The afternoon meal concluded amidst cheerful laughter. Afterward, Kushina, her stomach slightly distended, insisted on dragging Mikoto out shopping. Lin Yu, who had intended to go back, was also pulled along by Kushina, under the guise of being a chivalrous escort, but in reality, to carry their bags.
Thus, Kushina walked in the middle, holding Lin Yu's and Mikoto's hands respectively, giving the impression from behind of a family out for a stroll.
"By the way, Mikoto, you'll be graduating soon, won't you?" Lin Yu, carrying the small bag, sat on a long bench chatting with Mikoto. As for Kushina, she had gone to the restroom with a grimace, likely from eating too much!
"Mhm," Mikoto softly replied, then parted her red lips to say, "In a couple of days, the school will notify us of our team assignments. I wonder which squad I'll be in, and who my Jonin instructor will be."
Mikoto was somewhat worried. She was already a Genin, and she didn't know if she would be sent to the battlefield. Her temperament was quite gentle, and she couldn't bring herself to be ruthless, let alone kill enemies on the battlefield.
"Team assignments in two days..." Lin Yu murmured. It seemed there weren't any particularly outstanding figures in this graduating class. Namikaze Minato would graduate in another two years, and Jiraiya was still in the Land of Rain. According to the plot, Jiraiya would take Minato as a disciple, but things might change.
Lin Yu noticed Mikoto's worried expression and couldn't help but ask, "Mikoto, is there something troubling you? If it's convenient, perhaps I can help."
Mikoto glanced at Lin Yu, her small face blushing. Her beautiful eyes quickly darted away, and she said softly, "It's, it's not a big deal, it's just... it's just that I'm not ready to face all of this. I have this strange feeling that I don't want to be a ninja."
Lin Yu was somewhat silent. Mikoto's disposition truly wasn't suited to being a ninja; she was too gentle. She was most suited to being a good wife and mother, but in the ninja world, this meant being at the mercy of others. Without strength, one's life was not in their own hands. Even with the backing of a great clan like the Uchiha, they were still annihilated.
"Mikoto, I really can't help you with this. Becoming a ninja is destined to face danger, even death. It's destined to become an executioner, with blood on your hands. This is unavoidable."
Lin Yu sighed. Mikoto wasn't Yahiko; her mindset couldn't be changed with just an illusion. Yahiko's situation was special, with Nagato and Konan being his weaknesses. The strong impact generated by the conflict between them and his dreams shattered Yahiko's original aspirations. It wasn't a change, but a slight correction of Yahiko's dream. The fundamental goal remained the same: to end war and bring peace to the ninja world.
Mikoto, however, was different. Her disposition was inherently gentle and mild. To become the opposite, other than Kotoamatsukami, no other genjutsu would be effective.
Mikoto's expression became somewhat dejected. She also knew that such a thing was not feasible. She forced a smile and said, "I know it's not possible, but I'm just not ready to face the battlefield immediately. I... I've never killed anyone. If only I could have more time."
"..." Lin Yu felt a bit awkward. It seemed he had misunderstood Mikoto's meaning. He tried asking, "Mikoto, are you saying you just can't face it now, but you could after some time to adapt?"
"Mhm!" Mikoto nodded with firm eyes. She also had a desire to protect Konoha.
"Haha, Mikoto, don't worry. Newly graduated ninjas are not immediately sent to the battlefield. They are usually led by a Jonin instructor for a period before there's a very small chance of receiving missions to the battlefield," Lin Yu said, rubbing his nose somewhat helplessly.
"Ah! But I heard from graduating seniors that a while ago, they were dispatched to the battlefield for missions right after graduation. Were they lying to me?" Mikoto's beautiful eyes were full of confusion, staring at Lin Yu intently. This question was very important to her.
Lin Yu smiled helplessly and said, "That was because the Second Great Ninja War broke out. The situation was special, so even newly graduated Genin had to go to the battlefield. Now that the war has temporarily ended, although there are still some minor skirmishes, there should be a period of peace." Lin Yu thought to himself that there might be a year or two of peace, and then the Third Great Ninja War would break out. However, with the intervention of the black-robed man, he didn't know if it would be delayed or accelerated.
"Really! That's good then." Mikoto's small face showed some relief, and the worry in her heart lessened slightly.
"Uh, probably. But Mikoto, I have another most secure method: you can form a team with me. My Jonin instructor treats me with a laissez-faire approach and generally won't bother us. You can also use this time to adjust your mindset slowly," Lin Yu felt it was better to be safe. Perhaps the Third Great Ninja War might break out in a few days. With him, a transmigration, anything could happen.
"Forming a team with Lin Yu? That sounds quite nice, but would the school agree?" Mikoto was somewhat tempted. Relying on the unknown Jonin instructor was not as good as trusting Uzumaki Lin Yu. Although this was their first meeting, she felt the young man in front of her was trustworthy, especially since they both liked cooking!
"Ah-ha, you don't need to worry about that. If you agree, I'll tell my Jonin instructor," Lin Yu shrugged the responsibility to Orochimaru, looking indifferent.
"That would be wonderful, thank you Lin Yu."
"Hey, it's a small matter. Just teach me a few more dishes in the future," Lin Yu was exceptionally at ease, as he wouldn't have to put in any effort.
Mikoto felt that Kushina was very fortunate to have a brother like Lin Yu. He was attractive to her, his personality matched hers, and their hobbies were compatible. Heavens, why do I have such thoughts...
"You two! Talking sweethearts while I'm not here!" Kushina's sulky little head suddenly appeared between Lin Yu and Mikoto. Her small face puffed out roundly as she glared at Lin Yu. She believed Lin Yu must have taken a liking to her best friend, and she couldn't let him succeed.
"We weren't, Kushina. Lin Yu was just helping me with something, and I was thanking him." Caught by Kushina again, Mikoto's small face quickly turned red. She then realized, why did I say "again"? And there's nothing between Lin Yu and me, so why am I afraid of Kushina finding out!
Lin Yu scratched his head, shouting injustice. He genuinely had no romantic thoughts about Mikoto at the moment; he just wanted to learn more dishes to cook for Kushina!
"Oh? Is that so~ I didn't know someone had such great abilities?" Kushina's face was full of disbelief. Kushina knew Lin Yu's capabilities best; she had even taught him the Three Jutsu. How powerful could he be?
"Of course! I never brag!"
"Tch! I don't believe you."
"By the way, Lin Yu, who is your Jonin instructor?"
"Orochimaru!"
"..."
"..."