"Yeah."
Kushina's response was soft, yet a trace of sadness lingered in her eyes. She knew that once the anomaly in time and space was resolved, Naruto would return to his own era, leaving them behind once more.
Their time together, as a complete family, had been so short—fleeting moments of warmth that would soon become memories. Minato, sensing her sorrow, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry," he reassured her gently, "we'll see him again someday. As long as the future continues as it should, everything we've dreamed of—a peaceful life together as a family—will become a reality."
Kushina's gaze softened, meeting Minato's eyes with a mix of gratitude and longing. She nodded, knowing he was right, yet the ache in her heart remained.
Minato's hand lingered on her shoulder for a moment before he pulled her close, their resolve strengthened. With a slight movement, the two of them vanished, leaving behind the quiet, damaged remnants of Rōran.
Swish!
Naruto, racing back to find his parents, suddenly felt a disturbance in the air behind him. He spun around, eyes wide.
"Dad! Mom!"
Minato smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto, you've done so much. Thank you. You were incredible."
Naruto's cheeks reddened, and he scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "It's nothing, really…" he murmured, trying to downplay his efforts.
As if to change the topic, Naruto quickly added, "So, that guy Mukade…?"
"It's over," Kushina said, her eyes gleaming with pride as she gave a playful wave.
Naruto grinned, eyes bright. "I knew you'd take care of it, Mom and Dad!"
But as he basked in the moment, Minato and Kushina placed their hands on his shoulders, a hint of solemnity in their expressions. Naruto's smile faded slightly as he realized what was coming. His eyes softened, and he nodded, understanding.
"The dragon vein was damaged during the battle," Minato explained. "It's unstable. Your mother and I need to seal it completely to ensure it doesn't pose a risk in the future."
Naruto's face fell as the reality set in. This was their farewell.
"Then… let's go," Naruto managed, his voice a whisper, emotion constricting his throat. The three of them stood there, suspended in the bittersweet silence, until Minato gave a soft nod, breaking the tension with his familiar, steady smile.
"Let's finish this together," he said.
Taking each of them by the arm, Minato teleported them once more, moving through space until they appeared at the source of the dragon vein.
Minato quickly explained their intentions to Sara, who nodded despite the flicker of concern in her expression. She knew the dragon vein's power was her kingdom's only defense against external threats, but she understood the risk of leaving it unsealed.
"I understand. I trust you," she said with conviction, bowing deeply to Minato, Kushina, and Naruto.
As she straightened, her gaze found Naruto, her expression resolute. "Even if Rōran loses its power, I'll protect my people. My mother wanted me to be a true queen—to safeguard the lives of our people, not just these walls and structures."
Naruto felt a surge of admiration as he saw the strength in her young face. She'd grown in the short time they'd spent together, transforming from a dependent girl into a leader determined to protect her people.
"You'll be an amazing queen, Sara," Kushina said warmly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. The two shared a knowing smile.
"And you'll be amazing parents," Sara replied, glancing at all three of them with respect and affection.
Before completing the seal, Minato turned to Naruto with a serious expression. "Naruto, I need to erase certain memories from everyone in Rōran, including you. What's happened here could alter the course of history if anyone remembers too much."
Naruto looked down, understanding the necessity but feeling a pang of sadness. It was a reminder that this was their final moment together.
In Rōran's central square, Minato formed hand seals, his chakra stretching thin as he extended a powerful memory seal over thousands of civilians, wiping the events from their minds.
"Seal!"
Minato's hand pressed against the ground, and an intricate web of chakra lines expanded across the square, covering every person in the crowd. They each felt a wave of drowsiness, memories slipping away as they were gently erased. When the seal was complete, Minato stumbled, his energy drained, but he felt Kushina and Naruto steady him from either side.
"Let's go," he said with a weary smile. Taking a small chakra pill, Minato's energy returned just enough to allow him to continue.
At the dragon vein's source, Minato and Kushina shared a determined glance. With precise movements, they inserted Minato's marked kunai into the heart of the dragon vein, a deep purple glow radiating from the point of contact. They both formed seals, pressing their hands to the dragon vein, and a powerful barrier spread outward, enveloping the entire flow of energy beneath Rōran.
The once-overwhelming power of the dragon vein began to fade, settling into a calm, dormant state as the seal took effect.
Buzz!
As the sealing process completed, Minato felt a ripple in the air. He turned to see Naruto, whose body was now emitting a soft, milky light. The space around him trembled slightly, bending and warping.
"Dad… Mom…" Naruto's voice was choked with emotion as he looked at them, a bittersweet smile on his face. "There's something I never told you… I took on this mission without letting my dad know," he confessed, his voice wavering.
Minato's expression softened. "I know," he replied gently.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you—?"
"Because I'm your father," Minato said, smiling with gentle pride. "I can see it in you, Naruto. And I know how you think. Even if you hadn't said anything, I could tell."
Naruto's eyes filled with tears as he fought to maintain his composure. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Minato chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Naruto's hair. "That's what makes you my son."
Kushina, her own eyes glistening, wrapped Naruto in a tight hug. "Remember what I always say," Minato continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "You're not bound by anyone's expectations. You don't need to live up to anyone else's standards. Just be Naruto, in your own way. Find your own path, and grow into who you want to be."
Naruto nodded, his own determination reflected in his father's gaze. "I will, Dad."
The space around Naruto shimmered more intensely, his form becoming translucent as the forces of time began to pull him back.
"Kushina… I'm sorry," Minato turned to her with a gentle smile. "I may have talked a bit too long."
Kushina shook her head, her own eyes shimmering with tears. "There's still so much I want to say, but…" She took a steadying breath, her expression growing serious. "As parents, we'll always support you, Naruto, no matter what."
Naruto's voice was barely a whisper. "I know… Thank you, Mom."
"Oh, right!" Kushina's face lit up as she added, "If there's a girl you care about, make sure you're honest about your feelings! And don't be as oblivious as some people." She gave Minato a teasing look, making him smile sheepishly.
Naruto chuckled, remembering moments with Jiraiya and Tsunade. "I'll… keep that in mind."
But as he laughed, his form grew more ethereal, the space around him bending like rippling water. He was moments away from returning to his era, leaving his parents behind.
"And one last thing, Naruto," Kushina whispered, her voice wavering. "Take care of yourself. No matter what, our family will live in peace and happiness. That's the one thing I want you to promise, okay?"
Naruto felt the pull of time intensify, his figure distorting as he was drawn into the temporal rift. His voice echoed softly, filled with the warmth of his promise. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll make sure we're all safe. I promise."
Tears fell silently as space distorted around him, and then, with a final, radiant shimmer, Naruto's form faded, leaving only the memory of his presence.
The seal markings around them glowed faintly, then faded as Minato and Kushina closed their eyes, memories of Naruto slowly slipping away. Only Minato kept his eyes open, watching the space where Naruto had disappeared.
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