Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Namikaze Minato managed to evade Sora's Rice Soul technique, but Sora's incredible speed left him troubled.

How did he become this strong? Minato thought, his breath steady but tense. Back in the academy, I could easily overpower him.

Sora, on the other hand, was slightly surprised that Minato had dodged his attack so skillfully.

As expected of the man who will one day master the Flying Thunder God Technique, Sora mused. His reflexes are something else.

However, Sora's confidence did not waver.

He may be growing, but so am I. At my peak, my Thunder Breathing won't lose to his speed.

Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kushina grew increasingly anxious. She hadn't anticipated things escalating this far. While deeply moved by Sora's determination to protect her, she couldn't ignore her worry that he might face severe consequences for his actions.

"Sora, I'm fine!" she shouted, her voice trembling with emotion.

Sora's grip tightened around his sword. He whispered, "I swore that day to protect your smile… yet after just a few days, I've failed you."

Turning to face Uzumaki Kushina, his scarlet eyes burned with resolve. "I will never forgive those who hurt you. Never."

"Sora…" Kushina murmured, her eyes red with tears as she watched him. His unwavering stance sent a storm of emotions through her.

Sora's sword returned to its sheath as he fixed his gaze on Namikaze Minato.

Minato clenched the kunai in his hand. He's not stopping, Minato thought. That movement… it's the beginning of another attack.

"Thunder Breathing: Third Form – Gathering Swarm into Thunder!"

Sora began moving at blinding speed, circling Namikaze Minato. The trajectory he left behind shimmered with wavy blue lightning, forming a web that cut off any path of retreat.

The strikes came quickly. Each slash was swift, precise, and heavy, infused with the crackling power of Lightning Style chakra. Namikaze Minato gritted his teeth as he parried, but the strain was overwhelming.

The Lightning Style's paralyzing effects seeped into his body, dulling his movements.

I can't keep up much longer, Minato realized grimly. If this continues… I won't be able to block the next attack.

As Sora's next slash descended, Namikaze Minato tried to lift his right hand to defend himself, but his paralyzed muscles refused to respond.

Just as the blade was about to strike Minato's arm, a tall figure landed behind him.

"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo!"

In an instant, a protective cocoon of white hair enveloped Namikaze Minato.

Sora's blade struck the barrier, producing a sharp ding before snapping in two.

Sora's eyes narrowed as he took in the figure now standing in front of him.

It was one of the Sannin—Jiraiya.

Jiraiya released his Needle Jizo and scratched his hair. "Oh my, what's going on? I saw such a scene just after returning to the village."

Seeing Jiraiya back, Namikaze Minato's face lit up with excitement. "Jiraiya-sama!"

Jiraiya glanced at Namikaze Minato beside him and asked, "Minato, what happened?"

Namikaze Minato hesitated before responding. "We are classmates; we just had a little conflict."

Jiraiya's gaze landed on Sora's broken sword. "This doesn't look like an ordinary little conflict. Even though the kid just used the back of the blade, if that strike had hit your arm, it would've certainly broken your bones."

However, what neither Jiraiya nor Namikaze Minato expected was that Sora suddenly hurled the broken sword at the leg of a Genin, who was already paralyzed with fear.

Another figure landed in front of the Genin, slamming a fist into the ground.

The powerful impact deflected the broken blade thrown by Sora.

Another of the Sannin, Tsunade, appeared.

Tsunade crossed her arms and frowned at Sora. "Kid, you're going a bit too far."

Jiraiya questioned sternly, "Why would you use such a heavy hand on a fellow villager?!"

Sora retorted coldly, "Companion? He's a genius. When he threw a real kunai at Kushina, did he see her as his companion? And you, Namikaze Minato, you saw it all. You watched the real kunai fly toward Kushina without lifting a finger to help. But the moment I retaliated, suddenly I'm no longer a companion, huh?"

Jiraiya turned to Namikaze Minato. "Minato, what's going on?"

Namikaze Minato explained everything to Jiraiya, detailing how Sora had already broken the Genin's sternum and intended to further harm them by breaking their hands and feet. It was only then that Minato used a real kunai to stop Sora.

After hearing the full story, Jiraiya concluded that Namikaze Minato had done nothing wrong.

Jiraiya fixed his gaze on Sora. "You've already punished them. Do you still think it's right to go so far as to break their hands and feet?"

Uzumaki Kushina rushed in front of Sora, spreading her arms protectively. "They went too far first! Why is Sora the only one being blamed?!"

Sora gently pulled Uzumaki Kushina behind him and sneered at Jiraiya. "Too far? What if that kunai had actually hit Kushina? Would you still say I went too far? Oh, but you probably wouldn't care. After all, Kushina comes from another village, and I'm the child of rebellious ninja parents. To you, they're companions, and we're not, right?"

Jiraiya faltered at Sora's words, awkwardly scratching his nose. "I didn't say that."

Tsunade glanced at Uzumaki Kushina in surprise. "What's your name?"

When Uzumaki Kushina first arrived in Konoha, Tsunade hadn't been in the village. In fact, Tsunade had been away from Konoha for years.

The same was true for Jiraiya.

After the Second Ninja War, Tsunade left the village due to the deaths of her brother Nawaki and her lover, Dan, as well as her hemophobia. She had wandered the world alongside Kato Dan's niece, Shizune.

Jiraiya, meanwhile, continued his training journey.

Jiraiya had returned to the village this time to take Namikaze Minato as a disciple. Along the way, he encountered Tsunade, and the two decided to return to Konoha together.

As Uzumaki Mito's granddaughter, Tsunade corresponded with Mito through letters and learned about the arrival of a Uzumaki clan member in Konoha.

Uzumaki Kushina's red hair and her origin from another village instantly reminded Tsunade that the girl before her was likely a member of the Uzumaki clan.

Uzumaki Kushina replied, "Uzumaki Kushina."

Tsunade confirmed her suspicion silently.

Tsunade turned to Jiraiya. "Let the old man handle this matter."

Understanding the significance of Tsunade's tone, Jiraiya nodded. "Alright, Minato, take them to the ninja hospital."

"Yes!"

Namikaze Minato picked up the injured Genin, roused the frightened one, and quickly made his way to the hospital.

Sora's eyes flickered. With Jiraiya and Tsunade present, he knew there was no chance for him to act further.

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