Within the Land of Rain.
The dark clouds that had been gathering for so long finally burst into a downpour.
"Patter, patter..."
The torrential rain pounded the ground with a deafening roar.
Inside the cave where Konan and the others were hiding.
Minato stood at the entrance, expressionless as he watched the landscape obscured by the mist rising from the rain, as motionless as a statue.
His young, upright figure nevertheless gave off a sense of gravity.
Despite the rain pouring down outside.
The cave was warm.
Beside the fire.
Konan and Grandma lay quietly asleep on a pile of dry grass.
On another patch of hay, however, the boy Yahiko was still awake.
Several days had passed, but he still couldn't accept the news that his mother was gone.
His big black eyes stared into the darkness. He glanced toward the figure standing at the cave entrance, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.
He quietly got to his feet, careful not to disturb Konan and the old woman as they slept.
Then he tiptoed over to Minato.
Hearing the sound behind him, Minato slowly turned around. His pale eyes regarded Yahiko coolly as he asked in an even voice,
"What do you want?"
Looking at Minato's expressionless face, a trace of fear crossed Yahiko's young features, but he still spoke with resolve.
"Could... could you teach me ninjutsu?"
Minato didn't immediately refuse the request from the boy who had lost his mother. He simply asked, his expression still calm,
"What's your reason?"
"What reason do you have to persuade me to teach you ninjutsu?"
At his words, confusion crossed Yahiko's young face.
That's right... What reason did he have?
Minato's questions left Yahiko at a loss for words. He hesitated.
Watching him.
Minato remained expressionless and said