Talent System In The Naruto Universe

A Flying Thunder God kunai was embedded in the ground.

As Minato Namikaze formed hand seals, countless sealing patterns spread outward from the kunai as the center.

The enormous dragon-shaped chakra shuddered violently, gradually being absorbed until it vanished entirely.

"Incredible," Sara murmured in amazement.

She wasn't a ninja; she'd only heard stories of their mystical abilities. But witnessing such extraordinary power exceeded anything she'd imagined.

Even the Dragon Vein, which she considered extremely dangerous and terrifying, was subdued with such ease.

"It's done!"

Minato wiped the sweat from his forehead.

This wasn't his first time using the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, but it was his first time sealing something as formidable as the Dragon Vein, comparable to a Tailed Beast.

The difficulty was immense. Without a Jinchūriki to host the sealed energy, he had little confidence in success.

However, he improvised by using a Flying Thunder God kunai as a medium, sealing the Dragon Vein into the platform before them.

Another advantage was that the Dragon Vein wasn't sentient like a Tailed Beast and thus offered no resistance.

Suddenly, a massive explosion echoed from a distance.

Hanekawa instinctively stood up and used an eightfold scope to survey the scene.

It was Anrokuzan's self-destruction.

Amidst the thick smoke and collapsing buildings, he couldn't spot Tsunade or Kurenai.

"I'll go check it out," Minato said before vanishing.

Moments later, spatial distortion rippled as Minato reappeared, this time with Tsunade and Kurenai in tow.

Seeing them, Hanekawa sighed in relief.

With the Dragon Vein sealed, Anrokuzan could no longer benefit from its miraculous regenerative powers.

He was no match for Tsunade and Kurenai now.

However, Hanekawa's expression shifted as he noticed a strange white glow emanating from Kurenai.

He could faintly sense the power of space-time swirling around her.

"It seems the sealing of the Dragon Vein has restored the normal flow of space-time in your body," Minato mused. "In other words, you'll soon return to your original timeline."

"Will the same happen to my teammate?" Kurenai asked, startled.

"Yes," Minato replied after a moment of thought.

As a user of the Flying Thunder God Technique, a space-time ninjutsu, Minato had a fair understanding of time and space.

In the original Lost Tower storyline, he had immediately deduced that Naruto Uzumaki had traveled through time upon meeting him.

"That's good to know," Kurenai said, smiling as she turned to Hanekawa. "Little brother, we've still got time. Let's talk."

"Who are you calling 'little brother'?" Hanekawa retorted but still walked over.

"Kurenai, don't reveal anything about the future," Minato warned sternly. "If you do, history could be altered the moment those words leave your mouth."

"I understand," Kurenai said with a nod.

She and Hanekawa moved aside.

"Did you keep me in the dark earlier because of what Minato-senpai said?" Kurenai asked, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Exactly," Hanekawa chuckled. "Besides, it's not like you'd stay behind to accompany me."

"True," Kurenai said with a teasing smile, ruffling his hair. "You're too young—boring to play with."

"...What?" Hanekawa glared at her.

"What's the matter?" Kurenai teased, her grin widening. "It's fun seeing you as a kid."

"Stop touching my head!" Hanekawa tilted his head in annoyance.

"This is a rare opportunity," Kurenai said, laughing. "Back in the future, you were the one patting my head."

Hanekawa's mouth twitched.

What goes around comes around.

He hadn't expected karma to strike so quickly.

The head-patter becomes the head-patted.

"Time's almost up," Kurenai said, glancing at the white glow enveloping her.

"Let's go," Hanekawa said, turning to stand in front of Tsunade.

Although they were about to part ways, he felt no sadness.

Neither did Kurenai.

For them, nothing was truly lost. Once back in their original timelines, they would still see each other.

This time-travel experience was just a surprising detour—no need for lasting connections.

"To avoid complications, I'll seal everyone's memories," Minato said, forming hand seals and directing his chakra toward Kurenai.

As the final seal completed, her body vanished in the glow.

"Such a fascinating Dragon Vein," Tsunade murmured, momentarily lost in thought.

Will I really become Hokage in the future?

"Lady Tsunade," Minato reminded her before resuming the memory-sealing technique, extending it even to Sara—and himself.

Hanekawa's eyes widened slightly.

His memory wasn't erased.

What's going on?

It wasn't due to Minato holding back.

After a moment's thought, Hanekawa realized it was the effect of his A-rank talent, "Infiltrator."

His true memories had been concealed, and Minato's sealing technique had only erased his false ones.

Will this affect the future?

No—perhaps it was precisely because his memories weren't sealed that these events occurred.

So, will I travel through the Dragon Vein to the era of the Sage of Six Paths in a few years?

And what about Moryo?

Future Hanekawa would surely defeat Moryo.

