Since none of Jiraiya's generation are suitable, either due to loafing around or not being recognized by Sarutobi Hiruzen, the latter has completely given up on his few disciples and is prepared to pick one between Namikaze Minato and Mokgetsu.
Because Mokgetsu and Namikaze Minato are too young, Sarutobi Hiruzen does not plan to pass the position too early and wants to train them for a few years.
After returning home,
Namikaze Minato tidied up the house, then went to knock on Mokgetsu's door.
"Not home, huh? Then I'll go find Kushina first." Seeing no response for a while, Namikaze Minato decided to first visit his girlfriend whom he hadn't seen in a while.
After all, it was daytime, so Mokgetsu not being home was normal.
Finding Kushina was quite smooth because at that time, Kushina happened to be in her room studying Fuinjutsu.
"Minato, you're back!" Seeing her boyfriend, Kushina showed a joyful smile.
"Lately, the Ninja World seems to be getting more chaotic, and the atmosphere in the village has changed a bit; I thought you'd be busier."
While speaking, Kushina threw herself at Minato and gave him a big hug.
"That should be the case originally, but I applied for a short vacation, so I can stay in Konoha for a while." Namikaze Minato smiled and gently touched Kushina's beautiful red hair.
Normally, he would either be sent to the Land of Hot Water to assist Orochimaru or return to the Land of Grass to carry out the task of investigating the Hidden Rock.
"Hehe, you just wanted to see me, huh." Kushina couldn't help but put her hands on her hips and reveal a smug smile.
Her boyfriend is resting on leave, for what other reason than for her, the beautiful girlfriend.
"Well, actually, it's because I need to learn a technique from Mokgetsu." Namikaze Minato confessed honestly.
Kushina's smile froze, her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Namikaze Minato.
What the heck, could her charm be less than the Ninjutsu taught by Mokgetsu?
Kushina puffed her cheeks in discontent as she looked at Namikaze Minato, unable to see why he couldn't at least say he wanted to learn Ninjutsu from Mokgetsu, but also wanted to see her.
"My speed is sufficient, but facing some ninjas with special abilities, my power falls short." Namikaze Minato explained.
In fact, Namikaze Minato noticed this issue during the Hidden Rock Battlefield when his Rasengan couldn't break through Roshi's Molten Armor under Lava Release Chakra Mode.
But Roshi was, after all, a Jinchuriki capable of Complete Tailed Beast Transformation, very rare, so Namikaze Minato didn't pay much attention at the time.
This time, fighting the AB Combination, his Rasengan was blocked again, prompting Namikaze Minato to reflect deeply.
If that attack had been successful, the battle would have had a very different outcome.
"Once I remedy this weakness, I can better protect the village and... you." Namikaze Minato spoke sincerely.
When Kushina goes to the battlefield, her opponents are either Jinchuriki or top-level strong opponents.
If the opponent is a Jinchuriki capable of Complete Tailed Beast Transformation, or a strong opponent like the Third Raikage, Namikaze Minato would be powerless.
The enemies can't harm him, nor can he inflict any effective injury on them.
The little frustration in Kushina's heart evaporated, her complexion gradually matching her hair color, "Why so sudden with the mushy talk about trying hard to protect and all."
Saying so, Kushina couldn't help but wave her little pink fists at Namikaze Minato's chest.
Scared her a bit, she almost thought she had lost her place in Namikaze Minato's heart to Mokgetsu.
Turns out, it was all for her.
The quick-reacting Namikaze Minato immediately gathered Chakra in his chest, firmly withstanding the punch.
The small misunderstanding successfully resolved, the atmosphere between them became sweeter, and they started engaging in daily activities typical of young couples.
Around 5:30 pm, Namikaze Minato visited Mokgetsu's house again.
However, to his surprise, Mokgetsu still wasn't home. Namikaze Minato checked in every ten minutes at Mokgetsu's doorstep, continuing until 6:30 when Mokgetsu still hadn't shown up.
This surprised Namikaze Minato a bit, but he didn't rush to inquire with the Third Hokage if Mokgetsu was out on a mission. Instead, he calmed his mind, read a book, and waited.
