Minato had originally only intended to search through Konoha's secret scrolls for some clues to determine the true intentions of the Masked Man who once attacked Konoha. However, instead, he stumbled upon something unexpected.
The mysterious disappearance of the Senju clan—and the cause of the Second Hokage's death.
Previously, Minato had never paid attention to these issues because by the time he came of age, they were already part of history. He had never questioned the authenticity of that history.
Since the First Hokage founded the Hidden Leaf Village, barely more than thirty years had passed. The entire ninja world had already gone through two full-scale wars. Yet beneath these surface events seemed to lie hidden truths unknown to most.
Without that masked man, Minato would have certainly never noticed any of this...
Once again, Minato recalled the two sentences spoken by the Masked Man before and after his defeat that night.
["If I must explain—attacking Konoha was both a sudden impulse and long-term planning. It was for war, yet also for peace."]
["I am the one destined to conquer the world. As for methods... I have countless options at my disposal."]
These two sentences echoed in Minato's mind, lingering without fading.
Based on the information he currently possessed, he couldn't decipher their meaning.
Combined with the prophecy given by the Great Toad Sage, which claimed Minato might have the chance to prevent the upcoming disaster in the ninja world—
Could history really be repeating itself? Would the masked man attack Konoha again on the day his child was born, forcing him to stop it once more?
He could find no conclusion, turning the question over in his mind for a long time.
At a certain moment, Minato slowly stood up and let out a slight sigh.
Pushing aside the confusion swirling within his crystal-blue eyes, he resolved to take things step by step for now.
At the very least, he needed to gather more information. If necessary, he might even reveal everything to people like the Third and others.
But would they even believe him?
After all, reincarnation after death sounded absurd—so implausible that even Minato wouldn't have believed it without experiencing it himself.
Then what kind of power was it that had brought him and Nine-Tails across space and time?
More questions arose endlessly, as if falling into a dead loop.
Minato stepped out of his home, inhaling deeply the cool air before suddenly exhaling.
Breathing quickly in the cold air sent a faint sting through his throat—a sensation that finally jolted his brain from its state of confusion.
He shook his head lightly, clearing his thoughts.
In any case, he still had time. There was no need to obsess over a single problem right now.
Lifting his gaze, he realized that evening had already arrived.
Since he had nothing particular to do and didn't feel like cooking, he decided instead to take a walk outside, hoping to change his mood.
His house wasn't far from Konoha's bustling district, so soon enough, Minato felt the vibrant atmosphere common during this hour in Konoha's marketplace.
The bustling noise and slightly heavy air made him feel truly alive in this world.
Minato strolled slowly, passing one shop after another. Luckily, no one recognized him here for now.
He wasn't wearing his ninja outfit today. Also, being only eleven years old and short in stature, he blended easily into the crowd without drawing attention.
However, when he reached a clothing store, Minato halted abruptly. Every person around him was peeking through the open store door with curious glances.
Following their gazes, he soon spotted two familiar figures inside.
Sakumo and Junko Watanabe.
The latter had changed out of her ninja outfit at last. Instead, she wore a purple gown adorned with elegant patterns that fit her perfectly.
Tight black pants accentuated her tall frame. Her long black hair was tied up in a simple single ponytail.
Junko wasn't that old to begin with. Dressed like this, she radiated a charming vibrancy that naturally drew so many stares.
Her cheeks flushed deeply red — she clearly felt flustered under all those curious gazes.
Yet Junko's gaze remained fixed on Sakumo before her, who currently wore an absentminded expression, his eyes unfocused.
Minato recognized this look well. It reminded him of the way he'd looked when he first put a hairpin in Kushina's hair.
Softly chuckling, Minato started weaving through the crowd to leave quietly. But just as he turned sideways, someone called him out.
"Minato!?"
Sakumo had indeed spotted Minato within the crowd. Upon hearing this, Junko also followed his line of sight.
Smiling slightly awkwardly, Minato fully turned around and greeted, "Senior Sakumo, Senior Junko."
As soon as he finished speaking, the two inside the shop exchanged brief glances. Then, in perfect sync, their faces suddenly flushed bright red.
"I didn't expect to meet you two here," Smiling gently, Minato said, trying to ease the tension. "Senior Junko, you look really beautiful in this outfit!"
"Thank you, um… thanks!"
Junko murmured softly. Minato couldn't help but be surprised — this was the first time he'd ever seen her act like this.
Noticing Sakumo standing silently beside Junko without reacting, in an instant, Minato teleported right beside him. To the onlookers, it seemed like a flash of golden light zipped past for an instant.
"Senior Sakumo, why don't you quickly buy this outfit for Senior Junko?" Minato whispered suggestively.
Upon hearing this, Sakumo's expression suddenly changed, as if enlightened, and he nodded vigorously.
Seeing this, Minato inwardly shook his head.
The [Legend of the White Fang], whose name struck fear across nations — yet in front of the woman he loved, he behaved like this?
Minato felt like he'd given them a little nudge — not just for Sakumo, but also for his own future student.
In this aspect, he naturally surpassed the current Sakumo. After all, he actually had some experience being a husband.
After buying clothes and leaving the store, Minato and the other two returned to the street, where Sakumo finally gave in to Junko Watanabe's plea and allowed her to switch back into her ninja gear.
Minato knew these two were probably on a date. If Sakumo hadn't stopped him, he wouldn't have joined them.
"So, where's Kushina today?" Sakumo asked offhandedly.
"She's been getting ready for the upcoming Chunin Exams," Minato said.
"Oh," Sakumo responded briefly. Beside him, Junko Watanabe stayed quiet, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Just then, the bustling crowd parted as an extravagant carriage rolled past, surrounded by at least a dozen guards who strutted with arrogant confidence right in front of Minato and his companions.
Among those guards, there even seemed to be ninjas, as Minato sensed chakra fluctuations coming from them.
Still, there was no doubt that they didn't belong to the Konoha Ninja Village.
"Who are those people?" After the carriage had passed, Minato slightly furrowed his brow, trying to guess their identities.
Beside him, Sakumo gave a faint smile and said, "The person inside that carriage should be the wealthiest merchant in the Land of Fire at the moment..."
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