Takuno felt the miniaturized Wind Release: Rasenshuriken in his hand, a smirk playing on his lips, and threw it out.
In an instant, the Rasenshuriken sliced through the wall of the experimental base. The entire Ninjutsu had already embedded itself within the wall. At this moment, its power suddenly erupted, and countless tiny wind blades continuously cut through the surrounding wall.
After a long while, the attack of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken completely dissipated, leaving behind a large, mangled hole.
If only considering its destructive display, it was inferior to Fire Release, but its primary function was its cell-level cutting ability.
And this power was indeed good. Although it couldn't compare to the complete Rasenshuriken, it was much stronger than the Rasengan.
Moreover, it could be thrown.
Takuno showed a satisfied expression. At this stage, this weakened version of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken was actually sufficient. Once his physical strength improved, it wouldn't be too late to use the complete Rasenshuriken.
In fact, if his Chakra volume could support it, he could even directly use the Big Ball Rasenshuriken.
And the Super Big Ball Rasenshuriken.
Takuno stretched, finally completing this Ninjutsu.
It wasn't that he hadn't considered researching a smaller version from the start, but Ninjutsu wasn't easier to research just because it was smaller.
For something like the Rasengan, the smaller it was, the higher the demands for Chakra control, and its difficulty might even increase.
Only those of moderate size were the easiest to control and the easiest to research.
It was like a craftsman; making something of normal size wasn't difficult, but everyone knew that making something too large was very troublesome, and the same applied to something too small. For instance, to perfectly represent everything on a finger-sized object would require even more intricate carving techniques.
However, Takuno's eyes flickered. These days weren't all good news; there was bad news.
The bad news was that the research on the Chimera Technique had not yet succeeded. It wasn't that there was no progress, but he estimated it would still take some time.
After all, Hiruko also spent a very long time researching the Chimera Technique to its final stage.
Takuno's advantage over Hiruko was that he didn't particularly need to seek out information about Kekkei Genkai, nor did he need to spend a lot of time planning how to acquire them.
But even so, the difficulty of researching the Chimera Technique still existed.
Takuno pondered. The three remaining slots were reserved for the Hyuga, Kimimaro, and Yamato.
Among these three, the Hyuga would have to wait until he obtained the Hyuga Main Family's Kekkei Genkai. Kimimaro would have to wait until he awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan to suppress the Hashirama cells' Yang Release. As for Yamato, he didn't know when he would be able to capture him.
So, overall, there was no excessive rush; he would just research slowly.
Now that the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken had been developed, it meant that his trump card had been researched. His future Shadow Clones could also explore different Ninjutsu to achieve maximum efficiency.
After making his plans, Takuno returned home to rest.
The next day, as Takuno continued his work, he suddenly received a message from his Shadow Clone stationed in the Sealing Team.
Minato was looking for him.
"Hmm? Is there something he needs me for at this time?" Takuno was a little curious, but he still returned to Konoha and went to the Hokage Office.
"Senpai, you're here?" Minato also smiled when he saw Takuno.
"Is there something Hokage-sama needs me for?" Takuno looked at Minato. Even the renowned Yellow Flash looked a bit tired from so much work.
Minato's expression also became serious at this point, and he said, "Senpai, there is a village secret that I now need to tell you. You must absolutely not reveal it after hearing it."
Takuno immediately fell silent, then said, "Can I not listen?"
Minato smiled helplessly and said, "Because I need Senpai's help to set up some Sealing Jutsu, and this involves some secrets, so I can only tell Senpai."
Takuno also nodded helplessly in agreement. Since the other party, as the Hokage, said so, how could he disagree?
He actually really didn't want to get involved in any secrets; it was too troublesome.
"Senpai should know about the Nine-Tails and Jinchuriki, right?" Minato spoke after seeing Takuno agree.
"Hmm? Of course." Takuno was also surprised, and then suddenly realized what Minato was going to say.
"Senpai has met my wife, Kushina, before." Minato thought of her figure, and his eyes couldn't help but show a gentle color.
