Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

Suu reached into her pocket, pulling out the small vial of purple liquid—the banned Yamanaka enhancement drug. Without hesitation, she downed it in one gulp, grimacing immediately.

"Ugh, somehow it's even more disgusting than last night!" she muttered, sticking her tongue out dramatically.

Kenshin and Tsunade exchanged glances before chuckling softly. "You're way too reckless for a therapist," Kenshin quipped.

"And you're too serious for a teenager," Suu shot back with a grin.

Kenshin extended his hands toward her, and Suu took them into hers, her expression shifting to one of calm focus. With a flicker of chakra, she activated her jutsu. The bedroom faded away, replaced by the serene cherry blossom garden of Kenshin's mindscape.

As they stood in the middle of the garden, Suu noticed the tension on Kenshin's face as he braced himself. Deciding to ease the mood, she smiled and said, "Before we dive in, why don't you tell me how your stay at the Hokage's residence went? I'm curious."

Kenshin blinked in surprise at the question but decided to go along with it. "Well, my night was good. Tsunade-sama and Shizune-san were very hospitable. Shizune's cooking turned out to be excellent, and they even prepared a room right next to Tsunade-sama's for me."

Suu smiled warmly. "Sounds like they took good care of you."

"They did," Kenshin admitted, but then his expression shifted as a memory surfaced. In the mindscape, it appeared as a shimmering screen in front of them, replaying the scene.

Kenshin had just stepped out of his room after Shizune knocked on his door, and at the same time, Tsunade came out of hers.

But her pajama top wasn't buttoned, exposing one of her huge, firm breasts, while the other was almost completely visible, and Kenshin froze mid-step, his face turning a vivid shade of red.

Tsunade blinked in confusion before realizing what had happened. Her eyes widened, and she let out a loud, embarrassed squeal, hastily covering her chest with her arms.

"Don't look!" she yelped, spinning away from him.

Kenshin immediately slapped a hand over his eyes, stumbling back a step. "I-I'm not looking!"

Turning her back to him, Tsunade scrambled to button up her pajama top, muttering under her breath about how she completely forgot they had a guest in the house. Once she was decent, she turned back around, her face still red from embarrassment.

Kenshin, however, was still looking away, his hand shielding his face. Despite his embarrassment, a small, ironic thought crossed his mind. 'If I was still Tom, I would've probably loved seeing her breasts... but now? Nope. Nope. Nope. Although I have to say, they looked bigger than I expected.'

Back in the mindscape, Suu raised an eyebrow. "If you were still Tom? What does that mean?"

Kenshin scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well... I guess the cat's out of the bag now. I might as well come clean." He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I have memories of my past life. Back then, my name was Tom. Akane, she's the same. She was reborn with all her memories, though mine have gotten hazier over the years. Not too sure about Akane."

Suu's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, listening intently.

"In that life," Kenshin continued, "Akane... she was sexually abused, raped even, by her stepbrother. I didn't know the full story back then, so I couldn't do anything to help her, even though I was in love with her. And then, the day after her 21st birthday, she tried to take her own life. I tried to save her, but we both ended up dying together."

He looked down, his voice softening. "That's why I love her now, even though she's my own sister. We've been in love since before we were even born into this life."

Suu's expression softened as she processed his words, but Kenshin wasn't finished. "And in that life... there was a show. A show that was eerily similar to this world. So similar that many people here look exactly like people in the show, including the Hokage. Though... I wasn't in it. Neither were a lot of people I've met."

Suu nodded slowly, piecing it together. Then, without warning, she swung her fist and punched Kenshin with full force.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me this earlier?!" Suu shouted.

In the mindscape, Kenshin stumbled back, clutching the side of his head. Outside in the real world, Tsunade looked at Suu in confusion, noticing the sudden shift in her expression to anger.

"What's going on in there?" Tsunade asked, baffled.

Inside the mindscape, Kenshin groaned. "I didn't think it was relevant! And besides, I didn't want to cause people an existential crisis.

Imagine telling someone there's a show in another universe where they're just a fictional character. It's not something I wanted to spread around."

He straightened up, adding, "Not even Akane's seen that show. I'm the only one who knows about it, and I'd prefer to keep it that way."

Suu crossed her arms, her anger softening into exasperation. "Kenshin, this is a massive part of your mindset. It's not something you can just ignore. But... fine. We'll work with it now. Just don't keep secrets like this from me again."

Kenshin nodded. "Got it. No more secrets."

Suu sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, let's move on. We still have a lot of work to do."

Suu's expression then shifted into a teasing smirk as she spoke. "You know, Kenshin, about your little 'accident' with the Hokage this morning..." She leaned closer, giving him a playful wink.

"You're still young, so don't feel too guilty or embarrassed about sneaking a peek or something. The Hokage's a grown woman, albeit a rather beautiful one with one hell of a figure; but she probably wouldn't mind too much as long as you don't try any funny business."

Kenshin blinked, his face flushing slightly. "Suu-san..." he muttered, unsure whether to be annoyed or mortified. But Suu continued, her smirk widening.

