Minato flew back into the living room at home using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Sir! You're here!"
Minato was overjoyed, visibly ecstatic to see Wakato.
"Yo, Fourth Hokage."
"Sir, are you alone? Where are the First and Second Hokage?"
"They didn't come."
"Oh. Kushina, what's wrong with you? How's your body?" Minato quickly rushed to Kushina's side, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine. Come and eat something. You stayed up all night, too."
"Okay, thank you!"
The two exchanged affectionate glances, their love palpable in the air. A faint trace of awkwardness hung in the atmosphere, but thankfully, it wasn't enough to overpower the rich aroma of bone broth wafting through the room.
Wakato ignored their interaction completely.
He had no interest in meddling with their sentimental moments right now.
He just wanted to work. To focus on completing his main mission as soon as possible.
...
Kushina's cooking was undeniably exceptional.
The ramen itself was average, but the bone soup was nothing short of spectacular, bursting with flavor.
Wakato ate two servings, feeling the warmth spread through his stomach. He was utterly satisfied.
Kushina, on the other hand, only managed one portion, still appearing somewhat weak.
Minato devoured three servings with gusto, clearly enjoying the meal.
Firstly, after a night of battles and intense activity, he was genuinely starving.
Secondly, he was elated—he had become a father, and his wife and child were both safe and sound. It was a happiness that bolstered his appetite.
Finishing the last mouthful of soup, Minato set his bowl down, a contented smile on his face.
Then, he turned to Wakato, scratching his head sheepishly as he said, "I hope we didn't bore you with all this."
"It's fine. Kushina's cooking is excellent! Thank you for the hospitality."
"Haha, I love everything Kushina makes," Minato responded, his smile widening.
After the meal, the conversation shifted to more serious topics.
"Sir, what brings you here this time?"
"Just stopping by for a meal and some conversation."
"Alright, I actually have a lot of questions I'd love to seek your advice on," Minato replied enthusiastically.
Despite the many village matters awaiting him, nothing seemed more important than this.
If what the First and Second Hokage said was true, and this gentleman was comparable to the legendary Sage of Six Paths, then any guidance or knowledge he shared would be invaluable to Konoha.
After all, wasn't Jiraiya tirelessly chasing vague prophecies from the Great Toad Sage for over a decade? If more precise information could be gleaned from Wakato, it would save a lot of effort and bring immense benefit.
Above all, Minato felt deeply indebted to Wakato for saving both his and Kushina's lives.
For such a debt, he was ready to repay Wakato in any way he could—without compromising his family or the village, of course.
Just chatting over meals? He would gladly do it every day!
"Fourth Hokage, judging by your expression, the higher-ups in the village are giving you a hard time, aren't they?"
Minato flinched briefly before letting out a sigh of relief.
"Sir, you truly see right through me."
The sharpest blows often came not from enemies but from allies.
After all, teammates knew precisely where it hurt the most—and would twist the knife in a way that kept appearances intact.
"What!"
"Those old men and women are making things difficult for you again?"
Kushina's voice erupted with anger as she suddenly interjected.
Since Minato had taken the mantle of Hokage, she had witnessed the constant exclusion and restrictions he endured. It had been an uphill battle.
And now this?
The Tailed Beast Riot had only just subsided, yet they were already targeting Minato again?
Shameless.
Minato offered a helpless smile. "The village suffered significant losses this time. Someone has to take responsibility."
"Why!"
"I sealed the Nine Tails for the sake of the village. The real issue was their poor security, which allowed the attack to happen."
"In the end, it was you and the previous Hokages who saved the village and resealed the Nine Tails."
"Why are they still blaming you?"
Kushina's fury only grew as she spoke. If not for Naruto, she would've stormed into the Hokage Building herself and unleashed chaos.
"Kushina, don't get angry. You're still recovering," Minato reminded her gently.
"Minato, what do they want? Are they trying to force you out of the Hokage's position?"
"That's unlikely," Minato assured her. "And I won't step down or abdicate."
"But Danzo and the two advisors—Yashiro—are using this as an excuse to blame me and strip some of the Hokage's power."
Minato wasn't naive when it came to politics. He saw through their true intentions with ease.
It was absurd to think that someone with Minato's military achievements could be dethroned over a single Tailed Beast Riot.
But undermining his reputation and seizing control of his authority?
They had both the motive and the audacity for that.
Kushina's anger boiled over.
"What? How can they be so shameless? They did nothing during last night's chaos."
"Now they're the first to jump in and target you? It's disgusting!"
Minato sighed, visibly resigned.
"I know it's unfair, but that's just how they operate. I can't exactly confront them outright."
Danzo and the advisors were veterans of multiple regimes and disciples of the Second Hokage himself.
Minato's relative youth and inexperience in political affairs left him at a disadvantage in openly opposing them.
If he did, not only would he alienate the Third Hokage, Sarutobi, but even the Daimyō might withdraw financial aid in protest.
"Minato, don't back down! You can't give in!"
"Do you understand? Do you understand?"
Kushina grabbed Minato by the collar, shaking him as if to drill her determination into him.
If she were Hokage, she'd simply take them all head-on and leave no room for their nonsense.
She couldn't bear to see Minato take the fall and become the village's scapegoat.
At that moment, Wakato spoke up.
"He doesn't have to compromise. But for your sake and the child's, he will."
Kushina turned to him immediately, startled.
"Sir, what do you mean?"
"A tragic Tailed Beast Riot, with casualties and destruction, will always lead to resentment."
"If there were a clear enemy, this resentment could be directed at them."
"Unfortunately, the enemy this time was too elusive, and almost no one saw them."
"So, after losing loved ones last night, the villagers cannot aim their anger at a vague enemy. Instead, they'll channel it toward the Nine Tails—and by extension, the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki."
"If Minato doesn't step up to take responsibility and divert this hatred, it will naturally fall on you, Kushina. The Uchiha clan, suspected of controlling the Nine Tails, would also bear the brunt of hostility."
"As a result, in the coming years—or even longer—you and Naruto would be forced to live in a hostile, malicious environment."
"This is what Minato wants to avoid. That's why he's willing to take the blame."
"Minato, am I wrong?"
Minato was taken aback before nodding with a smile.
"Sir, your insight is unparalleled. I can't hide anything from you."
Kushina stood frozen, tears welling up in her eyes.
She was still furious at the village's unfairness, but Minato had already considered the long-term consequences and chosen to shoulder the burden for her and Naruto's sake.
This man, always so gentle and kind, carried a love and sense of duty so deep it hurt.
"Minato, you can't…"
"Kushina, for you and Naruto, I must…"
Their gazes locked, the air thick with emotion. The sourness lingered again, mingling with unspoken affection.
...