Over the next two days, the topic of conversation at the Ninja Academy shifted to Araki and Minato.
Although the discussion surrounding Araki didn't reach an exaggerated level, with people's attention mostly focused on Minato Namikaze, who had already mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, many people still knew that Araki and Minato Namikaze fought to a draw in this battle.
That's right, it's a tie!
That's how the people at this school see it.
Although Araki publicly admitted defeat, they could tell from Minato Namikaze's expression that the latter was probably also nearing his limit.
The battle between the two was nothing like the head-on clashes typical of the Ninja Academy; it was more of a contest of wits.
Araki's name began to spread throughout the Ninja Academy.
At this very moment.
Inside the classroom.
It was afternoon, and Araki wasn't in the classroom. Many students were discussing the mock battle from earlier.
As people have begun to review the battle over the past two days, it has become even more exciting. After understanding the significance of the Flying Thunder God Technique, people have a clearer understanding of how right Araki was to prioritize destroying those suffering beings at that time.
If it were them, they certainly wouldn't care so much about the Kunai on the ground; falling into them would be tantamount to declaring defeat in the battle.
The more you review the situation, the more you realize that Araki has extremely strong judgment and does things meticulously, leaving himself almost no room for vulnerability.
Gradually, people's opinion of Araki improved.
In a seat towards the back of the classroom.
Kushina had a happy smile on her lips. Just this past noon, she had lunch with Mikoto and they talked about Araki.
Mikoto already knew about the battle between Araki and Minato, her face filled with surprise, her mouth agape, barely able to speak, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement.
" Kushina, you're not being fair! Why didn't you tell me? I only found out from someone else!" Mikoto said with a hint of complaint. Actually, she also wanted to know some information about Araki, because she was very curious about Araki.
"I forgot..." Kushina said somewhat evasively.
"This happened the day before yesterday. We just had dinner together yesterday, and you didn't even tell me." Mikoto pouted, and from her expression, she didn't seem very satisfied. After all, she clearly had a feeling of being in a superior position, even though she wasn't as close as Kushina. At least she was close to Kushina, but she didn't get a single piece of information from Kushina.
"Next time for sure!" Kushina suddenly grinned, revealing a bright smile. Actually, even she didn't know why. In the past, when talking to Mikoto, she felt Araki was a treasure and longed to share information about it with Mikoto. But now, she suddenly felt like keeping it to herself, saying, "I'll definitely tell you next time."
"That's more like it." Mikoto didn't really blame Kushina; she was just concerned about Araki's situation. She then stared at Kushina and said, "What exactly happened? Tell me quickly."
"Okay~"
Kushina slowly recounted the events of the simulated duel to Mikoto, told from Araki's perspective. She started with the story of Boji, then Minato Namikaze, and finally mentioned the Flying Thunder God Technique.
She had a very strange feeling when she talked about these things.
In the past, when Araki was very low-key, she hoped that more people would notice Araki and that others would discover this treasure with her. This was not only a feeling of sadness that the treasure was covered in dust, but also a hope that many people could recognize her vision.
But once this treasure truly shines, she hopes that not many people will notice Araki; it would be best if only those like her, who have been paying attention since before his rise to power, knew about him.
Even Kushina herself couldn't explain this feeling.
It's quite complicated.
So much so that when she met Mikoto, whom she was very close to, she didn't even want to tell her about it.
"My God, Minato Namikaze has actually mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique! He's terrifying! What kind of talent is that?"
Mikoto stared wide-eyed in shock as she spoke.
She didn't have much information, after all, her ninja level was limited, she was only Genin, and she hadn't entered the Konoha Military Police Force yet. All the information she could get was from what others gleaned from under their fingernails.
If she hadn't overheard Araki's name by chance, she wouldn't have even bothered with the matter.
After all, in her understanding...
Araki would tell Kushina whenever something went wrong, but she never expected that her concerns would be ignored.
"The most terrifying thing is that Araki actually fought Minato Namikaze to a draw!" Mikoto was still shocked.
Many people only saw the imposing and heroic Minato Namikaze, but she saw Araki, who was no less capable than Minato Namikaze, which gave her a rare sense of accomplishment.
"Tch~"
Kushina scoffed at Mikoto's expression and said, "What's so special about that!"
"Don't you know what that means?" Mikoto paused for a moment, then said, "That's the Flying Thunder God Technique!"
"I've heard about this S-rank Space-Time Ninjutsu since I was a child!"
" Uchiha Izuna died from this Ninjutsu back then!"
"Since the death of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, no one has been able to master the Flying Thunder God Technique. Minato Namikaze's strength and talent were fully exposed under this technique!"
"I had no idea about this situation!"
