Placing the chunk of chakra-conductive metal to the side, Sarutobi Reiji began practicing tree-walking together with Minato. The principles behind tree-walking and water-walking were clear enough to anyone who had seen the anime—using the push and pull of chakra, adhering it to the soles of the feet so one could stand vertically on a trunk or even walk upon water. It was one of the fundamental methods for refining chakra control.
Again and again, the two of them fell, only to climb back up and continue.
From a distance, Might Duy jogged past during his hundred-lap run around the village. Seeing their determination, his eyes welled up with emotion and he shouted, "This! This is the power of youth!"
The next morning, Minato walked down the street, greeting everyone with his usual bright smile.
"Good morning, Minato!" an old woman called warmly.
"Good morning, Grandma Eimi!" Minato's golden hair shimmered under the rising sun, his whole being like a small sun lighting up everyone around him.
"Off to see little Reiji again?"
"Mm!" Minato nodded enthusiastically. Every morning, he went to wake Reiji—at first because they'd agreed to train together, but over time it had become a habit.
"Little Reiji might not be home," Grandma Eimi said, gently ruffling his spiky hair with a smile. "I saw him heading toward the blacksmith's shop earlier. You can try looking there."
"Got it! Thanks, Grandma Eimi!" Minato waved, then dashed off.
"Such a good boy," the old woman murmured fondly, shaking her head with a smile.
By the time Minato reached the blacksmith's forge, Reiji was just stepping out.
"Minato?" Reiji blinked in surprise. "Perfect timing—what kind of blade do you want?"
Before Minato could answer, Reiji pulled him inside. "I was going to have both made in my style, but since you're here, we'll go with what you like."
The forge wasn't large, but it was well equipped—small yet complete in every detail.
"Uncle Hayata, I'm back again," Reiji called out.
The blacksmith looked up from his work, setting down his hammer. "Back so soon, little Reiji?"
"My friend came with me," Reiji said, pointing to Minato. "Let's make the other blade according to his design."
"Is that so?" Hayata nodded. "No problem."
Minato looked around curiously, his gaze landing on the dark metal block near the furnace. If he remembered right, that was the piece Reiji had picked up yesterday. Uncle Hayata didn't mind in the least—a customer's wish was law. And a customer casually bringing in a whole block of chakra-conductive metal? That was something a craftsman could never refuse.
Seeing Minato's confusion, Reiji chuckled. "Don't underestimate Uncle Hayata—he's a man destined to become a Divine Craftsman one day!"
"Hahaha! You've got good taste, Reiji!" Hayata laughed heartily, then turned to Minato. "Don't worry, young Minato. I've never had a single dissatisfied customer." He grinned proudly. "Even a few jōnin buy their weapons from me."
"Seriously? That's awesome!" Minato exclaimed. "Then I just want two kunai, please."
In Minato's mind, even though Reiji had inherited some savings, he still ought to live modestly. Minato himself had some money saved—he could pay Reiji back for his share later.
"Kunai, huh?" Hayata stroked his chin. "That works. Come pick them up in three days."
"Thank you, Uncle Hayata!"
Reiji nodded as well, said their goodbyes, and the two boys headed off toward the Ninja Academy. It was just past seven o'clock; classes would begin at nine. They bought a few skewers of tri-color dango from a stall and ate as they walked.
"Reiji," Minato asked curiously, "why did you decide to have the weapons forged yourself? Couldn't we just buy them from a ninja tool shop?"
It was a fair question—most ninja bought standard tools directly. Having custom weapons made was something only a few eccentric types did.
Reiji, however, only grinned mysteriously. "You'll see soon enough."
Chakra-forged weapons are on a whole different level.
After a short walk, they reached the Ninja Academy. Having already passed their entrance exams, all they needed to do now was wait for class assignments and attend the opening ceremony.
Standing together on the academy's training field, Reiji and Minato watched as groups of new students chatted excitedly.
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns brightly," declared the Third Hokage from the stage, his voice solemn and warm. "The fire's light will continue to shine upon this village, nurturing new leaves to sprout and grow!"
The crowd was stirred with passion, but Reiji's thoughts wandered elsewhere.
The Will of the First Hokage… he mused. A belief in humble guardianship—protecting others from the shadows, unseen, like a pot that cooks in fire, bringing warmth but never praised. The Will of the Pot.
Though… at this point in time, Danzō hasn't gone fully dark yet, right?
He smiled faintly, maintaining a look of deep inspiration—the perfect image of a freshly indoctrinated rookie. All around him, the new students' faces were alight with awe and excitement, echoing his expression. Only Reiji and Minato, seasoned beyond their years, stood out in calm composure.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, noticed them more than once, his gaze softening. So the new leaves have already begun to grow… he thought. Teacher, I will carry the Will of Fire to new heights.
When his eyes fell upon Minato, another thought crossed his mind. That must be the orphan Jiraiya brought back… He's grown well. Minato's surname, "Namikaze," had been given to him by Jiraiya himself.
When the speech finally ended, Minato let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned to Reiji.
"Reiji, you think we'll be in the same class?"
"Maybe?" Reiji replied uncertainly. "But even if we're not, we both did our best during the exams—nothing to regret."
As the academy bell rang, a Root operative marked Reiji's name—"Asset candidate: retrieve chakra metal tonight."