Namikaze Minato Wants to Leave Work on Time [9]

“Why is it you again?”

If not for the fact that he currently lived in the Naruto universe, where everyone inexplicably spoke Japanese, Minato would’ve greeted the grinning redhead before him with his finest construction-site English.

Fortunately, the girl had grown a little smarter—at least now she was showing up during working hours. As long as she didn’t intrude on his precious after-work time, Minato was still willing to perform his Hokage duties diligently.

“Let’s make this clear first,” Minato said, his voice flat. “If I reinforce your seal now, don’t even think of coming back tonight.”

“Is that really how you see me?” Kushina frowned, glaring sharply.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Minato nodded. “Exactly like that.”

Kushina clenched her fists, her eye twitching.

Why doesn’t this guy know how to be even slightly tactful? Hasn’t anyone ever told him girls like gentler words? No wonder he’s still single!

“I heard the Uchiha can take village missions now, so I wanted to try too,” she declared.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Minato replied calmly. “The Uchiha were never banned from missions—they just preferred sticking to Police Force work. But since the village is short-staffed, I’ve borrowed some of their shinobi temporarily.”

“I don’t care. I still want to do missions!”

Minato sighed theatrically, pretending to think it over. “Since you insist… fine. I’ll give you a super-high-ranked mission.”

“A Super S-rank mission?!” Kushina’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected something that extreme. Sure, her skills were strong enough—but shouldn’t she start with easier ones to build experience?

Jumping straight to Super S-rank could only mean one thing: it was an incredibly difficult mission.

Finally, it’s my time to shine! Maybe I’ll be sealing other villages’ Tailed Beasts!

Overjoyed, she leaned across the desk, face practically inches from Minato’s.

Minato spoke in his usual calm, deliberate tone, as though explaining something perfectly mundane. “Your task is to assist the village’s Anbu in taking care of the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki. Make sure she goes to bed early, wakes up early, eats three balanced meals a day, and exercises regularly. Mission duration—thirty-six months. You can start immediately.”

“…Assist Anbu in caring for the Jinchūriki…?” Kushina blinked, puzzled—then realization struck. She slammed her hand on the desk. “Minato, you’re mocking me!”

The village’s Jinchūriki was her!

He was telling her to babysit herself!

Does he really think I’m an idiot?!

Her excitement evaporated in an instant, replaced by humiliation and fury.

“Your attitude doesn’t sound like someone asking for a favor,” Minato said mildly, raising an eyebrow. “If you want to act like other shinobi, then you should at least address me properly—as Hokage-sama.”

“No wa—” Kushina started to protest, but the words caught in her throat.

She suddenly remembered what Sarutobi Biwako—wife of the Third Hokage—had told her the night Minato took office.

That she’d always been too casual, too brash. That the old generation had spoiled her like a child, but Minato couldn’t afford to. He was Hokage now; he had to maintain authority.

And if she really wanted to get closer to him… maybe she’d have to swallow her pride, just once.

Kushina took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“Gomen’nasai, Hokage-sama! I was extremely disrespectful to the great Fourth Hokage. Gomen’nasai, gomen’nasai, really gomen’nasai!”

Her tone was perfectly polite, but her face screamed murder.

“If I could punch you right now, I would,” her expression added silently.

Minato shrugged. “Barely acceptable. But at least it’s progress. Since you’re so desperate for work, how about teaching fūinjutsu at the Ninja Academy?”

Kushina frowned.

Teaching wasn’t difficult, and the pay was steady—but that wasn’t what she wanted. She just wanted an excuse to see Minato more often.

“I refuse,” she said flatly.

“Oh, by the way,” Minato said casually, “I’m also the principal of the Ninja Academy. If you accept, you can come report to me after each class about your students’ progress.” His eyes glinted mischievously. “But since you don’t want to, let’s forget it.”

Kushina immediately wished she could slap herself.

Why did she always speak too soon?!

“Minato—I mean, Hokage-sama! I misspoke. I love children! Love them dearly!” she corrected herself, forcing a stiff smile that looked more like she was in pain.

After confirming that Kushina would indeed start teaching fūinjutsu the next day, Minato watched her leave, the office finally peaceful again.

As he resumed stamping documents, his thoughts drifted back to her “apology.”

Honestly, he’d almost added another rule—that all apologies should be delivered with the belly exposed. But judging by the murderous look in her eyes earlier, he’d wisely chosen to spare both his face and his paperwork.

Still, he understood her restlessness.

Konoha was a peaceful place, but living confined within it forever could make anyone crave the outside world.

Yet Kushina, as the village’s Jinchūriki, could never be allowed such risks.

If he permitted her missions at all, they’d have to be low-level D-rank errands inside the village—thankless chores even Genin hated. With Kushina’s personality, she’d probably start a fight with her clients by the second day.

Compared to that, teaching at the Academy was ideal: safe, meaningful, and a way to pass down Uzumaki sealing arts to the next generation.

A perfect win-win arrangement.

In fact, Minato had long planned to reform the Ninja Academy itself.

To do so, he’d personally dismissed the former principal—Sarutobi Hiruzen—and taken over the role.

Partly it was political necessity, but mostly it gave him freedom to reshape the curriculum without interference.

Children in Konoha learned too little; thrown into war, most only knew the basic Three Techniques and how to throw kunai. That had to change.

He opposed early graduation and child soldiers, but giving them more ways to protect themselves? That was only right.

Having Kushina teach fūinjutsu was just the first step. Once he cleared his paperwork backlog, he could finally begin his long-awaited education reforms.

Just as Minato thought his day might finally end peacefully, Orochimaru appeared at the door.

“Minato-kun, may I trouble you during office hours?” he asked, wearing not his usual Jōnin vest but a crisp white lab coat—looking every bit the scientist.

Minato raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

So the snake had learned restraint—showing up during work hours for once.

As expected of Orochimaru, the cockroach of fate—impossible to kill, even by narrative itself.

“Well then,” Minato said, setting down his stamp with exaggerated solemnity. “Since it’s my diligent aide making the request, I suppose I must put aside my terribly important duties and accompany you.”

He stood up immediately, looking far too eager.

Orochimaru: “…”

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This is a fan translation of 波风水门想要按时下班 by 破空蛇龙 rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!