Obtaining the Scroll of Seals!

In some ways, Shinichi Hyuga was actually a very insecure person.

Even though he had defeated Kakashi Hatake at such a young age, Shinichi did not feel much excitement or joy.

This stood in stark contrast to Hyuga Hiashi, who was currently standing tall with his chest out, his face full of pride.

"L-Lost?"

"That Kakashi Hatake actually lost to that brat from the Hyuga Clan?!"

"Who is that kid?"

Shinichi Hyuga and Kakashi Hatake faced each other, forming the Reconciliation Seal.

Even after the battle ended, the surrounding ninja who had gathered to watch did not disperse. Instead, they began whispering among themselves as they looked at Shinichi.

Clearly, the outcome of this battle had exceeded everyone's expectations.

Hearing the discussions around him, Hyuga Hiashi took the initiative to meet his son as he walked over. Once he reached Shinichi, he crouched down and warmly pulled him into an embrace, laughing happily. "Just as expected of my son!"

"Just as expected of the future heir of our Hyuga Clan!"

As if afraid others might not know, Hiashi "naturally" spun around once after picking Shinichi up, then carried him back to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After reluctantly setting his son down, Hiashi gave Hiruzen a slight bow and asked softly, "Third Hokage-sama, Shinichi should meet the advisors' requirements now, right?"

At that moment, Minato Namikaze returned with Kakashi. Hearing Hiashi's question, Minato glanced at the grim-faced advisors before interjecting, "Of course. Shinichi naturally meets the requirements."

"Congratulations, Clan Head Hiashi, on having such an outstanding son."

"With this child leading it, the Hyuga Clan will certainly remain prosperous and strong in the future."

Minato subtly flattered him, and his words made Hiashi beam with delight.

If Minato had been praising and congratulating Hiashi himself, he would not have been so carried away.

But Minato's words suited his wishes too perfectly, leaving Hiashi unable to suppress the smile on his face.

As the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi had always borne immense pressure. There were two things he cared about most: first, that his son would be outstanding; second, that the Hyuga Clan would not decline under his leadership.

Now, it seemed that he would accomplish both splendidly. The realization made Hiashi relax all over.

"No wonder the Hyuga Clan set its sights on that technique."

"So the Main Family has produced such a genius! At such a young age, he has already mastered seventy to eighty percent of his clan's Secret Technique."

"I have no objections."

Since Shinichi Hyuga defeated Kakashi, Shimura Danzō's gaze had never left him.

The child's excellence had likewise exceeded his expectations.

However, Danzo did not develop any strange thoughts toward Shinichi because of it. This was a child of the Hyuga Main Family. Given the Hyuga Clan's emphasis on bloodline inheritance, outsiders would likely find it difficult to influence the child's life.

Bring him into Root? That was simply impossible.

He was indeed one of Konoha's highest-ranking officials, but even so, he could not possibly clash with the Hyuga Clan over this.

Since he could not stop it, he might as well go with the flow.

To Danzo, Shinichi Hyuga's excellence would not affect his position. Their age difference was too great; Shinichi's threat was far less significant than that posed by the master-and-disciple pair of Minato and Kakashi.

Danzo still had an obsession with that position, but it was no longer so deep. After all, Minato Namikaze truly was an exceptional ninja. Even Danzo had no choice but to acknowledge his strength.

"Everyone, disperse! Go do what you need to do. Stop crowding around here!"

Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's deliberate urging, the ninja who had gathered to watch began to leave.

It was foreseeable that once the result of Shinichi Hyuga's match against Kakashi spread, Shinichi's name would soon become known throughout the entire village.

The ninja world was not that large. Kakashi Hatake had long been Konoha's universally recognized Genius Ninja, and Shinichi Hyuga, who had stepped over Kakashi, would replace him as the subject of eager gossip among the village's busybodies.

After witnessing Shinichi Hyuga's exceptional talent, the advisors also left one after another. Before leaving, they naturally did not forget to make an appearance before Shinichi and offer him some encouraging words.

After all, he was an outstanding junior of the village. As "leaders," they had to put on a show.

Kakashi had suffered some injuries during his battle with Shinichi. With Minato's help, he arrived at the entrance of Konoha Hospital in the blink of an eye.

