Minato Warmed by the Sun

"Sis, what's wrong? Feeling sick?" Nawaki asked, supporting Tsunade's arm.

"Nonsense, your big sister has a high tolerance for alcohol. What's this little bit?"

"Never mind, it's nothing. Just take me home."

For some reason, Tsunade suddenly felt an uncomfortable sensation, as if someone was trying to steal her drink.

"You really did drink too much. I'll make you some hangover soup when we get back," Kushina said with concern.

"Hehe, little Kushina is much cuter, way better than that brat Nawaki."

Tsunade nuzzled Kushina's cheek with her own, but her breath reeked of alcohol, making Kushina's small face show a hint of resistance.

"Big Sister."

Seeing Tsunade's back as she was supported by Nawaki and Kushina, Qingguang quickly walked over.

"Big Sister, was there enough sake today?"

"Ummm, barely enough, I guess. We'll continue next time," Tsunade mumbled, looking up and pouting as if she had thought about it.

Qingguang shook his head regretfully. "There won't be a next time. Uncle Shifang brought out all his stock this time."

As soon as she heard this, Tsunade instantly sobered up. "What? It's all gone?"

Clinging to Qingguang's shoulders, Tsunade shook him back and forth forcefully.

"Damn it, those old guys must have drunk too much. My good sake~"

"Hmm?"

"Little bro, why do you smell so good?"

As a medical ninja, Tsunade was very sensitive to smells. She detected a faint, pleasant scent on Qingguang.

Nawaki rolled his eyes. "Seriously, your nose is like a dog's. How can you smell anything else over all that alcohol? Qingguang was surrounded by flowers on the stage the whole time, he's practically marinated. Of course, he smells good!"

He could smell a scent too, but it wasn't the same one Tsunade was talking about.

"Really?" Tsunade tilted her head, confused.

It smelled like some kind of perfume.

Oh well, Qingguang interacted with so many people today, it was normal to accidentally pick up some scent.

Afterward, Tsunade was taken home by Nawaki and Kushina.

Qingguang, meanwhile, began organizing the cleanup after the wedding.

Fugaku, as the head of the Police Department, had naturally drunk with many people earlier. The remaining tasks would have to rely on him.

While busy, Qingguang noticed a small figure with spiky yellow hair, wearing a gray tracksuit, among the Police Department members.

"You're Minato, right?"

"Thank you, but you should head home early. We'll handle the cleanup," Qingguang said, stepping forward and patting Minato's back with a smile.

Minato turned his head and saw that the person talking to him was Qingguang, the host he had seen at the wedding earlier, the man who carried so many titles.

His expression immediately became a little nervous. "N-no, it's fine. I want to help everyone too."

"Is that so?"

"You'll definitely be a reliable ninja in the future. Then let's do it together." Qingguang raised his hand and ruffled Minato's spiky blond hair.

It was a little prickly, but being able to pat "Eternal Sister's" head made him secretly delighted.

In his past life, he had his head patted by Qing Shui countless times. Patting the original body felt like getting one back.

Together, they lifted a table and moved it aside. Along the way, Minato suddenly remembered something and asked, "How did you know my name, Senior Qingguang?"

"I heard Kushina mention you at Tsunade's house. She said you were the only one in class who wasn't that annoying."

"Uh... actually, the other classmates in class aren't that annoying either. They might just be a bit shy."

Minato explained on behalf of his classmates, but he was still secretly pleased.

"Oh, and Kushina also said you're a bit effeminate."

"Huh?" Minato froze. The joy he felt moments ago was instantly doused with a bucket of cold water.

"Is... is that so?"

"Haha, don't worry about it. Kushina's personality is a lot like Big Sister Tsunade's. She's very straightforward, so don't mind her."

"But from now on, at the Ninja Academy, if you can, please take care of that child for me. She's only been in Konoha for a few years and has almost no friends."

"She really wants to make friends with everyone, but, sigh..."

As he trailed off, Qingguang shook his head with regret.

Minato wasn't stupid. He naturally understood that there must be some unspeakable reason, or perhaps Senior Qingguang was just too bad at hiding things.

As an excellent student, Minato could already infer a lot of information.

"Don't worry. As classmates, and as comrades in the same village, I won't let anyone bully Kushina."

Faced with a request from his idol, Minato naturally wouldn't refuse. Moreover, even if Qingguang hadn't said anything, he would have done the same.

The two set down the table, and Qingguang smiled, patting Minato on the shoulder and giving him a thumbs-up. "Then it's settled. This is a promise between men."

"As a return favor, if you ever encounter any problems regarding ninjutsu in the future, you can come to me."

"Really, Senior Qingguang!"

Minato's eyes immediately lit up like stars, unable to hide his excitement.

As an orphan from a commoner family, despite being only nine years old, Minato knew very well how difficult it was for him to study in Class A of the Ninja Academy. Most of his classmates came from various ninja clans, and their families either had secret jutsu inheritances or Kekkei Genkai.

Beyond that, some also had ninjutsu inheritances.

As for him, although his theoretical grades had always been first, in practical combat tests, he only knew the basic Three Body Technique. No matter how proficient he was, he could only fight using taijutsu.

Even though he was among the top students, the first place was always held by those few individuals.

He felt unwilling, but he also clearly understood the gap between them.

Qingguang's words offered him the greatest hope at the moment.

But he suddenly saw a troubled expression on Qingguang's face, and a feeling called disappointment suddenly arose in his heart.

However, he could also understand. With so many accolades surrounding Senior Qingguang, how could he sacrifice his precious time to mentor a commoner orphan for such a small matter?

"Umm... what's your chakra nature?"

"Huh?" Minato asked, surprised.

"In the Ninja Academy, haven't you had your chakra nature tested?" Qingguang asked, frowning.

Minato shook his head. "They mentioned that chakra is divided into five attributes, but they only taught us how to throw Kunai and shuriken, along with the Three Body Technique."

"I see..." Qingguang nodded, his expression somewhat solemn.

When he was young, he was enrolled in the Ninja Academy and attended exams, but his education was personally tutored by powerful ninjas. He wasn't very clear about the curriculum taught at the school.

"How about this? From now on, every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, you can come to the Uchiha... never mind, the Police Department's training grounds. Uchiha is too far."

"Tomorrow is Sunday, you can come find me tomorrow."

Considering that Minato likely lived in the suburbs, the Police Department would be closer, so he made this decision.

"Okay! Thank you, Senior Qingguang!"

At this moment, Minato finally personally felt the warmth of the "sun." Unlike the Hokage, who hung high in the sky, unreachable.

The sunlight named "Qingguang" shone upon him, and he could feel its warmth and hope.

This kindness, no matter when, he would always remember and never forget.