Naruto: The Medical God

Hiroshi placed a firm yet gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder once more, a rare, genuine smile appearing on his face.

"Well, this kid… he's everything a ninja needs to be."

Naruto blinked, his eyes widening slightly as he looked up at Hiroshi. The warmth in the man's voice was unexpected, unfamiliar even, but it wasn't unwelcomed.

"When faced with danger, he didn't run away… he didn't leave his comrade to face death alone." Hiroshi's gaze softened, filled with something Naruto hadn't often seen directed at him—respect.

"His Will of Fire is strong… stronger than a lot of ninjas today."

The clearing was silent, the weight of Hiroshi's words settling over the gathered shinobi. Even the Anbu, who had remained impassive until now, seemed to regard Naruto in a new light.

Hiroshi's hand remained on Naruto's shoulder for a moment longer before he continued, his voice steady and filled with conviction.

"He is strong, brave, and, most importantly… he is determined. He's not just determined to become stronger, but to protect his friends... his village."

His words echoed in the silence, each one carrying the weight of absolute belief. Naruto, who had never received such praise from someone like Hiroshi, felt his throat tighten.

"That's why…" Hiroshi slowly withdrew his hand from Naruto's shoulder, stepping forward. He lowered his head in a small bow toward the Third Hokage.

"That's why I believe he should be promoted to Genin."

The clearing remained still, the flames in the distance crackling softly as all eyes turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, waiting for his response.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard thoughtfully, his wise eyes studying Hiroshi for a moment. Then, almost immediately, he gave a small nod.

"Mhmm…"

Without hesitation, he turned toward the Anbu with the hawk mask.

"Go take a Leaf Ninja headband," the Hokage ordered, his tone firm yet carrying an undeniable warmth.

The Anbu didn't question the command. With a swift nod, he disappeared in a blur of motion.

Naruto, who had been standing still just moments before, felt something unfamiliar rise in his chest—a strange, overwhelming warmth. His breath hitched, his hands clenched into fists.

He… he was going to become a true ninja!

His body trembled slightly, not from fear, not from exhaustion, but from sheer, uncontainable excitement.

"Thank… thank you, Old Third!" Naruto said, his voice trembling with pure emotion. He turned toward Hiroshi, his bright blue eyes shining. "Thank you, Shin's dad! Really, thank you a lot! I… I don't know how to repay you!"

Hiroshi looked at the boy, at his wide, toothy grin, at the way his whole body seemed to vibrate with happiness. It was such a simple thing—just a boy achieving his dream—but the raw, unfiltered joy in Naruto's expression made something stir deep within him.

A feeling he hadn't experienced in so long…

The joy of making someone else happy.

It was a warmth he had locked away, buried beneath years of bitterness and loss. Ever since his wife had died, he had closed off his emotions, even to his only son, Shin. He had completed missions with ruthless efficiency, indifferent to collateral damage. After all, what was the point of protecting the innocent when his wife had lost her life trying to do just that? Why should he repeat the same mistake?

But now…

"I was wrong," Hiroshi thought, a deep warmth spreading in his chest.

A small, yet genuine smile—one he had long forgotten how to wear—formed on his lips. His heart felt… lighter.

"Sorry, Ran…" he murmured inwardly, his eyes softening. "You were right all along… Helping people really does feel good. It makes you feel… better."

For the first time in years, Hiroshi felt as if a weight had been lifted. And as he looked at Naruto's uncontainable excitement, he let out a quiet chuckle.

"You don't need to repay me, kid," he said, ruffling Naruto's hair lightly. "Just keep moving forward. That'll be enough."

Shin stepped forward. He placed a firm hand on Naruto's shoulder, his emerald eyes locking onto Naruto's bright blue ones, filled not with surprise or doubt, but with pure, unshakable pride.

"You did it, Naruto," Shin said, his voice steady yet filled with warmth.

Naruto's face lit up instantly, his grin so wide it nearly split his face in two. "Yeah… I did it!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. But then, his expression softened, and he turned toward Shin with genuine gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks to you as well, Shin!"

Shin blinked, slightly taken aback. "Huh? Thanks to me?"

