Flying Thunder God and Massage

Flying Thunder God and Massage

At Ayato's home, Iruka sipped hot tea while looking over the surroundings.

Just as he had imagined, the furnishings were rather simple overall, though the house was not particularly small. After all, Ayato's father had seemed quite strong to him when he was alive. If he were still alive now, he probably could have become a Special Jonin, right?

Iruka did not know whether he himself would ever even reach the threshold of Special Jonin in this lifetime.

Still, it was heartening that Ayato could be so hardworking and so talented despite growing up in such a household.

Before long, Ayato emerged from the bathroom. He wore the Turtleneck Sweater he rarely put on, with a White Coat casually draped over it. His short black hair fluttered in the breeze, making him look especially energetic.

Iruka's eyes lit up when he saw Ayato dressed like that. "Ayato, you look pretty handsome when you dress up properly. Why have I never seen you wear this at school?"

"Ah, because I train often, and I'm worried about tearing it. When I'm training, I can just wear whatever," Ayato answered casually.

"Ayato, you really are very hardworking," Iruka said with another sigh.

"It's nothing much. Iruka Sensei, let's go." Ayato touched his hair, then spoke once he found it had dried.

Iruka suddenly realized that there was no wind inside the house. So that was Shape Transformation again. He was no longer as shocked as before. Iruka nodded and led Ayato toward the Hokage Office.

"Hokage, Kamitachi Ayato has been brought here." Iruka led Ayato into the Hokage Office.

"Oh, Iruka. You took a little long. Was Ayato training again, so you couldn't find him right away?" the Third Hokage asked with a chuckle. Though he had not used the Crystal Ball to investigate, he could guess what had happened.

"Yes, Hokage." Iruka scratched his head.

"Mm. Iruka, you may leave first. I'd like to speak privately with our little genius for a while."

"Yes!"

After Iruka left, only the Third Hokage and Ayato remained in the room.

At least, that was all Ayato could sense. In reality, Anbu were probably still watching this place. He looked curiously at the Third Hokage before him. Of course, this was not the first time he had seen him, but he had always been far away before. This was the first time they had been so close.

"Hoho, little fellow, I've been hearing your name from Naruto for quite a while. We finally meet today." The Third Hokage was extremely amiable, like an old grandfather next door.

"Mm-hm, I've always wanted to meet the Hokage too." Ayato put on a slightly awkward performance. He did not believe for a second that the Third Hokage had never watched him through the Crystal Ball. After all, he had accurately brought up Ayato's training just now.

"Hehe, you've probably heard the rumors about Naruto in the village too, right? I'm curious. All the other children keep their distance from Naruto because of them. Aren't you afraid of him, Ayato?" After some thought, the Third Hokage decided to start with Naruto, whom they both knew.

"Why would I be afraid? I've never felt that Naruto would hurt me. And why is Naruto treated like a monster? He clearly hasn't done anything," Ayato asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Well, Ayato, you must have heard about the Fourth Hokage, right?" At the mention of the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage's face grew somewhat wistful. He continued, "The Fourth Hokage gave his life to stop the legendary monster and save the village from its claws."

"Of course I know. The Fourth Hokage is my idol!" Ayato decided to close the distance between them a little.

"An idol, huh? Hoho." The Third Hokage immediately laughed a few times.

"But that has nothing to do with Naruto. Naruto is Naruto, and that monster is that monster. Even if that monster was sealed inside Naruto, it has nothing to do with Naruto," Ayato said after thinking for a moment. He knew there was no need to hide the matter of the Sealing Technique, since the Borrowing Pass had been given to him by the Third Hokage himself.

Besides, there was no need to conceal the matter of the Nine-Tails and Naruto. The adults in the village spread plenty of rumors among themselves. Most were vague, but there were enough clues to piece things together. The Third Hokage knew this as well, so it was perfectly normal for Ayato to have guessed. Still, Ayato definitely could not mention terms like Nine-Tails or Jinchuriki.

"Yes, they are unrelated. But many people don't see it that way." The Third Hokage sighed.

"How they see it is their business. All I know is that Naruto is a great person from the time I've spent with him. And..." Ayato paused before saying firmly, "I think the village owes Naruto for sealing the monster inside his body. Naruto doesn't owe the village anything!"

"The village owes Naruto?" The Third Hokage took a deep draw from his pipe. He had considered many things long ago, but hearing a child say it still surprised him.

"Yes. Naruto has never done anything to wrong the village. Instead, he helped the village with his own body, so the village owes him," Ayato said in the simplest terms. There was no need to beat around the bush; that would not fit his image as a child.

"What if those people are afraid that the monster inside Naruto will go berserk? And aren't you afraid?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Afraid? Why should I be afraid? As long as I become strong enough, stronger than that monster, there's nothing to fear." Ayato spoke seriously, saying something that sounded both naively overconfident and utterly pure in the Third Hokage's eyes.

