Veigar Koshima stepped out of the bathroom, the lingering fatigue from his training washed away. He didn't stop to rest, heading straight back to his room.
Scattered across the corner of the room were torn rubber balls that he hadn't yet cleaned up. They were remnants of his training—purchased with the money he earned from ninja missions over the past month. The cost of mastering the Rasengan had not been cheap.
But it was all worth it.
The Rasengan training consisted of four stages.
The first stage required gathering chakra into the palm.
The second involved using a water-filled balloon to practice the steady and continuous release of chakra.
Veigar had already completed these two stages half a month ago.
The third stage demanded the use of rubber balls to stabilize and materialize the swirling chakra. Just a few days ago, Veigar had cleared this hurdle as well.
Now, he was at the final step—combining all the previous stages to fully master the Rasengan.
Standing firm in a training stance, Veigar extended his right hand. A deep blue sphere of chakra emerged in his palm.
This was the result of his third-stage training.
At this point, his Rasengan could already cause damage, though only superficial at best. To achieve its true destructive power—capable of tearing through trees and shattering boulders—he had to perfect the final step.
Pouring more chakra into the sphere, Veigar attempted to incorporate the second stage's technique, making the chakra swirl unpredictably.
But the next second—
Boom!
The chakra sphere exploded in his hand. Another failure.
Two days passed in the same relentless cycle of eating, resting, and training. Veigar wasted not a single moment, dedicating himself entirely to the Rasengan.
Now, as he gazed at the pulsating blue sphere in his palm, his exhausted eyes burned with unconcealed excitement.
In just over a month, he had mastered an A-rank, hand-seal-free jutsu that took Minato Namikaze three years to develop.
"…It's finally done."
Veigar murmured to himself before his body, worn to the limit, finally gave in. His tense nerves relaxed all at once, and he collapsed onto the ground, instantly falling into a deep sleep.
The next day, Veigar woke with a start. Checking the time, he realized with a jolt—he was late!
For the first time ever, he had overslept past Minato Namikaze's designated meeting time.
There was no time for anything else. Veigar hastily tidied up and rushed toward the rendezvous point.
When he arrived, barely making it on time, he saw Minato Namikaze already standing there. Beside him, Kakashi Hatake had arrived early, as usual. Seeing no sign of Veigar, Minato smiled at Kakashi and asked:
"Kakashi, good morning. Veigar isn't here yet?"
Kakashi nodded. "Good morning, Sensei. No, I haven't seen him yet."
Minato thought for a moment before responding, "Alright, let's wait a little longer. Knowing Veigar, something must have held him up."
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
Having spent so much time training together, both Minato and Kakashi knew Veigar was someone who never missed an appointment. The fact that he hadn't arrived yet meant he was delayed, not that he was slacking off.
The two continued chatting as they waited.
Ten minutes later, Veigar finally arrived, panting and covered in dust.
Seeing Minato and Kakashi talking casually, he hurried over and bowed slightly.
"Sensei, Kakashi, I'm really sorry for being late."
He didn't bother explaining why. It didn't matter anymore.
Minato waved a hand dismissively. "It's alright, no need to apologize."
"Kakashi and I don't mind."
Kakashi added, "Since Sensei forgave you, I suppose we can let this first-time lateness slide."
He put extra emphasis on the words "first-time lateness," making Minato chuckle awkwardly.
Veigar quickly nodded. "Thank you, Sensei. Thanks, Kakashi. It won't happen again."
Minato smiled and changed the topic. "Alright, let's go accept our mission. I requested a C-rank mission from Lord Third himself."
Shortly after, Minato led Veigar and Kakashi to the Hokage Residence, where Hiruzen Sarutobi was waiting for them.
"Lord Third, Jonin Minato Namikaze, reporting in with my squad members, Veigar Koshima and Kakashi Hatake."
Standing in front of the Third Hokage, Minato spoke with respect. Veigar and Kakashi followed suit, bowing in greeting.
Hiruzen nodded. "Since you're all here, I'll call in the mission client."
Minato responded, "Understood."
Hiruzen turned to the door and called out, "You may enter, Ryouji."
A man who had been waiting outside quickly pushed the door open. He stepped in and took his place beside Minato.
Veigar and Kakashi subtly observed him.
Once the man was settled, Hiruzen introduced him.
"Minato, this is Ryouji Takeuchi, the client for this mission. He hails from Yamago Village. I trust you'll handle this task well."
Then, turning to Ryouji, Hiruzen continued, "Ryouji-san, these are Jonin Minato Namikaze and his team. They will be handling your request."
Minato and Ryouji exchanged nods.
"Ryouji-san, we'll be in your care," Minato greeted.
"Jonin Minato, please—I beg you to help my village through this crisis," Ryouji responded, his tone filled with urgency.
Minato's expression turned serious. "Rest assured, Ryouji-san. The ninja of Konoha never fail their clients."
Ryouji let out a breath, looking slightly relieved. "Then I leave everything in your hands."
To him, Minato was the only person who mattered.
Veigar and Kakashi?
Just a couple of kids.
From Ryouji's perspective, their presence was nothing more than padding for the team.
If this mission were to succeed, it would be entirely on Minato's shoulders.
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