Bab 18: Chapter 18
"Just wait a little longer; it seems like they haven't arrived yet."
Uchiha Mikoto's cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled seeing the other party during her shopping trip yesterday.
At that time, two kids from the Hyuga clan, who looked remarkably similar, were in some sort of argument. One was gripping the other's clothing, refusing to let go. The one being held clearly looked furious; after struggling in vain, he seemed ready to throw a punch.
Mikoto was about to step in to break it up when a flash of golden light zipped past her, appearing between the two quarreling boys.
In the end, thanks to the mediation of a handsome boy with blonde hair, the two Hyuga kids shook hands and made peace.
That strikingly handsome face was deeply etched in Mikoto's heart.
Later, while hanging out with Kōnan and the others, she accidentally let slip her thoughts, and everyone overheard.
"What handsome blonde? I don't believe it; I want to see if anyone can outshine me!"
Shinmura Awei scoffed, a look of disdain crossing his face.
"What do you know, Shinmura Awei? Tch—if we're talking about looks, I'm the most handsome!"
Hinata Binbin clearly took issue with this.
"Alright, alright, you two, stop arguing. Everyone here is pretty good-looking, haha!"
Yahiko chimed in, trying to mediate.
Sarutobi Jirō crossed his arms and glanced over, maintaining a silent demeanor.
As for Nagato, his attention was caught by a girl with the same vibrant red hair as his.
"Her hair color... it's like mine."
The girl had a somewhat fierce expression, but for some reason, Nagato keenly sensed a faint sadness lingering in her brows.
"Hey, look, look! That's him!"
Uchiha Mikoto shouted excitedly, pointing at the handsome blonde boy trailing behind the red-haired girl.
"Which one? Let me see!"
Upon hearing Mikoto, both Shinmura Awei and Hinata Binbin abandoned their squabble.
"Wow, okay, I have to admit, that kid is indeed a bit handsome," Awei muttered begrudgingly as he compared himself to the boy.
"And that guy next to him, the one with the black hair and a chin that looks like it has two ping pong balls stuffed under it—why does he look so familiar?"
"Of course he looks familiar; that's Uchiha Mikoto's clan's young patriarch, Uchiha Fugaku."
The two boys continued their rapid-fire exchanges.
"Oh, the young patriarch."
Upon hearing that, Mikoto instinctively shrank behind Kōnan for a stealthy observation.
Then, thinking about having Uchiha Suyue backing her up, she bravely stepped out from behind Kōnan.
"Hmph, so what if he's handsome? He's probably just a pretty face, all looks and no substance. I'll challenge him to a duel later!"
"Wow, that's bold! I'm on board with that."
"Uh, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
"Hey, Jirō, isn't your cousin studying there? Can you find out what this kid's name is and what class he's in?"
""
"Minato! Minato! Someone's got a letter for you."
Hinata Hikari waved a letter, given to him by an upperclassman, towards Namikaze Minato.
Hehehe, for those wondering, that handsome blonde is none other than the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Upon hearing that there was a letter for Minato, Kushina, who was sitting in the front row, instinctively tried to stand up to look. Then she remembered that she wasn't very close to him and sat back down.
"Hmph, why should I care about him? It's so strange."
Kushina muttered to herself, secretly straining to listen to their conversation.
"Really? Thanks, Hikari."
"Hey? A letter? Who's it from? Oh my, Minato, this wouldn't be a love letter, would it?"
Hinata Hizashi, who looked quite similar to Hikari, edged closer, trying to join in on the conversation.
Seeing his brother Hizashi approach, Hikari's expression stiffened, and he turned back to his seat without a word.
"Uh… well…"
Hizashi stood awkwardly in place, unsure what to do with his brother's dismissal.
Noticing Hizashi's awkwardness, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but chuckle, though he suppressed it, reminding Minato to open the letter and see what it said.
"Uh? Mmm… Oh? Wow, oh, so that's what this is…"
The three of them huddled together to read the letter, only to discover it was a challenge letter.
"Huh? This…"
All three were left speechless.
Goodness, who in the entire school doesn't know that Minato is the top student in this cohort? Even before graduating, he's already recognized by the teachers as having the strength of a Chūnin. Was this just a bored kid stretching his neck to get challenged?
Someone bold enough to do this is probably from one of the major clans; they should have done their homework first—what a stupid move.
Uchiha Fugaku crossed his arms, looking down on the challenge letter with disdain.
Needless to say, it must have come from the main branch of the Hyuga clan.
Hizashi speculated silently.
The speed at which news travels among kids is quick. By the end of the school day, all of Minato's friends had heard about this.
"Hey, Minato, are you going to show up for the duel?"
As the last class ended and the teacher had left, Nara Shikaku, along with Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza, approached Minato.
Uchiha Fugaku and Hizashi remained, while Hikari stood at a distance, waiting for Minato.
"Uh…"
Feeling embarrassed with so many people around, Minato scratched his head sheepishly.
He glanced at Kushina, who was preoccupied with packing her things, seemingly oblivious to him.
Minato hesitantly said, "Um… I guess I'll go check it out?"
"Yay! Let's all go together!"
It was hard to tell who started it, but soon, Minato and his group set off towards the location mentioned in the challenge letter.
Kushina sat in her seat watching everyone leave, wrestling with her thoughts. Eventually, biting her lip, she shouldered her backpack and stealthily followed.
Meanwhile, a group of kids who had finished training at the root were also heading towards the destination in a group.
Ultimately, both sides arrived punctually at the training ground at the south end of the village.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone