Little observer

Dan stood in a small clearing in the vast forest that surrounded Konoha. He had his eyes closed and concentrated. He also was molding chakra. When he was ready, he released his technique.

„Reika no Jutsu!"

The pulling sensation of his soul leaving his body overcame him. He floated in the air. When he looked down, he saw his body crumpled on the floor. But he was satisfied. The control of his soul outside the body was perfect. So he returned to his body.

The silverhaired Jonin stood and brushed off the dust. His mastery of his technique was complete, but he still kept on repeatedly training it. Without killing anyone or anything, of course. However, if he'd stop practising, he may start doing mistakes. And with a jutsu this dangerous, mistakes were simply a no-go.

Then he sighed.

„Hey, kiddo, why don't you come out?"

There was a moment of silence. Then the rustling of leaves, and a blonde boy in blue and white attire jumped down from a tree branch. He was no older than eight or nine.

„You are awesome, Dan-san." The boy grinned. „You noticed me, even though I tried my best to hide my chakra."

Dan studied the boy for a moment. He knew the boy from the village. An orphan aspiring to become a ninja. Then smiled. „You're Minato, right? What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be training for the academy?"

„Nah. I can do that stuff already." Minato locked his hands behind his head and grinned again. „Plus, it's way cooler to watch you training."

This caused the Jonin to laugh. „So it seems. As a matter of fact, I did notice you quite a few days ago." He had only waited until today, because he had thought that it would end of its own. Which it hadn't.

The blonde boy seemed disappointed. „Awww, really? I thought I was better than that in hiding my chakra."

Dan walked over to him and patted him on his head. „Don't you worry. You will get better. What I hear from the academy, you are quite a talented student."

„But I want to become as strong as you!", Minato protested. „I want to invent a cool jutsu on my own, too! Like your amazing Reika no Jutsu! Everyone tells about what a great shinobi and fighter you are. And I want to become Hokage one day!"

Those words left Dan speechless for a moment. So this was why Minato had watched him for close two weeks now. This kid… He had the same dream that the Jonin harbored. And, according to a friend, he had the potential to fullfill it.

He smiled, ruffled the boy's head and crouched down, so their eyes were on one height.

„Listen, Minato. I happen to know the three legendary Sannin personally. And do you want to know what Jiraya told me?" He gazed into the boy's wide eyes. „He told me: This boy has great promise. I might take him under my wings someday."

Minato's eyes widened even more. „H-he did say that?!"

Dan nodded. „Yeah. So just have confidence in yourself. And you'll see, one day you'll create a jutsu that is even more awesome than my ol' little Reika no Jutsu."

The boy's eyes lit up. It was the same fire that he had seen in Tsunade's, Nawaki's and Jiraya's eyes.

„Thank you, Dan-san!" Minato gave the Jonin a short hug. Then he ran off, while looking back and waving. „In that case, I'll have to start practising hard! Just you wait! One day I'll create the most awesome jutsu ever! And I'll become Hokage, stronger even than the Sannin!"

Then he vanished among the trees.

Dan got up from his crouch and looked after him thoughtfully. He began to understand what Jiraya had seen in the boy. Minato's chakra was strong. And the only reason Dan had sensed it was because he was very esperienced in it. The blonde child had hidden it quite well. Dan had a feeling that all of it was going to become true.

That a great future lay ahead of this boy.

Chuckling, the silverhaired Jonin resumed his own training.

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