On the training ground.
Aomi and Minato stood facing each other.
On the sidelines, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya were watching the two, the atmosphere subtly tense.
A battle for succession?
That's far from being the case.
The current frontrunners are still the three from Hiruzen's group; the position of Hokage isn't decided by a duel,
but one can't deny, this scene does have a certain sense of familiarity...
Two brothers who seem to have their sights on the Hokage position, regardless of their thoughts, even if they repeatedly claim it's just a friendly spar, it doesn't quite remain so...
"Tsunade, just wait and see, Minato's strength is sure to surprise you!" Jiraiya prematurely celebrated, seemingly having already witnessed the golden flash, with Minato swiftly defeating Aomi.
"Jiraiya, maybe you should save your words until a bit later..."
Tsunade crossed her arms confidently, "Aomi is a ninja who's always exceptionally trustworthy!"
Orochimaru watched the bickering Tsunade and Jiraiya with amusement, squinting slightly, focusing on Minato's form.
Orochimaru was very intrigued by Namikaze Minato.
How talented could Minato be to make Jiraiya, seemingly irrational, believe that his student might have the potential to compete for Hokage in the near future?
Orochimaru even felt that if Jiraiya personally competed for Hokage, he wouldn't be this confident...
"Uchiha kid, do your best, try to make me watch you a bit longer..."
Orochimaru quietly cheered for Aomi, not believing Asuma's boasts earlier.
An Uchiha knowing the Second Hokage's Water Release, Senju's Monster Strength, and the Uzumaki clan's Fuinjutsu?
That's a stretch, knowing just a bit and thinking it can be used in battle?
At the time, it made Jiraiya laugh!
But, after all, Asuma is a cute but powerless Genin, having poor judgment is understandable.
However, others were still paying attention to this competition.
Uchiha Madara, after settling on sincerity as the ultimate tactic, felt at ease for his plan to capture Aomi.
Every day focused on well-being, trying to meet Aomi in the most dignified way possible, occasionally turning on Zetsu's brand television to see how Aomi was doing lately...
Even if Aomi couldn't be seen at the Senju Ancestral Mansion, Uchiha Madara remained patient.
He just had to wait.
According to Black Zetsu's report, Uchiha Obito, the predetermined lackey and backup for Aomi, had been completely manipulated by him, ready to quickly go dark.
Now, everything is prepared, only a fierce Ninja World war is missing...
"Lord Madara, wake up quickly, Young Master Aomi didn't go to the Senju Ancestral Mansion today!"
In a daze, Uchiha Madara heard White Zetsu shouting to him: "Young Master Aomi is about to duel; I heard his opponent, the blonde, can use an instant teleportation jutsu, a tricky foe indeed!"
Uchiha Madara instantly woke up...
His brother and that accursed Flying Thunder God Jutsu remain a lifelong unhealed wound in his heart.
Can Aomi overcome this hurdle?
#
Hokage Office.
"Lady Mito, why have you come? Please rest well!"
While observing the battle with a crystal ball, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly stood up upon seeing Uzumaki Mito, offering the main seat and went forward to greet her.
"Monkey, I've come to discuss Aomi; the child is somewhat special." Uzumaki Mito gazed out the window, speaking softly: "All Anbu, withdraw for now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately formed hand seals, issuing the command: "Everyone withdraw!"
Uzumaki Mito settled into the main seat, about to speak, but spotted the crystal ball in the center of the table, reflecting Aomi and Namikaze Minato's figures, she picked it up with interest:
"What are these two children doing?"
"Lady Mito, it seems Aomi and Minato want to have a match..." Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed awkwardly.
He could tell this competition was an extension and stand-in for the conflicts among his disciples.
As far as any conflicts were, as Hokage and their teacher, he was most aware but had no solution.
His apprentices and grand-students were so capable, yet there's only one Hokage position, so the only option is careful consideration...
"Haha, so that's how it is..."
