Growing up training alongside Takuya, Minato knew very well what Takuya's training habits were like.
Not even Kakashi, Takuya's student, escaped from Takuya's tough regimen. And Minato, despite being a prodigy himself, was no exception either. He had been at the receiving end of Takuya's relentless sparring sessions countless times.
"Ah! Ouch! Ahhh!" Minato often ended up groaning after an intense training session. Though the training was excruciating, it undeniably improved one's combat instincts and honed the needed battle experience.
"Got it. Let's get started then," Minato nodded after listening to Kakashi's summary of his typical training. With the added instructions from Takuya, Minato had a clear idea of where to begin.
His task was to train Kakashi in reaction speed—both in attack and defense—focusing on improving these fundamental skills. The training was about to be harsh, and Kakashi's upcoming days were going to be grueling.
Different training methods made Kakashi feel as if he was almost losing his mind. He simply couldn't understand how a human's reflexes could be so terrifyingly sharp.
Takuya's training focused mostly on sparring. He had Pakura help out to give Kakashi the experience of facing an overwhelming opponent, teaching him to adapt to high-stakes situations.
Since becoming Takuya's student, Kakashi's path diverged completely from that of his peers. His strength, combat experience, and ability to withstand pressure far surpassed those of his fellow classmates. While others were still grappling with the basics, Kakashi was already growing into a formidable young shinobi.
When most kids were still learning how to refine chakra or struggling with basic jutsu like the Substitution Technique, Kakashi was receiving targeted training and instruction. When others had yet to meet graduation requirements, Kakashi was already battling strong opponents to hone his skills, accumulating experience, and sharpening himself.
His starting point was entirely different from that of his peers.
"Class, Kakashi has taken a leave of absence," the teacher announced. "Recently, he'll be training under Minato Namikaze, the village's Yellow Flash, and that's why he won't be attending classes."
Kakashi's absence didn't go unnoticed, and the students were curious about why he hadn't shown up. Upon hearing the teacher's explanation, many students groaned in frustration.
"Teacher, that's so unfair!" shouted Obito Uchiha in frustration.
"Why does Kakashi get to train with the teacher and we don't? We're all still in school too!"
Obito envied Kakashi deeply. First, Kakashi had Takuya as his teacher, and now he was learning under Minato Namikaze? How could that be fair? It wasn't just Obito—many classmates were jealous of Kakashi's extraordinary opportunities.
Kakashi's father was a well-known figure in the village, and his teacher was Takuya, the strongest genius of their generation. The chance to train with a famous shinobi like Minato was something the rest of them could only dream of—even Asuma Sarutobi, the Hokage's son, didn't get that kind of privilege.
"Yeah, teacher!" a few more students chimed in. "We also want to train with Jonin Minato Namikaze!"
"That's enough! Everyone be quiet!" the teacher roared, veins bulging on his forehead. He slammed the desk with a resounding bang. "Obito, Asuma, if you don't want to be in class, then stand outside in the hallway and let others study!"
Of course Kakashi got picked—he's got a famous dad, the teacher thought. Do you?
Even if you do, it doesn't mean Takuya would accept you. Kakashi was getting this special training from Minato because Takuya asked him to help—do you have a teacher like that?
The teacher's scolding silenced the rowdy students, but as he looked at their sulky faces, the teacher couldn't help but feel helpless himself.
Kakashi's absence had disrupted the class atmosphere, and now it was his job to manage it.
Sigh, the teacher thought, I'll report this to the Hokage's office later. If this continues, it's going to be a problem for the other students.
"The teacher is so biased!" Obito muttered on his way out, backpack slung over his shoulders.
He was completely unaware that someone was covertly following him, eyes hidden, watching his every move. Black Zetsu was doing everything it could to manipulate events in its favor—searching for a successor to replace Madara Uchiha and identifying a gullible young Uchiha. Obito seemed like the perfect candidate.
But while Zetsu had found its target, it still needed to figure out how to manipulate Obito effectively.
Meanwhile, Kakashi's teacher wasn't the only one taking notice. After classes, the teacher immediately went to the Hokage's office to lodge his complaints and concerns.
"Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade," the teacher began, "while it may be Takuya's private matter that he accepted Kakashi as his student, it's now causing a significant disruption for the other students."
"The kids are all jealous of Kakashi, envying him for having such a great teacher and even getting the chance to train with other elite shinobi in the village. I don't even know how to explain things to these kids anymore."
Tch. What kind of nonsense is this? Tsunade thought to herself, visibly unimpressed. So what if some kids have better teachers than others?
If you want a strong teacher, find one! What's this got to do with the academy instructors?
It wasn't like any of this was their doing.
Having grown up benefiting from the privileges of being a Senju herself, Tsunade felt no sympathy for the situation.
This was not going to be an easy problem to solve.
After coughing lightly, the Third Hokage turned to the teacher. "Kakashi became Takuya's student because of a private request made by Sakumo Hatake. That's what facilitated it.
"As for Minato training Kakashi, I wasn't aware. Tsunade, do you know anything about this?"
"Yes, Jiraiya's student Kushina mentioned it to me," Tsunade replied, narrowing her eyes at the Third Hokage. "Minato and Nawaki just returned to the village, and since Takuya was occupied, he entrusted Minato with Kakashi's training.
"But Teacher, didn't you also arrange for elite jonin to mentor Asuma back when he was younger? And now Asuma's here causing a commotion?"
Obito and Asuma were the last two who had any right to complain.
Obito was from the Uchiha clan. Was there a shortage of jonin in the Uchiha clan?
The Uchiha made up almost a tenth of Konoha's jonin. If none of them had offered to train Obito, maybe that was an indication of his own limitations. After all, Obito's reputation as the "class dunce" had spread far and wide—what self-respecting Uchiha jonin would want to take him on?
And then there was Asuma. There was no shortage of capable jonin from the Sarutobi clan either. The kid had already received special mentoring, but despite all the opportunities, he just wasn't living up to expectations.
Instead of improving himself, he was more interested in acting like some sort of gang leader or delinquent, and now, seeing someone else get a good opportunity, he couldn't handle it?
Cough, cough! The Third Hokage forced a cough, hurriedly signaling Tsunade to drop the subject.
"Enough, don't say any more," his expression seemed to plead.
It was embarrassing enough. He had arranged the best possible education for Asuma, and yet all it had led to was a delinquent son—something that was a slap in the face to Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation.
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Next Bonus: 400
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