Departure and Medicine

A month after Uzumaki Fuji's death we can see Minato and Touma fighting again. In just a month Touma was able to become a competent shinobi. He was able to follow Minato around in a fast paced battle.

"Great job Touma, you're progressing really fast. Your body flicker has improved by leaps and bounds. Normal chounin ninjas would have a hard time fighting you." Minato said seemingly satisfied with Touma's performance.

Touma grins rather proud of his achievement. While he was training with Minato he made several shadow clones reading about medicine and sealing.

Touma: "Thanks Niisan, I couldn't have done this without you."

Kushina: "Hey you guys! Stop fighting for awhile and eat! Specially you Minato, you're going to be returning to the border today!" Kushina yells at the two beratingly.

Minato: "Greetings Sandaime-sama" Minato greets the Hokage respectfully.

Kushina came along with the Third Hokage carrying dumplings. They immediately stopped for a break and sat down with them while eating the dumplings the hokage brought. Afterwards Touma created more clones and spent time fighting sparring with Kushina. About 50 copies of himself were fighting with Kushina while another 20 of them were reading books at the sideline.

Sandaime: "That's a lot of shadow clones. I see little Touma has grown a lot stronger, it seems he learns fast and along with his bloodline limit his speed of growth will be amazing." Sarutobi smiles while looking at Touma approvingly.

Kushina: "Well we can also attribute that to having a great teacher" Kushina said while fighting Touma.

Minato looks at little Touma with a proud gleam in his eyes and replies: "Yes his speed of growth is amazing. He picks up information fast, enormous reserves, perfect chakra control, fast reflexes, and a sensory talent as great as mine. Touma will become a monster one day."

Sandaime: "I can see why you're grooming him to become your succesor. The village will be happy for this budding talent."

Minato: "Yes, along with his cultivated strength he seems to also be interested in medical jutsus, he said he wants to learn them so he can heal people. He seemed determined because he blames himself that if he learned them eariler he might've saved his father from death.

Sandaime: "Hmmm, that's acceptable since we are in need of additional medical-nins as Tsunade is slowly losing her motivation lately. We don't know how long the war will last and he might be able to help us change the tides someday. But let's put off letting him join in the war, he is a genius we need to cultivate him further and he is still too young."

Minato: "Yes, I think he should go to the academy to interact with people even for just a year."

Sandaime: "Yes I'll arrange that after you leave." Hiruzen said with a smile.

Kushina finally decided to finish the spar by swiftly dispatching Touma's clones. Touma wasn't a match with Kushina's punches that contained monstrous amount of force. They all returned back to the village to prepare for Minato's departure.

Minato: "I'm returning to the border today as the war is heating up, I won't be able to get back much so you have to look out for your cousin okay?" Minato ruffles Touma's hair.

Touma: "Yes Niisan! I can protect Kushina Neesan now! I'm gonna be super stronger so I can help you later!" Touma looks at Minato with determined eyes.

Minato: "Hahahaha you're still too young Touma, even though things are getting harder there's still no reason for a kid like you to join us." Minato smiles at him gently.

Touma: "Hmmp! Just you wait someday you're gonna beg for my help!" Touma pouts at Minato's remarks.

Minato teleports away and Touma was left with Kushina. The next few weeks were uneventful Touma spent time with Kushina learning seals and frequenting the library for medical books. Touma expressed his desire to learn the mystical palm technique and told Kushina about it. She told him they'll have to ask the Hokage so that he can be allowed to get trainings in the Hospital. Now Touma is walking towards the Hokage's office to ask for permission.

"Wow, it's all red!"Touma exclaimed while standing outside the Hokage's office. He went in and talked to the lady outside the hokage's door.

Touma: "Excuse me, Onee-san I want to meet Hokage-sama." Said Touma with a cheeky smile.

The Hokage's Assistant looked at the red haired boy who wanted to see the Hokage.

Assistant: "Hello there kiddo, what's your name? Do you have an appointment?" The assistant asked with a smile.

Touma: "My name is Uzumaki Touma, no but it's okay Hokage-sama knows me." He replied with cheeky grin.

The assistant didn't know what to say and only smiled wryly. Before the assistant can say anything.

Hiruzen: It's okay, let him in." The hokage said from the other side of the door.

Touma heard the hokage's voice and entered the office immediately.

Touma: "Hello Hokage-sama! It's great to see you again!" Touma said with an excited voice.

Hiruzen laughed and beckoned the boy to come closer. "It's good to see you too Touma, why have you come alone? do you need anything?" He asked with a smile.

Touma: "Kushina-Neesan said I have to ask you first to be allowed to learn the mystical palm technique and healing from the hospital." Touma said with a shy smile.

Hiruzen: "Ah yes, Minato has already brought this up before he left for the border. Come with me, this paperwork will be the death of me. Let's go get some fresh air." He took the little boy's hand and they left the room through the balcony.