"I didn't expect Ren-kun to become a Ninja so early. Did you apply for early graduation?"
Minato looked at Ren's Konoha forehead protector and asked curiously. They had just returned to the village and didn't know about Ren and Ryufeng's early graduation, hence the question.
"Ah, students have too little training time. After becoming a Ninja, I can free up a lot of time every day for training."
Ren put down his chopsticks, looking satisfied, wiped his mouth with a tissue, then turned to Minato and said.
"Ren-kun, why are you so keen on training?"
Minato looked at Ren in front of him and asked strangely. After all, Ren was only a seven-year-old child. What was it that made him constantly push himself to become stronger?
"Because my dream is to be Hokage! As a man who wants to become Hokage, being strong is the most basic requirement, isn't it?"
"Oh?"
Minato Namikaze's eyes suddenly became serious.
"Hokage, huh? That's a remarkable dream. But my dream is also to become Hokage, so let's work hard together, Ren-kun. From now on, we are rivals."
"Here we go again…"
Uzumaki Kushina put a hand to her forehead. As Minato Namikaze's girlfriend, she knew Minato too well. He usually seemed gentle, calm, and composed, but when the topic of becoming Hokage came up, he became like a hot-blooded youth.
"Oh! Then let's work hard together! The Fifth Hokage (Fourth Hokage) will definitely be me! X2"
Hmm?
The two of them, realizing what had happened, looked at each other, their eyes wide, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward.
"You said… Fifth Hokage?"
Minato looked at Ren in surprise. It seemed they were on different wavelengths.
"Yes, you'll be the Fourth Hokage, and I'll be the Fifth Hokage. I don't think I can beat you right now, so what's the problem?"
Ren shrugged. What a joke, competing with Minato Namikaze for the Fourth Hokage position would only cause him trouble. Minato Namikaze was already quite famous in the Ninja World, and his strength was undoubtedly that of an elite Jonin. After the tempering of the Third Shinobi World War, Minato, after breaking through to the Kage-level and with his Flying Thunder God, would be almost unmatched in the entire Ninja World.
As for Ren, he was only barely touching the edge of the Jonin level. If he continued to cultivate steadily, breaking through the Jonin bottleneck before the Third Shinobi World War wouldn't be a big problem. But this meagre strength couldn't even defeat a Kage-level weakling like Fourth Kazekage Rasa, let alone compete with Minato Namikaze for the Fourth Hokage.
So, Ren finally concluded: develop, develop, and develop again. His goal was to become the Fifth Hokage. The Fourth Hokage could be left to Minato to strive for.
"No… no problem."
Minato sat back in his seat, looking depressed. Kushina, beside him, was laughing so hard she was bent over, repeatedly patting Minato's back as she chuckled.
"Seriously, Minato, you actually want to compete with a junior for Hokage, and even call him a rival! Oh, my stomach hurts from laughing."
"Ow, Kushina, gently."
After being patted so many times by Kushina without restraint, Minato felt a sharp pain in his back and could only smile wryly.
"Customers, your ramen is here."
Just then, Minato and Kushina's ramen arrived. Minato secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The Whirlpool Clan brought not only massive Chakra but also a powerful physique. Plus, Kushina was usually carefree, and every time this happened, Minato would suffer silently, only able to endure it.
"Then we'll take our leave. Enjoy your meal."
Kosuke stood up, nodded to the two, and prepared to leave.
"Goodbye, Kosuke-sensei. X2"
"See you next time, both of you."
Ren stood up, waved to the two, and then followed Kosuke out.
"With the weights on his limbs and torso, and Chakra close to a Jonin, now I believe he defeated Kakashi."
After Kushina finished speaking, she turned her attention to the ramen, picking up her chopsticks to start eating.
"This child is very intelligent."
At this moment, Minato Namikaze's expression was serious, completely different from his usual absentmindedness.
"Ever since Ren's parents sacrificed themselves two years ago, he's been like a different person. Every day, besides studying, he cultivates. He trains Taijutsu with Might Guy and his son for hundreds of days without interruption, and his perseverance far exceeds ordinary people.
Recently, he's been learning Medical Ninjutsu from Vice-Director Kana of Konoha Hospital, and Genjutsu from Senior Shinku Yuhi. Even Jiraiya-sensei told me that this child is learning Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku. He knows what he wants, his goal is clear, and he is not lost.
So, I'm not surprised that Kakashi lost to this child. Perhaps the Fifth Hokage will emerge from between these two children, Kakashi and Ren. It's truly something to look forward to."
After speaking, Minato returned to his usual sunny demeanour and gentle smile. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat slowly.
"Eh?"
Kushina looked surprised, not expecting Minato to have such a high opinion of Ren. Originally, Kushina thought Ren had won against Kakashi by luck, but after seeing Ren, she actually believed it.
As the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed, she was half a sensory Ninja. At close range, she could clearly detect Ren's physical condition and emotional fluctuations.
The Nine-Tailed is the Tailed Beast with the largest amount of Chakra among the nine, and its almost infinite Chakra is its most powerful ability. Nine-Tailed also can sense good and evil. This is a psychological superpower.
Earlier, she vaguely felt that Ren seemed to have a hint of fear and… nervousness towards her?
So, out of curiosity, she sensed Ren all over. Now Kushina was puzzled; was she really that scary? Why would this child have such strange emotions?
…
"Phew…"
Ren took out his key, opened the door, and after entering, turned to close the door, keeping all the cold air outside. This autumn was colder than usual. After changing into slippers and a quick wash-up, Ren threw himself onto the bed. He stared blankly at the ceiling.
It was terrifying, was that the Nine-Tailed Fox? Earlier at the ramen shop, even without Kushina releasing her aura, Ren's superhuman spiritual power had already detected the aura of a primordial beast sealed within Kushina, scaring Ren into instantly steadying his mind.
In Ren's eyes, Kushina was a Chakra aggregate; the immense amount of Chakra within her was an understatement. Ren felt a wave of envy and secretly vowed that if he had the chance in the future, he would definitely capture a Tailed Beast to use as a portable charger. Although other Tailed Beasts were far away in various countries, if he, knowing the plot, couldn't even get one Tailed Beast, he might as well bash his head against a block of jelly and die.
As for Water Release, just getting started would be enough. It's better to learn one more Ninjutsu than none, and then slowly delve into it. If he missed such a good opportunity, he wouldn't know when the next one would be.