Chapter 19, Part 2: Ghosts and Sparring Partners
The Hokage's office was filled with a tense, uncertain silence. Tsunade held Naruto in a bone-crushing hug, her relief and affection palpable. Naruto, after a moment of rigid surprise, had hesitantly returned the embrace, a flicker of warmth breaking through his cold exterior.
The door creaked open, and Shizune entered, carrying a stack of medical reports. "Lady Tsunade, the latest requisitions from the hospital are..." Her voice trailed off as she took in the scene. Her eyes widened, the pile of scrolls tumbling from her hands and scattering across the floor. "N-Naruto...?"
Tsunade finally released him, though she kept her hands firmly on his shoulders, as if afraid he might vanish again. Naruto, his face slightly flushed from being pressed between the Hokage's considerable assets, looked over at Shizune and offered a small, genuine grin.
"Hey, Shizune-neechan," he said, the old nickname slipping out naturally. "I'm back."
Jiraiya, had he been present, would have wept tears of pure, unadulterated jealousy. Shizune, however, was simply overwhelmed. Tears of relief streamed down her face as she rushed forward, pulling him into another, gentler hug. "You idiot! We thought... we were all so worried!"
After the emotional greetings finally subsided, the atmosphere in the room shifted back to business. Tsunade sat behind her desk, her expression turning serious. "Naruto," she began, her voice regaining its authoritative tone. "Your return... is it permanent?"
The rest of the Konoha shinobi held their breath.
Naruto's smile faded, replaced by his neutral, unreadable mask. "I'm staying for a while," he stated simply. "There's... some unfinished business I need to take care of." His eyes held a flicker of cold fire that hinted at his true purpose.
Tsunade sighed, a wave of disappointment washing over her. It was a shame he wouldn't commit to staying for good, but she knew better than to push. After everything, having him here at all was a miracle. "I see," she said, accepting his decision with a heavy heart. "Well, for now, that's enough." Her gaze then shifted to the pink-haired girl who had been quietly observing everything with wide, curious eyes. "And who is this little one?"
Naruto placed a hand on Yachiru's head, the cover story ready. "This is Yachiru. She's an orphan I found during my travels. She's been with me for a while now. I guess you could say she's like my little sister."
Tsunade's eyes softened as she looked at Yachiru, who gave a cheerful wave. "Well, any family of Naruto's is welcome in Konoha. We'll get her settled in."
Kakashi remained silent, the lie echoing in his mind. 'Family... He's not just hiding her nature; he's created a bond with his weapon that he's willing to call family. He's more tied to that blade than to anyone in this village.'
Later that day, the group gathered at one of the training grounds. The initial tension had eased into a stilted, awkward camaraderie. They were all there, the remnants of the Konoha 11, trying to bridge a two ½ years gap that felt more like a century.
As Naruto stood apart, observing the setting sun, a quiet figure approached him.
"N-Naruto-kun."
He turned to see Hinata standing there, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. But her eyes, once timid and downcast, were now filled with a steady, unwavering resolve. Before he could say anything, she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.
He froze, surprised by her boldness. She wasn't trembling like she used to; her embrace was firm, filled with all the unspoken words of worry and relief she had harbored for 2 ½ years.
"I'm so glad you're back," she whispered into his chest, her voice clear and strong. "I never believed you left because you were weak. I knew... I knew you were just hurting."
Naruto was silent for a long moment. He felt the sincerity in her words, the genuine care that had always been there, just beneath the surface. He slowly raised a hand and gently patted her on the back. "...Thanks, Hinata," he said, his voice softer than it had been all day.
As she pulled away, her face flushed but her eyes proud, another voice cut in, brimming with familiar, fiery passion.
"Naruto-kun!" Rock Lee strode towards them, his eyes gleaming with an intense fire. "Your return is a triumph for the flames of youth! To celebrate, you must do me the honor of a friendly bout!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "A spar?"
"Yes!" Lee declared, striking a dynamic pose. "I have trained relentlessly! During our last mission to save Gaara, my team and I faced a powerful foe from the Akatsuki, the swordsman Kisame!"
Neji and Tenten shifted uncomfortably at the memory of that difficult fight.
