Outside the Uchiha compound.
Minato glanced at Uchiha Shion and asked,
"What Sasuke said back there… was that something you taught him?"
Before Shion could answer, Minato smiled and nodded to himself.
"Actually, you were right. Without those sacrifices, there would be no Konoha—and no Hokage like me, either."
Shion smiled faintly.
"Lord Fourth, you and the previous generation are very different from each other."
"Oh?" Minato asked with curiosity.
"How so? Honestly, I'd really like to know how someone like you—a genius—views me as the Fourth Hokage."
Shion thought for a moment.
"When did you first learn that Orochimaru was using Konoha shinobi for human experiments?"
The words dropped heavily into the air. Silence.
When?
The truth was, Minato had known ever since one of his trusted ANBU, formerly from Root, reported to him. That was when Orochimaru's deeds had first come to light.
But back then…
Minato sighed.
"I knew quite early on. When I received reports about one of my subordinates' background, Orochimaru's actions came to my attention."
"But as the Third Hokage's disciple, and one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru had immense prestige in the village. You must've heard that he even once vied for the position of Hokage."
"In that situation, I could only trust a handful of my own ANBU. They had been investigating the location of his laboratory in secret for a long time."
He stopped, gazing down the empty street, waiting for Shion's response.
Even under flourishing trees, rotting roots can remain hidden.
Orochimaru, the hero of the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars—who would believe someone like him could sacrifice his fellow villagers for twisted experiments?
Even if the rumors were true, without catching him in the act, nothing could be proven.
And then… there was the bond of teacher and student with the Third Hokage.
Shion remembered what he'd seen in Orochimaru's laboratory, and how Minato had mobilized more than a dozen ANBU for that raid. Clearly, not all of them were from his own Sixth Squad. Meanwhile, Hiruzen had sent only two ANBU.
Suddenly, things became clearer in Shion's mind.
"I believe in you, Lord Fourth."
Hearing this, Minato smiled. In the blink of an eye, his body flickered away with the Flying Thunder God.
Shion looked around once, then turned back toward the Uchiha compound and went home.
Inside Uchiha Mikoto's home.
The two women—long-separated friends—were finally reunited and overjoyed. After Minato and Shion left, they relaxed even more. Mikoto even brought out two jars of sake from the back room.
"Cheers!"
Their small cups clinked together, and both downed them in one go.
On the side, little Sasuke and Naruto exchanged puzzled glances. They couldn't understand why their mothers suddenly seemed so happy.
Naruto whispered, "What are they drinking? It looks good. Do you know where it is?"
Sasuke glanced toward the room Mikoto had just come out of. Quietly, he slipped inside, peeked out, and beckoned Naruto to follow.
Together, they sneaked into the back room.
Meanwhile, their mothers, caught up in drink and emotion, paid no attention. Mikoto wiped at her eyes, voice soft with sorrow.
"Ever since Fugaku passed, people in the clan have been saying all kinds of things. Only now, with you, can I finally speak my heart."
Kushina threw an arm around her friend with her usual bluntness.
"People spout nonsense, but… Fugaku really did suffer because of Naruto's birth. Mikoto… I'm sorry."
Mikoto shook her head gently.
"You're the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. You represent the village itself. Fugaku died for Konoha. I can accept that."
Her voice caught.
"It's just… Itachi and Sasuke…"
Yes. Itachi and Sasuke no longer had a father. Especially Sasuke—he was so young he could barely remember him at all.
Kushina sighed heavily and downed another cup. If I ever find the enemy from that night, I'll tear them apart bone by bone.
At that moment, two small heads at the doorway ducked back quickly.
In the back room, Sasuke plopped down on the floor, clutching the sake jar they had stolen. He ignored Naruto at his side.
Naruto, too young to understand the weight of what they'd overheard, looked lost. At just over three years old, his little head couldn't fully process the information.
"Sa… Sasuke…" Naruto's voice trembled.
Sasuke lifted his head slightly, his eyes bloodshot, fighting to keep the tears from falling.
"It's… because of you? Is that why I don't have a father…?"
His low voice broke the silence. He looked at the jar on the ground. Best friends, huh…?
Naruto suddenly snatched it up, pulled off the lid, and gulped down a mouthful.
"Cough, cough, cough!!"
He hacked and sputtered, tears and snot running together, then thrust the jar toward Sasuke.
"We're best friends!"
Sasuke slowly took the jar and drank just as deeply. Like Naruto, he broke into a fit of choking coughs.
Yeah… We're best friends.
The burning heat in his stomach dulled the trembling in his body. His head grew heavy, and before long, he drifted off to sleep.
Naruto followed soon after, the two boys collapsing into each other's arms.
Because of you… I lost my father. That's why… I owe you.
Night fell.
Kushina leaned against the doorframe, peeking in at the two boys sleeping in each other's arms.
Beside her, Mikoto—tipsy herself—suddenly froze when she spotted the sake jar next to them.
"They… drank?!"
Kushina picked it up and shook it lightly.
"It's fine. They only had a tiny bit. A night's sleep and they'll be good as new."
She slung an arm lazily around Mikoto's waist, her eyes hazy with drink as she looked at the children.
"Look at them… If one of them were a girl, wouldn't we be sending out wedding invitations tomorrow?"
Mikoto flushed and gave her a sharp nudge.
"Don't joke at a time like this. It's late already—Minato will worry if you don't go home."
Kushina waved dismissively.
"At this hour, who knows if Minato even made it home himself. You know, I once dreamed of being Hokage. But now? Being Hokage is way too exhausting."
Mikoto shoved her playfully, then picked up Naruto and handed him over.
"Alright, enough. Take him home."
Kushina sighed, then chuckled.
"At least tonight gave me the excuse I needed. From now on, I'll be visiting you often."
Mikoto nodded.
"The Uchiha situation is much better now. We'll be able to gather like this more often."
After sending Kushina and Naruto off, Mikoto returned, scooped up Sasuke, and tucked him into bed with the covers pulled snugly around him.
"From now on, get along with Naruto, Sasuke. Just like your mother and Aunt Kushina—we'll always be the best of friends."
.....
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