Give Me a Bottle of Bai

Hyuga Shinichi patted Namikaze Minato on the shoulder, offering encouragement.

"However, Minato, if you have the ambition to become Hokage, you must work hard. Your big brother supports you! My brother Minato has the makings of a Hokage!"

He then looked toward Nawaki, raised an eyebrow, and said with a smile.

"Nawaki, don't be unconvinced. Minato's talent and strength are truly impressive, even surpassing my own. If you want to beat me, you'll have to put in more effort, hahahaha."

"Damn it! Shinichi, you just wait! When I get back, I'm going to ask Orochimaru-sensei for special training! I'll definitely beat you next time!!"

Seeing this, Hizashi Hyuga began to laugh as well.

"Alright, alright, you are all very outstanding. No one can say for sure what the future holds; perhaps one day, both of you will become Hokage."

Hyuga Hiashi spoke up at this moment as well.

"It seems we've been soaking for quite a while. Hizashi, it's time to head back; we have to study family management tonight."

"Yes, it has been a while. We'll be taking our leave then. Shinichi, remember to come back and visit the clan when you have time. Those kids are always clamoring to see their big brother Shinichi."

"I will, I'll come back to visit. Goodbye, Brother Hiashi and Brother Hizashi."

"Goodbye." X2

Hyuga Shinichi watched their retreating figures, a sense of sentimentality rising in his heart.

He recalled the days of his childhood playing with Brother Hiashi and Brother Hizashi. Back then, everyone was simple, without so much responsibility or pressure.

Now, both brothers were ten years old, and it was time for them to learn how to manage the clan, each needing to shoulder the future of the Hyuga Clan.

Hyuga Shinichi lay quietly against the edge of the hot spring, a strange melancholy welling up inside him. He called the male attendant over and asked for a bottle of white liquor.

However, since Hyuga Shinichi was a minor and not permitted to drink alcohol, the attendant could only offer an apologetic smile before handing him a bottle of milk as a substitute.

Hyuga Shinichi was not disappointed or angry that he hadn't received sake.

In his past life, he didn't drink either; in truth, he didn't care what he was drinking. He only wanted something to fill the void of melancholy in his heart.

Hyuga Shinichi twisted off the cap and, without hesitation, downed the entire bottle of milk.

Gulp, gulp~

"Ah! Sigh, life! Is this the trouble of growing up?"

Just as Hyuga Shinichi was getting emotional, Nawaki spoke up, speechless.

"Hey! Shinichi, what are you being all melancholy about? You're only seven, what could you possibly understand?"

"Sigh, Nawaki, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. When you reach my age, you'll get it."

"Ha?! I'm two years older than you! Don't tell me I'm going to turn back into a child!"

Listening to the conversation between Hyuga Shinichi and Nawaki, Namikaze Minato wore a helpless smile. The brother he had chosen for himself really did like to act strange.

After a while, the male attendant knocked and entered, crouching down to speak to Hyuga Shinichi, who was leaning against the edge.

"Guest, your two elders have finished soaking and are preparing to leave shortly. They asked me to come and check on how you all are doing."

"Oh, sorry for the trouble. We have been soaking for a bit too long. Nawaki, Minato, do you want to keep soaking?"

"Let's go. We've been in too long, I'm starting to feel a bit dizzy. Don't you think so, Minato? Hm? Where's Minato?"

Nawaki and Hyuga Shinichi, who was also feeling a bit lightheaded, exchanged a glance.

"Oh crap! Minato!" X2

Hyuga Shinichi and Nawaki worked together to fish out Namikaze Minato, who had fainted and slipped under the water. Fortunately, he hadn't choked on any water; he had simply passed out from the heat.

Before long, Namikaze Minato woke up. Opening his eyes, he saw the anxious faces of Hyuga Shinichi and Nawaki.

"Brother Shinichi, Brother Nawaki, what's wrong?"

"Phew, you kid, really. If you couldn't take it, you should have said something. You passed out from the heat."

"Haha, I didn't want to ruin your fun."

"Sigh, what kind of relationship do we have? You don't need to worry about us like that, understand?"

"Okay, Brother Shinichi, I understand."

Once Namikaze Minato had regained his strength, the three of them dried off, wrapped themselves in towels, and headed to the changing room to put on the clean clothes they had brought.

Namikaze Minato changed into one of Hyuga Shinichi's older, smaller green robes. It was still a bit loose on him, but it was very comfortable to wear.

Hyuga Shinichi's clothes were almost all of this style—green robes. He would buy the fabric himself, draw the patterns, and have them custom-made by a tailor.

(Since the author's level is currently too low to use illustrations, the general look of the clothes will be posted in the comments section.)

Dressed, the three of them gathered their belongings and went to the lobby, finding Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade waiting for them on the benches.

Upon learning that they had been delayed because Namikaze Minato had passed out from the heat, Uzumaki Mito scolded Hyuga Shinichi and Nawaki.

"You two are supposed to be the older brothers, yet you didn't even notice when Minato passed out..."

The two stood at attention, accepting Uzumaki Mito's lecture.

Not wanting his two brothers to be scolded any further, Namikaze Minato stepped forward to interrupt Uzumaki Mito.

"Mito, I'm fine. It's my fault for not reminding Brother Shinichi and Brother Nawaki in time."

"Hmph, if it weren't for Minato speaking up for you two, I wouldn't have let you off so easily. Don't be so careless next time, do you understand?"

"Yes, Grandma!" X2

The two finished speaking and eagerly stepped forward to help Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade carry their belongings.

Tsunade, who had originally intended to lecture the two as well, saw this and had no choice but to swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

In truth, Tsunade's own situation wasn't much better; she recalled how she had been too indulgent because the bath felt so good earlier, only to end up being lectured by her grandmother.

She had been told that a young lady should be dignified and reserved, and that she needed to have a lady-like demeanor—oh my, Grandma really is a nag! Why do people become so preachy once they reach a certain age?

After everyone carefully checked to ensure nothing had been left behind, they waved goodbye to Shanxi, who had come out to see them off, and the family stepped out of the Bathhouse together.

Namikaze Minato naturally followed us as we returned to the Senju compound.

At this moment, it was already quite late, and since the Bathhouse was a long distance from Namikaze Minato's home, it was decided that he would spend the night at the Senju compound.

For the period that followed, since Hyuga Shinichi was on leave, he took on the responsibility of leading Namikaze Minato's training.

Of course, whenever Jiraiya had any spare time, he would also come over to provide guidance; after all, Jiraiya was Namikaze Minato's master, while Hyuga Shinichi assisted his younger brother in the capacity of an older brother.

As for Nawaki, he had actually gone off to seek special training from Orochimaru, and no one had seen him for quite some time.

It is worth mentioning that ever since Namikaze Minato mastered the Shadow Clone Technique, he fully utilized the characteristic of having the clones return their memories and experience upon dispelling, which caused his own training progress to advance by leaps and bounds.

In this way, Namikaze Minato worked hard every day, his strength growing with each passing day, and his speed of improvement left both Hyuga Shinichi and Jiraiya feeling astonished.

ps: Please provide free "Power of Love" support, and everyone please leave plenty of comments, thank you all.