"The 'Rasengan'?" Naruto asked in surprise.
It was the technique developed by his father, Minato Namikaze.
Naruto felt a stirring of emotions.
Though his current combat style was fairly advanced and didn't heavily rely on 'jutsus,' as he found Kido enough for most situations, this was something different.
After all, it was a creation of his father.
In their lives, his father hadn't left much behind for him.
Moreover, the Summoning Jutsu seemed to hold learning value too.
Naruto recalled the first C-rank mission he completed alongside Kakashi.
He had seen him use the 'Summoning Jutsu' back then to call forth beings from distant regions.
This technique involved elements of 'space.'
To this day, he hadn't fully comprehended the principles behind traveling between 'this world' and the 'Soul Society.'
Space and time-related Kido were strictly forbidden techniques.
A non-member of the Kido Corps wouldn't gain access in the Soul Society.
However, Tessai Tsukabishi served as an excellent lead, being the first to clearly demonstrate techniques involving 'space' and 'time' before him, although he had fled to the human world alongside Urahara Kisuke.
They were well hidden.
It seemed they feared that elusive enemy and thus had not attempted to contact him.
His investigations were further blocked by Central 46.
He couldn't locate them either.
Now, he needed a technique related to 'space.'
"Does the Summoning Jutsu relate to space?" Naruto inquired.
Jiraiya was taken aback, then nodded in response, "Of course, it's a relatively basic space-time ninjutsu."
"Then I would really appreciate it if you could teach me these two techniques, Jiraiya-sensei," Naruto agreed.
Jiraiya pondered, "Naruto, are you interested in space-time ninjutsu?"
"Konoha has a particular technique called the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Your father once used it, and it was his signature move."
"Thanks to it, Minato earned the fearsome nickname 'Yellow Flash of the Leaf.'"
"If you stayed in Konoha, there might be an opportunity..."
Naruto cut him off with a grin, "My dad's nickname was the Yellow Flash? Sounds pretty cool."
Jiraiya was at a loss for words, the rest left unsaid.
He looked at Naruto, aware that these few evasive words subtly voiced Naruto's refusal of his suggestion.
After all, a carrot dangling in front of a 'donkey' might work, but not with someone like Naruto.
Instead of pulling out a scroll, Jiraiya chose to demonstrate directly and teach Naruto hands-on.
The Summoning Jutsu was not difficult.
The crucial step was writing one's name on a contract scroll.
Jiraiya produced the "Mount Myōboku Contract" and spread it out.
Naruto scanned the notes left by previous signatories.
Jiraiya's name was next to last.
After him, in hasty hiragana, was the name "Namikaze Minato."
Naruto added his own name. The seal consisted of only five simple symbols, and he mastered it in less than an hour.
He watched as the toad he summoned appeared before him.
Naruto pondered deeply.
He had indeed felt the rupture of space, the fleeting moment when a channel had been opened.
Unfortunately, Urahara Kisuke had slipped away.
He could only conduct his research alone.
The application of the "Summoning Jutsu" wasn't limited to just calling forth summoned beasts.
"Inanimate objects" weren't restricted either.
Jiraiya even suggested Naruto inscribe the summoning formula on the hilt of his twin blades.
This way, if the swords slipped from his grasp during battle, he could summon them back instantly.
Moreover, the "Summoning Jutsu" could also be used as a means of storage.
By sealing objects in scrolls, he could summon them whenever needed.
The next jutsu to learn was the "Rasengan".
A technique that required no hand seals.
Gazing at the vibrant, spinning orb in Jiraiya's hand.
"Was this developed from the Tailed Beast Bomb?" Naruto inquired.
Jiraiya grinned in acknowledgment, "You never miss a thing, Naruto. You saw right through it."
"This was the technique Minato devised for Kushina."
He paused, dispersing the chakra with a wave of his hand, "You can already walk on water and even sustain chakra to stand mid-air."
"This shows your exquisite chakra control, far surpassing my own."
"But these feats involve static control over chakra."
"Rasengan is different; it requires a dynamic flow of chakra."
"Let me stay with you for a while longer to teach you this art."
His words trailed off as his eyes fell upon Naruto's hands.
In Naruto's palm, chakra surged and twisted towards a single direction, causing a faint breeze to rise.
But it was merely a plane, far from being a sphere.
Naruto adjusted the chakra flow, controlling multiple streams simultaneously.
The wind became turbulent, with chaotic air currents swirling.
Gradually, the chakra became more restrained, and a vague semblance of the "Rasengan" began to form.
Increasing the power further.
After several attempts, a brilliant blue sphere floated in Naruto's palm: "Jiraiya-sensei, is this right?"
He had already unleashed the tailed beast bomb countless times.
After successfully achieving "Four-Tails mode" with Urahara Kisuke's help, he also underwent a period of tailed beast bomb training.
The principle behind the "Rasengan" was derived from the tailed beast bomb.
With the reference from another technique, it naturally wasn't as difficult for him.
Jiraiya watched him, somewhat silent.
Did he learn it this quickly?
He had hoped to use this opportunity to spend more time with Naruto.
He didn't expect it.
After just one demonstration, Naruto grasped the concept and, in just over an hour, had already mastered it.
"Incredible, Naruto." Jiraiya forced a smile, "You mastered it so quickly."
Naruto dispersed the chakra: "Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei."
"Then I'll head off now."
He stood up, leapt into the trees, ready to leave in a flash.
Jiraiya called out to him: "Naruto."
The blond-haired boy turned around.
"What do you mean you want to find your parents?" Jiraiya asked, voicing his greatest concern. "Minato and Kushina are already dead."
"Where are you planning to search for them?"
Naruto's voice was gentle yet unwavering: "I know they are dead."
"But isn't there a Death God in this world?"
"Then there must be a place that houses the souls of the deceased."
"That's what I'm looking for."
Jiraiya was taken aback: "A Death God? Where did you hear that?"
"I witnessed the Third Hokage perform a technique called the Reaper Death Seal," Naruto explained. "He summoned a Death God and sealed his own soul along with the First and Second Hokages' souls."
"That Death God? You can see it!" Jiraiya's expression turned grim, eyebrows furrowed. "Where did you make a contract with such an entity?"
Naruto looked at him: "I haven't made any contract. It's due to certain special circumstances that I can see it."
"Jiraiya-sensei, you also know of that technique?"
"Then could you teach me, please?"
Jiraiya questioned, "You really haven't made a contract?"
Naruto nodded, "Really."
"It's a relief you haven't gotten involved with something so dangerous," Jiraiya sighed in relief, "As for that technique
"
"I'm sorry Naruto, but I can't."
"With the Third Hokage gone, it might only be recorded in Konoha now."
Naruto remained unfazed.
Jiraiya hesitated, then sighed deeply: "You are determined to leave Konoha and set off on your journey. I can't stop you."
"Naruto, you have matured a lot and grown strong."
"So, there's something I need to tell you."
(End of Chapter)