"Hey, hey, big sis, don't pull aggro like that. I'm still holding you right now. If you don't want to pay a thousand ryō, there's no need to use this kind of double-suicide method, right?"
Looking at the incoming puppet attack, Seiryū felt quite helpless.
Holding Sāra, he used Shunpo, dodging one chakra cannon attack after another.
Sāra: "....."
Her earlier anger and sadness were mostly wiped away by Seiryū's words.
Who would default on a debt?
Who would choose double suicide just to avoid paying?
Was there something wrong with this guy's head?
Boom boom boom!!
Explosions rang out continuously across the field, all of them dodged one by one by Seiryū.
Even while holding a beautiful girl, it barely affected his speed.
"This brat just won't stay in a safe place, huh?"
On the other side, seeing Seiryū being attacked, Tsunade's expression darkened.
She could not continue asking about Yamato's situation. Seiryū's safety was more important.
Turning to Minato, she said, "I'll go help first. Minato, explain the situation to them!"
After speaking, she used Body Flicker Technique and rushed over.
"Alright!"
Minato responded, removing his ANBU mask.
He spoke quickly to Yamato, who was clearly the squad leader, "Although I only understand part of the situation, from what I can tell, you are not enemies."
"I am Konoha Jōnin Namikaze Minato, currently carrying out a covert mission."
"If possible, please remain here. After we complete the mission, we will ask you in detail about everything."
The situation was still unclear.
He only had partial understanding.
And since he was in the middle of a mission, he did not want any unexpected complications.
The best choice was to have these two suspected future shinobi from another time stay here.
After the mission ended, he would clarify everything.
"That face, you are..."
Yamato was completely shocked.
That face, that name, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato!?
He was stunned.
Was Naruto telling the truth?
Had they really come to twenty years in the past?
"Namikaze Minato? Wait, isn't that the Fourth Hokage's name? The one who developed the Rasengan? I'm actually seeing the Fourth Hokage alive!?"
Naruto stared at Minato in shock.
Even if he was at the bottom of the class in the academy, there was no way he did not know basic knowledge.
Namikaze Minato was the Fourth Hokage.
And he was seeing him alive!!
Minato fell silent.
Me?
The Fourth Hokage?
And already dead?
The situation grew more confusing, even for someone as sharp as him.
"Naruto, don't be rude..."
Yamato spoke up at this moment.
After all, this was the living Fourth Hokage. Well, in any case, he felt they should treat Minato with respect.
But thinking of something, he did not continue.
As for Naruto's background, he had already guessed part of it.
Naruto and Minato...
The same blond hair, similar chakra fluctuations, somewhat similar facial features, plus Naruto's surname Uzumaki...
As long as one knew a few things, it was easy to deduce Naruto's identity.
At least, he had already figured it out.
Naruto also felt his behavior was inappropriate and quickly apologized to Minato, "Ah, sorry. I was just curious about the Fourth Hokage-sama..."
"It's fine."
Minato suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and waved his hand, "I don't mind."
Then he said to the two, "Stay here. I need to go assist as well."
Naruto volunteered, "I'll go too. Even though that guy has gotten fat, I can still recognize him as Mukade. He's also our mission target."
"Sage Seiryū said that as long as we defeat him, we might be able to return to our own time. Also, I still need to help the 'weakened' Sage Seiryū complete the mission!"
He was warm-hearted and could not just stand by.
Besides, Mukade was also their target.
"Sage Seiryū?"
Minato twitched his lips slightly. That was very much Seiryū's usual unreliable style.
He waved his hand, "That won't be necessary. We can handle it ourselves."
"Don't underestimate me, living Fourth Hokage-sama."
Naruto patted his chest confidently, "I, Uzumaki Naruto, have earned Tsunade Grandma's recognition. I will definitely, definitely become Hokage!"
"You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine!"
He smiled at Minato, then without saying more, his figure flashed and he rushed toward the battlefield.
"Uzumaki..."
Minato paused.
Looking at Naruto's departing figure, an unbelievable guess rose in his heart.
That inexplicable sense of closeness earlier, the similar chakra fluctuations, similar appearance, the same hair color, and his surname Uzumaki...
Could it be...
Minato was extremely intelligent.
He had already figured something out.
This Naruto from another time...
Was he the son of himself and Kushina?
"Minato-sama, Naruto, he is..."
From Minato's expression, Yamato could tell he had already guessed something.
Although Yamato was still young during Minato's time as Hokage, he did not doubt Minato's abilities.
If he could not even deduce something like this, he would not be the Fourth Hokage.
"I understand. No need to say more."
Minato waved his hand, interrupting Yamato.
Yamato's expression confirmed his guess.
This Naruto really seemed to be his and Kushina's son.
After thinking for a moment, Minato instructed Yamato, "Do not reveal too much about the 'future' to us. Although I cannot fully understand the concept of 'different timelines,' knowing too much will not benefit us."
"It may confuse our judgment and could even alter the future."
He had only heard the term without detailed explanation.
Minato indeed could not fully grasp the concept.
If he knew too much, would it change the future?
What would the consequences be?
So he believed it was better not to know too much.
Perhaps later, it would even be necessary to seal these memories to avoid unexpected consequences.
This was Minato's judgment.
Yamato's heart tightened. He realized the importance of the matter and quickly bowed respectfully, "Understood, Minato-sama!"
Then he asked for further instructions, "Minato-sama, please give your orders!"
He had once been part of Root and also an ANBU.
Following orders from higher-ups was ingrained in him.
Although the Minato before him had not yet become the Fourth Hokage, and Yamato was older, he still treated him as a superior, as the Fourth Hokage.
He only needed to obey orders.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)