After the long, tearful hug between mother and son, Kushina finally pulled back a little, gently holding Naruto at arm's length so she could get a better look at him.
She reached out, smoothed his messy hair, wiped away the leftover tears on his cheeks, and brushed the dampness off his clothes.
It was clear she cared deeply about what Naruto had been through. Even though she didn't have much time left, she was determined to make the most of it—as a mom.
"Let Mama take a good look at you," she said softly. "Have you been doing okay? Are you eating enough? Do you… have a girl you like?"
The sudden switch to such personal questions kind of threw the mood off. Not because they were inappropriate—just because neither Naruto nor Minato knew how to respond.
They stood there awkwardly for a second.
The truth was, Naruto hadn't been doing okay these past few years. And Minato, seeing it all now, felt a deep, gut-wrenching guilt.
"Kushina…" Minato said quietly, trying to say something—maybe explain himself.
But she waved him off immediately, not even looking at him. She didn't want him interrupting her moment with her son.
Naruto, still trying to process everything, didn't think too hard about it. He just leaned in and hugged her again, clinging to her like he never wanted to let go. All the pain he'd bottled up came pouring out. He started crying again, venting everything—the loneliness, the bullying, the way people treated him like a monster.
Kushina held him close, furious.
She turned to Minato with fire in her eyes and snapped, "This is who you left our son with?! I gave up everything so you could protect him! And this is the life you gave him? This is your idea of a bright future?!"
It was brutal—but it was the kind of brutal only a mom could deliver.
Minato didn't say a word. He just took it, like a good boy, knowing she was right.
And for a while, they just went back and forth. Kushina angry, Minato silent, Naruto crying.
Eventually, they calmed down.
Kushina, realizing her time was almost up, turned her full attention back to Naruto. She crouched in front of him, cupped his face in her hands, and said, "Naruto, don't get discouraged, okay? Don't give up. Things will get better."
She smiled through her tears. "After Mama's gone, you have to take care of yourself. And if anyone bullies you, you better fight back! Don't just let them push you around. You're my precious boy."
Hearing that—really hearing it—Naruto felt like his heart was finally full. This was the happiest he had felt in his whole life. Without even thinking, he nodded and said, "Okay."
The pain he felt toward Minato also started to fade. After letting everything out, Naruto finally turned to look at his dad properly.
Minato crouched down too, pulled him into a hug, and said, "I'm truly sorry, Naruto."
But just when Naruto was starting to feel like everything might be okay, a thought hit him—and his face fell.
"Are you leaving?" he asked quietly. "Can't you stay? Can I see you again? I don't wanna be alone anymore…"
His voice cracked as he begged. The sadness in it hit both his parents hard.
Kushina started crying again. This time, she didn't try to hold it back. She knew what was coming—and she knew there was nothing she could do about it.
Minato stepped in gently, wiping Naruto's tears. "You're not alone," he said. "You've grown up so much. You're strong. And even if we're not right beside you… your mom and I will always be watching over you. From up there."
He pointed to the sky.
Naruto didn't want to let go, but he nodded.
Just when things were settling down, Minato suddenly looked serious again. He crouched down and asked, "Naruto… can you tell me something? Who's been taking care of you all this time? Who taught you about the sealing?"
It was an honest question—but it caught Naruto off guard.
He froze.
Someone had helped him. Someone had taken care of him, guided him, explained things to him. But… he didn't actually know who it was.
He opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
Then, a familiar voice echoed in his head:
"Naruto, relax your mind. Let me talk to your father myself."
Naruto let out a small breath of relief.
Thank goodness—he didn't have to explain it himself.
And then, something strange happened.
Naruto's face changed. His whole demeanor shifted. The childish look in his eyes vanished, replaced by something older, sharper, more confident.
Tojihad taken over.
With a smug little smirk, Naruto (or rather, Toji using his body) clapped his hands behind his back and said coolly, "Looking for me?"
Minato flinched and instinctively took a few steps back. Even Kushina, who had no idea what was happening, looked shocked.
She rushed forward, worried. "Naruto?! What's wrong? Please don't scare Mama like that!"
But Minato stopped her with an outstretched arm. His voice was calm, but firm.
"That's not Naruto."
Suddenly, the whole room felt heavier.
Kushina's heart pounded. Minato's face was full of caution. And the figure in front of them—Naruto's body with someone else inside—just stood there, smiling like it was no big deal.