Aaaand, back to plot. XD I've got a few days off, so hopefully the next chapter will be up before Tuesday.

Ondori = rooster.

Chapter Twenty One – Match

A heavy pause hung between father and son as they gazed at each other, Naruto's hissing breath the only sound in the silence. When it became apparent that Minato didn't plan on answering him and simply looked on with perfect calm, the teen seemed to grow even angrier, snarling slightly.

"Hokage-sama!" an Anbu called, pausing in the doorway. The masked nin glanced from one figure to the other, unsure as to how to act. Minato only spared the Anbu a quick look, never taking his eyes off his son.

"It's alright, Ondori. I'll handle this myself. Dismissed." he said in a calm, firm tone. The Anbu seemed to hesitate, but couldn't ignore a direct order.

"Yes, sir." he said and Shunshined away immediately. To Minato's satisfaction, he felt the other Anbu leave the perimeter of the Command room as well. Good. Now they're out of the way...

Now they were alone.

The wait didn't seem to be doing Naruto's patience any good. If anything, every moment that passed when he couldn't get his emotions off his chest seemed to only boost his fury. The red tint in his eyes grew a little deeper, canine teeth pointed. Faced with his father's impassive facade, the young shinobi felt his patience and control snap.

"You bastard!" he exclaimed again, unable to come up with a different insult in his uncontrolled state. His jaw clenched so hard Minato could have sworn he heard his teeth grating together, a vein pulsing out on the side of his neck. The teen sank into a ready stance, as if daring his father to say anything; he was more than willing to get physical in order to vent his frustration. While any such threat didn't worry Minato particularly, the seal-master was quite concerned with the chakra he was sensing. The Kyuubi's chakra.

"I don't see why you're so upset, Naruto." Minato replied coolly, folding his arms across his chest. He'd wiped his face carefully blank, any emotion locked tightly away where it wouldn't betray him; he had entered 'Hokage mode', the way he preferred dealing with politics and trouble.

"You know damn well why I'm upset!" Naruto yelled back, hands balling into fists. His eyes shone in the low light produced by the lone lamp in the room. Out of anger, the blond slammed his fist back against the door, causing the wood to splinter and break. Minato raised an eyebrow, but otherwise showed no reaction to his son's display.

"If this is about the Uchiha, I really can't see why you're reacting in such an inappropriate manner, Naruto." he said lightly, his eyes hard. He was acting almost condescendingly aloof about the whole affair, evenly detached. "He's had this coming for a while. Too long, one might say." he added as if taunting his son to say something- anything about it.

Naruto had a lot to say about it.

"What did you say?" he growled, taking a threatening step forwards. "Sasuke might not be in the village right now, but he'll come back! I'll bring him back! No matter what he's done, he's still a comrade, a friend! All of us fought to return him to the village, and you...! You just spat on all our hard work as if it were nothing! Doesn't that matter at all? Don't I matter?" he demanded, a desperate, bitter undertone to his fury-fueled words. Looking into his son's eyes, Minato could see the turmoil in them, the emotions finally unleashed in a torrent of pain, anger and bitterness. It felt almost like a stab to the heart, seeing his son's pain fully unmasked in front of him. Before he could get carried away, he reigned his emotions in again and tapped his fingers on the wooden table impatiently.

"Nothing matters when compared to the village's well-being, Naruto." he replied coolly. "Everything else pales in comparison. That includes your work, Sasuke, me, you. Everything."

"What did you say?" Naruto growled, bowing his head slightly, his entire body shaking. "You- you can't do that...!"

"I'm afraid I can." Minato reported, rising to his full height and looking down at his son, arms folded. "In fact, I just did."

The snarl that escaped his son's lips was ample warning for the Hokage to block the punch aimed at his face, stopping Naruto's fist just inches away from his jawline. His other hand caught the teen's knee as it rose towards his stomach, ignoring the pain that flared through both hands to the best of his ability as a burning sensation flowed through them. Before Naruto could get another hit in, he threw him back using a large surge of chakra to cancel out some of the Kyuubi's chakra. Taken aback by the blast, Naruto landed against the door, staring up at his father with wide, blue eyes. The crimson tinge had faded away after the shock his father's own chakra had given his system, his rage draining away with it. Left on the ground, he stared up at his father's imposing figures, mouth slightly agape.

