Discimer: I don't own Naruto or Portal

  Six months passed since Naruto delivered Hidan's soul to the Shinigami, bringing the calendar from October 11th to March 10th. During that interval, life in the Elemental Nations changed with breathtaking speed, mostly due to Aperture Science's relentless expansion. The unstoppable tide of modernization now guided trade, infrastructure, medicine, education, and even the day-to-day existence of countless citizens. No matter how fiercely the hidden vilges clung to their heritage, the world around them pivoted on Aperture's axis, leaving them stranded in an era that dwindled toward irrelevance.

  Beneath the Forest of Death, Aperture's main facility thrummed with a steady pulse of activity. The nuclear reactor, infused long ago with Naruto's chakra, powered an ever-growing network of Aperture-run cities that now extended across multiple nations. These cities were not merely outposts—they were self-sufficient hubs of commerce, technology, and culture. The roads connecting them shone with an advanced paving technology that resisted weather and required almost no maintenance. Aperture drones guarded these routes, ensuring caravans traveled without harassment. In remote regions, Aperture's medical teams (often androids or carefully supervised human practitioners trained with Aperture equipment) visited vilges once overlooked, offering vaccines, basic healthcare, and lessons on hygiene. Farming communities found their yields doubled or tripled thanks to Aperture's irrigation systems, nutrient analysis, and pest-control drones. Education, too, had undergone a revolution, with Aperture-funded schools popping up in smaller towns, providing reading, math, and vocational skills. Time and again, GLaDOS stressed that each new program was introduced with fairness and minimal cost to the people. In the eyes of the popuce, Aperture represented safety and progress. Nobody wanted to return to living in fear of rampaging beasts or impoverished farmnd.

  For Naruto, these months quietly refined his sense of purpose. He had grown in both height and bearing: now, at nearly eleven, he seemed older than his years, carrying himself with a confidence that came from mastery over new powers. In those half-year intervals, he worked tirelessly with GLaDOS, Minato, and Kushina to weave reiryoku and ki into various Aperture devices, fueling a wave of experimental breakthroughs. Much like the world above, Naruto found himself changing as well, forging a bond with Kurama that was less about sealed power and more about a genuine familial closeness. And, of course, there was GLaDOS's evolving marriage with Kushina and Minato, a source of curiosity and warmth that brought them all closer together.

  Meanwhile, the hidden vilges nguished. Without external funding, they found themselves locked in slow decline. Merchants who once relied on ninja escorts found Aperture's drone security more cost-effective. Cn elders who once prided themselves on legacy discovered their younger members drifting away, lured by the promise of Aperture's stability and comfort. In Konoha, the city gates stood half-abandoned as fewer citizens remained; in Suna, cn after cn's youth trickled outward into Aperture-run cities near the desert's edge, seeking fresh opportunities. The average citizen saw little benefit in supporting the old guard, especially when Aperture offered plenty for minimal cost.

  Still, the daimyos of the great nations were no fools. They relished Aperture's luxuries—some boasted entire estates powered by Aperture's refined energy, staffed by efficient android servants. Yet they also feared the hidden vilges might sh out in desperation, triggering chaos. For months now, rumors circuted that the daimyos were preparing a formal decree to integrate Aperture Science as the official protectorate across their territories. The question was not if but when. Shinobi, once the apex of these nations' security, had become an afterthought. The pivot was both historic and controversial.

  Within the hidden vilges, an uneasy atmosphere reigned. The older kage and councils held secret summits, grasping at half-remembered alliances to stave off a total colpse. But those attempts rarely went anywhere. Smaller nations recalled how the major vilges had once bullied or neglected them; they saw no incentive to help the old powers remain relevant. Inside each vilge, rifts deepened between elders fixated on tradition and younger shinobi who recognized the unstoppable momentum of Aperture. Defections increased: some sneaked away by night, carrying families or close friends, heading to Aperture-run cities. Others openly renounced their cn names, determined to forge a new path in the changing world.

  Cns themselves struggled with these generational cshes. The Hyuga elders, for instance, insisted that the Byakugan remained a precious gift only their compound could wield. But younger Hyuga quietly studied Aperture's sensor arrays that rivaled or surpassed their dojutsu. The Inuzuka elders lectured about the bond with their ninken, but younger members discovered Aperture's medical programs that cured canine diseases more effectively than any cn technique. The Yamanaka elders refused to see how Aperture technology could replicate or enhance mind-based infiltration; yet youth saw synergy in combining ninjutsu with reiryoku-based illusions gleaned from Aperture bs. Around each cn's council fire, tension fred. Elders threatened excommunication; youth feigned obedience, only to smuggle Aperture devices behind closed doors. Bit by bit, the once-unified cns fractured.

