"We haven't set a wedding date yet. Tsunade's Medical Reform is at a critical stage, and I don't want to distract her now.
"We'll set a date in a few years, once the Medical Reform succeeds. You must all come have a few drinks with us then," Dan Katō said.
Fugaku caught a fleeting sadness in Jiraiya's eyes. Even someone who seemed so carefree had a sensitive side.
The moment Jiraiya chose a life of wandering, this outcome had been inevitable. Even after Dan Katō died, he and Tsunade never got together.
Only decades later, when Tsunade became Hokage and both had seen enough of the world, did they finally make up their minds. But Jiraiya died in the Land of Rain, leaving his promise to Tsunade unfulfilled.
The four ate until the Barbecue Restaurant closed. Jiraiya and Tsunade were both drunk, and Fugaku and Dan Katō exchanged helpless smiles.
Each helped one of them home. It was late at night by the time Fugaku returned to his own house.
The Land of Fire was as warm as spring, as always. Today was the day Fugaku was to teach Minato Namikaze.
He reported to the Security Force early that morning, left Fujimoto temporarily in charge of its affairs, and went straight to the place where he had agreed to meet Minato.
Minato had arrived early and was practicing throwing kunai in the Forest. His various techniques were already looking polished.
He still could not manage eight kunai, but he could make four collide and strike their targets accurately.
Fugaku watched for a while from a nearby tree and nodded to himself. The future Fourth Hokage truly was talented. Few people in Konoha could match his natural gifts, and he worked harder than most Ninja.
With talent, diligence, and a good