The Ending Depends on Where the Story Stops

"Naruto…" Namikaze Minato's expression grew increasingly complicated upon hearing those words. He closed his eyes lightly, and after a long silence, he slowly opened them again. "There's something I've always wanted to ask you."

Naruto looked up, his gaze locking onto Minato's. "What is it?"

Seeing Naruto's deep blue eyes, the struggle in Minato's expression became more apparent. After a brief daze, he asked, "Do you truly hate Konoha?"

"That's an interesting question." Naruto's expression remained calm as he countered, "In Father's view, aside from hatred, what other feelings do you think I should have toward Konoha?"

"Or… is it that my behavior has made you uncertain?"

Minato shook his head blankly. "I don't know. Ever since the day I met you, everything has been beyond my expectations."

"Every time I link my chakra with yours, I can feel that deep, soul-penetrating coldness within you. At first, I only had suspicions, but later, I became certain—you must have known the truth about your origins very early on. And you've also been fully aware that the Third Hokage has been monitoring you all this time."

"If I hadn't been watching over you from within the seal ever since your birth, and if I hadn't seen that no one had tampered with you, I would have started doubting whether you were really my son."

"For the longest time, I even wondered if you were born omniscient."

Naruto glanced at Minato with interest. "I was wondering how long you'd hold back before bringing this up. Now that you've spoken, does that mean you've found your answer?"

"Yes." Minato took a deep breath, then pointed at Kurama. "At first, Kurama thought the same thing. But later, he came up with an explanation that I could accept."

"What explanation?" Naruto's heart stirred, and he immediately turned his gaze toward Kurama.

Lying nearby, Kurama didn't even lift an eyelid. He simply extended a claw and pointed at Naruto. "Fourth Hokage, can't you just say everything in one go?"

Minato looked a bit embarrassed. "Uh… well, wasn't it you who figured it out? And didn't you say there was only one possibility?"

"What else could it be?"

Kurama's nine massive tails curled behind him. He slowly sat up, his narrow eyes opening as he looked at Naruto. "You have that Mirror World, countless data puppets, and the ability to access the past memories of each one. Of course, you'd know many secrets you shouldn't have."

"Especially the first time you entered the Mirror World. The moment I saw the Fourth Hokage's data puppet, I understood everything."

Minato nodded in agreement.

A long time ago, while Kurama was replenishing his chakra, Minato had suddenly found himself lost in thought, wondering why Naruto's personality and worldview seemed far too mature for his age. Kurama, sensing Minato's moment of distraction, had immediately reminded him to consider Naruto's abilities within the Mirror World. That was when Minato finally felt that everything about his son finally had a reasonable explanation.

Otherwise, he truly would have started to believe Naruto was born omniscient.

Naruto looked at Kurama and his father, Namikaze Minato, both of whom seemed to have reached a consensus. He found the situation somewhat absurd.

The permissions he had given them in the Mirror World were merely guest-level access. They didn't actually know how he gathered data or the secret behind the Mirror World's updates.

They didn't even know when he first activated the Mirror World or how he opened it. Due to the time gap between dimensions, a misunderstanding had arisen.

And because of this misunderstanding, they had abandoned certain theories about him.

Naruto's expression remained unchanged. Since it was a misunderstanding, he might as well let them continue to believe it. There was no need to explain.

"Since you've already found your answer, Father, I'll answer your initial question."

Minato's expression grew serious.

"Konoha has taken many things that should have belonged to me," Naruto said calmly, gently running his hands over the iron bars of the seal. "So, of course, I should hate Konoha."

"But hatred is just a negative emotion. Everyone has such emotions—it's normal. Sometimes, negative emotions can even strengthen one's will."

"But after spending so much time with me, Father, you should have some understanding of me by now. I don't give myself the chance to be consumed by negative emotions. I'm not like the Uchiha clan—a bunch of lunatics who let their emotions dictate their actions and take things to the extreme."

"No, that's not it! You're just worried that one day, on a whim, I'll take action against Konoha."

"But what I seek is something far beyond such petty concerns."

"Then what is it that you seek, Naruto?" Minato had originally wanted to affirm his previous thought, but at the last moment, he changed his words.

Naruto's deep gaze met Minato's. "What I seek is power that transcends all things."

"You already possess immense power." Minato looked at Naruto with a grave expression. "Overpursuing power may cause you to lose sight of your true path."

"Father, you don't understand." Naruto shook his head. "I know what you mean, but let me tell you—what I seek is different from what you think."

Kurama, hearing this, immediately extended his fist toward Naruto. Without hesitation, Naruto raised his hand and bumped fists with him.

A moment later, Kurama withdrew his paw, a glimmer of sharp insight flashing through his eyes. "Naruto, if you truly achieve this, you'll surpass even the Sage of Six Paths. The people of the ninja world don't perceive the world that way yet."

Naruto smiled slightly. "That's why I said I don't believe in those empty, flowery words. Only by forcing this world to change will it become reasonable."

"Haha!" Kurama laughed heartily. "Kid, I look forward to that day! It's bound to be interesting!"

Minato felt perplexed. He knew Naruto and Kurama must have communicated through their chakra link, but he couldn't figure out what they had discussed. He asked, "What did you two talk about?"

Kurama waved a claw dismissively. "Hah! Fourth Hokage, you wouldn't understand!"

Minato was stunned for a moment before turning to Naruto, only to see Naruto shake his head in silence.

Now he wasn't just confused—he was outright frustrated!

"Naruto, about the exploding tags…"

Naruto's gaze turned cold. "There's no need to discuss that any further."

"But Naruto," Minato said in distress, "if you detonate such a massive number of exploding tags, many people will die!"

"Many families that were once happy and peaceful will be reduced to ashes in an instant. And those who survive—imagine their suffering! Naruto, you…"

Naruto remained unmoved. His tone was calm. "Sorry, Father, but I will only detonate a small portion—just enough to destroy the crystal ball."

"The chain reaction caused by linked traps in the mechanism has nothing to do with me."

"Besides, I've never even understood what happiness feels like myself. Why should I feel sorrow for others?"

Minato's eyes brightened at that statement. "If you only intend to destroy the crystal ball in the Hokage's office, then can't you sever the connections to the other exploding tags?"

"Enough, Father."

Naruto's expression grew subtly unreadable. He cut Minato off.

"I may have a kind heart, but my hands are cold and powerless. If Konoha wants a happy ending, it depends on where it chooses to stop its story."

Thinking of the moment he had already planned to detonate the exploding tags, Naruto's tone shifted.

"I will let you see, with your own eyes, just how much filth lurks beneath Konoha's bright and polished surface."

Minato's face darkened. "What do you mean?"

Did Naruto learn some new hidden truth from the Mirror World?

"Soon. In the near future, you'll realize that I won't even need to make a move. Others will prove to you, time and time again, that Konoha is doomed to a bad ending."

______________________________________________

If you want 15 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon: 

patreon.com/PureParadox