At their secret base, the old and dilapidated training ground, snow fell steadily as three figures weaved through the air.
Gin crossed his arms just in time to block a powerful punch from Kushina. The sheer force of it sent him skidding backward, narrowly dodging a kick from Minato that flew in his direction. As Gin landed, he transferred the force from the blow into the ground, causing cracks to form beneath the snow-covered surface.
Seeing his two opponents closing in, Gin's figure seemed to multiply, creating afterimages in all directions.
Kushina's punch landed in empty air, creating a sonic boom, and snow scattered in all directions. Minato immediately shifted to defense, taking a cautious step back.
"Zutsui no Jutsu! Shikyaku!" Gin yelled, and just as Minato predicted, Gin's kick collided with Minato's raised arms, sending Minato flying backward.
Kushina charged forward again, her fists and legs moving at such speed they produced sharp, breaking sounds with each strike. But despite her ferocity, Gin evaded each blow with ease.
In an instant, Gin appeared behind Kushina, aiming a swift kick at her back. However, Minato reacted in time, launching himself forward with a punch imbued with chakra.
Thud!
Gin blocked Minato's fist with his arm, just as Kushina spun around, aiming a powerful kick at him.
"Painful Heaven Kick!"
Kaboom!
The ground shattered beneath them, forming a crater as Minato and Gin leaped aside to avoid the devastating blow.
"You two have improved," Gin admitted, watching as the two regrouped. He remembered how he used to be able to defeat them easily, but now they could hold their own, at least in taijutsu.
"Gin, you may be progressing, but we're not lagging far behind!" Minato said, a determined smile on his face.
In their relentless pursuit, Minato and Kushina had finally caught up to Gin's shadow, at least in terms of physical combat.
"You're right," Gin agreed with a nod. "You've both gotten stronger, especially in close combat."
He found himself reluctant to directly clash with Kushina's attacks, knowing that her strength, thanks to Tsunade's monstrous power, was no joke.
However, Gin knew he had neglected his taijutsu training due to the sheer number of other skills he was working on.
Between Tenma Art, Rokku Senzoku, Myōkonjutsu, and the Dark Walk Technique, not to mention working on the Flying Thunder God Technique, Edo Tensei, and further developing Tenma Arts, it was hard to find time for everything.
Gin's Eight Gates were still stuck at the first gate, a testament to how little time he had spent training his body. He could manage with his current techniques, but there was always more to learn.
"Alright, let's switch to ninjutsu," Gin said, cracking his knuckles. He faced the two with renewed focus. "Try not to lose too quickly."
"We're stronger than you think!" Kushina shouted, her confidence brimming. Together with Minato, she had defeated a jōnin—surely they could hold their own.
"Well, let's see how long that confidence lasts," Gin smirked. The whites of his eyes turned pitch black as he activated the Tenma Arts.
"Dark Walk Technique!"
In an instant, an oppressive darkness enveloped the area, swallowing both Minato and Kushina in its depths.
"I can't see a thing!" Minato called out.
"Me neither! This is the Dark Walk Technique—be careful! Ah!" Kushina's voice rang out, followed by a loud thud. She went silent.
"This is bad," Minato thought, quickly weaving hand seals.
"Wind Style! Wind Wall!"
A wall of wind burst forth, glowing faintly in the darkness and illuminating the area just enough to reveal Gin, standing over the unconscious Kushina.
"Of course, it's you, Minato. Always the one to push boundaries," Gin said, nodding in approval.
The Wind Wall had interfered with Gin's chakra-based technique, temporarily dispersing the darkness in its immediate vicinity. Minato's growth had far exceeded his expectations.
Without a word, Minato created a small, spinning ball of energy in his palm—a spiraling sphere of pure chakra.
"That technique..." Gin's eyes widened in recognition. It was none other than the Rasengan, the iconic jutsu of the future.
"I based it on the Tailed Beast Bomb technique I saw Kushina use once," Minato explained. During a crisis on the Iwagakure front, Kushina had unleashed the Tailed Beast Bomb, saving both their lives. Later, Jiraiya had explained to Minato the nature of the Tailed Beast's power.
Though that battle was left out of official reports, it was a turning point for Minato, who had been inspired to create his own powerful technique.
"This is still just a prototype, but I'm pretty proud of it. Kushina named it."
Minato, without further hesitation, charged at Gin with the Rasengan in hand.
"Rasengan!"
Gin narrowed his eyes, watching Minato's swift movement. His speed was reminiscent of the Shunshin no Jutsu, and the chakra orb in his hand crackled with dangerous energy.
Boom!
The Rasengan struck Gin in the chest, sending him reeling backward. Beyond the physical damage, the attack disrupted his chakra flow, making it difficult for him to use any jutsu.
However, Minato quickly realized that it had been a shadow clone, which burst into smoke upon impact.
Gin reappeared behind Minato as the last vestiges of darkness faded. He formed his fingers into a gun shape, charging a black spirit orb at his fingertips.
"You've lost, Minato," Gin said quietly.
Minato scratched the back of his head, raising his hands in surrender. "Yeah, you're too strong, Gin."
Gin's expression softened as he looked at Minato, a complex mix of emotions crossing his face. After all, Gin had an unfair advantage with his unique abilities. But Minato's progress was a result of pure talent and hard work—perhaps a little too extraordinary.
...
Meanwhile, far away, Hyūga Seiran walked home alone. Unlike most of the Branch family, Seiran preferred to live separately from the rest of his kin.
"Destined fate," he muttered to himself, his expression devoid of joy.
Despite the heavy snowfall, his heart felt far colder than the wintry air.
"You seem tired of living like this," a voice suddenly spoke from the shadows.
Seiran looked up to see Gin emerging from the darkness, pulling his coat tighter around himself. "Aren't you cold, dressed like that?"
Seiran, wearing only the traditional Hyūga attire, bowed his head. "Lord Gin," he greeted, with a hint of hope in his voice. "A ninja never gets cold."
"Is that so?" Gin mused, as if only now realizing. He smiled slyly.
"So, have you decided to follow through on what you said?" Gin asked casually.
Seiran's eyes lit up with determination as he raised his head.
"If you've made up your mind, follow me," Gin said, walking past Seiran without looking back.
Without hesitation, Seiran followed him into the darkness.
(End of Chapter)