Chapter 4: Aftermath

The battle was over.

Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage—was dead.

Kushina Uzumaki lay unconscious in the hospital.

And little Naruto, only a few hours old, was left crying in his crib, oblivious to the fate that had just unfolded.

Many shinobi had perished. Among them, Biwako Sarutobi, the wife of the Third Hokage, had also given her life.

The civilian casualties were minimal, but homes lay in ruin. The heart of Konoha was scarred forever.

In a dimly lit hospital room, Kushina remained unconscious, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Beside her crib, Naruto cried, then giggled—his newborn instincts working as they should.

The door creaked open.

Mikoto Uchiha stepped inside, her face pale, her hands trembling.

She had brought her infant son—Sasuke—who was only a few months older than Naruto.

She hesitated, her gaze falling on Kushina's motionless form.

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Kushina… this isn't fair…"

She sat down beside her, gently taking her hand.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered. "I'm sorry…"

Minutes turned into an hour.

Still, Kushina did not wake.

Meanwhile—

A legendary rivalry was beginning.

Sasuke and Naruto, lying side by side in their cribs, were bickering in their way.

Tiny fists flailed. Tiny legs kicked.

One smacked the other—then got smacked back.

And just like that, a bond was formed.

Inner World

[Leo, you're an adult. Why are you fighting a few-month-old baby? ]

"Aurora!" Leo snapped. "You don't understand! This brat started it first!"

[Only one thing left to do—call each other's name dramatically. ]

Leo swore he could hear Aurora laughing.

"SASUKE!"

"NARUTO!"

With that, the night went on.

Next Day.

The sun rose, casting its golden glow across Konoha. But there was no warmth.

There was no joy.

The village had lost too much in one night.

And in the hospital, a pair of tired red eyes fluttered open.

"…Naruto…" Kushina whispered.

Her mind was foggy, but the first thing she thought of was her son.

Beside her, Mikoto jolted awake.

"Kushina!" She rubbed her tired eyes and quickly grabbed Naruto, placing him in his mother's arms.

Kushina held him close, tears slipping down her face.

"Thank you, Mikoto…"

Mikoto hesitated. "…Kushina… Minato…"

"I know," Kushina whispered, voice trembling. "He's gone."

Mikoto pulled her into a tight embrace, and for a while, they just cried together.

Kushina refused to stay behind.

She was weak. Her body was still healing. But no force in the world could keep her from saying goodbye.

Mikoto walked beside her, carrying Sasuke, while Kushina cradled Naruto.

The cemetery was silent.

A sea of black-cloaked figures stood in mourning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was there, along with the elite shinobi of Konoha. Even the Uchiha Clan had gathered.

As Kushina approached, Hiruzen turned to her, his face solemn.

"Kushina—"

"I know, Lord Third," she cut in, her voice steady, yet fragile. "I know."

A hush fell over the crowd.

They stood in silence, honouring the fallen.

Then—

"…Kakashi, come here," Kushina called softly.

A young silver-haired boy stepped forward. His face was blank, his eyes dull—like a soul who had lost everything.

Kushina looked at him, guilt weighing heavy in her chest.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi," she whispered. "I couldn't save your sensei."

"…It's not your fault," he murmured, his voice hollow.

Kushina reached out, gently resting a hand on his head. "You're not alone, Kakashi. I'll be here for you."

Kakashi's fingers curled into fists. His voice trembled.

"…Thank you, Kushina-san."

And in that moment—two people who had lost everything made a silent promise.

Inner World

Inside his subconscious, Leo watched the scene unfold through Naruto's newborn eyes.

And he cried.

Aurora's voice rang in his mind. [Leo… I didn't know you were such a crybaby. ]

"Shut up!" Leo sniffled. "Do you expect me to sit still when I'm watching my own father's funeral? When the people of Konoha are mourning their losses?"

Aurora paused.

[... Okay, okay. I was just joking. Don't take it too hard. ]

Leo exhaled. "Tch… whatever."

As time passed, the funeral ended.

The village still needed a leader.

Hiruzen Sarutobi resumed his position as Hokage.

But before stepping back into the role, he made one final offer.

"Kushina," he said. "Do you want to take the mantle of Hokage?"

Kushina looked at Naruto, then at the sky, then back at Hiruzen.

"…No," she said, voice firm. "I don't have what it takes. And I promised to watch over my son."

Hiruzen sighed. "I understand. We're the ones who should be apologizing… for everything."

She simply shook her head. "Just… take care of the village."

And with that, she turned away—Naruto clutched in her arms.

As Kushina walked through the village streets, she held Naruto close, whispering.

"Naruto… you're all I have left now."

She smiled, but it was filled with sorrow.

"I'm going to pour all my love into you. You're the only one I have left."

They soon reached their home.

As soon as she stepped inside, Naruto began to cry.

Kushina chuckled softly. "Oh? My baby is hungry?"

She gently settled down and began feeding him.

Inside Leo's Mind

Leo's soul nearly exploded from embarrassment.

"THIS IS SO AWKWARD! I'M A GROWN MAN—WHY AM I BEING BREASTFED?!"

Aurora's laughter rang through his mind. [You better get used to it. This is just the beginning of your embarrassing experiences. ]

Leo groaned. "Being a baby sucks…"

[Oh? But there are perks too. ]

"…Yeah. I guess." He sighed, then smirked. "At least Mom is ridiculously beautiful. No wonder people called her and Minato the gorgeous couple."

Aurora hummed. [Don't worry. You'll find your own 'beauty' one day. ]

Leo rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. But it's gonna take at least five to ten years."

Aurora's next words made him pause.

[Leo, are you going to be a one-woman man, or are you aiming for a harem? ]

Leo blinked. Then, confidently—

"Aurora, you don't understand the dreams of men. Most guys want harems. Why settle for one, when you can have a whole bunch?"

Aurora scoffed. [You're just justifying your lust. ]

Leo smirked. "Hey, call it ambition."

And with that—

A new chapter in his second life had begun.