The Seminar became a talk for all those in Konoha's ninja household, as the God of Shinobi himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had been knocked down by a child, one whose fighting style was as unorthodox as it was unexpected.
Back in the Hokage Office, the usually composed Hiruzen raged, his voice rising in fury as he showered Minato with a flurry of profanity. Names were hurled at him, accusations of failing to warn the elder Hokage about the unpredictable nature of this Enso Taijutsu. Minato, caught off guard by Hiruzen's rage, could do little more than offer an awkward chuckle, feeling the weight of the older man's frustration.
Minato was at a loss for words. Hiruzen didn't even know the full extent of Enso's abilities, as the young boy hadn't even used the movement techniques—'Void Step'—yet. In truth, the only reason Enso had won was because Hiruzen had not been familiar with the boy's unpredictable style, and, with his experience, couldn't find a way to neutralise the attacks in time.
If they were to fight again, Minato knew Hiruzen would come prepared. The old Hokage might study the boy's movements, develop a strategy, and perhaps even find a way to counter him. Minato doesn't have the heart to tell him that his own Taijutsu skill also improved greatly after sparring with Enso now and then. In their sparring sessions, Minato had watched the boy's Taijutsu evolve, each move becoming more fluid, controlled and refined.
But Minato kept that truth to himself. There was no need to add fuel to the fire.
Meanwhile, the real Enso wasn't dwelling on the incident in the Hokage office. He was out near the cliffs, training in solitude. His 'Origin Blades Style'—a combat form that blended fluidity with raw, brutal efficiency—was his focus. The air was thick with the scent of earth and rock as Enso summoned multiple shadow clones to help him test his techniques in combat scenarios. Every swing of his blade, every fluid movement, was met with a shadow clone, each clone using the same techniques and offering the same challenge as his opponent would in the real world.
The shadow clones he created fought with the same intensity as he did, each one wielding his techniques with surprising effectiveness. A few clones even managed to land blows, leaving shallow cuts on his body, but they were always quickly dispatched by Enso, who struck with deadly precision, cutting them down mercilessly. He knew this was necessary—he needed to push himself, even if it meant feeling the sting of injury. With each sparring match against himself, his skills were honed, and his confidence grew.
He knew he was strong—strong enough to defeat any normal Jonin who dared to cross his path—but that wasn't enough. His future enemies would be Kage-level shinobi, S-Rank legends who could obliterate him with ease if he wasn't careful. He needed more. He needed to keep pushing beyond the limits, and the only way to do that was to keep training, refining his techniques, and never stop striving for more.
As the last shadow clone vanished in a burst of smoke, Enso wiped the blood from a cut on his arm, his thoughts wandering to the upcoming challenges. He chuckled softly to himself. The news of his battle against Hiruzen's clone had already reached the village, and even now, he could sense the rumblings of gossip in the air.
He did not doubt that Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was growing older—he might be as sharp as ever, but even the sharpest blades dulled with time. Enso's style, unpredictable and unorthodox, was difficult for even the most seasoned Shinobi to adapt to.
Still, it was nothing more than a taijutsu sparring match. Hiruzen was famed for his mastery of ninjutsu, not hand-to-hand combat. Enso knew better than to let a small victory cloud his judgment. He kept his emotions in check, aware that this was only a fragment of the Third Hokage's true strength.
Dinner that evening was filled with the usual chatter, as Minato told Kushina about the infamous Hiruzen Seminar at the academy. He recounted how Enso had knocked down Hiruzen's clone, Kushina burst into laughter, slapping the table with a force that sent her bowl of rice wobbling. "I taught him well, didn't I?" she teased, her voice full of pride. Minato couldn't help but smile at her reaction. Despite the day's tension, there was always a sense of comfort in Kushina's laughter.
Meanwhile, Itachi Uchiha pushed his training harder. Enso's progress wasn't something he could ignore. The young Uchiha knew that one day, he might have to face Enso in combat, and when that day came, he wanted to be ready.
He began asking his father, Fugaku, to push him even harder during their Taijutsu sessions, determined to close the gap between them. But Itachi didn't stop there—he sought out Shisui, another gifted Uchiha, to learn the art of 'Sleight of Hand,' a technique designed to enhance one's speed and precision, particularly when using Shuriken. Every aspect of his combat prowess was being sharpened, and Itachi was no longer the quiet child of the clan; he was evolving into a formidable Shinobi in his own right.
Two months later, the Academy organised an unexpected match between Enso and Itachi. The two prodigies were paired for a full-contact sparring bout, with permission to use any jutsu. Jonin were assigned to oversee the fight, not just to ensure the combatants' safety, but also to maintain order and provide valuable insights for the students observing the match. The match was held at the heart of the Forty-Fourth Training Ground, inside the very building typically reserved for the Chunin Exams, setting the stage for a battle that would leave a lasting impression.
This came as a surprise to both Enso and Itachi. They had attended the Academy through clones, completely unaware of the arrangement made behind the scenes. The decision had been initiated by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, who noted that their combat abilities were far beyond the standard level of other Academy students.
Enso and Itachi both knew this match was no ordinary sparring session, if things went wrong, their secrets could be exposed. The battle was about to begin, and no one in Konoha would ever forget the day Enso and Itachi faced one another. The tension in the air was thick as the head teacher of their class stepped forward to referee the match, signalling that the battle was about to begin.
As they faced off, the crowd of academy students watched with bated breath, knowing they were about to witness the clash of two prodigies, each with their own unique set of skills and strengths.
