"Home visit?"
Hearing Kitagawa Gen's words, both Namikaze Minato and Kushina froze.
Was there really such a thing as a home visit like this?
The two exchanged glances, then, almost at the same time, spoke.
"Minato…"
"Kushina…"
As soon as their voices fell, both of them broke into laughter.
Truly, they were husband and wife.
And within their hearts, they were indeed filled with boundless love and reluctance toward Naruto.
Perhaps, this could be considered just another way of accompanying Naruto as he grew up.
"Yes, it's a home visit—though only for a few necessary matters."
Gen nodded. He pulled the silent Naruto, who had been hiding behind him, forward before continuing.
"Previously, when the fox's chakra erupted, I happened to sense two unique chakras within it. So, I told the Pervy Sage."
"Pervy Sage? Could it be—"
Minato seemed dazed hearing that name, but Kushina instantly went on guard, scanning the space around her.
"Jiraiya-sensei. It must be him!"
"That's right, it's him."
Gen nodded again, smiling as he continued.
"He didn't tell me what those two chakras were, but with just a little thought, I could already guess. So—"
His words left both Minato and Kushina silent. Neither of them had expected to be discovered by the boy before them.
And even more unexpected was that this child, who looked only a few years older than Naruto, had actually released them.
'This kid isn't ordinary, either…'
They could not forget that formidable Wood Release, nor the current wretched state of the Nine-Tails.
All of it seemed to prove that Konoha was now thriving.
But soon, their eyes turned toward Naruto. Though they had always resided within his body, they had been sleeping to stabilize his chakra.
So in truth, they had no clear idea of what Naruto had become by now.
"Alright, I think the time should be left to you."
Gen noticed their gazes and, smiling, spoke.
"After all, you've been asleep for so many years—you've missed far too much with each other."
With that, Gen pushed Naruto forward, then stepped back to think through his next moves.
For a long moment, the three just stared at one another. Finally, Minato was the first to step forward.
"It's been a long time, Naruto. I didn't expect you'd have grown so much already—and even have your own jōnin instructor and friends."
"Mm."
Naruto nodded, a bit awkwardly. Right now, he truly didn't know what to say.
This world was always so mysterious.
He remembered how not long ago, he had sighed that Ino's father was so good—how he himself had never experienced what it felt like to have parents.
That cruel, awful friend of his had even joked that, between the three of them, they couldn't make up a single family.
And now…
Even Naruto himself didn't know what he was feeling. He didn't even know what words to say.
"Why me? Why is the Nine-Tails sealed inside me?"
For a long while, Naruto struggled before finally forcing out the words—a question he had carried for more than ten years.
"What exactly happened back then? What really went on with you two?"
"Naruto…"
Kushina's eyes grew misty, while Namikaze Minato let out a sigh.
"So much happened that night… I'm truly sorry, Naruto."
Minato and Kushina slowly recounted the events of that year. It was not only an expression of their longing for Naruto, but also an explanation they owed their son.
Watching this scene, Kitagawa Gen was filled with emotion as well. Yet these things he already knew—and besides, he had far more important matters to deal with.
'I should be able to rely on the Nine-Tails' power to keep their chakra stable, right?'
Rubbing his chin, Gen cast a glance at the peacefully slumbering Nine-Tails, musing to himself.
He had always known that the reason Jiraiya never acted wasn't that he lacked the means to awaken them.
The real problem was: once awakened, how could they be preserved?
From the very beginning, Gen had conceived of using the Nine-Tails' chakra to stabilize the two lingering traces of chakra.
That was why he had directly shattered the seal. Of course, it was also because he was confident he could repair it afterward.
'Namikaze Minato sealed half of the Nine-Tails before—his chakra should be able to withstand it. Uzumaki Kushina was a jinchūriki herself, so it should be even easier. In that case…'
After carefully sensing the remnants of the two chakras, Gen decided it was time to act.
Looking at the slumbering Nine-Tails, he was sorely tempted to strip away more chakra for himself. After all, his 'Source of the God Tree' desperately needed it.
But after thinking it over, he held himself back.
'This is the time to do something good. Besides, there's plenty of the Nine-Tails' chakra available elsewhere.'
With that thought, Gen raised his hand and instantly restored the cage.
The Eight Trigrams Seal—techniques like this were all recorded in the 'Sealed Book.' For him, it wasn't difficult.
'And I'll leave a channel open, so the Nine-Tails' chakra can radiate outward to nourish the two of them.'
With their chakra stabilized and carrying their memories, once Namikaze Minato and Kushina were someday resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation, those chakras could return to them.
'I suppose this counts as another kind of companionship. Not bad for me, as his jōnin instructor.'
Gen chuckled to himself. Yet even as he repaired the seal, his gaze couldn't help but wander deeper.
'That chakra in there… Asura, perhaps?'
Tilting his head, Gen's eyes flickered with curiosity.
Meanwhile, Naruto had just finished listening to his parents' account.
He was dazed, unable to believe that so much had happened back then.
"So… that's how it was?"
Naruto's mind was still hazy. Through this exchange, he had finally learned what had happened that night and understood the painstaking decisions his father had made.
"If there hadn't been some special power, there would've been no way to deal with that man hiding in the shadows, right?"
Naruto glanced at the sleeping Nine-Tails, at a loss for words.
But through this conversation, he truly felt a weight lift from his heart.
