Naruto Columns
01/25/2024
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Minato Namikaze's Birthday on 1/25! Looking Back on the Efforts of a Teacher and Father Who Was Revived During the Fourth Great Ninja War!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the Fourth Hokage, who was feared far and wide as the "Yellow Flash of Konoha" and revived by the Reanimation Jutsu during the Fourth Great Ninja War: Minato Namikaze!
We'll be focusing on the events following his revival, but you can check out his earlier accomplishments in these three columns commemorating the release of Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral!
[Minato Column 1] Yellow Flash of Konoha: Tales of Minato Namikaze's Valor
[Minato Column 2] The Tale of Minato's Love: Budding Romance
[Minato Column 3] The Tale of Minato's Love: Naruto's Birth
Today we'll be reminiscing about the Fourth Hokage, who was feared far and wide as the "Yellow Flash of Konoha" and revived by the Reanimation Jutsu during the Fourth Great Ninja War: Minato Namikaze!
We'll be focusing on the events following his revival, but you can check out his earlier accomplishments in these three columns commemorating the release of Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral!
[Minato Column 1] Yellow Flash of Konoha: Tales of Minato Namikaze's Valor
[Minato Column 2] The Tale of Minato's Love: Budding Romance
[Minato Column 3] The Tale of Minato's Love: Naruto's Birth
■Minato Namikaze
・Birthday: January 25th (Aquarius)
・Favorite Food: Anything made by Kushina
Return to Life, Surrounded by Strife
As the Fourth Great Ninja War comes to a head, Orochimaru revives all the former Hokage via the Reanimation Jutsu at Sasuke's request. As Fourth Hokage, Minato is among their number.
Orochimaru informs them that the shinobi world is currently in a state of war, and Minato casts his attention toward the battlefield, sensing the chakra of his son Naruto fighting alongside the Nine Tails, Kurama.
The regret of being unable to fulfill his duties as Hokage, and the joy of being reunited with his son at last. Full of conflicting thoughts, Minato heads to the site of the conflict along with the other Hokage!
The Yellow Flash, Shining Even Brighter After Death
Minato beats the others to the battlefield, making full use of his skill with teleportation jutsu.
In response to the rallying cry of the First Hokage, Hashirama, who arrives shortly after, Minato activates Kurama Link Mode!
Minato has made peace with Kurama despite their previous conflicts due to Kushina's status as Jinchuriki, and is now able to make use of his chakra!
The Yellow Flash of Konoha illuminates the battlefield once more, shining brighter after death than he did in life!
The Yellow Flash of Konoha illuminates the battlefield once more, shining brighter after death than he did in life!
Unexpected Reunion with a Student
Obito, who had been locked in combat with Kakashi in another dimension, returns and comes face-to-face with his former teacher.
When Minato closes in and slashes him with a kunai, he realizes that Obito was the masked man involved in the Nine Tails' rampage 17 years ago.
When Minato closes in and slashes him with a kunai, he realizes that Obito was the masked man involved in the Nine Tails' rampage 17 years ago.
Following this, Minato teams up with his son Naruto and the others to face down Obito, who has become the Jinchuriki of the Ten Tails!
Father and Son Fighting Shoulder to Shoulder
During the battle with Obito, Minato works with the Second Hokage, Tobirama, to support Naruto and Sasuke.
Their teamwork is excellent, but they are unable to deal any damage to Obito...
Minato questions his former student in the midst of the battle, and is struck with guilt over his failure to stop Obito all those years ago.
Minato questions his former student in the midst of the battle, and is struck with guilt over his failure to stop Obito all those years ago.
However, after hearing Naruto's words, he rallies himself!
Combining the strength of parent and child, an incredible power is brought forth!
By creating a link between the two halves of Kurama's chakra sealed in their respective bodies, Minato and Naruto are able to save the entire Allied Shinobi Forces!
"I'VE STILL FAILED MORE TIMES THAN THAT, SO...
...I MUST CONTINUE MAKING AMENDS."
The two men can understand each other without a single word spoken.
With their strengthened familial bond engraved upon their hearts, Minato and Naruto begin their counterattack!
With their strengthened familial bond engraved upon their hearts, Minato and Naruto begin their counterattack!
The pair deliver a massive Rasengan!
Later, Naruto stands at the head of the Allied Shinobi Forces, and with the strength of all their hearts united as one, they are able to defeat Obito!
Later, Naruto stands at the head of the Allied Shinobi Forces, and with the strength of all their hearts united as one, they are able to defeat Obito!
A Final Farewell to Both Student and Son
After the Ten Tails is extracted from him, both Kakashi and Minato rush to Obito's side.
The remnants of Team Minato have one last opportunity to exchange words.
The remnants of Team Minato have one last opportunity to exchange words.
To encourage his former students to speak to each other, Minato starts off by apologizing for his inability to protect Rin, taking responsibility as their mentor.
Entrusting the final decision to his students, he completes his role as a teacher.
Entrusting the final decision to his students, he completes his role as a teacher.
After that, Minato fights to save Naruto, who has been left on the brink of death by Madara.
As he does so, his mind is drawn back to his memories of Kushina right before Naruto's birth.
As he does so, his mind is drawn back to his memories of Kushina right before Naruto's birth.
"AS HOKAGE, I'LL PROTECT THAT CHILD NO MATTER WHAT! DON'T WORRY!"
"I'M HIS FATHER!"
With help from Minato and the others, Naruto is able to survive and prevail against both Madara and the ultimate foe, Kaguya Otsutsuki!
Minato is able to wish his son a happy birthday after witnessing his growth into an outstanding young man. Finally, while listening carefully to his son's dreams so he can recount them all to Kushina, he returns to the afterlife with a smile on his face...
"YOU'VE REALLY BECOME A SPLENDID NINJA, NARUTO."
Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)
That's all for Minato's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the skill and devotion of Minato Namikaze!
