Chapter 284: Chapter 284
"Jiraiya-sensei, you've finally returned. How's your health?" Minato asked joyfully upon seeing Jiraiya arrive. There were few in the village who genuinely cared about him anymore, and Jiraiya-sensei was one of them.
Even though Minato's death was partly tied to Jiraiya, he held no resentment toward his sensei.
"I'm feeling much better, Minato! This misfortune turned into a blessing—I've now mastered Perfect Sage Mode, hahaha," Jiraiya boasted, unable to hide his excitement. Whenever something good happened, he couldn't resist sharing it with Minato.
After all, this disciple of his was truly remarkable—he had not only created an A-rank jutsu but also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Even Sage Mode, Minato had mastered it faster and better than Jiraiya, which had once been a blow to the older man's pride. But now that he had also achieved Perfect Sage Mode, Jiraiya couldn't wait to share the news with his prodigious student.
"That's amazing, Jiraiya-sensei! Please, come in and have a seat. I'll make some tea."
Minato's surprise only lasted a second before he warmly ushered Jiraiya inside and went to the kitchen to prepare some tea.
Jiraiya's smile twitched, but he was used to his student's demeanor. He sat down at the table and asked, "Where's Naruto?"
"Naruto's training with the Fifth's son, and Kushina went along to keep an eye on him. She's also catching up with Mina. I didn't think it was my place to join them, so I stayed home," Minato explained, placing the tea in front of Jiraiya.
He sighed as he continued, "I don't know what to do in terms of missions anymore. Naruto's been preoccupied lately, and I've found myself with too much idle time."
Jiraiya asked, "Are you thinking about taking on a mission? You could speak to the village; they could really use the extra help right now."
"No, Jiraiya-sensei, I'm more inclined to spend time with my family. But I've realized there's a divide between the living and the dead. I want to return to the Pure Land," Minato said gravely. He had thought it over for a long time. If he continued living as the undead in this world, both he and Kushina would eventually suffer the consequences.
Naruto, being so young, might not understand yet, but both Minato and Kushina felt the divide keenly.
Jiraiya, caught off guard by this statement, quickly asked, "Minato, why would you suddenly want that? Things are fine now, aren't they? Why…?"
"Jiraiya-sensei, I've made up my mind. From my perspective, only a few days have passed, but for Kushina and everyone else, I've been dead for five years," Minato explained, shaking his head. Seeing that Kushina and Naruto were well was enough for him. He planned to discuss this with Kushina soon.
"But the village has the means to bring you back to life! If you could be revived, everything would go back to the way it was," Jiraiya insisted, unwilling to give up. "Nawaki, the First and Second Hokage, they've all been brought back. There might be a way—Orochimaru could know something… Let me ask him."
Minato shook his head. That kind of forbidden technique only lay in the hands of the Fifth Hokage, and the cost of reviving someone could be steep. If the Fifth had no intention of doing it, it likely wasn't an option at all.
The village was short on manpower, but it wasn't as though they couldn't function without him.
Minato was just another shinobi skilled in space-time jutsu. While he had contributed greatly to the village, many other shinobi had also done their part. If they revived Minato, what about all the other heroic jonin? Should they also be revived?
Having come to terms with this, Minato had asked Kushina not to pursue it further. Little did he know, Kushina had already arranged for him to be given a chance at revival, but both of them had ultimately turned it down.
"Jiraiya-sensei, enough about that. Naruto is almost ready to join the academy. Haven't you ever thought about settling down?" Minato changed the subject, but it only caused Jiraiya to fall silent.
For Jiraiya, settling down had always seemed like a distant dream, especially after that brief glimmer of hope years ago had been crushed.
...
"I really don't want to see Obito again. Please tell the Police Force to stop coming to me about this. If they don't, I'll have to bring it up with Yoichi-sensei."
Rin, clearly irritated, confronted two members of the Police Force outside the Konoha hospital.
This was the third time they'd approached her, and even her patience was wearing thin.
"My apologies, Rin-san. I just felt sorry for the guy, so I passed along the message. If you don't want me to anymore, I'll stop. I didn't mean to offend you," the officer said, bowing in apology after hearing Rin mention the Fifth Hokage.
