Chapter 764: Spinning Like a Top!
No wonder Naruto gave in so quickly.
How could he not? This ’Naruto Special Attack Weapon’ was too lethal.
Whether baby Sasuke was real or not didn’t matter.
Rarely meeting his best friend’s infant form—who could resist hugging him tightly?
Even a will strong enough to resist lustful temptations couldn’t withstand this, right?
Moreover, the vague bond from the Indra and Ashura reincarnation made Six Paths Naruto almost certain the baby Sasuke before him was real!
At the same time, Kushina and Minato approached curiously:
"Is this little Sasuke?"
"Lord, you brought him here too?"
Kushina stroked the chubby baby Sasuke, her eyes full of affection; but perhaps due to her fiery red hair like chili peppers, baby Sasuke burst into terrified tears.
"Wah wah wah~~~"
Sasuke sobbed uncontrollably.
"Eh eh eh? This kid... why’s he fussy?"
Kushina panicked, as if she were bullying little Sasuke.
"Enough. Naruto’s regained consciousness; talk to him first. I’ll take this kid back."
Lux instructed Minato and Kushina to calm Six Paths Naruto.
Baby Sasuke would be safer returned to Mikoto. If he stayed missing longer, his obsessive older brother might get restless.
Seeing Tenshou Sennin vanish with baby Sasuke, Six Paths Naruto’s gaze showed deep reluctance.
Wait!
He hadn’t hugged him yet—let him hold little Sasuke too!
But Naruto, now fully conscious and sane, soon refocused on his parents.
When he was mad, he couldn’t confirm their identities, but now, fully aware, he was certain the parents before him were Minato and Kushina themselves.
Perhaps like when he met Nagato before, brought by Lux from another dimension, right?
"Mom, Dad! I..."
Six Paths Naruto looked at his parents, calling out haltingly, his eyes slightly averted.
Though he was the Seventh Hokage, thinking of how he lost his sanity and attacked his parents, he couldn’t help feeling deep shame and regret.
This thirty-something adult Naruto now stood stiff and embarrassed like a child who’d done wrong.
"Naruto!!!"
Kushina rushed forward, tightly hugging Six Paths Naruto—a mother’s embrace always so warm.
"I—"
"It’s okay. We know you’ve suffered greatly. It’s alright now; let Mom hold you!"
Kushina stood on tiptoe, stroking Naruto’s head, speaking gently to comfort him.
In that moment, Naruto, who’d suffered his whole life, broke down, tears streaming.
Of course, as an adult, he couldn’t sob like a child; but the pain and longing pent up in his heart couldn’t be stopped, flooding out like a deluge.
As Hokage, behind all the honor and glory lay mountainous responsibility and pressure!
His wife and daughter, his best friend, the entire village, and tens of millions of lives in the Fire Nation and ninja world rested on his shoulders...
It kept pressing on Naruto’s heart until he was exhausted.
Until now.
Facing his parents’ unconditional embrace, he finally had a chance to release it all limitlessly, overflowing naturally!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side, Kawaki was heading over.
Since Naruto’s clone vanished midway, he was forced to land and walk alone.
But halfway, Kawaki consciously stopped.
He saw the mother-son reunion with Six Paths Naruto.
For the first time, he saw Naruto cry, shed tears, show vulnerability...
This was vastly different from the strong Naruto he knew, majestic like a mountain, embodying fatherly love.
But what did it matter?
To Kawaki, Naruto was still the adoptive father who gave him unconditional love; who trusted and protected him; and the idol guiding his growth and transformation.
Now, this idol and adoptive father showed a more real, human side, making Kawaki pity Naruto even more.
He silently vowed never to let Naruto suffer such pain again!
He’d be the pride and shield of the Seventh Hokage!
’Wait, who’s that girl hugging Naruto? Never seen her?’
’And who’s that white-robed figure beside her? Why’s his hair blonde too?’
’What’s that on his back? The Fourth Hokage?’
