Chapter 176: Naruto’s Mom?

He seems more likely to become a pirate, joining Whitebeard’s crew. He has a family waiting for him there.

“A pirate? Being a pirate isn’t a good job.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe and glanced at Whitebeard as he spoke.

Sarutobi had already asked about Edward Whitebeard’s occupation, as this man was very open about it. Even though he was a pirate, he didn’t hide anything.

However, pirates were originally one of the targets that their village was tasked with eliminating. Since there was no mission related to this, they didn’t have any reason to cause trouble.

Moreover, these two had not caused any problems since arriving in Konoha, so Sarutobi had no excuse to say anything.

But a group of pirates who seemed to have spent years wandering the seas might not fully understand the matters of their ninja village.

It seemed that this guy wasn’t even aware that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. But what was his purpose? It seemed like he was just doing some trivial things in the village.

Was it to win over Naruto’s heart, or was it for that ridiculous idea?

Searching for so-called family?

No matter how he looked at it, Sarutobi felt that this guy had malicious intentions.

He’s been hanging around Naruto for such a long time!

Does he really see Naruto as his own son?

Is there really someone in this world who is so starved for love?

“Naruto, you might not know what a pirate is! I’ll explain it to you later!”

“But I think you should give up on that idea. Your parents wanted you to become a reliable ninja.”

“Not to chase some so-called freedom by becoming a pirate, drifting endlessly on the sea!”

“If your parents knew what you were doing, they’d probably be heartbroken.”

Sarutobi gently rubbed Naruto’s head as he spoke kindly.

Being a pirate isn’t a reliable career, and Naruto’s interest was probably just a whim.

His heart hadn’t been completely swayed by this guy yet, so Sarutobi believed there was still a chance to save him.

“My mom and dad? Grandpa Third, didn’t you say my mom and dad died on the battlefield?”

“Can you tell me who my parents were?”

Naruto’s breathing suddenly became rapid!

More than the man who is currently his legal father, Naruto cared more about his real parents.

Right now, Naruto didn’t even know his parents’ names!

In his mind, all he had was a blurry image of red hair!

He could never clearly see the faces of those two people.

“Your mother’s name was Kushina Uzumaki, a very cute and lively girl.”

“But unfortunately, she died in an unexpected incident. It’s really a pity.”

“As for your father, I’m sorry, Naruto, but I can’t tell you directly!”

“He was an elite ninja in our village, and he had signed a confidentiality agreement, so his identity cannot be revealed!”

Sarutobi fumbled in his pocket for a moment, then took out a photo of Kushina Uzumaki and handed it to Naruto.

Now that Naruto had this so-called father, he was no longer under Sarutobi’s control, so he had to do something about it.

He couldn’t let Naruto get lost in this fake familial love; he needed to ensure Naruto only trusted him.

“This is my mother?”

Naruto took the photo, and his vision immediately blurred.

He wiped his eyes and found that his hands were covered in tears.

This was indeed his mother. Whenever he fell asleep, he could see a flash of red hair.

That red hair always stood in front of him, blood spilling everywhere, as if she was doing something to protect him.

But Naruto had never been able to clearly see those two faces. Now, he finally got to see his mother.

“Kushina Uzumaki, my mom is really beautiful.”

Naruto sat silently for a while before suddenly hugging the photo and laughing foolishly.

He suddenly wanted to return to school and show off his mom to his classmates.

To tell others that he wasn’t a fox demon, that he also had a mother.

But he still didn’t know who his father was.

Naruto’s face showed a bit of confusion!

His chest started to ache uncontrollably at this moment.

He didn’t even know why it hurt!

He curled up, feeling very complicated emotions.

“What a despicable tactic.”

Whitebeard looked at Naruto with pity; the people of this village were truly despicable.

But Whitebeard didn’t want to say much about it. How Naruto would choose was entirely up to him.

Whitebeard wouldn’t interfere with Naruto’s choices, but seeing how this village’s darkness was forced upon a child was truly shameless.

“.”

Sarutobi silently watched Naruto, feeling a sense of relief seeing him like this.

It seemed his plan had succeeded. Naruto’s heart had returned to Konoha.

As for what Naruto would become later, Sarutobi planned to use his family ties to motivate him.

Even if Naruto didn’t want to aim to become Hokage, he would be forced to live for the sole purpose of controlling the Tailed Beast’s power.

“Naruto, you should return to the ninja academy tomorrow! You wouldn’t want your mother to be sad seeing you like this, right?”

“She once hoped you would become a useful ninja in Konoha, become Hokage of the village, and had high expectations for you.”

“Naruto, I hope you won’t disappoint your mother’s expectations. You need to become a man.”

Sarutobi spoke softly.

“Yes! Don’t worry, Grandpa Hokage, I promise I’ll attend class properly and become Hokage of Konoha.”

“Then I’ll make sure everyone recognizes me, so my mom can finally rest easy.”

“I’ll definitely become a man.”

Naruto nodded earnestly.

He carefully placed Kushina Uzumaki’s photo into his chest pocket.

This was his mother’s only photo, and he planned to find a frame for it when he got home.

Then he would let his mom watch him become Hokage of Konoha.

And be proud of him.

“Hehe, that’s good. Good boy, have some grilled fish.”

Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction, taking a piece of grilled fish from the fire, which Whitebeard had cooked, and handing it to Naruto.

He thought to himself that maybe he should increase Naruto’s allowance a bit.

That way, he wouldn’t have to come here to mooch off this man’s food.

As time went on, the relationship between the two would gradually fade.

“Yes!”

Naruto buried his head in the food, munching away.

Whitebeard sat silently by the side, showing no reaction as if he didn’t care at all that Sarutobi was undermining him.

