NCCnovel Chapter 294 "Living"
Chapter 294 "Living"
...Naruto's original plan was to deal with his mother Kushina's situation immediately after settling Gaara. After all, the power of the "Menma" form had a limited duration and had already dissipated, while Naruto's own "Nine-Faced Sovaka" had not yet been summoned again.
However, he had already left the Flying Thunder God mark on Kushina and Mito's reanimated bodies, so he wasn't worried about not being able to find them. Moreover, the sealing technique he placed on them was both a restraint and, to some extent, a form of protection, at least ensuring that they wouldn't cause damage or be harmed in an out-of-control state.
How long has it been? The Third Hokage and Jiraiya have already found and sealed them away?
Naruto thought about it again and realized that it made perfect sense. After all, the battlefield traces left by Menma's battles with the previous two Nine-Tails Jinchuriki were so extensive that they were practically missile-strewn across the ground, making it hard to miss.
"So..." Naruto took a deep breath, and the name naturally slipped out, "...Where is Mom now?"
When the Third Hokage heard this title, his eyes flickered slightly. He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Kushina... as well as Lady Mito, and the First and Second Hokage are currently housed in a special room within the Konoha Anbu base, used for storing confidential scrolls."
"Currently, unless we can persuade Orochimaru to voluntarily release the technique... we haven't found any other safe way to undo this forbidden technique."
...No, actually Naruto knew a method—[Edo Tensei: Release].
Once the incantation is understood, the summoned souls of the dead can, through their own will, voluntarily break free from their contract with the mortal world. If their wishes are fulfilled, they can rely on their strong will to break free from their bonds and return to the Pure Land.
Moreover, Orochimaru has now been completely sealed away. Forget about precise control, his current techniques even require the aid of talismans to enhance control, so there's no need to worry about him making any more moves.
But... this realization brought not relief, but a deeper struggle: would his mother really leave willingly after the spell was lifted?
The thought of this problem filled Naruto with an indescribable sense of unease. Knowing the whole truth of the original story, he knew all too well what Kushina's deepest and strongest wish was in the final moments of her life... It was to see her child grow up.
The body resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation, though carrying the consciousness of a soul, can never truly compare to real life. Unable to feel the warmth of sunlight, taste the deliciousness of food, or experience the strength of an embrace… its body is composed of inanimate dust… it no longer needs even the most basic physiological need of sleep. Can such an “existence” truly be considered living?
His emotional reluctance and rational understanding clashed fiercely in his mind, tearing at his decision.
Could it be... the system?! Could it be that with the system, he really couldn't find a way to have the best of both worlds? He asked himself again, unwilling to accept this.
Seeing Naruto suddenly become depressed, his brows furrowed, as if he were going through a violent internal struggle, the Third Hokage naturally assumed that he was heartbroken over the suffering his mother endured, unable to rest in peace even after death.
"Naruto... all these years..." The Third Hokage's voice was heavy with weariness as he slowly rose from his seat. "If I had revealed your past sooner... I'm sorry."
He bowed slightly to Naruto, a gesture that caught Jiraiya's eye, but he ultimately did not interrupt.
"But if you must hate, or are disappointed in anything," the Third Generation's voice pleaded, "please hate only me... Although this may sound like I'm making excuses, I still beg you to let me finish."
Before Naruto could respond, the Third Hokage began his explanation.
He recounted that before Naruto was born, the Third Shinobi World War broke out, and Konoha, as the leader of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, became the target of everyone's attacks and was targeted by various forces.
During that most difficult period, a young ninja from Konoha, with his exceptional abilities, repeatedly turned the tide of battle and established a formidable reputation.
"That outstanding ninja was your father," the Third Hokage said, his eyes filled with reminiscence, "and also the Fourth Hokage of Konoha—Minato Namikaze."
With his unpredictable Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato became a nightmare for countless enemy ninjas. His reputation was so fearsome that an enemy country even established an unwritten rule: if they encountered the "Yellow Flash" on the battlefield, they could immediately abandon their mission and flee, and the village would not hold them accountable.
How did this title come about? Naruto knew in his heart that it was by no means a sentimental legend, but a real aura forged from the blood and lives of enemies. The Third Hokage's narration at this moment was already a beautification of that past.
The Third Hokage continued, "On the very day Naruto was born, a mysterious ninja controlled the Nine-Tails and attacked Konoha. To seal the rampaging Nine-Tails and protect the village, Naruto's father and mother sacrificed their lives. Coupled with the immense destruction caused by the Nine-Tails' rampage, Konoha suffered heavy casualties, plunging the entire village into an unprecedented period of weakness."
"If your background were revealed at that time... the enemy country would definitely take advantage of the situation, and I don't have absolute confidence that I can stop all the assassinations targeting you."
That concludes the explanation. The content largely matches the truth that Naruto deduced based on the clues.
Jiraiya stood silently to the side, watching his teacher, the Hokage, bow and apologize to a boy. He said nothing. The reason the rumor that Naruto was a "demon fox" spread was directly related to the Third Hokage's failure to stop Danzo from secretly fueling the flames. The Third Hokage's indecisiveness certainly bore undeniable responsibility in this matter.
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(Regarding Kushina's fate... Should we introduce the protagonist's mother now? I'd like to ask for readers' opinions.)
(Thanks to Jiang Lanzzr for the expert verification!)
(Thanks to Yu Lingwei, the owner who loves eating raw rusty nails, for the expert verification!)
(The author will work hard to write more chapters!)