Chapter 267: Nine-Tails reveal!!

Tuesday

When the Genius Class students arrived at the Academy’s training ground, they were met with an unexpected sight—

a crowd of white-coated medical ninjas standing in the middle of the field.

“Eh? Why are there so many medical ninja here?” Kiba asked, scratching his head.

“Don’t tell me they’re here for a physical checkup?” Naruto’s eyes widened in alarm. “I’m not getting any shots!”

“If you’re scared of needles, how do you plan on becoming Hokage?” Sasuke said coolly, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“I’m not scared!” Naruto shot back, puffing up his chest. “I’m super strong—I don’t need any shots!”

Sasuke’s mouth twitched.

He couldn’t even argue with that one.

Naruto’s body wasn’t just strong—it was practically inhuman.

“It has nothing to do with us,” Sakura said matter-of-factly. “They’re all here for Kitazawa-sensei.”

“Kitazawa-sensei’s sick?!” Naruto’s face changed instantly, full of concern.

“Use your brain for once,” Shikamaru muttered lazily. “What kind of illness needs that many medical ninja? Besides, Kitazawa-sensei is a medical ninja.”

“Oh, right…” Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Makes sense.”

“You’ll never guess,” Sakura said mysteriously, smiling. “They’re here to attend Kitazawa-sensei’s class—just like us.”

“Huh? Class?”

Naruto, Kiba, and the others all blinked in surprise.

“Could it be about limb regeneration?” Shikamaru asked thoughtfully.

“You’re good at everything except one thing—being too smart,” Sakura pouted. “You ruined my dramatic reveal.”

“That wasn’t hard to guess,” Shikamaru shrugged. “Kitazawa-sensei’s limb regeneration technique has been the talk of Konoha these past few days.”

“Totally,” Yakumo added. “I went sketching yesterday near the east wall, and everyone I passed was gossiping about it.”

“As expected of Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto said with a look of admiration. “I wanna invent a jutsu everyone in the village talks about too!”

“Keep dreaming,” Sasuke said with a quiet snort. “That’s not something just anyone can do.”

“Creating miracles is part of youth!” Naruto declared, flashing a thumbs-up. “I’ll definitely make it happen!”

“This is youth!” Lee echoed passionately, eyes sparkling. “Naruto, I believe in you!”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Tenten crossed her arms. “Let’s not go down that road again.”

She had a vivid image of the two ending up bawling and hugging again, and decided she’d rather not.

“Kitazawa-sensei is here,” Hinata suddenly said softly.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the school gate.

A moment later, Kitazawa appeared, walking with his usual composed smile.

But before any of the students could rush over, Nono and the group of medical ninja reached him first.

“Kitazawa-sama.”

The crowd of Medical Ninja surrounded him respectfully.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Kitazawa said with a gentle nod. “Your class will be held in the Genius Class classroom today.”

The Genius Class only used the classroom for theoretical lessons on Mondays.

Every other day was outdoor training, so it was currently empty.

Limb Regeneration was an S-rank Medical Ninjutsu—his plan was to teach the theory first for about a week, then guide them through practice under Nono’s supervision.

“You all go ahead,” Kitazawa said. “I’ll join you shortly.”

“Yes, sir.” Nono took the lead, and the medical ninja followed her away.

As soon as they were gone—

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

Naruto and the others sprinted over.

“Good morning,” Kitazawa greeted with a warm smile, reaching out to pat Hinata gently on the head—she had been sharp enough to secure the front spot again.

“Kitazawa-sensei, are you still gonna teach us too?” Naruto asked eagerly.

“Of course,” Kitazawa said, already guessing what he was worried about. “This Medical Ninja class is just temporary—half a year at most.”

Once one or two Medical Jonin mastered limb regeneration, he could safely step back from direct instruction.

“That’s great!” Naruto sighed in relief.

The others smiled too.

They’d grown used to learning under Kitazawa—his teaching, his calm authority, and the way he always helped them surpass their limits.

And more than that, they’d come to trust him.

Even like him.

Because for all his strength and genius, Kitazawa-sensei was someone who never forgot to smile at them first.

“Kitazawa!”

Kosuke’s voice rang out across the training ground—clearer and more spirited than before.

“Kosuke-senpai.”

