15 A Mother's Reunion with Her Son

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Konoha Hospital.

When Kotono awoke, the first thing she saw was the pristine white ceiling.

Before the sterile scent of disinfectant could reach her, Naruto’s concern flooded in.

He looked pitifully: "Kotono, you’re finally awake!"

Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains—it was already the next day.

Kotono tenderly reached out to touch Naruto’s cheek.

He hadn’t slept all night; his eyes were red-rimmed, and his brilliant blond hair hung limp, like a drenched gingerbread puppy.

“It’s alright,” she whispered softly to comfort him.

Naruto carefully took her hand and placed it back beneath the blanket. “Shh. You’re still on IV drip; don’t move around. The doctor said you had some bleeding in your lungs or something, so you need to talk less.”

He mimicked the way Kotono usually took care of him, carefully tucking the blanket around her.

A cough from behind interrupted their warm moment—it was the Third Hokage.

In the hospital room, Kotono saw three familiar figures:

The Third Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, and Naruto by her bedside.

She guessed the commotion from summoning Rider must have been noticed by the village’s ninja.

If her hands weren’t injured, Kotono would have scratched her head in frustration.

At the time, she thought she could freely rewind time but was anxious, so she hadn’t thought it through. Trouble had come just like that.

Last night, in a moment of urgency, she unexpectedly summoned a red-haired woman named Kushina Uzumaki.

Wasn’t that the name of the Fourth Hokage’s wife?

Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze had both sacrificed themselves during the Nine-Tails incident six years ago—the timing matched.

Politically, their connection made sense… but no, this was not the time to discuss politics.

The key issue was: Kotono was in big trouble.

She wasn’t afraid of the village learning about her bloodline limit; what worried her was that modern heroic spirits weren’t strong.

In Fate lore, heroic spirits’ strength is measured by their mystery rating—the older and more legendary, the stronger.

Therefore, heroic spirits from the Industrial Revolution onward were generally weak.

Kushina Uzumaki, who died six years ago, while admirable, had too low a mystery rating to help her in the Holy Grail War.

Kotono’s ideal contracted servant was the mythic Rikudou Sennin.

But now she couldn’t rewind time and could only return to the moment she summoned Kushina.

“Little Kotono,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said gently, “I know you need rest, but what happened last night is very important for the village’s safety. I’d like to ask you a few quick questions, alright?”

“You can answer briefly; no rush.”

Though calm on the surface, the Third Hokage was far from composed.

When he first sensed the Nine-Tails’ rampage energy leak, it felt like a thunderbolt had struck him.

Was fate against Konoha again? Another disaster?

The Third immediately called for Jiraiya and Tsunade to return to the village, and without hesitation, sent the Anbu to monitor the Uchiha clan’s territory, forbidding any clan members from leaving.

He was also prepared to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal at the cost of his own life to seal the Nine-Tails.

The tragedy from six years ago was a bitter memory for Konoha.

Unexpectedly, when he and the other leaders arrived at the scene, they found only a tearful, pitiful little Naruto and a host of elite ninja on high alert.

They interrogated the five children present overnight, as well as the captured criminal ninja, and learned that the rampaging Nine-Tails was not Naruto, but a red-haired woman.

Kotono called her “Rider.”

No one in the village leadership was unaware of the implications of such a description.

The Anbu Root mobilized almost their entire force to conduct a lockdown search, but after a night of searching, there was still no sign of Kushina.

The key to the truth rested solely with the unconscious girl.

Additionally, Kakashi, who had rescued her, insisted:

“That child’s intellect and character are enough to allow her to honestly and thoroughly recount the entire incident tonight.”

Indeed, she was a very good child.

The Third Hokage agreed.

Thus, he decisively dismissed everyone—especially the most aggressive Danzo—and left only the three people Kotono knew in the room to create a comfortable environment for questioning.

*

Kotono blinked cooperatively.

Following protocol, Naruto, reluctant as he was, was asked to step outside.

The earlier questions were trivial, merely confirming the crimes of the captured ninja.

