SWOOSH
The heat made one's throat itch. The air trembled with the residual energy. Minato's blond hair swung in the winds made by the clash of jutsu.
His eyes widened as he remembered the sheer scale of the fire release. He had heard about the Uchiha's fireball jutsu.
In fact, he had been fortunate enough to even see some Uchiha performing it.Yet no one... and Minato really meant it when he thought that no one came close to the fireball that Kyojiro had.
His eyes softened, 'My friend... you really have immense talent in jutsu, don't you.' Gripping his kunai a little harder, he couldn't help but focus on his opponent.
A gruff man with a scar running down his face stood opposite the field, the dust cloud only bringing his silhouette to Minato's eyes.
He looked at the state of the opposing Chunin and couldn't help but realize that all were done with their battles.
A small smile emerged on his face, 'If my team is doing so well... it is my duty as their teacher to finish this as quick as I can.'
He immediately started knitting hand signs, wind chakra firing from his mouth.
WHOOSH
The C-rank wind jutsu cleared all the dust in a matter of seconds. Minato steeled his nerves, his hands moved—many of his kunai rushed toward the opposing Jonin.
SWOOSH
He immediately teleported close to him, engaging in close-range combat. Yet something felt wrong. His stomach dropped the longer the fight continued.Minato was faster—more adaptable.And definitely wasn't in any danger.
Every explosion, every punch, kick, and even blade thrown at Minato felt awfully useless.
Minato couldn't help but pause for a moment, wondering what went wrong.*'Wait...' * His eyes widened. He backed away for a moment, wondering whether the Jonin would chase him.
'No... he is staying in place. I know what he is doing.' A grim realization crossed his features. 'He is biding time... my best bet—it's just a clone.'
Minato's jaw tightened, and he immediately upped his pace.
He threw multiple more kunai, teleporting between places. Sweat passed down his temples.
He dodged and teleported every time that man punched the ground or his kunai, a huge explosion rocketing off the strike.
Minato's jaw tightened, 'I have never had this difficulty in close range—that too against a clone if my guess is right.'He gripped his kunai harder as he slid across the ground, striking and retreating before the explosion could go off.
The opposing clone was burning through his chakra like nothing. Minato could sense the beads of sweat running down his temples.
Another minute of heavy exchange, and finally, Minato found a chance to stick his kunai in his throat...
PUCHI
The moment the blade entered the soft skin, the clone trembled and crumbled into dirt.
Minato stood there for a second, deep breaths exiting and entering his body. His jaw tightened, *'Never have I ever had such a problem...' * He clenched his fist harder, 'I need something new for close-range combat. That is my strength—the next time I face someone like this... I have to improve.'
The final catalyst for his growth entered his mind.
Minato realized, despite his frustration at why it took him so long to kill the opponent...
His jutsu—the Flying Raijin—made sure he couldn't be touched. Yet the Explosion Release provided the same benefits.
Minato couldn't help but self-reflect, 'That idea that I had... that ball, I think I should work on it.'Before he could think any further, Rin, Obito, and Kakashi came running out of hiding.
"Sensei!!!!!" Obito shouted. The boy didn't even pause, immediately hugging the Jonin. "You defeated him, Sensei," he spoke, grinning.
Dark lines appeared on Kakashi's forehead as he heard what Obito said. "That was a clone, Obito... the real Jonin ran away," his voice monotone but mocking.
Obito couldn't help but distance himself, scratching his head in embarrassment. "Of course I know that... I was just raising Sensei's morale."
"You didn't even contribute to the fight," Kakashi muttered from the side.
Before Obito and Kakashi could enter a scuffle, Rin interjected. "Guys, don't fight... you did great, Kakashi," she spoke, a red blush appearing on her cheeks.Turning toward Obito, she spoke kindly, "And you protected me, Obito, and Sensei protected all of us."
Minato just smiled. He turned around, trying to find Kyojiro, only to see the Uchiha looking at him, leaned against a tree with his Sharingan open.
Kyojiro just smiled as Minato noticed him, 'Sharingan's photographic memory... these are the moments that I wish to remember—these three, bickering... happy.'Kyojiro remembered their fates. One killed by her own teammate. One turned villain. And one almost depressed and suicidal.
Kyojiro spoke, "If your bickering is done, we should hurry to the village—this is important intel after all."
All four of them paused before nodding hesitantly.
.
.
.
All five of them entered the Konoha gates without a fuss. Minato, being a Jonin, had high enough clearance to not wait in line.
As they walked toward the Hokage Tower, Obito couldn't help but ask despite his shyness, "Brother senior... I saw the massive fireball you launched. Can you teach me the same?"
Kyojiro raised his eyebrows, *'I—who sucked at jutsu until a week ago... am now being noticed for it, huh...' * His lips tugged upwards. "Well, I live in the north outskirts of the Uchiha clan. Come find me when you have time."
Obito nodded like an excited Pokémon, his face instantly lighting. He muttered, "Just you wait, Kakashi, my fireball will be so much bigger than any of your jutsu..."
Kyojiro, despite hearing, just kept walking.
Honestly, he was slowly liking the trio more than he admitted.
Minato, meanwhile, turned toward Kyojiro. "Friend, for such intel... we will not be going to the office." He pointed at the top of the Hokage Tower, a place only visited by the lucky and gifted.
"This time... you will be coming with me to meet the Hokage himself."