The addition of Yakumo Kurama to Konoha could be seen as a tremendous boon for Naruto's future plans.
When Naruto met her, he briefly introduced his purpose and even hinted at his identity as the Fourth Hokage's son.
Although Yakumo was stunned by the revelation, she still chose to help him—after all, Naruto was the one who had given her a new life.
In truth, all Naruto asked was for her to join his organization. He even told her outright that they would one day leave Konoha. As for avenging the village later—he and Sasuke would handle that.
Konoha was already rotting from within. To be reborn, it first had to be tempered by fire.
Yakumo herself held little affection for the village. In the original timeline, she had even attacked the Hokage Building with her kekkei genkai.
For now, Yakumo's matter was settled. Naruto advised her to walk the path of martial arts, since that would temper her body.
The alternative—deepening her reliance on chakra—risked her health. Though she was far stronger than before, her body still carried hidden dangers.
So, Naruto handed her a martial arts cultivation method and instructed her to train diligently. As for her lingering physical problems, he treated them as part of her own natural healing as she grew stronger.
And if anyone dared to interfere? Their claws would be cut off.
With only a few months left until graduation, Naruto no longer wished to linger in this place. Every time he caught sight of the villagers' hateful stares, murderous intent welled up inside him.
Had he not been a registered academy student, he knew the villagers would still torment him the way they had when he was younger.
If it were the Naruto of the original story, he would have borne those sneers and glares until graduation. But this Naruto was different.
That day, Naruto escorted Yakumo back home.
Her parents had long since passed away, and she usually lived alone. Occasionally, Kurenai Yūhi would stop by to look after her.
"Yakumo, go on inside," Naruto said with a smile as they reached her door.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun. Without you, there wouldn't be a new me," Yakumo replied softly. For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile graced her face.
Since Ido had been subdued, the shadow in her heart had finally lifted. Naruto had told her the truth about her parents' deaths—and even given her hope that, perhaps one day, they could be brought back.
From that moment on, Yakumo's loyalty to him was absolute.
Just as Naruto was about to leave, a woman approached. She had black, wavy hair and striking crimson eyes, though her expression carried a trace of confusion. Her slender figure was accentuated by the simple bandages she wore as a dress.
"Yūhi-sensei! You're here?" Yakumo exclaimed in surprise and delight.
Naruto turned to look at the woman as well. Compared to Hinata and the other girls, whose beauty still carried a youthful innocence, Kurenai exuded a mature allure.
If Naruto had to describe her, the words would be: graceful and refined. She wasn't merely beautiful—she was captivating.
No wonder Asuma had fallen for her.
What a pity, though…
A flower like that, blooming in cow dung.
Kurenai Yūhi stepped forward, a flicker of confusion in her crimson eyes, as if wondering how Uzumaki Naruto knew Yakumo Kurama.
"Hello, I'm Yakumo's new friend. She's really talented at painting!"
Naruto greeted with a smile. An almost intangible warmth radiated from him, enough to ease the faint wariness in Kurenai's heart.
Yakumo, meanwhile, suddenly heard Naruto's voice echo in her mind. She blinked in surprise, then quickly understood after his brief explanation.
Playing along, she said, "Yūhi-sensei, this is my new friend!"
Kurenai was taken aback. Because of Yakumo's frail health, she had never made friends. For her to introduce someone this way was completely unexpected. A trace of warmth rose in Kurenai's heart, though Naruto's identity made her cautious.
Still, she couldn't ignore how unusually cheerful Yakumo seemed today. Perhaps it was truly because she had found a friend.
"Teacher, this is Uzumaki Naruto! Naruto, this is my teacher, Kurenai Yūhi," Yakumo introduced politely. She didn't realize that Naruto knew far more about Kurenai than she did.
In the past, Yakumo had harbored resentment toward both Kurenai and the Third Hokage, believing they had wanted her dead. But after learning the truth and accepting a new life, she let go of those grudges.
"Hello, Sister Yūhi," Naruto said obediently, bowing slightly.
The affectionate address made Kurenai's lips curve upward. After all, what woman disliked being called "sister"?
"Hello, Naruto. Yakumo has never had friends before, so it makes me happy to see you two getting along."
Yakumo, who had once been cold and expressionless, now looked brighter, her demeanor softened. Kurenai couldn't discern the real reason for her change and simply assumed Yakumo was delighted to have made a friend. For so long, Yakumo had rejected the idea of friendship, and few ever reached out to her. This was truly something positive.
"I'm glad too," Naruto replied warmly. "Yakumo, Sister Yūhi—see you next time."
His gentle smile left Kurenai momentarily dazed. She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, watching Naruto until he disappeared down the path.
Only then did she turn back to Yakumo. "Yakumo, have you come to terms with it?"
"Yes," Yakumo answered softly. "I don't want to be a shinobi anymore."
But in her heart, she thought: I won't become a ninja, but Naruto-kun said I can be a martial artist instead.
For the longest time, Yakumo had wanted to be a shinobi only so she wouldn't feel useless. But now, she had regained her health and could even support Naruto. Whether through being a ninja or a martial artist, what mattered was becoming someone who could stand by his side.
Though Naruto rarely spoke much, Yakumo's strong spiritual sensitivity allowed her to sense emotions deeply. She could tell he harbored resentment toward Konoha—and that many villagers directed malice toward him.
Her change was undeniable. Hearing Yakumo's calm decision, Kurenai smiled gently.
It was good that she had let go. After all, the path of a shinobi was never easy. With Yakumo's condition, surviving on the battlefield would have been impossible. How could her comrades be expected to carry her?
The life of a ninja was filled with cruelty.
What a pity, though, for Yakumo's rare kekkei genkai.
Kurenai's heart grew complicated. She remembered a time when she had envied the girl—why had she needed to work so hard for abilities that Yakumo had been born with? Genjutsu mastery, illusory worlds… techniques she herself could never hope to attain.
But once she learned of Yakumo's suffering, that jealousy faded completely. What replaced it was sympathy—and, surprisingly, genuine affection.
...
TN:
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