Konoha's Gift from Minato

Upon arriving at Training Ground 44, Veigar immediately spotted Kakashi Hatake in the distance.

Seeing Kakashi Hatake there did not surprise Veigar. In fact, it was only natural. If Kakashi Hatake had not been there, Veigar might have found that strange instead.

The sadness in Veigar's heart had already faded. When he saw Kakashi Hatake, he smiled and greeted him. "Good morning, Kakashi."

Kakashi Hatake noticed Veigar at the same time and asked in confusion,

"Veigar?"

"Good morning. What are you doing here?"

Perhaps yesterday's battle had made Kakashi Hatake acknowledge Veigar's strength. Today, there seemed to be just a little less of the pride unique to a genius in his words.

Before Veigar could answer, Kakashi Hatake continued, "Could you be the new teammate Teacher Minato mentioned?"

Veigar nodded and replied, "If nothing unexpected happens, then the new teammate you mentioned should be me."

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

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

Veigar nodded. "Sure. We'll compete again when we get the chance."

It had just reached nine in the morning when Minato Namikaze appeared at Training Ground 44 right on time. Seeing Veigar and Kakashi Hatake beneath the large tree, he said with a smile, "Veigar, Kakashi, good morning!"

"Looks like the two of you are getting along pretty well."

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

Minato Namikaze nodded with a smile, then said to Veigar, "Veigar, welcome to Minato Squad, which currently consists of only Kakashi and me."

"To coordinate better when carrying out missions in the future, let's get to know each other more deeply first."

"Simply introduce your name, interests, hobbies, dreams, and things like that."

After a pause, Minato Namikaze coughed twice and continued, "Ahem, ahem."

"Let's have the teacher go first."

"My name is Minato Namikaze. I'm currently a jonin of the village. As for my interests, the teacher would rather not mention them. My dream is to become the village's Hokage and protect everyone."

After speaking, Minato Namikaze looked at Kakashi Hatake. "Your turn, Kakashi."

Kakashi Hatake glanced at Minato Namikaze. Since he had long been familiar with Minato Namikaze, he knew that these introductions were mainly meant to help him and Veigar understand each other. Thus, he said, "I'm Kakashi Hatake. I'm six years old and a Chunin of the village. My dream is to become an excellent ninja like my father."

At this time, Konoha White Fang—Hatake Sakumo—had not yet died by suicide. He could be said to be the idol Kakashi Hatake admired most, as well as the goal he chased after and even hoped to surpass.

After Kakashi Hatake finished, it was Veigar's turn. He said, "I'm Vega Koshima. I should be seven years old this year."

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

"Now, my dream is to become the Strongest Ninja in the World, protect the village, and make my name resound throughout the entire shinobi world, then reach Another World so that she can hear it too."

From Veigar's final words, Minato Namikaze heard an intense confidence. He also found Veigar's liking for Konoha at 4 AM somewhat strange.

However, he did not probe any further. He continued smiling and said, "If you want to become the strongest ninja in the world, Veigar, you'll have to work hard and train."

Not knowing that a soul in Veigar's seven-year-old body was over twenty years old, Minato Namikaze took Veigar's dream of becoming the Strongest Ninja in the World as a goal and encouraged him.

Then Minato Namikaze said loudly, "To welcome you to the Minato Squad I lead, Veigar, the teacher has specially prepared a gift for you."

After saying that, Minato Namikaze pulled out a Sealing Scroll and handed it to Veigar.

Veigar accepted it in confusion and asked, "Teacher Minato, what's inside?"

Minato Namikaze replied, "Open it and you'll find out."

Veigar formed a hand seal to release the seal, then pressed it against the scroll. On the opened scroll, he saw a Ninja Sword appear.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

Seeing that Veigar had opened the scroll, Minato Namikaze asked with a warm smile.

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 that Veigar did not need to thank him, then said, "I saw that the Ninja Sword you used was damaged during your battle with Kakashi yesterday, so I deliberately prepared this gift for you."

"Fortunately, you like it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to give you."

After speaking, Minato Namikaze scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Veigar casually swung the Ninja Sword a few times. He found that aside from being slightly heavier than the previous one, it was not much different in any other respect. It felt very comfortable to use, so he replied again, "Not at all. As long as it's something you give me, I like it."

Seeing Minato Namikaze give Veigar a Ninja Sword, Kakashi Hatake also began considering giving Veigar a gift.

However, he did not plan to say so. Instead, he asked Minato Namikaze, "Teacher Minato, do we have a mission today?"

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

"So the teacher is going to treat you to barbecue today."

Then Minato Namikaze said to Kakashi Hatake, "However, before that, the teacher needs to test Veigar's abilities and then decide how to teach him."

"So, Kakashi, you can train by yourself today!"

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

After saying that, Kakashi Hatake turned around and walked away.

Veigar did not know what kind of test Minato Namikaze would give him next. His heart was filled with anticipation, and he stared at Minato Namikaze with shining eyes.

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

"Let the teacher see your basic abilities."

From yesterday's battle between Veigar and Kakashi Hatake, Minato Namikaze already understood Veigar's strength and his use of the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques. Therefore, he did not intend to test Veigar's strength, but wanted to see what other talents Veigar possessed.

Minato Namikaze's teaching method could also be considered tailoring his instruction to the student, just as Jiraiya had taught him back then.