Late at night, Namikaze Minato lay quietly in bed. Looking at Kushina sleeping peacefully beside him, a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Kushina was someone he had liked since childhood. In his eyes, the fact that they had ended up together was a gift from heaven.
Minato had always considered himself fortunate—ever since he was young.
His childhood friend from school had become his wife. Later, one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, had become his teacher and taught him countless lessons.
Not only ninjutsu, but also how to live as a person—and what it meant to be a shinobi.
Jiraiya was undoubtedly the person he respected most. Without question.
Beyond that, since childhood he had held a dream—
To become Hokage.
And now that dream had come true.
Moreover, he had become the youngest Kage in the history of Konoha—and perhaps in the entire shinobi world.
Such good fortune sometimes felt unreal to him. Everything was something he treasured deeply.
"…Sigh."
Thinking this, Minato let out a soft sigh.
He was indeed fortunate.
But after becoming Hokage, that sense of fortune had been shaken.
Only now did he realize how naïve he had once been.
His earlier success had not been due to luck alone—it had also been shaped by the era he lived in and the protection of his teacher.
After becoming Hokage, he had seen another side of the world.
Even though he had only begun to encounter it, he had already discovered many things he once could not have imagined.
Many matters could no longer be judged simply as "right" or "wrong."
More often, decisions had to align with "interests" and "positions."
For example—earlier today, after Natsuhiko left, Minato had tentatively drafted a proposal concerning the Uchiha clan.
He had always been aware of the tension between the Uchiha and the village. From the standpoint of Hokage, he had long been considering how to help them return fully to Konoha's fold.
This draft was a test.
He wanted to see how the Third Hokage's faction would react to such a decision.
At the same time, he wanted to observe the Uchiha's response.
However, before he even received any reaction from the Uchiha—
That very afternoon, his draft was rejected outright.
To put it simply, the document barely passed through the Administrative Department before it was interfered with and sent back.
"The Hokage's job is even more troublesome than I imagined…"
Minato sighed inwardly.
Still, he didn't allow himself to show too much emotion. Many things had to be handled slowly and carefully.
For instance—
That child, Natsuhiko.
Minato truly hoped Natsuhiko could do something.
Based on Kakashi's reports, Minato had found himself thinking deeply about many matters.
And Natsuhiko's current position in the ANBU fit Minato's expectations very well.
He possessed solid strength.
He was Kakashi's former classmate—and now his captain.
And he was also a squad captain within the ANBU.
If someone like him could assist from inside the ANBU—even relay certain internal situations—that would be far more helpful than Kakashi.
After all, Kakashi was Minato's disciple.
Because of that relationship, he could never truly integrate into the ANBU in a complete sense.
Therefore, Minato genuinely needed someone who fully belonged to the ANBU—
Someone who had been there long enough.
"Hm?"
At that moment, Namikaze Minato's brow suddenly furrowed slightly.
He had sensed that his Flying Thunder God mark had been activated!
This situation puzzled him somewhat. Who had activated his mark? Especially since the method of activation was anything but ordinary.
This particular way of triggering it not only allowed the Flying Thunder God Technique to function normally, but also made it possible to determine the location of the person who had inscribed the mark.
Whoever activated this... understands the mechanics of the Flying Thunder God.
Minato thought to himself. He quickly got out of bed and put on his outer robe.
At the same time, he carefully sensed which of his marks had been triggered. Soon, however, his expression turned strange.
Because the Flying Thunder God mark that had been activated was not one of the ones he had placed in his usual locations.
Instead, it was in a very remote corner of Konoha.
Understanding the seal... at midnight... in the most remote part of the village...
In that instant, Minato seemed to have a guess.
There was only one person who fit those conditions.
Thinking this, Minato glanced at Kushina, who was still asleep, then quietly walked toward the living room.
As he moved, chakra gathered within him. The moment he stepped into the living room, his chakra activated silently.
In the next instant, his figure vanished from the house.
When he reappeared, he found himself standing in a forest.
At his feet lay a scroll on sealing techniques.
And before him stood a silver-haired youth dressed in ANBU attire, wearing a mask.
"Nightingale…" Minato sighed softly. "Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call you Natsuhiko-kun. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Actually, Hokage-sama, calling me Senju Natsuhiko would also be fine."
Natsuhiko's voice remained gentle and respectful as always.
"I didn't expect you to state your surname so directly," Minato said seriously as he looked at him. "It seems you've already guessed quite a few things."
Natsuhiko did not respond verbally.
But the eyes visible beneath his mask were calm.
He had indeed guessed many things—perhaps he had understood them long ago.
There was no way Konoha was unaware of his true identity. He had suspected that for a long time. The only question had been whether they were willing to pierce that thin veil.
This meeting with Minato was meant to gain more.
And if he wanted more, he had to show sufficient sincerity.
But how could he demonstrate sincerity?
Natsuhiko was no fool. He couldn't possibly reveal that he was a transmigrator—or that he possessed some kind of cheat ability.
Such matters were secrets he would bury for life.
Since that was the case, the best choice was to reveal something he had been hiding—but that Konoha already knew.
That he was from the Senju clan.
The Senju clan's decline had forced them into obscurity. Now, by openly acknowledging the identity he had kept hidden, Natsuhiko had shown more than enough sincerity.
"Being honest—whether toward myself or toward Hokage-sama—is a form of respect."
Natsuhiko maintained a faint smile and bowed slightly.
"Hokage-sama, I look forward to your guidance."
"I understand, Natsuhiko-kun."
Minato let out a soft sigh, then nodded.
"In that case… I look forward to working with you as well."