Minato realized what Nawaki meant. Nawaki was three years older than both Xin and him. With Nawaki's age and skills, it was only a matter of time before he became a jonin. In fact, people like Tsunade and Orochimaru had already become jonin at his age. The Hokage had no reason to hold Nawaki back.
"Heh," Nawaki grinned, proud of himself for once again coming out on top.
But before he could celebrate too much, Minato, ever the tactician, switched the topic. "Hey, Xin, I heard you and Kushina opened a hot pot restaurant. How about we go have some? I'm sick of eating rations and soldier pills from the battlefield."
"Sounds good," Xin replied with a laugh.
Hot pot? Nawaki's eyes widened in disbelief. Were they seriously about to leave him behind and go eat hot pot without him? He tried to sit up, but being wrapped like a mummy, he could barely move. His smugness vanished.
"Hey! You guys better not be serious about this! Minato, you promised me we'd go together when I was better!" Nawaki shouted.
"Did I? I don't remember saying that," Minato said with a playful grin. "Besides, Tsunade- sensei said you can't have anything spicy. At least not until you're out of the hospital. So you can just watch us eat."
"Don't be such a jerk!" Nawaki growled, frustrated beyond words.
Xin couldn't resist throwing in a final jab, "We could always have the hot pot delivered here. That way, you can enjoy the atmosphere."
In the end, Xin actually did order a hot pot to be delivered to the hospital. But it wasn't to tease Nawaki―he specifically ordered a special rice porridge hot pot for him. As Nawaki stared at the bland porridge and a few slices of meat in his bowl, then looked over at Xin and Minato enjoying their spicy meal, sweat dripping down their faces, he wanted nothing more than to slam his head into a wall.
Why did he even open his mouth? He should've known better than to mess with these two.
After saying goodbye to a thoroughly miserable Nawaki, Xin and Minato left the hospital. Every time Minato thought of Nawaki's face, filled with despair and frustration, he couldn't help but laugh. "Xin, don't you think we went a bit too far?"
"Too far? Nah, we're just getting started. He needs to learn his lesson, or he'll never stop making reckless decisions."
Xin looked up at the gray, clouded sky as they walked, kicking aside puddles. "Looks like it's going to snow again."
Minato, however, wasn't interested in the weather. He couldn't shake the thorn lodged in his heart. The fact that Xin had been held back in the village as a jonin-sensei, while he and Nawaki were sent to the frontlines under Jiraiya's lead-it didn't sit well with him.
He might've looked like the ever-cheerful 'Little Sun' to everyone else, always wearing a bright smile. But those who knew him well could tell that Minato didn't forget these things easily.
"It bothers me, but I can't bring myself to blame sensei. He's just as trapped in this as we are."
"I know. That's why I don't hold it against him," Xin replied, his expression turning serious. "But the truth is, his ideals and mine don't align. He's always chasing this elusive idea of peace, trying to find saviors where none exist. Me? I'm a realist. I do what's in my best interest."