Chapter 102: A Father's Worry, a Son's Burden
As the chaos in Roran began to settle, the air grew heavy with the faint scent of dust and chakra. The once-proud tower stood cracked and trembling, its energy pulsing weakly after the sealing of the Dragon Vein. The golden light that had once illuminated the sky was now dim, flickering like a dying flame.
Minato, breathing slightly heavy, knelt on the ancient floor, sweat trickling down his temples as the final symbols of the Four Symbol Seal glowed and faded. Beside him, the residual energy of the Contract Seal and Reverse Four Symbol Seal rippled faintly before vanishing into the air, as if sealing away the heartbeat of Roran itself.
He exhaled deeply and looked up at the swirling dust, murmuring, "It's done… the connection has been sealed."
From a distance, Naruto's voice echoed through the half-collapsed corridors, loud and commanding, "Everyone! Gather the people from underground and the town! We don't have much time before the place collapses!"
The message spread quickly. Akira, Minato, Kakashi, Shibi, and Chōza moved in coordination, using their chakra to clear pathways and carry the weak and injured. Many of the people from the underground — once slaves forced to work for Mukade — were too frail to stand. Their eyes, once hollow, flickered faintly with hope for the first time in years.
On the higher floors, those who had hidden away from fear of Mukade's puppets began to emerge, timidly stepping into the open. Mothers clutched their children, and old men held onto each other for support. For a moment, the darkness of Roran felt like it might finally fade.
---
A few minutes earlier, deep inside the Dragon Vein chamber — the heart of Roran's power — a soft blue glow filled the room. Naruto stood before the sealed core, his expression serious and resolved. He turned toward Minato, who was just finishing the sealing process, and said firmly, "Dad, once this is done, take everyone — the people from the underground and those hiding in the town — and move them to safety. You, Akira, Kakashi, Shibi, and Chōza should go as far from here as possible."
Minato frowned, confusion flashing in his eyes. "Naruto… won't it be easier if we stay and help you fight? Having more people will increase our chances of defeating the enemy, won't it?"
Naruto's gaze softened for a moment as he looked at his father. The warmth in Minato's tone, that quiet concern, hit a deep part of him — the part of him that was still the boy who had longed for his father's presence. But his answer came firm and heavy with the weight of experience.
"No, Dad," he said, shaking his head. "These enemies… they're not something you can deal with numbers. Even an army won't be enough. They're on a completely different level. This is our generation's problem — mine and Sasuke's. You don't need to be involved. We've fought these beings before… and we'll do it again."
Minato's eyes lingered on his son. "You sound so sure," he said quietly. There was both pride and fear in his voice. Pride, for the strength and conviction his son carried. Fear, for the unimaginable power he faced. "I can't help but worry. You may be the Hokage, you may have grown stronger than anyone else… but to me, you'll always be my son."
Naruto's expression softened. For a moment, the hardened hero of the Fourth Great Ninja War disappeared, replaced by the same blond-haired boy who used to crave words like these. His chest warmed with something he hadn't felt in a long time — the feeling of a parent's care.
He smiled faintly, eyes glimmering. "Yeah… I know. But don't worry, Dad. I'll be fine. I've got people counting on me… and I've still got things I need to protect."
Minato nodded slowly, the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile that carried both pride and sorrow. "Alright, Naruto. I'll trust you. Just promise me one thing — don't push yourself too far."
Naruto chuckled softly. "Heh, you're starting to sound like Mom now."
Minato let out a light laugh. "Guess some habits don't change."
They exchanged a final look — a silent understanding between father and son — before Minato turned and began to lead the others out.
---
Now, in the present moment, as the group made their way out of the underground tunnels, Minato stopped on the stone bridge that overlooked the ruins. His blue eyes were thoughtful, his mind still replaying his son's words.
"I think this far is enough," he said finally, halting the group.
Akira, who had been walking beside him, turned curiously. His long black hair fluttered slightly in the faint wind from the tunnels. "Brother Minato," he said quietly, "are you worried about them?"
Minato didn't answer immediately. His gaze was still fixed on the horizon, where faint flashes of chakra light could be seen in the distance — the aftermath of Naruto and Sasuke's battle. "Yes," he admitted finally. "They talked about those enemies as if they were… gods. If that's true, even for them, this won't be easy. I can't help but worry."
Akira smiled faintly — a gentle, knowing smile. "Brother Minato," he said softly, "even if we wanted to help, there's nothing we could do. Naruto and Sasuke's power… it's on a level far beyond ours."
Minato looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
Akira stopped walking and turned to face everyone — Minato, Kakashi, Shibi, and Chōza — who were all listening now. The look on Akira's face was calm, but his tone carried a deep weight.
"Let me give you an example," he said quietly. "If either Naruto or Sasuke truly wished to destroy the Earth… they could do it in less than a second. That's how powerful they are."
The words hit them like a shockwave. Shibi froze mid-step, while Chōza's eyes went wide. Kakashi's eyes narrowed beneath his mask. Even Minato — calm and analytical as ever — looked taken aback.
"Destroy the… earth?" Chōza repeated in disbelief. "That's impossible."
Akira met his gaze, unwavering. "No, it's not. You saw the fight earlier — the energy, the speed, the space-time rifts. Those aren't things mortals can control easily. Naruto holds the full power of the Nine-Tails and the Sage of Six Paths' chakra. And Sasuke… he wields the Rinnegan."
Minato's breath caught slightly. "Rinnegan?" he repeated. "That's… the eye of the Sage of Six Paths himself, isn't it?"
Akira nodded slowly. "Exactly. The eye that sees the truth of all things. You saw it, didn't you, Brother Minato? Sasuke left eye — it wasn't a Sharingan."
Minato recalled it clearly now — the ripple-patterned eye glowing with a purple hue. He had noticed it earlier but hadn't questioned it, thinking it was some evolved version of the Uchiha eye. "Yes," he said, his voice low. "It was different… like it could see through time itself."
Akira smiled faintly. "That's because it can. That's the Rinnegan. The eye of reincarnation. The power that can shape life, death, and even reality."
The silence that followed was thick. The weight of Akira's words hung in the air, heavy and almost suffocating.
Kakashi was the first to break it. "So, you're saying those two — Naruto and Sasuke — are… like the Sage himself?"
Akira shrugged slightly. "Something like that."
Minato looked down at the ground, processing it all. His son — the boy who has not born at — was now standing on the same level as legends. A mixture of awe and sadness filled his chest.
"Then… if they carry that kind of burden," Minato said quietly, "they've been fighting a battle that none of us could ever understand."
Akira nodded. "Yes. But don't worry," he said gently, placing a hand on Minato's shoulder. "Your son isn't fighting alone. He's got his brother in arms — Sasuke — and the will of the entire shinobi world behind him. Believe in them. They're not children anymore."
Minato's expression softened. "You're right," he said after a moment. "I should have more faith. He's not just my son anymore. He's the hero this world needed."
Akira smiled. "Exactly."
The group continued walking in silence for a while. Above them, the faint sound of explosions and chakra echoes continued, lighting the sky in flashes of blue and purple. The earth trembled occasionally, but Minato didn't turn back this time.
Instead, he whispered under his breath, "Be safe… Naruto."
Akira heard it and glanced up at the glowing sky, his eyes reflecting the distant light. "And you too… Sasuke."
---