Chapter 170: It's Just One More Time...
Konoha Village, Outskirts of the Uchiha Compound.
The air was still charged with the tension of the fierce confrontation.
Naruto Uzumaki arrived at that precise moment.
In one glance, he saw the scene that nearly stopped his heart.
His father, Minato Namikaze, and his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, were in a heated argument with the "Grandpa Hokage" who had always looked after him, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Words drifted to his ears. "Abandon," "Demon Fox," "Lovers' Suicide," "Sin." Especially the part about his father "sacrificing" himself for his mother, which made his nose sting and his eyes burn instantly.
But he was Naruto Uzumaki! He was the future Hokage! He had walked this path for so many years!
Now… it's just one more time!
Just one more time…
He slapped his cheeks hard, forcing back the rising bitterness. He had to do something! He would keep the peace here in his own way! He couldn't drop the ball now!
Never give up, keep your word, stick to your beliefs, and strive to become a ninja acknowledged by everyone.
That was his Ninja Way!!!
A big, trademark grin plastered itself back onto his face.
"Hey! What's with all you adults?! Why the long faces?!"
Naruto shouted as he rushed in, squeezing himself between the Minato couple and Hiruzen Sarutobi, spreading his arms wide as if to "preside over justice."
"Fighting is wrong, believe it! Can't we just talk it out?"
He looked up, glancing from one side to the other, then grabbed Hiruzen's sleeve.
"Especially you, Grandpa Hokage! My mom and dad just came back, you can't bully them, or I won't let you off!"
Then, he turned to Minato and Kushina, patting his chest. "Dad! Mom! Don't be mad at Grandpa Hokage! He's actually a good guy! He secretly buys me ramen coupons all the time, and when I cause trouble, he apologizes to the shopkeepers for me!"
He scratched his head, his voice lowering slightly but still righteous. "Although… although I know I cause a lot of trouble for everyone… But, but… that's just to get everyone's attention! Who told me to be the man who's gonna become Hokage!"
He puffed out his chest, his voice booming again, as if trying to dispel the suffocating heaviness in the air.
"Ahem."
Shisui Uchiha, who had been silent, coughed lightly at the right moment. He stepped forward with his characteristic gentle smile. "Senior Minato, Senior Kushina, Lord Third, I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding. Everyone wants what's best for Konoha and for Naruto. Why don't we all calm down and talk? There's always a solution."
Minato and Kushina looked at their son, who had suddenly rushed out to mediate, completely ignoring Shisui. Their expressions were complex. Guilt, awkwardness, heartache—all sorts of emotions churned within them.
Naruto seemed oblivious to his parents' complex gazes. He leaned in close to Minato. Then he looked up, staring straight at his father with a childish confusion and stubbornness.
"Hey, Dad, was what Grandpa Hokage said just now true? Did you really sacrifice yourself to save Mom and the village?" He paused, a tremor in his voice, quickly covered by his usual energy. "Does that mean you think Mom is way more important than me?"
"Hmph! But that's okay! As long as you like me just as much, it's fine! After all, I'm gonna become Hokage and protect you guys, believe it!"
"And I've been eating properly! Don't worry! I'm not picky, I eat everything! Of course, not just ramen! I shower almost every day too! And I've made some friends! Even though my grades are at the bottom, I'll never give up! My confidence is stronger than anyone's! I've been working hard for it! I have a dream too! To become an even greater Hokage! I'll definitely do it!"
He rubbed his nose and waved his fist casually, full of confidence.
However, no one noticed that beneath Naruto's forced sunny smile, beneath his attempt to play the "class clown" and smooth everything over in his own way—the Soul Gem on his chest, originally formed by the contract, was now tainted with a wisp of black corruption.
"Naruto—"
Kushina could no longer suppress the sorrow in her heart. She rushed forward and pulled Naruto into a tight embrace, tears rolling down her face. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Naruto! I didn't want you to carry such a heavy burden… It's Mom's fault… It's Mom and Dad who gave you this fate… making you suffer so much alone…"
Her voice was choked with sobs, every word filled with endless self-blame and heartache.
