"How dare a mere tomato shout at humans!"
Kota pointed at Kushina. "From now on, you'll be called Tomato! Any problem with that?"
Staring at Kota's arrogant expression, Kushina found herself strangely calm.
Her hope from the previous night of making a new friend had been shattered. She finally realized that not everyone would be as friendly as Minato.
"I told you before class, my name is Kushina. Are you deaf?" Kushina's gaze gradually turned dangerous.
Learning that Minato's kindness wasn't reserved solely for her had disappointed her.
But Minato's protection of her wasn't an act, giving her the confidence to confront Kota and his two lackeys.
Besides, when it came to a fight, she'd never been afraid of anyone!
Her chakra was significantly stronger than her peers'. To sustain such vast and high-quality chakra, her physical strength was naturally formidable.
Kushina clenched her fists, her red hair flying wildly like a tiger crouching in ambush, her dark eyes locked onto the trio.
If those three fools dared make a move, she'd make them pay dearly!
It was a shame that the first-year brats didn't understand the concept of crisis awareness.
Seeing Kushina not only unafraid but ready to fight, Kota felt utterly humiliated. He reached out to grab her hair.
Just as Kushina was about to punch that annoying face, a figure suddenly appeared around the corner of the hallway.
"What are you doing?" Umino Ikkaku barked.
Hearing the voice, Kota froze, quickly withdrew his hand, and turned to face the source.
Umino Ikkaku strode toward them, followed at a leisurely pace by Minato.
Before Ikkaku could say more, Minato reached Kushina's side and declared without hesitation, "I saw the three of them following you, looking up to no good, so I called Teacher Umino. Sure enough, they were causing trouble for you."
Damn that meddler!
Kota and his friends glared at Minato with bitter resentment.
"Bullying a new student... ganging up on one person... and bullying a girl..."
Umino Ikkaku's expression darkened. His overly righteous nature made him detest such behavior more than anything.
"Get back to class immediately, all three of you! Your punishment is to copy the school rules ten times! If a single word is missing, I'll have your parents come in to withdraw you!"
"Yes..."
The three dejectedly acknowledged the order, casting one last threatening glare at Minato as they left.
Minato returned their glare with a bright smile, secretly flashing them a peace sign.
"My apologies. I clearly failed to discipline those three properly." Umino Ikkaku turned to Kushina and Nonou, his tone softening slightly. "Are you two alright?"
"We're fine, thank you for your concern, Teacher," Kushina and Nonou replied politely.
After Umino Ikkaku left, Kushina clenched her fist angrily. "Those three bastards! If it weren't for Ikkaku-sensei, I'd teach them a lesson! Minato, why did you call the teacher? That's so unmanly!"
Minato chuckled innocently. "I just think classmates should get along well."
That's a lie!
As a modern person with over a decade of school experience, Minato knew all too well that any conflict that arose within school walls, even if won, was utterly pointless. All such incidents were dismissed as mere "minor disputes between students."
Teachers, accustomed to such incidents, typically handle them with a perfunctory approach, sometimes even siding with the bully.
Even if they scold the bully, it's often a superficial reprimand that means nothing to them.
Regardless of the outcome, the victim is left with no real resolution to their problem.
In other words, confronting a bully within the confines of school rules only leaves you at a disadvantage, offering no real way to teach them a profound lesson.
Even if you could beat them to death or cripple them, that would be a desperate, mutually destructive strategy.
But if you step outside the school's boundaries, things become much simpler...
"Why don't you have any temper at all?" Kushina asked, her expression incredulous.
"Alright, don't be angry. How about I cook you something delicious tonight?"
Minato chuckled. "Soft-fried pork cutlet?"
"Mmm—"
Kushina was clearly tempted. She raised a slightly plump finger. "And I want fried chicken wings with cola sauce!"
"Deal!"
Minato nodded and turned to Nonou. "Sorry for causing you trouble earlier, Nonou."
"It's alright. I just didn't expect you to know how to cook, Minato. That's impressive!"
Nonou marveled inwardly; she truly believed that boys who could cook were exceptional.
"You're too kind," Minato replied with a gentle nod. Suddenly, he felt a force push him toward the classroom—Kushina was urging him along.
"Alright! Let's head back to class quickly!"
Seeing Minato's gentle demeanor toward Nonou, Kushina grew even more convinced of what Nonou had said earlier. Her small face unconsciously tensed.
Watching Minato's utterly bewildered expression, Nonou couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Perhaps only spirited, outgoing girls like Kushina are truly suited to be close to Minato, she thought.
Suddenly, she recalled Danzo's earlier words.
Perhaps there truly is a dark quality within me.
The evidence lay in what she had said to Kushina in the restroom. It hadn't stemmed from her mission, but from jealousy—a completely instinctive reaction.
Realizing this, Nonou felt a deep loathing for herself.
Especially when Kushina had unhesitatingly shielded her with her own body. In that moment, she suddenly felt so vile.
Before long, evening had fallen.
As soon as Nawaki stepped into his home, he was greeted by the tantalizing aroma that filled the house.
Realizing Minato was cooking something delicious again, Nawaki kicked off his shoes and dashed into the living room. "This smell... is it cola-flavored chicken wings? Didn't he make them just last night?"
"That's a long story!"
In the living room, Kushina was reading a manga that Nawaki had lent her. At his words, she recounted the day's events to him.
When she reached the crucial part, her anger flared again. "Tell me, isn't Minato's temper a little too good? They were so outrageous, and he still told them to get along as classmates!"
"Get along... really?"
Nawaki's expression turned peculiar at her words.
Everyone said Minato had a good temperament, and Nawaki didn't deny it. Minato was the kindest, most considerate boy he'd ever met, without exception.
But if anyone claimed Minato had a good temper, Nawaki would argue that point.
Just think about how he'd been scared stiff into clinging to a tree just because someone compared him to a koala.
He didn't know if Minato's temper was good, but he knew all too well how deep his grudges ran!
Namikaze Minato never showed his anger on his face.
He even dared to swear on his brother's life that this wasn't over—those three kids would pay dearly for this later!
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