Ch 58. Minato & Jiraiya

On a warm afternoon in Konoha, steam drifted lazily over the men's section of the hot spring, where two figures relaxed in the water. One was a young teenager, about thirteen years old, with short, spiky blonde hair and bright blue eyes filled with thought. The other was a tall man in his thirties, with wild, waist-length white hair, wearing a distinctive headband inscribed with the kanji for "oil." These two were none other than Minato Namikaze and the legendary Toad Sage, Jiraiya.

Jiraiya had recently returned to Konoha after receiving an order from the Third Hokage. While catching up with village affairs, he had heard about a remarkably talented young ninja from a civilian background. The moment he observed Minato's abilities, he was impressed and decided to take him on as his personal disciple.

At the moment, however, Minato wasn't sure what to think about his new sensei. With an awkward expression, he watched as Jiraiya eagerly pressed his face against the wooden wall, attempting to peek into the women's section.

"Sensei, you really shouldn't be doing that," Minato said hesitantly. "It's not right."

Jiraiya scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Minato, my boy, you're still too young to understand the plight of single men. You already have a girlfriend at your age, so you wouldn't get it. Besides, this isn't peeking it's research! Someday, I might even write a book about my experiences appreciating beauties!"

In the world of Naruto, there were numerous shops that provided various adult services, Although Jiraiya was single, he was a man of many experiences!

Minato sighed, knowing there was no reasoning with his eccentric master. His mind soon drifted elsewhere, toward his last conversation with Kushina. She had looked troubled, her usual fiery demeanor subdued. She had told him she would be busy for the next month and wouldn't be able to meet him. Her voice held a trace of sorrow as she explained that her only relative in Konoha was nearing the end of their life, and she needed to spend time with them.

As a ninja, Minato couldn't ignore his growing suspicions. Kushina had been restricted from taking missions for some time now, even after graduating. She wasn't even allowed to leave the village. Something about her situation didn't add up.

It wasn't until he became Jiraiya's disciple that he learned the truth. Through his training, he gained knowledge about the tailed beasts, and it became clear to him, that Kushina was being prepared to become the next Jinchūriki. The realization had shaken him, but it also explained the secrecy surrounding her.

He recalled his recent conversation with the Third Hokage.

"Minato," the Hokage had said, his expression firm yet kind, "as Jiraiya's disciple and a bearer of the Will of Fire, I hope you will grow into a full-fledged jōnin under his guidance. If you truly wish to become Hokage one day, you must become stronger, strong enough to protect this village."

The Hokage's gaze had softened slightly. "As for Kushina, you've likely realized her situation. From now on, I want you to look after her. This will not be easy, and there may be dangers ahead, but she will need someone she can trust."

Minato had nodded solemnly, absorbing the weight of the responsibility.

The Hokage then continued, "Jiraiya tells me you could perform the Summoning Jutsu successfully on your first attempt. Your academy records show that your speed and reflexes surpass any other graduate in Konoha's history, no one could even touch you in sparring matches. With such talent, I believe you may be qualified to learn that jutsu."

The Third Hokage had then presented him with a scroll. "This is a technique developed by the Second Hokage, the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. It's not an easy technique to master. Aside from talent, it requires advanced knowledge of sealing techniques. Fortunately, both Jiraiya and Kushina excel in sealing arts. If you choose to take on this challenge, you can seek their guidance, and even ask me if necessary."

Minato had felt a surge of excitement at the opportunity to learn the legendary jutsu, especially as a civilian ninja with no background.

Now, as he sat in the hot spring, his mind wandered back to his current progress. He had already begun practicing the technique, and he could successfully create a rudimentary Flying Thunder God Mark and sense its coordinates. However, he hadn't yet attempted teleportation. It was far too risky at this stage, and his knowledge of sealing still wasn't sufficient to execute it properly. He planned to ask Kushina for guidance when he next had the chance.

With a quiet determination, Minato made a mental note to master the technique as soon as possible. He would grow stronger, not just for himself, but for Kushina, for Jiraiya, and for his dream of protecting Konoha.

As a young ninja maybe his thoughts like these led him to willingly sacrifice his and his children's lives to protect the village, who knows if it was right or wrong?