"I want to wait a while before returning to the village."
That was the answer Minato gave after careful consideration.
After saying that, the hesitation in Minato's eyes vanished, replaced by a look of determination.
Just as Uchiha Homura was about to say something else, Soji beat him to it.
"Is it because of Naruto?"
Though it was phrased as a question, Soji sounded utterly certain.
In Soji's view, the only reason Minato would give up on immediately returning to the village after being revived was for his child.
"Not only because of Naruto, but Kushina as well..."
Seeing that Soji had guessed his thoughts, Minato no longer tried to hide them, and he mentioned Kushina beside him as well.
The husband and wife exchanged a glance, both knowing what the other was thinking.
"Stop, stop, stop! The two of you, quit gazing at each other so lovingly. If you want to show off your affection, save it for later. Let's talk business first!"
This was the situation Soji and Uchiha Homura feared most whenever the four-person team got together to chat.
Minato merely smiled at Soji's words, but Kushina looked a little embarrassed.
"Honestly, it's mainly because I feel I owe Naruto far too much. I wasn't there by his side for twelve years. I've been terribly negligent as a father!"
Once they stopped flaunting their affection, Minato's face was filled with guilt whenever Naruto was mentioned.
"Minato, don't worry. I believe Naruto can understand you."
Kushina comforted Minato with a gentle expression.
"I'd rather Naruto didn't understand and gave me a good scolding. That would make me feel more at ease."
There was a trace of bitterness in Minato's smile.
Perhaps that was how it was—the more sensible a child was, the more heartbroken their parents became.
"All