The New Year was approaching, but the Third Hokage was still busy. Even on New Year's Eve, he would work in the office until late before heading home.
"Tsunade, do you have something to ask me?"
"Not really. I just want to ask the old man for a favor."
"A favor?" The Third Hokage looked puzzled, not understanding what Tsunade wanted.
Seated comfortably on the sofa, Tsunade leaned back and crossed her legs. "Nawaki is about to graduate, isn't he? I plan to have Jiraiya be his teacher and take him on missions. Kushina's friends are visiting my house, and Shinki mentioned that he thought a young man named Namikaze Minato showed great potential and wanted to try his hand at teaching."
"I'll help him find someone," she added casually.
The Third Hokage's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Was she being serious? Did she really think one could become a teacher just because they felt like it? And now, she wanted to take away a student he had high hopes for?
Although many in the village were descendants of the First Hokage, factions had formed even among them. The most notable was the F4 group, led by Tsunade and supported by Akimichi Tofu, along with various other family alliances.
The Third Hokage struggled internally. Minato was indeed a talented young man. After a moment's thought, he sighed and conceded, "Alright, Shinki can be his teacher. But didn't you originally plan for Nawaki to train under Orochimaru? How did it become Jiraiya?"
Tsunade coughed and glanced away. "Orochimaru is too busy. That guy disappears into his lab for months at a time, and Nawaki would never stay put in such an environment. Plus, Nawaki enjoys being around Jiraiya, so I had to ask Jiraiya to help."
What Tsunade couldn't tell the Third Hokage was that Shinki had a strong belief in Jiraiya's potential as a teacher. After some persuasion, she had changed her mind.
Leaving Nawaki to Jiraiya's care meant that Orochimaru could continue his research undisturbed.
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a few puffs. "Nawaki and Jiraiya should work well together."
Of course, they would. They were just like him!
Tsunade didn't know what to say. The Third Hokage himself used to follow Jiraiya when he would sneak around the village to spy on others, and now Jiraiya would be mentoring Nawaki. Was this truly the legacy of the Hokage lineage?
None of them took things seriously!
With an annoyed glare at the Third Hokage, Tsunade stood up and left. The old man shifted uncomfortably, understanding why she was upset.
Huh...
Exhaling a puff of smoke, the Third Hokage mused, *I finally became the Hokage and secured this position. Is it so wrong to have a little hobby? Can't the Hokage relax for a while?*
Perhaps it was time to take a break. He reached for the crystal ball on his desk, placing it in front of him. He stared into it intently, lost in thought.
Back at home, Tsunade sat on the sofa and announced to Shinki, "It's done. The old man agreed. You're up; don't let me down."
Tsunade hugged Kushina, who giggled and squirmed in her embrace.
Kushina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Sister Tsunade, what's done?"
Shinki's eyebrows rose in amusement. "You actually asked for a student?"
Tsunade smirked. "Shinki said he believed in Minato's talent, so I pulled some strings for him. Minato will be your student."
As she spoke, Tsunade playfully tugged on Kushina's cheeks, eliciting squeals of protest.
When Minato Namikaze heard the news, he stood frozen, disbelief written all over his face.
*I really became the senior's student?*
It felt like a gift had fallen from the sky.
"Teacher..."
The blonde boy's voice trembled as he called Shinki for the first time, a mix of nerves and excitement evident.
Shinki chuckled and patted his head. "No need to be nervous. Train hard, and I believe you'll accomplish great things."
"Yes, teacher!"
"This is my New Year's gift to you. If you ever have questions or run into trouble, come to me. Don't keep it to yourself," Shinki said, handing him a ninja tool bag he had prepared.
Minato's eyes widened in surprise. He remembered watching Nawaki use his own ninja tool bag with envy, trying to hide it, but Shinki had noticed and made sure to prepare one for him for the New Year.
While the bag itself wasn't particularly valuable, the high-quality tools inside were.
Despite how protagonists in stories threw kunai, shuriken, and paper bombs around as if they cost nothing, in reality, only wealthy ninja could afford such luxuries. Most would retrieve and reuse whatever they could, even during training or on the battlefield.
Minato came from modest means and understood the value of such a gift.
"Take it," Shinki said with a warm smile.
Minato, still shy, accepted the bag, eyes sparkling.
"What about me?!" Nawaki piped up, jumping into the conversation.
"And me!" Kushina chimed in, leaping onto Shinki's back.
"Careful, you might fall," Shinki warned with a chuckle as he handed out the remaining gifts.
Kushina's gift was a set of jewelry—not extravagant, but thoughtful. The little rich girl didn't need expensive items; what mattered was the sentiment.
"Shinki, you're amazing! I love it," Kushina beamed, hugging her new accessories before dashing over to show Tsunade.
Tsunade rolled her eyes as the young girl flaunted her gift with excitement.
"Nawaki, this one's yours," Shinki said, passing him a box.
"Thank you!" Nawaki grinned, eagerly tearing it open. But as he peered inside, his smile faltered, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
What was Shinki's gift to Nawaki?
Curiosity piqued, Tsunade and Kushina leaned in, with even Minato peeking over Nawaki's shoulder.
A thick stack of test papers.
Are you serious?
Tsunade's expression softened in sympathy.
Kushina's jaw dropped in disbelief.
Minato stifled a laugh, trying to hide his grin.
Nawaki's fingers tightened around the test papers, turning his knuckles white as his hands shook.
"Why?!"
The usually cheerful boy was now on the verge of tears. He didn't care about being embarrassed; he shouted, "Why does Minato get a ninja tool bag, Kushina gets jewelry, and my New Year's gift is this?!"
It was downright cruel!
Did Shinki not know how bad he was at academics? This was practically a death sentence!
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 140 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss