"Starting today, you're moving in with me."
After they left Mito's place, Tsunade's tone was serious. "We aren't at war right now, but assassinating enemy geniuses isn't uncommon. You should know how important you are."
"I understand."
Minato nodded. He didn't want to be forced to use his "elementalization" trump card over something stupid like an assassination attempt.
"As for rent... your cooking will cover it."
Seeing Minato agree, Tsunade smiled smugly. Then, feeling like she might be taking advantage of him, she added, "Of course, I'll have Nawaki help you out. And if you have any questions about training, just ask me!"
Minato smiled. "Do you have any dietary restrictions, Sensei?"
Tsunade thought for a moment. "Hmm... no restrictions, really. But I don't really like sweets. Like dango and stuff."
"Then what do you like?" Minato asked.
"Hmm, tender chicken dishes. Like the Mouth-Watering Chicken you just made..."
Tsunade laughed heartily. "But honestly, with your cooking skills, I'd probably like anything you make."
"Chicken..."
Minato pondered. Most guys were carnivores, and chicken was a common ingredient. He knew plenty of chicken recipes.
And judging by Tsunade's reaction earlier, while she couldn't handle super spicy food, she didn't dislike chili peppers entirely.
After grabbing some daily necessities, Minato followed her to Tsunade's house.
As soon as they walked in, a brown-haired boy with spiky hair and a round face charged out barefoot, stomping loudly on the floor.
"Sis! You're back!"
The boy looked two or three years older than Minato and was bursting with energy.
"I'm back~"
Seeing the boy, Tsunade's expression softened into a gentle smile. She introduced Minato. "This is my brother, Nawaki (Nawaki). Nawaki, this is my student, Minato Namikaze. You two play nice."
"Eh? Unbelievable. My sister, who can barely drag herself out of bed, actually has the energy to take a student?"
Hearing this, Nawaki couldn't help but roast her. Then he looked at Minato curiously. "This kid... looks younger than me?"
And he's so handsome. Girls are definitely going to like him...
Dammit, I'm jealous!
"Yeah, Minato is a new student this year."
Tsunade changed into her slippers and found a pair for Minato. "And he's a super genius!"
"Eh? Genius, huh..."
Nawaki didn't think much of it. After all, his sister was a genius, too.
"Nice to meet you. Please take care of me," Minato said with a warm smile.
"Ah, yeah. Nice to meet you."
Nawaki nodded, trying to look mature. "Since you're my sister's student, that makes you my little bro! I'll cover you at school!"
Minato smiled politely.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. Nawaki was two years older, but based on Minato's performance, he could absolutely mop the floor with her stupid little brother.
Tsunade's house was huge—a traditional Japanese-style mansion.
Minato was given a room next to Nawaki's. It had great lighting.
After setting up his room and checking the time, Minato went to sleep.
But maybe because of the new environment, he couldn't fall asleep right away. His mind was racing.
Connecting with Tsunade meant he was now tangled up with the main characters of the original story.
That inevitably meant dealing with shady people, like Danzo Shimura.
Minato wasn't too worried. He didn't have a strong loyalty to the Leaf Village. If they pushed him too far, he'd just leave.
With the Glint-Glint Fruit, nobody could stop him from leaving. As for the Wood Style scrolls? He could just come back in a few years with a Susanoo and take them.
Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.
Right now, he was Tsunade's student, looked after by Mito Uzumaki, and technically the grand-student of the Third Hokage. He was part of the Hokage's direct line.
With that political background and the significance of Wood Style, as long as he didn't slap Hiruzen in the face, nobody would touch him even if he acted a little out of line.
Not that he would. He wasn't the type to bully people.
With these thoughts swirling in his head, Minato finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, his internal clock woke him up early. He stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for two seconds before remembering he had moved into Tsunade's house.
He got up and washed up.
Passing Nawaki and Tsunade's rooms, it was quiet. They were still asleep.
Minato went to the kitchen. It was well-stocked with utensils and spices.
He checked the cupboards—plenty of rice, flour, and oil.
Then he opened the fridge. Inside were just two slices of bread in a bag, canned fruit, some sauces, eggs, green onions, tomatoes, and some wilted spinach...
"Hmm... looks like they usually eat bread for breakfast."
Minato scratched his head. He preferred a hot meal.
He checked the freezer. Mostly instant food—chicken cutlets, pork chops, hamburger patties...
Minato grabbed a hamburger patty and defrosted it in the microwave.
Then he poured flour into a bowl. He formed a mini Rasengan in his hand and used it to mix water into the flour while stirring. In no time, the dough was mixed to perfection.
Clang, clang, chop, chop.
Half an hour later, a rich aroma wafted through the house.
In her room, Tsunade's eyes snapped open. Her stomach started growling like crazy.
She smelled food. And it smelled so good it literally woke her from a dead sleep!
She paused for two seconds, then remembered she had brought a chef... student home yesterday. She threw on her clothes and rushed out.
"What smells so good?!"
Nawaki burst out of his room at the exact same time, pulling his shirt on as he ran.
They reached the living room just as Minato walked out of the kitchen holding a large bowl.
"If you're up, let's eat. I made some dough drop soup (Geda Soup). There's plenty in the pot..."
Before he could finish, the siblings turned into a blur and rushed into the kitchen.
"Hey! Quit shoving, Sis!"
"Shut up! I'm serving you first!"
"Hehe, you're the best, Sis~"
"The rest is mine."
"..."
Soon, the siblings walked out holding massive bowls.
Without saying a word, they sat down next to Minato, spooned up the soup, blew on it, and started slurping.
"Haa—"
"Hoo—"
One sip, and they both let out satisfied sighs.
Minato smiled at their reaction.
He always thought dough drop soup was magical. It felt warm and healing. Simply put: Warm and cozy.
And it was versatile. He made tomato and egg drop soup, adding spinach and diced hamburger meat. The flavors worked well together. The tomato stimulated the appetite, especially for first-timers.
Slurp, slurp...
The siblings ate like pigs, cleaning their bowls completely.
"Ah... my stomach feels so warm. I'm so satisfied~"
Tsunade finished her soup, leaned back on the tatami mat with one hand, and patted her round belly with the other, licking her lips.
Phrasing...
Minato's mouth twitched. "I added the hamburger meat. Since it's beef and onions, it might make you sweat a little. Plus, the soup itself warms the stomach."
Nawaki put down his bowl reluctantly. "So good. This is what humans should eat for breakfast..."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Oh?"
"Of course, I still like your cooking best, Sis!"
Nawaki shivered and waved his hands frantically. "But I didn't expect Minato to be able to cook. Wait, Sis... did you take him as a student just for the food?"
"What are you talking about?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I told you, didn't I? This kid is a super genius. He might be your biggest rival for the title of Hokage!"
Nawaki looked skeptical. "Liar. He just started school."
"Oh—?"
Tsunade sat up. She suddenly remembered that her little brother had never really faced any setbacks, either.
Her eyes turned playful. "Want to test that theory? I need to check Minato's current level anyway. Why don't I give that mission to you, his senior by two years?"
"Oh! Just watch me!"
Nawaki looked pumped. "I definitely won't lose!"