Nine crows flitted through the battlefield where Namikaze Minato and Yamanaka Shinno clashed, their flight paths shifting constantly.
Minato's eight Flying Thunder God kunai blinked in and out of existence, recalled and thrown again in rapid succession, forming a seamless, inescapable web of attacks.
Two figures, both clad in Konoha jounin vests, clashed repeatedly before separating again.
Kunai infused with Water Release met Flying Thunder God kunai enhanced with Wind Release chakra, colliding again and again.
Deadly techniques that could end a jounin's life in an instant flashed between them, yet neither managed to land even a glancing hit.
It was like dancing on the edge of a blade—every fiber of Minato's being bristled with tension.
Ordinarily, his exceptional reaction speed let him evade and counter any opponent with ease. But this sparring session with his closest friend? Even with his full focus, he couldn't shake the ever-present feeling of looming danger!
Thrilling. Deadly. Exhilarating!
Under such immense pressure, he had no choice but to push himself even further!
"Damn it! Why is this guy getting faster the longer we fight?!"
Shinno felt the same chill of impending danger.
Equipped with the same movement technique as Minato but enhanced further by his own unique red-tagged ability, [Zero-Frame Startup], and his unparalleled sensory skills, he should've had the upper hand.
Yet, instead of overwhelming Minato as expected, he found himself locked in a razor-thin battle of attrition.
Minato's relentless barrage of Flying Thunder God kunai, each thrown at impossible angles, followed seamlessly by Rasengan or a Wind Release-enhanced slash, made it nearly impossible to find an opening.
At this level of speed, any technique requiring hand seals or preparation time was completely useless.
This is bad!
Since when was Minato the type to grow stronger mid-fight?!
Clang!
Their kunai clashed violently.
Shinno's right hand intercepted Minato's attack while his left gathered chakra, aiming to mark his opponent with a Flying Thunder God seal.
But Minato had the exact same idea—his own left hand lunged toward Shinno's abdomen!
SPLASH!
Their hands collided mid-air, but Shinno's body instantly liquefied, allowing Minato's hand to pass right through his abdomen harmlessly.
The Water Transformation Technique made him immune to physical attacks.
However, the scattered water droplets didn't disperse as Minato expected. Instead, under Shinno's control, they surged toward him, sending chaotic chakra surging into his body!
For a split second, Minato's chakra flow was thrown into disarray.
Alarms rang in his mind.
His near-instantaneous teleportation flickered—just slow enough for Shinno's eyes to meet his.
At some point, Shinno had silently released his kunai. Even as Minato's Flying Thunder God-infused blade passed through his liquefied hand, his single-handed seals never faltered.
Shinno! No, don't do it!
Honoka is bringing lunch later!
[Ninja Art: Mind-Body Disturbance Jutsu!]
Minato's silent plea did nothing to change the inevitable outcome of the battle.
The Yamanaka clan's secret technique, 'Mind-Body Disturbance,' instantly hijacked Minato's motor control.
Their figures crossed paths.
Minato, now frozen, stood stiffly atop the water, struggling in vain to break free from the technique's grasp.
Yamanaka clan jutsu, when used by someone with overwhelming mental strength, left the victim utterly helpless.
And Shinno's mental fortitude? Several times stronger than Minato's!
With no way out, Minato could only flash a wry smile at his friend, silently pleading for mercy.
"Damn, Minato! That's so unfair! A last-second breakthrough?! Are you trying to humiliate me?!"
Shinno, the true instigator, wasted no time playing the victim.
...
[Name: Namikaze Minato]
[Occupation: Ninja]
[Traits: Yellow Flash (Red), Sealing Mastery (Blue), Strategic Mind (Blue), Lucky Star (Blue), Chakra Reserve (Blue), Rivalry & Camaraderie (Blue), Wind Release Proficiency (Green), Handsome (Green).]
...
His original traits, [Spatial Awareness] and [Ultra-Fast Reflexes], had vanished, replaced by the overwhelmingly powerful red-tagged ability: [Yellow Flash].
As if his already ridiculous traits weren't enough, this fusion had catapulted him to an entirely new level.
Most of his other traits remained unchanged, but the newly added [Rivalry & Camaraderie] caught Shinno's attention.
[Rivalry & Camaraderie (Blue)]: When your closest friend and rival's strength is equal to or greater than your own, training efficiency, focus, and willpower are enhanced. When fighting alongside or sparring against them, overall strength and chances of mid-battle breakthroughs increase. (Current Rival: Yamanaka Shinno)
...
What the hell?!
So, this only applies to me?!
Damn you, Namikaze Minato!
Shinno was caught between frustration and pride.
On one hand, he was honored to be recognized as Minato's closest friend. As someone who also saw Minato as a rival, he naturally wanted him to grow stronger.
But he couldn't accept this blatant hack!
Is there no justice? No fairness?!
Do transmigrators have no human rights?!
Is the world's will really that biased toward its golden child?!
Screw this!
Shinno flipped off the sky in defiance, silently vowing to accelerate his own power growth.
If he didn't, he'd be left in the dust by all these overpowered monsters!
"Minato, a breakthrough just because I pushed you a little? And you still lost? How is that fair?!"
Minato chuckled, recalling the exhilarating feeling of surpassing his limits mid-fight.
"Sparring with you is the best way to improve. Even with my breakthrough, I still lost, so it's hardly unfair."
"Losing is losing. Cheating is cheating. Two separate things. Now, let's see... how should I make myself feel better?"
Shinno rolled his eyes. He rarely got to beat Minato—of course, he had to enjoy the moment.
"How about releasing the jutsu first before we discuss?"
"Hah! You think I'm that gullible? The moment I let go, you'll just run! Nope, you get a choice: 'Little Apple' or 'Test Three.'"
"...Huh? L-Little...T-Test... Can I choose neither? Honoka's coming soon."
Minato barely uttered the word "Little" before he saw Shinno's smirk widen. He immediately switched to the other option, but that only made Shinno grin even more.
"Shinno-sensei! I wanna see 'Little Apple'!"
Uchiha Obito's excited voice rang out from the forest nearby.
He didn't seem to think anything was wrong with his teacher dancing, his expression full of pure anticipation.
"...'Test Three' sounds a little more respectable, right?"
Nohara Rin hesitated, her fingers fidgeting. A bit embarrassed, but also curious.
Seeing Minato, a dashing ninja, perform a dance? Maybe...just maybe...
"How about both?"
Yūhi Kurenai, eyes sparkling with mischief, proposed a terrifying idea.
Maito Guy and Shiranui Genma wordlessly took a step back.
Ever since Kurenai started learning Shinno's unique genjutsu techniques, she'd become...dangerous.
"Shouldn't we wait for Honoka-senpai and Kushina-senpai?"
Rin delivered the ultimate death sentence.
Kakashi sighed under his mask and stepped away from the impending disaster.
Women. Truly terrifying creatures.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo