Third Hokage: I'm Numb

Shikun Mitarashi had come to say goodbye. He planned to spend a few days making several Flying Thunder God Kunai before setting out.

With his strength, he could play no small role even in an S-rank mission. He was fully capable of taking on any mission below A-rank in Konohagakure.

Konohagakure had emerged victorious from the Second Ninja War, its prestige soaring. The number of missions had grown rapidly, so it would not be difficult for him to choose one headed for the Land of Rain.

"You must be extra careful. Even if you've learned the Flying Thunder God, Hanzō is still an enormous threat to you.

"How about this? Remember this code. Jiraiya is currently in the Land of Rain. If you need anything, use this code to contact him."

Shikun Mitarashi memorized the code, drained his tea in one gulp, and returned home.

He needed to hurry up and make several Flying Thunder God Kunai. Every additional one meant a better chance of escaping should he encounter danger.

When facing the possible Demigod of the Ninja World, no amount of preparation was excessive.

One day after Shikun Mitarashi departed.

Inside the Hokage's Office, Minato and Orochimaru had come to return the Flying Thunder God Technique scroll.

"What! You both learned the Flying Thunder God?"

The Third Hokage's pipe fell to the floor again. How long had it been? They had both learned it already? The Third Hokage felt that the genius once praised by the Second Hokage might not quite live up to the name.

Minato scratched his head and smiled, saying it was all thanks to Teacher Orochimaru's guidance.

The Third Hokage noticed Minato's form of address. He had clearly received considerable help from Orochimaru to call him teacher.

He himself had been the same. Although he was the Second Hokage's disciple, he had also received much guidance from the First Hokage, so he respectfully called the First Hokage his teacher as well.

"Orochimaru, you taught him?"

The Third Hokage stopped smoking and set his pipe on the desk, afraid it would fall again if he heard any more outrageous news.

"Yes. Minato has great talent in space-time ninjutsu. I only taught him a tiny little bit."

The Third Hokage fell silent. Learning the Flying Thunder God in such a short time was already astonishing, yet Orochimaru had also taught someone else to use it in that same short period.

"Orochimaru, can you write down your insights on the Flying Thunder God Technique in the Scroll of Seals? Minato as well. I'll count it as the merit of an S-Rank Mission for each of you."

The Third Hokage said that with the Second Hokage's notes included, there would be insights from three ninjas who had successfully cultivated the Flying Thunder God. It would greatly help future learners, and the Third Hokage himself wanted to read them too.

Orochimaru and Minato agreed.

The two once again followed the Third Hokage to the secret chamber where the Scroll of Seals was kept.

Minato finished writing quickly. After Orochimaru and the Third Hokage reviewed it, he copied it into the Scroll of Seals.

"Old man, give me another scroll to write on. I'm afraid the Scroll of Seals won't have enough room. I've done quite a lot of research on space-time recently."

The Third Hokage did not quite believe him, but he still took out a fresh scroll and handed it to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru wrote for three whole days.

His title was—"On Insights into the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Theory of Relativity."

Naturally, Orochimaru did not copy Einstein's original work word for word. He could not recite it anyway.

However, the part of his soul that came from Earth had once been a science and engineering student. Out of curiosity, he had gained a general understanding of the Theory of Relativity.

He doubted anyone had never searched for classics like the Tao Te Ching and the Theory of Relativity, which might have been supreme cultivation manuals if placed in a world of immortals.

As Orochimaru wrote, the Third Hokage and Minato watched from the side.

Minato was doing all right. Orochimaru had previously explained part of three-dimensional space and four-dimensional spacetime to him, so he could understand a small portion.

The Third Hokage, on the other hand, was utterly baffled. Seeing Minato raise questions about Orochimaru's writing, he kept nodding as if he understood in order to preserve the dignity of a teacher and the Hokage.

The Third Hokage said that he was getting old and his energy could not keep up. Once Orochimaru finished, he would go back and study it properly, then offer some opinions.

A month later, it was still the Hokage's Office.

Covered in wounds, Shikun Mitarashi handed Raijin's Sword to the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his teacher's sword in his hands. With a face full of emotion, he approved Shikun Mitarashi's request to view the Scroll of Seals.

A few months later, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shikun Mitarashi before him, and the pipe in his hand fell again and again and again.

