It hadn't been a severe injury to begin with, and under Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, Minato Namikaze's condition had nearly returned to normal.
"Liu Yun-sama, how did you find me just now?"
That was what troubled Minato most.
He prided himself on his speed. With the Flying Thunder God Technique, he believed there was no one alive who could read or intercept his movement once he teleported.
Yet Aoyama Ryuyun had defeated him in a single, decisive moment—almost as if he had predicted the exact location Minato would reappear.
Ryuyun merely waved his hand, his tone casual. "Well… you could call it a form of perception."
"Perception?" Minato blinked.
"Yes," Ryuyun replied lightly. "A kind of battle intuition. The Flying Thunder God is indeed fast, but once you can sense the opponent's next position, it's not so difficult to counter."
He spoke as if describing something simple.
But to the others listening, it sounded utterly absurd.
Perceive the next location of a space-time teleportation? Was that even humanly possible?
Still, they were all too used to Aoyama Ryuyun performing the impossible.
Minato eventually nodded, the bewilderment fading from his face and replaced by resolve.
"Liu Yun-sama… I'll work hard. I'll definitely become stronger."
Ryuyun tilted his head slightly.
"…"
Why tell me that? Planning to challenge me again someday? That kind of courage was both foolish and admirable.
"Keep it up," Ryuyun said simply.
"Yes!" Minato straightened, his blue eyes shining with determination.
That simple encouragement seemed to burn itself into his heart. From that day onward, Ryuyun became Minato's silent benchmark—a mountain he vowed to surpass.
Ryuyun could only sigh inwardly. What a pure-hearted boy.
Though, in truth, he doubted Minato Namikaze would ever reach that height.
Just then, Tsunade smirked and turned toward Jiraiya.
"Well then, who was it that said Minato would win so confidently earlier?"
"Uh…"
Jiraiya froze. That one stung.
He awkwardly coughed. "Cough, cough! Regardless, Minato's use of the Flying Thunder God was excellent!"
"Tch."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "No matter how well he used it, it's still a technique developed by my clan's founder."
Too lazy to continue arguing, she looked at Ryuyun instead and smiled. "You did well, you know."
Her tone carried unmistakable pride. Her man had defeated even the Flying Thunder God—and that pleased her greatly.
Orochimaru, standing beside her, stepped forward with a faint smile.
"Ryuyun-kun's strength truly lives up to my expectations."
Jiraiya's lips twitched.
"Hey, hey, hey! Sure, Liu Yun won, but can't you at least praise Minato too? The kid fought excellently!"
He felt indignant. Why was everyone only praising Ryuyun?
Anyone with half an eye could see that even in defeat, Minato had displayed terrifying potential. Within a few short years, he'd undoubtedly become a shinobi of great renown.
But in response to Jiraiya's plea, Tsunade and Orochimaru merely exchanged a glance and ignored him entirely.
Jiraiya's shoulders slumped. "So annoying… you're all impossible."
No matter what, his disciple had fought brilliantly. If no one would praise Minato, at least they could praise him for training him!
"It's fine, Jiraiya-sensei," Minato said earnestly. "I'll definitely become stronger."
That alone was enough to lift Jiraiya's spirits.
He broke into a wide grin, puffing out his chest. "Don't worry! With me teaching you, you'll surpass even your limits! Hahaha!"
To raise a prodigy destined to change the world—what greater joy could there be?
"Yes, Jiraiya-sensei!"
Minato's voice was full of sincerity.
The others—Tsunade, Orochimaru, even Ryuyun—could only exchange weary looks.
To think such a powerful student was being mentored by such an unreliable man—it was almost absurd.
"Alright!" Tsunade finally said, stretching her arms. "We've eaten, drunk, and fought. If there's nothing else, let's call it a night."
"Oh? That's it?" Jiraiya looked disappointed. He'd wanted another round of drinks, but when he checked the time, even he had to admit it was late.
"Let's go, let's go."
Tsunade and Ryuyun left side by side.
As they departed, Ryuyun and Orochimaru exchanged a faint smile—a silent acknowledgment between equals.
Then they parted ways.
Jiraiya lingered for a moment, muttering something about sake before heading off as well.
Minato was about to leave when he noticed something.
Kushina hadn't spoken once since the fight ended.
She stood silently, eyes fixed on the direction Aoyama Ryuyun had gone.
"Kushina?" Minato called gently.
She blinked, startled. "Huh? Oh—Minato."
"What's wrong?"
"Never mind… it's nothing," she said quickly, shaking her head.
Minato didn't think much of it. He assumed she was still in shock from witnessing Ryuyun's display of power.
His gaze drifted to where she'd been looking.
Far ahead, under the moonlight, Aoyama Ryuyun and Tsunade walked hand in hand. Their silhouettes were calm, elegant—perfectly in sync.
Minato exhaled softly. "Liu Yun-sama really is… a gentle person."
"…"
Kushina said nothing. Her eyes lingered on the fading figures, her heart quietly complicated.
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