In a forest near Konoha, a young man of about twenty was training with the Flying Thunder God Technique. It was Minato.
"How is it? Have you mastered it completely?" Fugaku asked.
Minato nodded. "I've more or less mastered it, teacher. Next, I can make the special kunai."
The Uchiha's overwhelming performance in the Shinobi World War had transformed Konoha's attitude toward the clan. The younger generation, in particular, no longer shunned them.
Many young ninja even admired the Uchiha's strongest members. Konoha's older generation would never have imagined such a thing.
During their trip to the Land of Grass, Takigawa and Sanada had astonished Minato. Takigawa's Space-Time Traversal, in particular, worked on much the same principle as Flying Thunder God.
One relied on inscribed formulas; the other was a unique ability of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Minato had spent this time asking Takigawa about spatial traversal, and his Flying Thunder God Technique had improved by leaps and bounds.
"What has Kushina been doing lately? When are you two planning to marry?"
At the mention of Kushina, Minato smiled tenderly. "Soon. You know how competitive she is, teacher. She's busy taking missions every day, determined to outdo me."
"Haha. Now that you've mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, I'm afraid that's all she can do—dream about it.
"All nine Tailed Beasts are in Konoha now. I've found Kushina an apprentice. Ask her to make time to meet the girl."
"Who is she?" Minato asked.
"Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki Kumogakure sent us. She's only six or seven.
"At her age, and given what she experienced in Kumogakure, she probably has little attachment to the village. This is the time when her view of the world is taking shape.
"If Kushina guides her, Yugito could grow into an excellent ninja who'll be an