A Father and Son Meet for the First Time

"I was starting to think you wouldn't show up, Minato Namikaze!"

Naruto turned toward the four masked Ninja who had arrived. The leader had short blond hair and radiated a lean, powerful presence.

It was Minato Namikaze, without a doubt.

He had come to investigate the strange reports from Rōran, bringing along Choji Akimichi's future father, Shino Aburame's father, and a young Kakashi.

When Naruto and Mukade had fought earlier, they had seen a bizarre puppet master on one side and a burly Ninja in a mask and a black cloak patterned with red clouds on the other. Unsure what was going on, they had watched from a distance.

Only now, after seeing the Ryūmyaku opened and realizing Naruto might make another move, had they revealed themselves.

"You know me? Who are you?" Minato Namikaze asked, Kunai in hand as he studied Naruto curiously.

He sensed something familiar about Naruto, which caught him off guard.

He was a war orphan. The only people close to him now were Kushina and Jiraiya.

Could this be Jiraiya-sensei in disguise?

No way!

But during the fight, his opponent had clearly used a Ninjutsu resembling the Rasengan, only stronger!

Was there a third person in the entire Shinobi World who could use the Rasengan?

Minato Namikaze's thoughts raced, but Naruto's true identity never crossed his mind.

"Who am I? Take a guess, heir to the Will of Fire!" Naruto's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Minato Namikaze was a good Ninja. One day, he would even be a good husband and a good Hokage. But he was no good father.

And that was the one thing Naruto needed from him.

Minato Namikaze frowned. From Naruto's tone, he could tell Naruto seemed to harbor a deep grudge against him.

Then...

*He must be my enemy. An enemy