Chapter 319: Transformation
Create life?
Was this truly a domain ninjutsu could reach?
Kushina's mind went blank. She was certain her son would never use cheap tricks or genjutsu to deceive her, but this vividly displayed scene before her eyes was simply too incredible, somewhat overturning her understanding of ninjutsu.
In her understanding, life's reproduction was one thing, but creating a complete life from nothing, from thin air—in the myths and legends she knew, this should belong to divine authority.
Just like this world's circulating myths—that legendary sage, the Sage of Six Paths, seemed to possess the power to create all things and bestow life.
Fortunately, Naruto quickly spoke to explain, clarifying this ability's limitations. "But Mom, life transformed through this life energy, though possessing all that creature's physiological structure and instinctive behaviors, its actions are essentially just my chakra simulating the organism's basic instincts. It doesn't possess a true soul—just a moving empty shell."
To help his mother understand more intuitively, Naruto gently placed that emerald-green little frog on the table surface. That little thing indeed acted as though alive, clumsily hopping twice on the table, throat even releasing faint "gurgling" sounds, appearing quite spirited.
"Moreover," Naruto continued supplementing, "this created state cannot be permanently maintained. When the life energy injected within is exhausted, these organic materials will revert back to their original inorganic form."
Confirming Naruto's words, just moments later, that lively hopping little frog's body began rippling with invisible energy waves. Its form once again began twisting, contracting, gradually reverting to that ordinary metal spoon, lying quietly on the table surface.
The only thing proving that miraculous scene wasn't an illusion was the traces of mucus from the frog's skin remaining on the table.
"Naruto..." Kushina finally slightly recovered from extreme shock.
Naruto looked at his mother's somewhat dazed expression, heart prepared, waiting for her response. He secretly resolved that even if his mother, from some worry, clearly expressed she didn't want him doing this, he must still try to let her gain more real "sense of existence."
However, Kushina's next reaction completely exceeded Naruto's expectations.
Her gaze suddenly moved from that spoon, landing on that conspicuous puddle of frog fluid on the table, brows instantly furrowing.
"Don't just casually put frog-type things on the eating table!"
"Also! You just touched that frog, right?! Quick! Go wash your hands immediately!!"
Just like that, after experiencing the "creating life" demonstration shocking enough to shake world laws, Uzumaki Kushina's first time getting angry at her son was actually because... poor hygiene...
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"Let me be clear first—it's just energy converted from your chakra, right? If afterward in the hospital's full body checkup, they discover even the slightest thing wrong with you, this jutsu gets permanently banned, never to be used again! Understand?"
"...Yes."
"By the way! If it succeeds, I can truly have living touch sensation... but I won't turn into a frog, right? If I became like that, Mom absolutely refuses even unto death."
"You won't. That was just a demonstration! What creature to transform into, what appearance—it's all decided by my will. Even intricate complex human bodies can be perfectly transformed, even appearance details can be controlled..."
"Eh? That amazing? Sounds almost like... a transformation jutsu that never disappears..."
"Wait! Human touch sensation... just without...?! Naruto!" She grabbed her son's shoulders, voice suddenly rising. "Jiraiya-sensei hasn't secretly told you anything weird, has he?! This ability to freely shape bodies, absolutely! Absolutely cannot be misused! Also, honestly tell Mom—have you used this ability to satisfy certain... strange special preferences of that Jiraiya-sensei?!"
"...Jiraiya-sensei doesn't even know I have this ability." Naruto's face showed a barely perceptible blush. "Besides, how could I do such indecent things... I can't let Satsuki down."
"Ah? Like that? Haha... sorry sorry, Mom overthought and said weird things." Kushina laughed dryly as she released her grip, somewhat embarrassedly scratching her cheek, trying to hide that excessive reaction.
After the brief interlude, final confirmation before the experiment began. Kushina expressed she really liked her current appearance, not needing any changes. She even added with girlish playfulness: "If it were before, I might have wanted to try changing hair colors. But now... hehe, two very important men have said they really like this red hair of mine."
Golden energy slowly condensed into a human figure behind Naruto. However, watching his mother sitting properly before him, eyes closed with a trusting smile waiting for the ability to take effect, Naruto felt his palms slightly sweating, waves of irrepressible tension surging up.
What if... it failed?
If this jutsu was ineffective on Impure World Reincarnation bodies, or produced rejection reactions... wouldn't that make his mother rejoice for nothing?
This attempt to inject life energy into "dead matter possessing a soul"... what exactly would happen?
A deceased body, soul still within... seems like... there's actually precedent...
"What's wrong, Naruto? Mom's still waiting." Kushina opened her eyes, looking at her son whose movements were somewhat stiff, perceiving his emotions. Her voice softened. "Could it be... you're nervous?"
"Yeah..." Naruto honestly admitted. "This is also my first time using the ability on... an existence like Mom's current state. A shell constructed of inorganic matter, yet carrying a complete soul... I'm... not certain what exactly will happen."
"I see. It's okay, Naruto. Being afraid, being worried—that's normal." Kushina showed not the slightest impatience, nor did she deny his unease. Instead, she immediately used gentle words to normalize his emotions, giving them positive meaning.
"That you're so nervous now, considering so much, precisely shows you're very, very seriously thinking of Mom... Just being aware of this already makes Mom feel incomparably happy."
"So don't be afraid. Go ahead boldly." She encouraged, tone full of unconditional trust. "You know what? Being so cherished and concerned about by my own child—to me, that's already the world's greatest happiness."
"No matter what happens next, whether the result is success or failure, Mom will calmly accept it—of course, the prerequisite is this jutsu absolutely cannot consume your true life! Come on, Naruto. As a parent, I believe in my child."
"...Yeah, I understand." Naruto took a deep breath, slowly pressing down the churning miscellaneous thoughts in his chest. Being trusted so unreservedly by his mother, that hesitation in his heart was instead replaced by firm resolve.
It must succeed!
Even if this time fails, absolutely won't give up!
This world still has other possibilities... worst case, just go seize Nagato's Rinnegan!