(And welcome back to another installment. Hope you're ready for a little family reunion here.)
One night at Naruto's place, the boy was fast asleep, while deep in his mind was conversing with Kurama and Raava, "Oh, this is great, guys! Not only have I secured the other tailed beasts and their Jinchuriki, but I also have a portion of their chakras as well. I suppose I can get start in unlocking your true power now can't I?" he asked the two. Naruto suddenly noticed both Kurama and Raava didn't sound too excited, in fact they were just silent, "What's the matter, guys? Cat got your tongues? Well, don't know if you have a tongue, Raava."
"Make no mistake, Naruto, we're thrilled you secured the jinchuriki." Raava began.
"The Akatsuki will never be able to locate them now." Kurama added.
"So why is it you two don't sound so thrilled?" the boy wondered.
"Tell him, Kurama." Raava used a tentacle to pat his shoulder.
"Tell me, what?" Naruto asked in irritation.
"The truth is Naruto. You don't have all the tailed beast chakra." Kurama explained.
"What? What do you mean I don't have all the chakra? I gained Shukaku, Matatabi, and Gyuki's chakra before, and I found the other five and secured them."
"It's not their chakra, Naruto. It's mine."
"Yours?" Naruto raised a brow.
"I'm actually only fifty percent of my whole self."
There was a moment of silence between the three, until Naruto shouted, "What?! Fifty percent?!"
"That's right."
"Then where's your other half?"
"Sealed inside the one who sealed me inside you."
Naruto after hearing that looked even more outraged, "You mean to tell me your other half is sealed inside my late father?"
"That's right. When Minato performed the sealing jutsu on me, he sealed half my chakra inside you while taking the rest of it into his body."
"And you're telling me this now?!"
Raava spoke to the demon fox in sarcasm, "You were right, he did take it well."
Naruto sighed as he dropped to his knees, "Why does this have to happen to me?" he complained.
The next morning, Naruto was meeting with his squad, his girls, Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen, "The second half of Kurama's chakra is sealed inside your dad?" Naomi asked.
"That's exactly what Kurama told me." Naruto confirmed.
"But Minato's dead." Shizune noted.
"Well, obviously." Naruto replied.
"What're you going to do?" Ming asked, "Your dad's dead, meaning you can't get the chakra from him."
"Not quite," Hiruzen spoke up, "There may be a way to bring Minato back even temporarily."
"How, sensei?" Tsunade asked.
"The Reanimation jutsu." he answered.
"The Reanimation jutsu?" Sasuke asked.
"That's the technique Orochimaru used to resurrect the first two Hokage." Naruto remembered.
"Correct." Hiruzen nodded.
"Sensei that technique is forbidden for a reason." Jiraiya reminded him.
"What is the Reanimation jutsu?" Yuzuru inquired
"The Reanimation jutsu was originally a technique developed by my late sensei and Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju," Hiruzen explained, "It has the power to bring back to life someone who had died."
"Whoa." the Airbending twins gasped.
"Through one case it can be used as a means of combat by making the reincarnated shinobi do the caster's work. Another case is it allows someone to find out hidden knowledge only one shinobi had and took that knowledge to their death."
"But sensei, there's a problem," Jiraiya spoke up, "That jutsu only works with DNA of the departed and a living sacrifice."
"I've had medical shinobi keep a vial of Minato's blood in hiding for desperate measures, and as for a living sacrifice. We'll simply use someone from the village prison."
"But there's still a complication, sensei," Tsunade said, "The jutsu can only resurrect someone if their soul exists in the afterlife. When Minato used the sealing jutsu he had to offer himself up to the reaper."
"Which means I'm totally screwed!" Naruto snapped, and dropped his head.
Hinata and Yami comforted him, "It's ok, Naruto." the Hyuga comforted him.
"I'm sure there's another way." Yami added.
"And there is." Hiruzen confirmed.
"There is?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"Yes, and it can be done with the use of this." Hiruzen reached into a small compartment underneath the Hokage desk and pulled out a mask that looked like the face of the death god.
"What's that?" Ino asked.
"The Shinigami mask recovered from the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple from the outskirts of the village."
"Uzumaki Mask Storage Temple?" Naruto asked.
"It was a temple of the Uzumaki clan that held this mask and several other masks. But over time the temple fell to ruins, but I managed to secure this mask which was the most important one there."
"How's a mask going to help us?" Naruto wondered.
"Whoever wears this mask can summon the reaper and control it so long as the reaper possess the user." the Third Hokage explained.