’Damn! The Fourth Hokage?’
’Isn’t that the Seventh Hokage’s father?’
The more Kawaki saw, the more doubts arose. Though he guessed Minato and Kushina’s identities, he didn’t dare approach to confirm.
He wasn’t ready to ’return to his roots’!
’Oh, what about Boruto? That jerk?’
’Is he dead?’
As Kawaki was confused, Eida and Daemon, not far away, approached.
"Kawaki, you’re still alive!"
Daemon shouted at Kawaki.
Since Kawaki twice risked himself to save him and Eida, Daemon’s attitude toward Kawaki had softened.
At least he no longer saw him as an enemy, even somewhat approving Kawaki as worthy of his sister.
"How are you guys here?"
Kawaki looked at the siblings.
Previously, he had a neutral view of Eida’s siblings, as Eida’s Omnipotence caused a series of problems and casualties.
Fortunately, Kawaki knew the real culprit was Isshiki and didn’t bother blaming the siblings.
But earlier, when attacked by Isshiki, Eida hugged him, saving his life.
Kawaki acknowledged this kindness.
So he felt a bit of gratitude and recognition toward Eida and Daemon.
Just a bit, though.
After all, Kawaki’s world only held Naruto and Boruto, maybe a few of their relatives, and Uncle Sasuke who once saved him.
"We were brought here by the Seventh Hokage."
"Oh! What about Boruto? Seen him?"
Kawaki nodded, his eyes not lingering on Eida, immediately asking about Boruto while looking around.
Since the Seventh Hokage was fine, his main concern was Boruto.
Eida pouted, displeased:
"Kawaki, you’re really immune to my charm..."
’Good grief, ignoring a beautiful woman like me to ask about his best friend.
’Can you stay his best friend forever?’
Eida kept staring at Kawaki, long aware he was immune to her charm ability—one of the few, besides Ōtsutsuki, who could resist it.
Others immune included her brother Daemon; women like Sarada and a few others; or those older like Six Paths Naruto and Sasuke—all unsuitable.
The only age-appropriate person immune to her charm was Kawaki.
Oh! And Boruto.
But he was too young, so Eida didn’t count him.
Thus, Eida had long targeted Kawaki, or rather, secretly hoped to conquer him with her true charm!
To build true love with Kawaki, unaffected by her allure.
Like someone hated by the world craving love, Eida, loved by all, yearned for someone different, who didn’t love her, to make them fall for her!
Simply put, it was a peculiar quirk.
What’s unattainable always intrigues, or what’s too easily gained loses appeal.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
"So what happened to Boruto? And Uncle Sasuke? What’s going on here?"
Kawaki asked. With her Senrigan, Eida must know everything.
He couldn’t disturb the Seventh Hokage, so he could only ask for specifics first.
Eida sighed. Facing such a tsundere guy, she suddenly felt her future conquest mission would be tough.
But she calmed herself and began explaining the situation to Kawaki in detail.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Lux returned baby Sasuke to Parallel World 4.
Though baby Sasuke was small now, he’d later boast about his glorious ’solo’ feat of defeating peak Six Paths Naruto.
Next, Lux didn’t rush back to Parallel World 7.
Naruto and the Minato couple there surely had much to discuss, so no need to hurry back.
As for Kaguya from Parallel World 7, dying from Six Paths Naruto’s attacks, Lux had captured her in the Universe’s Golden Jar, so no rush to deal with her.
And so—
Lux lingered in Parallel World 4, coincidentally witnessing an amusing scene: Fugaku’s fatherly, affectionate belt lesson to little Itachi.
Though Fugaku held a high position due to his loyalty to the Hokage, though he’d become a senior council member of the United Fire Nation, though he handled many affairs daily...
Fugaku still spared at least an hour of precious time daily, personally giving little Itachi special, loving guidance!
No choice.
No matter how well he did now, it wasn’t enough!
If his son’s education was lacking, the entire Uchiha Clan’s head would still face ruin in the future.
