"Grandpa, I thought you were already dead! Thank goodness! Thank goodness!"
"Konohamaru... you silly boy."
Perhaps all his pent-up emotions had burst out at once. Konohamaru was so overwhelmed that he seemed unable to take in anything anyone said.
Looking at his grandson clinging tightly to his clothes in his arms, the Third sighed and turned his gaze toward the Fourth Hokage and his wife. "Sorry for the trouble."
"Shall we step out for a while?"
At Minato's suggestion, however, the Third shook his head. "No need."
"Konohamaru, listen to your grandpa."
"I didn't want to see you again in the first place. That was why I asked Asuma to give you my letter. I thought it was nearly time for you to get out of school.
"But it looks like you sneaked out of school again?"
When Konohamaru gave no response, the Third thought for a moment. "Then how about the two of us have a talk?"
"I won't listen! Grandpa, you wouldn't even tell me what happened yourself. You just wanted to... how could I possibly listen to you now!"
The Third sighed. "Actually, I didn't avoid telling you directly because I didn't respect you. I was afraid I would hesitate and regret my decision."
"Grandpa?"
Konohamaru froze.
The Third Hokage stroked his head, his expression peaceful. "Konohamaru, I'm not surprised you showed up at all. Right up until a moment ago, I kept thinking you might find out at any second.
"But I was also afraid all along, afraid that seeing you would make me waver.
"I thought I might choose to keep living because I wanted to watch you grow up, start a family, and make something of yourself. But now that I've actually seen you, I find I don't feel that way after all."
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