Fuma stood silently, watching this amusing scene unfold, reflecting inwardly:
"That little rascal back then… has he already grown up?"
Now, after three years of rapid growth, Minato had transformed from an adorable young boy into a handsome young man.
With his striking golden hair, sharp features, and lean yet strong physique, combined with his strength and the legacy of being Fuma's first disciple, he was easily one of the most eligible men in the shinobi world.
His only flaw, perhaps, was that he already had a partner.
Even so, Minato was highly popular among the young women of the Uchiha clan, who relentlessly admired him, much to Kushina's slight jealousy.
Fuma observed Minato's confident demeanor, feeling—though only in his twenties—a slight sense of age creeping in.
With a light smile, Minato dodged Obito's punches and kicks, shaking his head while offering a sharp critique:
"If this is all you've got, you won't be able to protect those you love, Obito..."
Obito froze, glancing over at Konan, who was watching, and wiped his mouth, a fierce determination flaring up within him.
"Today… Konan looks amazing…"
Today, Konan wore a fitted combat suit that revealed her cute navel and matched it with sleek black thigh-high leg guards that accentuated her shapely calves.
Konan looked at Obito and gave him an encouraging thumbs-up, shouting, "Do your best, Obito!"
Encouraged by Konan, Obito's fighting spirit soared, and he attacked Minato with a fierceness that surpassed even the average Chunin's intensity.
A glimmer of surprise flashed in Minato's eyes as he observed Obito's determination, and he thought to himself:
"Just as I thought, this kid's potential is greater than I imagined..."
Yet Minato didn't go easy on him, dismantling Obito's offensive moves effortlessly, finishing with a swift kick that sent him flying. Then, he looked at Obito with a playful smile.
Breathing heavily, Obito looked at Minato's handsome face, feeling as if it was full of taunting expressions.
Gritting his teeth, he spoke determinedly, "Next, I'm going to use a really powerful jutsu. Don't take me lightly!"
Minato nodded, standing still, as if giving Obito time to prepare.
Obito scoffed, forming seals meticulously as he gathered chakra, then shouted:
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique!"
Obito's chakra transformed into four roaring fire dragons, smashing into the ground and encircling Minato from above, below, left, and right, completely blocking his escape.
The fire dragons exploded, filling the air with a fiery spectacle and thick smoke.
Fuma's eyes lit up, as Obito's performance exceeded his expectations.
Though this Fire Style was only a B-rank jutsu, in the original timeline, Uchiha Madara himself had used it against the Five Kage, making it a strong and challenging technique.
What Fuma didn't know was that, in this timeline, Obito wasn't a solitary figure but walked a path similar to Minato's.
Fuma had provided Konan with numerous jutsu scrolls, and after Konan learned them, she taught many of them to Obito. As a result, Obito now had more knowledge than most children of shinobi clans.
Guided by Konan, Obito developed a formidable ability to learn and a hunger for knowledge, obsessively studying the details of various jutsus—all for the sake of spending more time with Konan.
Obito watched the blaze on the training field with pride, finally showing a trace of the characteristic Uchiha pride.
But his expression soon fell as he anxiously searched for Minato's figure.
"Hey… Are you alright?"
Obito scanned the area but didn't see Minato, his face growing increasingly panicked.
"Of course, I'm fine, but that was an impressive jutsu, Obito…"
Minato appeared behind Obito, ruffling his spiky hair and speaking softly.
Obito turned back in surprise, only to find a kunai against his throat, immobilizing him.
"Time to honor our bet, Obito—you and Konan need to take me seriously as your teacher…"
Fuma looked at the familiar scene with an odd expression; if he wasn't mistaken, this was the shinobi world's first instance of cosplay…
"This guy, using the Flying Thunder God technique on a kid like Obito… what a shameless move."
However, Fuma seemed to have forgotten that he, too, had teased young Minato this way—and had done so with even greater zeal…
Obito glanced sideways at Minato, muttering, "Alright, sensei!"
