Chapter 198 – Journey to the Moon
"What a meaningful home visit that turned out to be."
In the real world, Gen slowly opened his eyes.
Naruto still lay with his own eyes shut, face caught between pain and joy, as though he were lost in a bittersweet dream.
Gen couldn't help but nod. After all, the last thing he saw before leaving was Kushina giving Naruto a good punch to the head.
"Well, I suppose that makes up for some of the childhood he missed. Yes… that should do."
Gen nodded again, pleased with himself. For a fleeting moment, he even felt noble.
Giving Naruto the chance to experience something close to a "complete" childhood—surely that wasn't a bad thing at all.
"Senpai… it's over already?"
A timid voice spoke up—Karin.
Gen rose to his feet and smiled, giving her a light nod. "It's done. You did well."
"It was nothing!" Karin replied cheerfully.
Gen stroked his chin in thought, then suddenly said, "I think I've found the right teacher for you. Someone even better suited for you than Lady Tsunade."
"Eh?"
Karin blinked in confusion, but Gen only chuckled, unconcerned.
Placing a hand on both Naruto and Karin's shoulders, he warped space in an instant, and the three of them reappeared inside Naruto's house.
Still smiling, he continued, "Do me a favor—tell the Hokage that the chakra inside Naruto has awakened. Make it clear it's not the Nine-Tails—they'll understand."
"O–okay…"
Though bewildered, Karin nodded.
Gen thought for another moment, then added, "And while you're at it, have Lord Hokage call Uncle Inoichi as well. His jutsu should let you and the others safely enter Naruto's inner world."
"Huh?"
Karin tilted her head, puzzled. Enter Naruto's inner world? What does that even mean?
But she didn't question him further—just nodded again. Curiously, she glanced at Naruto.
"What's wrong with him, anyway?"
"Oh, him?"
Gen chuckled, watching Naruto's conflicted expression—half grimace, half smile. He nodded with satisfaction.
"Most likely, he's experiencing what it feels like to have a proper childhood."
"…A proper childhood?"
Karin didn't really understand what that meant. Naruto's face certainly looked strange. But if Gen said so, then surely it had to be a good thing.
"But Senpai, where are you going?"
Gen shrugged lightly. "From here on, it's not really my place. But it's the perfect chance for you."
He meant it. This was a reunion between the "elders," not one for him to intrude upon. Besides, he had his reward to consider and his own plans to refine.
"Chakra of Asura, huh… Not bad."
Lately he had been collecting yin-nature chakra, or chakra aligned with the God Tree and the tailed beasts. It had been a long time since he last savored the raw vitality of yang-nature chakra. Finally, another chance had appeared.
Though each kind of chakra expanded his potential, the way they fit together always felt slightly different.
"Remember what I told you. I'll be off to train."
"Right…" Karin muttered, still not fully understanding.
But Gen had already vanished.
The next instant, he appeared in a training ground within Konoha. After confirming the place was empty, he created a God Tree clone.
"You'll stay here and work on Wood Release—and keep refining Storm Release as well."
"I know. Just be careful on the moon."
"It shouldn't be a problem. I'll be going now."
With another surge of chakra, Gen disappeared once more.
This time he reappeared in a secluded valley. Lifting his gaze, he looked toward the sky.
It was still daytime, but he could already feel the power pulsing from the moon. He didn't act recklessly, however.
"When night falls, I'll activate the Tenseigan's power and let it carry me upward."
With that thought, he stepped deeper into the valley.
He had discovered something: the pathway between the moon and the shinobi world was not unique.
The route Naruto had once used was only one among many. Gen had simply chosen the one closest to his current location.
"…This should be it."
After surveying the surroundings and casting one last glance at the sky, he sat cross-legged on the ground.
There was still time before moonrise. It was the perfect opportunity to absorb the yang-nature chakra he had just obtained from Naruto.
---
Meanwhile, within Naruto's mindscape, the place was already crowded.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kakashi, and Jiraiya—just returned from Mount Myōboku—stood dumbfounded at the sight before them.
Minato Namikaze. Kushina Uzumaki.
"… It really is you!"
The disbelief on their faces was plain.
Even Tsunade and Yamanaka Inoichi were shaken. Inoichi especially—he had never expected something like this.
"Fourth Hokage…"
He swallowed hard, then turned to the other side—where two more figures stood.
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
"The First Hokage… and the Second?"
This was madness. How could so many of the dead be standing here alive?
But he dared not voice his doubts.
The Senju brothers, meanwhile, were sizing up Minato.
"So that's the Fourth?"
"So young… died far too early."
"Would you shut your mouth if you can't say anything decent?"
"Tch. I'm just glad to see the village carried on to a Fourth Hokage."
"He's dead."
Tobirama winced, staring at his foolish older brother. How can he still be such an airhead?
On the other side, Naruto rubbed his forehead, puzzled as he looked at Karin.
"How'd you get in here? And them too…?"
"Senpai told me to," Karin huffed. Then she peered at him curiously.
"Why do you look so beat up?"
"Because of that bastard Gen!" Naruto groaned, clutching his head. His mother's temper was… a little scarier than he'd expected.
And yet, despite that, his heart was overflowing with joy.
Still, whenever he thought of Gen, his expression twisted back into misery.
"Damn it… is this what a 'home visit' is supposed to be?! I got beat up for nothing!"
"You've got some nerve to say that!"
Kushina's furious roar cut through the air the moment she overheard him.
"When I'm done here, I'll deal with you myself!"
