Naruto Uzumaki looked again at Minato Namikaze. There was no hatred in his eyes, only excitement.
His voice trembling slightly, Naruto asked, "You mentioned my mother just now... Who is she?"
Minato's eyes showed a trace of nostalgia as he spoke, "Your mother's name is Miyuki Uzumaki. She is a very strong and gentle woman."
"Is she... still alive?"
"She's still alive, although right now she isn't in Konoha. But I promise you, Naruto—someday I will bring her back. The three of us will reunite as a family."
There was an unwavering determination in Minato's eyes, almost like he was swearing an oath to Naruto.
Minato placed his hand gently on Naruto's head and said solemnly, "Naruto, the reason the Third kept this secret from you was for your own protection. He wanted you to grow up just like any other ninja. If your true identity were made public, you wouldn't be able to leave the village and carry out missions like a regular ninja anymore.
I hope you can understand my decision too. After all, we are ninjas of Konoha, and protecting our village is our duty."
Swallowing his inner discomfort, Naruto wiped his eyes and said, "Yeah… I guess being the Fourth Hokage's son wasn't exactly something I asked for."
Minato gave a sincere smile.
Then he reminded him, "Naruto, if the truth about you being my son came out now, you wouldn't be able to continue living a normal ninja life—you might never leave Konoha again.
Let's take it slow and let everyone gradually accept this truth. This way, we avoid many problems and allow you to keep carrying out missions like a regular ninja for the time being. So please, keep this secret for a while longer."
Naruto nodded slowly, "Alright, I understand. I'll be patient."
Pleased with his response, Minato said, "Seeing how much you've grown and how great you've become makes me so incredibly happy."
He gestured to the ninja sword at Naruto's waist and said, "Hey, have you been practicing sword techniques?"
Naruto grinned and replied, "Yeah! When I was a kid, I used to sneak around and watch Chinya train Uzumaki Sōnagi with those sword techniques. Then during this mission, I saw Kakashi-sensei using Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques, so I begged him to teach me. After learning from Kakashi-sensei, I quickly mastered Wind-Style Sword Techniques!"
Of course, sooner or later others would find out that Naruto had learned Wind-Style Sword Techniques. That's why Kakashi told Naruto he should always blame him for teaching it.
After all, many people in Konoha knew that Kakashi was Chinya's student, so it made sense that he could teach Naruto one of the Wind-Style Sword Techniques.
But there were still some parts Naruto himself needed to explain logically.
It simply wasn't believable that Naruto could learn a complete set of Wind-Style Sword Techniques in such a short time during his mission in the Land of Waves.
So Naruto explained that he had previously observed Chinya training both Uzumaki Sōnagi and Neji Hyuga. Using that as an excuse made the whole situation seem reasonable enough.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen already knew about secretly watching Chinya's training.
"Chinya... I see. It seems like you're a genius too, Naruto Uzumaki."
Minato Namikaze felt unsure when thinking about Chinya. Kushina Uzumaki and Uzumaki Miyuki were now very likely living together with Chinya.
Uzumaki Miyuki might already hate him now, and even if he found her, she might not return to Konoha with him.
After sighing deeply, Minato Namikaze smiled at Naruto Uzumaki and said, "The Chunin Exams in Konoha are coming soon. You might even enter the exams too, Naruto. Although my strength hasn't fully returned yet, I can still help you train. How about this—I'll coach you whenever you don't have missions over the next few days?"
"Of course! Thanks, Dad."
Naruto immediately agreed. After all, Minato Namikaze was currently Konoha's Hokage and once a renowned ninja across the Shinobi World. Having his guidance was exactly what Naruto wanted.
Minato Namikaze and Naruto Uzumaki talked for quite a while.
Although Naruto felt troubled inside, he still pretended to admire Minato greatly and listened attentively.
Now it had become evening. Minato exhaled deeply and said, "Well then, Naruto. It's getting late. I should go back first. I need to go to the Ninja Hospital for a check-up. I'll come tomorrow to visit you, and our training will begin from tomorrow onwards."
Hearing that Minato would leave and their training would start tomorrow, Naruto happily accepted with a beaming smile: "Okay, see you tomorrow, Dad."
"Sorry, Shikaku. I made you wait so long."
Shikaku Nara shook his head: "No need to worry about it. I'm happy to witness your father-son reunion. Let me help you leave."
Supporting Minato Namikaze, Shikaku Nara left Naruto Uzumaki's home.
After watching Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara leave, Naruto jumped around excitedly in the house: "I'm the Hokage's son! This is awesome!"
After being thrilled for quite some time, the Nine-Tails' voice came through: "Enough, no need to pretend anymore. The surveillance has disappeared."
Instantly, Naruto's face turned icy. He let out a bitter snort. "How utterly sickening."
The Nine-Tails mocked, "Heh, talking nonstop about loving you while never mentioning Konoha, claiming it's a ninja's duty. Were you really born a ninja? Plus, he helped old stinky Hiruzen Sarutobi hide your identity. That bastard Chinya was right—Minato Namikaze really is just a hypocrite who blindly devotes himself to Konoha."
Naruto frowned slightly: "Don't say he loves me, Nine-Tails. It gives me chills—it's absolutely revolting."
Then Naruto sighed: "Though having his guidance isn't bad, thinking about having to act admirably toward him every day is pretty annoying."
Naruto rubbed his temples, wincing in pain.
After taking Minato back to the Ninja Hospital, Shikaku Nara headed straight to the Hokage Tower to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Shikaku Nara told Hiruzen Sarutobi everything about Minato Namikaze's conversation with Naruto Uzumaki in detail without omitting anything.
Upon hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Shikaku Nara, what are your thoughts on this?"
Shikaku Nara remained silent for a moment before responding, "Lord Third, everything seems normal. Naruto's behavior makes perfect sense, and I didn't sense anything out of place. As for Minato, there's even less reason for concern. He's still the same person we've always known—the one who loves Konoha."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>