Long before Naruto Uzumaki mastered the formidable Rasengan, Minato Namikaze trains to develop the ninjutsu under the tutelage of his mentor Jiraiya. Minato strives to create his own powerful technique to protect Kushina Uzumaki, the strong-willed woman he loves.

Honoring Uzumaki clan tradition, Kushina's body hosts the nine-tailed fox spirit, Kurama. The demon seeks to break free from his confines and wreak havoc on the world. As Kushina struggles against Kurama's power and her own inner turmoil, Minato hurries to complete the Rasengan and save her from herself.

Following the NARUTOP99 Worldwide Character Popularity Vote commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Naruto anime, Naruto Gaiden: Uzu no Naka no Tsumujikaze was released to compliment the winning character Minato Namikaze. In celebration of the new manga, a special column series about Minato was made available on the official website between July 19, 2023, and July 23, 2023. The one-shot was published digitally as an English simulpub as Naruto: The Whorl within the Spiral through MANGA Plus.