A visit to the Ninja Academy!

The next day, in the Hokage's office.

The morning sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire office in a warm and bright golden light.

The Hokage Position, symbolizing the highest power in Konoha and coveted by a certain nameless Pot Kage, was now occupied by a blond, blue-eyed child.

Naruto placed his two little hands neatly on the table, his chubby face filled with a seriousness that was completely out of character for his age.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who should have been sitting in this chair, was now pushing a wheelchair and standing in front of the blond child.

The white-haired sage in the wheelchair, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages except for his eyes and nose, was none other than Jiraiya, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

At this moment, the two of them were staring wide-eyed at the Uzumaki- mouthed birdman in front of them, completely incredulous. [Dad's Connection]

Clearly, the Third Hokage and Jiraiya were still trying to process the important information they had just heard from Minato.

"That Uchiha Madara, he didn't die in the Valley of the End back then?!"

Jiraiya muttered to himself solemnly, his face, wrapped in bandages, revealing no emotion:

"He faked his death right under the nose of the Lord First, and for decades afterward, he lurked in the shadows of the Ninja World, plotting to manipulate Obito and twist him into a tool for achieving that so-called Eye of the Moon Plan..."

"Uchiha Madara, what a terrifying guy."

Unlike Jiraiya, who was confined to his wheelchair and reflecting on his experiences, the Third Hokage Hokage, standing behind him, fell into a long silence.

"The Nine-Tails Incident, Uchiha Obito."

Sarutobi Hiruzen uttered those words softly, and his already somewhat hunched figure seemed to be pressed down even further by something.

"Uchiha Clan is truly innocent?"

If I had trusted the Uchiha more back then, and stood more firmly by Konoha's side... perhaps he wouldn't have grown weary and ultimately chosen to leave Konoha.

The Third Hokage Hokage murmured bitterly:

"The Uchiha Clan, under that child's guidance, had indeed gradually changed."

Thinking of this, the old man, who had witnessed decades of trials and tribulations in Konoha, slowly closed his eyes. His wrinkled face was filled with deep pain and self-reproach.

His distrust of the Uchiha contributed to the tragedy.

Jiraiya reluctantly turned his head, looking at his Teacher's face full of pain, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes that were visible through the bandages.

He comforted her softly in his usual, somewhat casual tone:

"Old Man, the tragedy has already happened, and no matter how much you regret it, reality won't change."

All we can do is learn from these mistakes and do our best to make amends to those who are still alive.

For example, taking good care Sasuke, and also...

At this point, Jiraiya paused, his eyes dimming slightly, but he quickly masked it with his seemingly lighthearted words:

"Although it's probably impossible for that child to return to Konoha, at least we can now confirm that he has no intention of associating with those dangerous individuals."

Now that he has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he has the strength to protect himself.

At least for now, he should be safe!

Jiraiya spoke, a relieved smile crept onto his lips beneath the bandages. Then, the movement aggravated his facial injuries, causing him to gasp sharply and let out a series of painful groans as he hunched over in his wheelchair.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya before him, the dejection in his eyes lessening somewhat, and he retorted with amusement:

"I've told you to tone it down for a while and use the crystal ball less, but you just won't listen."

Now look what happened. He ran into Tsunade while spying on the bathhouse, and this is how he ended up.

"Shut up, Old Man! How can you possibly understand the feelings of an artist!"

Jiraiya frantically waved his only remaining free hand, roaring passionately at the Third Hokage Hokage:

"I'm fighting for the future of Icha Icha Paradise!"

"Our Icha Icha Paradise is a place that Kou and I built together; it holds our precious memories!"

"It's just Tsunade, a mere mortal wound. What's wrong with a few more times?"

"Don't underestimate the bond between us, Koya!!"

Jiraiya his wheelchair, then convulsed violently again as the wound was aggravated.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his traitorous disciple, who was convulsing in a wheelchair while still shouting about bonds, and sighed wearily.

He began to seriously doubt whether his decision to let Jiraiya succeed him as the Fifth Hokage was the right one.

Minato looked at Teacher, Jiraiya was clearly much happier now that he had confirmed Kouchi's safety, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Ah, in a sense, we have already reached a cooperation agreement with Kou."

I believe we will meet again soon.

Upon hearing Minato's words, Jiraiya stopped convulsing, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He looked at the Minato and nodded with satisfaction.

As the topic came to an end, a brief silence fell over the office.

In the quiet moment filled with the morning sunlight, the Third Hokage seemed to suddenly remember something and asked Minato:

"Speaking of which, Minato, how is Anko doing now?"

Upon hearing the name Anko, Minato's smile faded slightly, and he slowly recounted the aftermath of their reunion the previous night with a wry smile:

"When Naruto arrived last night with Kakashi and Kurenai, Koko had already left."

At that moment, only Anko remained on the street, standing there silently crying.

He lowered his eyelids, his blue eyes swirling with undisguised heartache and helplessness.

"Kakashi and I discussed it and decided that Kurenai should take her home to rest first. Kurenai should still be with Anko right now."

The child wasn't injured, and there's probably no need to worry too much about their physical condition.

But that child's current mental state...

Minato didn't continue speaking, but just sighed softly in resignation.

"Tsk tsk tsk, that kid, he's really wicked..."

Jiraiya shook his head, a shake of utter disgust.

"Although that boy has indeed learned a lot from me, I have never taught him how to hurt a young girl's heart!"

