ＮｅｇｌｅｃｔｅｄＮａｒｕｔｏ Ｕｃｈｉｈａ Ｓｅｎｊｕ

Chapter 33

In the heart of the bustling city, Naruto and Naruko found themselves in their shared loft, surrounded by a sea of scrolls and mission reports. The echoes of their recent mission to Wave Country played like a movie in their minds, each scene meticulously analyzed. A silent understanding passed between them as they remembered their trials together.

An unexpected knock on their door interrupted their deep dive into the mission's details. Naruto, ever the quick one, rose to answer it. Standing outside was a figure shrouded in mystery, dressed in the unmistakable uniform of an ANBU operative.

The operative's voice, muffled by the mask, carried an air of authority. "Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze and Naruko Uzumaki Namikaze, the Hokage summons you."

Intrigued and duty-bound, the siblings followed the operative, leaving their apartment and traversing the familiar streets of their village, the soft rustling of leaves their only companion.

The Hokage's office was a storm of tension. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, sat behind his desk, flanked by his wife, Kushina Uzumaki, and her brother Shanks Uzumaki. The trio shared worried glances, awaiting the arrival of Naruto and Naruko.

Shanks, a man whose stature spoke of countless battles, leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His daughter, Mito, stood by his side, her eyes a mirror of her resolve. The room's atmosphere was further amplified by the presence of the ANBU operative, who stood guard near the entrance.

As Naruto and Naruko entered, Minato and Kushina shared a reassuring nod. Kushina stepped forward with her fiery red hair starkly contrasting the room's somber mood. She introduced Shanks and Mito, her smile a beacon of warmth in the tense room.

"Naruto, Naruko, meet your uncle Shanks Uzumaki and your cousin Mito Uzumaki," she said.

Shanks extended a hand, his weathered face a testament to his adventures. "I'm Shanks Uzumaki," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his experiences. "We might not share the same seas, but the spirit of the Uzumaki runs strong in all of us."

Mito, standing beside Shanks, introduced herself. "I'm Mito Uzumaki," she said, her voice steady and composed. "Your cousin. I've trained alongside my father."

The room filled with unity as Naruto and Naruko met their newfound family members. The Uzumaki family, it seemed, extended beyond the borders of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Minato, the Fourth Hokage, gathered the team in his office. Yamato and Kiyomi, who were the same age as Naruto and Naruko, listened attentively as Minato shared the news.

"Yamato, Kiyomi," Minato began, "we have new members joining your team. Shanks Uzumaki and his daughter Mito will accompany you in your future endeavors. They bring a unique set of skills that will complement your strengths." Kiyomi and Yamato nodded their head.

Training Ground 7

As the team reached Training Ground 7, Yamato took the initiative to introduce everyone. After the introductions, all eyes turned to the new members, Shanks Uzumaki and his daughter, Mito Uzumaki.

Shanks stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "My name is Shanks Uzumaki," he began, his voice carrying a depth that hinted at the experiences he had faced. "My likes are my daughter and family. My dislikes are people who kill others without remorse. My goal is to make my family complete."

Then, Mito, standing beside Shanks, introduced herself. "My name is Mito Uzumaki," she said, her voice steady and composed. "My likes are my father and Jiji and training with them. My dislikes are rapists and bad people. My goal is to become the strongest Kunoichi in the world."

Naruto, Naruko, Yamato, and Kiyomi listened attentively, gaining a deeper understanding of their new team members. The shared knowledge brought them closer as a team, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

After the introductions, Shanks took a step back, his eyes scanning over Naruto, Naruko, Mito, and Kiyomi. A small smile played on his lips as he made his next move.

"All right, kids," he began, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "How about a friendly spar? I want to see what you've got."

The request took them by surprise, but they quickly composed themselves. They knew this was a chance to learn from an experienced shinobi. With a nod of agreement, they prepared themselves for the match, their spirits high and ready for the challenge.

Just then, Yamato, who had been quietly observing, suddenly jumped onto a nearby tree, ready to watch the friendly spar from a vantage point.

Naruto, Naruko, Mito, and Kiyomi stepped forward, ready to spar with Shanks. Despite their best efforts, they found themselves easily defeated by the experienced shinobi. Shanks moved with a fluidity and precision that spoke volumes about his years of training and battles.

During the spar, Shanks noticed something unusual. He could sense the release of Haki in Naruto. This was a rare and powerful ability that marked a significant milestone in a shinobi's journey.

After the spar, Shanks turned to Naruto, a look of approval in his eyes. "You've got potential, Naruto," he said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "You also have Haki, and you are nearly at Jonin level in strength,"

Shanks then turned his attention to Naruko, Mito, and Kiyomi. "As for the three of you," he said, his gaze assessing their abilities, "you are at a high Chunin level in strength."

Naruto asked curiously, "What is Haki?"

Shanks turned to Naruto, acknowledging his curiosity. "Haki," he began, "is a mysterious power that allows users to utilize their spiritual energy for various purposes. It's present in every living being, but most people don't notice or fail to awaken it."

"There are three different types of Haki," Shanks continued. "Observation Haki allows you to sense people's spiritual energy and predict their actions. Armament Haki gives you a protective coating of spiritual energy. And then there's Conqueror's Haki, which only a certain group of 'chosen ones' can use to overpower the willpower of others."

"Haki is not different from what humans can naturally sense, such as presence, fighting spirit, and intimidation. The act of not doubting is strength. It's quite difficult to master, and usually, it's awakened through proper instruction and intense training."

"But remember, Naruto," Shanks added, "Haki is more than just a power. It's a manifestation of your willpower and ambition. It's about strengthening yourself and protecting those you care about." He gave Naruto a firm nod, signaling the end of his explanation. "That's what Haki is all about."

According to your sensei's report, Shanks added, "You unlocked it during the Wave mission."

Shanks looked at Naruto, a determined look in his eyes. "I'm going to train you in Haki, Naruto," he declared.

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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Signing out Peace,

Nouhith.