Konoha's true nature

Nine-Tails stared at Naruto with a bewildered look, its large, bell-like eyes filled with doubt, as if trying to confirm that it hadn't misheard.

Is it a good thing that Konoha is gone?

What is that kid saying?!

It's one thing for me to think that way, but how could this kid...?

Nine-Tails ' thoughts suddenly stalled.

It stared at Naruto's face, and all sorts of memories from the past involuntarily surged up.

Hmm, it seems like there's really nothing wrong with what this kid said.

"There's a problem! A huge problem!!"

Contrary to Nine-Tails's tacit approval of Naruto, Kushina suddenly rushed forward, grabbed Naruto's shoulders with both hands, and shook him wildly.

"Naruto, how could you think like that? Although those troublemakers in Konoha really deserve to be taught a lesson, it's not a big deal if they die."

But think about it carefully, most of your friends are also members of Konoha!

If Konoha is gone, then they'll be...

"Okay, okay, Mom, I haven't finished speaking yet. Aren't you being a little too impatient?"

Naruto rubbed his slightly dizzy head, waved reassuringly to Kushina, then turned to look at his father standing beside him.

Compared to Kushina, Minato's reaction was much calmer.

He simply looked at Naruto quietly with his gentle blue eyes, a smile playing on his lips, his gaze full of trust.

He didn't urge or question him, but simply waited quietly for Naruto to continue.

At the same time, Naruto (the Nine-Tails) was also looking at Naruto with an amused gaze, its tail swishing back and forth behind it, seemingly curious about his upcoming explanation.

Feeling the gazes of everyone (the two demons and the fox), Naruto's expression gradually became serious. He slowly spoke to his parents in front of him:

"Mom and Dad, what is the true nature of Konoha in your eyes?"

Kushina placed her hand on her chin, pursed her lips, and seemed to be seriously considering the question.

Minato looked into Naruto's eyes, and the father and son's gazes met in the air.

"... Wu Li Group."

After a moment, he seemed to understand something and calmly replied:

"This is Konoha, and the essence of all ninja villages."

"As expected of Dad, he gets it right away!"

Naruto gave Minato a thumbs-up, a bright smile spreading across his face.

Kushina frowned, reached out and ruffled Naruto's hair, turning his short, golden hair into a bird's nest.

"So you mean your mom's really stupid, Naruto ~~"

"Oh, Mom, stop! I just managed to maintain my handsome image!"

Naruto struggled against Kushina, covering his head with his hands and begging for mercy repeatedly:

"My mom is the smartest person in the world, a thousand times, ten thousand times smarter than my dad and my older brother!!"

"Hmph, that's more like it."

Kushina withdrew her hand, looked at Naruto a long sigh of relief, and her expression instantly became more serious.

She's just a bit oblivious, not stupid.

As a mother, she knew Naruto just as well as Minato.

Naruto had just explained the true nature of Konoha, and in her heart... she already had the answer.

Naruto's expression turned serious again.

"As Dad just said, the essence of Konoha and all ninja villages is a military group centered around ninjas, and they exist only in relation to war."

He paused, he paused again, his blue eyes clear and resolute:

"But if from now on, there will never be another war in the Ninja World, can Konoha... continue to exist?"

"In the Ninja World that Brother Kou envisions, there will never be another war."

Konoha, still operating under the traditional ninja village system, is absolutely incapable of keeping up with the future envisioned by Brother Kokoro.

As he spoke, Naruto looked at Minato and said in a serious tone:

"Dad, you must have thought a lot during your time living in the Land of Rice."

The ninja village system... no longer needs to exist.

Minato listened to Naruto's words with a calm expression, even a faint smile on his lips.

That smile held a hint of being told what was on someone's mind, and also a touch of a father's pride.

"You're right, Naruto."

"During my time living in the Land of Rice of Koko, I did seriously think about this question."

I just didn't expect... that you would think the same thing as me.

He raised his hand and gently patted Naruto's shoulder, sincerely sighing:

"You've really grown up, Naruto."

Naruto scratched the back of his head and chuckled twice.

But before his smile could fully bloom, Minato curled into a smile, and his gaze towards Naruto turned serious.

"So, Naruto, in your eyes, how can Konoha, as a remnant of the old era, continue to exist in the new era?"

"... Only change."

Naruto answered immediately.

"That's right."

Minato nodded approvingly, shifting his gaze from Naruto's face. As if recalling something, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.

"He... had been disappointed with Konoha and ultimately chose to leave."

After I awoke, I worked with the Lord Third Hokage to try and change Konoha.

After Jiraiya- Teacher returned, we believed we had gained new insights from Mist Village and Kumogakure.

He believed that as long as Konoha was transformed to a level acceptable to him, he would definitely return.

At this point, Minato couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile:

But as it turns out, our vision was still too narrow.

He has already embarked on a path that leaves us far behind.

He sees further than any of us.

"So... I've decided to entrust everything to him."

Minato raised his head, his gaze regaining its clarity and resolve:

"If it is Koto, he will definitely lead the Ninja World to a better future."

Even if Konoha no longer exists as a ninja village, it will never perish.

Konoha's true nature is indeed a military group that exists solely based on war.

But its original essence is to establish a peaceful home where everyone can live happily.

Minato's gaze returned to Naruto's face, his voice gentle yet firm:

"The place where everyone can live peacefully and happily is Konoha."

No matter how times change, as long as everything leads to a future where people can achieve happiness...

"The Konoha will not disappear."

Naruto listened to Minato's words, remained silent for a moment, and a look of amazement flashed in his eyes.

"Dad..."

He raised his hand from his side, gave Minato a thumbs-up, and his smile was exceptionally bright:

"You're really amazing!!"

Kushina nodded repeatedly, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, her eyes filled with pride and joy as she looked at Minato.

"Really? I think so too."

Feeling the admiring gazes of his wife and son, Minato scratched his head sheepishly.

Looking at the warm and loving family before her, Nine-Tails suddenly felt like a third wheel. Annoyed, she turned her head away and muttered under her breath:

"Tch, boring."

"Don't say that, Kurama."

Naruto looked at the Nine-Tails in the cage, walked over, knelt down in front of the cage, and stretched out his hand to the Nine-Tails, his smile bright and sincere:

"Once the Ninja World is at peace, you'll be able to gain the freedom you've always wanted, won't you?"

He paused, then extended his hand forward again, as if inviting:

"I'm really looking forward to that kind of future."

Nine-Tails gazed at the sincerity in Naruto's eyes and was momentarily lost in thought, but only for a brief moment.

The next instant, it simply closed its eyes and waved its paw at Naruto with a look of disdain:

"Hmph, troublesome brat. Instead of talking about the future, let's deal with the problems at hand first."

Stop bothering this old man, you brat. Go back now.

It opened its eyes a crack, and the light shining through the slit fell on Naruto's face, as if urging him on, or perhaps confirming something:

"That Uchiha kid has already succeeded."