That night, the weight of the internship decision pressed heavily on Minato. He sat at his desk, the voluminous packet of agency offers spread before him, each representing a distinct path. He considered top-tier combat agencies, stealth specialists, and even highly technical support hero offices. Every option presented a valuable learning opportunity, a chance to hone different aspects of his skills. Yet, one agency stood out, not for its specialized training or its high ranking, but for a unique, personal connection: All Might's agency.
He mused over the practicalities. With All Might, he wouldn't need to hold back on his full capabilities. All Might already knew about his past and the true extent of his power. There would be no need to make up excuses if he did something an ordinary intern "didn't have to" or simply couldn't do. It offered a level of transparency and trust he wouldn't find anywhere else. Beyond that, the chance to learn directly from the Symbol of Peace himself, to witness his philosophy in action, was an invaluable opportunity.
By the next morning, Minato's decision was firm. He submitted his choice, a quiet confidence settling within him. He was ready for the next phase of his hero journey.
When the designated time for internships arrived, Minato made his way to All Might's agency building. The modern, sleek facade belied the warmth he felt as he pushed through the main doors. He expected a bustling office, perhaps a stern sidekick, but what greeted him instead was a scene that melted his heart.
Inside, the spacious reception area was filled with bright, natural light. And there, in the middle of the room, Eri sat on the floor, giggling as All Might clumsily attempted to stack building blocks, which kept toppling over. Eri, her horn still visible but much smaller, was laughing, a bright, joyous sound that echoed through the otherwise quiet office. She looked healthier, happier, a stark contrast to the terrified child he had first encountered.
"All Might-sensei?" Minato greeted, a soft smile on his face, genuinely surprised.
All Might, startled, nearly knocked over the entire block tower. "Oh! Young Namikaze! You're here!" His signature wide grin, even in his emaciated form, was unmistakable. "Welcome! And as you can see," he gestured to Eri, who now looked up at Minato with wide, curious eyes, "we have a special guest!"
Eri, initially shy, slowly recognized Minato watching him on TV during the sports festival. Her eyes lit up, and she stood, taking a tentative step forward. "Yellow Flash!" she murmured, a shy smile gracing her lips.
It seemed All Might had indeed adopted her. A quick explanation revealed that Eri was now living with All Might and receiving home tutoring, adjusting to a normal life. Minato's heart swelled with warmth. This unexpected surprise cemented his belief that he had chosen the right agency.
Minato spent the next hour or so on the floor with them, playing with Eri. He walked on the walls and ceiling and showing shadow clone jutsu and transformation jutsu, and many more, making her laugh with delight. He helped All Might build a remarkably sturdy block tower, much to Eri's joy. It was a wholesome, unexpected start to his internship, a glimpse into the compassionate heart of the world's greatest hero.
After the heartwarming interlude, it was time for work. All Might, having shifted into his muscle form, led Minato out of the agency. The bustling streets of Musutafu immediately enveloped them.
"Alright, Young Namikaze! Our first patrol!" All Might boomed, his voice resonating with his usual vigor. "We'll be covering sectors 3 and 4 today. Keep your eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary, and remember, a hero's job is not just to fight villains, but to ensure the safety and peace of the citizens!"
Minato nodded, his senses already extending, subtly surveying the crowds and the urban landscape. His internal mapping and chakra sensing abilities gave him an unparalleled awareness of his surroundings.
Their first real call came swiftly. A minor traffic accident had occurred, caused by a small-time villain with a "Quirk of Minor Inconvenience", causing car alarms to blare incessantly and traffic lights to flicker erratically, creating chaos.
"Halt, citizen! Your disorderly conduct ends here!" All Might declared, leaping into action.
Minato, faster still, was already there. With a burst of Lightning Chakra Mode, he disarmed the bewildered villain before All Might's feet even touched the ground, subduing him with a quick, precise pressure point strike to the neck. The villain crumpled, harmless. Minato then swiftly adjusted the flickering traffic lights, using a minor, controlled burst of electromagnetic chakra to stabilize their circuits, restoring order.
"Wow! That was fast, Young Namikaze!" All Might chuckled, collecting the stunned villain. "Excellent work! Efficiency is key!"
A few blocks later, a purse snatching occurred. A nimble thief with a speed Quirk had grabbed a woman's bag and was weaving through the crowd.
"Fear not, citizens! I am here!" All Might prepared to leap.
But Minato was already in motion. A fleeting yellow blur streaked through the alleyways. Before the thief could even clear the block, Minato had appeared directly in front of him, the stolen purse already back in his hand. He then, with a subtle shift of chakra, gently tripped the thief without causing injury, sending him sprawling. Minato returned the purse to the bewildered woman, who could only stammer her thanks.
"My goodness! He's even faster than I thought!" All Might exclaimed, watching Minato's seamless recovery. "Truly the 'Yellow Flash'!"
The day continued in a similar vein. A cat stuck in a tree? Minato scaled it in an instant, gently coaxing the feline down. A fire started by faulty wiring in a small shop? Minato used a precise burst of wind chakra to create a vacuum, starving the flames of oxygen while the fire department was still en route, preventing it from spreading before the Pros arrived to fully extinguish it. He helped All Might direct crowd control at a minor protest, his calming demeanor and authoritative presence proving surprisingly effective.
Each time, Minato showcased his comprehensive skillset – not just raw power and speed, but precise Quirk application, tactical thinking, and a calm, reassuring demeanor. He moved with a grace and efficiency that complemented All Might's overwhelming presence, allowing the Symbol of Peace to focus on larger-scale threats while Minato handled the myriad smaller, yet critical, daily crises.
It wasn't long before their presence drew attention. As they rounded a corner, a flurry of clicks and flashes erupted. Reporters, always on the hunt for a scoop, immediately descended upon them.
"ALL MIGHT! And is that... Minato Namikaze?!" one reporter shouted, her camera flashing wildly.
"The winner of the Sports Festival, working with All Might already! This is huge!" another exclaimed, pushing a microphone forward.
"Is he your new sidekick, All Might?!" a third pressed, his voice laced with excitement.
"Indeed! Young Namikaze is interning with me for the week!" All Might declared, his smile unwavering. "It's an honor to mentor such a promising talent!"
The reporters practically exploded with speculation. "He's All Might's successor! This confirms it!" one cried, already typing furiously into her phone. The whispers of "All Might's successor" began to spread like wildfire among the onlookers. Minato simply offered a polite, somewhat amused smile to the cameras, neither confirming nor denying the rampant speculation. He was focused on the actual patrol.
The synergy between them was undeniable, and the crowds, already convinced by the reporters' pronouncements, murmured constantly about the "new duo" and the "successor." Minato, for his part, simply focused on the task at hand, learning from the best, and helping where he could.