Minato Namikaze could hardly wait to see Naruto Uzumaki.
Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded him, "Minato, it's not yet the right time for the villagers to know about this. For now, let only Naruto know. Give him—and the village—time to gradually accept it. After all, if everyone finds out, Naruto won't be able to go on missions like a regular ninja anymore."
Minato nodded. "I understand, Third Hokage. I'll be careful."
"Shikaku Nara, assist Minato and make sure he is properly taken care of."
"Yes."
Shikaku Nara sighed inwardly. Why did this end up on his shoulders?
...
At Naruto Uzumaki's home.
Naruto Uzumaki was preparing dinner.
Ever since Chinya once said that every powerful ninja has a huge appetite, Naruto had always made sure to eat well and maintain a balanced, nutritious diet—never resorting to instant ramen or anything similarly unhealthy.
As a result, Naruto Uzumaki was now slightly taller than Sasuke Uchiha.
"He's here!"
The Nine-Tails' voice abruptly echoed in Naruto's mind, filled with obvious disdain.
After all, it was Minato Namikaze who had split the fox into Yin and Yang halves and [sealed] them within both Naruto Uzumaki and Miyuki Uzumaki.
Naruto paused mid-rinse, then resumed as if nothing had happened.
Whatever. In fact, Naruto was secretly hoping Minato would show up soon.
Before long, someone knocked on the door.
"Coming."
Shaking the water off his hands, Naruto opened the door and saw Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara standing outside.
Seeing Naruto face-to-face at last, Minato stared intently, unable to look away, almost entranced.
Naruto glanced at Minato first, then turned to Shikaku Nara beside him. "Shikaku, do you need something? And who is this?"
Shikaku shot a quick glance at Minato, noticing he was still lost in thought. He then said to Naruto, "Let's talk inside, Naruto."
"Sure. Come in."
Naruto stepped aside to let Shikaku Nara and Minato enter.
Still dazed, Minato only murmured a reply when Shikaku gently called, "Minato, we're going in."
"Huh? Oh... Right."
Supported by Shikaku Nara, Minato entered the house and sat down on a chair.
Naruto took a seat across from Minato and Shikaku Nara, studying Minato curiously before asking, "Shikaku, who is this exactly? He looks unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar. I'm pretty sure I've never seen him around the village before... Wait, he looks just like The Fourth on the Hokage Rock!"
Naruto asked innocently.
Just as Shikaku Nara was about to explain, Minato himself spoke up first:
"Actually, I am The Fourth."
Seeing that Minato Namikaze had already answered the question himself, Shikaku Nara felt relieved. There was probably nothing more for him to do here now since Minato had already taken charge.
Naruto Uzumaki frowned. "Hey, what's going on with you? The Fourth Hokage already sacrificed his life to protect Konoha! You're saying you're the Fourth Hokage? You think you can pull one over on me like I'm some idiot? Come on, Lord Shikaku, you haven't actually fallen for such a dumb trick, right?"
In Naruto's opinion, this guy was probably just using his slight resemblance to the Fourth to try pulling off some scam.
Shikaku tugged at his lips slightly. Calling Minato a con artist—probably only Naruto would think something like that.
Still, Shikaku could understand why Naruto would be skeptical. After all, Naruto had been out on missions most of the time and hadn't yet heard about Minato's reappearance, so it made sense for him to doubt Minato's identity.
Minato spoke with a wry smile: "Naruto, I truly am the Fourth Hokage. And I didn't die—I simply fell into a deep coma for quite a long time. To protect me, the Third announced my death at the time.
I never expected to remain unconscious for twelve whole years. The Third officially announced my return just recently, so you can check into it if you want to confirm."
Naruto stared in shock, mouth hanging open. "Y-you really are the Fourth Hokage? Lord Shikaku, is this actually true?"
Shikaku nodded. "It is true. You can confirm directly with the Third whenever you want, Naruto."
Suddenly standing up excitedly, Naruto exclaimed joyfully, "Whoa! I'm actually seeing the living Fourth Hokage! Fourth Hokage-sama, I'm such a huge fan of yours! I've always looked up to you so much!"
Hearing Naruto say he was his fan, Minato felt genuine happiness in his heart.
Looking at Naruto with both guilt and warmth in his eyes, Minato said, "Since I woke up, I've been longing to meet my son who's now grown up. Finally, I get to see you—it makes me incredibly happy."
Curious, Naruto asked, "Eh? Does the Fourth Hokage-sama have a son? Who is he?"
Minato didn't speak but kept staring directly at Naruto.
Naruto shifted from curiosity to suspicion, until finally shock overtook him.
He whispered, "No… Could it be…"
Minato firmly stated, "Naruto, I named you myself. You are my son."
Naruto seemed unable to accept it. He shook his head furiously. "No! That's impossible! How could the Fourth Hokage possibly be my father? If the Hokage were really my father, why would everyone hate me?
They all called me the Nine-Tails reincarnated. During our mission in the Land of Waves, I even confirmed the Nine-Tails is sealed inside me. I've even used its chakra in battle.
I've already accepted that I'm the fox, yet now you tell me I actually have a father—and he's none other than the Fourth Hokage who supposedly died protecting Konoha..."
Seeing Naruto like this filled Minato with deep guilt. Standing up, he placed both hands firmly on Naruto's shoulders.
Minato Namikaze looked seriously at Naruto Uzumaki and said, "Those in power chose not to tell you all of this to protect you. Because you're a Jinchuriki... and also my son, the Hokage. If your identity were revealed, many would target you, and you'd live constantly in danger.
That was why the Third chose to keep your identity hidden. Only by treating you as someone unimportant and hiding your true self could you stay safe. Only then could you live normally, going on missions like any other ninja."
Tears had already started flowing from Naruto Uzumaki's eyes as he stared blankly at Minato Namikaze. "What exactly is going on with that fox inside me?"
Minato Namikaze slightly lowered his head, unable to meet Naruto Uzumaki's gaze. "Inside you is a Tailed Beast called the Nine-Tails... I sealed it into you..."
Before Minato Namikaze could finish speaking, Naruto suddenly punched him in the gut.
Shikaku Nara widened his eyes in shock, finding it hard to believe what he was seeing.
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