Kushina rushed outside, barely missing Kurenai and Mikoto who were entering the classroom. Seeing Kushina's slightly flushed face, Mikoto couldn't help but feel extremely pleased.
It seemed their relationship had improved significantly.
There were still many students inside the classroom, though their expressions looked rather odd. Observing this, Moto Kouda said, "Everyone go take your lunch break. And don't spread around what happened in class today."
Afterward, he turned toward Minato and said, "Minato, come with me."
Minato nodded, exchanging a glance with Mikoto, who gave him an assuring look. Smiling lightly, he was about to follow Moto Kouda out of the classroom when Mikoto's voice came from behind.
"Minato, I'll be waiting for you. You haven't even tasted the rice balls I made yet."
"Mm," Minato paused briefly before replying, then stepped out of the classroom.
During lunch breaks, the training field at the Ninja Academy usually stayed empty. Moto Kouda led Minato to the wire fence at the edge of the practice ground and casually sat cross-legged on the ground.
"Sit down," he gestured to Minato, who hesitated slightly before nodding and sitting as well.
Observing Moto Kouda's expression, Minato noticed there wasn't much sign of anger in his eyes.
"Teacher Kouda, aren't you mad at me?" Minato asked, slightly hunching his shoulders. Even though he didn't regret what he did, he still felt bad for getting his teacher involved.
Upon hearing this, Moto Kouda smiled gently and asked, "Instead of that, Minato, can you tell me why you came to study at the Ninja Academy and decided to become a ninja?"
Minato fell silent for a moment, clearly surprised by the unexpected question.
Then he furrowed his brows slightly, deep in thought.
That was exactly what set Minato apart from other kids his age—his choices just didn't sound like something a seven-year-old would make. Whatever the situation, he always stopped to think carefully.
Moto Kouda kept watching Minato's changing expressions. During this process, he noticed emotional waves in Minato he had never seen before. About five minutes later, the hesitation in Minato's eyes gradually turned into determination.
Taking a deep breath, Minato lifted his gaze and looked straight at Moto Kouda.
"Because," he said, "I want to protect the people important to me. For that reason, I must gain strength!"
Looking into Minato's determined eyes, Moto Kouda smiled sincerely. "That's pretty clear for someone your age..."
Most of these freshmen, who had entered the academy less than a year ago, probably hadn't even figured out what kind of person they wanted to become. The concept of being a ninja still remained too vague for them... yet here was seven-year-old Minato, already possessing such a clear goal. From his expression, Moto Kouda could see that Minato was serious—he wasn't just saying childish things on a whim.
"So… Kushina's one of the people you want to protect, huh?"
Moto Kouda pressed on once again.
When he heard that, Minato hesitated slightly before nodding.
Somewhat surprised, Moto Kouda asked, "Today should be your first time meeting her, right? Then why make such a decision?"
Facing this question, Minato struggled for an answer. That woman with long red hair who had occasionally appeared in his mind since today—somehow, whenever she came to mind, he lost all reason.
"I don't know either, but I just want to protect her, no matter what it takes!" Yet deep within his heart, a voice compelled him to answer like this, and with great determination.
Minato's resolve startled even Moto Kouda. He couldn't believe a seven-year-old kid could be so determined.
It seemed that his student would surely become no ordinary figure in the future.
Though still uncertain now, somehow, he just knew it was true.
"So Yu Akasaka is your enemy on the path of protecting Kushina?" Moto Kouda's tone suddenly became heavier. He could overlook Minato's misconduct, but there was one question he needed to confirm.
"No, he is family too. He is someone I wish to protect."
Unexpectedly, Minato answered without hesitation, though by the end of his reply, his voice carried some regret—he had just injured Yu Akasaka earlier, after all.
Now even Moto Kouda couldn't fully grasp Minato's thoughts.
Understanding Kouda's unspoken concerns, Minato immediately added, "Although saying this after hurting Yu Akasaka might sound hypocritical... regardless of how much I dislike him personally, he is still a member of our village, and I must protect him. Because everyone here, to me, is like family!"
Such an idea wasn't even something a chunin like Moto Kouda possessed. From what he knew, those who held such thoughts usually ended up becoming prominent figures within Konoha.
For instance, the most revered and admired leader of the village—Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage known as The Third.
For a mere seven-year-old child to hold views similar to those of such great leaders—that was what truly shocked Moto Kouda the most today.
"Sensei, is there something wrong with this way of thinking?" Noticing the somewhat unusual expression on his teacher's face, Minato promptly asked.
Snapping out of his shock, Kouda replied, "No, there's absolutely nothing wrong with your thinking... Actually, your thoughts are more thorough than even mine."
At this praise, Minato smiled and shook his head. "Sensei will always remain sensei. Whatever thoughts I may have, they come from your guidance."
Strangely enough, Minato's words made Moto Kouda feel as though the student was comforting and guiding him instead.
After speaking, even Minato himself felt slightly taken aback—he didn't know why, but just then, he had sounded exactly like someone else.
Moto Kouda showed a brief look of surprise before saying, "Alright, I understand your intentions. Let's call it a day then. I think you already know what you should do next, don't you?"
Minato stood up and bowed to Moto Kouda, saying, "I will apologize to Akasaka-kun. My reaction was indeed too intense."
Protection itself wasn't wrong, and conflicts among family members were unavoidable. However, Minato had used excessive force just now. Even if Yu Akasaka insulted Kushina, the proper course of action should have been to stop him, not to take such a heavy-handed approach.
Just moments ago, Minato had been stunned himself, and that ferocious gaze in his eyes remained fresh in Moto Kouda's mind.
"Alright, go have lunch and rest for a bit," said Moto Kouda as he stood up. With a blur of motion, he vanished from Minato's sight.
Minato hesitated briefly before heading toward the classroom.
As soon as he entered the corridor, he passed a boy roughly his own age leaning against the wall. The boy called out to Minato as he walked away.
"Minato, why are you hiding your strength at school?"
...
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