Genins assemble! The next test!
Authors note: There has been a small time skip in the story. Minato and his friends are now at the age of 14, being about three years older than the last chapter. This means the beginning of a new arc. Chapter 1 till 4.2 was Minato’s life as a genin, and now he was about to change his entire future. This Arc will probably last another 5 chapters, and then the final Arc will commence.
Minato swallowed. The few last weeks had been rough and hard, costing him blood, sweat and tears to finally grant a path to his dream. He could hear the crowd screaming, people roaring in outrage, having lost the bet they made. He had never felt so insecure about himself, even with his sensei’s teaching, constantly doubting if he would make it. But then he thought of his grand dream of becoming Hokage. How would he be able to protect the people later in his life, if he didn’t even have the guts to prove himself in front of them now? Finally convincing himself that he could do it, he stepped into the arena, as the crowd’s cheers rose. He didn’t feel any of it thought, he only felt his own power, the gentle breeze of wind touching his face. The stream of wind brought with it his favourite smell. Kushina’s sweet, lavender shampoo. She was sitting in the stage right above him. He looked at her, feeling shy as if he wasn't good enough to be in her presence. Apparently she thought the same, as she marked the letter “L” on her forehead with her hand.
Minato (in himself): Ouch, that wasn’t what I expected, O_O!
He turned his face back to the centre of the arena, where his opponent was waiting. He knew his advisory was an Uchiha, but he didn’t care, for all he had to do was prove that he was better.
Judge: Alright guys! Let’s keep this nice and clean, this match will only be decided when one of you forfeit, or is unable to continue fighting! I will however, not tolerate any dirty moves. When your opponent is unable to continue you stay off of him! Does either of you have any questions?
Both of them shook their head. Neither had any question and wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
Judge: Then let the fight commence!
The plebes were going wild, Minato and his opponent both dashed backwards. Minato being extremely fast had the upper hand in this area. He utilized his speed by sending out 3 kunais and 2 shurikens as he did a backflip in the air. He then zigzagged towards his opponent who had easily overcome his long ranged attack with his Sharingan and was now preparing the clan’s signature move. He managed avoid the fireball easily, using his great speed. Minato then came in, his feet covered in a gleaming Lightning Aura. He then sent his opponent flying back against the wall when he by kicking him fully in the chest, with a well-placed roundhouse kick. His foe didn’t budge after Minato’s kick. Once again Minato’s true skill had been shown. In less than a minute he had ended the fight against a young Sharingan user, easily showing off his skill. The crowd went wild, all cheering for Minato and shouting his name. He looked over his shoulder, only to find the one person he wanted to see missing. Kushina.
Minato (in himself): That’s odd… Why has she left? I thought she promised me she would watch my match and tell me what she thought about it afterwards…
Minato ran back inside, having defeated his advisory and being announced as the winner of this match. Masato and Kazumi were waiting there for him. They were cheering and their faces showed great happiness as they saw Minato coming in already.
Masato: Awesome man, you finished that Uchiha dude pretty fast!
Kazumi: Pretty fast?! I don’t think anyone has ever completed the final round of a Chuunin exam this quickly. You’ve probably pulled of some kind of record, Minato!
Minato: Haha, well I only tried my best! If I want to become Hokage, I’ll need to be better than anyone else!
Masato: Well you’ll have to do better than if you want to overcome me!
Kazumi: Oh please, Masato! Minato would probably play around with you like you’re a helpless doll!
Masato sighed.
Masato: That’s a reassuring thing coming from my girlfriend!
Kazumi: Well living in a dream is awesome, but it won’t help you in the real world, baka!
Masato: Sorry Kazumi…
Minato sighed. They were finally a couple after Kazumi was honest about her feelings, but they argued more than Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama, and that meant something.
Minato: Anyways, guys have you seen Kushina, I wanted to have a word with her.
Masato: I haven’t seen her mate, wasn’t she in the stands?
Minato: That’s what I thought, but then she was gone all of a sudden when the match ended!