Internally, he cursed Obito. He'd only helped Obito pass on a message because he pitied him and Obito had begged so sincerely. Now it seemed like he'd been dragged into something much bigger.
He didn't realize that Obito had already begged two other officers to relay similar messages to Rin.
Frustrated, Rin initially planned to head home for some rest, but her mounting irritation made her change course toward the Hokage's office.
Upon arriving at the Hokage Tower, she went straight to the top floor. Just as she reached the door to Yoichi's office, Kurenai opened it, preparing to leave.
"Rin? What are you doing here so late?"
"I need to talk to Yoichi-sensei. Is he in?"
Kurenai nodded, "That's a shadow clone. Sensei went home earlier this afternoon. Is it urgent?"
"Sort of…" Rin hesitated, but upon seeing Yoichi's clone, she watched as he quickly created another clone and dispelled it to inform the original.
Within minutes, Yoichi appeared in the office with the Flying Thunder God Technique, turning to Rin. "What's going on, Rin?"
"It's about the Police Force…"
Hearing this, Kurenai excused herself. "Sensei, I'll take my leave."
"Thank you for your hard work today, Kurenai."
Once Kurenai left, Rin immediately embraced Yoichi, pressing her cheek against his chest. "Yoichi-sensei, it's been so long since you came to see me~"
"Sorry, Rin. I've been busy with some things," Yoichi whispered as he leaned down, kissing her on the lips.
Several minutes later, Yoichi finally released Rin, who was blushing and out of breath.
"Rin, what's wrong today? It seems like something's really bothering you."
"It's Obito… Even after I rejected him, he keeps pleading with the Police Force to send me messages. It's been giving me a headache," Rin explained, her breathing still a little ragged. After calming herself, she recounted the events.
Rin was kind-hearted and didn't want the officers who'd been duped into helping Obito to get into trouble, but she also couldn't stand being bothered by him any longer. What good were his apologies now? It wasn't like they could bring back the comrades who had died.
Rin hoped Yoichi could intervene with the Police Force and put an end to it once and for all.
"That's simple enough. But Rin, would you like me to ensure Obito stops for good?" Yoichi caressed Rin's face as he asked the question, feeling an unexpected spark of emotion seeing her so vulnerable today.
"I'll do whatever you say, Yoichi-sensei~" Rin hugged him tightly. When no one was around, she never wanted to let go of her beloved teacher.
"Then follow me. I'll make sure this problem is solved permanently."
Yoichi took Rin's hand, ready to teach Obito a painful lesson. What did Obito think he was doing, pestering his disciple like this?
In a flash, Yoichi and Rin arrived at the fifth level of the underground prison, using a barrier technique to block the Police Force's perception and surveillance. Together, they made their way to Obito's cell.
Obito, already hearing footsteps, called out, "Rin, is that you? I'm so sorry. I just wanted to—"
"Genjutsu."
Before Obito could finish his sentence, Yoichi cast a powerful genjutsu. Even without using his Sharingan, his illusionary techniques were the strongest in the shinobi world, trapping Obito in a nightmare akin to an endless Tsukuyomi.
In the illusion, Obito's face lit up with satisfaction. He found himself back in the academy's fifth year, about to graduate. Rin was there, handing him his ninja graduation certificate.
In the genjutsu:
[After graduating, Obito quickly rose through the ranks of the Uchiha clan, becoming an elite. He was also the first to be promoted to jonin in Minato's team.]
[On the day of his promotion, Obito unlocked the Three Tomoe Sharingan.]
["Congratulations, Obito! Not only did you make jonin, but you also unlocked the Three Tomoe Sharingan," Rin said, smiling warmly as she handed Obito a gift—a scarf symbolizing her feelings for him. Obito's heart soared, though he composed himself and extended his hand to Kakashi.]
["What do you want, Obito? I don't have any gifts for you," Kakashi said, still sulking over having lost the jonin promotion to Obito.]
["It's fine, Kakashi. I just want us to work together. This mission can only be completed as a team," Obito said seriously. Minato smiled, giving Obito a thumbs-up.]
