Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

"Whoa there, hold on! No harm intended, classmate! I just saw your amazing ninjutsu skills and couldn't help but watch. Spying on your secrets wasn't my intention at all!"

The blond boy wore a bright smile despite Aizen's cold stare. He usually practiced ninjutsu nearby during his free time. Aizen's earlier use of a Water Style jutsu was quite loud, attracting the boy's attention.

The moment he arrived, he witnessed Aizen performing the B-rank "Water Severing Wave" technique, leaving him speechless.

In the ninja academy, very few students can even handle C-rank ninjutsu. Even a talented kid like him had only mastered a couple. He'd never heard of someone performing a B-rank jutsu at this level.

He was familiar with the school's top students across all grades. After carefully comparing faces, none of them matched Aizen.

Their similar ages further fueled his curiosity. He wanted to know who Aizen was and what kind of power he possessed.

After all, besides the current top student Namikaze Minato, even the renowned upperclassmen paled in comparison.

Geniuses, especially those at the top, often feel isolated. They crave finding others like them.

While observing someone practicing ninjutsu is considered a ninja taboo, his curiosity overwhelmed him, turning him into a peeping tom.

"You're... Namikaze Minato from Class A?!" Aizen's voice held a hint of surprise as he looked at the familiar golden-haired figure before him.

He truly hadn't expected this "Konoha Voldemort" to actually be their class's top student, Namikaze Minato! The future Yellow Flash of the Leaf, the future Fourth Hokage, and the father of the main character, Uzumaki Naruto.

It appears sacrificing parents to propel the protagonist forward might be a universal trope.

"Well, you know me?" Minato was also surprised. Aizen wasn't a name he recognized.

"It would be strange if I didn't," Aizen said nonchalantly. "Namikaze Minato, the renowned prodigy who's consistently ranked first in the class!"

"Uh..." Minato blushed in embarrassment. Praise normally wouldn't faze him, but getting caught snooping made it feel like public humiliation.

"Tell me, being the top student, why were you lurking near my training area? Do you think I'm a spy from another village?" Aizen inquired, his expression unreadable.

"This... You don't have to call me a genius, just Minato," Minato stammered, even more embarrassed by Aizen's question.

Flustered by Aizen's stern expression, Minato sheepishly revealed his motive.

"Well, the truth is, I really admire your talent and strength. I couldn't help but be curious and want to learn more. Nothing more to it," Minato finally confessed, looking earnestly at Aizen.

"..." Aizen was speechless for a moment.

So basically, you're so skilled that you feel isolated, which is why you resorted to spying like a sneaky villain?

Thankfully, I'm a man. If I were a woman...

Wait a minute, wasn't Uzumaki Naruto actually a bit of a loner? So maybe it's not a hereditary trait...

Aizen grumbled internally for a moment before refocusing his thoughts.

"I can understand your feelings," Aizen started slowly.

However, before Minato could take comfort in those words, Aizen added a harsh follow-up: "But I can't forgive you for spying."

Minato's joyful expression instantly vanished.

Even though Aizen knew Minato and understood his good intentions, he wasn't about to reveal that so easily.

While Aizen had chosen to maintain the original owner's gentle and kind personality for strategic reasons, it didn't mean he'd overlook every issue. When it came to certain boundaries, he had to be firm. Otherwise, projecting a constant "good guy" image could come across as hypocritical.

A truly well-developed character has both strength and flexibility to feel believable.

Spying on someone while they train is a serious offense. In the ninja world, information leaks can have deadly consequences. Every ninja has their secret techniques to guard against such vulnerabilities.

Minato, aware of this reality and driven by his instilled "Will of Fire," understood his mistake.

"I take full responsibility for my actions," Minato said, taking a deep breath. "As compensation, I'd be willing to teach you a few Wind Style jutsu that I know. What do you think?"

"..." Aizen.

However, Wind Release isn't an element within his chakra nature, making those jutsu useless to him.

"Wind Release isn't part of my chakra nature," Aizen replied, his expression even colder.

"Oh no! I messed up," Minato stammered, a forced smile plastered on his face.

As a civilian ninja, he doesn't possess many advanced jutsu. These Wind Style techniques are some of his most valuable possessions.

Suddenly, a flicker of memory sparked in Minato's eyes. His expression wavered between hesitation and determination before he finally looked at Aizen, gritting his teeth. "I also know a high-level movement technique called the Body Flicker Technique. Would offering that as compensation be alright?"

This was his most advanced jutsu, and even offering it caused him a pang of reluctance.

"Interesting," Aizen said with a hint of surprise.

He hadn't expected Minato to possess such a secret technique. However, the memories of the Shinigami's Shunpo technique, vastly superior to the ninja world's Body Flicker Technique (which even required hand sign), remained fresh in his mind. Aizen simply didn't need it.

"The Body Flicker Technique isn't necessary either," Aizen replied, shaking his head.

"This... then what can I offer to make amends?" Minato asked, defeated.

He had assumed offering the Body Flicker Technique would instantly resolve the situation, but things didn't go as planned.

"However, I'm willing to let it go if we can have a spar," Aizen suddenly proposed, just as Minato felt a flicker of desperation.