Kakashi Hatake nodded when he saw how cooperative his teacher was.
"In that case, let's not waste any time, teacher. I'll take you to the Uchiha Clan Compound right away."
Minato Namikaze nodded and immediately stood up, not even finishing his tea, and headed out with Kakashi. Kakashi smiled faintly to himself. Looks like I'll be the first to make a real contribution to building this new era.
Of course, he kept that thought to himself. He believed Uchiha Ran would be able to see his efforts clearly.
---
Uchiha Clan Compound
Uchiha Ran had just finished seeing the others off and was entering the clan grounds when he saw Uchiha Sasuke running toward him.
"Second Brother! Second Brother!" Sasuke called out excitedly. "I got first place again in today's combat training! I even used the Phoenix Flower Jutsu you taught me. The instructor said I'm a genius! You really are amazing, Second Brother!"
Hearing this, Uchiha Ran smiled and gently patted Sasuke's head.
"I knew my Sasuke was the best. It's already so late—were you waiting here just for me?"
He squatted down so they were eye to eye.
"Yeah!" Sasuke nodded enthusiastically. "I just wanted you to know how awesome your little brother is!"
Uchiha Ran felt a sense of relief. Looking at his earnest younger brother, he lightly pinched Sasuke's cheek.
"By the way, has our older brother come back yet?"
"No," Sasuke said with a sigh. "I heard he took on a mission and went out with his team. I wanted to tell him too… but he only came back briefly to grab some supplies and left again."
"A mission?" Uchiha Ran frowned slightly, an uneasy feeling rising in his chest. What kind of mission would require someone of Uchiha Itachi's level right now?
I'll have to ask Kakashi about this tomorrow.
Just as he was thinking this, an Uchiha shinobi stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Hokage-sama, Lord Kakashi and Lord Minato Namikaze request an audience."
By now, all of Konoha knew that Minato Namikaze's soul resided within Uzumaki Naruto. The villagers who had once insulted Naruto as the Nine-Tails' incarnation had all gone to Minato's home to apologize.
Minato understood that both Danzō and the villagers had merely been misled by the Third Hokage, so he didn't hold it against them. He accepted their gifts but returned anything valuable, keeping only simple food—eggs, vegetables, fish, and meat—which he used to cook a proper meal for his son.
Afterward, he handed control of the body back to Naruto, letting him taste his father's cooking with his own mouth.
Uchiha Ran was momentarily surprised. This was exactly what he had been hoping for. He nodded calmly.
"Alright. Invite them to the main hall. I'll wash up first—please ask them to wait a moment."
Before meeting important guests, bathing was a basic courtesy, both to oneself and to others.
The Uchiha shinobi nodded. "Yes."
After reporting, he withdrew.
Uchiha Ran patted Sasuke's head again.
"Sasuke, go to bed first. Be good."
Seeing that his brother had important matters to handle, Sasuke nodded obediently and returned to his room.
Uchiha Ran then went to his own quarters, where a maid had already prepared hot water. All he needed to do was bathe.
---
Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake sat in the main hall, waiting quietly. The Uchiha clan steward had already served them tea. The two took a polite sip before setting the cups down. Seeing that the guests were being properly attended to, the steward bowed and withdrew.
About fifteen minutes later—
Uchiha Ran slowly walked into the hall, dressed in a dark blue kimono, his damp hair partially dried with a bright yellow towel. Hearing footsteps, Minato and Kakashi both stood up at once.
"There's no need to be so tense," Uchiha Ran said calmly. "Please, sit."
He looked at the two of them and smiled faintly.
"What brings you both here so late at night?"
Just as Kakashi was about to speak, Minato raised a hand to stop him, surprising Kakashi.
Uchiha Ran noticed immediately.
"It seems the Fourth Hokage has brought me something unexpected."
Minato raised an eyebrow slightly. "I wouldn't go that far—just a small contribution."
"Perhaps it seems insignificant to you," Uchiha Ran replied with a chuckle, "but for Konoha's stability—and even for peace across the shinobi world—it plays a decisive role."
By now, he had already pieced everything together. Kakashi must have told Minato about his plans and his need for advanced sealing techniques, which was why they had come without delay.
Minato's purpose was clear: he wanted to secure Naruto's future. His time was running out, and he feared that once he was gone, Naruto would return to the lonely, neglected life he had lived before—unloved, poorly cared for, and barely getting by.
As a father, Minato could not accept that. And the appearance of Uchiha Ran had reignited hope in his heart.
"Hokage-sama," Minato suddenly said solemnly.
Uchiha Ran nodded. "Go on."
"I can give you the sealing techniques," Minato said, "but I have one condition."
"I will take Naruto as my disciple," Uchiha Ran said calmly, already understanding. "He will live in the Uchiha Clan Compound. The clan will be responsible for his daily life, his meals, and his upbringing."
Minato froze.
A disciple?
When he came here, he had only hoped that Uchiha Ran would protect Naruto and allow him to grow up normally. He had never imagined this.
To become the Hokage's disciple was no small matter—it meant being a direct successor of Konoha's will. Every Hokage in history had been such a successor.
Well… except Uchiha Ran himself.
But Minato didn't care about any of that. If Naruto became Uchiha Ran's disciple, then at the very least, his future would be secure. He would be well-fed, well-taught, and well-protected.
If Naruto ever encountered danger or hardship, who in this world would dare to stand against Uchiha Ran?
Uchiha Ran's strength had already reached the peak of Konoha, and his record—defeating multiple villages single-handedly—was enough to prove that his power was unrivaled in the entire shinobi world.
If Naruto had such a teacher, Minato could finally leave without regrets.
"Hokage-sama… are you truly serious?" Minato's voice trembled, tears welling up in his eyes.
Even Minato Namikaze, who had faced countless life-and-death moments, could not suppress his emotions when he thought of his son's future from this moment onward.
------
Guys there are already upto 40 advance chapters on my patreon (Upto Chapter 160) for now and there will be more soon. So you can go check it out.
👉 patreon.com/TheLazy_sage