Due to various concerns, Minato Namikaze didn't know how to begin.

Most importantly, explaining Naruto Uzumaki's parents from a personal perspective put Minato in a bind. Even though in the parallel world, he and Kushina had died shortly after Naruto was born, that was the future. And what kind of people he and Kushina were in that parallel future—how would he know?

According to the parallel world theories Minato had read, they clearly stated that parallel worlds were filled with possibilities. The people within them could be the same as those in the main world—or completely different. Personality, habits, abilities, even gender could all vary.

If not for Orochimaru's genetic test clearly stating Naruto Uzumaki's father was Minato Namikaze and his mother was Kushina Uzumaki, Minato might have assumed, based on the surname, that he and Kushina had switched genders in that parallel world.

No wonder, since Kushina had been running around the game world daily under her male alias. After seeing that enough, Minato subconsciously thought that way.

For once, the usually socially adept Minato Namikaze found himself stuck, wanting to speak but unable to.

Seeing this, Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but feel disappointed. He thought Minato was like everyone else—unwilling to tell him the truth. His head dropped, dejected. "So it's like that... You won't tell me either..."

Alarmed, Minato quickly said, "No, it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that I..."

In his panic, he didn't know how to explain.

Seeing Minato like this only made Naruto feel like he was hiding something, and Naruto's emotions crumbled instantly.

Naruto had always been impulsive. Though he often played dumb to protect others' feelings, especially regarding his parents, he usually accepted it if people didn't want to tell him.

But Minato was different. Naruto had an instinctive sense of closeness to the man. Especially since Minato had shown such warmth, Naruto naturally wanted to be closer to him, to talk with him more, to be trusted and accepted.

When he learned that Minato knew his parents, that feeling of finally finding family ignited and became uncontrollable. Naruto lost composure.

He didn't understand that this was the bond of father and son, connected by blood. It sounded mystical, but the Shinobi World was full of mystical things. Chakra and bloodlines could create all sorts of miracles.

So a father-son connection that transcended time and space was perfectly reasonable.

Because of that, when Naruto felt he was once again being hidden from, once again being "distrusted," he completely lost control.

"Enough!" Naruto suddenly stood up, eyes shut tight, yelling in anger and resentment, "You're always like this! Always treating me like a child! Every time I ask about my parents, you all avoid the question! Everyone who knows hides it from me! Every time, I can only pretend not to care, telling myself, 'when I grow up, I'll finally know!'"

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Do you know how jealous I am when I see others with their parents, people who care about them? I've always been called a monster since I was little! They told other kids not to go near me! Why?"

"I know I'm the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki! I'm the container sealing the Nine Tails! I've accepted that burden! But why? Even so, why won't anyone tell me the truth about myself, my origins? Why?!"

"Damn it... what the... My eyes won't listen... damn it..."

His final words were forced through sobs. His hands rubbed at his eyes, which were overflowing with tears he couldn't stop, even as he gritted his teeth.

He knew he shouldn't act like this, especially not in front of a stranger. He hadn't broken down like this since he was ten. But in front of this man, it felt like the emotional wall he'd built was suddenly shattered. He couldn't hold it in—like a child venting only in front of his parents.

Minato watched, and a wave of unprecedented heartache overwhelmed him, plunging him into grief.

The Yellow Flash raised his hand, wanting to do something, but he didn't know what. As a father, what should he do at this moment? His usual confidence was gone, replaced by confusion and helpless emotion.

In the end, all he could do was say, full of guilt, "I'm sorry..."

Hearing this, Naruto shuddered and turned away. "Why are you apologizing to me? No, I'm the one who overreacted. I should be apologizing. I'm sorry, uncle. I don't know what came over me. I just lost control."

As he spoke, he kept wiping his eyes, his sleeve soaking wet, tears still flowing uncontrollably.

At the same time, Naruto didn't want Minato to see him in such a pathetic state, so he kept his back turned.

So messy, so dramatic, and yet... so laughably human.

If things continued this way, more misunderstandings and drama would surely follow, like something out of a soap opera. And that wasn't far-fetched—most melodramas followed this exact setup.

But this was the Naruto world. A soap opera-style development didn't fit at all.

So, just then, the door opened, and a calm voice spoke.

"Naruto, there's no need to get so worked up. Minato wasn't hiding anything—he just didn't know how to tell you. As you know, the most important thing for a shinobi is having sufficient intel."

"Lacking information, Minato worried that saying the wrong thing might put you in danger. That's why he hesitated."

As the voice rang out, both pairs of eyes in the room turned toward the door.

There stood Uchiha Kei, arms folded across his chest, leaning against the doorframe, looking sideways into the room. A lazy yet mysterious aura radiated from him, making a strong impression.

