Obito had finally untied the last knot in his heart with Kushina's comforting words.
Yes—Obito, the one Naruto had once pulled back from the battlefield of despair, still carried one last regret deep inside. It was the guilt of failing Kushina Uzumaki, the woman who had once cared for him like family, almost like a mother.
But today, Obito felt that heavy weight lift from his chest.
Perhaps, just like in his previous life, when he had chosen to stand in front of Naruto, shielding him from Kaguya's deadly technique even at the cost of his own life, Obito once again realized that redemption often came through sacrifice.
For Obito, once the cheerful and optimistic boy of the Uchiha clan, nothing weighed heavier than being in debt to others. To him, carrying the burden of guilt was far more painful than death itself.
Now, however, he was finally beginning to feel at peace.
Everyone was gathered once again in the living room, sitting comfortably on the sofa. The atmosphere had become warm and lighthearted, filled with rare laughter and relief after all the storms of the past.
It was then that Kakashi finally told Minato something important—that Tsunade had decided to recommend him as the next Hokage.
Minato's eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
"Eh? Kakashi! Really?"
Kushina clapped her hands together joyfully. "That's wonderful news, Kakashi! Congratulations!"
Even Rin joined in with a bright smile. "Yes, congratulations! You'll do great."
Kakashi scratched the back of his head in his usual embarrassed manner. Obito, however, sat silently for a moment. He couldn't deny it—he would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't envious.
Minato leaned forward slightly, his expression curious. "Did Lady Tsunade tell you when you'll officially take office?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Not yet. She only told me that she would recommend me. Once the Daimyō approves it, then I'll be formally appointed."
Minato nodded knowingly. "Then it's already decided. Back when I became Hokage, Hiruzen-sensei informed me in advance as well. Of course, some people opposed it at the time, but Hiruzen stood firmly by me and strongly recommended me to the Daimyō. In the end, it was confirmed." He smiled warmly. "The political situation in the village is stable now. If Tsunade is putting your name forward, then Kakashi… it will almost certainly be you."
Kushina laughed happily. "I didn't expect one of Minato's own students to rise and become Hokage. This really is such a wonderful thing!"
She then glanced at Obito knowingly. "Obito, you're not feeling a little sad, are you?"
Obito waved his hands quickly, trying to play it off. "No, no, I'm not sad at all."
But Kushina wasn't convinced. Rin also tilted her head, looking straight at him. "Obito, you've been like this since you were a kid—pretending to be fine when you're not. You can't fool us. Deep down, you must feel something, right? After all, you once dreamed of becoming Hokage more than anyone."
Obito exhaled softly, finally giving in. "Alright, I admit it. I am a little sad… and a little envious, maybe even jealous. Honestly, I never thought Kakashi of all people would actually become Hokage."
Hearing this, Kakashi chuckled and laughed out loud. "Hah! Obito, I've been waiting for you to say that for a long time! Now you know what it feels like—I finally get to make you envious for once!"
Obito couldn't help but smile back. Saying the truth out loud somehow lifted the last of his bitterness.
Sometimes, admitting one's feelings was the first step toward peace.
Rin reached over gently. "It's alright, Obito. Think of it this way—let Kakashi carry that dream for you. In a way, he's realizing your Hokage dream as well. That way, part of your wish still lives on."
Kakashi nodded. "That's right. Obito, I'll be a Hokage worthy of both of us."
Obito gave a small grunt, not fully admitting it, but the hint of a smile betrayed his relief.
Minato clapped his hands together, breaking the moment. "Alright then! Since everyone's here, let's put our hands together and help tidy up this place."
Kakashi looked around the living room in confusion. "Uh… Sensei, what exactly are you preparing for?"
Rin tilted her head as well. "Yeah, it almost looks like you're decorating for a wedding."
Obito blinked. "Wait… is this for Naruto?"
Kushina grinned proudly. "That's right. Naruto's already engaged to Hinata Hyūga, and they're planning to get married soon."
Kakashi froze, stunned. "What? Naruto's… getting married?!"
