Minato Namikaze

The reason Aizen had expectations for Konoha was that it was not only the only place in the world he had observed that possessed a systematic education system and related industries, but also the only place that had plans for the future.

Unlike the other ninja villages, which acted on whatever whim struck them, Konoha's operations and planning, though better than nothing and often moving backward, at least counted as planning.

Though the First Hokage's actions appeared utterly bizarre and steeped in idealism to later generations, in Aizen's eyes, he had indeed made a good start.

He had given ninja children the chance to receive an education, and he had also prompted them to begin thinking about life and themselves.

Compared to the family education of the Warring States period, and that twisted world of killing one another, taking missions, then killing again, the current Ninja Village era had undoubtedly progressed greatly. Talents once buried would gradually emerge as well.

Minato Namikaze was one of the geniuses Aizen had once examined.

He was unlike Kisuke Urahara, whose godlike intellect could transcend an era with anything he casually created; unlike Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who pursued only essence rather than appearance in his research; and even unlike Aizen himself, whose understanding sought transcendence and the realm of gods.

Minato Namikaze had his own way of adapting to this world. What he studied was what best suited this era.

If he had to put it bluntly, Minato Namikaze was someone who could survive in any age and radiate light and warmth.

Intelligent without making it obvious, firm yet gentle. On top of that, his squad leader was one of the Sannin, he was close to the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, and though he was a civilian ninja, he had entered the sight of Konoha's upper echelons through his own understanding and insight. Moreover, through his words and actions, he had not made those with vested interests feel disgust or rejection toward him.

To a certain extent, compared with a path like Sosuke Aizen's that was nearly impossible to replicate, Minato Namikaze's path was what others saw as a genuine route to promotion. After all, no one could guarantee that they could spend years doing good deeds without offending anyone, or that everything they did would be right.

Yet Aizen had done exactly that. Not only had he perfectly won everyone's wholehearted approval, but in the long term, what he had done was also right. He had even spread his reputation throughout the ninja villages.

That was clearly not something a normal human could accomplish. Minato Namikaze's record was far more reliable by comparison.

He had come from an ordinary civilian ninja background, found a good teacher and made the right connections, then earned great merit through danger and opportunity. In the end, he gained both beauty and fame. It truly looked like the path of advancement.

Everyone could only marvel at, admire, and look up to Sosuke Aizen. But when they looked at Minato Namikaze, they felt as though he were right beside them. If they just worked hard enough, it seemed they could become a star Jonin like Minato Namikaze.

Of course, Aizen knew that was probably impossible.

Because unlike himself, Minato Namikaze had risen entirely on his own talent and exceptional qualities.

Konoha's classes had not yet solidified to an unimaginable extent, but barriers were everywhere nonetheless. Some truly outstanding people had to be brought into Konoha's system, and Aizen knew very well that Minato Namikaze was one such candidate.

He was close to the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, possessed outstanding strength, and enjoyed a fine reputation among the people. If he gained a certain degree of merit on the battlefield, he could even contend with the Sannin. And if his achievements were especially great, even the Sannin would have to yield.

After all, as one generation succeeded another, a few new faces had to appear, lest people gossip.

As for Aizen himself, though he appeared to be an option, he was not. He himself represented a part of Konoha. He was one of Konoha's embodiments of power, so there was basically no need to consider him.

Yet as he looked at this possible future Hokage candidate of Konoha, Aizen maintained his gentle, polished smile on the surface, while sensing a peculiar closeness from Minato Namikaze—something faint, almost imperceptible.

'Is it because of what happened when he was young, so he instinctively trusts me... I see.'

Looking at the golden short hair that was nearly identical to how it had been in childhood, as well as that pure, sun-warm smile, Aizen adjusted his glasses and listened to the Third Hokage's rambling along with him.

For the Third Hokage, this sort of rambling was partly a way to maintain his approachable image, but on the other hand, it also seemed to be nothing more than a display of authority.

As a Hokage in the truest sense, the Third Hokage seemed especially fond of calling people in to hold meetings and discuss issues. The reason was probably that he suspected his recent judgments might have caused a series of disturbances in Konoha. But to Minato Namikaze and Aizen himself, this was utterly meaningless.

A few dozen minutes later, the two arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

"Boss! Two bowls of Ichiraku Ramen!"

"Coming right up!"

"Brother Aizen, it's been almost five years since we last met, hasn't it?"

After enthusiastically ordering two bowls of Ichiraku Ramen from the owner, Minato Namikaze looked at Aizen sitting beside him with deep emotion.