"And how can it help with Naruto's father?" Sakura asked.
"We can make the reaper use its own sword to open up its stomach to release Minato's soul."
The group gasped, "Can that really be done?"
"it can, and it's our only option."
"Naruto?" Kakashi asked his student, knowing he was the one to make the final call.
Naruto looked at everyone before giving his answer, "I think I'm overdo for a family reunion." he smirked.
The adults knowing Naruto's made his decision agreed to go through with it, "Very well. Tonight we'll do it in the training hall. And we must make sure nobody knows about this." Hiruzen ordered, everyone agreed and took their leave.
That night inside the training hall, Naruto, his squad, and his girls were waiting around until Hiruzen appeared with Kakashi, Tsunade, and Jiraiya holding a bound prisoner with a bag over its head, "Is everything ready?" Naruto asked.
"Everything's all set." Tsunade confirmed.
"Then let's begin." Naruto said.
Hiruzen nodded, as he took the reaper mask and placed it upon his face. As he concentrated the reaper appeared before them, which made the girls scream in fright and cling to one another, "Is that thing really the reaper?" Ino shook.
"It's scary." Hinata said in fright.
"If it's not moving it means the Third really does have control over it." Sasuke noted it wasn't doing anything.
"Exactly, so let's let the Third do his job." Kakashi ordered, as everyone remained silent.
Hiruzen made the Reaper draw its sword and put a cut in his own stomach. From the cut a single soul in the form of a glowing sphere emerged from the reaper's stomach. Hiruzen removed the mask from his face making the reaper vanish, "Good, that part is done," he looked at the floating soul, "Now to give the soul a reincarnated body."
Jiraiya placed the prisoner down on the ground and removed the back allowing him to see, while his mouth was gagged, "The blood, sensei." Jiraiya said, as Hiruzen nodded, while taking out a vial of blood and poured it's content on a blank scroll.
"Here we go. Summoning Jutsu, Reanimation!" then a symbol appeared on the ground as the jutsu analyzed the blood, and suddenly the prisoner's body was encased with dust and ash while he tried screaming through his mouth gag. Once the prisoner's body was completely covered it started taking on a different appearance and gaining color as well. Suddenly from where the prisoner was now stood the Fourth Hokage Minato. While he was revived he still had the appearance of a zombie with a few cracks on his face, and the sclera of his eyes were black.
"Is that really him?" Sakura gasped.
"Yes, indeed. Sakura," Tsunade confirmed, "The Fourth Hokage himself, Minato Namikaze."
"Sensei." Kakashi said to himself.
Once he became aware of his surroundings Minato spoke up, "What happened? Where am I?"
Hiruzen spoke up, "I have recalled you back to the land of the living, Minato."
"Lord Third?" he gasped, "Wait a minute. Does that mean you've undone the reaper death seal?"
"Yes, Minato, and for good reason."
"How is using the reanimation jutsu to revive me a good reason?" the Fourth asked in confusion.
"Before I tell you, there's someone you have to meet." Hiruzen began, as Kakashi spoke up.
"It's good to see you, sensei."
"Huh, Kakashi? Well, if this isn't a treat. It's so nice to see you again. Judging from you time really has passed, hasn't it?"
"Yes, sensei. It has."
Minato turned to Hiruzen, "Did you revive me just so I can speak to Kakashi?"
"Not quite. The real one you need to speak with is right over here." Hiruzen motioned to Naruto.
Minato looked at Naruto, and gasped, "Wait a minute... Naruto?"
Naruto nodded, "Hi, dad."
"Naruto. I mean... Last time I saw you, you were just an infant. And that only felt like moments ago to me."
"Well, it's been sixteen since that night, dad."
"Sixteen? Oh, man. It's been that long?" he asked the Third.
"Yes, it has."
Minato looked at his son feeling nostalgic, "Naruto. I know there must be a lot of questions you have running through your mind. And I would be more than happy to answer them."
"You're right. I do have answers, but first... Come here dad." he opened his arms.
Minato seeing this gesture smile, "Oh, Naruto. You have no idea how much I've wanted this," he went over to Naruto. Before he could embrace his son, Naruto sucker punched him in the face making him fly backwards and roll across the floor. This act left everyone in shock, as Minato got up to reveal half of his head had been destroyed, but due to the reanimation jutsu started reforming, "Ok, I deserved that." he groaned.
Naruto frowned, "Why, dad? I know you were only doing your job as the village leader, but why did it have to be me?!" he shouted with feeling.
