"Eight or nine jonin and countless chunin and genin could spark a small war, yet one ninja stopped them. The ninja world hasn't seen such a figure in years. He'll be legendary," Mizusuke said.
"Mizusuke, don't think like that. We're showing Takigakure's goodwill," Takikage replied.
* If they learn about Hero Water's power, those who want it will stay * , he thought.
Takikage turned, staring at a scroll on his desk labeled "Intelligence Analysis." The open corner showed photos of Dosuke and the others.
* Without talent, when will Takigakure rival the great villages? Must we rely on a mediocre leader who bows to others? * Mizusuke's face twisted under his mask, unseen by Takikage.
The group returned to their room and gathered in the living room.
"That jerk hit me like that!" Obito cursed.
"Obito, respect the strong," Dosuke said, shaking his head, hoping the incident would teach him.
"What's next?" Rin asked, holding Fuu, who giggled as she played.
"Takikage seems harmless, but we'll wait for Minato-sensei in the house and plan from there," Kakashi said, leaning back in a chair, staring at the ceiling.
"Kakashi's right. Let's wait for Minato," Dosuke agreed.
* By now, even at his slowest, Minato should be in Takigakure * , Dosuke thought.
At noon, they ate a hearty lunch delivered to the house. No one refused, and they dug in.
After lunch, Fuu napped as usual.
Dosuke and the others lounged on the tatami, rubbing full stomachs. The warm afternoon sun made them drowsy.
Just as they started to doze, a sound snapped them awake.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Kakashi stood. "Who's there?"
"Sirs, a Konoha ninja, your teacher, is here. Lord Takikage sent me to bring him," a voice replied.
Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and Dosuke lit up with excitement.
Dosuke dashed to the door and opened it.
Minato stood behind Mizusuke, wearing his green jonin vest, his short blonde hair catching the light.
"Hey, Dosuke, how's everyone?" Minato said, raising a hand, eyes crinkling into a smile.
Dosuke stood speechless.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Kakashi appeared beside Dosuke, followed by Rin.
Obito leaped onto Kakashi's shoulders, shouting, "Minato-sensei, you're finally here!"
"Minato Jonin, I'll take my leave," Mizusuke said, watching the reunion.
Minato had entered Takigakure through the main gate, notifying the village's leaders as Konoha's representative.
"Thank you, Mizusuke Jonin," Minato said, cupping his hands in gratitude.
"No trouble, Minato Jonin. Contact the village patrol if you need me," Mizusuke said, heading toward the office building.
Minato smiled at the group blocking the door. "Not letting me in?"
Dosuke and the others stepped aside, ushering Minato inside.
Obito rushed forward, hugging him.
Rin's eyes glistened with tears.
Minato patted Obito's head. "Alright, get off. You're a ninja who can stand on your own."
He walked in, found a seat, and sat down.
"How was your journey to Takigakure after we split?" Minato asked, looking at his students.
He listened quietly as Kakashi, Dosuke, and the others recounted their experiences.
"So, Fuu is Takikage's daughter?" Minato said, glancing at Fuu, still fast asleep.
"If Takikage's story is true, she's his child," Dosuke said.
"Sensei, whether Fuu is his daughter or not, she's Takigakure's jinchuriki. The Seven-Tails jinchuriki is delivered. We should leave," Kakashi said, meeting Minato's eyes.
"Kakashi, how can you say that? Fuu's a person, not just a jinchuriki! What if she doesn't want to stay?" Obito stood, fists clenched, glaring.
"She's the Seven-Tails jinchuriki first," Kakashi said coldly.
Obito's fists loosened. He sank back down, defeated.
Dosuke spoke up. "Minato, let's leave tomorrow. Our mission's done. The rest isn't our concern."
Minato looked at Dosuke and Kakashi. "Alright, we'll leave tomorrow. Rest well today."
That evening, Mizusuke brought a chef with a lavish dinner.
"This food increases chakra if eaten regularly?" Minato asked, surprised.
In the ninja world, chakra came from physical and spiritual energy. Boosting it directly was unheard of. Even Soldier Pills only sped up chakra extraction.
"I checked. It's not poisoned. We'd need tests to know how it works," Dosuke said.
"At lunch, I felt a slight chakra increase. My chakra sensitivity let me notice, but it's subtle. Most wouldn't," Dosuke added.
The boost was tiny, nearly imperceptible. Only someone like Dosuke could sense it.
* If you ate this long-term, it could add up * , he thought.
"This Hero Water must be precious to Takigakure. I'll analyze its components back home," Dosuke said. He'd always wanted a way to boost chakra and wouldn't miss this chance.
After dinner, Rin took Fuu to bed. Kakashi and Obito slept in their clothes.
Minato spread a bedroll in the living room and lay down.
Dosuke crept toward him, holding a medicine bottle, trying to be quiet.
His soft steps still made a faint sound.
Minato opened his eyes, seeing Dosuke in short-sleeved shorts by his bedroll.
"Dosuke, what's up?"