Standing in the doorway, Yūhi Shinku waved his handkerchief as he watched his darling daughter being led away by that evil Minazuki brat, powerless to turn things around.
"Damn it! Hatake Sakumo!"
At the thought of his precious little girl being tricked away, Yūhi Shinku stormed toward the Hatake Clan's home.
Meanwhile, Yuzuru had brought Kurenai Yuhi into the forest around the training grounds, and the two arrived beside a stream.
"Yuzuru, are we practicing Water Walking again today?"
"Of course. Chakra control is very important, and..."
"Oh? I didn't expect anyone to be here already."
Before he could finish, Yuzuru and Kurenai saw a blond man leading... huh? Kakashi, and Guy!
"Xiao Xian, Kurenai? What are you two... oh~"
After a brief moment of surprise, Kakashi seemed to realize something, his gaze darting back and forth between them.
Guy was as energetic as ever, looking proudly at Yuzuru. "Yuzuru, I didn't let you down. I successfully persuaded Kakashi. He finally understands the importance of youth, and he'll definitely work harder from now on."
At those words, Kakashi's gaze grew even calmer as he looked at Yuzuru.
With that look and that attitude, Yuzuru could tell without using his brain that Kakashi was plotting something huge.
Still, with Guy around, Yuzuru didn't think Kakashi would have time to bother with him. Escaping Guy's pestering alone would take everything Kakashi had.
"Oh, so you're the little brother Kakashi keeps praising. And Uncle Shinku's daughter, too. Your name is Kurenai, if I remember correctly?"
"Yes."
Kurenai nodded obediently.
"My name is Minato Namikaze. I'm Kakashi's Jonin instructor."
Just as expected: blond hair, a sunny smile, and Kakashi in tow. Who else could it be but Minato?
"Nice to meet you, Jonin Minato."
Yuzuru greeted him politely.
"By the way, are you two practicing Ninjutsu?"
Minato looked at Yuzuru and Kurenai as he asked.
"We're not at that stage yet. We're just building a foundation."
Yuzuru shook his head lightly.
"I see. In that case, I won't disturb you two."
With that, Minato was about to take Kakashi and Guy away when a red-haired woman whose chakra seethed with ferocity arrived.
"Kushina? How did you get out?"
The sight of the red-haired woman sent Minato into a panic as well. After all, Kushina had only recently become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and he was truly afraid something might happen to her.
"I tied up the Anbu and snuck out."
Kushina smiled, then patted her stomach. "Stinking fox, quiet down!"
Yuzuru: ...
Great. That's very Kushina.
Just then, several Anbu arrived.
"Kushina, go back immediately."
"You're so annoying. I didn't leave the village. I only came to see Minato."
Kushina's hair immediately stood on end.
"Kushina, be good and listen. I'm going to create a new Ninjutsu, and it might be dangerous. It wouldn't be good if you got hurt."
Minato looked at Kushina dotingly and smoothed down her hair.
"But it's so boring being there alone."
Kushina spoke pitifully.
Hearing that, Yuzuru realized it too. At this point in time, Minato was developing the Rasengan.
Hmm, by the looks of it, my Rasengan could provide some greater value.
Looking into Shin Kuna's eyes, Minato finally gave in and turned an apologetic look toward Kakashi and Guy.
"Sorry. I promised to train with you and give you some pointers while I was at it."
"It's all right, Minato-sensei."
Kakashi shook his head in understanding.
Guy struck his signature pose. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Kakashi at all times!"
Kakashi's little face instantly fell beneath his mask, and he glanced at Guy beside him, whose attention was temporarily elsewhere.
Watching Minato prepare to take Kushina on a date, Yuzuru was just about to resume Kurenai's special training when Kakashi suddenly called out to him.
"Yuzuru, the Ninjutsu Minato-sensei wants to create has some similarities to your Rasengan."
"Rasengan?"
Hearing that, Minato immediately turned around and looked at Yuzuru.
"Could you let me see it?"
For some reason, when he heard the Ninjutsu's name, Minato's heart gave an involuntary leap, as though this was the very Ninjutsu he wanted to create.
Still a kid, after all. No filter.
Yuzuru glanced at Kakashi and sighed inwardly.
Although he wasn't afraid of exposing the Rasengan-after all, his father was Hatake Sakumo, and his background was clean-revealing too much would attract certain disgusting people.
As for worrying about someone playing dirty tricks? That was entirely unnecessary.
He had a formidable dad, a genius older brother, an Ice Release bloodline, and the Third's tacit approval.
Simply put, he was the hope of Konoha's future Ice Release clan.
As long as the older men in his family stayed alive, his standing in Konoha was impeccable.
As for wanting to take his own life later? With Yuzuru around, he would have to stay alive and well!
"Let's wait until this afternoon. I'll be home on time. Jonin Minato, you should go keep the pretty lady beside you company first."
Yuzuru didn't refuse, but chose another time instead.
Hearing this pretty little boy call her a pretty lady, Kushina happily narrowed her eyes.
"All right."
Minato nodded without insisting and took Kushina on their date.
After watching him leave, Yuzuru formed a small ice cube in his hand and lightly flicked it at Kakashi's forehead.
Unfortunately, his forehead protector blocked it.
"Kakashi, a ninja's Ninjutsu is their secret. You just announced it in front of all those people?"
"Oh, that. Minato-sensei has been worrying about his new Ninjutsu lately. I only thought of your Rasengan today, after hearing his idea for it."
"Don't let it happen again."
Yuzuru rolled his eyes at him.
"Yeah. Well, I'll get going too. I won't disturb you and Kurenai."
With that, Kakashi vanished with a pop.
"Huh? Kakashi? When did he leave? That was just a clone? As expected of my closest friend and lifelong rival, fooling me so easily."
Yuzuru: ...
"Sorry for the trouble, Guy!"
"Oh! Leave it to me! I'll make Kakashi's youth burst into blazing flames. Burn, youth!"
With that, Guy ran off in a certain direction.
Watching him leave, Yuzuru couldn't help rubbing his chin.
"Is this some strange sort of bond? He can even guess which route Kakashi took to escape?"
Kurenai suddenly stepped in front of Yuzuru, her ruby-like eyes fixed on him.
"What's wrong?"
Looking at Kurenai, Yuzuru reached out and gently pinched her little cheek, his voice tender.
"Mm, nothing. Let's start training."
Kurenai's pretty face flushed slightly, and she immediately took off her shoes, stepped into the water, and began practicing Water Walking.
Yuzuru chuckled softly, then sat nearby, continually pointing out where Kurenai needed improvement.
Meanwhile, Kakashi, who had fled home, couldn't help rolling his eyes at Yuzuru's Shadow Clone in the courtyard.
Ever since Yuzuru had learned the Shadow Clone technique, their home had been very cool indeed. Every day, the courtyard was full of ice cubes, all byproducts of Yuzuru's Ice Release practice.
Kakashi didn't idle around either. He resumed practicing the Rasengan; he, too, wanted to master this Ninjutsu as soon as possible.