In this world, the title of the Yellow Flash carries a weight that echoes across the entire Ninja World. There is even a formal decree among the other great nations that encountering the Yellow Flash on the battlefield warrants immediate retreat, and abandoning such a mission does not result in failure or a mark on a shinobi's record.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a heavy, helpless sigh, his eyes clouded with the weariness of age. You are still so young, so it is likely that you cannot truly grasp the gravity of such a reputation.
Yellow Flash? Who isn't?
Minato let out a scoff so quiet it was nearly imperceptible to the human ear. Internally, his thoughts were like shards of ice. He looked at the old man before him and felt nothing but disdain for the weakness that allowed the village to rot. Forget it, let's leave the conversation at that. After all, this is not the world I call home. I simply came here to see Naruto and provide him with a few Ninjutsu for his own self-preservation. I would hate for his Will of Fire to burn so fiercely in the future that he ends up being sold out by those he trusts.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression instantly soured. The remark felt like a physical sting to his pride. He had never encountered a version of Minato who was this assertive and cutting. Although the Third Hokage knew deep down that he had failed the boy, this demeanor was a far cry from the polite, gentle hero he remembered. A seed of suspicion began to sprout in his mind, making him doubt the true nature of the boy standing before him.
Even though you claim to be Minato, you are ultimately a visitor from another world. I wonder if you would be willing to cooperate with a formal investigation to ensure the safety of the village?
Do you truly think that is a possibility?
Hiruzen's predictable reaction was exactly what Minato had anticipated. His mind whirred with calculations, weighing the threat level of the ANBU hidden in the trees. He had no intention of submitting to the whims of this old man. In his own timeline, the Hiruzen Sarutobi he knew was still in his prime. While that version was also a pacifist, he possessed a backbone that this version seemed to have lost long ago. To Minato, the Hiruzen of this world was just an old geezer presiding over a council of elders who were rotten to the core.
At the very least, you must prove to me that you are truly Minato Namikaze and not some sophisticated imposter with ulterior motives.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face became a mask of solemn duty. To this world, you are an outsider. It should not be considered too much of a burden to simply verify your identity for the sake of Konoha, right?
Fine, then let's settle this here.
Minato reached into his tool pouch and pulled out a heavy, three-pronged Kunai. He hooked his index finger through the metal ring at the end, spinning the weapon with a nonchalant grace that belied the lethality of his movements. Will you be the one to verify it personally?
Please—allow me to do it, Sandaime.
Before Hiruzen could offer a response, a shinobi clad in white-haired ANBU gear flickered into existence beside him. The man stood with a tall, straight posture that spoke of years of elite service. From behind the porcelain mask, his left eye revealed the spinning crimson of a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
So, this is Kakashi.
Minato noted the man's presence with a cold, analytical gaze. Hiruzen nodded, understanding exactly why the copy ninja had volunteered for this specific task. I will leave the matter in your hands, then.
With that, the Third Hokage retreated a significant distance to give them space. Kakashi turned his focus toward Minato, his visible eye filled with a complex storm of emotions. He was uncertain if this version of his teacher was a miracle or a cruel trick. If he was real, it would be the answer to years of silent prayers. But if he was a fake, Kakashi would never allow a charlatan to use his teacher's face to deceive the orphan left behind.
Can we start?
Minato tilted his head slightly, his polite smile never reaching his eyes.
Please.
Kakashi nodded, tensing his muscles. As soon as the word left his lips, he saw Minato make a casual throwing motion. Whish—the Flying Thunder God Kunai tore through the air with a high-pitched whistle. Kakashi instinctively moved to dodge the projectile, but his Sharingan caught Minato forming a single hand seal.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
Whish—
A deafening chorus of whistling air suddenly pierced the sky above the training ground. The single Kunai split into two, then four, and in the span of a heartbeat, it became a torrential rain of steel that obscured the sun.
This amount of Chakra—
Kakashi's pupils constricted in genuine alarm. He utilized a Body Flicker to retreat toward the edge of the clearing while his fingers blurred through a series of hand seals. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Boom—
A massive, brilliant sphere of fire erupted from Kakashi's mouth, expanding until it swallowed the incoming rain of three-pronged blades. As the student of the Fourth Hokage, he understood his teacher's combat style better than anyone. He knew that if even a single one of those marked Kunai landed near him, the battle would be over in a flash.
