Sakumo, still fumbling with something, seemed preoccupied, Kawakaze thought. Perhaps he was still troubled by the persistent question of why his sister-in-law hadn't yet gotten pregnant.
Still, Kawakaze wasn't too concerned. He knew his nephew's name was Kakashi, and such matters didn't need rushing.
Meanwhile, his attention shifted to Kushina, who was looking at him with the curiosity of a child. Her bright red hair caught the light as Kawakaze gently ran his fingers through it.
"What? Do you want to learn?"
Kushina nodded quickly but just as swiftly shook her head.
"Big Brother Kawakaze, it's not that I want to learn."
"I just think that if a friend of mine learns this technique, he'll definitely become very powerful."
Her candid expression amused Kawakaze, and he couldn't resist teasing her a little more.
"Is your friend a guy?" he asked.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Does he have blonde hair and a nice smile?"
"Yes! You've met him?"
"Is his name Minato Namikaze?"
Kawakaze didn't answer, relishing the look of surprise blooming on Kushina's face.
"Ah, you got it all right!" she exclaimed, dropping her usual tough demeanor and sounding more like the child she was.
"It wasn't hard," Kawakaze said with a sly smile. "I just needed to do a little calculation." He tilted his head with a mysterious air.
"Pfft, I don't believe it! You must have heard it somewhere," Kushina said skeptically.
"Well, I only had one friend named Minato in school," she replied smugly.
Kushina squinted at him, her sharp wit quickly cutting through his act. If it weren't for the fact that he was talking about Minato, she wouldn't have indulged his antics at all.
"Ahem," Kawakaze coughed awkwardly, giving up on maintaining his pretensions.
Changing the subject, he added, "If your friend is interested, he can come find me. I'm still looking for a student."
The thought of teaching Minato genuinely excited Kawakaze. It would be fulfilling to take him on as a disciple, especially since Jiraiya hadn't yet discovered this prodigy. If Kawakaze moved quickly, there'd be no chance of Jiraiya stealing Minato away.
Besides, Jiraiya already had so many disciples. Losing one wouldn't matter, right? Kawakaze justified his thoughts, though he couldn't entirely ignore the irony. First, he had "stolen" Jiraiya's goddess, and now he was planning to take his potential disciple.
He smirked to himself. What an ungrateful person I am.
"Big Brother, you've gone a bit too far," a voice interrupted his musings.
It was Nawaki, silently practicing Horse Stance in the background. He couldn't accept what Kawakaze had just said. Did he really claim to be short of students?
I'm right here! I've been learning from you all along, haven't I?
"Oh, Nawaki, you're different."
"What kind of relationship do we have? How can ordinary people compare to us?"
Kawakaze noticed his brother-in-law's dissatisfaction and quickly shifted his tone to appease him.
"You're right. I forgive you."
Nawaki was momentarily taken aback by Kawakaze's conciliatory gesture. This straightforward attitude must have been inherited from Hashirama Senju. If he had even a fraction of Tobirama Senju's intellect, he wouldn't have forgiven Kawakaze so easily.
"Really?"
Kushina, unconcerned with their exchange, was brimming with excitement. She thought that if Minato had such a powerful teacher like Kawakaze, he would undoubtedly become incredibly strong.
"Of course."
Kawakaze nodded firmly, his resolve unwavering. He was determined to take Minato as his disciple—even if the Shinigami (Death God) himself objected, it wouldn't matter.
"Then let's pinky swear! I'll talk to Minato when school starts."
"He'll definitely be thrilled," Kushina said, extending her right pinky finger.
For a brief moment, Kawakaze indulged in her childishness, hooking his pinky with hers.
With Kawakaze agreeing to take Minato under his wing, Kushina no longer felt like following Nawaki to practice Horse Stance. Instead, she was drawn to Onimaru, the enormous dog darting around the dojo.
She was undoubtedly a bold girl—most would steer clear of the Onimaru on sight.
Spreading her feet, Kushina sprinted toward the dog.
"What a big dog!"
Perhaps it was the innate charm of the Uzumaki Clan, but the Onimaru didn't resist her approach. It even seemed to enjoy her rough affection, letting out a satisfied whimper.
Kawakaze couldn't help but feel aggrieved. I've wrestled you to the brink of exhaustion, and you enjoy this girl's touch? Where does that leave my dignity as Kawakaze Hatake?
