The Fourth Hokage's Decision: Go to the Hidden Stone Village, Find Naruto!

Golden arcs of electricity gradually subsided in the air, dissolving into scattered specks of light.

Yoru leaned against the doorframe, watching Minato's complete transformation with a satisfied nod.

This was the "Yellow Flash" who could carve through enemy lines on the battlefield.

Trying to be a nice guy all the time in this cannibalistic ninja world would only leave not even bones behind.

Minato turned and met Kushina's eyes, filled with heartache and resolve.

The husband and wife said nothing, merely clasping each other's hands tightly.

Their fingers intertwined, their hearts as one.

The former Fourth Hokage of the Leaf Village died at that moment amid that pile of shredded paper.

"Come on. Now that you're awake, you should meet the people in charge here."

Yoru casually snapped his fingers, and a hidden compartment in the nearby wall sprang open.

Inside hung a brand-new ceremonial Hokage cloak.

Its base was pure white, without the Leaf Village's whirlpool emblem or those glaring words, "Fourth Hokage," on the back.

It was spotless and immaculate.

Minato took off his patient's gown and draped the pure white cloak over himself.

Freed from the shackles of the Leaf Village, that long-lost Kage-level presence returned to him in an instant, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

A few minutes later.

The luxurious office on the top floor of the Tsuchikage Building.

Ōnoki stood with his hands behind his back, pacing anxiously before the floor-to-ceiling window, his shoes clacking against the stone floor.

"How long has it been already? Is that old brat Orochimaru's cloning technology even reliable?"

The old man muttered to himself, scratching at his ears and cheeks in agitation.

Ever since arranging for Minato's family to stay in the underground base, he had dreamed every day of this nuclear weapon waking up soon.

Just then, with a click, the heavy oak door was pushed open.

Yoru strode in with both hands in his pockets.

Right after him, a dazzling flash of gold stepped into the office.

Ōnoki's cloudy old eyes widened abruptly, and even his breathing halted for half a beat.

Minato Namikaze!

A living, breathing Minato Namikaze, rosy-cheeked and brimming with chakra!

"Oh my! My little god of wealth... no, Brother Minato!"

Ōnoki was so excited that his beard stood on end. He immediately used the Light-Weight Rock Technique and floated before Minato with a whoosh.

His aged hands tightly gripped Minato's arms as he inspected him from top to bottom, his gaze more fervent than if he were staring at mountains of gold and silver.

"It's good that you're awake! So good!"

"I poured the village's best medicinal herbs into you. How do you feel now? Are your hand seals smooth?"

Looking at this former opponent who had once wanted nothing more than to swallow him whole on the battlefield, now wearing such a fawning expression, Minato could not help finding it absurd.

"Thank you for your care, Lord Tsuchikage. I have fully recovered."

Minato gave a slight nod. His tone was polite, yet it carried an oppressive air of authority without anger.

Yoru walked over to the sofa and sprawled comfortably across it.

"Old man, wipe that drool off your face. Don't scare the man."

Yoru crossed one leg over the other and called out toward the door.

"Kurotsuchi, bring in that little blond brat who's always running wild."

No sooner had he spoken than—

"Tap tap tap..."

A series of cheerful little footsteps came from the hallway.

The door was slammed open.

A tiny boy in an orange jumpsuit, with spiky blond hair, charged in like a little cannonball.

"Uncle Yoru! You're talking behind my back again!"

Four-year-old Naruto puffed out his cheeks, the distinctive fox whiskers visible on his face.

He did not act shy in the slightest. He pounced straight to Yoru's side and expertly swiped a piece of premium pastry from the table.

"I didn't cause any trouble today! Sasuke was the one who insisted on competing with me in throwing shuriken, so the wall got smashed!"

Clatter.

The chakra medicine bottle in Kushina's hand fell to the floor and shattered.

She stared blankly at the little boy, his face covered in pastry crumbs as he gnawed away, and tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string.

That was her flesh and blood, the precious child she had risked her life to bring into the world!

Minato was completely stunned as well.

The hands that had never retreated even when facing the Death God were now trembling violently.

"Na... Naruto?"

Minato's voice was terribly hoarse, and his eyes instantly reddened.

Hearing the voice, little Naruto stopped chewing.

He turned his head, biting a finger covered in pastry crumbs as he curiously examined the unfamiliar man and woman.

"Mister, why is your hair as yellow as mine?"

The little fellow blinked his bright blue eyes. Not only was he not shy, he even moved closer.

"And this red-haired auntie, why are you crying? Did Grandpa Ōnoki dock your pay again?"

The innocent words nearly made Ōnoki choke, his eyes rolling back.

Kushina could no longer hold back.

She rushed forward and pulled Naruto tightly into her arms, bursting into loud sobs.

"My precious baby! Mommy's darling!"

Little Naruto was squeezed so tightly that he could barely breathe, yet surprisingly, he did not struggle.

Feeling the warmth in the red-haired auntie's embrace, he suddenly felt an indescribable sense of security.

"Auntie's hug... smells so nice."

Little Naruto stretched out his chubby hand and awkwardly patted Kushina's back.

Minato stepped forward and gently wrapped his wife and son in his arms.

His gaze carefully swept over Naruto from head to toe.

His clothes were made of fine material, and there was not a single wound on him. His little face was round and healthy, and even his nails had been trimmed cleanly.

Most importantly, the child's eyes were full of sunlight and confidence.

There was no fear, no inferiority, and none of the darkness and isolation of being treated as a monster by the entire village!

At that moment, Minato's heart was completely at ease.

If Naruto had remained in the Leaf Village—

His son would probably be hiding in some dark corner right now, enduring the villagers' cold stares and abuse, unable to get even a hot meal.

But here, in the Hidden Stone Village—

He was a healthy, happy, ordinary child cherished by everyone!

Even when he mischievously smashed a wall, the Supreme Elder would cover for him!

The stark contrast completely shattered the last shred of Minato's ridiculous attachment to the Leaf Village.

So what if the higher-ups schemed? So what if there was the Will of Fire?

What kind of home was a village that could not even protect his wife and child?

Minato straightened up.

He reached out with his broad hand and gently ruffled Naruto's soft golden hair, the lines of his face becoming incomparably resolute.

Then he turned to face Yoru on the sofa and Ōnoki, who stood nearby rubbing his hands together excitedly.

All gentleness vanished from Minato's face, replaced by a chilling sharpness and decisiveness.

"Lord Tsuchikage. Yoru."

Minato's voice was not loud, yet it struck the entire office like metal hitting stone.

He tightly held Kushina's hand, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki formally leave the Leaf Village as of today!"

"We are willing to serve the Hidden Stone Village with everything we have!"

Ōnoki was so excited upon hearing this that he nearly took off from where he stood.

Yoru, meanwhile, took a sip of tea, a cold smile of anticipation curling his lips.

"Brother Minato, there's no rush about serving us. We've got work already."

Yoru casually tossed an intelligence report onto the table, his eyes full of mockery.

"The Leaf Village sent people to the border to beg for food. And the one leading them is your precious disciple with mush for brains, Kakashi."