Kuro: He's in Big Trouble...

Kou stood quietly to the side, watching this heartwarming scene, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

At the same time, the image of that guy sitting in the office of the Mist Village Mizukage's Office, probably still gloating over the profits brought by that damned Notebook Association, involuntarily popped into his mind.

"If you saw this scene, what would you think?"

He silently asked Kenji, who was far away in Mist Village, and then received a gentle yet solemn gaze from Minato.

Meeting Minato's gaze, he asked directly:

"Brother Minato, is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

Seeing that he had quickly realized his thoughts, Minato's eyes flashed with surprise. He then solemnly asked the question that had been on his mind since earlier, but he had never been able to find the right time to ask it:

"Knock, if I'm not mistaken, you came to Konoha this time specifically to see Naruto, right?"

Did you come here specifically to visit that child, or...?

"It's Obito's idea."

Kou didn't hide anything and responded directly.

He looked into Minato's suddenly narrowed eyes and continued honestly:

"I came to Konoha on his orders to check on the current situation of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto."

There are still many years before Eye of the Moon Plan officially launches, so you can rest assured for now.

It's highly unlikely that guy will lay a hand on Naruto.

If anything unexpected happens along the way, I will notify you in advance.

I have no intention of harming Naruto, you can rest assured of that.

"... That's not what I really wanted to ask."

Minato shook his head and said firmly:

"After all, you would never hurt Naruto, and I have never doubted that."

What I want to ask you is, Kou, what do you want to do next?

Hearing Minato's serious question, Koko's eyes became earnest.

Minato looked at him and continued speaking earnestly:

"Now that you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, you shouldn't be forced to stay in the Akatsuki or by Obito's side anymore, right?"

If I'm not mistaken, your decision to remain in Akatsuki and by Obito's side is to stop him at a crucial moment.

At this point, Minato paused, glancing meaningfully at Koko, who was lost in thought:

"If that's the case, then we, and everyone in Konoha, can definitely become your strength!"

Even if you choose not to return to Konoha, we can still work together to stop Obito, right?

"... Cooperation?"

Hearing Minato's words, Koko remained silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the ground of the spiritual space beneath his feet, which was slightly illuminated by the blue and white glow. He slowly spoke:

"Before tonight, before I knew that Sister Kushina Minato still alive, I had seriously considered the possibility of cooperating with Konoha, but that was something for later, not now."

"But--"

Kou paused slightly, then, under Minato's expectant gaze, continued solemnly:

"Now, my thinking has indeed changed somewhat."

"I can convey important information about Obito and the Akatsuki to Konoha."

But correspondingly, I also hope to obtain something I currently need from Konoha, or more specifically, from Minato- sama.

What is it?

Minato nodded almost without hesitation.

"Flying Thunder God Technique"

Kou calmly said:

"I hope to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, as well as the training method for the Second-Stage Flying Thunder God Technique, from you, Minato."

"You want to use the Flying Thunder God Technique against Obito...?"

Almost the instant he heard "Flying Thunder God," Minato understood the purpose of the knock.

On the night of the Nine-Tails Incident, I did indeed leave a Flying Thunder God technique mark on Obito.

Once the Flying Thunder God technique is imprinted, it will not disappear.

"If Koko could learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could indeed pose a huge threat to Obito in his current Obito, but..."

Thinking of this, Minato looked at Koko, a deep sense of doubt flashing across his eyes.

Back when Konoha was still in the Konoha, I had thought about teaching Konoha the Flying Thunder God Technique.

However, at that time, Kou did not possess the Space-Time Ninjutsu.

When Kou found out about this, he was depressed for a long time. It was only after I treated him to dumplings several times that he finally cheered up.

But now, Kou has taken the initiative to ask him to teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"Could it be that Koko has now completed his training in Space-Time Ninjutsu...?"

Upon realizing this, Minato was startled.

To acquire the talent for Space-Time Ninjutsu through later birth is simply unheard of!

Koko has truly grown into an incredibly powerful ninja...

Minato sighed inwardly, then raised his hand and gave Koko a gentle smile:

"No problem, then I look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you."

As he spoke, he steadily raised his right hand, which was clenched into a fist, to the front of his prayers.

Looking at the fist raised in front of him, and at the gentle smile on Minato's lips that was exactly the same as it had been years ago, unchanged by time, he smiled from the bottom of his heart, then raised his own fist and firmly touched it.

The instant he exchanged fists with Minato, the complete and clear training methods for the Flying Thunder God Technique flooded into his mind.

Along with this information about spiritual practice, some other things were also transmitted...

The Soul-Sealing Dharma Seal, the powerful Sealing Jutsu that Minato and Kushina developed for him, and...

In the year since Minato and the others awoke, he witnessed the deep concern that everyone in Konoha had for him.

The earnest look on Kakashi's face when he recounted his experiences in Mist Village after returning, and the resolute expression on his face when he said, "I will definitely bring him back."

Kai excitedly told Uncle Dai about himself, and the two of them burst into tears because they were so excited. In the end, they were punished with a week of cleaning work for making a loud noise at the Ninja Academy.

When Kurenai and Anko heard about themselves, their eyes reddened slightly, and Jiraiya 'Teacher gaze towards the Land of Water was often filled with longing and determination...

With this gentle touch, Minato conveyed everyone's longing and concern to himself.

Kou slowly withdrew his fist, his heart surging with complex emotions that even he himself could not explain.

He looked at the meaningful smile on Minato's lips, and his own lips twitched slightly.

"Brother Minato, you've got quite a few little schemes up your sleeve."

Just as Kou was about to say something with a wry smile, the light in his Mangekyō Sharingan suddenly sharpened.

Seeing the extremely ugly expression on Minato's face as he knocked on the Minato, he asked in confusion:

"Knock, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"... Ah, this is definitely a big problem."

He turned his senses back to the moonlit real world and chuckled softly.

Minato paused for a moment, then, as if realizing something, he looked through Naruto's eyes, which were still in Genjutsu slumber, and turned his gaze to the real world illuminated by the moonlight.

Not far from the bench bathed in the interplay of dim streetlights and bright moonlight, a figure that was extremely familiar to both him and Kou had appeared.

Anko was standing there, staring blankly in the direction where Kō and Naruto were.

The plastic bag she had taken from the convenience store not far away had somehow come loose from her hand.

The bag landed heavily on the ground, and bags of snacks and several cans of beer spilled out and rolled away on the road.

But she seemed completely oblivious, only widening her bright eyes, which silently welled up with tears.

She stared intently at Kou's face, which appeared exceptionally clear in the moonlight, her lips trembling violently, but she couldn't utter a sound...