17 The Only Redemption

The Third Hokage raised his hand wearily. “Stop, stop, Kotono. I’m having trouble following your train of thought. What exactly is the connection between the Holy Grail War and the Shinobi World War?”

“Because the Tailed Beasts are actually the Holy Grail,” Kotono explained patiently. “When the chakra veins of each realm reach a certain level of abundance, they crystallize into chakra, forming the Tailed Beasts.”

“These chakra crystallizations are incredibly powerful, possessing the miraculous ability to grant any wish in the world.”

She asked, “Do you think the other four great nations would just hand over their Tailed Beasts to us?”

Silence, then a shake of the head.

Everyone knew this was impossible.

“I can’t wish for Naruto, and neither can anyone else. I assume the other Jinchuriki are being protected by their loved ones as well.”

Kotono’s voice rang with conviction. “But we absolutely must not back down—”

“To protect the happiness of all those we cherish in this world, the Holy Grail War is inevitable!”

She stared incredulously at the Third Hokage. “Lord Third, do you not have the courage to protect the village?”

“Of course I do, but this—” The Third Hokage felt something was off.

Kotono, giving him no time to think, elaborated enthusiastically:
“The winner of the Holy Grail War, not only the Master but also the Servants, can make wishes. If we can obtain all eight Tailed Beasts, that means sixteen wishes can be granted.”

“Sixteen?!” Kushina gasped.

The Third Hokage couldn’t help but interject, “Could eternal world peace be one of those wishes?”

Kotono nodded without hesitation. “Yes, but that wish is too abstract. Thus, the vast chakra of the Holy Grail would annihilate all humanity in a distorted manner.”

“What if I specifically request that it must not harm humanity?”

“Then it would hypnotize and erase humanity’s desires for conflict, ambition, and pursuit of a better life.”

After saying this, Kotono looked at the Third Hokage quizzically. “Why do you have such extreme thoughts? Wouldn’t wishing for Aunt Kushina and the Fourth Hokage’s resurrection, or for the village to gain great wealth, be better?”

The Third Hokage choked on his words:…

No, he thought, it’s Kotono’s constant talk of starting wars that’s more extreme.

It was utterly paradoxical.

Yet, he had no real argument against it.

Maybe it was he who was too radical to propose eternal peace for the whole world?

Kushina agreed silently. After Kotono’s spiritual resurrection, she had been granted all knowledge about the Holy Grail War.

But she never expected the abstract concept of the “Holy Grail” to actually be the Tailed Beasts.

Kotono explained this well by introducing the concept of “singularities.”

“So, our world is actually a branch that split off from the normal timeline.” Even the calm Kakashi was somewhat shaken by this sudden revelation.

“But it’s okay. Our world is a sub-singularity and therefore doesn’t need to be destroyed. Under normal evolution, it will simply become a parallel world of normal history.”

Kakashi asked, “How do you know so much?”

Kotono shot him a reproachful look for not paying attention in class. “Because I was born chosen as a Master. The Holy Grail bestows the Master and Servants with the corresponding knowledge.”

She gestured to the back of her hand, where the crimson Command Seals proved her Master status.

Kakashi was speechless.

Indeed, reports said Kotono had borne this special birthmark since birth.

“How many Masters like you are there?”

“Usually seven, but it could be more or fewer. The form of the Holy Grail War is not fixed.”

“The most obvious sign of a Master is a special cursed seal pattern growing on different parts of the body. Like mine on the back of my hand.”

“This special seal grants the Master and Servants vast chakra.”

“Overall, the Master’s identity is relatively concealed.”

Kotono sighed. “So I want to seize the initiative, start the Holy Grail War myself, and decide the form this war will take.”

“In that case, the Servants must come from forces close to Konoha,” Kakashi analyzed calmly.

Kushina enthusiastically recommended her husband. “Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique combined with the Rasengan is great for human-targeted attacks in the Holy Grail War, and they’re not afraid of team battles either.”