Uzumaki Mito glanced at the stern-faced members of Hiruzen's group, instantly understanding, laughing: "Very well, healthy competition, Konoha's future will be better."
"Monkey, sit down and watch with me!"
Uzumaki Mito appeared thoroughly amused, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled wryly.
This old lady, does she really enjoy watching the excitement...
#
"Kid, do you know the countermeasures against the Flying Thunder God Jutsu?"
Aomi blinked innocently: "I don't know; please teach me, Lord Tobirama."
Being criticized by Jiraiya for the flaws in the Flying Thunder God, the unknown original creator Senju Tobirama laughed enjoyably at this moment:
"It's alright if you don't know, I'll teach you!"
Senju Tobirama raised three fingers and spoke solemnly:
"Firstly, mastering the basics of Flying Thunder God Jutsu involves precise Kunai Throwing Jutsu; Flying Thunder God's transfer relies on coordinates. When the opponent's Kunai throwing skills match ours, knowing the information drastically diminishes the threat."
"Secondly, every usage of Flying Thunder God Jutsu's instant teleportation leaves an unavoidable delay for the Flying Thunder God user. If the enemy's reflexes surpass the caster's, it's akin to delivering oneself for an attack."
"Thirdly, due to the characteristics of Flying Thunder God Jutsu, the caster usually employs close-combat ambush tactics. If the enemy can enhance physical body defenses, it will lead to a passive situation."
Aomi nodded thoughtfully.
It was a peculiar sensation, like attending an exam where the examiner went through the answers on the blackboard in advance, making it an open-book within an open-book situation...
Aomi seemed to spot a blind spot: "I heard your deadliest enemy, Uchiha Izuna, was severely injured by your Flying Thunder God Jutsu, yet he fits the countermeasures for the Flying Thunder God, doesn't he?"
"The dynamic vision of the Sharingan, Uchiha clan's sword techniques, and throwing skills..."
Senju Tobirama's eyebrows twitched hearing that name: "I developed the Flying Thunder God Jutsu for him; thus, he never had the chance to counter me a second time, eternally my defeated foe!"
"In any case, kid, I've shared everything with you; later, give it your all to teach that blonde boy a lesson!"
Senju Tobirama grumbled in displeasure: "Daring to claim my jutsu has flaws? I must see what improvements he has made!"
Meanwhile.
Namikaze Minato, holding a trident Kunai, smiled like a small sun and softly said: "Aomi Junior, are you ready?"
"Be cautious, my speed is really fast..."
Aomi returned the smile to Namikaze Minato: "Bring it on, Senior Brother Minato!"
In the blink of an eye!
Namikaze Minato's figure appeared beside Aomi...
He wasn't using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, but his Instant Body speed was swift enough that Orochimaru's pupils constricted.
He seemed unable to see clearly...
At that moment, Jiraiya smiled widely, and Tsunade smiled as well.
Minato's speed continued to increase, yet unfortunately there wasn't a chance to showcase Flying Thunder God Jutsu...
Close-combat with Aomi? That kid can withstand seventy percent of my power...
Namikaze Minato was like a ray of golden light; the Kunai in his hand decisively and cleanly struck toward Aomi's neck, his eyes gleaming, certain that with this strike, he'd triumph!
And at that moment, Aomi slightly tilted his head, and his gaze collided with Namikaze Minato's, a crimson glow flashed in his eyes!
Namikaze Minato was momentarily frozen, and Aomi's fist decisively slammed into his abdomen, sending him flying!
"Senior Brother Minato, you seem to have forgotten one thing: do not make eye contact with an Uchiha wielding three Tomoe Sharingan."
Aomi looked at the clutching abdomen Namikaze Minato, softly said: "Although I am a Genin, I do have a grasp of what Asuma mentioned earlier..."
"If possible, please show me your full strength, Senior Brother Minato; no need to hold back."
Aomi warmly smiled, a smile as comforting as the sun.
And at this moment, Namikaze Minato's face had lost its smile...