Naruto: The new beginning

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Naruto turned his head away from Hōen and Yōrō, only to meet Minato's amused gaze.

Minato blinked at him meaningfully 'Son, this is on you. Hinata is such a sweet girl, and here you are getting tackled by another girl in public?'

Naruto blinked back, 'Dad, you've got it all wrong! Fū is just really outgoing and kind of airheaded. She only sees me as a friend!'

Minato blinked again as if saying, 'Fine, I'll believe you for now.'

Meanwhile, Fū had finished pouting, now standing with her hands on her hips.

"Alright, you're forgiven! Let's go outside and play! We can have a snowball fight, build snowmen, and—"

She started counting the activities on her fingers, but before she could get too far, Hōen and Yōrō quickly intervened.

"Fū, the summit is about to start. You can't just run off!"

"Eh? But this is a rare chance to have fun outside!" she protested.

Naruto patted her shoulder. "I've got duties too. We'll play later, alright?"

"Fiiine~" Fū sighed in disappointment.

The samurai guide, seeing that their little reunion had concluded, spoke up.

"The meeting chamber is just ahead. I'll take my leave here."

"Thank you for your hard work." Minato nodded and stepped inside, with Naruto and Shisui following closely behind.

---

Inside, a U-shaped table was set up in the centre of the room, with five seats arranged at the curve.

Behind each seat, a curtain displayed the kanji for the five great nations—Water (水), Wind (風), Fire (火), Earth (土), and Lightning (雷).

Across from them, a separate seat was positioned for Mifune, the meeting's host.

Beside his seat, a temporary chair had been set up for Takigakure's leader.

Above them, a second-floor balcony housed the guards.

From there, they could observe and listen to the meeting while also being in a position to jump down and protect their respective Kage though the real purpose of this arrangement was probably just to keep them from interrupting.

Apparently, the rule barring guards from interfering in discussions had been set after the first Five Kage Summit.

Back then, the Kages of Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning had all agreed that if Tobirama Senju hadn't butted in so much, they probably could've extorted way more benefits from Hashirama.

Since the meeting hadn't officially started yet, the room was eerily quiet.

The Mizukage and Raikage were already seated at opposite ends of the U-shaped table, glaring at each other in mutual dislike.

Their guards stood behind them, equally on edge.

Takigakure's leader, Shibuki, was in a separate room where Mifune was briefing him on the summit's procedures.

Fū had used this opportunity to slip out earlier.

Minato entered to find this not-so-harmonious scene.

But at least their arrival slightly eased the tension.

"Fourth Hokage, it's been a while!" Yagura greeted, standing up.

Not that it made much of a difference his height barely changed whether he was sitting or standing.

Zabuza's eyes softened slightly as if reminded of someone.

Mei, on the other hand, had a very different reaction.

She looked at Minato—hot.

Then at Shisui—handsome.

And finally at Naruto—cute.

'Mizukage-sama, permission to defect to Konoha…'

"Indeed, it's been quite some time, Fourth Mizukage."

Both Minato and Yagura smoothly maintained the formal tone appropriate for an official setting.

Naruto, meanwhile, glanced at Zabuza.

Huh. So Kumo didn't send anyone I've beaten before… but Kiri did.

At the other end of the table, the Raikage almost stood up to greet Minato, but ultimately stayed seated, simply watching Yagura and Minato shake hands.

Yagura smirked slightly and subtly tilted his chin toward A. "That guy is impossible to talk to. He just ignores everyone."

Minato walked over to the Raikage, offering a friendly smile.

"It's been over ten years since we last met. Now we've both become Kage and so much has changed."

A simply leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Whatever you have to say, save it for later, Hokage."

Minato chuckled. He really hasn't changed.

"I understand. We'll have a proper discussion soon."

He took his seat, fully aware of the Raikage's sour mood. Losing a loved one was never easy.

With nothing else to do, Naruto leaned toward his father and whispered, "Gaara's group isn't here yet. Want me to go get them?"

Minato shook his head. "There's no need. This journey is an important experience for them."

---

Meanwhile, outside…

"Achoo!"

Kankuro sneezed loudly, rubbing his nose. "Ugh, this is awful."

"Could you at least sneeze in another direction?!" Temari snapped, whacking him over the head.

Kankuro winced. "I didn't have time to aim! You're so violent you're never gonna get married at this rate!"

"…What was that?!"

Veins bulged on Temari's forehead as she cracked her knuckles.

Kankuro yelped and immediately scrambled to the other side of Gaara, using his younger brother as a human shield.

Gaara, completely unfazed, simply said, "We're almost there. Just endure a little longer."

---

As soon as they stepped inside the summit chamber, Kankuro immediately straightened his posture, standing stiffly behind Gaara.

He even had the audacity to whisper, "Remember, don't lose your composure, Gaara. You have to act dignified."

Temari facepalmed but decided to let it slide. There were too many witnesses to properly discipline her brother right now.

Gaara calmly greeted the other Kage, neither overly friendly nor distant.

Naruto beamed and waved at them.

Well, these three are probably the only familiar faces I'll see today.

Gaara and Temari both nodded back in acknowledgement.

Kankuro, however, tilted his head back slightly, trying to look aloof playing up his "keep the Kazekage's image intact" act.

Naruto: What the hell is his problem today?

---

After Gaara took his seat, Temari ended up standing right next to Naruto.

Naruto glanced at her outfit definitely not suited for this weather.

After a moment's thought, he pulled out a brand-new windproof cloak.

"Need this?"

Temari blinked, caught off guard.

Why is he offering me this?

Before she could think too much, Naruto shoved the cloak into her hands.

"This is Shikamaru's. Just thank him later."

Still a bit confused, she hesitated… then shrugged and put it on.

The warmth spread through her immediately, and her cheeks turned a little pink.

But as her body warmed up, her brain cleared up.

Wait a second…

Her expression changed.

"…Why do you have Shikamaru's clothes?"

Naruto froze for a second.

Then, with perfect comedic timing, he confidently replied—

"I decided three minutes ago that this belonged to him."

Minato and Shisui barely held back their laughter.

Naruto really had a talent for taking care of his friends.

Temari was mortified. Wearing it was embarrassing enough. Returning it would be even worse.

Kankuro, meanwhile, scooted over.

"…Hey, uh, do you have another one?"

Naruto smirked, tilting his head back like Kankuro had done earlier.

"Hmm… I do have an extra."

Kankuro: "Really?"

Naruto tossed him another cloak.

"That one's Akamaru's."

Kankuro: "…"

Wait. Akamaru… as in Kiba's dog?!

"Why is mine a dog's cloak, you bastard?!"

Naruto crossed his arms. "What, you got a problem with Akamaru? Kiba treats him like a brother, you know. Watch out he might come to bite you."

Kankuro: "…"

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