Seeing the undisguised Battle Intent burning in Nawaki's eyes, Minato simply offered a polite smile and said nothing, moving briskly to clear the breakfast dishes. He reached for the sponge, but Tsunade was faster, snatching the bowls from his hands.
"I should clarify the rules: from now on, you focus on the cooking. Leave the cleanup to Nawaki and me," she said, her tone brook no argument. "We usually split the chores; I handle the laundry and what used to pass for 'cooking,' while Nawaki handles the sweeping and mopping. Now that you're here, my workload just got even lighter~"
With a triumphant smirk, she shoved the dirty dishes into Nawaki's arms. The boy looked speechless, but he obediently headed for the sink. Tsunade, meanwhile, propped her head up with one hand and sprawled lazily across the tatami mat.
Laundry and cooking... Minato's gaze toward his new teacher turned slightly skeptical.
Based on his memories of the original plot, he had always assumed Tsunade lacked even the most basic self-care skills. In the future, Shizune would be the one managing her life while Tsunade drowned her sorrows in sake and gambling. But as he looked at her now—not yet twenty, in the absolute prime of her youth—he realized she hadn't yet been broken by tragedy. She wore her hair in a high, energetic ponytail, and her voice held a delicate, youthful quality that was a far cry from the jaded woman he remembered.
Once the house was tidied, the three stepped outside, only to find two familiar figures approaching.
"Yo, Ohayou~ Tsunade!" Jiraiya waved with a wide, goofy grin. Beside him, Orochimaru stood with his hands tucked behind his back, a faint, serpentine smile playing on his lips.
"Big Brother Orochimaru!" Nawaki shouted, waving excitedly.
"You've grown a bit taller, Nawaki," Orochimaru noted, his raspy voice carrying a rare hint of genuine affection.
"Oi! We came here together! Why do you only have eyes for Orochimaru?" Jiraiya grumbled, striking a pose. "Did you completely miss the suave and dashing Lord Jiraiya?"
Nawaki chuckled. He appreciated Jiraiya's kindness, but like most young ninjas, he felt a deeper admiration for the undisputed Genius of the trio.
Tsunade crossed her arms. "Jiraiya, Orochimaru. What are you two doing here?"
"Hehehe," Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Isn't it because someone still owes us a barbecue meal?"
"Tsk, I almost forgot about that." Tsunade curled her lip, then roughly ruffled the blond hair of the boy standing beside her.
"By the way... who's the kid?" Jiraiya asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied Minato. That vibrant blond hair was impossible to ignore.
"Humph, allow me to introduce him," Tsunade said, her voice swelling with pride. "Minato Namikaze—my Disciple!"
She patted Minato's shoulder. "Minato, these two are my teammates, Jiraiya and Orochimaru."
"It's an honor to meet you, Seniors," Minato said, bowing with practiced grace.
"Huh—?!" Jiraiya looked like he'd been struck by lightning. He glanced between Tsunade and Minato, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss, as if he'd just been cuckolded by a five-year-old. Am I really jealous that this brat gets to live with her? "I really didn't expect you to actually take a student," Orochimaru said, his golden eyes sizing Minato up with clinical interest. "Tsunade disappeared the moment we left yesterday. Did she threaten you into this, little one?"
"How rude!" Tsunade put her hands on her hips. "It was his idea! Right, Minato?"
"Yes," Minato lied effortlessly, giving her Face in front of her friends.
"So, where are you all headed?" Jiraiya asked.
"To test his strength, of course." Tsunade shrugged. "I've assigned Nawaki to be his first opponent."
"Hahaha! Sounds entertaining! Mind if we tag along?" Jiraiya's interest was piqued.
The group arrived at Training Ground 3. Minato and Nawaki stood opposite each other, their fingers forming the Seal of Confrontation. Tsunade stood between them, acting as the referee.
"Ninjutsu is allowed," she announced. "I'll step in if things get dangerous. If you're ready... begin!"
Nawaki didn't hesitate. His hands blurred behind his waist, and he fired six Shuriken in a tight spread. But in the next heartbeat, Minato's form flickered and vanished.
So fast! Nawaki's heart hammered against his ribs as he spun, searching for his target. He didn't have to look far. A cold piece of steel was already pressed against his throat.
He froze. I was... insta-killed?
"The winner: Minato Namikaze!"
"How is this possible?!" Nawaki's composure shattered as Minato pulled the Kunai back and offered his hand for the Seal of Reconciliation. "What are you, a ghost? I didn't even see you move!"
"Mwahahaha! That'll teach you to be cocky!" Tsunade roared with laughter. "You're two grades ahead of him and you couldn't even catch his shadow. You've got a long way to go, little brother~"
Nawaki groaned, reluctantly hooking his finger with Minato's to complete the ritual. "I was just careless! I didn't try to dodge! I won't lose next time!"
Minato nodded gently. "I look forward to it."
Nawaki felt a flush of shame. Minato's polite, mature temperament made his own outburst seem childish. He remembered bragging about "protecting" the kid yesterday and felt his face turn bright red.
"That Body Flicker was faster than many Genin," Orochimaru observed, stepping forward. "Minato-kun is clearly a speed-type." Even though he had been a prodigy, Orochimaru knew he hadn't been this refined at age five.
"But we still haven't seen his true ceiling," Jiraiya said, rubbing his chin. He eyed Minato with a predatory curiosity. "What do you say, Tsunade? How about I give it a try?"
Tsunade considered it. She was a Medical Ninja; her combat style was specialized. Jiraiya, with his raw directness, was a better gauge for a child's limits. "Alright. But take it easy on him."
"Yoshi! Then let this Immortal test your mettle!" Jiraiya leaped into the center of the field, lunging forward with his fingers splayed in an exaggerated kabuki pose.
Minato looked at Tsunade for confirmation. She gave him a gentle, encouraging smile. "Just give it your all. I'm right here."
Minato turned back to Jiraiya, his expression sharpening. "Senior Jiraiya, please guide me."
"Begin!"
A flash of golden light sparked beneath Minato's feet. He didn't just move; he disappeared, reappearing instantly in Jiraiya's personal space.
Fast! Shock flared in Jiraiya's eyes, but his instincts were honed by a thousand battles. He crossed his arms, blocking a straight punch with a heavy Bang!
He felt the impact and breathed a sigh of relief. The boy was fast, but his physical strength was still limited by his young age. But then he processed the golden light. That wasn't a normal Shunshin... is it a Bloodline Limit?
Determined not to lose Face by being touched by a child, Jiraiya shoved Minato back and launched a heavy counter-punch. Minato, still in mid-air from the push, hit the ground and immediately leaned back into a sharp slide.
As his knees skimmed the dirt, he whipped out six Shuriken and flung them directly at Jiraiya's face. Jiraiya tilted his head to dodge, but then he saw the follow-up. Using the momentum of his slide, Minato twisted and delivered a vicious upward kick—aimed precisely at Jiraiya's crotch.
Jiraiya's soul nearly left his body. "Wait a— Hey, hey, HEY!!"