Chapter 763: Sasuke: Still the MVP!
The battle between Minato and Naruto raged on.
Two similar golden streaks of light clashed rapidly in the air, changing direction and position hundreds of times per second.
Especially Six Paths Naruto, whose super-speed was like an endlessly exploding golden lightning, melting the surrounding air into a liquid state.
Minato, of course, had no desire to harm Naruto, so he mostly avoided attacking, relying primarily on Flying Thunder God teleportation to dodge.
Though Six Paths Naruto’s speed was extraordinary, Flying Thunder God teleportation was still superior, especially with the numerous black rods marked with Flying Thunder God seals scattered around.
Minato could appear almost anywhere nearby at will, allowing him to narrowly evade Naruto’s godlike speed attacks.
Even so, this put immense pressure on Minato.
It felt less like he was hitting his son and more like his son was pummeling him.
Especially since his opponent was even stronger than Isshiki!
One misstep, and Minato felt he’d be crushed into pulp by this enraged, murderous Naruto.
However, this stalemate didn’t last long.
Six Paths Naruto in this form had surpassed the Sage of the Six Paths. When power exceeds a certain threshold, even perfect mechanics might not control it.
As Naruto’s speed increased, his pursuit of Minato even surpassed Eight Gates Night Guy.
Each move and attack shattered the surrounding air, even forcing space to distort!
This was equivalent to unleashing hundreds of Eight Gates Night Guys in a short time in the same area.
It was too terrifying!
If not for Minato’s mastery of Flying Thunder God, even Six Paths Madara might’ve been pulverized by this limitless ’Night Guy’!
As massive spatial distortions accumulated, a chaotic gravitational lens effect formed, bending even light into a scattered, irregular, five-colored bubble-like sphere—beautiful yet carrying a horrific deathly crisis.
Forget ninjas—even Tailed Beasts approaching slightly would likely be shattered to pieces.
Minato quickly recognized the danger, immediately using Flying Thunder God to teleport thousands of meters away, forced to widen his evasion range.
Continuing to fight in that distorted space could suppress his Flying Thunder God, gradually lengthening teleportation time until it became unusable!
Simply put, Flying Thunder God was a space-time jutsu; if space was significantly distorted, it couldn’t be activated or transferred.
’Naruto, you’ve become this strong?!!!’
Minato was shocked yet relieved; shocked by Naruto’s terrifying power, and glad for his son’s growth and strength.
As a father, he naturally hoped his son would surpass him.
But surpassing without such pain would be better.
Minato knew better, though.
If this dragged on, the situation would only worsen!
His Flying Thunder God wasn’t limitless, and Naruto’s extreme Six Paths taijutsu consumed less chakra; if it continued, a single mistake or delayed teleport could see Minato crushed into pulp by his son.
Even ignoring his own danger, as the battle area expanded, Kushina, thousands of meters away, could easily be affected.
Though Lux’s protection there should prevent major issues, Minato didn’t want Naruto to harm Kushina, even as a possibility...
He had to quickly find a way to awaken Naruto’s sanity and emotions!
But Minato had tried many methods.
Sadly, every call, to the crazed Naruto, was just ’Isshiki’s ghostly voice’; it only fueled his rage, with no effect.
Minato wanted to mention small secrets only a father and son would know.
But he realized he never raised Naruto—Naruto in his dimension was still a baby! Where would father-son secrets come from?
Minato also wanted to find a memento or unique heirloom he left for his son, even just a pendant.
But he realized there was nothing!
Minato felt ashamed. He’d been to Parallel Worlds 3 and 5, knowing Naruto’s true life and future.
He and Kushina faced danger hurriedly during the Nine-Tails Rebellion, leaving almost nothing for Naruto.
Plus subsequent accidents and targeting.
Naruto didn’t even know Minato was his father until age 16—where would family heirlooms or mementos come from?
No choice.
Minato realized the only ’gift’ he left his son was Kurama sealed in his body.
Though Kurama long caused Naruto’s tragic childhood, to prove his identity now, there was no better proof than Kurama.
Minato had long urged the half-Kurama in his body to call Kurama in Naruto’s.
But Naruto’s Kurama dared not advise the crazed Naruto, rejecting all calls.
