Chapter 28: Beauty? What Man Isn't Sincere!
Land of Grass.
The Konoha Ninja Encampment.
"Haha, Minato, looks like you've finally experienced the battlefield and realized how different a ninja war is from regular missions."
Perched on a large rock, Jiraiya held a copy of *The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja*, looking mischievously at Minato as he teased, "Here, Minato, the latest edition of my masterpiece!"
Minato gave a wry smile to his eccentric mentor, his usually confident and sunny expression showing a trace of helplessness.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei."
Seeing Minato accept the book, Jiraiya's usual playful demeanor turned serious as he spoke earnestly, "Use this book to help adjust your mindset. After all, this time you're working alongside ninjas from noble clans or with bloodline abilities, and that must feel a bit overwhelming."
Jiraiya's meaningful look caught Minato off guard, and after a moment, he responded with a bittersweet smile, nodding with a hint of desolation in his eyes.
After all, he wasn't yet the future Fourth Hokage. A ninja's mental state is something honed through countless trials.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I used to think that if I worked hard enough, I could catch up with everyone. But this time on the battlefield, I've seen a different side."
"The Nara, Akimichi… they have powerful clan techniques at their disposal. And as for the Hyuga and Uchiha clans with their bloodlines, not to mention the Aburame and Inuzuka…"
During the journey here, both Jiraiya and Tsunade had been training them, which had indeed proven effective, helping them to grow quickly and become familiar with the realities of ninja warfare.
But at the same time, among all these people, Minato was the only one without a prestigious lineage. He began to feel that no matter how hard he worked, there seemed to be a chasm between him and those with natural talent and noble backgrounds.
Noticing Minato's self-doubt, Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh.
"Minato, you're right. Compared to these clan ninjas with bloodlines and secret techniques, that is a limitation for you. But it doesn't mean you can't catch up. Back in the day, when Orochimaru and I faced Tsunade…"
As Jiraiya reminisced, a nostalgic expression briefly crossed his face, followed by a rare confident smile as he shook his head.
"But now? The gap between me, Orochimaru, and Tsunade has closed over time. In terms of strength, each of us has our own unique skills, and neither I nor Orochimaru possesses a bloodline or secret techniques!"
Encouraged by Jiraiya's words, Minato quickly regained his composure, his sunny smile returning.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei. I understand."
With his unwavering spirit restored, a determined look sparkled in Minato's eyes.
Though he was surrounded by bloodlines and secret techniques this time, which had left him momentarily lost, he knew he could adjust even without Jiraiya's guidance after a few days.
Seeing Minato's resolve, Jiraiya burst into laughter.
"Haha, Minato, I believe in you. Your talent is the true mark of a genius."
"Oh, and by the way, Jiraiya-sensei…"
Minato took a deep breath and looked at Jiraiya seriously, "Before I left, the Third Hokage summoned me and told me a lot about the village's secrets…"
As Minato relayed these matters, the carefree look in Jiraiya's eyes gradually turned serious.
"The old man sure trusts you, to tell you even that."
Jiraiya wasn't naive. The Third Hokage wanted him to share this information with Tsunade, given their close relationship.
After all, in this complicated ninja world, comradeship and bonds hold significant weight.
"So, Minato, can you tell me if your feelings for Kushina Uzumaki are based on self-interest, duty, or something else?"
Jiraiya looked at Minato seriously, awaiting his response.
Faced with this question, Minato froze, then hesitated before lowering his head and responding awkwardly, "Jiraiya-sensei, when Kushina first came to the academy, she was very beautiful. But her personality and the atmosphere in our class…"
It was clear that, under those circumstances, Minato, who came from a civilian background, chose to blend into the larger group, pushing his feelings for the ostracized Kushina deep inside.
"As Kushina grew more beautiful… I! With this mission from the Third Hokage, I'm genuinely following my heart, not acting out of interest or obligation!"
With a determined expression, Minato revealed the secret he had kept in his heart.
After all, in the original story, Minato had shown interest in Kushina, but despite years at the academy together, they never became friends—a clear indication of his shy, hidden affection.
Hearing this, Jiraiya's serious expression broke into a wide grin, and he winked mischievously.
"Heh, let me tell you something—men are always drawn to beauty first. The fact that you're honest about your feelings shows you're already strong."
When it comes to beauty, what man isn't sincere?
"Minato, don't worry. As long as you're serious and responsible, go ahead and give it your best. Leave the rest to me."
Jiraiya patted his chest confidently, aware of the Third Hokage's intentions.
White Fang, the Hokage, and the Senju issues had already strained the relations between the Third Hokage's faction and the Senju clan. The Third Hokage clearly wanted to send a positive signal.
While the Senju clan could make decisions regarding the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, they couldn't prevent him from assigning Minato to the task. This was essentially a political marriage.
It made perfect sense for Jiraiya to approach Tsunade about this matter.
It's undeniable that, from the beginning, the Third Hokage's plan was fail-proof.
If it worked, he would get the jinchuriki under his control. If it failed?
Simply Kushina's lack of belonging to the village would disqualify her as the jinchuriki.
Whether successful or not, the ultimate authority was in his hands.
After Minato respectfully left, Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief, glancing at a nearby tree with a smirk.
"Well? Not bad for a student, don't you think?"
As Jiraiya muttered to himself at the tree, a cold snort came in response, and Tsunade's figure appeared, accompanied by Uchiha Yosuke.
"Hey, hey, Tsunade, you're really bringing this kid along?"
Upon seeing Tsunade's murderous look, Jiraiya quickly fell silent, sulking to himself.
Ninja instincts made observation easy, and having been teammates with Tsunade, he could clearly see the connection between Tsunade and Uchiha Yosuke, as could the Third Hokage.
It wasn't so much that Tsunade was looking for a young protégé; rather, she was using the Uchiha clan as leverage.
"Tsunade, I can see that Minato is a good kid."
Clearly, Jiraiya already knew about the Third Hokage's plan to have Minato approach Kushina.
After all, Minato was only a pawn, and Jiraiya was, after all, his student.
Having witnessed everything, Tsunade understood the Third Hokage's message. Politics is always a matter of compromise.
"What do you think, kid?"
When Jiraiya asked, Tsunade didn't respond directly, instead raising her eyebrows at Uchiha Yosuke.
Caught off guard by the question, Yosuke glanced at Tsunade and Jiraiya, then grinned sincerely.
"Shameless!"
Pfft!
Tsunade immediately burst out laughing, while Jiraiya stared at him wide-eyed.
"Hey, hey, kid, if my student is shameless, then aren't you even more shameless?"
Unbothered by Jiraiya's antics, Yosuke shrugged, casually replying, "Of course, I'm shameless too. Kushina's red hair is beautiful—90 points. Her identity as the jinchuriki? That's worth 10 points. If her appearance were worth only 10, well… if you'd asked me a moment ago, I'd say it's for the village."
Saying such shameless words with complete conviction, Yosuke showed no guilt, even as he spoke with pride.
It's the truth: if Minato truly liked Kushina, why hadn't he made a move back at the academy? That wasn't just a few days; it was several years.
Likewise, Yosuke knew himself well. Attraction is natural, and beauty is part of that.
His words implied that, for him, Kushina's beauty held 90 points, while for Minato, who knew?
"You brat!"
Jiraiya was left speechless by Yosuke's words, nodding in resigned agreement. Men really are just like that.
Forget about "inner beauty"—that's nonsense. First impressions are always based on looks, no matter who you are. No one notices your "inner beauty" on first sight.
Tsunade, laughing to the point of tears, said, "So, kid, by that standard, you're all pretty shameless."
"Tsunade, look!"
Jiraiya rubbed his hands together, with a mischievous smile, and Tsunade immediately understood.
"Haha, Tsunade, I'll go check on the camp first."
Jiraiya laughed and scratched his head. Since Tsunade didn't object, it was a tacit agreement, and he was naturally happy.
Not only for his disciple Minato, but also for the village, because he didn't want to see the gap between Tsunade and the teacher, between the Senju clan and the village, getting bigger and bigger.
"Captain Tsunade, I'll take my leave as well."
Uchiha Yosuke respectfully chose to leave with Jiraiya.
After the figures of the two disappeared, Tsunade calmly said to the forest: "You heard everything just now."
With the sound of rustling leaves, Kushina with fiery red hair came out obediently. At this moment, the blush on her cheeks had not faded.
***
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