The Third Hokage's Probe

Narak went home and slept straight through until dawn.

As expected, the next morning, an ANBU came to notify him that the Hokage wanted to see him and that he should report immediately.

But Narak took his time washing up, then leisurely ate breakfast before heading to the Hokage's office building, which left the ANBU who came to notify him thoroughly annoyed.

I didn't even get to eat breakfast before coming to notify you, and here you are, taking your sweet time eating, making me hungry just watching...

Narak couldn't care less about the ANBU's irritation. So what if the Hokage summoned him? Couldn't he eat breakfast first? Hmph, he wasn't about to be pushed around. Let the Third Hokage wait a bit.

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage sat behind his desk, puffing on a pipe, staring at the lazy Narak standing before him with a face full of exasperation.

The ANBU had already reported back, telling him that Narak had taken his time finishing breakfast before coming after receiving the order. The Third Hokage was equally annoyed after hearing that.

I'm an old man, up before dawn to start work, and you sleep in until you wake up naturally, and even knowing I summoned you, you don't come sooner. Honestly, do young people these days not know how to respect their elders?

"So... Narak, you went to the Uchiha Clan last night and met with Itachi. What did you two talk about?" After taking one last puff, the Third Hokage tapped the ash from his pipe on the desk and addressed Narak.

"Oh, what? I went to the Uchiha Clan last night? Huh? I don't remember that. I must have been sleepwalking." Faced with the Third Hokage's question, Narak played dumb.

"You little brat, could you at least try to act more convincing?" Staring at Narak's feigned ignorance, the Third Hokage forced down his rising temper, his eyes wide.

"What do you mean? I really don't know. It's not like I can control sleepwalking, right?" No matter what the Third Hokage said, Narak refused to admit a thing.

The Third Hokage sighed. "Fine, I won't press you on this. Just remember, what happened last night stays buried in your gut. The official story is that the Uchiha Clan was wiped out. As for the truth, don't breathe a word of it, or it'll cause turmoil in Konoha."

"Also..." The Third Hokage, who had been behind his desk a moment ago, suddenly flashed in front of Narak and threw a punch at him.

"Here it comes." Narak was ready for this.

Before coming, he had anticipated that the Third Hokage would test his strength.

Facing the punch, Narak raised his left arm to block. But then the Third Hokage followed up with a side kick, which Narak dodged with a sidestep.

"Bam."

"Smack."

In the spacious Hokage's office, the two began a rapid exchange of blows.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." Hearing the commotion inside, the ANBU on guard outside instantly flashed in.

The two fighters stopped immediately.

"Third Hokage-sama, are you alright?" The ANBU Captain glared at Narak with a hostile look as he asked the Third Hokage.

"I'm fine. I was just testing the kid's skills. All of you, withdraw." The Third Hokage waved the ANBU away.

The ANBU dispersed at once.

Now, the Third Hokage looked at Narak with satisfaction. "Not bad. You're very good. Last night, the ANBU told me you might have broken through to Jonin. I had my doubts, but now I see you really have."

"Haha, worthy of being Konoha's genius ninja. You're only ten years old and already at Jonin level. Give you a few more years, and you'll go even further. Truly, heaven blesses Konoha."

"Especially your speed. If this office weren't so cramped, limiting your performance, out in the open I probably couldn't even catch up to you. Konoha lost Body Flicker Shisui, but now we have a genius like you. It's heaven's way of making up for it."

Clearly, the Third Hokage was very pleased with Narak's displayed strength.

Narak, however, was quite annoyed.

When the Third Hokage started with probing attacks, Narak had wanted to hold back.

But the Third Hokage clearly saw through his intention and launched a storm of attacks—not just physical blows but also a pressure of aura. Forced into a corner, Narak had to go all out to defend.

And that was how the Third Hokage found out his true strength.

"Looks like I'll have more work from now on." Narak lamented inwardly.

Sure enough, the Third Hokage continued, "You just got back from a mission yesterday. Take ten days off to rest. After that, you'll take the Jonin exam."

Narak scratched his head and put on a pitiful face. "Third Hokage, old man, can I refuse? I think being a Chunin is fine. Look, I'm only ten. I'm still a kid. You can't be so harsh with child labor..."

Hearing this, the Third Hokage, who had been in a good mood, immediately darkened his face. He forced down his anger again, veins bulging on his forehead. "You little brat, get out of here. No discussion. Ten days from now, you're taking the Jonin exam."

"And don't you try any tricks. You'd better give it your all. If you deliberately fail, I'll assign you the hardest, most exhausting jobs in the village. You want to slack off? Hmph, don't even think about it!"

"Seriously, if it's a no, just say no. Why get so angry? At your age, with such a temper, if you scare a kid like me, are you going to take responsibility?" Narak muttered.

Originally, Narak had planned to half-ass the Jonin exam, but the Third Hokage's words had blocked that escape route.

"Hmph, you ungrateful brat. Do you know how much effort others put in just to become a Chunin or Genin? And here you are, acting like becoming a Jonin is a death sentence."

"Honestly, the Hyuga Clan has strict discipline, full of proper, well-mannered people. How did they produce an oddball like you? I think Hyuga Hiashi really needs to straighten you out." The Third Hokage said irritably.

"Yes, yes, yes, Third Hokage-sama is absolutely right. I'm deeply ashamed to be a failure of quality education. So, I'll go back and diligently study the Hyuga Clan's precepts, striving to become a model youth who brings honor to Konoha."

"Well then, I'll take my leave and not disturb you while you're busy with a thousand matters." Narak grinned and waved goodbye.

Watching Narak's retreating figure, the Third Hokage shook his head with a wry smile. "That little brat!"