Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 195

No! I can't faint!

This powerful emotional support miraculously allowed Hinata to suppress the urge to faint.

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.

Although the blush on her face had not completely faded, the shyness in her pure white eyes had been replaced by a brighter and warmer light.

She slowly raised her head, and a sweet and radiant smile, unlike anything she had ever seen before, bloomed on her face.

That smile was full of trust, expectation, and deep joy, like the warmest sunshine in spring, enough to melt all ice and snow.

"……Um!"

Hinata nodded firmly, her voice still soft but full of strength: "I...I will work hard in the village! I'll wait for Naruto-kun...to come back!"

Looking at Hinata's genuinely sweet smile.

Naruto didn't quite understand why she had been so shy and downcast just now, but was now smiling so happily.

But he could sense that sincere response.

He felt a warm feeling in his heart and grinned foolishly, "Okay! It's a deal!"

The two smiled at each other, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on them.

The air was filled with a faint scent of cherry blossoms and a warm atmosphere called "promise".

After a brief encounter, Naruto waved goodbye to Hinata and walked briskly towards the gates of Konoha.

Hinata stood there, watching Naruto's departing figure, the smile on her face lingering for a long time.

My heart is filled with anticipation for the future and a heavy, sweet sense of waiting.

Chapter 219 Departure! Towards a New Tomorrow!

The Haunted Village, with its imposing gate.

Naruto and Sasuke, each carrying a bulging bag, stood beneath the massive doorway.

Naruto's luggage looked a bit messy, as if it was stuffed with a lot of things, including a large bag of instant noodles in various flavors.

Sasuke's luggage, on the other hand, looked much neater and more organized.

Jiraiya was already waiting there.

Her signature long white hair was tied back, and the "oil" character headband on her forehead shimmered in the sunlight.

He carried a huge scroll on his back and had a gourd of wine hanging from his waist.

He looked ready to embark on a "great research trip," with an eager smile on his face.

"Hey! You guys!"

Jiraiya saw the two approaching and spread his arms wide: "Have you packed everything? Did you say goodbye to your girlfriend?"

He winked mischievously at Naruto and Sasuke.

"What little girlfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Naruto searched his mind several times but couldn't find a suitable candidate.

Sasuke completely ignored Jiraiya's teasing and coldly uttered two words: "Boring."

However, his ears seemed to turn slightly red.

Naruto ignored those thoughts, bounced his heavy backpack on his back, and answered loudly, "Of course I'm ready! We can leave anytime!"

His tone was full of anticipation for the unknown journey and a desire to become stronger.

Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction, then waved his hand, pointing to the winding road outside the gate that led to the vast world.

With a booming voice, he announced, "So, our objective—to find the legendary sacred cultivation grounds, and incidentally… cough cough, to gather valuable creative material! Let's go!"

At Jiraiya's command, the three of them stepped out of the huge gate of Konoha, a symbol of protection and belonging.

The sun shone down without any obstruction, and the road ahead stretched into the unknown distance, flanked by lush forests and boundless fields.

A gentle breeze caresses the face, bringing a sense of freedom and a call for adventure.

Naruto took a deep breath of the air outside the village and turned back for one last look at the peaceful and serene Konoha Village under the sunlight.

His eyes were filled with longing, but even more so with determination.

He clenched his fist and silently declared in the direction of the village: Just wait, I will definitely come back stronger!

Sasuke's gaze swept over the outline of the village.

Ultimately, the focus shifted to Naruto, who was full of energy, and Jiraiya, who, though unreliable, was undeniably powerful.

He gripped the hilt of the Kusanagi sword strapped to his back slightly, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

Orochimaru... No matter where you hide, I will find you, and then... I will completely sever this entanglement!

Jiraiya walked at the front, humming an off-key tune, while his eyes warily scanned the surroundings.

Protecting these two brats, guiding their growth, and simultaneously investigating the movements of the Akatsuki and Orochimaru—this journey carries a heavy responsibility.

The three figures gradually shrank under the watchful eyes of the guards at the gates of Konoha, eventually disappearing at the end of the road.

It incorporates the vast and boundless map of the ninja world.

Meanwhile, inside Naruto's body, there was a crimson world completely different from the outside world—the sealed space.

The massive, sealed iron gate stood like an ancient boundary marker in the center of the space.

