120 Chapter 119

"Are you suggesting that you'll teach me everything you know, Ashina-sama?" Kazuki's heart raced with anticipation, realizing that an opportunity to acquire millennia-old knowledge was within reach. He was unwilling to let this chance slip away.

"Hehe, brat, now you don't harbor any doubts about my identity anymore? You sure are a greedy little one, aren't you?" Ashina's ethereal form chuckled as it floated towards Kazuki. "I may not be able to personally guide you, but I will pass down all the knowledge that the Uzumaki clan has preserved for generations."

Kazuki looked gloomy about why Ashina couldn't guide him personally, realizing that having someone like Ashina to guide him would be an absolute boon, helping him learn faster and avoid mistakes.

"I know what you're thinking, kid, but no, I don't have long in this world. As much as I'd like to completely resurrect myself and help you, forcefully escaping from the reaper cost me too much. My soul would soon vanish forever," Ashina explained the dire situation he was in. Kazuki also realized that Ashina must have paid a huge price to escape the clutches of the reaper.

As Ashina began the process of transferring the vast knowledge of the Uzumaki clan to Kazuki, his ethereal form gradually dimmed, his energy waning as the transfer progressed. Despite the blinding headache that assaulted him, Kazuki gritted his teeth and held on, determined to absorb every bit of information being passed to him.

As the transfer of knowledge continued, Kazuki's headache intensified, but he remained steadfast, absorbing each piece of information with determination. Between grimaces of pain, he couldn't help but ask questions, seeking clarification on certain techniques and histories buried within the depths of the Uzumaki's legacy.

"Does this mean we have a way to counteract the Otsusuki threat?" Kazuki questioned, his voice strained but hopeful.

Ashina's ethereal form nodded solemnly. "Indeed, the knowledge you now possess holds the key to our survival. But remember, don't repeat the same mistakes that we uzumaki clan made, many a people like to tell that with great power comes equal responsibilities, but sometimes it is these same responsibilities that pushes one towards obsession, so try doing what you feel is right and don't pressure yourself thinking about the Otsusuki too much, in the end if humanity is meant to fail then so be it, end of the day just make sure that you have tried your absolute best that's all that matters ."

Kazuki nodded, his expression grave as he contemplated the weight of their conversation. "I understand. I won't let this knowledge go to waste."

As the transfer neared its peak, Ashina's form began to fade, the dimming light mirroring the waning energy of the ethereal being. Despite the strain, Kazuki pushed through, driven by the urgency of the situation.

As the transfer of knowledge continued, Ashina's curiosity about Kazuki's background grew, fueled by the realization of Kazuki's potential role in humanity's survival.

"Tell me, kid, which village do you hail from? And which clan could possibly give birth to a prodigy like you?" Ashina's inquiry carried a mix of intrigue and anticipation, his ethereal form shimmering with curiosity.

Kazuki, despite the pain wracking his body, managed a strained chuckle. "I am from Konohagakure, Ashina-sama, and my name is Kazuki Nara. Can't this transfer be any less painful?" His voice wavered, but his resolve remained unyielding.

"Heh, I wish, kid. But know this: endurance is key if you truly seek to inherit all the knowledge," Ashina replied with a hint of amusement, though his expression softened with understanding.

"But before we continue, may I ask you something?"

Kazuki nodded, steeling himself for Ashina's question, his mind racing with possibilities.

"I simply want to know... did any remnants of the Uzumaki clan survive? Did anyone make it to the Leaf Village safely during those tumultuous times?" Ashina's voice carried a tinge of regret, his gaze distant as he recalled the past. "And what about Kushina? How is she faring?"

Kazuki noticed the shift in Ashina's tone, the warmth and affection evident when he mentioned Kushina Uzumaki. It was a glimpse into a side of Ashina that Kazuki hadn't seen before, adding another layer of complexity to their conversation.

For a fleeting moment, Kazuki considered offering Ashina some semblance of comfort through a lie, but he swiftly discarded the notion.

"I'm sorry, Ashina-sama, but as far as I know, none of the Uzumaki survivors made it to the village. And if any had, this bastard here," he gestured toward the fallen Danzo, "would have surely captured them. He's personally responsible for the downfall of the Uzumaki, using their fuinjutsu for his own nefarious purposes."

