Senior Kato, you misunderstand me. I am not questioning your ability to teach.
Minato shook his head gently. His voice remained calm and steady, yet it carried an undeniable sense of certainty.
It is just that every ninja possesses a different talent and a unique legacy. For instance, Senior Kato, are you proficient in the secret techniques of the Senju Clan?
Kato Dan froze. Minato paused for a moment, letting his calm gaze meet the growing shadow in the man's eyes before he continued.
Or can you use the Third Hokage's mastery of all five elemental releases? Do you know my teacher's medical ninjutsu or her monstrous physical strength? Do you have the summoning contracts of the three holy lands? Are you an expert in the sealing arts of the Uzumaki Clan? Can you even guide him to find the hidden power of the Wood Release within his own bloodline?
The air in the clearing seemed to freeze as those words hung in the silence.
The polite smile on Kato Dan's face turned into a stiff mask. A flash of offended anger and deep embarrassment flickered in his eyes.
The pride of a Jonin and the friendly persona he used in public were being torn open by Minato's blunt words.
Kato Dan was a Jonin, but he was only a civilian ninja who had risen through the ranks.
The techniques he could learn were very limited. As he had admitted earlier, he had no powerful family background.
No background meant he lacked true power, and without power, the information he could access was restricted.
He did not know that this blonde boy had already wiped out the entire Root organization and killed Danzo with terrifying efficiency. He had no idea what level of power Minato truly held.
In his mind, an experienced Jonin spending time with an eight-year-old child was a sign of great respect for the boy's talent and his connection to Tsunade.
But as he looked at Minato's firm stance, it was obvious the boy would not back down easily.
Furthermore, the boy seemed to have guessed that he did not want Nawaki to leave the team.
Could he have seen through my real intentions?
Kato Dan's pupils shook slightly. In his sight, the depths of Minato's blue eyes seemed to hold a hint of cold amusement.
As he stared at the boy, a feeling of suffocating anger began to rise in his chest.
This brat has been provoking me from the start!
You are relying on your talent and your status to look down on your seniors!
He took a deep breath to control his emotions. Kato Dan tried to make his voice sound steady, but the stiffness was clear to everyone.
Minato-kun, it seems that since we both disagree, we will not reach an understanding through words.
He looked over at Nawaki, who seemed lost and confused. Then he turned his focus back to Minato's face and made a final decision. If logic failed, he would use the direct methods of a ninja.
How about this? To stop this argument and settle things fairly, we should have a simple spar.
Kato Dan's voice became more confident as he spoke. If you can show me enough strength during this match, I will not object to Nawaki leaving the team. I will even help him.
However...
Kato Dan's voice grew deeper. If I win, then I ask that you stop interfering with the missions of Team 7. Does that sound fair?
After saying this, Kato Dan felt a sense of relief.
He could not let Nawaki go. The boy was his only way to get closer to Tsunade.
He had already given up on using Minato to reach her. Minato gave him a very strange feeling. Those blue eyes felt like they could see right through a person's soul, which made him feel uneasy.
But this was the end of it!
Minato was a genius, but he was still only eight years old.
In terms of chakra, experience, and known techniques, how could a child compare to a Jonin in his prime?
His judgment was based entirely on common sense.
By doing this, he could humble the arrogant child, keep his authority as a squad leader, and ensure Nawaki stayed under his influence.
Some might say he was bullying a child, but Minato had started the trouble. He could explain it as a necessary lesson.
In the end, a ninja's worth was always decided by strength.
The proposal surprised everyone.
Mikoto's eyes widened. Then, her expression changed to one of intense curiosity.
She had already seen a small part of Minato's terrifying power, and now a Jonin was challenging him.
She held her breath, wondering just how strong this genius was. Even Orochimaru had admitted that Minato was superior.
What?
While Mikoto was excited, Nawaki was completely shocked.
He looked at Kato Dan, who acted like he had already won, and then at Minato's calm face.
Nawaki did not know exactly how strong Kato Dan was, but he knew how dangerous Minato could be!
Tsunade had often complained that Minato was already stronger than her, which made her feel useless as his teacher.
He looked at Minato's indifferent expression.
Brother Dan, you are walking into a trap!
Nawaki appreciated how kind Kato Dan had been lately. He opened his mouth to warn him, but then he saw Minato slowly form the Seal of Confrontation.
Fine.
For ninjas who specialize in killing, this seal is a formal challenge.
It is a sign of respect, but also of total resolve.
You must either retreat or fight. There is no other path.
Minato stepped forward and spoke calmly. That sounds very fair.
The sun shone through the trees and onto his golden hair. His face showed no anger.
However, Nawaki felt a sharp coldness coming from those calm eyes.
This is bad. He is definitely angry.
Nawaki stopped himself from giving any advice. He looked at Kato Dan, who looked very confident, and whispered a quiet warning. Brother Dan, please be careful.
His voice was sincere and his eyes were full of pity, as if he could already see the disaster coming.
Kato Dan did not notice. He was currently very confused.
He actually accepted the fight!
An eight-year-old is fighting a twenty-five-year-old. Is he really that arrogant?
He felt annoyed at being ignored, so he also formed the Seal of Confrontation with a cold look.
Kato Dan looked at the other three. All of you should step back.
Minato was the famous Wood Release genius, after all. If they stayed too close, they might get hurt.
Mikoto did not need a reminder. She used the Body Flicker technique to move to a high tree branch.
I will not go easy on you, Minato-kun.
Kato Dan spoke as his body suddenly vanished. In an instant, he appeared right behind the boy.
He is still just a child. Seeing that Minato had not moved, Kato Dan smiled to himself and pressed a kunai against Minato's neck.
It is over, kid!
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