Moreover, according to the timeline, Moryo wouldn't target the Dragon Vein until Naruto grew up. Now, everything had shifted at least 20 years ahead of schedule.

Hanekawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

It was him.

He must have found Moryo and guided him to the Dragon Vein ahead of schedule.

Given the fixed nature of past events, if he didn't act, it would undoubtedly cause significant issues.

Besides, becoming the Sage of Six Paths sounded pretty good.

"Is the mission over?"

Tsunade shook her head, a hint of confusion on her face.

She only remembered that she, Hanekawa, and Minato had come to Rōran for the mission, but the details of what happened in between were blurry.

"It's over, sensei," Hanekawa said, pointing to the Flying Thunder God kunai before them. "Minato-senpai has sealed the Dragon Vein."

"This is indeed my seal," Minato muttered, frowning slightly.

He felt like something was missing.

"Thank you, everyone from Konoha," Sara said, bowing slightly as she returned to her senses. "You helped defeat Anrokuzan and restore peace to Rōran."

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

It seemed Minato had left more of her memory intact.

"It's what we should do," Minato replied with his signature sunny smile.

"Let's go," Tsunade said, suppressing the doubts in her heart as she glanced at the kunai. "We can talk once we're back on the surface."

The three of them left the Dragon Vein's core and returned to Rōran.

With much of the royal palace destroyed during the battle with Anrokuzan, Sara led them to an inn instead.

After resting for the night, the three didn't linger and returned to Konoha.

"Lady Tsunade," Minato said, smiling as he looked at the familiar sights of the village. "Will you join me to report the mission?"

"You go ahead," Tsunade replied, waving her hand. "Just make sure to share the mission reward with us later."

"Understood," Minato nodded before vanishing in a flash.

"Let's go!" Tsunade said eagerly. "Time to hit the casino!"

"Sensei!" Hanekawa sighed in exasperation. "Who goes gambling the moment they're back in the village?"

"I haven't gambled in a week!" Tsunade replied with conviction.

"Fine, you go ahead," Hanekawa said, unwilling to accompany her as he had something else to do.

"...?"

Tsunade froze, her expression stiffening.

Going alone would just be asking to lose.

"Fine," she relented after some thought.

"We'll go tomorrow instead."

Hanekawa's eyes widened in surprise.

She could actually resist the urge?

"What's with that look?" Tsunade asked, a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone. "Do you really think I have no self-control?"

"Honestly, no," Hanekawa said truthfully.

"What did you just say?!"

A vein popped on Tsunade's forehead as she glared at him in anger. "Looks like I need to teach you a lesson today!"

"See you tomorrow!" Hanekawa quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to escape.

"You brat! You're dead!" Tsunade yelled, clenching her fists.

Hanekawa made his way to the commercial district.

After looking around, he bought a bag of lollipops and a box of takoyaki.

Satisfied, he headed to Maruboshi Kosuke's house.

"Hanekawa?!"

Kurenai, who had been practicing her Water Release techniques, stopped her training and ran over to him.

"Ah, youth," Kosuke sighed from the side.

"When did you get back?" Kurenai asked excitedly.

"Just now," Hanekawa said, patting her head. "I figured you'd be here, so I came to find you."

Kurenai's smile grew even brighter.

The fact that Hanekawa sought her out first spoke volumes.

"It's been a while. Aren't you going to show some appreciation?" Hanekawa said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Appreciation?" Kurenai tilted her head, looking adorably confused.

"How about this," Hanekawa suggested, revealing his true intention. "Call me 'big brother.'"

"Huh?" Kurenai blinked, then adamantly refused. "No way!"

"Why not?" Hanekawa teased, waving a lollipop. "I'll give you this."

"Not even for a lollipop," Kurenai said after a few seconds of hesitation.

She had always dreamed of being the big sister, not the other way around.

"How about takoyaki?" Hanekawa grinned, holding out the lollipop in one hand and the takoyaki in the other.

Kurenai's face scrunched up in hesitation.

These were her favorite snacks.

Curse him! He knew exactly how to tempt her!

"Just once," Hanekawa emphasized.

"Fine," Kurenai relented, pouting. "Big Brother Hanekawa."

"You're so cute," Hanekawa said with a laugh.

Now we're even!

After all, future you called me 'little brother.'

"Don't think I'll forgive you just because you complimented me!" Kurenai huffed, snatching the lollipop and takoyaki.

"Yes, my mistake," Hanekawa said apologetically. "Maybe someday I'll end up calling you 'big sister.'"

"Really?" Kurenai's eyes lit up with determination.

How obsessed are you with this?

Hanekawa couldn't help but grumble internally.

"Here," Kurenai said, opening the takoyaki box and offering him a piece with a toothpick.

"Thanks," Hanekawa said, biting into it with a smile.

_

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