Seeing the unhidden fighting spirit in Nawaki's eyes, Minato smiled but said nothing. He quickly cleared the table.
He was about to wash the dishes when Tsunade snatched the bowl from his hand.
"By the way, from now on, you just cook. Dishwashing is for me and Nawaki. We usually split the chores: I do the laundry and cooking, and Nawaki sweeps and mops. Now that you're here, I have one less job to do~"
As she spoke, Tsunade shoved the bowl and chopsticks into Nawaki's arms. Nawaki looked speechless but obediently went to wash them.
Tsunade propped her head on one hand and lay lazily on the tatami mat.
Laundry and cooking...
Minato looked at Tsunade with a strange expression.
Influenced by the original story, he had always assumed Tsunade couldn't take care of herself.
After all, Shizune was always taking care of her in the series.
And Tsunade's image was mostly defined by drinking and gambling.
But thinking about it, Tsunade wasn't even twenty yet. She was in the prime of her youth. Even if she was a bit lazy, she wouldn't be as bad as in the original story, especially since she had a little brother to take care of.
Her behavior in the original story was probably largely due to the depression caused by the deaths of her brother and lover.
Plus, her appearance was different. Current Tsunade had a single high ponytail, looking very energetic. Her voice was gentler and higher-pitched, feeling more like a young girl.
Soon, the three of them finished cleaning up. Just as they walked out the door, two figures approached them.
"Yo! Ohayo~ Tsunade."
Jiraiya waved cheerfully. Orochimaru stood beside him with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips.
"Big Brother Orochimaru!"
Nawaki waved excitedly when he saw them.
"You've grown taller, Nawaki," Orochimaru said softly, his tone doting.
"Oi! We both walked up together, why do you only have eyes for Orochimaru? Can't you see the dashing and gallant Lord Jiraiya?" Jiraiya complained.
Nawaki chuckled. He admired Orochimaru, the "genius," more, though Jiraiya was nice to him too.
Tsunade was surprised to see them. "Jiraiya? What are you two doing here?"
Orochimaru's voice was raspy. "Heh heh heh. Someone still owes us a barbecue dinner, remember?"
"Tsk. Almost forgot about that."
Tsunade pouted and rubbed the little blond head next to her vigorously.
"Speaking of which... who's the kid?"
Jiraiya stared blankly at Minato. They had noticed him immediately—that yellow hair was too conspicuous.
"Heh heh. Let me introduce you: Minato Namikaze, my student!"
Tsunade introduced him proudly, then patted Minato. "These two are my teammates, Jiraiya and Orochimaru."
"Hello, seniors!" Minato bowed slightly.
"HAAAH—?"
Jiraiya looked shocked, scanning back and forth between their faces.
For some reason, at that moment, he felt like he had lost something—like he had been NTR'd.
Am I jealous that this brat gets to live at Tsunade's house?
No, that's not it. Strange...
"I didn't expect you to take a student..."
Orochimaru looked Minato over. "After you left yesterday, you disappeared. Did she threaten you into becoming her student?"
"How rude..."
Tsunade put her hands on her hips, looking displeased. "He asked to be my student, didn't you, Minato?"
"Yes."
Minato nodded, saving her face.
"So, where are you guys going?" Jiraiya asked.
"To test my student's skills, of course~"
Tsunade spread her hands, her tone playful. "I just assigned that mission to Nawaki."
"Hahaha! Sounds fun. We'll tag along!" Jiraiya suddenly got interested.
"Whatever. Just don't cause trouble."
They arrived at Training Ground 3 nearby. Minato and Nawaki stood facing each other, both making the Seal of Confrontation.
Tsunade stood between them as the referee.
"Alright... enough talk. Ninjutsu is allowed. If it gets dangerous, I'll step in immediately. If you're ready, begin!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Nawaki's hands flashed behind his back. Six shuriken shot toward Minato.
The next instant, Minato's figure flickered and vanished.
"So fast!"
Nawaki's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively looked around for Minato.
