Brothers

On the road, Namikaze Minato gripped the scroll containing the Flying Thunder God technique tightly in his hand, an indescribable sense of unreality welling up in his heart.

He couldn't help but recall every little detail of the time he had spent recently, trying to find the source of this feeling.

Namikaze Minato's gaze fell upon the back of the person two years his senior walking ahead, and he began to fall into deep thought.

Hmm... come to think of it, it must have started from the moment I met Hyuga Shinichi.

Before I met Hyuga Shinichi, my heart was like a small boat drifting on the ocean. Because of the passing of my parents, it was as if I had encountered a violent storm, the surging waves leaving the little boat teetering on the brink of destruction.

Suddenly, the appearance of Hyuga Shinichi was like a gentle breeze in the storm, blowing the little boat into a harbor where it could dock safely.

In his own eyes, Hyuga Shinichi's appearance was like that gentle breeze, bringing him to a new sanctuary; he once again possessed the warmth of a "home," a feeling that made him feel incomparably at peace.

In the days spent with Hyuga Shinichi, he gradually found back the things he had once lost, as well as that passion for life and longing for the future.

Not only that, Hyuga Shinichi had also enthusiastically introduced him to Jiraiya as a teacher, taught him various ninjutsu techniques, and now, he had even exchanged for the precious Flying Thunder God technique to give to him.

Hyuga Shinichi used his own unique way to provide care and support, and before he knew it, he had come to view him as his closest family, treating him as the final reliance deep within his soul.

Recently, Namikaze Minato had also noticed that Hyuga Shinichi no longer ruffled his hair, but instead patted his shoulder; had Hyuga Shinichi finally accepted him as a younger brother?

This series of events made Namikaze Minato feel as if it were all a dream, as if he were living inside a fantasy.

He secretly pondered that if he hadn't met Hyuga Shinichi that day, perhaps he would be sitting alone by the waterfall right now, feeling dejected and crying silently, with no possibility of the wonderful life he had now.

In this cruel world, Hyuga Shinichi had become the one person he could trust, letting down all his defenses.

Because Hyuga Shinichi had appeared, even if the road ahead was long and filled with thorns and obstacles, he was no longer afraid of being lonely or helpless.

Because Hyuga Shinichi was by his side, even if he encountered the greatest storms or dangers, he firmly believed that his little boat would surely be able to weather them safely.

Thinking of this, Namikaze Minato's vision gradually blurred. Hyuga Shinichi, walking in front, keenly sensed the abnormality in Namikaze Minato behind him and turned his head in confusion.

He saw the little blond boy following behind him shedding tears on the street for some reason. Eh? What was going on?

Passersby cast curious glances one after another. A flustered Hyuga Shinichi had no choice but to walk up and pull Namikaze Minato into a tight hug.

He looked down at Namikaze Minato, who was sobbing softly in his arms, and asked in a low, concerned voice.

"Minato, what happened? Why are you crying?"

Namikaze Minato seemed to notice the strange looks from those around them and couldn't help but feel embarrassed, so he buried his head deep into Hyuga Shinichi's chest.

Seeing this, Hyuga Shinichi had no choice but to hug Namikaze Minato even tighter with both arms, then leaped up onto the roof of a nearby building.

After the two stood steady, Namikaze Minato's voice finally came from Hyuga Shinichi's embrace.

"It's nothing, Hyuga Shinichi, I just suddenly remembered some things..."

Hyuga Shinichi looked down at that thick, golden hair, smiled slightly, reached out, and gently ruffled it as he spoke.

"I really can't do anything with you; you really are a troublesome little brother! I thought the training these past few days had made you grow up and mature, but it turns out you're still the same."

In Hyuga Shinichi's eyes, the reason Namikaze Minato was so emotional was likely because their recent actions had moved him, causing him to involuntarily recall his long-departed parents.

Namikaze Minato took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, looked up, and said to Hyuga Shinichi.

"Hyuga Shinichi, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might still be drowning in the pain of my parents' death, unable to pull myself out. It was you who gave me a home again."

Hyuga Shinichi patted his shoulder with his other hand and said with a smile.

"We're family, no need for such talk. If you have anything on your mind in the future, you must tell me; don't bottle it up inside. As your big brother, I will help you. But... you brat! Why did you get snot on me again!"

What was supposed to be a heartwarming scene between brothers was ruined by a string of crystal-clear snot, stretching from Namikaze Minato's nose all the way to Hyuga Shinichi's chest, forming a teetering "snot bridge."

Hyuga Shinichi stared wide-eyed at Namikaze Minato, but the culprit didn't seem to notice, still grinning foolishly at him.

Is he a natural airhead?

Recalling the first time he met Namikaze Minato, after he finished comforting him, it had been the same—he had gotten snot on him, pulling out the exact same "snot bridge." Thinking of this, Hyuga Shinichi laughed helplessly.

This would not affect the brotherhood between the two; after all, that is what family is—no matter what happens, they can tolerate, understand, and support each other.

"Minato, you listen to me! In the days to come, you will have a family of your own, spend happy times with the one you love, and bring new life into the world.

As for me, perhaps I will marry a woman I like, build a warm home, or maybe I will go off to wander the world.

But even if we part ways and walk our own paths in life, it does not mean our brotherhood will waver in the slightest.

Even if we aren't brothers by blood, this deep bond remains like a tough tether, connecting us tightly together.

No matter how time flows or how life changes, we will always be the closest of brothers!

When you face difficulties, don't forget that you have me, your older brother, to rely on. Of course, when I fall into trouble, I believe you will reach out a helping hand to me as well.

That is what family is, isn't it?"

Listening to Hyuga Shinichi's words, Namikaze Minato's eyes began to redden again, and he started shedding tears once more.

"Stop, stop, stop! Quickly wipe away your tears and snot. You're a man, yet you're always crying. If a girl sees you and finds you pathetic, and you can't find a wife in the future, I'll be the one worrying as your big brother."

Namikaze Minato smiled embarrassedly and wiped the tears and snot from his face with his hand.

"Let's go, we still have to learn the Flying Thunder God technique."

"Mm, Hyuga Shinichi, thank you."

Namikaze Minato said softly.

Hyuga Shinichi turned his head, revealing a gentle smile.

"What are you thanking me for? We're brothers, after all."

In the afternoon, the sunlight poured down like shattered gold, as if draping the entire Konoha in a golden veil.

This soft and warm radiance also fell upon Namikaze Minato.

Feeling the sun warming his skin, he felt a similar warmth deep within his heart.