At the very end, to prevent their memories of the future from changing the current timeline, Namikaze Minato stepped in and sealed everyone's memories of Naruto Uzumaki.
After Naruto Uzumaki disappeared before their eyes, everyone except Uchiha Aoba remembered only that they had defeated the enemy and completed the mission successfully. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't recall what had happened.
As for Uchiha Aoba, it wasn't that he had been outside the sealing range. The system had simply stepped in and erased the seal.
So when he saw the others looking confused, he immediately put on the same bewildered expression.
Two days later.
Uchiha Aoba and the others returned to Konoha safely with Namikaze Minato. They headed straight to the Hokage Building to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The five of them went to the Hokage Office, knocked, and entered.
As the team leader, Namikaze Minato recounted the mission as he remembered it to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He also mentioned that they had later discovered gaps in some of their memories.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked concerned and examined them, but found nothing unusual.
In the end, he could only conclude that the Dragon Vein had caused their memory loss. However, since it would leave no lasting effects on their health, he advised them all to get some rest and set the matter aside for the time being.
"All in all, Minato, you all did an excellent job on this mission."
"We didn't do anything at all," Kakashi muttered.
However, everyone in the office had excellent hearing, so they heard him loud and clear.
"Hahaha, don't say that."
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed and reassured him. "You and Shibi stayed behind to set up defenses and prevent a Sunagakure ambush, giving Minato and the others peace of mind. It may have seemed like you didn't contribute, but your efforts were significant."
"So don't worry. You'll get every bit of the reward you deserve."
"Lord Hokage, that's not what I meant," Kakashi quickly explained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand to stop him. He understood what Kakashi meant, so he changed the subject. "Minato, stay behind. The rest of you can go to the Logistics Department to collect your mission pay."
"Yes!"
They nodded and replied, then filed out one after another, with Uchiha Aoba at the front.
Once only Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato remained in the office, several minutes passed. Then Sarutobi Hiruzen's genial expression turned serious. "Minato, how did Uchiha Aoba perform this time?"
"Very actively."
Namikaze Minato gave an evenhanded assessment. "You could say Aoba was responsible for most of the success of this mission. His abilities also opened my eyes."
"He didn't deliberately hide his abilities like you were worried he might, and he didn't show any of the arrogance typical of the Uchiha Clan. But he is rather sensitive about his age."
"When people treated him like a child, he got quite irritated."
Namikaze Minato couldn't help laughing as he finished. Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled too. After a moment, they regained their composure, and Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "Then what level would you say his abilities have reached?"
"At least elite jonin!"
Namikaze Minato answered with absolute certainty. "Three-Tomoe Sharingan, advanced Fire Release, and he is also highly skilled in Taijutsu and swordsmanship."
"I see."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe and took a deep draw. After a while, he said slowly, "Minato, with your intelligence, I'm sure you can figure out why I recruited Uchiha Aoba into the Anbu."
"And why I assigned him to your team."
Namikaze Minato's heart stirred. "You wanted to build a bridge connecting the Uchiha Clan and the village."
"That's right."
Sarutobi Hiruzen made no attempt to hide his intentions.
"The Uchiha Clan is in a very awkward position in the village right now."
"After being repeatedly suppressed by Danzo and Koharu, among others, they have begun to distance themselves from the village. Of course, I admit I share some of the blame. I allowed Danzo too much freedom."
"Lord Hokage..."
Namikaze Minato was about to say something, but Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand to stop him. "Hear me out."
"I want to improve the Uchiha Clan's position in the village, but I'm afraid it's too late. On top of that, Danzo and the others are holding me back, so it won't be easy."
"So, at this point, I won't keep this from you any longer."
"Minato, when the war is completely over, I will step down from the Hokage Position."
"And you, Namikaze Minato, are the one I have chosen to succeed me as the Fourth Hokage."
"I..."
Even Namikaze Minato's steady nerves couldn't withstand the shock of this sudden news. His head was spinning, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing more for the time being.
He gave Namikaze Minato some time to process the news. Once his expression gradually returned to normal, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "I'm sorry to dump the Uchiha Clan's mess on you. I know it won't be easy."
"But... you can handle it, right?"
"What about Lord Orochimaru?"
Namikaze Minato didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked in confusion.
"Orochimaru..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew complicated. "He was certainly qualified to inherit the Hokage Position once, but now..."
Before he could finish, he changed the subject and pressed Namikaze Minato. "Just tell me this: can I entrust the Uchiha Clan to you or not?"
Namikaze Minato froze for a moment, then his expression turned resolute. "I promise I won't let you down."
"Good!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally smiled with satisfaction.
Konoha, more than a decade later.
It was the same Hokage Building, but unlike before, there was now a Hokage Assistant's office beside the Hokage Office. The person working there was none other than Uchiha Aoba, now in the future.
"You're back. How was the mission?"
After tossing the mission report aside, Uchiha Aoba asked Naruto Uzumaki with a smile.
"Traveling through time felt like a dream, both real and unreal."
Naruto Uzumaki looked excited. "I can't believe I actually got to see my old man when he was younger, and you too, Teacher Aoba! It was incredible."
"Did you pass along the message I asked you to?" Uchiha Aoba continued.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
Naruto Uzumaki nodded rapidly, but his excited expression suddenly froze.
"Wait, that's not right."
"What isn't?"
"Something's definitely wrong!"
Naruto Uzumaki suddenly jumped up and pointed at Uchiha Aoba, who wore an amused smile. "My old man sealed your memories back then, didn't he?"
"Then how did you know I would travel through time when I went to Rōran?"
Uchiha Aoba teased him. "Could the seal have broken on its own because so much time had passed?"
"Oh... I guess that is possible."
Naruto Uzumaki looked as if he had just figured it out. Uchiha Aoba was speechless and looked at him as if he were an idiot.
He actually believed such an obvious lie.
Were there really no problems with Teacher Minato and Big Sis Kushina's genes?
Before you continue