40 Chapter 40 - Fourth Year 03.

[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]

Third Person POV

Konoha, Year 35.

...

After restoring order in the room, Professor Fuuma looked at his students with a serious yet understanding expression. "Now that we're all attentive, let's focus on what really matters here. This year, the fourth year, will be a crucial period in your training as shinobis in the elite program. You will be introduced to elemental jutsus, a fundamental basis for any ninja now that you've mastered the basics last year, unfortunately, some were unable to meet the expectations and left the class." The professor referred to a few empty chairs in the room, but they were very few.

He walked to the board and drew symbols representing the five basic elements: fire, water, earth, air, and lightning. "Each of you has a natural affinity with one of these elements. Discovering and honing that affinity will allow you to shape your chakra in specific ways, creating powerful and unique jutsus."

The room's interest seemed renewed now, the previous incident temporarily forgotten as curiosity about the elemental jutsus took over. "You will undergo tests to discover your elemental affinities again. Once identified, we will begin working on developing these skills. Remember, mastering an element not only expands your arsenal but also deepens your understanding of chakra and how to use it."

Many students exchanged excited glances, while Minato observed with a thoughtful expression, pondering the possibilities that this new knowledge would bring. Kushina, now sitting next to Tsuna, was excited to learn jutsus too, she was a year younger than all the children here, but her large amount of chakra and her future as Jinchuriki made the village's high ranks introduce her into the program.

"Let's start today with a theoretical introduction," continued Professor Fuuma. "Fire jutsus are known for their offensive power and ability to cause great destruction. Water jutsus, in turn, are versatile and can be used for both attack and defense. Earth jutsus offer solidity and resistance, creating barriers and altering the terrain in your favor. Air jutsus are extremely rare, but some of you have an affinity, they are fast and unpredictable, and lightning jutsus are intensely powerful and fast, capable of paralyzing an enemy with their speed and having a penetrating and powerful attack power."

The students listened attentively, some already imagining how they could use these jutsus in combat. Professor Fuuma continued explaining the basic principles of each style and how they interrelate and oppose each other.

As the class proceeded, detailing the intricate aspects of elemental jutsus, Minato couldn't help but notice Kushina's gaze occasionally landing on him. He tried to maintain his focus on the professor's explanation, but her gaze was unsettling, making him question what was going through the mind of the new student. Tsuna, sitting next to Kushina, noticed this exchange of glances and subtly nudged Minato, whispering something about the attention he was receiving, provoking a half-smile on his face.

The morning advanced, and the introduction to elemental jutsus extended until noon, capturing the children's imagination with possibilities and promises of power. When the bell finally rang for the break, there was a flurry of activity, with the students spreading out to enjoy their free time.

Minato, seeking a moment of tranquility, met with Mikoto under one of the large trees in the academy courtyard. They talked quietly, discussing their expectations for the elemental jutsus, when Tsuna approached, bringing Kushina with her.

"Minato, Uchiha!" Tsuna greeted, with an energy that seemed to try to dispel the tension of the previous incident.

"Senju, and the new student. The Uzumaki," Mikoto responded, with a tone that carried a hint of arrogance.

"Don't mind her, she's always grumpy," Tsuna retorted, casting a playful look at Mikoto before turning to Kushina. "This is Mikoto Uchiha."

Kushina, whose face still carried the blush of the tumultuous morning, seemed a bit lost in the group dynamics, more focused on Minato than the discussion between Tsuna and Mikoto. She watched him with a mix of curiosity and something more that she seemed unable to disguise.

"This is Minato Namikaze, the boy who defended you," Tsuna continued, trying to facilitate the interaction between them.

Kushina, facing Minato directly now, seemed to struggle to find the right words. Then, with a sigh that carried a mix of nervousness and gratitude, she closed her eyes and burst out.

"Thank you for earlier, Dattebane!" Kushina exclaimed, her voice laden with genuine emotion. Her expression, when she opened her eyes again, was one of relief, as if thanking Minato had been an important task she needed to complete.

The group fell into a brief silence, with each processing the interaction differently. Minato, surprised by Kushina's sudden outburst, just nodded, a smile of understanding on his lips.

"Well, it was nothing..." Minato replied, running his hand through his hair and scratching his head. He avoided looking directly at Kushina, but their eyes inevitably met. In that brief moment of eye contact, something inexplicable hung in the air between them.

The awkward atmosphere did not go unnoticed by Tsuna and Mikoto, who watched the exchange of glances with increasing surprise and confusion. Tsuna, who had known Minato for years, had never seen him interact in this way with someone. And Mikoto, always so observant and reserved, felt an inexplicable twinge at seeing Minato looking at the new girl.

"..."

Neither of them seemed able to break the silence, lost in their own thoughts and unrecognized emotions. Time seemed to have slowed down, and even the sounds of the courtyard full of playing children seemed distant and muffled.

"HEY, why are you two looking at each other like that!" Tsuna finally burst out, unable to contain her curiosity and discomfort with the situation. Her sharp voice broke the spell, making Minato and Kushina quickly avert their gaze, as if they had been caught in a forbidden act.

