The Geniuses of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi Makes a Brilliant Debut

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the White-Haired Kid trailing behind the yellow-haired boy, a smile at the corner of his lips.

"These two little brats have pretty distinctive hair colors..."

"What are they up to?"

Lord Hokage let out a soft breath. The currents of electricity around his body gradually calmed as he silently moved in their direction.

Namikaze Minato wore a white towel headband as he ran around Konoha at an even pace.

This was one of the training routines he had to complete every day.

Namikaze Minato had a very clear plan for his future development.

His aptitude for the Five Nature Transformation Techniques was fairly decent, but what he was truly talented in was Taijutsu.

His speed, strength, dynamic vision, and neural reaction speed were all unquestionably among the best of his peers.

A few days ago, after receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's assignment to fill gaps in the Patrol Force, he had tested himself against Uchiha Homura.

Namikaze Minato discovered that the Two-Tomoe Sharingan could no longer fully lock onto his speed.

This proved that he was on the right path...

"Most ninjas may possess all sorts of techniques, but their bodies are fragile."

"As long as I find an opening and slash through their necks or hearts, the fight will be over."

"And with the Sealing Jutsu Kushina taught me, I can seal the Chakra of troublesome enemies too..." Namikaze Minato wore a smile even as he went on his morning run.

Yet these were the things running through his mind.

He truly did have a personality like a Little Sun, but only toward those close to him.

Namikaze Minato had a sentimental side toward enemies as well, though it was generally reserved for their corpses.

"Keep it up. Life really is wonderful. Without strength, you can't protect anything..." Namikaze Minato slightly picked up his pace.

With Konoha's tacit approval, his relationship with Kushina had progressed very quickly.

That passionate Uzumaki girl had not only taught Namikaze Minato Sealing Jutsu, but also shared the village allowance she received with him.

Kushina's reason was that boys needed to eat well and eat plenty while they were growing...

Naturally, Namikaze Minato was grateful to Kushina.

And knowing where that allowance, as well as his now somewhat unique status in the village, had come from only made the yellow-haired boy love and revere Konoha and Lord Hokage himself even more.

Just as Namikaze Minato accelerated—

Kakashi, following behind him, felt his heart tighten. "Even faster?"

It was already difficult enough just to keep up. If he sped up any more, his stamina would drain too quickly, and there would be no guarantee that his "attack" would succeed...

This stemmed from a bet his father had made with him.

If Kakashi, who wanted to graduate early, could successfully "ambush" Namikaze Minato, Sakumo would submit the application for him.

"Hmph! Where do you think you're going..." The White-Haired Kid hardened his resolve and swiftly approached Namikaze Minato from the shadows.

He suddenly accelerated, catching him off guard and stretching out with all his strength toward that head of yellow hair.

Just pulling out one strand would do...

Although the young Kakashi was a little smug from always being called a genius, ambushing a fellow villager was still...

If he went too far, even a sincere apology afterward would not make it right.

Such a thought flashed through Kakashi's mind.

But Namikaze Minato, who had been right in front of him, suddenly tilted his head and avoided his hand.

"You're Uncle Sakumo's son, right?"

"You've been following me for several days. I thought you were accompanying me during Morning Training..."

"So you wanted my hair? Sorry, but Kushina probably wouldn't agree..."

Kakashi's vision blurred. Namikaze Minato, who had just been in front of him, had somehow appeared behind him, teasing him.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kakashi flared up. Who asked whether anyone would agree or not?!

Though his ambush had failed, when the other party was feeling pleased with himself was the best time to strike back!

Besides, his father had said that touching him once would be enough.

Kakashi immediately counterattacked. Chakra wrapped around his feet as he kicked off the ground with force, swinging a powerful kick at Namikaze Minato like a scorpion's tail!

Namikaze Minato was slightly surprised. This little kid had some skill...

But he still caught the attack with ease, once again ending up behind Kakashi.

"This is indeed beyond the level of a Ninja Academy student. His Taijutsu is stronger than that of some Chunin..." Hiruzen Sarutobi, concealing his Chakra from high above, assessed inwardly.

This also showed that it was necessary to provide targeted advanced Education at the Ninja Academy.

There was no need for these promising seedlings to rush into graduating. Building a solid foundation and looking toward the future was the way to maximize their potential.

They just needed to cultivate an awareness of teamwork and tailor a few missions specifically for that...

"Oh, Sakumo's here too!" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled soundlessly.

He spotted that big white-haired man approaching Kakashi and Namikaze Minato from another high point, his figure ghostlike.

Was he worried about his son?

Meanwhile, on the street, Kakashi grew increasingly anxious. How could this guy keep teleporting behind him?

Even when sparring with his father, he had never been this helpless!

Could this guy be even stronger than Father?

Kakashi still intended to struggle, but Namikaze Minato patted his shoulder. A black Cursed Seal silently crawled across his body, completely sealing his movements.

Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal!

"You're really full of energy, Kakashi..."

Namikaze Minato smiled like a little sun and ruffled his hair. "It's fine. It'll only keep you from moving. It won't hurt you."

"Uncle Sakumo asked you to come find me, right? He told me he had an outstanding son..."

"You really are amazing. You're a genius!" Namikaze Minato praised Kakashi without sparing any flattering words.

But to Kakashi, who could not move, it did not sound pleasant at all...

It even felt a little like mockery...

"I'll have to trouble you to rest here for a while. I still have a hundred laps to run. I'll undo it later." Namikaze Minato vigorously ruffled Kakashi's head.

Kakashi's vision went dark.

Sure enough, this guy made it sound nice, but he was actually taking revenge on him!

That had to be it!

"Kakashi, do you see?"

"Minato mastered Sealing Jutsu this profound at such a young age, and he's honed his body to this extent..."

"Yet he still spent several years at the Ninja Academy."

Hatake Sakumo appeared silently behind Namikaze Minato, rubbing his hair as he said with a smile, "You should still build a solid foundation properly. Don't rush to graduate..."

Namikaze Minato's eyes widened slightly at that moment.

He had thought using a Cursed Seal against Kakashi was already unsporting enough...

But why was there also this sort of "you beat the younger one, and the older one shows up" development?

As expected of Konoha's White Fang, the man who had created an ultimate Taijutsu like One Thousand Years of Death. He could not be fooled by that stern exterior...

Kakashi looked at Hatake Sakumo with almost worshipful eyes.

Father...

Why are you so cool today?!

Not far away, Might Father and Son, who had run over, stared at the scene in surprise and burst into tears together once more.

"Did you see that, Guy?!

"Everyone's working hard in real combat! We need to add another three hundred laps..."

At this moment.

Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato seemed to sense something and looked up together.

Everyone else followed their movements and looked over as well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in black clothes, arms folded, a smile curling his lips.

He looked down at them!

"L-Lord Hokage!" Might Duy cried out exaggeratedly.