Chapter 173: Team 7's New Sensei!
Konoha Village, Team 7's Training Ground.
After Sakura's hurtful words hung in the air, a figure materialized beside Naruto. The newcomer reached out and gently ruffled Naruto's bright blonde hair.
"Sorry I'm a little late."
Minato Namikaze's voice was apologetic.
Naruto turned around, surprised and delighted. "Dad!"
Minato turned to the stunned Sakura, smiling as he explained, "Naruto isn't an orphan anymore. He has a father, and a mother."
Sakura stood frozen, her eyes wide as saucers. The man before her looked exactly like the young face carved on the Hokage Rock, exactly like the pictures circulating in the village. But he was standing right there, alive, smiling at Naruto with fatherly affection.
Sakura's mouth gaped open. She pointed at Minato, then quickly pulled her hand back, stammering, "You… you are… Lord Fourth Hokage?!"
Her mind was buzzing. Naruto's father… was the legendary Fourth Hokage?! But—
"B-but…" Sakura unconsciously took half a step back, pointing again before realizing how rude it was. "Didn't the Fourth Hokage sacrifice himself to seal the Nine-Tails during the attack?"
This was a universally accepted fact in the village, a heavy history carved onto the Memorial Stone, a story every child in Konoha knew. It was also… one of the reasons everyone mocked Naruto…
The scene before her made her wonder if she was dreaming or trapped in a high-level genjutsu.
Minato watched the intense suspicion in Sakura's eyes, his smile remaining gentle. "Sometimes, seeing is believing, isn't it?"
Before his words faded, he moved. A tri-pronged kunai marked with a special seal slipped from his sleeve. Just before it hit the ground—Flash!
A golden light flickered, almost too fast for the eye to track! Minato, who had been standing next to Naruto, vanished instantly. The next moment, he appeared several meters away, the special kunai caught steadily in his long fingers, as if it had never fallen. The breeze generated by his high-speed movement fluttered the hem of his white haori. The kanji for "Fourth Hokage" danced in the wind, silently proclaiming his identity.
Flying Raijin Jutsu!
Before Sakura could recover from the shock of the Flying Raijin, Minato raised his other hand slightly.
VMMMM—
A highly condensed mass of chakra spun rapidly in his palm, emitting a sharp hum, forming a swirling blue sphere. The air itself seemed to warp around the power.
Rasengan! The Fourth Hokage's signature jutsu!
"Do you want to learn this, Naruto?"
Naruto's eyes were shining, his mouth slightly open, practically drooling. "I wanna learn! I wanna learn that!"
Minato dispelled the Rasengan and smiled at Naruto. Then, he turned to Sakura, who was completely petrified by shock, his voice calm and gentle. "Yes, Sakura-chan. I am Minato Namikaze. due to some… well, very special reasons, I, along with Kushina—Naruto's mother—have returned."
BOOM—!!!
Flying Raijin, Rasengan, the haori embroidered with "Fourth Hokage"… Every element slammed into Sakura's heart like a hammer, shattering all her doubts!
It really was the Fourth Hokage! A living legend! Not a genjutsu, not a dream! Naruto's father was really the Yellow Flash who had given his life to protect Konoha?! This goofy, trouble-making dead-last that everyone looked down on… was the son of a hero!
An indescribable mix of emotions filled Sakura's chest. Awe and worship for the legendary figure before her, and even a hint of teenage crush inevitable upon seeing such a handsome hero.
But then, the shadow of Sasuke's departure crept back in, dimming her smile. Naruto got his parents back. He has a harbor to rely on. But what about Sasuke-kun? Kakashi-sensei said he… left Konoha with his resurrected clan. Where was he now? Was he doing okay?
Minato noticed the subtle shift in Sakura's mood, but he didn't point it out. He simply swept his gaze over the two children and officially announced the next arrangement.
"From today on, I will personally instruct Team 7. When Kakashi returns from his mission, we will teach you together."
Naruto looked like he was about to jump for joy. Sakura felt like she was in a dream. Personally instructed by the Fourth Hokage? It was a fantasy come true!
Minato didn't give them much time to digest the shock. He got straight to the point. "Naruto, your chakra nature leans towards Wind." He opened his palm, and a high-speed chakra sphere appeared again, humming. "I will teach you the basics of the Rasengan and the Flying Raijin. As for Sage Mode, although I have mastered it, I'm not an expert. When Jiraiya-sensei returns to the village, I will arrange for you to go to Mount Myoboku for more systematic Sage training."
Naruto nodded vigorously, a fire burning in his eyes like never before. "Osu! I get it!" He clenched his fist and shouted, "Before the Chunin Exams, I'm gonna learn all these jutsu!!!" The boy's voice was full of infinite confidence and fighting spirit.
Minato smiled with relief, then turned to Sakura. "Sakura-chan, your chakra control is excellent. You have the potential to become an outstanding medical ninja." His tone was encouraging. "When Lady Tsunade returns to the village, I will recommend you become her apprentice to learn top-tier medical ninjutsu, and perhaps even the legendary Strength of a Hundred Seal."
Lady Tsunade! One of the Sannin, the Princess, the top medical ninja! Sakura felt happiness hit her so suddenly she almost fainted. She and Naruto would have the chance to be taught by two of the Sannin respectively. And their current teacher was the former Fourth Hokage! It was an opportunity she had never dared to dream of. The immense surprise left her speechless, only able to nod frantically.
…
Deep into the night.
The light in Minato's room was still on. He called Naruto to him alone. His smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"Naruto, about that creature named Kyubey, and your contract to become a 'Magical Girl'… can you tell Dad the details?" Minato's voice was low.
Seeing his father's serious expression, Naruto put away his usual playfulness. He recounted everything in detail: how he met Kyubey, how he wished for his parents' resurrection, and his battles as a Magical Girl.
Minato listened quietly, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. He reached out and gently touched the seemingly pretty Soul Gem on Naruto's chest.
"Naruto, you must remember. A wish that easily reverses life and death must come with an unimaginably heavy price. That price… just hasn't shown itself yet."
Minato was filled with unease. He didn't know what the so-called "price" was, or when it would fall. Would relying only on ninja powers and not the white creature's gifts delay the unknown cost? Or in the future, could he himself make a wish to Kyubey to save Naruto if he fell into trouble?
The thought flashed through his mind and was forcibly suppressed. For now, they could only take it one step at a time. All he could do was make Naruto as strong as possible, giving him more means to protect himself.
He stared into Naruto's eyes. "That 'Magical Girl' outfit and power… unless it is absolutely necessary, you must never use it lightly. Do you understand?"
Though Naruto didn't fully understand the deep worry in his father's words, he nodded firmly. "Yeah! I'll remember!"