  From the vantage point of Aperture's main facility, GLaDOS monitored these global developments with an almost serene acceptance. Naruto occasionally joined her in the command center, reading the real-time data of city expansions, resource allocations, and drone missions. He watched lines on digital maps that traced the dissolution of hidden vilges and the ascension of Aperture-ruled territories. He felt no vindictive pleasure—only a quiet resolve that this was the natural course. Better to have a stable, technologically advanced society than cling to an outdated system that had brought him nothing but pain. He had grown beyond the desire for personal revenge. Instead, he wanted to shepherd the future so that no child would endure what he had.

  Kushina, meanwhile, banced her roles between mothering Naruto and mothering Minato, who found the decline of Konoha heartbreaking despite his acceptance of Aperture. She would catch him sometimes staring at old photos or half-finished sealing scrolls that once symbolized the vilge's glory. But rather than scold him, she learned to soothe him with gentle conversation or rousing bits of optimism: "Minato-baka, you know a better world is being built. Our son's a key part of it. Don't dwell on the past." At other times, she and Kurama cshed in comical spats over whether Naruto needed more watchful eyes. The fox insisted that Naruto, nearing eleven, deserved space to test his abilities. Kushina countered that he was still her baby boy. GLaDOS often stepped in with calm logic, reminding them that Naruto had proven capable in near-death scenarios. Kurama then teased Kushina for being overly fussy, which led to more scolding. It was a cycle of mild quarrels that ended with ughter more often than not.

  In the midst of these everyday routines, the big question among the daimyos loomed: how to integrate Aperture as a formal protectorate. On March 10th, the day that marked exactly six months since Hidan's demise, a major conference began in the Land of Fire's capital. Daimyos from each great nation convened within a magnificent hall lit by Aperture chandeliers. Some smaller nations also sent observers. Though no formal speeches had been made yet, the assembled lords and dies spent the evening discussing Aperture's role in private corners. The unspoken consensus was that Aperture's inevitability could not be ignored. The only real question: how to manage the hidden vilges if they reacted violently.

  Yet as the daimyos prepared their negotiations, the hidden vilges also held urgent meetings behind closed doors. In Konoha, the Hokage—old Sarutobi Hiruzen—and his advisors convened in a dimly lit chamber. Danzo, Homura, and Koharu joined them, their faces lined with worry. The minimal funds trickling from the Fire Daimyo were no longer enough to sustain the vilge. Missions had dried up. Many jounin quietly resigned or relocated, leaving a skeleton crew of aging loyalists. Some council members proposed appealing directly to Aperture, offering an olive branch if GLaDOS would let them remain. Others advocated sabotage—destroy Aperture outposts near Konoha in a desperate bid to force the daimyos to reconsider. The debate grew heated, with some men pounding fists on the table, others shouting that sabotage was suicidal given Aperture's advanced defenses. Fear tinged every voice.

  In Suna, the Kazekage presided over a simirly tense assembly. Food shortages pgued the weakened vilge as caravans bypassed them. Though Aperture had no interest in punishing Suna specifically, their refusal to adapt had left them starving. Younger shinobi cried for a deal with Aperture. Older ones insisted Suna must remain proud. The Kazekage tried to broker a middle path, proposing partial concessions. But cn elders scoffed, seeing it as surrender. Several other hidden vilges mirrored this pattern: stunted leadership, internal rebellion, and a looming sense that time was running out.

  Cns scattered across these vilges wrestled with their own transformations. The Aburame tried to preserve their insect traditions but found Aperture bs producing synthetic pheromones that rivaled or even exceeded their bug-handling abilities. The Nara, famed for strategic brilliance, recognized that Aperture's drones, guided by advanced AI and calcution, often matched or surpassed shinobi cunning. The Yamanaka realized that Aperture's illusions, combined with reiryoku fields, could outdo their mind-body control in certain applications. Each day, more cn heirs recognized that Aperture offered both personal freedom and a chance to expand their powers in new directions, while the old system offered only stagnation.

  These cracks in the hidden vilges would not have mattered if the world still needed them. But Aperture had thoroughly repced nearly every service once provided by shinobi: escort missions, message delivery, resource gathering, infiltration, even hospital staffing. Of course, ninjas could still fight—yet who would hire them to do so if Aperture's drones guaranteed security at a fraction of the cost? The shinobi economy was effectively dead. All that remained was the question of whether the kage or cns might attempt some st stand, or if they would slink away quietly.

