As New Year approached, the Third Hokage remained busy. Even on New Year's Eve, he would stay in his office working late into the night before heading home.
"Tsunade, do you need something?"
"Oh, nothing much—just here to ask you for someone."
"Ask for someone?"
The Third Hokage looked puzzled. What person could Tsunade be asking for?
Sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed, Tsunade leaned back lazily.
"Well, Nawaki's about to graduate, so I'm planning to have Jiraiya as his teacher to guide him on missions. Also, since Kushina's friend is visiting, Takashi thinks that little Namikaze Minato kid is pretty good and wants to try his hand at being a teacher."
"I'm here to help him get the kid."
The Third Hokage was speechless.
Seriously? You're just going to whimsically demand a promising kid I've been keeping an eye on?
Although any student eventually trained would technically be part of the Hokage's faction, even within the faction there were now smaller sub-groups.
There was Tsunade's faction, led by her, with Akimichi Torifu as her second in command, supported by other allied clans.
A talented child like Minato was something the Third Hokage was reluctant to give up.
After deliberating, he sighed and said, "Fine. Takashi can take him as a student. But weren't you planning to hand Nawaki over to Orochimaru? Why Jiraiya now?"
"Ahem!"
Tsunade coughed awkwardly. "Orochimaru's busy, you know. That guy locks himself in his lab for months at a time. Nawaki wouldn't last a day with that temperament. Besides, he likes hanging out with Jiraiya, so I figured I'd just ask Jiraiya to take care of him."
Tsunade certainly wasn't going to tell the Third Hokage that Takashi had more confidence in Jiraiya, and after several conversations had managed to convince her to change her mind.
So Nawaki would be entrusted to Jiraiya, while Orochimaru could continue with his research.
The Third Hokage took the smoking pipe from his desk, lit it, and took a few puffs before speaking:
"Nawaki and Jiraiya should get along well."
How could they not? They practically follow in your footsteps!
Tsunade didn't know what to say. Back when the Third Hokage trained Jiraiya, they used to peep on people taking baths. Now it was Jiraiya bringing Nawaki along—was this the real legacy of the Hokage faction?
A bunch of troublemakers!
Tsunade shot the Third Hokage a glare before standing up and leaving.
Feeling awkward under her gaze, the Hokage sighed inwardly.
Sigh, it wasn't easy to become Hokage or secure this position. What's wrong with having a few harmless hobbies? Can't the Hokage relax once in a while?
Speaking of relaxation, it was about that time.
The Third Hokage retrieved his crystal ball, set it on the desk, and stared intently at it, though what he was watching was anyone's guess.
---
When Tsunade got home, she flopped onto the sofa and said to Takashi, "It's done. I got the kid from the old man. Good luck—I'm rooting for you."
Saying this, she scooped Kushina into her arms and playfully ruffled her hair.
Curious, Kushina asked, "Tsunade-nee, what did you get done?"
Are you for real? I was just talking casually, and you actually went and got him?
Takashi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Takashi said he thought Minato had a lot of potential, so I decided to help out and asked for him to be your student."
As she spoke, Tsunade playfully pulled Kushina's cheeks, stretching them to either side. Kushina protested but couldn't escape.
When he found out, Minato Namikaze was completely stunned.
I'm really becoming his student?
It felt like a pie had fallen from the sky and landed directly on his head.
"Sensei."
The first time he called someone that, the blond boy was both nervous and shy.
Takashi smiled and patted his head, "Don't be nervous. Train hard. I believe you'll achieve great things."
"Yes, Sensei!"
"This is my New Year's gift to you. In the future, if you have any questions or run into trouble, don't keep it to yourself. Come talk to me."
Takashi handed Minato a prepared ninja tool pouch.
When training with Nawaki, Minato often glanced enviously at Nawaki's ninja tools pouch. Though he hid it well, Takashi had noticed and prepared a new one for him as a New Year's gift.
The pouch itself wasn't expensive, but the tools inside were.
Don't be fooled by the carefree way main characters in the series throw kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags around like they're free. In reality, only wealthy ninjas could afford such luxury.
Ordinary ninjas wouldn't dare waste supplies, and even on the battlefield, they'd scavenge for reusable tools.
Minato, unfortunately, belonged to the "too broke to throw kunai" category.
"Take it."
Though embarrassed, Minato accepted the pouch as Takashi gently pushed it into his arms.
"What about me? What about me?"
Nawaki jumped up, eager for his own gift.
"Me too!"
Kushina ran over, leaped into the air, and clung to Takashi's back.
"Careful, don't fall," Takashi said with a sigh, pulling out more New Year's gifts.
Kushina's gift was a set of jewelry—not expensive, as the little rich girl didn't need anything extravagant, but it was thoughtful.
"Takashi, you're the best! I love it!"
Ecstatic, Kushina ran off to show Tsunade her new jewelry, her grin so wide it barely fit on her face.
Tsunade, unimpressed, rolled her eyes as Kushina proudly showed off her gift.
"And this is for you, Nawaki," Takashi said, handing over a box.
"Thanks!"
Nawaki tore into the box eagerly. But the moment he opened it, his grin froze, and the color drained from his face.
What was inside?
Curious, Tsunade, Kushina, and even Minato leaned in to take a look.
...A thick stack of test papers.
You're a monster!
Tsunade gave her brother a sympathetic glance.
Kushina's mouth fell open in shock.
Minato scratched his head, trying not to laugh.
Nawaki's hands trembled as he clutched the stack of papers, his fingers whitening from the effort.
"Whyyy!!"
Normally carefree and cheerful, Nawaki completely broke down, his voice echoing through the room.
"Why does Minato get a ninja tools pouch, Kushina gets jewelry, and my New Year's gift is THIS?!"
This was inhuman!
Don't you know I suck at academics?
You're trying to kill me, aren't you?!