Exchange for the Flying Thunder God Formula

Hearing that Zhenyi and Teacher Jiraiya wanted to exchange for the Flying Thunder God Formula as a gift for him, and that the two had even argued heatedly over who would get it for him, Namikaze Minato was filled with emotion.

He stepped forward and interrupted Hyuga Shinichi and Jiraiya's argument. After bowing deeply to express his gratitude, he said,

"Thank you, Zhenyi, Teacher Jiraiya. I'm already grateful that you're willing to teach me ninjutsu, but I can't accept such an expensive gift."

Hyuga Shinichi and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, then said in unison,

"This is our reward for you, and it comes from the heart."

"I know you mean well, but it's too valuable. I want to become an outstanding ninja through my own efforts. In the future, I'll earn contribution points by taking missions and exchange for the Flying Thunder God Formula myself."

Namikaze Minato said firmly.

A hint of admiration flashed in Jiraiya's eyes. He knew Minato would become an extraordinary ninja one day. He exchanged a glance with Hyuga Shinichi, who understood his meaning and nodded.

Hyuga Shinichi stepped forward, intending to ruffle Minato's blond hair, but stopped himself and patted him on the shoulder instead.

"That's the spirit! But this is a gift from us, so you don't need to refuse. I told you before—we're close. You don't have to worry so much about us.

"You can still rely on yourself later; there's no rush. You haven't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet. If you really want to thank us, learn the Flying Thunder God Formula. That would be the greatest thanks you could give us as your older brother and teacher."

After hearing Hyuga Shinichi's words, Namikaze Minato looked at Jiraiya, who was smiling and nodding at him. Tears of emotion welled in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away, and a determined light shone in his gaze.

"Thank you, Zhenyi and Teacher Jiraiya! I'll work hard and master the Flying Thunder God Formula! I won't let you down!"

Jiraiya looked at Namikaze Minato, his heart filled with pride, and encouraged him.

"Minato, you're very talented. We believe you can master the Flying Thunder God Formula and become an excellent ninja!"

Hyuga Shinichi smiled too.

"That's right, Minato. We're all looking forward to seeing you become even more impressive!"

Namikaze Minato clenched his fists and silently vowed to work twice as hard and master the Flying Thunder God Formula.

The three of them arrived at the Hokage Office Building. After telling the Hokage's guard that they wanted to see Lord Hokage, they waited in the lobby on the first floor. Before long, the guard returned and told them they could go up.

They climbed the stairs to the Hokage Office. Hyuga Shinichi gently knocked on the door, but there was no answer from inside. He glanced at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya simply pushed the door open and walked into the office. Hyuga Shinichi and Namikaze Minato followed him inside.

They saw that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wasn't sitting at his desk buried in paperwork as usual. Instead, he stood quietly by the window with his back to the door, gazing out at the familiar view of Konoha, a smoking pipe in his hand.

Hearing someone enter, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around and looked at the three in the doorway. Jiraiya spoke first.

"Sensei, why didn't you answer when Shinichi knocked?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya, then at Hyuga Shinichi, and immediately understood.

"I was wondering about that. The guard just told me you were coming to see me. You usually walk right in without knocking, so I was wondering why you'd knocked this time. Turns out it was Shinichi."

Hyuga Shinichi and Namikaze Minato greeted him as well.

"Greetings, Lord Hokage!" they said together.

"All right, Shinichi, you don't need to be so formal with me. Who's this boy?"

Jiraiya beat Hyuga Shinichi to the introduction.

"This boy's name is Namikaze Minato. He's taken Shinichi as his older brother, and Shinichi recommended him to me as a student."

"Oh? You actually took on a student, Jiraiya? That's a surprise."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked Namikaze Minato over, admiration in his eyes.

"He seems like a fine boy."

Jiraiya got straight to the point.

"Sensei, I'm here to exchange for a ninjutsu technique."

"Oh? Which technique do you want to exchange for?"

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

"Sensei, I want to exchange for the Flying Thunder God Formula..."

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

The moment Jiraiya finished speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen spat out the tea he had just sipped. He looked up at Jiraiya in disbelief.

"Cough, cough... Jiraiya, that's an S-rank ninjutsu. No one's managed to learn it all these years. You, of all people... cough, cough. If you want to exchange for a technique, I can recommend one that suits you."

"Sensei, I'm not the one who wants to learn it. And am I really that bad?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated in his office chair, nodded solemnly. Then he turned his gaze to Hyuga Shinichi. Jiraiya continued,

"It's not Shinichi who wants to learn it, either. Shinichi and I plan to pool our points and exchange for the Flying Thunder God Formula as a gift for Minato."

"This..."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help turning his gaze to Namikaze Minato.

As principal of the Ninja Academy, he had naturally taken notice of this unusual student.

After his morning classes each day, Namikaze Minato would ask his teacher for leave in the afternoon, saying someone was taking him out to train.

When the academy teachers later reported this to him, Sarutobi Hiruzen found it strange and sent Anbu to investigate. They eventually discovered that the person guiding Namikaze Minato's training was Hyuga Shinichi.

The Anbu member also said that Hyuga Shinichi had noticed him, but hadn't exposed him.

After that, the Anbu observed that Jiraiya would occasionally show up to guide the student as well, though he only taught him ordinary ninjutsu. Once Sarutobi Hiruzen confirmed there was nothing unusual, he stopped having the Anbu watch them.

But after only a few days without surveillance, why had Jiraiya and Hyuga Shinichi suddenly stepped in to exchange for the Flying Thunder God Formula for this boy?

Sarutobi Hiruzen began to ponder. The technique reminded him of his own teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Ever since his teacher had made the technique available, no one had managed to master the S-rank ninjutsu.

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

"You both know the Flying Thunder God Formula is an S-rank ninjutsu, right? Having this boy try to learn it..."

It wasn't that he looked down on Namikaze Minato. The fact that Jiraiya and Hyuga Shinichi were willing to step in and exchange for a technique from the Scroll of Seals was proof enough that the boy had plenty of talent.

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

His impression of this grand-disciple was quite good. He was a diligent, hardworking boy with real potential. But that was precisely why Sarutobi Hiruzen worried that if Minato couldn't understand and master the technique, the setback might affect his training in the future.

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