Minato

Biodata

Background

Minato grew up in an orphanage and attended the Konoha Ninja Academy. Hatake Sakumo praised him when he was young; Minato believed that praise helped him meet his teacher, Jiraiya 2 9.

As rumors spread against Sakumo for abandoning a mission to save his comrades, Minato insisted that Sakumo had done nothing wrong. He sought Baiye’s help, and later visited Sakumo in the hospital, where Sakumo encouraged him to lead Konoha 5 9.

The Third Hokage asked Minato to become a supervising Jonin. His squad brought together Kakashi Hatake, Rin and Obito 9 11 12.

Appearance

Minato has blond hair, described as golden in the morning light 20 41.

Personality

Minato is sincere, straightforward and gentle, while also perceptive. He correctly suspected Baiye’s involvement in Sakumo’s condition and noticed that Baiye had known about Kushina’s status as the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki before her transformation 9 20.

He is devoted to the people close to him. He defended Sakumo despite the rumors, refused to abandon Kushina during the Nine-Tails’ rampage, and searched the desert for Baiye after the Rōran mission 5 17 29.

Abilities & Skills

Flying Thunder God Technique

Minato uses Flying Thunder God formulas to move rapidly over long distances 22 29.

• During the retreat from Rōran, he defeated three Sand Ninja in three jumps 30.
• His later insight into Sealing Jutsu made the technique more flexible, including the ability to place a mark on someone instantly 41.
• Consecutive long-distance jumps place a considerable burden on his Chakra 30.

Rasengan

Minato developed the Rasengan to give Kushina a technique capable of countering a Tailed Beast Bomb. He completed it after three years, aided by an inadvertent suggestion from Jiraiya 17.

• He suffered repeated Chakra burns while developing it 5.
• In Kushina’s inner world, he used it against a forming Tailed Beast Bomb while Baiye restrained the Nine-Tails 17.
• Kushina named the technique “Rasengan,” replacing Minato’s much longer proposed name 5 22.

Sealing Jutsu

Minato is highly skilled in Sealing Jutsu and has studied the Uzumaki Clan’s Four Symbols Seal 22 25.

• He used the Four Symbols Seal to help suppress the Nine-Tails’ rampage 17.
• He gave Baiye an introductory Sealing Jutsu scroll and offered to answer his questions 22.
• He used the Dragon Vein’s power to seal the memories of everyone in Rōran, including his own 30.

Other Skills

• Counter-surveillance: Root considered monitoring Minato and his squad increasingly difficult and risky because of his exceptional counter-surveillance skills 12.
• Summoning: Minato has signed a Summoning Contract with Mount Myōboku 35.

Equipment

• Flying Thunder God kunai — Kunai bearing his technique’s formula; he used one to reach Baiye during the encounter with Sasori 29.

Relationships

• Kushina Uzumaki — His lover and the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki. They hoped to marry and start a family; Minato developed the Rasengan in part to help protect her 17 22.
• Gekkō Byakuya (Baiye) — Friend and occasional sparring partner. Baiye treated his injuries and helped save him and Kushina; Minato trusted him despite his unanswered questions 5 17 20 41.
• Jiraiya — His teacher. Jiraiya regards Minato as the most talented ninja he has met and believes he may be the Child of Prophecy 9 35.
• Hatake Sakumo — A respected senior who recognized Minato’s talent when he was young. Minato defended him during the campaign against him 5 9.
• Kakashi Hatake, Rin and Obito — Members of Minato’s squad. Rin recalls Minato teaching that teammates should help one another 9 11 12 32.
• Shikaku Nara — A longtime friend whom Baiye believed was among Minato’s supporters 5.

Story Role

Nine-Tails Incident

After Kushina left her barrier to find Minato, the Nine-Tails’ Chakra overwhelmed her. Minato used sealing techniques to suppress it despite suffering a severe abdominal wound. In Kushina’s inner world, he shielded her and struck the Nine-Tails with Rasengan while Baiye held it in place 17.

Baiye stabilized Minato’s injuries, and Minato later woke in the hospital. He recovered fully and was discharged 17 20 22.

Rōran Mission

Minato travelled to Rōran with Kakashi, Chōza and Shibi Aburame. After the events there, he sealed everyone’s memories with the Dragon Vein’s power, though he retained a vague sense of reluctance at parting from someone close to him 25 30.

While searching for Baiye, Minato arrived during an encounter with Sasori, who had made the Third Kazekage’s corpse into a puppet. Sasori withdrew, and Minato and Baiye agreed to report the discovery to Konoha. Minato then helped escort Rōran’s survivors toward the Land of Fire, repelling Sand Ninja pursuers along the way 29 30.

Northern Battlefield

As war spread, Minato departed for the northern front while Baiye went west to support Tsunade. A later battle report credited Minato’s Flying Thunder God and Rasengan with inflicting heavy losses on Kumogakure’s vanguard and forcing its forces to pull back 41 50.

Notable Quotes

“On that mission, he chose to save his comrades. I don’t think he was wrong.” 5

“I won’t leave! I will never give up on you!” 17

“Whatever other secrets you have, you were willing to expose yourself to save us. That’s enough.” 20