"Kushina."
Minato remained silent for a long time before forcing a gentle smile, stopping Kushina from running away.
He held her in his arms.
Once her anger subsided, Kushina couldn't hold back her tears. She pounded on Minato's chest, her voice shaking with emotion.
"I told you already!"
"I already told you..."
The Nine-Tails, watching silently, let out a quiet sigh. Though its expression remained neutral, it could not deny the emotions stirring within it. It could sense the pain of its previous Jinchūriki.
"Follow them."
Minato, still holding Kushina, walked at a steady pace behind little Naruto.
"From today on, this is your home."
A Sarutobi clan ninja sneered as he threw a small pouch of coins at Naruto.
"This is your living allowance for the month. Don't come back."
"One thousand ryō?" Kushina's face turned pale. She looked at Minato, her voice trembling.
Minato lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze.
"Okay~"
"That's great~"
Kushina's tears dried up as she stood silently beside Naruto in the illusory world of Tsukuyomi.
Inside the dream, Naruto sat on the floor, counting coins with small, trembling fingers, as if performing silent arithmetic. After a moment, he rose to his feet and walked outside.
"Look! That's the brat!"
"The whisker marks on his face—it has to be him!"
"The fox demon?!"
"Stay away from him! He's dangerous!"
"Damn it! Give me back my father's life!"
"Onii-chan, today I will avenge you!"
The villagers muttered, drawing attention to the small boy in the street before quickly retreating, blending back into the crowd.
"Beat him to death!"
Kushina watched as Naruto curled up on the ground, taking the blows without even crying out.
Rotten eggs and fresh blood stained his small, frail body.
All three of them—Minato, Kushina, and the Nine-Tails—saw the Anbu watching from a distance, observing the scene with cold indifference.
Kushina knelt down, reaching out to embrace Naruto.
But her arms passed right through him.
"That's enough."
When Naruto was about to lose consciousness, the Anbu finally intervened.
Kushina lifted her head, her eyes filled with silent rage as she watched the masked figures.
"They are Konoha's so-called protectors, right?" she whispered. "The Will of Fire is so grand, isn't it? It even allows the fox demon to exist."
She turned to Minato, her voice eerily calm.
"Right, Minato?"
Minato lowered his head again, silent.
Kushina followed the limping Naruto as he made his way to Konoha Hospital.
She watched, helpless, as the medical ninja treated him with rough indifference.
"He was kicked out of the Sarutobi clan at three years old. They give him a mere thousand ryō a month to survive."
"He's just the hated fox demon. His frail body isn't fit for a hero."
"One thousand ryō is too much for him. I'm sure he has money left over each month, right?"
Kushina trailed Naruto as he returned home.
She saw the dilapidated shack he lived in. It was nothing like the house Minato had shown her before.
"A fox demon doesn't deserve to live in a hero's home."
"As long as he has a roof to keep out the wind and rain, it's enough."
"A hero's home should belong to the hero's descendants."
"Look, hero, you left behind so many toys~"
"Ah, hero, you were so kind. You gave so many mission rewards and ninjutsu scrolls to the village."
"Surely the great Hokage must accept the existence of the fox demon now, right?"
"Stop! Fox demon! You can't touch that mask!"
"Hero of the village, protect Konoha! The fox demon is getting angry—he wants to destroy the village you love~!"
"Kushina..."
Minato stepped forward, wanting to hold her.
He expected her to resist, to push him away.
But instead, Kushina leaned into him, resting obediently in his arms.
She smiled sweetly.
"Hero, thank you for protecting Konoha~"
The Nine-Tails' expression darkened, its body instinctively shrinking back.
It had never seen Kushina like this before.
Her sweet smile made the beast shudder.
Minato closed his eyes in pain. Silent tears streaked down his face as his clenched fists trembled.
Kushina tilted her head, looking at Minato with a puzzled expression.
"Hero, what's wrong?"
"Is the fox demon too much of an eyesore?"
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have felt sympathy for the fox demon."
"Kushina!"
Minato placed his hands firmly on her trembling shoulders.
"I understand~!" she suddenly exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Hokage-sama must have a plan."
"He's making the fox demon atone for its sins. That way, the villagers will accept him in the future!"
"Look, the fox demon is always watched by Anbu. He'll never go out of control."
"Hokage-sama is truly wise and righteous."
