"The battlefield of the Land of Lightning."
Hearing the Third Hokage's answer, Kai Mitarashi wasn't too surprised.
Although Konoha was simultaneously facing wars with the Cloud, Rock, and Mist ninja, the only battlefield Kai could go to was the one in the Land of Lightning.
The Rock ninja had suffered a setback on the battlefield in the Land of Rivers. Given Onoki's character, he might temporarily halt his attack on Konoha. Moreover, with Orochimaru stationed there, there wouldn't be any major issues for a while.
On the battlefield in the Land of Water, the main force was the Hyuga clan's ninja, and the Third Hokage would certainly not send Kai there.
That left only the battlefield in the Land of Lightning, which was the fiercest due to the presence of the Third Raikage. Even with a strong ninja like Jiraiya, it was difficult to suppress the Cloud ninja's offensive.
"Understood," Kai nodded.
"The situation in the Land of Lightning is quite dire. Tomorrow, you will head to the battlefield with Minato," the Third Hokage continued.
Minato Namikaze?
Kai had always been interested in him, a character who appeared prominently only towards the end of the original story. As a civilian ninja, he competed with the likes of Danzo and Orochimaru to become the Hokage at just over twenty years old.
Though Jiraiya and the Third Hokage undoubtedly supported him, Minato's extraordinary talent was evident!
"If there's nothing else, Hokage-sama, I will take my leave," Kai said, not wishing to engage in further pleasantries with the Third Hokage after receiving his mission.
"Sigh."
Watching Kai leave the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage's eyes held a complex expression, which eventually turned into a long sigh.
...
"Minato Namikaze, aspiring to be Hokage. Please take care of me, Kai."
Looking at the golden-haired, energetic, and smiling Minato before him, it was hard not to feel a sense of goodwill. Like Naruto, Minato always talked about becoming Hokage. Truly, they were father and son.
"Kai Mitarashi, aiming to be the strongest ninja. Please take care of me, Minato-senpai," Kai replied.
Minato laughed heartily, "Kai, no need to be so formal. Just call me Minato."
"Alright, Minato," Kai agreed without hesitation.
"Kai, you're truly a genius. I've been studying the Flying Thunder God Technique for years and only just learned to use it. I can't believe you mastered it before me."
Has he already learned it? Kai was surprised. It seemed the title of the "Yellow Flash" would soon echo throughout the ninja world.
For some reason, Minato suddenly seemed a bit embarrassed, "Um, Kai, there's something I'd like to ask your opinion on."
"What is it?" Kai raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Well, Kai, I feel that the Rasengan you developed suits me perfectly. May I use it?"
Minato looked somewhat embarrassed as he asked the younger Kai.
Since learning about the Rasengan from Kai, Minato realized it was exactly like a technique he had envisioned. He even secretly developed it himself afterward.
However, without Kai's permission, Minato wouldn't use the technique rashly.
Hearing Minato's request, Kai couldn't help but chuckle. Wasn't this like being sold and then helping count the money?
Without Minato, Kai wouldn't have developed the Rasengan. Ultimately, this technique belonged to Minato.
Moreover, Kai noticed that Minato used the word "use" rather than "learn."
It seemed Minato had already mastered the technique but hadn't used it because he hadn't received Kai's permission.
This realization increased Kai's goodwill towards Minato.
"Of course, there's no problem, Minato," Kai replied with a smile.
Upon hearing Kai's approval, Minato's smile grew even brighter, "Thank you, Kai."
"It's nothing. I'm sure the Rasengan will shine brightly in your hands, Minato," Kai said with a smile. Indeed, the Rasengan became one of Minato's signature techniques.
Kai suddenly wondered how Jiraiya would introduce the Rasengan to Naruto in the future.
"Yes, definitely. Kai, the situation in the Land of Lightning is urgent. Let's hurry to join Jiraiya-sensei," Minato urged.
"Alright," Kai nodded.
With both Kai and Minato mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, they were arguably the fastest in all of Konoha—no, in the entire ninja world. However, using the Flying Thunder God Technique for the entire journey would be too extravagant.
Even so, it took them only half a day to reach the battlefield in the Land of Lightning.
Upon entering the camp, Kai immediately sensed a tense and murderous atmosphere. Compared to the Sand ninja, the Cloud ninja were stronger and more battle-hungry. The Konoha ninja stationed in the Land of Lightning had undoubtedly experienced more fierce battles.
"Minato, you're here! That's great; the Cloud ninja are insane," Jiraiya exclaimed with joy upon seeing Minato.
Jiraiya then noticed Kai, "Huh, Kai? What are you doing here? Weren't you helping Tsunade on the battlefield in the Land of Rivers?"
"The situation in the Land of Rivers has been resolved," Kai replied.
"The Sand ninja retreated?" Jiraiya stroked his chin, puzzled, "That's strange. That old lady Chiyo is so aggressive. Why would they retreat?"
Minato chimed in, "Jiraiya-sensei, the Sand Village was completely defeated by us."
"Defeated!? How is that possible?" Jiraiya was baffled, "Did Tsunade become even more violent?" The thought made Jiraiya shiver.
"No, Jiraiya-sensei, I heard that Kai wiped out most of the Sand ninja," Minato explained.
"Him, this kid!?" Jiraiya looked incredulous.
"Yes, Jiraiya-sensei. Kai used a technique beyond forbidden jutsu to almost annihilate the Sand ninja. That's what the Third Hokage told me," Minato said seriously.
Though hard to believe, Jiraiya knew Minato wouldn't joke about such matters. He looked at Kai with a peculiar expression, "Kid, what technique did you use? Why not try it on the Cloud ninja too?"
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