While Naruto was on a mission with Kakashi and the others, Minato Namikaze had received treatment. Although his body hadn't fully recovered, he was able to move around a bit.
During his stay at the Ninja Hospital, many people came to visit Minato every day, which deeply moved him.
After twelve years in a coma, there were still so many who remembered him and hadn't forgotten him.
Even children born during that time already knew all about his deeds as the Fourth Hokage.
This made Minato more certain than ever that his decision had been right. Though he felt guilty toward Naruto and Miyuki, protecting Konoha had been worth it.
Accompanied by Shikaku Nara, Minato walked through the village.
His muscles had weakened from disuse, so Minato walked slowly. From time to time, people around him warmly greeted him, and he politely responded to each one.
They reached the Hokage Rock.
Looking down at Konoha, Minato sighed in admiration, "Konoha has changed so much... It's really growing and thriving."
Standing beside Minato, Shikaku smiled and said, "Yes, a lot has changed in Konoha during your absence these past twelve years."
Minato took a deep breath and couldn't help but smile. "Now I'm just waiting for Naruto to come back. We haven't seen each other in twelve years. I wonder what he looks like now. Back then, the last time I saw him, he was still a baby. So I can't even imagine how he would look today. Would he resemble Miyuki a lot?"
At this moment, Shikaku's expression immediately became slightly awkward.
He was well aware of what the Third Hokage had done.
In fact, Sarutobi had personally spoken to him, emphasizing that those events from twelve years ago must never be revealed to Minato. And during this time, while outwardly seeming to accompany and care for Minato closely, in reality, Shikaku was required to report daily to the Third Hokage.
The reports covered everything Minato had done and said, requiring thorough detail.
Though uneasy and pained inside, Shikaku had no choice but to follow Sarutobi's orders.
Trying to smile, Shikaku replied, "Naruto looks a lot like both of you."
"Is that so? He looks like me and Miyuki…"
Minato's heart swelled with anticipation for reuniting with Naruto.
At noon the following day,
Kakashi's team had reached the entrance to Konoha Village.
Sasuke and Sakura found Naruto's behavior over the past few days very strange.
After entering the Land of Fire, they both noticed that Naruto had grown extremely cold and distant — almost unreachable.
And the closer they got to Konoha, the calmer and gentler Naruto became, almost like a different person altogether.
Stretching lazily, Naruto said, "Back in Konoha at last. Time to finally get some real rest."
Naruto turned his head and glanced at Sasuke and Sakura. "What are you two staring at me for?"
Hesitating briefly, Sakura carefully asked, "Naruto, are you okay?"
Naruto grinned and said, "It's all good, believe me! Why would you think something's wrong with me, Sakura?"
Sakura responded, "Because earlier you seemed really angry, but now..."
Naruto explained, "Angry? Well, not exactly. I just couldn't shake the frustration over not killing that Rogue Mist Ninja our age during the fight. The longer I thought about it, the more wound up I got. But now that we're back in Konoha — which is a relief — my mood's improved."
Unaware of what had truly happened, Sakura easily believed Naruto's explanation. She comforted him, saying, "So that's it. You were already amazing back then, Naruto. Don't dwell on it too much."
Naruto nodded gratefully and said, "Thanks. I've moved past it now. That's what being a ninja's about — getting the mission done. As long as that's over and both of you — Sasuke and Sakura — are safe, then all's good."
Sakura hesitated, surprised that Naruto would say something like that. He really was a good guy who valued his companions.
Sasuke Uchiha narrowed his eyes. He felt that Naruto wasn't at all as simple as he appeared right now.
What if Zabuza and Haku hadn't really escaped at all?
If Chinya was indeed among those nine, could Zabuza and Haku realistically have escaped after fighting each other to the point of exhaustion?
Now inside Konoha, Sasuke had already begun questioning Zabuza and Haku's true identities.
As soon as Naruto stepped into Konoha, Nine-Tails warned him immediately — he was under surveillance.
To Naruto, this situation felt completely expected.
Minato Namikaze had awakened. Without a doubt, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group must've lied to Minato, telling him that Naruto had lived well in Konoha. They definitely wouldn't tell Minato the truth — how terribly he'd lived there, or that he had nearly been brainwashed into becoming a weapon of war.
Once they'd successfully convinced Minato, the next unstable factor would naturally be himself.
Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi was surely keeping constant watch over him now.
Kakashi led Naruto first to the Mission Hall inside the Hokage Tower to complete their mission report.
After finishing the mission submission, Kakashi told the three young ninjas, "You've all worked hard these past days. Now take a week off and rest before continuing with your next assignment."
Kakashi gave Naruto a meaningful glance, and Naruto glanced back at Kakashi, silently signaling that everything was okay.
Having spent years practicing deception, Naruto had long since become accustomed to wearing this mask effortlessly.
After disbanding Team Kakashi, Naruto walked home alone.
On his way back, he speculated whether Minato would come find him — and if so, when.
He found it quite troublesome because Hiruzen wouldn't ease off on the surveillance until Minato personally confirmed that he was fine. Otherwise, under such close watch, he wouldn't even be able to contact Uzumaki Miyuki via the ring.
Not long after Naruto returned to the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered some Anbu ninja to locate Shikaku Nara and instructed him to bring Minato Namikaze over.
A short while later.
Shikamaru Nara and Minato Namikaze arrived at the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly. "Minato, he's back."
Minato Namikaze hesitated for a moment before replying with excitement. "Is it Naruto Uzumaki?"
Hiruzen nodded with a smile. "Yes, Naruto Uzumaki just returned with Kakashi to submit a mission report. As soon as I found out, I immediately sent Anbu ninja to find you and Shikamaru, although I forgot that you're not able to get around easily right now. He should have already gone home by now."
"Great news! I'm heading over to see him right away."
Minato Namikaze was eager to finally meet the grown Naruto Uzumaki.
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