The next day — Shiranui Residence.
Ding-dong.
"Coming."
"Hm? Why does that sound like a girl's voice?"
Standing at the door, Naruto scratched his head in confusion. He looked at the nameplate again.
This was definitely Nagi's house.
Click.
The door opened.
When Shizuka saw who it was, she greeted him with a smile.
"Oh my, isn't this Naruto? Good morning."
"Oh, it's you, Shizuka. Morning."
Naruto returned the greeting, slightly stunned.
Then suddenly—
"Wait! That's not right! Why are you at Nagi's house?!"
Shizuka replied calmly with a gentle smile.
"I just bought a house nearby last night. It's still being renovated, so I'm temporarily staying here at Nagi's place."
(Real estate developer: Well, she's the future lady of the house. No matter how carefully we renovate, it won't be too much.)
Naruto nodded.
Then he shook his head again.
"No, wait… this… you… he… I…"
At that moment, Nagi walked over.
"Naruto, don't just stand there. Come in."
"Oh—okay."
Living Room
Naruto sat across from the two of them.
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between Nagi and Shizuka, Naruto felt strangely unsettled.
He had experienced a similar feeling once before—when he first met Sasuke at Nagi's house.
But compared to today, that feeling was nothing.
Nagi smiled.
"Naruto, how are Aunt Kushina and Uncle Minato doing?"
"Oh! Yeah, they're still inside my sealing space. And… thank you, Nagi.
Thank you for letting me meet them."
Nagi shook his head.
"There's no need for thanks between friends.
But I assume that's not the only reason you came here."
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah.
My dad and mom have something important they want to tell you. Um…"
"Alright, I understand.
Then it seems it's time for me to see them again."
Nagi's eyes flickered slightly.
The next moment, he and Naruto entered Naruto's inner mindscape.
Inside the sealing space.
As soon as Nagi entered, he saw two figures who felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
"Long time no see, Aunt Kushina. Uncle Minato."
For a moment, he found himself thinking of the versions of them from another world, wondering how they were doing now.
"Um… you must be Nagi."
Minato spoke first.
"Mm."
Kushina then said:
"Nagi, we've already seen everything about Naruto's childhood.
Thank you for taking care of our Naruto all these years.
And thank you for letting our family reunite like this."
Minato nodded.
"Yes, Nagi. Thank you."
The couple bowed deeply to him.
Nagi quickly helped them up.
"Naruto is my friend. And you two sacrificed so much for Konohagakure.
Helping you is only natural.
Those who gather firewood for the people should not be left to freeze in the snow. If your hearts were left to grow cold, that would be our failure."
Kushina nodded firmly.
"Mm! Nagi, you're such a good child.
Unlike those heartless people in Konoha—especially Kakashi and Jiraiya!"
Minato did not interrupt or try to stop her.
After all, he had already fulfilled his duty to Konoha to the very end.
Yet he never expected his child to live such a lonely life before meeting Nagi.
As for the morality and responsibilities of a Hokage—
That's the concern of the living Minato.
What does that have to do with the dead Minato?
Right now, the most important things in his heart were Kushina and Naruto.
After some conversation…
Minato suddenly became serious.
"Nagi, Jiraiya-sensei told me that you've already defeated the leader of the Akatsuki.
But according to the investigations Kakashi and Jiraiya conducted over the past two years… there's actually another person within the Akatsuki."
Kushina added:
"That's right. He's the one who caused the Night of the Nine-Tails.
The mysterious masked man."
So it's about that… Nagi thought.
He gently sent Naruto's consciousness outside before continuing the conversation.
Then he spoke to Minato and Kushina.
"I've fought that masked man several times.
And you two are actually quite familiar with his true identity."
Minato frowned.
"Is he really Uchiha Madara?
I've always felt that something didn't add up."
Nagi shook his head.
"Uncle Minato, Aunt Kushina.
I know his identity, but I hope you won't reveal it to anyone—especially Kakashi.
Otherwise he'll go mad searching for him."
Kushina hadn't reacted yet.
But Minato's pupils suddenly shrank.
A terrifying possibility formed in his mind.
"Nagi… you said especially not to tell Kakashi.
Does that mean the masked man is…?!"
Nagi nodded.
"Yes.
He's your former student—
Uchiha Obito."
"!!!" ×2
Back in the Living Room
Shizuka stood up and poured another pot of tea for Naruto.
Naruto muttered:
"Why did Nagi suddenly send me out? I wanted to hear what they were going to say."
Nagi's voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Oh, they were just talking about your childhood.
Like the time you ate extra-spicy ramen and drank iced drinks afterward… and ended up…"
"AHHH!!!"
Naruto shouted.
"Nagi! You're back already?!
Here—sit down! I'll pour the tea!"
Naruto hurriedly grabbed the teapot from Shizuka and poured Nagi a cup himself.
He was terrified Nagi might reveal more embarrassing childhood stories.
Shizuka narrowed her eyes slightly.
Not only had Naruto stolen her role as Nagi's girlfriend, but his clumsy tea-pouring technique meant Nagi wouldn't even get the best flavor from the tea.
At that moment, Nagi took out two sealing scrolls.
With a light wave of his hand, lines of text automatically appeared across them.
He tossed one scroll to Naruto.
"Naruto, this contains the sealing techniques Aunt Kushina left for you, as well as Uncle Minato's insights into space–time ninjutsu.
Study them well."
"Oh! Okay!"
Naruto stored the scroll away.
Then he said excitedly:
"Hehe! Nagi, I can already use the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode a little now!"
"Very impressive, Naruto."
"Right?! So Nagi—let's spar!
This time I'll definitely surprise you!"
Naruto declared confidently.
Inside him, Minato and Kushina were also eager to see their son's progress.
Meanwhile—
Kurama didn't even bother opening his eyes.
In his opinion, this sparring match was completely unnecessary.
Nagi's strength already seemed far beyond that of the Sage of Six Paths.
At least, Kurama couldn't sense the limits of it.
Still, he was looking forward to seeing Naruto get soundly beaten.
Just as Nagi was about to respond—
Shizuka spoke first.
"Naruto, how about letting big sister be your opponent instead?
Nagi worked hard all day yesterday. Let him rest."
Naruto blinked.
"Oh? Really?
Sorry, Nagi. I didn't realize."
He then looked at Shizuka.
"Um… Shizuka-nee-san, my Nine-Tails Chakra Mode is still unstable. I haven't mastered it yet, so if something—"
Nagi interrupted calmly.
"Don't worry. If anything becomes dangerous, I'll stop it immediately."
Naruto nodded.
"…Alright."
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789