Accepting a Master

"Fourth Hokage?"

"Minato Namikaze!"

Koshino, who had come to Shikaku's house intending to find refuge and train in peace, was genuinely shocked that the Fourth Hokage himself had come to visit him.

Even though Koshino had encountered many famous characters from the original story and had even fought against Itachi, seeing the Fourth Hokage in person for the first time under the servant's guidance excited him!

After all, this was the legendary Fourth Hokage!

The representative figure of Konoha during the Third Great Ninja War!

However, when Koshino first saw the Fourth Hokage, greeted him respectfully, and then stayed behind Shikaku, silently observing this legendary figure, he realised that the Fourth Hokage was far less severe than he had imagined. With his signature golden hair and the white cloak bearing the words "Fourth Hokage," Minato exuded a friendly and even playful demeanour.

Not only did he show no airs of a Hokage while conversing with Shikaku, but he also occasionally cracked cold jokes, leaving Koshino with a very good first impression.

It was hard to imagine that this kind, slightly humorous man was the renowned "Yellow Flash of Konoha" in the ninja world!

It was even more unbelievable that the ninja world had a standing rule: any ninja encountering the Yellow Flash could immediately abandon their mission and flee without facing any punishment.

However, as Koshino watched Shikaku and the Fourth Hokage chatting and laughing, he didn't realise that the Fourth Hokage was also secretly observing him, the newly famed genius of Konoha.

After exchanging pleasantries with Shikaku, the Fourth Hokage turned his attention to Koshino, smiling as he asked, "Koshino, you look quite worn out. Have you encountered a lot of trouble?"

"Huh?"

The Fourth Hokage's sudden question caught Koshino off guard, and he didn't immediately realise that Minato was addressing him.

Instinctively nodding, Koshino answered the Fourth Hokage's question.

Neither Shikaku nor the Fourth Hokage blamed Koshino for his lack of manners. To give the Fourth Hokage a good impression, Shikaku quickly explained with a smile, "Minato, don't blame Koshino. Anyone would be flustered talking to you for the first time! To be fair, it's my oversight. I should have brought Koshino here this morning to save him from facing the challenges of the other clans' new generation and missing out on his training time."

With a glance at Koshino, Shikaku asked with a smile, "Koshino, after a whole day of challenges, how do you feel? Tell us!"

"Nothing much, just that the title of genius is really hard to bear."

Koshino's weary reply made both Shikaku and the Fourth Hokage smile.

Especially Minato, who, as a former disciple of Jiraiya and once bearing the title of genius himself, could fully understand Koshino's feelings.

Shaking his head with a smile, the Fourth Hokage, having many important matters to attend to, got straight to the point with Shikaku, "Shikaku, to be honest, the reason for my visit is Koshino. As you know, the mortality rate for geniuses during wartime is high. Koshino is a genius in our village, and I don't want to see him harmed. So, I've come to take him as my student."

"Take him as your student?"

Hearing the Fourth Hokage's words, Koshino was visibly surprised, clearly not expecting this purpose for Minato's visit!

On the other hand, Shikaku had anticipated this when the Fourth Hokage arrived.

Firstly, the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans had historically protected the Hokage. To solidify his position, the Fourth Hokage befriending these clans was normal. If he could have the new generation of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio as his disciples, it would benefit both the clans and the Fourth Hokage.

Secondly, Shikaku knew that after Koshino had embarrassed the prestigious Uchiha clan, some action from Konoha's higher-ups was inevitable.

The Uchiha clan's friction with Konoha was no secret.

Measures to suppress the Uchiha clan were already proposed during the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's time. The formation of the Konoha Military Police Force, which seemed like a promotion for the Uchiha, was actually a strategy to isolate them from the power centre. Now, to counter the Uchiha, the Fourth Hokage needed a representative.

And Koshino, who had angered the Uchiha, was a perfect candidate.

From another perspective, the Fourth Hokage's intention to take Koshino as a student was to find a "weapon" against the Uchiha.

Lastly, Minato likely had a genuine appreciation for talent and wanted to nurture Konoha's new generation's genius.

At this time, Koshino was considered the top of Konoha's new generation. Combining the previous two factors, the Fourth Hokage decided to take Koshino as a student.

However, while Shikaku and the Fourth Hokage were eager for Koshino to become Minato's disciple, Koshino himself was reluctant.

Firstly, becoming the Fourth Hokage's disciple meant getting involved in Konoha's political strife prematurely.

Secondly, Koshino saw no benefits in being the Fourth Hokage's student.

"Come on! The Nine-Tails' attack is imminent, and the Fourth Hokage will sacrifice himself for the village. What can he teach me in just a few months?"

"Being the Fourth Hokage's disciple isn't as good as being the Third Hokage's disciple! At least I'd be a senior brother to the Sannin and wouldn't be outranked in terms of status!"

Filled with resentment, Koshino knew he couldn't voice his thoughts.

Under Shikaku and the Fourth Hokage's "eager approval," the decision for Koshino to become Minato's disciple was hastily made. As for the formal ceremony, it would take place after the Fourth Hokage completed his strategy against the Hidden Mist Village. Simply put, Koshino's apprenticeship was set, but he wouldn't receive any guidance from the Fourth Hokage.

Agreeing reluctantly, Koshino felt there was no real difference between becoming a disciple or not. Then, he and Shikaku escorted the Fourth Hokage to the door.

Unexpectedly, as they reached the door, Koshino received his first pleasant surprise from the Fourth Hokage!

"Sorry, Koshino, I've been very busy lately and won't have time to train you."

"But I heard you have a great talent for jutsu, so I'll leave you this scroll that I wrote."

"Train diligently according to the scroll's instructions. In three months, I'll be testing you!"