"All right! Since you've said it that way, if I still refuse, it'll make it look like I'm really afraid of you."
Faced with Minato's proposal for a contest of speed, Garp did not refuse.
"Lord Garp, you're being far too modest.
As the foremost hero among the Three Greats of the Warring States era, there's no one in this shinobi world worthy of making you afraid…"
Seeing Garp agree to the wager, Minato did not dare to underestimate him in the slightest.
"Enough. No need to butter me up here. Since I have agreed, I won't go back on my word."
Garp waved his hand dismissively.
"Uncle Garp, then Kushina and I will get down first."
After Orochimaru and the others arrived, Tsunade, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly spoke.
"No need. You two stay as you are."
Just as Tsunade and Kushina were about to climb down from behind Garp, he shook his head.
"Aren't you going to compete in speed with Minato?"
Hearing this, Tsunade was a little confused.
The foot she had just lowered was placed back onto Garp's back again.
"Uncle Garp… you're not planning to compare speed with Minato while lying there, are you?"
Seeing that Tsunade wasn't getting down, Kushina naturally didn't move either.
But when she realized that Garp not only had no intention of letting them step down, but actually meant for them to continue standing on his back, she asked in disbelief.
"What's the problem with that?"
Garp closed his eyes and spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"This… how are you supposed to compete like that?
How about Kushina and I get down first? Once your wager with Minato is over, we can continue then…"
Tsunade was stunned.
Not just her, Jiraiya and the others wore equally incredulous expressions.
"No need to make things so troublesome. This is fine."
Garp showed no intention of getting up, nor did he show any intention of asking the two women to stop.
Seeing this, Tsunade and Kushina were shocked to the core, yet at the same time, a strong sense of anticipation rose in their hearts.
If this were anyone else, they would have only one thought.
Too arrogant…
But having personally witnessed Garp in action before, while they were astonished, what they truly wondered was how Garp planned to compete in speed with Minato, while lying on a chair, with Tsunade and Kushina standing on his back.
"Lord Garp, are you certain you want to compete with me like this? This isn't a battle between ninjas where any means are acceptable.
If I were to win like this, it would hardly be an honorable victory."
Minato did not feel insulted, nor was he angry. What filled him was disbelief.
If this were a real battle, he would have already made his move.
After all, ninja combat was never about fairness, anything goes.
But a contest of speed was different.
Especially since he had never considered Garp an enemy.
"Have you ever thought about how many years older I'm than you?
Setting everything else aside, just in terms of age and experience, being your grandfather would still be more than enough.
If I really stood up and competed with you seriously, the way I once dueled Tobirama back in the day, then that would be a truly dishonorable win.
Competing earnestly with a kid who's only been around for a dozen or so years? I can't bring myself to do something that embarrassing."
Garp snorted with a laugh.
"But…"
Minato tried to say something more, only to be interrupted by Garp.
"Enough. No more words. Just make your move. Don't think of it as me giving you an advantage.
I'll say it plainly, as long as you can make me leave the chair, whether I stand up or even just stop lying on it, you win."
At this point, Garp paused slightly, then once again said something shocking.
"Don't say I'm bullying you because of my age.
If you can truly do that, then forget listening to you lecture me once, even letting A go would be acceptable."
The moment these words fell, Minato's eyes lit up.
"Lord Garp, are you certain?"
He stopped trying to persuade him and instead asked directly.
"Minato, what nonsense are you saying?
Lord Garp's credibility is second to none in the entire shinobi world.
Since the Warring States era, there has never been a single promise he failed to keep."
Before Garp could respond, Hiruzen forcibly suppressed his inner excitement and shouted at Minato on the spot.
"Minato, this is a rare opportunity.
No matter why Lord Garp is doing this, it's still a chance to make him rescind his decision and prevent the flames of war from engulfing the shinobi world.
Seize it well, Konoha's… no, the entire shinobi world's fate is now in your hands."
However, after finishing his scolding, as Hiruzen brushed past Minato, he quietly left behind a sentence meant only for him.
"Minato, although Lord Garp has given you many concessions, don't be careless, and don't think you're being looked down upon.
Don't forget who the man standing before you is. He's unlike any opponent you've ever faced.
When facing him, don't care whether he's lying down or sprawled out, go all out, no matter what."
Jiraiya didn't think as far as Hiruzen did.
Facing Minato, all he offered was the earnest advice of a teacher.
"Jiraiya-sensei, what are you saying?
How could I possibly feel looked down upon?
If I told you that I feel even less confident now than before, would you believe me?"
Minato gave a bitter smile.
In truth, seeing that Garp had no intention whatsoever of leaving the chair only made his heart grow heavier.
He couldn't imagine just how overwhelming one's strength had to be to possess such confidence.
...
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