"... why...?" he finally asked in a pained, bitter voice, like that of a small child trying to understand the evils of the world. The look in his eyes almost broke Minato's heart, but he couldn't stop now.

"Because I am the Hokage." he replied in a crisp tone. "And it is my job to make these decisions for my village. And no one, not even my own son, will tell me what to do." he said with finality. The look he gave Naruto was colder than he had initially wanted it to be, but he couldn't take it back. He couldn't stop any of it. "You can't become a Hokage if you continue to act so childishly, Naruto! The world out there isn't set to indulge your every whims, much less a Kage! Just because Sarutobi-sama and Tsunade-sama did so doesn't mean the Mizukage or, God forbid, the Raikage will give in to your every little need! You need to see outside yourself, Naruto. Stop being so selfish and grow up." he said in a frigid tone. He raised an eyebrow as Naruto bowed his head slightly, shoulders shaking.

"I hate you." he said in a quiet, dangerous voice, jaw clenched tightly.

"Nevertheless, I am the Hokage, and my decision is final. From now on, Uchiha Sasuke is a nuke-nin. You'll do well to remember it." his father replied, looking down at him before he vanished in a flash, leaving Naruto to stare after his hero in shock and disbelief.

The crashing of the waterfall was loud in his ears, drowning out almost everything else. Night had fallen completely around him, cloaking everything in twilight shadows. He was seated right by the water pool, the spray by the falls stinging his face and collecting on his hair, icy fingers of water trickling down his chin and down his neck. Still, he didn't care. He sat there, silent and still, doing his best to let the white noise from the falls permeate his being.

"You'll catch your death if you sit here any longer." came a sudden voice from behind him, low and mildly disapproving. The man's silver hair shone in the faint starlight, the gleam from his hitae-ate glancing off the waters. When his companion made no motion of having heard him, the jounin sighed and snapped shut the little book he had been holding. Hands in his pockets, he leaned his back against a boulder, head turned towards the seated blond. He allowed a short silence before he sighed again, looking up at the sky. "You know you were too hard on him." he remarked evenly, watching him from out of the corner of his eyes. He noted how the slightly younger man bristled, head bowed.

"I told him what he needed to hear." he answered softly after a small pause, voice void of its usual conviction. He gave Kakashi the impression that he was trying to convince himself and failing miserably. Being helpless was something his sensei had never gotten used to; inwardly, Kakashi was glad he had stepped in when he did.

"Perhaps." he allowed, still keeping his own tone light and relaxed. "But not in the way that you should have."

"My son or not, Naruto's still a shinobi of the village." Minato retorted, head rising to watch the waterfall. He had his back to his student, but the latter made no attempt to change that; he respected his sensei's privacy. The little he asked for, anyway. "I can't start making allowances for him and his whims!" the Hokage continued, firing up as he did so. "Uchiha Sasuke had to be named a nuke-nin, it was the best for the village! I can't allow a powerful shinobi like him attacking the other villages in Konoha's name, not now! Not when we need allies the most!" he ranted vehemently, throwing a rock into the waters. As he was done, however, he seemed to cool down and exhaled slowly, one knee held against his chest. Kakashi waited long enough for him to calm down fully, gazing at his sensei's stiff back.

"Even so." he began mildly. "You're right of course, but only partially so." The student could tell his sensei was listening by the way his head was held. "Thing is, Sensei, Naruto might be a shinobi of Konoha, but he's not just that. No, he can't make your calls for you or dictate what you decide on as Hokage. No one can. However, he's still your son, Sensei. I know you care. There are times when we have to handle certain people differently, even if we'd like to treat everyone the same. Whether you like it or not, Naruto's not just another insolent subordinate. He's your son, and he's bound to question you. Did you ever think of dealing with him not as his Hokage, but as his father?" he questioned lightly, looking away again. His sensei's heavy sigh gave him the answer he had been expecting.

"Yes." he answered tiredly. "But by the time I did, it was too late. I said and did things I wish I could take back. We both did. Now everything's a mess." he sighed, running a hand through his spiky hair, the slump in his shoulders belying his exhaustion, both physical and mental. Kakashi rolled his eyes at the man's melodramatic manner, shaking his head.

"Even when that happens, things can still be made right if both people want to sort them out." he replied serenely. "That's the beauty about family; they won't hold things against you forever." he remarked.

