Early the next morning, after breakfast, Minato left a Wood Clone to keep an eye on Nawaki, while his main body returned to the Root headquarters and went straight to find his Doraemon Snake. When in doubt, find Orochimaru. Since Orochimaru took over the Root, this place had practically become his backyard. Orochimaru wasn't the least bit dissatisfied with this; in fact, he was quite happy about it. For a researcher, exploring the unknown is like seeking a path in the darkness. And for Orochimaru, Minato's existence was like a guiding light. Although Minato couldn't help him much technically, he always brought new inspiration, or surprises like the 'Pea Love Story'.
"A surveillance-type Ninjutsu?" Learning of Minato's purpose, Orochimaru looked up from his experiment.
"Yes, do you have any recommendations, Senior?" Minato asked, "It needs to be the kind that allows direct observation."
"The Old Man has a Telescope Technique, but it requires the Konoha barrier to use, and you also need to know the target's Chakra signature. Even if you learn it, without permission from the Barrier Team, you can't use it." Orochimaru shook his head, indicating he couldn't help. "Direct observation-type Ninjutsu are rare. Konoha only has this one. Who does Minato-kun want to monitor? How about I just send someone to help you?"
"This is a private matter, so that might not be very convenient." Minato thought for a moment and decided to tell him about his dilemma. "It's like this, Nawaki graduated a few days ago, and Sensei gave him the First Hokage's necklace as a gift."
Orochimaru immediately understood. "Oh? That necklace. I didn't expect Tsunade to give that thing away. But isn't that a good thing?"
Minato gave an awkward laugh. "Then Senior should also know about Sensei's bizarrely bad luck, right?"
"Ah... this..." Orochimaru's experimental movements paused. He pondered for a moment, his tone rather complex. "Your concern is not without reason. As a researcher, I believe in science, but Tsunade's luck is very difficult to explain scientifically. It completely shatters my understanding of probability. However, if you're only worried about Nawaki encountering danger, then he just needs to use a Summoning Jutsu and Reverse Summon you to his side through the Slug."
Minato's voice was faintly gloomy. "What if he accidentally steps on an Exploding Tag?"
"..." Orochimaru frowned. Given Nawaki's reckless personality, that wasn't impossible. After thinking for a while, his brow gradually smoothed. "That's not without a solution either. Just get him into the habit of using Shadow Clones to scout the path. Also, I think Minato-kun doesn't need to worry unnecessarily. If you really think about it, the probability of someone being killed by a meteorite at home isn't zero. None of us know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first. You can't protect him forever. So instead of worrying endlessly, it's better to give him proper special training, let him experience the fear of near-death, and develop cautious habits from it."
"Hmm..." Minato nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, what Orochimaru said made sense. He had been too stuck in his own thoughts.
"Hehehe, 'Believe in your comrades' and all that... I never thought I'd be the one saying such things one day. Usually, that role of the hot-blooded idiot is played by Jiraiya." Seeing Minato's gradually relaxing brow, Orochimaru laughed. "Because you worry about your comrades getting hurt, you refuse to trust their strength... Perhaps geniuses are always arrogant. From this perspective, we are the same type of person, Minato-kun."
Minato grinned, feeling a bit embarrassed. It wasn't that he didn't trust his comrades, it was just that Nawaki's track record was too dismal—the only named character to be solo-killed by an Exploding Tag! If it were Tsunade, he definitely wouldn't worry; at least in the original story, she never lost when gambling with her life.
"Speaking of which, I also have a small favor to ask of you, Minato-kun." Orochimaru said, "But it might take up some of your free time."
"That's fine, I've been pretty free lately." Minato smiled, "Besides cooking and cultivating, I don't have much else going on."
"Is that so..." Orochimaru chuckled softly and clapped his hands lightly. "Come in, Cat."
Cat? Minato looked towards the door. He knew most of the Root members and didn't remember anyone with the codename 'Cat'. As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, the door opened, and a graceful figure silently appeared outside. She was slightly taller than Minato by half a head, with black hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders. Her face was covered by a cat mask, and her posture was elegant and upright. Although her features were hidden, she carried an aura of quiet gentleness.
"This is Cat." Orochimaru introduced with a smile. "My newly accepted Disciple, from the Uchiha Clan."
"Uchiha?" Minato was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to recruit an Uchiha into the Root. "Why did you suddenly take on an Uchiha as a Disciple, Senior?"
"After all, I am the leader of the Root. I have to do some proper work." Orochimaru said calmly. "If the Uchiha Clan continues to be excluded from the core, they will inevitably become a hidden danger to the Village. With the war approaching, I must first resolve the internal conflicts. So, after negotiating with their Clan Chief, I chose to open this gap. In exchange, the Uchiha will gradually hand over power in the Police Force and fully integrate into the Village."
Orochimaru gestured towards the girl at the door. "Cat is the Disciple I selected, an outstanding member of the Uchiha's younger generation. She became a Chunin at the age of twelve. More importantly, she has a gentle personality, not as extreme as other clan members, making her suitable to be a bridge between the Village and the Uchiha. But recently, the Root has many missions and is short-handed. I'm afraid I won't have time to personally instruct her. Minato-kun, if it's convenient while you're cultivating, could you give her some guidance on my behalf? And also help me assess her current strength."
"Of course I can." Minato nodded and looked at the girl at the door. "Nice to meet you. I'm Minato Namikaze. Please advise me."
The girl cast an inquiring glance at Orochimaru, who gave a slight nod. "Within the Root, Minato-kun's words represent my will."
"I understand." At the same time, the girl codenamed Cat quietly observed the boy before her, her eyes holding a trace of inquiry and curiosity about why her teacher held him in such high regard. "Mikoto. I am Uchiha Mikoto. Please advise me."
Mikoto... Uchiha Mikoto?! Minato was stunned for a moment, then gave a gentle smile. "I've heard of you. You should be my Senior by four years, right?"
"I've also heard of you, the Wood Release Genius." A hint of laughter colored the girl's tone. Minato had used Wood Release more than once, not to show off, but simply because the ability was too convenient. At first, the Third Hokage tried to suppress the news, but later found it impossible and simply let it be. After all, no one could really do anything to him. However, ordinary people only knew that the user of Wood Release was called Minato Namikaze, Tsunade's Disciple, but didn't know what he looked like. The reason she recognized Minato was because his outstanding looks spread even wider than his reputation for strength back in school.
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