Late at night, Konoha lay silent and still.
Moonlight poured down like water over the Uchiha Training Ground, illuminating a tall figure.
Chiyo stood at its center, palm raised as Chakra spun wildly in his hand with a piercing hum.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Thirty Shadow Clones vanished one after another, their memories and experience flooding back into the original body like a tide.
Chiyo's gaze sharpened as the Chakra in his palm abruptly compressed.
The Chakra sphere gathered in his hand finally stabilized, its azure glow especially dazzling against the night.
"The Rasengan... is finally complete."
He let out a soft breath, a satisfied smile curving his lips.
In the original work, Minato and Jiraiya had spent three years creating it.
As long as one understood the principles behind this ninjutsu,
learning and practicing it would not take nearly so long.
No matter what, he had now grasped the Rasengan's essentials and mastered the crucial point of balance.
Yet just as he prepared to test its power, he suddenly sensed a gentle gaze.
Turning around, he saw a slender figure standing quietly beneath the cherry blossom tree at the edge of the Training Ground.
Mikoto wore a thin, pale haori. The night breeze brushed past her hair, lifting a few dark strands into the air.
Her hands were folded before her, her knuckles slightly red from the chill of the night dew.
When her eyes met Chiyo's, they immediately filled with delight, only to quickly soften with concern.
"Mikoto?"
The Chakra in Chiyo's hand dispersed. In an instant, he appeared before her, his broad palm gently cupping her cold cheek.
"Why did you come out so late? It's cold at night."
Mikoto did not answer at once. She only tilted her face up to look at him.
Moonlight cast soft