Mikawa carefully assessed. Compared to when he initially met Aoha, whether speed or strength, both showed particularly significant improvements.
Moreover, at that time, Aoha's physical qualities weren't outstanding, particularly ordinary.
Then look at now. Obviously different!
This was inevitably related to diligent, hard training, but perhaps this medicinal bath truly had the miraculous effects he claimed?
Mikawa-jonin began taking this matter seriously.
"Before meeting Hokage-sama, are you certain you know what you're doing? If just a prank, I admit you've already deceived me. But Hokage-sama's place isn't somewhere you can act willfully relying on young age."
Aoha knew Mikawa-jonin was admonishing him while also worried he'd cause more trouble.
But this time, he had confidence. So he equally seriously nodded. "I'll take responsibility for every word I say!"
Mikawa-jonin looked deeply at him once, then no longer excessively inquired about anything. "Follow me."
Inside the Hokage's office, Minato was earnestly reviewing documents in his hand.
Only after sitting in this position did he genuinely feel what the Hokage name represented and what enormous pressure it carried.
Plus, after abdicating, Sarutobi-sensei suddenly disappeared somewhere, enjoying retirement life. So much so that he didn't even have someone to consult, sharing the pressure.
What? You mention Konoha's high-level advisors?
Not mentioning this was fine. Among those initially opposing him becoming Hokage were these two advisors. Until now, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado still treated him coldly, seemingly still in an observation period.
Danzo needn't even mention. This ambitious person long coveted the Hokage position. Not dragging his feet was already good. Help? Dream on!
He possessed a big heart. This enormous pressure not only didn't crush him but instead made him rapidly grow. Hokage's work was also done presentably.
Not only avoiding major mistakes but also beginning to cultivate forces belonging to himself.
Among them, the mentally collapsed Kakashi was directly transferred into ANBU by him, becoming his right and left arms, extremely trustworthy.
What made him feel even happier was, as days passed, the day he'd become a father drew increasingly near.
Daily, after finishing a day's work and returning home, accompanying his wife and the child in her belly, eating together was probably his happiest time.
If only Kushina could be less irritable during this pregnancy period, that would be even better.
Just setting down processed documents, rubbing his head, the door was pushed open. His assistant reported: "Hokage-sama, Special Jonin Mikawa Hirohiko requests an audience. He also brought a small child, saying there is a very important matter."
"Very important matter? Then let them enter."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Though still much work remained unfinished, taking breaks while listening to others' important reports was also good.
As a civilian-origin Hokage, Minato didn't have such airs, much less habits of looking down on others.
Moreover, Mikawa special jonin had always been conscientious, extremely mature and steady. Calling him a Konoha cornerstone wasn't excessive. Or rather, many people like Mikawa silently contributing to the village jointly condensed Konoha's foundation!
Soon, knocking sounded again.
"Come in."
Pushing open the door, Mikawa and Aoha finally arrived inside the Hokage's office.
"Special Jonin Mikawa Hirohiko has important matters, especially reporting to Hokage-sama!"
Minato first smiled, nodding toward Mikawa-jonin and little Aoha, whom he hadn't seen in some time, then spoke: "What specific matter?"
Mikawa-jonin first roughly explained the medicinal bath's effects, guaranteeing it, before turning his head, indicating Aoha could speak.
Honestly speaking, Aoha felt somewhat moved now. Mikawa-jonin clearly could push everything onto him, thus bearing no responsibility.
But Mikawa-jonin's choice was to use his reputation to guarantee, paving the road for Aoha's upcoming narration while also increasing credibility.
After all, compared to a mature adult, a 5-year-old child's words didn't carry any weight.
Simultaneously, this also meant if Aoha was just pranking or if the produced item couldn't achieve satisfactory effects, even if Mikawa-jonin didn't need to bear any punishment, he'd still leave people with frivolous, boastful impressions.
To repay Mikawa-jonin's trust, Aoha took a deep breath, then began emphatically narrating this medicinal bath's true effects. Not exaggerating, not being modest, factually explaining once.
Using himself as an example increased credibility. After all, items one hadn't used oneself, wanting to sell to others, truly treated others like fools.
Regarding how he obtained this formula, he simply used 'while fleeing, picked it up from a corpse' to gloss over it.
Anyway, during that period, only Obito and others knew his experiences. He could fabricate however he wanted. Almost no possibility of verification existed.
Moreover, during that period, so many people died. Even more dead-without-proof, no pressure.
After earnestly listening to this one big, one small's narration, Minato didn't dismiss it but tapped the desk: "This formula needs verification. If effects truly are as you claim, then the village will purchase it and provide you corresponding rewards."
Minato, after all, wasn't someone like Danzo with a blackened heart. Plundering a small child's item, he couldn't do such things.
However, everything relied on results. Assuming finally proving the formula false, then not only no rewards, but also needing appropriate punishment.
These days, tempering has already made Minato a qualified Hokage. Grace and power simultaneously, such methods came naturally.
"No problem. Verification can happen right now. Coincidentally, I brought a medicinal powder package. Now, please have Hokage-sama find someone who has overtrained and already depleted their body. This way can more intuitively feel the effects."
Aoha very confidently placed a medicinal powder package on the desk.
Seeing this scene, Minato first froze, then released hearty laughter. "I'm now more confident about your formula. Small body, big schemes, Fifth Hokage?"
Aoha felt somewhat embarrassed being teased, but thinking first like a petty person, then a gentleman, being cautious was always correct.
If thin-skinned, what business could be done!
Fortunately, sunny, straightforward Minato didn't care about these trivial details. As long as proving this item truly had sufficient effects for the village cultivating talents, he wouldn't be stingy either.
Soon, someone followed Minato's requirements to prepare.