Naruto: The Forest's Chosen (Mori Mori No Mi)

"There's nothing in this world that I don't understand."

"…Also, let me give you a word of advice. You'll be facing a crisis soon."

Menma rested his chin on his hand, quietly feeling the changes taking place within his body.

A strange blend of his own voice and the deeper, ancient tone of the Sage of Six Paths echoed in his mind.

Menma spoke coldly, "You're talking about the Book of the Vermillion Moon, aren't you?"

"The enemy has already made their move," came the voice—half Six Paths, half Naruto.

"I see… no need to panic. Once the heart is synchronized, everything will fall into place."

"The advantage… is mine."

Meanwhile – Border of the Land of Grass

Might Guy and Kakashi were sitting cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation.

"…Honestly, I'd like a break too. I'm not that young anymore," Guy muttered with a rare sigh.

Minato gave a slight nod. "Kakashi, use your Sharingan to scout ahead."

Kakashi slowly opened one eye and exhaled. "Sorry, Minato-sensei. I pushed myself too far… the Sharingan's worn out."

"Hey, where's Naruto?" Kushina suddenly asked, looking around.

Everyone turned—Naruto was missing.

Below the ridge, Naruto strolled across the grassy plain like he was on a casual walk… except he was moving alarmingly fast.

Boom—

A puff of smoke erupted ahead.

The Three Great Toads of Mount Myōboku appeared, landing heavily in front of Naruto.

Kushina and the others rushed after him, Guy supporting the exhausted Kakashi.

"You little brat, Naruto—!" Guy yelled, exasperated.

Suddenly, dozens of small toads dropped from the sky, landing before Naruto.

Naruto glanced down at one. "You guys in such a rush to deliver skewers or something?"

"It's too noisy!!" Gamabunta bellowed as he drew the massive ninjatō on his back.

He opened his mouth wide—Toad Oil Bomb!

Buzz—

A sudden surge of repulsive force exploded outward.

Naruto stood still, unmoved.

"…Let's just wrap up the mission already."

The repulsion blew the toads back, crashing them into the mountainside.

Tsunade—no, Tagorihime—had nagged him about this mission all night.

So, he went for a walk.

"I used to think Konoha was the whole world… but it turns out there's a complete shinobi world out there."

"Heh… old man Rikudō sure has a few tricks left."

"Naruto!!" Everyone was stunned.

In a single confrontation, he'd sent the toads of Mount Myōboku flying?

Kushina rushed forward to check on him. Naruto wasn't even scratched.

Then came the Iron Fist of Love.

Bang—!

A clean, resonant hit. Classic opening move.

"Is this your rebellious phase?!"

"Why won't you listen to your mother?"

"You think you can defy me? You're a hundred years too early!"

Still, Kushina touched his head again, more gently this time.

"Did that hurt?"

"I'm sorry… Mom didn't mean to hit you."

Minato stepped in, trying to defuse the situation.

"Kushina, didn't we agree yesterday? Let's not interfere with this kid's decisions too much."

"But… what he just did was way too dangerous!" Kushina protested.

Naruto didn't react. He simply grabbed the hand resting on his head.

He glanced down—Kushina's fists were red.

Not because she hit hard—but because her punch had been repelled.

"Sorry, Naruto…"

"It's fine. Let's go. The Book of the Vermillion Moon is up ahead."

"Huh?" Kushina blinked. Minato looked puzzled.

In the blink of an eye, Kushina's swollen hand returned to normal.

This was Naruto's first mission with Minato and Kushina.

Well, more like two half-formed Team Sevens.

Minato, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura.

He wondered what Sasuke was doing today. He hadn't shown up for any missions lately.

Might Guy and Kakashi exchanged a glance.

Then Kakashi slumped again, fainting from chakra exhaustion.

Guy sighed and continued supporting him.

Sakura, meanwhile, had almost zero presence…

The group moved deeper into the forest and arrived at the ancient shrine where the Book of the Vermillion Moon was sealed.

Minato narrowed his eyes and crouched.

"This is a mix of space-time ninjutsu and a barrier seal."

"Only Jiraiya-sensei and I can undo it."

He raised his hand—two fingers extended in a seal—and pointed at the shrine.

His golden hair fluttered despite the still air.

Buzz—

A wave of chakra pulsed outward like a shockwave—gentle, but forceful.

"Release!"

Whoosh—

Instantly, all the unconscious toads from Mount Myōboku vanished.

With the seal undone, the shrine doors slowly opened.

"Thanks for the effort. The Book of the Vermillion Moon is recovered."

Might Guy hoisted Kakashi over his shoulder again and turned to leave.

Minato and Kushina exchanged a smile.

"Hey Naruto… how'd you do that earlier?"

"I don't know. I just didn't want the toad to get near me—and that power came out on its own."

Kushina and Minato exchanged glances. It was hard to believe... but Naruto was telling the truth.

"Alright, time to head back. Tagorihime will worry if we're late."

As Kushina stretched her back, she threw an arm around Naruto's shoulders.

"Naruto, tell Mom honestly—how many are there?"

Naruto blinked. "How many what?"

"Really! You're such a sneaky kid~!"

"Sister Tagorihime wasn't in a good mood today... I need to hurry back and make something special tonight~"

"Minato! Bamboo Shoots!"

"Here!" Minato replied with a grin, snapping into a salute.

Not wanting to ruin the mood, Naruto followed suit and mirrored his father.

"Target: Konoha! Move out!"

"Roger that~!" x2

Might Guy watched as the family of three vanished at top speed, far beyond his own.

He sighed. "Kakashi, you okay back there?"

"Of course, I'm—" Kakashi didn't even finish before he slumped over again.

