Inside the coffin, Minato's body was wrapped in a soft, milky-white glow. Slowly, his lifeless skin regained color, restoring the vibrant appearance he had in life.
Everyone stood frozen in disbelief, but Chiga's movements never stopped.
He reached out, and a mass of shimmering blue energy flowed from his sleeve, gently fusing with Minato's body.
Minato's eyelids fluttered.
"Dad..." Naruto's voice trembled as he called out. At that moment, Minato's eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, he stepped out of the coffin.
He glanced around in confusion, then locked eyes with Naruto standing just before him.
Naruto could no longer contain himself. He threw his arms around Minato, bursting into sobs that echoed through the silence—heartfelt, raw, and long overdue.
Minato's eyes welled with tears as he embraced his son, repeating his name softly.
The sight silenced everyone. Even Orochimaru wore a rare, solemn expression. No one dared speak, allowing father and son their moment.
After Naruto calmed down, Minato gently eased him back and turned toward Chiga.
Placing a fist lightly against Chiga's chest, Minato whispered, "Thank you, Chiga."
Chiga snorted, his lips twitching in mock annoyance.
"Hmph. I told you—take care of your own kid. I'm not running an orphanage."
Minato chuckled, shaking his head with a tired smile. "Still the same tsundere, I see."
Chiga's eyebrow twitched. "You got a death wish? Want me to toss you back in the coffin?"
Minato quickly corrected himself. "Ahem—I meant you haven't changed. Still as loyal and dependable as ever."
Chiga rolled his eyes, the glow of his Rinnegan now faded, and gave Minato a look that resembled a Byakugan glare. He pointed at the Hokage cloak on his shoulders.
"I'm the Hokage now. Anything you want to say about that, former-former Hokage? I can hand the job back if you're feeling nostalgic."
Minato shook his head with calm conviction. "No... Let whoever wants it have it. All I want now is to be a good father."
Naruto's tears spilled again, this time silently, as he wiped at his face.
Chiga had expected this. His offer wasn't just lip service—if Minato wanted the title back, Chiga would have stepped down without hesitation. He'd only taken the post to shatter the old belief that an Uchiha could never become Hokage.
The crowd finally emerged from their daze, staring at Minato like they were seeing a ghost. Their eyes widened in disbelief, many of them too stunned to speak.
Minato looked up at the cliffside Hokage Monument. His gaze lingered on the faces of Hiruzen and himself before turning away without regret.
He turned toward the villagers, and a warm, radiant smile lit up his face like a rising sun.
"Everyone… it's been a long time."
Though Minato's term as Hokage had been brief, he earned the respect and admiration of the entire village. He had saved Konoha during the Nine-Tails attack. To them, he was still a hero—Konoha's "Little Sun."
Soft sobs rose among the crowd as memories came flooding back.
Kakashi stood silently in the crowd, his head bowed. He wanted to embrace Minato, but guilt kept him frozen. He hadn't protected Naruto as he should have.
But Minato noticed him immediately.
"Kakashi," he said, tilting his head with a soft smile. "What's this? You're not going to greet your Sensei? Don't tell me you've forgotten my face."
Kakashi's body trembled. Slowly, he stepped forward.
"Sensei, I…"
"'I' what?" Minato cut in gently. "Come by my place for dinner. Let me hear everything I missed all these years."
Kakashi couldn't hold it in anymore. He pulled down the mask covering his right eye, tears rolling down his face.
"Sensei… I'm sorry. I failed Naruto… and I failed you and Kushina san."
Minato placed a hand firmly on Kakashi's shoulder.
"You don't have to say anything more. I never blamed you."
Tsunade, standing nearby, was unable to look away from Minato's face. She studied him again and again, trying to convince herself he was real.
Minato noticed her stare. "Lady Tsunade? Something wrong?"
She didn't respond. Her mind was racing.
He's alive. Minato is truly alive. But how? What technique can do this? Are there limits to it?
If she could learn this technique, she might be able to bring back Dan… her loved ones...
Others were thinking the same. They turned their eager eyes toward Chiga, their intentions clear.
But Chiga paid them no mind. Instead, he glanced at Minato and casually announced, "Minato Namikaze will now serve as Head of the Administrative Department."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The Administrative Department was the most powerful political body in Konoha. Strength alone wasn't enough—seniority and credibility were essential. It had previously been run by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu—until Chiga had them executed.
Their deaths had left the position vacant. Minato, with his past status and deep trust from Chiga, was the ideal replacement.
Of course, Chiga had his own motives. He preferred a hands-off approach, leaving Minato to handle the political mess while he focused on more pressing matters.
Minato gave a wry smile. "Chiga, can I skip this position?"
"Skip it?" Chiga raised a brow. "You mean you want to be unemployed? Fine by me. But since your properties were seized by Hiruzen, maybe you and Naruto can bunk together."
"...Fine. I'll do it, alright?" Minato sighed in defeat.
Kakashi, watching the exchange, winced as Minato's hand tightened on his shoulder. "Sensei… your grip's a little strong."
With Minato's return handled, Chiga addressed the next matter. "The previous Anbu Captain died in the line of duty. That position won't stay empty. I've already picked someone. They'll take the role in a few days."
Everyone understood what he meant. The last Anbu Captain, a remnant of the Third Hokage's regime, had been eliminated. Tsunade and the others knew—but they also knew better than to speak out.
Still, curiosity lingered. Would Chiga revive another Uchiha? Perhaps Fugaku? But wouldn't he be better suited for the Police Force?
Chiga didn't bother clarifying. He rubbed his temple with a tired sigh.
"I'm done for today."
And just like that, he vanished from sight.
---