Chapter 17 - 17: Have You Seen Konoha At 4 AM?

"I..." Tsunade looked at Kazuki on the training ground with complex emotions, hesitating for a moment before speaking, "I'll try, but I need to interact with this kid first." "If he can't meet my requirements, I won't hinder his growth." Tsunade lacked confidence in teaching Kazuki. If she could teach him well, that would be fine, but if she ended up hindering him, then she would be misleading a promising talent. Tsunade held no ill will towards the Uchiha. She had even completed missions with Kagami in the past, so she naturally didn't want Kazuki to be hindered by her. "As a teacher, not only do you help them get stronger, but more importantly, you pass on your experience to them and protect their growth, and you are not lacking in this area." "In the current Konoha, very few people are stronger than you all." Hiruzen was naturally very satisfied with his three disciples. Tsunade's style was different from his own, but she still became his disciple, didn't she? However, with Tsunade leading Kazuki on missions, as long as they didn't encounter an insurmountable enemy, Kazuki would certainly be able to grow safely. To say that Hiruzen was not good to Kazuki would be false. He assigned the Ninja World's top medic to escort Kazuki, and Kushina also had the potential to become a top medic. If he still couldn't grow safely like this, then it was Kazuki's fate. Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. Isn't it just about protecting them? She was best at that. If she hadn't treated them, Jiraiya and Orochimaru would have died long ago. "I understand!" Tsunade took a deep breath and agreed, while also considering what kind of third person to prepare for the Tsunade squad. Kazuki, the most talented student in the Ninja Academy, and Kushina, whose Sealing Jutsu talent was comparable to Mito. She wondered if Kushina had awakened the Uzumaki clan's terrifying sensory abilities. If so, they would also have a sensory Ninja. Kazuki's combat analysis skills were excellent, making him a candidate for the future team's strategist. So, the last choice... Hiruzen felt a bit troubled. He really wanted to assign a civilian Ninja, but a civilian Ninja simply couldn't keep up with the other two. Let Shinnosuke join? Hiruzen quickly dismissed this idea. He planned to send Shinnosuke to Anbu for training, concealing Shinnosuke's existence. This was a form of protection for Shinnosuke. Otherwise, hostile Ninja villages would target Shinnosuke. If Shinnosuke really joined the Tsunade squad, this team would probably make the Kage of other villages want to personally deal with them. Soon, Hiruzen's gaze fell upon another clan, the Hyuga Clan. It wasn't that he was eyeing Hiashi and Hizashi, but rather other Hyugas. Since it was difficult to find a child comparable to Kazuki and Kushina, then assigning them a scout wouldn't be bad. As for whether this would allow Tsunade to gain the support of the Uchiha and Hyuga, affecting his own position, Hiruzen didn't care at all. If it were Nawaki, he might worry a little, but Tsunade was the party in question here. Among his three disciples, Tsunade was the least interested in becoming Hokage. Jiraiya had a greater chance of becoming Hokage than Tsunade. Moreover, the Hyuga clan was also a subordinate of the Senju clan back then. Even without this matter, would the Hyuga not support Tsunade? Orochimaru's team could be assigned a Hyuga. Even Hiashi would be acceptable. As for Jiraiya, besides Minato, he could be assigned some clan geniuses, and also some civilian geniuses. This would depend on Jiraiya's own ideas. He could only offer suggestions. To be honest, Hiruzen actually wanted Jiraiya to form an all-civilian squad. Even if they eventually trained two Special Jonin, it would still be a good thing for Konoha, as they would be trusted retainers of their Hokage faction. As Hiruzen began to plan, the battle between Kazuki and Minato had already reached a fever pitch. Minato continuously attacked Kazuki. With not much Chakra, he primarily used Taijutsu. Minato was constantly researching Taijutsu. Without Ninjutsu, he was indeed suited for this path. Coupled with his excellent learning talent, he was already a standout in his class. Spinning, leaping, blocking, kicking—no matter how Minato attacked, Kazuki appeared to be at ease. "Are you ready?" Suddenly, Kazuki, feeling it was about time, spoke abruptly after blocking Minato's attack. "Are you finally getting serious?" Minato didn't feel discouraged. He had always known the significant difference between them, but he would close the gap. He had already caught up with the other clan members. Next were Kazuki and Kushina. Then let him see how many moves he could withstand from Kazuki now. Kazuki thought, 'You are a top genius, that's true, but sorry, I'm cheating.' Minato's talent was visibly excellent. Jiraiya had said that anyone would pale in comparison to Minato. If it weren't for the Sharingan, Kakashi might be able to compare. But this refers to ordinary Ninja, not someone like Kazuki who was cheating. Kazuki clenched his left fist and struck towards Minato's face with lightning speed. Minato quickly used his other free hand to block. However, something that shocked Minato happened. He had clearly reacted, but his body was a beat too slow. His face had already been struck by Kazuki, and then, a sense of weightlessness came over him. It turned out that Kazuki had followed up with a sweeping kick, knocking him to the ground. This sudden defeat caused a moment of daze within Minato. Why did it feel like the gap between himself and Kazuki hadn't narrowed, but rather widened? But soon, his gaze became firm again. No, it wasn't that the distance between them hadn't closed. It was just that he hadn't seen Kazuki's full power before. He still needed to work harder. His teacher called him a genius, but Kazuki was also a genius. If he didn't work hard, how could he close the gap? "How was it? Are you alright?" Kazuki pulled Minato up, asking gently. "I'm fine. You were very measured in your attack." Minato gave a self-deprecating laugh, "I don't know how you, a monster, train. I need to work even harder in the future." "Have you seen Konoha at 4 AM? I have! Young man, you still need to keep working hard." Kazuki patted Minato's shoulder, speaking earnestly.