April, the start of the school year.
Early in the morning, after finishing his training in the dōjō, Minato took a moment to feel the changes in his body and said, "Absorbing natural energy into the body really is different. It feels like I've gone back to being young again."
After nearly a year of training, he no longer needed Makoto's help and could already sense the white natural energy within the dōjō on his own.
However, he was still in the body-strengthening stage and could not yet use Sage Mode.
Makoto could not help but complain, "You're already young to begin with. You're not even thirty yet, so stop talking like an old man. Is being Hokage really that exhausting?"
"Hahahaha, Hokage work really is pretty tedious," Minato said. "Sometimes I really do envy you. You don't have to worry about anything and can just focus on training."
"Didn't I already give you advice? Don't meddle in everything. Why do even ordinary disputes and fights between villagers end up needing your review and signature on the final paperwork? Can't the Police Force make that decision?"
Minato rubbed his head a little. "Well... Konoha is a ninja village, after all. Even with these minor matters, everything has to be investigated in detail. Who knows? There might be a spy hiding behind it somewhere."
Makoto sighed helplessly. "Then there's no helping it. The only advice I can give you is to train a successor as soon as possible. In a few years, throw the Hokage position to the Fifth and you'll be free."
"A successor, huh?" Minato seriously thought it over for a moment. "Even if Kakashi succeeds me at the same age I became Hokage, that would still take another six or seven years."
"Isn't the Uchiha clan's greatest wish to become Hokage? I bet Clan Head Fugaku would be more than happy to take over your position."
"I don't want to test the limits of the older generation," Minato said with a smile. "Maybe the next generation will have a chance. Anyway, I should get going. It's the first day of school today, so I'll be busy."
"So will I."
...
After finishing her usual morning training, little Tenten did not go home. Instead, she consciously washed up and got ready for breakfast.
Ever since Makoto moved into the dōjō, she had not moved in with him, but instead changed her schedule so that she trained and studied there in the mornings, then went home after lunch to keep her mother company.
The one in charge of cooking at the dōjō was Honoka.
After she came over, Yūgao also moved in, under the excuse that she was afraid Makoto would get lonely there at night.
Then Yamato and Hayate each picked a room and also moved in to stay there full-time.
As for the others, they only came over to stay once in a while.
After breakfast, Yūgao put on her gear. "Makoto-nii, we're off to work."
Ever since she had sensed a clear sense of crisis, she immediately went back to calling him what she used to when they were kids.
Makoto looked at her. "Oh? So you're completely at ease now?"
"Hmph. Mom said we're still both minors, so what do I have to be afraid of?"
Makoto already looked about the same size as an adult, but Uzuki Sakura was right—they were still minors in essence.
They could not do lewd things, could not drink, could not smoke, and could not gamble.
But they could kill people and set fires.
Honoka smiled faintly. "That's true."
Yūgao puffed out her cheeks, pulled Tenten into her arms, and whispered a few words into her ear before heading out with Hayate and the others.
Five-year-old Tenten seemed to understand, yet also not understand, and her head was full of question marks. She felt that the relationship between the two onee-san and her sensei had become a little too complicated.
Why are they even fighting over it? They should all just become my teacher's wives together, idiots!
Seeing the questioning look Makoto gave her, Tenten quickly shook her head. "I can't say it, Sensei. Yūgao-onee-san said it's a secret."
"I wasn't planning to ask you. What I wanted to say was that you're the only one who still hasn't finished eating."
"Oh!" Tenten gobbled down the rest of her food in a few bites, then asked, "Sensei, I've already finished studying chakra theory. Are you going to teach something new today?"
"No. Today will probably be pretty lively. You're going to have a lot more little companions studying with you. We'll go out and welcome them in a bit."
"Really?"
...
The Ninja Academy would be busy today on account of the new school term.
Likewise, Makoto's dōjō would also be welcoming its first batch of young students today, so it too would be busy.
The Fourth had abolished the advisor position, but he had fulfilled the elders' other request by selecting a group of children to come study under Makoto.
However, after discussing it with Makoto, he decided on a cap for the size of the first group.
In essence, this was experimental in nature.
Some things had to be done step by step and could not be rushed too quickly.
The first to arrive was Uzumaki Kushina. After dropping off Naruto and Karin, she went off to a room by herself to continue her research.
