Naruto: Flash Reborn — Minato’s Second Life

The moment Inoichi Yamanaka spoke, everyone looked at him oddly...

Even Sakumo hesitated briefly before answering after a moment's thought, "Yes… you've already passed the trial. This current match is technically an extra round beyond the original requirements. Withdrawing is acceptable."

The village originally held this Chakra Aptitude Test for certain strategic purposes, and since these children had already spent three days in the Forest of Death, that objective had been fulfilled. This competition aimed to determine who among the survivors was the most outstanding.

In a ninja's mind, giving up is a serious matter.

Therefore, Sakumo frowned slightly and said, "Withdrawing isn't an issue, but think carefully. You've come this far—can you really make such a decision?"

Hearing the seriousness in Sakumo's tone, Inoichi Yamanaka hesitated for a moment. But when he saw Kushina below, her small face beginning to show anger, his resolve solidified again.

"I withdraw." Under everyone's gaze, Inoichi Yamanaka chose to forfeit.

Sakumo's expression carried a hint of disappointment. He had heard something about Inoichi Yamanaka before, but he never expected this kid to have no backbone.

Even Satoshi Miyazaki, who knew how much weaker he was than Hiashi, still fought hard.

"Then proceed directly to the next fight. Chakra Mark, remove it yourself," Sakumo said. After all, this was his choice, and Sakumo had no right to interfere.

"Wait a second." However, Kushina seemed unwilling to accept it. She stopped Sakumo and then leapt toward where Inoichi Yamanaka stood.

But just as she was about to reach Inoichi Yamanaka, someone blocked her path—it was Shikaku.

Minato, Mikoto, and others quickly arrived as well. They all understood Kushina's temper.

She had absolutely no interest in winning without a fight. In her eyes, Inoichi Yamanaka's withdrawal was an insult to her.

Blocked by Minato and the others from confronting him directly, Kushina couldn't cause an open scene. Still, she glared intensely at Inoichi Yamanaka and asked with a strange tone, "Why won't you fight me?"

Inoichi Yamanaka looked hesitant and struggled to respond. But Kushina wouldn't let it go.

Shikaku, standing in front of Inoichi Yamanaka, glanced back at him, then said, "This guy… can't fight girls."

"What?" Kushina froze on the spot.

Shikaku shrugged slightly. "That's just how this guy is. Ever since childhood, he's always had this kind of personality—absolutely unable to raise a hand against a girl. During sparring matches at school, every time he asks the teacher to switch opponents."

"Why?"

Kushina asked. Actually, most people couldn't understand what sort of hang-up Inoichi Yamanaka had. Even Sakumo, upon hearing it, was visibly shocked.

"People each have things they're good at and things they're not. Coincidentally, fighting a girl is something this guy just can't do. What can we do about that?" Shikaku spread his hands helplessly.

"Okay, but..." Kushina was about to speak again, but Minato suddenly pulled her aside.

"That's enough," Minato smiled. "Since it's something Inoichi isn't good at, we shouldn't force him. After all, Kouda-sensei never forced you to memorize lessons either..."

Hearing this, Kushina immediately looked flustered, as if the very idea of memorizing lessons terrified her more than demons.

She glanced at Inoichi and said nothing further, but shot a defiant look at Sakumo. "Then at least change my opponent! Can't you do that?"

Sakumo hesitated for a moment before calmly replying, "No."

Kushina was practically seething with rage, but Minato quickly stepped in with an awkward smile, while Mikoto helped diffuse the situation from the side.

Her fiery personality even made Sakumo secretly break out in sweat.

He then took a quick glance around and announced, "Then let's proceed to the next match. Shikiku Nara and Choza Akimichi, come into the arena."

As soon as Sakumo finished speaking, the chubby little boy sitting in the audience seats—Choza Akimichi—hesitantly raised his plump hand. "Examiner, I forfeit."

"What did you say?"

Everyone was stunned once again; even Sakumo's composed expression cracked with surprise. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the heirs of the famous Ino–Shika–Cho trio (the legendary trio of the Ninja World), renowned throughout the Ninja World, would turn out to be such kids.

"Hehe." Choza gave a slightly foolish grin. "Shikiku is my good friend. I just can't bring myself to fight him."

The reason was so absurd, Sakumo didn't even know what else to ask...

"Hey, what are you saying? Won't your father scold you when you get home?" Shikiku turned toward Choza in disbelief.

Looking at him, Choza replied, "You're way smarter than me. I don't want to end up like those guys we defeated earlier, getting played by you over and over again. If that happens, my dad will definitely not let me off easy..."

During the three days of the Chakra Aptitude Test, Choza and his teammates had successfully advanced this far not only because of their considerable strength, but mostly due to having Shikiku—a genius who seemed to foresee everything.

Fighting against him felt exactly like stepping into one endless trap after another.

And Choza had absolutely no interest in reliving that experience...

Sakumo couldn't help but cover his forehead, his face twisting between amusement and despair.

With both Inoichi and Choza withdrawing, Kushina and Shikiku won by default.

Out of the total nine matches, eight had already decided winners and losers. Now only one qualifying spot remained.

Kushina knew it too. She stopped sulking in front of Minato over earlier events and now wore a worried expression.

Minato also turned his head and looked toward Yan Uchiha, standing alone away from the crowd. Yan Uchiha continued smiling at him.

Minato responded with a smile of his own, then both simultaneously turned toward Sakumo.

"Then we'll begin the final match: Minato Namikaze versus Yan Uchiha!"

After finishing his sentence, Sakumo lazily raised his gaze, looking toward the two on the second floor. He smiled and stepped back.

Uchiha's figure instantly appeared in the arena, and all the spectators barely caught sight of a black flash...

Only Minato, Nawaki, and Sarutobi Ao could follow with their eyes.

Nawaki patted Minato's shoulder and said, "Give it your all!"

"Please be careful," Mikoto also expressed her concern from the side. Although she didn't think Minato was weaker than Yan Uchiha, the latter's presence still gave her a sense of danger.

"Don't worry," Minato smiled gently. When everyone saw that kind of smile on his face, their worries seemed to greatly diminish.

Kushina wore an eager grin—Minato perfectly understood her meaning.

She and he would forever stand together.

Whoosh!

Then Minato also leapt into the battlefield at a speed no less than Yan Uchiha's, like a golden flash. Compared to Yan Uchiha's gloominess, Minato blazed brilliantly.

Seeing him come down, Yan Uchiha said indifferently, "It has been a year already. Do you remember our agreement from last time?"

"Of course I do," Minato answered.

Upon hearing this, Yan Uchiha's lips curled slightly. "Good!" he said.

At that moment, a voice slowly drifted over—it seemed to drift in slowly, almost too slowly for them to register.

"The battle... begins!"

In that instant, both pairs of eyes gleamed with indescribable light, but without exception, they both burned with...

an intense, fiery fighting spirit!

...

...

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>