"Everything was going so well for everyone," Tazuna continued before giving a dejected expression. "But later, Gatō and his men came to our island and took over. Kaiza was the only man brave enough to defy and stand up to his cruelty. But he was later captured, and Gatō and his thugs had Kaiza publicly executed in front of everyone. It crushed Inari's poor heart seeing Kaiza killed. Adding to this terrible misfortune was that my daughter Tsunami was planning on marrying and settling down with Kaiza. Like my grandson, my daughter was heartbroken by that horrific event, and she cried many times thinking about how her son had lost two fathers and how she had lost two lovers."
Everyone was silent after hearing Tazuna's story. Tsunami wiped away the few tears that spilled out of her eyes as she remembered what happened. Naruto and Sasuke didn't say a word as Sakura gave a sympathetic look to Tazuna and Tsunami. A moment later, Naruto started to walk off…
"Please excuse me," said Naruto calmly as he performed a smokeless shunshin and left the scene.
That is not Naruto. That is that not the same guy, Sakura thought. "Kakashi-sensei, what Naruto said about himself, was it really true?" Sakura asked.
Kakashi nodded solemnly, "Every word of it. There was no exaggeration to Naruto's life story. He was being serious."
Sakura didn't know what to think. She always thought she had Naruto figured out, and now she found that she truly knew nothing about who Naruto really is. Sasuke, too, was deep in thought about what he heard from Naruto, and hearing Kakashi confirm Naruto's story to be true made the Uchiha wonder what realities about himself Naruto hid from everyone.
(Meanwhile In Inari's Room)
Inari sat there on his bed holding a picture of Kaiza. The man looked so happy and carefree.
"Back in this room again, I see," Naruto said, startling the boy. The blond approached Inari and stood in front of him.
"Come," Naruto ordered as he held Inari and body flickered with him to the beach. Tsunami went to check on her son, only to find that he was gone.
"Where did he go?" Tsunami asked aloud.
(At The Beach)
"Inari," Naruto said calmly. "Hear me out, please. I will not deny that you went through a painful experience, but you're thoughtlessly going at it as though you're the only person in Nami No Kuni who's suffering. Your mother and grandfather take no delight in seeing you behave the way you do. In fact, you're the one who's adding more to their discomfort by your continuous brooding and pessimistic outlook. I know you truly loved Kaiza, but so did your mother and grandfather. Instead of dwelling on the tragic ordeals you went through, what you should be doing is feeling grateful that you still have your family there for you.
"Believe me when I say that not everyone in Nami No Kuni is as fortunate as you. I've seen how others live in this country as a result of Gatō's tyranny, and I definitely hate what Gatō has reduced this beautiful country to and how many lives he has ruined. Kaiza was a brave man for challenging Gatō and his army, and it's sad that you and your family lost him. But you can't keep your mind in the past, because that's what's preventing you from seeing what's happening now in front of you. You're overlooking the bravery your grandfather is showing by defying Gatō so openly."
The young boy was stunned at what Naruto was telling him.
"Your grandfather risked his life to get aid from a foreign shinobi village, knowing he'd be killed if he were discovered on his way to employ our team. He and many others are risking their lives in order to save Nami No Kuni, and everyone who lives here, from Gatō's oppression. Gatō may appear strong and untouchable, but the truth of the matter is completely different: Gatō is afraid of your grandfather. He fears what the completion of Tazuna's bridge will mean for him. That's why he wants your grandfather dead so desperately. Your grandfather is a serious threat to Gatō, just like how Kaiza was.
"Kaiza fought to protect those he loved and cherished as his precious people, and, likewise, your grandfather is doing the same."
Naruto looked out at the ocean. "You have a beautiful home with an amazingly beautiful ocean to gaze upon, Inari. Don't fill it with sadness and misery because it won't honor Kaiza's memory as the hero you saw him as."
Inari looked at Naruto with a dumbfounded expression. All that time he never thought of his grandfather in such a way, and Naruto helped him to see it clearly.
"I suffered a great deal in my life, but I too had heroes and heroines who saved me, and among them were my girlfriend Hyuuga Hinata, her sister Hanabi, their father Hiashi, the Sandaime Hokage, and a few others. I had to learn to count my blessings and remember the good things I have now rather than dwelling on the misfortune I went through in my early years. I have precious people I want to protect with my life, just like Kaiza and Tazuna. You ought to be proud of your grandfather for his selfless and brave spirit."
Naruto turned and headed towards the house. He then stopped and turned halfway to Inari and advised, "Count your blessings, Inari. If you truly want to make your grandfather and Kaiza proud of you, then I suggest you find someone or something precious to you, and fight to protect them."
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