"So this is what walking on water feels like? I think I finally get how to control chakra!"
By a small river, Naruto happily jumped into the air.
Minato looked at Naruto with warm eyes filled with pride. This is my child. Kushina, can you see him? Someday, he will surely grow into a ninja surpassing me.
Minato turned serious and said, "We've got just under a month—no time to waste. Let's begin right away. I just tested your chakra nature—it's wind. So Wind Release techniques suit you well."
Still struggling with chakra natures, Naruto scratched his head and blurted out, "Wind Release? Sounds awesome! So what does it do?"
Minato patiently explained, "Your teammate Sasuke has a lightning nature. Your Wind Release can counter his Lightning Release. However, Sasuke also uses Fire Release, which counters your Wind Release."
After explaining the elemental strengths and weaknesses, Minato officially began teaching him, starting with the simplest basic Wind Release technique — [Wind Release: Great Breakthrough].
Watching Naruto train diligently nearby, Minato felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. This scene was being watched from a distance by two individuals.
"This is the foreign genin you mentioned? He feels strange. You really had to drag me here to see him."
"Yes. Anything noticeable?"
"Not really. Seems like normal training. Alright, don't interrupt my novel research."
"Master Jiraiya, don't you think he looks familiar?"
"Familiar? How so?"
"The teacher you once had—the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
The two eavesdroppers were none other than Jiraiya and Kakashi, who had already returned to Konoha.
Upon hearing Kakashi's words, Jiraiya's expression briefly darkened before he burst into laughter. "Don't be silly. You know too well the consequences of using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Under those circumstances, there's no way Minato could have survived."
Kakashi understood, yet still insisted, "But his presence feels strangely familiar. Besides, why would a foreign ninja teach Naruto so selflessly? Doesn't that seem suspicious?"
Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully and said, "You're right. Then I'll keep observing for a few more days."
"Please do."
After saying this, Kakashi left immediately using the Shifting Body Technique. Sasuke also needed someone watching over him.
Inside the hot spring, confronted with Orochimaru's *shatsui*, Anya gave off an air of helplessness. "How about this—if you can eliminate Hiruzen Sarutobi unscathed and settle your master-disciple grudge, then for the rest of our operations, I'll follow your command entirely."
Orochimaru quickly retracted his *shatsui*, surprised, "You're serious?"
Anya smiled, "Of course it's serious. After all, you've helped me so many times. This is the perfect opportunity to repay you in full. As I said before, anything goes."
"Excellent. Then cooperation it is."
Orochimaru was the first to extend his hand.
Anya clasped it with calm poise. The sensation remained the same as always—smooth, soft, and cool to the touch.
After some time, Mabui stepped out of the hot spring, got dressed, and walked in asking, "Hey, are you done soaking yet?"
Anya leisurely replied, "I was ready to leave long ago. Just waiting for you."
"Impossible! I don't believe you!"
"Here, take this." Mabui handed Anya her clothes and tossed them onto the ground. "Can we go now?"
"That's pretty rude," Anya muttered, getting up to dress herself and put on her mask before walking out together.
Walking down the bustling street, Anya casually said, "You can hand over Kazekage's clothes, and give the plan document to Baki. There's an agreed time inside—tell him to act punctually according to the instructions."
Mabui exclaimed in shock, "So you're really planning to destroy Konoha? Back then, you killed more than twenty thousand Allied Shinobi Forces for Konoha."
Anya replied confidently, "Back then, there were people I cared about within Konoha. If I didn't step in, they would have died. This time is different; things won't be that intense."
Mabui eyed Anya suspiciously, "How come it feels like you seem to already know what will happen next?"
Anya teased, "Well of course! Don't care that I'm blind; I've still got inner vision—it sees straight into a person's heart."
Mabui looked indignant and retorted, "I don't believe you. Try reading my mind then—what am I thinking right now?"
Amused by the challenge, Anya played along, "You must be thinking: 'Yeah right, you're just trying to mess with me.'"
Mabui flushed slightly, muttering as she turned away, "I'm not talking to you anymore."
As she stormed off, Anya couldn't help but grin to herself. Teasing junior secretaries was actually pretty fun—no wonder there were all those rumors about bosses and their secretaries back in her former life. Those who know, know exactly what she meant.
Minato watched Naruto, who had been training all day yet could barely produce even a small Wind Release from his mouth—just enough to blow a few rocks away. He fell into deep thought.
As a genius, Minato mastered techniques without effort. He even developed Rasengan on his own without much guidance from Jiraiya. He learned the Flying Thunder God Technique from the Scroll of Seals and grasped Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques after only one lesson from Kushina. The only thing that gave him trouble was Anya's Spirit Transformation Technique—an S-rank jutsu, which naturally made it hard to learn. Therefore, he'd never experienced struggling an entire day without mastering even a basic ninjutsu.
Where was the problem?
"He's going in the wrong direction. He isn't suited for standard ninjutsu."
Jiraiya, who had observed the entire day, finally revealed himself, stepping forward.
"Ah, Master Jirai..." Minato showed surprise but held back the last word at the last moment.
Jiraiya gave Minato a meaningful glance and suggested, "How about we teach him together?"
Minato's heart trembled, uncertain whether his identity had been discovered. After considering briefly, he nodded, "Okay."
At that moment, Naruto protested, "Hey, who are you anyway? What qualifications do you have suddenly barging in here to teach me?"
Jiraiya angrily shot back, "What does this brat know? Do you have any idea who I am? Listen carefully—I make everything effortless, unbeatable across the four directions. One of the legendary Sannin (the legendary trio of shinobi), the white-haired kid, a Toad Master whose name alone makes even crying kids hush in awe. That's right—who else but Jiraiya-sama himself—one of our legendary masters!"
"Oh? Are you really that strong?" Naruto asked cluelessly about the name.
Minato joined in enthusiastically, "Of course! Jiraiya-sama is the most amazing ninja I've ever seen."
"Ah, really?" Naruto's expression immediately brightened as he placed hands on hips proudly. "Great! Then let's continue training!"
Jiraiya pulled a large scroll from his waist, unfurled it, and told Naruto, "This is the contract our ancestors have passed down through generations with the toads. Write your name in your own blood, then press your fingerprint onto it. When you want to summon them, focus your chakra at the designated spot and form these Hand Seals in order: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram — known as the traditional summoning sequence."
Minato studied the scroll. His name followed Jiraiya's closely, and Naruto had just added his beside theirs—this kind of generational legacy felt oddly poetic.
Inside, he already knew—Jiraiya-sensei had seen through him.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>