Looking at Minato with a sense of lingering fear, Kakashi's eye was wide with shock. In the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi found himself swallowing hard. Technically, Minato was his grand-disciple. He was well aware that the boy could use the Shuriken Shadow Clone, and he knew it was a formidable technique. However, the sheer scale and raw power displayed by this version of Minato surpassed his wildest expectations. To trigger a Ninjutsu of this magnitude with only a single, one-handed seal... he truly is a Hokage.
In the shadows surrounding the field, several figures watched with bated breath. The news of Minato's arrival had swept through Konoha like a hurricane. At this very moment, countless hidden eyes were fixed on the training ground. The long-range vision of the Hyuga's Byakugan, the telepathic sensory web of the Yamanaka, and the microscopic insects of the Aburame—every sensory method in the village was concentrated on this one spot. Each clan was aware of the others' presence, but they all remained silent, focused entirely on the golden-haired boy.
Swish!
Minato's figure vanished in a yellow blur, appearing directly in front of Kakashi. He raised his hand, a swirling vortex of blue energy forming instantly. He thrust the Rasengan toward Kakashi's chest.
Impossible! All the Kunai were destroyed!
Kakashi's mind raced, but his body was too slow to react to the sheer speed. He could only watch as the sphere of grinding chakra approached. In the final millisecond, the Rasengan in Minato's hand simply dissipated into thin air, and he struck Kakashi's abdomen with an open palm instead.
Bang!
The force of the strike sent Kakashi reeling backward, his body tumbling through the dirt until he came to a heavy stop.
It seems your attention was entirely focused on the Flying Thunder God.
Minato spoke with an indifferent tone, his expression as calm as a still lake. But why would you assume I only rely on a single method of attack?
Cough—as expected of Minato-sensei.
Kakashi coughed, the air having been knocked out of his lungs. Although there was not another person in the entire world who could move with such natural speed without the use of teleportation, Kakashi still felt a lingering doubt because he hadn't seen the signature space-time jump. He forced himself to stand up, his legs trembling slightly.
Teacher, huh—
Minato gave an almost imperceptible sigh. While he harbored a cold irritation toward this version of Kakashi for failing Naruto, he looked at the man's haunted eyes and remembered the trauma of losing Rin. He decided not to press the issue further. Do you wish to continue?
Please.
Kakashi drew a Kunai of his own, dropping into a defensive stance. Minato did not waste words. Using the Flying Thunder God Mark he had silently placed on Kakashi's clothing during the palm strike, he teleported instantly into the man's blind spot and delivered a powerful kick that sent him sliding across the grass.
This time it was the Flying Thunder God. It is what you wanted to see, is it not?
I lose.
Kakashi climbed to his feet and offered a deep, respectful bow. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. This was his teacher. Although this younger version was significantly more aggressive and cold than the man he remembered, he assumed it was a byproduct of seeing the state of the village and his son.
Minato turned his gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. Is there a need for further verification?
The Third Hokage shook his head and let out a long, weary sigh. He could not mistake that technique; it was the unmistakable signature of the Flying Thunder God. The Minato of his world had only mastered that jutsu in his late teens. He hadn't expected that a version from a parallel world would have perfected it at such a tender age. Furthermore, the boy possessed enough raw strength and speed to suppress an elite Jounin like Kakashi without even needing his space-time Ninjutsu. And the Rasengan... to think he has already completed it.
Minato, tell me—how old are you exactly?
Looking at the youthful, smooth face of the child, Hiruzen could not help but ask the question.
In a little over a month, after the New Year, I will be $9$ years old.
A small, sharp smile touched the corners of Minato's mouth. However, you should know that I have already been designated as the Fourth Hokage in my own world. You do not need to worry about me having any designs on this version of Konoha.
A designated Hokage at such an age.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a wave of bitterness wash over him. This Minato was clearly even more gifted and dangerous than the hero Konoha had lost. He wondered how his counterpart in another world could have been blessed with such an incredible talent.
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