"Yeah!" Naruto nodded eagerly, his voice growing more emotional with every word. "You were the one who taught me how to control my crazy chakra, even if just a little… You helped me finally pull off the Clone Jutsu when no one else believed I could! Without that, I wouldn't have been able to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his eyes filled with emotion. "And more than that… you were always there for me, Shin. Even if you hated me at first, ignored me, pushed me away, or looked at me like I was nothing… you then made up for it. You stood by me, trained with me, treated me like an equal, like—" His voice caught for a moment before he grinned even brighter. "Like a real friend."

Shin stared at him, his breath catching slightly. Naruto's words carried so much weight, so much raw, unfiltered sincerity that it was impossible to brush off. He had always known Naruto was strong in spirit, but hearing just how much their bond had meant to him…

Shin tightened his grip on Naruto's shoulder, his usual calm expression shifting into something softer, more heartfelt. "You are a real friend, Naruto," he said, his voice quieter but firm, filled with conviction. "And you always will be."

Shin opened his mouth, about to speak, when he was suddenly pulled into a firm, almost desperate embrace.

"Sorry, Shin…" Hiroshi's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of years of regret. "I've… I've been a terrible father."

Shin's body stiffened in shock. "Father?" His mind reeled at the sudden display of emotion, but as he looked up and saw the tears streaming down his father's face—real, unrestrained tears—his surprise turned into concern.

"I've… I've neglected you," Hiroshi continued, his grip tightening as if afraid that letting go would mean losing this moment forever. "I never taught you anything… I was never there for you, even when you needed me the most."

The hug wasn't just strong—it was filled with a love Hiroshi had suppressed for so long, a love he had denied himself in his grief and anger. And for the first time, Shin felt it. He felt the warmth, the raw emotion, the undeniable proof that his father truly, deeply cared.

This… This was what he had always wanted.

Shin slowly raised his arms and wrapped them around his father in return, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. "Father… You weren't a terrible father."

Hiroshi pulled back slightly, his teary eyes searching Shin's face. "Really?" he asked, almost afraid to believe it.

A small smirk tugged at Shin's lips, and with a light chuckle, he shrugged. "Well… let's just say you were an above-average bad father."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

"Hahahaha!" Naruto immediately burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as if the joke had physically hit him.

"Hohoho," the Third Hokage chuckled, his wise old eyes twinkling with amusement. Even a few Anbu, despite their usual stoic demeanor, let out brief snickers.

Hiroshi blinked. Then he laughed. A real, genuine laugh—one he hadn't felt in years.

As he looked at Shin, at the warmth in his son's eyes, at the connection they had finally forged, he realized something.

This—this—was the relationship he had always wanted with his son. He had been too blind to see it before, too consumed by his pain to reach for it. But now?

Now, he wasn't letting it go.

The Anbu with the Hawk mask finally returned, the Leaf Ninja headband held firmly in his grasp. But as he stepped into the clearing, he immediately sensed the shift in atmosphere.

The air was warm. Laughter echoed softly, the sight of the infamous Hiroshi hugging his son still lingering in the air. Even the Third Hokage, usually solemn in moments like these, bore an unmistakable smile.

The Anbu tilted his head slightly. What did I miss?

Without another word, he walked up to the Third Hokage and silently presented the headband.

Hiruzen took it with a nod of thanks before turning—not to Naruto, as everyone expected—but to Hiroshi.

"Hiroshi," the Hokage said, his voice filled with warmth. "I'll give you the honor of promoting Naruto."

Hiroshi blinked in mild surprise but quickly understood. His expression softened as he took the headband from Hiruzen's hands. With slow steps, he approached Naruto. Then the legendary war hero of Konoha bent down onto one knee, lowering himself to Naruto's height.

He stretched the headband forward and met Naruto's wide, glistening blue eyes.

"Naruto Uzumaki…" Hiroshi's voice was steady yet filled with something profound. Something heavy. Something proud.

With careful hands, he tied the headband firmly around Naruto's forehead, securing it in place. Then, with a final glance into those determined, unwavering eyes, he spoke:

"I, Hamada Hiroshi, Konoha's Ashen Blade, declare you…"

He pulled his hands away, letting the metal plate gleam in the firelight as Naruto stood before him, looking every bit the part of a true shinobi.

"A ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village!"

To be continued...

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How was this chapter? Liked it?

This was the last chapter of this arc, from the next, Shin's adventures will continue again with his ninja team. Also, liked this ending? Too emotional?

Be sure to check out my original novel Hyperborea!