The next day, at the Academy training grounds, Minato felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach. He'd easily mastered the first level of the technique, called the "Foundation Establishment Stage," in a single night. And promptly lost the ability to use all three basic jutsu. Any chakra that extended beyond his skin was forcibly drawn back into his body by the seal, rendering ninjutsu useless.
The accumulating chakra did enhance his senses and improve his taijutsu, but without ninjutsu… he wasn't sure if he was stronger or weaker. He lacked his usual confidence for today's sparring session.
He glanced towards Jin, who was lounging under a tree, the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. His breathing was slow and even, the picture of serenity.
Don't be serene! Jin-senpai, redeem yourself! Instructor Inoue's face is turning black! Get up! Minato pleaded internally.
"I hate problematic students." Inoue Satoru's face was indeed darkening by the second. The pencil in his hand snapped between his fingers. He pulled out a new one from his pouch. He always kept extra stationery on hand for problematic students. He couldn't take his frustration out on them, could he? That would be unprofessional.
He looked at the names on his roster and the blank spaces for evaluations. He really wanted to just put a big cross next to Jin's name, but his sense of duty as a teacher stopped him. He glanced at his other, more well-behaved students, breathing a sigh of relief. Why did students sent back from active duty have to end up in Class A? He couldn't understand it.
But regardless of his bewilderment, the lesson had to go on. "Today, we'll be doing two-on-two sparring. Find a partner, and I'll evaluate your performance."
More accurately, they would be sparring all day. This tested not only their combat skills but also their stamina, endurance, and overall physical condition. By the end of the day, they would be pushed to their limits. As for the potential harm to their young bodies… that wasn't something ninjas worried about. The Academy exams weren't as gentle as they would become in the future.
"Begin!"
As soon as Inoue gave the signal, the students began pairing up. Several Uchiha, eager to teach Jin a lesson, headed his way.
Minato, however, found himself facing a new challenger. "Hyuga Kiyoshi of the Hyuga clan. Let's begin."
Kiyoshi's eyes were locked on Minato. Minato's constant top ranking had earned him rivals, and Kiyoshi, perpetually in second place, was determined to surpass him. The title of "eternal runner-up" didn't sit well with him. Today, he would claim his victory.
Minato scratched his cheek, looking at Kiyoshi. He wasn't sure how much stronger he'd become, but Kiyoshi, limited to the Gentle Fist, wouldn't be a match for him. He'd rather spar with Jin. "Um… maybe you should find another opponent. You can't beat me now." He was being sincere. The Hyuga were stubborn; they could use ninjutsu but chose not to. If it was purely taijutsu, Minato had a significant advantage now.
Kiyoshi silently assumed his stance, his face hardening with determination, then quickly twisting into anger. "You, Namikaze Minato!… I won't forgive you!"
Meanwhile, Jin, half-asleep under the tree, found himself surrounded by Uchiha.
Uchiha Hiru, with his close-cropped hair, looked down at him. "Uchiha Jin, if you have any Uchiha pride left, duel me. The loser drops out of the Academy." The Academy couldn't harbor an Uchiha disgrace.
Jin picked at his ear. These Uchiha were so simple-minded. He'd tried to drop out before, but his request had been immediately denied. Wouldn't it be better to live a life of luxury, a wealthy heir, instead of this ninja nonsense? But he had no choice. The Uchiha wouldn't allow a clan member capable of molding chakra to live as an ordinary person, and Konoha wouldn't let go of any potential Uchiha ninja.
"Actually…" Jin said, looking at Hiru with mock shyness, "I'm thinking of marrying into the Hyuga clan and changing my name."
Hiru's initial shock quickly morphed into furious rage. "You… #@… thing! #@… Die!" If not for the two Uchiha holding him back, this wouldn't be a spar; it would be a fight to the death. Suggesting changing his name to Hyuga in front of other Uchiha was like praising Hashirama Senju in front of Madara.
The other two Uchiha also looked displeased.
"Next," Jin yawned.
Uchiha Tame, with his long hair, stared impassively at Jin. The other Uchiha, Mu, struggled to restrain the enraged Hiru.
"For your parents to have birthed someone like you…" Tame began, but trailed off. Jin's eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp and intimidating, his dark pupils like bottomless pits. Tame involuntarily took a step back.
He instantly regretted showing any sign of fear and glared at Jin. But Jin… had vanished.
