The three discussed the matter and finally decided to establish a "Special Breeding Class." The Inuzuka Clan and the Medical Department would each provide staff to work together on researching how to hatch Pokemon.
As for Kushina, she would not return to active duty for the time being.
The village would neither publicize her return nor conceal it. If anyone asked, they would say that a special jutsu developed by Tsunade had saved her life, and that the Medical Department had worked tirelessly until she finally recovered.
However, since she had lost the Nine-Tails, even after recovering, it would be difficult for her to continue as a ninja.
Minato's return would remain a secret for now. If anyone came to investigate Kushina's condition, Minato could serve as a trump card.
Especially the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Incident. If he dared show himself, Minato would make sure he never left alive.
This might make Kushina seem like bait, but she was no weakling.
Even without the Nine-Tails, she was an ordinary early third-tier powerhouse—in other words, she had just entered Kage Level.
Besides, they couldn't keep Kushina hidden away forever, sneaking around or changing her appearance to stay away from Naruto.
So it would be better to come clean directly. It might even work out better that way.
After Minato and Kushina left, the Third Hokage and Shikaku Nara continued their discussion.
"Tell me what you think, Shikaku."
The Third Hokage propped his chin on his hands and asked.
"Based on what you said, the Fourth Hokage once admitted that he had joined some kind of organization. I think he was forced into it, and that this organization is currently too powerful for him to resist.
"After all, it can resurrect the dead at will and provide countless extraordinary objects from other worlds. It's practically no different from a god.
"Besides, the organization probably places restrictions on its members, such as forbidding them from revealing information about it and requiring them to complete missions regularly. Those extraordinary objects from other worlds might be the rewards for these missions.
"Those restrictions would explain why the Fourth Hokage kept saying he couldn't reveal any information or serve as Hokage."
From the scant information Minato had given the Third Hokage, Shikaku Nara had deduced that the Main God Space existed. His keen mind couldn't help but impress Zhu Shen.
"Good. I'll make a note of that and toss you into the Main God Space later."
"So Minato and the village are still on the same side," the Third Hokage said calmly.
"You've always believed that, haven't you? Otherwise, you would have summoned me first instead of immediately voicing your support for the Fourth Hokage."
The Third Hokage let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair, relaxing.
"I watched Minato grow up. Of course I trust him. Emotionally and rationally, I'm certain that the man who came back to life is still himself.
"But as the leader of a village, sometimes you have to make an effort even if it seems pointless. You have to consider every possibility."
"Thank you for all your hard work, Lord Third Hokage." Shikaku bowed slightly, then continued.
"Actually, you should be glad. Fortunately, it was the Fourth Hokage who joined that secret organization first. Given its capabilities, creating a large number of powerful people would be effortless.
"Even if the organization places restrictions on its members, those restrictions can't stop it—or perhaps it has no reason to protect the Ninja World.
"The rule that members can't reveal information to outsiders seems to me like more than just a way to keep the organization secret and let it grow in the shadows. Another possibility is that it protects the weak outside the organization, people like us!"
"Oh? Why do you think that?"
"Based on the Fourth Hokage's hints, we can assume that many people in the Ninja World have already joined this organization, and perhaps more will join in the future. But they're insignificant compared to the population of the entire Ninja World.
"If the organization didn't restrict its members, there's no doubt that its members would come to dominate the entire world.
"Countries would be built around the organization's members, and the weak would be nothing but tools for selecting candidates to join. Only those who became like them would earn their approval.
"Ordinary people would be reduced to breeding stock. Their only hope of rising in the world would be to join the organization; otherwise, they would be exploited forever.
"Because everyone understands this: if you don't join them, you're one of the weak!"
Shikaku Nara paused to take a deep breath, then said,
"So, fortunately, it was the Fourth Hokage. Fortunately, this organization has all these restrictions.
"If someone else—some ambitious person—had suddenly gained this kind of power, all they would think about is controlling everything, not protecting it."
After finishing his analysis, Shikaku Nara couldn't help but marvel:
"And with the Fourth Hokage's wisdom, he must have realized all this too. That's why he came up with this strategy, with such painstaking care!"
Minato hadn't heard the rest of the conversation in the Konoha office, but he could more or less guess what they had discussed. Naturally, he didn't mind.
This was the village where he had grown up. For all its flaws, he was willing to build it up and protect it bit by bit rather than ignore it and focus only on satisfying his own desires.
It was precisely because he had come from the bottom of the village that he wanted to improve the lives of those at the bottom and make the village better and better.
And he would be like a flame, illuminating the village's new buds.
Where the leaves of Konoha danced, the fire would burn on...
Back home, Minato planned to exchange points for a powerful physical enhancement for Kushina, but she objected as soon as he brought it up.
"Minato, I'm not a Reincarnator. I'm a mother now. What danger could I possibly be in? You're the one who has to face all kinds of battles.
"I'm really worried about you. You're the pillar of our family. As long as you're safe, our child and I can rest easy. Besides, I'm not weak, you know~"
Even so, Minato spent a B-rank side-story reward and 20,000 points to exchange for the Flying Thunder God Technique enhancement. Once enhanced, she would be able to use the Flying Thunder God directly.
Few people learned the Flying Thunder God for two reasons. First, it was a secret jutsu of Konoha, never taught to outsiders. Second, it was extremely difficult to learn: one needed spatial talent and exceptional skill in ninjutsu.
Kushina had excellent talent for ninjutsu too. Unfortunately, her spatial talent was practically nonexistent; all her talent had gone into Sealing Jutsu.
The Main God Space could ignore these requirements and directly impart the knowledge, enhancing her to the level of basic mastery.
It was like skipping the entire process of learning and understanding and simply being given the answer.
Of course, her spatial talent remained unchanged. She could only use the Flying Thunder God. She was still far from Minato's level, where he could use it in all kinds of situations and weave it seamlessly into battle.
After all, copying the answer and working it out yourself weren't the same thing, even if you got the same score.
"All right. Now I can relax."
Minato smiled as he spoke.
Even though Kushina had genuinely told him not to waste points on enhancing her, after Minato had "forcefully" enhanced her anyway, she still felt all the sweeter for it.
After settling everything in Konoha, Minato returned to the Main God Space, ready to enhance himself.
He could make exchanges in the Main World too, but most people were still accustomed to enhancing themselves in the Main God Space.
One reason was that it offered more privacy. Another was that they could test their skills in the Training Ground, which automatically restored everything, so there was no need to worry. If someone found their personal space too small, the Main God could also provide custom battle arenas. It could simulate any setting—ocean, forest, city, snowfield, whatever they wanted. Of course, this service cost extra.
In his bedroom, while not in combat, Minato focused his mind on the Assistant System.
"System, transport me to the Main God Space."
Before you continue