  Naruto followed these developments with a measured sense of detachment, focusing instead on his personal growth. Each morning, he banced time among reiryoku-based illusions, ki-empowered strikes, and the signature puzzle-based training GLaDOS engineered. She had built byrinthine test chambers that demanded real-time manipution of reiryoku illusions to fool Aperture sensor turrets or advanced android guardians, while requiring ki bursts to cross dangerous ptforms. Minato and Kushina helped refine Naruto's ninja fundamentals—chakra control, sealing arts, elemental jutsu—so that he could seamlessly blend them with Aperture's technology. Kurama, for her part, often joined these sessions, acting as an intimidating ally with her mechanical fox body. The synergy was formidable, forging Naruto into something beyond typical shinobi comprehension.

  One early evening, Naruto entered a specialized training dome in the facility's lower levels. The dome was vast, ringed by high walls and overhead projector arrays that created virtual battle scenarios. GLaDOS had updated the system with illusions keyed to reiryoku. Within moments, the environment around Naruto transformed into a shimmering forest—an illusory counterpart to the real one above. Mechanical creatures, half illusions and half drone constructs, prowled the underbrush. Some spat paralyzing darts, others unched energy bsts. Naruto breathed calmly, eyes diting as he channeled reiryoku to identify the illusions from reality. Then he enhanced his speed with ki, weaving among obstacles. In less than half an hour, he cleared the scenario, dispatching every target with a mix of spiral Rasengan bsts, portal-gun trick shots, and illusions to misdirect their aim. GLaDOS, monitoring from a vantage booth above, recorded the results, her voice echoing once he finished:

  "Well done, Naruto. That's a new personal record for clearing advanced illusions. You appear more comfortable distinguishing reiryoku-based apparitions from actual drones."

  He strolled to the edge of the simution area, slightly winded but smiling. "Thanks, Mom," he said, using that affectionate title he had come to embrace. "I feel like I'm bancing everything better. It's not just about power; it's about reading the situation—whether something's real or fake. That's reiryoku's biggest trick, right?"

  "Indeed," GLaDOS replied, descending via a small lift ptform in her gynoid body. "Reiryoku seems to amplify illusions, mental constructs, and spiritual detection. With sufficient skill, you might sense the presence of souls or illusions half a continent away. Your progress is exempry."

  He took her hand when she offered it, letting her guide him to a side corridor where she had prepared nutrient drinks. She rarely missed an opportunity to ensure his health was in peak condition. Sometimes, she joked that Aperture's mission was to see him become the ultimate hybrid of shinobi and science. Other times, she gently teased that she simply adored him as a mother.

  "How's the world outside?" Naruto asked between sips of the mildly sweet nutrient shake. "I saw the news feeds about the daimyos' summit. Are they deciding Aperture's future role?"

  GLaDOS nodded, her golden eyes flickering with electronic data readouts. "Yes. Most of them view Aperture as indispensable. The debate now concerns how to handle the hidden vilges. There is a faction among the daimyos who fear the vilges might sh out. Another faction argues the vilges are too weak to pose a real threat."

  Naruto felt a twinge of concern. "I hope it doesn't come to bloodshed. They're stubborn, sure, but the vilges don't deserve to be annihited."

  GLaDOS's gaze softened. "No one here intends genocide, Naruto. We prefer a graceful transition. However, the kage and cn elders might not see it that way. Keep that in mind."

  He nodded. True enough, desperate people sometimes made desperate choices. Still, with Aperture's security net, it seemed unlikely the vilges could mount a successful attack. His mind drifted briefly to memories of Konoha, thinking of the Academy where he was mocked, the vilgers who scorned him. He had moved beyond hatred, but he hadn't forgotten. Perhaps if they truly tried to sabotage Aperture, he'd need to protect what he loved.

  That night, Minato joined Naruto for a sparring session in one of the facility's smaller dojos. Though the father-son duo had spent months training together, each match revealed new nuances. Minato, formerly the Yellow Fsh, had lost none of his strategic brilliance despite his mechanical body. He could still warp across the field with a combination of the Hiraishin and Aperture's portable short-range teleporters. Naruto matched him with reiryoku-based illusions that confused his father's sense of timing, and ki bursts to accelerate his own reflexes. Their blows echoed in metallic cngs, sometimes colliding in midair when Naruto fired a Portal Gun to change angles. After nearly an hour, they ended in a draw, both panting lightly, exchanging proud grins.

  Minato pced a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You've come so far, son. Hard to believe you were once that scrawny kid rummaging for leftover ramen packets." A hint of nostalgia colored his tone. "I'm proud of what you've become—and what Aperture's helped you become."

