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Akio had actually been waiting for Kakashi's graduation during this time. It had been over half a year since he last led the squad on a mission, and he had been preparing to take them out again. But in order to earn a few more Witness Points from Kakashi's graduation, he decided to wait until today.

Now that he had received those ten Witness Points, Akio gathered his three students and prepared to visit Hiruzen to request another A-rank mission — time to stretch their legs a bit.

However...

"Great-Grandpa Akio, could we delay the mission by two more weeks?" Kushina asked shyly.

"What, you've already spent six months with Minato and now you want two more weeks?" Akio teased.

"No, it's just... Minato's training will be complete in about two weeks, and I want to see his new jutsu with my own eyes."

Akio paused in surprise. He's about to complete his training already?

He had heard that Minato was working on the Flying Thunder God Technique, but he assumed it would take at least two to three years to master. He didn't expect it to be nearly complete in just over six months.

"I remember it took him three years to master a single Rasengan... Oh, right, he developed the Rasengan himself..." Akio mused silently as he looked at the three students in front of him.

Frowning slightly, he thought: If Minato is really so close to mastering the Flying Thunder God, I might as well go see it myself. Who knows, I might even earn a few more Witness Points.

"Alright, everyone... dismissed!"

All three students stared at him in confusion. Akio sighed. Nobody ever got his references — it was so boring.

"I mean, just go home or... whatever. Go do your own thing. Kushina, let's go see Minato."

The team had only just assembled, and now it was already disbanded again. Akio followed Kushina and went to find Minato.

The Flying Thunder God was a space-time ninjutsu, and a rather unique one at that — vastly different from ordinary jutsu.

At first, Minato had practiced at home, learning to inscribe the Flying Thunder God Formula onto specially made kunai and ensuring the formula remained stable over time. The second phase was sensing the formula and using it to shift his body through space.

According to Kushina, Minato had already completed the first two stages and was currently working on the final step, which meant he was very close to mastering it.

This final phase involved applying the technique in actual combat — using it repeatedly at high speed over long distances. Only then could it be considered truly mastered.

Akio was already familiar with this theoretical process. He had once tried learning the technique himself, but he couldn't even get past the first step. He simply had no talent in space-time techniques, and the system had yet to grant him any space-related attributes...

In any case, if Minato had reached the final stage of training, then his home was far too small to serve as a practice area.

Kushina brought Akio to a place that felt both familiar and unfamiliar — the Forest of Death.

Though a well-known "landmark" from the original story, this was Akio's first time visiting. Located in the southeastern corner of Konoha, the Forest of Death was surrounded by little to no construction and was officially designated as Training Ground 44 — the final one, as Konoha had exactly 44 training grounds.

Very few shinobi trained here regularly, but the complex terrain made it an ideal location for practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Even before entering the forest, Akio could already sense Minato's chakra nearby. Jiraiya was close as well.

Akio smiled and walked over. "Hey, famous author — why aren't you at home working on your manuscript?"

It had been more than six months, and Jiraiya still hadn't finished his first novel.

"Old— I mean, senpai!" Jiraiya almost called him "old monster" again. "It's your fault I've lost all my inspiration!"

As he said this, his expression carried a hint of grievance, making Akio uneasy.

"Speak properly — don't tell me your interests have actually changed."

Jiraiya: "…"

It took a moment for the two of them to return to normal conversation. Then their gazes shifted to Minato, whose figure was flickering rapidly in the distance.

"The Yellow Flash, huh... Still a bit rough around the edges, but it's pretty much complete now."

Akio let out a sigh of admiration.

Jiraiya's face lit up with pride.

"Since the Second Hokage, Minato is the first to master the Flying Thunder God Technique. As expected of my student!"

Akio gave him a sideways glance.

"That's because Minato is naturally talented. What does that have to do with who his teacher is?"

Jiraiya: "…"

As they spoke, Minato stopped his training and walked over with Kushina.

"Elder Akio, you're here."

Akio gave a slight nod, his gaze landing on the custom-made Flying Thunder God kunai Minato was carrying. Minato immediately handed one over.

"Looks a little different from Tobirama's version."

"Do you have one of the Second Hokage's kunai?" Jiraiya chimed in, seemingly remembering something.

Akio frowned slightly.

"Wasn't it with Hiruzen? You didn't ask him for one to give Minato as a reference?"

Jiraiya shook his head.

"He said they were all buried along with Lord Tobirama."

Akio was momentarily stunned, then nodded. He hadn't attended Tobirama's funeral and honestly didn't know.

"I don't have one either, but I remember Tsunade has one. Tobirama gifted it to her during her first birthday celebration."

Jiraiya blinked in surprise and looked at Minato.

"I'll go and get it from her later."

But Minato shook his head.

"No need, sensei. I've figured out where the issue is—I'll make adjustments myself."

Jiraiya smiled and turned to Akio with a smug expression, as if saying, "My student really is something else."

Akio couldn't be bothered to respond. Instead, he focused his chakra into the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand and threw it.

"Flying Thunder God—Fly…"

His face darkened. Although he could still sense the chakra link to the kunai, there was absolutely no feeling of spatial movement. As expected, it still didn't work.

Jiraiya burst into laughter—it was the first time he'd ever seen Akio fail at something.

"Substitution Technique…"

Akio muttered to himself. The next moment, he appeared right next to the kunai.

Jiraiya's laughter froze mid-air.

Pointing at Akio, he stammered, "You—you can do that too?"

"What, is it that surprising?" Akio replied with a grin.

"It's not quite what you think, sensei," Minato interjected, crouching down to pick up his kunai.

"Elder Akio just used a jutsu similar to the Substitution Technique to switch places with the kunai."

Akio let out a sigh.

"See, Jiraiya? Your student's so sharp. Doesn't it make you feel ashamed as his teacher?"

"Great-Grandpa Akio, why don't you just take Minato as your student already?"

Kushina added with a worried look, throwing in another jab.

Jiraiya looked utterly defeated—thankfully, Minato stepped in quickly to soothe him.

Over the next week, Akio accompanied Kushina daily to watch Minato practice the Flying Thunder God Technique. Once Minato could use it proficiently—able to spar with Jiraiya and even hold his own for a while—his training was officially declared complete. Akio's trip hadn't been in vain; he earned 10 Witness Points for it.

"Everyone—assemble!"

A moment later, Akio sighed and muttered to himself for fun again.

"Kushina, go call Nagato and Konan. It's time for a mission."

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