Chapter 42: Meeting the Third Hokage

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Kushina formed a cross with her index and middle fingers, and then "poof, poof" sounds arose beside her.

Suddenly, nearly ten bodies identical to her appeared beside her.

This scene left the Minato standing before her dumbfounded.

"What's wrong?"

"Did I not practice well enough?"

"Did I make any mistakes?"

Seeing Minato's expression, the nearly ten Kushina clones spoke simultaneously, creating a peculiar scene.

"No, you've practiced it very well," Minato quickly responded. He wasn't concerned about any issues with Kushina's Shadow Clone Jutsu.

On the contrary, Kushina's ability to learn this technique surprised him greatly.

In just a few hours, she could create nearly ten shadow clones.

Although Kushina's vast chakra reserves gave her an advantage in training compared to ordinary people, this was still a B-rank advanced ninjutsu. To learn and master it in a few hours was an extraordinarily fast pace.

Receiving Minato's praise, Kushina couldn't help but feel secretly delighted, and her clones looked at each other.

In the next moment, these clones made the same movements and spoke in unison.

"With so many people, we can definitely beat Uchiha Homura!"

Kushina's excited words carried a strange tone, revealing her fiery nature once again.

Minato had no doubt that if Uchiha Homura were here now, Kushina would immediately charge at him and give him a beating.

"Dispel all the shadow clones," Minato laughed awkwardly, and Kushina did as instructed, causing all the clones except her original body to disappear in a puff of smoke.

"You've already mastered this technique proficiently, but for some time, it's best if you don't provoke Uchiha Homura," Minato said seriously to Kushina.

Upon hearing this, Kushina pouted and said, "Why are you defending that guy?"

Minato clarified, "It's not that I want to defend him, but with your current level of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, it's still not enough to take on Uchiha Homura."

"This technique can indeed help you confuse Uchiha Homura's line of sight and keep up with his movements, but it also has significant weaknesses."

"Weaknesses?"

"Yes, because the principle of this technique involves evenly distributing your chakra, it will reduce the chakra reserves of your original body. Although you have abundant chakra, it will still impact your combat strength. The shadow clones' strength and speed cannot compare to your original body."

"You also haven't learned how to coordinate between shadow clones yet. If you just recklessly charge in, you'll only end up wasting chakra."

Minato understood Kushina's intentions, but he also knew how formidable Uchiha Homura was.

Moreover, he didn't want too many people to know that he had taught Kushina the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Kushina looked into Minato's eyes and said meekly, "Alright, I'll listen to you, but next time, you have to guide my training."

Minato was taken aback for a moment before nodding.

Kushina didn't know that several Anbu were hidden nearby.

This time, he managed to deceive them, but it wouldn't be so easy next time.

However, Minato had already made preparations when he brought Kushina out.

"Yeah, no problem," Minato smiled gently, nodded, and then said, "Let's go, I'll walk you home."

Kushina's initially excited mood gradually subsided upon hearing "home."

In her heart, she didn't consider that place home. She would be happier staying at school or with Minato and Mikoto.

But she also knew that wasn't possible.

The two of them then left, and half an hour later, they arrived at the compound where Kushina lived.

"See you tomorrow," Kushina said somewhat reluctantly. Minato waved his hand, signaling her to go inside, while he stood there because he had noticed that at least a dozen eyes had been watching them since the moment they appeared.

Minato didn't need to observe carefully to know this.

Kushina also bid farewell to Minato, and then the gate suddenly opened, and the thirty-something-year-old woman who picked up and dropped off Kushina at the Ninja Academy every day came out, grabbed her wrist, and went back inside.

The gate slowly closed, and Kushina completely disappeared from Minato's sight.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

The moment the gate closed, figures emerged from all directions on the street, all wearing masks.

Upon seeing such a display, Minato remained calm.

One of the dozen or so people, who seemed to be the leader, approached and looked down at Minato, saying, "So you're Minato Namikaze?"

Minato nodded, and the person continued to ask, "Were you the one who took Kushina Uzumaki away from the Academy?"

Minato also acknowledged this, and at that moment, he seemed to be able to see a hint of surprise in the person's expression through the mask's eyeholes.

Among the dozen or so surrounding figures, some had malicious gazes.

Minato noticed this, as protecting Kushina was their mission, and he, a student from the Ninja Academy, had taken her away right under their noses.

This was undoubtedly humiliating for them.

"Let's go, the Third Hokage wants to see you," the leader said.

He expected Minato's expression to change, but unexpectedly, Minato only responded affirmatively.

As if he had already known the Third Hokage would summon him.

Thereupon, the leader immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to move away, while the remaining people concealed themselves around the compound and street once more.

Seeing this, Minato followed directly.

The leader moved swiftly, but his attention never wavered from Minato.

To his surprise, this child effortlessly kept pace with him.

He was an Anbu squad leader, after all.

He unconsciously increased his speed, and Minato gradually felt some strain but never fell behind.

Ten minutes later, the two arrived at the Hokage Residence in the village center. The Anbu led Minato to a room and said, "Go in yourself; the Third Hokage is inside."

Minato nodded, his expression finally showing some fluctuation.

After all, the person he was about to meet was the revered Hokage of the entire village.

And for him, who dreamed of becoming the Hokage, it meant even more.

After taking a deep breath, Minato opened the door in front of him and entered. An imposing figure immediately came into view.

It was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

(End of chapter)