Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 44

Once I reach the rooftop, I let my gaze sweep over the morning scenery. The village has slowly awakened, but a tranquil veil of silence still hangs over the streets. I take a deep breath, focus my mind, and activate my Sharingan.

Within seconds, my shadows begin to shift their form. Like dark silhouettes, they flicker before solidifying into clear figures. Standing before me are Minato and Kushina, surrounded by an aura that radiates both warmth and melancholy. It feels as though their presence fills the very space around us.

Minato's eyes immediately scan the surroundings, his gaze sharp and alert. Kushina, on the other hand, remains still, and when her eyes land on Naruto, time itself seems to pause.

"That... that's our little boy," Kushina whispers, her voice filled with awe and emotion. Her eyes widen, and her lips tremble slightly before a gentle smile graces her face. She seems unable to believe what she's seeing. Her hands move unconsciously, as if she wants to reach out to him from afar, but she stops, as though knowing it's impossible. "He... he looks just like he did back then," she murmurs, her voice breaking slightly, and tears begin to glisten in her eyes.

Minato stands silently beside her, his stance calm, but his eyes speak volumes. His gaze rests on Naruto, filled with pride and unspoken words. "He's beautiful," he finally says, his voice low and deep, as though the words are meant for himself alone.

"He looks happy," Kushina says, though there's a faint sadness in her voice. She turns to me, her eyes searching for an answer I cannot withhold. "But... Yukari, is he truly happy? Does he have friends? Or... is he as lonely as I fear?"

I pause for a moment, letting my gaze drift to Naruto, who is still stretching in bed, his face relaxed and peaceful. "He's not alone," I say at last, a soft smile on my lips. "Naruto loves bickering with Sasuke. Even though they'd never admit it, they're friends. And Shikamaru... he likes spending time with him, even if he complains about the 'effort' involved." I pause briefly before adding, "And he sees me as his sister. I try to always be there for him."

Kushina takes a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears again, though this time it seems to be relief. "Thank you, Yukari," she whispers, her voice warm and grateful. "Thank you for being there for him."

Minato nods slightly, his gaze remaining fixed on Naruto. "He's strong," he finally says, his words filled with pride. "Stronger than I ever expected. But that doesn't surprise me. After all, he has Kushina's willpower." His gaze shifts to her, and a faint smile flickers across his face.

Kushina chuckles softly, though it's a laugh tinged with sorrow. "I wish I could hold him... tell him how much we love him. How proud we are of him." Her voice trembles, but she fights to maintain her composure.

Minato places a hand on her shoulder. "He knows, Kushina," he says with a calmness I can only admire. "Maybe not in words, but in his heart, he knows."

I watch the sadness and pride in their eyes as they continue to gaze at Naruto from afar. None of us say it aloud, but it's clear that we cannot approach him. If he were to wake and see them, it could confuse or hurt him. This boundary, so close yet insurmountable, weighs heavily on us all.

Kushina takes a deep breath, as if trying to absorb the moment, and then nods slowly. "That's enough," she whispers, more to herself than to us. "It's enough to know that he's here... that he's alive. And that he's not alone."

Minato looks at her, and in his eyes, I see a blend of sorrow and pride. "He will find his path, Kushina," he says quietly. "He gets that from you."

The silence that follows is heavy, yet peaceful. I see Kushina and Minato take another moment to absorb Naruto – every detail, every movement. Finally, Kushina turns to me and smiles, a faint but genuine smile.