[The mission was successful, with Obito rescuing both Kakashi and Rin. Though he was injured, Rin's care made him feel like a hero, and he returned to the village as one.]
[Obito's fame only grew after the Third Shinobi War, and Rin became his partner in both life and combat. He was hailed as a hero.]
[Ten years later…]
[Fifteen years later…]
[Twenty years later…]
Outside the cell, Obito's face grew more and more blissful, but to Rin, it seemed unsettling. Confused by his expression, she asked, "Yoichi-sensei, what's happening to him?"
"He's under a genjutsu, living out his perfect dream. Right now, he's probably stepping on Kakashi and preparing to become Hokage."
"But it's all fake… Genjutsu is just an illusion," Rin shook her head. In the third year at the academy, they had all learned that the essence of genjutsu was deception.
"Exactly. No matter how real it seems, Rin, you're always by my side," Yoichi whispered, pulling her close and kissing her once more.
"Mmm~ Yoichi-sensei… right here?"
"The cell next to us is empty. Doesn't that seem perfect?"
"Mm~ but what if someone hears…?"
"He can't see you, and he's lost in his own illusion. No one will know," Yoichi reassured her. Though she hesitated, Rin couldn't bring herself to resist.
Yoichi led her into the neighboring cell, where they found a bed just big enough for their purposes. Before entering, Yoichi made sure to set a soundproof barrier, ensuring Obito could hear them but could not make a sound.
"Yoichi-sensei… Yoichi-sensei…"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The genjutsu didn't last much longer. Just as Obito reached the pinnacle of his fantasy, everything crumbled, and the illusion shattered.
"Rin!"
As reality rushed back, and the familiar scent of his prison cell filled his senses, Obito realized what had happened. The scenes he'd just witnessed—his heroism, his time as Hokage—had all been an illusion.
"Who did this? Show yourself! Why would you put me through that?" Obito screamed in fury, but just then, he heard loud noises from the neighboring cell. The voices were unmistakable—it was Rin, the girl he had loved and longed for every day.
"Yoichi-sensei…"
W-what is this sound?!
Obito's mind reeled as he realized what was happening in the next cell. Rin, his beloved, was with Uchiha Yoichi, the Fifth Hokage—her mentor.
"No!! Bastard, let her go! Let go of Rin!"
"Ahhhhhh! Let go of her!!"
Driven mad with rage, Obito slammed his fists into the walls, his teeth gnashing so hard they cracked, blood filling his mouth. But he didn't care—he continued to hammer against the unyielding walls.
His fury only intensified, and Obito began smashing his head against the bars of his cell, screaming, "Rin, Rin, get away from him! Rin!"
He was supposed to be Hokage! He was supposed to be the hero of Konoha! Rin had once given him that scarf as a symbol of her feelings! But now she was in the next cell, making those sounds with her sensei—Uchiha Yoichi—her teacher.
"Hehehe… fake… it's all fake… hahahahahaha, everything is fake… everything," Obito muttered, madness creeping into his voice.
"I don't believe it… it's all fake… fake… hahaha, Rin is mine… hahaha…"
"I am the hero of Konoha. I am the Hokage!"
...
Two or three hours later, Rin lay weakly against Yoichi's chest, utterly content. Today had been her most fulfilling day. She had finally crossed a boundary she had longed to, and she held tightly to Yoichi's neck, terrified it might all be a dream. The blissful sensation she had felt moments ago had seemed so surreal.
But now Rin knew for certain that it was all real—especially the wildness she had just shared with her beloved sensei.
"Let's go back, Rin. You need to rest," Yoichi gently offered, infusing her with a bit of his life energy to help her recover. But her clothes were beyond salvage, so Yoichi suggested, "I'll teleport you home directly. I'll clean up here."
"Thanks, Yoichi-sensei~" Rin replied with a slight limp, making her way toward the exit. Though the life energy had restored her strength, her legs were still sore.
After finishing up, Yoichi emerged from the cell to find Rin waiting. "Yoichi-sensei, what happened to Obito?"
