"Does that mean… the Nine-Tails?" Naruto's expression darkened slightly, a lonely shadow crossing his face. He still didn't know whether the rumors were true.
The others in the conference room knew bits and pieces of Naruto's past, but each had their own judgments. None of them equated him with the Nine-Tails the way outsiders did.
Kakashi, the only one who knew the full story, patted Naruto's back reassuringly. "Cheer up, Naruto. I don't know when the Third Hokage plans to announce it, but I can tell you this—you're definitely not the Nine-Tails. You're Uzumaki Naruto, of Konoha."
Naruto took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked up at the sky, steadier now.
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage sat silently, smoking, a pang of guilt on his face. 'I can't keep hiding it for much longer. I need to find the right time to talk to Naruto. And Danzo… I can't let him run wild.'
He gazed sharply out the window. A lifetime of honesty and integrity had prepared him for this moment: it was time to confront past mistakes, even amid chaos.
Namikaze Minato felt a flicker of guilt too, but having sealed the Nine-Tails long ago, he had steeled himself. Kushina simply felt sorry for Naruto.
Shion watched Naruto from the sky, her voice barely a whisper: "Are you… like me?"
"By the way, did anyone understand what Ashio said?"
"It's confusing. If someone breaks free from the prophecy, the miko dies—that's clear. But how can the prophecy depend on the mood of the person being predicted?"
"So after the miko's prediction activates, one person is guaranteed to die? That's a pretty useless ability."
"What now? The miko predicted her own death… who else can die for her?"
"She's lonely… maybe that's why she's so willful," Naruto sighed. Ashiho nodded, agreeing. "Exactly as you said."
After understanding why Shion was so stubborn, Naruto turned to Ashiho beside him. "Are you okay, Ashiho-san? If you were predicted to die…"
"Our family owes Lady Shion's mother an unreturnable debt. If I can protect Shion-sama, I am happy to give my life. As long as my resolve doesn't waver, my fate won't change."
Naruto nodded, accepting the answer without further words.
"Uh… shouldn't Naruto be worried about himself? Didn't the miko predict his death?"
"Maybe he feels safe as long as the miko survives. That might reassure him."
"From the way he acts… he's not the type to dwell on that kind of thing. Let's just watch for now—no sense getting slapped in the face later."
Lonely… Naruto now understood, more than his future self ever did, how cruel that feeling could be. He had only recently escaped it himself.
Night faded, and the sun rose again. Naruto stood, spirits lifted. "Okay! Brother Ashiho, let's go!"
He turned and saw Shion behind him. Thinking of Ashiho's words, he softened. 'Her stubbornness… it's because she's been rejected. I need to be gentler.'
He smiled and greeted her. "Hey! Good morning!"
Shion didn't even look at him, turning away to Ashiho. "Ashiho, that's enough. Go back to the village."
Of course, Ashiho didn't obey. Shion tried to ridicule him, but Naruto couldn't let it slide. "Your willfulness should have limits! Do you know how Ashiho-san is protecting you?!"
"You predicted it, didn't you?" Ashiho asked calmly. "It's okay. Tell the truth."
Realizing concealment was pointless, Shion admitted calmly, "When my heartbeat quickens and I hear the bell, I can see the future. Last night I saw your future. If you continue following me, you will die, Zuho."
"Wait… didn't she see herself when she predicted it? How could she say Zuho would die?"
"Maybe she predicted again later. She realized she might die anyway, so she sent Zuho back to save his life."
Shion paused, lips pursed, then spoke softly. "Zuho…"
"Lady Shion," Zuho interrupted, calm as ever, bowing. "As the sky showed, as long as I can protect Shion-sama, I don't mind sacrificing myself. Sealing the monsters depends on her power, and every risk is worth it."
Shion's eyes dimmed slightly. "Yes… for this world… I must live…"
The group pressed on. Ashio's figure disappeared from the screen. Ningji changed the route, moving forward via water, but Shion struggled behind Sakura, and the team paused frequently as Neji explained the strategy. "This route to the Swamp Country has abundant water sources. The enemy's linked attacks rely on fire escape. Use the water to counter them."
Xiao Li, knowing Neji well, understood immediately. "No matter what fire technique they use, the water veins will counter it."
"Shion-sama, once you pass this point, the sealed shrine is just ahead. Please be patient," Ningji reminded. Shion had nothing to say.
Neji emphasized the mission again: "Our priority is protecting key people. Strengthen defense, and absolutely no arbitrary behavior—especially you, Naruto!"
"Got it!" Naruto said carelessly. Then he asked, puzzled, "By the way… what does [Poison Rice Ball First] mean?"
Shion blinked. "Your companion is an idiot…"
*"Yes…" Sakura muttered reluctantly.
"No wonder he completely disobeyed orders. He doesn't even know what arbitrary behavior means!"
"How does he even take cultural courses in Konoha?"
"Now I understand why he's still a Genin. He probably failed the written test."
"Hahaha! He wants to be Hokage, but with this level of education? Forget it!"
Naruto's face turned red with sweat. "Don't underestimate me! I'm not stupid! Arbitrary behavior means… uh… being alone… covering the rear… acting independently! Yes! That's what I meant!"
Sasuke scowled. "…Super idiot."
Kakashi tilted his head, scratching his hair. "…Naruto, why don't you go back to Ninja School and make up your cultural studies?"
"!! No! No!"