Menma's Susanoo

!

After Menma left, only Naruto, Minato, Choza, and Shibi remained on the tower platform.

The atmosphere seemed to ease a little, yet it carried a subtle awkwardness.

Especially for Naruto and Minato, this father-and-son pair.

Naruto scratched the back of his head, trying to break the silence. He turned to look at Minato, his face carrying a naturally curious look, and asked, "Oh, right, now that you mention it... what was your mission again? I almost forgot to ask!"

Minato looked at Naruto's bright, sunny smile and listened to that overly familiar, slightly scatterbrained question. A drop of cold sweat couldn't help sliding down his forehead.

Compared with the meticulous Menma from earlier, this kid in front of him... though he was likewise his child from a parallel world, somehow felt even more worrying!

Even so, that straightforwardness and lack of guardedness made him feel a warmth and closeness.

He smiled helplessly, then patiently explained, "Our mission is to protect Princess of Roran Sara, ensure her safety, and escort her to Konoha if necessary. Because one week ago, the previous Queen of Roran secretly commissioned Konoha, claiming a coup might occur in the country and hoping Konoha could shelter her daughter."

"However, just as the commission arrived, we received news that the queen had been assassinated. As for the minister controlling the government, Anrokuzan—who is the 'Mukade' you and Menma mentioned—we were already highly suspicious of his position and goals. We judged that at today's princess succession ceremony, he is very likely to make a move against Princess Sara in an attempt to completely seize control of Roran. So we have to act quickly."

After explaining, Minato looked at Naruto's clear blue eyes and, for some reason, felt a little constrained.

In a gentle tone, he asked, "Naruto, for