[Minato Column 5] Inheriting Minato's Ninjutsu: Completion and Evolution

This column series will look back on the life and adventures of Minato Namikaze to celebrate the publication of Masashi Kishimoto's new one-shot manga, Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral, available in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33!

Today's article is the fifth and final of the series, and will finish the story of how Minato's ninjutsu was passed down to his son, Naruto, as well as cover how Naruto continues to develop the jutsu!

The third state's level of difficulty is incomparable to the last two.
Naruto has to repeat what he learned previously at full force while simultaneously "containing" his chakra.

Specifically, he must maximize the chakra's rotation and power while visualizing compressing it within an additional layer, creating a "mini-cyclone" in the palm of his hand.

This is easier said than done, and Naruto is at a loss for words when he realizes how hard it is to control his chakra at maximum output. The challenge presented by this final step is on an entirely different scale.

However, Naruto is determined to acquire this powerful ninjutsu, and perseveres in his training.

After picking a fight with one of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade, and putting himself through even more grueling training, Naruto finally pulls off the jutsu's completed version in the midst of his fight with Kabuto, a powerful enemy ninja!

The jutsu created by his father, Minato, and named by his mother, Kushina, is called:
"Rasengan"!!
The jutsu still lives on through Naruto, as his inheritance!

After mastering Rasengan, Naruto hones the jutsu through training and countless battles, adding his own innovations to his parents' legacy.

Surpassing the work of his father, the Fourth Hokage, seems like an impossible endeavor, but Naruto takes on the challenge.
Throwing himself into training, he finally attains a version of Rasengan that's all his own:
Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken!

And when training to control the Nine Tails' chakra under Killer Bee, the Eight Tails' Jinchuriki...

...it comes to light that the Fourth Hokage modeled Rasengan after the Biju Bomb!

The ninjutsu Minato created hoping to protect Kushina during the war now defends their son, developing alongside him to always be there in times of need.

And that brings us to the end of the Minato column series!
Take this opporunity to check out the brand-new, one-shot manga, Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral, and reread NARUTO itself!

Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)