"Starting today, you'll move in with me."
After leaving Mito, Tsunade spoke with a serious tone. "Even though we're not at war, assassination attempts on geniuses aren't uncommon. You should be aware of your importance."
"I understand," Minato nodded. He didn't want to recklessly reveal his Elemental Transformation technique over such a trivial matter.
"As for room and board, you can pay with your cooking~"
Seeing Minato agree, Tsunade smirked triumphantly. Then, as if realizing her behavior might have been a bit excessive, she added after a moment's thought, "Of course, I'll have Nawaki help you, and feel free to ask me about any cultivation-related questions you have!"
Minato smiled. "Does my teacher have any food allergies?"
Tsunade pondered for a moment. "Hmm... No specific allergies, but I'm not particularly fond of sweet foods like meatballs."
"What kind of food does my teacher like then?" Minato asked.
"Mild chicken dishes, like the kung pao chicken you made earlier..."
Tsunade chuckled heartily. "But if your cooking is this good, I'd probably enjoy anything you make."
"Chicken..."
Minato pondered. Most men are carnivores, and since chicken is such a common ingredient, he knew plenty of chicken recipes.
Judging by Tsunade's reaction, though she couldn't handle much spice, she didn't seem to dislike it.
After picking up some household supplies, Minato followed Tsunade to her home.
As soon as they entered, a round-faced boy with brown hair styled in a spiky hedgehog cut rushed out barefoot, his feet pounding against the floor.
"Sis, you're back!"
The boy looked about two or three years older than Minato, bursting with energy.
"Back~"
Seeing her brother, a gentle smile softened Tsunade's features. She introduced him to Minato: "This is my younger brother, Nawaki. Nawaki, this is my disciple, Namikaze Minato. You two should get along well."
"Huh? Unbelievable! My sister, who can barely get out of bed, actually has the energy to take on a disciple..." Nawaki couldn't help but tease. He then sized Minato up curiously. "This kid... he looks younger than me!"
And he's incredibly handsome. He'll definitely be popular with girls...
Damn, he's so enviable!
"Yeah, Minato's one of this year's new students," Tsunade said, slipping on her slippers and then fetching a pair for Minato. "And he's a super prodigy, too!"
"Huh? A prodigy, huh..." Nawaki shrugged it off. After all, his older sister was a prodigy herself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Please look forward to working with me," Minato said with a gentle smile.
"Ah, right. Likewise." Nawaki nodded, striving to look mature. "Since you're my big sister's disciple, you're my little bro now! I'll look out for you at school!"
Minato smiled politely at this declaration.
Tsunade couldn't help rolling her eyes. Although Nawaki was two years older than Minato, given the young man's demonstrated strength, he could easily flatten this foolish otouto if he tried.
Tsunade's house was large, a traditional Japanese-style residence.
Minato's room was situated next to Nawaki's, well-lit and spacious.
After settling in and glancing at the darkening sky outside, Minato lay down to sleep.
Perhaps due to the sudden change in environment, he found himself unable to sleep, his thoughts swirling in his head.
His interaction with Tsunade meant he had now become entangled with the original storyline characters.
Naturally, there were always those with ulterior motives, like Shimura Danzo and his ilk.
Minato wasn't particularly worried about such people. His attachment to Konoha wasn't strong; if things got truly unbearable, he could always leave.
With the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit, no one could stop him from leaving Konoha. As for his Wood Release ninjutsu, he could always return in a few years with Susanoo to retrieve them.
Of course, that was only the worst-case scenario.
Now, as Tsunade's disciple and under the care of Uzumaki Mito, he was technically the Third Hokage's grand-disciple, making him part of the Hokage's direct lineage.
With this political background and the uniqueness of his Wood Release, as long as he didn't do something outrageous like slap Sarutobi Hiruzen across the face, even if he occasionally stepped out of line, no one would really hold it against him.
Besides, given his personality, he wouldn't do anything abusive or overbearing anyway.
Lost in these idle musings, Minato eventually drifted into a fitful sleep.
The next morning, his newly developed circadian rhythm from regular training forced his eyes open. Looking around the unfamiliar surroundings, he froze for a moment before remembering he had moved into Tsunade's house.
