Is It Still Too Late to Get Out of Konoha While We Can?

At this moment, within Naruto's consciousness space.

Through Naruto's gaze, Minato's eyes fell on the familiar figure standing blankly under the streetlight.

He remained silent for a while, then silently turned his gaze to Kou beside him, whose face had darkened.

He looked at Kou's face, which seemed to be wringing out bitter tears, and suppressed the barely concealed smile on his lips, letting out a long, feigned sigh of regret.

It seems our reunion will have to end here for now.

So, Kou, have you figured out how to face Anko yet?

Hearing Minato's gloating teasing, Koko's face darkened even further.

"Although I can probably guess the result, I'll ask anyway."

Brother Minato, could you please step in and explain this to me?

"I'm sorry, but that's not possible."

Minato shrugged, a hint of pity creeping into his gaze as he looked at Koko.

Even in Konoha, not many people know that Kushina and I are still alive, Anko is not among them.

Although I really want to help you, there's really nothing I can do right now.

"No, you're practically smirking! You didn't really mean to help at all!"

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, then felt a pang of regret.

I originally thought that as long as I checked whether Naruto had Asura Chakra, it wouldn't take long before I could leave.

However, they were so shocked to discover that Minato and the others were still alive that they focused all their attention on them and didn't pay much attention to what was happening in the outside world. What a mistake!

And of all people to come, it had to be...

Kou turned his gaze back to the real world, looking into Anko's watery eyes, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

How to deal with Anko, her former "fake girlfriend," is a truly challenging problem for someone who has been single for 22 years.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Koko finally resigned himself to his fate and raised his hand, waving weakly at Minato, who was already bursting into laughter beside him:

"Let's stop here for now. I need to deal with that girl, Anko. If things get too out of hand, it'll be difficult to handle."

Minato nodded, then waved to Koko and said with a smile:

"Okay, keep it up, knock!"

Koko's lips twitched, and he ignored Minato, who had clearly entered spectator mode, shifting his gaze to Kushina beside Minato.

Seeing that Kushina still looked somewhat dazed and dejected, he sighed silently in his heart.

He waved gently at Kushina, then activated the power of his right eye, preparing to leave this blue-white mental space.

"Knock, wait a moment."

Just as Kou was about to leave, Kushina's serious voice suddenly came from behind him.

He paused slightly in his knocking motion and turned his head away, somewhat puzzled.

What came into view were Kushina's beautiful eyes, which were intently gazing at him.

Looking at Kokoro's puzzled expression, Kushina asked softly:

"Knock, have you... figured out how to face that child, Anko?"

Hearing Kushina's sudden question, Koko was speechless.

No? Weren't you just looking completely lost and needing Minato to hold you in his arms to calm you down?

How come you suddenly become so energetic when it comes to gossiping? You've made all that heartache and worry I felt earlier disappear!

He was internally ranting and raving, but on the surface he just scratched his head helplessly, his lips moving slightly as if trying to say something to brush it off.

But Kushina didn't give him a chance to brush it off.

She looked directly into Kou's eyes, and the expression on her beautiful face was one of seriousness and earnestness that Kou rarely saw on her face.

"The feelings that Anko has for you are genuine."

Whether it's good or bad... give her an answer.

Hearing Kushina's words, the nonchalance and helplessness in Kokoro's eyes vanished instantly.

He remained silent for a moment, nodded solemnly, then turned around and continued to circulate his pupil power.

Under the watchful eyes of Minato and Kushina, Koko's figure gradually dissipated into the blue and white glow...

In the real world, Kou's eyes instantly regained their clarity.

He didn't immediately look at the burning gaze fixed on him, but instead glanced down at Naruto was still snoring softly on the bench.

As the Genjutsu control of the Mangekyō Sharingan was silently dispelled, Naruto's previously dull and lifeless eyes regained their former liveliness.

He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, blinked hard, and then looked at Kou standing in front of him with a puzzled expression.

"That's strange, what happened to me just now? Did I fall asleep?"

Naruto mumbled incoherently, then his gaze suddenly focused on Kotori's face, which had returned to its original appearance.

Wow! Although I had already guessed that you were using Transformation Technique to disguise yourself, I didn't expect you to be so handsome!

I feel this is much better than those Sasuke Ino that Kumogakure collection that Ino was hiding in her bag!

(Sasuke: 6)

Naruto continued talking to himself, then looked at Kotori's face, touched his chin, and said with some confusion:

"I just feel like I've seen your face somewhere before..."

"Ah! I remember now!!"

Naruto sprang up from the bench, pointed his index finger at Koko's speechless face, and shouted confidently:

There's someone in that group photo in Kakashi's room who looks remarkably like you!

My parents told me about that guy before, I think his name was something like, something like...

"Uchiha, knock."

"Yes, yes, yes! That's the name!!"

Naruto slapped his forehead and loudly confirmed, then suddenly froze for a moment.

He turned his head in the direction the sound came from, and his eyes widened in surprise. He blurted out instinctively:

"Sister Anko? What are you doing here?!"

After saying that, Naruto noticed Anko's bright red eyes and wisely covered his mouth. Then, following Anko's gaze, he looked at Koko beside him with a complicated expression.

As if realizing something, he cautiously moved closer to the person beside him.

"Hey, do you know Sister Anko? Why does she look at you like that? It's so scary."

She wasn't this angry even when I secretly ate her last string of three-colored dumplings.

"... I think you can consider muting your microphone for now."

He muttered a silent complaint, then resignedly ignored the clown beside him who was constantly increasing the difficulty for him.

He took a deep breath, shifted his gaze from Naruto's curious and gossipy face, and then gave the girl in front of him, who was trembling as she looked at him, a "natural" smile:

"Hey, Anko, it's been so long! How have you been? Have you missed me...?"

"Uh, cough cough, sorry, I just said it offhand. What I meant was --"

"Bump!!"

Before she could even finish her sentence, that petite figure stumbled and bumped headfirst into his arms.

Feeling the soft yet burning touch in his arms, feeling the strength of those hands gripping his back tightly, Kou couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Now that things have come to this, is it too late for Jun to leave Konoha?