With three teammates, two of whom are considerate, it's hard for them to have internal conflicts.
As long as you get the bell, you're guaranteed to pass the test.
Now that Minato and Kushina have both spoken out, it's like putting him in a difficult position. If he follows suit and says something, it will seem a bit late. But if he doesn't say anything, it will seem like he lacks a spirit of sacrifice, even though Araki really doesn't.
"Listen to me on this matter. The two of you take the bells and stay with the ninja team. I still have a way out; I don't need to go back to school to retake the course," Araki said in a deep voice.
"What do you mean?" Minato was stunned for a moment. While he was surprised, he also felt a little bit of excitement. It was a small selfish desire deep in his heart. After all, if he could be in the same group as Kushina alone, and Kushina was not in the group, it would be a Araki opportunity for him to spend time together. However, although he thought this, his personality did not allow him to take such an advantage.
" Araki, what is this 'escape route' you mentioned? I've never heard you say that before." Kushina looked at Araki with a puzzled expression. She thought she knew Araki well, but she felt a strange sense of confusion about the current situation, which made her feel almost like a stranger to Araki again.
You should know at least a little about my affairs.
Left with no other option, Araki had to come up with a reason, at least one that he felt was plausible, so that he could gain the approval of his two teammates.
If we don't express our opinion now...
Looking back later, I might see myself as a selfish teammate, and it could even become a source of trouble.
This is something Araki didn't want to happen.
Just thinking about it is such a hassle.
He doesn't like trouble!
Therefore, he decided to eliminate these potential problems that could cause him trouble in the future, nipping any misunderstandings in the bud.
"When I was in the Ninja Academy, I had already become a medical-nin under Tsunade-sensei. So I skipped all my afternoon classes to study Medical Ninjutsu with Tsunade-sensei. Before graduating, I was thinking about whether to join a ninja team or become a medical-nin at Konoha Hospital."
Araki spoke slowly, his tone not particularly forceful, yet his voice reached Minato and Kushina's ears very clearly.
"This..."
Kushina and Minato were both stunned for a moment, and neither of them could say anything more. They both knew about this matter, so they understood that Araki was not simply a matter of modesty, but that such a thing had indeed happened.
"So, either of you who gives up the bell will have to go back to the Ninja Academy to study. Your path is the path of a ninja. But not me. I don't necessarily have to go back to the Ninja Academy. I can go to Konoha Hospital. Besides, I was hesitant about going before, and I even thought that if I wanted to go in the future, I might have to leave the team. Why not give this opportunity to you two who need it more!"
Araki's tone wasn't forceful; he wasn't trying to compete with Minato Kushina. Instead, he presented the facts and reasoned with them, explaining things step by step so that they would believe he was serious.
This is what sets him apart from his peers.
Children in the ninja world mature early, but they need to distinguish their place. They are indeed earlier in matters of love, but in terms of shrewdness, they are far inferior to Araki.
Araki wouldn't impulsively say he's quitting. Essentially, he wasn't brainwashed by the Ninja Academy's ideology, nor did he possess those chaotic Will of Fire. He simply lacked that spirit of sacrifice; instead, he was driven by a sense of self-preservation, like a stranger in a strange land.
As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. This is a principle taught to him by his ancestors. When a person dies, everything is gone; only when a person is alive can there be infinite possibilities.
The reason Araki said this was because he knew that the core of the bell-catching game test was the spirit of teamwork and humility. In addition, he already knew about the master-disciple relationship between Jiraiya and Minato. Now, no matter what he said, they would pass the test and no one would leave, so he might as well be clearer.
Conversely...
If Araki hadn't known these things beforehand, he definitely wouldn't have impulsively said he was quitting like Kushina did.
but...
In a sense...
This bell-grabbing game is a way to see if someone is suitable to be a ninja!
Araki knew he wasn't suited to be a ninja. He didn't have the philosophy of prioritizing missions, nor did he believe that a person's value was determined at the moment of death. In essence, he was different from the ninjas in the ninja world.
"So you don't need to argue with me anymore."
Araki's voice rang out again; he had now persuaded the two men with very reasonable arguments.
In truth, he knew very well that no one wanted to sacrifice themselves, but they would make sacrifices for those they cared about. However, if they could avoid sacrifice, that would be the best outcome.
"Let's just consider this assessment as helping me make a decision!"
"Right now, let's focus on taking those two bells to help you pass the test. Then I'll report to the Medical Team and become a medical-nin."
"Don't forget..."
"Being medical-nin is my dream!"
Araki clearly saw that Minato and Kushina wanted to say something more, so he blinked. This question wasn't that hard to remember. After all, Ibuki-sensei had asked everyone about their dreams before, and that was exactly what he said back then. So he wasn't exactly lying now.
Upon hearing this,
Minato and Kushina both fell silent.
If Araki were to sacrifice himself for them, neither of them would be willing. However, if Araki's current actions are seen as a pursuit of his dreams, then the nature of his actions becomes different.
"What's wrong with you guys? Are you even going to hold the drill?"
