After lunch concluded, the atmosphere shifted as Tsunade announced her plans to begin Minato's cultivation training immediately. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Jiraiya and Orochimaru excused themselves and departed together. In the world of a ninja, cultivation is a deeply personal process tied directly to one's unique intelligence and survival strategies. Because of this, interfering with or observing another person's private training is considered an extreme breach of etiquette unless the bond between them is incredibly close. Even young Nawaki, who was only seven years old, understood the unspoken rules of their society. After offering a polite greeting to Tsunade following their meal, he hurried off to find his friends and play, leaving the teacher and student alone.
Tsunade led Minato back to the residence, where she began rummaging through storage. She eventually emerged pulling several massive scrolls, each as thick as a tree trunk, and piled them in front of the boy as if she were stocking up on supplies for a grand New Year festival. The sheer volume of the material was staggering. Minato looked up at the stack of scrolls, which stood quite a bit taller than his own small frame, and felt a slight twitch in his eye. He kept his expression neutral, hiding the calculating thoughts racing through his mind behind a mask of innocent wonder.
Are all of these Wood Release Ninjutsu? Minato asked, his voice soft and respectful.
Tsunade looked down at him, her sharp eyes carrying a subtle hint of a test. No, it is more accurate to call them the legacy techniques of the Senju Clan. It is not just Wood Release. I remember you mentioned that you already tested your chakra nature, so I assume you have some basic understanding of certain chakra characteristics?
Minato took a moment to reflect, making sure his answer sounded like that of a bright student rather than a cold strategist. If we are discussing characteristics, I know that chakra possesses uniqueness, heritability, and sociality. Uniqueness means every person has a different chakra signature. Heritability refers to bloodline inheritance, where children usually receive the chakra natures of their parents. Sociality means the nature of chakra can vary based on regional, social, or environmental factors.
Tsunade nodded, clearly satisfied with his solid theoretical foundation. That is correct. Because chakra is heritable, the Senju Clan mostly possesses the attributes of Water and Earth. As for Wood Release, how much do you actually know about Bloodline Limits?
Minato shook his head slowly, maintaining his facade of limited knowledge. Not much, honestly. I only know it was the power used by the First Hokage. I learned about basic chakra from the scrolls my father left behind, but there was nothing in there about Bloodline Limits.
Listen closely, Tsunade said, holding up two fingers to emphasize her point. Chakra is energy refined from a $1$ to $1$ mix of physical and spiritual energy. Ninjutsu is the effect produced after chakra undergoes changes through hand seals. Generally, there are two types of changes: Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation. Cultivating Shape Transformation improves your control, while Nature Transformation enhances the power of specific elements. A Bloodline Limit is a power derived from the fusion of two different types of nature transformation. For example, your Wood Release is a specific mixture of Water and Earth.
Minato raised his hand like a diligent pupil. Does that mean I already master two types of nature transformation?
Yes, but it is not that simple, Tsunade replied with a small smile. The true difficulty lies in performing two types of nature transformation at the same time and fusing them together. Imagine holding Water in your left hand and Earth in your right. For those born with a Bloodline Limit, this is a biological instinct, but they still need to cultivate each nature. In fact, because it is a mixture, they actually have more work to do than an ordinary ninja. She seemed worried about discouraging him, so she quickly added that Bloodline Limits are far stronger than single attributes and that most Jonin must master at least two natures anyway.
Minato looked thoughtful as he processed the information, his mind already jumping toward more dangerous possibilities. If someone with a Bloodline Limit can release two natures at once, can I use that as a base to create even more types of Bloodline Limits?
Tsunade chuckled and patted the scrolls. Theoretically, it is possible, but you should focus on mastering one nature first. Among these scrolls, the white ones contain methods for Shape and Nature Transformation. Yellow is for Earth, blue is for Water, and green is for Wood. These are for your future, but we will start with the basics.
Minato tilted his head slightly. You mean the cultivation of Shape and Nature Transformation?
I mean chakra control! Tsunade rolled her eyes, her tone becoming more animated. Usually, Shape Transformation comes before Nature Transformation, but that is typically Chunin-level work. For you right now... She suddenly leaped into the air, performed a graceful flip, and landed upside down on the ceiling. Her smile was filled with pride as she looked down at him. This is your next goal. Do not think that just because you learned the Shadow Clone technique that you are finished with the basics.
Minato looked up at her, his expression calm. Actually, I have already learned how to walk on water.
The proud smile on Tsunade's face froze instantly. You already learned it?
Yes, Minato replied with a polite nod. It was in the scrolls my father left. It did not seem very difficult.
Tsunade jumped down from the ceiling in silence, her pride taking a visible hit. Well, chakra control is important. How long did it take you to master that specific exercise?
About ten minutes, Minato said.
Tsunade let out a sharp sound, halfway between a laugh and a sigh of pure frustration. Creatures like geniuses are truly unreasonable. She had taken ten minutes herself, but she had been a graduate of the academy at the time, while Minato had not even enrolled yet. In that case, we will move on to Shape Transformation. It is an extension of control, so there aren't many specific drills. You can increase proficiency internally by refining chakra and controlling its flow, or externally by attaching it to your skin and creating different forms.
Minato watched her silently. He could sense that Tsunade was starting to slack off, and he was right. She was indeed losing her momentum because she suddenly realized that, aside from actual combat experience, she was running out of things to teach him. He already knew the advanced control exercises like climbing trees and walking on water. Because of his bloodline, he already had the foundation for multiple nature transformations that most Jonin struggled to master. Based on his learning speed, his Shape Transformation would likely reach a high level very quickly.
This realization was terrifying to her. Many Jonin in the village had not even mastered a second chakra nature. Once Minato finished these basic cultivations, his raw strength and technical skill would already be approaching her own level. If she were thirty and he were fifteen, she would be happy for her student. But she was only nineteen, and he was only five. As she looked at the boy standing there so politely, her psychological defenses began to crumble under the weight of his talent.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion