"You want to protect Kushina? Do you mean that I should hand over her escort mission to a student who is still studying in the ninja school?" The Third Hokage heard this and couldn't help laughing. He didn't mean to laugh at Minato. He was just stating a fact. Although Minato's strength may not match his age, it is too much of a joke to let him be the guard of Kushina, who may become the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Minato had expected what the Third Hokage said. He immediately replied, "I know that I still have many shortcomings now, but when I think of Kushina's feelings, I can't bear my emotions. So I beg you to let me be her guard, even if it means that she can have a short period of freedom when she is with me."
Kushina, who can be protected by the Anbu, even if the Third Hokage didn't say it, he could also realize the importance of her identity. However, when facing things about her, Minato couldn't be truly rational. Even though he knew that the conditions he proposed were a bit absurd.
After listening to Minato's words, the Third Hokage also slightly realized Kushina's psychological problems. Moreover, even if Kushina was about to become the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, she had to live alone with this identity.
As the Hokage, he also felt that it was a bit cruel. Because that child is now a member of the Konoha Ninja Village. Moreover, he naturally believed that Minato would not be an unreasonable child. From what he showed now, he was a rare genius.
Therefore, the Third Hokage tried to understand why he asked such a question and said, "Do you think your ability is enough to take this position?"
Hearing this, Minato lowered his head and paused, saying, "Actually, I don't know, but I believe I can do it."
He didn't dare to say that he could be compared with the Anbu that belonged only to the Third Hokage, but the key to determining the mission was not just the combat effectiveness of the ninja. And the so-called wisdom is also part of the strength of the ninja.
Minato himself didn't know, but the Third Hokage knew that Minato had defeated Jiraiya's clone before, and that strength was actually enough to take on such a task.
However, what he was worried about was Minato's age. In the world of ninja, experience is also a part of determining the success or failure of a mission. Minato, who was only nine years old, had no experience in carrying out missions. What's more, it was a mission of the level of protecting the future Jinchūriki.
However, now that Minato himself has raised this point, it means that he has truly understood some key things.
However, based on these alone, the Third Hokage still cannot hand over the task to Minato. Even if he agrees, those guys will...
"In the world of ninja, you can't get anything done just by talking. If you want to prove yourself, then show me," the Third Hokage said slowly after pondering.
Hearing this, Minato's eyes lit up. The Third Hokage did not reject his idea. In his expected situation, it was already the best outcome. He raised his eyes and looked at the Third Hokage, and said, "How can I prove it?"
"This is a good opportunity." The Third Hokage thought for a while, and then said, "You will know soon. I hope you will not let me down when the time comes."
After hearing this, Minato was confused, but since the Third Hokage said so, he must have his reasons.
"I will work hard for her," Minato said with a firm look. For Kushina, he would try his best to do anything and must succeed. He didn't know why, but he felt that way.
Then, the Third Hokage stared at Minato's face and smiled, "You are really a good disciple. You are much better than Jiraiya back then."
Seeing Minato, he recalled the time when he taught Jiraiya and the other two. However, compared to Jiraiya back then, Minato was undoubtedly a real genius. In this regard, he was very similar to another person, but there was a difference.
He wanted Minato to be his successor and become the Fourth Hokage, but that guy's idea...
Minato smiled in response, and in his mind, he reflected on Kushina's slightly red cheeks. For her, he must get the recognition of the Third Hokage no matter what!
Then, Minato respectfully saluted the Third Hokage and left the Hokage's office. As he walked back, the Third Hokage stared at the two photos hanging on the wall in front of him.
It was a handsome man with long black hair, and a white-haired man with a resolute face. They were the two people who were now regarded as legends at the beginning of Konoha: the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!
"My two lords, the will you passed down has been inherited by someone in the current generation, and it is a very outstanding little guy," the Third Hokage said with a smile.
But this smile stopped abruptly the next moment, and turned into a heavy sadness between his eyebrows. "But the peace you exchanged for your lives... I'm afraid it will be broken again."
After leaving the Hokage's office, Minato felt a little heavy, but when he recalled Kushina's smiling face, strength came from nowhere. He stood by the bridge of Konoha and looked down. The bright moonlight shone on the water, reflecting his face at the moment. Subconsciously, he clenched his fists tightly and reaffirmed his determination.
"This..."
But the subtle difference caught Minato's attention. From the reflection on the lake, he vaguely realized that someone was following him behind him, and it was definitely not just one person. As for his skills, they were definitely not much worse than any of the Anbu he had seen before.
He was a little confused. Why would someone be watching him? He was not sure about the identity of the person following him at the moment, but he had just met the Third Hokage, and there was no reason for him to arrange for the Anbu to watch him.
However, he did not show any abnormality but walked forward on his own, without showing that he noticed it. Because he wanted to see what purpose these people had in watching him.
At the same time, the door of the Third Hokage's office was pushed open again. The person who entered did not mean to be polite but stood directly in front of the Third Hokage, put his hands on the table, stared at the Third Hokage, and said, "Sarutobi, you didn't deal with the kid who took Kushina away without permission?"
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