Ninja World: I'm really a support-type ninja

Akira Hatake and Kakashi exchanged a glance, and without further hesitation, they charged towards the flying Minato Namikaze like a whirlwind.

Their target was the two bells tied around Minato Namikaze's waist!

Might Guy, who was a step behind the two, also reacted. Although he was slow to realize it, he caught up with the sprinting Hatake Akira in just a few steps, and his speed was constantly increasing.

Soon, Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy had created a three-step gap between themselves and Akira Hatake. If nothing unexpected happened, the bell on Minato Namikaze's waist would fall into their hands in the next second.

As Hatake Akira expected, Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy each grabbed the bells on Minato Namikaze's waist, one on each side, and gently pulled them into their palms.

Despite his early start, Hatake Akira, who was still no match for Might Guy's speed, showed no sign of frustration. He took three steps at a time and flashed behind Minato Namikaze.

"Minato-sensei, you're really heavy!"

Akira Hatake had a long face. He had underestimated the immense force that Minato Namikaze carried when he was sent flying backward. Not only did he fail to catch Minato, but he himself became a human cushion.

"Cough cough..." Minato Namikaze coughed a few times, clutching his chest in pain, a shocking trail of blood slowly trickling down his chin. "Akira, you've really given me a huge surprise, and it really hurts!"

"It may be offensive, but I simply cannot control the power of this move." Akira Hatake lay back on the ground somewhat awkwardly, scratching his head and looking slightly embarrassed.

Minato Namikaze was probably the first person to be injured by a student during a test after Konoha was founded.

“It was because the teacher underestimated the enemy…” Minato Namikaze sighed softly, the gentle smile on his face disappearing and replaced by a bitter smile.

"Your tactics were excellent; they really caught me off guard."

"No, it was Kakashi who came up with the battle plan," Akira Hatake explained, not taking credit for himself.

“Kakashi?” Minato Namikaze got off Akira Hatake and lay down next to him without any regard for appearances. “His battle intelligence is outstanding, far superior to mine back then.”

"And Ming is not bad either. Is the move that injured me also one of your special abilities?"

“Yes, it’s my trump card.” Akira Hatake nodded.

“Very good, it’s not too shameful to suffer a loss from your trump card…” Minato Namikaze comforted himself, and after a moment, he sat up from the ground. “You and Kakashi have really given me too many surprises, which makes me a little apprehensive.”

"What are you saying, Minato-sensei? If you hadn't suppressed your strength, we would have been killed in a single move!"

"Alright, alright, a loss is a loss. It's not like I can't accept defeat." Minato Namikaze swayed as he stood up, turning to look at Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy standing there. "Well, the test is over. Kakashi and Guy have won the bell I've given you. Therefore, I declare..."

"Minato-sensei, please wait!"

At that moment, Matt Kai suddenly lowered his head, and his loud shout, mixed with tears and a sob in his voice, was deafening.

"Kai?" Minato Namikaze feigned ignorance. "You've passed my test. Is there something you're unhappy about?!"

“Minato-sensei, this bell belongs to Akira.” Might Guy raised his head, his bloodshot eyes staring directly at Minato Namikaze.

“Minato-sensei, I’m so proud that you chose me, the worst student, to join your Team 8. But… but…” Might Guy wiped away his tears, “I’m not worthy!”

Might Guy turned around and bowed deeply to Akira Hatake, presenting the bell he had just snatched with both hands.

“Ming, if it weren’t for you attracting Minato’s attention, and if it weren’t for your cooperation with Kakashi, I wouldn’t have been able to get this bell at all…” Might Guy said sincerely. “This is what you deserve, and I just took it from you halfway through.”

“Kai, the bell is yours if you have it.” Hatake Akira did not reach out to take the bell that Might Guy offered.

Can I catch this bell?!

Of course not!

The simple yet profound test of human nature—the bell-grabbing game—becomes more exciting towards the end.

Just now, Akira Hatake deliberately let Might Guy surpass him to get the bell that Minato Namikaze was wearing on his waist.

This was not only to test Might Guy, but also to further improve Minato Namikaze's favorability towards him.

You can't see into someone's heart; all talk and no action is just empty talk.

If you want to gain Minato Namikaze's true approval, how will he know that Akira Hatake is excellent, and how will he know that Akira Hatake is a good disciple with talent, strength, and character, if you don't show him?

“Kai, you need this bell more than I do. I am the eldest son of the Hatake family, and this is not your only chance.” Hatake Akira turned and left, waving his hand behind his back to the three of them.

"Kai, you must cherish this opportunity and strive to become a great ninja, a great ninja like Minato-sensei."

"I'd rather not have it!" With a loud shout, Matt Kai slammed the bell to the ground. "My youth won't allow me to do this; it's an insult to my youth!"

puff.

Might Guy turned to face Minato Namikaze, making a gesture as if to kneel down again.

However, this time Minato Namikaze stopped him, and his smile was incredibly sincere and warm. He had seen into the hearts of the three and had already accepted them.

"Minato-sensei, I'm sorry... I've let you down..."

“No, you didn’t.” Minato Namikaze pulled Might Guy up and called out to Akira Hatake, “Akira, don’t you want to hear the final result before deciding whether to leave?”

Chapter 38 Minato Namikaze's evaluation of the three.

In life, we face countless choices, whether well thought out or impulsive, and we must bear the consequences alone.

Clearly, the result Akira Hatake wanted has arrived.

"Congratulations! You have successfully completed my test. From this moment on, you are officially members of Class 8!"

Minato Namikaze bent down and picked up the bell from the ground, then handed it to Might Guy, who seemed a little bewildered.

"Kai, your youth is admirable. Hard work, pride, and perseverance are your qualities, but today, I see another side of you, a lovely, kind, and childlike you."