"Hoho, strong enough? That's true." The Third Hokage smiled and did not try to discourage Ayato. Having a goal like that was not bad. It also suited the mindset of a little genius. Perhaps he really could achieve it someday.

"Then, since the Fourth Hokage is your idol, do you know what his most powerful ninjutsu was?"

"Of course. The Fourth Hokage became famous throughout the ninja world as the Yellow Flash. His most famous technique was the Fourth Hokage's 'Body Flicker Technique'!" Ayato did not directly mention the Flying Thunder God, instead using the Body Flicker Technique as a substitute.

"And it definitely wasn't an ordinary Body Flicker Technique. It was a special Body Flicker Technique that only the Fourth Hokage mastered!" Ayato continued.

"Mm." The Third Hokage stroked his beard and nodded. Ayato's answer was certainly correct, and it seemed the boy had done some research too. He really was a fan of the Fourth Hokage. Then the Third Hokage smiled gently. "Then, Ayato, would you like to learn this special Body Flicker Technique?"

The instant the Third Hokage finished speaking, he saw Ayato freeze, disbelief filling his eyes.

"I can really learn the Fourth Hokage's ninjutsu?"

"Of course. Ninjutsu is meant to be learned. But you should know that this was a technique created by the Second Hokage, and the Fourth Hokage was the only one who learned it and perfected it. It is extremely difficult." The Third Hokage grew serious as he spoke.

"I'll definitely learn it!" Although Ayato had already suspected as much, he could not help feeling delighted when it was confirmed. That was the Flying Thunder God!

"Hoho, it isn't something you can master just because you want to learn it. First, you'll need to undergo a test." As he spoke, the Third Hokage took out a Scroll and a Special Kunai.

The moment he saw the Kunai, Ayato recognized it as the kind used by the Fourth Hokage, engraved with a Flying Thunder God Mark. It also bore the four words, "Sword of Loving Affection."

"Learning the Fourth Hokage's Body Flicker Technique is no simple matter. Not only does it require talent in ninjutsu, it also requires an extremely special kind of talent. This Kunai was left behind by the Fourth Hokage specifically for testing. The Scroll beside it contains the method of the test, as well as the Summoning Technique. In one semester, I'll test how well you've mastered it. Only if you truly have the talent will you qualify to learn the Fourth Hokage's ninjutsu." The Third Hokage handed the Kunai and Scroll to Ayato.

Ayato accepted them and sighed inwardly. As expected, it was not the Flying Thunder God itself. Still, this was enough.

Testing his talent for learning the Flying Thunder God? Truly, those who came later benefited from the work of those before them. When the Fourth Hokage learned it, even though the Second Hokage had laid the foundation, he had basically been feeling his way across the river. Ayato's path would be much easier.

After all, the Fourth Hokage had already solved many of the problems. If Ayato still could not learn it under these conditions, then he really ought to give up on the Flying Thunder God.

"Work hard, little genius. I would also like to see the Fourth Hokage's Body Flicker Technique appear in the ninja world once again someday," the Third Hokage said encouragingly with a smile.

"I'll work hard!" Ayato said seriously as he put away the Scroll and Kunai.

The Third Hokage watched Ayato and nodded. He truly wanted to see the Flying Thunder God reappear. It was such a powerful ninjutsu. He himself had considered learning it, but he clearly lacked talent in Space-Time techniques. Even the Fourth Hokage had once wanted to pass the Flying Thunder God down, yet he had never found a successor. Not even Kakashi could manage it. In the end, he could only teach his personal guards the vastly inferior Flying Thunder God Formation...

Hopefully, Ayato truly had talent in this area. More than anything, the Third Hokage really saw the Fourth Hokage's shadow in Ayato—equally perfect, equally—no, even more hardworking. If he showed no talent in the test after one semester, then he would have to make him give up. He could not let Ayato neglect his studies in other areas because of this.

Soon, Ayato left the Hokage Office. After saying goodbye to Iruka, he returned home alone.

Then Ayato impatiently opened the Scroll and began reading. The method recorded inside was actually quite simple: imprint his own Chakra into the mark on the Special Kunai, then gradually establish a connection with it. Once the connection had been formed, he would need to use his sensory abilities to detect the Kunai's location. The clearer his perception, the better.

The Scroll also recorded a Summoning Technique specifically used to summon tools. It appeared that, once the connection was established, it would be used to summon this special Kunai.

So Summoning Techniques were also Space-Time ninjutsu? Would successfully summoning this Kunai through the Summoning Technique count as passing?

How could it be that simple? Ayato felt that it should be related to the Summoning Technique, but in the end, it would depend on the Third Hokage's final test. It definitely would not be something he could accomplish so easily.

