Despite being thrilled to see his six-year-old son starting school, Minato's excitement quickly faded. No matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find a blond child resembling his younger self among the seated children. There was only one blond kid, who seemed to belong to the Akimichi clan. In fact, there were two Akimichi children starting school this year.
Judging by their physique, they were future pillars of strength. Not bad, Konoha was still as peaceful as ever.
But why wasn't Naruto there? Could he have been late? The thought brought a helpless fatherly smile to Minato's face. This was just like Naruto, being late even for the entrance ceremony, much like his mother.
But as Tsunade's speech neared its conclusion, Minato still hadn't seen Naruto.
"Mr. Anli, I don't see my son up there," Minato pointed to the screen, considering another possibility: maybe Naruto was receiving special treatment because he was the son of the Fourth Hokage and a Jinchuriki. Perhaps he was getting elite one-on-one tutoring at home instead of attending the academy with other kids.
Good grief, Tsunade and the Third Hokage were spoiling him! Didn't they realize this special treatment might spoil him? Couldn't they let him attend school like a normal child?
"What are you talking about?" Shinji looked at Minato with a bemused expression. "Your son is right there."
"Stop joking, Mr. Anli. I've only seen Naruto as a baby, but I'm confident I could recognize him now. He's not among those kids."
Seeing Minato's confidence, Shinji chose not to reveal the truth. It would be better for Minato to discover it himself.
Looking at the chubby blond kid sitting next to Choji, Shinji couldn't help but feel amused. Naruto's life seemed fine, but his round physique was unexpected. What was Tsunade thinking, leaving Naruto with the Akimichi clan? Maybe she thought he wouldn't go hungry or because they were all big-hearted and big-bodied.
On screen, Tsunade finally snapped, unable to tolerate the incessant munching sounds from the audience. "Naruto! Don't eat while I'm talking! And you too, Choji!"
Instantly, all the children turned to look at the two chubby boys, Naruto and Choji, who were munching on snacks, and laughed.
However, a little girl with white eyes sitting beside Naruto did not join the laughter. She thought to herself, "Naruto-kun has such a good appetite. He just ate two big skewers of meat and can still eat so much..."
"Uh-oh, Granny Tsunade is angry..." Naruto's comment only made Tsunade's forehead veins throb more, and her fists clenched tightly.
"Na-ru-to!!"
Watching this, Minato, who had been silent for a while, slowly turned to Shinji, his expression a mixture of disbelief and frustration.
Naruto, what happened to you?
No, wait. Let's try that again.
Naruto, how did you become so chubby?!
"Mr. Anli, is that really Naruto?"
"Who knows? I've never seen him," Shinji shrugged. "But someone just confidently claimed they could recognize him even though they'd only seen him as a baby."
Minato fell silent, turning his gaze back to the plump boy with whisker marks on his cheeks. Healthy, yes. Even though he was teased for being fat, he had friends and even a girl who seemed to like him.
Everything seemed fine, except for the weight. But this chubby version of Naruto was far from the lean, agile boy Minato had imagined.
"What's the problem? He's got friends, he's happy, and a girl likes him. Isn't that a perfect childhood?"
"Well, yes, but..."
Minato's expression was conflicted. If he could talk to Naruto now, he'd ask him to lose some weight.
"I think Kushina might be happy to see him this way. After all..."
Watching the round Naruto making kids laugh and annoying Tsunade, Minato's expression softened a bit. "Maybe parents shouldn't expect too much. As long as the child grows up happy, that's enough."
Shinji was taken aback by Minato's sudden enlightenment. That didn't sound like something Minato would say!
"But being too fat is definitely not okay!"
Okay, so Minato hadn't fully accepted it.
Just then, the screen showed a man with spiky red hair and a stout build. He eagerly called out, "Choji! Naruto! To celebrate the entrance ceremony, we're having barbecue today! Hurry, or there won't be any seats!"
Seeing Akimichi Choza, Minato finally understood. Choza had likely taken on the responsibility of raising Naruto, given their history of missions together and close relationship. When Tsunade asked for someone to adopt Naruto, Choza must have volunteered.
The Akimichi clan, known for their hearty appetites and large physiques, wouldn't discriminate against Naruto for being a Jinchuriki.
But still, did he have to become so round?
"This isn't over yet!" Tsunade shouted.
"Oh... sorry! I thought it was over." Choza laughed sheepishly, then gave a thumbs-up to Naruto and Choji. "I'll go save us seats! Come over as soon as you're done!"
"Got it! / Got it, dattebayo!"
Watching this, Minato could hardly bear to look. Everything seemed fine, but his son eating high-calorie snacks during a speech was too much.
Shinji shrugged and nonchalantly consoled Minato, "I told you, kids are influenced by their environment."
So, in an environment full of fat people, he became fat too?
Minato felt a pang of frustration. He'd imagined Naruto as a slightly skinny, small-for-his-age boy with big, bright eyes. This round version of Naruto was cute but not in the way he'd imagined.
"Are you satisfied now? Seeing your son happy, isn't that enough?"
"Uh..." Minato was unsure how to respond. Naruto was indeed happy, but something still felt off.
"Relax, he might learn the Akimichi clan's secret techniques. You know, in the discarded drafts, Kishimoto had the idea of making him grow bigger."
"He's Kushina and my child!" Minato gritted his teeth, emphasizing that Naruto had no Akimichi genes and wouldn't learn their techniques. If he did, that would be a big problem!
Just then, on the screen, Naruto shouted, "Human Bullet Tank!" He inhaled deeply, puffed out his belly, and curled into a ball, rolling around like a meatball.
Choji followed suit, imitating him.
Seeing Tsunade unable to catch the two rolling balls, one big (Choji) and one small (Naruto), Minato was once again rendered speechless.
"Love her, and forgive her," Shinji patted Minato's shoulder with a sigh.
"Kushina isn't like that, and Naruto just rolled into a ball. It has nothing to do with the Akimichi clan's techniques. He just shouted something randomly!"
Shinji shook his head slightly, sighing, "Whatever you say. I understand how hard this is for you to accept."
You understand nothing!
Minato suppressed his frustration, trying to reconcile the image of his son. "Mr. Anli, can you switch angles? Naruto and the others have left the frame."
"Sure, hold on."
Three seconds later, seeing the screen still shaking, Minato asked, "Mr. Anli, is there a problem?"
"Nope, just a bit too close. Let me pull back a bit."
Then, Minato saw a deep cleavage...
"Not bad, even for her age," Shinji remarked seriously.
Minato: ...