Naruto: Flash Reborn — Minato’s Second Life

"Third Hokage is looking for me?"

Mikoto was startled. Though she had never seen this ninja before, she could easily guess his identity. In Konoha, only Anbu members wore such distinctive uniforms and delivered the Hokage's orders directly.

But why would the Hokage summon her?

Seeing Mikoto's suspicious expression, the Anbu agent realized this young girl wouldn't follow him easily. No matter that she was just a young girl, she was still a member of the Uchiha clan...

"You performed exceptionally well during the Chakra Aptitude Test," the Anbu recited the explanation prepared according to the Third Hokage's instructions. "That's why the Hokage has summoned you."

Hearing this, Mikoto hesitated briefly. She had clearly lost to Hizashi Hyuga during the make-up match and hadn't passed.

"If you still have doubts, just come with me to see the Hokage," the Anbu added, then without waiting for Mikoto's approval, he turned and left. Compared to his previous agility, this movement appeared noticeably slower.

"Wait!"

Mikoto quickly followed as the Anbu deliberately slowed his pace so she could keep up. Otherwise, with her current skill level, it would've been impossible to match an Anbu member's speed.

...

After saying goodbye to Kushina, Minato swiftly returned home. There were less than two and a half hours remaining before the departure time Sakumo had specified.

This sudden mission left him slightly overwhelmed—Minato had absolutely no prior experience executing missions and wasn't even sure what to bring on this trip.

Given the covert nature of the mission, even though it was long-term, he needed to pack light—it was an assassination assignment after all.

Standing there, hesitating for what felt like forever, Minato eventually realized he didn't need much prep work before heading out on a mission.

Others might need to say goodbye to their families, but Minato had no close relatives at all. Even Kushina, the person who meant the most to him now, had to remain unaware of the truth.

Minato truly hated this emptiness.

However, his heart wasn't completely detached—he did care deeply about people like Mikoto, Kushina, even Yan Uchiha, and Teacher Jiraiya, whom he hadn't seen in quite some time.

"Wondering what my teacher is doing now?"

Thinking about his sensei, Minato knew a ninja of Jiraiya's caliber likely undertook missions far more dangerous than his own mission to the Land of Hot Springs.

At this moment, he recalled the question his teacher had posed right before leaving, as well as the answer to that question.

He definitely wasn't ready to answer that question yet.

Unsure when he might suddenly be called to leave, Minato entered the room where his parents used to live.

Though no one lived there, Minato kept the room spotlessly clean. Above the double bed hung a framed photograph.

In the photo, a handsome man with blond hair casually slung an arm around a slender woman's waist.

She had straight brown hair reaching her waist, smiling radiantly.

This was the wedding photo of Minato's parents. They had died during their merchant journey at the hands of raiders. Being common civilians, no one had bothered to arrange a proper funeral for them, not even leaving behind photos or remains...

The impression they left on Minato was just a few rare pictures.

Placed on the bedside table was a family portrait. Back then, Minato was still very young; his big sapphire eyes seemed ready to sparkle, though he wasn't looking directly into the camera.

Looking at the empty room, Minato's heart gradually calmed.

Being pessimistic or crying would only prove his own weakness. The reason he wanted to become Hokage was precisely to change all this—to prevent innocent people from being harmed by war and stop more children from sharing the same fate as him.

"You seem pretty relaxed."

At that moment, a very melodious female voice suddenly sounded in his ears, yet Minato couldn't immediately locate her position.

Without knowing when exactly, Junko Watanabe had already sat on the windowsill that had yet to be opened.

Different from earlier that morning, she now carried a sword on her back; its scabbard ended several centimeters above her waist, so it didn't affect her sitting posture.

Minato was slightly startled. Just moments ago, her voice had sounded crystal clear, even though the window was shut now—something that should've muffled any sound.

Even so, Junko's ability to do that was enough to prove her strength.

Perhaps she might not match Sakumo, but at least she was at the Jonin level.

"Is it already time to leave?" Minato asked. Actually, there was still almost an hour and a half before five o'clock.

Junko simply shrugged.

"Father, Mother, I'm off."

Then Minato pressed his palms together, gave a respectful bow toward the photograph of his parents, and walked out of the house instead of jumping straight out the window.

Junko found nothing strange about this; she somewhat understood Minato's background. He did it out of sheer respect for them.

...

Meanwhile at Konoha's main gate, a team had already started walking out.

"Never thought we'd end up on the same mission team."

Nawaki rested his hands behind his head, grinning as he looked at the handsome boy beside him.

"Hehe, actually, I've been looking forward to this day for quite some time."

Sarutobi Ao also smiled. Behind the two boys followed a slightly tall figure—another Jonin from Konoha village.

Besides him, there was also a female Genin who had also passed the Chakra Aptitude Test—Shurou.

...

Under Anbu escort, Mikoto entered the Hokage Office. When she stepped inside, she paused slightly.

Because apart from herself, the Hizashi and Hiashi Hyuga brothers were already waiting there.

...

Not only them. In another part of Konoha, three childhood friends who were inseparable—Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka—were also startled by the sudden appearance of an Anbu member.

...

At Konoha's main gate, Junko Watanabe and Minato, now wearing Konoha's forehead protector, arrived. However, Sakumo and Yan Uchiha seemed to have reached there ahead of them.

"Alright, since everyone's here, let's get going," Sakumo said with a faint smile.

At the main gate stood two Chunin-like guards. Given the top-secret nature of the mission in the Land of Hot Springs, they obviously shouldn't have known anything about it. Still, you could hear them whispering about who those two kids trailing behind Sakumo were.

Minato and Yan Uchiha weren't short, but the two Genin accompanying them were clearly unfamiliar to the guards.

Sakumo glanced sideways at the pair, then dashed straight out through the gate. Junko Watanabe was already right behind him.

The two behind were ready, but they couldn't match Sakumo and Junko's pace.

[Shua Shua]! (the sound of fast movement)

They also exerted themselves fully to pick up speed, appearing like two rays of light—one black and one gold—leaving the guarding sentries slightly dumbfounded...

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