As those images surfaced, the negativity in Naruto's mind scattered and vanished.
Kinoshita Jiro gently patted his head. "Don't worry. Uzumaki people have red hair. Yours is blond. Maybe you just happen to carry the Uzumaki surname."
He crouched and set Naruto down. "We're nearly at Tazuna's place. You should've gotten a bit of strength back by now, yeah?"
A shadow flickered through Naruto's eyes, but he still nodded hard and broke into a bright grin. "I'm going to be Hokage—this kind of fatigue is nothing!"
Watching him, Kinoshita Jiro arched a brow. This genin called Naruto sure had a strange way of thinking.
"Um, Jiro-san… what about your wife?" Naruto couldn't help asking; every time Jiro mentioned her, that faint sadness crossed his face.
"She disappeared. And so did our newborn."
His tone was level, but the grief slipped through his face.
With a soft sigh, Jiro turned to him, a trace of bitterness in his voice. "If that child's still alive, he's probably about your age."
Naruto's steps hitched. He looked at Jiro's bright blond hair, lips trembling. He was about to speak when Jiro's voice rolled on.
"I came to the Land of Waves because someone told me they had news of my wife and son. I'm waiting for them to come trade."
"Don't tell anyone. I've only told you, Naruto."
So Jiro-san is here to find his wife and son… and there's already a lead…
The thought that had just kindled in Naruto's heart went dark again; a faint disappointment showed on his face.
"Alright, Naruto. Training needs moderation. Turn in early tonight."
They stopped at Tazuna's door. Jiro spoke softly.
"Thanks, Jiro-san."
Naruto blinked—already home—then bowed his head in thanks.
"Dead last, I thought you weren't making it back tonight," Sasuke drawled from the doorway, the tension that had been in his eyes gone. With Kakashi and Jiro both leaving before, Sasuke and Sakura had assumed something happened to Naruto.
Jiro nodded to Sasuke and Sakura with a mild smile and headed for his room.
Behind him, Sasuke and Naruto's bickering echoed down the hall.
Click.
As the door shut, Jiro's gentle smile vanished, leaving a cold, flat look.
Kakashi already suspected him. If Yuto hadn't created an opening today, getting Naruto alone would've been near impossible.
At least the chance hadn't gone to waste.
He'd kept everything deliberately vague. That was on purpose.
Though the kid looked like a child, anyone who drew Yuto's focus wasn't ordinary. Jiro already placed Naruto on his own level—every sentence carried intent.
As a former clan head, he understood better than anyone: no one fully trusts what another says. Even if the words sound sincere or "for your own good," the listener keeps a sliver of doubt. It's human nature.
If you want someone to believe something, don't tell them—make them think it themselves.
What others tell you can be doubted. What you conclude on your own, almost no one questions.
The things Jiro told Naruto might seem loosely connected, but they were steady nudges at his subconscious.
Once Naruto sat down and thought, Jiro's aim would be met.
Spelling out your objective is foolish. No matter how tight the plan, there will be a flaw.
Yielding the seeming initiative to the other side—that was Jiro's specialty.
Just like with former Anbu vice-captain Tsuchida Masamitsu: Jiro neither said nor did anything. Masamitsu spoke every word Jiro wanted said—himself.
A pity. Jiro had underestimated Yuto's influence—and Genji's resolve.
"Too rushed. There are still a few gaps…"
"But fine. I'll handle the second thing Yuto-sama assigned at the same time."
His eyes were calm as he murmured to himself, barely above a whisper.
—
Dawn.
Warm light fell across Naruto's face as beams spilled over the earth.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, silent.
Why is my surname Uzumaki? Were my parents Uzumaki by birth—or is it something else?
But Jiro-san said Uzumaki people have red hair. Mine's blond. Does that mean one of my parents had blond hair?
Who is my father? Who is my mother? And why does everyone in the village already "know" I'm a monster?
He pressed a hand to his belly. Questions he'd never really faced before rose one by one.
Dong! Dong!
A heavy knock thudded at the door.
"Naruto, you idiot—up! Tazuna-san insists on going to the bridge today. We have to protect him," came Sakura's irritated voice.
Naruto froze, then sprang out of bed, clutching his head. "What am I even thinking!"
He shook it off; the quiet look vanished. The old sunny grin returned. "Right away!" he shouted back to Sakura.
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