A soft, sad chuckle escaped Minato who lowered his bent knee, tossing another stone into the water, gently this time. "Since when did you get so in touch with your parental side, Kakashi?" he asked him quietly. The student turned to the sensei at that, watching him from afar. Even after sixteen years, he could sense one of Minato's pensive moods coming on.

"Ever since I got my cute genin team." he replied, smiling slightly. "I know you think it's different, Sensei, but it's not. Not that much. Just give yourself some time. You'll get there. If anyone can, it's you." he added nonchalantly.

Finally, Minato turned towards his student, eyes blinking at him slowly. Surprise was his first reaction, then a warm, faint smile. Turning so that he was sitting on the side, he fiddled with a pebble, his bangs slightly hiding his face.

"You think it'll be alright, then?" he asked his student quietly. He seemed to have calmed down fully now, though Kakashi could still detect traces of doubt. Looking at the man he had looked up to for so many years and seeing the human side of his strong leadership gave the Copy-nin mixed emotions. It was strange, seeing the man he thought as a compass doubting himself yet, at the same time, he really understood how far he had come since he was a teen. The fact that Minato was allowing him to see him doubting himself was surprisingly satisfying, as if his sensei was making a statement.

He wasn't just his cute student anymore.

Smiling warmly, Kakashi tilted his head back and gazed upwards, drawing his sensei's eyes. "Honestly, Sensei?" he smirked. "Knowing both you and Naruto, I'm pretty confident. A bowl of ramen might help, too." he replied. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Minato finally smiling more confidently. Pushing himself to his feet, the Hokage brushed water droplets off his clothes and face, pushing his hair out of his eyes. His smile was back in place, eyes determined and bright again. Looking at him, Kakashi couldn't help rolling his eyes.

"Alright, then." Minato smiled, securing his hitae-ate in place. Hands tugged at his coat, smoothing it out somewhat nervously. When he turned to leave, he hesitated briefly. Turning back, he gave Kakashi a sheepish, but grateful grin. "Kakashi... Thanks." he said sincerely, then leaped up the waterfall using the boulders as a stepping-stone, out of Kakashi's sight in heartbeats. Thinking of his final words and the look he gave him, the Copy-nin sighed and shook his head again, taking his book out once more. Walking back towards Konoha, he only had one thing to say.

"Drama queen."

It didn't take long to find him.

"What are you doing here?" the teen said hotly as he walked up to him, gaze firmly turned away. The older man winced at the teen's open hostility, but he couldn't blame him.

"I just want to talk." he offered quietly, holding his breath.

"Hn."

The grunt wasn't exactly inviting, but Minato knew it was the closest he would get to one. The fact that Naruto hadn't moved ever since he approached him meant that the teen wasn't furious anymore; at least he hadn't tried to punch him again. Carefully folding his limbs, he sat down on the grassy slope of the hill and stretched out onto his back, just a foot away from his son, who was in a similar posture. For a while, Minato didn't say anything, looking up at the streaks of pink and purple as they slowly spread across the horizon.

It was nearing dawn.

Finally, when the silence was almost oppressive, Minato sighed and made the first move. "Naruto, I-" he began tentatively but the teen cut him off brusquely, tone flat and resigned.

"I get it." he mumbled glumly, bitterness barely held back. "You don't have to say it. I'm the Fourth Hokage's son and I can't go around acting like some hot-headed idiot that has no idea what's going on around him. I mustn't act like that and put you in tight spots. I get it Dad, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful." In a hushed whisper filled with pain, he added, "I'm sorry for being a disappointment."

"Na-Naruto...?" Minato breathed, eyes wide in shock. He hadn't known what to expect; bitterness, anger, even, but not that quiet resignation. The depressed look in his eyes broke the Hokage's heart anew. For several moments, he simply gaped at the younger man before he could shake himself out of the shock. "That's not at all what I was going to say!" he exclaimed quietly, sitting up. Two mellow blue eyes met his own; the dead look in them felt like a stab to the chest.

"Wasn't it...?" Naruto mumbled, not really seeming to care anymore. To avoid his eyes, he tilted his head to the side, looking at the treeline.

