092 Naruto Mobile Game

The Resource Cards have already been used up.

The champion's three Resource Cards, the runner-up's two Resource Cards, and one Resource Card for the top four.

Seemingly top four, but in truth, only two powerhouses.

On Konoha's side, a total of five Resource Cards were used, while Iwagakure used two.

And then, that was it.

Only the top four had Resource Cards; everyone else could only envy them, watching the tiny amount of Coupons credited to their accounts and shedding tears.

Of course, as the champion server, Konoha shared honor and disgrace together—everyone also received a lottery ball as a reward.

Although what you could draw was completely random, no one knew how many more emulator players this would end up producing.

However, after the Resource Cards were used, the light screen did not disappear. It was still filming Naruto.

More precisely, since right in front of Naruto was a Revival Card, it was actually filming the Revival Card.

Only then did everyone realize that using Resource Cards did not come with live broadcast treatment. This thing worked subtly; it was impossible for the world to be turned upside down in an instant.

But the Revival Card was completely different.

Gulp—

Staring at the dazzling golden card before him, Naruto suddenly grew nervous and couldn't help swallowing.

Although the reward was to be claimed by the organization's leader, he couldn't possibly just make the call on his own.

Naruto looked around and saw that everyone's expressions were different. He scratched his head.

"Um, Sakura, do you need… ouch!"

"Need what! Huh?" Sakura slammed a punch onto Naruto's head, her face full of hostility.

Naruto clutched his head and only then realized—right, Sakura's family was complete, with both parents alive. Asking that really was a bit offensive.

He shifted his gaze to the others.

Shikamaru? Ino? Choji? No good either—these three were the same as Sakura. Damn it, such enviable people!

Kakashi-sensei? Asuma-sensei? Hero Jiraiya? Naruto hesitated.

This is bad—a single Revival Card isn't enough!

"Naruto, this organization exists because of you. You are my student, and also our leader. The Revival Card is entrusted to you." Kakashi stepped forward and said to Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto froze.

"Don't worry. This won't be the only chance, and everyone won't have any objections." Kakashi gently patted Naruto's head.

Naruto looked at the others. Asuma seemed to be imitating Guy, giving him a thumbs-up.

Jiraiya… Jiraiya was writing something in a notebook, letting out bursts of lecherous laughter from time to time.

Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and Sakura simply smiled at Naruto.

Clearly, the opportunity to make this decision had been placed in Naruto's hands. This was the second time he had to decide.

The major ninja villages, seeing this scene, all sighed in admiration—truly worthy of Konoha, able to act like this even in the face of the immense temptation of a Revival Card.

Within Konoha, the villagers felt relieved and proud. Some who had just harbored other thoughts now felt ashamed of themselves.

Of course, there were also those full of malice, spinning conspiracy theories that this was only because the light screen was filming, forcing them to act magnanimously.

But none of that affected the people involved.

Naruto scanned the organization members one by one, and finally his gaze stopped on Mikoto and Sasuke, mother and son.

Sasuke immediately felt something was wrong. This guy… he wouldn't even know how to repay this favor if he owed him another one.

Throughout the entire tournament, Sasuke had undoubtedly been the most serious—no other reason, it was indeed because of Naruto.

"Naruto, everyone is watching you. Think carefully about what you desire most in your heart." Mikoto said softly.

Naruto was stunned. What he desired most?

Was it no longer being ignored by others? Was it the village's recognition? Was it becoming the strongest Hokage?

No, that wasn't it.

Do you remember those countless late, silent nights, lying alone on your bed, staring at the plain-colored ceiling?

What surged up in your heart—the thing you were most familiar with, and which you had turned into sustenance to grow all the way to now—

Loneliness!

"I… I want to revive…"

Naruto mustered his courage, grabbed the Revival Card in one swift motion, then used all his strength to shout.

"My dad!!!"

Dead silence.

The entire ninja world fell quiet—yet there was one thing that made a sound.

The Revival Card suddenly burst forth with boundless radiance, far greater than when Mikoto had been revived.

Under everyone's gaze—under Naruto's gaze—

A man cloaked in blazing sunlight, bathed in flowing brilliance, stepped out little by little from that dazzling gold.

At a glance, there was that sun-like golden hair so familiar, those sky-blue eyes like a clear heaven, and that white robe with flame patterns—the Hokage's ceremonial cloak.

On the back, several words were engraved, etched deep into the heart.

"The Fourth Hokage…" Naruto stared at him blankly, subconsciously uttering the title.