"By the way, hero, where are your guards?"
"Hero, you're the Hokage too, aren't you?"
"Why don't these Anbu seem to recognize you?"
She giggled.
Kushina was about to continue when she heard a child's voice.
"We sell ninja tools, not fishing hooks."
"But~"
"I have my own fishing gear."
"Not for sale."
"You can't afford it—it's expensive~"
"Well... I can lend it to you."
"But if you catch anything, I want a third."
Kushina's breath hitched.
She reached out, wanting to stroke little Naruto's head as Tenten had.
Her hand passed through.
Her tears stopped immediately.
Minato did not dare step forward. He simply followed behind Kushina.
The Nine-Tails reduced its presence to nothing.
"I'm just an old man passing by."
"Wow~ Look, Hokage-sama has appeared!"
"Damn you, fox demon! Why don't you kneel before the Hokage?!"
"I am the strongest Hokage of them all!"
"Yes, without the great Hokage, we'd all be dead after the Nine-Tails' attack."
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns...
"It's the Will of Fire! Fox demon, remember it well!"
Minato held Kushina tightly, whispering endless apologies.
But Kushina only smiled and apologized back.
"Hiruzen, the Jinchūriki should be under my jurisdiction!" Danzo declared.
"He could lose control. Give him to Root—I will shape him into a weapon for Konoha."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Kushina clung to Minato's sleeve, whispering softly.
"Hero, Hokage-sama is so kind... he didn't even let the Jinchūriki fall into Root's hands..."
The murmurs of the villagers filled the air.
"What a lovely child, to be able to accept a fox demon."
"That's the Hyuga family's child... So cute."
"Pig, Deer, Butterfly?"
"Isn't that Senior Haiyi's daughter?"
Inside the world of Tsukuyomi, time flowed faster, though those trapped within were unaware of it.
Kurama silently shook his head. There was still much about Naruto's past that remained hidden.
"I'm having a great time at the Academy."
"Have you graduated yet?"
"I'm sorry... Mommy can't congratulate you in person."
"Tenten's parents are so kind. They accepted you despite the fox demon and even celebrated your graduation."
"Is that... Kakashi?"
"What a change. So you're helping the Hokage keep an eye on the fox, making sure he doesn't lose control."
"This is Mikoto's child, right?"
"It really is..."
"That's great, hero. Your teacher never returned, but he must be doing great things out there. He is one of the Legendary Sannin, after all. He was the one who named you, Naruto. If others knew, it would have a huge impact on his reputation."
Then came the Land of Waves mission.
And with that, Tsukuyomi's illusion crumbled.
Kushina broke down.
Consciousness returned to reality.
Kurama opened his eyes and glanced at Kushina, who remained unconscious, reluctant to wake up. He sighed.
Minato stirred, holding Kushina tightly in his arms. He didn't speak, head bowed, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry, Naruto."
His voice was barely above a whisper, lifeless.
Naruto had expected this outcome. He had removed many scenes from the illusion—it was an incomplete restoration. Just fragments of the past. Only Kurama knew the full truth of Naruto's suffering before he could protect himself.
"It's okay. It's all over now."
Naruto's tone was calm, reassuring.
"Naruto, do whatever you want. No matter what happens, we will support you—even if you become a rogue ninja."
"If there's anything you need, just ask."
Minato lifted his head. His once-handsome face was now gaunt, worn with exhaustion.
He tightened his hold on Kushina and gently rested his forehead against hers.
"Even if you want to destroy Konoha, Kushina and I will help you."
"Don't worry, Minato-san. I remember everyone who has wronged Naruto. They will get what they deserve soon enough. Destroying Konoha?"
"That would be too easy for them."
Kurama chuckled darkly. "We have a better way."
Minato turned to look at Kurama, his eyes dull and unfocused. But slowly, a flicker of life returned.
"What do you mean?"
Minato had suspected much, but seeing it with his own eyes had shattered him. And Kushina's reaction had nearly pushed him over the edge. The only reason he was still holding on was because he knew he had no right to collapse.
Maybe they should have all died that night.
Or maybe he should have stayed behind, protecting Naruto so he could grow up in safety.
But then Kushina would have been left alone in the Pure Land, wouldn't she?
Kurama sneered. "A method?"
"You'll understand once you meet the Ninja Clan."
"Doesn't he love being Hokage?"
