"Hehe."
Minato looked at Shisui with a half-smile.
"I heard that some people in the Anbu have given you a new title recently."
"Shisui of the Body Flicker."
Long ago, Minato had recognized Shisui's talent for the Body Flicker Technique.
During the year when he served as Shisui's instructor, Minato had deliberately guided him in developing a Body Flicker Technique that suited his abilities.
Just as Minato himself had developed the Flying Thunder God technique.
Over the years, with Shisui's natural talent, he obviously hadn't remained stagnant, and his strength had continued to improve.
After several years of growth, Shisui's reputation in the Anbu had even surpassed some squad leaders, and was only beneath that of Uchiha Fugaku.
To have earned such a title and reputation, Shisui naturally possessed the strength to match it.
Although he wasn't yet fifteen years old, Minato knew very well that with Shisui's talent and the advantage of his Uchiha bloodline, his current level should not be underestimated.
"It's just a compliment," Shisui said modestly. His personality was actually similar to Minato's.
Shisui didn't care about these meaningless reputations.
"Itachi, what do you think?" Minato chuckled and looked at the boy beside Shisui.
Itachi hadn't expected Minato to suddenly turn the conversation to him. He raised his eyes, pondered for a moment, and said, "Those who are selected to serve in the Anbu must be elite ninjas."
"And since even these elites have given such a title to Senior Shisui, it's enough to explain his skill."
"That's right," Minato smiled and looked at Shisui.
"I haven't seen you in action for a long time."
"Why don't you let Itachi and me see the abilities of 'Shisui of the Body Flicker' now?"
Shisui's expression became serious as he said, "Lord Hokage, but there is still the mission to discuss."
"There's no rush for the mission," Minato said, waving his hand dismissively.
Seeing that the Hokage himself had said so, Shisui no longer made excuses.
"It's just..." His face changed slightly, and he hesitated to speak.
"Is it difficult to choose an opponent?"
Minato knew what Shisui was thinking. A ninja of his caliber couldn't show his true strength unless he was in actual combat.
With Shisui's current abilities, he couldn't carelessly face off against even ninjas as strong as the Sannin or Hatake Sakumo.
If he went all out, he might cause accidental injuries.
"Don't worry, I've already decided on your opponent," Minato said with a smile, then added, "Let me, as your teacher, see how much you've improved over the years."
As soon as these words left his mouth, both Shisui and Itachi were shocked.
"Hehe, what? Are you afraid you'll lose control and hurt me by mistake?" Minato asked, seeing that Shisui hadn't responded.
"Of course not."
Shisui shook his head. He knew that not only himself, but even the strongest ninjas in the five great nations couldn't hurt the man before him in single combat.
Even the idea that his attack might touch Minato seemed like a fantasy.
He might be called "Shisui of the Body Flicker" by many of his colleagues in the Anbu, but this title, compared to "Konoha's Yellow Flash," was nothing.
"Are you afraid to face me?" Minato pressed.
"No."
Shisui's voice and body trembled at this moment, not from fear, but from excitement—he couldn't suppress the joy in his heart.
Today's Minato stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world, a position established through countless hard-fought battles.
For most people, when facing such an opponent, they would lose their fighting spirit.
But a genius like Shisui, though not particularly fond of fighting, had his own pride.
In his heart, as in the hearts of many young Konoha ninjas, Minato was the goal to aspire to.
"I've wanted to challenge you, Master Minato, for a long time!"
Shisui said with intensity. Back then, the gap between him and his teacher had been like that between an elephant and an ant—they weren't even in the same league.
Even now, he didn't expect to be a true match for Minato.
But at least he was no longer like before, when facing him, completely powerless to resist.
"I accept your challenge."
Minato smiled and nodded. Shisui's current state of mind was similar to his own in the past.
Back then, he had also taken Jiraiya and Sakumo as his targets to surpass.
Because of that goal, he had worked hard and finally exceeded them.
Meanwhile, Itachi's eyes were filled with strong anticipation.
Ninjas of his generation had only heard about the legends of Minato, but had never seen him in action.
Although Itachi was still far from that level, nothing could excite him more than the chance to witness the Yellow Flash in battle.
Minato noticed the emotions in Itachi's eyes.
He formed hand signs, creating a shadow clone to temporarily handle his Hokage duties.
Then he walked over to Shisui and placed his palm on the young man's shoulder.
"Itachi, grab Shisui's arm," Minato said with a glance, and Itachi immediately complied.
Swish!
The moment Minato's palm touched Shisui, the scene before them suddenly changed.
"Let's choose this place," Minato whispered to Itachi as the boy was still getting his bearings.
When Itachi came to his senses, he looked around and realized they were at one of Konoha's training grounds.
"Flying Thunder God Technique?" Itachi thought to himself. Clearly, Minato had transported him and Shisui to this place instantly.
"Yes, this will work!" Shisui looked around and nodded at Minato.
Minato smiled again. In Itachi's eyes, the smile remained unchanged.
But the blond man was already far away from them.
Itachi glanced to his side, and Shisui had vanished without him noticing.
When he looked back, the missing Shisui was already standing a few meters away from Minato.
"Try your best and don't hold back," Minato said to Shisui.
Shisui nodded firmly. He knew very well that even at his best, he had no luxury to hold back.
"Hmph!"
When he raised his eyes again, his originally dark pupils had transformed into three slowly rotating tomoe.
At the same time, he raised his right hand and grabbed the short sword of the Anbu from his back.
His other hand wasn't idle either. Minato couldn't help but chuckle when he saw this.
"One-handed seals?"
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