Chapter 196: The Final Choice
"Who knows… But it doesn't matter who I am. What matters is why I'm here."
As he spoke, Franklin walked toward Obito with a faint smile.
Obito was completely pinned in place by endless spiritual energy—
only his facial movements and thoughts remained free.
Obito's Sharingan genjutsu washed over Franklin without effect.
Franklin simply ignored it and removed the mask from Obito's face.
The moment his appearance was exposed—
the half-ruined features were laid bare before Minato's eyes.
Minato's pupils contracted sharply.
He jumped back, his chakra instantly thrown into chaos.
Seeing Minato react like this, Franklin sighed.
"What, you think you've fallen into a genjutsu? Why so dramatic?"
Minato only furrowed his brows even deeper.
"Who are you? What is your purpose?"
Franklin chuckled, thought for a moment, then answered:
"Strictly speaking, I'm the big brother Naruto recognizes when he's twelve in the future.
By coincidence I ended up in Konoha Year 48.
I figured I might try secretly keeping you and Kushina alive—
without affecting the future—
so Naruto wouldn't have to lose both parents so early.
That pain isn't easy.
And Naruto's childhood wasn't the rosy picture you think it was.
You and Kushina died cleanly, but the Third Hokage wasn't as noble as you.
Naruto grew up never knowing who his parents were and never knowing why the village shunned him.
Your death benefits and even your savings never went to him.
He only got a small allowance from the Third every month.
His childhood was far from perfect."
Minato's body trembled slightly.
But his gaze quickly sharpened again.
"Even if that's true, it can't be helped. The son of a Hokage bears responsibility."
Franklin stared at him, speechless.
"If you don't believe me, fine. But don't hide behind official lines.
I've already kept Kushina alive.
Now it's up to you two."
The moment Franklin finished speaking, Minato's pupils shrank again.
He vanished—
and returned ten seconds later with Kushina.
Minato looked at Franklin with deep wariness and disbelief.
"Who are you? This kind of ability shouldn't be possible!"
Obito, still immobilized, stared as well—
his eyes widening as he saw Kushina alive, pale but unharmed.
"These are simple things. Don't worry about it."
Franklin waved dismissively.
"I'll simplify it. Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki was created by me.
You may not know the name,
but his most famous title is the Sage of Six Paths.
I'm countless times stronger than he ever was.
Right now I'm traveling through time,
observing the different eras of the ninja world.
And… just a little spoiler for you—
Naruto becomes the Seventh Hokage.
Your student Kakashi becomes the Sixth Hokage.
As for your other fine student, Obito—
he starts the Fourth Great Ninja War, gathers the Tailed Beasts, revives the Ten Tails,
and becomes the second Sage of Six Paths."
Hearing all this, Kushina finally turned toward Obito.
Seeing his familiar face and his familiar cloak—
stringing the events together—
her eyes filled with disbelief and disappointment.
Having personally lived through Franklin's illusion,
she actually found herself believing him.
Minato and Obito both stared fixedly at Franklin,
fear flickering deep in their eyes.
"So your choice for us is this:
Kushina and I seal the Nine-Tails tonight and die—
or we follow you for thirteen years.
After thirteen years you free us,
and during those thirteen years we obey you completely."
Franklin nodded lightly.
"That's the idea.
Since you understand, what's your choice?"
Minato's eyes darkened.
He stared at Franklin for a long time before speaking.
"I don't know whether what you say is true.
What I want to know is this—
if Kushina and I don't take action,
how will you arrange our 'deaths'?
You said altering the present alters the future.
How will you handle this?"
Franklin smiled.
"So you mean—
as long as I handle everything afterward,
you'll choose the second option?"
Minato held his silence for a long moment,
then nodded seriously.
"Yes.
If you can arrange everything in Konoha properly,
then following you for thirteen years is acceptable.
If Naruto must endure those thirteen painful years,
then once we're alive again, Kushina and I can make up for it.
Living is better than dying."
Franklin said nothing.
He didn't care whether Minato was waiting for a chance to turn on him or watching him from the shadows.
Strength made such concerns trivial.
He waved his hand.
Another Minato and another Kushina appeared before them—
identical in appearance.
All three onlookers were stunned.
In the next instant, Franklin poured Minato's and Kushina's memories into the puppet bodies,
each bearing a false soul.
With a single command, they began their roles.
A shimmering screen appeared.
The false Minato teleported far from Konoha with the Nine-Tails.
Then he teleported again, bringing baby Naruto and the false Kushina.
Everything looked real.
Minato and Kushina—watching from outside—felt as if they were living it themselves.
They watched the two puppet parents' helplessness and their resolve even as they moved toward death.
They watched Kushina, exhausted and drained,
seal the remaining chakra into Naruto—
giving everything she had left.
They watched the two of them
pierced by the Nine-Tails' claws
as they shielded their child.
Tears streamed down Kushina's face.
"Naruto… don't be picky with food…
eat well…
grow strong…
remember to take hot baths every day…
and don't stay up late…
get plenty of sleep…
I love you…"
"Naruto… don't be picky with food…
eat well…
grow strong…
remember to take hot baths every day…
and don't stay up late…
get plenty of sleep…
I love you…"
The words from the image
and Kushina's own voice beside them
matched perfectly.
Both Minato and Kushina were in tears.
Once Minato finished his final message, the Eight Trigrams Seal bound the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. The Third Hokage took the infant away.
The two collapsed—
their bodies giving out—
and finally died.
Their corpses were carried off.