Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Chapter 96: The Hokage's Sparring Match with a Flying Thunder God Technique User; Asuma Becomes a Daddy-Bragging Expert

Leaf.

Inside a small training ground near the Hokage's residence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze stood facing each other, warming up together in preparation for their next training session.

The Hokage is a man of action—

After finishing his work, he immediately called over Minato Namikaze, who wasn't on a mission, to train together.

Familiarize yourself with the fighting style of the Flying Thunder God Technique user.

Minato Namikaze was naturally more than happy to oblige.

Putting aside the fact that he was able to get close to the Hokage and his master.

Now, he is famous for his Flying Thunder God Technique, and more and more ninjas want to get to know him.

However, it was very difficult to find someone of Minato Namikaze's generation who could suppress him and conduct high-pressure training.

Some of the older generation of ninjas were unfamiliar with the sport, while others were too busy to spar with him.

For example, Sakumo Hatake would be an excellent candidate to spar with Minato Namikaze.

When the high-pressure work in the shadows is over and Sakumo Hatake is on his day off, he naturally wants to spend time with Kakashi and do some relaxing tasks to unwind.

disturbing you once in a while is already the limit.

Apart from Sakumo Hatake.

Minato Namikaze's unique fighting style, centered on the Flying Thunder God Technique and supported by sealing techniques and taijutsu, rendered sparring with him meaningless for many renowned Jonin.

The complex strategies employed in ordinary ninja battles are condensed into a single point by Minato Namikaze's system.

How can we not let the Flying Thunder God Kunai fly over?

This makes sparring lose much of its meaning.

What Minato Namikaze urgently needs to improve now is his follow-up actions after he teleports away, once the enemy can handle it, and further improve his physical skills and reaction speed.

And coincidentally, this is exactly what Hiruzen Sarutobi needs.

In today's Konoha, if we're talking about unrestrained sparring, Hiruzen Sarutobi is currently the best...

It's also not easy to find an opponent who can allow him to fully demonstrate his abilities.

It's not that I look down on my old partner Danzo.

Instead, he engaged in a ninjutsu duel with his old friend, which was rather tedious and boring, and he couldn't put any pressure on Hiruzen Sarutobi until he came up with something new.

Therefore, the Hokage decided to conduct modular, specialized training.

For melee combat and reaction speed, practice with Sakumo Hatake and Minato Namikaze.

In terms of ninjutsu clashes, it's perfect for torturing Jiraiya.

Aside from Wind Release, his disciple was also quite accomplished in the Five Elements Ninjutsu, inheriting part of his mantle.

When it's time to further hone the Lightning Release chakra mode to activate the body's latent talents, then it won't be too late to seek out Shimura Danzo, the Wind Release master.

Anyway, as long as Hiruzen Sarutobi asks him if he wants to spar—

Danzo would always reluctantly agree, as if not agreeing would be admitting defeat, which was quite amusing.

"How's your Lightning Release Chakra Mode training going?" Lightning bolts erupted from Hiruzen Sarutobi's body.

"I guess I'm just starting out, Grandmaster—" Minato Namikaze, his body also crackling with lightning, curled up the corners of his mouth.

Although they are the most upright and loyal elder and the youngest in Konoha.

But if outsiders saw the training scene, they would think they had come to the Hidden Cloud Village!

Looking at the lightning on Hiruzen Sarutobi's body, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but feel admiration.

His perception is also extremely strong.

Or rather, this is one of the prerequisites for becoming a user of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Otherwise, the Flying Thunder God Technique wouldn't have remained untapped for so many years.

The requirements are indeed too many—

However, this was within Minato Namikaze's perception.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lightning armor was even more solid than the one he had sensed during his morning training.

Even the sensation of chakra in Minato's mind was changing.

A ninja with extraordinary perception can sense images from chakra; some are warm, others are cold.

The feeling that Hiruzen Sarutobi's chakra gave Minato Namikaze was also changing.

