Naruto: Breaking limits

Chapter 7

The next morning, Kushina woke abruptly, her eyes snapping open as she sat up quickly. To her side, Naomi was waiting, concern etched on her face.

Kushina: "What happened?" 

Kushina asked, still disoriented.

Naomi: "You had a panic attack," 

Naomi explained

Naomi: "and Kiko knocked you out to calm you down."

As the events of the previous day rushed back to her, Kushina remembered the intense discussions and confrontations. Then it hit her—the revelations about the masked man, and her sudden realization about his connection to the night of the Kyuubi attack overwhelmed her.

Kushina: "Where is Naruto?" 

Kushina asked urgently, a sense of determination in her voice. Naomi sighed, a mixture of resignation and frustration in her tone. 

Naomi: "It's best to just leave him alone," 

she advised. Kushina shook her head adamantly. 

Kushina: "No, I need to talk to him. He needs help," 

she insisted, driven by a newfound understanding of her son's past and the burdens he carried. Naomi looked at her mother with disbelief and confusion. 

Naomi: "Since when does he need help? He practically saved all of us from Zabuza and beat Menma and Sasuke like it was nothing," 

she argued, pointing out Naruto's evident strength and capability. Kushina knew her daughter was right—Naruto had demonstrated his formidable abilities, showing no signs of needing any help in dealing with threats. Yet, the emotional and psychological scars that had surfaced the previous day could not be ignored. Despite this, Kushina also knew the delicate nature of her relationship with Naruto. He harbored deep-seated resentment towards her, and any wrong move could push him further away, or worse, provoke his anger.

Understanding the complexity of the situation, Kushina was torn. She knew approaching Naruto could be dangerous, especially if he perceived her actions as insincere or manipulative. Nonetheless, the mother in her couldn't just stand by without trying to reach out, hoping to bridge the vast chasm that had formed between them over the years. She felt a compelling need to connect with her son, to offer support and understanding, even if the offer came with great personal risk.

Naruto was outside, smoking a cigarette. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling, feeling a bit of relaxation wash over him. He didn't smoke often—only when he was on a particularly difficult mission or extremely pissed off. Right now, he was definitely pissed off.

Naruto (holding the cigarette): "I wonder how the old hag is doing?"

Menma: "Hey, loser!"

Naruto groaned, annoyed by the little shit stain.

Naruto: "Yes, micro bitch?"

Menma clenched his fists in anger as Naruto calmly took another drag from his cigarette.

Menma: "Watch your mouth, you disgrace, unless—"

Naruto (puffing out smoke): "Or what? You'll beat me, humiliate me, destroy me? Trust me, bitch, many have tried. Even the Nibi Jinchuriki couldn't, so what makes you think you could?"

Menma growled and started to channel Kyuubi chakra.

Menma: "I'll make sure that bitch of a daughter sees her daddy moun—AGGH!!!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Naruto vanished in the blink of an eye and appeared with his knee deep in Menma's crotch. The impact lifted Menma off the ground and he fell back, clutching his groin in pain, unable to make a sound. As Menma lay on his back, writhing in agony, Naruto stomped on his face, causing the ground to crack like a spiderweb and leaving Menma with a twisted, broken nose and unconscious.