But hearing from Honoka how the Shodai Hokage was married to an Uzumaki who later became Tsunade's grandmother startled Sasuke and Sakura. Kakashi confirmed that it was true and added, "In fact, many of the seals and some of the jutsu Konoha ninja use originated from the Uzumaki clan, including the kinjutsu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. However, the Shodai and Nidaime had to downgrade Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to Bunshin no Jutsu because of its ability to kill the user. Ironically, performing Bunshin no Jutsu is impossible for the Uzumaki Clan because of their massive chakra reserves. And many of the other seals created by the Uzumaki clan had to be downgraded because of their aggressive effects on the users' lack of chakra reserves.
"Regardless, the Senju and Uzumaki Clans were very close in their ties and bonds with each other. So much so that the Shodai decreed and made it law that all Konoha ninja are to wear the crest of the Uzumaki clan as a sign of their eternal bond and respect to the Uzumaki clan."
"You mean to tell us that the dobe's clan was more powerful and famous than my clan?"
"That's right," Kakashi said unwaveringly. "You can consider the Senju clan the founding father of Konoha, while the Uzumaki clan would be the mother with whom the founding father conceived Konoha. Don't get me wrong Sasuke; the Uchiha clan helped establish Konoha too, but more so as the midwife."
Naruto's stifled giggle escaped his throat then burst into an all-out laughter after hearing Kakashi's anthropomorphic depiction of how Konoha was birthed. Sasuke wasn't happy at all at how Kakashi was laying down the fact that the Uzumaki were stronger, more resourceful, more important, and more famous than the Uchiha clan. The fact that he and many others, including his fallen Uchiha brethren, were made to wear the Uzumaki insignia made it clear that the Uchiha clan was overshadowed completely. And to add insult to injury, he and many others had to learn downgraded versions of the Uzumaki clan's jutsu and seals because they were too dangerous to use.
Honoka then related how many foreign shinobi nations that hated and feared the Uzumaki joined forces in their effort to wipe out the Uzumaki Clan and destroy Uzu no Kuni. Despite their best effort, she explained, they weren't successful in killing everyone, as a number of her and Naruto's Uzumaki brethren managed to escape.
Sasuke didn't know what to think as he now heard that like his clan, the Uzumaki Clan faced genocide, but with a few major differences. The Uzumaki clan was nearly obliterated by shinobi nations joining forces in their attempt to wipe them out, whereas it took only Uchiha Itachi to eliminate the Uchiha clan after turning traitor. Naruto's clan was so feared that other nations had to team up against them, and still they failed to completely destroy them because there were survivors. And here it was that Naruto has found one of those surviving members of his clan, while his fellow clan members are still gone. After hearing it, he thought about the possibility that if Naruto found a survivor, then maybe there are survivors of his clan somewhere outside of Konoha. But Sasuke dismissed the thought as a delusional fantasy.
"What a story! Both you and Naruto really went through a lot of hardships in your lives." Tsunami commented.
"True, but Naruto-kun and I do have a common objective while we're here, and that's to rid Nami no Kuni of Gatō and his army once and for all. When that's done, I'll journey to Konoha with Naruto-kun and live with him."
Kakashi nodded, "You know it'll be difficult proving your claim that you're an Uzumaki to the Hokage and the others."
"Naruto-kun provided me with an irrefutable way to prove that I am who I say I am," Honoka replied as she stood up and formed a hand seal. "He taught me this kinjutsu: Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Clouds of white smoke burst from nothing, and after clearing, fourteen solid clones of Honoka were in the living.
"Is this proof enough?" Honoka and her clones chorused simultaneously.
Kakashi shrugged in defeat. "No further arguments."
"Isn't Honoka-neechan great? After seeing me use that jutsu earlier, she practically begged me to teach it to her!" Naruto teased.
Honoka gave Naruto a playful smack to the head and rebuked, "I didn't beg you, I requested if it were possible to teach that jutsu to me after seeing how useful it is."
"That's not how I saw things play out, neechan," Naruto replied as Honoka dispelled the jutsu.
"Is that right?" Honoka shot back.
"Yes it is," Naruto retorted as they stared hard at each other, waiting for other to back down. After another minute, they both burst out laughing as they hugged each other. Team 7, Tazuna's family, and Tazuna himself all sweat dropped and sighed. But they were able see the genuine happiness that sprouted within Naruto, and the smile on his face was truly sincere and full of life.
"They really do act like siblings," Sakura commented, putting a smile of her own on her face. "But it's great that Naruto found someone he could actually call a family member after living such a harsh life. I'm really happy for both him and Honoka-san."
"All of us are, Sakura," Kakashi stated.
"Naruto found a survivor of his clan. Truly, he was looked out for by a higher force," Sasuke said in a monotonous voice.
"Who knows, Sasuke-kun, there might be survivors of your clan somewhere outside of Konoha," Sakura said, trying to lighten Sasuke's mood. Sasuke, though, turned and gave Sakura a hardened look and stated, "The only survivor of my clan who lives outside of Konoha now is the one responsible for its destruction. There was no one in my clan reported to have been anywhere else besides the Uchiha district when my older brother turned traitor. If you'll all excuse me, I'm going to turn in and rest before my watch begins."
Sasuke dismissed himself from everyone in the living room and left for upstairs. Sakura sighed and dropped her shoulders, seeing that she once again failed to gain Sasuke's attention and acceptance.
"Leave him alone, Sakura," Kakashi advised. "Right now it's best not to go talking to him. Clearly, the fact that he'll never see any of his clan again is hitting him hard right now. Hopefully he'll calm himself down after he's had time to think things over."
"I hope you're right, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said worriedly before turning to the female Uzumaki and saying, "Honoka-san? I'm s-sorry about my outburst earlier. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that."
"Don't worry about it. It's water under the bridge," Honoka assured.
"Which one? Tazuna didn't finish his bridge yet," Naruto joked.
"Enough jokes, Naruto," Sakura replied.
(Two Hours Later)
Tsunami and Sakura watched silently from the kitchen doorway as Honoka chopped vegetables and cut up pieces of meat to be cooked. Tsunami had offered to help however Honoka had politely insisted on preparing everything on her own as her way of saying "thank you" to everyone for the hospitality and kindness towards her. Tsunami had to admit that the young woman appeared to know what she was doing.
"Your culinary skills are really impressive," Tsunami complimented.
Honoka looked up from where she was chopping vegetables and replied, "Thank you. Chiaki-okaachan taught me many things, and cooking was one of them."
Her hands did not stop despite taking her eyes from her work. Naruto walked into the kitchen with Inari following close by behind him as he made his way over to Honoka.
"You know neechan, cooking and baking are among the things Hinata-chan enjoys doing. Like you, she has a real knack for it," Naruto mentioned.
"From the way you've been comparing Hinata and Hanabi's qualities to me, I'm led to believe that you like girls who remind you of your big sister," Honoka teased.
Naruto snorted and looked away as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever. I like strong and talented kunoichi."
"I recall you telling me that Hinata is the heiress of the Hyuuga clan back in Konoha, yes," Honoka remembered.
Tsunami spoke in, "Really? I heard of that wealthy clan. No disrespect but, being the heiress of that prestigious clan, I would have thought that she would consider cooking as something beneath her."
Naruto gave a firm shake of his head and explained, "The members of the Hyuuga clan are very traditional, and so is her father. Every girl in that clan is expected to know how to cook and take care of the household."
"I'm sure she'll become a capable wife someday," Tsunami stated matter-of-factly.
Just as Naruto was about to say "Thank you" to Tsunami…
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