The critical question was—

“Everyone, including Naruto, said that a powerful red-haired kunoichi appeared and saved you. You called her Rider, but currently no one can find this red-haired ninja.”

The Third Hokage looked kindly at her face: “Little Kotono, do you know her?”

Kotono blinked again.

“So—was the woman you summoned named Kushina Uzumaki?”

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The Third’s expression grew more serious: “Please tell the truth. This is very important because Kushina is Naruto’s biological mother.”

Oh... what???

Kotono was stunned.

“I am not lying,” the Third sighed. “But when the Fourth and his wife died, the situation inside and outside the village was complicated, so Naruto’s identity had to be kept secret.”

Given Naruto’s living conditions, Kotono found it hard to believe the old man’s words.

She decided to ask the person concerned directly.

The Command Seals now took a month to replenish one stroke, making them far more precious, but still usable.

She activated a Command Seal to instantly restore her chakra, then clasped her hands and summoned her own servant, Kushina Uzumaki.

Sensing that enormous chakra, the Third’s eyes sharpened, his body tensed, instinctively preparing for defense.

He was a powerful ninja who survived the war era, battle-hardened, and not easily frightened by surprises.

Moreover, Kakashi and the Anbu outside the room were providing backup.

As the white smoke cleared—

A familiar female voice sounded, angrily complaining:

“Master, young miss, can’t you wait until I finish talking before breaking the summoning? At least let me greet my precious son.”

“Huh?”

Kushina noticed the situation in the room and smiled brightly upon seeing old acquaintances.

“Isn’t this the Third Old Man and Kakashi? Long time no see, you haven’t changed much.”

“Where’s Naruto? Call that little guy over so I can see him.”

The Third stared wide-eyed, lips trembling.

Before him stood the familiar figure of the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki, who should have long since passed on.

Though prepared, seeing her radiant figure again and recalling the painful night stirred deep emotions in the old man.

Despite his feelings, the Third did not ignore their words.

“Little Kotono,” Sarutobi said sternly, “can you use the Reanimation Jutsu?”

Their teacher, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had developed an S-rank summoning forbidden jutsu called the Reanimation Jutsu.

It could call back the souls of the dead into the living world as physical forms, allowing control for battle.

But the Reanimation Jutsu came at a great cost and was extremely difficult to master.

Where had this seven-year-old girl learned such a technique? And how did she perform it?

“Oh, the Reanimation Jutsu is my bloodline limit. With a holy relic and enough chakra, it’s possible.”

The Third Hokage: …

Kakashi: …

To be honest, her confident tone made even the Third doubt himself.

Huh?

Is that really how the Reanimation Jutsu works?

He couldn’t help but wonder if the Reanimation Jutsu was truly an original technique by their teacher, the Second Hokage.

Could it be some special bloodline art, just borrowed—or rather, improved—by their teacher?

“Hey, hey, whatever you’re all pondering, stop staring blankly!”

This mother clenched her fists and showed a grim smile to the Third.

“Third Old Man, I’m only staying here chatting because I respect you. Don’t underestimate a mother who’s been dead for six years and desperately longs for her son.”

“Kushina, calm down!” The Third’s expression darkened.

The red-haired Jinchuriki repeated: “I want to see Naruto.”

This was both a respectful request and a final ultimatum.

They had sacrificed everything for Konoha, even entrusting their son to inherit the Jinchuriki power.

She did not believe she should have to continue sacrificing precious time to see her son after death—that would truly push a grieving mother over the edge.

The Third sighed, “But as an elder and old friend, it’s alright if Kakashi and I are present, right?”

This time Kushina did not object.

…

Children don’t overthink things; once permitted, Naruto hurriedly pushed open the door.

Uh, why is everyone staring at him so intently?

The atmosphere felt strange.

“That’s the red-haired big sister who saved us!” Naruto blurted out. “Did Hokage Grandpa call you here to ask questions too?”

For some reason, this beautiful red-haired big sister made him feel inexplicably drawn.