Enso was dominating Itachi in close-quarters combat. His Taijutsu was relentless, unorthodox, and unpredictable, pushing even a genius like Itachi to the edge. Every strike was precise, every movement efficient, and Itachi found himself at a disadvantage, forced to adapt to the pace Enso had set.
But Itachi wasn't one to stay cornered for long. With a quick seal and a sharp breath, he expelled a stream of flame—Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu—forcing a wall of scorching heat between them. The searing wave rolled forward, tearing up the ground and threatening to swallow Enso whole.
The burst of fire wasn't just a defence—it was a set-up. Shuriken followed, flung from multiple directions with deceptive angles and misdirection. Some bounced off trees, others curved through the smoke with uncanny spin, aiming to trap Enso in a web of steel.
But Enso was ready.
His foot shifted, and with a shimmer in the air, he vanished.
Void Step.
In a blink, he reappeared on the other side of the firestorm, Kunai in hand, parrying the Shuriken mid-air in a fluid dance of metal and movement. The ground behind him still sizzled from the flames, but Enso had already moved ahead. He was closing in.
As he darted forward, he subtly placed an Explosive Tag around the terrain—an act masked by his rapid movement and the distraction of battle. A trap lay quietly, like a spider weaving threads in the middle of chaos.
Itachi was starting to breathe heavier now. He was burning through chakra fast. Each jutsu chipped away at his reserves, and the weight of the fight was beginning to settle into his limbs. Enso didn't hit hard, but he didn't need to—the constant pressure forced Itachi to stay on guard, and the damage was starting to add up.
Seeing no other choice, Itachi moved in to engage in a final, decisive exchange. He wasn't aiming for victory anymore—he was looking to test his limits, perhaps even stake pride on one last move.
Watching from the sidelines, the Jonin and Anbu elite exchanged glances. To them, Itachi's decision seemed reckless. Why would a genius known for tactical precision rush in like that against an opponent dominating in Taijutsu?
Then, it happened.
As Enso's counter-strike neared Itachi's midsection—too fast and heavy to dodge—Itachi smiled.
Boom.
His body erupted into a controlled explosion.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as smoke spread outward from the explosion. But before confusion could turn to panic, two sharp bursts of white mist appeared in place of the two contestants—the unmistakable sign of shadow clones dispersing.
Both of them had been fighting with clones from the start.
Stunned silence followed. Even the seasoned Jonin supervising the battle exchanged looks of disbelief. The entire match—a full-scale battle that had left craters in the ground and shaken the nerves of every Academy student—had been conducted by two clones.
The Academy teacher called an abrupt end to the session. Students were dismissed early, still whispering in awe and confusion. The faculty, shaken but composed, gathered for an emergency meeting with the Fourth Hokage. This was no longer just a spar between two gifted students. It had become a matter of village-level interest.
…
In the depths of the forest outside the village, Enso was balancing on two fingers, doing one-handed push-ups with effortless rhythm. Sweat dripped down his forehead, catching the glint of early morning light breaking through the treetops. His breath was calm, controlled.
He had just received the memory from his shadow clone.
"So... Itachi used Clone Great Explosion," he muttered with a smirk, transitioning smoothly into pull-ups on a branch overhead. " That guy must hate to lose. An A-rank technique, huh? He must've realised I wasn't the real one either. Guess I'll need to visit the Uchiha compound soon."
His tone was casual, but his mind was working at full speed.
…
Elsewhere, Itachi is reflecting on the match against Enso during his evening session with Shisui. As he explained what happened, Shisui gave a low whistle, clearly impressed.
"You both used shadow clones? From the start?" Shisui shook his head, "That's... dangerous and brilliant. You're turning into a real threat, Itachi."
Later that night, Itachi met with his father, Fugaku, and shared everything that had transpired. As head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku listened in silence, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
…
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office, the Academy staff had made their position clear. Both Enso and Itachi were far beyond the level of ordinary students. Their grasp of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, tactical thinking, and even deception was not only beyond their peers—but well past most of the teachers themselves.
Their request was simple: graduate them early.
The higher-ups mulled it over, weighing the risks and the benefits. Pride tinged their voices when they discussed the boys, but so did a hint of unease. These weren't ordinary children.
Danzo leaned forward with a glint of suspicion in his eye.
"We should investigate this boy Enso's origin," he said flatly. "There's more to him than we know."
But before anyone could respond, Hiruzen let out a hearty laugh.
"Of course, he has a secret. He's the personal disciple of both Minato and Kushina. They've been training him long before he entered the academy."
Danzo's frown deepened, but he said nothing more. The legacy of Minato's students was already legendary—Kakashi Hatake being the prime example. Pushing the matter further would only make him seem petty. Still, he made a mental note: Enso might be out of reach… but Itachi? That was another matter. With the right guidance, perhaps the young Uchiha could still be swayed toward the Root Anbu.
Eventually, the council reached a unanimous decision. Enso and Itachi would become the second youngest graduates in the history of the Konoha Ninja Academy.
The announcement came with a quiet meeting. Minato personally visited Fugaku to inform him of the outcome. As the Fourth Hokage relayed the village's decision, Fugaku listened with pride evident in his expression. For a brief moment, both leaders smiled—men of different generations, acknowledging the brilliance of the youths they had raised.
"Looks like the next generation is shaping up to surpass us all," Minato said lightly.
Fugaku nodded. "It's always been that way. The world isn't a peaceful place."
They shook hands, not just as leaders, but as parents and mentors of the two rising stars.