Minato smiled good-naturedly.
"Actually, the Second Hokage originally developed the Shadow Clone ninjutsu for espionage purposes. While the clones have independent action capabilities once they detach from the host, any experiences, sights, or sounds they encounter—including all their memories and experiences—are transferred back to the original body when they are attacked or when the host releases them."
He blinked at Naruto, offering no further explanation.
He knew that would be enough.
Though Naruto seemed a bit slow and stubborn, after spending these past two days with him, Minato had discovered that Naruto had a remarkable intuition for combat! He was even completely on par with Sasuke from his own class.
Maybe he inherited that from me?
Minato chuckled sheepishly to himself. Was that a bit too boastful? Hahaha.
Unsurprisingly, after hearing Minato's words, Naruto lowered his head in deep thought...
All memories and experiences would return to the original body?
Then, if he created ten Shadow Clones to train at the same time...
Wouldn't that mean he could achieve ten days of training in just one day?!
Naruto was already itching to start training again!
Minato stopped him. "Go home and eat dinner first."
...
During dinner, Tazuna casually remarked, "It's been a long time since so many of us ate together." His words were tinged with sadness and nostalgia.
After dinner, Sakura happened to notice a torn section of the family photo on the wall—someone had clearly been erased from it.
She asked why the photo had been damaged.
The atmosphere at the table, where Kakashi's and Minato's teams were still sitting, immediately grew tense.
Inari even slammed the door and stormed out.
Sakura felt incredibly awkward and was about to apologize when—
Tsunami spoke calmly, "It was my husband."
Young Kakashi: ...
So, the man erased from the family portrait was indeed the same man Inari had been holding in the photo while crying by the sea that day!
Tazuna continued, "That man was Inari's stepfather. They were very close."
He then told the story of how Inari met the man named Kaiza and how Kaiza taught him courage. He explained how Kaiza became Inari's stepfather and brought courage to the whole village.
"But then that day came..."
Tazuna's gaze, filled with hatred, fixed on the teacup on the table, as if the reflection of Gatō's face were staring back at him.
"Because Kaiza swore to protect the bridge project with his life! Gatō ordered his thugs to drag Kaiza into town and, in front of everyone! In front of Inari!! Blow after blow, they stripped away Inari's hope, the town's courage, and... Kaiza's life..."
...
Obito turned to glance at young Kakashi beside him.
This story reminded both him and Minato of the village's legendary hero, the White Fang of Konoha.
That man had once been Kakashi's hero too.
To save his comrades, he had willingly abandoned an important mission, only to be driven to suicide by the village's public condemnation as a form of atonement.
Tazuna continued, "After that day, Inari changed completely."
Obito thought...
Yes, after that day, Kakashi changed completely.
Tazuna went on, "He believed that heroes no longer existed in this world. Even if they did, they would only become sacrifices under the claws of evil power."
Obito: He no longer held onto the Hatake family's principle of never abandoning comrades. He believed that missions were the sole purpose of a ninja, and anyone who broke the Shinobi Code was worthless!
Uncle Tazuna's choked sobs, tears streaming down his face, made the atmosphere in the room even more oppressive and heavy.
"BOOM!" "BOOM!"
Two loud crashes echoed simultaneously!
It was the sound of Naruto Uzumaki and Obito Uchiha slamming their fists down on the table!
A fierce, indomitable spirit burned in their eyes!
"I will prove it!"
They shouted in unison!
Fingers jabbed at the spot over their hearts!
"Heroes live on, courage endures!!"
Inari's Family: "!!!"
Young Kakashi: "!!"
Minato watched Obito and Naruto, their passion to protect the village as Hokage igniting his own flames! It burned intensely!
Suddenly, he remembered his conversation with Kushina the night before departing for the Kannabi Bridge!!
'Speaking of which, Kushina,' Minato said. 'There's something I've always wanted to ask you.'
'Hmm?'
'Why do you like Obito so much?'
'Because he's strong, determined, and has that unyielding will.' Kushina replied. 'I hope that if we ever have children, they'll be like him. And I want to stake our dreams on him.'
Whether it's the dream of becoming Hokage…
Or…
World peace—both are staked on them.
...
Meanwhile—
[Land of Water · Kirigakure · Mizukage Tower]
A crimson light suddenly blazed in the pitch-black, damp surroundings!
It was a Sharingan eye, suddenly opening!
"Damn it."
The masked man, who had been dozing in his chair, didn't know when he'd actually fallen asleep.
And so deeply, too.
Trapped in a nightmare, he only jolted awake when Minato Namikaze handed him a red straw hat.
"At this point, why am I still having such pointless, ridiculous dreams?"
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on P@treon.
[Upto 100 chapters ahead]
[email protected]/PinkSnake