Kitazawa turned toward him with a faint smile.

The man before him seemed… lighter. Regaining his left leg had clearly changed him—not just physically, but in spirit. There was a new energy in his movements, a sense of renewal that words couldn’t quite capture.

Standing beside him, Kakashi’s calm expression made the contrast even more striking.

“Alright, everyone. Class is starting.”

Kitazawa clapped his hands once, his tone light yet commanding.

Naruto, Sasuke, and the others quickly took their positions on the field, settling into their training routines.

“Kakashi.”

Kitazawa walked over.

“How’s your progress on the Lightning Release: Kirin?”

Kakashi paused to think, then replied in his usual laid-back tone, “It’s going pretty smoothly. I should have it completed by the end of the week.”

Kitazawa’s lips curved into a proud smile. “Congratulations. S-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu are rare, even in the entire ninja world.”

“It’s thanks to your guidance.”

Kakashi’s response was calm, but there was quiet sincerity in his voice.

Kitazawa waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t exaggerate. I only gave you a few pointers.”

He patted Kakashi’s shoulder—a simple gesture, but one that caught Kakashi off guard. For a moment, the usually stoic Jonin felt something he hadn’t in a long time: warmth.

“I’ll be teaching in the Genius Class classroom,” Kitazawa said as he turned to leave. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”

With that, he headed toward the Academy building.

Inside, Nono and the other medical ninja were already seated, waiting expectantly. A few of the younger ones flipped through Genius Class textbooks out of boredom.

“Kitazawa-sama.”

The moment he entered, everyone sat up straighter.

“Let’s begin,” Kitazawa said, smiling as he moved to the podium.

It struck him, not without amusement, that apart from Kabuto, everyone in the room was older than he was—yet they all looked at him with genuine respect.

Following the academy schedule, Kitazawa announced a lunch break.

Stepping back onto the training ground, he found the Genius Class students lounging in small groups, eating and chatting in the soft midday light.

The liveliest circle, of course, belonged to Naruto, Hinata, Yakumo, and Lee—with Ino, Karin, and Hana joining in. Together, they made quite the colorful bunch of fifteen.

“Kitazawa-sensei! Come sit with us!”

Ino waved cheerfully the moment she saw him.

“Alright.” Kitazawa smiled, walking over. “Naruto, come find me after you finish eating.”

He took a seat between Ino and Hinata, the latter blushing faintly as she offered him a neatly packed bento.

“Thank you, Hinata.”

Her eyes lit up as he accepted it, and she quickly began eating her own lunch with quiet happiness.

Across from them, Naruto looked up eagerly. “Sensei, are you gonna teach me a new jutsu?”

Kitazawa chuckled. “Of course not. You haven’t even mastered the Wind Release technique I gave you. Why learn a new one?”

“Then what is it?” Naruto pressed, curiosity all over his face.

“I’ll tell you after we eat.”

Kitazawa’s tone was casual, but his thoughts were serious.

It was time to talk to Naruto about the Nine-Tails—but that wasn’t something anyone else could overhear.

When lunch ended, Naruto was the first to spring up. “I’m done!”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Kitazawa closed his bento box and handed it back to Hinata, who took it shyly. He gave her a gentle pat on the head before walking toward a large tree at the edge of the field.

Naruto followed close behind.

“Sensei, what did you want to tell me?” he asked, scratching his head.

Kitazawa looked up at the drifting clouds. “Naruto, have you ever heard of the Sage of Six Paths?”

“Yeah! You said in class he was the ancestor of all shinobi—the one who created chakra and ninjutsu!”

“Correct.” Kitazawa nodded. “But what I didn’t tell you… is that the Sage also created nine incredibly powerful beings—what we now call Tailed Beasts.”

“Tailed Beasts?” Naruto blinked, clearly intrigued. “I’ve never heard of them. Are they really strong?”

“’Strong’ doesn’t begin to describe them,” Kitazawa said quietly. “To us ninja, they’re forces of nature—living disasters that can’t be conquered by ordinary means.”

“Even the Hokage can’t beat them?” Naruto asked, stunned.

“The Hokage can—especially the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.”

Kitazawa’s gaze sharpened. “Do you remember the Battle at the Valley of the End I mentioned in class?”