Kazumi: Wait, I did see her leave with two shinobi I didn’t recognize…
Minato’s face was struck with fear. Why would she leave with two completely unknown strangers? He felt worried that something might have happened, even though the idea seemed ridiculous.
Minato: I’m going to see Jiraiya-sama, stay here you guys, and I’ll be back in a bit!
Masato: Okay mate!
Minato rushed out of the Chuunin Exam Stadium. He ran through all of the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jiraiya somewhere. He kept on running and running, but failed to find Jiraiya in Konoha. Disappointed, he ran back to the stadium, but not long after he ran back, he collided against someone that had appeared from around the corner.
???: Damnit, can’t you look out where you are going, Minato. Your head is just as hard as Jiraiya’s!
Minato looked up, rubbing over his head. He knew this person all too well!
Minato: Tsunade-sama! Thank goodness it’s you! I need your help, quickly!
Tsunade: Hold your horses Minato-kun, what seems to be the problem?
Minato: Well, I know I’m overreacting, but I need to speak with Jiraiya as soon as possible! I think someone might have abducted Kushina…
Tsunade looked at Minato with a curious stare. How she hadn’t forgotten the way true love felt… She couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, knowing that he was probably just panicking.
Tsunade: Don’t worry Minato; I’m sure she’s fine!
Minato: But Tsunade-sama, Kazumi didn’t recognize them and she knows Kushina’s family because they live in her street after having moved here! Kazumi’s dad knows a lot of the Shinobi in Konoha, and she does to! I’m worried!
Tsunade sighed. He was a persistent little one.
Tsunade: Well Minato, Jiraiya is out training with Fukasaku-sama.
Minato: Oh that’s perfect! I finally know where he is! Thanks Tsunade-sama!
Tsunade: I don’t understand Minato, how will y-.
Minato bit in his both of his thumbs, making a small wound, only to slam both his hands into the ground.
Minato: Summoning Technique!
Training Flashback (essential part of the chapter, read it to get a better knowledge of Minato)
Time of Flashback – After Jiraiya and Minato talked (the end of chapter 4.2, they were going to the hokages library)
Jiraiya: Found any books that interest you, Minato? I’m sure the Hokage won’t mind lending it out for once.
Minato: Time/space ninjutsu… Is this book any good sensei? It seems hard but I’d like to read it if that’s okay?
Jiraiya: I think that’s a bit too difficult for you Minato… Time/space is one of the hardest things for a ninja to achieve. It’s nearly impossible to perform.
Minato: Please sensei? I just want to learn about it, it’s not like I’ll actually be able to perform it!
Jiraiya: Well let’s ask the Hokage first. And after that, I’ll teach you something super cool I learned when I was your age!
Minato: What is it, Sensei?!
Jiraiya: The most known part of Space/Time jutsu, summonings.
Minato: Oh my god, awesome!!
They went to the Hokage and asked for his approval on Minato lending the book. The Hokage agreed, but said it would be the only time, and Minato had to have the utmost respect for this book. Minato was so happy he almost hugged Hiruzen, who was laughing as he saw the boy overjoyed. They then left and Jiraiya took Minato to the training grounds.
Jiraiya: Right, first of all, you need to sign a contract with the animal you want to summon. I take it you’ll join the toads, as I did?
Minato: Toads are awesome! Sign me up Jiraiya-san!
Jiraiya: Alright, here’s the scroll… Now bite your thumb and use the blood to write your name.
Minato did as his sensei asked him to do. He was thrilled to have an allegiance with the toads.
Jiraiya: Now, use you’re the hand in which you bit your thumb and slam it into the ground. Then channel chakra into it and perform the summoning jutsu, like this.
Jiraiya showed him how to do it, summoning a semi large toad, named Gamabunta.
Gamabunta: What is it now Jiraiya, I don’t like to be disturbed!
Jiraiya: Sorry Bunta, I’m trying to help this young boy to summon one of the toads. I used you as an example!
Gamabunta: Argh, stop irritating me like this!
With that, Gamabunta vanished. Minato then did as his sensei told him, slamming his hand into the ground in attempt to summon one of the toads.
Minato: Summoning Technique!
