102.Father and Son Meet

Mount Myōboku.

Naruto, who was dirty from training, was rubbing his belly with a pained expression.

"Hey, Pervy Sage, I mean, when are we going to get out of here?"

"Hmm? What's up?"

Jiraiya was sitting on the ground, writing furiously on some papers placed on his knee.

Naruto glanced around nervously, then leaned in close to Jiraiya, speaking in a hushed voice with his hand covering his mouth.

"This place is really scary. We have to eat bugs every day. I'm not a toad, you know!"

He finished with a green face, his features scrunched up in disgust.

Jiraiya's face twitched upon hearing this, and he too turned green. However, he quickly masked his reaction and started to scold loudly.

"That's why you're still far off, kid. A ninja must endure everything. Bugs are nothing. Look at me, I can eat them without changing my expression!"

"Oh ho, it seems little Jiraiya really enjoys my cooking. Remember to eat more each time!"

Shima's voice, at this moment, sounded like the whisper of a devil to Jiraiya, freezing him in place.

"Ha ha ha... Pervy Sage, you're just bluffing..."

Naruto pointed at Jiraiya with one hand while clutching his belly and laughing.

Standing next to Shima, Minato was watching his lively son with a face full of contentment.

He really is my son, just as cute as Kushina.

"Naruto."

"Hmm? Who's calling me?" Naruto turned his head.

In his sight, a familiar-looking older brother, wearing ceremonial robes, his golden hair shining brilliantly in the sunlight, was smiling at him warmly.

Naruto squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the man for a moment before suddenly widening his eyes and pointing at Minato, shouting, "You... You're the Fourth Hokage!"

Minato was about to speak when Naruto moved closer, looking up at him.

"No, wait!" Naruto rubbed his chin, "Sasuke's uncle told me that the Fourth Hokage is my dad, but my dad's already dead."

Minato tried to speak again, but Naruto suddenly brightened and shouted excitedly, "Does that mean I have an uncle too?"

He quickly and warmly grabbed one of Minato's hands with both of his, shaking it up and down.

"Hello, Uncle! Just as expected from my awesome uncle, as handsome as Sasuke's uncle!"

Minato, a bit amused, raised his other hand to cover Naruto's head and exchanged a glance with the stunned Jiraiya nearby.

"Jiraiya-sensei."

"Minato?" Jiraiya blinked, quickly standing up to scrutinize him, "This isn't Edo Tensei. Are you not dead? What's going on?"

"Jiraiya-sensei, I am dead." Minato ruffled Naruto's hair, which was just like his own, "My current state is due to a deal with Kaito."

He looked down at Naruto's upturned face, seeing how much his features resembled Kushina's, and couldn't help but smile warmly.

"I just couldn't let go of Naruto."

"Uchiha Kaito?"

Jiraiya and Shima asked in surprise at the same time.

Minato nodded.

"Hey!"

Naruto's voice suddenly rang out, his eyes red as he looked at Minato.

"I mean, are you really my dad?"

"Naruto."

Minato smiled, meeting his gaze.

"I am your father."

"So you really are my dad."

Naruto's tears began to flow uncontrollably, and he suddenly lowered his head, punching Minato in the stomach.

"You lousy dad!"

Minato took a few steps back, looking slightly bewildered.

"Naruto?"

"Why... Why did you seal the Nine-Tails inside me..." Naruto began to sob quietly, "Since I was little, everyone in the village called me a demon fox... The kids wouldn't play with me... Even the shopkeepers wouldn't sell me anything..."

Naruto kept his head down, tears dripping to the ground.

"I had to play pranks just to get noticed... It was so hard... But I finally graduated and became a ninja..."

Minato stared at Naruto, his heart filled with guilt and pain, nearly overwhelmed.

He instantly understood why Naruto had such a hard life in the village.

No wonder the Third Hokage apologized.

However, he didn't want to pass on any negative feelings to his son.

So, he smiled warmly at Naruto.

"Because I believe in you, Naruto."

Naruto looked up, confused.

Minato moved closer to him again.

"I entrusted the Nine-Tails to you because I wanted you to become the village's hero."

He gently ruffled Naruto's hair again.

"And it looks like you've done great. I'm proud of you, Naruto. You've had it tough."

"Not really." Naruto smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, "It was hard, but now I have many friends who acknowledge me."

Then Minato began talking with Naruto, trying to learn about his experiences in detail.

Naruto excitedly shared his stories with his father, speaking nonstop.

Although he sometimes exaggerated his achievements, Minato listened attentively and with great interest.

The two of them were so engrossed in their happy conversation that they almost forgot about Jiraiya and Shima.

Jiraiya glanced at them contentedly and silently walked away with Shima.

...

"Little Jiraiya," Shima said gravely, "You should ask Minato about Uchiha Kaito when he has time."

"I will," Jiraiya replied, "But I trust Minato. If he accepted the deal, it shouldn't be a problem."

Shima nodded.

"I believe in Minato too. But you must be cautious. Onmyoji are different from ninjas; they have many strange methods."

"I understand."

Jiraiya glanced back at Minato and Naruto in the distance.

"Now, let's let Minato spend time with Naruto."

...

Minato and Naruto talked until nightfall.

"Dad, are you really not leaving?" Naruto asked expectantly.

Minato nodded. "I'm not leaving. From tomorrow on, how about I teach you ninjutsu personally?"

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Awesome!"

"I'm hungry." Naruto rubbed his growling belly, "I really want to eat ramen. All they have here are bugs."

"You like ramen too?" Minato smiled.

"Yes! I love Ichiraku Ramen, but I haven't had it in a long time!" Naruto's mouth watered as he spoke.

"Your mother loved it too. Let's go get some now."

Minato placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Really? Mom liked it too?" Naruto's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, let's go."

As soon as Minato finished speaking, Naruto saw the scene change in a flash.

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