The Battle Begins

"Alright then, I'll be waiting for you at training ground four. Looking forward to our showdown, Aizen. See you later!" Senju Nawaki smirked, then turned and walked away with his younger brother. 

The Sarutobi group raised their eyebrows upon hearing Aizen would fight their leader. Before leaving, they didn't forget to flash Aizen a provocative grin. 

This expression was like encountering a mischievous monkey on Mount Emei who steals your things and then gives you a cheeky grin before scampering off. It just makes you want to punch them! 

"This guy definitely deserves a beating. No wonder you beat him up, Aizen. Now even I want to smack him around a little," Uchiha Fugaku said with disdain, glaring at the departing Sarutobi group. 

After a pause, Uchiha Fugaku turned to Aizen with a concerned look. "Aizen, are you sure about facing Senju Nawaki? He may have lost to Minato once half a year ago, but the Senju clan is known for their physique and chakra reserves. They progress very quickly. No one can guarantee how strong he is now!" 

In their class, Namikaze Minato was undeniably the top student. Senju Nawaki held the number two spot. 

Uchiha Fugaku himself could only manage third place.

While he knew from Minato that Aizen was strong, he hadn't witnessed it firsthand, so some uncertainty remained. 

"Don't worry, Minato, Fugaku. I won't lose to him," Aizen said with a confident smile. 

With the memories of Shinigami Aizen Sōsuke and his talent exceeding even Namikaze Minato's, defeating a same-aged Senju Nawaki was a necessary step before facing future adversaries like Uchiha Madara and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. 

Seeing Aizen's confidence, Namikaze Minato felt trust in his new friend. Uchiha Fugaku, however, remained slightly apprehensive. Only Minato, having fought Aizen before, truly understood the monster he was!

Meanwhile, Senju Nawaki and Sarutobi Funari arrived at training ground four. 

"That's the spirit, boss! Teach that Aizen a lesson." the Sarutobi group cheered excitedly. 

Senju Nawaki responded with a deadpan punch to the face.

"Bam! 

Sarutobi Funari crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from his nose.

"Ow! Boss, why'd you hit me? Funari whined. 

"Humph! You have the nerve to ask for help after bullying classmates and getting beat up! I'll be talking to your Uncle Sarutobi about this. If I hear about you bullying again, you won't need Aizen to deal with you. I'll turn your head into a pig's myself!" Senju Nawaki snorted coldly.

As the grandson of the First Hokage, Senju Nawaki had been poisoned by his grandfather's will of fire since childhood and aspired to become Hokage.

Sarutobi Funari blanched at Senju Nawaki's words. His vision swam, and he slumped unconscious. 

Nawaki sighed, shaking his head helplessly. He asked a nearby classmate to help carry Sarutobi Zhidan to the infirmary. Alone, he waited for Aizen's arrival.

News of the upcoming duel between Aizen and Senju Nawaki had spread like wildfire. The commotion attracted curious students to peek over the edges of Training Ground Four. 

"Did you hear? Senju Nawaki from the second year is fighting someone from their grade!"

"No way, the Senju prodigy? I remember him defeating a senior in one move! Who in their year could possibly stand up to him? Maybe the famous Namikaze Minato?"

"Nope, apparently some random kid beat up his little brother. Senju Nawaki's giving him a chance to redeem himself!"

"Ouch, that kid's unlucky."

"Whatever, I haven't seen that genius fight in a while. Might as well watch the excitement, even if the outcome's predictable."

"Haha, yeah! Hopefully, the unlucky kid can put up a fight, just to see more of Senju Nawaki's moves."

"Agreed, that's what most people are hoping for."

Nearly everyone watching was eager to see a top talent like Senju Nawaki in action. The possibility of him losing?

Sorry, besides Namikaze Minato, no one even considered it. Maybe Uchiha Fugaku... kind of.

"Here they come!" A sudden stir in the crowd announced Aizen and his group's arrival.

"That's Aizen! So handsome and cool!" squealed a group of girls, causing a bit of an awkward scene.

Of course, this sparked some jealousy among the boys watching.

This minor disruption did little to faze the main players. Senju Nawaki stood stoic in the center of the training ground, eyes fixed on the approaching Aizen.

Minato and Fugaku joined the spectators on the sidelines, watching Aizen walk towards Nawaki.

"You showed up. I commend your courage," Nawaki finally spoke, eyeing Aizen across the distance.

"The compliment's appreciated," Aizen chuckled.

"Enough talk, let's begin!" Nawaki, perhaps irritated by Aizen's nonchalance, formed a hand seal for combat.

"Agreed," Aizen responded, mirroring the hand seal.

The much-anticipated duel was about to commence!