Chapter 388: Two Choices
Haneda stood quietly beside Kurama, watching from a short distance as Naruto reunited with his parents.
He didn't interrupt, waiting patiently for the emotional family moment to end. He had something important to discuss with Minato and Kushina.
Now that he had awakened the Rinnegan, Haneda had already used its power to revive Sakumo.
While he didn't mind deviating from his original timeline to bring back Minato and Kushina, he needed to consider the consequences of their return carefully.
The news of the "Yellow Flash" reappearing in Konoha would inevitably spread across the ninja world, potentially disrupting his plans.
Haneda had two options for the couple, and he planned to leave the choice up to them.
The first option was revival, but they would need to live in isolation on the moon, in the Star Ninja Village, or in the Land of Waves—places away from the public eye.
The second option involved liberating their souls from the Shinigami's grasp using Orochimaru's help. Their chakra remnants would be fully integrated into Naruto's body, allowing them to stay with him in his mindscape and interact with him whenever they wished.
Haneda was confident that with the power of the Tenseigan, he could maintain his momentum until the Fourth Ninja War began. After the war, he planned to use the Rinnegan's Rinne Tensei on a massive scale.
After about ten minutes, Minato and Kushina finally broke away from Naruto and approached Haneda.
They knew Haneda wouldn't have released the seal just for a simple family reunion—there had to be a more pressing reason.
Haneda turned to Naruto.
"Naruto, why don't you play with Kurama for a bit? I need to discuss something with your parents."
Naruto immediately assumed this meant his parents' chakra would be sealed away again, and his face fell.
Biting his lip, he fought back tears, turning his head away so his parents wouldn't see his sadness. He didn't want to make it harder for them to leave.
With a wave of his hand, Haneda created a barrier to isolate his conversation with Minato and Kushina, ensuring Naruto couldn't overhear.
Haneda didn't want the young boy to witness the cold pragmatism of adults or see his own ruthless planning.
"I'm preparing to ignite the Fourth Ninja War," Haneda began, his voice steady but heavy, "to unify the entire world and end the endless cycle of war."
Minato didn't ask why Haneda was doing this. Instead, he asked, "How do you plan to achieve this?"
"I'll fake my death by pretending to be gravely ill. This will embolden those who fear or hate me to attack Konoha, framing the conflict as a just war of defense."
"In the chaos of war, I'll achieve both political and ideological unification."
Minato's brows furrowed. "But this will cost many lives."
Haneda's expression remained calm.
"Even if I don't act, countless people will still die. This war is inevitable."
"Pain, the leader of the Rain Village, has already agreed to join forces with me. The true leader of the Akatsuki is also aligned with my goals."
"Even if I don't start the war, the Akatsuki leader will. He believes a great war is necessary to fulfill his objectives."
Haneda's voice deepened. "And you both know this person."
Minato and Kushina exchanged confused looks. They couldn't think of anyone they knew who was capable of orchestrating such a grand plan.
"Who?" Minato asked.
"Uchiha Obito."
"Obito?!"
"That's impossible! He sacrificed himself to save Kakashi and Rin!"
Haneda shook his head.
"He never died. He survived, but he witnessed Rin's death, awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan. He's not the same person anymore—or rather, he's always been Obito."
Haneda continued, "Obito was saved by Uchiha Madara, who indoctrinated him with his plan—a plan called the Eye of the Moon."
"Obito intends to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu said to have been left behind by the Sage of Six Paths to save humanity."
"This technique will reflect light off the moon, spreading its influence across the entire world. Once the Earth completes a single orbit, every living person will be trapped in a dream called Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"In that dream, everyone's desires will be fulfilled. Obito wishes to return to the past and be with Rin. Madara wants eternal peace, fulfilling his childhood ideal."
"But this jutsu harbors a sinister secret. Its activation will revive Kaguya Otsutsuki, the mother of the Sage of Six Paths."
"Those trapped in the dream will eventually transform into creatures known as White Zetsu."
"Kaguya likely created the White Zetsu using Infinite Tsukuyomi in the past. Her revival would bring disaster to the world."
"She was sealed on the moon by her two sons, the Sage of Six Paths—Hagoromo Otsutsuki—and his brother, Hamura Otsutsuki, for this very reason."
"I intend to stop Obito and fulfill the dream he and I once shared—but on my terms."
The weight of Haneda's revelations was immense.
Obito as the mastermind, Madara's Eye of the Moon plan, Kaguya's existence—it was all overwhelming.
Minato pieced together fragments of information he had overheard from Naruto's experiences in Konoha.
