As promised, here's the answers to the questions you've asked.

- Did Kimiko ever manage to apologise for being jealous of Sakura? Sakura's last piece hints that they mended their relationship somewhat, but I'd like to be sure.

Oh yes they did. There were many tears and many emotional scenes with the devastated Sakura being comforted by Kimiko. There wasn't really much in the way of apologising for specifics that happened a long time ago, because neither wanted to drag those things up. Still, both still wanted to be friends, and they've worked towards it. It was all stunningly heartwarming.

As for during the epilogue, Kimiko doesn't know exactly what's up, but she trusts Sakura.

- Did Kushina and Minato ever get better? The rift between Minato and Naruto was fake, sure, but the 3 years of lies and dispute still happened after all.

They did, but it was a slog. They both agreed that in the end, the real source of the problem was how the shinobi system demanded these kinda things of people. Still, it hurt, and it was a process. I'd like to say things never quite were the same, a culmination of the issues that began when they gave away Naruto all those years ago to Orochimaru. Things got better, things are good, but not the same.

- Can you elaborate on Sakura and how her story would have gone from here to finish?

Something along the line that this organisation Ouroboros becomes a gathering spot for various missing nins in this new age. Having skimmed through the Boruto manga, I was honestly thrilled by the One Piece-level nonsense that's going on there, and I figured that'd be what the big story would be around. Imagine that if humanity are like bacteria to the villains of Boruto, then multi-resistant bacteria are still absolutely terrifying. If chakra is meant to be harvested, then the entire harvest being poisoned ruins the whole plan. (If I'm being vague, that's because I'd rather not spoil)

Later down the line in the story, around the final act, the entirety of the organisation would appear in Uzushio, dropping the pretense and stepping in on the side of the villages in the face of this new threat. Everyone would be all shocked at first, but then Naruto comes hobbling out towards them and greets them, and they all bow to him, the true supreme master of Ouroboros. It'd all be very dramatic.

Also because this would lead into a lot of funny potential.

Hikari comes down the stairs and sees Sakura sitting at the kitchen table.
"AAAH! Scary snake lady!"
"Come and say hi to auntie Sakura." said Kimiko
"WHAAAAAT?!"

I figure an important theme would be Ouroboros becoming a kind of sanctuary to those who didn't fit in in the villages. I'd help to break down the 'missing nins are always omega evil' stereotype. Sakura in the end may well have just decided that she's got a family in Ouroboros. Ouroboros is not Akatsuki, and she cares for this little pack of weirdos.

- Would have Naruto ever figured out a way to get his mojo back to fight future threats or would the story go the Boruto route of having Sakura be the new hero?

Well the actual heroes would probably be the new generation here, Hikari and Co. Naruto's permanently crippled, and he makes peace with it. After all, it means he can't be sent back into the field and he finally, FINALLY, can do some bloody research. But yes, Sakura if anyone would be the focal point.

- How old is Hikari?

At the end there? Probably around 12, the usual genin age (let us never forget that in this universe child soldiers is normal and cool)

- Back in Chapter 11 when Anko got killed, were the civilians being honest about not knowing that the mission involved a Shinobi? Or were they lying to save money?

Part of the issue is that the average peasant can't be expected to know the intricacies of shinobi rankings or the bingo book. All they knew was that some bandits with a really scary leader had taken over their village, and that's what they told them. That being said, they knew that said bandit captain was really powerful, but all the stories they head said shinobi were more powerful than bandits so they figured it wouldn't be an issue.

- What inspired you to write this story?

I adopted it from a friend of mine, Heliosion, who came up with the initial concept. The first chapter was his work and I edited it to suit myself. After that I was inspired by all sorts of things - amongst other things a former friend who always seemed to be just on a whole different level intellectually.

- Which character was especially fun to write?

Mei. She was in part introduced because I saw her appear in the latest manga chapters and decided "fuck it, Naruto goes to Kiri and gets a hot mommy GF". Still though, the more I wrote the more the entire subplot became something I'm happy with. Also, messing with the guy I'd set up to be a stoic badass was the most fun I've ever had.

- Will you continue to write stories in general?

I will, but not on this platform.