Chapter 26 - Second Year 02.

[Chapter Size: 1400 Words.]

Third Person POV

Training Camp, Konoha, Year 33.

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The orphanage was quiet and welcoming, illuminated by soft lights as the day came to an end. Minato, with thoughts of the meeting he had with Tsuna and Mikoto, was greeted by an unexpected and warm scene. Madame Gorete, with a maternal smile and a cheerful laugh, extended to him a carefully decorated cake as soon as he entered.

"Happy Birthday, Minato!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with affection. Minato's surprise was evident, his face taking on an expression of shock and admiration. He didn't expect anything, accustomed to simple or nonexistent celebrations over the years in his memories, so he was surprised by this.

"Don't look at me like that, it's your birthday. Congratulations!" Madame Gorete continued, encouraging him to accept the celebration. The other children from the orphanage, drawn by the sweet smell of the cake, joined the chorus. "Happy Birthday, Minato!" one of them said, pulling the chorus of childish voices that echoed through the room.

"Well... thank you, I guess..." Minato muttered, his voice low but filled with unexpected gratitude. He was accustomed to being the forgotten one, the one who trained alone and focused only on becoming stronger. But there, surrounded by other children and the careful attention of Madame Gorete, he felt differently in his heart—a sense of belonging and joy.

The night unfolded with laughter and conversation as everyone ate the cake. Madame Gorete, always attentive, watched the children with a satisfied look. As soon as they ate and celebrated, everyone went to bed with the curfew.

Minato, lying in his bed, couldn't help but smile slightly. The day had been different from any other birthday he had had. Not only had he spent the day with Tsuna and Mikoto, his best friends, but he also felt the warmth and celebration at the orphanage, something he rarely experienced.

Minato reflected on the last few weeks since the end of the first year at the academy. He had dedicated himself to refining his chakra, practicing tirelessly with the leaf on his forehead. He was not yet ready for more advanced techniques like walking on trees or over water, but he knew his time would come.

More impressive was his ability with shadow clones. Now, he could create three, each an extension of himself, training and learning simultaneously. This technique had become a vital part of his regime, allowing him to multiply his training time and experience. With the knowledge that this technique provided him, it was the biggest cheat in this world, in his opinion.

Thus, Minato went to bed satisfied that night. The training field was filled the next day with Minato for his training regime again.

However, this day was different. Minato arrived at his training spot and immediately felt the presence of someone hidden among the trees.

'Since the last day of the academy ended, I have been watched by someone...', Minato reflected as he did his usual stretches to train as any other day. His Haki allowed him to sense the hidden presence in the nearby trees. It was a Chunnin, at least in ability and discretion that he felt in his senses.

'He might be some agent of Danzou... That damn...', Minato pondered with a twinge of irritation. He knew of Danzou's ambitions and it wouldn't be long before that man would be interested in unique abilities like his, as it was no longer a secret that he had a unique ability. Deciding not to give these spies the show they desired, Minato put on his usual blindfold and began his taijutsu training as he would normally.

He moved with blind precision, each punch and kick a dance of strength and control. The recently added weight seals to his training made each movement demand more of him, but also made him stronger, more resilient. He didn't summon his shadow clones, aware of the constant gaze on him and the B rank jutsu would attract unwanted attention, but worked with fierce intensity, as if fighting against an invisible opponent.

As the morning gave way to afternoon, Tsuna appeared. Her announcement of arrival broke the tension in the air, "Minato!" she greeted, her voice strong and clear cutting through the quiet. She walked up to him with firm steps, her presence always as imposing as it was friendly.

"Hello, Tsuna!" Minato greeted her, "Ready for another day of training?" He said and quickly moved a finger as a sign, making Tsuna slightly raise an eyebrow and nod discreetly, maintaining her normal expression and posture, recognizing that signal from Minato. It was a gesture they had previously agreed on, a sign that they were not alone. Tsuna, always attentive, immediately grasped its meaning.

They began a small sparring, a routine both were well accustomed to. To any casual observer, it seemed like just another training session between two dedicated students. However, beneath the surface, there was a palpable tension, an awareness that they were being watched.

When the hidden agent finally withdrew, Minato let out a sigh of relief. "So he's gone..." Tsuna commented, her voice low, a rhetorical question hanging in the air.

"Yes..." Minato confirmed, his tense expression softening slightly. Tsuna, noticing the concern on his face, decided to touch on a subject that was on her mind.

"You know, Minato, you are a skilled sensor. No child should recognize things like this at your age, no matter how skilled they are. My great-grandmother said that you must be special." Tsuna murmured, a tone of admiration mixed with concern in her voice.

"What? You spoke of my abilities to Mito-Sama?" Minato asked, a glimpse of surprise and a sense of betrayal appearing in his eyes.

Tsuna raised her hands defensively. "Don't get so upset. I had to say we were being watched, so I had to mention your strange ability that could recognize an observer from a short distance," she explained as if it were the most obvious thing to do.

Minato sighed, the frustration disappearing as quickly as it came. "Whatever, now that he's gone, let's train with clones!" he declared. In an instant, he formed three shadow clones, while Tsuna, with more chakra and control, created five.

This was a common scene, thus they spent their days, training together, developing their skills, and facing challenges in sparring. Over time, Mikoto also joined them when she could escape the watchful eyes of her clan.

The weeks of intense training had passed like a blur for Minato and Tsuna. Each day brought a new challenge, a new opportunity to hone their skills and strengthen their bond. They had become stronger, faster, and incredibly synchronized in their movements and strategies. The atmosphere of friendly competition between them only added fuel to their determination.

Now, sitting together by the river's edge, skipping stones on the calm water, they shared a moment of tranquility before the return to their academic routine. "Ready to go back to class?" Tsuna asked, her stone bouncing several times before sinking.

"Of course, I'm the top rookie, I intend to keep being that this year too," Minato replied with a confident smile. He picked up another stone, throwing it with his perfected technique to beat the girl at their little game.

Tsuna laughed, a glint of challenge in her eyes. "Just wait for me to surpass you, smarty-pants!" she said, delivering a light but surprisingly powerful punch to Minato's chest. He didn't have time to react, caught off guard.

"That hurt, you're increasing your strength a lot lately..." Minato murmured, rubbing the spot she hit. He was impressed, but not surprised. Tsuna always had incredible potential.

"I've been training with my mom. You have no idea how strong she is, she broke a stone in front of me with just a punch, it was incredible!" Tsuna spoke, her admiration and pride for her mother evident in her voice.

"I believe it, trust me..." Minato replied, thoughtful. He had memories of Tsunade Senju as one of the most powerful shinobi in Konoha, especially when she fought with the other kages against Madara.

"You? You never really met her!" Tsuna looked at him with a suspicious gaze, curious about Minato's familiarity with her mother.

"Well, who doesn't know Tsunade Senju, the disciple of the third Hokage..." Minato replied, trying to deflect Tsuna's scrutinizing gaze.

"Hm... whatever. It's getting late, I better be going, see you tomorrow. Bye, Minato!" Tsuna stood up, the energy and joy always present in her farewell. She ran off, her figure quickly disappearing among the trees.

Minato watched her leave before getting up. The sky was tinged with the colors of twilight, and he knew it was time to return to the orphanage. Tomorrow would begin his first day of class in the second year!

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