The Epic Story Behind Minato's Creation of the Rasengan in Naruto
Unveiling the Legendary Technique: Delve into the origins of Minato's creation, the Rasengan, a pivotal moment in Naruto's history Discover the journey of perseverance and mastery that led to the birth of this extraordinary technique
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Naruto: The Whorl Within The Spiral," written by Masashi Kishimoto, translated by Mari Morimoto, and lettered by Snir Aharon. The English version is now available from Viz Media.
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, showcased his exceptional abilities from a young age. Excelling in the Academy, he effortlessly surpassed his peers and set unprecedented records. As a member of Jiraiya's team, Minato had the opportunity to learn invaluable lessons from the renowned Legendary Sannin.
Where It Started
Jiraiya anticipated Minato to possess the qualities of the Child of Prophecy, capable of ushering in peace across the globe. With his exceptional intellect, Minato successfully devised the formidable Rasengan, one of the most potent techniques in the Naruto series. Despite this accomplishment, the origins and journey of how Minato gained inspiration and ultimately mastered the Rasengan remained shrouded in ambiguity. Fortunately, Kishimoto resolved these mysteries in the latest one-shot, delving into the life of Minato Namikaze.
Right at the start of the one-shot, fans witnessed Minato and his comrades engaging in a fierce battle against two jinchuriki named Roshi and Han. These two possessors of power, Son Goku and Kokuo, showcased their immense strength. They wasted no time in summoning tailed beast bombs, each one resembling a colossal meteor. It was undeniable that Jiraiya and his disciples would have met their demise if this devastating attack had made contact.
Luckily, Minato was by their side, equipped with his incredible Flying Raijin Technique that ensured their safe teleportation. As they discovered Minato's life-saving actions, a wave of relief washed over them. The encounter with the majestic tailed beasts had left an indelible mark on Minato, captivating him with their unimaginable power. He comprehended the dormant potential residing within Kushina, realizing that she would inevitably confront other jinchuriki in her lifetime. Motivated by this revelation, Minato resolved to devise a jutsu that would aid her in battle. Without a moment's delay, he immersed himself in the task at hand, determined to successfully accomplish it.
Practice Makes Perfect
Creating the Rasengan proved to be an incredibly arduous task, even for Minato. Despite his training under Jiraiya, success eluded him. He struggled to find the right balance in channeling his chakra, resulting in an unstable ball. Jiraiya then proposed an unconventional solution – matching the whorl of Minato's hair. Although skeptical, Minato decided to give it a shot and asked Jiraiya for guidance on the whorl's direction. To his surprise, Jiraiya's expression turned gloomy as he revealed the presence of two whorls on Minato's head. This revelation only heightened Minato's confusion, leaving him uncertain about the proper technique for kneading his chakra.
Jiraiya instructed him to take a break, and Minato obliged. He picked up an ice pop and divided it into two equal halves. He then asked Minato which half he preferred, to which his student responded that it didn't matter as they were both identical. Just as the words left his mouth, Minato grasped the concept of evenly distributing chakra in both directions. Without wasting any time, he started working and successfully created his own unique jutsu. As usual, when it came to naming the technique, Minato came up with a ridiculous choice. He named it "Ice Pop Inspired Nimbus Jiraiya Twin Whorl Sphere." Jiraiya couldn't hide his disappointment with the underwhelming name, but he understood Minato's limited proficiency in naming techniques.
The Rasengan
Only after his battle with the Nine-Tails did Minato give his move the name Rasengan. When Kushina defied the Nine-Tails and left the barrier to join Minato, the beast attempted to seize control of her body. Its intention was to make Kushina undo the seals, granting it full power. However, possessing an unwavering determination as an Uzumaki, she adamantly refused. Instead, Minato and Kushina united in combat against the monstrous creature. Despite Kushina's efforts to restrain the Nine-Tails with her unbreakable adamantine chains, their strategy faltered. The tailed beast compelled her into the seven-tails chakra mode and unleashed an assault on Minato. Consumed by a lifetime of hatred, the Nine-Tails personified this intense emotion.
Even after sustaining a severe injury, Minato never gave up on Kushina. His unwavering determination served as a source of inspiration for her. With resolute determination, she tightened the chains restraining the Nine-Tails, allowing Minato to strike it with the Ice Pop Inspired Nimbus Jiraiya Twin Whorl Sphere. After the intense battle, Minato regained consciousness in the hospital, where he was met by the presence of Kushina, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
A few days later, while strolling through Hidden Leaf Village, Minato and Kushina engaged in a conversation about the origins of their technique. Minato revealed how he drew inspiration from observing a jinchuriki's chakra sphere, leading him to devise a similar technique specifically for Kushina. When Minato disclosed the original name of the jutsu, it caught Kushina off-guard. Intrigued, she sought permission to bestow a new name upon it, considering its personal significance to her. Open to change, Minato consented. As they ascended to the rooftop, Kushina chose to rename it as "Rasengan," a title that resonated with the spiraling journey she endured as a jinchuriki.
