Four Generations' Reunion
"If I'm right, this should be what you're looking for!"
Naruto took a closer look. The mask in Kakashi's hand was a blue-faced, fang-adorned relic exuding an ominous aura.
If he guessed correctly, this was the Shinigami Mask he had been searching for for days. He originally thought the mask had been taken away by the Third Hokage or Jiraiya, but to his surprise, it was in Kakashi's possession.
Realizing this, Naruto's usual playful expression faded, and he spoke seriously: "I am looking for this mask. What do you want from me? Information about the Akatsuki? The masked man? Or maybe... assurance that I won't attack Konoha?"
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. Naruto knew about the Akatsuki…
After a brief moment of contemplation, Kakashi tossed the Shinigami Mask to Naruto and shook his head. "I considered asking for something in return, but on second thought, forget it. This belongs to you."
"I've already figured out the identity of the masked man. I'll handle him myself."
Naruto caught the mask effortlessly, spinning it between his fingers. "Then you'd better hurry. If I get the chance, I won't hold back. That coward who hides behind a mask, blaming others for his own failures—I won't let him walk away unscathed."
Naruto then glanced at Kakashi with a complicated expression. He had considered ambushing Kakashi if necessary, but since Kakashi handed over the mask willingly, there was no reason to fight. Besides, Kakashi was skilled in Flying Thunder God—if things went south, Naruto knew he wouldn't have an easy time dealing with him.
Turning his attention back to the mask, Naruto spoke again: "Kakashi, you should know what I intend to do with this."
Kakashi remained silent but nodded slightly.
Although he wasn't a ninjutsu specialist like Orochimaru, he knew that the Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei) was recorded in the Scroll of Seals. This technique could resurrect the dead but at the cost of enslaving their souls. It was one of the most forbidden jutsu in existence.
As if sensing Kakashi's concerns, Naruto's tone deepened: "You understand what I'm about to do. Are you interested in bringing back Konoha's White Fang? If you can find his DNA, I have the necessary sacrifices."
Kakashi fell silent for a long time before shaking his head. "My father died for his beliefs. If he were to return and see what Konoha has become, he would be heartbroken."
Sakumo Hatake, the legendary Konoha no Shirogane (White Fang), was once feared even more than the Sannin. But despite his prowess, he fell victim to Konoha's hypocrisy. During the Second Shinobi War, he had chosen to abandon a crucial mission to save his comrades. The village labeled him a disgrace, and the very comrades he saved turned against him. Overcome with guilt and betrayal, he took his own life.
Sakumo's fate was arguably even more tragic than Kakashi's own.
Because in the end, what killed the White Fang wasn't the enemy—it was the very Will of Fire he had sworn to uphold.
Naruto smirked. "Kakashi, you know more than you let on. You're not just the brooding uncle who escapes reality by reading Icha Icha anymore. How about joining Uzushio instead?"
Kakashi smiled wryly. "Not yet. Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama have been working hard to reform Konoha. Things have improved."
"Really?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. He doubted Jiraiya and Tsunade could reform Konoha. The village was riddled with corruption and factional conflicts. At best, their efforts would slow its decline, not reverse it.
Kakashi didn't respond, but his hesitation spoke volumes.
Jiraiya had seized power in a coup against Danzo, yet he had spared the Third Hokage's faction. The Sarutobi clan still held considerable influence. As the head of Anbu, Kakashi was a leader in name only—he lacked true authority.
Naruto noted his reluctance and waved a hand dismissively. "I won't force you to join Uzushio, but I am reviving the Fourth Hokage and his wife. You wouldn't want to miss that, would you?"
Without waiting for a response, Naruto leaped into the forest beyond Konoha's borders.
Kakashi hesitated for only a moment before following. He had no desire to resurrect the dead himself, but the thought of seeing Minato-sensei and Kushina again…
That was something he couldn't ignore.
---
The Resurrection of the Fourth Hokage
Deep in the woods, Naruto found a secluded clearing. He swiftly unsealed two vials—one containing the DNA of Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage, and the other belonging to Uzumaki Kushina.
Meanwhile, one of his shadow clones retrieved the necessary sacrifices—Zetsu clones—and the Edo Tensei control talismans.
With all preparations in place, Naruto donned the Shinigami Mask and performed the Reaper Death Seal: Release.
A spectral form of the Shinigami appeared before them, its eerie visage looming over the scene. Without hesitation, Naruto drew a kunai and slashed his abdomen.
A blinding white light erupted as two souls were expelled from the Shinigami's stomach. Seizing the moment, Naruto slammed his hands onto the ground.
"Edo Tensei!"
The two Zetsu sacrifices transformed, their features shifting until they took the form of a man with spiky blonde hair and a woman with long, flowing red locks.
Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina stood before them, their expressions blank as their souls adjusted to their resurrected bodies.
Kakashi froze. His mind flooded with memories of his sensei and the woman who had been like a mother to Naruto. Unconsciously, he took a step forward.
The memories of his own parents were vague, but the time he spent with Minato and Kushina remained crystal clear. Those were the happiest days of his life.
Naruto, meanwhile, turned his gaze back to the spectral Shinigami.
Through his Uzumaki heritage, he had learned the secrets of the Reaper Death Seal from his ancestors. The caster and the Shinigami became one during the jutsu's execution, and by cutting open its stomach, he could free the trapped souls.
But… something felt off.
The Shinigami wasn't reacting the way he had expected.
Instead of lashing out in revenge, it simply observed him with piercing, almost human-like eyes.
Then, without a sound, the spectral entity faded into nothingness.
Naruto's stomach wound healed rapidly, leaving behind no trace of injury.
He narrowed his eyes.
"The Shinigami… there's more to it than I thought. What secrets lie within the Pure Land?"
Shaking off the thought for now, Naruto turned his attention to the revived Fourth Hokage and his wife.
With the Shinigami's departure, Minato and Kushina's eyes finally opened.
And for the first time in sixteen years, Naruto stood face to face with his parents.
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