While Minato and his son cultivated a harmonious training atmosphere, the atmosphere in the Hokage Office Building had dropped to freezing point.
"Danzo is dead..."
In the conference room, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat opposite the two advisors.
Holding his pipe, Hiruzen's expression was grim.
The death of a friend of decades left him with complex emotions.
Worse still, he couldn't even hold anyone accountable. Minato would be the one causing them trouble if they tried.
"He single-handedly destroyed the entire Root organization. This child's strength far surpasses our imagination," Mitokado Homura said with a sigh. "Let him die. At least he contributed to the village."
The observer sees more clearly than the participant.
Hiruzen needed Danzo as his dark glove, and due to their friendship, he had repeatedly indulged Danzo's excessive actions.
But from the advisors' perspective, Danzo's extreme personality made him entirely unsuitable for a high-ranking position.
Hiruzen was indecisive and not a good Hokage, but at least he could distinguish right from wrong and maintain a minimum of rationality in his judgment—qualities essential for those in power.
In contrast, Danzo practically had "self-interest" carved into his face.
If it had been Sarutobi Hiruzen who died, they might have shed a few tears.
Danzo's death left Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu largely unmoved, even prompting a few sarcastic remarks.
Their only real concern was Minato's attitude.
Seeing that he showed no intention of holding them accountable, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"We should avoid provoking him further," Utatane Koharu said with a barely perceptible sigh. "And Hiruzen, it's time to reveal Naruto's true parentage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "I know, but this responsibility—"
"Let's shift the blame to Danzo," Koharu replied calmly. "Given his personality, I refuse to believe he wasn't involved in the leak of the Jinchūriki information."
Involved?
Hiruzen's expression grew complex.
He understood the unspoken implications of her words but said nothing more.
After the two Advisors left, a public announcement was posted on the bulletin board outside the Hokage Office Building.
"What? Naruto's the Fourth Hokage's son?"
News of the revelation spread like wildfire through the village.
"Did you hear? That brat—"
"I never thought the Fourth Generation would personally seal the Nine-Tailed Beast inside him."
"They say the Fourth wanted Naruto to become the village's hero, but everyone—sigh, let's not even go there."
"Haha, good thing I never gave that kid the cold shoulder."
The village was abuzz with discussions about Naruto's true identity.
When combined with yesterday's rumors about the Fourth Hokage's revival, the truth became even more elusive and perplexing.
Some felt guilty and remorseful, others stubbornly clung to their old beliefs, and many remained indifferent.
As evening approached, Minato and Naruto finished their training and walked through the streets, clearly noticing the change in the villagers' gazes.
"This is weird—"
Naruto tilted his head, observing the expressions of the people along the road. "Why does the atmosphere feel so strange today?"
"Oh? What's so strange about it?"
Minato wanted to see if Naruto could deduce anything from this.
"Hmm—usually everyone treats me like I'm invisible, but today they're actually looking at me."
Naruto rested his hands behind his head and gazed up at the sky. "Their eyes are weird too, not like usual—like they're looking at trash."
"..."
Hearing Naruto's words, Minato felt a pang in his heart.
This was, after all, a Naruto from a parallel timeline.
If his own son were treated this way, Minato's personality would have compelled him to leave Konoha with a parting gift.
"It's probably because your identity as the Fourth Hokage's son has been revealed. Many people might start accepting you soon. How does that feel?"
Minato watched Naruto's reaction closely.
"Hmm..."
Naruto tilted his head, pondered seriously for a while, and suddenly flashed Minato a bright, cheerful smile.
"It doesn't really feel like much, to be honest. If it were before, I probably would have jumped for joy. But—after meeting you, Minato, I suddenly feel like it doesn't matter as much anymore."
"And—you were so different before, but now you're like this... Hmm—I can't quite explain it, but you get it, right? You should get it, right?"
"Yes, yes, yes, I get it, I get it—"
Watching Naruto gesture animatedly, Minato chuckled silently.
"How should I put it?"
Naruto gently pressed his right hand to his left chest, lost in thought.
"After finding out you're my dad, it's like—my chest feels filled with something. I don't need anything else to prove myself anymore. I feel full of strength all over, and I can clearly feel my heartbeat, my own existence."
"I'm not good with words, so I can't explain it well, but I think you'll understand, Dad."
Not good with words—
Minato's heart had just been touched by Naruto's words, but when he heard this, he nearly burst out laughing again.
That's too modest. The Talk-no-Jutsu Bloodline Limit is no joke.
Just as I was about to say something, a voice called out from behind.
"Huh? Isn't that Naruto? Naruto—"
We turned around to see a girl with long, light-gold hair waving at Naruto.
She had the same blonde hair and blue eyes as him, and was quite pretty. She wore a crop top and a short, slit skirt, but the areas that would normally be exposed were wrapped in bandages.
Behind her followed two boys, one on each side. The one on the left had a pineapple haircut and a listless expression. The one on the right was a chubby kid, clutching a bag of chips and munching as he walked.
No doubt about it, this must be the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Choji—Naruto's generation's Ino-Shika-Cho.
"Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked, surprised to see them.
"What do you mean, 'what are we doing here'? I should be the one asking you that!" Ino strode over to Naruto, hands on her hips, and pointed at him. "You've been skipping class for the past few days, haven't you?"
As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously drifted to Minato standing beside Naruto.
Noticing her gaze, Minato nodded gently, a warm smile on his face.
When Ino got a clear look at his handsome features, she froze slightly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
She immediately pulled Naruto aside, her voice filled with shock: "Who is this guy? Your brother? Younger brother? Some distant relative? Spill it!"
"Huh?"
Naruto stiffened. It was hard to admit that this eight-year-old version of Minato was his father.
Brother or younger brother? That was even more absurd!
After a moment's thought, he settled on "relative" and laughed it off. "He's... a distant relative of mine, I guess? Haha—"
Hmm—
After all, he was his father from a parallel world, so "distant" and "relative" both fit!
"Huh?"
Ino exclaimed in amazement, "You have such a handsome relative? You're both blonde with blue eyes, so why is he so good-looking while you're so... goofy?"
Naruto's face twisted in frustration. "How should I know?"
"Never mind that."
Ino took a deep breath, her tone turning serious. "Tell me his name. Where does he live? Does he have a girlfriend?"
Naruto: "???"
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