Naruto: Set a goal, conquer the universe.

Page 96

"Are you Sasuke? Are you Fugaku's son?" Minato looked at Sasuke, his tone warm and friendly.

"Yes, my father is Uchiha Fugaku, and you are the Fourth Hokage, right?" Sasuke said with a hint of respect.

This is not only because Minato was the Fourth Hokage, but also because he was Naruto's father.

Upon hearing this, Minato's eyes revealed sincere nostalgia. He smiled and nodded to Sasuke, "I see. You are Fugaku-senpai and Mikoto's child. Time flies, you've grown so much."

"Your parents are both outstanding and respectable people." His tone was full of respect for his former teammate Fugaku and his wife, as well as care for his junior.

Kushina's reaction was even more direct and enthusiastic!

Her face, which had been filled with interest in Hinata and maternal warmth, instantly radiated even greater surprise and immense affection.

"Mikoto?! You're Mikoto's son?!?" Kushina's deep blue eyes widened instantly, her voice rising several octaves with unbelievable excitement.

She strode up to Sasuke, slapped his shoulders hard with both hands without hesitation, leaned forward, and scrutinized him closely, almost with a gaze that seemed intent on imprinting him in her mind.

"Oh my god! You're Sasuke? Little Sasuke?! You're so handsome! Your eyebrows and eyes, your temperament are just like Mikoto's! But that coolness and those eyes are clearly a carbon copy of Fugaku when he was young!" Kushina's voice was full of joy, the most sincere emotion for her old friend's child.

"When I first met you, you were just a tiny little thing!" Kushina gestured to Sasuke, who was about the size of a baby.

She took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm her emotions, but it clearly had little effect: "Mikoto is my best friend! We were always inseparable when we were in the village! We trained together, we chatted together, and her rice balls were the best I've ever eaten! We made a promise..."

As Kushina spoke, her expression suddenly shifted from pure excitement to a warm smile tinged with mischief and reminiscence. She ruffled Sasuke's hair vigorously, then pointed at Naruto and said to Sasuke in a carefree manner:

"Yes! We made a promise! If I give birth to a daughter this time, I'll arrange a marriage between her and you, the child she gives birth to!"

These words resounded like a thunderclap in the quiet, sealed space.

Chapter 40 Kushina's Love for Sasuke

"Cough cough cough!!!" Naruto coughed violently, his face instantly turning as red as his scarf. He frantically grabbed Kushina's arm, "Mom! Mom! What are you saying!!! You were just joking with Aunt Mikoto! And! And I'm your son! And Hinata... Hinata is!!!"

As he spoke, he nervously and anxiously stole glances at Hinata, who was completely petrified, her face flushed red, and who was practically curling up into a ball.

Sasuke was completely stunned by this sudden declaration of a childhood betrothal.

Even though he is usually calm and composed, he couldn't hold back at all at this moment.

"A childhood betrothal?!" For the first time, Sasuke's icy expression cracked open, his fair face flushing uncontrollably, even his ears turning bright red.

The Mangekyou Sharingan's eyes were filled with astonishment and intense embarrassment. Kushina's enthusiastic pats and massages on the shoulder made him stagger slightly. "I...I've never heard of such a thing before?!"

His voice was distorted, and he subconsciously took a half step back, completely losing his usual cool demeanor.

"Ahem..." Minato couldn't help but cough twice, covering his mouth, with a helpless yet doting smile on his face, as if to say, "Oh dear, my wife is starting to tell me some old stories that leave young people bewildered."

He quickly stepped forward and gently patted Kushina's shoulder, trying to calm his wife, who was overly emotional: "Kushina, Kushina! Don't bring up this old agreement to scare the children. Sasuke is an important comrade of Naruto, like a brother."

He turned gently to Sasuke, smiled apologetically, and said sincerely, "I'm sorry, Sasuke. Your mother, Mikoto, is indeed Kushina's best friend in Konoha. They have a very close relationship, and she was just too excited to see you."

Minato's words effectively dispelled the intense awkwardness brought about by the "arranged marriage."

Kushina, realizing she had gotten a little too excited after Minato's comment, patted her forehead and laughed at Sasuke's unusually embarrassed expression: "Oh dear, looks like I scared you, little guy! Just like your dad, you're so thin-skinned."

She toned down her overly outgoing enthusiasm a bit, but the affection and warmth in her eyes remained undiminished.

"Mikoto has raised you brothers very well, I can tell, Sasuke." Kushina's voice softened, filled with praise for Mikoto. "Fugaku and Mikoto must be very, very proud to see how strong you are now."

She reached out and this time gently helped Zuo Zhu tidy up the black hair that she had just ruffled.

This unexpected family reunion, though somewhat explosive at the beginning, eventually settled into warmth and tranquility after Minato smoothed things over and Kushina's heartfelt expression.

The air was filled with a deep sense of kinship that transcended life and death, and a genuine concern for the outstanding young man before them who carried the blood of his deceased loved ones.