It wasn't until around 10 pm that Namikaze Minato heard movement next door, so he went over.
Just at that moment, Mokgetsu was entering the door and hadn't yet closed it. Seeing Namikaze Minato approaching, he smiled and invited him inside.
Namikaze Minato didn't hesitate much and walked right in.
"Recently, the training squad has just gotten on track, so it's been busy, that's why I'm working late; Minato, you back in Konoha today?" Mokgetsu said as he poured tea for Minato.
He spent very little time at home each day, so he arranged a small kitchen at the training squad base to prepare meals.
"Yes, I arrived this noon." Namikaze Minato softly thanked him and nodded.
"Minato, are you here for something?" Mokgetsu asked directly.
"Yes, but seeing how busy you are working late..." Namikaze Minato initially thought of visiting Mokgetsu tomorrow, entering simply to see why Mokgetsu was getting home so late.
"It's not an issue; the real working hours aren't that many, not tiring."
Since Mokgetsu said so, Namikaze Minato didn't hold back and stated his purpose.
"I have completed the Constant State training of the Basic Breathing Technique you taught me, and would like to learn more about its advanced Secret Technique."
"You have three choices: Breath of Wind, Breath of Flame, and Breath of Yang," Mokgetsu thought and said.
Even though Minato rarely uses Wind Attribute or Fire Attribute Ninjutsu in battles, his proficiency with Nature Transformation isn't low, much higher than an average Jonin.
"The Breath of Flame provides all the boosts of basic breathing, and intensifies the power of Fire Release..."
Namikaze Minato displayed a serious look, listening attentively to Mokgetsu's breakdown of the breathing techniques.
"So Obito and others can quickly cast without seals due to the breathing technique." Hearing the effects of Breathing Chakra Mode, Namikaze Minato showed a surprised expression.
"Mokgetsu, do you think I should cultivate Breath of Wind?" Namikaze Minato thought and asked.
Fire Release doesn't quite fit with Namikaze Minato's current combat style.
And the effects of Breath of Yang Chakra Mode seemed powerful, capable of seal-less healing with the effects of Akimichi Secret Techniques, but still didn't suit Namikaze Minato.
Because normally people can't lay a hand on Namikaze Minato; thus, seal-less healing is essentially nullified.
If there were instant-cast Wind Release, it could bring new dynamics to Namikaze Minato's battle capabilities.
Wind Release's attack power ranks strong among the Five Great Attributes, with sufficiently sharp Wind Blades capable of slicing through various hard substances.
"All right." Mokgetsu nodded in affirmation.
Among the existing breathing techniques, Breath of Wind indeed complements Namikaze Minato the most.
Then, under Mokgetsu's strong recommendation, they went to the nearest training field to begin cultivation.
"Given the current chaos in the Ninja World, the time you can spend in Konoha is limited; whereas for me, once this busy period is over, things should ease up a lot," Mokgetsu explained.
Earlier, Namikaze Minato had put a lot of effort into teaching him the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, so Mokgetsu didn't mind investing time into Namikaze Minato.
They practiced until 1 am; having worked late and trained, Mokgetsu even prepared a late-night meal.
"It's certainly good to have a friend like Mokgetsu." Namikaze Minato couldn't help but sigh inwardly after returning home.
After consuming the night meal, Mokgetsu didn't rest immediately, researching Fuinjutsu for half an hour before washing up and going to bed.
Researching Fuinjutsu and breathing techniques has become his habit; if he doesn't at least review them at night, it feels like something is missing.
"The time seems about right, time to exhibit some Wood Release techniques." Mokgetsu thought while lying in bed.
Enough time has passed since he requested Wood Release documents, as Konoha's most gifted genius, it's time he showed some progress.
The next day, in the morning, after Mokgetsu completed his Observation course, he went to the Hokage Building.
Soon, Mokgetsu made an excited expression and opened the Hokage Office door without knocking.
"Hmm?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked towards the door somewhat displeased as someone entered without knocking.
Seeing it was Mokgetsu, he felt curious, thinking it couldn't be that after receiving Root's inheritance, he started acting like Shimura Danzo, who disliked knocking.
"Third Lord, I think I've successfully developed Wood Release!"