Mount Myōboku is spring all year round; time passes slowly there for those who devote themselves to training.
But Shisui and Shinichi were at the age of rapid growth — after a few years, both had become lads.
Spring, Year 59 of Konoha.
Kushina spent two and a half years mastering the sage arts. She could now use sage chakra effectively in combat.
Though her progress couldn't match Minato's, she learned faster than Jiraiya did. Because her chakra reserve was large, she could gather more sage chakra, and her sage mode lasted longer and was stronger.
Her talent was conspicuous. Even in sage mode, she showed few of the frog-transformation marks, and to the toad sages Fukusaku and Shima, she seemed an even more "complete" sage than Jiraiya.
She had harvested much. Her training was about to enter a new stage.
In those two years, Jiraiya had visited Myōboku only rarely. Orochimaru's defection had shaken him; he had been tracking Orochimaru, trying to bring him back.
They had clashed many times — Jiraiya had been pushed back. Yet despite everything, Orochimaru spared Jiraiya's life and warned him not to pursue.
Their bond ran deeper than most imagined. Even a man capable of murdering village shinobi could still hold back when facing Jiraiya.
Repeated failures made Jiraiya dispirited. Lately, he drowned himself in pleasure and drink and passed time writing novels. To everyone's surprise, his pastime sold better and better — it rekindled his enthusiasm for writing. His work even influenced Konoha's middle generation.
…
"Shinichi, are you packed?"
"We're heading back."
They were in a small stone hut built from reef rock — barely five or six square metres — but equipped with a bed, a wardrobe, and a table. Shinichi was packing clothes. After more than two years on Myōboku, there was a lot to take.
Outside, Shisui — with a short blade across his back — knocked and leaned on the doorframe, smiling.
Uchiha Shisui was eighteen now. Spending over two years at Myōboku guarding Kushina had kept him away from village strife, and he had survived the death fate once hanging over him.
Inside, thirteen-year-old Shinichi packed his old shirts. He'd shot up in height on Myōboku — perhaps the rich natural energy had helped: he already stood at 171 cm. His boyish face had lost some of its childishness; the angles of a young man were appearing.
"Almost done," Shinichi said. "If I didn't have to move, I probably wouldn't have realized how many old clothes I own. And none of them fit!"
He pulled a ragged T-shirt from the wardrobe and tossed it on the bed. Growing boys outgrow clothes fast; training as Kushina's sparring partner tore garments easily. But Shinichi didn't like to throw things away. Worn shirts, torn garments — they had uses: hand-me-downs, rags.
Shisui laughed. "I could burn them with Fire Style. No use bringing them back."
"No need," Shinichi answered. "Make the small ones for my brother, cut the torn ones into rags. They're useful."
Shisui paused. Though an orphan, he had never faced want; Shinichi's thrift surprised him. He shouldered in to help. Shisui was quietly kind — in daily life, he had an elder-brother warmth. Shinichi sometimes felt he'd gained a big brother he'd never had.
With two people packing, it went much faster. Shinichi used Flying Thunder God to send packed bundles home to the Hyūga clan. Even on Myōboku, his teleports worked across space; his use of the technique had become almost insensitive to distance — a marked target was all he needed.
Kushina and Yamato were already waiting on an open patch, and the toad sages Fukusaku and Shima were there to see them off. They greeted the sages politely. The old toads were reluctant to let them go.
"Bring Naruto along when you have time," Fukusaku said.
"Shinichi, when you mature and your chakra stabilizes, come learn from us. I'm curious what you'll reach with sage training."
"Shisui, Yamato — if you meet trouble on missions, don't hesitate to ask."
Two years of living together had built warm bonds between them and the sages. The kids were good-hearted; their talents and characters won the toads' approval. With Kushina as the link, they signed summoning contracts with the toads. After that, the toads treated them as one of their own.
Shinichi had mentioned wanting to learn sage arts before. After the toads observed him, they decided his chakra was not yet stable enough — not the right time. He accepted that and trusted their judgment. Even without sage arts, his strength had not stalled.
