Konohagakure, Hokage Building.
The spacious conference room that was originally used to hold important meetings and mobilization rallies now seemed a little overcrowded.
Just after Second Hokage Tobirama Senju took Shikamaru away from Hokage's Office and arrived at the large conference room, like a chain reaction, figures began to appear in the conference room one after another, a little embarrassed or confused.
They were all Konoha Ninja who had previously responded to Sixth Naruto Uzumaki's call and were recruited to Pure Land to participate in "Six Paths·Life-and-Death Shogi".
However, they did not return in triumph, but like Second, they were defeated by the aftermath of the battle between Naruto and Sage of Six Paths, and were forcibly sent back to Mortal World, back to the place where they last gathered before setting off.
The atmosphere in the conference room was filled with deathly silence at first, and then there were low gasps, coughs, and unbelievable murmurs.
"Ahem... it's really... terrible..."
Kakashi Hatake was leaning against a conference table, panting slightly. The laziness on his face, which had always been lazy and indifferent, seemed to be completely shattered, revealing a pallor with lingering fear.
He subconsciously rubbed his nose, as if it would make him breathe easier.
The doomsday scene was still replaying in his mind.
The sky was torn into Golden and Blue Eyes. The two giant gods, who looked like they had stepped out of myths, just approached each other and gathered momentum. The pressure they exuded made him feel suffocated.
Then, the aftermath of the collision swept past like the universe was opening up. He didn't even have time to make any effective defense or dodge. His vision was swallowed up by the light of pure energy. Then his consciousness became blurred. When he opened his eyes again, he had already returned here.
"That is no longer a battle that Ninja of our level can participate in or even watch."
A warm and strong hand gently patted Kakashi on the shoulder.
Kakashi turned his head and saw his father Hatake Sakumo's calm and slightly tired face, but still full of concern. Sakumo had just recovered from the dizziness caused by the teleportation, and he was obviously one of the people who was cleared out in the final aftermath.
Sakumo looked at the panic in his son's eyes that had not completely dissipated, and said in a calm and understanding tone, "Maybe all we can do is wait silently."
"Waiting for Lord Hokage to return safely with the good news of victory."
He also cast his eyes on the empty podium in front of the conference room, which originally belonged to Naruto, where he gave a mobilization speech. His eyes were full of trust and expectation for the blond junior.
Hearing his father's consolation, Kakashi's tense nerves relaxed a little.
He took a deep breath and nodded. "Well..."
However, as soon as he said "um" out of his mouth, he was hit by Sakumo, a moderate and moderate shudder on his head.
"Hmm what um!"
Sakumo stared, and his tone instantly changed from gentle comfort to urging, "I can just watch here. You can go home and take care of Hanare."
Sakumo's voice seemed a bit abrupt in the quiet conference room, and many people looked over.
I saw that the former Konoha's White Fang now completely lost the coldness and calmness on the battlefield. He looked like an ordinary old father who was worried about his son's family life. He whispered:
"Your wife is pregnant, why are you still standing here?
Now that you're back safely, the first thing you should do is to go back and be with your wife quickly to make her feel at ease!"
Sakumo became more and more angry as he spoke, as if it was a heinous thing for Kakashi to stay here. "If my daughter-in-law worries too much because she is worried about you, which affects her body and my little grandson or granddaughter, you see if I can spare you Kid."
Kakashi was stunned by his father's sudden statement, and then his face showed a dumbfounded expression, but a warm current surged in his heart.
Yes, Hanare is still waiting for him at home, and their unborn child...
In addition to wars and life-and-death battles, there are also ordinary and precious families that need to be protected.
"Yes, yes, Father, I will go back right away."
Kakashi smiled helplessly, nodded to Sakumo, and nodded to other colleagues in the conference room who looked at him. Then he flashed his body, cast Body Flicker Technique, and hurriedly left the conference room, returning home as fast as he could.
Watching his son's leaving figure, Sakumo then snorted with satisfaction and turned his gaze to the front of the conference room again, but deep in his eyes, there was also a soft concern for his own offspring.
Another Corner in the conference room.
Minato Namikaze is carefully supporting Kushina Uzumaki, who is a little weak, and letting her sit down on a soft chair. Kushina's face is slightly pale, and it is obvious that the experience in Pure Land's battlefield just now is exhausting, but her eyes are still bright and full of power.
Minato carefully adjusted the sitting position for his wife, and handed her a glass of warm water just poured from the hot water bottle at hand, with gentle and considerate movements.
After doing this, he straightened up and his gaze, as if attracted by a magnet, was firmly fixed on the empty podium in front of the conference room.
There, a few hours ago, his son Naruto Uzumaki, waving his arms and using his ever-contagious voice, carried out pre-war mobilization and united everyone's hearts.
Minato's eyes gradually became extremely determined and proud from the initial worry and fear.
He could imagine that at the distant top of Pure Land, his son was going through an unprecedented and ultimate test that could be called a "war of gods". That was definitely not an area that he, Kushina, or even most people here could intervene in.
But...
The corners of Minato's mouth slowly curved into a warm and confident arc.
In his heart, he said silently to the blond figure who might be fighting fiercely with the God of Creation:
'Naruto... Daddy believes in you.'
'I believe you will come back safely with a victory that belongs to you and everyone.'
'Because...'
Minato's eyes are like the brightest stars, full of unquestionable faith:
'You are Ninja of Strongest.'
Finally, this belief turned into the deepest voice of pride and love that only a father can understand:
'You are... my son.'
Kushina seemed to sense her husband's voice. She stretched out her hand and held Minato's hand tightly.
The couple looked at each other and smiled, and all their worries and apprehensions turned into the firmest support and anticipation for their son.
In the conference room, other Konoha Ninjas returned one after another, whether they were the older generation Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, Tsunade Orochimaru, or the Mesozoic Asuma, red, Genma Shiranui, Namiashi Raidō, or the younger Ninja...
They all gradually recovered from the initial shock and trance.
They exchanged glances with each other. Although no one spoke, a silent understanding and belief flowed in the air.
They believe in their Hokage and the Naruto Uzumaki that creates miracles time and time again.
What they can do, as Sakumo said, is to protect their home here, in Konoha, and then...
Waiting for the hero's triumph.
Waiting for the figure of Golden, who represents the future, to break through all obstacles and return to the land he swore to protect with the dawn of victory.