But before he could move, a kunai was pressed against his neck.
Feeling the cold edge of the blade, Nawaki froze.
I got... one-shotted?
"Winner: Minato Namikaze!"
"How is that possible?! Aaaahhh!"
Watching Minato calmly put away the kunai and extend his hand for the Seal of Reconciliation, Nawaki had a mental breakdown. "What the hell, man?! Why couldn't I even track you?!"
"Bwahahahaha! That's what you get for being cocky!"
Tsunade laughed loudly. "You're two years ahead of him, and you couldn't even see his shadow. Looks like you've got a long way to go~"
"Dammit!"
Nawaki wailed. Reluctantly, he hooked fingers with Minato to complete the Seal of Reconciliation, but he was still stubborn. "I was just careless this time! I didn't dodge! Next time, I definitely won't lose!"
Minato nodded warmly. "Yeah, I look forward to it."
Dammit, even his personality is perfect!
Nawaki didn't expect that reaction. Minato's mature and gentle vibe made him feel ashamed of himself. Remembering how he bragged yesterday about "covering" Minato, his face turned bright red.
"That Body Flicker just now... it was faster than most Genin. Looks like Minato-kun is a speed-type ninja," Orochimaru commented, walking up. He looked impressed. Even though he was called a genius as a child, he wasn't this good at age five.
"Of course, Nawaki wasn't bad, either."
Nawaki looked miserable. "I got instant-killed..."
"Just different talents," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. Minato was like him: fast learner, great chakra control, calm personality. That allowed him to show his talent early.
Nawaki, as a descendant of the Senju and grandson of the First Hokage, didn't lack talent. But limited by his age and mentality, he needed time and training to realize his potential.
"But seriously, we still haven't seen what this kid can really do."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, looking at Minato with interest. "Hey, how about I give it a try?"
"Hmm... sure."
Tsunade thought about it. She planned to do it herself, but as a medical ninja, her combat style was different.
For testing direct combat ability, Jiraiya was actually a better fit than her.
"Yosh! Then the Great Toad Sage will test your skills!"
Jiraiya leaped forward, landing in a wide stance. He spread his fingers, one hand forward, one hand back, striking a classic Kabuki pose.
Minato turned to Tsunade with a questioning look.
Tsunade pondered for two seconds, then smiled gently. "Well... just go all out. No matter what happens, I'm here."
Minato nodded and took two steps forward. "Please go easy on me, Senior Jiraiya."
"Oh~ easy peasy!"
Jiraiya said enthusiastically. Judging by Tsunade's attitude, Minato's talent must be exceptional.
"Then... begin!"
Tsunade dropped her arm.
Minato's eyes sharpened. A flash of gold sparked under his feet, and he instantly appeared right in front of Jiraiya.
"Fast!"
Shock flashed in Jiraiya's eyes, but his combat experience kicked in. He instinctively blocked.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he easily blocked the incoming straight punch.
Thud!
Feeling the impact on his arms, Jiraiya relaxed.
Okay, he's fast, but he's still a kid. His physical strength isn't that high.
But compared to kids his age? His strength is crushing!
And what was that golden light under his feet? He was twice as fast as he was against Nawaki...
Some special Body Flicker Jutsu?
Or... a Bloodline Limit?
Looks like I can't slack off. If I get beat up by a kid, I'll never live it down...
Thinking this, Jiraiya shoved Minato back with both arms, then lunged forward, throwing a punch at Minato!
Because of the height difference, Minato had jumped to throw his punch. After being shoved back, he had just landed when Jiraiya's fist came flying down.
In that split second, Minato leaned back sharply. As his knees hit the ground, he summoned six shuriken in his hands and threw them straight at Jiraiya's face!
Fast reaction!
Jiraiya was about to lean back to dodge, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Minato's next move—while throwing the shuriken, Minato dropped to the ground, bent his leg, and kicked upward... aiming right for Jiraiya's crotch!
Jiraiya felt a chill go down his spine and screamed.
"Chotto... HEY HEY HEY!!"