"If I were there and saw Minato Namikaze use the Flying Thunder God Technique, Space-Time Ninjutsu, I definitely wouldn't believe Araki could win!"
"I have to say..."
"Besides his inherent strength, Araki definitely had an element of luck involved. If he were to have another simulated duel with Minato Namikaze next time, the fight might not be as evenly matched as it is now!"
Uchiha Mikoto spoke one sentence after another, and that was exactly what she was thinking. That was the technique that had defeated Uchiha Izuna; the Flying Thunder God Technique held a very high reputation and status within the Uchiha Clan.
Not only that.
She also felt that Araki's foundation was still shallow.
In less than a year, Araki has gone from being unable to defeat Sora Hyuga to now being able to fight Minato Namikaze to a draw. This is a remarkable leap forward and is enough to prove Araki's potential.
She was very satisfied with this!
However, she remained relatively calm and did not develop an exaggerated perception of Araki because of this incident; she maintained a basic level of rationality.
After all, according to the information she had previously gathered, Araki did not have such formidable strength when he simulated a duel with Sora Hyuga, but at this point in time, he can fight to a draw with Minato Namikaze, which is already a very, very rare achievement.
but...
Kushina, however, thought differently!
Even now, she still harbors some disdain for Araki, because she has witnessed his "true" strength.
From that moment on...
No matter how amazing Araki's actions were, she wasn't surprised. After all, even though Minato Namikaze had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was still a student at the Ninja Academy, not a ninja yet.
The ninjas from Kumogakure that Araki killed were genuine ninjas. As long as we hold onto this understanding for so long, there won't be any major wavering on this matter now.
"Okay, okay~"
Kushina nodded slightly, without revealing her inner thoughts. Just as her thinking had changed recently, she realized that many times, such treasures needed to be enjoyed alone.
Kushina recalled what had happened at noon, and seeing the students in her class discussing Araki, the smile on her lips grew even brighter.
This made her realize even more how powerful Araki was, and she was overjoyed and excited.
In the Academic Affairs Office.
Sarutobi Karen Kaede stared blankly at the scroll in front of her.
The events that have occurred in this period of time have been so numerous that she simply cannot process so many complex issues.
" Araki and Minato Namikaze actually fought to a draw..."
Sarutobi Karen Kaede's beautiful eyes flickered with surprise. During the final exams, she had discovered that Araki wasn't as weak as he appeared, but rather was quietly hiding his true strength. However, just how much strength he was hiding, at least Maemoto Takashi hadn't been forced to reveal.
But now that things have come to this...
They actually managed a draw with Minato Namikaze!
This phenomenon is absolutely terrifying!
But she also obtained a lot of other intelligence...
" Araki actually successfully performed Might Duy's surgery inside Konoha Hospital, shocking everyone in the hospital. What kind of monster is he?!"
"Judging from the unreliable information gleaned from the students, Araki can actually make Explosive Tag!"
Are there really students who can be this all-around talented these days?
"And also..."
"I haven't seen Dan Katō since that day. Is this related to Araki?"
One question mark after another popped into Sarutobi Karen Kaede's head. She couldn't find the answers to these questions through her own thinking, which made her even more curious about Araki, but she didn't have the chance to explore him.
In an instant.
Many high-ranking members of the Ninja Academy learned about what Araki had done at the Konoha Hospital, and combined this with his fight to a draw with Minato Namikaze, they almost completely redefined their perception of Araki.
The nurses at Konoha Hospital who had been following Araki gradually learned about what Araki had done at the Ninja Academy. They didn't yet fully understand what it meant to fight to a draw with Minato Namikaze, but considering that Araki had completed the Might Duy surgery, they realized that Araki had achieved excellent results at the Ninja Academy, demonstrating his exceptional talent.
This caused a great stir at the Ninja Academy and Konoha Hospital, with both sides discussing Araki.
However...
The main character being discussed is teaching Nawaki some basic medical theory at Tsunade's house.
Time passed quickly.
As Araki left Tsunade's house and headed towards his own residence, he suddenly found a figure blocking his way.
"You must be Araki!"
This was a middle-aged man who looked to be around forty-five years old. He was wearing a Mabui with some scorching marks, but overall he looked fairly neat. There seemed to be a sense of familiarity between his brows.
"Who are you?"
Araki glanced at the middle-aged man in front of him, a question mark popping into his mind. The man had called out his name directly, which meant he was coming for him.
If that's the case...
He stood there, looking at the other person, waiting for them to explain their purpose.
"My name is Maemoto Ichiro, and I am Maemoto Takashi's father. I've come to see you specifically to invite you to my home so that I can apologize to you in person!" the middle-aged man said.
An apology is unnecessary.
Araki shook his head, feeling somewhat helpless. Since the other party had already come to him, he could have simply apologized directly; there was no need to go to their house.