What My Mother Told Me

After standing inside for a long while and hearing no more movement outside the door, Veigar finally opened a narrow crack and cautiously poked his head out to look around.

Veigar quickly pulled his head back in, but he had no idea that everything he had just done had been recorded by an Anbu ninja left behind to keep watch.

As soon as he returned to the second-floor room, a voice suddenly reached Veigar's ears.

"Vega Koshima, I have been ordered by the Third Hokage to notify you."

"Go to the Hokage Building tomorrow morning."

"That is all."

Veigar was startled when he heard the voice and nearly assumed a defensive stance. However, when he saw that Monkey Mask—the same mask worn by the person who had notified him to go to the Ninja Academy for the entrance test—he relaxed a little.

"Yes, I understand."

The moment Veigar finished speaking, the Anbu ninja by the window had already vanished from sight.

After confirming that the Anbu ninja had truly left, Veigar closed the window. His formerly serious expression suddenly changed.

"I still have a long way to go."

Whether it was the Third Hokage outside his door just now or the Anbu ninja who had come and gone without a trace, Veigar, who had trained in Chakra sensing, had not noticed either of them in the slightest.

This made Veigar realize that he was still far too weak—so weak that he was like an ant that could be casually stepped on or crushed to death.

Once his mood gradually settled, Veigar opened the scroll containing the Sword Technique.

For some reason, Veigar's heart was filled with a sense of urgency at that moment.

Four o'clock the next morning.

Veigar, who had always left home empty-handed, brought along the Ninja Sword left behind by Viking Koshima this time.

For seven-year-old Veigar, who stood a little over 1.1 meters tall, a Ninja Sword sixty centimeters long was just right.

After finishing work at the slaughterhouse, Veigar went to the Hokage Building. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not arrived for work yet.

After learning why Veigar had come, the Anbu ninja who regularly patrolled around the Hokage Building quickly took him to a room inside and had him wait there for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

While waiting, Veigar began recalling the key points of training in One-Sword Style: Iaido Slash.

The Sword Technique Veigar practiced belonged to the slashing method. It had requirements for everything from gripping and wearing the sword to coordinating one's gaze and breathing.

If you could not hold the sword steadily, how could you talk about killing?

Training in Sword Technique had to begin with learning how to grip the sword in one's hand tightly.

When an Anbu ninja came to notify Veigar that he was to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Anbu ninja saw Veigar immersed in his training as soon as he opened the door.

Veigar's eyes were tightly shut, and he held the Ninja Sword with his arm extended straight out.

"Vega Koshima, Lord Hokage has sent me to notify you that he wishes to see you."

"Please come with me."

His training interrupted, Veigar opened his eyes, quickly sheathed his sword, and replied, "Yes. Please lead the way."

Veigar maintained sufficient respect for the strong, regardless of their identity.

Following the Anbu ninja, Veigar entered the Hokage's Office with ease. This was the third time Veigar had met Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha.

"Lord Hokage, I am truly sorry. I really didn't know it was you outside my door last night."

With an apprehensive expression, Veigar lowered his head and apologized the moment he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hahaha..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi first laughed warmly, then said unconcernedly, "It's fine, it's fine. You don't need to apologize."

"I was too abrupt."

Hiruzen Sarutobi could understand why a seven-year-old child had reacted that way after being refused entry last night. After all, Veigar and he were practically strangers.

Even an adult would probably have made the same decision as Veigar if an unfamiliar person had suddenly come knocking at their door at night.

"Th-thank you, Lord Hokage."

Veigar answered his thanks quietly.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Veigar, "Veigar, I know your grades at school are excellent. That proves you're a genius."

"But I want to know, why did you go to work at a slaughterhouse? Do you get tired from waking up so early every day?"

Veigar scratched his head and replied with slight embarrassment, "I'm not a genius or anything. I just happened to remember the content of the test."

"As for why I went to work at the slaughterhouse..."

After pausing, Veigar continued, "Because I ran out of money, so I could only find a job."

"Besides, my mother told me that if I wanted to earn more money, I had to work hard."

"Uncle Fuan pays me very well. I can save some money every month. The work is pretty tough, but I'm not tired."

After saying this, a satisfied smile appeared on Veigar's small face.

Staring at Veigar's smiling face, Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly moved as well. It was only when Veigar became embarrassed under his gaze, reined in his smile, and slowly lowered his head that Hiruzen changed the subject.

"The sword you're carrying was left to you by your father, wasn't it?"

"Your father was an incredible ninja back then."

Veigar raised his head again and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lord Hokage, did you know my father? Then could you tell me about him?"

"I've never met my father."

"This really was left to me by my father. He also left behind a training journal, but there are still many parts I don't understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi replied with a smile, "Of course. I'll tell you about your father."

As they chatted, Veigar learned from Hiruzen Sarutobi about some of Viking Koshima's past. He also learned that Viking Koshima had been a Chunin skilled in Sword Technique and taijutsu.

After chatting for more than ten minutes, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Veigar, "Veigar, let's stop here for today. I'm about to start work."

Hearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was going to work, Veigar no longer dared to disturb him. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you very much for telling me about my father!"

"Then I'll be leaving now."

Just as Veigar turned around to leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi called after him and asked, "Veigar, do you have a dream?"

Without thinking, Veigar turned around and replied, "I hope to become a ninja like my father, one who protects the village and its peace."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with great satisfaction, "If you want to become a great ninja like your father, then remember this."

"Wherever the leaves dance, fire will burn. The light of the fire will continue to illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout."

Veigar answered respectfully, "I'll remember that."

After leaving the Hokage Building, Veigar jogged away. Once Veigar had left, Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage Building also began his busy day.