Although Namikaze Minato hadn't yet named the technique, the "Talent Tree" system had already recognized it as an A-rank ninjutsu.
While Hoshita Shūichi wasn't the one who developed this technique, his contributions had been pivotal in its creation.
As for the previous "Seal-Memory Palace" technique, it hadn't reached A-rank status.
Still, Hoshita Shūichi had taken a significant step forward. He now needed just four more A-rank techniques to earn the [Innovator] title.
At that moment, Namikaze Minato flashed in front of a large tree, pressing a chakra sphere into it with his right hand. With a resounding boom, the tree was completely pierced through.
"Incredible!"
Kurama Sanyō exclaimed, "A seal-less ninjutsu—this is undoubtedly the perfect fit for Minato-sensei!"
"By the way, what should we call it?"
Namikaze Minato withdrew his hand and looked at Hoshita Shūichi with a smile. "How about... 'Lightning Wheel Ice Stick Hairball Ball of Shūichi's Fluff'?"
Hoshita Shūichi facepalmed, while Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō froze in stunned silence.
Noticing their expressions, Namikaze Minato chuckled awkwardly. "What? Isn't it a good name?"
"It's very meaningful, don't you think?"
Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō could only force strained smiles in response.
Hoshita Shūichi cleared his throat and suggested, "Minato-sensei, maybe something simpler would be better."
"For example, think about the original purpose behind creating this technique?"
Namikaze Minato's expression flickered briefly as thoughts of Uzumaki Kushina and the Nine-Tails surfaced, his demeanor darkening slightly.
But he quickly regained his warm smile. "In that case, let's call it the 'Rasengan'!"
Kurama Sanyō immediately raised his hand in approval. "That's perfect! 'Spiral' reflects the chakra's rotational motion."
Uchiha Shisui nodded emphatically, relieved that Namikaze Minato hadn't insisted on another outrageous name.
And so, the Rasengan was born.
With the technique completed so smoothly, Namikaze Minato announced he'd treat everyone to a feast—an offer Hoshita Shūichi and the others had no intention of refusing.
They were definitely eating!
But before that, the morning couldn't be wasted.
Namikaze Minato became their sparring partner.
Hoshita Shūichi seized the opportunity to train two skills at once: the Triple Moon Slash and the Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique.
Mastering both required real combat experience, as timing was crucial for each.
Time flew by, and by noon, the four parted ways after enjoying a lavish meal.
Hoshita Shūichi headed to Konoha Hospital to continue his training with Tsunade as his sparring partner.
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato arrived at a secluded area shrouded by a barrier.
"Kushina!"
He called out as he approached a house.
A window on the upper floor slid open, revealing a red-haired woman with a clearly displeased expression. "Weren't you supposed to be training somewhere else? Why are you back?"
Unfazed by her tone, Namikaze Minato smiled. "Because, with Shūichi's help, the new technique is complete. I came to tell you right away."
"Shūichi?"
Uzumaki Kushina frowned. "That genius kid you mentioned?"
She knew how talented Minato was. How could a technique that had stumped him for so long be solved by a six-year-old?
Namikaze Minato nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Hoshita Shūichi. He has an exceptional mind for ninjutsu."
He extended his right palm, and a Rasengan rapidly formed. "See? This is the technique!"
"I'm calling it the Rasengan—created specifically to protect you!"
Uzumaki Kushina stared at the spinning sphere in his hand, stunned.
It looked so much like the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball!
Unconsciously, tears welled up in her eyes.
Ever since Namikaze Minato had devoted so much time to developing this technique, he'd spent far less time training in sealing techniques with her.
She had feared his feelings had changed—but now...
Gazing at his gentle smile, Uzumaki Kushina's heart melted. Suddenly, she leaped from the window, hesitated for a moment, then rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
Namikaze Minato blinked in surprise but soon broke into a radiant smile, dispersing the Rasengan to embrace her. "Kushina, I'll protect you with everything I have!"
While Namikaze Minato enjoyed the warmth of his beloved, Hoshita Shūichi was on the receiving end of Tsunade's fists.
"How else are you supposed to master the Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique if you don't get hit?"
Tsunade's logic was unshakable.
Hoshita Shūichi couldn't help but suspect this terrifying woman had developed some sadistic hobby at his expense.
Time passed steadily.
For Hoshita Shūichi, the vacation simply meant more time to train.
Medical ninjutsu, kenjutsu, basic taijutsu, physical conditioning, and reflex drills with Shizune and Might Guy—his schedule was packed.
Over the past month, the training methods he'd initially proposed had undergone several upgrades.
First, they used mud balls, then switched to clay.
Later, Kakashi refined it further, using specially crafted spherical chalk of different colors. Trainees had to stay within a marked circle and catch only the designated color.
Three days flew by.
While practicing the Chakra Scalpel technique at Konoha Hospital, Hoshita Shūichi suddenly received shocking news: Namikaze Minato had been severely injured and hospitalized.
Namikaze Minato—injured?
Hoshita Shūichi was momentarily stunned before rushing to the scene. Outside the ward, he found Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Third Hokage-sama! Tsunade-sama!"
He hurriedly greeted them.
"Ah, Shūichi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry. Minato will be fine."
Hoshita Shūichi nodded, glancing at Tsunade's grim expression before peering through the glass into the ward.
An entire medical team was inside, including Yakushi Nonō.
And on Namikaze Minato's chest rested a small slug.
"A wound piercing through the chest?"
Hoshita Shūichi's mind raced, immediately connecting the dots to the Nine-Tails and its jinchūriki.
"It seems the Nine-Tails' seal isn't very stable right now."
He sighed inwardly.
But it made sense. Uzumaki Kushina was only around fourteen or fifteen, the same age as Namikaze Minato.
Whether in sealing techniques, chakra capacity, or mastery of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, she hadn't yet reached her peak.
"But I recall Uzumaki Kushina having mission records... Was that before becoming a jinchūriki?"
"Or did she continue missions afterward?"
Hoshita Shūichi mused silently.
Time crept by.
Three hours later, a masked medic-nin emerged with the slug. "Third Hokage-sama, Tsunade-sama, Minato is out of danger!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled in relief. "Well done."
Tsunade took the slug and said flatly, "Since he's fine, I'm leaving."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, a hint of exasperation in his expression, before taking a puff of his pipe. "Shūichi, take good care of Minato."
Playing the oblivious bystander, Hoshita Shūichi bowed. "Understood, Third Hokage-sama. You can leave Minato-sensei to me."
"Good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded approvingly before departing.
Hoshita Shūichi watched him go, then glanced back into the ward. Without delay, he created a shadow clone to notify Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō
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