As time passed, the oppressive atmosphere brought by the war grew heavier and heavier.
More and more shinobi were being sent to the Land of Rain, supposedly to request travel permits from the Salamander Hanzō.
Hearing these rumors, Kawamine simply shook his head.
The Third Hokage was truly getting old.
To think something this absurd was actually happening.
Hanzō of the Salamander wasn't an idiot. With so many Leaf ninja passing through, it wouldn't be surprising if the Land of Rain ended up needing a new name.
The war was destined to erupt in the Rain Country.
But as long as the war had not officially begun, it wouldn't have any impact on him.
Kawamine continued to live happily every day—teaching Nawaki, who had just returned from Orochimaru's training, flirting with Tsunade, and irritating Sakumo whenever he could. Life was good.
Even Sage Mode training was on his schedule now. He planned to stay in Shikkotsu Forest for a while once the hospital was completed.
One day, Kawamine was sitting at a stone table in the dojo, sipping tea.
During the hospital's construction, Tsunade had been far busier than him—she was the type of investor who didn't interfere, but everything still relied on her presence.
Nawaki was practicing swordsmanship in the training field. His progress in recent months was dramatic.
Ordinary genin could no longer stand against him; he could even hold his own against chūnin.
Unfortunately, he had been losing terribly to Kawamine lately. If not for his dependable older sister, he would need a full week of rest after every lesson.
At that moment, the butler arrived with two children. One of them had bright red hair—Uzumaki Kushina.
The other was a blond boy with short hair.
Who else could it be but Namikaze Minato?
Kawamine didn't expect that the Namikaze child Kushina mentioned earlier would be Minato himself.
He drank another sip of tea, smiled faintly, and didn't bother getting up.
Meeting the future Fourth Hokage as a child—this strange feeling was something only he could understand.
"Kawamine-nii, I brought a friend!"
Kushina walked to his side with a big grin, though she didn't sit down.
Minato looked nervously at the silver-haired man who was quietly observing him.
After all, he had come here hoping to become his student.
If he was rejected, he would be devastated.
"Hello, Lord Kawamine. My name is Namikaze Minato."
"I came today to ask for your guidance."
He was only around ten, and truly adorable. Despite losing his parents, he hadn't lost himself. Kawamine could feel the boy's longing for affection.
"Kawamine-nii, Minato's already graduated today—and he's only ten!"
Seeing Kawamine's silence, Kushina quickly stepped in to praise Minato.
Her meaning was obvious: Minato was a prodigy.
"Oh~? Then what about you, Kushina? When are you going to graduate?"
Kawamine reached out and ruffled her red hair. Kushina did not show the slightest impatience.
Minato had never seen her act so obediently.
He didn't even dare touch that fiery red hair.
Lord Kawamine is amazing…
If Kawamine knew people thought he was impressive just for patting someone's head, he'd probably complain that being in love was an incredible buff.
"Hmph~ Most of my time is spent on fūinjutsu studies! Otherwise I'd have graduated ages ago."
Kushina huffed as she explained.
Ever since Minato's graduation, she'd had no friends left at school.
"Kushina, I'll always spend time with you whenever I can."
Minato instantly understood what she meant.
He truly had a kind heart. No wonder Kushina adored him so much.
Two children who craved affection naturally drew close, warming each other.
I, Hatake Kawamine, am absolutely a fan of this pairing.
"So, Namikaze Minato, huh?"
Kawamine pretended to be stern—stylishly so—and the pressure he exerted on young Minato was immense.
"Yes."
"I'll take you as my student. Hahaha!"
Kawamine seemed a bit eccentric—stern one second and bursting into laughter the next.
He didn't need a test. Minato was a genius.
"Great! Minato, hurry and bow to your teacher!"
Kushina, knowing Kawamine's strength, quickly nudged Minato.
Swordsmanship and Flying Thunder God—those were arts she deeply admired.
She pressed down Minato's still-dazed head to make him bow.
"Alright, alright, I don't care about all those formalities."
Kawamine waved dismissively, interrupting her.
"Minato, do you live alone?"
"Yes, sir. I'm an orphan."
His expression didn't change as he spoke—he was used to it.
He shone like a little sun regardless.
"From now on, move into my house. You'll have a new home."
Kawamine stood, walked over, and ruffled his blond hair.
Minato felt a warmth he had never known before.
For some reason, his nose stung.
"Yes, teacher."
He quickly wiped the corner of his eye.
From today on, Namikaze Minato had a family again.
"Kawamine-nii, can I come over often too?"
Kushina wasn't shy like most little girls—and that was exactly the kind of personality Kawamine adored.
"Of course. I'll have Minato wait for you at home every day."
His words made both children blush.
"I'm going to look for Nawaki-nii!"
Face flushed, Kushina ran off, leaving Minato alone in front of Kawamine.
Now it was time to see where Minato currently stood—and shape him into something even greater.
"I practice three basic taijutsu forms, some Wind Release and Water Release jutsu, and more physical training."
Minato answered earnestly, behaving like the perfect student.
Who could imagine he would someday enjoy reading Jiraiya's books?
And even pass that hobby onto Kakashi.
"I understand. Let me test you a bit."
Kawamine said seriously.
"Yes, teacher! Please assign me a task!"
Minato believed that every teacher only accepted students who passed their test—so this seemed perfectly normal.
But then the ever-playful Kawamine put an arm around his shoulders, bent down to Minato's height, and—
"Do you like Kushina?"
"Eh—does that have anything to do with the test?"
Minato was confused. Why would his teacher ask something so personal?
"Of course it does."
I don't feel the slightest guilt about tricking this child.
"I… I like her."
Minato answered honestly.
"If you like her, tell her. If you don't say anything, how will she ever know?"
Kawamine began persuading him to confess to Kushina.
"T-that's not right…"
Minato hesitated. What kind of test was this?
"This is a test of courage."
"My disciple, Hatake Kawamine's disciple, must be a brave young man."
"And you are?"
Kawamine used pure PUA energy to inflame Minato's pride, making him burn with indignation.
"I AM!"
Young and impulsive, Minato stretched his neck and shouted so loudly that Nawaki and Kushina both turned to look.
"Then go confess to her. You're a brave boy."
Kawamine stood and gave him a push.
Watching Minato walk toward Kushina with determined steps, Kawamine folded his arms, a look of pure amusement on his face—as if enjoying a great show.
He really was a good teacher.
Only he would snack on gossip involving his ten-year-old disciple.
Minato reached Kushina; his entire face was red.
"Minato, what's wrong?"
Kushina even touched his forehead in concern.
Nawaki watched from the side, thinking:
This brat dares act lovey-dovey in front of me?
Do single people not have human rights?
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