Makoto currently had no intention of becoming Hokage, and likely never would. Perhaps one day, if he grew tired of being a ninja, he would simply retire and travel the shinobi world, enjoying a Jiraiya-style life.
He held no filter toward the position of Hokage. A gambling addict and a lecher could both sit in that seat—and they even managed to turn the Uzumaki brat carrying the Nine-Tails into someone with kidney deficiency. Just hearing that was frightening, wasn't it?
So if he did not intend to succeed the position, what was the benefit of joining the Hokage Guard?
There really were benefits—big ones.
He could learn from Minato the rare space–time ninjutsu in the shinobi world: Flying Thunder God. It was a divine technique, an essential skill for daily life, travel, fighting, and fleeing after failure.
If Jiraiya knew it, he could leave his mark in every women's bathhouse across the shinobi world.
He could also learn Konohagakure's advanced fūinjutsu.
The Uzumaki Clan, which had brought fūinjutsu to its pinnacle, had already been entirely sacrificed. So who was now the most skilled in fūinjutsu in the shinobi world? Of course, that "tomato" named Uzumaki Kushina.
Could it be Nagato? That guy might already have fallen into demonic deviation. Children raised with proper family values should absolutely not get near him—it's very easy to trigger a "world-destroyer phase" warning.
Anyone familiar with tomato-and-egg fried rice knew that Minato and his wife were cheerful and open, warm and generous. They were never stingy toward those around them. As long as you had the talent and were willing to learn, they would teach you.
But Makoto had never forgotten his original intention.
He had once lived a failed life. That failure did not refer to wealth or power, but to never having properly experienced the joy of living.
So after being reborn into the shinobi world, he treated each day seriously. He trained diligently and made himself stronger, also so that he could live better—so he would not be treated like a stray by the roadside and casually killed.
When he was weak, he had never thought of interfering in others' joys and sorrows.
Later, as his strength grew rapidly, his attitude became: it depended on his mood—and on whether his ability at the time was sufficient.
But no matter what, he would absolutely not be foolish enough to reveal even the slightest piece of information of unknown origin in some delusional attempt to change anything. That would simply be pushing his family and friends toward death.
So now, facing the imminent outbreak of the Night of the Nine-Tails, what was his choice?
Makoto fell into thought.
In terms of strength, he indeed now had the qualifications to intervene. Obito's foundational strength and combat talent were not strong; what was disgusting was that space–time dōjutsu, Kamui.
Fortunately, he had a crush on Kakashi. A real man never regretted the token of affection he had given away and had not taken back his other eye. Otherwise, it would have been even more shameless.
In terms of personal relations, Namikaze Minato was indeed a decent person—upright and bright, broad-minded yet not dark. It would truly be a pity if someone like that died.
As for the world's overall trajectory? Makoto did not need to rely on familiarity with the plot to get by.
Honestly, ever since this world gained his existence, that familiar timeline in his memory could no longer possibly develop exactly as before—unless he hid at home as a shut-in until the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
As long as he stepped outside, everything he did, and everyone he killed, was changing that timeline from his memories.
So since things were already like this, he might as well take it a step further.
Thinking about it, he even felt a bit of anticipation.
But the premise for everything was that he could successfully keep Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina alive. That required him to plan carefully.
...
In the Uzuki family's kitchen, the preparations were finished, and it was time to eat.
With a face full of accomplishment, still immersed in the joy of having learned a new way to cook, Kushina frowned, sensing that there was a troublemaker making trouble.
Inside the sealing space, the Nine-Tails—usually irritable—wore a puzzled expression, sniffing from time to time with its enormous dog-like nose.
"So fragrant!"
"Nine-Tails, what are you up to again? What's so fragrant?"
"It's just fragrant—so fragrant that even this old man feels a bit hungry!"
"Huh? No way, no way—could it be my cooking skills have improved so much that even the flavor is irresistible to a tailed beast? But tailed beasts don't seem to need to eat, do they? Dattebane."
The Nine-Tails suddenly reacted. How could he be communicating so peacefully with the jinchūriki who sealed him? He immediately roared, "Damn you, Kushina! This old man is the strongest tailed beast—unlike you pitiful, weak humans. Of course I don't need to eat."
With a thought, Kushina tightened the seal restraining the Nine-Tails a little.