It doesn't seem as heavy as it used to be.

But upon closer inspection, it seemed to have transformed into a deep lake, its surface calm but its depths profound, unfathomable at first glance.

"Grandmaster, have you made further progress?" Minato Namikaze couldn't help but ask.

No matter how composed Minato Namikaze is, he is still a young man.

He was genuinely curious!

It's one thing for someone like him to make progress every day during his developmental stage, but is it possible that his master was the same?

For ninjas, the idea that they become more monstrous with age is illogical.

"How could that be?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle, "At my age, it's already quite an achievement to maintain my current condition; I'm practically past my prime—"

"The future belongs to young people like you, Minato."

Minato Namikaze looked somewhat strange, as if he had something to say.

He had said something similar just a few days ago to Obito, Kakashi, Asuma, and other elite members of the Ninja Academy.

Therefore, Minato Namikaze knows better than anyone what kind of mentality someone who says such things is!

The main purpose is to offer comfort.

Minato Namikaze couldn't help but wonder, could this be the way the "Sun of Konoha" restrained his "little sun"?

A master —

No, it's that I can't break through my master's moves!

Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully examined Minato's chakra mode and commented, "This is the activation of your physical body through your primary Lightning Release technique, right? That's good. Releasing Lightning Release chakra externally would interfere with the flow of chakra—"

"If you're not very proficient, it will interfere with the release of other ninjutsu."

"This is especially true for precise ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique."

Minato nodded repeatedly: "That's right, Grandmaster! My idea is to first improve basic physical fitness, and then perfect the Lightning Release Armor when I encounter a bottleneck."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "Come on, Minato, give me a full-force attack—"

Minato Namikaze immediately mobilized his chakra and swung his Flying Thunder God Technique to slash through the air!

Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted, having roughly figured it out in his mind.

Minato's taijutsu was quite powerful; against most ninjas' bodies, his slashes were enough to kill them in one blow.

However, for some monsters, there is naturally a lack of means to break through their defenses.

However, he is still a young boy. He should first solidify his foundation and master the Flying Thunder God Technique before trying to solve the problem of becoming a well-rounded warrior.

With him as Hokage, Minato still has time to develop—

"You seem to lack life-or-death battles, fights that put you under pressure, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed and said, "Geniuses always encounter this problem."

Minato Namikaze scratched his head and nodded sheepishly: "It might sound arrogant to say that, but it's true that it's rare to be able to unleash many slashes at once and push myself to my limit—"

"Come on, give me your all."

"Treat me as the enemy you are to kill. Every strike and every movement must be executed with all your might. And if you are distracted, I will show no mercy, Minato."

"You may have heard Jiraiya say that I'm generally quite conservative when it comes to training my disciples, but that was in the past."

"Now I think that in order to reduce the bloodshed you shed on the battlefield, we should be even stricter."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, and his Lightning Release chakra exploded with a deafening roar!

His ever-growing body was instantly activated, and his lightning armor became extremely thick.

Minato Namikaze's expression turned solemn. He took several steps back, bowed, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master! Minato will do everything in his power to ensure that your efforts are not in vain—"

The opportunity to actually fight the Hokage is extremely rare in the entire ninja world.

And at this moment.

Asma, who was feeling down, happened to pass by the training ground, and his attention was immediately drawn to it.

Interestingly, the first thing he noticed wasn't his father.

Instead, it was that blond monster that always appeared in his dreams!

A great demon king who wears a gentle smile and speaks humbly, but is extremely ruthless in his actions!

Those brothers from the "Fifty Green Dragon Gang"—

In an instant, they were knocked down by a lipstick and were reorganized on the spot into the "Azure Dragon Study Group"!

He used to be known as the "gang leader" at the ninja academy, but now his new nickname is "group leader".

They're nowhere near as impressive!

As a result, Asuma and the elite members of the Ninja Academy developed a deep sense of awe for the outside world.

