The Anbu received their orders and disappeared.
Inside the office, smoke swirled through the air. Hiruzen set down his pipe, his gaze landing on Minato.
The blond teenager before him was handsome and composed, his eyes clear and bright. He was the promising student that Jiraiya had left behind and all but forgotten.
Thinking about how Jiraiya had run off to train Ame orphans while neglecting his rightful disciple, who had even exchanged for the Flying Thunder God Technique, annoyed Hiruzen.
Thankfully, he still had a chance to fix that. More than that, this opportunity held a deeper purpose for him.
"Minato," Hiruzen began, his tone carrying the warmth of an elder, "about the sealing technique issue with the Flying Thunder God, I've already arranged for help."
He paused, deliberately slowing his speech as he observed Minato's reaction. "The sealing arts teacher I found for you has top-tier talent and strength. You could even say she is the rightful heir of the Uzumaki clan's sealing legacy."
Minato's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Uzumaki clan?
Top-tier sealing?
A name immediately surged into his mind. Uzumaki Kushina.
An indescribable joy exploded within him, bubbling up from his heart, making it difficult to suppress the smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
Being able to interact closely with Kushina, to study the sealing techniques she took pride in, was like a dream. But then, a heavy shadow cast itself over that excitement, nearly suffocating it. Kamiyama Ryo.
Since the academy, Ryo had been the towering mountain in front of him. In strength, in reputation, and even in... Kushina's heart.
Everyone knew Kushina was Ryo's girlfriend.
Minato's quiet admiration seemed insignificant under Ryo's dazzling brilliance. It made him feel ashamed of his own feelings.
He had lived under Ryo's shadow for too long.
At this moment, he was happy for the opportunity, but nervous about Ryo's existence, and uncertain how Kushina would view him, a classmate who had secretly admired her.
Conflicting emotions crashed in his chest. His smile turned stiff. His eyes flickered and he instinctively looked away from Hiruzen, slightly lowering his head as his fingers unconsciously moved.
Hiruzen caught every bit of Minato's reaction. The initial joy and the complicated emotions that followed.
Just as expected. This boy had feelings for Kushina. Hiruzen felt secretly pleased, his calculations running deep.
He assumed Minato was simply overwhelmed by the "surprise," intoxicated by the chance to be near his crush.
Perfect. That was exactly what Hiruzen wanted.
Hiruzen could already see the future. Minato, a shinobi with endless potential, standing firmly by his side out of gratitude and loyalty. A perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire, obedient, useful, and a perfect counterbalance to Ryo.
He calmed himself and maintained the kind, grandfatherly expression on his face.
The office fell into silence.
Minato tried to suppress the storm inside him, waiting anxiously and expectantly for the arrival of this so-called top-tier sealing teacher.
Hiruzen picked up his pipe again, taking a deep breath. The smoke he exhaled blurred the sharp glint in his eyes.
The door to the Hokage's office was suddenly thrown open, shaking from the force.
A head of flaming red hair rushed into view, followed by Kushina's clearly impatient face.
She marched straight in. The moment she saw Hiruzen sitting behind the desk, her brows furrowed tightly, and her tone was sharp.
"Old man, what did you call me here for? Don't you know I'm busy?"
Her eyes swept the room casually before landing on Minato. Her tone eased a little but remained far from warm.
"Huh? Minato-kun's here too?"
Kushina's irritation was written all over her face.
She had no intention of showing Hiruzen any courtesy.
This old man was always putting on airs as Hokage, constantly trying to interfere in things that didn't concern him. Worse, she had sensed clearly that he had been trying to suppress Ryo from the shadows.
Her boyfriend had just returned from that cursed battlefield in Ame. They finally had time to enjoy peace and sweetness together.
And this old man just had to interrupt now?
And he wanted her to be nice?
Keep dreaming.
Hiruzen was already used to Kushina's attitude.
He knew this girl had a fiery temper, spoiled by Mito, and she lacked even basic respect for him as Hokage. Her heart was with Ryo, and she had no intention of hiding it.
Suppressing his displeasure, Hiruzen forced a kind smile.
"Kushina, don't be in such a hurry. I asked you here to discuss something."
He gestured toward Minato.
"Your classmate Minato is currently studying the Flying Thunder God Technique. It requires a deep understanding of sealing jutsu. In the entire village, no one can compare to you, the heir of the Uzumaki bloodline. So I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to help guide him. What do you think?"
As soon as he finished, Minato's demeanor changed completely. His eyes lit up and his spirit surged.
He stepped forward, his voice sincere and full of hope. He even bowed slightly.
"Yes. Kushina-san, I'm studying the Flying Thunder God Technique right now. Its core formula requires extremely advanced sealing knowledge to stabilize properly. I've hit a serious bottleneck because my foundation is weak. The Hokage said you're the best sealing expert in the village. Please, Kushina-san, I'm begging you, teach me."
His clear blue eyes were filled with eagerness for knowledge and respect for her abilities.
As Kushina listened, her frown deepened.
Teach sealing to Minato?
Her internal alarm blared immediately.
Not to mention she had no special feelings for him. Just some classmate. She didn't have the time for this.
Her thoughts were filled with Ryo.
He had just returned from the battlefield. They had been apart for far too long. Every second together now was precious.
She wished she could spend all 24 hours stuck to him, listening to his stories, enjoying his warmth, or even just sitting quietly together.
Teach someone else? What a joke.
Besides, after being with Ryo for so long, she was no longer the overly helpful and naive "Red-Hot Habanero" she used to be.
She agreed with Ryo's worldview. If it's not your business or mine, who cares?
Other people's problems? Other people's requests? Why should she sacrifice her precious time with Ryo for that?
So, Minato, sorry.
Without hesitation, Kushina shook her head, a hint of annoyance in her eyes. She looked at both Hiruzen and Minato, then fixed her gaze on Minato's hopeful expression. Her tone was apologetic but firm.
"Sorry, old man."
She addressed Hiruzen first, then turned to Minato.
"Minato-kun, I really don't have time. Go ask someone else."
Her tone was decisive, leaving no room for argument.
The light in Minato's eyes faded instantly. The hope and anticipation on his face froze, then turned into unmistakable disappointment.
He opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something else. But when he saw Kushina's unwavering expression, he finally just closed his lips and gave a soft "Okay."
He lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions in them.
"Outrageous."
A sharp voice broke the silence in the office, filled with high-handed authority.
Koharu, who had been silently watching from the side, suddenly stood up. Her face darkened, and she pointed at Kushina, her voice rising in anger.
"Uzumaki Kushina. What kind of attitude is that? As a shinobi of Konoha, it is your duty to help cultivate future talents and obey the Hokage's command. How dare you refuse the Hokage's order? Who gave you the right to act so arrogantly? You have no respect for the Hokage and no sense of discipline."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)