"So please remember, you must keep going firmly, towards your youth, towards your dreams, towards your perseverance."

"I will, Minato-sensei!"

Matt Kai burst into tears again, but he cried while smiling, which was both funny and heartbreaking.

All he ever lacked was an opportunity.

Now that the opportunity has arrived, and Might Guy has successfully seized it, his future will become even brighter, no longer just able to kick out "Night Guy" before fading away.

“Kakashi, you are calm, wise, and insightful, with unparalleled talent compared to your peers, even more outstanding than I was at that age.” Minato Namikaze looked at Kakashi. “But you must also remember that even the most intricate design has flaws. Never place those who need your protection in any dangerous position, not even once.”

"I understand, Minato-sensei."

Kakashi Hatake nodded sincerely. When formulating the tactics, he did indeed think it was perfectly reasonable, even using Akira Hatake as bait.

Although this was influenced by Akira Hatake rather than Kakashi's own subjective will, the fact that he failed to provide adequate protection when it was truly necessary is a mistake he cannot escape.

"It won't happen again, Ming..."

"Call me brother!" Akira Hatake pouted. "And also, it's the older brother protecting the younger brother, you weren't wrong just now."

"But..." Kakashi hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Seeing that Akira Hatake had refuted him and even contradicted his earlier assessment of Kakashi, Minato Namikaze did not refute him but smiled and explained again.

“Kakashi, what I was talking about wasn’t Akira, but everyone else.” Minato Namikaze ruffled Kakashi’s white hair. “You value Akira too much, and you’ve neglected many people who need your protection. That’s what you should be paying attention to.”

After giving a detailed explanation, Minato Namikaze looked at Akira Hatake, ignoring Kakashi who was deep in thought.

“Ming, you are lazy, unconventional, like to take shortcuts, and lack ambition. At first, I didn’t see any redeeming qualities in you. All I saw were the characteristics of a petty person who likes to study and speculate.”

Minato Namikaze's comments on Akira Hatake were blunt, making Hatake lose face and causing him to turn his head away in frustration.

"But I later discovered that this was just your appearance. Your true qualities are enthusiasm, composure, kindness, and meticulousness."

"Of course, this might be a trait that you only truly activate when you have no other choice, but in my opinion, that's what makes you so valuable. As long as you have enough responsibilities, you can unleash astonishing power."

"So, Akira, please maintain your current state. As the older brother, you must protect Kakashi and, more importantly, Konoha. Only when everything is peaceful and stable can you truly relax."

The time spent evaluating and instructing Akira Hatake was longer than the combined time spent by Kakashi and Might Guy, which made Akira Hatake quite uncomfortable.

This has a lot to do with his previous attitude towards life.

In his previous life, Akira Hatake's grades were above average in his class, above average in his college entrance exam, above average in the university he attended, above average in his job after graduation, and even above average in finding a girlfriend...

In Akira Hatake's life, ordinariness, contentment, and freedom became his main themes; he truly is a reflection of most ordinary people.

After arriving in the Naruto world, Akira Hatake was in the same situation: above-average family background, above-average talent, and above-average circumstances...

When exactly did I decide to stop being in the middle to upper ranks?

Akira Hatake wasn't quite sure, but it might have been when Kakashi started calling him "brother," or when Sakumo Hatake cooked him terrible but always-warm meals, or even when he made some real friends at the ninja academy...

In short, Akira Hatake began to change without anyone realizing it.

He seemed to have found the meaning of his coming to the Naruto world, and found the goal he wanted to strive for.

"I understand, Minato-sensei. I will do it!"

Akira Hatake nodded solemnly, a sense of clarity washing over him, and the impulse he once felt surged back into his heart.

"I believe in you, Ming!"

Minato Namikaze smiled broadly, and the brief test finally came to a perfect end with comments and assurances.

"Cough cough!"

However, Minato Namikaze then coughed twice with a wry smile, and blood seeped out from the corner of his mouth that he had just wiped clean.

Akira Hatake's third skill dealt significant damage to Minato Namikaze, and the injuries to his body would take at least a week to heal.

Hatake Akira, belatedly realizing what was happening, chuckled sheepishly, then raised his hand and shot out a purplish-red chakra chain, which was tied to Namikaze Minato's waist.

Minato Namikaze didn't dodge; instead, he looked at Akira Hatake with considerable anticipation.

When he selected Might Guy to join Team 8, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Akira Hatake had very powerful healing abilities, so this was a good opportunity to test the quality of Akira Hatake's healing methods.

Seeing that Minato Namikaze didn't dodge and even had a look of anticipation on his face, Akira Hatake instantly understood a lot.

Without pausing, the moment the purplish-red chakra chain bound Minato Namikaze, a chakra orb identical to the one used to attack Minato shot swiftly toward him along the purplish-red chakra chain.

thump.

With a soft thud, Akira Hatake's physical condition visibly weakened, and one-third of his life energy dissipated.

Minato Namikaze's injuries were instantly healed, and his life energy even experienced a significant leap.

"Ming! You're insane!"

Minato Namikaze tensed up instantly; with his exceptional knowledge, he could immediately discern Akira Hatake's current physical condition.

Moreover, he did not expect that the special treatment method that Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned was actually a treatment method that was like Akira Hatake exchanging his life for his own!

Taking a sudden step, Minato Namikaze reached out and supported the swaying Akira Hatake. He wanted to blame him but couldn't bring himself to say it. He could only frantically whip himself in his heart and curse his mistakes.

Kakashi and Might Guy were also nervously crowding around to observe Akira Hatake's physical condition.

“Minato-sensei…this is me…cough cough…” Akira Hatake’s weak voice rang out, “This is my way of making amends for what I did just now. I hope Minato-sensei can forgive my recklessness.”