Chapter 139: Student Exchange Program
"Exchange students?" Hiruzen's expression was strange, clearly not understanding what this meant.
Masahiko nodded with a smile. "That's right. A student exchange program is a plan for students between two schools to communicate, learn from each other, and improve together!"
This was the method Masahiko had devised to legitimately send Kushina-kun to Konoha. He had started considering it after meeting Minato, and ultimately decided this was the best way.
Hiruzen was silent for a moment. "In other words, the Ninja Academy of the Land of Whirlpools and the Konoha Ninja Academy will exchange students?"
"Correct. This will not only deepen the alliance between Konoha and the Whirlpool but also allow for the mutual exchange of advanced teaching philosophies..." Masahiko chattered on endlessly.
Hiruzen stared blankly for a long while before shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Advanced teaching philosophies..." Clearly, he didn't think highly of the Whirlpool's teaching methods.
Masahiko's face darkened. Hiruzen quickly nodded. "Okay, okay, I agree. So, which grades will exchange students?"
Masahiko hesitated. "Hmm, let's pick one from each grade. No need for the graduating class."
Hiruzen nodded in agreement. "Elder Masahiko, I will need to make a selection."
Masahiko nodded. "I'll go back and pick a few too... Also, although I taught Nawaki-kun a little something recently, it's still not enough. Don't let him go to the battlefield yet."
Hiruzen nodded. "Rest assured, Elder Masahiko, Lady Mito wouldn't agree to it either."
"Good. If there's nothing else, I'm going back to pick students!"
"Elder Masahiko, wait a moment!" Hiruzen hurriedly stopped him, looking like he wanted to say something but stopped.
Masahiko saw at a glance that he wanted to ask about Danzo's recent situation.
"You should know about the things Tobirama used to do. Danzo has restarted them."
Hiruzen's expression became complicated. "As expected? Why didn't you stop him?"
Masahiko shook his head. "After all, he is a Hero of Konoha. I'm not that rigid. As long as he doesn't target the village's ninjas, it doesn't matter."
"Warn him for me. If he dares to target the Senju, I will personally kill him!" Masahiko hesitated for a moment and added, "The Uchiha are off-limits too!"
Without waiting for Hiruzen's reply, Masahiko flew off, returning to the Uzumaki clan.
Obstacles and Assistance
The exchange student matter encountered unexpected resistance, and the source was Nanako-kun.
"Sensei, why send Kushina to Konoha?"
Looking at the anxious Nanako-kun, Masahiko vaguely realized that sending Kushina-kun to Konoha was entirely his own wishful thinking. He hadn't considered Kushina-kun herself, nor Nanako-kun's feelings.
Masahiko hesitated. He wanted to say he had compelling reasons, but he didn't know how to start.
Seeing Masahiko's expression, Nanako-kun's anxiety slowly calmed down. She didn't believe Masahiko would harm Kushina.
"Sensei, do you think Kushina will be better off in Konoha than in the Whirlpool?"
Masahiko sighed and explained, "Who knows what's good or bad? I just feel that since we are exchanging students, we should show our best side to Konoha."
In the end, Masahiko chose this explanation and didn't tell the truth.
"Besides, it's only for four or five years. Kushina can graduate by then and will come back. And it's impossible for Hiruzen to send exchange students from the Whirlpool to the battlefield!"
Nanako-kun was silent for a long time but still didn't give a final response.
Masahiko felt helpless. Her grandmother wouldn't let her go; he couldn't exactly force Kushina to leave, could he? However, since the exchange program was set, the exchange had to happen. Masahiko personally selected a talented child from grades one to five in the Uzunin Village Ninja School, preparing to send them to Konoha for the second semester.
Just after finishing the selection, Masahiko received a report that Konoha had sent over their list of exchange students.
The name and information of the first student on the list brought a slight smile to Masahiko's face.
"Shinnosuke Sarutobi, second grade. Eldest son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Chakra natures: Earth, Fire..."
Masahiko didn't read the detailed information further, silently praising Hiruzen in his heart.
"Godlike assist!"
Masahiko quickly found Nanako-kun and handed the student list to her.
"Look, Hiruzen even sent his own son over. We have to show some sincerity too! Kushina is just right for this."
Nanako-kun smiled bitterly and shook her head. "Sigh, Sensei..."
Before she could refuse again, Kushina-kun ran in excitedly.
"Great-Grandpa, you're here!"
Masahiko nodded with a smile. "Kushina, is school out?" Kushina was now a first-year student at the Uzunin Village Ninja School.
Kushina subconsciously shook her head, then quickly nodded.
Masahiko didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "It's only noon. I haven't heard of the Ninja School only having half-day classes?"
Nanako-kun spoke helplessly from the side, "Kushina, you skipped school again."
Kushina blushed slightly. "School is boring, and you won't let me go to Konoha..."
Masahiko was startled. He didn't expect Kushina to actively want to go to Konoha. Did she think Konoha would be livelier?
Nanako-kun sighed, looked left and right, and said, "Alright, I'll let you go. But you can't throw your little tantrums in Konoha. And be careful, don't..."
What followed was all kinds of grandmotherly nagging, which Masahiko tuned out.
After a long while, Nanako-kun was finally satisfied.
Masahiko smiled and said, "Do you even need to worry about Kushina? Her personality is exactly like yours when you were little. You dared to splash a basin of water on me back then; are you afraid she'll get bullied?"
"Grandma, you splashed a basin of water on Great-Grandpa?" Kushina looked curious.
Nanako-kun looked nostalgic. "Yes, back then, Sensei looked exactly as he does now. But I have grown old. I won't be able to look after Kushina for many more years, so please take care of her."
Masahiko paused. "Who knows? Maybe my lifespan will be up in a couple of years too?"
"Alright, let's not talk about this," Masahiko quickly changed the subject which was becoming heavy. "Then I'll swap Kushina into the list of exchange students."
Nanako-kun didn't object anymore and handed the list of Konoha exchange students back.
Masahiko breathed a sigh of relief. The plot was finally somewhat back on track.
"Thanks to Hiruzen's godlike assist..." Masahiko walked along the road, glancing at the exchange student list again, and froze in place.
"First-grade exchange student: Minato Namikaze?"
Masahiko's expression was exaggerated. Is he playing with me? I went through all that trouble to send Kushina over, and Hiruzen wants to send Minato here?
"No, this can't happen..."
Two days later.
In the Hokage Building, Hiruzen was coordinating various war intelligence when an Anbu flashed in.
"Lord Hokage, there is a reply regarding the list of exchange students sent to the Uzumaki clan!"
Hiruzen looked up. "What did Elder Masahiko say?"
"He rejected one person. The first-grader, Minato Namikaze."
Hiruzen was stunned. "Is there something wrong with that child?"
The Anbu hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly, "Elder Masahiko only replied with two words: Ugly. Rejected!"
Hiruzen's face stiffened. "That child... he looks quite sunny and cheerful..."
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