Minato's Little Secret

Hearing that, Katsuki's face heated up as well. Having his own sister's "atrocities" witnessed by someone else was honestly a little embarrassing!

"Ring, ring, ring!"

Fortunately, the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang soon afterward, rescuing Katsuki from the awkwardness.

"Quick, let's go to the training grounds. This afternoon's physical education class is there," Minato called to Katsuki, not mentioning Kushina at all.

At the training grounds, all twenty-four students in the class had arrived. Even the six bruised and swollen-faced boys stood proudly among the ranks.

Physical education class was not something that ended after everyone ran a few laps and played some ball games. This was the Ninja Academy.

The curriculum was simple: physical conditioning, striking practice, Shuriken practice, and finally, students could challenge one another to spar. Compared to straining their brains over books in the classroom, most preferred solving problems with their muscles.

Teacher Takashima was still in charge of physical education. That was one of the Ninja Academy's defining traits: one teacher handled one class and taught every subject. After all, becoming a Ninja Academy teacher required passing a written examination to prove one's academic level, while also possessing at least the strength of a Chunin. That was more than enough to teach a bunch of little brats.

Takashima was an experienced Chunin. Back on the battlefield, he had accidentally taken an arrow to the knee. Fortunately, he had not lost his life, but because he had not received treatment in time, one of his legs was permanently disabled, forcing him to leave the combat corps in disappointment.

However, Takashima was quick-witted and successfully passed the Ninja Academy's teacher assessment, becoming an honored ninja instructor. Though he limped on one leg... he could still beat up little kids without breaking a sweat.

"Minato, take a few people to the equipment room and bring over some Shuriken. We'll be practicing Shuriken today." Takashima gave the order to his most prized student. He had guided several classes through graduation, and Minato was the most perfect student he had ever seen.

Perfect, not merely outstanding.

He was handsome, articulate, gentle and courteous, decisive yet measured in his actions, and exceptionally gifted. Whether it was academic subjects, Taijutsu, or Shuriken Throwing, he excelled at all of them. Yet almost no one felt the slightest envy toward him; they only felt admiration...

Admiring a seven-year-old child sounded unbelievable, but Takashima firmly believed that as long as Minato did not die young, he would undoubtedly become somebody important in the future.

Minato answered respectfully and selected several people to head for the equipment room. As he passed Katsuki, he kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he did not know him at all. Kushina's devouring glare was locked tightly onto Minato; every step he took closer to Katsuki made her gaze fiercer. Clearly, she still cared greatly about that "sissy."

Watching Minato's departing back, Katsuki's pupils suddenly contracted. No wonder something had felt off in the grove earlier. Minato had said he was using the lunch break to practice Shuriken in the woods, but school rules explicitly prohibited students from bringing Shuriken, kunai, and similar items onto campus, precisely to prevent students from fighting privately and causing fatalities.

Looking at it now, Minato probably had the key to the equipment room. Otherwise, where would he have gotten Shuriken to practice with? And Teacher Takashima must have tacitly permitted it.

No wonder Minato had hesitated when answering him back then. If this got exposed, not only would Minato be punished, but Teacher Takashima would also be disciplined.

Still, Katsuki had no interest in that. Whether Minato had told him because he trusted him or for some other reason, Katsuki had no intention of exposing it. Not to mention that he and Minato got along fairly well now. They were not intimate friends, but they could at least be called friends. Even if they had been complete strangers, he would not do something so pointless.

Three large baskets of Shuriken were carried over. Every Shuriken here was a standard four-pointed type, their sharpened edges glinting coldly. These were real blades, not unsharpened little toys.

"Alright, spread out. Everyone take a set of Shuriken and get ready to begin."

Teacher Takashima watched as everyone took a set from the baskets—twenty Shuriken each—then picked a wooden post and stood ten meters away to begin throwing. Once they ran out, they retrieved them and continued practicing.

Teacher Takashima limped among the students, correcting the improper stances of those who lacked technique. Before long, though, two people caught his attention.

Kushina and Katsuki's Shuriken skills were eye-catching. At least among this bunch of rookies, only a handful of people, Minato included, could compare to the siblings.

Takashima watched the two siblings throw with great satisfaction. Not one of their twenty Shuriken missed the target; every one struck the bullseye carved into the wooden post. The only others who could achieve that were Minato and another black-haired boy.

"Minato, Otoha, Kushina, Katsuki, you four, come here." Takashima called the four over, in an excellent mood. As a teacher, his bonus was linked to his students' results. The more outstanding students he taught, the greater his bonus would be.

And as someone who fanatically revered the village and the Will of Fire, seeing these gifted youngsters grow was something that excited him deeply.

Unfortunately, the lower-grade classes lacked the proper conditions. This kind of single-post practice had become far too ineffective for Minato and the others. In the past, Minato and Otoha would spar with each other at times like this. Now that Kushina and Katsuki had joined them, they could finally switch partners.

"Minato, Otoha, Kushina, Katsuki, the four of you are already excellent at Shuriken Throwing. You don't need to continue this training. You may practice Taijutsu on your own or spar with one another." Takashima led the four to the other side of the training grounds and asked for their opinions.

"I'll spar with this sissy."

"I'll spar with the red-haired brat."

In an instant, Kushina pointed at Minato while the black-haired boy pointed at Katsuki. They looked as though they had rehearsed it beforehand.

Takashima froze for a moment, not expecting this scene. Still, students showing initiative was a good thing. He looked at Minato and Katsuki. "What about you two? Any objections?"

Sparring required the other party's agreement. Otherwise, it became a one-sided provocation.

"No."

Minato shook his head with a wry smile. Katsuki did not refuse either, though he was curious because the black-haired boy looked somewhat familiar.

"Kushina and Katsuki, this is your first time participating in a spar at school. Remember: no weapons, no deliberately injuring your opponent, and then..." Takashima pulled the Uzumaki siblings aside to give them a few reminders.

"Defeat your opponents with everything you've got."

One half of the training grounds was filled with wooden posts for Shuriken practice, while the other half was an open area used for Taijutsu combat.