"This is a special series exclusive to Level 4 cans," Shen Mo explained to Naruto. "You can gain trusted allies, powers tied to those you share deep bonds with, or even… items to revive those bonded to you."
That last part was the key.
Shen Mo had been contemplating reviving past figures with exceptional potential. Minato Namikaze was his first choice.
Truth be told, this battle, though appearing as a Konoha victory, left the village in a precarious state. They had too many enemies.
Sunagakure, meant to be an ally, turned hostile after Rasa survived and Danzo's schemes fractured their alliance. Orochimaru, flush with wealth and dangerous subordinates, loomed as a threat. The Akatsuki watched hungrily from the shadows. And now, Shen Mo's existence was exposed to the world, spurring other villages into action.
Those villages' wealth was ripe for the taking.
Konoha didn't need to act—it just needed to grow stronger, and every village would take notice. With so many powerful figures, Konoha deserved greater challenges.
With this in mind, Shen Mo decided to use Naruto's Level 4 can opportunity to revive Minato.
Of course, revival could take many forms: resurrection, heroic spirit, guardian deity, mentor, or summon.
Shen Mo was curious which Naruto would draw.
Naruto stood stunned, his mind fixated on "revival."
He could bring back his dad?
He'd only just learned who his father was, and now a chance to revive him? A home with someone to cook, wait for him, walk with him, comfort him when he was down?
"I love you, can guy!" Naruto shouted, leaping three feet in glee.
Shen Mo wasn't surprised. Naruto was always open and straightforward.
"You still have to pull it off," Shen Mo cautioned. "It's just a chance. And… do you have the points?"
Naruto's mid-air joy froze. He crashed to the ground, sitting amid the dust, counting on his fingers.
"Level 4 cans cost three million points each. Five would be fifteen million. I can earn up to 120,000 a day, plus mission rewards, so that's…"
"There's a time limit on this privilege," Shen Mo reminded.
"Ah! Damn it!" Naruto clutched his hair.
The pain of wanting something desperately but lacking funds was all too real.
The crowd began to grasp the situation. This mysterious figure offered Naruto a chance to revive his father—for a price.
Iruka pushed through the crowd. "Naruto, if money can revive your father, I have some savings."
Having watched Naruto grow up, Iruka saw him as his own child. Though unaware of Naruto's father's identity, he'd give anything to give Naruto a family.
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto said, eyes teary.
"No need to thank me," Iruka smiled.
"No, it's not that. Your teacher's salary wouldn't cover a fraction of a fraction," Naruto said, genuinely dejected.
"(OдO)!!!" Iruka's face flushed.
"I'll cover it," Jiraiya said, stepping forward, hand on Naruto's shoulder, thumb raised with a grin. "Your father was my student, after all."
"Your student?" Iruka blinked.
Kakashi sighed nearby. As expected.
The crowd buzzed, shocked.
"Jiraiya-sama's student?"
"Someone he took on outside the village?"
"Why haven't we heard of this…?"
No one had cared about Naruto's father, only hating the Nine-Tails for the pain it brought. Now, learning Naruto was the son of Jiraiya's student, they felt a mix of surprise and shame. Jiraiya was a war hero, after all. Naruto's father might've been a fallen comrade.
Jiraiya's hand rested on Naruto's shoulder, his gaze sweeping the crowd.
With a wide grin, he raised his voice: "Naruto Uzumaki's father is someone you all know. You see him every day when you look up. My proudest student—the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze!"
His words echoed far, like a boulder crashing into their minds.
Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, was the Fourth Hokage's son?
"Jiraiya-sama," Iruka stammered, incredulous. "Is it true? Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's child?"
"Of course," Jiraiya said, pulling Naruto close. "Look at that blond hair, that Uzumaki blood. Need I say more?"
Naruto blushed, head lowered, hesitant to meet their gazes.
Even Sasuke, Neji, and Haku stared, shocked. The Fourth Hokage's son?
They knew Naruto's life—especially Haku, who'd cleaned his rundown home.
The ninja and villagers reeled, as if struck by lightning.
"The Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine-Tails in his own child."
"What have we done…?"
"That man gave everything for Konoha."
"The hero's son! I refused to serve him at my restaurant!"
Shen Mo said nothing, watching with a faint smile.
Unlike the original plot, where Naruto's identity was revealed after he became Konoha's savior, he was still shunned by most, despite earning some recognition through his efforts.
Shen Mo glanced at Hiruzen, eyes now closed, his body more aged from the Soul of Bones' corrosion.
He was eager to see what Minato's revival would bring to this place.