บท 56: Chapter 56: Ordering Food Before Getting Out of Bed?
Wiping his face with a towel draped over his shoulder, Takashi strolled to the doorway, leaned against the doorframe, and watched two young boys in the yard practicing kunai throwing.
Sometimes, a two- or three-year age difference doesn't prevent people from becoming good friends—it's just a matter of opportunity.
Compared to the age gap between Nawaki and Namikaze Minato, this wasn't bad at all. Future Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi had an even larger age gap, yet their relationship was that of both mentor and friend.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Shisui ended up leading Uchiha Itachi astray.
Children like Uchiha Itachi, who are smart but impressionable, shouldn't be fed too many skewed ideas. Once such notions take root and grow, they can veer irreversibly off course.
Takashi didn't mind Nawaki playing with Namikaze Minato; even Tsunade seemed relieved.
She didn't care if her younger brother made a few more friends—what mattered to her was that he didn't spend all day causing trouble, or worse, getting involved in mischief.
"Minato," Takashi called out during a break in their training, gesturing to the blonde boy.
Minato blinked in surprise and ran over. "You called me, senpai?"
"Don't be nervous. Sit down."
Takashi motioned for him to sit. Nawaki swaggered over and sat beside Minato, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, curious about what Takashi wanted with his friend.
Though Minato had initially befriended Kushina, over time, Nawaki and Minato had become closer friends than Minato and Kushina were.
Reluctantly, Minato sat down.
Once he was seated, Takashi asked, "What plans do you have for New Year's? If you're free, come celebrate at our house. It's livelier with more people around."
"Huh?"
Minato looked dumbfounded.
Did he just invite me to celebrate New Year's?
"That's great!" Nawaki clapped his hands, beaming. "Minato's always alone at home during New Year's—it's so lonely. It's perfect if he comes over to join us!"
"Uh, I…"
Minato was caught off guard by the sudden invitation.
It was the first time anyone had ever asked him to spend New Year's together.
"Alright, no more 'uhs'—it's settled. Go get some rest," Takashi said firmly, seeing Minato hesitate but clearly tempted.
"Hahaha, awesome!"
Nawaki laughed loudly, pulling Minato away with him.
After the two boys left, Tsunade descended the stairs. She wrapped her arms around Takashi's waist from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder. "You've taken quite a liking to that kid, haven't you?"
Tsunade suspected that Takashi's invitation wasn't just for the sake of holiday cheer—it had a deeper purpose.
"That kid's got potential. As long as he doesn't stray off course, he'll grow into a great ninja. I've got a good feeling about him."
"A civilian prodigy like Orochimaru?"
"Not quite."
Recalling the blonde boy's journey, Takashi said, "He's more of a blend between Orochimaru and Jiraiya—not as dazzling as Orochimaru but someone who steadily builds his strength."
It was true that Minato was a prodigy, but his early growth wasn't as spectacular as Orochimaru's. In the history of Konoha, only a few geniuses could rival young Orochimaru—perhaps only Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi.
Minato might not have been as flashy early on, but his consistent, steady progress allowed him to raise his ceiling step by step—though his life was tragically cut short.
"Not as dazzling as Orochimaru but able to steadily climb higher?"
Tsunade frowned. As someone who had grown up alongside Orochimaru, she knew just how terrifyingly talented he was. "Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"
Exaggerating?
Once Minato matured, he'd surpass Orochimaru with ease. The remarkable thing about Minato was that his talent seemed to grow endlessly, with no apparent ceiling.
What's with that look? Are you doubting me?
Fine, since you think so highly of this kid, I'm curious to see where his limits lie.
"If you're so impressed, why not take him as your disciple?"
"…."
Just because I admire him doesn't mean I want to take him on as a student, Takashi thought.
Even if he did, the Third Hokage probably wouldn't approve. Despite the questionable morality of the Third Hokage, his judgment of people was undeniably sharp.
Takashi opened his mouth but decided against arguing.
Tsunade didn't press the matter. She stretched and headed toward the bathroom.
"Is Kushina still in bed?"
"Yup, the lazybones is still sleeping. She said she wants ramen. Oh, and specifically
your homemade ramen."
"…."
Still in bed and already placing orders?
---
"How would I know?" Nawaki tossed more firewood onto their campfire and flipped the fish they had caught from the river.
"Maybe… uh… My sister says he's cunning but good at judging people. He probably sees your potential," Nawaki guessed.
Thinking wasn't Nawaki's strong suit, but since it involved his friend, he gave it a shot.
"Hey!" Nawaki's eyes suddenly lit up. "Minato, why don't you ask Takashi to be your teacher? My sister says he's officially a medical ninja, but he's actually super strong. With a teacher like him backing you up, no one would dare mess with you at school!"
"…"
Was that what I asked?
Hearing the word "backing," Minato couldn't help but recall Kushina's first day of school. After beating up a few classmates, she had yelled, "My sister is Tsunade!"
Even the teacher had been too scared to intervene.
But having someone as a mentor didn't sound bad. Besides avoiding bullying, he could learn things beyond what the ninja academy taught.
Minato's growing friendship with Nawaki was mostly thanks to their mutual curiosity. Minato admired Nawaki's knowledge of advanced topics their teachers hadn't covered, while Nawaki enjoyed teaching him, finding it rewarding.
A teacher, huh?
But… Takashi is a medical ninja.
Would Nawaki lie to me?
Is Takashi really that strong?
Still, becoming his disciple probably wouldn't be easy.
"Oh no! The fish is burning!"
The smell of burning fish soon sent the two boys scrambling.
They were relieved to salvage their meal.
However, after a single bite, both grimaced.
"Ugh, this is awful!"
"Ahahaha, I guess we forgot seasoning. That's why it's so fishy."
"Blondie, you did this on purpose!"
"Nawaki-kun, I swear I didn't! I just forgot, that's all."
"Pfft, like I'd believe you. And stop calling me Nawaki-kun—it sounds terrible."
"Then don't call me Blondie. That's just as bad."
---
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