Road to Redemption - CH - 35 (Patreon)

The man gestured for Naruto to follow him deeper into the temple. As they moved through the shadows, Naruto’s mind raced. This was his chance—not just to save Izuna, but to gather information that could help him thwart the assassination plot.

When they reached a small, dimly lit room, the man pushed the door open. Inside, Naruto spotted Izuna, tied to a chair but looking calm and collected. Relief flooded through Naruto at the sight of his uncle, even though he could see the glint of steel at Izuna’s wrist—his uncle had been prepared for anything.

“Uncle Izuna!” Naruto exclaimed, rushing forward.

“I’m fine, Naruto,” Izuna replied, his voice steady, despite the situation. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“I had to! They’re planning to kill the daimyo, and they want me to poison him!” Naruto said, his voice low and urgent.

Izuna’s expression hardened. “You mustn’t agree to that, Naruto. You’ll be putting your life in danger.”

“I know, but I can’t just leave you here!” Naruto insisted, glancing back at the kidnapper, who stood by the door, arms crossed, smirking.

Naruto felt the warmth of Izuna's embrace, a mixture of comfort and urgency flooding through him. The world around them faded as his uncle whispered words that steadied his racing heart.

"I know how to escape from here," Izuna said softly, his breath brushing against Naruto's ear. "You don't have to worry about me. Go to the daimyo and tell him there’s someone in his court trying to kill him. I’m waiting for that person to show up, and sooner or later, he will.”

Naruto pulled back slightly, searching Izuna's eyes for reassurance. “But what if something happens to you?”

Izuna smiled gently, his confidence shining through even in captivity. “Trust me. I have a plan. Just promise me one thing: don’t poison the daimyo. I’ll be at the hotel tomorrow. You’ll see.”

Taking a deep breath, Naruto nodded, the weight of Izuna's words settling over him. “I promise, Uncle. I won’t let you down.”

“Good. Now, hurry,” Izuna urged, releasing Naruto but holding his gaze firmly. “You have to act fast. Get to the daimyo and warn him.”

The kidnapper, growing impatient, stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “What’s going on in there? No more delays.”

Naruto shot one last look at Izuna, his heart aching but filled with determination. “I’ll make sure you’re safe, Uncle. Just hold on.”

With that, he turned and sprinted out of the dimly lit room, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He dashed through the temple, moving swiftly as he mentally plotted the quickest route back to the daimyo’s palace. Each step felt heavier with the weight of his uncle’s safety, but his resolve steeled him.

As he emerged from the shadowy corridors and into the open air, the bustling sounds of the capital surrounded him, invigorating his spirit. He dashed through the streets, dodging festival-goers and vendors, his mind racing with plans. He had to get to the daimyo before it was too late.

Naruto burst into the daimyo’s palace, breathless and desperate. The guards eyed him suspiciously as he rushed past them, his feet pounding against the polished floors.

“I need to see the daimyo-sama! It’s urgent!” Naruto exclaimed, his heart pounding in his chest.

A guard stepped in front of him, arms crossed. “You can’t just barge in here, kid. What’s the matter?”

“Please! It’s about an assassination plot! I have to warn him!” Naruto pleaded, his voice rising with urgency.

The guard hesitated, glancing toward the inner chambers where the daimyo was reading a scroll. After a moment of deliberation, he stepped aside. “Fine, but make it quick. The daimyo-sama is busy.”

Naruto wasted no time, sprinting down the hall and flinging open the doors to the meeting room. The daimyo, a middle-aged man with an air of authority, looked up in surprise, his advisors murmuring in confusion.

“Daimyo-sama!” Naruto shouted, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his insides. “You have to listen to me! There’s someone in your court who is trying to kill you!”

The daimyo raised an eyebrow, skepticism washing over his face. “What do you mean, Naruto-kun?”

“Those who hired assassins and attacked you at the festival. They wanted me to poison you!” Naruto explained, his words tumbling out in a rush. “But my uncle, Izuna, he’s waiting for the person behind it to show up, and he knows how to stop them!”

The sun rose over the Fire Capital, casting a warm glow that bathed the hotel room where Naruto anxiously awaited his uncle’s return. He had spent the night tossing and turning, the weight of their mission heavy on his mind. But deep down, he felt a sense of anticipation; he knew uncle Izuna would come back.

As the morning wore on, Naruto paced around the room, glancing out the window every few minutes. He had deliberately kept Izuna’s location a secret from the daimyo and his guards. Naruto trusted his uncle’s instincts and believed that he would know the best way to handle the situation.

Just as Naruto had expected, a familiar figure appeared outside. Izuna strode toward the hotel, a determined look on his face, and Naruto rushed to meet him, relief flooding his heart.

“Uncle!” Naruto called, sprinting to embrace him.

“I’m proud of you, Naruto,” Izuna said, his voice low but filled with warmth. “You did well.”

“Did you catch them?” Naruto asked eagerly, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby.

“Yes, and we have much to discuss,” Izuna replied, his expression growing serious. He stepped inside, followed by Tamiyo, who had been waiting outside.

“Daimyo-sama!” Naruto exclaimed, waving to the daimyo, who looked relieved to see both him and Izuna unharmed.

“Thank you for your courage, Naruto,” Daimyo said, his voice steady but filled with gratitude. “Izuna has informed me of the situation. It seems your uncle has uncovered some troubling news.”

“Yes,” Izuna interjected, “it was one of your cousins who captured me. He planned to eliminate you, so he could become the main advisor to your son once you were gone. He thought he could manipulate your son, who is still too young to realize what was happening, and through him, he would effectively rule the Fire Country.”

Naruto felt a chill run down his spine. “That’s horrible! What about the assassins?”

