Chapter 117

As the ritual reached its climax, the cocoon surrounding Minato's form began to pulsate with a brilliant light. Slowly, the cocoon disintegrated, revealing Minato's resurrected body. He appeared much as he did in life, with his iconic spiky blonde hair and chiseled features. However, there was one stark difference that immediately caught everyone's attention: his eyes. Instead of his usual blue eyes, Minato now bore the Tenseigan, glowing with an otherworldly brilliance.

As Minato took his first breath, his expression was a mix of confusion, wonder, and relief. He blinked several times, trying to make sense of his surroundings. His gaze fell upon Hiruzen, who was staring at him with wide eyes, a mixture of hope and disbelief evident on his face. Then, Minato's gaze shifted to Tsunade, Jiraiya, and finally, Kazuki, who stood with the Shinigami mask still adorning his face.

Realization dawned on Minato as he comprehended what had transpired. His expression softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. It was a smile filled with gratitude, for he knew that he owed his return to this individual, the child behind the mask, who had risked so much to bring him back.

Jiraiya's heart skipped a beat. Here stood his former student, now returning from the depths of the afterlife. But it was more than that—he was like a son, a protege who had grown into a formidable shinobi in his own right.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, a flood of emotions surged within Jiraiya's chest. Pride, relief, and a deep sense of paternal affection washed over him. He stepped forward, his movements instinctive yet deliberate, closing the distance between them.

"Minato," Jiraiya said, his voice soft yet filled with the weight of years gone by. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Minato's expression mirrored Jiraiya's own, a mixture of gratitude and reverence. He bowed his head respectfully, a gesture of deference to his former master. "Sensei," he replied, his voice tinged with emotion. "Thank you for believing in me, even beyond the veil of death."

As Jiraiya stood before Minato, a weighty silence hung between them, laden with unspoken apologies and regrets. He cleared his throat, the words heavy on his tongue, yet necessary.

"Minato," Jiraiya began, his voice tinged with remorse, "I... I owe you an apology. I failed you as a sensei, as a mentor, and as a friend. I wasn't there when you and Kushina needed me the most, and for that, I am truly sorry."

Minato's expression softened, understanding flickering in his eyes. "Jiraiya-sensei, you've always been like a father to me; we all make mistakes. We've all had our share of regrets, but dwelling on them won't change the past."

Minato turned to face Tsunade, his expression a mix of gratitude and reverence. "Tsunade-sama, I cannot express how thankful I am for this second chance."

Tsunade smiled warmly at Minato, her eyes soft with emotion. "Minato, it's good to have you back. You've been dearly missed."

Minato bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you for orchestrating this resurrection, Tsunade-sama. I am forever in your debt."

Minato's gaze shifted to Kazuki, the young prodigy who had been the main reason for his resurrection. There was a deep sense of gratitude and respect in his eyes as he approached Kazuki.

"Kazuki kun," Minato began, his voice filled with sincerity and giving him a deep bow even lower than the rest. "I cannot thank you enough for what you've done. Bringing me back from the beyond... It's an act of kindness and bravery that I'll never forget, and I will also like to sincerely thank you for taking care of Naruto all these years; without you, Naruto surely would have suffered."

Kazuki nodded humbly, his expression solemn. "It was my duty, Minato-sama. I'm honored to have played a part in your return."

Minato's actions were swift and decisive as he flickered forward, confronting the old man with a forceful punch to the gut. Hiruzen doubled over in pain, caught off guard by the unexpected blow, his breath escaping him in a wheeze of agony.

"Minato, what the..." Jiraiya moved to intervene, but Minato's actions left him stunned, his protest trailing off as he watched the scene unfold.

Before further words could be exchanged, Minato bowed deeply in apology, his voice sincere as he addressed Hiruzen. "I apologize for hitting you, Sandaime-sama. But you made a promise to take care of Naruto. Yet, you practically abandoned him. If not for Kazuki finding him, I shudder to think how much more Naruto would have suffered. I hope you understand my anger."

Minato's words hung heavily in the air, punctuated by the sound of his fist meeting Hiruzen's gut. The Third Hokage staggered backward, clutching his abdomen in pain, his face contorted with surprise and remorse.

Jiraiya rushed forward, concern etched on his features, but Minato's actions had a profound effect on Hiruzen. Despite the pain, the old Hokage straightened himself, his expression reflecting a mix of regret and understanding.

"Minato," Hiruzen began, his voice strained but composed, "you have every right to be angry. I failed Naruto, and for that, I am truly sorry."

Minato nodded, his features softening slightly as he listened to Hiruzen's words. "I know you have your reasons, Sandaime-sama, but Naruto deserved better. He needed a guiding hand, someone to watch over him in your absence, he needed a family."

Hiruzen sighed heavily, his gaze falling to the ground as he grappled with the weight of his failures. "You're right, Minato. I let Naruto down, and for that, I can never forgive myself."

There was a moment of tense silence between them, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on all present. Then, with a solemn nod from Minato, the tension eased slightly.

"I understand, Sandaime-sama," Minato said, his voice filled with a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "But moving forward, I will ensure that Naruto receives the care and guidance he deserves."

As Minato turned to Tsunade and the others, a sense of urgency filled him. "As much as I want to talk here, I need to see my son first," he said, his voice filled with longing and determination.

With a flicker of movement, Minato attempted to rush towards the Senju compound, where Naruto resided. However, to his surprise, he smashed into an invisible barrier, and his momentum abruptly halted.

