**Chapter 182: Tsunade Approaches Minato**
At the northern border of the Land of Fire, Nozuki looked at her mission list with pride.
"Brother, we've completed all our missions! Why don't we head back now?" she asked, flashing a victorious grin. This mission had allowed her to accomplish several B-level tasks under her brother's guidance, and she was looking forward to boasting about her progress to Reiki and the others.
Minato chuckled. "There's one more task I need to complete on my own. When we reach the next village, wait there for me."
"Can't I go with you?" Nozuki asked, a little disappointed.
"This is an A-level assassination mission," Minato explained, his tone gentle but firm. "It's not something you're ready for just yet. But don't worry, once you've gained more experience, I'll bring you along on an A-rank mission."
"Alright," Nozuki agreed reluctantly. "But you have to keep your word!"
Just as Minato was about to respond, he noticed a figure approaching. "Tsunade-sama?"
"Tsunade-sama?" Nozuki echoed in surprise, wondering why her teacher had come all this way.
"Nozuki, you've made a lot of progress," Tsunade said warmly. "I need to speak with Minato. I'll check on your training later." With a nod, she turned to walk toward a nearby stream.
Minato gave Nozuki a reassuring smile before following Tsunade.
---
"Minato," Tsunade said as they reached the stream, "how many A-rank missions have you completed?"
"198, and this one will be my 199th," Minato replied, curiosity evident in his voice. Why would Tsunade come all this way to ask about his mission count?
"Would you consider becoming Hokage?" Tsunade asked, her tone direct.
Minato was stunned. Hokage? He hadn't even thought about the possibility; he was still young, and there were candidates like Orochimaru with far more experience. But the idea filled him with a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"It seems you haven't fully considered it yet," Tsunade observed, noting his surprise. "But out of all the candidates, I see potential in you. Jiraiya may be a bit reckless, but he's trained a truly reliable student."
Tsunade's words bolstered Minato's spirits. "Tsunade-sama," he said, his voice filled with conviction, "my goal has always been to become Hokage, to protect the village and everyone in it."
"Good," Tsunade replied with a nod. "Now, let me ask you: if you were Hokage, how would you handle the various relationships within the village? Particularly… the Uchiha clan?"
Minato sat down beside her by the stream, considering the question carefully. "I've worked with the Uchiha on several missions, and I have a positive impression of them," he began. "As for the concerns some have about them…"
He trailed off, aware that Tsunade was probing his stance on the Uchiha's strained relations with the village leadership.
"It's a complicated issue, isn't it?" Tsunade teased lightly. "So, are you prepared to avoid it?"
"No!" Minato replied firmly. "I'd work to build a trusting relationship with the Uchiha. I believe that if they see Hokage as someone who genuinely values them, they'd support Konoha wholeheartedly. United, we'd strengthen the village's foundation."
Tsunade listened, a soft smile playing on her lips. Minato's sincerity and optimism were unmistakable, and she felt reassured by his vision.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear," she said. "Now, I'll leave you to complete your mission. I'll be taking Nozuki back to Konoha. There are things in the village waiting for you to address once you return."
She left Minato by the stream, heading back to Nozuki. Minato, watching her retreating figure, looked down at the kunai in his hand, engraved with the symbol of his teleportation jutsu.
"So, Tsunade-sama… you really want me to be Hokage," he murmured. Steeling himself, he turned and disappeared in a flash, leaving only an afterimage.
---
As the sun rose over Konoha, Reiki had already begun his morning exercises when he heard a familiar voice.
"Kakashi!"
Reiki turned to see his friend with a fresh forehead protector.
"Kakashi, did you pass the genin exams?" Reiki asked with a grin, genuinely happy for him. Despite Kakashi's early readiness, he had delayed his promotion due to their frequent training battles. Now, he'd finally achieved it.
"Yes!" Kakashi nodded. "Now I can go on missions, and soon, I'll become a chuunin and join the ANBU!"
"Ambitious!" Reiki laughed, giving Kakashi an encouraging nod. "Go for it!"
Before Kakashi could reply, a group of familiar faces arrived: Obito, Guy, and Asuma, each wearing their new forehead protectors. Seeing their eager expressions, Reiki realized that he had, in his own way, helped them each find their path. Only Rin looked disappointed; she likely hadn't passed the exam.
Seeing her dejection, Reiki understood. Rin's abilities weren't as developed yet, and while she had potential as a jinchūriki, her current skills fell a bit short. But perhaps a delay would be for the best. Sometimes, a slower path allowed one to grow in unexpected ways.
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