Parallel World 4 Kurama: Hello? Dear brother, pick up! You’re me, I’m you!
Parallel World 7 Kurama: Sorry, who are you? We’re not close. If you want to die, don’t drag me...
Seeing indirect strategies fail, Minato reluctantly activated Kurama Mode, transforming into the familiar giant Nine-Tails fox.
Appearance and abilities could be faked, but chakra was hard to mimic, especially in such a massive Kurama form. He was sure it’d prove his identity and spark some familiarity in Naruto.
Seeing Minato activate Kurama Mode, Six Paths Naruto hesitated briefly but didn’t stop his attacks.
*WHOOSH!*
Naruto charged at Minato’s Kurama head with a terrifying fist.
*BUM!*
The outer Bijuu chakra layer exploded, just like when Isshiki kicked and burst Naruto’s Kurama.
Minato’s Kurama was also blown apart by Naruto’s punch, landing in Minato’s stomach...
Minato was knocked back. Fortunately, Kurama’s outer layer neutralized most of the punch’s force, sparing him from being pulped, but the blow still caused excruciating pain, nearly making him vomit bile.
It was far worse than Himawari’s elbow to Naruto, almost triggering Minato’s Black Eye and a life flashback.
Luckily, Minato’s combat experience was rich. He immediately used Flying Thunder God to teleport thousands of meters away, denying Naruto a chance for a follow-up lethal strike.
Otherwise, Naruto’s next ’devotional’ punch could’ve claimed Minato’s life!
Holding his injury, Minato kept dodging, silently concluding:
’Kurama’s appearance worked—it slightly reduced Naruto’s killing intent. He’s likely wondering why I have Kurama’s chakra too?’
’But his rage still far outweighs his sanity; he can’t think deeply.’
’Not enough! I need stronger stimulation, someone with a deeper bond with Naruto...’
The person with the deepest bond and feelings for Naruto would be close friends and family who grew up with him.
But Minato looked around.
Good grief, all of Konoha was gone—where could he find Naruto’s close friends and family?
Oh, summoning beasts!
Minato clapped, activating Summoning Jutsu, calling Gamabunta.
Seeing Gamabunta, Six Paths Naruto paused slightly again, his killing intent lessening further.
His remaining sanity could grasp Isshiki posing as his father Minato and stealing Kurama’s power, but he couldn’t fathom why an enemy could summon Myoboku toads—it wasn’t a contract anyone could sign!
But after brief hesitation, Six Paths Naruto attacked Minato and Gamabunta with resolute killing intent.
Real or not, he’d know after killing!
Seeing the brutal Ōtsutsuki Naruto attack, Gamabunta nearly fainted from fear, unable to comprehend why Minato summoned him.
Fortunately, Minato activated Flying Thunder God, teleporting with Gamabunta, dodging Naruto’s lethal strike again.
’Gamabunta’s not enough either? Who else? Who’s still alive here?’
Minato’s face darkened. The more he interacted, the more he felt Naruto’s current suffering and rage.
What horrific disaster forced his son into this?
Could Boruto have been killed?
As Minato hesitated, Six Paths Naruto seized the chance.
Amenominaka!
Minato vanished, appearing in Naruto’s position, while the murderous Naruto swapped to Minato’s, instantly grabbing Gamabunta!
Gamabunta was terrified: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
As Naruto prepared to smash Gamabunta to see if the toad was real or fake, a distant voice suddenly halted him.
"Seventh Hokage!!!"
Six Paths Naruto turned, seeing his clone, left earlier, flying in with Kawaki.
Though their time together was short, Naruto’s feelings for Kawaki were genuine; as the only survivor on their side, it shook his psyche slightly.
Simultaneously, Naruto’s clone actively dispersed.
With some sane memories not witnessing Sasuke’s death, it returned, shaking the main body’s mind, further reducing Naruto’s killing intent.
Six Paths Naruto stood frozen, releasing Gamabunta.
His raging killing intent and memory’s sensitivity clashed, causing intense mental pain, with his body’s chakra surging violently.
Seeing this, Minato knew it was the best chance and didn’t want to miss it.
He activated Flying Thunder God, vanishing.
When he reappeared, he held his wife Kushina, within a hundred meters of Six Paths Naruto.
