A month had passed since Minato signed with Sonikraft. Life had taken on a new rhythm, a challenging but exciting balance. School had started again, demanding his focus, but his mornings were still dedicated to training with Touya, and his afternoons often involved recording sessions for new songs. He had already laid down three new tracks, waiting for their official release.
This morning, Minato was walking towards his classroom with Mina, Kirishima, and Himiko. They were chatting animatedly about recent hero rescues they'd seen on TV, a common topic among aspiring heroes. But as they walked through the school hallways, Minato noticed something different. Heads turned. Whispers followed them. Students pointed subtly, their eyes on him. His new fame from "A Million Dreams" was undeniable.
Mina, ever observant, immediately caught on. Her golden eyes sparkled with mischief. "Look at Mr. Popular!" she teased, nudging him playfully. "Our very own superstar walking among us mere mortals!"
Kirishima grinned, flexing an arm. "Yeah, Minato! He's too manly for us now, rubbing shoulders with the big shots!"
Even Himiko offered a shy, knowing smile. "Everyone's still talking about your song, Minato-kun."
"Alright, alright, stop teasing!" Minato laughed, a faint blush on his cheeks. Being the subject of school-wide attention was still a bit overwhelming. They talked about the song for a while, his friends genuinely impressed by its reach and impact.
Once they stepped into the classroom, the quiet chatter instantly swelled. All his classmates turned to him, a flurry of excited questions erupting.
"Minato, when's your next song coming out?!"
"Is it true you signed with a big company?"
"Can you sing 'A Million Dreams' for us right now?"
The questions came rapid-fire, everyone eager to talk to the school's newfound celebrity. Minato felt a little flustered, trying to answer everyone at once. This went on until the classroom door opened and their teacher walked in.
"Alright, everyone, settle down!" the teacher's voice cut through the noise, a stern but kind tone. "Take your seats!"
As everyone scurried to their desks, the teacher's gaze landed on Minato. A warm smile broke across their face. "Minato Namikaze," they said, "on behalf of the whole school, I want to congratulate you on the incredible success of your song, 'A Million Dreams.' It's truly inspiring."
Then, the teacher started clapping. One by one, the entire class joined in, a round of applause filling the room. Minato felt his cheeks flush even more, but he couldn't help but smile, a genuine warmth spreading through him. It was a good feeling, being recognized for something he loved.
The rest of his first day back at school went on normally after that, with lessons and playtime settling into a comfortable routine.
When Minato returned home that evening, his mother met him at the door, a wide grin on her face.
"Minato! Your manager, Masato-san, called!" she exclaimed, hardly containing her excitement. "Guess what? You're going to be singing the opening of a concert for Ban Rei for her tour here in Mustafu next month!"
Minato's eyes went wide. Ban Rei was a pop idol, a true icon in this music world. Singing her concert opening? His heart leaped. "Really?! That's... that's amazing!"
Akane pulled him into a hug. "Yes, really! It's your first time performing on such a big stage, sweetie! We're so proud of you!"
Minato was ecstatic. From a quiet recording in a studio to opening for a major concert, his music career was taking off faster than he could have imagined.
After talking about the concert with his mother, Minato went to his room, a buzz of excitement still running through him. He immediately called his manager, Masato Tanaka, to get more details.
"Masato-san, about the Ban Rei concert..." he began.
Masato's voice was cheerful. "Ah, Minato-kun! Yes, the concert. It's next month, as you know, at the Mustafu Grand Arena. A huge opportunity!"
"Will I be able to sing my own songs?" Minato asked, his voice filled with anticipation. "I have three new ones that haven't been released yet."
"Absolutely!" Masato confirmed. "We want to showcase your talent to the fullest. You'll have a 30-minute opening set. We're thinking you can perform a total of 5 songs. Your new ones will be a great surprise for the audience before Ban Rei takes the stage."
Minato's grin widened. "That's perfect!" He and Masato discussed the logistics, the setlist, and the rehearsals. After confirming all the details, Minato disconnected the call, his mind already racing with ideas for his performance.
With the concert details settled, Minato turned his attention to his other passion: training. He took out a set of rubber balls, tools for practicing the Rasengan, a powerful technique from his previous life. He decided to use his Shadow Clone Jutsu to speed up his progress.
However, unlike Naruto, he didn't have a massive chakra reserve. His template was at 23%, indicating he was roughly at the Chunin Minato stage. This meant he could only comfortably create one shadow clone without significant strain. He summoned the clone, and both Minato and his double began the painstaking process of shaping and controlling the swirling energy.
After hours of intense practice, the rubber ball in his hand finally popped, a small explosion of displaced air marking a significant milestone. He had completed the second stage of the Rasengan! Tomorrow, he would continue with the third and final stage. Exhausted but satisfied, he went to sleep, dreaming of the stage and his training.
The next day, Minato arrived at school, his excitement palpable. He immediately told Mina, Kirishima, and Himiko about his upcoming concert.
"Guess what?!" he announced, his eyes sparkling. "I'm opening for Ban Rei next month!"
His friends were ecstatic.
"No way, Minato!" Mina squealed, her golden eyes wide. "That's huge! You're actually going to be on a real stage?"
"That's so manly, Minato!" Kirishima boomed, clapping him on the back. "You're gonna rock that stage! Think of all the people who'll see you!"
Himiko, her face lit up with a genuine smile, quietly said, "I can't believe it. Will you be singing 'A Million Dreams'?"
"Of course!" Minato confirmed. "And some new ones too! I'm inviting all of you, along with your families. It's going to be amazing!"
"We'll definitely be there!" Mina promised, already bouncing with excitement. "I'm gonna bring a huge sign for you!"
Kirishima pumped his fist. "Yeah! We'll be your super manly cheer squad!"
Himiko nodded, her smile soft. "I'll be rooting for you, Minato-kun."
They spent the rest of the walk to class excitedly discussing what songs Minato might sing and what it would be like to perform in front of such a huge crowd. School suddenly felt a little more exciting.
Later that day, after school, Minato also extended the invitation to Touya. He called him, a little nervous about how he'd react.
"Hey, Touya-kun," Minato said. "I'm opening for Ban Rei's concert next month. I wanted to invite you and your family to come."
There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then, Touya's voice, a little less gruff than usual, replied, "You're opening for Ban Rei? Seriously? That's... impressive, Minato. Yeah, we'll be there. I'll make sure to tell my mom."
A genuine warmth spread through Minato. Having Touya, the person he'd helped so much, there in the audience meant a lot. "Awesome! See you then!"
He hung up, a sense of quiet triumph settling over him. His life was moving in incredible directions, balancing his secret shinobi training with an unexpected public career, all while surrounded by friends who believed in him.