Inside Uzumaki Naruto's apartment in Konoha Village.
Kakashi, who had been "persuaded" by Kushina with her signature punch, was currently having lunch with Naruto... this family?
"What is it, Kakashi?"
Noticing the silver-haired Jonin's probing gaze, Satsuki put down her chopsticks and asked coldly.
"Nothing..."
Kakashi averted his gaze, not bothered by Satsuki's typical Uchiha-style coldness or her direct address.
He merely wondered inwardly why Satsuki could sit there so naturally, as if she were already a member of Naruto's family? Though, upon closer thought, it seemed to make sense.
Besides that... another presence drew his attention.
Kakashi's gaze turned to the side, where a... creature? was elegantly seated. In front of it was the exact same meal as on the dining table, and it was enjoying the human food with surprisingly dignified posture. It was a large, blue dog—or rather, more like a wolf?
Kakashi couldn't help but feel surprised. In just half a month, where had Naruto found such a large pet?
When it raised its head, its height was almost on par with an adult. Even more striking were the two elaborately braided, cherry-pink tinged... pigtails? on its ears.
There were too many details to comment on, and Kakashi was at a loss for words. However, he concluded, like Naruto's answer, that it was Naruto's Spirit Beast.
It certainly looked intimidating... Kakashi mused. Thinking that his own Spirit Beast was also a Ninja dog, perhaps he could give Naruto some guidance on training in the future.
He subtly observed the blue giant beast's behavior, noting its exceptionally elegant table manners, as if it possessed an innate noble temperament.
The dishes on the table exuded an inviting aroma, a result of Naruto and Kushina's collaboration. Although Kushina only tasted the dishes Naruto prepared, a look of immense happiness and satisfaction would appear on her face with every bite.
Kakashi's gaze swept across the dining table, his mind filled with complex thoughts. He curiously observed the mysterious creature named Zacian, and occasionally glanced at the revived Uzumaki Kushina.
He urgently wanted to know what kind of forbidden Ninjutsu this was, that could allow someone to return to the human world in such a complete form—with warmth, color, the ability to taste delicious food, almost indistinguishable from true Reincarnation.
"Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto's sudden call interrupted Kakashi's thoughts.
"...Hm? What is it, Naruto?"
Kakashi paused slightly, then responded. Among Team 7, although Naruto was the student he needed to guide the least, he always showed him the greatest respect.
"If it could be like Mom..." Naruto's voice was serious, "Is there anyone you'd want to bring back to life?"
"Not in a way that toys with Souls, but truly, to revive into this world in the same form as a living person. That forbidden Ninjutsu... I'm almost close to learning it."
"Bang."
The rice bowl in Kakashi's hand uncontrollably fell onto the table, making a crisp sound. His pupils suddenly constricted, and he felt as if he had been hit by an invisible heavy blow. However, he did not immediately give an affirmative answer.
Bringing the deceased back to the human world—this idea itself challenged the common sense of this world. Aside from creating non-living, non-dead beings like Edo Tensei, Naruto was not averse to breaking the boundaries of life and death.
In Naruto's view, the boundaries of life and death in this world were inherently distorted. The Ninja world indeed had the Shinigami and the Pure Land, but there was no concept of Reincarnation for deceased Souls; instead, they remained in that void forever, unconscious.
Since Souls were destined to wander eternally in such a dark and desolate place, why couldn't they be allowed to return to the human world if one had the ability?
"Naruto! You..."
These words immediately caught Uzumaki Kushina's attention. She looked at her son in surprise, her first reaction wanting to warn him that such Ninjutsu, which toyed with life and death, must never be touched lightly!
Kushina had no doubt that Naruto could learn this Ninjutsu. After all, her son was a Genius who mastered Flying Thunder God even earlier than Minato, and the Seal scroll was now in Naruto's hands. However, self-interest and reason fiercely clashed within her.
From what she knew of Minato, her husband, who strictly adhered to the Dao of the Ninja, would definitely refuse Reincarnation, believing it to be a desecration of the dead.
But at the same time, deep down, Kushina also longed for that happiest scene—Minato still alive, the two people she loved most in her life by her side, continuing their unfinished lives.
The dining table fell into silence, and Naruto clearly knew their internal struggles. He decided to give Kakashi some time to think about the question.
Clearing the used bowls and chopsticks to the sink, Naruto turned and said, "Kakashi-sensei... it's okay, take your time to consider. Although the process might be complicated, if it can mend the regrets in your heart, it's all worth it."
Then, he looked at Kushina, his tone firm. "Also, Mom, no matter what you say, I won't give up. I must bring Dad back to this world and reunite you two."
"I'm going to Cultivate now. Satsuki, I'll see you at our usual spot later."
Without waiting for their response, Naruto walked straight out of the apartment and began his daily Cultivate.
Strolling along the streets of Konoha, Naruto recalled their hesitant expressions. He knew what they were worried about; normally, anyone would be overjoyed to unconditionally revive an important person.
However, most people in this world seemed to have an inexplicable aversion to "Reincarnation," such as Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze. Although they all longed to reunite with their departed loved ones, they maintained a deep-seated wariness of actions that defied the Law of nature.
Their thinking was probably that life is precious precisely because it has an end. Forcibly recalling the deceased from the Pure Land not only disturbed their peace but was also a sign of disrespect... But Naruto, knowing the truth of the Pure Land, truly felt that that ghostly place was not worth staying in.
"...Oh no! I forgot to ask Kakashi-sensei who the Fifth Hokage was..."
Naruto suddenly came to his senses, realizing he had missed this important question. Since the Hokage Rock had already begun construction, it meant the Jonin vote had yielded a result, and Kakashi would surely know the identity of the new Hokage.
Could it be Jiraiya? Naruto secretly guessed, but from what he knew of Jiraiya, that person, accustomed to being carefree and loving freedom, should not accept the position of Hokage.
He was so lost in thought that he unconsciously walked to the street corner... "Bang!"
"Ouch! Aren't you looking where you're going?!"
A clear young voice rang out, and Naruto suddenly snapped back to reality. Oh no, he bumped into someone!
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright...?"
Naruto quickly reached out to help the other person up, but when he saw the person's face, he froze. And the boy who was bumped into also showed a similarly shocked expression upon seeing Naruto's attire.
Golden hair, azure eyes, a face eight parts similar to Naruto's. The boy was not wearing a Ninja headband, only a set of ordinary casual clothes. Seeing Naruto's stunned look, he blurted out involuntarily.
"...Dad?!"
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