Jiraiya stood quietly to the side, listening to the conversation of the three people. The lines on his face softened considerably. He didn't disturb them while they were talking, wanting to see just how far their complete thought process could go.
After listening to the whole thing, he was very satisfied with the three people, and he could vaguely see the shadows of Nagato Yahiko and Konan in them.
The simple conversation conveyed two key messages to him.
First, all three people were courteous to each other, giving up valuable opportunities to the other two, which is truly commendable.
Secondly, all three were willing to work together to grab the bell and then distribute it internally. They did not become hostile to each other because there were only two spots available, and the group remained united.
These are the two points he wants to assess.
By this point, he was already very satisfied and had come to greatly approve of these three people, considering them his disciples in his heart.
Let's snatch the bell first!
A serious look flashed in Minato's azure eyes. He had always admired Araki, and after their conversation, he had gained a new understanding of Araki.
"Give me your Kunai," Araki said, walking up to Minato.
"Hmm." Minato responded without hesitation, taking the ninja tool pouch from his waist and placing it all in Araki's hands.
"Don't forget our goal," Araki said meaningfully.
"Understood." Minato nodded, then raised his right hand, retracting his thumb, and said, "Now I have four chances."
"What about me?" Kushina immediately leaned over. She hadn't quite understood what Araki and Minato were saying and was wondering how the two of them had suddenly become so in sync. However, she didn't intend to just sit back and wait to win; she still wanted to get involved.
"Distract Jiraiya and keep attacking him. While protecting yourself, try to create as many opportunities as possible for Araki," Minato said in a deep voice.
"Understood!" Kushina's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Let's go!"
Araki gave a low shout, and then his figure flashed, rushing towards Jiraiya at an extremely fast speed.
This is a linear acceleration.
Araki's physical abilities have reached an abnormal level, and his sudden burst of speed leaves behind afterimages.
In almost an instant, he was in front of Jiraiya.
"Um?"
Jiraiya's expression suddenly hardened, and he immediately raised his hands to block. In his mind, he was silently assessing the situation. The speed that this boy had unleashed had already surpassed Jonin of most Jonin, and his physical strength far exceeded his perceived muscle strength, which was extremely unexpected to him.
Bang!
Araki delivered a powerful kick to Jiraiya's hand, producing a loud thud. However, he didn't pause for a moment. Instead, using his coordinated body control, he suddenly spun around and appeared behind Jiraiya, delivering another powerful kick.
at the same time.
Minato and Kushina attacked Jiraiya from both sides.
Kushina suddenly produced a scroll in her hand, then waved it, releasing a large number of Kunai that flew densely towards Jiraiya, seemingly ignoring Araki who was charging at the forefront.
Minato, like a wild beast, was constantly approaching Jiraiya, but always kept his distance, as if waiting for an opportunity to strike. But it was precisely when he was still that he felt the chill most, especially his pair of blue eyes, which were already fixed on the bell at Jiraiya's waist.
"These three little guys..."
Jiraiya's hands were numb from Araki's leg strike, and now he had to block again. The attack from this side alone was not something he could handle as easily as the other child, not to mention that Kushina and Minato were no pushovers either.
After just one encounter, he felt that the three children's talent and ability were superior to Nagato Yahiko and Konan's, which was very obvious.
However...
Just as Araki's leg whip was about to strike Jiraiya's hand again, his terrifying speed suddenly stopped.
Immediately afterwards.
Araki suddenly appeared in front of Jiraiya in a sudden movement, raised his right hand, and immediately threw a punch straight at him.
at the same time.
Araki suddenly produced a Kunai in his left hand and slashed it towards Jiraiya's face.
"Are you really planning to kill me?!"
Jiraiya sensed Araki's attack and his heart tightened. Even though he was stronger than the three of them, he had to take it seriously.
Swish!
However, after Araki Kunai in his hand, he did not attack directly. Instead, he inserted his left index finger into the ring on the Kunai's handle, spun the Kunai around, and then threw it at Jiraiya's feet.
At this moment, Jiraiya's hands were already entangled by Araki, and there was a large pile of Kunai about to fly over. However, the seemingly falling Kunai did not concern Jiraiya too much.
"Chance!"
A sharp glint flashed in Minato's azure eyes, and then his chakra surged, locking onto the Flying Thunder God Kunai Chakra a powerful technique. In a flash, he vanished from sight.
The next moment.
Minato's figure appeared directly at Jiraiya's waist, with two bells right in front of him. He raised his hand and reached out to grab them, his fingertips already touching the strings of the bells.
Chapter 6 This kid is good!
This sudden turn of events seemed to have exceeded Jiraiya's expectations, causing a solemn expression to appear on Jiraiya's face as he raised his arms to block Araki's attack.
In that very instant.
Minato felt victory was in sight.
He could almost hear the sound of bells ringing.
The corners of her mouth were already slightly upturned.
However...
The next moment.
Jiraiya kicked out with incredible speed, aiming directly at Minato's face. At the moment of kicking, he cleverly used the power of his waist and abdomen to move the bell further inward, just in time to avoid Minato's reach.
not good!