Tsunade reaped some benefits, but Danzo remained the same. He faced no punishment.
The only change was that the surveillance over him was now openly acknowledged rather than carried out in secret—a compromise silently approved by the Third Hokage.
But for the Third Hokage, this was a considerable loss.
Backing down meant sacrificing something.
It had to be said—Hiruzen Sarutobi's loyalty to Danzo was almost unfathomable.
Takuya couldn't help but suspect whether there was something unspeakable between the two men.
If not, why would the Third Hokage sacrifice so much for Danzo?
When it came to his own family, Hiruzen had never made such significant concessions. Yet, for Danzo, it was different.
Is this what they call "bonds"?
Takuya shook his head. Maybe he didn't read enough books to fully understand this mysterious concept of bonds.
First it was Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Then Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura. Later, it's Naruto and Sasuke…
Pair after pair.
"Sensei, are you looking for something?"
Kakashi, who had been training under Minato for some time, couldn't help but notice that Minato would often wander off after giving him advice, as if searching for something.
Minato froze for a moment, then rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Was it that obvious?"
He had tried to cover his tracks, but it seemed he underestimated Kakashi's observational skills.
"Very obvious."
Kakashi nodded seriously.
If their relationship weren't still formal, he would have asked about it long ago.
Minato sighed in resignation, smiling as he spoke. "It seems I underestimated your perception. You truly are the village's acknowledged genius, Kakashi."
Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his gaze drifting upward. He remained indifferent to the compliment.
In the past, he would've been delighted by such praise.
But ever since his father introduced him to Takuya, Kakashi no longer thought of himself as a "genius."
Compared to people like Takuya and Minato, he realized how much he still lacked.
Praise meant little to him now. What he really sought was Takuya's recognition.
This brat.
Though Kakashi had merely tilted his head, the slight upward glance gave off the impression of someone rolling their eyes.
Minato couldn't help but recall Takuya's words: Geniuses always have a certain edge to them.
Kakashi was no different.
But using those "dead fish eyes" on someone wasn't exactly polite behavior.
If Kakashi knew what Minato was thinking, he'd protest loudly. He had no intention of being rude—looking up was just a habit!
Oh well. Since Kakashi had noticed, Minato decided there was no harm in explaining. He trusted Kakashi to keep quiet.
Minato sat cross-legged on the ground and gestured for Kakashi to do the same.
Once Kakashi was seated, Minato rested his chin in his hand, his expression slightly conflicted.
"How should I put this… Your teacher asked me to train you while he handles a particular mission. At the same time, he gave me a somewhat special task—to look for something."
Minato paused, then added, "Since you've already noticed, there's no point in hiding it. Just don't go blabbing about it, alright?"
"What are you looking for?" Kakashi asked curiously.
Minato grinned. "Not telling."
"..."
Kakashi was dumbfounded.
What do you mean, "not telling"?!
"Ha ha ha!"
Minato burst into laughter, clearly satisfied with Kakashi's confused expression.
"Honestly, I don't know what your teacher is looking for either," Minato admitted. "If you're that curious, go ask him yourself. But I can't guarantee he won't beat you for asking."
Minato shot Kakashi a teasing look, raising his brows as if to encourage him to try it.
"..."
My teacher is a devil, and now you're a devil too.
Kakashi's lips twitched as he stared silently at Minato.
At first, Kakashi had admired Minato for his sunny demeanor and approachable nature. But as time passed, he began to realize the truth: this smiling, good-natured "Golden Flash" could be a little… mischievous.
Beneath that charming exterior was a man with a wicked sense of humor.
Seeing Kakashi's signature deadpan gaze again, Minato sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Don't look at your teacher like that, either," Minato advised. "Otherwise, he might beat you senseless. You don't need to know everything, and curiosity won't get you far here."
Takuya had given Kakashi the same warning before: Don't ask questions about things you shouldn't know. Don't pry into matters that don't concern you. If you do, I'll beat you myself—and your father will thank me for it.
Suppressing his curiosity, Kakashi shifted topics.
"Sensei, your reflexes…"
Over the course of his training, Minato would often spar with Kakashi, and every session left Kakashi completely overwhelmed.
Though Kakashi recovered quickly from each defeat, he still couldn't comprehend how Minato moved so fast.
Against Takuya, Kakashi had been outclassed in every possible way. Against Pakura, he got beaten daily. And now, against Minato, he couldn't even keep up with the man's counterattacks.
Minato smirked, clearly amused.
I was wondering how long you'd hold out. Finally, you cracked.
Clapping his hands together, Minato stretched his wrists and held them up in front of Kakashi.
"My reflexes are unusually strong—faster than your teacher's, in fact. It's one of the few areas where I have an edge over him."
Or maybe the only area.
As he said this, Minato felt a pang of frustration.
Apart from his exceptional reflexes, Minato couldn't think of any other advantage he held over Takuya.
As for the Flying Raijin technique…
It's just a jutsu. There's nothing worth comparing.
Is that so?
Kakashi's mind wandered back to memories of Takuya training him.
Minato continued, "Because of my reflexes, my counterattacks are exceptionally fast. Once I mastered the Flying Raijin, my overall strength improved significantly."
"That's why your teacher entrusted you to me. He wants me to help you improve your reaction speed."
"I see."
Kakashi finally understood why Takuya had left him with Minato. It was to compensate for his weaknesses.
"Sensei, how does your strength compare to my teacher's?"
"Can we not talk about that?"
Minato's handsome face darkened as he smacked Kakashi lightly on the head.
Why'd you have to bring that up?
"I said my strength improved—not that I could beat your teacher," Minato grumbled.
Kakashi said nothing, simply staring at Minato silently.
Minato sighed in defeat, raising his hands in surrender.
"Fine. I can't beat him. Even with the Flying Raijin and my title as the 'Yellow Flash,' your teacher is a monster. Don't even try to compare yourself to him—you'll just end up frustrated."
Minato paused, then added, "Not even my teacher or the others dare to anger Takuya. Tsunade is the exception, but that's because their relationship is… unique."
He chuckled, recalling the times Jiraiya had tried teasing Takuya—only to flee the moment Takuya's expression soured.
Ruffling Kakashi's hair, Minato sighed.
"The village has many strong shinobi. Your father, for example, is regarded as one of Konoha's top-tier warriors. But what outsiders don't know is that Takuya is the truly terrifying one. And aside from him, there's Kushina, too."