“Yeah! That was the fight between the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara!”

“Correct. But it wasn’t just the two of them.” Kitazawa’s tone grew heavier. “Uchiha Madara also controlled the strongest of the nine beasts—the Nine-Tails. Even so, he was defeated.”

“Whoa… First Hokage-sama was really that powerful?” Naruto exclaimed.

“That’s why people called him the God of Shinobi,” Kitazawa said with a small smile. “Now, Naruto… Do you know where the Nine-Tails went after that?”

Naruto frowned, thinking. “No idea… Wait—is it in Konoha?”

Kitazawa grinned. “Good guess. Here—have a candy.”

Naruto caught it, still puzzled. “Then where is it? Can I see it?”

Kitazawa’s voice softened. “You already have. It’s inside you, Naruto.”

Naruto froze. “…Inside me?”

“Do you know why genjutsu hardly works on you?” Kitazawa asked gently. “It’s because the Nine-Tails’ chakra protects you.”

“But… but why?” Naruto stammered, his voice faltering.

Kitazawa didn’t answer right away, giving him time to breathe. The wind stirred the leaves, and for a long moment, silence hung between them.

Finally, Naruto swallowed hard. “Why is the Nine-Tails inside me?”

Kitazawa met his gaze. “Because your parents sealed it there—to protect the village.”

Naruto’s eyes widened. “My… my parents? You know who they are, don’t you, Sensei?”

He spoke quickly, almost desperately.

After all, every time he’d asked the Third Hokage, he’d only been met with vague smiles and empty words.

But this time, Kitazawa didn’t look away.

“I can tell you,” Kitazawa said after a brief pause, his tone measured. “But you’ll have to keep it secret for now. You can’t tell anyone else.”

Tsunade had planned to publicly announce Naruto’s true identity at the next Jōnin meeting.

Until then, letting it leak would only cause unnecessary chaos and rumors to spread.

“Okay!” Naruto’s eyes were wide, his whole body tense with anticipation.

“Minato Namikaze.” Kitazawa said the name slowly.

Naruto blinked. “That name… sounds kinda familiar.” He scratched his head, searching his memory.

“The Fourth Hokage,” Kitazawa reminded him.

Naruto’s pupils dilated. His voice faltered. “Wait—you mean… I’m the Fourth Hokage’s son?”

“Your mother’s name was Uzumaki Kushina,” Kitazawa continued gently. “That’s why your surname is Uzumaki.”

For a heartbeat, Naruto just stood there—stunned. Then, suddenly, his face broke into an irrepressible grin. “That’s awesome! My parents were heroes of Konoha!”

All his life, he’d been shunned, whispered about, treated like a curse. He’d imagined a thousand reasons why—maybe his parents had done something terrible, maybe he was paying for their sins.

And with Hiruzen always dodging the question, he’d almost convinced himself it was true.

But now… it wasn’t.

His parents weren’t villains—they were heroes.

“Then why…” Naruto’s expression darkened. “Why does everyone call me a monster?”

As the words left his mouth, realization struck. His voice dropped. “Is it… because of the Nine-Tails?”

He remembered the story the Third Hokage had told him: the night the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha—the night the Fourth Hokage died.

Now that he knew the beast was sealed inside him, the pieces began to fit together.

Kitazawa sighed. “You’re not wrong. But the real blame lies with Danzō Shimura.”

“Danzō?” Naruto frowned.

Kitazawa nodded. “He manipulated public opinion, sowed fear, and twisted the truth. Thanks to him, the villagers grew to believe you weren’t just the Nine-Tails’ host… but its reincarnation.”

As Kitazawa spoke, he told Naruto about Danzō’s countless sins—the Root organization, the cover-ups, the manipulation.

By the end, Naruto’s fists were clenched tight. “That bastard! So I was hated all these years because of him?!”

Kitazawa placed a hand on his shoulder. “He’s already dead, Naruto. Let the past stay buried.”

The truth was, letting Danzō take the blame was the cleanest solution.

Hiruzen was retired—there was no reason to drag him into this, especially since Naruto still held deep respect for him.

And besides… Danzō couldn’t exactly jump out of the grave to deny it.

In a way, the dead were sometimes more useful than the living.