"Naruto!!!"
Kushina called out, filled with sorrow and love. No matter how old Naruto was, he was her child.
A poor, sweet orphan who never felt a mother’s love...
Hearing Kushina’s call, Six Paths Naruto trembled violently, his body shaking slightly.
Though he’d only met his mother once, that voice, that chakra, that tenderness...
Naruto could never forget it in his lifetime.
"Mom...?!?"
Six Paths Naruto looked at Kushina, her figure and warmth merging with his memory, making him call out in a trembling voice. His rage and killing intent melted drastically.
No one could resist a mother’s pure love.
Not a thirty-year-old Naruto, not even a fifty- or seventy-year-old, could resist a mother’s warmth seeping into the heart.
The human desire for maternal love is instinctual, and a mother is its best embodiment; even without one, this instinct doesn’t lessen—it grows stronger.
That selfless love, a refuge in despair, even mindless animals crave.
Especially Naruto, an orphan.
Perhaps Naruto ended up with Hinata because she had more tenderness and maternal qualities than Sakura.
Unconditional love was what Naruto lacked and yearned for.
And what he was willing to give others.
"Sorry, Naruto! It’s Mom’s fault. We couldn’t care for you well, your father, he..."
Kushina was already sobbing, her heart breaking as she saw Naruto’s suffering.
She even wanted to bite Minato again!
Why, for the whole village, did her son have to suffer so much? During their sacrifice, Kushina wasn’t fully willing, just had no choice; now, seeing Naruto’s pain, she gritted her teeth in fury.
"It’s my fault! Forgive me, Naruto..."
Minato also felt deep guilt.
He wasn’t a god and couldn’t foresee Naruto’s future. He thought he’d given everything, but he was still wrong.
But now, he was undoubtedly overjoyed.
It had to be Kushina! She instantly suppressed most of Naruto’s killing intent—victory was in sight!
Of course, Kurama and Kawaki’s earlier help was effective, or Minato wouldn’t have brought Kushina in.
"Mom, Dad..."
Six Paths Naruto murmured, the darkness in his eyes fading, his humanity and sanity slowly returning, seemingly about to normalize.
At this critical moment, Gamabunta on the ground struck a heavy blow.
"Minato? How are you alive again? And why’s this Ōtsutsuki Naruto your son?!!!"
Gamabunta, his memories altered by Omnipotence, couldn’t comprehend the scene, blurting out instinctively; he couldn’t accept Minato recognizing an enemy as his son!
Hearing ’Ōtsutsuki,’ Six Paths Naruto reacted explosively.
His remaining killing intent overpowered his sanity, instinctively deeming everything before him the Ōtsutsuki’s final deception to confuse and trick him!
’Not good!’
Minato sensed the change but was too late to stop it.
Seeing Six Paths Naruto attack again, charging at him and Kushina, the situation was dire.
Minato instinctively wanted to activate Flying Thunder God to teleport away.
But he noticed Lux, with another figure, had arrived before the couple, blocking Naruto’s attack.
"Naruto, that’s enough!"
Lux stepped in, activating a Prison Technique, restraining the charging Six Paths Naruto; though it only held for seconds, it was enough.
The killing intent in Naruto’s eyes weakened slightly.
An enemy might pose as Tenshou Sennin, but this Tenshou Sennin couldn’t be an enemy’s disguise.
Yet this couldn’t fully dispel Naruto’s reactive killing intent.
After all, past experiences were too painful...
"Or do you want to kill this baby Sasuke?"
Lux launched a major move, pinching the baby Sasuke in his arms.
In the emergency, with only the last fragment left, he could only bring this small thing to show.
But he’d wrapped it in Six Paths chakra to prevent accidents.
Hearing this, Six Paths Naruto’s eyes and attention locked onto baby Sasuke, staring intensely.
Baby Sasuke sucked his fingers, content after milk, even giggling happily:
"Guk, guk, guk~~~"
Simultaneously, pulling his little fingers, baby Sasuke forcefully sent a long-distance deadly kiss.
"Chu—!"
Naruto’s Special Attack Weapon!
Instantly, the darkness and killing intent in Six Paths Naruto’s eyes receded like a tide, leaving only thick joy and curiosity!