"I hope so. But I'm not leaving today, so I can take you out to eat something delicious. You can choose the place."
Torifu looked at Yahiko, who immediately said, "I'll listen to Minato."
Wow, he was being so modest. This little guy even understood social etiquette. Who taught him that?
"Didn't you want to eat hot pot yesterday, Yahiko? Let's go eat hot pot."
Yahiko was visibly happy when he heard this, but he held back his laughter and said, "Anything is fine. I'll listen to Minato."
With that, Minato nodded. "Then let's go get hot pot."
Torifu didn't have any objection to that. He was just treating the children to a meal, so naturally, they could eat whatever they wanted.
"Alright, let's start your training now."
Minato's training was over. He needed to eat breakfast, and Torifu asked him to bring him back a portion. The soldier pills the two children ate last night were still potent, so they weren't hungry at all. They would have to see how they felt at lunchtime, but a morning of exertion should be enough to burn it off.
Torifu waved his hand, and two white cloud cushions appeared in front of him. "Start. I'll be watching you from the side."
Yahiko and Konan nodded and immediately sat down. The cushions still felt cold, which helped them focus and feel more alert.
Torifu had noticed in the past two days of training that Yahiko and Konan's training speed was quite fast—about twice as fast as the average student their age at the Academy. Only the genius students in the class could keep up with Yahiko and the others. This meant that Yahiko and the others could go to the Academy after a few more days of training. The chakra they gained from one day of training was comparable to what an average child would gain after several days.
Sometimes, it had to be said that talent determined a person's fate. The difference in life was also reflected in talent. People with good talent only needed to be a little more diligent to get ahead. Those with less talent needed to put in more effort.
But that was the way of the ninja world. Ninjas with great talent also had to endure more in times of war. They were required to charge into battle and eliminate enemy leaders. Everyone had their own way of life.
A moment later, Minato returned with food.
"Big Brother, how's their training going? How do they compare to me when I was their age?" Minato asked quietly.
Torifu smiled. "What? Are you worried they'll surpass you?" Then he waved his hand. "Don't worry. Your talent is the best I've seen in these children. Yahiko and Konan are more disciplined, but while their talent is good, it still lags behind yours."
Minato nodded. He wasn't afraid of Yahiko and the others surpassing him. He just wanted to ask when Big Brother would let them attend the Academy. He didn't expect to be misunderstood. But it didn't matter. Minato had actually been wondering about this question himself and unexpectedly got an answer today.
Time flew by, and the morning quickly passed. Yahiko and Konan felt a little hungry and opened their eyes.
"Sensei, should we go eat?" Yahiko asked symbolically, and Torifu immediately said, "Let's go. If you're hungry, then let's go."
"Wait for Minato to change his clothes first."
About ten minutes later, Minato came out of the room. "Let's go, Big Brother."
Just like that, the four of them left the Kumotsuru Clan Compound and headed to the hot pot restaurant. Amado was once again forgotten. It couldn't be helped since his routine was too irregular.
"By the way, Big Brother, I'm not planning to go home after I finish eating. I'm going to Kushina's house to play with her."
Torifu nodded. "Good. Remember to bring Kushina a gift when you go. It's been a long time since you last saw her."
"Okay, I understand."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Torifu abruptly said to Minato, "Kushina's grandfather might have changed a little. He's become much younger. Be careful not to offend him."
"Huh?" Minato didn't understand. What did he mean by "much younger"? Could a person really reverse age? He guessed that Big Brother probably meant that Kushina's grandfather had shaved his beard, which might make him look a little younger.
"It's the literal meaning. You'll understand when you see him."
Torifu was being vague, so Minato could only rely on his own guesses. However, he still believed his idea was correct. Could a person really reverse age? But maybe it wasn't impossible.
Minato suddenly thought of Hashirama. He often heard about the First Hokage's feat of establishing the village. The game also described it. Hashirama was from the Warring States Period, so he must be over seventy or even nearly eighty! But he still looked very young, and not just him—his wife and Tobirama were the same.
Could it be that his Sensei had some way? He wasn't sure, but there was no use thinking about it now. He should focus on eating first.
The three of them went to the hot pot restaurant and ordered a little less than the night before, since Amado wasn't there. Also, Yahiko and Konan had just started to feel hungry.
Fewer people seemed to be eating hot pot during lunch, and it wasn't as packed as it was the night before. "It should be better at night. Eating hot pot at noon is missing something. It's most comfortable to eat it at night."
When Minato heard Torifu's words, he was even more confused. He stopped asking questions and focused on eating. Torifu wasn't very hungry and only ate a little. Today, he was mainly there to accompany the two little ones to eat. After all, he had promised, and there was that incident yesterday. It was partly Torifu's fault, so this was also a form of compensation.
After they were full, Torifu led Yahiko and Konan home. Minato went to the Senju Clan Compound alone. Because of the excellent location, Minato arrived at the Senju Clan gate shortly after.
"Oh, isn't this the Hokage-sama's younger brother? You're little Minato, right?"
Minato nodded. "Yes, I am, big brother. I'm here to find Kushina."
The gatekeeper nodded. "Alright, go on in quickly. Otherwise, Hashirama-sama will be taking his afternoon nap soon, and then no loud noises will be allowed in the compound."
Minato nodded. He knew he was coming at a bad time, but he had training scheduled for the afternoon, so this was his only window.
As Minato walked into Hashirama's courtyard, he saw a red-haired ninja in casual clothes standing in the middle of the courtyard. Her long hair was draped over her back.
"Did Kushina somehow grow taller?" Minato tried calling out, but when the person turned around, it was a strange face.
"Isn't this Minato? Have you come to find Kushina?"