Chapter 13: Minato's Weakness

"If that little girl becomes a Jinchūriki, doesn't that mean that Mito-sama..."

Jiraiya's pupils shrank, and his face showed shock. The reason was not just because he learned from the Third Hokage that Kushina would become the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

The Mito he was talking about was the daughter of the former head of the Uzumaki clan and the wife of the founder of Konoha Ninja Village, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama! When the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara fought in the Valley of the End, Madara controlled the Nine-Tails, and Mito-sama used herself as a container to seal the Nine-Tails, helping Hashirama win the final victory in that battle.

Uchiha Madara also died on the spot, shocking the ninja world at the time.

A Jinchūriki stripped of the tailed beast would die, which meant that Mito-sama would not live long.

That's why the village's top leaders took great pains to bring Uzumaki Kushina, the surviving member of the Uzumaki clan, back to Konoha and block the news. Even Jiraiya didn't have the right to know.

All this was because if other ninja countries knew that Mito-sama would soon die, they would definitely have different intentions.

The power of the tailed beasts is something that every land would covet.

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage nodded solemnly and said, "About half a year ago, Mito-sama found me. She told me that her vitality was getting weaker and weaker. At most, she would live for three more years."

At this point, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, also showed a sad look on his face. He had been a disciple of the First Hokage, and Mito was his master's wife. She was also a great ancestor who used herself as a container to seal the Nine-Tails for the sake of Konoha Ninja Village.

"So the village secretly mobilized a huge force. More than a month ago, Kushina, whose parents had both died, was found in a small village on the edge of the Land of Fire, and she was brought back to Konoha. Fortunately, Kushina's vitality is extremely strong, strong enough to make her the second generation Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

The Third Hokage said, looking at Jiraiya, "This is highly confidential. The only people who know about it are me and the three elders. I'm telling you all this today not only because you discovered Kushina's special chakra."

"But also because I asked you to accept Minato Namikaze as your apprentice, and for some reason, he cares about Kushina very much. This child is quick-witted. Even if we don't say it, he will know about it sooner or later. And on the day he met Kushina, he already noticed the Anbu I arranged to protect her."

Jiraiya was immediately startled, raised his white eyebrows, and said, "He was able to discover the Anbu directly under you? This... is incredible."

He knew very well how powerful the Anbu, who were responsible for the protection of the Hokage, were. How could Minato Namikaze, who was only seven years old, discover the existence of the Anbu? The Third Hokage smiled slightly and said, "Not only that, he not only discovered the Anbu but also followed them to Kushina's residence. After being discovered by the Anbu, he was able to use the clone jutsu as bait to escape."

"This kid, is he really only seven years old?"

Jiraiya was suddenly speechless. If he was a little surprised that Minato Namikaze completed his test, he was utterly shocked after hearing the Third Hokage's words.

"So, you have to teach him well for me. As long as this child is guided properly, we will have another protector for Konoha!"

At this point, the Third Hokage's eyes gradually brightened, and Jiraiya knew what he meant by the peak protector—a level he had not yet reached.

A ninja comparable to the level of a kage! "If it is really as you said, I also believe that he can become an extraordinary person."

Jiraiya said, but his expression gradually became heavy, as if there was something he couldn't say.

The Third Hokage saw it and asked, "Do you have any questions?"

"Since, as you said, Minato Namikaze cares a lot about Uzumaki Kushina, then once he knows that the village plans to use Kushina as a container for the Nine-Tails in the future, it is hard to say what he will do."

This is the so-called love turning to hate. If Minato Namikaze cannot understand the village's reasoning, it may not be a good thing to train him.

The Third Hokage heard this, but he looked at Jiraiya with relief and nodded, saying, "You have indeed matured a lot. You are no longer that impetuous little brat."

"As for your worries, I naturally have some concerns, but perhaps this child's way of thinking will exceed your imagination."

"He once told his teacher Shirota-sensei that the reason he became a ninja was to gain the power to protect his family, and his family in his mind is everyone in the entire Konoha Village."

Jiraiya's heart trembled because Minato Namikaze's way of thinking was just like that of a Hokage!

The morning passed quickly, and it was time for lunch.

During this week, everyone in the class had become more relaxed towards Minato. This was because he was as friendly as before. With Minato's personality, it was hard for others to dislike him.

He also started to get along with Mikoto and Kushina. At lunchtime, the three of them ate together in their seats.

From the back door of the class, a figure surrounded by people came in and approached Minato.

Minato raised his eyes and glanced at him. Mikoto and Kushina ignored Minato, and the three of them continued to talk and laugh.

Being ignored like this, Uchiha Yoruki's face suddenly showed anger.

However, a sarcastic look appeared on his face, and he said in a very strange voice, "Namikaze Minato, how much of the Three Bodies Technique that Jiraiya taught you this morning have you learned?"

There was a bit of arrogance and provocation in his words, and the expression on his face clearly showed that he had completely mastered it.

Hearing this, Minato frowned slightly, raised his eyes, and looked at him calmly, saying, "Jiraiya-sama is a respectable senior. Even if you are from the Uchiha clan, you should not be so rude. As for how much I have learned, that has nothing to do with you."

Uchiha Yoruki was immediately furious, slammed his hands heavily on the desk, stared at Minato with his eyes, and said, "Stop talking nonsense. It's not your turn to teach me a lesson. Fight with me. I want you to know that I have the qualifications to say this!"

"Uchiha Yoruki, shut up. Don't make trouble in other people's classes."

Mikoto on the side felt a little ashamed of his remarks. Jiraiya was someone the clan leaders of the Uchiha clan took seriously. Although her father was an elder in the clan, he did not have the qualification to say that.

"Uchiha Mikoto, you are the one who should shut up. As a member of the Uchiha clan, you are actually siding with outsiders!" Unexpectedly, Uchiha Yoruki was very dissatisfied with Mikoto and glared at her fiercely.

Mikoto wanted to argue with him but was stopped by Minato, who shook his head and said, "Let him say whatever he wants."

"Haha, you are a coward. A woman comes to protect you, and you are still here hiding like a turtle." Uchiha Yoruki said sarcastically, but Minato's face remained the same, not affected by his words at all.

However, Kushina, who had a slightly hot temper, couldn't listen to it anymore. She jumped up and said, "Why are you so arrogant? It's just a fight, right? I'll fight with you!"

In Kushina's heart, Minato's position had quietly become important, so she couldn't stand Uchiha Yoruki's slander of him.

However, Uchiha Yoruki ignored Kushina and looked at Minato, who was still sitting there, and said, "You really don't respond to threats or kindness. But I already know your weakness. For her, you will fight with me."

Minato frowned slightly, and when Uchiha Yoruki's words fell, he actually threw a punch, but the target was Kushina, who hadn't fully reacted yet!