Chapter 76: The Fourth's Techniques
The Third Hokage didn't speak at once; he simply took a long, deep pull on his pipe.
Hazy smoke slowly curled between the two of them.
After a long while he drew out a slightly worn scroll from within his robe; its edges yellowed with age, yet it remained perfectly intact.
"Naruto."
The Third Hokage's voice carried a trace of emotion as he solemnly placed the scroll into Naruto's hands.
Uzumaki Secret Arts – Duplicate Copy
"This is the secret training method passed down through the Uzumaki Clan, left by Lady Mito, wife of the First Hokage."
The last person to use it had been Naruto's mother, Kushina.
Looking at Naruto now, the Third Hokage thought how much he resembled Minato.
Naruto accepted the scroll carefully, his fingertips registering its fine texture.
The material was top-grade, and judging by the style, it was clearly an antique.
The Third Hokage watched him, a flicker of guilt in his eyes: "I'd planned to give it to you once you finished the basics of sealing, but you never came to exchange it. I never imagined so many years would pass."
"I assumed you simply had no talent for Sealing Techniques."
He gave a wry shake of his head.
"It wasn't until today, while sorting old items, that I realized I'd mistakenly given you Konoha's Compendium of Sealing instead."
At this point admiration filled the Third Hokage's gaze: "Yet with no guidance you taught yourself most of its contents. Naruto, your comprehension of sealing far exceeds what I imagined."
The pipe's ember flickered in the dim lamplight, casting the old man's gratified yet conflicted expression in relief.
Compared with him, Konohamaru was leagues behind.
"Thank you for your praise. I'll study hard."
Naruto slowly unrolled the scroll; aged ink glimmered faintly under the light.
The preface outlined what the scroll contained.
Primarily the training methods for Adamantine Sealing Chains and Kagura Minds Eye.
It stated that both secret arts required awakening to master.
Post-natal practice could only marginally raise the odds of that awakening.
The scroll was packed with cultivation keys, methods to improve awakening probability, and insights from every Uzumaki throughout history who had awakened their bloodline.
How to sense Chakra flow, how to condense sealing chains—every line embodied the wisdom of the Uzumaki.
These invaluable experiences were finally compiled by the clan's last head, Uzumaki Ashina, making the scroll the clan's greatest treasure.
Naruto's fingertips brushed the diagram of Adamantine Sealing Chains, showing how Chakra chains erupt from within the body.
At the end a note emphasized: the Uzumaki's powerful innate regeneration is purely natural talent and can never be acquired through training.
In short, you're born with it—or you're not.
The Third Hokage stood quietly to one side, watching Naruto's focused profile.
He looked just like Minato when learning the Flying Thunder God!
Who knew—Konoha might soon have another Ninja who could wield Flying Thunder God.
It should be possible; after all, Naruto is Minato's son.
He rolled the scroll shut.
Naruto looked toward the Third Hokage.
"I'll master the techniques inside as quickly as I can. I won't let Grandpa Third Hokage down!"
"No rush."
The Third Hokage set another scroll gently on the sofa, his voice calm and steady.
"Take your time. You have talent and the will to protect Konoha; this old man will always support you."
With those words the Third Hokage rose, draped his Hokage cloak across his shoulders, and walked toward the door.
His footsteps faded, eventually swallowed by the night.
Naruto drew a deep breath and picked up the second scroll the Third Hokage had left.
The instant he unrolled it, his eyes bulged in shock.
What it recorded were the techniques of the Fourth Hokage!
Not only the world-famous Flying Thunder God Technique and Rasengan, but also the more advanced Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder, Flying Thunder God – Second Step, Spiraling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three, and other derivatives.
The margins were densely filled with the Fourth's personal annotations, the neat handwriting detailing each jutsu's development insights and training essentials.
On the Rasengan page the notes were especially meticulous: "Rotation of Chakra requires finer control…" "If nature transformation can be added, its power will be limitless…"
Between the lines radiated the Fourth's passion and intellect for jutsu development.
Has the old man lost his mind?
Giving something like this to me?
Naruto stared at the scroll, waves of shock crashing through his heart.
This wasn't just any Ninjutsu scroll—it was the Fourth Hokage's life work, one of Konoha's highest classified secrets.
Forget it. Since the old man handed it over, I'll learn it!
Even if he regrets it later, it'll be too late.
"That old man actually gave you the Fourth's techniques."
The Nine-Tails opened its eyes wide within the Sealing Space, surprise coloring its voice.
"Looks like he's truly resolved to cultivate you."
"No idea what he's thinking."
Naruto drew a deep breath, resolve hardening in his eyes. "I'm starting on Flying Thunder God right now. With the Fourth's personal notes, the missing pieces I felt while teaching myself are suddenly clear."
He gently traced the neat annotations. With his previous self-study and the Fourth's guidance, his confidence in mastering Flying Thunder God had soared.
"I'm now certain I can finish engraving the Flying Thunder God formula within four days."
As for fully mastering the technique—at least half a month more.
——————————
"Naruto, we've got a new mission!"
Sakura knocked on Naruto's door; Sasuke stood silently beside her.
A moment passed, but no sound came from inside.
Sakura raised her hand again, knuckles rapping urgently on the wood.
Sasuke's brow furrowed; Chakra condensed at his feet as he leapt lightly onto the wall and peered through the window.
The sight that greeted him was staggering.
Leftover food and unwashed dishes were piled messily on the table; garbage littered the floor and flies buzzed about.
It was a far cry from the tidy home he remembered.
He flipped inside and opened the door. Sakura stepped in, eyes widening at the chaos: "What happened? It was always spotless before…"
The two hurried to Naruto's bedroom. The moment they pushed the door open they froze.
There was Naruto, blond hair a mess, dark bags under his eyes, yet a silly grin on his face.
Seeing Sasuke and Sakura, he closed the scroll in his hand and tossed it onto the bed, his hoarse voice unable to hide his excitement:
"You guys are here!"
For days Naruto had sent Shadow Clones to complete missions with his teammates while his real body, together with three clones, studied with minimal food and sleep.
Sometimes inspiration struck mid-meal and he'd abandon his food to practice Flying Thunder God.
Through relentless effort he had finally grasped the rudiments of Flying Thunder God!
He still couldn't teleport as swiftly as the Fourth, but it was now only a matter of proficiency.
He, Uzumaki Naruto, was a top-tier genius—he'd learned Flying Thunder God in under a month!
Seeing Naruto so elated, Sasuke and Sakura exchanged baffled glances.
They couldn't understand why Naruto, who'd looked worse each day, was suddenly over the moon—and why his house had turned into such a dump.
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