"I want to hear that answer. Kushina would be very happy."
Mikoto gave a slight smile. Although considering their ages, it was a bit early for Minato and Kushina to be in such a relationship.
But anyone could see that they had eyes only for each other, and nothing could ever change that.
Underneath her words was actually a hint of envy—something she herself probably hadn't even realized.
"Thank you," Minato replied with a light smile. He couldn't help but notice the emotions Mikoto was letting slip.
He glanced sideways and noticed Fugaku still following behind Mikoto.
Back when Minato had feelings for Kushina, he had done the same thing. And truth be told, this behavior was somewhat... creepy.
But clearly, Fugaku himself hadn't realized it, so Minato didn't say anything either.
The relationship between these two was destined as well.
"Let's go back. It's getting late." After finishing his meal, Minato stood up leisurely.
Mikoto didn't even bother to nod before leaving.
With several flashes, the two figures vanished into the trees.
Several days later, when the battle reports from this confrontation in the Valley were presented in the offices of both nations' Kage, the scenes were completely different.
Inside the Hokage Office in Konoha,
After the Third Hokage finished reading the report written by Minato, a faint sense of satisfaction brushed through his heart. On his face, already showing some wrinkles, a smile appeared.
"Well done."
Orochimaru and Tsunade had fought Chiyo to a stalemate. While this outcome might not sound like a victory in any way, the Third knew how precious such an achievement truly was.
Chiyo was a ninja from his own generation, while Tsunade and Orochimaru were younger. For the latter pair to accomplish this was already extremely remarkable.
Moreover, Tsunade had completely neutralized Chiyo's poisons.
This meant that in the not-so-distant future, Konoha would see a female kunoichi rise—someone whose mastery of medical ninjutsu and sheer strength could rival, maybe even outmatch, Chiyo's.
She would become the role model and inspiration for every female ninja across the Ninja World.
Not to mention Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo Hatake—these four individuals would one day rise to become S-rank ninja equal to the various Kage across the countries.
At that time, Konoha would enter a new golden age of unmatched power—the likes of which hadn't been seen since its founding. While this strength might not match the overwhelming dominance of the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha—who once ruled the entire Ninja World—it would still be enough to send shivers through the other four great ninja nations.
"No… perhaps there would be more than just those four…"
The Third mumbled quietly afterward. The talent displayed by Minato surpassed even these four before him, though he was still young.
Based on his current growth rate, the Third didn't find it strange at all if Minato eventually caught up to—or even surpassed—Tsunade and the others.
After all, this kid was already developing his own S-rank ninja technique—Ultimate Art—at his age.
He might become Konoha's second Ninjutsu Master. Thinking thus, the Third raised his head, directing his gaze toward a framed photograph hanging high above—featuring that silver-haired man.
Minato and the Second Hokage did share many similarities...
At that time, the Second Hokage was unrivaled in the ninja world, save for the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara.
"Fastest in the Ninja World"—this title was no exaggeration.
Yet as soon as this thought crossed his mind, the Third Hokage clenched his fists tightly, as if recalling that fateful night years ago.
In an instant, his voice—laced with killing intent—rippled through the air alongside chakra.
"Cloud Village..."
...
The Second Great Ninja War had already been raging for over a year. In addition to Leaf's invasion of Wind Country, another war had broken out between two other members among the Five Great Ninja Nations elsewhere in the world.
Earth Country was a land covered entirely by desolate cliffs and rocky wastelands.
At the base of one such mountain, signs of a recent brutal battle still remained—numerous ninja corpses scattered everywhere.
However, the victorious side seemed too lazy to clean up. On the opposite slope stood simple temporary camps.
Inside one of the tents, high-ranking officers from Cloud Village gathered.
As the battlefield report arrived from afar and slammed onto the table, these dark-skinned strong men couldn't help but burst into raucous laughter.
This report detailed everything that had happened since Leaf's invasion into Wind Country.
Even the theft of the Desert's Sorrow was briefly mentioned.
This alone proved how capable Cloud's intelligence network truly was. After all, this event occurred within Sand Village—Leaf would naturally not leak it. The Third Kazekage treated it as a disgrace beyond measure and swiftly shut down all related information.
But there is no secret that stays buried forever; the Five Great Ninja Nations have each maintained their power for so long precisely because they possess unique strengths.
"Chiyo really isn't what she used to be... ending up in a mutual stalemate against Minato Namikaze, the Third Hokage's disciple. Haha."
A dark-skinned giant named Daichi laughed loudly—he was the commander of the Cloud forces, younger brother of the Third Raikage, and second only to the Raikage himself within the village.
He was also a contemporary of Chiyo, equally powerful back in his prime.
"Being infiltrated by enemy ninjas and having a treasure stolen—that's even more shameful. That Third Kazekage must not be that impressive after all," another voice added—it was Ryo Yagura.
Ryo Yagura, however, for some unknown reason, saw reflected in his eyes the image of someone carrying a short blade, involuntarily tightening his fists.
"Namikaze Minato..."
At this moment, a dark young man stared at the unfamiliar name written on the report, slightly lost in thought.
Normally, reports of this level would only mention specific names if the ninja involved held certain importance.
Clearly, the name Namikaze Minato was completely foreign to the Cloud Village.
It was only now that Ryo Yagura noticed this previously overlooked name, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.
"It's actually *that* kid?" he exclaimed.
Upon hearing this, the dark-skinned youth named Daigo asked curiously, "You know him?"
Ryo Yagura nodded and explained, "Back when I was on that mission in Hot Springs Country, there was a kid named Minato Namikaze who was part of Sakumo Hatake's team that blocked me. But that guy—at most—should only be about eleven or twelve years old by now—I doubt it's the same person."
He had spent most of his time fighting against Sakumo back then. Regarding the name "Minato," he only had a vague impression, and naturally didn't know the surname at all.
Thus, he immediately dismissed it — nothing in that battle report looked like something a child that age could pull off.
Kumogakure had collected intel on the war in the Land of Wind, but they'd overlooked Minato's age.
What was written in that report — no one would've believed it unless they saw it themselves.
Therefore, after briefly glancing at the name "Minato Namikaze," Daigo stopped paying attention.
However, this future Fourth Raikage had no way of knowing — the name he brushed off at first glance would one day haunt him and all of Kumogakure as their worst nightmare...
...
...
I've uploaded ten chapters today, but even after counting, it's still not enough to make up for the missed ones. After writing twenty thousand words straight, I'm dizzy and completely wiped out — all I want is to get off the computer now.
There may be another update tonight, or there may not, but I'll continue making up chapters tomorrow.
That's all for now. See you tomorrow.
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