[Chapter Size: 1700 Words.]
Third Person POV
Training Camp, Konoha, Year 33.
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The morning was just beginning to lighten, casting a soft glow over the training field where Minato was already in action. His clothes were drenched in sweat as he practiced his taijutsu techniques, each kick and punch echoing with the sound of his concentrated breathing while his eyes were blindfolded. He was fighting against his own clone while his copy fought one another with limited vision, relying solely on his unique ability.
His goal was clear: to become stronger, faster, more resilient. As he moved at an almost frantic pace, while battling his clone, a figure approached silently from where Minato was fighting his clone. Tsuna, with her blond hair gently swaying in the cold January wind, watched Minato for a moment before calling out to him. "Minato! Stop this fight!" she called out cheerfully.
Surprised, Minato interrupted his training with his clone, removing the blindfold, dispelling the shadow clone, and turning to find Tsuna holding a box wrapped with a simple yet elegant bow. His face expressed a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Tsuna? What are you doing here so early?"
Tsuna stepped forward, a shy but warm smile on her face. "I know you probably forgot, but today is January 25th... your birthday." She extended the box to him. "I wanted to be the first to give you a present."
Minato was visibly surprised, his eyes widening a bit as he realized the date. "My birthday? You knew?" He accepted the present, his expression a mix of gratitude and admiration.
Tsuna's smile was contagious, and the playful light in her eyes reflected the joy she felt in surprising Minato. "Yes, I picked up the date at the academy some time ago," she explained, her voice soft and friendly. "You are always so focused on training that I thought you might have forgotten." There was a tone of admiration in her words, an appreciation for Minato's dedication and determination.
Holding the box with an almost ceremonial reverence, Minato felt a wave of warm emotion flood his heart with his friend doing this for him. It was rare to receive such gestures of consideration, and Tsuna's surprise touched him deeply. "Thank you, Tsuna. This... this means a lot to me," he murmured, and his voice, usually firm and confident, carried a layer of emotion that he rarely showed. His words were simple, but the gratitude he felt was immense and genuine.
With hands following anticipation, he opened the present, and his eyes lit up to see what was inside. "This... Are these weight seals? Incredible!" he exclaimed, his surprise quickly turning into enthusiasm as he saw the papers tinged with Fuuinjutsu. The weight seals were exactly what he needed to take his training to the next level, a tool he had long desired but never had the means to acquire, as they were very expensive.
Tsuna laughed, pleased with Minato's reaction. "Yes, you were always complaining that you needed them. My great-grandmother made them when I asked," she said, her tone brimming with pride and joy. The mention of her great-grandmother added an extra layer of meaning to the gift.
Minato looked at Tsuna, his expression now a mix of surprise and gratitude. "I... don't know what to say, Tsuna. This will help me a lot," he said, his words sincere and full of appreciation.
Minato quickly returned to the training spot with the seals placed on his clothes, leaving behind a stunned Tsuna.
"So, are you going to spend your birthday stuck in more training?" Tsuna asked a bit dissatisfied.
"Yes...?" Minato responded with a raised eyebrow, ready to recreate the shadow clone.
"Stop that! Let's go to the river!" Tsuna exclaimed, grabbing Minato by the arm and dragging him to the nearby stream before he could react.
"Hey, what are you doing bringing me here?" Minato demanded, realizing he was being dragged away without the ability to react by the Senju girl.
Tsuna pulled Minato with cheerful determination, ignoring his mild protests. "Today, you're going to do something different, Minato. No clones, no training. Today, you're going to relax, even if it's just for a little while," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
As they approached the river, the soft sound of flowing water filled the air, a calm and steady melody. The sun, now higher in the sky, reflected off the water's surface, creating sparkling patterns of light. Tsuna released Minato's arm, pointing to the smooth stones on the bank. "Let's have a contest to see who can make a stone skip the most times on the water, my great-grandfather used to do this with his best friend..." she suggested with a smile, recalling stories she heard about Hashirama with Mito, but never imagined that best friend would be Madara Uchiha.
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Minato looked at her, a bit disconcerted but curious. "Skipping stones on the river?" he repeated, his voice mixing disbelief and a bit of interest. It was such a simple activity, so far removed from his rigorous training, it seemed almost alien.
