"Then… if that's the case," Kushina murmured, an uneasy realization dawning on her. "Wouldn't history itself be altered by Naruto and Mukade's presence here? If they've both come back to this era, who knows how future events might change?"
The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Naruto already existed in this timeline. If she and Minato were to marry and have a child, would that child be Naruto? Or would it be someone else entirely? Her mind spun with questions, each more perplexing than the last.
Minato was troubled by the same line of thinking. His own rebirth was fundamentally different from Naruto and Mukade's time travel. In his original timeline, he had died. His presence here was a result of his soul crossing through time and space. But Naruto and Mukade were both very much alive, with their bodies and souls intact, having crossed decades to arrive in this era.
If they weren't careful, the consequences could spiral out of control. History might become tangled and chaotic, far worse than anything his own rebirth had changed. However, he also knew that, in some way, the future was still intact—the dragon vein had ultimately been sealed by him and Kushina. Naruto had been born, and he had grown up.
Following this logic, Minato found a solution. He turned to Kushina and Naruto. "If we can defeat Mukade and undo the damage he's done, then the distortions in time and space should be corrected. Naruto can return to his original time."
Yet as he proposed this solution, an idea lingered in his heart, one that both fascinated and troubled him: Could his own soul, too, return to its original past? If he could truly return, all of history—including the tragic events of the Nine-Tails' attack—would be different. But would he even want to undo everything? Would he wish to erase all the experiences and memories he had gathered since coming back?
The possibilities were endless, far too complex for even Minato's analytical mind to digest in a single moment. He could feel the weight of time and space pressing against him—a mysterious, powerful force beyond the reach of conventional ninjutsu. In the face of such forces, even his techniques felt small, almost insignificant.
Kushina's voice snapped him back to the present. Her eyes were dark and intense, filled with a fierce resolve. "So all we need to do is defeat him?" she asked, her voice as sharp as steel. "He's the one who's been manipulating the dragon vein, tracking us, and attacking Naruto, isn't he?"
The aura she radiated was terrifying—a mother's fierce protectiveness stirred to life. At that moment, she resembled a powerful beast defending her young. Even Minato and Naruto felt a chill at the sight of her anger.
"Yes," Minato replied, his own gaze darkening with determination. The brief encounter with Mukade had left an impression. Though Minato hadn't asked Naruto for the specifics about Mukade's abilities, he already had a strong sense of the threat they faced.
"He used the dragon vein to create that giant we fought before," Minato explained. "If he's truly adept at manipulating time and space, even I would find it challenging to counter him without support from the dragon vein's power."
"In that case, let's track down Mukade and take him down!" Naruto's eyes gleamed with resolve, and his energy was contagious.
Beside him, Kushina clenched her fists, the sound of her knuckles cracking in readiness for battle. Both of them were direct, action-oriented people, but they turned to Minato, waiting for his decision.
Minato considered their options carefully. "Of course, we need to find him. But since we've already fought once, it's likely he won't reveal himself so easily."
He looked at Naruto, raising an eyebrow. "You tried searching Rōran with Sage Mode. Did you sense anything?"
Naruto looked slightly embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, I didn't find him."
Minato nodded, not surprised. "Given that we can shield ourselves from the dragon vein's perception, it's likely that Mukade, who can control the dragon vein, can do the same to evade detection."
"Actually," Naruto added, recalling something, "I did feel a faint, unusual presence. It wasn't Mukade, but it was something… unique."
Hearing this, Minato fell into thought before speaking again. "Naruto, your approach in our previous fight was too reckless. If Kushina and I hadn't arrived when we did, you could have been seriously hurt."
Naruto's shoulders slumped, realizing the weight of his father's words. Minato's tone wasn't harsh, but the concern behind it was unmistakable. Naruto felt as if he were a child being gently scolded by a parent who wanted nothing more than his safety.
"I understand," Naruto murmured, head lowered.
Minato walked over, placing a hand on his son's shoulder with a reassuring smile. "But if I were in your shoes, I would have made the same decision."
Naruto's eyes widened, disbelief etched across his face. "You? There's no way Dad would be as impulsive and hot-headed as me!"
A laugh escaped Minato's lips, sensing Naruto's unspoken thoughts. "I'm not just saying this to comfort you," he replied, amused. "When I arrived in Rōran, I could tell that something was off. All I saw were those strange guards Mukade had created—no civilians, no familiar faces. In a situation like that, where the enemy's motives and identity remain hidden, taking a bold risk can sometimes be the best solution."
Naruto's gaze softened, admiration flickering in his eyes. His father was, in his mind, the perfect ninja—the one he aspired to surpass. In that moment, Naruto felt a renewed sense of determination to carry on his own way, to live up to the Namikaze name and protect those he loved.
"But I also hope you understand," Minato continued, his voice growing serious, "that solving problems this way can be dangerous. It's essential to think through each decision before acting. There's a balance between bravery and recklessness."
Their eyes met, two pairs of vibrant blue, mirroring each other. Minato's expression softened again as he spoke, "Naruto, you're your own person, and I respect that. But know that neither your mother nor I want to see you get hurt."
Naruto stared back, absorbing the gravity of his father's words. He gave a solemn nod, his heart warmed by the love he could feel in Minato's gaze.
Watching them, Kushina's face softened, her gaze filled with pride as she looked upon the two most important men in her life. Her smile was radiant, and her presence felt like a warm, comforting light.
Minato gave Naruto's shoulder one last pat before he continued, "And that faint presence you sensed earlier—it might be important. My guess is that it could be the daughter of Queen Rōran, the one murdered by Mukade. If she possesses the power to connect with the dragon veins, she might hold the key to stopping him."
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