Sarutobi Hiruzen's Plan

In the final moments, to prevent the memories of the future from altering the current timeline, Namikaze Minato took action to seal away everyone's memories of Naruto Uzumaki.

Once Naruto Uzumaki vanished from their sight, everyone except Uchiha Aoba remembered only that they had defeated the enemy and successfully completed the mission, though they could not recall the details of the process.

As for Uchiha Aoba, he was not outside the range of the seal; rather, the system had exerted its power to erase the seal's effect on him.

Therefore, seeing the confused expressions on the others, he immediately feigned the same state of bewilderment.

Two days later.

Uchiha Aoba and the others followed Namikaze Minato back to Konoha, heading directly to the Hokage Building to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The group of five arrived at the Hokage's office and knocked before entering.

Namikaze Minato, acting as the team leader, recounted the mission process as he remembered it to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

This included the fact that he had discovered gaps in his memory later on.

In response, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked worried and performed a check, but he found no abnormalities.

In the end, he could only attribute the situation to the influence of the Dragon Vein, noting that it would not cause any long-term side effects on their bodies.

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen advised everyone to get some rest and temporarily put the matter out of his mind.

"In short, Minato, you all performed excellently on this mission."

"I didn't contribute anything at all."

Kakashi muttered softly.

However, the people in the office all possessed excellent hearing, so they heard him clearly.

"Hahaha, don't say that."

Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed, offering comfort: "You and Shibi stayed behind to establish defenses and prevent a sneak attack from Sunagakure, ensuring that Minato and the others had no worries behind them. It may seem like you didn't contribute, but your actual merit is quite significant."

"So rest assured, the rewards due to you will not be lacking in the slightest."

"Lord Hokage, that is not what I meant." Upon hearing this, Kakashi quickly spoke up to explain.

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand to signal that Kakashi need not explain; he understood what the boy meant and changed the subject: "Then, Minato, stay behind. The rest of you, go to the Logistics Department to collect your mission payment."

"Yes!"

The group nodded in acknowledgment and left one after another, with Uchiha Aoba walking in the lead.

When only Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato remained in the office, after a few minutes, Sarutobi Hiruzen dropped his harmonious expression and said solemnly: "Minato, how was Uchiha Aoba's performance this time?"

"Very active."

Namikaze Minato gave an objective evaluation: "It can be said that the reason this mission went so smoothly is largely due to Aoba's contributions. Furthermore, his strength opened my eyes."

"He did not deliberately hide himself as you previously worried, nor did he display the arrogance typical of the Uchiha Clan, though he is quite sensitive about his age."

"He becomes very annoyed when treated like a child."

After saying this, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but laugh, and Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but chuckle as well. After a moment, he adjusted his mood and asked: "Then, what level would you estimate his strength has reached?"

"At least an elite Jonin!"

Namikaze Minato was absolutely certain: "Three-Tomoe Sharingan, high-level Fire Style, and his taijutsu and swordsmanship are also outstanding."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe and took a deep drag. After a while, he said slowly: "Minato, with your wisdom, I believe you can understand why I brought Uchiha Aoba into the Anbu."

"And why I arranged for him to be under your command."

Namikaze Minato's heart stirred: "It is to build a bridge between the Uchiha Clan and the village."

"Yes."

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not hide his intentions.

"The current situation of the Uchiha Clan in the village is very awkward."

"Because they are often suppressed by Danzo, Koharu, and the others, they have begun to show signs of being alienated from the village. Of course, I admit that this is also my fault; I was too indulgent toward Danzo."

"Lord Hokage..."

Namikaze Minato was about to speak, but Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand to interrupt: "Listen to me."

"I want to turn around the Uchiha Clan's situation in the village now, but unfortunately, it seems too late. Plus, with Danzo and the others holding me back, it is not easy to achieve."

"So, at this point, I will no longer hide it from you."

"Minato, after the war is completely over, I will resign from the position of Hokage."

"And you, Namikaze Minato, are the candidate I have chosen to succeed as the Fourth Hokage of Konoha."

"I..."

Even with Namikaze Minato's mental fortitude, he was stunned by this sudden news, his head buzzing, and for a moment, he did not know what to say.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not say anything more for the time being.

After giving Namikaze Minato some time to digest the information and seeing his expression gradually return to normal, he continued: "I am sorry to dump the mess of the Uchiha Clan on you. I know it won't be easy."

"But... you can handle it, right?"

"Where is Lord Orochimaru?"

Namikaze Minato did not answer immediately, asking with a look of confusion.

"Orochimaru..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned complex. "In the past, he truly had the qualifications to inherit the position of Hokage, but now..."

Before he could finish, he immediately shifted the topic and questioned Namikaze Minato: "You only need to tell me whether or not you can handle being entrusted with the Uchiha Clan."

Namikaze Minato was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned solemn: "I guarantee that I will not fail your expectations."

"Very good!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen finally smiled with satisfaction.

Konoha, more than a decade later.

It was still the Hokage Building, but the difference was that there was now an office for the Hokage Assistant next to the Hokage's office, and the person working there was none other than the future Uchiha Aoba.

"You're back. How did the mission go?"

Tossing the mission report aside, Uchiha Aoba looked at Naruto Uzumaki and asked with a smile.

"Traveling through time and space, it felt just like a dream—half-real and half-illusory."

Naruto Uzumaki's expression was excited: "I never expected that I would actually see my old man, and you when you were younger, Uchiha Aoba-sensei. It was truly magical."

"Then, did you deliver the message I asked you to pass on?" Uchiha Aoba continued to inquire.

"Mm-hmm!"

Naruto Uzumaki nodded rapidly, but then his excited expression froze on his face.

"Wait a second, that's not right."

"What's not right?"

"Everything is not right!"

Naruto Uzumaki suddenly jumped up, pointing at the smiling Uchiha Aoba: "Didn't my old man seal the memories of you and the others, Uchiha Aoba-sensei?"

"Then how did you know, Sensei, that I would travel through time and space when I went to Rōran?"

Seeing this, Uchiha Aoba teased: "Is it possible that too much time has passed, and the seal broke on its own?"

"Oh~ that is indeed a possibility."

Naruto Uzumaki's 'so that's how it is' expression left Uchiha Aoba speechless, looking at the other person as if he were an idiot.

He could actually believe such an obvious lie.

Are the genes of Namikaze Minato-sensei and Kushina-nee-san really alright?