Seeing the unbridled fighting spirit in Nawaki's eyes, Minato smiled but said nothing, efficiently clearing the table.
Just as he was about to wash the dishes, Tsunade snatched the bowl from him.
"By the way, you just focus on cooking from now on. Leave the dishes and other chores to Nawaki and me. We usually divide the household tasks: I handle laundry and cooking, while Nawaki takes care of sweeping and mopping. Now that you're here, I have one less thing to worry about!"
Tsunade tossed the bowl and chopsticks into Nawaki's arms. Though he looked utterly speechless, he obediently went to wash the dishes.
Tsunade, meanwhile, sprawled lazily on the tatami mat, propping her head up with one hand.
Laundry and cooking...
Minato's gaze held a peculiar look as he watched Tsunade.
Influenced by the original story, he'd always assumed Tsunade was rather incapable of taking care of herself.
After all, ever since her debut, it had always been Shizune taking care of her.
Tsunade's public image had been more defined by her drinking and gambling habits.
Upon closer consideration, Tsunade was still under twenty years old, in the prime of her youth. Even if she were a bit lazy, it wouldn't lead to the despondency seen in the original story, especially with a younger brother to care for.
Moreover, Tsunade's despondency in the original story was likely rooted in the deaths of her younger brother and lover.
Additionally, their appearances differed significantly. The current Tsunade still wore a single ponytail, a high ponytail that gave her a spirited look. Her voice was softer and more delicate, giving her a more youthful air.
Soon, the three finished getting ready and stepped out to see two figures slowly approaching.
"Hey there, oh hey~ Tsunade."
Jiraiya waved cheerfully, a mischievous grin on his face. Orochimaru stood beside him, hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Orochimaru-nii!" Nawaki waved excitedly upon seeing them.
"You've grown taller, Nawaki," Orochimaru said softly, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence.
"Oh, hey! We came together, but you're only paying attention to Orochimaru? Don't you see this dashing, handsome Jiraiya standing right here?" Jiraiya grumbled.
Nawaki chuckled. Personally, he still admired Orochimaru, the man hailed as a genius, even though Jiraiya had always treated him well.
Tsunade was somewhat surprised by their visit. "Jiraiya, what brings you two here?"
Orochimaru's voice was husky. "Heh heh heh, someone here still owes us a barbecue, don't they?"
"Tsk, I almost forgot about that." Tsunade pursed her lips and ruffled the hair of the little blonde kid beside her.
"By the way, this kid..."
Jiraiya also stared blankly at Minato. They had noticed him the moment they arrived; that bright yellow hair was simply too conspicuous.
"Heh heh, let me introduce him. Namikaze Minato, my disciple!" Tsunade said proudly, then patted Minato. "These two are my teammates, Jiraiya and Orochimaru."
"Greetings, Senior!" Minato nodded respectfully.
"Huh—?!"
Jiraiya's face also showed shock as his gaze darted between the two. For some reason, he suddenly felt a strange sense of loss, as if he had been outdone.
Could I be jealous that this brat gets to live with Tsunade?
No, that doesn't quite feel right... Strange...
"I never thought you'd take a disciple," Orochimaru remarked, studying Namikaze Minato. "Tsunade disappeared after you left yesterday. Did she threaten you into taking him on?"
"How rude!" Tsunade snapped, hands on her hips, her expression darkening. "He approached me first, didn't he, Minato?"
"Right," Minato nodded, giving her the courtesy of agreement.
"So where are you heading?" Jiraiya asked.
"To test my disciple's strength, of course~" Tsunade shrugged, her tone playful. "I just assigned this mission to Nawaki."
"Hahaha! Sounds fascinating! We'll join you!" Jiraiya's enthusiasm surged.
"Suit yourself, but don't make trouble for me."
The group arrived at the nearby Third Training Ground. Minato and Nawaki faced each other, simultaneously forming opposing hand seals.
Tsunade, acting as the referee, positioned herself between them.
"Well... enough talk. You can use ninjutsu. I'll intervene immediately if anything dangerous happens. If there are no objections, let's begin!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Nawaki swiftly drew his hands from behind his back, launching six shuriken at Minato.
In the next instant, Minato vanished from his spot.
How fast!
Nawaki's heart lurched as he instinctively searched for Minato's whereabouts.
But before he could react, a kunai was pressed against his throat.
Sensing the sharpness of the blade, Nawaki froze.
Did I just get... one-hit KO'd?