“Naruto!”

The pent-up emotions could no longer be contained.

Kushina stepped forward quickly, crouched, and hugged the boy tightly, her voice trembling.

This was the child she carried for ten months but could only see briefly.

Her bloodline, yet never held gently in her arms, never comforted when crying.

Seeing the bandages on Naruto’s face, the bruises smeared with iodine, his worn orange jacket—

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She carefully avoided touching his injuries, her heart aching.

Eh?

Eh, eh?

Naruto stood stiffly, awkward, never before treated so tenderly and intimately by an adult woman.

Moreover, she was so beautiful.

He didn’t know what perfume she wore, but his nose filled with her warm, fragrant scent.

In that moment, cold words flashed through his mind—many villagers said he was a dirty, stinky bad kid.

Naruto nervously slowed his breathing and tried to tilt his head away to keep some distance.

Big sister was kind and beautiful. He instinctively didn’t want to offend her.

Naruto tried to pull away, but Kushina held him tighter.

“Naruto, guess who she is?” The Third observed the scene and smiled warmly.

He wondered aloud, “Is she part of Kotono’s family?”

Also beautiful with red hair, just as kind and fragrant as Kotono.

Hmm, no.

The aura was different.

Though fragrant, big sister’s aura was warmer, more embracing…

He unwittingly recalled what Chōji said about his mother’s embrace—that being held by Mom was so reassuring, no matter the wind or rain.

“No, no,” Kushina said, “though Kotono and I are indeed clan members.”

“‘No’?”

“Ah, I blurted it out in a rush,” Kushina admitted embarrassedly.

“I’m naturally impatient and speak quickly; over time, it became a strange habit. I usually watch myself, but when I get anxious, it slips out—”

“Then… you’re my—” The blond boy looked at her, shock dawning on his face.

A surprising guess arose in his heart.

“Yeah, not too slow, huh.” Kushina forced a bright smile.

Hearing this, Naruto’s lips trembled, and his blue eyes welled with tears.

Kushina barely managed to steady herself, but seeing her son’s expression, her voice feigned light teasing yet quivered with suppressed sobs.

“Looks like the Third Old Man really didn’t tell you anything. Yes, I am your—”

“Mom!”

Naruto suddenly threw himself into her arms, hugging tightly.

Big tears rolled uncontrollably down his cheeks, soaking Kushina’s clothes and piercing her heart as a mother.

“Why did you only come to find me now? Why did you only come to take me now?”

“They all said I had no parents, that I was the child of a demon fox! I always wanted to see you. Why didn’t you come for me?”

“Since I was little, only Kotono wanted to be friends with me. Even though I tried so hard, and tried again, I still couldn’t catch up with them.”

He sobbed, breathless, “They all said I have no mother! They all said I have no mother…”

“Sorry, Naruto.”

At these words, Kushina’s tears finally spilled freely, streaming down her cheeks.

She held her son tightly, filled with infinite guilt: “It was your parents who failed to protect you. It’s all Mommy’s fault.”

Hearing the mother and son’s words, Kakashi trembled slightly, overwhelmed by shame.

Even the Third Hokage’s expression darkened.

Honestly, the village owed Naruto and his family so much.

Naruto cried loudly in his mother’s embrace.

That warm, fragrant feeling—it was his mother’s scent.

The more she held him, the more distressed and tearful he became.

Though he had promised last night to grow up strong and be reliable, to protect Kotono always, he couldn’t help it… he just couldn’t.

His heart felt hollowed out, a flood of sour grievances spilling forth, repeatedly asking one question:

—“Why did you only come to find me now?”

His tears were laden with the pain and loneliness of his childhood.

From the moment he opened his eyes, he didn’t know who his parents were, and since meeting the outside world, had rarely felt kindness.

He didn’t know what he did wrong but was despised by everyone in the village.

In his loneliest and most painful moments, he even wished he had never been born.

So angry that his mother hadn’t come for him all these years.

So angry.

So heartbroken.

So… longing for her.