"Haaa…"
Seeing that the sealing had finally succeeded, Namikaze Minato let out a long, exhausted breath.
For the first time since the night began, a trace of relief appeared on his face.
He immediately hurried over to his eldest son.
Kushina had already lifted Kirito's head and rested it gently on her thighs, using them as a cushion to make him a little more comfortable.
"Kirito… how could you be so reckless?"
"Mom and Dad are here. Protecting you is our responsibility."
Her words sounded strict, yet the concern in her voice was unmistakable—warm enough to make one's heart ache.
"I… I just didn't want to leave any regrets," Kirito said after catching his breath, his tone firm despite his weakness.
Minato looked at him silently for a moment, then picked up the baby beside him.
"Kirito… after Naruto was born, you haven't really looked at him properly yet, have you?"
The four of them sat together on the ground.
For a brief moment, it felt peaceful.
Naruto had stopped crying. His clear, innocent eyes wandered curiously, unaware of everything that had just happened.
"…Naruto."
Kirito looked at his younger brother, his gaze complicated.
In his previous life, he had memorized every part of the Naruto story.
He had sympathized with Naruto.
He had cursed the world for how cruel it was to him.
The son of heroes—yet branded a demon.
No parents. No warmth. Only isolation and humiliation.
He had even joked with friends back then that Naruto must have used Talk no Jutsu on the heavens themselves, otherwise how could someone endure all that and still grow up with such warmth and kindness?
And now—
That Naruto was his little brother.
No matter how complex his feelings were…
No matter what the original "plot" said—
This time, I'll protect him.
"Ahem…"
The warmth didn't last.
Kushina suddenly began coughing, her body trembling slightly.
"Kushina!"
"Mom… Mom!"
She smiled softly and shook her head, signaling them not to worry, then looked at her two sons.
"I'm sorry… Kirito… Naruto…"
"I don't think… I'll be able to grow up with you."
Minato looked at the children with the same gentle, painful smile.
"Kushina… when I sealed the Nine-Tails earlier, I entrusted the key to Gerotora."
"I'll leave it with Jiraiya-sensei."
"And I sealed your remaining chakra inside Naruto."
"In the future… when he's grown up and understands things… you'll meet again."
He swallowed, then straightened slightly.
"We don't have much time left."
"If there's anything you want to say… say it now."
Kushina gently touched Naruto's soft cheek, then ran her hand through Kirito's hair.
Her voice was quiet—almost like a whisper.
"Naruto… Kirito…"
"Don't be picky with food. Eat properly every day and grow up strong."
"Remember to take a warm bath every day."
"And don't stay up late. Make sure you get enough sleep."
"Also… make friends."
She smiled faintly.
"Especially you, Kirito. You've been so quiet since you were little… Mom and Dad always worried you'd have trouble making friends."
"I'm not very good at making friends myself, but… everyone has things they're good at and things they're not."
"So if you don't learn something right away… don't be discouraged."
"Respect your teachers and seniors."
"Oh—and the Three Ninja Prohibitions."
"First, don't borrow money recklessly. Make sure you save your mission rewards."
"You're not allowed to drink alcohol until you're twenty."
Her eyes were already red, but she forced herself to keep talking.
"Drinking too much isn't good for your health… moderation is important."
"And the last prohibition…"
"…women."
She laughed weakly.
"I'm a woman myself, so I don't really know how to explain this."
"But sooner or later, you'll like girls."
"Just… be careful not to get tangled up with strange women."
"Find a wonderful woman… like your mom."
"And speaking of the Three Prohibitions…"
"You really have to be careful around Jiraiya."
"Naruto… Kirito…"
"No matter how painful things get in the future…"
"You'll face many hardships."
"But keep walking at your own pace."
"Hold on to your dreams."
"Believe in yourselves… and act on those dreams."
"I still have… so many things I want to say."
"I still want to live with you."
"I love you."
Tears finally spilled down Kushina's face.
"Minato… I'm sorry. I talked too much…"
Minato shook his head.
"No… it's fine."
"Naruto… Kirito…"
"What Dad wants to say… is the same as your nagging mom."
He looked at Kirito seriously.
"Kirito… the future is in your hands."
"I didn't just give the key to Gerotora."
"I also told Jiraiya-sensei to come back."
"When things happen… don't try to shoulder everything alone."
"He may act carefree… but he's someone you can rely on."
Kirito lifted his head slightly.
He understood.
His father wasn't just warm—he was perceptive.
Kirito had already shown abnormal strength.
Naruto was now the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Attention would inevitably gather.
Calling Jiraiya back was the best protection the brothers could have.
"…Mm."
Kirito nodded.
He didn't dare speak.
He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would completely lose control.
"Kirito…"
"I'm sorry…"
Two gentle voices.
Minato and Kushina collapsed together.
In their final moments, only their children were reflected in their eyes.
Kirito slowly stood.
He turned toward the dark sky.
The family he had finally obtained—
Was gone.
Having a mature mind didn't dull the pain.
If anything, it made it worse.
The tearing ache in his chest made it hard to breathe.
But now wasn't the time to collapse.
With Kushina's life force gone, the Adamantine Sealing Chains vanished.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others rushed toward them.
"No…!"
"The bodies can't be left to them!"
"There's still a chance… there's still a chance!"
"Hahaha… I've got it!"
A strange, almost manic light flickered in Kirito's eyes.
Already drained, he dropped to his knees and pressed his hands against the ground.
"Darkness…"
Thick black mist surged out from his body.
It swallowed Minato and Kushina's bodies completely.
"Kirito! What are you doing?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted instinctively.
But it was too late.
The two bodies slowly vanished into the shadows.
Kirito collapsed backward, utterly exhausted.
Yet...
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
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