A day and a half later, the group of ninja arrived on time at the Matsukata Family estate.
Naraku and Kakashi hadn't fallen behind at all; in fact, they still had plenty of energy. This caused their teammates, who had never worked with them before and were initially worried about them keeping up, to let go of their prejudices and feel admiration.
To be able to travel continuously at high speed with Jonin for a day and a half with almost no rest at just nine years old—this level of stamina and perseverance fully justified the title of genius.
After a brief rest, Minato and another Jonin, Kazama Resshou, went to meet the employer, while the other ninja settled into the accommodations arranged by the Matsukata Family.
Before long, Minato returned and gently asked Kakashi and Naraku to come with him, as there was a mission matter to arrange.
Naraku watched as Minato led him and Kakashi deeper into the vast estate, and he couldn't help but voice his confusion.
"Minato-senpai, what kind of mission is it, exactly?"
Minato stopped, turned, and smiled with a hint of helplessness. "The Fourth Young Master of the Matsukata Family, Matsukata Seigou, wants to meet you two. He said he wants to see the two rising stars of Konoha."
Naraku understood.
Most likely, when Minato reported the personnel, Matsukata Seigou had some reservations about their age, so he wanted to meet them and might even arrange for someone to test their mettle.
It might even be the wish of the family head, Matsukata Seikō, with his fourth son merely playing the villain.
As for "rising stars" and the like, a great noble's words were always watertight, careful not to leave any pretext for others to call him harsh or petty.
Well, when under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head. Since it was a reasonable request from the client, a test was fine.
Naraku glanced to his left, met Kakashi's eyes, and nodded slightly.
"We will perform well, Minato-senpai."
"Hmm, I trust in your abilities. You will surely satisfy the Fourth Young Master."
After two more turns, Minato led Naraku and Kakashi to a spacious courtyard.
A young man sat haphazardly on the covered bridge; judging by his attire, he was undoubtedly a noble.
Further back, inside the room, a middle-aged man sat upright on the tatami, his attire even more luxurious, his demeanor imposing. He was likely Matsukata Seigou.
Minato bowed slightly. "Please allow me to introduce these two: Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Naraku."
Naraku and Kakashi followed suit, bowing as well.
Then Minato turned sideways, his arm slightly raised, palm and fingers flat. "Kakashi, Naraku, this is Lord Matsukata."
Following the direction of his arm, Minato was pointing at the elderly man inside the room. Then he gestured towards the young man on the covered bridge.
"And this is his Fourth Young Master, Matsukata Seigou."
These two did not bow, but merely nodded slightly, indicating they understood.
Matsukata Seigou was the first to speak. "Minato-san, I have always trusted your abilities and judgment, but these two young ninja are truly too young. With all due respect, can they even wield a ninja sword?"
He pointed his paper fan at the ninja swords on Naraku and Kakashi's backs, his tone light and casual, completely disregarding the two of them.
But as a fellow actor, Naraku could immediately see through him; he was one of his own kind.
His arrogant and wild demeanor was mostly a facade.
Minato maintained his polite and appropriate smile. "You don't need to worry. The master of these two is Sakumo Hatake, and according to Sakumo-senpai, he believes there's nothing left for him to teach."
"Oh, 'Konoha's White Fang' said that?"
Matsukata Seigou finally looked properly at the two young ninja beside Minato, tapping his fan against his palm as if a sudden good idea had struck him.
"Then why don't we have them spar with Ishikawa? How about that?"
"Nonsense," Matsukata Seikō suddenly interrupted. "Since Jonin Minato said it's acceptable, your continued badgering is truly too rude."
"What's the harm? Anyway, Father, you want to see it too, don't you?"
Unexpectedly, Matsukata Seigou narrowed his eyes and exposed his father, shattering his hypocritical mask.
"Hmph, what nonsense are you spouting, you brat."
Matsukata Seikō's face reddened slightly; feigning anger, he stood up and stomped away.
"You're really not going to watch, Father?... Fine, anyway, if you want to know the result, there are plenty of ways."
Matsukata Seigou waved his hand indifferently and looked towards Naraku.
"I hear the Uchiha are one of the top Ninja Clans in the Land of Fire. If I ask you to spar with Ishikawa, would you feel displeased?"
Naraku calmly replied, "Since it is your request, as a ninja, I should naturally fulfill it."
"Good." Matsukata Seigou said to the maid behind him, "Call Ishikawa."
"Yes."
Before long, a capable-looking man in his thirties, dressed as a ninja, walked in.
"Fourth Young Master, you summoned me?"
"Yes, the Konoha ninja have arrived. Go and test them."
Ishikawa was a little puzzled. The reputation of Konoha ninja was well-known, so why would they need to be tested?
When he saw two boys standing in the courtyard, not even as tall as his chest, yet with Konoha headbands tied on their foreheads, he understood.
So he grumbled, "You really are willful. Strictly speaking, this kind of thing is called a 'display of dominance'; it's too rude, isn't it?"
"That's why I have to do it; the old man can't bring himself to do it."
Matsukata Seigou mercilessly continued to expose his own father, then looked at Naraku and spread his hands. "Besides, he just said he doesn't mind."
Ishikawa: Could he really say he minds directly?
Naraku: Sigh, money is really hard to earn.