A chill ran down Tame's spine. He turned to find Jin standing behind him, close enough to feel his breath on his neck.
Was this guy insane?!
Before Tame could react, a kunai pressed against his throat.
"You…?" It felt like a venomous snake, coiled and ready to strike.
"Aaah!" Tame's terrified scream drew the attention of everyone on the training grounds. Such a sound was unheard of during practice.
Jin's left hand rested casually on Tame's shoulder. "Just a joke, Tame. Don't joke about my parents. You wouldn't want to die here… right?"
"That's enough." Inoue's hand clamped down on Jin's arm. He looked at his problematic student with exasperation. "Don't direct killing intent at your comrades."
He'd sensed it immediately, the chilling aura of Jin's bloodlust. It was the kind of killing intent born from years of battling wild beasts. It lacked the tangible weight of actual bloodshed, but it was enough to terrify Academy students. So, this problematic student had been working hard after all.
"I was just kidding, Inoguchi-sensei," Jin said with a grin.
Inoue's eye twitched. "It's Inoue!"
"Right, Isui-sensei."
He was definitely doing it on purpose!
On the other side of the training grounds, Minato looked at the defeated Kiyoshi, clenching his fists. "This is… incredible."
Kiyoshi stared up at the scorching sun, questioning his existence. The Hyuga's Gentle Fist had been completely overwhelmed by brute force. "This shouldn't have happened." He'd performed at his peak, but Minato's blows had felt like sledgehammers, leaving his arms bruised and swollen after just a few exchanges.
"Why is the gap so large?" Minato had felt like a seasoned Chunin.
"Sorry, I went a bit too hard." Minato offered Kiyoshi an apologetic smile, extending a hand to help him up.
Kiyoshi looked at the outstretched hand and Minato's sunny smile… and burst into tears.
Congratulations, Minato, on achieving the "psychological warfare" victory.
"Those guys were so weak! I took them down in seconds! Hahaha!" Kushina boasted, striking a triumphant pose by the stream.
Jin looked at Minato, bewildered. What did he see in this girl? Did he like her bloodthirsty nature and violent temper?
Minato, understanding Jin's unspoken question, blushed and turned away.
"Why are you blushing?!" Kushina whirled around, glaring at Jin. She sensed he was talking about her, even though she hadn't heard anything.
Jin averted his gaze. Damn female intuition! Even as a child, Kushina's senses were sharp.
Kushina looked at the blushing Minato with disgust. Why was her minion so girly?! Show some masculine pride and beat up that Uchiha!
Minato, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly changed the subject. "Tomorrow's ninjutsu class… what are we going to do?" He was worried. He couldn't perform a single jutsu now.
Kushina, though she'd also barely managed the first stage of the sealing technique, wasn't concerned. Inoue wouldn't dare to single her out.
"Relax," Jin said, clapping Minato on the shoulder. "The final year is mostly theory, with some practical lessons on intelligence gathering and stealth. Unless you're stupid enough to volunteer for a demonstration, no one will notice."
Ninjutsu theory was part of the curriculum, but the practical lessons were the instructors' way of preparing students for survival on the battlefield. There wasn't much hands-on practice involved. The final year's lessons were meant to be applied throughout their Genin careers, and for Class A students, perhaps even into Chunin level.
Despite Jin's reassurances, Minato remained worried. As the top student, the "other people's child," he was often called upon for demonstrations.
...
Far from the peaceful Academy, the cries of battle echoed through the forests. Brilliant jutsu illuminated the night sky, punctuated by the explosions of paper bombs.
A scream of anguish pierced the din.
"Stop the bleeding!"
"Stop the bleeding!"
"I said stop the bleeding!" Tsunade's voice was sharp with desperation, her hands glowing with medical chakra as she desperately tried to heal her patient.
A nearby ninja placed a hand on her shoulder. "Stop, Tsunade. He's… gone."
Tsunade's face froze, as if something was gnawing at her heart. A scream tore from her throat.
"Aaah!" Like a mourning dove.
Orochimaru, perched in a tree, watched his dead student and his teammate's despair. He didn't know what expression to wear. It felt as if more than just his student had died… a part of himself, perhaps.
Humans were so fragile.
The First Hokage's grandson, Orochimaru's elite Jonin student, Tsunade's younger brother…
Nawaki…
Was dead.