After exchanging jokes, Minato eagerly proposed a sparring match, and Hirito agreed without hesitation. Both of them headed to the training ground, forming the Seal of Opposition before beginning.
The match started with a burst of movement, both participants turning into afterimages. The sound of "clang, bang, bang" echoed as their weapons clashed in midair.
Minato and Hirito began with basic taijutsu, their agility and speed far surpassing the perception of an ordinary Chūnin. Their fluid movements and rapid strikes created a whirlwind of activity, with sparks flying every time their weapons collided.
Shurikens soon entered the fray.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Both had trained under Watanabe Shinichi, and they instinctively mirrored each other's technique. One shuriken turned into two, then four, then eight, until dozens of shurikens filled the sky, blocking all avenues of escape.
"Ding, ding, ding..."
The sound of shuriken deflecting each other was relentless. Sparks rained down as most of the projectiles collided, but some slipped through, forcing Hirito and Minato to dodge or block with precision.
"Boom!"
Their arms clashed midair, sending a shockwave through the training ground.
"Minato, your taijutsu has improved a lot!" Hirito remarked, evading a kick with a graceful bridge maneuver.
Minato twisted midair and unleashed a whip-like kick. "Jiraiya-sensei taught me a lot," he replied with a grin.
Hirito countered with a well-timed Shadow Leaf Dance, kicking upwards with precision. Minato blocked with his arms crossed, using the force to flip backward.
As Minato flipped, he quickly formed a series of hand seals midair.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"
Small flames scattered in all directions like blooming flowers. Before they could dissipate, Minato landed, his hand seals changing instantly.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The gust amplified the flames, creating an inferno that roared toward Hirito with intense heat.
Hirito didn't panic. Unlike most Hyuga, who would use Revolving Heaven in such situations, he relied on his unparalleled speed. Using Shunpo, he dodged the flames with ease, appearing at Minato's left side in the blink of an eye.
"Got you."
Hirito drew his ninja sword, infusing it with Wind Style Chakra. He slashed diagonally, unleashing two sharp, invisible wind blades in an "X" formation.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sword!"
The wind blades traveled silently, leaving only faint distortions in the air. Despite not having a dojutsu, Minato's finely tuned chakra perception alerted him to the incoming attack.
"Wind Wall Technique!"
The wind blades collided with the defensive barrier, producing a sharp, grating noise as the wall was shredded. Minato took the opportunity to use the Body Flicker Technique to reposition.
"I knew you'd close the distance," Minato muttered as Hirito appeared before him once again, relentless in his assault.
Minato shifted his focus to defensive counterattacks, seamlessly combining taijutsu, the Transformation Technique, Shadow Clones, and three elemental jutsu—Wind, Fire, and Lightning Style—to keep Hirito on his toes.
Hirito, however, remained a step ahead. His movements were simple yet devastating, each sword slash enhanced by Wind Style Chakra. Combined with his Shunpo, it felt as if Minato were facing an unstoppable storm.
"Minato, can you still keep up?" Hirito teased, his calm tone contrasting with his relentless attacks.
Minato grinned. "Jiraiya-sensei taught me a few tricks."
Using a Body Replacement Technique, Minato narrowly avoided a downward slash that cut a wooden log in two. Despite his improved ninjutsu prowess and tactical approach, he couldn't seem to gain the upper hand. Hirito's physical strength, chakra reserves, and refined movements, honed by the Zhoutian Breathing Method, were too overwhelming.
The intense battle caught the attention of Hirito's teammates, who watched in awe.
"Is that the classmate Hirito always talks about?" Inuzuka Claw asked, the red triangle marks on her face twitching with excitement.
"Blonde hair, blue eyes—that's definitely Namikaze Minato," said Yamanaka Shinsuke, his usual squinting eyes opening slightly. "Even though he's not from a ninja clan, his talent is extraordinary. Graduating early alongside Hirito proves his genius."
"He's got solid taijutsu," Hyuga Hizashi remarked. "He's not just fast; his reactions and combat experience are impressive. Against an ordinary Chūnin, he'd dominate."
"Oh? He's using ninjutsu now," Claw observed. "Wind Style, Fire Style... even combination techniques. How does a civilian ninja know so much?"
"He's Jiraiya's apprentice," Aburame Ryoma interjected quietly, his voice devoid of emotion.
The revelation made everyone nod in understanding. Jiraiya, though not yet known as one of the Sannin, was already famous as a disciple of the Third Hokage.
"Huh!" Shinsuke mused, "That makes Namikaze Minato Hokage-sama's grand-disciple. No wonder he's so skilled. Honestly, I'm a little jealous..."
"And he can use Lightning Style too," Claw added. "Even if it's basic, that's still three elements!"
Shinsuke sighed dramatically. "To think he's less than ten years old. Hirito too... These juniors are too monstrous. It's making us seniors look bad."
"Still, Hirito's swordsmanship is on another level," Claw noted. "It's hard to say who'll win."
To Be Continued...
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