Chapter 389: The Strongest Bonds and Best Friends
"Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, the power to reverse yin and yang..." Minato murmured softly.
When it came to resurrection, he believed Haneda.
The Sage of Six Paths' Rinnegan was legendary in the ninja world, with countless tales surrounding it. Among them, one of the most renowned was the belief that the Rinnegan was the eye that controlled life and death.
If even the Edo Tensei could achieve a form of resurrection, then the Rinnegan making true resurrection possible wasn't far-fetched.
Unlike some elders who overly cared about desecrating the souls of the deceased, Minato had no such reservations. Before his death, his only wish had been to watch Naruto grow up.
In the living world, there were people he cared about, and naturally, he wanted to come back.
At that moment, Kushina's gaze met Minato's. Their eyes locked briefly, silently exchanging thoughts.
When their gaze shifted away and both looked at Haneda, their decision was already made.
Minato spoke first, "Rather than returning to life, I'd prefer to watch Naruto grow up. What about you, Kushina?"
Kushina replied, "I feel the same. Honestly, staying here isn't bad. Watching Naruto eat, make friends, play, and laugh brings me joy."
"Haneda, it's been nearly ten years. Aside from Naruto, Mikoto, Kakashi, Obito, and you, I don't feel attached to the living world anymore.
"Let Minato and I stay here and keep Naruto company."
"I understand." Haneda wasn't surprised by Minato and Kushina's choice.
Minato, being a former Hokage, deeply valued Konoha. He naturally had thoughts of resurrection. However, he loved Kushina even more, and when she, as a mother, chose to stay by Naruto's side, Minato's decision was clear.
"You're both running low on chakra. Before heading to the Uzumaki clan's shrine, I'll reseal you for now.
"Minato-senpai, Kushina-neesan, please bear with me for a bit."
Haneda waved his hand, and countless tiny runes began to outline the Four Symbols Seal.
As the intricate pattern descended, Minato and Kushina vanished from the spiritual space.
From a distance, Naruto saw his parents disappear again.
He couldn't hold back his tears any longer. The tears that streamed down his face pooled at his feet, forming the only wet patch in the area.
Kurama, who lay beside him, opened his eyes, lifted his head, and offered comfort:
"You'll get another chance to see them, Naruto. Your parents' chakra hasn't vanished. That day will come."
"Really?" Naruto asked, wiping his tears.
"Do I look like I'd lie to you?"
"But you tricked me when I was younger…"
"..." Kurama, momentarily speechless, struggled to defend his rare comforting words. After a few seconds, he gave up and spoke from the heart.
"That was in the past. Now we're friends, aren't we? We're the best of bonds."
"..." Naruto wanted to point out that his best friend was Sasuke. Bonds and friendship were closely related, and by that logic, he and Sasuke were the strongest bond.
But seeing Kurama trying so hard to console him, Naruto chose not to argue and silently accepted it.
At that moment, the barrier isolating the outside world vanished. Haneda slowly walked over to Naruto, crouched down, and ruffled his hair.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Who upset you?"
"No one. I just feel a little sad about Mom and Dad," Naruto replied.
"Then how about we go find your mom and dad?"
"But Uncle Haneda, didn't you just seal them away?"
"We can look for the ones outside."
"Outside?"
Naruto didn't know that Minato's soul was sealed within the Shinigami's stomach. There was another version of his father there, though that one only had memories up to the moment of his death and knew nothing about Naruto's growth.
Still, with Edo Tensei or by using the remnants of Minato's chakra within the Shinigami, it was possible to sustain his presence in Naruto's spiritual space for about six months.
And if that wasn't enough, Haneda could always use Edo Tensei again to extract more chakra.
With these thoughts in mind, Haneda took Naruto and left the spiritual space.
Since Naruto's chakra control was still weak, and he was young and immature, he couldn't enter the spiritual space on his own. He needed someone with strong ocular powers like Haneda or Kurama's initiative to pull him in.
Back in the real world, Sasuke immediately noticed Naruto's pupils returning to normal, no longer showing the vacant look of someone trapped in genjutsu.
Seizing the moment, Sasuke unleashed the prepared taunt in his mind:
"Na-ruto, see? Uncle Haneda trusts me way more than he trusts you. He even made Kurama keep an eye on you!
"Not like me. Uncle Haneda only worries that I might lose in a fight or get kidnapped—not that I'd mess up!"
But Naruto, feeling a little down, didn't snap back like he usually would. Instead, he kept his head low, following Haneda quietly, which made Sasuke feel a twinge of guilt.
"Na-ruto, what's wrong?" Sasuke asked, concerned.
"Nothing. It's none of your business."
"Of course, it's my business! You said we're best friends, remember?"
"I told you, it's not your problem. Just leave it."
"Your problem is my problem! I don't care. I'm older than you, so I'm your niisan, and I'll take care of it!"
...
Watching the two bicker like an old couple, Haneda cleared his throat awkwardly and said,
"I plan to take Naruto to find his mom and dad. Sasuke, you should head back."
Not wanting to be left out, Sasuke immediately said,
"Uncle Haneda, I'll come with you! I can help Naruto find his parents too."
Haneda glanced at Naruto, who seemed hesitant but leaned toward accepting Sasuke's offer. He then looked at Sasuke, who had a determined and earnest expression. Eventually, Haneda nodded.
"Do you want to fly there or teleport directly?"
"Fly there!" Sasuke said.
"Teleport—it saves time," Naruto replied.
"Well, flying would be nice, but the sun's a bit strong today. Let's teleport," Sasuke added quickly, changing his stance.
"..."
Haneda couldn't help but think, As expected of Sasuke, the speed of his mood changes is unparalleled.
Grabbing Naruto with one hand and Sasuke with the other, Haneda performed Flying Thunder God and instantly transported them to the research base beneath the Forest of Death.
Before Orochimaru could react, a black vortex appeared, whisking him away to the Uzumaki clan's shrine.
"Orochimaru-san, next time, let me know in advance," Orochimaru said with a trace of displeasure.
"Promise," Haneda assured him sincerely.
Satisfied with Haneda's response, Orochimaru didn't press further. Instead, his curiosity shifted to the two children and the shrine's surroundings.
He recognized Naruto and Sasuke instantly—one was the son of the Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and the other was Itachi's younger brother, a protégé highly regarded by Haneda.
The surroundings, however, intrigued him. The old walls were lined with eerie masks, each holding an air of mystery.
To Be Continued