"Of course, could it be—" Takuno widened his eyes, feigning surprise.
"Yes, that's right, Kushina is Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki." Minato nodded.
"Is that really so?" Takuno seemed to still be 'immersed' in the news.
Minato also didn't speak, giving the other party time to digest the news. In fact, he had also thought about just letting Takuno set up the Sealing Jutsu without telling him this point.
But the problem was that his wife was going to give birth on that day, and he needed Takuno's help to set up some Sealing Jutsu that could slightly resist the Nine-Tails.
As long as Takuno paid attention, he would definitely be able to connect these two pieces of information.
So, instead of continuing to hide it from him, it was better to tell him directly now and instruct him not to expose it.
"Hokage-sama's wife is about to give birth, isn't she?" Takuno suddenly thought of something and asked.
At the mention of this, Minato also smiled and nodded, seemingly anticipating the arrival of his child.
Then, he said, "Actually, it's precisely because Kushina is about to give birth. When a Jinchuriki gives birth, the Sealing Jutsu sealing the Nine-Tails becomes unstable, and the Nine-Tails might take advantage of this opportunity to escape the Jinchuriki's body."
"But if a Tailed Beast leaves a Jinchuriki's body—" Takuno didn't finish his sentence, but Minato clearly understood what he was going to say next.
He just smiled and shook his head, saying, "This is just to ensure against any unforeseen circumstances; it's not necessarily going to happen. I will definitely not let such a thing happen!"
As he spoke, Minato's expression became resolute.
Takuno nodded, then said, "So, Hokage-sama is asking me to set up some Barriers around the place where Hokage-sama's wife will give birth, to resist the Nine-Tails, right?"
"That's right." Minato nodded.
"Isn't Hokage-sama better than me at Barriers?" Takuno asked with a hint of surprise.
"Of course I can also set up Barriers, but Senpai's research is a bit different from mine, so having Senpai help with the research together will be more secure," Minato said.
Takuno nodded and agreed.
Minato also smiled after seeing Takuno agree.
He could have used his authority as Hokage to force the other party to agree, but didn't he not want to make it so awkward?
"Senpai, after work later, come to my house for dinner. At the same time, we can also discuss the type of Barriers that need to be set up," Minato said at this moment.
"Okay." Takuno naturally wouldn't refuse; the more opportunities there were to strengthen their relationship, the better.
Since he had already decided to save the other party, the closer their relationship, the more beneficial it would be for him.
"Hokage-sama must still have a lot of things to do, right?" Takuno looked at the pile of documents on the desk and couldn't help but ask.
Hearing this, Minato also smiled bitterly. Only after becoming Hokage did he realize that the Hokage's duties were truly numerous, causing his current growth in strength to slow down.
He simply had no time to research new Ninjutsu. Even for a Ninjutsu like the Rasengan, which had a solid foundation, he didn't have time to incorporate nature transformation into it.
"There's certainly a lot, but I've gotten used to it," Minato said without complaining. Since he had decided to be the Hokage, he had to do his best.
"Hokage-sama, you've worked hard. I'll head back first. I'll come find you after work," Takuno said.
Minato also agreed.
He looked at Takuno's retreating figure and suddenly felt a little envious that the other person could always do what he liked.
Then he buried his head back into his documents, continuing to process them. If he had an appointment with Takuno today, he had to speed up and couldn't work overtime.
He had already made arrangements for the days when his wife, Kushina, would give birth. The Hokage's duties could not be suspended.
He had already discussed it with the Third Hokage in advance, and the Third Hokage would handle the Hokage's documents for him during those days.
Now, he needed to handle as many things as possible to try and make things a little easier for the already aging Third Hokage.
Takuno sat in a chair in the Sealing Team. Honestly, he hadn't expected Minato to ask for his help with this matter.
After all, the fact that Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was definitely a Konoha secret, known only to those in the upper echelons.
Of course, he had known it for a long time.
He rubbed his temples at this moment. What benefits could this matter bring him?
After thinking about it, it seemed to only increase Minato's goodwill.
