Minato proved even more diligent than Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, who were actually participating in the training.
Minato's reasoning was simple.
'Since I can't personally teach them, I'll support my disciples in every other way I can.'
Obito, however, would rather have done without such concern.
He was utterly despondent.
He hadn't slept well at all the previous night, his mind haunted by Minato's gentle yet maddening voice, endlessly explaining the intricacies and secrets of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
When he finally managed to drift off, he dreamed of being brutally beaten by the shameful Black Cat.
He ran to Minato to complain, only for his teacher to reply, "This is the special training."
Life was truly miserable.
As it turned out, getting to bed early before a big exam was useless.
The harder Obito tried to sleep, the more he tossed and turned.
Kakashi, on the other hand, went outside, swung his sword two hundred times until he was drenched in sweat, and collapsed into sleep within seconds of returning.
The next morning, Obito's dark circles were so pronounced that his Sharingan eyes were already bloodshot before he even activated them.
Up close, the whites of his eyes were laced with crimson veins.
"Obito, didn't you sleep well last night? Should we...?"
"No, I'm fine," Obito gritted his teeth.
He couldn't show weakness in front of Kakashi, not now.
It was his last shred of dignity, and he would cling to it no matter what.
"Don't hold us back, dead last," Kakashi said, wiping his sword.
Whether it was the sword practice that had restored his confidence or something else, Kakashi's demeanor had returned to its cold, aloof arrogance.
He showed no trace of the dejected despair he had displayed the night before.
'Truly worthy of the name Kakashi!' Raj thought, genuinely impressed.
This scene made it clear why Kakashi could remain a normal person even after suffering immense setbacks and pain, while Obito had succumbed to darkness.
Their mental fortitude is worlds apart.
Since both Kakashi and Obito had contributed to Raj's growth the previous night, he offered some well-intentioned advice:
"Obito, while you're building your confidence, don't forget to cultivate your inner strength and willpower. Maintain a positive mindset and a resilient spirit..."
"I know! I'm already strong enough!" Obito gritted his teeth.
'If it were Asuma, that guy would let you ride all over him, bullying him without complaint. Then, when Teacher asked you to guide his training, he'd run home crying to the Third Hokage.'
Of course, this was just his inner monologue.
He had always harbored some resentment toward Asuma.
After all, the guy was the Hokage's son, enjoying all sorts of advantages, yet he still acted like he'd achieved everything through his own efforts.
Unlike himself...
'I, the true genius, have relied solely on my own strength.'
Lost in self-pity, Obito drifted into a daze.
Suddenly, a voice called out from ahead: "Obito, hurry up and catch up!"
'Huh? When did Rin get so far ahead?'
He realized he'd fallen behind quite a bit while daydreaming.
Thanks to his relentless training, his speed was impressive, and he quickly closed the gap.
"Not bad, meow. You can show off your skills during the special training later."
Raj stopped, turned back, and waved a paw.
He wasn't in a hurry; in the blink of an eye, Raj had already teleported to Kakashi's side, positioning himself at the front of the group.
'The Flying Thunder God Technique is truly amazing!'
"What's so great about it? Just wait until I learn it someday..." Obito muttered in dissatisfaction.
But upon reflection, he realized that mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique with his limited knowledge would likely be a lifelong endeavor.
Moreover, since Raj already knew the technique, even if he learned it, he wouldn't be able to defeat his rival.
Another lifelong endeavor, it seems.
Looking up, the child sighed softly.
Perhaps only by unlocking the legendary eyes of his clan could he ever hope to defeat Raj.
If Raj had heard this, he would have burst out laughing.
'Me, afraid? The wool comes from the sheep. By the time the sheep evolve enough to defeat the shepherd, the shepherd will have already used the wool money to buy a hunting rifle...'
The special training grounds were located in a mountain hollow not far from the camp.
The area was far from the border and devoid of villages, making it an ideal training location.
As they traveled, Raj noticed traces of past training exercises.
However, those exercises clearly weren't about catching rats.
"What kind of training is this? Are we stealing bells?" Kakashi asked, following behind Raj, his tone dismissive of the so-called "special training."
He clearly didn't believe Raj could offer anything that would surprise him.
After all, he was an Elite Chunin.
What kind of situation hadn't he seen?
"Meow~ No need to rush," Raj purred softly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
'You're anxious now, but you'll be crying later,' he thought.
He had barely slept the previous night, plotting how to prank Kakashi and Obito.
Soon, Rin and Obito arrived.
The trio stared at Raj, especially Rin, her gaze practically begging for answers.
Raj chuckled and turned to Kakashi.
"This cat advises you to summon your eight Ninja Dogs. We'll definitely need them later."
'What the hell are you planning? Why can't you just tell us?!' Kakashi fumed inwardly, but his face remained impassive, maintaining his aloof demeanor.
Still, this mission was worth over three hundred points - a substantial reward for a Chunin.
Raj nodded slightly, then clapped his paw, summoning the Rat Puppet from his spatial dimension.
The puppet was currently in its deactivated state.
"Your mission is to capture it."
Obito, Rin, and Kakashi stared blankly at Raj and the rat beneath his paw, but Kakashi was the most bewildered.
The cat had insisted he summon his Ninja Dogs with such urgency, making him think it was some grand operation.
But after all that, it was just to catch a rat - and a half-dead one at that...
'You're really showing off.'
"I could catch it hopping on one foot."
Kakashi's lips twitched, unable to resist a snide remark.
This was a rare opportunity to mock Raj, and he couldn't let it slip by.
But he was still young.
If it were Old Kakashi from a decade later, that sly bastard wouldn't even acknowledge the comment.
He'd pretend not to hear, feigning confusion with a "Huh? What did you say?"
"Meow! Start in three seconds. Count yourselves, but no damaging ninjutsu after we begin. Whoever breaks this thing will be catching rats for a month!"
Raj began channeling chakra.
The chakra Minato had transferred yesterday was still mostly full, so just a little more would top it off.
What he called "three seconds" was barely two - it filled that quickly.
Sure enough.
One, two...
Squeak! Squeak!
Squeak!