Seal of Reconciliation

Stimulated and inspired by Hyuga Shinichi, Nawaki currently maintains the honest and simple-minded appearance from the original story, yet the strength he now possesses has far surpassed his original level, to the point where it could even be called overwhelming.

The two are simply incomparable; such a powerful increase in strength is truly astonishing!

"Phew, how about that, Shinichi? I won this time, right! Hahahaha!"

However, it is precisely in such situations that one often lets their guard down.

"Wind-Riding Sword Technique: Spin-Sword Wind!"

It operates on the same principle as the Hyuga Clan's Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin, but while the Heavenly Spin involves chakra seeping out through the skin and then rotating rapidly to cover the body from multiple angles to create a defensive layer, this technique differs.

It can repel all physical attacks; the user's own rotation combined with the observational capabilities of the Byakugan forms a unique "absolute defense."

Unlike the Heavenly Spin, the Spin-Sword Wind is formed by wind-attribute chakra sword qi. If the Sword-Counter Wind Barrier is a passive defense, then the Spin-Sword Wind is both a defensive and offensive tool. Coupled with the observational power of the Byakugan, the sword qi achieves a perfect balance of offense as defense.

Centered on Hyuga Shinichi, a cyan-green hemispherical chakra shield formed by sword qi rotates rapidly, creating a powerful whirlwind that scatters all the mud hands enveloping him.

The Spin-Sword Wind carves out a ten-meter diameter safe zone for Hyuga Shinichi. Stopping the rotation, Hyuga Shinichi channels his remaining chakra to coat the blade of his Listen-to-Wind Sword.

Immediately after, he leaps up and charges toward Nawaki. Nawaki is startled and hurriedly manipulates the mud hands to defend.

But Hyuga Shinichi's speed is immense; in the blink of an eye, he slices through the unformed defensive line, the Listen-to-Wind Sword in his hand pointing straight at Nawaki's throat.

At this moment, Nawaki realizes that the Mud Swamp Thousand Hands lacks the hardness to withstand a blade coated in Hyuga Shinichi's wind-attribute chakra, so he quickly weaves hand seals and shouts.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

He puffs out his chest and exhales a massive torrent of water, forming a waterfall that rushes toward Hyuga Shinichi, intending to submerge him.

"Brother Shinichi won!"

"What did you say, Minato?"

Seeing the Great Waterfall Technique rushing toward Hyuga Shinichi, Namikaze Minato says this with certainty, leaving Jiraiya confused as to how Hyuga Shinichi could have won.

Because Namikaze Minato has seen it before: Hyuga Shinichi can cut through a waterfall with a single strike!

"Wind-Riding Sword Technique: Wind-Cutting Slash!"

A flash of cyan-green sword qi streaks by, and the Great Waterfall Technique is instantly sliced open horizontally down the middle.

Nawaki widens his eyes, staring at the scene in disbelief. Through the massive gap cut into the center of the Great Waterfall Technique, he can clearly see Hyuga Shinichi on the other side, staring at him with his Byakugan activated and still charging up power!

"Oh no!"

Nawaki wants to retreat and use another ninjutsu, but it is already too late!

"Wind-Riding Sword Technique: Wind-Stepping Flash!"

A gust of wild wind blows toward Nawaki! His hair, which he hasn't cut in months, is blown backward. When the wind stops and his hair slowly falls back, he sees the Listen-to-Wind Sword held at his throat and the Byakugan-wielding boy in front of him.

Nawaki knows he has lost. He had thought his combination ninjutsu, coupled with his excellent water-style techniques, could counter Shinichi's Wind-Riding Sword Technique, but he never expected Hyuga Shinichi's current strength to be this formidable.

"I lost."

Hearing Nawaki concede, Hyuga Shinichi sits down with a thud, sprawling out on the ground in a star shape.

"Phew, Nawaki, you really caught me off guard. If you hadn't let your guard down at that moment, I would have had to put in quite a bit of effort, perhaps even using the chakra stored in my Yin Seal."

"My combination ninjutsu isn't even truly finished yet. Once it is, that's when you'll lose!"

"I don't want to fight you anymore; it's too exhausting."

"Hey, that won't do! I haven't beaten you yet! I..."

Hyuga Shinichi, lying on the ground, suddenly bursts into laughter and, with a touch of teenage melodrama, covers one eye with his right hand.

"Hahahaha! Under these eyes of mine! You have no chance of winning!"

"You..."

Nawaki opens his mouth, about to say something, but Hyuga Shinichi has already sat up, looking at him with a smile. He then slowly raises his left hand and reaches out toward Nawaki.

"I acknowledge you, Nawaki! You are my rival!"

Upon hearing Hyuga Shinichi's words, Nawaki's body trembles slightly, a look of surprise flashing across his face before quickly fading.

Looking at the smiling Shinichi with his left hand extended, the corners of his mouth slowly curl up into a brilliant grin.

"Hmph! Who asked for your acknowledgment! Next time, I'll definitely beat you!"

Nawaki pulls Hyuga Shinichi up with a jerk. As they release their grip, they both extend their index and middle fingers to press them together—the Seal of Reconciliation, symbolizing that they are comrades.

At this moment, time seems to stop flowing, and everything around them grows quiet.

Nawaki and Hyuga Shinichi gaze at each other, the light of friendship flickering in their eyes, the Seal of Reconciliation passing the bond and trust between them.

A gentle breeze brushes past, stirring their hair and bringing the fresh scent of soil. Strands of golden sunlight pierce through the clouds, illuminating their vibrant, youthful faces.

A simple gesture, yet it contains endless emotion and meaning, making one feel the beauty and preciousness of friendship.

"Wow! You two are truly something else. At nine and seven years old, you already have this kind of strength; you could easily become Special Jonin. If you take on a few more high-level missions, it wouldn't be impossible to successfully promote to Jonin."

Jiraiya approaches the two with Namikaze Minato, who picks up the Listen-to-Wind Sword from the ground and hands it to Hyuga Shinichi.

The two release the Seal of Reconciliation. Hyuga Shinichi first ruffles Namikaze Minato's yellow hair before taking the sword and sliding it into the scabbard on his back.

"Brother Shinichi is so amazing! I want to become a ninja as strong as Brother Shinichi too!"

Listening to Namikaze Minato's words, accompanied by those glowing, worshipful eyes, Hyuga Shinichi rubbed the area beneath his nose with his finger.

"That goes without saying. Don't forget whose big brother I am, hahahaha!"

After resting for a while, it was time for the session on guiding Namikaze Minato.

"Minato, you've had some dealings with big brother Jiraiya now, so you must have some understanding of him, right? Actually, he has a wish to take on a disciple he finds satisfactory, and since I think you meet the criteria in every respect, I recommended you to him."

Hyuga Shinichi thought for a moment before continuing.

"Of course, this is just my personal suggestion. I have no problem guiding you myself, but if you could apprentice under big brother Jiraiya, you would certainly receive better instruction and training. Ultimately, it depends on whether you are willing."

"Yes! I am willing! Thank you for the introduction, brother Shinichi! Actually, I have known about the exploits of Lord Jiraiya for a long time and have admired him for ages. If I could learn from him, that would be wonderful."

Jiraiya looked at the Namikaze Minato before him and nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Very good, Minato. From today on, you are a disciple of mine, Jiraiya. You can just call me Teacher from now on."

"Yes! Teacher Jiraiya! I will definitely work hard and become an outstanding ninja!"