Three days later—
As the topic of Konoha producing three genius graduates gradually died down, a new wave of rumors quietly surfaced.
News about the "White Fang of Konoha" failing a mission and causing immense pressure on the front lines began spreading through the streets and alleys of Konoha—clearly guided by people with ulterior motives.
Under the calm surface, dark currents surged.
At the same time, in a quiet area of Konoha, three young figures appeared.
Uchiha Jingyan.
Uchiha Obito.
Hatake Kakashi.
Looking at the three kids who were way too young, Minato Namikaze's smile carried a trace of helplessness.
There was no doubt—these three were all geniuses.
But that also invisibly placed huge pressure on him…
Let's start with teamwork, then.
Sighing inwardly, Minato kept smiling and waved at them.
"Hello. From today on, I'll be your jōnin instructor, Namikaze Minato. Please take care of me."
After introducing himself, Minato took something out of his pocket.
Two bells.
Uchiha Jingyan raised an eyebrow.
So… the legendary bells really did show up.
"The rules are simple," Minato explained. "There are two bells. If you get them before lunchtime, you pass."
Three people. Two bells.
Meaning one person was guaranteed to miss lunch…
Jingyan and Kakashi silently glanced at Obito.
Yep.
Candidate selected.
Obito's whole body trembled!
And Minato's smile slowly faded…
So that's how it is.
Even though this was a team made of three geniuses, their compatibility really was that bad.
They hadn't even started yet and they'd already chosen a sacrifice?
Third Hokage-sama… this mission is kind of hard.
Minato felt even more helpless, but his eyes gradually turned serious.
"Choosing someone to eliminate directly is indeed a clever idea."
"But only if you can actually take the bells from me."
"So… defeating me and taking the bells is your only choice."
As he spoke, Minato hung the bells at his waist.
That was all the hint he could give.
This test was about teamwork.
It was meant to build reliable bonds for future missions.
If these three insisted on going their own way, then he'd have to use some real strength to teach them a lesson…
"Now, you have five minutes before the test officially begins."
"You can prepare… a little?"
Minato tried hinting again—then suddenly froze.
Because he realized…
He was being ignored?
The three kids were already huddled together. Obito even kept glancing back at him like he was guarding against a thief…
"Our opponent is a jōnin. Not like the Hyūga we beat before. This guy's speed… is insane."
Jingyan calmly and quickly explained Minato's strength to the other two.
"How fast?" Obito peeked at Minato again and asked.
"About as fast as you getting punched eighty or a hundred times in the time it takes you to form one hand seal."
"…Huh?" Obito looked completely dumbfounded. "Then how are we supposed to fight?"
Not just him—even confident Kakashi's face grew heavy.
Jingyan never underestimated enemies—but he also never exaggerated them.
His analysis was always objective, cold, and straight to the point.
So… how do you fight that?
The three fell silent.
The current Minato wasn't yet the future "Yellow Flash," the man enemies fled from on sight.
But Jingyan knew—
Minato only lacked a few legendary battles to reach that level.
Right now, he was still an elite jōnin of Konoha.
The kind who relied purely on strength.
The enemy was strong.
Stronger than anyone they had ever faced.
Trying to defeat him… was basically fantasy.
From afar, Minato watched their reactions and felt his heart sink.
Looks like… there's a disagreement?
As expected.
When three geniuses gather, conflict is inevitable…
But that's fine.
At least they're trying to communicate.
Taking the first step is always good.
Minato kept adjusting his mindset.
Time passed, second by second…
The three kids seemed stuck.
Jingyan's mind kept simulating different tactics.
Unlike the other two, he truly understood Minato's current strength.
And because of that, every rational conclusion felt impossible…
Finally—
Preparation time ended.
Minato touched the bells, ready to signal the start.
Jingyan let out a helpless sigh.
"Sorry, guys. I couldn't come up with a way to beat this guy."
Obito lowered his head.
If even Jingyan said that… then…
Looks like he really wasn't eating lunch.
Sigh…
Should've eaten more at breakfast…
Minato's eyes flashed with relief.
So it wasn't a fight between them.
That's good…
But seeing Obito so dejected, he couldn't help feeling a little sorry.
Poor kid… he must be scared.
No.
As a teacher, how could he crush a student's confidence?
Minato was just about to comfort Obito—
When another sigh came from the side.
"Sigh…"
"Looks like… we can only take him head-on after all."
T/N:
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