Before long, two white mists exploded in the living room again, and Fukasaku and Shima reappeared.
"Fukasaku-sama, Shima-sama!"
After speaking, Ren leaned closer and asked impatiently,
"Two Sages, what did the Great Toad Sage say?"
"Don't be anxious, little Ren."
Fukasaku-sama stroked his snow-white beard with his palm, and under everyone's expectant gaze, he slowly said,
"The Great Toad Sage said that the Konoha Ninja can sign contracts with Mount Myōboku and cultivate Sage Mode, but..."
As soon as the last two words came out, everyone's hearts, which had just relaxed, tightened again.
"They need to pass Mount Myōboku's test before they can sign a contract with the toads."
"Phew."
Everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Ren rubbed his forehead and looked at the other party helplessly.
"Fukasaku-sama, please finish your sentences in one go next time."
"Hahahaha, my apologies, my apologies."
Fukasaku-sama chuckled, then waved his hand at them, bowing his head with a smile.
"We will come again tomorrow. That's all for today, everyone."
"Goodbye, two Sages!"
After seeing them off, Ren and the others sat down again, but compared to when the two Sages were present, everyone was much more relaxed.
"Minato."
Ren turned to look at Minato, smiling.
"This matter is now up to you."
"Alright!"
Minato agreed with a smile.
Everything is difficult at the beginning. Since the first hurdle has been overcome, the next steps will be much easier.
Speaking of which, he originally came out with Kushina to relax and visit the Uchiha, but he didn't expect to encounter such a good thing.
Thinking of this, Minato's smile grew even wider.
"Cough cough!"
Just then, Fugaku, who was sitting opposite, coughed twice, looked at Minato, and smiled.
"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha..."
Ren had no interest in these matters, so he got up, took Itachi, and walked into the courtyard with tea and snacks. He leaned against the sliding door and basked in the sun.
"So comfortable."
Ren drank his hot tea, feeling the slight coolness brought by the breeze through his hair, and couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
This beautiful weather paired with an afternoon tea was simply perfect. If he weren't in someone else's yard, Ren would have wanted to take a nap.
"Brother Ren."
"Hm?"
Ren opened his eyes, turned to look at Itachi, and said lazily,
"What is it, Itachi."
"It's just that I've already mastered the Jutsu you taught me last time."
Itachi rubbed his nose, looked at Ren, and said softly.
"Huh?"
Ren blinked twice, then finally reacted.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, huh..."
As Ren murmured, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.
He wasn't surprised that Itachi learned this Jutsu in such a short time; with his talent, a few months would be enough for him to master it.
"Eh?"
Seeing Ren fall into thought after hearing his words, a confused look appeared on Itachi's face.
He had originally just intended to tell Ren to make him happy, but now it had turned into this.
"Wait a moment."
Before Itachi could react, Ren leaped up from the ground, then turned, pulled open the door, and returned to the house, walking straight towards Minato.
"Hm?"
At this moment, Minato and the other person were talking. They were stunned when Ren entered.
"Is something wrong, Ren?"
Minato looked at Ren, who had walked over and sat down, and asked in confusion.
"Hokage-sama!"
Ren suddenly pounced over, hooked Minato's shoulder tightly, and chuckled.
"You tell me, how did I do today?"
Seeing Ren's mischievous smile, Minato immediately became wary.
He knew Ren too well; every time he showed that expression, it meant someone was about to suffer.
To avoid falling into a trap, Minato pondered for a moment before slowly replying with two words.
"...Very good."
"Right!"
Upon hearing this reply, Ren's spirits immediately lifted, and he quickly pressed on.
"So, you see, shouldn't you give me some kind of reward... or something."
"..."
Minato's mouth twitched. He glanced at Ren and then said somewhat helplessly,
"So, what reward do you want? Let me tell you first, I don't have any money."
No matter what, Ren had indeed made a good start this time. If he hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have tried, which would have meant the Konoha Ninja missing out on a good opportunity to become stronger.
Therefore, if his request wasn't too excessive, satisfying him wouldn't be a problem.
As Minato thought this, he picked up a piece of pastry from the table and put it in his mouth. Who knew that the next moment, Ren's voice suddenly rang in his ear.
"I want the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"
"Uh..."
Minato's eyes widened. He patted his chest and, after a few seconds, swallowed the pastry that had gotten stuck.
The next moment, he quickly turned to look at Ren and said with some surprise,
"The forbidden Jutsu developed by the Second Hokage?"
"What else?"
Ren rolled his eyes and retorted,
"Besides that, is there a second Ninjutsu with that name in the entire Ninja World?"
"...Let me think."
Minato turned his head, his gaze falling on the tea in his cup, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Ren didn't rush him. Instead, he took some more snacks from the table and walked to the sliding door, eating with Itachi while waiting for the other party's reply.
He didn't have to wait long before Minato made a decision.
"Alright."
Minato looked up at Ren and nodded.
"Given your proposal and performance this time, the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique can be given to you."
Minato also knew that even if he didn't give it to him, this kid would find a way to get it himself. It was better to just give it to him and have some peace. As a reward, it was quite fitting.
"Oh ho ho ho."
Ren showed no surprise at this, merely waving his hand as a gesture of thanks.
"Thanks, Minato."
"You rascal."
Minato couldn't help but laugh wryly, then shook his head and said with a smile,
"Come to my office tomorrow."
"Got it."
Just then, the nearby door opened, and Uchiha Mikoto and Kushina walked out one after another.
"Minato, what were you doing just now? We were woken up from our nap in the back by you."
Kushina walked closer, complaining with some dissatisfaction.
"I'm sorry, Kushina, I disturbed you."
Minato quickly stood up, then carefully helped his wife sit down.
To him, the position of Hokage was not as important as his wife and child, especially during this crucial period. He had to be fully prepared and dared not be careless in the slightest.
He was still waiting for his little Naruto to be born and call him 'Papa'.