I'm back!
Welcome back!
As soon as Minato returned home, Kushina rushed out of the room, her face beaming with an enthusiastic smile.
Minato, we finally have time off, let's go—
Before she finished speaking, Kushina saw Nawaki beside Minato, and her smile instantly vanished: Nawaki, why are you back?
Hey, hey, this is my house after all!
A few dark lines appeared on Nawaki's forehead. I'm really sorry for being such a glaring third wheel.
T-third wheel or whatever, no one says that...
Kushina guiltily turned her head away, poking her index fingers together: At most, I'm just a bit in the way...
Nawaki's mouth twitched: Did you just say what you were really thinking?
Don't worry about the details...
Kushina chuckled, then cast a very curious look at Mikoto standing behind the two of them: Speaking of which, who is this beautiful older sister?
Mikoto nodded slightly, her tone gentle. Nice to meet you. My name is Uchiha Mikoto. I am a disciple of Teacher Orochimaru. Please guide me.
Uzumaki Kushina, nice to meet you too!
Sensing the gentle, neighborly big sister aura emanating from the other person, a sense of crisis rapidly sprouted in Kushina's heart.
This subtle emotion was even perceived by Nawaki, who was usually quite dense when it came to romance.
Um... I'll go back to my room first. Remember to call me when dinner is ready.
Nawaki kicked off his shoes and hurried back to his room, his retreating figure looking somewhat rushed.
Teacher has to be on duty at the Jonin standby post this morning, so Sister Mikoto, please come inside first.
The three entered the living room. Minato brought out fruit and snacks and poured drinks for them.
Kushina naturally sat next to Minato, her small face tense, her gaze towards Mikoto carrying a hint of vigilance.
Seeing Kushina guarding her territory, Mikoto couldn't help but smile faintly.
She pointed to her own hair and looked at Kushina: Your hair is very beautiful.
Eh? R-really?
Kushina's cheeks flushed, and she shyly turned her head away, brushing her fingers through her red strands. Thank you... Minato said so too.
What an easy-to-read girl!
Observing Kushina's reaction, Mikoto chuckled lightly. Then Minato-kun has good taste.
Heh heh, right?
Kushina grinned widely. By the way, Sister Mikoto, did you come to find Sister Tsunade for something?
I have something to discuss with Teacher.
Minato explained, I plan to give Nawaki and Sister Mikoto special training later, and I intend to ask Teacher to help apply for Nawaki's team withdrawal.
Special training?
Kushina immediately became alert. With Sister Mikoto?
Nawaki, who was currently eavesdropping by the doorframe: ...
At this moment, he really wanted to rush into the living room and ask Kushina: Am I human? Am I even human?!
I already said Nawaki is included.
Minato couldn't help but laugh, and Mikoto also covered her mouth and chuckled.
Then I want to join too!
Kushina clenched her small fists and looked at Minato with a pleading expression. Can I? Please?
Hmm... that's fine.
Minato nodded. Driving one sheep is the same as driving a flock.
Although as a backup Jinchuriki, Kushina basically didn't need to worry about going to the battlefield, having some awareness and self-preservation skills wouldn't hurt, and it would prevent her from being inexplicably kidnapped by the Kumogakure like in the original story.
Thanks to him being such a cultivation maniac with a clone, Nawaki and Kushina hadn't slacked off these past two years.
Although Nawaki had been wrestling with the Rasengan, he had also practiced quite a few nature transformation techniques along the way.
And Kushina possessed the most outstanding cultivation talent of her generation in the Uzumaki Clan; she had mastered the Three Basic Jutsu long before arriving in Konoha.
In the last two years, she had successively mastered tree climbing, water surface walking, and quite a few basic sealing jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan. Even the sealing jutsu Minato learned was given to him by Kushina.
Currently, although Kushina had a clear physical shortcoming due to her age, her other aspects were not inferior to Nawaki's.
In that case, perhaps we should graduate early, Minato suggested.
In fact, he had already decided to graduate early.
Once the war broke out, Nawaki would definitely be on the battlefield.
Therefore, even without the necklace issue, Minato would apply for early graduation at that time to form a squad with Nawaki, preventing the other from carelessly throwing away his life.
Graduate early? Great, great!
Kushina's eyes lit up. Then can I form a team with Minato?
Of course!
Minato nodded happily.
That's wonderful!
Receiving Minato's confirmation, Kushina cheered.
Hey, hey, wait a minute!
Nawaki, who had been hiding behind the door, secretly anticipating some dramatic confrontation, rushed into the living room as soon as he heard Minato's words. What about me? You applied for my team withdrawal, you have to take responsibility, right?
Don't make it sound so easily misunderstood... Minato smiled helplessly. You too, and Sister Mikoto as well?
Eh? Me? But Root...
Mikoto was stunned and instinctively wanted to refuse.
She couldn't give up her position in Root; after all, it was obtained in exchange for the clan yielding power over the police force.
I will explain the situation to Senior Orochimaru regarding Root, and have them keep you listed nominally.
Minato explained, Even if we graduate early, the three of us are still Genin. By regulation, we need at least one Jonin to lead the team.
Nawaki was confused. Then why not ask Older Sister to lead the team?
Minato was speechless for a moment. Teacher needs to be on standby daily, help out at the hospital, and rush to the front lines immediately if war breaks out. Do you want to work her to death?
Haha, that's true~ Nawaki grinned awkwardly.
Sister Mikoto, do you have any other questions? Minato looked at Mikoto.
No.
Mikoto shook her head.
The Uchiha Clan valued strength above all else. Under this atmosphere, even someone with her gentle disposition was inevitably influenced.
Minato was $4$ years younger than her, yet his strength far surpassed hers. She had long been convinced by the power he displayed.
Coupled with Orochimaru's arrangement, she subconsciously held a high degree of acceptance toward Minato, even harboring a hint of admiration.
Then it's settled! Minato declared.
As soon as his voice fell, the sound of the front door opening echoed.
I'm back!
Welcome back!
Tsunade walked into the living room, her gaze sweeping across everyone's faces before finally landing on Mikoto.
Looking at the other person's exquisitely beautiful face and sensing the gentle aura she possessed, Tsunade's eye twitched slightly.
It has nothing to do with Minato!
Tsunade prayed silently in her heart, then forced a kind smile.
Who is this...
Uchiha Mikoto, a disciple of Orochimaru-sama. Orochimaru-sama has been quite busy lately, so he asked me to help instruct her during her training, Minato introduced.
Damn Orochimaru!!!
Tsunade roared inwardly.
But on the surface, she still had to maintain the demeanor of an elder. Haha, I didn't expect that fellow Orochimaru to take on disciples too.
Disciples or not, Uchiha or not, she didn't care about any of that right now; her entire focus was on settling accounts with Orochimaru.
What nonsense about helping instruct—does that guy need others to help teach a student?
Having known each other for so many years, who didn't understand whom?
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