The day before the delegation left Konoha, the window of the Hokage's office was open.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, looking at Namikaze Minato and Shin-chan standing before him.
"I have a mission for you."
Namikaze Minato bowed slightly. "Please give your orders, Lord Hokage."
"This time, Kirigakure's delegation also has officials from the Land of Water traveling with them," the Third Hokage said slowly. "Aside from observing the exchange meeting, they will also head to the capital of the Land of Fire to discuss border trade matters with His Lordship the Daimyo. According to custom, Konoha needs to send ninja to escort them to the capital."
He paused, his gaze turning serious. "This escort mission will be led by Minato. Shin-chan will go along as support."
Namikaze Minato froze for a moment, then nodded. "Understood."
"Received!" Shin-chan also raised his hand. "I guarantee the mission will be completed."
The Third Hokage looked at Shin-chan, the corner of his mouth lifting in an almost imperceptible smile. "Shin-chan, for this mission, remember to bring the Guardian Leaf Bell."
"Okay."
"Gather at the village's main gate tomorrow morning and set off with the delegation officials," the Third Hokage added.
Namikaze Minato answered, then led Shin-chan out of the office.
...
"Mom." Shin-chan pushed open the door and kicked his shoes far away. "I'm going on a mission tomorrow."
"A mission?" Misae froze.
"Mm." Shin-chan nodded. "We have to escort officials from the Land of Water to the capital."
Misae fell silent.
She still remembered the last time Shin-chan went on a mission.
That day, she had stood in the entryway and watched Shin-chan walk out the door. Then she hadn't slept the whole night.
"How many days?"
"They didn't say." Shin-chan stood up. "I'm going to pack."
Misae followed him to the doorway of his room and leaned against the doorframe, watching as Shin-chan dragged a small cloth bundle out of the closet.
He spread the bundle on the floor. His change of clothes was folded crookedly, and he put them in one by one.
Misae held herself back and didn't help him tidy it up like last time.
Shin-chan took out the short sword Hatake Sakumo had given him and carefully strapped it to his back, then tied the ninja tool pouch Uchiha Che had given him around his waist.
"Mom, how do I look?"
Misae leaned against the doorframe and looked at him.
One strap of the cloth bundle sat crookedly on his shoulder, and the belt of the ninja tool pouch had been tied into a crooked butterfly knot in front of his belly.
"You look like a child wearing an adult's clothes." Misae reached out and straightened the crooked strap on his shoulder.
"That's not what I meant." Shin-chan's eyes sparkled. "Am I super cool now? Do I look like Konoha's strongest ninja?"
"You do look pretty cool." Misae rubbed his hair.
Before bed that night, while Shin-chan was taking a bath, Misae secretly opened his little cloth bundle, reorganized his clothes, and slipped in a box of Shin-chan's favorite chocolate sticks.
Finally, she sighed, tied the bundle back up, and placed it beside Shin-chan's pillow.
Early the next morning, Shin-chan crawled out of bed, still half-asleep.
Misae had already made breakfast. "Hurry and eat. If you're late, Teacher Minato will be waiting."
Shin-chan slurped down his soup, ate a rice ball, wiped his mouth, and ran outside.
Misae stood in the entryway and couldn't help saying, "Listen to Teacher Minato on the road."
"I know."
"Don't run around."
"I know."
"Don't be picky when you eat."
"I know." Shin-chan pulled open the door, and morning light spilled in through the gap. "Mom, I'm leaving."
Misae couldn't help following him to the doorway, holding the doorframe as she watched his small figure run farther and farther into the morning mist.
At Konoha's main gate, the delegation's convoy was already ready.
When Namikaze Minato brought Shin-chan to the meeting point, several Land of Water officials looked over at the same time.
News of what happened at the training ground had already spread, and in their hearts, they were already full of curiosity about this "monster genius" of Konoha.
But with ninja from both sides present, they only smiled gently at Shin-chan and did not say much.
"Everyone is here. Let's depart."
The carriages traveled along the official road for more than a day, only reaching the capital of the Land of Fire the next afternoon.
The city gate was several times larger than Konoha Village's gate. The walls on both sides stretched far into the distance, with no end in sight.
The officials from the Land of Water were arranged to stay at the post station. After Namikaze Minato finished handing things over to the station staff, he took Shin-chan through the main street of the capital and headed toward the Daimyo's palace.
The palace was located in the very center of the capital, with two rows of guards standing at the entrance.
When a steward saw Namikaze Minato and Shin-chan approach, he nodded slightly. "Jōnin Namikaze, Genin Nohara. His Lordship has been waiting for you."
He led the two of them through a long corridor.
As they walked, Shin-chan looked around everywhere. When he saw a stone lantern in the courtyard, he reached out to touch it, only for Namikaze Minato to gently tug him back by the collar.
The doors of the main hall were pushed open. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire sat on the cushion in the center, holding a folding fan in his hand. Several ministers in official robes stood beside him.
"Your Lordship." Namikaze Minato bowed.
Shin-chan curiously lifted his head and looked at the Daimyo sitting above. Then he suddenly pointed at his belly. "Uncle, your belly is even bigger than Hiroshi's. Do you like drinking too?"
The moment those words fell, the entire main hall went instantly silent. The ministers beside him turned pale with fright and didn't dare make a sound.
Namikaze Minato froze too, then quickly said, "Shin-chan, don't be rude."
"You really are an interesting child." The Daimyo was not angry at all. "That's right. I do indeed like drinking."
As he spoke, his gaze swept casually over the bell attached to Shin-chan's bundle.
It was the gift he had previously given to the Third Hokage.
The world of ninja and the noble court were two completely different circles, but there was one thing they had in common: the ownership of objects was never accidental.
"Interesting." The Daimyo folded his fan. "What is your name?"
"Nohara Shinnosuke, five years old. My favorite type of big sister is—"
"Shin-chan." A bead of sweat appeared at Namikaze Minato's temple. He reached out, wanting to press down on Shin-chan's shoulder and pull him back a little, but the Daimyo had already laughed aloud.
"Nohara Shinnosuke. A fine name." The Daimyo had already reached a conclusion in his heart. This child was worth drawing in.
The Daimyo turned back and waved to the steward, giving a few instructions. The steward bowed and withdrew.
"Since you've come to the capital, there's no need to leave in a hurry." The Daimyo stood up. "How about Uncle treats you to a good meal?"
Shin-chan lifted his head. "Can I order?"
"Of course."
"Then I want a super invincible huge grilled meat platter, and three-color dango, cream puffs, and also..."
When the steward returned with a tray of snacks, Shin-chan was still listing dishes.
The Daimyo fanned himself, growing more amused the longer he listened. The ministers beside him looked at one another, unsure whether they should remind His Lordship to mind his bearing.
Just then, the side door of the main hall opened a crack.