Chapter 20 - First Year 11.

[Chapter Size: 1500 Words.]

Third Person POV

Training Camp, Konoha, Year 32.

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On the last day of school, the Konoha Ninja Academy was filled with an unusual energy and anticipation. The first-year Class A, known for having the most exceptional students of the year, was the center of attention, and the presence of a crowd of spectators — proud parents, respected ninjas, and important figures from the Konoha clans — only increased the tension and excitement.

The morning began with a summary of the lessons taught throughout the year by Professor Fuuma. He went through a detailed review, ensuring that the fundamentals were firmly established in each student's mind. Then, all the students were given a written test, which they completed quickly as their theoretical exam for the year.

During the break, Minato was surprised to see Madame Gorete accompanied by some students from other classes. She approached him with a warm smile and words of encouragement. "Minato, you will have an important test this afternoon. I heard that the Hokage himself will appear, so good luck to you." Minato thanked her, feeling a mix of gratitude for the woman who had always taken care of him.

The academy courtyard began to fill even more. In addition to the parents and clan members, Jonins began to infiltrate the crowd, their presence signaling the importance of the day. And then, with an entrance befitting his status, the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived. His presence immediately attracted everyone's attention, and he gathered the crowd for a speech.

Minato, while somewhat respecting the Hokage, felt a certain boredom during the speech. He was more interested in locating his friends. Mikoto was somewhere with her clan, the Uchihas displaying their usual pride. Tsuna was next to her parents, listening intently to the words of the Hokage. The speech, filled with words of encouragement and hope, ended with respectful applause from the crowd.

After the speech, while some students returned to their classrooms, Class A remained in the courtyard. It was time for the practical tests, and all the spectators were eager to see the young ninjas' skills in action. Minato felt some of the pressure and expectation, but also a firm determination. He had prepared for this moment, and now was the time to show the results of his hard work.

Quickly the children were called for the first test, while all others took a place as spectators on the platform set up for the viewers. Among the spectators, the Jonins and the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watched with keen interest, ready to witness the potential of the new generation of ninjas. The academy courtyard had been transformed into a complex training field, with various testing stations set up under the supervision of Professor Fuuma and other experienced Chuunins who took care of the boys' evaluations.

The first test of the day was the obstacle course. The students were called in groups, each positioning themselves at the starting line with a mix of nervousness and determination. The circuit in front of them was a series of physical challenges designed to test their agility, speed, and strength.

As soon as everyone lined up, the teacher gave the signal to start the test. "Begin!" With the command from one of the teachers, the group of students took off. They ran, jumped, and climbed with all they had, each trying to outdo the others and, more importantly, overcome their own limits.

Minato, with his usual calm and focus, quickly took the lead. He moved with a grace and efficiency that set him apart from the others. Even without using chakra to enhance his performance, his natural speed and agility were evident. He climbed the walls with ease, jumped the pits with precision, and maneuvered through the nets as if he were dancing.

"That boy... He's the famous Minato Namikaze, the civilian who entered Class A?" a Jonin questioned, watching Minato overcome the obstacles with a skill rarely seen in someone his age or someone using only their physical strength without chakra to enhance their power.

"Interesting... He's not even using chakra, but his body is naturally very fast..." another evaluator commented, impressed with Minato's performance. Murmurs of admiration spread among the observers, many of whom were now focused exclusively on the young Minato.

Hiruzen, the Hokage, watched with a keen and thoughtful gaze. "Hokage-Sama, we have good fruits this year," one of the Jonins commented beside him.

"It's true... I cannot deny that..." Hiruzen replied, his gaze still fixed on Minato. He saw a talented young man with a bright future ahead.

As Minato crossed the finish line, a wave of applause and exclamations of surprise ran through the crowd. He had completed the circuit in an impressive time, setting a high standard for the other students.

On a rooftop near the academy, a figure watched the unfolding events attentively. It was a man with white hair, looking at Minato with an interest that went beyond the casual. His eyes followed every movement of the young student, analyzing and evaluating with the precision of an experienced ninja. "Good job, boy..." he murmured to himself, a slight smile forming on his lips as he assessed Minato's potential.

Then the first stage ended with Minato claiming first place, an impressive result for a civilian amidst so many renowned clans.

"Let's move on to the second stage. Kunai throwing," announced Professor Fuuma, taking charge of this part of the test. He instructed the children to prepare, distributing kunais and designating targets.

One by one, the students threw their kunais, aiming to hit the center of the targets positioned in front of them. The evaluators watched closely, quickly noting the results. As expected, members of the Uchiha clan proved particularly proficient at this task, their natural abilities and intensive training quickly taking the lead in the group.

"It seems the boy isn't so good with kunais..." commented a Jonin, noticing that Minato wasn't among the best in this stage.

"This is his first year, remember he's a civilian who's never received formal training. You should give some credit to the boy..." a Chuunin murmured at his side, defending Minato's effort and progress.

Minato, for his part, had hit 70% of the targets, a result that placed him in twelfth place. It wasn't the best, but for him, who had spent a year striving and training, it was a satisfactory outcome and a starting point for future improvements. He nodded to himself, already planning how he would surpass this result next year.

As the kunai test came to an end, the atmosphere in the ninja academy became electric, with palpable excitement and anticipation among both students and audience. The most awaited moment of the day had finally arrived: the fights in the ring. It was time for each student to prove their worth not just in physical and technical skills, but also in strategy, adaptability, and emotional control under the watchful eyes of the spectators.

Students, one by one, were called to the center of the ring, each name announced generating murmurs and expectations. The fights promised to be the highlight of the day, a spectacle of young developing skills. Some of the first fights announced were:

Tsuna Senju vs. Mikoto Uchiha: A confrontation that already promised to be one of the most exciting fights of the day, pitting two of the most talented kunoichis against each other, representatives of legendary and rival clans.

Shikaku Nara vs. Inoichi Yamanaka: A battle of intellects and strategies, a clash that would bring to the fore the sagacity and creativity characteristic of these clans.

Chōza Akimichi vs. Hiashi Hyuuga: Strength against precision, brute power challenging the skill of control and keen vision. A duel of opposite styles, but equally respected.

Ibiki Morino vs. Kaito Aburame (OC): Ibiki, with his ambition to become a competent Jonin, would face Kaito, a representative of the enigmatic Aburame clan with their insect-based techniques.

Hizashi Hyuuga vs. Arata Sarutobi (OC): Hizashi, with his Byakugan ability, against Arata, a promising young member of the Sarutobi clan known for their tenacity and potentially fire-related skills.

Other fights also promised to be exciting:

Gurin Uchiha vs. Ryohei Inuzuka (OC):The clash between the refined technique of the Uchiha clan and the ferocity of the Inuzuka clan.

Tsume Inuzuka vs. Haruto Kurama (OC): The agility and savagery of Tsume would face the creativity and illusory powers of Haruto, a young talent from the Kurama clan known for their genjutsu skills. This confrontation would test not just physical strength but also mental endurance and the ability to adapt to unexpected strategies.

And, finally, the duel that many awaited with great anticipation:

Minato Namikaze vs. Akame Uchiha: The talented civilian, known for his ambitions and notable skills, would face Akame, a member of the prestigious Uchiha clan. All eyes would be on this confrontation, to see how the young Minato would fare against such a formidable opponent.

All the spectators watched attentively for the unfolding of these fights.

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