This time, the experienced Anbu at his side eagerly caught it before it hit the ground, stuffed the pipe back into Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth, and thoughtfully lit it for him.

"You learned the Flying Thunder God too?"

The Third Hokage confirmed once more.

"Mm."

Shikun Mitarashi confirmed that he had heard correctly.

"Orochimaru taught you too?"

As the Hokage who controlled the entire village, the Third Hokage naturally knew about Shikun Mitarashi's relationship with Orochimaru.

"Mm. Lord Orochimaru gave me..."

Shikun Mitarashi had barely said a few words before Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him.

"I know. He only gave you a tiny little bit of help, and said your space-time talent was very high too, right?"

The Third Hokage wore an expression that said he had seen through everything.

"Huh? No. Lord Orochimaru helped me greatly. It wasn't as simple as just a little bit—Lord Orochimaru guided me throughout the entire process.

"As for talent, Lord Orochimaru said that although I have some special qualities, I'm still a little inferior to Minato. That's innate, and difficult to make up for."

Shikun Mitarashi replied. He could not quite understand what the Third Hokage was thinking.

"Mm, I understand. Go leave your insights in the Scroll of Seals later as well."

The Third Hokage nodded and rose, bringing Shikun Mitarashi to the secret chamber.

After Shikun Mitarashi finished recording his notes and left, the Third Hokage finally put his pipe back between his teeth and took out a sheet of paper.

It was not a document, but a paper titled "On Insights into the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Theory of Relativity"—by Orochimaru.

It was still Training Ground No. 7 in Konohagakure. Orochimaru and Minato were sparring, while Kushina cheered Minato on from the side.

No figures could be seen in the field. Only a golden flash and a blue flash collided again and again.

Minato had already become a Jōnin after the war in the Land of Rain ended. Two years had now passed, and setting aside techniques like the Flying Thunder God, his overall abilities had reached the level of an Elite Jonin.

His speed, in particular, had reached an extremely high level. This was the result of his application of Wind Chakra.

By applying Wind Chakra, he could eliminate air resistance and even use the wind to greatly increase his speed.

If the Rasengan and Flying Thunder God were included, he had the Rasengan for offense and the Flying Thunder God for evasion. He already possessed at least the strength to contend with, or even stand against, Kage-level experts.

As he grew older and gained experience fighting opponents at that level, while increasing his Chakra reserves, it would only take a few years for Minato Namikaze to make up for his shortcomings and become one of the strongest in the first echelon of Kage-level fighters.

Clang! The sound of weapons colliding rang out as the kunai in Minato's hand was knocked away by Orochimaru.

Neither of them used ninjutsu. They were merely using the Flying Thunder God to compete in taijutsu.

Not only had Orochimaru undergone bodily transformations from powerful energy twice, but he had also used training methods from the Eight Gates Technique that suited him to improve his taijutsu.

He could now open the first of the Eight Gates, but any further progress would require long-term, grueling training and repeated breakthroughs past his limits.

Together with Minato, he accepted the water bottles Kushina handed them.

Watching Kushina take out a handkerchief and wipe the sweat from Minato's forehead, Orochimaru felt somewhat emotional.

Since childhood, no one had ever surpassed him in talent. Even Tsunade and Jiraiya, fellow members of the Three Ninja, were slightly inferior to him in that regard. Only White Fang could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

And now, besides White Fang, there was another. Minato Namikaze's growth rate was likely surpassed only by his protagonist son and another overpowered protagonist.

Footsteps sounded in the distance. It was Shikun Mitarashi.

This training ground was usually rather secluded. Recently, the three of them had trained in this corner, and the other ninjas had tacitly left this side of the field to Orochimaru.

It was obvious that Orochimaru was training Minato. They would not touch that taboo, lest they be suspected of secretly learning Orochimaru's ninjutsu. The training ground was large, and they could simply use another corner.

Minato and Kushina hurriedly put away the handkerchief.

They did not dare flaunt their affection too much in front of outsiders, since they were easily embarrassed. As for Orochimaru, he naturally did not count as an outsider.

As Shikun Mitarashi approached, Orochimaru sharply caught the scent of blood on him.

"You're hurt?"

Orochimaru asked with a frown.

Shikun Mitarashi first glanced twice at Minato and Kushina. After receiving Orochimaru's approving look, he explained the reason.