Letters from Their Parents

After learning the Kamehameha, Feng Xun opened the shop's item catalog again. When he saw the most expensive item listed there, he could not help but sigh.

[Dragon Ball: S-rank item, the core item of the Dragon Ball System, created jointly by seven divine dragons. It can grant the user any one wish. Required points: 1,000,000,000]

After closing the system again, Feng Xun looked up at the sky.

Dad, Mom, I will definitely bring you back to life. Even if I have to slaughter every unrelated ninja and drain every nation of its wealth, I will save you both.

When that time comes, our family will be together again. And not only that—Big Brother will give you a virtuous daughter-in-law and a mischievous grandson someday.

As he gazed at the increasingly dark sky, the turmoil in Feng Xun's heart gradually settled.

Before that, let me give my all for that wonderful future.

When he returned home, Feng Xun found Kushina and Minato standing in front of the door, anxiously waiting for him.

"Ah!? Why is everyone standing at the door? Is some important person coming by for an inspection later?"

Not wanting his family to worry, Feng Xun deliberately joked as he usually did.

Kushina had been terribly worried, but when she saw her little brother return to his usual carefree self, she was relieved and snapped, "You've got the nerve to say that. It's so late, and you were still wandering around outside. Did you not know Minato and I were worried sick about you?"

"Sorry, sorry. But I did it to give you two some time alone. Looks like you still haven't understood my good intentions!"

Feng Xun grinned as he walked into the house.

As he passed Minato, who had remained silent the entire time, Minato spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Xun, don't push yourself too hard."

Feng Xun paused, then nodded in agreement.

Two days later, before the Memorial Stone

The Minato brothers stood together with the relatives of the other deceased.

"Father, Mother, may you bless Xun and me from heaven."

As he spoke, Minato tugged at Feng Xun's sleeve. "Come on, Xun. You should say something too."

Feng Xun waved his hand, his expression somewhat unnatural. "I'll pass. Even if Dad and Mom's names are on the Memorial Stone, their souls aren't here. I don't think this stone can bless me."

"You child, saying things like that again!" Minato glanced at Feng Xun helplessly and did not try to persuade him further.

"Tch. I don't want to be lectured by a kid whose actual age is younger than mine," Feng Xun muttered under his breath.

After the memorial service ended, Feng Xun said to Minato, who was still lost in remembrance, "Big Brother, when we go back to the academy next time, I plan to apply for early graduation."

Minato's expression darkened when he heard that. "Xun, don't be willful. You're only eight years old. It's far too early for you to graduate, and the situation everywhere is still unstable... If you graduate rashly, you might be sent to the battlefield."

It's precisely because things are still unstable that I need to graduate early. If there's no war, where am I supposed to earn points?

That was what Feng Xun thought, but he needed a different explanation.

"Minato, you haven't been assigned teammates yet, have you?"

Minato nodded. "That's right, but the academy teachers said that after a while, they'll find suitable people to form a team with me."

"And then you'll leave me at home alone while you go off to carry out dangerous missions by yourself?" Feng Xun asked in a low voice.

Minato hesitated for a moment before continuing, "There's no helping that. Don't worry, your brother will definitely return safely from the battlefield."

"Dad said the same thing before he left." Feng Xun looked at Minato again, his eyes fixed firmly on him. "Big Brother, are you stronger than Dad was?"

"..."

Minato did not continue. He knew everything his little brother said was true. He was indeed confident in his own strength, but he was only a Chunin right now.

Saying that no accidents would happen would be a lie.

After all, the battlefield was filled with danger at every moment. Forget a mere Chunin—even ninjas with Kage-level strength could easily die there.

Minato's silence did not surprise Feng Xun. After a brief pause, he continued, "That's why I'm applying to graduate early. And afterward, I'll definitely find a way to become your teammate."

"You don't need to worry about my strength either. Even as I am now, I barely have the strength of a Chunin. I definitely won't embarrass you."

"Since your little brother wants to graduate early so badly, you should agree to it."

At that moment, a somewhat sorrowful female voice came from nearby.

"Lady Tsunade, why are you here?" Minato looked at the newcomer in surprise.

Tsunade wore a black suit and held a bouquet of lilies in her hands. Her face was clouded with sorrow.

She walked up to the two brothers, placed the flowers before the Memorial Stone, then continued her earlier words. "Since your brother wants to graduate from the Ninja Academy, give him a chance. What harm is there in letting him try?"

"But..." Minato had just started to object when Tsunade continued, "Besides, this may be the outcome your parents wanted to see."

"How could that be? Father and Mother would never want Xun to put himself in danger so easily." Minato hurriedly shook his head in denial.

Unbothered by Minato's rebuttal, Tsunade pulled an envelope from her robes and said somewhat apologetically, "This is a letter your parents left for you before they attacked the Rain Ninja Village. I'm sorry, but I looked at what was inside earlier."

"A letter Dad left behind?" Feng Xun was stunned when he heard where the letter had come from.

Tsunade nodded. "Because the mission Sister Lianxiang and the others were carrying out was very dangerous, they prepared letters for their families before setting out."

Feng Xun hurriedly opened the letter in his hands, then read it together with Minato.

"Hey! Are my foolish sons still doing well?

By the time you read this letter, I imagine your mother and I will no longer be among the living.

Don't be too sad over your old man. Of course, if you aren't sad at all, I'll be very upset too.

I've lectured you plenty while I was alive, so let me talk a little longer one last time after I'm gone.

Starting with the older one, I'll talk to you first, Minato!

I know you've always liked hiding your strength, but never do something you'll regret because of it. And as the older brother, you must take responsibility for your little brother's safety. No matter what happens, you're family. Family should stay together and support one another...

Oh, right. Your mother just told me that the little red-haired girl is quite wonderful. Make sure you bring her home as your wife!

As for Xun... honestly, I don't know what to say. You're far too mischievous. Even the Ninja Academy teachers have come looking for me more than once. Although they all say my son is useless, I don't believe it~"

(To be continued)