Chapter 7: The Golden Thread of Change
Minato was now ten years old. He woke up on a Sunday morning, got ready, and looked at the transparent blue screen. It now showed his Minato Namikaze Template at 20%. He headed to the park for his morning training with Touya.
As he walked, he thought about Touya. In the original timeline, Touya was abused by his father, Endeavor, who only focused on Shoto. Touya would burn himself in sorrow, leading to his death and the birth of Dabi. But Minato's presence had changed that. He had helped Touya focus on his mother's well-being and his own goals.
The Touya he knew now was still intense, but his anger was controlled. He no longer sought his father's attention. Instead, he cared deeply for his mother, Rei, even defying Endeavor for her. Touya, now eighteen, would be entering U.A. University after the summer, aiming to become a hero on his terms. Minato felt good about this change.
He reached the park. Touya was already there. "Morning, Minato," Touya said.
"Morning, Touya-kun!" Minato replied.
They did their usual warm-up. Minato focused on agility, Touya on controlling his flames. After about twenty minutes, Touya stopped his Quirk.
"Ready for sparring?" Touya asked.
"Always!" Minato said, getting into position.
They began sparring without Quirks, focusing on hand-to-hand combat. Touya, being older and stronger, moved with surprising agility. Minato, faster and smaller, dodged and weaved, his movements precise. They trained to improve their fighting skills, pushing each other without aiming to cause injury.
Minato's Chakra control had also advanced significantly over the past six years. His template's consistent increase meant he could now effortlessly perform tree climbing and water walking, skills that were once difficult. He could even use Chakra reinforcement to enhance his speed and strength in bursts, though he kept this hidden from public view. His control was far beyond what a normal ten-year-old Quirk user could achieve, allowing for precise and efficient energy manipulation.
With 20% of the Minato Namikaze Template synchronized, he had gained significant powers and knowledge. He could now use the Shadow Clone Jutsu, creating tangible duplicates of himself, though he rarely used it in public to avoid drawing attention. The Body Flicker Technique was another skill, allowing him to move at incredible speeds, almost seeming to disappear and reappear. He also had access to basic elemental Chakra Jutsus, though he was still in the early stages of mastering them. Finally, a significant amount of knowledge on Fuinjutsu (sealing techniques) had also flowed into his mind, giving him a theoretical understanding of complex seals and their applications.
His friendships had also deepened. Mina, with her bubbly personality, was still his enthusiastic, pink-skinned friend, often trying to teach him new dance moves. Kirishima remained the epitome of "manliness," always ready for a challenge and fiercely loyal. Himiko, however, was the biggest change. Minato's initial conversation had steered her away from the dark path. She was still quiet at times, but no longer withdrawn or constantly sad. She practiced her transformation Quirk, mostly transforming into her friends for fun, though she still only used blood from medical samples or small, controlled pricks, and she is also set to become a hero.
Since U.A. University was still eight years away for them, Minato, Mina, and Kirishima, focused on enjoying their childhood while subtly honing their Quirks and skills. Their shared dream of becoming heroes still burned bright, a long-term goal that united them.
After their spar, both boys were a little sweaty but invigorated. They sat on the grass, catching their breath.
"Good moves today, Minato," Touya acknowledged, rubbing his jaw. "You're getting faster."
"You too, Touya-kun," Minato replied. "Your defense is really solid now. You almost caught me with that counter."
They discussed their exchanges, offering each other pointers and critiquing their techniques. It was a comfortable ritual, built on years of trust and mutual respect.
Then, Minato looked up at Touya. "Touya-kun, when is the entrance exam for U.A. University?"
Touya stretched his arms over his head. "It's this coming Thursday. Just a few more days." He paused, then added, "I'm also doing the recommendation exam beforehand. It's supposed to be tougher, but if I pass, it guarantees my spot."
Minato nodded. "That's cool. Good luck with both!"
They talked for a while longer about the university, the different hero courses, and the challenges Touya expected. Eventually, the sun rose higher, and they decided to head home.
After returning home, Minato took a quick bath and then went downstairs for breakfast. His mom was already at the table, pouring juice.
"Morning, Minato! Ready to go to the music studio?" she asked, her smile bright.
Minato's eyes lit up. "Yes, Mom! I'm ready!"
They talked about their trip for a while. Going to a music studio to record and make a song was his birthday gift this year. When his parents had asked him what he wanted, he hadn't hesitated. He hadn't played another song publicly since "Blue Bird" on HeroTube, but he had been composing. Now, he was ready to create something new.
Minato and his mother, Akane, arrived at the music studio. The building was modern, with soundproofed walls and a professional, yet welcoming, vibe. Inside, a man with a friendly smile and a shock of neatly styled hair greeted them.
"Welcome! You must be the Namikaze family," he said, extending a hand. "I'm Fuji Kaze, the studio manager."
Akane shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Fuji-san. I'm Akane Namikaze, and this is my son, Minato."
Minato bowed politely. "Hello, Fuji-san."
"So, Minato-kun, I hear you have a song you want to record?" Fuji Kaze asked, looking at the small boy with an intrigued expression.
Minato nodded eagerly. "Yes! I've been working on it."
They spent some time discussing the recording process. Minato explained the general feel he wanted for the song, the emotions it should convey, and the instruments he imagined. Fuji Kaze listened attentively, occasionally jotting down notes, clearly impressed by Minato's articulate vision for a ten-year-old.
Soon, Minato was led into the recording booth. It was a soundproofed room with a microphone suspended overhead and a large window looking into the control room where his mother and Fuji Kaze sat. He put on the headphones, adjusted the microphone to his height, and took a deep breath. Then, he began to sing.
His voice, still young but full of clarity and emotion, carried the new song. It was different from "Blue Bird," with a more intricate melody and richer lyrics that spoke of dreams, and challenges. He sang with a focus that was not seen for someone his age, pouring his heart into each note.
After the vocal track was laid down, Minato emerged from the booth. He went over to the control panel where Fuji Kaze was. "Fuji-san," he began, "for the intro, I think a violin, then some light drums come in. And maybe a string section during the chorus to really lift it. For the bridge, a slightly more upbeat rhythm, then back to the main melody. And I want a strong, clear bassline throughout."
Fuji Kaze stared at him, genuinely astonished. Most kids, and even many adults, would just say "make it sound good." Minato was giving him specific, professional-level instructions. "You... you have a very clear idea, Minato-kun," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "This is excellent! It will make my job much easier."
They spent the rest of the day in the studio. Fuji Kaze, with Minato's precise directions, began to lay down the instrumental tracks. Minato listened intently, giving feedback on the drums, the bass, the piano, and the strings. He even suggested subtle mixing adjustments. It was a painstaking process, but Minato was patient and focused. By the time evening arrived, the song was complete, a beautifully orchestrated piece that sounded far more sophisticated than anything expected from a ten-year-old composer.
Fuji Kaze, still shaking his head in amused wonder, sent the finished audio file to Akane's email. "It was an absolute pleasure working with you, Minato-kun," he said, bowing slightly. "You have an extraordinary talent."
"Thank you, Fuji-san!" Minato replied, bowing back.
Mother and son then returned home, the music studio experience a vivid memory. As soon as they stepped inside, Minato rushed to find his father.
"Dad! We finished the song!" he announced, bursting with excitement.
His father, listening as Akane played the newly recorded track, was visibly impressed. His eyes widened as the rich layers of instrumentation and Minato's clear voice filled the living room. "Minato," he said, genuinely awestruck, "this is incredible! You really made this?"
"Yeah!" Minato beamed. "And I'm going to upload it to HeroTube!"