The next morning—
Naruto didn't make clones immediately.
He just sat there.
Quiet.
The apartment was still a mess of ink and paper.
Seals scattered everywhere.
Proof of growth.
But his eyes weren't on them.
They were on the Damaged Uzumaki Record (Fragment).
"…Uzumaki…"
The word felt heavier now.
Not just a name.
A lead.
A quest.
A truth someone didn't want him to have.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…Old man…"
Not angry.
Just… aware.
"…You know something."
He stood.
"Alright. I've contacted everyone. They should have an idea about getting together soon. Time for ME."
"No more guessing."
"Time to dig."
— — —
Konoha Archives
The building stood quiet.
Taller than most.
Older too.
Naruto stepped inside.
Dust.
Paper.
Silence.
"…Man…"
"…This place screams secrets."
A tired-looking clerk barely glanced at him.
"…Public section's to the left."
Naruto nodded.
"…Got it."
He moved.
Shelves lined endlessly.
Scrolls.
Records.
Mission logs.
Village history.
Naruto grabbed one.
"…Founding of Konoha…"
Flip.
"…Senju…"
"…Uchiha…"
Flip.
"…Cool…"
"…Not helpful."
He grabbed another.
"…Clan registries…"
Eyes scanned quickly.
Nara.
Akimichi.
Yamanaka.
Hyuga.
Aburame.
Inuzuka.
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"…Where's—"
Nothing.
No Uzumaki.
At all.
"…That's not normal."
He grabbed another.
War records.
Mentions of allies.
Foreign clans.
Then—
A line.
"…Uzu…"
Naruto leaned in.
"…Uzushiogakure…?"
A fragment.
A mention.
"Former allied village—destroyed."
Naruto froze.
"…Destroyed?"
He read faster.
"Renowned for sealing techniques."
"Feared."
"Targeted."
"…Targeted by who?"
Nothing.
Redacted.
"…Of course it is."
His grip tightened.
"…So that's it…"
"…They were wiped out…"
Silence sat heavy.
"…And nobody talks about it?"
That didn't sit right.
At all.
Naruto looked up.
Beyond the public shelves—
A section.
Closed off.
Marked.
Clan Archives.
"…Yeah…"
"…That's where the good stuff is."
He walked.
Step by step.
Closer.
No one stopped him.
Not yet.
"…Just a quick look…"
He reached the threshold—
And—
"Stop."
Naruto froze.
The voice was calm.
Flat.
Dangerous.
He turned slowly.
Behind him—
A masked figure.
White porcelain mask.
Animal design.
Dark uniform.
ANBU.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Didn't hear you coming."
"…That's the point."
The ANBU stood still.
Watching.
"…This section is restricted."
Naruto crossed his arms.
"…Figures."
A pause.
"…What's in there?"
"…Information not meant for general access."
His eyes flicked back—
Just for a moment—
"Guess I'll have to Inspect elsewhere."
Ping
Target: Unknown ANBU OperativeStatus: Active | Guarded | Elite
Resistant.
Ping
Inspect Difficulty: High
Partial Read Successful…
Emotion Layer Detected:
• Suppressed Fatigue• Lingering Guilt
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Guilt…?"
More flickers—
Fragmented.
Unclear.
Ping
Memory Echo (Unstable):
• Fire spreading across a shoreline• Seals breaking—one after another• Screams—cut short• Orders given… then regretted
Naruto's breath hitched—
Just slightly.
"…What the…"
The image snapped—
Gone.
That—
Made Naruto pause.
Just slightly.
"…That's specific."
Silence.
The ANBU didn't answer.
Which—
Was an answer.
Naruto's mind started moving.
Fast.
"…Uzushio…"
"…Sealing clan…"
"…Wiped out…"
"…No records…"
"…Restricted access…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…You're hiding something."
The ANBU didn't react.
"…Return to the public section."
Naruto didn't move.
"…What if I don't?"
A beat.
The air shifted.
Subtle.
But heavy.
"…Then I escort you out."
No threat.
Just fact.
Naruto stared at him.
Measured.
Then—
"…Tch."
He turned.
Walking away.
"Good call."
But his eyes—
Were sharper than before.
"…So it's real…"
"…And Konoha had something to do with it."
Behind him—
The ANBU watched.
Silent.
Unmoving.
Until Naruto disappeared from sight.
Then—
And vanished.
— — —
Outside
Naruto stepped into the sunlight.
"…Uzushio…"
"…Sealing masters…"
"…Destroyed…"
His hand tightened slightly.
"…And I'm the only one walking around with their name?"
That wasn't coincidence.
That was—
Important.
Ping
Legendary Quest Progress Updated:
Objective: Discover the truth behind your Uzumaki Lineage
• Discovered origin link: Uzushiogakure• Identified information suppression within Konoha
Naruto exhaled slowly.
