LRAB Chapter 135 Visiting, Little Naruto
Chapter 135 Visiting, Little Naruto
Chapter 135 Visiting, Little Naruto
The gentle breeze in Uchiha Mikoto's heart was stirred by Minato Namikaze's natural and familiar way of addressing her as "Takuno Minato."
She certainly recognized the name Gen Takuno. His figure, speaking in public at the grand celebration after the Nine-Tails' rampage and at the triumphant ceremony after the recent battle with Kumogakure, had left a deep impression on everyone.
In Konoha, there are very few people who don't recognize this face and this name.
Her husband, Fugaku Uchiha, had also mentioned this person, who had a close personal relationship with the Fourth Hokage, to her, and included him in his list of key contacts.
However, the way Minato addressed her at that moment revealed an unintentional intimacy, making her instantly realize that the relationship between the two was far deeper than the information gathered by the Uchiha clan suggested.
Mikoto Uchiha couldn't help but turn her gaze to Takuno Minamoto again. The information mentioned that he should be slightly younger than Fugaku, in his prime in his thirties, but the man in front of her looked unusually young, almost identical to Minato Namikaze—this contrast surprised her slightly.
However, that's not important. Her mission was to take the opportunity of visiting her best friend, Kushina Uzumaki, to further strengthen the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage and his wife.
She took on this task willingly. Back when she was pregnant with Sasuke Uchiha, she admired Kushina Uzumaki's passionate and sincere personality. Even without the clan mission, they could have become friends. It's just that Mikoto Uchiha wasn't as proactive as she is now.
Fugaku Uchiha also revealed that the Fourth Hokage seemed to intend to send a signal of goodwill to the Uchiha clan.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have tacitly allowed his wife to frequently associate with Kushina Uzumaki, as there were some risks involved.
Mikoto Uchiha didn't have a thorough understanding of the political maneuvering in the village, but her keen political intuition told her that she had to tell Fugaku Uchiha about the extraordinary relationship between Takuno Minamoto and the Hokage when she returned.
She already knew clearly in her heart that no matter whether the Uchiha clan chose to get closer to Minato Namikaze's camp in the future, they absolutely could not antagonize this key figure named Minamoto Takuno.
"Mikoto-neechan, since you're here, please stay a while longer." Kushina Uzumaki, carrying the lively little Naruto, walked to the porch and warmly invited him to stay.
With a gentle smile, Uchiha Mikoto shook her head slightly: "No, you have distinguished guests, my presence here would be superfluous."
She turned her gaze to Minato Namikaze, who was being greeted by Minato, and politely declined.
"Hmm... I see." Kushina Uzumaki quickly realized Mikoto Uchiha's concerns.
Minato Namikaze did indeed make a special invitation to Takuno Minamoto. She had heard many stories from her husband about Takuno's illustrious achievements in the frontline medical team and his miraculous deeds in turning the tide. His arrival had made a great contribution to the current stability of Konoha.
They must have many important topics to discuss tonight, and it would be inappropriate for me to insist on keeping Uchiha Mikoto here.
Kushina Uzumaki immediately smiled and said in a cheerful voice, "Then, Mikoto-neechan, you must bring Sasuke next time! Naruto loves being with Sasuke the most!"
"It's a deal." Uchiha Mikoto's smile deepened, and she gently teased Sasuke in her arms.
She picked up the child and turned to leave, behind her little Naruto, who was leaning against the door frame, pouting and with teary eyes, watching his friend leave.
"It seems—I've come at a bad time?" Yuan Tuoye, standing to the side, said with a hint of apology.
"Don't mention it!" Kushina Uzumaki immediately waved her hand, her reddish-brown hair swaying with the movement, her face beaming with a sincere smile. "I should thank you properly! If it weren't for your heroic efforts in the frontline medical ward, I'd probably be buried in piles of casualty reports and frowning right now."
"Alright, stop standing at the door talking, come in." Minato Namikaze gently smoothed things over and pushed open the door behind him.
Stepping into the clean and warm living room, Minato Namikaze exchanged a few pleasantries before deftly tying on his kitchen apron: "Kushina, you chat with your senpai for a bit, dinner will be ready soon."
He then went straight to the kitchen, leaving his wife to entertain the distinguished guests.
"Little Naruto has really grown up a lot," Gen Takuno said, his gaze falling on the little one circling around his mother's legs. His tone was tinged with emotion. "Before the war broke out, he was just a baby in swaddling clothes."
