Genius

Tsuki's life gradually settled into a routine, and his relationship with Minato Namikaze grew better and better. Under Tsunade's instruction, he also began learning to refine chakra. However, because of his Senju Bloodline, he was born with a plentiful supply of chakra, which surprised Tsunade somewhat. She didn't think much of it, though.

A month passed just like that. Tsuki spent his time learning how to use Kunai and Taijutsu, but another surprise suddenly arrived.

"Today, our class has a new student. Let's welcome her and have her introduce herself."

That day, a new student joined Tsuki's class.

His gaze shifted to the doorway, where a lovely girl appeared.

Her soft red hair spilled down her back, and her dark eyes showed a determined gleam. She had a small, straight-backed figure and looked quite cool.

Tsuki stared at her. Of course he knew who she was. Naruto's mom!

"My name is Kushina Uzumaki, and my dream is to become the first female Hokage!"

Kushina quickly wrote her name down, then introduced herself, stunning everyone.

However, Kushina was met not with applause, but with laughter.

"What do you mean, the first female Hokage? Look at her hair, and her face is so round. She looks like a tomato."

"Now that you mention it, she really does! Tomato, tomato! Hahaha!"

The class erupted into chatter. Every remark, none of them spoken quietly, reached Kushina's ears. Her face gradually turned visibly red with anger.

"Whoa! She's turning red! She really is a tomato!"

"She really looks like a tomato!"

Tsuki watched from the side, curious about how Kushina's face could get so red. With her somewhat round face, she really did look like a tomato.

"What did you say?!"

Kushina snapped angrily, but it did no good.

"Oh no, the tomato's mad."

"Hahaha, don't rile her up. She's going to be the first female Hokage, after all."

Kushina was only one person, after all, and she was no match for a whole group. She couldn't win an argument against all of them, and she wasn't much good at insulting people anyway.

Minato Namikaze watched from the side, his gaze fixed on Kushina. His own dream was to become Hokage, so naturally he was interested in someone with the same goal.

Tsuki looked at Kushina, outnumbered and struggling, and sighed helplessly.

He raised his hands and clapped loudly. The sudden applause quieted the noisy class.

"Mocking someone's dream is the worst. Whatever the case, at least she has the courage to say what she wants. If you don't have the same determination, you have no right to laugh at someone else's dream."

Tsuki's voice was the only sound in the quiet classroom. Everyone stared at him as he spoke calmly.

After hearing his words, the students seemed to realize they were in the wrong. They fell silent and stopped talking about Kushina. Kushina, too, gave a huff.

And so the incident passed. As it happened, Kushina's seat was right in front of Tsuki's.

"Thank you."

Her long red hair swept past Tsuki's eyes as a soft voice reached him.

Tsuki smiled gently. Once Kushina had sat down, he replied in a quiet voice that no one nearby could hear.

"You're welcome. That was really cool."

Kushina's hand trembled slightly, and the corner of her mouth lifted a little where Tsuki couldn't see.

"Your goal is to become Hokage, too?"

"My name is Minato Namikaze. Just like you, my goal is to become Hokage."

Minato was very interested in Kushina, who shared his goal, so he came over as soon as class ended.

As the class's little sun, Minato was friendly toward everyone. Though he was a genius, he came from an ordinary family and was popular with his classmates. In the past, his smile had shone on everyone like sunlight, but unfortunately, it had the opposite effect on Kushina.

"You're too goofy to become Hokage."

"I'm going to be Hokage!"

Kushina's two replies brimmed with bravado, leaving Minato standing awkwardly to the side.

Tsuki watched the two of them and couldn't help laughing.

"Goofy, huh? That's quite a review, Minato."

Tsuki and Minato got along well, so he laughed openly.

"Those words caught me off guard."

Minato rubbed his head. It was the first time anyone had called him goofy, but what surprised him even more was what Kushina said next.

"And you, you look a bit like a girl. You have no manliness at all. You're so girly."

Minato froze on the spot, while Tsuki laughed like crazy beside him.

Kushina had shown no mercy. She had called Minato's gentle, distinctive air girly, so it was no wonder he'd frozen.

At any rate, Tsuki, Kushina, and Minato had now made their first proper acquaintance.

The days that followed went on as usual. Even though Tsuki had spoken up for Kushina, her situation remained the same. No one said it to her face anymore, but plenty of people still called her a tomato behind her back.

Kushina seemed to be fed up with it. One time, she followed a group of boys who had been badmouthing her and beat them all up.

And so Kushina's nickname changed, evolving from Tomato to Red Hot Habanero.

But that didn't matter. Tsuki carried on as usual. Kushina, who sat in front of him, often chatted with him, and before long, they had gotten quite familiar with each other.

Today, after several months of theory lessons and Kunai throwing, the Ninja Academy finally held its first practical class.

The students would have sparring matches against each other. Naturally, the matches would stop once someone had the upper hand.

At last, the long-dormant system task was triggered again.

"Task triggered: Defeat Minato Namikaze in a match. Reward upon completion: one draw."

Tsuki had been waiting a long time for a system task like this. The system was the best and fastest way for him to grow stronger.

The students nearby got to their feet, and Tsuki was paired against Minato Namikaze. Their match was scheduled for the final group.

