"Mm!"
Kushina sighed softly as she rested her head against Minato's chest, her cheek pressing against his uniform.
"It must have been so hard for you all this time," she murmured, her voice filled with quiet concern.
Minato's name, Konoha's Yellow Flash, was now known across the ninja world, a title spoken with both awe and fear. But every time Kushina heard news of his feats, her heart trembled.
His opponents in recent battles—the Fourth Kazekage, Yotsuki Ai, and Killer B—were among the most powerful shinobi of their time. Each encounter was a clash not only of skill but of raw power. Even the beasts they controlled, the Eight-Tails and One-Tail, were kin to the Nine-Tails sealed within her. No matter how strong Minato was, Kushina knew the risks he faced.
To the world, Minato was a hero. But to Kushina, he was the man she loved, and every victory was paid for with danger and sacrifice.
Her words, simple yet heartfelt, struck a chord deep within Minato. His steady demeanor wavered for just a moment as a tremor passed through him.
The ninja world might celebrate his achievements, but none of that mattered to Minato. All he wanted was to end the war, protect Konoha, and return to the person who meant the most to him.
"I know," Minato replied softly, his voice warm. "You've had your burdens to bear too."
The war's weight was immense, suffocating even the strongest ninja. But Minato knew Kushina had faced her own struggles in the village, shouldering fears and responsibilities as he fought on the front lines.
Kushina stepped back, her eyes shining as she offered him a small smile. "It's not easy to have you home, even for a little while. You should rest."
Minato nodded, and together they walked into their home.
After taking a long shower to wash away the grime and blood of countless battles, Minato emerged in a fresh set of ninja attire. Though the war had momentarily quieted, the possibility of renewed conflict loomed large. Minato needed to be ready to rejoin the battlefield at a moment's notice.
As he sat in their living room, the warm smell of cooking filled the house. Kushina was busy preparing lunch, the atmosphere lighter and more peaceful than Minato had felt in weeks.
"I'm going to the Uchiha compound to pick up Itachi," Kushina said as she worked. "Mikoto asked me to look after him while she's away. You haven't seen him in a while, have you?"
Minato smiled at the thought of the young Uchiha boy. Both he and Kushina were fond of Itachi, whose intelligence and maturity belied his age.
"Don't worry about it," Minato said, gently placing a hand on Kushina's shoulder. "I'll go. You stay and finish cooking. I'll bring him back soon."
Before Kushina could protest, Minato vanished in a flicker of yellow light.
Within moments, Minato appeared at the gate of the Uchiha compound. Two guards stood at their posts, one of them a young teenager who immediately stepped forward, his tone sharp and laced with arrogance.
"This is the Uchiha clan's territory. Outsiders are not allowed to enter."
Minato chuckled lightly, his calm demeanor unshaken. But before the boy could press further, the older guard beside him quickly intervened.
"Minato-sama, you're back!"
The elder guard's respectful tone stunned the younger one, who froze as he realized who was standing before him.
"Yellow Flash... Minato Namikaze?" the boy murmured, his eyes wide as they darted to Minato's golden hair and calm, confident presence.
Minato smiled kindly. "Mikoto asked Kushina to look after Itachi while she's away. I'm here to bring him home for lunch."
The younger guard stiffened, his earlier bravado replaced by awe. "O-of course, Minato-sama!"
The elder guard quickly added, "Please, let us fetch Itachi for you—"
Minato shook his head gently. "That's not necessary. I'll find him myself, if that's alright with you?"
The two guards exchanged glances before nodding. Before they could even finish, a flash of yellow light marked Minato's disappearance.
Minato reappeared outside the Uchiha residence, his senses quickly pinpointing Itachi's presence in the courtyard.
There, a small figure stood with a black cloth tied around his eyes. Targets were scattered around the courtyard, and in his tiny hands, the young boy gripped several shuriken.
With a smooth motion, Itachi threw the shuriken.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sound of metal slicing through the air filled the space. Of the six shuriken, four hit their marks, while the remaining two fell short.
Minato's eyes narrowed in surprise. The two stray shuriken had missed only because of Itachi's lack of physical strength. If the boy had been stronger, all six would have struck their targets.
He's only two years old… and blindfolded.
Minato watched as Itachi calmly removed the black cloth from his eyes, his small hands forming seals with an ease that belied his age. A faint ripple of chakra emanated from his tiny frame.
"Already refining chakra?" Minato murmured, his heart stirring with admiration.
The only child Minato had ever seen begin chakra refinement at such a young age was Kakashi, his prodigious student. Kakashi had set an unprecedented record at the academy, one later matched only by Uchiha Shisui.
And now, here was Itachi—barely two years old—already displaying a level of talent that rivaled or even surpassed them.
Minato's gaze softened as he watched the boy practice, his movements deliberate and focused. Itachi's potential was extraordinary, a shining beacon of promise for the future of the Uchiha clan.
"Fugaku and Mikoto must be proud," Minato thought, a small smile forming on his lips.
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