Toji fell into thought, reviewing his plan to figure out exactly where things had gone off course.
He had brought in the Uzushio Exchange Students specifically for Kushina Uzumaki, both to bring about the reincarnation of Asura's chakra and to prompt Mito to consider passing on the Nine-Tails sooner.
To make it happen, he had even introduced the study partner system, with the goal of bringing Kushina and Minato together.
But...
What was going on here?
In the image reflected in the crystal ball, the person beside Kushina was not Minato, but Maki. The two were strolling along Commercial Street, and Kushina practically had stars in her eyes.
Toji immediately summoned Uchiha Ayano and asked her how the exchange student policies had actually been implemented.
"You've been busy with official duties these past few days, Lord Hokage, so I didn't disturb you. Uzushiogakure accepted the study partner system, but stipulated that study partners had to be the same sex. I agreed."
"Lady Maki was also very interested in the system and volunteered to be Kushina Uzumaki's study partner."
"...That's how it happened."
Toji propped his chin on both hands, realizing the fault lay with him.
He had never specifically stated that study partners had to be of opposite sexes. He had simply assumed that once Kushina came to Konoha, her destiny would inevitably intersect with Minato's. In the end, his own daughter had disrupted his arrangements.
Still, it was no great problem.
Toji reassured himself that the opening stages had merely been slowed down.
According to his memories, Kushina's initial impression of Minato had not been good. Their relationship would only undergo a substantial change after they graduated from the Ninja Academy and experienced the kidnapping incident involving Kumogakure.
There would still be plenty of opportunities to bring them together.