to ask Naruto for help investigating the whereabouts of the surviving Uchiha clan members.

Naruto had agreed immediately.

"And don't worry too much."

Seeing Sasuke's troubled expression, Naruto hurried to reassure him.

"I still can't sense the Flying Thunder God marker I left on Izumi-sister, but there are a lot of possible explanations."

"The marker I left was on her clothes and on one of the shuriken she used regularly."

"If those were destroyed, then naturally the Flying Thunder God marker would disappear too."

"That doesn't necessarily mean something happened to her."

"Think about it. The situation that day was incredibly dangerous. There are plenty of reasons it could have vanished."

"I know."

Sasuke shook his head.

"You've explained that before."

He stared quietly at the star-filled sky.

"I was just thinking..."

"If we really do find them..."

"What position am I supposed to stand in when I face them?"

Naruto fell silent.

Because he didn't know the answer either.

For the surviving members of the Uchiha clan, it was true that Uzumaki Naruto had saved them.

But it was equally true that Sasuke was the younger brother of the man responsible for the tragedy.

That was precisely why Naruto had insisted on accompanying Sasuke when they eventually searched for the clan.

At the very least, his presence could help ease a situation neither of them wanted to see.

Naruto couldn't help recalling a conversation he had once had with his father in the mental world.

When Minato first learned about the matter, he had been just as surprised.

However, he had calmly explained one of the methods capable of countering the Flying Thunder God Technique.

That conversation had taken place shortly after Minato awakened within Naruto's inner world.

Back then, Naruto had asked him this very question.

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