A full month had passed.
From Uzumaki Kushina alone, Shūyū had harvested a decent haul of materials:
Kagura Shingan (Blue) ×5
Uzumaki Bloodline (Blue) ×1
Sage Body (Blue) ×6
Chakra (White) ×18
Even better, he'd snagged three more Nine-Tails Chakra Shards, bringing him to a tantalizing total of nine. Just one more, and he'd be able to synthesize a full special material.
He was getting close—dangerously close.
The mere thought of fusing ten shards into a complete material had him buzzing. With enough luck, it might result in a Purple, Black, or even Gold-tier item. The possibilities were thrilling enough to make his fingers itch.
But unlike Kushina, Namikaze Minato wasn't as cooperative.
Still licking his wounds from their last sparring match, Minato had thrown himself into solo training with obsessive fervor. He refused Shūyū's invitation to train together, clearly viewing such a move as tantamount to submission.
That stubborn streak?
It was exactly what made him a genius.
To Minato, agreeing to train with Shūyū would be an admission of inferiority—an open declaration that he couldn't catch up on his own. No true prodigy would accept that.
So the golden boy went it alone.
Fine by Shūyū. He had other ways to "interact" with Minato.
After all, once a month, the school held a mandatory combat training session—and as the official assistant instructor, Shūyū would get his chance to spar every last one of his classmates.
That included Minato.
He grinned just thinking about it.
Monthly Combat Training: Round Two
"Why the hell are you jumping? Trying to get your head kicked in?"
"Ever heard of dodging? Or you think your enemies are your dads and they'll go easy on you?"
"Shadow Clone's great, if you use it at the right time. Casting it first thing out the gate? What are you, trying to make me laugh?"
Shūyū's voice rang out across the training field like a whip crack, each verbal barb landing harder than his fists. One by one, his classmates charged him, and one by one, they got schooled—physically and emotionally.
He was ruthless with the feedback, as any "good" instructor should be.
Most of the class wanted to wring his neck.
Still, none of them could deny the results. His advice was brutally accurate—and as humiliating as it was to get flattened, most walked away knowing they'd improved.
Even if they'd sell their souls to shut him up.
But Shūyū wasn't thinking about their fragile pride. All he cared about were the white-glow system prompts ringing in his head.
Another Chakra (White). And another. And another.
Each knockdown was a fresh roll of the dice. Another step toward strength.
Then came the final challenger.
"I won't lose this time," Minato said quietly, eyes burning with determination.
Shūyū's grin sharpened. "Then show me."
They squared off in the ring.
The crowd leaned in.
SHOOM!
Minato vanished.
"...Shunshin no Jutsu?"
Shūyū's eyes flickered with genuine surprise as Minato reappeared behind him with a blur.
BAM!
He blocked the kick just in time, arms locking tight against the blow. The strike sent him skidding backward, boots dragging a scar into the dirt.
"Impressive. But if that's all—" he started.
"It's not," Minato shot back, already closing the gap.
What followed was a dazzling exchange of fists and footwork. Minato's form had undergone a complete evolution since last month. His movements were crisp, calculated. His strikes carried purpose.
Even more shocking? His raw technique.
These weren't textbook Academy moves.
This was real combat skill.
"Someone's been teaching him," Shūyū thought, blocking a heavy punch to his ribs. "And whoever it is… they're good."
Minato's new level wasn't something a self-taught rookie could just pick up in four weeks.
This was elite guidance.
But that was fine. Because Shūyū wasn't standing still either.
As Minato lunged, Shūyū slid inside his guard, driving a vicious elbow toward his face.
CRACK!
Minato caught it—but the force blasted him back. He staggered, barely staying upright.
Shūyū didn't hesitate.
He surged forward, pressing his advantage with relentless aggression.
One punch.
Two.
A spinning sweep—
THUD!
Minato hit the ground hard.
He tried to rise.
Too late.
Shūyū's foot pressed gently against his chest.
"You lose."
Minato gritted his teeth.
Then nodded.
"I yield."
A beat of silence.
Then—DING!
— Material Obtained: Chakra (White)— Special Material Acquired: Yellow Flash
Shūyū's eyes widened.
Yellow Flash.
He'd been expecting another basic drop. Maybe a repeat of Flying Thunder God Kunai. But this—this was something else entirely.
He could feel it.
This wasn't a technique.
It was a title. A concept. A future legend in the making.
And he'd just snagged a piece of it.
A slow smile curled across his lips.
He helped Minato up with a nod.
"I look forward to next month."
"So do I," Minato replied, his eyes alight with fire.
Behind them, the entire class stood frozen in silence.
For the second month in a row, Shūyū had single-handedly dismantled every single one of them.
And this time?
He'd walked away with far more than just bruised egos.
He'd taken one step closer to something terrifying.
A title that, one day, might belong to him.
—"Yellow Flash."
Author's Note:Thanks for the support, everyone! Remember to sign in on the app and toss me some flowers and power stones if you're enjoying the story!