Chapter 16 - First Year 07.

[Chapter Size: 1400 Words.]

Third Person POV

Konoha, Year 32.

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Minato returned to the orphanage as he had for a month in his routine every late afternoon, each day bringing new marks from his relentless training. The night had fallen, and the warm light of lamps illuminated the entrance when Madame Gorete greeted him with a watchful look at the boy's arrival.

"You finally came back..." she said, observing the new scratches and bruises that decorated the boy's skin. "Let's go inside..." She said, making room for him to enter.

"Minato, he's back! All bruised as always..." One of the children dining pointed out Minato entering the place. 

"You need to take a bath first, then join the other children, Minato." Madame Gorete instructed Minato. Minato nodded and, without saying a word, went to the room to get some clean clothes and headed to the bath.

After washing away the pains and dirt of the day, Minato joined the other children at the orphanage for dinner. It wasn't long before curiosity and questions began to arise.

"Minato, what's it like being in the elite class this year? You've been there for a month now, and everyone says only the best are in it, and it's full of future clan leaders." A child asked, his eyes shining with the idea of being among the notables of the academy.

"Jealous, how many contacts I could make if I were in it..." another murmured, more interested in the connections they could form.

"I heard that Minato has a group made up of two more girls!" the conversation began to take on a gossip tone.

"Really? Who are they?" a younger child asked, clearly intrigued.

"You don't know, it's Mikoto Uchiha and Tsuna Senju! They're quite famous at the academy," someone replied, and a murmur of admiration swept through the table.

"What? A Senju and a Uchiha? That's amazing, Minato."

"I bet he's just a servant for them, so don't be surprised that Minato can walk with them," a skeptical voice sounded, mocking Minato.

"Tsk. You talk too much..." Minato murmured, his patience running out with the gossip and assumptions about his life. He wasn't interested in proving anything to these children.

"Minato, let's fight any time, I'll show you how a real ninja fights!" one of the older ones challenged.

"Hey, you're in the third year, how do you want to fight against a first-year..." another child intervened, trying to defend Minato.

"Minato's in the elite class, it's fair!" the challenger insisted.

"It's not fair, you're just jealous!" the discussion continued, each child taking a side, defending or challenging Minato.

"I'm not!" "Yes, you are!" The voices mixed in chaos of arguments and accusations.

Minato moved away from the discussion, finishing his meal in silence and going to rest, ignoring all those childish voices. 

On the other side of Konoha, at the Senju clan headquarters, very different conversations were taking place. Tsuna, usually lively and full of energy, was visibly distracted that night, sparking the curiosity of her family around the table.

"Tsuna, what's wrong? You're so focused today..." Tsunade looked at her daughter with concern and curiosity.

"I'm just thinking..." Tsuna responded softly, her thoughts still on Minato's words.

"Hohoho! What is my great-granddaughter thinking about..." Mito, the venerable matriarch of the clan, gently teased, trying to lighten the mood with her typical good humor.

"Tsuna, I heard you left the academy and went to one of the public training fields," Dam, observing his daughter's behavior, tried to understand the reason behind this sudden behavior.

"I went to see a friend training..." Tsuna admitted, somewhat reluctant to share her thoughts and feelings.

"A friend... it usually starts like that... Hohohoho!" Mito joked once more, casting a knowing glance at Tsuna, who quickly became defensive.

"It's not that!" she defended herself. "I saw him train, and he was so determined in his training that it surprised me. Despite his failures, he never gave up, and I asked why he was so insistent. He told me he wants to be strong to live a life without regrets..." Tsuna murmured, her words carrying a mix of admiration and reflection.

"Oh? Who is your friend?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow, intrigued by the effect this friend apparently had on her daughter.

"It's that one from the test day, Minato Namikaze. We've been friends since the first day," Tsuna stated.

"Little Tsuna, you're only 6 years old, you can't think about getting a boyfriend so early!" Mito laughed, teasing Tsuna even more, who immediately blushed and protested against the implication.

"It's not that, grandma, I'm sure Tsuna doesn't have that kind of relationship with any boy, otherwise, that boy wouldn't survive the next day!" Tsunade spoke, the intensity of her words cracking the table and causing a brief silence.

"I'm sure it's nothing like that, Tsunade, you need to calm down..." Dam tried to calm the mood, his serene voice contrasting with the tension that was beginning to form in the atmosphere.

At that moment, Nawaki, proudly wearing his genin clothes, appeared. "I heard everything, if a boy thinks he can date my little umbrella, he can just wait for his death!" he declared.

"It's not like that uncle! I was just surprised by it!" Tsuna shouted, clearly embarrassed by the direction the conversation had taken. She quickly changed the subject to something that really mattered to her. "I thought about what Minato said and I also want to live a life without regrets!" she said, determination shining in her eyes.

"That's very good, Tsuna." Mito acknowledged Tsuna's words with a warm smile and a nod of approval.

"Mom, I want to learn everything about being a powerful medic! Teach me everything." She looked at Tsunade with expectation and hope.

"That's good, daughter. I'll start your more rigorous training from tomorrow after the academy when I'm not in the hospital," Tsunade replied, a glint of pride in her eyes.

The next day, Tsuna arrived at the academy with a new determination. She was ready to absorb all the knowledge and skills she could, not just as a kunoichi but also as a future medic.

"Hey, what's up with you?" Mikoto asked with a raised eyebrow as Tsuna opened a medical book her mother had lent her.

"I'm following my dream, I'm going to learn everything about medicine, Uchiha," Tsuna replied firmly, closing the book and looking directly at Mikoto.

"What's this change...?" Mikoto looked at Tsuna suspiciously, noticing the difference in her attitude.

"Yesterday I went to see Minato train and discovered some things. I want to live my life without regrets too!" Tsuna said with a smile, her voice carrying a mix of determination and inspiration.

"Minato training? Where does he train?" Mikoto asked.

As Tsuna and Mikoto discussed, Minato entered the classroom, completely oblivious to the girls' conversation about him. He settled in his usual place and focused on the day's lessons, dedicating himself to absorbing as much as possible from both theoretical and practical classes.

During practical classes, Minato once again stood out in combats against some of the less experienced fighters. His physical strength and agility were notable, but when facing more experienced ninjas, the lack of technique and experience became apparent. Despite the defeats, Minato accepted each result as a valuable lesson, analyzing where he needed to improve and planning how he could overcome his own limitations.

At the end of the day, as Minato left the academy toward his training site, he noticed a familiar presence following him. Mikoto Uchiha, curious about the training that had so influenced Tsuna, decided to see for herself what Minato was doing.

Minato, initially surprised to have company, soon resumed his usual training without caring about the Uchiha girl. He ran between the trees, his blindfold on, intensely focusing on each movement, on each sensation.

Mikoto watched in silence. She didn't laugh like Tsuna did; instead, there was a look of reflection on her face. After some time observing Minato colliding and getting up repeatedly, she finally approached.

"Why do you do this?" Mikoto asked, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and newfound respect.

Minato stopped, removing the blindfold and facing Mikoto directly. "Because I need to be stronger. Because I have goals that I can only achieve through effort and pain," he replied earnestly.

Mikoto nodded, understanding. At that moment, she recognized Minato's determination not as an act of madness but as a sign of his dedication and willpower.

When they parted that night, something had changed. Mikoto looked at Minato not just as a classmate but as someone who, despite their differences, shared a similar determination to change their fate.

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