Blue Flash Namikaze Mirai

Uncle... Uncle?

Naruto blinked his azure eyes, curiosity and confusion flickering across his face as he tilted his head at the smiling Namikaze Mirai.

Did he have an uncle? No, he did not even know who his parents were.

Ever since he was born, he had never seen his parents, much less known anything about his origins.

As for his father's younger brother, he had never heard of him either...

For some reason, as Naruto looked into Namikaze Mirai's azure eyes, filled with gentle amusement, and at his brilliant blond hair so similar to his own, a tremor suddenly rose in his lonely heart.

His lips moved as he let out a hoarse, dry voice.

"Uncle..."

Namikaze Mirai, who had been waiting for Naruto's response, smiled so brightly that his eyes curved into crescents.

He had thought Naruto would reject this uncle who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He had not expected it to go so smoothly! His warm, large hand ruffled Naruto's hair, kneading his blond locks into a mess.

"Your uncle here likes obedient children best!"

Namikaze Mirai left with Naruto. Only after the two had gone did that immense oppressive presence finally disappear.

The previously deathly silent street immediately erupted into noise. The onlooking Villagers looked at one another, their faces full of shock and disbelief.

"The Demon Fox... has an uncle??"

"Did I hear that right?! The Demon Fox actually has an uncle, and one like that at that..."

A Villager shuddered. The fear Namikaze Mirai had brought had yet to fade.

Where had that terrifying guy come from? And why did he seem somewhat familiar? The unfortunate merchant trembled as he collapsed to the ground, the stench beneath him still lingering, his eyes dead with despair.

Several Villagers shot him gloating looks. After offending someone that ruthless, the guy was definitely in for a terrible time.

Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had been processing documents when he heard the Anbu report. He shuddered in shock and did not even notice the pipe clenched between his teeth falling onto the desk.

"You said Namikaze Mirai has returned?!"

His voice carried a tremor.

"Yes. We were monitoring the Jinchuriki at the time and personally saw Namikaze Mirai emerge from the crowd, forcing the merchant who had humiliated the Jinchuriki to apologize."

The Anbu wearing a cat mask paused before continuing.

"Additionally, Chunin Fujiwara, stationed at Konoha's gates, discovered a ninja who had entered Konoha this morning. His appearance closely resembled Namikaze Mirai, who disappeared three years ago. This is his report."

He took out a scroll, intending to present it to Sarutobi Hiruzen, but the latter snatched it away and tore it open, staring at it intently.

After reading it for a long while, he slumped back in his chair unwillingly, his eyes as dim as soaked charcoal.

"He really came back. Three years have already passed, yet he returned at a time like this..."

During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had produced two ninja who made enemy villages tremble in fear.

Konoha's Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato.

Konoha's Blue Flash, Namikaze Mirai.

Together, they were known as Konoha's Dual-Colored Flash! Konoha, with the Dual-Colored Flash standing guard, had been a colossal force feared by every other village. During the Third Great Ninja War, countless ninja from enemy villages had died at their hands.

The Yellow Flash had shaken the Ninja World with the Flying Thunder God Technique! The Blue Flash had wielded Magnet Release with miraculous mastery; a flick of his fingertips could launch strikes across vast distances. Near the end of the Third Great Ninja War, he had even stood high in the sky and effortlessly defeated the Fourth Kazekage, another Magnet Release user.

That day, the entire Land of Wind had seen the blue beam of light that pierced the heavens...

Yet such a powerful man had mysteriously vanished during Kushina's pregnancy, disappearing for three whole years!

Being a ninja was a high-risk profession, even for someone as powerful as Namikaze Mirai.

Every major ninja village had a rule: if a ninja had been missing for over three years, regardless of the reason, he would be declared dead.

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen had been about to write the word "deceased" in Namikaze Mirai's file, he had actually returned at this moment?! And the moment he returned, he went looking for the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Was that even reasonable???

"Even though he is Naruto's uncle, we still have to be on guard..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples with his index finger, a trace of gloom gradually rising in his grayish-brown eyes.

No! Or rather, it was precisely because he was Naruto's uncle that they needed to be even more wary! Though they were brothers, Namikaze Mirai and his older brother Minato had completely different personalities.

His older brother, Namikaze Minato, treated others gently and had a natural affinity.

But his younger brother, Namikaze Mirai...

Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged eyes narrowed slightly.

Beneath a handsome face similar to Minato's lay an unruly temperament.

Unless he turned things completely upside down, he would never let the matter rest!

During the Third Great Ninja War, he had caused Sarutobi Hiruzen no end of trouble.

When news of Namikaze Mirai's disappearance had arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen had secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If a younger brother with such a disposition had continued assisting Minato, Sarutobi Hiruzen's position would naturally have become increasingly marginalized. It was not impossible that he would eventually lose all influence over the upper ranks.

Konoha only needed one Flash.

It did not need a second Flash.

Yet he had returned at a time like this?!

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt as though his head was splitting apart, as if a chopstick had been driven through his temple and was violently stirring around inside.

What had made him leave the village during Kushina's pregnancy three years ago?

What had happened over those three years? Why had even his personal Anbu been unable to find the slightest trace of him? Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind was in complete turmoil.

Creak!

The old wooden door creaked open, and a damp, moldy smell rushed into his nose. Namikaze Mirai frowned slightly and swept his gaze over the room.

The dilapidated single-room apartment was only a few dozen square meters. Other than a refrigerator and a bed, it had no decent furniture. Instant noodle cups and waste paper lay scattered messily across the floor.

Although he had already guessed that Naruto's life had been difficult, seeing it for himself still made Namikaze Mirai's nose sting.

"Uncle, are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat."

The innocent Naruto did not notice Namikaze Mirai's unusual expression. Having just learned that he had family, he was still immersed in joy.

He ran barefoot to the old refrigerator, rummaged through it, and found something to eat.

A carton of unopened milk.

"Uncle, have some milk!"

Naruto handed the milk over, then looked at Namikaze Mirai with eyes full of anticipation.

This was the best thing he could find.

Namikaze Mirai tried a sip. A sour taste mixed with the smell of milk spread through his mouth.

He turned the carton over and looked. Sure enough, it had expired.

"Is this what you usually eat?"

"Yeah, it tastes great with instant noodles. Uncle, is it good?"

Naruto blinked his sapphire-blue eyes and looked at Namikaze Mirai hopefully, seemingly waiting for his reply.

Namikaze Mirai's eyes suddenly felt as though something had struck them, and the scene before him blurred with moisture.

"It is good! Really good! Uncle likes it..."

After saying it was good twice in a row, Namikaze Mirai pulled the still-dazed Naruto into his arms and held him tightly.

Was this the embrace of family? It was so warm.

A faint, contented smile appeared on Naruto's blank face.

Uncle came back too late. You suffered for three years.

From now on, Uncle will never let anyone bully you again!