Flying Thunder God.

After Tsunade had completed her experiments, I continued training my Wood Release. There was still so much left to explore—new combinations, new techniques, new limits. I wasn't finished yet. Not even close.

Then one morning, I was assigned a mission. I planned to finish it quickly and return to training—until I saw the mission details.

Mission Rank: A

Objective: Rescue the son of the Land of Fire's Daimyo

Target: Unknown ninja group

Type: Team mission

I frowned. Team mission?

Without wasting time, I went straight to Tsunade. "Who are my teammates?" I asked. I never liked working with others—solo missions matched my pace and secrecy.

Tsunade gave me that knowing smile. "You're always locked up at home training. I thought this would be good for you. They're already waiting at the village gate. You better hurry if you don't want to be late."

I muttered under my breath but didn't argue. After packing my gear, I made my way to the gate.

No one was there when I arrived.

Then suddenly—before I could react—I felt a very familiar chakra signature behind me.

I turned quickly.

"Hey, Ren," Minato said casually, smiling.

I blinked, momentarily stunned. Kakashi stood beside him.

"I didn't know you two would be my teammates," I said, recovering quickly. "Hey, Kakashi, how are you doing?"

"I'm good," he replied. "How about you?"

"Amazing."

Minato's former students had recently become chunin and moved on to other squads, leaving only Kakashi under his direct command. They must have needed a third for this mission. Tsunade must've jumped at the chance to send me.

Minato nodded. "Yeah, since this was a team mission and we didn't have a full squad, the Hokage suggested your name. He said you've only been taking solo missions. When I ran into Lady Tsunade near the hospital, she agreed and accepted the mission on your behalf. I'm surprised she didn't tell you."

"She said it would be a surprise," I muttered.

Kakashi stood silently, listening to our exchange with his usual stoicism.

After showing our mission scroll to the guards, we departed, heading toward the last known location of the kidnappers.

As we traveled, I turned to Minato. "How did you appear behind me like that?"

"That was my jutsu—Flying Raijin," he answered with a grin.

I'd read about it, but seeing it in action was another thing entirely. The speed, the precision... it piqued my curiosity. I mentally filed away the thought—I'd ask him to teach me later.

Kakashi and I exchanged light conversation during the trip—mostly about post-graduation life. Despite his aloofness, he was easier to talk to now than during the Academy days.

The hours passed, and soon the sky began to darken. By the time Minato raised his hand sharply and said, "Quiet. I've found something," the sun had dipped below the horizon. Evening shadows stretched long, and the first signs of night crept in.

We instantly went into alert mode, silently following his lead. I spread my natural sensory field and kept pace.

Minato began teaching as we tracked: how to read footprints, analyze disrupted terrain, even the subtle changes in wind and scent that suggested recent movement. I learned more in those thirty minutes than I had from dozens of manuals.

Eventually, we found them—near nightfall.

They weren't even hiding.

The moment I sensed their chakra, I understood why—twelve shinobi. All of them were either jonin or special jonin level. One presence stood above the rest, intense and suffocating—an elite jonin with S-rank chakra.

Minato squinted toward the encampment. "That's Kandachi, second-in-command to Hanzo the Salamander."

I knew the name. Kandachi had a high bounty in the bingo book. His specialties were Water Release and summoning—he was infamous for calling forth a monstrous beast called the Conch King, said to rival Hanzo's own Salamander in power.

We spotted the Daimyo's son tied up and beaten near the tent. Three jonin guarded the perimeter. The rest were laughing around a bonfire, roasting meat in the orange flicker of the flames.

Fortunately, they hadn't sensed us—thanks to Minato's incredibly refined sensory skills. Mine were good, but he made even me look like an amateur.

Minato crouched beside us. "Here's the plan. I'll deal with Kandachi and the top-level jonin. You two stay hidden. If an opportunity presents itself, take down any special jonin. Do not engage unnecessarily."

Kakashi and I both nodded. We understood.

Minato began scattering his marked Flying Raijin kunai around the battlefield. That movement finally caught the enemies' attention. They stood, alerted.

But Minato just smiled. "Be safe," he said, glancing back at us—then vanished in a flash.

I felt my pulse quicken.

This is it.

I was about to witness the Yellow Flash of the Leaf in all his glory.

Author's Note:

Minato will be teaching the Flying Raijin to Ren in the upcoming chapters.

Now it's your turn, dear readers!

What kind of summon should Ren create?

– A swarm-type summon for spying purposes, like insects or bats?

– Or a powerful, single entity, like a mythical beast or ancient guardian?

Also, comment below:

Which Dojutsu should Ren unlock?

– Should it be an existing one like Rinnegan or Tenseigan?

– Or would you prefer a unique, custom Dojutsu? Share your creative ideas!

Thank you all for the amazing support!

– Dreaming_Dragon97