Exchange for Flying Thunder God Spell

Hearing that Hyuga Shinichi and Jiraiya wanted to exchange for the Flying Thunder God technique as a gift for him, and even seeing the two of them arguing until their faces were red, Namikaze Minato felt his heart swell with emotion.

He stepped forward, interrupting the argument between Hyuga Shinichi and Jiraiya, and bowed deeply to express his gratitude before speaking.

"Thank you both, Brother Shinichi, Teacher Jiraiya. I am already grateful that you are willing to teach me ninjutsu, but I cannot accept such a precious gift."

Hyuga Shinichi and Jiraiya exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.

"This is a reward for you, and it is also our heartfelt wish."

"I know it is your intention, but it is too valuable. I want to rely on my own hard work to grow into an outstanding ninja, and in the future, I will earn contribution points through missions to exchange for the Flying Thunder God technique myself."

Namikaze Minato said firmly.

A flash of admiration crossed Jiraiya's eyes; he knew that Namikaze Minato would surely become a remarkable ninja in the future. He looked at Hyuga Shinichi, who understood the sentiment and nodded.

Hyuga Shinichi stepped forward, wanting to ruffle Namikaze Minato's yellow hair, but he held back and patted his shoulder instead.

"That's the spirit! But this is a gift from us, so you don't need to decline. I said it before—we are family, so you don't need to worry about us like this. Even if you want to rely on yourself, it's still too early; you haven't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet. If you really want to thank us, then mastering the Flying Thunder God technique will be the greatest thanks you can give your brother and teacher."

After hearing Hyuga Shinichi's words and seeing Jiraiya nodding at him with a smile, tears of emotion welled up in Namikaze Minato's eyes. He wiped them away, his gaze filled with a resolute light.

"Thank you, Brother Shinichi and Teacher Jiraiya! I will definitely work hard to master the Flying Thunder God technique! I won't let your expectations down!"

Jiraiya looked at Namikaze Minato, his heart full of gratification, and encouraged him.

"Minato, you have great talent. We believe that you will certainly be able to master the Flying Thunder God technique and become an excellent ninja!"

Hyuga Shinichi also said with a smile.

"That's right, Minato. We are all looking forward to seeing your even more outstanding performance!"

Namikaze Minato clenched his fists, secretly vowing to redouble his efforts to master the Flying Thunder God technique.

The three arrived at the Hokage Office Building. After explaining to the Hokage Guard that they wished to see the Hokage, they waited in the lobby on the first floor. Before long, the guard returned and told them they could go up to see the Hokage.

Walking up the stairs to the door of the Hokage Office, Hyuga Shinichi knocked gently. There was no response from inside, so he glanced at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya pushed the door open and stepped into the office, followed by Hyuga Shinichi and Namikaze Minato.

Upon entering, they saw the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, not buried in paperwork at his desk as usual, but standing quietly by the window with his back to the door, gazing at the familiar scenery of Konoha while holding a smoking pipe.

Sensing someone had entered the room, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around, his gaze falling upon the three at the door. Jiraiya spoke first.

"Teacher, why didn't you respond when Shinichi knocked just now?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya and then at Hyuga Shinichi, suddenly realizing the situation.

"I was just wondering; the guard said you were coming to see me, and usually you come in without knocking. I was just thinking about why you would knock, but it turns out it was Shinichi who knocked."

Hyuga Shinichi and Namikaze Minato also spoke up.

"Greetings, Lord Hokage!"

"Alright, Shinichi, no need for such formalities with me. Who is this child?"

At this moment, Jiraiya cut in before Hyuga Shinichi could answer and introduced him to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"This child is named Namikaze Minato. He has taken Shinichi as his brother, and later, Shinichi recommended him to be my disciple."

"Oh? Jiraiya, you've actually taken on a disciple? That is truly surprising."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked Namikaze Minato over, his eyes showing appreciation.

"He is a good child."

Seeing this, Jiraiya got straight to the point.

"Teacher, I have come this time because I want to exchange for a ninjutsu."

"Oh? What kind of ninjutsu do you want to exchange for?"

As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he sat down in his office chair and picked up a cup of hot tea, sipping it slowly.

"Teacher, I want to exchange for the Flying Thunder God technique..."

"Pfft... What did you say! The Flying Thunder God technique?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen spat out the tea he had just taken into his mouth. He looked up at Jiraiya in disbelief and said.

"Cough, cough, Jiraiya, that is an S-rank ninjutsu. No one has been able to master it for so many years, and you... cough, cough, Jiraiya, if you want to exchange for a ninjutsu, I can recommend some that are suitable for you."

"Teacher, actually, it's not for me to learn. And am I really that bad?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, sitting in his office chair, nodded seriously, then looked at Hyuga Shinichi. Seeing this, Jiraiya continued.

"It's not for Shinichi to learn either. It's just that Shinichi and I intend to pool our resources to exchange for the Flying Thunder God technique as a gift for Minato."

"This..."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help but cast his gaze toward Namikaze Minato.

As the head of the Ninja Academy, he had naturally taken notice of this unique student.

Every day after finishing his academic classes in the morning, Namikaze Minato would always ask his teachers for leave in the afternoon, claiming that someone was guiding his training.

When the school teachers reported this to him later, Sarutobi Hiruzen also found it strange. He had once dispatched Anbu to investigate, only to discover that the person leading Namikaze Minato's training was none other than Hyuga Shinichi.

The Anbu operative also reported that he had been discovered by Hyuga Shinichi, though the latter had chosen not to expose him.

Following this, under the observation of the Anbu, Jiraiya would occasionally appear to instruct his student, though he only taught standard ninjutsu. Once it was confirmed there were no anomalies, Sarutobi Hiruzen ceased the Anbu surveillance.

However, after only a few days without observation, why would Jiraiya and Hyuga Shinichi suddenly step forward to authorize this child to exchange for the Flying Thunder God technique?

Sarutobi Hiruzen began to ponder. This technique reminded him of his teacher, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama. Ever since his teacher developed this jutsu, no one had been able to master this S-rank ninjutsu.

After a moment of silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke slowly, his eyes carrying a hint of worry.

"You should both be aware that the Flying Thunder God is an S-rank ninjutsu, right? To let this child attempt to learn it..."

It was not that he looked down on Namikaze Minato; in fact, the mere fact that Jiraiya and Hyuga Shinichi were willing to step forward to exchange for a technique from the Scroll of Seals was proof enough that the boy possessed considerable talent.

The problem was that the Flying Thunder God was simply too profound and incredibly difficult to master.

This grand-disciple had left a very good impression on him as a diligent and hardworking prospect, but it was precisely for that reason that Sarutobi Hiruzen worried that if Minato failed to comprehend and master this ninjutsu, he might suffer a blow that would hinder his future path of cultivation.