"Of course, a teacher for a day is a father for life. The teacher definitely counts." Makiya nodded.
The ninja world placed great importance on apprenticeship. Ninjas learned almost nothing in school. Clan ninjas were fine, but civilian ninjas truly had to rely on their instructors' words and deeds. Many powerful ninjutsu were passed down through the master-disciple relationship.
Mentorship was not only an important path for passing on ninjutsu but also a bond of emotion and responsibility between ninjas. Teachers would pass their experience and wisdom to their students, and students would take on the expectations and responsibilities of their teachers. Just like Might Guy and Rock Lee—they weren't father and son, but they were as close as one, with a bond that had long since transcended blood relations.
"A teacher for a day, a father for life, huh..." Jiraiya murmured to himself. After a moment, as if drained of all his strength, he said, "Then please notify the Third Hokage. I'll have to trouble you."
"Alright." Makiya nodded and left.
A moment later, Makiya returned with an expressionless face. "The Third Hokage is away on official business."
"What a coincidence!" Jiraiya's mouth twitched. Meeting Makiya's gaze, he could only brace himself and say, "Then please notify Jonin Minato Namikaze. He's my disciple!"
"Alright." Makiya nodded and left again.
The temporary cell fell silent. Jiraiya paced in place, constantly comforting himself.
'Minato has been smart since he was a child. He'll know his master had his reasons. As for the research... can that even be called peeping? It's all for art... Dammit, this is so embarrassing. I hope this doesn't reach Tsunade's ears.'
A moment later, Makiya returned again with a subtle expression.
Jiraiya's heart skipped a beat as his eyes darted behind Makiya, where it was completely empty.
'Where's Minato? Where did my big, lovable Minato go?'
"Jonin Minato is also not here. He left on a temporary mission last night."
Jiraiya: "..."
Makiya's words confirmed Jiraiya's suspicion; the worst-case scenario had occurred.
"Kushina Uzumaki! She must be here!"
After saying that, Jiraiya seemed completely drained. He covered his face with his hands, which were now bright red.
Makiya felt no pity. He might get married and have children in Konoha in the future. Before that, he had to eliminate any hidden dangers!
Suddenly, it occurred to him that the ones who should most definitely be moved to the outskirts of the village weren't the Uchiha, but the Hyuga clan!
That large-scale, no-blind-spot, no-cooldown X-ray vision was simply too unfair. They could easily do what Jiraiya couldn't do in a lifetime without even leaving their homes. The bloodline of Hamura Otsutsuki was truly terrifying!
It made sense now. As one of Konoha's two major ocular jutsu families, the Hyuga clan had only been targeted by the Third Hokage once and had always remained steady. It seemed to be because of the management of successive clan heads, but in reality, they secretly held the precise measurements of everyone in Konoha. Truly terrifying!
If you had a quarrel with the Hyuga clan, you would lose the momentum before you even opened your mouth. How could you even play the game?
Makiya adjusted his pants. He, however, wasn't afraid of the Hyuga clan.
A moment later, Kushina Uzumaki arrived at the Police Force in a fury. A terrifying low-pressure aura surrounded her, and her fiery red hair fluttered without wind, dancing like wild tentacles!
"JI! RAI! YA! SEN! SEI!" A roar like a lioness's echoed through the Police Force. The massive sound waves hit the roof and lingered. The other prisoners silently huddled into corners, desperately trying to lower their presence, praying the demon woman wouldn't notice them.
"Hahaha... It's Kushina, ahaha..." Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly, his face full of forced smiles. Although he was tall and sturdy—much larger than Kushina—spiritually, Kushina was the giant. An inexplicable pressure made Jiraiya shrink, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Teacher, really! How could you do something so disgusting? Peeping on the women's bath? How can you do such a lewd and classless thing? What if you corrupt Minato? ...Blah blah blah... blah blah blah..."
After venting her anger, Kushina turned around and saw Makiya holding sunflower seeds and watching the spectacle. She rolled her eyes, gave Jiraiya a sharp glare, and followed Makiya with puffed-out cheeks to complete the paperwork.
During wartime, top-tier ninjas naturally wouldn't be subjected to detention. After paying a large fine and obtaining the victims' forgiveness through the Police Force's mediation, Jiraiya followed Kushina out of the cell, looking dejected.
Kushina naturally wouldn't let Jiraiya off easily. Minato's teacher was good in every way except for being too perverted. Fortunately, Minato hadn't been corrupted by Jiraiya; otherwise, she would have nowhere to cry.
Jiraiya silently listened to his disciple's wife scolding him. On the way, they happened to encounter two members of the Anbu. After some eye signals, Jiraiya managed to escape Kushina under the pretext of an urgent summons from the Hokage.
After thanking the two Anbu, Jiraiya arrived at the Hokage's office. He kicked open the window and found himself staring directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Jiraiya: "..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
'Teacher, weren't you supposed to be out? Why did you leave me to die?!'
Jiraiya's farce was just an interlude. Life went on. After a short rest, Makiya threw himself back into cultivation.
One day, Makiya's shadow clone was on patrol when it suddenly ran into Minato and Kushina coming out of a ninja tool shop.
"Huh? Minato, Kushina." Makiya waved to the two of them.
"Makiya, is this a shadow clone?" Kushina greeted him with a smile, her high-level perception noticing the anomaly.
"Yeah, my main body is training." Makiya admitted candidly.
"You really are diligent," Minato remarked with a sigh. Missions and family took up most of his energy, and it was now difficult for him to devote himself entirely to cultivation like Makiya. His research on the Flying Raijin and the development of new ninjutsu had slowed down.
However, there was a trade-off. Minato looked at Kushina, who was holding his arm, and a warm smile appeared on his face. He felt that everything was worth it. He silently planned to have a child after the war, though he wasn't sure if Kushina was willing.
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's seal would weaken during childbirth. For Kushina, having a baby was more dangerous than for a normal woman. Minato didn't want to see Kushina suffer, so he had been hesitating in his heart.
"Eek, you're smiling so stupidly," Kushina poked Minato's cheek and stuck out her tongue.
To avoid a mouthful of 'dog food,' Makiya took the initiative to change the subject. "Are you guys... on a shopping spree?"
Both Minato and Kushina were holding huge parcels, bulging and stuffed with items.
"Yeah, Minato is heading to the battlefield again. We need to restock some ninja tools and other miscellaneous things. Ugh, that damn old man..."
"To be precise, it's Team Minato. I'm worried the three of them aren't adequately prepared, so I bought extra." Minato pulled back a corner of the parcel, revealing kunai, explosive tags, and other tools. "Makiya, you should prepare too. Master Jiraiya said the Stone Ninja are about to make a big move. The village won't let you stay idle for long."
"It doesn't matter. Combat is also a form of training."
Minato's words were prophetic.
The next day, a secret order from the Hokage reached Makiya's hands. Due to the escalation of the war, he was specially requisitioned to be sent to the front lines for support.
Makiya had no objections. Various signs indicated that the Kannabi Bridge incident was about to occur. He was bound to get involved in this important battle that would change the course of the entire ninja world.
He had an average relationship with Obito, but his relationship with Minato was good. Recently, the two had frequently sparred and discussed ninjutsu; he even owed the other a favor. With him there this time, Minato's tragedy would certainly not happen.
Makiya had no intention of competing for the position of Hokage, and Fugaku wasn't his ideal candidate either. Minato was the undisputed Fourth Hokage. If he hadn't died young, many of the subsequent tragedies might have been avoided.
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