Chapter 60: "Uzumaki" Is Truly a Great Name
Hearing Kinoshita Jirō's calm words, Kakashi's expression remained unchanged, though his single visible eye shifted toward Tazuna.
"This man named Jirō was injured some time ago," Tazuna's daughter explained softly as she stepped closer. "He's been recovering here with us and has helped out a lot during that time."
"I see," Kakashi murmured, his eyelid drooping slightly.
He recalled the conversation he had overheard when waking up earlier. Judging by Naruto and Sakura's relaxed demeanor, they hadn't noticed anything unusual. Only Sasuke seemed to be on guard.
"You're a shinobi, aren't you?" Kakashi said quietly.
The words froze the room instantly.
Sasuke's hand darted to his pouch, pulling out a kunai. He stood protectively in front of Kakashi, his black eyes fixed sharply on Jirō.
Naruto and Sakura hesitated for a moment, then followed Sasuke's lead, tense and ready. With Kakashi injured, any sudden attack would leave them vulnerable.
"No need for alarm, shinobi of Konoha," Jirō said gently, shaking his head. "If I had ill intent, I would have acted earlier."
Kakashi gave a small nod. He knew that was true — otherwise, there would have been no reason for him to speak up at all.
Jirō's expression stayed mild and polite, though inwardly he knew that earning Kakashi's trust was impossible. But as for the three genin — that was another matter.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. He slowly loosened his robe, revealing the scars crisscrossing his body.
Sasuke's eyes widened. Shock flickered across his face.
Naruto stared, speechless, while Sakura gasped and quickly covered her mouth.
From his shoulders to his torso, Jirō's skin was a map of torment — deep burns, jagged blade marks, and wounds carved by chakra-based attacks. It was a wonder he was even alive.
"If not for Miss Tsunami's help," Jirō said, turning toward Tazuna's daughter with quiet gratitude, "I'd have died long ago."
"No need to thank me," Tsunami replied coolly. "You woke up on your own before I could bury you. Just don't move around too much — if you collapse again, I won't take responsibility."
Jirō scratched his head sheepishly, a faintly embarrassed smile on his face.
"Jirō-san, were you attacked by other ninja?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Naruto!" Sakura hissed, tugging his sleeve. "You can't just ask something like that!"
Jirō chuckled lightly but didn't answer. Winning their trust required patience — reveal too much, and the mystery would be lost.
Sasuke, still cautious, asked, "Then which village do you belong to, Jirō-san?"
As everyone looked to him, Jirō smiled faintly.
"I suppose," he said softly, "you could call me a wandering shinobi now."
Kinoshita Jirō smiled faintly, though a shadow of sorrow crossed his face.
"What's a wandering ninja?" Naruto asked, blinking in confusion.
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered, giving him a look that could only be described as pitying.
"Bastard Sasuke! Who are you calling an idiot?!"
Naruto leapt up immediately, glaring furiously at his teammate.
"Alright, enough."
Kakashi sighed, covering his face with his hand.
"If you'd actually paid attention in class," Sakura said, exasperated as she yanked Naruto back down, "you'd know. A wandering ninja is someone who's lost their village or doesn't belong to one — they travel from place to place."
Jirō chuckled softly, scratching the back of his head. "I see… Though I know you're here for a mission, may I ask if there's another reason you came to this country?"
Sasuke's lips twitched slightly. Was this man seriously questioning them so openly? Even if they did have another purpose, who would admit it?
Sakura felt a headache coming on. She glanced between the mild, almost naive-looking Jirō and the grinning fool that was Naruto.
Why did they both seem so dense?
"Don't worry, old man, we don't have any secret motives! I'm Uzumaki Naruto — the man who's gonna be Hokage someday!"
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. He already liked Jirō; after all, this man hadn't once looked at him with the same disdain others did.
"Uzumaki… what a great name," Jirō murmured, his voice filled with quiet awe, though a touch of melancholy glimmered in his eyes.
"A great name?" Sakura repeated softly, glancing at Naruto in confusion. She didn't see anything particularly special about it.
Even Sasuke frowned slightly. He'd always assumed "Uzumaki" was just some small clan — but from Jirō's tone, it sounded like there was more to it.
Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed faintly, but he said nothing.
"Old man, do you know something?" Naruto suddenly burst out, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. His blue eyes shone with a desperate hope.
No one had ever told him that the name Uzumaki meant anything. He'd always thought it was just… ordinary. But now someone had called it "great." Maybe — just maybe — this man knew something about his parents.
Seeing Naruto's expression, Jirō raised a brow, a look of mild surprise on his face. "Hasn't anyone told you before?"
He pointed toward Kakashi's flak jacket, where a red spiral was embroidered on the back.
"Every Konoha uniform carries the symbol of the Uzumaki Clan. It represents the alliance between your village and the Land of Whirlpools."
"At that time," Jirō continued, "the clan head of Uzushiogakure, Uzumaki Ashina, signed a friendship pact with the First Hokage — Senju Hashirama. It's a story known throughout shinobi history."
As his words faded, both Sasuke and Sakura exchanged astonished looks.
They were from Konoha — yet they had never once heard this piece of history.
(End of Chapter)
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