Apprenticeship (Part 1)

Just as Yūsuke's attack was about to land.

"Yūsuke, stop." Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in Hokage robes, suddenly appeared before Jiraiya like a divine soldier descending from the heavens.

"Lord Hokage, what is going on?" he asked, his face full of confusion.

"Jiraiya, stop fooling around. Hurry up and apologize to Yūsuke," Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped, turning toward Jiraiya.

Bang!

With a soft pop, the Transformation Jutsu was released.

Two figures emerged amid white smoke. A white-haired young man and a blond child walked over, both wearing awkward smiles.

"Say, Yūsuke, just what kind of Kekkei Genkai is this? It seems like it has never appeared in the shinobi world before." Jiraiya immediately brought up the very subject he should not have mentioned.

Now that he had been exposed, and since he was facing the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Minato Namikaze, the pressure in Yūsuke's heart was no longer as great as before. He quickly organized his words before speaking to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Lord Hokage, I truly did not mean to hide it from you. I only suddenly awakened this ability recently."

"I am not sure whether it counts as a Kekkei Genkai. You know that I have no clan background. My parents were both civilians, and I never had a teacher to guide me. So I do not know much about Kekkei Genkai."

"Could you demonstrate your ability?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked softly.

Yūsuke raised his hand, and dozens of nearly transparent strings shot from it like arrows before stopping steadily in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"I call this ability String Style."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and lightly touched the strings. After feeling them for himself, he was secretly shocked.

Were these really just strings? What kind of strings were harder than kunai? Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help grumbling inwardly.

"Yūsuke, what happened today was actually a mission I assigned to Jiraiya. I owe you an apology." Hiruzen Sarutobi bent down and lowered his head toward Yūsuke.

Yūsuke hurriedly stepped aside. He was nowhere near arrogant enough to disregard even the Third Hokage.

Jiraiya immediately apologized as well. Seeing this, Minato Namikaze hurriedly lowered his head too.

"Yūsuke. Although this was a mission the Old Man gave me, since I accepted it, I am not someone who shirks responsibility. Do not worry, I will definitely make amends."

"Then what are you planning to give me as compensation?" Ignoring Jiraiya, Yūsuke walked straight over and patted little Minato's head, then gave it a hard rub.

"I... I..." Little Minato clearly had not expected the trouble to land on him. "I will give you the B-rank ninjutsu I just obtained."

The three adults exchanged glances and all burst out laughing.

"This is not a good place to talk. Let us go somewhere else. You do not mind, do you, Yūsuke?"

Seeing that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out a smoking pipe from somewhere and began smoking it on his own.

Sarutobi Clan Compound.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's House.

It was rare for guests to visit, so Biwako Sarutobi was bustling around the kitchen and putting all her effort into cooking.

The Third Hokage led Yūsuke and the other two to the dining table. It was filled with all kinds of delicious dishes, and Yūsuke rarely raised a cup of sake.

"Madam, there is already so much food. Please come eat with us." Seeing Biwako Sarutobi still busy, Yūsuke hurriedly stood and called out to her.

His master's wife was a very kind person. She was always worried that others would not have enough to eat.

At the table, Hiruzen Sarutobi first lectured Jiraiya about a few matters. Yūsuke listened quietly from the side without speaking.

"Yūsuke, do not be so reserved. Treat this place like your own home." Though they had only known each other for a short time, Biwako Sarutobi already regarded Yūsuke as one of her own younger relatives. After all, he was sweet-talking and knew how to speak far better than Jiraiya.

"No, no. It is mainly because Aunt Biwako's cooking is so delicious that I simply cannot stop eating." Yūsuke's words made Biwako Sarutobi beam with delight.

"Yūsuke, have you encountered any obstacles in your training lately?" As soon as he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to chat with Yūsuke.

Remembering that Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him his training plan, Yūsuke hurriedly stood and gave him a slight bow.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage, for the scroll you gave me. It helped resolve many of my doubts. My training has been going smoothly lately, and I feel that my strength has improved greatly."

Hey, hey! Your strength clearly improved because you awakened a Kekkei Genkai! Jiraiya screamed inwardly.

"Haha..." Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily.

"Actually, you should thank Tsunade even more. Not only did she come plead with me when we had our dispute, but she also personally became your instructor and guided your training."

Before Yūsuke could speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly changed his tone. "However... the battlefield situation changes by the moment. Tsunade and the other two have rested for some time already. It is time for them to return to the battlefield, serve the village, and fend off foreign enemies."

"Serving the village and resisting foreign enemies are things every person in our village should do," Yūsuke suddenly said with a solemn expression.

"Good, good, good." Seeing Yūsuke's lofty conviction, Hiruzen Sarutobi clapped approvingly.

"What I mean is, would you be willing to become my disciple, Yūsuke? From now on, I will personally teach you."

Boom!

It was as though he had heard a clap of thunder. Yūsuke had assumed that Hiruzen Sarutobi's friendliness, praise, and invitation to supper meant he was up to no good. Yet he had never expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to take him as a disciple.

Seeing Yūsuke so stunned that he could not speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not urge him. Instead, he gently reminded him, "Yūsuke, taking a master is a major matter in life. You need not answer immediately. You can go back and think it over carefully before coming to me."

"I am willing." After a moment of silence, Yūsuke finally gave his answer.