"Kushina, I like you!" Minato shouted, his voice echoing through the courtyard and even catching the attention of the Hatake Clan samurai hidden in the shadows.
Then, as if awaiting his judgment, he closed his eyes tightly, bracing himself for whatever response might come.
"I like you too," Kushina's soft, shy voice reached his ears, catching him off guard.
When Minato opened his eyes, overjoyed, Kushina had already turned and hurried off, her face flushed as she made her way home.
Nawaki, however, had seen enough. He sheathed his sword and muttered under his breath, walking away with an exasperated expression. I'm so done with this miserable mood. Being single feels like a curse
"Sensei, Kushina said she likes me too!" Minato beamed, running back to Kawakaze with a joy that lit up his entire face.
Kawakaze smirked knowingly, wearing the expression of someone who had orchestrated the whole event. You're welcome, kid. I just fast-tracked your love life by years. You're not calling me Sensei for nothing.
"Well, now everyone in the Hatake Clan knows," Kawakaze said, teasing him further.
Minato turned red again, the blush on his face deepening.
"Go pack up your things. The butler will help you settle into a room here," Kawakaze instructed. From today on, Minato Namikaze was officially his first disciple. Nawaki, of course, didn't count—he was family.
"Yes, Sensei! I'll be back soon." Minato bowed before rushing off to gather his belongings. Fortunately, he didn't own much, so it didn't take long.
That evening, to celebrate his new disciple, Kawakaze invited Tsunade over for dinner. It had been a while since she'd visited, as her work overseeing the hospital construction had kept her busy.
Tsunade, aware of Kawakaze's ulterior motives but missing their time together, readily agreed. Nawaki and Kushina joined as well, and with the group gathered, a banquet was soon underway.
Sake flowed freely, as was tradition, and Minato found himself tasked with pouring drinks for everyone. It didn't feel like a welcome party for him but more like a sensei-hosted gathering. Nonetheless, his obedient demeanor quickly endeared him to everyone.
Sakumo even patted Minato affectionately on the back. "Call me Uncle Sakumo," he said with a smile.
Nayuki pinched Minato's cheeks, declaring, "He's so cute! I want a son just like him one day."
Kawakaze, already tipsy, grabbed Minato by the arm as he poured sake. "Call her Sensei," he said, pointing across the table.
Following Kawakaze's finger, Minato froze when he saw none other than Tsunade. Her flushed cheeks and slightly wobbly posture made her look as intimidating as she was beautiful.
Before he could decide whether to say it, Tsunade suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace. "In the future, always report to your sensei before heading out, got it?" she slurred, clearly intoxicated.
"Y-Yes, Sensei!" Minato stammered, his face red as he awkwardly wriggled free of her grasp. He quickly retreated to Kushina's side, seeking refuge.
"Tsunade-neechan gets like this when she drinks too much," Kushina whispered reassuringly. "Don't take it to heart."
Minato nodded, though in his mind, he silently labeled Tsunade as "Sensei's wife—not to be messed with."
After the banquet wound down, Nawaki and Kushina helped carry the thoroughly inebriated Tsunade back to her room. Meanwhile, Kawakaze staggered off to bed, and the butler escorted Minato downstairs to settle into his new home.
...
Two months later, the hospital officially opened its doors.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by many prominent figures, including the Third Hokage, the two advisers, and the head of the Uchiha Clan. Representatives from notable Konoha clans, such as the Inuzuka Clan, and many Jōnin were also present to mark the occasion.
Following the ceremony, the hospital began operations immediately. Kawakaze honored his promise, allowing qualified Uchiha Clan members to learn medical techniques. In time, they could choose to work at the hospital if they wished. However, the Uchiha Clan wasn't pursuing this as a livelihood; their intent was to improve relations with the villagers. Unfortunately, such efforts were only superficial, and Kawakaze had no intention of addressing the clan's deeper challenges just yet.
The next day, Kawakaze met with Minato and Nawaki, instructing them to follow their training schedules independently. Afterward, he bit his finger, summoning Katsuyu. Tsunade set aside her work to join him, and Sakumo and Nayuki naturally did the same.
Amid a puff of smoke, a half-meter-tall clone of Katsuyu appeared before them.
"Kawakaze, are you ready?" Katsuyu asked, her tone calm and measured.
"Yes, Lady Katsuyu. Please proceed," Kawakaze replied, his expression turning solemn.
"I want to go too."
Tsunade, having anticipated this moment, spoke up and asked Katsuyu to take her along.
"Yes, just wait here. I'll return shortly after making preparations."
Katsuyu, despite her deliberate demeanor, was remarkably efficient. After speaking, she vanished into the Hatake Clan Dojo with a puff of smoke.
"Kawakaze, remember, you're the only brother I've got."
Sakumo couldn't stop Kawakaze from his pursuit and could only voice his feelings.
"Don't worry. I've got this," Kawakaze replied with an easy smile.
Before he could say more, he and Tsunade vanished in an instant by the Reverse Summoning Technique.
The scene shifted, and Kawakaze found himself in the Shikkotsu Forest. The air was thick with the scent of a slimy, corrosive liquid, and the stone cave they were in was cold and damp.
In front of them stood Katsuyu, her massive form stretching beyond their sight. She had placed them on a clean boulder, likely prepared specifically for this purpose.
The space felt alive with a strange, overwhelming energy—far stronger than anything they'd encountered in Konoha.
"Do you feel that?" Kawakaze asked. The energy enveloped him like the soothing warmth of a hot spring.
"A little," Tsunade replied. "The air here feels... fresher."
"Do you sense the Natural Energy?" Katsuyu's voice echoed through the cave.
"Is this what it feels like?" Kawakaze's earlier skepticism vanished, replaced with certainty. "It's like soaking in a hot spring."
"I don't feel much," Tsunade admitted. She had no interest in practicing Senjutsu, knowing full well the life-threatening risks it involved.
"As I expected, you are naturally gifted," Katsuyu remarked to Kawakaze before turning to Tsunade. "You, however, are not suited for Senjutsu."
"I'm just here to keep an eye on him," Tsunade replied with a smile. "That way, I won't worry."
"Very well. Kawakaze, I will guide you in Senjutsu."
Katsuyu continued, her voice calm yet firm. "Senjutsu involves the fusion of three energies: Physical Energy, Spiritual Energy, and Natural Energy. When these three are perfectly balanced, they form Sage Power, enabling the use of Senjutsu."
Although Katsuyu's explanation was thorough, Kawakaze was already familiar with the basics. He had simply never had an opportunity to practice before.
Senjutsu was the secret art of the three great Summoning Beast Sages, known to only a handful of individuals in the entire shinobi world. At this point in history, with Hashirama Senju gone, it was likely that even Jiraiya had yet to learn it.