Although the parents comforted them, saying, "They've already done a great job, they're our pride—"

The problem is that when Asuma and the others found Minato Namikaze to confirm, they all received the same answer.

"I am indeed of average appearance, but you are really amazing. Keep practicing and you will surpass me."

The more Minato Namikaze said this, the more the students at the Ninja Academy felt that perhaps all the ninjas outside were like him—

Kakashi added insult to injury, saying that he and Guy's father were usually the type to keep their true abilities hidden.

So, if one day I leave the Ninja Academy—

The torrential rain outside might drown them in an instant!

There are probably other elite ninjas like blond-haired ninjas in other hidden villages, right? Maybe more than one—

As a result, with encouragement from their parents and a sense of crisis in their minds, the students of the Ninja Academy developed an increasingly strong atmosphere of unity and serious training, drawing them together into a close-knit whole.

I'm so afraid of letting down the parents who have been so tolerant of them.

Because Sakumo Hatake forcibly set a training schedule for them, fearing that they would overwork themselves and affect their development, which would be counterproductive.

It received praise and support from parents.

But to the students at the ninja academy, this was the boundless and tolerant love their parents showed to them, despite their ordinariness—

This perception is largely due to Kakashi's cunning and instigating tactics.

"Father, please be careful!"

Asuma saw Hiruzen Sarutobi and shouted, "This guy is really strong!"

Asuma's shout caused even the usually composed Minato Namikaze to lose his composure and display an exaggerated facial expression.

Minato finally understood what it meant to be a low-level fan equal to a high-level hater!

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily; he had naturally noticed the little bean sprout long ago.

"Alright, I'll be careful. Minato is indeed terrifyingly strong, like a monster—" Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, his aura growing increasingly imposing.

Minato Namikaze, who was described in this way, couldn't help but break out in a sweat.

The grandmaster was far more skilled at using his usual humble approach to business than he was!

Minato Namikaze secretly memorized this line.

"Here I come, Grandmaster!"

Minato Namikaze shouted, and the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand scattered like a rain of pear blossoms, landing in various places in the training ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved; naturally, he had no need to stop Minato from spreading the kunai.

Otherwise, the exercise would be meaningless.

A flash of golden light, and Minato Namikaze suddenly appeared behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, raising his Flying Thunder God Kunai high!

Since Master said he would go all out, then Minato will do just that.

Holding back in front of the Hokage is far too arrogant.

In the blink of an eye, while Minato Namikaze was momentarily frozen in place due to teleportation, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already turned around and reacted, looking at him with a smile.

But his hands moved just as quickly, and he punched him in the shoulder!

Minato Namikaze's eyes widened slightly, and he immediately chose to teleport, but he still took half a punch—

Hiruzen Sarutobi clapped his hands together, and a large amount of viscous water instantly covered the entire training ground, submerging the Flying Thunder God kunai.

The next instant, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaped high into the air and instantly appeared above Minato Namikaze's head.

A powerful single-leg chop!

"So fast, how can Master's speed be so fast—" Minato Namikaze's gaze darkened, and he could only choose to teleport within the Flying Thunder God kunai that was bound by Water Release.

With the interference of chakra, sensing the Flying Thunder God kunai also becomes difficult.

But it is under this kind of pressure that cultivation becomes meaningful!

Minato Namikaze endured the pain in his shoulder and moved over!

A hint of admiration flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes as he delivered a powerful kick.

In an instant, a piece of the earth was forcibly carved open, and thunder roared!

Asuma, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded.

Is this still that terrifying blondie? How come he's been beaten like a groundhog by his dad?

Although he had seen Hiruzen Sarutobi fight Orochimaru, he never expected this to be a completely different scene.

How could Dad react to that golden light spell?

"Minato, continue!" Lightning flashed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes darted around as he gathered information.

Capturing the location of a teleportation is something that requires complete concentration for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After all, he wasn't good at this before, but fortunately he has the potential to keep improving.

One after another, bolts of lightning flashed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have transformed into streaks of lightning.

And on the scene, golden light also shimmered.

Asuma, standing to the side, couldn't keep up with the two of them at all and could only stare in disbelief.

this--

Is this what a battle between adults looks like?

Minato Namikaze was highly tense amidst the repeated bombardments, completely absorbed in the training, his nose unconsciously covered in sweat.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also took it seriously. He wasn't there to show off, but to improve!

Interestingly.

As Minato Namikaze gradually adapted to the Flying Thunder God Mark being disrupted by Water Release, he was shocked to discover something.

Hiruzen Sarutobi realized that his teleportation speed was also increasing!

"Was it that my master was holding back to accommodate me, or was he also constantly adapting?" Minato Namikaze felt the Hokage's authority more and more.

The two were like two race cars accelerating in a race, each pressing the accelerator called "talent" to continuously increase their speed.

Unbeknownst to him, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already withdrawn his Water Release technique, which helped him increase his teleportation speed.

"Practice your slashing techniques, Minato!"

Minato Namikaze nodded knowingly; his chakra was nearing depletion due to the intense and continuous shifting of his power.

The Flying Thunder God Kunai collided with Hiruzen Sarutobi's forearm!

The sharp tip of the trident shattered with a crash, and Minato Namikaze's expression darkened.

"If I take another half a punch from my master, I'll be knocked down!"

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not continue the pursuit.

The Hokage isn't so bored as to want to settle a score with a teenager.

With a flick of his toe, a Flying Thunder God kunai flew to Minato's front.

Minato understood perfectly and caught the attack, continuing the close-quarters combat without pause.

"When executing a slash, you must observe the enemy's weaknesses and concentrate your chakra in one place!"

"Conserve your strength, not your speed; leave room for maneuver."

"Faster, you can do it, Minato, faster!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted.

After about fifteen minutes, the cultivation finally stopped.

Minato Namikaze was so exhausted that he was supporting himself on his knees with both hands, panting heavily, but his eyes were shining.

Under pressure, he pushed himself beyond his usual limits!

Hiruzen Sarutobi cast an admiring glance at Minato—

He is indeed an absolute genius.

This is just a boy around sixteen years old, yet his reaction speed and dynamic vision are so good that he can spar with his enhanced self, which is enough to show how terrifying his talent is.

To be fair, if Hiruzen Sarutobi were in his initial state, and Minato Namikaze had only grown a few more years—

They certainly wouldn't be able to react to his Flying Thunder God technique—

"I've benefited greatly—it's wonderful to see young people like you, and so many outstanding young people coming out of the market!"

"I was filled with nervousness, afraid that one day I would be left behind!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked over and used his palm technique to cover Minato's shoulder, which he had just struck, while showering him with compliments.

"Grandmaster, your talent—seeing you, I don't even want to be called a genius anymore—" Minato Namikaze shook his head awkwardly.

"You can't say that, Minato."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head: "After all, I've trained for thirty years longer than you, so it's unfair to compare us like this. Your progress and growth will definitely be faster than mine—"

"When you have another realization, come to me. I really enjoy interacting with young people like you."

The process of honing one's skills also follows the principle of alternating tension and relaxation, requiring time for digestion and consolidation.

Minato Namikaze nodded with some skepticism.

Therefore, a question similar to Asma's arose in his mind.

Are the other "Shadows," or rather, the masters in other villages, all like Hiruzen Sarutobi?

That's absolutely terrifying!

Asma, standing to the side, was completely stunned.

At this moment, all he wanted to do was cheer loudly for his father, and then go back to the ninja academy to tell his friends—

It turns out, the blond monster wasn't invincible after all!

#

A month later.

Danzo returned to Konoha, travel-worn and weary.

He has fully integrated the information about Kusagakure!

P.S.: Still three chapters and 12,000 words today. Please vote with monthly tickets!