Chapter 79 — The Master and His Student
The morning sun had just begun to spill over the rooftops of Konoha, painting the village in warm gold. The streets were slowly waking up — shopkeepers opening shutters, and the smell of fresh food drifting from Ichiraku Ramen down the road.
Akira and Kakashi had just finished their bowls and stepped out, carrying several takeout boxes packed neatly in Akira's arms. They were chatting lazily with Obito, Rin, and Asuma, who had been waiting in line since dawn. Their laughter mixed with the morning chatter — light, careless, and warm.
From a distance, Minato walked down the same road, heading toward the find Akira and Kakashi. His steps were calm but purposeful. As he passed Ichiraku, his eyes caught sight of Akira and Kakashi, standing with their friends.
A soft smile tugged at his lips.
> "There they are," he murmured to himself.
He was about to call out to them — to tell them to get ready and pack up for the upcoming mission — when a familiar voice stopped him.
"Minato!"
Jiraiya appeared beside him in his usual confident stride, a proud grin spread across his face. Without warning, he grabbed Minato by the shoulder and pulled him a few steps aside.
Raising his right hand, Jiraiya placed his left hand around his wrist, focusing his chakra. It began to swirl, a turbulent spiral of energy forming at his palm — bright and sharp. Within seconds, a perfect sphere of chakra shimmered into existence — the Rasengan.
> "Look at it, Minato," Jiraiya said proudly.
"It took you three years to create this jutsu… and I mastered it in just one year!"
Minato looked at him — calm, polite as always.
> "That's great, Jiraiya-sensei," he said simply, and turned to continue his walk.
For a second, Jiraiya just stood there, the Rasengan flickering and fading away in his hand.
He sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly.
> "Tch… he didn't even look impressed…"
As Minato disappeared down the road toward his students, Jiraiya watched him go — half proud, half sulking — the master silently chasing the student who had already surpassed him.
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