Some time ago, Ren approached Minato Namikaze, hoping to learn Sealing Jutsu from him. However, Minato's Sealing Jutsu was learned from Kushina. After all, as the successor of the Uzumaki Clan, the strongest in Sealing Jutsu in the entire Ninja World, and with the destruction of the Uzumaki Clan and the passing of Uzumaki Mito, Kushina was undoubtedly the strongest in Sealing Jutsu in the entire Ninja World at that time. So, although Minato was very willing to teach Ren, he still needed to ask Kushina's opinion.
Not long after, Minato received a reply from Kushina. Regarding Minato teaching Ren Sealing Jutsu, Kushina did not object or stop him, but only requested that Ren not spread it externally. After all, the Sealing Jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan was not like the common ones outside; if it were to be spread, who knew how much trouble it would cause.
Ren also agreed. Because it was still wartime, Minato did not directly start teaching Ren Sealing Jutsu formations and the like. Instead, he wrote down a basic rune for Sealing Jutsu and gave it to Ren, telling him to enter the next stage only when he could recite all of them backwards. After all, a tall building starts from the ground; there's no harm in building a solid foundation.
"Of course you can. Since you've already learned it, let's begin. I have a mission this afternoon."
Minato Namikaze agreed without much thought. After all, whether he knew it or not would be immediately clear during the upcoming teaching session. So, there was no need to waste time. Ren took out his small notebook and waited attentively for Minato's instruction.
"I should have told you that the essence of Sealing Jutsu is to seal Chakra, and of course, more advanced ones can even seal the opponent's physical body and soul. Most Sealing Jutsu also focus on cursed seals."
As Minato Namikaze spoke, he formed hand signs. Before Ren could react, several black sealing formulas emerged from the ground near Ren, forming a circle that trapped Ren within it. The next moment, Ren found himself unable to move.
"This is the One-Thread Light Formation. You should know it, right? It has the lowest learning threshold and is the most widely popularised Sealing Jutsu."
"How amazing."
Ren couldn't move, only blinking his eyes. Not long after, Minato released Ren's ability to move.
"The basic jutsu I taught you includes its usage. You..."
Before Minato could finish speaking, Ren began to form hand signs. The next moment, the same sealing formula surrounded Minato, and then Minato found... he couldn't move.
"Hehe, I think I've learned it, Big Brother Minato."
Ren released the hand signs, and Minato Namikaze, who was standing opposite him, also regained his ability to move. He smiled wryly, somewhat helplessly.
"Alright, I guessed it. It seems there's no need to waste time here. I'll just teach you this one."
"This is the Contract Seal, which can sever the contractual relationship between an enemy and their summoned beast. The specific hand signs are as follows..."
"Phew, that's roughly it."
Minato picked up a glass of water and drank it all, his somewhat chapped lips finally regaining a hint of colour. After several hours of continuous teaching, he successfully helped Ren master two more Sealing Jutsu, though he was not yet very proficient. But neither of them cared; after all, this was a battlefield, and there was no shortage of practical experience. They could just take some time to apply to the Interrogation Department for two direct uses.
"It's getting late. I still need to go to Jiraiya-sensei's place. Do you want to come along, Ren?"
"Hmm... Alright, Big Brother Minato."
Ren paused slightly, then agreed after a brief thought. He put away the notebook in front of him, tucked it into his embrace, and stood up to follow Minato Namikaze out.
The two arrived at the entrance of the commander's tent. The two Ninjas guarding the door recognised Minato and Ren, but the necessary procedures still had to be followed. After being announced, the two were allowed in. As soon as they entered, they saw Tsunade, Jiraiya, and others discussing a scroll. Upon seeing Minato and Ren enter, their eyes suddenly lit up, and then they began to exclaim to themselves.
"Speaking of which, here comes the main characters."
"Tsk, this really was unexpected."
Both of them were bewildered by what they heard. Looking at the somewhat confused Ren, Tsunade folded her arms and said proudly,
"My good disciple, come here, let your master take a good look."
"Uh..."
Ren walked stiffly to his master's side, his expression somewhat peculiar.
What was wrong with his master? She didn't seem drunk. Why were all these people acting so strangely today?
"Hahaha, you brat don't know yet, do you? Information just came from the Village, it's a list of military achievements, and you've been promoted to Special Jonin."
Nara Choumei nodded with a smile, and just as Ren was bewildered, Minato on the side had already offered his congratulations.
"Congratulations, Ren, the youngest Special Jonin."
"Thank you, Big Brother Minato."
Ren only now came to his senses. Just after thanking him, he felt an arm around his neck. Before he could react, his head was clamped under an armpit, and he almost couldn't catch his breath.
"Konoha's youngest Special Jonin, good disciple, well done!"
"Cough, cough, cough, Master, can you let me go? I can't breathe."
Ren's face was flushed red, partly because it was too tight and he couldn't breathe, and partly because so many people were watching. His master was accustomed to being boisterous, and he didn't dare to say anything. Oh, the troubles~
"My good disciple, keep up the good work and strive to become a Jonin soon. When that happens, your master will give you a surprise."
After Tsunade released Ren, she patted his shoulders hard twice, making him gasp in pain. However, he was still very curious about the surprise his master mentioned.
"A surprise, what is it?"
Not only Ren, but everyone else was also curious, but Tsunade just smiled mysteriously.
"A surprise is a surprise. If you know, it's not a surprise anymore. If you want to know, break through to Jonin soon."
"Ai..."
Ren hung his head in disappointment. Just then, Sakumo Hatake, who was at the head of the table, coughed twice, bringing the conversation back to the main topic.
"Well then, let's get back to business."
"Yes!"
Everyone immediately became serious. After all, their main purpose for being there was for official business."
Sakumo Hatake tapped the table with one hand, looking at everyone present, and said in a deep voice,
"Our spy in the Hidden Sand Village reported that the Hidden Sand Village has also dispatched its Jinchuriki, and it will arrive at the front line within three days."
Shukaku!
Ren remained calm on the surface, but secretly began to ponder and hesitate.
Ichibi Shukaku, proficient in Wind Release, Magnet Release, and Sealing Jutsu, matched him well. But this guy... was ugly and had a terrible temper.
Pass!