What Do You Think of Konoha as It Is Now?

Hearing Minato's words, Tokiju pointed at himself and asked in bewilderment, "Huh, me? Go to the Ninja Academy? Isn't that a little unfair to everyone else?"

Minato immediately shook his head. "Not at all. You'll just be learning the fundamentals of being a ninja. You only need to keep a low profile while you're there."

"And besides, someone from a family like yours... uh..."

Minato had been about to say "a clan heir," but remembered that the drunken Tsunade was still lying on his sofa and quickly cut himself off.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat and changed tack. "Besides, even though you're mature for your age, you clearly missed out on having a childhood. Why not experience school life for yourself?"

"Besides, the Third Ninja World War has only just ended. There'll be peace for a long time now, so you can use this time to make some friends and make up for the childhood you missed."

Tokiju rolled his eyes to himself. He couldn't very well tell Minato that his beloved student Obito would come back next October, release the Nine-Tails, and kill him and his wife.

Minato had no idea what Tokiju was thinking. He simply asked sincerely, "What do you think of my suggestion?"

The main reason Minato had made the suggestion was that he still trusted Tokiju very little.

Think about it: anyone would be suspicious if someone who had disappeared for twenty years suddenly showed up looking exactly as he had before.

And if Tokiju joined the Ninja Academy and Minato arranged for some of the other students his age to approach him, it would surely help him form bonds of friendship and feel more attached to Konoha.

Besides, placing him among a group of students would also make it easier to get a sense of his true character.

Tokiju didn't commit himself to Minato's suggestion. Instead, he wondered who might be attending the Ninja Academy at this point in time.

But no matter how long he thought about it, he couldn't come up with any recognizable characters from the Naruto series.

On top of that, the original Naruto timeline was already a mess.

And Tokiju had been transported to this world two or three decades ago, so he'd long since forgotten most of the details from before the main story began.

The only things he still vaguely remembered were the Nine-Tails Rebellion and the Uchiha Clan Downfall.

He might not meet any major characters by enrolling, but it was the Fourth Hokage who had suggested it, so he could only agree.

Besides, he knew that the higher-ups had very little reason to trust him right now.

He wasn't powerful enough to be invincible, so he ought to keep a low profile when necessary.

So Tokiju nodded. "If that's what the Fourth Hokage thinks, I won't refuse."

"Oh, right. When does the Ninja Academy start next year?"

Minato replied, "February first."

Tokiju nodded. "Got it. I'll report to the Ninja Academy then."

After hearing Tokiju's answer, Minato smiled and continued, "Tokiju, what do you think of Konoha as it is now?"

Tokiju rolled his eyes. I've been back for less than a day. What am I supposed to think? I haven't even had a chance to sit down and look around!

That was what he thought, but he couldn't say it out loud.

After a moment's thought, Tokiju replied, "I don't know what Konoha is like now, but I know it's the village my great-grandfather built. No matter what, I'll protect it."

"After all, it's the only place I can call home, the place I'll return to in the end, no matter where I go."

"I see..." Minato was very pleased with Tokiju's answer.

He also felt a good deal more warmly toward the boy before him, who was older than him in terms of age but looked younger.

Just then, Shizune came out after washing the dishes.

Minato was the first to react. "Oh, Shizune. Is something the matter?"

Shizune hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no. Please, carry on. I shouldn't interrupt."

Minato smiled. "We've pretty much finished talking. Let's hear what you have to say."

Shizune patted her chest. "Well, it's getting late, and Lady Tsunade has had too much to drink. I thought it was about time for us to take our leave."

Minato nodded and said to Shizune, "I see. It is rather late, so you should get some rest."

Shizune quickly called out to Tokiju. "Tokiju, could you help me support Lady Tsunade?"

Tokiju immediately nodded. "Of course, Shizune. Also, you don't have to call me 'sir.' Just call me Tokiju."

Tokiju found being called "sir" rather awkward.

After replying to Shizune, Tokiju bowed to Minato as well. "Fourth Hokage, thank you for having us. We'll take our leave now."

With that, he headed off to help support his older sister.

At the entrance to Minato's Residence, Tokiju and Shizune stood on either side of Tsunade, supporting her as she lay completely drunk between them.

Uzumaki Miku and Uchiha Hikari stood behind them, saying goodbye to Minato and his wife, who had come out to see them off.

"Miku, you have to come visit me again, okay? And you too, Hikari!" Kushina held both of Miku's hands, her voice full of reluctance.

After spending all this time together, Kushina and Miku had grown close. They were already calling each other sisters.

Seeing this, Minato rubbed his forehead helplessly and quickly urged her, "All right, Kushina. It's getting late. Don't keep them here any longer."

Kushina could only let go of Miku's hands. She knew her own position made things awkward.

So she raised a hand and waved reluctantly. "Then let's meet again sometime, Miku."

Miku nodded. "Okay, Kushina—Kushina, I'll see you next time."

She still found it a little awkward to call Kushina her sister. After having such a hard life for so long, she couldn't help feeling reserved when someone suddenly treated her so kindly.

Kushina happily nodded, then turned to Uchiha Hikari. "You too, Hikari. See you next time!"

Hikari raised a hand and waved. "Okay. Goodbye, Kushina."

She didn't feel awkward about calling Kushina her sister. After all, she had been only a little over ten years old before she was sealed away.

Besides, she really liked the peaceful, harmonious atmosphere. She'd had a wonderful time today.

Watching them leave, Kushina asked Minato, "Hey, Minato, can I visit the Senju Clan Compound now and then?"

Minato furrowed his brow and thought it over before nodding. "Going once in a while should be fine. Besides, the Senju Clan Compound is already within the area where you're allowed to go."

"Really? Thank you!"

Kushina happily threw her arms around Minato and planted a kiss on his cheek.