Sensing his displeasure, the Onimaru's fur bristled. It wriggled free from Kushina's grip before the oppressive aura subsided.
What a terrifying man. His sense of possession is overwhelming, the dog thought.
As the day came to an end, Nawaki and Kushina returned to the Senju residence, escorted by samurai guards.
When the moon rose high among the branches, Konoha fell into a deep silence.
Late into the night, three shadowy figures cloaked in black slipped into the Uchiha Clan's territory.
Under the faint glow of the moonlight, the leader's face became discernible—a man with an X-shaped scar on his chin: Shimura Danzo.
He had visited the Hatake Clan the previous night, and now he was here. It made one wonder just how many subordinates he was willing to lose.
The trio skillfully avoided the Uchiha sentries, navigating the area with practiced familiarity. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Clan Head's residence.
One of the men stepped forward, knocked on the door, and then retreated.
After a brief pause, the door slid open, revealing a young man in a kimono standing before them.
"I am Fugaku Uchiha. What brings you here uninvited to the Uchiha Clan?"
Fugaku's tone was both proud and cautious. The mere fact that these three strangers had reached the Clan Head's door without being detected spoke volumes about their skills.
"I am Danzō Shimura. I have important matters to discuss with your Clan Head," Danzo said, his voice dismissive. He didn't regard this young Uchiha with any importance—after all, it was only a matter of time before the Uchiha were eradicated.
"Wait here."
Fugaku frowned. He was well aware of Danzo's reputation within Konoha and how the Root had clashed with the Uchiha numerous times. Danzo harbored nothing but hostility toward the Uchiha. What could possibly be his intention tonight?
Without closing the door behind him, Fugaku disappeared into the house. For a ninja, a door was little more than a token barrier.
Moments later, Fugaku returned and led the three men to the Clan Head's meditation room.
Danzo's eyes twitched as he stepped inside. The room bore an uncanny resemblance to the one he had visited the previous night at the Hatake Clan—down to nearly identical details.
It was as if a lingering ache still throbbed faintly in Danzo's neck. After standing silently for a moment, he lowered himself onto the tatami opposite the Uchiha Clan Head.
Behind Danzo stood two Root ninjas, their presence silent but imposing. Opposite them, Fugaku Uchiha stood a step behind his elder, the Clan Head. At a subtle nod from the Clan Head, Fugaku poured a cup of tea for their visitor.
"When did the Uchiha become so interested in conducting 'important business' with Lord Danzo?"
The Clan Head's words carried a distinct lack of warmth, his tone edged with hostility.
"The Senju intend to build a hospital next to the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters," Danzo replied evenly, ignoring the cold reception. He deliberately avoided mentioning the Hatake Clan, knowing full well that the Senju name alone would provoke the Uchiha.
"Oh?"
The Clan Head's expression darkened as he considered the implications. To him, this could easily be another maneuver by the Third Hokage to undermine the Uchiha.
Danzo noted the shift in the Clan Head's demeanor, the faintest smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"It's true. The approval document has already been issued," Danzo continued smoothly. "Construction will begin as soon as the funding is secured."
His words were truthful enough, but he left out a critical detail: the Hatake Clan would be footing the bill.
"What's your angle here?"
The Uchiha Clan Head wasn't naive enough to believe Danzo had come with good intentions.
"I don't want this hospital to open either."
Danzo's admission was as blunt as it was unexpected. His disdain for Tsunade was so deep that he was willing to ally with the Uchiha, a clan he despised. It was a testament to just how black-hearted his ambitions were.
The Clan Head, a veteran of Konoha's political undercurrents, quickly pieced together Danzo's motives. He's worried Tsunade will gain influence and challenge him for the Hokage position.
His assessment was right on target.
"How do you propose we cooperate?"
The Uchiha Clan Head's tone softened slightly. Their shared interest in thwarting Tsunade made this alliance worth considering. While he had no love for Danzo, even temporary cooperation might serve the Uchiha's interests.
Moreover, Tsunade had the support of the Hatake Clan—a formidable ally. The Clan Head had no intention of underestimating them, especially since Fugaku, one of their finest warriors, hadn't even tested his mettle against Kawakaze Hatake.
If only the Uchiha Clan knew how narrowly Danzo had escaped death at Kawakaze's hands the previous night. Perhaps their stance toward him would shift entirely.