Naturally, there was no objection to this arrangement. Moreover, with Kushina's abilities, graduating early was absolutely no problem at all.
Just one day earlier, Minato had applied for early graduation and effortlessly passed the exam, officially becoming a genin.
For him, passing the assessment smoothly was just the bare minimum. After all, even his future student Kakashi graduated at five, became a chunin at six, and a jonin at twelve.
His talent was originally higher than Kakashi's, and with Shin's full support and training, it was only natural that eight-year-old Minato already possessed the strength of a jonin. And this was under the condition that Shin wasn't overexerting Minato's potential.
If his potential were to be fully tapped, his strength would be even greater. But doing so would limit his future, something Shin didn't want to see happen. Of course, the strength at the jonin-level was without Minato using Sage Mode or mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Now that Minato had already mastered the senjutsu, once he activated Sage Mode, his combat power would increase by several levels, possibly reaching Kage-level. And once he mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, his strength would immediately reach high Kage-level.
"But still!" Kushina already knew what she had to do, but she bit her lower lip tightly. After a long pause, she tearfully said, "I don't want to be apart from you!"
Ever since arriving in Konoha, they had spent almost every day together. From Minato, she had received everything she longed for; company, comfort, protection, cheer, training together, going to school together, stargazing, and most importantly, he was always there when she needed him most.
So this sudden news made it impossible for her not to feel heartbroken.
"I don't want to be apart from you either," Minato said gently. "But my brother said that if I want to become stronger, I have to go to the battlefield. And he also said, a temporary separation is for a better reunion."
"Is that so? I don't believe it!" Kushina said, clearly unconvinced. "Then why is it that he is never willing to be apart from Tsunade-neesan?"
"Uh…" Minato was momentarily speechless.
So painfully true.
And even though this seemed like the two of them were parting ways, anyone with a sharp eye could tell, they would definitely still see each other from time to time.
"But we really will be able to see each other again soon," he continued to comfort her. "Let me tell you a secret even he doesn't know. After all this time training hard, I've finally begun to master the Flying Thunder God Technique. At most, in three months, I'll be able to move around as swiftly as my brother. By then, we'll never have to be apart again. We can see each other whenever we want."
"No lying! Pinky promise!" Kushina's eyes lit up and she immediately stretched out her little finger, excitedly.
"Pinky promise."
---
In a hidden room in the Uchiha clan's estate, inside Fukuyama's home, Fukuyama, Shin, and Sakumo were sitting together, enjoying tea.
"Your tea art is truly exceptional." After taking a sip, Sakumo's eyes lit up and he praised it repeatedly.
"The tea is rich and lingering, with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. The tea water is smooth and delicate, the flavor is endless, the taste is full and mellow, and the fragrance lingers in the mouth, this is truly a master-level craft. And the tea leaves and water are special too. These leaves must be from the Land of Tea, right? Probably the top-grade buds. As for the water, if I'm not mistaken, it's from the morning spring from east of the village. Great tea, great water, great skill. Absolutely awe-inspiring."
"I didn't expect you to understand tea so well." Fukuyama's voice even trembled a little.
He was genuinely moved by Sakumo's words, feeling as though he had finally met a kindred spirit, and he was almost ready to swear brotherhood on the spot. Because everything Sakumo said was absolutely right. All these years, no one had ever praised his tea-making skills so highly.
And it wasn't flattery either, Sakumo genuinely understood tea, and genuinely appreciated it. Many people couldn't appreciate tea simply because their taste buds weren't sensitive enough.
Take Shin, for example, he couldn't tell the difference between good and bad tea at all. But for those who truly understood the art, they all loved pursuing that exquisite taste, and once they did, it became an obsession.
"I didn't expect you guys to get along so well. It seems my previous concerns were a bit unnecessary," Shin said, visibly relieved at the sight.
"Your concerns were entirely reasonable," Fukuyama replied seriously. "But Sakumo and I both know what's at stake. We would never drag you down. Rest assured, we know what we're doing. After all, we're on the same side. Any disagreements or dissatisfaction, they're just for show. I just hope Sakumo won't hold a grudge against me afterward."
"What are you saying?" Sakumo quickly waved his hand. "Just as you said, we're all one family. These performances we put on for others, there's no reason to hold grudges over them."
"Haha!" Fukuyama let out a hearty laugh. "Exactly! And this gives me the perfect opportunity to put pressure on some members of the clan and try to eliminate the dissenting voices first. So, don't worry. I know exactly what I need to do."
Shin nodded with satisfaction. "In that case, I can rest easy."
"Oh right, here, take these."
As he spoke, he took out two metal tags and handed them to Fukuyama and Sakumo.
"What are these?" Fukuyama asked curiously.
"They're just ordinary metal tags," Shin explained. "But they're engraved with the special formula I use for the Flying Thunder God Technique. If you ever encounter a situation you can't handle, find a secure, private room, inject chakra into the tag, and I'll sense it and appear immediately."
"You're so thoughtful." Fukuyama was genuinely moved and comforted.
He had already completely fallen out with Hiruzen. As long as Shin stayed in Konoha, things would be manageable. But he truly feared that Hiruzen would do something extreme to the Uchiha clan the moment Shin was gone.
"Don't worry," he said sincerely. "Unless it's a true emergency, we won't bother you. After all, if your return is exposed, it could cause big trouble for you."
"I'll also try my best to cooperate with Hiruzen and stall for time on this end," Sakumo added.
"You don't need to worry about that," Shin said. "Use the tags if needed. Don't be concerned about exposing me, your safety is more important to me."
---
Early the next morning, Shin, Tsunade, and Minato set out.
Tsunade took Minato and headed directly toward the northwestern border.
She was tasked with patrolling and defending two sections of the border, a heavy responsibility. On top of that, she was also in charge of escorting supplies along the way. Based on the schedule, it would take about seven days to reach the border.
Meanwhile, Shin led three other ninjas out of Konoha, heading east, toward the Land of Rain.