Third Hokage: I'm Done For

Mito Uzumaki had come to say goodbye; he planned to spend a few days crafting several Flying Thunder God Kunai before setting off.

Given his strength, he could play a significant role even in S-Rank Missions and was fully capable of taking on any A-rank mission in Konohagakure.

Konohagakure had emerged victorious in the Second Ninja War, its influence surging and the volume of missions growing rapidly, so it was not difficult for him to select a mission headed toward the Land of Rain.

"You must be extremely careful. Even if you have mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Hanzō's strength remains a massive threat to you."

"Tell you what, memorize this code. Jiraiya is currently in the Land of Rain; if you need anything, use this code to contact him."

Mito Uzumaki memorized the code, downed his tea in one gulp, and left.

He needed to hurry and craft a few more Flying Thunder God Kunai. Each additional blade increased his chances of escaping when faced with danger.

When confronting a potential Demigod of the Ninja World, one could never be too prepared.

One day after Mito Uzumaki's departure.

In the Hokage's Office, Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru came to return the scroll for the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"What! You both have mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe dropped to the floor once again. How much time had even passed? Hiruzen felt that as a genius once praised by the Second Hokage, his reputation was perhaps unearned.

Minato scratched his head and smiled, explaining that it was all thanks to the guidance provided by Lord Orochimaru.

Hiruzen noted Minato's choice of address; it was clear that he had received significant help from Orochimaru to refer to him as his teacher.

He himself was the same; although he was a disciple of the Second Hokage, he had also received considerable guidance from the First Hokage, and thus he respectfully addressed the First Hokage as his teacher.

"Orochimaru, you taught him?"

Hiruzen stopped smoking, placing his pipe on the desk, fearing it would fall again if he heard any more outrageous news.

"Yes. Minato has a high aptitude for space-time ninjutsu, so I just taught him a little bit."

Hiruzen was silent upon hearing this. Mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique in such a short time was already astonishing, and yet Orochimaru had also managed to teach someone else to use it within that same timeframe.

"Orochimaru, can you write down your insights on the Flying Thunder God Technique in the Scroll of Seals? Minato as well—I will credit you both with an S-Rank Mission."

Hiruzen spoke, noting that this would add to the insights left by the Second Hokage, providing three sets of records from successful practitioners. This would be a great help to future learners, and Hiruzen himself wanted to read them as well.

Orochimaru and Minato agreed.

The two followed Hiruzen to the secret chamber where the Scroll of Seals was kept.

Minato finished writing quickly, and after letting Orochimaru and Hiruzen review it, he transcribed it into the Scroll of Seals.

"Old man, let's use a different scroll. I'm afraid the Scroll of Seals won't have enough space; I've been doing quite a bit of research into space-time recently."

Hiruzen was skeptical, but he still produced a new scroll and handed it to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru wrote for three full 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 text verbatim, nor could he memorize it.

However, that part of his soul originating from Earth had once been a science student, and out of curiosity, he had gained a rough understanding of the Theory of Relativity.

He figured there was no one who hadn't looked up classics like the Tao Te Ching or the Theory of Relativity—works that, if placed in a cultivation world, might well be considered supreme manuals.

As Orochimaru wrote, Hiruzen and Minato watched from the side.

Minato was fine; Orochimaru had once explained the concepts of three-dimensional space and four-dimensional space-time to him, so he could understand a small portion of it.

Hiruzen, however, was completely bewildered. Seeing Minato ask questions about what Orochimaru had written, he nodded incessantly, pretending to understand in order to maintain the dignity of a teacher and the Hokage.

Hiruzen decided he was too old and his energy was lagging; he would wait until Orochimaru finished before taking it back to study properly, at which point he would offer some feedback.

A month later, back in the Hokage's Office.

Mito Uzumaki, covered in wounds, handed the Raijin's Sword to the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi cradled his teacher's sword in his hands, his face filled with melancholy as he approved Mito Uzumaki's request to view the Scroll of Seals.

A few months later, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Mito Uzumaki standing before him, and the pipe in his hand fell—again.

