Chapter 437: After the Return
Konoha Village basked in peaceful morning light.
The village atmosphere remained stable as usual. No abnormal gathering presence emanated from the Hokage building direction, and ninja patrol rhythms showed no changes.
Neighborhood gossip topics remained daily trivialities, mission rumors, or that abnormally bright star from yesterday. No shocking news capable of igniting the entire village—like "Fourth Hokage Resurrected"—circulated anywhere.
Minato had followed the suggestion, temporarily choosing to remain hidden. This suited Minato's cautious, thorough personality while also providing Kushina and himself private space for adjustment and adaptation.
However, within Naruto's inner world, that familiar, warm chakra fluctuation belonging to Minato had disappeared.
Not dissipated, but naturally returned to its original body.
With Minato's physical resurrection complete and his soul's total return, this lingering imprint had rejoined the existence of the whole Namikaze Minato.
Naruto sensed that energy node within him that had become somewhat "vacant," feeling no sense of loss in his heart.
You accompanied me for several years... but now, Father, you should go properly accompany Mother.
She's waited far too long.
Now, only two "residents" remained permanently within Naruto's body.
First was the Nine-Tails. Regarding Minato's chakra's complete departure, its attitude was...
"Hmph, finally left. Really got off easy. Good that he's gone—peace and quiet!"
Its tone was vicious, full of disdain.
After years of "cohabitation," the Nine-Tails' attitude toward Minato remained a complex state of "mutual dislike but able to coexist grudgingly."
Minato's departure, for the Nine-Tails, was like an annoying but familiar neighbor moving away.
The other "resident's" situation was far more complicated.
Otsutsuki Urashiki.
This visitor from beyond the stars who had once stood high above, viewing the ninja world's masses as ants—at this moment his consciousness form appeared dim and dispirited.
He was now... very confused.
His initial plans—waiting for Naruto's mental relaxation or severe injury causing unconsciousness to attempt counterattack and possession, or patiently lurking, hoping other Otsutsuki clan members would come to rescue.
But after personally witnessing and experiencing Naruto's subsequent series of power leaps and actions, those plans had become as laughable as children's delusions.
Why... why had this inferior planet's native, after absorbing his power, become... this strong?!
Urashiki's understanding was collapsing.
Creating reality?
These abilities belonged to legendary realms even in the Otsutsuki Clan's evolutionary history! According to clan records, there was one legendary existence—Otsutsuki Shibai, who had devoured countless Chakra Fruits and ultimately undergone the ultimate metamorphosis of life form, sublimating into godhood, abandoning physical flesh to depart for higher dimensions—who was vaguely described as possessing authority similar to "creating reality"!
When Naruto had fully accepted Regulus's power, that consciousness sublimation—the signs of imminent departure from the three-dimensional material world, leaping toward higher dimensions—Urashiki had experienced it personally.
That was qualitative change in life level, a clear signal advancing toward the "god" domain!
However, what left Urashiki most incredulous and even terrified—Naruto had actively refused it.
He'd forcibly modified the reality of his "impending dimensional ascension," re-"anchoring" himself to this mortal world of flesh and emotional bonds that he loved so deeply!
To remain in this world... he abandoned becoming a "true god"?!
This choice exceeded all understanding based on Otsutsuki plunder and evolution logic.
Power, hierarchy... weren't these the ultimate pursuits? Why would anyone abandon them for so-called "bonds"?
The conclusion derived from this made Urashiki feel bone-deep chill.
If Naruto chose to remain in this world... then what would the Otsutsuki Clan's upper echelons, those so-called "main family" strongest forces, be before him?
Urashiki could conclude—as long as Naruto wished, as long as he had a single thought, those Otsutsuki clan members who hadn't reached the "god" domain, no matter how many came, no matter what ocular techniques or secret treasures they possessed, would probably be erased like dust effortlessly.
This consciousness form of his—already captured, power extracted—what did it amount to before this person?
An ant? Dust? Or... something inconsequential from the "past tense" that didn't even qualify for special attention?
What will... become of me?
This question entangled Urashiki's consciousness. Wait for rescue? Hope was slim. Attempt resistance? Tantamount to suicide.
Immense confusion drowned him. Previously clear goals had all become bubbles. The future showed no way forward.
Ultimately, under confusion and mental pressure, Urashiki made a choice similar to many life forms trapped in desperate straits—escaping into spiritual sustenance.
---
Inside the Hokage office.
Jiraiya, rarely wearing relatively formal Hokage robes, sat behind the large desk.
His face lacked the usual joking and laziness, replaced by rare solemnity.
Uzumaki Naruto stood before the desk, eyes calmly watching his master.
After brief silence, Jiraiya slowly spoke, voice low.
"Naruto..."
He'd barely begun when Naruto directly took over.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I know that toying with life and death, reversing natural principles, appears to many as taboo, even desecration of natural law."
"However, that's not Impure World Reincarnation—that puppet technique desecrating the dead. This is true resurrection, reconstruction and return of life's essence."
"I know what the 'Pure Land' after death truly is. There... there's nothing. No sensation, no time, no companionship—only eternal, cold emptiness and stagnation."
He looked directly into Jiraiya's eyes, tone resolute.
"Therefore, I won't retract decisions already made. Letting those who should return come back—leaving them in that place with 'nothing worth staying for' has no meaning whatsoever."
Listening to his disciple's words, Jiraiya's face showed a helpless yet relieved smile. He raised one hand, waving it.
"Uh... no, you misunderstood."
He leaned back, trying to make the atmosphere less tense.
"I know you're a good kid who respects life more than anyone and better understands the pain of loss. Moreover..."
Jiraiya's gaze became profound and emotional. "This entire village owes you. Owes you a childhood that should have been carefree. I trust you would never casually, recklessly abuse this power exceeding normal principles."
He spoke with complete sincerity. Jiraiya felt he was a master who deeply understood his character and trusted Naruto's judgment and nature.
Of course, not everyone in the village thought like him.
For instance, those two former advisors—Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—whom he'd forcibly cleared from high-level advisory positions using "too old, should enjoy retirement" as the reason.
When they'd learned Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato had "possibly" returned somehow—the information source was naturally Jiraiya deliberately releasing test rumors.
Seems there are still those two old fossils' informants here. Need another purge.
These two relics had immediately stormed into the Hokage office, pounding tables, faces red and necks thick, loudly spouting clichés about "manipulating life and death is defying heaven! Disrespecting the deceased! Will disturb order! Must be strictly controlled or even prohibited!"
Regarding this, Jiraiya—who'd been Hokage for several years—handled it simply, brutally, and efficiently.
He'd directly summoned Hokage-affiliated ANBU and, citing "disrupting Hokage office," unceremoniously had these two former advisors thrown out.
He'd strengthened "protection" near their residences, clearly stating this matter was entirely handled by Hokage authority and didn't require their "concern."
Since last year, Jiraiya had used Shikaku's gradually maturing administrative abilities and Tsunade's support in medical affairs and prestige to progressively strip power and sideline Koharu and Homura.
Just a few months ago, he'd finally succeeded in getting these two old fossils from Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's era to "voluntarily" submit complete retirement applications, cleanly driving them from Konoha's power core.
Whenever thinking of this, Jiraiya couldn't help mentally grumbling—look at Third Hokage old man, now daily walking ninja dogs, playing shogi, doting on grandchildren... and doing things he himself wanted to do but couldn't.
Living such a leisurely life, never coming to the Hokage building to point fingers. You two fossils from the same generation, still shamelessly clinging to that bit of power, just causing trouble?
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