"So the key to victory lies both within Konoha and on the battlefield?"
Listening to Namikawa Yū, Namikaze Minato grew thoughtful, seemingly gaining many new insights into the current situation.
With his questions answered, the once-hazy circumstances seemed to become clear, bringing the whole situation into focus.
"A very interesting analysis."
He smiled and said, "You have a real talent for this. If possible, I'd like to hear more of your opinions after we return."
This was, in a sense, a declaration of his stance: he hoped to grow closer to Namikawa Yū.
Given his current position, this undoubtedly carried certain underlying implications.
"It would be my honor."
Namikawa Yū responded to Namikaze Minato's invitation with a smile. "In fact, I've always wanted to improve my ninjutsu."
"If possible, I have a presumptuous request. Would you be willing to teach me ninjutsu for a while, Mr. Minato?"
His expression was earnest and respectful. "If possible, I'd like to become your student, Mr. Minato."
"That has always been my dream."
For Namikawa Yū, this was actually one of his main objectives.
At present, Namikaze Minato could be considered the most promising investment in Konoha.
On the surface, he was merely a Jonin. Although his battlefield performance had earned him tremendous prestige, he did not seem all that different from Konoha's White Fang in the past.
Other Jonin certainly differed from him, but it was not as though a qualitative gulf separated them.
This stage was also the best time to invest in him.
This was essentially the last opportunity to become his student, too.
Once he took that final step and truly became Konoha's Fourth Hokage, becoming his disciple would undoubtedly be much harder. One could even say that under normal circumstances, it would be impossible.
Once someone reached that position, every move he made would take on a different meaning.
Being an ordinary Jonin's student and being the Hokage's student represented entirely different things.
This was also why Namikawa Yū had acted out of character and deliberately displayed his abilities in front of him.
Showing his abilities before Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others could certainly make them see him in a new light, but it would bring few benefits and might even invite enormous risks.
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi had the Pot Kage, Danzo, at his side.
If he carelessly caught that man's attention, it would be troublesome as well.
Of course, he was not afraid.
But Namikawa Yū had no desire to do something that offered no benefit.
With Namikaze Minato before him, however, the situation was different.
In terms of position, he was the future Hokage, yet he currently had little in the way of his own team. As long as Namikawa Yū earned his trust, there would be plenty of benefits in the future.
As for his character, little needed to be said. He was likewise worthy of trust.
There might not be any major problems with Hiruzen Sarutobi's character, but unfortunately, he had a friend who was the Pot Kage, which immediately made him a less worthwhile investment.
Even in terms of earning reincarnation points, getting close to Minato was a good choice.
After all, as the Fourth Hokage and the future father of the Child of Destiny, he accounted for a considerable share of destiny.
As long as Namikawa Yū could influence him even slightly, the gains would certainly be substantial.
"You want to become my student?"
Listening to Namikawa Yū, Namikaze Minato pondered for a moment before nodding. "That sounds good."
"My strength may be nothing special, but I do have some confidence in my ninjutsu."
His smile was warm. "If you feel comfortable with it, Yū, let me teach you."
Just as Namikawa Yū had high expectations for Namikaze Minato, Minato also had high expectations for Namikawa Yū.
In his eyes, Namikawa Yū's skillful Medical Ninjutsu demonstrated that he also possessed outstanding talent as a ninja.
His strategic insight was likewise an exceptionally fine quality.
Someone like him was destined to have a bright future.
Taking him as a student now would also bring Minato considerable benefits.
Moreover, at present, this was one of the few cards he had to play.
Although Namikaze Minato was a hero of Konoha, the renowned Yellow Flash, and enjoyed great prestige among Konoha Ninja, that was how things stood.
In reality, he currently had very little to offer.
After all, a title like "hero of Konoha" might sound impressive, but in practice, it was merely a title.
When it came to tangible benefits he could offer, there truly were not many.
At a time like this, bringing subordinates into his fold as students was also a good choice.
After all, in this world, the bond between teacher and student was the strongest of all.
As long as Namikawa Yū became his student, he would be destined to be in the same boat as him in the future.
Ultimately, his goal was to become Hokage.
To become Hokage, sufficient personal strength alone was not enough. One also needed a group of subordinates who supported them.
In this respect, Namikaze Minato was undoubtedly lacking.
Throughout Konoha, there were probably few people who firmly supported him now apart from his wife, Uzumaki Kushina, his teacher, Jiraiya, and his disciple, Kakashi.
Under these circumstances, Namikawa Yū's addition was a welcome reinforcement for him as well.
"Yū, what do you think of the current situation within Konoha?"
Now that their relationship had grown closer, Namikaze Minato pondered for a moment before continuing to ask his opinion. "I mean, the race to become Hokage..."
Before his new disciple, Namikawa Yū, he did not conceal his desire to become Hokage.
Of course, there was really nothing worth concealing about it.
Becoming Hokage was a dream shared by many Konoha Ninja, and there was nothing to hide.
No matter whom he faced, Namikaze Minato disdained hiding this.
"The race to become Hokage may seem lively, but in the end, only two people are qualified to compete."
Namikawa Yū thought for a moment before speaking. "One of them is you, Minato-sensei."
"As for the other..."
"It's Lord Orochimaru..."
Before Namikawa Yū could speak, Namikaze Minato supplied the answer first.
Clearly, he had also considered this question in private, giving his answer now without hesitation.
"Yes."
Namikawa Yū nodded.
The selection of the Fourth Hokage happened to fall at a critical juncture.
At this juncture, there seemed to be many people qualified to run for Fourth Hokage, but in reality, they had all been ruled out.
Jiraiya was qualified to run, but his ambitions lay elsewhere.
Tsunade had both the qualifications and the seniority-everything one could ask for. It could be said that if she were willing to run, no one could compete with her.
Yet she suffered from sepsis and was currently at a low point in her life, with no desire to pursue it herself.
Kakashi's father, Konoha's White Fang, would have been qualified to contend had he not died.
But he had taken his own life.
Others, such as Shimura Danzō, had both the seniority and the desire, but ultimately could not be presented as respectable candidates.
At present, the only two who wanted to compete and also had the qualifications to run were Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato.