The Yellow Flash and The Village of Mokugakure

[Minato Namikaze]

Minato gave a slight smile as he raised his hand to greet the young boy as he entered the room. It was a refreshing sight, and he'd been wondering where he'd been and what he'd been doing. Kito's faint smile turned sour as the topic on his mind pushed itself to the front of the list, and the hospital ridden shinobi could tell that it really bothered him.

'What's wrong?' Minato questioned, prompting the boy to voice his concerns.

'The Miu family... I think they're being blackmailed.' he began, putting forth yet another problem that needed to be dealt with. 'I tailed them for quite some time. Their daughter isn't around and they just seem so worried all the time.'

'Are you sure she didn't just run away?' Kakashi cut in, sitting forward in his hospital bed. Minato had been thinking the same thing, it was entirely possible that she'd hit a rebellious streak had run away, and that was why they were worried. Kito shook his head in response.

'Her parents are over protective.' the black haired boy responded, his voice filled with worry as he spoke. 'They hired me to look after her once. I don't think they'd just let her run away.'. Minato turned his head towards Tsunade for confirmation, a swift nod was all he was given in response.

The two men sighed, another problem had been presented to himself and Kakashi. If it was true, and if they were being blackmailed, then they were going to have a serious problem on their hands. But it was still only suspicion, it was entirely possible that something else, something less sinister, was going on. The former kage sat motionless, staring at his hands, for a couple of seconds before an idea popped into his head

'I think we should take a small break.' Minato spoke, his words shaking a silent, until now, Tsunade into responding.

'What!?' The three of them questioned in unison, confused at the man's statement.

Minato laughed, cutting himself short as he grabbed at his ribs. His wounds were still tender and hurt when he laughed.

'I mean, we've been so on-edge lately. I think we need to take a little time. Do some training maybe.' he suggested as his three companions just stared at him.

'Lady Tsunade, I am officially requesting that Kakashi, Kito and myself be granted a little time away from the village.' he requested, watching as she thought over his request.

'Now, hold on Minato. If what Kito says is true, then we need to stay-' Kakashi began before Tsunade's voice cut him off.

'Fine. You have one week.' she spoke, giving her judgement, as a smile came over the blonde's face. He'd thought that she might give him a day or two, three even. But a week was more than he'd thought she'd give him. A week was plenty of time. 'Well, if that is all, then I'll see you in a week's time.' the Morikage spoke as she stood up from her chair, placed it at a table, and exited the room.

'We leave in the morning. Kakashi and I will meet you at the village Gate.' he spoke to his young apprentice, who gave an understanding nod in return and left the room. His young protege had not been present for their fight with the Makhel family, but it was safe to assume that Tsunade had briefed the boy. Or, at least told him what she thought he should know.

The two, exhausted, shinobi rolled over in their hospital beds. The sheets were comforting and they could already feel themselves healing. Whatever the Omniverse was, it gave them unnatural healing abilities. Minato couldn't remember himself recovering this fast at any point in his past. It was odd.

'Minato...'

'Yeah?'

'What Kito said...'

'What about it?'

'We have another problem to death with... Don't we?'

The blonde didn't speak, he just rolled over and let out a loud, audible, sigh. But that was all the confirmation that Kakashi needed from his senior. Minato lay there, staring out the window beside his bed. The village was still in the process of rebuilding, yet there was already suspicion of another problem. Places like the Omniverse, places full of power, always attracted unwanted attention.

But they were going camping tomorrow and the Villages problems, albeit how guilty he felt about it, would have to wait.