Alright, not everything you do will bring a lot of benefits.
After work, Takuno, carrying some gifts that his team members had bought for him, arrived at the Hokage Office building. He saw that Minato had already taken off the Hokage's ceremonial robe with 'Fourth Hokage' written on it and returned to his usual attire.
"Hokage-sama, you're quite fast today," Takuno greeted him with a playful remark.
"Senpai, since it's after work, just call me Minato," Minato said with a helpless smile. Then he saw some food in Takuno's hand and couldn't help but say, "I'm inviting Senpai, how can I let Senpai pay?"
"It's fine, it's not worth much, and if we go to buy food there now, it'll be hard to get fresh ingredients, right?" Takuno said with a smile.
"Besides, after I buy it, aren't you still the one cooking? I should be one of the few who gets to taste the Fourth Hokage's cooking, right?"
"Alright." Minato felt that Takuno was right. It was indeed a bit late to buy ingredients at this time, and he couldn't let Kushina, with her big belly, go shopping.
"Then I will definitely show off my best cooking skills," Minato said with a smile.
"Then I'll look forward to it," Takuno also laughed.
Soon, amidst their conversation, they arrived at Minato's home.
Upon returning home, Minato first asked Kushina how she felt today. After confirming that everything was fine, he took the ingredients Takuno brought and went into the kitchen, leaving Takuno and Kushina sitting at opposite sides of the table, already discussing the barrier that needed to be set up.
As a Jinchuriki, Kushina was most aware of the Nine-Tails' strength. Ordinary Barriers would have no effect on the Nine-Tails, which was the fundamental reason why Takuno was called here.
The goal was to research a barrier that could suppress the Nine-Tails, preferably by setting up multiple layers.
The three people present could be said to be among the strongest in Sealing Jutsu in the entire ninja world; it would be difficult to find anyone stronger than them. Takuno actually knew that even more Barriers would be useless, because Obito would definitely make his move at this time, and he would directly use the Summoning Jutsu to summon the Nine-Tails to Konoha.
So, unless they set up a barrier that could prevent Space-Time Ninjutsu, it would definitely not work.
However, there was no way he could say anything more here, and even if it was useless, he would still do his best to set up the barrier.
Soon, Minato also brought out the dinner.
Takuno looked at the appetizing dishes in front of him and couldn't help but praise, "Minato's cooking is really good. Kushina is truly blessed to have 'married' Minato."
Minato was initially a little proud, but then suddenly felt something was off, while Kushina next to him couldn't help but laugh.
"Takuno-senpai is right, I am indeed very happy after 'marrying' Minato."
Minato then understood, and looked at Takuno with a bit of 'resentment'. He wasn't angry about it, but he still had to get back at him. After thinking for a while, he said, "Senpai is already this old, aren't you going to find a girlfriend?"
"I'm not interested in that, so I think I shouldn't waste anyone's time," Takuno said, shaking his head.
"Senpai is already very outstanding, aren't you?" Minato couldn't help but say.
"Let's not talk about this, let's eat," Takuno shook his head and said no more.
Minato also saw that Takuno was a little uninterested in the topic, so he didn't continue to press the issue.
However, he was also thinking to himself whether he should arrange some blind dates for Takuno in the future. After all, the other party was already twenty-eight years old, an age that truly seemed out of place among the ninja community where people married quite early.
As for Takuno saying he wasn't interested, Minato felt that Takuno just hadn't met the right person yet.
Just like when he met Kushina when he was a child, he was attracted by her vibrant red hair. And now, he had successfully won the beauty's heart and even achieved his ideal of becoming Hokage.
Although he was a bit tired now, his life was incredibly fulfilling and happy.
Minato looked at Kushina's belly, which contained his flesh and blood. When he (or she) was born, His life would be complete, wouldn't it?
Minato thought, and couldn't help but exchange glances with Kushina. Both seemed to understand what the other was thinking, And they smiled.
Takuno buried his head in his food. An invitation to dinner is an invitation to dinner, but why are they also showing off their affection?
That's too much!