By then, Obito had become completely numb. In his delusion, he kept repeating to himself, "I am the hero of Konoha… I am the Fifth Hokage… I am the hero of Konoha…"
"He's probably lost in his illusion. He can't face reality, so he chooses to live in the genjutsu world where he's a hero," Yoichi explained.
"That's pathetic. I thought he might have repented, but instead…"
Rin shook her head, not wanting to talk about Obito anymore. To her, he was beyond redemption. To be so consumed by an illusion to the point of delusion? She didn't care what happened to him anymore.
With Obito reduced to this state, he would no longer be able to bother Rin. He had lost all sense of himself.
After sending Rin home and taking a bath with her, Yoichi watched as she settled into bed before quietly leaving her house.
...
For the third summoning, Yoichi called forth the King of Dinosaurs—a Dragon-level monster from the One Punch Man world.
Its abilities were similar to Godzilla's, though not as powerful.
Neither Karin nor Naruto liked it, and both Kimimaro and Itachi shook their heads. Ultimately, Yoichi drained its life force, leaving behind only weathered remains.
The fourth summoning, however, brought a far more formidable beast—a Golden Behemoth King, which Yoichi barely managed to subdue. The battle was so intense that he had to use three Truth-Seeking Orbs, nearly sinking the entire Uzu nation in the process.
This monster was incredibly resilient. Its combat methods were simple, but its defense and healing abilities were off the charts.
Naruto ended up being chosen to become the host of the Golden Behemoth King.
Karin, Kimimaro, and Itachi had all heard that the beast's abilities would shape their fighting styles. While Itachi and Kimimaro decided to wait, Karin trusted that Yoichi would find her an even stronger beast, so she let Naruto take this one.
Naruto happily sealed the Behemoth and quickly recovered with some life energy.
The Golden Behemoth King's power wasn't immediately apparent, but once Naruto fully assimilated its energy, it would manifest in due time.
He would eventually be like a Titan God—a humanoid Behemoth.
That night, Naruto was so excited he could hardly sleep. Now he was on equal footing with Sasuke, and the race was on to see who could train harder.
Despite Kushina's efforts to calm him down, Naruto was eager to start training late into the night. Finally, in frustration, Kushina gave him a few sharp smacks on the rear, forcing him to whine and head to bed.
"That knucklehead of a son… I can't imagine how much trouble he'll cause when he enters the academy," Kushina muttered before joining Minato in their room.
"Let's get some rest, Minato."
"Mm."
But Minato hesitated before saying, "Kushina… I think it's time for me to return to the Pure Land."
"Huh?"
Kushina froze, confused by his words. "Minato… what did you just say?"
"I said… it's time for me to return to the Pure Land."
"Why? What's happened?"
Kushina couldn't comprehend why Minato would say such a thing, but suddenly, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her.
Concerned, Minato asked, "Kushina, are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine… just some stomach discomfort. Maybe I've been eating poorly lately…"
Kushina suddenly remembered that she was pregnant. Living with Minato had made her feel like she was reliving their early marriage, so much so that she had almost forgotten her pregnancy.
"Maybe you should eat something lighter tomorrow," Minato suggested, unaware of her condition. He continued, "Kushina, there's a clear divide between the living and the dead. Even though I'm here with you as an Edo Tensei, the strain between the two worlds grows heavier each day."
"Kushina, you're safe now, and Naruto is growing up well. Being able to see that… I feel like I can rest in peace."
"Minato…"
"I don't want you to be sad, Kushina. This was my chance to fulfill my dream of seeing our family again. I'm content now. Even if I return to the Pure Land, I have no regrets."
As Minato spoke, a white light began to envelop his body, signaling that his soul was about to leave the Edo Tensei form.
"I'm sorry, Minato… I'm so sorry," Kushina said, her heart breaking. But she couldn't reveal the truth, and all she could do was apologize over and over.
"It's alright. I should be thanking you, Kushina. Thank you for taking care of Naruto."
With those final words, Minato's soul left his reanimated body, ascending into the sky.
"Minato…"
Kushina reached out, but all that was left was a pile of dust and the remains of a White Zetsu clone.
She collapsed onto the bed, clutching her long red hair as tears began to fall.
(End of Chapter)
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