Dan Katō's expression looked a bit stiff, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Mikoto stole a glance at Minato, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
From the first meeting, Minato gave her a gentle and modest feeling. She didn't expect him to say such forceful, even tough words.
Seeing Dan Katō's awkward expression, Minato said calmly, "Sorry, this may be a bit offensive. Please don't misunderstand, Senior. I'm not provoking you. There are indeed reasons that are inconvenient to disclose."
"Not at all, not at all. I should be the one apologizing. After all, it involves personal privacy."
Dan Katō coughed lightly, quickly adjusted his expression, put on that gentle smile again, and said seemingly earnestly.
"It's just that as Nawaki's leading teacher, I always have to be responsible for their growth and the integrity of the entire squad. Moreover, Nawaki is now a ninja, and his schedule is also related to the squad's missions."
Saying that, he looked at Minato with a hint of procedural helplessness.
"Training is a very serious matter. If Nawaki were a bit older, it would be fine. But he is only ten years old after all. And although Minato-kun is a genius, you are only eight years old now. I can't let you act on your own."
"So even if you want to ask for leave or withdraw from the team, it should be proposed or approved by Lord Hokage or Nawaki's guardian, Miss Tsunade. This is a procedural issue. As a leading Jonin, I cannot make decisions on my own. Otherwise, once something goes wrong, it will be my dereliction of duty."
"Makes sense."
Minato scoffed lightly in his heart, subconsciously recalling Orochimaru's comment: "Purpose is too strong."
But this time, regardless of what the other party was thinking, at least he couldn't refute this reason.
He was just an eight-year-old kid, and Dan Katō was an official Jonin. Without a clear reason, he couldn't use his relationship with Root to pressure people.
If he continued to pester or be tough, it would make him seem unreasonable.
In a flash of thought, Minato had made a decision.
Good!
Since you like emphasizing rules...
Then I will follow your rules!
"I understand Senior Katō's responsibilities..."
Minato's tone was calm, devoid of joy or anger, as if he were just stating a fact.
"However, Nawaki's special training involves reasons that are inconvenient for Tsunade-sensei to state clearly, so it is inconvenient for Sensei to apply."
As Minato spoke, he slowly raised his eyes. "In this case, I will ask Lord Third Hokage to coordinate personally. Afterward, the Hokage's office will issue a formal notice to you."
Hearing this, Dan Katō's pupils shrank instantly.
This momentary loss of composure didn't escape Minato's eyes.
Noticing the other party's reaction, Minato showed a gentle smile.
Little chicken, let me catch your black feet (weakness), right?
As the only genius in the village who mastered Wood Style and possessed dual Bloodline Limits.
Minato had no doubt that his growth trajectory was definitely watched by the Third Hokage.
Even if the Third Hokage respected his privacy, with Tsunade's personality, she definitely couldn't help showing off to him.
Third Hokage refuses?
Then don't blame me for getting a strange illness that prevents me from using Wood Style~
Of course, Minato couldn't really threaten him. After all, the Third Hokage also knew about Tsunade's ghostly luck. As long as he raised his concerns, the other party couldn't refuse.
And even if there was no danger, letting Nawaki further study the Senju inheritance would be no loss.
In the end, just the words "Wood Style" were enough to make the Third Hokage agree to all of Minato's reasonable requests.
And Dan Katō obviously understood this truth too!
"How can we trouble Lord Hokage with such things?"
Dan Katō panicked instantly. He didn't doubt the authenticity of Minato's words at all, and this was the fundamental reason for his panic.
He liked Tsunade!
There was nothing strange about this.
Few young men in the village didn't yearn for Tsunade, and he was just one of them.
And like most people, Dan Katō also had a dream of becoming Hokage.
It was just that whether pursuing Tsunade or becoming Hokage.
Among many competitors, he could only be considered an ordinary Jonin with some talent and no background.
In the past few years, he had seen people confess to Tsunade in high profile more than once, and were casually rejected by her.
Among them, there were some who were more handsome than him, stronger than him, and from better families than him.
But without exception, these people were all rejected by Tsunade. Even Jiraiya, who was in the same squad as Tsunade and had the advantage of proximity, failed to gain her favor.
And becoming Hokage, don't even think about it.
The only thing he could show was the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Soul projection, possessing and killing enemies.
It sounded very strong, but as the saying goes, there is no perfect ninjutsu in the world.
Not to mention the flaw that the physical body had no protection when casting the jutsu, once encountering a Yin Release master like Uchiha, it would really be instant death.
So Dan Katō had an idea. If he could pursue Tsunade and become the grandson-in-law of the First Hokage, the political capital brought by this relationship would be immeasurable help for him to compete for the position of Hokage!
Once this thought arose, it was difficult to suppress.
He did like Tsunade, but when he thought of those suitors rejected by Tsunade and the calculation mixed in this feeling, he lost the courage to pursue her.
He was worried about being rejected.
Afraid that the other party would detect his ulterior motives.
It was precisely because of this that he deliberately created various opportunities for natural contact, such as becoming Nawaki's teacher this time.
Originally, he thought that by building a good relationship with Nawaki, there would always be times when he could interact with Tsunade.
At that time, as long as Nawaki was the topic, Dan Katō was confident that he could chat with her.
As a result...
Team 7 had only been formed for two days, and suddenly a little brat jumped out saying he wanted Nawaki to withdraw from the team?
Dan Katō's first reaction was a bit angry.
But the other party was Tsunade's disciple, a genius with Wood Style, and a treasure of the higher-ups. He couldn't afford to offend him at all, even if he was a Jonin and the other party was just an eight-year-old kid.
The only thing he could do was to bring up his status as a leading Jonin, hoping that the other party would retreat in the face of difficulties.
Or take this opportunity to connect with Tsunade...
He could even imagine the scene.
The other party apologizing to him for the disciple's reckless behavior, and he comforting her, complaining that his sister wasn't very obedient either, and children of this age were just like this.
Finding a common language with her, then encountering each other by chance once or twice, walking her home or something...
But this beautiful fantasy was shattered by Minato's words.
He almost forgot.
The child in front of him really had the ability to make the Hokage compromise for him!
And once the other party successfully applied pressure, not only would it make him seem incompetent, but this grudge would also be thoroughly settled.
Dan Katō didn't think his relationship with Nawaki could compare to the feelings between Minato and Nawaki who were together day and night.
Thinking of this, he suddenly felt anxious.
And under that anxiety, there was also a hint of hidden anger.
One by one...
All so unappreciative!
All coming to hinder my business!
The more Dan Katō thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt, but at the moment he had to compromise.
"Minato-kun doesn't need to be like this!"
He looked at Minato earnestly. "After all, I am a Jonin. It is my duty to teach my subordinates. Why doesn't Minato-kun try to trust my ability? I will tailor a training plan most suitable for him."
Trust your ability?
Minato subconsciously recalled the scene in the original work where the other party died miserably with his kidney cut out.