"Don't worry — I'll bring Naruto back often," Kushina declared happily. She was eager to leave Myōboku and signalled Shinichi to use Flying Thunder God. Their chakra linked; in the next instant, the group vanished in a puff of smoke. The toads watched for a long moment, then reluctantly turned back.
…
Konoha — the Hokage's office.
An abnormal space fluctuation caught Minato's attention. He had just set down his pen when Kushina, Shinichi, and the others appeared in a flash.
"Kushina!" Minato stood, and the couple embraced. It had been half a month since Minato last visited Myōboku with Naruto — as Hokage, he restrained himself from leaving the village too long despite having Flying Thunder God. If something happened while he was away, he could be blamed.
Kushina ignored protocol and flung herself into his arms. Minato hugged her reflexively, softening at her whispered words. Then he remembered the others and smiled apologetically.
"Welcome back. Thank you all — you've worked hard." He glanced at Shinichi. Minato had watched Kushina's training and knew Shinichi had been a major sparring partner. Their many bouts had shown Minato how talented Shinichi was; he'd been pondering how best to use that strength.
Even as a branch-family Hyūga, living sheltered inside the clan forever wouldn't do — shinobi are shinobi. Minato had not yet known Shinichi's attitude; tasking him elsewhere had to wait. Now was the time.
"Yamato, Shisui — I'll record this mission as S-rank for pay and credit. Because it's for the village, Konoha will not take a cut." Minato patted Kushina lightly, then spoke to Yamato and Shisui. "I'll give you one month's leave. After that, you two will join the new ANBU I'm building — as jonin."
"Jonin?" Yamato and Shisui stared in surprise. Their rank had been chūnin, not jonin.
"Yes. I prepared recommendation letters. More than half passed the jonin class; you qualify. Shinichi, too — once official papers are issued, you three will be full Konoha jonin."
Minato smiled. He was a seasoned Hokage and saw the potential in these youngsters. Bringing promising shinobi close was as much a political move as a personal favour. A recommendation from the Hokage itself was a binding gesture.
Shisui and Yamato were delighted; Shinichi, a little surprised, responded familiarly: "Thanks, Minato-bro."
Minato waved it off modestly. "You've earned it. Shinichi — even with few mission entries, recovering those scattered Byakugan made you worthy."
At that, Yamato and Shisui looked sharply at Shinichi. Rumours had circulated about Byakugan fragments appearing in enemy hands — supposedly taken by a Mist jonin who later vanished. Hearing Minato mention "recovered the Byakugan," they put two and two together — did Shinichi kill that Mist jonin? The revelation unsettled them.
Minato noticed their glances and laughed, then leaned closer to Yamato and Shisui: "About Shinichi leading the recovery — that's confidential. Don't spread it."
Sharing a secret binds people; Minato's confession made them feel truly trusted. Shinichi shrugged; he didn't mind.
"Shinichi, would you consider joining ANBU?" Minato asked. "You'd wear a mask, execute missions — your identity would stay hidden. It's your choice. If you want more combat experience, ANBU is ideal."
Minato's trust in Shinichi went beyond common imagination. Recruiting a Hyūga head-branch into ANBU risked charges of bias, but Minato wanted reliable muscle close at hand.
Shinichi hesitated. "I'll have to discuss it with my family. You know my situation — I don't decide alone. I bear more than just myself."
He weighed pros and cons: ANBU offered combat experience and access to Konoha's higher affairs, but it might confine his public role. Remaining openly with the Hyūga main house preserved some freedom.
Minato hid any disappointment. "Okay. If you're interested later, tell me. I won't hold you back. If you join, I'll grant freedom and authority commensurate with your skill. We'll talk then."
For Minato, the new ANBU needed a dependable pillar — someone to handle matters too delicate for him to appear in public. Although the system was decentralised, any organisation needs leadership to avoid factional collapse later.
Minato's first trusted pick was his student Kakashi — young, powerful, socially awkward but capable. Yet Kakashi had not shaken war's shadows.
Shinichi offered another option: perhaps less mature, but absolutely formidable. In ANBU, that strength could compensate for many deficits.
…
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