The people around also froze, but Kakashi and Jiraiya quietly felt their eyes moisten.

The newcomer ignored everything else and walked straight up to Naruto, carefully studying him like this.

Naruto snapped back to his senses and stammered,

"W-wait! Is something wrong? Isn't this the Fourth Hokage? Reviving him is fine, but what I said wasn't…"

He suddenly couldn't continue.

That brain of his, which so often failed him, became startlingly clear.

Or perhaps the person before him finally made it impossible for him to ignore—the stirring of blood awakened him.

"You are…" Naruto stood there, wanting to step forward, yet putting his foot back down, hesitant, afraid.

But suddenly his body lurched forward, nearly falling to the ground. He immediately turned back and glared angrily.

Sasuke quietly withdrew his foot, acting as if nothing had happened, only the corner of his mouth curling slightly.

Naruto shot Sasuke a fierce look, then turned back, his gaze softening again.

Looking at this impossibly young man who had just returned from death, he opened his mouth, yet didn't know how to address him.

"Naruto, I'm your dad." Minato spoke gently, his eyes filled only with Naruto.

Hearing this, Naruto could no longer hold back. He rushed forward and crashed straight into Minato's arms.

"Dad! Dad!!"

"Why… why is the Fourth Hokage… you know, I never knew. I asked others and they didn't know. I asked the Third, and he didn't know either."

"When academy ended, no one came to pick me up. I watched other kids being picked up by their dads and moms."

"I just sat on that swing… I don't know if you ever played on it when you were alive."

"Everyone scolded me and didn't like me. I didn't know—maybe I did know it was because of the Nine-Tails, but it didn't seem that fierce."

"I don't like going home, because whether I go back or not, I'm alone. But sometimes Iruka-sensei would treat me to ramen."

"All the teachers disliked me, only Iruka-sensei… I don't know if he was a friend or more like an older brother."

"I… I really wanted someone to say to me, 'Naruto, welcome home! Go wash up and come eat!'"

"'Naruto, time to get up! Hurry up! If you sleep in, you'll be late for school!'"

"'Naruto, here's your bento before you go out. Don't eat it now! Save it for noon so you won't be hungry!'"

"'Naruto, come home early after school! Don't run around—Mom and Dad made dinner!'"

"'Naruto, don't eat instant ramen all the time. It's not nutritious. You need to eat more vegetables so you can grow… I'm not even as tall as Sasuke and Sakura.'"

"Sasuke and Sakura are in Team Seven. Our teacher is Kakashi. I don't know if you know him—he's awkward, but reliable."

"And Shikamaru and the others—without them, I couldn't have won. I can't do anything by myself."

"And Jiraiya—I first met him at a bookstore. I got caught by the owner for peeking at adult magazines."

"I did have money—the Third Grandpa gave it to me—but I like buying a huge pile of limited-edition ramen to stock up. Sometimes I forget about it and it expires."

"And buying paint to paint on the Hokage Rock—someone catches me every time, but they can't catch up to me, haha… ahhh!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I even painted on your face on the Rock. I washed it off many times."

"I don't know if people will mess with it when my face gets carved there someday. Just thinking about it makes me so mad."

"I used to always imagine that you and Mom did something bad, so no one would tell me."

"Like in the latest story with Sasuke—you betrayed Konoha and became rogue ninja, some kind of villains."

"It's really great. My dad is the Fourth Hokage who saved the village—the Hokage I admire the most."

"I even wondered if you looked like me. Now that I see you, you're way more handsome than me~ hehe. Mom must be as pretty and gentle as Sasuke's mom, right? I'm really looking forward to it."

"Ah! It'd be best if she cooks well and loves ramen, so I can eat it every day."

"I… I don't even know what I'm saying anymore, but I… I miss you so much, Dad, and Mom too. I really miss you—wah… wahhh!"

Naruto had too much to pour out—these were all the fantasies he had carried for over ten years.

But now, he couldn't say another word, only choking as he clung tightly to Minato and cried loudly.

It was very quiet.

Konoha Hidden Village.

...

At this moment, in the Ninja Academy, in a certain classroom, the elementary students who had just enrolled were silently watching.

And standing at the lectern, Iruka's eyes brimmed with tears, the scene before him turning blurry.

'Hokage-sama! You said the Fourth Hokage wanted the villagers to see Naruto as a hero, but… hasn't his wish fallen short?!'

Looking at the father and son embracing on the light screen, Iruka wiped the corner of his eyes and revealed a knowing smile, dazzlingly bright on his face.

At this very moment, the hero stood before them!