The moment Tsunade's expression hardened, Minato called out tentatively:
"T-Tsunade-sama…?"
BANG!
Her fist slammed into the table, rattling every plate and cup.
Jiraiya jolted awake from his drunken haze, and Minato practically jumped out of his seat.
"You trying to show off in front of me?"
Tsunade glared, her voice sharp as a kunai.
"You secretly learned my granduncle's Flying Thunder God Technique… and you expect me to congratulate you?"
Without permission from the Senju clan, learning Tobirama's jutsu felt like theft to her.
And what Tsunade hated most…
was her own inability to protect her clan's legacy.
Even Kushina, usually loud and fearless, went quiet.
"Tsunade-neesan…?" she whispered cautiously.
But Tsunade didn't reply.
Shiki stepped forward, placing a calm hand on her shoulder.
"Easy, Tsunade."
To everyone else, Tsunade was terrifying.
But for her—Shiki's voice alone was enough to pull her back from anger.
She turned toward him, eyes slightly glossy with emotion she couldn't voice.
"Shiki…"
'Cute', Shiki thought for a moment but this was definitely not the time to say it aloud.
At that moment, Orochimaru's voice slid into the tension with impeccable timing:
"I've always heard about Minato's talent," he said. "But I've never seen it with my own eyes."
He looked at Minato… then at Shiki.
"Shiki-kun, as a senpai… why don't you test him?"
Orochimaru didn't believe Minato could defeat Shiki, that wasn't the point.
He was giving Shiki a perfect excuse to teach Minato a harsh lesson… publicly and legitimately.
Shiki's smile widened.
"Teaching the younger generation is part of a senpai's duty."
Minato stiffened.
How did a dinner turn into a duel?!
Still—Minato wasn't the type to run away.
He bowed respectfully.
"Lord Shiki… you appear unarmed. Should we wait until—"
Shiki waved him off casually.
"No need. A light sparring match doesn't require weapons."
Minato fell silent.
As brilliant as he was… he had pride too.
A swordsman refusing to use a sword felt like mockery.
"…Understood. If Lord Shiki wishes to instruct me, I'll give it my all."
North Konoha Training Ground
A moment later, the whole group was at a nearby training field.
Jiraiya scratched his head, still foggy from alcohol.
"Why the hell are we out here? It was a party a second ago…"
Orochimaru folded his arms, eyes gleaming.
"I'm simply curious. I want to see Shiki's strength… without a blade."
"Hah?" Jiraiya scoffed.
"If he's not using a weapon, Minato's got the advantage!"
Tsunade snorted as if Jiraiya had said the stupidest thing imaginable.
"You people have no idea what Shiki is capable of."
"…"
With Shiki right there, nobody wanted to argue.
Only Kushina, full of confidence in her boyfriend, called out:
"No way! Minato's the strongest!"
Tsunade just rolled her eyes and ignored the girl.
In the center of the field, Minato faced Shiki.
He hesitated once more.
"Lord Shiki… maybe you should really—"
"Do you always talk this much when you train?" Shiki asked flatly.
"...Okay."
Minato took a breath.
His expression sharpened instantly.
SWISH!
In a flash, Minato vanished—
not using Flying Thunder God,
just pure Body Flicker.
Even so, he was faster than most elite jōnin.
Rasengan!
When he reappeared, he was right behind Shiki—
a swirling blue sphere forming in his hand.
Tsunade and Orochimaru's eyes widened.
"A no-hand-sign technique?" Tsunade murmured.
Orochimaru nodded. "A self-created A-rank ninjutsu, if I recall."
Jiraiya puffed his chest proudly.
"That's right! That's Minato's Rasengan! Amazing, isn't it?!"
Kushina grinned. "See? Told you he was strong!"
But Shiki…
…simply spoke with mild disappointment.
"Be careful? Of what? You?"
His arm hardened—inky black Armament Haki coating his skin.
WHUMP!
He blocked the Rasengan with one hand.
The sphere collapsed instantly... snuffed out like a candle.
"Nani—?!"
Before Minato could even process it, Shiki's hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar.
In the next moment, Shiki swung him like a ragdoll—
"—!!"
...but Minato vanished in a flash of yellow light.
A Flying Thunder God kunai clattered on the ground where he had stood moments before.
Minato reappeared at his original position, breathing lightly, eyes blazing with focus.
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