Jiraiya couldn't contain his laughter at Minato's mishap. "It looks like even the great Minato can be a bit dense sometimes," he remarked with a grin, though his amusement was laced with genuine affection.

Tsunade, ever practical, tossed a token towards Minato. "Here, take this," she said, her tone both reassuring and teasing. "It's a temporary ID. You'll need it to pass through barriers like that. Naruto is currently staying at the main Senju compound. Jiraiya will lead you there."

Grateful for the assistance, Minato nodded his thanks and accepted the token, understanding the necessity of the procedure.

Meanwhile, Kazuki feigned exhaustion, expressing his desire to return home to rest. In reality, he was eager to investigate the will o wisp that had plunged into his body during the resurrection ritual. He knew there was more to it than met the eye, and he was determined to uncover the truth behind its mysterious appearance.

As for Tsunade and Hiruzen, their minds were already racing with the task of creating a plausible story to explain Minato's return. They couldn't reveal the truth—that he had been resurrected using a forbidden art—as it would surely invite unwanted attention and potential danger. They would need to craft a narrative that would satisfy curiosity without revealing the secrets they were sworn to protect.

As Minato arrived at the Senju compound, he couldn't contain the emotions swirling within him. His heart raced with anticipation as he approached the room where Naruto resided. Pushing the door open gently, he was met with a heartwarming sight—a young boy with bright blond hair, unmistakably his son, Naruto.

As Minato entered the room, his heart raced with a mix of emotions—anticipation, anxiety, and overwhelming love. The soft glow of the room illuminated the space, casting a warm ambiance that contrasted with the turmoil within Minato's soul. He took tentative steps forward, his eyes fixed on the figure before him—the embodiment of his hopes, dreams, and regrets.

Naruto, unaware of his father's presence, was engrossed in a picture book, his small fingers tracing the colorful illustrations with wonder. His bright blond hair framed his innocent face, and his sparkling blue eyes shone with curiosity and a hint of loneliness, unaware of the void that existed within him—a void that only a father's love could fill.

Minato's heart clenched at the sight, a wave of guilt washing over him like a crashing tide. How could he have missed so much? How could he have allowed his own son to grow up without the love and guidance of a father? These thoughts gnawed at his conscience, threatening to overwhelm him with regret.

Summoning all his courage, Minato approached Naruto, his footsteps echoing softly in the room. Naruto glanced up, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the tall figure standing before him—a figure that seemed familiar yet foreign, stirring a deep-seated longing within him.

"Dad?" Naruto's voice was barely a whisper, tinged with disbelief and hope, as if he couldn't believe that the man standing before him was truly his father—the father he had never known, the father he had only dreamed about in fleeting moments of loneliness.

As Minato entered the room, Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "Dad?" he whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. "Are you real this time, or... are you going to vanish again?"

Minato's heart ached at the raw vulnerability in Naruto's voice. He knelt down, meeting Naruto's gaze with tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm real, Naruto," he said softly, his voice choked with emotion. "I promise I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay."

Naruto's lower lip quivered as he fought to hold back tears. "Then why did you leave?" he asked, his voice breaking. "Did... did you hate me?"

Minato's heart shattered at the pain in Naruto's words. He reached out, gently wiping away Naruto's tears with his thumb. "Oh, Naruto," he murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "I could never hate you. I left because... because I thought it was the only way to protect you."

Naruto's brows furrowed in confusion. "Protect me?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper. "From what?"

Minato's chest tightened as he struggled to find the right words. "From... from the dangers of my world," he explained haltingly. "I thought I was doing what was best for you, but... I realize now that I was wrong. I should have been here for you, Naruto. I should have been your dad."

Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes as he listened to Minato's words. "But you're here now, right?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "You won't leave me again, will you?"

Minato's heart clenched at the fear in Naruto's voice. He pulled Naruto into a tight embrace, holding him close as if he were trying to shield him from the pain of the past. "I'm here, Naruto," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "And I promise I'll never leave you again. I'll always be your dad, no matter what."

Naruto buried his face in Minato's shoulder, his tears flowing freely now. "I missed you, Dad," he choked out, his voice muffled against Minato's chest.

Minato held Naruto close, his own tears mingling with his son's. "I missed you too, Naruto," he whispered, his voice filled with a depth of emotion that words could not express. "But I'm here now. And I'm never letting you go again."

"Wait, Mom doesn't know that you're back," Naruto exclaimed, his voice a mixture of excitement and worry. Tears of joy glistened in his eyes. "We searched the entire seal space for you once you vanished. Mom must still be looking for you. She sent me out so I could get to sleep, as it was late. I just got lost with the picture book. You won't tell Mom, will you?"

Minato's heart swelled with affection for his son's innocence. He gently wiped away Naruto's tears, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Naruto," he said soothingly. "Your secret's safe with me. We'll surprise Mom together."

Naruto beamed up at his father, his trust in Minato unwavering. He eagerly grabbed Minato's hand, ready to embark on their journey into the seal space. But then he hesitated, unsure of how to enter with two people.

Minato understood his son's dilemma and sat down beside him. "Let me handle it," he said gently. "Together, we'll go and meet your mother."

Placing his arms over Naruto's seal, Minato closed his eyes, focusing his chakra. In an instant, their consciousnesses were pulled into the seal space, ready for a new reunion with Kushina.