Chapter 216: Minato: "Hehe"
"Obito, Kakashi, look at this photo! Your expressions are exactly the same as the wood carvings Master made for you back then."
In the photo, Rin was half-crouching in front with a sweet smile, making two peace signs with her hands. Obito and Kakashi stood on either side of her, wearing "Left Hmph" and "Right Hmph" expressions respectively. As for Minato, he stood behind the three with a gentle smile.
"It really does look alike..." Obito muttered. Seeing Kakashi walk over, he immediately put on his "Left Hmph" face again.
"Of course it looks alike. I had great foresight when I carved those," Masahiko said with a smile.
Minato also walked over. "Boss Hagoromo, let's choose this one. Could you... help us develop a few more copies?"
Masahiko glanced back; the photo studio owner was already busy with the ten o'clock class.
"No problem, leave it to me. But are you really sure you want to use this one instead of the one in my hand?"
The photo Minato was holding was largely similar to the one in Masahiko's hand, except the two "Left and Right Hmphs" had been turned into "Front-Facing Hmphs" by Minato's hands forcing their heads forward.
"Let's stick with this one; it's a bit more harmonious." Minato smiled bitterly. Leading students for the first time and getting stuck with these two gave him a bit of a headache.
"Alright then." Masahiko looked a bit disappointed. "Then I can only keep this 'Left and Right Hmph' photo for my own collection."
Masahiko was already quite skilled at developing film. Not long ago, he had developed some photos of "Anrokuzan-version Sasori" for future use.
Handing the four sets of photos to them respectively, Masahiko waved his hand. "Go busy yourselves with your own things. Whether it's the bell test or training and missions, I won't get involved."
Masahiko walked further away, only hearing Minato's voice from behind.
"New Year isn't far off, so we won't take missions for now. I need to understand your current strength first. As per tradition, Sensei will treat you to a meal first. Assemble at Konoha Training Ground 2 at 2 PM."
After that came Obito's cheers, followed by Kakashi's disdain, and then presumably an argument... He felt a bit anxious for Minato.
After leaving the photo studio, Masahiko didn't return to his shop but went directly to Sakumo's house. There were some things he was concerned about.
As expected, Sakumo, the busy Anbu, wasn't home. Masahiko wasn't disappointed; once Sakumo returned and learned of his visit, he would definitely come to the Taobao Shop to find Masahiko.
Sure enough, at dusk, Sakumo came over.
"Elder Masahiko, you were looking for me?"
Masahiko smiled. "Have you been on any missions recently? For example, relatively secret missions where you encountered difficulties and had to choose between your teammates and the mission?"
"What mission?" Sakumo was stunned.
"Oh, never mind."
Sakumo looked completely confused as Masahiko sent him back.
"It seems that because of my influence, that mission is gone or the person was changed?" Masahiko sighed deeply. He was actually a little disappointed; he had wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of "monsters and demons" were behind Sakumo's death in the original story...
Checking the time, he estimated Sara would need another hour or so before getting off work. This 5 AM to 8 PM schedule was really unreasonable, and as an apprentice, there were no wages... Fortunately, there were times with no customers when Sara could refine chakra or rest for a while, otherwise she really would have to "resign."
"I'll go find Teuchi and ask for weekends off for my daughter or something," Masahiko muttered as he walked next door...
Time passed, and Masahiko spent a plain New Year in Konoha. He heard that the Land of Whirlpools was very lively, holding a grand festival, and even Kushina went back for a visit. Masahiko didn't join in. Ever since the trip to Roran, "Masahiko Uzumaki" hadn't appeared in public for a long time. He felt more comfortable in his identity as Hagoromo; Masahiko Uzumaki's seniority was too high, making it hard to blend into the crowd.
Team Minato trained intensively for a whole month. Masahiko often heard Obito say he would definitely beat Kakashi "next time" and ask Masahiko to teach him some powerful ninjutsu.
Each time, Masahiko refused with a smile. Besides the Fire attribute passed down in the Uchiha clan, little Obito also had the Earth attribute. Masahiko could technically teach him some Earth Release, but he felt that if Obito remained weaker, the likelihood of him suffering a "blow" would be greater, making it easier to awaken the Sharingan.
Therefore, Obito was thoroughly thrashed by Kakashi for a full month, from Konoha Year 42 to Konoha Year 43. As for Rin, she went to the Konoha Hospital to learn some basic medical ninjutsu to help Obito "reduce the swelling."
It wasn't until nearly February that Obito was finally liberated because Minato finally started taking them on missions.
But he never expected the first mission would be... delivering takeout for Ichiraku Ramen.
When Masahiko heard this, he was a bit surprised. He thought a Genin's first mission would be finding a cat. He didn't know how Konoha had so many people who raised cats and subsequently lost them.
Delivering takeout for Ichiraku Ramen was originally a cushy job, reportedly fought over by many Genin teams, especially Choza's team. On one hand, Guy had delivered takeout before. On the other hand, besides the mission funds, this mission also provided a free lunch.
But for Obito, this mission was a nightmare. Ever since Masahiko took him to eat a bowl of Sara's ramen last time, Obito hadn't dared to step into Ichiraku Ramen again. And seeing "acquaintances" this time, Sara personally stepped up to the plate again.
From the shop next door, Masahiko watched with a smile as Obito ate a mouthful of ramen with a bitter expression, only to reveal a look of pleasant surprise afterwards.
"How could my daughter fail to learn how to make ramen?" Masahiko muttered narcissistically. Sara had improved a lot during this time; after all, she had been learning for almost three months.
Rin also breathed a sigh of relief. After finishing her noodles, she chatted happily with Sara. When there weren't many takeout orders, only Obito and Kakashi needed to be busy.
As the teacher, Minato wandered into Masahiko's shop. Ever since the trip to Roran, he had been paying attention to "Boss Hagoromo."
For example...
"Boss Hagoromo, I heard you used to be a ninja too. Why did you choose to open a shop like this?"
"Opening a shop makes more money than being a ninja."
Minato's expression stiffened.
" were you originally a Konoha ninja?"
"No, I was a ninja from a small village. Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
Minato's expression changed.
"Then why did you choose to come to Konoha?"
"It's lively here."
"Why didn't you teach Obito and Rin some ninjutsu or something?"
Masahiko hesitated, his expression complicated. "You'll understand when you reach my age."
Minato's face darkened. What is all this? There was an inexplicable sense of familiarity, this unreliable feeling...
"You wouldn't happen to be Elder Masahiko, would you?"
Masahiko's expression changed, showing reverence. "How is that possible? How could I be that lord?"
Minato: "Hehe."
☆☆☆
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