Naruto: I Quit

"I passed away without even hearing a word from my mother," Kushina remarked, her expression pained as she looked at Naruto, her eyes shimmering with anticipation.

Naruto rubbed the spot where she had hit him, though he felt no pain. His defenses were too formidable, and Kushina hadn't put much force into it. Mostly, he just felt awkward.

"Naruto, you should call out. After all, we are indeed your parents, and your mother is quite persistent. You take after her," Namikaze Minato chimed in with a smile.

Naruto's body tensed at his father's words. Was Minato's gentle and serene demeanor intentional or unintentional? What was he implying? Was he suggesting that Naruto had endured eight years just to defy them? Or was he hinting at Naruto's persistence in seeking revenge?

"It's a relief to see you grow up well. We're sorry we couldn't protect you and that you suffered so much," Minato continued, his expression a mix of gratitude, tenderness, and guilt.

Yet, there was no reproach for Naruto's actions.

"But I defected to Konoha Village," Naruto interjected.

"Defection was the right choice," Kushina exclaimed, her sudden outburst startling both of them.

She clenched her fist, directing her frustration at Minato. "Minato, you see, I agreed to let you stay back then so you could protect our children if you survived. But what happened? If it were me, I would have defected too."

Minato's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Yes, Naruto, please persuade your mother, or I'll never hear the end of it."

Gone was the Fourth Hokage, the symbol of Konoha's prestige that intimidated much of the ninja world. In reality, Minato had been leading from behind, hoping Naruto would someday reclaim that title.

Naruto gazed at Minato and then at Kushina, who had fought tirelessly for his sake, finally feeling a sense of relief.

"Mom, Dad, thank you," Naruto finally uttered.

Though somewhat embarrassed as a grown man with an adult soul, he felt comforted knowing there were no outsiders present. It was wise to release Kurama beforehand—perhaps he did have a bit of foresight.

Kushina and Minato exchanged glances, their expressions filled with emotion.

"Naruto," Kushina enveloped him in another tight embrace, her voice trembling with emotion. "I feared you wouldn't forgive us or accept us after all you've been through. I'm sorry, we're sorry for leaving you in this world and causing you so much suffering. We were so powerless."

"It's better than if you'd taken me away," Naruto replied, attempting to sound nonchalant. "Without your protection, I wouldn't have survived Obito's detonation talisman or Kurama's subsequent attack. You were the ones who shielded me, who sacrificed yourselves without hesitation. I should be the one thanking you."

Yet deep down, he was just as moved and emotional as they were.

For a moment, the three of them embraced, silently reveling in the joy of being reunited as a family.

As for why Naruto accepted Minato and Kushina so readily and easily, it boiled down to their attitude. Their unwavering support and solidarity with him left no room for doubt.

Had they been the type to prioritize duty over family, standing by the village despite knowing the truth about their child, Naruto might not have been as willing to accept them.

But Minato and Kushina unequivocally stood by his side. Despite being the Fourth Hokage of Konoha Village—a position that demands loyalty and sacrifice for the village—Minato prioritized standing with Naruto. This display of unwavering support moved Naruto to his core, solidifying his acceptance and recognition of them as his parents.

The bond between Naruto and his parents was reciprocal. Their selfless love for him fueled his own affection for them.

As a child, Naruto wouldn't ponder over parental matters anymore. Besides, what about the relatives connected by blood?

And as Naruto himself pointed out, his parents didn't opt to save him out of kindness. They let Obito detonate Naruto, even though they weren't afraid of him and could have another child afterward. They could even have several more children since they were still young. But they chose to save Naruto, leading to the Nine Tails incident. Kushina would perish because of this, and even the devoted Namikaze Minato wouldn't want to live anymore.

So when Naruto said his parents saved him, there was no doubt about it. They not only defended Konoha village but also his life—something many wouldn't do.

The family of three cast aside all barriers and embraced openly. In that moment, they were a true family.

"By the way, Mom, Dad," Naruto, still uncomfortable with the endearments, suddenly addressed his tightly embracing parents with a serious expression. "I have a way to bring you back to life, and then we can be a family of three again. We can truly reunite."

Namikaze Minato and Kushina exchanged glances over Naruto's shoulder, their expressions turning serious.

"Our Chakra can sense a bit of what's going on outside, and we also heard about you and the conversation with Nagato. But Naruto, are you truly considering this?" Minato inquired.

Kushina was even more adamant. "By doing so, once you take that final step, you'll become a true enemy of the Ninja World."

Whether it's resurrecting the Ten Tails and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya or becoming the world's common enemy, Naruto might become the ultimate villain. He'd be the mastermind behind it all.

Naruto smiled and responded, "Because I don't want to be a hero. I think heroes are foolish. So, let me be the villain."

....

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