Minato gazed at Hayato, his face bright with a warm smile. "I'd been planning to share some of my insights and experience with the Flying Thunder God Technique, but I didn't expect you to have already mastered it."
When he'd decided to teach Hayato the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato had already had a vague premonition.
He'd felt that Hayato might be able to grasp the technique's secrets, but he hadn't expected him to learn it so quickly. It was far beyond anything he'd imagined.
Hayato was amazed by Minato's talent, while Minato was equally and sincerely astounded by Hayato's incredible aptitude.
With that, Minato reached into his clothing and took out a specially crafted Three-Pronged Kunai, engraved with his unique Flying Thunder God Formula.
Like a precious work of art, he gently handed it to Hayato as a token of their friendship.
Hayato accepted the kunai, a flicker of delight in his eyes. Then he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.
He hadn't prepared a gift in return, and silently berated himself for it.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to make a kunai on the spot and engrave his own Flying Thunder God Formula on it.
Unlike Minato's text-based formula, Hayato chose a pattern-based formula like Tobirama's: the mysterious and solemn Nine-Tomoe design.
Minato accepted the kunai Hayato had made himself, his face beaming with satisfaction.
This was more than just an exchange about the Flying Thunder God; it was a testament to the deep friendship between them.
"By the way, Minato, I'll be taking the Chunin Ninja Exams in a few days," Hayato said suddenly, his voice firm and full of anticipation.
Minato was slightly taken aback.
Hayato had only become a ninja recently. Had he already grown enough to be promoted to Chunin?
"Then you'll have to give it your all. The Chunin Ninja Exams won't be easy," Minato reminded him earnestly, his eyes shining with encouragement.
Hayato nodded solemnly, sincerely grateful for Minato's advice.
Thanks to Minato's careful guidance and help, his strength had made a qualitative leap over the past few months.
He had not only mastered the powerful Rasengan but also learned the Flying Thunder God Technique. Minato had been an important mentor on his path as a ninja.
"Minato, are you planning to go away anytime soon?" Hayato asked again, his eyes shining with anticipation.
He'd come to see Minato today partly to share what he'd learned about the Flying Thunder God, but also to ask him to be his training instructor and help him prepare thoroughly for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
Hearing Hayato bring it up, Minato already understood what he was getting at.
He shook his head gently and smiled. "Jiraiya-sensei isn't in the village right now, and our team hasn't received any new missions lately."
"Then could I ask you to help me with some special training?" Hayato asked eagerly.
Minato happily agreed. "As it happens, I've been learning some new things from Kushina lately. This would be a good chance to sharpen our skills."
At the mention of Kushina, Hayato found himself looking her way.
He wondered if the new things Minato had mentioned were the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Techniques. It seemed their relationship had grown quite close.
Noticing Hayato's gaze, Kushina smiled and asked, "What is it, Hayato? Are you interested in our clan's secret techniques, too? If you want to learn, I'll teach you."
Hayato was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected Kushina to bring it up so readily.
The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Techniques weren't something you could find just anywhere. They were a clan's legacy.
In truth, Kushina was extending her kindness to someone dear to Minato. After all, Minato and Hayato were as close as brothers.
And Hayato had helped her during the kidnapping. That debt couldn't be repaid with a single meal.
After a moment's hesitation, Hayato asked a little awkwardly, "Kushina, would that be all right?"
Kushina laughed easily. "There's no question of whether it's all right. Other than me, there aren't any members of the Uzumaki Clan left. So I get to decide."
Hearing that, Hayato was deeply moved.
He nodded. It never hurt to have more trump cards; having another skill at his disposal could only be a good thing.
"Thank you, Kushina," Hayato said gratefully.
Kushina rolled up her sleeves, smiling. "Then you'd better pay attention. I'm very strict, and I can't promise I'll teach you everything. Whether you learn it or not depends on your aptitude."
Hayato and Minato exchanged a glance and smiled in perfect understanding.
After staying a little longer, Hayato tactfully left, giving the two of them some time alone.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, the sun shone over the land. Hayato returned to his usual training spot and waited for Minato and Kushina.
Before long, Minato and Kushina arrived. Kushina then began explaining the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Techniques to Hayato in detail.
Hayato showed great interest and enthusiasm for this new knowledge. He listened carefully to Kushina's explanations, nodding from time to time to show he understood.
The three of them soon settled into focused, orderly training.
In the morning, they studied the theory and practical techniques of Sealing Techniques together. In the afternoon, Hayato and Minato began sparring.
Although Hayato and Minato had trained together before, this was their first formal sparring match.
Holding kunai, they stood facing each other. The tension was so thick it seemed the air itself might freeze.
Kushina stood off to the side, her gaze fixed on the two of them as she eagerly awaited the coming match.
Hayato leaned forward slightly, then kicked off the ground and shot toward Minato like an arrow loosed from its bow.
As Sakumo's student, he had naturally learned a great deal of swordsmanship. His attacks were no longer as chaotic as before; now they were deliberate and strategic.
Minato used his kunai to defend, deftly countering Hayato's attacks with nimble movements.
They began by testing each other with Taijutsu, searching for openings in their opponent's defenses.
As their warm-up ended, the fight intensified. Hayato and Minato quickly put some distance between them and began forming Hand Seals, preparing to use ninjutsu.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
In an instant, a blazing fireball roared like a fire dragon, surging toward Minato with devastating force.
Faced with the raging flames, Minato's expression didn't change. His hands formed Hand Seals just as quickly.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
In the blink of an eye, a crystal-clear wall of water surged up from the ground, holding back the fiery torrent and sending clouds of white mist billowing into the air.
But Hayato's assault didn't stop there.
He blurred into motion, swiftly drawing a kunai from his pouch. With a flick of his wrist, it shot toward Minato's flank like a streak of silver lightning.
Then Hayato blurred again, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear beside the kunai.
"Flying Thunder God: Second Stage!"
At the same time, blue-white chakra gathered in Hayato's right hand, forming a glowing sphere.
"Rasengan!"
On the other side, Minato knew the Flying Thunder God Technique inside out. The instant he sensed the Flying Thunder God Mark on the kunai, he'd already predicted Hayato's movements.
He performed a Substitution Technique at exactly the right moment, cleverly avoiding Hayato's lethal strike.
Staring at Hayato in astonishment, he praised him. "Flying Thunder God: Second Stage? Combining it with the Rasengan is really interesting. Hayato, you're a true genius."
Hayato smiled faintly. "You're too kind, Minato. The real highlight is still to come."
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