  Naruto smiled softly. "Thanks, Dad. I couldn't have done it alone." He paused, then asked quietly, "Do you... still miss Konoha?"

  Minato's gaze flickered with complex emotions. "Sometimes. It's not the pce it was, Naruto. Maybe it never truly was. The vilge I wanted to protect was an ideal—one that died out long before Aperture rose. If there was a chance to salvage it, maybe I'd be there trying. But I see now that Aperture is the better path. No regrets."

  Naruto squeezed his father's mechanical hand in gratitude. Then, as if on cue, Kushina strode in with a broad grin, wearing her typical bodysuit—white trimmed with red, reminiscent of Aperture's aesthetic. She teased them both about their sweaty clothes, fussing that they needed to clean up before dinner. Minato tried to protest, but a single gre from her made him yield. Naruto only chuckled. This was the new normal: a father who'd once valued the vilge over everything, now devoted to Aperture's cause; a mother who'd once been a sealed jinchuriki, now free and happily in a triple marriage with GLaDOS and that same father; and Naruto, bridging technology, mysticism, and a world reborn.

  A day ter, the daimyos' conference reached its climax. GLaDOS tapped into satellite feeds and discreet android spies to observe the discussions in real time. Naruto, Kushina, and Kurama joined her in the control center, a circur room ringed with holographic dispys. Each dispy showed snippets of the daimyos' heated debates. The majority favored officially dissolving the hidden vilges' role as protectors in favor of Aperture's new system. Some opposed this measure out of fear. They worried the vilges might unify under a single cause, seeing the daimyos' decree as a decration of war. Yet Aperture's contributions to society were undeniable. They weighed the risk of conflict against the near-absolute guarantee of progress if Aperture was recognized as the new foundation of national security.

  At the same time, hidden vilge elders huddled in their respective chambers, gleaning scraps of rumor about the daimyos' agenda. Some argued for a st-ditch assault on Aperture strongholds. Others considered infiltration—kidnapping GLaDOS or Naruto or some Aperture figurehead they could trade for concessions. A few counselled negotiation, though that voice was often drowned out. The friction within each vilge reached new heights. From GLaDOS's vantage, these discussions looked less like strategic pnning and more like panic from leaders who knew their time was up.

  Events in the Land of Waterfalls soon threw these tensions into sharper focus. Over the past month, GLaDOS's reconnaissance had fgged suspicious financial dealings and bck-market trades near an isoted canyon region. From analyzing drone footage, it became clear that Kakuzu—a centuries-old mercenary known for his multiple hearts and ties to the Akatsuki—was operating there. He seemed to be exploiting the chaos of the hidden vilges' downfall to hoard resources. Possibly he aimed to resurrect some version of Akatsuki or simply enrich himself, since the old system was crumbling. Kakuzu had always been a master of survival, adapting to times of war, peace, and everything in between. Now, with Aperture looming, he tched onto the few bck-market channels left, weaving an underground trade that might pose a mild threat.

  GLaDOS, remembering Naruto's pledge to the Shinigami to collect the souls of those who cheated death, considered this an opportunity. Kakuzu was an immortal, albeit not in the same way as Hidan. But he defied the natural cycle by stealing hearts to extend his life. The Shinigami's domain encompassed all who sought to sidestep mortality, so capturing Kakuzu aligned perfectly with Naruto's mission.

  On the morning of March 10th, GLaDOS summoned Naruto, Kurama, Kushina, and Minato to a briefing chamber—a steel-walled room where holographic maps glowed on the central table. She dispyed images of Kakuzu's hideout in the Land of Waterfalls: a rocky canyon riddled with caves and partially colpsed tunnels. The criminals under Kakuzu's sway—bandits and rogue shinobi—operated out of supply caravans smuggling contraband or stolen Aperture goods. The region cked a strong Aperture presence, so it was a blind spot if left unattended.

  "Kakuzu's movement patterns suggest he's consolidating wealth and artifacts," GLaDOS said, her voice cool and precise. "He might pn to expand or buy influence within the chaos. We can't allow that. Naruto, you have a vow to the Shinigami. Kakuzu's immortality is an affront to it. We should intervene before he gains a stronger foothold."

  Naruto nodded, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Yes, we can't let him slip away. If he's building anything resembling Akatsuki, that's a threat—maybe not to Aperture directly but to innocent people. I'm ready to confront him."

  Kushina, standing behind Naruto, pced a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Then we'll go as a family. Kakuzu's cunning. He might try to separate us or use decoys."