"Yes!" Tsuna exclaimed, carefully selecting a smooth stone. "Watch, like this." She demonstrated, throwing the stone with an elegant wrist movement. The stone bounced several times before sinking, leaving concentric circles in the water.
Minato watched, the corner of his mouth curving into a half-smile.
'Maybe today is a day to just relax…' He murmured internally. Minato chose his own stone, feeling its weight and surface. With a focused look, he threw it, watching it bounce repeatedly on the water. "This is... strangely satisfying," he admitted, a feeling of relaxation beginning to take over him.
Tsuna laughed, happy to see Minato engaging in the activity she suggested. "See? Not everything has to be about training and being the best. Sometimes, just being, just enjoying the moment, is enough."
They continued, throwing stones, competing in a friendly manner, and laughing when one or the other made a particularly good or bad throw. Over time, Minato allowed himself to truly relax, the laughter and the soothing sound of the water easing the constant tension he usually carried.
While Minato and Tsuna continued their simple but joyful stone-skipping contest, a new figure approached the river. It was Mikoto Uchiha.
"So, this is where you two have been all this time..." She murmured, approaching.
Mikoto walked with quiet elegance, carrying a picnic basket in her arms. The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees danced gently over her black hair as she approached, a soft smile on her lips.
"I didn't expect to find you two here," Mikoto said, her tone calm and friendly. She placed the basket on the ground, revealing an array of snacks, fruits, and refreshments carefully prepared. "I heard it was Minato's birthday and thought a picnic would be a nice way to celebrate."
Minato looked surprised at Mikoto. "Mikoto, even you knew about my birthday? You didn't have to bother," he began but was interrupted by Tsuna.
"Of course she had to! It's your birthday, Minato. Even for an Uchiha, she's still your friend, isn't she? And today, you're going to enjoy every moment!" Tsuna exclaimed, clearly pleased with Mikoto's addition to the small group, despite their usual rivalry.
Mikoto laughed, waving them over to sit around the basket. "Come on, Minato. Today is a day to relax and have fun, and I'm willing to spend a day with this Senju to celebrate your birthday. No training, no worries, just a good time with friends."
Reluctantly, but curiously, Minato joined them, sitting on the soft grass by the river's edge. As they began to enjoy the snacks, the conversation flowed naturally, revolving around funny stories from the academy, plans for the future, and even some friendly teasing. Minato, who usually kept to himself and focused on his training, found himself laughing and participating more than he expected with his best friends in the last year.
While Minato, Tsuna, and Mikoto settled around the picnic basket, the peaceful environment of the river provided the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of relaxation and camaraderie. Minato, still a bit displaced from the situation, sat cross-legged listening to the girls holding the seals won by Tsuna.
Tsuna, always observant, noticed the subtle tension in Minato and decided to break the ice. She picked up one of the sandwiches prepared by Mikoto and lightly tossed it towards Minato, hitting him gently on the arm. "Hey, Minato! You can't eat weight seals. Try this, it's much better!" she said, laughing.
Minato, caught off guard by the playful act, couldn't help but smile. Picking up the sandwich, he took a bite and nodded in approval. "You're right, Tsuna. This is really good," he laughed.
Mikoto, who had been more reserved, watched the interaction with a slight smile. Deciding to join in, she extended a bowl of fruit to Tsuna and Minato. "I tried to make something that all of us would like. I think we need a bit of sweetness after all this talk about training," she commented.
The conversation flowed more naturally now, with laughter and shared stories. Tsuna, feeling inspired, proposed a game. "How about we play 'Truth or Dare'? It could be a fun way to get to know each other better," she suggested, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Minato and Mikoto exchanged a look, a mix of hesitation and curiosity on their faces. "Alright, but nothing too extreme," Minato agreed, and Mikoto nodded, reluctantly agreeing.
The game started innocently enough, with questions about favorite foods and childhood memories. However, as it progressed, the questions and challenges became more personal and revealing. This resulted in some red cheeks admitting some things about Minato from both girls.
As the day came to an end, Minato looked at Tsuna and Mikoto, a feeling of gratitude and camaraderie filling his heart. "Thank you for today," he said sincerely. "I didn't realize how much I needed this."
Tsuna smiled, and Mikoto nodded, both feeling a similar connection. They began to gather their things, preparing to return to the village.
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