Ashina's eagerness waned, replaced by a somber expression. "Is that so? And what about little Kushina? Does she have a family?" he inquired, his voice tinged with hope.

"Kushina-sama is no longer with us," Kazuki replied, his tone heavy with sorrow. "She perished six years ago during an attack, while the enemies targeted the bijuu sealed within her."

Ashina's countenance fell further. "So even little Kushina is gone," he murmured. "It seems the Uzumaki clan has been wiped out root and stem."

"Not entirely, old man," Kazuki interjected, seeking to provide a glimmer of hope. "There are still two individuals with Uzumaki blood within Konoha: Naruto Uzumaki, Kushina's son, and Tsunade Senju, Mito-sama's granddaughter and my master. They carry on the legacy of the Uzumaki clan."

Though the truth weighed heavily on their hearts, Kazuki hoped that by sharing it, Ashina could find some measure of closure before passing into the void.

"Haha, Mito's granddaughter, that little pipsqueak, she sure has the Uzumaki blood in her veins," Ashina chuckled softly, his spirits lifting slightly at the thought. "Wait, kid, did you say that you were Tsunade's student? Good, good, now I can rest assured."

Kazuki nodded solemnly, understanding the significance of Ashina's request. "Say, kid, can I ask you for a personal favor? In the future, if you do find any surviving Uzumaki, can you have Tsunade provide them sanctuary within Konoha? I'm sure there must be some of my clan out there who still might have survived during the war," the old man pleaded earnestly, his eyes reflecting his heartfelt desire.

"And also, in the future, if you can, would you resurrect Kushina if possible and pass down the knowledge of the Uzumaki clan to her as well, please? She was also a decent talent when it came to fuinjutsu," Ashina implored Kazuki, his gaze filled with hope and anticipation.

"I will do everything in my power, Ashina-sama. I promise," Kazuki vowed, his voice unwavering with determination. The old man breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Kazuki's assurance.

"I have to know," Kazuki gasped between waves of pain, "is there a way to revive the Uzumaki clan? To restore what was lost?"

Ashina's smile turned bittersweet, a flicker of sadness in his fading eyes. "The path to revival is fraught with challenges, but where there is knowledge, there is hope. Preserve our legacy, Kazuki. Let it guide you in the darkest of times."

With a final surge of determination, Kazuki endured the last agonizing moments of the transfer. As Ashina's form dissipated into wisps of ethereal energy, Kazuki was left alone with his newfound knowledge, a sense of duty weighing heavily on his shoulders.

The next day, news of the Fourth Hokage's return spread through Konoha like wildfire, igniting waves of celebration throughout the village. While rumors of Minato's survival had surfaced during the war, they had been dismissed by Hiruzen as mere speculation. However, this time, the news was undeniable, and the village erupted in joyous uproar.

Tsunade, still working on crafting a plausible explanation for Minato's return, found herself caught off guard by Naruto's boundless excitement. The young boy wasted no time in parading Minato around the village, proudly displaying his newfound father to anyone who would look. For Naruto, who had endured years of loneliness and ostracism, having Minato by his side was a validation like no other.

As Naruto flaunted his father's presence, those who had once scorned him now cowered in his wake. The mere association with the legendary Yellow Flash struck fear into the hearts of those who had previously mistreated Naruto. However, to their surprise, Minato showed no signs of anger or retaliation. Instead, he greeted the villagers with kindness and warmth, his gentle demeanor putting them at ease.

Throughout the village, crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of their beloved hero. Shinobi who had fought alongside Minato during his time as Hokage enthusiastically welcomed him back, eager to reminisce about their shared battles and victories. Despite the passage of time, Minato remembered each of them fondly, engaging in heartfelt conversations and exchanging laughter with his former comrades.

Amidst the festivities, there was a sense of unity and camaraderie that hadn't been felt in Konoha for years. Minato's return symbolized a resurgence of hope and optimism, inspiring both young and old alike. As the village basked in the glow of Minato's presence, it seemed that brighter days lay ahead for Konoha.

Inside the famed Ichiraku Ramen, Kazuki sat with a small army of kids, enjoying a rare day off. Tenten had insisted on a group outing, originally intending to bring Naruto along, but since he was nowhere to be found, she had instead come to the Nara clan to gather the rest. The table was now bustling with activity, including a new addition to the group—Rock Lee.