"Then let him stay Hokage—a Hokage framed, despised, a Hokage whose lies will be exposed."
Minato's eyes sharpened. The dullness faded, replaced by cold resolve.
Kurama said no more. He glanced at Naruto before silently leaving the room, giving Minato time to speak with Kushina.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Well... it's late. How about mutton hotpot?"
Feitu: Eat Xixixi! Don't eat Meilin!
After an unknown amount of time, Kushina finally stirred, thanks to Minato's persistent efforts.
"Kushina, you're awake..."
"You're so long-winded."
She pouted, pushing Minato aside before stepping out of the room.
She took a deep breath. "Smells so good~"
She turned to Naruto, eyes twinkling. "My son is a far better cook than I ever was."
Kushina sat beside Naruto as if nothing had happened.
Minato followed her out, watching his family quietly. After a moment, he sat down as well.
Kushina smiled and placed an extra set of bowls and chopsticks in front of him. "Come on, try my son's cooking. This broth... I've never even heard of something like this before. And this braised pork..."
She acted like everything was fine.
But was she really okay?
Of course not.
She was just suppressing it. The moment a spark ignited, she would explode.
Kurama shivered. He had never been more terrified of Kushina than at that moment.
After the meal, Kurama extended a fist toward Minato.
"Minato-san, a fist bump and you'll understand what I meant earlier."
A brief moment later, Minato's eyes widened in shock as he looked at Kurama and Naruto.
He was now clad in the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak.
But almost instantly, it faded.
Kushina tried it as well, but she wasn't as quick to grasp the implications as Minato was.
"I see… so that's it!" Minato murmured.
"What's wrong?" Kushina asked.
Minato didn't answer. Instead, he rushed to the storage room, retrieving several kunai. He carved the Flying Thunder God marks into them.
"Naruto, Kurama, take these."
"Also, Naruto, I'll write down the Flying Thunder God technique and training method for you."
"No need to go through so much trouble." Naruto waved a hand dismissively.
Minato closed his eyes and focused. In an instant, he disappeared with a "whoosh." When he reappeared, he held several three-pronged kunai and scrolls he had once prepared during his lifetime.
After placing the items down, he smiled gently at Naruto.
"Naruto, your mother and I are going to the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools."
"Once our souls fully return and we're truly resurrected, we'll reunite as a family."
"Until then, Kurama, take us to see how the plan is progressing."
Minato's warm smile was back.
But this time, there was a hint of coldness behind it.
Kushina, as usual, remained playful.
Baji——
"Naruto, be good and wait for Mommy to come back. Mommy is strong too, you know. I'll definitely be able to help you then."
And with that, Kurama took them away.
Naruto frowned slightly as he watched them leave.
"Too stimulating?"
Kurama snorted. "Obviously. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so impatient. You want to stop him?"
Naruto shook his head. "With my old man around, Konoha's so-called 'blood transfusion plan' will be sped up."
"Let him worry about Mom. She's terrifying."
Deciding against sleeping there that night, Naruto stood up.
Kushina's resurrection was a big deal.
As her best friend, Mikoto had to hear about this.
…
On the other side of the village.
After an exhausting day of special training, Sakura was looking forward to a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, she planned to wake up early and see Naruto.
But just as she was about to settle in, her mother called her into the kitchen.
Half an hour later…
"Add a little more oil and sugar—the color will come out nicely!"
Sakura rolled her eyes. Lately, her mother had been paying close attention to how she carried herself, noticing that she dressed up every morning before heading out. Now, in the middle of the night, she had suddenly decided it was the perfect time to teach Sakura how to cook—as if she weren't already exhausted from training.
What Sakura didn't expect was that, when she demonstrated the cooking skills she had learned from Naruto, her mother immediately insisted that she teach her instead.
Her precious beauty sleep was slipping away, and patience was wearing thin.
"Can't you at least be a little more patient when I'm teaching you?" Sakura sighed.
Her mother gave her a pointed look. "When you were a kid, you didn't know anything. Whenever you asked me to teach you, I did it with all my heart."
Sakura pouted. "That's different. When I was a kid, if I didn't get it right, you'd smack me."
Her mother smirked. "It's the same now. If you don't teach me properly, I'll still smack you."
Some things never change. Thirty years ago, it was still Hedong. Thirty years later, it was still Hedong.