Chapter 213
An Unexpected Bond!
Haruto Saito quickly suppressed his smile, turned to Minato Namikaze, and said seriously, "Then, right now, become my disciple, and I will teach you the Flying Thunder God Technique!"
"Right now?" Minato Namikaze was stunned. "But I haven't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet. Isn't that against the rules?"
"It's fine!" Haruto Saito replied firmly. "You're a special case. I will personally inform the Hokage of the situation. Now, come on, become my disciple!"
"Uh... how do I do that?" Minato Namikaze looked a little confused.
In the world of shinobi, the process of becoming a disciple didn't have any strict ceremonial rules. Acknowledging someone as a teacher could be as simple as exchanging a few words. Minato had grown up in the Ninja Academy, where all instructors were simply referred to as teachers, and he had never gone through a formal disciple-acceptance ritual.
However, there was a fundamental difference between a regular instructor at the academy and a master who takes a disciple personally. The former was more like a coach who taught standard techniques and knowledge, while the latter was a true mentor who not only imparted skills but also guided a student's growth and character.
Haruto Saito intended to be Minato Namikaze's true mentor. Though he wouldn't be called "Master," he would still play that role.
"Kneel and bow your head," Haruto Saito instructed. This was the most traditional way of accepting a disciple that he knew from both his lives.
Technically, there should also be a tea ceremony and an offering as a sign of respect, but Haruto Saito didn't want to bother with those formalities.
"Oh!" Minato Namikaze responded immediately, dropped to his knees, and bowed. "Haruto Saito-sensei."