Minato Namikaze's Visit

Rin Nohara's matter had already passed some time ago, and the small-scale battlefield between the Mist Shinobi and Konoha had quickly come to an end. After all, it had only been meant to draw Konoha's attention and prepare for capturing Rin Nohara.

During that time, Minamoto Takuya had not deliberately looked into anything.

Kakashi Hatake's situation was rather tragic. He had pitied him when reading the Original Work, but what did that have to do with him now?

Everything he did and thought was for his own sake.

Over the past few days, he had not been idle. He searched the exchange system for Lightning Release and Wind Release ninjutsu suited to him.

Fortunately, Minamoto Takuya had completed enough missions. Other than S-Rank ninjutsu, which he could not exchange for, he could freely exchange for and learn ninjutsu of any other rank.

Still, he knew that Konoha did not have many S-Rank ninjutsu in the first place. Even A-Rank ninjutsu were scarce.

He had searched through the entire exchange system and found only a few Lightning Release ninjutsu. The sole A-Rank technique was the unrecorded Chidori created by Kakashi Hatake. As for S-Rank Lightning Release ninjutsu? That would only come into existence when Kakashi Hatake used Chidori to cut through lightning one day, evolving Chidori into the Lightning Cutter.

Compared to Lightning Release, Konoha's Wind Release was much better. With a Wind Release expert like Shimura Danzō around, its Wind Release naturally would not be lacking.

Though only a few days had passed, Minamoto Takuya had basically mastered all the ninjutsu he found.

That was entirely thanks to his exceptionally high chakra control, which allowed him to learn any ninjutsu very quickly.

The sunlight was perfect that day.

Minamoto Takuya's home received a visitor he had not expected.

"Jonin Minato?" Minamoto Takuya stared at Minato Namikaze outside the door, momentarily stunned.

Minato Namikaze smiled at Minamoto Takuya's dazed expression. "Takuya-senpai, just call me Minato."

"Minato, why did you... come looking for me?" Minamoto Takuya followed his lead and addressed him as Minato, then voiced his confusion.

"We said before that we would discuss Sealing Jutsu. I should have come to visit a few days ago, but as you know, some things happened." As Minato Namikaze spoke, he seemed to recall something again, and a trace of gloom appeared on his face.

Twice already, his students had died without him being there.

He could not truly be blamed for it. When Obito Uchiha died, it had been on the battlefield, where Minato had faced thousands upon thousands of enemies in the main force. Naturally, he could not constantly keep watch over Obito Uchiha and the other two.

The other time had been Rin Nohara. He had happened to be away from the village on a mission...

Even so, he still felt somewhat guilty. He felt that he had failed in his responsibility as a teacher.

Minamoto Takuya nodded. Looking at Minato Namikaze, he wanted to complain inwardly. He had assumed it was merely a polite remark. Who would have thought the other man had been serious?

Still, he did not dislike it. Minato Namikaze's Sealing Jutsu, especially his barrier techniques, were truly in a class of their own.

"Come in. You came in such a hurry, and I have nothing much to offer you." Minamoto Takuya welcomed Minato Namikaze into his home.

"I was the one who failed to notify you in advance, senpai." After entering, Minato Namikaze curiously examined the room's furnishings. From the outside, the place had seemed rather shabby. Looking inside now...

Well, it was just as shabby inside as out.

Still, it was very tidy. There were also many materials specifically used for Sealing Jutsu around the room, and their quality matched what he usually used. Those were not cheap.

Minato Namikaze could not help nodding to himself. Sure enough, Minamoto Takuya was the type who cared little for living conditions and focused only on studying Sealing Jutsu, just as the rumors said.

Minamoto Takuya had no idea what Minato Namikaze was thinking. He brought out the tea set that he rarely ever used and began making tea for him.

Minato Namikaze's eyelid twitched at the sight. If he was not mistaken, that tea seemed to be... the cheapest kind, didn't it?

Fortunately, having once been an orphan himself, he was not picky about such things. Besides, that was not why he had come.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, their conversation quickly shifted to Sealing Jutsu.

Then, as though they had encountered kindred spirits, the two began discussing it passionately.

At times, they verified each other's ideas. At others, they argued over differing viewpoints.

As they discussed, time passed quickly, and the sky gradually darkened.

Yet neither showed any sign of stopping, as though they intended to discuss it for several days and nights.

However, just then, a knock at the door woke them both from their absorption.

"Hm? Another visitor?" Minamoto Takuya was somewhat stunned. He had not had a single visitor in years, so why had someone besides Minato Namikaze come today?

When he opened the door, he saw a figure with red hair.

It was Minato Namikaze's wife, Kushina Uzumaki!

The instant Kushina Uzumaki saw Minamoto Takuya, her heart skipped a beat. There seemed to be a sense of familiarity about him.

But she quickly came back to herself. Though she found the source of that familiar feeling strange, this was not the time to ask about it.

"Excuse me, is Minato here? When he left this morning, he said he was coming to visit a senior."

"Kushina?" Minato Namikaze heard Kushina Uzumaki's voice as well. Only then did he realize that she was not Minamoto Takuya's guest; his wife had come looking for him.

"Minato! Even if you weren't coming home, you should have let me know." Upon seeing Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki narrowed her eyes. Her long red hair seemed to float behind her, and a dangerous aura radiated from her entire body.

Cold sweat immediately appeared on Minato Namikaze's face. He gave an awkward laugh and hurriedly said, "Sorry, Kushina. I got too absorbed in discussing things with senpai and lost track of time."

As he spoke, his stomach began to rumble.

Hearing the sound, Kushina Uzumaki wore a strange expression as she looked at Minato Namikaze and Minamoto Takuya. "Don't tell me you discussed things all day without even eating?"

Minamoto Takuya and Minato Namikaze exchanged glances, then silently nodded. If Kushina Uzumaki had not come, they likely would not have thought of sleeping that night either.

Kushina Uzumaki patted her forehead. "I don't know what you two are in such a rush for. You're both comrades from the same village. It's not as if there won't be time later."

As she said this, she was also somewhat shocked. She knew Minato Namikaze's Sealing Jutsu proficiency better than anyone.

It could be said that although Minato Namikaze had learned Sealing Jutsu from her, even she did not dare claim that her current level surpassed his.

For Minamoto Takuya to discuss it with Minato Namikaze to the point that both became completely absorbed revealed quite a lot.

At the very least, even if Minamoto Takuya's Sealing Jutsu was not on Minato Namikaze's level, it could not be much worse. Otherwise, the two could not possibly have been like this.

"That's true. Then, senpai, I will come visit again later." Minato Namikaze nodded and looked at Minamoto Takuya.

"You are welcome anytime." Minamoto Takuya smiled. Through his discussions with Minato Namikaze, many of his doubts had been resolved. As expected of someone who had inherited the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu, Minato's theories had benefited him greatly.