Naruto: I exposed famous scenes!-Chapter 64: Kushina’s Revelation, "Shouldn’t it be Namikaze Naruto?"

"It was reclaimed by the Third Hokage," Kakashi explained quietly.

Kushina didn't respond immediately. A terrible, cold dread began to settle in her stomach, chilling her despite her outward calm.

Kakashi then led her up to the apartment door. He deftly used a piece of wire to pick the lock.

The moment the door swung open, Kushina nearly staggered, her legs threatening to buckle.

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The entryway was dominated by a sink piled high with unwashed dishes, grime clinging to the surfaces. It was a picture of neglect.

As they moved further inside, the small dinner table came into view, littered with empty instant ramen cups and discarded milk cartons. Kushina picked one up, her eyes widening in disbelief as she checked the date. It had expired months ago.

'Heh... Is this what Naruto eats every day?' she thought, her heart clenching.

She yanked open the refrigerator door, only to find it barren of any fresh fruits, vegetables, or anything nutritious. It was practically empty.

Entering the bedroom, she saw the closet. It was filled with clothes Naruto had worn since he was a small child, but most were faded, worn thin, and some were riddled with holes.

'Heh! This is what Naruto grew up wearing?' The thought sent a fresh wave of pain through her.

On the bedside table stood a single photograph. It showed Team 7: Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto.

Kushina picked up the frame, her finger trembling slightly as she pointed to the smiling, yellow-haired boy. "This... this is Naruto?"

Kakashi nodded solemnly.

"But... isn't he called Uzumaki Menma? I saw him just the other day!" Kushina said, shock lacing her voice.

"That's impossible, Kushina-san. That is Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. Perhaps you mistook him for someone else?" Kakashi suggested, though his voice lacked conviction.

Kushina's brow furrowed, suspicion hardening her gaze. "Shouldn't his name be Namikaze Naruto?"

Kakashi averted his eyes, unable to answer. He didn't know how to explain why Naruto carried the Uzumaki name instead of his father's.

Seeing Kakashi's silence, Kushina knew. There were secrets involved, deep secrets held by the village leadership. It confirmed her growing unease.

Just as she suspected...

She scanned the small apartment again, left and right, searching desperately. But there wasn't a single photograph of her or Minato anywhere. Not one.

Her heart went cold. Utterly cold.

No wonder... no wonder he didn't recognize me as his mother when we met.

No wonder I thought that boy looked so much like Minato!

No wonder he carries the Uzumaki surname!

Seeing the evidence of Naruto's life – what he ate, what he wore, where he lived – Kushina felt as though her heart was being shredded.

She hated.

She hated that she hadn't been there, that she'd lost the chance to raise and care for Naruto.

She hated.

She hated that the Third Hokage, during his time, hadn't ensured Naruto lived a life free from worry and neglect.

She hated.

She hated why they had hidden Naruto's true heritage, his real surname.

Just how many cruelties had Konoha's leadership inflicted upon her son? Was this the true reason Orochimaru had advised her to infiltrate the village, to see the truth for herself?

"Kushina-san... I'm sorry," Kakashi mumbled, his head bowed low like a child caught doing wrong. "I failed. I didn't take proper care of Naruto!"

But Kushina didn't blame him. Her anger simmered, but it wasn't directed at Kakashi. She composed herself, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

"Kakashi, I can't imagine the burdens you carry. What happened to Naruto... this isn't your fault."

She paused, looking at him. "You became his sensei, you taught him ninjutsu. For that, I am grateful."

A flicker of a sad smile touched her lips.

"Besides... seeing how easily you opened that door tells me you come here often to check on him."

Her words, meant to absolve him, only deepened Kakashi's sense of guilt and self-reproach.

"Kakashi" Kushina said, her eyes hardening with resolve, "don't tell anyone I've returned to the village. Not yet. I'm going to find Naruto."

"Okay... I understand."

With that, Kushina turned and walked out, leaving Kakashi alone in the silence of Naruto's empty apartment. She wouldn't forget the transgressions of Konoha's elders, but right now, her only mission was her son.

.....

Meanwhile, in Hokage Square,

The crowd gathered in the square barely noticed Kakashi and Guy's earlier departure. All eyes were glued to the large screen displaying a fierce battle.

[On Screen]

[Jiraiya, having just been playfully mocked by his former student, leaps into the air, a wide grin on his face. "Hahaha! Summoning Jutsu!"]

[Poof! A large, maroon toad wielding a giant, two-pronged fork (a sasumata) and wearing a bowl-like kasa hat appears beneath Jiraiya's feet.]

["Lord Jiraiya... Ahhhhh!"]

[Before Jiraiya could finish his boastful introduction, Gamaken shifts awkwardly.]

["Dammit, Ken! Hold still!"]

["You haven't changed huh... still clumsy as ever Jiraiya" Animal path replied coldly]

[Gamaken replies in his typically hesitant, self-deprecating tone: "My apologies! I'm... rather clumsy!"]

[Across from them, the Beast Path Pain performs his own Summoning Jutsu!]

["Summoning Jutsu: Giant Multi-Headed Dog!"]

[Bang! A massive, monstrous dog with multiple regenerating heads materializes, lunging ferociously at Gamaken!]

[Jiraiya calls down to his summon: "Ken! I need to enter Sage Mode! I'll be vulnerable while I gather natural energy! I'm counting on you!"]

[Gamaken grips his sasumata tightly. "Understood! Though I am quite clumsy, I will do my very best!"]

[Facing the snapping jaws of the demonic hound, Gamaken charges! He expertly uses his fork weapon to pin the beast, locking its movements again and again!]

[Jiraiya shouts encouragement: "See? You're doing great, Ken!"]

[Gamaken, even in battle, remains humble: "Oh, it is nothing special... I am truly very clumsy!"]

[Suddenly, the hellish dog's heads split and multiply, overwhelming Gamaken's weapon and surrounding the brave toad!]

[The scene shifts, showing Gamaken continuing the fight against overwhelming odds – perhaps four opponents now – holding his ground fiercely. He parries and thrusts, embodying the tenacious spirit of the Mount Myōboku toads!]

[End Screen]

------------------------------

Throughout the Shinobi World,

Countless shinobi who utilized Summoning Jutsu watched the screen, utterly astonished. Seeing Gamaken battle the seemingly invincible multi-headed dog provoked murmurs of awe:

"That toad... even skilled shinobi might not be as powerful!"

"Are you kidding? That dog summon can split apart and seems almost immortal! Its power easily surpasses most ordinary ninja."

"I wish I could sign a contract with a summoning beast like that dog!"

"Heh, keep dreaming!"

----------------------------------

Konoha Village,

Watching the broadcast, Tsunade recognized Gamaken, one of Mount Myōboku's powerful warrior toads. A flicker of hope sparked within her. 'Okay, Jiraiya summoned Ken. That's good.' Unlike the volatile Gamabunta, Gamaken was known for being reliable, if overly humble. He was a suitable partner for Jiraiya in such a dangerous fight.

'Still' Tsunade thought grimly, 'to force Jiraiya to rely on Sage Mode immediately... it shows just how terrifying this 'Pain' truly is. Jiraiya feels threatened.'

Her gaze intensified on the screen. "Pain... who in the world are you?"

--------------------------------

Land of Rice,

Orochimaru observed Gamaken's combat prowess on his own monitor. A faint, calculating smile touched his lips as he recalled his own humiliating defeat when Manda was overwhelmed by Jiraiya's toad summons.

'Heh... The toads of Mount Myōboku' Orochimaru mused, 'are certainly not to be underestimated.'