"So? Think it over. This way, you'll gain friend."
Kushina was still trying to persuade him.
The Nine-Tails rolled its eyes.
Do I look like I want to talk to you?
You want me to agree to being split in half?
Do I look like I have some kind of brain damage?
Or are you people the ones with the problem?
(Kushina: It's not like I want this either, but too many people want to split you apart.)
"Think about it carefully. I'll come chat with you again another day."
After saying that, Kushina left the seal space.
Nine-Tails: Think about it? Think my ass.
Back in reality, Kushina opened her eyes.
"So, Kushina, did the Nine-Tails agree?"
Minato Namikaze asked.
"Of course it agreed. We're super close, you know? How could it refuse such a tiny favor?"
"Really? That's great news."
(Nine-Tails: I agreed? I agreed!? Did I ever say those words!?)
Minato said happily.
According to the research conducted by Aburame Shiken and the others, separating the Nine-Tails into Yin and Yang chakra wouldn't just give the Hidden Leaf Village another jinchūriki-level combat force—
the Yang half of the Nine-Tails was also comparatively gentler, provided it was guided properly.
As for the Yin half, after losing half its power, its strength would naturally be greatly reduced. Kushina would be able to control it more easily, perhaps even completely dominate it.
Her dream of leaving the Hidden Leaf Village would no longer be impossible.
And after discussions between multiple parties, everyone unanimously agreed that Naruto was the most suitable candidate to become the Yang Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
Once Naruto successfully controlled the Nine-Tails as well, the Hidden Leaf Village would gain another tailed beast-level powerhouse.
And from then on, even if Naruto did absolutely nothing for the rest of his life, the village would still support him.
It could be said that Minato Namikaze's plan had completely secured Naruto an ironclad lifelong position.
No worries for the rest of his life—
No, for his entire life.
"Minato, we need to start strengthening Naruto's body immediately. Even if the Yang Nine-Tails is relatively gentle, it still requires a very strong body to contain it."
"Mm, leave it to me. When it comes to something this important for Naruto, I absolutely won't go easy on him."
The next morning,
Naruto was dragged out of bed while still half asleep.
Rubbing his eyes groggily, he looked around.
"What's going on? Is something important happening today?"
"Today marks the official beginning of Naruto's physical training."
"Ah… Dad, stop messing around. I'm going back to sleep."
After saying that, he flopped right back onto the bed.
Black lines appeared across Minato's forehead.
So I have this little authority at home?
"Kushina, I'm counting on you."
Minato and Kushina exchanged a loud clap of their hands, completing the handoff ceremony.
Minato sat at the dining table, happily enjoying a delicious breakfast, while Naruto's screams echoed clearly from the bedroom.
"AHHH!!"
"AAAAAHHHH!!"
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Minato continued eating with a smile.
Won't listen to gentle methods, insists on learning the hard way.
Why bother? Really, why bother?
"First exercise: warm-up run. One lap around the Hidden Leaf Village."
"Dad, I'm only three years old! And how could a normal person possibly run around the entire Hidden Leaf Village!?"
Naruto asked sincerely.
He hoped this might awaken at least a tiny shred of sympathy in his father.
Minato also felt it sounded a little unreasonable.
A three-year-old running around the entire village really was a bit excessive.
"Lap 287 around the Hidden Leaf Village while walking on my hands! Burn, my youth!"
A green figure flashed past at incredible speed.
Father and son stared at each other in silence.
"Warm-up run. Three laps around the Hidden Leaf Village."
"Dad…"
"Five laps."
"One-two-one! One-two-one!"
After spending an entire day,
Naruto finally completed the "warm-up run."
A warm-up that lasted an entire day truly lived up to its name.
Watching Naruto stagger home looking like he was about to puke up his gallbladder,
Minato couldn't stop questioning himself.
Did I overdo it a little?
(Naruto: A little? This is straight-up inhuman! I'm only three years old, okay!? I should be out playing however I want at this age, you know!?)
"Tomorrow I should probably go find Shikaku and ask him to make a proper training plan. Professional matters should really be left to professionals."
Minato thought to himself.
(Nara Shikaku: Minato, be a human being, will you? Do you know how I raise my own kid? I just let him train by himself! And now you want me to create a training plan for your son? What's my son supposed to think if he finds out!?)
...
The next day,
Nara Shikaku woke up from his sleep.
Another wonderfully carefree day.
"Shikaku, you're awake."
"Yeah, I'm awake—wait, who are you!?"
Shikaku hurriedly wrapped himself in his blanket and stared carefully toward the unfamiliar male voice.
"Minato? Why are you in my house? Where's Yoshino?"
"And why the hell are you suddenly in my bedroom first thing in the morning!?"
Shikaku shouted furiously.
Even if you're the Hokage, you can't just ignore personal boundaries like this.
"First thing in the morning? Shikaku, it's already noon. Besides, Yoshino let me in. I've been waiting for you for two hours already."
Minato said bitterly.
What kind of host keeps sleeping while the guest waits?
Who's the one lacking boundaries here?
"Ah, it's already noon? No wonder I slept so comfortably. And Yoshino didn't yell at me either. So it's because of you, Minato. Hey, are you free tomorrow too? Want to come wake me up again?"
Minato was speechless.
Do you think I'm some random guy? I'm the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, okay? And you want me standing guard while you sleep peacefully?
Which one of us is the Hokage here?
Seeing Minato's unhappy expression, Shikaku immediately realized that idea was dead.
Minato's so stingy. He won't even agree to something this small.
(Minato Namikaze: Why would I agree to that!? I'm the Fourth Hokage! Don't I have any dignity!?)
"Alright, what did you come here for?"
"I'm begging you, help create a training plan for Naruto."
"Another training plan? Naruto's only three too, right?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Nothing. It just reminded me of some unpleasant memories."
He remembered his own days right after entering the Ninja Academy, getting crushed by competition nonstop. He never expected Minato's son to have it even worse, starting the grind at age three.
How was he supposed to evaluate that?
All he could say was—thank god he was born earlier.
"Wait, Shikaku, what did you mean by 'another' just now?"
Minato suddenly realized something.
From the way Shikaku said it,
it sounded like more than one person had already come looking for him.
And their purpose seemed surprisingly similar.
"Kamito, Hyūga Hiyasu, Ryoha, Shibi, Shikuro, plus Inoichi and Chōza. And now you too, Minato. Is the Hidden Leaf Village really so short on talent? Do three-year-old kids have to work this hard now?"
Minato Namikaze: Uh… that's honestly hard to comment on.