More than a month had passed since the outbreak of the Second Great Ninja World War.
During this time, the shinobi of the Lands of Fire, Wind, and Earth had used Amegakure as their battlefield, engaging in over a hundred battles large and small. Each village suffered casualties—not terribly great, but each losing dozens of ninja.
When the front-line shinobi brought back the shattered fragments of their fallen comrades to Konoha, some of the newly promoted Genin assigned to patrol and guard duties witnessed the grim sight.
That horrifying scene made them truly understand just how cruel war could be.
The incident spread quickly among the ranks of these young Genin. These new recruits were now being forced to grow up—fast.
...
Three more months passed.
Amidst the weight of war, Minato turned ten years old.
Shinobi lurked throughout the village, forming layers of barriers, yet they still didn't affect the normal lives of ordinary citizens.
However, the street in front of the Hokage Tower was no longer bustling with life. It stood empty and desolate, with only occasional ninjas rushing through.
They carried urgent battle reports. Konoha's civilians wanted no part in the war— even the village's main thoroughfare had become all but deserted.
Whish! Whish!
Several figures swiftly darted across rooftops before coming to a stop on the main road.
Looking at the deserted street, a girl with beautiful long red hair sighed softly.
Zzzsh! Zzzsh!
Soon after, more figures emerged from different directions and gathered together.
Each squad stepped forward in turn to report.
"The First Squad reports all is normal in our patrol zone; no abnormalities detected."
Minato gave his report to the only adult shinobi among them—the leader of the Sixth Guard Unit, Tokubetsu Jonin Akai Shuji.
Shortly afterward, members from the other squads also delivered their reports one by one.
This was the designated meeting point for the entire Sixth Guard Unit.
Once most of the squads had completed their reports, Akai Shuji nodded slightly.
"All of you did well."
A faint smile appeared on his face. Though not particularly handsome, he did carry a kind expression.
Just a month ago when Minato had first graduated, Akai had been extremely strict. But ever since the corpses from the war arrived back in Konoha, even without his urging, these new Genin had all sharpened their focus and fully committed themselves to their missions.
After all, none of them wanted to end up like those whose very remains could not be preserved.
"You may all go and rest now."
The Sixth Guard Unit consisted of four squads, two at a time alternating patrols.
Though shinobi possessed superior physical strength compared to ordinary humans, they still needed rest.
"Yes, Captain."
Minato and the others responded in unison, then the relief squads quickly headed off to their patrol zones.
"Everyone hurry back and get some rest—we'll be up all night patrolling again."
Minato said. Rina Takeuchi gave a slight nod, but Yan Uchiha remained unconvinced, apparently treating Minato's advice like a command and walking off by himself.
His temperament really was hard to change.
"Bye-bye," Rina Takeuchi bade farewell to Minato and Kushina and left right away.
"I'll walk you home," Minato smiled at Kushina.
She gave a slight nod.
The two started walking toward Kushina's place. Since the day their team had been formed, her guards had stopped trailing after her.
Minato also understood why The Third had taken such measures. Indeed, if anyone could infiltrate Konoha under such tight security, capturing Kushina would be an easy task.
In the past, Kushina had once been kidnapped by ninja from the enemy nation—the Land of Lightning. That happened near the end of the Second Great Ninja War, when Minato had just returned from battle and discovered clues she'd left behind—her red hair.
He successfully defeated several ninja from the enemy nation and brought her back to Konoha.
That moment marked a turning point in their relationship and destiny.
They walked in silence until they reached near Kushina's house. As they turned the last corner, Minato suddenly stopped her.
"Wait."
Kushina halted and turned around. "What is it?"
"There's something I need to give you."
Minato said, pulling from the ninja pouch on his back a uniquely shaped weapon.
It was a trident-style kunai, slightly larger and heavier than an ordinary kunai.
But that wasn't the most important part. Engraved onto its handle were space-time markings for the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Here," Minato handed it to Kushina, who accepted it, studying it carefully.
"What kind of kunai is this? I've never seen one shaped like this before—it looks really strange."
Kushina tilted the handle toward the light. She also noticed those peculiar markings on the handle, though even she couldn't recognize their significance.
"It's a custom-made kunai of mine. Its destructive power and sharpness surpass regular kunai."
Minato explained. This type of kunai was naturally the same style he often used in his previous life.
After nearly nine months, Minato had finally re-mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique—though only barely.
Still, he currently had no intention of using it during combat because he hadn't yet regained the ability to activate it instantly, as he once could.
[The Flying Thunder God Technique] did have hand seal methods, but when a user reached a certain level of mastery, they could cast it instantaneously without seals.
Only at that stage could the Flying Thunder God truly dominate the Ninja World and soar freely through space-time.
Right now, his Flying Thunder God was more like a modified version. The reason he gave this kunai to Kushina was because he still worried about her safety.
During these four months since the outbreak of the Second Great Ninja War, the situation had already begun to differ from what he'd previously experienced. Large-scale warfare hadn't broken out yet; instead, both sides were locked in a trench war.
But this deadlock wouldn't last forever—it would eventually erupt into full-scale war.
At that time, he would definitely head for the battlefield. As the Jinchuriki, Kushina naturally spent most of her time patrolling the village.
"Oh," Kushina replied.
"I hope you'll keep it with you at all times."
Minato said. At that point, he still hadn't figured out how to incorporate the Flying-Thunder-God markings into the Four Symbols Sealing Formula on Kushina's abdomen.
After all, that was a seal left by Mito Uzumaki—his Sealing Technique still had some way to go in comparison.
"Okay, I got it," Kushina smiled, placing the Flying-Thunder-God Kunai into her Ninja Pouch.
Later, Minato walked her home. But just as he was about to reach his own place, he ran into someone along the way.
"Minato-kun, it's been a while."
The man stared at Minato with eyes like those of a venomous snake. Though his face was handsome, there was something unsettling about him—especially his slightly hoarse voice, which always caused discomfort.
It was none other than Orochimaru.
...
...(To be continued.)
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