章 50: 50. Minato's arrival
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"Hey, Naruto, I need you to hand me that special kunai."
"A special kunai? Sure!"
Naruto pulled out the Flying Thunder God Kunai and placed it on the ground, recalling his days of playing video games, where he always carried a warding totem for extra vision.
This kunai served as Minato's teleportation marker. Whenever he went out, he always took one along; it made him feel more secure.
"Hey, Kurama, why didn't you create a chat room this time?"
Kurama thought about it for a second, then glanced at Naruto with irritation. "I did, but then Kushina and I got into a fight."
"Huh? Weren't you both fine just now?"
"Ask her yourself when you get back." Kurama closed his eyes, clearly done with the conversation. Why should he explain?
It was all because this brat had exposed their secret communication method.
Then Kushina started demanding that they should chat with Naruto more often, like daily phone calls.
Seriously? This old fox is the Nine-Tails, the strongest-tailed beast! Did they expect him to be a messenger for his mother and son every day? How embarrassing. That's how the fight started.
Naruto was puzzled but didn't dwell on it.
After all, Kurama and Kushina argued daily, and it only seemed to strengthen their bond.
Naruto wondered if bringing out the kunai now meant his father wanted to teleport over himself.
After a while, Minato appeared, wearing his forehead protector, blue ninja attire, and his signature Hokage cloak.
"Dad, why'd you come here in person?" Naruto asked.
"Because this involves one of my current plans, and I needed to bring them back."
"Knew it," Kakashi thought as he saw Naruto take out the kunai. He wasn't surprised to see Minato.
"Lord Fourth!" Sakura exclaimed, shocked that Minato had travelled from Konoha to the Land of Waves in an instant.
Although the Flying Thunder God Jutsu is Minato's signature jutsu, not everyone knows the details.
Many even confuse it with simple teleportation, so it made sense that Sakura was clueless.
"Uncle Minato," Sasuke greeted politely.
Minato nodded in response, smiling. "Kushina informed me about what was happening. You all did well on this mission. Leave Zabuza and Haku to me."
The team, proud of their work, smiled and wondered what Minato had planned.
Minato turned to Zabuza and Haku, who were securely bound, and asked, "You're Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist, and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, right?"
"Fourth Hokage, the famed Yellow Flash of Konoha. I've heard much about you," Zabuza replied with cautious respect.
Naruto observed the scene, feeling it resembled the tense negotiations when Kakashi first met Zabuza. Was this some ninja custom he didn't know about?
Luckily, Minato cut through the awkwardness. "I'll be direct. I need your help with something. It won't violate your ninja code, and if you succeed, it'll benefit you."
Zabuza remained silent for a moment before glancing at Haku. "Looks like I don't have much choice."
"Then return to Konoha with me, and we'll discuss the details."
Minato then turned to Tazuna, his expression turning serious. "Mr. Tazuna, regarding your deception and the false mission rank, I expect you to come to Konoha after the bridge is completed to explain yourself and help with the aftermath. Is that clear?"
"Y-Yes, of course!" Tazuna stammered, shocked by the young Hokage's stern demeanour.
Sakura tugged on Naruto's sleeve and whispered, "Hey, Naruto, isn't Lord Hokage supposed to be gentle? Why is he so strict today?"
Naruto replied, "Because he's Hokage. He's gentle with his own, but that old man tried to trick us, so it's only right to be strict. They say that during negotiations with the Land of Lightning a few years ago, Dad's presence was even scarier."
Sakura nodded, trying to understand.
This was how a Hokage should be: kind to his own, like the friendly neighbour everyone loves, but firm with outsiders.
"We'll head back to Konoha now," Minato said, preparing to teleport with Zabuza and Haku.
Naruto leaned in, "Dad, can your chakra handle such a long distance?"
"It's fine. This distance isn't as taxing as summoning Gamabunta. And don't underestimate your dad's chakra reserves."
"Oh, do you want to take us back too? We're done here anyway," Naruto asked hopefully.
Before Minato could respond, Kakashi spoke up, "No, Naruto. This is our mission. We started it, so we'll finish it ourselves. Completing the mission properly is part of a ninja's training."
"Oh," Naruto sighed, resigning himself to walk back. "You ninjas have so many rules." But he didn't argue. When he mastered the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, he could teleport home while others walked.
Minato ruffled Naruto's hair and turned to Kakashi with a proud smile. "You're becoming a great teacher, Kakashi."
"Ah, it's nothing," Kakashi replied, embarrassed by the praise.
Naruto couldn't resist teasing, "You'd be an even better teacher if you didn't read those weird books in front of us."
"Hey, hey..." Kakashi stammered, flustered.
"Pfft," Sasuke snickered.
Sakura also giggled behind her hand.
Zabuza and Haku watched this interaction, a look of disbelief in their eyes. Such casual banter between students and their Jonin was unheard of in the Bloody Mist.
Minato sighed, "Are you still reading those? When I recommended Jiraiya-sensei's book to you, it was 'The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi'... Because of that, Kushina's given me quite a few lectures. Maybe I'll let her handle you."
Then, with a casual wave, Minato teleported away with Zabuza and Haku to Konoha.
"No, Minato-sensei..."
Kakashi reached out, but it was too late. Remembering Kushina's "gentle" teachings, he froze in place like a scarecrow in a field.
"Hahahaha..." Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura burst into laughter, filling the air with joy.
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