Nara Kazuki sat at the table, curiously surveying his surroundings.
The Namikaze household wasn't anything extravagant.Aside from Minato's identity as the Fourth Hokage,this was just a normal, cozy home.
What stood out was a copy of Tale of the Gutsy Ninja sitting conspicuously on a shelf.Judging by the worn pages, it had been read many times.
"Oh? Kazuki, you like Jiraiya-sensei's Tale of the Gutsy Ninja too?"Minato, just back from fetching drinks, noticed Kazuki's gaze and smiled warmly.
"Ah, yeah. I really like the protagonist, Naruto, in it,"Kazuki replied smoothly, repeating the line he had polished when dealing with Jiraiya.
Of course, he had no plans to mention the school janitor, young boy, and other content he had fed Jiraiya before.Kushina was still in the kitchen, after all.
Even though impending motherhood had softened her considerably,Kazuki hadn't forgotten that she was once known as the "Red-Hot-Blooded Habanero" of Konoha.If he blurted out the wrong thing here, he'd probably die a painful death.
"Hahaha, I really like Naruto too,"Minato said cheerfully.
He had already decided to name his unborn son Naruto after the hero of that book.
Kazuki smiled politely.Kakashi, sitting to the side, had a strange expression on his face.
This book reminded him of the time they had spent in the hot springs town,especially the scene of Kazuki and Jiraiya getting drunk and calling each other "brother."
If Jiraiya hadn't been joking...technically, Kazuki might now be Kakashi's "great-uncle" in the most bizarre way imaginable.
After all, Jiraiya had loudly proclaimed,"From now on, I'm your big brother, you're my little brother!"
"Tale of the Gutsy Ninja is a good read,"Kushina said, emerging with a plate of curry."I just wonder when Jiraiya-sensei will publish a new one."
Kazuki's expression twitched subtly.
New work? Oh, lady, it's coming...
He knew full well.Jiraiya's next book would be Make-Out Paradise.
The legendary, bestselling pervy novel.
The one that would bring Jiraiya fortune, fame, and even inspire countless imitators.It was ironic — all his serious, heartfelt novels sold modestly,but his erotic escapades would turn him into a rich man.
Sex truly was the ultimate production force.
Still, if Minato survived the upcoming Nine-Tails' Night,Kazuki could easily imagine Kushina punching Jiraiya through a wall once she got her hands on Make-Out Paradise.
Dinner was served, and Kazuki joined Kakashi in digging in.
Minato and Kushina didn't press them with any serious questions,only showing concern about their training and daily lives.
Kazuki ate until he was absolutely stuffed.He hadn't expected Uzumaki Kushina's curry to be this good.
Five bowls of rice later, he was practically bursting.Kushina laughed delightedly, clearly happy to see them eating so much.
After dinner, Kazuki and Kakashi said their goodbyes.
"The Fourth Hokage really is a gentle person,"Kazuki said, patting his round belly.
"Yeah... Sensei has always been that way with us,"Kakashi murmured, a rare hint of softness in his voice.
He thought back to the old days.Back when he, Obito, and Rin had fought together under Minato's command.
On the battlefield, Minato had been the Yellow Flash—merciless and unstoppable.But to them...he had always been a big brother, a teacher,someone they could lean on without fear.
When Obito died, Kakashi had seen it.His teacher never showed it publicly,but behind closed doors...Minato cried his heart out.
When Rin died later, it was the same.
Kazuki noticed Kakashi's mood darken.
"Back then... during missions,"Kazuki asked casually,trying to steer the conversation carefully.
Kakashi didn't say much,but the memories stirred something loose.
He talked more than usual.Concise, yes — but Kazuki caught the meaning.
Minato had truly cherished his team,loved them deeply.
Kazuki smirked inwardly.Damn you, Obito.
If Obito had even a sliver of Nagato's decency,he wouldn't have ended up hated by the entire world.Seriously.
Another reason added to the ever-growing list of Obito Must Die.
After parting ways with Kakashi,Kazuki strolled home through the bustling streets of Konoha.
The war had left scars, yes.But life, stubborn and tenacious, had returned to the village.
Crowds bustled on the streets,vendors hawked their wares,and families laughed as if nothing had ever happened.
Kazuki bought himself a skewer of dango at a stand.
Just as he was paying, he felt it—the unmistakable sensation of being watched.
He turned instinctively.
And there, perched on a utility pole under the round silver moon,was a tiny figure squatting and staring right at him.
"…The hell,"Kazuki blurted aloud.
He knew this scene all too well.
Is Itachi about to massacre the Uchiha Clan?!
No, no—right now, Uchiha Itachi was just a brat who hadn't even entered the Academy yet.Not to brag, but Kazuki could easily beat Itachi at this stage.
Sure enough, the tiny Itachi hopped down from the poleand quietly approached the dango stall.
He bought a skewer too.
"Itachi? What were you doing up there?"Kazuki asked, genuinely curious.
Even as a kid, Itachi already had the temperament of a future "Utility Pole Jinchūriki"—always brooding, always training.
"Practicing chakra control,"Itachi answered succinctly,biting into his dango, puffing out his little cheeks adorably.
Kazuki understood.It was just like tree-climbing practice,except Itachi had decided to train on utility poles instead.
Classic young Uchiha edginess.
"Man, dango is really the best,"Kazuki sighed contentedly.
Itachi's eyes lit up.He nodded seriously in agreement.
"Anyone who doesn't like dango is a heretic!"Kazuki added dramatically.
Itachi looked like he wanted to shake Kazuki's hand to seal their sacred brotherhood.
But then...Uchiha Mikoto appeared out of nowhere.And with the swift, inescapable precision of a seasoned Konoha mother,she grabbed Itachi by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him up.
Poor little Itachi dangled helplessly in the air.