Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

"What a beautiful singing voice."

Listening to the songstress's gentle melody, Hinata smiled as she watched the red-haired girl beside her—who looked about the same age as herself—singing along.

They must be mother and daughter.

They look so alike.

Then she turned back toward Naruto and quietly enjoyed the music.

Unfortunately, Naruto possessed none of the artistic appreciation required for such a moment.

His eyes were glued to the merchant stall's dazzling collection of goods.

"Wow! You have so much stuff, old man!"

"Yo, young man! Doesn't look like you're from around here."

The merchant immediately grinned.

"We specialize in foreign goods here. Take your time looking around!"

"Fair prices, too!"

"Naruto, Naruto!"

Naruto suddenly picked up something from the display.

It was a hairpin polished to a brilliant shine and shaped like a shuriken.

Holding it up beside Hinata's hair, he grinned.

"You'd definitely look good wearing this!"

"R-Really?"

Hinata's happiness had very little to do with the hairpin itself.

Just hearing Naruto say it was enough.

Still, after glancing at the item, she hesitated.

"Naruto-kun... it looks expensive."

"You don't have to—"

"Oh ho!"

The merchant's eyes lit up instantly.

"You've got excellent taste, young ninja!"

Then the sales pitch began.

One line after another.

"What does a little money matter when it's for your girlfriend?"

"The smile she gives you is worth more than anything!"

"It's not expensive at all!"

"If you can't afford it, maybe you just haven't earned enough yet!"

The merchant unleashed an endless stream of persuasion.

Naruto, however, was equally stubborn.

He immediately launched into aggressive bargaining.

Even though Hinata repeatedly whispered:

"Naruto-kun, it's okay."

"You don't need to buy it."

He ignored her completely.

At this point, it wasn't about the price anymore.

It was about principles.

"Hmm?"

"Naruto?"

Nearby, the red-haired songstress suddenly froze.

The moment she heard his name, her eyes widened.

She turned toward the blond boy still arguing with the merchant.

Disbelief filled her gaze.

"Mother?"

The girl beside her blinked in confusion.

Seeing her mother's strange reaction, she also turned to look at Naruto.

The sudden interruption of the song naturally drew Naruto and Hinata's attention.

"Then I won't buy it."

Naruto finally gave up on the negotiation and turned toward the red-haired woman.

She appeared roughly the same age as his parents' generation.

Time had left traces upon her face, but her former beauty was still obvious.

"Uzumaki... Naruto?"

She spoke again.

This time, directly calling his name.

"Do we know each other?"

Naruto began.

He almost called her "Auntie," but for some reason the word refused to leave his mouth.

Instead, he awkwardly changed course.

"...Madam?"

The woman paused briefly.

Then something seemed to occur to her.

Looking at Naruto—who was around her daughter's age—she let out a long sigh.

"Just call me Sara."

"I know who you are."

"But you don't know me."

Then she gently pulled her daughter closer.

Her gaze shifted to the hands Naruto and Hinata were holding.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

"Since fate has brought us together..."

"Would you allow me to treat you all to a meal?"

For some reason, Hinata felt slightly unsettled.

Perhaps she was simply too sensitive whenever Naruto was involved.

But...

Why did this woman seem to be looking at Naruto strangely too?

Was this jealousy?

No way...

Hinata immediately became troubled by how petty that thought sounded.

"Oh?"

The merchant suddenly looked surprised.

"So you're acquainted with Lady Sara?"

Then he casually handed the hairpin over.

"Huh?"

Naruto blinked.

"I said I'm not buying it."

"I'm not selling it."

"It's a gift."

The merchant waved his hand magnanimously.

"...?"

Naruto and Hinata exchanged confused looks.

Then both turned toward Sara, who simply smiled warmly.

Neither of them had any idea what was going on.

A short while later, they found Maki.

After learning that Naruto seemed to know the leader of a merchant caravan, even she was surprised.

They then returned to fetch Sasuke and Mei.

Eventually, the entire group followed Sara to what was clearly the finest restaurant in the village.

Granted...

"Finest" merely meant it was the only establishment with private rooms.

"Hello everyone."

"My name is Sara."

"This is my daughter, Rōran."

"Hello."

The red-haired girl named Rōran curiously studied Naruto's face.

She seemed particularly interested in him.

Meanwhile, Sasuke noticed something odd.

Every now and then, the girl would secretly glance toward him—

Then immediately look away.

It was almost as though she was forcing herself not to stare.

"?"

Sasuke had absolutely no idea why.

He was certain he had never met either of them before.

Naruto also introduced himself and the others.

"Lady Sara," Maki asked curiously, "is your daughter's name related to the legendary Kingdom of Rōran?"

As a native of the Land of Wind, she had naturally heard the old stories.

Sara nodded calmly.

"I was the final queen of Rōran."

The room fell silent.

She herself seemed entirely unconcerned by the revelation.

"However, Rōran no longer exists."

"After its destruction, I led the remaining citizens..."

She paused.

Then corrected herself.

"...No, the remaining clansmen."

"We formed a merchant caravan and now make our living that way."

"A queen, huh..."

Naruto nodded.

He wasn't particularly shocked.

After all, his very first mission had involved helping a displaced Snow Country princess reclaim her throne and become queen.

"Then forgive the discourtesy, Your Majesty—"

Mei began.

"Please."

Sara interrupted with a polite smile.

"Just call me Sara."

"Very well."

Mei leaned forward slightly.

"Then tell us, Sara."

"How exactly do you know Naruto?"

The question instantly drew everyone's attention.

Sara fell silent.

Then she looked at Naruto again.

"...He resembles someone I once knew."

Her eyes became distant.

As though recalling memories from long ago.

A moment later, she shook her head apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

"I know that sounds strange."

"But I really do know Naruto."

Someone she once knew?

Everyone became puzzled.

Only Naruto suddenly felt a flash of inspiration.

Could she know Dad?

Kurama! Kurama!

"What now?"

Kurama's voice sounded unusually lethargic.

Ever since deciding they probably wouldn't encounter Shukaku, the fox had been acting distracted and uninterested.

Can you ask Dad to take a look?

See if he knows this... uh... lady?

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