Naruto Uzumaki and Yamato returned to their own time.
Because of Naruto and Yamato's departure, Shindai and the others also lost their memories.
However, they were slightly better off than Naruto, whereas Shindai and the others at least remembered that their mission had been completed.
But Shindai hadn't forgotten completely. After all, regarding Loulan and Naruto's time travel incident, Shindai himself retained some vague memories.
Minato Namikaze erased only the memories after meeting Naruto.
Surveying the battlefield's devastated landscape, Shindai muttered, "Have we already been here?"
Minato addressed Queen Sāra, who wore an expression caught between confusion and sorrow: "Queen Sāra, our mission is complete, Gatai has been eliminated, we must return to Konoha now. If you need any help in the future, feel free to ask for assistance from Konoha."
Sāra looked up from the Chakra Blade she was holding and nodded, "Thank you for your help. Farewell."
Minato Namikaze led Shindai and the other three away from Loulan, returning to Konoha.
This trip to Loulan actually only took one day for mission execution. However, the round-trip journey took over six days total since they had traveled to the Land of Wind rather than staying within the Land of Fire.
Back in Konoha, Minato smiled and said, "Alright, I'll handle submitting the mission report alone. You're all tired. Go home and rest first. Dismissed."
"Okay~"
Once they had parted ways, Shindai returned to his home.
There was no one at home; Pakura wasn't back yet. Instead, he heard laughter coming from next door.
He immediately recognized it as the laughter of Kushina Uzumaki and Pakura.
Shindai approached Minato's household window and peeked inside.
Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki were chatting happily. From the corner of her eye, Pakura spotted Shindai peering through the window, which shocked her badly.
To Pakura, this scene felt extremely horrifying.
She was deep in cheerful conversation with Kushina when a face suddenly appeared at the window—it was only natural for her to be terrified.
Pakura walked to the window with a scowling face: "What are you doing? Peeking through the window without knocking is really frightening, you know?"
Shindai opened the door and walked in, retorting, "Hmph, I wasn't skulking around or peeping. I just came back home but didn't see anyone, then I heard you and Kushina-sis's loud laughter, so I simply took an open look."
Pakura gave Shindai a light tap on the forehead: "What do you mean 'loud'? Can't you speak properly?"
Massaging his forehead with a pitiful look, Shindai whined, "I risked my life out there completing missions, yet when I come home I still get hit. My life is truly too bitter."
Kushina Uzumaki mocked, "With that mouth of yours, you probably deserve even worse for that mouth of yours. Since you're back, where's Minato?"
Shindai plopped down on the sofa and answered, "Minato went to submit his mission report. Pakura, Sister Kushina, I'm starving—make me something quick! Once Minato gets back, he can treat me to Ichiraku Ramen."
This time it was Kushina Uzumaki's turn to slap Shindai on the head: "Do you even hear yourself?! If you want food, come help us cook!"
Shindai simply flopped sideways on the sofa and started throwing a tantrum: "No way! I'm dead tired and not moving an inch!"
Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki broke into a cold sweat looking at the stubborn Shindai. He was really getting on their nerves.
...
Inside the Hokage Building, Minato Namikaze had just finished submitting his mission report when a ninja stopped him on his way out.
"Minato, the Hokage wants to see you."
"Hokage-sama... I understand. I'll go right away."
Minato arrived at the Hokage's office and found Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru sitting together, sipping tea.
Seeing this scene, Minato felt an indescribable sense of discomfort inside.
Hiruzen smiled and said, "Minato, you've worked hard."
Minato greeted both men, saying, "Hokage-sama, Orochimaru-sama."
Hiruzen's expression turned serious. "Minato, there is something I need to inform you about. The discussions among the Five Great Shinobi Villages have concluded."
Minato's face also grew serious as he listened quietly for Hiruzen to continue.
Hiruzen continued, "Sunagakure has agreed to provide compensation, but Kazekage Rasa refuses to cover the full amount and will only pay partially in gold dust while also proposing an alliance.
Iwagakure's Tsuchikage Onoki refuses to accept responsibility. He'll only agree to peace talks if Konoha acknowledges Iwagakure's wartime actions and gives up its demand for compensation.
As for Kirigakure, the Third Mizukage seems to have passed away. Yagura Karatachi, the new Fourth Mizukage, has taken over, but this new leader has enforced the former leader's 'blood mist policy' even more ruthlessly. Kirigakure is now completely isolated and did not take part in the negotiations at all.
As for Kumogakure's Fourth Raikage A, Minato, you know well enough that Kumo is a village of martial warriors. It's already a blessing that they've agreed to stop the war. Asking them to admit defeat and offer compensation is practically impossible."
After listening to Hiruzen's explanation, Minato's brow had already slightly furrowed. "So then, what is your decision, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen sighed deeply: "Konoha may have won this war, but the cost was enormous. We must recover and regroup. Continuing the war would bring countless harms to Konoha with practically no benefits. Everyone in the village is desperate for peace. Therefore, I have decided to agree to the demands of Kazekage Rasa and Tsuchikage Onoki."
Minato Namikaze spoke with concern, "But... Konoha was clearly on the winning side, yet we ended up with this result. Some people might have objections, right?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "That's why I will take responsibility and give the villagers an explanation. I will resign my position as the Third Hokage before the Daimyo."
"What?"
Minato stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief, never expecting that he would step down from the role of Hokage.
Hiruzen smiled gently and continued, "Minato, I've always believed you are the torchbearer of the Will of Fire. I had originally planned to keep you by my side for a while to learn the ropes before handing over this great responsibility to you. But now it seems that opportunity is gone. Even so, I can still support you after stepping down.
"Minato, I'm entrusting you with the future of Konoha and the entire ninja world! Do you accept this responsibility?"
Minato gazed blankly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The news came too suddenly, leaving Minato momentarily stunned and unable to recover his composure.
Hiruzen looked at Minato with kind and caring eyes, patiently waiting for him to absorb the shocking revelation.
After a moment to steady himself, Minato answered firmly, "I will do my best to live up to the trust of the Third Generation!"
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