“If you’re worried about fighting Jinchuriki—”

Kushina declared without hesitation, “As long as it’s for Naruto and Minato, I’m determined to fight any opponent!”

The Third Hokage hesitated deeply. “This is a grave matter. I must discuss carefully with the other elders.”

Kotono said cheerfully, “No rush, take your time over the next day or two. Let’s spend the remaining time with Aunt Kushina and Naruto first.”

“Oh, right.” Kushina smiled. “Before I leave, there’s something I must entrust.”

“Speak,” the Third Hokage said solemnly. “I will do my best to fulfill it.”

“It’s not difficult.” Kushina looked gently at the two children. “Without me, these two children can’t be left without adult care.”

“Kakashi, may I entrust Naruto and Kotono to you?”

Eh?

Kotono was slightly taken aback.

“Although I’m not related by blood, we are both Uzumaki, and you’re close to Naruto. I’ll half-jokingly consider myself an elder; it should be fine, right? Haha.”

Kushina patted Kakashi’s head firmly.

“Don’t be fooled by Kakashi’s cold demeanor. He’s actually Minato’s prodigy, a kind child who just can’t express himself well.”

“If he takes care of you two, Minato and I can rest a little easier when we’re gone.”

Kotono thought it over and nodded in agreement.

Last night, when she collapsed in a dim alley, Kakashi had descended from above to save her, rushing her to the hospital immediately.

Before losing consciousness, she had seen the look in Kakashi’s eyes. That anxiety and worry were genuine.

Connecting the dots from past events, Kakashi was the reincarnation of Kiritsugu Emiya—he probably already saw her as his only salvation.

The silver-haired shinobi bowed his head slightly.

“…” He felt undeserving of the trust Kushina gave him.

The Third Hokage forbade their old comrades from approaching Naruto, fearing for the boy’s safety.

But Kakashi knew that was no excuse.

When Kushina held the frail Naruto, mother and son weeping in an embrace, he felt such shame that he nearly wanted to atone by self-sacrifice.

And now, Kushina entrusted Naruto and Kotono to him with such faith. Could a useless, cold-hearted man like him do well?

“I…” he said awkwardly, “I’m ANBU.”

He couldn’t accept this mission without the Third Hokage’s approval.

“Kakashi,” the Third Hokage interjected with a smile, “Protecting these two children is the last mission you have as an ANBU. Do it well.”

“Big brother Kakashi!” Naruto’s eyes sparkled, “So you really want to be my big brother?”

“I…” Kakashi, the Sharingan wielder renowned throughout the Five Great Nations, was surprisingly timid.

“ANBU can’t refuse a mission.” The Third Hokage feigned sternness, then smiled. “Besides, both children like and trust you.”

To the Third Hokage, Kakashi, Naruto, and Kotono were flawless bearers of Konoha’s Will of Fire.

Though Kotono constantly spoke of launching a Fourth Great Ninja War, even more aggressively than Danzo, the Third Hokage considered that irrelevant.

Would Kotono start a war for herself?

No, it was for Konoha! For friends! For the Will of Fire!

She was unquestionably a pure and kind-hearted girl.

In the face of her courage and kindness, even the Third Hokage felt ashamed of his adult reservations.

Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage and the previous Jinchuriki, a heroic bloodline and the current Nine-Tails host.

Jinchuriki grow stronger through bonds and love, willingly protecting the village.

In the Third Hokage’s eyes, who believed in bonds, it couldn’t be better for Naruto to live long-term with Kotono and Kakashi, cultivating bonds and love to protect the village they all cherished.

* * *

However, Naruto was somewhat downcast at the moment.

Because he had only reunited with his mother for less than half an hour before she left.

Qaq, less than a minute after Mom left, he already missed her.

He had endured seven years before…

Naruto instinctively touched his arm, as if the warmth of his mother’s embrace still lingered.

Fortunately, he did not cry nor sink into despair.

Last night’s experience had transformed this once mischievous and childish blond boy.

“Kotono, we have to win. We have to bring Mom and Dad back.”

Kotono replied without hesitation, “We will win for sure.”