Izuna glanced at Daimyo, who nodded. “Izuna captured them alive and has them restrained nearby. My guards are on their way to the temple to secure the area and bring them here.”

“Good,” Naruto said, his determination unwavering. “We need to make sure they can’t escape and countinue with their plans.”

Izuna placed a hand on Naruto’s shoulder, pride shining in his eyes. “You’ve grown strong, Naruto. Your instincts are sharp.”

Daimyo turned to Izuna, gratitude evident on his face. “I cannot express how thankful I am for your timely intervention. If you hadn’t acted quickly, the consequences could have been dire for both my family and the country.”

“I did what needed to be done,” Izuna replied humbly.

Just then, a commotion sounded outside, and one of the guards rushed into the room, breathless. “Daimyo-sama! The captured assassins are being brought in now. They’re secure and ready for questioning.”

“Excellent,” Daimyo said, straightening up, his demeanor shifting into that of a leader. “We’ll get to the bottom of this right now. I want to know who else is involved in this plot.”

Naruto felt a thrill of excitement at the unfolding events. He was a part of something important, something that would change the course of their future.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Fire Capital, Izuna stood at the entrance of the hotel, ready to leave. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on his mind, but he felt a sense of relief knowing that Daimyo and his guards would handle the aftermath of the assassination plot. It was time for them to return to Konoha, and despite the urgency of their mission, Naruto's heart ached at the thought of leaving his new friends behind.

Naruto looked around at Kaito, Mei, and the others who had welcomed him with open arms. They had formed a bond in such a short time, laughing and sharing stories as they explored the bustling streets of the Fire Capital together. The thought of parting ways was almost unbearable.

As they gathered outside, tears filled the eyes of Naruto's friends. Kaito stepped forward, trying to hold back his emotions. “You can’t go! We just became friends!”

“I know,” Naruto replied, his voice thick with emotion. “But I promise I’ll write to you! I’ll come back for the next festival. We’ll have more fun together!”

Mei wiped her eyes, trying to smile through the tears. “You better keep your promise! We’ll be waiting for you!”

Naruto nodded, determined to keep his word. “I will! And when I come back, I’ll show you all the cool jutsu I’ve learned!”

Izuna observed the scene, his heart swelling with pride for Naruto. He had grown so much in such a short time, forming connections and displaying genuine empathy. “It’s important to remember the friends you make along the way,” he said, placing a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. “They will always be a part of you, no matter where you go.”

With a final wave, Naruto turned to his friends, his heart heavy. “Take care of yourselves! And remember, I’m just a letter away!” He promised to send updates about his life in Konoha and share his adventures, even if it meant writing by candlelight late into the night.

As they began to walk away, Kaito called out one last time. “Naruto! We’ll be waiting for you! Don’t forget us!”

“I won’t!” Naruto shouted back, his voice echoing in the evening air.

The journey back to Konoha felt different. Naruto was excited to see his home and share his adventures, but a part of him would always cherish the time he spent in the Fire Capital. He had not only grown stronger but also discovered the importance of friendship and loyalty.

As they walked the winding path back to Konoha, the sun began to rise higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The sound of rustling leaves and distant birdsong filled the air, creating a peaceful backdrop to their journey. Naruto, ever the energetic child, filled the silence with his animated chatter, recounting every detail of his time in the Fire Capital.

“... and then I showed Kaito how to make ramen! You should’ve seen his face when he tasted it! He was like, ‘This is amazing, Naruto!’ I really think I could open a ramen shop there one day!” Naruto exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Izuna chuckled, a fond smile on his face as he listened to his nephew’s enthusiasm. “I have no doubt you could make a name for yourself, Naruto. You certainly have a talent for cooking.”

Naruto grinned widely. “Yeah! And everyone was so nice. It felt great to be accepted for who I am, without any of that ‘bad kid’ talk. It’s different from Konoha.”

Izuna nodded, his expression turning more serious. “That’s exactly why I wanted you to experience the capital. It’s important to see that the world extends beyond our village. There are good people everywhere, and you don’t have to fight for recognition all the time.”

Naruto pondered this for a moment, the weight of Izuna’s words sinking in. “I guess I never thought about it that way. It’s nice knowing that not everyone judges me without really knowing me. I just want to make friends and be someone people can count on.”

“You already are,” Izuna said, looking at Naruto with pride. “Remember, you have the ability to make a difference in others' lives just by being yourself. That’s a strength not everyone possesses.”

They continued walking, the conversation flowing easily as Naruto shared more stories about his friends, the games they played, and the food they ate. He spoke of the festival’s dazzling fireworks and the laughter shared during the dancing competition. Each recollection painted a vivid picture of his adventures, and Izuna found himself enjoying the stories as much as Naruto enjoyed telling them.

Despite the uneventful nature of their journey, Naruto was content. There was a certain joy in the simple act of walking alongside his uncle, sharing thoughts and laughter. The bond between them felt stronger than ever, and for Naruto, this journey had become a cherished memory in itself.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape, they reached a familiar bend in the road that signaled they were close to Konoha. Naruto’s heart raced at the thought of returning home, but now he also carried with him the lessons he had learned in the capital.

“Uncle Izuna,” Naruto said, looking up with a determined expression, “I want to make sure everyone knows that I’m not just the ‘bad kid’ they think I am. I’ll show them what I can do!”

Izuna smiled, placing a hand on Naruto’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit, Naruto. Just remember, you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. The right people will see you for who you truly are.”

With renewed determination, Naruto quickened his pace, eager to get back to Konoha and share his experiences. As they approached the village gates, he felt a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. Would his friends be waiting for him? Would they be surprised by his tales of adventure?