[Shadow Clone Jutsu!]
Kushina's index and middle fingers formed a cross sign. Soon after, a series of "poof" sounds erupted beside her.
Nearly ten identical Shadow Clones appeared out of thin air next to her.
The sight momentarily stunned Minato, who was standing right in front of her.
"What's wrong?"
"Did I do it wrong?"
"Is there something I messed up?"
Seeing Minato's expression, the nearly ten Kushinas spoke in unison from every direction, making for a rather amusing scene.
"No… you did it really well," Minato quickly replied. He didn't think Kushina had any problem practicing the Shadow Clone Jutsu at all.
Quite the opposite—he was amazed by how fast she had picked it up.
In just a few hours, she had already managed to create nearly ten clones.
Although Kushina naturally had an enormous amount of chakra, giving her an advantage in using this technique compared to ordinary people…
Still… this was an advanced B-ranked ninjutsu. To master and use it proficiently within mere hours—
That speed was simply too fast.
Pleased by Minato's praise, Kushina couldn't help but grin proudly, and the clones exchanged knowing looks.
The next moment, all clones performed the same action simultaneously—and their words were perfectly synchronized.
"With this many of us, we'll definitely knock Yan Uchiha flat on his back!"
Kushina's excited voice had that fiery edge—the classic Red-Hot Habanero spirit rising again.
Minato had no doubt that if Yan Uchiha were standing here right now, Kushina would charge forward immediately and beat him senseless.
"Dispel all the Shadow Clones," Minato said, letting out an uneasy chuckle. Upon hearing this, Kushina complied—except for her original self, every clone vanished into light puffs of smoke.
"You've already mastered this technique very well. However, for now, you still shouldn't provoke Yan Uchiha carelessly," Minato said seriously, looking at Kushina.
Upon hearing this, Kushina slightly pouted and said, "Why are you protecting that guy so much anyway?"
"It's not that I want to protect him," Minato continued. "It's just that facing Yan Uchiha with your current Shadow Clone technique alone is insufficient…"
"This technique can indeed help you confuse Yan Uchiha's vision and keep up with his movements. However, the technique itself has significant weaknesses."
"Weaknesses?"
"Yes. Since this technique works by evenly distributing your own chakra, your main body's chakra reserves will decrease accordingly. Even though you have plenty of chakra, it will still affect your actual combat effectiveness. The Shadow Clones' strength and speed cannot compare to your main body."
"You have not yet learned how to coordinate multiple Shadow Clones to work together either. If you charge recklessly like this, you'll only be wasting chakra for nothing."
Minato understood Kushina's thoughts perfectly—but he equally understood Yan Uchiha's strength.
Moreover, he didn't particularly want many people to find out he had taught Kushina the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Kushina looked into Minato's eyes and spoke hesitantly, "Alright, I'll listen to you. But next time, you still have to help me train."
Minato hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Kushina didn't know that several Anbu were hiding nearby.
She had tricked the Anbu this time, but next time wouldn't be so easy.
Still, he had already decided on his course of action before taking Kushina out.
"Sure thing," Minato replied with a gentle smile, then added, "Come on, I'll walk you home."
Her earlier eagerness vanished at the word "home."
Deep down, she didn't consider that place her home at all. She would rather stay at school or spend time with Minato and Mikoto.
But she knew that wasn't possible.
The two left together and half an hour later reached Kushina's residence.
...
"See you tomorrow," Kushina said, still reluctant to part. Minato waved for her to go inside while staying rooted himself — he could tell without even trying that more than ten pairs of eyes had been watching them ever since they arrived.
Kushina bade him goodbye too, just as the gate swung open and Mariko, the same woman who picked Kushina up from the Ninja Academy each day, stepped out. She grabbed Kushina's wrist and pulled her inside.
As the gate slowly closed, Kushina completely disappeared from Minato's sight.
Whoosh!
At the exact moment the gate shut, figures emerged from all directions around the street, all wearing masks.
Yet Minato showed no panic in the face of their sudden appearance.
Among the group, a figure who seemed to be the leader stepped forward and stood tall before Minato. "You're Minato Namikaze?" he asked.
Minato simply nodded.
The man continued, "You're the one who took Kushina Uzumaki away from school?"
Minato admitted it without hesitation. At this point, he thought he could actually detect a hint of surprise behind the hollow mask.
Meanwhile, some unfriendly gazes pierced through from the surrounding figures.
Minato hadn't missed that either — protecting Kushina was their duty, yet he, just a student at the Ninja Academy, had walked her away right in front of them.
To them, it was undeniably disgraceful.
"Let's go," the leading figure finally said. "The Third wishes to see you."
He had expected Minato to flinch at those words, but instead, Minato merely acknowledged it calmly,
as if he had known all along that the Third would call for him after this incident.
Without another word, the leader dashed forward, vanishing from view, while the others melted back into hiding positions around the estate and street.
Minato followed immediately.
Even though the lead Anbu moved fast, his focus never wavered from Minato for a second.
To his shock, the kid behind him was keeping up — and without even seeming rushed...
He was a sub-commander of the Anbu, for crying out loud!
Instinctively, he sped up, and Minato gradually began to feel some strain. Still, he didn't fall behind.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Hokage Tower in the village center. The Anbu led Minato to a room and said, "Go in by yourself. Third Hokage is waiting inside."
Minato nodded, his composed demeanor finally breaking into visible emotion.
After all, he was about to meet the Hokage — the one person the entire village looked up to and revered.
And for Minato, who dreamed of earning the title of Hokage himself one day, this moment meant even more.
Taking a steadying breath, Minato pushed open the door and stepped inside. A towering figure immediately came into view.
It was none other than the Third Hokage — Hiruzen Sarutobi!
...
...
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>