"Yeah, I stayed up all night reading." Namikaze Minato rubbed his sleepy eyes, clearly exhausted from the lack of rest.
"So? Do you still have confidence in mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Haruto Saito asked with a smile.
"Yes!" Minato nodded firmly. "I can understand it. This technique is much easier to comprehend than the Breaking Barrier Technique. Although the training process might be more complex, as long as I understand how to practice, I should be able to master it. It's just a matter of time."
"Good!" Haruto patted Minato's shoulder and thought for a moment before asking, "By the way, have you memorized the contents of the manual?"
Minato nodded vigorously like a pecking chick. He was a genius with an extraordinary memory.
"Give me back the scroll. You... get some more sleep. You need to be well-rested so I can test you later." Haruto took back the copy of the Flying Thunder God manual and continued, "I'll go to the academy and request leave for you. I'll be back at noon, so be prepared."
Originally, Haruto had planned to start discussing the technique with Minato that morning. However, seeing Minato's poor condition from lack of sleep, he realized that continuing the discussion in such a state would be ineffective. Moreover, Haruto wouldn't be able to acquire card fragments efficiently. It was better to let Minato rest properly.
Besides, Haruto had other things to do—he needed to return to the Anbu for his special training.
The training was time-based, meaning he had to complete a fixed duration to be considered finished. No matter how well he performed, the rules were set.
After leaving home, he first went to the academy to excuse Minato from classes before heading back to the Anbu base.
Anbu special training covered a wide range of topics, including basic medical skills, intelligence analysis, geography and topography analysis, poison identification and basic antidotes, mental resilience training, corpse examination, and more.
In reality, Konoha didn't require Anbu ninjas to be experts in everything, but they had to possess a general understanding of various fields. Since Anbu missions were extremely dangerous and often executed alone or in situations where no reinforcements were available, possessing a broader skill set increased the chances of survival.
From Haruto's perspective, Konoha's Anbu were both special forces operatives and secret agents!
Initially, he had been reluctant to undergo such prolonged training, considering it a waste of time. However, after truly engaging in it, he realized how necessary it was!
Thus, for the past half-month, he had diligently and earnestly participated in the training.
Today's session focused on corpse examination.
Haruto spent the entire morning in the Anbu Research Division's dissection room. His instructor was an Anbu researcher code-named "Bone Painter," whose real name was Yamazaki Ryo. Though he was over sixty years old and only a Special Jonin, he held a highly respected position within Anbu.
At noon, Haruto completed his training and returned home, located in the core residential area of Konoha.
Inside the large, fully enclosed training hall, Minato sat cross-legged on a cushion, emitting a faint chakra fluctuation with his eyes closed. As Haruto pushed open the door and entered, Minato immediately opened his eyes, stood up, and respectfully greeted, "Teacher."
"Come, sit. No need for formalities," Haruto gestured for Minato to sit down across from him. "Now, tell me—what are your thoughts?"
"I can learn it," Minato declared decisively. He was a straightforward person.
"Well, obviously. I know you can learn it. But whether you take one year or ten years makes a difference." Haruto rolled his eyes. "I want you to give an overview of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Say whatever comes to mind. For example, what do you think is the most important factor in mastering it?"
"Talent!" Minato answered seriously.
Smack! Haruto flicked Minato's forehead. This kid really had a way with words.
"Talent, talent—do you even need to say that?" Haruto glared at him.
"You asked for the most important factor, and it is talent!" Minato rubbed his forehead and grimaced. "I believe that mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique requires an extraordinary ability to perceive space!"
"Based on the information in the manual, I think space is not a closed plane but a vast web filled with minuscule holes too small to be observed. To traverse space, one must sense these holes and use the connection to the Flying Thunder God's technique markings to pull oneself through, achieving spatial teleportation. This requires talent! Only those with exceptional talent can perceive these holes. Otherwise, no matter how much they train, they will never master the technique."
Minato was truly a genius!
His explanation was spot-on!
Although his theory was somewhat superficial and not entirely accurate, as a transmigrator, Haruto could understand it from another perspective—dark matter and wormholes!
"Hmm, not bad. Your understanding is very close to mine," Haruto acknowledged, encouraging Minato. "Now, tell me more about the key points of mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"The technique formula, of course," Minato replied. "The formation of the formula is incredibly difficult. I tried just now, but I couldn't replicate the feeling described in the manual. However, the Second Hokage mentioned that the structure of the formula isn't entirely fixed. I think we might be able to use different patterns or even a full picture to carry more energy..."
The real discussion began!
Haruto, taking on the role of teacher, questioned Minato constantly.
Minato, in turn, responded with whatever came to mind. If he didn't know something, he admitted it, but occasionally, he provided insights that surprised Haruto. They discussed the theoretical aspects of the Flying Thunder God Technique in meticulous detail.
Haruto was also able to contribute meaningfully—he didn't even need to check the manual. Having read the original story, he already knew how the technique functioned and its developmental potential.
"I actually think that the technique formula doesn't necessarily have to be a pattern. Text would be better because text naturally conveys meaning and makes it easier to trigger the necessary perception. The formula is just a vessel for the technique's power, so it doesn't need to be confined to a specific form…" Haruto explained.
He knew that in the original story, the Second Hokage used a symbol-based formula, while Minato used written characters!
"Teacher, that's brilliant!" Minato's eyes lit up. "If we use text, it naturally provides feedback and integrates the guiding force needed for spatial traversal. It should make the process smoother…"
"Good, as long as you understand," Haruto nodded with a smile. Then he shifted the topic, "So, what unique ideas do you have about integrating the guiding force?"
"I think…" Minato began to answer immediately.
Time passed.
Four hours later.
As dusk approached, Minato was still highly enthusiastic, talking nonstop. He frequently revised his own theories and came up with new insights.
However, Haruto had yet to receive any system notifications about acquiring card fragments.
Not until nightfall…
Ding! Host and Namikaze Minato have conducted an in-depth discussion and gained insight. Obtained 'Flying Thunder God Technique Card Fragment' x1.