Akio subconsciously tried to contact Katsuyu when he heard Sara mention Tsunade and Nagato but no matter how he tried, he couldn't reach her.
At that moment, he finally understood: during his "evolution," that strange feeling he'd sensed must have been his summoning contract with Katsuyu being completely "washed away."
"No wonder… Tsunade must've noticed my contract with Katsuyu disappear and assumed I was dead."
Having solved the mystery of his so-called "death," Akio let out a long sigh. The whole situation was… frustrating.
"So, what's with this little guy?" Akio pointed at Naruto.
Naruto didn't hide anymore and ran over a few steps. "Hey, old man, are you Sara-nee's dad?"
Akio froze for a moment. Old man? That didn't sit right.
Still, titles could be corrected later. Other than the day Naruto was born, this was the first time Akio had seen him in person.
He studied the boy for a while, and slowly, Naruto's face overlapped with his memories from his previous life. A faint smile crept across Akio's lips enough to make Naruto nervous.
"Sara-nee, is this weird old guy really your dad?" Naruto whispered.
Akio's face darkened. Whisper or not, there was no way he couldn't hear that.
"Sara is indeed my daughter no fakes, no swaps!"
Sara leaned over and quietly corrected him, "Father, it's as genuine as it gets, not no fakes, no swaps."
Akio chuckled, recalling how she had tearfully thrown herself into his arms earlier. His expression softened. "Right… no fakes, no swaps…"
Naruto blinked in confusion, glancing between them before tugging on Sara's sleeve. "Sara-nee, I'm hungry."
Sara smiled. "Alright, alright, runaway young master Naruto, let's get you some ramen."
Akio raised an eyebrow. It seemed a few interesting things had happened during his years of training… He had so many questions. Following Sara into the kitchen, he listened as she cooked and recounted the events of the past few years.
"Father, the news of your death spread three years ago. At first, only a few of us knew, but after half a year, somehow the entire ninja world found out…"
"The entire ninja world?" Akio frowned. "Who started it… Danzo, I'll remember that."
He decided to pin the blame on Danzo first, always a safe bet.
"Later, in Konoha Year 51, the Land of Lightning stopped sending us their annual tribute on time."
Akio paused. "What year is it now?"
Sara sighed. "Father, where have you been these past few years? It's Konoha Year 53, August 20th."
"Konoha Year 53… August, huh." Akio let out a breath. "Earlier than I expected. Go on."
"With the rumor of your death spreading, the Land of Lightning grew bolder," Sara continued.
"Then, around February of Year 52… your disciple, Jitou, passed away."
Seeing his expression, Sara lowered her voice. "Father, don't be too sad."
"I'm fine. I already knew about it. What happened next?"
"After that… Kumogakure gathered a large ninja force at our borders."
Akio narrowed his eyes, recalling the many new graves in the Uzumaki cemetery. "So the Cloud Village has recovered some strength, and they want another round with us, huh?"
Sara shook her head. "They didn't attack. After a two-month standoff, it was Kirigakure that struck first."
Akio was caught off guard. "Kirigakure?"
Sara nodded. "I don't know the details, but Konoha sent help, Minato resigned as Hokage and came with Kushina and several members of the Senju clan to support us."
"I see. Only them, and Minato even stepped down as Hokage." Akio sighed. "Looks like things in Konoha need sorting out."
Sara smiled faintly. "You'll never guess what happened next. The Cloud Village suddenly withdrew and attacked Konoha instead. Then Suna and Iwa moved in as well. That's how the Fourth Great Ninja War started."
"What?" Akio blinked in surprise. "Karma catching up, huh?"
"I don't know the specifics," Sara said. "But Minato and Kushina stayed to help defend against Kirigakure, while the other Senju returned to Konoha."
"I see." Akio fell silent for a while as Sara's ramen finished cooking.
"What about that kid outside?"
Sara sighed. "I heard the war with Kirigakure is almost over, and Minato and Kushina will return soon. Naruto snuck out on his own, he wanted to go to Konoha, but Kushina told everyone not to let him."
"Konoha's sent envoys several times, asking them to return and for Minato to reassume the Hokage position but Kushina refused."
Akio frowned. Something unpleasant must have happened when they left Konoha.
"Hiruzen? Or Danzo? Whoever it was, they deserve a good beating…"
Sara brought out two bowls of ramen. She and Akio each carried one out.
"You're slow, Sara-nee!" Naruto complained.
Akio smirked. "Brat, do you even have money? All you think about is eating."
Naruto froze, patting his pockets before pouting.
Sara laughed. "This one's on me but next time, you pay, alright?"
The two of them delivered a perfect one-two lesson in responsibility.
"Got it," Naruto mumbled.
Akio chuckled, pulling the second bowl toward himself. He inhaled deeply. "It's been too long since I've had your ramen, Sara."
For a while, the shop was silent except for the sound of slurping noodles.
Eventually, Akio lifted his face from his bowl, satisfied, only to see Naruto wearing the same expression.
"Father, you two look so alike," Sara said softly.
Akio gave a wry smile and glanced at Naruto before shaking his head slightly.
Turning to Sara, he said, "There's no need for me to intervene in the Mist Village affair. I'll head to Konoha."
With Minato, Kushina, Nagato, and Konan, the Uzumaki wouldn't even bother taking Kirigakure seriously.
"Hey, weird old man, can you take me with you to Konoha?" Naruto piped up.
"You'd better wait for your parents. This trip… isn't one I can bring you on."
This time, Akio wanted to find out exactly what had gone wrong in Konoha. He was done holding back.
If it was Hiruzen's fault, he'd retire him peacefully.
If it was Danzo's fault, he'd hang him from the top of the Hokage Tower.
…There was a bit of a difference in treatment, but so be it.
Akio never planned to keep his return a secret.
"It's time the ninja world knows that Uzumaki Akio is back!"
Naruto tilted his head. "Weird old man, your name's Uzumaki Akio? That's a weird name."
Akio sighed. "This kid… definitely needs proper guidance. I can't let Naruto grow up to be another Boruto."
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