After Nawaki raised his hands in surrender, Takuya finally let him go.
But what should have been a lighthearted moment didn't feel right. Both Minato and Nawaki were unusually quiet, their moods somber. Minato managed to hide it better, but Nawaki couldn't mask his disappointment.
"We heard from Jiraiya that you'd be coming to the battlefield to join us," Nawaki said with a bitter smile. "That's why we rushed off to the frontlines. But who could have predicted you'd be kept back in the village, made into a jonin-sensei?"
The idea was almost laughable. He and Minato had been waiting eagerly for Takuya to show up on the frontlines. But instead, the higher-ups left him behind with some flimsy excuse, making him a jonin-sensei responsible for three rookies.
"I doubt it's just because of your Uchiha blood," Minato chimed in, glancing out the window.
Takuya shook his head, signaling that there was no one eavesdropping. "Even if it weren't for the Uchiha connection, it would've turned out the same. Maybe just in a different way. Honestly, being a jonin-sensei isn't so bad—more relaxed, no need to risk my life on the battlefield."
He opened his hands, smiling at them both. "Besides, you guys know what I really want, right?"
It was just a cooling-off period, nothing to worry about. Compared to what happened to Sakumo, Takuya's situation was a breeze. Sakumo, though, had been truly unfortunate, driven to his death by rumors.
Of course, that was partly because Sakumo couldn't handle the pressure. If he had just taken a stand or retired from being a shinobi, the village's leadership would have been scrambling to change things. Who could've guessed that mere rumors would push Sakumo to take his own life? If Sakumo had survived, the Third Great War might have played out very differently.
"Yeah, right," Nawaki laughed, shaking his head. "We're out there fighting for our lives, dealing with all kinds of dangers, and you're just lounging around the village having an easy time. That's so unfair! As soon as I'm healed, I'm applying for the Special Jonin exam."
"I have a feeling the Hokage will kick you out of his office," Minato teased, undercutting Nawaki's excitement.
"You're the one who'd get kicked out!" Nawaki shot back. "If Takuya can become a jonin, why can't I at least be a Special Jonin?"
To be honest, both Nawaki and Minato had the skills to pass the Special Jonin exam. As long as the exam wasn't too difficult, they'd likely succeed. But passing the exam was one thing—getting approval from the Hokage was another matter entirely.
"If you apply, I'm sure the Hokage would approve it," Takuya said with a grin. "As for Minato, though... that might be tricky."
"Why me?" Minato frowned. Why would Nawaki's application get approved but not his? Was he really that much weaker?
Nawaki scoffed, "How old are you again? Did you forget?"
"Takuya's situation was unique, that's why he got approved. What's your excuse?"
"..."
Minato realized what Nawaki meant. Nawaki was three years older than both Takuya and him. With Nawaki's age and skills, it was only a matter of time before he became a jonin. In fact, people like Tsunade and Orochimaru had already become jonin at his age. The Hokage had no reason to hold Nawaki back.
"Heh," Nawaki grinned, proud of himself for once again coming out on top.
But before he could celebrate too much, Minato, ever the tactician, switched the topic. "Hey, Takuya, I heard you and Kushina opened a hot pot restaurant. How about we go have some? I'm sick of eating rations and soldier pills from the battlefield."
"Sounds good," Takuya replied with a laugh.
Hot pot? Nawaki's eyes widened in disbelief. Were they seriously about to leave him behind and go eat hot pot without him? He tried to sit up, but being wrapped like a mummy, he could barely move. His smugness vanished.
"Hey! You guys better not be serious about this! Minato, you promised me we'd go together when I was better!" Nawaki shouted.
"Did I? I don't remember saying that," Minato said with a playful grin. "Besides, Tsunade-sensei said you can't have anything spicy. At least not until you're out of the hospital. So you can just watch us eat."
"Don't be such a jerk!" Nawaki growled, frustrated beyond words.
Takuya couldn't resist throwing in a final jab, "We could always have the hot pot delivered here. That way, you can enjoy the atmosphere."
"..."
In the end, Takuya actually did order a hot pot to be delivered to the hospital. But it wasn't to tease Nawaki—he specifically ordered a special rice porridge hot pot for him. As Nawaki stared at the bland porridge and a few slices of meat in his bowl, then looked over at Takuya and Minato enjoying their spicy meal, sweat dripping down their faces, he wanted nothing more than to slam his head into a wall.
Why did he even open his mouth? He should've known better than to mess with these two.
After saying goodbye to a thoroughly miserable Nawaki, Takuya and Minato left the hospital.
Every time Minato thought of Nawaki's face, filled with despair and frustration, he couldn't help but laugh. "Takuya, don't you think we went a bit too far?"
"Too far? Nah, we're just getting started. He needs to learn his lesson, or he'll never stop making reckless decisions."
Takuya looked up at the gray, clouded sky as they walked, kicking aside puddles. "Looks like it's going to snow again."
Minato, however, wasn't interested in the weather. He couldn't shake the thorn lodged in his heart. The fact that Takuya had been held back in the village as a jonin-sensei, while he and Nawaki were sent to the frontlines under Jiraiya's lead—it didn't sit well with him.
He might've looked like the ever-cheerful 'Little Sun' to everyone else, always wearing a bright smile. But those who knew him well could tell that Minato didn't forget these things easily.
"It bothers me, but I can't bring myself to blame sensei. He's just as trapped in this as we are."
"I know. That's why I don't hold it against him," Takuya replied, his expression turning serious. "But the truth is, his ideals and mine don't align. He's always chasing this elusive idea of peace, trying to find saviors where none exist. Me? I'm a realist. I do what's in my best interest."
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This is a bonus chapter for reaching 1,500 Power Stones.
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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 260+ at patreon.com/ Emik01. Don't forget to give a power stone for many bonus chapters