Chapter 332 Side Effects
Naruto was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why are you crying?"
Hearing this, Uzumaki Kushina's mind flashed with the scene of Naruto sitting alone and helpless on the swing outside the Academy gate. Her heart ached, emotions surging violently. She opened her mouth, but didn't know where to begin.
At that moment, she regretted it deeply—she regretted not stopping Namikaze Minato from using the Reaper Death Seal that night.
She regretted sealing the Nine-Tails into Naruto together with Minato.
If Naruto hadn't been the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, would his treatment have been even a little better?
If Naruto hadn't been a Jinchūriki, he wouldn't have been ostracized by the villagers. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't taken care of him, Mikoto would have looked after Naruto on her behalf—just like now.
Naruto would have had a happy childhood much earlier.
A childhood where he wouldn't be bullied, wouldn't have vegetable leaves and eggs thrown at him, wouldn't have bought food mixed with sand and impurities…
Naruto's identity as a Jinchūriki had made it impossible even for Mikoto to approach him openly, leaving him utterly alone.
If Kushina's greatest regret was these things, then the person she hated the most was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi were still alive, she would have stormed his door and demanded an explanation.
Their family had made such enormous sacrifices for Konohagakure. If it weren't for them sealing the Nine-Tails…
Would the villagers who had insulted Naruto in the past have even survived?
"Mom, don't cry anymore."
Seeing Kushina cry again, Naruto felt heartache and reached out to wipe the tears from her face.
Kushina said, deeply moved, "Our Naruto has really grown up. You're so dependable now. There must be lots of girls at school who like you, right?"
Naruto shook his head.
"Mom, I already graduated from the Academy. I'm a genin now! Hehe."
Naruto proudly pointed at the Konoha forehead protector on his head, showing that he was already a ninja.
"Ah—sorry, Mom forgot."
Kushina stuck out her tongue.
"Mom, do you want some tea?"
Naruto pointed to the tea that Aunt Mikoto had just placed on the table.
"Yes, yes, I do."
Kushina picked it up, her eyes lighting up.
"Gyokuro… what a nostalgic fragrance."
She didn't drink it immediately, instead savoring the scent with nostalgia. Then she happily took a big sip.
"Mom, since you can be resurrected, can Dad be resurrected too?"
Naruto asked expectantly.
Kushina's expression froze slightly.
She didn't know whether Minato could also be resurrected. That would probably have to be asked of Uchiha Fugaku, right?
If Fugaku could resurrect her, maybe he could also resurrect Minato?
If that were possible, then their family could truly be reunited.
But rationally, she knew that a resurrection ninjutsu couldn't possibly be something simple. During her lifetime, she had never even heard of anyone being resurrected after being dead for years.
This kind of ninjutsu had to be terrifying—far beyond ordinary forbidden techniques.
She hadn't paid attention to Fugaku's condition earlier; her entire focus had been on Naruto.
Perhaps Fugaku had already paid a tremendous price?
She didn't see Fugaku around now either.
"Mom isn't sure either. But it was your Uncle Fugaku who resurrected me. Let's ask him later."
Even though she knew it might cost Fugaku dearly, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.
"Where's Uncle?"
Naruto looked around curiously.
Kushina followed his gaze and saw Uchiha Mikoto coming down from the second floor. She immediately asked,
"Mikoto, is Fugaku alright?"
Mikoto was startled. "He's fine. Why do you suddenly ask?"
Kushina said awkwardly, "Resurrecting me must have taken a huge effort. I've never heard of a resurrection ninjutsu before. Did Fugaku create it himself? Are there any side effects?"
"I… don't know. My husband never told me…"
Mikoto's heart skipped a beat.
Only now did she realize that Fugaku had never told her whether resurrecting Kushina came with a cost.
When he told her it was possible, her mind had been overwhelmed by joy, and she hadn't thought to ask.
Kushina was right—resurrection was unheard of in the shinobi world.
It was even more terrifying than an S-rank forbidden jutsu.
Kushina pursed her lips.
"Mikoto, could you ask Fugaku whether he can resurrect Minato as well? If there are no side effects and no cost…"
But Uchiha Mikoto was already deeply uneasy.
Without replying, she turned and hurried upstairs.
"Husband!"
The bedroom was empty.
She immediately headed to the study and pushed open the half-closed door.
Inside stood Uchiha Fugaku.
"Husband, are you alright?"
Fugaku looked at Mikoto rushing in, clearly confused.
"What's wrong?"
Mikoto quickly asked, "Husband, there aren't any side effects to resurrecting Kushina, are there? This kind of meddling with life and death…"
Her face was filled with worry.
Fugaku's eyes flickered.
"Did Kushina say something?"
Mikoto nodded.
"She asked whether you could resurrect Minato too."
Fugaku felt a trace of discomfort, though he couldn't clearly identify its source.
Mikoto continued urgently, "Husband, tell me honestly—are there side effects? If it's dangerous, then don't resurrect anyone else."
Fugaku looked at her in surprise.
"I'm already satisfied that Kushina is alive. Naruto has his mother now. I don't want you getting hurt for anyone else."
Mikoto said firmly.
Fugaku silently nodded.
She was his wife—it was only natural she cared about him first.
After a moment of thought, he finally spoke:
"The resurrection ninjutsu… does have side effects."