In an open training ground.
Kin and Namikaze Minato stood facing each other.
Their gazes collided in mid-air, the tension between them palpable.
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly heated—
Kin couldn't help but glance at the three spectators on the sidelines.
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, and Yamanaka Inoichi.
"Don't you have anything better to do? Why are you watching?"
The two needed a spacious area for their spar, but these three had spotted them and come over to gawk.
"Of course, we're here to watch you get your ass kicked!!"
Nara Shikaku waved his fist. He'd long wanted to see this rival—who'd stolen his goddess's affection—get a taste of humiliation, so he could vent years of pent-up frustration.
"Heh."
Kin sneered. Shikaku was in for disappointment.
Minato had indeed grown stronger, but the gap between them was still vast.
"Shikaku said he'd invite both of you to the hot springs after the match," Akimichi Chōza blurted out honestly, revealing Shikaku's original plan—which had been far from truthful.
"Don't expose me like that!" Nara Shikaku pinched Chōza's cheek, and the two began roughhousing.
Yamanaka Inoichi shrugged. Shikaku had always been a glib talker.
"Then I'll make this quick, Minato."
Kin smiled at Minato.
Minato, however, wasn't as relaxed. He knew the gap between them wasn't so easily bridged.
"I don't think you're guaranteed to win."
Even with the disparity in strength, Minato refused to back down verbally.
If he couldn't even talk tough, how could he ever hope to catch up to Kin?
"Let's begin."
Kin clenched his fist.
The next moment, Minato appeared right in front of him. Kin's fist shot forward, perfectly timed to meet Minato's arrival—as if Minato had willingly walked into the punch.
But as Kin's fist swung, Minato rode the gust of wind it generated, floating upward.
Step-in Slash.
A ninjutsu that used wind currents to propel Minato's body into the air.
From his elevated position, Minato kicked out while simultaneously tossing a kunai upward.
Kin's figure was instantly "kicked apart," dissolving into tangible darkness that tried to coil around Minato. But in the next instant, Minato vanished, reappearing even higher—
Right where the thrown kunai had flown.
Flying Thunder God Technique: Second Stage!
Minato's pupils contracted as a gust of wind brushed his ear. Behind him, mid-air, Kin's figure materialized.
Minato twisted his body, blocking the attack with his arm, but the force sent him crashing into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Whoa, whoa… Are these two monsters? How are they this strong?!"
Nara Shikaku's jaw dropped. The exchange had lasted only a few moves, but the trio couldn't even follow their movements.
And their speed was downright inhuman.
"They're both Jōnin," Yamanaka Inoichi explained.
"Oh. That explains it."
Nara Shikaku sighed. These two were already Jōnin, while their squad was still at Chūnin rank. It wasn't that they didn't want to advance—they just lacked the strength.
The two fighters before them were the real deal.
Kin landed lightly as the dust settled.
Minato stood there, unharmed.
But his expression was dissatisfied as he glared at Kin.
"Kin, use your full strength. Are you looking down on me?"
Minato's words shocked Shikaku even further.
"Holy crap, and that wasn't even his full power?!"
"He's a department head. Of course he's strong."
Yamanaka Inoichi's tone was matter-of-fact. How many weaklings could hold such a position?
Nara Shikaku sighed deeply. Comparing himself to these two was downright depressing. The difference was like heaven and earth.
On the field.
Kin scratched his cheek.
"But Minato."
"You're not giving me the pressure to go all out."
Though Minato had improved rapidly, the gap between them was still too wide. Going all out would end the match too quickly.
Minato pressed his lips together. He knew Kin had always been towering above him, but he refused to accept forever trailing behind.
And it wasn't as if he had no chance of winning.
"Then I'll go all out."
He shook out his sleeves, and wind began coiling around his body. A visible layer of blue chakra enveloped him.
"Chakra Internal Energy: Wind God Mode!"
The name had been Kushina's idea. He still didn't understand why she'd vetoed "R&D Origin: Gale Fury Slash - First Style."
It sounded way cooler.
Seeing Minato like this, Kin grinned and crooked a finger at him.
"Come at me."
The next instant—
Minato was in front of Kin. Wind God Mode significantly boosted his speed. His kunai slashed toward Kin, but Kin leaned back slightly, dodging with ease.
Suddenly, Kin frowned and leaped back, landing in a crouch. He touched his face—a thin cut had appeared.
With a thought, Six Treasuries Immortal Thief activated, healing the wound instantly.
"I didn't even make contact, but I still got cut."
Kin studied Minato's new form with interest.
Minato flashed forward again, delivering a kick. But darkness surged from behind Kin, spreading rapidly.
Realizing the danger, Minato twisted mid-air, flipping backward to retreat.
"He's… flying?!!"
Nara Shikaku and the others shot to their feet, staring in disbelief as Minato hovered in the air.
"This was developed specifically to counter you, Kin."
Minato glanced at the encroaching darkness. His new form granted him aerial superiority.
"Impressive."
Kin clapped slowly, as if Minato weren't even a real opponent.
This application of Chakra Internal Energy wasn't bound to any specific jutsu.
"Still, at this level, you've earned the right to see a bit more of my power."
Kin tapped his chin, observing Minato clad in his blue chakra shroud.
Minato's speed and cutting power were formidable even among Jōnin.
But the difference between them—
Was two whole tiers.
"Dark Release!"
Darkness coalesced into a spear in Kin's hand, aimed squarely at Minato in the sky.
"Annihilation Spear!"
Whoosh!
The dark spear shot toward Minato. He tried to dodge, but the spear exploded prematurely—
Instantly, the sky was swallowed by darkness.
Minato reappeared on the ground, only to feel a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Kin's finger pressed against his forehead.
"You lose."
Kin grinned.
Minato's Wind God Mode dissipated as he sighed.
He hadn't even glimpsed Kin's true strength before losing.
"So strong…"
Nara Shikaku inhaled sharply.
(End of Chapter)