Chapter 7

Seeing his dejected look, Haruki comforted him, "You still have a chance."

"I've decided!" Minato lifted his head. "I want to become a ninja like Haruki-sensei!"

"Huh?"

Haruki didn't react immediately, but then he found it somewhat amusing.

His original persona was modeled after Minato Namikaze.

Now, Minato was turning around and using him as a model.

"Don't worry. With your face that's half as handsome as mine, it's in the bag."

"Sensei! I'm serious," Minato said with a bitter face.

"So am I." Haruki patted his shoulder. "Do you know how to attract a girl's affection?"

"Cater to her interests."

"No, it's about the face."

"..." Minato was speechless.

He felt this Haruki was different from the one he had in mind.

And he had just said he wanted to become a ninja like Haruki.

Was this really okay?

Suddenly, he felt a bit confused.

---

"Be careful on the road, you two."

After lunch, Haruki stood at the door, seeing them off. "Minato, remember to protect Kushina."

Minato was about to say something to show off but didn't get the chance as Kushina interrupted him.

"I don't need his protection!"

Seeing this, Haruki almost burst out laughing.

It was so amusing.

---

After they left, he went to Orochimaru's place.

"Orochimaru, I'm coming in, okay?"

Haruki knocked on the door but found it locked.

He took out a key, unlocked the door, and made his way to the basement.

The place was brightly lit.

The small area was filled with various experimental equipment.

Distillation flasks, beakers, pipettes, iron stands, alcohol lamps, and so on.

"You're here. Let's start the lesson."

Orochimaru looked at him, not surprised by his visit.

Removing his bloody gloves, he hung a small blackboard in the corner and sat on a small bench.

"Before the lesson, let me tell you something." Haruki casually picked up a pointer.

"What is it?" Orochimaru asked, visibly annoyed.

"First, remember to move the lab to the ninja school's research institute; second, work with Byakugan to develop a new type of long-range weapon; third…"

"What do you take me for?" Orochimaru interrupted.

"Of course, a good friend… a good friend."

Seeing Orochimaru's increasingly annoyed expression, Haruki sighed. "Someone uses my things, eats my food, and even takes my lessons for free but won't even call me Sensei."

"…"

Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm short-handed."

"I'll transfer some people from the orphanage to the research institute."

Haruki thought for a moment and said, "Besides, I'll find a group of wandering ninjas for you soon."

In these three years, he hadn't only earned the title of Konoha's Twin Lights but had also done many things.

For example, he built Konoha's first orphanage, taking in a large number of war-orphan.

These people were the best candidates for training.

"Alright, let's start the lesson."

Haruki knocked on the small blackboard and wrote a line with chalk.

**Genetics and Evolution.**

"Last time we talked about genetic factors. Today, we'll discuss genes, their relationship with chromosomes, their nature and expression, and their mutations…"

The entire night passed.

Orochimaru was energized.

But Haruki was exhausted.

Back home, he immediately went to sleep.

Tsunade was already used to it.

Every time he returned from Orochimaru's place, it was like this.

She had no idea what the two were doing all night.

When Haruki woke up, it was already noon.

After a simple meal, he went to the ninja school.

Sure enough, Orochimaru had moved to the new research building, just as he had said last night.

Quick worker.

But Haruki didn't go to bother him.

Though he had only two classes per week, his workload wasn't light.

He had to train the teachers.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had read the textbooks and made no changes.

According to Oki Takahiro, Sarutobi Hiruzen was very satisfied and specifically instructed him to cooperate and report any difficulties.

---

A month later.

The ninja school was running smoothly.

Haruki got along well with the teachers and students.

Especially Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, who called him sensei joyfully, thanks to the delicious food.

"knock, knock"

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Haruki called, looking up from his desk.

"Sensei, what's the matter?" Minato asked.

"Would you be interested in going on a mission with me?"

"But I don't know medical ninjutsu."

"It's a B-class mission at the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain. We need to eliminate a group of bandits. The leader is said to be a rogue chunin who often leads the bandits in robberies. The reward from the Oshima Trading Company in the Land of Fire is 100,000 ryo. If you come along, we'll split it."

Haruki smiled at him.

He knew Minato was just a civilian and not wealthy. Fifty thousand ryo would be plenty for him.

"Sensei, why are you offering me so much benefit for no reason?"

Minato remained surprisingly calm.

Haruki appreciated him even more.

"It's simple. Didn't I say before that I'd take you as my disciple?"

Minato was a bit surprised.

He thought Haruki was just saying it casually, but it turned out he really intended to take him as a student.

They had gotten along well these past few months.

If he were led by Haruki after graduation, he wouldn't mind.

But now that Haruki had said this, he was curious.

How could a medical ninja attract him?

So he nodded and said, "I'll go with you."

"Think carefully. The Land of Rain is a war zone. We might encounter Sand Ninja." Haruki reminded him.

Minato's face became serious, but he said nothing.

"Good, you already have the basic qualities of a ninja. Go prepare, and we'll leave this afternoon."

"Alright."

After he left, Haruki opened a scroll, read it, and then burned it with a small flame from his finger.

---

In the afternoon.

Seeing Minato carrying a black backpack, Haruki couldn't help but smile.

Looks like he prepared a lot.

"Follow me."

Haruki leapt up, moving quickly towards the village gate.

Minato used a body flicker to catch up.

While running, Haruki observed Minato, even creating a few collisions as a test.

As expected of someone who would learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.

His athletic abilities and dynamic vision were outstanding.

These were innate talents hard to train for.

The small tests left Haruki satisfied.

Minato was only ten, yet hadn't been influenced by Jiraiya or Sarutobi Hiruzen, making him highly moldable.

As his student, he could fully inherit a new version of the Will of Fire.

Practically his handpicked Fifth Hokage.

Hmm, Tsunade would be the Fourth Hokage.

"Let's stop and rest."

Seeing it was dark, Haruki lit a fire. "I'll see if I can find any wild rabbits."

He then disappeared into the darkness.

---

"You… ugh…"

"Sand Ninja?"

Haruki grabbed the ninja's neck and saw his forehead protector, then chuckled, "Have you transmitted the message?"

The Sand Ninja's eyes widened.

A trap?

But having Konoha's Twin Lights as bait was too much.

"Looks like the message was sent."

Haruki broke his neck and tossed the body aside. "Hope the ones who come won't disappoint me."