[Chapter Size: 1300 Words.]
Third Person POV
Training Camp, Konoha, Year 32.
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In the last months of the year, Minato's routine solidified into a continuous cycle of what he had been doing all year. Each morning, he would rise before the sun to train his body before heading to the academy. He continued to attend the academy, where his skills visibly improved, and his classmates and teachers began to recognize the boy's growing competence in areas where he had been weak. He quickly began to outperform everyone in circuits with physical tests, and his body rapidly adapted to any challenge. His kunai accuracy shot up from 40% to 70% after he began training with the real kunais that Mikoto gifted him. In the tests with the rings, Minato dominated the class, almost never losing a duel since he activated his observation haki. It wasn't a surprise how everyone was stunned by how the boy could simply predict all the opponents' attacks, even in blind spots, making even the Hyuga brothers of the class, Hiashi Hyuga and Hizashi Hyuga, ask if Minato had his own byakugam. Even the arrogant Uchihas couldn't escape their defeats against the civilian's incredible prediction ability, making him the number one student when neither Tsuna nor Mikoto could defeat him. Minato had changed from the odd civilian to the rookie of the year, surpassing all the future leaders of the clans.
But Minato didn't limit his dominance to just the academy. The training field in the forest became a second home for him. He spent hours there, tirelessly working on his chakra control, perfecting the Shadow Clone Jutsu, and advancing in the mastery of Observation Haki even when it got dark, he was still training. With each passing day, he became more agile, stronger, and more attuned to the world around him.
In these training sessions, Tsuna became a frequent visitor. She participated in his training sessions, even risking doing the strange training of running blindfolded in the forest, but that didn't end very well for her in the first weeks and she ended up giving up that training, limiting herself to just fighting Minato in their sparrings that they did all the time.
Minato and Tsuna seemed to have developed something more over time, even though neither admitted it, there was something growing between the two, as they spent every day together in recent months. Mikoto was a girl who wanted to be with them, but her clan prohibited any training done outside of the clan, so her visits were very limited.
With the freedom of Minato and Tsuna together, they laughed, shared stories and challenges, and occasionally competed in friendly training fights. Tsuna, in turn, was developing her own abilities, perfecting the hereditary techniques of the Senju clan, and exploring new areas of ninja knowledge, such as medical ninjutsu, inspired by her mother, Tsunade, in the following months.
That day, the training field in the forest was a scene of effort, determination, and friendly rivalry. While tensions between neighboring nations grew and rumors of imminent conflicts spread through Konoha, Minato and Tsuna continued to focus on their development, preparing for whatever the future brought.
Minato and Tsuna had spent the last hours in intensive training, practicing their techniques, improving their reflexes, and testing each other. It was a routine that had become familiar but never monotonous, each session bringing new challenges and learning opportunities.
"I give up!" Tsuna's voice, mixed with exhaustion and a hint of frustration, echoed through the open space. She fell to the ground, breathing heavily, looking at Minato with an expression that had more to say.
"Already, Tsuna? You gave up quicker than yesterday..." Minato commented, a playful smile on his lips, but his eyes showed genuine concern for his friend.
"You have a damn weird ability that can predict all attacks, that's not fair!" Tsuna murmured, referring to Minato's Observation Haki, an ability he had developed and perfected over the months.
"You shouldn't say that, you have an incredible lineage in your veins, you're the second-best student in the class," Minato replied.
"I'm not the first, even though I'm satisfied to show that Uchiha that I'm the best, I'm not the first in the class, Minato! My great-grandfather was the First Hokage! I should be more than this!" Tsuna exclaimed, standing up abruptly.
Minato looked at Tsuna, his blue eyes reflecting a deep understanding. He knew how difficult it was for her to deal with the expectations and pressure of being the great-granddaughter of the First Hokage. "Tsuna, you're amazing just the way you are. You don't need to be first in everything to prove your worth. Your great-grandfather would be proud to see the kunoichi you're becoming."
"I'm sorry for that, I shouldn't be talking to you like this, it's just that two members of the Senju clan died on a mission yesterday..." She murmured with a bit of sadness.
"Died?" Minato repeated with a concerned look, already imagining what might have happened.
"Yes, the Senju clan is disappearing, Minato. There are only a few of us left, even assuming my mother's name, I'm still worried. I should be stronger..." Tsuna murmured, her voice laden with a mix of sadness and determination.
"Being strong is good, Tsuna, but don't let it consume you..." Minato spoke, placing a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort and continued his speech.
"If it's to protect those you love, it's important, but don't let it spoil your relationships. Get strong, but always keep people around who can celebrate your strengthening together." Minato's words were sincere, inspired by what Naruto might say to someone at this moment. "I think you're right... thank you, Minato..." She murmured, a slight blush of gratitude and shyness coloring her cheeks.
"You should... Hm?!" The intimate conversation was abruptly interrupted by sudden danger. Kunais flew towards them from the surrounding forest. Minato, reacting instinctively, drew a kunai and defended himself and Tsuna from the projectiles.
*Metallic Sound* *Metallic Sound*
The metallic sound of impacts echoed through the air, a sharp reminder of the dangerous world they lived in.
"Oh? You're good," an unknown voice commented from the forest, and an older boy, apparently about 12 years old, emerged from the shadows of the trees. His presence was imposing, and there was a glint of challenge in his eyes.
"Nawaki!? What are you doing here?!" Tsuna expressed her surprise and slight discomfort at seeing her uncle suddenly appear after attacking Minato.
"What? I just came to see if my niece is alright! There have been many deaths in our clan, and you're here until this time. How can I not be worried?" Nawaki responded.
Tsuna knew that Nawaki had good intentions but felt a bit suffocated by the constant protection. "I think I have to go..." she turned to Minato with an apologetic look, indicating that their training together would have to be interrupted.
"It's okay, it's already dark," Minato replied with understanding but kept a watchful eye on Nawaki.
"Don't forget to come to class tomorrow. It will be our last day," Tsuna reminded Minato, who nodded in agreement.
"Is he your boyfriend? I heard he's the number 1 rookie of your class," Nawaki asked as he walked away with Tsuna from the site.
"He's not my boyfriend!" Tsuna responded promptly, a bit flushed by Nawaki's assumption.
Meanwhile, Minato walked away, leaving Tsuna and Nawaki behind. He reflected on the last day of the year approaching. It was a day when not only parents would be watching their children but also future teachers, masters, and maybe even members of the high ranks of Konoha like the Hokage himself. Everyone would be assessing the abilities and potential of the first-year students.
Minato was prepared to break all the academy's records the next day, as was naturally expected of him.
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