Chapter 45: The Origin of Rasengan
The sterile corridors of Konoha Hospital echoed with the hurried footsteps of medical ninja as Ren approached, his new Meditation technique already extending his awareness. Thirty-seven chakra signatures flickered in his perception—most weak and flickering like distant candles, but two burned brighter: one contained and familiar, the other turbulent. He paused outside the entrance, letting the information wash over him while the voices of the dead filled his mind.
[System Notification: Live Stream Active]
[Viewers: 89 Pure Land Residents]
[Current Donation Pool: 291 viewer points]
[VIP Highlight: Uchiha Mikoto (VIP2) - "Is my Sasuke alright?"]
In the Pure Land, tensions had reached a new peak. Tobirama Senju's chiseled features were set in a frown as he watched Minato Namikaze's latest donation through the ethereal screen. The Second Hokage's trademark red armor seemed to glow with his irritation.
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): Fourth, you give away your signature perception technique so casually, yet you were quick to distribute my forbidden techniques when Ren threatened to burn the scroll. Explain this hypocrisy.
Minato Namikaze (VIP1): His ethereal form smiled gently. Ren needed sensory techniques to control his reflexes after the Sakura incident. Meditation was what I had to offer. What else could I have given?
Tobirama's eyebrow twitched.
Tobirama Senju: What about the Flying Thunder God Technique you previously donated? My life's work, handed over like festival sweets!
Minato rubbed the back of his neck—a habit that persisted even in death.
Minato Namikaze: That was... circumstance. He needed to protect Naruto, and the technique serves that purpose. Besides, you've seen how he uses it—creatively, if not traditionally.
Tobirama Senju: Leaned forward, his administrative privileges causing the stream to flicker slightly. Let me ask you directly, Fourth: besides perfecting my techniques, have you ever created anything truly original?
In the corner of the stream, Kushina Uzumaki floated into view, her crimson hair spreading like a phantom flame.
Kushina Uzumaki (VIP1): Hey! Don't talk to Minato like that! He's more original than your grumpy, water-logged—
Minato Namikaze: Held up a calming hand, still smiling. Actually, Second Hokage, I did develop one original technique. Based on the principles of tailed beast balls, but designed for human use. An A-rank ninjutsu that requires no hand seals.
The chat scrolled paused. Even Tobirama looked intrigued.
Tobirama Senju: No-seal ninjutsu? That's... genuinely impressive. Logistics alone would be complex. Explain.
Minato Namikaze: It's called the Rasengan. By spinning chakra in multiple directions simultaneously and containing it within a spherical form, it creates devastating rotational force. I designed it to complement the Flying Thunder God—instant positioning followed by immediate, seal-less attack.
Hashirama Senju (Regular Viewer): Materialized beside his brother, wearing that perpetually earnest expression. Tobirama! You're actually admitting someone improved on your work? The world must be ending!
Tobirama Senju: Ignored his brother. The tactical application is sound. When Ren used it against Mizuki combined with Flying Thunder God, the synergy was evident. Tell me the training method. If I'm ever reincarnated again, it could be useful.
Uchiha Izuna (Regular Viewer): Scoffed from his corner of the afterlife. Still planning for battles even in death? Some things never change.
Tobirama Senju: The Soul Arena exists for a reason. Now, Fourth—the methodology.
Minato's expression grew slightly nostalgic.
Minato Namikaze: The training has three stages. First, rotating chakra in a single direction until you can manifest a visible orb of energy. Second, adding complexity with multiple directional rotations. Third, compression and containment. It requires... considerable chakra control and persistent practice.
As Minato described the hand motions—the constant rotation, the building of momentum—Tobirama's eyes narrowed. A memory surfaced: peering through the live stream weeks earlier when Minato and Kushina had their romantic reunion in the Soul Arena. The specific movements...
Tobirama Senju: His voice dripped with sudden understanding. Fourth Hokage. The "hand speed" you emphasize. The... continuous rotational motion. Now I comprehend the true inspiration behind this technique.
Minato Namikaze: Blinked innocently. The inspiration came from observing the Eight-Tails' tailed beast ball, of course.
Kushina Uzumaki: Turned a shade of red that matched her hair. MINATO!
Tobirama Senju: A rare, dry smirk appeared. I recall a certain stream where your hands were moving with similar... dedication. The "Yellow Flash" indeed. Impressive that you translated that... vigor into combat application.
Hashirama Senju: Wait, what are you both—oh. OH. His face paled. Tobirama, that's inappropriate!
Uchiha Madara (VIP1): Loomed into view, his eternal mangekyō swirling even in death. I've deciphered the subtext. How... pedestrian. Still, a no-seal technique of that caliber is tactically sound. I'll grant you that, Fourth.
Third Raikage (VIP2): I only grasp the combat implications. The rest is irrelevant to a warrior.
Hyuga Hizashi (VIP1): Sighed. The conversations between you elite shinobi are... layered.
Ren, standing outside the hospital, fought to keep his expression neutral as the stream played in his mind. The sheer absurdity of two Hokages discussing Rasengan's "inspiration" while he was about to face hospital authorities almost made him laugh aloud.
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): Focus. Hospital first, dead Hokage humor later.
He pushed through the double doors, the Medicinal scent intensifying. The reception area was chaotic—two chūnin were arguing with a harried-looking medic, while orderlies wheeled a gurney toward the emergency wing. On it lay Sakura Haruno, still unconscious, her pink hair fanned out against the white sheets.