For the clan’s future, he had to correct his son’s misguided thoughts!
Especially clan slaughter—that wasn’t something an ordinary rebellious ninja could do. He had to educate with heavy blows!
Temporary kindness now could endanger the entire Uchiha Clan!
’Itachi! Don’t blame your cruel father; one day you’ll understand me!’
Fugaku took his belt, skillfully whipping little Itachi, spinning him like a top at high speed...
And so.
Half an hour later, the special training ended.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Outside the courtyard.
Shisui had been waiting, nimbly jumping in, dragging the bruised little Itachi post-special training.
Don’t misunderstand—this wasn’t rest or relaxation; he was taking him for the second nightly special training with senior Kakashi.
For Shisui, what was this pain?
As long as he didn’t die training, he’d train to death!
He didn’t want to be captured as a hostage again, burdening the village and Hokage; thus, his student Itachi had to intensify training too!
After the special training, Fugaku wiped sweat with a towel, returned to the tatami room, and apologized to Lux:
"Sorry, letting Lord see something amusing..."
"Your education seems a bit aggressive," Lux said casually.
For six-year-old Itachi, such special training was indeed too harsh.
"Aggressive? I think it’s not enough..."
"Actually, it’s unnecessary. The future’s changed. As long as Minato’s around, the Uchiha tragedy won’t happen."
"I know, so I don’t think the kid will go down the wrong path as before."
"Oh? Then why’re you still so harsh on him?"
"No choice! Minato’s forming the United Nation; Konoha will unite the world. In the future, internal conflicts and disputes are inevitable. Though not as brutal as war, power struggles are often scarier and more dangerous than killing. Itachi’s my son, destined to bear the Uchiha Clan’s future; better he suffers a bit now at my hands than get beaten by others later. I’m doing this for his good!"
As a stakeholder, Fugaku’s political insight was undeniably sharp and ruthless.
He’d long seen that the newly formed United Fire Nation’s path wouldn’t be easy.
Minato, choosing gentleness and minimizing killing during unification, meant post-establishment disputes and profit divisions would be fiercer.
Thus, Fugaku was ready to remain a sharp sword intimidating other factions, for Minato, for Konoha!
This path would be dangerous, so Fugaku hoped Itachi would grow quickly, surpass him, and lead the clan forward...
"Just that?"
"Of course, maybe my hands just itch to hit the kid!"
Fugaku, with his stoic face, rarely cracked a cold joke.
Since Minato secured the Hokage throne, his spirit and mindset had changed much. At least he no longer brooded daily over major clan-village conflicts like before.
Now, he had to consider more village-to-village, nation-to-nation merger issues, but it made him far more optimistic than before.
In short, as long as Minato lived, his, his family’s, and the Uchiha Clan’s future would be bright!
If Minato died, there was still Naruto!
’Oh, right!’
’Why hasn’t my wife’s belly shown signs lately? She said she’d try hard for another daughter?’
’No way, tonight we must try harder!’
’Must have a daughter soon!’
Lux shook his head and chuckled, easily guessing Fugaku’s little thoughts, just not expecting him to think of reproduction so brazenly.
"Oh, what brings Lord here?"
"Nothing. Just informing you, the Minato couple is visiting another dimension."
"They’ll be delayed a few hours before returning."
"During that time, keep a closer eye on the village."
Lux explained briefly.
"The Fourth Hokage and others gone that long? Is there a tough issue?"
Fugaku grew curious, wanting info on other dimensions!
But he didn’t dare ask directly, only probing indirectly.
Behind his square, stoic face hid many cunning ideas and calculations, very clever and sly.
"When they return, ask them yourself."
Lux didn’t hide anything. Parallel World 4 was nearly fully united; info from other worlds wouldn’t disrupt the main course.
Rather, letting Minato’s loyalists like Fugaku know more would be beneficial.
After speaking, Lux felt the time was right and left Parallel World 4.
He returned to Parallel World 7, ready to wrap things up.