Takayama Haru said that he wanted to respect the original story, but it seemed the original wasn't willing to respect him.
At this point, Haru had already mastered all the ninjutsu techniques of Hashirama Senju, including the A-rank summoning technique—Rigid and Flexible Rashōmon.
In comparison, the reward for option one—a C-rank summoning of a small toad—felt completely underwhelming.
As for escorting Kushina Uzumaki to Kumogakure and becoming some petty villain? Haru would never do that.
Such a cute red-haired little girl—wouldn't it be way better to keep her close?
Thus, among the options, Haru was very pleased with the third choice.
Whether Kushina's favorability increased or not didn't matter—what mattered was the real reward: a Supreme Gift Pack!
Last time, he got an SSS-level character card. What might he get this time?
Just as Haru was about to untie the rope binding Kushina's hands, a yellow blur shot toward them!
"Kushina!"
The newcomer had blond hair, a cold expression, and a sharp, deadly aura surrounding him—Minato Namikaze had finally arrived!
Seeing Kushina being held in someone's arms, Minato's heart nearly exploded with panic.
This man was kidnapping Kushina!
You're dead!
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Minato's figure vanished in an instant.
"Ugh!"
Minato reappeared behind Haru, his kunai slicing straight for Haru's neck.
Haru narrowed his eyes slightly and smirked.
As expected—a yellow flash, incredibly fast.
But I'm even faster!
Haru ducked his head at just the right moment, dodging Minato's strike.
Kushina gasped loudly, shouting, "Minato, no!"
But Minato, moving faster than thought, was already in front of Haru again. This time, he saw the face clearly—Takayama Haru!
His eyes widened in horror.
Haru?!
But it was too late.
Minato's instincts were faster than his brain—his kunai stabbed straight into Haru's chest.
"I... I didn't mean to..."
Minato's heart filled with guilt. In his panic, he had attacked without thinking.
But the next moment, both Haru and Kushina turned into blocks of wood.
Substitution Jutsu!
Haru and Kushina reappeared ten meters away, completely unharmed.
Kushina herself hadn't even noticed when she'd been switched!
Seeing Haru safe, she sighed in relief, then glared furiously at Minato. "Minato, what are you doing?!"
Minato looked incredibly apologetic. He waved his hands frantically, saying, "I'm sorry, Haru! I didn't mean it! I thought you were a spy from Kumogakure!"
"Are you okay? Why are you even here—?"
But Haru didn't answer.
Instead, he launched an attack!
Counterattacking wasn't usually Haru's style.
But now, he stepped forward heavily, causing the ground to crack beneath his foot.
All his chakra surged into his body, and with a fierce glare, he instantly appeared right in front of Minato!
Minato's eyes went wide with shock.
Such speed!
He barely managed to cross his arms in defense before Haru's foot slammed into him, sending him flying.
"That's for attacking without looking properly!"
"And that's for swinging randomly!"
In midair, Minato was mercilessly punched and kicked over and over by Haru.
Every time Minato tried to react, another strike landed.
"Next time, open your eyes and check!"
"And if you mess up again, I'll smash your dumb head in!"
Minato crashed through three thick trees before finally collapsing to the ground.
His clothes were torn, his face swollen, and he lay there stunned.
A future Hokage candidate—a genius ninja—had just been completely beaten up by an ordinary-looking genin?
Minato had been feeling guilty earlier and hadn't fought back properly. But even so, he hadn't expected to get wrecked this badly!
Haru's overwhelming control over the fight was terrifying.
Was Takayama Haru really a rare genius?
Or had Haru been hiding his true strength all along?
Kushina stood there, wide-eyed and frozen, watching Minato get battered helplessly.
But she was even angrier—if not for the Substitution Jutsu earlier, Haru might have been seriously hurt... or worse.
Minato deserved a good beating!
At that moment, a black crow flew overhead.
Its pitch-black eyes reflected the face of a middle-aged man.
Inside the Hokage Office in Konoha—
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly as he watched through his crystal ball.
As a skilled ninjutsu master, Hiruzen could use a wide variety of jutsu that didn't rely on bloodline limits.
Using a summoning crow for surveillance was simple for him.
Through the crow's eyes, he had seen Haru using Wood Style techniques and clones.
The important part wasn't just the Wood Clone Jutsu itself—it was how perfectly Haru used it.
Even though Clone Jutsu was only a C-rank technique, using it with such flawless timing was absolutely not simple.
It didn't fit with the narrative that Haru was supposed to be a "crane-tail" loser ninja.
And those earlier attacks—each punch, each kick—were deadly precise.
They weren't like the clumsy flailing of a child; they were like the calm, crushing attacks of a seasoned war general overwhelming a grade-schooler.
Minato had been utterly humiliated.
"This kid is... strange..."
Hiruzen muttered to himself. "Where's White Fang?"
Right at that moment, Sakumo Hatake (White Fang) rushed over.
Seeing Minato leaning against a tree, battered and dazed, then looking at Haru and Kushina standing together unharmed, Sakumo frowned.
Something wasn't adding up here.
Nearby, several Kumogakure ninjas lay unconscious.
Was this really Minato's doing?
Why had Minato ended up looking so horribly beaten?
Sakumo looked at Haru with a serious gaze and asked, "Are you Takayama Haru? What happened here?"
But Haru didn't answer.
Instead, he calmly walked over to Kushina.
Without a word, he untied the rope on her wrists and then, without hesitation, scooped her up princess-style into his arms.
"Ah! Haru! Wait—"
Kushina gasped softly. No boy had ever carried her like this before!
She hurriedly covered her face, feeling it grow hot and red.
In the soft, gentle moonlight, Haru's flowing black hair took on a faint silver sheen, making him seem almost otherworldly.
Peeking through her fingers, Kushina stole a glance at Haru—and her heart skipped a beat.
*[Ding! Third option completed!] Congratulations to the host: Kushina Uzumaki favorability +10! Supreme Gift Pack 1!]