"Ever since I became a Chunin, it feels like the two of us have kept missing each other. After becoming a Jonin, we've had even less time to meet. Before I knew it, five years had passed."

"Yes. It's been nearly five years. That good child who used to beg me to lend him books has now become a Jonin of Konoha, and one of the ninja the Third Hokage considers to have the greatest potential. Even I can't help feeling sentimental."

"You give me too much credit. Compared to you, I'm still far behind."

"Far behind?"

Aizen smiled gently at Minato Namikaze, who seemed somewhat moved as he sat beside him.

"Do you mean you want to catch up to that so-called Spicy Red Pepper? If you keep working this hard, you'll soon be able to stand at her side."

"B-Brother Aizen?!"

"There's no need to deny anything. Practically the whole village already knows about the two of you. As Konoha's Acting Advisor, it's only natural that I would know such things."

Alright, the noodles were here. There was no need to say more.

After gently thanking Boss Ichiraku for bringing over the two bowls of noodles, Aizen picked up his chopsticks and began eating his Ichiraku Ramen, using his actions to silence Minato Namikaze's rebuttal.

Faced with Sosuke Aizen's attitude of 'I don't want to hear any explanations. I only want to eat noodles,' Minato could only sigh with a flushed face and quietly start eating.

"...Actually, I don't think my feelings for Kushina are like that."

After taking two bites of ramen, Minato Namikaze still could not help putting down his chopsticks. Sitting on his stool, he spoke with great seriousness.

"I just think she seems so dazzling, and everyone in the village admires her. I want to become someone who can stand proudly beside her. That's all."

"..."

"And I respect her very much. I think she's a truly independent girl, unlike any of the other girls I've met. She doesn't pursue anything else—she's simply full of passion for Konoha and the Hokage, just like me."

"..."

"Brother, you know what I was like when I was little. Weak and powerless, unable to say much of anything. But Kushina is different. She's like... like a storm, a lighthouse. Just her smiling like that can illuminate my heart. I truly have no ulterior motives. I only want her to keep shining."

"..."

"...Brother Aizen, could you say something?"

Watching Sosuke Aizen eat his ramen with his head down, Minato Namikaze spoke in slight frustration after talking for so long.

Though he had indeed poured his heart into explaining his thoughts, his big brother's utter indifference still left him feeling a little discouraged.

In response to Minato Namikaze's somewhat dejected appearance, Aizen took out a napkin and wiped the stain from the corner of his mouth, then looked at Minato, who had yet to touch his ramen.

"I don't think there's anything to say. After all, what could be more interesting than watching young boys and girls get hopelessly tangled up in their feelings? Isn't that right?"

"Brother Aizen?!"

"Still, before all the beautiful things you described, I hope you remember one thing."

Looking at Konoha's little sun, whose face had gone completely red, Aizen smiled and pushed up his glasses as he spoke gently.

"Happiness is an illusion born of capability. Only when your abilities can accomplish what you desire will you feel happy. But when you remain Immersed in that illusion for too long, and discover that your abilities are no longer enough to sustain that happiness, only then will you understand pain."

"And when the illusion of happiness shatters, when you have to face the powerless reality before you, that pain can be strong enough to utterly crush a person's will to live. I don't want you to become like that."

"If you take up the sword, you may not be able to embrace the one you love. But if you put down the sword, you can only face a cruel reality."

"So make sure you become Hokage, Minato."

"...Yes, Brother Aizen."

Sitting on the wooden stool, Minato Namikaze looked at Sosuke Aizen's expectant expression and nodded with utmost seriousness.

"I won't forget. My dream is to become Hokage, then change this ninja world. Just like I said back then."

"That's good. Oh, right."

"What is it?"

"Your noodles are getting soggy. And Boss Ichiraku doesn't seem very happy."

"...Huh?"

Although they had not seen each other in five years, and although he was now a Jonin while Aizen was merely a Chunin, it seemed that from beginning to end, he had never had any way to deal with this adopted big brother of his.

As for why that was, it was because Aizen had always insisted on convincing people through reason, always earnestly explaining the correct principles to others.

Then he would enjoy the ugly spectacle they made of themselves because of him.

What a terrible person.

"I... forget it."

Looking at the noodles, which had begun to clump together, Minato Namikaze could only stuff them into his mouth with tears in his eyes under Boss Ichiraku's cold stare.

Fortunately, Ichiraku Ramen truly lived up to its reputation. Even though the noodles had gone a little soggy, they still retained a sweet, rich flavor when tasted. Just like the Kushina he had spoken of earlier.