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"Hm?" Shikamaru stopped and turned to look at Sasuke.
"Chōji too, about earlier, I'm sorry, and thank you." Sasuke said solemnly.
"No need to be so formal. After all, we were in the same class for a few years." Shikamaru turned to face Sasuke, "Besides, we're Konoha's shinobi, it was just a mission."
"Yeah, yeah." Chōji, his mouth full of chips, nodded repeatedly.
"I understand. Well then, goodbye." Sasuke nodded and turned to continue walking towards the Naka River.
Minato gave them a gentle smile before also turning to leave.
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Fourth Lord, goodbye Sasuke-kun!"
"Sasuke seems a bit different, Shikamaru." Chōji squinted as he watched Sasuke's back.
"Yeah, maybe it's a good thing." Shikamaru put his hands in his pockets, "After all, he's much more polite now, isn't he?"
"True." Chōji laughed heartily.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about? Didn't Sasuke-kun just become even cooler?" Ino stopped waving her right hand and looked at Shikamaru and Chōji with annoyance.
"Ugh, such a hassle. Let's head back." Shikamaru quickly turned around, "Or else, I'll miss dinner and get lectured by my mom again."
"Yeah, yeah, I wonder what delicious food my mom made today." Chōji's face was full of anticipation.
"Hey! You two!!"
Ino flipped her long ponytail and followed them with a displeased expression.
---
In the Uchiha clan's residential area.
The setting sun slanted through, casting a dark, decaying atmosphere over the rundown houses.
Sasuke walked expressionlessly down the stone path, his shadow stretched long behind him.
The red sunset cast a warm hue on his side profile, but it couldn't dispel the coldness on his face.
Minato remained silent, quietly following behind him, his footsteps barely audible.
Suddenly, Sasuke stopped, staring down at the stone slabs dyed red by the setting sun.
"Uncle Tezuka and Aunt Unji fell here," he suddenly said in a low voice.
"What's the matter, Sasuke?" Minato walked up beside him.
Sasuke lifted his head to look at the ruined shop beside them.
"This was Uncle Tezuka and Aunt's pancake shop. Their pancakes were pretty good."
Before Minato could ask further, Sasuke continued walking forward.
Not long after, the two reached the entrance of a courtyard located in the center.
This was Sasuke's old home.
"Do you want to go inside, Sasuke?" Minato asked, looking at the tightly shut gate.
Creak...
Sasuke reached out and pushed the gate open. The view from outside revealed a small, overgrown courtyard. The sliding door of the main house had collapsed, and the wooden floor of the corridor was warped.
Sasuke's vision blurred slightly, as if he could see scenes from the past in this courtyard.
Mikoto was collecting the laundry in the yard, a young Sasuke and Itachi sat at the edge of the corridor chatting intimately, and inside the house, Fugaku sat at the low table, reviewing documents.
Sasuke blinked, and the vision before him turned back into the dilapidated scene.
At that moment, Sasuke couldn't help but think of the Uchiha residence on Mt. Ōeyama.
It had a similar structure but was much larger than this courtyard, with a vast training ground in the backyard.
Kaito, Yūrei, Chiri, Izuna, and Madara—various figures with different expressions and postures flashed through his mind.
"Sasuke?"
Minato's voice suddenly snapped him out of it, and Sasuke shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"No, no need to go in."
This house, filled with painful memories, was no longer his home.
"Let's go, to the cemetery."
Sasuke decisively turned around.
The two quickened their pace, passing through the residential area and entering the back mountain.
"This is it."
Sasuke stopped, gazing at the transparent barrier surrounding the cemetery with layers of gravestones.
"Sasuke, can you open this barrier?" Minato stood behind him.
"No."
Sasuke shook his head, pulling out another paper doll from his ninja pouch.
Purple markings appeared on his face as he infused the paper doll with natural energy before throwing it out.
"But, I can make someone who can open it appear."
The paper doll quickly grew larger, transforming into the figure of Kaito.
"Yo, Minato." Kaito smiled and greeted him, "Sasuke, how's Konoha treating you?"
Sasuke glared at him silently.
"Alright, alright," Kaito looked around before getting serious, "I'll handle it."
He stood in front of the barrier, forming seals with his hands, then reached out to touch the barrier.
"Open!"
A gap opened in the barrier that surrounded the entire cemetery, gradually expanding into a passageway.
"Go ahead, Sasuke." Kaito instructed.
"I know. Please wait here, Uncle Minato." Sasuke walked straight through the passage.
Afterward, Kaito released his hands, and the barrier slowly restored itself.
"Kaito, what is this?" Minato finally spoke up.
"This is a paper clone, similar to a shadow clone," Kaito explained.
"I see. Sasuke gave me this earlier." Minato took out another paper doll.
"Ah, that's a communication paper doll. Sasuke must have explained it to you." Kaito said, "Do you need to contact me for something?"
"Well..." Minato seemed a bit embarrassed, "I wanted to ask you something."
Kaito looked surprised but responded, "Go ahead."
Minato scratched his cheek with a smile, "I want to be more involved in your actions."
"Hm?" Kaito was puzzled.
"You know, the mission to save the world," Minato lightly reminded him.
"Oh! I get it now."
Kaito looked at Minato with some suspicion, noticing only pure excitement in his eyes.
Come to think of it, is this really Minato's personality?
"You agreed?" Minato immediately smiled.
"Of course." Kaito didn't hesitate, "That was part of the deal we made. I just haven't asked you for much help since you still need to protect Naruto."
"It's fine. I believe Naruto will grow up quickly. Plus, I think participating in your mission and protecting Naruto won't conflict with each other." Minato said, "After all, the enemy is Akatsuki, right?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow, "Akatsuki has been active lately. They've already captured several Tailed Beasts. Soon, they'll likely prepare to attack Naruto."
"I understand," Minato replied, "If they can't find an opportunity, their only option will be to come directly for him. I'll need to be cautious."
"Exactly." Kaito nodded, "If you don't want Konoha to be destroyed, stay alert."
"I will. Thank you, Kaito." Minato smiled gratefully.