  Minato agreed. "I'll handle the sealing portion if needed. But Naruto, the Reaper Death Seal is ultimately your call. It's your contract with the Shinigami."

  Kurama swished her tails with mild impatience. "Let's just do it. I'm tired of all these immortals who think they can cheat death. Let them meet a real end."

  GLaDOS allowed herself a faint maternal smile, touched by the unified front they presented. "Then let's proceed. I'll dispatch drone squads to secure the perimeter. We'll move in quickly before Kakuzu can escape."

  Early the next day, they embarked on a sleek Aperture transport craft, a rge vehicle that hovered inches above the ground using repulsion gel technology. Its sides bore the Aperture logo, and it accommodated a small detachment of drones, plus Naruto's group. They departed the Forest of Death unnoticed—few shinobi dared lurk in that area now—and soared across the Land of Fire's border into the Land of Waterfalls. The journey sted only a few hours, partly thanks to Aperture's sophisticated navigation systems.

  They arrived at dusk near a jagged canyon. Waterfalls cascaded from abrupt cliffs, forming deep pools that glistened in the fading light. The environment was eerily quiet. Naruto stepped from the transport onto rock outcroppings, scanning for signs of Kakuzu's men. Kurama prowled at his side, tails sweeping with cautious elegance. Kushina and Minato fnked them, each prepared to deploy jutsu or Aperture devices as needed. High above, drone reconnaissance soared in hidden arcs.

  A hush fell over the canyon. Then a muffled explosion echoed, followed by flickers of distant firelight. GLaDOS's voice reached them via earpiece radios: "I'm picking up multiple heat signatures in the central cavern. Kakuzu is likely there, accompanied by about a dozen rogues. Be advised, his stolen Aperture goods might include some advanced weaponry."

  Naruto clenched his fists. "Understood. Let's move in carefully." He gestured for the drones to form a perimeter along the canyon ridges. Each drone carried nonlethal tranquilizers but could switch to lethal if necessary. Aperture's first priority was always minimal colteral damage—only Kakuzu needed capturing, or rather, capturing and subsequent condemnation by the Shinigami.

  They advanced deeper, the path growing narrow and uneven. Water dripped from overhead ledges, while a damp wind whipped through the rocky walls. A handful of bandits emerged from behind debris, brandishing stolen Aperture rifles. Their eyes widened at the sight of the formidable group. Without hesitation, they fired. The muzzle fshes lit the darkness, bullets pinging off the canyon rock. But Minato flickered forward, weaving around the shots with inhuman agility granted by his mechanical body and Hiraishin markers. Kushina unched a wave of chains—her old Uzumaki sealing technique adapted to Aperture standards—ensnaring two bandits before they could flee. Kurama lunged at another, a tail sweeping him into the rock with enough force to stun. Within seconds, all were subdued, some tranquilized by Aperture drones that hovered overhead.

  Deeper in, the flickering firelight grew into a raging glow of chakra. Kakuzu stepped into view, a tall figure cd in dark robes, his face partially masked. The glint of greed shone in his eyes. He surveyed the intruders with a cold, calcuting stare. "So, Aperture's golden boy has come," he sneered, voice echoing against the canyon walls. "Naruto Uzumaki, the reaper of immortals. I've heard rumors."

  Naruto exchanged a gnce with his parents and Kurama. "Kakuzu, it's time you faced justice. You've evaded the natural cycle long enough."

  Kakuzu's lips curled with disdain. "Justice? I've survived since the era of Hashirama Senju. I've killed more shinobi than you can count. You think Aperture's fancy tech can stop me?"

  Minato, stepping forward, brandished a short bde inscribed with Hiraishin seals. "Kakuzu, don't make this harder than it needs to be."

  The older rogue ughed, his voice dripping with contempt. Threads of bck tendrils emerged from his robe, weaving in and out of holes near his arms and chest. The shapes of masked hearts, each representing a stolen element, shifted under the cloth. He radiated intense chakra, a testament to his multiple lives forcibly anchored to mortal existence. "You fools. I've fought gods among shinobi. Your technology won't save you."

  From the shadow of a boulder, more rogue shinobi fired Aperture-based rifles. Kushina raised a broad sealing array, deflecting the bullets in bursts of shimmering chakra. Kurama whirled, batting away those who tried to fnk them. All the while, GLaDOS's drones pinned down stragglers with precision shots that neutralized them. The group of criminals had numbers, but Aperture's coordination and the combined might of Naruto's family overshadowed them.

