Naruto Infinite New World

The next day, at the training ground of the Ninja Academy.

Minato felt very apprehensive. The first layer of that technique was indeed easy to master. Within one night, he had easily completed the sealing technique.

However, all three basic ninjutsu techniques failed. Whenever chakra exceeded the skin's surface, the seal would create a strong suction force, pulling the chakra back into the body, rendering ninjutsu ineffective.

Nevertheless, as chakra accumulated within the seal, his sensitivity to external stimuli significantly increased, naturally enhancing his taijutsu. But without ninjutsu, it was unclear if this was an enhancement or a drawback.

He wasn't as confident about today's combat training as he usually was.

Minato's gaze inadvertently shifted toward Gin.

Gin was lying sideways under a tree!

The shade of the tree cast a pattern on his body, and his breathing was steady and peaceful.

But this wasn't peaceful at all! Gin, hurry up and wash away your past disgrace!!

The teacher, Inoue, was already fuming!!

Wake up, Gin!!

Minato silently screamed in his heart.

"I hate problem students," Inoue's face had turned almost as dark as coal, and the pen he used to record students' performances snapped between his thumb and forefinger.

Quickly, he took a new pencil from the ninja tool pouch on his leg.

When dealing with problem students, the most important thing to prepare were these writing tools.

He couldn't vent his anger on the students; that would be unprofessional.

Looking at the name on the list and the space reserved for evaluations, he desperately wanted to mark a big 'X' on Gin's combat test, but his sense of responsibility as a teacher stopped him.

Looking at the other lovely students, he felt a bit relieved.

So why had a student who was sent back to repeat the year ended up in Class A?

He couldn't understand.

No matter his confusion, he had to conduct the class.

"Today, you'll be paired up for combat training. Find your opponents, and I'll grade your performances."

Inoue announced today's lesson to his students.

More accurately, this was a full-day test.

This was not just a test of their combat ability, but also their stamina, endurance, and physical fitness. By the end of the day, they would all reach their limits.

As for potential damage to their young bodies, that wasn't something ninja should worry about.

The exams at the academy were not as gentle as they would be in the future.

"Begin!"

With Inoue's command, everyone began looking for their opponents.

Several Uchiha clan members rubbed their hands together and approached someone, ready to teach him an unforgettable lesson.

Minato couldn't worry about Gin anymore because someone had already targeted him.

"Hyuga Seiji, please enlighten me."

Seiji's eyes locked onto Minato.

Minato, who had consistently been at the top of the class, naturally had rivals. Seiji, who had always been second, had been trying to surpass him.

Being known as the eternal second was unbearable. Today, Seiji aimed to wash away his disgrace.

Minato scratched his face, although he didn't know exactly how much he had improved, Seiji, who only used Gentle Fist, was no match for him.

He actually wanted to spar with Gin instead.

Hesitating slightly, he tried to persuade Seiji.

"Why don't you find another opponent? You can't beat me now."

Minato's advice was sincere. The Hyuga clan's stubbornness was their problem—they could use ninjutsu but chose not to. If it was just taijutsu, Minato had improved significantly.

Seiji expressionlessly assumed his stance, soon his face filled with anger.

"Only you, Minato!!"

"I cannot forgive you!"

On the other side.

Gin, who was about to fall asleep, opened his eyes halfway. Several Uchiha clan members had already surrounded him.

Sou looked down at him.

"Gin, if you have any pride left as an Uchiha, duel me. The loser leaves the academy."

The academy couldn't have an Uchiha disgrace.

Gin picked his ear with his pinky. These brainless Uchiha.

He had tried to drop out before, but his request was immediately rejected.

Being a rich family heir or a business tycoon was much more appealing than being a ninja. Who would want to be a ninja if they had a choice?

But there was no choice.

Not only would the Uchiha not allow a clan member who could refine chakra to live as a civilian, but the village wouldn't let a potential ninja go either.

"Actually..." Gin looked shyly at Sou, "I can marry into the Hyuga clan and take their name."

Sou was first stunned and then furious at these words.

"You ##b*stard##**!!"

If not for the two Uchiha members holding him back, Sou would have fought to the death.

Saying you'd take the Hyuga name in front of an Uchiha was like calling Hashirama garbage in front of Madara.

The other two Uchiha were also displeased.

"Move him along," Gin yawned.

Sei, with long hair, stared expressionlessly at Gin, while Kou held Sou back to prevent him from going berserk.

"To have a son like you, your parents must..."

