"Teacher, could you... analyze it?" Obito asked cautiously.
This method of imprinting...
A mark with a single paw strike was simple and cool, far better than all that complicated theory.
Most importantly, it sounded easy - at least, it sounded easy.
Raj glanced at him in surprise.
Even he hadn't dared to ask such a question, fearing a beating.
Obito's strength had grown, and his courage had skyrocketed along with it!
Minato's mind was in turmoil.
This technique was beyond his understanding, and he didn't know how to answer.
The crucial question was... what was the underlying principle?
How could it be activated with just a paw strike?
'This is mind-blowing!'
"Teacher, this..."
"Raj, can you explain what's going on? Can we learn this technique?" Rin asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
She was the first to voice the question everyone was too hesitant to ask, knowing her close relationship with Raj made it a natural inquiry.
"Meow~ I'm not sure myself. I just felt like I could use the same method I used to send you messages earlier, so I tried it. As for the principle..."
Raj hesitated for a moment before offering a simplified explanation.
"It's about using Chakra to create something similar to a Summoning Technique seal. The specific seal doesn't matter - what's crucial is that it can open a spatial passage."
"Theoretically, this is feasible," Minato nodded, then realized with a jolt.
'This isn't just theoretically feasible - it actually works!'
'Damn it... Raj's Points surged again.'
To be fair, Raj's explanation was simple enough for Minato to understand.
But for Kakashi, Obito, and the others, even Minato's version was clearer than Raj's.
It was like a refrigerator: Minato started by explaining the internal structure, detailing how the device achieves refrigeration.
Raj's explanation, by contrast, was simply a large box with a cooling barrier inside, requiring only energy to operate.
"It's actually quite simple, meow~"
'Simple, my ass!'
Kakashi's eyes widened, his mind racing with thoughts he dared not voice.
He could only secretly curse under his breath.
"This... well, actually, ahem, this method is more suitable for those who already understand the principles to refine their techniques, not for beginners to learn," Minato said.
"Meow?" Raj paused, momentarily taken aback.
'Is that how it is?'
Raj felt no particular difficulty, as the System had handled everything directly, making the technique flow as naturally as water finding its course.
But now, glancing at Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, Raj noticed they looked even more bewildered than before, their faces etched with existential doubt.
"Ha... ha ha, Teacher, please continue," Rin said with a forced laugh.
"Hmm, Raj, I'll apply to the village later and then decide whether I can teach you the next part," Minato said after careful consideration, not giving a direct answer.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was different from the Flying Thunder God Formation.
The Flying Thunder Formation Technique had been simplified, but it was relatively useless.
A single person learning it would gain no practical benefit, so teaching it within trusted circles was permissible.
However, the Flying Thunder God Technique was an S-rank Forbidden Technique, a technique from the Book of Seals.
To teach it to anyone, even Minato himself needed village approval.
"Okay, meow!" Raj nodded gently.
Minato then resumed explaining the heavenly scroll.
Raj watched from the side, its head buzzing with incomprehensible technical terms, leaving it utterly bewildered.
It couldn't help but think: 'If Minato had a System, he wouldn't need to do anything bad. Just teach someone the Flying Thunder God Technique's marking technique face-to-face for a day or two, and he'd rake in a mountain of Points.'
'Hmm... this is a good idea.'
'I'll ask Minato for his lecture notes later. Then I can take over his classes and earn the Points myself. Brilliant! I'm just being helpful, after all. No one can say this cat isn't doing it out of kindness.'
'The only problem is... can I even understand those notes?'
'Eh, never mind.'
Raj shook his head and sighed.
The plan was sound, but it seemed to require a rather high level of knowledge.
In his current state, with his head about to explode from trying to listen, there was no way he could comprehend the lecture notes.
"Um... Raj, do you need something? If not, why don't you go ahead and work on your own things?" Minato suddenly said.
This was clearly a dismissal.
Raj was bewildered until he noticed Kakashi's downcast expression, his thoughts drifting elsewhere, and Obito's deeply contemplative, absent-minded demeanor.
'Wait, is their daydreaming my fault?'
Raj was indignant and refused to budge.
"Teacher, it's fine if Raj stays. It doesn't really affect our ability to listen," Kakashi quickly interjected.
"No, Raj, you should focus on your own work. I can teach them here. I'll apply to the village for the Flying Thunder God Technique later." Minato's smile was bright and sunny, radiating infectious warmth.
'But... are you sure you're not just sending me away because I'm annoying you?!'
Raj understood perfectly.
Every few moments, its Points had surged by over a hundred.
There was no way Kakashi and Obito, those two useless teenagers, could have contributed that much.
"Good boy. I'll make a strong case to the village for the Flying Thunder God Technique. You've earned enough merit - it'll be no problem at all."
Minato's smile grew even more dazzling.
Raj shivered, inexplicably finding the smile terrifying.
'Time to go, time to go.'
"Let's continue. The Flying Thunder God Formation is different from the Flying Thunder God Technique. You don't actually need to master the markings; you just need to be able to sense them..."
'As expected, now that Raj's gone, I feel much more at ease.'
As Minato spoke, he mentally grumbled about the immense effort he had put into mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As for the Summoning Technique... hmph, Manta and his gang get summoned back and forth every day, yet none of them had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
This technique was all about innate talent.
There was no other explanation.
This cat's natural aptitude was simply exceptional, and it happened to be capable of learning the technique.
That's why it could figure out this method after hearing it demonstrated a few times.
Minato wasn't jealous, but the sight of Raj momentarily stuck in his throat like a fishbone.
He decided to let the cat leave first.
Raj had nothing to complain about.
He'd already reaped the benefits, and he still had access to the official channels for learning the Flying Thunder God Technique.
What more could he ask for?
'Contentment brings happiness!'