Chapter 13: The Weakness

"If that little girl becomes the jinchuriki, wouldn't that mean Lady Mito..." 

Jiraiya's pupils contracted in shock, his expression stunned. It wasn't just because the Third Hokage had informed him that Kushina Uzumaki would become the next jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.

The "Lady Mito" he mentioned was the daughter of the former leader of the Uzumaki clan and the wife of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage and co-founder of Konoha!

Years ago, during the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara Uchiha controlled the Nine-Tails, but Lady Mito sealed it within herself, allowing Hashirama to eventually defeat Madara, who was presumed dead, shocking the ninja world.

A jinchuriki who loses their tailed beast dies. This meant Lady Mito didn't have much time left.

That's why the village leaders brought the last surviving Uzumaki, Kushina, to Konoha and kept it a secret, even from Jiraiya.

If other ninja nations learned of Lady Mito's impending death, they might try to take the Nine-Tails' power for themselves.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, nodded solemnly. "About six months ago, Lady Mito found me. She said her life force was fading and she had at most three years left."

His face showed sadness, having been the student of Hashirama, his sensei, while Mito was like a mother to him - a great predecessor who selflessly became the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki for Konoha's sake.

"So the village secretly searched and found the orphaned Kushina in a small village at the border of the Land of Fire a month ago, bringing her to Konoha. Fortunately, Kushina's life force is strong enough for her to become the second jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails."

Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya. "This is a top secret, known only to me and the three elders. I'm telling you not just because you discovered Kushina's special chakra..."

"I made Minato Namikaze your student, and for some reason, he's very interested in Kushina. That perceptive child would eventually find out, especially since he detected the ANBU I assigned to watch her the day he met Kushina."

Jiraiya raised his white eyebrows in surprise. "He could sense the ANBU directly under your command? That's...unbelievable."

Hiruzen smiled slightly. "Not only that, he followed the ANBU to Kushina's residence and used the Transformation Jutsu as a decoy to escape when they noticed him."

"This kid...he's really only seven years old?"

Jiraiya was stunned. If Minato's feat in passing the test surprised him, the Third's words left him shocked.

"So, train him well. With proper guidance, this child could become another peak-level ninja for Konoha!"

Hiruzen's eyes shone brightly, and Jiraiya knew he meant a ninja rivaling the Hokage - a level he himself had not reached.

"If what you say is true, then I believe he could become an extraordinary person." Jiraiya's expression turned solemn, as if hesitant to voice his thoughts.

Hiruzen noticed and asked, "Do you have any other concerns?"

"Since Minato cares so much about Kushina, as you said, what if he objects to the village making her the jinchuriki once he finds out? Out of love, he might resent the decision."

Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya approvingly. "You've indeed matured a lot...not that reckless brat anymore."

"As for your worry, I've considered it, but this child's way of thinking might surpass your expectations."

"He once told his teacher, Kunio Shindo, that he became a ninja to gain the strength to protect his family - and to him, that family is the entire village of Konoha."

Jiraiya's heart skipped a beat, realizing Minato's mindset was akin to that of a Hokage!

The morning passed quickly, and it was lunchtime.

Over the past week, the class had become slightly more accepting of Minato due to his friendly nature. It was hard to dislike someone with such a personality.

He had also grown closer to Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina, and the three sat together during their lunch break.

Then, a figure surrounded by a group of students entered through the back door and approached Minato's desk.

Minato glanced at him, while Mikoto and Kushina ignored the newcomer, continuing their cheerful conversation with Minato.

Uchiha Homura's handsome face showed anger at being disregarded like that.

However, a mocking expression soon appeared as he said in an odd tone, "Minato Namikaze, how much of the Shadow Clone Jutsu that Jiraiya taught this morning have you mastered?"

His words carried arrogance and provocation, and his expression suggested he had fully grasped the technique.

Minato frowned slightly, calmly meeting Homura's gaze. "Lord Jiraiya is a respectable senior, and even as an Uchiha, you shouldn't be so disrespectful."

"As for how much I've learned, that's none of your concern."

Homura slammed his hands on the desk angrily, his black eyes glaring at Minato. "Enough talk! It's not your place to lecture me. Fight me, and I'll show you I have the right to say that!"

"Uchiha Homura, stop causing trouble in another class," Mikoto said, embarrassed by his disrespect toward someone even the Uchiha clan head treated with reverence, despite her father being an elder.

"Uchiha Mikoto, you be quiet! How dare you side with an outsider as an Uchiha!" Homura glared at her instead.

Mikoto wanted to argue, but Minato stopped her with a shake of his head. "Let him say what he wants."

"Heh, you coward. Even a woman is shielding you, and you're still cowering," Homura mocked, but Minato remained unaffected by his words.

However, the short-tempered Kushina couldn't take it anymore. She jumped up, saying, "What are you bragging about? If you want to fight, I'll take you on!"

In Kushina's mind, Minato had become increasingly important, so she couldn't tolerate Homura's insults either.

But Homura ignored Kushina, looking back at the still-seated Minato. "You really are a coward. However, I know your weakness now. For her sake, you'll fight me."

Minato frowned slightly, and as Homura finished speaking, he suddenly threw a punch - not at Minato, but at the unsuspecting Kushina!

(end of chapter)