The fight ended in a blink, though it felt long.
Minato restrained the intruder and noticed the Konoha forehead protector. He looked closer.
"Dosuke, why are you here?" Minato asked, recognizing Dosuke, who stood still.
Before Dosuke could answer, a voice called, "Minato."
Minato looked up. Jiraiya, in a red coat with long white hair, jumped toward him from the roof.
"Ha ha, Minato, you're here. That Gamahara is pretty reliable." Jiraiya reached Minato.
Seeing his disciple, Jiraiya felt happy deep down.
"Jiraiya-sensei, Dosuke, why are you here?" Minato released Dosuke and asked, surprised.
"Let's go inside to talk. Dosuke, are you hurt?" Jiraiya pointed at Dosuke's neck.
Though Minato stopped when he saw the Konoha forehead protector, the sharp kunai had grazed Dosuke's neck.
"It's okay." Dosuke covered the wound with green healing chakra. The bleeding stopped, and it began to heal.
The minor scratch didn't need the Mystical Palm Technique.
The fight had drawn attention. A group of samurai gathered below Minato's house.
A man in a kimono, Nagaike, called up, "Minato-sama, are you all right? We failed to spot the intruders. Sorry for the scare."
"No worry, Nagaike. My teacher and friend came. It caused a stir. Also, our roof is damaged. It may need repairs." Minato smiled apologetically.
"It's fine. I'll arrange a new room for you, Minato." Nagaike dismissed the samurai and called an old butler, Kitamura, giving instructions.
Kitamura waited for them to come down. "Minato, please follow me. I'll have your items moved."
"Thank you, Kitamura." Minato clasped his hands in thanks.
He shouted into the house, "Obito, Kakashi, Rin, it's safe. Pack your things. We're changing rooms."
Inside, three figures in a defensive formation lowered their kunai.
"Crisis over. Rin, watch Fu. Obito, pack our things." Kakashi sheathed his ninja sword.
"Kakashi, you ordering me around? Why?" Obito glared at Kakashi, annoyed.
"I'm the highest-ranking ninja after sensei. I have three more years of mission experience. Enough?" Kakashi put his hands in his pockets, squinting at Obito.
"Obito, I'll help pack." Rin spoke softly, looking at the two.
"Hey, Rin, don't move. I can handle our bags. Watch me." Obito's whole body tingled at Rin's words.
He felt he could rebuild a house, let alone pack.
After Obito worked, the three finished packing.
Kakashi left first. Rin followed, holding a three-year-old child.
Thud.
Obito, last out, carried too much and hit the doorframe.
He stumbled, and the packed items spilled from the bag.
"Ow, that hurts." Obito held his waist and stood slowly.
"Obito, long time no see. Still the same." Dosuke stepped from behind Minato, smiling down at Obito.
"Dosuke, why are you here?" Obito pulled off his goggles, rubbed his eyes, and confirmed it was Dosuke.
Kakashi and Rin looked at Dosuke, surprised.
"Dosuke, are you here to help us?" Rin asked, her tone warm.
Dosuke glanced at Jiraiya, who nodded.
"It's to help." Dosuke replied.
Kitamura spoke, "Minato, everyone, please follow me."
"Because of the fight, Nagaike changed our lodging. Follow Kitamura." Minato waved.
They reached a new room.
"Minato, call me or any servant if you need anything. I'll go now." Kitamura settled them and left.
Everyone sat around a table.
Rin placed the sleeping Fu aside, covering her with a blanket.
Minato spoke first. "Jiraiya-sensei, you said you and Dosuke came to find me?"
"It's because of this kid." Jiraiya patted Dosuke's head hard.
"He wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, so I brought him to you. Can you guide him in your spare time?"
"Minato-san, please guide me." Dosuke shook off the dizzy pat, bowed to Minato, and spoke earnestly.
"Since you want to learn, I'll teach you everything I can. Don't worry. Join our team for now."
The Flying Thunder God Technique, a forbidden ninjutsu, was rarely taught. But Dosuke, a civilian ninja like Minato, was brought by Jiraiya himself. That meant the Third Hokage approved.
Jiraiya smiled, seeing Minato's response. Tsunade's task was done. Whether Dosuke learned it was not his concern.
"Minato, I leave this kid to you." Jiraiya patted Dosuke's head again. "If you don't understand something, ask Minato-san, got it?"
"Understood, Jiraiya-sensei. Thank you, Minato-san." Dosuke looked up at both.
Then Jiraiya asked, "Minato, your mission isn't done? I recall it started a week ago."
"You came at the right time, sensei. I was about to request village backup today."
"What's the situation? You're not confident in this mission?" Jiraiya sensed trouble when Minato mentioned backup.