He got up and washed up.
Passing by Nawaki and Tsunade's rooms, he found them quiet—apparently, the two were still asleep.
After washing up, Minato went to the kitchen and surveyed the space, finding that it was reasonably well-stocked with kitchen supplies and seasonings.
He checked each cabinet and found the rice, flour, and oil were still nearly full.
Next, he opened the refrigerator and saw a bag of toast bread with only two slices left, canned fruit, some sauces, eggs, green onions, tomatoes, and wilted spinach...
"Hmm... Looks like they used to eat toast for breakfast."
Minato scratched his head. He still preferred hot food.
He glanced at the freezer, which was mostly filled with frozen meals: chicken cutlets, chicken legs, pork chops, and hamburger meat.
After some thought, Minato took a piece of hamburger meat and defrosted it in the microwave.
He then poured flour into a bowl. A miniature Rasengan formed in his hand as he added water and stirred, quickly kneading the flour into the desired consistency.
After a flurry of activity, a rich aroma began to fill the air half an hour later.
In the bedroom, Tsunade's eyes snapped open as her stomach growled loudly, almost as if it were screaming.
The tantalizing aroma of food wafted through the air, so potent it practically dragged her from her slumber.
After a moment of dazed confusion, Tsunade remembered: she had brought home a cook... no, a disciple, just yesterday. She quickly threw on her clothes and dashed out of her room.
"What is that heavenly scent?!"
As Tsunade emerged, Nawaki burst out of his room, pulling his shirt on as he ran.
They hurried to the living room, where Minato was carrying a large bowl from the kitchen.
"If you're awake, let's eat! I made some noodle soup, and there's plenty left in the pot..."
Before he could finish speaking, the brother and sister had already swept into the kitchen like a gust of wind.
"Hey, Sis, stop shoving me!"
"Watch it! I scooped you a bowl first!"
"Hehe, you're the best, Sis~"
"All the rest is mine."
"..."
Moments later, the pair emerged from the kitchen, each carrying a steaming bowl.
Without a word, they sat down beside Minato and eagerly scooped up spoonfuls of soup. After blowing on the steam, they began sipping the soup in small, contented bites.
"Ah..."
"Haa..."
After taking a sip of the soup, the sister and brother let out simultaneous contented sighs.
Minato watched their reactions and couldn't help but smile.
He had always found noodle soup to be quite magical. Drinking it felt warm and comforting, like a hug. Simply put: warm and comforting.
Moreover, its preparation was remarkably forgiving. He had made tomato and egg noodle soup, but adding spinach and diced hamburger meat didn't clash with the flavors at all. The tomatoes, in particular, were excellent at stimulating appetite, especially for those who liked their taste and were experiencing it for the first time.
Slosh...
The sister and brother slurped down every last drop of the noodle soup like two little pigs.
"Ah, my stomach feels so warm and full. That was perfect~"
Tsunade finished her soup, propping herself up on one hand against the tatami mat while gently patting her slightly rounded belly. She licked her lips, savoring the lingering flavors.
What a beastly appetite...
Minato's lips twitched. "I added a piece of hamburger meat. Since the main ingredients are beef and onion, you might feel a little warm after drinking it. Besides, noodle soup is inherently warming to the stomach."
Nawaki reluctantly set down his bowl. "This is real breakfast food... it's so good!"
Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Oh?"
"Of course! I still love your cooking the most, Sis!"
Nawaki flinched and waved his hands frantically. "But I never expected Minato to be able to cook! Wait, Sis, don't tell me you took him as your disciple because of his culinary skills?"
"Nonsense!" Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Didn't I tell you? That kid's a prodigy. He might even become your greatest rival on your path to becoming Hokage!"
Nawaki looked unconvinced. "No way! Minato just started school!"
"Oh—?"
Tsunade sat up straight, suddenly remembering that her younger brother had never really experienced failure. Her gaze turned mischievous. "Want to give it a try? I need to assess Minato's abilities anyway. Why don't I entrust this task to you, the senior student two years his senior?"
"Oh! Then watch me!" Nawaki's enthusiasm surged. "I definitely won't lose!"
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