Kato Dan's expression looked a bit stiff, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Mikoto secretly glanced at Minato, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Since their first meeting, Minato had given her the impression of being gentle and modest; she hadn't expected him to say something so dominant, or even forceful.
Seeing Kato Dan's awkward expression, Minato calmly said, "I apologize, that might have sounded offensive. Please don't misunderstand, Senior, I am not trying to provoke you. There are indeed reasons for this that are inconvenient to disclose."
"Not at all, I should be the one apologizing, as this concerns personal privacy."
Kato Dan cleared his throat, quickly adjusted his expression, and put his gentle smile back on, speaking with what sounded like earnest sincerity.
"It's just that as Nawaki's Squad-Leading Jonin, I must be responsible for their growth and the integrity of the entire team. Moreover, Nawaki is a Ninja now, and his schedule affects the team's missions."
As he spoke, the look he gave Minato carried a hint of procedural helplessness.
"Cultivating is a very serious matter. It would be fine if Nawaki were a little older, but he is only ten, and Minato-kun, despite being a Genius, is only eight. I cannot allow you two to act on your own initiative."
"Therefore, even if you want to take leave or quit the team, it should be proposed or agreed upon by Hokage-sama, or Nawaki's guardian, Young Miss Tsunade. This is a matter of procedure. As the Squad-Leading Jonin, I cannot make decisions unilaterally, or it would be my dereliction of duty if something went wrong."
"That makes sense."
Minato scoffed inwardly, subconsciously recalling Orochimaru's assessment that he was 'too goal-oriented.'
However, this time, regardless of what the other party was thinking, he couldn't refute the reason they provided.
He was just an eight-year-old kid, while Kato Dan was an official Jonin. Without a clear reason, he couldn't just use his connection to Root to pressure him.
If he continued to pester him or maintain a tough attitude, he would only look unreasonable.
In the span of a thought, Minato had made his decision.
Fine!
Since you like to emphasize rules... then I will follow your rules!
"I understand Senior Kato's responsibilities..."
Minato's tone was calm, betraying no emotion, as if he were merely stating a fact.
"However, Nawaki's special training involves certain reasons that are inconvenient for Teacher Tsunade to state explicitly, so it's not suitable for the teacher to submit the application."
Minato said, slowly raising his eyes: "In that case, I will personally ask the Third Hokage to coordinate this matter. Afterwards, the Hokage Office will formally issue a notice to you."
Upon hearing this, Kato Dan's pupils immediately contracted.
This momentary lapse did not escape Minato's notice.
Sensing the other party's reaction, Minato revealed a gentle smile.
Little chicken, I caught your weakness, didn't I?
As the Village's only Genius who possessed Wood Release and a double Bloodline Limit.
Minato had no doubt that his developmental trajectory was definitely being watched closely by the Third Hokage.
Even if the Third Hokage respected his privacy, given Tsunade's personality, she would definitely not be able to resist showing him off.
The Third Hokage wouldn't agree?
Then don't blame me if I suddenly come down with a strange illness that prevents me from using Wood Release~
Of course, Minato wouldn't actually threaten him. After all, the Third Hokage was aware of Tsunade's terrible luck, and as long as Minato presented his concerns, the Third Hokage wouldn't refuse.
Moreover, even if there was no danger, there was no harm in letting Nawaki further his understanding of the Senju Legacy.
In the end, just the two words 'Wood Release' were enough for the Third Hokage to agree to any of Minato's reasonable requests.
And Kato Dan clearly understood this principle!
"How can we trouble Hokage-sama with such a trivial matter?"
Kato Dan immediately panicked. He had no doubt about the truthfulness of Minato's words, and this was the Root cause of his distress.
He liked Tsunade!
There was nothing strange about that.
Few young men in the Village didn't harbor admiration for Tsunade, and he was just one of them.
And like most people, Kato Dan also had a dream of becoming Hokage.
But whether it was pursuing Tsunade or becoming Hokage.
Among the numerous competitors, he was merely an ordinary Jonin with some talent and no significant background.
Over the years, he had seen people publicly confess their feelings to Tsunade more than once, only to be casually rejected by her.
Among these were people who were better looking, stronger, and came from better families than him.
But without exception, every single one of them was rejected by Tsunade. Even Jiraiya, who was on the same team as Tsunade and had the advantage of proximity, failed to win her favor.
As for becoming Hokage, that was even more distant.
The only thing he had going for him was the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Soul Emergence and possession to kill the enemy.
It sounded powerful, but as the saying goes, there is no perfect Ninjutsu in the world.
Not to mention the flaw of the Physical Body being unprotected during the technique's execution, if he ran into a major Yin Release user like the Uchiha, he would truly die on the spot.
Thus, Kato Dan had an idea: if he could successfully court Tsunade and become the First Hokage's grandson-in-law, the political capital brought by that relationship would be an immeasurable aid to his competition for the position of Hokage!
Once this thought arose, it became impossible to suppress.
It was true that he liked Tsunade, but when he thought of all the suitors Tsunade had rejected, and the calculation mixed into his own feelings, he lost the courage to pursue her.
He was afraid of being rejected.
He was afraid she would realize his ulterior motives.
It was precisely because of this that he went to great lengths to create opportunities for natural interaction, such as becoming Nawaki's teacher this time.
He had originally planned to build a good relationship with Nawaki, knowing there would eventually be opportunities to interact with Tsunade.
At that time, as long as he used Nawaki as a topic, Kato Dan was confident he could connect with her in conversation.
But... Team 7 had only been formed for two days, and suddenly a little brat jumped out, saying he wanted Nawaki to quit the team?
Kato Dan's first reaction was to feel angry.
However, the other party was Tsunade's Disciple, a Genius with Wood Release, and a highly valued asset to the higher-ups. He couldn't afford to offend him in the slightest, even though he was a Jonin and the other was just an eight-year-old brat.
The only thing he could do was invoke his status as a Squad-Leading Jonin, hoping the other party would retreat when faced with difficulty.
Or perhaps use this opportunity to connect with Tsunade... he could even picture the scene.
She would apologize to him for her Disciple's rash behavior, and he would naturally comfort her, perhaps complaining that his own younger sister wasn't very obedient either, and that kids this age were just like that.
Finding common ground with her, then running into her coincidentally once or twice, offering to walk her home... but this beautiful fantasy was shattered by a single sentence from Minato.
He had almost forgotten.
The child before him truly had the ability to make the Hokage compromise for him!
Furthermore, if Minato successfully pressured the matter, not only would it make Kato Dan look incompetent, but it would also create a permanent rift between them.
Kato Dan did not believe his relationship with Nawaki could compare to the bond Minato and Nawaki had formed through their constant companionship.
Thinking of this, his heart immediately grew anxious.
And beneath that anxiety, a trace of anger was faintly hidden.
One after another... they are all so tactless!
They all have to interfere with my plans!
The more Kato Dan thought about it, the more frustrated he felt, but he had no choice but to compromise now.
"Minato-kun, there is no need for this!"
He looked earnestly at Minato: "I am a Jonin, after all, and instructing subordinates is my duty. Minato-kun, why don't you try to believe in my ability? I will personally tailor a training plan that is most suitable for him."
Believe in your ability?
Minato subconsciously recalled the scene from the original work where the other party died miserably after having his kidney pierced.
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