He frowned thoughtfully—how had he not heard of this? Of course, it wasn't really surprising. He was constantly buried in work, leaving early, returning late, overseeing the Allied Shinobi Forces' training, and hardly paying attention to village gossip. If Lady Tsunade hadn't personally called him into her office to talk about succession, he probably still wouldn't have known.
After a pause, Kakashi turned to Minato. "Sensei, do you know why Tsunade-sama decided to suddenly hand over the title of Hokage to me?"
Minato shook his head. "No… my information has been limited ever since I returned. I don't hold any position in the village anymore."
Kakashi leaned closer, lowering his voice even though the room was safe. "It's because Jiraiya-sama proposed to Tsunade-sama."
"What?!"
"No way!"
Both Minato and Kushina exclaimed in perfect unison, their shock filling the room.
Although Naruto had mentioned that Jiraiya and Tsunade were getting closer, neither Minato nor Kushina had expected it to reach this point so quickly. And it wasn't Naruto's fault—this had only happened very recently, and he hadn't had the chance to tell them yet.
Kakashi, seeing no outsiders around, explained further. "Lady Tsunade told me herself. They're getting married soon. And since she plans to start a family, she wanted to secure a successor for the Hokage's seat quickly. That's why she chose me."
Minato blinked in disbelief, then burst into laughter. "Hah! I never imagined my old master, Jiraiya, the eternal bachelor, would actually settle down and marry."
Kushina was equally stunned, then began smiling as well.
Rin's lips curved into a gentle smile. She had always seen the bond Jiraiya carried for Tsunade. "He deserves it. Lord Jiraiya may be perverted and shameless at times, but when it comes to his feelings for Tsunade-sama, he's always been true. His heart was always hers."
Obito smirked faintly. "Guess even that old fool gets his happy ending."
Kakashi chuckled as he continued helping Minato paste up the celebratory decorations. "Oh, and Sensei—Naruto actually planned Jiraiya-sama's proposal. That night with the massive fireworks display? That was all his idea."
Kushina gasped in realization. "I knew it! That night, there was a sudden boom of fireworks. So that was Naruto's doing!"
Minato threw his head back and laughed loudly. "That boy… always going over the top."
Rin giggled. "Looks like Naruto inherited his teacher's romantic streak."
Kushina teased with a smirk. "I wonder who he learned his flashy ideas from."
"Definitely from his sensei," Rin teased back. "Minato-sensei was always the master of grand gestures."
As the group laughed, the door suddenly creaked open. Naruto walked in, scratching his head.
The moment he stepped inside, his eyes widened. "Huh?! Kakashi-sensei? Obito? Rin? You're all here?"
Kushina smiled warmly. "Welcome back, Naruto."
Naruto nodded, then his gaze fell on the walls—covered with red and gold wedding symbols and celebratory decorations. He nearly tripped. "M-Mom?! What is all this?!"
Kushina smirked mischievously. "We're just helping decorate your house, of course. What? You're so focused on your master Jiraiya's love life, you're neglecting your own wedding?"
Naruto stiffened. "Eh?! How did you even find out?! Wasn't that supposed to be private?"
Minato pointed straight at Kakashi. "Your sensei spilled it."
Naruto sighed but chuckled. "Figures. Well, it's true. I planned Jiraiya's proposal, and I guess word spread across the village pretty quickly. By now, everyone probably knows—they're just pretending not to."
Kushina shook her head, half-scolding, half-smiling. "Honestly, you worry too much, Naruto."
She then tugged Rin closer to him. "Naruto, this is Rin. You should recognize her—you're the one who resurrected her. Come on, call her auntie."
Naruto scratched his cheek awkwardly, then gave a small bow. "Uh… nice to meet you, Aunt Rin."
Rin covered her mouth, laughing softly. The feeling was surreal. She had died as a teenager, but now someone like Naruto was addressing her as an aunt. Life truly was strange.
Kakashi chuckled from the side. "Heh, never thought I'd live to see this scene."
Obito, however, stayed quiet. He avoided speaking too much, afraid that too many words might remind Naruto of the painful past—like the time Obito had forced explosive tags upon him.
But even in silence, Obito's heart was lighter than it had ever been.
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