Afternoon — Hokage Office

Tsunade adjusted her glasses as she looked at the group before her.

"This way, Jiraiya can rest easy."

Kakashi, now recovered somewhat, stepped forward.

"If that's the case—then we should mobilize the assault team at once!"

"That masked bastard—!"

Tsunade turned her gaze toward the Book of the Vermilion Moon, now secured in a reinforced box.

"No. We need to wait."

"There's more to the prophecy. To open this book, we have to wait until the moon turns vermilion. Until then, I'll safeguard it personally."

"You're dismissed for now. Rest up."

"Understood." x2

After Kakashi and Guy left the office, the previously stern Hokage let out a quiet sigh.

She glanced briefly at Naruto, then turned away again.

"Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to go?"

Naruto didn't reply. He hopped onto her desk, sitting with a relaxed air as if seeing her for the first time.

He reached out, gently lifting her chin.

"To take you home, obviously."

"This book might not mean much… but it's still dangerous if it falls into the masked man's hands."

"I don't want you facing that risk alone."

Tsunade didn't pull away this time. She simply looked to the side, her voice soft with quiet frustration.

"Going home with you… that's the real danger."

Naruto took her hand gently.

"Hiss—! That hurts~!" she hissed.

Tsunade glared at him, cheeks flushed.

Without missing a beat, Naruto wrapped her in a firm hug.

"Come on. Mom's making soup tonight."

Tsunade's face went crimson in seconds.

She leaned limply against his chest. "Don't get cocky. I'm still the Fifth Hokage~!"

"You said it."

Smiling, Naruto reached over and gently placed the Hokage hat on her head.

Tsunade: "…"

Later, at Hinata's place—

"Naruto~"

Hinata greeted him softly. "Has Kitty been sleeping all day?"

She pouted. "Teacher Iruka scolded the class again…"

"Want to come home with me?"

"Mhm~"

In the next room, Tenten was lying on her bed flipping through a ninja tool catalog.

"Go home."

"Naruto~!" She turned in surprise.

Naruto froze—then turned away with a dry cough as she sat up to dress.

"…Thanks~"

Baji—

Outside, Kushina and Minato peeked from behind the kitchen doorway, watching three girls appear one after the other.

Kushina clenched her fists.

"Minato, if I see Sasuke again, don't stop me next time!"

Minato gave a helpless smile. "Aren't you actually kind of proud?"

"One thing at a time!" she huffed. "Hmph~!"

"Right, didn't you say we were making soup?" Minato said, changing the topic.

Kushina glanced at the fridge.

"Minato, we need a bigger fridge. And a larger table."

"No problem," he nodded. "It's about time, anyway."

Naruto left again.

His face was probably going to go numb tonight.

Which meant the heart fusion was complete.

Time to retrieve it.

And the Nine-Tails—Kurama—was going to power up soon, too.

After Menma and Kokoro died together, Fishman Island was next.

Besides, the three girls needed a break after yesterday's fight.

At the flower shop.

"Naruto? What are you doing here?"

Ino turned around from where she was arranging a bouquet.

"I missed you. So I came."

Her cheeks flushed.

So straightforward… But if Hinata finds out, she'll definitely be mad.

Naruto looked around the shop, then picked out a single jasmine flower.

He walked over and gently placed it in Ino's hand.

"I'll settle the bill later."

And with a smile, he turned and walked out.

Jasmine means: "You are mine."

For Naruto, it wasn't just a sweet gesture—it was a declaration. Even if it was under a limited Tsukuyomi, she was his.

Ino understood the meaning perfectly.

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she quickly masked her reaction with a gentle smile.

"Thank you~"

Naruto grinned. He always enjoyed watching her try to keep her composure—even when she was clearly flustered inside.

He reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Will you come home with me?"

This time, it wasn't a casual question to the group. It was meant just for her.

There was something about his voice, the way he looked at her—it was like he could see straight through her. Like he could touch her soul.

Ino's eyes wavered. Her heart thumped against her chest.

She bit her lip lightly.

Damn it, Naruto... you're holding all the cards...

"Yo~"

A teasing voice broke the moment.

"Young love, huh? So bold~"

Ino nearly jumped. "Mom!"

Yamanaka Rino chuckled as she walked into the room, clearly having watched everything. "Come on now, don't make me the bad guy. If I stay any longer, Hinata's going to come scold me too."

Naruto bowed politely. "Aunt Rino."

She waved him off with a smirk. "Go on then, kid. Before things get out of hand."

"I'm home."

Naruto pushed open the door.

"Dried bamboo shoots~ Where've you been this time?"

Hinata's voice floated over from the living room. She lay lazily on the sofa, eyes meeting his.

She looked like she didn't even want to lift a finger.

"Hmph! Whatever! None of you are stronger than me anyway. Ants, the lot of you! I will be the queen!"

From the kitchen, a head peeked out.

Kushina blinked, then turned to Minato with a whisper:

"Minato... this kid Naruto... he's way better than Sasuke."

Then she smiled softly, "I'll make him some soup later~"

Meanwhile, outside the village...

"The Book of the Red Moon, huh?"

Menma's voice was low, laced with amusement.

A moment later, nine masked figures appeared behind him, each with animalistic masks and a suffocating presence.

The Nine Masked Beasts.

Their codenames mirrored the infamous Akatsuki:

Blue. White. Red. Black. Space. South. North. Three. Jade.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Menma smirked.

"Well then... let me give you a welcome gift."

...

TN:

In this novel, most of the names used by the author are the Chinese versions of the original canon names, so there might be a lot of mistakes or confusion. I'll try to keep this issue under control as much as possible, but I might miss a few—please be patient and supportive. Thanks~

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