Perhaps it was the scrutinizing aura emanating from Yuan Tuoye that made little Naruto instinctively shrink behind Kushina, his little hands tightly gripping his mother's trouser leg. He only peeked out from her side, his clear, bright blue eyes filled with curiosity as he timidly and eagerly observed this unfamiliar uncle.
Seeing the little guy's adorable expression of being both shy and eager to see what was going on, Takuno Minamoto and Kushina couldn't help but chuckle.
"Don't be afraid," Kushina bent down, picked up her chubby little son, rubbed her cheek against his little face, pointed at Takuya, and spoke gently with pride.
"Naruto, this is Uncle Takuno, a very, very good friend of your mom and dad! He's the great hero who saved your mom and dad's lives when you were born!"
Naruto is now over two years old. In the ninja world, children are mature for a very young age.
He understood his mother's words, and his eyes instantly widened, like two glass beads in early autumn.
He puffed out his little chest and said in his unique, childish yet clear voice, "Uncle Yuan Tuoye! Thank you for saving my mom and dad!"
He pronounced each word with great care, revealing a pure and earnest seriousness.
Takuno's smile deepened, his eyes filled with genuine tenderness: "You're welcome, Naruto. Your parents and I are good friends, helping each other is only natural. Just like you and Sasuke are good friends, right?"
"Yes!" Naruto nodded vigorously, his eyes becoming unusually firm and bright, even revealing a hint of stubbornness. "Sasuke and I are best friends!"
Looking at the little boy in front of him, who had grown up under the wing of Minato and Namikaze and was expressing his friendship with great confidence, Gen Takuno was filled with many thoughts.
This child's future life trajectory is probably completely different from that of Naruto Uzumaki, whom he had learned about in the "story" and who had suffered from cold stares and loneliness.
In the original manga, Naruto's situation as a Jinchuriki was relatively the best among the Tailed Beast hosts, but if you add some anime-original plots, his childhood can hardly be called happy.
Even in the comic book storyline, the "normal" childhood he could enjoy was ultimately limited, and the lack of paternal and maternal love was an irreparable trauma.
Looking at the healthy and lively little Naruto held in Kushina's arms, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of person this child would become if Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki were both alive and well.
In that "Limited Tsukuyomi" world, the image of "Uzumaki Menma," who grew up in a happy family but went astray—shouldn't that become this little Naruto's future?
Yuan Tuoye's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, then he dismissed the possibility, thinking it was extremely unlikely.
Moreover, is the so-called "Limited Tsukuyomi" really just an illusion created by Obito? Is there even a one in ten thousand chance that it hints at the real existence of parallel world lines?
This idea was not unfounded. Not only did Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno step into that illusion, but even more surprisingly, the "Sakura Haruno" in the illusion actually traveled into reality!
It would be difficult to achieve such a counterintuitive "physical crossover" using only the power of "illusion".
Furthermore, the internal logic and setting of Tian Tian's subsequent experiences in the "Infinite Tsukuyomi" are remarkably similar to those of the "Limited Tsukuyomi"—
All these signs led him to speculate that perhaps, within the endless folds of time and space, there truly was a parallel worldline belonging to "Uzumaki Menma".
But even so, what use is knowing? No one knows the path to the other side of that border.
Even if Obito Uchiha had activated the "Limited Tsukuyomi" back then, it was very likely just a coincidence by accident. If he were to try again, he might not be able to replicate it.
"The child is so well-behaved and polite," Takuno Gen said sincerely, pulling his wandering thoughts back to Kushina.
A fleeting sense of unfamiliarity crossed his mind; the blond little guy in front of him was indeed very different from the "Naruto" in his memory, who was always impulsive and lonely.
But what does it matter? The fact that Naruto Uzumaki, whose fate was full of thorns, will never appear again is not a regret, but rather a blessing.
"This child—" Sure enough, this praise was like a precise key, instantly unlocking Kushina's motherly chatter.
Her face lit up, and she began to enthusiastically "promote" her beloved son to Yuan Tuono, telling him how smart, kind, considerate, and how much budding ninja talent little Naruto had.
That heartfelt pride and maternal love almost overflowed the room.
A bead of cold sweat quietly slid down Yuan Tuoye's forehead.
Oh no—he seems to have unintentionally triggered a hidden mechanism called "Baby-showing Maniac".