"Naruto." Minato gasped seeing his son feeling so troubled.
"Ever since I was born even before I could walk, people just stared at me with contempt and hatred because of what I had inside me," Naruto explained while trying to hold back tears, "I know you couldn't ask anybody to give up their own baby as a sacrifice, but that still doesn't make it any better for me!" he calmed down feeling he vented enough for his dad to realize how he felt.
Minato sighed, "I know it wasn't easy for you growing up with such a burden. Believe me I've seen the same thing happen to others close to me."
Naruto rubbed his eyes, "Well, whatever, that's all behind me now."
"Then I assume you're no longer hated?" his father inquired.
"No. In fact I'm like a savior now."
"A savior?"
"That's right. But before I get into more detail you should at least meet my squad. You already know sensei. This is Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha." Naruto introduced him.
"Nice to meet you, Lord Fourth." Sakura greeted him.
"Hey." Sasuke greeted.
"So you also were placed with an Uchiha, huh?" minato asked, "How is the clan holding up this day?"
Everyone suddenly looked uneasy, as Sasuke answered, "The Uchiha clan is nearly extinct."
Minato was taken aback, "Extinct?"
Sasuke nodded, "I am one of two members left of the Uchiha clan."
"Who's the other?"
Hiruzen answered, "Fugaku's older boy, Itachi. And he is not only Sasuke's older brother, but the one who massacred the Uchiha."
"I see."
"I'm trying to avenge the Uchiha by finding my brother and make him pay for his treason." Sasuke explained.
"Interesting."
Naruto continued, "I'm sure you would know Tsunade-baasan and Shizune-nee."
"Shizune, you've also grown up that little girl I knew."
"Thank you, sir." Shizune smiled.
"And, Tsunade, nice to see you've come back to the village."
"Well, you can thank your son here." she motioned to Naruto.
"Then here's Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyuga."
"Ah, Inoichi and Hiashi's daughters. How're your dads doing, girls?"
"Father's doing well." Hinata answered.
"Same for my dad too." Ino added.
Naruto stood next to the bending girls, "And these are some friends I made while outside the village. This is Ming, Naomi, Mitsuki, Yami, and Yuzuru."
"Nice to meet you." the girls greeted Minato with a bow of their heads.
"Well, Naruto not a bad line up. Either one of these girls would make a fitting bride for you." Minato nudged him son.
"I know, but the fact is they're all mine."
Minato looked at his son in confusion, "What? You mean you're..."
"That's right." Naruto nodded, as the bending girls joined at his side.
"And so are we." Sakura added, as she, Hinata, and Ino stood by them.
Minato looked in shock, before turning to Jiraiya, "Sensei, did you have anything to do with this? Because if Kushina ever knew about this..."
"Actually, Minato, this was all Naruto's charm. He gets that from you." Jiraiya winked.
Minato chuckled sheepishly, until Naruto spoke, "But the real reason why you've been summoned back, dad, is because you have something I need."
"Something you need?"
"You have the remaining half of chakra from Kurama the nine tails."
Minato hearing that nodded, "That's right. When I performed the sealing jutsu I sealed the yang half inside you, and the Yin half inside me."
"Well, I need the second half in order for Kurama to be complete."
"Kurama?"
"Yes, the fox has a name. All tailed beasts have names."
"I had no idea." Minato said in amaze.
"It's true." Jiraiya confirmed.
"And I need all of it so I can unlock my full tailed beast chakra mode and fulfill the prophecy."
"Prophecy?"
"Yes, one foretold by the Sage of Six Paths that one would unite the tailed beasts as one and bring peace to a new age in the ninja world. And that ninja is meant to be me."
"You're sure?" Minato asked.
"I am, because I'm not just a Jinchuriki dad."
"You're not?"
"No. You may be interested to know I inherited mom's ability to Earthbend."
"You can Earethbend?" Minato gasped before looking excited, "Wow! This is great! Let me tell you, when your mom Earthbends no enemy wanted to get near her. And that's not even when she was showing her raging temper." he chuckled.
Naruto chuckled awkwardly, "I'll bet. But I can bend the other elements as well."
"The other elements, but then you'd have to be... Naruto." Minato gasped in shock.
Naruto nodded, "I'm the Avatar, dad."
"The Avatar, really?" Minato asked, until a smile formed on his face, "This is truly a wonderful thing. I always knew you would be special, Naruto, but I wasn't expecting this."
"Surprised me when I found out too."
"To understand the circumstances up to now, Minato, you're going to have to listen to what we have to tell you." Hiruzen instructed.
