Time flows like water, and life sings like a song.
In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. In these three years, the bond between the four sworn brothers deepened significantly, and their individual strengths grew tremendously.
Due to Sarutobi Ryo's introduction of various products and business models from his previous life, adapted to this world, he began gradually incorporating these ideas into his business-savvy mother.
Thanks to this, Sarutobi Minako's business flourished in Konoha and throughout the Land of Fire over the past three years.
Possessing a keen sense of political acumen, she established a new merchant guild and generously donated 60% of its shares—part to the Sarutobi Clan for the care of elderly clan members and war orphans, and the other part to the Third Hokage, under the pretense of donating to Konoha.
These actions not only won her recognition within the clan but also earned her significant favor from the Third Hokage.
Business quickly accelerated, expanding in scale and industry. She was slowly becoming the wealthiest woman in Konoha, with a reputation that spread across the entire ninja world.
The most direct benefit of all this for Sarutobi Ryo and his three sworn brothers was their training resources—so plentiful it made others envious.
Their physical development, compared to their peers, was noticeably greater. In fact, Akimichi Yoshimaru's body had already grown to rival his cousin Akimichi Chōza, who was two years older.
The benefit of their rapid physical growth was most apparent in their chakra. After all, chakra is extracted from one's body.
Excluding rare bloodlines, the difference in talent among most people isn't that vast. A healthier body means faster chakra refinement and greater chakra reserves.
Their bonds grew stronger with Sarutobi Ryo's deliberate efforts.
Every week, Sarutobi Ryo would invite his father and clan uncles to train them.
He would even sometimes pay to hire other ninja to provide personalized training for each of them.
Aside from the war orphan Namikaze Minato, Akimichi Yoshimaru and Shibi Aburame's parents reciprocated with rare clan medicines and secret recipes.
Supported by Sarutobi Minako's vast financial resources, the four of them leveraged these assets to rapidly improve their skills.
Under Sarutobi Ryo's suggestion, Namikaze Minato even moved to a house near his, sometimes staying over.
Sarutobi Minako and Sarutobi Ishiwu were very fond of the polite boy. Especially Sarutobi Ishiwu, who even considered adopting him as a godson.
In his eyes, Namikaze Minato was far more obedient and well-behaved than his own troublesome son, Sarutobi Ryo, who always caused trouble and refused to listen. But most importantly, with his wife always shielding him, Ishiwu never got the chance to unleash his fatherly love!
Every day after school, the four of them would head to their secret training grounds to spar and hone their skills.
Their combat abilities visibly improved with each match.
Kujou Diru pushed open the classroom door, and the room instantly fell silent.
He scanned the room with satisfaction, his eyes landing on the last row, full of pride.
Sitting there were four students—undoubtedly the most outstanding ones he had ever taught.
Whether in theory or practical combat, the four of them were always at the top.
Sarutobi Ryo and Namikaze Minato were always the top two in theoretical knowledge.
Especially Namikaze Minato—in Kujou Diru's eyes, he was the next beacon of hope for the common folk.
Even though the other three were either napping, lying down, or staring at the ceiling, they still exuded an aura of laziness and indifference.
But Kujou Diru knew that their abilities had already surpassed his own. After all, he had secretly trained them back when they were in the second grade.
What surprised him most was the group's deference to Namikaze Minato.
He originally thought that Sarutobi Ryo would be the leader, considering his connections to the Hokage, his family's wealth, and his outstanding looks and abilities.
Yet, he found it surprising that whenever Namikaze Minato spoke, the others would follow his lead without question.
This was a testament to Namikaze Minato's leadership qualities—his personal charm had earned him the respect of these talented clan ninjas, making them willingly gather around him.
Kujou Diru still remembered Namikaze Minato's dream when he first enrolled: to become Hokage!
In Konoha's ninja school, nine out of ten kids shared that dream; even Kujou Diru himself had fantasized about it as a child.
As time passed, such dreams gradually faded in the face of reality.
But Namikaze Minato's presence reignited that hope.
The hope that a commoner could become Hokage—not just through figures like Orochimaru and Jiraiya, but perhaps even his own student, Namikaze Minato.
He knocked on the blackboard. Apart from Namikaze Minato, the other three didn't even look his way.
His lips twitched. These brats really didn't show him any respect.
"Ahem, alright, today there's something special. Our class is getting a new student."
He waved his hand toward the door, signaling for the newcomer to come in.
A red-haired girl timidly walked in.
"Wow~ Look at her hair!"
"Red? Like blood...that's kind of scary!"
"A girl? Her hair color is really unique!"
Namikaze Minato's eyes were fixed on the new student at the podium, feeling as if something significant was about to happen.
Sarutobi Ryo, hearing the whispers, quickly shifted his gaze from the sky to the new student.
There's no mistaking it—that's your future wife, Uzumaki Kushina.
He then sneakily glanced over at Namikaze Minato, who seemed to be lost in thought.
Who would've thought that the future "Perpetual Husband" and the "Red-Hot Habanero" would fall in love at first sight?
Minato was probably already thinking about baby names and wondering if it would be a boy or a girl.
Ryo casually flicked a kunai at the napping Akimichi Yoshimaru.
Yoshimaru jolted awake, catching the flying kunai in one smooth motion.
"Ryo, what the hell? Again with this?"
"Wake up, Minato's in love!"
(ΩДΩ)!!!
"What?!"
Shibi Aburame and Akimichi Yoshimaru both turned their eyes towards Namikaze Minato, who was still gazing intently at Uzumaki Kushina, lost in his own thoughts.
"Hiss~"
They then shifted their gaze to the red-haired transfer student.
"Red hair... Uzumaki Clan?" Shibi Aburame murmured, adjusting his glasses.
"Coming to Konoha at this time, her status must be significant. Perfect match for our Minato!" Akimichi Yoshimaru responded.
Hearing the classroom's noisy chatter—most of it mocking her red hair—the red-haired girl began to tremble slightly, her face showing both anger and sadness.
Mustering her courage, she loudly declared, "My name is Uzumaki Kushina! I like eating ramen, and my dream is... to become Konoha's first female Hokage!"