"By the way, how are Mikoto and Fugaku doing?" Kushina asked curiously after tidying Sasuke's hair.

Sasuke's face darkened, and Naruto recounted the massacre of the Uchiha clan.

Minato's face darkened, his clenched fists trembled slightly, and beneath his golden, tousled hair, his usually gentle, smiling blue eyes now seemed to be filled with icy coldness.

He couldn't imagine that the village of Konoha, which he had risked his life to protect, would suffer such a tragedy as the massacre of the Uchiha clan, especially so soon after his and Kushina's sacrifice.

Brother Fugaku and Mikoto, those former comrades-in-arms and family-like partners.

Kushina's shock was instantly swallowed up by immense sorrow.

Those blue eyes, which once burned like flames, were now filled with unbelievable pain.

Mikoto, her best friend, the one who always smiles gently, makes her delicious rice balls, shares her girlish secrets, and promises to become in-laws with her in the future!

"Mikoto!" Kushina's voice choked in her throat, trembling with heart-wrenching pain.

Just moments ago, I was overjoyed by the reunion with Naruto and the appearance of Sasuke and Hinata, but now that joy has been crushed by cruel reality.

This belated bad news pierced her heart like a sharp knife.

Without the slightest hesitation, she moved with lightning speed, carrying the unique and irresistible protectiveness of a mother.

Just like how she protected herself when she was pregnant, and how she protected Naruto when he was just born.

"Sasuke!!!" Her strong arms wrapped tightly around the boy's thin but already upright body.

She held Sasuke so tightly that she almost crushed him in her arms, as if this could convey all her unspeakable heartache and sorrow, and dispel the bone-chilling cold that the boy carried alone.

Her tears flowed uncontrollably, even more profusely than when she had hugged Naruto earlier, so hot they seemed to scorch through time and space.

"My little Sasuke!!!" Kushina sobbed, her voice broken and filled with heartache, "You've suffered all these years!"

Her weeping carried a mother's compassion, and even more so, mourning for her dear friend.

She remembered Mikoto's gentle and proud expression when she talked about little Sasuke, the scene of them stroking each other's bulging bellies and chatting and laughing, and the smile on Mikoto's face when she held the newborn Sasuke and made a betrothal to her!

Mikoto's two most beloved children: one betrayed and massacred his village, while the other carried the burden of a blood feud alone!

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Kushina stammered, repeating, "Auntie couldn't protect Mikoto, Auntie couldn't protect you two brothers! If I were still alive, Mikoto, she..." She broke down in tears and couldn't continue.

Sasuke, who was suddenly hugged, froze instantly.

He was used to the pain festering inside him, used to wrapping all his vulnerability in ice, and had long forgotten what it felt like to be enveloped in such a pure and caring embrace.

This sudden, overwhelming warmth and sorrow crashed against his defenses like a raging heatwave.

He could clearly feel Kushina's body trembling violently and the sensation of her scalding "tears" seeping into his clothes.

It was a mother's sorrow for another mother's child, and a deep affection for her dearest friend's bloodline.

The longing for warm family affection that had been suppressed in a corner of her heart—the longing of Uchiha Mikoto's son—was violently awakened at this moment.

A crack appeared in the hard shell, and the frozen emotions melted into a slight warm current, only to be stung by immense sorrow.

His nose tingled uncontrollably, and his eyes felt hot, but he endured it, letting his body tremble slightly in Kushina's arms.

His stiff arms moved subconsciously, as if trying to respond to the painful yet incredibly warm embrace, but in the end they just hung limply at his sides, slightly clenched.

He suddenly understood why his parents would show even more affection for Naruto when he was a child.

Chapter 41 You are already our pride.

Now, he also felt Kushina's care and love for him!

The sealed space was completely silent, with only Kushina's suppressed and broken sobs echoing.

Minato took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and grief, and walked behind Kushina, gently placing a warm hand on his wife's back.

With his other hand, he slowly placed it on Sasuke's head, with a heavy understanding and a father's kindness, and gently rubbed it.

“Sasuke,” Minato’s voice was low and hoarse, yet carried a calm strength, “I know this is an incredibly painful path. But you made it through and became such a powerful ninja. I’m sorry we couldn’t help you at all.”

“We cannot share your pain, but your existence itself is the greatest comfort to Fugaku-senpai and Mikoto.”

He paused, his eyes filled with deep pain and unwavering determination: "From now on, even if it's just a brief encounter, you won't have to bear everything alone anymore. Naruto is here, and we are here too."

Naruto had already reached Sasuke's side, his azure eyes brimming with tears. He was telling his parents about the past, and his heart was breaking for Sasuke's despair and his mother's outburst at this moment.

He reached out and patted Sasuke on the shoulder, conveying his support and strength in a silent, brotherly way.

Your Naruto brother is here!

Hinata's eyes welled up with tears as she watched this scene. She stood silently beside Naruto, her eyes filled with tears, moved by this compassion that transcended life and death and the belated comfort.