  Kakuzu wasted no time. He let loose wind and fire bsts from two of his masked hearts, unching swirling torrents that threatened to rip the canyon asunder. Naruto countered by channeling reiryoku illusions, making Kakuzu see false positions of the entire group. The bsts scattered, obliterating only illusions. Minato fshed behind Kakuzu, attempting to pce a sealing tag, but the rogue's tendrils caught his arm. Kakuzu's raw strength threatened to crush the mechanical limb, only for Minato's Hiraishin to blink him free in the nick of time.

  Kushina, meanwhile, uncoiled her Chakra Chains, shing them around Kakuzu's ankles, hoping to immobilize him. For a moment, it worked—until the tendrils fred again, severing two of the chains. She gritted her teeth, forced to retreat. Kakuzu advanced, fists ready to pummel. But he halted abruptly when Kurama, in her vulpine might, pounced, jaws wide. The tex-coated fangs crunched on Kakuzu's right shoulder, drawing a howl of rage from him. In retaliation, a lightning-infused mask fired a bolt that sent sparks racing across Kurama's metal frame. She snarled, releasing her grip momentarily.

  Naruto saw his chance. He activated ki empowerment, surging with raw physical energy, and lunged at Kakuzu's fnk. In his palm, a swirling orb of chakra formed—his father's Rasengan—ced with a distinctive glow of reiryoku. Kakuzu spun, noticing the oncoming threat, but not fast enough. The Rasengan sank into his chest, cracking the mask that represented his wind heart. The swirling energy ripped through, severing the stolen heart from Kakuzu's flesh. He roared, staggering backward, bck threads filing. That single blow cost him one of his precious hearts.

  "You bastard," he spat, reeling. "I won't die so easily."

  Naruto's eyes flickered with determination. He had no desire to prolong this. The longer Kakuzu fought, the higher the risk of colteral damage. He gnced at his parents. Minato nodded, reading the silent signal. Kushina quickly re-channeled her Chakra Chains, pinning Kakuzu's arms to slow him. Kurama battered away any criminals who tried to help their leader. In an instant, Naruto formed the hand seals for the Reaper Death Seal, summoning the Shinigami once more.

  Time seemed to slow as the spectral form appeared behind him, massive and foreboding, its deathly visage gring down at Kakuzu. The rogue's eyes went wide, sensing genuine peril. He struggled, tearing apart some of Kushina's chains, but not fast enough to free himself entirely. The Shinigami's bde glinted in the flickering torchlight of the canyon. Kakuzu cursed, thrashing, but the intangible force parted his chest. One by one, the stolen hearts spilled out in ephemeral lines of chakra. Kakuzu shrieked, the sound ced with centuries of hoarded malice. The Shinigami opened its maw, devouring each heart's spiritual essence. Kakuzu's final scream choked off as his body fell limp, the bck threads disintegrating into lifeless strands. His eyes, once brimming with cunning greed, dimmed to hollow orbs.

  For a moment, the Shinigami lingered, its mouth twisted in a silent grin. Naruto felt the bone-chilling presence swirl around him, but this time, he sensed the specter's approval. A silent whisper resonated in Naruto's mind: Well done, my servant. Yet another who toyed with immortality has paid the price. We walk the path of bance together.

  Naruto shuddered, feeling that cosmic aura. Each time he summoned the Shinigami, it felt more familiar, less alien. He wanted to believe this bond served a worthy end: ensuring no one could trample the boundary between life and death unpunished. A final wave of spiritual energy washed over the battlefield, then the Shinigami vanished, leaving only the husk of Kakuzu behind—a testament to the futility of cheating death.

  The entire scuffle took only minutes, but its significance rang through the canyon. With Kakuzu's demise, yet another relic of the old world fell. The st of his men, battered by drones or subdued by Minato and Kushina, surrendered en masse. Darkness settled, relieved only by Aperture floodlights overhead, as GLaDOS's voice came through Naruto's earpiece: "Good work. Kakuzu's threat is neutralized."

  Kurama drew closer to Naruto, noticing he was trembling slightly from the intensity of channeling the Shinigami. She pressed her muzzle gently against his shoulder. "You okay, Kit?"

  He nodded, exhaling. "Yeah, just... it's always intense. But I'm all right."

  Kushina approached and pulled him into a soft hug. "You did amazing, sweetie. We'll wrap this up. Don't strain yourself too much."

  Minato cpped a hand gently on Naruto's back, beaming with pride. "I'm proud of you, son. Another immortal undone."

  Around them, Aperture drones swept the area, confiscating contraband, escorting surviving rogues into secure transports. The canyon air smelled of scorched rock and the faint tang of ozone. The old system's cunning monster, Kakuzu, y in a broken heap. Naruto stared at that limp form, reflecting on how unstoppable he once seemed, how he symbolized the rotting foundation of shinobi wars. Now, that foundation crumbled even further.

