At the gates of Konoha, the warm autumn sun bathed the road in golden light.
Villagers, already informed of the front lines' decisive victory, had gathered spontaneously along both sides of the road, their numbers stretching from the village entrance all the way to the Hokage Building.
News of the front lines' overwhelming triumph had spread quickly, amplified by Sarutobi Hiruzen's deliberate efforts to promote the victory. The return of the front-line forces was the talk of the village.
Among the crowds lining the road, ninjas mingled with civilians. Excited children squeezed through the throng, craning their necks to peer toward the road beyond the village gates.
Kushina, holding Nonou's hand, desperately pushed to the front of the crowd, her eyes shining with anticipation as she gazed toward the gates.
"Did you hear? He's returning with the troops this time!"
"Ah, Namikaze Minato—I came just to catch a glimpse of him!"
"They say he was only eight years old when he single-handedly defeated the vanguard forces of Sunagakure and Iwa, and even took down the Third Kazekage!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Children lined the roadside, holding crookedly scrawled banners that read "Welcome Our Hero Home!" Girls around Kushina's age chattered animatedly, their voices punctuated by occasional squeals of excitement.
"Those fangirls..." Kushina pouted. It was obvious they were all here to see Minato.
Nonou, standing beside her, smiled. "What can you do? Minato's exploits are so legendary."
Kushina's cheeks puffed out in displeasure. "But you're not like that, Nonou!"
That's because I'm letting you have him, my dear sister!
Nonou smiled without speaking.
Though she harbored strong feelings for Minato, she cherished her friendship with Kushina even more. Especially after Kushina had unhesitatingly shielded her during that dangerous incident. She could never do anything to hurt her.
With Kushina's naivety, a little manipulation would have been enough to make the foolish girl willingly give Minato up.
As the team's silhouette finally appeared at the end of the road, the crowd fell silent for a moment.
Then, cheers erupted like a tidal wave.
"They're back! They're back!"
"Look! Lady Tsunade's at the front!"
"Is that Nawaki? Hey—Nawaki!"
On the roadside, Nara Shikaku and his friends waved to Nawaki from a distance.
Seeing them, Nawaki puffed out his chest proudly and waved back.
"That guy's really showing off, huh? Being on the battlefield really changes a person," Shikaku said with a smile.
"Sister Tsunade!"
Kushina waved to Tsunade, who nodded back with a smile.
Kushina then nodded to Nawaki, who was waving at her, and continued scanning the group for a certain figure she'd missed dearly. "Where's Minato? Didn't he come back with you all?"
Nawaki: "—"
That Minato-obsessed brain!
I'm his older brother, for goodness' sake!
Not just Kushina, but many others were eagerly searching the group, their eyes finally settling on a striking golden figure at the end of the procession.
It was a boy who still looked quite young.
His golden hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight, his azure eyes were clear and gentle, and his face still held the lingering innocence of youth.
He wore a white, high-collared haori on his upper body and walked with composed steps at the end of the procession.
Beside him walked a black-haired, black-eyed girl with delicate features.
The two walked side-by-side at the end of the procession, looking perfectly matched.
"Is that... Namikaze Minato?" a middle-aged ninja murmured in the crowd, his eyes wide with disbelief. "He just looks like an ordinary kid..."
"Ah! He's so handsome!"
At the first sight of his face, many girls felt their hearts captured.
"Eight years old... When I was eight, I was still playing ninja games with my friends."
"My son is twelve and can't even use the Three Body Technique properly..."
A cacophony of gasps, murmurs, and cheers filled the air, the boisterous and lively din echoing through Konoha.
Minato walked among the crowd, feeling the gazes of the crowd from all directions. He maintained a gentle smile, though the tips of his ears turned slightly red.
Mikoto walked beside him and lightly touched his arm. "Everyone's staring at you."
"It's a bit overwhelming," Minato replied softly, his eyes scanning the excited crowd lining the road as he searched for Kushina's figure.
"Lord Minato—"
A group of girls around Minato's age stood at the front of the crowd, and when they saw him, they let out a collective, excited scream.
"Heh, what did I tell you?" Mikoto said, her expression one of "I knew it." She unconsciously leaned closer to Minato, as if silently staking her claim.
Sensing Mikoto's possessive aura, Minato chuckled awkwardly and suddenly his gaze landed on a striking red-haired figure at the far end of the crowd.
"Kushina!"
Minato's eyes lit up as he waved at her.
"Minato!"
Kushina's eyes reddened. Though in reality, Minato hadn't been gone that long, she had felt utterly alone since his departure. Even with Nonou and Grandma Mito keeping her company, nothing could fill that deep void in her heart.
Suppressing the urge to rush forward and embrace him, Kushina's gaze suddenly swept over Mikoto standing beside him.
They're too close!
The thought flashed through her mind, her instincts immediately sensing something amiss between them. But the fleeting suspicion was quickly swept away by the joy of reunion as she saw Minato smiling at her, waving at her.
Nonou's gaze also paused briefly, observing the shoulders of Minato and Mikoto, which were nearly touching.
That distance has crossed the boundary of friendship!
Nonou's gaze fell on Mikoto's face, and she noticed the exquisite features, her breath catching slightly.
How beautiful!
And her demeanor is so refined!
Judging by Minato's expression, he doesn't seem to think anything is wrong with this?
What is he thinking?
Though puzzled, Nonou realized this wasn't the time to dwell on such matters. She pushed her doubts aside for the moment.
Mikoto naturally noticed Kushina as well. Seeing the radiant smile on the other woman's face, Mikoto slightly suppressed her own smile, her mood growing complex.
As the group headed toward the Hokage Building, Kushina bid farewell to Nonou and returned to Mito's residence. She knew that after their return, they would visit Grandma Mito first.
As expected, before long, Tsunade knocked on Mito's door, followed by Minato and Nawaki.
"Grandma, we're back!"
Uzumaki Mito sat by the bed, her kind eyes sweeping over their faces.
"It's good that you're back, good that you're back—"
She nodded with a smile, her eyes full of relief and satisfaction.
"Minato—"
Seeing the face she had longed for, Kushina could no longer restrain her emotions and threw herself into Minato's arms.
Minato caught Kushina's "rocket headbutt" and gently patted her back, soothing her.
"I'm back!"
"Mmm, welcome home!"
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