Minato originally wanted Naruto to leave, but after thinking about it, Naruto was a person from the future and had most likely traveled to the past through the power of the Dragon Vein. If he left Rōran now, how would he find his way home?
So, he could only let Naruto wait in the city for a while. Perhaps after they dealt with Mukade and the time-space distortion was restored to normal, Naruto would automatically return.
Naruto seemed to remember something and asked in confusion, "Oh right, big brother, you still haven't answered me, where exactly is this place?"
"I'm on a mission, chasing a rogue ninja from Sunagakure, but as I was chasing him, I suddenly and inexplicably arrived here."
Minato slowly said, "This is Rōran, but not the Rōran from your time, this is an intact, undamaged Rōran."
Naruto was shocked, "How is that possible? Isn't Rōran already reduced to ruins?"
Minato sighed, "I really didn't intend to tell you this."
"Underground in Rōran, there's a source of power known as the Dragon Vein. I suspect that because you came into contact with it, you traveled back to the past. This place does not belong to your original timeline, this is twenty years ago."
Naruto was shaken, "Twenty years ago? How is that possible!"
Minato said, "The rogue ninja you're chasing, Mukade, right? Our mission is also related to him. He suddenly appeared here six years ago with an unknown background. We suspect that he is from the future."
"Now, with your appearance, this suspicion is further confirmed. Rōran was destroyed at some point in the future, but as of now, it is still intact."
Naruto exclaimed in amazement, "There's actually something like this? Haha, I really traveled to the past!"
Because of his thick nerves, he quickly accepted everything, "Big brother, so you guys are Konoha shinobi from twenty years ago? Maybe we even know each other!"
After saying that, he suddenly pointed at Kakashi, "Wait, if this is twenty years ago… you… you wouldn't happen to be Kakashi-sensei, would you?"
Kakashi snorted again without saying a word.
But Naruto seemed to be convinced, "Kakashi-sensei! I never thought you were so cool and aloof when you were a kid. Totally different from your later, always-late self. If it weren't for your hair color being so distinct, I wouldn't have recognized you."
At this moment, Obito sensed something unusual.
Naruto had strong sensory abilities, he could even recognize Kakashi. So why couldn't he recognize his own father, Minato-sensei?
'Could it be…'
Obito urgently asked, "Can you tell me, the Kakashi you know—does he have any companions of the same age? Any close friends?"
Naruto grinned, "Of course! Kakashi-sensei and Uncle Guy are very close. They often spar with each other, and things get so wild that pots and pans go flying."
Obito's breathing became rapid, "What about besides him?"
"Besides?" Naruto was stunned for a moment. After thinking for a while, he laughed and said, "Kakashi-sensei is actually very popular. Most of the Konoha shinobi have a good relationship with him. Although it's not as close as Uncle Guy, they're still reliable comrades."
But the more Obito listened, the more something felt off. Not as close as Guy? What kind of joke was this?
"Then, the Kakashi you know, does he have a friend named Rin? Nohara Rin!"
Naruto showed a confused expression, "Rin? Nohara Rin? Who's that? Does Kakashi-sensei have a friend like that?"
At that moment, everyone noticed something was wrong.
Obito's heart skipped a beat, 'Could it be that Rin… still ended up dying?'
He continued asking, "Then what about Obito? Does Kakashi know someone named Obito?"
Naruto looked even more confused, "Obito? Who's that? Does Kakashi-sensei know him? Maybe he was one of his childhood companions?"
Minato seemed to have realized something. He walked over and patted Obito on the shoulder, "Calm down first."
Then, he turned to look at Naruto with a gentle smile, "Does Kakashi have a Sharingan?"
Naruto was surprised, "Big brother, you actually know that? Kakashi-sensei is called 'Sharingan Kakashi' and is said to have copied over a thousand jutsu."
Minato nodded, "I see. Then what about the Fourth Hokage?"
Naruto was stunned. Then, his expression turned a little sad, "The Fourth… died in the Nine-Tails' attack. Jiraiya-sensei once said that compared to him, no one else was as outstanding."
Minato continued asking, "The Fourth died. Are you very sad about it?"
Naruto hesitated, "Sorry, although I admire the Fourth Hokage and swear that I will surpass him in the future, he's the great hero who saved Konoha, but…"
Naruto lowered his head, and big teardrops rolled down his face. Subconsciously, he clutched Minato's clothes tightly, gripping them with great strength.
"Big brother… Jiraiya-sensei also died. Can you go back and tell Jiraiya-sensei to be careful of the Akatsuki? He must never investigate them alone!"
Minato was startled. Instinctively, he turned to look at Obito. This was information that Obito had never told him.
Obito coughed awkwardly. Well… there were too many things to say, and he couldn't possibly explain everything at once. He had indeed forgotten to mention Jiraiya's death.
So, he looked at Naruto, "What about the Uchiha? What happened to the Uchiha Clan?"
Naruto's expression grew even sadder, "The Uchiha Clan… only Sasuke is left. But Sasuke… he's with Orochimaru now."
Naruto clenched his fists, "But I will definitely bring Sasuke back!"
Obito suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
No wonder Minato-sensei told him to stay calm. If one or two things were coincidences, then how could countless events unfold exactly as they had in his past life? That wasn't a coincidence.
Obito let out a sigh of relief and looked at Minato, "Sensei, I'm ninety percent sure, he is not from our timeline."
Minato asked one last time, "Are you certain?"
Obito nodded, "His experiences align exactly with how things played out in my past life, but that should be impossible."
Minato nodded. He, too, confirmed that Naruto did not belong to their timeline.
Therefore, their actions wouldn't interfere with Naruto's future.
That meant they had fewer concerns.
Naruto, seeing them talking in riddles, looked confused, "What are you two talking about? What do you mean by 'not from this timeline'?"
Minato thought for a moment, then removed his mask and smiled at Naruto, "We just figured something out. Well then, let's introduce ourselves properly. I am Namikaze Minato, nice to meet you."
Naruto beamed. "Big brother, you finally showed your real face. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet you!"
But just as he said this, he suddenly realized something, "Wait… big brother, you said your name is…?"
Minato simply smiled at Naruto.
Naruto unconsciously matched Minato's face with the one on the Hokage Rock, the face he had often doodled on as a child, "You… you are—the Fourth Hokage!"
Even though Naruto wasn't good at history, he definitely remembered the name of the Fourth Hokage. After all, that was the person he had sworn to surpass.
Instantly, he became excited and raised his fist at Minato, "I actually got to meet the real Fourth Hokage. Listen up! I, Uzumaki Naruto, will definitely become Hokage and surpass you!"
Minato quietly looked at Naruto, then raised his fist and bumped it against Naruto's, "I believe you, and I look forward to that day. Actually, I'm not the Fourth Hokage yet, but I will work towards that. When the time comes, let's see who makes the better Hokage."
Naruto nodded firmly, "Big bro Minato, I won't lose to you!"
But for some reason, the sense of familiarity in his heart grew stronger, so strong that a thought started to form.
Naruto took a deep breath, "Big brother, my name is Uzumaki Naruto. Do you know who my parents are?"
Minato nodded, "I do."
Naruto's breathing quickened, and his eyes lit up, "Big brother, can you tell me?"
Minato gently ruffled Naruto's hair, looking at him sincerely, "I'm sorry, Naruto. I've heard everything about your life. I failed in my duty as a father. This time, I swear, I will give you a happy family."
In an instant, Naruto's tears overflowed uncontrollably. He couldn't help but throw a punch at Minato's face…
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