"Are we learning the Body Replacement Technique today too?"
Uchiha Kaien asked in a cheerful tone.
"Yeah! Please teach me, Kaien!"
Namikaze Minato was in high spirits as well.
After all, he'd just gotten the hang of the Clone Jutsu and could already produce two clones. With that kind of momentum, he figured he might be able to pick up the Body Replacement Technique by the end of the day too...
"Hah! Who would've thought I'd find two little brats training out here in the middle of nowhere? If I nab you both, this trip to Konoha won't have been a waste!"
Just as Kaien was about to explain the technique to Minato, an unwelcome voice cut through the quiet clearing.
The newcomer was tall, dressed in rough, tattered robes. A hideous scar stretched across his face, and a Kumogakure forehead protector sat crookedly on his brow. His eyes gleamed with a mix of greed and malice as he leered at the two kids.
"Minato," Kaien said grimly, "run. Head for the crowded areas and get help."
That forehead protector left no doubt about where this man came from. Kumogakure ambushing Konoha for hostages wasn't exactly unheard of—but the timing felt too perfect.
Whether it was a real enemy or just a test orchestrated by Konoha, getting help was the top priority.
"Trying to call for help? You brats won't escape from me—Asai of the Cloud! I'm a chūnin, not one of those weakling Konoha genin!"
He sneered and stepped forward slowly, cutting off their escape routes one by one.
"No more running now, huh? Hahaha!"
Each step he took felt like the ticking of a death countdown.
Sweat dampened the backs of Kaien and Minato's shirts.
"Kaien, let me do it. I've got speed on my side. While I keep him busy, you'll have time to escape. The Konoha Police will be here in no time!"
Minato's voice trembled slightly, but there was no hesitation. He knew that even if he got caught, he couldn't let Kaien be taken.
He wasn't an idiot—he understood the value difference between a civilian like him and someone from the Uchiha clan.
"No. He's blocked off our escape. There's only one way out—we take him down."
Kaien's body was shaking. It had only been a couple of days since he arrived in this world, and already he was facing his first real battle.
And his opponent might be from Kumogakure.
His mind raced, sorting through every technique he had.
Clone Jutsu, Body Replacement Technique, Great Fireball Jutsu… basic Uchiha taijutsu… That was it. No other cards to play. He couldn't reveal his Double Tomoe Sharingan unless it was truly life or death.
A five-year-old with Double Tomoe Sharingan would draw way too much attention.
If this really was a test from Konoha and he exposed the Sharingan now, he could kiss his lazy days goodbye.
Even though the Uchiha were powerful right now and Konoha wouldn't interfere directly, the clan would absolutely double down on cultivating a child prodigy like him.
And in an era where the Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't yet a legend?
They'd treat him like a surefire Mangekyō seed.
If they trained him to death, he might not even make it to adulthood.
He thought back to the +4 affection points from Hiruzen and Jiraiya earlier that morning, Minato's future status as Jiraiya's disciple, and Konoha's current strength.
Yeah. This had "test" written all over it.
Maybe this was Jiraiya testing Minato—and he just got caught in the crossfire.
Well then… time to show his Will of Fire!
If he fought to protect his comrade—if he showed he was willing to risk his life for a friend—he'd definitely earn more affection points from Jiraiya.
And when that happened, the system would automatically reveal the enemy's identity!
Still, even with all that in mind… Kaien couldn't stop shaking.
His adrenaline surged, his body tensed, and his hands began forming signs—fast, but trembling.
He pressed his palms together—thumb to pinky, the rest of the fingers aligned. The classic seal.
Snake — Ram — Monkey — Boar — Horse — Tiger!
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
As Minato charged ahead to draw attention, Kaien moved with all the speed he could muster, finishing the signs and unleashing his jutsu straight at the Kumogakure chūnin.
"Minato, move!"
Minato darted to the side instantly.
Kaien had been edging closer ever since he said they'd fight together—Minato had noticed that. Trusting Kaien's judgment, he stepped in front to draw the enemy's eyes, then immediately leapt away at the signal.
A blazing fireball tore through the air, heat distorting the space around it, aimed squarely at the Cloud ninja.
Boom!
The explosion kicked up a thick cloud of smoke and dust.
But before either of them could celebrate, the enemy's smug voice echoed from within the smoke.
"Great Fireball, huh? Not bad—but it won't work on me!"
As the dust cleared, the ground ahead was littered with cracked earth and broken stones.
Clearly, he'd blocked it with a defensive Earth Style jutsu. Not a scratch on him.
But Kaien had already gotten what he wanted.
[Affection from Jiraiya +1]
Whether it was his willingness to fight alongside Minato or the strength of his Fire Style, something about it resonated with Jiraiya.
And the system responded immediately, revealing the truth.
Jiraiya.
Knew it. He was testing Minato.
Kaien really had been used as part of a test setup…
...
Now that he knew this wasn't a real enemy, the tension in Kaien's body eased.
Next, he just needed to give Minato a chance to shine.
He was still a kid, after all. If a single Great Fireball drained all his chakra, that was totally believable, right?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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