Chapter 139 - Exchange Program

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Exchange Students?"Hiruzen's expression turned odd—he didn't quite understand what that meant.

Akio nodded with a smile. "That's right. An exchange student program is when two schools agree to swap students for a time—so they can learn from each other and improve together!"

This was the solution Akio had devised to reasonably send Kushina to Konoha. He had been considering it ever since he met Minato and ultimately decided this was the best approach.

Hiruzen was silent for a moment. "So... you're saying the Uzushiogakure Ninja Academy and the Konoha Ninja Academy will exchange students?"

"Exactly! Not only will it strengthen the alliance between the two villages, but it will also allow for the exchange of advanced teaching philosophies..." Akio began to ramble enthusiastically.

Hiruzen stared for a long time, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Advanced teaching philosophies..." Clearly, he didn't think too highly of Uzushiogakure's methods.

Akio's face darkened, but Hiruzen quickly nodded, "Fine, fine. I agree. So, which grade levels are we exchanging?"

Akio hesitated. "Hmm, let's choose one student from each grade—except for the graduating class."

Hiruzen nodded in agreement. "Elder Akio, I'll need to select our participants carefully."

Akio nodded back. "I'll go back and choose a few as well... Also, about Nawaki—I've taught him a bit recently, but it's still not enough. Don't send him to the battlefield just yet."

Hiruzen nodded. "Don't worry, Elder Akio. Lady Mito wouldn't allow it either."

"Good. If that's all, I'll head back and select our students!"

"Elder Akio, wait!" Hiruzen quickly called out, hesitating.

Akio instantly knew—he wanted to ask about Danzo.

"You should know what Tobirama did in the past—Danzo has restarted it."

Hiruzen's expression turned complicated. "I thought so... Why didn't you stop him?"

Akio shook his head. "He's still a hero of Konoha. I'm not so rigid. As long as he doesn't target other village's shinobi, I won't interfere."

"But give him a warning from me—if he dares target the Senju, I'll deal with him personally!" Akio paused, then added, "That includes the Uchiha!"

Before Hiruzen could respond, Akio had already taken off, heading back to the Uzumaki clan.

Unexpectedly, the exchange student plan met resistance—from Nanako.

"Sensei, why are you sending Kushina to Konoha?"

Looking at the anxious Nanako, Akio suddenly realized he had decided everything on his own, without considering Kushina's feelings—or Nanako's.

Akio hesitated. He wanted to explain that he had no choice, but didn't know how to begin.

Seeing Akio's expression, Nanako's anxiety gradually subsided. She didn't believe Akio would harm Kushina.

"Sensei, do you truly believe Kushina will have a better future in Konoha than here in Uzushiogakure?"

Akio sighed and explained, "Who can say what's better? I just think... if we're sending exchange students, we should show Konoha our very best."

In the end, Akio went with this excuse, keeping the real reason to himself.

"Besides, it's only for four or five years. Kushina will graduate and return. And Hiruzen wouldn't dare send exchange students from the Uzumaki to the battlefield."

Nanako was silent for a long time but still gave no answer.

Akio felt helpless. If her grandmother said no, he couldn't force Kushina to go. Still, since the plan was approved, it needed to go forward. Akio personally selected five talented students from the first through fifth grades at the Uzushiogakure Ninja Academy to be sent to Konoha in the second semester.

No sooner had he finished choosing than he received word—Konoha's list of exchange students had already arrived.

The name at the top of the list made Akio raise an eyebrow with a faint smile.

"Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Second Grade. Eldest son of Konoha's Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Chakra natures: Earth, Fire..."

Akio didn't bother reading further—he silently gave Hiruzen some credit.

"What a perfect assist!"

He quickly found Nanako and handed her the list.

"Look, even Hiruzen is sending his own son. We need to show sincerity too! Kushina would be perfect for this."

Nanako smiled bitterly and shook her head. "Sigh... Sensei..."

Before she could refuse again, Kushina came bounding in excitedly.

"Great-grandpa! You're here!"

Akio smiled and nodded. "Kushina, you're out of school already?" She was now a first-year student at the Uzushiogakure Ninja Academy.

Kushina instinctively shook her head, then quickly nodded.

Akio gave a wry smile. "It's only noon. When did the Academy become a half-day program?"

Nanako sighed and said helplessly, "Kushina, you skipped school again."

Kushina blushed slightly. "School is boring... and you won't let me go to Konoha..."

Akio was surprised—he hadn't expected that Kushina actually wanted to go. Was it because Konoha seemed more exciting?

Nanako sighed, looked around, then said, "Alright, you can go. But when you're in Konoha, don't throw tantrums. And be careful—don't..."

What followed was a grandmother's string of long-winded instructions, which Akio didn't listen to closely.

After a while, Nanako finally seemed satisfied.

Akio smiled and said, "Do you really need to worry so much about Kushina? She's exactly like you were at her age. She even dared dump a bucket of water on me when we first met! You think someone like that would get bullied?"

"Grandma, you dumped a bucket of water on Great-grandpa?" Kushina asked curiously.

Nanako's face softened with nostalgia. "Yes... Back then, Sensei looked just like this. But I'm old now. I won't be around to protect Kushina for much longer... Please look after her."

Akio froze for a moment. "Who knows—I might not live much longer either."

"Alright, enough of that," Akio quickly shifted the heavy mood. "Then I'll officially put Kushina on the exchange student list."

Nanako offered no further objections and handed back Konoha's list.

Akio let out a breath of relief—the story was finally returning to its proper track.

"Thanks to Hiruzen's god-tier assist..."As he walked, he glanced once more at the exchange list—and froze.

"First Grade Exchange Student: Namikaze Minato?"

Akio's expression turned comically dramatic. He'd just managed to send Kushina to Konoha—and now Hiruzen wanted to send Minato?

"No way. That's not happening..."

Two Days Later

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen was managing war intel when an ANBU agent appeared in a flash.

"Hokage-sama, we've received a reply regarding the exchange student list sent to the Uzumaki."

Hiruzen looked up. "What did Elder Akio say?"

The ANBU hesitated slightly before answering, "...He rejected one student—Namikaze Minato, from the first grade."

Hiruzen was puzzled. "Is there something wrong with that child?"

The ANBU hesitated again, then said quietly, "Elder Akio only wrote two words: Utterly rejected."

Hiruzen's face stiffened."But... that boy looks so bright and cheerful..."

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