"Of course not!" Minato insisted, biting his lip. Only now could he see the real damage he had done. He had known his son carried ghosts, but he never expected them to come out like this. He never expected he would be the one to bring them all out. Deep down, the blond was furious, furious at himself for handling the entire situation in the worst manner possible. For now, though, he pushed it to the back of his mind; Naruto was his priority. His son's words rang loudly in his ears; he didn't know where to start. It wasn't like he had a manual. "Naruto... you didn't disappoint me." Minato began desperately, latching on to his son's final comment; the one that seemed to hurt the most. "Never think that!"

"Why not..?" the teen questioned him, voice just as dead as it had been before. Pain and bitterness were seeping off him in waves, a defeated look in his eyes. "That's what I've always been, hasn't it...? A nuisance, a bother. When I was a kid, no one liked me. They would hardly even talk to me if it wasn't threats or insults. I was 'that thing' and 'that boy' parents told their children not to talk to or play with. Kids would stay away, call me names. I could never fit in. Even when I tried my best to get their attention, to make them laugh, they would laugh at me, not with me. Everyone avoided me, and I didn't even know why."

Naruto's recount was so melancholic and bitter Minato felt tears springing to his eyes. He held them back resolutely, though; he felt as if he had no right to cry. Kushina's protests came back to him; how she hadn't wanted to put their own son through what she went as a child. Thinking back to them now, Minato couldn't help but feel he had failed them both.

"People only started recognizing me after I became a genin." Naruto continued in that emotionless tone, eyes turned purposefully away. "When I beat Zabuza, Neji, Gaara... People started to smile a little. When I brought Tsunade-no-baa-chan back, people were actually smiling, greeting me. It felt so great. For the first time, I knew what it was like to be part of a village that accepted you. It felt so great... I never wanted it to end. And it didn't. People don't look at me with those cold, cold eyes anymore... They smile and talk to me and, though I can't remember all their names, I always talk back to them." the teen mumbled.

"Only because you worked so hard." Minato offered softly, having to bite his lip to hold back a sob. "You earned their respect, little by little."

"Sasuke still left." Naruto sighed. "He was my first friend, my rival. He was the person I wanted to acknowledge me most, but he turned out to be the last. I say I want to be the Hokage, but what kind of Hokage can't even save one friend...?" he asked no one in particular; perhaps himself. "All I've wanted to do is bring him back, for so, so long... it's not just Sasuke... I... I wanted to prove to myself that I could- that I could save him. That I wasn't a loser."

"Naruto..." A choked sob.

"And when things were finally turning right, they turned so wrong." Naruto sighed. "I found out who my parents were and that they loved me. I was so proud to have you as my dad. Your trust in me gave me the strength to do what I did with Pein. And when he brought you back... That was the happiest day of my life, waking up and seeing you there. It felt as if something had fallen into place, like fate was being kind for a change. I couldn't wait to show you off to everyone. But then... It hurt... seeing how they all adored you instantly, like they didn't stop loving you even after so many years. I was both proud and- and bitter... And I feel like a horrible person for it." he muttered, resting his sleeve over his eyes. "And then they made you Hokage again, just like that... I know it's for the Village, I know you're the best but... I was so jealous. I'd never been so jealous before." he sighed sadly. "'N then Kakashi-sensei said you'd made Sasuke a nuke-nin... I could never bring him back... It all felt so wrong, so unfair... Like someone was trying to hit me where it hurt. And I got so angry, so bitter. I hated you. I'm sorry, Dad, I'm so, so sorry." At the end, his voice broke. To Minato's horror and anguish, his breath hitched and muffled sobs started erupting past his lips.

"Naruto..." he breathed at first, pain rising in his own voice. When he got no response, he cleared his throat and tried again. "Naruto, look at me. Please." he added imploringly when the teen gave no sign of having heard. Reaching for him, he touched his son gently on the shoulder, a lump rising in his throat when he flinched. "Please." he repeated. Perhaps it was his tone; perhaps it was the plea, but Naruto responded by lowering his arm away from his eyes and turning tear-filled blue orbs towards him. For what felt like an eternity, father an son looked at each other wordlessly. Then, Minato eased him up with a feather-light touch, clasping him against his chest. It was then that the teen's sobs really started, fat, salty tears seeping into Minato's flak-vest. Though his own tears were streaking silently down his cheeks, Minato was smiling faintly, stroking his son's back.

"There, there..." he murmured soothingly.

