"To think even Jiraiya-sensei's Shadow Clone possesses such strength. Truly, you're worthy of being the Third Hokage's disciple," Minato said slowly, rising to his feet with a smile.

  Jiraiya was momentarily surprised. After all, the Shadow Clone is a B-rank advanced jutsu. While it's not unusual for most ninjas, Minato is still a student, so acquiring such information isn't easy.

  But then again, his teacher was Toru Hata, the man whose intellect had once been praised by the Third Hokage. It wasn't that surprising after all.

  "So, do you now realize just how far you are from the truly powerful ninjas?" Jiraiya asked. He knew that Minato didn’t get too full of himself from defeating his clone. The purpose of the fight was more to gauge how far Minato’s current abilities had come.

  The result? Minato’s basics were solid—almost textbook-perfect.

  "Though I'm not entirely clear, I do have a rough understanding now," Minato replied calmly. He knew that every powerful ninja had to grow from humble beginnings, whether it was Jiraiya, the Third Hokage, or even the First Hokage, who had brought peace to the world.

  The growth process? No one was exempt.

  "Good."

  Jiraiya smiled, satisfied. He liked Minato’s self-awareness even more than his talent. Once a person gains power, their heart can change dramatically. If they aren’t careful, they might even fall down the wrong path—just like that man, Uchiha Madara.

  "Today marks the beginning of your training under me. But before we proceed, there are three rules you must follow," Jiraiya said, his expression becoming serious as he raised three fingers.

  "Rule number one: I know you've worked hard in the past, and I believe you will continue that diligence now that you're my student. However, for you, overtraining might not always be beneficial."

  Minato was only seven years old—still in a critical period of growth. For a ninja, a strong body is the foundation of all power.

  "If you keep overtraining, you’ll wear out not just your body, but your future as well. So my first rule is this: set a reasonable training schedule. I’m sure you can understand this much."

  Minato nodded in acknowledgment. He knew this already, but he sometimes forgot in the heat of training. But when his teacher said so, he would follow the advice.

  "Rule two: You need to take care of your health. Even when you're alone, make sure you're eating well and getting enough rest. You might think it's trivial, but this is also for your future."

  Jiraiya’s second rule might sound a bit silly, but for Minato, it was vital.

  He wasn’t from a ninja cn, nor did he have any special bloodline, yet his physical condition was better than most ninja-born children. At just seven years old, he already had more chakra than many Chuunin. That alone proved how exceptional he was.

  Chakra is the combination of physical and mental energy. Strengthening both sides simultaneously enhances one’s chakra, but it’s a slow process. And as for physical energy, it's less about refining and more about tapping into one's natural potential—a skill that comes from understanding your body as a treasure chest and learning how to access it more efficiently. Jiraiya knew this well.

  "Got it!" Minato said eagerly, feeling the warmth in his teacher’s words. Most instructors wouldn’t pay attention to such details.

  His instincts were right, after all.

  Jiraiya paused for a moment, and Minato noticed a slight shift in his normally serious expression. His gaze darkened with a hint of gloom, as though weighed down by something.

  "Rule three," Jiraiya spoke slowly, his voice growing stern, "Always remember that you are a ninja of Konohagakure. No matter how far you go, your first duty is to protect everyone in this vilge. If, at any point, you ever think of hurting this vilge, I will kill you myself!"

  Minato’s eyes widened slightly. His body froze, and a chill ran down his spine.

  Jiraiya had his reasons for setting this rule. After all, the girl Minato cared about—Kushina Uzumaki—was destined to become the host of the Nine-Tails. In other words, she would be used as a weapon by the vilge.

  If Minato couldn't understand the vilge’s actions and grew resentful, the consequences could be catastrophic. Jiraiya certainly didn’t want to raise a potential threat to Konoha.

  Jiraiya’s dark eyes bore into Minato, whose expression was a mix of confusion and determination. This wasn’t a warning; it was a decree.

  Minato nodded solemnly. "I understand, sensei."

  Jiraiya’s gaze softened a little, his face gradually lightening, as if seeing the resolve in Minato’s eyes eased his burden.

  Minato, now understanding the gravity of Jiraiya’s words, turned to face him with renewed conviction. His voice was firm, though his tone remained gentle.

  "Konoha is the pce I was born. No matter what happens here, no matter what the vilgers do, Konoha will always be my home. And the people here—my comrades—are my family. Family may have its disagreements, but I will never harm my home or my family."

  Minato paused, his gaze sweeping over the familiar sights of Konoha. Then, turning back to Jiraiya, his voice grew heavy with resolve. "So, anyone who seeks to harm my family, my home... I will eradicate them without hesitation. No matter who they are. Even if that person is me."

  Jiraiya had heard from the Third Hokage about Minato's determination, but hearing it directly from the child himself sent a shock through him. A seven-year-old saying something like this would seem like a joke to most people. But Jiraiya, a seasoned ninja, could hear the unshakable resolve in his words.

  Minato might be a gentle soul, but his resolve was stronger than many adults—and stronger than most ninjas.

  Only someone like him could become the powerful individual the Third Hokage had always hoped for.

  Their eyes met, and the heavy atmosphere lifted, repced by a warm smile from Jiraiya.

  Minato, feeling a bit lighter now, remembered something. His expression softened as he turned to Jiraiya. "Jiraiya-sensei, there's something I'd like to ask you."

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