Chapter 38: Uzumaki Blue Taro Ball Zero
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With two days left until the Chunin Exams, many ninjas have returned to the village to prepare for the upcoming trials.
Among the newcomers is the new generation of Konoha, the same age group as Kakashi. Most of them are quite talented, and their instructors have submitted their names for the exam. Surprisingly, even Kakashi, already a Chunin, has been discreetly pushed by the village's higher-ups to join the exams again, showcasing Konoha's youthful vitality to both other villages and prominent spectators. So, with the village now bustling with ninjas from both within and outside, there's a lot of excitement in the air.
"Yuto's business really is booming!" Minato exclaimed, marveling at the advertisements plastered everywhere. "It's even hung at the Chunin Exam venue. It's incredible."
How many times has Konoha held the Chunin Exams? But this was the first time. Plenty of returning ninjas were shocked to see the ads, looking utterly bewildered.
"How did you even manage that?" Minato asked.
"With love!" Uchiha Yuto declared righteously. "My deep love for Konoha's Will of Fire touched Hokage-sama's heart, so he gave me this opportunity. Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
It's true!
It was all pure and without any under-the-table transactions.
"Hehe~" Minato chuckled, not pressing further. Some things were best left unspoken. Those who understood would understand.
Then, as if remembering something, he reached out excitedly. "Oh, and my new ninjutsu is complete! Thanks to you for allowing that trip to your kitchen."
With a surge of chakra, the air around them seemed to twist, and in an instant, a translucent, light-blue orb—resembling a gem-like sphere—appeared in Minato's hand.
"..."
Yuto fell silent. Minato had visited his kitchen to observe how the spinning pearls and taro balls were made in order to perfect his ninjutsu. In the end, he seemed to have drawn inspiration from the spinning taro balls, leading to the creation of this iconic hand seal-less technique that would shock the ninja world in the future—Rasengan 1.0.
This process of inspiration… Could it be that, in the future, Naruto won't train with water balloons but with taro balls? Regardless of how it happened, the spotlight was on Minato, who, at this time, outshone even one of Konoha's Sannin, Orochimaru.
Of course, Yuto never told Minato that someone long ago—a certain young, wealthy, and dashing individual—had also developed this ninjutsu and spread it in the Land of Rain. It didn't really matter, after all.
There are no bad ninjutsus, only bad ninjas. The same ninjutsu in different hands will always have different outcomes.
For example: Obito.
He'd heard that Obito had been quite active lately.
The stories were full of blood and filth, and even Minato would sneer every time he talked about them.
As Yuto mulled over this, Minato assumed his silence meant he was deeply impressed by his ninjutsu. With a sigh, he said, "It's a shame that you're no longer a ninja, Yuto; otherwise, you'd be able to learn this too." Then he paused for a moment as if he remembered something and his face lit up with excitement. "Oh, right! Since this jutsu was inspired by taro balls, looks like a large blue taro ball, and since Kushina loves to eat taro balls, I'm naming it Uzumaki Blue Taro Ball Zero. What do you think?"
…Not great!
I'd call it Digging Hole Ball instead! Good fellow, you just don't want a name with three characters, so you're swapping three characters for an eight-character name?
Yuto's mouth twitched, and he sighed with emotion. "Let's go with a different name."
He couldn't picture a future where Minato would use this Rasengan while shouting out Uzumaki Blue Taro Ball Zero.
So embarrassing!
"You don't think it sounds good?" Minato frowned, scratching his head. "I thought the name was pretty good."
"It's too long; it's not good!"
"Too long? Others have said that too, but I thought it was fine." Minato stroked his chin, pondering, "What about Taro Ball Sphere? Or Pearl Sphere? Kushina said she likes the sound of Bobble Ball."
"…What a good name!" Yuto grinned in pain, not sure what to say, feeling a bit exasperated. "Rasengan! Let's call it Rasengan, a ninjutsu formed by the rotation of chakra."
If they keep coming up with names like this…
Giant Taro Ball?
Wind-Style Taro Ball?
This ninja world has no hope! Might as well just call it Digging Hole Ball!
After Yuto's words…
Minato froze, then furrowed his brow thoughtfully. "Rasengan? That's actually a pretty fitting name. It just seems… right." For some reason, he was suddenly touched, and then he raised his hand with a smile. "I'll check with Kushina and Jiraiya-sensei about it later." Then, with a slight sigh of regret, he added, "Though, I still think Uzumaki Blue Taro Ball Zero has a nice ring to it. It'd be a shame to waste it—maybe I'll use it for the next ninjutsu?"
"A good name should be saved for the right moment!" Uchiha Yuto praised quickly, eager to change the subject. "By the way, has anything been going on with Obito lately?"
Recalling the other night…
That lonely, defiant figure, clenched fists, eyes blazing red, looking almost like a stray dog.
Things seemed to be taking a different turn.
So, he's awakened his Sharingan?!
At this rate… if Kakashi makes it to third base, Obito might just awaken the three tomoe, get a Mangekyo after marriage, and have a kid with the Rinnegan!
Wow~
Talk about a genius Uchiha!
The classic tale about the wrath of a spare tire! Madara himself would probably be dumbfounded if he saw this.
What a stand-in he's chosen—always so emotional. At this rate, Madara might just arrange a wedding night for Kakashi and Rin to help Obito's growth!
"Obito?" Minato paused, furrowing his brow thoughtfully before shaking his head. "Nothing happened. I saw him a few days ago… He has become much more stable."
Did my words get through to him? Has he finally let go of that jutsu and grown up?
"What's wrong?"
"…Nothing."
Stable?
That's an early symptom of a mental illness…
At this moment, Minato sighed. "I still have no idea who taught Obito that taijutsu. Such a bright young kid, now… sigh. Thankfully, he turned back before it was too late; otherwise, he'd be disgraced across the ninja world."
"Exactly! That guy is so despicable!" Uchiha Yuto agreed, nodding seriously. "Teaching a kid such improper jutsu! He deserves a serious reprimand."
A certain Legendary Uchiha Ninja taught him that move.
Really!
That's what Obito said.
"By the way, is Obito…also participating in this Chunin Exam?"
"…Yes." Minato forced a small, reluctant smile on his exasperated face. "Obito, Rin—they're both excellent."
And yet, for some reason, he couldn't shake a bad feeling deep down.
Maybe he was just overthinking things; Obito had already promised not to use "that" jutsu during the Chunin Exams.
Minato took a deep breath, forcing a cheerful smile. "I believe they'll definitely do—"
Before he could finish speaking…
"Oh no! Minato-sensei!"
A panicked voice interrupted him.
The two turned, and there stood a frantic, breathless Rin, rushing toward them.
"What's wrong?" Minato frowned, moving closer. "Don't worry, Rin. Take a breath and tell me, what happened?"
Why… did he feel that unsettling feeling again?
Rin took a deep breath, glancing at Minato with lingering worry in her eyes, and quickly said, "It's Obito and the others… they've gotten into a fight with the ninjas from Kumogakure!"