The crowd in the conference room dispersed.
At the Third Training Ground, Minato's battle was drawing to a close.
He couldn't reveal his ability to manipulate elements or his Sharingan. Creating a Rasengan at the age of five was too astonishing to demonstrate. And without any relevant ninjutsu for his Wood Release, he had already shown nearly all he could.
"Hmm... Without unleashing a laser, I don't have any better attack options. I'll end this battle with this move."
Minato extended his right hand, and light converged in his palm. In an instant, a magnificent Light Sword appeared in his grasp!
"What technique is this...?" Nawaki's expression turned blank, his mind reeling.
To be honest, when Minato first defeated him, a small seed of resentment had sprouted in his heart.
After witnessing Minato's battle with Jiraiya and realizing the man was truly stronger than him, he felt a pang of jealousy toward Minato's innate talent.
But when Minato demonstrated Light Release, his mind settled once more. After all, Bloodline Limits couldn't be forced. The gap between them was simply too vast.
When Minato activated Wood Release and revealed his dual Bloodline Limits, Jiraiya couldn't muster even a shred of jealousy. Simply put, he was stunned speechless.
Seeing the Light Sword in Minato's hand, Jiraiya's interest was piqued. "Oh? So it can actually manifest into a weapon? I wonder how strong it is."
"This technique... should probably be used against Senior Orochimaru."
Minato swung his longsword, its tip pointing directly at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Oh? Does this mean that in Minato-kun's eyes, my strength is more reliable than Jiraiya's?"
"What?! Minato, do you really think that?" Jiraiya's eyes widened with shock and disbelief.
After all the training I've done with you, nearly getting my ass kicked by you, you think Orochimaru is more reliable than me?
"Both... both of you are reliable, ha ha..." Minato forced an awkward laugh, unsure how to respond.
He simply thought Orochimaru's life-saving methods were more effective than Jiraiya's...
Throughout the entire Hokage series, there might be debate over who is the strongest, but when it comes to survival skills, Orochimaru is undoubtedly unrivaled!
"A Light Sword, huh?"
Tsunade stroked her chin, examining the Light Sword in Minato's hand with keen interest. "Speaking of swordsmanship, that's definitely Orochimaru's specialty."
"Tsunade, even you...?"
"Get lost! Stop talking!"
"Fine."
Jiraiya immediately fell silent.
Under their expectant gazes, Minato, wielding the Light Sword, blurred into motion, appearing before Orochimaru in an instant. His blade slashed toward Orochimaru's waist!
Here it comes!
Orochimaru instantly retreated two steps, drawing his kunai to counterattack. But just as he moved, Minato froze mid-swing, the sword tip now aimed at his abdomen.
"This... No!"
Noticing Minato's unnatural pause, Orochimaru violently twisted his waist.
The moment he shifted away from the sword's original trajectory, the Light Sword's tip blazed with light, extending a long, glowing blade that left a scorch mark on the side of Orochimaru's Chūnin uniform.
"Figures..."
Jiraiya shook his head with a wry smile, clapping his hands. "Despicable! Absolutely despicable!"
"You bastard! How dare you talk about a child like that?" Tsunade punched Jiraiya on the head, sending him staggering back.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru secretly breathed a sigh of relief that Minato had stopped his attack. Looking at the ten-meter-long Light Sword in Minato's hand, he was speechless, unsure whether to be angry or amused.
"Minato-kun's combat intelligence is quite impressive."
Low EQ: Despicable!
High EQ: Impressive combat intelligence.
"Haha..."
Hearing this, Minato chuckled sheepishly.
"Hmph, in the end, isn't it just because you lack experience?" Tsunade pulled Minato close, ruffling his soft blonde hair. "If it's a Light Sword, isn't it logical that it can extend?"
"You're right. I was too bound by common sense." Orochimaru chuckled, showing no resentment. "Minato-kun, could you demonstrate the strength of your Light Sword?"
Minato nodded, pulling out a kunai and striking it against the Light Sword.
The moment the two collided, the kunai's blade instantly turned crimson from the intense heat, melting within seconds due to the Light Sword's scorching temperature.
"Sparaxi..." A glint of excitement flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Phew..."
With the kunai melted, Minato dispelled the Light Sword and let out a sigh of relief. Maintaining the Light Sword drained his physical energy rapidly, far more than a laser would. With his small frame, he couldn't sustain it for long.
"Alright, that's enough for today."
Tsunade watched Minato with a pleased smile. "Good job! I'm very satisfied! To celebrate, we're going for barbecue tonight—my treat!"
"Whoa!!"
Nawaki perked up immediately at the mention of barbecue.
Minato's eyes also lit up. It had been a while since he'd had barbecue, and the thought made his mouth water.
"By the way, weren't you supposed to be the one paying for this?" Jiraiya muttered, rubbing the lump on his head.
He and Orochimaru had originally come here specifically for the barbecue.
"I said I'd treat you to barbecue, but I never specified when," Tsunade retorted.
Tsunade snorted, flicking her hand dismissively as if swatting a fly. "Wouldn't it be the same if I invited you in six months?"
"Then we'd have to charge interest, wouldn't we?"
"Huh? You got a problem with that?"
"N-no, not at all... Hahaha, oh my, this barbecue is going to be so much fun~"
Jiraiya chuckled along, and the group continued chatting and laughing as they made their way to the barbecue restaurant.
Minato and Nawaki sat to Tsunade's left and right, while Jiraiya and Orochimaru took seats opposite them.
Soon, several platters of meat were brought out. The raw meat sizzled on the hot grills, its savory aroma filling the air and making their mouths water.
"I'm digging in!"
The first piece of meat was cooked, and Nawaki and Jiraiya eagerly reached for it with their chopsticks.
After dipping it in the seasoning, they blew lightly on it before shoving it into their mouths. The scalding meat made them hiss and sputter, their comical expressions eliciting a soft chuckle from Tsunade.
Minato watched the scene quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Suddenly, a piece of grilled meat was placed on his plate. He turned to see Tsunade beside him, her smile gentle. "What's on your mind?"
Minato shook his head. "It's nothing. I just feel like it's been a long time since I've been surrounded by such lively company."
"I see..."
A soft, pale hand gently rested on Minato's head. Tsunade's gaze softened. "It will always be like this from now on."
Minato nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
The smile was as warm and sunny as ever, but Tsunade's keen senses detected a subtle difference.
More genuine, and even more tender...
"Oh my..."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a grin.
Orochimaru's lips held a faint smile, his usual coldness softened by a hint of gentleness.
Ever since their first meeting with Minato, Orochimaru had seen a reflection of his younger self.
Handsome, exceptional, and with an inner depth as elusive as a mirage.
But now, he realized that while they shared similarities, they were not identical.
Minato possessed not only greater talent, but also certain qualities that set him apart from Orochimaru.
This only deepened Orochimaru's curiosity about Minato's future, filling him with anticipation...
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