Minato succeeded. Once again Gamabunta appeared, outraged even more than before!
Gamabunta: Jiraiya, stop summoning m-… Wait a second, you didn’t summon me, the kid did!
Jiraiya laughed as he nodded his head in approval to what Gamabunta said. Gamabunta and Minato seemed to be shocked about what Minato did.
Gamabunta: Not bad kid… Not bad at all to summon a handsome, strong frog like me on your first try! Tell you what. You can summon me, but only when you’re in danger, okay?
Minato: Thanks Gamabunta-san!
Gamabunta: Ah, finally someone polite! Anyways, later!
Jiraiya: Well Minato, seems you’re quite gifted. The frog already like you more than me.
Tsunade was astonished when the great toad appeared in front of her and Minato. The boy wasn’t even a Chuunin yet but he could perform this jutsu?!
Tsunade (in herself): Damnit Jiraiya, what have you been teaching this boy?!
Fukasaku: What the -? What’s the meaning of this Minato? Are you in trouble again?
Minato: Well, Fukasaku-sama, I really need Jiraiya and I heard he was training with you. I didn’t know any other way to reach him. I’m truly sorry sir!
Fukasaku: I see Minato-chan… Very well, give me a moment.
Fukasaku-sama performs a series of hand seals, and slams his hand in to the ground as Minato did. There’s a small sound and Jiraiya is sitting on the ground rubbing his head. Obviously he’s confused.
Jiraiya: Fukasaku, Minato, Tsunade…? What happening here? Are you guys throwing a party for me?!
Fukasaku: Jiraiya-chan! Your apprentice needed you so I summoned you. Once you are ready to resume your training, send me a message and I’ll summon you back. Later now!
Fukasaku vanished in a trail of smoke. Jiraiya faced Minato now.
Jiraiya: Oh, what’s up then Minato?
Minato: Jiraiya-sama! Kushina from my class… I was looking for her and didn’t find her! Kazumi said she saw her taking off with two unknown ninjas... With the Chuunin exams, it could be strangers that are kidnapping her!
Jiraiya’s eyes widened as he had a horrible expression on his face. He stood up immediately and looked at Minato.
Jiraiya: You are sure it’s her, Minato?!
Minato: Of course I’m ruddy sure!
Tsunade: Jiraiya, what’s this all about?
Jiraiya: We need to get to the Hokage as soon as possible, Tsunade! It’s about “her”!
Tsunade froze. Her face showed fear for the first time now, as she finally knew what Jiraiya meant.
Tsunade: Yes, we must! Let’s hurry! Minato, follow us!
The three of them hurried to the stadium, they headed to the locker room. The Hokage was there, having a talk with Masato and Kazumi. Jiraiya rushed over to him.
Jiraiya: Hokage-sama! We must talk! It’s most urgent!
Hiruzen: Alright, alright. Hold your horses Jiraiya!
Minato: But Kushina’s in danger! We need to hurry!
Hiruzen looked at Minato. His face became more urgent. Minato wondered why everyone got so worried when they heard the issue involved Kushina despite all of his stress.
Hiruzen: All of you follow me!
They followed him to a small staircase. Three masked bodies were lying on the floor, blood spilled all over them.
Hiruzen: Damnit, Minato is right! Tsunade, get a team of medical shinobi over here straight away, they might yet survive!
Tsunade: Ye-yes s-sir…
Obviously, Tsunade had a severe case of haemophobia.
Hiruzen: The rest of you, follow me to my office!
They headed out to the Hokage’s office. Once there, Hiruzen took a seat and the rest look patiently at him.
Hiruzen: Alright, the situation is a bit too complicated to explain, but nonetheless I need you Masato and Kazumi to look in the village for clues about her disappearance, and Jiraiya and Minato to look outside of the village. I believe the shinobi you are looking for are heading for Kumogakure should they not be in the village. I will not state why. Jiraiya knows, but I’ll need you to obey this order!
They quickly left and took their orders. Kazumi and Masato searched in the village. Jiraiya and Minato quickly left, heading towards Kumogakure.
As they were progressing through the forest, they spotted a two shinobi looking their way as if they were waiting for someone.
