Kushina ran out of the classroom in a fluster, brushing past Shirota Hon and Mikoto as they were just about to step in. Mikoto caught a glimpse of Kushina's slightly flushed cheeks and couldn't help but smile.
Looks like things between them have taken a turn for the better.
The classroom was still half full, though the students remaining had awkward expressions on their faces. Taking one look around, Shirota Hon addressed the class.
"Alright, everyone go take your lunch break. And don't go spreading around what happened today."
With that, he turned to Minato. "Minato, come with me."
Minato gave a small nod and exchanged a glance with Mikoto, who offered him a reassuring smile. He smiled softly in return and began to follow Shirota Hon out of the classroom.
Behind him, Mikoto called out, "Minato, I'm waiting for you to come back. You haven't even tried my rice balls yet!"
"Mm." Minato paused slightly, nodded, and then stepped out.
During lunch break, the training grounds at the Ninja Academy were usually deserted. Shirota Hon led Minato to the edge of the field, stopping in front of a wire fence. Without ceremony, he sat cross-legged on the ground.
"Sit."
Minato hesitated briefly, then sat down as well.
He noticed that Shirota-sensei's expression didn't seem angry or accusatory.
"Shirota-sensei… You're not mad at me?"
Minato hunched his shoulders a little. He didn't regret what he'd done, but he had caused trouble for his teacher, and for that, he felt a bit guilty.
Shirota Hon smiled faintly at the question. "More importantly, Minato, can you tell me… why did you enroll in the Ninja Academy? Why do you want to become a ninja?"
Minato was caught off guard. Clearly, he hadn't expected that question.
He frowned slightly, sinking into thought.
Shirota Hon watched closely. That's the difference between Minato and other kids his age, he thought. Every decision he makes—he truly considers it.
As Minato deliberated, Shirota caught something in his expression. A flicker of emotion he'd never seen from the boy before. It lingered, deep and unspoken, until after a few minutes… it solidified into quiet resolve.
Minato drew in a deep breath, raised his eyes, and met his teacher's gaze.
"Because… I want to protect the people I want to protect. And for that, I need strength."
Shirota Hon smiled. "A very clear goal."
It was a sincere smile, one from deep within. Most of the students here hadn't even been enrolled for a year. They didn't know what kind of people they wanted to become, let alone understand what being a ninja really meant.
But seven-year-old Minato already had such a firm answer. And Shirota could see—this wasn't just a child speaking on a whim. Minato meant every word.
"So… is Kushina one of the people you want to protect?" Shirota asked.
Minato paused, then nodded.
Shirota looked a little surprised. "But today was your first time meeting her, wasn't it? Why make such a decision so quickly?"
Minato didn't quite know how to answer. That girl with the fiery red hair had only entered his life that morning… and yet whenever she appeared, his thoughts seemed to spiral out of control.
"I don't know either. But I just want to protect her. No matter what it costs me." The words slipped out from somewhere deep inside him—beyond reason, beyond logic. And they were filled with certainty.
That unwavering determination took Shirota Hon by surprise. He couldn't understand how a child so young could have such a resolute heart.
This student of mine… won't be ordinary in the future.
It was still too early to say anything for sure—but something in his gut told him it was true.
"So then… is Akasaka Yu the enemy standing in the way of protecting Kushina?" Shirota's tone grew more serious. He could overlook Minato's outburst earlier—but there was something he needed to be absolutely clear on.
"No. He's family too. He's also someone I want to protect."
Minato didn't even hesitate. Though toward the end, there was a note of guilt in his voice. After all, he was the one who had hurt Akasaka Yu.
Now even Shirota found himself confused by Minato's stance.
But Minato seemed to understand his doubt. He quickly added, "I know it sounds a bit hypocritical, especially since I just hurt him… But even if I can't stand him, he's still part of the village. I want to protect him too. Because to me, everyone in the village is like family."
That kind of thinking… even a chūnin like Shirota had never possessed.
And from what he knew, those who held such beliefs… always ended up becoming something great in this village.
Just like the one who now stood at the top—the most powerful man in the village, beloved and admired by all: the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
For a seven-year-old to already be thinking on that level—that was what truly shocked Shirota the most today.
"Shirota-sensei… Is there something wrong with the way I think?" Minato asked, catching the flicker in his teacher's expression.
Shirota shook himself from his thoughts. "No. There's nothing wrong at all… In fact, you've thought things through better than your teacher."
Minato smiled and shook his head. "A student is just a reflection of their teacher. I only think this way because you've guided me."
Those words caught Shirota off guard. For a moment, he felt as if Minato was the one guiding and comforting him.
Even Minato himself was slightly startled. He had no idea why he said that just now—it just came out.
Shirota was quiet for a second, then said, "Alright, I understand how you feel now. Let's leave things here. I think you already know what you need to do next."
Minato stood and bowed deeply. "I'll go apologize to Akasaka-kun. I overreacted."
There was nothing wrong with wanting to protect someone. And it was only natural for family to argue sometimes. But Minato had gone too far. Even if Akasaka Yu had hurt Kushina, he should've stopped him—not lashed out so violently.
Shirota could still remember the look in Minato's eyes. That sharp, almost feral glare.
"Alright. Go have lunch and take a break." Shirota stood, and in a flash, vanished from Minato's view.
Minato stood there for a second, then turned and headed back toward the classroom.
Just as he stepped into the hallway, he passed a figure leaning against the wall.
It was another boy, about his age.
As Minato walked past, the boy called out to him.
"Namikaze Minato… why are you hiding your true strength at school?"