Sparring, Hayato VS Minato

Minato looked at Hayato with a warm smile on his face and spoke slowly, "I had originally intended to share some of my insights and experiences regarding the Flying Thunder God Technique with you, but I didn't expect you to have already mastered it."

Back when he decided to teach Hayato the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato had a faint premonition in his heart.

He felt that the other might also be able to grasp the mysteries of this technique, but he never expected the progress to be so rapid; it was simply beyond his imagination.

Hayato was marveling at Minato's genius, while Minato was equally and genuinely shocked by Hayato's astonishing talent.

After speaking, Minato took out a specially crafted Three-Pronged Kunai from his robe, upon which his unique Flying Thunder God formula was engraved.

Like a precious work of art, he handed it gently to Hayato as a testament to the bond between them.

Hayato took the kunai, a flash of pleasant surprise in his eyes, then scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, looking somewhat bashful.

He hadn't prepared a return gift and felt secretly annoyed with himself.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to craft a kunai on the spot and engrave his own Flying Thunder God formula onto it.

Unlike Minato's text-based formula, Hayato chose a pattern-based formula identical to Tobirama's—a mysterious and solemn nine-tomoe design.

Minato took the kunai Hayato had crafted by hand, a satisfied smile blooming on his face.

This was not just an exchange regarding the Flying Thunder God between the two, but a testament to their deep friendship.

"By the way, Brother Minato, I'll be participating in the Chunin Exams in a few days," Hayato said suddenly, his tone carrying a hint of determination and anticipation.

Hearing this, Minato couldn't help but be slightly startled.

Hayato hadn't been a ninja for very long, yet he had already grown to the level where he could be promoted to a Chunin.

"Then you must give it your all; the Chunin Exams aren't that simple," Minato reminded him earnestly, his eyes shining with encouragement.

Hayato nodded solemnly, expressing his sincere gratitude for Minato's reminder.

Over this period, thanks to Minato's careful guidance and help, his strength had seen a qualitative leap.

Not only had he mastered the powerful Rasengan, but he had also learned the Flying Thunder God Technique; Minato was undoubtedly an important guide on his path of cultivation.

"Brother Minato, do you have any plans to travel far recently?" Hayato asked again, his eyes sparkling with expectation.

He had come to see Minato today partly to share his learning experiences with the Flying Thunder God, and partly to invite Minato to serve as his special training instructor to ensure he was fully prepared for the Chunin Exams.

Hearing Hayato bring up this topic, Minato understood his intent immediately.

He shook his head gently and said with a smile, "Master Jiraiya is not in the village recently, and our team doesn't have any new mission assignments for the time being."

"Then may I invite you to help me with special training?" Hayato asked, full of anticipation.

Minato nodded readily in agreement, "It just so happens that I've been learning some new things with Kushina lately, so I can take this opportunity to hone them as well."

Mentioning Kushina, Hayato couldn't help but glance toward her.

He secretly guessed that the new things Minato spoke of must be the Sealing Technique of the Uzumaki Clan. It seemed the relationship between the two was already very intimate.

Noticing Hayato's gaze, Kushina asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Is Hayato also interested in our clan's secret techniques? If you want to learn, I'll teach you."

Hearing this, Hayato felt a surge of pleasant surprise. He hadn't expected Kushina to bring up this topic so proactively.

The Sealing Technique of the Uzumaki Clan was not some common knowledge; it was the heritage of an entire clan.

In truth, Kushina was simply showing love for the person by extending it to his friend, as Minato and Hayato's relationship was as close as brothers.

Coupled with Hayato's help during the previous kidnapping incident, that debt of gratitude couldn't be settled with a simple meal.

After a moment of hesitation, Hayato asked somewhat bashfully, "Sister Kushina, would that be inappropriate?"

Kushina laughed magnanimously and said, "There's nothing inappropriate about it. Aside from myself, there are no other members left in our Uzumaki Clan. So, I have the final say."

Hearing Kushina put it that way, Hayato felt a wave of emotion.

He nodded; one could never have too many trump cards, and having an extra skill to rely on was always a good thing.

"Thank you, Sister Kushina," Hayato said gratefully.

Kushina rolled up her sleeves with a grin, "Then you'd better pay attention. I'm very strict, and I'm not the type to guarantee you'll learn it just by being taught. Whether you can master it depends on your own comprehension."

Hayato and Minato exchanged a look, both smiling in tacit understanding.

After lingering for a short while, Hayato tactfully took his leave, giving the two space to be alone.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, sunlight bathed the earth. Hayato arrived at the usual spot for training, waiting for Minato and Kushina to arrive.

Before long, Minato and Kushina reached the scene, and Kushina began to explain the Sealing Technique of the Uzumaki Clan to Hayato in detail.

Hayato showed great interest and enthusiasm for this new knowledge. He listened carefully to Kushina's explanation, nodding from time to time to show he understood.

The three of them soon threw themselves into an intense and orderly study and training session.

In the mornings, they discussed the theoretical knowledge and practical techniques of the Sealing Technique together, and in the afternoons, Hayato and Minato began sparring.

Although Hayato and Minato had trained together before, this was the first time they had engaged in such a formal bout.

The two stood facing each other, kunai in hand, the atmosphere so tense it felt as if the very air were about to solidify.

Kushina stood to the side, her gaze locked firmly on the two, anticipating the clash that was about to unfold.

Hayato leaned his body slightly forward, his feet kicked off the ground with a sudden burst of force, and he lunged toward Minato like an arrow released from a bowstring.

As Sakumo's disciple, he had naturally learned the essence of many sword techniques; his attacks were no longer as chaotic as they once were, but were instead filled with method and strategy.

Minato used his kunai for defense, nimbly neutralizing Hayato's offensive.

The two first engaged in a bout of taijutsu to test the waters, each searching for flaws in the other's stance.

As the warm-up concluded, the battle gradually heated up; Hayato and Minato quickly put distance between themselves and began weaving hand signs to prepare their ninjutsu.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

In an instant, a mass of scorching flame roared like a fire dragon, sweeping toward Minato with destructive force.

Facing the surging wave of fire, Minato's expression remained unchanged as his hands moved rapidly through the signs.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

In a split second, a crystalline wall of water rose from the ground, firmly blocking the tidal wave of fire and sending up clouds of white steam.

However, Hayato's offensive did not cease there.

His figure flickered as he swiftly drew a kunai from his ninja tool pouch; with a flick of his wrist, the kunai transformed into a silver bolt of lightning, streaking directly toward Minato's flank.

Immediately following, his figure flashed once more, utilizing the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear instantly beside the kunai.

"Flying Thunder God: Second Stage!"

At the same time, a sphere of blue-white chakra coalesced in Hayato's right hand.

"Rasengan!"

On the other side, Minato, who knew the Flying Thunder God Technique like the back of his hand, had already anticipated Hayato's movements the moment he sensed the Flying Thunder God seal on the kunai.

He executed a Body Flicker Technique at the perfect moment, skillfully evading Hayato's lethal strike.

With a look of shock on his face, he gazed at Hayato and praised, "The Flying Thunder God: Second Stage? Combining it with the Rasengan is truly interesting. Hayato, you really are a genius."

Hayato smiled slightly and said, "You flatter me, Brother Minato. What comes next is the main event."