The study of Bloodline Limits was a long-term endeavor.
Beyond the Hashirama Cell Transplantation Experiment, Orochimaru refused to abandon his research into natural hybridization.
As the heir to Wood Release, no one was more suitable for this experiment than Minato.
Unfortunately, Minato already had someone by his side.
Tsunade, Kushina...
One was a top-tier Medical Ninja, the granddaughter and apprentice of the First Hokage, and Minato's teacher.
The other was a candidate for Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki, possessing the innate power to suppress the Nine-Tails and Minato's childhood sweetheart.
Both were exceptional women, and the relationship between the three was exceedingly delicate.
Until today, Orochimaru had always believed that Minato would eventually make a choice.
But now, it seemed the boy had no intention of choosing at all—he wanted both!
Yet, on closer reflection, it wasn't so strange after all.
The key to such matters lay not in desire, but in courage and capability.
Minato, a man who prided himself on self-awareness and a clear understanding of his own nature, was unlikely to avoid problems.
And if he dared to dream of immortality, what was so daunting about juggling two women?
However...
Both ships are already sailed, so what's the harm in adding one more?
After all, men have three legs...
At least he trusted Minato's abilities.
Orochimaru lightly tapped his chin with his pen, lost in thought.
Senju, Uzumaki, Uchiha...
Hmm, that should suffice for now.
"Kari."
"At your service."
A figure silently materialized behind Orochimaru, kneeling on one knee.
"Investigate Uchiha girls between the ages of five and fifteen who possess both exceptional talent and beauty. Compile the data and submit it to me."
"Understood!"
Next, Orochimaru summoned a female subordinate. "Tsuru."
"Lord Orochimaru."
A slender figure knelt respectfully.
"Investigate Dan Katō's female acquaintances. Find one who harbors romantic feelings for him and encourage her to contribute to Konoha's population. Ensure the operation is handled discreetly."
"Understood!"
Though the mission was somewhat absurd, Root operatives were trained to follow orders without question. Rationality was not their concern.
Unlike Danzo, Orochimaru didn't subscribe to the idea that ninjas were mere tools devoid of emotion. Yet, Root's strict discipline still applied.
The next day, after breakfast, Nawaki burst out of the house, his heart pounding with excitement.
Today, he would officially begin his ninja career alongside Dan Katō!
With a burning... with anticipation for his future as a ninja, Nawaki arrived at the Hokage Building to meet his teammates and prepare to accept his first ninja mission.
However, his enthusiasm quickly deflated.
His first mission: find a lost pet cat.
Minato watched from the canopy of a tree as Nawaki, his rear end sticking out, searched through the bushes for the cat. He couldn't help but marvel at Konoha's peculiar nature—pet cats went missing every day.
But with so many detached houses and cats kept outdoors, how could any truly get lost?
Moreover, D-Rank Missions started at 5,000 ryo, no small sum.
At the time, a bowl of ramen in Konoha cost about 50 ryo. Five hundred ryo could get two people so drunk they'd be sick at an izakaya.
Five thousand ryo to find a cat? Konoha really had some wealthy people...
This wasn't a joke, but a fact.
Though Konoha was officially just a village, its size and economy far surpassed those of ordinary cities. Many nobles from the Land of Fire resided here.
After spending the entire morning, the group finally found their target cat in a narrow alley.
Nawaki lunged forward, only to be scratched across the face by the feline—a special privilege reserved for the team's designated "ace."
"Ugh... I didn't expect catching a cat to be so exhausting," Nawaki grumbled as they left the Hokage Building after submitting the completed mission.
"The ninja path is full of challenges, Nawaki-kun," Dan Katō said gently. "But to celebrate our first successful mission, how about I treat everyone to a barbecue?"
"Eh—?"
The girl in the group drew out her response: "I finally graduated! No more school every day. I was planning to go shopping with my friends..."
"Why not invite your friends along?" Dan Katō suggested with a smile. "It's still early. We can go shopping after the barbecue."
"Hmm? Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Wouldn't that be awkward, since it's the teacher's treat?"
"Haha, don't worry. After all, I'm a Jonin. A barbecue is well within my means."
Dan Katō spoke, looking at Nawaki and another boy.
"You two too, if you have any friends you'd like to invite, feel free to bring them along. Or siblings, or anything. A good social circle is also beneficial for our future missions."
"I'll pass~"
Nawaki waved his hand. "A barbecue restaurant can't satisfy my family. Brother Dan, you have no idea—that guy Minato is practically a reincarnated god of cooking! He can make everything they have at the restaurant, and things they don't even have!"
The other boy nodded in agreement. "Me too. I don't really have any friends."
"Hahaha, I see..."
This kid's really not catching on!
Dan Katō laughed awkwardly, unable to resist grumbling inwardly.
Not far away, Minato, disguised as a passerby reading a newspaper, nearly burst out laughing at Nawaki's words.
Good job, Nawaki!
Once you learn the Rasengan, your brother-in-law will teach you the Rasenshuriken!
Minato quietly slipped away only after the group had entered the barbecue restaurant.
The day after he gave her the necklace, Nawaki temporarily avoided any life-threatening danger.
However, continuing to monitor them like this wasn't ideal, as Minato also needed to cultivate his own skills.
As he grew older, he should gradually begin training his Taijutsu.
While clones could learn some Taijutsu techniques, physical enhancement could only be achieved through the main body's personal training.
After some thought, Minato realized he should really learn a few reconnaissance Ninjutsu to avoid this suspicious tailing. Otherwise, people might think he was a pervert.
Just as Minato was pondering which Ninjutsu to learn, several files were delivered to Orochimaru at Root.
"Are these the only Uchiha girls of marriageable age?"
"Yes."
"This clan is a bit imbalanced, with more males than females. No wonder they're all so ill-tempered—it must be hormonal imbalances..."
Orochimaru quipped casually as he flipped through the files.
Uchiha Mie, 5 years old, exceptional talent.
She's quite attractive, sweet and charming. I wonder if she's Minato-kun's type.
Uchiha Kumo, 14 years old, Genin, average talent.
He's more handsome than the previous one, but his lack of talent is a deal-breaker. Minato-kun deserves someone better.
To be fair, there really weren't many ugly people in this clan, though it wasn't an absolute rule. Their young clan leader, Fugaku, was quite the exception...
As he continued flipping through the documents, his movements suddenly paused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Uchiha Mikoto, 12 years old, Chūnin, outstanding talent.
Appearance...
Judging by his standards as a beauty connoisseur, she was a stunner!
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