As a complete non-specialist, Hagoromo naturally had no idea how a certain someone in the future would end up wielding Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
The fact that he even knew such a technique existed—and that it was a finishing move—was already impressive enough.
In truth, Naruto would later be able to use Rasenshuriken while avoiding its backlash only after entering Sage Mode. At the very beginning, he too had been a victim of that technique.
That unstable, ultra–high-density Wind Release chakra, delivered at point-blank range, could kill the enemy—
—but it would also inflict tremendous damage on the user's own body.
For a long time, it was classified as a forbidden technique.
After thinking it over to no avail, Minato could only temporarily abandon the idea of adding nature transformation. He dispersed the Rasengan in his hand and turned his attention to Hagoromo's actions instead.
After all, ninjutsu development often wasn't about stubborn contemplation.
It was about sudden inspiration.
Looking at Hagoromo now, his right hand holding the surgical scalpel was perfectly steady. It appeared as though he was simply carving line after line of bloody cuts into his left forearm.
Anyone who didn't know better would assume he was engaging in self-harm.
Of course, Hagoromo wasn't merely drawing lines—and he certainly wasn't carving the character "diligence" into his arm as some sort of motivational slogan.
What he was inscribing was a complex fūinjutsu formula, composed of countless tiny characters and intricate symbols.
That was why, although the scalpel in his hand seemed to dance nimbly, his actual carving speed was not fast at all.
It had to be said—this scene had a very shōnen manga feel to it.
The blade tip continuously cut through his skin, severing muscle fibers, blood vessels, even microscopic cellular structures, leaving behind one precise imprint after another—
—and yet Hagoromo didn't even furrow his brow.
Alright, to be precise, this wasn't because of iron will or pain tolerance.
It was because he had temporarily lost sensation in his left arm.
Before beginning this process—which looked somewhere between tattooing and self-dissection—Hagoromo had used Lightning Release to induce localized paralysis.
At the same time, he was performing extremely fine control over the electrical signals in his nerve endings.
So it wasn't that he looked like he didn't feel pain.
He genuinely didn't.
That wasn't because he couldn't endure pain. As a shinobi, he'd been stabbed into a "bloody hedgehog" more than once—far worse than this.
But if there was a convenient way to avoid pain, why wouldn't he use it?
Since it required no extra effort, of course he'd choose the painless option.
After all, as a normal person, Hagoromo had absolutely no interest in self-harm as a hobby—no matter how "positive" it was framed to be.
"Hagoromo… it would be best if you didn't use this technique too lightly. The burden it places on the body is extremely heavy."
Only after Hagoromo finished carving his arm full of densely packed, incomprehensible seals did Minato finally speak.
He had been watching for some time.
In truth, Minato didn't approve of Hagoromo experimenting on his own body—but Hagoromo's resolve was firm.
What Hagoromo was doing had already been discussed with Minato beforehand, including theoretical feasibility.
So when Minato said the technique placed a heavy burden on the body, that actually meant—
It was theoretically viable.
And if successful, it would result in a technique with extremely high combat efficiency.
This was Hagoromo's further exploration of Lightning Release.
"Don't worry, Minato-senpai," Hagoromo replied.
"I won't make reckless modifications to my body. This is only a small-scale experiment. Whether it works or not is another matter—but I'll develop the technique without harming myself."
In truth, this was something Minato really didn't need to worry about.
Hagoromo was extremely cautious when it came to his own body. He would never truly ruin himself.
In that regard, he was fundamentally different from Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was someone who devoted his very life to ninjutsu research—someone who would experiment on himself without hesitation, even if it meant destroying his own body.
That kind of self-erasing obsession was a realm most people could never hope to reach.
Besides—
Even if Orochimaru ruined his body, he could just jump into someone else's.
Problem solved. All negative status effects cleared.
"You know your own limits. That's good enough," Minato said.
Hagoromo was someone with a strong will. Since he had said as much, Minato couldn't press the matter further.
In truth, Minato didn't quite understand.
Given Hagoromo's age—and the strength he already possessed—why was he so anxious to keep pushing himself forward?
To Minato, this seemed a bit too rushed. Natural growth should have been the optimal path.
But the pressure weighing on Hagoromo's mind was something he couldn't explain to anyone.
And so, his behavior inevitably appeared difficult to understand.
Still, if Hagoromo wanted to do this, then let him do it for now.
At the very least, with Minato and Kushina watching over him, he wouldn't go astray.
…Minato thought quietly.
Are all young shinobi this difficult to deal with these days?
For the first time, he felt that his path to becoming Hokage was going to be a heavy responsibility indeed.
"Don't worry. I'll keep things under control."
As he spoke, Hagoromo began cleaning the blood from his arm. He applied several topical medicines to the wounds, then prepared to wrap them.
Doing it one-handed was inconvenient.
Without a word, Minato reached out, took the bandages from him, and expertly wrapped his arm.
Complementary strengths.
Mutual benefit.
Minato was far more skilled at this than Kushina.
Just as Hagoromo had said, this was only an experiment. There was no expectation of instant success.
Everything had to proceed step by step.
The engraving phase ended here—the rest would be gradual testing and refinement.
Hagoromo wasn't aiming for Version 1.0.
He was aiming for 2.0, 3.0—and beyond.
Once the bandaging was done, Hagoromo lowered his sleeve to conceal his arm. He was about to thank Minato when Akimichi Chōza and Aburame Shibi entered the tent.
"Minato," Chōza said, "we've received new orders. Our movement time has been moved up. We're to head toward the Land of Rice Fields as soon as possible."
"As soon as possible?" Minato echoed.
"Preferably immediately."
"…I see."
Since those were the orders, there was no reason for Minato's squad to disobey.
Minato nodded.
"Everyone ready? If there are no issues, we'll report in and depart immediately."
The other three all nodded in response.
And so, Minato's squad moved out at once.
This was one advantage of being a shinobi—
You could leave at a moment's notice.
In truth, what preparation did they need?
Aside from the ninja tools they always carried, they had no real belongings.
As for mental preparation—
They were simply moving from one battlefield to another.
What was there to prepare for?
Ordinarily, shinobi would gather into larger formations before relocating, for safety's sake.
But Minato's squad didn't need to bother.
With their level of strength—
They could leave whenever they pleased.
And orders didn't change without reason.
If they were being told to move immediately, it could only mean one thing.
The situation on Kumogakure's front had grown critical.
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