Recently, she had been working together with her disciple, busy trying to combine the Yin Seal with the Two Forms Seal. This matter was not only related to maintaining youth, but also determined whether she could live to a hundred years.
Kaori was currently working in Konoha's sealing department and didn't have time to come, so she asked her to bring Karin along as well.
Since they were going to be trained together, naturally these two little ones wouldn't be left out.
Naruto asked, "Makoto-nii, are we going to train here from now on?"
Makoto replied, "Yeah. So you'd better behave. If you act up, I'll smack your butt till it blooms. And if you don't study hard, you'll get beaten too."
Naruto puffed out his chest and thumped it loudly. "Don't worry, nii-san! I'll definitely work hard! My dream is to surpass the Hokage, dattebayo!"
Makoto was taken aback. "Why do you even have that kind of dream?"
In this world, you, Uzumaki Naruto, aren't some hated stray on the roadside.
Naruto said as if it were the most natural thing, "Because my dad is the Hokage! I want to surpass him and become an even greater Hokage."
"Actually, surpassing your dad is very simple."
"Really? Nii-san, teach me!"
"Just do something he doesn't dare to do, or something he's never done."
"Like what?"
"For example, you could become a rogue ninja. Wouldn't that instantly surpass your dad?"
Naruto: "..."
Something felt off. Naruto might be young, but he wasn't stupid—he instinctively felt this was a trap.
After Kushina, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza arrived at the dōjō with the three kids. After exchanging a few words with Makoto, they left.
They left behind three bewildered little brats—two boys and one girl: Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Chōji.
The three had only seen Makoto once, at Karin's first birthday. Even if they had any memory of it, it was blurry.
Still, under their parents' instructions, they obediently greeted him as "Sensei," then ran off to mingle with Tenten and the others.
Ino quickly showed signs of being the bossy big sister, Shikamaru had that unmotivated look on his face, and Chōji hugged his backpack, considering whether to take out the snacks inside and share them.
Soon after, Tokuma's team came over. He didn't bring anyone himself, but Aburame Muta and Inuzuka Meko each brought along a kid.
One was Aburame Shino, already wearing sunglasses at such a young age, and the other was Inuzuka Kiba, who looked completely fearless.
The former had perhaps already begun feeding insects with his own body, while the latter hadn't even brought a dog yet.
Since they were friends of Makoto, the adults of both families had them bring the kids over.
Muta simply nodded, indicating the children had been delivered. Although Shino was still young, he was quiet and had already begun calmly observing his surroundings.
Kiba, on the other hand, was anything but well-behaved. "Hey, Meko-obasan, is this guy really going to be my sensei?"
Meko smacked him on the head. "Show some respect, you brat!"
"What? He doesn't look strong at all."
Makoto: "..."
Very good, kid. I'll remember you. From now on, you'll sit at the same desk as that Uchiha brat.
Meko said, "Makoto, this brat is just like this. Don't hold back. His mom said as long as you don't beat him to death, anything goes."
Poor Kiba shivered. He had a bad feeling about his future.
Tokuma said, "Later, two more from the Hyūga clan will be coming. Honestly, Makoto, are you quitting being a ninja and opening a kindergarten?"
"Yeah. Aren't you training here too? No different from them. Come on, call me 'Sensei' so I can hear it."
"Good morning, Sensei!"
Makoto leaned back instinctively. "You actually said it? Are you a fake Tokuma? Tell me, are you an enemy in disguise? I think I need to send you to the Intelligence Division for questioning."
Tokuma: "..."
In truth, ever since they started learning here, they had felt significant improvement—especially in their physical conditioning.
Calling him "Sensei" wasn't a problem.
But why did it make them want to hit someone?
Kiba said, "Yeah, he really doesn't seem reliable."
Right after saying that, the kid nimbly dodged his aunt's incoming slap and ran off like the wind to join the other children.
The husky Rocky shook his head. "That kid is really stupid. Seriously. The Inuzuka clan has no future. My future pups definitely can't follow him."
Meko replied, "You're not much better."
The husky lifted its neck stubbornly. "Who says? I think this place is great. I'm planning to stay here long-term."
Makoto said, "Perfect. I'm short a security guard here, but I won't be paying a salary."
"Will there at least be premium dog food and shampoo?"
"No."
The husky: "..."
It immediately fell into a dilemma about its entire dog life.
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