"I got the time." Minato said, as he sat down to listen.
So Naruto told his dad the whole story about when he was discovered to be the Avatar and all he's done up from that point to the present. When Naruto finished his story, Minato was truly lost for words, until he managed to speak, "Amazing. Naruto, you have about the biggest responsibility of them all, even bigger than being Hokage."
"I know. But even if it's a bigger burden than being a Jinchuriki I'm actually enjoying the responsibility."
"Based off all you told me, I can believe it. Naruto, I couldn't be any more proud of you than I already am. And I know Kushina would feel the same way." Minato explained.
"I'll take your word for it." Naruto replied.
"So, I think it's time I gave you what you called me for."
Naruto nodded, "Agreed." he and Minato walked up to each other and fist bumped.
Suddenly the father and son found themselves deep in a shared consciousness. Behind Naruto stood Kurama, and Raava, while behind Minato stood another Kurama with darker fur. Naruto looked up seeing the second Kurama, "So that's you're other half, Kurama?"
"Yes. Good to see you." Yang Kurama told the Yin Kurama.
"Indeed. I was beginning to think we'd never see each other again." the second one replied.
Raava looked down at the Fourth Hokage, and spoke, "Welcome, Minato Namikaze. I am Raava, the spirit of light."
Minato looked up at the spirit marveled, "Wow. So you're the spirit that's resided in every Avatar throughout history?"
"I am." she confirmed.
"Amazing."
"Yeah, she is," Naruto agreed, before looking up at both Kurama's, "All right, guys. You ready to be whole again?"
"Ready!" the two Kurama's answered, as they fist bumped with their paws. Upon contact both Kurama's glowed, as their bodies started merging together. Naruto and Minato watched as both Kurama's suddenly became one. The fully merged Kurama announced in joy, "I am complete!"
"So it's done now." Naruto crossed his arms.
"Yes. My full power has returned!"
"Well, good to hear it... Kurama." Minato said.
"You both have done well in reuniting the two halves of Kurama." Raava commended them.
"Thanks, Raava," Naruto replied, "Well, dad. What say we get out of here?" Minato nodded, and the two woke up back in the room.
"Did it work?" Tsunade asked.
The two smiled at the Hokage, as Naruto answered, "Like a charm."
The group was joyed to hear it, as Ming spoke, "That's great, Naruto."
"Now you really do have chakra of all of the tailed beasts." Sakura added.
"I know. Now I can inform Bee, and get in on my tailed beast chakra training."
"Wish I could be there, but I can't." Minato reminded them.
"Right. It's time you return to the afterlife." Hiruzen said.
"And now that I'm free of the reaper's belly I can be reunited with Kushina."
"I'm sure she'll be glad to see you." Jiraiya smiled.
Naruto nodded, before walking up to Minato and embraced him, "I'm glad I finally got to know you, dad."
Minato smiled, and hugged him back, "Me too, son. Me too," When they parted, the Fourth Hokage spoke to everyone, "It was great to see all of you. And Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, look after my boy, will you?"
"You can count on us, sensei." Kakashi promised.
"We'll always have his back." Sakura added.
"Because we're a team." Sasuke finished.
"And so shall we." Naomi said on behalf of herself, and the bending girls.
Minato smiled, before turning to Hiruzen, "All right, Lord Third. I'm ready."
Hiruzen nodded, "Farewell, Minato." he performed the release hand signs for the jutsu.
When Hiruzen finished, Minato was engulfed by a light, "Farewell, all. And remember, the future of the village is in your very hands." he finished, before his soul left the corpse and ascended up above, while his reincarnated vessel rotted away into nothingness.
Naruto looked up at his father's soul lifting up and thought to himself, 'Goodbye, dad.'
Meanwhile out in the Hidden Sound Village, inside one of Orochimaru's lairs Kabuto was on guard, until he looked and saw entering was Orochimaru, "Lord Orochimaru, you're back."
"Yes, Kabuto," Orochimaru answered, "I have returned, and I bring with me the key to eliminating the Avatar for good. I had to do a lot of traveling and excavating but I finally have it." he held up a scroll.
"Everything's in there?" Kabuto inquired.
"Yes. And once we set this in motion Naruto and even the Akatsuki will fall at my hands." Orochimaru laughed.
(And that's that. Naruto has gained the remaining chakra of Kurama from his father, and is ready to undergo his next level of training. But Orochimaru has returned from his travels and has plans of his own. What does he intend to do, tune into next time.)