Shiranui Residence
Nagi, Shizuka, Samui, and Amayo sat together on the sofa, thinking about how to explain everything to the others.
Nagi stood up and said,
"I've already left a large number of space-time markers in this world. Once we cross back, I'll complete the inter-world travel technique as quickly as possible."
"Mm. Nagi, we believe in you."
Nagi then added,
"Should we apply to Uncle Minato for a very long-term mission?"
Amayo shook her head.
"Today is your birthday. The Hokage probably won't approve it. And according to your estimate… we'll likely leave by evening."
Samui also spoke up:
"And we can't tell too many people about this world-crossing matter. The situation in the ninja world isn't completely stable yet. If something happens to you—the key figure—it would be disastrous."
Shizuka lowered her head and thought for a moment.
"How about this? For our families, we say we've been assigned a long-term mission."
"But for Naruko and the others… we'll tell them the truth."
Nagi remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"I understand. And I also plan to tell Uncle Minato and the others. After we leave, someone will need to cover for us."
"Mm." ×3
Fūma Village (Shizuka's Village)
Shizuka and Nagi came together to visit the current village chief, Kageryū.
"Oh my, little Shizuka and little Nagi. Come, sit down."
Kageryū warmly welcomed them.
After struggling internally for a long time, Shizuka finally spoke.
"Master…"
"Yes?"
"I… I'm about to leave for a long-term mission. I may not return for a very long time, so… please take good care of yourself during that time."
As she spoke, tears began to fall.
Seeing Shizuka like this, Kageryū seemed to understand something.
She gently wiped away Shizuka's tears and said kindly,
"You must also take care of yourself, Shizuka. Having a disciple like you is the greatest happiness of my life."
"Mm… sob…"
Shizuka cried as she embraced her.
Kageryū patted Shizuka's back, soothing her.
"Nagi, I'll leave Shizuka in your care."
"I will!"
Noon – Namikaze Residence
Nagi gathered everyone together:
Genma Shiranui, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Hiashi Hyuga, Fugaku Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, and Naruko with her two friends.
Naruko asked curiously,
"Nagi, are we having your birthday party already?"
(Oh no… this means we won't have time to drug him.)
"Should we go prepare ingredients now?"
(Good chance to make our move.)
Nagi shook his head.
Samui, Shizuka, and Amayo all had red eyes.
Minato immediately sensed that something was wrong.
"Did something happen?"
"Yes."
After a moment of silence, Nagi said:
"…I'm sorry."
"Nagi, what's wrong? Did something sad happen?" Kushina asked worriedly.
"The truth is…"
"People from another world!?" ×9
Minato, Fugaku, and the others stared in disbelief.
"Yes. And this evening… we'll be returning."
"Y-You're not joking, right?"
"Today isn't April Fool's Day."
But the only response they received was silence.
"…."
Now, whether they wanted to believe it or not—they had no choice.
Naruko, Satsuki, and Hinata felt as if their world had collapsed.
They grabbed Nagi by the collar.
Satsuki looked at him with lifeless eyes.
"Nagi… this is fake, right? You're lying, right? Lying isn't a good thing… okay?"
"You're definitely lying to us, right?! Right?! Right?! Admit it!"
Hinata clutched his clothes, tears streaming down her face.
Her usual big-sister aura had vanished.
Instead, she looked like a helpless kitten about to be abandoned.
Naruko simply chose denial.
"I must still be dreaming… yes, that's it…"
Nagi could only hug the three of them.
"Naruko, Satsuki, Hinata… we will definitely come back. Absolutely."
The three girls only clung to him, crying.
After some time…
They were still sobbing when Nagi said gently,
"Actually… a few years ago, someone came from the future."
"They were my future children."
Everyone froze.
"My… future children?"
"Yes."
Nagi nodded.
"And the most important thing is… they mentioned 'Mother Satsuki.'"
"Mother… Satsuki?"
Everyone froze again.
Then joy spread across their faces.
"That means—"
"Yes."
"Naruko, Satsuki, Hinata… I will never abandon you."
"Mm!" ×3
Hearing that they would eventually marry Nagi made the three girls feel much better.
Once they calmed down, Nagi began discussing with Minato and the others about the arrangements after they left.
Minato nodded.
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Kushina stepped forward.
Her eyes were red, and Mikoto's were the same.
Clearly, they had been holding back their emotions.
"Nagi… can you tell us about our lives in your world?"
Everyone immediately grew curious.
Even Naruko and the others leaned closer.
"Sure."
"I'll start with Naruto, who is Naruko's counterpart in our world."
"But… he's a boy."
Naruko and the others let out a sigh of relief.
"Uncle Minato, Aunt Kushina… in our world, you both died during the Night of the Nine-Tails."
"And Naruto became the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."
The news hit them like a bomb.
Minato, Kushina, and Naruko were stunned.
"You mean… we died? Then Naruto…"
"Yes."
"From the moment he was born, Naruto became an orphan."
"He longed every day for your companionship."
"I met Naruto in Konoha Year 54, and we became friends."
"We went to school together, ate together, and played together."
"Iruka-sensei and I often checked on him to make sure he was eating properly."
"Oh—and his favorite food is Ichiraku Ramen."
As Nagi spoke, a faint smile appeared on his face.
I really want to see you again, Naruto…
Minato, Kushina, and Naruko fell silent.
Minato and Kushina looked at each other, then bowed deeply to Nagi.
Startled, Nagi quickly tried to stop them.
"Nagi, thank you for taking care of our child in that world."
"And…"
They bowed again.
"This bow is for Iruka-sensei as well."
"If it weren't for you and him… our Naruto…"
Kushina's voice broke as tears streamed down her face.
As a Jinchūriki, she knew how painful that life was.
But Naruto had been the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki since birth.
And he had been alone.
She couldn't imagine how he had endured it.
Minato was equally distressed.
He couldn't imagine what kind of decision his other self must have made.
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