"…"
Naruto immediately shut his mouth. Even Minato broke into a cold sweat. Jiraiya gulped audibly.
Kushina's temper hadn't changed one bit.
"Inoichi, please take care of those two children for now."
Hiruzen rubbed his brow. He could already guess why Gen had arranged for Karin to be here. But for now, he had more pressing matters.
"Minato… it's been a long time. More than ten years since that night. Back then, I—"
"This isn't your fault, Lord Third. It was my choice."
Minato shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Besides, thanks to Gen stabilizing our chakra, Kushina and I can still stay with Naruto a while longer."
"Sensei…"
Kakashi's voice trembled. He opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak.
Jiraiya, however, sighed heavily.
"Minato… maybe I shouldn't have left Konoha back then. And that man, too—if only we had…"
"You mean Obito, don't you?"
Minato exhaled softly. He already knew the truth.
"I never imagined it would be him. His change… it's truly a tragedy. And I hear he and his group have some hidden purpose."
Jiraiya's expression darkened. "They do. That organization of theirs… it's filled with nothing but rogue ninja."
"Even now, we still don't know exactly what their ultimate goal is. But one thing is clear—their existence brings nothing but danger to the shinobi world."
He paused, his gaze heavy. "And besides them, there's an even greater threat."
At that moment, Tobirama Senju spoke up, his voice sharp and measured.
"There's a man called Ōtsutsuki Genshiki. He is exceptionally dangerous. We haven't clashed with him directly yet, but his target… is the tailed beasts."
"Tailed beasts?!"
Hearing this, both Minato Namikaze and Kushina's expressions darkened at once.
Their eyes immediately shifted to the distance—where Naruto stood with Karin and Inoichi.
"That's right," Tobirama continued grimly. "He's already attacked the Fire Temple, where traces of the Nine-Tails' chakra had leaked out."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a grave nod, while Jiraiya added in a low voice, unable to hold back.
"Not just that. The Great Toad Sage also told me he struck at Kumogakure. Most likely he was after the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails. So…"
Jiraiya trailed off, but everyone understood perfectly well what he left unsaid.
"I see… That must be one of the reasons Gen arranged for us to remain here."
Minato sighed softly. But before the mood could sink any deeper, he deliberately turned away from the heavy topic and looked at Kakashi with a smile.
"Kakashi, I'm impressed. To think you've guided such an incredible student."
"Gen… he's always been remarkable," Kakashi replied quietly. Despite everything, speaking of his student softened his expression.
"Indeed. Back then, we all thought he might become the next version of you," Jiraiya added with a hearty laugh.
But as his laughter carried on, it faltered, and his face twisted awkwardly.
"…It's just his personality that's troublesome. Far too ruthless."
"And extreme," Hiruzen muttered, shaking his head.
Hashirama nodded in agreement, but Tobirama scoffed loudly.
"Nonsense. I've seen nothing ruthless in him. Nor anything extreme."
"Lord First. Lord Second."
Minato and Kushina quickly bowed with respect. They had recognized them long ago, but until now, the discussion had left no time for greetings.
Even so, they couldn't help but feel unsettled—why were the First and Second Hokage here at all? Yet given their own current state, perhaps it wasn't so unthinkable.
"No need to be so formal," Hashirama said with a cheerful wave. "It brings me joy to see you two. Proof that Konoha's legacy is alive and well. It's only a pity that—"
"Don't you dare start rambling again, fool," Tobirama cut him off with a glare. "Konoha's legacy will only grow stronger!"
"Eh… this is… the First and Second Hokage?"
Sweat formed on Minato and Kushina's foreheads. They hadn't expected the legendary founders to act like this.
And yet Tobirama's words carried weight. The more Minato thought about them, the more he found himself agreeing.
"Yes… but Gen will need time," Hiruzen said heavily.
Kakashi gave a weary sigh. Jiraiya and Hashirama rubbed their temples. Only Tobirama seemed completely unconcerned.
Minato, however, let out a chuckle.
"It seems Konoha truly will only grow stronger from here."
"Yes, it will," Hashirama agreed warmly. "It certainly will. Except—"
He never got the chance to finish.
"Now that we've spoken of the important matters," Kushina suddenly cut in, her tone sharp, "Minato and I will think of ways to guide Naruto. But Kakashi, Jiraiya-sensei—it's time we talked about your mistakes."
"…Huh?"
Kakashi and Jiraiya blinked in confusion.
But Kushina's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Kakashi, what's this I hear about Naruto's class being called 'the worst generation'?"
"I—uh…" Kakashi stammered.
"And you, Jiraiya-sensei—why in the world are you making Naruto practice that ridiculous 'Sexy Jutsu' of yours?"
"Eh? W-wait a second—" Jiraiya's face froze.
"And Lord Third!" Kushina's fiery gaze shifted to Hiruzen. "Naruto's grades… less than ideal? Is that true?"
"I… already—" Hiruzen began, but she cut him off.
"You three! What kind of teachers are you? No wonder Gen says there's something wrong with Konoha's education—it's all your fault!"
"…"
Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Hiruzen were left utterly speechless.
Watching Kushina's red hair bristle and whip through the air, all three had the exact same thought at once:
Damn it… this is what they call 'the guilty striking first,' isn't it?!
---
Meanwhile, deep within the valley, Gen slowly opened his eyes. His gaze lifted to the glowing silver moon above.
"…It's time."
He rose to his feet, his figure bathed in moonlight.
The journey was about to begin.