After the graduation exams, the graduates returned to their classrooms for class assignments.
Only after being approved by their assigned Jonin team leader would they officially become Genin.
Strictly speaking, this was the graduates' final exam.
Failure to gain the Jonin's approval meant being sent back to the academy for remedial studies.
However, such cases were extremely rare, occurring only in the most extreme circumstances of character flaws.
After breakfast, Minato left a Shadow Clone at home while he went to the academy to covertly observe Nawaki's class assignment.
This was his first time properly engaging in stealth operations, and for the first time, Minato felt like a real ninja, not just a berserker who flashed into enemy territory to wreak havoc alone.
In the classroom, as the teacher finished reading the list, the class assignments were finalized.
As expected, this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho—Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi—were placed in the same class.
Nawaki's teammates were a boy and a girl, forming a standard two-boy, one-girl team. However, both teammates were obscure extras he'd never heard of.
After the teacher left, the students remained in the classroom, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their assigned Jonin team leader.
Soon, a Jonin from the Sarutobi Clan entered the room. "Team Six, follow me."
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio stood up and followed the person out of the classroom.
Nawaki and his team were Team Seven, just like Naruto.
Sometimes Minato would sigh, lamenting how these two, with their similar appearances, personalities, and backgrounds, had such drastically different destinies.
The Shinobi World had never lacked hot-blooded fools like Naruto, but apart from the overpowered duo of Naruto and Hashirama, most others met miserable ends. It was simply the harsh reality for the majority.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a tall figure appeared at the classroom door.
"Team Seven, follow me."
The newcomer had a warm voice, handsome features, and long, pale blue hair that framed his face with an approachable aura.
How could it be him?
Seeing the man's face clearly, Minato frowned.
It was none other than Dan Katō, Tsunade's first love in the original story!
Is this the gathering of short-lived fools? Minato thought instinctively.
He immediately recoiled from the morbid thought and hastily pushed it from his mind.
Minato had mixed feelings about Dan Katō.
In the original story, Dan's first words to Tsunade after meeting her were, "It's getting dark. Let me walk you home."
Walk her home?
Minato remembered this scene vividly. He had wanted to ask at the time: If you encountered danger, who would protect whom?
Then, to Tsunade, who had just lost her brother, he had turned around and brought up his own dead sister.
Minato couldn't be sure if it was just his own suspicion, but the man gave him a distinct impression of having ulterior motives.
If he hadn't rushed to the battlefield to help Tsunade immediately after being revived, Minato might have felt not just indifference, but outright antipathy.
The most pressing question was: what reason could have led this man to become Nawaki's team leader?
Based on their first interactions in the original story, Tsunade seemed to barely know Dan, certainly not well enough to have her younger brother as her Jonin team leader.
Could it be the butterfly effect?
Or something more sinister?
"Huh? It's Brother Dan!"
Suddenly, Nawaki's voice in the classroom interrupted Minato's thoughts.
Brother Dan?
They know each other?
Minato shifted his gaze, focusing on Nawaki.
Jonin senses were sharp; prolonged staring would quickly be noticed.
"It's been a while, Nawaki," Dan Katō said with a gentle smile, then led the three of them out of the classroom.
They arrived at a training ground. After brief introductions, Dan Katō began assessing the three students' abilities.
Jingle...
A pair of bells appeared in Dan Katō's hand, leaving the hidden Minato speechless.
Bell-snatching was practically a Konoha tradition.
From this, Minato inferred that Dan's political ties likely had some connection to the Third Hokage's faction.
"Your goal is to get your hands on these two bells I'm holding," Dan Katō said with a gentle smile. "You have one hour. Anyone who doesn't get a bell won't get lunch!"
"Hmph, watch this!" Nawaki snorted, instantly flashing before Dan Katō. The speed of his movement brought a glint to Dan Katō's eyes.
"Not bad Shunshin, but your target was too obvious." As he spoke, he reached out and caught Nawaki's incoming punch in his hand, then casually tossed him aside.
Yet in that instant, Nawaki's body seemed to twist uncontrollably. With a sudden, scorpion-like kick, his heel slammed into Dan Katō's face!
Smack!
Dan Katō stumbled back, clutching his face, a look of astonishment in his eyes.
I just got slapped in the face by a Genin?
Though he'd held back, wasn't that kick a bit too sudden?
Minato's lips twitched, unsure of what to say.
"Brother Dan, you're so slow!" Nawaki landed with a defiant look. "You're not even as fast as Minato's Shadow Clone. How can you call yourself a Jonin?"
"My apologies, I underestimated you. That kick was incredibly clever."
Dan Katō didn't show any anger, only smiled apologetically. "You mentioned Minato's Shadow Clone...?"
"Namikaze Minato! My sister's disciple—the most talented guy I've ever met!"
Nawaki's tone carried a mix of helplessness and pride. "He's two years younger than me, but I've challenged him countless times and never even won against his Shadow Clone."
"Huh? Namikaze Minato? The blonde-haired, blue-eyed handsome guy I know?"
A girl in the group's eyes lit up. "You know him, Nawaki? Could you introduce me?"
"Uh—"
Nawaki hesitated for a moment, then remembered the terrifying sight of Kushina's red hair flying wildly. A twitch ran across his lips. "Sorry, I can't."
"..."
Tsunade's disciple...
Dan Katō paused. "Is he the genius rumored to have awakened Wood Release?"
"Exactly!" Nawaki nodded vigorously.
Dan Katō mused, "I see. No wonder Tsunade-hime took him as a disciple. You seem to hold him in high regard, Nawaki?"
"Hmm—"
Nawaki pondered for a moment before earnestly declaring, "I've never met anyone as perfect as him!"
His words made Minato, who was secretly observing, blush with embarrassment.
Dan Katō's expression also grew subtle.
Then, he suddenly smiled warmly, his tone laced with just the right amount of curiosity. "To be praised so highly by Nawaki... it seems Minato-kun is indeed quite remarkable. I'd love to witness his brilliance firsthand."
"Haha, that guy's always busy. Either cultivating or cooking—he barely leaves the house," Nawaki said casually.
This guy... there's definitely something off about him.
His flattery feels a bit forced...
Minato narrowed his eyes, leaving a Wood Clone to merge into the trunk of a tree in the training ground.
He then made his way to the Root base and found Orochimaru conducting an experiment.
"Senior, I need you to investigate someone," Minato said directly.
"Who?" Orochimaru asked, intrigued. What kind of person could warrant Minato's special attention?
"Dan Katō."
"Oh—"
Orochimaru nodded in understanding. "Your love rival."
Minato: "???"
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