After a long embrace, Kushina's sobs gradually subsided, though her shoulders were still trembling slightly.

She looked up, wiping her face haphazardly with her sleeve, revealing blue eyes that were made even brighter by her tears.

She loosened her grip on Sasuke slightly and cupped the boy's face in her hands—a face that resembled his father's but also inherited his mother's handsome features.

"Look into my eyes, Sasuke." Her voice was hoarse from crying, but incredibly earnest. "The pain of the past cannot be undone, but your aunt and uncle want to tell you that Mikoto and Fugaku love you more than their own lives, just as Minato and I love Naruto."

"What they want most is not for you to be forever trapped in hatred. You must live on, for their sake and for Itachi's, and live a wonderful life! Whatever you do or where you go, protect yourself and make yourself happy. That is the best way to repay them!"

Sasuke looked into Kushina's eyes, which overlapped with the expression of his mother in his memory and were now filled with deep affection. He listened to Minato's steady affirmation and felt Naruto's silent hand.

At this moment, the icy wall of his heart finally melted open, allowing a huge crack to seep in, letting in a long-lost ray of warm sunlight called "being truly understood and cared for."

He nodded slowly and very slightly, avoiding Kushina's overly intense gaze, suppressing some emotion in his throat, and managed to utter a short, strained sound: "...Mm."

At this moment, Minato and Kushina's bodies began to emit a faint glow.

Their bodies began to fade and disappear.

"Well, it seems we don't have enough chakra left to stay here any longer," Minato said with a helpless smile.

"Is there anything else you want to say to Naruto, Kushina?"

Kushina gently stroked Naruto's cheek, her eyes filled with tears and a smile: "Naruto, Mom is so proud to see how strong you are now, but you still need to remember to rest on time!"

"Even though you're already a capable ninja, you should still take a hot bath to relax, no matter how busy you are with the mission."

"Mom is completely at ease about your friends! With a brother like Sasuke who would entrust his life to you, and a wonderful girl like Hinata, you've already found bonds even more precious than Mom could have imagined!"

She gently poked Naruto's forehead: "Don't push yourself too hard in ninjutsu training! But!" She suddenly laughed: "My son is definitely more capable than his mother at persuading that fox!"

She lowered her voice and pretended to be serious: "The three prohibitions still need to be reminded! Especially be careful about lending and borrowing 'money,' and save your mission rewards well! You're going to get married in the future!"

"Also, you can only drink alcohol when you're 20. Drinking too much is bad for your health, so you have to be moderate!"

"Yes, most importantly, we must stay away from Jiraiya-sensei!"

She glanced at Hinata and laughed again: "As for girls, with Hinata looking after you now, Mommy is so relieved~"

She hugged Naruto tightly: "The road ahead may still be full of storms, but seeing you come this far with your dreams, Mom is more certain than ever that you will become the Hokage who illuminates the world!"

Minato placed his palm on Kushina's hand, gave Naruto a gentle smile, and said, "Your mother has said everything I wanted to say, Naruto. Stick to the path you've chosen! You are already our pride."

As Minato and Kushina's bodies slowly disappeared, nestled together, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata all had tears in their eyes.

Although it was only a brief meeting, the two men's sincere feelings for Sasuke and Hinata deeply moved them.

Sasuke, in particular, was very grateful that he was able to briefly meet Minato and Kushina, as if he were seeing his parents again!

Even though it was only a short-lived love, it was enough!

Naruto wiped away his tears. He had cried more today than in the previous ten years, and that was enough.

He smacked his lips, and the three of them returned to the grassy field under the blue sky and white clouds. Nine-Tails had calmed down and lay down on the grass to rest again.

When Naruto and the others returned, Kurama let out a soft snort.

"Nine-Tails, let's continue!" Naruto shouted in his usual cheerful voice.

Without hesitation, he floated up, tore off the talisman pasted on the iron gate, and then twisted the seal on his stomach with his right hand.

The seal on the iron gate began to rotate section by section, breaking the seal.

Nine-Tails couldn't wait any longer and pushed open the iron gate that had imprisoned him for over a decade.

Hinata and Sasuke watched Kurama nervously, preventing him from suddenly attacking Naruto.

However, Naruto himself had no sense of caution whatsoever.

He watched the Nine-Tails quietly.

After stretching its body, Kurama looked down at Naruto's calm and trusting eyes, grinned, and said, "Are you ready? Naruto, if you are consumed by negative emotions, your will may disappear on the spot!"

"Ah! I'm ready! That guy is someone I'll have to face sooner or later!" Naruto said with a determined expression.

Kurama didn't waste any more words, and its crimson chakra flowed continuously into Naruto's body.

In an instant, it enveloped him tightly!

Intense negative emotions once again enveloped Naruto's heart!

When Naruto was once again engulfed by that crimson, icy chakra that seemed to carry the screams of countless dead souls, he was not instantly defeated as he had been before.