"Teacher, there's something else I wanted to tell you. Kushina and I plan to graduate early."
Minato informed Tsunade of his decision to graduate ahead of schedule.
"Graduate early? Sure, why not!"
Tsunade agreed without hesitation.
Previously, Minato had been too young and needed more interaction with peers. But with his current strength, staying in school would be a waste of time. What if he accidentally clashed with a teacher and instantly defeated them? That would be awkward, right?
Kushina's abilities also met the graduation standards. With Minato by her side, Tsunade had no concerns about her safety.
"Also, I just had a minor conflict with Nawaki's Jonin leader."
Minato briefly explained the situation: "I planned to have Nawaki temporarily leave his team and train with me for a while. But that guy was quite troublesome, so I beat him up and decided to make Nawaki leave the team permanently."
Tsunade nodded. "Understood. I'll talk to the old man about it."
There were no questions, no further inquiries.
Tsunade placed absolute trust in Minato. Though she was curious about the reason for his beating the Jonin, since he hadn't elaborated, she wouldn't press him at that moment.
"After this, I'll be forming a team with Nawaki, Kushina, and Mikoto-nee."
Minato continued, "The situation is growing increasingly tense. I plan to put everyone through some special training for a while."
"Hmm..."
Though conflicted, Tsunade nodded in agreement.
The situation in the Land of Rain was dire, as evidenced by the recent surge in hospital admissions.
With war looming, she felt that honing their skills was far more important than taking on missions.
"In that case, I'll leave Nawaki in your care."
Tsunade gazed deeply at Minato, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes.
At that moment, she wasn't speaking as a teacher, but she trusted Minato would understand her meaning.
Minato did understand. Without a word, he simply smiled gently.
Their eyes met briefly before they both looked away, and Tsunade felt her heart settle completely.
With a decisive slap on the table, she declared, "Alright! To celebrate your team's formation, I'm treating everyone to lunch—Sukiyaki!"
"Yay!"
"Long live Big Sister!"
Kushina and Nawaki cheered.
The group arrived at the restaurant, the Sukiyaki steaming on the table, the atmosphere lively and relaxed.
Minato, Kushina, and Mikoto sat on one side of the table, with Kushina naturally in the middle. If Minato had taken the center seat, the atmosphere might not have been so lively.
The Sukiyaki broth was thin, so only a few slices of meat could be cooked at a time. Minato carefully controlled his hand speed as he picked up the meat, ensuring everyone got their share.
Although Tsunade smiled, she didn't feel much like eating. Her peripheral vision subtly observed Mikoto across the table.
Mikoto's dark hair flowed smoothly, and her demeanor was refined. The way she casually lifted a strand of hair while eating was enough to make Kushina study it for a lifetime.
Tsunade glanced at Kushina, who was currently stirring a mouthful of meat in the raw egg yolk with wild abandon before gobbling it down with a carefree, satisfied grin.
Sigh...
The meal cost fifteen thousand ryo, with ten thousand of it going into Minato's stomach.
Mikoto, witnessing Minato's appetite for the first time, was astonished.
She never imagined he could eat so much!
No wonder he's so strong!
Though there was no logical connection between the two, she couldn't help but find it impressive.
After the meal, Tsunade excused herself to request Minato's early withdrawal from the mission with the Third Hokage, temporarily parting ways with the group.
She then marched to the Eastern Forest and kicked open the Root base's gate.
"Who's there?!"
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
Four figures materialized, blocking Tsunade's path.
"Lady Tsunade?"
Upon recognizing her, the squad leader's imposing stance immediately weakened.
The four guards were a Root base team, well aware of Minato's close ties to Orochimaru.
Tsunade was not only Minato's teacher but also Orochimaru's former teammate. Despite his arrogant demeanor, they dared not offend her.
Tsunade's almond-shaped eyes flashed with cold fury. Without further ado, she demanded, "Take me to Orochimaru!"
The team leader visibly relaxed. "One moment, I'll notify him."
After a series of winding turns through the underground corridors, Tsunade finally found Orochimaru in the middle of an experiment. He stood under the surgical lamp, skillfully dissecting a corpse.
Tsunade frowned, momentarily forgetting about Mikoto, and demanded, "Are you conducting human experiments?"
"Still the same as ever, Tsunade—still as impatient as ever."
Hearing the commotion behind him, Orochimaru calmly set down his scalpel, removed his gloves, and slowly turned around. A peculiar smile played on his lips as he waved his subordinates away and said casually, "This is Root, Konoha's darkest corner. Human experiments are perfectly normal here."
"Besides, it's just a disposable criminal. Do you really think the Second Hokage developed all those forbidden techniques through self-experimentation?"
"..."
Hearing this, Tsunade's expression softened slightly, but she remained uneasy, thinking of his close ties to Minato. "You didn't drag Minato into this, did you?"
Orochimaru's expression suddenly became intriguing. "What if I told you that this experiment was Minato-kun's idea?"
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade's face changed. Although she trusted Minato implicitly, human experimentation still went beyond her expectations.
"We're exploring the connection between body and soul. Based on Impure World Reincarnation and the Spirit Transformation Technique, we're creating a jutsu that can transfer the soul into a younger body, even if the original flesh decays."
Orochimaru said calmly, "By conventional standards, this is indeed a forbidden technique, but it offers another possibility for life."
"What's the cost?" Tsunade's brow furrowed. "Don't tell me it involves stealing other people's bodies?"
"That was my original plan, yes, but Minato-kun insisted on pursuing cloning instead."
Orochimaru smiled. "I think he has a point. Why steal a body when you can cultivate your own? But rest assured, I never involve Minato-kun in the experiments themselves."
Tsunade's expression softened slightly as she remembered why she had come: "That Uchiha Mikoto... is she your disciple?"
Orochimaru nodded. "That's right. What do you think? Quite beautiful, isn't she?"
"Cut the crap!" Tsunade's face darkened. "What do you mean? Are you trying to interfere with that child's life like the old man?"
"Why else would I bring her here?" Orochimaru tilted his head, feigning innocence. "I can't exactly throw myself into the fray like you, can I?"
"?!?"
Tsunade froze for a moment before her face flushed crimson. "You bastard, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
"See? So easily flustered~" Orochimaru spread his hands, acting helpless. "I'm just introducing my disciple to him. If that counts as interfering with someone's life, then what about matchmaking parties? Besides, if you really want to get technical, I'm actually helping you out here..."
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