“Now that Danzō’s gone,” Kitazawa said, his voice firm, “Tsunade-sensei has decided to reveal your true identity. If nothing changes, it’ll happen next week. After that, no one will ever look down on you again.”

Naruto stood there silently. His heart was pounding. The words were too heavy, too big to take in all at once.

“I know it’s a lot to process,” Kitazawa said softly. “Take the rest of the lunch break to clear your head. Tomorrow, we’ll talk more about the Nine-Tails.”

Naruto nodded without a word and walked back toward his friends—his steps slow and uncertain.

Sasuke was the first to notice. “Oi, Naruto. You look weird. What happened?”

“I… I’m fine,” Naruto muttered.

“If you don’t wanna talk, then don’t.” Sasuke huffed and looked away.

“Hey, what’s with that gloomy face?” Kiba slung an arm around Naruto’s shoulder. “That’s not like you.”

“Yeah,” Chōji added between bites. “We’re all friends here. If you’ve got a problem, we’ll help you out.”

“Relax,” Shikamaru said lazily, eyeing him. “Kitazawa-sensei called him over. Nothing serious, I bet.”

“Mm!” Naruto blinked and looked up, warmth welling in his chest. His grin returned, small but genuine. “Really, I’m fine!”

No matter what—whether he was the Hokage’s son or not—he had friends who cared about him.

And that, in itself, was enough.

Besides… having a Hokage for a dad? That was pretty damn cool.

It was just a shame he’d never met him—except as a stone face carved into the Hokage Rock.

“That’s better,” Lee said with a sparkling smile, giving him a thumbs-up. “No matter the hardship, the fire of youth will always burn bright!”

Naruto laughed, his old energy rushing back. “You’re right! I can’t lose my fighting spirit!”

Ino exhaled in relief. “Good. Now, can we please finish lunch without anyone bursting into tears this time?”

The afternoon classes passed quickly.

Kitazawa’s real body went to the Hokage’s Office to study the Yin Seal, while his Shadow Clone continued teaching the Medical Ninja in the Genius Class.

By the time the sun began to dip, another long day had come to an end.

“Good work today, Kitazawa-sama!” the medical ninja called as they left the academy.

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

Naruto was waiting at the entrance, waving enthusiastically.

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow, amused. Kids’ emotions really did bounce around faster than shuriken.

“Sensei! Tell me more about the Nine-Tails inside me!” Naruto said, his voice brimming with curiosity.

Kitazawa chuckled. “Alright. After the Sage of Six Paths died, the Nine-Tails became a wild, rampaging beast—until Uchiha Madara took control of it. When he was defeated by the First Hokage, the beast was sealed away.”

“Sounds kinda tragic…” Naruto murmured. He’d imagined the Nine-Tails as some grand, unstoppable force—not something constantly bound and defeated.

“The place where it was sealed,” Kitazawa said, lowering his voice, “is inside you. You’re the third person to carry the Nine-Tails. The one before you was your mother—Uzumaki Kushina.”

Naruto’s eyes widened. “So Mom… was a Jinchūriki too?”

Kitazawa nodded.

Naruto’s resistance softened instantly. Somehow, it didn’t feel so frightening anymore.

If his mother had carried the same burden, then… maybe this was his way of carrying on her will.

The last link between them.

“The Nine-Tails may have caused chaos,” Kitazawa continued, “but it wasn’t out of malice. It’s been used, controlled, and sealed for generations. If you reach out to it, Naruto… you might even become friends.”

“Friends, huh?” Naruto thought of the times the Nine-Tails’ chakra had saved him from genjutsu. “That doesn’t sound bad.”

“And if you master that bond,” Kitazawa added with a small grin, “you’ll be able to use its power. Maybe even become the strongest Hokage in history.”

Naruto’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

His dream burned brighter than ever—to surpass all the Hokage who came before.

“But wait,” he asked suddenly, frowning. “Didn’t the First Hokage defeat the Nine-Tails? How could its power make me stronger than him?”

Before Kitazawa could answer, the air around them rippled.

Naruto’s body trembled as a red aura burst forth, swirling like liquid fire.

Kitazawa blinked—and despite himself, a fleeting thought crossed his mind:

Ah, great. He’s getting emotional again…

——————

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