"This thing looks so cool! It would be so much fun to ride it around Konohagakure!"
"Master, is Amado-sama's invention considered up to standard? When can we start mass production?"
Yahiko and Konan were, of course, very familiar with this process. Many of Amado's inventions had previously failed Torifu's tests and couldn't be mass-produced.
Torifu pondered for a moment. "It's up to standard. As for mass production, we'll probably have to wait until after the New Year. After all, everyone's on holiday right now, no one's working."
These words were undoubtedly a shot in the arm for Yahiko and Konan; they were relieved to hear it could be produced.
The two children were also very happy and immediately wanted to try it out.
But Torifu refused them.
"Riding a bicycle is a skill. You'll definitely fall the first time you try. You need to learn for a while first, and this bike is for adults. You two are too small."
Given Yahiko and Konan's height, they couldn't even reach the pedals, let alone ride.
The two children were a bit downcast about this, but since Master said it was for adults, there should be bicycles made specifically for children, too.
The group chatted animatedly in the yard, even drawing Minato and Kushina out from helping in the kitchen to watch the commotion.
As more and more people gathered, Kaito seized the opportunity to bid farewell to Torifu and the others, then left the Kumotsuru Clan territory.
Kaito's departure didn't affect anything. Minato and Kushina were both very curious when they saw the bicycle.
Not knowing what it was, Yahiko took it upon himself to explain it to Minato.
After a brief explanation, Minato understood the bicycle's purpose and found it very novel.
"Big Brother, is this thing faster than a ninja running?"
Torifu thought for a moment. "It's probably a bit faster than a newly graduated Genin, but Chunin would be no match at all. However, this thing is mainly for ordinary people to commute. Ninjas can use it for leisure."
Minato nodded after hearing this, thinking that his eldest and second eldest brothers were truly amazing to be able to create something like this.
He had no ideas at all, and couldn't even imagine it.
"Bicycle, an interesting name. Can I try riding it, Big Brother?"
Minato's height was already that of an adult, so he could certainly ride it.
Torifu first demonstrated it, then instructed Minato on the precautions before handing the bike over to him.
Minato copied Torifu's movements, straddling the bicycle, ready to start riding.
But as soon as his feet left the ground, the bike immediately began to wobble uncontrollably.
He almost fell within a meter, unable to maintain absolute balance no matter how Minato tried to control it.
Torifu burst out laughing at this. "See? Everyone falls the first time. You need to practice a lot."
Yahiko and Konan had initially thought it wasn't difficult, but now seeing even Minato almost fall, they seriously reconsidered the bicycle's difficulty.
"So, Big Brother, how do we learn to ride it?"
Torifu waved his hand. "There's no other way, just practice a lot. Once you find your body's balance, it becomes very simple. As soon as you find that balance, you can learn to ride a bicycle in an instant."
Then, Torifu got on the bike and performed a one-handed and two-handed no-hands riding demonstration for them.
This drew gasps of surprise from everyone.
"Big Brother's cycling skills don't seem like he's riding for the first time, but this thing didn't exist in the ninja world before."
Torifu smiled slightly at this. "For me, finding my balance is as easy as drinking water."
He'd accidentally showed off a bit, and Minato and the others were speechless, so they didn't ask any more questions.
Dinner wasn't ready yet, and Minato was quite eager to try the bicycle, so he started practicing in the yard.
Kushina also found the thing interesting, but since Minato was practicing, she didn't want to disturb him.
Besides, once Minato learned, he could teach her better, so she wasn't in a hurry.
Minato rode the bike, wobbling for about ten minutes, and finally started to get the hang of it.
It just goes to show how quickly ninjas learn; if it were an ordinary person, it would probably take them quite a while.
And that's assuming they weren't afraid of falling.
After another five minutes or so, Minato had almost completely mastered the bicycle and could ride easily around the yard.
Going straight and turning were both perfect.
He finally braked and stopped right in the center of the yard.
"Phew, it's just as Big Brother said. Once you find your balance, you learn it in an instant. It's a very strange feeling."
Torifu applauded him from the side. "Well done, learning to ride a bicycle so quickly. You truly live up to your potential. Now you're one of only two people in Konohagakure who can ride a bicycle."
For some reason, Minato felt a little proud, a feeling he hadn't even experienced when achieving first place in a game.
"Big Brother, how about I take the bicycle out for a spin later?"
Torifu naturally agreed to such a small matter. "You can. This isn't something that needs to be kept secret. If anyone asks you, just tell them directly."
Minato responded, "Got it."
Soon, Naori had prepared a table full of food. When she left the kitchen, she was also very surprised, not knowing what this thing was.
After asking Torifu, she learned the bicycle's purpose.
However, Naori was past the age where everything seemed novel. While the bicycle held some attraction for her, it wasn't much.
Still, Naori praised Torifu and Amado, because she knew that this thing would be of immense use to ordinary people.
Dinner was quickly finished, and the sky gradually darkened.
Minato pushed the bicycle out of the Kumotsuru Clan territory.
Although the weather was a bit cold, many people were still strolling and chatting on the streets.
Seeing Minato emerge from the Kumotsuru Clan territory pushing an iron frame, the villagers' first reaction was to approach and ask if he needed help.
But when they saw wheels attached to the iron frame, their brains suddenly glitched.
"What is this? To make it easier to throw away scrap, they've installed wheels on scrap metal? The Hokage-sama is truly a genius!"
The man next to him looked at the speaker as if he were an idiot. "If your IQ is only that low, then don't praise Hokage-sama..."
"Tch, I was just joking. Do you really think I'm stupid?"
The man glanced at him. "Then tell me, what is this thing?"
"...It's scrap metal."
"..."
Watching what Minato was pushing out, the people on the street discussed animatedly.
Many thought it was a new invention by Amado-sama, while others believed it was genuinely scrap metal to be taken to the recycling center.
Minato unhurriedly placed the bike at the entrance and, under the gaze of all the villagers, got on.