At least, Naruto's first impression was that this guy looked really cool and mysterious—like someone powerful.

As for Minato...

Well, Minato also thought Kei looked amazing right now. Even though he knew his best buddy was deliberately striking a pose for effect—they'd discussed such things before—he couldn't help but admire him.

After all, this was a classic "save the scene" entrance. So even if Minato knew Kei was trying to show off, he still thought he looked awesome.

Gratitude shone in Minato's eyes. Clearly, he'd been flustered by his son's emotional reaction.

Compared to the version in the original story that appeared in the sealing space, Minato here clearly wasn't mentally prepared for being a father.

And Naruto, since he was facing the stranger Uchiha Kei rather than someone he felt a blood connection to, instinctively tried to put on a brave face. His tears stopped, and feeling embarrassed, he looked away and asked uncertainly:

"Um... who are you?"

Uchiha Kei smiled. "Uchiha Kei. You can call me Uncle Kei—or godfather, if you prefer. You see, your father and I grew up together. We were best friends. We promised each other that if we had kids, we'd have them call the other their godfather."

"Right, Minato?"

He turned toward Minato with a teasing grin.

Minato gave a sheepish chuckle, then nodded. "Yeah, that's true. We did talk about that..."

Given their friendship and the common customs in the Shinobi World, they didn't have terms like "godparent" or "mentor-parent." They only had "godfather" or "foster father."

And Minato had been the one to propose it. Kei had agreed, seeing it as part of the culture he'd long accepted.

After all, even in China, adopting godparents was common.

Hearing this, Naruto was stunned. Minato confirmed it too. He looked at Kei in surprise, and a strong sense of goodwill bloomed in his heart.

After all, this was his father's best friend—a man entrusted to be his godfather.

The sudden addition of a new family member left Naruto a little flustered and embarrassed, but he instinctively wanted to grow closer.

He scratched his head, eyes wandering, unsure what to say, then suddenly frowned in confusion, as if realizing something.

"Wait a minute… you're joking, right? You don't even look much older than me. How could you be my dad's childhood friend or my godfather? That doesn't add up! And... Uchiha? You're from Sasuke's clan? But I thought his whole clan was wiped out, leaving only him and his brother? How could you suddenly appear?"

"You guys… are lying to me, aren't you?!"

By now, Naruto was visibly angry, feeling completely played.

But his words made Minato's pupils contract, his entire aura shifting. Before Naruto could react, he vanished in a flash and appeared right in front of him like a golden streak.

Naruto instinctively tried to step back, but Minato's strong hands were already gripping his shoulders. A terrifying aura poured from Minato's body. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novelꞁire.net

Then, with barely restrained fury, Minato demanded:

"Naruto, you said the Uchiha were wiped out? Tell me—what happened? What happened in your world's Konoha?"

"Your world's Uchiha Kei—your godfather—was he killed too?"

"Tell me! What happened?!"

Minato in that moment was terrifying. Naruto felt a chill run up from his tailbone, paralyzing him. It was like facing a terrifying enemy more fearsome than anyone he'd met—not even the Akatsuki or Orochimaru came close.

It was terrifying. Naruto even felt like he might be killed the next second.

Just then, Uchiha Kei placed a hand on Minato's shoulder and said playfully, "Hey, calm down, Minato. You're scaring Naruto. If Kushina finds out, she'll hang you up and beat you."

Instantly, the terrifying aura disappeared, replaced by resignation. Though still serious, Minato now seemed helpless in the face of Kei's antics.

"Kei... don't you care?"

"Care about what? That the other world's Uchiha are gone? Or that I myself am gone there?"

Minato stared at Kei, who remained calm, unshaken by the other world's tragedy.

This mindset made Minato sigh in admiration for the thousandth time: "You never change. That composure and open heart of yours—I'll never match it."

Exhaling deeply, Minato released Naruto and gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry, Naruto. I lost control."

Relieved, Naruto gasped for breath and said nervously, "Uncle Minato, you're really strong. I felt completely powerless, like you could've killed me any second..."

Uchiha Kei raised an eyebrow and tsked. "Tsk tsk tsk, to think you scared little Naruto that badly. Minato, I'm definitely telling Kushina."

"..." Minato was speechless and even sweating. He knew exactly why he'd gotten so emotional. The death of the Uchiha wasn't what shocked him the most—it was the death of his best friend.

Naruto looked at the two "uncles" before him and felt a deep envy. If only Sasuke treated him like that too...

Then, suddenly, Naruto caught something important from their earlier conversation.

"Wait... what did you just say? Another world? What's going on? This isn't the Shinobi World? D-Don't tell me... we're already in the afterlife?!"

His voice trembled by the end—he was scared. Ghosts and spirits were definitely not his thing.

But his wild guess only left Uchiha Kei and Minato speechless.

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