Chapter 56: Learning from Minato

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

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After a while, there still was no sign of him.

Colt grew impatient and peeled off a corner of the seal.

The Nine-Tails' chakra immediately rioted; it was desperately trying to escape. Though it didn't understand what this kid was up to, it knew this was a chance to break free.

"Kamiyo Colt, what exactly are you trying to do?" a helpless voice sounded in the space soon after.

Colt stopped and carefully fixed the seal.

"Arghhh!"

The Nine-Tails snarled in frustration.

"I have a reason why I need to find you," Colt said, turning around. He knew why Minato was reluctant to see him since he prepared this for Naruto.

A figure with spiky yellow hair and the Hokage's robe stood behind him.

His form was slightly transparent, as if he might fade from view at any moment.

Colt looked him over curiously.

Minato Namikaze - a character who had received little screen time initially, but whose presence was unparalleled.

In the ninja world, there were too many legends about him. He had single-handedly killed dozens of elite Jonins, scaring the Hidden Rock Village into halting their attack.

He had fought the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki alone, ending the war between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud.

After his death, the Hidden Cloud had returned to its former arrogance, and Hiruzen Sarutobi could only compromise for peace.

Many said that if the Fourth Hokage hadn't died, the future of the ninja world would have been different.

While Colt was examining Minato, Minato was also observing him.

His first impression was that Colt was a very young boy. Next, he wondered why this young man with the Sharingan] wasn't an Uchiha, but shared a surname with one of the Third Hokage's guards.

He had heard him when he introduced himself earlier.

"Minato Namikaze! You fuc@#￥%@#￥@%!" The Nine-Tails in the seal was furious, hurling insults left and right.

Originally, it had been comfortable in Kushina's seas.

Though it had no freedom, it could have just slept peacefully. But Minato had directly split it in two, sealing half in his son's seal while the other half was beyond its senses.

How could this not enrage the Nine-Tails?

For a moment, it forgot the pain Colt had inflicted earlier and pointed its tails menacingly at Minato.

Colt couldn't help but chuckle at the Nine-Tails' colorful string of curses. This stinky fox had quite the vocabulary.

Minato looked a bit embarrassed, the mood ruined by the Nine-Tails' outburst.

"Wait a moment, I'll quiet him down," Colt said with a slight nod to Minato. He stared at the Nine-Tails, and it fell into a deep sleep.

"What a powerful Mangekyō Sharingan," Minato remarked admiringly, seeing the Nine-Tails instantly subdued.

"Now that everything is quiet, let me ask you a few questions. Who are you? How do you know of my existence, and what is your purpose?"

Though he couldn't figure out Colt's origins, Minato remained calm.

"I'm a friend of Naruto's. I know you're here because of my Mangekyō," Colt explained. He couldn't very well say he'd read the script and knew Minato had prepared for the Nine-Tails' potential escape.

He just linked it with his eyes.

"Naruto?" Minato's expression brightened. "You're Naruto's friend? How is he doing?"

His only regret was leaving his son behind to grow up alone, after all.

"To be honest, it's been pretty rough," Colt said.

To achieve his goal, he answered Minato's questions, briefly explaining the events of the past few years.

Learning of Naruto's difficult experiences, Minato's expression darkened, his sunny demeanor fading.

As a former Hokage, he understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions and knew the darkness lurking in the village.

But this was his son, after all.

"Colt-san, thank you for taking care of Naruto over the years," Minato said, bowing solemnly.

With his abilities, he could tell Colt was mostly telling the truth. Even if some parts were fabricated, they were likely the other's personal secrets.

"Naruto is my friend. Your thanks are unnecessary," Colt replied, rejecting Minato's gratitude.

He did everything from his heart, never making friends with ulterior motives.

Changing the subject, Colt revealed the purpose of his visit.

"I want you to guide me in practicing the Flying Thunder God technique."

"You've learned the Flying Thunder God?" Minato was surprised.

He knew well the difficulty of this jutsu. Apart from its creator, the Second Hokage, he was the only other person who could learn it. He had tried teaching it to his guards before, but the three could barely form a Flying Thunder God Formation together.

And here was Colt, thirteen years old, not only with an awakened Mangekyō Sharingan but also learning the Flying Thunder God. What a terrifying talent.

Colt didn't waste words, directly demonstrating his current progress.

After a while…

"Very good. After increasing the transmission speed and reducing the post-teleportation stiffness, you can start the second stage of training," Minato said, resting his chin on one hand.

Colt humbly asked for advice, and Minato, perhaps to repay Colt for taking care of his son, explained in great detail.

As the fastest man since the Second Hokage, Minato was truly a master of the Flying Thunder God technique. Colt learned a great deal.

Seeing Minato starting to fade, Colt knew their time was ending. But he had one more thing to do.

Green chakra emerged from his hands and pressed against Minato's shoulders. Minato was surprised to find his chakra recovering rapidly, quickly returning to the level it was when he first appeared.

"Don't be surprised, this is my Bloodline Limit," Colt smiled, offering no further explanation.

Essentially, this strand of chakra contained a hint of Minato's soul, and Colt's systematic healing techniques could naturally affect it. It's just that Minato in this chakra state couldn't provide even a single attribute point, just like ordinary villagers.

After replenishing Minato's chakra, Colt said, "Teach me the sealing technique to seal yourself, and I'll seal you back."

This operation was also a demonstration for Minato.

No wonder Colt had released him so easily; he was prepared to seal him back.

Soon, under Minato's guidance, Colt learned the sealing technique and sealed him back again.

Before leaving, Minato made a request to Colt.

It was to teach Naruto some Jutsus.

Colt agreed without hesitation.

When his consciousness exited Naruto's body, the sky was already bright. After leaving a Flying Thunder God mark in a hidden corner, Colt quietly departed.