  They returned to the Aperture transport craft as dawn broke. Naruto stepped in, letting Kurama sprawl beside him. Kushina and Minato finalized data with GLaDOS's android officers, ensuring every piece of stolen Aperture equipment was retrieved. Then they took off toward home, the rising sun casting orange light across the waterfalls. The flight was quiet, each passenger lost in private thoughts. Kakuzu's destruction marked a further turning point. With him gone, only Orochimaru remained as a known immortal, presumably lurking somewhere with his twisted experiments. The Shinigami's contract with Naruto was nearly fulfilled.

  When they arrived at Aperture's main facility, the day had grown bright. Drones and staff greeted them, taking custody of captured rogues for due process—Aperture's brand of humane incarceration that often involved forced community service or reeducation rather than crude punishments. All the while, the swirling rumor of the daimyos' summit lingered in the background. GLaDOS reyed the test updates: the daimyos appeared poised to sign an agreement installing Aperture Science as an official protectorate, sidelining the hidden vilges permanently. Formal announcements might come within days.

  Naruto, drained from the confrontation, retreated to a small lounge area with his family. This pce had grown increasingly homey over the past six months, lined with cushions, a warm lighting system, and a shelf of personal mementos. Kurama curled up in a corner, resting her tex tails. Kushina brewed a pot of herbal tea. Minato sat on the floor with a thoughtful expression, while GLaDOS, in her gynoid form, quietly joined them, standing close enough to exude her gentle presence.

  After a few minutes, Naruto sipped the hot tea Kushina offered. "So that's it—Kakuzu is gone," he murmured. "One more relic of the old ways."

  Kushina reached out, ruffling his hair. "You did the right thing. He stole how many lives to prolong his own? He was a leech."

  Naruto nodded, gncing at GLaDOS. "And the Shinigami seemed... happier than before. Like it's satisfied we're cleaning up these immortals."

  GLaDOS inclined her head. "The entity is consistent in its priorities, Naruto. Your vow remains crucial. With Kakuzu dispatched, it's only Orochimaru who remains. We'll keep our eyes open for him."

  Silence lingered briefly. Minato broke it with a gentle sigh. "Naruto, we should talk about the future. Once Orochimaru is gone, your contract with the Shinigami is essentially fulfilled. Will you continue summoning it for other immortals, if any appear?"

  Naruto contempted. "I think so. If someone else crosses that line, yes. It's not about vengeance. It's about respecting the cycle of life and death."

  Kushina nodded in approval, leaning against GLaDOS with casual affection. Minato smiled at the sight, apparently used to their comfortable retionship by now. GLaDOS's expression softened, letting an arm wrap around Kushina's waist. This was their norm—a three-way union built on trust, an unconventional but deep-seated love that nurtured Naruto's growth in every facet.

  Kushina cast a tender look at GLaDOS. "So, about that dinner pn... We were talking about a small celebration tonight, right? Family time, to mark Naruto's success."

  GLaDOS nodded, a hint of warmth in her artificial voice. "I'd be happy to, my dear. We can dine in the observation deck, overlooking the city expansions. The new Aperture cityscapes are quite breathtaking at night."

  Minato's face brightened, and Naruto found himself smiling as well. Despite the chaos outside, Aperture glowed with hope. They could share a meal, reflect on the day, and step forward together into a future that they shaped each passing month.

  Even as they settled on the lounge cushions, the feed in the background scrolled with news: daimyos nearing consensus for Aperture's official integration, more vilges on the brink of total colpse, more cns fracturing from within. The old was dying swiftly, repced by Aperture's evolving order. Naruto realized that some might call it the end of the shinobi era. Others might call it a new dawn. He simply thought of it as the world finding bance at st—a pce where technology and compassion overshadowed fear and cruelty.

  Late that evening, they gathered around a rge circur table in a quiet observation room near the facility's upper levels. The walls were transparent, offering a panoramic view of the forest overhead and the Aperture-run city beyond. Glittering lights from drone-run streets twinkled in geometric patterns. Automated vehicles glided along thoroughfares. In the distance, one could almost see the faint glow of farmnd turned fertile by Aperture's irrigation systems. Naruto marveled at it all, remembering how just a few years ago, the outside world was a pce of peril and hatred for him. Now, it was welcoming, advanced, and on the cusp of unity.

