Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 45

"This kid..." Kakashi caught a glimpse of this out of the corner of his eye, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his single eye. "Indeed, he's grown up."

The celebration lasted all day.

As evening fell, the villagers spontaneously lit lanterns on the bridge, some played the shamisen, and others sang newly composed folk songs.

Surprisingly, the song not only tells the story of Team 7, but also the story of Haku and Zabuza.

That cold-blooded ninja and his young follower ultimately died protecting the Land of Waves.

"They're praising us like heroes," Sakura whispered, her legs swaying back and forth.

Sasuke scoffed, "Boring."

But his gaze never left the children who were singing.

Naruto did not join the conversation.

He quietly left the celebration and went to the thickest steel cable in the middle of the bridge, looking at the two small graves on the shore.

That's Zabuza and Haku's grave.

Although Zabuza initially came as a mercenary hired by Gato, in the end he was the one who personally killed the scourge of the Land of Waves.

Therefore, the residents of the Land of Waves were still willing to give the two a place to rest in peace.

"So you are here."

Naruto turned around and saw Kakashi standing behind him.

The silver-haired Jonin held two bottles of coconut juice, a specialty of the Land of Waves, and handed one to him.

"Kakashi-sensei..." Naruto took the drink, hesitated for a moment, "Haku and Zabuza... are they good people or bad people?"

Kakashi leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant horizon: "Ninjas cannot be distinguished by simple good and evil."

“Haku fought to protect the people he cared about, and Zabuza ultimately chose the right path.” He turned to look at Naruto. “The important thing is what you learned from them.”

Naruto gripped the coconut juice tightly, lost in thought.

The next morning, the entire Team 7 arrived at the resting place of Zabuza and Haku.

The view here is expansive, offering a panoramic view of the entire bridge and the Land of Waves.

Sasuke carved a tombstone on the rock with kunai, Sakura gathered wildflowers and wove them into a wreath, and Naruto dug a deep pit with kunai.

“I got it from Grandpa Dazner.”

Naruto took two cherry blossom saplings out of his backpack: "They say this variety was imported from the Land of Water and is called 'Snow Cherry'."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow: "You plan to..."

“Yes,” Naruto nodded, “bury them here. Snow Cherry Blossoms suit White very well.”

Sasuke silently took the sapling and placed it in the dug hole.

Sakura placed the flower wreath in another small pit, representing Zabuza.

Finally, Kakashi planted the Executioner's Blade between the graves.

"Within the Uchiha clan..."

Sasuke suddenly spoke, his voice soft: "We believe that the souls of the deceased reside within the cherry blossoms. Every year when the blossoms bloom, the clan gathers at the shrine to converse with our ancestors."

Naruto looked at Sasuke in surprise.

This was the first time Sasuke had brought up matters concerning his clan.

Sakura placed some bouquets in front of the tombstone: "May they rest in peace."

A gentle sea breeze caressed the newly planted cherry blossom saplings, causing them to sway slightly, just as they had imagined.

That night, Class 7 stayed at Tazna's house.

Naruto lay on the roof, gazing at the starry sky.

The three "fathers" inside the body became active at the same time, a rare occurrence.

Nine-Tails spoke first: "Wow, that's fast. I still feel like you're that little ball of fluff."

Madara retorted to Kurama, "That's because your perception of time is too slow."

Nine-Tailed Fox retorted unhappily, "Then what right do you, someone from the Warring States period, have to talk to me like that?"

The human and the beast resumed their daily quarrel.

Ignoring their argument, Minato said with satisfaction, "Naruto, your actions today...were very mature. If Kushina saw this, she would be very proud of you."

Naruto's nose tingled with emotion: "Dad..."

"Hmph, don't be too happy yet," Ban interrupted coldly. "Ideals are beautiful, but realizing them requires strength. You're still far from that."

“I know, Dad.” Naruto clenched his fist. “So I will continue to get stronger, strong enough to change everything!”

The next morning, Team 7 prepared to return to Konoha.

The entire village of Wave Country came to see him off, with Ina squeezed at the front, holding a rough wooden carving in her hands.

"Naruto-nii-san, this is for you!"

The boy blushed and handed over the wooden carving, a crookedly shaped fox: "I...I will try my best to become a ninja like you!"

Naruto took the wooden carving, grinned, and said, "Then you'd better work hard! Next time we meet, I'll be even stronger!"

Tazuna stepped forward and handed each person a small package: "A specialty of the Land of Waves, to eat on the road."

He ruffled Naruto's blond hair with particular force: "You brat, come visit sometime."

“Yes!” Naruto nodded emphatically.

Soon after Team 7 had moved away from the Friendship Bridge, Kakashi suddenly asked, "What do you guys think we should write in the mission report?"

Sakura looked at him with disdain: "Huh? Kakashi-sensei, don't slack off!"

Kakashi, however, nonchalantly replied, "Oh, this is just a survey!"

Sakura thought for a moment: "Didn't you say that two members of an organization called Akatsuki have appeared? We definitely need to analyze their abilities."

However, Kakashi could only manage a wry smile at Sakura's suggestion.

After all, one of them was killed by Madara, and the other was sealed away by his own teacher.

Furthermore, the location of the seal was hidden by the teacher, so that guy named Hidan will have to live inside for the rest of his life.

Sasuke, unaware of all this, added: "And that Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."

Naruto shook his head: "Of course these things are important... but I think the most important thing is what we learned."

He looked at his two companions: "Right, Sasuke, Sakura?"

Sasuke turned his face away, but did not refute as he usually did.

Sakura smiled and nodded: "Naruto is right. This mission... changed all of us."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes: "Oh? Like what?"

"For example, Sasuke started talking on his own initiative!"

Naruto grabbed Sasuke's shoulder and jumped away before the latter could get angry: "For example, Sakura has become more confident! For example, me..."

He paused, his smile softening. "For example, I've learned that true strength isn't just about power, but also about the determination to protect something."

A hint of surprise flashed in Kakashi's eyes, but he quickly regained his lazy demeanor: "Not bad. Looks like I, the teacher, can write fewer reports now."

"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto suddenly turned around, "Want to train together when we get back? Dad said he can teach me some new taijutsu!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow: "Where did you get a dad from?"

"Well..." Naruto winked mysteriously, "Guess!"

Sakura leaned closer: "I want to participate too! Kakashi-sensei, can you arrange special training for us when we get back?"

Kakashi looked up from "Icha Icha Paradise," his single eye curving into a crescent moon: "Of course... if you can pass my test."

The sea breeze carries away the atmosphere of the Land of Waves, but it cannot take away the memories and growth that remain here.

Naruto took one last look at the island, which had become a small black dot, before turning around and continuing to walk forward.

New tasks and new challenges await them ahead, but at this moment, he felt only peace and determination.

Because no matter what lies ahead, he is no longer alone.

Chapter 51 Shisui's Inquiry

With the mission to the Land of Waves declared over, Team 7 quickly returned to Konoha and reported on the mission.

Although Tazna's exaggeration of the mission's difficulty almost led to an accident.

However, because of the plea from Team 7, Konoha did not make things difficult for the client.

All that's required is for Tazna to make up the reward for the B-rank mission.

After this trip, Kakashi readily allowed the three of them to rest for three days.

The Hidden Leaf Village was shrouded in tranquility late at night, and moonlight shone through the window onto Naruto's sleeping face.

His breathing was steady, his golden hair was scattered on the pillow, and he occasionally mumbled a few words in his sleep: "Ramen... another bowl..."

But in his spiritual world, it was a completely different story.

This is a fictional Uchiha clan territory, with ancient stone tablets, familiar buildings, and that ancient tree that symbolizes the Uchiha clan.

Madara sat alone on the stone tablet, his scarlet Sharingan gleaming slightly, his gaze deep and unfathomable, as if piercing through time.

Nine-Tailed Fox lay lazily to the side: "Old Madman, how did you transform this place into this scene?"

Minato leaned against a tree, arms crossed, and asked, "Is Madara-san missing the old Uchiha clan?"

Madara deactivated his Sharingan, and the surrounding scenery gradually distorted before returning to the original room: "You two shouldn't overthink it."

Suddenly, ripples appeared on the edge of the spiritual world, and a figure quietly emerged.

"Hmm?" Kurama's ears perked up, and its golden vertical pupils turned towards the newcomer. "Hmph, Uchiha chakra..."

Ban didn't turn around, but simply said, "Intruding into someone else's mental world is hardly polite."

The newcomer knelt on one knee, bowed respectfully, and said in a deep and clear voice, "I apologize for disturbing your peace, Ancestor! Fourth Generation Lord!"