Konoha's Future Pillar Hadn't Even Begun to Shine Yet...

Minato raised an eyebrow, his eyes lighting up.

The timing was impeccable. His knees had just begun to tense for a jump.

Clang!

The kunai on his right erupted in white smoke at the same time, and Kakashi descended from above!

Holding the White Fang Short Sword in a reverse grip, he used the full force of his descent to slash down viciously, the blade precisely sealing off every route above Minato's head.

His path to jump had been sealed, his retreat cut off by steel wire, and a descending blade blocked him from the front.

Minato narrowed his eyes slightly, and his smile finally carried genuine appreciation.

"Nice coordination."

But it wasn't over yet.

At the edge of the training ground, several passing Genin stopped in their tracks, their mouths gradually falling open with expressions as though they had seen a ghost.

"Damn, were they really just graduates?"

"When I took my graduation test, all I knew was how to throw smoke bombs at the teacher's face."

At the critical instant before the weapons collided.

"Minato-sensei!"

A third Obito rushed out from the trees to the side.

His head was covered in cold sweat, his face deathly pale. His Chakra was clearly at its limit.

Minato instinctively turned to look.

The moment their gazes met, the Two-Tomoe in Obito's eyes spun rapidly, and the crimson glow swelled!

Genjutsu.

Minato's gaze shook for an instant.

This kid could actually force out a Sharingan Genjutsu with his Chakra nearly depleted, holding on through sheer willpower!

The Genjutsu crashed over him in layers. Even a delay of a few tenths of a second was enough.

Obito's knees gave out, and he dropped into the mud with a thud.

All strength left his body. He lay face-down on the ground, gritting his teeth