At this moment, this "ocean" appears relatively calm, with only slight ripples.

Near the core of Naruto's sleeping consciousness, the phantom of Minato Namikaze's soul sat cross-legged.

He maintained a gentle and calm demeanor, like the most loyal guardian.

But at this moment, a deep blue, translucent eye held a deep, unyielding worry.

His gaze remained fixed on the phantom of Uchiha Madara's soul, which floated deep in space, sleeping with his arms crossed.

Minato gently rose, like a weightless feather, and landed on the enormous, mountain-like head of the Nine-Tails.

He chose a spot near the nine-tailed fox's ears and slowly sat down.

The nine-tailed beast's enormous crimson eyes opened slightly.

He glanced at the water gate sitting above him and let out a barely audible gurgling sound, which was considered tacit approval.

The sealed space was completely silent, except for the low hum of the Nine-Tails' chakra flowing through it, like the heartbeat of the earth.

Minato gazed at Ban's sleeping figure.

Several days have passed since Ban last briefly regained consciousness.

That time, Madara's apparent weakness and inexplicable slumber left Minato constantly on edge.

He could sense that Ban's soul fluctuations were weaker and more stagnant than before.

Like a candle flickering in the wind, though not extinguished, it gives one a sense of fragility, as if it could vanish at any moment.

“Madarasan…”

Minato spoke softly, his voice exceptionally clear in the empty space, yet filled with endless worry: "Are you... alright?"

He was met with only silence.

Ban's illusory soul remained motionless, like a cold, lifeless black crystal.

Minato's heart sank. This unknown state was more unsettling than any known injury.

He almost couldn't resist the urge to get closer and investigate, but he forcibly suppressed the impulse when he thought of Ban's strong pride and his aversion to being spied on.

Just then, the massive nine-tailed head beneath him twitched slightly, and a deep, rumbling voice echoed in his mind, audible only to Minato:

"Minato, don't be impulsive, just let things take their course."

Minato looked down at Kurama's huge, open beast eye.

"Although Old Man Spotted is lying there like a rag doll now, his soul essence... is still there. I can feel it."

"Although the recovery is as slow as a snail's pace, it is indeed repairing and rebuilding little by little."

"But this speed... tsk, slower than a tortoise!"

Kurama's tone carried its usual disdain, but Minato detected a hint of... certainty in it.

Minato's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but his worries hadn't completely disappeared: "Kurama, thank you. But... this state is unprecedented, I'm worried..."

"Hmph, there's no use worrying! That old guy is incredibly tough! He fought Hashirama Senju so hard that the heavens and earth trembled, and he still didn't die completely. What's a little problem like this?"

Nine-Tails snorted, trying to hide her concern with disdain: "What you should be worried about now is that loud and boisterous brat outside!"

Minato understood Kurama's meaning.

Naruto has embarked on a journey filled with unknown dangers.

He looked again in the direction where Ban lay sleeping, his gaze becoming incredibly resolute, as if making a promise to the sleeping guardian:

"Mr. Madara, please rest assured. During the time you are asleep and recovering your power, Naruto's safety... is in my hands."

His voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable will to protect: "I will do everything in my power to protect him, just like... I will protect Konoha."

Hey! You blondie, don't forget about me!

Kurama shook its head in dissatisfaction, causing Minato, who was sitting on top of it, to sway as well: "If something really happens to Naruto, I'll be the first one to suffer when Madara wakes up!"

"He'll definitely drag me out, pin me to the ground, and beat me up! He'll say I, this sly fox, failed in my responsibility to protect the children!"

The Nine-Tails' complaints carried a strange and awkward sense of "responsibility".

Its enormous beastly eyes glanced at the spot where Ban was sleeping, seemingly imagining that terrifying scene, and it couldn't help but shrink its neck.

Minato was amused by Kurama's "fear of being beaten by his parents" look and smiled, which eased his heavy worries.

He reached out and gently, with a soothing tone, stroked the crimson fur atop the Nine-Tailed Fox's head, which burned like flames.

Although it was only a contact of souls, Kurama did not seem to reject this touch from the "Fourth Hokage," which was imbued with trust.

Minato smiled, his voice gentle yet solemn: "Then, we'll leave Naruto's safety to us, Kurama."

"Hmph! I know, I know! Stop nagging!"