  They ate a hearty meal—courtesy of Kushina, who blended Aperture's synthetic proteins with the fvors of Uzumaki heritage cooking. Minato praised the dish with earnest gratitude, while Kurama devoured her portion with fierce enthusiasm. GLaDOS partook as well, though in her gynoid form, her need for sustenance was minimal; she did it more for the shared experience and the curious pleasure of tasting. Throughout the meal, they discussed everything from Naruto's next training regimen to Aperture's blueprint for new city expansions. The talk drifted to the daimyos' possible announcement, which could happen within days.

  Kushina sipped her tea, leaning against GLaDOS's shoulder. "If the daimyos formally endorse Aperture, the hidden vilges will have a final choice: adapt or vanish. You think they'll do something drastic?"

  Minato frowned, but spoke calmly. "If they were going to unch an attack, they'd have done it by now. I suspect they'll bicker among themselves until they either give up or fade away. Maybe a few try sabotage, but Aperture's defenses are far too strong. They might not even get close."

  Naruto swirled a cup in his hands, watching the reflection of city lights. "So many people left the vilges already. At this point, an attack is basically suicide. I just... hope they don't try some desperate measure that hurts innocent bystanders."

  Kurama huffed. "Let them try. We'll handle it."

  GLaDOS listened quietly, her gaze distant. She was present in the conversation, but her mind existed across Aperture's entire network, evaluating countless data streams. After a moment, she interjected: "If the hidden vilges choose violence, we can contain it. Our drones are prepared for both defensive and nonlethal measures. We will minimize casualties."

  Her words brought Naruto some comfort. He hated needless death. But he appreciated that Aperture would protect people if forced to. That was the crux of progress: not imposing tyranny, but defending stability so that growth could continue unimpeded.

  As the meal wound down, they lingered, enjoying the hush of night. Minato recounted a few lighthearted anecdotes from Naruto's earlier training days, back when he first discovered reiryoku illusions and accidentally startled an entire b staff by making them see floating fox spirits. Kushina ughed so hard tears sprang to her eyes. Kurama feigned offense until Minato teased her about the time she face-pnted trying to navigate a narrow corridor in her mechanical fox form. Even GLaDOS joined the moment, recounting in a dry, pyful tone how Naruto once tried to hack an Aperture system at age nine and nearly triggered a facility-wide lockdown. Naruto, cheeks burning, insisted it was all part of the learning curve. The banter was affectionate, brimming with the unity they'd carefully cultivated.

  Eventually, they parted ways to rest, each heading to their quarters. Naruto stepped into his comfortable room, where a soft overhead mp glowed. He sank onto the bed, relieved but thoughtful. The memory of Kakuzu's final scream echoed faintly in his mind, mingling with the Shinigami's grim approval. Another immortal down, another shadow lifted from the nd. Orochimaru remained the st name on that list, the final reckoning. Naruto hoped they'd find him soon, for he dreaded giving Orochimaru too much time to pn. If the snake sannin had some new scheme, it could disrupt the delicate transformation Aperture stewarded. But that worry would keep for another day.

  He closed his eyes, recalling the sight of Aperture-run cities shining across the horizon. He recalled the hush in the Land of Waterfalls after Kakuzu's downfall, a hush that signified an old era's final breath. The hidden vilges might shrivel, but Aperture would keep building, keep innovating, and keep forging a better tomorrow. For all the sorrow and struggle that preceded this moment, Naruto felt a wave of gratitude. He no longer stood alone; he had a loving, if unconventional, family, plus an entire world increasingly eager to embrace progress. Many had once scorned him, but now they thrived under a system he helped shape.

  And so, on that night of March 10th, as the facility's lights dimmed and the mechanical hum lulled him, Naruto knew the path ahead was still far from simple. Orochimaru was out there, the hidden vilges remained cornered animals, and the daimyos' impending announcement might shift alliances overnight. Yet he felt no fear. He had come too far, grown too strong. He had GLaDOS, Minato, Kushina, Kurama, and the unstoppable engine of Aperture at his side. The old world would either adapt or die, and Naruto, bridging life and death through the Shinigami's contract, would ensure that no more false gods or immortals overshadowed a future built on knowledge, compassion, and innovation.

  When dawn arrived, the city outside would awaken to more rumors of imminent change. But Naruto slept soundly, his st conscious thought a gentle resolve: tomorrow, he and his family would continue building the foundation of a better world. If that meant facing more remnants of the past, so be it. He was ready, carrying the warmth of unity in his heart and the potency of reiryoku, ki, and Aperture's technology in his hands. Kakuzu's defeat was only one step among many, but it resonated like a crion that a new day had dawned for the Elemental Nations—one lit by Aperture's glowing promise and the unwavering bonds of Naruto's ever-growing family.

  AN:

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