It was her first time seeing this big fox show such a human-like side, and she could not help feeling curious. "Then what do you mean by 'fragrant'?"
"Damn it… loosen the seal a bit, then go outside, and I'll tell you."
"Why should I listen to you? Grandma Mito said you're extremely cunning, and told me to be careful not to be tricked by you."
"If you do it, I guarantee I won't disturb your sleep at night anymore."
"Fine. Deal!"
Anyway, she was going outside regardless. If she could trade that for the Nine-Tails being quieter later—so she would not have to worry about reinforcing the seal at night—why not?
Very soon, all kinds of dishes, rich in color, aroma, and taste, were placed on the table, and everyone began happily eating dinner.
After she sat down beside her husband, the Nine-Tails said, "I've figured it out. The guy sitting across from you gives me a very fragrant feeling—like he'd be quite tasty."
Kushina froze. The one sitting across from her was Higashino Makoto.
"You tailed beasts really do eat people. You really are monsters!"
"Bastard. Tailed beasts don't eat people, and we aren't monsters. That's just a rumor you humans spread."
"Didn't you just say humans seem tasty? Dattebane."
"…"
The Nine-Tails did not want to talk. At the same time, he could not understand why he suddenly felt that a human smelled so good. Maybe he had been stuck in this damned sealing space for too long and was about to go crazy.
But it really did smell good. If he could get out and lick once, that would be great.
Minato naturally noticed his wife's odd behavior. For no reason, why were you staring at a teenage boy? Wasn't I handsome enough?
As for his plan to have Makoto's squad join his Shadow Guard, he had already told Kushina about it. At this moment, Minato simply assumed Kushina was curious about Makoto as a person.
After all, this was Konoha's young hero—even more formidable than Kakashi—who had made a name for himself in the war.
Kushina had a forthright personality and never hid her actions, so everyone saw her staring at Makoto with a strange look.
Makoto silently endured everyone's attention. He touched his face and asked calmly, "Kushina-senpai, is there something dirty on my face?"
"No. Ah? No, that's not what I meant! Um… well… your name is Makoto, right? I heard you've been learning fūinjutsu recently. How is it? Do you want me to teach you? I'm very good at it."
"Huh? Kushina-senpai is willing to teach me? That would be wonderful!"
"Of course I'm willing. The Shadow Guard is responsible for protecting Minato, so naturally the stronger you are, the better!"
Your little sun is the fastest in the shinobi world—who would need to protect him? If he wanted to run, who could catch up?
"So what senpai means is… I can only learn if I join the Shadow Guard? Hmm… is that the exchange condition you came up with?"
"No, no, it's not some condition. That… how could you think that? Dattebane!"
Makoto immediately put on a solemn expression. "Kushina-senpai, you truly underestimate my Will of Fire. As a shinobi of Konohagakure, protecting the Hokage is our innate duty."
"For that, even giving up our lives would not be too much. I absolutely will not allow something so sacred to be linked with a transaction!"
All those familiar with Makoto wore expressions of speechlessness.
Kushina pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling that she had been played—and that she could not out-argue him.
But since when did Red-Hot-Blooded Habanero rely on words to convince others? She had always convinced people with virtue, right? Her fists were her virtue.
Kushina slammed her fist onto the table. "Brat, stop talking nonsense. I'm asking you—are you going to learn fūinjutsu from me or not? Dattebane."
"I'll learn!"
"Hmph. If you'd just said that earlier, wouldn't it have been fine? What a troublesome brat!"
Ever since becoming the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Kushina had rarely appeared in the village, so not many people truly knew her.
Seeing this scene now, everyone was somewhat surprised. So the Fourth Hokage's wife had such a fierce side.
Minato: Ahahaha… what can I say? I'm a victim too!
After a dinner where both host and guests were delighted, the Fourth Hokage took his wife and bid farewell.
Kushina completely shed her tigress demeanor and transformed into a caring onee-san, patting Makoto on the shoulder. "Makoto, if there's anything you don't understand in the future, come ask me anytime!"
"I will. Thank you, Kushina-senpai."
Minato smiled and said to Kumomi, "Kumomi-jōnin, then I'll leave the rest to you."
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. Leave it to me!"
Neither of them asked Makoto whether he agreed to join the Shadow Guard, because Kushina had already settled it for them.
At least, on the surface, it looked like she had.
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