Jiraiya: Go ahead Minato; I’ll take care of them.
Minato: Alright, be careful Sensei!
Minato jumped to the right, landing on a branch and launching him off from one to another, avoiding the two Kumo Shinobi. He saw Jiraiya engage them as he passed by. He kept on pursuing the shinobi who kidnapped. He took a quick break at a small creek to drink a bit of water. He splashed some water on to his face to refresh himself. Then he saw it.
Minato (in himself):Those are strands of Kushina’s hair… There isn’t anyone else with this bright red colour! She must have left these behind as a trail to find her!
Minato started rushing forward once again, feeling that he was getting closer. He kept an eye out for more strands of hair that belonged to Kushina. As he was coming closer and closer to the border, he found another strand of Kushina’s hair, despite the fact that it was hardly noticeable. Minato was determined on finding her, and defeating anyone who would hurt the girl he loves. He began to renew his chase, though this time it didn’t take him long. A bit further he saw three Kumogakure ninjas who were resting for a moment. Kushina was lying next to them, tied down and with a frightened look in her eyes.
Minato was outraged. He prepared to leap into battle and get Kushina back to the village, as one of the shinobi spotted him.
KumoShinobi1: Well what do we have here? Are you the rescuing platoon? Or is she your little girlfriend, ha-
Minato threw three kunai, one at each shinobi. Before the Shinobi could finish his sentence, the Kunai was clone to him. He was just about to deflect it, when Minato appeared before him, grabbing the kunai and stabbing it in his chest. He then appeared in front of the other two shinobi, cracking both their necks as he hit them fully with a spinning kick against both of the ninja’s heads.
Training Flashback
Minato was panting as he finally succeeded. He had to try a thousand times and more to get it right just once. Sweat was dripping all over his body. He had studied the book Hokage-sama had lend him for more than half a year already, spending every moment he could learning more about the subject, and how to actually use it. He had been trying to come up with a way to perform the Time/Space ninjutsu that no one else had been able to perform, except for the second Hokage. Now he was standing here, finally with the solution at hand. He almost collapsed on the spot. It took him so much effort, so much time with so little examples to look up to… But he succeeded. He succeeded, and it was the one thing that would get him close to becoming Hokage.
Minato: Finally… I… did… it…
Minato fell on the ground, exhausted. He found out that, with a special seal, he could store his chakra in a specially made kunai. The chakra in his body would then be able to take his body to the kunai due to the Space and Time Manipulation of the chakra and the tag around the Kunai… It was almost an impossible thing to do, but somehow Minato finally found the right formula.
Minato fell on the ground, exhausted. He found out that, with a special seal, he could store his chakra in a specially made kunai. The chakra in his body would then be able to take his body to the kunai due to the Space and Time Manipulation of the chakra and the tag around the Kunai… It was almost an impossible thing to do, but somehow Minato finally found the right formula.
Minato rushed back to Kushina. He undid the ropes that kept her tied and she hugged him and started crying heavily. Minato held her tight, telling her everything would be okay.
Kushina: Minato, I’m so glad to see you! I thought I would never get out of their hands! Oh, I’m so glad to see you!
Minato: you’re safe now Kushina, I’ll take care of you.
Kushina: Thank you so much Minato, I can’t thank you enough for doing this… But how did you find me? Did you find the strands of hair I dropped?!
Minato: I did, Kushina. How would I be able to miss a single thread of your beautiful hair?
Kushina: I hate my hair… To think it finally did something useful.
Minato:I think it’s the most beautiful part about you… Even if you’re the most beautiful person to walk this earth.
They looked each other in the eyes, and it happened. Kushina kissed Minato, leaving him flushed and stunned. Nothing in the world was a greater treasure than touching her lips with his. He finally knew what the entire universe turned around. Her. He carried her in his arms, going back to Jiraiya. He was sitting on a rock, obviously waiting for Minato and Kushina. They then returned to Konoha. Minato had never felt so good, becoming a chuunin with his best friends, and finally being with the girl he had loved for years. Life wouldn’t get any better than this.
