A Warrior's Path

While everyone was celebrating, Minato and Kushina were nervous. From what Sarutobi said, Naruto should be arriving today. They are gonna see their son after all these years, they were excited but at the same time nervous.

Ryu and the the others were currently inside Uzumaki compound. Shikamaru, Neji and Tenten returned home. Hinata also wanted to go back but Kushina refused to let her go.

Akane and Hiro wasn"t back yet. He wanted to be there when Naruto reunited with his family.

Kushina was pacing around the hall, she would check outside from time to time. Ryu chuckled, it was a funny sight to see. Minato also couldn"t help but smile.

Ryu spoke " Calm down, nee san. It won"t be until noon when he gets back. So no matter how excited you are, he won"t get here faster."

Kushina reluctantly sat back. She still kept on looking at the door from time to time.

Time pa.s.sed by, each second felt like hours to Kushina and Minato. The closer you are to something that further it feels, that"s what they were experiencing right now.

A few hours later, Kushina heard sounds outside the door. She was like a mamma bear as she bounced to the door. Minato also got up, he stood behind Kushina.

The door opened, a slightly mature voice spoke " Aunt!!! I am back, dattebayo!! "

Naruto burst inside and yelled, Sasuke trailed behind him with an annoyed expression. But Naruto froze the next instant. There were people inside his house he didn"t recognize, usually he would question them but not right now. Strangely he felt some kind of connection with them. Ryu and Hinata stood behind these two people.

Naruto asked him " Nii san, who are they? Why do I feel strange when I look at them? "

Ryu smiled gently but didn"t speak. He signalled Sasuke to come to his side. Naruto was waiting for Ryu"s answer when Kushina walked upto him, her eyes teared up. She gently caressed his face

" Naruto... it"s been so long but..... I am your mother. "

It was as if a lightning struck him. Naruto stood there dazed, his mind a mess. He didn"t look at Ryu, somehow he knew she didn"t lie, it was like he knew from deep down that this person would never deceive him. Minato didn"t speak, he let Kushina and Naruto be.

Naruto"s eyes teared, he cried as he asked " Why? Where were you? Why didn"t you ever look for me? "

Kushina"s heart ached when she heard him. She gently hugged him " Sorry Naruto, sorry. "

Ryu sighed as he spoke " Naruto, I will explain everything later. They truly didn"t mean to leave you alone.

Trust them, they are your Mom and Dad."

Kushina and Naruto hugged for a while. Both didn"t say anything, Kushina gently stroked Naruto"s hair. Naruto for the first time knew what it was like to have a mother. Don"t be wrong, Akane truly loved him like a son but still... Naruto longed for his true mother.

They let go after some time. Naruto still had tears near the corner of his eyes but he was beaming. He was over the moon knowing his dad and mom were alive.

Finally Minato got his chance but Naruto beat him to it. He looked at Minato and said " So.... uh..... dad, where were you guys? "

Minato " It"s a bit complicated, actually...

Minato calmly explained what happened years ago. Naruto came to understand a lot of things, he asked " So dad, you also have Kurama inside you? "

Minato was confused " Kurama? "

Naruto explained " Geez dad, that"s the Kyuubi"s name. He is actually very nice but too prideful sometimes. "

Kurama snorted when he heard Naruto. During Naruto"s training with Jiraiya, he asked Naruto to try and control the other chakra within him. Naruto was able to get Kurama to give him chakra but Ryu modified the seal so that Kurama could see for himself whether Naruto was worthy or not.

And the result...

Naruto pa.s.sed with flying colours. That slight hatred within his heart was removed when he gained a family. He actually felt sad for these tailed beasts, sealed within humans, to be used as weapons..... he truly felt sad for them. Kurama could distinguish emotions, he felt Naruto"s genuine care for him and his siblings thus he decided to trust him.

Jiraiya almost died due to shock. He only wanted Naruto to control Kyuubi"s chakra, but the next instant he actually managed to fully control him. Naruto and Sasuke still laugh their hearts out when they remember Jiraiya"s expression.

Naruto introduced Sasuke " Mom! Dad! This is Sasuke! He is my best friend, dattebayo!! "

Sasuke was embarra.s.sed, he spoke irritated " Shut up, Dumbo! "

Ryu was amused seeing both of them act like that " Indra and Ashura, they were siblings but Black Zetsu actually turned Indra"s love for his brother into hatred. But now... that cycle of hatred has been broken!! "

Minato was surprised " So you are Fugaku"s son. Your father was a good friend of mine, so don"t be a stranger."

Sasuke was pained hearing his father"s name. Naruto patted his shoulder, Sasuke turned back, his heart warmed as he saw Naruto"s foolish smile. He replied back

" Ok.."

Naruto quickly changed the subject " Mom, why is Hinata with you? "

Kushina smiled mysteriously " We have been together for some time now. Naruto don"t you think she is beautiful? "

Naruto didn"t think much as he said " Of course she is. She is probably one of the prettiest girl I have seen so far."

Hinata"s face was red as a tomato.

Sasuke and Ryu face palmed when they heard Naruto. Kushina smiled brightly, Minato also laughed.

Naruro was baffled, he didn"t understand why everyone reacted like this, he said with confusion " I didn"t lie, she is very very pretty."

Smoke was starting to come out of Hinata"s head. Ryu decided to stop teasing Hinata, otherwise she may faint.

" Anyway, are you guys going back to Namikaze compound? "

Minato " Ah, yes.

Ryu " Then stay here for a few days, I want to introduce a few more people that live here."

Like that, Minato and Kushina lived in Ryu"s house for three days. Third day, Akane and Hiro along with Shisui, Zabuza and Haku returned from the land of waves.

Zabuza and Haku formed a team, completing missions after Zabuza"s trial period was over. They had already moved out and visits from time to time. After three years Haku was already Jounin level, her Yin physique boosted Ice Style by several folds.

As for Zabuza, Shisui trained him to the bones. His mist Jutsus were now more refined and deadly, after all he trained with Shisui, no one can fool Shisui with any kind of illusion.

Akane cried when she saw Kushina. Both had a lot to talk about, Hiro and Minato didn"t need any introductions. So he introduced Shisui and the other two.

Minato was surprised when he found out about Zabuza, he was even more surprised when Ryu told him Haku was the last surviving member of Yuki clan.

The ones who were shocked the most was Shisui and Zabuza. Shisui obviously knew Minato, he respected him for sacrificing his own life to seal Kyuubi. As for Zabuza, he was a bit scared meeting " Yellow Flash " that terrified every village.

Everyone gradually left, Minato and Kushina said goodbye and left for their home. It"s been years so they need to make that place proper for living again. Naruto was a bit reluctant to leave the place he called home for years.

Shisui, Akane and Hiro were sad that this blockhead was leaving.

Ryu gently smiled, he lightly knocked on Naruto"s head and said " Idiot, this will always be your home."