Minato Namikaze

As the days passed, the oppressive atmosphere of war grew heavier and heavier.

More and more ninja were being sent to the Land of Rain. Rumor had it that they were seeking permission to pass through from Hanzō the Salamander.

Kawafune merely shook his head at those rumors. The Third Hokage was truly getting old.

He was actually capable of doing something so absurd.

Hanzō the Salamander was no fool. If a massive force of Konoha ninja crossed his territory, the Land of Rain might as well change its name.

It was already set in stone that this war would erupt in the Land of Rain.

But as long as the war had not officially begun, it would not affect him.

Kawafune continued to enjoy himself every day, teaching Nawaki after his return from Orochimaru.

He flirted with Tsunade and irritated Sakumo from time to time. Life was quite pleasant.

His Sage Art training had also been put on the agenda. Once the hospital was finished, he planned to spend some time in Shikkotsu Forest.

That day, Kawafune was sitting at a stone table in the Training Hall, sipping tea.

With construction on the hospital underway, Tsunade was far busier than he, the hands-off investor, was.

Nawaki was practicing Sword Art in the middle of the hall. After all this time, his strength had improved steadily.

Ordinary Genin were no longer his match, and he could even hold his own against Chunin.

It was just that Kawafune had been beating him rather badly lately. If not for his good sister, he would probably need a week of rest after every training session.

At that moment, the butler brought over two children. One had long red hair falling to her shoulders—Kushina Uzumaki.

The other had short golden hair. Who else could he be but Minato Namikaze?

Kawafune had not expected Kushina to really bring Minato over.

He took a sip of tea, smiling broadly as he remained seated.

Seeing the famed Fourth Hokage from the original story still as a child gave him a strange feeling that only he could understand.

"Big Brother Kawafune, I brought my friend."

Kushina approached Kawafune with a happy smile, though she did not sit down.

Minato Namikaze looked at the silver-haired man watching him and felt a little nervous. After all, he had come to ask to become his disciple.

It would be quite embarrassing if the man did not think him worthy.

"Greetings, Lord Kawafune. I am Minato Namikaze."

"I came today in hopes of receiving your guidance."

Ten-year-old Minato was truly adorable. He had not given up on himself despite losing both parents. Kawafune could sense his longing for love.

"Big Brother Kawafune, Minato graduated today. He's only ten!"

Seeing that Kawafune was only smiling without speaking, Kushina began putting in a good word for Minato.

Everything she said meant the same thing: Minato was a genius.

"Oh? Then when will you graduate, Kushina?"

Kawafune reached out and stroked her red hair. Kushina showed no impatience at all.

Minato had never seen Kushina this obedient. He himself did not even dare touch her hair.

Lord Kawafune really was incredible.

If Kawafune knew that simply touching her hair made Minato think he was impressive, he would definitely mock how incredible lovestruck fools could be.

"Hmph! I usually spend all my study time on Sealing Jutsu. Otherwise, I would have graduated too."

Kushina was stating the truth, though she sounded a little indignant.

With Minato graduating, she would have no friends left at school.

"Kushina, I'll always come keep you company whenever I have time."

Minato understood exactly what Kushina meant. He was a total sweetheart, so it was no wonder Kushina was so infatuated with him.

Two children lacking love were drawn to each other, warming each other. I, Hatake Kawafune, am absolutely shipping this couple.

"Minato Namikaze, right?"

Kawafune put on a serious expression. He looked rather imposing, at least enough to put considerable pressure on the young Minato.

"Yes."

"I'll take you as my disciple. Hahaha!"

Kawafune acted like a madman. One second he was completely stern, and the next he burst out laughing.

There was no need for any test. Minato was a genius.

"That's wonderful! Minato, hurry and call him Teacher."

Kushina knew how capable Kawafune was. His Sword Art and Flying Thunder God were both abilities she could only look up to.

She quickly ran to Minato's side and pressed down the head of the still-dazed Minato, making him bow.

"All right, all right. I don't care about such formalities."

Kawafune waved his hand and stopped Kushina.

"Minato, do you live by yourself?"

"Yes, Teacher. I'm an orphan."

Minato's expression did not change as he said it. He had long grown used to it. Now, he was like a little sun.

"Move into my home from now on. You'll have a new family."

Kawafune stood and walked over to Minato, ruffling his golden hair.

Minato felt a warmth he had never experienced before, and for some reason, his nose stung.

"Yes, Teacher."

He raised a hand to wipe the corner of his eye. From today onward, Minato Namikaze had a family again.

"Big Brother Kawafune, can I come over to play often from now on?"

Kushina did not have the shy, reserved manner of a little girl. Kawafune liked that personality very much.

"Of course. I'll have Minato wait for you at home every day."

With one sentence, Kawafune made both children blush bright red.

"I'm going to find Big Brother Nawaki."

Blushing, Kushina ran off to find Nawaki, leaving Minato alone before Kawafune.

"What can you do now?"

Kawafune planned to get a sense of Minato's current abilities, then mold him into something even more formidable with his own hands.

"The Three Basic Jutsu, some Wind Release and Water Release, and I've trained in taijutsu too."

Minato answered Kawafune's question earnestly, looking every bit like a well-behaved child.

No one would ever guess that after growing up, he would actually enjoy Jiraiya's novels.

Or that he would pass that habit on to Kakashi.

"I see. Then I'll give you a test."

Kawafune said seriously.

"Please give your instructions, Teacher."

Minato Namikaze believed that every teacher only accepted students who passed their tests. Only now did this finally feel normal.

That rascal Kawafune draped an arm over Minato's shoulder and bent down until he was about the same height.

"Do you like Kushina?"

"Ah? What does that have to do with the test?"

Minato was a little stunned. His teacher was actually asking such a private question.

"Of course it does."

Kawafune felt no pain whatsoever in his heart as he deceived the little sun.

"I do."

Minato answered decisively.

"If you like her, then tell her. If you don't say it, how will she know you like her?"

Kawafune began egging Minato on to confess to Kushina.

"Th-That doesn't seem right."

Minato hesitated. What kind of test was this?

"This is a test of your courage."

"A disciple of Hatake Kawafune must be someone with courage."

"Are you?"

Kawafune unleashed his PUA technique, making Minato's blood boil.

"I am!"

Minato was still young, after all. He craned his neck and shouted loudly, drawing the attention of both Nawaki and Kushina.

"Then go confess. You're a brave child."

Kawafune stood up and even gave Minato a push.

He watched Minato walk step by determined step toward Kushina.

Kawafune folded his arms, wearing an expression of someone watching a good show.

What a fine teacher he was—watching drama unfold in the love life of his own ten-year-old disciple. There was truly no one else like him.

By the time Minato reached Kushina, his face was already bright red.

"Minato, what's wrong?"

Kushina even touched his forehead in concern.

Nawaki watched from the side, thinking, Are these little brats really showing off their affection right in front of me?

Don't single people have rights too?