Despite all the misfortune, despite all the suffering, despite everything—
His father's and mother's love for him, he could feel it clearly, deep in his heart.
"But… Gen has already fought that man. Even Kakashi-sensei has faced him."
"Hm?"
Naruto's words instantly made Namikaze Minato and Kushina freeze, their faces stiff with shock. They asked in disbelief: "You… you've encountered him?"
"Yes. We did meet him—and we also learned his true identity."
At this moment, Kitagawa Gen stopped concerning himself with Asura's chakra. He walked over and gave a slight nod.
"That man is Kakashi-sensei's former classmate… and one of your disciples. Uchiha Obito."
"Obito?"
"Obito…"
Both Kushina and Minato were stunned. They couldn't bring themselves to believe it.
In their memories, Obito was never that kind of person.
"Yes. It's him."
Gen nodded again, sighing before speaking with utmost seriousness.
"I don't know what happened to him, but all of this was his doing. And it seems they have other goals as well."
"Other goals?"
Their expressions grew grim. Yet soon, their faces dimmed further.
No matter what goals there might be, there was nothing they could do anymore.
After all, they were already dead. The traces of chakra they left behind would eventually disperse.
"Is it ending already?"
Feeling the changes within themselves, Minato and Kushina let out faint sighs.
"But… we're satisfied. Especially being able to see you, Naruto."
"Yes. Seeing you as you are now—I'm already content."
Kushina stepped forward and gently caressed Naruto's face.
"You've grown up. Though we couldn't be by your side as you grew, you've found your own friends. I'm truly happy for you."
"Mom…"
Naruto pressed his lips together, while Kushina softly continued.
"But remember—you can't be picky with food. Eat your fill every day, so you can grow strong."
"Remember to bathe with hot water every day. Don't stay up late. Always make sure you get enough sleep."
"And you must properly thank Gen. Didn't you say he was your first friend, the first person who truly acknowledged you?"
"Beyond that, you must respect him. He isn't just your friend—he's also your senpai and your jōnin instructor."
"Live happily. When you run into setbacks, don't hang your head in despair."
"And… since you said you've been with Jiraiya-sensei, you must be careful of him!"
"He's a good man, yes, but he's also a super pervert. Remember the Three Taboos of a shinobi. Don't ever follow his example."
"Mom believes you'll definitely find a girl you like. But before then, don't let yourself get tangled up with strange women. You must find someone outstanding—like your mom."
As Kushina spoke, her words seemed to carry her back to that night of the Nine-Tails' attack.
She could feel her chakra draining away, bit by bit. Though she kept smiling, tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"Naruto… even though your father and I can't stay with you, we believe you'll only grow stronger and better."
"All we ever wanted was to live by your side, to watch you grow up… to see you marry and have children…"
"But Naruto, we believe you will always stand firm."
"And never forget—your father and mother both love you. We've always loved you."
By this point, Kushina could hardly speak through her sobs.
Perhaps it was the pain of parting all over again, but this time was far easier than that night of the Nine-Tails.
After all, she had truly seen Naruto grow up!
"Sorry, Minato… I've done it again."
After a moment, Kushina looked at Namikaze Minato with embarrassment. He simply shook his head gently.
He patted Naruto on the shoulder, speaking softly.
"Naruto, your father will always believe in you. You're already an outstanding shinobi, and we both believe your future will shine even brighter."
"Mm."
Naruto's eyes were already red, yet he still nodded firmly.
He fought hard to hold back tears. This meeting was so wonderful, yet far too brief.
"I definitely won't let you down. I'll become an excellent shinobi!"
"Um… sorry to interrupt."
Just as the family was bracing for their farewell, Kitagawa Gen cut in at the most untimely moment.
"You seem to have forgotten—I came here for a home visit, didn't I?"
"Uh…"
Minato blinked. Kushina froze. Naruto was utterly dumbfounded.
Now? Was this really the time to bring that up?
"You two should know—Naruto's grades haven't exactly been ideal."
Gen sighed softly, glancing at them as he spoke.
"…"
The couple's faces stiffened. How were they supposed to answer that?
"And Kakashi-sensei also said—this year's class is the worst he's ever taught."
"…"
"And while Naruto has developed some techniques, they're all pervy jutsu."
"Hiss—"
"And the Pervy Sage loves them. He even had Naruto perform in front of the Hokage, which landed the Hokage in the hospital."
Gen went on, listing Naruto's problems one after another. Naruto's face turned pale.
Minato and Kushina froze as well, their eyes drifting toward Naruto. For a moment, silence reigned between them.
This… was an excellent shinobi?
"So then, to make future home visits easier…"
At that, Gen suddenly smiled.
"And to help Kakashi-sensei contact you, and the Pervy Sage lodge his complaints without issue—you'll just have to put up with me for now."
As he spoke, he formed hand seals.
A vast surge of chakra burst forth. Guided by his own chakra, the red chakra of the slumbering Nine-Tails was drawn out.
It slowly merged into Minato and Kushina, solidifying the chakra that had begun to fade away.
"This is…"
The two of them felt the change in disbelief, and even Naruto realized what was happening.
Then Gen's lightly smiling voice rang out.
"Naruto will need your good guidance from here on. I don't think either of you would refuse, right?"
As his words fell, his system refreshed at that very moment.
[Completed Naruto's Exclusive Side Mission 2: Jōnin Instructor's Home Visit]
[Reward Obtained: Portion of Uzumaki Naruto's Special Yang Release]
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