"Victor: Namikaze Minato!"
"How is this possible? Aaaaah!"
Watching Minato calmly sheathe his kunai and extend a hand to form the reconciliation seal, Nawaki's composure shattered. "What the hell is up with you, kid? How can I not even catch a glimpse of you?!"
"Heh heh heh heh! Serves you right for being so smug!" Tsunade laughed heartily. "You're two years his senior, yet you can't even keep up with his shadow. Looks like you've got a long way to go, kiddo~"
"This is intolerable!"
Nawaki let out a mournful groan as he reluctantly hooked his fingers around Minato's, forming a truce sign. Even then, he stubbornly insisted, "I just got careless and didn't dodge. Next time, I definitely won't lose to you!"
Minato nodded gently. "Mm, I look forward to it."
Damn it, even his personality is this good!
Nawaki hadn't expected this reaction. The mature and gentle aura around Minato made him feel rather ashamed of himself. Then he remembered his declaration from the day before about protecting Minato, and his face flushed crimson.
"Your recent Instantaneous Movement was faster than many Genin. It seems Minato-kun is a speed-type ninja."
The two observers approached. Orochimaru looked on with admiration. Although he had also been hailed as a prodigy since childhood, he had to admit that at the same age of five, he hadn't been as exceptional as Minato.
"Of course, Nawaki's performance wasn't bad either."
Nawaki grimaced. "I was completely one-hit KO'd..."
"It's just a matter of different aptitudes," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. "Minato excels in learning ability, Chakra control, and has a calm temperament—much like I was at his age. That's why he's able to manifest his talent at such a young age."
Nawaki, as a descendant of the Senju Clan and the grandson of the First Hokage, possessed innate talent. However, due to his age and psychological limitations, he needed time and cultivation to fully manifest his abilities.
"Speaking of which, we still haven't been able to gauge this kid's true strength," Jiraiya remarked, stroking his chin as he scrutinized Minato with keen interest. "How about I give it a try?"
"Hmm... Alright," Tsunade replied after a moment's consideration. She had initially intended to test him herself, but as a Medical Ninja, although she possessed combat skills, her style differed significantly from mainstream techniques. In terms of direct combat experience, Jiraiya was indeed more suitable.
"Alright then, let this immortal test your strength!" Jiraiya leaped forward, landing in a lunge stance. He spread his fingers, one hand extended forward and the other reaching backward, striking a classic Kabuki pose.
Minato glanced at Tsunade, his expression questioning.
Tsunade paused for a moment, then smiled gently. "Well... just give it your all. No matter what happens, I'll be here for you."
Minato nodded and stepped forward. "Senior Jiraiya, please give me your guidance."
"Oh~ No problem, no problem!" Jiraiya replied cheerfully. Judging by Tsunade's attitude, Minato's talent must be truly exceptional.
"Alright then... let's begin!"
Tsunade's arm fell with a gentle wave.
Minato's eyes sharpened. A flash of golden light swept beneath his feet, and he suddenly appeared right in front of Jiraiya.
"So fast!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Jiraiya's eyes, but his extensive combat experience kicked in instinctively. He crossed his arms, easily blocking the incoming punch.
Thud!
Feeling the force transmitted through the punch, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel relieved.
Good. Though his speed is impressive, his physical strength is limited by his age.
Still, that's only relative to me. Compared to his peers, this kid's strength is absolutely crushing!
And what was that golden light beneath his feet? His speed was twice as fast as when he fought Nawaki...
Some kind of specialized Shunshin technique?
Or... could it be a Kekkei Genkai?
I can't afford to take this lightly. If I lose to a kid, my reputation will be ruined...
With this thought, Jiraiya braced himself, pushing the water gate open with both hands. Then, lunging forward, he punched straight at it!
Due to his height, Minato had just thrown his punch after jumping up and was still landing when Jiraiya's fist descended.
In a split second, Minato violently arched his back, dropping to his knees as he flicked six shuriken from his palms and hurled them at Jiraiya's face!
Such lightning-fast reflexes!
Just as Jiraiya was about to duck his head to evade, he caught a glimpse of Minato's follow-up move out of the corner of his eye—while launching the shuriken, Minato twisted sideways, planting his hands on the ground and kicking his legs upward, aiming squarely for Jiraiya's groin!
Jiraiya's blood ran cold, and he let out a startled cry.
"Kyuubi... Hey, hey, hey!!"
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