Growing up 2

The next day Jiraiya arrived early at the Kyubi's jinchuriki house. After having breakfast together Jiraiya dragged Minato to team 7 training ground. "Hey, Minato that new jutsu Rasengan which took you years to master. I mastered it in months. Hehehe.. aren't I great?" proclaimed Jiraiya with a proud look.

Seeing this action with a smile on his face Minato replied "Yes sensei." "Don't worry Minato I am working on a legendary jutsu with the help of toads after I master that I would give you a few tips." snickered the toad sannin patting Minato's back.

Later the teacher and student consulted each other on their theories and shared their experiences which happened while the other is absent. Jiraiya about his other new students and Minato about improving Flying Thunder god jutsu. In this way, they made their way to Konoha's graveyard for Jiraiya wanted to pay his respects to his student's recently passed away elder sister.

After some time, "You take your leave Minato I've also got other people to visit." said Jiraiya with a sad face. Like that Jiraiya kept visiting the graves of his fallen comrades and mentor figures like Uzumaki Mito, and Hatake Sakumo, and standing before a grave named Uzumaki Hiroko he muttered "Forgive me Hiroko I should've aided you." under his breath. With that, he made his way toward his former sensei's office.

Soon months passed by Itachi and Hiroto has shown considerable growth. This development in the babies resulted in a friendly banter between Kushina and Mikoto like who does what first. This caused the best friends to help the toddlers to walk on their own Hiroto did it first a few days later Itachi did it too.

Kushina had a glee smile those few days and Mikoto replied "You've won this round. Let's see the next one Tomato" Mikoto riled up her best friend knowing she doesn't like that word. The next round being who speaks first, Mikoto did a victory dance teasing Kushina lagging behind a day.

But Kushina is having none of that and had tears of joy for a few hours after Hiroto calls her Kaa-san(mother). That day she shared it with Minato who shared the same emotion. Like that days went by peacefully at least in the village to a certain degree. The emotions shared by their mothers resulted in Itachi and Hiroto deepening their friendship and becoming best friends almost to the level of a brother.

Meanwhile third great ninja war intensity increased which made active jonin stay less in the village. Mikoto retiring from an active shinobi took care of both Itachi and sometimes Hiroto when both Minato and Kushina had missions.

Even after Obito and Rin became chunin Team 7 became Team Minato and they did missions together whenever possible gaining merits along the way. Kushina soon started teaching the kids calligraphy which is later helpful for them in fūinjutsu, Hiroto took it like being a fish to water attributing it to him being an Uzumaki.

Mikoto started teaching them all twelve basic hand seals

Rat

Ox

Tiger

Hare

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Ram

Monkey

Bird

Dog

Boar

in that Itachi is somewhat more proficient than Hiroto.

Fugaku and Minato also want to help them to train but had to sit it out because they want to train them after helping to unlock their chakra after they reached a minimum of three years old.

Time passed by and soon both kids turned three years old. Both kids are very eager to unlock their chakra and start their ninja training. A few weeks later in an empty field, both kids are sitting far away from each other so as not to affect in case of an unforeseen event when unlocking chakra.

They sat in a lotus position accompanied by their respective parents. After both Itachi and Hiroto cleared their minds. Fugaku is giving instructions on how to unlock chakra and Minato is doing the same. A few moments later Minato sensed a chakra and turned his head to Itachi unlocking his chakra and Fugaku also realizing them helped Itachi guide his chakra.

A few minutes later Itachi slowly opened his eyes and Mikoto rushed forward and inquired about his present state. Itachi answered his mother with enthusiasm after that Itachi looked toward Hiroto and seeing him still in a meditative posture made his way toward his friend followed by the Uchiha couple.

Minato and Kushina looked towards the approaching Uchiha couple and smiled in appreciation toward the future Uchiha prodigy. All of them waited in patience looking towards Hiroto who is in the lotus position. "Mikoto looks like Itachi is going to be a powerful ninja," said Kushina to her best friend in a low voice. "Yeah, his chakra already is of an academy-level student. Now I'm looking forward to how much chakra Hiroto is gonna have. him being an Uzumaki" responded Mikoto with a smile.

A few hours passed and the sky is gradually turning orange seeing this Minato stood up and made his way towards Hiroto to discontinue now and try another day. As he is a few feet away and opened his mouth "Hi.." he stopped in his tracks and noticed chakra fluctuations.

Minato looked towards others and called closer. As they made their way towards Minato they also soon noticed chakra in Hiroto's direction. The Uchiha couple looked shocked as Hiroto's chakra levels are soon raising and stopped short of a normal genin level shinobi and attributed it to being him an Uzumaki.

Seeing this Itachi smiled so that he and his friend can now compete with the aid of chakra. Before anyone could speak to show their appreciation they noticed small wind around Hiroto's body, water flowing around him and lightning flashing on his skin. Seeing this everyone is shocked and Fugaku noticed a hint of recognition in the faces of Minato and Kushina.

Before they could get over this shock a small dark cloud appeared on top of Hiroto which everyone in the field noticed and attributed to Hiroto. This time Fugaku noticed Minato lost the look of recognition that he previously had. But he noticed Kushina taking a step back in recognition and surprise.

Soon the phenomenon disappeared and Fugaku turned towards the younger couple and said "Minato want to .." Minato interrupted him by saying "Fugaku-san let's wait. I will share it together with Hiroto." and turned towards Kushina to which she nodded and agreed to do the same.

A few minutes later Hiroto stood up and made his way toward the others.