The next day, at the Hokage Tower.
The Third Hokage was handling government affairs when his hand suddenly paused. Without looking up, he asked, "Go on. What is it?"
An Anbu ninja emerged from the shadows of the room. "Lord Hokage, Shimizu Soseki, a student from the Ninja Academy, requests an audience with you."
To demonstrate Leaf Village's people-friendly policies, the Hokage had never turned down requests like this. Knowing that, the Anbu ninja had not rejected him outright.
"Shimizu Soseki?" Though somewhat puzzled, the Third Hokage smiled. "All right. Let me meet Leaf Village's little genius as well."
"Yes." The Anbu ninja answered, then withdrew to have the others stop blocking him.
Before long, Soseki stepped into the Hokage's office.
"Little Soseki, what did you wish to see me about?" the Third Hokage asked with a smile.
"Uncle Sarutobi, I'd like to exchange for a Ninjutsu," Soseki said politely.
Hearing Soseki address him so warmly, the Third Hokage's smile deepened. But he soon looked puzzled again. "Didn't Orochimaru give you the Ninjutsu?"
Soseki shook his head. "Lord Orochimaru already gave us the Ninjutsu from last time."
"Last time?" The Third Hokage instantly understood what Soseki meant. He drew on his pipe with a smile. "You've already managed to develop a Ninjutsu? As expected of Leaf Village's genius! Asuma is pretty good too, but compared to you, he really falls far short."
"No, Asuma works very hard too!"
"That's true."
The Third Hokage nodded approvingly. Although Asuma was still somewhat impulsive, he had indeed improved greatly compared to before.
"Sure enough, the influence of friends is very important!" The Third Hokage adjusted his hat and leaned forward slightly. "Little Soseki, what rank of Ninjutsu would you like to exchange for?"
"Would it be D-rank Ninjutsu or C-rank Ninjutsu?" the Third