He recalled Haku mentioning that Haneda had trained in Sage Arts at Ryuchi Cave and had supported an organization outside Konoha, recruiting rogue ninja and amassing weapons.
He remembered Toneri mentioning that Haneda had visited the moon and taken the Tenseigan, a treasure rivaling the Rinnegan in power.
And Yamato had once shared that Haneda had tasked Orochimaru with leading a research team to build infrastructure like hydroelectric plants, though such projects were never reported publicly.
It was clear that Haneda had been preparing for this war for years.
Minato realized that Haneda's decision to prepare in secret was to avoid costly sabotage from enemy nations.
The army, the power, the long-term planning—it all pointed to one conclusion.
Even if Haneda didn't initiate the war, someone else would.
"What do you need us to do? Convince Obito? Help you win the war?" Minato asked quietly.
Haneda shook his head.
"I need neither. All I want is for you and Kushina to stay with Naruto. That's enough."
Minato and Kushina exchanged a look of surprise.
Haneda explained further, "The Rinnegan holds the power to manipulate life and death. Among its abilities is Rinne Tensei, which can resurrect the dead."
"I'm giving you two options."
"Option one: I can revive you both, but you'll have to live in secrecy—on the moon, in the Star Ninja Village, or the Land of Waves. You can't stay with Naruto."
"The duration would be around six months, maybe less, depending on my progress."
Haneda's Rinnegan flared momentarily before dimming again.
"Option two: I can liberate your souls from the Shinigami and use your residual chakra to strengthen Naruto. This way, you won't be sealed again and can interact with Naruto freely in his mindscape."
Minato and Kushina exchanged a long, silent glance, weighing the gravity of the decision before them.
Kushina was the first to speak, her voice firm but filled with emotion.
"Haneda, I want to stay with Naruto." She placed a hand on her chest, her red hair falling across her face as she lowered her head. "I've missed so much of his life already. I don't want to be a stranger to him anymore. Even if it's only as chakra remnants, I want to be there for him, guiding him, supporting him as his mother."
Minato nodded in agreement, his calm expression betraying the turmoil beneath.
"I feel the same," he said. "If being revived means we can't be with Naruto, it's not worth it. He's been through enough without his parents. Even if we're just voices in his mind, it's better than leaving him again."
Haneda nodded, unsurprised by their decision. He had anticipated this.
"Very well," Haneda said, his voice steady. "We'll proceed with the second option."
He extended a hand toward them. "I'll need to work with Orochimaru to release your souls from the Shinigami. It's a delicate process, but it will ensure that you're no longer bound by the seal. Afterward, your chakra will merge with Naruto's, strengthening him and allowing you to interact with him freely in his mindscape."
Kushina looked hesitant for a moment. "Haneda, is this... safe? I mean, for Naruto? Will he be okay during the process?"
Haneda gave her a reassuring smile. "You have my word. Naruto won't feel a thing, and this will only make him stronger. He's already an incredible boy, and with your guidance, he'll become even greater."
Kushina's lips quivered, and tears filled her eyes, but she nodded resolutely.
Minato stepped forward, his blue eyes steady as he asked one final question.
"And what about you, Haneda? What's your role in all of this? You've carried so much for Konoha already. When this war ends, what will you do?"
Haneda's expression softened, but there was a glimmer of sadness in his gaze.
"When this war ends, I'll step down as Hokage," Haneda said. "I'll leave the world to people like Naruto—people who can carry the ideals of peace and unity without resorting to force. Until then, I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that future becomes possible."
Minato nodded, his respect for Haneda growing even more.
"Then we'll support you however we can. If staying with Naruto is the best way to help, that's what we'll do."
"Good," Haneda said, his voice firm. He turned toward the barrier, which shimmered faintly in the light of the mindscape.
"Let's head to the Uzumaki shrine soon," he said. "Once we're there, Orochimaru and I will take care of the ritual. It won't take long, and after that, you'll have all the time in the world with Naruto."
Kushina smiled, wiping away her tears. "Thank you, Haneda. For everything."
Haneda nodded, a rare warmth flickering in his usually stoic demeanor.
"Take your time with Naruto," Haneda said. "When you're ready, we'll begin."
With that, he dissolved the barrier, revealing Naruto playing with Kurama in the distance. The boy's laughter echoed through the mindscape, a sound of pure, unfiltered joy.
Kushina and Minato shared a look, then walked back toward their son, ready to make the most of the moments they had.
Haneda watched them go, a small, fleeting smile on his face.
The war is coming, but at least, for now, there's peace.