"What?"
Kushina didn't know what to say for a moment.
"What's going on?"
Minato set down his chopsticks and said with serious expression, "The fact that the Shinigami personally came to fetch us earlier was already unusual. Naruto, explain in detail."
Naruto nodded slightly and began explaining: "Did you see the red-haired guy with me? He's one of my subordinates. He wanted to meet his parents, so I brought him here. Of course, bringing him was just on the way. The real reason I came is that I recently acquired an ability that allows me to travel between the two worlds. I thought I'd take this chance to visit you."
"Is that true?"
Minato looked astonished. After all, this kind of ability was beyond anything he had ever heard of.
Beside him, Kushina spoke up, "Son, I know it's hard to admit you're dead. When I first arrived in the Soul Society, I could still move freely and didn't believe it either. But the truth is, we're just souls now, and we can't go back. Don't be too sad. Living here isn't so bad. As long as you train your Reiatsu, you can keep your current form forever. Your dad and I will always be with you."
"Uh…"
Naruto rubbed his forehead, realizing that Minato had picked up on something unusual, but Kushina had completely misunderstood him as someone in denial.
Not knowing how to clear things up, Naruto snapped his fingers into the air, which was a signal between him and the Shinigami.
After hearing the snap of fingers, the Shinigami's voice came from outside the door: "You called, great one?"
"Come in and explain for me." Naruto said, feeling exasperated, "Prove that I'm still alive."
Naruto couldn't believe he needed someone else to vouch for whether he was alive or not.
The Shinigami pushed the door open and walked in. After bowing respectfully, he spoke, "A short while ago, Naruto-sama wished to see you both. That's why I brought him here to the Soul Society. He is indeed still alive."
Minato immediately focused on a key detail, "Shinigami-sama, you call Naruto 'sama'?"
"Ah, no, no! Please, don't address me like that!"
The Shinigami waved his hands frantically, his expression filled with terror, "Naruto-sama is a true figure of immense power. I'm not even worthy of tying his sandals, let alone addressing him informally."
"That's enough! Stop talking and leave. Remember to close the door behind you."
Naruto dismissed the Shinigami with a wave of his hand.
He had only called the Shinigami in to prove he wasn't dead, not to shower him with exaggerated flattery. The last thing he wanted was to overwhelm his parents.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Both Minato and Kushina were stunned. In the Soul Society, where the Shinigami reigned supreme, hearing a Shinigami defer to Naruto in such a way was nothing short of shocking!
"What on earth is going on?"
Recovering from her shock, Kushina turned her gaze to Naruto, squinting slightly as if trying to discern his true nature.
Naruto felt a chill down his spine under her scrutiny, "Mom, let me explain! No, wait… listen to my explanation."
To ease his parents' concerns, Naruto began recounting his journey. Of course, he left out any mention of the system. For anything inexplicable, he attributed it to the Soul King.
Even so, it took Naruto a full hour of talking to clarify everything. By the time he finished, his throat was parched. He finally pulled out the resurrection coin.
"This is the mark that the Soul King left for me."
Minato examined the resurrection coin, and sensed the powerful aura of life and death emanating from it. Nodding slightly, he remarked, "This is indeed an extraordinary item. To think that you gained the Soul King's recognition... No wonder you've had such extraordinary experiences. I finally understand."
Kushina beamed with pride as she wrapped her arms around Naruto, "As expected of my son, you're amazing!"
"It's all because I inherited the great genes from you two."
Naruto quipped, throwing in some light-hearted flattery.
"Sigh…"
At this moment, Kushina suddenly let out a sigh.
Naruto tilted his head in confusion, "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me doing well?"
Kushina shook her head, "Of course Mom is happy. It's just that you've been chosen by the Soul King and entrusted with such a great responsibility. Mom's afraid it's too much for you. You're still so young. These burdens shouldn't be yours to bear."
Minato interjected, "Kushina, since Naruto can be favored by the Soul King, it means he's capable. We shouldn't worry so much. All we need to do is support him."
Kushina snorted, "And you call yourself a father? Aren't you even a little concerned about your son?"
Minato pondered for a moment before replying calmly, "Each generation has its destiny. Naruto has managed on his own all these years without us. All we can do is trust him."
After saying that, he turned to Naruto with a serious expression, "If you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to retreat somewhere peaceful. Your well-being is what matters most to us. If anything happens to you, we'll be here, waiting. Just do what you need to do without carrying too much pressure!"
Hearing this, Kushina no longer had a cold expression on her face. She leaned into Minato's embrace and murmured, "Minato, you always know what to say. I was too harsh earlier."
Minato stroked her hair gently, his face filled with affection, "It's okay, silly."
Watching this exchange, Naruto couldn't help but feel like a third wheel. The tender moment between his parents was so intimate that he felt like an outsider.
Initially, he was touched by their concern, but now, he just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Uh, if there's nothing else, I think I'll be going now." Naruto stood up and prepared to leave.
Kushina broke away from Minato, grabbed Naruto's hand and said, "Why don't you stay a little longer and keep us company?"
Naruto sighed helplessly, "I feel like I'm intruding on your happy moments. Besides, I can come back anytime I want. I promise to visit regularly, so you won't miss me. Or rather, so I won't feel lonely."
No matter how he looks at it, his parents live a warm and happy life, eternally youthful, carefree, and blissfully happy. This was the idyllic life of a perfect couple.
There was no need for him to worry about them at all. Anyway, as long as nothing happens in Soul Society, these spirits will not disappear. It is not an exaggeration to say that they will exist forever.
"Alright… just make sure you come back often, okay?"
Kushina finally relented, understanding Naruto's perspective.
In her mind, even if Naruto eventually passed away, as a figure recognized by the Soul King, he would still thrive in the Soul Society. There was no need for concern.
Watching his parents cuddle again, Naruto felt a lump in his throat.
"Don't see me out. Just enjoy yourselves. I'll visit next time."
With a wave, Naruto stepped out, shutting the door behind him. He couldn't bear another second of watching his parents' PDA.
Only after he came out did he has time to take a look at the system's sign-in rewards.
But as soon as he glanced at the notification, his eyes widened in disbelief.
[It is detected that the host has stayed in Soul Society for one hour. Sign-in successful. Reward...]