You Will Regret It

Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at Danzo Shimura and said sternly, "Don't even think about it. Even if I agreed, Lady Mito would never consent. You are not to bring this up again."

Danzo Shimura frowned, knowing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was using Uzumaki Mito to threaten him.

Uzumaki Mito possessed Kage-level strength in her own right. Although not a perfect jinchuriki, she could control the Nine-Tails' chakra, and her true combat power surpassed even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who styled himself the strongest Hokage. Naturally, Danzo Shimura dared not offend Uzumaki Mito.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, picked up a document, and began to review it, effectively dismissing Danzo Shimura. "Danzo, you may go. I still have official business to attend to."

Danzo Shimura felt a surge of irritation at this, but knowing there was nothing to be done, he prepared to push the door open and leave. Before departing, however, he habitually threw out a harsh parting shot:

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi replied coldly, not even looking up from his work.

Fuming with frustration, Danzo Shimura slammed the door as he left the office.

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only sigh helplessly.

Sometimes, he truly didn't know what to do with his dear old... friend.

In the Ninja Academy, Kato Taka was still lecturing at the podium. Senju Genma sat upright in his seat, appearing to listen intently, though he was actually daydreaming.

He had already mastered the knowledge taught at the academy, having received private instruction from Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade within his clan.

There were many others in the classroom who were just as distracted as he was.

For these children of great clans, attending school was merely a formality to comply with the policies enacted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The training provided by ninja clans was far superior to what commoners could access; their starting points were simply different.

Just as Senju Genma was fantasizing about punching Madara Uchiha and straddling Kaguya Otsutsuki in the future, the teacher, Kato Taka, found the atmosphere unbearable and decided to call on a student who looked obedient to answer a question and liven up the class.

"Student Genma, please answer: what is the main subject of our Ethics and Morality lesson today?"

Fortunately, Senju Genma had mastered the art of multitasking in his previous life, so even while daydreaming, he had clearly heard what Kato Taka was saying.

He stood up, cleared his throat, and replied, "This lesson primarily covers the Will of Fire: wherever the leaves of the tree dance, fire shall burn. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village and allow the new leaves to sprout."

Kato Taka smiled.

He hadn't misjudged him; Senju Genma was a good kid!

"Very good! Now, can you tell everyone what that means? Just express it in your own words."

Senju Genma continued, "The Will of Fire is about inheritance. The youth are the hope of the future. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless; rather, they inspire the youth to become the pillars that will carry the future."

Kato Taka immediately said, "Your answer is excellent! You may sit down. Student Genma, you get 10 extra points for your participation grade."

Namikaze Minato nodded in approval, agreeing with what Senju Genma had said.

Uzumaki Kushina looked at Senju Genma, finding him even more handsome and adorable, and shifted her body a little closer to him.

Watching their intimate display, Namikaze Minato felt a strange sensation in his heart.

What does it matter to me how the two of them act?

Namikaze Minato shook his head, deciding to pay them no more mind.

As the bell rang, Kato Taka coughed, closed his textbook, and announced loudly, "That is all for this lesson. This afternoon, I will teach you how to refine chakra. This is crucial for your future paths as ninjas, so do not be late or skip class. Class dismissed."

His words were directed at the commoner students; the ninja clans already possessed their own chakra refinement techniques, and it was the commoners with lower starting points who needed this instruction.

After Kato Taka left, the students began to take out the bento boxes prepared by their families.

Senju Genma and Kushina also brought out their lunch boxes, which had been prepared by Uzumaki Mito herself.

Originally, Tsunade had intended to make the bento to celebrate Genma and Kushina's first day of school, but she had been sternly refused by Genma.

He still remembered the tragic state Nawaki had been in after eating Tsunade's cooking for the first time; even Tsunade's Jonin-level medical ninjutsu hadn't been enough to heal him, and he had to be hospitalized for a long time.

As Senju Genma and Kushina were enjoying their meal, they saw Namikaze Minato walking toward them.

Senju Genma asked, "Student Minato, is something the matter?"

Namikaze Minato was slightly surprised, not expecting Senju Genma, who usually intimidated the entire class, to speak so gently and peacefully.

It must be because the other students' behavior was truly too excessive, which is why the gentle Genma-kun was so angry!

"Student Genma, there is a girl outside looking for you!"

Senju Genma slapped his forehead. No wonder he had sensed a familiar yet strange chakra; it was the girl he had locked eyes with from the school building earlier.

Watching Senju Genma's reaction, Namikaze Minato actually found him a bit cute.

If only Genma-kun were a girl.

He quickly shook his head, casting such dangerous thoughts aside.

Senju Genma smiled and said, "Thanks, Minato. Kushina, eat your lunch like a good girl, I'm going out to see who it is."

Kushina replied obediently, "I understand."

Senju Genma walked out of the classroom.

Uzumaki Kushina also stood up.

"You...?" Namikaze Minato asked, somewhat puzzled.

Wasn't she supposed to be eating properly? What was she doing now?

Kushina made a gesture for him to stay quiet, then walked to the door and pressed herself against the wall.

Kushina poked her little head out and saw a young girl with long, straight black hair standing in front of Senju Genma, her expression clearly one of shyness.

"Genma-kun, hello!" Uchiha Mikoto said in a low voice, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear with her right hand.

"Um, my name is Uchiha Mikoto."

Senju Genma laughed heartily. "Mikoto-san, is there something you need?"

As if afraid Senju Genma hadn't heard her clearly, Mikoto said cautiously, "I am an Uchiha."

Senju Genma found himself liking Mikoto even more; she had actually reminded him that she was an Uchiha—gentleness was truly carved into her very bones.

"Mikoto-san, I understand what you mean, but I just want to say that whether it's the Senju, Uzumaki, or Uchiha name, it makes no difference to me."

"Also, Mikoto-san, you really are a gentle person!"

Uchiha Mikoto twirled the tip of her hair on the left side of her cheek with her right hand, blushing as she said, "Gentle... that's too much!"

"This is for you. I'll be going now."