The air in the school's seminar hall buzzed with anticipation. It was the day of the Talent Show, and the hall was packed with students, teachers, and a smattering of proud parents. A makeshift stage stood at the front, adorned with colorful, handmade decorations. Kids chattered excitedly, some practicing their acts backstage, others eagerly waiting for the show to begin. Minato, sitting with Mina and Kirishima in the audience, felt a familiar thrill mixed with a tiny flutter of nerves.
The show began, and the names of the performers were called out one by one. There was a surprising variety of talents. A boy with a vocal Quirk sang a surprisingly powerful ballad, rattling the windows slightly. A girl with elongated limbs performed an intricate, graceful dance. Another student used their small, magnetic Quirk to make coins dance in the air. The creativity on display, often interwoven with their Quirks, was truly fascinating.
"Next up, we have Mina Ashido!" the announcer's voice boomed.
Mina, sitting next to Minato, practically leaped out of her seat, her pink skin glowing with excitement. "Wish me luck, guys!" she whispered, giving them a thumbs-up before bounding towards the stage.
The music started, a vibrant, upbeat track. Mina exploded onto the stage, her movements fluid and energetic. Her Quirk, Acid, was integrated seamlessly into her dance. She'd create small, slippery patches of acid beneath her feet, allowing her to slide across the stage with incredible speed and agility. She spun, she glided, she twisted, making dazzling moves as the acid created shimmering trails that quickly dissipated. The audience cheered, captivated by her unique and dynamic performance. When she finished, striking a final pose, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.
Mina, beaming, took a bow and skipped off stage, high-fiving Kirishima and Minato as she returned to her seat. "Wasn't that awesome?!" she exclaimed, still buzzing with energy.
"Totally!" Kirishima cheered, his eyes wide with admiration. "Your Quirk is amazing for dancing!"
Minato clapped enthusiastically. "That was incredible, Mina! You were like a pink blur! Really cool!"
Just then, the announcer's voice cut through the applause. "Alright, next up, Minato Namikaze. Please give a warm welcome to him."
Minato felt a little jolt, but his sunny smile didn't falter. He took a deep breath, grabbed his guitar, and walked confidently towards the stage. This was it. He wasn't the greatest guitarist, not yet, but he had practiced. He had a message he wanted to convey.
He reached the center of the stage, adjusted the strap of his guitar, and looked out at the sea of faces. Taking another deep breath, he began to strum. The initial chords were simple, but clear. Then, with a newfound confidence, he began to play the familiar, hopeful melody of "Blue Bird" from Naruto.
Habata itara modoranai to ittte
Mezashita no wa aoi aoi ano sora
Kanashimi wa mada oboerarezu
Setsunasa wa ima tsukami hajimeta
Anata e to daku kono kanjou mo
Ima kotoba ni kawatte iku
Michi naru sekai no yume kara mezamete
Kono hane wo hiroge tobitatsu
Habata itara modoranai to itte
Mezashita no wa shiroi shiroi ano kumo
Tsukinuketara mitsukaru to shitte
Furikiru hodo aoi aoi ano sora
Aoi aoi ano sora
Aoi aoi ano sora
Minato's voice, though young, carried the emotion of the song, touching the hearts of those listening. He didn't just sing the words; he embodied the striving, the hope, and the melancholic beauty of the melody. The audience was captivated, completely mesmerized by the four-year-old on stage who was performing with the skill of a seasoned musician. Mina and Kirishima stared, mouths agape, utterly amazed by their new friend.
He finished the final notes of the song, the last chord lingering in the air for a moment. Then, the entire seminar hall erupted in a thunderous wave of applause. It wasn't just polite clapping; it was genuine, enthusiastic appreciation. Minato felt a warmth spread through him, a pleasant contrast to the usual internal battles of his training. He bowed his head deeply, a bright, appreciative smile on his face, and said, "Thank you!"
He then carefully stepped off the stage, making his way back to his seat beside his stunned friends. As soon as he sat down, Mina, her orange eyes wide with disbelief, leaned over to him.
"Minato!" she whispered, her voice full of awe. "Was that a song you wrote? It was so beautiful!"
Minato chuckled softly. "No, it's not mine," he replied, a hint of genuine wistfulness in his voice. "It's something I heard somewhere. I can't quite remember where, though." He shrugged innocently.
Kirishima, still looking utterly impressed, leaned in too. "Seriously, Minato, that was amazing! So manly! You played it perfectly! You should totally upload that song to HeroTube!"
Minato's eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. HeroTube. He hadn't considered that. It was an interesting idea, a way to share music from his previous world with more people. He just smiled, considering the possibility.
The talent show continued with more acts, but the buzz from Minato's performance lingered. Finally, it was time for the awards. The principal stepped onto the stage, holding a small trophy.
"What an incredible display of talent today, everyone!" she announced. "It was truly difficult to choose, but the winner of the Mustafu Private Middle School Talent Show is..." She paused for dramatic effect. "...Minato Namikaze for his outstanding musical performance!"
A fresh wave of applause, even louder than before, swept through the hall. Minato's eyes lit up, his sunny smile beaming as he walked up to the stage. He accepted the small, gleaming trophy, his heart swelling with a quiet sense of accomplishment. He bowed again to the cheering audience, a little four-year-old prodigy.
Later that evening, after a day filled with congratulations from his classmates and teachers, Minato returned home. He burst through the door, clutching his new trophy.
"Mom! Dad! Look!" he exclaimed, holding it up proudly.
His parents, who had attended the show and were already brimming with pride, rushed to hug him. "Minato, that was incredible!" his mother cried, tears of joy in her eyes. "We had no idea you could play like that!"
His father clapped him on the back. "You were amazing, son! You made us so proud!"
After dinner, still basking in the glow of his achievement, Minato turned to his mother. "Mom," he began, a thoughtful look on his face. "Kirishima suggested I should upload my song to HeroTube."
His mother raised an eyebrow. "HeroTube? That's quite an idea, sweetie. Are you sure you want to?"
"Yes! I think it would be fun," Minato said, his enthusiasm infectious. "But I'll need your help with filming it. Will you help me?"
His mother smiled. "Of course, I'd be happy to help you, Minato. We can try it this weekend."
With that plan set, Minato went to his bedroom after saying goodnight. He still had more to learn. The chakra control he gained from his 5% template synchronization was enough for the basics of wall walking. He carefully arranged several soft pillows along one wall of his room, creating a makeshift safety net in case he fell. Taking a deep breath, he focused his chakra, channeling it to the soles of his feet, and cautiously took his first step onto the wall. His small foot stuck, then wobbled. He took another step, then another, a concentrated frown on his face. He stumbled, falling gently onto the pillows, but a determined gleam was in his eyes. He would master this too.