"…So they really don't want me knowing…"
A small grin formed.
"…Too bad."
Wind stirred faintly around him.
Controlled.
Sharp.
"…Guess I'll just have to get strong enough…"
His eyes flicked back toward the archives.
"…That no one can stop me next time."
And just like that—
Naruto set out for the Hokage's office.
The village moved around him.
Normal.
Peaceful.
A lie.
Hokage's Office
"Send him in."
The door creaked open.
Naruto stepped in.
Behind the desk—
Hiruzen Sarutobi
Papers stacked neatly.
Pipe in hand.
Eyes calm.
"…Naruto."
A small smile.
"…This is a rare visit."
Naruto didn't smile back.
"…We need to talk."
The air shifted, just slightly.
Hiruzen studied him.
Longer than usual.
"…I see."
He set the pipe down.
"…About what?"
Naruto stepped forward.
"…Uzushiogakure."
Silence.
Hiruzen didn't move.
"…That's not a word most genin use casually."
Naruto's jaw tightened.
"…Neither is Uzumaki."
A pause.
"…But that's my name."
Stillness filled the room.
"…I went to the archives."
Naruto continued.
"…Public section's clean...too clean."
No response.
"…Then I found the clan archive section."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened—
Just a fraction.
"…And I got stopped."
Naruto's eyes locked onto him.
"…ANBU."
Silence again.
"…He knew, or at least… he felt something."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"…Naruto…"
"Don't."
Naruto cut him off.
"…Hokage-Sama. Please let me finish. "
That—
Was new.
No shouting.
No whining.
Just pressure.
"…I'm not asking for everything."
Naruto said.
"…Just the truth." He bowed his head, his respect showing for the first time ever.
Hiruzen leaned back slightly.
"…The truth is rarely simple."
Naruto raised his head, "…I'll take complicated."
A beat.
"…Uzushiogakure was destroyed."
Naruto continued.
His fists clenched.
"…And somehow…"
"…Nobody thought to mention that to the one guy walking around with the name?"
The room went quiet again.
Hiruzen's eyes softened.
But didn't waver.
"…We didn't tell you…"
"…Because?"
A long pause.
"…Because knowledge like that comes with weight."
Naruto scoffed slightly.
"…Yeah?"
"…Funny."
"…Feels like I've been carrying it anyway."
That landed.
Hiruzen closed his eyes briefly.
"…The Uzumaki clan…"
He stopped.
Naruto leaned forward slightly.
"…Say it."
Silence.
Then—
"…Earn it."
Naruto blinked.
"…What?"
Hiruzen opened his eyes.
Clear.
Firm.
"…Pass the Chunin Exams."
Naruto stared.
"…You're kidding."
"…I'm not."
The tone—
Left no room for argument.
"…You want answers?"
Hiruzen continued.
"…Then prove you're ready to carry them."
Naruto's jaw tightened.
"…I'm already dealing with things I shouldn't even know about."
"…And yet you came here."
A beat.
"…Not as a child."
Naruto stilled.
"…But as a shinobi."
Silence filled the room again.
"…The Chunin Exams…"
Hiruzen said quietly.
"…Will test more than your strength."
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"…You already knew I'd be in them."
A faint smile.
"…Of course."
A pause.
"…Pass."
Hiruzen said.
"…And I will tell you about Uzushiogakure."
Another beat.
"…And your blood."
That—
Hit.
Naruto looked away for a second.
"…Tch…"
"…You really don't make things easy."
"…No."
Naruto turned back.
"…Fine."
His voice was steady.
"…Then I'll pass." His arm was outstretched; fist clenched; a bright smile adorned his face.
No hesitation.
"…And when I do…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…You're telling me everything."
Hiruzen nodded once.
Naruto smirked slightly. Finally
He turned.
Walking toward the door.
"…Naruto."
He paused.
"…Be careful what you go looking for."
A beat.
"…You might not like what you find."
Naruto didn't turn.
"…Too late."
And with that—
He left.
The door closed behind him.
Silence returned to the office.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"…Minato…Kushina."
A quiet murmur.
"…He's starting to look like you."
Outside—
Naruto stepped into the sunlight.
"…Chunin Exams…"
A slow grin spread across his face.
"…No doubt about it, I'm Passing."
*Ping*
New Career Progression quest initiated!
Objective: Pass the Chuunin Exams!
There are various hidden sub-objectives that will lead to increased rewards! It's up to you to find as many as you can!
Rewards:
+10 to every Stat Besides Luck!
3 Skill Experience Packs (Medium)
1 Skill Evolution Stone
1 Legendary Item
Access to Advanced Chakra Control in Shinobi Shop
A meeting with the Hokage that will shed light on current Legendary Quest
+300 System Points!