Chapter 324: Unexpected Encounter
Konoha Village, Uzumaki Naruto's apartment.
Kakashi, who'd been "persuaded" here by Kushina's signature fist, was currently sharing lunch with Naruto... and this family?
"What is it, Kakashi?"
Noticing the silver-haired jonin's inquiring gaze, Satsuki set down her chopsticks and asked coldly.
"Nothing..."
Kakashi shifted his gaze away, unconcerned by Satsuki's typical Uchiha-style coldness or her manner of addressing him directly by name.
He merely pondered internally why Satsuki could sit here so naturally, as though she were already a member of Naruto's household. Though thinking carefully, this seemed reasonable enough.
Besides that... another presence attracted his attention.
Kakashi's gaze turned aside where a... creature sat elegantly? Before it lay the exact same meal as on the dining table, and it was enjoying this human food with surprisingly dignified posture. It was a large blue canine—or rather, closer to a wolf's form?
Kakashi couldn't help feeling astonished. In merely half a month unseen, where had Naruto found such a massive pet?
When it raised its head, the height nearly matched an adult human. More eye-catching were the carefully braided, cherry-pink-toned... braids by its ears?
Too many details demanded commentary—Kakashi momentarily didn't know where to start. However, he reached the same conclusion as Naruto's answer: it was Naruto's summoning beast.
Appearance certainly looked intimidating... Kakashi thought privately. Considering his own summoning beasts were also ninja dogs, perhaps he could give Naruto some training guidance in the future.
He unobtrusively observed this blue giant beast's behavior, noticing its dining etiquette was exceptionally elegant, as though naturally carrying some noble bearing.
The dishes on the table emitted enticing aromas—the fruit of Naruto and Kushina's joint collaboration. Though Kushina only tasted Naruto's cooking, whenever food entered her mouth, her face displayed incomparably blissful satisfaction.
Kakashi's gaze wandered across the dining table, heart full of complex thoughts. He both curiously observed that mysterious creature named Zacian and occasionally glanced at the reborn Kushina.
He urgently wanted to know what kind of forbidden jutsu could let someone return to the world in such complete form—with warmth, color, able to taste delicious food, almost no different from true resurrection.
"Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto's sudden call interrupted Kakashi's contemplation.
"...Hmm? What is it, Naruto?"
Kakashi slightly startled, then responded. In Team Seven, though Naruto was the student requiring least guidance, he always maintained greatest respect toward him.
"If it were possible, like with Mom..." Naruto's voice was serious. "Is there anyone you'd want to resurrect?"
"Not the kind that toys with souls, but truly, genuinely, in the same form as a living person, resurrected into this world. That forbidden jutsu... I've almost learned it."
Clunk.
The rice bowl in Kakashi's hand uncontrollably fell onto the table with a clear sound. His pupils abruptly contracted, entire person as though struck by an invisible heavy blow. However, he didn't immediately give an affirmative response.
Bringing the deceased back to the world—this notion itself challenged this world's common sense. Besides creating non-living, non-dead existences like Impure World Reincarnation, Naruto wasn't opposed to breaking life-death boundaries.
In Naruto's view, this world's life-death boundary was inherently twisted. The ninja world indeed had death gods and the Pure Land, but deceased souls had no concept of reincarnation—instead eternally remaining in that void unconsciously.
Since souls had to eternally wander in that sunless place, then under capable conditions, why couldn't they return to the world?
"Naruto! You..."
These words immediately caught Kushina Uzumaki's attention. She looked at her son in surprise, first reaction wanting to warn him that jutsu toying with life and death absolutely shouldn't be easily touched!
Regarding whether Naruto could learn this jutsu, Kushina had no doubts. After all, her son was a genius who'd mastered Flying Thunder God even earlier than Minato, and the sealing scroll was currently in Naruto's hands. However, selfish desires and rationality fiercely clashed in her heart.
Based on her understanding of Minato, that husband who adhered to the ninja way would certainly refuse resurrection, considering it blasphemy toward the dead.
But simultaneously, deep in Kushina's heart also longed for that most blissful scene—Minato still here, the two people she loved most in life both by her side, continuing their unfinished lives.
The dining table fell into silence. Naruto clearly knew their internal struggles. He decided to give Kakashi time to properly consider this question.
Gathering the used dishes to the sink, Naruto turned and said, "Kakashi-sensei... it's fine, take your time considering. Though the process might be somewhat complex, if it can compensate for heart's regrets, everything is worthwhile."
Then he looked toward Kushina, tone firm. "Also, Mom, no matter what you say, I won't give up. I must bring Dad back to this world, let you reunite."
"I'm going to train first. Satsuki, see you at the usual place in a bit."
Without waiting for their responses, Naruto walked straight out of the apartment, beginning daily routine training.
Strolling through Konoha's streets, Naruto recalled their just-now hesitant expressions. He knew what they were concerned about. According to common sense, being able to unconditionally resurrect important people—anyone would joyfully agree.
However, most people in this world seemed to hold inexplicable resistance toward "resurrection." Like Naruto's father, Namikaze Minato. Though they all longed to reunite with the deceased, they maintained deep-rooted vigilance toward acts violating natural law.
Their thinking was probably that life's preciousness lay precisely in having an endpoint. Forcibly summoning the dead from the Pure Land not only destroyed their peace but was also disrespectful...
But knowing the Pure Land's truth, Naruto genuinely felt that damn place wasn't worth staying in at all.
"...Crap! Forgot to ask Kakashi-sensei who the Fifth Hokage is..."
Naruto suddenly snapped back, realizing he'd missed this important question. Since the Hokage Monument had already begun construction, it meant the jonin vote had results—Kakashi definitely knew the new Hokage candidate.
Could it be Jiraiya? Naruto privately guessed, but based on his understanding of Jiraiya, that habitually carefree person who loved freedom shouldn't accept the Hokage position.
He remained immersed in thoughts like this, unknowingly walking to the street corner...
BAM!
"That hurt! Don't you watch where you're going?!"
A clear young voice rang out. Naruto snapped back sharply. Damn, he'd bumped into someone!
"I'm terribly sorry! Are you alri—"
Naruto hastily extended his hand wanting to help the other up. However, when he saw the other's face clearly, his entire person froze. And the bumped boy, upon seeing Naruto's attire, also revealed equally shocked expression.
Blond hair, azure eyes, features bearing eighty percent resemblance to Naruto. The boy wasn't wearing a ninja headband, only dressed in ordinary casual clothes. Seeing Naruto's dazed appearance, he involuntarily blurted out:
"...Dad?!"
***
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