"Oh come on, not again!"
The damn system decided to rear its annoying little head at the worst possible time—like a clingy ex who couldn't take the hint.
Yuto clenched his jaw, eyes twitching, frustration seeping out of every pore.
Because of course, this stupid system couldn't suggest something normal. No. It always had to give him choices that made him want to hurl himself into a volcano.
Today's buffet of bad decisions?
Option 1: Summon the "White Fang of the Leaf," Hatake Sakumo.(Kakashi's dad) Legendary ninja. Anbu captain. Drove himself to suicide after a scandal. Real cheery history.
And now the system wanted Yuto to summon him to… observe Yuto and Kakashi's "love story."
What in the hell was that even supposed to mean?
Look, Yuto had nothing against the gays. He was a proud ally! But that didn't mean he wanted to go on a romantic ghost date with Kakashi while his dead dad was watching in the corner like some tragic cupid.
Option 2: Sarutobi Biwako. Wife of the Third Hokage. She was killed by Obito during Kushina's childbirth. Barely had a name in the original story.
Sure, Yuto had beef with Hiruzen for letting Konoha rot like a political compost bin, but dragging his dead wife into this?
That was a line even Yuto wouldn't cross. What was he supposed to do—invite her over for tea and trauma?
No thanks.
Option 3: Uchiha Mikoto.
Sasuke and Itachi's mom. Victim of the Uchiha massacre. Sweet, calm, motherly and dead. Stabbed by her own kid.
Definitely didn't sign up for any of this posthumous nonsense.
Yuto sighed, stomach already doing guilt-flips. This wasn't ideal. But if he wanted to protect Shikamaru's mom from Thanos snapping then this was his least awful option.
So, Mikoto it was.
He trudged toward the Uchiha cemetery like a guy heading into a job interview with Satan.
"Hey, sis. Change of plans."
"Huh?" Kushina's voice rang out from the Spirit Pearl..
"The 'Summon Wild Rin plan has been postponed."
"...You're giving up?" She actually sounded surprised. Kushina paused, then sighed. "That's fine. This was always between me and Obito anyway. No need to disturb Rin's spirit."
"No, I mean—I'm disturbing another spirit first."
"What does that even—who now?"
Yuto stopped in front of a gravestone, brushed off some moss, and stared.
*Uchiha Mikoto*
Inside the Spirit orb, Kushina's eyebrows shot up so high they were probably in another dimension.
"Yuto… please don't tell me this is also part of your curse?"
"What else would it be?" Yuto's face was the picture of suffering.
"...Or," she said slowly, "you're just a milf-con who uses the word 'curse' like a get-out-of-jail-free card."
"EXCUSE ME?!" Yuto turned red so fast it was almost impressive."Calling me a milf-con is going too far! I've always been a pure love enthusiast!"
"Oh really?" Kushina didn't say more, but her eyes screamed bullshit.
'Pure love? Who was this guy trying to fool?!'
"Look, I have no choice here."Yuto formed the hand signs.
With a groan of existential despair, Yuto formed the hand seals.
"Edo Tensei."
A flurry of glowing paper fragments swirled in the air.
A gentle-faced woman with long black hair and a homely dress materialized, her eyes dazed.
*POP.*
Just like last time with Kushina, Mikoto's clothes exploded off her.
But this time, Yuto was prepared. He grabbed her hand, and swirling spiritual energy wrapped around her, forming a sleek black dress.
"Ma'am." Under Mikoto's stunned gaze, Yuto forced out the most cringe-worthy line of his life
"I—I want to be your children's new dad!"
'GODDAMN THIS SYSTEM TO HELL!'
'What kind of sadistic torture was this?! Saying that out loud was mortifying!' Internally, Yuto screamed.
Mikoto, fresh out of the afterlife, blinked.
Then blinked again.
'Wait… is this boy younger than Itachi… proposing to me? While I'm dead? In a cemetery? What is happening in Konoha?!'
Yuto, sensing incoming footsteps, whispered urgently
"Ma'am, Someone's coming. We can't be caught like this, okay?"
"C-Caught like what?!" Mikoto squeaked.
"Too late."
In one swift motion, he zapped her into the Spirit orb. Inside, she reappeared next to a waving Kushina.
"Mikoto! Long time no see!"
"K-Kushina?!" Mikoto's jaw dropped. "Why are you here? What is going on?! Are we… Are we dead again?!"
"No time to explain. Just watch."
Outside, Yuto plastered on the fakest smile known to man as a brooding figure walked into view.
'Oh, you've gotta be kidding me.'
Yuto's eye twitched.
Of all people, it had to be "Uchiha Sasuke"—Mikoto's youngest son.
"Good evening, Sasuke," Yuto said smoothly. "Visiting family?"
Sasuke's gaze flicked between Yifeng and his mother's grave.
"...Why are you here at my mother's grave?"
"Paying respects to an old friend."
Sasuke's face went blank.
'An… old friend?'
'This guy knew MOM ?!'
*Inside The Spirit Pearl*
Mikoto: "Oh my god, look at him! He's so tall now!"
Kushina:"Right?! I felt the same seeing Naruto!"
Mikoto: "Have you talked to him?"
Kushina: "Well… not officially."
Mikoto: "Ah. Yeah, that'd be hard to explain."
[System Notification]
[Congratulations! You've unlocked "Super Outfit Change"! instant wardrobe swaps, no luggage needed!]
Yuto stared at the glowing message. "…At least something good came out of this."
Sasuke scowled. "Why are you smiling like that?"
"Just appreciating the small things in life."