Minato listened patiently to Konan's story, giving her plenty of emotional support.
Ever since she met Minato, her life trajectory had shifted dramatically.
Especially after Shin, at Minato's request, found her a home, since then, she felt happy every single day.
Her adoptive parents were ordinary farmers, but they were extremely kind-hearted and treated her wonderfully, almost to the point of spoiling her.
It also helped that Konan herself was very well-behaved, and sensible, people couldn't help but like her.
"Oh, right, where are your parents?" Minato asked when he saw her alone at home.
"They went to work in the fields," Konan replied.
"How has your training been this week?" Minato continued.
Every week, he would pick a day to give pointers to Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato. This time was no exception, he had come to instruct them.
Upon hearing the question, Konan's expression immediately changed. She lowered her head and whispered, "Minato-nii, I'm sorry!"
"Why the sudden apology?" Minato asked, puzzled.
"It's just…" Konan said with some guilt, "When I was bored alone in my room folding paper, I wondered if I could use chakra to control it. To my surprise, it worked really well.
"This week I was so caught up playing with paper that I neglected my regular training…"
"What's there to apologize for?" Minato patted her head reassuringly. "Still, could you show me?"
"Mm!" Konan nodded and immediately began demonstrating.
Under her control, the paper coat she was wearing turned back into individual sheets of paper, which swirled around her in the air.
Seeing this, Minato was stunned, he hadn't even realized her clothes were made of paper.
"A secret technique?" Minato was dumbfounded.
This wasn't a problem, this was an incredible discovery.
But… wasn't this a bit ridiculous?
Even though he had taught her carefully, it shouldn't be possible for a six-and-a-half-year-old to create her own secret technique… right? Or had she accidentally awakened a unique innate talent?
"Don't worry, I'll go find my brother right away," Minato said, and without waiting for her response, he suddenly vanished.
Three minutes later, he returned with Shin.
"Shin-nii!" Konan quickly bowed upon seeing him, but she seemed a bit reserved, nothing like the relaxed attitude she had with Minato.
It couldn't be helped, they hadn't interacted much, and thanks to Minato's tireless bragging, Shin had somehow been labeled as a schemer.
Shin was a bit helpless about this.
When you brag about me to others, could you pick the flattering parts?
You keep telling people I'm great at reading others' minds. Even if your face shows pure admiration, it's hard for people to think I'm a good guy.
"Konan, long time no see," Shin greeted.
"Long time no see!"
"I hear from Minato that you accidentally created a secret technique?"
"Secret technique?" Konan looked puzzled, glancing at Shin and then at Minato, clearly having no idea what they were talking about.
"Don't be nervous, just give a little demonstration."
Konan nodded, and as before, her coat turned into sheets of paper that floated into the air.
Then, under her control, the paper reformed into a coat and settled back onto her body.
Seeing this, Shin's breathing grew rapid.
Didn't this mean that explosive tags could now be mass-produced wholesale? Even chained explosive tags could be played with freely.
Though the technique for making explosive tags was low in difficulty, it consumed huge amounts of time. He had long lost interest in making them himself, but still, no one would ever complain about having too many.
With Konan around, he could leave all related work to her in the future, freeing himself and Orochimaru to focus entirely on other research.
But… wasn't this way too early? How could Konan have already created it at such a young age?
After years of research, Shin had uncovered many secrets of ninjutsu, including numerous secret techniques.
The abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan, for example, were closely tied to the user's personality, different natures and inner obsessions produced different abilities.
In fact, many secret techniques had a deep connection with personality and personal convictions.
Take Konan's paper ninjutsu, Sai's ink ninjutsu, or Deidara's Explosion Release.
These techniques weren't impossible for others to learn, but it was far harder for someone who didn't develop it through their own nature and convictions, and even if they did learn it, its power would be diminished.
This was closely tied to one's mind and will.
Konan's development of paper ninjutsu was heavily influenced by her birth parents, who often folded paper with her when she was young.
After their deaths, origami became her greatest emotional comfort for a long time, carrying her longing and attachment to them.
When infused with willpower, emotion, and thought, chakra could undergo change.
This change wasn't a nature transformation, but rather a unique alteration that often belonged to a single individual.
After all, chakra was refined by mixing physical and spiritual energy in a specific ratio and along specific pathways.
Mental will, emotion, and thought could shape its form.
But the creation of such secret techniques was not easy, it was full of coincidences and often unique to the individual.
Even Shin could hardly believe that such a girl had, by sheer accident, developed her own unique secret technique.
"An extraordinary talent," Shin exclaimed. "Konan, from now on, focus on training your paper ninjutsu. I'll personally guide you."
"Oh, and paper ninjutsu is the name I've chosen for your technique."
"Paper ninjutsu?" Konan felt an unexpected joy at the words, as if it were a blessing and remembrance from her departed parents.
"I want to take you to Konoha, to make you one of us. Would you be willing?" At that moment, Shin sounded every bit the big bad wolf coaxing Little Red Riding Hood.
"The reason I didn't take you before was because the Hokage at the time was Hiruzen. But it's different now, Tsunade's in charge. Once you're there, you won't face exclusion or hostility."
Konan was stunned into silence by this sudden news.
Shin, knowing exactly what she was thinking, went on: "Your parents will come with you. I'll find them good jobs so your family can keep living happily together."
Konan's eyes lit up, a bit tempted.
Over the past half-year, she had fully accepted her adoptive parents and grown deeply attached to them, she naturally didn't want to be separated.
"And if you go to Konoha, you'll be able to see your Minato all the time," Shin added persuasively.
"Once there, I'll have you enroll in Konoha's Ninja Academy. You'll meet many people and make lots of friends."
"Oh, right!" He suddenly remembered. "Yahiko and Nagato will be going too."
At that, Konan hesitated no longer, she turned to Minato and nodded firmly.
Minato, standing to the side, was speechless.
Doesn't this count as abducting a little girl?