In truth, this was unavoidable.
Setting Uzumaki Kushina aside for the moment—just Namikaze Minato alone was enough.
In the eyes of Konoha, he was the sun itself.
A man like that could never bring himself to harm the village.
Naruto's personality was inherited directly from Minato. That optimism, that stubborn kindness—it was unmistakable.
In the future, the plan Namikaze Kirito intended to carry out would inevitably meet resistance from his father.
That was precisely why what Naruto experienced as a child mattered.
Only by letting Minato and Kushina see those years with their own eyes could their mindsets truly change.
Family affection was something Kirito had obtained with extreme difficulty.
He did not want his own actions to create an irreparable rift between them.
Yes, Naruto suffered.
But without those experiences, Kirito didn't dare imagine what kind of future awaited his younger brother.
What concerned him even more—
Was that the Sage of Six Paths still existed in this world.
Do not assume that entering the Pure Land meant disappearance.
If Naruto were truly taken under the Sage's guidance, who knew what kind of "correction" would be imposed upon this world?
Just a few years ago, Kirito had briefly entertained the thought of taking Naruto away himself—
And the instant that thought formed, an intense sense of palpitations surged through him.
It was as if the world itself rejected the idea.
The Sage of Six Paths was... something different.
He would not concern himself with moral principles or worldly ethics.
If the reincarnation cycle of Indra and Asura went awry, he would descend without hesitation.
Kirito did not believe that his current self could contend with a being on the Six Paths level.
So Naruto had to grow naturally.
Kirito only sent people to observe and record.
When Minato and Kushina finally witnessed the treatment their son endured after their deaths—
No matter how bright and resolute they were, their hearts would inevitably change.
This was part of Kirito's plan.
"Have you sent someone to contact Tsunade-sensei?" Kirito asked calmly.
"…There was a problem."
"Hmm?"
Under Kirito's quiet gaze, Yakushi Kabuto broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly explained.
"The shinobi we sent were… all severely injured by Lady Tsunade."
Kirito sighed lightly.
"Forget it. I'll go myself."
"I also need to head to Kirigakure. Once I return, our plan will officially begin."
"Yes!"
Three years ago, Kirito had stayed with Tsunade and Shizune for some time.
Naturally, he had been used as a pillow almost every night.
As the experiments progressed, he no longer had the time to visit.
Now, however, the timing was right.
The Technique had been fully mastered.
The promise he made back then—
Should be fulfilled.
Tsunade's loved ones.
Her brother, Senju Nawaki.
And Kato Dan…
When thinking of the latter, Kirito felt an inexplicable irritation rise in his chest.
It was a strange feeling.
The people sent ahead had all been beaten half to death—Kirito knew this meant only one thing.
He had to go personally.
The Wood Release research was complete anyway.
And Kirigakure lay along the way.
With that decided, Kirito stood and headed outside.
Along the road, every shinobi stopped and bowed deeply the moment they saw him.
Land of Hot Water
Three years ago, after Kirito had stayed here for a time and told Tsunade that resurrection was now possible—
She had changed completely.
It was as if she no longer remembered him at all.
Every day, she either gambled or drank herself unconscious.
Shizune, who took care of her, was at her wit's end.
Being able to resurrect loved ones should have been a blessing.
Yet she couldn't understand why Tsunade had become like this.
Was it happiness?
Or fear?
"Hey! Bastards!" Tsunade slammed the table, glaring at the dealer.
"Is your casino rigged?! I've lost more than ten games in a row!"
"M-My lady, how would I dare cheat you?" the dealer replied, trembling.
Everyone here knew how terrifying this woman was.
Winning her money was fine.
Offending her?
That was a death sentence.
Rumor had it that shadowy shinobi followed this " Legendary sucker" everywhere.
Win her money, live.
Anger her, die.
So every time Tsunade gambled, the entire casino lived in fear.
"Tch. Forget it!" Tsunade muttered as she stood up.
"Gambling's annoying!"
Shizune hurriedly apologized to the dealer and chased after her.
As soon as they stepped outside, they entered the barbecue shop next door.
Several bottles of fine liquor were placed before Tsunade without a word.
"Hah—!"
She took a long swig and exhaled deeply.
The strong alcohol flushed her jade-white skin with color.
"Lady Tsunade, please drink less!" Shizune pleaded.
"Huh?" Tsunade squinted at her.
"That brat sends money every day anyway. I'll gamble and drink him broke!"
Shizune's helpless expression deepened.
She couldn't understand it.
Kirito-kun had done everything he could.
So why…?
"Oh?" a familiar voice rang out.
"Sensei, what did I do to deserve being drunk into poverty?"
A tall, handsome young man stepped in through the door.
"Kirito-kun!" Shizune stood up immediately, joy written all over her face.
"Sit down, Shizune," Tsunade snapped.
"Someone who disappear for three years don't deserve a welcome."
Kirito chuckled and sat beside Tsunade, casually lifting her glass and taking a sip.
"That's my cup."
"I know," he said calmly. "No rest on the road. I was thirsty. And this wine smells good."
Tsunade averted her gaze and drank straight from the bottle.
The barbecue ended in silence.
Afterward, the three returned to the hot spring villa together.
The moment Kirito lay down—
The door slammed open.
"So," Tsunade said, standing by the bed, voice thick with alcohol,
"you like disappearing now? What's the meaning of coming back?"
"Sensei," Kirito sighed, sitting up.
"I told you—it was the most critical stage of research."
"The moment it succeeded, I sent people to—mmph!"
Before he could finish, Tsunade stepped forward abruptly.
His face was buried into a soft, overwhelming warmth.
A heady scent and suffocating pressure flooded his senses.
"…Hah."
Tsunade fell asleep on top of him just like that.
After some effort, Kirito finally managed to free himself and gently placed her head onto the pillow.
Only then did he realize...
There was a softness in his eyes he hadn't noticed before.
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