Minato also walked to Naruto's side, crouching down to look solemnly into his son's eyes, promising word for word, "Naruto, Dad promises you. This time, we will absolutely, absolutely never leave you behind again."
Held tightly by Kushina, his face buried in his mother's warm, soft embrace, smelling that familiar yet strange scent, Naruto almost let his tears fall. But he held them back. He reached out his small arms and hugged Kushina back tightly, his voice muffled.
"Alright, alright, Mom, stop crying! Dad, stop looking so gloomy, ya know! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, a little thing like this won't beat me! Look, I'm perfectly fine!"
The storm that threatened to swallow everyone was temporarily quelled.
Minato took a deep breath. He had a plan. Now was not the time to completely break with the Third. He patted Kushina's shoulder gently, signaling her to calm down.
Then he stood up, facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, forcing a smile back onto his face. Though the smile looked a bit stiff.
"Lord Third, it seems there truly are many misunderstandings here. We can discuss the details tomorrow." His tone was calm, as if the fierce questioning had never happened. "Kushina and I… can we go back to where we used to live in the village?"
Hiruzen, ever the shrewd politician, saw the olive branch Minato offered and took it. The gravity on his face instantly melted into a warm smile, like a truly benevolent elder.
"Of course, of course! No matter what, you saved the village! Minato, Kushina, you are Konoha's heroes, and Konoha will always be your home! You can go back anytime!"
The two Hokage, old and new, looked at each other. Both wore smiles that were polite and distant, not reaching their eyes. The air was filled with silent probing and unspoken wariness.
Standing aside, Naruto looked from one to the other and muttered, "Hey… why do Dad and Grandpa Hokage's smiles look so creepy…"
"Alright, Naruto, let's go home," Minato said gently to Naruto, then turned to Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy nearby. "Kakashi, Guy, come with us."
The two exchanged a glance and nodded without hesitation.
So, the Minato couple, along with Naruto, Kakashi, and Guy, left the troubled area. Before leaving, Naruto turned back and waved at Hiruzen. "Bye, Grandpa Hokage!"
"See you next time, Naruto!" Hiruzen nodded with a smile, watching them disappear into the night.
His smile slowly faded, his eyes deepening. Minato's return, and this incident… would likely give him an unprecedented thirst for power. And with the Uchiha resurrected, and the Minato couple resurrected—who knew what other dead souls in Konoha would return, when, and how? These uncontrollable factors were bound to bring a massive upheaval to Konoha.
He needed to make preparations.
…
Deep into the night.
The lights were bright in the house where Minato and Kushina were temporarily staying. In the living room, Minato was speaking in low tones with Kakashi and Guy. Their expressions were serious, clearly discussing something of utmost importance. The specific content was unknown.
In the bedroom, Kushina was clumsily but lovingly tucking Naruto in. After a day of massive shocks, his small body was exhausted. Naruto snuggled close to his mother, feeling the reassuring safety of having her back, his eyelids growing heavy.
But he forced himself to stay awake, speaking with excitement and unquestionable determination. "Mom… let me tell you… I'm gonna… gonna take the Chunin Exams soon, and I'll definitely surprise you and Dad! I'm not a dead-last… I'll become a Chunin, then a Jonin, and finally Hokage! Believe it!"
His voice grew quieter, gradually replaced by steady breathing. Kushina looked lovingly at her son's sleeping face and kissed his forehead lightly.
Minato finished his talk with Kakashi and Guy, sending them home to rest, and quietly came to the bedroom door. Seeing the heartwarming scene of mother and son sleeping together, his tight heart finally softened.
He thought of the unruly Nine-Tails inside Naruto. He thought of Naruto's massive but uncontrolled chakra. And he thought of the light in his son's eyes when he spoke of "Hokage."
Since Naruto's dream was to be Hokage…
Then he, Minato Namikaze, as a father—would not only personally teach Naruto everything he knew! He would train Naruto into a powerful ninja capable of controlling the Nine-Tails and surpassing even himself! He would pave the way for his child to become Hokage, removing every obstacle!
The glory and power that were lost, he would take back with his own hands! He would give Naruto a future where no one dared to bully him!