Early in the morning, Uzumaki Minami had just left for Konoha Hospital when someone knocked on the door.
Uchiha Yoichi opened the door and was somewhat surprised to see the visitor, saying, "Jonin Hatake..."
"Mr. Yoichi, sorry for intruding, but I've been meaning to come and thank you ever since I heard you were back."
Hatake Sakumo finished speaking and presented a gift box he held in his hand, his manners impeccably executed.
"No need to be so formal, please come in and have a seat, Jonin Hatake, along with Kakashi."
Uchiha Yoichi was somewhat uncomfortable with such gestures. Although the Uchiha Race had their own customs, many clansmen didn't care much for them. They were not as rigid as the Hyuga Clan, sometimes quite casual.
After leading Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi to the living room, Uchiha Yoichi poured two cups of tea, choosing pre-chilled barley tea for its simplicity, as he was not particular about drinks.
"Jonin Hatake, I heard from Elder Kenji, thank you for mentioning me in front of the Daimyo."
"Mr. Yoichi indeed provided great assistance. Without you, the mission would have failed, putting the Daimyo in great peril..."
Hatake Sakumo shook his head, refusing to claim credit that wasn't his.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hatake Sakumo returned from the Daimyo Mansion, the Land of Fire Daimyo sent a second envoy to the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers, fiercely condemning the Hidden Sand Village for daring to ignore the ninja ordinances by attempting to assassinate the Daimyo.
The Hidden Sand Village naturally refused to take the blame, claiming that it was the Konoha White Fang who did it and that they were there to protect the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
Only a few people knew the truth, including the Daimyo, his inner officials, and bodyguard samurai from the Land of Rivers, but they were all dead, and in the Ninja World, only the Yamanaka Clan of Konoha could read the brains of the deceased with their Secret Technique.
Thus, the Hidden Sand Village's involvement remained unclear, and Uchiha Yoichi, having cried out Rasa's name in the Land of Rivers, managed to eliminate several of the Daimyo Mansion guards there.
As a result, after Uchiha Yoichi left the Daimyo's Mansion, the surviving guards of the Daimyo Mansion believed the Hidden Sand Village was responsible; the accusations from so many guards led others in the Daimyo Mansion to conclude it was Rasa's doing.
When Hatake Sakumo returned to the village, he heard that Lady Daimyo had already set off for the Land of Rivers.
"...And that's more or less the situation; the rest will be handled by the Land of Fire Daimyo and the Third Hokage. Mr. Yoichi's final effort was indeed very helpful."
Hatake Sakumo spoke earnestly, without the slightest hint of casualness, pausing before continuing to address Uchiha Yoichi.
"Today's visit is also related to this matter. The Daimyo originally wanted to reward you and Kakashi, but I felt that money was of little use to you, so I suggested an S-Class Task reward. After some deliberation, the village decided to allow you and Kakashi to choose a Ninjutsu from the Sealing Book."
"Choose a Ninjutsu from the Sealing Book? Jonin Hatake, are you serious?"
Uchiha Yoichi asked in surprise; although he had heard of this possibility from Elder Kenji, he knew his relationship with Konoha's higher-ups was not great, and it wouldn't be surprising if they withheld the reward.
Never expected they'd actually give it.
"Indeed, Mr. Yoichi, when significant contributions are made, the village rewards Ninjutsu. Many civilian ninjas obtain their Ninjutsu this way."
Hatake Sakumo explained, then glanced aside at Kakashi and continued, "Besides, I owe you thanks for giving Kakashi considerable experience."
Uchiha Yoichi smiled and said, "You're too kind, Jonin Hatake; Kakashi has great talent and strength. We were mutually supportive."
Upon hearing his father converse with Uchiha Yoichi, Kakashi couldn't help but roll his eyes, feeling as though two elders were praising him like he was a child.
"By the way, Mr. Yoichi, don't hold too much expectation for the Sealing Book; Ninjutsu that suits you is better. Even if you choose Forbidden Techniques, they're often unusable due to their stringent conditions."
Hatake Sakumo advised, having looked through the Sealing Book himself once, but the techniques there were of no use to him, so he ended up choosing a Multi Shadow Clone for scouting and intelligence gathering.
Hatake Sakumo had already said these words to Kakashi at home, and now as senior advice, he reiterated them.
Uchiha Yoichi nodded and said, "I understand, Jonin Hatake."
Then, following Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Yoichi headed towards the Hokage Building.
The Ninjutsu reward was an unexpected delight, but one could also surmise just how much benefit Konoha had gained at the Daimyo Mansion.
Soon, the three arrived at the Hokage Building, coincidentally encountering two people coming out as they reached the entrance.
But rather than saying they walked out, it was more like the red-haired woman was being pushed out by the other blonde youth.
"Mr. Minato."
Hatake Sakumo greeted the blonde youth with a smile.
The latter, seeing Hatake Sakumo, quickly stopped tugging at Kushina and, with an apologetic smile, said, "Senior Sakumo, are you going to see Lord Hokage?"
"Yes, this is Uchiha Yoichi, and this is my son Kakashi. We're taking them to see the Third Hokage for some matters."
After the introductions, Hatake Sakumo addressed Namikaze Minato, saying, "Mr. Minato, then we shall proceed, as we've already spoken to the Third Hokage."
"By all means, Senior Sakumo."
Namikaze Minato replied respectfully; although he was also a Jonin, he was incomparable to Hatake Sakumo.
Currently, Hatake Sakumo's fame was at its peak, even surpassing the legendary Sannin, let alone the emerging genius Namikaze Minato.
Upon hearing Namikaze Minato's name, Uchiha Yoichi guessed that the red-haired woman beside him was the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, but after a glance, he withdrew his gaze, nodding to Namikaze Minato before following Hatake Sakumo into the Hokage Building.
After Hatake Sakumo and the other two entered, Kushina suddenly clapped and said, "Oh, right! Uchiha Yoichi, I remember now, Minami is staying at his house..."
"Minato, you keep me company here; when Uchiha Yoichi comes out, let's ask if we can visit his place!"
Namikaze Minato hurriedly shook his head at this suggestion, "That's not possible, Kushina. Lord Hokage just didn't agree, and besides, there are people protecting you."
"Protection? That's clearly surveillance! Though I haven't controlled the Nine-tails well before, I'm gradually mastering the Nine-tailed Chakra now, and yet they won't even allow me to relax a bit!"
Kushina complained, then glanced around and leaned closer to Namikaze Minato to whisper, "Minato, don't you know the Flying Thunder God? You can leave a mark on me, visit Uchiha Yoichi yourself, and then bring me over..."
"Kushina, let's just drop it; doing that would definitely anger Lord Hokage."
Namikaze Minato promptly shook his head, knowing it would be asking for trouble. If Kushina disappeared even briefly, all the Anbu would be mobilized to search for her, so he fully understood the importance.
"You won't agree to this, nor to that. I think you just don't want to help me!"
Kushina responded to Minato's refusal with a cold snort, turning her head away and saying, "In that case, I'll just wait here until Uchiha Yoichi comes out!"