Chapter 35

After he freed himself from Tsunade, Karma went back home. 'Matatabi, I think it's about time I set you free.' Karma told Matatabi mentally. He had previously mentioned to her, he was, in fact, God, but she didn't believe him. He mostly acted his age, and if he was God why would he bother telling her?

'Oh, re-?' She began.

Without saying anything else, Karma left his body and froze time again while thinking he's been using his actual abilities pretty often. He ejected Matatabi from his mortal body, making sure he fixed any injuries that cause to him. Afterwards, he sculpted her the body of a 9 year old girl, also making sure she had a background as an orphan of the Nekotsume Clan that started following him around. Then, he made another Nibi, of a different species than a cat, since that was his primary reason for helping Matatabi. He put that Nibi inside of someone in the Hidden Cloud Village, the same person who would have originally had Matatabi inside her, Yugito Nii, and altered the worlds memory to suit his actions. However, he didn't alter Matatabi's memories other than supplying information of her supposed time in ninja school, only prevented her from telling anyone. He only told her in the first place to assure her he would give her a body eventually, he wouldn't let another cat be trapped like that!

While he was at it, he made a few changes to certain things and preparations for the future. Especially handling certain things he had forgotten about.

Lastly, he snapped his fingers and Minato appeared in the forest a small distance from Konoha, looking haggard, as if he's been struggling for years, with his memories of any relationships he has formed during his time away removed. His experience as a ninja was kept though. Satisfied, he returned back to his body, setting time in motion again.

"-ally?" Matatabi finished."Eh? Why is my voice child-like? Wait, why do I-?" She raised a pair of hands to her face. "EH?!"

"I told you." Karma smirked.

"You...YOU?! How? S-so it's true?" She stammered, backing away a little in fear, her black eyes wide open.

"Of course it is!" Karma answered the blue haired little girl. She answered by immediately prostrating before him while shivering.

"This lowly one is sorry for her transgressions! Please forgive me!" She begged.

"Yeah, it's fine. Just live life normally, you're part of the Ninja Academy if you want to be a ninja, and if you want to, you can join my Otsutsuki Clan too. You can also stay in the Nekotsume Clan. I made you some funds, in your back pocket." Karma said.

It was only now she noticed what she was wearing. A long blue cloak with a hood, black flame patterns covered it. Underneath she wore a plain black shirt and dark blue short. 'A gift from God.' She thought in amazement while looking at herself. "I'll definitely stick with you!" She proclaimed.

"Great! Then-" Karma started.

"Hold on, Karma. You didn't let me finish. I will live as a ninja and a part of the Otsutsuki Clan. Later, I will definitely at least be your servant!" She claimed resolutely. How could she pass up the chance to nominate herself to a good position? Who would want to be a normal person if they could serve God? At least, it would allow her to gain more power than she had now. And it was likely he wouldn't treat her like some slave, since he never treated Tayuya as such.

"Sure, now you should go train or something. I removed a lot of your strength because I can't have someone as strong as you running around. If a random villager annoys you, that would be a catastrophe." Karma instructed. Matatabi nodded and quickly left, heading straight for the room her memories told her Karma had given her.

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Elsewhere,

"Where am I? Damn. That masked bastard. I should get back to the village, I have to warn them about Madara. That voice I heard said 12 or 13 years. All right, this is 12 or 13 years after mine and Shuna's supposed deaths. I'm still alive, but Shuna... I will make sure our children are extraordinary ninja, at the very least. With my Flying Thunder God. I promise." Minato spoke to himself while searching the area. He quickly judged he was near Konoha and began his journey back.

Before long, he was back in the Village and made his way to the Hokage Office, where he quickly introduced himself to Tsunade and explained what happened the night of the Kyuubi attack.

"So you're saying you are the 4th and that this masked man, Madara Uchiha, you say, sent you somewhere so far it took you this long to find your way back?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes, Fifth." Minato answered.

"Get me Jiraya, and the Third. They'll be able to figure out if he's an imposter or not." Tsunade commanded the hidden Anbu. They quickly did as she commanded and within minutes Jiraya and Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the Hokage Office. The duo asked several questions only Minato would know, as well as asked him to perform the Flying Thunder God. Finally, they were able to confirm he was indeed Minato Namikaze.

"So, what now?" Tsunade asked. She honestly had no idea what to do with the return of the 4th.

"Keep it a secret. I will use my time to train Naruto and Kushina." Minato said.

"Minato, I was already planning to take Naruto on a training trip in a few months. You can go with us then. At that time you can also reveal yourself to them. If you tell them now, Naruto will tell everyone." Jiraya said.

"Okay, then we'll go as usual." Tsunade sighed. "Minato, it looks like you'll be taking up normal missions from now on. Make sure you hide your identity properly."