They sat like that for a while, Naruto quickly getting a hold of himself. Even then, he didn't pull away. The two needed the contact, needed to feel that the precarious bond they'd started building hadn't been irreparably shattered. When he felt his son moving a little to get somewhat more comfortable in the awkward position he was in, Minato smiled gently and patted him on the back. Wordlessly, the two let go, seated on the grass just a little apart. The sun was rising from behind Naruto, casting golden and pink shadows on the Fourth's face, light which only accentuated his kind, sorrowful look.

"I know you've had it tough, Naruto." the blond jounin began "I know the pain you went through all those years."

"That's just it; you don't." Naruto disagreed softly, wiping the moisture from his cheeks with the back of his sleeve. His voice was no longer that frightening dead echo; now it openly bore the sorrow he had been masking for nigh sixteen years. You weren't there to see it."

"No, I wasn't." Minato agreed, slightly subdued. "But that doesn't mean I can't understand the pain a Jinchuuriki feels." At Naruto's surprised, curious look, he couldn't help but give him a bittersweet smile. "Naruto... Your mother was the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki before you."

"What?" Naruto exclaimed, sorrow forgotten momentarily. "Mom?"

"Mm." Minato replied, a serious look settling on his face. "Kushina was brought to Konoha from her village, Ushiogakure, for that purpose alone. She was still very young when the Kyuubi was sealed into her, and it plagued her for years. Most of it she told me much later, when we were both older. For years she felt like an outcast, someone who wasn't meant to exist at all. The burden she carried within her was very heavy. Back then, the world still seemed peaceful. Still, people were out to get her. She carried the safety of the village inside her, and that was what scared her most of all. That and the Kyuubi itself." he narrated calmly, his eyes acquiring a new gleam in them.

"The Kyuubi?" Naruto asked, caught up in the story.

His father nodded, eyes never leaving his son's. "I'm sure you can understand that better than me, Naruto. The Kyuubi itself is a swirling mass of hatred. Its sole wish is to unleash that hate upon the world. There were times the Kyuubi played with her mind, fed her bitterness and loneliness; like you, she was an outcast, but for different reasons. All she wanted to do was prove herself, be acknowledged."

"How did she deal with it?" Naruto asked, enraptured. The question brought a slight chuckle to Minato's lips.

"For the longest while, she didn't. She 'fought the system', so to speak. Got into a lot of fights with the boys, kept herself away from everyone else. She was very lonely back then, and very few people liked her."

"But you were one of them, right?"

"Honestly?" Minato grinned. "She terrified me." Again he chuckled at his son's stupefied look. "You underestimate how scary a person your mother was." he grinned knowingly. "When I realized what she was going through, however, I began to change my opinion of her. I understood, even if I didn't know the whole picture. And, in time, we got together. The change I saw in her was gradual, but it was definitely there; she was growing lighter with every day that passed. It was only later that she told me it was her burden lightening; her becoming happy."

"How...?" The question was soft, anxious. Looking into their son's blue eyes, so much like his own, Minato smiled was clear the answer meant a lot to the teen.

"By filling herself with love." he replied. The answer seemed to confuse Naruto, which is why he continued. "By feeling loved and loving herself, she was able to find a place to call her own. She wasn't alone anymore. Being a Jinchuuriki wasn't her only purpose in life. She had me, she had her friends, she had Konoha."

"And people acknowledged her?"

"In time, yes. Like you, it didn't happen overnight. But when she truly accepted who she was and found her purpose in life, her attitude changed, too. She stopped doing things just to get people's attention and instead focused on other things. She made friends, she became a good shinobi. And in time, people recognized that." he finished gently, all the while watching his son. Naruto had bowed his head, thinking. Realizing that he didn't want an answer from him yet, Minato put a hand on his head, ruffling his hair.

"Like I said before, I can understand what you went through. And I want you to know that I'm very proud, Naruto." Meeting his son's surprised eyes, the Hokage smiled warmly. "I'm proud that you've gotten so far. I'm proud of the man you've become." He paused a moment, as if having to speak past the lump in his throat. "You're not a burden- you've never been one. if... If anyone has to apologize about yesterday, it's me." Here, the older blond sighed and leaned back on his elbows, looking at the brightness growing on the horizon.

"You only said what you had to say..." Naruto mumbled, uncomfortable with the twist things had taken. "I was out of line..."