This time, an experienced Anbu agent nearby was sycophantic enough to pick it up before it even hit the ground, stuffed it back into Hiruzen's mouth, and thoughtfully lit it for him.

"You also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Hiruzen confirmed once more.

"Yes."

Mito Uzumaki confirmed he hadn't misheard.

"Also taught by Orochimaru?"

As the Hokage who controlled the entire village, Hiruzen naturally knew the relationship between Mito Uzumaki and Orochimaru.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru gave me..."

Mito Uzumaki hadn't even finished his sentence before he was interrupted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"I know, he only gave you a tiny bit of help, and he mentioned that your talent for space-time ninjutsu is quite high, didn't he?"

The Third Hokage wore an expression that suggested he saw right through everything.

"Huh? No, not at all. Lord Orochimaru's help was significant, not just a little bit; he provided guidance throughout the entire process. As for my talent, Lord Orochimaru said that even though I'm somewhat unique, I still have a gap compared to Minato. It's innate and very difficult to bridge."

Mito Uzumaki replied, feeling a bit confused by the Third Hokage's line of thought.

"Hmm, I understand. Later, you should also go and leave your insights in the Scroll of Seals."

The Third Hokage nodded, stood up, and led Mito Uzumaki to a secret room.

After Mito Uzumaki finished recording his notes and left, the Third Hokage bit down on his pipe again and pulled out a sheet of white paper. It wasn't a document, but a thesis titled "On Insights into the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Theory of Relativity"—authored by Orochimaru.

Back at Konohagakure's Training Ground No. 7, Orochimaru was sparring with Minato while Kushina cheered Minato on from the sidelines. No figures were visible in the field, only a golden light and a blue light constantly colliding.

Minato had become a Jonin after the war in the Land of Rain ended. Now, two years later, even excluding the Flying Thunder God Technique and other arts, his overall attributes had reached the level of an Elite Jonin. His speed had reached an exceptionally high level, a result of his application of Wind Chakra. By applying Wind Chakra to eliminate air resistance and even utilizing the wind to propel himself, he had significantly boosted his speed.

If one counted the Rasengan and the Flying Thunder God Technique—the former for offense and the latter for evasion—he already possessed the strength to at least maneuver against and even contend with Kage-level powerhouses. As he aged, gained more experience in high-level combat, and increased his chakra reserves, it was a certainty that within a few years, Minato Namikaze would fill his gaps and become a top-tier Kage-level powerhouse.

"Clang!" The sound of weapons colliding rang out as the Kunai in Minato's hand was knocked away by Orochimaru. Neither of them had used ninjutsu; they were purely engaged in a contest of taijutsu using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Orochimaru had not only undergone two powerful physical augmentations but had also improved his taijutsu level by adopting training methods from the Eight Gates Technique that suited him. He could currently open the first gate, but further progress would require long, grueling training, breaking through his limits time and time again.

He took the water bottle Kushina handed him alongside Minato. Watching Kushina take out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Minato's forehead, Orochimaru felt a flicker of emotion. From childhood, no one had ever surpassed his talent; even his fellow Three Ninja, Tsunade and Jiraiya, were a notch below him in this regard. Only the White Fang could stand as his equal. Now, besides the White Fang, there was another. The rate of Minato Namikaze's growth was likely second only to his protagonist son and that other "cheating" protagonist.

Footsteps approached from the distance; it was Mito Uzumaki. This training ground was usually quite secluded, and recently, the three of them had been training in this corner. Other ninjas tacitly left this side of the training ground to Orochimaru. It was obvious that Orochimaru was training Minato, and they avoided encroaching to prevent any suspicion of spying on Orochimaru's techniques. The training ground was large enough that they simply chose a different corner.

Minato and Kushina scrambled to put away their handkerchief, looking flustered. They were shy about showing too much affection in front of outsiders. As for Orochimaru, he certainly didn't count as an outsider.

As Mito Uzumaki's figure drew near, Orochimaru keenly caught the scent of blood on him.

"You're injured?"

Orochimaru asked with a frown.

Mito Uzumaki glanced at Minato and Kushina first, and after receiving a nod of permission from Orochimaru, he began to explain the reason.