Only the two Hokage and the father-and-son pair of Hiashi and Shinichi returned to the Hokage's Office.

Then, after Shinichi Hyuga waited with slight unease, Minato Namikaze activated a restriction somewhere in the office. He then took the Scroll of Seals from a hidden compartment and handed it to Shinichi.

"As agreed, Shinichi, you have one week to read this Scroll."

"Every morning at seven, I will begin working in this office on time. I will not leave until six in the evening."

"During that time, you can come whenever you want and read whenever you want."

"The Scroll of Seals may not leave this office. You may not copy its contents. You may only read it."

"I know you're interested in the Flying Thunder God. If you run into any problems, you can ask me anytime. I'll answer them one by one."

"Even if you fail to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique within a week, it doesn't matter."

"You have already proven your talent. If you are willing, after this week is over, I can personally teach you this technique."

"I know a Genius Ninja like you will not be interested only in the Flying Thunder God."

"But I need to tell you something in advance. Forbidden Jutsu are forbidden because of their risks and power."

"Do not attempt techniques you do not understand. You will only harm yourself and others."

After handing the Scroll to Shinichi, Minato gave him this earnest warning. His expression was incomparably solemn, completely lacking his usual gentleness.

Naturally, Shinichi understood Minato's meaning. He nodded seriously, then impatiently wanted to unroll the Scroll.

But at that moment, Hiashi suddenly placed a gentle hand on Shinichi's shoulder and stood up. "Shinichi, I'll head back for now. I'll come pick you up tonight!"

Hiashi was tactful, and this tactfulness made the Third and Fourth Hokage secretly breathe a sigh of relief. If Hiashi had not been tactful, they would have had no choice but to drive him away, which would inevitably have soured their relationship. This was best. He was polite and knew proper conduct, so they did not have to feel awkward.

"Hiashi, don't worry."

"Minato has official duties to handle, but this old man has nothing to do. I'll help keep an eye on him."

Seeing Hiashi preparing to leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Those words... actually carried two meanings. Hiashi understood them, and young Shinichi Hyuga understood them as well.

Sure enough... a Hokage like the Third Hokage ultimately could not rest easy letting a child Shinichi's age read the Scroll of Seals alone. By saying this, he was also reminding Shinichi that he would be watching which Forbidden Jutsu Shinichi read.

However, Shinichi did not mind.

He did not know how many ridiculously powerful Forbidden Jutsu were recorded in the Scroll of Seals, but his goal had always been clear.

After Hiashi left, Shinichi Hyuga finally spread open the Scroll of Seals under Hiruzen Sarutobi's supervision.

The first technique... Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Hmm... this was a good ninjutsu. With his excessive Chakra reserves, it could be put to excellent use in both training and actual combat! Memorize it! Memorize it!

Impure World Reincarnation?

The method of casting this technique was somewhat cruel, and the technique recorded in the Scroll was not yet complete. To master it, he would need a great deal of experimentation.

Hm? Hiruzen Sarutobi is watching me... Skip it for now, skip it. But simply memorizing the sequence of hand seals should be fine. I heard that reversing the hand seals can break free from Impure World Reincarnation? Hopefully, the day never comes when I need to use it...

Eight Inner Gates?

He had not expected the Scroll of Seals to record this technique. It was an ultimate Forbidden Jutsu that unlocked the body's limits by opening its major acupoints. Could he master this Forbidden Jutsu more effectively by using the techniques of the Gentle Fist?

No, he was still too young. His body had not fully developed yet. Memorize it first, then try it after his body had matured.

Memorize it! Memorize it!

For the entire day, aside from having lunch with the two Hokage, Shinichi Hyuga spent all his time on the sofa reading the Scroll of Seals and memorizing the several techniques that would be useful to him.

Over the entire day, he never came across the Flying Thunder God. Instead, several other useful Forbidden Jutsu drew his attention.

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi accompanied him the entire time and knew which ninjutsu Shinichi Hyuga focused on reading. Hiruzen said nothing about it. He simply sat quietly beside Shinichi as he read, like an elder accompanying a child as he looked through a picture book.