[Chapter Size: 1300 Words.]
Third Person POV
Hokage Tower, Konoha, Year 32.
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As the sun began to set, painting the sky with vibrant colors, Minato headed to his favorite training spot. He was determined to make the most of the last moments of the day to improve himself, especially after the day's events. The victories and defeats he had endured had given him a new sense of purpose and determination. He knew he needed to grow much more to reach his ideal.
While Minato focused on his training, practicing his senses to develop his haki, and working on his taijutsu with his technique based on agility and strength, something important was happening in the Hokage's office. The village leader, a man of great wisdom and power, was receiving a detailed report on the students of class A, the elite class of the academy this year.
"This is this year's batch... interesting..." He murmured, spreading papers with various profiles across his desk.
Among the various names, some he knew very well either by the name of their clan or by knowing their parents, the main children had potential that could bring changes to the village and to the ninja world as a whole. Hiruzen reflected on each of them, thinking about how he could guide and support their growth.
Tsuna Senju, with her renowned lineage and impressive physical strength from the first and second Hokage, already showed signs that she could have as much talent as her mother, a powerful kunoichi. Her connection to the legendary First Hokage and the heritage of her clan brought great expectations, but also immense responsibility.
Mikoto Uchiha, with her speed and the promise of an early Sharingan, carried the legacy of one of the village's most powerful clans, but was also someone the Hokage should keep an eye on if she showed too much potential.
And then there was Minato Namikaze, the clanless boy who impressed everyone with his large amount of chakra, multiple elemental affinities, and notable physical aptitude. The Hokage was particularly intrigued by him. Minato didn't have the backing of a powerful clan, but his abilities and potentials indicated that he could one day become an exceptional ninja, perhaps an elite jonin or something more.
Hiruzen was still skeptical about Minato's potential, but he could not deny the potential that this child represented.
The Hokage read carefully the notes about Minato. "Large amount of chakra, three elemental affinities, naturally high physical aptitude..." he murmured to himself. "It seems Namikaze was a small clan that disappeared with the first war, they specialized in space-time techniques... interesting..."
He read about a few more children and was pleased with what he saw. "Interesting," the Hokage commented, putting the report aside. He knew that the village's future had promising sprouts, seeing that peace is cracking every moment and soon war will break out, so it's better to have capable ninjas for the future.
As the Hokage lost himself in his thoughts about the future of the young ninjas of the village, a familiar and laid-back voice emerged from one of the open windows of the office. The Hokage sighed, a mix of resignation and affection in his gaze.
"I see you're thinking again... maybe about a hot spring?" Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin and one of the Hokage's most notorious students, appeared with his mischievous smile and playful gaze.
"You like to show up every day, Jiraiya," the Hokage commented, a slight smile forming on his lips despite his attempt to maintain a serious demeanor.
"I just came to say hello..." Jiraiya approached with interest, his eyes quickly turning to the Hokage's desk, where the report of the new students was.
"This is the report of the new students..." The Hokage confirmed, noting Jiraiya's sudden interest.
"Interesting, I'm interested in one too, here it is!" Jiraiya pointed to the name of Minato Namikaze on the report.
"The Namikaze? Perhaps because he's a civilian like you?" The Hokage raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his student's choice.
"Maybe, but there's no denying the boy has potential. I want him when he graduates," Jiraiya spoke with a firm and determined tone, a rarity for the normally jovial Sannin.
"You? Why are you so interested in the boy, by the way, I don't know if I can do that, Danzō is recruiting for his new division, the Root, and he needs new talents," Hiruzen commented, starting to smoke his pipe, the concern evident in his voice.
"Sorry, sensei. But I want him, no matter who I have to fight with... I'll become this child's teacher," Jiraiya declared, his usually playful tone now replaced by an unusual seriousness.
"Well... if you're so insistent, I can grant that to you, but I want to know about your latest research," the Hokage spoke, a smile forming on his lips at the mention of Jiraiya's notorious interest in "research."
Jiraiya beamed at this, clearly pleased with his master's concession. "Oh, sensei, you're going to love hearing about this," he responded, already preparing to recount his adventures and "discoveries."
While Jiraiya spoke animatedly with the Hokage, young Minato was engaged in his training in the dense forest that surrounded the Leaf Village before the sun completely set. He was determined to make some progress in Observation Haki.
Minato ran through the forest, his eyes blindfolded as always to increase his reliance on other senses. "I just need to concentrate," he murmured to himself, trying to tune in and trust his instincts about the world around him. But the task was not easy. Several times he stumbled over exposed roots or collided with low tree trunks.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed, hitting a tree with his face. He fell to the ground, holding his sore nose. For a moment, he considered giving up for today. However, the image of the future he aspired to began to appear to him, "I need to keep going!" He murmured. He got up, shook the dirt off his clothes, and prepared to continue.
Taking a deep breath, Minato started running again, trying to open himself to the sensations around him. He felt the wind whispering among the leaves, heard the chirping of the birds at the end of the day calming down with the approach of night, and even the slight crackling of a branch breaking under his foot. Then, something changed. For a brief moment, it seemed like the world around him slowed down. He felt something... a presence, an imminent danger coming from his right.
Instinctively, he turned to the left, a sudden and clumsy move, but effective. He felt the rough bark of the tree brush lightly against his shoulder instead of colliding head-on as before. He stopped, panting, trying to understand what had just happened.
For a brief moment, Minato felt a clarity, a perception beyond his normal senses. "Could it have been Observation Haki?" he wondered, his heart racing with excitement at managing to feel the ability for the first time.
He knew he still had a long way to go, but this small success was a sign that he was on the right track.
"This is amazing! I need more of this sensation!" Minato spoke excitedly.
He continued his progress again, trying to dodge the trees and obstacles in front of him, but still couldn't get the same feeling again, causing him to hit his face against various trees.
"I think I just got lucky... I don't think that's going to happen again anytime soon..." Minato murmured, giving up on today's training since the sky was already dark, and he had to return before Madame Gorete sent some chunin after a missing child.
Even though he hadn't made any more progress, Minato was satisfied with the sensation he had at that moment, as it was proof that he was indeed developing the ability that would be better than any sensor at that time.
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