Chapter 48: The First Battle of the Two Boys
"Are you ready, you two?"
Kawakaze stood at the camp's entrance, his face serious as he addressed Nawaki and Minato.
"Yes, we're ready," they answered in unison, each with a Han sword strapped to their waist.
To them, Kawakaze's back seemed imposing—he was already taking on two rookies for an exciting mission, despite their recent arrival. He truly deserved to be their Sensei, their Big Brother.
"It's no use if you're not ready. Let's go," Kawakaze said, slowing his pace slightly as he led the way north, just ahead of the two smaller figures.
The forest was humid despite the absence of rain, and the tree trunks were slippery. Nawaki nearly lost his footing, but Minato quickly grabbed him, preventing what could have been a nasty fall.
"How many times have I told you to pay attention to details?" Kawakaze snapped, turning back to lecture Nawaki. "Chakra should be distributed to the soles of your feet. Don't get distracted. If your stance is shaky, what's the point of learning to use a sword? Your horse stance is a mess!"
His tone was sharp—harsher than when training at home. Nawaki, still just a boy, looked aggrieved and muttered, "I'll pay attention next time."
Minato, standing silently nearby, dared not speak. This was the first time he'd seen Kawakaze so grumpy. Even when they were scolded or sparred with back home, their sensei had always smiled.
"Minato did well," Kawakaze acknowledged, softening slightly. "First, you need to adapt to the environment. The air here is humid, and the terrain is nothing like Konoha. If you don't even have that much awareness, you might as well turn back now."
His frustration stemmed from Nawaki's carelessness, a habit Kawakaze feared could become fatal. It was no wonder the boy had died to an explosive tag in another life—a tragic, unnecessary end. If Nawaki didn't learn to be vigilant, he would repeat the same mistakes. Minato, on the other hand, already showed the sharp instincts that would make him a legend in the Third Great War.