Everyone looked forward to the match between the genius Minato Namikaze and the equally talented Himeshima Tsuki.

"Tsuki, good luck! Beat that girly guy into the ground!"

Before the matches began, Kushina, who had already defeated her opponent, came over to cheer Tsuki on.

She looked happy, clenching her little fist and giving it a few punches. It was quite cute.

Tsuki glanced at Minato, who looked serious beside him. Poor guy had no idea someone had told Tsuki to beat him into the ground.

"Students Minato Namikaze and Himeshima Tsuki, step forward."

As the teacher called out, the crowd grew lively, and Tsuki and Minato stepped forward.

They shook hands first and exchanged words of sportsmanship. Then Tsuki and Minato faced off.

Minato's eyes had grown sharper, and he seemed like a different person altogether.

"Begin."

The instant the teacher spoke, the two of them moved in a flash.

Their figures raced forward and collided. A moment later, Tsuki and Minato were pressing their arms against each other in a stalemate.

After half a second of eye contact, they moved at the same time. Rather than keep straining against each other, they broke apart and began exchanging Taijutsu blows.

Straight punches, roundhouse kicks, blocks—these simple Taijutsu techniques flowed skillfully from both of them, and they moved incredibly fast.

Tsuki ducked under Minato's roundhouse kick, then tried to sweep his legs out from under him.

But Minato was no ordinary person. He quickly adjusted his body and leaped into the air on one foot, dodging Tsuki's attack. He even managed to switch feet in midair and kick back at Tsuki.

Tsuki was no slouch either. After all, there was a beautiful Taijutsu expert at home.

Just like Minato, Tsuki switched feet and met his kick.

Their feet struck each other. Neither had time to worry about the momentary pain, and both wore faint smiles.

The next second, they sprang apart. At the same time, their hands reached behind their waists, where their ninja pouches held Kunai and scrolls.

Their hands whipped out, sending several black Kunai flying.

With a clang, their Kunai collided. The two charged at each other again, but this time they each held a Kunai.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The sounds rang out nonstop. The teacher watching from the side grew a little anxious. Those were Kunai, not toys, but in the circumstances, he didn't think he should stop them.

The Kunai clashed again. This time, Minato was forced back several steps. A Kunai wasn't a sword, but Tsuki's Sword Mastery still gave him a major advantage. At least when it came to Kunai, Minato was no match for Tsuki and was completely suppressed.

"As expected of you, Tsuki. I had a feeling when I first met you."

"You'll be a formidable opponent!"

Minato's voice carried a note of delight. It seemed he was happy to have found a rival.

"You too."

Tsuki replied, making Minato smile.

"Let's finish this!"

Minato charged after speaking, while Tsuki stood his ground and faced him.

Using the momentum of his run, Minato slammed into him.

Their Kunai clashed again. This time, Minato added a kick.

Minato kicked upward, and Tsuki took the blow on his knee. But that wasn't Minato's real aim. He used the force of Tsuki's block to leap into the air.

It was dangerous to be airborne in a fight, but Minato seemed to have jumped up specifically to take advantage of it.

Everyone watched as Minato threw the Kunai in his hand.

Tsuki blocked it with ease. Then the crowd around them gasped.

Tsuki looked up, a smile creeping onto his face. Minato had given everyone a surprise.

Minato was still in the air, rapidly forming Hand Seals. This little kid who had only just started at the Ninja Academy could actually use a jutsu!

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

In just a few seconds, Minato had finished forming the seals. The instant he spoke, his cheeks puffed out.

A powerful gust burst from Minato's mouth, blowing straight toward Tsuki.

A faint smile lifted the corners of Tsuki's mouth. Minato had surprised him once again.

Wasn't this just what you'd expect from the greatest genius in the Naruto series? No bloodline at all—pure, unadulterated talent.

But Tsuki wasn't a pushover either!

Minato's use of a C-rank jutsu was certainly impressive, but he was still a novice. Tsuki dodged it with a single powerful movement.

And then Minato's defeat was inevitable.

It was dangerous to be airborne in a fight. Since his jutsu had failed, Minato was vulnerable the moment he landed, and Tsuki was already moving in.

Minato gave a wry smile as he looked at the Kunai held against his neck and Tsuki, smiling beside him.

"That was a great fight."

"Even if I did lose."

Tsuki lowered his Kunai and stepped back, then he and Minato formed a Seal of Reconciliation.

"Next time, I won't lose."

"Same here."

"Task: Defeat Minato Namikaze in a match. Complete. Reward: one draw."

Tsuki and Minato smiled and slapped their palms together.

In the first match between the two geniuses, Tsuki had won.

"You beat that girly guy. Good job."

As soon as practical class ended, Kushina came over and patted Tsuki. Minato stood to the side, laughing awkwardly.

"Well, we got out early today. How about we go grab something to eat together? My treat."

Tsuki smiled and suggested they go out together, playing peacemaker.

In the end, although Kushina seemed reluctant, she still went out with Tsuki and Minato.

She hadn't been in Konoha long and hadn't really explored it yet, so she was interested in going, too.

And so the three kids walked through the village together.

Dusk quietly settled in. Kushina and Minato went home one after the other, and Tsuki headed for his own home.

The air in Konoha was a little cool beneath the evening sky, but it still held some warmth—just right.