"So was I." The Fourth was very serious as he regarded his son, regret clear in everything he said. "While I still support everything I said, I went about it the wrong way. I should have dealt with the situation differently, Naruto. Like a father, not a Hokage. Because, no matter what, you'll always be my son. Forgive me for forgetting. I... I've never had kids before, only taught them. I'm trying my best, but I'm going to make mistakes. " Though he had started out calm, Minato was growing more and more anxious as he talked, as if afraid he was making a wrong move. Naruto stopped him before he could say much more, grinning slightly.

"It's okay, Dad. I get it. I've never had parents, either, so we're kinda on even ground." he said, slightly uncomfortable with the thought that he was sort of consoling the Fourth Hokage. It seemed to work, for Minato relaxed slightly, smiling back.

"I suppose we are." he agreed. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry." he smiled faintly when Naruto nodded his agreement, though turned quickly serious again. "There are things we need to clear up, however." he began. "As I'm now Hokage again, it's my job to make decisions that affect the entire village. Whether or not I share my reasoning with you or ask your opinion, those choices are mine to make, Naruto, and I'd appreciate it if you kept that in mind." A subdued nod was all he got in answer, his son's head hanging Minato took it as a sign his son was taking his words to heart. "That doesn't mean that you can't question things. However, I expect you to do so in a calm fashion and in private- not where several Anbu can hear you- God forbid shinobi of other villages. As Hokage, I am the leader of Konoha, and my authority musn't be questioned by a genin. It'll undermine my position. Do you understand?" he asked. This time, his voice was even and calm, patient. Another subdued nod.

"Yeah, Dad. I'll be more careful..."

"Okay." the Hokage nodded as well, satisfied that his son was sufficiently chagrined. For a moment, he hesitated with what he wanted to say, but decided it was as good a time as any to breach the subject. "I'm sorry about Sasuke. "A wince. "I wish I didn't have to make that call, but you understand why I did, don't you?" Silence. His head was still bowed so Minato couldn't see his expression. After a brief moment of consideration, he decided to continue as he couldn't see any outward signs of anger. "Whether you like it or not, Naruto, Sasuke's become a threat. Not only to Konoha, but the other nations as well." Deep down it pained him to have to say that to his son, but Minato was very aware of how necessary it was; he had never shied away from a hard task and wasn't about to begin doing it. "If Sasuke had remained low-key in the Land of Fire, I might have let him go for a little while longer. I can't do that now, though. Naruto, he attacked Kumogakure and abducted their Jinchuuriki, do you understand what that means?" he stressed, keen eyes fixed on his son. "I can understand the Raikage's rage. If someone had abducted you, I would have wanted their head on a platter."

At that, naruto couldn't help looking up at his father, surprised at the intensity in his voice. It startled the young shinobi that the legendary man in front of him reacted so passionately to the idea of his being kidnapped. I... I guess that's what parents do... he thought to himself. Seeing his look, Minato exhaled evenly and relaxed.

"The point is, Sasuke has become a member of the Akatsuki, and the village can't allow that to pass. Not now when we need our allies most. If I didn't declare Sasuke a nuke-nin, Kumo Kumo wouldn't deign to consider a treaty with us for years and it would appear as if we were condoning the Akatsuki's actions." he explained, regaining his calm.

"I get it already..." Naruto sighed, interrupting him slightly. He seemed to have accepted his father's words, even though he didn't like it. Minato couldn't help but be proud of him for it.

"A Hokage can't put one man above the rest of the village." Minato continued, more kindly than before. "I know it's hard when it's a comrade, Naruto. Believe me. It's a hard lesson to learn, but one you have to if you ever want to be Hokage. The good of the village is what matters most." He received a nod in reply, which he chose to take as a sign that Naruto was thinking things over.

"When... When this is all over, we can think about Sasuke again." he offered hesitantly, instantly getting the teen's attention. "I'm not promising anything, but if circumstances allow for it later on, I'll see if I can do anything about him." For several heartbeats, naruto's expression was shocked, then burst into a broad grin Minato couldn't help but reciprocate. "Good enough?" he asked somewhat teasingly.

"Yeah." the unpredictable shinobi grinned back, more like his usual self.

"Great." the jounin smiled and rose to his feet, taking in a deep breath of the fresh morning air. "Now, how about we go see if Ichiraku can't whip up some ramen for us, huh?"

The sun warm on their faces, Minato was laughing hard at the triumphant cheer his son gave before sprinting back towards the village.