Two Little Ones

Naruto had a little backpack on his back.

Minato carried a small flask of wine.

The father and son both had bright futures ahead of them.

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

Children who idolized the Fourth Hokage chased after Minato Namikaze.

The Uchiha women were captivated by Minato Namikaze's handsome looks.

They were all Minato Namikaze's biggest fans.

Only Kushina Uzumaki watched from the side, sulking.

As they passed through a long alley, they saw someone roasting peanuts in an iron pot outside a house.

Naruto went over. "Mister, are you selling peanuts?"

"Little guy, how many pounds would you like?" The peanut seller was delighted to have a customer. "We've got salted, fragrant, milky, and other flavors."

Naruto's mouth watered. Without thinking, he took some money from his pocket. "Mister, one pound of each."

The money was medicine money Shisui had given Naruto, but after one night, Naruto had already forgotten about it.

Kushina Uzumaki grew even angrier. She pressed close to Minato, grabbed his arm, and squeezed slightly. "Did you give Naruto that money? Where did you get extra cash?"

Minato looked aggrieved. "My Hokage salary is all in Lady Kushina's hands! Naruto, hurry up and explain."

Naruto held his five pounds of peanuts and shook his head. "The more you bicker, the better your relationship gets."

Before long, they arrived at the Uchiha Clan Head's home.

"Naruto, go on ahead and open the door," Minato coaxed.

Naruto was about to lift his foot.

Kushina Uzumaki hurriedly stopped him from behaving rudely. "You have to knock politely. Mikoto's definitely home. Naruto, watch how your mother does it!"

Knock, knock, knock!

A crisp knocking sound rang out.

Someone inside heard it, came over, and opened the door.

"Oh! Kushina, what brings you here?" Uchiha Mikoto wore a brown cooking apron. Her straight black hair framed a smile in her eyes. "Lord Fourth Hokage!"

Kushina Uzumaki warmly embraced Uchiha Mikoto and gently patted her on the back. "Mikoto, have you lost weight?"

Uchiha Mikoto hurriedly led the three of them inside. "Kushina, you look the same to me."

Minato Namikaze asked, "Is Fugaku here?"

"Lord Fourth Hokage, he went to the lake with Sasuke to practice ninjutsu. They probably won't be back until lunchtime," Uchiha Mikoto answered honestly.

Minato Namikaze smiled. "Then I'll wait for Fugaku. I brought along some wine I've been saving. I have to sit down and have a heart-to-heart with him."

Minato Namikaze showed off the small flask in his hand.

Unfortunately, both mothers had already turned their attention to Naruto.

"Naruto, don't stuff your mouth full of peanuts. You'll choke." Kushina grabbed him by the collar.

Naruto made a muffled noise.

"Kushina, Naruto's just as cute as you are," Uchiha Mikoto said, bringing over some warm water. "Naruto, have a drink."

Naruto chewed his peanuts, making little crunching sounds.

Minato Namikaze walked to a corner and looked down at the small flask in his hand. He felt so dejected!

I'm the Fourth Hokage! I should be the one everyone's talking about!

Kushina forcibly confiscated Naruto's peanuts, so he had nothing to do but lie on the floor and rest with his eyes closed.

Minato Namikaze sat up straight nearby, listening as Kushina and Mikoto happily reminisced about the past, talked about the present, and chatted about the future.

Bang!

The front door swung open.

Uchiha Fugaku wore a stiff expression. "Sasuke, I only have to show Itachi something once, but I've been teaching you all morning and you still haven't learned it. You're nowhere near as good as Itachi."

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

Sasuke lowered his head, his eyes glistening with tears. "Dad, I'll work harder."

Sasuke was on the verge of crying from the scolding.

Smack!

Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Sasuke were drawn to the noise inside the house.

They saw Minato Namikaze sneaking a slap at Naruto's bottom, startling the nearly-asleep boy into jumping to his feet.

Naruto moved away in resignation. He wouldn't play with Minato Namikaze again.

Sasuke was sensitive by nature. He saw that there were guests in the house, then realized they had witnessed his embarrassing moment. His fair face instantly turned red from his ears to his cheeks.

There went the reputation of the Uchiha prodigy.

When Uchiha Fugaku saw Minato Namikaze, his expression immediately relaxed. "Lord Fourth Hokage, what brings you here?"

Minato Namikaze walked over and shook Uchiha Fugaku's hand. "It's been a long time since Kushina and Mikoto last saw each other. We can't let the bond between our families grow distant. I hope you don't mind me dropping by unannounced, Fugaku."

Uchiha Fugaku was a little excited. Minato Namikaze's attitude seemed to suggest he was extending an olive branch to the Uchiha Clan. If the Uchiha Clan could strengthen its ties with Minato Namikaze, things might improve for them under the pressure from the Konoha High Command.

Minato Namikaze was the future of Konoha.

"Not at all! Mikoto will be delighted. It's an honor to have you here, Lord Fourth Hokage. Please stay for lunch, and don't stand on ceremony." Uchiha Fugaku grew more and more enthusiastic.

Kushina and Mikoto went to the kitchen together to prepare lunch.

"This is my second son, Sasuke." Uchiha Fugaku guided Sasuke to his side. "Sasuke, say hello!"

Sasuke bowed. "Lord Fourth Hokage, it's nice to meet you."

Minato Namikaze searched around on himself for a moment, then took out a Shuriken engraved with a Flying Thunder God Mark and offered it to him. "Sasuke looks like a very promising child. This is just a small gift to welcome you. If you're interested, you can come find me and learn from me sometime."

Sasuke accepted it.

Uchiha Fugaku was so excited his lips trembled. The Fourth Hokage actually seemed willing to teach his second son the Flying Thunder God Technique. Sasuke had really met a benefactor.

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

Sasuke thanked him at once.

"Naruto, why are you standing so far away?" Minato Namikaze beckoned him over. "Look at Sasuke—so polite. Now look at yourself. What good qualities do you have?"

Naruto put his hands behind his head and replied carelessly, "Like father, like son."

Minato Namikaze was left completely awkward, his hand frozen in midair.

"Fugaku, is the Military Police Force keeping you busy?" Minato Namikaze was every bit the Hokage; he had nerves of steel and knew to change the subject immediately.

Uchiha Fugaku gently nudged Sasuke. "Go get acquainted with Naruto. Your father has important matters to discuss with Lord Fourth Hokage."

Sasuke nodded. He was a little reluctant, but still went over to Naruto.

Naruto didn't look like a well-behaved kid.

"Hello, I'm Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto nodded. "My mom said you were born the same year as me. What month?"

Sasuke tried to hide his discomfort. "July."

Naruto grinned and put an arm around Sasuke. "I'm older than you, so you should call me big bro."

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