**Konohagakure, Hokage Building**
"Report, Hokage-sama. Intelligence has been sent back from various parts of the Ninja World. The Skyscreen above us does not exist independently; it can be seen from every corner of the Ninja World."
**Namikaze Minato**, who had just become the Fourth Hokage, frowned deeply. Just ten days ago, during his inauguration ceremony, the Skyscreen had suddenly descended above Konoha, causing a huge sensation.
Initially, he and the Third Hokage thought this was a new Ninjutsu developed by another Ninja Village and issued an alert order to the Konoha ninjas. Consequently, the Konoha ninjas faced it as if confronting a formidable enemy.
However, as time passed, they discovered the matter was even more serious than they had imagined.
Konoha was not lacking in ninjas capable of flight, but no matter how high these ninjas flew, they could not touch the Skyscreen in the slightest. Even when the **Hyūga Clan**'s Byakugan and the **Uchiha Clan**'s Sharingan were employed, they could not see through the details behind the Skyscreen.
The only fortunate thing was that the Skyscreen had remained unchanged since its appearance and had not launched an attack on Konoha.
Today, the **Anbu** ninjas lurking outside finally brought him "good" news: this Skyscreen was not unique to Konoha but was visible to the entire Ninja World.
"Alright, you may go."
**Namikaze Minato** watched the reporting **Anbu** ninja leave, then rubbed his brows in exhaustion.
"You've worked hard, Hokage-sama."
A gentle female voice came from behind, accompanied by a pair of slender hands resting on his shoulders, gently kneading to help relieve his fatigue.
Hearing the voice, **Namikaze Minato** immediately relaxed. A warm smile appeared on his face as he looked up, meeting the woman's gaze.
"You're here, **Kushina**."
**Uzumaki Kushina** bent down and kissed him on the cheek, then straightened up and smoothed her hair.
"You've been working all morning; you must be tired. Let me give you a massage."
Saying this, **Kushina** began to knead **Minato**'s shoulders again.
"Thank you, **Kushina**."
**Minato** closed his eyes, his expression completely relaxed.
However, a look of imperceptible heartache appeared on **Kushina**'s face.
The man before her, her husband **Namikaze Minato**, had achieved illustrious military merits for Konoha during the Third Great Ninja War, leading Konoha to victory. Based on these merits, he had become the Fourth Hokage of the village.
Yet, on the very day he succeeded the position, the Skyscreen suddenly descended. Most of the ninjas and civilians in Konoha were attending the ceremony and witnessed the scene with their own eyes. Panic spread instantly, and inevitably, many rumors unfavorable to her husband emerged within the village.
**Kushina** knew very well what kind of pressure **Minato** had endured in the ten days since taking office. Although the Third Hokage tried his best to eliminate the unfavorable comments within the village, the wildfire of public opinion was endless and could not be extinguished.
While this was partly due to the other four Great Ninja Villages wanting to cause trouble because they didn't want **Namikaze Minato** to be Hokage, the root cause was still people within Konoha fueling the flames.
Since taking office, **Namikaze Minato** had been walking on thin ice, trembling with fear, daring not to slack off even a little. As his wife, **Kushina** saw this and felt pain in her heart.
**Kushina** stopped massaging his shoulders. She bent down once more to embrace **Minato**, pressing her cheek against his to express her love.
**Minato** closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth his wife brought him.
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was pushed open. The white-haired Third Hokage walked in and immediately saw the affectionate couple.
"I didn't disturb you two, did I?" The Third Hokage laughed, looking at the pair thick with affection.
**Minato** and **Kushina** had already noticed the sound of the Third Hokage pushing the door. As a long-married couple, they weren't afraid of being seen showing affection.
At this moment, **Kushina** was not shy either, simply speaking to the Third Hokage in a sassy manner: "Old man, you really came at a bad time."
"**Kushina**, don't be disrespectful to Lord Third..."
**Minato** patted her arm helplessly, though he knew lecturing her was useless.
The Third Hokage laughed heartily. He had watched both **Kushina** and **Minato** grow up; how could he not know her temperament? He didn't mind at all.
"Lord Third, did you come to find me for something?" **Minato** asked.
"I came to help you handle government affairs. Looking at you, you must have been quite tired these past few days," the Third Hokage smiled.
**Namikaze Minato** was startled. He quickly stood up and said, "How can that be? You have already retired; how can I have the nerve to trouble you to work for me?"
"It's alright, **Minato**. I know you've been affected by the Skyscreen incident and want to gain everyone's approval through hard work. I've seen your efforts these past few days. You are a good Hokage, but a Hokage cannot just stay in the office all the time. Now that intelligence from outside the village has returned, the rumors in the village will collapse on their own. You should go out for a walk and let the people of the village see the style of the new Hokage."
The Third Hokage stroked his beard and smiled.
"You already know everything," **Namikaze Minato** smiled helplessly as he sat back down. In this moment, he felt a sense of relief.
"In that case, I will trouble you. I haven't accompanied **Kushina** for quite a few days," **Minato** said.
"Mm, go on, go on. If you have time, you can take **Kushina** to the **Uchiha Clan**. **Fugaku**'s younger son will be born in a few months," the Third Hokage said with a smile.
**Kushina**'s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Is **Mikoto**'s second son about to be born? That's great! This time I must be the child's godmother and teach him personally! That idiot **Mikoto** doesn't know how to teach children at all. Her eldest son was taught by her to be like a stiff, old antique; he doesn't look like a child at all."
"**Kushina**..."
**Minato** was very helpless. He had seen the child **Itachi**; clearly, he was an excellent ninja in the making, yet **Kushina** actually despised him for... uh... not looking like a child?
Shaking his head and sorting out his thoughts, **Minato** put on a grave expression and asked the Third Hokage: "I heard that many of the **Uchiha** clansmen who returned from the battlefield recently have undergone drastic changes in temperament. They have become arrogant and domineering, causing quite a few incidents in the village. Is that so?"
The Third Hokage also restrained the smile on his face and said, "That is correct. It is normal for a ninja's temperament to change after experiencing war. As long as the village exercises a little control, they can recover. It is just that the people of the **Uchiha** are exceptionally volatile. You will have to mention this matter to **Fugaku** and have him restrain his clansmen a bit. Right now, this old man's face doesn't work well; only when you, the **Yellow Flash**, step out can those **Uchiha** be suppressed."
**Namikaze Minato** nodded solemnly. He also felt this matter was very tricky and had to be dealt with immediately.
However, just as he stood up preparing to head out, an **Anbu** ninja suddenly burst in from outside the door.
"Hokage-sama! There is a change in the Skyscreen above!"
Hearing this, **Minato** quickly exchanged a glance with the Third Hokage, and then the two of them strode quickly toward the balcony