[Bonus Chapter]
Although the Uzumaki clan has dwindled in numbers, under Kushina's influence, they didn't take on strange customs like the Hyuga clan. As a result, there were no rules against intermarriage with other clans. If you have the skills and the charm to win someone's heart, marriage is not obstructed.
Interestingly enough, none of the girls from the Uzumaki clan had married out yet. Instead, they had actually brought in two new brides to the clan.
This is a disaster. I planned to slip in quietly, but I ran right into Kushina, Minato thought. If Takuya found out, Minato knew he'd never hear the end of it.
Just imagining Takuya's teasing face made Minato scratch his head anxiously. Dating feels like committing a crime in secret; Takuya would laugh himself silly at me, he thought.
Minato and Nawaki were supposed to return soon—Tsunade had said so. Takuya hadn't paid attention to the exact date; he figured they'd come looking for him as soon as they got back to Konoha. But who could have predicted that Minato's first action after returning to the village would be to find his sweetheart—only to run into Kushina?
If Nawaki found out, he'd surely call Minato out for not being loyal to his friends.
"Didn't even say hi, just disappeared. I thought you were too embarrassed, but you were busy chasing romance. You damn animal!"
Pakura, who had returned after preparing lunch, relayed Kushina's message to Takuya.
"Kushina said Minato and Nawaki are back. Minato went to the Uzumaki compound, and Nawaki came looking for you but couldn't find you. She asked if you want them to come over."
"They're back already?" Takuya hadn't really paid much attention to what was going on outside lately, having been so focused on keeping Danzo under watch and tormenting the old man every day.
He put down his chopsticks and said, "Forget Nawaki. When you go back, tell Kushina to have Minato come here alone. Let Nawaki rest for now."
After eating, Pakura went straight to find Kushina. Not long after, Minato arrived.
"I really didn't expect Lady Tsunade would assign you to a mission like this," Minato said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Monitoring Danzo wasn't a surprising mission in itself; Danzo had made enough mistakes to deserve it. But to have Takuya carry out the task? That was a bit odd.
Minato wanted to ask, "Who else does surveillance by sitting openly in someone else's yard?"
Besides you, Takuya, I don't think there's anyone else in the entire shinobi world who would do such a thing.
Poor Danzo, Minato thought. The old man seemed to have lost a lot of weight—almost as if he was malnourished.
Is it possible he can't even eat properly under surveillance?
Danzo had always had a gaunt face with sharp features, but now, after days of eating only military ration pills and enduring Takuya's torment, he'd grown even thinner.
Takuya laughed, not bothering to hide anything from Minato, nor caring if Danzo overheard.
"That's because Tsunade knew I'd enjoy a mission like this. These past few days have been the most satisfying days of my life—there's just no way to put it into words."
Takuya had once thought that killing Danzo would be the simplest solution, ending everything in one swift blow. But now he realized he had been too naive.
The most enjoyable way was to openly watch over Danzo, causing him minor annoyances each day. Watching Danzo sustain himself on military ration pills, unable to flip the table in anger, losing weight each day—that was the most satisfying feeling.
The more glorious you were once, the more pathetic you are now.
Takuya was eager to see just how long Danzo could endure it. As long as Danzo didn't break, Takuya had no intention of letting him have any comfort. You want to hold on? Then just keep drinking tea and eating military rations. Let me see how many days you can last.
Let me see how long the people hiding in your secret room can remain hidden. Let me see how long your military rations can last.
When you can't take it anymore and break, I'll grab those hidden men of yours and take them straight to Tsunade.
You're a devil, Minato thought, though he couldn't deny that Danzo deserved this. To deal with someone so shameless, gentle methods wouldn't work.
"Is there anything you need me to handle?" Minato asked, knowing Takuya wouldn't have summoned him for nothing.
"Actually, yes," Takuya gestured for Minato to come closer, lowering his voice.
"After the academy lets out, I want you to pick up Kakashi from the school. Train him a bit for me, focusing specifically on attack and counter-attack speed. The kid's got a lot of issues that need sorting out. Also, I need you to do a sweep of the forest around the village, looking for anything unusual—specifically, any small white snakes."
"If you find anything, don't investigate further. Just wait until I'm done with this mission, and I'll go personally."
Everyone knew that Takuya had taken Kakashi under his wing. Minato was a little surprised that Takuya wanted him to train Kakashi for a while, as well as search for some rather secretive stuff.
"Alright," Minato agreed without hesitation. The primary task was finding those "things," with training Kakashi being a side job.
Small white snakes—it was easy to guess these were related to Orochimaru. Though this might affect the frontlines, given Orochimaru's current position, Minato wouldn't cut corners on Takuya's request.
"Just make sure not to mention this to anyone, especially Nawaki—you know how he is," Takuya said.
"Got it," Minato nodded. Nawaki was Orochimaru's student and shared a strong bond with him. If Nawaki found out, it could make things complicated.
After all, people are emotional beings—just like how the Third Hokage had deliberately protected Danzo and allowed Orochimaru to escape in the original timeline.
Nodding in understanding, Minato left Danzo's compound and headed to the academy to wait for Kakashi to get out of class.
Orochimaru and Danzo's secret experiments were certainly not above board. Takuya had no intention of exposing these dark secrets right now—but keeping tabs on them in advance was definitely necessary.
When the time was right, he would reveal everything and finally end Danzo for good.
As for Orochimaru—Takuya could only say "sorry." The moment Orochimaru decided to collaborate with Danzo, he set himself on a dark path of no return.
Compared to Danzo, Orochimaru still had options. If he chose to repent and take responsibility, Takuya believed both Tsunade and the Third Hokage might give him a chance to redeem himself. It all depended on Orochimaru's decision—whether to stay in the village and atone for his actions or to continue his pursuit of immortality and eventually defect, as he did in the original timeline.
After classes ended, Kakashi turned down his classmates' invitations and started heading home alone.
But as soon as he reached the academy gate, he was intercepted by Minato.
"Minato-senpai," Kakashi greeted. As Takuya's student, he was no stranger to Minato.
With his signature bright smile, Minato waved to Kakashi, "Your teacher is busy with a special mission and can't get away for a while. So he asked me to take over your training for a bit. We'll be leaving the village for a while, and we won't be coming back until it's over. Go get permission from your teachers first."
Training with Minato-senpai? Kakashi was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded.
"Understood, please wait for me."
After getting permission and packing what he needed, Kakashi followed Minato out of the village, beginning a new chapter in his training.
Once outside the village, Minato found a quiet place and sat down cross-legged.
"Tell me how you usually train," Minato asked, wanting to devise a more tailored regimen.
Copying Minato's posture, Kakashi sat on the ground, tilting his head in thought.
"I usually train by myself. When there's time, I spar with Sensei, and after the sparring, he points out my flaws and tells me to correct them."
Must've gone through quite an ordeal, huh? Minato thought.
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Next Bonus: 400
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