He touched his chin, which was tightly wrapped in bandages, with his only hand that could still move, and narcissistically muttered:

"Alas, in the end, she has still been tainted by a bit of this immortal's romantic charm..."

(Lao Kou: to invite laughter)

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced disdainfully at this narcissistic traitor, then ignored Jiraiya.

He looked at the Minato, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked:

"Minato, when do you plan to tell Kakashi about Obito?"

Minato's awkward smile, which he had been giving Jiraiya, froze completely.

He lowered his head silently and remained silent for a very long time.

To be honest, I... haven't really thought about it yet.

After a long silence, Minato finally spoke slowly and laboriously:

"For Kakashi, this reality is far too heavy and too cruel."

You know very well how Kakashi has fared all these years.

In his heart, Obito was a very important bond, just like Kōjin.

"I can't imagine how that child will react when he finds out the truth."

As he spoke, Minato looked at the two people in front of him and said earnestly:

"But please rest assured, when the time is right, I will explain everything to Kakashi in person."

Hearing Minato's weighty promise, the Third Hokage Hokage and Jiraiya exchanged a glance and then sighed in unison.

They could certainly understand Minato's feelings at that moment.

After all, there was someone right beside them who looked remarkably like Obito, who had fallen into darkness.

(A certain core technology in the Ninja World: Comparing Kenji to me, isn't that a bit insulting to snakes?)

Minato looked at Minato Jiraiya pity, who was clearly still lost in sadness, and skillfully changed the subject:

"Speaking of which, where is Kakashi now?"

Logically speaking, given that kid's style, shouldn't he have rushed over to discuss things with us after learning about Kou's news?

Minato shook his head, a forced smile appearing at the corners of his lips:

"This was my arrangement. I took the initiative to suggest that Kakashi go and protect the Mist Village delegation first, and that I come to report to you on the situation last night on Kakashi's behalf."

Right now, he should be showing Konoha Mist Village.

As he spoke, Minato turned his gaze to the clock still ticking on the corner of the desk:

"Judging by the time, they should be visiting the Ninja Academy by now."

Meanwhile, at the Konoha Ninja Academy, in the Training Ground

"Come on, kids! Let your youth shine at the vibrant Ninja Academy!!"

A middle-aged man with thick, bushy eyebrows, wearing a green bodysuit, stood in the center of the Training Ground, shouting passionately to the rows of children in the same green bodysuits in front of him, his eyes filled with tears.

Might Duy waved his fist, his mature face brimming with a passion and emotion beyond his years.

The children in their tight-fitting clothes stared at him with expressions of utter despair, clearly numb to the scene before them.

At the edge of the Training Ground, Kakashi watched Uncle Dai, who was full of passion on the Training Ground, his drooping, lifeless eyes filled with deep despair.

All the prayers along the way ultimately failed.

"Is this the price I have to pay for neglecting Sasuke and Naruto's lessons at the Ninja Academy because I'm always so busy with missions...? It's far too heavy!"

Kakashi muttered to himself, feeling utterly hopeless, and reluctantly turned his head to give the three guests from Mist Village beside him a forced smile.

Now that things have come to this, can Konoha still save face?

Kisame's small eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the familiar green figure on the Training Ground, still shouting youthful slogans with tears in his eyes.

"Really...?"

Kisame rubbed his eyes and couldn't help but mutter:

"That... such a rare beast, Konoha actually has a second one?!"

Utakata stared blankly at the group of children dressed in green bodysuits, seemingly utterly at a loss for words to describe the thunderous scene he was witnessing.

Although he has always been self-aware of his lack of knowledge, Konoha's aesthetic sense is truly a bit too advanced, isn't it?

Come to think of it, is this really Ninja Academy, or some kind of yoga training center for teenagers...?

Where on earth did he get this messed up?!

Utakata secretly glanced at Kou beside him, who had remained calm throughout and was even intently watching the Training Ground, and couldn't help but doubt himself:

"Master Kong seems to be watching very intently. Could it be that I'm not good enough?"

Could there be a deeper meaning behind Konoha's educational methods...?

At this moment, Kou was standing quietly in the shade cast by the old pine tree at the edge of the Training Ground.

With his hands behind his back, his face, which had been Transformation Technique, still wore that composed and proper smile.

Kou's gaze pierced through the not-so-distant space and landed on the green figure who was wiping away tears while shouting "Youth is the best!" to the children.

"Uncle Dai is still the same as ever, he hasn't changed at all..."

Gazing at that familiar figure, I felt a pang of nostalgia in my heart.

However, just as he was immersed in the gentle warmth of this long-awaited reunion, he suddenly caught something out of the corner of his eye.

The smile on that gentle, composed face froze instantly.

In the front row of the group of children wearing the same green bodysuits, there was a black-haired child staring at him with a grumpy face and eyes that seemed to want to physically Might Duy to his doom.

That signature black, flamboyant hairstyle, that face that, even wrapped in that abstract green bodysuit, still stubbornly revealed a hint of delicate handsomeness—

That little face, without a doubt!

That's... Nisuke?!

--

The next chapter will focus on the Konoha, and will likely end the Konoha arc after Asuma returns and confronts the Third Hokage.

I might have to finish this chapter tomorrow morning. I had a lot to write about this chapter, and it got too long, so I didn't manage my time well and I'm a bit exhausted...