“And…” Naruto gently covered her hand, hoping to warm her from the slight chill.

He noticed the look Kotono gave him and his mother just now.

Kotono had cried then… He cared deeply.

Was it because Kotono hadn’t seen her own mother?

That made sense. Kotono always cared for him most, giving him everything.

“Don’t always give in to me. We want your mom and dad back too. Kotono wants to be reunited with her family. Also, my mom and dad can share half with you later.”

He was a bit shy, his voice soft but earnest. “Actually, Kotono has been my family for a long time.”

Kakashi leaned against the wall, watching the two children huddled together like little animals seeking warmth, his heart heavy with complex emotions.

As Konoha’s elite Jonin, he saw many things with clarity.

The Third Hokage was very old.

Konoha’s current condition was strong on the surface but weak within, beset by internal and external troubles, and a shortage of strong successors.

Seizing the Tailed Beasts would inevitably spark unending hatred between the five great villages and might even make Konoha the world’s enemy.

Launching such a war required tremendous resolve.

Even with the temptation of resurrecting past Konoha heroes and using vast chakra to strengthen the village, the Hokage might hesitate to make such a ruthless decision.

Moreover, Kotono’s bloodline was different from true Impure World Reincarnation.

Though the heroic spirits had the same power and sensations as in life without the desecration and harm inflicted by the Second Hokage’s technique, their fighting duration completely depended on her chakra supply.

Even a strong shinobi like Minato couldn’t slaughter thousands in five minutes.

With Kakashi’s insight, he had long seen the sole and greatest weakness of Kotono’s Impure World Reincarnation bloodline—Kotono herself.

If she couldn’t grow strong enough…

And then there was that scheming Danzo. If that ruthless, ambitious old man learned of Kotono’s powerful bloodline, who knew what he’d do.

Recalling past experiences, Kakashi clenched his fist unconsciously.

Naruto looked up curiously. “Big brother Kakashi, are you really Dad’s student? Mom left too quickly and didn’t get to tell me what Dad was like.”

“Minato-sensei?” Kakashi’s voice was hoarse and low.

No one had spoken of the past in front of Kakashi for a long time. His close friends knew his history but kept silent, unwilling to reopen his wounds.

The pale flash of lightning illuminated the pale face of a girl.

Whenever he recalled, that cruel, cold image surfaced in his mind.

But this time was different.

The two children clamored before him.

“Big brother Kakashi—” Naruto urged, “Tell me quickly! Mom left too hastily and didn’t tell me about Dad. Is Dad really amazing?”

Kotono raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Didn’t you carefully read the Fourth Hokage’s shinobi biography last month?”

“That’s different! Big brother Kakashi is Dad’s disciple! He must have many unusual experiences.”

Kotono smiled. “Speaking of which, that book was a gift from Kakashi. Maybe he was encouraging me to become like the Fourth Hokage?”

The pale glow of the Lightning Cutter gradually gave way to the radiant sunset.

Kakashi recalled that orange-red evening when he finished a mission swiftly crossing the ninja academy rooftops and saw a girl leaping on the training ground.

Though she couldn’t clear the jump, she kept challenging failure again and again.

Strangely, at that moment he immediately connected the bright red hair with Kotono’s face from their brief encounter.

Now fate had brought them together again.

The girl’s smile was sweet and radiant, uncomplaining even when injured protecting her comrades.

It reminded him of friends long buried by time.

But this time, the memory was no longer of a pale, tormented girl.

Instead, the three of them lay on the grass, gazing at the vast starry sky, sharing their dreams.

Minato-sensei stood under a tree nearby, smiling at them.

Without a doubt.

The silver-haired Jonin’s voice was hoarse and low.

“You will become that.”

Uzumaki Kotono was a true genius possessing the Will of Fire, carrying within her the will of Minato-sensei, Kushina-sama, Obito, Rin… countless predecessors of Konoha.

Kakashi had thought his heart had long since grown cold and silent, but now it stirred once again.

Protect these two children well.

—This time, he would not break his promise again.