Chapter 17 - First Year 08.
[Chapter Size: 1400 Words.]
Third Person POV
Konoha, Year 32.
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As tensions between the Five Great Nations increased, threatening the fragile peace that had been maintained for years, life in Konoha continued. Concerns about a possible imminent conflict were present in the minds of all the world's military forces, from the most experienced leaders to ordinary ninjas. The possibility of a Second Ninja World War loomed like a shadow over the villages.
In the midst of this whirlwind of preparations and uncertainties, a boy with golden hair stood out for his unwavering determination in Konoha. Minato, at six years of age, continued his rigorous training in his usual field in the forest over the months since he joined the ninja academy. Every possible day, he was there, running with a blindfold over his eyes, dodging trees and obstacles on the ground. It took months of constant effort and many collisions and falls with some lost baby teeth, but he finally began to feel the initial sensation of what would be the development of his Observation Haki.
Now, he was honing his ability with mastery in its first stage, feeling everything around him as he passed through natural obstacles. Every movement, every breath, every sound, and sensation became part of his expanded consciousness. The world around him, which was once a sequence of disjointed images and sensations, was now becoming a living map in his mind, each element a note in a complex symphony that he was learning to interpret even without his eyes.
With one last effort, Minato ran through the final stretch of the forest before finally stopping, panting but triumphant. "Finally, I have developed this Haki!" he celebrated, a feeling of accomplishment filling his young being.
"Although it's just the initial stage, I can predict attacks and sense objects, something even more powerful than the Byakugan," Minato reflected, his thoughts racing as he considered the implications of his new ability. "To start, I don't need to expend chakra on an activated dojutsu to have this ability. Second, it's much more powerful than that. It's just the first stage, and I'll be able to develop it to see as far as a Byakugan, feel people's emotions, and even predict seconds into the future!" Minato mused alone in the forest as evening fell, his spirit uplifted by the possibilities his new ability brought, considering it the best haki for the ninja world.
After successfully mastering his technique at this initial stage, Minato returned home, his face lit with a satisfied smile. He knew there was still much to learn and improve, but that moment marked a turning point in his journey since entering this world.
"I need to focus on my chakra now. I still haven't released my body of light, so it's better to focus on my control of spiritual energy for now..." Minato reflected as he walked back to the orphanage. He knew that mastery of chakra was fundamental for any ninja, and without refined control, he would never reach the level of skill he desired, as he didn't want to rely only on his other unusual abilities in this world.
"Today you are much better... It seems you at least know how to take care of yourself now, unlike the last few months, you are coming back less and less injured..." Madame Gorete, as a daily ritual, always came to greet Minato arriving from his training. She watched the boy with a mix of maternal concern and admiration for his determination.
The boy preferred to train alone in his training area rather than interact with the other children. Madame Gorete always found Minato's behavior strange but accepted it, seeing how he strived to become stronger and was in the most privileged class of the academy that year.
The next day, in the training class, Minato was paired with Tsuna for a fight. "Minato, I won't go easy on you!" Tsuna spoke with a smile, her posture full of confidence and anticipation for the fight.
"Bring it on, Tsuna. But how about a bet?" Minato suddenly spoke, a sly glint in his eyes.
"Hm? A bet with you? Why would I do that, I'm not addicted to gambling like my mother!" Tsuna crossed her arms, a challenging expression on her face.
"If I win, I want a jutsu that you have access to, how about that. If you beat me, you can ask anything from me, it can even be something that can be charged in the future!" Minato proposed, his voice calm, but full of determination.
"Fine, but don't regret it since you've never won a fight against me!" Tsuna spoke, accepting the bet with determination and a touch of excitement. They then began the fight.
As the fight between Tsuna and Minato unfolded, an air of anticipation hovered. The classmates, accustomed to seeing Minato being outdone by Tsuna, watched with renewed interest. Minato, now with his Observation Haki more developed, positioned himself with unusual confidence, his eyes focused and determined.
"Ready, Minato?" Tsuna asked with a confident smile, ready to demonstrate her usual superiority.
"Always," Minato replied, his posture calm and focused.
As soon as the signal was given, Tsuna launched into a fast and powerful attack. Her movements, usually a blur to her opponents, were strong and precise. But this time, Minato was prepared. With the aid of Observation Haki, he could sense Tsuna's movements before they happened, like a prediction, dodging with a grace and accuracy that surprised everyone, including Tsuna.
With each dodge and fluid movement of Minato, Tsuna's frustration grew. She increased the pace, unleashing a series of quick and varied attacks, but Minato continued to dodge, each of his movements synchronized with her attacks. The spectators watched, stunned, as the fight took a turn no one expected.
"How are you doing this?" Tsuna exclaimed, her frustration turning to surprise. She had never seen Minato fight like this.
"It's the training you laughed at me for one day," Minato simply replied, maintaining his focus.
The fight continued, and with each move, Minato not only avoided Tsuna's attacks but also began to counter-attack, pressing her back. Then, in a decisive moment, he saw an opening. With a quick and precise move, he pushed Tsuna, using her own strength and momentum against her.
Tsuna, caught off guard, stumbled backward, unable to recover in time. With one final effort, Minato pushed her even further, and with a look of surprise and disbelief, Tsuna stepped out of the designated fight area, marking the end of the combat.
For a moment, there was shocked silence. Then, a wave of surprised murmurs and exclamations ran through the crowd of students. Minato had won, overcoming Tsuna in a way no one expected.
"Winner... Minato Namikaze..." The teacher announced still a bit stunned, he didn't understand how Minato became so agile and predicted all of Tsuna's attacks, one of the best when it comes to a fight.
Tsuna, still out of the fight area, looked at Minato with a mix of surprise and a twinge of frustration. "You've improved, Minato," she admitted.
"Wow Senju... He got you there!" Mikoto spoke and didn't miss the chance to tease Tsuna.
"Shut up, Uchiha! He might beat you too." Tsuna said with a tone of frustration.
Minato approached Tsuna at that moment with a satisfied smile, still catching his breath, reminded of the bet they had made before the fight started. "Do you remember our bet, Tsuna?" he asked, a sly glint in his eyes.
Tsuna nodded, an expression of reluctance mixed with the acceptance of her defeat. "Yes, I remember. What do you want?"
Minato looked around, ensuring only Tsuna could hear him. "I want to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu," he revealed. This jutsu, a B-level technique, which allows the user to create real clones of themselves, was something Minato considered extremely valuable for his development as a ninja.
Tsuna's eyes widened, surprised by the request. The Shadow Clone Jutsu wasn't a simple technique; it was categorized as forbidden, "Are you sure? This jutsu isn't easy to master and is quite dangerous!"
Minato nodded with determination. "I know. But that's exactly why I want it. It will help me get stronger and reach my goals as I don't have access to jutsus like you do."
Tsuna sighed, a smile forming on her lips. "Alright, Minato. I'll ask my mother or Great-grandmother to deliver the scroll."
Minato was satisfied with this; he would finally learn something powerful. He might not be as powerful as Naruto to create hundreds of clones, but having a dozen of them at this time would help him develop his jutsus and body several times over.
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