In the blink of an eye, more than a year passed. It was time for Kushina to graduate, and of course, Nawaki was graduating as well.
It was now the 36th year since Konoha's founding.
"Minato, for this year's graduates, I plan to let you lead a squad." In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed a smug smile.
"Hai, hai~ I got it."
Minato replied dejectedly. What a cunning old man.
Over the past year and a half, Minato's ninja rank had long since become Jōnin.
Not just Minato; even Mikoto and Nagakaze had become Jōnin.
With Minato's guidance from the side, Nagakaze and Mikoto had improved rapidly. In just over a year, they both advanced from Tokubetsu Jōnin to Jōnin, both in terms of strength and official rank.
However, with Kushina about to graduate, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted Minato to lead a squad. He wasn't afraid Minato would disagree.
Because one of the members of this squad was Kushina.
If Minato dared to refuse, Sarutobi Hiruzen only had to say a word to Kushina, and Minato would have to face her incredibly resentful gaze.
It had to be said, Sarutobi Hiruzen was too cunning; he had Minato wrapped around his finger.
Of course, this wasn't a harmful matter, so Minato didn't say much.
"Mikoto, Nagakaze, since you happen to be free, you should also serve as team leaders this time." Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the two teammates beside Minato.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Mikoto and Nagakaze agreed without Sarutobi Hiruzen needing to say more.
In their hearts, the Hokage's orders were very valuable. Being personally assigned a task by the Hokage was a supreme honor.
Others couldn't get this opportunity even if they wanted to; why would they refuse?
"Besides Kushina, who else is in the team I'm leading?" Since he had agreed to be a team leader, Minato wanted to know who his students were.
Although he was technically just a 12-year-old kid, Minato's strength was undeniable.
As Minato continued to develop his Sage Body, his height had reached 170cm. Anyone would believe he was a 15-year-old teenager.
On the contrary, if strangers met him for the first time, they probably wouldn't believe his true age was 12.
"Besides Kushina, there are Nawaki and Aburame Shibi." Sarutobi Hiruzen handed the data to Minato.
Of course, it was just some data, not their ninja files, since Kushina hadn't taken the graduation exam yet.
The graduation exam was tomorrow, so Sarutobi Hiruzen was briefing Minato in advance.
Minato took the data for Nawaki and Aburame Shibi. On the surface, he was just reading, but deep down, he was shocked.
The plot had changed quite a bit. Nawaki, who was originally Orochimaru's student, had become his student. Aburame Shibi had also become his student.
With him around, he wouldn't let Nawaki die. Otherwise, Tsunade-neesan would probably cry herself to death.
As for the plot, Minato didn't care at all. If he cared, he wouldn't have gotten close to Mikoto in the first place.
However, Nawaki's personality needed some adjustment. Sigh, the burden is heavy and the road is long.
While Minato was checking his students' data, Sarutobi Hiruzen handed Mikoto and Nagakaze the data for their prospective students as well.
Surprisingly, Mikoto's students were the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, while Nagakaze's students were unnamed extras.
But there was no helping it; there were only a few outstanding individuals in this batch.
Making Mikoto the teacher of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio was also a carefully considered decision.
Sarutobi Hiruzen would have to be blind not to see the relationship between Mikoto and Minato.
This arrangement was perfect. Letting Mikoto serve as a hub between the Hokage faction and the Uchiha Clan might provide room for détente between the two groups.
As for the Uchiha Clan opposing Minato and Mikoto being together? Sarutobi Hiruzen believed Minato could handle it. He trusted Minato's strength.
Ultimately, the ninja world speaks through strength. With Minato's current power, if the Uchiha Clan dared to oppose him, Minato would definitely dare to fight his way to their doorstep.
Of course, that was the worst-case scenario. But Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't interfere too much. If it eased tensions, great; if not, and things got stiffer, it wasn't a big deal.
Given Minato and Mikoto's relationship, they would definitely lead their student teams on joint missions often. This was indeed something Minato would do.
"Next, you can go observe the students. You can go lead the teams on the day of squad assignment." Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand to dismiss them; he still had work to do.
"Yes." The three withdrew.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Nagakaze left first. He wasn't stupid; he couldn't be a third wheel.
Of course, Minato and Mikoto were relatively restrained. They didn't hold hands in public. Only in deserted places would Minato make intimate gestures toward Mikoto.
The two didn't go to the Ninja Academy; they returned home.
That's right. After a year and a half of missions, Minato was now a homeowner. It was a small villa.
He had moved out of Jiraiya's house and brought Kushina along to live together.
Mikoto also stayed over for short periods from time to time.
So, no matter how naive Kushina was, she knew about the "tricky situation" between Minato and Mikoto.
It was just that she ultimately chose to turn a blind eye. A young girl's thoughts weren't that heavy.
Besides, she and Mikoto had become best friends. Their relationship was very good.
Then, Mikoto's stays at Minato's house became more frequent and longer.
Of course, Minato was the happiest one, enjoying the blessing of having two partners, a joy unknown to outsiders.
Sometimes at night, holding two such beautiful girlfriends while sleeping, he felt like he was dreaming.
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