Naruto Card King

Haruto Saito's path to mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique was secured by Minato Namikaze!

He didn't dare to rely on his own talent—this wasn't self-deprecation but a simple recognition of reality. The Flying Thunder God Technique was of an insanely difficult level. Even with talent, it would take years just to get started. Moreover, as Sarutobi Hiruzen had mentioned, possessing a space-time affinity was a rarity among ninjas, a one-in-ten-thousand kind of rarity!

If there was a shortcut, he would take it!

This was different from chakra sensing. Since Haruto's sensory talent had been enhanced before, his training in chakra perception naturally progressed at a fast pace. Besides, he trained alone because he couldn't find a suitable mentor to discuss it with. Sensory-type ninjas were already rare, and those with exceptional talent were even rarer. Even if he did find someone suitable, there was no guarantee he'd have access to them.

In reality, Haruto wasn't in a hurry to master chakra sensing. But mastering the Flying Thunder God? That was urgent!

This was a technique that could make him leap to new heights in strength instantly!

As students continued to exit the school gates, a few teachers were also visible. Haruto didn't recognize them, but with his True Sight ability, he could see everyone's information clearly. Among the crowd were many children of similar age. The students of the Ninja Academy ranged from five to twelve years old—five being the age of enrollment, and twelve being the graduation age.

Haruto himself was around eleven or twelve, though he wasn't entirely certain. He could only estimate.

After waiting for a while, Haruto still didn't see the eight-year-old boy with golden hair and blue eyes emerging from the school. Just as he was about to move, a familiar scent reached his nose. Before he could react, a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Dear Haruto-san! No wonder you weren't home just now. What are you doing here?" A teasing voice reached Haruto's ears.

He already knew who it was. Turning his head, he saw Tsunade standing beside him!

Tsunade beamed at Haruto with a mischievous glint in her eyes, sending a chill down his spine.

"Tsunade-sama, could you not look at me like that?" Haruto adjusted his sunglasses. "People might get the wrong idea!"

"Heh!" Tsunade chuckled, her smile carrying an unmistakable hint of mischief. She began counting on her fingers. "Three hundred million Ryo… minus one hundred and fifty million… that still leaves one hundred and fifty million Ryo. Half of that would be seventy-five million Ryo! I've never seen that much money in my life…"

"No matter how much, it has nothing to do with you!" Haruto cut her off.

He understood now! No wonder Tsunade was suddenly acting all friendly—it was because of the seventy-five million Ryo!

It wasn't thieves he should be afraid of—it was people like Tsunade eyeing his fortune!

Haruto started considering whether he should move to a new place immediately to escape her.

"Heh, you won't have a choice when the time comes," Tsunade mumbled with a grin before turning her attention toward the school gate. She seemed to be looking for someone too. After glancing around, she asked, "Are you waiting for someone?"

"Mm." Haruto responded with a slight nod.

"Who?" Tsunade pressed.

"You wouldn't know them even if I told you," Haruto replied casually.

Tsunade gave him a skeptical glance. She found it hard to believe that Haruto knew anyone at the Ninja Academy. He was an outsider, not raised in Konoha, and didn't seem to have much social interaction.

"You're here for Uzumaki Kushina?" Haruto suddenly asked, realizing the possibility.

"Yeah. My grandmother sent me. She misses her," Tsunade nodded. The grandmother she referred to was none other than Mito Uzumaki, the First Hokage's wife and the original Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!

Mito Uzumaki was still alive, though likely not for much longer. Kushina had been brought to Konoha so she could succeed Mito as the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki after her passing.

Currently, Mito was living in seclusion somewhere in Konoha, though very few knew the exact location.

"You were with Lady Mito all afternoon?" Haruto asked.

"Yeah, she had some things to tell me," Tsunade's expression darkened slightly, hinting that whatever Mito had said weighed on her mind.

The two of them stood by the grove, chatting idly. At first, no one paid much attention to Haruto, but Tsunade's presence attracted more and more glances. Some people even started whispering about Haruto's identity.

Both of them kept their eyes on the school gate.

Suddenly, Haruto's eyes lit up. He had spotted him—a delicate-looking boy with fair skin stepping out of the gate. He was smaller and thinner than most eight-year-olds, giving off a somewhat fragile impression. He seemed quiet, walking alone with a small backpack on his back and two kunai strapped to his waist.

Golden hair, blue eyes—that was him!

Name: Minato Namikaze.

Affiliation: Konoha Ninja Academy Student.

Reputation: 377 points.

Relation: Neutral.

Haruto moved immediately, walking straight toward Minato. Tsunade, noticing his sudden action, was intrigued. Who was he looking for? Who could he possibly know?

Minato was walking with his head down when he noticed a shadow in front of him. Looking up, he saw a figure clad in a black cloak and sunglasses blocking his path. The figure was about the size of a student.

"Hello! You're Minato Namikaze, right?" Haruto greeted him with a smile.

"I don't know you," Minato responded with mild impatience. "And I don't accept challenges! If you keep bothering me, I'll call a teacher."

Haruto was momentarily stunned but quickly understood.

This kid was a genius!

Even though he was still just an academy student, not yet a ninja, he was already a rising star in the academy. No one could guarantee his future success, but within the school environment, he was already a well-known figure. He was probably challenged frequently and had grown tired of it.

Minato didn't wait for Haruto's response. He simply stepped around him and continued walking forward.

Haruto turned to watch Minato, thought for a moment, then caught up with him in a few strides. Casually draping an arm over Minato's shoulder, he matched his pace and tilted his head playfully. "Hey, kid! That's rude."

"AHHH!! PERVERT!!" A sudden shriek came from the school gate.