"Senior Kato, you've misunderstood. I'm not questioning your teaching ability."
Minato shook his head gently, his tone still calm but carrying an undeniable certainty.
"Each ninja's talent and heritage is unique. Take you, for example, Senior Kato. Are you proficient in the Senju Clan's inherited ninjutsu?"
Dan Katō's expression froze. After a pause, Minato's gaze met the shadow in his eyes, and he continued.
"Or the Third Hokage's Five Elemental Release Techniques? Teacher's Medical Ninjutsu and Monstrous Strength? The Summoning traditions of the Three Great Sacred Places? The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Arts? Or even guiding him to discover the Wood Release power that might lie dormant in his bloodline?"
The air seemed to still for a moment.
The gentle smile on Dan Katō's face froze completely. A flicker of offended anger and undeniable awkwardness flashed deep in his eyes.
The pride of a Jonin, and the mask of effortless social grace he had maintained for years, seemed to have been gently torn open by Minato's words.
Dan Katō was a Jonin, but only a commoner Jonin.
His ability to cultivate Ninjutsu was extremely limited, as he lacked any background or connections.
Without connections came no power, and without power came very little information.
For instance, he was unaware that this young blond had single-handedly annihilated the entire Root organization, including Danzo himself, nor did he grasp the terrifying extent of his true strength.
In his established mindset, a seasoned Jonin like himself was already showing remarkable patience by engaging in a calm conversation with an eight-year-old child, doing so out of respect for the child's Wood Release and Tsunade's influence.
Yet Minato's stubborn refusal to budge made it clear he wouldn't back down easily.
Moreover, the boy seemed to have figured out that Dan Katō wouldn't allow Nawaki to leave the team.
Could it be that he's seen through my true intentions?
Dan Katō's pupils trembled slightly. Deep within Minato's azure eyes, he thought he detected a hint of mocking amusement.
As he stared at the blond boy before him, a stifling heat suddenly surged in his chest.
Damn brat, he's been provoking me all along!
Relying on his talent and background like this is utterly disrespectful to his seniors!
Taking a deep breath, Dan Katō forced himself to suppress the turmoil in his heart, striving for a calm tone. Yet anyone could hear the forced stiffness in his voice.
"Minato-kun, it seems we're at an impasse with our differing views."
As he spoke, his peripheral vision swept over Nawaki, who stood awkwardly to the side, before settling back on Minato's face. He made his final decision—since reason had failed, they would resort to the most direct method a ninja could use.
"How about this? To avoid further pointless arguments and ensure we both accept the outcome, we could have a simple spar. If you demonstrate strength that earns my respect in this spar, Minato-kun, I'll offer no objection to Nawaki's subsequent withdrawal from the team and will fully cooperate."
"Conversely..."
Dan Katō's tone darkened slightly. "If I happen to win, Minato-kun, I ask that you... refrain from interfering with Team Seven's normal missions for the time being. What do you say?"
As Dan Katō finished speaking, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He couldn't let Nawaki go. The boy was his only remaining avenue to get closer to Tsunade.
He had already abandoned the idea of approaching Tsunade through Minato. There was something unsettling about the boy, those azure eyes seemed to pierce right through one's soul, sending a chill down his spine.
But... that was where it would end!
Minato was a genius, yes, but he was only eight years old.
Chakra reserves, combat experience, Ninjutsu mastery... how could any of that compare to his own, a Jonin at the peak of his strength?
This was a perfectly rational judgment!
By doing this, he could put the arrogant boy in his place, reassert his authority as the team's Jonin leader, and keep Nawaki on the team.
While it might seem like an overreach for an adult to spar with a child, Minato had interfered with their mission first. He could easily explain it away as a way to keep the child occupied, nothing excessive.
After all, in the ninja world, strength spoke louder than words.
Dan Katō's proposal stunned everyone present.
Mikoto's eyes widened slightly, then filled with intense curiosity.
She had just personally experienced a glimpse of Minato's terrifying strength, and now a Jonin was actively challenging him to a spar.
She held her breath, her heart pounding with anticipation. She longed to witness the true extent of the genius who had even made Orochimaru-sensei feel inadequate.
"Huh?"
Compared to Mikoto's excitement, Nawaki was completely stunned.
He glanced at Dan Katō, who looked completely in control, then at Minato, whose expression remained calm and unruffled. Nawaki's face was a mask of bewilderment.
He didn't know Dan Katō's exact strength, but he knew all too well how absurdly powerful Minato was!
Tsunade had complained long ago that Minato had surpassed her, leaving her with no sense of accomplishment as a teacher.
Now, seeing Minato's almost indifferent expression...
Brother Dan, you're walking straight into a gunfight!
Remembering how Dan Katō had been kind to him lately, Nawaki opened his mouth to intervene, but then saw Minato slowly raise the Confrontation Seal!
"Alright!"
For ninjas who primarily employed assassination, the Confrontation Seal was a formal challenge. It conveyed both courtesy and an unshakeable resolve.
One had no choice but to either back down or accept the challenge.
Minato stepped forward, his voice calm. "Very well. A fair challenge indeed."
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling his golden hair. His handsome face showed no trace of anger, yet Nawaki could sense a chilling coldness in the depths of his eyes.
Oh no, this guy's definitely furious!
Nawaki swallowed the words of dissuasion that had risen to his lips. He glanced awkwardly at Dan Katō, who was confidently assuming victory, and whispered a dry warning: "Brother Dan... you... you should be careful."
His tone was sincere, his expression conflicted, as if he already foresaw the scene that was about to unfold.
Dan Katō watched Nawaki's reaction, his mind filled with disbelief.
He agreed!
He actually agreed!
An eight-year-old fighting a twenty-five-year-old? Is this kid really that confident?
A surge of anger at being underestimated washed over him, and he coldly formed the Confrontation Seal.
"You three, step back," Dan Katō ordered, his face like ice.
After all, Minato was rumored to be a Wood Release prodigy. It was best to keep the others out of the line of fire.
On the other side, Mikoto didn't need to be told. She instantly teleported to the crown of a nearby tree.
"I won't hold back, Minato-kun," Dan Katō said, his figure vanishing in a blur. In the next instant, he materialized behind Minato.
He's still just a child after all...
Dan Katō sneered inwardly as he looked at Minato's seemingly still-unresponsive back. He raised his kunai, aiming for the boy's neck.
It's over, kid!
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