Chapter 90 89: Across Timelines

[Naruto was unfortunate—the day he was born was also his parents' death anniversary. Fortunately, the Shinobi World has the Edo Tensei, a dream-fulfilling Jutsu, which allowed him to receive birthday wishes that came 17 years late.]

[Equally poignant is the fact that the fastest Yellow Flash of the Shinobi World only managed to make it to his son's 17th birthday. And at that time, he was only six years older than Naruto.]

On the screen, a corresponding image flashed.

Under the glow of white light, the grown-up Naruto and Minato stood facing each other. Minato's face still bore cracks, clearly still in his Edo Tensei state.

But his eyes were filled with tenderness. Looking at Naruto all grown up, a smile appeared on his face.

"Happy birthday, Naruto. You've grown into a fine young man."

---

[Konoha, Year 60. Training Ground]

Even though the birthday wish wasn't for him in the present, Naruto was still crying uncontrollably.

In the future… would he get to meet his father again?

Edo Tensei, huh? He'd remember that.

Hmm… but who was it that could use this Jutsu again? It seemed to be that snake-like guy. But what if he wanted harm to the village?

[Twice they parted, and both times Minato left in silence. The first time, he gave the chance to speak to Kushina. The second time, to Naruto. He clearly had so much to say—and because he had no arms, he couldn't even embrace his son. But a father's love is so pure that even his eyes could speak.]

[Edo Tensei cannot shed tears—but a father can. Truly, Namikaze Minato deserved his title as one of the most popular characters.]

Suddenly, the screen split into two halves.

On one side: the night of the Nine-Tails incident. After Kushina and Minato were pierced by the Nine-Tails' claws, Kushina's lips were stained with blood, yet her eyes were full of tenderness as she spoke her final words to the newborn Naruto.

On the other side: Naruto after the Fourth Great Ninja War, bathed in white light, his face beaming, as he too was speaking.

Soon, the Sky Screen played their words in sequence, allowing mother and son—separated across different timelines—to speak to each other across the void.

First, Kushina spoke softly. "Naruto… Don't be picky. Eat lots and grow strong. Make sure you bathe every day and stay warm."

Beside her, the 17-year-old Naruto responded cheerfully, his face full of smiles: "Tell mom not to worry. I'm not picky and eat lots of different stuff! Like, tonkotsu ramen, miso ramen, and shoyu ramen… Oh but, not just ramen though! I try to bathe every day! I go to the Leaf Hot Springs once in a while too!"

'Mom…'

The Naruto in reality stared fixedly at Kushina on the screen, as if trying to etch every word of his mother's advice—things he could never have remembered as an infant—deep into his memory.

This was his mother's nagging, something he had never heard before. Even though people like Shikamaru often complained about their mothers nagging, acting annoyed…

But this was a feeling he had never experienced. In this moment, Naruto treasured every second of the Sky Screen.

"And, make friends. You don't need a lot of friends, just a few… Ones you can really, really trust. I wasn't very good at it but keep up with your studies and practice your ninjutsu hard. Remember that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. So don't get too depressed if you can't do something well."

"I've made a lot of friends! And they're all good guys! And… I was really awful at school, but I never got depressed and had more confidence than anyone else!"

The screen even briefly showed a glimpse of Sasuke from the future.

Hearing the response from his future self on the screen, Sakura glanced at Naruto. For once, she refrained from teasing him and simply smiled. Even now, Naruto already had some companions worth cherishing.

Nearby, Sasuke had already closed his Sharingan. With his hands in his pockets, he let out a faint, unreadable snort.

Naruto was at least honest about his grades—he really was at the bottom of the class.

However, fine, say that if you want. But why flash his image specifically?

Meanwhile, at the Akatsuki hideout, the expressionless Itachi felt a quiet sense of relief. Since Sasuke was a genuinely trusted friend of the future Seventh Hokage, there was no need to worry about his future.

No wonder he ended up getting married and had a daughter as adorable as Sarada.

That was enough.

---

Kushina's voice continued: "Respect your teachers and upperclassmen at the Academy."

The 17-year-old Naruto responded to every word, "Naturally, I always obeyed Lord Third and Kakashi-sensei. I respect them both!"

Beneath the screen, Hiruzen lowered his head, his expression complicated. Naruto truly did respect him—but he himself had not cared for Naruto nearly enough.

Kakashi also lowered his head.

All these years, before becoming Team 7's supervising Jonin, what had he ever done for Naruto?

On the screen, Kushina suddenly seemed to remember something and her tone grew more serious.

"Oh, and this is important. It's about the Three prohibitions for a shinobi. Be careful about lending and borrowing money. No alcohol until you're twenty. And another is women. I'm a woman, so I don't know much about this but... just don't get hooked on bad women. Find someone just like me."

"Eh?"

Naruto let out an exclamation of surprise. The woman he would marry in the future, Hinata… Was she a woman like his mother?

He recalled the gentle appearance of the grown-up Hinata earlier, and then looked at his mother—who was equally gentle on the screen—it seemed they were quite similar.

But still… he wanted to marry Sakura!

Thinking of this, Naruto scratched his head in confusion.

On the screen, Kushina's voice grew more labored: "Speaking of the Three Prohibitions, be wary of Jiraiya-sensei, you know."

Standing behind Naruto, Jiraiya sheepishly touched his long white hair. This girl… why did she have to say something so hurtful?

He, Lord Jiraiya, the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, one of the legendary Sannin—why did he need to be "wary" of?

So he had a few minor hobbies? And besides, Minato hadn't picked up his habits, had he? Naruto's lack of self-control would clearly be his own fault!

But then, Naruto's response from the screen made Jiraiya freeze.

"Oh! And those Three Prohibitions of shinobi? I learned a lot about that when I was with Pervy Sage! He was hopeless when it came to them though… but he was an awesome sannin and I respect him the most!"

Jiraiya couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Naruto's hair.

Although he didn't know what would happen in the future, but the sincerity in Naruto's voice on the screen was unmistakable.

For a moment, even he—a man who had seen countless things—didn't know how to respond.

But in his heart, one thought became increasingly clear.

No matter what the future held, he would teach this child well.

Not only for the Child of Prophecy thing, but also to live up to Minato's trust—and Naruto's too.

*****

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