Minato Namikaze's teaching style was meticulous—and unforgiving.
Far more so than Hikaru had anticipated.
To the point where Hikaru gradually realized something unsettling: Minato wasn't teaching him like a collaborator or an exchange partner at all.
He was teaching him like a true disciple.
"Since when did this turn into that kind of situation…?"
Hikaru was genuinely bewildered.
He had expected Minato to teach seriously—after all, he had handed over a great deal of sensitive intelligence, and even if Minato needed to personally verify it, proper instruction was a reasonable exchange.
But this… this went far beyond that.
There was no holding back. No reservation.
From the most basic foundations of fuinjutsu onward, Minato explained everything in painstaking detail. During breaks, he would even casually share his own insights into the Flying Thunder God Technique, speaking as though he were passing on accumulated experience rather than guarded secrets.
It felt disturbingly close to imparting everything he knew.
The phrase itself made Hikaru cringe—too many bad connotations from his previous life—but it fit the situation uncomfortably well.
And the results were undeniable.
Even though Hikaru's progress in practical sealing was still… painful to look at, he could clearly feel that he was approaching the threshold of completing his first true seal.
"Hard to say when, though. Maybe a month… maybe longer."
Hikaru reflected calmly.
With his "cheat," once he successfully completed a technique, it would effectively mean full mastery at that stage.
But that first successful execution was still the key.
He had tried.
Once, in fact.
Unfortunately, the seal had collapsed midway for a variety of reasons.
"Hikaru's practical fuinjutsu performance… is still rather disappointing."
And regrettably, there was no kindly landlord lady to magically smooth things over.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Though Hikaru's practical sealing remained unsatisfactory, his theoretical foundation had expanded dramatically. Combined with Minato's direct instruction, even the Flying Thunder God—something he had barely touched—now felt far more comprehensible.
It could be said that everything was ready.
All that was missing… was the right wind.
"And over these three days, Minato's attitude toward me has also changed."
Hikaru was keenly observant, and his sensory abilities only sharpened that edge.
Even the subtlest shift in Minato's demeanor did not escape him.
Hikaru suspected Minato had already confirmed some of the intelligence he had provided, through his own channels.
Which parts had been verified didn't really matter.
Any confirmation worked in Hikaru's favor.
Even if there were inaccuracies, they were well within acceptable bounds—he had never claimed his intelligence was flawless.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Minato smiled at Hikaru.
"That will be all for now, Hikaru. Our instruction will have to stop here for the time being."
Hikaru needed to return to ANBU duty, and Minato could not disappear indefinitely.
But in truth, Minato's impression of Hikaru had changed significantly over these three days.
First—he had verified parts of the intelligence.
What he uncovered was… unsettling.
Yet it also gave Minato a far clearer understanding of his own position within Konoha.
Even if everything had not been fully confirmed, Hikaru had already proven his value.
And Minato knew now—he needed this young man.
Second—Minato had developed genuine appreciation for Hikaru's talent.
Hikaru's theoretical understanding of fuinjutsu was exceptionally solid. It was obvious he had spent a great deal of time studying in private.
Failing to complete a seal at this stage was not a flaw—it was normal.
Fuinjutsu was far more complex than ordinary ninjutsu.
Minato still vividly remembered his own experience learning sealing techniques. Even under Kushina's personal guidance, it had taken him a full month to complete his first seal.
Compared to that, Hikaru's pace was more than acceptable.
And if Hikaru truly mastered the Flying Thunder God…
From Konoha's perspective—setting aside all personal interests—that would be an unquestionable gain.
The village was weak right now.
And Minato was willing to teach talent when he saw it.
"Thank you for your instruction, Hokage-sama."
Hikaru smiled sincerely and bowed deeply.
"Without your guidance, I wouldn't have progressed this quickly. I truly appreciate it."
"There's no need," Minato replied gently, placing a hand on Hikaru's shoulder.
"You're a shinobi of Konoha, after all."
After a brief pause, he added quietly:
"If—if there is an opportunity—I would be willing to become your teacher."
Hikaru understood immediately.
"Thank you for the honor, Hokage-sama," he replied softly.
"If that opportunity comes, I would gladly call you 'Sensei.'"
If.
Which meant—not yet.
Minato still lacked complete certainty about Hikaru's intentions.
And Hikaru himself was not yet ready to bind his fate entirely to Minato's path.
The timing was uncertain.
Perhaps soon.
Perhaps never.
"Before you go," Minato said, "I'll give you one more thing."
He walked over to a nearby tree and pressed his palm against its trunk.
Chakra surged.
The next instant, a Flying Thunder God formula appeared on the bark.
It was incomplete—an unpersonalized, foundational version of the seal.
But Hikaru's eyes lit up instantly.
Minato wasn't showing him the technique.
He was showing him the sealing structure.
"This is the most basic Flying Thunder God formula," Minato explained with a smile.
"Study how it's constructed. I believe it will be very useful to you."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Hikaru's smile was bright and genuine this time.
This was extremely useful.
"Then I'll take my leave," Minato said.
"We'll meet again the next time you're off duty."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
With that, Minato vanished—quietly, cleanly—like he had never been there at all.
"Flying Thunder God…"
Hikaru stared at the empty space, unable to deny his envy.
But he was patient.
"The future is promising, at least."
Stretching lazily, he leaned back against the tree, finally allowing himself to rest after a full day of intense training.
And then—
Something stirred in his mind.
Detected: Special-Attribute Plant
Analyzing…
Analysis Complete
Result: Sealing-Type Seed (Basic)
"..."
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