Analyzing the Ninja World Starting from Konoha

Minato, as expected of the future Fourth Hokage, possessed profound mastery of sealing techniques. He started from the most basic concepts of Yin-Yang balance and the transformation of chakra's form and nature, using the most accessible language to construct a grand theoretical framework for sealing techniques for Aoba.

"The essence of sealing techniques is not destruction, but 'order.' It uses specific rules, namely runes, to restrain disordered energy and bring it to a stable state of equilibrium."

During breaks, Minato would draw various basic rune structures on the ground with a twig, explaining as he drew.

Aoba squatted down beside him, listening attentively and nodding repeatedly. Meanwhile, the auxiliary chip in his mind had already entered high-speed computing mode.

[New knowledge received: Basic theory of sealing techniques...]

[Entering data into the database... Building a knowledge model...]

[Model built, now incorporating and analyzing with the existing knowledge base...]

In the eyes of Dingza and Zhiwei, Aoba is a diligent and studious junior.

But in Minato's eyes, Aoba's performance could no longer be simply described as "genius".

Although he had overestimated Aoba's talent as much as possible, he was still deeply shocked.

No matter how obscure or abstract the concept, Minato only needs to mention the beginning, and Aoba can immediately grasp the core, and even draw inferences from it to raise some questions that go straight to the essence, questions that even Minato himself needs to think for a moment to answer.

"Minato-senpai, if we reverse the runes representing the concept of 'binding,' could we create a technique specifically for 'liberation'?"

"Where is the efficiency limit of this 'Chakra Conversion' rune? If the nature of the input chakra changes, does the rune structure need to be fine-tuned accordingly?"

As Minato answered, he was filled with amazement.

Aoba's learning speed and depth of understanding have surpassed those of any of his peers, including himself.

He seemed to have an innate, unparalleled ability to understand this system of knowledge composed of logic and rules.

"Perhaps he can learn that technique too?!"

Minato couldn't help but think.

In fact, in order to absorb as much knowledge about sealing techniques as possible, Aoba had been using his auxiliary chip to study, because he knew that once he returned to Konoha, he didn't know when he would have another opportunity like this.

On the last day of their journey home, they were not far from Konoha Village.

The team took a short break in a grove of trees.

With the chip's full processing power, every point of knowledge that Minato explained was quickly digested and absorbed.

With Minato's intentional or unintentional guidance, Aoba tried to combine the sealing incantations and stood next to a large tree.

He extended his index finger, and a faint yet solid chakra gathered at his fingertip.

Then, his fingertips gently touched the tree trunk.

There were no wood chips flying around; his fingers were like a hot knife cutting into tofu.

The places where my fingertips touched revealed deep, somewhat charred marks.

Soon, the character "封" (seal) appeared on the tree trunk.

[Finger-engraved seal]!

In the original story, Jiraiya used this technique to transmit information before his death.

It can be inscribed on the skin of living beings or on iron plates, but it requires a high level of control over chakra.

"Well done, Aoba."

Minato exclaimed sincerely.

"Thank you so much, Minato-senpai!"

Although it was just a simple sealing technique, it gave Aoba a lot of inspiration.

Minato did not teach him the complete technique, but he did teach him the combination of incantations.

With these, he could upgrade the sealing techniques within the Sand Village's sand control secrets once again.

Originally, one unit of chakra could only control one unit of sand. After he completed the upgrade, one unit of chakra could even control two, three, or even more units of sand.

Seeing Qingye's excited expression.

Shuimen decisively gave the order.

"Alright, let's keep going! Let's try to get back to the village before sunset."

"yes!"

The crowd's response grew even louder.

As the sun sets, the outline of Konoha's gates appears on the horizon.

Qingye touched the gourd on her back, a subtle smile curving her lips.

This trip was worthwhile.

"Finally home!"

Standing at the gates of Konoha, Choza Akimichi raised his hands excitedly and said, "I suggest we go out for barbecue to celebrate!"

The rest of the team members smiled and nodded in agreement.

On the way back, Ding Zuo kept repeating it countless times.

"Okay, but I need to go to the Hokage to submit the mission first. You can go and order the food first."

Minato smiled gently.

"No problem, I'll take care of ordering."

Ding patted his chest and readily agreed.

……

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind a large desk, a pipe in his hand, his expression inscrutable amidst the swirling smoke.

Minato Namikaze stood respectfully before the table.

"You mean, that rogue ninja named An Lushan used the power of the Dragon Vein to create a puppet army, attempting to overthrow the Five Great Nations?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the report, his tone grave.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Minato nodded. "Although I have resealed the dragon vein and An Lushan has been executed, a large number of puppet remains still remain in that underground ruin."

Regarding the future Naruto and Yamato, due to the sealed memories, only two vague figures remained in Minato's mind, along with the concept of "assistance from friendly forces."

He described this truthfully in his report: there was assistance from a mysterious powerful figure, and the phenomenon of temporal distortion was suspected to be caused by the fluctuation of the dragon vein.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring, his brows furrowing slightly.

The mastery of space-time ninjutsu is profound, and the immense energy source of the Dragon Vein could indeed trigger unknown phenomena. Since the Dragon Vein has been sealed, that space-time portal is naturally closed as well.

More than that, he was concerned about the hidden dangers revealed during this mission.

How could the Sand Village's rogue ninja cause such a commotion within the Land of Wind without the Sand Village noticing? Or... were they deliberately letting it go?

"The realm of space-time ninjutsu is too profound. Since the dragon vein has been sealed, the disappearance of that memory may also be a form of protection. As long as we are certain that An Lushan's conspiracy has been thwarted and Loulan no longer poses a threat, that will suffice."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the mission report on the table, glanced at the rating, pondered for a moment, then picked up his pen and crossed out the original "A" rating, changing it to "S" rating.

With its involvement of dragon vein riots, puppet armies, and suspected spacetime interference, the danger level of this mission has long exceeded the limit.

"How did your team members perform on this mission?"

Hiruzen put down his pen and asked the question seemingly casually.

"Excellent."

Minato flashed his signature gentle smile and answered without hesitation, "Choza and Shii-senpai's teamwork was flawless, as for Aoba..."

Hiruzen's eyes lit up at the mention of that name.

"Aoba's performance exceeded my expectations. His intelligence gathering ability and tactical skills are very high. When Aoba infiltrated An Lushan's modification workshop, he not only discovered the existence of the puppet army in time, but also successfully destroyed the control system. In the battle, his medical ninjutsu also played a significant role."

The Third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette, and the smoke slowly dissipated in front of him.

"This child..."

His tone carried a hint of relief, "It seems that the decision we made back then was the right one."

Minato didn't reply; he just stood there quietly.

"The village will remember your contribution in upgrading this mission from A-rank to S-rank."

The Third Hokage made the final decision: "You've worked hard, Minato. Go back and rest."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Minato bowed, turned and left the office.

After Minato left, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a dusty report from a drawer next to him. The report emphasized the role of medical ninjas in the team.

……