Sei couldn't finish his sentence. Gin's eyes changed, becoming incredibly intense, black pupils like an abyss.

Sei involuntarily took a step back.

But stepping back filled him with regret, glaring at Gin.

Gin, who was right in front of him, suddenly disappeared.

Sei felt a chill and turned to see Gin blowing on his neck.

Is he sick or what!?

Just as he was about to speak.

A kunai was pressed against his neck.

"You?"

In that moment, he felt like a snake was crawling up his back, ready to bite.

"Ahh!!" Sei's terrified scream drew everyone's attention.

Training sessions never had such screams.

Gin placed his left hand on Sei's shoulder.

"Playing is fine, but don't joke about parents. You don't want to die here...right?"

"That's enough," Inoue said, placing his hand on Gin's arm, looking at the troublesome student helplessly.

"Don't show killing intent to your classmates."

He had sensed something wrong immediately; the murderous intent Gin displayed wasn't a mistake. Such intent came from years of battling wild beasts, not from human lives, hence no killing aura but enough to intimidate academy students.

He hadn't expected this troublesome student to work so hard.

"I'm just joking, Inoge-sensei."

Gin smiled mischievously.

Inoue's forehead veins bulged.

"It's Inoue!!"

"Okay, Iguchi-sensei."

He did it on purpose!!

On the other side, Minato looked at Seiji on the ground, clenching his fist.

"That's quite an ability."

Seiji stared at the increasingly hot sun, questioning his life.

The Hyuga Gentle Fist was overpowered by the fierce strikes of Minato.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this."

His Gentle Fist had even exceeded expectations, but Minato's punches felt like they had immense force, bruising his arms with just a few hits.

Of course, he was defeated in just a few moves.

"Why is the gap so big?"

Minato's strikes gave him the feeling of facing a clan's Jonin.

"Sorry, I might have been too harsh."

Minato smiled apologetically at Seiji, extending his hand to help him up.

Seiji looked at the offered hand and Minato's sunny smile.

He cried.

Congratulations, Minato, for achieving the feat of breaking someone's spirit.

"Those guys were too weak; I took them down in a few hits, hahaha."

Kushina stood by the stream, hands on her hips, face full of wild joy.

Gin looked at Minato with a puzzled expression.

What do you like about her?

Her lack of mercy or her violent temper?

Minato blushed and turned away.

"Why are you blushing like a teapot!"

Kushina turned to Gin, feeling he was badmouthing her, though she didn't hear it.

Gin's eyes wandered. Damn sixth sense, even if Kushina was still young, abilities didn't depend on age.

Kushina glanced at Minato with disdain.

Why was her little brother so weak!? Show some guts and beat up that annoying Uchiha!!

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Minato changed the topic.

"Tomorrow is the ninjutsu class. What should we do?"

He was worried about the ninjutsu class because he couldn't perform any ninjutsu now.

Kushina, who had also barely completed the first stage of the sealing technique, wasn't worried. Inoue wouldn't dare give her a hard time.

"Relax," Gin patted Minato's shoulder. "The last year's mostly about ninjutsu theory, mixed with intelligence gathering and stealth techniques. Unless you're foolish enough to volunteer for demonstrations, no one will notice."

Ninjutsu knowledge was part of the school's curriculum, while other private lessons were survival skills teachers added to help students survive on the battlefield.

There wasn't much need for practical work. The last year's content could be used up to the Genin level, and maybe even to Chunin for Class A.

Though reassured, Minato still worried.

As the top student, often called on for demonstrations, his chances of being picked weren't small.

...

Unlike the peaceful academy.

The battlefield resounded with shouts and screams.

Dazzling ninjutsu exploded in the mountains, and paper bombs went off continuously.

Amidst the chaos, a heart-wrenching scream echoed.

"Stop it!"

"Stop it!!"

"I said stop it!!"

Tsunade's sharp voice was filled with pain as her hands didn't stop performing medical ninjutsu.

A nearby ninja couldn't help but advise.

"Stop, he's already... dead."

Tsunade's face stiffened, feeling something gnawing at her heart, she couldn't bear it and screamed.

"Ah!!!"

Like the wailing of a cuckoo.

Orochimaru, standing on a tree, watched his dead disciple and his despairing teammate's scream.

He didn't know what expression to show. It felt like it wasn't just his disciple who had died...

But himself.

Humans were so easily broken.

The First Hokage's grandson, elite Jonin, Orochimaru's disciple, elite Jonin, Tsunade's brother.

Nawaki.

Pronounced dead.

(End of Chapter)