[New Donation Offer: Medical Ninjutsu Fundamentals]
[From: Rin Nohara]
[Requirement: Ensure Sakura receives proper care]
[Accept? Y/N]
Ren mentally accepted. Basic medical knowledge flooded his mind—anatomy, chakra pathways for healing, diagnostic techniques. Useful.
He approached the front desk where a middle-aged medic-nin with tired eyes looked up.
"Name and purpose?" she asked mechanically, already turning to her paperwork.
"Ren Arakawa. Here to see Uchiha Sasuke. Also... to check on Haruno Sakura's condition."
The medic-nin's eyes snapped up, recognition dawning. "You're the one who—"
"An accident during sparring," Ren said smoothly, layering just enough remorse in his voice. "I came to apologize and cover any medical expenses."
The blatant lie seemed to placate her somewhat. "Sakura is in room 304. Mild concussion, some bruising. She'll be fine by tomorrow. Uchiha Sasuke is in 312. But there are visitors already—"
At that moment, the door to room 312 swung open, and Kakashi Hatake stepped out, his single visible eye curving into that familiar smile. Behind him, Naruto's loud voice carried into the hallway.
"—and then I said, believe it! And Iruka-sensei actually passed me! Hey, is that Ren?"
Naruto barreled out of the room, his orange jumpsuit a shock of color in the sterile environment. "Ren! You came to see us too? Sakura-chan's here somewhere, she got hurt, and Sasuke's being all grumpy, and guess what? We're on a team together! Team 7 with Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi's eye drifted from Naruto to Ren, assessing. "Ren Arakawa. The academy record-breaker. I hear you're not assigned to a genin team."
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): Through the stream. That's Hatake Sakumo's boy. Sharp. Be careful what you reveal.
Ren offered a slight bow. "Kakashi-san. Correct—I have special assignments from the Hokage. But I wanted to check on my classmates."
From within room 312, a cold voice cut through the air. "Leave."
Sasuke stood in the doorway, his arm in a sling, bruises coloring his face from their academy battle. His dark eyes burned with something more complex than hatred—there was calculation there now.
Uchiha Mikoto (VIP2): Sasuke... he looks so tired. Ren, please...
Uchiha Fugaku (VIP1): Assess his mental state. The Uchiha do not show weakness, but he is my last living son.
Ren met Sasuke's gaze evenly. "I came to apologize for our spar going too far. And to inform you that when you're ready for a rematch, I'll be available."
The offer hung in the air—not condescension, but respect between combatants. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but he gave a single curt nod before retreating into his room.
Minato Namikaze (VIP1): Good approach. Acknowledges the conflict without backing down.
Kakashi: Tilted his head. Interesting. Well, we have team introductions to finish. Ren, if you'll excuse us. Naruto, back inside.
Naruto grinned. "See you later, Ren! We're gonna be awesome ninja, believe it!"
As Kakashi herded Naruto back into the room, Ren felt the subtle pressure of being watched. He glanced down the hallway to see a figure leaning against the wall—tall, bandages covering one eye and arm, his presence like oil on water.
Danzo Shimura.
[System Alert: High Threat Detected]
[Chakra Signature: Danzo Shimura - Root Commander]
[Recommended Action: Disengage]
Danzo's single visible eye held Ren's for a moment too long before the man pushed off the wall and disappeared around the corner without a word.
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): That man reeks of darkness. My brother's idealism bred many such shadows.
Hashirama Senju: Danzo... he was always so serious, even as a boy. But something curdled in him.
Ren pushed aside the unease and walked to room 304. Through the window, he saw Sakura sleeping peacefully, monitors displaying steady vital signs. Good. He hadn't meant to hurt her that badly—just a reflexive throw fueled by combat instincts and Tobirama's battle experience.
He placed a hand on the doorframe, letting his new Meditation technique assess her condition. Stable chakra flow, no internal bleeding, brain activity normal. She would recover fully.
Rin Nohara (Regular Viewer): Her donation pulsed warmly in Ren's mind. Thank you for checking. She's just a girl with a crush, not an enemy.
Ren turned to leave when a system notification flashed.
[New Mission: Anbu Internship - Protect Uzumaki Naruto]
[Duration: Until further notice]
[Reward: Access to Anbu training facilities, monthly stipend]
[Note: This mission supersedes genin team assignments]
So it was official. He was Naruto's shadow protector, answerable directly to the Hokage. Or perhaps to whoever else might give orders within Konoha's tangled power structure.
As he walked back through the hospital corridors, Ren felt the weight of watching eyes—both living and dead. Minato and Kushina observing their son's first team assignment. Tobirama analyzing every political move. The Uchiha parents watching over their last heir. And somewhere in the pure darkness between realms, Black Zetsu plotting, unaware that an entire audience of history's dead knew his schemes.
He stepped out into the Konoha afternoon, the sun warming his face. The live stream chat continued in his mind—now debating the merits of various medical ninjutsu techniques, with Rin Nohara arguing passionately with a long-dead medic from the Warring States period.
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): Hospital visit complete. Sakura recovering, Sasuke hostile but stable, Naruto excited for team assignments, Danzo watching, and the dead still bickering about Rasengan's origins. Just another day in Konoha.
He began walking toward the Hokage Tower to report on his "internship" acceptance, already planning how to leverage his unique position between the living world and the Pure Land's watchful eyes.
Somewhere in the afterlife, Tobirama Senju watched Ren's retreating back through the stream, his analytical mind already piecing together patterns, strategies, and the unsettling truth that this brash, shameless boy might just be the most dangerous variable Konoha had ever produced.
And for the first time since his death, the Second Hokage allowed himself a faint, genuine smile.