As chakra surged around Veigar, Minato visibly froze for a second, then quickly regained composure.
At the same time, the small amount of chakra Veigar had painstakingly accumulated was completely drained once more.
"Sensei, this is why I was so confident that I would recover," Veigar said softly.
"This technique is called the Ultra-Fast Regeneration Technique."
Minato's brows furrowed briefly before relaxing as he replied, "If you're able to recover, that's all I need to hear."
Seeing Veigar's certainty gave Minato genuine relief and joy.
Lying in his hospital bed, Veigar spoke to Minato with grave sincerity.
"Sensei, that's not the only thing I wanted to tell you."
"It's about the Wind Release evolution of the Rasengan."
"Wind Release: Rasenshuriken."
In the official report, Minato had only seen that Veigar used an immensely powerful Wind Release technique, but deep down, he had already begun to suspect.
Now, he was absolutely certain.
"Wind Release evolution? Rasenshuriken?" Minato repeated, pondering aloud.
Then he heard Veigar continue, "The Rasengan represents the pinnacle of chakra shape transformation. The Rasenshuriken is the ultimate fusion of shape and nature transformation."
"In theory, it doesn't have to be limited to Wind Release. The Rasengan could evolve using any of the other four chakra natures, possibly even Ice Release, Lava Release, and so on."
"An evolved Rasengan becomes an S-rank forbidden technique."
"It harms both the enemy and the user."
"Use it with caution."
Minato nodded seriously. "Understood. Giving you the Rasengan was one of the best decisions I've ever made."
Veigar offered a faint smile and said, "Sensei, if you can master a technique that allows for rapid healing, the recoil from using Wind Release: Rasenshuriken will be manageable."
At this point, Veigar was all but spelling out the path of Sage Mode.
Minato nodded again. "I'll use it with the utmost caution."
Satisfied that Minato had fully digested what he said, Veigar added:
"Actually, there's one more thing I'd like to ask of you, Sensei."
Minato didn't hesitate. "If it's within my power, I'll do it."
Veigar didn't beat around the bush.
"I want you to inscribe the Flying Raijin formula on me, and embed your chakra into it."
Ten minutes later.
Minato pulled open the door to the hospital room and stepped outside.
Waiting in the hallway, the trio who had been standing there for over ten minutes stirred. Obito looked like a cat clawed his heart.
"Kakashi, what do you think Sensei and Veigar were talking about in there?"
Though Kakashi was just as curious, he didn't show it. He simply cast Obito a sidelong glance.
The meaning was clear.
Not interested. You gossip too much.
Kakashi's aloof, sharp-tongued personality was on full display.
Just then, Minato stepped out and smiled at his three students.
"Alright. Let's head out."
"We might end up disturbing other patients if we stay here too long."
Outside the field hospital, Rin suddenly ran up to Minato, summoning her courage.
"Sensei, may I ask a favor?"
Minato crouched down with a gentle smile. "Hmm?"
"Go ahead. If it's something I can do."
Rin lowered her head and whispered, "I'd like to withdraw from the upcoming mission... if that's okay."
Minato blinked, surprised. "Can you tell me why?"
Still speaking softly, Rin answered, "There aren't enough medical-nin here. I want to stay... to help treat the wounded."
Her explanation was one Minato hadn't expected. That Rin would choose to aid the wounded over carrying out a mission, even if it meant bending the shinobi rules, caught him completely off guard.
But he wasn't upset. Instead, he saw the kindness in her heart.
"Very well," Minato said warmly. "You have my permission."
Rin's head shot up, eyes wide with joy. "Really?!"
Minato nodded with a smile. "Come. I'll take you to Tsunade-sama."
Rin bowed deeply. "Thank you, Sensei."
She understood full well that her request meant stepping outside the rules, and Minato granting it meant bending them for her.
But all Rin wanted... was to use her medical ninjutsu to save lives.
Half an hour later, Minato departed Mount Kikyo with Kakashi and Obito, while Rin remained behind at the battlefield hospital, appointed as a temporary medical-nin.
For the time being, she worked alongside Shizune under Tsunade's guidance.
Back in the hospital room, Veigar felt the Flying Raijin formula etched onto the back of his hand. A faint smile crept across his face as he drifted into sleep.
The Flying Raijin Technique... acquired.
The idea to have Minato mark him with the formula came to Veigar during his treatment under Tsunade's care.
Having lost his memories of the battle with Mukade at Rōran, he only now realized: his long struggle to grasp the Flying Raijin had a shortcut.
By using the chakra formula Minato left on him, and fusing it with a shard of Phenomenal Evil Power, he could unlock it.
And now, Veigar was already studying another forbidden jutsu he had acquired from Orochimaru.
What's more, he had a new, even crazier idea for the final shard of Phenomenal Evil Power.
Half a month passed.
Veigar had regained basic mobility. Though not yet fully recovered, and still bearing internal injuries, he could now mold chakra again.
According to the regeneration rate of the Ultra-Fast Regeneration Technique, it would take about ten more days for him to be fully healed.
It wasn't that the technique lacked power, but rather, his injuries were so severe that an enormous amount of chakra was required.
And this wasn't Rōran, he no longer had access to the limitless energy of the Ryūmyaku.
Even so, Veigar's recovery, from critical injury and unconsciousness to walking, was miraculous. Tsunade said as much herself.
He had also revealed the existence of the Ultra-Fast Regeneration Technique to her. In return, she agreed to keep his secret and even covered for him.
Now dressed in a standard shinobi flak jacket instead of patient robes, Veigar stepped out of the hospital room where he'd been confined for over a month.
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