Chapter 3: A big surprise

Inside the inner world, Leo stood in a vast, ethereal space, staring at the floating screen before him.

"[Host, you still have a beginner's reward to collect, ]" the system's mechanical voice announced.

Leo's eyes widened. "Oh? There are beginner rewards too? A bonus already?"

A grin spread across his face. "Alright, System, give me the best you got!"

[Congratulations, Host! You hit the jackpot! You have received:

• Uzumaki Bloodline Purification

• Perfect Sage Body (Can absorb natural energy without a medium or difficulty)

• All Uzumaki-style Jutsu (Ninjutsu and Fūinjutsu)

• Every Chakra Affinity ]

Leo's breath hitched. Then—

He laughed.

Loudly.

Maniacally.

"[Host, please control your laughter. You're making your surroundings uncomfortable, ]" the system stated.

Leo paused mid-laugh. "Wait, is my laugh that bad?"

A mirror materialized in front of him, reflecting his expression.

What he saw…

It sent shivers down his spine.

His laughter—his face—looked exactly like a villain's grin from an anime.

"…No wonder girls always avoided me," Leo muttered, rubbing his temples. "Anyway, it doesn't matter now. System—integrate all rewards!"

[As you command. ]

A strange warmth surged through his body.

An overwhelming, indescribable sensation washed over him.

It felt good.

Almost too good.

A pleasurable shiver ran down his spine, and a soft moan nearly escaped his lips.

Outside, in the real world—

The newborn Naruto smiled in his sleep.

Kushina, still holding him, noticed the sudden change and blinked in confusion. "Huh…?"

Then—

[Integration Complete. ]

Leo exhaled, catching his breath. "That… felt amazing."

[Host— ]

"Stop calling me 'Host'." Leo cut in. "I have a name. Leo. Call me that instead."

A brief pause.

[Understood, Leo. ]

Leo smirked. "Good. But what about you? Do you have a name?"

[No, Leo. ]

He thought for a moment. Then, a name from one of his favourite anime came to mind.

"From now on, your name is Aurora."

[Name Accepted. ]

Leo nodded, satisfied—until a new notification appeared.

[Leo, there is a message left by the God who reincarnated you. ]

His expression darkened. "What does that bastard want now? He said he wouldn't interfere anymore."

[Displaying message—]

A screen lit up.

-------

Hey, it's me, your benefactor!

I realized I forgot to tell you something important when we last met. So, I'm sending this message. Don't freak out, it's good news.

Your parents? You know, the ones who tragically died?

They've also been reincarnated.

They're alive. In another world.

If you're lucky, you might get to meet them someday.

Anyway, that's all. Also, stop cursing me—I can hear you, you know?

Bye~

Your Handsome GOD.

------

Leo froze.

His parents… were alive?

His vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes.

His hands trembled.

"Aurora…" His voice cracked. "Can you—can you contact him? I need to know where they are. If they're safe."

[I'm sorry, Leo. It's a one-way message. I can't connect with him. ]

Leo clenched his fists. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

"…I see."

A shaky breath left his lips.

But then—he smiled.

"At least… they're alive."

That was enough. For now.

He wiped his tears and inhaled deeply.

"Aurora… thanks."

[I know you'll find them one day, Leo. ]

He grinned. "Yeah. And until then—I need to become strong."

[Good. But in your current state, you can't do anything. ]

Leo blinked. "…Wait. Did you just sound like you were teasing me?"

[Leo, that's just your imagination. I am simply an AI designed to assist you. ]

He narrowed his eyes. "I swear you're becoming more human."

Aurora remained silent.

Leo chuckled. "Alright. Enough of that. Show me what's happening outside."

[Displaying live feed. ]

A massive screen materialized before him.

Outside World – The Battle Against Kurama

A devastating roar shook the land as Kurama, the Kyuubi, prepared to unleash another Tailed Beast Bomb.

Amid the destruction—

A yellow flash.

Minato appeared just in time, warping the deadly energy ball away before it could obliterate what was left of the village.

The battle had reached its climax.

From a distance, the Third Hokage and a squad of ANBU watched, but none of them dared to step in. The sheer power difference was too great.

Meanwhile—

Kushina, clutching her child close, stood nearby, watching her husband fight.

Minato's expression was grim.

"This… can't go on," he muttered. "If this battle continues, the village will be wiped out."

He made his decision.

With a flash of hand seals—

"Summoning Jutsu!"

A giant toad fell from the sky, crashing into Kurama. The impact sent the beast staggering, giving Minato precious seconds to act.

But it wasn't enough.

Kurama snarled, shaking off the attack.

Then—

Chains shot out from the shadows.

Glowing, golden chains wrapped around the Nine-Tails, restraining it mid-roar.

Minato's eyes widened. He turned.

"Kushina…!"

Even exhausted from childbirth, even on the brink of collapse, she was still able to bind Kurama.

That was the strength of the Uzumaki clan.

Minato exhaled sharply. "Kushina, I—"

"I know what you're trying to do," she interrupted, her voice weak but determined. "And I won't let you do it alone."

Minato clenched his jaw.

With Kushina's help, he could seal Kurama. But there was one problem.

Where?

Who would bear the burden?

He looked at his son—Naruto.

A newborn. Innocent. Pure.

"…Forgive me," Minato whispered.

He made his choice.

Using a forbidden technique, he split Kurama's chakra in half.

One half, he sealed inside Naruto.

The other half—inside Kushina.

She protested.

She fought against it.

But Minato… insisted.

In the end, she relented.

But none of them knew—

That Minato's life had already been claimed by the jutsu.

And soon—

The world would change forever.

Inner World – Leo

Leo's hands clenched into fists as he watched.

His father was about to die.

His mother was about to die.

[Idiot, only your father is going to die, not your mother. ]

"Sorry, caught up in the moment. I forgot. And don't ruin the moment"

[Okay ]

"Where was I"

[At mother was about to die ]

"Yes"

And he—Naruto—was still powerless to stop it.

"…Not for long," he whispered.

His will had been forged.

His path was clear.

No one would control his fate.

Not Konoha's higher-ups.

Not the so-called 'Prophecy'.

Not the manipulators who treated people like chess pieces.

This time—

Things would be different.