Tenten had taken it upon herself to introduce Lee to their little circle, and he seemed to be fitting in quite well.

However, Kazuki couldn't help but notice two other groups inside the restaurant that piqued his interest. Fugaku's entire family was present, enjoying a meal together, while in the corner sat the Hyuga family, including both Hyuga brothers, Hanabi, the old Hyuga elder, and surprisingly, Neji. The boy appeared much quieter than Kazuki remembered, a testament perhaps to Tsunade's therapy and the efficacy of genjutsu in this world. Kazuki and Itachi exchanged a friendly glance, but neither wanted to intrude on the family gatherings.

Amidst the chatter and laughter, Tenten's voice cut through the air, drawing their attention back to the present moment.

"Kazuki Niisan , why didn't you tell us that Naruto's father was the Yondaime-sama? I couldn't even eat breakfast this morning because of that information! And I couldn't even find Naruto this morning. What if he tells Yondaime-sama that I always bully him? It's all your fault, Kazuki Niisan ! I hope you can save me when Yondaime beats me up!" Tenten pouted, her panic evident. She had always used her seniority to take advantage of Naruto, but now that she knew he was the son of the Yondaime, she was filled with dread. The minor bullying she had engaged in, such as stealing snacks and making Naruto do her homework, suddenly seemed like grave crimes against the heir of the Uzumaki clan.

"Tenten, don't ask me; ask my brother Shikamaru. He knew about this, and as someone in your group, I thought he would have told you all," Kazuki nonchalantly threw his little brother under the bus while taking a bite of the pork cutlet. Shikamaru, who was slurping on the ramen with relish , almost choked as he heard his brother's words.

Shikamaru very much wanted to argue and refute his brother's words, but the demoness gaze was set on him, so he didn't have a choice but to confront the beast called Tenten. His mind raced for a countermeasure, and as he turned to his loyal friend for support, Choji simply picked up the ramen bowl and moved a bit further from Shikamaru, as if he had no relationship with the person whatsoever. 

Shikamaru quickly turned to Ayame and started ordering as if there was no tomorrow, but Tenten still held her ground. Just when Shikamaru thought he was going to suffer divine punishment , salvation came in the form of Naruto and the Yondaime himself. The moment Tenten realized who had come, she hid away like a bunny, and both Ino and Lee were enjoying the ongoing scene.

As Naruto and Minato entered the Ichiraku Ramen, the atmosphere in the restaurant changed dramatically. Whispers erupted among the patrons, heads turned, and eyes widened in disbelief and awe. The Uchiha family a close friend of Minato and Kushina back in the days , represented by Fugaku and Mikoto , glanced at each other with unreadable expressions. Despite their usual stoicism, they couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and happiness about the return of legendary Yondaime Hokage, Minato Namikaze standing before them.

Meanwhile, Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga exchanged surprised glances from their table in the corner. Neji's eyes widened slightly as he observed the yellow-haired man, his respect for the Fourth Hokage evident in his gaze. Hinata, too, couldn't hide her excitement at seeing a figure of such renown in person.

As Minato and Naruto approached the counter, Teuchi's eyes widened in recognition and disbelief. He wiped his hands on his apron, his heart racing with excitement and disbelief. "Minato..." he muttered, hardly daring to believe his eyes. "Is it really you?"

Minato smiled warmly at Teuchi, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "Yes, Teuchi-san, it's me," he replied, his voice filled with genuine affection. "I'm back."

Tears welled up in Teuchi's eyes as he stepped out from behind the counter and approached Minato. "I never thought I'd see the day," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "Welcome back, Minato. We've missed you."

Minato clasped Teuchi's hand firmly, feeling a rush of gratitude for the kind-hearted ramen chef who had always been a familiar presence in his life. "Thank you, Teuchi-san," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "It's good to be home."

As Teuchi and Minato shared a heartfelt moment, the rest of the restaurant watched on in silence, the air tinged with a sense of reverence and awe. Naruto beamed proudly at his father, feeling a swell of happiness at seeing him reunited with an old friend. And amidst the bustling atmosphere of Ichiraku Ramen, the bond between Minato and Teuchi served as a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of camaraderie and community that defined the village of Konoha.