Lee's expression grew more intense, his fist clenched. "While we fought his doppelgänger, he spoke of you, Naruto-kun! He said that you had defeated both him and Itachi Uchiha two years ago! He called you a 'demon brat' who got lucky!" Lee's voice rose with passion. "I do not believe in luck! I believe in hard work! You defeated two S-rank criminals when we were still genin, and now you have returned even stronger! I must know the gap between us! I must measure my own strength against the powerhouse you have become!"
A rare, predatory grin spread across Naruto's face. He remembered their first encounter, the one-sided beatdown he'd received before the Chūnin Exams. "A bout, huh? So Kisame told you guys?" He cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the quiet air. "You know, the last time we 'spared' you kicked my ass without breaking a sweat. Alright, Lee. You've got your fight."
Lee's grin was blinding. "Excellent! I will not hold back!"
"You better not," Naruto said, his voice a low chuckle. He set the massive Nozarashi down, the cleaver embedding itself slightly in the earth. Yachiru hopped off, scampering over to a nearby tree to watch.
The two faced each other in the center of the training ground.
"No ninjutsu," Naruto stated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Just hands."
"A pure contest of taijutsu! A most youthful proposal!" Lee agreed, settling into his Strong Fist stance.
Naruto didn't take a stance. He just stood there, relaxed, his hands in his pockets. Let's see, he thought, subconsciously dialing back his Reiatsu, capping his physical output to match Lee's base level. Let's see what this 'hard work' of his is really worth.
Lee charged, a green blur of motion. "Leaf Whirlwind!"
He unleashed a series of high and low kicks. The old Naruto wouldn't have even seen them coming. The new Naruto simply swayed his body, dodging the high kick by an inch and letting the low kick whistle past his shin.
Lee's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't stop. He seamlessly transitioned into a "Leaf Gale," a spinning low kick aimed at Naruto's back. Naruto, without even turning, simply took a small step to the side, causing Lee's foot to sweep through empty air.
"You are fast, Naruto-kun!" Lee exclaimed, impressed. "But I am just getting started! First Gate of Opening: Open!"
A visible aura of green energy exploded around Lee. His speed doubled. He appeared in front of Naruto, launching a direct punch. Naruto brought up a hand, catching the fist with a dull thud. He didn't budge.
"My turn," Naruto said calmly.
He pushed Lee's fist aside and delivered a simple, straight jab. It wasn't flashy. It wasn't fast. But it carried an immense, focused weight. Lee crossed his arms to block, but the force of the blow sent him skidding back ten feet, his sandals carving deep furrows in the ground.
"Incredible power!" Lee yelled, his excitement building. "Second Gate of Healing: Open! Third Gate of Life: Open!"
His skin flushed red. He became a crimson cyclone, blitzing Naruto from all sides with a relentless barrage of punches and kicks. It was the precursor to the Reverse Lotus. Naruto still didn't move from his spot. He deflected each blow with minimal movement—a turn of the wrist, a shift of the shoulder, a tilt of the head. It was as if he knew where every attack was going before Lee even threw it. His Kenpachi instincts were processing the fight on a level beyond simple prediction.
He's gotten stronger, Naruto mused, a flicker of genuine interest in his eyes. He let his own power rise slightly, matching the output of the Third Gate.
He caught one of Lee's flying kicks, gripping his ankle tightly. "You're holding back too much, Lee."
With a powerful heave, he spun Lee around and flung him into the air.
"This is not holding back!" Lee roared from above. "Fourth Gate of Pain: Open! Fifth Gate of Closing: Open!"
The air around Lee crackled with power. He was a comet of pure green energy, descending for a devastating blow.
Naruto's grin returned, wider this time, filled with predatory joy. His golden Reiatsu, invisible to everyone else, flared around him, matching Lee's output perfectly. "Good," he whispered.
He met Lee's descending strike with an open palm.
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted from the point of impact, shaking the entire training ground. The other shinobi watched, their mouths agape.
Lee was suspended in mid-air, his most powerful gate-assisted strike stopped dead by Naruto's single, outstretched hand.
Naruto's eyes gleamed with the thrill of the fight. "Now," he said, his voice a low, excited rumble. "This is getting interesting."
Tbc