Fortunately, Minato Namikaze appeared right on time like a savior, and the aroma of food filled the air.
He walked to his wife with a smile, gently patting her shoulder with a mixture of helplessness and affection: "Kushina, the senior came to visit, not to hear you talk about Naruto's glorious history."
She then gave Yuan Tuoye an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, this child is the most precious treasure in her heart, and she can't stop talking about him once she starts."
"It's okay," Gen Takuno smiled frankly, his gaze falling on the little Naruto who was grinning foolishly at him. "I like little Naruto very much too."
Hearing his sincere affirmation, Minato Namikaze's smile deepened, revealing the genuine happiness and satisfaction a father feels when someone truly acknowledges his child.
Kushina also snapped out of her "baby-showing mode," her cheeks slightly flushed, and somewhat embarrassedly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "Actually, it's mainly because Minato taught us so well—"
"That's not accurate," Gen Takuno shook his head, his gaze sweeping over Minato Namikaze's slightly tired but gentle profile. "As the Hokage, he has many duties, and the time he can personally teach his children must be limited. I think the biggest contributor to Naruto's cheerful and sensible nature today is none other than Kushina."
The couple were both taken aback by his words of "upholding justice".
Minato Namikaze was the first to react, a warm smile spreading across his bright blue eyes as he looked at his wife and earnestly agreed, "That's right, Takuno-kun is right. Our Naruto owes everything to Kushina's hard work in teaching him."
Kushina Uzumaki's cheeks flushed even more deeply, but the corners of her mouth turned up high, her smile reaching her eyes, like a blooming evening glory.
Minato Namikaze gazed at his wife's radiant smile, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
The fiery-tempered girl I remember, nicknamed "Red Pepper," has long since transformed into a gentle and virtuous mother.
Since the birth of Naruto, all her former sharpness has been concealed, transforming into gentle affection and capable domestic skills.
Kushina is now a capable woman, both inside and out, an impeccable wife and loving mother.
Looking at myself, I am firmly bound by the burden of being Hokage. Every time I return home late at night, I can only see my sons sleeping soundly. I cannot be by their side all the time, and the guilt in my heart is indescribable.
Seemingly sensing her husband's sudden drop in mood, Kushina Uzumaki didn't need to say anything; she simply reached out and firmly grasped Minato Namikaze's hand, which was resting on his lap, under the table.
Feeling the warmth and strength in his palm, Minato Namikaze was startled. He looked up and met his wife's sly yet gentle wink, and all the gloom instantly melted away.
Minato Namikaze smiled knowingly and wrapped his hand tightly around his wife's slender palm.
The unspoken gratitude in that smile was more than enough to express a thousand words. With such a wonderful companion, what more could one ask for?
Sitting opposite him, Yuan Tuoye silently took in the whole scene.
Okay—I was unintentionally forced to eat another mouthful of sweet yet slightly heartbreaking dog food.
A barely audible sigh spread through his heart.
Given his current identity and the secrets he carries, finding a partner he can completely trust and entrust his life to is virtually impossible.
Even if a romantic relationship were to develop, for her, her very existence might sow the seeds of future problems.
In an instant, Yuan Tuoye's expression hardened slightly, and a bitter self-mockery appeared on his lips.
With his unyielding wariness and suspicion, and his habit of using power and interests as bonds in his dealings with others, how could he possibly hope to meet a woman who could accept and trust him without reservation?
If someone truly falls deeply in love with you, the ending will most likely be a tragedy.
His guiding principle was to punish with swift and decisive action and to motivate his subordinates with sufficient incentives.
Deep down, he could hardly trust anyone completely and without reservation.
If someone with such a temperament were to be fortunate enough to receive a woman's pure, innocent, and wholehearted affection—that scenario itself would probably be the most bizarre and paradoxical thing in the world.
Fortunately, he only lacks a partner with whom he can completely trust, but he doesn't lack sexual intimacy.
Putting aside this untimely sentimentality, the atmosphere at the dinner table quickly became lively again.
There was no village affairs, no war, only the warmth and familiarity of old friends reuniting.
While some of the story of Gen Takuno is naturally withheld, the experiences of his shadow clones still make the topics rich and vivid.
Under the warm yellow light, the aroma of food filled the air, and laughter echoed softly, creating a harmonious and joyful scene, isolated from the outside world's disturbances.
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