In Obito's mind, this helpful, handsome, and powerful brother was far better than the uninspiring instructors at the academy.
Accepting him as a teacher wasn't too hard to swallow…
Minato nodded brightly, just about to say something when he felt a familiar, large hand on his head again.
"Minato, you've really grown up…"
Fuma appeared behind Minato and Obito, placing his broad hand on their heads and ruffling their hair affectionately.
With his head held down by Fuma, Minato glanced at Obito with an awkward smile. At that moment, the "I'm an expert" vibe he had created was utterly shattered.
"You're back, Fuma?"
Minato stiffly turned his head, this scene dredging up childhood memories. Every time Fuma's big hand landed, it meant brutal training or a sparring session…
"Yes, I'm back. Seems you've been doing well lately?"
Fuma chuckled as he watched Minato, intercepting a kunai Minato threw at him in a playful sneak attack.
Minato returned the smile, holding up a Rasengan and lunging toward Fuma.
A reunion between teacher and disciple naturally called for a spar.
"Super Uzumaki Heavenly Light, Style Seventeen!"
The over-the-top jutsu name echoed in the training ground as Minato scattered Flying Thunder God kunai all around, transforming into a streak of golden light circling Fuma.
A flash of crimson appeared in Fuma's eyes as he matched Minato's movements, meeting his attacks.
With Minato's close-range teleportation, limited by his dynamic vision and reflexes, Fuma could use his raw speed to achieve a similar effect to the Flying Thunder God technique.
Instead of attacking, Fuma dodged Minato's strikes, focusing on helping him refine his techniques.
At this point, Minato still relied mainly on the Rasengan to strike at his opponent's weak spots, which couldn't penetrate Fuma's defenses.
Obito stood frozen, unable to keep up with their speed. Without activating his Sharingan, he couldn't even see their afterimages—only hearing the clash of metal and the sonic booms from their rapid movements.
"So this is the true power of Minato-sensei and Fuma-sama…"
Obito's eyes shone with admiration, etching this scene deeply into his mind. As an Uchiha, the pursuit of power was in his blood, though his love life ranked first.
"Boom!"
Fuma increased his strength slightly, and as they clashed, Minato transformed into a puddle of water before reforming.
"Secret Technique: Water Transformation!"
Fuma and Minato exchanged glances before simultaneously withdrawing, laughing joyfully.
Konan also ran over to Fuma, politely greeting him, "Welcome back, Fuma-sama!"
Fuma patted Konan's head. He had a soft spot for this resilient girl, who had endured much hardship.
In the Uchiha family records, Konan was listed under Uchiha Kagami's older brother's line, making her Fuma's cousin.
"It seems you all have been doing well lately?"
Minato nodded, his tone slightly excited, "Orochimaru-sensei's research skills are incredible. After capturing just six of the Hozuki clan's shinobi from the Mist Village, he cracked the secret of the Water Transformation technique!"
Minato transformed into water and then reformed.
Fuma nodded knowingly, realizing that Minato's "Glint Fruit" ability had at least started to ripen…
Konan came over and nudged Fuma, her voice bright, "Minato-sensei often trains us. Both Obito and I have gained valuable guidance!"
Fuma smiled, replying gently, "So, Konan, what new jutsu have you learned recently?"
Konan nodded vigorously, then pointed at Minato, "Like Minato-sensei, I've also created a similar jutsu!"
Konan then transformed into a flurry of white paper, soaring into the sky with two wings unfurled behind her.
Minato watched in astonishment. Although he had expected Obito's talent, he hadn't realized that Konan's proficiency in ninjutsu would be equally remarkable.
Such a jutsu was of the secret technique class—astonishing for a girl her age to develop it through her own power.
It was true; anyone Fuma took an interest in was bound to be extraordinary.
But in his heart, Minato knew he was still the strongest…
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