Even if Sarutobi was taking Naruto away from him, Whitebeard had nothing to say.

---

Sarutobi Hiruzen has already used despicable means to take Naruto away from his side.

As for his own son's dreams and expectations, he didn't want to interfere too much.

But if his son gets bullied...

Whitebeard wouldn't just sit idly by.

“Dad! I bought the drinks!”

Marco dragged in two giant wild boars, carrying two barrels of beer on his shoulders.

But he was a little surprised to see Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage of the village, here.

They had interacted a bit before, so Marco didn’t feel anything special about it.

“Big Brother Marco, I’ve decided to go back to the Ninja Academy to study!”

Naruto Uzumaki hesitated, then looked up at Marco and said.

“The Ninja Academy? Sure, if anyone there gives you trouble, just fight back.”

“You’ve got Dad and me backing you up! Don’t hold back.”

Marco grinned.

Naruto had skipped a few days of class because of the atmosphere at the Ninja Academy.

Marco had been encouraging Naruto during this time.

He told him to fight back when others hit him and not just take the hits.

Even if someone talks behind your back, punch first and ask questions later.

If you want people at school to stop bullying you, you’ve got to become the strongest there first.

For these precocious little kids, they won’t ostracize Naruto anymore.

They might even start looking up to him as a big brother!

They’ll follow him around like little shadows.

Earning friendship is just that simple.

“Yes! I got it.”

Naruto smiled, though there was a bit of hesitation on his face.

He glanced at Whitebeard, who was sitting there silently.

It seemed like he had something to say but didn’t know how to start.

“What’s wrong?”

Marco noticed something was off and asked.

“Well, I might not be able to hang out with you guys as much anymore. I probably won’t even see Dad as often.”

“I want to work hard to become the top student at the Ninja Academy. I want to become a man and, one day, a Hokage.”

“I want everyone in the village to recognize me. I want to carry on my mom’s wishes. I can’t be reckless anymore.”

Naruto Uzumaki spoke earnestly.

“...”

Marco fell silent, realizing that Naruto was planning to separate from them.

It seemed like he was even trying to draw a line between them.

He probably thought that once he went back to the Ninja Academy, he wouldn’t have time to visit them anymore.

But it also showed his determination.

Marco glanced at his father and noticed that his father was squinting, his gaze fixed on the Third Hokage.

Naruto hadn’t been like this before, so it was likely that the Third Hokage had said something to make him this way.

But Marco didn’t feel anything; he was just worried his father would be hurt.

“That’s good. But if you have time, just come visit us.”

Marco didn’t say anything extra, just smiled.

“No problem! I’ll come find you guys as soon as I’m on break.”

Naruto immediately perked up, looking energetic again.

“Dad, Grandpa Hokage, I’m heading back now.”

Naruto was a bit eager, hastily taking a last bite of fish before jumping up and rushing back to his little house.

All he wanted to do now was hang up a picture of Kushina Uzumaki and carefully look at his mother!

Naruto, who hadn’t seen his mother in years, was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Alright! Be careful on the way!”

Marco waved at Naruto, watching him run off into the distance before turning his gaze back.

He glanced at his father and the Third Hokage, then went back to his own business.

He started working on the two wild boars right there on the spot!

Originally, his father had planned to have a drink tonight.

But it seemed like that plan was falling through.

“Marco, are you interested in joining us in Konoha? I can make you an elite Jonin.”

“I trust in your abilities! I didn’t expect you to come and go from the Forest of Death so easily.”

“It’s been you taking care of Naruto this whole time, right? I’m really grateful.”

“If you join Konoha, I’d like you to take care of Naruto from now on.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Marco and suddenly spoke with a smile.

He was trying to use Marco’s relationship with Naruto to bind him to Konoha.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen was overthinking it!

Marco and Naruto had only met a few times.

Their relationship was mostly maintained through Marco’s father.

If it weren’t for his father, Marco would’ve avoided Naruto a long time ago.

After all, Naruto was a big troublemaker in Konoha!

Now that Marco was in the ninja world, he wanted to avoid as much trouble as possible.

Moreover, they had come with Uchiha Raijin.

Marco knew exactly what kind of trouble Uchiha Raijin had caused in Konoha!

If they were investigated, they’d be in deep trouble.

Even if Marco had some strength, it would be difficult to escape from this village.

“Sorry, I’m not interested in that! I want to keep following my father.”

Marco glanced at the Third Hokage, laughed softly, and declined the offer.

The fact that Sarutobi Hiruzen would invite him, the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates...

If he were so easily swayed, he would’ve already joined a more promising pirate crew.

So Sarutobi Hiruzen’s attempt was doomed from the start.

There was no way he would join Sarutobi Hiruzen.

“Is that so? I thought you were pretty close to Naruto. After all, there aren’t many people in the village who can get close to him.”

“I wanted to find a couple of people to help take care of Naruto.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, not minding the refusal.

He had expected Marco to decline.

He just wanted to test the loyalty of the person in front of him.

“So, Whitebeard, have you thought it over?”

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his gaze to Whitebeard.

“Gurararara, you should know there’s no way I would join your Konoha village.”

“This village, from what I can see, is filthy and disgusting.”

“It’s even more disgusting than the Navy by a long shot!”

“How could I possibly join a place like this?”

Whitebeard chuckled, looking mockingly at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Was there even a need to consider?

There was no way he would join.

Even someone as evil as Uchiha Raijin wanted to escape from this little village.

If he stepped in now, he might not be able to escape.

After all, he only brought Marco with him.

This village was dark and bottomless.

There was no way he could protect Naruto here.

Now it was up to Naruto himself to see if he could break free.

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(End of chapter)