Minato's Gift

Arriving at Training Ground 44, Veigar, who had just appeared, saw Kakashi Hatake not far away.

Seeing Kakashi Hatake, Veigar wasn't surprised. Instead, it was within expectations. If Kakashi Hatake wasn't here, Veigar might have found it strange.

At this moment, the sadness in Veigar's heart had dissipated. When he saw Kakashi Hatake, he smiled and greeted him, "Good morning, Kakashi."

Kakashi Hatake also noticed Veigar and asked in confusion.

"Veigar?"

"Good morning, why are you here?"

Perhaps because yesterday's battle had earned Kakashi Hatake's recognition of Veigar's strength, today, Kakashi Hatake's words seemed to lack that sliver of pride unique to a genius.

Before Veigar could answer, Kakashi Hatake continued, "You're not the new teammate Teacher Minato mentioned, are you?"

Veigar nodded upon hearing this and replied, "If nothing unexpected happens, the new teammate you're referring to should be me."

As he spoke, Veigar walked towards Kakashi Hatake, who was leaning against a large tree.

Once Veigar stopped, Kakashi Hatake spoke to him, "Next time, let's have another match."

Veigar nodded in response, "Okay, we'll spar again when we have the chance."

It was exactly nine in the morning when Minato Namikaze appeared at Training Ground 44, punctual as ever. Seeing Veigar and Kakashi Hatake under the tree, he smiled and said, "Good morning, Veigar and Kakashi!"

"It seems you two are getting along well."

Hearing Minato Namikaze's voice, Veigar and Kakashi Hatake looked over simultaneously and said in unison, "Good morning, Teacher Minato."

Minato Namikaze smiled and nodded, then said to Veigar, "Veigar, welcome to the Minato Squad, which for now consists only of myself and Kakashi."

"To better cooperate during future missions, let's get to know each other more deeply now."

"Simply talk about your name, interests, hobbies, and dreams."

Minato Namikaze paused, coughed twice, and continued, "Cough, cough."

"Let's start with the teacher."

"My name is Minato Namikaze, and I am currently a Jonin in the village. As for my interests, I won't mention them. My dream is to become the Hokage of the village and protect everyone."

After speaking, Minato Namikaze looked at Kakashi Hatake and said, "It's your turn, Kakashi."

Kakashi Hatake glanced at Minato Namikaze. Being very familiar with Minato Namikaze, he knew that this introduction was mainly for Veigar to get to know them. He said, "I am Kakashi Hatake, six years old this year, a Chunin in the village. My dream is to become a ninja as outstanding as my father."

Konoha White Fang—Hatake Sakumo, who had not yet committed suicide, was undoubtedly Kakashi Hatake's most admired idol, his goal to chase, and even surpass his father.

After Kakashi Hatake finished, it was Veigar's turn, so he said, "I am Veigar Yugema, I should be seven years old this year."

"I don't have any special hobbies, I just like Konoha at 4 AM. Before this morning, my dream was to become Hokage."

"My current dream is to become the Strongest Ninja in the World, protect the village, and make my name resonate throughout the ninja world, then spread to Another World, so she can hear it too."

From Veigar's last words, Minato Namikaze heard a strong sense of confidence. He also found Veigar's fondness for Konoha at 4 AM a bit strange.

However, he didn't probe further and instead said with a smile, "To become the Strongest Ninja in the World, Veigar, you'll have to work hard on your training."

He didn't know that a soul in his twenties resided within Veigar's seven-year-old body. He simply took Veigar's dream of becoming the Strongest Ninja in the World as a goal and offered his encouragement.

Then, Minato Namikaze announced loudly, "To welcome Veigar's addition to my Minato Squad, your teacher has prepared a gift for you."

With that, Minato Namikaze took out a Sealing Scroll and handed it to Veigar.

Veigar received it with confusion and asked, "Teacher Minato, what's inside?"

Minato Namikaze replied, "You'll know when you open it."

Veigar formed a hand seal to release the seal, then touched the scroll. He saw a Ninja Sword appear on the unsealed scroll.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

Minato Namikaze asked with a gentle smile after Veigar opened the scroll.

Veigar picked up the Ninja Sword and said to Minato Namikaze, "Thank you, Teacher Minato, I like it very much."

Minato Namikaze shook his head, indicating Veigar didn't need to thank him, and then said, "I saw that the Ninja Sword you were using was damaged yesterday during your fight with Kakashi, so I intentionally prepared this gift for you."

"I'm glad you like it, otherwise, I wouldn't know what else to give you."

After speaking, Minato Namikaze scratched the back of his head with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Veigar casually swung the Ninja Sword a few times. He found that besides being a little heavier than the previous one, there were no other significant differences, and it felt very comfortable to use. He replied again, "No, I like anything you give me."

Kakashi Hatake, standing nearby, saw Minato Namikaze give Veigar a Ninja Sword and also felt the urge to give Veigar a gift.

However, he didn't intend to say it out loud. Instead, he asked Minato Namikaze, "Teacher Minato, do we have a mission today?"

Minato Namikaze nodded and replied, "Our mission today is to celebrate Veigar joining us."

"So, I've prepared to treat you all to Barbecue today."

Then, Minato Namikaze said to Kakashi Hatake, "However, before that, I need to test Veigar's abilities before deciding how to teach him."

"So, Kakashi, you'll have to train by yourself today!"

Kakashi Hatake replied, "I understand. I'll go train then."

With that, Kakashi Hatake turned and walked away.

Veigar didn't know what test Minato Namikaze would give him next, his heart full of anticipation, his small eyes shining as he looked at Minato Namikaze.

Then, he saw Minato Namikaze take out a piece of paper from his pocket and say, "Veigar, let's begin the test!"

"Let teacher see your basic abilities."

From the battle between Veigar and Kakashi Hatake yesterday, Minato Namikaze already understood Veigar's strength and his application of the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques, so he didn't plan to test Veigar's strength. Instead, he wanted to see Veigar's talents in other areas.

Minato Namikaze's teaching method could be considered teaching according to aptitude, just like Jiraiya taught him back then.