Naruto: Flash Reborn — Minato’s Second Life

"A flash of golden light — that's all she saw before Minato vanished from sight!"

Taku gasped. Just now, all she saw was a flash of golden light; Minato's figure had already become indistinct.

At her exclamation, the crowd gradually focused their attention and saw the two figures in the arena.

Minato used ropes to bind Yan Uchiha in front of him, but soon he started untying the rope wrapped around his left hand with his right.

Yan Uchiha's crazed expression didn't fade after a brief moment of shock. As soon as Minato loosened the ropes, the binding force naturally disappeared.

Yan Uchiha threw a punch at Minato, but the latter appeared completely unguarded and indifferent.

When the fist came within ten centimeters of Minato's face, an irresistible force abruptly halted Yan's arm mid-motion—Sakumo Hatake intervened at this moment.

Minato's eyes flickered with surprise. With his current speed, he couldn't even perceive any of the man's movements.

"Why didn't you dodge? Did you want to get hurt?"

After easily restraining Yan Uchiha, Hatake Sakumo turned his head slightly and asked Minato.

Minato smiled lightly and replied, "The battle ended the second I shattered the Chakra Mark. The examiners won't tolerate pointless brawls."

Even though he couldn't see Sakumo's movements, Minato knew during his restraint of Yan Uchiha that when he released the bindings, Yan would be furious enough to attack him—and he naturally anticipated Sakumo intervening.

"You're quite clever," Sakumo chuckled briefly before addressing Yan Uchiha:

"The match is over. Personal fights are prohibited here."

Hatred burned in Yan Uchiha's eyes, but there was nothing he could do against Sakumo's crushing strength.

"Seriously, you two went too far. The techniques you used earlier could've killed each other, you know?"

Suddenly, Hatake Sakumo's expression turned serious. Both Minato's [Coordinated Ninjutsu Tactics] and Yan Uchiha's [Shuriken Jutsu] could've been deadly if the opponent so much as hesitated.

"I'm truly sorry. I just got too competitive," Minato immediately apologized, his gaze no longer sharp from battle, instead offering a slightly awkward smile.

This apology was directed toward both Sakumo and his previous opponent, Yan Uchiha.

Yan Uchiha blinked, slowly coming back to his senses. He knew he'd been reckless. A year ago, the same move had nearly hurt his classmate.

And with that technique just now, had Minato Namikaze failed to defend, he would've been pierced through like a hedgehog by the shuriken.

He merely wanted to win the fight—never intending to take the opponent's life.

But having lost the match while facing the victorious Minato, he found himself unable to voice an apology. Sakumo Hatake noticed the clarity returning to Yan's eyes and finally released his grip on the Uchiha's arm.

Meanwhile, Kushina Mikoto and the others jumped down from the second floor as well, rushing toward Minato in a group.

Hearing their footsteps, Minato immediately turned around. Before he could even speak the greeting he had just prepared, a figure had already flung itself into his arms.

Kushina rushed straight into Minato's arms, while the others who followed her halted behind her.

Minato was stunned, momentarily at a loss about what to do.

Beside him, a slightly trembling voice said, "I was really worried about you back there..."

At her words, Minato's body jerked as if struck by electricity, then his expression softened with deep tenderness.

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

Minato could feel Kushina trembling slightly in his arms. He felt somewhat confused in return, yet she quickly let go of him.

He noticed her face had turned flaming red.

"Kushina, what's wrong with you?"

Looking puzzled, Minato asked, but Kushina had already turned around and hidden herself behind Mikoto.

Helplessly looking at Mikoto, Minato found her smiling faintly as she asked, "Are you okay?"

Before Minato could reply to Mikoto, his body suddenly weakened. As he began to fall, Nawaki and Sarutobi Ao on either side reached out and supported him.

"Thank you, senior brothers."

Minato gave a light chuckle. Looks like I overdid it by using two ninjutsu techniques and the Instant Flash back to back...

"There's no need for thanks. That was an amazing fight."

Nawaki spoke in an admiring tone, plainly filled with awe. Although he had imagined it would be impressive, he hadn't expected Minato to have become this strong within a single year.

If Minato moved at that speed, even he himself probably wouldn't stand a chance.

"That truly was amazing. Minato, you're really powerful."

This was the first time Sarutobi Ao had spoken with Minato, and his tone clearly showed recognition and admiration.

Minato smiled. The Instant Flash technique was the reward from his basic training over the past year. After getting used to moving at high speeds continuously, he started experimenting with continuously applying the Shifting Body Technique to further boost his speed.

The name Instant Flash was given by Jiraiya after watching him use it. Minato had thought up a few names himself too, but once he told his teacher, they were all instantly rejected.

Soon afterward, Yu Akasaka, Satoshi Miyazaki, and the others came forward one by one to ask how Minato was doing. In just these few short days, they had become very close companions.

Compared to Minato surrounded by everyone else, Yan Uchiha stood alone off to the side. However, he currently had absolutely no attention to spare for such things.

"What exactly did I accomplish in this whole year?" Yan Uchiha clenched his fists tightly. Originally, he'd believed that by now, he would certainly be able to defeat Minato.

Yet today's battle made him realize he had been slower than Minato even a year ago—and still was now.

Even his signature Fire Release jutsu had been utterly nullified.

Not only did he fail to beat Minato, but he'd fallen even further behind...

Each of them carried different feelings as their battles finally came to an end.

The final list of ten candidates who passed the Chakra Aptitude Test was now set.

...

"Alright, we can leave this place now."

Sakumo Hatake said to the group before him. Then, most of those present wore expressions of relief. Of course, there were also some disappointed candidates looking gloomy, though they too let out relieved sighs.

Three days of training had nearly drained them completely.

However, before departing, Sakumo Hatake gave them all one final instruction.

"You must not reveal the identities of those who passed this Chakra Aptitude Test to anyone. Remember, this is not a request — it's an order..."

...

...

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