At the dinner table, the atmosphere was unusually warm.
Shikamaru, Kurenai, and little Mirai sat together eating dinner. Asuma sat to the side, unable to eat due to his reincarnated body, but still able to accompany them with his presence.
"Dad, don't you want to eat?" Mirai asked innocently, looking up at him with curious eyes.
Asuma smiled faintly and gently stroked Mirai's head. "Dad can't eat right now. You eat first, Mirai."
Mirai blinked, then gave a small "Oh…" before continuing to eat her rice.
Kurenai softly picked up a few vegetables with her chopsticks and placed them in her daughter's bowl. Mirai immediately frowned, puffing out her cheeks. "Mom, I don't eat vegetables!"
Kurenai moved to take them away, but Asuma stopped her with a calm but firm voice. "Mirai, eating vegetables is good for your health. You have to eat them."
Mirai hesitated for a moment, then gave a reluctant "Oh…" But instead of pushing them aside, she suddenly began eating quickly, almost as if she didn't want to disappoint her father. To everyone's surprise, she even reached for another bite of vegetables on her own.
Asuma smiled warmly, stroking Mirai's head again. "That's my girl. Mirai is so good."
Kurenai's eyes softened, her expression filled with warmth as she looked at her daughter. Shikamaru, too, found himself smiling unconsciously. With Asuma present, Mirai was different—more obedient, more eager to please.
Earlier at the door, Mirai had been restless, crying and fussing. Asuma had hugged her close, coaxing her with the same mixture of patience and authority he once showed to his students. Kurenai had tried as well, but Mirai had resisted, stubborn and teary.
Yet when Asuma's voice rose slightly in mock anger, Mirai stopped crying altogether. It was the first time anyone had scolded her like that. Kurenai had never been harsh with her daughter, and perhaps because of bloodline instinct—or simply the weight of a father's presence—Mirai had felt something different.
After some coaxing and play, she finally accepted Asuma, her heart realizing that the father she missed for so long was truly with her again.
Deep down, Mirai had always longed for her father. She had walked with her mother through Konoha's streets countless times, often seeing other children holding their fathers' hands. Each time, a quiet sadness had settled in her small heart.
So when Asuma had scolded her for the first time, and then comforted her afterwards, Mirai experienced what it truly meant to be cared for by a father.
Shikamaru quietly watched the scene and felt a deep happiness rise in his chest. For years, he had carried a thorn in his heart—Asuma's death. Now, seeing Asuma reunited with his family, even if temporarily, healed that wound.
He decided that after dinner, he would go to Naruto, share a drink, and thank him sincerely.
Meanwhile.
After saying goodbye to Shikamaru, Naruto walked home. He didn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique this time. He knew his parents had just reunited, and they must have a lot to talk about. Instead, he chose to stroll through the village streets under the quiet night sky.
As he turned a corner, a familiar figure appeared in front of him.
"Hey! Sasuke!" Naruto waved enthusiastically, grinning. "How are you? Feels great, right? Being reunited with your family—it's the best, isn't it?"
Sasuke and Naruto both carried the subtle aura of Yin-Yang chakra. They could sense each other long before coming into view. For Sasuke, finding Naruto was never difficult; no matter the distance, he could feel his presence.
Naruto walked closer with his usual wide smile. But he didn't notice the storm brewing in Sasuke's eyes.
"Hey, Sasuke, I'm asking you something—why aren't you answering?"
Without warning, Sasuke raised his fist and struck.
Naruto tilted his head, startled, barely dodging. But Sasuke didn't stop—his foot whipped up, delivering a sharp kick.
Naruto barely managed to block. With a heavy thud, the kick sent him sliding backward.
"Oi, Sasuke! What the hell's wrong with you? Are you crazy?!"
Sasuke drew his sword with a cold clang. His voice was low, but filled with restrained fury. "I'm not crazy. I'm just here to beat you up."
"Are you kidding me?!" Naruto shouted in disbelief. "I helped you bring your family back, and this is how you thank me? By chopping me up?!"
Sasuke slashed at him again and again, venting his anger. His blade moved with deadly precision, forcing Naruto on the defensive.
"Let me ask you, Naruto—what the hell did you say to Sakura and Karin?!"
Naruto twisted out of the way, annoyed. "I didn't say anything bad! I just talked to them about… relationship stuff!"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously, his grip on the sword tightening. "You bastard… of all things, you had to meddle in my relationships?!"
Naruto threw up his hands defensively. "Hey, I'm doing this for your own good! You said you wanted to restore the Uchiha clan, didn't you? Both Sakura and Karin like you! So why not just accept them both?!"
Sasuke's teeth clenched so hard they almost cracked. His anger boiled over. "Damn you, Naruto!"
But Naruto just laughed, scratching his head sheepishly. "What? Come on, Sasuke, we're brothers! Besides, your clan needs you. There are still plenty of Uchiha waiting to be resurrected—you better hurry up with that, too."
Sasuke snorted coldly, finally sheathing his blade. "You've got some nerve, saying that…"
Seeing his best friend calm down, Naruto slung an arm around his shoulder. "Alright, alright, don't be mad anymore. What's wrong, really? Why're you so pissed at me? Come on, let me treat you to some ramen!"
The two of them walked together, Sasuke eventually recounting what had happened the night before, when both Sakura and Karin had come to his house.
Sasuke scowled. "Now my parents won't stop bothering me about it. They're even suggesting I marry both of them to 'increase the number of children quickly.' Tch. This is all your fault."
Naruto burst out laughing. "See? Even your parents agree with me! They're thinking the exact same thing!"
Sasuke shoved Naruto's arm off his shoulder, glaring. "Don't start. It's all because of you! And why the hell did you drag Karin into this when you already knew Sakura was the one I was supposed to marry?!"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Then why don't you just accept Sakura already, huh? Be direct with her. Stop letting Karin hang on!"
Sasuke sighed deeply, frustration all over his face. "I don't want to get married this early. Not now. In my previous life, I traveled most of the shinobi world before settling down. Marriage came later, and that's how I want it to be again."
Naruto chuckled, patting his shoulder again. "Oh, Sasuke… times are different now. You can't stay single forever. Think about it—the future of the Uchiha clan depends on you."
As they talked, they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
"Two bowls of classic ramen, please!" Naruto called cheerfully.
"Ah, Naruto! Just a moment!" Teuchi replied warmly from the kitchen.
They sat down. Sasuke picked up his chopsticks, giving Naruto a sideways glare. "If you're so confident, why don't you get married first?"
Naruto smirked. "I will. In fact, I resurrected my mom so she could come with me to Hinata's house when I propose."
Sasuke blinked in surprise. "Wait—you're serious?"
"Of course! Why would I lie about something like that?" Naruto grinned.
Sasuke leaned back with a faint nod. "Fine. Then I'll wait and see if you're telling the truth."
Naruto's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Let's make a bet, then. Once I get married, you'll have to get married right after me. Don't tell me you're too scared to agree!"
That competitive spark flickered in Sasuke's eyes. "Why would I be scared? You're on!"
"Good!" Naruto pointed his chopsticks at him dramatically. "It's settled!"
"Two bowls of classic ramen!" Teuchi arrived, placing steaming bowls before them.
"Thanks, old man Teuchi!" Naruto grinned.
"You're welcome, Naruto. If you two need more, I'll cook another round," Teuchi replied kindly.
The two dug in, slurping ramen quickly, both too hungry to care about much else. Between bites, Naruto spoke again.
"Sasuke, when the time comes, you're gonna be my best man!"
Sasuke smirked faintly. "We'll see if you can even get to that point first."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "Tch, you'll see. I'm dead serious."
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the street.
"Brother Naruto! Brother Naruto! Where are you?!"
It was Konohamaru, sprinting wildly, shouting at the top of his lungs.
Naruto raised the curtain and looked out. "Konohamaru, I'm here! What's wrong?"
Konohamaru braked so hard that his sandals screeched against the stone, leaving long skid marks. Panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face, he shouted:
"Brother Naruto—something's happened!"
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