The next day, at the Ninja Academy.
Before class, Iruka Umino informed the classmates that Kōta and the two others had dropped out, but nobody cared.
The three of them had poor social standing; Kōta bullied classmates, Tetsuo was a bully by association, and Yukio was full of malice.
In the class, everyone except Shinnosuke, the Hokage's son, had been harassed by these three to some extent. Not applauding in celebration was already giving Iruka Umino enough Face.
"It feels so refreshing without those annoying guys getting in the way~"
Kushina chuckled, lazily slumped onto her desk, and tilted her head to look at Minato: "Minato, your main body came to school too."
"I can't help it, especially after what happened..." Minato smiled helplessly.
Actually, it was because his main focus was currently on Cultivating Nature Transformation.
Cultivating Light Release was originally just an excuse. The strength of the Devil Fruit is related to physical fitness, and although it is his main combat method, it is not something he should be Cultivating at this stage.
The most crucial thing was that if he didn't come to school, he would be alone at home during the day.
Nawaki and Kushina were both at school. Although Tsunade hadn't been on missions recently, she wasn't completely idle either.
Besides helping at the hospital, she occasionally went to spend time with Uzumaki Mito.
Furthermore, as a Jonin, even without missions, she had to sit in the Jonin standby area every day in case of emergencies. (Official setting: the place where Kakashi, Asuma, and others chatted during the Chunin Exams written test.)
Coupled with having to pick up and drop off Minato and go grocery shopping with him, she hadn't been to a gambling house for a while.
It was as if Tsunade had forgotten this hobby; Minato hadn't heard her mention it in a long time.
"This is great. I wish every day could be like this from now on..."
Sunlight streamed into the classroom, and Kushina, basking in the sun, said lazily.
"Kushina, repeat the content I just taught."
Iruka Umino's voice came, and Kushina hastily stood up.
"Huh? Yes..."
Kushina hurriedly stood up and shot a pleading look at Minato.
Minato, who had his arm resting on his notebook, subtly pushed it toward Kushina.
Kushina subconsciously read the words on the notebook: "When class is in session... you must listen carefully, okay?"
"Hahahahaha..."
Hearing Kushina's words, the class immediately burst into laughter.
Realizing what she had said, Kushina blushed, her little Face puffed up as she glared at Minato.
Iruka Umino's mouth twitched: "Never mind, just knowing that is enough. You may sit down."
"Seriously, Minato, you're mean!"
After Kushina sat down, she shook her little fist at Minato.
Minato smiled sweetly at her, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes. He also wished every day could be like this from now on.
And the following period of time was just as the two of them hoped: peaceful and warm.
Minato went to school, cooked, and Cultivated every day.
Kushina was like a shadow; wherever Minato's main body went, she followed.
However, this unchanging rhythm of life also started making some people in the shadows impatient.
For example, Danzo was desperate to make a move on Kushina, but the girl stuck close to Minato every day, and Tsunade picked her up and dropped her off for school, leaving him no opportunity whatsoever.
Another example was Fugaku; he still hadn't found a suitable opportunity to approach Minato.
Amidst this tranquility, two months quietly slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Sparse snowflakes quietly drifted down from the sky, and under the cover of night, they spread a thick, white blanket of snow over the Village.
"It's snowing!"
It was the weekend, and early in the morning, Kushina excitedly ran into the yard, scooped up a ball of snow, and tossed it toward the sky.
"It's snowing..."
Minato held a teacup, his legs tucked into the Kotatsu, feeling completely at ease. (Also called a heated blanket table; the thing in anime where the table is connected to a blanket, with an electric heater inside.)
Tsunade was lying across from Minato, most of her body tucked under the blanket.
Nawaki also wanted to squeeze in, but due to limited space, Tsunade kicked him out, so he could only cover his legs, just like Minato.
Minato glanced at Nawaki: "I have another Kotatsu at my house, should I bring it over?"
"No need!"
Before Nawaki could speak, Tsunade interjected.
The size of this Kotatsu was just right. As for the reason... Tsunade gently rolled over, and her soft little foot rested seemingly unintentionally on Minato's crossed legs.
Minato paused his tea-drinking motion. From his angle, he couldn't see Tsunade's expression, and he didn't know if she did it on purpose, but he didn't move it away.
Only in his heart was there an indescribable stirring... "In this weather, one should drink tea and enjoy the snow view. If you're afraid of the cold, go back to your room~" Tsunade said lazily.
Nawaki looked at Minato: "Minato, aren't you cold?"
"Not cold."
Minato smiled. He was light, after all!
This was the advantage of a Logia Type; as long as the environment wasn't specifically tailored to counter him, he wouldn't be affected by it.
Especially abilities like Hie Hie, Yuki Yuki, Mera Mera, Magu Magu, Pika Pika, and Goro Goro, which inherently possess extreme cold or extreme heat characteristics.
Minato wasn't afraid of the cold, because light itself possessed extremely high heat, so he didn't need to worry about the cold.
But Nawaki was indeed just flesh and blood... "It's snowing. How about we eat something hot today? Like a soup pot or something?"
Minato thought for a moment and suggested.
"Yay! What should we eat?"
Hearing this, Nawaki stopped complaining about the cold and looked eagerly at Minato.
"How about... a kind of hotpot you probably haven't tried before?" Minato asked.
"Wait a moment, I'll go get a notebook!"
As soon as he heard it was something new, Nawaki rushed off to grab paper and pen: "Go ahead."
"Mantis shrimp, dried scallops, river crabs, seaweed..."
Minato listed everything he needed.
This was a dried seafood base commonly used in the north in his previous life. It was delicious and perfect for cooking mutton slices.
"Wait, are you used to eating sesame paste?" Minato suddenly asked.
Sesame paste exists in the Ninja World, but it's only used for seasoning, and the taste is slightly off, requiring other ingredients to adjust it.
"As long as you make it, Minato, I can definitely eat it!" Nawaki declared, patting his chest.
"Great. Buy three more catties of mutton. That should be about it."
"Then I'm heading out!"
Nawaki impatiently dashed out of the house.
The pair of soft little feet in Minato's lap suddenly moved, the toes gently curling and lightly rubbing against his stomach.
"Minato, come build a snowman with me too!"
Kushina called out from the yard.
Minato was about to speak when Tsunade suddenly used her toes to pinch his pajamas, gently pulling them down.
"I think I'll pass. I'll warm up with a cup of tea. I need to prepare the hotpot for lunch. Why don't you let a Clone accompany you?"
Minato put down his teacup, subtly reached his left hand under the Kotatsu, and gently patted the mischievous little thing pinching his clothes. Only then did it obediently let go.
"Alright..."
Kushina didn't insist too much, as Minato still had to cook, so she turned around and went to play with the Clone.
Under the Kotatsu, Tsunade slightly turned her body and glanced in the direction Kushina had left.
For some reason, at this moment, she felt a different kind of thrill in her heart...——————