[Naruto's Home]
After dinner, Naruto put the bowls into the sink and started washing them.
Kushina stood beside him, watching with a gentle expression.
Naruto was diligent, hardworking, self-disciplined. Although a little careless in doing things, at least he hadn't grown crooked.
Thinking of this, Kushina felt especially grateful to Rengoku.
And for the days ahead, she was filled with hope.
"Mom, the dishes are washed, are we going out now?", Naruto finished tidying up and took off the apron.
Kushina patted the sofa, signaling Naruto to come over.
Naruto sat down curiously.
Kushina's expression was soft and gentle, "We're not going to the memorial stone."
"But into your heart."
As she spoke, Kushina placed her hand on Naruto's head.
Naruto felt his vision turn, and he had already entered his inner world.
In front of him was a giant cage, inside was the Nine-Tails Naruto had already grown familiar with.
"Ah, Kurama, long time no see."
Kurama now had a decent relationship with Naruto, usually not interfering with his chakra.
When in the mood, he'd chat with Naruto, and otherwise just boosted Naruto's recovery.
The lounging Kurama lifted his eyes at Naruto and Kushina, "Don't disturb my sleep, brat."
Kushina waved a tiny fist at the Nine-Tails, somewhat displeased.
But seeing Naruto's exchanges with Kurama had been going well these past two years, she didn't intervene.
She tapped the sealing talisman on the cage.
A mass of chakra flew out.
Under Naruto's shocked gaze, it transformed into the figure of the Fourth Hokage.
"What's this, Kushina, how did you…? Hm, Naruto's here too."
This mass of Minato's chakra had no sense of time inside the seal; the last time he appeared had been over two years ago.
Now seeing the "whole" Kushina, he was more than a little surprised.
Kushina quietly explained simply. The key being that Rengoku had summoned her soul back into the world.
Gave her a clone to use, which was essentially like being revived.
And now that Rengoku was preparing to move against Sarutobi Hiruzen, Minato's identity could be revealed.
Minato drifted toward Naruto with a trace of emotion, "Naruto."
In Naruto's eyes there was still a sense of unfamiliarity, but after all, they were father and son, and the more he looked at Minato, the more he felt close.
"You're my father?"
Over these years, having his mother with him had already filled much of Naruto's emotional gap.
But still, his eyes turned red, tears welling.
Minato smiled at Naruto, "Ah, yes."
Naruto wiped his damp eyes, and then…
Threw a vicious punch straight into Minato's stomach.
That punch carried all of Naruto's strength, and even Minato staggered back several steps, gasping in pain.
Naruto shouted angrily, "So it was you who thought you were so smart, sealing the Nine-Tails inside me, huh?"
"It was you who left me in the care of the Third Hokage, huh?"
"It was you who let me be bullied to no end, huh?"
"It was you who left me all alone, huh?"
"If the principal hadn't exposed my identity, even now I wouldn't have enough to eat, still under the Third Hokage's control."
"Do you know, I had never once eaten my fill before."
"And the one time I grilled a fish, the Third Hokage tricked me out of it."
As Naruto spoke, tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.
Here, Minato was far more guilty than in the original timeline.
Because he had seen what kind of life Naruto used to live.
Facing Naruto's accusations, he was wracked with guilt.
"You suffered so much, Naruto. I'm sorry. I wasn't a good father."
"All I gave you were painful memories. I don't even have the face to act like a father and apologize to you."
Naruto wiped his tears and glanced at Kushina, "It's fine now, already."
"You don't need to apologize to me. I already have Mom. I don't need you anymore."
In this world, Naruto hadn't developed a saintly nature; his resentment toward Minato wasn't going to vanish easily.
Minato's face dimmed at these words. He knew he had hurt Naruto deeply.
He had no right to ask Naruto to forgive him.
Over two years ago, Naruto had already cried and said he didn't want his father and mother.
To Minato, that was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.
Kushina's eyes were red too, but she couldn't help Naruto forgive Minato either.
Because this, at its core, was Minato's fault.
As Hokage, his actions weren't wrong. But as a father, he had burdened his son with suffering he couldn't shirk.
"Naruto…", Minato wanted to say something.
But Naruto's figure quickly vanished.
That meant he was refusing to communicate with Minato in his inner world.
Even though Minato had been somewhat mentally prepared, his heart still twisted in agony.
Kushina floated to Minato and gently embraced him.
Two years ago Minato had comforted Kushina. This time, Kushina comforted Minato.
"Naruto having resentment is normal. I'll guide him well."
Minato hugged Kushina tightly, "I'm sorry, dear."
"I don't know if my time will be enough," Minato gave a bitter smile. This mass of chakra had lasted only because of Rengoku's supplement.
Otherwise he would have already faded away just now.
Kushina leaned lightly on Minato's shoulder, "Didn't Rengoku say he would revive us both? Have you forgotten?"
"Right now, I may not be fully revived, but it's no different in practice."
"Rengoku has done everything he promised. Believe in him."
Minato stroked Kushina's hair, "I understand. Take good care of Naruto. Call me again next time."
Kushina rubbed her head against Minato's twice, "I'll go check on Naruto. You head back first."
Minato released Kushina, gave her a small nod, then directly returned into the seal.
Kushina also exited Naruto's mental space.
The fox lying with its eyes closed curled its mouth upward slightly, as if finding it all very amusing.
———
Back in the real world, Kushina saw Naruto sitting dazed, his eyes red, his whole body lifeless.
"Naruto."
Kushina stroked his head.
"Sorry, Mom."
Before she could speak, Naruto threw himself into her arms, sobbing, "I shouldn't have said I don't want a father. It was obviously the Third Hokage's fault."
Kushina patted his back gently, "Having resentment in your heart is human nature."
"You've suffered so much, saying hurtful words is normal."
"Don't be too hard on yourself."
Naruto's heart was full of gratitude, relief, and a jumble of complicated emotions.
But he knew, his mom understood him. Mom was the best mom in the world.
"Thank you, Mom."
"Then for now I don't want to see Dad."
Kushina ruffled his hair, kissed his forehead, "Alright, then we won't see him."
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