The three little girls each had their own charm.
Mikoto Uchiha had soft, neatly trimmed short hair—she looked like the classic "girl next door," polite and well-mannered at first glance.
Kushina Uzumaki, of course, was a whirlwind of energy—way more rambunctious than Tsunade had ever been as a child.
And then there was Kuugetsu Uchiha, who shuffled along nervously with her head down, radiating shyness and a serious lack of confidence.
Seeing Hoshiyomi standing next to Hokushin, Kushina's big eyes lit up. She grabbed Mikoto and Kuugetsu by the hand and dragged them over.
The moment she reached him, she threw her arms around Hoshiyomi in an enthusiastic hug.
Hoshiyomi smiled and ruffled her hair, glancing up at Hokushin with a helpless grin.
"She's pretty clingy."
Hokushin smiled warmly.
"That's a good thing. I just wish Kuugetsu could be a little more outgoing."
He bent down to the timid black-haired girl hiding behind him.
"Come on, say hello to Hoshiyomi-nii-san. He's a friend of Dad's."
Mikoto, always polite, greeted him first.
"Hello, Hoshiyomi-nii-san. Are you Kushina's family?"
Before Hoshiyomi could answer, Kushina jumped in, chattering away to explain their relationship, leaving Hoshiyomi half amused, half exasperated.
Not wanting to be left out, Kuugetsu finally peeked out from behind Hokushin and whispered so softly it was barely audible:
"H-hello… Hoshiyomi-nii-san."
Hoshiyomi responded with a gentle smile and reached out to pat her head, but Kuugetsu yelped in surprise and darted back behind her father.
Hokushin gave a slightly pained smile and apologized.
"Sorry… she's just like this."
But Hoshiyomi quickly waved it off.
"No need to apologize. Honestly, it's fine—this is just part of what makes little Kuugetsu who she is."
He softened his voice even further, crouching slightly.
"You're unique, Kuugetsu. I could pick you out of a crowd in an instant."
Kushina chimed in to help:
"Yeah! When I first walked into the classroom, I noticed Kuugetsu and Mikoto right away!"
Mikoto looked pleased but still maintained her usual courtesy.
"Thank you for the compliment, Hoshiyomi-san."
She gently tugged on Kuugetsu's sleeve, prompting her to mumble a quiet:
"Th-thank you…"
Hokushin knew his daughter was already pushing her limits just by saying that. Change would have to come slowly, step by step.
With an apologetic smile, he said:
"I should get the girls home. We'll take our leave now."
Hoshiyomi understood perfectly and nodded, bidding them farewell.
As he said goodbye to Hokushin, Hoshiyomi suddenly felt a gaze on him. He turned his head and spotted a little blond boy nervously looking away.
When the boy realized Hoshiyomi was still watching, he gave an awkward but sunny smile.
Just from that expression alone, Hoshiyomi sighed inwardly.
So this is the "Little Sun," huh?
But Kushina clearly didn't think so. When she noticed Minato Namikaze, she snorted and crossed her arms.
"Ugh, it's that annoying guy again."
Hoshiyomi raised an eyebrow, curious.
"Why do you say he's annoying?"
Kushina huffed:
"On the first day of school, I said I was gonna be the first-ever female Hokage, and that guy immediately said his dream is to become Hokage too! Isn't that just trying to steal my spotlight and embarrass me?"
She puffed her cheeks.
"And he's always sneaking around, laughing at me behind my back! He's the worst."
Hoshiyomi scratched his head.
Maybe he'd just been an adult for too long, but he really couldn't follow this kind of kid logic.
Still, playing the role of matchmaker, he suggested:
"Why don't you go ask him why he acts like that?"
Kushina shot back immediately:
"No way! Why should I go listen to what he has to say?"
But Hoshiyomi gave her hand a gentle tug.
"Come on, just ask. Maybe there's more to it than you think."
He wasn't worried that helping Kushina would somehow ruin Minato's future romance prospects—after all, Minato's natural charm was basically a cheat code in itself.
What did worry him, though, was the butterfly effect of the Uzumaki relocation.
If Kumo didn't try to kidnap Kushina later on, would the bond between her and Minato even form properly? Without that pivotal event, things could go sideways fast.
Thinking about it, Hoshiyomi squeezed Kushina's hand lightly.
"Go on. Worst case, if he really is just making fun of you, I'll help you teach him a lesson. Sound good?"
Kushina burst into giggles, clearly picturing Hoshiyomi smacking Minato's butt, and happily agreed. She even took the initiative, dragging Hoshiyomi along as she walked up to Minato.
Minato didn't run away. He just stood there, waiting with his usual warm smile.
Kushina stomped up to him.
"Hey, you!"
Minato turned around, still wearing that soft, friendly grin.
"Hi, Kushina. Did you need something?"
Kushina puffed up her cheeks and tried to look fierce.
"Are you trying to steal the Hokage title from me?"
Minato smiled at Hoshiyomi first, then waved his hand at Kushina.
"That's not what I meant. I just said I also want to become a Hokage loved by everyone."
Kushina wasn't buying it. She turned to Hoshiyomi with a scowl.
"See, Hoshiyomi-nii? He is trying to steal the Hokage dream from me—and he won't even admit it! What a coward!"
She stuck her tongue out at Minato in a playful taunt.
But Minato wasn't paying attention to that.
His eyes sparkled as he stared at Hoshiyomi.
"You're… the legendary Hoshiyomi-sama, aren't you? That sword—it has to be you."
Hoshiyomi felt a little awkward. Sure, he was fairly well-known in the village, but this reaction made it sound like Minato thought he was already the future Fourth Hokage.
Still, he nodded and admitted it.
"That's right. I'm Gekkō Hoshiyomi. You know about me?"
Minato's face lit up with excitement.
"Of course! The story of how you graduated in just half a year is still famous at the Academy!
And there's the Chūnin Exams, and that mission you did with Orochimaru and the others… I've read everything about you!"
He rattled off Hoshiyomi's achievements like a devoted fanboy, then finally gathered his courage to ask:
"My name is Minato Namikaze. If it's possible, would you consider taking me as a student? Please teach me!"
Hoshiyomi was floored.
Wait, what?! Since when did Minato become my fanboy?
He was still processing that bizarre new reality when a furious voice cut in beside him.
"First you want to steal my Hokage dream, and now you're trying to steal my Hoshiyomi-nii?
Are you asking for a fight, or what?!"
Kushina had already rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to brawl.
Her expression practically screamed:
"I'm mad now. The consequences will be severe."