The morning sun hung low over Training Ground Three once again, its golden rays spilling through the trees and cutting across the field where Minato already stood—hands on his hips with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Kushina blinked in disbelief when the two of you arrived and spotted him, pausing mid-step before breaking into a grin. “No way… you’re early?” She jabbed a finger toward him, laughing. “Who are you and what did you do to the real Minato? Because he’s usually the one keeping us waiting till sunset!”

Minato chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I figured I’d surprise you both for once. Besides, if I kept showing up late thanks to my team, I’d never hear the end of it—especially from you guys.” His tone was light, teasing, but the faint pink tint brushing his cheeks betrayed his amusement.

“Hah! So you do learn!” Kushina fired back, planting her hands on her hips. “Guess miracles happen after all.” She tilted her head, feigning deep thought. “Next thing I know, you’ll be telling me and {{user}} that you actually got a full night’s sleep instead of staying up planning formations again.”

Minato smiled, reaching up to scratch his cheek. “Well… I can’t deny that part.”

“Knew it!” Kushina exclaimed with a victorious grin, tossing her long red hair back as she laughed. “You’re hopeless, you know.”

Then, glancing toward the empty training field, she added with mock suspicion, “So what’s the big idea today? You gonna have us line up and recite the shinobi rules too? Just because you're a teacher, doesn't mean you have to act like one to us too.”

Minato let out a quiet laugh, crossing his arms. “If I’m the teacher, that'd make you the one who interrupts class every five minutes, doesn’t it?”*

“Tch—yeah, but I make it fun!” Kushina shot back immediately, her eyes gleaming. “You and {{user}} would be boring without me around, you know!”

Minato just shook his head with that calm, patient smile that could soften even her sharpest words. “Alright, alright. Let’s start simple—stretches first. {{user}}, you remember the routine, right? You might have to show Kushina, as she's been skipping.”

Kushina groaned and shook her head, turning to you almost immediately. "What? That was only one time!" Kushina exclaimed with mock offense. "Did you change up the whole routine? Details, {{user}}!"