"You want to protect Kushina? Are you saying I should entrust the protection of someone who may become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to a student still attending the Ninja Academy?"
When the Third Hokage heard this, he couldn't help but chuckle slightly—not mockingly, but more like a seasoned mentor humoring a bright student's youthful eagerness.
Although Minato's strength might not match his age, assigning him to guard Kushina, who could potentially become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, seemed overly frivolous.
Minato had expected the Third's words beforehand. He immediately replied, "I know there's still much I lack at present, but... thinking about how Kushina feels, I can no longer suppress my emotions. So please, allow me to be her protector—even if it's just giving her brief moments of freedom while she's with me."
Even without the Third mentioning it, Kushina was under Anbu protection, and Minato also understood her importance.
Yet, when it came to matters concerning her, Minato couldn't remain truly rational—even though he realized his request was somewhat absurd.
After listening to Minato's words, the Third started to get a sense of Kushina's emotional struggle. Even if she would soon become the host of the Nine-Tails, making her live in isolation under this identity felt cruel to him as Hokage.
Because that young woman was becoming part of Konoha Ninja Village too...
Besides, he naturally believed Minato wasn't a reckless child; from what he'd shown so far, he was indeed a rare genius.
So the Third asked why he thought he was up to the job.
"Do you think your abilities are sufficient for this position?"
Upon hearing this, Minato lowered his head briefly before replying, "Truthfully, I'm not sure either. But I believe guarding someone doesn't rely solely on power itself—what matters most is skillful attention to every little detail."
He knew he couldn't match the top Anbu working directly under the Third, but completing missions depended on more than just combat strength.
Wisdom itself was also part of a ninja's might.
He didn't realize it, but the Third already knew how he had once defeated one of Jiraiya's Shadow Clones—a feat that actually made him capable enough for this mission.
But his real concern was Minato's age.
In the ninja world, though, experience often determined whether a mission succeeded or failed. At merely nine years old, Minato had absolutely no mission experience whatsoever—especially for a critical assignment like protecting a future Jinchuriki.
Still, since Minato had voluntarily raised these points, it meant he'd already grasped some essential elements.
Even so, the Third still couldn't simply hand over this duty to Minato; even if he agreed, those other elders definitely wouldn't—
"In the ninja world, mere words won't accomplish anything. If you really want to prove yourself, then show me what you've got," said the Third after careful thought.
Minato's eyes lit up upon hearing this. The Third had not rejected his idea, which in his mind was already the best scenario he could imagine.
He looked up at the Third. "How should I prove myself?"
"This is exactly an opportunity," the Third contemplated briefly before replying. "You'll find out soon enough. I only hope you won't disappoint me then."
Minato remained puzzled but decided there must be logic behind the Third's words.
"I will do my best—for her..." His expression turned determined. For Kushina, he would strive for anything and fulfill every task required of him.
For reasons he couldn't explain, that's exactly how he felt.
The Third stared at Minato's face and chuckled. "Such a promising grandson-disciple! You're far better than Jiraiya ever was."
Looking at Minato reminded the old man of his time training Jiraiya and his two other students. However, compared to Jiraiya during those times, Minato was clearly a true prodigy.
In this aspect, he resembled another person closely, yet their circumstances were different.
Sarutobi intended to groom him as his successor, the Fourth Hokage, but that other person... well, his vision had been very different.
Minato smiled politely while his mind conjured the image of Kushina's blushing face.
For her sake, he would surely earn the Third's recognition!
Afterwards, Minato respectfully bowed to the Third and left the Hokage's office.
Once he was gone, the Third fixed his gaze on two photographs mounted on the wall—portraits of a handsome man with long black hair and a resolute-faced white-haired man.
These were the two legendary figures who founded Konoha.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju!
"Esteemed Ones, the will you both passed down has now found inheritance within this new generation—and what an exceptional young man he is."
Sarutobi spoke with a smile on his face, but the next moment, his smile vanished, replaced by deep concerns visible between his furrowed brows.
"But the peace you both sacrificed your lives to obtain… seems destined to be broken once again..."
...
Leaving the Hokage's office, Minato felt slightly burdened; however, thoughts of Kushina's joyful smile suddenly filled him with renewed strength.
Standing on one of Konoha's bridges, he gazed down as the bright moonlight danced across the water, reflecting his face.
Instinctively, he clenched his fist tightly, reaffirming his resolution.
"Hmm..."
Yet something subtly off caught Minato's attention. From the reflection on the lake, he faintly sensed someone lurking right behind him.
And it wasn't just one follower. Whoever they were, their skills definitely matched or even surpassed any Anbu members he'd previously met.
He couldn't help feeling confused—who would have targeted him?
He couldn't identify who the followers were, especially since he had just come out from meeting the Third—he couldn't think of any reason why the Third would assign Anbu to follow him.
He didn't even flinch, just kept walking forward calmly like nothing was off.
Because he wanted to find out exactly what these people were hoping to gain by watching him.
At the same time, someone shoved the door to The Third's office open again. The moment he saw The Third, he marched straight up, slammed both hands down on the desk, and stared him dead in the eyes while speaking.
"Sarutobi, you actually let that punk go after he stole Kushina right from under your nose?"
...
...
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