Drop Some power stones! If you like the chapter! It helps to keep me motivated to upload more!💎💎💎
------
"Be careful, Konan. You're rushing a bit too much."
Akio hadn't expected the allure of flying to be so strong for kids this age. After giving Konan a few words of advice, she focused solely on her paper wings, completely uninterested in anything else.
As soon as she completed the basics of medical ninjutsu training and made some progress in chakra control, she immediately began working on the paper wings.
Perhaps due to her young age and light body weight, even a pair of incomplete wings managed to lift her off the ground — though only by half a meter.
Konan didn't even dare to respond. She concentrated with all her might just to avoid falling.
"Well, at least this is a good way to train chakra control. It should also help her increase her chakra reserves faster," Akio murmured thoughtfully.
About thirty seconds later, Konan shakily descended, using both hands to brace against her knees. Her forehead was covered in sweat, her chakra nearly depleted.
Akio nodded and walked over.
"Interest is the best teacher. This kind of training isn't bad — just a bit tough."
Before Akio could reach her, Nagato had already rushed over and helped the swaying Konan stand steady.
"I knew she was pushing herself too hard..." Konan spoke softly after resting for a moment.
Akio shook his head. "No need to rush. Since you can already hover, at most two more years of training and you'll be able to fly freely."
"Sensei, how long will it take for me?" Young Nagato asked eagerly.
Akio shot him a glare. "If you're so impatient, why aren't you training? Shadow Clone Jutsu isn't meant for your real body to slack off!"
Nagato laughed awkwardly and shuffled off to train on his own.
"Konan, resume your medical ninjutsu practice. Your chakra reserves and control still aren't sufficient."
"Yes, Sensei!"
This process repeated itself five times over the next five months. Every time Konan made progress with her medical ninjutsu, she'd attempt to fly again.
Naturally, the time she could stay aloft gradually increased — clear and steady progress.
"Sensei, I'm almost there. Let me train medical ninjutsu a bit longer. I feel like I'll be able to fly for real soon."
Akio shook his head. "No more training for now. I'm taking you two on a trip to Konoha."
In truth, over the past five months, Akio had already taught Konan everything he could regarding medical ninjutsu. The rest was too advanced for her current chakra level.
He packed up to take her to Konoha — partly because Kushina was about to graduate, and partly to see if Tsunade could provide more advanced guidance in medical ninjutsu.
Nanako had already gone to Konoha about six months earlier, probably to keep an eye on her future grandson-in-law.
Kushina and Minato were now both twelve years old and already at a level above genin, but neither had applied for early graduation.
Akio figured Kushina hadn't graduated yet because she would have to return to her clan after graduating. As for Minato, he was likely staying to keep her company. The two had become something like the "upperclass couple" of the Ninja Academy.
But now that sixth year was drawing to a close, they couldn't avoid graduation much longer. Akio decided to go see this budding romance himself — or maybe find a win-win solution for them.
He called Nagato, and the trio of master and disciples set off for Konoha. Since both kids clearly enjoyed the feeling of flying, Akio didn't make them walk — he flew them over.
Konoha was just as it had always been — unchanged in the slightest. Akio didn't go to find Nanako right away. Instead, he took the two children, both first-timers in Konoha, on a tour to experience the village's prosperity.
By the time they finished their tour, the sky had darkened. The three returned to the village gates.
The two disciples were already looking tired. Akio paused and said, "Let's go rest at the Senju compound."
Akio hadn't hidden his presence while touring Konoha, so the Senju Clan was already aware of his arrival. As they reached the compound's gate, Mito and Nanako came out to greet them.
"These must be the two new disciples you've taken under your wing, Great-Uncle?" Mito greeted them with a smile, her gaze quickly landing on Nagato.
"This child…"
Akio nodded with a smile. "He has the Sage Body. It's the first time someone in our Uzumaki Clan has had such talent."
Mito gave a knowing smirk. "Aren't you a Sage Body holder too?" She had sensed it.
Akio's expression stiffened. He lied through his teeth. "Yes, but I achieved it through training."
"Sensei, your timing is perfect. Kushina's graduation is tomorrow," Nanako chimed in.
"I planned it that way," Akio replied casually as he led the two disciples into the Senju compound.
"Kushina's not back yet?"
"No, school isn't over."
Akio glanced at Nanako and Mito. Nanako had been adopted by his grandnephew back in the day, technically making her Mito's younger sister, though she looked far older now.
"Nanako, are you satisfied with Kushina's little boyfriend?" Akio asked teasingly.
Nanako nodded. "Minato's a good kid. Talented, good-looking — it's just a pity he's a commoner…"
Akio froze, then shook his head. "What? After all these years as the Daimyō's wife, you're starting to look down on commoners?"
Nanako gave a bitter smile. "Of course not. It's just… Kushina is a princess of Uzushiogakure, after all."
"It's fine. If Minato marries Kushina, we'll just make him the Fourth Hokage. And if that doesn't work… Kushina can marry him instead," he joked.
…
As the group chatted, night had fully fallen. Kushina finally returned from school.
At this point, she was the only Uzumaki exchange student left in Konoha.
"Great-Grandpa, you're here!" Kushina greeted enthusiastically. Her eyes then shifted curiously to Akio's two new disciples.
"Nice to meet you, Kushina-senpai," the two kids greeted her politely.
"Hello…" she responded.
Akio chuckled and interrupted playfully, "No need to be so formal. Kushina, your graduation exam is tomorrow. Nervous?"
Kushina hesitated, then clenched her right fist. "Of course not! I'll ace it — piece of cake!"
Akio felt a twinge of dread. He looked at Mito and Nanako, who exchanged glances with him and nodded in silent agreement.
The next day, they all attended Kushina's graduation exam together.
Sure enough, Kushina got "nervous." She made mistake after mistake. Her Clone Jutsu was at the level of her future son's, and every shuriken she threw missed the target. Her homeroom teacher looked completely distraught.
As if it were contagious, Minato was just as off his game. Watching the two bumble through the test made Akio both laugh and cry.
Little Nagato tugged on Akio's sleeve and asked, "Sensei, Kushina-senpai seems really nervous. Should we cheer her on?"
Konan had already spoken up, "You can do it, Kushina-senpai!"
The two little ones began cheering for her enthusiastically. The three adults exchanged helpless looks.
"Sigh… We can't keep our granddaughter here much longer," Nanako muttered, turning to leave.
Akio chuckled, "Two love-struck fools aiming to flunk on purpose. Hopeless!"
---
For early access to advanced chapters visit my P@treon:
P@treon/ Dexy3
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!