"Still," she added slyly, "maybe you shouldn't tell your sister about this. She might... feel self-conscious about it." Her tone was light, but the implication was clear.

Kenshin thought for a moment, nodding. "That's probably a good idea," he admitted. Then, without a hint of hesitation, he added, "But Akane's breasts aren't a problem though. They're a really good size, and they fit perfectly in my mouth."

Suu froze, her face turning an unmistakable shade of red. She cleared her throat awkwardly, avoiding his gaze as she replied, "Kenshin... maybe think before you talk about things like that, yeah? Sexual stuff like that... maybe keep it to yourself unless it's directly relevant to the therapy."

She clapped her hands together abruptly, as though to clear the air. "Anyway! Enough of that—brace yourself, Kenshin. It's time for the simulation."

Kenshin nodded, his expression turning serious as he steadied himself, shoulders squaring in preparation. Suu activated the next stage of her jutsu, the mindscape around them shifting abruptly.

The serene cherry blossom garden dissolved into the dark, bloodstained streets of the Hidden Grass. Kenshin's body stiffened as the memory unfolded before them, vivid and raw.

The chaos of his past actions came to life, his adamantine sealing chains thrashing wildly, glowing with the same ominous power as his eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

There he was, consumed by unrestrained rage, striking down the shinobi of the Hidden Grass without mercy. Tetsuya's son—whom Kenshin had learned was the instigator, trying to defile Yukari on her deathbed—was the root of his fury.

The chains flared like serpents, impaling and beheading the attacking shinobi one by one. Gust Bullets fired from his arms with the precision and ferocity of an automatic rifle, each shot tearing through his enemies effortlessly. His face remained emotionless, a terrifying contrast to the destruction he was unleashing.

But as Suu and Kenshin observed, the memory shifted. One of his chains lashed out violently, striking a vendor's stall. The structure collapsed, sending debris flying dangerously close to a mother and her young child. The woman screamed, clutching the child tightly as they cowered beneath the falling wreckage.

Kenshin's fists clenched tightly as he relived the moment, his breathing growing erratic. Suu felt the weight of his anguish ripple through the mindscape, the air becoming suffocatingly heavy.

She grit her teeth, focusing her efforts on keeping the mindscape intact and prevent Kenshin's mind from spiraling like last time.

Kenshin's breath hitched as he watched Akane and Maki appear in the simulation. They stood at a safe distance, their expressions filled with determination and apprehension.

"We need to stop him," Akane said firmly, her Sharingan flaring as she read Kenshin's chaotic movements.

Maki nodded, flexing her fists. "He won't go down easy. I'll have to use the gates."

Akane's eyes darted toward her friend. "Don't go past the fifth gate. We don't want to kill him, just restrain him."

Maki nodded resolutely before taking the lead. She sprinted toward Kenshin with rapid, powerful strikes, each one aimed to incapacitate. But it was like hitting a brick wall.

Kenshin's chains lashed out, one of them wrapping tightly around Maki's leg and yanking her off her feet. With a merciless motion, the chain slammed her into the snowy ground, leaving a deep imprint of her body in the ice.

Akane didn't hesitate, leaping into action to cover her friend. Her katana glinted as she deflected the chains, her Sharingan allowing her to predict their erratic movements.

But the sheer number of chains overwhelmed her, their chaotic, unrelenting assault restraining her entirely. One wrapped around her waist, another around her arms, immobilizing her completely.

Kenshin in the simulation moved with haunting precision, raising his arm as the gust bullet began to form in his palm. His expression remained blank, devoid of recognition or hesitation.

The attack was aimed directly at Akane, his body moving on instinct, unable to comprehend who he was about to attack.

Inside the mindscape, Kenshin's face twisted in horror as he saw his simulation-self transform. The figure grew devil-like, with long curved horns and a blood-red aura that radiated malice.

The peaceful cherry blossom garden Suu had created erupted into flames, the blossoms incinerating into ash as the fire spread uncontrollably.

Suu winced, the strain on her mind immeasurable, her hands trembling as she struggled to hold the mindscape together.

In the real world, Tsunade saw the strain on Suu's body. The veins on Suu's forehead bulged dangerously, her skin pale and slick with sweat.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Tsunade placed her glowing hands on Suu's head, using her medical ninjutsu to ease the burden on her brain by improving blood flow and circulation.

The relief was immediate. Suu felt the intervention and regained a sliver of control over the burning mindscape, her voice ringing out. "Kenshin! Stay calm! This is just a memory! You're not a devil—you're human. You're just a kid who was angry!"

Despite her words, the simulation continued its relentless descent into chaos. Akane screamed, her voice cutting through the flames and the carnage. "Kenshin! Stop it! It's me—Akane!"

But the simulated Kenshin didn't falter. The chains tightened around Akane as his blank eyes locked onto her. The gust bullet in his hand, ready to fire.

Just as he prepared to release the shot, Maki tackled him from the side with a ferocious roar. She pushed him back with all her strength before stepping into her fighting stance, activating five of the Eight Inner Gates. Her body glowed with a fiery green aura as her movements became blindingly fast.

