Two Little Ones

Naruto strapped on his small backpack.

Minato Namikaze carried a small wine flask.

Both father and son had bright futures ahead of them.

The Fourth Hokage's sudden visit to the Uchiha Clan residential district caused quite a stir.

Children who idolized the Fourth Hokage chased after Minato Namikaze's footsteps.

Uchiha women were captivated by Minato Namikaze's handsome appearance.

They were all fanboys and fangirls of Minato Namikaze.

Only Kushina Uzumaki stood to the side, watching while sulking.

Passing through a long alley, a family was roasting peanuts in an iron wok at their doorway.

Naruto leaned in: "Mister, are you selling these peanuts?"

"Little one, how many pounds do you want?" Seeing business arrive, the man roasting the peanuts said happily: "We have salted, plain, and milky flavors, among others."

Naruto was greedy; without thinking, he pulled money from his pocket: "Mister, one pound of each."

This money was the medical expenses Shisui had given Naruto, but after a night had passed, Naruto had already forgotten.

Kushina Uzumaki grew even angrier, pressing against Minato and grabbing his arm, applying a little force: "Is that money in Naruto's hand something you gave him? Where did you get spare cash?"

Minato wore an aggrieved expression: "My salary as Hokage is all in your hands, Lady Kushina! Naruto, hurry up and explain."

Naruto, cradling five pounds of peanuts, shook his head and said: "Bickering and noise only make the bond stronger."

Before long, they arrived at the home of the head of the Uchiha Clan.

"Naruto, lead the way," Minato coaxed.

Naruto prepared to lift his foot.

Kushina Uzumaki hurriedly stopped Naruto's rude behavior: "You must knock politely. Uchiha Mikoto is definitely home. Naruto, watch how Mommy does it!"

Tap, tap, tap!

A crisp knocking sound rang out.

The person inside heard the noise, walked out, and opened the door.

"Oh! Kushina, why is it you?" Uchiha Mikoto was wearing a brown apron, her black hair straight, a smile appearing in her eyes: "Lord Fourth Hokage!"

Kushina Uzumaki hugged Uchiha Mikoto warmly, patting her back gently: "Mikoto, why have you gotten so thin?"

Uchiha Mikoto hurriedly led the three of them into the house: "Kushina, you're the same."

Minato Namikaze asked: "Is Brother Fugaku home?"

"Lord Fourth Hokage, he and Uchiha Sasuke went to the lakeside to practice ninjutsu. They should be back around lunchtime," Uchiha Mikoto said truthfully.

Minato Namikaze smiled and said: "Then I'll wait for Brother Fugaku. I specifically brought over some prized wine; I must have a heart-to-heart with him."

Minato Namikaze showed off the small wine flask in his hand.

Unfortunately, the two mothers' attention was already focused on Naruto.

"Naruto, don't stuff your mouth full of peanuts, you'll choke," Kushina said, grabbing Naruto by the collar.

Naruto made muffled noises!

"Kushina, Naruto is as cute as you are," Uchiha Mikoto brought over some warm water: "Naruto, drink some water."

Naruto chewed the peanuts, making squeaking sounds.

Minato Namikaze walked to a corner, looking down at the small wine flask in his hand, feeling so dejected!

I am the Fourth Hokage, I should be the center of the conversation!

Naruto's peanuts were forcibly confiscated by Kushina, so he had no choice but to lie bored on the floor, closing his eyes to rest.

Minato Namikaze sat upright, listening from the side as Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto happily talked about the past, the present, and the future.

Bang!

The front door was pushed open.

Fugaku Uchiha's face was stiff: "Sasuke, I taught Itachi, and once was enough. I've been teaching you for half a day and you still haven't learned; you are far worse than Itachi."

He hadn't yet noticed there were guests in the house.

Uchiha Sasuke hung his head, his eyes moist: "Father, I will work hard."

Uchiha Sasuke was on the verge of being scolded to tears.

Snap!

Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Sasuke had their attention drawn by the sounds inside the room.

They saw Minato Namikaze sneakily slap Naruto on the butt, startling the nearly sleeping Naruto into jumping up.

Naruto helplessly moved away, deciding not to play with Minato Namikaze anymore.

Uchiha Sasuke was sensitive; seeing there were outsiders in the room, and thinking of his own disheveled appearance being witnessed by others, his fair face turned red from his earlobes to his cheeks in an instant.

The reputation of the Uchiha genius was failing to hold up.

Fugaku Uchiha's expression immediately relaxed upon seeing Minato Namikaze: "Lord Fourth Hokage, what brings you here?"

Minato Namikaze walked forward and shook Fugaku Uchiha's hand: "Kushina hasn't seen Mikoto in a long time, and the bond between our two families shouldn't be allowed to fade. Brother Fugaku, I hope I'm not intruding?"

Fugaku Uchiha was somewhat stirred, as Minato Namikaze's attitude felt like an olive branch extended to the Uchiha Clan. If the Uchiha Clan could improve their relationship with Minato Namikaze, the situation of the Uchiha Clan being ostracized by the Konoha leadership might improve.

Minato Namikaze was, after all, the future of Konoha.

"How could you be! Mikoto will certainly be happy. It is my honor to see the Fourth Hokage. Please, stay for lunch, and don't stand on ceremony." Fugaku Uchiha became increasingly enthusiastic.

With that, Kushina and Mikoto went off together to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

"This is my second son, Uchiha Sasuke." Fugaku Uchiha pressed Uchiha Sasuke to his side: "Sasuke, greet him!"

Uchiha Sasuke bowed: "Hello, Lord Fourth Hokage."

Minato Namikaze rummaged through his pockets for a moment, then took out a shuriken engraved with the Flying Thunder God mark and offered it: "Sasuke looks like an excellent child. This is just a small gift for our first meeting. If you're interested in the future, you can come find me to learn."

Uchiha Sasuke took it readily.

Fugaku Uchiha's lips trembled with excitement; the Fourth actually had the intention of teaching the Flying Thunder God to his second son. This child, Uchiha Sasuke, had truly met a benefactor.

"Hurry up and thank the Fourth Hokage!" Fugaku Uchiha glared at Uchiha Sasuke.

Uchiha Sasuke immediately expressed his thanks.

"Naruto, why are you standing so far away?" Minato Namikaze beckoned to Naruto: "Look at Sasuke, how polite he is. Now look at yourself—what are your redeeming qualities?"

Naruto placed his hands behind his head and said nonchalantly: "Like father, like son."

Minato Namikaze was left completely embarrassed on the spot, his hand frozen in mid-air.

"Brother Fugaku, is the Military Police Force busy?" Minato Namikaze was worthy of being Hokage; his mental fortitude was strong, and he knew how to shift the topic immediately.

Fugaku Uchiha gave Uchiha Sasuke a gentle push: "Go and get to know Naruto. Your father has important matters to discuss with the Fourth Hokage."

Uchiha Sasuke nodded, feeling a bit reluctant inside, but he still walked toward Naruto.

Naruto didn't look like a well-behaved child at all.

"Hello, I am Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto gave a grunt: "I heard from my mom that you were born in the same year as me? What month?"

Uchiha Sasuke suppressed his discomfort: "July."

Naruto laughed and slung an arm around Uchiha Sasuke: "I'm older than you, so you should call me big brother."

"Let go of me." Uchiha Sasuke immediately pushed Naruto away: "Who would call you big brother? I only have one older brother."