It was a unique, unheard-of Kekkei Genkai.
After a period of close observation, Fukasaku and Jiraiya reached a consensus. According to Hatani's "experience," he had suddenly awakened this ability at the age of eight. To veterans like them, the most logical explanation for such a phenomenon was the awakening of a Bloodline Limit.
Even though they couldn't wrap their heads around why Hatani's ability consumed no chakra while calling upon natural energy to manifest as wind, a Kekkei Genkai was the only answer that made sense. In a world where bloodline traits were as varied as they were bizarre, Hatani's was actually quite grounded.
"He's a good seed," Fukasaku whispered, pulling Jiraiya aside before departing for Mount Myoboku. "Specifically, because his Bloodline Limit allows him to gather natural energy so rapidly. If he masters it, his progress in Senjutsu will be twice as fast as yours. In time, he might even reach Hashirama Senju's level—entering Sage Mode instantly without the need for preparation."
"I understand," Jiraiya replied with a nod. He knew exactly what the elder toad was implying. "I'll do my best to guide the boy."
"Aside from that..." Fukasaku patted Jiraiya's shoulder with satisfaction, but as he prepared to leave, he paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "You still need to keep a close eye on that boy Nagato."
Having lived for over eight hundred years, Fukasaku was well aware of the legends surrounding the Rinnegan. Yet, when looking at those eyes—the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths—he felt more dread than anticipation. For reasons he couldn't name, they gave him an eerie, ominous feeling that made his skin crawl. It felt as if those eyes were destined to bring about a great calamity.
However, he was also mindful of the prophecy the Great Toad Sage had given Jiraiya. The most he could do was offer his student a word of caution.
"I understand. Don't worry, Lord Fukasaku," Jiraiya said, his voice full of confidence. In his mind, the three students he had taken in first were far more straightforward and earnest than the calculating Hatani.
"Very well. I'll keep an eye on the Great Toad Sage. When he wakes, I'll notify you. At that time, bring Hatani to Mount Myoboku to meet the Great Lord."
"Ah, Minato. Come in."
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up to see Namikaze Minato standing at the door—the boy who had recently rescued Uzumaki Kushina from the Cloud. Hiruzen's face softened into a warm, welcoming smile as he beckoned him inside.
Toward talented young shinobi, especially those with no complex clan ties, Hiruzen's attitude was always impeccable.
"Is something on your mind?" Hiruzen asked curiously, though he had already guessed the boy's purpose. Following the Kushina kidnapping incident, he had conducted a thorough investigation into Minato and knew that Namikaze Hatani, who had gone missing with Nawaki, was Minato's younger brother.
Thinking of this, his smile became even more grandfatherly.
"Lord Hokage, I would like to request a deployment to the Land of Rain front," Minato said. Having returned from Shimizu's desk with another disappointing report, he could no longer bear to sit idly by.
"Is this about Hatani?" Hiruzen set down his pipe, feigning a question he already knew the answer to.
"Lord Hokage, I know it's not proper to let personal feelings interfere, but Hatani..." Minato's face flushed slightly at having his intentions laid bare, but thinking of his brother, he pushed through his embarrassment.
"The bond between you two is deep," Hiruzen noted, his satisfaction with the boy growing.
"Yes. Hatani is my only family. Since our parents passed, we've grown up looking out for one another." Minato nodded, his eyes softening with memory before hardening with resolve.
"Good." Hiruzen gave him a look of approval. "In that case, I have a mission for you."
"Lord Hokage?" Minato blinked, his expression shifting to one of confusion and anxiety as he prepared to argue.
"Be patient and listen," Hiruzen said with a chuckle, gesturing for him to calm down before pulling out a scroll. "Go to these coordinates. You are to escort the wounded—Dan Kato, Nawaki Senju, and..."
Hiruzen paused intentionally. Minato's head snapped up at the mention of Nawaki's name. His eyes widened with shock and a desperate, burgeoning hope. Hiruzen smiled and delivered the final name.
"...Namikaze Hatani, back to the village."
"Hatani is alive! I knew it!"
The sunshine finally returned to Minato's face. After days of gloom, he broke out into a radiant, warm smile. But almost as quickly, the clouds returned. "Lord Hokage, Hatani... is he hurt?"
"Rest assured, he just overextended his chakra. He's perfectly fine," Hiruzen replied, puffing out a ring of smoke.
"Phew!" Minato let out a massive sigh of relief, the weight finally lifting from his chest. "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
"Actually, you have that backward," Hiruzen said. He stood up, walked around his desk, and placed a hand on Minato's shoulder. His smile faded, replaced by a look of grave sincerity. "It is I, and the village, who should thank you and your brother."
"Huh?"
"If you hadn't discovered Kushina's disappearance and followed her trail, the village's Jinchuriki would have been stolen by those bastards from the Cloud. And this time, if Hatani hadn't stayed sharp and calmly led Nawaki to safety, a precious scion of the Senju would have been lost to the Land of Rain. You brothers have both performed great services for Konoha."
Hiruzen's face was full of pride—though how much of it was genuine and how much was political theater was anyone's guess.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire is born," Minato recited. As the future Fourth Hokage, he was already deeply attuned to the village's philosophy. "Protecting one's comrades is the Will of Fire in practice. That is both my and Hatani's nindo."
"Excellent! Truly excellent!"
If Hiruzen had been acting before, his beaming smile now—crinkled like a blooming chrysanthemum—was entirely genuine. He was truly beginning to adore Minato.
"Intelligence from the front suggests Amegakure is interested in signing a peace treaty with Konoha. I am appointing Nara Shikashin as a plenipotentiary to lead a delegation to negotiate and sign the pact with Hanzo. You will join the diplomatic mission. As for choosing your team members and deciding when to secretly split off to retrieve the wounded—I leave those details to your discretion."
In his satisfaction, Hiruzen had granted Minato an extraordinary level of autonomy.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"