Meanwhile, Mikoto, with her usual self-control, tried to disguise her discomfort, but her face revealed a glimpse of incomprehension and, perhaps, slight irritation. 'Is Minato taking a liking to Kushina? Am I jealous?' Tsuna wondered, alarmed at her own reaction. 'Am I jealous of the Uzumaki girl?' Mikoto questioned herself, feeling a strange and uncomfortable emotion bubbling inside her.

*Cough.* Minato coughed lightly. He felt the weight of Tsuna and Mikoto's gazes on him, which only increased his embarrassment. "Hi, Kushina, I'm Minato Namikaze," he spoke, his voice soft, trying to convey a calm he didn't fully feel. A shy and somewhat uncertain smile formed on his lips as he extended his hand toward Kushina, an offer of friendship and perhaps a silent apology for the awkwardness of the moment.

"I'm Kushina Uzumaki, it's a pleasure..." Kushina responded, her voice low and a bit hesitant. She extended her hand and shook Minato's, a simple gesture, but laden with meaning. Their fingers briefly touched, and both felt strange about it.

Meanwhile, Tsuna and Mikoto observed with mixed feelings. Tsuna, known for her expressiveness and impulsiveness, slightly furrowed her brow, her thoughts racing as she considered the situation. Mikoto, on the other hand, maintained a more controlled posture, but her discomfort was evident in the stiffness of her shoulders and the way her eyes narrowed slightly.

Feeling the need to interrupt what she perceived as a potentially awkward moment, Tsuna decided to change the focus of the conversation. "So, Kushina, your Uzumaki family is quite well-known," she began, her voice a little louder than necessary, trying to infuse a dose of normalcy into the conversation. "They're famous for their sealing jutsus, right? It must be amazing to be part of such a respected lineage like my great-grandmother's."

Kushina, a bit surprised by the sudden change of topic, released Minato's hand and turned to Tsuna, grateful for the opportunity to talk about something familiar and safe. "Yes, the Uzumaki are known for that. I'm still learning, but I hope to one day be able to master those techniques as well from my clan."

As the conversation about the Uzumaki lineage and their sealing techniques unfolded, the group gradually began to feel more at ease. Tsuna continued to encourage Kushina to open up to them, asking about the peculiarities of Kushina's homeland, Uzushiogakure. "Is it true that Uzushiogakure has large spiral structures as its symbol? I read something about that once."

Kushina, excited to share something about her homeland, nodded affirmatively. "Yes, it's true. Our village is known for its large spiral-shaped buildings. They are said to represent the longevity and perseverance of the Uzumaki people, Dattebane!" Her voice carried a tone of pride when talking about her village, and for a brief moment, the sadness and shyness seemed to disappear from her face.

Mikoto, usually more reserved, also got involved in the conversation, asking about the differences between the lifestyles of Konoha and Uzushiogakure. "What's it like adapting here in Konoha? Are the traditions and lifestyle very different?"

Kushina shrugged, a bitter smile forming on her lips. "It's... different, for sure. Everything here is so new to me, and sometimes I feel out of place. But I'm trying to adapt. After all, it's an opportunity to grow and learn, Tsuna, your family, and even Mito-Sama are helping me."

"Konoha has a lot to offer, Kushina. I'm sure you'll find your place here," Minato said, offering an encouraging smile.

The bell for the end of the break rang at that moment, signaling that it was time to return to the classroom. The group stood up, gathering their belongings. "Well, I guess it's time to go back," said Tsuna, stretching. "Let's go, we have a lot to learn yet, especially about the elemental jutsus!"

They walked back to the classroom together, the conversation now shifting to expectations about the upcoming elemental affinity tests. Kushina, although still somewhat reserved, seemed more integrated into the group, sharing laughs and comments as they walked.

The rest of the day at the academy was intensive and informative. Professor Fuuma dedicated the first part of the afternoon to explaining the schedule and goals for the upcoming classes. He detailed the various types of jutsus that the students would learn, emphasizing the importance of understanding the fundamentals of chakra and how it is manipulated in different forms of jutsu. "Mastering the elements is a crucial step to becoming a complete shinobi," he explained, going through each element with examples of notable jutsus associated with them.

As the afternoon progressed, Professor Fuuma moved from theory to practice. "Now, let's test your chakra control," he announced. "Having refined control is essential for performing jutsus effectively and accurately." One by one, the students were called to the front of the room to demonstrate their current chakra control abilities.

Minato was calm, but Tsuna, Mikoto, and Kushina watched their peers perform the task, each with their own anxiety and expectation. When it was their turn, they demonstrated their abilities with varying degrees of success. Minato, with his usual competence, showed impressive chakra control, earning a nod of approval from the professor. Tsuna and Mikoto, each with their strengths, also made solid demonstrations. Kushina, nervous but determined, did the best she could, her chakra control still unstable but showing potential as she was the child with the largest amount of chakra now.

As the sun began to set, the last activity of the day came to an end. Professor Fuuma congratulated the class for their efforts and reminded them of the importance of regular practice. "Chakra control is like a muscle," he said. "The more you practice, the stronger it will become. Keep working hard. You've mastered the first techniques to advance to more advanced ones before we start utilizing jutsus."

After that, Minato's group said their goodbyes and went their separate ways home, with only Tsuna and Kushina returning together.

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