Maki launched a relentless barrage of attacks, sending Kenshin airborne. She leaped after him, preparing to deliver the final blow, but Kenshin countered with a brutal punch to her face. The force of the blow sent Maki crashing into the ground, the impact leaving a deep crater where she lay, barely clinging to life.

Akane, her breathing ragged and her eye burning with pain, activated her left Mangekyo Sharingan. The invisible hand shot forward, grabbing Kenshin midair and holding him in place. Her voice was weak but desperate. "Come on... please, Kenshin!"

The strain was immense. Blood poured from the corner of Akane's eye, her vision blurring as the pain became unbearable. With a final surge of chakra, she managed to restrain him, but only for a moment. Kenshin's overwhelming strength broke free, shattering her invisible grip.

Akane fell to her knees, clutching her bleeding eye as tears of pain streamed down her face. Her vision was almost entirely gone in her left eye, her body trembling from chakra exhaustion.

Kenshin landed softly, his steps slow and deliberate as he walked toward her. He unsheathed his katana, the blade gleaming in the inferno's light. He raised it high above Akane, poised to strike her down.

Inside the mindscape, Kenshin was trembling uncontrollably, his hands clawing at the air as if trying to reach out and stop himself. His breathing was shallow, his eyes wide with terror as he watched the simulation unfold.

The fire in the garden spread further, licking at Suu's form as she gritted her teeth, barely able to keep the mindscape from collapsing entirely.

"This is just a memory... just a memory, Kenshin..." Suu said, her voice hoarse but determined, doing everything in her power to hold the scene together.

Akane's voice echoed through the fiery simulation, cutting through the tension. Her thoughts, unfiltered and raw, resonated deeply with the real Kenshin watching from the mindscape.

She wasn't thinking about herself—not that she was about to die, not the katana poised to slice her in half. All she thought was that Kenshin needed to stop. If he went through with this, it would break him. He wouldn't forgive himself.

Kenshin's trembling eased slightly as he took in the scene. His voice was barely a whisper, more to himself than to Suu. "She wasn't weak... Akane wasn't weak. She was holding back. She didn't use decay... or Chidori. She's never been weaker than me. She just held back."

In the simulation, Kenshin's katana began to descend, but in the last moment, his gaze flickered. Recognition surfaced in his empty eyes as he saw the blood streaked across Akane's face.

The blade froze mid-air before falling from his hand, clattering to the ground. His knees buckled, and he collapsed before her, hands trembling as his voice cracked.

"What... what have I done?"

Then his expression shifted again. Blank, emotionless. His crimson hair darkened, turning jet black. Kenshin cupped Akane's face gently, his voice soft and apologetic. "I'm sorry, nee-san. I… I got carried away."

His right eye activated, and Akane's wounds began to close. Her bleeding stopped, her battered body restored. Kenshin stood and formed the dragon seal, releasing a wave of healing chakra that restored everyone in the village.

Maki, who had been lying unconscious in the crater, opened her eyes, unharmed. The fiery landscape extinguished, the cherry blossom garden returning to its serene state.

The simulation ended abruptly.

In the real world, Suu gasped for air, her trembling hands gripping the bed as the strain on her mind eased. Blood trickled from her nose, but Tsunade was quick to act, channeling her medical ninjutsu to heal her.

Kenshin's body lay still for a moment before his chest rose with a deep, shaky breath. Both he and Suu slowly opened their eyes, their faces pale and drenched with sweat.

Kenshin sat up, blinking as he tried to process what he'd just experienced. He glanced at Suu, his voice hoarse. "Did you... did you change anything?"

Suu shook her head weakly. "No... I used your memories—and Akane's. That's it. What you saw, that's exactly how it happened. I didn't alter anything."

Kenshin's shoulders sagged as he exhaled deeply, his hands clutching the blanket beneath him. "Akane never went all out... She never used any jutsu that could've caused real damage. Even Maki only used five of the Eight Gates."

His voice cracked as he continued, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I've been beating myself up all this time. But they were always strong enough. They were my equals. The only difference was that they held back, and I didn't."

A soft laugh escaped him, bitter at first, but it slowly turned into one of relief. Tears spilled from his eyes as he wiped at them with trembling hands. "I've caused everyone so much trouble... because I was too stupid to see it. My sister and my friend—they wouldn't actually go all out on me. I was too blind to realize that."

He turned his gaze to Suu, his expression one of pure gratitude. "You've gone through so much for me, Suu-san. You got hurt, pushed yourself further than you should have... just to help me. Thank you."

Suu managed a faint smile, her exhaustion evident but her heart warm with relief.

Before Kenshin could say more, Tsunade approached from behind him. Her arms wrapped around him in a gentle but firm embrace, her voice soft and full of pride. "I'm glad you're over it, Kenshin. You've faced it, and I'm proud of you."

Kenshin leaned back into her embrace, his barriers finally breaking. Tears flowed freely down his face, but they were no longer tears of despair. They were tears of joy, of release. He had finally faced the trauma that had haunted him for so long.

So long.

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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.