A few months passed and Shitsuya made great progress.
Although he still had high vigilance against his grandfather, Shitsuya still had to admit that he learned a great deal from him.
The old man not only knew a large amount of both fire and earth Jutsu he also trained him more thoroughly on genjutsu and Taijutsu.
Today Shitsuya was sparring with Minato, after helping Minato, Shitsuya took every opportunity to get closer to him.
Standing opposite of each other, both made the reconciliation seal.
A moment later both rushed at each other, first engaging in Taijutsu.
Shitsuya dodged Minato's attacks with ease and minimal movement before counter attacking with a swift kick to the stomach that sent Minato back.
Minato, sensing his disadvantaged situation quickly threw a smoke bomb that enveloped the entire area in smoke.
Shitsuya held his position, standing vigilantly as the smoke cleared Shitsuya was stunned by the sight in front of him.
10 clones surrounded him from each direction.
It had to be known that Minato was only a mere first year academy student.
Additionally, due to being from a civilian background he had no special guidance or nurturing from his clan or relatives.
Yet even so, through only talent he managed to master the clone Jutsu to the extent of making almost 10 perfect clones.
Of course these weren't the multi shadow clones but only clones with no actual combat power.
Looking around, even without his Sharingan, Shitsuya easily determined the position of the actual Minato and rushed at him.
Ignoring the ten clones surrounding him, Shitsuya rushed towards an unassuming wall.
A hail of Kunai flew at him and Shitsuya easily avoided them not even being slowed down as he reached the wall.
Drawing a Kunai, he pointed it at the wall, before he could throw it, Minato emerged after a small puff of smoke with his hands up in a surrendering gesture.
"Looks like you win again." Minato said with a smile.
"You'll catch up in no time." Shitsuya said.
Minato only shook his head.
******
One year later.
Shitsuya and Minato engaged in hand to hand combat.
Minato was on the offensive while Shitsuya did his best to defend.
Shitsuya's best however wasn't good enough, Minato was simply too quick as Shitsuya was only able to block some blows while the rest broke through and landed on his body.
Grabbing the still Sheathed short sword on his waist, Shitsuya swung it at Minato and forced him to dodge.
Taking the opportunity to make some distance, Shitsuya jumped back while quickly weaving hand signs.
'Earth release: Thousand spikes Jutsu.'
Several earthen spikes shot out from the group below Minato forcing him to jump high into the sky.
While mid air, Shitsuya threw a large fire ball at him.
Unable to dodge, Minato quickly weaved a few hand signs and spat out a large ball of water.
'Water release: Water bullet.
The two Jutsu collided and produced a large amount of steam that covered the area.
Landing on the ground, Minato held a Kunai in front of him defensively as he looked around.
A moment later, two Shitsuya's appeared from the smoke, flanking Minato.
Unable to discern which one was real, Minato attacked both.
Minato's attacks passed through air as both disappeared, at that moment, Shitsuya's arms rose from the ground and grabbed Minato's legs dragging him underground.
A moment later, Minato's legs disappeared from Shitsuya's grip and Shitsuya felt danger.
*Boom*
An ear rumbling explosion erupted through dirt and dispersing the smoke.
Climbing out of the group, Shitsuya panted and looked up at Minato who looked down on him, not even breathing heavily.
"I lost again." Shitsuya said.
"That was a good fight." Minato said and extended a hand to Shitsuya.
Looking up at the monster before him Shitsuya took his hand and got on his feet.
Patting his clothes, Shitsuya wondered, "Is this the talent necessary to become the fourth Hokage. After just a year of training he can already throttle me. Using the Sharingan wouldn't even make a difference."
"I'm a bit hungry, let's go eat something." Minato smiled and suggested.
Shitsuya nodded and they walked away.
Far away, Mitsuki sat on a tree branch with his Sharingan active as he watched the two children.
'He's pretty good for his age, but he's starting to stagnate. Time to see if he will crack or harden when put under real pressure.' Mitsuki thought.
A strong wind blew by and Mitsuki's figure vanished. He had a few letters to send and a person to meet.
*****
Today, Shitsuya attended a school assembly.
The second ninja war was still ongoing and these school assembllies were held often.
It was usually either the will of fire propaganda speeches or announcement of the students approved for an early graduation test.
Neither of those things concerned him so Shitsuya turned his brain off habitually.
That was until the instructor at the podium called out his name.
His classmates were shocked, Shitsuya was only average so they didn't think he would have the guts to try and graduate early.
Shitsuya could hear his classmates chatter and laughs but he didn't care as he was even more bewildered.
He hadn't applied for early graduation so what was going on?
Raising his hand, "Shitsuya shouted. Instructor I didn't apply for early graduation."
Displeased at being rudely interrupted, the glasses wearing instructor pushed up his glasses before saying. "Lord Hokage personally approved of your test, if you feel dissatisfied you can head to the main office after the conclusion of the assembly."
Shitsuya glared at the uncaring instructor before rushing towards the main office without waiting for the assembly to conclude.
What were they gonna do? Judge him as being too disobedient to be a ninja. Good, that's what he wanted.
Complaining to the main office had no results so Shitsuya rushed home.
Why would the Hokage take notice of him? Shitsuya was sure that his grandfather was behind this.
[A/N: Time to start writing some ninja war crimes.]