For most of Konoha's younger generation, the belief was simple: even if it cost them everything, they had to protect the village. That conviction ran deep, as if woven into the very air they breathed.
Shane Mountain only smiled faintly, not responding to the idealistic words. Instead, he turned to Ayaka Okita.
"You don't want to be a shinobi anymore?" he asked gently.
Ayaka hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Yes… the front lines are just too cruel."
The horrific image of severed limbs and broken bodies was still vivid in her mind. She was only a recent graduate, with no powerful clan or family backing her. That battlefield had struck a scar into her heart that would not fade easily.
Shane didn't try to persuade her otherwise. This wasn't something anyone could be talked into. To attempt it would only be selfish. Respecting her choice, he let it rest. The group continued in silence the rest of the way back.
When they returned to the village, Ayaka bowed slightly in apology, then turned and walked away, leaving her teammates behind.
Julian Drake, their teacher, sighed softly. Yet, surprisingly, he felt no regret. As their leader, he knew this was the right choice. Throwing fresh graduates into the blood-soaked chaos of war would be nothing short of sending them to their deaths.
His eyes, however, fell on Shane Mountain and Yamada, who still stood with unshaken resolve. Perhaps… they were ready for more.
"Tomorrow morning," Julian said with a calm smile, "meet me at Training Ground Five. I'll teach you two some defensive jutsu. After that, I'll be heading to the front lines against Iwagakure myself."
He was a jōnin, but without clan heritage or political influence. Unlike Jiraiya, he couldn't afford the luxury of years of leave. Duty awaited him.
The moment Yamada heard they would be learning real jutsu, the gloom of losing Ayaka instantly evaporated. His face lit up with excitement.
"Teacher! What kind of jutsu are you going to teach us?" he asked eagerly.
Julian only chuckled. "You'll know tomorrow."
Later, after guiding them to collect their mission rewards, Julian also informed the Hokage of Ayaka's decision to resign as a ninja. Hiruzen Sarutobi barely blinked at the news. Every year, many gave up the shinobi path. It no longer surprised him.
Shane Mountain found himself once again face-to-face with the Hokage. This was only the second time he had met him personally.
The first was at the graduation ceremony, where the old man had stood on stage speaking about the "Will of Fire" for over an hour. Shane had nearly dozed off during the speech. He couldn't help but suspect that his near-nap had gotten him thrown into the so-called "slacker squad."
Otherwise, with his academic performance, he could have easily been placed alongside Minato Namikaze in Jiraiya's team.
"Life really isn't fair…" Shane sighed inwardly.
Back at his home, Shane collapsed into bed, sleeping deeply until late afternoon. He was only roused when Minato came knocking, waking him with a cheerful, if somewhat awkward, grin.
"Ahaha… good afternoon, Shane," Minato greeted nervously. He had rushed through his own mission after hearing Shane had returned, eager to show off both his newly mastered sealing technique and the Rasengan he had finally completed. What he hadn't expected was to find Shane sleeping so soundly.
Shane stared at him with heavy-lidded, resentful eyes, making Minato break into a nervous sweat.
"Well? What's so important?" Shane asked, sighing.
Seeing his friend wasn't angry, Minato relaxed, then his eyes lit up with excitement.
"Come on! Let's go to the training grounds. I want to show you my new jutsu!"
"New jutsu?" Shane raised a brow, intrigued. Jiraiya was still away in Amegakure training Nagato, so where had Minato learned a new technique?
"Just wait," Minato said with confidence. "It's something that'll blow you away!"
Shane smirked. "Then why go to the training grounds? Just show me here."
He doubted Minato could pull off anything too dangerous in the confines of his home. What could it be? Summoning? Surely not.
Minato hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
"Alright. I'll show you."
From his tool pouch, he pulled out a scroll and spread it across the floor. In his palm, chakra spun and gathered, coalescing into a familiar, swirling sphere the Rasengan.
"Oh? You've already mastered the Rasengan? Congratulations." Shane gave a nod of approval.
But Minato wasn't finished. His other hand formed a one-handed seal as he whispered:
"Sealing Technique: Fūjutsu Hōin."
At once, chakra surged across the scroll, wrapping around the Rasengan and drawing it inside. The glowing sphere vanished, replaced by a spiral seal pattern etched onto the parchment.
"A sealing jutsu? One that can store ninjutsu itself?" Shane's eyes widened. He had only been gone a week, and before leaving, Minato hadn't known this technique at all. That meant Minato had learned a brand-new sealing method in just seven days.
And not just any sealing method the kind that required enormous skill and precision.
Minato's shoulders heaved slightly, his body taxed from the effort. Yet his face carried a triumphant smile.
"So? Impressed? I haven't slacked off for even a moment this week."
Shane nodded slowly. Inwardly, he thought: No wonder you end up becoming Hokage. With talent like this and that kind of drive how could anyone else compete?
"Did you learn this with Kushina?" Shane asked suddenly.
Minato froze, blinking in surprise at how quickly Shane had guessed. His shoulders slumped.
"…Yeah. This past week I've been studying sealing arts with Kushina. She has a bloodline that gives her a natural advantage, though it hasn't fully awakened yet. I had to start from the basics. After searching through countless options, I found this sealing technique best suited for me. What do you think? Want to join us? I'm sure Lady Mito wouldn't mind another student."
In front of Minato, the venerable Mito Uzumaki had always been a kind and patient mentor. She treated her juniors with warmth, never with arrogance. If Shane came along, she would certainly welcome him.
Shane thought it over and nodded. He couldn't pass this up. Sealing jutsu was practically broken in power. Even an immortal like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had been defeated by sealing. Learning it under Mito's personal guidance was an opportunity he couldn't waste.
Minato rolled up the scroll, wiping the sweat from his brow. Using both the Rasengan and a high-level sealing jutsu in quick succession had nearly drained his chakra.
By now, dusk had fallen. The two young men left Shane's house, walking toward Kushina's residence together.
Her home wasn't far, a stately compound with a large courtyard. But tonight, the estate was eerily silent. The usual bustle of servants was gone. The brightly lit halls were shrouded in unnatural stillness.
Shane's instincts flared instantly. He masked his chakra, lowering his presence to that of an ordinary chūnin.
"Something's wrong," he muttered.
Minato landed on the rooftop in a single leap. His eyes narrowed as he picked up a few strands of long, crimson hair caught on the eaves.
"Kushina…"
For the first time, the usually calm and gentle Minato radiated a cold, murderous killing intent.
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