"Once you finish the first stage of the Flying Thunder God training, things here should be coming to an end."
Looking at Minamikawa Yuu in front of him, Minato Namikaze spoke softly: "By then, we can go back."
"Is that so?"
Minamikawa Yuu was thoughtful: "Is the war about to end completely?"
In this past half-year, wars in various places had ended one after another, and now, except for minor frictions between the nations, major battles had not broken out for a long time.
But the nations were still on high alert, none having fully withdrawn from a state of war, maintaining a strategic standoff.
Anyone with eyes could see that the war had entered its final stages, but exactly when it would end remained a mystery.
But from Minato Namikaze's words, it seemed the war was definitely coming to an end?
"Yeah."
Meeting Minamikawa Yuu's gaze, Minato Namikaze nodded: "The envoys from various countries are already in discussions, and a specific time will emerge soon."
"The time for us to return to Konoha is not far off."
He turned to look back in the direction of Konoha, seemingly thinking of something, as his expression softened.
Minamikawa Yuu guessed he was probably thinking of his wife at home.
After all, the relationship between him and his wife was indeed very good.
So, what about him?
Unlike other Ninjas, Minamikawa Yuu didn't seem to have many deep relationships within Konoha.
Even with Yakushi Nonou, who he was closest to, there always seemed to be a slight sense of distance, as if separated by an inexplicable barrier.
Although Minamikawa Yuu knew she was intentionally keeping her distance to prevent certain matters from affecting him, it ultimately lacked that family-like feeling.
Gradually, the face of a white-haired woman appeared in his mind.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, Hagoromo, and Hamura... faces surfaced one after another, bringing a smile to his face.
His family was not in this world, but in a distant parallel dimension.
So, to see them again, he needed to work even harder.
"Yuu!"
While he was lost in thought, a sound came from the distance.
A young girl walked over from afar, shouting his name.
It was Kurenai Yuhi, holding a bunch of flowers, walking towards him with large strides.
"Oh my, another chance encounter for the youngsters."
Seeing this scene, Minato Namikaze smiled and spoke with great tact: "I just remembered I have some things to handle, so I won't disturb your gathering."
The next moment, his figure vanished from the spot, disappearing directly.
The Flying Thunder God Technique is certainly convenient to use.
Minamikawa Yuu looked at the spot where Minato Namikaze had vanished, a hint of helplessness appearing on his face.
"What, are you not happy to see me?"
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Minamikawa Yuu's expression and immediately became displeased.
"Not at all."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly: "I just feel that making you come all this way specifically every time is a bit too much trouble."
"I could have just looked for you after I got back."
To avoid the noise of his training disturbing others, the place where he trained was some distance from the camp.
Every time he came, Minato Namikaze brought him via the Flying Thunder God Technique.
After a set time, the other would come back to take him away.
But they could do that; Kurenai Yuhi couldn't.
In other words, she ran here on foot every time.
"How could that be?"
Hearing Minamikawa Yuu's words, the displeasure on Kurenai Yuhi's face vanished, replaced by a smile: "It wouldn't be right if you were always the one looking for me."
"Rather than waiting for someone to come to me, I think it's more appropriate for me to come to you."
"After all, for some things, you only get results if you take the initiative."
As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Minamikawa Yuu, her words seemingly hiding another meaning.
Under her gaze, Minamikawa Yuu's mouth couldn't help but twitch, feeling somewhat speechless.
How should he put it?
As expected of the new generation of the Ninja World; they mature so early.
She's clearly just a thirteen-year-old girl—in his past life, she'd still be in school—but in the Ninja World, she already knows how to like the opposite sex?
But the problem is, Minamikawa Yuu himself is only nine years old right now.
Even counting his upcoming birthday, he's only ten, a total little shota.
Liking a child of this age, even in this precocious world, is a bit too early, isn't it?
"That seems to make sense."
Complaining silently in his heart, but on the surface, he still maintained his usual gentleness, just smiling as he spoke: "It's still quite early, and it doesn't seem right to have you stay here and accompany me in training."
"So, I wonder if the dear Miss Kurenai would accompany me for a walk?"
He looked around with a smile: "The scenery here is quite nice; I think it's worth seeing."
"Ah, well..."
Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head as if thinking, and only after a while did she speak: "Since you've invited me so sincerely, it wouldn't be right for me to refuse."
"In that case, let's go."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly, leading Kurenai to the side.
On a high mountain in the distance, Minato Namikaze stood quietly, shaking his head as he watched the two walking together below.
"It's great to be young."
He sighed with a light laugh, seemingly thinking of his own past.
He wasn't angry at Minamikawa Yuu for neglecting his training to go out and play; in fact, he even felt quite happy about it.
There are plenty of highly talented geniuses in the Ninja World.
Like Konoha's Kakashi, Orochimaru, and others are such people.
But they are also prone to problems.
If it were them, they would most likely ignore such invitations from others, but Minamikawa Yuu would cooperate well and choose to hang out with the other person.
Minato Namikaze didn't think this was laziness; on the contrary, he thought it was a good sign.
At least it proved that the other's abilities in other areas weren't lacking.
Even as a Ninjutsu genius, his social skills were also quite good, and he could balance training and life well.
A very good performance.
This child is just like me!
This thought couldn't help but flash through Minato Namikaze's mind.
After all, wasn't he the same back then? Although his talent in Ninjutsu training was outstanding, he didn't neglect other areas either.
While still at the Ninja Academy, he had already bonded with his classmates and even won over his future wife.
And now, Minamikawa Yuu seemed to be following a similar trend.
This similarity made him smile, becoming even more satisfied with Minamikawa Yuu.
"Time to go back to work."
This thought flashed through his mind, and the next moment, his figure vanished once more.
This time he didn't linger, but left the place completely.