The Hatake Clan's Talk

When Minato returned home tonight, he had the same expression as always, but Kushina, his bedmate, sensed something was different. She gently hugged Minato from behind.

"Was there something wrong with today's meeting? You look so tired."

Minato paused for a moment, but did not stop what he was doing and continued pouring water.

"No, it's just that other ninja villages were attacked. I'll handle it."

After finishing Minato water, Minato turned around and embraced Kushina.

Kushina gently rested her head on Minato's chest.

"You're still trying to lie to me? We've been married for so long, don't you know me? Tell me! Tell me so I can share the burden with you."

Kushina looked up, and Minato was also looking down. Their eyes met instantly, and they both saw the unwavering determination in each other.

"All right!"

However, Minato was the first to back down, telling Kushina about the contents of today's meeting.

"This..."

Kushina was also shocked upon hearing this. As a Jinchuriki herself, she knew firsthand the power of Jinchuriki. The Akatsuki Organization had managed to capture all eight tailed creatures, from the One-Tail to the Eight-Tails, in a single day—how powerful must that organization be? Kushina finally understood what Minato was worried about: the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha was his wife and child.

"What should Naruto do?"

Kushina's primary concern was her child; she was also afraid that Naruto would be captured by this organization.

"Naruto, don't bother with the missions. Staying in the village is the safest place."

Minato explained the village's decision: if Naruto was allowed to roam freely outside, he would inevitably be targeted by members of the Akatsuki Organization.

Is the village safe?

Kushina wondered if the Akatsuki Organization Nine-Tails, despite being protected by the villages of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure, were also unsafe in Konoha. This was a question that weighed heavily on Kushina's mind, as the Akatsuki Organization's achievements in just one day were simply too astonishing.

"You forgot, there's also Karot in the village."

As the saying goes, concern leads to confusion, Kushina completely forgot about this.

After realizing what was happening, Kushina asked, puzzled.

"Now that you all have a solution, why were you still so worried just now?"

Minato scratched his head sheepishly and said...

"Because you are my wife and children!"

After hearing Minato's words Kushina's face flushed red, like a ripe cherry. This happened just as the couple were exchanging sweet nothings.

"I'm back."

When Naruto returned home, he saw his parents hugging each other.

"Dad, Mom, what game are you playing? I want to join in!"

Naruto ran over with his arms outstretched. The result was predictable: he was sent flying by Kushina's spinning kick.

"Why did you have to come back now of all times? To ruin my good time."

"Clean the house thoroughly. If it's not up to standard when I come back to inspect it, you know the consequences."

Kushina stood with her hands on her hips, her red hair flying up on its own without any wind.

Seeing this, Naruto ignored the pain on his face and knelt on the ground. He really couldn't understand why his mother was so terrible. Perhaps, given Naruto's limited brain capacity, he couldn't comprehend the fact that his parents were true love while he was an accident.

"Honey, let's go shopping! It's been so long since we went."

Kushina ran over and hugged Minato's arm, looking like a little girl, as if she had completely forgotten how Kamui she had just been.

"Okay, we'll go right away."

Minato reacted quite quickly, after all, he knew Kushina's personality. So, only Naruto suffered, and the couple happily went shopping.

"Smack!"

Karot closed the door and headed towards his room. He saw his younger brother, Kakashi, leaning against a pillar.

"Why aren't you asleep yet, my dear brother?"

"Karot asked with a grin."

"Did you do this on purpose? You've never come home this late before."

Kakashi said through gritted teeth, "I've been waiting here for Karot for over four hours."

"You've become smarter, Kakashi."

Karot feigned surprise. Kakashi had wanted to ask Karot in the meeting room earlier, but Orochimaru had kept Karot there, preventing Kakashi from achieving his goal. He could only wait at home for Kakashi to come to him.

Seeing Karot's smug look, Kakashi took a deep breath and kept repeating the same mantra to himself.

"He is my brother, my own brother."

The more Kakashi restrained himself, the more interested Karot became. This was probably just the love an older brother had for his younger brother!

"I'm going back to my room to sleep. I'm too tired tonight. Goodnight Kakashi."

Karot greeted Kakashi and was about to leave when Kakashi flicked his wrist and launched a kunai that narrowly missed Karot's throat by just one centimeter.

"Kakashi, are you trying to murder your brother?"

"I'm furious!" Karot pointed at Kakashi and said.

"I just want to ask you, won't your plan hurt Naruto?"

"Oh, so you're so concerned about that brat, Kakashi!"

Karot smiled and said to Kakashi.

"But aren't you being a bit too nosy?"

In an instant, Karot's aura surged, and Kakashi felt as if he could hardly breathe, his whole body covered in cold sweat. This aura was like the might of heaven, something no human could withstand.

"Naruto is my student. Anyone who wants to harm him will have to step over my dead body first."

Kakashi vaguely knew that Karot and Orochimaru had a plan, which, based on the information Kakashi currently had, must be related to the Tailed Beast. Kakashi's student, Naruto, was the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, and currently, only Naruto and Kushina remained as Tailed Beast in the Ninja World. If either of them were harmed, their teacher, Minato Namikaze, would certainly not live on. That's why Kakashi came to find Karot this time.

Karot looked at Kakashi's determined gaze and knew he was being warned. Karot turned and left, afraid he might beat Kakashi up. How dare he threaten his brother with his own life? He'd really grown too big for his britches.

"Brother, promise me."

Hearing Kakashi's words, Karot paused for a moment before continuing on his way. Just as Kakashi's face showed disappointment, Karot's voice rang out.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine."

Kakashi suddenly looked up and then burst out laughing.

"Father, you've been watching for so long, it's time for you to come out."

Karot gripped the doorknob and said.

"Haha, I can't hide it from you after all, Karot!"

Hatake Sakumo thought he had improved his strength and that Karot wouldn't be able to detect him. But it turned out he was still the same.

"Are you afraid I'll beat Kakashi up, Father?"

Hatake Sakumo an awkward smile; he actually did have that thought.

"I just got up to use the restroom, I didn't intentionally eavesdrop on your conversation."

Hatake Sakumo would never admit that someone his age was eavesdropping on other people's conversations. He'd have no shame.

"Oh, really? If Father has something he's having trouble talking about, he should see a doctor!"

Before Hatake Sakumo could turn around, he quickly opened the door and entered the room.

With a loud "bang," the sound of Karot slamming the Hatake Sakumo back to his senses.

"How dare you speak like that! I was just concerned about the children's conversation, and you slander your father like this. You should know that I, Hatake Sakumo, not only strike fear into the hearts of the enemy on the battlefield, but I am also a valiant and courageous husband in bed."

However, Karot didn't care about what Hatake Sakumo said.

"Father, if what you say is true, I'll take you to try it tomorrow."

"You, you, you've disgraced scholars. Humph."

After humming the Hatake Sakumo hurriedly left.

"Finally, some peace and quiet."

After saying that, Karot fell asleep.

Thank you all for your support; it's your support that motivates me to keep writing. Happy Year of the Dragon! May you all prosper in the Year of the Dragon!