Chapter 10: First Meeting, Perfect Logic! (Please keep reading!)

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not make an appearance, but instead returned to the Hokage's office. After a moment of contemplation, he issued a command: "Have Minato come see me!"

A quarter of an hour later, Minato Namikaze knocked and entered: "Third Hokage!"

"Minato!" Hiruzen looked up, his expression gentle. "How is the development of your new jutsu coming along?"

Minato paused for a moment before replying, "I'm still experimenting; I haven't quite found the right breakthrough yet."

Hiruzen nodded and then asked, "Minato, have you heard about the genius who has recently appeared at the academy?"

Minato looked slightly embarrassed. "Well... I've been so busy with my new jutsu that I haven't been paying attention. Hokage-sama, did a new recruit graduate early?" Minato assumed Hiruzen wanted him to lead a new team.

Hiruzen said, "Someone did graduate early—it's Sakumo's son, Kakashi; you should know him. But I am not referring to him, but rather to Genichi Juka, a genius at the academy whose reputation rivals Kakashi's."

Genichi Juka? It was the first time Minato had heard the name.

Hiruzen continued, "Minato, this child has developed a new jutsu that might provide you with some inspiration." He did not explain further. Although Minato found it hard to believe, he knew Hiruzen wouldn't joke about such things, so he nodded immediately. "I understand."

"Go find Ryusei," Hiruzen instructed.

"Yes!" Minato nodded, bowed, and vanished from the office in an instant.

Outside the Hokage building, Minato pondered for a moment before locating Ryusei Futaki.

Meanwhile, at the dumpling shop, Genichi Juka was helping his parents serve customers. Before he knew it, it was almost noon. Suddenly, Genichi looked up and saw two figures at the entrance, freezing in surprise.

Minato Namikaze!

In an instant, Genichi realized what was happening and hurried outside. "Teacher Ryusei, are you here for dumplings? And this senior is..." Genichi feigned ignorance of Minato's identity.

Ryusei Futaki smiled. "We aren't here for dumplings; we have something to discuss with you. This is Jounin Minato Namikaze."

Genichi quickly bowed. "Senior Minato!"

Minato reached out to steady him. "There's no need to be so formal. It was a bit intrusive of me to come today, but there are some things I would like to ask your advice on."

Genichi scratched his head, pretending to be puzzled.

Ryusei chuckled. "Genichi, if you have the time, let's go somewhere else to talk. How about I treat you to lunch?"

"I'll treat," Minato added quickly. "What would you like to eat, Genichi?"

Genichi thought for a moment. "How about Ichiraku Ramen?"

"No problem!" Minato agreed immediately.

"Please wait a moment, Teacher, Senior Minato," Genichi said, returning to the shop to call out to his parents in the kitchen, "Mom, Dad, I have something to take care of, so don't wait for me for lunch." He grabbed his coat and stepped outside.

At the Ichiraku Ramen stand, Teuchi was still young, and the shop had only recently opened.

"Genichi, do you have any plans to graduate early?"

"Not yet. I don't have the strength Kakashi does."

"You are no less capable than Kakashi, but there is indeed no rush to graduate early. Fundamentals are crucial."

"You're right, Teacher."

As they ate, Genichi chatted with Ryusei, while Minato occasionally interjected, though he did not immediately bring up the Rasengan. Once they were full, the three of them headed to a deserted rooftop.

"You two can talk now," Ryusei said with a smile. "Genichi, Minato is a disciple of Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, and he is already an outstanding ninja at his age. You should learn all you can from him!"

Minato modestly replied, "Ryusei, you're too kind."

Ryusei waved his hand and left using the Body Flicker Technique.

The rooftop fell silent, save for the sound of the wind. Minato was quiet for a moment before saying, "I heard from the Third that you have developed a new jutsu. As it happens, I am also working on one."

Genichi raised his hand, and a Rasengan began to form. "Is this what you meant, Senior Minato?"

Minato's pupils constricted as he watched the swirling chakra. This was exactly what he was looking for!

"How... how did you do it?" Minato asked, momentarily losing his composure. He had been working on it for a long time without success. He quickly collected himself, looking slightly embarrassed. "Forgive me, Genichi. The jutsu I'm developing is quite similar to yours, but I haven't been able to complete it. Rasengan—a very fitting name."

Genichi smiled. "Senior Minato, have you ever seen a drill?"

Minato nodded, deep in thought.

Genichi asked again, "Senior Minato, you've seen a swirling vortex, right?"

Minato nodded again.

"Follow me, Senior." Genichi leaped away.

Minato followed, curious but holding his questions. He trailed Genichi to a spot where the boy bought a large water vat, carried it to the riverside, performed hand seals, and used a Water Release jutsu to fill it.

"Such impressive control, and those seals..." Minato was secretly amazed.

"I wonder if you've ever played this game, Senior," Genichi said, plunging his hands into the vat and churning the water to create a high-speed vortex. When the rotation reached a certain point, he pressed down with both hands, causing the water to expand outward and shattering the vat into pieces.

Minato’s eyes brightened. "I see."

His own inspiration for the Rasengan had come from the Tailed Beast Ball, and he had been fumbling in the dark for over a year. Seeing the vortex shatter the vat provided him with a sudden epiphany.

"My inspiration came from this," Genichi explained. "However, controlling the chakra is extremely difficult, and it must be constantly compressed to possess such destructive power. So, I came up with a method: using a water balloon to hold the water, injecting chakra to make it spin, and eventually bursting the balloon. Once you can burst the balloon, you move on to a thicker rubber ball."

Minato gave him a thumbs up. "Brilliant!"

"Senior, let me show you one more thing." Genichi turned and led Minato to a yarn shop. He picked up a ball of yarn. "Compressing chakra and making it rotate is very difficult. Look at how this yarn is intertwined, Senior."

Minato stared at the ball of yarn, suddenly enlightened. "You mean making the chakra rotate and intertwine in the same chaotic, layered way, compressing it inward toward a single point!"

Genichi nodded with a smile. "Exactly! Just like when we first refine chakra and focus our spirit—no matter which direction the chakra rotates, it must converge toward a single center point. That is how the chakra stays bound together!"

Minato couldn't help but give him another thumbs up. "No wonder the Third Hokage calls you a genius!"