Can I Come Visit Uncle Qingchuan Often to Play?

A deep guilt flashed in Minato Namikaze's eyes.

"For the village, for this country. I've sacrificed too much of my wife and child. On the Night of the Nine-Tails, I nearly lost them forever. And today, because of my negligence in public duty, Hokage nearly ended up in danger again."

Tears overflowed from Kushina's eyes once more.

She choked out his name and freed one hand to clutch her husband's large palm tightly.

"Minato..."

Minato squeezed his wife's hand in return, then turned to Qingchuan's Shadow Clone.

Minato Namikaze's voice was firmer than ever, carrying the relief of a burden finally being lifted.

"So."

"If someone more suitable to be Hokage appears in the village."

"I'll step down without hesitation."

"To me."

"That would be a release as well!"

Minato Namikaze spoke those words from the bottom of his heart.

Looking into those azure eyes filled with sincerity and exhaustion, the Shadow Clone could not help but feel slightly amused.

The pinnacle of power that countless ambitious people in the Ninja World fought over, even willing to start wars for it, was nothing more than a heavy shackle in Minato Namikaze's eyes.

He was just about to offer a few words of comfort.

But little Hokage, cradled in Kushina's arms, began twisting his chubby body restlessly.

Those clear, round eyes, identical to Minato's, darted about. The little fellow seemed utterly oblivious to the weighty subject between the adults. He only thought the uncle who could create blue little foxes was especially fun.

"Ah... Dada..."

Little Hokage tried his best to stretch his short, plump hand toward Qingchuan.

A ten-month-old baby still could not pronounce words clearly.

Yet his fair little face turned red with effort as he clumsily pieced together a sentence that left everyone laughing.

"N-no matter... Dada busy..."