At that moment, Ayato looked at the Special Kunai and reluctantly put it away. He wanted to begin the first step immediately, but he did not have much Chakra left at the moment. Even if he wanted to, he lacked the ability.

After putting away the Kunai, Ayato finally calmed his excited heart. His future training schedule would need adjusting again, but for the Flying Thunder God, such adjustments were certainly worth it!

For now, he would wait at home for Sinai to return.

At this moment, Sinai was humming a tune as she walked home with a large pile of boxes in her hands.

Though she had not yet arrived home, Sinai had already learned from well-informed customers that her son had once again taken first place in the assessment.

Thinking of how outstanding her son was, Sinai felt that was only natural.

This time, Sinai had deliberately worked a little extra, then bought plenty of grilled meat from the restaurant to bring home as an extra meal for Ayato. She remembered that Ayato loved this kind of meat. He was not a picky eater, but he did have his preferences.

Soon, Sinai arrived at her front door. She was not sure whether Ayato was home today or had gone out to play again, so she did not call out.

However, before Sinai could even open the door, Ayato had already opened it and come to her side, taking the boxes from her hands.

"You brought back so much stuff today?" Ayato asked as he lifted the boxes.

"It's your favorite grilled meat. I brought back the seasonings too. I'll go get the grill, and we'll celebrate Little Ayato taking first place again!" Sinai said with a smile.

"You already knew?"

"Of course. You're quite famous at our Grilled Meat Restaurant now. Everyone seems to know you're my son, so news about you spreads very quickly there."

As she spoke, Sinai looked at Ayato's outfit with some confusion. "Why are you dressed so formally today? Usually, even when I tell you to wear something like this, you refuse."

"That's because..." Ayato did not hide anything and told Sinai about the Third Hokage summoning him.

At last, Ayato saw a shocked expression on Sinai's face, and he felt satisfied. Taking first place could no longer surprise her, but surely a summons from the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage's ninjutsu could!

"My son is amazing. You can actually learn the Fourth Hokage's ninjutsu." Only after a long while did Sinai recover, muttering to herself. That was the Fourth Hokage's ninjutsu. The Fourth Hokage had not merely been the Hokage; he had also been the heartthrob of her generation. Now her son actually had the qualifications to learn his ninjutsu. Sinai found it somewhat unreal.

"Mm, because I got first place," Ayato said without elaborating.

Sinai did not respond. Even if she did not pay much attention, she knew that taking first place should not earn such treatment. The only explanation was that Ayato's talent was even higher than she had imagined—high enough for someone as important as the Third Hokage to invest in him.

But no matter what, this was her son. It was time to grill some meat and let Little Ayato taste her grilling skills!

After dinner.

"Is something wrong?" Sinai asked curiously as she looked at Ayato. Normally, Ayato would have returned to his room to read by now.

"Mm, Mom, I recently learned massage, and I want to try it out," Ayato stated his purpose.

"You want to give Mom a massage? There's no need. Go take care of your own things, Ayato." Sinai did not want to waste Ayato's time.

However, how could Sinai's words make Ayato change his mind? He had saved that Chakra specifically for Sinai.

So, under Ayato's insistence, Sinai quickly agreed, her eyes brimming with happiness.

Soon, Sinai discovered that this massage seemed somewhat unusual. Why did it feel so comfortable? And what was with the flickering electricity?

Sinai nearly jumped in fright, but when she realized Ayato must have created it, she calmed down. No matter what, she believed Ayato would never hurt her. Besides, the areas touched by that flickering lightning felt truly comfortable.

At that moment, Sinai understood that Ayato had specially prepared this for her. She had not seen much and did not understand the principles involved, but it probably was not simple, right? At the very least, a Genin like her had never encountered anything like this.

Though it felt good, Sinai was still worried. Would this really not cause Ayato trouble? He must not waste his talent because of her.

To Ayato, what trouble was there? Wasn't learning ninjutsu meant to make himself stronger and keep his family healthier as well?

Since he already possessed this ability, why should he not use it?

Ayato had not done this before because his control was insufficient, and he had been afraid of hurting Sinai. After all, Sinai did not possess Rock Lee's physical talent. Only after experimenting on Rock Lee until now did he have complete confidence.

Moreover, the result was even easier than he had imagined. Since Sinai's own Chakra was Lightning Release in nature, her resistance was even higher than Rock Lee's. Of course, the effects were not as good as they were on Rock Lee, since Sinai could not possibly train as much as Rock Lee did.

Still, relieving fatigue and strengthening her body were both possible. Being able to do that was already enough for Ayato.

After the massage ended, Sinai wanted to persuade Ayato not to continue doing this in the future. Naturally, she was ultimately persuaded by Ayato amid helplessness and emotion.

With a son like this, Sinai felt that even without such extraordinary talent, he would still be her greatest blessing.