What do you think of Konoha now?

Upon hearing Minato's words, Tokiju pointed at himself and asked with a blank expression, "Ah, me? Attending the Ninja Academy? Isn't that a bit like bullying the kids?"

Minato shook his head immediately upon hearing this, "Not at all. You're only going there to learn the basic fundamentals of being a ninja; you just need to keep a low profile while at school."

"Besides, for someone from a family like yours... er..."

Minato had intended to say "a clan descendant," but upon remembering the drunken Tsunade currently sprawled on his sofa, he quickly cut himself off.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat and changed his phrasing, "Besides, although your mental age is quite high, you clearly missed out on a childhood. Why not take this chance to experience school life?"

"Furthermore, the Third Ninja World War has just ended, and a long period of peace is ahead. You can take this time to make more friends and make up for the childhood you missed."

Tokiju rolled his eyes silently. He couldn't exactly say, Your precious student Obito will return next October to unleash the Nine-Tails and kill both you and your wife.

Minato, unaware of Tokiju's internal monologue, asked sincerely, "What do you think of my proposal?"

The main reason Minato made this suggestion was that his trust in Tokiju was currently very low.

Think about it: a person who had been missing for twenty years suddenly reappears, looking exactly the same as they did before they vanished—anyone would be suspicious.

By placing Tokiju in the Ninja Academy and arranging for his peers to interact with him, he could surely foster bonds of friendship. Only then could he develop a better sense of belonging to Konoha.

Moreover, placing him among a large group of students would make it easier to discern the true nature of Tokiju's character.

Tokiju was noncommittal toward Minato's words, instead wondering who might be at the Ninja Academy during this time period.

But after thinking for a long while, he still couldn't pinpoint any specific characters from the series.

Besides, the original timeline of the series was already quite messy.

Furthermore, Tokiju had been transmigrated for twenty or thirty years; he had long since forgotten the details leading up to the main plot.

The only things he still had some impression of were the Nine-Tails Rebellion and the Uchiha Clan Downfall.

Although he might not meet any major characters by enrolling, this was a request from the Fourth Hokage, Minato, so he had no choice but to agree.

He knew that in the eyes of the village leadership, his current level of trustworthiness was extremely low.

He didn't possess invincible strength right now, so he naturally had to keep a low profile when necessary.

Thus, Tokiju nodded and said, "Since the Fourth Hokage has said so, I naturally won't refuse."

"Oh, by the way, when does the Ninja Academy start next year?"

Minato replied, "It's February 1st of next year."

Tokiju nodded and said, "Understood. I will report to the Ninja Academy when the time comes."

Hearing Tokiju's response, Minato smiled slightly and continued, "Tokiju, what is your take on the current Konoha?"

Tokiju rolled his eyes instantly. I've barely been back for a day, what kind of take could I possibly have? I'm just sitting here!

Although he thought this, he couldn't say it out loud.

After a moment of contemplation, Tokiju said, "I don't know what Konoha is like now, but I know it is the village my great-grandfather founded. No matter what, I will protect this place."

"After all, this is the only place I call home—the place I will always return to, no matter where I go."

"Is that so..." Minato was very satisfied with this answer.

At the same time, he felt a surge of goodwill toward the youth before him, who was older than him in age but appeared younger in appearance.

Just then, Shizune finished washing the dishes and walked out.

Minato was the first to react and asked, "Oh, Shizune, is something the matter?"

Shizune waved her hands quickly and said, "No, no, please continue. I won't disturb you."

Minato smiled and said, "Actually, we've finished our talk. Why don't you tell us what you need?"

Shizune patted her chest and said, "Well, it's like this: I see it's getting late, and since Lady Tsunade is drunk, I thought it was time for us to take our leave."

Minato nodded and said to Shizune, "I see. It is indeed quite late. You two should go get some rest."

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

Tokiju nodded immediately and said, "Of course, Shizune-jie. Also, you don't need to call me 'Lord'; just call me Tokiju."

In truth, Tokiju felt quite awkward being addressed as "Lord."

After responding to Shizune, Tokiju bowed to Minato and said, "Fourth Hokage, thank you for your hospitality today. We shall take our leave now."

With that, Tokiju left to help support his older sister.

At the entrance of Minato's Residence, Tokiju and Shizune stood on either side, supporting the dead-drunk Tsunade between them.

Uzumaki Miku and Uchiha Hikari stood behind them, bidding farewell to Minato and his wife, who had come to see them off.

"Little Miku, you must come visit me often, and you too, little Hikari." Kushina held Uzumaki Miku's hands, her tone filled with reluctance.

After spending time together, Kushina had built a good relationship with Uzumaki Miku, and they had already begun referring to each other as sisters.

Seeing this, Minato helplessly rubbed his forehead and urged, "Alright, Kushina, it's getting late. Don't keep them any longer."

Hearing this, Kushina had no choice but to let go of Uzumaki Miku's hands, knowing the awkwardness of her own position.

Therefore, she could only wave her hand helplessly and say, "Then, little Miku, we'll see each other again when we have the chance."

Uzumaki Miku nodded and said, "Alright, Kushina-nee... sister, see you next time."

She still felt a bit awkward with the term "sister," mostly because she had lived through such hardship for so long that encountering someone who treated her well made her feel instinctively reserved.

Seeing this, Kushina nodded happily before looking at Uchiha Hikari and saying, "You too, Hikari, see you next time."

Uchiha Hikari raised her hand to wave as well, saying, "Alright, goodbye, sister Kushina."

She didn't have any particular feelings about the term "sister," after all, she had only been a little over ten years old before she was sealed.

Moreover, she quite enjoyed this peaceful and harmonious atmosphere; today's experience had made her feel very happy.

Watching them walk away, Kushina asked Minato, "Hey, Minato, can I visit the Senju compound occasionally?"

Regarding his wife's question, Minato frowned and pondered for a moment before nodding. "Occasionally is fine, and the Senju compound is already within your range of activity anyway."

"Really? Thank you!"

Upon hearing this, Kushina immediately hugged Minato happily and planted a loud "smack" on his cheek.