For Takuya, the skip-grade exam was a walk in the park, more like a game than a challenge. Even Minato had an easy time with it. Both of them passed and successfully skipped a grade, though Minato seemed a bit confused about why he even did it.

After everything was over, Minato ran a hand through his blonde hair, thinking, What did I just do? He had rushed into taking the exam on a whim. Takuya did it for that girl, Mikoto, but what was my reason? Was it just to play third wheel?

The ripple effect of their decisions wasn't small. Even the Third Hokage took notice. While Takuya and Minato's decision to skip a grade made sense and was within the rules, the teachers couldn't stop them as long as they passed the test. Mikoto Uchiha's decision to stay behind was also understandable—if she truly didn't want to graduate, the teachers had no choice but to approve it. But Kushina's case was different. Her status was too sensitive.

Reluctantly, their teacher, Uemura Ichiki, had to bring the matter to the Third Hokage. How to handle it was up to him; it wasn't something a simple teacher should worry about.

"Kushina, why do you want to skip a grade?" the Third Hokage asked her in his office. "You've only been in the second grade for a couple of months. Isn't it a bit early for you?"

"Uncle Hokage, my friends have already applied for the exam and passed. They'll be in the upper grade starting tomorrow, and I don't want to be left behind," Kushina replied, looking up at him with a sad expression.

Her clan had been wiped out; her people were either dead or scattered. She was the only one who came to Konoha and became the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. Everywhere she went, she was under surveillance. Now, after finally making friends with Takuya and Minato, they both applied for the exam and moved up a grade. It felt like she was back at square one—alone and isolated, just like when she first arrived in Konoha.

Every Jinchuriki experiences loneliness, except for Mito Uzumaki. No one dared to cross her, not even the Hokage. But there was only one Mito Uzumaki, and Kushina wasn't her.

"Child…" The Third Hokage stood up from his chair, walked over, and knelt beside Kushina, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You've come to Konoha, made friends, and found people you care about. That makes Uncle Hokage very happy."

Integrating Jinchuriki into Konoha and giving them a sense of belonging was crucial. That's why the Third Hokage had always opposed Danzo's proposals. He believed that strict control over the Jinchuriki wasn't the best solution. It was a contradiction—wanting the Jinchuriki to feel like they belonged in Konoha while also placing numerous restrictions on them. That was the Third Hokage's classic double standard.

"So, Uncle Hokage, does that mean you'll let me skip a grade?" Kushina asked hopefully.

The smile on the Third Hokage's face stiffened a bit, and he gave a wry smile. "But if you skip a grade, your studies might fall behind, and catching up will make you very busy. You might not have much time to spend with your friends."

"I'm not afraid!" Kushina shook her head firmly. As long as she could skip a grade and be in the same class as Takuya and Minato, she didn't care how much harder she'd have to work.

"Alright, I'll allow it." The Third Hokage sighed, relenting.

"Thank you, Uncle Hokage!" Kushina beamed and practically skipped out of the office.

As soon as she left, the Third Hokage rubbed his temples, bracing himself for a visit from an old friend.

"Sarutobi!!" Sure enough, within moments, Danzo's voice echoed through the office, just as forceful as ever. If there was even the slightest disturbance in the village, Danzo was always the first to hear about it and would storm into the Hokage's office.

"I've told you time and again, you can't be too lenient with the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki," Danzo insisted.

"Danzo," the Third Hokage responded, looking up at him, "a Jinchuriki is still a person. If we want her to integrate into Konoha and see it as her home, she needs to form bonds here. You should understand that."

Hmph. Danzo scoffed at the idea of bonds. "Jinchuriki need to be controlled, Sarutobi. Are you getting soft? Letting the Jinchuriki run around with those kids is reckless."

The Third Hokage's expression hardened. "Danzo, I'm the Hokage. I will decide how to handle the Jinchuriki. Your concern is unnecessary."

Danzo's breath caught, and for a moment, he was speechless, silenced by the Third Hokage's reminder of who held the title of Hokage.

"Just don't regret this decision," Danzo muttered before turning and leaving the office with a scowl.

The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow, unbothered. As long as Danzo couldn't get his way here, he wouldn't dare to act on his own. At this point, the Third Hokage still had the upper hand, and Danzo's influence wasn't strong enough to overreach.

This balance would last until after the Third Ninja War. Post-war, Danzo became increasingly brazen, eventually behaving like a man unhinged.

"Are you out of your mind?" Tsunade couldn't believe it. She felt an overwhelming urge to knock some sense into Kushina. "Takuya and Minato had reasons to apply for the skip-grade exam, but why on earth would you follow along? Are your grades even up to par?"

"Seems like she's lost it," Nawaki chimed in, arms crossed, nodding in agreement. "Uchiha Mikoto staying back was already a shock to everyone. That Takuya Yagami kid is a total nutcase. Kushina, you should keep your distance."

Mikoto Uchiha was the girl everyone was lining up to chase after, and yet she stayed back a grade because of Takuya Yagami! It was absurd. Just because she promised to marry him when they were kids, she had to go along with his antics? Why isn't there a girl like Mikoto—pretty, sweet, and gentle—who wants to marry me?

Jealousy is tearing me apart!!

Ahhh, it's so frustrating.

"Get lost!" Tsunade shot a glare at her brother. "Why are you getting involved in Kushina's business? Are you really one to talk? If it wasn't for me pulling strings with Orochimaru, would he have taken you on as his student?"

"Sis!! Can we not bring that up?"

As the grandson of the First Hokage, Nawaki's goal was to become a strong ninja like his grandfather and eventually become Hokage. Pulling strings was embarrassing enough, and now Tsunade was rubbing it in his face. I've got my pride, you know.

But Nawaki desperately wanted to be Orochimaru's student, so he had begged Tsunade to help him out. With her assistance, Orochimaru had slightly lowered the difficulty of the exam, just enough for Nawaki to pass and become his disciple.

"Shoo, shoo. Adults are talking; no need for a kid like you to chime in," Tsunade dismissed him with a wave, sending Nawaki off.

Once Nawaki was gone, Tsunade turned to Kushina with a serious look. "Kushina, do you like Takuya Yagami?"

"???"