Early the next morning, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his Hokage's office, his gaze fixed on a letter resting on his desk. He remained in contemplative silence for an extended period.
The letter was Jiraiya's doing—a message that conveyed his intention to embark on a journey with Minato to train and teach him about information gathering, a journey that had already begun. In essence, Jiraiya had seized the opportunity to take his apprentice and set out on an adventure, leaving his responsibilities behind.
Though Hiruzen could discern some of Jiraiya's motives, he refrained from displaying overt anger. The Hokage was not overly concerned about Minato's departure from his watchful eye.
A gentle tap of Sarutobi Hiruzen's finger against the desk punctuated the room. Almost immediately, an Anbu operative kneeled before him, head bowed in deference.
"Lord Hokage!"
"How is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?" Sarutobi Hiruzen inquired.
"Under our Anbu's constant surveillance, Master Hokage. If any signs of a rampage surface, they will intervene immediately," the Anbu operative responded, head still bowed.
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction, his concerns momentarily appeased.
Hiruzen was well aware of the special relationship between Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Holding her in his grasp was a means of keeping Minato tethered to the village. The bond between them served as leverage, providing an assurance that Minato's ventures would not jeopardize Konoha's interests.
As he pondered, a thought crossed his mind. "By the way, has Minato made significant progress in mastering the Body Flicker Technique?"
He turned his attention to the Anbu operative before him, curious to know the status of Minato's training.
"Yes, Master Hokage, he has indeed shown remarkable proficiency," the Anbu operative confirmed.
"Retrieve the scroll of seals and deliver a message to Uzumaki Kushina on my behalf," Hiruzen instructed. With this, he entrusted the task of communication to the Anbu operative, opting to leave Minato undisturbed for the time being.
...
...
On the outskirts of Konoha, adjacent to Tatsuya's humble farmhouse.
"A Journey for Training."
Surrounded by his loyal ninja dogs, Tatsuya absorbed Jiraiya's words, his thoughts drifting toward the impending journey of Jiraya with Naruto. Little did Naruto know, his father had already experienced a similar adventure.
Tsunade, who typically frequented the casino, stood beside Tatsuya, her eyes occasionally rubbing as if she hadn't quite woken up yet. Truthfully, she had barely slept for a couple of hours. Shortly after falling asleep, Jiraiya and Minato arrived at thier doorstep, presenting a predicament that had prompted her groggy state.
Tatsuya's audacious move, breaking up with her and then daring to mend fences, had left her baffled. She grudgingly observed his worshipful eyes, reminiscent of a young girl enamored with her crush. Tsunade couldn't help but regard him with a sense of disdain.
Could this guy really be so fixated?
"Master Tsunade, while Jiraiya and I embark on this training journey, would you mind looking after Kushina?" Minato approached Tsunade, bowing respectfully.
Kushina held a unique status in Konoha due to her identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Though the village remained unaware of this secret, the prominent clans harbored suspicions about her connection to the Nine-Tails. In light of this, Minato wished to ensure Kushina's well-being during his absence.
Tsunade's connection to the Uzumaki clan, distant relatives of the Senju, made her a suitable candidate for this responsibility.
Although the historical traditions of intermarriage between the Senju and Uzumaki had diminished over time, the ancestral ties persisted.
Tsunade's thoughts shifted to her past relationship with her and Kushina's grandmother, Uzumaki Mito. Their bond had been strong, but as circumstances shifted and the Senju clan faced adversity, Tsunade's availability waned. She recognized that the village executives would think twice before causing harm to someone of Kushina's stature.
"Minato!" A vibrant redhead, approximately fifteen years old and resembling Minato's age, approached with cheerful energy.
"Kushina, slow down," Minato urged, quickly placing himself between her and Tatsuya as a precautionary measure.
Observing Kushina's fiery hair and round face, Tatsuya's initial impression was straightforward: "Tomato."
Kushina's appearance, akin to a crimson flame, seemed to resonate with his instinctive reaction.
Minato's prompt intervention managed to pacify Kushina, though her hair appeared to possess a life of its own as it flickered like flames.
Guiding her toward proper etiquette, Minato introduced the individuals present. "This is Master Tatsuya and Master Tsunade, who will be overseeing matters during my absence. Please greet them."
Minato's voice bore a hint of wryness, indicative of the challenges he faced in maintaining order amidst Kushina's fiery temper.
"Master Tsunade!" Kushina greeted Tsunade with reverence, her admiration evident. Turning her attention to Tatsuya, she struggled to suppress her lingering annoyance and managed a smile that was more strained than sincere. "Hello, Master Tatsuya."
The visitation of Uzumaki Naruto's mother left Tatsuya curiously studying her. His appraisal was cut short by a swift slap on his back, courtesy of Tsunade.
Caught off guard, Tatsuya turned to her, only to be met with a stern expression.
"Admiring the view, were you?"
Tatsuya found himself speechless, met with Tsunade's jealous gaze. Was jealousy the reason behind this unexpected blow?
An awkward explanation emerged from Tatsuya, "It's just a misunderstanding..."
Tsunade's gaze remained fixed on him, her words unspoken yet palpable. "Don't let your thoughts wander."
It appeared Tatsuya had inadvertently triggered Tsunade's jealousy, evoking her protective instincts.
As he navigated the delicate situation, Tatsuya realized the complexity of the interpersonal dynamics surrounding him. Whether it was the budding connection between Minato and Kushina, the unspoken tensions between himself and Tsunade, or his evolving journey within this world, these interwoven relationships formed the backdrop of his life in Konoha.
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