"I don't want you to interfere with matters between myself and Minami; she's my childhood friend and one of the few clan members I have!"
Kushina muttered to herself, sulking. Minami must have sensed Minato's intentions earlier, which made her uncomfortable and leave early.
Though Kushina didn't understand why Minami didn't want to join Konoha Hospital, she felt Minato's actions were inappropriate.
"Kushina, I won't get involved anymore. After all, your clan member doesn't have this intention, and besides, it's a task given to me by the Third."
Namikaze Minato apologized but thought of the Third's words and felt he should mention it to Kushina.
"Kushina, your clan member has a strong talent for medical ninjutsu, and her future achievements might reach the level of Senior Tsunade; you know Senior Tsunade's current situation well, with recent border tensions escalating... if war breaks out..."
These words left Kushina silent. As one of Tsunade's closest people, she naturally knew her situation, refusing missions and surgeries, becoming weaker than ordinary people upon seeing blood.
Two family members died in war, rendering her incapable of being a ninja.
That's why Kushina hated war; it took her home and constantly injured those around her.
"..... But Minami doesn't want to, and she also faced many bad experiences after the Land of Whirlpools' destruction... If she's unwilling, forcing won't work!"
Namikaze Minato said, "So... Kushina, can you persuade your clan member? Joining Konoha Hospital isn't bad, and Konoha will fully support her... "
"I'll... see about it."
Kushina was conflicted; she knew a top-tier medical ninja is incredibly beneficial on the battlefield—saving half the wounded wouldn't be an exaggeration—but given Minami's attitude today... Kushina was reluctant to bring it up.
She recalled Sister Tsunade wanting to take Minami as a disciple, but Minami still refused, so anything about joining Konoha Hospital couldn't possibly persuade her.
Moreover, Kushina felt that bringing it up would upset Minami, possibly leading to her cutting ties altogether.
Feeling upset, Kushina went upstairs to her room, not even chatting with Minato, whereas they would usually enjoy long conversations when both had the time.
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After leaving Kushina's house, Uzumaki Minami indeed headed to Konoha Hospital for training. Morimoto Kana was a bit puzzled, taking a day's leave only to arrive in the afternoon.
Nonetheless, Morimoto Kana taught everything she ought to. Now, she had begun guiding Uzumaki Minami through some high-difficulty surgeries, and once skilled, the next step would be researching antidotes.
Near evening, Uzumaki Minami left Konoha Hospital to head home.
Upon arriving home, Uzumaki Minami habitually announced, "I'm back."
"Returning late today; I thought you might have eaten at her place before coming back."
Uchiha Yoichi, emerging from the dining room, spoke to Minami, then handed her three scrolls, continuing, "These are rewards I obtained from the village: three B-Class Sealing Techniques, somewhat different from your Uzumaki Race's sealing techniques for you to research."
"Thank you, Lord Yoichi."
Uzumaki Minami gratefully received them, her midday displeasure already faded.
However, she decided to mention it. This was the village's second approach to her, "Lord Yoichi, during my visit to Kushina today..."
Shortly, Uzumaki Minami shared Minato's persuasive efforts with Yoichi.
After hearing Minami's account, Uchiha Yoichi stroked his chin thoughtfully before saying, "Ignore them; the village's attention inwardly is waning. They've noticed your talent but lack the courage to offend the Uchiha, so they're trying to persuade you to willingly join Konoha."
"I would never leave Lord Yoichi!"
Uzumaki Minami eagerly affirmed, as if to prove her loyalty.
"You should also sign a summoning contract with Gates; today I persuaded him, and now you just need to buy him food regularly—honey or other sweets—to ensure your self-defense."
Uchiha Yoichi then handed over a summoning scroll, which was his with Gates; however, a summoning scroll holds minimal binding power, and the proud Earth Bear is unmanageable by others even with the scroll.
Convincing Gates to aid Uzumaki Minami in combat took considerable effort from Uchiha Yoichi, ultimately promising over three hundred pounds of extra daily snacks to secure Gates' agreement.
Uzumaki Minami smiled, saying, "Thank you, Lord Yoichi."
"Let's eat; I've yet to start."
"Alright."
Following the meal, Uchiha Yoichi returned to training.
He hadn't stolen anything useful today, just a single shuriken from Uchiha Tekka.
This skill relies heavily on luck, like when he managed to acquire pupil power on the second day—impressive luck—otherwise chakra acquisition would have been satisfactory.
With month-end approaching, soon his abilities would reset; if nothing worthwhile was stolen, the skill would be lost.
'Seize opportunities to steal valuable items when possible; if not, return to clan grounds seeking clan members....'
To Yoichi, members of the clan leader faction were fallback options for acquiring items—only pursued when better targets were unavailable.
The next morning.
Just as Uchiha Yoichi prepared to train, Elder Kenji sent someone to find him, seemingly with something to discuss.
Upon arriving at Elder Kenji's home, Uchiha Kenji went straight to the point, saying, "Yoichi, in a few days, participate in the Jonin examination."
"The Jonin examination? Me?"
Uchiha Yoichi asked, surprised, "Isn't my task experience insufficient, Elder Kenji? Why bring this up suddenly?"
"Your abilities have reached Jonin level; even among Jonin, you're no weakling, naturally needing a corresponding position. Jonin holds significant influence in village affairs; though numerous Uchiha exist, not all with Jonin skills have the title."
Uchiha Kenji said, "Jonin can engage in village decisions; many clan members desire the examination but lack the chance. This time, Konoha plans to procure military supplies, so I secured this opportunity for you; don't worry about task experience."
A village's top tier power is the Jonin.
Strictly speaking, the highest rank below the Hokage is Jonin; those elders and Hokage assistants also hold Jonin ninja positions.
Within the village, all ninjas aspire to be Jonin, as their treatment and status would significantly improve.
Yet there are two exceptions among ninja races: Hyuga and Uchiha.
The former believes the Main Family is vital, prioritizing clan matters over village issues, preferring to remain in clan lands.
As for the Uchiha Race, they aim to have more members become Jonin but lack sufficient slots; several Two-Tomoe Sharingan Uchiha hold Jonin strength, yet face difficulties advancing.
With the increased number of Jonin, Uchiha's influence in village decisions would grow, leading Konoha's upper echelon to deliberately suppress this situation.