What Is Legacy? The Origins of the Rasengan, Namikaze Minato

[A Hidden Spot Outside the Ramen Shop]

Two figures huddled in a shadowy corner, secretly watching Naruko, Sasuke, and Gaara inside the ramen shop. Seeing the lively scene, both couldn't help but break into sheepish grins.

"Sis, I don't think Gaara stands a chance. He's way too quiet!" Kankuro muttered, exasperated as he stared at Gaara's silent demeanor.

Temari, however, narrowed her eyes at Sasuke. "That Uchiha brat is a threat! I'm telling you, he's Gaara's biggest rival."

The implication was clear. From the Heaven's Curtain broadcast, they knew how much Naruko valued Sasuke—enough to say they'd die together if necessary.

"Too dangerous," Temari muttered.

Kankuro nodded solemnly. "What if we just kidnap Naruko and take them to Suna? Naruko's kind of dumb, right? They'd never notice!"

"That's ridiculous," Temari said, rolling her eyes. "They're the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. You think it'd be that easy?"

"Then what do we do?! Sasuke's obviously plotting something!" Kankuro fumed.

Temari remained calm. "Relax. Gaara has one advantage that Sasuke doesn't."

Kankuro blinked. "What's that?"

"Gaara is also a Jinchūriki. That bond is something Sasuke can't match."

[Another Hidden Corner Nearby]

Meanwhile, Team Guy also lurked in a nearby alley, observing the scene with interest.

"This is so entertaining! I wish I could record this moment forever," Tenten gushed, grinning widely.

Neji sighed. "Why am I even here?" He had been on his way home but somehow got dragged along by Tenten.

"Tenten, why are we spying on them again?" Lee asked, genuinely confused.

Tenten smirked. "You boys wouldn't understand."

She then glanced across the street and froze. There, Temari and Kankuro were also peeking out from their corner.

For a moment, the two groups locked eyes.

The shared awkwardness was palpable.

"Great," Tenten muttered under her breath. "We've got competition."

[The Next Day]

The resurrection of Uchiha Mikoto had visibly softened Sasuke. Though he remained cool and distant, the cold edge in his demeanor had lessened. The previous night, he had spent hours talking with his mother—something he hadn't done in years.

However, Sasuke's interactions with Itachi were still strained. Neither brother knew how to break the icy tension between them.

But what truly irritated Sasuke was Naruko. Ever since Gaara had joined their group, Naruko seemed overly enthusiastic about their new friend.

Watching Gaara cling to Naruko's side made Sasuke's blood boil. That unfamiliar feeling gnawed at him, frustrating him to no end. He couldn't shake the urge to fight Gaara.

Gaara, for his part, was confused by Sasuke's animosity. He hadn't done anything to provoke the Uchiha—at least, not that he was aware of.

To Gaara, Naruko was his light, the one who had shown him a new path. He couldn't understand why Sasuke seemed to resent him so much.

And Naruko? She remained oblivious to the brewing tension. Instead, she was thrilled to have two close friends but couldn't understand why Sasuke seemed so hostile toward Gaara.

"Why can't everyone just get along?" Naruko wondered, genuinely puzzled.

[Ding!]

"What Is Legacy?"

The Heaven's Curtain echoed with the new question, drawing the attention of everyone in the shinobi world.

"Legacy?"

Speculation erupted across the lands.

"Does it mean traditions passed down through generations?"

"Or could it be about the inheritance of power?"

"Maybe it refers to something like the Will of Fire or the village ideologies."

In Konoha, many recalled the famous words: "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns brightly."

Naruko tilted her head. "What's this about legacy? What does it even mean?"

Sasuke and Gaara both remained silent, their brows furrowed as they tried to piece together the answer.

[The Heaven's Curtain Darkened, Revealing a New Scene]

In a forest clearing, a young man stood, holding a glowing, spinning sphere in his palm.

"That's... the Rasengan," murmured many shinobi in awe.

The man wielding the Rasengan was a handsome youth with spiky blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

"It's almost complete. I'll call it..."

He paused dramatically before announcing:

"The Spiraling Light Ice Cream Whirlwind Inspired by Jiraiya Double Rotation Orb!"

Nearby, a slightly younger Jiraiya deadpanned. "What a stupid name."

The shinobi world erupted in shock.

"That's... That's the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato!"

"The Yellow Flash! He's my idol!"

"So this is the origin of the Rasengan. Legacy must mean passing on techniques like this!"

"Minato-sama..."

[The Villages React]

In Kumogakure, the Raikage clenched his fists. "Namikaze Minato... The Yellow Flash."

Bee chimed in, his usually jovial tone replaced with respect. "That guy... He's the real deal."

In Iwagakure, even the usually stoic Tsuchikage trembled. "That man singlehandedly turned the tide of the Third Shinobi War. He's a legend!"

Back in Konoha, Naruko's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"That's the Fourth Hokage! My idol!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious as she beamed at the screen. "I grew up hearing stories about him! He's so cool, dattebayo!"

Watching her animated reaction, both Sasuke and Gaara found themselves captivated.

"So this is what she looks like when she admires someone..."