Hiruzen wore a faint smile at the corner of his lips as he watched a white-haired youngster trail behind a blond youth.
"These two little brats— their hair colors are certainly obvious…"
"I wonder what they're up to?"
The Hokage let out a light breath. The electric currents rippling over his body gradually calmed, and his figure silently moved toward them.
Minato had a white towel headband wrapped around his head, his breathing steady as he ran laps around Konohagakure.
This was one of the training routines he had to complete every day.
Minato had a very clear plan for his own future development.
His comprehension of the five elemental ninjutsu was fairly adequate, but what could truly be called his talent lay in taijutsu.
Speed, strength, dynamic vision, and neural reaction speed—within his generation, all of these were unquestionably top-tier.
A few days earlier, because he had accepted a task from Hiruzen to fill gaps in the patrol forces, he had even tested himself against Uchiha En.
Minato discovered that a two-tomoe Sharingan was already unable to fully anchor his speed.
This proved that his chosen path was the correct one…
'Most shinobi, even if they possess this or that technique, have fragile bodies.'
'As long as you find an opening, a single slash through the neck or the heart can end the battle.'
'Plus the Fūinjutsu Kushina taught me—against troublesome enemies, I can even seal their chakra…'
Even while on his morning run, Minato wore a smiling expression.
Yet in his heart, these were the thoughts occupying his mind.
He truly had a personality like a small sun—but only toward his own people.
Toward enemies, Minato also had a sentimental side, though it was generally reserved for corpses.
'Gotta keep pushing… life really is beautiful. Without strength, nothing can be protected…'
Minato slightly increased his speed.
His relationship with Kushina had progressed rapidly with the village's tacit approval.
That passionate Uzumaki girl not only taught Minato Fūinjutsu, but even shared with him the stipend the village provided her.
Kushina's reasoning was that boys at the age of growth needed to eat well—and eat plenty…
Naturally, Minato was grateful to Kushina.
And the source of that stipend—along with his now somewhat distinctive status within the village—only made this blond youth grow ever more fond of Konohagakure, and ever more admiring and reverent toward the Hokage himself.
Just as Minato accelerated—
Kakashi, following behind him, felt his heart tighten.
'Even faster?'
Keeping up in the first place had already been difficult. If Minato sped up again, once stamina was consumed, there would be no guarantee of successfully carrying out the "attack"…
This all stemmed from a wager he had made with his father.
If Kakashi wanted to graduate early, then if he could successfully "ambush" Minato, Sakumo would file an application for him.
'Hmph! Where do you think you're running…' The white-haired kid steeled himself and rapidly closed in on Minato from the shadows.
In a sudden burst of speed, with the advantage of preparation against an unprepared target, he threw everything into it and reached for that blond head.
Just pluck a single hair—just one…
Although the current child Kakashi, always being called a genius, was somewhat self-satisfied, this was still the matter of "ambushing" a fellow villager…
If he overdid it, even if he apologized sincerely afterward, it would still be hard to justify.
That thought flashed through Kakashi's mind.
But the Namikaze Minato in front of him suddenly tilted his head aside, dodging his hand.
"You're Sakumo-san's son, right?"
"You've been following me for days. I thought you were keeping me company during morning training…"
"So you were after my hair? Sorry—Kushina probably won't agree…"
Kakashi's vision blurred for an instant. The Namikaze Minato who had just been in front of him had, at some unknown moment, already appeared behind him, teasing him as he spoke.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Kakashi's irritation flared—who asked you who would agree to what?!
The ambush had failed, but when the other party was feeling smug, that was the perfect chance to counterattack!
Besides, his father had said it was enough as long as he made contact once.
Kakashi immediately took countermeasures. Chakra coiled around both feet. He stomped hard, then kicked at Minato with force—like a scorpion whipping its tail!
Minato was slightly surprised. This kid had some skill…
But he still took it easily, and once again ended up standing behind Kakashi.
'This really isn't at the level of an Academy student anymore. His taijutsu is stronger than that of some chūnin…' From above, Hiruzen—his chakra concealed—evaluated silently.
This also showed that it was necessary to implement targeted advancement within Academy education.
There was no need to let these good seedlings rush out of the Academy. Laying a solid foundation while looking ahead—that was the best way to maximize returns.
They needed to develop team-coordination awareness. Tailoring a few specialized missions would do…
'Yo, Sakumo's here too!' Hiruzen smiled soundlessly.
He spotted the big white-haired man approaching Kakashi and Minato from another high point, his figure ghostlike.
Was he worried about his son?
And down on the street, Kakashi grew more and more anxious. How could this guy always "instantaneously" appear behind him?
Even when sparring with his father, he had never been this cornered!
'Could it be that this guy is even stronger than Father?'
Kakashi still tried to struggle, but Minato patted him on the shoulder. Black curse markings silently spread across his body, completely sealing his movements.
"You're really full of energy, Kakashi…"
Minato smiled like a small sun, reached out, and ruffled his hair. "It's fine. You just can't move for now—that's all. There are no side effects."
"Sakumo-san sent you to find me, didn't he? He did say he had an outstanding son…"
"You really are impressive—a true genius!" Minato praised Kakashi generously, sparing no compliments.
But to the immobilized Kakashi, it didn't sound pleasant at all…
It even felt a bit like mockery…
"I'll have to trouble you to rest here for a while. I still have a hundred laps to run. I'll undo it later." Minato vigorously rubbed Kakashi's head.
Kakashi's vision went dark.
As expected—this guy talked nicely, but was actually taking revenge on him!
Definitely!
"Kakashi, did you see that?"
"At this age, Minato has already mastered such profound Fūinjutsu, and tempered his body to this extent…"
"And yet he still stayed in the Academy for several years."
Sakumo appeared soundlessly behind Minato, rubbing his head as well, and said with a smile, "You still need to build your foundations properly. Don't rush to graduate…"
At that moment, Minato's pupils widened slightly.
He had thought that using a curse seal on Kakashi already counted as being rather unsporting…
But how did this turn into one of those situations where "you beat the kid, and the elder shows up"?!
As expected of the Konoha White Fang who pioneered the ultimate taijutsu known as the "Thousand Years of Death"—one really couldn't be fooled by that cold, stern exterior…
Kakashi looked at Sakumo with a gaze close to worship.
Father…
Why do you look so cool today?!
Not far away, the Might father and son who had run over stared at the scene in astonishment, then both burst into tears once again.
"Did you see that, Guy!"
"Everyone's working so hard in real combat! We need to add another three hundred laps—"
And at that very moment—
Sakumo and Minato seemed to sense something simultaneously, and both lifted their heads.
The others followed their gaze.
Hiruzen was dressed in black, arms crossed, a smile playing at the corner of his lips—
Looking down at them.
"H-Hokage-sama!" Might Duy cried out exaggeratedly.
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