Chapter 64 – The First Test
The morning sun filtered gently through the trees of Konoha, painting golden lines across the rooftops. The village bustled with life—vendors opening their stalls, children running to the academy, shinobi reporting to duty. Yet within this everyday normality, two teams were about to take their first true steps.
Akira walked side by side with Jiraiya, his hands tucked behind his head, posture relaxed. His golden Byakugan eyes were half-lidded, as if nothing in the world could faze him. Beside him, the white-haired sage strutted like he owned the street, whistling and swinging his arm with that unmistakable confidence.
Up ahead, Minato Namikaze led his newly assigned genin—Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—toward the training ground.
Akira tilted his head lazily.
"Do you really need me to watch this? Minato-niisan could handle three kids in his sleep."
Jiraiya grinned.
"Exactly. Which means you'll get to learn something by watching how he handles them. Besides…" He lowered his voice, smirking. "It's hilarious seeing greenhorns face the bell test. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Akira rolled his eyes, but a corner of his mouth curved upward. "You're more excited than they are."
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The Training Ground
The familiar clearing spread wide: grass waving in the wind, three training posts lined neatly at the center, and trees forming a natural boundary around it. Minato turned, his calm blue eyes resting on his three students.
"This will be your first test," he said, pulling two small silver bells from his pouch. They jingled lightly in the morning air.
Kakashi's sharp eyes narrowed immediately. Obito's jaw dropped. Rin tilted her head, curious.
"Two bells…?" Obito blurted. "Wait, there's three of us! That doesn't make any sense!"
"That's the point," Minato replied with a small smile. "The rules are simple: you must take these bells from me by noon. Whoever doesn't get a bell will fail and be sent back to the academy."
"What?!" Obito shouted, pointing dramatically. "That's not fair! There's not enough bells!"
Kakashi crossed his arms, voice cool. "It means one of us will fail. Simple."
Rin frowned, looking between them nervously. "But… that means one teammate will be left behind…"
From the shade of a tree, Jiraiya chuckled, crouching down with his arms resting on his knees. "Heh. Already squabbling before the test even starts."
Akira leaned against the trunk beside him, arms crossed. His eyes followed Kakashi and Obito.
"Three… two… one…"
Obito suddenly charged forward, fists swinging.
"…And down he goes."
True to Akira's words, Minato sidestepped effortlessly, placing a single hand on Obito's back and guiding him straight into the dirt.
"Ghhhhh—!" Obito groaned, face first in the ground.
Jiraiya burst out laughing so hard he slapped the earth. "Pfft—! Oh, that's priceless!"
Akira smirked faintly. "You owe me. I called it."
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The First Attempts
Kakashi launched shuriken, sharp and precise. Minato weaved through them like water, barely shifting his expression. Rin circled, setting up wire traps, her hands moving with focus.
Akira tilted his head, his eyes scanning the field with mild interest.
"Rin's the only one using her head. Too bad her teammates' brains are still on vacation."
Jiraiya snorted. "Harsh, but accurate. Obito's charging around like a boar, and Kakashi's trying to fight Minato head-on. That's like a baby fox snapping at a tiger."
On cue, Obito leapt out of the bushes with a battle cry—only to be caught by the back of his shirt and swung around like a rag doll.
"Gahhhh! Let me go!"
Akira's lips twitched upward. "If noise could kill, Obito would have already won."
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Growing Frustration
Minutes passed. Obito stumbled out of another failed attack, face smudged with dirt.
"Stop acting like you're better than me!" he yelled at Kakashi.
Kakashi's eye twitched. "If you weren't so useless, I wouldn't have to carry you."
Rin raised her voice, trying to calm them down. "Please! This isn't helping!"
Under the tree, Akira sighed, resting his chin on his palm.
"At this rate, the only teamwork they'll achieve is knocking each other unconscious."
Jiraiya smirked, watching with amusement. "Patience, brat. Even thick heads figure it out eventually. Sometimes they just need to be knocked around first."
Akira side-eyed him. "That's supposed to be wisdom?"
"From me? Always."
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The Turning Point
As the sun climbed higher, frustration gave way to quiet realization. Rin's voice trembled with determination.
"Listen! We'll never win if we keep fighting each other. Minato-sensei is too fast… too strong. We have to work together!"
Kakashi hesitated, his pride battling logic. Obito gritted his teeth, glaring at Kakashi.
"Fine!" Obito spat. "But only because I refuse to lose to you."
"Tch. Don't slow me down," Kakashi replied, though his body eased.
Akira raised a brow, watching. "Finally. Took them long enough."
They formed a quick plan:
Rin wove chakra into traps and concealed wires.
Obito launched a fire-style jutsu, his flame forcing Minato to dodge.
Kakashi struck from the blind spot, kunai flashing toward the bells.
The teamwork was rough but genuine.
For the first time, Minato's eyes softened into true approval. He let their plan unfold before countering, deflecting Kakashi with a swift motion and catching Obito by the collar once more.
But his smile lingered.
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Minato's Verdict
The bells jingled in his hand as the team collapsed, panting.
Obito groaned, rubbing his head. "We… failed, didn't we…?"
Rin lowered her head, voice trembling. "I-I'm sorry…"
Kakashi clenched his fists, glaring at the ground.
Then Minato spoke, his tone calm but warm.
"No. You all pass."
The three genin blinked in shock.
Minato smiled gently, holding the bells before them.
"The true point of this test was never the bells. It was about whether you could learn to work together as one. And you did."
Obito's eyes widened. Rin gasped in relief. Even Kakashi's stoic mask cracked, his gaze flicking up to Minato.
"From today forward," Minato said, voice firm, "you are not three individuals. You are Team Minato."
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Akira & Jiraiya Commentary
From the sidelines, Akira folded his arms, unimpressed but amused.
"Took them hours to figure out the obvious. If they were against me, they'd last five seconds."
Jiraiya elbowed him, grinning. "Cocky brat. Just admit you were impressed."
"…Fine," Akira muttered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "A little. But not enough to write home about."
Jiraiya laughed so hard the birds scattered from the trees.
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Closing Scene
As Obito boasted loudly about how he knew they'd pass all along, Rin smiled in relief, and Kakashi turned thoughtful, Minato gathered his team for their first true step.
Jiraiya placed a hand on Akira's shoulder. His eyes gleamed with mischief and pride.
"Tomorrow, kid. Your real training begins. Let's see if that sharp tongue of yours survives my workouts."
Akira tilted his head, golden eyes narrowing with a playful smirk.
"Bring it on. I'll prove I'm not just Minato's brother in arms. I'll surpass him."
The sage's grin widened.
The scene faded with laughter, determination, and the quiet rustle of leaves—two paths stretching out before them: Team Minato's journey and Akira's path under Jiraiya.
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✨ End of Chapter 64 ✨
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