Naruto's steps suddenly halted, and he froze in place.
Kushina's heart tightened slightly. She instinctively raised a hand and gently rested it on Naruto's shoulder.
Minato Namikaze stopped as well, quietly regarding the Konoha border guards who had surrounded them.
Under the ninjas' tense, watchful gazes, Minato raised a hand and slowly removed his hood.
The instant they recognized that familiar, radiant face, the Konoha ninjas' pupils contracted.
Without a moment's hesitation, they all dropped to one knee, their voices filled with utmost respect. "Greetings, Fourth Hokage!"
Minato's expression was calm, his voice warm and steady. "Please rise."
"This is my wife, Kushina Uzumaki."
"And the child beside us is my son, Naruto. We're heading back to Konoha for a visit."
The ninjas hurried to their feet.
Their hearts pounded wildly...
Their eyes kept straying toward little Naruto, bundled snugly behind Minato.
Shock and curiosity filled their eyes, and the same thought ran through their minds: This was the one featured countless times in those recaps in the sky.
Naruto Uzumaki, who would shake the future shinobi world!
An extraordinary figure stood right before them, but he was still so young, his features not yet fully formed.
They could see no sign of the brilliance he would one day display.
With his keen perception, Minato noticed their distraction at a glance.
He lifted his gaze slightly and asked evenly, "Was there something else?"
The ninjas snapped back to their senses and hastily bowed in apology, their voices uneasy. "Our apologies, Lord Fourth Hokage!"
"Would you like us to gather a few jonin to escort you along the way?"
"No need."
Minato shook his head lightly, his tone calm.
The border guards could only suppress their turbulent feelings, respectfully step aside, and slowly withdraw.
Once they had left, Minato Namikaze led